FORUM FUNDS
485BPOS, 1998-07-31
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      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 1998
    

                         File Nos. 2-67052 and 811-3023

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                    FORM N-1A

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                             SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

   
                         Post-Effective Amendment No. 64
    

                                       AND

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                         INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

   
                                Amendment No. 66
    

                                   FORUM FUNDS
                         (Formerly "Forum Funds, Inc.")

                               Two Portland Square
                              Portland, Maine 04101
                                 (207) 879-1900

                              Leslie K. Klenk, Esq.
                         Forum Financial Services, Inc.
                   Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101

                                   Copies to:

                            Anthony C.J. Nuland, Esq.
                                 Seward & Kissel
                               1200 G Street, N.W.
                             Washington, D.C. 20005

             It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

   
[X] immediately  upon filing  pursuant to Rule 485,  paragraph (b)
[ ] on ______ pursuant to Rule 485,  paragraph  (b)
[ ] 60 days after filing  pursuant to Rule 485,  paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] on ______ pursuant to Rule 485,  paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] 75 days  after  filing  pursuant  to Rule  485,  paragraph  (a)(2)
[ ] on ______ pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(2)
    
[ ]  this  post-effective  amendment  designates  a  new  effective  date  for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.

   
Title of Securities being registered:  Shares of Investors High Grade Bond Fund,
Investors  Bond  Fund,  TaxSaver  Bond Fund,  Maine  Municipal  Bond  Fund,  New
Hampshire Bond Fund,  Payson Value Fund,  Payson  Balanced  Fund,  Austin Global
Equity Fund, Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund,  Investors Growth Fund,  Quadra
Value Equity Fund and Quadra Growth Fund.
    



<PAGE>


                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                          (AS REQUIRED BY RULE 481(A))

   
   (Prospectuses offering shares of Investors High Grade Bond Fund, Investors
  Bond Fund, TaxSaver Bond Fund, Maine Municipal Bond Fund, New Hampshire Bond
    Fund, Payson Value Fund, Payson Balanced Fund, Austin Global Equity Fund,
     Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund, Investors Growth Fund, Quadra Value
                      Equity Fund and Quadra Growth Fund )
    

                                     PART A
<TABLE>
<S>                  <C>                                            <C>
   
Form N-1A
Item No.                                                         Location in Prospectus
- --------                                                         ----------------------

Item 1.             Cover Page                                   Cover Page

Item 2.             Synopsis                                     Prospectus Summary

Item 3.             Condensed Financial Information              Financial Highlights

Item 4.             General Description of Registrant            Prospectus Summary; Investment Objectives and
                                                                 Policies; Additional Investment Policies; Other
                                                                 Information - The Trust and It's Shares

Item 5.             Management of the Fund                       Prospectus Summary; Management

Item 5A.            Management's Discussion of Fund Performance  Not Applicable

Item 6.             Capital Stock and Other Securities           Investment Objectives and Policies; Distributions and
                                                                 Tax Matters; Management - Shareholder Servicing;
                                                                 Other Information - The Trust and
                                                                 its Shares

Item 7.             Purchase of Securities Being Offered         Purchases and Redemptions of Shares; Other
                                                                 Information - Determination of Net Asset Value

Item 8.             Redemption or Repurchase                     Purchases and Redemptions of Shares

Item 9.             Pending Legal Proceedings                    Not Applicable
    
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
   
                            (All other Prospectuses)
    

                                     PART A

                          Not Applicable in this Filing


<PAGE>


                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                          (AS REQUIRED BY RULE 481(A))

   
  (SAIs offering shares of Investors High Grade Bond Fund, Investors Bond Fund,
     TaxSaver Bond Fund, Maine Municipal Bond Fund; New Hampshire Bond Fund,
  Investors Growth Fund, Payson Value Fund, Payson Balanced Fund, Austin Global
               Equity Fund and Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund)

    

                                     PART B
<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>                                          <C>
Form N-1A 
Item No.                                                         Location in Statement of Additional Information
- --------                                                         -----------------------------------------------

Item 10.            Cover Page                                   Cover Page

Item 11.            Table of Contents                            Cover Page

   
Item 12.            General Information and History              General; Management

Item 13.            Investment Objectives and Other Policies     Investment Policies; Additional Investment
                                                                 Policies
    

Item 14.            Management of the Fund                       Management

   
Item 15.            Control Persons and Principal Holders of     General
                    Securities

Item 16.            Investment Advisory and Other Services       Management; Other Information - Counsel,
                                                                 Custodian, Independent Auditors
    

Item 17.            Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices     Portfolio Transactions

Item 18.            Capital Stock and Other Securities           General; Determination of Net Asset Value

   
Item 19.            Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of          Determination of Net Asset Value; Additional
                    Securities Being Offered                     Purchase and Redemption Information

Item 20.            Tax Status                                   Tax Matters
    

Item 21.            Underwriters                                 Management

Item 22.            Calculation of Performance Data              Performance Data

Item 23.            Financial Statements                         Not Applicable
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


   
                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                          (AS REQUIRED BY RULE 481(A))

    (SAI offering shares of Quadra Value Equity Fund and Quadra Growth Fund)

                                     PART B
<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>                                          <C>
Form N-1A 
Item No.                                                         Location in Statement of Additional Information
- --------                                                         -----------------------------------------------

Item 10.            Cover Page                                   Cover Page

Item 11.            Table of Contents                            Cover Page

Item 12.            General Information and History              Management

Item 13.            Investment Objectives and Other Policies     Investment Policies; Additional Investment
                                                                 Policies

Item 14.            Management of the Fund                       Management

Item 15.            Control Persons and Principal Holders of     General
                    Securities

Item 16.            Investment Advisory and Other Services       Management; Other Information - Counsel,
                                                                 Custodian, Independent Accountants

Item 17.            Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices     Portfolio Transactions

Item 18.            Capital Stock and Other Securities           General; Determination of Net Asset Value

Item 19.            Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of          Determination of Net Asset Value; Additional
                    Securities Being Offered                     Purchase and Redemption Information

Item 20.            Tax Status                                   Tax Matters

Item 21.            Underwriters                                 Management

Item 22.            Calculation of Performance Data              Performance Data

Item 23.            Financial Statements                         Not Applicable
    
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
   
                                (All other SAIs)
    

                                     PART B

                          Not Applicable in this Filing

<PAGE>




<PAGE>

[GRAPHIC]

                                      PROSPECTUS


                                        PAYSON
                                      VALUE FUND


                                        PAYSON
                                    BALANCED FUND



                                        FORUM
                                        FUNDS
                                    AUGUST 1, 1998

<PAGE>
FORUM FUNDS
 
PAYSON VALUE FUND
PAYSON BALANCED FUND
 
                                                                      PROSPECTUS
 
                                                                  August 1, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING:
 
       Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
       P.O. Box 446
       Portland, Maine 04112
       (207) 879-0001
       (800) 805-8258
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
This Prospectus offers shares of Payson Value Fund and Payson Balanced Fund (the
"Funds"), diversified portfolios of Forum Funds (the "Trust"), which is an
open-end, management investment company.
 
     PAYSON VALUE FUND. The investment objective of Payson Value Fund is to seek
     high total return (capital appreciation and current income) by investing in
     a diversified portfolio of common stock and securities convertible into
     common stock which appear to be undervalued in the marketplace.
 
     PAYSON BALANCED FUND. The investment objective of Payson Balanced Fund is
     to seek a combination of high current income and capital appreciation by
     investing in common stock and securities convertible into common stock
     which appear to be undervalued and in high grade senior debt securities,
     including U.S. Government, government agency and corporate obligations.
 
Shares of the Funds are offered to investors at a price equal to the next
determined net asset value plus a maximum sales charge of 4.0% of the total
public offering price (4.17% of the amount invested).
 
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information a prospective investor
should know about the Trust and the Funds before investing. The Trust has filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a Statement of Additional
Information dated August 1, 1998, as may be amended from time to time (the
"SAI"), which contains more detailed information about the Trust and the Funds
and is available together with other related materials for reference on the
SEC's Internet Web Site (http://www.sec.gov). The SAI, which is incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus, is also available, without charge, by contacting
Forum Shareholder Services, LLC, the Trust's transfer agent, at the address and
telephone numbers printed above.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Page
                                                           -----
<C>          <S>                                         <C>
        1.   Prospectus Summary..........................          2
        2.   Financial Highlights........................          4
        3.   Investment Objectives and Policies..........          6
        4.   Additional Investment Policies..............         12
 
<CAPTION>
                                                            Page
                                                           -----
<C>          <S>                                         <C>
        5.   Management..................................         15
        6.   Purchases and Redemptions of Shares.........         17
        7.   Distributions and Tax Matters...............         23
        8.   Other Information...........................         25
</TABLE>
 
   INVESTORS SHOULD READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
FUND SHARES ARE NOT OBLIGATIONS, DEPOSITS OR ACCOUNTS OF, OR ENDORSED OR
GUARANTEED BY, ANY BANK OR ANY AFFILIATE OF A BANK AND ARE NOT INSURED OR
GUARANTEED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THE FDIC, OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY.
 
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.
<PAGE>
1. PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
 
    The investment objective of the Payson Value Fund is to seek high total
return (capital appreciation and current income) by investing in a diversified
portfolio of common stock and securities convertible into common stock which
appear to be undervalued in the marketplace. See "Investment Objective and
Policies -- Payson Value Fund."
 
    The investment objective of the Payson Balanced Fund is to seek a
combination of high current income and capital appreciation by investing in
common stock and securities convertible into common stock which appear to be
undervalued and in high grade senior debt securities, including U.S. Government,
government agency and corporate obligations. See "Investment Objectives and
Policies -- Payson Balanced Fund."
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
    H.M. Payson & Co. (the "Adviser"), founded in 1854, serves as each Fund's
investment adviser. See "Management -- The Advisor."
 
FUND MANAGEMENT
 
    The administrator of the Trust is Forum Administrative Services, LLC
("FAdS") and the distributor of its shares is Forum Financial Services, Inc.
("FFSI"). Forum Financial Services, LLC ("FSS") serves as the Trust's transfer
agent, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent and Forum Accounting
Services, LLC ("FAcS") provides portfolio accounting services for the Trust. The
address of each of FAdS, FFSI, FSS and FAcS is Two Portland Square, Portland,
Maine 04101. See "Management."
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
 
    Shares of the Funds are offered at the next-determined net asset value per
share plus any applicable sales charge. Shares may be purchased or redeemed by
mail, by bank-wire or through an investor's broker-dealer or other financial
institution. The minimum initial investment is $2,000 ($1,000 for IRAs) and the
minimum subsequent investment is $250. Shares may be redeemed without charge.
See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares."
 
    Shares of the Fund are not offered for sale in every state. To determine
whether the Fund is available for purchase in a particular state, contact FSS at
the numbers listed on the first page of this Prospectus,
 
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
 
    Shareholders of the Funds may exchange their shares without charge for the
shares of certain other funds of the Trust. See "Purchases and Redemptions of
Shares -- Exchanges."
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Each Fund distributes its net investment income, if any, quarterly and its
net capital gain, if any, at least annually. All distributions are automatically
reinvested in additional shares of the Funds at net asset value unless the
shareholder has notified the Funds in his or her Account Application or
otherwise in writing of the shareholder's election to receive dividends or
distributions in cash. See "Distributions and Tax Matters."
 
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS
 
    There can be no assurance that either Fund will achieve its investment
objective. The net asset value of each Fund and their total return will
fluctuate as the value of the securities in which each Fund invests changes.
Investments in equity securities may change in value rapidly and to a great
degree. Accordingly, the Funds' net asset values may change similarly. The
foreign securities in which the Funds may invest entail certain risks not
associated with domestic investments. Investments in lower rated debt securities
(including convertible securities) may entail certain risks. Investors in the
Funds should be willing to accept the risks of the stock and bond markets and
should not consider their investment in either Fund as a complete investment
program. See
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
"Investment Objectives and Policies" and "Additional Investment Policies" below.
 
EXPENSES OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS
 
    The purpose of the following table is to assist investors in understanding
the various expenses that an investor in a Fund will bear directly or
indirectly.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Payson
                                           Payson      Balanced
                                         Value Fund      Fund
                                         -----------  -----------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum sales charge imposed on
 purchases (as a percentage of public
 offering price) (1)...................        4.0%         4.0%
Exchange Fee...........................        None         None
 
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (2) (as
 a percentage of average net assets
 after applicable expense
 reimbursements and fee waivers)
 Advisory Fees.........................       0.80%        0.60%
12b-1 Fees.............................        None         None
Other Expenses.........................       0.65%        0.56%
                                         -----------  -----------
Total Fund Operating Expenses..........       1.45%        1.16%
</TABLE>
 
    (1) Certain shareholders may be eligible for reduced sales charges. See
"Purchases and Redemptions of Shares -- Reduced Sales Charges".
 
    (2) The Annual Fund Operating Expenses are based on expenses and assets of
each Fund during the Fund's most recent fiscal year ending March 31, 1998.
Absent certain expense reimbursements and fee waivers during the most recent
fiscal year, Advisory Fees, Other Expenses and Total Fund Operating Expenses
would be 0.80%, 1.07%, and 1.87%, respectively, in the case of Payson Value Fund
and 0.60%, 0.97%, and 1.57%, respectively, in the case of Payson Balanced Fund.
Expense reimbursements and fee waivers are voluntary and may be reduced or
eliminated at any time. For a further description of the various expenses
incurred in the operation of the Funds, see "Management."
 
EXAMPLE
 
    Following is a hypothetical example that indicates the dollar amount of
expenses that an investor in each Fund would pay assuming (1) a $1,000
investment in the Fund, (2) a 5% annual return, (3) the reinvestment of all
distributions (4) the payment of the maximum initial sales charge and (5) full
redemption at the end of each time period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years
                           ------   -------   -------   --------
<S>                        <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>
Payson
 Value Fund..............    $54      $84       $116      $207
Payson
 Balanced Fund...........    $51      $75       $101      $174
</TABLE>
 
    THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
EXPENSES. Actual expenses may be greater or less than indicated. The example is
based on the expenses listed in the table. The 5% annual return is not
predictive of and does not represent the Funds' projected returns; rather, it is
required by government regulation.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
2. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
    The following information represents selected data for a single share
outstanding of each Fund. This information has been audited in connection with
an audit of the Funds' financial statements by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent auditors. The financial statements and independent auditors' report
thereon are incorporated by reference into the SAI. Further information about a
Funds' performance is contained in the Funds' annual report to shareholders,
which may be obtained from the Trust without charge by contacting the Funds'
transfer agent.
 
                               PAYSON VALUE FUND
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1998       1997       1996       1995       1994      1993(a)
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period....  $   16.10  $   15.99  $   12.71  $   12.11  $   11.01  $   10.00
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Investment Operations:
  Net Investment Income.................       0.12       0.21       0.21       0.18       0.13       0.08
  Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
    (Loss) on Investments...............       6.93       1.80       3.29       0.60       1.12       1.02
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from Investment Operations........       7.05       2.01       3.50       0.78       1.25       1.10
Distributions From:
  Net Investment Income.................      (0.12)     (0.20)     (0.21)     (0.18)     (0.15)     (0.09)
  Net Realized Gain on Investments......      (1.36)     (1.70)     (0.01)        --         --         --
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total Distributions.....................      (1.48)     (1.90)     (0.22)     (0.18)     (0.15)     (0.09)
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net Asset Value, End of Period..........  $   21.67  $   16.10  $   15.99  $   12.71  $   12.11  $   11.01
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total Return(b).........................      45.28%     13.01%     27.77%      6.52%     11.38%     17.05%(c)
Ratio/Supplementary Data:
Net Assets at End of Period (000's
  omitted)..............................  $  19,918  $  13,109  $  10,319  $   7,960  $   5,060  $   2,145
 
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
  Expenses Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver................       1.45%      1.45%      1.45%      1.46%      1.45%      1.44%(c)
  Expenses Excluding
    Reimbursement/Waiver................       1.87%      2.07%      2.16%      2.25%      3.04%      5.53%(c)
  Net Investment Income (Loss) Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver................       0.62%      1.30%      1.47%      1.59%      1.38%      1.63%(c)
Portfolio Turnover Rate.................      38.85%     24.13%     53.06%     27.20%     32.15%     23.95%
Average Commission Rate(d)..............  $  0.0807  $  0.0979  $  0.0993         --         --         --
</TABLE>
 
(a) Payson Value Fund commenced operations on July 31, 1992.
 
(b) Total return calculations do not include sales charges.
 
(c) Annualized.
 
(d) Amount represents the average commission per share paid to brokers on the
    purchase and sale of equity securities.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                              PAYSON BALANCED FUND
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1998       1997       1996       1995       1994       1993      1992(a)
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period....  $   13.20  $   13.70  $   11.90  $   11.71  $   11.40  $   10.21  $   10.00
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Investment Operations:
  Net Investment Income (Loss)..........       0.37       0.42       0.43       0.44       0.34       0.31       0.10
  Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
    (Loss) on Investments...............       3.52       0.84       2.12       0.24       0.46       1.20       0.21
Total from Investment Operations........       3.89       1.26       2.55       0.68       0.80       1.51       0.31
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Distributions From:
  Net Investment Income.................      (0.37)     (0.42)     (0.43)     (0.44)     (0.35)     (0.31)     (0.10)
  Net Realized Gain on Investments......      (1.93)     (1.34)     (0.32)     (0.05)     (0.14)     (0.01)        --
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total Distributions.....................      (2.30)     (1.76)     (0.75)     (0.49)     (0.49)     (0.32)     (0.10)
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net Asset Value, End of Period..........  $   14.79  $   13.20  $   13.70  $   11.90  $   11.71  $   11.40  $   10.21
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total Return(b).........................      31.27%      9.42%     21.70%      6.00%      6.99%     15.12%      9.15%(c)
Ratio/Supplementary Data:
Net Assets at End of Period (000's
  omitted)..............................  $  24,440  $  18,163  $  17,455  $  13,872  $  11,355  $   5,396  $   2,667
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
  Expenses Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver................       1.15%      1.15%      1.15%      1.15%      1.15%      1.15%      1.13%(c)
  Expenses Excluding
    Reimbursement/Waiver................       1.57%      1.67%      1.70%      1.72%      1.95%      2.60%      4.88%(c)
  Net Investment Income (Loss) Including
    Reimbursement/ Waiver...............       2.58%      3.07%      3.25%      3.91%      4.37%      3.27%      3.46%(c)
  Portfolio Turnover Rate...............      66.13%     52.93%     61.77%     50.06%     80.13%     30.77%      1.53%
  Average Commission Rate(d)............  $  0.0647  $  0.0806  $  0.0973         --         --         --         --
</TABLE>
 
(a) Payson Balanced Fund commenced operations on November 25, 1991.
 
(b) Total return calculations do not include sales charges.
 
(c) Annualized.
 
(d) Amount represents the average commission per share paid to brokers on the
    purchase and sale of equity securities.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
3. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
 
PAYSON VALUE FUND
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to seek high total return (capital
appreciation and current income) by investing in a diversified portfolio of
common stock and securities convertible into common stock which appear to be
undervalued in the marketplace. Except to the degree that is necessary to
provide liquidity, and during periods when the Fund assumes a temporary
defensive position, the Fund will have all of its assets invested in common
stock and securities convertible into common stock. There can be no assurance
that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    The Fund intends to invest principally in securities which, in the Adviser's
opinion, are undervalued relative to the stock market as a whole. This opinion
will be based upon a number of valuation measures, including but not limited to
an analysis of price/earnings ratios, price/book ratios, dividend yields and
measures of current profitability. The Adviser will also consider both the
near-term and long-term fundamental prospects of the companies identified. The
Fund invests primarily in large and medium capitalization stocks that are widely
held by the public.
 
    The Fund will invest in common stock and convertible securities, including
convertible debt and convertible preferred stock, that are rated in one of the
four highest rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating
organization ("NRSRO") or which are unrated by any NRSRO and are judged by the
Adviser to be of comparable quality. Unrated securities may not be as actively
traded as rated securities. A further description of Moody's Investors Service,
Standard & Poor's and other NRSRO ratings is included in the SAI.
 
    CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES.  A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note,
preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a
prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a
particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible
security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the
dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is
redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities have
characteristics similar to nonconvertible debt securities in that they
ordinarily provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than
those of common stocks of the same or similar issuers. Convertible securities
rank senior to common stock in a corporation's capital structure but are usually
subordinated to comparable nonconvertible securities.
 
    The value of a convertible security is a function of its "investment value"
(determined by its yield comparison with the yields of other securities of
comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its
"conversion value" (the security's worth, at market value, if converted into the
underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is
influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value declining as
interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit
standing of the issuer and other factors also may have an effect on the
convertible security's investment value. The conversion value of a convertible
security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock.
 
    CERTAIN RISK FACTORS.  The value of the equity securities in which the Fund
invests may change rapidly and to a great degree depending upon many factors,
including the market's perception of the value of the securities. Accordingly,
the net asset value of the Fund may change similarly. Investors in the Fund
should be willing to accept the risks of the stock market and should consider
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
an investment in the Fund only as a part of their overall investment portfolio.
 
PAYSON BALANCED FUND
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to seek a combination of high
current income and capital appreciation by investing in common stock and
securities convertible into common stock which appear to be undervalued and in
high grade senior debt securities, including U.S. Government, government agency
and corporate obligations. The Fund will seek to achieve its investment
objective while reducing volatility through the allocation of its assets among
the available types of securities based upon the Adviser's opinion of the risk
in each. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    Under normal circumstances the Fund will invest in common stock and
securities convertible into common stock in a manner similar to that of Payson
Value Fund and in investment grade debt securities which the Adviser identifies
as providing high levels of income with safety and appreciation potential. For a
description of the investment policies and risk considerations of the Fund's
equity investments, see "Investment Objectives and Policies -- Payson Value
Fund." The debt securities in which the Fund intends to invest include U.S.
Government, government agency, and corporate obligations.
 
    The Fund will not purchase a security if as a result of the purchase less
than 25% of its total assets would be in fixed-income senior securities
(including debt securities, preferred stocks, and convertible debt securities
and convertible preferred stocks to the extent their value is attributable to
their fixed-income characteristics). This investment policy may be changed by
the Board, but only upon 60 days' notice to shareholders. Subject to this
restriction, the percentage of the Fund's assets invested in each type of
security at any time will be in accordance with the judgment of the Adviser.
 
    The Fund may invest in the following types of fixed income securities:
 
(1) Debt securities which are rated in one of the three highest rating
    categories by an NRSRO or which are unrated by any NRSRO and judged by the
    Adviser to be of comparable quality;
 
(2) Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United
    States Government or by any of its agencies or instrumentalities ("U.S.
    Government Securities");
 
(3) Mortgage-backed securities which are U.S. Government Securities or are
    otherwise rated in one of the two highest rating categories by an NRSRO or
    which are unrated by any NRSRO and judged by the Adviser to be of comparable
    quality;
 
(4) Commercial paper and other money market instruments rated in one of the two
    highest short-term rating categories by an NRSRO or which are unrated by any
    NRSRO and judged by the Adviser to be of comparable quality;
 
(5) Banker's acceptances or negotiable certificates of deposit issued by the
    commercial banks doing business in the United States that have, at the time
    of investment, total assets in excess of one billion dollars and that are
    insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; and
 
(6) Convertible securities rated in one of the four highest rating categories by
    an NRSRO or which are unrated by any NRSRO and judged by the Adviser to be
    of comparable quality. For a description of convertible securities, see
    "Investment Objectives and Policies -- Payson Value Fund."
 
    It is currently anticipated that the Fund will invest in debt obligations
with maturities ranging from short-term (including overnight) to thirty
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
years, and that the Fund's portfolio of debt securities will have an average
dollar-weighted maturity of between five and 15 years.
 
    DEBT SECURITIES CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS. The market value of debt
securities depends upon, among other things, conditions in the market for the
security and the fixed income markets generally, the size of a particular
offering, the maturity of the obligation, and the rating of the issue. The
market value of the interest-bearing debt securities held by the Fund will be
affected by changes in interest rates. Normally, a decline in interest rates
produces an increase in market value, while an increase in interest rates
produces a decrease in market value. Moreover, the longer the remaining maturity
of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the
market value of that security. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make
payments of interest and principal and in the market's perception of an issuer's
creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of
that issuer. Obligations of issuers of debt securities are subject to the
provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors. The possibility exists, therefore, that, as a result of
litigation or other conditions, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the
principal of and interest on its debt securities may be materially impaired.
 
    Securities rated in one of the four highest rating categories of an NRSRO
are generally considered to be investment grade securities, although securities
rated in the fourth highest-rating category have speculative characteristics.
Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to
a weakened capacity by the issuer to make principal and interest payments with
respect to debt rated in that category than is the case with higher rated debt.
A further description of the ratings used by Moody's, Standard & Poor's and
other NRSROs is contained in the SAI. Unrated securities may not be as actively
traded as rated securities. An unrated security will be considered for
investment by the Fund when the Adviser believes that the financial condition of
the issuer of such obligation and the protection afforded by the terms of the
obligation limit the risk to the Fund to a degree comparable to that of rated
securities in which the Fund may invest. The Fund may retain securities whose
rating has been lowered below the lowest permissible rating category (or that
are unrated and determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality) only if
the Adviser determines that retaining the security is in the best interests of
the Fund.
 
    U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.  The U.S. Government Securities in which the
Fund may invest include direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury (such as
Treasury bills and notes) and other securities backed by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. Government, such as those issued by the Federal Housing
Administration and Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"). The Fund
may also invest in U.S. Government Securities that have lesser degrees of
government backing. For instance, the Fund may invest in obligations of the
Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation ("FHLMC") (which are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow
from the Treasury under certain circumstances) and obligations of the Student
Loan Marketing Association and the Federal Home Loan Banks (which are supported
only by the credit of the agency or instrumentality). There is no guarantee that
the U.S. Government will support securities not backed by its full faith and
credit and, accordingly, these securities may involve more risk than other U.S.
Government Securities.
 
    MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES.  Mortgage-backed securities represent an
interest in a pool of mortgages originated by lenders such as commercial banks,
savings associations and mortgage bankers and brokers. Mortgage-backed
securities may be issued by governmental or government-
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
related entities or by non-governmental entities such as special purpose trusts
created by banks, savings associations, private mortgage insurance companies or
mortgage bankers.
 
    Interests in mortgage-backed securities differ from other forms of debt
securities, which normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed
amounts with principal payments at maturity or on specified call dates. In
contrast, mortgage-backed securities provide monthly payments which consist of
interest and, in most cases, principal. In effect, these payments are a
"pass-through" of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on their
mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the
securities or a mortgage loan servicer. Additional payments to holders of these
securities are caused by prepayments resulting from the sale or foreclosure of
the underlying property or refinancing of the underlying loans.
 
    UNDERLYING MORTGAGES.  Pools of mortgages consist of whole mortgage loans or
participations in mortgage loans. The majority of these loans are made to
purchasers of 1-4 family homes, but may be made to purchasers of mobile homes or
other real estate interests. The terms and characteristics or the mortgage
instruments are generally uniform within a pool but may vary among pools. For
example, in addition to fixed-rate, fixed-term mortgages, the Fund may purchase
pools of variable rate mortgages, growing equity mortgages, graduated payment
mortgages and mortgages of other types. Mortgage servicers impose qualification
standards for local lending institutions which originate mortgages for the pools
as well as credit standards and underwriting criteria for individual mortgages
included in the pools. In addition, many mortgages included in pools are insured
through private mortgage insurance companies.
 
    LIQUIDITY AND MARKETABILITY.  The market for mortgage-backed securities has
expanded considerably in recent years. The size of the primary issuance market
and active participation in the secondary market by securities dealers and many
types of investors make government and government-related pass-through pools
highly liquid. The recently introduced private conventional pools of mortgages
(pooled by commercial banks, savings and loan institutions and others, with no
relationship with government and government-related entities) have also achieved
broad market acceptance and consequently an active secondary market has emerged.
However, the market for conventional pools is smaller and less liquid that the
market for government and government-related mortgage pools.
 
    AVERAGE LIFE AND PREPAYMENTS.  The average life of a pass-through pools
varies with the maturities of the underlying mortgage instruments. In addition,
a pool's terms may be shortened by unscheduled or early payments of principal
and interest on the underlying mortgages. Prepayments with respect to securities
during times of declining interest rates will tend to lower the return of the
Fund and may even result in losses to the Fund if the securities were acquired
at a premium. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by various
factors including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the
location and age of the mortgage and other social and demographic conditions.
 
    As prepayment rates of individual pools vary widely, it is not possible to
accurately predict the average life of a particular pool. For pools of
fixed-rate 30-year mortgages, common industry practice is to assume that
prepayments will result in a 12-year average life. Pools of mortgages with other
maturities or different characteristics will have varying assumptions for
average life. The assumed average life of pools of mortgages having terms of
less than 30 years is less than 12 years, but typically not less than 5 years.
 
    YIELD CALCULATIONS.  Yields on pass-through securities are typically quoted
by investment dealers based on the maturity of the underlying instruments and
the associated average life assumption.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayment tends to increase,
thereby shortening the actual average life of a pool of mortgages. Conversely,
in periods of rising rates, the rate of prepayment tends to decrease, thereby
lengthening the actual average life of the pool. Actual prepayment experience
may cause the yield to differ from the assumed average life yield. Reinvestment
of prepayments may occur at higher or lower interest rates than the original
investment, thus affecting the yield of the Fund.
 
    GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT-RELATED GUARANTORS.  The principal government
guarantor of mortgage-backed securities is GNMA, a wholly-owned United States
Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
GNMA is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the United
States Government, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities
issued by institutions approved by GNMA and backed by pools of FHA-insured or
VA-guaranteed mortgages.
 
    FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private
stockholders that is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development. FNMA purchases residential mortgages from a list of
approved sell-servicers. FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the United
States Government that was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of
increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. Its
stock is owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks. FHLMC issues Participation
Certificates ("PCs") which represent interests in mortgages from FHLMC's
national portfolio. FNMA and FHLMC each guarantee the payment of principal and
interest on the securities they issue. These securities, however, are not backed
by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.
 
    PRIVATELY ISSUED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Mortgage-backed securities
offered by private issuers include pass-through securities comprised of pools of
conventional mortgage loans; mortgage-backed bonds which are considered to be
debt obligations of the institution issuing the bonds and which are
collateralized by mortgage loans; and collateralized mortgage obligations.
 
    Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers may offer a
higher rate of interest than securities issued by government issuers because of
the absence of direct or indirect government guarantees of payment. Many non-
governmental issuers or servicers of mortgage-backed securities, however,
guarantee timely payment of interest and principal on such securities. Timely
payment of interest and principal may also be supported by various forms of
insurance, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard policies. There can
be no assurance that the private issuers or insurers will be able to meet their
obligations under the relevant guarantees and insurance policies.
 
    ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Adjustable rate mortgage-backed
securities ("ARMs") are securities that have interest rates that are reset at
periodic intervals, usually by reference to some interest rate index or market
interest rate. Although the rate adjustment feature may act as a buffer to
reduce sharp changes in the value of adjustable rate securities, these
securities are still subject to changes in value based on changes in market
interest rates or changes in the issuer's creditworthiness. Because or the
resetting of interest rates, adjustable rate securities are less likely than
non-adjustable rate securities of comparable quality and maturity to increase
significantly in value when market interest rates fall. Also, most adjustable
rate securities (or the underlying mortgages) are subject to caps or floors.
"Caps" limit the maximum amount by which the interest rate paid by the borrower
may change at each reset date or over the life of the loan and, accordingly,
fluctuation in interest rates above these levels could cause such mortgage
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
securities to "cap out" and to behave more like long-term, fixed-rate debt
securities.
 
    ARMs may have less risk of a decline in value during periods of rapidly
rising rates, but they may also have less potential for capital appreciation
than other debt securities of comparable maturities due to the periodic
adjustment of the interest rate on the underlying mortgages and due to the
likelihood of increased prepayments of mortgages as interest rates decline.
Furthermore, during periods of declining interest rates, income to the Fund will
decrease as the coupon rate resets to reflect the decline in interest rates.
During periods of rising interest rates, changes in the coupon rates of the
mortgages underlying the Fund's ARMs may lag behind changes in market interest
rates. This may result in slightly lower net value until the interest rate
resets to market rates. Thus, investors could suffer some principal loss if they
sold Fund Shares before the interest rates on the underlying mortgages were
adjusted to reflect current market rates.
 
    COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS.  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
("CMOs") are debt obligations that are collateralized by mortgages or mortgage
pass-through securities issued by GNMA, FHLMC or FNMA or by pools of
conventional mortgages ("Mortgage Assets"). CMOs may be privately issued or U.S.
Government Securities. Payments of principal and interest on the Mortgage Assets
are passed through to the holders of the CMOs on the same schedule as they are
received, although, certain classes (often referred to as tranches) of CMOs have
priority over other classes with respect to the receipt of payments. Multi-class
mortgage pass-through securities are interests in trusts that hold Mortgage
Assets and that have multiple classes similar to those of CMOs. Unless the
context indicates otherwise, references to CMOs include multi-class mortgage
pass-through securities. Payments of principal of and interest on the underlying
Mortgage Assets (and in the case of CMOs, any reinvestment income thereon)
provide funds to pay debt service on the CMOs or to make scheduled distributions
on the multi-class mortgage pass-through securities. Parallel pay CMOs are
structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than
one class. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the
stated maturity date or final distribution date of each class, which, as with
other CMO structures, must be retired by its stated maturity date or final
distribution date but may be retired earlier. Planned amortization class
mortgage-based securities ("PAC Bonds") are a form of parallel pay CMO. PAC
Bonds are designed to provide relatively predictable payments of principal
provided that, among other things, the actual prepayment experience on the
underlying mortgage loans falls within a contemplated range. If the actual
prepayment experience on the underlying mortgage loans is at a rate faster or
slower than the contemplated range, or if deviations from other assumptions
occur, principal payments on a PAC Bond may be greater or smaller than
predicted. The magnitude of the contemplated range varies from one PAC Bond to
another; a narrower range increases the risk that prepayments will be greater or
smaller than contemplated. CMOs may have complicated structures and generally
involve more risks than simpler forms of mortgage-backed securities.
 
    The final tranche of a CMO may be structured as an accrual bond (sometimes
referred to as a Z-tranche). Holders of accrual bonds receive no cash payments
for an extended period of time. During the time that earlier tranches are
outstanding, accrual bonds receive accrued interest which is a credit for
periodic interest payments that increases the face amount of the security at a
compounded rate, but is not paid to the bond holder. After all previous tranches
are retired, accrual bond holders start receiving cash payments that include
both principal and continuing interest. The market value of accrual bonds can
fluctuate widely and their average life depends on the
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
other aspects of the CMO offering. Interest on accrual bonds is taxable when
accrued even though the holders receive no accrual payment. The Fund distributes
all of its net investment income, and may have to sell portfolio securities to
distribute imputed income, which may occur at a time when the Adviser would not
have chosen to sell such securities and which may result in a taxable gain or
loss. The Adviser's analyses of particular CMO issues and estimates of future
economic indicators (such as interest rates) become more important to the
performance of the Fund as the securities become more complicated.
 
    STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are
classes of mortgage-backed securities that receive different proportions of the
interest and principal distributions from the underlying Mortgage Assets. They
may be may be privately issued or U.S. Government Securities. In the most
extreme case, one class will be entitled to receive all or a portion of the
interest but none of the principal from the Mortgage Assets (the interest-only
or "IO" class) and one class will be entitled to receive all or a portion of the
principal, but none of the interest (the "PO" class).
 
    VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE SECURITIES.  The securities in which the Fund
invests may have variable or floating rates of interest. These securities pay
interest at rates that are adjusted periodically according to a specified
formula, usually with reference to some interest rate index or market interest
rate (the "underlying index"). The interest paid on these securities is a
function primarily of the underlying index upon which the interest rate
adjustments are based. Such adjustments minimize changes in the market value of
the obligation and, accordingly, enhance the ability of the Fund to maintain a
stable net asset value. Similar to fixed rate debt instruments, variable and
floating rate instruments are subject to changes in value based on changes in
market interest rates or changes in the issuer's creditworthiness. The rate of
interest on securities purchased by the Fund may be tied to various rates of
interest or index.
 
    There may not be an active secondary market for certain floating or variable
rate instruments, which could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of an
instrument during periods that the Fund is not entitled to exercise and demand
rights it may have. The Fund could, for this or other reasons, suffer a loss
with respect to an instrument. The Adviser monitors the liquidity of the Fund's
investment in variable and floating rate instruments, but there can be no
guarantee that an active secondary market will exist.
 
4. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    The investment objective and all investment policies of a Fund that are
designated as a fundamental and each Fund's investment objective may only be
changed with the approval of the holders of a majority of that Fund's
outstanding voting securities. A majority of a Fund's outstanding voting
securities means the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares of that Fund present or
represented at a shareholders meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of
the shares are present or represented, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of the Fund. Except as otherwise indicated, investment policies of the
Funds are not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees (the
"Board") without shareholder approval. For more information concerning
shareholder voting, see "Other Information -- The Trust and Its Shares."
 
    The Funds may borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes (including
the meeting of redemption requests), but, as a fundamental policy, not in excess
of 331/3% of the value of a Fund's total assets. Borrowing for purposes other
than meeting redemption requests may not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's
total assets. The Funds may not invest more than 15% of their net assets in
illiquid securities, including repurchase
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
agreements maturing in more than seven days, and, with respect to 75% of their
total assets, may not invest more than 5% of their assets in the securities of a
single issuer. In order to avoid maintaining idle cash, the Funds may invest up
to 10% of their total assets in money market mutual funds.
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
 
    Each Fund may seek additional income by entering into repurchase agreements
or by lending securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other
financial institutions. These investments may entail certain risks not
associated with direct investments in securities. For instance, in the event
that bankruptcy or similar proceedings were commenced against a counterparty in
these transactions or a counterparty defaulted on its obligations, a Fund might
suffer a loss. The Adviser monitors the creditworthiness of counterparties to
these transactions and intends to enter into these transactions only when it
believes the counterparties present minimal credit risks and the income to be
earned from the transaction justifies the attendant risks.
 
    Repurchase agreements are transactions in which a Fund purchases a security
and simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller at an
agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon future date, normally one to seven days
later. The resale price reflects a market rate of interest that is not related
to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased security. When a Fund lends a
security it receives interest from the borrower or from investing cash
collateral. The Trust maintains possession of the purchased securities and any
underlying collateral in these transactions, the total market value of which on
a continuous basis is at least equal to the repurchase price or value of
securities loaned, plus accrued interest. The Funds may pay fees to arrange
securities loans and each Fund will, as a fundamental policy, limit securities
lending to not more than 10% of the value of its total assets.
 
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS
 
    Each Fund may purchase securities offered on a "when-issued" basis and may
purchase or sell securities on a "forward commitment" basis. When these
transactions are negotiated, the price, which is generally expressed in yield
terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for
the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs
within two months after the transaction. The Funds purchase securities on a
when-issued or forward commitment basis only with the intention of actually
receiving or delivering the securities, as the case may be. When-issued
securities may include bonds purchased on a "when, as and if issued" basis under
which the issuance of the securities depends upon the occurrence of a subsequent
event, such as approval of a proposed financing by appropriate municipal
authorities.
 
    During the period between a commitment and settlement, no payment is made
for the securities purchased and, thus, no dividends or interest accrues to the
purchaser from the transaction. However, at the time a Fund makes a commitment
to purchase securities in this manner, the Fund immediately assumes the risk of
ownership, including price fluctuation. Failure by the other party to deliver or
pay for a security purchased or sold by the Fund may result in a loss or a
missed opportunity to make an alternative investment. Any significant commitment
of a Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued or
forward commitment basis may increase the volatility of its net asset value.
 
    The use of when-issued transactions and forward commitments may enable a
Fund to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. If the
Adviser were to forecast incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements,
however, the Fund might be required to complete these
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
transactions at prices inferior to the current market values. No when-issued or
forward commitments will be made by a Fund if, as a result, more than 15% of the
value of the Fund's total assets would be committed to such transactions.
 
FOREIGN SECURITIES
 
    The Funds may invest up to 20% of their assets in securities of foreign
issuers and in American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"). In addition to the debt
securities of domestic corporations, Payson Balanced Fund may invest in debt
securities registered and sold in the United States by foreign issuers (Yankee
Bonds) and debt securities sold outside the United States by foreign or U.S.
issuers (Euro-bonds). The Funds intend to restrict their purchases of debt
securities to issues denominated and payable in United States dollars.
 
    Investments in foreign companies involve certain risks, such as exchange
rate fluctuations, political or economic instability of the issuer or the
country of issue and the possible imposition of exchange controls, withholding
taxes on dividends or interest payments, confiscatory taxes or expropriation.
Foreign securities may also be subject to greater fluctuations in price than
securities of domestic corporations denominated in U.S. dollars. Foreign
securities and their markets may not be as liquid as domestic securities and
their markets, and foreign brokerage commissions and custody fees are generally
higher than those in the United States. In addition, less information may be
publicly available about a foreign company than about a domestic company, and
foreign companies may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic
companies. With respect to their permitted investments in foreign securities,
the Funds do not limit the amount of their assets that may be invested in one
country or, in the case of Payson Value Fund, denominated in one currency.
 
    The Funds may invest in sponsored and unsponsored ADRs, which are receipts
issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying
securities issued by a foreign issuer. Unsponsored ADRs may be created without
the participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear
all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign issuers typically bear
certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depository of an
unsponsored ADR may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder
communications received from the foreign issuer or to pass through voting
rights.
 
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION
 
    When business or financial conditions warrant, such as, for example, when
issues of sufficient quality and liquidity are not available or the Adviser
believes the equity markets are overvalued, a Fund may assume a temporary
defensive position and invest all or part of its assets in cash or prime quality
cash equivalents, including (1) short-term U.S. Government Securities, (2)
certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and interest-bearing savings
deposits of commercial banks doing business in the United States, (3) commercial
paper, (4) repurchase agreements covering any of the securities in which the
Fund may invest directly and (5) to the extent permitted by the Investment
Company Act of 1940, money market mutual funds. During periods when and to the
extent that the Fund has assumed a temporary defensive position, it may not be
pursuing its investment objective.
 
CORE AND GATEWAY-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-
 
    The Fund may seek to achieve its investment objective by converting to a
Core and Gateway structure. The Fund, upon future action by the Board and notice
to shareholders, may convert to this structure, in which the Fund would hold as
its only investment securities the shares of another investment company having
substantially the same investment objective and policies as the Fund. The Board
will not authorize conversion to a Core and
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
Gateway structure if it would materially increase costs to a Fund's
shareholders.
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
    The frequency of portfolio transactions of the Funds (the portfolio turnover
rate) will vary from year to year depending on market conditions. Higher rates
of turnover will result in higher brokerage costs for the Funds. The Adviser
weighs the anticipated benefits of short-term investments against these
consequences. The Fund's portfolio turnover rate is reported under "Financial
Highlights."
 
    The Funds have no obligation to deal with any specific broker or dealer in
the execution of portfolio transactions. Consistent with their policy of
obtaining the best net results, the Funds may conduct brokerage transactions
through the Adviser or its affiliates. The Board has adopted policies, as
required by law, to ensure that these transactions are reasonable and fair and
that the commissions charged are comparable to those charged by non-affiliated
qualified broker-dealers.
 
5. MANAGEMENT
 
    The business and affairs of the Funds are managed under the direction of the
Board. The Board formulates the general policies of the Funds and generally
meets quarterly to review the results of the Funds, monitor investment
activities and practices and discuss other matters affecting the Funds and the
Trust. Information about the Trustees and the officers of the Trust is in the
SAI under "Management -- Trustees and Officers."
 
THE ADVISER
 
    H.M. Payson & Co., located at One Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101,
serves as investment adviser to the Funds under an investment advisory agreement
with the Trust. Subject to the general supervision of the Board, the Adviser
makes investment decisions for the Funds and is responsible for, among other
things, developing a continuing investment program for each Fund in accordance
with their investment objective and reviewing the investment strategies and
policies of each Fund. For its services, the Adviser receives an advisory fee at
an annual rate of 0.80% for Payson Value Fund and 0.60% for Payson Balanced Fund
of the Funds' average daily net assets.
 
    The Adviser is registered under the Investment Adviser Act of 1940 and
provides investment management services to pension plans, endowment funds and
institutional and individual accounts. The Adviser was founded in Portland,
Maine in 1854 and was incorporated in Maine in 1987, making it one of the oldest
investment firms in the United States operating under its original name. The
Adviser is a registered broker-dealer and is a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. The Adviser provides investment
management services through an investment advisory division and a trust
division. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Adviser had approximately $1.15
billion in assets under management.
 
    John C. Knox, a Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst of the
Adviser, has been primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of Payson
Value Fund's portfolio since July 10, 1995. Peter E. Robbins, a Managing
Director and Director of Research of the Adviser, has been primarily responsible
for the day-to-day management of Payson Balanced Fund's portfolio since April 1,
1993. Mr. Knox is a Chartered Financial Analyst and has been associated with the
Advisor since 1981. Mr. Robbins is a Chartered Financial Analyst and has been
associated with the Adviser since 1982, except for the period from January 1988
to October 1990. During that period Mr. Robbins was president of Mariner Capital
Group, a real estate development and non-financial asset management business.
 
THE ADMINISTRATOR
 
    On behalf of the Funds, the Trust has entered into an Administration
Agreement with FAdS. Under the agreement, FAdS is responsible for the
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
supervision of the overall management of the Trust (including the Trust's
receipt of services for which it must pay) and providing the Trust with general
office facilities, necessary personnel to ensure the effective operation of the
Trust as well as persons satisfactory to the Board to serve as officers of the
Trust. For these services, FAdS is entitled to receive a fee from the Funds at
an annual rate of .20% of the Fund's average net asset value.
 
    Under a Fund Accounting Agreement with the Trust, FAcS performs portfolio
accounting services for the Funds, including determination of the Funds' net
asset value. For its services, FAcS is entitled to receive a fee at an annual
rate of $36,000 subject to adjustments for the number and type of portfolio
transactions.
 
    As of June 30, 1998, FAdS and its affiliates provided management,
administration and distribution services to registered investment companies and
collective investment funds with assets of approximately $38 billion.
 
THE DISTRIBUTOR
 
    Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, acts as distributor of the
Funds' shares. FFSI acts as the agent of the Trust in connection with the
offering of shares of the Funds. For these services, FFSI receives, and may
reallow to certain financial institutions, the sales charge paid by the
purchasers of each Fund's shares. FFSI may enter into arrangements with banks,
broker-dealers or other financial institutions ("Processing Organizations")
through which investors may purchase or redeem shares. FFSI may, at its own
expense and from its own resources, compensate certain persons who provide
services in connection with the sale or expected sale of shares of the Funds.
Investors purchasing shares of the Funds through another financial institution
should read any materials and information provided by the financial institution
to acquaint themselves with its procedures and any fees that it may charge. FFSI
is a registered broker-dealer and is a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
    Shareholder inquiries and communications concerning the Funds may be
directed to FSS. Under a Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with the Trust,
FSS acts as the Funds' transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent. FSS
maintains an account for each shareholder of record where all shares purchased
are credited, together with any distributions that are reinvested in additional
shares. FSS also performs other transfer agency functions and acts as dividend
disbursing agent for the Trust. For its services, FSS is entitled to receive a
fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of each Fund's average daily net assets plus
$12,000 per year ad annual shareholder account fees of $18.00 per shareholder
account.
 
    As of the date of this Prospectus each of FAdS, FFSI, FSS and FAcS was
controlled by John Y. Keffer, President and Chairman of the Trust and were
located at Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine, 04101.
 
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
 
    The Trust is obligated to pay for all of its expenses. The Funds' expenses
comprise Trust expenses attributable to the Funds and expenses not attributable
to any particular portfolio of the Trust, which are allocated among the Funds
and the portfolios in proportion to their average net assets. The Funds'
expenses include: interest charges; taxes; brokerage fees and commissions;
certain insurance premiums; applicable fees and expenses under the Trust's
contracts with the Adviser, FAdS, FSS, FAcS and any custodian; fees of pricing,
interest, dividend, credit and other reporting services; costs of membership in
trade associations; auditing, legal and compliance expenses; costs of preparing
and printing the Trust's prospectuses, statements of additional information and
shareholder reports and delivering them to existing shareholders; compensation
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
of certain of the Trust's trustees, officers and employees and other personnel
performing services for the Trust; and registration fees and related expenses.
 
    The Adviser, FAdS, FAcS and FSS, in their sole discretion, may waive all or
any portion of their respective fees, which are accrued daily and paid monthly.
Any such waiver, which could be discontinued at any time, would have the effect
of increasing the Funds' performance for the period during which the waiver was
in effect and would not be recouped at a later date.
 
YEAR 2000
 
    Like other mutual funds, financial and other business organizations and
individuals around the world, the Funds could be adversely affected if the
computer systems used by the Adviser and other service providers to the Funds do
not properly process and calculate date related information and data from and
after January 1, 2000. The Adviser and FAdS are taking steps to address the Year
2000 issue with respect to the computer systems that they use and to obtain
reasonable assurances that comparable steps are being taken by the Funds' other
major service providers. There can be no assurance, however, that these steps
will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact on the Funds from this problem.
 
6. PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES
 
Investments in the Funds may be made either by an investor directly or through
certain brokers and financial institutions of which the investor is a customer.
All transactions in Fund shares are effected through FSS, which accepts orders
for purchases and redemptions from shareholders of record and new investors.
Shareholders of record will receive from the Trust periodic statements listing
all account activity during the statement period. The Trust reserves the right
in the future to modify, limit or terminate any shareholder privilege upon
appropriate notice to shareholders and charge a fee for certain shareholder
services, although no such fees are currently contemplated.
 
PURCHASES
 
    Fund shares are sold at a price equal to their net asset value
next-determined plus any applicable sales charge on all weekdays except days
when the New York Stock Exchange is closed ("Business Day"). Normally, the New
York Stock Exchange is closed on New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day,
President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Fund shares are issued immediately after an
order for the shares in proper form is accepted by FSS. Each Fund's net asset
value is calculated at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on each Business Day. Fund shares
become entitled to receive dividends on the next Business Day after the order is
accepted.
 
    The Funds reserve the right to reject any subscription for the purchase of
their shares. Share certificates are only issued to shareholders of record upon
their written request and no certificates are issued for fractional shares.
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
    Fund shares may be redeemed without charge at their net asset value on any
Business Day. There is no minimum period of investment and no restriction on the
frequency of redemptions. Fund shares are redeemed as of the Fund's
next-determined net asset value after FSS receives the redemption order in
proper form (and any supporting documentation which FSS may require). Shares
redeemed are not entitled to receive dividends declared after the day on which
the redemption becomes effective.
 
    Normally, redemption proceeds are paid immediately, but in no event later
than seven days after a redemption order is accepted. Proceeds of redemption
requests (and exchanges), however, will not be paid unless any check used for
investment has been cleared by the shareholder's bank, which may take up to 15
calendar days. This delay
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
may be avoided by investing through wire transfers. Unless otherwise indicated,
redemption proceeds normally are paid by check and mailed to the shareholder's
record address. The right of redemption may not be suspended nor the payment
dates postponed except when the New York Stock Exchange is closed (or when
trading is restricted) for any reason other than its customary weekend or
holiday closings or under any emergency or other circumstance as -determined by
the SEC.
 
    Proceeds of redemptions normally are paid in cash. However, payments may be
made wholly or partially in portfolio securities if the Board determines that
payment in cash would be detrimental to the best interests of the Fund. The
Trust will only effect a redemption in portfolio securities if the particular
shareholder is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's net assets,
whichever is less, during any 90-day period.
 
    The Trust employs reasonable procedures to ensure that telephone orders are
genuine, including the recording of certain transactions. If the Trust did not
employ such procedures it could be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions. Shareholders should verify the accuracy of
telephone instructions immediately upon receipt of confirmation statements.
During times of drastic economic or market changes, the telephone redemption and
exchange privileges may be difficult to implement. In the event that a
shareholder is unable to reach FSS by telephone, requests may be mailed or
hand-delivered to FSS.
 
    Due to the cost to the Trust of maintaining smaller accounts, the Trust
reserves the right to redeem, upon not less than 60 days' written notice, all
shares in any Fund account with an aggregate net asset value of less than
$1,000. The Trust will not redeem accounts that fall below that amount solely as
a result of a reduction in net asset value.
 
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
 
    The following purchase and redemption procedures and shareholder services
apply to investors who invest in the Funds directly. These investors may open an
account by completing the account application at the back of this Prospectus or
by contacting FSS at the address on the first page of this Prospectus. For those
shareholder services not referenced on the account application or to change
information on a shareholder's account (such as addresses), investors should
request an Optional Services Form from FSS.
 
INITIAL PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
    There is a $2,000 minimum for initial investments in either Fund ($1,000 for
individual retirement accounts).
 
    MAIL.  Investors may send a check made payable to the Trust along with a
completed account application for the Fund to FSS at the address on the first
page of this Prospectus. Checks are accepted at full value subject to
collection. If a check does not clear, the purchase order will be canceled and
the investor will be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Trust, FSS or
FFSI.
 
    BANK WIRE.  To make an initial investment in either Fund using the wire
system for transmittal of money among banks, an investor should first telephone
the Trust at (207) 879-0001 or 800-805-8258 to obtain an account number. The
investor should then instruct a bank to wire the investor's money immediately
to:
 
 BankBoston
 Boston, Massachusetts
 ABA# 011000390
 For Credit To: Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
 Account #: 541-54171
     Re: (Name of Fund)
     (Investor's Name)
     (Investor's Account Number)
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
    The investor should then promptly complete and mail the account application.
Investors planning to wire funds should instruct the bank early in the day so
the wire transfer can be accomplished prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the
same day. The bank may impose a charge for transmitting payment by wire, and
there also may be a charge for the use of Federal funds.
 
SUBSEQUENT PURCHASES OF SHARES
 
    There is a $250 minimum for subsequent purchases. Subsequent purchases may
be made by mailing a check, by sending a wire as indicated above. Shareholders
using the wire system for subsequent purchases should first telephone the Trust
at (207) 879-0009 or 800-805-8258 to notify it of the wire transfer. All
payments should clearly indicate the shareholder's name and account number.
 
    AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT.  Shareholders may purchase Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic transfer of funds from a
designated bank account maintained with a United States banking institution
which is an Automated Clearing House member. Under the program, existing
shareholders may authorize amounts of $250 or more to be debited from their bank
account and invested in a Fund monthly or quarterly. Shareholders wishing to
participate in this program may obtain the applicable forms from FSS.
Shareholders may terminate their automatic investments or change the amount to
be invested at any time by written notification to FSS.
 
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
    Shareholders that wish to redeem shares by telephone or receive redemption
proceeds by wire must elect these options by properly completing the appropriate
sections of their account application. These privileges may not be available
until several weeks after a shareholder's application is received. Shares for
which certificates have been issued may not be redeemed by telephone.
 
    MAIL.  Shareholders may make a redemption in any amount by sending a written
request to FSS accompanied by any share certificate that was issued to the
shareholder. All share certificates submitted for redemption must be signed by
the shareholder with a signature guarantee. All written requests for redemption
must be signed by the shareholder and, in certain cases, must have a signature
guaranteed. See "Purchase and Redemption of Shares-Other Redemption Matters."
 
    TELEPHONE.  A shareholder that has elected telephone redemption privileges
may make a telephone redemption request by calling FSS at (207) 879-0001 or
800-805-8258 and providing the shareholder's account number, the exact name in
which the shares are registered, the shareholder's social security or taxpayer
identification number. The Trust or FSS may employ other procedures such as
recording certain transactions to ensure telephone instructions are genuine. If
such procedures are followed, neither the Trust nor FSS will be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent redemption requests. In response to the
telephone redemption instruction, the Fund will mail a check to the
shareholder's record address or, if the shareholder has elected wire redemption
privileges, wire the proceeds.
 
    BANK WIRE.  For redemptions of more than $5,000, a shareholder that has
elected wire redemption privileges may request the Fund to transmit the
redemption proceeds by Federal funds wire to a bank account designated on the
shareholder's account application. To request wire redemptions by telephone, the
shareholder also must have elected the telephone redemption privilege on the
account application. Redemption proceeds are transmitted by wire on the next
business day after the redemption request in proper form is received by FSS.
 
    AUTOMATIC REDEMPTIONS.  Shareholders may redeem Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic redemption of shares from
their Fund account. Redemption proceeds are sent either by check or by automatic
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
transfer to a designated bank account maintained with a United States banking
institution that is an Automated Clearing House member. Under this program,
shareholders may authorize the redemption of shares in amounts of $250 or more
from their account monthly or quarterly. Shareholders may terminate their
automatic redemptions or change the amount to be redeemed at any time by written
notification to FSS.
 
    OTHER REDEMPTION MATTERS.  To protect shareholders and the Fund against
fraud, signatures on certain requests must have a signature guarantee. Requests
must be made in writing and include a signature guarantee for any of the
following transactions: (1) any endorsement on a stock certificate; (2) written
instruction to redeem Shares whose value exceeds $50,000; (3) instructions to
change a shareholder's record name; (4) redemption in an account in which the
account address or account registration has changed within the last 30 days; (5)
the proceeds are not being sent to the address of record, preauthorized bank
account, or preauthorized brokerage firm account; (6) proceeds are to be paid to
someone other than the registered owners or to an account with a different
registration; or (7) change of automatic investment or redemption, dividend
election, telephone redemption or exchange option election or any other option
election in connection with the shareholder's account.
 
    Signature guarantees may be provided by any eligible institution acceptable
to FSS, including a bank, a broker, a dealer, a national securities exchange, a
credit union, or a savings association that is authorized to guarantee
signatures. Whenever a signature guarantee is required, the signature of each
person required to sign for the account must be guaranteed. A notarized
signature is not sufficient.
 
    FSS will deem a shareholder's account "lost" if correspondence to the
shareholder's address of record is returned as undeliverable, unless FSS
determines the shareholder's new address. When an account is deemed lost all
distributions on the account will be reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund. In addition, the amount of any outstanding (unpaid for six months or more)
checks for distributions that have been returned to the Transfer Agent will be
reinvested and the checks will be canceled.
 
SALES CHARGES
 
    The public offering price for shares of a Fund is the sum of the net asset
value of the shares being purchased plus any applicable sales charge. No sales
charge is assessed on the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions. The
sales charge is assessed as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 SALES CHARGE
                                   AS % OF
                           ------------------------
                             PUBLIC
                            OFFERING     NET ASSET      DEALERS'
   AMOUNT OF PURCHASE         PRICE       VALUE*       REALLOWANCE
- -------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------------
<S>                        <C>          <C>          <C>
less than $100,000.......        4.00%        4.17%          3.50%
$100,000 but less than
 $200,000................        3.50         3.63           3.10
$200,000 but less than
 $400,000................        3.00         3.09           2.70
$400,000 but less than
 $600,000................        2.50         2.56           2.25
$600,000 but less than
 $800,000................        2.00         2.04           1.75
$800,000 but less than
 $1,000,000..............        1.50         1.52           1.30
$1,000,000 and up........        0.50         0.50           0.40
</TABLE>
 
* Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.
 
    FFSI's commission is the sales charge shown above less any applicable
discount reallowed to Processing Organizations (including banks and bank
affiliates purchasing shares as principal or agent). Normally, FFSI will reallow
discounts to Processing Organizations in the amounts indicated in the table
above. From time to time, however, FFSI may elect to reallow the entire sales
charge to Processing Organizations for all sales with respect to which orders
are placed with FFSI during a particular period. The dealers' reallowance may be
changed from time to time.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
    In addition, from time to time and at its own expense, FFSI may provide
compensation, including financial assistance, to dealers in connection with
conferences, sales or training programs for their employees, seminars for the
public, advertising campaigns or other dealer-sponsored special events.
Compensation may include: (1) the provision of travel arrangements and lodging,
(2) tickets for entertainment events and (3) merchandise.
 
    No sales charge will be assessed on purchases made for investment purposes
by: (1) any bank, trust company, savings association or similar institution with
whom FFSI has entered into a share purchase agreement acting on behalf of the
institution's fiduciary customer accounts or any account maintained by its trust
department (including a pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit trust
created pursuant to a qualified retirement plan); (2) any registered investment
adviser with whom FFSI has entered into a share purchase agreement and which is
acting on behalf of its fiduciary customer accounts; (3)any registered
investment adviser which is acting on behalf of its fiduciary customer accounts
and for which it provides additional investment advisory services; (4) any
broker-dealer with whom FFSI has entered into a Processing Organization
Agreement and a Fee-Based or Wrap Account Agreement and which is acting on
behalf of its fee-based program clients; (5) directors and officers of the
Trust; directors, officers and full-time employees of the Adviser, FFSI, any of
their affiliates or any organization with which FFSI has entered into a
Processing Organization Agreement; the spouse, sibling, direct ancestor or
direct descendent (collectively, "relatives") of any such person; any trust or
individual retirement account or self-employed retirement plan for the benefit
of any such person or relative; or the estate of any such person or relative;
(6) any person who has, within the preceding 90 days, redeemed Fund shares (but
only on purchases in amounts not exceeding the redeemed amounts) and completes a
reinstatement form upon investment; (7) persons who exchange into a Fund from a
mutual fund other than a fund of the Trust that participates in the Trust's
exchange program, See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares -- Exchange Program;"
and (8) employee benefit plans qualified under Section 401 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Trust may require appropriate
documentation from an investor concerning that investor's eligibility to
purchase Fund shares without a sales charge. Any shares so purchased may not be
resold except to the Fund.
 
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
 
    For an investor to qualify for a reduced sales charge as described below,
the investor must notify FSS at the time of purchase. Programs for reduced sales
charges may be modified or terminated at any time and are subject to
confirmation of an investor's holdings.
 
    RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION.  An investor's purchase of additional shares of a
Fund may qualify for rights of accumulation ("ROA") wherein the applicable sales
charge will be based on the total of the investor's current purchase and the net
asset value (at the end of the previous Fund Business Day) of shares of that
Fund held by the investor. For example, if an investor owned shares of a Fund
worth $400,000 at the then current net asset value and purchased shares of the
Fund worth an additional $50,000, the sales charge for the $50,000 purchase
would be at the 2.50% rate applicable to a single $450,000 purchase, rather than
at the 4.0% rate. To qualify for ROA on a purchase, the investor must inform the
Transfer Agent and supply sufficient information to verify that each purchase
qualifies for the privilege or discount.
 
    LETTER OF INTENT.  Investors may also obtain reduced sales charges based on
cumulative purchases by means of a written Letter of Intent ("LOI"), which
expresses the investor's intention to invest $100,000 or more within a period of
13 months in shares of a Fund. Each purchase of shares under a LOI will be made
at the public
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
offering price applicable at the time of the purchase to a single transaction of
the dollar amount indicated in the LOI.
 
    An LOI is not a binding obligation upon the investor to purchase the full
amount indicated. Shares purchased with the first 5% of the amount indicated in
the LOI will be held subject to a registered pledge (while remaining registered
in the name of the investor) to secure payment of the higher sales charge
applicable to the shares actually purchased if the full amount indicated is not
purchased within 13 months. Pledged shares will be involuntarily redeemed to pay
the additional sales charge, if necessary. When the full amount indicated has
been purchased, the shares will be released from pledge. Share certificates are
not issued for shares purchased under an LOI. Investors wishing to enter into an
LOI can obtain a form of LOI from their broker or financial institution or by
contacting FSS.
 
EXCHANGES
 
EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
 
    Fund shareholders are entitled to exchange their shares for shares of the
other Fund, any other fund of the Trust or any other fund that participates in
the exchange program and whose shares are eligible for sale in the shareholder's
state of residence. Exchanges may only be made between accounts registered in
the same name. When a shareholder exchanges shares, a completed account
application must be submitted to open a new account if the shareholder requests
any shareholder privilege not associated with the existing account. Exchanges
are subject to the fees and the restrictions including minimum investment
requirements listed in the prospectus for the fund into which a shareholder is
exchanging. The Funds do not charge for exchanges, and there is currently no
limit on the number of exchanges a shareholder may make.
 
    The Trust (and Federal tax law) treats an exchange as a redemption of the
shares owned and the purchase of the shares of the fund being acquired.
Redemptions and purchases are effected at the respective net asset values of the
two funds as next determined after all proper instructions and any necessary
supporting documents by the fund whose shares are being exchanged are received
by FSS.
 
    If a shareholder exchanges into a fund that imposes a sales charge, that
shareholder is required to pay the difference between that fund's sales charge
and any sales charge the shareholder has previously paid in connection with the
shares being exchanged. For example, if a shareholder paid a 2% sales charge in
connection with the purchase of the shares of a fund and then exchanged those
shares into another fund with a 3% sales charge, that shareholder would pay an
additional 1% sales charge on the exchange. Shares acquired through the
reinvestment of dividends and distributions are deemed to have been acquired
with a sales charge rate equal to that paid on the shares on which the dividend
or distribution was paid. The exchange privilege may be modified materially or
terminated by the Trust at any time upon 60 days' notice to shareholders.
 
    MAIL.  Exchanges may be accomplished by written instructions to FSS
accompanied by any share certificate that may have been issued to the
shareholder. All written requests for exchanges must be signed by the
shareholder (a signature guarantee is not required) and all certificates
submitted for exchange must be endorsed by the shareholder with a signature
guarantee.
 
    TELEPHONE.  Exchanges may be accomplished by telephone by any shareholder
that has elected telephone exchange privileges by calling FSS at (207) 879-0009
or 800-805-8258 and providing the shareholder's account number, the exact name
in which the shareholder's shares are registered and the shareholder's social
security or taxpayer identification number.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
RETIREMENT PROGRAMS
 
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
 
    Neither of the Funds should be considered as a complete investment vehicle
for the assets held in individual retirement accounts ("IRAs"). The minimum
initial investment for an IRA is $1,000, and the minimum subsequent investment
is $250. Individuals may make tax-deductible IRA contributions of up to a
maximum of $2,000 annually. However, this deduction will be reduced if the
individual or, in some cases the individual's spouse, is an active participant
in an employer-sponsored retirement plan and the individual (or the married
couple) has adjusted gross income above certain levels.
 
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
    The Funds may be a suitable investment vehicle for part or all of the assets
held in various employee benefit plans, including 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and
SARSEPs.
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
    Shares may be purchased and redeemed through certain broker-dealers, banks,
trust companies and their affiliates, and other financial institutions,
including affiliates of FSS ("Processing Organizations"). Processing
Organizations may receive as a dealer's reallowance a portion of the sales
charge paid by their customers who purchase Fund shares. In addition, Processing
Organizations may charge their customers a fee for their services and are
responsible for promptly transmitting purchase, redemption and other requests to
the Fund. The Trust is not responsible for the failure of any Processing
Organization to promptly forward these requests.
 
    Investors who purchase shares through a Processing Organization may be
charged a fee if they effect transactions in Fund shares through a broker or
agent and will be subject to the procedures of their Processing Organization,
which may include limitations, investment minimums, cutoff times and
restrictions in addition to, or different from, those applicable to shareholders
who invest in the Fund directly. These investors should acquaint themselves with
their Processing Organization's procedures and should read this Prospectus in
conjunction with any materials and information provided by their Processing
Organization. Customers who purchase Fund shares through a Processing
Organization may or may not be the shareholder of record and, subject to their
Processing Organization's and the Fund's procedures, may have Fund shares
transferred into their name. Under their arrangements with the Trust,
broker-dealer Processing Organizations are not generally required to deliver
payment for purchase orders until several business days after a purchase order
has been received by a Fund. Certain other Processing Organizations may also
enter purchase orders with payment to follow.
 
    Certain shareholder services may not be available to shareholders who have
purchased shares through a Processing Organization. These shareholders should
contact their Processing Organization for further information. The Trust may
confirm purchases and redemptions of a Processing Organization's customers
directly to the Processing Organization, which in turn will provide its
customers with such confirmations and periodic statements as may be required by
law or agreed to between the Processing Organization and its customers. The
Trust is not responsible for the failure of any Processing Organization to carry
out its obligations to its customer. Certain states permit shares of the Fund to
be purchased and redeemed only through registered broker-dealers, including the
Fund's distributor.
 
7. DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Distributions of each Fund's net investment income, if any, are declared and
paid quarterly.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
Any distributions of net capital gain realized by the Funds are distributed
annually.
 
    Shareholders may choose either to have all distributions of net investment
income reinvested in additional Fund shares or paid in cash or to have
distributions of net capital gain reinvested in additional Fund shares or paid
in cash. All distributions are treated in the same manner for Federal income tax
purposes whether paid in cash or reinvested in Fund shares.
 
    All distributions are reinvested at the Fund's net asset value as of the
payment date of the distribution. All distributions are reinvested unless
another option is selected. All distributions not reinvested are paid to the
shareholder in cash and may be paid more than seven days following the date on
which distributions would otherwise be reinvested.
 
TAXES
 
    Each Fund intends to qualify for each fiscal year to be taxed as a
"regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. As such, the Funds will not be liable for Federal income taxes on the
net investment income and net capital gain distributed to its shareholders.
Because the Funds intend to distribute substantially all of their net investment
income and net capital gain each year, the Funds should avoid all Federal income
and excise taxes.
 
    Dividends paid by the Funds out of their net investment income (including
any realized net short-term capital gain) are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income. Distributions of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net gain
from capital assets held for more than one year over net loss from capital
assets held for not more than one year) will be treated in the hands of
shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long a shareholder has
held shares in the Fund. If Fund shares are sold at a loss after being held for
six months or less, the loss will be treated as long-term capital loss to the
extent of any distribution of net capital gain received on those shares.
 
    Any dividend or distribution received by a shareholder reduces the net asset
value of the shareholder's shares by the amount of the dividend or distribution.
To the extent that the income or gain comprising a dividend or distribution was
accrued by a Fund before the shareholder purchased the shares, the dividend or
distribution would be in effect a return of capital to the shareholder. All
dividends and distributions, including those that operate as a return of
capital, however, are taxable as described above to the shareholder receiving
them regardless of the length of time he may have held shares prior to the
dividend or distribution.
 
    It is expected that a portion of a Fund's dividends to shareholders will
qualify for the dividends received deduction for corporations.
 
    The Funds may be required by Federal law to withhold 31% of reportable
payments (which may include dividends, capital gain distributions and redemption
proceeds) paid to individuals and certain other non-corporate shareholders.
Withholding is not required if a shareholder certifies that the shareholder's
social security or tax identification number provided to the Fund is correct and
that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding.
 
    Reports containing appropriate information with respect to the Federal
income tax status of dividends and distributions paid during the year by the
Funds will be mailed to shareholders shortly after the close of each year.
 
    The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important Federal tax
considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders. There may
be other Federal, state or local tax considerations applicable to a particular
investor. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisers.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
8. OTHER INFORMATION
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
    Each Fund's performance may be quoted in advertising in terms of yield or
total return. Both types of performance are based on a Fund's historical results
and are not intended to indicate future performance. A Fund's yield measures the
rate of income earned by the Fund as a percentage of the Fund's share price.
Yield is calculated by dividing the net investment income of a Fund for the
stated period by the average number of shares entitled to receive dividends and
expressing the result as an annualized percentage rate based on the Fund's share
price at the end the period. A Fund's total return refers to the average annual
compounded rates of return over some representative period that would equate an
initial amount invested at the beginning of a stated period to the ending
redeemable value of the investment, after giving effect to the reinvestment of
all dividends and distributions and deductions of expenses during the period. A
Fund also may advertise its total return over different periods of time or by
means of aggregate, average, year by year, or other types of total return
figures. Because average annual returns tend to smooth out variations in a
Fund's returns, shareholders should recognize that they are not the same as
actual year-by-year results. A Fund's advertised yield and total return may or
may not reflect the maximum sales load applicable to the Fund. A computation of
yield or total return that does not take into account the sales load paid by an
investor will be higher than a computation based on the public offering price of
the shares purchased that does not take into account payment of a sales load.
 
    Each Fund's advertisements may reference ratings and rankings among similar
funds by independent evaluators such as Morningstar, Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc. or IBC/Donoghue, Inc. In addition, the performance of the Funds may be
compared to recognized indices of market performance. The comparative material
found in a Fund's advertisements, sales literature or reports to shareholders
may contain performance ratings. These are not to be considered representative
or indicative of future performance.
 
BANKING LAW MATTERS
 
    Banking laws and regulations generally permit a bank or bank affiliate to
purchase shares of an investment company as agent for and upon the order of a
customer and in the view of FAdS would permit a bank or bank affiliate to serve
as a Processing Organization or perform sub-transfer agent or similar services
for the Trust and its shareholders. If a bank or bank affiliate were prohibited
from performing all or a part of the foregoing services, its shareholder
customers would be permitted to remain shareholders of the Trust and alternative
means for continuing to service them would be sought. It is not expected that
shareholders would suffer adverse financial consequences as a result of any
changes in bank or bank affiliate service arrangements.
 
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
 
    The Trust determines the net asset value per share of each Fund as of 4:00
p.m., Eastern time, on each Business Day by dividing the value of the Fund's net
assets (i.e., the value of its portfolio securities and other assets less its
liabilities) by the number of the Fund's shares outstanding at the time the
determination is made. Securities owned by a Fund for which market quotations
are readily available are valued at current market value or, in their absence,
at fair value as determined by procedures approved by the Board. Purchases and
redemptions are effected at the net asset value next-determined after any
purchase or redemption order is accepted.
 
THE TRUST AND ITS SHARES
 
    The Trust was originally incorporated in Maryland on March 24, 1980, and
assumed the name of Forum Funds, Inc. on March 16, 1987. On January 5, 1996,
Forum Funds, Inc. was reorga-
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
nized as a Delaware business trust under the name Forum Funds.
 
    The Trust has an unlimited number of authorized shares of beneficial
interest. The Board may, without shareholder approval, divide the authorized
shares into an unlimited number of separate portfolios or series (such as the
Funds) and may in the future divide portfolios or series into two or more
classes of shares (such as Investor and Institutional Shares). Currently the
authorized shares of the Trust are divided into 23 separate series.
 
    Each share of each fund of the Trust has equal dividend, distribution,
liquidation and voting rights, and fractional shares have those rights
proportionately, except that expenses related to the distribution of the shares
of each class (and certain other expenses such as transfer agency and
administrative expenses) are borne solely by those shares and each class votes
separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1 plan which pertain
to the class and other matters for which separate class voting is appropriate
under applicable law. Generally, shares will be voted in the aggregate without
reference to a particular portfolio or class, except if the matter affects only
one portfolio or class or voting by portfolio or class is required by law, in
which case shares will be voted separately by portfolio or class, as
appropriate. Delaware law does not require the Trust to hold annual meetings of
shareholders, and it is anticipated that shareholder meetings will be held only
when specifically required by Federal or state law. Shareholders (and Trustees)
have available certain procedures for the removal of Trustees. There are no
conversion or preemptive rights in connection with shares of the Trust. All
shares when issued in accordance with the terms of the offering will be fully
paid and nonassessable. Shares are redeemable at net asset value, at the option
of the shareholders, subject to any contingent deferred sales charge that may
apply. A shareholder in a portfolio is entitled to the shareholder's pro rata
share of all dividends and distributions arising from that portfolio's assets
and, upon redeeming shares, will receive the portion of the portfolio's net
assets represented by the redeemed shares.
 
    From time to time, certain shareholders may own a large percentage of the
shares of the Fund. Accordingly, those shareholders may be able to greatly
affect (if not determine) the outcome of a shareholder vote.
 
    NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE SAI AND THE
FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OF THE FUND'S
SHARES, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE TRUST. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH OFFER
MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>





                              [APPLICATION FORM
                                   PAGE 1]

<PAGE>




                              [APPLICATION FORM
                                   PAGE 2]


<PAGE>

                                                                       [GRAPHIC]


[LOGO]

INVESTMENT ADVISOR INFORMATION:
H.M. PAYSON & CO.
ONE PORTLAND SQUARE
P.O. BOX 31
PORTLAND, ME  04112
207-772-3761
800-456-6710







[LOGO]

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION:
FORUM SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, LLC
P.O. BOX 446
PORTLAND, ME  04112
207-879-0001 (IN PORTLAND, ME)
800-94FORUM (ELSEWHERE)

<PAGE>

[GRAPHIC]


                                      PROSPECTUS






                                        MAINE
                                      MUNICIPAL
                                      BOND FUND






                                        FORUM
                                        FUNDS
                                    AUGUST 1, 1998
<PAGE>
FORUM FUNDS
 
MAINE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
 
                                                                      PROSPECTUS
 
                                                                  August 1, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING:
 
       Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
       P.O. Box 446
       Portland, Maine 04112
       (207) 879-0001
       (800) 94FORUM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
This Prospectus offers shares of Maine Municipal Bond Fund (the "Fund"), a
non-diversified series of Forum Funds (the "Trust"), an open-end, management
investment company.
 
    MAINE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of
    current income exempt from both Federal and Maine state income taxes (other
    than the alternative minimum tax), without assuming undue risk. The Fund
    invests principally in investment grade Maine municipal securities.
 
Shares of the Fund are offered to investors at a price equal to the next
determined net asset value plus a maximum sales charge of 2.50% of the total
public offering price (2.56% of the net amount invested).
 
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information a prospective investor
should know about the Trust and the Fund before investing. The Trust has filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a Statement of Additional
Information dated August 1, 1998, as may be amended from time to time (the
"SAI"), which contains more detailed information about the Trust and the Fund
and is available together with other related materials for reference on the
SEC's Internet Web Site (http://www.sec.gov). The SAI, which is incorporated
into this Prospectus by reference, is also available without charge by
contacting Forum Shareholder Services, LLC, the Trust's transfer agent at the
address and telephone numbers printed above.
 
    SHARES OF THE FUND ARE OFFERED ONLY TO RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF MAINE.
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Page
                                                           -----
<C>          <S>                                         <C>
        1.   Prospectus Summary..........................          2
        2.   Financial Highlights........................          4
        3.   Investment Objective and Policies...........          5
        4.   Additional Investment Policies..............          9
 
<CAPTION>
                                                            Page
                                                           -----
<C>          <S>                                         <C>
        5.   Management..................................         11
        6.   Purchases and Redemptions of Shares.........         13
        7.   Distributions and Tax Matters...............         20
        8.   Other Information...........................         21
             Account Application.........................
</TABLE>
 
   INVESTORS SHOULD READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
FUND SHARES ARE NOT OBLIGATIONS, DEPOSITS OR ACCOUNTS OF, OR ENDORSED OR
GUARANTEED BY, ANY BANK OR ANY AFFILIATE OF A BANK AND ARE NOT INSURED OR
GUARANTEED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THE FDIC, OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR PASSED
UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
1. PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders with a high
level of current income exempt from both Federal and Maine state income taxes
(other than the alternative minimum tax), without assuming undue risk. The Fund
invests principally in investment grade Maine municipal securities. It is
anticipated that the average weighted maturity of all municipal securities in
the Fund will normally range between five and 15 years. See "Investment
Objective and Policies."
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
    Forum Investment Advisors, LLC (the "Adviser") serves as the investment
adviser to the Fund. The Adviser is located at Two Portland Square, Portland,
Maine 04101. See "Management -- The Adviser."
 
FUND MANAGEMENT
 
    The administrator of the Trust is Forum Administrative Services, LLC
("FAdS") and the distributor of its shares is Forum Financial Services, Inc.
("FFSI"). Forum Shareholder Services, LLC (the "FSS") serves as the Trust's
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent and
Forum Accounting Services, LLC ("FAcS') provides portfolio accounting services
for the Trust. Each of FAdS, FFSI, FSS, and FAcS are located at Two Portland
Square, Portland, Maine 04101. See "Management."
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
 
    Shares of the Fund are offered at the next-determined net asset value per
share plus any applicable sales charge. Shares may be purchases or redeemed by
mail, by bank-wire and through an investor's broker-dealer or other financial
institution. The minimum initial investment is $2,000 and the minimum subsequent
investment is $250. Shares may be redeemed without charge. See "Purchases and
Redemptions of Shares."
 
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
 
    Shareholders of the Fund may exchange their shares without charge for the
shares of certain other funds of the Trust. See "Purchases and Redemptions of
Shares -- Exchanges."
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    The Fund distributes its net investment income, if any, monthly and its net
capital gain, if any, at least annually. All distributions are reinvested
automatically in additional shares of the Fund at net asset value unless the
shareholder has notified the Fund in his or her Account Application or otherwise
in writing of the shareholder's election to receive distributions in cash. It is
anticipated that substantially all of the dividends paid by the Fund will be
exempt from Federal income tax and from Maine personal income tax. See
"Distributions and Tax Matters."
 
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS
 
    There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective. The Fund's net asset value will fluctuate as the value of the
securities in which the Fund invests changes and will tend to vary inversely
with movements in interest rates. The Fund is non-diversified and, therefore,
has greater freedom to concentrate its investments in a limited number of issues
than if it were a diversified fund. The Fund invests principally in the
securities of Maine municipal issuers, which entails more risk than if the Fund
were to invest in issuers with greater geographic diversity. See "Investment
Objective and Policies -- Certain Risk Factors."
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
EXPENSES OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
 
    The purpose of the following table is to assist investors in understanding
the various expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
 
  Maximum sales charge imposed on
    purchases (as a percentage of
    public offering price) (1)......      2.50%
  Exchange Fee......................       None
 
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (2)
 (as a percentage of average net
 assets after applicable expense
 reimbursements and fee waivers)
  Management Fees...................      0.40%
  12b-1 Fees........................       None
  Other Expenses....................      0.20%
                                      ---------
  Total Fund Operating Expenses           0.60%
</TABLE>
 
    (1) Certain shareholders may be eligible for reduced sales charges. See
"Purchases and Redemptions of Shares -- Reduced Sales Charges."
 
    (2) The Annual Fund Operating Expenses are based upon expenses and assets of
the Fund during its most recent fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. Management
Fees include all investment advisory fees and administration fees. Absent
certain expense reimbursements and fee waivers, Management Fees, Other Expenses
and Total Fund Operating Expenses would be 0.67%, 0.81% and 1.48%, respectively.
Expense reimbursements and fee waivers are voluntary and may be reduced or
eliminated at any time. For a further description of the various expenses
incurred in the operation of the Fund, see "Management."
 
EXAMPLE
 
    Following is a hypothetical example that indicates the dollar amount of
expenses that an investor in the Fund would pay assuming (1) a $1,000 investment
in the Fund, (2) a 5% annual return, (3) the reinvestment of all distributions,
(4) the payment of the maximum initial sales charge and (5) full redemption at
the end of each period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 1 Year     3 Years    5 Years   10 Years
- ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>        <C>        <C>        <C>
   $31        $44        $58        $98
</TABLE>
 
    THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
EXPENSES OR RETURN. ACTUAL EXPENSES AND RETURN MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN
INDICATED. The example is based on the expenses listed in the table. The 5%
annual return is not a prediction of the Fund's projected returns; rather, it is
required by government regulation.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
2. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
    The following information represents selected data for a single share
outstanding of the Fund. This information has been audited by Deloitte & Touche
LLP, independent auditors. The financial statements and independent auditors'
report thereon are incorporated by reference into the SAI. Further information
about the Fund's performance is contained in the Fund's annual report to
shareholders, which may be obtained from the Trust without charge by contacting
the Fund's transfer agent.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1998       1997       1996       1995       1994       1993      1992(a)
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period....  $   10.73  $   10.72  $   10.47  $   10.37  $   10.55  $    9.98  $   10.00
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Investment Operations:
  Net Investment Income (Loss)..........       0.51       0.51       0.51       0.52       0.52       0.58       0.19
  Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
    (Loss) on Investments...............       0.33       0.01       0.25       0.11      (0.16)      0.57      (0.02)
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from Investment Operations........       0.84       0.52       0.76       0.63       0.36       1.15       0.17
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Distributions from:
  Net Investment Income.................      (0.51)     (0.51)     (0.51)     (0.52)     (0.52)     (0.58)     (0.19)
  Net Realized Gain on Investments......      (0.01)        --         --      (0.01)     (0.02)        --         --
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total Distributions.....................      (0.52)     (0.51)     (0.51)     (0.53)     (0.54)     (0.58)     (0.19)
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net Asset Value, End of Period..........  $   11.05  $   10.73  $   10.72  $   10.47  $   10.37  $   10.55  $    9.98
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total Return(b).........................       7.94%      4.98%      7.34%      6.31%      3.42%     11.80%      5.27%(c)
Ratio/Supplementary Data:
Net Assets at End of Period (000's
  omitted)..............................  $  28,196  $  25,827  $  26,044  $  25,525  $  26,310  $  16,518  $   1,968
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
  Expenses Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver................       0.60%      0.60%      0.60%      0.50%      0.50%      0.40%      0.46%(c)
  Expenses Excluding
    Reimbursement/Waiver................       1.48%      1.56%      1.48%      1.40%      1.44%      1.98%      6.83%(c)
  Net Investment Income (Loss) Including
    Reimbursement/ Waiver...............       4.65%      4.77%      4.73%      5.08%      4.81%      5.25%      5.65%(c)
Portfolio Turnover Rate.................      16.34%     21.18%     34.07%     31.55%     13.47%      7.82%     15.24%
</TABLE>
 
(a) The Fund commenced operations on December 5, 1991.
 
(b) Total return calculations do not include sales charges.
 
(c) Annualized.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
3. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders with a high
level of current income exempt from both Federal and Maine state income taxes
(other than the alternative minimum tax), without assuming undue risk. Except
during periods when the Fund assumes a temporary defensive position, the Fund
will invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities the interest on which
is exempt from Federal and Maine income tax. There can be no assurance that the
Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    The Fund pursues its objective by investing principally in investment grade
debt obligations issued by the state of Maine and its political subdivisions,
duly constituted authorities and corporations. These securities are generally
known as "municipal securities" and include municipal bonds, notes and leases.
It is anticipated that under normal circumstances substantially all of the
Fund's assets will be invested in municipal securities the interest income from
which is exempt from Federal income taxes and Maine state personal income taxes
except when received by a shareholder in a taxable year for which the
shareholder will be subject, for Federal or Maine income tax purposes, to the
alternative minimum tax ("AMT").
 
    The market value of the municipal securities held by the Fund will be
affected by changes in interest rates. Normally, a decline in interest rates
produces an increase in market value, while an increase in interest rates
produces a decrease in market value. Moreover, the longer the remaining maturity
of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the
market value of that security. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make
payments of interest and principal and in the market's perception of an issuer's
creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of
that issuer. Obligations of issuers of municipal securities are subject to the
provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors. The possibility exists, therefore, that, as a result of
litigation or other conditions, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the
principal of and interest on its debt securities may be materially impaired.
 
    The yields of municipal securities depend on, among other things, conditions
in the municipal securities market and fixed income markets generally, the size
of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation, and the rating of the
issue. Maine municipal securities may have yields slightly less than the
municipal obligations of issuers located in other states because of the Maine
state tax exemption on Maine issues.
 
    In general, the longer the maturity of a municipal security, the higher the
rate of interest it pays. However, a longer average maturity is generally
associated with a higher level of volatility in the market value of a municipal
security. The average maturity of the Fund's portfolio will vary depending on
anticipated market conditions. It is anticipated, however, that the average
weighted maturity of all municipal securities in the Fund will normally range
between five and 15 years.
 
    In addition to Maine municipal securities, the term municipal securities, as
used in this Prospectus and in the SAI, also include securities issued by Puerto
Rico, other United States territories or possessions and their subdivisions,
authorities and corporations the income from which is not subject to Federal or
Maine State income tax. No more than 25% of the Fund's total assets may be
invested in issuers located in any one territory or possession of the United
States.
 
    Under current Federal tax law, a distinction is drawn between municipal
securities issued after August 7, 1986 to finance certain "private activi-
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
ties" and other municipal securities. Private activity securities include
securities issued to finance such projects as certain solid waste disposal
facilities, student loan programs, and water and sewage projects. Interest
income from certain of these securities is subject to the Federal AMT and
similar treatment may apply for Maine AMT purposes. See "Dividends and Tax
Matters." Because interest income on securities subject to the AMT is taxable to
certain investors, it is expected, although there can be no guarantee, that
these municipal securities generally will provide somewhat higher yields than
other municipal securities of comparable quality and maturity that are not
subject to the AMT.
 
CREDIT MATTERS
 
    Normally, at least 80% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in
municipal bonds rated at the time of purchase within the four highest rating
categories assigned by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization
("NRSRO") such as Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") (Aaa, Aa, A and
Baa), Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") (AAA, AA, A and BBB) or Fitch IBCA,
Inc. ("Fitch") (AAA, AA, A and BBB) or which are unrated and determined by the
Adviser to be of comparable quality. Securities in those ratings are generally
considered to be investment grade securities, although Moody's indicates that
municipal securities rated Baa have speculative characteristics. Changes in
economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity by the issuer to make principal and interest payments with respect to
debt rated in that category than is the case with higher grade debt. Unrated
securities may not be as actively traded as rated securities. A further
description of the ratings used by Moody's, S&P and Fitch is included in the
SAI. The Fund only invests in municipal notes and other short-term municipal
obligations in the two highest rating categories assigned by an NRSRO or which
are unrated and determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund
may invest up to 20% of its total assets in municipal bonds rated in the fifth
or sixth highest rating category by an NRSRO or that are unrated and determined
by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. These securities are not considered
to be investment grade, have speculative or predominantly speculative
characteristics and are commonly known as "Junk Bonds. "The Fund may retain
securities whose rating has been lowered below the lowest permissible rating
category (or that are unrated and determined by the Advisor to be of comparable
quality) only if the Adviser determines that retaining the security is in the
best interests of the Fund.
 
    An unrated municipal security will be considered for investment by the Fund
when the Adviser believes that the financial condition of the issuer of the
obligation and the protection afforded by the terms of the obligation limit the
risk to the Fund to a degree comparable to that of rated securities in which the
Fund may invest. During its last fiscal year, the Fund had 75.85% of its average
annual assets in municipal securities rated by Moody's or S&P and 10.91%% of its
average annual assets in unrated investments, including cash and short-term cash
equivalents which are often unrated. For that year, the Fund had the following
percentages of its average annual net assets invested in rated securities:
Aaa/AAA -- 34.72%%, Aa/AA -- 41.41%%, A/A -- 2.25%%, and B/B -- 0.71%. For this
purpose, securities with different ratings from Moody's and S&P were assigned
the higher rating. This information reflects the average month end composition
of the Fund's assets for the Fund's last fiscal year and is not necessarily
representative of the Fund as of the end of last year, the current fiscal year
or any other time.
 
MUNICIPAL BONDS
 
    Municipal bonds intended to meet longer term capital needs of the issuer can
be classified as either "general obligation" or "revenue" bonds. General
obligation bonds are secured by a municipality's pledge of its full faith,
credit and taxing
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are generally
payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of
facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other
tax, but not from general tax revenues. Municipal bonds also include private
activity bonds ("PABs"), which are bonds issued by or on behalf of public
authorities to finance various privately operated facilities. PABs are in most
cases revenue bonds. The payment of the principal and interest on these bonds is
dependent solely on the ability of an initial or subsequent user of the
facilities financed by the bonds to meet its financial obligations and the
pledge, if any, of real and personal property financed by the bond as security
for payment. The Fund will acquire only PABs whose interest payments, in the
opinion of the issuer's counsel, are exempt from Federal and Maine state income
taxation (other than the AMT).
 
MUNICIPAL NOTES AND LEASES
 
    Municipal notes, which may be either "general obligation" or "revenue"
securities, are intended to fulfill short-term capital needs and generally have
original maturities of 397 days or less. They include tax anticipation notes,
revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, construction loan notes and
tax-exempt commercial paper. Municipal leases and installment purchase or
conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased
assets to pass eventually to the government issuer) are a means for governmental
issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting the constitutional and
statutory requirements for the issuance of long-term debt as described in the
SAI. Municipal leases frequently have special risks not normally associated with
general obligation or revenue bonds or notes as described in the SAI.
 
VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE SECURITIES
 
    The securities in which the Fund invests may have variable or floating rates
of interest. These securities pay interest at rates that are adjusted
periodically according to a specified formula, usually with reference to some
interest rate index or market interest rate (the "underlying index"). The
interest paid on these securities is a function primarily of the underlying
index upon which the interest rate adjustments are based. Such adjustments
minimize changes in the market value of the obligation and, accordingly, enhance
the ability of the Fund to maintain a stable net asset value. Similar to fixed
rate debt instruments, variable and floating rate instruments are subject to
changes in value based on changes in market interest rates or changes in the
issuer's creditworthiness. The rate of interest on securities purchased by the
Fund may be tied to various rates of interest or index.
 
    There may not be an active secondary market for certain floating or variable
rate instruments, which could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of an
instrument during periods that the Fund is not entitled to exercise any demand
rights it may have. The Fund could, for this or other reasons, suffer a loss
with respect to an instrument. The Adviser monitors the liquidity of the Fund's
investment in variable and floating rate instruments, but there can be no
guarantee that an active secondary market will exist.
 
PARTICIPATION INTERESTS
 
    The Fund may purchase participation interests in municipal securities that
are owned by banks or other financial institutions. Participation interests
carry a demand feature backed by a letter of credit or guarantee of the bank or
other institution permitting the holder to tender them back to the bank or other
institution. The Fund will only purchase participation interests from Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insured banks having total assets of more
than one billion dollars or from other financial institutions whose long-term
debt securities are rated within the four highest rating categories of an NRSRO
or which are unrated and determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.
Prior to purchasing any
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
participation interest, the Fund will obtain appropriate assurances from counsel
retained by the Trust that the interest to be earned by the Fund from the
obligations in which it expects to hold participation interests is exempt from
Federal income tax.
 
STAND-BY COMMITMENTS
 
    The Fund may purchase municipal securities together with the right to resell
them to the seller at an agreed upon price or yield within specified periods
prior to their maturity dates. These rights to resell are commonly known as
"stand-by commitments." The aggregate price which the Fund pays for securities
with a stand-by commitment may be higher than the price which otherwise would be
paid. The primary purpose of this practice is to permit the Fund to be as fully
invested as practicable in municipal securities while preserving the necessary
flexibility and liquidity to meet unanticipated redemptions. The Fund will enter
into stand-by commitments only with banks or municipal securities dealers that
in the opinion of the Adviser present minimal credit risks. The value of a
stand-by commitment is dependent on the ability of the writer to meet its
repurchase obligation.
 
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS
 
GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION
 
    Because the Fund invests principally in Maine municipal securities, the Fund
is more susceptible to factors adversely affecting issuers of those municipal
securities than would be a comparable municipal securities portfolio having a
lesser degree of geographic concentration. These risks arise from the financial
condition of the state of Maine and its political subdivisions. To the extent
state or local governmental entities are unable to meet their financial
obligations, the income derived by the Fund, its ability to preserve or realize
appreciation of its portfolio assets or its liquidity could be impaired.
 
    To the extent the Fund's investments are primarily concentrated in issuers
located in Maine, the value of the Fund's shares may be especially affected by
factors pertaining to Maine's economy and other factors specifically affecting
the ability of issuers in Maine to meet their obligations. As a result, the
value of the Fund's assets may fluctuate more widely than the value of shares of
a portfolio investing in securities relating to a number of different states.
 
    The ability of state, county or local governments and quasi-governmental
agencies to meet their obligations will depend primarily on the availability of
tax and other revenues to those governments and on their fiscal conditions
generally. The amounts of tax and other revenues available to governmental
issuers may be affected from time to time by economic, political and demographic
conditions within the state. In addition, constitutional or statutory
restrictions may limit a government's power to raise revenues or increase taxes.
The availability of Federal, state and local aid to governmental issuers may
also affect their ability to meet obligations. Payments of principal of and
interest on private activity securities will depend on the economic condition of
the facility or specific revenue source from whose revenues the payments will be
made, which in turn could be affected by economic, political or demographic
conditions in the state.
 
DIVERSIFICATION MATTERS
 
    The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it has greater latitude than a
diversified fund with respect to the investment of its assets in the securities
of a relatively small number of municipal issuers. As a non-diversified
portfolio, the Fund may present greater risks than a diversified fund. The
Fund's diversification requirements provide that, as of the last day of each
fiscal quarter, with respect to 50% of its assets, the Fund may not own the
securities of a single issuer, other than a U.S. Government Security, with a
value of more than 5% of the Fund's total assets. "U.S. Govern-
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
ment Securities" means any obligation issued or guaranteed as to principal and
interest by the United States Government or by any of its agencies or
instrumentalities. Except for U.S. Government securities, no more than 25% of
the total assets of the Fund may be invested in securities of any one issuer.
These limitations do not apply to securities of an issuer payable solely from
the proceeds of escrowed U.S. Government securities. The Fund will be subject to
a greater risk of loss if an issuer in which the Fund invests a substantial
amount of its assets is unable to make interest or principal payments or if the
market value of securities declines.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE STATE OF MAINE
 
    In 1991, citing declines in key financial indicators and continued softness
in the Maine economy, S&P lowered its credit rating for Maine general
obligations from AAA to AA+, and at the same time lowered its credit rating on
bonds issued by the Maine Municipal Bond Bank and the Maine Court Facilities
Authority, and on State of Maine Certificates of Participation for highway
equipment from AA to A+. In August 1993, citing the "effects of protracted
economic slowdown and the expectation that Maine's economy will not soon return
to the pattern of robust growth evident in the mid-1980s," Moody's lowered its
credit rating for Maine general obligations from Aa1 to Aa. At the same time,
Moody's lowered from Aa1 to Aa the ratings assigned to state-guaranteed bonds of
the Maine School Building Authority and the Finance Authority of Maine, and
confirmed at A1 the ratings assigned to the bonds of the Maine Court Facilities
Authority and State of Maine Certificates of Participation. On May 13, 1997,
Moody's "confirmed and refined from Aa to Aa3" Maine's general obligation bond
rating in accord with a new national rating system published by Moody's on
January 13, 1997. On June 5, 1998, Moody's raised its credit rating on Maine
general obligations bonds from Aa3 to Aa2. Since 1996, Maine general obligation
bonds also have been rated by Fitch. Fitch has assigned a rating of AA to Maine
general obligation bonds. There can be no assurance that Maine general
obligations or the securities of any Maine political subdivision, authority or
corporation owned by the Fund will be rated in any category or will not be
downgraded by an NRSRO. Further information concerning the State of Maine is
contained in the SAI.
 
4. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    The investment objective and all investment policies of the Fund that are
designated as fundamental may not only be changed with the approval of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. A
majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities means the lesser of (1) 67%
of the shares of the Fund present or represented at a shareholders' meeting at
which the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented, or
(2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Unless otherwise
indicated, investment policies of the Fund are not fundamental and may be
changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") without shareholder
approval. For more information concerning shareholder voting, see "Other
Information -- The Trust and Its Shares."
 
    The Fund may borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes (including the
meeting of redemption requests), but, as a fundamental policy, not in excess of
33 1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets. Borrowing for purposes other
than meeting redemption requests may not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's
total assets. The Fund may invest no more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid
securities, including repurchase agreements not entitling the Fund to the
payment of principal within seven days. The Fund may hold cash pending
investment and may invest up to 10% of its total assets in money market mutual
funds that invest in municipal securities exempt from Federal income taxes. The
Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, which are transactions in which the
Fund purchases a security and
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller at an agreed-upon
price on an agreed-upon future date, normally one to seven days later, and may
lend its securities to other persons.
 
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS
 
    The Fund may purchase securities offered on a "when-issued" basis and may
purchase or sell securities on a "forward commitment" basis. When these
transactions are negotiated, the price, which is generally expressed in yield
terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for
the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs
within three months after the transaction. The Fund purchases securities on a
when-issued or forward commitment basis only with the intention of actually
receiving or delivering the securities, as the case may be. When-issued
securities may include bonds purchased on a "when, as and if issued" basis under
which the issuance of the securities depends upon the occurrence of a subsequent
event, such as approval of a proposed financing by appropriate municipal
authorities.
 
    During the period between a commitment and settlement, no payment is made
for the securities purchased and, thus, no dividend or interest accrues to the
purchaser from the transaction. However, at the time the Fund makes a commitment
to purchase securities in this manner, the Fund immediately assumes the risk of
ownership, including price fluctuation. Failure by the other party to deliver or
pay for a security purchased or sold by the Fund may result in a loss or a
missed opportunity to make an alternative investment. Any significant commitment
of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued or
forward commitment basis may increase the volatility of its net asset value.
 
    The use of when-issued transactions and forward commitments may enable the
Fund to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. If the
Adviser were to forecast incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements,
however, the Fund might be required to complete these transactions at prices
inferior to the current market values. No when-issued or forward commitments
will be made by the Fund if, as a result, more than 15% of the value of the
Fund's total assets would be committed to such transactions.
 
    The Fund's use of when-issued securities and forward commitments entails
certain risks not associated with direct investments in securities. For
instance, in the event that bankruptcy or similar proceedings were commenced
against a counterparty in these transactions or a counterparty defaulted on its
obligations, the Fund might suffer a loss. The Adviser monitors the
creditworthiness of counterparties to these transactions and intends to enter
into these transactions only when it believes the counterparties present minimal
credit risks and the income to be earned from the transaction justifies the
attendant risks.
 
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION
 
    Generally, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in cash or cash
equivalents. When business or financial conditions warrant (i.e. when issues of
sufficient quality and liquidity are not available), the Fund may assume a
temporary defensive position and invest up to all of its assets in cash or prime
quality cash equivalents, including (1) short-term U.S. Government securities,
(2) certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and interest-bearing savings
deposits of commercial banks doing business in the United States, (3) commercial
paper, (4) repurchase agreements covering any of the securities in which the
Fund may invest directly and (5) to the extent permitted by the Investment
Company Act of 1940, money market mutual funds. During periods when and to the
extent that the Fund has assumed a temporary defensive position, it will not be
pursuing its investment objective and shareholders may be subject to Federal and
Maine tax on a portion of their income dividends received from the Fund.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
CORE AND GATEWAY-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-
 
    The Fund may seek to achieve its investment objective by converting to a
Core and Gateway structure. The Fund, upon future action by the Board and notice
to shareholders, may convert to this structure, in which the Fund would hold as
its only investment securities the shares of another investment company having
substantially the same investment objective and policies as the Fund. The Board
will not authorize conversion to a Core and Gateway structure if it would
materially increase costs to the Fund's shareholders.
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
    The frequency of portfolio transactions of the Fund (the portfolio turnover
rate) will vary from year to year depending on market conditions. From time to
time the Fund may engage in active short-term trading to benefit from yield
disparities among different issues of debt securities, to seek short-term
profits during periods of fluctuating interest rates, or for other reasons. This
type of trading will increase the Fund's portfolio turnover rate and transaction
costs and may increase the Fund's capital gains, which are not tax-exempt when
distributed to shareholders. The Adviser weighs the anticipated benefits of
short-term investments against these consequences. The Fund's portfolio turnover
rate is reported under "Financial Highlights."
 
5. MANAGEMENT
 
    The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the
Board. The Board formulates the general policies of the Fund and generally meets
quarterly to review the results of the Fund, monitor investment activities and
practices and discuss other matters affecting the Fund and the Trust.
Information about the Trustees and the officers of the Trust is in the SAI under
"Management -- Trustees and Officers."
 
THE ADVISER
 
    Forum Investment Advisors, LLC, serves as investment adviser to the Fund
under an investment advisory agreement with the Trust. Subject to the general
supervision of the Board, the Adviser makes investment decisions for the Fund
and is responsible for, among other things, developing a continuing investment
program for the Fund in accordance with its investment objective and reviewing
the investment strategies and policies of the Fund. For its services, the
Adviser receives an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.40% of the Fund's
average daily net assets.
 
    Leslie C. Berthy is Managing Director of the Adviser and has been
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio since its
inception in 1989. Prior to his association with the Adviser, Mr. Berthy was
Managing Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Irwin Union Capital Corp.,
an affiliate of Irwin Union Bank & Trust Co.
 
    As of the date of this Prospectus, each of the Adviser, FAdS, FFSI, FSS and
FAcS was controlled by John Y. Keffer, President and Chairman of the Trust and
was located at Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine, 04101. As of June 30, 1998,
the Adviser provided investment advisory services to registered investment
companies with assets of approximately $1.7 billion.
 
THE ADMINISTRATOR
 
    On behalf of the Fund, the Trust has entered into an Administration
Agreement with FAdS. Under the agreement, FAdS is responsible for the
supervision of the overall management of the Trust and providing the Trust with
general office facilities, necessary personnel to help ensure the effective
operation of the Trust as well as persons satisfactory to the Board to serve as
officers of the Trust. For these services, FAdS is entitled to receive a fee
from the Fund computed and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.20% of the Fund's
average daily net assets.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
    Under a Fund Accounting Agreement with the Trust, Forum Accounting Services,
LLC ("FAcS") performs portfolio accounting services for the Fund, including
determination of the Fund's net asset value. For its services FAcS is entitled
to receive a fee at an annual rate of $36,000 subject to adjustments for the
number and type of portfolio transactions.
 
    As of June 30, 1998, FAdS and its affiliates provided management,
administration and distribution services to registered investment companies and
collective investment funds with assets of approximately $38 billion.
 
THE DISTRIBUTOR
 
    Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, FFSI acts as distributor of
the Fund's shares and is the agent of the Trust in connection with the offering
of shares of the Fund. For these services, FFSI receives, and may reallow to
certain financial institutions, the sales charge paid by the purchasers of the
Fund's shares. FFSI may enter into arrangements with banks, broker-dealers or
other financial institutions ("Processing Organizations") through which
investors may purchase or redeem shares. FFSI may, at its own expense and from
its own resources, compensate certain persons who provide services in connection
with the sale or expected sale of shares of the Fund. Investors purchasing
shares of the Fund through another financial institution should read any
materials and information provided by the financial institution to acquaint
themselves with its procedures and any fees that it may charge. FFSI is a
registered broker-dealer and is a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
    Shareholder inquiries and communications concerning the Fund may be directed
to ("FSS"). Under a Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with the Trust, FSS
acts as the Fund's transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent. FSS maintains
an account for each shareholder of record, where all shares purchased are
credited, together with any distributions that are reinvested in additional
shares. FSS also performs other transfer agency functions and acts as dividend
disbursing agent for the Trust. For its services, FSS is entitled to receive a
fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets plus
$12,000 per year and annual shareholder fees of $18.00 per shareholder account.
 
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
 
    The Trust is obligated to pay for all of its expenses. The Fund's expenses
comprise Trust expenses attributable to the Fund and expenses not attributable
to any particular portfolio of the Trust, which are allocated among the Fund and
the portfolios in proportion to their average net assets. The Fund's expenses
include: interest charges; taxes; brokerage fees and commissions; certain
insurance premiums; applicable fees and expenses under the Trust's contracts
with the Adviser, FAdS, FSS and any custodian; fees of pricing, interest,
dividend, credit and other reporting services; costs of membership in trade
associations; auditing, legal and compliance expenses; costs of preparing and
printing the Trust's prospectuses, statements of additional information and
shareholder reports and delivering them to existing shareholders; compensation
of certain of the Trust's trustees, officers and employees and other personnel
performing services for the Trust; and registration fees and related expenses.
 
    The Adviser, FAdS, FSS, and FAcS, in their sole discretion, may waive all or
any portion of their respective fees, which are accrued daily and paid monthly.
Any such waiver, which could be discontinued at any time, would have the effect
of increasing the Fund's performance for the period during which the waiver was
in effect and would not be recouped at a later date.
 
YEAR 2000
 
    Like other mutual funds, financial and other business organizations and
individuals around the
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
world, the Fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems used by the
Adviser and other service providers to the Fund do not properly process and
calculate date related information and data from and after January 1, 2000. The
Adviser and FAdS are taking steps to address the Year 2000 issue with respect to
the computer systems that they use and to obtain reasonable assurances that
comparable steps are being taken by the Fund's other major service providers.
There can be no assurance, however, that these steps will be sufficient to avoid
any adverse impact on the Fund from this problem.
 
6. PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES
 
Investments in the Fund may be made either by an investor directly or through
certain brokers and financial institutions of which the investor is a customer.
All transactions in Fund shares are effected through FSS, which accepts orders
for purchases and redemptions from shareholders of record and new investors.
Shareholders of record will receive from the Trust periodic statements listing
all account activity during the statement period. The Trust reserves the right
in the future to modify, limit or terminate any shareholder privilege upon
appropriate notice to shareholders and charge a fee for certain shareholder
services, although no such fees are currently contemplated.
 
PURCHASES
 
    Fund shares are sold at a price equal to their net asset value
next-determined after acceptance of an order plus any applicable sales charge on
all weekdays except days when the New York Stock Exchange is closed ("Business
Day"). Normally, the New York Stock Exchange is closed on New Year's Day, Martin
Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Fund shares are issued
immediately after an order for the shares in proper form is accepted by FSS. The
Fund's net asset value is calculated at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time on each Business
Day. Fund shares become entitled to receive dividends on the next Business Day
after the order is accepted.
 
    The Fund reserves the right to reject any subscription for the purchase of
its shares. Share certificates are only issued to shareholders of record upon
their written request and no certificates are issued for fractional shares.
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
    Fund shares may be redeemed without charge at their net asset value on any
Business Day. There is no minimum period of investment and no restriction on the
frequency of redemptions. Fund shares are redeemed as of the Fund's
next-determined net asset value after FSS receives the redemption order in
proper form (and any supporting documentation which FSS may require). Shares
redeemed are not entitled to receive dividends declared after the day on which
the redemption becomes effective.
 
    Normally, redemption proceeds are paid immediately, but in no event later
than seven days after a redemption order is accepted. Proceeds of redemption
requests (and exchanges), however, will not be paid unless any check used for
investment has been cleared by the shareholder's bank, which may take up to 15
calendar days. This delay may be avoided by investing through wire transfers.
Unless otherwise indicated, redemption proceeds normally are paid by check and
mailed to the shareholder's record address. The right of redemption may not be
suspended nor the payment dates postponed except when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (or when trading is restricted) for any reason other than its
customary weekend or holiday closings or under any emergency or other
circumstance as determined by the SEC.
 
    Proceeds of redemptions normally are paid in cash. However, payments may be
made wholly or partially in portfolio securities if the Board deter-
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
mines that payment in cash would be detrimental to the best interests of the
Fund. The Trust will only effect a redemption in portfolio securities if the
particular shareholder is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's net
assets, whichever is less, during any 90-day period.
 
    The Trust employs reasonable procedures to ensure that telephone orders are
genuine, including the recording of certain transactions. If the Trust did not
employ such procedures it could be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions. Shareholders should verify the accuracy of
telephone instructions immediately upon receipt of confirmation statements.
During times of drastic economic or market changes, the telephone redemption and
exchange privileges may be difficult to implement. In the event that a
shareholder is unable to reach FSS by telephone, requests may be mailed or
hand-delivered to FSS.
 
    Due to the cost to the Trust of maintaining smaller accounts, the Trust
reserves the right to redeem, upon not less than 60 days' written notice, all
shares in any Fund account with an aggregate net asset value of less than
$1,000. The Trust will not redeem accounts that fall below that amount solely as
a result of a reduction in net asset value.
 
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
 
    The following purchase and redemption procedures and shareholder services
apply to investors who invest in the Fund directly. These investors may open an
account by completing the account application at the back of this Prospectus or
by contacting FSS at the address on the first page of this Prospectus. For those
shareholder services not referenced on the account application or to change
information on a shareholder's account (such as addresses), investors should
request an Optional Services Form from FSS.
 
INITIAL PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
    There is a $2,000 minimum for initial investments in the Fund.
 
    MAIL.  Investors may send a check made payable to the Trust along with a
completed account application for the Fund to FSS at the address on the first
page of this Prospectus. Checks are accepted at full value subject to
collection. If a check does not clear, the purchase order will be canceled and
the investor will be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Trust, FSS or
FFSI.
 
    BANK WIRE.  To make an initial investment in the Fund using the wire system
for transmittal of money among banks, an investor should first telephone the
Trust at (207) 879-0001 or 800-94FORUM (800-943-6786) to obtain an account
number. The investor should then instruct a bank to wire the investor's money
immediately to:
 
 BankBoston
 Boston, Massachusetts
 ABA# 011000390
 For Credit To: Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
 Account #: 541-54171
     Re: Maine Municipal Bond Fund
     (Investor's Name)
     (Investor's Account Number)
 
    The investor should then promptly complete and mail the account application.
Investors planning to wire funds should instruct the bank early in the day so
the wire transfer can be received prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the same
day. The bank may impose a charge for transmitting payment by wire, and there
also may be a charge for the use of Federal funds.
 
SUBSEQUENT PURCHASES OF SHARES
 
    There is a $250 minimum for subsequent purchases. Subsequent purchases may
be made by mailing a check, by sending a wire as indicated above. Shareholders
using the wire system for subsequent purchases should first telephone the
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
Trust at (207) 879-0001 or 800-94FORUM (800-943-6786) to notify it of the wire
transfer. All payments should clearly indicate the shareholder's name and
account number.
 
    AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT.  Shareholders may purchase Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic transfer of funds from a
designated bank account maintained with a United States banking institution
which is an Automated Clearing House member. Under the program, existing
shareholders may authorize amounts of $250 or more to be debited from their bank
account and invested in the Fund monthly or quarterly. Shareholders wishing to
participate in this program may obtain the applicable forms from FSS.
Shareholders may terminate their automatic investments or change the amount to
be invested at any time by written notification to FSS.
 
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
    Shareholders that wish to redeem shares by telephone or receive redemption
proceeds by wire must elect these options by properly completing the appropriate
sections of their account application. These privileges may not be available
until several weeks after a shareholder's application is received. Shares for
which certificates have been issued may not be redeemed by telephone.
 
    MAIL.  Shareholders may make a redemption in any amount by sending a written
request to FSS accompanied by any share certificate that was issued to the
shareholder. All share certificates submitted for redemption must be signed by
the shareholder with a signature guarantee. All written requests for redemption,
must be signed by the shareholder, and in some cases, must have a signature
guarantee. See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares -- Other Redemption
Matters."
 
    TELEPHONE.  A shareholder that has elected telephone redemption privileges
may make a telephone redemption request by calling FSS at (207) 879-0001 or
800-94FORUM (800-943-6786) and providing the shareholder's account number, the
exact name in which the shares are registered, the shareholder's social security
or taxpayer identification number. The Trust or FSS may employ other procedures
such as recording certain transactions to ensure telephone instructions are
genuine. If such procedures are followed, neither the Trust nor FSS will be
liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent redemption requests. In
response to the telephone redemption instruction, the Fund will mail a check to
the shareholder's record address or, if the shareholder has elected wire
redemption privileges, wire the proceeds.
 
    BANK WIRE.  For redemptions of more than $5,000, a shareholder that has
elected wire redemption privileges may request the Fund to transmit the
redemption proceeds by Federal funds wire to a bank account designated on the
shareholder's account application. To request wire redemptions by telephone, the
shareholder also must have elected the telephone redemption privilege on the
account application. Redemption proceeds are transmitted by wire on the next
business day after the redemption request in proper form is received by FSS.
 
    AUTOMATIC REDEMPTIONS.  Shareholders may redeem Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic redemption of shares from
their Fund account. Redemption proceeds are sent either by check or by automatic
transfer to a designated bank account maintained with a United States banking
institution that is an Automated Clearing House member. Under this program,
shareholders may authorize the redemption of shares in amounts of $250 or more
from their account monthly or quarterly. Shareholders may terminate their
automatic redemptions or change the amount to be redeemed at any time by written
notification to FSS.
 
    OTHER REDEMPTION MATTERS.  To protect shareholders and the Fund against
fraud, signatures on certain requests must have a signature guarantee. Requests
must be made in writing and include a signature guarantee for any of the fol-
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
lowing transactions: (1) any endorsement on a stock certificate; (2) written
instruction to redeem Shares whose value exceeds $50,000; (3) instructions to
change a shareholder's record name; (4) redemption in an account in which the
account address or account registration has changed within the last 30 days; (5)
the proceeds are not being sent to the address of record, preauthorized bank
account, or preauthorized brokerage firm account; (6) proceeds are to be paid to
someone other than the registered owners or to an account with a different
registration; or (7) change of automatic investment or redemption, dividend
election, telephone redemption or exchange option election or any other option
election in connection with the shareholder's account.
 
    Signature guarantees may be provided by any eligible institution acceptable
to FSS, including a bank, a broker, a dealer, a national securities exchange, a
credit union, or a savings association that is authorized to guarantee
signatures. Whenever a signature guarantee is required, the signature of each
person required to sign for the account must be guaranteed. A notarized
signature is not sufficient.
 
    FSS will deem a shareholder's account "lost" if correspondence to the
shareholder's address of record is returned as undeliverable, unless FSS
determines the shareholder's new address. When an account is deemed lost all
distributions on the account will be reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund. In addition, the amount of any outstanding (unpaid for six months or more)
checks for distributions that have been returned to FSS will be reinvested and
the checks will be canceled.
 
SALES CHARGES
 
    The public offering price for shares of the Fund is the sum of the net asset
value of the shares being purchased plus any applicable sales charge. No sales
charge is assessed on the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions. The
sales charge is assessed for the Fund as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 SALES CHARGE
                                   AS % OF
                           ------------------------
                             PUBLIC
                            OFFERING     NET ASSET      DEALERS'
   AMOUNT OF PURCHASE         PRICE       VALUE*       REALLOWANCE
- -------------------------  -----------  -----------  ---------------
<S>                        <C>          <C>          <C>
less than $50,000........        2.50%        2.56%          2.50%
$50,000 but less than
 $100,000................        2.25         2.30           2.25
$100,000 but less than
 $500,000................        2.00         2.04           2.00
$500,000 but less than
 $1,000,000..............        1.50         1.52           1.50
$1,000,000 and up........        0.50         0.50           0.40
</TABLE>
 
* Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.
 
    FFSI's commission is the sales charge shown above less any applicable
discount reallowed to Processing Organizations (including banks and bank
affiliates purchasing shares as principal or agent). Normally, FFSI will reallow
discounts to Processing Organizations in the amounts indicated in the table
above. From time to time, however, FFSI may elect to reallow the entire sales
charge to Processing Organizations for all sales with respect to which orders
are placed with FFSI during a particular period. The dealers' reallowance may be
changed from time to time.
 
    In addition, from time to time and at its own expense, FFSI may provide
compensation, including financial assistance, to dealers in connection with
conferences, sales or training programs for their employees, seminars for the
public, advertising campaigns or other dealer-sponsored special events.
Compensation may include: (1) the provision of travel arrangements and lodging,
(2) tickets for entertainment events and (3) merchandise.
 
    No sales charge will be assessed on purchases made for investment purposes
by: (1) any bank, trust company, savings association or similar institution with
whom FFSI has entered into a share purchase agreement acting on behalf of the
institution's fiduciary customer accounts or any account maintained by its trust
department (including a
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit trust created pursuant to a
qualified retirement plan); (2) any registered investment adviser with whom FFSI
has entered into a share purchase agreement and which is acting on behalf of its
fiduciary customer accounts; (3) any registered investment adviser which is
acting on behalf of its fiduciary customer accounts and for which it provides
additional investment advisory services; (4) any broker-dealer with whom FFSI
has entered into a Processing Organization Agreement and a Fee-Based or Wrap
Account Agreement and which is acting on behalf of its fee-based program
clients; (5) directors and officers of the Trust; directors, officers and
full-time employees of the Advisor, FFSI, any of their affiliates or any
organization with which FFSI has entered into a Processing Organization
Agreement; the spouse, sibling, direct ancestor or direct descendent
(collectively, "relatives") of any such person; any trust or individual
retirement account or self-employed retirement plan for the benefit of any such
person or relative; or the estate of any such person or relative; (6) any person
who has, within the preceding 90 days, redeemed Fund shares (but only on
purchases in amounts not exceeding the redeemed amounts) and completes a
reinstatement form upon investment; (7) persons who exchange into the Fund from
a mutual fund other than a fund of the Trust that participates in the Trust's
exchange program, See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares - Exchange Program;"
and (8) employee benefit plans qualified under Section 401 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Trust may require appropriate
documentation from an investor concerning that investor's eligibility to
purchase Fund shares without a sales charge. Any shares so purchased may not be
resold except to the Fund.
 
    In addition to incurring a possible fee charge, investors who purchase
shares through a Processing Organization will be subject to the procedures of
their Processing Organization, which may include limitations, investment
minimums, cutoff times and restrictions in addition to, or different from, those
applicable to shareholders who invest in the Fund directly. These investors
should acquaint themselves with their Processing Organization's procedures and
should read this Prospectus in conjunction with any materials and information
provided by their Processing Organization. Investors who purchase Fund shares
through a Processing Organization may or may not be the shareholder of record
and, subject to their Processing Organization's and the Fund's procedures, may
have Fund shares transferred into their name. Under their arrangements with the
Trust, broker-dealer Processing Organizations are not generally required to
deliver payment for purchase orders until several business days after a purchase
order has been received by the Fund. Certain other Processing Organizations may
also enter purchase orders with payment to follow.
 
    Certain shareholder services may not be available to shareholders who have
purchased shares through a Processing Organization. These shareholders should
contact their Processing Organization for further information. The Trust may
confirm purchases and redemptions of a Processing Organization's customers
directly to the Processing Organization, which in turn will provide its
customers with such confirmations and periodic statements as may be required by
law or agreed to between the Processing Organization and its customers. The
Trust is not responsible for the failure of any Processing Organization to carry
out its obligations to its customer. Certain states permit shares of the Fund to
be purchased and redeemed only through registered broker-dealers, including the
Fund's distributor.
 
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
 
    For an investor to qualify for a reduced sales charge as described below,
the investor must notify FSS at the time of purchase. Programs for reduced sales
charges may be modified or terminated at any time and are subject to
confirmation of an investor's holdings.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION.  An investor's purchase of additional shares of the
Fund may qualify for rights of accumulation ("ROA") wherein the applicable sales
charge will be based on the total of the investor's current purchase and the net
asset value (at the end of the previous Business Day) of all Fund shares held by
the investor. For example, if an investor owned shares of the Fund worth
$400,000 at the then current net asset value and purchased shares of the Fund
worth an additional $50,000, the sales charge for the $50,000 purchase would be
at the 2% rate applicable to a single $450,000 purchase, rather than at the
2.50% rate. To qualify for ROA on a purchase, the investor must inform FSS and
supply sufficient information to verify that each purchase qualifies for the
privilege or discount.
 
    LETTER OF INTENT.  Investors may also obtain reduced sales charges based on
cumulative purchases by means of a written Letter of Intent ("LOI"), which
expresses the investor's intention to invest $100,000 or more within a period of
13 months in shares of the Fund. Each purchase of shares under a LOI will be
made at the public offering price applicable at the time of the purchase to a
single transaction of the dollar amount indicated in the LOI.
 
    An LOI is not a binding obligation upon the investor to purchase the full
amount indicated. Shares purchased with the first 5% of the amount indicated in
the LOI will be held subject to a registered pledge (while remaining registered
in the name of the investor) to secure payment of the higher sales charge
applicable to the shares actually purchased if the full amount indicated is not
purchased within 13 months. Pledged shares will be involuntarily redeemed to pay
the additional sales charge, if necessary. When the full amount indicated has
been purchased, the shares will be released from pledge. Share certificates are
not issued for shares purchased under an LOI. Investors wishing to enter into an
LOI can obtain a form of LOI from their broker or financial institution or by
contacting FSS.
 
EXCHANGES
 
EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
 
    Fund shareholders are entitled to exchange their shares for shares of any
other fund of the Trust or any other fund that participates in the exchange
program and whose shares are eligible for sale in the shareholder's state of
residence. Exchanges may only be made between accounts registered in the same
name. When a shareholder exchanges shares, a completed account application must
be submitted to open a new account in a fund if the shareholder requests any
shareholder privilege not associated with the existing account. Exchanges are
subject to the fees and the restrictions (including minimum investment
requirements) listed in the prospectus for, the fund into which a shareholder is
exchanging. The Fund does not charge for exchanges and there is currently no
limit on the number of exchanges a shareholder may make.
 
    The Trust (and Federal tax law) treats an exchange as a redemption of the
shares owned and the purchase of the shares of the fund being acquired.
Redemptions and purchases are effected at the respective net asset values of the
two funds as next determined after all proper instructions and any necessary
supporting documents by the fund whose shares are being exchanged are received
by FSS.
 
    If a shareholder exchanges into a fund that imposes a sales charge, that
shareholder is required to pay the difference between that fund's sales charge
and any sales charge the shareholder has previously paid in connection with the
shares being exchanged. For example, if a shareholder paid a 2% sales charge in
connection with the purchase of the shares of a fund and then exchanged those
shares into another fund with a 3% sales charge, that shareholder would pay an
additional 1% sales charge on the exchange.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions are
deemed to have been acquired with a sales charge rate equal to that paid on the
shares on which the dividend or distribution was paid. The exchange privilege
may be modified materially or terminated by the Trust at any time upon 60 days'
notice to shareholders.
 
    MAIL.  Exchanges may be accomplished by written instruction to FSS
accompanied by any share certificate that may have been issued to the
shareholder. All written requests for exchanges must be signed by the
shareholder (a signature guarantee is not required) and all certificates
submitted for exchange must be endorsed by the shareholder with a signature
guarantee.
 
    TELEPHONE.  Exchanges may be accomplished by telephone by any shareholder
that has elected telephone exchange privileges by calling FSS at 800-94FORUM
(800-943-6786) or (207) 879-0001 and providing the shareholder's account number,
the exact name in which the shareholder's shares are registered and the
shareholder's social security or taxpayer identification number.
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
    Shares may be purchased and redeemed through certain broker-dealers, banks,
trust companies and their affiliates, and other financial institutions,
including affiliates of FSS . Processing Organizations may receive as a dealer's
reallowance a portion of the sales charge paid by their customers who purchase
Fund shares. In addition, Processing Organizations may charge their customers a
fee for their services and are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase,
redemption and other requests to the Fund. The Trust is not responsible for the
failure of any Processing Organization to promptly forward these requests.
 
    Investors who purchase shares through a Processing Organization may be
charged a fee if they effect transactions in Fund shares through a broker or
agent and will be subject to the procedures of their Processing Organization,
which may include limitations, investment minimums, cutoff times and
restrictions in addition to, or different from, those applicable to shareholders
who invest in the Fund directly. These investors should acquaint themselves with
their Processing Organization's procedures and should read this Prospectus in
conjunction with any materials and information provided by their Processing
Organization. Investors who purchase Fund shares through a Processing
Organization may or may not be the shareholder of record and, subject to their
Processing Organization's and the Fund's procedures, may have Fund shares
transferred into their name. Under their arrangements with the Trust,
broker-dealer Processing Organizations are not generally required to deliver
payment for purchase orders until several business days after a purchase order
has been received by the Fund. Certain other Processing Organizations may also
enter purchase orders with payment to follow.
 
    Certain shareholder services may not be available to shareholders who have
purchased shares through a Processing Organization. These shareholders should
contact their Processing Organization for further information. The Trust may
confirm purchases and redemptions of a Processing Organization's customers
directly to the Processing Organization, which in turn will provide its
customers with such confirmations and periodic statements as may be required by
law or agreed to between the Processing Organization and its customers. The
Trust is not responsible for the failure of any Processing Organization to carry
out its obligations to its customer. Certain states permit shares of the Fund to
be purchased and redeemed only through registered broker-dealers, including the
Fund's distributor.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
7. DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Distributions of the Fund's net investment income, if any, are declared
daily and paid monthly. Any distributions of net capital gain realized by the
Fund are distributed annually.
 
    Shareholders may choose either to have all distributions of net investment
income reinvested in additional Fund shares or paid in cash or to have
distributions of net capital gain reinvested in additional fund shares or paid
in cash. All distributions are treated in the same manner for Federal income tax
purposes whether paid in cash or reinvested in Fund shares.
 
    All distributions are reinvested at the Fund's net asset value as of the
payment date. All distributions are reinvested unless another option is
selected. All distributions not reinvested are paid to the shareholder in cash
and may be paid more than seven days following the date on which distributions
would otherwise be reinvested.
 
TAXES
 
    The Fund intends to continue to qualify for each fiscal year to be taxed as
a "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. As such, the Fund will not be liable for Federal income taxes on the
net investment income and net capital gain distributed to its shareholders.
Because the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment
income and net capital gain each year, the Fund should avoid all Federal income
and excise taxes.
 
DIVIDENDS OF TAX-EXEMPT INTEREST AND RELATED MATTERS
 
    Shareholders generally will not be subject to Federal income tax on
dividends paid by the Fund out of tax-exempt interest income earned by the Fund
("exempt-interest dividends"), assuming certain requirements are met by the
Fund. Substantially all of the dividends paid by the Fund are anticipated to be
exempt from Federal income taxes and from Maine personal income tax. However,
exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund to shareholders that are financial
institutions are subject to the Maine franchise tax.
 
    Persons who are "substantial users" or "related persons" thereof of
facilities financed by private activity bonds held by the Fund may be subject to
Federal income tax on their pro rata share of the interest income from these
bonds and should consult their tax advisors before purchasing shares of the
Fund. Under current Federal tax law, interest on certain private activity bonds
is treated as an item of tax preference for purposes of the Federal AMT imposed
on individuals and corporations. In addition, interest on all tax-exempt
obligations is included in the "adjusted current earnings" of corporations for
Federal AMT purposes. The Maine AMT is based in part on Federal AMT income.
 
OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Dividends paid by the Fund out of its taxable net investment income
(including any realized net short-term capital gain) are taxable to shareholders
as ordinary income for Federal income tax purposes. Distributions of realized
net long-term capital gain, if any, are taxable to shareholders as long-term
capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shareholder may have held
shares in the Fund. If Fund shares are sold at a loss after being held for six
months or less, the loss will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest
dividends received on those shares and will be treated as long-term capital loss
to the extent of any long-term capital gain distribution received on those
shares.
 
    Any capital gain distribution received by a shareholder reduces the net
asset value of the shareholder's shares by the amount of the distribution. To
the extent that capital gain was accrued by the Fund before the shareholder
purchased the shares, the distribution would be in effect a return of capital to
the shareholder. Capital gain distribu-
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
tions, including those that operate as a return of capital, however, are taxable
to the shareholder receiving them.
OTHER TAX MATTERS
    Interest on indebtedness incurred by shareholders to purchase or carry
shares of the Fund generally is not deductible for Federal income tax purposes.
    The Fund may be required by Federal law to withhold 31% of reportable
payments (which may include taxable dividends, capital gain distributions and
redemption proceeds) paid to individuals and certain other non-corporate
shareholders. Withholding is not required if a shareholder certifies that the
shareholder's social security or tax identification number provided to the Fund
is correct and that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding.
 
    Reports containing appropriate information with respect to the Federal
income tax status of dividends and distributions paid during the year by the
Fund will be mailed to shareholders shortly after the close of each year. This
includes a statement advising each shareholder of the portion of total dividends
paid into the shareholder's account that is exempt from Federal income tax and
that is derived from Maine municipal securities and from other sources. These
portions are determined for the entire year and on a monthly basis and, thus,
are an annual or monthly average, rather than a day-by-day determination for
each shareholder.
 
TAX-FREE INCOME VS. TAXABLE INCOME
 
    The table below shows approximate equivalent taxable and tax-free yields at
various approximate combined marginal Federal and Maine tax bracket rates. For
example, an investor in the 39.5% combined tax bracket for 1998 whose
investments earn a 5% tax-free yield would have to earn a 8.3% taxable yield to
receive the same benefit from a non-tax-exempt investment.
 
                        1998 COMBINED FEDERAL AND MAINE
                          TAXABLE VS. TAX-FREE YIELDS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         A Tax Free Yield of
                                    ------------------------------
                                    4.0%    4.5%    5.0%     5.5%
                                    ----    ----    -----    -----
 Combined Marginal Federal and        equals a taxable yield of
       Maine Tax Bracket                    approximately
         ------------               ------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>
             48.1%                  7.7%    8.7%     9.6%    10.6%
             44.5%                  7.2%    8.1%     9.0%     9.9%
             39.5%                  6.6%    7.4%     8.3%     9.1%
             36.5%                  6.3%    7.1%     7.9%     8.7%
</TABLE>
 
    The yields listed are for illustration only and are not necessarily
representative of the Fund's yield. Although the Fund primarily invests in
securities the interest from which is exempt from both Federal and Maine state
income taxes, some of the Fund's investments may generate taxable income. An
investor's tax bracket will depend upon the investor's taxable income. The
figures set forth above do not reflect the Federal or Maine alternative minimum
taxes or any state or local income taxes other than Maine state individual
income taxes.
 
    The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important Federal and Maine
tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders. There may
be other Federal, state or local tax considerations applicable to a particular
investor. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors.
 
8. OTHER INFORMATION
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
    The Fund's performance may be quoted in advertising in terms of yield or
total return. Both types are based on historical results and are not intended to
indicate future performance. The Fund's yield is a way of showing the rate of
income earned by the Fund as a percentage of the Fund's share price. Yield is
calculated by dividing the net investment income of the Fund for the stated
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
period by the average number of shares entitled to receive dividends and
expressing the result as an annualized percentage rate based on the Fund's share
price at the end of the period. The Fund may also quote tax equivalent yields,
which show the taxable yields a shareholder would have to earn to equal the
Fund's tax-free yields after taxes. A tax equivalent yield is calculated by
dividing the Fund's tax-free yield by one minus a stated Federal, state or
combined Federal and state tax rate. Total return refers to the average annual
compounded rates of return over some representative period that would equate an
initial amount invested at the beginning of a stated period to the ending
redeemable value of the investment, after giving effect to the reinvestment of
all dividends and distributions and deductions of expenses during the period.
The Fund also may advertise its total return over different periods of time on a
before-tax or after-tax basis or by means of aggregate, average, year by year,
or other types of total return figures. Because average annual returns tend to
smooth out variations in the Fund's returns, shareholders should recognize that
they are not the same as actual year-by-year results. The Fund's advertised
yield and total return may or may not reflect the maximum sales load applicable
to the Fund. A computation of yield or total return that does not take into
account the sales load paid by an investor will be higher than a computation
based on the public offering price of shares purchased that does take into
account payment of a sales load.
 
    The Fund's advertisements may reference ratings and rankings among similar
funds by independent evaluators such as Morningstar, Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc. or IBC/Donoghue, Inc. In addition, the performance of the Fund may be
compared to recognized indices of market performance. The comparative material
found in the Fund's advertisements, sales literature or reports to shareholders
may contain performance ratings. These are not to be considered representative
or indicative of future performance.
 
BANKING LAW MATTERS
 
    Banking laws and regulations generally permit a bank or bank affiliate to
purchase shares of an investment company as agent for and upon the order of a
customer and in the view of FAdS would permit a bank or bank affiliate to serve
as a Processing Organization or perform sub-transfer agent or similar services
for the Trust and its shareholders. If a bank or bank affiliate were prohibited
from performing all or a part of the foregoing services, its shareholder
customers would be permitted to remain shareholders of the Trust and alternative
means for continuing to service them would be sought. It is not expected that
shareholders would suffer adverse financial consequences as a result of any
changes in bank or bank affiliate service arrangements.
 
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
 
    The Trust determines the net asset value per share of the Fund as of 4:00
p.m., Eastern Time, on each Business Day by dividing the value of the Fund's net
assets (i.e., the value of its portfolio securities and other assets less its
liabilities) by the number of the Fund's shares outstanding at the time the
determination is made. Securities owned by the Fund for which market quotations
are readily available are valued at current market value, or, in their absence,
at fair value as determined by procedures approved by the Board.
 
THE TRUST AND ITS SHARES
 
    The Trust was originally incorporated in Maryland on March 24, 1980 and
assumed the name of Forum Funds, Inc. on March 16, 1987. On January 5, 1996,
Forum Funds, Inc. was reorganized as a Delaware business trust under the name
Forum Funds.
 
    The Trust has an unlimited number of authorized shares of beneficial
interest. The Board may, without shareholder approval, divide the authorized
shares into an unlimited number of separate portfolios or series (such as the
Fund) and may in the future divide portfolios or series into two or
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
more classes of shares (such as Investor and Institutional Shares). Currently
the authorized shares of the Trust are divided into 23 separate series.
 
    Each share of each fund of the Trust and each class of shares has equal
dividend, distribution, liquidation and voting rights, and fractional shares
have those rights proportionately, except that expenses related to the
distribution of the shares of each class (and certain other expenses such as
transfer agency and administration expenses) are borne solely by those shares
and each class votes separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1
plan which pertain to the class and other matters for which separate class
voting is appropriate under applicable law. Generally, shares will be voted in
the aggregate without reference to a particular portfolio, except if the matter
affects only one portfolio or voting by portfolio or class is required by law,
in which case shares will be voted separately by portfolio. Delaware law does
not require the Trust to hold annual meetings of shareholders, and it is
anticipated that shareholder meetings will be held only when specifically
required by Federal or state law. Shareholders (and Trustees) have available
certain procedures for the removal of Trustees. There are no conversion or
preemptive rights in connection with shares of the Trust. All shares when issued
in accordance with the terms of the offering will be fully paid and
nonassessable. Shares are redeemable at net asset value, at the option of the
shareholders, subject to any contingent deferred sales charge that may apply. A
shareholder in a portfolio is entitled to the shareholder's pro rata share of
all dividends and distributions arising from that portfolio's assets and, upon
redeeming shares, will receive the portion of the portfolio's net assets
represented by the redeemed shares.
 
    From time to time, certain shareholders may own a large percentage of the
shares of the Fund. Accordingly, those shareholders may be able to greatly
affect (if not determine) the outcome of a shareholder vote.
 
    NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND THE FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN CONNECTION
WITH THE OFFERING OF THE FUND'S SHARES, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
TRUST. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO
ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH OFFER MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>




                              [APPLICATION FORM
                                   PAGE 1]

<PAGE>




                              [APPLICATION FORM
                                   PAGE 2]

<PAGE>

                                                                       [GRAPHIC]




[LOGO]

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION:
FORUM SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, LLC
P.O. BOX 446
PORTLAND, ME  04112
207-879-0001 (IN PORTLAND, ME)
800-94FORUM (ELSEWHERE)
<PAGE>

[GRAPHIC]

                                     PROSPECTUS


                                   NEW HAMPSHIRE
                                     BOND FUND


                                       FORUM
                                       FUNDS

                                   AUGUST 1, 1998


<PAGE>
FORUM FUNDS
 
NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND
 
                                                                      PROSPECTUS
 
                                                                  August 1, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING:
 
       Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
       P.O. Box 446
       Portland, Maine 04112
       (207) 879-0001
       (800) 94FORUM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
This Prospectus offers shares of New Hampshire Bond Fund (the "Fund"), a
non-diversified series of Forum Funds (the "Trust"), an open-end, management
investment company.
 
    NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of
    current income exempt from both Federal income taxes (other than the
    alternative minimum tax) and New Hampshire state interest and dividends
    taxes. The Fund invests principally in investment grade New Hampshire
    municipal securities.
 
Shares of the Fund are offered to investors at a price equal to the
next-determined net asset value plus a maximum sales charge of 2.50% of the
total public offering price (2.56% of the net amount invested).
 
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information a prospective investor
should know about the Trust and the Fund before investing. The Trust has filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a Statement of Additional
Information dated August 1, 1998, as may be amended from time to time (the
"SAI"), which contains more detailed information about the Trust and the Fund
and is available together with other related materials for referenced on the
SEC's Internet Web Site (http://www.sec.gov). The SAI, which is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus, is available without charge by contacting Forum
Shareholder Services, LLC, the Fund's transfer agent, at the address and
telephone numbers printed above.
 
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE OFFERED ONLY TO RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            PAGE
                                                         ----------
<C>          <S>                                         <C>
        1.   Prospectus Summary..........................          2
        2.   Financial Highlights........................          4
        3.   Investment Objective and Policies...........          5
        4.   Additional Investment Policies..............          9
 
<CAPTION>
                                                            PAGE
                                                         ----------
<C>          <S>                                         <C>
        5.   Management..................................         11
        6.   Purchases and Redemptions of Shares.........         12
        7.   Distributions and Tax Matters...............         19
        8.   Other Information...........................         21
</TABLE>
 
   INVESTORS SHOULD READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
FUND SHARES ARE NOT OBLIGATIONS, DEPOSITS OR ACCOUNTS OF, OR ENDORSED OR
GUARANTEED BY, ANY BANK OR ANY AFFILIATE OF A BANK AND ARE NOT INSURED OR
GUARANTEED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THE FDIC, OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY.
 
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.
<PAGE>
1. PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders with a high
level of current income exempt from both Federal income taxes (other than the
alternative minimum tax) and New Hampshire state interest and dividends taxes.
The Fund invests principally in investment grade New Hampshire municipal
securities. It is anticipated that the average weighted maturity of all
municipal securities in the Fund's portfolio will normally range between five
and 15 years. See "Investment Objective and Policies."
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
    Forum Investment Advisors, LLC (the "Adviser") serves as the investment
adviser to the Fund. The Adviser is located at Two Portland Square, Portland,
Maine 04101. See "Management -- The Adviser".
 
FUND MANAGEMENT
 
    The administrator of the Trust is Forum Administrative Services, LLC
("FAdS") and distributor of its shares is Forum Financial Services, Inc.
("FFSI"). Forum Shareholder Services, LLC (the "FSS") serves as the Trust's
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent and
Forum Accounting Services, LLC (FAcS") provides portfolio accounting services
for the Trust. Each of the Adviser, FAdS, FFSI, FSS, and FAcS are located at Two
Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101. See "Management."
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
 
    Shares of the Fund are offered at the next-determined net asset value per
share plus any applicable sales charge. Shares may be purchased or redeemed by
mail, by bank-wire and through an investor's broker-dealer or other financial
institution. The minimum initial investment is $2,000 and the minimum subsequent
investment is $250. Shares may be redeemed without charge. See "Purchases and
Redemptions of Shares."
 
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
 
    Shareholders of the Fund may exchange their shares without charge for the
shares of certain other funds of the Trust. See "Purchases and Redemptions of
Shares -- Exchanges."
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    The Fund distributes its net investment income, if any, monthly and its net
capital gains, if any, at least annually. All distributions are reinvested
automatically in additional shares of the Fund at net asset value unless a
shareholder has notified the Fund in his or her Account Application or otherwise
in writing of the shareholder's intention to receive distributions in cash. It
is anticipated that substantially all of the dividends paid by the Fund will be
exempt from Federal income tax and from New Hampshire state interest and
dividends taxes. See "Distributions and Tax Matters."
 
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS
 
    There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective. The Fund's net asset value and total return will fluctuate as the
value of the securities in which the Fund invests changes and will tend to vary
inversely with movements in interest rates. The Fund is non-diversified and,
therefore, has greater freedom to concentrate its investments in a limited
number of issues than if it were diversified. The Fund invests principally in
the securities of New Hampshire municipal issuers, which entails more risk than
if the Fund were to invest in issuers with greater geographic diversity. See
"Investment Objective and Policies -- Certain Risk Factors."
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
EXPENSES OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
 
    The purpose of the following table is to assist investors in understanding
the various expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                  <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
  Maximum sales charge imposed on
    purchases (as a percentage of
    public offering price)(1)......       2.50%
  Exchange Fee.....................        None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (2)
 (as a percentage of average net
 assets after applicable expense
 reimbursements and fee waivers)
  Management Fees..................       0.40%
  12b-1 Fees.......................        None
  Other Expenses...................       0.20%
                                     -----------
  Total Fund Operating Expenses....       0.60%
</TABLE>
 
    (1) Certain shareholders may be eligible for reduced sales charges. See
"Purchases and Redemptions of Shares -- Reduced Sales Charges."
 
    (2) The Annual Fund Operating Expenses are based upon expenses and assets of
the Fund during its most recent fiscal year ending March 31, 1998. Management
Fees includes all investment advisory fees and administration fees. Absent
certain expense reimbursements and fee waivers, Management Fees, Other Expenses
and Total Fund Operating Expenses would be 0.67%, 1.13% and 1.81%, respectively.
Expense reimbursements and fee waivers are voluntary and may be reduced or
eliminated at any time. For a further description of the various expenses
incurred in the operation of the Fund, see "Management."
 
EXAMPLE
 
    Following is a hypothetical example that indicates the dollar amount of
expenses that an investor in the Fund would pay assuming (1) a $1,000 investment
in the Fund, (2) a 5% annual return, (3) the reinvestment of all distributions,
(4) the payment of the maximum initial sales charge and (5) full redemptions at
the end of each period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years
  ------   -------   -------   --------
  <S>      <C>       <C>       <C>
    $31      $44       $58       $98
</TABLE>
 
    THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
EXPENSES OR RETURN. ACTUAL EXPENSES AND RETURN MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN
INDICATED. The example is based on the expenses listed in the Annual Fund
Operating Expenses table. The 5% annual return is not a prediction of and does
not represent the Fund's projected returns; rather, it is required by government
regulation.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
2. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
    The following information represents selected data for a single share
outstanding of the Fund. This information has been audited by Deloitte & Touche
LLP, independent auditors. The financial statements and independent auditors'
report thereon are incorporated by reference into the SAI. Further information
about the Fund's performance is contained in the Fund's annual report to
shareholders, which may be obtained from the Trust without charge by contacting
the Fund's transfer agent.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
                                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1998         1997          1996          1995        1994      1993(a)
                                          ---------   ----------   -------------   ---------   --------   ---------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>          <C>             <C>         <C>        <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period....    $ 10.31      $ 10.33       $   10.08     $  9.96    $ 10.01   $10.00
Investment Operations:
  Net Investment Income (Loss)..........       0.47         0.48            0.48        0.49       0.51     0.12
  Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
    (Loss) on Investments...............       0.43        (0.02)           0.25        0.12      (0.03)    0.01
Total from Investment Operations........       0.90         0.46            0.73        0.61       0.48     0.13
Distributions from:
  Net Investment Income.................      (0.48)       (0.48)          (0.48)      (0.49)     (0.51)   (0.12)
  Net Realized Gain on Investments......         --           --              --          --      (0.02)      --
Total Distributions.....................      (0.48)       (0.48)          (0.48)      (0.49)     (0.53)   (0.12)
Net Asset Value, End of Period..........    $ 10.73      $ 10.31       $   10.33     $ 10.08    $  9.96   $10.01
                                          ---------   ----------          ------   ---------   --------   ---------
                                          ---------   ----------          ------   ---------   --------   ---------
Total Return(b).........................       8.84%        4.56%           7.36%       6.32%      4.75%    5.55%(c)
Ratio/Supplementary Data:
Net Assets at End of Period (000's
  omitted)..............................    $12,908      $ 8,691       $   6,903     $ 5,276    $ 3,555     $442
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
  Expenses Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver................       0.60%        0.60%           0.60%       0.46%      0.34%    0.50%(c)
  Expenses Excluding
    Reimbursement/Waiver................       1.81%        2.22%           2.26%       2.19%      4.33%   30.85%(c)
  Net Investment Income (Loss) Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver................       4.45%        4.65%           4.65%       4.95%      4.68%    4.96%(c)
  Portfolio Turnover Rate...............      22.99%       53.46%          34.31%      37.59%      9.60%      --
</TABLE>
 
(a) The Fund commenced operations on December 31, 1992.
 
(b) Total return calculations do not include sales charges.
 
(c) Annualized.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
3. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders with a high
level of current income exempt from both Federal income taxes (other than the
alternative minimum tax) and New Hampshire state interest and dividends taxes.
The Fund anticipates that all of its income will be exempt from New Hampshire
state interest and dividends taxes and that a substantial portion of its income
will be exempt from New Hampshire state business profits taxes. There can be no
assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    The Fund pursues its objective by investing principally in investment grade
debt obligations issued by the state of New Hampshire and its political
subdivisions, duly constituted authorities and corporations. These securities
are generally known as "municipal securities" and include municipal bonds, notes
and leases. It is anticipated that under normal circumstances substantially all
of the Fund's assets will be invested in municipal securities the interest on
which is exempt from New Hampshire state interest and dividends taxes and
Federal income taxes except when received by a shareholder in a taxable year for
which he will be subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax ("AMT"). The
Fund may also invest in United States government instruments the interest on
which is exempt from New Hampshire state interest and dividends taxes.
 
    The market value of the municipal securities held by the Fund will be
affected by changes in interest rates. Normally, a decline in interest rates
produces an increase in market value, while an increase in interest rates
produces a decrease in market value. Moreover, the longer the remaining maturity
of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the
market value of that security. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make
payments of interest and principal and in the market's perception of an issuer's
creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of
that issuer. Obligations of issuers of municipal securities are subject to the
provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors. The possibility exists, therefore, that, as a result of
litigation or other conditions, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the
principal of and interest on its debt securities may be materially impaired.
 
    The yields of municipal securities depend on, among other things, conditions
in the municipal securities markets and fixed income markets generally, the size
of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation, and the rating of the
issue. New Hampshire municipal securities may have yields slightly less than the
municipal obligations of issuers located in other states because of the New
Hampshire state interest and dividends tax exemption.
 
    In general, the longer the maturity of a municipal security, the higher the
rate of interest it pays. However, a longer average maturity is generally
associated with a higher level of volatility in the market value of a municipal
security. The average maturity of the Fund's portfolio will vary depending on
anticipated market conditions. It is anticipated, however, that the average
weighted maturity of all municipal securities in the Fund will normally range
between five and 15 years.
 
    In addition to New Hampshire municipal securities, the term municipal
securities, as used in this Prospectus and in the SAI, also include securities
issued by Puerto Rico, other United States territories or possessions and their
subdivisions, authorities and corporations the income from which is not subject
to Federal income tax or New Hampshire state interest and dividends taxes. The
Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in these securities.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
    Under current Federal tax law, a distinction is drawn between municipal
securities issued after August 7, 1986 to finance certain "private activities"
and other municipal securities. Private activity securities include securities
issued to finance such projects as certain solid waste disposal facilities,
student loan programs, and water and sewage projects. Interest income from
certain of these securities is subject to the Federal AMT and similar treatment
may apply for New Hampshire AMT purposes. See "Dividends and Tax Matters."
Because interest income on securities subject to the AMT is taxable to certain
investors, it is expected, although there can be no guarantee, that these
municipal securities generally will provide somewhat higher yields than other
municipal securities of comparable quality and maturity that are not subject to
the AMT.
 
CREDIT MATTERS
 
    Normally, at least 80% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in
municipal bonds rated at the time of purchase within the four highest rating
categories assigned by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization
("NRSRO") such as Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") (Aaa, Aa, A and
Baa), Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") (AAA, AA, A and BBB) or Fitch IBCA,
Inc. ("Fitch") (AAA, AA, A and BBB) or which are unrated and determined by the
Adviser to be of comparable quality. Securities in those rating categories are
generally considered to be investment grade securities, although Moody's
indicates that municipal securities rated Baa have speculative characteristics.
Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to
a weakened capacity by the issuer to make principal and interest payments with
respect to debt rated in that category than is the case with higher grade debt.
Unrated securities may not be as actively traded as rated securities. A further
description of the ratings used by Moody's, S&P and Fitch is included in the
SAI. The Fund only invests in municipal notes and other short-term municipal
obligations in the two highest rating categories assigned by an NRSRO or which
are unrated and determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund
may invest up to 20% of its total assets in municipal bonds rated in the fifth
or sixth highest rating category by an NRSRO or which are unrated and determined
by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. These securities are not considered
to be investment grade and have speculative or predominantly speculative
characteristics and are commonly known as "Junk Bonds." The Fund may retain
securities whose rating has been lowered below the lowest permissible rating
category (or that are unrated and determined by the Advisor to be of comparable
quality) only if the Adviser determines that retaining the security is in the
best interests of the Fund.
 
    An unrated municipal security will be considered for investment by the Fund
when the Adviser believes that the financial condition of the issuer of the
obligation and the protection afforded by the terms of the obligation limit the
risk to the Fund to a degree comparable to that of rated securities in which the
Fund may invest. During its last fiscal year, the Fund had 86.89% of its average
annual assets in municipal securities rated by Moody's or S&P and 6.10% of its
average annual assets in unrated investments, including cash and cash
equivalents. For that year the Fund had the following percentages of its average
annual net assets invested in rated securities: Aaa/AAA -- 40.93%, Aa/AA --
28.83%, A/A -- 15.94%, and Baa/BBB -- 1.19%. For this purpose, securities with
different ratings from Moody's and S&P were assigned the higher rating. This
information reflects the average month end composition of the Fund's assets for
the Fund's last fiscal year and is not necessarily representative of the Fund as
of the end of last year, the current fiscal year or any other time.
 
MUNICIPAL BONDS
 
    Municipal bonds intended to meet longer term capital needs, can be
classified as either
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
"general obligation" or "revenue" bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by
a municipality's pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the
payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are generally payable only from
the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in
some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other tax, but not from
general tax revenues. Municipal bonds also include private activity bonds
("PABs"), which are bonds issued by or on behalf of public authorities to
finance various privately operated facilities. PABs are in most cases revenue
bonds. The payment of the principal and interest on these bonds is dependent
solely on the ability of an initial or subsequent user of the facilities
financed by the bonds to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any,
of real and personal property financed by the bond as security for payment. The
Fund will acquire only PABs whose interest payments, in the opinion of the
issuer's counsel, are exempt from Federal income tax (other than the AMT) and
New Hampshire state interest and dividends taxation.
 
MUNICIPAL NOTES AND LEASES
 
    Municipal notes, which may be either "general obligation" or "revenue"
securities, are intended to fulfill short-term capital needs and generally have
original maturities of 397 days or less. They include tax anticipation notes,
revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, construction loan notes and
tax-exempt commercial paper. Municipal leases and installment purchase or
conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased
assets to pass eventually to the government issuer) are a means for governmental
issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting constitutional or
statutory requirements for the issuance of long-term debt as described in the
SAI. Municipal leases frequently have special risks not normally associated with
general obligation or revenue bonds or notes as described in the SAI.
 
VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE SECURITIES
 
    The securities in which the Fund invests may have variable or floating rates
of interest. These securities pay interest at rates that are adjusted
periodically according to a specified formula, usually with reference to some
interest rate index or market interest rate (the "underlying index"). The
interest paid on these securities is a function primarily of the underlying
index upon which the interest rate adjustments are based. Such adjustments
minimize changes in the market value of the obligation and, accordingly, enhance
the ability of the Fund to maintain a stable net asset value. Similar to fixed
rate debt instruments, variable and floating rate instruments are subject to
changes in value based on changes in market interest rates or changes in the
issuer's creditworthiness. The rate of interest on securities purchased by the
Fund may be tied to various rates of interest or indices.
 
    There may not be an active secondary market for certain floating or variable
rate instruments, which could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of an
instrument during periods that the Fund is not entitled to exercise any demand
rights it may have. The Fund could, for this or other reasons, suffer a loss
with respect to an instrument. The Adviser monitors the liquidity of the Fund's
investments in variable and floating rate instruments, but there can be no
guarantee that an active secondary market will exist.
 
PARTICIPATION INTERESTS
 
    The Fund may purchase participation interests in municipal securities that
are owned by banks or other financial institutions. Participation interests
carry a demand feature backed by a letter of credit or guarantee of the bank or
other institution permitting the holder to tender them back to the bank or
institution. The Fund will only purchase participation interests from Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insured banks having total assets of more
than one billion dollars or from other financial institutions whose long-
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
term debt securities are rated within the four highest rating categories of an
NRSRO (or are unrated and determined by the Adviser to be of comparable
quality). Prior to purchasing any participation interest, the Fund will obtain
appropriate assurances from counsel retained by the Trust that the interest
earned by the Fund from the obligations in which it holds participation
interests is exempt from Federal income and New Hampshire state interest and
dividends taxes.
 
STAND-BY COMMITMENTS
 
    The Fund may purchase municipal securities together with the right to resell
them to the seller at an agreed-upon price or yield within specified periods
prior to their maturity dates. These rights to resell are commonly known as
"stand-by commitments." The aggregate price which the Fund pays for securities
with a stand-by commitment may be higher than the price which otherwise would be
paid. The primary purpose of this practice is to permit the Fund to be as fully
invested as practicable in municipal securities while preserving the necessary
flexibility and liquidity to meet unanticipated redemptions. The Fund will enter
into stand-by commitments only with banks or municipal securities dealers that
in the opinion of the Adviser present minimal credit risks. The value of a
stand-by commitment is dependent on the ability of the writer to meet its
repurchase obligation.
 
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS
 
GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION
 
    Because the Fund invests principally in New Hampshire municipal securities,
the Fund is more susceptible to factors adversely affecting issuers of those
municipal securities than would be a comparable municipal securities portfolio
having a lesser degree of geographic concentration. These risks arise from the
financial condition of the state of New Hampshire and its political
subdivisions. To the extent state or local governmental entities are unable to
meet their financial obligations, the income derived by the Fund, its ability to
preserve or realize appreciation of its portfolio assets or its liquidity could
be impaired.
 
    To the extent the Fund's investments are primarily concentrated in issuers
located in New Hampshire, the value of the Fund's shares may be especially
affected by factors pertaining to New Hampshire's economy and other factors
specifically affecting the ability of issuers in New Hampshire to meet their
obligations. As a result, the value of the Fund's assets may fluctuate more
widely than the value of shares of a portfolio investing in securities relating
to a number of different states.
 
    The ability of state, county or local governments and quasi-governmental
agencies to meet their obligations will depend primarily on the availability of
tax and other revenues to those governments and on their fiscal conditions
generally. The amounts of tax and other revenues available to governmental
issuers may be affected from time to time by economic, political and demographic
conditions within the state. In addition, constitutional or statutory
restrictions may limit a government's power to raise revenues or increase taxes.
The availability of Federal, state and local aid to governmental issuers may
also affect their ability to meet obligations. Payments of principal of and
interest on private activity securities will depend on the economic condition of
the facility or specific revenue source from whose revenues the payments will be
made, which in turn could be affected by economic, political or demographic
conditions in the state.
 
DIVERSIFICATION MATTERS
 
    The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it has greater latitude than a
diversified fund with respect to the investment of its assets in the securities
of a relatively few municipal issuers. As a non-diversified portfolio, the Fund
may present greater risks than a diversified fund. The Fund's diversification
requirements provide that, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, with
respect to 50% of its assets, the Fund may not own the securities
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
of a single issuer, other than a U.S. Government Security, with a value of more
than 5% of the Fund's total assets. "U.S. Government Security" means any
obligation issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United
States Government or by any of its agencies or instrumentalities. Except for
U.S. Government securities, no more than 25% of the total assets of the Fund may
be invested in securities of any one issuer. These limitations do not apply to
securities of an issuer payable solely from the proceeds of escrowed U.S.
Government securities. The Fund will be subject to a greater risk of loss if an
issuer in which the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets is unable to
make interest or principal payments or if the market value of securities
declines.
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
 
    The major NRSROs have rated recent New Hampshire general obligation or
State-guaranteed bond issues as follows: Moody's -- Aa2 (refined from Aa in June
1997); S&P -- AA+ (stable) (revised from AA in November, 1995); Fitch -- AA+
(revised from AA in November 1995). S&P's rating revision cited sustained
employment recovery, improved financial position, low debt burden and high
wealth indicators. Fitch noted conservative debt and financial policies
underpinning the State's credit position, strengthened by economic buoyancy. A
recent bond issue by the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank without State
guarantee has been separately rated A1 by Moody's (stable) and A+ by S&P
(stable). Bond ratings of individual municipalities in New Hampshire vary in
accordance with rating agencies' estimates of the issuer's relative financial
strength and ability to support debt service. There can be no assurance that New
Hampshire general obligations or the securities of any New Hampshire political
subdivision, authority or corporation owned by the Fund will be rated in any
category or will not be downgraded by an NRSRO. Further information concerning
the State of New Hampshire is contained in the SAI.
 
4. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    The investment objective and all investment policies of the Fund that are
designated as fundamental may only be changed with the approval of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. A majority of
the Fund's outstanding voting securities means the lesser of (1) 67% of the
shares of the Fund present or represented at a shareholders meeting at which the
holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented, or (2) more
than 50% of the total outstanding shares of the Fund. Except as otherwise
indicated, investment policies of the Fund are not fundamental and may be
changed by the Board of Trustees (the "Board") without shareholder approval. For
more information concerning shareholder voting, see "Other Information--The
Trust and Its Shares."
 
    The Fund may borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes (including the
meeting of redemption requests), but, as a fundamental policy, not in excess of
331/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets. Borrowing for purposes other
than meeting redemption requests may not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's
total assets. The Fund may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in
illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements not entitling the Fund to
the payment of principal within seven days. The Fund may hold cash pending
investment and enter into repurchase agreements, which are transactions in which
the Fund purchases a security and simultaneously commits to resell that security
to the seller at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon future date, normally
one to seven days later, and may lend its securities to other persons.
 
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS
 
    The Fund may purchase securities offered on a "when-issued" basis and may
purchase or sell securities on a "forward commitment" basis.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
When these transactions are negotiated, the price, which is generally expressed
in yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and
payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement
date occurs within three months after the transaction. The Fund purchases
securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis only with the intention
of actually receiving or delivering the securities, as the case may be.
When-issued securities may include bonds purchased on a "when, as and if issued"
basis under which the issuance of the securities depends upon the occurrence of
a subsequent event, such as approval of a proposed financing by appropriate
municipal authorities.
 
    During the period between a commitment and settlement, no payment is made
for the securities purchased and, thus, no dividends or interest accrues to the
purchaser from the transaction. However, at the time the Fund makes a commitment
to purchase securities in this manner, the Fund immediately assumes the risk of
ownership, including price fluctuation. Failure by the other party to deliver or
pay for a security purchased or sold by the Fund may result in a loss or a
missed opportunity to make an alternative investment. Any significant commitment
of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued or
forward commitment basis may increase the volatility of its net asset value.
 
    The use of when-issued transactions and forward commitments may enable the
Fund to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. If the
Adviser were to forecast incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements,
however, the Fund might be required to complete these transactions at prices
inferior to the current market values. No when-issued or forward commitments
will be made by the Fund if, as a result, more than 15% of the value of the
Fund's total assets would be committed to such transactions.
 
    The Fund's use of when-issued securities and forward commitments entails
certain risks not associated with direct investments in securities. For
instance, in the event that bankruptcy or similar proceedings were commenced
against a counterparty in these transactions or a counterparty defaulted on its
obligations, the Fund might suffer a loss. The Adviser monitors the
creditworthiness of counterparties to these transactions and intends to enter
into these transactions only when it believes the counterparties present minimal
credit risks and the income to be earned from the transaction justifies the
attendant risks.
 
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION
 
    When business or financial conditions warrant (i.e. when issues of
sufficient quality and liquidity are not available), the Fund may assume a
temporary defensive position and invest without limit in cash and short-term
U.S. Government securities. During periods when and to the extent that the Fund
has assumed a temporary defensive position, it will not be pursuing its
investment objective and shareholders may be subject to Federal and New
Hampshire tax on a portion of their income dividends received from the Fund.
 
CORE AND GATEWAY-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-
 
    The Fund may seek to achieve its investment objective by converting to a
Core and Gateway structure. The Fund, upon future action by the Board of
Trustees and notice to shareholders, may convert to this structure, in which the
Fund would hold as its only investment securities the shares of another
investment company having substantially the same investment objective and
policies as the Fund. The Board of Trustees will not authorize conversion to a
Core and Gateway structure if it would materially increase costs to the Fund's
shareholders.
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
    The frequency of portfolio transactions of the Fund (the portfolio turnover
rate) will vary from year to year depending on market conditions. From time to
time the Fund may engage in active
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
short-term trading to benefit from yield disparities among different issues of
debt securities, to seek short-term profits during periods of fluctuating
interest rates, or for other reasons. This type of trading will increase the
Fund's portfolio turnover rate and transaction costs and may increase the Fund's
capital gains, which are not Federally tax-exempt when distributed to
shareholders. The Adviser weighs the anticipated benefits of short-term
investments against these consequences. The Fund's portfolio turnover rate is
reported under "Financial Highlights."
 
5. MANAGEMENT
 
    The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the
Board. The Board formulates the general policies of the Fund and generally meets
quarterly to review the results of the Fund, monitor investment activities and
practices and discuss other matters affecting the Fund and the Trust.
Information about the Trustees and the officers of the Trust is in the SAI under
"Management -- Trustees and Officers."
 
THE ADVISER
 
    Forum Investment Advisors, LLC, serves as investment adviser to the Fund
under an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust. Subject to the general
control of the Board, the Adviser makes investment decisions for the Fund and is
responsible for, among other things, developing a continuing investment program
for the Fund in accordance with its investment objective and reviewing the
investment strategies and policies of the Fund. For its services, the Adviser
receives an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.40% of the Fund's average daily
net assets. The Adviser voluntarily may waive all or any portion of its advisory
fee.
 
    Leslie C. Berthy is Managing Director of the Adviser and has been
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio since its
inception in 1989. Prior to his association with the Adviser, Mr. Berthy was
Managing Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Irwin Union Capital Corp.,
an affiliate of Irwin Union Bank & Trust Co.
 
    As of the date of this Prospectus, each of the Adviser FAdS, FFSI, FSS and
FAcS was controlled by John Y. Keffer, President and Chairman of the Trust and
was located at Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine, 04101. As of June 30, 1998,
the Adviser provided investment advisory services to registered investment
companies with assets of approximately $1.7 billion.
 
THE ADMINISTRATOR
 
    On behalf of the Fund, the Trust has entered into an Administration
Agreement with FAdS. Under the agreement, FAdS is responsible for the
supervision of the overall management of the Trust and providing the Trust with
general office facilities, personnel necessary to help ensure the effective
operation of the Trust as well as persons satisfactory to the Board to serve as
officers of the Trust. For these services, FAdS is entitled to receive a fee
from the Fund computed and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.20% of the Fund's
average daily net assets.
 
    Under a Fund Accounting Agreement with the Trust, Forum Accounting Services,
LLC ("FAcS") performs portfolio accounting services for the Fund, including
determination of the Fund's net asset value. For its services FAcS is entitled
to receive a fee at an annual rate of $36,000 subject to adjustments for the
number and type of portfolio transactions.
 
    As of June 30, 1998, FAdS and its affiliates provided management,
administration and distribution services to registered investment companies and
collective investment funds with assets of approximately $38 billion.
 
THE DISTRIBUTOR
 
    Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, FFSI acts as distributor of
the Fund's
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
shares. FFSI acts as the agent of the Trust in connection with the offering of
shares of the Fund. For these services, FFSI receives, and may reallow to
certain financial institutions, the sales charge paid by purchases of the Fund's
shares. FFSI may enter into arrangements with banks, broker-dealers or other
financial institutions ("Processing Organizations") through which investors may
purchase or redeem shares. FFSI may, at its own expense and from its own
resources, compensate certain persons who provide services in connection with
the sale or expected sale of shares of the Fund. Investors purchasing shares of
the Fund through another financial institution should read any materials and
information provided by the financial institution to acquaint themselves with
its procedures and any fees that it may charge. FFSI is a registered
broker-dealer and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
    Shareholder inquiries and communications concerning the Fund may be directed
to FSS. FSS acts as the Fund's transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent. FSS
maintains an account for each shareholder of record, where all shares purchased
are credited, together with any distributions that are reinvested in additional
shares. FSS also performs other transfer agency functions and acts as dividend
disbursing agent for the Trust. For its services, FSS is entitled to receive a
fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets plus
$12,000 per year and annual shareholder fees of $18.00 per shareholder account.
 
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
 
    The Trust is obligated to pay for all of its expenses. The Fund's expenses
comprise Trust expenses attributable to the Fund and expenses not attributable
to any particular portfolio of the Trust, which are allocated among the Fund and
the portfolios in proportion to their average net assets. The Fund's expenses
include: interest charges; taxes; brokerage fees and commissions; certain
insurance premiums; applicable fees and expenses under the Trust's contracts
with the Adviser, FAdS, FSS and any custodian; fees of pricing, interest,
dividend, credit and other reporting services; costs of membership in trade
associations; auditing, legal and compliance expenses; costs of preparing and
printing the Trust's prospectuses, statements of additional information and
shareholder reports and delivering them to existing shareholders; compensation
of certain of the Trust's trustees, officers and employees and other personnel
performing services for the Trust; and registration fees and related expenses.
 
    The Adviser, FAdS, FSS, and FAcS, in their sole discretion, may waive all or
any portion of their respective fees, which are accrued daily and paid monthly.
Any such waiver, which could be discontinued at any time, would have the effect
of increasing the Fund's performance for the period during which the waiver was
in effect and would not be recouped at a later date.
 
YEAR 2000
 
    Like other mutual funds, financial and other business organizations and
individuals around the world, the Fund could be adversely affected if the
computer systems used by the Adviser and other service providers to the Fund do
not properly process and calculate date related information and data from and
after January 1, 2000. The Adviser and FAdS are taking steps to address the Year
2000 issue with respect to the computer systems that they use and to obtain
reasonable assurances that comparable steps are being taken by the Fund's other
major service providers. There can be no assurance, however, that these steps
will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact on the Fund from this problem.
 
6. PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES
 
    Investments in the Fund may be made either by an investor directly or
through certain brokers
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
and financial institutions of which the investor is a customer. All transactions
in Fund shares are effected through FSS, which accepts orders for purchases and
redemptions from shareholders of record and new investors. Shareholders of
record will receive from the Trust periodic statements listing all account
activity during the statement period. The Trust reserves the right in the future
to modify, limit or terminate any shareholder privilege upon appropriate notice
to shareholders and charge a fee for certain shareholder services, although no
such fees are currently contemplated.
 
PURCHASES
 
    Fund shares are sold at a price equal to their net asset value
next-determined plus any applicable sales charge on all weekdays except days
when the New York Stock Exchange is closed ("Business Day"). Normally, the New
York Stock Exchange is closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day,
President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Fund shares are issued immediately after an
order for the shares in proper form is accepted by FSS. The Fund's net asset
value is calculated at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time on each Business Day. Fund shares
become entitled to receive dividends on the next Business Day after the order is
accepted.
 
    The Fund reserves the right to reject any subscription for the purchase of
its shares. Share certificates are only issued to shareholders of record upon
their written request and no certificates are issued for fractional shares.
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
    Fund shares may be redeemed without charge at their net asset value on any
Business Day. There is no minimum period of investment and no restriction on the
frequency of redemptions. Fund shares are redeemed as of the Fund's
next-determined net asset value after FSS receives the redemption order in
proper form (and any supporting documentation which FSS may require). Shares
redeemed are not entitled to receive dividends declared after the day on which
the redemption becomes effective.
 
    Normally, redemption proceeds are paid immediately, but in no event later
than seven days after a redemption order is accepted. Proceeds of redemption
requests (and exchanges), however, will not be paid unless any check used for
investment has been cleared by the shareholder's bank, which may take up to 15
calendar days. This delay may be avoided by investing through wire transfers.
Unless otherwise indicated, redemption proceeds normally are paid by check and
mailed to the shareholder's record address. The right of redemption may not be
suspended nor the payment dates postponed except when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (or when trading is restricted) for any reason other than its
customary weekend or holiday closings or under any emergency or other
circumstance as determined by the SEC.
 
    Proceeds of redemptions normally are paid in cash. However, payments may be
made wholly or partially in portfolio securities if the Board determines that
payment in cash would be detrimental to the best interests of the Fund. The
Trust will only effect a redemption in portfolio securities if the particular
shareholder is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's net assets,
whichever is less, during any 90-day period.
 
    The Trust employs reasonable procedures to ensure that telephone orders are
genuine, including the recording of certain transactions. If the Trust did not
employ such procedures it could be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions. Shareholders should verify the accuracy of
telephone instructions immediately upon receipt of confirmation statements.
During times of drastic economic or market changes, the telephone redemption and
exchange privileges may be difficult to implement. In the event that a
shareholder is unable to reach
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
FSS by telephone, requests may be mailed or hand-delivered to FSS.
 
    Due to the cost to the Trust of maintaining smaller accounts, the Trust
reserves the right to redeem, upon not less than 60 days' written notice, all
shares in any Fund account with an aggregate net asset value of less than
$1,000. The Trust will not redeem accounts that fall below that amount solely as
a result of a reduction in net asset value.
 
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
 
    The following purchase and redemption procedures and shareholder services
apply to investors who invest in the Fund directly. These investors may open an
account by completing the account application at the back of this Prospectus or
by contacting FSS at the address on the first page of this Prospectus. For those
shareholder services not referenced on the account application or to change
information on a shareholder's account (such as addresses), investors should
request an Optional Services Form from FSS.
 
INITIAL PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
    There is a $2,000 minimum for initial investments in the Fund.
 
    MAIL.  Investors may send a check made payable to the Trust along with a
completed account application for the Fund to FSS at the address on the first
page of this Prospectus. Checks are accepted at full value subject to
collection. If a check does not clear, the purchase order will be canceled and
the investor will be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Trust, FSS or
FFSI.
 
    BANK WIRE.  To make an initial investment in the Fund using the wire system
for transmittal of money among banks, an investor should first telephone the
Trust at (207) 879-0001 or 800-94FORUM (800-943-6786) to obtain an account
number. The investor should then instruct a bank to wire the investor's money
immediately to:
 
 BankBoston
 Boston, Massachusetts
 ABA# 011000390
 For Credit To: Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
 Account #: 541-54171
     Re: New Hampshire Bond Fund
     (Investor's Name)
     (Investor's Account Number)
 
    The investor should then promptly complete and mail the account application.
Investors planning to wire funds should instruct the bank early in the day so
the wire transfer can be received prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the same
day. The bank may impose a charge for transmitting payment by wire, and there
also may be a charge for the use of Federal funds.
 
SUBSEQUENT PURCHASES OF SHARES
 
    There is a $250 minimum for subsequent purchases. Subsequent purchases may
be made by mailing a check, by sending a wire as indicated above. Shareholders
using the wire system for subsequent purchases should first telephone the Trust
at (207) 879-0001 or 800-94FORUM (800-943-6786) to notify it of the wire
transfer. All payments should clearly indicate the shareholder's name and
account number.
 
    AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT.  Shareholders may purchase Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic transfer of funds from a
designated bank account maintained with a United States banking institution
which is an Automated Clearing House member. Under the program, existing
shareholders may authorize amounts of $250 or more to be debited from their bank
account and invested in the Fund monthly or quarterly. Shareholders wishing to
participate in this program may obtain the applicable forms from FSS.
Shareholders may terminate their automatic investments or change the amount to
be invested at any time by written notification to FSS.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
    Shareholders that wish to redeem shares by telephone or receive redemption
proceeds by wire must elect these options by properly completing the appropriate
sections of their account application. These privileges may not be available
until several weeks after a shareholder's application is received. Shares for
which certificates have been issued may not be redeemed by telephone.
 
    MAIL.  Shareholders may make a redemption in any amount by sending a written
request to FSS accompanied by any share certificate that was issued to the
shareholder. All share certificates submitted for redemption must be signed by
the shareholder with a signature guarantee. All written requests for redemption,
must be signed by the shareholder and, in come case, must have a signature
guarantee. See "Purchase and Redemption Procedures--Other Redemption Matters."
 
    TELEPHONE.  A shareholder that has elected telephone redemption privileges
may make a telephone redemption request by calling FSS at (207) 879-0001 or
800-94FORUM (800-943-6786) and providing the shareholder's account number, the
exact name in which the shares are registered, the shareholder's social security
or taxpayer identification number. The Trust or FSS may employ other procedures
such as recording certain transactions to ensure telephone instructions are
genuine. If such procedures are followed, neither the Trust nor FSS will be
liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent redemption requests. In
response to the telephone redemption instruction, the Fund will mail a check to
the shareholder's record address or, if the shareholder has elected wire
redemption privileges, wire the proceeds.
 
    BANK WIRE.  For redemptions of more than $5,000, a shareholder that has
elected wire redemption privileges may request the Fund to transmit the
redemption proceeds by Federal funds wire to a bank account designated on the
shareholder's account application. To request wire redemptions by telephone, the
shareholder also must have elected the telephone redemption privilege on the
account application. Redemption proceeds are transmitted by wire on the next
business day after the redemption request in proper form is received by FSS.
 
    AUTOMATIC REDEMPTIONS.  Shareholders may redeem Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic redemption of shares from
their Fund account. Redemption proceeds are sent either by check or by automatic
transfer to a designated bank account maintained with a United States banking
institution that is an Automated Clearing House member. Under this program,
shareholders may authorize the redemption of shares in amounts of $250 or more
from their account monthly or quarterly. Shareholders may terminate their
automatic redemptions or change the amount to be redeemed at any time by written
notification to FSS.
 
    OTHER REDEMPTION MATTERS.  To protect shareholders and the Fund against
fraud, signatures on certain requests must have a signature guarantee. Requests
must be made in writing and include a signature guarantee for any of the
following transactions: (1) any endorsement on a stock certificate; (2) written
instruction to redeem Shares whose value exceeds $50,000; (3) instructions to
change a shareholder's record name; (4) redemption in an account in which the
account address or account registration has changed within the last 30 days; (5)
the proceeds are not being sent to the address of record, preauthorized bank
account, or preauthorized brokerage firm account; (6) proceeds are to be paid to
someone other than the registered owners or to an account with a different
registration; or (7) change of automatic investment or redemption, dividend
election, telephone redemption or exchange option election or any other option
election in connection with the shareholder's account.
 
    Signature guarantees may be provided by any eligible institution acceptable
to FSS, including a
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
bank, a broker, a dealer, a national securities exchange, a credit union, or a
savings association that is authorized to guarantee signatures. Whenever a
signature guarantee is required, the signature of each person required to sign
for the account must be guaranteed. A notarized signature is not sufficient.
 
    FSS will deem a shareholder's account "lost" if correspondence to the
shareholder's address of record is returned as undeliverable, unless FSS
determines the shareholder's new address. When an account is deemed lost all
distributions on the account will be reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund. In addition, the amount of any outstanding (unpaid for six months or more)
checks for distributions that have been returned to FSS will be reinvested and
the checks will be canceled.
 
SALES CHARGES
 
    The public offering price for shares of the Fund is the sum of the net asset
value of the shares being purchased plus any applicable sales charge. No sales
charge is assessed on the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions. The
sales charge is assessed for the Fund as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           SALES CHARGE
                             AS % OF
                     ------------------------
                       PUBLIC
                      OFFERING     NET ASSET    DEALERS'
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE      PRICE       VALUE*     REALLOWANCE
- -------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                  <C>          <C>          <C>
less than
 $50,000...........       2.50%        2.56%        2.50%
$50,000 but less
 than $100,000.....        2.25         2.30         2.25
$100,000 but less
 than $500,000.....        2.00         2.04         2.00
$500,000 but less
 than $1,000,000...        1.50         1.52         1.50
$1,000,000 and up..        0.50         0.50         0.50
</TABLE>
 
* Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.
 
    FFSI's commission is the sales charge shown above less any applicable
discount reallowed to Processing Organizations (including banks and bank
affiliates purchasing shares as principal or agent). Normally, FFSI will reallow
discounts to Processing Organizations in the amounts indicated in the table
above. From time to time, however, FFSI may elect to reallow the entire sales
charge to Processing Organizations for all sales with respect to which orders
are placed with FFSI during a particular period. The dealers' reallowance may be
changed from time to time.
 
    In addition, from time to time and at its own expense, FFSI may provide
compensation, including financial assistance, to dealers in connection with
conferences, sales or training programs for their employees, seminars for the
public, advertising campaigns or other dealer-sponsored special events.
Compensation may include: (1) the provision of travel arrangements and lodging,
(2) tickets for entertainment events and (3) merchandise.
 
    No sales charge will be assessed on purchases made for investment purposes
by: (1) any bank, trust company, savings association or similar institution with
whom FFSI has entered into a share purchase agreement acting on behalf of the
institution's fiduciary customer accounts or any account maintained by its trust
department (including a pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit trust
created pursuant to a qualified retirement plan); (2) any registered investment
adviser with whom FFSI has entered into a share purchase agreement and which is
acting on behalf of its fiduciary customer accounts; (3) any registered
investment adviser which is acting on behalf of its fiduciary customer accounts
and for which it provides additional investment advisory services; (4) any
broker-dealer with whom FFSI has entered into a Processing Organization
Agreement and a Fee-Based or Wrap Account Agreement and which is acting on
behalf of its fee-based program clients; (5) directors and officers of the
Trust; directors, officers and full-time employees of the Advisor, FFSI, any of
their affiliates or any organization with which FFSI has entered into a
Processing Organization Agreement; the spouse, sibling, direct ancestor or
direct descendent (collectively, "relatives") of any such person; any trust or
individual retirement account or self-employed retirement plan for the benefit
of any such person
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
or relative; or the estate of any such person or relative; (6) any person who
has, within the preceding 90 days, redeemed Fund shares (but only on purchases
in amounts not exceeding the redeemed amounts) and completes a reinstatement
form upon investment; (7) persons who exchange into the Fund from a mutual fund
other than a fund of the Trust that participates in the Trust's exchange
program, See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares -- Exchange Program;" and (8)
employee benefit plans qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended. The Trust may require appropriate documentation from an
investor concerning that investor's eligibility to purchase Fund shares without
a sales charge. Any shares so purchased may not be resold except to the Fund.
 
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
 
    For an investor to qualify for a reduced sales charge, as described below,
the investor must notify FSS at the time of purchase. Programs for reduced sales
charges may be modified or terminated at any time and are subject to
confirmation of an investor's holdings.
 
    RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION.  An investor's purchase of additional shares of the
Fund may qualify for rights of accumulation ("ROA") wherein the applicable sales
charge will be based on the total of the investor's current purchase and the net
asset value (at the end of the previous Business Day) of all Fund shares held by
the investor. For example, if an investor owned shares of the Fund worth
$400,000 at the then current net asset value and purchased shares of the Fund
worth an additional $50,000, the sales charge for the $50,000 purchase would be
at the 2% rate applicable to a single $450,000 purchase, rather than at the
2.50% rate. To qualify for ROA on a purchase, the investor must inform FSS and
supply sufficient information to verify that each purchase qualifies for the
privilege or discount.
 
    LETTER OF INTENT.  Investors may also obtain reduced sales charges based on
cumulative purchases by means of a written Letter of Intent ("LOI"), which
expresses the investor's intention to invest $100,000 or more within a period of
13 months in shares of the Fund. Each purchase of shares under a LOI will be
made at the public offering price applicable at the time of the purchase to a
single transaction of the dollar amount indicated in the LOI.
 
    An LOI is not a binding obligation upon the investor to purchase the full
amount indicated. Shares purchased with the first 5% of the amount indicated in
the LOI will be held subject to a registered pledge (while remaining registered
in the name of the investor) to secure payment of the higher sales charge
applicable to the shares actually purchased if the full amount indicated is not
purchased within 13 months. Pledged shares will be involuntarily redeemed to pay
the additional sales charge, if necessary. When the full amount indicated has
been purchased, the shares will be released from pledge. Share certificates are
not issued for shares purchased under an LOI. Investors wishing to enter into an
LOI can obtain a form of LOI from their broker or financial institution or by
contacting FSS.
 
EXCHANGES
 
EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
 
    Fund shareholders are entitled to exchange their shares for shares of any
other fund of the Trust or any other fund that participates in the exchange
program and whose shares are eligible for sale in the shareholder's state of
residence. Exchanges may only be made between accounts registered in the same
name. When a shareholder exchanges shares, a completed account application must
be submitted to open a new account in a Fund if the shareholder requests any
shareholder privilege not associated with the existing account. Exchanges are
subject to the fees and the restrictions (including minimum investment
requirements) listed in the prospectus for, the fund into which a shareholder is
exchanging. The Fund does not charge for exchanges and there is currently no
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
limit on the number of exchanges a shareholder may make.
 
    The Trust (and Federal tax law) treats an exchange as a redemption of the
shares owned and the purchase of the shares of the fund being acquired.
Redemptions and purchases are effected at the respective net asset values of the
two funds as next determined after all proper instructions and any necessary
supporting documents by the fund whose shares are being exchanged are received
by FSS.
 
    If a shareholder exchanges into a fund that imposes a sales charge, that
shareholder is required to pay the difference between that fund's sales charge
and any sales charge the shareholder has previously paid in connection with the
shares being exchanged. For example, if a shareholder paid a 2% sales charge in
connection with the purchase of the shares of a fund and then exchanged those
shares into another fund with a 3% sales charge, that shareholder would pay an
additional 1% sales charge on the exchange. Shares acquired through the
reinvestment of dividends and distributions are deemed to have been acquired
with a sales charge rate equal to that paid on the shares on which the dividend
or distribution was paid. The exchange privilege may be modified materially or
terminated by the Trust at any time upon 60 days' notice to shareholders.
 
    MAIL.  Exchanges may be accomplished by written instruction to FSS
accompanied by any share certificate that may have been issued to the
shareholder. All written requests for exchanges must be signed by the
shareholder (a signature guarantee is not required) and all certificates
submitted for exchange must be endorsed by the shareholder with a signature
guarantee.
 
    TELEPHONE.  Exchanges may be accomplished by telephone by any shareholder
that has elected telephone exchange privileges by calling FSS at 800-94FORUM
(800-943-6786) and providing the shareholder's account number, the exact name in
which the shareholder's shares are registered and the shareholder's social
security or taxpayer identification number.
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
    Shares may be purchased and redeemed through certain broker-dealers, banks,
trust companies and their affiliates, and other financial institutions,
including affiliates of FSS. Processing Organizations may receive as a dealer's
reallowance a portion of the sales charge paid by their customers who purchase
Fund shares. In addition, Processing Organizations may charge their customers a
fee for their services and are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase,
redemption and other requests to the Fund. The Trust is not responsible for the
failure of any Processing Organization to promptly forward these requests.
 
    Investors who purchase shares through a Processing Organization may be
charged a fee if they effect transactions in Fund shares through a broker or
agent and will be subject to the procedures of their Processing Organization,
which may include limitations, investment minimums, cutoff times and
restrictions in addition to, or different from, those applicable to shareholders
who invest in the Fund directly. These investors should acquaint themselves with
their Processing Organization's procedures and should read this Prospectus in
conjunction with any materials and information provided by their Processing
Organization. Investors who purchase Fund shares through a Processing
Organization may or may not be the shareholder of record and, subject to their
Processing Organization's and the Fund's procedures, may have Fund shares
transferred into their name. Under their arrangements with the Trust,
broker-dealer Processing Organizations are not generally required to deliver
payment for purchase orders until several business days after a purchase order
has been received by the Fund. Certain other Processing Organizations may also
enter purchase orders with payment to follow.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
    Certain shareholder services may not be available to shareholders who have
purchased shares through a Processing Organization. These shareholders should
contact their Processing Organization for further information. The Trust may
confirm purchases and redemptions of a Processing Organization's customers
directly to the Processing Organization, which in turn will provide its
customers with such confirmations and periodic statements as may be required by
law or agreed to between the Processing Organization and its customers. The
Trust is not responsible for the failure of any Processing Organization to carry
out its obligations to its customer. Certain states permit shares of the Fund to
be purchased and redeemed only through registered broker-dealers, including the
Fund's distributor.
 
7. DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Dividends of the Fund's net investment income, if any, are declared daily
and paid monthly. Any distributions of net capital gain realized by the Fund are
distributed annually.
 
    Shareholders may choose either to have all distributions of net investment
income reinvested in additional Fund shares or paid in cash or to have
distributions of net capital gain reinvested in addditional Fund shares or paid
in cash. All distributions are treated in the same manner for Federal income tax
purposes whether received in cash or reinvested in Fund shares.
 
    All distributions are reinvested at the Fund's net asset value as of the
payment date of the distribution. All distributions are reinvested unless
another option is selected. All distributions not reinvested are paid to the
shareholder in cash and may be paid more than seven days following the date on
which distributions would otherwise be reinvested.
 
TAXES
 
    The Fund intends to continue to qualify for each fiscal year to be taxed as
a "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. As such, the Fund will not be liable for Federal income taxes on the
net investment income and net capital gain distributed to its shareholders.
Because the Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income and net
capital gain each year, the Fund should avoid all Federal income and excise
taxes.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS OF TAX-EXEMPT INTEREST AND RELATED MATTERS
 
    Shareholders generally will not be subject to Federal income tax on
dividends paid by the Fund out of tax-exempt interest income earned by the Fund
("exempt-interest dividends"), assuming certain requirements are met by the
Fund. Substantially all of the dividends paid by the Fund are anticipated to be
exempt from Federal income taxes and New Hampshire individual income tax.
 
    Persons who are "substantial users" or "related persons" thereof of
facilities financed by private activity bonds held by the Fund may be subject to
Federal income tax on their pro rata share of the interest income from these
bonds and should consult their tax advisors before purchasing shares of the
Fund. Under current Federal tax law, interest on certain private activity bonds
is treated as an item of tax preference for purposes of the Federal AMT imposed
on individuals and corporations. In addition, interest on all tax-exempt
obligations is included in the "adjusted current earnings" of corporations for
Federal AMT purposes.
 
OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Dividends paid by the Fund out of its taxable net investment income
(including any realized net short-term capital gain) are taxable to shareholders
as ordinary income for Federal tax purposes. Distributions by the Fund of
realized net long-term capital gain, if any, are taxable to shareholders as
long-term capital gain, regardless of the
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
length of time the shareholder may have held shares in the Fund. If Fund shares
are sold at a loss after being held for six months or less, the loss will be
disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received on those
shares and will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any
long-term capital gain distribution received on those shares.
 
    Any capital gain distribution received by a shareholder reduces the net
asset value of the shareholder's shares by the amount of the distribution. To
the extent that capital gain was accrued by the Fund before the shareholder
purchased shares, the distribution would be in effect a return of capital to the
shareholder. For Federal income tax purposes, however, capital gain
distributions, including those that operate as a return of capital, are taxable
to the shareholder receiving them.
 
OTHER TAX MATTERS
 
    Interest on indebtedness incurred by shareholders to purchase or carry
shares of the Fund generally is not deductible for Federal income tax purposes.
The Fund may be required by Federal law to withhold 31% of reportable payments
(which may include taxable dividends, capital gain distributions and redemption
proceeds) paid to individuals and certain other non-corporate shareholders.
Withholding is not required if a shareholder certifies that the shareholder's
social security or tax identification number provided to the Fund is correct and
that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding.
 
    Reports containing appropriate information with respect to the Federal and
New Hampshire tax status of dividends and distributions paid during the year by
the Fund will be mailed to shareholders shortly after the close of each year.
This includes a statement advising each shareholder of the portion of total
dividends paid into the shareholder's account that is exempt from Federal income
tax and that is derived from New Hampshire municipal securities and from other
sources. These portions are determined for the entire year and on a monthly
basis and, thus, are an annual or monthly average, rather than a day-by-day
determination for each shareholder.
 
NEW HAMPSHIRE TAXES
 
    Substantially all of the dividends paid by the Fund are anticipated to be
exempt from New Hampshire interest and dividends taxes. The New Hampshire
interest and dividends tax applies to that portion of a dividend paid out of the
Fund's taxable ordinary income (but not short-term capital gain). In addition,
it is anticipated that a substantial amount of the dividends paid by the Fund
will be exempt from New Hampshire business profits taxes.
 
    Shareholders who are individuals resident in New Hampshire will not be
subject to the New Hampshire interest and dividends or business profits tax on
dividends paid by the Fund, provided the Fund invests solely in New Hampshire
tax-exempt municipal securities or United States government obligations. If the
Fund invests in any other form of investment, then the entire amount of all of
the Fund's dividends (other than capital gain distributions) will be subject to
the interest and dividends tax.
 
    Shareholders who are partnerships, limited liability companies, associations
or trusts, the beneficial interest in which is not represented by transferable
shares, and fiduciaries deriving their appointment from a New Hampshire court,
will generally be subject to the same interest and dividends tax rules as
shareholders who are individuals resident in New Hampshire. Special interest and
dividends tax rules will apply to dividends received by trusts, estates,
partnerships, limited liability companies, and "S" corporations and their
beneficiaries or owners, if the entity or some of its beneficiaries or owners
are not resident in the state of New Hampshire. Shareholders to whom these rules
might apply should consult a tax advisor knowledgeable in the field of New
Hampshire state taxation.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
    Shareholders who are partnerships, limited liability companies, associations
or trusts the beneficial interest in which is represented by transferable
shares, are not subject to the New Hampshire interest and dividends tax. If,
however, such an organization is engaged in business activity within the state,
then it will be subject to the New Hampshire business profits tax on all income
earned by it in New Hampshire. Taxable business profits for this purpose will
include all dividends paid by the Fund to the business organization, except that
portion of a dividend that is attributable to interest on Fund investments in
notes, bonds, or other securities of the United States. Thus, dividends
representing income earned by the Fund on its investment in New Hampshire
municipal securities, and short-and long-term capital gains will be fully
taxable under the New Hampshire business profits tax.
 
TAX-FREE INCOME VS. TAXABLE INCOME
 
    The table below shows approximate equivalent taxable and tax-free yields at
various approximate combined marginal Federal income tax and New Hampshire
interest and dividends tax bracket rates. For example, an individual investor in
the 36% combined tax bracket for 1998 whose investments earn a 5% tax-free yield
would have to earn a 7.8% taxable yield to receive the same benefit.
 
      1998 COMBINED FEDERAL AND NEW HAMPSHIRE TAXABLE VS. TAX-FREE YIELDS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        A Tax Free Yield of
                                    ----------------------------
                                    4.0%    4.5%    5.0%    5.5%
                                    ----    ----    ----    ----
 Combined Marginal Federal and       equals a taxable yield of
   New Hampshire Tax Bracket               approximately
         ------------               ----------------------------
<S>                                 <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
             44.6%                  7.2%    8.1%    9.0%    10.0%
              41%                   6.8%    7.6%    8.5%    9.3%
              36%                   6.3%    7.0%    7.8%    8.6%
              33%                   6.0%    6.7%    7.5%    8.2%
</TABLE>
 
    The yields listed are for illustration only and are not necessarily
representative of the Fund's yield. Although the Fund primarily invests in
securities the interest from which is exempt from both Federal and New Hampshire
state taxes, some of the Fund's investments may generate Federal taxable income
or capital gain. An investor's tax bracket will depend upon the investor's
taxable income. The figures set forth above do not reflect the Federal
alternative minimum taxes or any state or local income taxes other than New
Hampshire interest and dividends taxes.
 
    The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important Federal and New
Hampshire tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders.
There may be other Federal, state or local tax considerations applicable to a
particular investor. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax
advisors.
 
8. OTHER INFORMATION
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
    The Fund's performance may be quoted in advertising in terms of yield or
total return. Both types are based on historical results and are not intended to
indicate future performance. The Fund's yield is a way of showing the rate of
income earned by the Fund as a percentage of the Fund's share price. Yield is
calculated by dividing the net investment income of the Fund for the stated
period by the average number of shares entitled to receive dividends and
expressing the result as an annualized percentage rate based on the Fund's share
price at the end of the period. The Fund may also quote tax equivalent yields,
which show the taxable yields a shareholder would have to earn to equal the
Fund's tax-free yields after taxes. A tax equivalent yield is calculated by
dividing the Fund's tax-free yield by one minus a stated Federal, state or
combined Federal and state tax rate. Total return refers to the average annual
compounded rates of return over some representative period that would equate an
initial amount
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
invested at the beginning of a stated period to the ending redeemable value of
the investment, after giving effect to the reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions and deductions of expenses during the period. The Fund also may
advertise its total return over different periods of time on a before-tax or
after-tax basis or by means of aggregate, average, year by year, or other types
of total return figures. Because average annual returns tend to smooth out
variations in the Fund's returns, shareholders should recognize that they are
not the same as actual year-by-year results. The Fund's advertised yield and
total return may or may not reflect the maximum sales load applicable to the
Fund. A computation of yield or total return that does not take into account the
sales load paid by an investor will be higher than a computation based on the
public offering price of shares purchased that does take into account payment of
a sales load.
 
    The Fund's advertisements may reference ratings and rankings among similar
funds by independent evaluators such as Morningstar, Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc. or IBC/Donoghue, Inc. In addition, the performance of the Fund may be
compared to recognized indices of market performance. The comparative material
found in the Fund's advertisements, sales literature or reports to shareholders
may contain performance ratings. These are not to be considered representative
or indicative of future performance.
 
BANKING LAW MATTERS
 
    Banking laws and regulations generally permit a bank or bank affiliate to
purchase shares of an investment company as agent for and upon the order of a
customer and in the view of FAdS would permit a bank or bank affiliate to serve
as a Processing Organization or perform sub-transfer agent or similar services
for the Trust and its shareholders. If a bank or bank affiliate were prohibited
from performing all or a part of the foregoing services, its shareholder
customers would be permitted to remain shareholders of the Trust and alternative
means for continuing to service them would be sought. It is not expected that
shareholders would suffer adverse financial consequences as a result of any
changes in bank or bank affiliate service arrangements.
 
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
 
    The Trust determines the net asset value per share of the Fund as of 4:00
p.m., Eastern time, on each Fund Business Day by dividing the value of the
Fund's net assets (i.e., the value of its portfolio securities and other assets
less its liabilities) by the number of the Fund's shares outstanding at the time
the determination is made. Securities owned by the Fund for which market
quotations are readily available are valued at current market value, or, in
their absence, at fair value as determined by procedures approved by the Board.
 
THE TRUST AND ITS SHARES
 
    The Trust was originally incorporated in Maryland on March 24, 1980 and
assumed the name of Forum Funds, Inc. on March 16, 1987. On January 5, 1996,
Forum Funds, Inc. was reorganized as a Delaware business trust under the name
Forum Funds.
 
    The Trust has an unlimited number of authorized shares of beneficial
interest. The Board may, without shareholder approval, divide the authorized
shares into an unlimited number of separate portfolios or series (such as the
Fund) and may in the future divide portfolios or series into two or more classes
of shares (such as Investor and Institutional Shares). Currently the authorized
shares of the Trust are divided into 23 separate series.
 
    Each share of each fund of the Trust and each class of shares has equal
dividend, distribution, liquidation and voting rights, and fractional shares
have those rights proportionately, except that expenses related to the
distribution of the shares of each class (and certain other expenses such as
transfer agency and administration expenses) are borne solely by those shares
and each class votes separately with respect to the provisions of any
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
Rule 12b-1 plan which pertain to the class and other matters for which separate
class voting is appropriate under applicable law. Generally, shares will be
voted in the aggregate without reference to a particular portfolio, except if
the matter affects only one portfolio or voting by portfolio or class is
required by law, in which case shares will be voted separately by portfolio.
Delaware law does not require the Trust to hold annual meetings of shareholders,
and it is anticipated that shareholder meetings will be held only when
specifically required by Federal or state law. Shareholders (and Trustees) have
available certain procedures for the removal of Trustees. There are no
conversion or preemptive rights in connection with shares of the Trust. All
shares when issued in accordance with the terms of the offering will be fully
paid and nonassessable. Shares are redeemable at net asset value, at the option
of the shareholders, subject to any contingent deferred sales charge that may
apply. A shareholder in a portfolio is entitled to the shareholder's pro rata
share of all dividends and distributions arising from that portfolio's assets
and, upon redeeming shares, will receive the portion of the portfolio's net
assets represented by the redeemed shares.
 
    From time to time, certain shareholders may own a large percentage of the
shares of the Fund. Accordingly, those shareholders may be able to greatly
affect (if not determine) the outcome of a shareholder vote. As of July 1, 1998,
Independence Trust may be deemed to have controlled the Fund through investment
in the Fund by their customers.
 
    NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND THE FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN CONNECTION
WITH THE OFFERING OF THE FUND'S SHARES, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
TRUST. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO
ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH OFFER MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>




                              [APPLICATION FORM
                                   PAGE 1]

<PAGE>




                              [APPLICATION FORM
                                   PAGE 2]

<PAGE>

[LOGO]


SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION:
FORUM SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, LLC
P.O. BOX 446
PORTLAND, ME  04112
207-879-0001 (IN PORTLAND, ME)
800-94FORUM (ELSEWHERE)



[GRAPHIC]

<PAGE>

[GRAPHIC]


                                     PROSPECTUS


                                     INVESTORS
                                     HIGH GRADE
                                     BOND FUND

                                     INVESTORS
                                     BOND FUND

                                      TAXSAVER
                                     BOND FUND




                                       FORUM
                                       FUNDS

                                   AUGUST 1, 1998


<PAGE>
FORUM FUNDS
 
INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND
INVESTORS BOND FUND
                                                                      PROSPECTUS
TAXSAVER BOND FUND
                                                                  August 1, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
This Prospectus offers shares of Investors High Grade Bond Fund, a diversified
Fund, and Investors Bond Fund and TaxSaver Bond Fund, two non-diversified Funds,
(collectively, the "Funds"), each a series of Forum Funds (the "Trust"), an
open-end, management investment company.
 
    INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND seeks to provide as high a level of current
    income as is consistent with capital preservation and prudent investment
    risk. The Fund invests primarily in obligations issued or guaranteed as to
    principal and interest by the United States Government or by any of its
    agencies or instrumentalities ("U.S. Government Securities") and high grade
    debt securities, which are debt securities rated in one of the three highest
    rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization
    ("NRSRO").
 
    INVESTORS BOND FUND seeks to provide as high a level of current income as is
    consistent with capital preservation and prudent investment risk. The Fund
    invests primarily in a portfolio of investment grade debt securities.
 
    TAXSAVER BOND FUND seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of
    current income exempt from Federal income tax. The Fund invests primarily in
    investment grade debt obligations issued by the states, territories and
    possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies
    and instrumentalities.
 
Shares of the Funds are offered to investors at a price equal to the next
determined net asset value plus a maximum sales charge of 3.75% of the total
public offering price (3.90% of the net amount invested).
 
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information a prospective investor
should know about the Trust and the Funds before investing. The Trust has filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a Statement of Additional
Information dated August 1, 1998, as may be amended from time to time (the
"SAI"), which contains more detailed information about the Trust and the Funds
and is available together with other related materials for reference on the
SEC's Internet Web Site (http://www.sec.gov). The SAI, which is incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus, is also available without charge by contacting
Forum Shareholder Services, LLC, the Funds' transfer agent the address and
telephone numbers printed above.
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Page
                                                           -----
<C>          <S>                                         <C>
        1.   Prospectus Summary..........................          2
        2.   Financial Highlights........................          4
        3.   Investment Objectives and Policies..........          6
        4.   Additional Investment Policies..............         16
 
<CAPTION>
                                                            Page
                                                           -----
<C>          <S>                                         <C>
        5.   Management..................................         19
        6.   Purchases and Redemptions of Shares.........         21
        7.   Distributions and Tax Matters...............         27
        8.   Other Information...........................         29
</TABLE>
 
   INVESTORS SHOULD READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
FUND SHARES ARE NOT OBLIGATIONS, DEPOSITS OR ACCOUNTS OF, OR ENDORSED OR
GUARANTEED BY, ANY BANK OR ANY AFFILIATE OF A BANK AND ARE NOT INSURED OR
GUARANTEED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THE FDIC, THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM OR ANY
OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY.
 
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.
<PAGE>
1. PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
 
INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to provide as high a level of
current income as is consistent with capital preservation and prudent investment
risk. The Fund invests primarily in U.S. Government Securities and high grade
debt securities.
 
INVESTORS BOND FUND
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to provide as high a level of
current income as is consistent with capital preservation and prudent investment
risk. The Fund invests primarily in a portfolio of investment grade debt
securities. It is anticipated that the Fund's portfolio of securities will have
a weighted average maturity of between five and 20 years.
 
TAXSAVER BOND FUND
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders with a high
level of current income exempt from Federal income tax. The Fund invests
primarily in investment grade debt obligations issued by the states, territories
and possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies
and instrumentalities.
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
    Forum Investment Advisors, LLC (the "Adviser") serves as the investment
adviser to the Funds. The Adviser is located at Two Portland Square, Portland,
Maine 04101. See "Management -- The Adviser."
 
FUND MANAGEMENT
 
    The administrator of the Trust is Forum Administrative Services, LLC
("FAdS") and the distributor of its shares is Forum Financial Services, Inc.
("FFSI"). Forum Shareholder Services, LLC ("FSS") serves as the Trust's transfer
agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent and Forum
Accounting Services, LLC ("FAcS") provides portfolio accounting services for the
Trust. Each of FAdS, FFSI, FSS, and FAcS are located at Two Portland Square,
Portland, Maine 04101. See "Management."
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
 
    Shares of the Funds are offered at the next-determined net asset value per
share plus any applicable sales charge. Shares may be purchased or redeemed by
mail, by bank-wire and through an investor's broker-dealer or other financial
institution, The minimum initial investment is $2,000 ($1,000 for IRAs; $2,500
for exchanges) and the minimum subsequent investment is $250. Shares may be
redeemed without charge. See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares."
 
    Shares of the Funds are not offered for sale in every state. To determine
whether the Funds are available for purchase in a particular state, contact FSS.
 
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
 
    Shareholders of the Funds may exchange their shares without charge for the
shares of certain other funds. See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares --
Exchanges."
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Each Fund distributes its net income, if any, monthly and net capital gain,
if any, at least annually. All distributions are reinvested automatically in
additional shares of the Funds at net asset value unless the shareholder has
notified the Funds in his or her Account Application or otherwise in writing of
the shareholder's election to receive distributions in cash. It is anticipated
that substantially all of the dividends paid by TaxSaver Bond Fund will be
exempt from Federal income taxes, including the Federal alternative minimum tax.
See "Distributions and Tax Matters."
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS
 
    There can be no assurance that any Fund will achieve its investment
objective, and a Fund's net asset value and total return will fluctuate based
upon changes in the value of its portfolio securities. Normally, the value of a
Fund's investments varies inversely with changes in interest rates. Upon
redemption, an investment in a Fund may be worth more or less than its original
value.
 
    All investments made by the Funds entail some risk. The market value of
interest-bearing debt securities held by the Funds will be affected by changes
in interest rates. There is normally an inverse relationship between the market
value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in
interest rates. The Funds' investments also are subject to "credit risk"
relating to the financial condition of the issuers of the securities that each
Fund holds. Certain investment techniques such as the potential use of leverage
by a Fund through borrowings, and swap transactions entail additional risks. See
"Additional Investment Policies." Investors Bond Fund and TaxSaver Bond Fund are
non-diversified and, therefore, have greater freedom to concentrate their
investments than if they were diversified funds. See "Investment Objectives and
Policies -- Certain Risk Factors." Investors High Grade Bond Fund's and
Investors Bond Fund's use of mortgage- and asset-backed securities entails
certain risks different than those of other debt securities. See "Investment
Objective and Policies -- Fixed Income Securities." Investments in
non-investment grade debt securities ("junk bonds") by Investors Bond Fund and
TaxSaver Bond Fund entail certain risks.
 
EXPENSES OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS
 
    The purpose of the following table is to assist investors in understanding
the various expenses that an investor in a Fund will bear directly or
indirectly.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  Investors High    Investors    TaxSaver
                                  Grade Bond Fund   Bond Fund    Bond Fund
                                  ---------------  -----------  -----------
<S>                               <C>              <C>          <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum sales charge imposed on
 purchases (as a percentage of
 public offering price) (1).....         3.75%          3.75%        3.75%
Exchange Fee....................          None           None         None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
 (2) (as a percentage of average
 net assets after applicable
 expense reimbursements and fee
 waivers)
Management Fees (after fee
 waivers) (3)...................         0.40%          0.40%        0.40%
12b-1 Fees......................          None           None         None
Other Expenses (after expense
 reimbursements) (4)............         0.30%          0.30%        0.20%
                                        ------     -----------  -----------
Total Fund Operating Expenses
 (4)............................         0.70%          0.70%        0.60%
</TABLE>
 
    (1) Certain shareholders may be eligible for reduced sales charges. See
"Purchases and Redemptions of Shares -- Reduced Sales Charges."
 
    (2) The Annual Fund Operating Expenses are based on the expenses and assets
of each Fund during their most recent fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.
 
    (3) Management Fees include all investment advisory fees and administration
fees. Absent certain expense reimbursements and fee waivers, Management Fees for
Investors High Grade Bond Fund, Investors Bond Fund, and TaxSaver Bond Fund
would have been 0.60%, 0.65%, and 0.66%, respectively. Expense reimbursements
and fee waivers are voluntary and may be reduced or eliminated at any time
 
    (4) Absent expense reimbursements and fee waivers, Other Expenses and Total
Fund Operating Expenses would be 2.40% and 3.00%, respectively in the case of
Investors High Grade Bond Fund, 0.57% and 1.22% respectively, in the case of
Investors Bond Fund, and 0.70% and 1.36%, respectively, in the case of TaxSaver
Bond Fund. Expense reimbursements and fee waivers are voluntary and may be
reduced or eliminated at any time. For a further description of the various
expenses incurred in the operation of the Funds, see "Management."
 
EXAMPLE
 
    Following is a hypothetical example that indicates the dollar amount of
expenses that an investor in each Fund would pay assuming (1) a $1,000
investment in the Fund, (2) a 5% annual return, (3) the reinvestment of
distributions, (4) the payment of the maximum sales charge and (5) full
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
redemption at the end of each period and payment of the maximum initial sales
charge:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years
                           ------   -------   -------   --------
<S>                        <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>
Investors High Grade Bond
 Fund....................    $44      $59       $75       $121
Investors Bond Fund......    $44      $59       $75       $121
TaxSaver Bond Fund.......    $43      $56       $70       $110
</TABLE>
 
    THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
EXPENSES OR RETURN. ACTUAL EXPENSES AND RETURN MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN
INDICATED. The example is based on the expenses listed in the table. The five
percent annual return is not predictive of and does not represent the Funds'
projected returns; rather, it is required by government regulation.
 
2. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
    The following information represents selected data for a single share
outstanding of the Funds. The information has been audited in connection with an
audit of the Funds' financial statements by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
auditors. The financial statements and independent auditors' report thereon are
incorporated by reference into the SAI. Further information about the Funds'
performance is contained in the Funds' annual report to shareholders, which may
be obtained from the Trust without charge by contacting the Funds' transfer
agent.
 
                         INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          YEAR ENDED
                                          MARCH 31,
                                           1998(a)
                                          ----------
<S>                                       <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period....   $ 10.00
                                          ----------
Investment Operations:
  Net Investment Income.................      0.02
  Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
    (Loss) on Investments...............     (0.04)
                                          ----------
Total from Investment Operations........     (0.02)
                                          ----------
Distributions from:
  Net Investment Income.................     (0.02)
  Net Realized Gain on Investments......        --
                                          ----------
Total Distributions.....................     (0.02)
                                          ----------
Net Asset Value, End of Period..........   $  9.96
                                          ----------
                                          ----------
Total Return(b).........................    (0.16%)
Ratio/Supplementary Data:
Net Assets at End of Period (000's
  omitted)..............................   $34,037
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
  Expenses Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver................     0.70%(c)
  Expenses Excluding
    Reimbursement/Waiver................     3.00%(c)
  Net Investment Income Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver................     5.56%(c)
Portfolio Turnover Rate.................     0.00%
</TABLE>
 
(a) Investors High Grade Bond Fund commenced operations on March 16, 1998.
 
(b) Total return calculations do not include sales charge.
 
(c) Annualized
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                              INVESTORS BOND FUND
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
                                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  1998      1997      1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991    1990(a)
                                --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------
<S>                             <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of
  Period......................  $  10.19  $  10.21  $  10.00  $  10.38  $  10.71  $  10.43  $  10.09  $   9.82  $ 10.00
                                --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------
Investment Operations:
  Net Investment Income.......      0.71      0.71      0.74      0.82      0.81      0.82      0.83      0.84     0.42
  Net Realized and Unrealized
    Gain (Loss) on
    Investments...............      0.38        --      0.21     (0.38)    (0.30)     0.53      0.44      0.27    (0.14)
                                --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------
Total from Investment
  Operations..................      1.09      0.71      0.95      0.44      0.51      1.35      1.27      1.11     0.28
                                --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------
Distributions from:
  Net Investment Income.......     (0.71)    (0.71)    (0.74)    (0.82)    (0.81)    (0.82)    (0.83)    (0.84)   (0.42)
  Net Realized Gain on
    Investments...............        --     (0.02)       --        --     (0.03)    (0.25)    (0.10)       --    (0.04)
                                --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------
Total Distributions...........     (0.71)    (0.73)    (0.74)    (0.82)    (0.84)    (1.07)    (0.93)    (0.84)   (0.46)
                                --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------
Net Asset Value, End of
  Period......................  $  10.57  $  10.19  $  10.21  $  10.00  $  10.38  $  10.71  $  10.43  $  10.09  $  9.82
                                --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------
                                --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------
Total Return(b)...............    10.98%     7.18%     9.84%     4.55%     4.70%    13.53%    12.91%    11.76%    5.79%(c)
Ratio/Supplementary Data:
Net Assets at End of Period
  (000's omitted).............  $ 85,598  $ 22,190  $ 25,676  $ 25,890  $ 26,083  $ 26,832  $ 24,336  $ 19,132  $19,400
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
  Expenses Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver......     0.70%     0.70%     0.43%     0.75%     0.75%     0.75%     0.70%     0.64%    0.41%(c)
  Expenses Excluding
    Reimbursement/Waiver......     1.22%     1.45%     1.36%     1.33%     1.31%     1.40%     1.51%     1.68%    1.52%(c)
  Net Investment Income (Loss)
    Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver......     6.52%     6.94%     7.29%     8.19%     7.49%     7.71%     7.93%     8.44%    8.51%(c)
  Portfolio Turnover Rate.....   116.65%    79.42%    42.89%    48.17%    41.41%   193.21%   221.39%    73.32%   93.08%
</TABLE>
 
                               TAXSAVER BOND FUND
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
                                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 1998     1997     1996     1995      1994      1993      1992     1991    1990(a)
                                -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  -------  -------
<S>                             <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of
  Period......................  $ 10.49  $ 10.57  $ 10.39  $ 10.35  $  10.63  $  10.26  $  10.10  $  9.97  $ 10.00
                                -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  -------  -------
Investment Operations:
  Net Investment Income.......     0.53     0.56     0.57     0.57      0.57      0.63      0.68     0.67     0.33
  Net Realized and Unrealized
    Gain (Loss) on
    Investments...............     0.27    (0.03)    0.18     0.04     (0.01)     0.49      0.20     0.13    (0.03)
                                -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  -------  -------
Total from Investment
  Operations..................     0.80     0.53     0.75     0.61      0.56      1.12      0.88     0.80     0.30
                                -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  -------  -------
Distributions from:
  Net Investment Income.......    (0.53)   (0.56)   (0.57)   (0.57)    (0.57)    (0.63)    (0.68)   (0.67)   (0.33)
  Net Realized Gain on
    Investments...............    (0.01)   (0.05)      --       --     (0.27)    (0.12)    (0.04)      --       --
                                -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  -------  -------
Total Distributions...........    (0.54)   (0.61)   (0.57)   (0.57)    (0.84)    (0.75)    (0.72)   (0.67)   (0.33)
                                -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  -------  -------
Net Asset Value, End of
  Period......................  $ 10.75  $ 10.49  $ 10.57  $ 10.39  $  10.35  $  10.63  $  10.26  $ 10.10  $  9.97
                                -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  -------  -------
                                -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  -------  -------
Total Return(b)...............    7.75%    5.15%    7.36%    6.18%     5.24%    11.28%     8.95%    8.29%    6.16%(c)
Ratio/Supplementary Data:
Net Assets at End of Period
  (000's omitted).............  $39,203  $17,757  $17,915  $16,018  $ 16,518  $ 16,580  $ 11,207  $ 9,998  $ 9,546
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
  Expenses Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver......    0.60%    0.60%    0.60%    0.60%     0.60%     0.60%     0.55%    0.49%    0.22%(c)
  Expenses Excluding
    Reimbursement/Waiver......    1.36%    1.53%    1.48%    1.45%     1.50%     1.56%     1.66%    1.86%    1.66%(c)
  Net Investment Income
    Including Reimbursement/
    Waiver....................    4.95%    5.28%    5.35%    5.62%     5.27%     5.98%     6.64%    6.69%    6.54%(c)
Portfolio Turnover Rate.......   92.87%   34.19%   61.61%   63.85%   141.80%   240.36%   104.29%   54.62%   13.25%
</TABLE>
 
(a) The Fund commenced operations on October 2, 1989.
 
(b) Total return calculations do not include sales charge.
 
(c) Annualized.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
3. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
 
INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to provide as high a level of
current income as is consistent with capital preservation and prudent investment
risk. By seeking capital preservation, the Fund attempts to control the risk of
default and the risk of capital losses in periods of falling prices for debt
securities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    The Fund seeks to attain its investment objective by investing in a
portfolio consisting of obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and
interest by the United States Government or by any of its agencies or
instrumentalities ("U.S. Government Securities") and high grade debt securities,
which are securities rated in one of the three highest rating categories by an
NRSRO such as Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's
Corporation ("S&P"). See "Description of Securities Ratings" in the SAI. Under
normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest at least 70% of its assets in
U.S. Government Securities and at least 40% of its assets in U.S. Government
Securities that are direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury (such as Treasury
bills and notes). The Fund may invest up to 30% of its assets in mortgage- and
asset-backed securities. The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities that
are U.S. Government Securities and that are rated in at least the second highest
rating category of an NRSRO. The Fund may not invest in privately issued
mortgage-backed securities. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in
asset-backed securities rated in the highest category of an NRSRO and up to 10%
of its assets in adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities rated in the highest
category of an NRSRO. The Fund may not invest in stripped mortgage-backed
securities. For a description of the types of securities in which the Fund
invests see "Investment Objective and Policies -- Fixed Income Securities"
below.
 
    The Fund also may invest in commercial paper, bankers acceptances,
certificates of deposit and other money market instruments rated in one of the
two highest rating categories by an NRSRO. Securities in the four highest rating
categories are generally considered to be investment grade.
 
    As of March 31, 1998, the Fund had 95.97% of its net assets in securities
rated by Moody's or S&P and 3.02% of its net assets in unrated investments,
including cash and cash equivalents. The Fund had the following percentages of
its net assets invested in the following rated securities: Aaa/AAA -- 83.70%,
Aa/AA -- 11.38%, and A/ A -- 0.89%. Securities with different ratings from
Moody's and S&P were assigned the higher rating. The information reflects the
composition of the Fund as of March 31, 1998 and is not necessarily
representative of what the Fund's composition will be in the future.
 
    In general, the longer the maturity of a security, the higher the rate of
interest it pays. However, a longer average maturity is generally associated
with a higher level of volatility in the market value of a security. The average
maturity of the Fund's portfolio will vary depending on anticipated market
conditions. It is anticipated that the Fund will invest in debt obligations with
maturities ranging from short-term (including overnight) to 30 years and that it
will invest no more than 25% of it assets in debt obligations with maturities
greater than 10 years. In the case of mortgage-backed and similar securities,
the Fund uses the security's average life in calculating the Fund's average
maturity. The Fund's portfolio of securities will have a weighted average
maturity of no greater than seven years.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
INVESTORS BOND FUND
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to provide as high a level of
current income as is consistent with capital preservation and prudent investment
risk. By seeking capital preservation, the Fund attempts to control the risk of
default and the risk of capital losses in periods of falling prices for debt
securities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    The Fund seeks to attain its investment objective by investing primarily in
a portfolio of investment grade debt securities. The securities in which the
Fund invests include debt securities which are rated in one of the four highest
rating categories by an NRSRO such as Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") or
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"), obligations issued or guaranteed as to
principal and interest by the United States Government or by any of its agencies
or instrumentalities ("U.S. Government Securities") and mortgage-backed and
asset backed securities rated in one of the two highest rating categories by a
NRSRO. The Adviser anticipates that up to 50% of the value of the Fund's total
assets may be invested in mortgage-backed securities and that up to 15% of the
value of the Fund's total assets may be invested in asset-backed securities. For
a description of the types of securities in which the Fund invests see
"Investment Objective and Policies -- Fixed Income Securities" below.
 
    The Fund also may invest in commercial paper, bankers acceptances,
certificates of deposit and other money market instruments rated in one of the
two highest rating categories by an NRSRO.
 
    The Fund may also invest up to 10% of the value of its total assets at the
time of investment in: (1) debt securities which are rated in the fifth highest
rating category by an NRSRO (for example, BB by S&P); (2) preferred stock which
is rated in one of the five highest rating categories by an NRSRO (for example,
BB or above by S&P); (3) options and futures contracts. Securities in the four
highest rating categories are generally considered to be investment grade. Debt
securities and preferred stock rated in the fifth highest rating category by
Moody's and by S&P are not considered to be investment grade, are high risk,
have predominantly speculative characteristics and are commonly known as "Junk
Bonds." See "Certain Risk Factors -- Non-Investment Grade Debt Securities"
below.
 
    During its last fiscal year, the Fund had 73.71% of its average annual
assets in securities rated by Moody's or S&P and 23.04% of its average annual
assets in unrated investments, including cash and cash equivalents. For that
year the Fund had the following percentages of its average annual net assets
invested in rated securities: Aaa/ AAA -- 26.31%, Aa/AA -- 15.41%, A/A --
13.83%, Baa/BBB -- 5.12%, Ba/BB -- 4.51%, and B/B -- 6.84%, and C/C -- 1.69%.
Securities with different ratings from Moody's and S&P were assigned the higher
rating. This information reflects the average month end composition of the
assets for the Fund's last fiscal year and is not necessarily representative of
the Fund as of the end of last year, the current fiscal year or any other time.
 
    In general, the longer the maturity of a security, the higher the rate of
interest it pays. However, a longer average maturity is generally associated
with a higher level of volatility in the market value of a security. The average
maturity of each Fund's portfolio will vary depending on anticipated market
conditions. It is anticipated that the Fund will invest in debt obligations with
maturities ranging from short-term (including overnight) to 30 years. In the
case of mortgage-backed and similar securities, the Fund uses the security's
average life in calculating the Fund's average maturity.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
TAXSAVER BOND FUND
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders with a high
level of current income exempt from Federal income tax. Although the Fund will
attempt to invest 100% of its assets in municipal securities the interest on
which is exempt from all Federal income tax, including the Federal alternative
minimum tax ("AMT"), the Fund reserves the right to invest up to 20% of the
value of its net assets in securities on which the interest income is subject to
Federal income taxation. In addition, the Fund may assume a temporary defensive
position and invest without limit in cash and cash equivalents that may be
taxable. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    The Fund pursues its objective by investing principally in investment grade
debt obligations issued by the states, territories and possessions of the United
States and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. These
securities are generally known as "municipal securities" and include municipal
bonds, notes and leases. It is anticipated that under normal circumstances
substantially all of the Fund's total assets will be invested in municipal
securities the interest income from which is exempt from Federal income taxes,
including the Federal AMT.
 
    Some municipal securities are related in such a way that an economic,
business or political development affecting one municipal security would have a
similar effect on another municipal security. For example, the repayment of
different obligations may depend on similar types of projects. While the Fund
may invest more than 25% of its total assets in private activity bonds ("PABs"),
under normal circumstances no single type of revenue bond (for example, electric
revenue bonds or housing revenue bonds) will constitute more than 25% of the
Fund's total assets. In addition, under normal circumstances no more than 25% of
the Fund's total assets may be invested in issuers located in any one state,
territory or possession.
 
    Normally, at least 65% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in
municipal bonds rated at the time of purchase within the four highest grades
assigned by an NRSRO such as Moody's Investors Services ("Moody's") (Aaa, Aa, A
and Baa) or S&P (AAA, AA, A and BBB) or which are unrated and determined by the
Adviser to be of comparable quality. Securities in these ratings generally are
considered to be investment grade securities, although Moody's indicates that
municipal securities rated Baa have speculative characteristics. Changes in
economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity by the issuer to make principal and interest payments with respect to
debt rated in that category than is the case with higher grade debt. A further
description of the ratings used by Moody's, S&P and other NRSROs is included in
the SAI.
 
    The tax-free yields sought by the Fund are generally obtainable from
securities rated within the four highest rating categories by NRSROs. The Fund
may, however, invest up to 25% of its total assets in municipal bonds rated in
the fifth highest rating category by any NRSRO or which are unrated and
determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. These securities are not
considered to be investment grade and have speculative or predominantly
speculative characteristics and are commonly known as "Junk Bonds." See "Certain
Risk Factors." The Fund only will invest in municipal notes and other short-term
municipal obligations in the two highest rating categories assigned by an NRSRO
or which are unrated and determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.
 
    During its last fiscal year, the Fund had 81.07% of its average annual
assets in municipal securities rated by Moody's or Standard and Poor's
Corporation "S&P" and 17.94% of its
aver-
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
age annual assets in unrated investments, including cash and cash equivalents.
For that year the Fund had the following percentages of its average annual net
assets invested in rated securities: Aaa/ AAA -- 40.13%, Aa/AA -- 9.89%, A/A --
14.43%, Baa/BBB -- 12.77%, and B/B -- 3.85%. Securities with different ratings
from Moody's and S&P were assigned the higher rating. This information reflects
the average composition of the Fund's assets for the Fund's last fiscal year and
is not necessarily representative of the Fund as of the end of last year, the
current fiscal year or any other time.
 
    Under current Federal tax law, interest on certain municipal securities
issued after August 7, 1986 to finance "private activities" will be a "tax
preference item" for purposes of the Federal AMT applicable to certain
individuals and corporations. The interest on these securities generally is
fully tax-exempt for regular Federal income tax purposes. The Fund may from time
to time purchase certain municipal securities the interest on which constitutes
a "tax preference item" for purposes of the Federal AMT.
 
    In general, the longer the maturity of a municipal security, the higher the
rate of interest it pays. However, a longer average maturity is generally
associated with a higher level of volatility in the market value of a municipal
security. The average maturity of the Fund's portfolio will vary depending on
anticipated market conditions. It is anticipated, however, that the average
weighted maturity of all municipal securities in the Fund's portfolio will
normally range between five and 15 years.
 
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
 
GENERAL
 
    DEBT SECURITIES.  The market value of debt securities (including municipal
securities) depends on, among other things, conditions in the market for the
security and the fixed income markets generally, the size of a particular
offering, the maturity of the obligation, and the rating of the issue. The
market value of the interest-bearing debt securities held by the Funds will be
affected by changes in interest rates. There is normally an inverse relationship
between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates
and actual changes in interest rates. In other words, a decline in interest
rates produces an increase in market value, while an increase in interest rates
produces a decrease in market value. Moreover, the longer the remaining maturity
of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the
market value of that security. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make
payments of interest and principal and in the market's perception of an issuer's
creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of
that issuer. Obligations of issuers of debt securities are subject to the
provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors. The possibility exists, therefore, that, as a result of
litigation or other conditions, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the
principal of and interest on its debt securities may be materially impaired.
 
    RATING MATTERS.  The Funds will invest in securities rated in the categories
specified by their investment policies. The Adviser assigns the higher rating to
securities with different ratings from NRSROs. Investors Bond Fund and TaxSaver
Bond Fund may purchase unrated securities if the Adviser determines the security
to be of comparable quality to a rated security that the Fund may purchase.
Unrated securities may not be as actively traded as rated securities. A Fund may
retain a security whose rating has been lowered below the Fund's lowest
permissible rating category (or that is unrated and determined by the Adviser to
be of comparable quality to a security whose rating has been lowered below the
Fund's lowest permissible rating category) if the Adviser determines that
retaining the security is in the best interests of the Fund.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    The Funds' investments are subject to "credit risk" relating to the
financial condition of the issuers of the securities that the Funds hold. A
further description of the rating categories of certain NRSROs is contained in
the SAI.
 
    VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE INTEREST RATES. The securities in which the Funds
invest may have variable or floating rates of interest. These securities pay
interest at rates that are adjusted periodically according to a specified
formula, usually with reference to some interest rate index or market interest
rate (the "underlying index"). The interest paid on these securities is a
function primarily of the underlying index upon which the interest rate
adjustments are based. Such adjustments minimize changes in the market value of
the obligation and, accordingly, enhance the ability of a Fund to maintain a
stable net asset value. Similar to fixed rate debt instruments, variable and
floating rate instruments are subject to changes in value based on changes in
market interest rates or changes in the issuer's creditworthiness. The rate of
interest on securities purchased by a Fund may be tied to various rates of
interest or indices.
 
    There may not be an active secondary market for certain floating or variable
rate instruments, which could make it difficult for a Fund to dispose of an
instrument during periods that the Fund is not entitled to exercise any demand
rights it may have. A Fund could, for this or other reasons, suffer a loss with
respect to an instrument. The Adviser monitors the liquidity of the Funds'
investment in variable and floating rate instruments, but there can be no
guarantee that an active secondary market will exist.
 
TAXABLE INVESTMENTS
 
    CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES AND FOREIGN SECURITIES.  In selecting corporate
debt securities for a Fund, the Adviser reviews and monitors the
creditworthiness of each issuer and issue. Interest rate trends and specific
developments which may affect individual issuers will also be analyzed. In
addition to the debt securities of domestic corporations, the Funds may invest
in debt securities registered and sold in the United States by foreign issuers
(Yankee Bonds) and those sold outside the United States by foreign or U.S.
issuers (Eurobonds). Each Fund restricts its purchases of these securities to
issues denominated and payable in United States dollars. All obligations of non-
U.S. issuers purchased by a Fund will be issued or guaranteed by a sovereign
government, by a supranational agency whose members are sovereign governments,
or by a U.S. issuer in whose debt securities the Fund could invest.
 
    U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.  The U.S. Government Securities in which a Fund
may invest include direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury (such as Treasury
bills and notes) and other securities backed by the full faith and credit of the
U.S. Government, such as those issued by the Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA"). Each Fund may also invest in U.S. Government Securities
that have lesser degrees of government backing. For instance, a Fund may
purchase obligations of the of the Federal National Mortgage Association
("FNMA") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") (which are
supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury under certain
circumstances) and obligations of the Student Loan Marketing Association and the
Federal Home Loan Banks (which are supported only by the credit of the agency or
instrumentality). There is no guarantee that the U.S. Government will support
securities not backed by its full faith and credit and, accordingly, these
securities may involve more risk than other U.S. Government Securities.
 
    MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES.  Mortgage-backed securities represent an
interest in a pool of mortgages originated by lenders such as commercial banks,
savings associations and mortgage bankers and brokers. Mortgage-backed
securities may be issued by governmental or government-related entities or by
non-governmental entities such as
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
special purpose trusts created by banks, savings associations, private mortgage
insurance companies or mortgage bankers.
 
    Mortgage-backed securities differ from other forms of debt securities, which
normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with
principal payments at maturity or on specified call dates. In contrast,
mortgage-backed securities provide monthly payments which consist of interest
and, in most cases, principal. In effect, these payments are a "pass-through" of
the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on their mortgage loans,
net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities or a mortgage
loan servicer. Additional payments to holders of these securities are caused by
prepayments resulting from the sale or foreclosure of the underlying property or
refinancing of the underlying loans.
 
    UNDERLYING MORTGAGES.  Pools of mortgages consist of whole mortgage loans or
participations in mortgage loans. The majority of these loans are made to
purchasers of 1-4 family homes, but may be made to purchasers of mobile homes or
other real estate interests. The terms and characteristics of the mortgage
instruments are generally uniform within a pool but may vary among pools. For
example, in addition to fixed-rate, fixed-term mortgages, a Fund may purchase
pools of variable rate mortgages, growing equity mortgages, graduated payment
mortgages and other types. Mortgage servicers impose qualification standards for
local lending institutions which originate mortgages for the pools as well as
credit standards and underwriting criteria for individual mortgages included in
the pools. In addition, many mortgages included in pools are insured through
private mortgage insurance companies.
 
    LIQUIDITY AND MARKETABILITY.  The market for mortgage-backed securities has
expanded considerably in recent years. The size of the primary issuance market
and active participation in the secondary market by securities dealers and many
types of investors make government and government-related pass-through pools
highly liquid. The recently introduced private conventional pools of mortgages
(pooled by commercial banks, savings and loan institutions and others, with no
relationship with government and government-related entities) have also achieved
broad market acceptance and consequently an active secondary market has emerged.
However, the market for conventional pools is smaller and less liquid than the
market for government and government-related mortgage pools.
 
    AVERAGE LIFE AND PREPAYMENTS.  The average life of a pass-through pool
varies with the maturities of the underlying mortgage instruments. In addition,
a pool's terms may be shortened by unscheduled or early payments of principal
and interest on the underlying mortgages. Prepayments with respect to securities
during times of declining interest rates will tend to lower the return of a Fund
and may even result in losses to the Fund if the securities were acquired at a
premium. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by various factors
including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location
and age of the mortgage and other social and demographic conditions.
 
    As prepayment rates of individual pools vary widely, it is not possible to
accurately predict the average life of a particular pool. For pools of
fixed-rate 30-year mortgages, common industry practice is to assume that
prepayments will result in a 12-year average life. Pools of mortgages with other
maturities or different characteristics will have varying assumptions for
average life. The assumed average life of pools of mortgages having terms of
less than 30 years is less than 12 years, but typically not less than 5 years.
 
    YIELD CALCULATIONS.  Yields on pass-through securities are typically quoted
by investment dealers based on the maturity of the underlying instruments and
the associated average life assumption. In periods of falling interest rates,
the rate of
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
prepayment tends to increase, thereby shortening the actual average life of a
pool of mortgages. Conversely, in periods of rising rates, the rate of
prepayment tends to decrease, thereby lengthening the actual average life of the
pool. Actual prepayment experience may cause the yield to differ from the
assumed average life yield. Reinvestment of prepayments may occur at higher or
lower interest rates than the original investment, thus affecting the yield of a
Fund.
 
    GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT-RELATED GUARANTORS.  The principal government
guarantor of mortgage-backed securities is the GNMA, a wholly-owned United
States Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban
Development. GNMA is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of
the United States Government, the timely payment of principal and interest on
securities issued by institutions approved by GNMA and backed by pools of FHA-
insured or VA-guaranteed mortgages.
 
    FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private
stockholders that is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development. FNMA purchases residential mortgages from a list of
approved seller-servicers. FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the United
States Government that was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of
increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. Its
stock is owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks. FHLMC issues Participation
Certificates ("PCs") which represent interests in mortgages from FHLMC's
national portfolio. FNMA and FHLMC each guarantee the payment of principal and
interest on the securities they issue. These securities, however, are not backed
by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.
 
    PRIVATELY ISSUED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Investors Bond Fund may invest
in mortgage-backed securities offered by private issuers including pass-through
securities comprised of pools of conventional mortgage loans; mortgage-backed
bonds which are considered to be debt obligations of the institution issuing the
bonds and which are collateralized by mortgage loans; and collateralized
mortgage obligations.
 
    Mortgage-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers may offer a
higher rate of interest than securities issued by government issuers because of
the absence of direct or indirect government guarantees of payment. Many non-
governmental issuers or servicers of mortgage-backed securities, however,
guarantee timely payment of interest and principal on such securities. Timely
payment of interest and principal may also be supported by various forms of
insurance, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard policies. There can
be no assurance that the private issuers or insurers will be able to meet their
obligations under the relevant guarantees and insurance policies.
 
    ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Adjustable rate mortgage-backed
securities ("ARMs") are securities that have interest rates that are reset at
periodic intervals, usually by reference to some interest rate index or market
interest rate. Although the rate adjustment feature may act as a buffer to
reduce sharp changes in the value of adjustable rate securities, these
securities are still subject to changes in value based on changes in market
interest rates or changes in the issuer's creditworthiness. Because of the
resetting of interest rates, adjustable rate securities are less likely than
non-adjustable rate securities of comparable quality and maturity to increase
significantly in value when market interest rates fall. Also, most adjustable
rate securities (or the underlying mortgages) are subject to caps or floors.
"Caps" limit the maximum amount by which the interest rate paid by the borrower
may change at each reset date or over the life of the loan and, accordingly,
fluctuation in interest rates above these levels could cause such mortgage
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
securities to "cap out" and to behave more like long-term, fixed-rate debt
securities.
 
    ARMs may have less risk of a decline in value during periods of rapidly
rising rates, but they may also have less potential for capital appreciation
than other debt securities of comparable maturities due to the periodic
adjustment of the interest rate on the underlying mortgages and due to the
likelihood of increased prepayments of mortgages as interest rates decline.
Furthermore, during periods of declining interest rates, income to the Fund will
decrease as the coupon rate resets to reflect the decline in interest rates.
During periods of rising interest rates, changes in the coupon rates of the
mortgages underlying a Fund's ARMs may lag behind changes in market interest
rates. This may result in a slightly lower net value until the interest rate
resets to market rates. Thus, investors could suffer some principal loss if they
sold Fund Shares before the interest rates on the underlying mortgages were
adjusted to reflect current market rates.
 
    COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS.  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
("CMOs") are debt obligations that are collateralized by mortgages or mortgage
pass-through securities issued by GNMA, FHLMC or FNMA or by pools of
conventional mortgages ("Mortgage Assets"). CMOs may be privately issued or U.S.
Government Securities. Investors High Grade Bond Fund will invest only in CMOs
that are U.S. Government Securities and will not invest in privately issued
CMOs. Payments of principal and interest on the Mortgage Assets are passed
through to the holders of the CMOs on the same schedule as they are received,
although, certain classes (often referred to as tranches) of CMOs have priority
over other classes with respect to the receipt of payments. Multi-class mortgage
pass-through securities are interests in trusts that hold Mortgage Assets and
that have multiple classes similar to those of CMOs. Unless the context
indicates otherwise, references to CMOs include multi-class mortgage
pass-through securities. Payments of principal of and interest on the underlying
Mortgage Assets (and in the case of CMOs, any reinvestment income thereon)
provide funds to pay debt service on the CMOs or to make scheduled distributions
on the multi-class mortgage pass-through securities. Parallel pay CMOs are
structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than
one class. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the
stated maturity date or final distribution date of each class, which, as with
other CMO structures, must be retired by its stated maturity date or final
distribution date but may be retired earlier. Planned amortization class
mortgage-based securities ("PAC Bonds") are a form of parallel pay CMO. PAC
Bonds are designed to provide relatively predictable payments of principal
provided that, among other things, the actual prepayment experience on the
underlying mortgage loans falls within a contemplated range. If the actual
prepayment experience on the underlying mortgage loans is at a rate faster or
slower than the contemplated range, or if deviations from other assumptions
occur, principal payments on a PAC Bond may be greater or smaller than
predicted. The magnitude of the contemplated range varies from one PAC Bond to
another; a narrower range increases the risk that prepayments will be greater or
smaller than contemplated. CMOs may have complicated structures and generally
involve more risks than simpler forms of mortgage-backed securities. See
"Investment Policies -- Taxable Investments -- Mortgage-Related Securities" in
the SAI.
 
    STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES.  Investors Bond Fund may invest in
stripped mortgage-backed securities, which are classes of mortgage-backed
securities that receive different proportions of the interest and principal
distributions from the underlying Mortgage Assets. They may be may be privately
issued or U.S. Government Securities. In the most extreme case, one class will
be entitled to receive all or a portion of the interest but none of the
principal from the Mortgage
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
Assets (the interest-only or "IO" class) and one class will be entitled to
receive all or a portion of the principal, but none of the interest (the "PO"
class).
 
    ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES.  Asset-backed securities represent direct or
indirect participations in, or are secured by and payable from, assets other
than mortgage-backed assets such as motor vehicle installment sales contracts,
installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal
property and receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements.
Asset-backed securities, including adjustable rate asset-backed securities, have
yield characteristics similar to those of mortgage-backed securities and,
accordingly, are subject to many of the same risks.
 
    Assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose
corporations that issue securities that are often backed by a pool of assets
representing the obligations of a number of different parties. Payments of
principal and interest may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain
time period by a letter of credit issued by a financial institution.
Asset-backed securities do not always have the benefit of a security interest in
collateral comparable to the security interests associated with mortgage-backed
securities. As a result, the risk that recovery on repossessed collateral might
be unavailable or inadequate to support payments on asset-backed securities is
greater for asset-backed securities than for mortgage-backed securities. In
addition, because asset-backed securities are relatively new, the market
experience in these securities is limited and the market's ability to sustain
liquidity through all phases of an interest rate or economic cycle has not been
tested.
 
MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS
 
    MUNICIPAL BONDS.  Municipal bonds, which are intended to meet longer term
capital needs of the issuer, can be classified as either "general obligation" or
"revenue" bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by a municipality's pledge
of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and
interest. Revenue bonds are generally payable only from the revenues derived
from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the
proceeds of a special excise or other tax, but not from general tax revenues.
Municipal bonds also include PABs, which are bonds issued by or on behalf of
public authorities to finance various privately operated facilities. PABs are in
most cases revenue bonds and generally do not have the pledge of the full faith,
credit and taxing power of the municipality issuer. The payment of the principal
and interest on these bonds is dependent solely on the ability of an initial or
subsequent user of the facilities financed by the bonds to meet its financial
obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property financed by
the bond as security for payment. TaxSaver Bond Fund will acquire only PABs
whose interest payments, in the opinion of the issuer's counsel, are exempt from
Federal income taxation (other than the AMT).
 
    MUNICIPAL NOTES AND LEASES.  Municipal notes, which may be either "general
obligation" or "revenue" securities, are intended to fulfill the short-term
capital needs of the issuer and generally have original maturities of 397 days
or less. They include tax anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, bond
anticipation notes, construction loan notes and tax-exempt commercial paper.
Municipal leases and installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which
normally provide for title to the leased assets to pass eventually to the
government issuer) are a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and
equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the
issuance of long-term debt. Municipal leases frequently have special risks not
normally associated with general obligation or revenue bonds or notes as
described in the SAI.
 
    PARTICIPATION INTERESTS.  TaxSaver Bond Fund may purchase participation
interests in municipal securities (which may be fixed, floating or variable rate
securities) that are owned by banks or other
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
financial institutions. Participation interests carry a demand feature backed by
a letter of credit or guarantee of the bank or institution permitting the holder
to tender them back to the bank or other institution. The Fund will only
purchase participation interests from Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
insured banks having total assets of more than one billion dollars or from other
financial institutions whose long-term debt securities are rated within the four
highest rating categories by an NRSRO or which are unrated and determined by the
Adviser to be of comparable quality. Prior to purchasing any participation
interest, the Fund will obtain appropriate assurances from counsel retained by
the Trust that the interest earned by the Fund from the obligations in which it
holds participation interests is exempt from Federal income tax.
 
    STAND-BY COMMITMENTS.  TaxSaver Bond Fund may purchase municipal securities
together with the right to resell them to the seller at an agreed upon price or
yield within specified periods prior to their maturity dates. These rights to
resell are commonly known as "stand-by commitments." The aggregate price which
the Fund pays for securities with a stand-by commitment may be higher than the
price which otherwise would be paid. The primary purpose of this practice is to
permit the Fund to be as fully invested as practicable in municipal securities
while preserving the necessary flexibility and liquidity to meet unanticipated
redemptions. The Fund will enter into stand-by commitments only with banks or
municipal securities dealers that in the opinion of the Adviser present minimal
credit risks. The value of a stand-by commitment is dependent on the ability of
the writer to meet its repurchase obligation.
 
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS
 
DIVERSIFICATION MATTERS
 
    Investors High Grade Bond Fund is a diversified fund. Thus, the Fund may not
purchase a security if, as a result, (1) more than 5% of the Fund's total assets
would be invested in the securities of a single issuer or (2) the Fund would own
more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issue. This
limitation applies with respect to 75% of the Fund's total assets and does not
apply to U.S. Government Securities.
 
    Investors Bond Fund and TaxSaver Bond Fund are non-diversified, which means
that they have greater latitude than a diversified fund with respect to the
investment of its assets in the securities of a relatively few issuers. As
non-diversified portfolios, the Funds may present greater risks than diversified
funds. Each Fund's diversification requirements provide that, as of the last day
of each fiscal quarter, with respect to 50% of its assets, the Fund may not own
the securities of a single issuer, other than a U.S. Government Security, with a
value of more than 5% of the Fund's total assets. Except for U.S. Government
Securities, no more than 25% of the total assets of a Fund may be invested in
securities of any one issuer. A Fund will be subject to a greater risk of loss
if an issuer in which the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets is
unable to make interest or principal payments or if the market value of
securities declines.
 
NON-INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT SECURITIES
 
    Investors Bond Fund and TaxSaver Bond Fund may invest in non-investment
grade, high risk securities (securities rated lower than the fourth highest
rating category by an NRSRO). Bonds rated in S&P's fifth highest category, BB,
are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the
issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligation. While such bonds will likely have some quality and
protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major
risk exposures to adverse conditions. Bonds rated BB have less near-term
vulnerability to default than other speculative issues. However, they face major
ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic
conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
principal payments. Preferred stockrated ba by Moody's is considered to have
speculative elements and its future cannot be considered well assured. Earnings
and asset protection may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during
adverse periods.
 
    Non-investment grade, high risk securities (often referred to as "junk
bonds") involve greater risk of default or price changes due to changes in the
issuer's creditworthiness than do higher quality securities. The market for
these securities may be thinner and less active than that for higher quality
securities, which may affect the price at which the lower rated securities can
be sold. These risks may be magnified in the case of unrated junk bonds. In
addition, the market prices of lower rated securities may fluctuate more than
the market prices of higher quality securities and may decline significantly in
periods of general economic difficulty or rising interest rates. Further
information concerning these investments is contained in the SAI.
 
4. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
The investment objective and all investment policies of each Fund that are
designated as fundamental may only be changed with the approval of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. A majority of a
Fund's outstanding voting securities means the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares
of a Fund present or represented at a shareholders' meeting at which the holders
of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented, or (2) more than 50%
of the outstanding shares of a Fund. Unless otherwise indicated, investment
policies of a Fund are not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of
Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") without shareholder approval. For more
information concerning shareholder voting, see "Other Information -- The Trust
and Its Shares."
 
    No Fund may invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities,
including repurchase agreements not entitling the Fund to the payment of
principal within seven days. Although they have no current intention, each Fund
may in the future seek to hedge against a decline in the value of securities it
owns or an increase in the price of securities which it plans to purchase
through the writing and purchase of exchange-traded and over-the-counter options
and the purchase and sale of futures contracts and options on those futures
contracts. In order to avoid maintaining idle cash, the Funds may invest up to
10% of their total assets in money market mutual funds that, in the case of
TaxSaver Bond Fund, invest in municipal securities exempt from Federal income
taxes. Under normal circumstances, each Fund intends to invest at least 65% of
its assets in bonds and similar investments.
 
TECHNIQUES INVOLVING LEVERAGE
 
    The use of certain investments involves the special risks of leverage and
may be, in part, speculative. The Funds may borrow money for temporary or
emergency purposes (including the meeting of redemption requests), but, as a
fundamental policy, not in excess of 331/3% of the value of a Fund's total
assets. Borrowing for purposes other than meeting redemption requests will not
exceed 10% of the value of a Fund's total assets. Investors Bond Fund and
TaxSaver Bond Fund may borrow for other than temporary or emergency purposes. In
addition, the purchase of then-issued and forward commitment securities is a
form of leverage. A Fund uses these investment techniques only when the Adviser
believes that the leveraging and the returns available to the Fund from
investing the cash will provide shareholders a potentially higher return.
 
    Leverage exists when a Fund achieves the right to a return on a capital base
that exceeds the Fund's investment. The risks of leverage include a higher
volatility of the net asset value of a Fund's shares and the relatively greater
effect on the net asset value of the shares caused by market movements or
changes in yields. So long as a Fund is able to realize a net return on its
investment port-
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
folio that is higher than interest expense incurred, if any, leverage will
result in higher current net investment income being realized by the Fund than
if the Fund were not leveraged. On the other hand, interest rates change from
time to time as does their relationship to each other depending upon such
factors as supply and demand, monetary and tax policies and investor
expectations. To the extent that the interest expense involved in leveraging
approaches the net return on a Fund's investment portfolio, the benefit of
leveraging will be reduced, and, if the interest expense on borrowings were to
exceed the net return to shareholders, the Fund's use of leverage would result
in a lower rate of return than if the Fund were not leveraged. In addition, the
purchase of when-issued and forward commitment securities is a form of leverage.
In an extreme case, if the Fund's current investment income were not sufficient
to meet the interest expense of leveraging, it could be necessary for the Fund
to liquidate certain of its investments at an inappropriate time. The use of
leverage may be considered speculative.
 
    In order to limit the risks involved in various transactions involving
leverage, the Funds will set aside and maintain in a segregated account liquid
assets in accordance with SEC guidelines. The account's value, which is marked
to market daily, will be at least equal to a Fund's commitments under these
transactions.
 
SWAP AGREEMENTS
 
    To manage its exposure to different types of investments, Investors Bond
Fund and TaxSaver Bond Fund may enter into interest rate, currency and mortgage
(or other asset) swap agreements and may purchase and sell interest rate "caps,"
"floors" and "collars." In a typical interest rate swap agreement, one party
agrees to make regular payments equal to a floating interest rate on a specified
amount (the "notional principal amount") in return for payments equal to a fixed
interest rate on the same amount for a specified period. If a swap agreement
provides for payment in different currencies, the parties may also agree to
exchange the notional principal amount. Mortgage swap agreements are similar to
interest rate swap agreements, except that the notional principal amount is tied
to a reference pool of mortgages. In a cap or floor, one party agrees, usually
in return for a fee, to make payments under particular circumstances. For
example, the purchaser of an interest rate cap has the right to receive payments
to the extent a specified interest rate exceeds an agreed upon level; the
purchaser of an interest rate floor has the right to receive payments to the
extent a specified interest rate falls below an agreed upon level. A collar
entitles the purchaser to receive payments to the extent a specified interest
rate falls outside an agreed upon range.
 
    Swap agreements may involve leverage and may be highly volatile; depending
on how they are used, they may have a considerable impact on the Fund's
performance. See "Techniques Involving Leverage" above. Swap agreements involve
risks depending upon the counterparty's creditworthiness and ability to perform
as well as a Fund's ability to terminate its swap agreements or reduce its
exposure through offsetting transactions. The Adviser monitors the
creditworthiness of counterparties to these transactions and intends to enter
into these transactions only when it believes the counterparties present minimal
credit risks and the income expected to be earned from the transaction justifies
the attendant risks.
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
 
    Each Fund may seek additional income by entering into repurchase agreements
or by lending securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other
financial institutions. These investments may entail certain risks not
associated with direct investments in securities. For instance, in the event
that bankruptcy or similar proceedings were commenced against a counterparty in
these transactions or a counterparty defaulted on its obligations, a Fund might
suffer a loss. The Adviser monitors the
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
creditworthiness of counterparties to these transactions and intends to enter
into these transactions only when it believes the counterparties present minimal
credit risks and the income to be earned from the transaction justifies the
attendant risks.
 
    Repurchase agreements are transactions in which a Fund purchases a security
and simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller at an
agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon future date, normally one to seven days
later. The resale price reflects a market rate of interest that is not related
to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased security. When a Fund lends a
security it receives interest from the borrower or from investing cash
collateral. The Trust maintains possession of the purchased securities and any
underlying collateral in these transactions, the total market value of which on
a continuous basis is at least equal to the repurchase price or value of
securities loaned, plus accrued interest. The Funds may pay fees to arrange
securities loans. Investors Bond Fund and TaxSaver Bond Fund, as a fundamental
policy, will limit securities lending to not more than 10% of the value of their
total assets.
 
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS
 
    Each Fund may purchase securities offered on a "when-issued" basis and may
purchase or sell securities on a "forward commitment" basis. When these
transactions are negotiated, the price, which is generally expressed in yield
terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for
the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs
within two months after the transaction. The Funds purchase securities on a
when-issued or forward commitment basis only with the intention of actually
receiving or delivering the securities, as the case may be. When-issued
securities may include bonds purchased on a "when, as and if issued" basis under
which the issuance of the securities depends upon the occurrence of a subsequent
event, such as approval of a proposed financing by appropriate municipal
authorities.
 
    During the period between a commitment and settlement, no payment is made
for the securities purchased and, thus, no dividends or interest accrues to the
purchaser from the transaction. However, at the time a Fund makes a commitment
to purchase securities in this manner, the Fund immediately assumes the risk of
ownership, including price fluctuation. Failure by the other party to deliver or
pay for a security purchased or sold by the Fund may result in a loss or a
missed opportunity to make an alternative investment. Any significant commitment
of a Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued or
forward commitment basis may increase the volatility of its net asset value.
 
    The use of when-issued transactions and forward commitments may enable a
Fund to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. If the
Adviser were to forecast incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements,
however, a Fund might be required to complete these transactions at prices
inferior to the current market values. No when-issued or forward commitment
transactions will be entered into by a Fund if, as a result, more than 15% of
the value of the Fund's total assets would be committed to such transactions.
 
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION
 
    When business or financial conditions warrant, for example, when issues of
sufficient quality and liquidity are not available, a Fund may assume a
temporary defensive position and invest all or part of its assets in cash or
prime quality cash equivalents, including (1) short-term U.S. Government
Securities, (2) certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
interest-bearing savings deposits of commercial banks doing business in the
United States, (3) commercial paper, (4) repurchase agreements covering any of
the securities in which the Fund may invest directly and (5) to the extent
permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940,
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
money market mutual funds. During periods when and to the extent that a Fund has
assumed a temporary defensive position, it will not be pursuing its investment
objective.
 
CORE AND GATEWAY-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-
 
    Each Fund reserves the right to seek to achieve its investment objective by
converting to a Core and Gateway structure. Each Fund, upon future action by the
Board of Trustees and notice to shareholders, may convert to this structure, in
which the Fund would hold as its only investment securities the shares of
another investment company having substantially the same investment objective
and policies as the Fund. The Board of Trustees will not authorize conversion to
a Core and Gateway structure if it would materially increase costs to a Fund's
shareholders.
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
    The frequency of portfolio transactions of each Fund (the portfolio turnover
rate) will vary from year to year depending on market conditions. From time to
time the Funds may engage in active short-term trading to benefit from yield
disparities among different issues of debt securities, to seek short-term
profits during periods of fluctuating interest rates, or for other reasons. This
type of trading will increase the Funds' portfolio turnover rate and transaction
costs and may increase the Funds' capital gain. The Adviser weighs the
anticipated benefits of short-term investments against these consequences.
Investors Bond Fund's and TaxSaver Bond Fund's portfolio turnover rates are
reported under "Financial Highlights." For the fiscal year ending March 31,
1998, Investors High Grade Bond Fund's portfolio turnover rate is not expected
to exceed 100%.
 
5. MANAGEMENT
 
    The business and affairs of the Funds are managed under the direction of the
Board. The Board formulates the general policies of the Funds and generally
meets quarterly to review the results of the Funds, monitor investment
activities and practices and discuss other matters affecting the Funds and the
Trust. Information about the Trustees and the officers of the Trust is in the
SAI under "Management -- Trustees and Officers."
 
THE ADVISER
 
    Forum Investment Advisors, LLC, located at Two Portland Square, Portland,
Maine 04101, serves as investment adviser to the Funds under an investment
advisory agreement with the Trust. Subject to the general supervision of the
Board, the Adviser makes investment decisions for the Funds and is responsible
for, among other things, developing a continuing investment program for the
Funds in accordance with its investment objective and reviewing the investment
strategies and policies of the Funds. For its services, the Adviser receives an
advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.40% of the Funds' average daily net assets.
 
    Leslie C. Berthy is Managing Director of the Adviser and has been
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds' portfolios since their
inception. Prior to his association with the Adviser, Mr. Berthy was Managing
Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Irwin Union Capital Corp., an
affiliate of Irwin Union Bank & Trust Co.
 
    As of the date of this Prospectus each of the Adviser, FAdS, FFSI, FSS and
FAcS was controlled by John Y. Keffer, President and Chairman of the Trust and
were located at Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine, 04101. As of June 30,
1998, the Adviser provided investment advisory services to registered investment
companies with assets of approximately $1.7 billion.
 
THE ADMINISTRATOR
 
    On behalf of the Funds, the Trust has entered into an Administration
Agreement with FAdS. Under the agreement, FAdS is responsible for the
supervision of the overall management of the Trust and providing the Trust with
general office facilities, necessary personnel to help ensure the effective
operation of the Trust as well as persons satis-
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
factory to the Board to serve as officers of the Trust. For these services, FAdS
is entitled to receive a fee from the Funds computed and paid monthly at an
annual rate of 0.20% of the Funds' average daily net assets.
 
    Under a Fund Accounting Agreement with the Trust, Forum Accounting Services,
LLC ("FAcS") performs portfolio accounting services for each Fund, including
determination of the Fund's net asset value. For its services, FAcS is entitled
to receive a fee for each Fund at an annual rate of $36,000 subject to
adjustments for the number and type of portfolio transactions.
 
    As of June 30, 1998, FAdS and its affiliates provided management,
administration and distribution services to registered investment companies and
collective investment funds with assets of approximately $38 billion.
 
THE DISTRIBUTOR
 
    Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, FFSI acts as distributor of
the Funds' shares. FFSI acts as the agent of the Trust in connection with the
offering of shares of the Funds. For these services, FFSI receives, and may
reallow to certain financial institutions, the sales charge paid by purchases of
the Funds' shares. FFSI may enter into arrangements with banks, broker-dealers
or other financial institutions ("Processing Organizations") through which
investors may purchase or redeem shares. FFSI may, at its own expense and from
its own resources, compensate certain persons who provide services in connection
with the sale or expected sale of shares of the Funds. Investors purchasing
shares of a Fund through another financial institution should read any materials
and information provided by the financial institution to acquaint themselves
with its procedures and any fees that it may charge. FFSI is a registered
broker-dealer and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
    Shareholder inquiries and communications concerning the Funds may be
directed FSS. Under a Transfer Agency and Services Agreement, FSS acts as the
Funds' transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent. FSS maintains an account
for each shareholder of record where all shares purchased are credited, together
with any distributions that are reinvested in additional shares. FSS also
performs other transfer agency functions and acts as dividend disbursing agent
for the Trust. For its services, FSS is entitled to receive a fee at an annual
rate of 0.25% of each Fund's average daily net assets plus $12,000 per year and
annual shareholder fees of $18.00 per shareholder account.
 
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
 
    The Trust is obligated to pay for all of its expenses. The Funds' expenses
comprise Trust expenses attributable to the Funds and expenses not attributable
to any particular portfolio of the Trust, which are allocated among the Funds
and the portfolios in proportion to their average net assets. The Funds'
expenses include: interest charges; taxes; brokerage fees and commissions;
certain insurance premiums; applicable fees and expenses under the Trust's
contracts with the Adviser, FAdS, FSS and any custodian; fees of pricing,
interest, dividend, credit and other reporting services; costs of membership in
trade associations; auditing, legal and compliance expenses; costs of preparing
and printing the Trust's prospectuses, statements of additional information and
shareholder reports and delivering them to existing shareholders; compensation
of certain of the Trust's trustees, officers and employees and other personnel
performing services for the Trust; and registration fees and related expenses.
 
    The Adviser, FAdS, FSS, and FAcS, in their sole discretion, may waive all or
any portion of their respective fees, which are accrued daily and paid monthly.
Any such waiver, which could be discontinued at any time, would have the effect
of increasing the Funds' performance for the period
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
during which the waiver was in effect and would not be recouped at a later date.
 
YEAR 2000
 
    Like other mutual funds, financial and other business organizations and
individuals around the world, the Funds could be adversely affected if the
computer systems used by the Adviser and other service providers to the Funds do
not properly process and calculate date related information and data from and
after January 1, 2000. The Adviser and FAdS are taking steps to address the Year
2000 issue with respect to the computer systems that they use and to obtain
reasonable assurances that comparable steps are being taken by the Funds' other
major service providers. There can be no assurance, however, that these steps
will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact on the Funds from this problem.
 
6. PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES
 
Investments in a Fund may be made either by an investor directly or through
certain brokers or financial institutions of which the investor is a customer.
All transactions in Fund shares are effected through FSS, which accepts orders
for purchases and redemptions from shareholders of record and new investors.
Shareholders of record will receive from the Trust periodic statements listing
all account activity during the statement period. The Trust reserves the right
in the future to modify, limit or terminate any shareholder privilege upon
appropriate notice to shareholders and may charge a fee for certain shareholder
services, although no such fees are currently contemplated.
 
PURCHASES
 
    Fund Shares are sold at a price equal to their net asset value
next-determined after acceptance of an order, plus any applicable sales charge
on all weekdays except days when the New York Stock Exchange is closed
("Business Day"). Normally, the New York Stock Exchange is closed on New Year's
Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Fund shares are
issued immediately after an order for the shares in proper form is accepted by
FSS. Each Fund's net asset value is calculated at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on
each Business Day. Fund shares become entitled to receive dividends on the next
Business Day after the order is accepted.
 
    The Funds reserve the right to reject any subscription for the purchase of
their shares. Share certificates are issued only to shareholders of record upon
their written request and no certificates are issued for fractional shares.
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
    Fund shares may be redeemed without charge at their net asset value on any
Business Day. There is no minimum period of investment and no restriction on the
frequency of redemptions. Fund shares are redeemed as of each Funds' next
determination net asset value after FSS receives the redemption order in proper
form (and any supporting documentation which FSS may require). Shares redeemed
are not entitled to receive dividends declared after the day on which the
redemption becomes effective.
 
    Normally, redemption proceeds are paid immediately, but in no event later
than seven days, after a redemption order is accepted. Proceeds of redemption
requests (and exchanges), however, will not be paid unless any check used to
purchase the shares has been cleared by the shareholder's bank, which may take
up to 15 calendar days. This delay may be avoided by investing through wire
transfers. Unless otherwise indicated, redemption proceeds normally are paid by
check and mailed to the shareholder's record address. The right of redemption
may not be suspended nor the payment dates postponed except when the New York
Stock Exchange is closed (or when trading thereon is restricted) for any reason
other than its customary weekend or holiday closings or under any emer-
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
gency or other circumstance as determined by the SEC.
 
    Proceeds of redemptions normally are paid in cash. However, payments may be
made wholly or partially in portfolio securities if the Board determines that
payment in cash would be detrimental to the best interests of a Fund. The Trust
will only effect a redemption in portfolio securities if the particular
shareholder is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's net assets,
whichever is less, during any 90-day period.
 
    The Trust employs reasonable procedures to ensure that telephone orders are
genuine, including the recording of certain transactions. If the Trust did not
employ such procedures, it could be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions. Shareholders should verify the accuracy of
telephone instructions immediately upon receipt of confirmation statements.
During times of drastic economic or market changes, telephone redemption and
exchange privileges may be difficult to implement. In the event that a
shareholder is unable to reach FSS by telephone, requests may be mailed or
hand-delivered to FSS.
 
    Due to the cost to the Trust of maintaining smaller accounts, the Trust
reserves the right to redeem, upon not less than 60 days' written notice, all
shares in any Fund account with an aggregate net asset value of less than
$1,000. The Trust will not redeem accounts that fall below that amount solely as
a result of a reduction in net asset value.
 
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
 
    The following purchase and redemption procedures and shareholder services
apply to investors who invest in the Funds directly. These investors may open an
account by completing the account application at the back of this Prospectus or
by contacting FSS at the address on the first page of this Prospectus. For those
shareholder services not referenced on the account application or to change
information on a shareholder's account (such as addresses), investors should
request an Optional Services Form from FSS.
 
INITIAL PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
    There is a $2,000 minimum for initial investments in each Fund ($1,000 for
individual retirement accounts).
 
    MAIL.  Investors may send a check made payable to the Trust along with a
completed account application for a Fund to FSS at the address on the first page
of this Prospectus. Checks are accepted at full value subject to collection. If
a check does not clear, the purchase order will be canceled and the investor
will be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Trust, FSS or FFSI.
 
    BANK WIRE.  To make an initial investment in a Fund using the wire system
for transmittal of money among banks, an investor should first telephone the
Trust at 800-94FORUM (800-943-6786) or (207) 879-0001 to obtain an account
number. The investor should then instruct a bank to wire the investor's money
immediately to:
 
 BankBoston
 Boston, Massachusetts
 ABA# 011000390
 For Credit To: Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
 Account #: 541-54171
     Re: [Name of Fund]
     (Investor's Name)
     (Investor's Account Number)
 
    The investor should then promptly complete and mail the account application.
Investors planning to wire funds should instruct the bank early in the day so
the wire transfer can be received prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the same
day. The bank may impose a charge for transmitting payment by wire, and there
also may be a charge for the use of Federal funds.
 
SUBSEQUENT PURCHASES OF SHARES
 
    There is a $250 minimum for subsequent purchases. Subsequent purchases may
be made by mailing a check, by sending a wire as indicated
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
above. Shareholders using the wire system for subsequent purchases should first
telephone the Trust at (207) 879-0001 or 800-94FORUM (800-943-6786) to notify it
of the wire transfer. All payments should clearly indicate the shareholder's
name and account number.
 
    AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT.  Shareholders may purchase Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic transfer of funds from a
designated bank account maintained with a United States banking institution
which is an Automated Clearing House member. Under the program, existing
shareholders may authorize amounts of $250 or more to be debited from their bank
account and invested in a Fund monthly or quarterly. Shareholders wishing to
participate in this program may obtain the applicable forms from FSS.
Shareholders may terminate their automatic investments or change the amount to
be invested at any time by written notification to FSS.
 
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
    Shareholders that wish to redeem shares by telephone or receive redemption
proceeds by wire must elect these options by properly completing the appropriate
sections of their account application. These privileges may not be available
until several weeks after a shareholder's application is received. Shares for
which certificates have been issued may not be redeemed by telephone.
 
    MAIL.  Shareholders may make a redemption in any amount by sending a written
request to FSS accompanied by any share certificate that was issued to the
shareholder. All share certificates submitted for redemption must be signed by
the shareholder with a signature guaranteed. All accompanying written requests
for redemption must be signed by the shareholder and, in some cases, must have a
signature guarantee. See Purchase and Redemption Procedures -- Other Redemption
Matters."
 
    TELEPHONE.  A shareholder that has elected telephone redemption privileges
may make a telephone redemption request by calling FSS at (207) 879-0001 or
800-94FORUM (800-943-6786) and providing the shareholder's account number, the
exact name in which the shares are registered, the shareholder's social security
or taxpayer identification number. The Trust or FSS may employ other procedures
such as recording certain transactions to ensure telephone instructions are
genuine. If such procedures are followed, neither the Trust nor FSS will be
liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent redemption requests. In
response to the telephone redemption instruction, the Fund will mail a check to
the shareholder's record address or, if the shareholder has elected wire
redemption privileges, wire the proceeds.
 
    BANK WIRE.  For redemptions of more than $5,000, a shareholder that has
elected wire redemption privileges may request the Fund to transmit the
redemption proceeds by Federal funds wire to a bank account designated on the
shareholder's account application. To request wire redemptions by telephone, the
shareholder also must have elected the telephone redemption privilege on the
account application. Redemption proceeds are transmitted by wire on the next
business day after the redemption request in proper form is received by FSS.
 
    AUTOMATIC REDEMPTIONS.  Shareholders may redeem Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic redemption of shares from
their Fund account. Redemption proceeds are sent either by check or by automatic
transfer to a designated bank account maintained with a United States banking
institution that is an Automated Clearing House member. Under this program,
shareholders may authorize the redemption of shares in amounts of $250 or more
from their account monthly or quarterly. Shareholders may terminate their
automatic redemptions or change the amount to be redeemed at any time by written
notification to FSS.
 
    OTHER REDEMPTION MATTERS.  To protect shareholders and the Funds against
fraud, signa-
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
tures on certain requests must have a signature guarantee. Requests must be made
in writing and include a signature guarantee for any of the following
transactions: (1) any endorsement on a stock certificate; (2) written
instruction to redeem Shares whose value exceeds $50,000; (3) instructions to
change a shareholder's record name; (4) redemption in an account in which the
account address or account registration has changed within the last 30 days; (5)
the proceeds are not being sent to the address of record, preauthorized bank
account, or preauthorized brokerage firm account; (6) proceeds are to be paid to
someone other than the registered owners or to an account with a different
registration; or (7) change of automatic investment or redemption, dividend
election, telephone redemption or exchange option election or any other option
election in connection with the shareholder's account.
 
    Signature guarantees may be provided by any eligible institution acceptable
to FSS, including a bank, a broker, a dealer, a national securities exchange, a
credit union, or a savings association that is authorized to guarantee
signatures. Whenever a signature guarantee is required, the signature of each
person required to sign for the account must be guaranteed. A notarized
signature is not sufficient.
 
    FSS will deem a shareholder's account "lost" if correspondence to the
shareholder's address of record is returned as undeliverable, unless FSS
determines the shareholder's new address. When an account is deemed lost all
distributions on the account will be reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund. In addition, the amount of any outstanding (unpaid for six months or more)
checks for distributions that have been returned to FSS will be reinvested and
the checks will be canceled.
 
SALES CHARGES
 
    The public offering price for shares of a Fund is the sum of the net asset
value of the shares being purchased plus any applicable sales charge. No sales
charge is assessed on the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions. The
sales charge is assessed as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 SALES CHARGE
                                   AS % OF
                          --------------------------
                            PUBLIC
                           OFFERING      NET ASSET       DEALERS'
   AMOUNT OF PURCHASE        PRICE        VALUE*        REALLOWANCE
- ------------------------  -----------  -------------  ---------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>            <C>
less than $100,000......        3.75%         3.90%           3.25%
$100,000 but less than
 $200,000...............        3.25          3.36            2.85
$200,000 but less than
 $400,000...............        2.50          2.56            2.20
$400,000 but less than
 $600,000...............        2.00          2.04            1.75
$600,000 but less than
 $800,000...............        1.50          1.52            1.25
$800,000 but less than
 $1,000,000.............        1.00          1.01            0.75
$1,000,000 and up.......        0.50          0.50            0.40
</TABLE>
 
*    Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.
 
    FFSI's commission is the sales charge shown above less any applicable
discount reallowed to Processing Organizations (including banks and bank
affiliates purchasing shares as principal or agent). Normally, FFSI will reallow
discounts to Processing Organizations in the amounts indicated in the table
above. From time to time, however, FFSI may elect to reallow the entire sales
charge to Processing Organizations for all sales with respect to which orders
are placed with FFSI during a particular period. The dealers' reallowance may be
changed from time to time.
 
    In addition, from time to time and at its own expense, FFSI may provide
compensation, including financial assistance, to dealers in connection with
conferences, sales or training programs for their employees, seminars for the
public, advertising campaigns or other dealer-sponsored special events.
Compensation may include: (1) the provision of travel arrangements and lodging,
(2) tickets for entertainment events and (3) merchandise.
 
    No sales charge will be assessed on purchases made for investment purposes
by: (1) any bank, trust company, savings association or similar institution with
whom FFSI has entered into a share purchase agreement acting on behalf of the
institution's fiduciary customer accounts or any
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
account maintained by its trust department (including a pension, profit sharing
or other employee benefit trust created pursuant to a qualified retirement
plan); (2) any registered investment adviser with whom FFSI has entered into a
share purchase agreement and which is acting on behalf of its fiduciary customer
accounts; (c any registered investment adviser which is acting on behalf of its
fiduciary customer accounts and for which it provides additional investment
advisory services; (4) any broker-dealer with whom FFSI has entered into a
Processing Organization Agreement and a Fee-Based or Wrap Account Agreement and
which is acting on behalf of its fee-based program clients; (5) directors and
officers of the Trust; directors, officers and full-time employees of the
Advisor, FFSI, any of their affiliates or any organization with which FFSI has
entered into a Processing Organization Agreement; the spouse, sibling, direct
ancestor or direct descendent (collectively, "relatives") of any such person;
any trust or individual retirement account or self-employed retirement plan for
the benefit of any such person or relative; or the estate of any such person or
relative; (6) any person who has, within the preceding 90 days, redeemed Fund
shares (but only on purchases in amounts not exceeding the redeemed amounts) and
completes a reinstatement form upon investment; (7) persons who exchange into a
Fund from a mutual fund other than a fund of the Trust that participates in the
Trust's exchange program, See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares -- Exchange
Program;" and (8) employee benefit plans qualified under Section 401 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Trust may require appropriate
documentation from an investor concerning that investor's eligibility to
purchase Fund shares without a sales charge. Any shares so purchased may not be
resold except to the Fund.
 
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
 
    For an investor to qualify for a reduced sales charge as described below,
the investor must notify FSS at the time of purchase. Programs for reduced sales
charges may be modified or terminated at any time and are subject to
confirmation of an investor's holdings.
 
    RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION.  An investor's purchase of additional shares of a
Fund may qualify for rights of accumulation ("ROA") wherein the applicable sales
charge will be based on the total of the investor's current purchase and the net
asset value (at the end of the previous Business Day) of shares of that Fund
held by the investor. For example, if an investor owned shares of a Fund worth
$400,000 at the then current net asset value and purchased shares of the Fund
worth an additional $50,000, the sales charge for the $50,000 purchase would be
at the 2% rate applicable to a single $450,000 purchase, rather than at the
3.75% rate. To qualify for ROA on a purchase, the investor must inform FSS and
supply sufficient information to verify that each purchase qualifies for the
privilege or discount.
 
    LETTER OF INTENT.  Investors may also obtain reduced sales charges based on
cumulative purchases by means of a written Letter of Intent ("LOI"), which
expresses the investor's intention to invest $100,000 or more within a period of
13 months in shares of a Fund. Each purchase of shares under a LOI will be made
at the public offering price applicable at the time of the purchase to a single
transaction of the dollar amount indicated in the LOI.
 
    An LOI is not a binding obligation upon the investor to purchase the full
amount indicated. Shares purchased with the first 5% of the amount indicated in
the LOI will be held subject to a registered pledge (while remaining registered
in the name of the investor) to secure payment of the higher sales charge
applicable to the shares actually purchased if the full amount indicated is not
purchased within 13 months. Pledged shares will be involuntarily redeemed to pay
the additional sales charge, if necessary. When the full amount indicated has
been purchased, the shares will be released from pledge. Share certificates are
not
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
issued for shares purchased under an LOI. Investors wishing to enter into an LOI
can obtain a form of LOI from their broker or financial institution or by
contacting FSS.
 
EXCHANGES
 
EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
 
    Fund shareholders are entitled to exchange their shares for shares of other
Funds, including any other fund of the Trust or any other fund that participates
in the exchange program (currently, Sound Shore Fund, Inc.) and whose shares are
eligible for sale in the shareholder's state of residence. Exchanges may only be
made between accounts registered in the same name. The minimum amount to open an
account in a Fund through an exchange from another fund is $2,500. When a
shareholder exchanges shares a completed account application must be submitted
to open a new account in a Fund if the shareholder requests any shareholder
privilege not associated with the existing account. Exchanges are subject to the
fees and the restrictions (including minimum investment requirements) listed in
the prospectus for the fund into which a shareholder is exchanging. The Funds do
not charge for exchanges and there is currently no limit on the number of
exchanges a shareholder may make.
 
    The Trust (and Federal tax law) treats an exchange as a redemption of the
shares owned and the purchase of the shares of the fund being acquired.
Redemptions and purchases are effected at the respective net asset values of the
two funds as next determined after all proper instructions and any necessary
supporting documents by the fund whose shares are being exchanged are received
by FSS.
 
    If a shareholder exchanges into a fund that imposes a sales charge, that
shareholder is required to pay the difference between that fund's sales charge
and any sales charge the shareholder has previously paid in connection with the
shares being exchanged. For example, if a shareholder paid a 2% sales charge in
connection with the purchase of the shares of a fund and then exchanged those
shares into another fund with a 3% sales charge, that shareholder would pay an
additional 1% sales charge on the exchange. Shares acquired through the
reinvestment of dividends and distributions are deemed to have been acquired
with a sales charge rate equal to that paid on the shares on which the dividend
or distribution was paid. The exchange privilege may be modified materially or
terminated by the Trust at any time upon 60 days' notice to shareholders.
 
    MAIL.  Exchanges may be accomplished by written instruction to FSS
accompanied by any share certificate that may have been issued to the
shareholder. All written requests for exchanges must be signed by the
shareholder (a signature guarantee is not required) and all certificates
submitted for exchange must be endorsed by the shareholder with a signature
guarantee.
 
    BY TELEPHONE.  Exchanges may be accomplished by telephone by any shareholder
that has elected telephone exchange privileges by calling FSS at 800-94FORUM
(800-943-6786) or (207) 879-0001 and providing the shareholder's account number,
the exact name in which the shareholder's shares are registered and the
shareholder's social security or taxpayer identification number.
 
RETIREMENT PROGRAMS
 
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
 
    Neither of the Funds should be considered as a complete investment vehicle
for the assets held in individual retirement accounts ("IRAs"). The minimum
initial investment for an IRA is $1,000, and the minimum subsequent investment
is $250. Individuals may make tax-deductible IRA contributions of up to a
maximum of $2,000 annually. However, this deduction will be reduced if the
individual or, in some cases, the individual's spouse is an active participant
in an employer-sponsored retirement plan and the individual (or
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
married couple) has adjusted gross income above certain levels.
 
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
    The Funds may be a suitable investment vehicle for part or all of the assets
held in various employee benefit plans, including 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and
SARSEPs.
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
    Shares may be purchased and redeemed through certain broker-dealers, banks,
trust companies and their affiliates, and other financial institutions,
including affiliates of FSS. Processing Organizations may receive as a dealer's
reallowance a portion of the sales charge paid by their customers who purchase
Fund shares. In addition, Processing Organizations may charge their customers a
fee for their services and are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase,
redemption and other requests to the Funds. The Trust is not responsible for the
failure of any Processing Organization to promptly forward these requests.
 
    Investors who purchase shares through a Processing Organization may be
charged a fee if they effect transactions in Fund shares through a broker or
agent and will be subject to the procedures of their Processing Organization,
which may include limitations, investment minimums, cutoff times and
restrictions in addition to, or different from, those applicable to shareholders
who invest in a Fund directly. These investors should acquaint themselves with
their Processing Organization's procedures and should read this Prospectus in
conjunction with any materials and information provided by their Processing
Organization. Investors who purchase Fund shares through a Processing
Organization may or may not be the shareholder of record and, subject to their
Processing Organization's and a Fund's procedures, may have Fund shares
transferred into their name. Under their arrangements with the Trust,
broker-dealer Processing Organizations are not generally required to deliver
payment for purchase orders until several business days after a purchase order
has been received by a Fund. Certain other Processing Organizations may also
enter purchase orders with payment to follow.
 
    Certain shareholder services may not be available to shareholders who have
purchased shares through a Processing Organization. These shareholders should
contact their Processing Organization for further information. The Trust may
confirm purchases and redemptions of a Processing Organization's customers
directly to the Processing Organization, which in turn will provide its
customers with such confirmations and periodic statements as may be required by
law or agreed to between the Processing Organization and its customers. The
Trust is not responsible for the failure of any Processing Organization to carry
out its obligations to its customer. Certain states permit shares of a Fund to
be purchased and redeemed only through registered broker-dealers, including the
Fund's distributor.
 
7.  DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Distributions of each Fund's net investment income, if any, are declared
daily and paid monthly. Any distributions of net capital gain realized by a Fund
are distributed annually.
 
    Shareholders may choose either to have all distributions of net investment
income reinvested in additional Fund shares or paid in cash or to have
distributions of net capital gain reinvested in additional Fund shares or paid
in cash. All distributions are treated in the same manner for Federal income tax
purposes whether paid in cash or reinvested in Fund shares.
 
    All distributions are reinvested at a Fund's net asset value as of the
payment date of the distribution. All distributions are reinvested unless
another option is selected. All distributions not reinvested are paid to the
shareholder in cash.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
Cash payments may be paid more than seven days following the date on which
distribution would otherwise be reinvested.
 
TAXES
 
    Each Fund intends to continue to qualify for each fiscal year to be taxed as
a "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. As such, the Funds will not be liable for Federal income taxes on the
net investment income and net capital gain distributed to their shareholders.
Because the Funds intend to distribute all of their net investment income and
net capital gain each year, the Funds should avoid all Federal income and excise
taxes.
 
INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND AND INVESTORS BOND FUND
 
    Dividends paid by each Fund out of its net investment income (including any
realized net short-term capital gain) are taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income.
 
TAXSAVER BOND FUND
 
    DIVIDENDS OF TAX-EXEMPT INVESTORS RELATED MATTERS.  Shareholders of the Fund
generally will not be subject to Federal income tax on dividends paid by the
Fund out of tax-exempt interest income earned by the Fund ("exempt-interest
dividends"), assuming certain requirements are met. Substantially all of the
dividends paid by the Fund are anticipated to be exempt-interest dividends. Any
dividends paid by the Fund out of its taxable net investment income (including
any realized net short-term capital gain) are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income.
 
    Persons who are "substantial users" or "related persons" thereof of
facilities financed by private activity bonds held by the Fund may be subject to
Federal income tax on their pro rata share of the interest income from these
bonds and should consult their tax advisors before purchasing shares of the
Fund. Under current Federal tax law, interest on certain private activity bonds
is treated as an item of tax preference for purposes of the Federal AMT imposed
on individuals and corporations. In addition, interest on all tax-exempt
obligations is included in the "adjusted current earnings" of corporations for
Federal AMT purposes.
 
    OTHER TAX MATTERS.  Interest on indebtedness incurred by shareholders to
purchase or carry shares of the Fund generally is not deductible for Federal
income tax purposes.
 
    The exemption for Federal income tax purposes of dividends derived from
interest on municipal securities does not necessarily result in an exemption
under the income or other tax laws of any state or local taxing authority.
Shareholders of the Fund may be exempt from state and local taxes on exempt
interest dividends derived from obligations of the state and/or municipalities
of the state in which they reside. Shareholders may, however, be subject to tax
on income derived from the municipal securities of jurisdictions other than
those in which they reside. Shareholders are advised to consult with their tax
advisors concerning the application of state and local taxes to investments in
the Fund which may differ from the Federal income tax consequences described
above.
 
    If Fund shares are sold at a loss after being held for six months or less,
the loss will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends
received on those shares.
 
    Shortly after the close of each year, a statement is sent to each
shareholder of the Fund advising the shareholder of the portion of total
dividends paid into the shareholder's account that is exempt from Federal income
tax and that is derived from the municipal securities of each state and from
other sources. These portions are determined for the entire year and on a
monthly basis and, thus, are an annual or monthly average, rather than a
day-by-day determination for each shareholder.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
GENERAL
 
    Distributions of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net gain from capital
assets held for more than one year over net loss from capital assets held not
more than one year) will be treated in the hands of shareholders as long-term
capital gain, regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares in the Fund.
If Fund shares are sold at a loss after being held for six months or less, the
loss will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any distribution
of net capital gain received on those shares.
 
    Any capital gain distribution received by a shareholder reduces the net
asset value of the shareholder's shares by the amount of the distribution. To
the extent that capital gain was accrued by a Fund before the shareholder
purchased the shares, the distribution would be in effect a return of capital to
the shareholder. Capital gain distributions, including those that operate as a
return of capital, however, are taxable to the shareholder receiving them.
 
    The Funds may be required by Federal law to withhold 31% of reportable
payments (which may include taxable dividends, capital gain distributions and
redemption proceeds) paid to individuals and certain other non-corporate
shareholders. Withholding is not required if a shareholder certifies that the
shareholder's social security or tax identification number provided to the Funds
is correct and that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding.
 
    Reports containing appropriate information with respect to the Federal
income tax status of dividends and distributions paid during the year by the
Funds will be mailed to shareholders shortly after the close of each year.
 
TAX-FREE INCOME VS. TAXABLE INCOME
 
    The table below shows approximate equivalent taxable and tax-free yields at
various approximate marginal Federal tax bracket rates. For example, an investor
in the 31% tax bracket for 1998 whose investments earn a 5% tax-free yield would
have to earn a 7.2% taxable yield to receive the same benefit.
 
                    1998 FEDERAL TAXABLE VS. TAX-FREE YIELDS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   A Tax Free Yield of
                                  ----------------------
                                  4.0%  4.5%  5.0%  5.5%
                                  ----  ----  ----  ----
            Federal               equals a taxable yield
          Tax Bracket                of approximately
- -------------------------------   ----------------------
<S>                               <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>
             39.6%                6.6%  7.5%  8.3%  9.2%
             36.0%                6.3%  7.0%  7.8%  8.6%
             31.0%                5.8%  6.5%  7.2%  8.0%
             28.0%                5.6%  6.3%  6.9%  7.6%
</TABLE>
 
    The yields listed are for illustration only and are not necessarily
representative of TaxSaver Bond Fund's yield. Although the Fund primarily
invests in securities the interest from which is exempt from Federal income
taxes, some of the Fund's investments may generate taxable income. An investor's
tax bracket will depend upon the investor's taxable income. The figures set
forth above do not reflect the Federal alternative minimum taxes or any state or
local income taxes.
 
    The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important Federal and state
tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders. There
may be other Federal, state or local tax considerations applicable to a
particular investor. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax
advisors.
 
8. OTHER INFORMATION
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
    Each Funds' performance may be quoted in advertising in terms of yield or
total return. Both types are based on historical results and are not intended to
indicate future performance. A Fund's yield is a way of showing the rate of
income earned by the Fund as a percentage of the Fund's share price. Yield is
calculated by dividing the net investment income of the Fund for the stated
period by the average number of shares entitled to
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
receive dividends and expressing the result as an annualized percentage rate
based on the Fund's share price at the end of the period. TaxSaver Bond Fund may
also quote tax equivalent yields, which show the taxable yields a shareholder
would have to earn to equal the Fund's tax-free yields after taxes. A tax
equivalent yield is calculated by dividing the Fund's tax-free yield by one
minus a stated Federal, state or combined Federal and state tax rate. Total
return refers to the average annual compounded rates of return over some
representative period that would equate an initial amount invested at the
beginning of a stated period to the ending redeemable value of the investment,
after giving effect to the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and
deductions of expenses during the period. Each of the Funds also may advertise
its total return over different periods of time on a before-tax, after-tax or
taxable-equivalent basis or by means of aggregate, average, year by year, or
other types of total return figures. Because average annual returns tend to
smooth out variations in the Funds' returns, shareholders should recognize that
they are not the same as actual year-by-year results. A Fund's advertised yield
and total return may or may not reflect the maximum sales load applicable to the
Fund. A computation of yield or total return that does not take into account the
sales load paid by an investor will be higher than a computation based on the
public offering price of the shares purchased that does take into account
payment of a sales load.
 
    Each Fund's advertisements may reference ratings and rankings among similar
funds by independent evaluators such as Morningstar, Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc. or IBC/Donoghue, Inc. In addition, the performance of the Funds may be
compared to recognized indices of market performance. The comparative material
found in a Fund's advertisements, sales literature or reports to shareholders
may contain performance ratings. These are not to be considered representative
or indicative of future performance.
 
BANKING LAW MATTERS
 
    Banking laws and regulations generally permit a bank or bank affiliate to
purchase shares of an investment company as agent for and upon the order of a
customer and in the view of FAdS would permit a bank or bank affiliate to serve
as a Processing Organization or perform sub-transfer agent or similar services
for the Trust and its shareholders. If a bank or bank affiliate were prohibited
from performing all or a part of the foregoing services, its shareholder
customers would be permitted to remain shareholders of the Trust and alternative
means for continuing to service them would be sought. It is not expected that
shareholders would suffer adverse financial consequences as a result of any
changes in bank or bank affiliate service arrangements.
 
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
 
    The Trust determines the net asset value per share of the each Fund as of
4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on each Business Day by dividing the value of the
Fund's net assets (i.e., the value of its portfolio securities and other assets
less its liabilities) by the number of that Fund's shares outstanding at the
time the determination is made. Securities owned by a Fund for which market
quotations are readily available are valued at current market value, or, in
their absence, at fair value as determined by procedures approved by the Board.
 
THE TRUST AND ITS SHARES
 
    The Trust was originally incorporated in Maryland on March 24, 1980 and
assumed the name of Forum Funds, Inc. on March 16, 1987. On January 5, 1996,
Forum Funds, Inc. was reorganized as a Delaware business trust under the name
Forum Funds. The Trust has an unlimited number of authorized shares of
beneficial interest. The Board may, without shareholder approval, divide the
authorized shares into an unlimited number of separate portfolios or series
(such as the Fund) and may in the future divide portfolios or series into two or
more classes of shares (such as Inves-
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
tor and Institutional Shares). Currently the authorized shares of the Trust are
divided into 23 separate series.
 
    Each share of each fund of the Trust and each class of shares has equal
dividend, distribution, liquidation and voting rights, and fractional shares
have those rights proportionately, except that expenses related to the
distribution of the shares of a class (and certain other expenses such as
transfer agency and administration expenses) are borne solely by those shares
and each class votes separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1
plan which pertain to the class and other matters for which separate class
voting is appropriate under applicable law. Generally, shares will be voted in
the aggregate without reference to a particular portfolio, except if the matter
affects only one portfolio or voting by portfolio or class is required by law,
in which case shares will be voted separately by portfolio. Delaware law does
not require the Trust to hold annual meetings of shareholders, and it is
anticipated that shareholder meetings will be held only when specifically
required by Federal or state law. Shareholders (and Trustees) have available
certain procedures for the removal of Trustees. There are no conversion or
preemptive rights in connection with shares of the Trust. All shares when issued
in accordance with the terms of the offering will be fully paid and
nonassessable. Shares are redeemable at net asset value, at the option of the
shareholders, subject to any contingent deferred sales charge that may apply. A
shareholder in a portfolio is entitled to the shareholder's pro rata share of
all dividends and distributions arising from that portfolio's assets and, upon
redeeming shares, will receive the portion of the portfolio's net assets
represented by the redeemed shares.
 
    From time to time, certain shareholders may own a large percentage of the
shares of the Fund. Accordingly, those shareholders may be able to greatly
affect (if not determine) the outcome of a shareholder vote. As of July 1, 1998,
Bank of New Hampshire may be deemed to have controlled High Grade Bond Fund and
National City Bank of Evansville may be deemed to have controlled Investors Bond
Fund and TaxSaver Bond Fund through investment in the Funds by their customers.
 
    NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND THE FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN CONNECTION
WITH THE OFFERING OF THE FUND'S SHARES, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
TRUST. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO
ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH OFFER MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>




                              [APPLICATION FORM
                                   PAGE 1]

<PAGE>




                              [APPLICATION FORM
                                   PAGE 2]

<PAGE>

[LOGO]

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION:
FORUM SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, LLC
P.O. BOX 446
PORTLAND, ME  04112
207-879-0001 (IN PORTLAND, ME)
800-94FORUM (ELSEWHERE)



[GRAPHIC]
<PAGE>

[GRAPHIC]

                                     PROSPECTUS


                                     INVESTORS
                                    GROWTH FUND


                                       FORUM
                                       FUNDS
                                   AUGUST 1, 1998

<PAGE>
FORUM FUNDS
 
INVESTORS GROWTH FUND
 
                                                                      PROSPECTUS
 
                                                                  August 1, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING:
 
       Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
       P.O. Box 446
       Portland, Maine 04112
       (207) 879-0001
       (800) 94FORUM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
This Prospectus offers shares of Investors Growth Fund (the "Fund"), a
diversified portfolio of Forum Funds (the "Trust"), a registered open-end
management investment company.
 
    INVESTORS GROWTH FUND.  The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital
    appreciation by investing primarily in a portfolio of the common stock of
    companies domiciled in the United States.
 
Shares of the Fund are offered to investors at a price equal to the next
determined net asset value plus a maximum sales charge of 4.0% of the total
public offering price (4.17% of the amount invested).
 
This prospectus sets forth concisely the information a prospective investor
should know about the Trust and the Fund before investing. The Trust has filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a Statement of Additional
Information dated August 1, 1998, as may be amended from time to time (the
"SAI"), which contains more detailed information about the Trust and the Fund
and is available together with other related materials for reference on the
SEC's Internet Web Site (http:www.sec.gov). The SAI, which is incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus by reference, also is available, without charge,
by contacting Forum Shareholder Services, LLC, the Fund's transfer agent, at the
address and telephone numbers printed above.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<C>          <S>                                         <C>
                                                               Page
                                                              -----
        1.   Prospectus Summary..........................          2
        2.   Financial Highlights........................          4
        3.   Investment Objective and Policies...........          5
        4.   Additional Investment Policies..............          6
 
                                                               Page
                                                              -----
 
        5.   Management..................................          8
        6.   Purchases and Redemptions of Shares.........         10
        7.   Distributions and Tax Matters...............         17
        8.   Other Information...........................         18
</TABLE>
 
   INVESTORS SHOULD READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
FUND SHARES ARE NOT OBLIGATIONS, DEPOSITS, OR ACCOUNTS OF, OR ENDORSED OR
GUARANTEED BY, ANY BANK OR ANY AFFILIATE OF A BANK AND ARE NOT INSURED OR
GUARANTEED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THE FDIC, OR ANY FEDERAL AGENCY.
 
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.
<PAGE>
1. PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
    The investment objective of Investors Growth Fund is long-term capital
appreciation. The Fund intends to pursue its objective by investing primarily in
the common stock of domestic companies that, in the view of the Fund's
investment adviser, possess above average growth potential or attractive
valuations when the valuations have not yet been fully reflected in the market
price of the companies' shares. See "Investment Objectives and Policies."
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
    Forum Investment Advisors, LLC (the "Adviser") serves as the investment
adviser to the Fund. The Adviser is located at Two Portland Square, Portland,
Maine 04101. See "Management -- Adviser."
 
FUND MANAGEMENT
 
    The administrator of the Trust is Forum Administrative Services, LLC
("FAdS") and the distributor of its shares is Forum Financial Services, Inc.
("FFSI"). Forum Shareholder Services, LLC ("FSS") serves as the Trust's transfer
agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent and Forum
Accounting Services, LLC ("FAcS") provides portfolio accounting services for the
Trust. FAdS, FFSI, FSS, and FAcS are located at Two Portland Square, Portland,
Maine 04101. See "Management."
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
 
    Shares of the Fund are offered at their next-determined net asset value plus
any applicable sales charge. Shares may be purchased or redeemed by mail, by
bank-wire and through an investor's broker-dealer or other financial
institution. The minimum initial investment is $2,000 ($1,000 for an Individual
Retirement Account), and the minimum subsequent investment is $250. Share may
redeem shares without charge. See "Purchases and Redemption of Shares."
 
    Shares of the Fund are not offered for sale in every state. To determine
whether the Fund is available for purchase in a particular state, contact FSS at
the numbers listed on the first page of this prospectus,
 
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
 
    Shareholders of the Fund may exchange their Shares without charge for the
shares of certain other funds of the Trust. See "Purchases and Redemptions of
Shares -- Exchanges."
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    The Fund distributes its net investment income, if any, quarterly and its
net capital gain, if any, at least annually. All distributions are reinvested
automatically in additional shares of the Fund at net asset value unless the
shareholder has notified the Fund in his or her Account Application or otherwise
in writing of the shareholder's election to receive distributions in cash. See
"Distributions and Tax Matters."
 
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS
 
    There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective. The Fund's net asset value and total return will fluctuate as the
value of the securities in which the Fund invests changes. Investing in the Fund
is subject to the risks of investing in the stock market including the risk that
the value of the stocks in which the Fund invests might decrease. Investors in
the Fund should be willing to accept the risks of the stock market and should
not consider the Fund a complete investment program. See "Investment Objective
and Policies" and "Additional Investment Policies."
 
EXPENSES OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
 
    The purpose of the following table is to assist investors in understanding
the various expenses
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
that an investor of the Fund will bear directly or indirectly.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum sales charge imposed on
purchases (as a percentage of public
offering price)(1)...................       4.0%
Exchange Fee.........................       None
 
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(2)
(as a percentage of average net
assets after applicable expense
reimbursement and fee waivers)
Management Fees......................      0.65%
12b-1 Fees...........................       None
Other Expenses (after expense
reimbursements)......................      0.45%
Total Fund Operating Expenses........      1.10%
</TABLE>
 
    (1) Certain shareholders may be eligible for reduced sales charges. See
"Purchases and Redemptions of Shares -- Reduced Sales Charges."
 
    (2) The Annual Fund Operating Expenses are based on expenses and assets of
the Fund during its initial period of operations ending March 31, 1998.
Management Fees include all investment advisory fees and administration fees.
Absent certain expense reimbursements and fee waivers during the most recent
fiscal year, Management Fees, Other Expenses and Total Fund Operating Expenses
would have been 0.95%, 0.71% and 1.56%, respectively. Expense reimbursements and
fee waivers are voluntary and may be reduced or eliminated at any time. For a
further description of the various expenses incurred in the operation of the
Fund, see "Management."
 
EXAMPLE
 
    Following is a hypothetical example that indicates the dollar amount of
expenses that an investor in the Fund would pay assuming (1) a $1,000 investment
in the Fund, (2) a 5% annual return, (3) the reinvestment of all distributions,
(4) the payment of the maximum sales charge and (5) full redemption at the end
of each time period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 1 Year     3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
- ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
<S>        <C>        <C>        <C>
   $51        $74        $98        $169
</TABLE>
 
THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES
OR RETURNS, AND ACTUAL EXPENSES OR RETURNS MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
The example is based on the expenses listed in the table. The 5% annual return
is not a prediction of and does not represent the Fund's return; rather it is
required by government regulation.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
2. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
    The following information represents selected data for a single share
outstanding of the Fund. This information has been audited in connection with an
audit of the Fund's financial statements by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
auditors. The financial statements and independent auditors' report thereon are
incorporated by reference into the SAI. Further information about the Fund's
performance is contained in the Fund's annual report to shareholders, which may
be obtained from the Trust without charge by contacting the Fund's transfer
agent.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                                  1998(a)
                                                           ---------------------
<S>                                                        <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period.....................         $ 10.00
                                                                  -------
Investment Operations:
  Net Investment Income (Loss)...........................            0.03
  Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
    Investments..........................................            1.32
                                                                  -------
Total from Investment Operations.........................            1.35
                                                                  -------
Distributions from:
  Net Investment Income..................................              --
  Net Realized Gain on Investments.......................              --
Total Distributions......................................            0.00
                                                                  -------
Net Asset Value, End of Period...........................         $ 11.35
                                                                  -------
Total Return(b)..........................................           13.50%(c)
Ratio/Supplementary Data:
Net Assets at End of Period (000's omitted)..............         $33,899
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
  Expenses Including Reimbursement/Waiver................            1.10%(d)
  Expenses Excluding Reimbursement/Waiver................            1.56%(d)
  Net Investment Income (Loss) Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver.................................            0.96%(d)
Average Commission Rate(e)...............................         $0.0760
Portfolio Turnover Rate..................................            0.00%
</TABLE>
 
(a) Investors Growth Fund commenced operations on December 12, 1997.
 
(b) Total return calculations do not include sales charge.
 
(c) Not annualized.
 
(d) Annualized.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
3. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGY
 
    The investment objective of the Investors Growth Fund is long-term capital
appreciation.
 
    The Fund intends to pursue its objective by investing primarily in common
stock of domestic companies that, in the view of the Adviser, possess above
average growth potential or attractive valuations when the valuations have not
yet been fully reflected in the market price of the companies' shares. Among the
relevant factors considered by the Adviser are the quality of a company's
management, position in the markets in which the company operates, the company's
financial position, and the company's historical and expected return on capital
and rate of earnings growth. In the context of these characteristics the Adviser
may invest in companies that may not have performed well in the recent past, but
have the potential for doing so in the future. Once companies are identified as
possible investments the Adviser utilizes various valuation measures and
technical analysis to determine those companies whose shares are attractively
priced for purchase. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least
65% of its assets in the common stock of domestic companies, without
concentration in any one industry.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    The Fund may invest in common and preferred stock. Common stockholders are
the owners of the company issuing the stock and, accordingly, vote on various
corporate governance matters such as mergers. They are not creditors of the
company, but rather, upon liquidation of the company, are entitled to their pro
rata share of the company's assets after creditors (including fixed income
security holders) and, if applicable, preferred stockholders are paid. Preferred
stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to dividends
and, in general, as to the recovery of investment. A preferred stockholder is a
shareholder in the company and not a creditor of the company, as is a holder of
the company's fixed income securities. Dividends paid to common and preferred
stockholders are distributions of the earnings of the company and not interest
payments, which are expenses of the company. Equity securities owned by the Fund
may be traded in the over-the counter market or on a securities exchange, but
may not be traded every day or in the volume typical of securities traded on a
major U.S. national securities exchange. As a result, disposition by the Fund of
a security to meet redemptions by interest holders or otherwise may require the
Fund to sell these securities at a discount from market prices, to sell during
periods when disposition is not desirable, or to make many small sales over a
lengthy period of time. The market value of all securities, including equity
securities, is based upon the market's perception of value and not necessarily
the book value of an issuer or other objective measure of a company's worth. The
Fund may also invest in warrants, which are options to purchase an equity
security at a specified price (usually representing a premium over the
applicable market value of the underlying equity security at the time of the
warrant's issuance) and usually during a specified period of time.
 
    In addition to common and preferred stock, the Fund may invest in
investment-grade convertible debt securities. The Fund also may invest in
American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") and
other similar securities of foreign issuers. The Fund expects foreign
investments to remain below 15% of the Fund's assets.
 
CERTAIN RISK CONSIDERATIONS
 
COMMON STOCK, PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANTS
 
    The fundamental risk of investing in common stock is the risk that the value
of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the
activities of an individual company or in response
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have
provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks
than preferred stocks, fixed-income and money market investments. The market
value of all securities, including equity securities, is based upon the market's
perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other
objective measure of a company's worth. Unlike preferred stocks and convertible
securities, warrants do not pay a fixed dividend. Investments in warrants
involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for the
resale of the warrants, potential price fluctuations as a result of speculation
or other factors and failure of the price of the underlying security to reach a
level at which the warrant can be prudently exercised (in which case the warrant
may expire without being exercised, resulting in the loss of the Fund's entire
investment therein). Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept the risks
of the stock market and should consider an investment in the Fund only as a part
of their overall investment portfolio.
 
INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN SECURITIES
 
    The Fund may invest in ADRs, EDRs and other similar investments of foreign
issuers. See "Additional Investment Policies" below. Investments in foreign
companies involve certain risks, such as exchange rate fluctuations, political
or economic instability of the issuer or the country of issue and the possible
imposition of exchange controls, withholding taxes on dividends or interest
payments, confiscatory taxes or expropriation. Foreign securities may also be
subject to greater fluctuations in price than securities of domestic
corporations denominated in U.S. dollars. Foreign securities and their markets
may not be as liquid as domestic securities and their markets, and foreign
brokerage commissions and custody fees are generally higher than those in the
United States. In addition, less information may be publicly available about a
foreign company than about a domestic company, and foreign companies may not be
subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards
comparable to those applicable to domestic companies.
 
4. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
The investment objective and all investment policies of the Fund that are
designated as fundamental may be changed only with the approval of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. A majority of
outstanding voting securities means the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares of the
Fund present or represented at a shareholder meeting at which the holders of
more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented, or (2) more
than 50% of outstanding shares. Unless otherwise indicated, all investment
policies are not fundamental and may be changed by the Trust's Board without
approval by shareholders of the Fund. For more information concerning
shareholder voting, see "Other Information" -- "The Trust and Its Shares."
 
DIVERSIFICATION AND CONCENTRATION
 
    The Fund is diversified as that term is defined in the Investment Company
Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). As a fundamental policy, with respect to 75% of
its assets, a diversified fund may not purchase a security (other than a U.S.
Government Security or shares of investment companies) if, as a result: (1) more
than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of a
single issuer; or (2) the Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of any single issuer. The Fund is prohibited from concentrating its
assets in the securities of issuers in any industry. As a fundamental policy,
the Fund may not purchase securities if, immediately after the purchase, more
than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the
securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same
industry. This limit does not apply to investments in U.S. Government
Securities, foreign government securities or repurchase agreements covering U.S.
Government Securities.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
The Fund reserves the right to invest up to 100% of its investable assets in one
or more investment companies.
 
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
    The Fund limits its purchase of illiquid securities. The Fund may not
knowingly acquire securities or invest in repurchase agreements with respect to
any securities if, as a result, more than 15% of the Fund's net assets taken at
current value would be invested in securities which are not readily marketable.
Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days
in the ordinary course of business at approximately the amount at which the Fund
has valued the securities and include, among other things, repurchase agreements
not entitling the holder to payment within seven days and restricted securities
(other than those determined to be liquid pursuant to guidelines established by
the Board). Under the supervision of the Board, the Adviser determines and
monitors the liquidity of the portfolio securities.
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
 
    The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements and may lend securities from
its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. These
investments may entail certain risks not associated with direct investments in
securities. For instance, in the event that bankruptcy or similar proceedings
were commenced against a counterparty in these transactions or a counterparty
defaulted on its obligations, the Fund may have difficulties in exercising its
rights to the underlying securities, may incur costs and experience time delays
in disposing of them and may suffer a loss.
 
    Repurchase agreements are transactions in which the Fund purchases a
security and simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller at an
agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon future date, normally one to seven days
later. The resale price reflects a market rate of interest that is not related
to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased security. When the Fund lends a
security it receives interest from the borrower or from investing cash
collateral. The Trust maintains possession of the purchased securities and any
underlying collateral in these transactions, the total market value of which on
a continuous basis is at least equal to the repurchase price or value of
securities loaned, plus accrued interest. The Fund may pay fees to arrange
securities loans and the Fund will limit securities lending to not more than 33
1/3% of the value of its total assets.
 
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
 
    Convertible securities, which include convertible debt, convertible
preferred stock and other securities exchangeable under certain circumstances
for shares of common stock, are fixed income securities or preferred stock which
generally may be converted at a stated price within a specific amount of time
into a specified number of shares of common stock. A convertible security
entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the dividend
paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed,
converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities have
characteristics similar to nonconvertible debt securities in that they
ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of
common stocks of the same or similar issuers. These securities are usually
senior to common stock in a company's capital structure, but usually are
subordinated to non-convertible debt securities. In general, the value of a
convertible security is the higher of its investment value (its value as a fixed
income security) and its conversion value (the value of the underlying shares of
common stock if the security is converted). As a fixed income security, the
value of a convertible security generally increases when interest rates decline
and generally decreases when interest rates rise. The value of a convertible
security is, however, also influenced by the value of the underlying common
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
stock. The Fund may only invest in convertible securities that are investment
grade. See Appendix A -- "Description of Securities Ratings" to the SAI.
 
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
 
    The Fund may invest in sponsored and unsponsored ADRs, EDRs and other
similar investments of foreign issuers. ADRs are receipts issued by an American
bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a
foreign issuer. Unsponsored ADRs may be created without the participation of the
foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR
facility, whereas foreign issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored
ADR. The bank or trust company depository of an unsponsored ADR may be under no
obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign
issuer or to pass through voting rights. The Fund also may invest in EDRs, which
are receipts issued by a European financial institution evidencing an
arrangement similar to that of ADRs, and in other similar instruments
representing securities of foreign companies. EDRs, in bearer form, are designed
for use in European securities markets.
 
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION
 
    When business or financial conditions warrant, the Fund may assume a
temporary defensive position and invest without limit in cash or prime quality
cash equivalents, including: (1) short-term U.S. Government Securities; (2)
certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances and interest-bearing savings
deposits of commercial banks doing business in the United States; (3) commercial
paper; (4) repurchase agreements; and (5) shares of money market funds
registered under the 1940 Act within the limits specified therein. During
periods when and to the extent that the Fund has assumed a temporary defensive
position, it may not be pursuing its investment objective. Prime quality
instruments are those that are rated in one of the two highest short-term rating
categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if not
rated, determined by the investment adviser to be of comparable quality. Apart
from temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may at any time invest a portion of
its assets in cash and cash equivalents as described above. Except during
periods when the Fund assumes a temporary defensive position, the Fund will have
at least 65% of its total assets invested in common stock.
 
CORE AND GATEWAY-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-
 
    The Fund may seek to achieve its investment objective by converting to a
Core and Gateway structure. The Fund, upon future action by the Board and notice
to shareholders, may convert to this structure, in which the Fund would hold as
its only investment security an interest in another investment company having
substantially the same investment objective and policies as the Fund. The Board
will not authorize conversion to a Core and Gateway structure if it would
materially increase costs to a Fund's shareholders.
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
    The frequency of portfolio transactions of the Fund (the portfolio turnover
rate) will vary from year to year depending on market conditions. The Fund may
engage in short-term trading, but its portfolio turnover rate is not expected to
exceed 100%. An annual portfolio turnover rate of 100% would occur if all the
securities in the Fund were replaced in a one year period. Higher portfolio
turnover and short-term trading involve correspondingly greater commission
expenses and transaction costs. The Adviser weighs the anticipated benefits of
short-term investments against these consequences. Higher portfolio turnover
rates may cause shareholders of the Fund to recognize gains for federal income
tax purposes. See "Tax Matters" in the SAI.
 
5. MANAGEMENT
 
    The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the
Board. The Board formulates the general policies of the Fund and
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
generally meets quarterly to review the results of the Fund, monitor investment
activities and practices and discuss other matters affecting the Fund and the
Trust. Information about the Trustees and the officers of the Trust is in the
SAI under "Management -- Trustees and Officers."
 
THE ADVISER
    Forum Investment Advisors, LLC serves as investment adviser to the Fund
under an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust. Subject to the general
supervision of the Board, the Adviser makes investment decisions for the Fund
and is responsible for, among other things, developing a continuing investment
program for the Fund in accordance with its investment objective and reviewing
the investment strategies and policies of the Fund. For its services, the
Adviser receives an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.65% of the Fund's
average daily net assets.
 
    Mark D. Kaplan, CFA, has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since the
Fund's inception on December 12, 1997. He is responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Fund's portfolio. Mr. Kaplan has over fourteen years of
experience in the investment industry and has been a Managing Director at FIA
since September 1995 where he is a senior portfolio manager. Prior to his
association with the Adviser, he was Managing Director and Director of Research
at H.M. Payson & Co., an investment advisory and trust services company. Before
that, Mr. Kaplan was a securities analyst in the investment division of UNUM
Life Insurance Company. Mr. Kaplan has a Masters in Business Administration from
Boston University.
 
    As of the date of this Prospectus each of the Adviser, FAdS, FFSI, FSS and
FAcS was controlled by John Y. Keffer, President and Chairman of the Trust and
were located at Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine, 04101. The Adviser
provides investment companies with assets of approximately 1.7 billion.
 
THE ADMINISTRATOR
 
    On behalf of the Fund, the Trust has entered into an Administration
Agreement with FAdS. Under the agreement, FAdS is responsible for the
supervision of the overall management of the Trust and providing the Trust with
general office facilities, necessary personnel necessary to help ensure the
effective operation of the Trust as well as persons satisfactory to the Board to
serve as officers of the Trust. For these services, FAdS is entitled to receive
a fee from the Fund computed and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.20% of the
Fund's average daily net assets.
 
    Under a Fund Accounting Agreement with the Trust, Forum Accounting Services,
LLC ("FAcS") performs portfolio accounting services for the Fund, including
determination of the Fund's net asset value. For its services FAcS is entitled
to receive a fee at an annual rate of $36,000 subject to adjustments for the
number and type of portfolio transactions.
 
    As of June 30, 1998, FAdS and its affiliates provided management,
administration and distribution services to registered investment companies and
collective investment funds with assets of approximately $38 billion.
 
THE DISTRIBUTOR
 
    Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, FFSI acts as distributor of
the Fund's shares. FFSI acts as the agent of the Trust in connection with the
offering of shares of the Fund. For these services, FFSI receives, and may
reallow to certain financial institutions, the sales charge paid by the
purchasers of the Fund's shares. FFSI may enter into arrangements with banks,
broker-dealers or other financial institutions ("Processing Organizations")
through which investors may purchase or redeem shares. FFSI may, at its own
expense and from its own resources, compensate certain persons who provide
services in connection with the sale or expected sale of shares of the Fund.
Investors purchasing shares of the Fund through another financial institution
should read any materials and
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
information provided by the financial institution to acquaint themselves with
its procedures and any fees that it may charge. FFSI is a registered broker-
dealer and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
    Shareholder inquiries and communications concerning the Fund may be directed
to FSS. Under a Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with the Trust, FSS acts
as the Fund's transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent. FSS maintains an
account for each shareholder of record, where all shares purchased are credited,
together with any distributions that are reinvested in additional shares. FSS
also performs other transfer agency functions and acts as dividend disbursing
agent for the Trust. For its services, FSS is entitled to receive a fee at an
annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets plus $12,000 per
year and annual shareholder fees of $18.00 per shareholder account.
 
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
 
    The Trust is obligated to pay for all of its expenses. The Fund's expenses
comprise Trust expenses attributable to the Fund and expenses not attributable
to any particular portfolio of the Trust, which are allocated among the Fund and
the portfolios in proportion to their average net assets. The Fund's expenses
include: interest charges; taxes; brokerage fees and commissions; certain
insurance premiums; applicable fees and expenses under the Trust's contracts
with the Adviser, FAdS, FSS, FAcS and any custodian; fees of pricing, interest,
dividend, credit and other reporting services; costs of membership in trade
associations; auditing, legal and compliance expenses; costs of preparing and
printing the Trust's prospectuses, statements of additional information and
shareholder reports and delivering them to existing shareholders; compensation
of certain of the Trust's trustees, officers and employees and other personnel
performing services for the Trust; and registration fees and related expenses.
 
    The Adviser, FAdS FSS, and FAcS, in their sole discretion, may waive all or
any portion of their respective fees, which are accrued daily and paid monthly.
Any such waiver, which could be discontinued at any time, would have the effect
of increasing the Fund's performance for the period during which the waiver was
in effect and would not be recouped at a later date.
 
YEAR 2000
 
    Like other mutual funds, financial and other business organizations and
individuals around the world, the Fund could be adversely affected if the
computer systems used by the Adviser and other service providers to the Fund do
not properly process and calculate date related information and data from and
after January 1, 2000. The Adviser and FAdS are taking steps to address the Year
2000 issue with respect to the computer systems that they use and to obtain
reasonable assurances that comparable steps are being taken by the Fund's other
major service providers. There can be no assurance, however, that these steps
will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact on the Fund from this problem.
 
6. PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES
 
    Investments in the Fund may be made either by an investor directly or
through certain brokers and financial institutions of which the investor is a
customer. All transactions in Fund shares are effected through FSS, which
accepts orders for purchases and redemptions from shareholders of record and new
investors. Shareholders of record will receive from the Trust periodic
statements listing all account activity during the statement period. The Trust
reserves the right in the future to modify, limit or terminate any shareholder
privilege upon appropriate notice to shareholders and charge a fee for certain
shareholder services, although no such fees are currently contemplated.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
PURCHASES
 
    Fund shares are sold at a price equal to their net asset value
next-determined plus any applicable sales charge on all weekdays except days
when the New York Stock Exchange is closed ("Business Day"). Normally, the new
York Stock Exchange is closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Fund shares are issued immediately after an
order for the shares in proper form is accepted by FSS. The Fund's net asset
value is calculated at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time on each Business Day. Fund shares
become entitled to receive dividends on the next Business Day after the order is
accepted.
 
    The Fund reserves the right to reject any subscription for the purchase of
its shares. Share certificates are only issued to shareholders of record upon
their written request and no certificates are issued for fractional shares.
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
    Fund shares may be redeemed without charge at their net asset value on any
Business Day. There is no minimum period of investment and no restriction on the
frequency of redemptions. Fund shares are redeemed as of the Fund's
next-determined net asset value after FSS receives the redemption order in
proper form (and any supporting documentation which FSS may require). Shares
redeemed are not entitled to receive dividends declared after the day on which
the redemption becomes effective.
 
    Normally, redemption proceeds are paid immediately, but in no event later
than seven days after a redemption order is accepted. Proceeds of redemption
requests (and exchanges), however, will not be paid unless any check used for
investment has been cleared by the shareholder's bank, which may take up to 15
calendar days. This delay may be avoided by investing through wire transfers.
Unless otherwise indicated, redemption proceeds normally are paid by check and
mailed to the shareholder's record address. The right of redemption may not be
suspended nor the payment dates postponed except when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (or when trading is restricted) for any reason other than its
customary weekend or holiday closings or under any emergency or other
circumstance as determined by the SEC.
 
    Proceeds of redemptions normally are paid in cash. However, payments may be
made wholly or partially in portfolio securities if the Board determines that
payment in cash would be detrimental to the best interests of the Fund. The
Trust will only effect a redemption in portfolio securities if the particular
shareholder is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's net assets,
whichever is less, during any 90-day period.
 
    The Trust employs reasonable procedures to ensure that telephone orders are
genuine, including the recording of certain transactions. If the Trust did not
employ such procedures it could be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions. Shareholders should verify the accuracy of
telephone instructions immediately upon receipt of confirmation statements.
During times of drastic economic or market changes, the telephone redemption and
exchange privileges may be difficult to implement. In the event that a
shareholder is unable to reach FSS by telephone, requests may be mailed or
hand-delivered to FSS
 
    Due to the cost to the Trust of maintaining smaller accounts, the Trust
reserves the right to redeem, upon not less than 60 days' written notice, all
shares in any Fund account with an aggregate net asset value of less than
$1,000. The Trust will not redeem accounts that fall below that amount solely as
a result of a reduction in net asset value.
 
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
 
    The following purchase and redemption procedures and shareholder services
apply to investors who invest in the Fund directly. These inves-
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
tors may open an account by completing the account application or by contacting
FSS at the address on the first page of this Prospectus. To change information
on a shareholder's account (such as addresses), investors should request an
Optional Services Form from FSS.
 
INITIAL PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
    There is a $2,000 minimum for initial investments in the Fund ($1,000 for
individual retirement accounts).
 
    MAIL.  Investors may send a check made payable to the Trust along with a
completed account application for the Fund to FSS at the address on the first
page of this Prospectus. Checks are accepted at full value subject to
collection. If a check does not clear, the purchase order will be canceled and
the investor will be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Trust, FSS or
FFSI.
 
    BANK WIRE.  To make an initial investment in the Fund using the wire system
for transmittal of money among banks, an investor should first telephone the
Trust at (207) 879-0001 or 800-94FORUM (800-943-6786) to obtain an account
number. The investor should then instruct a bank to wire the investor's money
immediately to:
 
 BankBoston
 Boston, Massachusetts
 ABA# 011000390
 For Credit To: Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
 Account #: 541-54171
     Re: Investors Growth Fund
     (Investor's Name)
     (Investor's Account Number)
 
    The investor should then promptly complete and mail the account application.
Investors planning to wire funds should instruct the bank early in the day so
the wire transfer can be received prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the same
day. The bank may impose a charge for transmitting payment by wire, and there
also may be a charge for the use of Federal funds.
 
SUBSEQUENT PURCHASES OF SHARES
 
    There is a $250 minimum for subsequent purchases. Subsequent purchases may
be made by mailing a check, by sending a wire as indicated above. Shareholders
using the wire system for subsequent purchases should first telephone the Trust
at (207) 879-0001 or 800-94FORUM (800-943-6786) to notify it of the wire
transfer. All payments should clearly indicate the shareholder's name and
account number.
 
    AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT.  Shareholders may purchase Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic transfer of funds from a
designated bank account maintained with a United States banking institution
which is an Automated Clearing House member. Under the program, existing
shareholders may authorize amounts of $250 or more to be debited from their bank
account and invested in the Fund monthly or quarterly. Shareholders wishing to
participate in this program may obtain the applicable forms from FSS.
Shareholders may terminate their automatic investments or change the amount to
be invested at any time by written notification to FSS.
 
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
    Shareholders that wish to redeem shares by telephone or receive redemption
proceeds by wire must elect these options by properly completing the appropriate
sections of their account application. These privileges may not be available
until several weeks after a shareholder's application is received. Shares for
which certificates have been issued may not be redeemed by telephone.
 
    MAIL.  Shareholders may make a redemption in any amount by sending a written
request to FSS accompanied by any share certificate that was issued to the
shareholder. All share certificates submitted for redemption must be signed by
the shareholder with a signature guarantee. All written requests for redemption
must be signed by the
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
shareholder and, in some cases, must have a signature guarantee. See "Purchases
and Redemptions of Shares -- Other Redemption Matters."
 
    TELEPHONE.  A shareholder that has elected telephone redemption privileges
may make a telephone redemption request by calling FSS at (207) 879-0001 or
800-94FORUM (800-943-6786) and providing the shareholder's account number, the
exact name in which the shares are registered, the shareholder's social security
or taxpayer identification number. The Trust or FSS may employ other procedures
such as recording certain transactions to ensure telephone instructions are
genuine. If such procedures are followed, neither the Trust nor FSS will be
liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent redemption requests. In
response to the telephone redemption instruction, the Fund will mail a check to
the shareholder's record address or, if the shareholder has elected wire
redemption privileges, wire the proceeds.
 
    BANK WIRE.  For redemptions of more than $5,000, a shareholder that has
elected wire redemption privileges may request the Fund to transmit the
redemption proceeds by Federal funds wire to a bank account designated on the
shareholder's account application. To request wire redemptions by telephone, the
shareholder also must have elected the telephone redemption privilege on the
account application. Redemption proceeds are transmitted by wire on the next
business day after the redemption request in proper form is received by FSS.
 
    AUTOMATIC REDEMPTIONS.  Shareholders may redeem Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic redemption of shares from
their Fund account. Redemption proceeds are sent either by check or by automatic
transfer to a designated bank account maintained with a United States banking
institution that is an Automated Clearing House member. Under this program,
shareholders may authorize the redemption of shares in amounts of $250 or more
from their account monthly or quarterly. Shareholders may terminate their
automatic redemptions or change the amount to be redeemed at any time by written
notification to FSS.
 
    OTHER REDEMPTION MATTERS.  To protect shareholders and the Fund against
fraud, signatures on certain requests must have a signature guarantee. Requests
must be made in writing and include a signature guarantee for any of the
following transactions: (1) any endorsement on a stock certificate; (2) written
instruction to redeem Shares whose value exceeds $50,000; (3) instructions to
change a shareholder's record name; (4) redemption in an account in which the
account address or account registration has changed within the last 30 days; (5)
the proceeds are not being sent to the address of record, preauthorized bank
account, or preauthorized brokerage firm account; (6) proceeds are to be paid to
someone other than the registered owners or to an account with a different
registration; or (7) change of automatic investment or redemption, dividend
election, telephone redemption or exchange option election or any other option
election in connection with the shareholder's account.
 
    Signature guarantees may be provided by any eligible institution acceptable
to FSS, including a bank, a broker, a dealer, a national securities exchange, a
credit union, or a savings association that is authorized to guarantee
signatures. Whenever a signature guarantee is required, the signature of each
person required to sign for the account must be guaranteed. A notarized
signature is not sufficient.
 
    FSS will deem a shareholder's account "lost" if correspondence to the
shareholder's address of record is returned as undeliverable, unless FSS
determines the shareholder's new address. When an account is deemed lost all
distributions on the account will be reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund. In addition, the amount of any outstanding (unpaid for six months or more)
checks for distributions that have been returned to the
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
Transfer Agent will be reinvested and the checks will be canceled.
 
SALES CHARGES
 
    The public offering price for shares of the Fund is the sum of the net asset
value of the shares being purchased plus any applicable sales charge. No sales
charge is assessed on the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions. The
sales charge is assessed for the Fund as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               SALES CHARGE
                                 AS % OF
                       ----------------------------
<S>                    <C>            <C>            <C>
                          PUBLIC
                         OFFERING       NET ASSET        DEALERS'
 AMOUNT OF PURCHASE        PRICE         VALUE*         REALLOWANCE
- ---------------------  -------------  -------------  -----------------
less than $100,000...         4.00%          4.17%            3.50%
$100,000 but less
 than $200,000.......         3.50           3.63             3.10
$200,000 but less
 than $400,000.......         3.00           3.09             2.70
$400,000 but less
 than $600,000.......         2.50           2.56             2.25
$600,000 but less
 than $800,000.......         2.00           2.04             1.75
$800,000 but less
 than $1,000,000.....         1.50           1.52             1.30
$1,000,000 and up....         0.50           0.50             0.40
</TABLE>
 
*   Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.
 
    FFSI's commission is the sales charge shown above less any applicable
discount reallowed to Processing Organizations (including banks and bank
affiliates purchasing shares as principal or agent). Normally, FFSI will reallow
discounts to Processing Organizations in the amounts indicated in the table
above. From time to time, however, FFSI may elect to reallow the entire sales
charge to Processing Organizations for all sales with respect to which orders
are placed with FFSI during a particular period. The dealers' reallowance may be
changed from time to time.
 
    In addition, from time to time and at its own expense, FFSI may provide
compensation, including financial assistance, to dealers in connection with
conferences, sales or training programs for their employees, seminars for the
public, advertising campaigns or other dealer-sponsored special events.
Compensation may include: (1) the provision of travel arrangements and lodging,
(2) tickets for entertainment events and (3) merchandise.
 
    No sales charge will be assessed on purchases made for investment purposes
by: (1) any bank, trust company, savings association or similar institution with
whom FFSI has entered into a share purchase agreement acting on behalf of the
institution's fiduciary customer accounts or any account maintained by its trust
department (including a pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit trust
created pursuant to a qualified retirement plan); (2) any registered investment
adviser with whom FFSI has entered into a share purchase agreement and which is
acting on behalf of its fiduciary customer accounts; (3) any registered
investment adviser which is acting on behalf of its fiduciary customer accounts
and for which it provides additional investment advisory services; (4) any
broker-dealer with whom FFSI has entered into a Processing Organization
Agreement and a Fee-Based or Wrap Account Agreement and which is acting on
behalf of its fee-based program clients; (5) directors and officers of the
Trust; directors, officers and full-time employees of the Advisor, FFSI, any of
their affiliates or any organization with which FFSI has entered into a
Processing Organization Agreement; the spouse, sibling, direct ancestor or
direct descendent (collectively, "relatives") of any such person; any trust or
individual retirement account or self-employed retirement plan for the benefit
of any such person or relative; or the estate of any such person or relative;
(6) any person who has, within the preceding 90 days, redeemed Fund shares (but
only on purchases in amounts not exceeding the redeemed amounts) and completes a
reinstatement form upon investment; (7) persons who exchange into a Fund from a
mutual fund other than a fund of the Trust that participates in the Trust's
exchange program, See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares -- Exchange Program;"
and (8) employee benefit plans qualified under Section 401 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Trust may require appropriate
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
documentation from an investor concerning that investor's eligibility to
purchase Fund shares without a sales charge. Any shares so purchased may not be
resold except to the Fund.
 
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
 
    For an investor to qualify for a reduced sales charge as described below,
the investor must notify FSS at the time of purchase. Programs for reduced sales
charges may be modified or terminated at any time and are subject to
confirmation of an investor's holdings.
 
    RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION.  An investor's purchase of additional shares of the
Fund may qualify for rights of accumulation ("ROA") wherein the applicable sales
charge will be based on the total of the investor's current purchase and the net
asset value (at the end of the previous Fund Business Day) of shares of the Fund
held by the investor. For example, if an investor owned shares of the Fund worth
$400,000 at the then current net asset value and purchased shares of the Fund
worth an additional $50,000, the sales charge for the $50,000 purchase would be
at the 2.50% rate applicable to a single $450,000 purchase, rather than at the
4.0% rate. To qualify for ROA on a purchase, the investor must inform the
Transfer Agent and supply sufficient information to verify that each purchase
qualifies for the privilege or discount.
 
    LETTER OF INTENT.  Investors may also obtain reduced sales charges based on
cumulative purchases by means of a written Letter of Intent ("LOI"), which
expresses the investor's intention to invest $100,000 or more within a period of
13 months in shares of the Fund. Each purchase of shares under a LOI will be
made at the public offering price applicable at the time of the purchase to a
single transaction of the dollar amount indicated in the LOI.
 
    An LOI is not a binding obligation upon the investor to purchase the full
amount indicated. Shares purchased with the first 5% of the amount indicated in
the LOI will be held subject to a registered pledge (while remaining registered
in the name of the investor) to secure payment of the higher sales charge
applicable to the shares actually purchased if the full amount indicated is not
purchased within 13 months. Pledged shares will be involuntarily redeemed to pay
the additional sales charge, if necessary. When the full amount indicated has
been purchased, the shares will be released from pledge. Share certificates are
not issued for shares purchased under an LOI. Investors wishing to enter into an
LOI can obtain a form of LOI from their broker or financial institution or by
contacting FSS.
 
EXCHANGES
 
EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
 
    Fund shareholders are entitled to exchange their shares for shares of any
other fund of the Trust or any other fund that participates in the exchange
program and whose shares are eligible for sale in the shareholder's state of
residence. Exchanges may only be made between accounts registered in the same
name. When a shareholder exchanges shares, a completed account application must
be submitted to open a new account in a Fund if the shareholder requests any
shareholder privilege not associated with the existing account. Exchanges are
subject to the fees and the restrictions including minimum investment
requirements listed in the prospectus for the fund into which a shareholder is
exchanging. The Fund does not charge for exchanges, and there is currently no
limit on the number of exchanges a shareholder may make.
 
    The Trust (and Federal tax law) treats an exchange as a redemption of the
shares owned and the purchase of the shares of the fund being acquired.
Redemptions and purchases are effected at the respective net asset values of the
two funds as next determined after all proper instructions and all necessary
supporting documents by the fund whose shares are being exchanged are received
by FSS.
 
    If a shareholder exchanges into a fund that imposes a sales charge, that
shareholder is
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
required to pay the difference between that fund's sales charge and any sales
charge the shareholder has previously paid in connection with the shares being
exchanged. For example, if a shareholder paid a 2% sales charge in connection
with the purchase of the shares of a fund and then exchanged those shares into
another fund with a 3% sales charge, that shareholder would pay an additional 1%
sales charge on the exchange. Shares acquired through the reinvestment of
dividends and distributions are deemed to have been acquired with a sales charge
rate equal to that paid on the shares on which the dividend or distribution was
paid. The exchange privilege may be modified materially or terminated by the
Trust at any time upon 60 days' notice to shareholders.
 
    MAIL.  Exchanges may be accomplished by written instructions to FSS
accompanied by any share certificate that may have been issued to the
shareholder. All written requests for exchanges must be signed by the
shareholder (a signature guarantee is not required) and all certificates
submitted for exchange must be endorsed by the shareholder with a signature
guarantee.
 
    TELEPHONE.  Exchanges may be accomplished by telephone by any shareholder
that has elected telephone exchange privileges by calling FSS at (207) 879-0001
or 800-94FORUM (800-943-6786) and providing the shareholder's account number,
the exact name in which the shareholder's shares are registered and the
shareholder's social security or taxpayer identification number.
 
RETIREMENT PROGRAMS
 
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
 
    The Fund should not be considered as a complete investment vehicle for the
assets held in individual retirement accounts ("IRAs"). The minimum initial
investment for an IRA is $2,000, and the minimum subsequent investment is $500.
Individuals may make tax-deductible IRA contributions of up to a maximum of
$2,000 annually. However, this deduction will be reduced if the individual or,
in the case of a married individual filing jointly, either the individual or the
individual's spouse is an active participant in an employer-sponsored retirement
plan and has adjusted gross income above certain levels.
 
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
    The Fund may be a suitable investment vehicle for part or all of the assets
held in various employee benefit plans, including 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and
SARSEPs.
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
    Shares may be purchased and redeemed through certain broker-dealers, banks,
trust companies and their affiliates, and other financial institutions,
including affiliates of the Transfer Agent. Processing Organizations may receive
as a dealer's reallowance a portion of the sales charge paid by their customers
who purchase Fund shares. In addition, Processing Organizations may charge their
customers a fee for their services and are responsible for promptly transmitting
purchase, redemption and other requests to the Fund. The Trust is not
responsible for the failure of any Processing Organization to promptly forward
these requests.
 
    Investors who purchase shares through a Processing Organization may be
charged a fee if they effect transactions in Fund shares through a broker or
agent and will be subject to the procedures of their Processing Organization,
which may include limitations, investment minimums, cutoff times and
restrictions in addition to, or different from, those applicable to shareholders
who invest in the Fund directly. These investors should acquaint themselves with
their Processing Organization's procedures and should read this Prospectus in
conjunction with any materials and information provided by their Processing
Organization. Customers who purchase Fund shares through a Processing
Organization may or may not be the shareholder of record and, subject to their
Processing Organization's and the Fund's procedures, may have Fund shares
transferred into their name. Under their arrangements with the Trust,
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
broker-dealer Processing Organizations are not generally required to deliver
payment for purchase orders until several business days after a purchase order
has been received by a Fund. Certain other Processing Organizations may also
enter purchase orders with payment to follow.
 
    Certain shareholder services may not be available to shareholders who have
purchased shares through a Processing Organization. These shareholders should
contact their Processing Organization for further information. The Trust may
confirm purchases and redemptions of a Processing Organization's customers
directly to the Processing Organization, which in turn will provide its
customers with such confirmations and periodic statements as may be required by
law or agreed to between the Processing Organization and its customers. The
Trust is not responsible for the failure of any Processing Organization to carry
out its obligations to its customer. Certain states permit shares of the Fund to
be purchased and redeemed only through registered broker-dealers, including the
Fund's distributor.
 
7.  DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Distributions of the Fund's net investment income, if any, are declared and
paid quarterly. Any distributions of net capital gain realized by the Fund are
distributed annually.
 
    Shareholders may choose either to have distributions of net investment
income reinvested in additional Fund shares or paid in cash or to have
distributions of net capital gain reinvested in additional Fund shares or paid
in cash. All distributions are treated in the same manner for Federal income tax
purposes whether paid in cash or reinvested in Fund shares.
 
    Distributions are reinvested at the Fund's net asset value as of the payment
date of the distribution. All distributions are reinvested unless another option
is selected. All dividends not reinvested are paid to the shareholder in cash
and may be paid more than seven days following the date on which dividends would
otherwise be reinvested.
 
TAXES
 
    The Fund intends to qualify for each fiscal year to be taxed as a "regulated
investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As
such, the Fund will not be liable for Federal income taxes on the net investment
income and net capital gain distributed to its shareholders. Because the Fund
intends to distribute all of its net investment income and net capital gain each
year, the Fund should avoid all Federal income and excise taxes.
 
    Dividends paid by the Fund out of its net investment income (including any
realized net short-term capital gain) are taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income. Distributions of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net gain from
capital assets held for more than one year over net loss from capital assets
held for not more than one year) will be treated in the hands of shareholders as
long-term capital gain regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares in
the Fund. If Fund shares are sold at a loss after being held for six months or
less, the loss will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any
distribution of net capital gain received on those shares.
 
    Any dividend or distribution received by a shareholder reduces the net asset
value of the shareholder's shares by the amount of the dividend or distribution.
To the extent that the income or gain comprising a dividend or distribution was
accrued by the Fund before the shareholder purchased the shares, the dividend or
distribution would be in effect a return of capital to the shareholder. All
dividends and distributions, including those that operate as a return of
capital, however, are taxable as described above to the shareholder receiving
them regardless of the length of time he may have held shares prior to the
dividend or distribution.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    It is expected that a portion of the Fund's dividends to shareholders will
qualify for the dividends received deduction for corporations.
 
    The Fund may be required by Federal law to withhold 31% of reportable
payments (which may include dividends, capital gain distributions and redemption
proceeds) paid to individuals and certain other non-corporate shareholders.
Withholding is not required if a shareholder certifies that the shareholder's
social security or tax identification number provided to the Fund is correct and
that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding.
 
    Reports containing appropriate information with respect to the Federal
income tax status of dividends and distributions paid during the year by the
Fund will be mailed to shareholders shortly after the close of each year.
 
    The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important Federal tax
considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders. There may be
other Federal, state or local tax considerations applicable to a particular
investor. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisers.
 
8. OTHER INFORMATION
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
    The Fund's performance may be quoted in advertising in terms of yield or
total return. Both types of performance are based on historical results and are
not intended to indicate future performance. The Fund's yield measures the rate
of income earned by the Fund as a percentage of the Fund's share price. Yield is
calculated by dividing the net investment income of the Fund for the stated
period by the average number of shares entitled to receive dividends and
expressing the result as an annualized percentage rate based on the Fund's share
price at the end of the period. Total return refers to the average annual
compounded rates of return over some representative period that would equate an
initial amount invested at the beginning of a stated period to the ending
redeemable value of the investment, after giving effect to the reinvestment of
all dividends and distributions and deductions of expenses during the period.
The Fund may also advertise its total return over different periods of time or
by means of aggregate, average, year by year, or other types of total return
figures. Because average annual returns tend to smooth out variations in the
Fund's returns, shareholders should recognize that they are not the same as
actual year-by-year results. A computation of yield or total return that does
not take into account the sales load paid by an investor will be higher than a
computation based on the public offering price of the shares purchased that does
take into account payment of a sales load.
 
    The Fund's advertisements may refer to ratings and rankings among similar
funds by independent evaluators such as Morningstar, Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc. or IBC/Donoghue, Inc. In addition, the performance of the Fund may be
compared to recognized indices of market performance. The comparative material
found in the Fund's advertisements, sales literature or reports to shareholders
may contain performance ratings. These are not to be considered representative
or indicative of future performance.
 
BANKING LAW MATTERS
 
    Banking laws and regulations generally permit a bank or bank affiliate to
purchase shares of an investment company as agent for and upon the order of a
customer and in the view of FFSI would permit a bank or bank affiliate to serve
as a Processing Organization or perform sub-transfer agent or similar services
for the Trust and its shareholders. If a bank or bank affiliate were prohibited
from performing all or a part of the foregoing services, its shareholder
customers would be permitted to remain shareholders of the Trust and alternative
means for continuing to service them would be sought. It is not expected that
shareholders would suffer adverse financial consequences as
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
a result of any changes in bank or bank affiliate service arrangements.
 
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
 
    The Trust determines the net asset value per share of the Fund as of 4:00
p.m., Eastern time, on each Business Day by dividing the value of the Fund's net
assets (i.e., the value of its portfolio securities and other assets less its
liabilities) by the number of the Fund's shares outstanding at the time the
determination is made. Securities owned by the Fund for which market quotations
are readily available are valued at current market value or, in their absence,
at fair value as determined by procedures approved by the Board. Purchases and
redemptions are effected at the net asset value next-determined after any
purchase or redemption order is processed.
 
THE TRUST AND ITS SHARES
 
    The Trust was originally incorporated in Maryland on March 24, 1980, and
assumed the name of Forum Funds, Inc. on March 16, 1987. On January 5, 1996,
Forum Funds, Inc. was reorganized as a Delaware business trust under the name
Forum Funds.
 
    The Trust has an unlimited number of authorized shares of beneficial
interest. The Board may, without shareholder approval, divide the authorized
shares into an unlimited number of separate portfolios or series (such as the
Fund) and may in the future divide portfolios or series into two or more classes
of shares (such as Investor and Institutional Shares). Currently the authorized
shares of the Trust are divided into 23 separate series.
 
    Each share of each fund of the Trust has equal dividend, distribution,
liquidation and voting rights, and fractional shares have those rights
proportionately, except that expenses related to the distribution of the shares
of each class (and certain other expenses such as transfer agency and
administrative expenses) are borne solely by those shares and each class votes
separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1 plan which pertain
to the class and other matters for which separate class voting is appropriate
under applicable law. Generally, shares will be voted in the aggregate without
reference to a particular portfolio, except if the matter affects only one
portfolio or voting by portfolio or class is required by law, in which case
shares will be voted separately by portfolio. Delaware law does not require the
Trust to hold annual meetings of shareholders, and it is anticipated that
shareholder meetings will be held only when specifically required by Federal or
state law. Shareholders (and Trustees) have available certain procedures for the
removal of Trustees. There are no conversion or preemptive rights in connection
with shares of the Trust. All shares when issued in accordance with the terms of
the offering will be fully paid and nonassessable. Shares are redeemable at net
asset value, at the option of the shareholders, subject to any contingent
deferred sales charge that may apply. A shareholder in a portfolio is entitled
to the shareholder's pro rata share of all dividends and distributions arising
from that portfolio's assets and, upon redeeming shares, will receive the
portion of the portfolio's net assets represented by the redeemed shares.
 
    From time to time, certain shareholders may own a large percentage of the
shares of the Fund. Accordingly, those shareholders may be able to greatly
affect (if not determine) the outcome of a shareholder vote. As of July 1, 1998,
National City Bank of Evansville Firstrust Co. may be deemed to have controlled
the Fund through investment in the Fund by their customers.
 
    NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE SAI AND THE
FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OF THE FUND'S
SHARES, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE TRUST. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH OFFER
MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>




                              [APPLICATION FORM
                                   PAGE 1]

<PAGE>




                              [APPLICATION FORM
                                   PAGE 2]

<PAGE>

                                                                       [GRAPHIC]

[LOGO]

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION:
FORUM SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, LLC
P.O. BOX 446
PORTLAND, ME  04112
207-879-0001 (IN PORTLAND, ME)
800-94FORUM (ELSEWHERE)
<PAGE>

[GRAPHIC]


                                      PROSPECTUS




                                    AUSTIN GLOBAL
                                     EQUITY FUND




                                     FORUM FUNDS
                                    AUGUST 1, 1998
<PAGE>
FORUM FUNDS
 
AUSTIN GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
 
                                                                      PROSPECTUS
 
                                                                  August 1, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING:
 
       Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
       P.O. Box 446
       Portland, Maine 04112
       (207) 879-0001
       (800) 754-8759
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
This Prospectus offers shares of the Austin Global Equity Fund (the "Fund"), a
diversified portfolio of Forum Funds (the "Trust"), an open-end, management
investment company.
 
    AUSTIN GLOBAL EQUITY FUND.  The investment objective of the Fund is to seek
    capital appreciation by investing primarily in a portfolio of common stock
    and securities convertible into common stock.
 
Shares of the Fund are offered to investors without any sales charge, but the
Fund may bear certain of its distribution expenses.
 
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information a prospective investor
should know about the Trust and the Fund before investing. The Trust has filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a Statement of Additional
Information dated August 1, 1998, as may be amended from time to time (the
"SAI"), which contains more detailed information about Trust and the Fund and is
available together with other related materials for reference on the SEC's
Internet Web Site (http://www.sec.gov). The SAI, which is incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus is also available without charge by contacting
Forum Shareholder Services, LLC, the Fund's transfer agent, at the address and
the telephone numbers printed above.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Page
                                                             -----
<C>          <S>                                           <C>
        1.   Prospectus Summary..........................           2
        2.   Financial Highlights........................           4
        3.   Investment Objective and Policies...........           5
        4.   Additional Investment Policies..............           7
 
<CAPTION>
                                                              Page
                                                             -----
<C>          <S>                                           <C>
        5.   Management..................................           9
        6.   Purchases and Redemptions of Shares.........          11
        7.   Distributions and Tax Matters...............          16
        8.   Other Information...........................          17
             Appendix....................................         A-1
</TABLE>
 
   INVESTORS SHOULD READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
1. PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
    The Fund seeks capital appreciation by investing primarily in a portfolio of
common stock and securities convertible into common stock. The Fund invests
primarily in issuers based in the United States, Europe, Japan and the Pacific
Basin. See "Investment Objective and Policies."
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
    Austin Investment Management, Inc. (The "Adviser") serves as the investment
adviser to the Fund. The Adviser is located at 375 Park Avenue, New York, New
York 10152.
 
FUND MANAGEMENT
 
    The administrator of the Trust is Forum Administrative Services, LLC
("FAdS") and the distributor of its shares is Forum Financial Services, Inc.
("FFSI"). Forum Shareholder Services, LLC ("FSS") serves as the Trust's transfer
agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent and Forum
Accounting Services, LLC provides portfolio accounting for the Trust. FAdS,
FFSI, FSS, and FAcS are located at Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
See "Management."
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
 
    Shares of the Fund are offered at their next-determined net asset value
without a sales charge. Shares may be purchases or redeemed by mail, by bank
wire and through an investor's broker-dealer or other financial institution. The
minimum initial investment is $10,000. Shares of the Fund may be redeemed
without charge. See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares."
 
    Shares of the Fund are not offered for sale in every state. To determine
whether the Fund is available for purchase in a particular state, contact FSS at
the address or numbers listed on the first page of the Prospectus.
 
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
 
    Shareholders of the Fund may exchange their Shares, without charge, for
shares of the Daily Assets Government Fund, Investor Shares class, a money
market fund of the Trust offered by a separate prospectus. See "Purchases and
Redemptions of Shares -- Exchanges."
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    The Fund distributes its net investment income and net capital gain , if
any, at least annually. All distributions are reinvested automatically in
additional shares of the Fund at net asset value unless a shareholder has
notified the Fund in writing of the shareholder's election to receive
distributions in cash. See "Distributions and Taxes."
 
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS
 
    There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective, and the Fund's net asset value will fluctuate based upon changes in
the value of its portfolio securities. The foreign securities and related
transactions in which the Fund may invest entail certain risks not associated
with investment in domestic securities. See "Foreign Securities." In addition,
the hedging strategies in which the Fund may engage entail additional risks. See
"Hedging Strategies." The Fund is not intended to provide a complete or balanced
investment program for all investors.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
EXPENSES OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
 
    The purpose of the following table is to assist investors in understanding
the various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly
or indirectly. There are no transaction or sales charges associated with
purchases or redemptions of Fund shares.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average net
 assets after applicable fee
 waivers)
 
Advisory Fees (after fee
 waivers)........................        1.31%
12b-1 Fees.......................        0.00%
Other Expenses...................        1.19%
                                        ------
Total Fund Operating Expenses....        2.50%
</TABLE>
 
    The Annual Fund Operating Expenses are based on expenses and assets of the
Fund during its most recent fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. Absent certain
expense reimbursements and fee waivers during the most recent fiscal year, the
Advisory Fees, Other Expenses, and Total Fund Operating Expenses would be 1.50%,
1.19%, and 2.69%, respectively. The Adviser has voluntarily undertaken to waive
a portion of its fees and assume certain expense of the Fund to the extent that
total expenses exceed 2.50%. Expense reimbursements and fee waivers are
voluntary and may be reduced or eliminated at any time. For a further
description of the various expenses incurred in the Fund's operation, see
"Management."
 
EXAMPLE
 
    The following is a hypothetical example that indicates the dollar amount of
expenses an investor would pay assuming a (1) a $1,000 investment, (2) a 5%
annual return, (3) a reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and (4)
full redemption at the end of each period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  1 YEAR   3 YEARS   5 YEARS   10 YEARS
  ------   -------   -------   --------
  <S>      <C>       <C>       <C>
   $25       $78       $133      $284
</TABLE>
 
THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES
OR RETURN. ACTUAL EXPENSES AND RETURN MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN INDICATED. The
example is based on the expenses listed in the table. The 5% annual return is
not a prediction of and does not represent the Fund's projected returns; rather,
it is required by government regulation.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
2. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
    The following represents selected data for a single share outstanding of the
Fund. The information for the periods ending March 31, 1998 and 1997 and June
30, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was audited in connection with an audit of the Trust's
financial statements by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors. The
financial statements and auditors' report thereon are incorporated by reference
into the SAI. Further information about the Fund's performance is contained in
the Fund's Annual Report, which may be obtained from the Trust without charge by
contacting the Fund's transfer agent.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            YEAR                          YEAR         YEAR         PERIOD
                                            ENDED       NINE MONTHS      ENDED        ENDED         ENDED
                                          MARCH 31,     ENDED MARCH     JUNE 30,     JUNE 30,      JUNE 30,
                                            1998         31, 1997         1996         1995        1994(a)
                                          ---------     -----------     --------     --------     ----------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>             <C>          <C>          <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period....   $ 12.84        $ 13.19       $  11.60     $   9.80      $ 10.00
                                          ---------     -----------     --------     --------     ----------
Investment Operations:
  Net Investment Income (Loss)..........     (0.07)         (0.11)         (0.12)        0.04(b)     (0.03)
  Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
    (Loss) on Investments...............      4.95           0.86           1.98         1.76        (0.17)
                                          ---------     -----------     --------     --------     ----------
  Total from Investment Operations......      4.88           0.75           1.86         1.80        (0.20)
Distributions from:
  Net Realized Gain on Investments......     (1.45)         (1.10)         (0.27)          --           --
                                          ---------     -----------     --------     --------     ----------
Net Asset Value, End of Period..........   $ 16.27        $ 12.84       $  13.19     $  11.60      $  9.80
                                          ---------     -----------     --------     --------     ----------
                                          ---------     -----------     --------     --------     ----------
Total Return(b).........................     39.88%          5.38%(c)      16.22%       18.37%       (3.57)%
Ratio/Supplementary Data:
Net Assets at End of Period (000's
 omitted)...............................   $15,379        $10,289       $ 10,326     $  8,474      $ 7,646
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses Including
 Reimbursement/Waiver...................      2.50%          2.50%(d)       2.50%        2.50%        2.36%(d)
Expenses Excluding
 Reimbursement/Waiver...................      2.69%          3.38%(d)       3.25%        3.19%        4.18%(d)
Net Investment Income (Loss) Including
 Reimbursement/Waiver...................     (0.50)%        (1.09)%(d)     (0.98)%       0.41%       (0.83)%(d)
Average Commission Rate(e)..............   $0.0681        $0.0383       $ 0.0542          N/A          N/A
Portfolio Turnover Rate.................     57.37%         44.79%         93.55%       35.31%        2.49%
</TABLE>
 
(a) The Fund Commenced operations on December 8, 1993.
 
(b) Calculated using the weighted average shares outstanding.
 
(c) Not annualized.
 
(d) Annualized.
 
(e) Amount represents the average commission per share paid to brokers on the
    purchase and sale of equity securities.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
3. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to seek capital appreciation by
investing primarily in a portfolio of common stock and securities convertible
into common stock. There can be, of course, no assurance that the Fund will
achieve its investment objective.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in
the securities of issuers based in the United States, Europe, Japan and the
Pacific Basin, but it is anticipated that the Fund will generally invest more of
its assets in United States issuers than in the issuers of any other country.
During periods of normal market conditions the Fund will have at least 65% of
its total assets invested in securities issued by companies based in three or
more countries and will have at least 65% of its total assets invested in common
stock and securities convertible into common stock. The securities in which the
Fund invests may be traded on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter
markets.
 
    The Fund intends to invest principally in companies that, in the view of the
Adviser, possess above average growth potential or attractive valuations. In
addition, the Adviser seeks to invest in companies which, in the Adviser's
opinion, are improving but whose improvement has not been fully recognized by
the investment community. In making these investments, the Adviser analyses
various characteristics of the issuers, which may vary from company to company.
The Fund may purchase the shares of small companies whose stock is less actively
traded and which have greater appreciation potential and a correspondingly
higher level of price volatility than larger companies whose shares are actively
traded. Consequently, the Adviser anticipates that the Fund's portfolio will
exhibit a high degree of price fluctuation or volatility when compared to the
market averages. In seeking these investments, the Adviser relies primarily on
analysis of individual companies and analysis of industries and economic trends.
 
    The Fund intends to invest up to 25% of assets in equity securities of
companies in the telecommunications industry. Investments in such companies may
be expected to benefit from global economic growth, scientific developments and
advances in technologies, such as frequency spectrum utilization, satellite
systems, fiber optics, electronic communication, software and others. The Fund
may invest in the securities of issuers in any industry, but the Adviser
emphasizes investments in those industries for which the Adviser believes the
economic cycle is improving. The Fund will not, however, invest more than 25% of
its total assets in any one industry.
 
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
 
    The Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in convertible securities,
including convertible debt and convertible preferred stock. Convertible
securities are fixed income securities which may be converted at a stated price
within a specific amount of time into a specified number of shares of common
stock. These securities are usually senior to common stock in a corporation's
capital structure, but usually are subordinated to non-convertible debt
securities.
 
    In general, the value of a convertible security is the higher of its
investment value (its value as a fixed income security) and its conversion value
(the value of the underlying shares of common stock if the security is
converted). As a fixed income security, the value of a convertible security
generally increases when interest rates decline and generally decreases when
interest rates rise. The value of convertible securities, however, are also
influenced by the value of the underlying common stock.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
    The Fund will invest only in convertible debt that is rated B or higher by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or by Standard & Poor's Corporation
("S&P") and in preferred stock that is rated b or higher by Moody's or B or
higher by S&P. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest no more than 10%
of its assets in securities rated below BBB by S&P or bbb by Moody's. The Fund
may purchase unrated convertible securities if the Adviser determines the
security to be of comparable quality to a rated security that the Fund may
purchase. Unrated securities may not be as actively traded as rated securities.
Securities in the lowest permissible rating categories are characterized by
Moody's as generally lacking characteristics of the desirable investment and by
S&P as being predominantly speculative. The Fund may retain securities whose
rating has been lowered below the lowest permissible rating category (or that
are unrated and determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality) if the
Adviser determines that retaining such security is in the best interests of the
Fund. A further description of the various rating categories is included in the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
FOREIGN SECURITIES
 
    The Fund's investments in foreign securities involve certain risks, such as
exchange rate fluctuations, political or economic instability of the issuer or
the country of issue and the possible imposition of exchange controls,
withholding taxes on dividends or interest payments, confiscatory taxes or
expropriation. Foreign securities may also be subject to greater fluctuations in
price than securities of domestic corporations denominated in U.S. dollars.
Foreign securities and their markets may not be as liquid as domestic securities
and their markets, and foreign brokerage commissions and custody fees are
generally higher than those in the United States.
 
    In addition, issuers of securities in foreign jurisdictions generally are
not subject to the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to
such matters as insider trading rules, restrictions on market manipulation,
shareholder proxy requirements and timely disclosure of information. Less
information may be publicly available about a foreign company than about a
domestic company, and foreign companies may not be subject to uniform
accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those
applicable to domestic companies. Securities registration, custody and
settlements may in some instances be subject to delays and legal and
administrative uncertainties. To the extent that the Fund invests a portion of
its assets in a particular region of the world, an investment in the Fund will
be subject to certain risks since the economies and markets in a region tend to
be interrelated and may be adversely affected by political, economic and other
events in a similar manner. With respect to its permitted investments in foreign
securities, currently the Fund limits the amount of its total assets that may be
invested in one country or denominated in one currency (other than the U.S.
dollar) to 25%.
 
    The Fund may invest in sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary
Receipts ("ADRs"), which are receipts issued by an American bank or trust
company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign
issuer. Unsponsored ADRs may be created without the participation of the foreign
issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility,
whereas foreign issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The
bank or trust company depository of an unsponsored ADR may be under no
obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign
issuer or to pass through voting rights.
 
    The Fund's investments that are denominated in foreign currencies will be
adversely affected by reductions in the value of those currencies relative to
the U.S. dollar. These changes will affect the Fund's net assets, distributions
and income. The Fund may utilize foreign currency forward con-
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
tracts in order to hedge against uncertainty in the level of future foreign
exchange rates. The Fund will not enter into these contracts for speculative
purposes. These contracts involve an obligation to purchase or sell a specific
currency at a specified future date, usually less than one year from the date of
the contract, at a specified price. The Fund may enter into foreign currency
forward contracts to manage currency risks and to facilitate transactions in
foreign securities. These contracts involve a risk of loss if the Adviser fails
to predict currency values correctly and also involve similar risks to those
described under "Hedging Strategies." The Fund may also buy and sell foreign
currency options, foreign currency futures contracts and options on those
futures contracts. See "Hedging Strategies."
 
4. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
The investment objective and all investment policies of the Fund that are
designated as fundamental may be changed only with the approval of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. A majority of
the Fund's outstanding voting securities means the lesser of (1) 67% of the
shares of the Fund present or represented at a meeting at which the holders of
more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented,
or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Unless otherwise
indicated, all investment policies are not fundamental and may be changed by the
Board of Trustees ("Board") without shareholder approval. For more information
concerning shareholder voting, see "Other Information -- The Trust and Its
Shares."
 
BORROWING
 
    As a fundamental policy, the Fund may enter into commitments to purchase
securities in accordance with its investment program, including delayed-delivery
and when-issued securities and reverse repurchase agreements, provided that the
total amount of any such borrowing does not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund's total
assets. As a nonfundamental policy, the Fund may borrow money for temporary or
emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of its total
assets at the time when the loan is made; provided that any such temporary or
emergency borrowings representing more than 5% of a Fund's total assets must be
repaid before the Fund may make additional investments.
 
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
    The Fund may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid
securities, including repurchase agreements not entitling the Fund to the
payment of principal within seven days. Illiquid securities are securities that
cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at
approximately the amount at which the Fund has valued the securities.
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
 
    The Fund may seek additional income by entering into repurchase agreements
or by lending securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other
financial institutions. These investments may entail certain risks not
associated with direct investments in securities. For instance, in the event
that bankruptcy or similar proceedings were commenced against a counterparty in
these transactions or a counterparty defaulted on its obligations, the Fund
might suffer a loss. Failure by the other party to deliver a security purchased
by the Fund may result in a missed opportunity to make an alternative
investment. The Adviser monitors the creditworthiness of counterparties to these
transactions and intends to enter into these transactions only when it believes
the counterparties present minimal credit risks and the income to be earned from
the transaction justifies the attendant risks. Repurchase agreements are
transactions in which the Fund purchases a security and simultaneously commits
to resell that security to the seller at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon
future
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
date, normally one to seven days later. The resale price reflects a market rate
of interest that is not related to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased
security. Securities loans must be continuously secured by cash or securities
issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States
Government or by any of its agencies and instrumentalities ("U.S. Government
Securities") with a market value, determined daily, at least equal to the value
of the Fund's securities loaned. When the Fund lends a security, it receives
interest from the borrower or from investing cash collateral. The Trust's
custodian maintains possession of the purchased securities and any underlying
collateral in these transactions, the total market value of which on a
continuous basis is at least equal to the repurchase price or value of
securities loaned, plus accrued interest and which consists of the types of
securities in which the Fund may invest directly. The Fund may pay fees to
arrange securities loans. The Fund will not lend portfolio securities in excess
of 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
 
DIVERSIFICATION
 
    The Fund is diversified. As a fundamental policy, with respect to 75% of its
assets, the Fund may not purchase a security (other than a U.S. Government
Security), if, as a result, (1) more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be
invested in the securities of a single issuer or (2) the Fund would own more
than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any single issuer.
 
CONCENTRATION
 
    As a fundamental policy, the Fund may not purchase securities if,
immediately after each purchase, more than 25% of the Fund's total assets taken
at market value would be invested in securities of issuers conducting their
principal business activity in the same industry. This limit does not apply to
investments in U.S. Government Securities or repurchase agreements covering U.S.
Government Securities.
 
WARRANTS
 
    The Fund may invest in warrants, which are options to purchase an equity
security at a specified price (usually representing a premium over the
applicable market value of the underlying equity security at the time of the
warrant's issuance) and usually during a specified period of time. Warrants are
usually issued by the issuer of the security to which they relate. While
warrants may be traded, there is often no secondary market for them and the
prices of warrants do not necessarily correlate with the prices of the
underlying securities. Holders of warrants have no voting rights, receive no
dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer. The Fund
will limit its purchases of warrants to not more than 5% of the value of its
total assets.
 
HEDGING STRATEGIES
 
    The Fund may in the future seek to hedge against a decline in the value of
securities owned by it or an increase in the price of securities which it plans
to purchase through the writing and purchase of exchange-traded and
over-the-counter options and the purchase and sale of futures contracts and
options on those futures contracts. The Fund may write (sell) covered put and
call options and may buy put and call options on equity securities, foreign
currencies and stock indices, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index. In
addition, the Fund may buy or sell stock index and foreign currency futures
contracts and may write covered options and buy options on those contracts.
Definitions of these instruments may be found in the Appendix to this
Prospectus. An option is covered if, so long as the Fund is obligated under the
option, it owns an offsetting position in the underlying security, currency or
futures contract or maintains liquid assets in a segregated account with a value
at all times sufficient to cover the Fund's obligation under the option.
 
    The Fund will not hedge more than 25% of its total assets by selling futures
contracts, buying put options and writing call options. In addition,
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
the Fund will not buy futures contracts or write put options whose underlying
value exceeds 25% of the Fund's total assets and will not purchase call options
if the value of purchased call options would exceed 5% of the Fund's total
assets.
 
    The Fund's use of options and futures contracts would subject the Fund to
certain investment risks and transaction costs to which it might not otherwise
be subject. These risks include: (1) dependence on the Adviser's ability to
predict movements in the prices of individual securities or currencies and
fluctuations in the general securities or currency markets; (2) imperfect
correlation between movements in the prices of options, futures contracts or
related options and movements in the price of the securities or currencies
hedged or used for cover; (3) the fact that skills and techniques needed to
trade these instruments are different from those needed to select the other
securities in which the Fund invests; (4) lack of assurance that a liquid
secondary market will exist for any particular instrument at any particular
time; (5) the possible need to defer closing out of certain options, futures
contracts and related options to avoid adverse tax consequences; and (6) the
potential for unlimited loss when investing in futures contracts. Other risks
include the inability of the Fund, as the writer of covered call options, to
benefit from the appreciation of the underlying securities above the exercise
price and the possible loss of the entire premium paid for options purchased by
the Fund.
 
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION
 
    When the Adviser believes that business or financial conditions warrant, the
Fund may assume a temporary defensive position. For temporary defensive
purposes, the Fund may invest without limit in cash or in investment grade cash
equivalents, including (1) short-term U.S. Government Securities, (2)
certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and interest-bearing savings
deposits of commercial banks, (3) prime quality commercial paper, and (4)
repurchase agreements covering any of the securities in which the Fund may
invest directly, and, subject to the limits of the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "Investment Company Act"), in money market mutual funds. During
periods when and to the extent that the Fund has assumed a temporary defensive
position, it will not be pursuing its investment objective.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
    From time to time the Fund may engage in active short-term trading to take
advantage of price movements affecting individual issues, groups of issues or
markets. This will increase the Fund's rate of turnover and will result in
higher total brokerage costs for the Fund. The Adviser anticipates that the
annual turnover in the Fund could be in excess of 50% in future years (but is
not expected to equal or exceed 100%). An annual turnover rate of 100% would
occur, for example, if all of the securities in the Fund were replaced once in a
period of one year.
 
    The Fund has no obligation to deal with any specific broker or dealer in the
execution of portfolio transactions. Consistent with its policy of obtaining the
best net results, the Fund may conduct brokerage transactions through certain
affiliates of the Adviser. The Board has adopted policies to ensure that these
transactions are reasonable and fair and that the commissions charged are
comparable to those charged by non-affiliated qualified broker-dealers.
 
5. MANAGEMENT
 
    The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the
Board. The Board formulates the general policies of the Fund and generally meets
quarterly to review the results of the Fund, monitor investment activities and
practices and discuss other matters affecting the Fund and the Trust.
Information about the Trustees and the officers of the Trust is in the SAI under
"Management -- Trustees and Officers."
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
THE ADVISER
 
    Austin Investment Management, Inc., serves as investment adviser to the Fund
under an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust. Subject to the general
supervision of the Board, the Adviser makes investment decisions for the Fund
and is responsible for, among other things, developing a continuing investment
program for the Fund in accordance with its investment objective and reviewing
the investment strategies and policies of the Fund. For its services, the
Adviser receives an advisory fee at an annual rate of 1.5% of the Fund's average
daily net assets.
 
    The Adviser is registered under the Investment Adviser's Act of 1940 and
provides investment management services to pension plans, endowment funds,
institutional and individual accounts. As of the date of this Prospectus, the
Adviser had approximately $152 million in assets under management and was
controlled by Peter Vlachos, president and chief portfolio manager of the
Adviser since its organization in 1989.
 
    Mr. Vlachos has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since the Fund's
inception on December 8, 1993. He is responsible for the day-to-day management
of the Fund's portfolio. Prior to his establishment of the Adviser, Mr. Vlachos
was a portfolio manager at Neuberger & Berman, Inc. Before that, Mr. Vlachos
held various positions at Dreyfus Corp., including president and vice president
of two investment companies managed by Dreyfus with over $2 billion in combined
assets for which he was portfolio manager.
 
THE ADMINISTRATOR
 
    On behalf of the Fund, the Trust has entered into an Administration
Agreement with FAdS. Under the agreement, FAdS is responsible for the
supervision of the overall management of the Trust and providing the Trust with
general office facilities, necessary personnel to help ensure the effective
operation of the Trust as well as providing persons satisfactory to the Board to
serve as officers of the Trust. For these services, FAdS receives a fee from the
Fund computed and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average
daily net assets.
 
    Under a Fund Accounting Agreement with the Trust, FAcS performs portfolio
accounting services for the Fund, including determination of the Fund's net
asset value. For its services, FAcS is entitled to receive a fee at an annual
rate of $36,000 subject to adjustments for the number and type of portfolio
transactions.
 
    As of June 30, 1998, FAdS and its affiliates provided management,
administration and distribution services to registered investment companies and
collective investment funds with assets of approximately $38 billion.
 
THE DISTRIBUTOR
 
    Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, FFSI acts as distributor of
the Fund's shares. FFSI acts as the agent of the Trust in connection with the
offering of shares of the Fund. FFSI receives no compensation for its services
under the Distribution Agreement. FFSI may enter into arrangements with banks,
broker-dealers or other financial institutions ("Processing Organizations")
through which investors may purchase or redeem shares. FFSI may, at its own
expense and from its own resources, compensate certain persons who provide
services in connection with the sale or expected sale of shares of the Fund.
Investors purchasing shares of the Fund through another financial institution
should read any materials and information provided by the financial institution
to acquaint themselves with its procedures and any fees that it may charge. FFSI
is a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser and is a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
    Shareholder inquiries and communications concerning the Fund may be directed
to FSS. FSS acts as the Fund's transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent. FSS
maintains an account for
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
each shareholder of record, where all shares purchased are credited, together
with any distributions that are reinvested in additional shares. FSS also
performs other transfer agency functions and acts as dividend disbursing agent
for the Trust. For its services, FSS is entitled to receive a fee of $12,000
annually and annual shareholder fees of $25.00 per shareholder account.
 
    As of the date of this Prospectus each of FAdS, FFSI, FSS and FAcS was
controlled by John Y. Keffer, President and Chairman of the Trust and was
located at Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine, 04101.
 
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
 
    The Trust is obligated to pay for all of its expenses. The Fund's expenses
comprise Trust expenses attributable to the Fund and expenses not attributable
to any particular portfolio of the Trust, which are allocated among the Fund and
the portfolios in proportion to their average net assets. The Fund's expenses
include: interest charges; taxes; brokerage fees and commissions; certain
insurance premiums; applicable fees and expenses under the Trust's contracts
with the Adviser, FAdS, FSS and any custodian; fees of pricing, interest,
dividend, credit and other reporting services; costs of membership in trade
associations; auditing, legal and compliance expenses; costs of preparing and
printing the Trust's prospectuses, statements of additional information and
shareholder reports and delivering them to existing shareholders; compensation
of certain of the Trust's trustees, officers and employees and other personnel
performing services for the Trust; and registration fees and related expenses.
 
    The Adviser, FAdS, FFSI, and FAcS, in their sole discretion, may waive all
or any portion of their respective fees, which are accrued daily and paid
monthly. Any such waiver, which could be discontinued at any time, would have
the effect of increasing the Fund's performance for the period during which the
waiver was in effect and would not be recouped at a later date.
 
YEAR 2000
 
    Like other mutual funds, financial and other business organizations and
individuals around the world, the Fund could be adversely affected if the
computer systems used by the Adviser and other service providers to the Fund do
not properly process and calculate date related information and data from and
after January 1, 2000. The Adviser and FAdS are taking steps to address the Year
2000 issue with respect to the computer systems that they use and to obtain
reasonable assurances that comparable steps are being taken by the Fund's other
major service providers. There can be no assurance, however, that these steps
will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact on the Fund from this problem.
 
6. PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES
 
Investments in the Fund may be made either by an investor directly or through
certain brokers and financial institutions of which the investor is a customer.
All transactions in Fund shares are effected through FSS, which accepts orders
for purchases and redemptions from shareholders of record and new investors.
Shareholders of record will receive from the Trust periodic statements listing
all account activity during the statement period. The Trust reserves the right
in the future to modify, limit or terminate any shareholder privilege upon
appropriate notice to shareholders and charge a fee for certain shareholder
services, although no such fees are currently contemplated.
 
PURCHASES
 
    Fund shares are sold at a price equal to their net asset value
next-determined on all weekdays except days when the New York Stock Exchange is
closed ("Business Day"). Normally, the New York Stock Exchange is closed on New
Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial
Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Shares are
issued immediately after an order for
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
the shares in proper form is accepted by FSS. The Fund's net asset value is
calculated at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on each Business Day. Fund shares become
entitled to receive dividends on the next Business Day after the order is
accepted.
 
    The Fund reserves the right to reject any subscription for the purchase of
its shares. Share certificates are only issued to shareholders of record upon
their written request and no certificates are issued for fractional shares.
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
    Fund shares may be redeemed without charge at their net asset value on any
Business Day. There is no minimum period of investment and no restriction on the
frequency of redemptions. Fund shares are redeemed as of the Fund's
next-determined net asset value after FSS receives the redemption order in
proper form (and any supporting documentation which FSS may require). Shares
redeemed are not entitled to receive dividends declared after the day on which
the redemption becomes effective.
 
    Normally, redemption proceeds are paid immediately, but in no event later
than seven days after a redemption order is accepted. Proceeds of redemption
requests (and exchanges), however, will not be paid unless any check used for
investment has been cleared by the shareholder's bank, which may take up to 15
calendar days. This delay may be avoided by investing through wire transfers.
Unless otherwise indicated, redemption proceeds normally are paid by check and
mailed to the shareholder's record address. The right of redemption may not be
suspended nor the payment dates postponed except when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (or when trading is restricted) for any reason other than its
customary weekend or holiday closings or under any emergency or other
circumstance as determined by the SEC.
 
    Proceeds of redemptions normally are paid in cash. However, payments may be
made wholly or partially in portfolio securities if the Board determines that
payment in cash would be detrimental to the best interests of the Fund. The
Trust will only effect a redemption in portfolio securities if the particular
shareholder is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's net assets,
whichever is less, during any 90-day period.
 
    The Trust employs reasonable procedures to ensure that telephone orders are
genuine, including the recording of certain transactions. If the Trust did not
employ such procedures it could be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions. Shareholders should verify the accuracy of
telephone instructions immediately upon receipt of confirmation statements.
During times of drastic economic or market changes, the telephone redemption and
exchange privileges may be difficult to implement. In the event that a
shareholder is unable to reach FSS by telephone, requests may be mailed or
hand-delivered to FSS.
 
    Due to the cost to the Trust of maintaining smaller accounts, the Trust
reserves the right to redeem, upon not less than 60 days' written notice, all
shares in any Fund account with an aggregate net asset value of less than
$1,000. The Trust will not redeem accounts that fall below that amount solely as
a result of a reduction in net asset value.
 
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
 
    The following purchase and redemption procedures and shareholder services
apply to investors who invest in the Fund directly. These investors may open an
account by completing an account application or by contacting FSS at the address
on the first page of this prospectus. For those shareholder services not
referenced on the account application or to change information on a
shareholder's account (such as addresses), investors should request an Optional
Services Form from FSS.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    There is a $10,000 minimum for initial investments in the Fund ($2,000 for
Individual Retirement Accounts).
 
INITIAL PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
    MAIL.  Investors may send a check made payable to the Trust along with a
completed account application for the Fund to FSS at the address on the first
page of this Prospectus. Checks are accepted at full value subject to
collection. If a check does not clear, the purchase order will be canceled and
the investor will be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Trust, FSS or
FFSI.
 
    BANK WIRE.  To make an initial investment in the Fund using the wire system
for transmittal of money among banks, an investor should first telephone the
Trust at (207) 879-0001 or (800) 754-8759 to obtain an account number. The
investor should then instruct a bank to wire the investor's money immediately
to:
 
  BankBoston
  Boston, Massachusetts
  ABA # 011000390
  For Credit to: Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
  Account # 541-54171
        Austin Global Equity Fund
        (Investor's Name)
        (Investor's Account Number)
 
    The investor should then promptly complete and mail the account application.
 
    Investors planning to wire funds should instruct the bank early in the day
so the wire transfer can be accomplished prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on
the same day. The bank may impose a charge for transmitting payment by bank
wire, and there also may be a charge for use of Federal funds.
 
SUBSEQUENT PURCHASES OF SHARES
 
    There is a $2,500 minimum for subsequent purchases. Subsequent purchases may
be made by mailing a check, by sending a wire as indicated above. Shareholders
using the wire system for subsequent purchases should first telephone the Trust
at (207) 879-0001 (800) 754-8759 to notify it of the wire transfer. All payments
should clearly indicate the shareholder's name and account number.
 
    AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT.  Shareholders may purchase Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic transfer of funds from a
designated bank account maintained with a United States banking institution that
is an Automated Clearing House member. Under the program, existing shareholders
may authorize amounts of $250 or more to be debited from their bank account and
invested in the Fund monthly or quarterly. Shareholders wishing to participate
in this program may obtain the applicable forms from FSS. Shareholders may
terminate their automatic investments or change the amount to be invested at any
time by written notification to FSS.
 
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
    Shareholders that wish to redeem shares by telephone or receive redemption
proceeds by bank must elect these options by properly completing the appropriate
sections of their account application. These privileges may not be available
until several weeks after a shareholder's application is received. Shares for
which certificates have been issued may not be redeemed by telephone.
 
    MAIL.  Shareholders may make a redemption in any amount by sending a written
request to FSS accompanied by any share certificate that was issued to the
shareholder. All share certificates submitted for redemption must be signed by
the shareholder with a signature guarantee. All written requests for redemption
must be signed by the shareholder and, in some cases, must have a signature
guarantee. See, "Purchases and Redemptions-Other Redemption Matters."
 
    TELEPHONE.  A shareholder that has elected telephone redemption privileges
may make a telephone redemption request by calling FSS at (207) 879-0001 or
(800) 754-8759 and providing the shareholder's account number, and the exact
name in which the shares are registered. The Trust
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
or FSS may employ other procedures such as recording certain transactions to
ensure telephone instructions are genuine. If such procedures are followed,
neither FSS nor the Trust will be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent redemption requests. In response to the telephone redemption
instructions, the Fund will mail a check to the shareholder's record address or,
if the shareholder has elected wire redemption privileges, wire the proceeds.
 
    BANK WIRE.  For redemptions of more than $10,000, a shareholder that has
elected wire redemption privileges may request the Fund to transmit the
redemption proceeds by Federal funds wire to a bank account designated on the
shareholder's account application. To request wire redemptions by telephone, the
shareholder also must have elected the telephone redemption privilege on the
account application. Redemption proceeds are transmitted by wire on the next
business day after the redemption request in proper form is received by FSS.
 
    AUTOMATIC REDEMPTIONS.  Shareholders may redeem Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic redemption of shares from
their Fund account. Redemption proceeds are sent either by check or by automatic
transfer to a designated bank account maintained with a United States banking
institution that is an Automated Clearing House member. Under this program,
shareholders may authorize the redemption of shares in amounts of $250 or more
from their account monthly or quarterly. Shareholders may terminate their
automatic redemptions or change the amount to be redeemed at any time by written
notification to FSS.
 
    OTHER REDEMPTION MATTERS.  To protect shareholders and the Fund against
fraud, signatures on certain requests must have a signature guarantee. Requests
must be made in writing and include a signature guarantee for any of the
following transactions: (1) any endorsement on a stock certificate; (2) written
instruction to redeem Shares whose value exceeds $50,000; (3) instructions to
change a shareholder's record name; (4) redemption in an account in which the
account address or account registration has changed within the last 30 days; (5)
the proceeds are not being sent to the address of record, preauthorized bank
account, or preauthorized brokerage firm account; (6) proceeds are to be paid to
someone other than the registered owners or to an account with a different
registration; or (7) change of automatic investment or redemption, dividend
election, telephone redemption or exchange option election or any other option
election in connection with the shareholder's account.
 
    Signature guarantees may be provided by any eligible institution acceptable
to FSS, including a bank, a broker, a dealer, a national securities exchange, a
credit union, or a savings association that is authorized to guarantee
signatures. Whenever a signature guarantee is required, the signature of each
person required to sign for the account must be guaranteed. A notarized
signature is not sufficient.
 
    FSS will deem a shareholder's account "lost" if correspondence to the
shareholder's address of record is returned as undeliverable, unless FSS
determines the shareholder's new address. When an account is deemed lost all
distributions on the account will be reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund. In addition, the amount of any outstanding (unpaid for six months or more)
checks for distributions that have been returned to the Transfer Agent will be
reinvested and the checks will be canceled.
 
EXCHANGES
 
EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
 
    Fund shareholders are entitled to exchange their Shares of the Fund for
shares of the Investor Share Class of Daily Assets Government Fund, a series of
the Trust. Exchanges may only be made between accounts registered in the same
name. When a shareholder exchanges shares, a completed account application must
be submitted to
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
open a new account in a Fund if the shareholder requests any shareholder
privilege not associated with the existing account. Exchanges are subject to the
fees and the restrictions including minimum investment requirements listed in
the prospectus for the fund into which a shareholder is exchanging. The Fund
does not charge for exchanges, and there is currently no limit on the number of
exchanges a shareholder may make.
 
    The Trust (and Federal tax law) treats an exchange as a redemption of the
shares owned and the purchase of the shares of the fund being acquired.
Redemptions and purchases are effected at the respective net asset values of the
two funds as next determined after all proper instructions and all necessary
supporting documents by the fund whose shares are being exchanged are received
by FSS.
 
    MAIL.  Exchanges may be accomplished by written instructions to FSS
accompanied by any share certificate that may have been issued to the
shareholder. All written requests for exchanges must be signed by the
shareholder (a signature guarantee is not required) and all certificates
submitted for exchange must be endorsed by the shareholder with a signature
guarantee.
 
    TELEPHONE.  Exchanges may be accomplished by telephone by any shareholder
that has elected telephone exchange privileges by calling FSS at (207) 879-0001
or (800) 754-8759-and providing the shareholder's account number, the exact name
in which the shareholder's shares are registered and the shareholder's social
security or taxpayer identification number.
 
RETIREMENT PROGRAMS
 
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
 
    The Fund should not be considered as a complete investment vehicle for the
assets held in individual retirement accounts ("IRAs"). The minimum initial
investment for an IRA is $2,000, and the minimum subsequent investment is
$1,000. Individuals may make tax-deductible IRA contributions of up to a maximum
of $2,000 annually. However, this deduction will be reduced if the individual
or, in the case of a married individual filing jointly, either the individual or
the individual's spouse is an active participant in an employer-sponsored
retirement plan and has adjusted gross income above certain levels.
 
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
    The Fund may be a suitable investment vehicle for part or all of the assets
held in various employee benefit plans, including 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and
SARSEPs.
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
    Shares may be purchased and redeemed through certain broker-dealers, banks,
trust companies and their affiliates, and other financial institutions,
including affiliates of the transfer agent ("Processing Organizations").
Processing Organizations may receive as a dealer's reallowance a portion of the
sales charge paid by their customers who purchase Fund shares. In addition,
Processing Organizations may charge their customers a fee for their services and
are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase, redemption and other
requests to the Fund. The Trust is not responsible for the failure of any
Processing Organization to promptly forward these requests.
 
    Investors who purchase shares through a Processing Organization may be
charged a fee if they effect transactions in Fund shares through a broker or
agent and will be subject to the procedures of their Processing Organization,
which may include limitations, investment minimums, cutoff times and
restrictions in addition to, or different from, those applicable to shareholders
who invest in the Fund directly. These investors should acquaint themselves with
their Processing Organization's procedures and should read this Prospectus in
conjunction with any materials and information provided by their Processing
Organization. Customers who purchase Fund shares through a Processing
Organization may or may not be the
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
shareholder of record and, subject to their Processing Organization's and the
Fund's procedures, may have Fund shares transferred into their name. Under their
arrangements with the Trust, broker-dealer Processing Organizations are not
generally required to deliver payment for purchase orders until several business
days after a purchase order has been received by the Fund. Certain other
Processing Organizations may also enter purchase orders with payment to follow.
 
    Certain shareholder services may not be available to shareholders who have
purchased shares through a Processing Organization. These shareholders should
contact their Processing Organization for further information. The Trust may
confirm purchases and redemptions of a Processing Organization's customers
directly to the Processing Organization, which in turn will provide its
customers with such confirmations and periodic statements as may be required by
law or agreed to between the Processing Organization and its customers. The
Trust is not responsible for the failure of any Processing Organization to carry
out its obligations to its customer. Certain states permit shares of the Fund to
be purchased and redeemed only through registered broker-dealers, including the
Fund's distributor.
 
7. DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Distributions of the Fund's net investment income, if any, are declared and
paid annually. Any distributions of net capital gain realized by the Fund are
distributed annually.
 
    Shareholders may choose either to have all distributions of net investment
income reinvested in additional Fund shares or paid in cash or to have all
distributions of net capital gain reinvested in additional Fund shares or paid
in cash. All distributions are treated in the same manner for Federal income tax
purposes whether paid in cash or reinvested in Fund shares.
 
    Distributions are reinvested at the Fund's net asset value as of the payment
date of the distribution. All distributions are reinvested unless another option
is selected. All distributions not reinvested are paid to the shareholder in
cash and may be paid more than seven days following the date on which
distributions would otherwise be reinvested.
 
TAXES
 
    The Fund intends to qualify for each fiscal year to be taxed as a "regulated
investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As
such, the Fund will not be liable for Federal income taxes on the net investment
income and net capital gain distributed to its shareholders. Because the Fund
intends to distribute all of its net investment income and net capital gain each
year, the Fund should avoid all Federal income and excise taxes.
 
    Dividends paid by the Fund out of its net investment income (including any
realized net short-term capital gain) are taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income. Distributions of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net gain from
capital assets held for not more than one year) will be treated in the hands of
shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long a shareholder has
held shares in the Fund. If Fund shares are sold at a loss after being held for
six months or less, the loss will be treated as long-term capital loss to the
extent of any long-term capital gain distribution of net capital gain received
on those shares.
 
    Any dividend or distribution received by a shareholder reduces the net asset
value of the shareholder's shares by the amount of the dividend or distribution.
To the extent that the income or gain comprising a dividend or distribution was
accrued by the Fund before the shareholder purchased the shares, the dividend or
distribution would be in effect a return of capital to the shareholder. All
dividends and distributions, including those that operate as a return of
capital, however, are taxable as described above to the shareholder
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
receiving them regardless of the length of time he may have held shares prior to
the dividend or distribution.
 
    It is expected that a portion of the Fund's dividends to shareholders will
qualify for the dividends received deduction for corporations.
 
    The Fund may be required by Federal law to withhold 31% of reportable
payments (which may include dividends, capital gain distributions and redemption
proceeds) paid to individuals and certain other non-corporate shareholders.
Withholding is not required if a shareholder certifies that the shareholder's
social security or tax identification number provided to the Fund is correct and
that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding.
 
    Reports containing appropriate information with respect to the Federal
income tax status of dividends and distributions paid during the year by the
Fund will be mailed to shareholders shortly after the close of each year.
 
    The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important Federal tax
considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders. There may be
other Federal, state or local tax considerations applicable to a particular
investor. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisers.
 
8.  OTHER INFORMATION
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
    The Fund's performance may be quoted in advertising in terms of yield or
total return. Both types of performance are based on historical results and are
not intended to indicate future performance. The Fund's yield measures the rate
of income earned by the Fund as a percentage of the Fund's share price. Yield is
calculated by dividing the net investment income of the Fund for the stated
period by the average number of shares entitled to receive dividends and
expressing the result as an annualized percentage rate based on the Fund's share
price at the end of the period. Total return refers to the average annual
compounded rates of return over some representative period that would equate an
initial amount invested at the beginning of a stated period to the ending
redeemable value of the investment, after giving effect to the reinvestment of
all dividends and distributions and deductions of expenses during the period.
The Fund may also advertise its total return over different periods of time or
by means of aggregate, average, year by year, or other types of total return
figures. Because average annual returns tend to smooth out variations in the
Fund's returns, shareholders should recognize that they are not the same as
actual year-by-year results.
 
    The Fund's advertisements may refer to ratings and rankings among similar
funds by independent evaluators such as Morningstar, Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc. or CDA/Weisenberger. In addition, the Fund's performance may be compared to
recognized indices or market performance. The comparative material found in the
Fund's advertisements, sales literature or reports to shareholders may contain
performance ratings. These are not to be considered representative or indicative
of future performance.
 
BANKING LAW MATTERS
 
    Banking laws and regulations generally permit a bank or bank affiliate to
purchase shares of an investment company as agent for and upon the order of a
customer and in the view of FFSI would permit a bank or bank affiliate to serve
as a Processing Organization or perform sub-transfer agent or similar services
for the Trust and its shareholders. If a bank or bank affiliate were prohibited
from performing all or a part of the foregoing services, its shareholder
customers would be permitted to remain shareholders of the Trust and alternative
means for continuing to service them would be sought. It is not expected that
shareholders would suffer adverse financial consequences as a result of any
changes in bank or bank affiliate service arrangements.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
 
    The Trust determines the net asset value per share of the Fund as of 4:00
p.m., Eastern time, on each Business Day by dividing the value of the Fund's net
assets (i.e., the value of its portfolio securities and other assets less its
liabilities) by the number of the Fund's shares outstanding at the time the
determination is made. Securities owned by the Fund for which market quotations
are readily available are valued at current market value or, in their absence,
at fair value as determined by procedures approved by the Board. Purchases and
redemptions are effected at the net asset value next determined after any
purchase or redemption order is processed.
 
THE TRUST AND ITS SHARES
 
    The Trust was originally incorporated in Maryland on March 24, 1980 and
assumed the name of Forum Funds, Inc. on March 16, 1987. On January 5, 1996,
Forum Funds, Inc. was reorganized as a Delaware business trust under the name
Forum Funds. The Trust has an unlimited number of authorized shares of
beneficial interest. The Board may, without shareholder approval, divide the
authorized shares into an unlimited number of separate portfolios or series
(such as the Fund) and may in the future divide portfolios or series into two or
more classes of shares. Currently the authorized shares of the Trust are divided
into 23 separate series. Prior to November 25, 1996, the Fund was a separate
portfolio named Austin Global Equity Fund of Stone Bridge Funds, Inc., a
Maryland corporation.
 
    Each share of each fund of the Trust has equal dividend, distribution,
liquidation and voting rights, and fractional shares have those rights
proportionately, except that expenses related to the distribution of the shares
of each class (and certain other expenses such as transfer agency and
administrative expenses) are borne solely by those shares and each class votes
separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1 plan which pertain
to the class and other matters for which separate class voting is appropriate
under applicable law. Generally, shares will be voted in the aggregate without
reference to a particular portfolio, except if the matter affects only one
portfolio or voting by portfolio or class is required by law, in which case
shares will be voted separately by portfolio. Delaware law does not require the
Trust to hold annual meetings of shareholders, and it is anticipated that
shareholder meetings will be held only when specifically required by Federal or
state law. Shareholders (and Trustees) have available certain procedures for the
removal of Trustees. There are no conversion or preemptive rights in connection
with shares of the Trust. All shares when issued in accordance with the terms of
the offering will be fully paid and nonassessable. Shares are redeemable at net
asset value, at the option of the shareholders, subject to any contingent
deferred sales charge that may apply. A shareholder in a portfolio is entitled
to the shareholder's pro rata share of all dividends and distributions arising
from that portfolio's assets and, upon redeeming shares, will receive the
portion of the portfolio's net assets represented by the redeemed shares.
 
    From time to time, certain shareholders may own a large percentage of the
shares of the Fund. Accordingly, those shareholders may be able to greatly
affect (if not determine) the outcome of a shareholder vote.
 
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND THE FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN CONNECTION
WITH THE OFFERING OF THE FUND'S SHARES, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
TRUST. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO
ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH OFFER MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
                                    APPENDIX
 
    OPTIONS ON EQUITY SECURITIES -- (sometimes referred to as stock options) - A
call option is a short-term contract pursuant to which the purchaser of the call
option, in return for a premium paid, has the right to buy the security
underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term
of the option. The writer of the call option, who receives the premium, has the
obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security
against payment of the exercise price during the option period. A put option
gives its purchaser, in return for a premium, the right to sell the underlying
security at a specified price during the term of the option. The writer of the
put, who receives the premium, has the obligation to buy the underlying
security, upon exercise at the exercise price during the option period.
 
    OPTIONS ON STOCK INDEXES -- A stock index assigns relative values to the
stock included in the index, and the index fluctuates with changes in the market
values of the stocks included in the index. Stock index options operate in the
same way as the more traditional stock options except that exercises of stock
index options are effected with cash payments and do not involve delivery of
securities. Thus, upon exercise of a stock index options, the purchaser will
realize and the writer will pay an amount based on the differences between the
exercise price and the closing price of the stock index.
 
    FOREIGN CURRENCY OPTIONS -- A foreign currency option operates in the same
manner as an option on securities. Options on foreign currencies are primarily
traded in the over-the-counter market.
 
    STOCK INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS -- A stock index futures contract is a
bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery
of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference
between the stock index value at the close of trading of the contract and the
price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery
of the stocks comprising the index is made. Generally contracts are closed out
prior to the expiration date of the contract.
 
    FOREIGN CURRENCY FUTURES CONTRACTS -- A foreign currency futures contract is
a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make
delivery of a quantity of a foreign currency called for in a contract at a
specified future time and at a specific price. Although these contracts call for
delivery of or acceptance of the foreign currency, in most cases the contracts
are closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking of
delivery.
 
    OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS -- Options on futures contracts are similar to
stock options except that an option on a futures contract gives the purchaser
the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures
contract rather than to purchase or sell stock, 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 to the holder of the option will be accompanied
by transfer to the holder of an accumulated balance representing the amount by
which the market price of the futures contract 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
future.
 
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND THE FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN CONNECTION
WITH THE OFFERING OF THE FUND'S SHARES, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
TRUST. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO
ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH OFFER MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>





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[LOGO]

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION:
FORUM SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, LLC
P.O. BOX 446
PORTLAND, ME  04112
207-879-0001 (IN PORTLAND, ME)
800-94FORUM (ELSEWHERE)
<PAGE>
OAK HALL-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- SMALL CAP CONTRARIAN FUND
           ---------------------------------------------------------
 
Two Portland Square
Portland, Maine 04101
http://www.oakhallfund.com
 
ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING:
 
    Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
    Two Portland Square
    Portland, Maine 04101
    (207) 879-0001
    (800) 625-4255
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
PROSPECTUS                                                        AUGUST 1, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
This Prospectus offers shares of the Oak Hall-Registered Trademark- Small Cap
Contrarian Fund (the "Fund"), a diversified portfolio of Forum Funds (the
"Trust"), an open-endmanagement investment company.
 
     OAK HALL SMALL CAP CONTRARIAN FUND. The investment objective of the Fund is
     to seek capital appreciation by investing primarily in a portfolio of
     common stock and securities convertible into common stock. The Fund seeks
     to achieve its objective by investing primarily in equity securities of
     companies with small market capitalizations.
 
Shares of the Fund are offered to investors without any sales charge.
 
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information a prospective investor
should know about the Fund and the Trust before investing. The Trust has filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a Statement of Additional
Information dated August 1, 1998, as may be amended from time to time (the
"SAI"), which contains more detailed information about the Trust and the Fund
and is available along with other related materials for reference on the SEC's
Internet Web Site (http://www.sec.gov). The SAI, which is incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus, is also available without charge by contacting
Forum Shareholder Services, LLC, the Fund's transfer agent, at the address and
telephone numbers printed above.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                     <C>
1.         Prospectus Summary....................          2
2.         Financial Highlights..................          4
3.         Investment Objective and Policies.....          5
4.         Additional Investment Policies........          5
 
5.         Management............................          6
6.         Purchases and Redemptions of Shares...          8
7.         Distributions and Tax Matters.........         13
8.         Other Information.....................         13
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   Investors should read this prospectus and retain it for future reference.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
1. PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
     The Fund seeks capital appreciation by investing primarily in a portfolio
of common stock and securities convertible into common stock. The Fund seeks to
achieve its objective by investing primarily in equity securities of companies
with small market capitalizations. A small capitalization company has a market
capitalization of $1 billion or less at the time of the Fund's investment. See
"Investment Objective and Policies."
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
     Oak Hall-Registered Trademark- Capital Advisors, L.P. (the "Adviser")
serves as the Fund's investment adviser. The Adviser is located at 122 East 42nd
Street, 24th Floor, New York, New York 10168.
 
FUND MANAGEMENT
 
     The administrator of the Trust is Form Administrative Services, LLC
("FAdS") and the distributor or its shares is Forum Financial Services, Inc.,
("FFSI"). Forum Shareholder Services, LLC ("FSS") serves as the Trust's transfer
agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent while Forum
Accounting Services, LLC ("FAcS") provides portfolio accounting services for the
Trust. See "Management." FAdS, FFSI, FSS, and FAcS are located at Two Portland
Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
 
     Shares of the Fund are offered at the next-determined net asset value
without a sales charge. Shares may be purchased and redeemed by mail, by
bank-wire and through an investor's broker-dealer or other financial
institution. The minimum initial investment is $10,000 ($5,000 if purchased
through certain broker-dealers). Shares of the Fund may be redeemed without
charge. See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares."
 
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
 
     Shareholders may exchange their Shares of the Fund, without charge, for
share of the Daily Asset Government Fund, Investor Share Class, a money market
fund of the Trust offered by separate prospectus. See "Purchases and Redemptions
- -- Exchanges."
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     The Fund distributes its net investment income and net capital gains, if
any, at least annually. All distributions are reinvested automatically in
additional shares of the Fund at net asset value unless the shareholder has
notified the Fund in writing of the shareholder's election to receive
distributions in cash. See "Distributions and Tax Matters."
 
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS
 
     There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective. The Fund's net asset value and total return will fluctuate as the
value of the securities in which the Fund invests changes. The Fund may purchase
the shares of small companies whose stock is less actively traded and which have
greater appreciation potential and a correspondingly higher level of risk and
volatility than larger companies whose shares are actively traded. The Fund is
not intended to provide a complete or balanced investment program for all
investors. See "Investment Objective and Policies."
 
EXPENSES OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
 
     The purpose of the following table is to assist investors in understanding
the various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly
or indirectly. There are no transaction or sales charges associated with
purchases and redemptions.
 
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average net assets after applicable expense reimbursements
and fee waivers)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Advisory Fees.............................      0.00%
12b-1 Fees................................       None
Other Expenses............................      1.93%
                                            ---------
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
  expense reimbursements).................      1.93%
</TABLE>
 
     The Annual Fund Operating Expenses are based on expenses and assets of the
Fund during its most recent fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. Absent certain
expense reimbursements and fee waivers, during the most recent fiscal year
Advisory Fees, Other Expenses, and Total Operating Expenses
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
of the Fund would have been 0.75%, 2.21%, and 2.96%, respectively. As of the
date of this Prospectus, the Adviser has voluntarily undertaken to waive a
portion of its fees and assume certain expenses of the Fund to the extent that
total expenses exceed 1.50%. Expense reimbursements and fee waivers are
voluntary and may be reduced or eliminated at any time. For a further
description of the various expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, see
"Management."
 
EXAMPLE
 
     The following is a hypothetical example that indicates the dollar amount of
expenses an investor would pay assuming (1) a $1,000 investment, (2) a 5% annual
return, (3) the reinvestment of all dividends and (4) the distributions and full
redemption at the end of each period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  1 Year       3 Years      5 Years     10 Years
- -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>          <C>          <C>          <C>
 $      20    $      61    $     104    $     225
</TABLE>
 
THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES
OR RETURN. ACTUAL EXPENSES AND RETURN MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE
INDICATED. The example is based on the expenses listed in the table. The 5%
annual return is not a prediction of and does not represent the Fund's projected
returns; rather it is required by government regulation.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
2. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
     The following information represents selected data for a single share
outstanding of the Fund. The information for the periods ended March 31, 1998
and 1997 and June 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was audited in connection with an
audit of the Fund's financial statements by Deloitte & Touche, independent
auditors. The information for the period ended June 30, 1993 was audited by
other independent auditors. The financial statements and auditors' report
thereon are incorporated by reference into the SAI. Further information about
the Fund's performance is contained in the Fund's annual report to shareholders
which may be obtained from the Trust without charge by contacting the Fund's
transfer agent.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    NINE MONTHS
                                     YEAR ENDED        ENDED         YEAR ENDED     YEAR ENDED     YEAR ENDED     PERIOD ENDED
                                     MARCH 31,       MARCH 31,        JUNE 30,       JUNE 30,       JUNE 30,        JUNE 30,
                                        1998            1997            1996           1995           1994          1993(a)
                                     ----------     ------------     ----------     ----------     ----------     ------------
<S>                                  <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of
 Period............................   $ 13.80          $ 13.61        $ 11.33        $ 12.55        $ 14.30         $ 10.00
                                     ----------     ------------     ----------     ----------     ----------     ------------
Investment Operations:
  Net Investment Income (Loss).....     (0.24)           (0.15)         (0.32)(b)      (0.03)(b)      (0.09)             --
  Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
    (Loss) on Investments..........      7.10             0.34           2.60          (0.10)         (0.52)           4.31
                                     ----------     ------------     ----------     ----------     ----------     ------------
Total from Investment Operations...      6.86             0.19           2.28          (0.13)         (0.61)           4.31
Distributions From:
  Net Realized Gain on
    Investments....................        --               --             --          (1.09)         (1.14)          (0.01)
                                     ----------     ------------     ----------     ----------     ----------     ------------
Net Asset Value, End of Period.....   $ 20.66          $ 13.80        $ 13.61        $ 11.33        $ 12.55         $ 14.30
                                     ----------     ------------     ----------     ----------     ----------     ------------
                                     ----------     ------------     ----------     ----------     ----------     ------------
Total Return.......................     49.71%            1.40%(c)      20.12%         (1.07%)        (5.14%)         45.12%(d)
Ratio/Supplementary Data:
Net Assets at End of Period
 (000's omitted)...................   $ 7,208          $ 7,310        $12,257        $16,399        $35,470         $12,581
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
  Expenses Including Reimbursement/
    Waiver.........................      1.93%(e)         2.00%(d)       2.00%          2.00%          2.01%           1.23%(d)
  Expenses Excluding
    Reimbursement/Waiver...........      2.96%            2.93%(d)       2.44%            --           2.17%           5.91%(d)
  Net Investment Income (Loss)
    Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver...........     (1.29)%          (1.13%)(d)     (1.14%)        (0.23%)        (0.96%)         (0.07%)(d)
Average Commission Rate (f)........   $0.0629          $0.0673        $0.0601            N/A            N/A             N/A
Portfolio Turnover Rate............    100.61%           95.05%        157.01%        115.33%        168.61%         187.94%
</TABLE>
 
(a)   The Fund commenced operations on July 13, 1992.
 
(b)   Calculated using the weighted average shares outstanding.
 
(c)   Not annualized.
 
(d)   Annualized.
 
(e)   The Adviser has voluntarily undertaken to waive a portion of its fees and
     assume certain expenses of the Fund to the extent that total expenses
     exceed 1.50%.
 
(f)   Amount represents the average commission per share paid to brokers on the
     purchase or sale of equity securities.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
3. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
     The investment objective of the Fund is to seek capital appreciation by
investing primarily in a portfolio of common stock and securities convertible
into common stock.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
     The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in equity
securities of companies with small market capitalizations. Except during periods
when the Fund assumes a temporary defensive position, the Fund will have at
least 65% of its total assets invested in common stock and securities
convertible into common stock. There can be, of course, no assurance that the
Fund will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund may be an
appropriate investment for long-term investors who seek to diversify their
growth investments and who are willing to accept greater risk for potentially
higher return.
 
     The Fund intends to invest principally in small capitalization companies
that, in the view of the Adviser, are temporarily out of favor or simply
undiscovered, yet possess upside growth potential coupled with attractive
valuations company's market capitalization is the total market value of its
outstanding common stock. The securities of small capitalization companies
typically are more thinly traded than those of larger companies and the prices
of small capitalization securities may fluctuate significantly in response to,
among other things, news about a company, movements in the markets or changes in
the economy.
 
     The Adviser seeks to identify and invest in companies it believes have a
minimum of downside risk and whose stock is selling at a substantial discount
from previous peak prices. In addition, the Adviser seeks to invest in companies
whose fundamental attributes, in the Adviser's opinion, are improving but whose
improvement has not been fully recognized by the investment community. In the
vernacular of investment management, the Adviser would be characterized as a
small cap value contrarian manager. In seeking investment opportunities, the
Adviser relies primarily on a company by company analysis (rather than broader
analysis of industry or economic trends), with the bulk of the research being
done in-house. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers in any industry,
but the Adviser emphasizes investments in those industries for which the Adviser
believes the economic cycle is improving or where the economic cycle has less
impact. While the stocks of the companies the Adviser normally focuses on are
actively traded, the Fund may purchase the shares of small companies whose stock
is less actively traded. The securities in which the Fund invests may be traded
on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter exchanges.
 
4. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
     The investment objective and all investment policies of the Fund that are
designated as fundamental may be changed only with the approval of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. A majority of
the Fund's outstanding voting securities means the lesser of (1) 67% of the
shares of the Fund present or represented at a meeting at which the holders of
more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented,
or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Unless otherwise
indicated, all investment policies are not fundamental and may be changed by the
Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. For more information concerning
shareholder voting, see "Other Information -- The Trust and Its Shares."
 
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
 
     The Fund has adopted the following investment limitations which, except for
No. (5), are fundamental policies. Additional fundamental and nonfundamental
limitations are listed in the Statement of Additional Information. The Fund may
not:
 
     (1)  Borrow money, except the Fund may enter into commitments to purchase
securities in accordance with its investment program, including delayed-delivery
and when-issued securities and reverse repurchase agreements, provided that the
total amount of any such borrowing does not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund's total
assets.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
     (2)  Make loans to other persons except for loans of portfolio securities,
through the use of repurchase agreements, and through the purchase of debt
securities that are otherwise permitted investments.
 
     (3)  Purchase the securities of issuers (other than U.S. Government
Securities) conducting their business activity in the same industry if,
immediately after such purchase, the value of investments in such industry would
comprise 25% or more of the value of the Fund's total assets.
 
     (4)  Purchase a security if, as a result (a) more than 5% of the Fund's
total assets would be invested in the securities of a single issuer, or (b) the
Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single
issuer. This limitation applies only with respect to 75% of the Fund's total
assets and does not apply to U.S. Government Securities.
 
     (5)  Invest more than 15% of its net assets in securities that are not
readily marketable, including repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven
days.
 
     If a percentage restriction on investment or utilization of assets as set
forth above is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a later change in
percentage resulting from a change in the market values of the Fund's assets or
redemptions of Fund shares will not be considered a violation of the limitation.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
     The frequency of portfolio transactions (the portfolio turnover rate) will
vary from year to year depending on market conditions. An annual turnover rate
of 100% would occur, for example, if all of the securities in the Fund were
replaced once in a one-year period. The Adviser weighs the anticipated benefits
of short-term investments against these consequences.
 
     The Fund has no obligation to deal with any specific broker or dealer in
the execution of portfolio transactions. Consistent with its policy of obtaining
the best net results, the Fund may conduct brokerage transactions through
certain affiliates of the Adviser. The Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board")
has adopted policies to ensure that these transactions are reasonable and fair
and that the commissions charged are comparable to those charged by non-
affiliated
 
5. MANAGEMENT
 
     The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the
Board. The Board formulates the general policies of the Fund and generally meets
quarterly to review the results of the Fund, monitor investment activities and
practices and discuss other matters affecting the Fund and the Trust.
Information about the Trustees and the officers of the Trust is in the SAI under
"Management -- Trustees and Officers."
 
THE ADVISER
 
     OAK HALL-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.P.,  located at 122 East
42nd Street, 24th Floor, New York, New York 10168, serves as investment adviser
to the Fund under an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust. Subject to
the general control of the Board, the Adviser makes investment decisions for the
Fund and is responsible for, among other things, developing a continuing
investment program for the Fund in accordance with its investment objective and
reviewing the investment strategies and policies of the Fund. For its services,
the Adviser receives an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund's
average daily net assets. The Adviser voluntarily may waive all or any portion
of its advisory fee. Any waiver would effect the Fund's yield during the period
during which the waiver was in effect and would not be recouped by the Adviser
at a later date. On February 12, 1998, the Adviser agreed to waive its fee and
assume certain expenses of the Fund in order to maintain total operating
expenses at 1.50%.
 
     The Adviser is registered under the Investment Adviser's Act of 1940 and
provides investment management services to pension plans, endowment funds,
institutional and individual accounts. The Adviser was incorporated under the
laws of the State of New York in 1984 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of
American Securities Holding Corporation ("ASHC"). ASHC is wholly owned by a
trust, the beneficiaries of which are members of the William Rosenwald family.
As of the date of this Prospectus,
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
the Adviser had approximately $150 million in assets under management.
 
     Ed Cimilluca, Co-Chief Executive of the Adviser, has been the Fund's
co-portfolio manager since January 1, 1997. Prior to his association with the
Adviser, Mr. Cimilluca was Director of Research at J. & W. Seligman. Before
that, he was a Managing Director of Lehman Brothers, Inc. Mr. Cimilluca has
approximately 25 years in the investment business.
 
     John W. Morosani, Co-Chief Executive of the Adviser, also has been the
Fund's co-portfolio manager since January 1, 1997. Prior to his association with
the Adviser, Mr. Morosani was Director of Research at S. G. Warburg & Co., Inc.
Before that, he was an Associate Director at C. J. Lawrence, Inc. Mr. Morosani
has approximately 20 years in the investment business.
 
THE ADMINISTRATOR
 
     On behalf of the Fund, the Trust has entered into an Administration
Agreement with FAdS. Under the agreement, FAdS is responsible for the
supervision of the overall management of the Trust (including any services for
the Fund that the Trust has to pay fees), providing the Trust with general
office facilities and providing persons satisfactory to the Board of Trustees to
serve as officers of the Trust. For these services, FAdS is entitled to receive
a fee from the Fund computed and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.25% of the
Fund's average daily net assets. FAdS, in its sole discretion, may waive all or
any portion of its fees.
 
     Under a Fund Accounting Agreement with the Trust, FAcS performs portfolio
accounting services for the Fund, including determination of the Fund's net
asset value. For its services, FAcS is entitled to receive a fee at an annual
rate of $36,000 subject to adjustments for the number and type of portfolio
transactions.
 
     As of June 30, 1998, FAdS and FFSI provided management, administration and
distribution services to registered investment companies and collective
investment funds with assets of approximately $38 billion.
 
THE DISTRIBUTOR
 
     Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, FFSI acts as distributor of
the Fund's shares. FFSI acts as the agent of the Trust in connection with the
offering of shares of the Fund. FFSI receives no compensation for its services
under the Distribution Agreement. FFSI may enter into arrangements with banks,
broker-dealers or other financial institutions ("Processing Organizations")
through which investors may purchase or redeem shares. FFSI may, at its own
expense and from its own resources, compensate certain persons who provide
services in connection with the sale or expected sale of shares of the Fund.
Investors purchasing shares of the Fund through another financial institution
should read any materials and information provided by the financial institution
to acquaint themselves with its procedures and any fees that it may charge.
FFSI, the Fund's distributor, is a registered broker-dealer and investment
adviser and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
     Shareholder inquiries and communications concerning the Fund may be
directed to FSS. Under a Transfer Agency and Services Agreement, FSS acts as the
Fund's transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent. FSS maintains an account
for each shareholder of record, where all shares purchased are credited,
together with any distributions that are reinvested in additional shares. FSS
also performs other transfer agency functions and acts as dividend disbursing
agent for the Trust. For its services, FSS is entitled to receive a fee of
$12,000 annually and annual shareholder fees of $25.00 per shareholder account.
 
     The Trust has adopted a shareholder services plan for the Fund providing
that the Trust may obtain the services of the Adviser and other qualified
financial institutions to act as shareholder servicing agents for their
customers. Under this plan, the Trust has authorized Forum to enter into
agreements pursuant to which the shareholder servicing agent performs certain
shareholder services for Fund shareholders not otherwise provided by the Trust's
transfer agent. For these services, the Trust pays the shareholder servicing
agent a fee of up to 0.25% of the average
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
daily net assets of the Fund shares owned by investors for which the shareholder
servicing agent maintains a servicing relationship.
 
     Among the services provided by shareholder servicing agents are: answering
customer inquiries regarding account matters; assisting shareholders in
designating and changing various account options; aggregating and processing
purchase and redemption orders and transmitting and receiving funds for
shareholder orders; transmitting, on behalf of the Trust, proxy statements,
prospectuses and shareholder reports to shareholders and tabulating proxies;
processing dividend payments and providing subaccounting services for Fund
shares held beneficially; and providing such other services as the Trust or a
shareholder may request.
 
     As of the date of this Prospectus each of FAdS, FFSI, FSS and FAcS was
controlled by John Y. Keffer, President and Chairman of the Trust and was
located at Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine, 04101.
 
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
 
     The Adviser has voluntarily undertaken to assume certain Fund expenses (or
waive its fees). This undertaking is designed to place a maximum limit on
expenses (including all fees to be paid to the Adviser but excluding taxes,
interest, brokerage commissions and other portfolio transaction expenses and
extraordinary expenses) of 1.50% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
     The Trust is obligated to pay for all of its expenses, subject to the
Adviser's agreement to reimburse the Trust for excess expenses of the Fund. The
Fund's expenses comprise Trust expenses attributable to the Fund and expenses
not attributable to any particular portfolio of the Trust, which are allocated
among the Fund and the portfolios in proportion to their average net assets. The
Fund's expenses include: interest charges; taxes; brokerage fees and
commissions; certain insurance premiums; applicable fees and expenses under the
Trust's contracts with the Adviser, FAdS, FSS and any custodian; fees of
pricing, interest, dividend, credit and other reporting services; costs of
membership in trade associations; auditing, legal and compliance expenses; costs
of preparing and printing the Trust's prospectuses, statements of additional
information and shareholder reports and delivering them to existing
shareholders; compensation of certain of the Trust's trustees, officers and
employees and other personnel performing services for the Trust; and
registration fees and related expenses.
 
     The Adviser, FAdS, FSS, and FAcS, in their sole discretion, may waive all
or any portion of their respective fees, which are accrued daily and paid
monthly. Any such waiver, which could be discontinued at any time, would have
the effect of increasing the Fund's performance for the period during which the
waiver was in effect and would not be recouped at a later date.
 
YEAR 2000
 
     Like other mutual funds, financial and other business organizations and
individuals around the world, the Fund could be adversely affected if the
computer systems used by the Adviser and other service providers to the Fund do
not properly process and calculate date related information and data from and
after January 1, 2000. The Adviser and FAdS are taking steps to address the Year
2000 issue with respect to the computer systems that they use and to obtain
reasonable assurances that comparable steps are being taken by the Fund's other
major service providers. There can be no assurance, however, that these steps
will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact on the Fund from this problem.
 
6. PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES
 
     Investments in the Fund may be made either by an investor directly or
through certain brokers and financial institutions of which the investor is a
customer. All transactions in Fund shares are effected through FSS, which
accepts orders for purchases and redemptions from shareholders of record and new
investors. Shareholders of record will receive from the Trust periodic
statements listing all account activity during the statement period. The Trust
reserves the right in the future to modify, limit or terminate any shareholder
privilege upon appropriate notice to shareholders and charge a fee for certain
shareholder services, although no such fees are currently contemplated.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
PURCHASES
 
     Fund shares are sold at a price equal to their net asset value
next-determined without a sales charge on all weekdays except days when the New
York Stock Exchange is closed ("Business Day"). Normally, the New York Stock
Exchange is closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's
Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day
and Christmas. Fund shares are issued immediately after an order for the shares
in proper form is accepted by FSS. The Fund's net asset value is calculated at
4:00 p.m., Eastern time on each Business Day. Fund shares become entitled to
receive dividends on the next Business Day after the order is accepted.
 
     The Fund reserves the right to reject any subscription for the purchase of
its shares, including subscriptions by those deemed to be "market timers" and
may, in the Adviser's discretion, accept portfolio securities in lieu of cash as
payment for Fund shares. "Market timers" generally include market timing or
allocation services, accounts administered so as to buy, sell or exchange shares
based on predetermined market indicators, or any person or group whose
transactions seem to follow a timing pattern. Share certificates are only issued
to shareholders of record upon their written request and no certificates are
issued for fractional shares.
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
     Fund shares may be redeemed without charge at their net asset value on any
Business Day. There is no minimum period of investment and no restriction on the
frequency of redemptions. Fund shares are redeemed as of the Fund's
next-determined net asset value after FSS receives the redemption order in
proper form (and any supporting documentation which FSS may require). Shares
redeemed are not entitled to receive dividends declared after the day on which
the redemption becomes effective.
 
     Normally, redemption proceeds are paid immediately, but in no event later
than seven days after a redemption order is accepted. Proceeds of redemption
requests (and exchanges), however, will not be paid unless any check used for
investment has been cleared by the shareholder's bank, which may take up to 15
calendar days. This delay may be avoided by investing through wire transfers.
Unless otherwise indicated, redemption proceeds normally are paid by check and
mailed to the shareholder's record address. The right of redemption may not be
suspended nor the payment dates postponed except when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (or when trading is restricted) for any reason other than its
customary weekend or holiday closings or under any emergency or other
circumstance as determined by the SEC.
 
     Proceeds of redemptions normally are paid in cash. However, payments may be
made wholly or partially in portfolio securities if the Board determines that
payment in cash would be detrimental to the best interests of the Fund. The
Trust will only effect a redemption in portfolio securities if the particular
shareholder is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's net assets,
whichever is less, during any 90-day period.
 
     The Trust employs reasonable procedures to ensure that telephone orders are
genuine (which include recording certain transactions and the use of shareholder
security codes). If the Trust did not employ such procedures it could be liable
for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.
Shareholders should verify the accuracy of telephone instructions immediately
upon receipt of confirmation statements. During times of drastic economic or
market changes, the telephone redemption and exchange privileges may be
difficult to implement. In the event that a shareholder is unable to reach FSS
by telephone, requests may be mailed or hand-delivered to FSS.
 
     Due to the cost to the Trust of maintaining smaller accounts, the Trust
reserves the right to redeem, upon not less than 60 days' written notice, all
shares in any Fund account with an aggregate net asset value of less than
$1,000. The Trust will not redeem accounts that fall below that amount solely as
a result of a reduction in net asset value.
 
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
 
     The following purchase and redemption procedures and shareholder services
apply to investors who invest in the Fund directly. These investors may open an
account by completing an account application or by contacting FSS at the address
on the first
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
page of this Prospectus. For those shareholder services not referenced on the
account application or to change information on a shareholder's account (such as
addresses), investors should request an Optional Services Form from FSS.
 
INITIAL PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
     There is a $10,000 minimum for initial investments in the Fund ($2,000 for
Individual Retirement Accounts).
 
     MAIL.  Investors may send a check made payable to the Trust along with a
completed account application for the Fund to FSS at the address on the first
page of this Prospectus.
 
     Checks are accepted at full value subject to collection. If a check does
not clear, the purchase order will be canceled, and the investor will be liable
for any losses or fees incurred by the Trust, FSS or FFSI.
 
     BANK WIRE.  To make an initial investment in the Fund using the wire system
for transmittal of money among banks, an investor should first telephone the
Trust at 800-625-4255 or FSS at 207-879-0001 to obtain an account number. The
investor should then instruct a bank to wire the investor's money immediately
to:
 
  BankBoston
  Boston, Massachusetts
  ABA # 011000390
  For Credit to: Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
        Account # 541-54171
        Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund
        (Investor's Name)
        (Investor's Account Number)
 
     The investor should then promptly complete and mail the account
application. Investors planning to wire funds should instruct the bank early in
the day so the wire transfer can be received prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time,
of the same day. The bank may impose a charge for transmitting payment by wire,
and there also may be a charge for use of Federal funds.
 
SUBSEQUENT PURCHASES OF SHARES
 
     There is a $5,000 minimum for subsequent purchases. Subsequent purchases
may be made by mailing a check, sending a wire as indicated above. Shareholders
using the wire system for subsequent purchases should first telephone the Fund
at 800-625-4255 or FSS at 207-879-0001 to notify it of the wire transfer. All
payments should clearly indicate the shareholder's name and account number.
 
     AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT.  Shareholders may purchase Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic transfer of funds from a
designated bank account maintained with a United States banking institution that
is an Automated Clearing House member. Under the program, existing shareholders
may authorize amounts of $250 or more to be debited from their bank account and
invested in a Fund monthly or quarterly. Shareholders wishing to participate in
this program may obtain the applicable forms from FSS. Shareholders may
terminate their automatic investments or change the amount to be invested at any
time by written notification to FSS.
 
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
     Shareholders that wish to redeem shares by telephone or receive redemption
proceeds by wire must elect these options by properly completing the appropriate
sections of their account application. These privileges may not be available
until several weeks after a shareholder's application is received. Shares for
which certificates have been issued may not be redeemed by telephone.
 
     MAIL.  Shareholders may make a redemption in any amount by sending a
written request to FSS accompanied by any share certificate that was issued to
the shareholder. All share certificates submitted for redemption must be signed
by the shareholder with a signature guarantee. All written requests for
redemptions must be signed by the shareholder and, in some cases, must have a
signature guarantee. See "Purchase and Redemption Procedures-Other Redemption
Matters."
 
     TELEPHONE.  A shareholder that has elected telephone redemption privileges
may make a telephone redemption request by calling FSS at (207) 879-0001 or
(800) 625-4255 and providing the shareholder's account number, the exact name in
which the shares are registered, the shareholder's
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
social security or taxpayer identification number. The Trust or FSS may employ
other procedures such as recording certain transactions to ensure telephone
instructions are genuine. If such procedures are followed, neither the Trust nor
FSS will be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent redemption
requests. In response to the telephone redemption instruction, the Fund will
mail a check to the shareholder's record address or, if the shareholder has
elected wire redemption privileges, wire the proceeds.
 
     BANK WIRE.  For redemptions of more than $10,000, a shareholder that has
elected wire redemption privileges may request the Fund to transmit the
redemption proceeds by Federal funds wire to a bank account designated on the
shareholder's account application. To request wire redemptions by telephone, the
shareholder also must have elected the telephone redemption privilege on the
account application. Redemption proceeds are transmitted by wire on the next
business day after the redemption request in proper form is received by FSS.
 
     AUTOMATIC REDEMPTIONS.  Shareholders may redeem Fund shares at regular,
preselected intervals by authorizing the automatic redemption of shares from
their Fund account. Redemption proceeds are sent either by check or by automatic
transfer to a designated bank account maintained with a United States banking
institution that is an Automated Clearing House member. Under this program,
shareholders may authorize the redemption of shares in amounts of $250 or more
from their account monthly or quarterly. Shareholders may terminate their
automatic redemptions or change the amount to be redeemed at any time by written
notification to FSS.
 
     OTHER REDEMPTION MATTERS.  To protect shareholders and the Fund against
fraud, signatures on certain requests must have a signature guarantee. Requests
must be made in writing and include a signature guarantee for any of the
following transactions: (1) any endorsement on a stock certificate; (2) written
instruction to redeem Shares whose value exceeds $50,000; (3) instructions to
change a shareholder's record name; (4) redemption in an account in which the
account address or account registration has changed within the last 30 days; (5)
the proceeds are not being sent to the address of record, preauthorized bank
account, or preauthorized brokerage firm account; (6) proceeds are to be paid to
someone other than the registered owners or to an account with a different
registration; or (7) change of automatic investment or redemption, dividend
election, telephone redemption or exchange option election or any other option
election in connection with the shareholder's account.
 
     Signature guarantees may be provided by any eligible institution acceptable
to FSS, including a bank, a broker, a dealer, a national securities exchange, a
credit union, or a savings association that is authorized to guarantee
signatures. Whenever a signature guarantee is required, the signature of each
person required to sign for the account must be guaranteed. A notarized
signature is not sufficient.
 
     FSS will deem a shareholder's account "lost" if correspondence to the
shareholder's address of record is returned as undeliverable, unless FSS
determines the shareholder's new address. When an account is deemed lost all
distributions on the account will be reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund. In addition, the amount of any outstanding (unpaid for six months or more)
checks for distributions that have been returned to the transfer agent will be
reinvested and the checks will be canceled.
 
EXCHANGES
 
EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
 
     Fund shareholders are entitled to exchange their Shares of the Fund for
shares of the Investor Share Class of Daily Assets Government Fund, a series of
the Trust. Exchanges may only be made between accounts registered in the same
name. When a shareholder exchanges shares, a completed account application must
be submitted to open a new account in a Fund if the shareholder requests any
shareholder privilege not associated with the existing account. Exchanges are
subject to the fees and the restrictions including minimum investment
requirements listed in the prospectus for the fund into which a shareholder is
exchanging. The Fund does not charge for exchanges, and there is currently no
limit on the number of exchanges a shareholder may make.
 
     The Trust (and Federal tax law) treats an exchange as a redemption of the
shares owned and the purchase of the shares of the fund being acquired.
Redemptions and purchases are effected at the respective net asset values of the
two funds as next determined after all proper instructions and all
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
necessary supporting documents by the fund whose shares are being exchanged are
received by FSS.
 
     MAIL.  Exchanges may be accomplished by written instructions to FSS
accompanied by any share certificate that may have been issued to the
shareholder. All written requests for exchanges must be signed by the
shareholder (a signature guarantee is not required) and all certificates
submitted for exchange must be endorsed by the shareholder with a signature
guarantee.
 
     TELEPHONE.  Exchanges may be accomplished by telephone by any shareholder
that has elected telephone exchange privileges by calling FSS at (207) 879-0001
or (800) 625-4255 and providing the shareholder's account number, the exact name
in which the shareholder's shares are registered and the shareholder's social
security or taxpayer identification number.
 
RETIREMENT PROGRAMS
 
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
 
     The Fund should not be considered as a complete investment vehicle for the
assets held in individual retirement accounts ("IRAs"). The minimum initial
investment for an IRA is $2,000, and the minimum subsequent investment is $250.
Individuals may make tax-deductible IRA contributions of up to a maximum of
$2,000 annually. However, this deduction will be reduced if the individual or,
in the case of a married individual filing jointly, either the individual or the
individual's spouse is an active participant in an employer-sponsored retirement
plan and has adjusted gross income above certain levels.
 
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
     The Fund may be a suitable investment vehicle for part or all of the assets
held in various employee benefit plans, including 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and
SARSEPs.
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
     Shares may be purchased and redeemed through certain broker-dealers, banks,
trust companies and their affiliates, and other financial institutions,
including affiliates of the transfer agent ("Processing Organizations").
Processing Organizations may receive as a dealer's reallowance a portion of the
sales charge paid by their customers who purchase Fund shares. In addition,
Processing Organizations may charge their customers a fee for their services and
are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase, redemption and other
requests to the Fund. The Trust is not responsible for the failure of any
Processing Organization to promptly forward these requests.
 
     Investors who purchase shares through a Processing Organization may be
charged a fee if they effect transactions in Fund shares through a broker or
agent and will be subject to the procedures of their Processing Organization,
which may include limitations, investment minimums, cutoff times and
restrictions in addition to, or different from, those applicable to shareholders
who invest in the Fund directly. These investors should acquaint themselves with
their Processing Organization's procedures and should read this Prospectus in
conjunction with any materials and information provided by their Processing
Organization. Customers who purchase Fund shares through a Processing
Organization may or may not be the shareholder of record and, subject to their
Processing Organization's and the Fund's procedures, may have Fund shares
transferred into their name. Under their arrangements with the Trust,
broker-dealer Processing Organizations are not generally required to deliver
payment for purchase orders until several business days after a purchase order
has been received by a Fund. Certain other Processing Organizations may also
enter purchase orders with payment to follow.
 
     Certain shareholder services may not be available to shareholders who have
purchased shares through a Processing Organization. These shareholders should
contact their Processing Organization for further information. The Trust may
confirm purchases and redemptions of a Processing Organization's customers
directly to the Processing Organization, which in turn will provide its
customers with such confirmations and periodic statements as may be required by
law or agreed to between the Processing Organization and its customers. The
Trust is not responsible for the failure of any Processing Organization to carry
out its obligations to its customer. Certain states permit shares of the Fund to
be purchased and redeemed only through registered broker-dealers, including the
Fund's distributor.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
7. DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     Distributions of the Fund's net investment income, if any, are declared and
paid annually. Any distributions of net capital gain realized by the Fund are
distributed annually.
 
     Shareholders may choose either to have distributions of net investment
income paid in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares or distributions of
net capital gain paid in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares. All
distributions are treated in the same manner for Federal income tax purposes
whether paid in cash or reinvested in Fund shares.
 
     Distributions are reinvested at the Fund's net asset value as of the
payment date of the distribution. All distributions are reinvested unless
another option is selected. All distributions not reinvested are paid to the
shareholder in cash and may be paid more than seven days following the date on
which distributions would otherwise be reinvested.
 
TAXES
 
     The Fund intends to qualify for each fiscal year to be taxed as a
"regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. As such, the Fund will not be liable for Federal income taxes on the
net investment income and net capital gain distributed to its shareholders.
Because the Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income and net
capital gain each year, the Fund should avoid all Federal income and excise
taxes.
 
     Dividends paid by the Fund out of its net investment income (including any
realized net short-term capital gain) are taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income. Distributions of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net gain from
capital assets held for more than one year over net loss from capital assets
held for not more than one year) will be treated in the hands of shareholders as
long-term capital gain, regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares in
the Fund. If Fund shares are sold at a loss after being held for six months or
less, the loss will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any
distribution of net capital gain received on those shares.
 
     Any dividend or distribution received by a shareholder reduces the net
asset value of the shareholder's shares by the amount of the dividend or
distribution. To the extent that the income or gain comprising a dividend or
distribution was accrued by the Fund before the shareholder purchased the
shares, the dividend or distribution would be in effect a return of capital to
the shareholder. All dividends and distributions, including those that operate
as a return of capital, however, are taxable as described above to the
shareholder receiving them regardless of the length of time he may have held
shares prior to the dividend or distribution.
 
     It is expected that a portion of the Fund's dividends to shareholders will
qualify for the dividends received deduction for corporations.
 
     The Fund may be required by Federal law to withhold 31% of reportable
payments (which may include dividends, capital gain distributions and redemption
proceeds) paid to individuals and certain other non-corporate shareholders.
Withholding is not required if a shareholder certifies that the shareholder's
social security or tax identification number provided to the Fund is correct and
that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding.
 
     Reports containing appropriate information with respect to the Federal
income tax status of dividends and distributions paid during the year by the
Fund will be mailed to shareholders shortly after the close of each year.
 
     The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important Federal tax
considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders. There may be
other Federal, state or local tax considerations applicable to a particular
investor. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisers.
 
8. OTHER INFORMATION
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
     The Fund's performance may be quoted in advertising in terms of yield or
total return. Both types of performance are based on historical results and are
not intended to indicate future performance.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
The Fund's yield measures the rate of income earned by the Fund as a percentage
of the Fund's share price. Yield is calculated by dividing the net investment
income of the Fund for the stated period by the average number of shares
entitled to receive dividends and expressing the result as an annualized
percentage rate based on the Fund's share price at the end of the period. Total
return refers to the average annual compounded rates of return over some
representative period that would equate an initial amount invested at the
beginning of a stated period to the ending redeemable value of the investment,
after giving effect to the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and
deductions of expenses during the period. The Fund may also advertise its total
return over different periods of time or by means of aggregate, average, year by
year, or other types of total return figures. Because average annual returns
tend to smooth out variations in the Fund's returns, shareholders should
recognize that they are not the same as actual year-by-year results.
 
     The Fund's advertisements may refer to ratings and rankings among similar
funds by independent evaluators such as Morningstar, Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc. or CDA/Weisenberger. In addition, the Fund's performance may be compared to
recognized indices or market performance. The comparative material found in the
Fund's advertisements, sales literature or reports to shareholders may contain
performance ratings. These are not to be considered representative or indicative
of future performance.
 
BANKING LAW MATTERS
 
     Banking laws and regulations generally permit a bank or bank affiliate to
purchase shares of an investment company as agent for and upon the order of a
customer and in the view of FFSI would permit a bank or bank affiliate to serve
as a Processing Organization or perform sub-transfer agent or similar services
for the Trust and its shareholders. If a bank or bank affiliate were prohibited
from performing all or a part of the foregoing services, its shareholder
customers would be permitted to remain shareholders of the Trust and alternative
means for continuing to service them would be sought. It is not expected that
shareholders would suffer adverse financial consequences as a result of any
changes in bank or bank affiliate service arrangements.
 
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
 
     The Trust determines the net asset value per share of the Fund as of 4:00
p.m., Eastern time, on each Business Day by dividing the value of the Fund's net
assets (i.e., the value of its portfolio securities and other assets less its
liabilities) by the number of the Fund's shares outstanding at the time the
determination is made. Securities owned by the Fund for which market quotations
are readily available are valued at current market value or, in their absence,
at fair value as determined by procedures approved by the Board. Purchases and
redemptions are effected at the net asset value next determined after any
purchase or redemption order is processed.
 
THE TRUST AND ITS SHARES
 
     The Trust was originally incorporated in Maryland on March 24, 1980 and
assumed the name of Forum Funds, Inc. on March 16, 1987. On January 5, 1996,
Forum Funds, Inc. was reorganized as a Delaware business trust under the name
Forum Funds. The Trust has an unlimited number of authorized shares of
beneficial interest. The Board may, without shareholder approval, divide the
authorized shares into an unlimited number of separate portfolios or series
(such as the Fund) and may in the future divide portfolios or series into two or
more classes of shares. Currently the authorized shares of the Trust are divided
into 23 separate series. Prior to November 25, 1996, the Fund was a separate
portfolio, Oak Hall-Registered Trademark- Equity Fund, of Stone Bridge Funds,
Inc., a Maryland corporation. On February 12, 1998, the Fund's name was changed
to the Oak Hall-Registered Trademark- Small Cap Contrarian Fund.
 
     Each share of each fund of the Trust has equal dividend, distribution,
liquidation and voting rights, and fractional shares have those rights
proportionately, except that expenses related to the distribution of the shares
of each class (and certain other expenses such as transfer agency and
administrative expenses) are borne solely by those shares and each class votes
separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1 plan which pertain
to the class and
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
other matters for which separate class voting is appropriate under applicable
law. Generally, shares will be voted in the aggregate without reference to a
particular portfolio, except if the matter affects only one portfolio or voting
by portfolio or class is required by law, in which case shares will be voted
separately by portfolio. Delaware law does not require the Trust to hold annual
meetings of shareholders, and it is anticipated that shareholder meetings will
be held only when specifically required by Federal or state law. Shareholders
(and Trustees) have available certain procedures for the removal of Trustees.
There are no conversion or preemptive rights in connection with shares of the
Trust. All shares when issued in accordance with the terms of the offering will
be fully paid and nonassessable. Shares are redeemable at net asset value, at
the option of the shareholders, subject to any contingent deferred sales charge
that may apply. A shareholder in a portfolio is entitled to the shareholder's
pro rata share of all dividends and distributions arising from that portfolio's
assets and, upon redeeming shares, will receive the portion of the portfolio's
net assets represented by the redeemed shares.
 
     From time to time, certain shareholders may own a large percentage of the
shares of the Fund. Accordingly, those shareholders may be able to greatly
affect (if not determine) the outcome of a shareholder vote.
 
     NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND THE FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN CONNECTION
WITH THE OFFERING OF THE FUND'S SHARES, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
TRUST. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO
ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH OFFER MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
                         OAK HALL-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-
                                   SMALL CAP
                                CONTRARIAN FUND
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                 AUGUST 1, 1998
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                           HTTP://WWW.OAKHALLFUND.COM
<PAGE>

[GRAPHIC]

                                      PROSPECTUS




                                   THE QUADRAFUNDS




                                  VALUE EQUITY FUND
                                     GROWTH FUND





                                       08.01.98
<PAGE>
THE QUADRA FUNDS
 
 QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND
 QUADRA GROWTH FUND
 
FUND INFORMATION,
ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES:
   QUADRA Capital Partners, LLC
    270 Congress Street
    Boston, Massachusetts 02210
    617.426.0900
    800.595.9291
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                                 August 1, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
This Prospectus offers shares of the Quadra Value Equity Fund and Quadra Growth
Fund (each a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds"). The Funds are each
diversified portfolios of Forum Funds (the "Trust"), a registered, open-end,
management investment company.
 
    QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND. The investment objective of the Quadra Value
Equity Fund is to seek capital appreciation by investing primarily in a
diversified portfolio of common and preferred stock and securities convertible
into common stock and preferred stock.
 
    QUADRA GROWTH FUND. The investment objective of the Quadra Growth Fund is to
seek capital appreciation by investing primarily in high quality domestic
companies that the investment subadviser believes have superior growth
potential.
 
This Prospectus contains the information a prospective investor should know
about the Trust and the Funds before investing. The Trust has filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a Statement of Additional Information
dated August 1, 1998, as may be amended from time to time ("SAI"), which
contains more detailed information about the Trust and the Funds and is
available together with other related materials for reference on the SEC's
Internet Web Site (http://www.sec.gov). The SAI, which is incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus, is also available, without charge, from The
Quadra Funds at 800.595.9291.
 
PLEASE READ THIS PROSPECTUS BEFORE INVESTING IN ANY OF THE FUNDS, AND RETAIN IT
                             FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Page
                                                           -----
<C>          <S>                                         <C>
        1.   Prospectus Summary..........................          2
        2.   Financial Highlights........................          5
        3.   Investment Objectives and Policies..........          6
        4.   Additional Investment Policies..............          7
 
<CAPTION>
                                                            Page
                                                           -----
<C>          <S>                                         <C>
        5.   Management..................................          9
        6.   Purchases and Redemptions of Shares.........         15
        7.   Distributions and Tax Matters...............         20
        8.   Other Information...........................         21
             Appendix A..................................         23
</TABLE>
 
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.
<PAGE>
1. PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
    The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information contained in this Prospectus.
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
 
    The investment objectives and policies of the Funds are described more fully
in this prospectus under "Investment Objectives and Policies."
 
    QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND seeks capital appreciation by investing primarily
in a diversified portfolio of common and preferred stock and securities
convertible into common stock and preferred stock.
 
    QUADRA GROWTH FUND seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
primarily in high quality domestic companies that the investment subadviser
believes have superior growth potential.
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
    Quadra Capital Partners, LLC ("Quadra" or the "Adviser"), is each Fund's
investment adviser. Quadra is responsible for, among other things, developing
and reviewing the investment strategies and policies of each Fund. See
"Management - The Adviser."
 
INVESTMENT SUBADVISERS
 
    To assist it in carrying out its responsibilities, the Adviser has retained
the following subadvisers ("Subadvisers") to render advisory services and make
daily investment decisions for each Fund:
 
    - The portfolio of the QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND is managed by Carl Domino
      Associates, L.P.
 
    - The portfolio of the QUADRA GROWTH FUND is managed by Smith Asset
      Management Group, L.P.
 
    Quadra is also responsible for monitoring the investments and the
performance of the Subadviser of each Fund. Quadra and the Subadvisers may be
referred to herein as the "Advisers." See "Management."
 
    For information regarding the experience of the investment advisers of the
Funds with respect to the management of investment companies, see "Management."
 
FUND MANAGEMENT
 
    The administrator of the Trust is Forum Administrative Services, LLC
("FAdS') and the distributor of its shares is Forum Financial Services, Inc.
("FFSI"). Forum Shareholder Services, LLC ("FSS") serves as the Trust's transfer
agent, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent and Forum Accounting
Services, LLC ("FAcS") provides portfolio accounting services for the Trust. The
address of each of FAdS, FFSI, FSS, and FAcS is Two Portland Square, Portland,
Maine 04101. See "Management."
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
 
    Shares of the Funds are offered at the next-determined net asset value
without a sales charge. The minimum initial investment is $100,000. The Trust
reserves the right to waive the minimum investment requirement. There is no
minimum for subsequent investments. See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares."
 
    Shares may be purchased or redeemed on days that the New York Stock Exchange
is open for trading, normally weekdays except customary business holidays and
Good Friday ("Fund Business Day"). Purchase and redemption orders are accepted
by the transfer agent between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on each
Fund Business Day. See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares."
 
    Shares of the Funds are not offered for sale in every state. To determine
whether a Fund is available for purchase in a particular state, contact The
Quadra Funds at the address and or number referenced on the first page of this
Prospectus.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
 
    Shareholders of a Fund may exchange their shares without charge for shares
of any other Quadra Fund or Daily Assets Government Fund, a money market fund of
the Trust offered by a separate prospectus. See "Purchases and Redemptions of
Shares - Exchanges."
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    The Funds distribute substantially all of their net investment income and
capital gains, if any, to shareholders annually. All distributions are
reinvested automatically in additional shares of the Funds at net asset value
unless a shareholder has notified a Fund in writing of the shareholder's
election to have them paid in cash. See "Dividends and Tax Matters."
 
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS
 
    There can be no assurance that either of the Funds will achieve its
investment objective, and each Fund's net asset value and total return will
fluctuate based upon changes in the value of its portfolio securities. Upon
redemption, an investment in a Fund may be worth more or less than its original
value.
 
    All investments made by the Funds entail some risk. Certain investments and
investment techniques, however, entail additional risks, such as the potential
use of leverage by the Funds through borrowings or securities lending. For more
information about the risks of investing in the Funds, please see "Investment
Objectives and Policies," "Additional Investment Policies" and "Appendix A:
Investments, Investment Strategies and Risk Considerations."
 
    The Quadra Value Equity Fund invests in securities that its investment
subadviser believes may be undervalued by the market. The Quadra Growth Fund
invests in securities that its investment subadviser believes have superior
growth potential. These investment policies entail certain risks in addition to
those normally associated with investment in equity securities, such as the
potential for a high degree of volatility and price fluctuations in response to
stock market movements. See "Investment Objectives and Policies."
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
EXPENSES OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS
 
    The purpose of the following table is to assist investors in understanding
the various expenses that an investor in a Fund will bear directly or
indirectly.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            QUADRA
                                                                                         VALUE EQUITY       QUADRA
                                                                                             FUND         GROWTH FUND
                                                                                         -------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>            <C>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
 (as a percentage of average net assets after applicable expense
 reimbursements and fee waivers)
Advisory Fees..........................................................................        0.00%           0.00%
12b-1 Fees.............................................................................         None            None
Other Expenses (after expense reimbursements)..........................................        1.00%           1.00%
                                                                                              ------          ------
Total Fund Operating Expenses..........................................................        1.00%           1.00%
</TABLE>
 
    The Annual Fund Operating Expenses are based on assets and expenses of each
Fund during their most recent fiscal year ending March 31, 1998. Absent certain
expense reimbursements and fee waivers, Advisory Fees, Other Expenses and Total
Fund Operating Expenses would be 1.00%, 15.57% and 16.57% respectively, in the
case of Quadra Value Equity Fund and 1.00%, 11.16%, and 12.16%, respectively, in
the case of Quadra Growth Fund. Expense reimbursements and fee waivers are
voluntary and may be reduced or eliminated at any time. The Adviser has agreed
to waive its fees and/or reimburse each Fund's expenses in order to cap each
Fund's expenses at the amount of Total Operating Expenses stated in the above
table. For a further description of the various expenses incurred in the
operation of the Funds, see "Management."
 
EXAMPLE
 
    The following is an example of the expenses you would pay assuming (1) a
$1,000 investment, (2) a 5% annual return, (3) the reinvestment of all
distributions and (4) full redemption at the end of each period.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  ONE   THREE   FIVE     TEN
                                                  YEAR  YEARS   YEARS   YEARS
                                                  ----  -----   -----   -----
       <S>                                        <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>
       Quadra Value Equity Fund.................  $ 10  $ 32    $ 55    $ 122
       Quadra Growth Fund.......................  $ 10  $ 32    $ 55    $ 122
</TABLE>
 
    THIS EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
EXPENSES OR RETURN; ACTUAL EXPENSES OR RETURN MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THESE
EXAMPLES. The example is based on the expenses listed in the table. The 5%
annual return is not predictive of and does not represent the Funds' projected
returns; rather, it is required by government regulation.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
2. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
    The following tables represent selected data for a single outstanding share
of each Fund for the periods shown. The information has been audited in
connection with an audit of the Funds' financial statements by Wolf & Company,
P.C., independent accountants. The Funds' financial statements and independent
auditors' report thereon are contained in the Funds' Annual Reports to
Shareholders and are incorporated by reference into the SAI. Further information
about the Funds' performance is contained in the Funds' Annual Report to
shareholders, which may be obtained from the Trust without charge by contacting
the Funds' transfer agent
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             QUADRA VALUE            QUADRA
                                              EQUITY FUND          GROWTH FUND
                                          -------------------   -----------------
                                            FOR THE PERIOD       FOR THE PERIOD
                                           APRIL 2, 1997* TO    NOVEMBER 4, 1997*
                                            MARCH 31, 1998      TO MARCH 31, 1998
                                          -------------------   -----------------
<S>                                       <C>                   <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period....        $ 10.00              $ 10.00
                                               --------             --------
Investment Operations:
  Net Investment Income (Loss)..........           0.22                 0.01
  Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
    (Loss) on Investments...............           3.45                 1.41
                                               --------             --------
Total from Investment Operations........           3.67                 1.42
                                               --------             --------
Distributions From:
  Net Investment Income.................          (0.17)                   -(a)
Total Distributions.....................          (0.70)                   -
                                               --------             --------
Net Asset Value, End of Period..........        $ 12.80              $ 11.42
                                               --------             --------
                                               --------             --------
Total Return............................          37.47%               14.23%
Ratio/Supplementary Data:
Net Assets at End of Period (000's
 omitted)...............................        $ 3,558              $ 3,722
Ratios to Average Net Assets:(b)
  Expenses Including
    Reimbursement/Waiver................           1.00%                1.00%
  Expenses Excluding
    Reimbursement/Waiver................          16.57%               12.16%
  Net Investment Income (Loss)
Including Reimbursement/Waiver..........           2.65%                0.83%
Portfolio Turnover Rate.................          32.45%               21.81%
Average Commission Rate (c)                     $0.0598              $0.0591
</TABLE>
 
    *   Date commenced operations.
 
    (a) Less than $0.01 per share.
 
    (b) Annualized.
 
    (c) Amount represents the average commission per share paid to brokers on
the purchase and sale of equity securities.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
3. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
 
QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to seek capital appreciation. There
can be no assurance, of course, that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    EQUITIES.  The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing
primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities, including common and
preferred stock and securities convertible into common and preferred stock. The
Fund normally will have at least 65% of its total assets invested in common
stock and securities convertible into common stock. The Fund intends to invest
principally in the equity securities of companies that the Subadviser believes
are undervalued in comparison to similar companies. To identify these companies,
the Subadviser will employ a number of valuation measures, including but not
limited to, an analysis of price/earnings ratios, price/book ratios, dividend
yield and measure of current profitability. The Fund also may invest in warrants
and the obligations of financial institutions and purchase securities on a
when-issued or forward commitment basis. The Fund may purchase and sell futures
contracts and options on futures contracts. For a further description of the
Fund's investment policies, see "Additional Investment Practices" below and
"Appendix A: Investments, Investment Strategies and Risk Considerations" which
is attached to this Prospectus.
 
    CERTAIN RISK FACTORS.  The market price of the equity securities in which
the Fund invests may change rapidly in response to many factors, including the
market's perception of the value of those securities. Because the Subadviser
seeks to invest in companies whose fundamental attributes, in the Subadviser's
opinion, have not been fully recognized by the investment community, the Fund's
portfolio may exhibit a high degree of volatility or price fluctuation when
compared to market averages.
 
    An investment in the Fund is not by itself a complete or balanced investment
program. Nevertheless, the securities in which the Fund invests may be an
important part of an investor's portfolio, particularly for long-term investors
able to tolerate short-term fluctuations in the Fund's net asset value.
Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept the risks associated with
investments in the stock market and should consider an investment in the Fund
only as a part of their overall investment portfolio.
 
QUADRA GROWTH FUND
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term capital
appreciation. There can be no assurance, of course, that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective through investment
primarily in the common stock of high-quality domestic companies that the
subadviser believes have superior growth potential. The Fund normally will have
at least 65% of its total assets invested in common stock and securities
convertible into common stock. The Subadviser seeks to identify growth companies
that it believes will report a level of corporate earnings that exceeds the
level expected by investment analysts and whose growth potential is, in the
Subadviser's opinion, generally unrecognized or misperceived by the market. In
searching for these companies, the Subadviser uses both quantitative and
fundamental analysis. The Subadviser emphasizes earnings estimate changes of
investment analysts, the recent
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
trend of company earnings reports, and the fundamental business outlook for the
company in its analysis. The Subadviser uses a variety of valuation measures to
determine whether the share price already reflects positive fundamentals. The
Subadviser attempts to constrain the variability of the investment returns by
employing risk control screens for price volatility, financial quality and
valuation and to the extent possible, gives equal weighting to portfolio
securities. The Fund may invest in preferred stock and convertible debt
securities and in American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary
Receipts ("EDRs") and other similar securities of foreign issuers.
 
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS
 
EQUITIES
 
    The fundamental risk of investing in common stock is the risk that the value
of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the
activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or
economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term
returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks,
fixed-income and money market investments. The market value of all securities,
including equity securities, is based upon the market's perception of value and
not necessarily the book value of the issuer or other objective measure of a
company's worth.
 
FOREIGN SECURITIES
 
    The Fund may invest in ADRs, EDRs and other similar investments of foreign
issuers. See "Investment Policies" above. Investments in foreign companies
involve certain risks, such as exchange rate fluctuations, political or economic
instability of the issuer or the country of the issuer and the possible
imposition of exchange controls, withholding taxes on dividends or interest
payments, confiscatory taxes or expropriation, Foreign securities may also be
subject to greater fluctuations in price than securities of domestic
corporations denominated in U.S. dollars. Foreign securities and their markets
may not be as liquid as domestic securities and their markets and foreign
brokerage commissions and custody fees are generally higher than those in the
United States, In addition, less information may be publicly available about a
foreign company than about a domestic company, and foreign companies may not be
subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards
comparable to those applicable to domestic companies.
 
4. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    The investment objective and all investment policies of a Fund that are
designated as fundamental may be changed only with the approval of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Fund. A majority of
outstanding voting securities means the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares of a
Fund present or represented at a shareholder meeting at which the holders of
more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented, or (2) more
than 50% of outstanding shares. Unless otherwise indicated, all investment
policies are not fundamental and may be changed by the Trust's Board of Trustees
("Board") without approval by shareholders of a Fund. For more information
concerning shareholder voting, see "Other Information - The Trust and Its
Shares."
 
DIVERSIFICATION
 
    Each Fund is "diversified" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the "1940 Act"). As a fundamental policy, with respect to 75 % of
its assets, no Fund may purchase a security (other than a U.S. Government
Security) if, as a result, (1) more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be
invested in the securities of a single issuer or (2) the Fund would own more
than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any single issuer. Each Fund
reserves the right to invest all or a portion of its assets in one or more of
the open-end investment companies. See "Additional Investment Policies - Core
and Gateway."
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
CONCENTRATION
 
    Each Fund is prohibited from concentrating its assets in the securities of
issuers in any single industry. As a fundamental policy, no Fund may purchase
securities if, immediately after the purchase, more than 25 % of the value of
the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers
conducting their principal business activities in the same industry. This limit
does not apply to investments in U.S. Government Securities, foreign government
securities, repurchase agreements covering U.S. Government Securities or
investment company securities.
 
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
 
    No Fund may knowingly acquire securities if, as a result, more than 15 % of
the Fund's net assets taken at current value would be invested in securities
that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business
at approximately the amount at which the Fund has valued the securities,
including repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.
 
BORROWING AND LENDING
 
    As a fundamental policy, each Fund may borrow money from banks or by
entering into reverse repurchase agreements, but the Funds will limit borrowings
to amounts not in excess of 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets
(computed immediately after the borrowing). Borrowing for other than temporary
or emergency purposes or meeting redemption requests is limited to 5% of the
value of each Fund's total assets. When a Fund establishes a segregated account
to limit the amount of leveraging of the Fund with respect to certain investment
techniques, the Fund does not treat those techniques as involving borrowings
(although they may have characteristics and risks similar to borrowings and
result in the Fund's assets being leveraged). See "Appendix A: Investments,
Investment Strategies and Risk Considerations - Borrowing" and "- Techniques
Involving Leverage." As a fundamental policy, no Fund may make loans except for
loans of portfolio securities, through the use of repurchase agreements, and
through the purchase of debt securities that are otherwise permitted investments
for the Fund.
 
SHORT SALES
 
    The Funds may not enter into short sales of securities except short sales
"against the box." In a short sale against the box, a Fund sells securities it
owns or has the right to acquire at no additional cost. A Fund does not
immediately deliver the securities sold, however. The seller is said to have a
short position in the securities sold until it delivers the securities, at which
time it receives the proceeds of the sale. A Fund's decision to make a short
sale "against the box" may be a technique to hedge against market risks when the
Subadviser believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline
in the value of a security owned by the Fund or a security convertible into or
exchangeable for such security. In certain cases, future losses in a Fund's long
position would be reduced by an offsetting future gain in the short position. A
Fund's ability to enter into short sales transactions is limited by certain tax
requirements. Under recently enacted legislation, if a Fund has unrealized gain
with respect to a long position and enters into a short sale against the box,
the Fund generally will be deemed to have sold the long position for tax
purposes and thus will recognize gain. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes"
in the SAI.
 
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION
 
    When business or financial conditions warrant, each Fund may assume a
temporary defensive position and invest all or any portion of their assets in
cash or in cash equivalents, including (1) short-term U.S. Government
Securities, (2) prime quality short-term instruments of commercial banks, (3)
prime quality commercial paper, (4) repurchase agreements with banks and
broker-dealers covering any of the securities in which the Fund may invest
directly and (5) shares of money market mutual funds. Prime quality refers to
the two highest short-term ratings of a nationally recognized statistical rating
organization. During periods when and to
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
the extent that a Fund has assumed a temporary defensive position, it will not
be pursuing its investment objective. The Funds may from time to time maintain
investments in cash and cash equivalents pending investment in securities.
 
COMMON INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
 
    Each Fund may purchase U.S. Government Securities and enter into repurchase
agreements (for reasons other than temporary defensive purposes) and reverse
repurchase agreements, may lend their portfolio securities and may purchase
portfolio securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis. It is
currently anticipated that the Funds will not enter into reverse repurchase
agreements or purchase portfolio securities on a when-issued or forward
commitment basis to any significant extent. See "Appendix A: Investments,
Investment Strategies and Risk Considerations."
 
CORE AND GATEWAY-REGISTERED TRADEMARK-
 
    Notwithstanding the other investment policies of the Funds, each Fund may
seek to achieve its investment objective by converting to a Core and Gateway
structure. Upon future action by the Board and notice to shareholders, a Fund
may convert to this structure. As a result, a Fund would hold as its only
investment, shares of another investment company having substantially the same
investment objective and policies as the Fund.
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
    The Subadvisers place orders for the purchase and sale of assets they manage
with brokers and dealers that they select. The Subadvisers seek "best execution"
for all portfolio transactions, but a Fund may pay higher than the lowest
available commission rates when the Subadviser believes it is reasonable to do
so in light of the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the
broker effecting the transaction.
 
    Commission rates for brokerage transactions are fixed on many foreign
securities exchanges, and this may cause higher brokerage expenses to accrue to
a Fund that invests in foreign securities than would be the case for comparable
transactions effected on United States securities exchanges.
 
    The frequency of portfolio transactions of a Fund (the portfolio turnover
rate) will vary from year to year depending on many factors. From time to time a
Fund may engage in active short-term trading to take advantage of price
movements affecting individual issues, groups of issues or markets. Tax rules
applicable to short-term trading may affect the timing of a Fund's portfolio
transactions or its ability to realize short-term trading profits or establish
short-term positions. An annual portfolio turnover rate of 100% would occur if
all of the securities in a Fund were replaced once in a period of one year.
Higher portfolio turnover rates may result in increased brokerage costs to a
Fund and a possible increase in short-term capital gains or losses. For the
fiscal year ending March 31, 1999, the estimated portfolio turnover rate for
Quadra Growth Fund is not expected to exceed 100%.
 
5. MANAGEMENT
 
    The business and affairs of the Funds are managed under the direction of the
Board. The Board formulates the general policies of the Funds and generally
meets quarterly to review the results of the Funds, monitor investment
activities and practices and discuss other matters affecting the Funds and the
Trust. Information about the Trustees and the officers of the Trust is in the
SAI under "Management - Trustees and Officers."
 
THE ADVISER
 
    QUADRA CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC,  located at 270 Congress Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02210, serves as investment adviser to the Funds under an
Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust. Subject to the general control of
the Board, the Adviser is responsible for, among other things, developing a
continuing investment program for each Fund in accordance with its investment
objective and reviewing the investment strategies and policies of
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
each Fund. For its services, the Adviser receives an advisory fee at the
following annual rates.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      FEE BASED ON
FUND                            AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
- ------------------------------  -------------------------
<S>                             <C>
Quadra Value Equity Fund......              1.00%
Quadra Growth Fund............              1.00%
</TABLE>
 
    The Adviser is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the
State of Delaware on September 8, 1995, and is registered under the Investment
Adviser Act of 1940 ("the Advisers Act"). As a new entity, Quadra has no
previous experience managing an investment company. The managing partners of
Quadra have significant experience, however, in the formation and management of
trust and investment management entities including registered investment
companies, registered investment advisers and a commingled fund of funds.
 
    Ms. Eileen Delasandro is a founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quadra.
She has over twenty years' experience in the institutional investment management
industry. Prior to founding Quadra, she was a Partner and Chief Operating
Officer at Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, L.P. Mr. Donald Levi is a
founder and Chief Operating Officer of Quadra. He has over thirty years'
experience in the banking and trust industries. Prior to founding Quadra, he was
founder and Chief Executive Officer of Western Trust Services. Mr. Howard
Stevenson is a founder and Chairman of Quadra. He is also the Sarofim-Rock
Professor at Harvard Business School, where he has taught for over twenty-five
years, and was co-chairman of the Baupost Group, a private registered investment
adviser, which he co-founded. Mr. Philip Hamilton is Senior Vice President at
Quadra. Prior to joining Quadra, he was Senior Researcher in Finance at Harvard
Business School. He serves as compliance officer for the firm. Mr. Hamilton has
completed the NASD's Series 6, 26 and 63 examinations.
 
THE SUBADVISERS
 
    To assist it in carrying out its responsibilities under the Investment
Advisory Agreement, Quadra has retained Subadvisers to provide advisory services
and make daily investment decisions for each Fund. Quadra makes recommendations
to the Trust's Board regarding the selection and retention of these Subadvisers.
On an ongoing basis, Quadra evaluates the Subadvisers and reports to the Board
concerning their investment results. Quadra also reviews the investments made
for the Funds by the Subadvisers to see that they comply with the Funds'
investment objectives, policies and restrictions.
 
    The following Subadviser and individuals of each are primarily responsible
for the day-to-day management of the Funds:
 
    CARL DOMINO ASSOCIATES, L.P.,  ("CDA"), 580 Village Boulevard, West Palm
Beach, Florida 33409, manages the portfolio of the QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND. CDA
is a limited partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, and
is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. It presently
manages over $2 billion in assets for colleges and universities, retirement
funds, state and local governments, investment companies and other institutions.
Mr. Carl Domino, CFA, founded CDA in 1987 and is presently Managing Partner and
Senior Portfolio Manager of CDA. Mr. Domino has over twenty-five years' equity
investment experience. Prior to that, Mr. Domino was Senior Portfolio
Manager/Chairman of the Investment Strategy Committee at Delaware Management
Company. Mr. Domino holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from
Harvard Business School. Mr. Paul Scoville, is a Senior Equity Portfolio Manager
at CDA. He has over twenty-seven years' equity investment experience. Prior to
joining CDA, Mr. Scoville was Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at
Criterion Investment Management. He holds a Law Degree from Emory University.
Mr. Stephen Kent, Jr., CFA, is a Senior Portfolio Manager at CDA. He has over
twenty-six years' investment experience, prior to joining CDA, Mr. Kent was a
Portfolio Manager with George D. Bjurman & Associates in Los Angeles. Mr. Kent
holds a degree
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
from Washington & Lee University. Mr. David Roberts is a Research Analyst at
CDA. He joined the firm in 1996 following his graduate studies in Business
Administration at Vanderbilt University. Mr. Roberts is a Chartered Financial
Analyst candidate.
 
    SMITH ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP, L.P. ("Smith Group"), 500 Crescent Court,
Suite 250, Dallas, Texas 75201 manages the portfolio of the QUADRA GROWTH FUND.
Smith Group is a limited partnership organized under the laws of the State of
Texas and is a registered investment adviser under the Advisers Act. It
presently manages over $1 billion in assets in a disciplined equity style for
company retirement plans, foundations, endowments, trust companies, and high net
worth individuals. Mr. Stephen S. Smith, CFA, co-founded Smith Group in 1995 and
is currently partner and chief executive officer. He has over twenty years of
equity investing experience. Mr. Smith previously served as senior portfolio
manger with NationsBank where he managed the institutional asset management
group. Mr. Smith holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration and a
Bachelors of Science Degree in Engineering from the University of Alabama. Mr.
Stephen J. Summers, a co-founder of Smith Asset Management, is partner and chief
operating officer. He has over twelve years of equity investing experience. Mr.
Summers previously served as general partner of Discovery Management, Ltd. He
also was a Vice President and Financial Analyst for Cardinal Investment Company.
Mr. Summers holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Southern
Methodist University. Ms. Sarah Castleman, CPA, is Vice President and portfolio
manager at Smith Group. She has over eight years of finance and investment
management industry experience. Previously, she was a Trust Officer at
NationsBank in Dallas. She also served as an audit and financial consultant at
Arthur Anderson's Dallas office. Ms. Castleman holds a B.B.A. from the
University of Texas. Mr. John Brim is Vice President and portfolio manager at
Smith Group. He has over eight years of investment management industry
experience. Previously, he was an investment consultant with Deloitte & Touche
LLP. He was also a senior client service manager at NationsBank in Dallas.
 
    Quadra performs internal due diligence on each Subadviser and monitors each
Subadviser's performance. Quadra will be responsible for communicating
performance targets and evaluations to the Subadvisers, supervising each
Subadviser's compliance with its Fund's fundamental investment objectives and
policies, authorizing Subadvisers to engage in certain investment techniques for
the Funds, and recommending to the Board whether sub-advisory agreements should
be renewed, modified or terminated. Quadra pays a fee to each of the
Subadvisers. These fees are borne solely by Quadra and do not increase the fees
paid by shareholders of the Funds. The amount of these fees may vary from time
to time as a result of periodic negotiations with the Subadvisers and pursuant
to certain factors described in the SAI. As of the date of this Prospectus,
Quadra will pay CDA, and Smith Group fees of 0.31% and 0.37%, respectively, of
the average daily net assets of the corresponding Fund for which the Subadviser
provides investment advisory services.
 
    Quadra also may from time to time recommend that the Board replace one or
more Subadvisers or appoint additional Subadvisers, depending on the Adviser's
assessment of what combination of Subadvisers it believes will optimize each
Fund's chances of achieving its investment objectives. In the event that a
Subadviser ceased to provide investment advisory services for a Fund, Quadra
would select a similarly qualified investment adviser to replace the Subadviser
but would not manage the Fund's portfolio.
 
PERFORMANCE OF INVESTMENT SUBADVISERS
 
BACKGROUND OF CARL DOMINO ASSOCIATES PERFORMANCE
 
    The following table sets forth composite performance data relating to the
historical performance of separate accounts and mutual fund portfolios managed
by CDA that have investment objectives,
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
policies, strategies and risks substantially similar to those of Quadra Value
Equity Fund. The data is provided to illustrate the past performance of CDA in
managing substantially similar accounts as measured against specified market
indices and does not represent the performance of the Quadra Value Equity Fund.
Investors should not consider this performance data as an indication of future
performance of the Quadra Value Equity Fund or of CDA.
 
    These investment results have been calculated and presented in compliance
with the AIMR Performance Presentation Standards of the Association for
Investment Management and Research ("AIMR"). AIMR has not been involved with the
preparation or review of this report. All returns presented were calculated on a
total return basis and include all dividends and interest, accrued income and
realized and unrealized gains and losses. All returns reflect the deduction of
the highest effective investment advisory fees, brokerage commissions and
execution costs paid by the investment adviser's private accounts, without
provision for federal or state income taxes. Custodial fees, if any, were not
included in the calculation. Account fees vary depending on, among other things,
the applicable fee schedule, portfolio size and nature of the account. CDA's
fees are available on request.
 
    This composite consists of all fully discretionary tax-exempt portfolios
managed by CDA that have an investment objective, and investment policies,
strategies and risks substantially similar to those of the Quadra Value Equity
Fund. Securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date and accrual
accounting is utilized. Cash and equivalents are included in performance
returns. Results for the period are time-weighted in accordance with AIMR
standards. The private accounts that are included in the composite are not
subject to the same types of expenses to which the Quadra Value Equity Fund is
subject nor to the diversification requirements, specific tax restrictions and
investment limitations imposed by the 1940 Act or Subchapter M of the Code.
Consequently, the performance results for the composite could have been
adversely affected if the private accounts included in the composite had been
regulated as investment companies under the federal securities laws. The
composite contains 16 portfolios, valued at $597 million, or 48% of the firm's
total assets.
 
    The investment results of CDA's composites presented below are unaudited and
are not intended to predict or suggest the returns that might be experienced by
the Fund or an individual investor investing in Quadra Value Equity Fund.
Investors should also be aware that the use of a methodology different from that
used below to calculated performance could result in different performance data.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            CDA'S COMPOSITE
                                FOR THE
                             VALUE EQUITY       S&P 500
                                 STYLE         INDEX(2)
                           -----------------  -----------
<S>                        <C>                <C>
Since Inception
 (1987-1998)(1)..........         14.83%          15.97%
5 Years (1992-1998)(1)...         21.85%          22.38%
3 Years (1994-1998)(1)...         29.77%          32.78%
1 Year (1998)(1).........         38.47%          47.98%
Year to Date(1)..........         10.01%          13.96%
1992.....................          8.52%           7.69%
1993.....................         13.11%          10.01%
1994.....................          4.34%           1.32%
1995.....................         35.27%          37.47%
1996.....................         28.85%          23.07%
1997.....................         30.64%          33.23%
</TABLE>
 
(1) Average annual return through March 31, 1998. Return for less than one year
    is not annualized.
 
(2) The S&P 500 Index (the "Index") is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of
    market activity based upon the aggregate performance of a selected portfolio
    of publicly traded common stocks of 500 industrial, transportation, utility
    and financial companies, regarded as generally representative of the U.S.
    stock market. The Index is subject to monthly adjustments to reflect the
    reinvestment of dividends and other distributions. The Index reflects the
    total return of securities comprising the Index, including changes in market
    prices as well as accrued investment income, which is presumed to be
    reinvested. Performance figures for the Index do not reflect deduction of
    transaction costs or expenses, including management fees, brokerage
    commissions, or other expenses of investing.
 
BACKGROUND OF SMITH GROUP PERFORMANCE
 
    The following table sets forth composite performance data relating to the
historical performance of separate accounts and mutual fund portfolios managed
by Mr. Stephen Smith, since the dates indicated, that have investment
objectives, policies, strategies and risks substantially similar to those of
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
Quadra Growth Fund. The data is provided to illustrate the past performance of
Mr. Smith in managing substantially similar accounts as measured against a
specified market index and does not represent the performance of the Fund.
Investors should not consider this performance data as an indication of future
performance of the Fund, the Smith Group or Mr. Smith.
 
    Mr. Smith's composite performance data were calculated on a total return
basis and include all dividends and interest, accrued income and realized and
unrealized gain and loss. All returns reflect the deduction of the highest
effective investment advisory fees, brokerage commissions and execution costs
paid by the investment adviser's private accounts, without provision for federal
or state income taxes. Custodial fees, if any, were not included in the
calculation. Account fees vary depending on, among other things, the applicable
fee schedule, portfolio size and nature of the account. Mr. Smith's fees are
available on request. Mr. Smith's composites include all actual, fee-paying,
discretionary institutional private accounts and mutual fund portfolios managed
by Mr. Smith. Securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date and
accrual accounting is utilized. Cash and equivalents are included in performance
returns. The monthly returns of Mr. Smith's composites combine the individual
accounts' returns (calculated on a time-weighted rate of return) by asset-
weighing each individual account's asset value as of the beginning of the month.
Quarterly and yearly returns are calculated by geometrically linking the monthly
and quarterly returns, respectively. The yearly returns are computed by
geometrically linking the returns of each quarter within the calendar year.
 
    The institutional private accounts that are included in Mr. Smith's
composites are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification
requirements, specific tax restrictions and investment limitations imposed on
the Portfolios by the 1940 Act or the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently, the
performance results for Mr. Smith's composites could have been adversely
affected if the institutional private accounts included in the composite had
been regulated as investment companies under the federal securities laws.
 
    The investment results of Mr. Smith's composites presented below are
unaudited and are not intended to predict or suggest the returns that might be
experienced by the Fund or an individual investor investing in Quadra Growth
Fund. Investors should also be aware that the use of a methodology different
from that used below to calculated performance could result in different
performance data.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         MR. SMITH'S
                      COMPOSITE FOR THE        S&P 500
                       GROWTH STYLE(2)        INDEX(3)
                    ---------------------  ---------------
<S>                 <C>                    <C>
Since Inception
 1/1/95(1)........           37.37%              31.15%
3 Years...........           37.57%              32.78%
1 Year(1).........           52.57%              47.98%
Year to Date......           10.38%              13.96%
1995..............           38.14%              37.54%
1996..............           31.30%              22.99%
1997..............           39.46%              33.23%
</TABLE>
 
(1) Average annual return through March 31, 1998. Return for less than one year
    is not annualized.
 
(2) The composite returns shown in this chart consists of total returns for the
    period January 1995 through March 31, 1998 of accounts for which Stephen S.
    Smith, now Chief Investment Officer of the Smith Group, served as the
    primary manager as described above, including the period January 1, 1995 -
    October 31, 1995, during which Mr. Smith was a senior portfolio manager for
    another firm. The composite does not include the performance of other
    accounts not managed similarly to the Portfolio. Since November 1, 1995 at
    Smith Group, Mr. Smith has employed the same investment style in
    discretionary private accounts as he employed in the accounts described
    above. No other person played a significant part in achieving the prior
    performance of these accounts during Mr. Smith's tenure. The data for
    January 1, 1995 - October 31, 1995 are not, and should not be, construed as
    the performance data of Smith Group, which began business on November 1,
    1995.
 
(3) The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index containing common stocks of 500
    industrial, transportation, utility and financial companies, regarded as
    generally representative of the U.S. stock market. The Index reflects the
    reinvestment of income dividends and capital gain distributions, if any. The
    Index reflects the total return of securities comprising the Index,
    including changes in market prices as well as accrued investment income,
    which is presumed to be reinvested. Performance figures for the Index do not
    reflect deduction of transaction costs or expenses, including management
    fees, brokerage commissions, or other expenses of investing.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
THE ADMINISTRATOR
 
    On behalf of the Funds, the Trust has entered into an Administration
Agreement with FAdS. Under the agreement, FAdS is responsible for the
supervision of the overall management of the Trust (including any services for
the Funds that the Trust has to pay fees) and providing the Trust with general
office facilities, necessary personnel to help ensure the effective operation of
the Trust as well as providing persons satisfactory to the Board to serve as
officers of the Trust. For these services, FAdS is entitled to receive a fee
from each Fund computed and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.10% of the first
$50 million of each Fund's average daily net assets and 0.05% of the average
daily net assets over $50 million, subject to an annual minimum of $40,000.
 
    Under a Fund Accounting Agreement with the Trust, FAcS performs portfolio
accounting services for the Funds, including determination of the Funds' net
asset value. For its services FAcS is entitled to receive a fee with respect to
each Fund at an annual rate of $36,000 subject to adjustments for the number and
type of portfolio transactions.
 
    As of June 30, 1998, FAdS and its affiliates provided management,
administration and distribution services to registered investment companies and
collective investment funds with assets of approximately $38 billion.
 
THE DISTRIBUTOR
 
    Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, FFSI acts as distributor of
the Funds' shares. FFSI acts as the agent of the Trust in connection with the
offering of shares of the Fund. FFSI receives no compensation for its services
under the Distribution Agreement. FFSI may enter into arrangements with banks,
broker-dealers or other financial institutions ("Processing Organizations")
through which investors may purchase or redeem shares. FFSI may, at its own
expense and from its own resources, compensate certain persons who provide
services in connection with the sale or expected sale of shares of the Funds.
Investors purchasing shares of the Funds through another financial institution
should read any materials and information provided by the financial institution
to acquaint themselves with its procedures and any fees that it may charge. FFSI
is a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser and is a member of the
National Association of Security Dealers.
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
    Shareholder inquiries and communications concerning the Funds may be
directed to FSS. Under a Transfer Agency and Services Agreement, FSS acts as the
Funds' transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent. FSS maintains an account
for each shareholder of record where all shares purchased are credited, together
with any distributions that are reinvested in additional shares. FSS also
performs other transfer agency functions and acts as dividend disbursing agent
for the Trust. For its services, FSS is entitled to receive a fee of $24,000
annually and annual shareholder fees of $25.00 for retail accounts and $125.00
for institutional accounts.
 
    The Trust has adopted a shareholder services plan for the Funds providing
that the Trust may obtain the services of the Adviser and other qualified
financial institutions to act as shareholder servicing agents for their
customers. Under this plan, the Trust has authorized FAdS to enter into
agreements pursuant to which the shareholder servicing agent performs certain
shareholder services not otherwise provided by the Funds' transfer agent. For
these services, the Trust pays the shareholder servicing agent a fee of up to
0.25% of the average daily net assets of the shares owned by investors for which
the shareholder servicing agent maintains a servicing relationship.
 
    Among the services provided by shareholder servicing agents are: answering
customer inquiries regarding account matters; assisting shareholders in
designating and changing various account options; aggregating and processing
purchase and redemption orders and transmitting and receiving funds for
shareholder orders; transmitting, on behalf of the
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
Trust, proxy statements, prospectuses and shareholder reports to shareholders
and tabulating proxies; processing dividend payments and providing subaccounting
services for Fund shares held beneficially; and providing such other services as
the Trust or a shareholder may request.
 
    As of the date of this Prospectus each of FAdS, FFSI, FSS and FAcS was
controlled by John Y. Keffer, President and Chairman of the Trust and were
located at Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine, 04101.
 
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
 
    The Adviser has voluntarily undertaken to assume certain Fund expenses. This
undertaking is designed to place a maximum limit on expenses (including all fees
to be paid to the Adviser but excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions
and other portfolio transaction expenses and extraordinary expenses) of 1.00% of
each Fund's average daily net assets.
 
    The Trust is obligation to pay for all of its expenses, subject to Adviser's
agreement to reimburse the Trust for excess expenses of the Funds. The Funds'
expenses comprise Trust expenses attributable to the Funds and expenses not
attributable to any particular portfolio of the Trust, which are allocated among
the Funds and the portfolios in proportion to their average monthly net assets.
Each Fund's expenses include: interest charges; taxes; brokerage fees and
commissions; certain insurance premiums; applicable fees and expenses under the
Trust's contracts with the Adviser, FAdS, FSS and any subcustodian; fees of
pricing, interest, dividend, credit and other reporting services; costs of
membership in trade associations; auditing, legal and compliance expenses; costs
of preparing and printing the Trust's prospectuses, statements of additional
information and shareholder reports and delivering them to existing
shareholders; compensation of certain of the Trust's trustees, officers and
employees and other personnel performing services for the Trust; and
registration fees and related expenses.
 
    The Adviser, FAdS, FSS, and FAcS in their sole discretion, may waive all or
any portion of their respective fees, which are accrued daily and paid monthly.
Any such waiver, which could be discontinued at any time, would have the effect
of increasing a Fund's performance for the period during which the waiver was in
effect and would not be recouped at a later date.
 
YEAR 2000
 
    Like other mutual funds, financial and other business organizations and
individuals around the world, the Funds could be adversely affected if the
computer systems used by the Adviser and other service providers to the Funds do
not properly process and calculate date related information and data from and
after January 1, 2000. The Adviser and FAdS are taking steps to address the Year
2000 issue with respect to the computer systems that they use and to obtain
reasonable assurances that comparable steps are being taken by the Funds' other
major service providers. There can be no assurance, however, that these steps
will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact on the Funds from this problem.
 
6. PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES
 
    Investments in the Funds may be made either by an investor directly or
through certain brokers and financial institutions of which the investor is a
customer. All transactions in Fund shares are effected through FSS, which
accepts orders for purchases and redemptions from shareholders of record and new
investors. Shareholders of record will receive from the Trust periodic
statements listing all account activity during the statement period. The Trust
reserves the right in the future to modify, limit or terminate any shareholder
privilege upon appropriate notice to shareholders and charge a fee for certain
shareholder services, although no such fees are currently contemplated.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
PURCHASES
 
    Fund shares are sold at a price equal to their net asset value
next-determined on all weekdays except days when the New York Stock Exchange is
closed ("Business Day"). Normally, the New York Stock Exchange is closed on New
Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Fund
shares are issued immediately after an order for the shares in proper form is
accepted by FSS. Each Fund's net asset value is calculated at 4:00 p.m., Eastern
time on each Business Day. Fund shares become entitled to receive dividends on
the next Business Day after the order is accepted.
 
    The Funds reserve the right to reject any subscription for the purchase of
their shares. Share certificates are only issued to shareholders of record upon
their written request and no certificates are issued for fractional shares.
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
    Fund shares may be redeemed without charge at their net asset value on any
Business Day. There is no minimum period of investment and no restriction on the
frequency of redemptions. Fund shares are redeemed as of a Fund's
next-determined net asset value after FSS receives the redemption order in
proper form (and any supporting documentation which FSS may require). Shares
redeemed are not entitled to receive dividends declared after the day on which
the redemption becomes effective.
 
    Normally, redemption proceeds are paid immediately, but in no event later
than seven days after a redemption order is accepted. Proceeds of redemption
requests (and exchanges), however, will not be paid unless any check used for
investment has been cleared by the shareholder's bank, which may take up to 15
calendar days. This delay may be avoided by investing through wire transfers.
Unless otherwise indicated, redemption proceeds normally are paid by check and
mailed to the shareholder's record address. The right of redemption may not be
suspended nor the payment dates postponed except when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (or when trading is restricted) for any reason other than its
customary weekend or holiday closings or under any emergency or other
circumstance as determined by the SEC.
 
    Proceeds of redemptions normally are paid in cash. However, payments may be
made wholly or partially in portfolio securities if the Board determines that
payment in cash would be detrimental to the best interests of a Fund. The Trust
will only effect a redemption in portfolio securities if the particular
shareholder is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of a Fund's net assets,
whichever is less, during any 90-day period.
 
    The Trust employs reasonable procedures to ensure that telephone orders are
genuine, including the recording of certain transactions. If the Trust did not
employ such procedures it could be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent telephone instructions. Shareholders should verify the accuracy of
telephone instructions immediately upon receipt of confirmation statements.
During times of drastic economic or market changes, the telephone redemption and
exchange privileges may be difficult to implement. In the event that a
shareholder is unable to reach FSS by telephone, requests may be mailed or
hand-delivered to FSS.
 
    Due to the cost to the Trust of maintaining smaller accounts, the Trust
reserves the right to redeem, upon not less than 60 days' written notice, all
shares in any Fund account with an aggregate net asset value of less than
$1,000. The Trust will not redeem accounts that fall below that amount solely as
a result of a reduction in net asset value.
 
    FSS maintains a shareholder account for each shareholder. The Trust does not
issue share certificates.
 
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
 
    The following purchase and redemption procedures and shareholder services
apply to investors who invest in the Funds directly. These investors
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
may open an account by completing an account application or by contacting Quadra
at the address on the first page of this Prospectus. For those shareholder
services not referenced on the account application or to change information on a
shareholder's account (such as addresses), investors should request an Optional
Services Form from Quadra.
 
INITIAL PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
    There is a $100,000 minimum for an initial investment in any of the Funds.
The Trust reserves the right to waive the minimum investment requirement.
 
    MAIL.  Investors may send a check made payable to The Trust along with a
completed account application for a Fund to FSS at the address listed on the
first page of this Prospectus. Checks are accepted at full value subject to
collection. If a check does not clear, the purchase order will be canceled and
the investor will be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Trust, FSS or
FFSI.
 
    BANK WIRE.  To make an initial investment in a Fund using the wire system
for transmittal of money among banks, an investor should first telephone Quadra
at 800.595.9291 or 617.426.0900 to obtain an account number. The investor should
then instruct a bank to wire the investor's money immediately to:
 
    BankBoston
    Boston, Massachusetts
    ABA# 011000390
    For Credit To: Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
    Account #: 541-54171
    Re: [Name of Fund]
    (Investor's Name)
    (Investor's Account Number)
 
    The investor should then promptly complete and mail the account application.
Investors planning to wire funds should instruct the bank early in the day so
the wire transfer can be received prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the same
day. The bank may impose a charge for transmitting payment by wire, and there
also may be a charge for the use of Federal funds.
 
SUBSEQUENT PURCHASES OF SHARES
 
    There is no minimum for subsequent purchases. Subsequent purchases may be
made by mailing a check or by sending a wire as indicated above. Shareholders
using the wire system for subsequent purchases should first telephone Quadra at
800.595.9291 or 617.426.0900 to notify it of the wire transfer. All payments
should clearly indicate the shareholder's name and account number.
 
    AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT.  Shareholders may purchase shares at regular,
pre-selected intervals by authorizing the automatic transfer of funds from a
designated bank account maintained with a United States banking institution
which is an Automated Clearing House member. Under the program, existing
shareholders may authorize amounts of $250 or more to be debited from their bank
account and invested in a Fund monthly or quarterly. Shareholders wishing to
participate in this program may obtain the application forms from Quadra.
Shareholders may terminate their automatic investments or change the amount to
be invested at any time by written notification to Quadra.
 
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
    Shareholders that wish to redeem shares by telephone or receive redemption
proceeds by wire must elect these options by properly completing the appropriate
sections of their account application. These privileges may not be available
until several weeks after a shareholder's application is received.
 
    MAIL.  Shareholders may make a redemption in any amount by sending a written
request to Quadra accompanied by any share certificate that was issued to the
shareholder. All share certificates submitted for redemption must be signed by
the shareholder with a signature guarantee. All accompanying written requests
for redemption must be signed by the shareholder and, in some cases, must
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
have a signature guaranteed. See "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares - Other
Redemption Matters."
 
    TELEPHONE.  A shareholder that has elected telephone redemption privileges
may make a telephone redemption request by calling Quadra at 800.595.9291 or
617.426.0900 and providing the shareholder's account number, the exact name in
which the shares are registered, the shareholder's social security or taxpayer
identification number. The Trust or FSS may employ other procedures such as
recording certain transactions to ensure telephone instructions are genuine. If
such procedures are followed, neither FSS nor the Trust will be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent redemption requests. In response to the
telephone redemption instruction, a Fund will mail a check to the shareholder's
record address or, if the shareholder has elected wire redemption privileges,
wire the proceeds.
 
    BANK WIRE.  For redemptions of more than $5,000, a shareholder that has
elected wire redemption privileges may request a Fund to transmit the redemption
proceeds by Federal funds wire to a bank account designated on the shareholder's
account application. To request wire redemptions by telephone, the shareholder
also must have elected the telephone redemption privilege on the account
application. Redemption proceeds are transmitted by wire on the next business
day after the redemption request in proper form is received by FSS.
 
    AUTOMATIC REDEMPTIONS.  Shareholders may redeem shares at regular,
pre-selected intervals by authorizing the automatic redemption of shares from
their Fund account. Redemption proceeds are sent either by check or by automatic
transfer to a designated bank account maintained with a United States banking
institution that is an Automated Clearing House member. Under this program,
shareholders may authorize the redemption of shares in amounts of $250 or more
from their account monthly or quarterly. Shareholders may terminate their
automatic redemptions or change the amount to be redeemed at any time by written
notification to Quadra.
 
    OTHER REDEMPTION MATTERS.  To protect shareholders and the Funds against
fraud, signatures on certain requests must have a signature guarantee. Requests
must be made in writing and include a signature guarantee for any of the
following transactions: (1) any endorsement on a stock certificate; (2) written
instruction to redeem Shares whose value exceeds $50,000; (3) instructions to
change a shareholder's record name; (4) redemption in an account in which the
account address or account registration has changed within the last 30 days; (5)
the proceeds are not being sent to the address of record, preauthorized bank
account, or preauthorized brokerage firm account; (6) proceeds are to be paid to
someone other than the registered owners or to an account with a different
registration; or (7) change of automatic investment or redemption, dividend
election, telephone redemption or exchange option election or any other option
election in connection with the shareholder's account.
 
    Signature guarantees may be provided by any eligible institution acceptable
to FSS, including a bank, a broker, a dealer, a national securities exchange, a
credit union, or a savings association that is authorized to guarantee
signatures. Whenever a signature guarantee is required, the signature of each
person required to sign for the account must be guaranteed. A notarized
signature is not sufficient.
 
    FSS will deem a shareholder's account "lost" if correspondence to the
shareholder's address of record is returned as undeliverable, unless FSS
determines the shareholder's new address. When an account is deemed lost all
distributions on the account will be reinvested in additional shares of the
appropriate Fund. In addition, the amount of any outstanding (unpaid for six
months or more) checks for distributions that have been returned to the Transfer
Agent will be reinvested and the checks will be canceled.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
EXCHANGES
 
EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
 
    Shareholders may exchange their shares for shares of any other Quadra Fund,
or the Daily Assets Government Fund, a money market fund of the Trust offered
through a separate prospectus, if shares of the other Quadra Fund are eligible
for sale in the shareholder's state of residence. Exchanges may only be made
between accounts registered in the same name. The minimum amount to open an
account in a Fund through an exchange from another fund or Daily Assets Cash
Fund is $100,000. When a shareholder exchanges shares, a completed account
application must be submitted to open a new account in a Fund if the shareholder
requests any shareholder privilege not associated with the existing account.
Exchanges are subject to the fees and the restrictions listed in the prospectus
for the fund into which a shareholder is exchanging. The Funds do not charge for
exchanges and there is currently no limit on the number of exchanges a
shareholder may make.
 
    The Trust (and Federal tax law) treats an exchange as a redemption of the
shares owned and the purchase of the shares of the fund being acquired.
Redemptions and purchases are effected at the respective net asset values of the
two funds as next determined after all proper instructions and all necessary
supporting documents by the fund whose shares are being exchanged are received
by Quadra.
 
    MAIL.  Exchanges may be accomplished by written instruction to Quadra. All
written requests for exchanges must be signed by the shareholder (a signature
guarantee is not required) and all certificates submitted for exchange must be
endorsed by the shareholder with a signature guarantee.
 
    TELEPHONE.  Exchanges may be accomplished by telephone by any shareholder
that has elected telephone exchange privileges by calling Quadra at 800.595.9291
or 617.426.0900 and providing the shareholder's account number, the exact name
in which the shareholder's shares are registered and the shareholder's social
security or taxpayer identification number.
 
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
 
    None of the Funds individually should be considered a complete investment
vehicle for the assets held in individual retirement accounts ("IRAs"). The
minimum initial investment for an IRA is $100,000. The Trust reserves the right
to waive this minimum. There is no minimum subsequent investment. Individuals
may make tax-deductible IRA contributions of up to a maximum of $2,000 annually.
However, this deduction will be reduced if the individual or, in the case of a
married individual filing jointly, either the individual or the individual's
spouse is an active participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan and has
adjusted gross income above certain levels.
 
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
    Shares may be purchased and redeemed through certain broker-dealers, banks,
trust companies and their affiliates, and other financial institutions,
including affiliates of the Transfer Agent. Processing Organizations may receive
as a dealer's reallowance a portion of the sales charge paid by their customers
who purchase Fund shares. In addition, Processing Organizations may charge their
customers a fee for their services and are responsible for promptly transmitting
purchase, redemption and other requests to a Fund. The Trust is not responsible
for the failure of any Processing Organization to promptly forward these
requests.
 
    Investors who purchase shares through a Processing Organization may be
charged a fee if they effect transactions in the Funds' shares through a broker
or agent and will be subject to the procedures of their Processing Organization,
which may include limitations, investment minimums, cutoff times and
restrictions in addition to, or different from, those applicable to shareholders
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
who invest in the Funds' shares. These investors should acquaint themselves with
their Processing Organization's procedures and should read this Prospectus in
conjunction with any materials and information provided by their Processing
Organization. Customers who purchase the Funds' shares through a Processing
Organization may or may not be the shareholder of record and, subject to their
Processing Organization's and a Fund's procedures, may have a Fund's shares
transferred into their name. Under their arrangements with the Trust,
broker-dealer Processing Organizations are not generally required to deliver
payment for purchase orders until several business days after a purchase order
has been received by a Fund. Certain other Processing Organizations may also
enter purchase orders with payment to follow.
 
    Certain shareholder services may not be available to shareholders who have
purchased shares through a Processing Organization. These shareholders should
contact their Processing Organization for further information. The Trust may
confirm purchases and redemptions of a Processing Organization's customers
directly to the Processing Organization, which in turn will provide its
customers with such confirmations and periodic statements as may be required by
law or agreed to between the Processing Organization and its customers. The
Trust is not responsible for the failure of any Processing Organization to carry
out its obligations to its customer. Certain states permit shares of a Fund to
be purchased and redeemed only through registered broker-dealers, including the
Fund's distributor.
 
7. DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX MATTERS
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Distributions representing the net investment income of the Funds are
declared and paid at least annually. Any distributions of net capital gain
realized by the Funds are distributed annually.
 
    Shareholders may choose either to have all distributions of net investment
income reinvested in additional shares of the Funds or paid in cash or to have
distributions of net capital gain reinvested in additional shares of the Funds
or paid in cash. All distributions are treated in the same manner for Federal
income tax purposes whether paid in cash or reinvested in the Funds' shares.
 
    All distributions are reinvested at a Fund's net asset value as of the
payment date of the distribution. All distributions are reinvested unless
another option is selected. All distributions not reinvested are paid to the
shareholder in cash and may be paid more than seven days following the date on
which distributions would otherwise be reinvested.
 
TAXES
 
    Each Fund intends to qualify for each fiscal year to be taxed as a
"regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. As such, the Funds will not be liable for Federal income taxes on the
net investment income and net capital gain distributed to its shareholders.
Because the Funds intend to distribute all of their net investment income and
net capital gain each year, the Funds should avoid all Federal income and excise
taxes.
 
    Dividends paid by a Fund out of its net investment income (including any
realized net short-term capital gain) are taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income. Distributions of net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net gain from
capital assets held for not more than one year) will be treated in the hands of
shareholders as long-term capital gain regardless of how long a shareholder has
held shares in a Fund. If Fund shares are sold at a loss after being held for
six months or less, the loss will be treated as long-term capital loss to the
extent of any distribution of net capital gain received on those shares.
 
    Any dividend or distribution received by a shareholder reduces the net asset
value of the
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
shareholder's shares by the amount of the dividend or distribution. To the
extent that the income or gain comprising a dividend or distribution was accrued
by a Fund before the shareholder purchased the shares, the dividend or
distribution would be in effect a return of capital to the shareholder. All
dividends and distributions, including those that operate as a return of
capital, however, are taxable as described above to the shareholder receiving
them regardless of the length of time he may have held shares prior to the
dividend or distribution.
 
    It is expected that a portion of a Fund's dividends to shareholders will
qualify for the dividends received deduction for corporations.
 
    The Funds may be required by Federal law to withhold 31% of reportable
payments (which may include dividends, capital gain distributions and redemption
proceeds) paid to individuals and certain other non-corporate shareholders.
Withholding is not required if a shareholder certifies that the shareholder's
social security or tax identification number provided to a Fund is correct and
that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding.
 
    Reports containing appropriate information with respect to the Federal
income tax status of dividends and distributions paid during the year by the
Funds will be mailed to shareholders shortly after the close of each year.
 
    The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important Federal tax
considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders. There may
be other Federal, state or local tax considerations applicable to a particular
investor. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisers.
 
8. OTHER INFORMATION
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
    Each Fund's performance may be quoted in advertising in terms of yield or
total return. Both types are based on historical results and are not intended to
indicate future performance. A Fund's yield is a way of showing the rate of
income earned by the Fund as a percentage of a Fund's share price. Yield is
calculated by dividing the net investment income of a Fund for the stated period
by the average number of shares entitled to receive dividends and expressing the
result as an annualized percentage rate based on the Fund's share price at the
end of the period. Total return refers to the average annual compounded rates of
return over some representative period that would equate an initial amount
invested at the beginning of a stated period to the ending redeemable value of
the investment, after giving effect to the reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions and deductions of expenses during the period. A Fund also may
advertise its total return over different periods of time or by means of
aggregate, average, year by year, or other types of total return figures.
Because average annual returns tend to smooth out variations in each Fund's
returns, shareholders should recognize that they are not the same as actual
year-by-year results.
 
    Each Fund's advertisements may reference ratings and rankings among similar
funds by independent evaluators such as Morningstar, Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc. or IBC/Donoghue, Inc. In addition, the performance of the Funds may be
compared to recognized indices of market performance. The comparative material
found in a Fund's advertisements, sales literature or reports to shareholders
may contain performance ratings. These are not to be considered representative
or indicative of future performance.
 
BANKING LAW MATTERS
 
    Banking laws and regulations generally permit a bank or bank affiliate to
purchase shares of an investment company as agent for and upon the order of a
customer and in the view of FFSI would permit a bank or bank affiliate to serve
as a Processing Organization or perform sub-transfer agent or similar services
for the Trust and its shareholders. If
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
a bank or bank affiliate were prohibited from performing all or a part of the
foregoing services, its shareholder customers would be permitted to remain
shareholders of the Trust and alternative means for continuing to service them
would be sought. It is not expected that shareholders would suffer adverse
financial consequences as a result of any changes in bank or bank affiliate
service arrangements.
 
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
 
    The Trust determines the net asset value per share of each Fund as of 4:00
p.m., Eastern time, on each Business Day by dividing the value of each Fund's
net assets (i.e., the value of its portfolio securities and other assets less
its liabilities) by the number of the Fund's shares outstanding at the time the
determination is made. Securities owned by a Fund for which market quotations
are readily available are valued at current market value or, in their absence,
at fair value as determined by procedures approved by the Board. Purchases and
redemptions are effected at the net asset value next-determined after any
purchase or redemption order is processed.
 
THE TRUST AND ITS SHARES
 
    The Trust was originally incorporated in Maryland on March 24, 1980, and
assumed the name of Forum Funds, Inc. on March 16, 1987. On January 5, 1996,
Forum Funds, Inc. was reorganized as a Delaware business trust under the name
Forum Funds.
 
    The Trust has an unlimited number of authorized shares of beneficial
interest. The Board may, without shareholder approval, divide the authorized
shares into an unlimited number of separate portfolios or series (such as the
Funds) and may in the future divide portfolios or series into two or more
classes of shares (such as Investor and Institutional Shares). Currently the
authorized shares of the Trust are divided into 23 separate series.
 
    Each share of each fund of the Trust has equal dividend, distribution,
liquidation and voting rights, and fractional shares have those rights
proportionately, except that expenses related to the distribution of the shares
of each class (and certain other expenses such as transfer agency and
administrative expenses) are borne solely by those shares and each class votes
separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1 plan which pertain
to the class and other matters for which separate class voting is appropriate
under applicable law. Generally, shares will be voted in the aggregate without
reference to a particular portfolio, except if the matter affects only one
portfolio or voting by portfolio or class is required by law, in which case
shares will be voted separately by portfolio. Delaware law does not require the
Trust to hold annual meetings of shareholders, and it is anticipated that
shareholder meetings will be held only when specifically required by Federal or
state law. Shareholders (and Trustees) have available certain procedures for the
removal of Trustees. There are no conversion or preemptive rights in connection
with shares of the Trust. All shares when issued in accordance with the terms of
the offering will be fully paid and nonassessable. Shares are redeemable at net
asset value, at the option of the shareholders, subject to any contingent
deferred sales charge that may apply. A shareholder in a portfolio is entitled
to the shareholder's pro rata share of all dividends and distributions arising
from that portfolio's assets and, upon redeeming shares, will receive the
portion of the portfolio's net assets represented by the redeemed shares.
 
    From time to time, certain shareholders may own a large percentage of the
shares of a Fund. Accordingly, those shareholders may be able to greatly affect
(if not determine) the outcome of a shareholder vote. As of July 1, 1998, the
Magill Family Foundation may be deemed to have controlled Quadra Growth Fund and
Quadra Value Equity Fund.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
 
INVESTMENTS, INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES AND RISK
CONSIDERATIONS
 
COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK
 
    Common stockholders are the owners of the company issuing the stock and,
accordingly, vote on various corporate governance matters such as mergers. They
are not creditors of the company, but rather, upon liquidation of the company
are entitled to their pro rata share of the company's assets after creditors
(including fixed income security holders) and, if applicable, preferred
stockholders are paid. Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference
over common stock as to dividends and, generally, as to the recovery of
investment. A preferred stockholder is a shareholder in the company and not a
creditor of the company as is a holder of the company's fixed income securities.
Dividends paid to common and preferred stockholders are distributions of the
earnings of the company and not interest payments, which are expenses of the
company. Equity securities owned by a Fund may be traded on national securities
exchanges, in the over-the-counter market or on a regional securities exchange
and may not be traded every day or in the volume typical of securities traded on
a major national securities exchange. As a result, disposition by a Fund of a
portfolio security to meet redemptions by shareholders or otherwise may require
the Fund to sell these securities at a discount from market prices, to sell
during periods when disposition is not desirable, or to make many small sales
over an extended period of time. The market value of all securities, including
equity securities, is based upon the market's perception of value and not
necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measure of a
company's worth.
 
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
 
    Convertible securities, which include convertible debt, convertible
preferred stock and other securities exchangeable under certain circumstances
for shares of common stock, are fixed income securities or preferred stock which
generally may be converted at a stated price within a specific amount of time
into a specified number of shares of common stock. A convertible security
entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the dividend
paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed,
converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities have
characteristics similar to nonconvertible debt securities in that they
ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of
common stocks of the same or similar issuers. These securities are usually
senior to common stock in a company's capital structure, but usually are
subordinated to non-convertible debt securities. In general, the value of a
convertible security is the higher of its investment value (its value as a fixed
income security) and its conversion value (the value of the underlying shares of
common stock if the security is converted). As a fixed income security, the
value of a convertible security generally increases when interest rates decline
and generally decreases when interest rates rise. The value of a convertible
security is, however, also influenced by the value of the underlying common
stock. A Fund may only invest in convertible securities that are investment
grade.
 
    A Fund may invest in equity-linked securities, including Preferred Equity
Redemption Cumulative Stock ("PERCS"), Equity-Linked Securities ("ELKS"), and
Liquid Yield Option Notes ("LYONS"). Equity-Linked Securities are securities
that are convertible into or based upon the value of, equity securities upon
certain terms and conditions. The amount received by an investor at maturity of
these securities is not fixed but is based
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
on the price of the underlying common stock, which may rise or fall. In
addition, it is not possible to predict how equity-linked securities will trade
in the secondary market or whether the market for them will be liquid or
illiquid.
 
WARRANTS
 
    A Fund may invest in warrants, which are options to purchase an equity
security at a specified price (usually representing a premium over the
applicable market value of the underlying equity security at the time of the
warrant's issuance) and usually during a specified period of time. Unlike
convertible securities and preferred stocks, warrants do not pay a fixed
dividend. Investments in warrants involve certain risks, including the possible
lack of a liquid market for the resale of the warrants, potential price
fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors and failure of the
price of the underlying security to reach a level at which the warrant can be
prudently exercised (in which case the warrant may expire without being
exercised, resulting in the loss of a Fund's entire investment therein).
 
ADRS AND EDRS
 
    The Quadra Growth Fund may invest in sponsored and unsponsored American
Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), which are receipts issued by an American bank or
trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign
issuer. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in U.S. securities
markets. Unsponsored ADRs may be created without the participation of the
foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR
facility, whereas foreign issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored
ADR. The bank or trust company depository of an unsponsored ADR may be under no
obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign
issuer or to pass through voting rights. The Fund may also invest in European
Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), receipts issued by a European financial
institution evidencing an arrangement similar to that of ADRs, and in other
similar instruments representing securities of foreign companies. EDRs, in
bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets.
 
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
 
    The Funds may invest in securities issued by the United States Treasury,
such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds, that are fully guaranteed as to payment
of principal and interest by the United States Government ("U.S. Government
Securities"). The Funds may invest in U.S. Government Securities, that is,
obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. The U.S. Government Securities in
which these Funds may invest include obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S.
Government agencies and instrumentalities and backed by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. Government, such as those guaranteed by the Small Business
Administration or issued by the Government National Mortgage Association. In
addition, the U.S. Government Securities in which the Funds may invest include
securities supported primarily or solely by the creditworthiness of the issuer,
such as securities of the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Tennessee Valley Authority. There is no
guarantee that the U.S. Government will support securities not backed by its
full faith and credit. Accordingly, although these securities have historically
involved little risk of loss of principal if held to maturity, they may involve
more risk than securities backed by the U.S. Government's full faith and credit.
 
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION OBLIGATIONS
 
    The Funds may invest in obligations of financial institutions, including
negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and time deposits of
U.S. banks (including savings banks and savings associations), foreign branches
of U.S. banks, foreign banks and their non-U.S. branches (Eurodollars), U.S.
branches and agencies of foreign banks (Yankee dollars), and wholly-owned
banking-related subsidiaries of foreign banks.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
    Certificates of deposit represent an institution's obligation to repay funds
deposited with it that earn a specified interest rate over a given period.
Bankers' acceptances are negotiable obligations of a bank to pay a draft which
has been drawn by a customer and are usually backed by goods in international
trade. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits with a banking institution that
earn a specified interest rate over a given period. Certificates of deposit and
fixed time deposits, which are payable at the stated maturity date and bear a
fixed rate of interest, generally may be withdrawn on demand but may be subject
to early withdrawal penalties which could reduce a Fund's yield. Deposits
subject to early withdrawal penalties or that mature in more than 7 days are
treated as illiquid securities if there is no readily available market for the
securities. A Fund's investment in the obligations of foreign banks and their
branches, agencies or subsidiaries may be obligations of the parent, of the
issuing branch, agency or subsidiary, or both.
 
    Investments in foreign bank obligations are limited to banks and branches
located in countries which the Subadvisers believe do not present undue risk.
 
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
 
    Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities that at the
time of purchase are illiquid. Historically, illiquid securities have included
securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they
have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Restricted
Securities"), securities which are otherwise not readily marketable, such as
over-the-counter options, and repurchase agreements not entitling the holder to
payment of principal in 7 days. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect
on the marketability of portfolio securities and a Fund might also have to
register Restricted Securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in expense
and delay. A Fund might not be able to dispose of Restricted or other securities
promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty
satisfying redemptions. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will
exist for any security at any particular time.
 
    An institutional market has developed for certain securities that are not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, including repurchase agreements,
commercial paper, foreign securities and corporate bonds and notes.
Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the
unregistered security can be readily resold or on the issuer's ability to honor
a demand for repayment of the unregistered security. A security's contractual or
legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions
may not be indicative of the liquidity of the security. If such securities are
eligible for purchase by institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under
the Securities Act of 1933 or other exemptions, the Subadvisers may determine
that such securities are not illiquid securities, under guidelines or other
exemptions adopted by the Board. These guidelines take into account trading
activity in the securities and the availability of reliable pricing information,
among other factors. If there is a lack of trading interest in a particular Rule
144A security, a Fund's holdings of that security may be illiquid.
 
BORROWING
 
    Each Fund may borrow money from banks or by entering into reverse repurchase
agreements, but the Funds will limit borrowings to amounts not in excess of
33 1/3% of the value of a Fund's total assets (computed immediately after the
borrowing). Borrowing for other than temporary or emergency purposes, including
the meeting of redemption requests, may not exceed an amount equal to 5% of the
value of a Fund's net assets. Borrowing involves special risk considerations.
Interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of
interest and may partially offset or exceed the return earned on borrowed funds
(or on the assets that were retained rather than sold to meet
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
the needs for which funds were borrowed). Under adverse market conditions, a
Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal
payments at a time when investment considerations would not favor such sales.
Neither Fund may purchase securities for investment while any borrowing equal to
5% or more of a Fund's total assets is outstanding or borrow for purposes other
than meeting redemptions in an amount exceeding 5% of the value of the Fund's
total assets. A Fund's use of borrowed proceeds to make investments would
subject the Fund to the risks of leveraging. Reverse repurchase agreements,
short sales not against the box, dollar roll transactions and other similar
investments that involve a form of leverage have characteristics similar to
borrowings but are not considered borrowings if a Fund maintains a segregated
account; the use of these techniques in connection with a segregated account may
result in a Fund's assets being 100 percent leveraged. See "Appendix A:
Investments, Investment Strategies and Risk Considerations - Techniques
Involving Leverage."
 
TECHNIQUES INVOLVING LEVERAGE
 
    Utilization of leveraging involves special risks and may involve speculative
investment techniques. The Funds may borrow for other than temporary or
emergency purposes, lend their securities, enter reverse repurchase agreements,
and purchase securities on a when issued or forward commitment basis. The Funds
use these investment techniques only when the Subadviser to a Fund believes that
the leveraging and the returns available to the Fund from investing the cash
will provide shareholders a potentially higher return.
 
    Leverage exists when a Fund achieves the right to a return on a capital base
that exceeds the Fund's investment. Leverage creates the risk of magnified
capital losses which occur when losses affect an asset base, enlarged by
borrowings or the creation of liabilities, that exceeds the equity base of a
Fund.
 
    The risks of leverage include a higher volatility of the net asset value of
a Fund's shares and the relatively greater effect on the net asset value of the
shares caused by favorable or adverse market movements or changes in the cost of
cash obtained by leveraging and the yield obtained from investing the cash. So
long as a Fund is able to realize a net return on its investment portfolio that
is higher than interest expense incurred, if any, leverage will result in higher
current net investment income being realized by the Fund than if the Fund were
not leveraged. On the other hand, interest rates change from time to time as
does their relationship to each other depending upon such factors as supply and
demand, monetary and tax policies and investor expectations. Changes in such
factors could cause the relationship between the cost of leveraging and the
yield to change so that rates involved in the leveraging arrangement may
substantially increase relative to the yield on the obligations in which the
proceeds of the leveraging have been invested. To the extent that the interest
expense involved in leveraging approaches the net return on a Fund's investment
portfolio, the benefit of leveraging will be reduced, and, if the interest
expense on borrowings were to exceed the net return to shareholders, the Fund's
use of leverage would result in a lower rate of return than if the Fund were not
leveraged. Similarly, the effect of leverage in a declining market could be a
greater decrease in net asset value per share than if a Fund were not leveraged.
In an extreme case, if a Fund's current investment income were not sufficient to
meet the interest expense of leveraging, it could be necessary for the Fund to
liquidate certain of its investments at an inappropriate time. The use of
leverage may be considered speculative.
 
    SEGREGATED ACCOUNT.  In order to limit the risks involved in various
transactions involving leverage, the Trust's custodian will set aside and
maintain in a segregated account cash, U.S. Government Securities and other
liquid, high-grade debt securities in accordance with SEC guidelines. The
account value, which is marked to market daily, will
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
be at least equal to a Fund's commitments under these transactions. A Fund's
commitments may include (1) the Fund's obligations to repurchase securities
under a reverse repurchase agreement, settle when-issued and forward commitment
transactions and make payments under a cap or floor (see "Appendix A:
Investments, Investment Strategies and Risk Considerations - Swap Agreements")
and (2) the greater of the market value of securities sold short or the value of
the securities at the time of the short sale (reduced by any margin deposit).
The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund's obligations over its
entitlements with respect to each interest rate swap will be calculated on a
daily basis and an amount at least equal to the accrued excess will be
maintained in the segregated account. If a Fund enters into an interest rate
swap on other than a net basis, the Fund will maintain the full amount accrued
on a daily basis of the Fund's obligations with respect to the swap in their
segregated account. The use of a segregated account in connection with leveraged
transactions may result in a Fund's portfolio being 100% leveraged.
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS, SECURITIES LENDING, WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD
COMMITMENTS
 
    A Fund's use of repurchase agreements, securities lending, reverse
repurchase agreements and forward commitments entails certain risks not
associated with direct investments in securities. For instance, in the event
that bankruptcy or similar proceedings were commenced against a counterparty
while these transactions remained open or a counterparty defaulted on its
obligations, a Fund might suffer a loss. Failure by the other party to deliver a
security purchased by a Fund may result in a missed opportunity to make an
alternative investment. The Subadvisers monitor the creditworthiness of
counterparties to these transactions and intend to enter into these transactions
only when they believe the counterparties present minimal credit risks and the
income to be earned from the transaction justifies the attendant risks.
Counterparty insolvency risk with respect to repurchase agreements is reduced by
favorable insolvency laws that allow a Fund, among other things, to liquidate
the collateral held in the event of the bankruptcy of the counterparty. Those
laws do not apply to securities lending and, accordingly, securities lending
involves more risk than does the use of repurchase agreements. As a result of
entering forward commitments and reverse repurchase agreements, as well as
lending its securities, a Fund may be exposed to greater potential fluctuations
in the value of its assets and net asset value per share. See "Appendix A:
Investments, Investment Strategies and Risk Considerations - Techniques
Involving Leverage."
 
    REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements,
transactions in which a Fund purchases a security and simultaneously commits to
resell that security to the seller at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon
future date, normally 1 to 7 days later. The resale price of a repurchase
agreement reflects a market rate of interest that is not related to the coupon
rate or maturity of the purchased security. The Trust's custodian maintains
possession of the collateral underlying a repurchase agreement, which has a
market value, determined daily, at least equal to the repurchase price, and
which consists of the types of securities in which the Fund may invest directly.
 
    SECURITIES LENDING.  Each Fund may lend securities from its portfolios to
brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. Securities loans must be
continuously secured by cash or U.S. Government Securities with a market value,
determined daily, at least equal to the value of the Fund's securities loaned,
including accrued interest. A Fund receives interest in respect of securities
loans from the borrower or from investing cash collateral. A Fund may pay fees
to arrange the loans. No Fund will lend portfolio securities in excess of
33 1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
    WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS.  Each Fund may purchase
fixed income securities on a "when-issued" or "forward commitment" basis. When
these transactions are negotiated, the price, which is generally expressed in
yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and
payment for the securities take place at a later date. Normally, the settlement
date occurs within 3 months after the transaction. During the period between a
commitment and settlement, no payment is made for the securities purchased and
no interest on the security accrues to the purchaser. At the time a Fund makes a
commitment to purchase securities in this manner, the Fund immediately assumes
the risk of ownership, including price fluctuation. Failure by the other party
to deliver a security purchased by a Fund may result in a loss or a missed
opportunity to make an alternative investment.
 
    The use of when-issued transactions and forward commitments enables a Fund
to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. If a
Subadviser were to forecast incorrectly the direction of interest rate
movements, however, a Fund might be required to complete these transactions when
the value of the security is lower than the price paid by the Fund. Except for
dollar-roll transactions, a Fund will not purchase securities on a when-issued
or forward commitment basis if, as a result, more than 15% of the value of the
Fund's total assets would be committed to such transactions.
 
    When-issued securities and forward commitments may be sold prior to the
settlement date, but the Funds purchase securities on a when-issued and forward
commitment basis only with the intention of actually receiving the securities.
When-issued securities may include bonds purchased on a "when, and if issued"
basis under which the issuance of the securities depends upon the occurrence of
a subsequent event. Commitment of a Fund's assets to the purchase of securities
on a when-issued or forward commitment basis will tend to increase the
volatility of the Fund's net asset value per share.
 
SHORT SALES
 
    Each of the Funds may make short sales of securities it owns or has the
right to acquire at no added cost through conversion or exchange of other
securities it owns (referred to as short sales "against the box"). In a short
sale "against the box", a Fund does not immediately deliver the securities sold
and would not receive the proceeds from the sale. The seller is said to have a
short position in the securities sold until it delivers the securities sold, at
which time it receives the proceeds of the sale. A Fund's decision to make a
short sale "against the box" may be a technique to hedge against market risks
when the Subadviser believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a
decline in the value of a security owned by the Fund or a security convertible
into or exchangeable for such security. In such case, any future losses in a
Fund's long position would be reduced by an offsetting future gain in the short
position. A Fund's ability to enter into short sales transactions is limited by
certain tax requirements. Under recently enacted legislation, if a Fund has
unrealized gain with respect to a long position and enters into a short sale
against the box, the Fund generally will be deemed to have sold the long
position for tax purposes and thus will recognize gain. See "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes" in the SAI.
 
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS
 
    Each Fund may seek to enhance its return through the writing (selling) and
purchasing of exchange-traded and over-the-counter options on fixed income
securities or indices. A Fund may also attempt to hedge against a decline in the
value of securities owned by it or an increase in the price of securities which
it plans to purchase through the use of those options and the purchase and sale
of interest rate futures contracts and options on those futures contracts. A
Fund may only write options that are covered. An option is covered if, so long
as the Fund is obligated under the option, it owns an
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
offsetting position in the underlying security or futures contract or maintains
cash, U.S. Government Securities or other liquid, assets in a segregated account
with a value at all times sufficient to cover the Fund's obligation under the
option. A Fund may enter into futures contracts or options on futures contracts
for investment purposes only if the aggregate of initial margin deposits for and
premiums associated with open positions does not exceed 5% of the Fund's total
assets.
 
    RISK CONSIDERATIONS.  A Fund's use of options and futures contracts subjects
the Fund to certain investment risks and transaction costs to which it might not
otherwise be subject. These risks include: (1) dependence on the Subadviser's
ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities and
fluctuations in the general securities markets; (2) imperfect correlations
between movements in the prices of options or futures contracts and movements in
the price of the securities hedged or used for cover which may cause a given
hedge not to achieve its objective; (3) the fact that the skills and techniques
needed to trade these instruments are different from those needed to select the
other securities in which the Fund invests; (4) lack of assurance that a liquid
secondary market will exist for any particular instrument at any particular
time, which, among other things, may hinder a Fund's ability to limit exposures
by closing its positions; (5) the possible need to defer closing out of certain
options, futures contracts and related options to avoid adverse tax
consequences; and (6) the potential for unlimited loss when investing in futures
contracts or writing options for which an offsetting position is not held.
 
    Other risks include the inability of a Fund, as the writer of covered call
options, to benefit from any appreciation of the underlying securities above the
exercise price and the possible loss of the entire premium paid for options
purchased by the Fund. In addition, the futures exchanges may limit the amount
of fluctuation permitted in certain futures contract prices during a single
trading day. A Fund may be forced, therefore, to liquidate or close out a
futures contract position at a disadvantageous price.
 
    There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when a
Fund seeks to close out a futures position or that a counterparty in an over-
the-counter option transaction will be able to perform its obligations. There
are a limited number of options on interest rate futures contracts and exchange
traded options contracts on fixed income securities. Accordingly, hedging
transactions involving these instruments may entail "cross-hedging." As an
example, a Fund may wish to hedge existing holdings of mortgage-backed
securities, but no listed options may exist on those securities. In that event,
the Subadviser may attempt to hedge a Fund's securities by the use of options
with respect to similar fixed income securities. A Fund may use various futures
contracts that are relatively new instruments without a significant trading
history. As a result, there can be no assurance that an active secondary market
in those contracts will develop or continue to exist.
 
    LIMITATIONS.  The Funds have no current intention of investing in futures
contracts and options thereon for purposes other than hedging. No Fund may
purchase any call or put option on a futures contract if the premiums associated
with all such options held by the Fund would exceed 5% of the Fund's total
assets as of the date the option is purchased. No Fund may sell a put option if
the exercise value of all put options written by the Fund would exceed 50% of
the Fund's total assets or sell a call option if the exercise value of all call
options written by the Fund would exceed the value of the Fund's assets. In
addition, the current market value of all open futures positions held by a Fund
will not exceed 50 percent of its total assets.
 
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES
 
    A call option is a contract pursuant to which the purchaser of the call
option, in return for a premium paid, has the right to buy the security
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term
of the option. The writer of the call option, who receives the premium, has the
obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security
against payment of the exercise price during the option period. A put option
gives its purchaser, in return for a premium, the right to sell the underlying
security at a specified price during the term of the option. The writer of the
put, who receives the premium, has the obligation to buy the underlying
security, upon exercise at the exercise price during the option period. The
amount of premium received or paid is based upon certain factors, including the
market price of the underlying security or index, the relationship of the
exercise price to the market price, the historical price volatility of the
underlying security or index, the option period, supply and demand and interest
rates.
 
OPTIONS ON STOCK INDICES
 
    A stock index assigns relative values to the stock included in the index,
and the index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the stocks
included in the index. Stock index options operate in the same way as the more
traditional stock options except that exercises of stock index options are
effected with cash payments and do not involve delivery of securities. Thus,
upon exercise of stock index options, the purchaser will realize and the writer
will pay an amount based on the differences between the exercise price and the
closing price of the stock index.
 
INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS
 
    Bond and stock index futures contracts are bilateral agreements pursuant to
which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a
specified dollar amount times the difference between the bond or stock index
value at the close of trading of the contract and the price at which the futures
contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities comprising
the index is made. Generally, these futures contracts are closed out prior to
the expiration date of the contract.
 
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
 
    Options on futures contracts are similar to stock options except that an
option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the
premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract rather than to purchase
or sell stock, 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 to
the holder of the option will be accompanied by transfer to the holder of an
accumulated balance representing the amount by which the market price of the
futures contract 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 future.
 
    NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE SAI AND THE
FUNDS' OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OF FUND SHARES,
AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE TRUST. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE
AN OFFER IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM, SUCH OFFER MAY NOT
LAWFULLY BE MADE.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>

                                                                       [GRAPHIC]




THE QUADRAFUNDS




SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
QUADRA CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
270 CONGRESS STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02210




TELEPHONE:
800.595.9291
617.426.0900



<PAGE>








                         INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND
                               INVESTORS BOND FUND
                               TAXSAVER BOND FUND
                            MAINE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
                             NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND

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

Account Information and
Shareholder Servicing:                      Distributor:
   
         Forum Shareholder Services, LLC          Forum Financial Services, Inc.
         P.O. Box 446                             Two Portland Square
         Portland, Maine 04112                    Portland, Maine  04101
         207-879-0001                             207-879-1900
         800-94FORUM
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   
                                 August 1, 1998

Investors High Grade Bond Fund,  Investors Bond Fund,  TaxSaver Bond Fund, Maine
Municipal  Bond Fund and New Hampshire  Bond Fund (the "Funds" and  individually
each a "Fund") are series of Forum Funds (the  "Trust"),  a registered  open-end
investment  company.  This Statement of Additional  Information  supplements the
Prospectuses  dated  August 1, 1998  offering  shares of the Funds and should be
read only in conjunction with the Prospectuses,  copies of which may be obtained
by an investor  without  charge by contacting the Funds'  shareholder  servicing
agent at the address and number listed above.


THIS  STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND IS AUTHORIZED
FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE  INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY AN
EFFECTIVE PROSPECTUS.
    

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            PAGE

   
     1.       General......................................................
     2.       Investment Policies..........................................
     3.       Additional Investment Policies...............................
     4.       Certain Information Concerning the States of Maine
              and New Hampshire............................................
     5.       Performance Data.............................................
     6.       Management...................................................
     7.       Determination of Net Asset Value.............................
     8.       Portfolio Transactions.......................................
     9.       Additional Purchase and
              Redemption Information.......................................
     10.      Tax Matters..................................................
     11.      Other Information............................................

              Appendix A - Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities
              Appendix B - Description of Securities Ratings
              Appendix C - Description of Municipal Securities
              Appendix D - Hedging Strategies
              Appendix E - Additional Advertising Materials
    



<PAGE>




1.  GENERAL

   
THE TRUST.  The Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange  Commission
(the "SEC") as an open-end, management investment company and was organized as a
business  trust under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 29,  1995.  On
January  5, 1996 the Trust  succeeded  to the assets  and  liabilities  of Forum
Funds, Inc. Forum Funds, Inc. was incorporated on March 24, 1980 and assumed the
name of Forum Funds,  Inc. on March 16,  1987.  The Board,  without  shareholder
approval, has the authority to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial
interest of separate  series with no par value per share and to create  separate
classes  of shares  within  each  series  (such as  Investor  and  Institutional
Shares). The Trust currently offers shares of twenty-three series. The series of
the Trust are as follows:

 Daily Assets Cash Fund                         Austin Global Equity Fund
 Daily Assets Treasury Obligations Fund         Oak Hall Equity Fund
 Daily Assets Government Fund
 Daily Assets Government Obligations Fund       Quadra Growth Fund
 Daily Assets Municipal Fund                    Quadra Equity Fund

 Investors High Grade Bond Fund                 Equity Index Fund
 Investors Bond Fund                            Investors Growth Fund
 TaxSaver Bond Fund                             Investors Equity Fund
 Maine Municipal Bond Fund                      International Equity Fund
 New Hampshire Bond Fund                        Emerging Markets Fund
                                                Small Company Opportunities Fund
 Payson Value Fund                              Polaris Global Value Fund
 Payson Balanced Fund


Each  share of each  fund of the  Trust  and  each  class of  shares  has  equal
dividend,  distribution,  liquidation and voting rights,  and fractional  shares
have  those  rights  proportionately,   except  that  expenses  related  to  the
distribution  of the shares of each class (and certain  other  expenses  such as
transfer  agency and  administration  expenses) are borne solely by those shares
and each class votes separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1
plan  which  pertain to the class and other  matters  for which  separate  class
voting is appropriate under applicable law.  Generally,  shares will be voted in
the aggregate  without reference to a particular  portfolio or class,  except if
the matter  affects only one  portfolio or class or voting by portfolio or class
is required by law, in which case shares will be voted  separately  by portfolio
or class, as appropriate. Delaware law does not require the Trust to hold annual
meetings of shareholders,  and it is anticipated that shareholder  meetings will
be held only when required by Federal or state law.  Shareholders (and Trustees)
have  available  certain  procedures  for the removal of Trustees.  There are no
conversion or  preemptive  rights in  connection  with shares of the Trust.  All
shares when issued in  accordance  with the terms of the offering  will be fully
paid and nonassessable.  Shares are redeemable at net asset value, at the option
of the  shareholders,  subject to any contingent  deferred sales charge that may
apply.  A shareholder in a portfolio is entitled to the  shareholder's  pro rata
share of all dividends and  distributions  arising from that portfolio's  assets
and, upon  redeeming  shares,  will receive the portion of the  portfolio's  net
assets represented by the redeemed shares.

As of July 1, 1998, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group owned less
than 1% of the outstanding shares of each Fund. Also as of that date, Appendix A
identifies  all  shareholders  who own of record  5% or more of the  outstanding
shares of any of the Registrant's series.
    


DEFINITIONS. As used in this Statement of Additional Information,  the following
terms shall have the meanings listed:

"Adviser" means Forum Investment Advisors, LLC.

"Board" means the Board of Trustees of Forum Funds.

   
"FAdS" means Forum Administrative Services, LLC.
    

                                       2
<PAGE>


"FAcS" means Forum Accounting Services, LLC.

"FFC" means Forum Financial Corp.

"FFSI" means Forum Financial Services, Inc.

"Fund" means Investors High Grade Bond Fund,  Investors Bond Fund, Taxsaver Bond
Fund, Maine Municipal Bond Fund and New Hampshire Bond Fund

"Fund Business Day" has the meaning ascribed thereto in the current Prospectuses
of the Funds.

"NRSRO" means a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

"SAI" means this Statement of Additional Information.

"SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Trust" means Forum Funds, a Delaware business trust.

"U.S.  Government  Securities" has the meaning  ascribed  thereto by the current
Prospectuses of the Funds.

"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.


                                       3
<PAGE>


2. INVESTMENT POLICIES

GENERAL

RATINGS AS INVESTMENT CRITERIA

   
Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's"),  Standard & Poor's  Corporation
("S&P")  and  other  nationally  recognized   statistical  rating  organizations
("NRSROs")  are private  services that provide  ratings of the credit quality of
debt obligations,  including convertible securities.  A description of the range
of ratings  assigned to various  types of bonds and other  securities by several
NRSROs is included in Appendix B to this  Statement of  Additional  Information.
The Funds may use these ratings to determine whether to purchase, sell or hold a
security.  However,  ratings  are  general  and are not  absolute  standards  of
quality.  Consequently,  securities  with the same  maturity,  interest rate and
rating may have different market prices.  If an issue of securities ceases to be
rated  or if its  rating  is  reduced  after  it is  purchased  by a  Fund,  the
investment  adviser of a Fund will determine  whether a Fund should  continue to
hold the obligation.  Credit ratings attempt to evaluate the safety of principal
and interest  payments and do not evaluate the risks of  fluctuations  in market
value.  Also, rating agencies may fail to make timely changes in credit ratings.
An issuer's  current  financial  condition  may be better or worse than a rating
indicates.

Each Fund may retain  securities  whose rating has been lowered below the lowest
permissible  rating  category  (or  that  are  unrated  and  determined  by  the
investment  adviser  to be of  comparable  quality)  if the  investment  adviser
determines that retaining such security is in the best interests of a Fund.
    

WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS

   
Each Fund may  purchase  securities  offered  on a  "when-issued"  basis and may
purchase  or  sell  securities  on  a  "forward  commitment"  basis.  When  such
transactions are negotiated,  the price,  which is generally  expressed in yield
terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for
the securities take place at a later date. Normally,  the settlement date occurs
within two months after the  transaction,  but  settlements  delayed  beyond two
months may be negotiated. During the period between a commitment and settlement,
no payment is made for the  securities  purchased by the purchaser and, thus, no
interest accrues to the purchaser from the transaction. At the time a Fund makes
the  commitment  to purchase  securities on a  when-issued  or delayed  delivery
basis, a Fund will record the  transaction as a purchase and thereafter  reflect
the value each day of such securities in determining its net asset value.

The use of when-issued transactions and forward commitments enables the Funds to
hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in
periods of rising  interest  rates and falling  bond  prices,  a Fund might sell
securities that it owned on a forward  commitment basis to limit its exposure to
falling prices.  In periods of falling  interest rates and rising bond prices, a
Fund might sell a security  and  purchase  the same or a similar  security  on a
when-issued  or forward  commitment  basis,  thereby  obtaining  the  benefit of
currently higher cash yields.  However, if the investment adviser to a Fund were
to forecast  incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements,  a Fund might
be required to complete such when-issued or forward  commitment  transactions at
prices inferior to the current market values.
    

When-issued  securities  and  forward  commitments  may  be  sold  prior  to the
settlement  date, but the Funds enter into  when-issued  and forward  commitment
transactions  only with the intention of actually  receiving or  delivering  the
securities,  as the case may be. If a Fund,  however,  chooses to dispose of the
right to acquire a when-issued  security prior to its  acquisition or to dispose
of its right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment,  it can incur a
gain or loss.  When-issued securities may include bonds purchased on a "when, as
and if issued" basis under which the issuance of the securities depends upon the
occurrence of a subsequent event. Any significant  commitment of a Fund's assets
to the purchase of securities  on a "when,  as and if issued" basis may increase
the volatility of its net asset value.

                                       4
<PAGE>

Each Fund will establish and maintain with its custodian a separate account with
cash, U.S. Government Securities (as defined in the Prospectus) and other liquid
high-grade  debt  securities in an amount at least equal to its  commitments  to
purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

ILLIQUID SECURITIES

Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net  assets in  illiquid  securities.  The
term  "illiquid  securities"  for this purpose means  securities  that cannot be
disposed  of  within  seven  days  in  the   ordinary   course  of  business  at
approximately  the  amount  at which  the Fund has  valued  the  securities  and
includes,  among other  things,  purchased  over-the-counter  (OTC)  options and
repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.

The Trust's  Board of Directors  ("Board") has the ultimate  responsibility  for
determining  whether specific  securities are liquid or illiquid.  The Board has
delegated the function of making  day-to-day  determinations of liquidity to the
investment adviser of each Fund,  pursuant to guidelines  approved by the Board.
The  investment  adviser  takes into  account a number of  factors  in  reaching
liquidity  decisions,  including but not limited to: (1) the frequency of trades
and quotations for the security;  (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.
The investment  adviser  monitors the liquidity of the securities in each Fund's
portfolio and reports periodically on such decisions to the Board.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

The Funds may seek  additional  income by entering into  repurchase  agreements.
Repurchase  agreements are transactions in which a Fund purchases a security and
simultaneously  commits to resell that security to the seller at an  agreed-upon
price on an  agreed-upon  future  date,  normally  one to seven days later.  The
resale  price  reflects a market  rate of  interest  that is not  related to the
coupon  rate or  maturity  of the  purchased  security.  The  Trust's  custodian
maintains  possession of the underlying  collateral,  which is maintained at not
less than 100% of the  repurchase  price,  and  which  consists  of the types of
securities in which the Fund may invest directly.

LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

Each Fund may from time to time lend  securities  from its portfolio to brokers,
dealers and other financial institutions.  Securities loans must be continuously
secured by cash or U.S.  Government  Securities with a market value,  determined
daily, at least equal to the value of the Fund's  securities  loaned,  including
accrued interest. The Fund receives interest in respect of securities loans from
the  borrower  or from  investing  cash  collateral.  The  Funds may pay fees to
arrange the loans.  Each Fund will, as a fundamental  policy,  limit  securities
lending to not more than 10% of the value of its total assets.

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION

When a Fund assumes a temporary  defensive  position it may invest without limit
in (i) short-term  U.S.  Government  Securities,  (ii)  certificates of deposit,
bankers' acceptances and  interest-bearing  savings deposits of commercial banks
doing business in the United States that have, at the time of investment,  total
assets in excess of one  billion  dollars  and that are  insured by the  Federal
Deposit  Insurance  Corporation,  (iii)  commercial paper of prime quality rated
Prime-2  or  higher  by  Moody's  or A-2 or  higher  by S&P  or,  if not  rated,
determined  by  the  adviser  to  be  of  comparable  quality,  (iv)  repurchase
agreements  covering any of the securities in which the Fund may invest directly
and (v) money market mutual funds.

                                       5
<PAGE>

OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES

The Funds may invest in the securities of other investment  companies within the
limits proscribed by the 1940 Act. Under normal circumstances, each Fund intends
to invest less than 5% of the value of its net assets in the securities of other
investment companies.  In addition to the Fund's expenses (including the various
fees), as a shareholder in another investment company, a Fund would bear its pro
rata portion of the other investment company's expenses (including fees).

INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND, INVESTORS BOND FUND AND TAXSAVER BOND FUND

FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS

Currently Investors High Grade Bond Fund and TaxSaver Bond Fund do not invest in
futures  contracts and options.  Investors  Bond Fund (and, in the future,  each
other  Fund) may in the future  seek to hedge  against a decline in the value of
securities it owns or an increase in the price of  securities  which it plans to
purchase   through   the   writing   and   purchase   of   exchange-traded   and
over-the-counter  options and the  purchase  and sale of futures  contracts  and
options on those futures contracts. TaxSaver Bond Fund may buy or sell municipal
bond index futures contracts and both Funds may buy or sell futures contracts on
Treasury bills,  Treasury bonds and other financial  instruments.  The Funds may
write covered options and buy options on the futures contracts in which they may
invest.

If the  Adviser  anticipates  that  interest  rates will  rise,  a Fund may sell
futures  contracts  as a hedge  against a  decrease  in the value of the  Fund's
portfolio  securities.  Conversely,  if the  Adviser  anticipates  a decline  in
interest rates, a Fund may purchase futures  contracts to protect itself against
an  increase  in the price of the debt  securities  that the Fund  might wish to
purchase.

In addition, each Fund may write (sell) covered put and call options and may buy
put and call options on debt  securities and bond indices.  An option is covered
if, so long as the Fund is  obligated  under the option,  it owns an  offsetting
position in the underlying  security,  currency or futures contract or maintains
cash, U.S. Government  Securities or other liquid assets in a segregated account
with a value at all times  sufficient to cover the Fund's  obligation  under the
option.

The Funds' use of options  and  futures  contracts  would  subject  the Funds to
certain investment risks and transaction costs to which they might not otherwise
be subject.  These risks  include:  (1)  dependence on the Adviser's  ability to
predict movements in the prices of individual securities and fluctuations in the
general securities markets;  (2) imperfect  correlation between movements in the
prices of options,  futures  contracts or related  options and  movements in the
price of the securities  hedged or used for cover;  (3) the fact that skills and
techniques  needed to trade these instruments are different from those needed to
select the other  securities  in which the Funds  invest;  (4) lack of assurance
that a liquid secondary  market will exist for any particular  instrument at any
particular  time;  and (5) the  possible  need to defer  closing  out of certain
options,   futures   contracts   and  related   options  to  avoid  adverse  tax
consequences.  Other risks  include the  inability of the Fund, as the writer of
covered  call  options,  to  benefit  from the  appreciation  of the  underlying
securities  above the exercise price and the possible loss of the entire premium
paid for  options  purchased  by the Fund.  In  addition,  options  and  futures
contracts do not pay interest, but may produce taxable capital gains.

Each Fund will not hedge more than 30% of its total  assets by  selling  futures
contracts,  buying put options and writing call options. In addition,  each Fund
will not buy futures  contracts  or write put  options  whose  underlying  value
exceeds 5% of the Fund's total assets and will not purchase  call options if the
value of purchased  call options would exceed 5% of the Fund's total  assets.  A
Fund will not enter into futures  contracts and options  thereon if  immediately
thereafter  more  than 5% of the  value  of the  Fund's  total  assets  would be
invested in these options or committed to margin on futures contracts.

A Fund will only invest in futures and options  contracts after providing notice
to its shareholders,  filing a notice of eligibility (if required) and otherwise
complying with the  requirements  of the Commodity  Futures  Trading  Commission
("CFTC").  The CFTC's  rules  provide  that the Funds are  permitted to purchase
futures or options


                                       6
<PAGE>

contracts  subject to CFTC  jurisdiction only (1) for bona fide hedging purposes
within the  meaning  of the rules of the CFTC;  provided,  however,  that in the
alternative  with respect to each long position in a futures or options contract
entered into by a Fund, the underlying  commodity  value of such contract at all
times does not exceed the sum of cash, short-term United States debt obligations
or other United States dollar  denominated  short-term money market  instruments
set aside for this  purpose  by the  Fund,  cash  proceeds  from  existing  Fund
investments  due in 30 days and  accrued  profit  on the  contract  held  with a
futures commissions merchant; and (2) subject to certain limitations.

INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND AND INVESTORS BOND FUND

MORTGAGE-RELATED  SECURITIES.  As described in the  Prospectus,  Investors  High
Grade Bond Fund and Investors  Bond Fund and Investors  High Grade Bond Fund may
invest  in  mortgage-related   securities,   including  Collateralized  Mortgage
Obligations ("CMOs").  CMOs are typically structured with a number of classes or
series (often  referred to as tranches) that have  different  maturities and are
generally  retired in sequence.  Each class of bonds receives  periodic interest
payments  according  to the  coupon  rate on the  bonds.  However,  all  monthly
principal  payments and any prepayments  from the collateral pool are paid first
to the "Class 1" bondholders.  The principal  payments are such that the Class 1
bonds will be completely repaid no later than, for example, five years after the
offering date.  Thereafter,  all payments of principal are allocated to the next
most  senior  class of bonds  until that  class of bonds has been fully  repaid.
Although  full  payoff of each  class of bonds is  contractually  required  by a
certain  date,  any or all classes of bonds may be paid off sooner than expected
because of an  acceleration  in  prepayments of the  obligations  comprising the
collateral pool.

The final  tranche  of a CMO may be  structured  as an accrual  bond  (sometimes
referred to as a  Z-tranche).  Holders of accrual bonds receive no cash payments
for an  extended  period of time.  During  the time that  earlier  tranches  are
outstanding,  accrual  bonds  receive  accrued  interest  which is a credit  for
periodic  interest  payments that increases the face amount of the security at a
compounded rate, but is not paid to the bond holder. After all previous tranches
are retired,  accrual bond holders  start  receiving  cash payments that include
both  principal and continuing  interest.  The market value of accrual bonds can
fluctuate  widely and their average life depends on the other aspects of the CMO
offering.  Interest on accrual  bonds is taxable  when  accrued  even though the
holders  receive  no  accrual  payment.  The  Fund  distributes  all of its  net
investment  income,  and may have to sell  portfolio  securities  to  distribute
imputed income, which may occur at a time when the Adviser would not have chosen
to sell such  securities  and which may  result in a taxable  gain or loss.  The
Adviser's  analyses of particular  CMO issues and  estimates of future  economic
indicators  (such as interest rates) become more important to the performance of
a Fund as the securities become more complicated.

ASSET-BACKED  SECURITIES.  As described in the Prospectus,  Investors High Grade
Bond Fund and Investors Bond Fund may invest in asset-backed  securities,  which
have structural  characteristics similar to mortgage-backed  securities but have
underlying  assets that are not mortgage  loans or interests in mortgage  loans.
Asset-backed  securities  are  securities  that  represent  direct  or  indirect
participations  in, or are  secured by and  payable  from,  assets such as motor
vehicle  installment  sales  contracts,  installment  loan contracts,  leases of
various  types of real and personal  property  and  receivables  from  revolving
credit (credit card) agreements.  Such assets are securitized through the use of
trusts and special purpose corporations.

Asset-backed  securities are often backed by a pool of assets  representing  the
obligations of a number of different parties. Payments of principal and interest
may be  guaranteed  up to certain  amounts  and for a certain  time  period by a
letter of credit issued by a financial institution.

Asset-backed  securities  present  certain  risks  that  are  not  presented  by
mortgage-related  debt  securities or other  securities in which  Investors Bond
Fund may invest. Primarily, these securities do not always have the benefit of a
security  interest  in  comparable  collateral.   Credit  card  receivables  are
generally  unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the  protection of a number
of state and Federal  consumer  credit laws, many of which give such debtors the
right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards,  thereby reducing the
balance due. Automobile  receivables  generally are secured,  but by automobiles
rather than  residential real property.  Most issuers of automobile  receivables
permit the loan servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If
the servicer were to sell these  obligations to another  party,  there is a risk
that the purchaser would acquire an interest  superior to


                                       7
<PAGE>

that of the holders of the asset-backed securities. In addition,  because of the
large  number  of  vehicles   involved  in  a  typical  issuance  and  technical
requirements  under  state laws,  the trustee for the holders of the  automobile
receivables  may  not  have  a  proper  security   interest  in  the  underlying
automobiles.  Therefore, there is the possibility that recoveries on repossessed
collateral  may not, in some cases,  be available  to support  payments on these
securities.  Because  asset-backed  securities  are  relatively  new, the market
experience in these  securities  is limited and the market's  ability to sustain
liquidity through all phases of the market cycle has not been tested.

TAXSAVER BOND FUND, MAINE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
AND NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND

MUNICIPAL SECURITIES

   
The term "municipal  securities," as used in the Prospectuses and this Statement
of Additional  Information means obligations of the type described in Appendix C
issued by or on behalf of states,  territories,  and  possessions  of the United
States and their political  subdivisions,  agencies and  instrumentalities,  the
interest on which is exempt from Federal income tax. The municipal securities in
which the Funds  invest are  limited to those  obligations  which at the time of
purchase:  (i) in the case of TaxSaver  Bond Fund,  are backed by the full faith
and credit of the  United  States;  (ii) are  municipal  notes  rated in the two
highest  rating  categories  by an NRSRO,  or, if not rated,  are of  comparable
quality as determined by the Adviser; (iii) are municipal bonds rated in the six
highest  rating  categories  by an NRSRO or,  if not  rated,  are of  comparable
quality as determined by the Fund's investment  adviser; or (iv) are other types
of  municipal  securities,  provided  that such  obligations  are of  comparable
quality,  as determined  by the Adviser,  to  instruments  in which the Fund may
invest.
    

MUNICIPAL NOTES.  Municipal notes,  which may be either "general  obligation" or
"revenue"  securities,  are  intended to fulfill  short-term  capital  needs and
generally  have  original  maturities  of 397 days or  less.  They  include  tax
anticipation  notes,   revenue  anticipation  notes,  bond  anticipation  notes,
construction loan notes and tax-exempt commercial paper.

MUNICIPAL  LEASES.  Municipal leases  frequently have special risks not normally
associated  with  general  obligation  or  revenue  bonds or  notes.  Lease  and
installment  purchase or conditional  sale contracts (which normally provide for
title to the leased  assets to pass  eventually to the  government  issuer) have
evolved as a means for  governmental  issuers to acquire  property and equipment
without meeting the constitutional  and statutory  requirements for the issuance
of debt. The debt-issuance  limitations of many state constitutions and statutes
are  deemed  to be  inapplicable  because  of the  inclusion  in many  leases or
contracts of  "non-appropriation"  clauses  that  provide that the  governmental
issuer has no  obligation  to make future  payments  under the lease or contract
unless money is  appropriated  for such purpose by the  appropriate  legislative
body on a yearly or other  periodic  basis.  To reduce this risk,  TaxSaver Bond
Fund will only purchase municipal leases subject to a  non-appropriation  clause
when the payment of principal and accrued interest is backed by an unconditional
irrevocable  letter of credit or  guarantee  of a bank or other  entity that has
long  term  outstanding  debt  securities  rated  in one of the top  two  rating
categories by an NRSRO.

VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE  OBLIGATIONS.  The interest  rates payable on certain
municipal securities, including municipal leases, in which a Fund may invest are
not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. These securities
are referred to as variable rate or floating rate obligations. Other features of
these  obligations may include the right whereby the Fund may demand  prepayment
of the principal  amount of the obligation  prior to its stated maturity and the
right of the issuer to prepay the principal  amount prior to maturity.  The main
benefit of a variable or floating rate  municipal  security is that the interest
rate adjustment  minimizes  changes in the market value of the obligation.  As a
result, the purchase of these municipal  securities enhances the ability of each
Fund to sell an obligation prior to maturity at a price  approximating  the full
principal  amount of the  obligation.  The payment of principal  and interest by
issuers of certain municipal securities purchased by a Fund may be guaranteed by
letters of credit or other credit facilities offered by banks or other financial
institutions.  Such  guarantees  will be  considered  in  determining  whether a
municipal  security  meets  the  Fund's  investment  quality  requirements.  The
investment  adviser will monitor the pricing,  quality and liquidity of variable
rate and  floating  rate  demand  obligations  held by


                                       8
<PAGE>

each Fund on the basis of published financial information, rating agency reports
and other research services to which a Fund or the Adviser may subscribe.

PARTICIPATION  INTERESTS.  Each Fund may  purchase  participation  interests  in
municipal bonds, including private activity bonds and floating and variable rate
securities  that  are  owned  by  banks  or  other  financial  institutions.   A
participation  interest  gives  a Fund  an  undivided  interest  in a  municipal
security owned by a bank or other financial institution. These instruments carry
a demand feature  permitting the holder to tender them back to the bank or other
institution  and are  generally  backed  by an  irrevocable  letter of credit or
guarantee of the bank or  institution.  The Fund can exercise the right,  on not
more than thirty days' notice,  to sell such an  instrument  back to the bank or
institution  from which it purchased  the  instrument  and draw on the letter of
credit for all or any part of the principal  amount of the Fund's  participation
interest in the instrument, plus accrued interest.  Generally, a Fund will do so
only (i) as required to provide  liquidity to the Fund,  (ii) to maintain a high
quality  investment  portfolio,  or (iii) upon a default  under the terms of the
demand instrument. Banks and other financial institutions retain portions of the
interest paid on such  participation  interests as their fees for servicing such
instruments  and the  issuance  of related  letters of  credit,  guarantees  and
repurchase  commitments.  Exposure to credit  losses  arising  from the possible
financial   difficulties   of  borrowers   might  affect  the  bank's  or  other
institution's  ability  to meet its  obligations  under its  letter of credit or
other guarantee.

No Fund will purchase participation interests unless it is advised by counsel or
receives a ruling of the Internal  Revenue  Service that interest  earned by the
Fund from the  obligations in which it holds  participation  interests is exempt
from Federal  income tax. The Internal  Revenue  Service has  announced  that it
ordinarily  will not issue advance  rulings on certain of the Federal income tax
consequences  applicable to  securities,  or  participation  interests  therein,
subject to a put. The Adviser will monitor the pricing, quality and liquidity of
participation  interests  held by each Fund on the basis of published  financial
information,  rating  agency  reports and other  research  services to which the
Funds or the Adviser may subscribe.

STAND-BY  COMMITMENTS.   Each  Fund  acquires  stand-by  commitments  solely  to
facilitate  portfolio  liquidity and does not exercise its rights thereunder for
trading purposes.  Since the value of a stand-by  commitment is dependent on the
ability of the stand-by  commitment writer to meet its obligation to repurchase,
each Fund's policy is to enter into stand-by  commitment  transactions only with
municipal securities dealers which in the opinion of the Adviser present minimal
credit risks.

   
The  acquisition  of a stand-by  commitment  does not affect  the  valuation  or
maturity of the underlying  municipal  securities  that continue to be valued in
accordance with the amortized cost method.  Stand-by  commitments  acquired by a
Fund are  valued  at zero in  determining  net  asset  value.  When a Fund  pays
directly or  indirectly  for a stand-by  commitment,  its cost is  reflected  as
unrealized  depreciation  for the period  during which the  commitment  is held.
Stand-by  commitments  do not affect the average  weighted  maturity of a Fund's
portfolio of securities.
    

GENERAL.  Yields on municipal  securities are dependent on a variety of factors,
including the general  conditions of the money market and of the municipal  bond
and municipal note markets, the size of a particular  offering,  the maturity of
the obligation  and the rating of the issue.  Municipal  securities  with longer
maturities  tend to produce  higher yields and are generally  subject to greater
price  movements  than  obligations  with  shorter  maturities.  An  increase in
interest rates will generally reduce the market value of portfolio  investments,
and a decline in interest rates will  generally  increase the value of portfolio
investments.

   
There  can be no  assurance  that a  Fund's  objective  will  be  achieved.  The
achievement  of a  Fund's  investment  objective  is  dependent  in  part on the
continuing  ability of the  issuers of  municipal  securities  in which the Fund
invests to meet their obligations for the payment of principal and interest when
due.  Municipal  securities  historically  have not been subject to registration
with  the  SEC,   although  there  have  been  proposals   which  would  require
registration in the future.
    

The  obligations  of  municipal  securities  issuers may become  subject to laws
enacted in the future by Congress,  state  legislatures,  or referenda extending
the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or imposing other constraints
upon  enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of  municipalities  to
levy taxes.  There is also the  possibility  


                                       9
<PAGE>

that, as a result of litigation or other  conditions,  the ability of any issuer
to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its municipal  securities may
be materially affected.

3. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The  investment  objective  and all  investment  policies  of the Fund  that are
designated as  fundamental  may be changed only with the approval of the holders
of a majority of the  outstanding  voting  securities of the Fund. A majority of
outstanding  voting securities means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares present
or represented at a shareholder meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of
the  outstanding  shares are  present or  represented,  or (ii) more than 50% of
outstanding shares. Unless otherwise indicated,  all investment policies are not
fundamental  and may be  changed  by the  Trust's  Board of  Trustees  ("Board")
without approval by shareholders of the Fund.

Investors  High Grade Bond Fund,  Investors  Bond Fund,  TaxSaver  Bond Fund and
Maine  Municipal  Bond Fund have adopted the  following  fundamental  investment
policies which are in addition to those  contained in the Funds'  Prospectus and
which may not be changed without shareholder approval. No Fund may:

         (1)      Borrow  money,  except for  temporary  or  emergency  purposes
                  (including the meeting of redemption  requests) and except for
                  entering into reverse repurchase agreements, and provided that
                  borrowings  do not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund's  total  assets
                  (computed immediately after the borrowing).

         (2)      Act as an underwriter  of securities of other issuers,  except
                  to the extent that,  in  connection  with the  disposition  of
                  portfolio  securities,  the  Fund  may  be  deemed  to  be  an
                  underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933.

         (3)      Make  loans to other  persons  except  for loans of  portfolio
                  securities and except through the use of repurchase agreements
                  and  through  the  purchase  of   commercial   paper  or  debt
                  securities which are otherwise permissible investments.

         (4)      Purchase or sell real estate or any interest  therein,  except
                  that the Fund may invest in securities issued or guaranteed by
                  corporate or governmental  entities  secured by real estate or
                  interests   therein,   such  as  mortgage   pass-throughs  and
                  collateralized  mortgage  obligations,  or issued by companies
                  that invest in real estate or interests therein.

         (5)      Purchase or sell physical commodities or contracts relating to
                  physical    commodities,    provided   that   currencies   and
                  currency-related  contracts  will not be deemed to be physical
                  commodities.

         (6)      Issue senior  securities  except pursuant to Section 18 of the
                  Investment  Company Act of 1940  ("1940  Act") and except that
                  the Fund may borrow money  subject to  investment  limitations
                  specified in the Fund's Prospectus.

         (7)      Invest  in  interests  in oil or gas  or  interests  in  other
                  mineral exploration or development programs.

In addition to the  foregoing,  Investors  Bond Fund and TaxSaver Bond Fund have
adopted the following fundamental investment policies concerning diversification
and industry concentration. The Funds may not:
   
         (1)      Purchase securities, other than U.S. Government Securities, of
                  any one issuer, if (a) more than 5% of the Fund's total assets
                  taken  at  market  value  would  at the  time of  purchase  be
                  invested  in the  securities  of  that  issuer,  or  (b)  such
                  purchase  would at the time of purchase cause the Fund to hold
                  more than 10% of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of that
                  issuer.  Up to 50% of the Fund's  total assets may be invested
                  without  regard to this  limitation. These  limitations do not
                  apply  to  securities  of  an  issuer payable solely  from the
                  proceeds of escrowed U.S. Government securities.
    
                                       10
<PAGE>

         (2)      Purchase  securities,  other than U.S. Government  Securities,
                  if,  immediately  after  each  purchase,  more than 25% of the
                  Fund's total assets taken at market value would be invested in
                  securities  of issuers  conducting  their  principal  business
                  activity in the same industry.

Investors High Grade Bond Fund has adopted the following fundamental  investment
policies  concerning  diversification and industry  concentration.  The Fund may
not:

         (1)      With respect to 75% of its assets, purchase securities,  other
                  than U.S.  Government  Securities,  of any one issuer,  if (a)
                  more than 5% of the Fund's  total assets taken at market value
                  would at the time of purchase be invested in the securities of
                  that  issuer,  or (b)  such  purchase  would  at the  time  of
                  purchase  cause  the  Fund  to  hold  more  than  10%  of  the
                  outstanding voting securities of that issuer.

         (2)      Purchase  securities,  other than U.S. Government  Securities,
                  if,  immediately  after  each  purchase,  more than 25% of the
                  Fund's total assets taken at market value would be invested in
                  securities  of issuers  conducting  their  principal  business
                  activity in the same industry.

Maine  Municipal  Bond Fund has adopted  the  following  fundamental  investment
policies concerning investment in securities of issuers in the same industry and
investment in securities having voting rights. The Fund may not:

         (1)      Purchase  securities,  other than U.S. Government  Securities,
                  if,  immediately  after  each  purchase,  more than 25% of the
                  Fund's total assets taken at market value would be invested in
                  securities  of issuers  conducting  their  principal  business
                  activity  in the same  industry.  For this  purpose,  consumer
                  finance  companies,  industrial  finance  companies,  and gas,
                  electric,  water  and  telephone  utility  companies  are each
                  considered to be separate industries.

         (2)      Purchase securities having voting rights except securities  of
                  other investment companies.

Investors  Bond Fund,  Investors  High Grade Bond Fund,  TaxSaver  Bond Fund and
Maine Municipal Bond Fund have adopted the following  nonfundamental  investment
policies that may be changed by the Board without shareholder  approval. No Fund
may:

         (a)      Pledge,  mortgage or hypothecate its assets,  except to secure
                  permitted indebtedness. The deposit in escrow of securities in
                  connection   with  the  writing  of  put  and  call   options,
                  collateralized loans of securities and collateral arrangements
                  with respect to margin for futures contracts are not deemed to
                  be pledges or hypothecations for this purpose.

         (b)      Invest in securities of another registered investment company,
                  except in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition
                  or  reorganization;  and  except  that the Fund may  invest in
                  money  market  funds  and  privately-issued  mortgage  related
                  securities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

         (c)      Purchase   securities  on  margin,  or  make  short  sales  of
                  securities,  except for the use of short-term credit necessary
                  for  the   clearance  of  purchases  and  sales  of  portfolio
                  securities,  except that the Fund may make margin  deposits in
                  connection  with permitted  transactions  in options,  futures
                  contracts and options on futures contracts.

         (d)      Purchase   securities  for  investment   while  any  borrowing
                  equaling 10% or more of the Fund's total assets is outstanding
                  or borrow for purposes  other than meeting  redemptions  in an
                  amount exceeding 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets.

         (e)      Acquire  securities  or invest in repurchase  agreements  with
                  respect to any securities  if, as a result,  more than (i) 15%
                  of the  Fund's net assets  (taken at current  value)  would be
                  invested in repurchase  agreements not entitling the holder to
                  payment of principal within seven days and in securities which
                  are not  readily  marketable,  including  securities  that are
                  illiquid  by  virtue  of 


                                       11
<PAGE>

                  restrictions  on  the sale  of such  securities  to the public
                  without  registration   under  the   Securities  Act  of  1933
                  ("Restricted  Securities")  or (ii) 10% of  the  Fund's  total
                  assets would be invested in Restricted Securities.

         (f)      Purchase  or sell  real  property  leases  (including  limited
                  partnership   interests,   but  excluding  readily  marketable
                  interests  in  real  estate   investment   trusts  or  readily
                  marketable   securities  of  companies  that  invest  in  real
                  estate.)

In addition to the  foregoing,  Investors  Bond Fund,  Investors High Grade Bond
Fund and TaxSaver Bond Fund have adopted the following nonfundamental investment
policy concerning investment in securities having voting rights.
The Funds may not:

         (a)      Purchase securities having voting rights except  securities of
                  other investment companies.

The New  Hampshire  Bond Fund has adopted the following  fundamental  investment
policies that cannot be changed  without the  affirmative  vote of a majority of
the Fund's outstanding voting securities. The Fund may not:

         (1)      With respect to 50% of its assets,  purchase a security  other
                  than a U.S.  Government  Security  of any one  issuer if, as a
                  result,  more  than 5% of the  Fund's  total  assets  would be
                  invested  in the  securities  of that issuer or the Fund would
                  own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that
                  issuer.

         (2)      Purchase  securities if, immediately after the purchase,  more
                  than 25% of the  value of the  Fund's  total  assets  would be
                  invested in the securities of issuers  having their  principal
                  business activities in the same industry, provided there is no
                  limit on investments in U.S. Government Securities,  municipal
                  securities  or  in  the   securities  of  domestic   financial
                  institutions (not including their foreign branches).  For this
                  purpose,   consumer  finance  companies,   industrial  finance
                  companies,  and gas,  electric,  water and  telephone  utility
                  companies are each considered to be separate industries.

         (3)      Underwrite  securities of other issuers,  except to the extent
                  that the Fund may be considered to be acting as an underwriter
                  in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities.

         (4)      Purchase or sell real estate or any interest  therein,  except
                  that the Fund may invest in debt  obligations  secured by real
                  estate or interests therein or issued by companies that invest
                  in real estate or interests therein.

         (5)      Invest in commodities or in commodity contracts,  except that,
                  to the extent the Fund is  otherwise  permitted,  the Fund may
                  enter into  financial  futures  contracts and options on those
                  futures   contracts   and  may   invest  in   currencies   and
                  currency-related contracts.

         (6)      Borrow  money,  except for  temporary  or  emergency  purposes
                  (including the meeting of redemption  requests) and except for
                  entering  into reverse  repurchase  agreements,  provided that
                  borrowings do not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund's net assets.

         (7)      Issue  senior  securities  except as  appropriate  to evidence
                  indebtedness that the Fund is permitted to incur, and provided
                  that the Fund may issue shares of additional series or classes
                  that the Board may establish.

         (8)      Make loans except for loans of portfolio  securities,  through
                  the use of repurchase agreements,  and through the purchase of
                  debt securities that are otherwise permitted investments.

The New Hampshire Bond Fund has adopted the following nonfundamental  investment
limitations that may be changed by the Board without shareholder  approval.  The
Fund may not:

                                       12
<PAGE>

         (a)      Purchase   securities  for  investment   while  any  borrowing
                  equaling   10%  or  more  of  the  Fund's   total   assets  is
                  outstanding;  and if at any time the Fund's  borrowings exceed
                  the  Fund's  investment  limitations  due to a decline  in net
                  assets,  such borrowings will be promptly  (within three days)
                  reduced  to  the   extent   necessary   to  comply   with  the
                  limitations.

         (b)      Purchase  securities that have voting rights,  except the Fund
                  may invest in securities of other investment  companies to the
                  extent  permitted by the  Investment  Company Act of 1940 (the
                  "1940 Act").

         (c)      Purchase   securities  on  margin,  or  make  short  sales  of
                  securities,  except for the use of short-term credit necessary
                  for  the   clearance  of  purchases  and  sales  of  portfolio
                  securities.

         (d)      Acquire  securities  or invest in repurchase  agreements  with
                  respect to any securities  if, as a result,  more than (i) 15%
                  of the  Fund's net assets  (taken at current  value)  would be
                  invested in repurchase  agreements not entitling the holder to
                  payment of principal within seven days and in securities which
                  are not  readily  marketable  or (ii) 10% of the Fund's  total
                  assets  would be invested in  securities  that are illiquid by
                  virtue of  restrictions  on the sale of such securities to the
                  public without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.

         (e)      Purchase or sell real property  (including limited partnership
                  interests,  but excluding readily marketable interests in real
                  estate investment trusts or readily  marketable  securities of
                  companies that invest in real estate.)

For purposes of the policy set forth above with  respect to TaxSaver  Bond Fund,
which  relates to the  diversification  of the Fund's  assets,  the  District of
Columbia,  each state, each political subdivision,  agency,  instrumentality and
authority  thereof,  and each multi-state agency of which a state is a member is
deemed to be a separate  "issuer."  When the assets and  revenues  of an agency,
authority,  instrumentality or other political subdivision are separate from the
government  creating  the  subdivision  and the  security  is backed only by the
assets and revenues of the subdivision,  such subdivision  would be deemed to be
the sole issuer.  Similarly,  in the case of private activity bonds, if the bond
is backed only by the assets and revenues of the nongovernmental user, then such
nongovernmental  user  would be deemed  to be the sole  issuer.  However,  if in
either case, the creating government or some other agency guarantees a security,
that guarantee  would be considered a separate  security and would be treated as
an issue of such government or other agency.

No more than 25% of a Fund's total assets may be invested in the  securities  of
one issuer.  However,  this limitation does not apply to securities of an issuer
payable solely from the proceeds of U.S. Government Securities.

Except as required by the 1940 Act, if any percentage  restriction on investment
or  utilization  of assets is adhered to at the time an  investment  is made,  a
later change in percentage  resulting  from a change in the market values of the
Fund's  assets or purchases and  redemptions  of shares will not be considered a
violation of the limitation.

4. CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE STATE OF MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE

STATE OF MAINE

Material in this section has been compiled from numerous sources  including "The
Maine Economy:  Year-End Review and Outlook, 1997" prepared and published by the
Economics Division of the Maine State Planning Office;  "State of Maine, General
Fund  Budget,  Revenue and  Economic  Data,  May 13,  1998;" and "State of Maine
Presentation  to  Moody's  Investors  Service,  Standard  and  Poors,  and Fitch
Investors  Service,  Inc., May 13, 1998." In addition,  certain  information was
obtained  from  the  Official  Statement  of the  State of  Maine  published  in
connection with the issuance on June 25, 1998 of $85,500,000  general obligation
bonds dated June 1, 1998 Other  information  concerning Maine budgetary  matters
was obtained from official legislative documents, the Office of the Commissioner
of the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services,  the Office of
the  Treasurer  of the State of  Maine,  the  Bureau of the  Budget of the


                                       13
<PAGE>

Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services,  the Office of Fiscal
and Program Review of the Maine  Legislature,  the Maine State Planning  Office,
and the Maine State Retirement System.  The most recent  information  concerning
credit  ratings  on debt  issued  by or on  behalf of the State of Maine and its
subordinate  agencies  was obtained  from credit  reports for the State of Maine
published by S&P on June 5, 1998, by Moody's on June 5, 1998, and by Fitch IBCA,
Inc. ("Fitch"), on June 8, 1998.

Although  the  information  derived  from the above  sources is  believed  to be
accurate,  none of the information obtained from these sources has been verified
independently.  While the  following  summarizes  the most  current  information
available from the above  sources,  it does not reflect  economic  conditions or
developments which may have occurred or trends which may have materialized since
the dates indicated.

The State of Maine, which includes nearly one-half of the total land area of the
six New England states,  currently has a population of approximately  1,242,000.
The  structure of the Maine economy is similar to that of the nation as a whole,
except  that  the  Maine   economy   historically   has  had  more  activity  in
manufacturing,  defense-related  activities,  and tourism,  and less activity in
finance and services.  Recently,  however, the manufacturing and defense-related
sectors  of  Maine's  economy  have  decreased  significantly,  and the  service
industry,  retail,  and  financial  services  sectors  of Maine's  economy  have
increased significantly.

During the 1980's,  Maine's economy surpassed national averages in virtually all
significant measures of economic growth. During this ten-year period, Maine real
economic  growth was 40% as measured by the Maine Economic Growth Index ("EGI"),
a broad-based measure of economic growth which is corrected for inflation.  This
economic  growth  compares to national real economic growth during the 1980's of
26% and 29%,  measured by the United States Economic Growth Index and real Gross
National Product respectively.  During this time period,  resident employment in
Maine increased by 21%, while resident employment  nationally  increased by 19%.
Inflation-adjusted retail sales in Maine during this period increased by 72%, as
opposed to a 32%  increase in such retail sales  nationally.  During the 1980's,
per capita  personal  income in Maine  rose from 44th in the nation in 1979,  to
26th in the nation in 1989,  or from 81% to 92% of the  national  average of per
capita personal income.

Beginning in the fourth quarter of 1989, however,  the Maine economy experienced
a substantial  temporary decline.  For example, the Maine economy sustained only
0.8% real growth in 1989, and experienced real growth of -1.1% in 1990 and -2.6%
in 1991.  Data show that the Maine economy began a sustained  decline during the
fourth  quarter  of  1989,  and  the  second  quarter  of 1991  saw the  seventh
consecutive quarterly decline in the Maine EGI. The third and fourth quarters of
1991  showed  barely  positive  economic  growth of 0.9% and 0.2%  respectively.
Economic  recovery  in Maine also has been  hindered  by  significant  losses in
defense-related  jobs, with the State losing since 1990 approximately 20% of its
defense-dependent  employment  which  peaked at 63,000 jobs in 1989.  During the
1989-1991 period also, the State lost 6% of its entire job base.

   
Since 1991 the Maine economy has  experienced  a modest and sustained  recovery,
and this recovery has continued slowly through the end of calendar year 1997. In
the words of the Economics  Division of the Maine State Planning Office,  "Maine
economic  performance in 1997 was stronger than in recent years, with nearly all
major  indicators  describing  improvement  over last  year.  However,  national
economic growth was again stronger than Maine's." This conclusion is illustrated
by the fact that growth of Maine total  personal  income in 1997,  while strong,
continued to lag behind that of the nation as a whole, with real growth in Maine
total personal income during 1997 of approximately  5.0% compared to real growth
in national total personal income during 1997 of approximately  5.7%. This means
that for 1997 Maine total  personal  income in Maine grew at only  approximately
88% of the national  average.  Furthermore,  these data are part of a continuing
trend that show the growth of the Maine economy consistently lagging behind that
of the nation as a whole for the past several years.

On the positive  side, in spite of the fact that the growth of the Maine economy
continues to be less than the growth of the national economy,  most of the major
economic  indicators  monitored  by the  Economics  Division  of the Maine State
Planning Office,  show that the Maine economy in 1997 improved steadily over its
performance  in 1996.  For example,  Maine  payroll  employment in 1997 expanded
2.0%,  or more  than  twice  the  0.8%  expansion  in Maine  payroll  employment
experienced in 1996. During 1997, the Maine economy added 11,000 new jobs - more
than in any year since 1994. In addition,  Maine  construction  contract  awards
increased  14.2% in 1997 as opposed to an 8.7%  decrease


                                       14
<PAGE>

in such awards in 1996. State government General Fund revenues grew at a rate of
7.3% in 1997 as opposed to a 6.4% growth rate in 1996.  Help wanted  advertising
in Portland-area  newspapers increased 27.4% over the amount of such advertising
recorded in the same geographic area in 1996, and social assistance caseloads in
Maine (Aid to Families with Dependent  Children and Food Stamps) decreased 11.4%
and 6.0%  respectively over such caseload totals for 1996.  Additional  positive
indicators  were that,  during 1997,  unit sales of homes in Maine  increased 5%
over such sales in 1996, the average sales price of a home in Maine increased to
over  $114,000,  and the average  time on the market  prior to sale for homes in
Maine decreased to less than 100 days.  Another indicator of the basic soundness
of Maine's  economy  through  the first nine months of fiscal year 1998 was that
Maine  individual  income tax  payments  for the period were 10% above  official
projections.

A  further  positive  factor in the  growth of  Maine's  economy  is that  Maine
employers   recently  have  experienced  a  substantial   decrease  in  workers'
compensation  costs.  For many  years,  Maine  possessed  the  highest  workers'
compensation  insurance rates in the country.  The issue was so decisive that it
caused a shutdown of State  government in 1992.  Since that time,  however,  the
Maine  Legislature has created the Maine Employers' Mutual Insurance Co. and has
passed  numerous  reforms in Maine's  workers'  compensation  laws. As a result,
workers  compensation  loss ratios have  declined  79% since 1991,  and workers'
compensation  insurance  rates in Maine have  declined  41% since 1994.  Another
positive step  concerning  workers'  compensation  insurance  rates in Maine was
taken in May of 1997 when the Maine Legislature, at the request of the Governor,
refused  to  accede  to a effort  by  organized  labor to roll  back many of the
reforms in Maine's workers' compensation laws enacted since 1992.

The only major economic indicators for Maine not showing significant improvement
in 1997 were taxable consumer retail sales, Maine manufacturing employment,  and
personal bankruptcy filings.  Specifically,  Maine taxable consumer retail sales
in 1997 increased 3.8% over the same sales figures for 1996, but slowed from the
5.1% annual increase in such sales recorded in 1996. Also,  Maine  manufacturing
employment  decreased by 0.9% in 1997,  continuing its long-term decline.  Also,
the number of personal  bankruptcies  approved in Maine over the Federal  fiscal
year ended September 30, 1997 increased by 44% over that of the previous Federal
fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 (nationally,  bankruptcies increased during
the same  period by only  24%).  The  slowing of the rate of  increase  in Maine
taxable  consumer  retail sales  (including,  among other items,  taxable retail
sales related to the tourist industry) is particularly  significant for State of
Maine credit purposes.  Since over one-third of Maine State  government  General
Fund revenues are derived from a 6% retail sales tax, the performance of taxable
retail  sales  in  Maine is  directly  related  to the  ability  of Maine  State
government to fund necessary governmental  expenditures,  and to repay its debt.
In addition,  at the close of fiscal year 1998,  on June 30, 1998,  General Fund
revenues of the State of Maine  exceeded those of the previous year by more than
8%, on a base-to-base  comparison  excluding  one-time revenue gains and losses.
Because of this,  State law may require  that the 6% State of Maine sales tax on
the sale of  tangible  personal  property  and  taxable  services  be reduced on
October 1, 1998 to 5.5%. Such a reduction in the sales tax would reduce revenues
to the State of Maine by  approximately  $60 million per year. It is the opinion
of the  Bureau of the  Budget  of the Maine  Department  of  Administrative  and
Financial  Services,  however,  that such a reduction in tax revenues  would not
adversely  affect the fiscal  status of Maine  State  government  in fiscal year
1999.

One other  negative  factor in the Maine  economy  is that  while the  statewide
economic  statistics  show, in the words of the Economics  Division of the State
Planning  Office,  "fairly solid  economic  performance,"  the data tend to mask
regional  disparities  in economic  performance  within the State of Maine.  For
example,  by all of the usual indicators of economic  performance,  the southern
and  mid-coastal  counties  of Maine are  experiencing  rapid  economic  growth.
Cumberland County (including the Portland metropolitan area) alone accounted for
80% of all job gains in the State from 1990 to 1996 and Cumberland  County has a
per capita  income level that is 25% above the statewide  average.  The counties
that lie along the I-95 corridor are also experiencing some economic prosperity.
The "rim  counties"  of Maine,  however,  from  Oxford  County  in the West,  to
Aroostook  County in the North, to Washington  County in the East are struggling
economically.

On the whole, however, according to the Economics Division of the State Planning
Office, "the outlook for Maine's economy is for slow but steady growth.
    

The fiscal policies of the State of Maine are very  conservative,  and the State
is  required  by its  Constitution  to operate on a balanced  budget.  The Maine
Constitution does this by prohibiting the Legislature,  by itself,  from issuing
any debt by or on 


                                       15
<PAGE>

behalf of the State which exceeds $2,000,000  "except to suppress  insurrection,
to repel invasion,  or for purposes of war, and except for temporary loans to be
paid out of money  raised by  taxation  during the fiscal year in which they are
made." The Maine  Constitution  also provides for the prohibition of debt issued
by or on  behalf  of  the  State  to  fund  "current  expenditures."  The  Maine
Constitution  allows the  issuance of  long-term  debt when  two-thirds  of both
houses of the Legislature  pass a law authorizing the issuance of such debt, and
when the voters of the State ratify and enact such a law at a general or special
statewide election.  Amendments to the Maine Constitution also have been adopted
to permit the  Legislature  to authorize the issuance of bonds to insure payment
of up to:  (i)  $6,000,000  of  revenue  bonds  of  the  Maine  School  Building
Authority;  (ii) $4,000,000 of loans to Maine students attending institutions of
higher  education;  (iii) $1,000,000 of mortgage loans for Indian housing;  (iv)
$4,000,000 of mortgage  loans to resident Maine  veterans  including  businesses
owned by resident  Maine  veterans;  and (v)  $90,000,000  of mortgage loans for
industrial,  manufacturing,  fishing, agricultural and recreational enterprises.
The Maine  Constitution  provides that if the  Legislature  fails to appropriate
sufficient  funds to pay principal and interest on general  obligation  bonds of
the State,  the State Treasurer is required to set aside  sufficient  funds from
the first  General Fund revenues  received  thereafter by the State to make such
payments.

   
In recent years,  Maine State  government  has skirted the Maine  constitutional
balanced  budget  requirement  by annually  issuing  significant  amounts of tax
anticipation notes ("TANs") during the first few days after the July 1 beginning
of each new fiscal  year and  leaving  such TANs  outstanding  until  almost the
beginning  of the next  fiscal  year.  For  example,  on June 26, 1996 the State
issued $150,000,000 in TANs due June 27, 1997. Both the size of these issues and
fiscal  legitimacy for them,  however,  have recently been  criticized,  and the
State is becoming  more  conservative  with  regard to what  amounts to a former
practice of maintaining almost permanent TANS of significant size. This has been
made possible largely by the continued  imposition of tightly conservative State
fiscal  policies  that  allowed the State to end fiscal year 1997 solidly in the
black with an estimated  approximate  $59.7 million  surplus,  and to end fiscal
year 1998 with an estimated  approximate $125 million surplus. No TAN was issued
immediately  following  the July 1 start of the 1998  fiscal  year,  and no TANs
currently are planned for issuance in fiscal year 1999.

As of April 30, 1998,  there were  outstanding  general  obligation bonds of the
State in the  principal  amount of  $444,157,945.  On June 25,  1998,  the State
issued  $84,500,00  general  obligation  bonds dated June 1,, 1998.  On June 10,
1998,  there  were  outstanding  bond  anticipation  notes  of the  State in the
principal amount of $35,500,000 with a maturity of June 29,1998.  As of June 10,
1998,  there  were  outstanding  bond  anticipation  notes  of the  State in the
principal amount of $33,500,000 with a maturity of June 29, 1998. As of June 10,
1998,  there were authorized by the voters of the State for certain purposes but
unissued,  general  obligation  bonds of the  State in the  aggregate  principal
amount of $127,305,316, including the $84,500,000 in general obligation bonds to
be issued on June 25, 1998.  As of June 10, 1998,  there were  authorized by the
Constitution of the State and  implementing  legislation  but unissued,  general
obligation bonds of the State in the aggregate  principal amount of $99,000,000.
Various  other  Maine  governmental  agencies  and  quasi-governmental  agencies
including,  but not limited to, the Maine  Municipal  Bond Bank, the Maine Court
Facilities  Authority,  the  Maine  Health  and  Higher  Educational  Facilities
Authority,  Maine Turnpike  Authority,  the Maine State Housing  Authority,  the
Maine Public Utility  Financing Bank, and the Maine  Educational Loan Authority,
issue debt for Maine  governmental  purposes,  but this debt does not pledge the
credit of the State.

The  strength  of  Maine's  economy  during  the  1980's  enabled  the  State to
accumulate  relatively large unappropriated  surpluses of general fund revenues.
During the  economic  recession  of 1989  through  1992,  however,  Maine  State
government  repeatedly  reduced  its  expenditures  in order to comply  with the
requirement  of the  Maine  Constitution  that  State  government  operate  on a
balanced budget. More recently, Maine State government has continued to downsize
and  restructure  its  operations  as part of an overall  effort to improve  the
management of numerous governmental  programs.  For example,  recently the Maine
Legislature  created a Productivity  Realization  Task Force and charged it with
identifying more than $45,000,000 of savings in State General Fund expenditures.
The Task Force, in fact,  completed the identification of $45.28 million in cuts
to General Fund  expenditures  and passed  legislation  to implement  those cuts
during the  1996-1997  biennium.  The work of the Task Force also will result in
additional ongoing cuts of $60.1 million in General Fund expenditures during the
1998-1999  biennium,  and the permanent  elimination of approximately 1352 State
jobs. Such cuts in General Fund expenditures,  other fiscal cost reductions, and
a continuing policy by the Governor not to allow the creation of significant new
State governmental programs or the taxes to fund such programs, have allowed the
Governor and Legislature to enact and amend a series of balanced budgets funding
State services for fiscal years 1998 and 1999. The most recent laws  authorizing
expenditures  for fiscal years 1998 and 1999 were enacted in the Second  Regular
Session and Second  Special  Session of the 118th Maine  Legislature in 1998 and
provide, for fiscal year 1998, total


                                       16
<PAGE>

General Fund expenditures of $1,888,812,553  and total Highway Fund expenditures
of  $215,984,090  and for fiscal year 1999,  total General Fund  expenditures of
$2,167,432,623  and total Highway Fund expenditures of $220,267,045.  During the
First  Regular  Session of the 118th Maine  Legislature,  the  Governor  and the
Legislature  also took  several  steps to adjust the State's  fiscal  condition.
First,  the  Legislature  passed and the Governor signed into law a repeal of an
across the board State income tax cap that was enacted in 1995 and  scheduled to
go into  effect  on July 1,  1997.  If this  State  income  tax cap had not been
repealed,  income tax revenues  expendable by the State beginning in fiscal year
1998 would have been restricted to $676,230,000. Second, the Legislature and the
Governor  refused to eliminate  prior to its scheduled  elimination  on June 30,
1998, an excise tax on the value of gross hospital patient service revenue,  and
increased this tax for hospital  payment years that end in fiscal year 1998 from
3.56% to 5.27%.  Third, the Legislature and the Governor enacted into law a "Tax
Relief Fund for Maine  Residents" which requires,  according to a formula,  that
75% of General Fund Revenues which exceed officially  accepted estimates be used
to increase the personal  exemption amount of the Maine Individual Income Tax up
to the personal  exemption  amount of the Federal  Individual  Income Tax.  Also
according to the formula provided by the tax-relief statute, 25% of General Fund
revenues  which exceed  accepted  estimates  must be used to reduce the unfunded
liability  of the Maine  State  Retirement  System.  As of the close of  State's
fiscal year on June 30, 1997,  Maine  General Fund  Revenues  exceeded  accepted
estimates  by  approximately  $59.7  million.  Accordingly,  75% of such  excess
General Fund revenues,  or an estimated $44.8 million,  will be allocated to tax
relief for Maine residents,  and 25% of such excess General Fund revenues, or an
estimated  $14.9  million will be allocated to reduce the unfunded  liability of
the Maine State  Retirement  System.  Similarly,  as of the close of the State's
fiscal year on June 30, 1998,  it is expected  that Maine  General Fund Revenues
will exceed accepted estimates by approximately $125 million. Such a surplus can
be appropriated  by the Legislature for any purpose,  but it is expected that it
will be used for purposes  such as reducing the unfunded  liability of the Maine
State  Retirement  System,  increasing  amounts  in the  State's  Rainy Day Fund
(described  below),  and contributing to  unappropriated  revenues of the State.
During the Second Regular Session of the 118th Maine Legislature, the State also
enacted  a  Maine   Resident   Homestead   Property  Tax   Exemption   providing
approximately  $50 million in property tax relief to Maine residents.  The State
also maintains a "Rainy Day Fund" to be used for significant  unforeseen capital
and  operational  expenditures.  As of June 30,  1998 the balance in the State's
Rainy Day Fund was approximately $64.1 million, the highest amount ever.
    

There can be no  assurance  that the budget acts for fiscal years 1998 and 1999,
and the various other statutes passed by the Maine  Legislature which affect the
State's fiscal  position,  will not be amended by the  Legislature  from time to
time.

   
The unfunded  liability of the Maine State  Retirement  System is a  significant
problem  for Maine  State  government.  This  unfunded  liability  currently  is
certified  by the  State's  independent  actuaries  as of  June  30,  1997 to be
approximately   $2.6  billion.   Because  of  this,  the  State  has  adopted  a
constitutional  amendment (Me. Const.  art. IX, ss.18-B) that requires the Maine
Legislature,  beginning in fiscal year 1997,  annually to appropriate funds that
will retire in 31 years or less the System's unfunded liability  attributable to
State  employees and teachers.  In the Second Regular Session of the 118th Maine
Legislature,  the State  reduced  by  statute  the  amount of time to retire the
unfunded  liability to 25 years from June 30, 1998. The State has also adopted a
separate  constitutional  amendment (Me. Const.  art. IX, ss.18-A) that requires
the Maine  Legislature,  beginning in fiscal year 1998,  annually to appropriate
monies to fund the System on an  actuarially  sound  basis.  Under  Article  IX,
ss.18-B of the Maine Constitution,  unfunded  liabilities  henceforth may not be
created for the System except those resulting from experience  losses,  and such
unfunded  liabilities  resulting from  experience  losses must be retired over a
period not exceeding 10 years.
    

Because of Maine's conservative debt policies and its constitutional requirement
that the  State  government  operate  under a  balanced  budget,  Maine  general
obligation bonds had been rated AAA by S&P and Aa1 by Moody's for many years.

   
On June 6,  1991,  however,  S&P  lowered  its credit  rating for Maine  general
obligation bonds from AAA to AA+, and at the same time lowered its credit rating
on bonds issued by the Maine Municipal Bond Bank and the Maine Court  Facilities
Authority,  and on State of Maine  Certificates  of  Participation  for  highway
equipment, from AA to A+. In taking this action, S&P said, "The rating action is
a result of declines in key financial indicators,  and continued softness in the
state  economy.  The new rating  continues to reflect the low debt burden of the
state, an economic base that has gained greater income levels and diversity over
the 1980's,  and a legislative  history of dealing  effectively  with  financial
difficulties." These ratings have remained unchanged since June 6, 1991. Because
of slow but continuing improvements in the State of Maine economy, S&P currently
views the State's financial outlook as "stable," stating in its most recent June
5, 1998 credit 


                                       17
<PAGE>

report:  "The AA+ rating on Maine's  bonds  reflects the  state's:  Diversifying
economy,   which  is  growing  at  a  slow,  steady  pace;  Improving  financial
performance;  and Low debt burden with a rapid amortization schedule." On August
24,  1993,  citing  the  "effects  of  protracted   economic  slowdown  and  the
expectation  that Maine's  economy will not soon return to the pattern of robust
growth evident in the  mid-1980's,"  Moody's  lowered its State of Maine general
obligation  bond rating from Aa1 to Aa. At the same time,  Moody's  lowered from
Aa1 to Aa the ratings  assigned to  state-guaranteed  bonds of the Maine  School
Building  Authority and the Finance  Authority of Maine, and confirmed at A1 the
ratings assigned to the bonds of the Maine Court Facilities  Authority and State
of Maine  Certificates of Participation.  These ratings remained unchanged until
1997.  On May 13,  1997,  Moody's  "confirmed  and  refined  from Aa to Aa3" the
State's general  obligation bond rating.  Moody's refinement of the State's bond
rating on May 13, 1997 was part of a general redefinition by Moody's of its bond
rating symbols  published on January 13, 1997, and was not a substantive  rating
change. In its most recent June 5, 1998 credit report, Moody's raised its credit
rating for Maine general  obligation  bonds from Aa3 to Aa2,  stating:  "The Aa2
rating  upgrade  reflects  steady  improvement  in fund  balances  and  spending
control,  an increased pace of economic recovery,  and moderate debt ratios. The
rating also  acknowledges  the ongoing fixed costs  associated  with the state's
unfunded pension liability."

For its June 25, 1998 general  obligation  bond issue dated June 1, 1998,  Maine
also  received a credit  report from Fitch.  In this credit report dated June 8,
1998, Fitch assigned a rating of AA to Maine general  obligation bonds,  saying:
"The State of Maine's  general  obligation  bonds are well secured with strength
especially  in the low burden that debt places on resources and in the unusually
rapid  rate  of  amortization.  The  economy  is  again  growing  and  financial
operations have been very successful in the past two years. Institutionalization
of financial reforms,  including accounting,  the revenue estimation process and
debt control are of benefit, and the reserve level continues to increase."
    

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

   
Material in this  section has been  abstracted  from the State of New  Hampshire
Information  Statement  dated March 27, 1998 and the supplement  thereto,  dated
June 23,  1998,  compiled by the  Treasurer  of the State of New  Hampshire  and
provided to  prospective  purchasers  of debt  securities  offered by the State.
While information in the Information Statement is believed to be accurate,  none
of that information has been independently  verified.  Also, it does not reflect
economic  conditions or  developments  that may have occurred or trends that may
have  materialized  since the date of the Information  Statement.  Additionally,
economic and fiscal conditions in individual municipalities within the State may
vary from general economic and fiscal conditions.
    

New Hampshire is located in the New England Region and is bordered by the states
of Maine,  Massachusetts,  and Vermont and the Province of Quebec,  Canada.  New
Hampshire's  geographic  area is 9,304 square miles and its 1996  population was
1,163,000,  representing  a 1.3%  increase  from 1995  levels.  New  Hampshire's
population had increased by more than 25% in the 1980-1996 period.

New Hampshire's per capita personal income  increased by 106.4% between 1980 and
1990. In 1991 it continued to grow faster than the New England region as a whole
and in 1992 and 1993 it grew at a slightly lower rate than the region,  resuming
faster  growth  relative  to the region in 1994 and 1995.  New  Hampshire's  per
capita personal  income in 1996 was 109% of the national  level,  ranking 8th in
the United States.

   
In 1997, New Hampshire's  largest  employment sector was the service sector (29%
of  employment),  followed by retail and  wholesale  trade (26% of  employment).
Manufacturing   was  the   third   largest   sector   (18.8%   of   employment).
Non-agricultural employment levels have remained fairly stable. The unemployment
rate declined to 3.1% in 1997, less than the national average of 4.9%.
    

After a  significant  growth in  residential  building  activity  in the  period
1980-86  (data  based  on  residential   building   permits),   New  Hampshire's
residential  building  activity  declined  beginning in 1987, and declined below
1980  levels in 1990,  1991 and 1992.  In 1993,  residential  building  activity
surpassed 1980 levels and activity in 1994, 1995 and 1996 surpassed 1993.

   
New Hampshire  finances the operations of state government  through  specialized
taxes,  user  charges and  revenues  received  from the State  liquor  sales and
distribution  system. There is no general tax on sales or earned income. The 


                                       18
<PAGE>

two highest revenue-producing taxes are the Meals and Rooms Tax and the Business
Profits  Tax.  In 1994,  State and local  taxes  amounted  to $97 per  $1,000 of
personal  income,  which was the third  lowest in the  United  States.  However,
because local property  taxes are the principal  source of funding for municipal
operations and primary and secondary education,  New Hampshire was highest among
all states in local property tax collections per $1,000 of personal income.  See
the  concluding  paragraph  of this  section  for a  description  of  litigation
challenging the  constitutionality  of the State's statutory system of financing
operation of elementary  and secondary  public schools  primarily  through local
taxes.
    

New Hampshire  State  government's  budget is enacted to cover a biennial period
through  a  series  of  legislative  bills  that  establish  appropriations  and
estimated   revenues  for  each  sub-unit  of  State   government,   along  with
supplemental  and  special  legislation.  By  statute,  the  budget  process  is
initiated  by the  Governor,  who is  required to submit  operating  and capital
budget  proposals to the Legislature by February 15 in each  odd-numbered  year.
While the Governor is required to state the means through which all expenditures
will be financed,  there is no constitutional or statutory  requirement that the
Governor  propose  or the  Legislature  adopt  a  budget  without  resorting  to
borrowing. There is no line item veto.

State  government funds include the General Fund, four special purpose funds and
three enterprise funds, as well as certain "fiduciary" funds. All obligations of
the State are paid from the State Treasury,  and must be authorized by a warrant
signed by the  Governor  and  approved  by the  Executive  Council,  except  for
payments  of debt  obligations,  which  are paid by the  State  Treasurer  under
statutory authority.

   
By statute,  at the close of each fiscal year, 50% of any General Fund operating
surplus must be deposited in a Revenue Stabilization Reserve Account ("Rainy Day
Fund") which may contain up to 10% of General Fund  unrestricted  revenue.  With
approval of the  Legislative  Fiscal  Committee,  the Governor and the Executive
Council, the Rainy Day Fund is available to defray operating deficits in ensuing
years if there is a shortfall  in forecast  revenue.  By statute,  the Rainy Day
Fund may not be used for any  other  purpose  except  by  special  appropriation
approved by two-thirds of each Legislative chamber and the Governor.  As of June
30, 1997 there was a designated balance of $20 million in the Rainy Day Fund.
    

The  Department of  Administrative  Services is responsible  for  maintenance of
State  government's   accounting  system,  annual  reports  and  general  budget
oversight.   Expenditures  are  controlled  against  appropriations  through  an
integrated  accounting  system which compares the amount of an  appropriation to
expenditures  and  encumbrances  previously  charged against that  appropriation
before creating an expenditure.  By law, with certain exceptions  unexpended and
unencumbered  balances of appropriations lapse to surplus in the applicable fund
at the end of each fiscal year, along with unappropriated  revenues in excess of
legislative  estimates.  Legislative  financial  controls  involve the Office of
Legislative  Budget  Assistant  ("LBA")  which  acts  under  supervision  of the
Legislative  Fiscal  Committee and Joint  Legislative  Capital  Budget  Overview
Committee.  LBA conducts overall post-audit and review of the budgetary process.
State government  financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and are independently audited annually.

   
During the 1992-1993 biennium,  State revenues began recovering from the decline
that had  characterized  the recession years of 1989, 1990 and 1991. The General
Fund  undesignated  fund balance at June 30, 1994,  was $12.0  Million.  For the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1995, the General Fund  undesignated fund balance was
zero, after  transferring  $35.1 Million from the Healthcare  Transition Fund to
offset  a  delay  in  receipt  of  federal  funds  from  disproportionate  share
expenditures  under the Medicaid  program.  At June 30,  1996,  the General Fund
undesignated  fund  balance  was ($44.2  Million)  after a net  transfer  to the
Healthcare  Transition Fund of $21.9 Million, and was ($1.2 million) at June 30,
1997.
    

There is no  constitutional  limit on the State's power to issue  obligations or
incur  indebtedness,   and  no  constitutional  requirement  for  referendum  to
authorize incurrence of indebtedness by the State. Authorization and issuance of
debt is governed  entirely by statute.  New Hampshire  pursues a debt management
program  designed to minimize use of short-term debt for operating  purposes and
to coordinate issuance of tax-exempt securities by the State and its agencies.

                                       19
<PAGE>

State-guaranteed bonded indebtedness is authorized not only for general purposes
of State government,  but also for the New Hampshire Turnpike System, University
System of New Hampshire,  water supply and pollution  control,  water  resources
acquisition and  construction,  School  Building  Authority,  Pease  Development
Authority,  Business  Finance  Authority,  Municipal  Bond Bank and  cleanup  of
municipal  Super Fund sites and  landfills.  In  addition,  the Housing  Finance
Authority and Higher Education and Health Facilities Authority are authorized to
issue bonds that do not constitute debts or obligations of the State.

Procedure for incurrence of bonded indebtedness by individual  municipalities is
governed by State  statutes,  which  prescribe  actions  that must be pursued by
municipalities in incurring bonded indebtedness and limitations on the amount of
such  indebtedness.   In  general,   incurrence  of  bonded  indebtedness  by  a
municipality  must  be for a  statutorily  authorized  purpose  and  requires  a
two-thirds majority vote of the municipality's legislative body.

   
On December 17, 1997,  the New  Hampshire  Supreme  Court ruled that the State's
present system of financing public  elementary and secondary  schools  primarily
through local property taxes  violates the New Hampshire  Constitution,  because
(1) providing an adequate public  education is a duty of State  government;  (2)
local school property taxes are levied to fulfill a State purpose; and (3) local
school property taxes,  levied at different rates in different  localities,  are
not proportional  and reasonable  throughout the State. The court also indicated
that  a  State-funded,   constitutionally   adequate  elementary  and  secondary
education is a fundamental  constitutional  right. However, the court stayed all
further proceedings in the case "until the end of the [1998] legislative session
and further order of this court to permit the  legislature to address the issues
involved in this  case." The court  allowed the  present  funding  mechanism  to
remain in effect "during the 1998 tax year" i.e. through March 31, 1999. On June
23, 1998, responding to a request for an advisory opinion from the New Hampshire
Senate,  the court advised that certain  legislation passed by the New Hampshire
House of  Representatives  to address the court's  December 1997 decision  would
violate  State  constitutional  requirements  by failing  to provide  funding of
adequate  public  elementary  and  secondary  education  at a  uniform  tax rate
throughout  the  State.  On June 30,  1998,  the  legislature  recessed  without
enacting  legislation  addressing the court's  December 1997 decision.  The 1998
legislative  session may be reconvened  at the call of the presiding  officer of
each legislative  chamber,  until 12:01 a.m., December 1, 1998, when the current
legislature will be dissolved.  The potential impact of the court's decisions on
the State's  finances  cannot  presently be determined.  However,  in absence of
further   order  of  the  court,   it  appears   that  the  present   system  of
locally-assessed  school property taxes may become legally  unenforceable  as of
April 1, 1999.

5. PERFORMANCE DATA
    

The Funds may quote  performance  in various ways. All  performance  information
supplied  by the Funds in  advertising  is  historical  and is not  intended  to
indicate  future  returns.  The Funds' net asset  value,  yield and total return
fluctuate in response to market  conditions and other factors,  and the value of
Fund shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.

   
Standardized SEC yield and total return  information as of March 31, 1998 is set
forth in the following tables:
    
<TABLE>
<S>                    <C>              <C>                 <C>                 <C>            <C>
                                       30 Day
                      30 Day           Annualized                                            Total Return
                      Annualized       Tax Equivalent     Total Return      Total Return     Since
   
Fund(a)               Yield            Yield              1 Year            5 Year           Inception
                      -----            -----              ------            ------           ---------
    

INVESTORS BOND FUND   5.88%            N/A                6.79%             6.59%            8.67%
   

INVESTORS HIGH
GRADE BOND FUND        N/A             N/A                N/A               N/A             (3.90)
    

                                       20
<PAGE>

TAXSAVER BOND FUND
   
                      3.64 %           6.03%              3.70%             5.53%            6.94%
    

MAINE MUNICIPAL
BOND FUND
   
                      3.85%            6.97%              5.19%             5.45%            6.41%
    

NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND
   
FUND                  3.90%            6.80%              6.16%             5.81             5.80%
</TABLE>

(a)  Investors  High Grade Bond Fund  commenced  operations  on March 16,  1998,
Investors Bond Fund and TaxSaver Bond  commenced  operations on October 2, 1989,
Maine  Municipal  Bond Fund  commenced  operations on December 5, 1991,  and New
Hampshire Bond Fund commenced operations on December 31, 1992.
    

Tax-equivalent  yield for  TaxSaver  Bond Fund is based on a Federal  income tax
rate of 39.6%.  The tax equivalent  yield for Maine Municipal Bond Fund is based
on a combined  Federal and Maine state income tax rate of 48.1%  (Federal  39.6%
and State of Maine 8.5%).  The tax equivalent  yield for New Hampshire Bond Fund
is based on a combined  Federal and New Hampshire state income tax rate of 44.6%
(Federal 39.6% and State of New Hampshire 5.0%).

   
In  performance  advertising  each  Fund  may  compare  any of  its  performance
information  with data published by independent  evaluators such as Morningstar,
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., IBC/Donoghue,  Inc., CDA/Wiesenberger or other
companies which track the investment  performance of investment companies ("Fund
Tracking  Companies").  Each  Fund  may  also  compare  any of  its  performance
information  with the performance of recognized  stock,  bond and other indices,
including  but not limited to the  Municipal  Bond Buyers  Indices,  the Salomon
Brothers Bond Index,  the Shearson Lehman Bond Index,  the Standard & Poor's 500
Composite Stock Price Index, the Dow Jones  Industrial  Average,  U.S.  Treasury
bonds,  bills or notes and changes in the  Consumer  Price Index as published by
the  U.S.  Department  of  Commerce.  The  Funds  may  refer to  general  market
performances  over  past  time  periods  such as  those  published  by  Ibbotson
Associates (for instance, its "Stocks, Bonds, Bills and Inflation Yearbook"). In
addition,  the Funds  may refer in such  materials  to mutual  fund  performance
rankings  and other  data  published  by Fund  Tracking  Companies.  Performance
advertising  may also refer to discussions of the Funds and  comparative  mutual
fund data and ratings  reported in independent  periodicals,  such as newspapers
and financial magazines.
    

For example, the Funds may advertise the historical advantages, based on assumed
investments made on particular dates, in long term corporate bonds or in the S&P
500  Composite  Stock Index  against U.S.  Treasury  bills,  as published by the
companies listed above.

YIELD CALCULATIONS

Yields  for a Fund used in  advertising  are  computed  by  dividing  the Fund's
interest income for a given 30 days or one-month period, net of expenses, by the
average number of shares  entitled to receive  distributions  during the period,
dividing  this  figure by the Fund's net asset value per share at the end of the
period and annualizing the result  (assuming  compounding of income) in order to
arrive at an annual percentage rate. In general, interest income is reduced with
respect to bonds  purchased at a premium over their par value by  subtracting  a
portion of the  premium  from income on a daily  basis,  and is  increased  with
respect to bonds  purchased at a discount by adding a portion of the discount to
daily  income.   Capital  gain  and  loss  generally  are  excluded  from  these
calculations.

Income  calculated for the purpose of determining  the Fund's yield differs from
income as determined  for other  accounting  purposes.  Because of the different
accounting  methods  used,  and  because  of the  compounding  assumed  in yield
calculations,  the  yield  quoted  for a  Fund  may  differ  from  the  rate  of
distribution  the Fund paid over the same period or the rate of income  reported
in the Fund's financial statements.

                                       21
<PAGE>

The tax  equivalent  yield for TaxSaver Bond Fund is the rate an investor  would
have to earn from a fully taxable  investment in order to equal the Fund's yield
after taxes.  Tax equivalent  yields are calculated by dividing the Fund's yield
by one minus the stated Federal or combined  Federal and state tax rate. If only
a portion of the Fund's  yield is  tax-exempt,  only that portion is adjusted in
the calculation.

Although  published  yield  information  is useful to  investors  in reviewing a
Fund's performance,  investors should be aware that a Fund's yield for any given
period is not an  indication or  representation  by the Fund of future yields or
rates of return on the Fund's shares. Also, Processing Organizations (as defined
in the  Prospectuses)  may charge their customers direct fees in connection with
an investment  in a Fund,  which will have the effect of reducing the Fund's net
yield  to  those  shareholders.  The  yields  of  each  Fund  are not  fixed  or
guaranteed,  and  an  investment  in  a  Fund  is  not  insured  or  guaranteed.
Accordingly,  yield information may not necessarily be used to compare shares of
a Fund with investment alternatives which, like money market instruments or bank
accounts, may provide a fixed rate of interest.  Also, it may not be appropriate
to compare a Fund's yield information directly to similar information  regarding
investment alternatives which are insured or guaranteed.

TOTAL RETURN CALCULATIONS

Each  of  the  Funds  may  advertise  total  return.  Total  returns  quoted  in
advertising  reflect all  aspects of a Fund's  return,  including  the effect of
reinvesting  dividends  and  capital  gain  distributions  and any change in the
Fund's net asset value per share over the  period.  Average  annual  returns are
calculated  by  determining  the growth or  decline  in value of a  hypothetical
historical  investment in a Fund over a stated period,  and then calculating the
annually compounded  percentage rate that would have produced the same result if
the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period.  While
average  annual  returns  are  a  convenient   means  of  comparing   investment
alternatives, investors should realize that the performance is not constant over
time but changes from year to year, and that average  annual  returns  represent
averaged figures as opposed to the actual year-to-year performance of the Funds.

Average  annual  total  return is  calculated  by  finding  the  average  annual
compounded  rates of return of a  hypothetical  investment  over a given  period
according to the following formula:

                  P(1+T)n = ERV

         Where:

                  P = a  hypothetical  initial  payment of  $1,000;
                  T = average annual  total  return;
                  n = number of years;  and 
                  ERV = ending redeemable value.

ERV is the value, at the end of the applicable period, of a hypothetical  $1,000
payment made at the beginning of the applicable period.

   
In  addition  to  average  annual  returns,  each Fund may quote  unaveraged  or
cumulative total returns  reflecting the simple change in value of an investment
over a stated period.  Average annual and cumulative total returns may be quoted
as a  percentage  or as a  dollar  amount,  and may be  calculated  for a single
investment, a series of investments and/or a series of redemptions over any time
period.  Total  returns may be broken down into their  components  of income and
capital  (including  capital  gain  and  changes  in  share  price)  in order to
illustrate the  relationship of these factors and their  contributions  to total
return.  Total returns may be quoted with or without taking into consideration a
Fund's  front-end  sales  charge;  excluding  sales  charges  from total  return
calculations  produces a higher return figure.  Total returns,  yields and other
performance  information  may be  quoted  numerically  or in a  table,  graph or
similar illustration.
    

                                       22
<PAGE>


         Period total return is calculated according to the following formula:

                  PT = (ERV/P-1)

         Where:

                  PT = period total return.
                           The  other  definitions  are the  same as in  average
                           annual total return above.

   
Investors who purchase and redeem shares of the Fund through a customer  account
maintained  at a  Processing  Organization  may be  charged  one or  more of the
following  types of fees as agreed upon by the Processing  Organization  and the
investor,  with  respect to the  customer  services  provided by the  Processing
Organization:  account fees (a fixed amount per month or per year);  transaction
fees  (a  fixed  amount  per  transaction   processed);   compensating   balance
requirements  (a minimum  dollar  amount a customer  must  maintain  in order to
obtain the services  offered);  or account  maintenance  fees (a periodic charge
based upon a percentage of the assets in the account or of the dividends paid on
these  assets).  Such fees will have the effect of reducing  the average  annual
total return of the Fund for those investors.

OTHER ADVERTISING MATTERS

The  Funds  may  also  include  various  information  in  their   advertisements
including,  but not limited to: (1) portfolio holdings and portfolio  allocation
as of certain dates,  such as portfolio  diversification  by instrument type, by
instrument,   by  location  of  issuer  or  by  maturity;   (2)   statements  or
illustrations  relating to the  appropriateness  of types of  securities  and/or
mutual  funds that may be employed by an  investor  to meet  specific  financial
goals,  such  as  funding  retirement,   paying  for  children's  education  and
financially  supporting  aging parents;  (3) information  (including  charts and
illustrations)  showing the effects of compounding interest  (compounding is the
process of earning  interest on principal plus interest that was earned earlier;
interest can be compounded at different intervals,  such as annually,  quarterly
or daily); (4) information  relating to inflation and its effects on the dollar;
for example,  after ten years the  purchasing  power of $25,000  would shrink to
$16,621,  $14,968,  $13,465 and  $12,100,  respectively,  if the annual rates of
inflation were 4%, 5%, 6% and 7%,  respectively;  (5) information  regarding the
effects of automatic investment and systematic  withdrawal plans,  including the
principal of dollar cost  averaging;  (6) background  information  regarding the
Funds' Adviser and  biographical  descriptions  of the  management  staff of the
Adviser; (7) summaries of the views of the Adviser with respect to the financial
markets;  (8) background  information  regarding the Trust; (9) the results of a
hypothetical  investment  in a fund over a given number of years,  including the
amount that the investment  would be at the end of the period;  (10) the effects
of investing in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account
or Section  401(k)  pension  plan;  and (11) the net asset value,  net assets or
number of shareholders of the Funds as of one or more dates.

6. MANAGEMENT

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

THE TRUST
    

The trustees and officers of the Trust and their  principal  occupations  during
the past five years are set forth  below.  Each  Trustee  who is an  "interested
person" (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Trust is indicated by an asterisk.

   
John Y. Keffer,* Trustee, Chairman and President (age 56)

          President,  Forum Financial  Group,  LLC (mutual fund services company
          holding company)).  Mr. Keffer is a director and/or officer of various
          registered  investment companies for which the various Forum Financial
          Group of  Companies  provides  services.  His address is Two  Portland
          Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

                                       23
<PAGE>

Costas Azariadis, Trustee (age 55)
    

          Professor of Economics,  University of California,  Los Angeles, since
          July 1992. Prior thereto,  Dr. Azariadis was Professor of Economics at
          the  University  of   Pennsylvania.   His  address  is  Department  of
          Economics,  University of California, Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Avenue,
          Los Angeles, California 90024.

   
James C. Cheng, Trustee (age 56)
    

          President of Technology  Marketing  Associates (a marketing consulting
          company) since September 1991. Prior thereto,  Mr. Cheng was President
          and Chief  Executive  Officer of  Network  Dynamics,  Incorporated  (a
          software  development  company).  His  address  is 27  Temple  Street,
          Belmont, Massachusetts 02178.

   
J. Michael Parish, Trustee (age 54)

          Partner at the law firm of Reid and Priest, LLP, since 1995. From 1989
          to 1995. he was a partner at the law firm of Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam
          & Roberts.  Prior thereto, he was a partner at LeBoeuf,  Lamb, Leiby &
          MacRae,  a law firm of which he was a member  from  1974 to 1989.  His
          address is 40 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.
    

Mark D. Kaplan, Vice President (age 42)

   
          Director,   Investments,  Forum  Financial  Group,  LLC  (mutual  fund
          services company holding  company),  with which he has been associated
          since September 1995. Prior thereto,  Mr. Kaplan was Managing Director
          and  Director  of  Research  at H.M.  Payson & Co. His  address is Two
          Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Stacey Hong, Treasurer

          Director,  Fund Accounting,  Forum Financial Group, LLC, with which he
          has been associated  since April 1992.  Prior thereto,  Mr. Hong was a
          Senior Accountant with Ernst & Young, LLP. His address is Two Portland
          Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
    

Max Berueffy,  Secretary (age 46)

   
          Senior  Counsel,  Forum  Financial  Group,  LLC (mutual fund  services
          company holding  company),  ., with which he has been associated since
          1994.  Prior  thereto,  Mr.  Berueffy  was on the  staff  of the  U.S.
          Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  for seven  years,  first in the
          appellate  branch of the  Office  of the  General  Counsel,  then as a
          counsel to  Commissioner  Grundfest  and  finally as a senior  special
          counsel in the Division of Investment  Management.  Mr.  Berueffy also
          serves as an  officer of other  registered  investment  companies  for
          which  the  various  Forum  Financial  Group  of  Companies   provides
          services. His address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Leslie K. Klenk, Assistant Secretary (age 33)

          Assistant  Counsel,  Forum Financial  Group, LLC (mutual fund services
          company holding  company),  with which she has been  associated  since
          April 1998. Prior thereto,  Ms. Klenk was Vice President and Associate
          General  Counsel of Smith  Barney  Inc.  Ms.  Klenk also  serves as an
          officer of other registered investment companies for which the various
          Forum Financial Group of Companies provides  services.  Her address is
          Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Pamela Stutch, Assistant Secretary (age 31)

          Fund  Administrator,  Forum Financial Group, LLC (mutual fund services
          company holding company), with which she has been associated since May
          1998. Prior thereto,  Ms. Stutch attended Temple University


                                       24
<PAGE>

          School and  graduated in 1997.  Ms. Stutch was also a legal intern for
          the Maine Department of the Attorney  General,  Ms. Stutch also serves
          as an officer of other registered  investment  companies for which the
          various Forum  Financial  Group of Companies  provides  services.  Her
          address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
    

TRUSTEE COMPENSATION

Each  Trustee of the Trust  (other  than John Y.  Keffer,  who is an  interested
person of the Trust) is paid $1,000 for each Board meeting attended  (whether in
person or by  electronic  communication)  and is paid $1,000 for each  committee
meeting  attended  on a date when a Board  meeting is not held.  As of March 31,
1997,  in  addition  to $1,000 for each Board  meeting  attended,  each  Trustee
receives $100 per active portfolio of the Trust. To the extent a meeting relates
to only  certain  portfolios  of the Trust,  Trustees are paid the $100 fee only
with respect to those  portfolios.  Trustees are also  reimbursed for travel and
related expenses incurred in attending  meetings of the Board. No officer of the
Trust is compensated by the Trust.

The following  table provides the aggregate  compensation  paid to each Trustee.
The Trust has not  adopted  any form of  retirement  plan  covering  Trustees or
officers. Information is presented for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997.
<TABLE>
          <S>                               <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>
                                                           ACCRUED           ANNUAL
                                        AGGREGATE          PENSION        BENEFITS UPON       TOTAL
   
         TRUSTEE                      COMPENSATION        BENEFITS         RETIREMENT      COMPENSATION
         -------                      ------------        --------         ----------      ------------
         Mr. Keffer                       None              None              None             None
         Mr. Azariadis                  $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
         Mr. Cheng                      $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
         Mr. Parish                     $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
</TABLE>

TRUSTEE COMPENSATION FOR CORE TRUST (DELAWARE)

Each of the Trustees of the Trust is also a Trustee of Core Trust (Delaware),  a
registered,  open-end management investment company ("Core Trust"). Each Trustee
of Core Trust (other than John Y. Keffer,  who is an  interested  person of Core
Trust) is paid $1,000 for each Core Trust  Board  meeting  attended  (whether in
person or by electronic  communication)  plus $100 per active  portfolio of Core
Trust and is paid $1,000 for each  committee  meeting  attended on a date when a
Core Trust Board  meeting is not held.  To the extent a meeting  relates to only
certain  portfolios  of Core  Trust,  trustees  are paid the $100 fee only  with
respect to those portfolios.  Core Trust trustees are also reimbursed for travel
and related expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Core Trust Board.

THE INVESTMENT ADVISER

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the  Trust ,  Forum Investment
Advisors,  Inc.  (the  "Adviser")  furnishes,  at its own expense all  services,
facilities  and  personnel  necessary in  connection  with  managing each Fund's
investments  and  effecting  portfolio  transactions  for the  respective  Fund.
Subject to the general  supervision of the Board, the Adviser is responsible for
among other things,  developing a continuing investment program for the Funds in
accordance  with their  investment  objectives  and reviewing  the  investments,
investment  strategies  and  policies of the Funds.  In this  regard,  it is the
responsibility  of  the  Adviser  to  make  decisions  relating  to  the  Funds'
investments  and to place purchase and sale orders  regarding  such  investments
with  brokers and dealers  selected by it in its  discretion.  The Adviser  also
furnishes to the Board,  which has overall  responsibility  for the business and
affairs of the Trust,  periodic  reports on the  investment  performance  of the
Fund.

The Investment  Advisory Agreement  provides,  with respect to each Fund, for an
initial term of two years from its  effective  date and for its  continuance  in
effect for successive twelve-month periods thereafter, provided the agreement is
specifically  approved at least annually by the Board or by majority vote of the
shareholders of a Fund, and in either case by a majority of the Trustees who are
not parties to the Investment  Advisory  Agreement or interested  persons of any
such party.

                                       25
<PAGE>

The Investment  Advisory  Agreement may be  terminated,  with respect to a Fund,
without penalty by vote of the Board or by majority vote of the  shareholders of
a Fund on 30 days'  written  notice to the Adviser or by the Adviser on not more
than 90 days' written notice to the Trust, and will  automatically  terminate in
the event of its  assignment.  The Investment  Advisory  Agreement also provides
that, with respect to the Fund(s), the Adviser shall not be liable for any error
of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or omission in the  performance  of
its  duties to the Fund,  except  for  willful  misfeasance,  bad faith or gross
negligence in the  performance of the Adviser's  duties or by reason of reckless
disregard of its obligations and duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement.
The Investment  Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser may render services
to others.

For services under the Investment Advisory Agreement,  the Adviser received with
respect  to each Fund a fee at an  annual  rate of 0.40% of the  Fund's  average
daily net assets. The following table shows the dollar amount of fees payable to
the Adviser for  services  rendered to the Funds under the  Investment  Advisory
Agreement,  the amount of fees that was waived by the  Adviser,  if any, and the
actual  fees  received  by the  Adviser.  The data is for the past three  fiscal
years.
<TABLE>

                         INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND
<S>                           <C>                           <C>                        <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------

1998                         $5,970                      $0                          $5,970
    

                               INVESTORS BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------
   
1998                         $171,777                    $0                          $171,777
1997                         $100,163                    $0                          $100,163
1996                         $107,061                    $48,250                     $58,811
    

                               TAXSAVER BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------
   
1998                         $102,003                    $0                          $102,003
1997                         $70,634                     $0                          $70,634
1996                         $69,544                     $0                          $69,544
    


                            MAINE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------
   
1998                         $107,471                    $0                          $107,471
1997                         $101,549                    $0                          $101,549
1996                         $105,104                    $0                          105,104
    
</TABLE>

                                       26
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                             NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND
<S>                           <C>                           <C>                        <C>

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------
   
1998                         $43,782                     $0                          $43,782
1997                         $31,774                     $0                          $31,774
1996                         $23,870                     $0                          $23,870
    
</TABLE>

In addition to receiving  its advisory fee from the Funds,  the Adviser may also
act and be  compensated  as  investment  manager for its clients with respect to
assets which are invested in the Funds.  In some instances the Adviser may elect
to credit  against any  investment  management fee received from a client who is
also a  shareholder  in the Fund an amount equal to all or a portion of the fees
received  by the  Adviser or any  affiliate  of the  Adviser  from the Fund with
respect to the client's assets invested in the Fund.

The  Adviser  has  agreed to  reimburse  the Trust for  certain  of each  Fund's
operating  expenses  (exclusive  of  interest,   taxes,   brokerage,   fees  and
organization  expenses,  all to the extent  permitted by applicable state law or
regulation) which in any year exceed the limits prescribed by any state in which
a Fund's shares are  qualified for sale.  The Trust may elect not to qualify its
shares  for sale in every  state.  The  manager  and  distributor  believe  that
currently the most restrictive  expense ratio limitation imposed by any state is
2-1/2% of the first $30  million of each Fund's  average  net assets,  2% of the
next $70  million of its average net assets and 1-1/2% of its average net assets
in excess of $100  million.  For the  purpose of this  obligation  to  reimburse
expenses,  the Fund's annual  expenses are estimated and accrued daily,  and any
appropriate  estimated  payments  will be made by the Adviser or the manager and
distributor monthly.

   
THE ADMINISTRATOR

Pursuant  to an  Administration  Agreement  approved by the Board of Trustees on
June 19, 1997 , FAdS acts as  administrator to the Trust on behalf of the Funds.
As Administrator, FAdS provides management and administrative services necessary
to the  operation of the  Trust (which  include,  among other  responsibilities,
negotiation  of contracts  and fees with,  and  monitoring  of  performance  and
billing of, the transfer  agent and custodian and arranging for  maintenance  of
books and  records of the  Trust) and  provides  the Trust with  general  office
facilities.  At the request of the Board, FAdS provides persons  satisfactory to
the Board to serve as officers of the Trust, Those officers,  as well as certain
other  employees  and  Trustees  of the Trust,  may be  directors,  officers  or
employees  of FAdS,  the Adviser or their  affiliates.  Prior to June 19,  1997,
Forum  Financial  Services,  LLC, an affiliate of FAdS  provided  administration
services to the Trust pursuant to a Management Agreement.

The Administration  Agreement will remain in effect, with respect to a Fund, for
a period of twelve months and will continue in effect  thereafter  only if it is
specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the Board or by majority vote of
the  shareholders  of a Fund and (2) by a majority of the  Trustees  who are not
parties to the agreement or interested  persons of any such party (other than as
Trustees of the Trust). The  Administration  Agreement may be terminated without
penalty by the Board or FAdS upon 60 days' written  notice.  The  Administration
Agreement  also provides that FAdS shall not be liable for any error of judgment
or mistake of law or for any act or omission in the administration or management
of the Trust, except for willful  misfeasance,  bad faith or gross negligence in
the  performance  of FAdS's  duties or by reason of  reckless  disregard  of its
obligations and duties under the Administration Agreement

For their services under the  Administration  Agreement,  FAdS receives 0.20% of
the average daily net assets of each Fund. Under the Management Agreement,  FFSI
received an annual  rate of 0.30% of the average  daily net assets of each Fund.
The following  table shows the dollar amount of fees payable,  the amount of the
fee that was  waived,  and the net fee  received  under the  Administration  and
Management Agreements. The data is for the Funds' prior three fiscal years,

                                       27
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
                                          INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND
<S>                                     <C>                           <C>                          <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED 
    MARCH 31                           GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                    NET FEE
    --------                           ---------                   ----------                    -------

      1998                              $2,985                      $2,985                        $0

                                               INVESTORS BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
    MARCH 31                         GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                    NET FEE
    --------                         ---------                   ----------                    -------

     1998                             $108,198                    $108,198                       $0
     1997                             $75,122                     $75,122                        $0
     1996                             $80,296                     $80,296                        $0

                                               TAXSAVER BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
    MARCH 31                          GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                    NET FEE
    --------                          ---------                   ----------                    -------

      1998                            $66,898                     $66,898                        $0
      1997                            $52,975                     $52,975                        $0
      1996                            $52,158                     $52,158                        $0

                                            MAINE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED 
    MARCH 31                          GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                    NET FEE
    --------                          ---------                   ----------                    -------

     1998                             $73,724                     $73,724                        $0
     1997                             $76,162                     $76,162                        $0
     1996                             $78,828                     $78,828                        $0

                                              NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
    MARCH 31                          GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                    NET FEE
    --------                          ---------                   ----------                    -------

     1998                             $29.727                     $29,727                        $0
     1997                             $23,831                     $23,831                        $0
     1996                             $17,902                     $17,902                        $0
</TABLE>

THE DISTRIBUTOR

Pursuant to a Distribution  Agreement,  FFSI is the  distributor and acts as the
agent of the  Trust in  connection  with the  offering  of  shares  of the Funds
pursuant  to  a  Distribution   Agreement  with  the  Trust  (the  "Distribution
Agreement").  The Distributor is under no obligation to sell any specific amount
of each Fund's shares.  All subscription of shares obtained by FFSI are directed
to the Trust for acceptance and are not binding on the Trust until accepted.

The Distribution Agreement provides, with respect to a Fund, for an initial term
of twelve months from the date of its effectiveness and will continue thereafter
only if its  continuance is  specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the
Board or by a majority vote of the  shareholders of a Fund and (2) by a majority
of the Trustees who are not


                                       28
<PAGE>

parties to the agreement or interested persons of any such party and do not have
any direct or indirect financial interest in the Distribution Agreement

The Distribution Agreement terminates automatically if it is assigned and may be
terminated  without  penalty with respect to each Fund by the Board or by a vote
of the  majority  of a Fund's  shareholders  on 60 days'  written  notice to the
Adviser  or by  the  Adviser  on 90  days  written  notice  to  the  Trust.  The
Distribution Agreement also provides that FFSI shall not be liable for any error
of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or omission in the  performances of
its services to the Trust,  except for willful  misfeasance,  bad faith or gross
negligence  in the  performance  of  FFSI's  duties  or by  reason  of  reckless
disregard  of its  obligations  and  duties  under the  Distribution  Agreement.
Pursuant  to the  Distribution  Agreement,  FFSI  receives,  and may  reallow to
certain financial institutions,  the sales charge paid by the purchasers of each
Fund's shares.  The aggregate sales charges payable to FFSI with respect to each
Fund are outlined in the following tables:
<TABLE>
                                          INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND
<S>                                     <C>                         <C>                          <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED                   AGGREGATE
MARCH 31                           SALES CHARGE                AMOUNT RETAINED             AMOUNT REALLOWED
- --------                           ------------                ---------------             ----------------

           1998                          $0                          $0                          $0
    

                               INVESTORS BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED                     AGGREGATE
MARCH 31                             SALES CHARGE                AMOUNT RETAINED             AMOUNT REALLOWED
- --------                             ------------                ---------------             ----------------
   
           1998                          $0                          $0                          $0
           1997                        $1,951                       $274                       $1,677
           1996                        $6,252                       $829                       $5,423
    

                                                TAXSAVER BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED                     AGGREGATE
MARCH 31                             SALES CHARGE                AMOUNT RETAINED             AMOUNT REALLOWED
- --------                             ------------                ---------------             ----------------
   
           1998                         $162                        $162                         $0
           1997                         $16                          $2                          $14
           1996                       $13,336                      $1,317                      $12,019
    

                            MAINE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED                     AGGREGATE
MARCH 31                             SALES CHARGE                AMOUNT RETAINED             AMOUNT REALLOWED
- --------                             ------------                ---------------             ----------------
   
           1998                       $16,890                       $376                       $16,514
           1997                       $117,032                    $10,264                     $106,768
           1996                       $106,683                    $13,941                      $92,742
    

                             NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED                     AGGREGATE
MARCH 31                             SALES CHARGE              AMOUNT RETAINED             AMOUNT REALLOWED
- --------                             ------------              ---------------             ----------------
   
           1998                        $4,041                        $0                        $4,041
           1997                       $54,094                      $4,557                      $49,537
           1996                       $24,865                      $3,309                      $21,556
</TABLE>

                                       29
<PAGE>


THE TRANSFER AGENT

Pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Services  Agreement dated May 19, 1998,  Forum
Shareholder Services, LLC (the "FSS"") acts as transfer agent of the Trust., FSS
became the Trust's transfer agent effective January 1, 1998 when it succeeded to
the transfer  agency  business of Forum Financial Corp. (FSS and Forum Financial
Corp. ("FFC") are commonly controlled entities.)

The Transfer Agency and Services Agreement provides, with respect to a Fund, for
an initial term of two years from its effective date and for its  continuance in
effect  for  successive  twelve-month  periods  thereafter,  provided  that  the
agreement is  specifically  approved at least  annually (1) by the Board or by a
majority  vote  of the  shareholders  of a Fund  and  (2)by  a  majority  of the
directors  of a Fund who are not  parties to the  Transfer  Agency and  Services
Agreement  or  interested  persons of any such party.  The  Transfer  Agency and
Services Agreement may also be terminated,  without penalty, by the Board and/or
FSS on 60 days written notice.

Among the  responsibilities  of FSS as agent for the Trust  are:  (1)  answering
customer  inquiries  regarding  account status and history,  the manner in which
purchases  and  redemptions  of shares of the Funds may be effected  and certain
other matters pertaining to the Funds; (2) assisting  shareholders in initiating
and  changing  account  designations  and  addresses;  (3)  providing  necessary
personnel  and  facilities to establish  and maintain  shareholder  accounts and
records,  assisting in  processing  purchase  and  redemption  transactions  and
receiving wired funds;  (4)  transmitting and receiving funds in connection with
customer  orders  to  purchase  or  redeem  shares;  (5)  verifying  shareholder
signatures  in  connection  with  changes  in the  registration  of  shareholder
accounts;  (6) furnishing periodic statements and confirmations of purchases and
redemptions;  (7) arranging for the  transmission  of proxy  statements,  annual
reports,   prospectuses  and  other   communications   from  the  Trust  to  its
shareholders;  (8) arranging for the receipt, tabulation and transmission to the
Trust  of  proxies  executed  by  shareholders   with  respect  to  meetings  of
shareholders of the Trust;  and (9) providing such other related services as the
Trust or a shareholder may reasonably request.

FSS or any  sub-transfer  agent or  processing  agent  may also act and  receive
compensation as custodian,  investment manager,  nominee, agent or fiduciary for
its  customers  or clients  who are  shareholders  of the Funds with  respect to
assets invested in the Funds. FSS or any sub-transfer  agent or other processing
agent may elect to credit  against  the fees  payable  to it by its  clients  or
customers  all or a portion of any fee received  from the Trust or from FSS with
respect to assets of those customers or clients  invested in the Fund. FSS, FAdS
or  sub-transfer  agents  or  processing  agents  retained  by  the  FSS  may be
Processing  Organizations  (as  defined in the  Prospectus)  and, in the case of
sub-transfer  agents or processing agents, may also be affiliated persons of the
FSS. or For its  services,  FSS receives,  with respect to each Fund,  0.25% per
year of the average daily net assets,  $12,000,  and shareholder account fees of
$18.00 per shareholder  account.  FFC served as the transfer agent for the Trust
pursuant to similar terms and compensation as FSS. The following table shows the
dollar amount of fees payable under the Transfer Agency Agreement, the amount of
the fee that was waived,  and the actual fee received under the Transfer  Agency
Agreement. The data is for the Funds' prior three fiscal years.

                                          INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                        <C>                       <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------

1998                         $4,248                      $3,731                      $517
    

                                       30
<PAGE>


                                              INVESTORS BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------
   
1998                         $120,533                    $102,298                    $18,235
1997                         $76,562                     $58,271                     $18,291
1996                         $80,320                     $60,882                     $19,438
    

                                                TAXSAVER BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED 
MARCH 31                    GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                    ---------                   ----------                  -------
   
1998                         $76,553                     $59,098                     $17,455
1997                         $57,010                     $40,248                     $16,762
1996                         $56,344                     $38,888                     $17,456
    



                                       31
<PAGE>


                                      MAINE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------
   
1998                         $86,179                     $43,753                     $42,426
1997                         $82,456                     $39,581                     $42,875
1996                         $84,962                     $41,754                     $43,208
    

                                    NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                             GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                    NET FEE
- --------                             ---------                   ----------                    -------
   
1998                                 $40,793                     $11,618                      $29,175
1997                                 $33,317                      $6,539                      $26,778
1996                                 $28,488                       $645                       $27,843
</TABLE>


THE FUND ACCOUNTANT

Pursuant to a Fund  Accounting  Agreement  with the Trust  dated June 19,  1997,
Forum Accounting  Services,  LLC ("FAcS") performs portfolio accounting services
for the Funds. Under the Fund Accounting Agreement,  FAcS prepares and maintains
books and records of the Funds on behalf of the Trust as required under the 1940
Act,  calculates  the net asset  value per share of the  Funds,  dividends,  and
capital gains  distributions  and prepares  periodic reports to shareholders and
the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  Prior to June 19,  1997,  accounting
services were provided to the Trust by FFC.

The Fund Accounting  Agreement provides,  with respect to a Fund, for an initial
period of twelve months from the date of its  effectiveness and will continue in
effect if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (1) by the
Board or by  majority  vote of the  shareholders  of a Fund and (2) by vote of a
majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Fund Accounting Agreement or
interested persons of any such party. The Fund Accounting  Agreement may also be
terminated  on 60 days  written  notice  by either  the Board or FAcS.  The Fund
Accounting  Agreement also provides that FAcS shall not be liable for any action
or inaction taken expect for willful misfeasance,  bad faith or gross negligence
in the performance of its duties under the Fund Accounting Agreement.

For their  services,  FFC received and FAcS receives from the Trust with respect
to each Fund a fee of $36,000  plus  additional  surcharges  dependent  upon the
number and type of portfolio  transactions  and positions.  The following  table
shows the  dollar  amount of  accounting  fees  payable  to FAcS  and/or FFC for
services  rendered  under  the Fund  Accounting  Agreement.  The data is for the
Funds' past three fiscal years.

                         INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND
<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>                           <C>                      <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED 
MARCH 31                    GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                    ---------                   ----------                  -------

1998                         $3,548                      $3,548                      $0
    

                                       32
<PAGE>


                               INVESTORS BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------
   
1998                         $41,000                     $0                          $41,000
1997                         $41,000                     $0                          $41,000
1996                         $38,000                     $0                          $38,000
    

                               TAXSAVER BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                    GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                    ---------                   ----------                  -------
   
1998                         $41,000                     $0                          $41,000
1997                         $36,000                     $0                          $36,000
1996                         $39,000                     $0                          $39,000
    

                            MAINE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------
   
1998                         $48,000                     $0                          $48,000
1997                         $48,000                     $0                          $48,000
1996                         $48,000                     $0                          $48,000
    

                             NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                    GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                    ---------                   ----------                  -------
   
1998                         $36,000                     $0                          $36,000
1997                         $37,000                     $0                          $37,000
1996                         $37,000                     $0                          $37,000
</TABLE>

7. DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The Trust determines the net asset value per share of the Funds as of 4:00 p.m.,
Eastern  Time,  on each Fund  Business  Day as  defined in the  Prospectuses  by
dividing  the value of each  Fund's net asset (i.e.  the value of its  portfolio
securities and other assets less its  liabilities)  by the number of that Fund's
shares  outstanding at the time the  determination is made.  Purchases and sales
are effected at the time of the next  determination of net asset value following
the receipt of any purchase or redemption order.

Securities owned by the Fund listed on the recognized stock exchanges are valued
at the last reported trade price,  prior to the time when the assets are valued,
on  the  exchange  on  which  the  securities  are  principally  traded.  Listed
securities  traded on recognized stock exchanges where last trade prices are not
available are valued at mid-market prices. Securities traded in over-the-counter
markets,  or listed  securities  for which no trade is reported on the valuation
date, are valued at the most recent reported  mid-market price. Other securities
and assets for which market  quotations are not readily  available are valued at
fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board. 
    

                                       33
<PAGE>


8. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of portfolio  securities for the Funds usually are principal
transactions.  Portfolio  securities  for  these  Funds are  normally  purchased
directly  from  the  issuer  or from an  underwriter  or  market  maker  for the
securities.  There usually are no brokerage commissions paid for such purchases.
Purchases  from  underwriters  of portfolio  securities  include a commission or
concession  paid by the issuer to the  underwriter,  and purchases  from dealers
serving as market makers include the spread between the bid and asked prices.

   
The Funds may effect purchases and sales through brokers who charge commissions.
Allocations  of  transactions  to  brokers  and  dealers  and the  frequency  of
transactions  are determined by the Adviser in its best judgment and in a manner
deemed to be in the best  interest of  shareholders  of the Funds rather than by
any  formula.  The primary  consideration  is prompt  execution  of orders in an
effective manner and at the most favorable price available to the Funds. For the
fiscal years ended March 31, 1998,  1997,  1996,  Investors Bond Fund,  TaxSaver
Bond Fund,  Maine  Municipal  Bond Fund, and New Hampshire Bond Fund did not pay
any brokerage commissions.  Similarly, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998,
the Investors High Grade Bond Fund did not pay any brokerage commissions.
    

A Fund may not always pay the lowest commission or spread available.  Rather, in
determining the amount of commission,  including certain dealer spreads, paid in
connection with Fund  transactions,  the Adviser takes into account such factors
as size of the order,  difficulty  of  execution,  efficiency  of the  executing
broker's  facilities  (including  the  services  described  below)  and any risk
assumed by the executing broker. The Adviser may also take into account payments
made by  brokers  effecting  transactions  for a Fund (i) to the Fund or (ii) to
other  persons on behalf of the Fund for  services  provided  to it for which it
would be obligated to pay.

In  addition,  the Adviser may give  consideration  to research  and  investment
analysis services furnished by brokers or dealers to the Adviser for its use and
may cause a Fund to pay these brokers a higher amount of commission  than may be
charged by other brokers.  Such research and analysis is of the types  described
in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  and is
designed to augment the Adviser's own internal research and investment  strategy
capabilities.  The Adviser may use the research and analysis in connection  with
services to clients  other than a Fund,  and the Adviser's fee is not reduced by
reason of the Adviser's receipt of the research services.

Investment decisions for each Fund will be made independently from those for any
other account or investment  company that is or may in the future become managed
by the  Adviser or its  affiliates.  If,  however,  a Fund and other  investment
companies or accounts  managed by the Adviser are  contemporaneously  engaged in
the purchase or sale of the same security,  the  transactions may be averaged as
to price and  allocated  equitably to each account.  In some cases,  this policy
might  adversely  affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the
position  obtainable  for the Fund. In addition,  when purchases or sales of the
same security for a Fund and for other investment companies and accounts managed
by the  Adviser  occur  contemporaneously,  the  purchase  or sale orders may be
aggregated  in  order  to  obtain  any  price  advantages   available  to  large
denomination purchases or sales.

No portfolio  transactions are executed with the Adviser,  the Manager or any of
their affiliates.

   
9. ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
    

Shares of each Fund are sold on a continuous basis by the distributor.

   
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing  the offering  price of
each  Fund's  shares.  The example  assumes a purchase  of shares of  beneficial
interest aggregating less than $100,000 subject to the schedule of sales charges
set forth in the  Prospectuses at a price based on the net asset value per share
of each Fund on March 31, 1998.

                                       34
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>
                                                                              Maine
                                 Investors                                  Municipal       New
                                 High Grade     Investors      TaxSaver     Bond Fund    Hampshire
                                 Bond Fund      Bond Fund     Bond Fund                  Bond Fund

Net Asset Value Per Share          $9.96         $10.57         $10.75       $11.05        $10.73
Shares Charge, 3.75% of
offering price (3.90% of  net
asset value per share)             $0.39          $0.41         $0.42          N/A          N/A
Sales Charge, 2.50% of
offering price (2.56% of
net asset value per share)          N/A            N/A           N/A          $0.28        $0.27
Offering to Public                 $10.35        $10.48         $11.17       $11.33        $11.00
    
</TABLE>

In addition to the situations  described in the Prospectus  under "Purchases and
Redemptions of Shares," the Trust may redeem shares involuntarily,  from time to
time, to reimburse a portfolio  for any loss  sustained by reason of the failure
of a shareholder to make full payment for shares purchased by the shareholder or
to collect any charge  relating to  transactions  effected  for the benefit of a
shareholder  which  is  applicable  to the  Fund's  shares  as  provided  in the
Prospectus.

The Trust has filed an election  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission
pursuant to which a Fund will only effect a redemption  in portfolio  securities
if a shareholder  is redeeming  more than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's total net
assets, whichever is less, during any 90-day period.

The Funds may wire proceeds of  redemptions  to  shareholders  that have elected
wire redemption  privileges only if the wired amount is greater than $5,000.  In
addition, the Funds will only wire redemption proceeds to financial institutions
located in the United States.

By  use  of  telephone  redemption  and  exchange  privileges,  the  shareholder
authorizes  the  Transfer  Agent  to act  upon  the  instruction  of any  person
representing himself either to be, or to have the authority to act on behalf of,
the investor and  believed by the Transfer  Agent to be genuine.  The records of
the Transfer  Agent of such  instructions  are binding.  Proceeds of an exchange
transaction may be invested in another  Participating Fund (as defined below) in
the name of the shareholder.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

   
The  exchange  privilege  permits  shareholders  of the Funds to exchange  their
shares  for  shares of any other  fund of the Trust or shares of  certain  other
portfolios  of  investment  companies  which  retain FAdS or its  affiliates  as
investment  adviser or distributor and which participate in the Trust's exchange
privilege  program  ("Participating  Fund").  For Federal  income tax  purposes,
exchange  transactions  are treated as sales on which a purchaser will realize a
capital gain or loss  depending  on whether the value of the shares  redeemed is
more or less than his basis in such shares at the time of the transaction.
    

Exchange transactions will be made on the basis of relative net asset values per
share at the time of the exchange  transaction plus any sales charge  applicable
to the  Participating  Fund  whose  shares  are  being  acquired.  Shares of any
Participating Fund may be redeemed and the proceeds used to purchase,  without a
sales charge,  shares of any other Participating Fund that are offered without a
sales charge. Shares of any Participating Fund purchased with a sales charge may
be redeemed and the proceeds used to purchase, without a sales charge, shares of
any other  Participating  Fund  otherwise  sold with a lesser or the same  sales
charge. If the Participating Fund purchased in the exchange  transaction imposes
a higher sales charge than was paid  originally  on the  exchanged  shares,  the
shareholder  will  be  responsible  for the  difference  between  the two  sales
charges. Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions
are deemed to have been  acquired with a sales charge rate equal to that paid on
the shares on which the dividend or distribution was paid.

                                       35
<PAGE>

The terms of the exchange privilege are subject to change, and the privilege may
be  terminated  by any of the  Participating  Funds or the  Trust.  However  the
privilege  will not be  terminated,  and no material  change that  restricts the
availability  of the  privilege to  shareholders  will be  implemented,  without
reasonable advance notice to shareholders.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT

Investors  Bond  Fund and  Investors  High  Grade  Bond  Fund  offer  individual
retirement plans (the "IRA") for individuals who wish to use shares of the Funds
as  a  medium  for  funding  individual  retirement  savings.   Under  the  IRA,
distributions  of net investment  income and capital gain will be  automatically
reinvested  in the  IRA  established  for the  investor.  The  Fund's  custodian
furnishes custodial services to the IRAs for a service fee. Shareholders wishing
to establish an IRA to invest in the Fund should  contact the Transfer Agent for
further details and information.

   
10. TAX MATTERS
    

Qualification as a regulated  investment company under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended, does not involve governmental  supervision of management or
investment practices or policies. Investors should consult their own counsel for
a complete  understanding of the requirements the Funds must meet to qualify for
such  treatment.  The  information set forth in the Prospectus and the following
discussion  relate solely to Federal income taxes on dividends and distributions
by a Fund and assume that each Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company.
Investors  should  consult  their own counsel  for  further  details and for the
application of state and local tax laws to the investor's particular situation.

The Funds expect to derive substantially all of their gross income (exclusive of
capital gain) from sources  other than  dividends.  Accordingly,  it is expected
that most of the Funds'  dividends  or  distributions  will not  qualify for the
dividends-received deduction for corporations.

Certain listed options and regulated futures  contracts are considered  "section
1256 contracts" for Federal income tax purposes.  Section 1256 contracts held by
a Fund at the end of each  taxable  year will be "marked to market"  and treated
for Federal income tax purposes as though sold for fair market value on the last
business day of such taxable  year.  Gain or loss  realized by a Fund on section
1256  contracts  generally  will be considered  60% long-term and 40% short-term
capital  gain or loss.  A Fund can elect to exempt its  section  1256  contracts
which are part of a "mixed straddle" from the application of section 1256.

   
For federal  income and excise tax purposes,  dividends  declared and payable to
shareholders of record as of a date in October,  November or December of a given
year but actually paid during the immediately  following January will be treated
as if paid by the Fund on December 31 of that calendar year, and will be taxable
to these  shareholders  for the year  declared  ad not for the year in which the
shareholders actually receive the dividend.
    

With respect to equity or  over-the-counter  put and call options,  gain or loss
realized by a Fund upon the lapse or sale of such  options held by the Fund will
be either  long-term  or  short-term  capital  gain or loss  depending  upon the
respective Fund's holding period with respect to such option.  However,  gain or
loss  realized upon the lapse or closing out of such options that are written by
a Fund will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. In general, if a Fund
exercises an option, or if an option that a Fund has written is exercised,  gain
or loss on the option will not be separately recognized but the premium received
or paid will be included in the calculation of gain or loss upon  disposition of
the property underlying the option.

Under current  federal tax law, if a Fund invests in bonds issued with "original
issue  discount",  the Fund  generally  will be required to include in income as
interest each year,  in addition to stated  interest  received on such bonds,  a
portion of the excess of the face  value of the bonds  over their  issue  price,
even  though the Fund does not receive  payment  with  respect to such  discount
during the year. With respect to "market discount bonds" (i.e.,  bonds purchased
by a Fund at a price less than their issue  price plus the portion of  "original
issue  discount"  previously  accrued  thereon),  the Fund may likewise elect to
accrue and  include in income  each year a portion of the market 


                                       36
<PAGE>

discount  with  respect  to such  bonds.  As a  result,  in  order  to make  the
distributions necessary for a Fund not to be subject to federal income or excise
taxes, the Fund may be required to pay out as an income  distribution  each year
an amount  greater  than the total  amount of cash  which the Fund has  actually
received as interest during the year.

   
11. OTHER INFORMATION
    

COUNSEL

Legal matters in connection  with the issuance of shares of beneficial  interest
of the Trust are passed upon by the law firm of Seward & Kissel,  1200 G Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005

   
CUSTODIAN

Pursuant to a Custodian Agreement, BankBoston, N.A. (formerly The First National
Bank of Boston),  100 Federal Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts 02106, acts as the
custodian  of each  Fund's  assets.  The  custodian's  responsibilities  include
safeguarding and controlling the Funds' cash and securities,  determining income
and collecting interest on Fund investments.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
    

Deloitte & Touche LLP, 125 Summer  Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts,  independent
auditors, act as auditors for the Trust.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
The  financial  statements of each Fund for the year ended March 31, 1998 (which
include a statement  of assets and  liabilities,  a statement of  operations,  a
statement  of changes in net assets,  notes to financial  statements,  financial
highlights,  a statement of investments  and the auditors'  report  thereon) are
included in the Annual Report to Shareholders  delivered along with this SAI and
are incorporated herein by reference.
    




                                       37
<PAGE>





   
                                   APPENDIX A

               CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

As of July 1, 1998, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group owned less
than 1% of the  outstanding  shares  of each  Fund.  Also as of that  date,  the
shareholders  listed below owned more than 5% of each Fund.  Shareholders owning
25% or more of the  shares of a Fund or of the Trust as a whole may be deemed to
be controlling persons. By reason of their substantial holdings of shares, these
persons may be able to require the Trust to hold a  shareholder  meeting to vote
on certain  issues and may be able to determine  the outcome of any  shareholder
vote.  As noted,  certain of these  shareholders  are known to the Trust to hold
their shares of record only and have no beneficial interest, including the right
to vote, in the shares.
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                        <C
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
OAK HALL SMALL CAP CONTRARIAN FUND                                     ------------               -------------
- ----------------------------------

Maryann Wolf                                                              13.30%                   40,946.955
55 Central Park West Apt 12-13
New York  NY  10023

Simeon Gold & Heide Gold, Jt. Ten.                                         9.05%                   27,856.149
136 East 76th Street Apt. 10F
New York  NY  10021

Jane Levy                                                                  5.73%                   17,622.969
320 West 87th Street Apt. 3W
New York  NY  10024

Bank of Boston, IRA Custodian                                              5.70%                   17,553.097
FBO Maryann Wolf
55 Central Park West Apt. 12-13
New York  NY  10023

WR Family Associates 401K Plan Option                                      5.48%                   16,870.661
Attn: Olga M. Dimmini
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2400 New York, NY 10168-002

    
</TABLE>



                                       A-1
<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>
   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND                                           ------------               -------------
INSTITUTIONAL  SHARES
- ---------------------

H M Payson & Co. Custody Account                                          56.56%                 18,033,015.150
FBO Customer Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland  ME  04112


H M Payson & Co. Trust Account                                            43.44%                 13,850,465.390
FBO Trust Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Bank of Boston, IRA Rollover Custodian                                    16.52%                  826,387.330
FBO Merne E. Young Rollover
18751 San Rufino
Irvine, CA 92612

Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation                                    15.90%                  795,276.550
Foundation Smith Family Care Fund
Attn: Kristy Hurley
2850 N. Garey Avenue
P.O. Box 6001
Pomona, CA 91769-6001                                                     15.90%                  795,276.550

Lansdowne Parking Associates LP                                            9.99%                  499,939.120
c/o Meredith Management
29 Crafts Street #300
Newton, MA 02158

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                         100%                     100.920
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101


DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Allagash & Co.                                                            46.30%                 12,236,932.890
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477
    
</TABLE>



                                       A-2
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>
   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND                                                 ------------              -------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES CON'T
- --------------------------

H M Payson & Co. Custody Account                                          34.44%                 9.101,914.440
FBO Customer Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

H M Payson & Co. Trust Account                                            19.27%                 5,092,100.590
FBO Trust Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Cutler Approved List Equity Fund                                          18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Sound Shore Fund                                                          18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Small Cap Value Fund                                                  18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Cutler Equity Income Fund                                                 18.12%                  951,550.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM All Cap Value Fund                                                     9.45%                  496,164.720
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Mid Cap Value Fund                                                     5.70%                  299,263.830
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    
</TABLE>



                                       A-3
<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>
   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF               AMOUNT OF
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               SHARES OWNED
DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND                                                 ------------               ------------
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, Inc.                                        100%                     101.200
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    

   
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Allagash & Co.                                                            72.89%                 11,915,149.240
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                    26.73%                 4,368,592.160
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302-0477

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Dirigo Drywall Assoc.                                                     22.89%                  682,716.350
225 Riverside Street
Portland, ME 04103

Cutler Approved List Equity Fund                                          19.58%                  583,950.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Sound Shore Fund                                                          19.58%                  583,950.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Small Cap Value Fund                                                  19.58%                  583,950,000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-4
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>
   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF                AMOUNT OF
                                                                       SHARES OWNED              SHARES OWNED
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND                               ------------              ------------
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES-CON'T

Cutler Equity Income Fund                                                 9.05%                   269,894.440
C/O Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square

CRM All Cap Value Fund                                                    6.23%                   185,729.030
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                         100%                     100.900
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                    46.72%                 9,494,221.860
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                            25.38%                 5,157,680.310
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Imperial Securities Corp.                                                 23.96%                 4,868,005.220
Attn: Jack Singer
9920 South La Cieniega Blvd 14th Fl
Inglewood, CA 90301

DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Forum Financing                                                            100%                      5.000
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-5
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>
   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF                AMOUNT OF
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               SHARES OWNED
DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND                                           ------------               ------------
INVESTOR SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                        100%                      100.060
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS TREASURY OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   65.16%                 62,106,021.450
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                           34.84%                 33,201,966.980
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

DAILY ASSETS TREASURY OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE

Allagash & Co.                                                           99.10%                  1,657,595.720
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
CONCORD, NH 03302-0477

INVESTORS BOND FUND
- -------------------

Firstrust Co.                                                            72.38%                  5,714,958.415
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

SEI Trust Company                                                        11.10%                   876,782.753
c/o Irwin Union Bank & Trust
Attn:  Mutual Funds Administrator
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks  PA  19456
    
</TABLE>
                                      A-6
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>
   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      ------------               -------------
FORUM TAXSAVER BOND FUND
- ------------------------

First Trust Co.                                                          49.33%                  1,717,000.264
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

SEI Trust Company                                                        21.80%                   758,668.285
c/o Irwin Union Bank & Trust
Attn:  Mutual Funds Administrator
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks  PA  19456

Leonore Zusman Ttee                                                       6.03%                   209,963.557
Leonore Zusman Living Trust  U/A/D 2/3/93
6439 Woodacre Ct.
Englewood  OH  45322

Lawrence L. Zusman Ttee                                                   5.41%                   188,185.433
Lawrence L. Zusman Living Trust  U/A/D 2/3/93
6439 Woodacre Court
Englewood  OH  45322

HIGH GRADE BOND FUND

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   99.76%                  3.451,019.518
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND

Independence Trust                                                       45.62%                   565,735.702
Attn: Linda Feliciano
200 Bedford Street 5th
Manchester, NH 03101
    

</TABLE>
                                      A-7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>
   
                                                                  PERCENTAGE OF SHARES         AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      OF FUND OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      -------------              -------------

PAYSON BALANCED FUND
- --------------------

ALA & Co.                                                                15.49%                   258,329.088
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

Payse & Co.                                                              14.98%                   249,788.506
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

PAYSON VALUE FUND
- -----------------

Payse & Co.                                                              21.90%                   208,621.301
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

ALA & Co.                                                                18.09%                   172,271.808
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

INVESTORS EQUITY FUND
- ---------------------

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   94.40%                  2,383,117.225
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                            5.18%                   130,658.987
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>
   
                                                                  PERCENTAGE OF SHARES         AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      OF FUND OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      -------------              -------------
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
- -------------------------

Forum Financing                                                          67.80%                     500.000
Forum Financial Group
Two Portland Square
Portland  ME  04101

Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Sec Corp.                                   32.20%                     237.417
Mutual Funds Dept. - 5th Floor
PO Box 2052
Jersey City  NJ  07303

INVESTORS GROWTH FUND
- ---------------------

Firstrust Co.                                                            99.95%                  3,013,520.631
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

EQUITY INDEX FUND
- -----------------

Allagash & Co.                                                           99.27%                   440,772.554
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302

SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                        100%                      500.000
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

EMERGING MARKETS FUND

Forum Financing                                                          65.52%                     500.00
Attn:  Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Donald, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp.                               34.48%                     263.158
Mutual Funds Dept.-5th Floor
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ 07303
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>
   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      ------------               -------------
QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND
- ------------------------
Holly Melosi & Arturo R. Melosi TTEE                                     80.77%                   406,724.176
FBO Atrgur & Holly Magill Foundation
36 Woodland Way Circle
Greenville, SC 29601

HMK Enterprises, Inc.                                                    8.41%%                   42,337.003
800 South Street
Suite 355
Waltham  MA  02154

QUADRA GROWTH FUND
- ------------------
Holly Melosi & Arturo R. Melosi TTEE                                     77.64%                   454,757.022
FBO Arthur & Holly Magill Foundation
36 Woodland Way Circle
Greenville, SC 29601

John E. Rosenthal                                                         12.52                   73,322.092
1212 West Street
Carlisle, MA 01741-1428

POLARIS GLOBAL VALUE FUND
- -------------------------
David Solomont                                                           11.39%                   271,791.712
c/o Utopia Inc.
200 Fifth Avenue
Waltham, MA 02154

DCGT TR                                                                   5.35%                   127,724.287
FBO Audrey Lewis-REG IRA
10 Rogers Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
    

</TABLE>




                                      A-10
<PAGE>



   
                                   APPENDIX B
    
                        DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

1.       CORPORATE AND MUNICIPAL BONDS (INCLUDING CONVERTIBLE BONDS)

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. ("MOODY'S")

Moody's rates  corporate  bond issues,  including  convertible  debt issues,  as
follows:

Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged by Moody's 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 the various protective elements are
likely to change,  such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Bonds  which are rated Aa are  judged to be of high  quality  by all  standards.
Together  with  the Aaa  group,  they  comprise  what  are  generally  known  as
high-grade  bonds.  They are rated lower than the best bonds because  margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements  may be of greater  amplitude  or there may be other  elements  present
which make the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

Bonds which are rated A 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 some time in the future.

Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they
are neither highly protected nor poorly secured.  Interest payment 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.

Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative  elements;  their future
cannot be  considered  as well  assured.  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
bonds in this class.

Bonds  which  are  rated  B  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.

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

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

Bonds which are rated C 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.

Note:  Those  bonds in the Aa, A, Baa,  Ba or B groups  which  Moody's  believes
possess the strongest  investment  attributes are designated by the symbols Aa1,
A1, Baa1, Ba1, and B1.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>

STANDARD AND POOR'S CORPORATION ("S&P")

S&P rates corporate bond issues, including convertible debt issues, as follows:

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

Bonds rated AA have a very strong  capacity to pay interest and repay  principal
and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.

Bonds  rated A 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  rated  in  higher  rated
categories.

Bonds rated BBB 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
weakened  capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category
than in higher rated categories.

Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C are  regarded,  on  balance,  as  predominantly
speculative  with  respect to the  issuer's  capacity to pay  interest and repay
principal in  accordance  with the terms of the  obligation.  BB  indicates  the
lowest degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such
bonds will likely have some quality and  protective  characteristics,  these are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
Bonds  rated  BB  have  less  near-term  vulnerability  to  default  than  other
speculative issues.  However,  they face major ongoing uncertainties or exposure
to adverse  business,  financial,  or  economic  conditions  which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments.

Bonds rated B have a greater  vulnerability  to default but  currently  have the
capacity to meet interest  payments and principal  payments.  Adverse  business,
financial,  or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to
pay interest and repay principal.

Bonds rated CCC have currently  identifiable  vulnerability to default,  and are
dependent upon favorable  business,  financial,  and economic conditions to meet
timely  payment of interest and repayment of principal.  In the event of adverse
business,  financial,  or economic  conditions,  they are not likely to have the
capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

Bonds rated C  typically  are  subordinated  to senior debt which as assigned an
actual or implied  CCC debt  rating.  This  rating may also be used to  indicate
imminent default.

The C rating may be used to cover a situation  where a  bankruptcy  petition has
been filed, but debt service  payments are continued.  The rating Cl is reserved
for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

Bonds are rated D when the issue is in payment default, or the obligor has filed
for  bankruptcy.  The D  rating  category  is used  when  interest  payments  or
principal  payments are not made on the date due, even if the  applicable  grace
period has not expired,  unless S&P believes that such payments will made during
such grace period.

Note:  The ratings  from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+)
or minus (-) sign to show the relative standing within the rating category.

                                      B-2
<PAGE>

FITCH IBCA, INC.. ("FITCH")

Fitch rates  corporate  bond  issues,  including  convertible  debt  issues,  as
follows:

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
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, shorter-term debt of these issuers is generally rate 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 bonds with higher ratings.

BBB Bonds are  considered  to be  investment  grade and of  satisfactory  credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest 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 bonds,  and therefore
impair timely payment.  The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall
below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher 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  bonds 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 which, 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
bonds  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 bonds,  and D represents
the lowest potential for recovery.

Plus (+) and  minus (-) signs  are used  with a rating  symbol to  indicate  the
relative position of a credit within the rating category.  Plus and minus signs,
however, are not used in the AAA, DDD, DD, or D categories.

2.       PREFERRED STOCK

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

Moody's rates preferred stock as follows:

An issue rated aaa is  considered  to be a  top-quality  preferred  stock.  This
rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment
among preferred stock issues.

                                      B-3
<PAGE>

An issue  rated aa is  considered  a  high-grade  preferred  stock.  This rating
indicates  that  there  is  a  reasonable  assurance  that  earnings  and  asset
protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future.

An issue rated a is  considered to be an  upper-medium  grade  preferred  stock.
While  risks  are  judged  to be  somewhat  greater  than  in  the  aaa  and  aa
classification,  earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be
maintained at adequate levels.

An issue rated baa is considered to be a medium-grade,  neither highly protected
nor poorly secured. Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but
may be questionable over any great length of time.

An issue rated ba is  considered  to have  speculative  elements  and its future
cannot be considered  well assured.  Earnings and asset  protection  may be very
moderate  and not  well  safeguarded  during  adverse  periods.  Uncertainty  of
position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

An issue which is rated b  generally  lacks the  characteristics  of a desirable
investment. Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other terms of the
issue over any long period of time may be small.

An issue  which is rated caa is likely to be in  arrears on  dividend  payments.
This  rating  designation  does not  purport to  indicate  the future  status of
payments.

An issue which is rated ca is  speculative  in a high degree and is likely to be
in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payment.

An issue which is rated c can be regarded as having  extremely poor prospects of
ever attaining any real investment  standing.  This is the lowest rated class of
preferred or preference stock.

Note:   Moody's  applies  numerical   modifiers  1,  2  and  3  in  each  rating
classification  from aa through b in its  preferred  stock  rating  system.  The
modifier 1 indicates  that the  security  ranks in the higher end of its generic
rating category;  the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier
3  indicates  that the  issuer  ranks in the  lower  end of its  generic  rating
category.

STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION

S&P rates preferred stock as follows:

AAA is the highest rating that is assigned by S&P to a preferred stock issue and
indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations.

A preferred  stock issue rated AA also qualifies as a high-quality  fixed income
security.  The  capacity to pay  preferred  stock  obligations  is very  strong,
although not as overwhelming as for issues rated AAA.

An issue  rated A is  backed  by a sound  capacity  to pay the  preferred  stock
obligations,  although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions.

An issue  rated BBB is  regarded  as backed by an  adequate  capacity to pay the
preferred stock  obligations.  Whereas it normally exhibits adequate  protection
parameters,  adverse  economic  conditions  or changing  circumstances  are more
likely to lead to a weakened  capacity to make payments for a preferred stock in
this category than for issues in the A category.

Preferred stock rated BB, B, and CCC are regarded,  on balance, as predominantly
speculative  with  respect  to the  issuer's  capacity  to pay  preferred  stock
obligations.  BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation  and CCC the highest
degree of  speculation.  While such issues  will  likely  have some  quality and
protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major
risk exposures to adverse conditions.

                                      B-4
<PAGE>

The rating CC is reserved for a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or
sinking fund payments but that is currently paying.

A preferred stock rated C is a non-paying issue.

A preferred  stock rated D is a  non-paying  issue with the issuer in default on
debt instruments.

To provide more detailed  indications of preferred  stock  quality,  the ratings
from AA to CCC may be modified  by the  addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign
to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

3.       SHORT TERM MUNICIPAL LOANS

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

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

MIG-2/VMIG-2.  This designation denotes high quality.  Margins of protection are
ample although not so large as in the MIG-1/VMIG-1 group.

MIG 3/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.

MIG 4/VMIG 4. This designation  denotes adequate  quality.  Protection  commonly
regarded as required of an  investment  security is present  and,  although  not
distinctly or predominantly speculative, there is specific risk.

STANDARD AND POOR'S CORPORATION

SP-1. Very strong or strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues
which are  determined to possess  overwhelming  safety  characteristics  will be
given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2. Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.

SP-3. Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

4.       OTHER MUNICIPAL SECURITIES AND COMMERCIAL PAPER

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

Moody's two highest ratings for short-term debt, including commercial paper, are
Prime-1 and Prime-2.  Both are judged investment grade, to indicate the relative
repayment ability of rated issuers.

Issuers rated Prime-1 have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term
debt  obligations.  Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of
the following characteristics:

         --       Leading market positions in well-established industries.
         --       High rates of return on funds employed.
         --       Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance
                  on debt and ample asset protection.
         --       Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges
                  and high internal cash generation.
         --       Well-established  access  to a range of  financial  markets 
                  and assured sources of alternate liquidity.


                                   B-6
<PAGE>

Issuers rated  Prime-2 by Moody's have a strong  ability for repayment of senior
short-term  debt  obligations.  This will  normally be  evidenced by many of the
characteristics of issuers rated Prime-1 but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends
and  coverage   ratios,   while  sound,   may  be  more  subject  to  variation.
Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by
external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

STANDARD AND POOR'S CORPORATION

S&P's two highest  commercial  paper  ratings are A and B. Issues  assigned an A
rating are regarded as having the greatest  capacity for timely payment.  Issues
in this  category  are  delineated  with the numbers 1, 2 and 3 to indicate  the
relative  degree of  safety.  An A-1  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 denoted
with a plus (+) sign designation. The capacity for timely payment on issues with
an A-2 designation is strong.  However,  the relative degree of safety is not as
high as for issues  designated A-1. A-3 issues have a satisfactory  capacity for
timely  payment.  They are,  however,  somewhat  more  vulnerable to the adverse
effects  of  changes  in  circumstances  than  obligations  carrying  the higher
designations.  Issues rated B are  regarded as having only an adequate  capacity
for timely payment. However, such capacity may be damaged by changing conditions
or short-term adversities.

FITCH IBCA, INC..

Fitch's  short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand
or have original maturities of generally up to three years, including commercial
paper, certificates of deposit,  medium-term notes, and municipal and investment
notes.

F-1+. Issues assigned this rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of
assurance for timely payment.

F-1.  Issues  assigned this rating  reflect an assurance of timely  payment only
slightly less in degree than issues rated F-1+.

F-2.  Issues  assigned this rating have a  satisfactory  degree of assurance for
timely payment,  but the margin of safety is not as great as for issues assigned
F-1+ or F-1 rating.

F-3. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics suggesting that the degree
of assurance for timely payment is adequate,  however, near-term adverse changes
could cause these securities to be rated below investment grade.

F-S.  Issues  assigned  this rating have  characteristics  suggesting  a minimal
degree of assurance for timely payment and are  vulnerable to near-term  adverse
changes in financial and economic conditions.

D.   Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent payment default.

5.  SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS BY THOMSON BANKWATCH

         Thomson  BankWatch  short-term  ratings  assess  the  likelihood  of an
untimely or  incomplete  payment of  principal  or  interest  of  unsubordinated
instruments  having a  maturity  of one year or less  which is  issued by United
States  commercial banks,  thrifts and non-bank banks;  non-United States banks;
and  broker-dealers.  The  following  summarizes  the  ratings  used by  Thomson
BankWatch:

         "TBW-1"  - This  designation  represents  Thomson  BankWatch's  highest
rating  category and indicates a very high degree of likelihood  that  principal
and interest will be paid on a timely basis.

         "TBW-2" - This  designation  indicates  that while the degree of safety
regarding  timely  payment of  principal  and  interest is strong,  the relative
degree of safety is not as high as for issues rated "TBW-1."

                                      B-7
<PAGE>

         "TBW-3" - This  designation  represents  the  lowest  investment  grade
category  and  indicates  that  while the debt is more  susceptible  to  adverse
developments  (both internal and external) than obligations with higher ratings,
capacity to service  principal  and interest in a timely  fashion is  considered
adequate.

         "TBW-4"  - This  designation  indicates  that the debt is  regarded  as
non-investment grade and therefore speculative.

         Thomson BankWatch  assesses the likelihood of an untimely  repayment of
principal or interest  over the term to maturity of long term debt and preferred
stock which are issued by United States commercial  banks,  thrifts and non-bank
banks; non-United States banks; and broker-dealers. The following summarizes the
rating categories used by Thomson BankWatch for long-term debt ratings:

         "AAA" - This designation  represents the highest  category  assigned by
Thomson  BankWatch to  long-term  debt and  indicates  that the ability to repay
principal and interest on a timely basis is extremely high.

         "AA" - This  designation  indicates  a very  strong  ability  to  repay
principal and interest on a timely basis with limited  incremental risk compared
to issues rated in the highest category.

         "A" - This  designation  indicates that the ability to repay  principal
and  interest is strong.  Issues rated "A" could be more  vulnerable  to adverse
developments (both internal and external) than obligations with higher ratings.

         "BBB"  -  This  designation   represents  Thomson   BankWatch's  lowest
investment-grade   category  and  indicates  an  acceptable  capacity  to  repay
principal  and interest.  Issues rated "BBB" are,  however,  more  vulnerable to
adverse  developments  (both internal and external) than obligations with higher
ratings.

         "BB,"  "B,"  "CCC,"  and "CC," - These  designations  are  assigned  by
Thomson  BankWatch  to  non-investment  grade  long-term  debt.  Such issues are
regarded as having  speculative  characteristics  regarding  the  likelihood  of
timely  payment of principal and interest.  "BB"  indicates the lowest degree of
speculation and "CC" the highest degree of speculation.

         "D" - This designation indicates that the long-term debt is in default.

         PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) - The ratings from "AAA" through "CC" may include
a plus or minus sign  designation  which  indicates  where within the respective
category the issue is placed.


                                      B-8
<PAGE>





   
                                   APPENDIX C
    
                       DESCRIPTION OF MUNICIPAL SECURITIES

1.       MUNICIPAL BONDS

Municipal  Bonds  which  meet  longer  term  capital  needs and  generally  have
maturities   of  more  than  one  year  when   issued,   have  three   principal
classifications:

GENERAL  OBLIGATION  BONDS are  issued by such  entities  as  states,  counties,
cities,  towns, and regional  districts.  The proceeds of these  obligations are
used  to  fund a wide  range  of  public  projects,  including  construction  or
improvement of schools,  highways and roads,  and water and sewer  systems.  The
basic security  behind General  Obligation  Bonds is the issuer's  pledge of its
full  faith and  credit  and  taxing  power for the  payment  of  principal  and
interest.  The taxes that can be levied for the  payment of debt  service may be
limited or unlimited as to the rate or amount of special assessments.

REVENUE BONDS in recent years have come to include an increasingly  wide variety
of types of municipal obligations. As with other kinds of municipal obligations,
the issuers of revenue bonds may consist of virtually any form of state or local
governmental  entity,  including  states,  state  agencies,   cities,  counties,
authorities  of  various  kinds,   such  as  public  housing  or   redevelopment
authorities,  and special districts, such as water, sewer or sanitary districts.
Generally,  revenue  bonds are secured by the revenues or net  revenues  derived
from a particular facility, group of facilities, or, in some cases, the proceeds
of a special excise or other specific  revenue source.  Revenue bonds are issued
to finance a wide variety of capital projects including electric, gas, water and
sewer systems;  highways,  bridges,  and tunnels;  port and airport  facilities;
colleges and universities; and hospitals. Many of these bonds provide additional
security in the form of a debt service reserve fund to be used to make principal
and  interest  payments.  Various  forms of credit  enhancement,  such as a bank
letter of credit or municipal  bond  insurance,  may also be employed in revenue
bond  issues.  Housing  authorities  have a wide  range of  security,  including
partially or fully insured  mortgages,  rent  subsidized  and/or  collateralized
mortgages,  and/or the net revenues from housing or other public projects.  Some
authorities  provide further  security in the form of a state's ability (without
obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.

In recent  years,  revenue  bonds have been issued in large volumes for projects
that are privately owned and operated as described below.

PRIVATE  ACTIVITY  BONDS are  considered  municipal  bonds if the interest  paid
thereon  is exempt  from  Federal  income  tax and are issued by or on behalf of
public  authorities  to  raise  money  to  finance  various  privately  operated
facilities for business and manufacturing,  housing and health.  These bonds are
also used to finance public  facilities  such as airports,  mass transit systems
and ports.  The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent
solely on the ability of the facility's  user to meet its financial  obligations
and the pledge,  if any,  of real and  personal  property  as security  for such
payment.

While, at one time, the pertinent  provisions of the Internal  Revenue Code (the
"Code")  permitted  private  activity  bonds  to  bear  tax-exempt  interest  in
connection with virtually any type of commercial or industrial  project (subject
to various  restrictions as to authorized  costs,  size  limitations,  state per
capita volume restrictions, and other matters), the types of qualifying projects
under  the  Code  have  become  increasingly  limited,  particularly  since  the
enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986.  Under current  provisions of the Code,
tax-exempt  financing  remains  available,   under  prescribed  conditions,  for
owner-occupied housing, certain privately owned and operated rental multi-family
housing  facilities,  nonprofit  hospital  and nursing  home  projects,  certain
manufacturing or industrial projects,  and solid waste disposal projects,  among
others,  and for the refunding (that is, the tax-exempt  refinancing) of various
kinds of other private commercial  projects  originally financed with tax-exempt
bonds.  In future  years,  the types of projects  qualifying  under the Code for
tax-exempt financing are expected to become increasingly limited.

Because of terminology  formerly used in the Code, virtually any form of private
activity bond may still be referred to as an "industrial  development bond," but
more and more frequently  revenue bonds have become classified 

                                      C-1
<PAGE>

according to the particular  type of facility being  financed,  such as hospital
revenue bonds,  nursing home revenue bonds,  multifamily housing revenues bonds,
single family housing revenue bonds,  industrial  development  revenue bonds and
solid waste resource recovery revenue bonds.

Tax-exempt bonds are also categorized according to whether the interest is or is
not  includible  in the  calculation  of  alternative  minimum  taxes imposed on
individuals,  according  to whether the costs of acquiring or carrying the bonds
are or are not deductible in part by banks and other financial institutions, and
according to other criteria relevant for Federal income tax purposes. Due to the
increasing complexity of Code and related requirements governing the issuance of
tax-exempt bonds,  industry practice has uniformly  required,  as a condition to
the issuance of such bonds,  but  particularly  for revenue bonds, an opinion of
nationally  recognized  bond counsel as to the tax-exempt  status of interest on
the bonds.

2.       MUNICIPAL NOTES

Municipal Notes  generally are used to provide for short-term  capital needs and
usually have maturities of one year or less. They include the following:

TAX  ANTICIPATION   NOTES  are  issued  to  finance  working  capital  needs  of
municipalities.  Generally,  they are issued in anticipation of various seasonal
tax revenues,  such as income,  sales,  use and business taxes,  and are payable
from these specific future taxes.

REVENUE  ANTICIPATION  NOTES are issued in expectation of receipt of other types
of  revenues,  such as Federal  revenues  available  under the  Federal  Revenue
Sharing Programs.

BOND ANTICIPATION  NOTES are issued to provide interim financing until long-term
financing can be arranged.  In most cases,  the long-term bonds then provide the
money for the repayment of the Notes.

CONSTRUCTION  LOAN  NOTES  are sold to  provide  construction  financing.  After
successful completion and acceptance,  many projects receive permanent financing
through the Federal Housing  Administration  under the Federal National Mortgage
Association or the Government National Mortgage Association.

TAX-EXEMPT COMMERCIAL PAPER is a short-term obligation with a stated maturity of
365 days or less.  It is issued by  agencies of state and local  governments  to
finance   seasonal   working  capital  needs  or  as  short-term   financing  in
anticipation of longer term financing.

3.       MUNICIPAL LEASES

Municipal Leases,  which may take the form of a lease or an installment purchase
or conditional  sale  contract,  are issued by state and local  governments  and
authorities to acquire a wide variety of equipment and  facilities  such as fire
and sanitation vehicles,  telecommunications equipment and other capital assets.
Municipal  leases  frequently  have special risks not normally  associated  with
general  obligation  or  revenue  bonds.  Leases  and  installment  purchase  or
conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset
to pass  eventually  to the  government  issuer)  have  evolved  as a means  for
governmental  issuers to acquire  property  and  equipment  without  meeting the
constitutional  and  statutory  requirements  for  the  issuance  of  debt.  The
debt-issuance limitations of many state constitutions and statutes are deemed to
be  inapplicable  because  of the  inclusion  in many  leases  or  contracts  of
"non-appropriation"  clauses that provide  that the  governmental  issuer has no
obligation to make future  payments under the lease or contract  unless money is
appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or
other periodic basis. To reduce this risk, the Fund will only purchase municipal
leases subject to a  non-appropriation  clause when the payment of principal and
accrued interest is backed by an unconditional  irrevocable  letter of credit or
guarantee  of a bank or other  entity that meets the  criteria  described in the
Prospectus.


                                      C-2
<PAGE>





   
                                   APPENDIX D
                               HEDGING STRATEGIES


A.       INVESTORS BOND FUND
         TAXSAVER BOND FUND
    

As discussed in the  Prospectus,  the Adviser to each Fund may engage in certain
options  and  futures  strategies  to attempt to hedge a Fund's  portfolio.  The
instruments  in which the Fund may invest  include (i) options on securities and
stock indexes,  (ii) stock index and interest rate futures  contracts  ("futures
contracts"), and (iii) options on futures contracts. Use of these instruments is
subject to regulation by the Securities  and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC"),  the
several options and futures exchanges upon which options and futures are traded,
and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC").

The various hedging and income strategies  referred to herein and in each Fund's
Prospectus are intended to illustrate the type of strategies  that are available
to, and may be used by, the Adviser in managing a Fund's portfolio. Depending on
prevailing market conditions,  use of these strategies may enable the Adviser to
reduce  investment  risks to which a Fund may be subject.  No  assurance  can be
given, however, that any strategies will succeed.

The Funds will not use  leverage  in their  hedging  strategies.  In the case of
transactions  entered  into as a hedge,  a Fund  will hold  securities  or other
options or futures  positions whose values are expected to offset  ("cover") its
obligations  thereunder.  A Fund will not enter  into a  hedging  strategy  that
exposes the Fund to an  obligation to another party unless it owns either (1) an
offsetting ("covered") position or (2) cash, U.S. government securities or other
liquid  assets  with a value  sufficient  at all  times to cover  its  potential
obligations.  Each Fund will comply with guidelines  established by the SEC with
respect to coverage and, if the guidelines so require, will set aside cash, U.S.
government  securities or other liquid  assets in a segregated  account with its
custodian in the prescribed  amount.  Securities,  options or futures  positions
used for cover and assets held in a segregated  account cannot be sold or closed
out while the hedging  strategy is  outstanding,  unless they are replaced  with
similar  assets.  As a result,  there is a possibility  that the use of cover or
segregation  involving  a large  percentage  of a  Fund's  assets  could  impede
portfolio  management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other
current obligations.

OPTIONS  STRATEGIES.  The Funds may  purchase  put and call  options  written by
others and write (sell) put and call options  covering  specified  securities or
stock  index-related   amounts.  A  put  option  (sometimes  called  a  "standby
commitment")  gives the buyer of such  option,  upon  payment of a premium,  the
right to deliver a specified  amount of a security or  specified  amount of cash
(on  stock-index  options) to the writer of the option on or before a fixed date
at a predetermined  price. A call option  (sometimes  called a "reverse  standby
commitment") gives the purchaser of the option,  upon payment of a premium,  the
right to call upon the writer to  deliver a  specified  amount of a security  or
specified  amount of cash (on stock-index  options) or before a fixed date, at a
predetermined  price. The  predetermined  prices may be higher or lower than the
market value of the underlying currency or security. A Fund may buy or sell both
exchange-traded  and  over-the-counter  ("OTC") options. A Fund will purchase or
write an option  only if that  option is traded  on a  recognized  U.S.  options
exchange  or if the  Adviser  believes  that a liquid  secondary  market for the
option exists. When a Fund purchases an OTC option, it relies on the dealer from
which it has purchased the OTC option to make or take delivery of the securities
or currency  underlying the option.  Failure by the dealer to do so would result
in the loss of the premium  paid by the Fund as well as the loss of the expected
benefit of the  transaction.  OTC options and the  securities  underlying  these
options are currently treated as illiquid securities.

A Fund may purchase call options on equity  securities  that the Adviser intends
to  include  in the  Fund's  portfolio  in  order  to fix the  cost of a  future
purchase.  Call options may also be purchased as a means of  participating in an
anticipated price increase of a security on a more limited risk basis than would
be possible if the security itself were purchased.  In the event of a decline in
the price of the underlying security,  use of this strategy would serve to limit
the potential  loss to the Fund to the option premium paid;  conversely,  if the
market price of the underlying  security 

                                      D-2
<PAGE>

increases  above the exercise  price and the Fund either sells or exercises  the
option, any profit eventually  realized will be reduced by the premium paid. The
Funds may similarly  purchase put options in order to hedge against a decline in
market value of securities held in its portfolio. The put enables a Fund to sell
the underlying security at the predetermined  exercise price; thus the potential
for loss to the Fund is limited to the option  premium paid. If the market price
of the  underlying  security is higher than the  exercise  price of the put, any
profit the Fund  realizes  on the sale of the  security  would be reduced by the
premium paid for the put option less any amount for which the put may be sold.

A Fund may write covered call options when the Adviser  believes that the market
value of the  underlying  security  will not  rise to a value  greater  than the
exercise  price plus the premium  received.  Call options may also be written to
provide limited protection against a decrease in the market price of a security,
in an amount equal to the call premium received less any transaction  costs. The
Fund may write covered put options only to effect closing transactions.

A Fund may purchase and write put and call options on stock  indices in much the
same manner as the equity and debt security options discussed above, except that
stock index options may serve as a hedge  against  overall  fluctuations  in the
securities  markets  (or market  sectors) or as a means of  participating  in an
anticipated  price  increase  in those  markets.  The  effectiveness  of hedging
techniques  using stock index  options  will depend on the extent to which price
movements  in the stock index  selected  correlate  with price  movements of the
securities which are being hedged.  Stock index options are settled  exclusively
in cash.

SPECIAL  CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF OPTIONS TRADING. The Funds may effectively
terminate their right or obligation  under an option contract by entering into a
closing transaction.  For instance,  if a Fund wished to terminate its potential
obligation to sell securities under a call option it had written,  a call option
of the same series (an  identical  call option)  would be purchased by the Fund.
Closing  transactions  essentially  permit the Funds to realize profits or limit
losses on its  options  positions  prior to the  exercise or  expiration  of the
option. In addition:

(1) The  successful  use of  options  as a  hedging  strategy  depends  upon the
Adviser's  ability  to  forecast  the  direction  of price  fluctuations  in the
underlying  securities  markets,  or  in  the  case  of a  stock  index  option,
fluctuations in the market sector represented by the index.

(2) Options  normally have expiration  dates of up to nine months.  Options that
expire  unexercised  have no  value.  Unless an  option  purchased  by a Fund is
exercised  or unless a closing  transaction  is  effected  with  respect to that
position, a loss will be realized in the amount of the premium paid.

(3) A  position  in an  exchange  listed  option  may be  closed  out only on an
exchange which  provides a market for identical  options.  Most exchange  listed
options  relate to equity  securities.  Exchange  markets  for  options  on debt
securities  are  relatively  new and the  ability  to  establish  and  close out
positions on the exchanges is subject to the  maintenance of a liquid  secondary
market.  Closing  transactions may be effected with respect to options traded in
the over-the-counter  markets (currently the primary markets for options on debt
securities)  only by  negotiating  directly  with the other  party to the option
contract or in a secondary market for the option if such market exists. There is
no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option
at any specific time. If it is not possible to effect a closing  transaction,  a
Fund would have to exercise  the option  which it  purchased in order to realize
any profit.  The inability to effect a closing  transaction on an option written
by a Fund may result in material losses to that Fund.

(4) The  Funds'  activities  in the  options  markets  may  result  in a  higher
portfolio turnover rate and additional brokerage costs.

FUTURES  STRATEGIES.  Several  interest  rate futures  contracts  currently  are
traded;  these include  various futures  contracts on Treasury bonds,  notes and
bills on the Chicago  Board of Trade as well as a 30 Interest Rate contract also
traded on the Chicago  Board of Trade.  Futures  contracts  on a municipal  bond
index are traded on the  Chicago  Board of Trade.  This index  assigns  relative
values,  which  fluctuate in accordance with current market  conditions,  to the
municipal  bonds  comprising  the index.  Options  on  various of these  futures
contracts are also traded.

                                      D-3
<PAGE>

A futures contract is a bilateral  agreement wherein one party agrees to accept,
and the other party agrees to make, delivery of cash or securities as called for
in the contract at a specified  future date and at a specified  price. For stock
index futures  contracts,  delivery is of an amount of cash equal to a specified
dollar amount times the difference  between the stock index value at the time of
the contract and the close of trading of the contract. For interest rate futures
contracts, delivery is of the underlying debt securities.

A Fund may use interest rate futures  contracts and options thereon to hedge its
portfolio  against  changes in the general level of interest  rates.  A Fund may
purchase an interest  rate  futures  contract  when it intends to purchase  debt
securities but has not yet done so. This strategy may minimize the effect of all
or part of an increase in the market price of the debt  security  which the Fund
intended to purchase in the  future.  A Fund may sell an interest  rate  futures
contract in order to continue to receive the income from a debt security,  while
endeavoring to avoid part or all of the decline in market value of that security
which would accompany an increase in interest rates.

A Fund may purchase a call option on an interest rate futures  contract to hedge
against a market advance in debt securities which the Fund planned to acquire at
a future  date.  The  purchase  of a call  option on an  interest  rate  futures
contracts is analogous  to the purchase of a call option on an  individual  debt
security  which can be used as a  temporary  substitute  for a  position  in the
security  itself.  A Fund may also write  covered call options on interest  rate
futures  contracts  as a partial  hedge  against a decline  in the price of debt
securities held in the Fund's portfolio or purchase put options on interest rate
futures  contracts  in order to hedge  against  a  decline  in the value of debt
securities held in the Fund's portfolio.

SPECIAL  CHARACTERISTICS  AND RISKS OF FUTURES AND RELATED OPTIONS TRADING.  The
following relate to each Fund's use of futures  contracts and options on futures
contracts  and, to the extent in the future they were to be  permitted,  foreign
currency  and other  options  traded on a  commodities  exchange  (collectively,
"futures contracts and related options").

No price is paid upon entering into futures  contracts.  Instead,  upon entering
into a futures contract,  a Fund would be required to deposit with its custodian
in a segregated  account in the name of the futures  broker an amount of cash or
U.S. government  securities generally equal to 5% or less of the contract value.
This amount is known as "initial margin." Subsequent payments, called "variation
margin," to and from the broker,  would be made on a daily basis as the value of
the futures  position  varies,  a process known as "marking to the market." When
writing a call option on a futures contract,  variation margin must be deposited
in accordance  with  applicable  exchange  rules.  The initial margin in futures
transactions 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 contract, assuming
all contractual obligations have been satisfied.

Holders and writers of futures  and  related  options can enter into  offsetting
closing transactions,  similar to closing transactions on options, by selling or
purchasing,  respectively,  a futures  contract or related  option with the same
terms as the position  held or written.  Positions in futures  contracts  may be
closed  only on an  exchange  providing  a  secondary  market  for  the  futures
contracts.

Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits in the
amount that the price of a futures contract or related option may vary either up
or down from the previous day's settlement  price. Once the daily limit has been
reached  in a  particular  contract,  no trades  may be made that day at a price
beyond that limit.  Futures or options  contract  prices could move to the daily
limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading and thereby
prevent prompt  liquidation of positions.  In such event, it may not be possible
for a Fund to close a position,  and in the event of adverse price movements,  a
Fund would have to make daily cash payments of variation  margin  (except in the
case of purchased options). In addition:

(1)  Successful  use by a Fund of futures  contracts  and related  options  will
depend  upon the  Adviser's  ability  to  predict  accurately  movements  in the
direction of the overall  securities  and interest rate markets,  which requires
different  skills  and  techniques  than  predicting  changes  in the  prices of
individual  securities.  Moreover,  futures  contracts relate not to the current

                                      D-4
<PAGE>

level of the underlying  instrument but to the anticipated  levels at some point
in the future;  thus, for example,  trading of index futures may not reflect the
trading of the  securities  which are used to  formulate an index or even actual
fluctuations in the relevant index itself.

(2) The price of futures contracts may not correlate  perfectly with movement in
the price of the  hedged  securities  due to price  distortions  in the  futures
market.  There may be several  reasons  unrelated to the value of the underlying
securities  which cause this situation to occur. As a result, a correct forecast
of general market trends may still not result in successful  hedging through the
use of futures  contracts  over the short term.  Activities  of large traders in
both the futures and securities markets involving arbitrage and other investment
strategies may result in temporary price distortions.

(3)  Although  the Funds intend to purchase or sell futures only on exchanges or
boards of trade where there appears to be an active secondary  market,  there is
no  assurance  that a liquid  secondary  market  will  exist for any  particular
contract 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 Funds would
continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin.

(4) Like other  options,  options on futures  contracts have a limited life. The
Funds  will not trade  options  on futures  contracts  unless and until,  in the
Adviser's opinion,  the market for such options has developed  sufficiently that
the  risks  in  connection  with  options  are not  greater  than  the  risks in
connection with futures transactions.

(5) Purchasers of options on futures contracts pay a premium in cash at the time
of  purchase.  This  amount  and the  transaction  costs is all that is at risk.
Sellers of options on futures  contracts,  however,  must post an initial margin
and are subject to  additional  margin calls which could be  substantial  in the
event of adverse price movements.

(6) Each  Fund's  activities  in the  futures  markets  may  result  in a higher
portfolio  turnover rate and additional  transaction  costs in the form of added
brokerage commissions.


                                      D-5
<PAGE>





   
B.       MAINE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
    

1.       BOND INDEX FUTURES

Futures  contracts  on a municipal  bond index (the  "Index")  are traded on the
Chicago  Board of Trade.  Maine  Municipal  Bond  Fund may seek to hedge  itself
against changes in interest rates by purchasing and selling futures contracts on
the Index or any  municipal  bond index  hereafter  approved  for trading by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission.  The Index assigns numerical values to the
municipal securities comprising the Index and, based on those values, fluctuates
in accordance with market movements of the municipal bonds comprising the Index.
The  purchaser  or seller of a futures  contract on the Index  agrees to take or
make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the  difference  between a specified
dollar  multiple  of the  value  of the  Index  on the  expiration  date  of the
contract,  "current  contract  value," and the price at which the  contract  was
originally purchased or sold.
No physical delivery of the municipal bonds underlying the Index is made.

BOND INDEX  FUTURES  CHARACTERISTICS.  Unlike the purchase or sale of a specific
security by the Fund, no price is paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase
or sale of an index futures  contract.  Initially,  the Fund will be required to
deposit  with the broker  through  which such  transaction  is  effected or in a
segregated  account with the Fund's custodian an amount of cash or U.S. Treasury
bills equal to a specified  dollar  amount per contract as of the date  thereof.
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 to finance
transactions.  Rather, the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond
or good  faith  deposit  on the  contract  which is  returned  to the Fund  upon
termination of the futures contract,  assuming all contractual  obligations have
been satisfied.  Subsequent  payments,  called variation margin, to and from the
broker  will be made on a daily  basis  as the  price  of the  underlying  index
fluctuates,  a process  known as "marking to the market." For example,  when the
Fund has  purchased  an index  futures  contract  and the  price of the  futures
contract has risen in response to a rise in the Index,  that  position will have
increased in value and the Fund will receive from the broker a variation  margin
payment  equal  to that  increase  in  value.  Conversely,  where  the  Fund has
purchased an index  futures  contract and the price of the futures  contract has
declined  in response to a decrease  in the Index,  the  position  would be less
valuable  and the Fund would be required to make a variation  margin  payment to
the broker. At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Adviser
may  elect to close the  position  by taking an  opposite  position  which  will
operate to  terminate  the Fund's  position  in the  futures  contract.  A final
determination of variation  margin is then made,  additional cash is required to
be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or gain.

RISKS OF  TRANSACTIONS  IN INDEX FUTURES.  There are several risks in connection
with the use of index futures by the Fund as a hedging  device.  One risk arises
because of the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the index
futures and the hedge. The price of the index futures may move more than or less
than the price of the securities being hedged. If the price of the index futures
moves less than the price of the securities  which are the subject of the hedge,
the hedge will not be fully effective but, if the price of the securities  being
hedged  has moved in an  unfavorable  direction,  the Fund  would be in a better
position than if it had not hedged at all. If the price of the securities  being
hedged has moved in a favorable  direction,  this  advantage  will be  partially
offset by the loss on the index  future.  If the price of the future  moves more
than the price of the underlying  securities,  the Fund will experience either a
loss or gain on the future which will not be  completely  offset by movements in
the price of the  securities  which are the subject of the hedge.  To compensate
for the  imperfect  correlation  of movements in the price of  securities  being
hedged and movements in the price of the index futures, the Fund may buy or sell
index futures of a greater  contract  value than the dollar amount of securities
being hedged if the  volatility  over a particular  time period of the prices of
such  securities has been greater than the  volatility  over such time period of
the Index, or if otherwise deemed to be appropriate by the Adviser.  Conversely,
the Fund may buy or sell fewer index futures if the volatility over a particular
time  period  of the  prices  of the  securities  being  hedged is less than the
volatility over such time period of the Index,  or it is otherwise  deemed to be
appropriate by the Adviser.  It is also possible  that,  where the Fund has sold
index futures to hedge its portfolio against a decline in the market, the market
may advance and the value of  securities  held in the Fund may decline.  If this
occurred,  the Fund would lose money on the future and also experience a decline
in the  value of its  portfolio  securities.  However,  over time the value of a
diversified  portfolio  should tend to move in the same  direction as the Index,
although  there  may  be  deviations   arising  from  differences   between  the
composition of the Fund's portfolios and the securities comprising the Index.

                                      D-6
<PAGE>

When index  futures are  purchased to hedge  against  possible  increases in the
price of  municipal  bonds  before  the Fund is able to invest its cash (or cash
equivalents) in municipal bonds in an orderly  fashion,  it is possible that the
market  may  decline  instead.  If the Fund  then  determines  not to  invest in
municipal  bonds at that time because of concern as to possible  further  market
decline or for other reasons,  the Fund will realize a loss on the index futures
that is not offset by a reduction in the price of securities purchased.

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 portion of
the  portfolio  being  hedged,  the  price of index  futures  may not  correlate
perfectly with movement in the Index due to certain market  distortions.  Rather
than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures
contracts  through  offsetting  transactions  which  could  distort  the  normal
relationship between the Index and the index futures markets. Secondly, from the
point of view of  speculators,  deposit  requirements  in the futures market are
less onerous  than margin  requirements  in the  securities  market.  Therefore,
increased  participation  by  speculators  in the index futures  market may also
cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortion in
the index futures market, and because of the imperfect  correlation  between the
movements in the Index and  movements in the price of index  futures,  a correct
forecast  of  general  market  trends by the  Adviser  may still not result in a
successful hedging transaction over a short time frame.

Positions in futures on the Index may be closed out only on the Chicago Board of
Trade which  provides a secondary  market for such  futures.  Although  the Fund
intends to purchase or sell index  futures  only on exchanges or boards of trade
where there appear to be active secondary markets,  there is no assurance that a
liquid  secondary  market on any  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 an index  futures  investment  position,  and in the event of
adverse price  movements,  the Fund would  continue to be required to make daily
cash payments of variation margin. However, in the event index futures have been
used to hedge portfolio  securities,  such securities will not be sold until the
futures contract can be terminated.  In such  circumstances,  an increase in the
price of the  securities,  if any, may partially or completely  offset losses on
the index futures.  However,  as described above, there is no guarantee that the
price of the securities  will in fact correlate with the price  movements in the
futures markets and thus provide an offset on index futures.

Successful  use of index  futures by the Fund is also  subject to the  Adviser's
ability to predict  correctly  movements in the direction of the municipal  bond
markets.  For  example,  if the Fund has hedged  against  the  possibility  of a
decline in the municipal bond market and bond prices increase instead,  the Fund
will lose part or all of the  benefit of the  increased  value of the  portfolio
securities  which 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 portfolio  securities to meet daily  variation  margin
requirements.  Such sales of  securities  may, but will not  necessarily,  be at
increased  prices  which  reflect the rising  market.  The Fund may have to sell
portfolio securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

2.       OTHER FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES

The Fund may invest in  certain  other  financial  futures  contracts  ("futures
contracts") and options thereon.  The Fund may sell a futures contract or a call
option thereon or purchase a futures contract or a put option thereon as a hedge
against a decrease  in the value of the Fund's  securities.  A futures  contract
sale creates an obligation by the Fund, as seller,  to deliver the specific type
of  instrument  called for in the  contract  at a  specified  future  time for a
specified price. A futures contract  purchase creates an obligation by the Fund,
as purchaser, to take delivery of the specific type of financial instrument at a
specified  future  time at a specified  price.  The Fund is required to maintain
margin deposits with brokerage firms through which it effects futures  contracts
as described under "Bond Index Futures Characteristics."

Although the terms of futures  contracts  specify actual  delivery or receipt of
securities, in most instances the contracts are closed out before the settlement
date without the making or taking of delivery of the securities.  Closing out of
a futures  contract is effected by entering into an offsetting  purchase or sale
transaction.  An offsetting  transaction for a futures contract sale is effected
by entering into a futures  contract  purchase for the same aggregate  amount of
the specific type of financial  instrument  and same delivery date. If the price
in the  sale  exceeds  the  price

                                      D-7
<PAGE>

in the offsetting purchase, the Fund is immediately paid the difference and thus
realizes a gain. If the purchase price of the offsetting transaction exceeds the
sale price,  the Fund pays the  difference and realizes a loss.  Similarly,  the
closing out of a futures contract purchase is effected by the Fund entering into
a futures  contract  sale.  If the  offsetting  sale price  exceeds the purchase
price,  the Fund realizes a gain, and if the offsetting  sale price is less than
the purchase price, the Fund realizes a loss.

Unlike a futures contract, which requires the parties to buy and sell a security
on a set date, an option on a futures contract  entitles its holder to decide on
or before a future  date  whether to enter into such a  contract.  If the holder
decides not to enter into the contract, the premium paid for the option is lost.
Since the value of the  option is fixed at the point of sale,  the holder is not
required  to make daily  payments  of cash to reflect the change in the value of
the  underlying  contract  as would be the case for a  purchaser  or seller of a
futures  contract.  The value of the option does change and is  reflected in the
net asset value of the Fund.

Currently,  futures contracts can be purchased on certain debt securities issued
by  the  U.S.  Treasury,   certificates  of  the  Government  National  Mortgage
Association  and bank  certificates  of deposit.  The Fund may invest in futures
contracts covering these types of financial  instruments as well as in new types
of such contracts that become available in the future.

Financial futures  contracts are traded in an auction  environment on the floors
of several  exchanges  --principally,  the Chicago  Board of Trade,  the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange and the New York Futures Exchange.  Each exchange guarantees
performance  under  contract  provisions  through  a  clearing  corporation,   a
nonprofit  organization  managed  by  the  exchange  membership  which  is  also
responsible for handling daily account of deposit or withdrawals of margin.

Investing in futures  contracts  involves  the risks of imperfect  correlations,
secondary market illiquidity and the Adviser's  incorrect  predictions of market
movements, as described under "Bond Index Futures Characteristics."

Put and call options on financial futures have characteristics  similar to those
of other  options.  For a  further  description  of  options,  see "Put and Call
Options" below.

In addition to the risks  associated  with  investing in options on  securities,
there are particular risks  associated with investing in options on futures.  In
particular,  the ability to  establish  and close out  positions on such options
will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market.
It is not certain that this market will develop.

The Fund may not enter into  futures  contracts  or related  options  thereon if
immediately  thereafter (i) the amount  committed to margin plus the amount paid
for option  premiums  exceeds 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets or (ii)
the sum of the current contract values of open futures  contracts  purchased and
sold by the Fund would  exceed 30% of the value of the Fund's total  assets.  In
instances  involving  the purchase of futures  contracts by the Fund,  an amount
equal to the  market  value  of the  futures  contract  will be  deposited  in a
segregated  account of cash and cash equivalents to  collateralize  the position
and thereby insure that the use of such futures contract is unleveraged.

                                      D-8
<PAGE>

3.       PUT AND CALL OPTIONS

The Fund may purchase  put and call options  written by others and write put and
call options  covering the types of securities  in which the Fund may invest.  A
put option  (sometimes  called a "standby  commitment")  gives the buyer of such
option, upon payment of a premium,  the right to deliver a specified amount of a
security  to  the  writer  of  the  option  on  or  before  a  fixed  date  at a
predetermined  price.  A  call  option  (sometimes  called  a  "reverse  standby
commitment") gives the purchaser of the option,  upon payment of a premium,  the
right to call upon the writer to deliver a specified  amount of a security on or
before a fixed date, at a  predetermined  price.  The Fund will not purchase any
option if, immediately thereafter, the aggregate cost of all outstanding options
purchased by the Fund would exceed 5% of the value of its total  assets;  a Fund
will not  write any  option  (other  than  options  on  futures  contracts)  if,
immediately thereafter,  the aggregate value of its portfolio securities subject
to outstanding options would exceed 30% of its total assets.

When the Fund writes a put option it maintains  in a segregated  account cash or
U.S.  Government  securities  in an amount  adequate to purchase the  underlying
security should the put be exercised. When the Fund writes a call option it must
own at all times during the option period either the underlying securities or an
offsetting  call option on the same  securities.  If a put option written by the
Fund were  exercised,  the Fund would be obligated  to purchase  the  underlying
security  at the  exercise  price.  If a call  option  written  by the Fund were
exercised,  the Fund would be obligated to sell the  underlying  security at the
exercise price.

The risk  involved  in writing a put option is that there could be a decrease in
the market value of the underlying  security  caused by rising interest rates or
other  factors.  If  this  occurred,  the  option  could  be  exercised  and the
underlying  security  would then be sold to the Fund at a higher  price than its
current  market value.  The risk involved in writing a call option is that there
could be an increase in the market value of the  underlying  security  caused by
declining interest rates or other factors. If this occurred, the option could be
exercised and the underlying  security would then be sold by the Fund at a lower
price than its current  market  value.  These risks could be reduced by entering
into a closing  transaction  as  described  below.  The Fund retains the premium
received  from  writing  a put or  call  option  whether  or not the  option  is
exercised.

The Fund may dispose of an option  which it has  purchased  by  entering  into a
"closing  sale  transaction"  with the  writer of the  option.  A  closing  sale
transaction  terminates  the obligation of the writer of the option and does not
result in the ownership of an option.  The Fund realizes a profit or loss from a
closing sale  transaction if the premium  received from the  transaction is more
than or less than the cost of the option.

The Fund may terminate its  obligation to the holder of an option written by the
Fund through a "closing purchase transaction." The Fund may not, however, effect
a closing purchase  transaction with respect to such an option after it has been
notified of the exercise of such option. The Fund realizes a profit or loss from
a closing  purchase  transaction if the cost of the  transaction is more or less
than the premium received by the Fund from writing the option.

                                      D-9
<PAGE>




   
                                   APPENDIX E
                        ADDITIONAL ADVERTISING MATERIALS
    

                             TEXT OF FORUM BROCHURE

In connection with its  advertisements,  a Fund may provide a description of the
Fund's investment adviser and its affiliates, which are service providers to the
Fund. Text which is currently in use is set forth below.

"FORUM FINANCIAL GROUP OF COMPANIES

Forum Financial  Group of Companies  represent more than a decade of diversified
experience  with every  aspect of mutual  funds.  The Forum  Family of Funds has
benefited from the informed,  sharply  focused  perspective on mutual funds that
experience makes possible.

The Forum Family of Funds has been created and managed by  affiliated  companies
of Portland-based  Forum Financial Group, among the nation's largest mutual fund
administrators  providing clients with a full line of services for every type of
mutual fund.

The Forum  Family of Funds is designed to give  investment  representatives  and
investors a broad choice of carefully  structured  and  diversified  portfolios,
portfolios  that can satisfy a wide  variety of  immediate  as well as long-term
investment goals.

Forum  Financial Group has developed its "brand name" family of mutual funds and
has made them available to the investment public and to institutions on both the
national and regional levels.

For more than a decade Forum has had direct  experience with mutual funds from a
different  perspective,  a perspective  made  possible by Forum's  position as a
leading designer and full-service  administrator  and manager of mutual funds of
all types.

Today Forum  Financial  Group  administers  and  provides  services for over 120
mutual  funds for 17  different  fund  managers,  with more than $30  billion in
client assets. Forum has its headquarters in Portland, Maine, and has offices in
Seattle, Bermuda, and Warsaw, Poland. In a joint venture with Bank Handlowy, the
largest  and  oldest  commercial  bank  in  Poland,   Forum  operates  the  only
independent  transfer agent and mutual fund accounting business in Poland. Forum
directs an off-shore and hedge fund administration  business through its Bermuda
office. It employs more than 230 professionals worldwide.

From the  beginning,  Forum  developed a plan of action that was effective  with
both start- up funds, and funds that needed  restructuring and improved services
in order to live up to their potential.  The success of its innovative  approach
is  evident  in  Forum's  growth  rate over the  years,  a growth  rate that has
consistently outstripped that of the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as
that of the fund service outsource industry.

Forum has worked with both  domestic  and  international  mutual fund  sponsors,
designing  unique  mutual  fund  structures,  positioning  new funds  within the
sponsors' own corporate planning and targeted markets.

Forum's staff of experienced lawyers, many of whom have been associated with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  have  been  available  to work with fund
sponsors to customize  fund  components and to evaluate the potential of various
fund structures.

Forum has introduced fund sponsors to its unique proprietary Core and Gateway(R)
partnership,  helping them to take advantage of this full-service  master/feeder
structure.

                                      E-1
<PAGE>

Fund sponsors  understand that even the most efficiently and creatively designed
fund can disappoint  shareholders  if it is inadequately  serviced.  That is the
reason why fund  sponsors  have relied on Forum to meet all of a fund's  complex
compliance, regulatory, and filing needs.

Forum's full service commitment  includes providing state-of- the-art accounting
support (Forum has 8 CPAs on staff, as well as senior  accountants who have been
associated with Big 6 accounting firms).  Forum's proprietary  accounting system
is continually upgraded and can provide custom-built modules to satisfy a fund's
specific  requirements.   This  service  is  joined  with  transfer  agency  and
shareholder  service  groups that draw their strength both from the high caliber
of the people staffing each unit and from Forum's  advanced  technology  support
system.

More than a decade of  experience  with mutual  funds has given Forum  practical
hands-on  experience and knowledge of how mutual funds function "from the inside
out."

Forum has put that  experience to work by creating the Forum Family of Funds,  a
family where each member is designed  and  positioned  for your best  investment
advantage,  and where each fund is  serviced  with the utmost  attention  to the
delivery of timely, accurate, and comprehensive shareholder information.

INVESTMENT ADVISERS

Forum Investment  Advisors,  LLC offers the services of portfolio  managers with
the highest  qualifications--because without such direction, a comprehensive and
goal-oriented  investment  program  and  ongoing  investment  strategy  are  not
possible.  Serving  as  portfolio  managers  for the  Forum  Family of Funds are
individuals  with  decades  of  experience  with  some  of the  country's  major
financial institutions.

Individual  funds in the Forum Family of Funds invest in portfolios that have as
their investment adviser nationally recognized institutions,  including Schroder
Capital Management International, Inc., a major figure in worldwide mutual funds
that, with its affiliates, managed over $175 billion as of September 30, 1997.

Forum Funds are also  managed by the  portfolio  managers of H.M.  Payson & Co.,
founded in Portland, Maine in 1854 and one of the oldest investment firms in the
country.  Payson has approximately $1 billion in assets under  management,  with
clients that include  pension plans,  endowment  funds,  and  institutional  and
individual accounts.

FORUM INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC

Forum Investment  Advisors,  LLC is the largest Maine based  investment  adviser
with  approximately  $1.4  billion in assets  under  management.  The  portfolio
managers have decades of combined experience in a cross section of the country's
financial  markets.  The managers have  specific,  day-to-day  experience in the
asset class  portfolios  they manage,  bringing  critical  focus to meeting each
fund's explicit investment objectives. The portfolio managers have been involved
in investing the assets of large  insurance  companies,  banks,  pension  plans,
individuals,  and of course mutual funds. Forum Investment  Advisors,  LLC has a
staff of analysts and investment  administrators  to meet the demands of serving
shareholders in our funds.

FORUM FAMILY OF FUNDS

It has been said that  mutual  fund  investment  offerings--of  which  there are
nearly  10,000,  with assets spread across stock,  bond,  and money market funds
worth  more  than  $4  trillion--come  in  a  rainbow  of  varieties.  A  better
description  would be a "spectrum" of varieties,  the spectrum graded from green
through  amber  and on to red.  In  simpler  terms,  from low risk  investments,
through moderate to high risk. The lower the risk, the lower the possible reward
- -- the higher the risk, the higher the potential reward.

                                      E-2
<PAGE>

The Forum Family of Funds provides  conservative  investment  opportunities that
reduce the risk of loss of capital,  using underlying  money market  investments
U.S. Government  securities  (although the shares of the Forum Funds are neither
insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies),  thus cushioning
the investment  against  market  volatility.  These funds offer regular  income,
ready access to your money, and flexibility to buy or sell at any time.

In the less  conservative  but still not  aggressive  category  are funds in the
Forum Family that seek to provide steady income and, in certain cases,  tax-free
earnings.  Such investments  provide important  diversification to an investment
portfolio.

Growth funds in the Forum Family more  aggressively  pursue a high return at the
risk of market volatility.  These funds include domestic and international stock
mutual funds."


                                      E-3
<PAGE>


                      TEXT OF PEOPLES HERITAGE NEWS RELEASE

Peoples Heritage Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:PHBK) announced today that it has
formed an alliance with a major mutual fund provider and an investment  advisory
firm to expand its mutual fund  offerings.  The  alliance  with Forum  Financial
Group and H.M.  Payson & Company will result in 18 funds,  including  the unique
Maine Municipal Bond Fund and New Hampshire Bond Fund, being offered through the
branches  of Peoples'  affiliate  banks in Maine,  New  Hampshire  and  northern
Massachusetts and the Company's trust and investment subsidiaries

'There is no secret to where  financial  services  are moving,  under one roof,"
said William J. Ryan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Peoples
Heritage.   "One  only  has  to  watch  the  virtually  daily  announcements  of
consolidations  in  the  financial  sector  to  understand  that  customers  are
demanding and receiving 'one-stop' financial services.

"We think we are adding the additional  competitive  advantage of funds that are
managed and administered
close to home."

Eighteen  Forum funds will be offered  including two Payson funds.  The tax-free
Maine and New Hampshire  state bond funds are the only two such funds  available
and usually  invest 80% of total  assets in  municipal  securities.  Other funds
being  provided by the alliance  include money  market,  fixed income and equity
funds.

   
Forum Financial, based in Portland, Maine since 1987, administers 146 funds with
more than $36 billion in assets.  Forum  manages  mutual  funds for  independent
investment advisers such as Payson and for banks. Forum Investment Advisors, LLC
an affiliate,  is the largest Maine-based  investment adviser with approximately
$1.7 billion in fund assets under management.
    

"We are providing a great product set to the customers served by Peoples' nearly
200 branches in northern New  England,"  said John Y.  Keffer,  Forum  Financial
president,  "The key today is to link a wide variety of investment  options with
convergent, easy access for customers. I believe this alliance does just that."

H.M.  Payson & Co.,  founded in 1854, is one of the nation's  oldest  investment
firms with  nearly $1 billion in assets  under  management  and $300  million in
non-managed  custodial accounts.  The Payson value Fund and Payson Balanced Fund
are among the 18 offerings.

   
"I believe we have all the  ingredients  of a  tremendous  alliance,"  said John
Walker,  Payson president and managing  director.  "We have the region's premier
community banking company,  a community-based  investment  adviser,  and a local
mutual fund company that operates  nationally  and  specializes  in working with
banks. We are poised to provide solid investment performance and service."
    

Peoples Heritage Financial Group is a $10 billion multi-state bank and financial
services  holding company  headquartered  in Portland,  Maine. Its Maine banking
affiliate,  Peoples Heritage Bank, has the state's leading deposit market share.
Its New Hampshire  banking  affiliate,  Bank of New  Hampshire,  has the state's
leading deposit market share. Family Bank, the Company's  Massachusetts  banking
subsidiary,  has the state's tenth largest  deposit market share and the leading
market  share  in many of the  northern  Massachusetts  communities  it  serves.
Peoples  affiliate  banks  also  operate  subsidiaries  in  leasing,  trust  and
investment services and insurance.

                                      E-4
<PAGE>


FORUM FINANCIAL GROUP:
- ---------------------

Headquarters:  Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101
President:  John Y. Keffer
Offices:  Portland, Seattle, Warsaw, Bermuda
   
*Established  in 1986 to  administer  mutual  funds for  independent  investment
 advisers and banks
*Among the nation's largest  third-party fund  administrators
*Uses proprietary in-house systems and custom programming capabilities
    
         *ADMINISTRATION  AND  DISTRIBUTION  SERVICES:   Regulatory, compliance,
          expense  accounting, budgeting for all funds
         *FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICES: Portfolio valuation, accounting, dividend
          declaration, and tax advice
         *SHAREHOLDER SERVICES: Preparation of statements, distribution support,
          inquiries and processing of trades
*CLIENT ASSETS UNDER ADMINISTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION:  $36.9 billion
*CLIENT ASSETS PROCESSED BY FUND ACCOUNTING:  $47.6 billion
*CLIENT FUNDS UNDER ADMINISTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION:  146 mutual funds with 219
 share classes
*INTERNATIONAL VENTURES:
         Joint  venture  with Bank  Handlowy in Warsaw,  Poland,  using  Forum's
         proprietary   transfer  agency  and  distribution   systems   Off-shore
         investment  fund  administration,  using  Bermuda as Forum's  center of
         operations
*FORUM EMPLOYEES:  United States -198, Poland - 61, Bermuda - 3

FORUM CONTACTS:
   
Mark Kaplan, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, Forum Investment
Advisers, LLC,
(207) 879-1900 X 6123
Tony Santaniello, Director of Marketing, (207) 879-1900 X 6175
    

                                      E-5
<PAGE>


H.M. PAYSON & CO.:
- -----------------

Headquarters:  One Portland Square, Portland, Maine
President and Managing Director: John Walker
Quality investment services and conservative wealth management since 1854
   
*Assets under Management: $1.15 Billion
*Non-managed Custody  Assets: $388 Million
*Client Base: 85% individuals; 15% institutional
*Owned by 12 shareholders; 12 managing directors
    
*Payson Balanced Fund and Payson Value Fund  (administrative  and shareholder
 services  provided by Forum Financial Group)
*Employees: 45

H.M. PAYSON & CO. CONTACT:
Joel Harris, Marketing Coordinator, (207) 772-3761

                                      E-6
<PAGE>



                                PAYSON VALUE FUND

                              PAYSON BALANCED FUND

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

   
Investment Adviser:                     Account Information and
         H.M. Payson & Co.                     Shareholder Servicing:
         One Portland Square                   Forum Shareholder Services, LLC.
         P.O. Box 31                           P.O. Box 446
         Portland, Maine  04112                Portland, Maine  04112
         207-772-3761                          207-879-0009
         800-456-6710                          800-805-8258

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                 August 1, 1998,


Forum Funds (the  "Trust") is a registered  open-end  investment  company.  This
Statement of Additional  Information  supplements the Prospectus dated August 1,
1998 offering shares of Payson Value Fund and Payson Balanced Fund (collectively
the "Funds" and  individually  a "Fund") and should be read only in  conjunction
with  the  Prospectus,  a copy  of  which  may be  obtained  without  charge  by
contacting the Trust's Distributor, Forum Financial Services, Inc., Two Portland
Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
    

TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                        Page
                                                                        ----

   
  1.       General......................................................
  2.       Investment Policies..........................................
  3.       Additional Investment Policies...............................
  4.       Performance Data.............................................
  5.       Management...................................................
  6.       Determination of Net Asset Value.............................
  7.       Portfolio Transactions.......................................
  8.       Additional Purchase and
           Redemption Information.......................................
  9.       Tax Matters..................................................
  10.      Other Information............................................


  Appendix A - Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities...... A-1
  Appendix B - Description of Securities Ratings........................ B-1
  Appendix C - Additional Advertising Materials......................... C-1
    

THIS  STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND IS AUTHORIZED
FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE  INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY AN
EFFECTIVE PROSPECTUS.


<PAGE>


1.  GENERAL

   
THE  TRUST.  The Trust is  registered  with the SEC as an  open-end,  management
investment  company and was organized as a business  trust under the laws of the
State of Delaware on August 29, 1995. On January 5, 1996 the Trust  succeeded to
the  assets  and  liabilities  of  Forum  Funds,  Inc.  Forum  Funds,  Inc.  was
incorporated  on March 24,  1980 and assumed  the name of Forum  Funds,  Inc. on
March 16, 1987. The Board of Trustees ("Board"),  without shareholder  approval,
has the authority to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial  interest
of separate series with no par value per share and to create separate classes of
shares  within  each  series  (such as Investor  and  Institutional).  The Trust
currently offers shares of 23 series. The series of the Trust are as follows:

Investors Bond Fund                           Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund
TaxSaver Bond Fund                            Austin Global Equity Fund
High Grade Bond Fund                          Quadra Value Equity Fund
Maine Municipal Bond Fund                     Quadra Growth Fund
New Hampshire Bond Fund                       Polaris Global Value Fund
Daily Assets Government Fund                  Investors Equity Fund
Daily Assets Treasury Obligations Fund        Equity Index Fund
Daily Assets Cash Fund                        Small Company Opportunities Fund
Daily Assets Government Obligations Fund      International Equities Fund
Daily Assets Municipal Fund                   Emerging Markets Fund
Payson Value Fund                             Investors Growth Fund
Payson Balanced Fund

Each  share of each  Fund of the  Trust  and  each  class of  shares  has  equal
dividend,  distribution,  liquidation and voting rights,  and fractional  shares
have  those  rights  proportionately,   except  that  expenses  related  to  the
distribution  of the shares of each class (and certain  other  expenses  such as
transfer  agency and  administration  expenses) are borne solely by those shares
and each class votes separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1
plan  which  pertain to the class and other  matters  for which  separate  class
voting is appropriate under applicable law.  Generally,  shares will be voted in
the aggregate  without reference to a particular  portfolio or class,  except if
the matter  affects only one  portfolio or class or voting by portfolio or class
is required by law, in which case shares will be voted  separately  by portfolio
or class, as appropriate. Delaware law does not require the Trust to hold annual
meetings of shareholders,  and it is anticipated that shareholder  meetings will
be held only when required by Federal or state law.  Shareholders (and Trustees)
have  available  certain  procedures  for the removal of Trustees.  There are no
conversion or  preemptive  rights in  connection  with shares of the Trust.  All
shares when issued in  accordance  with the terms of the offering  will be fully
paid and nonassessable.  Shares are redeemable at net asset value, at the option
of  the  shareholders.   A  shareholder  in  a  portfolio  is  entitled  to  the
shareholder's  pro rata share of all  dividends and  distributions  arising from
that portfolio's assets and, upon redeeming shares,  will receive the portion of
the portfolio's net assets represented by the redeemed shares.

As of July 1, 1998,  the  officers  and  Directors of the Trust as a group owned
less than 1% of the  outstanding  shares  of each  Fund.  Also as of that  date,
Appendix  A  identifies  all  shareholders  who own of  record 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of any of the Registrant's series.
    


                                       2
<PAGE>




   
DEFINITIONS. As used in this Statement of Additional Information,  the following
terms shall have the meanings listed:

"Board" means the Board of Trustees of Forum Funds.

"FAdS" means Forum Administrative Services, LLC.

"FAcS" means Forum Accounting Services, LLC.

"FFC" means Forum Financial Corp.

"FFSI" means Forum Financial Services, Inc.

"Adviser" " means H.M. Payson & Co.

"Funds" means Payson Value Fund and Payson Balanced Fund

"Fund Business Day" has the meaning ascribed  thereto in the current  Prospectus
of the Fund.

"NRSRO" means a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

"SAI" means this Statement of Additional Information.

"SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Trust" means Forum Funds, a Delaware business trust.

"U.S.  Government  Securities" has the meaning  ascribed  thereto by the current
Prospectus of the Funds.

"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

2.  INVESTMENT POLICIES
    

RATINGS AS INVESTMENT CRITERIA

   
Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's"),  Standard & Poor's  Corporation
("S&P")  and  other  nationally  recognized   statistical  rating  organizations
("NRSROs")  are private  services that provide  ratings of the credit quality of
debt obligations,  including convertible securities.  A description of the range
of ratings  assigned to bonds and other securities by several NRSROs is included
in Appendix B to this  Statement of  Additional  Information.  The Funds may use
these  ratings  to  determine  whether  to  purchase,  sell or hold a  security.
However,  ratings  are  general  and  are not  absolute  standards  of  quality.
Consequently,  securities  with the same maturity,  interest rate and rating may
have different market prices. If an issue of securities ceases to be rated or if
its rating is reduced after it has been purchased by a Fund,  H.M.  Payson & Co.
(the "Adviser"),  the Funds' investment adviser, will determine whether the Fund
should continue to hold the  obligation.  Credit ratings attempt to evaluate the
safety of  principal  and  interest  payments  and do not  evaluate the risks of
fluctuations  in market  value.  Also,  rating  agencies may fail to make timely
changes in credit ratings. An issuer's current financial condition may be better
or worse than a rating indicates.

Each Fund may retain  securities  whose rating has been lowered below the lowest
permissible  rating  category (or that are unrated and determined by the Adviser
to be of  comparable  quality) if the Adviser  determines  that  retaining  such
security is in the best interests of the Fund.
    

WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS

                                       3
<PAGE>


Each Fund may  purchase  securities  offered  on a  "when-issued"  basis and may
purchase  or  sell  securities  on  a  "forward  commitment"  basis.  When  such
transactions are negotiated,  the price,  which is generally  expressed in yield
terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for
the securities take place at a later date. Normally,  the settlement date occurs
within two months after the  transaction,  but  settlements  delayed  beyond two
months may be negotiated. During the period between a commitment and settlement,
no payment is made for the  securities  purchased by the purchaser and, thus, no
dividends or interest accrues to the purchaser from the transaction. At the time
a Fund makes the  commitment to purchase  securities on a when-issued or delayed
delivery  basis,  the  Fund  will  record  the  transaction  as a  purchase  and
thereafter  reflect the value each day of such securities in determining its net
asset value.

   
The use of when-issued transactions and forward commitments enables the Funds to
hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in
periods of rising  interest  rates and falling  bond  prices,  a Fund might sell
securities that it owned on a forward  commitment basis to limit its exposure to
falling prices.  In periods of falling  interest rates and rising bond prices, a
Fund might sell a security  and  purchase  the same or a similar  security  on a
when-issued  or forward  commitment  basis,  thereby  obtaining  the  benefit of
currently  higher  cash  yields.  However,  if  the  Adviser  were  to  forecast
incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements, the Fund might be required
to  complete  such  when-issued  or forward  commitment  transactions  at prices
inferior to the current market values.
    

When-issued  securities  and  forward  commitments  may  be  sold  prior  to the
settlement  date, but the Funds enter into  when-issued  and forward  commitment
transactions  only with the intention of actually  receiving or  delivering  the
securities,  as the case may be. If a Fund  chooses  to  dispose of the right to
acquire a when-issued  security  prior to its  acquisition  or to dispose of its
right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it can incur a gain or
loss.  When-issued  securities may include bonds purchased on a "when, as and if
issued"  basis  under  which the  issuance of the  securities  depends  upon the
occurrence of a subsequent event. Any significant  commitment of a Fund's assets
to the purchase of securities  on a "when,  as and if issued" basis may increase
the volatility of its net asset value.

Each Fund will establish and maintain with its custodian a separate account with
cash, U.S. Government Securities (as defined in the Prospectus) and other liquid
assets in an amount at least equal to its commitments to purchase  securities on
a when-issued or forward commitment basis.

ILLIQUID SECURITIES

Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net  assets in  illiquid  securities.  The
term  "illiquid  securities"  for this purpose means  securities  that cannot be
disposed  of  within  seven  days  in  the   ordinary   course  of  business  at
approximately  the  amount  at which  the Fund has  valued  the  securities  and
includes,  among other  things,  purchased  over-the-counter  (OTC)  options and
repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.

   
The  Trust's  Board has the  ultimate  responsibility  for  determining  whether
specific securities are liquid or illiquid. The Board has delegated the function
of making  day-to-day  determinations  of liquidity to the Adviser,  pursuant to
guidelines  approved by the Board.  The Adviser  takes into  account a number of
factors in reaching liquidity  decisions,  including but not limited to: (1) the
frequency of trades and quotations  for the security;  (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.  The Adviser monitors the liquidity of the securities
in each Fund's  portfolio  and reports  periodically  on such  decisions  to the
Board.
    

                                       4
<PAGE>


CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

The Funds may invest in  convertible  securities.  A  convertible  security is a
bond,  debenture,  note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted
into or  exchanged  for a  prescribed  amount of  common  stock of the same or a
different  issuer  within a  particular  period of time at a specified  price or
formula. A convertible  security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or
accrued on debt or the dividend  paid on preferred  stock until the  convertible
security  matures or is redeemed,  converted or  exchanged.  Before  conversion,
convertible  securities  have  characteristics  similar to  nonconvertible  debt
securities  in that  they  ordinarily  provide a stable  stream  of income  with
generally  higher  yields  than  those of common  stocks of the same or  similar
issuers.  Convertible  securities rank senior to common stock in a corporation's
capital  structure but are usually  subordinated  to  comparable  nonconvertible
securities.  Although no securities  investment is without some risk, investment
in  convertible  securities  generally  entails  less risk than in the  issuer's
common stock. However, the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large
measure upon the degree to which the convertible  security sells above its value
as a fixed  income  security.  Convertible  securities  have  unique  investment
characteristics  in that they  generally  (1) have  higher  yields  than  common
stocks,  but lower yields than comparable  non-convertible  securities,  (2) are
less subject to fluctuation in value than the underlying  stocks since they have
fixed  income   characteristics  and  (3)  provide  the  potential  for  capital
appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases.

The value of a  convertible  security  is a function of its  "investment  value"
(determined  by its yield  comparison  with the  yields of other  securities  of
comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its
"conversion value" (the security's worth, at market value, if converted into the
underlying  common  stock).  The investment  value of a convertible  security is
influenced by changes in interest  rates,  with  investment  value  declining as
interest rates  increase and  increasing as interest  rates decline.  The credit
standing  of the  issuer  and  other  factors  also  may have an  effect  on the
convertible  security's  investment value. The conversion value of a convertible
security is determined by the market price of the  underlying  common stock.  If
the conversion  value is low relative to the investment  value, the price of the
convertible  security  is  governed  principally  by its  investment  value  and
generally the conversion value decreases as the convertible  security approaches
maturity.  To the  extent  the  market  price  of the  underlying  common  stock
approaches  or  exceeds  the  conversion  price,  the  price of the  convertible
security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. In addition, a
convertible  security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value
determined by the extent to which  investors place value on the right to acquire
the underlying common stock while holding a fixed income security.

A convertible  security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer
at a price established in the convertible security's governing instrument.  If a
convertible  security held by a Fund is called for redemption,  the Fund will be
required  to permit  the  issuer to redeem  the  security,  convert  it into the
underlying common stock or sell it to a third party.

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION.

   
When a Fund assumes a temporary  defensive  position it may invest without limit
in (i) short-term  U.S.  Government  Securities,  (ii)  certificates of deposit,
bankers' acceptances and  interest-bearing  savings deposits of commercial banks
doing business in the United States that have, at the time of investment,  total
assets in excess of one  billion  dollars  and that are  insured by the  Federal
Deposit  Insurance  Corporation,  (iii)  commercial paper of prime quality rated
Prime-2  or  higher  by  Moody's  or A-2 or  higher  by S&P  or,  if not  rated,
determined  by  the  Adviser  to  be  of  comparable  quality,  (iv)  repurchase
agreements  covering any of the securities in which the Fund may invest directly
and (v) money market mutual funds.
    

                                       5
<PAGE>


SECURITIES OF INVESTMENT COMPANIES

The Funds may invest in the securities of other investment  companies within the
limits proscribed by the 1940 Act. Under normal circumstances, each Fund intends
to invest less than 5% of the value of its net assets in the securities of other
investment companies.  In addition to the Fund's expenses (including the various
fees), as a shareholder in another investment company, a Fund would bear its pro
rata portion of the other investment company's expenses (including fees).

FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS

Each Fund may in the  future  seek to hedge  against  a decline  in the value of
securities it owns or an increase in the price of  securities  which it plans to
purchase   through   the   writing   and   purchase   of   exchange-traded   and
over-the-counter  options and the  purchase  and sale of futures  contracts  and
options  on those  futures  contracts.  Payson  Value Fund may buy or sell stock
index  futures  contracts,  such as contracts  on the S&P 500 stock  index,  and
Payson Balanced Fund may buy and sell bond index futures contracts. In addition,
both Funds may buy or sell futures  contracts on Treasury bills,  Treasury bonds
and other  financial  instruments.  The Funds may write covered  options and buy
options on the futures contracts in which they may invest.

In addition, the Funds may write (sell) covered put and call options and may buy
put and call options on debt  securities and bond indices.  An option is covered
if, so long as the Fund is  obligated  under the option,  it owns an  offsetting
position in the underlying  security,  currency or futures contract or maintains
cash, U.S. Government Securities or other liquid, assets in a segregated account
with a value at all times  sufficient to cover the Fund's  obligation  under the
option.

   
The Funds' use of options  and  futures  contracts  would  subject  the Funds to
certain investment risks and transaction costs to which they might not otherwise
be subject.  These risks  include:  (1)  dependence on the Adviser's  ability to
predict movements in the prices of individual securities and fluctuations in the
general securities markets;  (2) imperfect  correlation between movements in the
prices of options,  futures  contracts or related  options and  movements in the
price of the securities  hedged or used for cover;  (3) the fact that skills and
techniques  needed to trade these instruments are different from those needed to
select the other  securities  in which the Funds  invest;  (4) lack of assurance
that a liquid secondary  market will exist for any particular  instrument at any
particular  time;  and (5) the  possible  need to defer  closing  out of certain
options,   futures   contracts   and  related   options  to  avoid  adverse  tax
consequences.  Other risks  include the  inability of the Fund, as the writer of
covered  call  options,  to  benefit  from the  appreciation  of the  underlying
securities  above the exercise price and the possible loss of the entire premium
paid for options purchased by the Fund.
    

Neither  Fund will  hedge more than 30% of its total  assets by selling  futures
contracts,  buying put options and writing call  options.  In addition,  neither
Fund will buy futures  contracts  or write put options  whose  underlying  value
exceeds 10% of the Fund's total assets and will not purchase call options if the
value of purchased  call options would exceed 5% of the Fund's total  assets.  A
Fund will not enter into futures  contracts and options  thereon if  immediately
thereafter  more  than 5% of the  value  of the  Fund's  total  assets  would be
invested in these options or committed to margin on futures contracts.

A Fund will only invest in futures and options  contracts after providing notice
to its  shareholders  and  filing a notice  of  eligibility  (if  required)  and
otherwise  complying  with the  requirements  of the Commodity  Futures  Trading
Commission  ("CFTC").  The CFTC's rules  provide that the Funds are permitted to
purchase  such  futures  or  options  contracts  only (1) for bona fide  hedging
purposes within the meaning of the rules of the CFTC; provided, however, that in
the  alternative  with  respect  to each long  position  in a futures or options
contract entered into by a Fund, the underlying commodity value of such contract
at all times does not  exceed the sum of cash,  short-term  United  States  debt
obligations or other United States dollar  denominated  short-term  money market
instruments  set  aside for this  purpose  by the  Fund,  accrued  profit on the
contract held with a futures commission merchant and cash proceeds from existing
Fund investments due in 30 days; and (2) subject to certain other limitations.



                                       6
<PAGE>

   
3.  ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The  investment  objective  and  the  investment  policies  of a Fund  that  are
designated as fundamental  policies may not be changed  without  approval of the
holders of a majority of that Fund's outstanding  voting securities.  A majority
of a Fund's  outstanding  voting  securities  means the lesser of (1) 67% of the
shares of that Fund present or represented  at a  shareholders  meeting at which
the  holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or  represented,  or (2)
more  than 50% of the  outstanding  shares  of the  Fund.  Except  as  otherwise
indicated,  investment  policies  of the  Funds are not  fundamental  and may be
changed by the Board without shareholder  approval. A further description of the
Funds' investment policies is contained in the SAI.
    

The Funds have adopted the following  fundamental  investment  limitations which
are in addition to those contained in the Funds' Prospectus and which may not be
changed without shareholder approval. Neither Fund may:

         (1)      Borrow  money,  except for  temporary  or  emergency  purposes
                  (including the meeting of redemption  requests) and except for
                  entering into reverse repurchase agreements, and provided that
                  borrowings  do not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund's  total  assets
                  (computed immediately after the borrowing).

         (2)      Purchase  securities,  other than U.S. Government  Securities,
                  if,  immediately  after  each  purchase,  more than 25% of the
                  Fund's total assets taken at market value would be invested in
                  securities  of issuers  conducting  their  principal  business
                  activity in the same industry.

         (3)      With respect to 75% of its assets, purchase securities,  other
                  than U.S.  Government  Securities,  of any one issuer,  if (a)
                  more than 5% of the Fund's  total assets taken at market value
                  would at the time of purchase be invested in the securities of
                  that  issuer,  or (b)  such  purchase  would  at the  time  of
                  purchase  cause  the  Fund  to  hold  more  than  10%  of  the
                  outstanding voting securities of that issuer.

         (4)      Act as an underwriter  of securities of other issuers,  except
                  to the extent that,  in  connection  with the  disposition  of
                  portfolio  securities,  the  Fund  may  be  deemed  to  be  an
                  underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933.

         (5)      Make  loans to other  persons  except  for loans of  portfolio
                  securities and except through the use of repurchase agreements
                  and  through  the  purchase  of   commercial   paper  or  debt
                  securities which are otherwise permissible investments.

         (6)      Purchase or sell real estate or any interest  therein,  except
                  that the Fund may invest in securities issued or guaranteed by
                  corporate or governmental  entities  secured by real estate or
                  interests   therein,   such  as  mortgage   pass-throughs  and
                  collateralized  mortgage  obligations,  or issued by companies
                  that invest in real estate or interests therein.

         (7)      Purchase or sell physical commodities or contracts relating to
                  physical    commodities,    provided   that   currencies   and
                  currency-related  contracts  will not be deemed to be physical
                  commodities.

         (8)      Issue senior  securities  except pursuant to Section 18 of the
                  Investment  Company Act of 1940  ("1940  Act") and except that
                  the Fund may borrow money  subject to  investment  limitations
                  specified in the Fund's Prospectus.

         (9)      Invest  in  interests  in oil or gas  or  interests  in  other
                  mineral exploration or development programs.

Each Fund has adopted the following  nonfundamental  investment limitations that
may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. Neither Fund may:

                                       7
<PAGE>


         (a)      Pledge,  mortgage or hypothecate its assets,  except to secure
                  permitted indebtedness. The deposit in escrow of securities in
                  connection   with  the  writing  of  put  and  call   options,
                  collateralized loans of securities and collateral arrangements
                  with respect to margin for futures contracts are not deemed to
                  be pledges or hypothecations for this purpose.

         (b)      Invest in securities of another registered investment company,
                  except in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition
                  or  reorganization;  and  except  that the Fund may  invest in
                  money  market  funds  and  privately-issued  mortgage  related
                  securities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

         (c)      Purchase   securities  on  margin,  or  make  short  sales  of
                  securities,  except for the use of short-term credit necessary
                  for  the   clearance  of  purchases  and  sales  of  portfolio
                  securities,   but  the  Fund  may  make  margin   deposits  in
                  connection  with permitted  transactions  in options,  futures
                  contracts and options on futures contracts.

   
         (d)      Purchase   securities  for  investment   while  any  borrowing
                  equaling 10% or more of the Fund's total assets is outstanding
                  or borrow for purposes  other than meeting  redemptions  in an
                  amount exceeding 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets.

         (e)      Acquire  securities  or invest in  repurchase  agreements with
                  respect to any  securities if, as a result, more than (i)  15%
                  of the  Fund's net assets  (taken  at current  value) would be
                  invested in r epurchase  agreements  not  entitling the holder
                  to payment of  principal  within seven days and in  securities
                  which are not readily  marketable,  including  securities that
                  are  illiquid by virtue of  restrictions  on the  sale of such
                  securities  to  the  public  without  registration  under  the
                  Securities  Act of 1933 ("Restricted  Securities") or (ii) 10%
                  of the Fund's total  assets would be  invested  in  Restricted
                  Securities.

         (f)      Purchase or sell real property  (including limited partnership
                  interests but excluding readily  marketable  interests in real
                  estate investment trusts or readily  marketable  securities of
                  companies which invest in real estate.)

         g)       Invest  in  warrants  if (i) more  than 5% of the value of the
                  Fund's net assets will be invested in warrants  (valued at the
                  lower of cost or  market) or (ii) more than 2% of the value of
                  the Fund's net assets would be invested in warrants  which are
                  not  listed on the New York  Stock  Exchange  or the  American
                  Stock  Exchange.  For  purpose  of this  limitation,  warrants
                  acquired by the Fund in units or attached  to  securities  are
                  deemed to have no value.
    

Except as required by the 1940 Act, if any percentage  restriction on investment
or  utilization  of assets is adhered to at the time an  investment  is made,  a
later change in percentage  resulting  from a change in the market values of the
Fund's  assets or purchases and  redemptions  of shares will not be considered a
violation of the limitation.

   
4.  PERFORMANCE DATA
    

The Funds may quote  performance  in various ways. All  performance  information
supplied  by the Funds in  advertising  is  historical  and is not  intended  to
indicate  future  returns.  A Fund's  net asset  value,  yield and total  return
fluctuate in response to market  conditions and other factors,  and the value of
Fund shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.

   
Total return information for the Funds as of March 31,1998,  is set forth in the
following table:
    
   
                                                                  Total Return 
                               Total Return 1    Total Return     Since
                               Year              5 Year           Inception
                               ----              ------           ---------
                               39.48%            19.01%           18.78%
    
PAYSON VALUE FUND

                                       8
<PAGE>


   
PAYSON BALANCED FUND           26.02%            13.72%           13.68%
    

*Payson Value Fund commenced  operations on July 31, 1992.  Payson Balanced Fund
commenced operations on November 25, 1991.

In  advertising  performance,  the Funds may  compare  any of their  performance
information  with data published by independent  evaluators such as Morningstar,
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., IBC/Donoghue,  Inc., CDC/Wiesenberger or other
companies which track the investment  performance of investment companies ("Fund
Tracking  Companies").  In addition,  a Fund may compare any of its  performance
information  with the performance of recognized  stock,  bond and other indexes,
including  but not limited to the Salomon  Brothers  Bond  Index,  the  Shearson
Lehman Bond Index,  the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite  Stock Price Index,  the
Dow Jones  Industrial  Average,  and  changes  in the  Consumer  Price  Index as
published by the U.S. Department of Commerce. A Fund may refer in such materials
to mutual fund  performance  rankings and other data  published by Fund Tracking
Companies.  Performance  advertising may also refer to discussions of a Fund and
comparative  mutual fund data and ratings  reported in independent  periodicals,
such as newspapers and financial magazines.

YIELD CALCULATIONS

Yields  for a Fund used in  advertising  are  computed  by  dividing  the Fund's
interest income for a given 30-day or one-month period, net of expenses,  by the
average number of shares  entitled to receive  distributions  during the period,
dividing  this  figure by the Fund's net asset value per share at the end of the
period and annualizing the result  (assuming  compounding of income) in order to
arrive at an annual percentage rate. In general, interest income is reduced with
respect to bonds  purchased at a premium over their par value by  subtracting  a
portion of the  premium  from income on a daily  basis,  and is  increased  with
respect to bonds  purchased at a discount by adding a portion of the discount to
daily  income.   Capital  gain  and  loss  generally  are  excluded  from  these
calculations.

Income  calculated  for the purpose of  determining  a Fund's yield differs from
income as determined  for other  accounting  purposes.  Because of the different
accounting  methods  used,  and  because  of the  compounding  assumed  in yield
calculations,  the  yield  quoted  for a  Fund  may  differ  from  the  rate  of
distribution  the Fund paid over the same period or the rate of income  reported
in the Fund's financial statements.

Although  published  yield  information  is useful to  investors  in reviewing a
Fund's performance,  investors should be aware that a Fund's yield for any given
period is not an  indication or  representation  by the Fund of future yields or
rates of return on the Fund's shares. Also, Processing Organizations (as defined
in the Prospectus) may charge their customers  direct fees in connection with an
investment  in a Fund,  which  will have the effect of  reducing  the Fund's net
yield  to  those  shareholders.  The  yields  of  each  Fund  are not  fixed  or
guaranteed,  and  an  investment  in  a  Fund  is  not  insured  or  guaranteed.
Accordingly,  yield information may not necessarily be used to compare shares of
a Fund with investment alternatives which, like money market instruments or bank
accounts, may provide a fixed rate of interest.  Also, it may not be appropriate
to compare a Fund's yield information directly to similar information  regarding
investment alternatives which are insured or guaranteed.

TOTAL RETURN CALCULATIONS

Each  of  the  Funds  may  advertise  total  return.  Total  returns  quoted  in
advertising  reflect all  aspects of a Fund's  return,  including  the effect of
reinvesting  dividends  and capital  gain  distributions,  and any change in the
Fund's net asset value per share over the  period.  Average  annual  returns are
calculated  by  determining  the growth or  decline  in value of a  hypothetical
historical  investment in a Fund over a stated period,  and then calculating the
annually compounded  percentage rate that would have produced the same result if
the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period.  While
average  annual  returns  are  a  convenient   means  of  comparing   investment
alternatives, investors should realize that the performance is not constant over
time but changes from year to year, and that average  annual  returns  represent
averaged figures as opposed to the actual year-to-year performance of the Funds.

                                       9
<PAGE>


Average  annual  total  return is  calculated  by  finding  the  average  annual
compounded  rates of return of a  hypothetical  investment  over a given  period
according to the following formula:

                  P(1+T)n = ERV

         Where:

                  P = a  hypothetical  initial  payment of  $1,000;
                  T = average annual  total  return;
                  n = number of years;  and
                  ERV = ending redeemable value.

ERV is the value, at the end of the applicable period, of a hypothetical  $1,000
payment made at the beginning of the applicable period.

   
In  addition  to  average  annual  returns,  each Fund may quote  unaveraged  or
cumulative total returns  reflecting the simple change in value of an investment
over a stated period.  Average annual and cumulative total returns may be quoted
as a  percentage  or as a  dollar  amount,  and may be  calculated  for a single
investment, a series of investments and/or a series of redemptions over any time
period.  Total  returns may be broken down into their  components  of income and
capital  (including  capital  gain  and  changes  in  share  price)  in order to
illustrate the  relationship of these factors and their  contributions  to total
return.  Total returns may be quoted with or without taking into consideration a
Fund's  front-end  sales  charge;  excluding  sales  charges from a total return
calculation  produces a higher return figure.  Total  returns,  yields and other
performance  information  may be  quoted  numerically  or in a  table,  graph or
similar illustration.
    

         Period total return is calculated according to the following formula:

                  PT = (ERV/P-1)

         Where:

                  PT = period total return.
                           The  other  definitions  are the  same as in  average
                           annual total return above.

   
Investors  who purchase and redeem  shares of a Fund through a customer  account
maintained  at a  Processing  Organization  may be  charged  one or  more of the
following  types of fees as agreed upon by the Processing  Organization  and the
investor,  with  respect to the  customer  services  provided by the  Processing
Organization:  account fees (a fixed amount per month or per year);  transaction
fees  (a  fixed  amount  per  transaction   processed);   compensating   balance
requirements  (a minimum  dollar  amount a customer  must  maintain  in order to
obtain the services  offered);  or account  maintenance  fees (a periodic charge
based upon a percentage of the assets in the account or of the dividends paid on
these assets).  As stated above, these fees will have the effect of reducing the
average annual total return of the Fund for those investors.

OTHER ADVERTISING MATTERS

The  Funds  may  also  include  various  information  in  their   advertisements
including,  but not limited to: (1) portfolio holdings and portfolio  allocation
as of certain dates,  such as portfolio  diversification  by instrument type, by
instrument,   by  location  of  issuer  or  by  maturity;   (2)   statements  or
illustrations  relating to the  appropriateness  of types of  securities  and/or
mutual  funds that may be employed by an  investor  to meet  specific  financial
goals,  such  as  funding  retirement,   paying  for  children's  education  and
financially  supporting  aging parents;  (3) information  (including  charts and
illustrations)  showing the effects of compounding interest  (compounding is the
process of earning  interest on principal plus interest that was earned earlier;
interest can be compounded at different intervals,  


                                       10
<PAGE>


such as annually, quarterly or daily); (4) information relating to inflation and
its effects on the dollar; for example,  after ten years the purchasing power of
$25,000 would shrink to $16,621, $14,968, $13,465 and $12,100,  respectively, if
the  annual  rates  of  inflation  were 4%,  5%,  6% and 7%,  respectively;  (5)
information  regarding  the  effects  of  automatic  investment  and  systematic
withdrawal  plans,  including  the  principal  of  dollar  cost  averaging;  (6)
background   information   regarding   the  Funds'   Adviser  and   biographical
descriptions of the management staff of the Adviser;  (7) summaries of the views
of the Adviser with respect to the financial markets; (8) background information
regarding the Trust; (9) the results of a hypothetical investment in a fund over
a given number of years,  including the amount that the  investment  would be at
the end of the period; (10) the effects of investing in a tax-deferred  account,
such as an individual  retirement  account or Section  401(k)  pension plan; and
(11) the net asset value,  net assets or number of  shareholders of the Funds as
of one or more dates. 

5.  MANAGEMENT

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

THE TRUST
    

The trustees and officers of the Trust and their  principal  occupations  during
the past five years are set forth  below.  Each  Trustee  who is an  "interested
person" (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Trust is indicated by an asterisk.

   
John Y. Keffer,* Trustee, Chairman and President (age 56)

          President,  Forum Financial  Group,  LLC (mutual fund services company
          holding  company).  Mr. Keffer is a director and/or officer of various
          registered  investment companies for which the various Forum Financial
          Group of  Companies  provides  services.  His address is Two  Portland
          Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Costas Azariadis, Trustee (age 55)
    

          Professor of Economics,  University of California,  Los Angeles, since
          July 1992. Prior thereto,  Dr. Azariadis was Professor of Economics at
          the  University  of   Pennsylvania.   His  address  is  Department  of
          Economics,  University of California, Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Avenue,
          Los Angeles, California 90024.

   
James C. Cheng, Trustee (age 56)
    

          President of Technology  Marketing  Associates (a marketing consulting
          company) since September 1991. Prior thereto,  Mr. Cheng was President
          and Chief  Executive  Officer of  Network  Dynamics,  Incorporated  (a
          software  development  company).  His  address  is 27  Temple  Street,
          Belmont, Massachusetts 02178.

   
J. Michael Parish, Trustee (age 54)

          Partner at the law firm of Reid and Priest, LLP, since 1995. From 1989
          to 1995, he was a partner at the law firm of Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam
          &  Roberts  from 1989 to 1995.  Prior  thereto,  he was a  partner  at
          LeBoeuf,  Lamb,  Leiby &  MacRae,  a law firm of which he was a member
          from 1974 to 1989.  His address is 40 West 57th Street,  New York, New
          York 10019.
    

Mark D. Kaplan, Vice President (age 42)

   
          Director,  Investments,  Forum Financial Group, LLC, with which he has
          been associated  since September 1995.  Prior thereto,  Mr. Kaplan was
          Managing  Director and  Director of Research at H.M.  Payson & Co. His
          address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Stacey Hong, Treasurer (age 32)

                                       11
<PAGE>


          Director,  Fund Accounting,  Forum Financial Group, LLC, with which he
          has been associated  since April 1992.  Prior thereto,  Mr. Hong was a
          Senior Accountant with Ernst & Young, LLP. His address is Two Portland
          Square, Portland Maine 04101.
    

Max Berueffy, Secretary (age 46)

   
          Senior  Counsel,  Forum Financial  Group,  LLC, with which he has been
          associated since 1994. Prior thereto, Mr. Berueffy was on the staff of
          the U.S.  Securities and Exchange Commission for seven years, first in
          the appellate branch of the Office of the General  Counsel,  then as a
          counsel to  Commissioner  Grundfest  and  finally as a senior  special
          counsel in the Division of Investment  Management.  Mr.  Berueffy also
          serves as an  officer of other  registered  investment  companies  for
          which  the  various  Forum  Financial  Group  of  Companies   provides
          services. His address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Leslie K. Klenk, Assistant Secretary (age 33)

          Assistant Counsel, Forum Financial Group, LLC, with which she has been
          associated  since  April  1998.  Prior  thereto,  Ms.  Klenk  was Vice
          President and Associate General Counsel of Smith Barney Inc. Ms. Klenk
          also serves as an officer of other registered investment companies for
          which  the  various  Forum  Financial  Group  of  Companies   provides
          services. Her address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Pamela Stutch, Assistant Secretary (age 31)

          Fund  Administrator,  Forum Financial  Group,  LLC, with which she has
          been  associated  since May 1998.  Prior thereto,  Ms. Stutch attended
          Temple  University School of Law and graduated in 1997. Ms. Stutch was
          also a legal intern for the Maine Department of the Attorney  General.
          Ms.  Stutch also serves as an officer of other  registered  investment
          companies  for which the various  Forum  Financial  Group of Companies
          provides services. Her address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine
          04101.
    

TRUSTEE COMPENSATION

Each  Trustee of the Trust  (other  than John Y.  Keffer,  who is an  interested
person of the Trust) is paid $1,000 for each Board meeting attended  (whether in
person or by  electronic  communication)  and is paid $1,000 for each  committee
meeting  attended  on a date when a Board  meeting is not held.  As of March 31,
1997,  in  addition  to $1,000 for each Board  meeting  attended,  each  Trustee
receives $100 per active portfolio of the Trust. To the extent a meeting relates
to only  certain  portfolios  of the Trust,  Trustees are paid the $100 fee only
with respect to those  portfolios.  Trustees are also  reimbursed for travel and
related expenses incurred in attending  meetings of the Board. No officer of the
Trust is compensated by the Trust.

The following  table provides the aggregate  compensation  paid to each Trustee.
The Trust has not  adopted  any form of  retirement  plan  covering  Trustees or
officers. Information is presented for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997.
   
<TABLE>
          <S>                           <C>                 <C>               <C>              <C>
                                                           ACCRUED           ANNUAL
                                        AGGREGATE          PENSION        BENEFITS UPON       TOTAL
         TRUSTEE                      COMPENSATION        BENEFITS         RETIREMENT      COMPENSATION
         -------                      ------------        --------         ----------      ------------
         Mr. Keffer                       None              None              None             None
         Mr. Azariadis                  $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
         Mr. Cheng                      $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
         Mr. Parish                     $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
</TABLE>

TRUSTEE COMPENSATION FOR CORE TRUST (DELAWARE)

Each of the Trustees of the Trust is also a Trustee of Core Trust (Delaware),  a
registered,  open-end management investment company ("Core Trust"). Each Trustee
of Core Trust (other than John Y. Keffer,  who is an  interested 


                                       12
<PAGE>


person of Core Trust) is paid $1,000 for each Core Trust Board meeting  attended
(whether  in  person  or by  electronic  communication)  plus  $100  per  active
portfolio of Core Trust and is paid $1,000 for each committee  meeting  attended
on a date when a Core Trust Board  meeting is not held.  To the extent a meeting
relates to only certain portfolios of Core Trust, trustees are paid the $100 fee
only with respect to those  portfolios.  Core Trust trustees are also reimbursed
for travel and related expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Core

THE ADVISER

Pursuant to an Investment  Advisory Agreement with the Trust, H.M. Payson & Co.,
(the  Adviser)  furnishes,  at its own expense,  all  services,  facilities  and
personnel  necessary in connection  with managing  each Fund's  investments  and
effecting  portfolio  transactions for each Fund. Subject to the general control
of the Board,  the Adviser is responsible  for among other things,  developing a
continuing  investment  program for the Fund in accordance  with its  investment
objective and reviewing the investments,  investment  strategies and policies of
the  Fund  In this  regard,  it is the  responsibility  of the  Adviser  to make
decisions  relating to the Fund's  investments  and to place  purchase  and sale
orders  regarding such investments with brokers or dealers selected by it in its
discretion.  The  Adviser  also  furnishes  to  the  Board,  which  has  overall
responsibility  for the business and affairs of the Trust,  periodic  reports on
the  investment  performance  of the Fund.  Under  the  terms of the  investment
advisory  agreement,  the Adviser is  required  to manage the Fund's  investment
portfolio in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

The  Investment  Advisory  Agreement  provides,  with respect to a Fund,  for an
initial term of two years from its  effective  date and for its  continuance  in
effect for successive twelve-month periods thereafter, provided the agreement is
approved  annually (1) by majority vote of the  shareholders of a Fund or by the
Board and (2) by  majority  vote of the  Trustees  who are not  parties  to such
agreement  or  "interested  persons"  (as  defined  in the 1940 Act) of any such
party. The Investment  Advisory  Agreement is terminable with respect to a Fund,
without penalty,  by the Board or by majority vote of the shareholders of a Fund
on 60 days' written notice to the Adviser,  or by the Adviser o on not more than
60  days'  nor  less  than 30  days'  written  notice  to the  Board,  and  will
automatically  terminate if assigned.  The  Investment  Advisory  Agreement also
provides  that,  with respect to each Fund,  the Adviser shall not be liable for
any  mistake of judgment  or in any event with  respect to a o Fund,  except for
willful misfeasance,  bad faith, gross negligence,  or reckless disregard in the
performance of the Advisor's duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement.  In
addition, if the Adviser ceases to act as a Fund's investment adviser, or in the
event the Adviser so requests in writing, the Trust will change a Fund's name so
as not to include the word  "Payson." The Advisory  Agreement  provides that the
Adviser may render services to others.

For its services  under the Investment  Advisory  Agreement,  H.M.  Payson & Co.
receives  a fee at an annual  rate of 0.80% and 0.60% of the  average  daily net
assets  of  Payson  Value  Fund and  Payson  Balanced  Fund,  respectively.  The
following  table shows the dollar  amount of fees payable  under the  Investment
Advisory  Agreement,  the amount of fees waived by the Adviser,  if any, and the
actual  fees  received  by the  Adviser.  The data is for the past three  fiscal
years.
    

                                PAYSON VALUE FUND
<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>                           <C>                      <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------

   
1998                         $131,769                    $0                          $131,769
1997                         $92,360                     $0                          $92,360
1996                         $71,662                     $0                          $71,662
    

                                       13
<PAGE>


                              PAYSON BALANCED FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------

   
1998                         $131,512                    $0                          $131.512
1997                         $107,243                    $0                          $107,243
1996                         $95,588                     $0                          $95,588
1995                         $75,058                     $0                          $75,058
</TABLE>

In addition to receiving  its advisory fee from the Funds,  the Adviser may also
act and be  compensated  as  investment  manager for its clients with respect to
assets that are invested in a Fund.  In some  instances the Adviser may elect to
credit against any investment  management fee received from a client who is also
a shareholder in a Fund an amount equal to all or a portion of the fees received
by the Adviser or any  affiliate  of the Adviser from a Fund with respect to the
client's assets invested in that Fund.

THE ADMINISTRATOR

Pursuant to an Administration  Agreement approved by the Board on June 19, 1997,
Forum Administrative  Services,  LLC ("FAdS") acts as administrator to the Trust
on  behalf  of  the  Funds.  As  administrator,  FAdS  provides  management  and
administrative  services  necessary to the  operation  of the Trust  (including,
among  other  responsibilities,  negotiation  of  contracts  and fees with,  and
monitoring of performance  and billing of, the transfer  agent,  fund accountant
and custodian and arranging for  maintenance of books and records of the Trust),
and  provides the Trust with general  office  facilities.  At the request of the
Board,  FAdS provides persons  satisfactory to the Board to serve as officers of
the Trust.  Those  officers,  as well as certain other employees and Trustees of
the Trust,  may be directors,  officers or employees of FAdS, or its  respective
affiliates.  In addition, under the Agreement,  FAdS is directly responsible for
managing  the  Trust's  regulatory  and  legal  compliance  and  overseeing  the
preparation   of  its   registration   statement.   Prior  to  June  19,   1997,
administrative  services were provided to the Funds by Forum Financial Services,
Inc.  ("FFSI")  pursuant to a Management and Distribution  Agreement between the
Trust and FFSI.

The Administration  Agreement will remain in effect with respect to a fund for a
period of twelve months from the date of its  effectiveness and will continue in
effect  thereafter  only if its  continuance is  specifically  approved at least
annually (1) by the Board or by majority vote of the  shareholders of a Fund and
(2) by a  majority  of the  Trustees  who are not  parties to the  agreement  or
interested  persons of any such party (other than as Trustees of the Trust). The
Administration  Agreement  may be terminated  with respect to any Fund,  without
payment  of a  penalty,  by the Board or FAdS on 60 days'  written  notice.  The
Administration  Agreement  provides that FAdS shall not be liable for any action
or inaction in the absence of willful misfeasance,  bad faith, gross negligence,
or reckless  disregard in the performance of its duties under the Administration
Agreement.

For its services under the Administration  Agreement,  FAdS receives t an annual
rate of 0.20% of the  average  daily net assets of each  Fund.  Under the former
Management and Distribution Agreement,  FFSI received 0.20% of the average daily
net assets of each Fund.  The  following  table shows the dollar  amount of fees
payable,  the  amount  of fees  waived,  and the net  fees  received  under  the
Administration  Agreement and/or the Management and  Distribution  Agreement for
the Funds' prior three fiscal years.
    

                                PAYSON VALUE FUND
<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>                           <C>                      <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------

   
1998                         $32,942                     $28,750                     $4,192
1997                         $23,090                     $23,090                     $0
1996                         $17,916                     $17,916                     $0
    


                                       14
<PAGE>


                              PAYSON BALANCED FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------

   
1998                         $43,837                     $38,278                     $5,559
1997                         $35,748                     $35,748                     $0
1996                         $31,863                     $31,863                     $0
</TABLE>


THE DISTRIBUTOR

Pursuant to a Distribution  Agreement,  Forum Financial Services,  Inc., FFSI is
the Trust's  distributor  and acts as the agent of the Trust in connection  with
the offering of the shares of the Fund.  The  Distributor is under no obligation
to sell a specific amount of Fund shares.  All  subscriptions of shares obtained
by FFSI are  directed  to the Trust for  acceptance  and are not  binding on the
Trust until accepted by it.

The  Distribution  Agreement will remain in effect for a period of twelve months
from the date of its  effectiveness  and will continue in effect thereafter only
if its continuance is  specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the Board
or by a majority vote of the shareholders, (2) by a majority of the Trustees who
are not parties to the agreement or interested  persons of any such party and do
not have any direct or indirect financial interest in the Distribution Agreement
and with  respect  to any class for which the Trust has  adopted a  distribution
plan,have  no direct or indirect  financial  interest in the  operation  of that
distribution  plan or the Distribution  Agreement.  The  Distribution  Agreement
terminates automatically if it is assigned and may be terminated without penalty
by the Board or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding  voting securities of
the Fund on 60 days'  written  notice to the FFSI or by FFSI on 60 days' written
notice to the Board. The Distribution  Agreement provides that FFSI shall not be
liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or omission in
the administration or management of the Trust,  except for willful  misfeasance,
bad faith or gross  negligence in the  performance of its duties or by reason of
reckless  disregard  of  its  obligations  and  duties  under  the  Distribution
Agreement.

FFSI may enter into  agreements  with selected  broker-dealers,  banks, or other
financial  institutions for distribution of shares of the Funds. These financial
institutions  may charge a fee for their  services and may receive  shareholders
service fees even though  shares of the Funds are sold without  sales charges or
distribution fees. These financial  institutions may otherwise act as processing
agents, and will be responsible for promptly transmitting  purchase,  redemption
and other requests to the Funds.

Investors who purchase  shares in this manner will be subject to the  procedures
of the institution through whom they purchase shares, which may include charges,
investment  minimums,  cutoff  times and other  restrictions  in addition to, or
different  from,  those listed  herein.  Information  concerning  any charges or
services will be provided to customers by the financial  institution.  Investors
purchasing  shares of the Fund in this manner should  acquaint  themselves  with
their  institution's  procedures and should read this  Prospectus in conjunction
with any materials and information provided by their institution.  The financial
institution  and not its customers will be the  shareholder of record,  although
customers  may have the right to vote shares  depending  upon their  arrangement
with the institution.

Pursuant  to the  Distribution  Agreement,  FFSI  receives,  and may  reallow to
certain financial institutions,  the sales charge paid by the purchasers of each
Fund's shares.  The aggregate sales charges payable to FFSI with respect to each
Fund are outlined in the following table:

                                       15
<PAGE>


                                            PAYSON VALUE FUND
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                                <C>                         <C>
Fiscal Year Ended
March 31                         Aggregate Sales Charge           Amount Retained             Amount Reallowed

            1998                         $3,715                        $462                        $3,253

                                           PAYSON BALANCED FUND

Fiscal Year Ended 
March 31                         Aggregate Sales Charge           Amount Retained             Amount Reallowed

            1998                          $186                         $186                          $0
    
</TABLE>

DISTRIBUTION PLAN

   
In  accordance  with  Rule  12b-1  under  the 1940  Act,  the  Trust  adopted  a
distribution  plan (the  "Plan")  which  provides  that all  written  agreements
relating to the Plan must be in a form  satisfactory  to the Board. In addition,
the  Plan  requires  the  Trust,  the  Adviser  and  FFSI to  prepare,  at least
quarterly,  written reports setting forth all amounts  expended for distribution
purposes by the Trust, the Adviser and FFSI pursuant to the Plan and identifying
the distribution activities for which those expenditures were made.
    

The Plan  provides  that it will  remain in effect for one year from the date of
its adoption and thereafter  shall continue in effect provided it is approved at
least  annually  by the  shareholders  or by the Board,  including a majority of
directors who are not interested  persons of the Trust and who have no direct or
indirect  interest in the operation of the Plan or in any  agreement  related to
the Plan.  The Plan  further  provides  that it may not be amended  to  increase
materially the costs which may be borne by the Trust for  distribution  pursuant
to the Plan without  shareholder  approval and that other material amendments of
the Plan  must be  approved  by the  Trustees  in the  manner  described  in the
preceding  sentence.  The  Plan may be  terminated  at any time by a vote of the
Board or, with respect to either Fund, by the Fund's shareholders.

   
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998,  neither Fund paid any distribution
related expenses pursuant to the Distribution Plan.

THE TRANSFER AGENT

Pursuant to a Transfer  Agency and Services  Agreement  with the Trust dated May
19, 1998, Forum Shareholder Services,  LLC ("FSS") acts as transfer agent of the
Trust. FSS became the transfer agent effective January 1, 1998 when it succeeded
to the transfer agency business of Forum Financial Corp.
(FSS and Forum Financial Corp. ("FFC") are commonly controlled entities).

The Transfer Agency and Services Agreement provides,  with respect to each Fund,
for an initial term of one year from its effective date and for its  continuance
in effect for  successive  twelve-month  periods  thereafter,  provided that the
agreement is  specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the Board or, with
respect to either Fund, by a majority vote of the  shareholders of that Fund and
(2) by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Transfer Agency and
Services  Agreement or interested persons of any such party. The Transfer Agency
Agreement may also be  terminated on 60 days written  notice by either the Board
or FSS. The Transfer Agency Agreement also provides that FSS shall not be liable
for any action, failure, or omission except for willful misfeasance,  bad faith,
and gross  negligence in the performance of its duties under the Transfer Agency
and Services Agreement.

Among  the  responsibilities  of FSS  agent for the  Trust  are:  (1)  answering
customer  inquiries  regarding  account status and history,  the manner in which
purchases  and  redemptions  of shares of the Funds may be effected  and certain
other matters pertaining to the Funds; (2) assisting  shareholders in initiating
and  changing  account  designations  and  addresses;  (3)  providing  necessary
personnel  and  facilities to establish  and maintain  shareholder  accounts and
records,  assisting in  processing  purchase  and  redemption  transactions  and
receiving wired funds;  (4)  transmitting and receiving funds in connection with
customer  orders  to  purchase  or  redeem  shares;  (5)  verifying  shareholder
signatures  in  connection  with  changes  in the  registration  of  shareholder
accounts;  (6) furnishing 

                                       16
<PAGE>


periodic  statements  and  confirmations  of  purchases  and  redemptions;   (7)
arranging for the transmission of proxy statements, annual reports, prospectuses
and other  communications from the Trust to its shareholders;  (8) arranging for
the receipt,  tabulation and  transmission  to the Trust of proxies  executed by
shareholders  with  respect to meetings of  shareholders  of the Trust;  and (9)
providing  such  other  related  services  as the  Trust  or a  shareholder  may
reasonably request.

FSS or any  sub-transfer  agent or  processing  agent  may also act and  receive
compensation  for acting as custodian,  investment  manager,  nominee,  agent or
fiduciary  for its customers or clients who are  shareholders  of the Funds with
respect to assets invested in the Funds. FSS or any sub-transfer  agent or other
processing  agent may  elect to credit  against  the fees  payable  to it by its
clients or customers all or a portion of any fee received from the Trust or from
FSS with respect to assets of those customers or clients  invested in the Funds.
FSS, FAdS or  sub-transfer  agents or processing  agents  retained by FSS may be
Processing  Organizations  (as  defined in the  Prospectus)  and, in the case of
sub-transfer  agents or processing agents, may also be affiliated persons of FSS
or FAdS.

For its  services,  FSS  receives  with respect to each Fund .25% of the average
daily net assets, an annual fee of $12,000 plus $18 per shareholder account. FFC
served as the  transfer  agent  for the  Trust  pursuant  to  similar  terms and
compensation  as FSS.  The  following  table  shows  the  dollar  amount of fees
payable,  the amount of fee that was waived, and the net fees received under the
Transfer Agency Agreement for the Funds' prior three fiscal years.
    
<TABLE>

                                PAYSON VALUE FUND
<S>                           <C>                           <C>                      <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------

   
1998                         $58,869                     $39,896                     $18,973
1997                         $45,916                     $27,131                     $18,785
1996                         $38,519                     $21,273                     $17,246
    


                              PAYSON BALANCED FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED 
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------

   
1998                         $73,628                     $53,159                     $20,469
1997                         $63,723                     $42,011                     $21,712
1996                         $58,767                     $37,798                     $20,969
</TABLE>


THE FUND ACCOUNTANT

Pursuant to a Fund  Accounting  Agreement  with the Trust  dated June 19,  1997,
Forum  Accounting  Services,  LLC  ("FAcS")  provides  the Funds with  portfolio
accounting.  Under the Fund  Accounting  Agreement,  FAcS prepares and maintains
books and records of the Fund on behalf of the Trust as required  under the 1940
Act,  calculates the net asset value per share of each Fund and their  dividends
and capital gain distributions and prepares periodic reports to shareholders and
the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  Prior to June 19,  1997,  accounting
services were provided to the Trust by FFC.

The Fund  Accounting  Agreement will remain in effect with respect to a Fund for
one year and will  continue  in effect  thereafter  only if its  continuance  is
specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the Board or by majority vote of
the  shareholders  of a Fund and (2) by a majority of the  Trustees  who are not
parties to the respective agreement or interested persons of any such party. The
Fund  Accounting  Agreement may also be terminated on 60 days written  notice by
either  the Board or FAcS,  respectively.  The Fund  Accounting  Agreement  also
provides that

                                       17
<PAGE>


FAcS shall not be liable for any action or  inaction  taken  except for  willful
misfeasance,  bad faith or gross  negligence  in the  performance  of its duties
under the Fund Accounting Agreement.

For services provided under the Fund Accounting Agreement, FAcS receives and FSS
received an annual base fee of $36,000 plus certain  surcharges  depending  upon
the amount and type of the Funds"  portfolio  transactions  and  positions.  The
following table shows the dollar amount of fees payable,  the amount of fee that
was waived,  and the net fees received under the Fund  Accounting  Agreement for
the Funds' prior three fiscal years:
    
<TABLE>
                                PAYSON VALUE FUND
<S>                           <C>                         <C>                         <C>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED 
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------
   
1998                         $36,000                     $0                          $36,000
1997                         $36,000                     $0                          $36,000
1996                         $37,000                     $0                          $37,000
    




                                       18
<PAGE>




                              PAYSON BALANCED FUND

FISCAL YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31                     GROSS FEE                   WAIVED FEE                  NET FEE
- --------                     ---------                   ----------                  -------
   
1998                         $37,000                     $0                          $37,000
1997                         $37,000                     $0                          $37,000
1996                         $38,000                     $0                          $38,000
</TABLE>


6.  DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The Trust  determines the net asset value per share of the Funds as of 4:00p.m.,
Eastern Time, on each Fund Business Day as defined in the Prospectus by dividing
the value of the Fund's net assets (I.E., the value of its portfolio  securities
and other  assets  less its  liabilities)  by the number of that  Fund's  shares
outstanding at the time the determination is made.  Securities owned by the Fund
listed on the recognized  stock  exchanges are valued at the last reported trade
price,  prior to the time when the assets are valued,  on the  exchange on which
the securities are principally  traded.  Listed  securities traded on recognized
stock  exchanges  where  last  trade  prices  are not  available  are  valued at
mid-market  prices.  Securities traded in  over-the-counter  markets,  or listed
securities  for which no trade is reported on the valuation  date, are valued at
the most recent reported mid-market price. Other securities and assets for which
market  quotations  are not  readily  available  are  valued  at fair  value  as
determined in good faith using methods approved by the Purchases and redemptions
are effected at the time of the next  determination of net asset value following
the receipt of any purchase or redemption order.

7.  PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
    

Purchases  and sales of debt  securities  for Payson  Balanced  Fund usually are
principal  transactions.  Debt  securities for that Fund are normally  purchased
directly  from  the  issuer  or from an  underwriter  or  market  maker  for the
securities.  There usually are no brokerage commissions paid for such purchases.
Purchases  from  underwriters  of portfolio  securities  include a commission or
concession  paid by the issuer to the  underwriter,  and purchases  from dealers
serving as market makers include the spread between the bid and asked prices.

   
Payson Value Fund and Payson  Balanced Fund (with respect to purchases of equity
securities)   will  effect  purchases  and  sales  through  brokers  who  charge
commissions.  Allocations  of  transactions  to  brokers  and  dealers  and  the
frequency of transactions are determined by the Adviser in its best judgment and
in a manner deemed to be in the best interest of shareholders of the Fund rather
than by any formula. The primary  consideration is prompt execution of orders in
an effective  manner and at the most favorable  price available to the Fund. For
the fiscal years ended March 31, 1998,  1997 and 1996,  the aggregate  brokerage
commissions  paid by Payson  Value  Fund were  $29,682,  $17,303,  and  $27,008,
respectively.  For the fiscal years ended March 31, 1998,  1997,  and 1996,  the
aggregate  brokerage  commissions  paid by Payson  Balanced  Fund were  $41,370,
$37,474,  and $36,756,  respectively.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998,
$0.00, or 0.0% of aggregate brokerage  commissions paid, was paid to H.M. Payson
an  affiliated  broker  and 0.0% of the  total  dollar  amount  of  transactions
involving payment of commission was effected through an affiliated broker. As of
March 31,  1998,  the Payson  Balanced  Fund  owned  approximately  $152,000  in
corporate bonds/notes issued by Bear Stearns & Co., Inc. ("Bear Stearns").  Bear
Stearns is one of a number of brokers that the Payson  Balance Fund  utilizes to
affect  transactions  on its behalf.  As of the same date, the Payson Value Fund
owned  approximately  $394,000  of stock  issued by A.G.  Edwards,  Inc.  ("A.G.
Edwards"). A.G. Edwards is one of a number of brokers that the Payson Value Fund
utilizes to affect transactions on its behalf.

A Fund may not always pay the lowest commission or spread available.  Rather, in
determining the amount of commission,  including certain dealer spreads, paid in
connection with Fund  transactions,  the Adviser takes into account such factors
as size of the order,  difficulty  of  execution,  efficiency  of the  executing
broker's  facilities  (including  the  services  described  below)  and any risk
assumed by the executing broker. The Adviser may also take


                                       19
<PAGE>


into account payments made by brokers  effecting  transactions for a Fund (i) to
the Fund or (ii) to other persons on behalf of the Fund for services provided to
it for which it would be obligated to pay.

In  addition,  the Adviser may give  consideration  to research  and  investment
analysis services furnished by brokers or dealers to the Adviser for its use and
may cause the Fund to pay these brokers a higher  amount of commission  than may
be  charged  by other  brokers.  Such  research  and  analysis  is of the  types
described  in  Section  28(e)(3)  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
amended,  and is designed to augment the  Adviser's  own  internal  research and
investment strategy capabilities.  The Adviser may use the research and analysis
in connection  with  services to clients other than the Fund,  and the Adviser's
fee is not reduced by reason of the Adviser's receipt of the research services.

Investment decisions for the Funds will be made independently from those for any
other account or investment  company that is or may in the future become managed
by the  Adviser or its  affiliates.  If,  however,  a Fund and other  investment
companies or accounts  managed by the Adviser are  contemporaneously  engaged in
the purchase or sale of the same security,  the  transactions may be averaged as
to price and  allocated  equitably to each account.  In some cases,  this policy
might  adversely  affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the
position  obtainable  for the Fund. In addition,  when purchases or sales of the
same security for a Fund and for other investment companies and accounts managed
by the  Adviser  occur  contemporaneously,  the  purchase  or sale orders may be
aggregated  in  order  to  obtain  any  price  advantages   available  to  large
denomination purchases or sales.

In the future  the  Funds,  consistent  with the  policy of  obtaining  best net
results, may conduct brokerage  transactions  through the Adviser's  affiliates,
affiliates of those persons or FFSI. If a Fund anticipates  conducting brokerage
transactions   through  these  persons,  the  Board  will  adopt  procedures  in
conformity with applicable rules under the 1940 Act to ensure that all brokerage
commissions paid to these persons are reasonable and fair.

8.  ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
    

Shares of each Fund are sold on a continuous basis by FFSI.

   
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing  the offering  price of
each  Fund's  shares.  The example  assumes a purchase  of shares of  beneficial
interest aggregating less than $100,000 subject to the schedule of sales charges
set forth in the  Prospectuses at a price based on the net asset value per share
of each Fund on March 31, 1998.
    

                                                Payson           Payson
                                                 Value          Balanced
                                                 Fund             Fund
                                                 ----             ----
   
Net Asset Value Per Share                       $21.670          $14.79
    

Sales Charge, 4.00% of offering
price (4.17% of net asset value
   
per share)                                       $0.90            $0.62

Offering to Public                              $22.57           $15.41
    

In addition to the situations  described in the Prospectus  under "Purchases and
Redemptions of Shares," the Trust may redeem shares involuntarily,  from time to
time,  to reimburse a Fund for any loss  sustained by reason of the failure of a
shareholder to make full payment for shares  purchased by the  shareholder or to
collect  any charge  relating  to  transactions  effected  for the  benefit of a
shareholder  which  is  applicable  to  a  Fund's  shares  as  provided  in  the
Prospectus.

                                       20
<PAGE>


The Trust has filed an election  with the SEC pursuant to which a Fund will only
effect a redemption in portfolio  securities if a shareholder  is redeeming more
than  $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's total net assets,  whichever is less,  during
any 90-day period.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

   
The  exchange  privilege  permits  shareholders  of the Funds to exchange  their
shares  for  shares of any other  fund of the Trust or shares of  certain  other
portfolios of investment  companies  which retain FAdS or FFSI or its affiliates
administrator  or  distributor  and which  participate  in the Trust's  exchange
privilege  program  ("Participating  Fund").  For Federal  income tax  purposes,
exchange  transactions  are treated as sales on which a purchaser will realize a
capital gain or loss  depending  on whether the value of the shares  redeemed is
more or less than his basis in such shares at the time of the transaction.

By use of the exchange privilege, the shareholder authorizes FSS to act upon the
instruction  of any  person  representing  himself  to either be, or to have the
authority  to act on behalf of, the  investor and believed by FSS to be genuine.
The records of FSS of such  instructions  are  binding.  Proceeds of an exchange
transaction  may be  invested in another  Participating  Fund in the name of the
shareholder.
    

Exchange transactions will be made on the basis of relative net asset values per
share at the time of the exchange  transaction plus any sales charge  applicable
to the  Participating  Fund  whose  shares  are  being  acquired.  Shares of any
Participating Fund may be redeemed and the proceeds used to purchase,  without a
sales charge,  shares of any other Participating Fund that are offered without a
sales charge. Shares of any Participating Fund purchased with a sales charge may
be redeemed and the proceeds used to purchase, without a sales charge, shares of
any other  Participating  Fund  otherwise  sold with the same or a lesser  sales
charge. If the Participating Fund purchased in the exchange  transaction imposes
a higher sales charge than was paid  originally  on the  exchanged  shares,  the
shareholder  will  be  responsible  for the  difference  between  the two  sales
charges. Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions
are deemed to have been  acquired with a sales charge rate equal to that paid on
the shares on which the dividend or distribution was paid.

The terms of the exchange privilege are subject to change, and the privilege may
be  terminated  by any of the  Participating  Funds or the  Trust.  However  the
privilege  will not be  terminated,  and no material  change that  restricts the
availability  of the  privilege to  shareholders  will be  implemented,  without
reasonable advance notice to shareholders.

PAYROLL PURCHASE PROGRAM

Shares of the Funds may be purchased by employees of employers  participating in
the Payroll  Purchase  Program  ("PPP").  Employers  wishing to participate must
arrange  payroll  deduction or other bulk  transmission  of  investments  to the
Funds.  An employer may not participate  unless,  at all times, at least five of
the employer's employees are participating in this program.

Once an employer  chooses to participate  in PPP through a payroll  deduction or
other bulk  purchase  plan,  subsequent  investments  will be automatic and will
continue until such time as the investor  notifies the  applicable  Fund and his
employer to discontinue  further  investments.  Due to the varying procedures to
prepare,  process and forward the transmission to the Fund, there may be a delay
between the time of the  deduction  and the time the money  reaches the Fund. An
investment in the Fund will be made at the applicable  offering price determined
on the day that both the check and the payroll  deduction  data are  received in
required form by the Transfer Agent.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT

The Funds offer an individual  retirement  plan (an "IRA") for  individuals  who
wish to use shares of the Funds as a medium for  funding  individual  retirement
savings.  Under the IRA, distributions of net investment income and capital gain
will be  automatically  reinvested in the IRA established for the investor.  The
Funds'  custodian  furnishes 


                                       21
<PAGE>


custodial services to the IRAs for a service fee. Shareholders wishing to invest
through an IRA  should  contact  the  Transfer  Agent for  further  details  and
information.

   
9.  TAX MATTERS

Qualification as a regulated  investment company under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended, does not involve governmental  supervision of management or
investment practices or policies. Investors should consult their own counsel for
a complete  understanding of the requirements the Funds must meet to qualify for
such  treatment.  The  information set forth in the Prospectus and the following
discussion  relate solely to Federal income taxes on dividends and distributions
by a Fund and assume that each Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company.
Investors  should  consult  their own counsel  for  further  details and for the
application of state and local tax laws to the investor's particular situation.

For federal  income and excise tax purposes,  dividends  declared and payable to
shareholders of record as of a date in October,  November or December of a given
year but actually paid during the immediately  following January will be treated
as if paid by a Fund on December 31 of that calendar  year,  and will be taxable
to these  shareholders for the year declared,  and not for the year in which the
shareholders actually received the dividend.

Payson  Value Fund  expects to derive a  substantial  amount of its gross income
(exclusive  of  capital  gain)  from  dividends   from  domestic   corporations.
Accordingly,  that portion of that Fund's  dividends so derived will qualify for
the dividends-received deduction for corporations.  Payson Balanced Fund expects
to derive substantially all of its gross income (exclusive of capital gain) from
sources  other than  dividends.  Accordingly,  it is expected  that most of that
Fund's  dividends or distributions  will not qualify for the  dividends-received
deduction for corporations.
    

Certain listed options and regulated futures  contracts are considered  "section
1256 contracts" for Federal income tax purposes.  Section 1256 contracts held by
a Fund at the end of each  taxable  year will be "marked to market"  and treated
for Federal income tax purposes as though sold for fair market value on the last
business day of such taxable  year.  Gain or loss  realized by a Fund on section
1256  contracts  generally  will be considered  60% long-term and 40% short-term
capital  gain or loss.  A Fund can elect to exempt its  section  1256  contracts
which are part of a "mixed straddle" from the application of section 1256.

With respect to equity or  over-the-counter  put and call options,  gain or loss
realized by a Fund upon the lapse or sale of such  options held by the Fund will
be either  long-term  or  short-term  capital  gain or loss  depending  upon the
respective Fund's holding period with respect to such option.  However,  gain or
loss  realized upon the lapse or closing out of such options that are written by
a Fund will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. In general, if a Fund
exercises an option, or if an option that a Fund has written is exercised,  gain
or loss on the option will not be separately recognized but the premium received
or paid will be included in the calculation of gain or loss upon  disposition of
the property underlying the option.

In  addition,  the  use of  certain  hedging  strategies  such  as  writing  and
purchasing options,  futures contracts and options on futures contracts involves
complex  rules that will  determine  for income tax purposes the  character  and
timing of recognition of income received in connection therewith.

   
10.  OTHER INFORMATION
    

CUSTODIAN

   
Pursuant to a Custodian Agreement, BankBoston, N.A. (formerly The First National
Bank of Boston), 100 Federal Street,  Boston, MA 02106, acts as the custodian of
the Funds' assets.  The custodian's  responsibilities  include  safeguarding and
controlling  the Funds' cash and securities,  determining  income and collecting
interest on Fund investments.
    

                                       22
<PAGE>


COUNSEL

Legal matters in connection  with the issuance of shares of beneficial  interest
of the Trust are passed upon by the law firm of Seward & Kissel,  1200 G Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005

   
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
    

Deloitte  &  Touche  LLP,  125  Summer  Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts,  02110,
independent auditors, act as auditors for the Trust.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
The financial  statements  of Payson  Balanced Fund for the year ended March 31,
1998,  which are included in the Annual Report to  Shareholders of the Trust and
delivered along with this Statement of Additional Information,  are incorporated
herein by reference.
    



                                       23
<PAGE>


   
                               APPENDIX A

           CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

As of July 1, 1998, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group owned less
than 1% of the  outstanding  shares  of each  Fund.  Also as of that  date,  the
shareholders  listed below owned more than 5% of each Fund.  Shareholders owning
25% or more of the  shares of a Fund or of the Trust as a whole may be deemed to
be controlling persons. By reason of their substantial holdings of shares, these
persons may be able to require the Trust to hold a  shareholder  meeting to vote
on certain  issues and may be able to determine  the outcome of any  shareholder
vote.  As noted,  certain of these  shareholders  are known to the Trust to hold
their shares of record only and have no beneficial interest, including the right
to vote, in the shares.
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                       <C>
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                       ------------               -------------
OAK HALL SMALL CAP CONTRARIAN FUND
- ----------------------------------

Maryann Wolf                                                              13.30%                   40,946.955
55 Central Park West Apt 12-13
New York  NY  10023

Simeon Gold & Heide Gold, Jt. Ten.                                         9.05%                   27,856.149
136 East 76th Street Apt. 10F
New York  NY  10021

Jane Levy                                                                  5.73%                   17,622.969
320 West 87th Street Apt. 3W
New York  NY  10024

Bank of Boston, IRA Custodian                                              5.70%                   17,553.097
FBO Maryann Wolf
55 Central Park West Apt. 12-13
New York  NY  10023

WR Family Associates 401K Plan Option                                      5.48%                   16,870.661
Attn: Olga M. Dimmini
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2400 New York, NY 10168-002

    


                                      A-1
<PAGE>



   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND                                           ------------               -------------
INSTITUTIONAL  SHARES
- ---------------------

H M Payson & Co. Custody Account                                          56.56%                 18,033,015.150
FBO Customer Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland  ME  04112


H M Payson & Co. Trust Account                                            43.44%                 13,850,465.390
FBO Trust Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Bank of Boston, IRA Rollover Custodian                                    16.52%                  826,387.330
FBO Merne E. Young Rollover
18751 San Rufino
Irvine, CA 92612

Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation                                    15.90%                  795,276.550
Foundation Smith Family Care Fund
Attn: Kristy Hurley
2850 N. Garey Avenue
P.O. Box 6001
Pomona, CA 91769-6001                                                     15.90%                  795,276.550

Lansdowne Parking Associates LP                                            9.99%                  499,939.120
c/o Meredith Management
29 Crafts Street #300
Newton, MA 02158

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                         100%                     100.920
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101


DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Allagash & Co.                                                            46.30%                 12,236,932.890
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477
    

                                      A-2
<PAGE>



   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND                                                 ------------              -------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES CON'T

H M Payson & Co. Custody Account                                          34.44%                 9.101,914.440
FBO Customer Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

H M Payson & Co. Trust Account                                            19.27%                 5,092,100.590
FBO Trust Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Cutler Approved List Equity Fund                                          18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Sound Shore Fund                                                          18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Small Cap Value Fund                                                  18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Cutler Equity Income Fund                                                 18.12%                  951,550.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM All Cap Value Fund                                                     9.45%                  496,164.720
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Mid Cap Value Fund                                                     5.70%                  299,263.830
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    

                                       A-3
<PAGE>



   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF               AMOUNT OF
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               SHARES OWNED
                                                                       ------------               ------------
DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, Inc.                                        100%                     101.200
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    



<PAGE>


   
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

Allagash & Co.                                                            72.89%                 11,915,149.240
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                    26.73%                 4,368,592.160
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302-0477

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Dirigo Drywall Assoc.                                                     22.89%                  682,716.350
225 Riverside Street
Portland, ME 04103

Cutler Approved List Equity Fund                                          19.58%                  583,950.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Sound Shore Fund                                                          19.58%                  583,950.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc./
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Small Cap Value Fund                                                  19.58%                  583,950,000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    

                                      A-4
<PAGE>



   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF                AMOUNT OF
                                                                       SHARES OWNED              SHARES OWNED
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND                               ------------              ------------
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES-CON'T

Cutler Equity Income Fund                                                 9.05%                   269,894.440
C/O Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square

CRM All Cap Value Fund                                                    6.23%                   185,729.030
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                         100%                     100.900
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                    46.72%                 9,494,221.860
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                            25.38%                 5,157,680.310
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Imperial Securities Corp.                                                 23.96%                 4,868,005.220
Attn: Jack Singer
9920 South La Cieniega Blvd 14th Fl
Inglewood, CA 90301

DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Forum Financing                                                            100%                      5.000
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    

                                      A-5
<PAGE>



   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF                AMOUNT OF
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               SHARES OWNED
DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND                                           ------------               ------------
INVESTOR SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                        100%                      100.060
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS TREASURY OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   65.16%                 62,106,021.450
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                           34.84%                 33,201,966.980
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

DAILY ASSETS TREASURY OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE

Allagash & Co.                                                           99.10%                  1,657,595.720
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

INVESTORS BOND FUND
- -------------------
Firstrust Co.                                                            72.38%                  5,714,958.415
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

SEI Trust Company                                                        11.10%                   876,782.753
c/o Irwin Union Bank & Trust
Attn:  Mutual Funds Administrator
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks  PA  19456
    


                                      A-6
<PAGE>



   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      ------------               -------------
FORUM TAXSAVER BOND FUND
- ------------------------
First Trust Co.                                                          49.33%                  1,717,000.264
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

SEI Trust Company                                                        21.80%                   758,668.285
c/o Irwin Union Bank & Trust
Attn:  Mutual Funds Administrator
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks  PA  19456

Leonore Zusman Ttee                                                       6.03%                   209,963.557
Leonore Zusman Living Trust  U/A/D 2/3/93
6439 Woodacre Ct.
Englewood  OH  45322

Lawrence L. Zusman Ttee                                                   5.41%                   188,185.433
Lawrence L. Zusman Living Trust  U/A/D 2/3/93
6439 Woodacre Court
Englewood  OH  45322

HIGH GRADE BOND FUND

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   99.76%                  3.451,019.518
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

MAINE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

Administrative Data Management Corp.                                     42.71%                  1,110,715.231
Attn: Sue Needell
581 Main Street
Woodbridge, NJ 07095-1198

NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND

Independence Trust                                                       45.62%                   565,735.702
Attn: Linda Feliciano
200 Bedford Street 5th
Manchester, NH 03101
    


                                      A-7
<PAGE>



   
                                                                  PERCENTAGE OF SHARES         AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      OF FUND OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      -------------              -------------

PAYSON BALANCED FUND
- --------------------

ALA & Co.                                                                15.49%                   258,329.088
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

Payse & Co.                                                              14.98%                   249,788.506
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

PAYSON VALUE FUND
- -----------------

Payse & Co.                                                              21.90%                   208,621.301
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

ALA & Co.                                                                18.09%                   172,271.808
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

INVESTORS EQUITY FUND
- ---------------------

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   94.40%                  2,383,117.225
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                            5.18%                   130,658.987
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302
    

                                      A-8
<PAGE>




   
                                                                  PERCENTAGE OF SHARES         AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      OF FUND OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      -------------              -------------
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
- -------------------------

Forum Financing                                                          67.80%                     500.000
Forum Financial Group
Two Portland Square
Portland  ME  04101

Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Sec Corp.                                   32.20%                     237.417
Mutual Funds Dept. - 5th Floor
PO Box 2052
Jersey City  NJ  07303

INVESTORS GROWTH FUND
- ----------------------

Firstrust Co.                                                            99.95%                  3,013,520.631
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

EQUITY INDEX FUND
- -----------------

Allagash & Co.                                                           99.27%                   440,772.554
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302

SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                        100%                      500.000
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

EMERGING MARKETS FUND

Forum Financing                                                          65.52%                     500.00
Attn:  Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Donald, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp.                               34.48%                     263.158
Mutual Funds Dept.-5th Floor
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ 07303
    

                                      A-9
<PAGE>



   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      ------------               -------------
QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND
- ------------------------

Holly Melosi & Arturo R. Melosi TTEE                                     80.77%                   406,724.176
FBO Atrgur & Holly Magill Foundation
36 Woodland Way Circle
Greenville, SC 29601

HMK Enterprises, Inc.                                                    8.41%%                   42,337.003
800 South Street
Suite 355
Waltham  MA  02154

QUADRA GROWTH FUND
- ------------------

Holly Melosi & Arturo R. Melosi TTEE                                     77.64%                   454,757.022
FBO Arthur & Holly Magill Foundation
36 Woodland Way Circle
Greenville, SC 29601

John E. Rosenthal                                                         12.52                   73,322.092
1212 West Street
Carlisle, MA 01741-1428

POLARIS GLOBAL VALUE FUND
- -------------------------
David Solomont                                                           11.39%                   271,791.712
c/o Utopia Inc.
200 Fifth Avenue
Waltham, MA 02154

DCGT TR                                                                   5.35%                   127,724.287
FBO Audrey Lewis-REG IRA
10 Rogers Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
    

</TABLE>




                                      A-10
<PAGE>


                                PAYSON VALUE FUND
                              PAYSON BALANCED FUND

   
                                   APPENDIX B
                        DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
    


1.       CORPORATE BONDS

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. ("MOODY'S")

Moody's rates  corporate  bond issues,  including  convertible  debt issues,  as
follows:

Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged by Moody's 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 the various protective elements are
likely to change,  such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Bonds  which are rated Aa are  judged to be of high  quality  by all  standards.
Together  with  the Aaa  group,  they  comprise  what  are  generally  known  as
high-grade  bonds.  They are rated lower than the best bonds because  margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements  may be of greater  amplitude  or there may be other  elements  present
which make the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

Bonds which are rated A 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 some time in the future.

Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they
are neither highly protected nor poorly secured.  Interest payment 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.

Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative  elements;  their future
cannot be  considered  as well  assured.  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
bonds in this class.

Bonds  which  are  rated  B  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.

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

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

Bonds which are rated C 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.

Note:  Those  bonds in the Aa, A, Baa,  Ba or B groups  which  Moody's  believes
possess the strongest  investment  attributes are designated by the symbols Aa1,
A1, Baa1, Ba1, and B1.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>

STANDARD AND POOR'S CORPORATION ("S&P")

S&P rates corporate bond issues, including convertible debt issues, as follows:

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

Bonds rated AA have a very strong  capacity to pay interest and repay  principal
and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.

Bonds  rated A 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  rated  in  higher  rated
categories.

Bonds rated BBB 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
weakened  capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category
than in higher rated categories.

Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C are  regarded,  on  balance,  as  predominantly
speculative  with  respect to the  issuer's  capacity to pay  interest and repay
principal in  accordance  with the terms of the  obligation.  BB  indicates  the
lowest degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such
bonds will likely have some quality and  protective  characteristics,  these are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
Bonds  rated  BB  have  less  near-term  vulnerability  to  default  than  other
speculative issues.  However,  they face major ongoing uncertainties or exposure
to adverse  business,  financial,  or  economic  conditions  which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments.

Bonds rated B have a greater  vulnerability  to default but  currently  have the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal  repayments.  Adverse business,
financial,  or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to
pay interest and repay principal.

Bonds rated CCC have currently  identifiable  vulnerability to default,  and are
dependent upon favorable  business,  financial,  and economic conditions to meet
timely  payment of interest and repayment of principal.  In the event of adverse
business,  financial,  or economic  conditions,  they are not likely to have the
capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

Bonds rated CC typically are debt  subordinated to senior debt which is assigned
an actual or implied CCC debt  rating.  This rating may also be used to indicate
imminent default.

The C rating may be used to cover a situation  where a  bankruptcy  petition has
been filed, but debt service  payments are continued.  The rating Cl is reserved
for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

Bonds are rated D when the issue is in payment default, or the obligor has filed
for  bankruptcy.  Bonds rated D are in payment  default or the obligor has filed
for  bankruptcy.  The D  rating  category  is used  when  interest  payments  or
principal  payments are not made on the date due, even if the  applicable  grace
period has not expired,  unless S&P believes that such payments will made during
such grace period.

Note:  The ratings  from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+)
or minus (-) sign to show the relative standing within the rating category.

FITCH IBCA, INC. ("FITCH")

Fitch rates  corporate  bond  issues,  including  convertible  debt  issues,  as
follows:

                                      B-2
<PAGE>

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
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, shorter-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 bonds with higher ratings.

BBB Bonds are  considered  to be  investment  grade and of  satisfactory  credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest 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 bonds,  and therefore
impair timely payment.  The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall
below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher 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  bonds 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 which, 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
bonds  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 bonds,  and D represents
the lowest potential for recovery.

Plus (+) and  minus (-) signs  are used  with a rating  symbol to  indicate  the
relative position of a credit within the rating category.  Plus and minus signs,
however, are not used in the AAA, DDD, DD, or D categories.

2.       PREFERRED STOCK

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

Moody's rates preferred stock as follows:

An issue rated aaa is  considered  to be a  top-quality  preferred  stock.  This
rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment
among preferred stock issues.

An issue  rated aa is  considered  a  high-grade  preferred  stock.  This rating
indicates  that  there  is  a  reasonable  assurance  that  earnings  and  asset
protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future.

                                      B-3
<PAGE>

An issue rated a is  considered to be an  upper-medium  grade  preferred  stock.
While  risks  are  judged  to be  somewhat  greater  than  in  the  aaa  and  aa
classification,  earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be
maintained at adequate levels.

An issue rated baa is considered to be a medium-grade,  neither highly protected
nor poorly secured. Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but
may be questionable over any great length of time.

An issue rated ba is  considered  to have  speculative  elements  and its future
cannot be considered  well assured.  Earnings and asset  protection  may be very
moderate  and not  well  safeguarded  during  adverse  periods.  Uncertainty  of
position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

An issue which is rated b  generally  lacks the  characteristics  of a desirable
investment. Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other terms of the
issue over any long period of time may be small.

An issue  which is rated caa is likely to be in  arrears on  dividend  payments.
This  rating  designation  does not  purport to  indicate  the future  status of
payments.

An issue which is rated ca is  speculative  in a high degree and is likely to be
in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payment.

An issue which is rated c can be regarded as having  extremely poor prospects of
ever attaining any real investment  standing.  This is the lowest rated class of
preferred or preference stock.

Note:   Moody's  applies  numerical   modifiers  1,  2  and  3  in  each  rating
classification  from aa through b in its  preferred  stock  rating  system.  The
modifier 1 indicates  that the  security  ranks in the higher end of its generic
rating category;  the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier
3  indicates  that the  issuer  ranks in the  lower  end of its  generic  rating
category.

STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION

S&P rates preferred stock as follows:

AAA is the highest rating that is assigned by S&P to a preferred stock issue and
indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations.

A preferred  stock issue rated AA also qualifies as a high-quality  fixed income
security.  The  capacity to pay  preferred  stock  obligations  is very  strong,
although not as overwhelming as for issues rated AAA.

An issue  rated A is  backed  by a sound  capacity  to pay the  preferred  stock
obligations,  although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions.

An issue  rated BBB is  regarded  as backed by an  adequate  capacity to pay the
preferred stock  obligations.  Whereas it normally exhibits adequate  protection
parameters,  adverse  economic  conditions  or changing  circumstances  are more
likely to lead to a weakened  capacity to make payments for a preferred stock in
this category than for issues in the A category.

Preferred stock rated BB, B, and CCC are regarded,  on balance, as predominantly
speculative  with  respect  to the  issuer's  capacity  to pay  preferred  stock
obligations.  BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation  and CCC the highest
degree of  speculation.  While such issues  will  likely  have some  quality and
protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major
risk exposures to adverse conditions.

The rating CC is reserved for a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or
sinking fund payments but that is currently paying.

                                      B-4
<PAGE>

A preferred stock rated C is a non-paying issue.

A preferred  stock rated D is a  non-paying  issue with the issuer in default on
debt instruments.

To provide more detailed  indications of preferred  stock  quality,  the ratings
from AA to CCC may be modified  by the  addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign
to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

3.       SHORT-TERM DEBT (COMMERCIAL PAPER)

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

Moody's two highest ratings for short-term debt, including commercial paper, are
Prime-1 and Prime-2,  both are judged investment grade, to indicate the relative
repayment ability of rated issuers.

Issuers rated Prime-1 have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term
debt  obligations.  Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of
the following characteristics:

          --      Leading market positions in well-established industries.
          --      High rates of return on funds employed.
          --      Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance 
                  on debt and ample asset protection.
          --      Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges
                  and high internal cash generation.
          --      Well-established access to a range of financial markets and
                  assured sources of alternate liquidity.

Issuers rated  Prime-2 by Moody's have a strong  ability for repayment of senior
short-term  debt  obligations.  This will  normally be  evidenced by many of the
characteristics of issuers rated Prime-1 but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends
and  coverage   ratios,   while  sound,   may  be  more  subject  to  variation.
Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by
external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

STANDARD AND POOR'S CORPORATION

S&P's two highest  commercial  paper  ratings are A and B. Issues  assigned an A
rating are regarded as having the greatest  capacity for timely payment.  Issues
in this  category  are  delineated  with the numbers 1, 2 and 3 to indicate  the
relative  degree of  safety.  An A-1  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 denoted
with a plus (+) sign designation. The capacity for timely payment on issues with
an A-2 designation is strong.  However,  the relative degree of safety is not as
high as for issues  designated A-1. A-3 issues have a satisfactory  capacity for
timely  payment.  They are,  however,  somewhat  more  vulnerable to the adverse
effects  of  changes  in  circumstances  than  obligations  carrying  the higher
designations.  Issues rated B are  regarded as having only an adequate  capacity
for timely payment. However, such capacity may be damaged by changing conditions
or short-term adversities.

FITCH IBCA, INC..

Fitch's  short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand
or have original maturities of generally up to three years, including commercial
paper, certificates of deposit,  medium-term notes, and municipal and investment
notes.

F-1+. Issues assigned this rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of
assurance for timely payment.

F-1.  Issues  assigned this rating  reflect an assurance of timely  payment only
slightly less in degree than issues rated F-1+.

F-2.  Issues  assigned this rating have a  satisfactory  degree of assurance for
timely payment,  but the margin of safety is not as great as for issues assigned
F-1+ or F-1 ratings.

                                      B-5
<PAGE>

F-3. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics suggesting that the degree
of assurance for timely payment is adequate,  however, near-term adverse changes
could cause these securities to be rated below investment grade.

F-S.  Issues  assigned  this rating have  characteristics  suggesting  a minimal
degree of assurance for timely payment and are  vulnerable to near-term  adverse
changes in financial and economic conditions.

D.   Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent payment default.


                                      B-6
<PAGE>

   
                                   APPENDIX C

                        ADDITIONAL ADVERTISING MATERIALS
    

                             TEXT OF FORUM BROCHURE

In connection with its  advertisements,  a Fund may provide a description of the
Fund's investment adviser and its affiliates, which are service providers to the
Fund. Text which is currently in use is set forth below.

"FORUM FINANCIAL GROUP OF COMPANIES

Forum Financial  Group of Companies  represent more than a decade of diversified
experience  with every  aspect of mutual  funds.  The Forum  Family of Funds has
benefited from the informed,  sharply  focused  perspective on mutual funds that
experience makes possible.

The Forum Family of Funds has been created and managed by  affiliated  companies
of Portland-based  Forum Financial Group, among the nation's largest mutual fund
administrators  providing clients with a full line of services for every type of
mutual fund.

The Forum  Family of Funds is designed to give  investment  representatives  and
investors a broad choice of carefully  structured  and  diversified  portfolios,
portfolios  that can satisfy a wide  variety of  immediate  as well as long-term
investment goals.

Forum  Financial Group has developed its "brand name" family of mutual funds and
has made them available to the investment public and to institutions on both the
national and regional levels.

For more than a decade Forum has had direct  experience with mutual funds from a
different  perspective,  a perspective  made  possible by Forum's  position as a
leading designer and full-service  administrator  and manager of mutual funds of
all types.

Today Forum  Financial  Group  administers  and  provides  services for over 120
mutual  funds for 17  different  fund  managers,  with more than $30  billion in
client assets. Forum has its headquarters in Portland, Maine, and has offices in
Seattle, Bermuda, and Warsaw, Poland. In a joint venture with Bank Handlowy, the
largest  and  oldest  commercial  bank  in  Poland,   Forum  operates  the  only
independent  transfer agent and mutual fund accounting business in Poland. Forum
directs an off-shore and hedge fund administration  business through its Bermuda
office. It employs more than 230 professionals worldwide.

From the  beginning,  Forum  developed a plan of action that was effective  with
both start- up funds, and funds that needed  restructuring and improved services
in order to live up to their potential.  The success of its innovative  approach
is  evident  in  Forum's  growth  rate over the  years,  a growth  rate that has
consistently outstripped that of the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as
that of the fund service outsource industry.

Forum has worked with both  domestic  and  international  mutual fund  sponsors,
designing  unique  mutual  fund  structures,  positioning  new funds  within the
sponsors' own corporate planning and targeted markets.

Forum's staff of experienced lawyers, many of whom have been associated with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  have  been  available  to work with fund
sponsors to customize  fund  components and to evaluate the potential of various
fund structures.

Forum has introduced fund sponsors to its unique proprietary Core and Gateway(R)
partnership,  helping them to take advantage of this full-service  master/feeder
structure.

                                      C-1
<PAGE>

Fund sponsors  understand that even the most efficiently and creatively designed
fund can disappoint  shareholders  if it is inadequately  serviced.  That is the
reason why fund  sponsors  have relied on Forum to meet all of a fund's  complex
compliance, regulatory, and filing needs.

Forum's full service commitment  includes providing state-of- the-art accounting
support (Forum has 8 CPAs on staff, as well as senior  accountants who have been
associated with Big 6 accounting firms).  Forum's proprietary  accounting system
is continually upgraded and can provide custom-built modules to satisfy a fund's
specific  requirements.   This  service  is  joined  with  transfer  agency  and
shareholder  service  groups that draw their strength both from the high caliber
of the people staffing each unit and from Forum's  advanced  technology  support
system.

More than a decade of  experience  with mutual  funds has given Forum  practical
hands-on  experience and knowledge of how mutual funds function "from the inside
out."

Forum has put that  experience to work by creating the Forum Family of Funds,  a
family where each member is designed  and  positioned  for your best  investment
advantage,  and where each fund is  serviced  with the utmost  attention  to the
delivery of timely, accurate, and comprehensive shareholder information.

INVESTMENT ADVISERS

Forum Investment  Advisors,  LLC offers the services of portfolio  managers with
the highest  qualifications--because without such direction, a comprehensive and
goal-oriented  investment  program  and  ongoing  investment  strategy  are  not
possible.  Serving  as  portfolio  managers  for the  Forum  Family of Funds are
individuals  with  decades  of  experience  with  some  of the  country's  major
financial institutions.

Individual  funds in the Forum Family of Funds invest in portfolios that have as
their investment adviser nationally recognized institutions,  including Schroder
Capital Management International, Inc., a major figure in worldwide mutual funds
that, with its affiliates, managed over $175 billion as of September 30, 1997.

Forum Funds are also  managed by the  portfolio  managers of H.M.  Payson & Co.,
founded in Portland, Maine in 1854 and one of the oldest investment firms in the
country.  Payson has approximately $1 billion in assets under  management,  with
clients that include  pension plans,  endowment  funds,  and  institutional  and
individual accounts.

FORUM INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC

Forum Investment  Advisors,  LLC is the largest Maine based  investment  adviser
with  approximately  $1.4  billion in assets  under  management.  The  portfolio
managers have decades of combined experience in a cross section of the country's
financial  markets.  The managers have  specific,  day-to-day  experience in the
asset class  portfolios  they manage,  bringing  critical  focus to meeting each
fund's explicit investment objectives. The portfolio managers have been involved
in investing the assets of large  insurance  companies,  banks,  pension  plans,
individuals,  and of course mutual funds. Forum Investment  Advisors,  LLC has a
staff of analysts and investment  administrators  to meet the demands of serving
shareholders in our funds.

FORUM FAMILY OF FUNDS

It has been said that  mutual  fund  investment  offerings--of  which  there are
nearly  10,000,  with assets spread across stock,  bond,  and money market funds
worth  more  than  $4  trillion--come  in  a  rainbow  of  varieties.  A  better
description  would be a "spectrum" of varieties,  the spectrum graded from green
through  amber  and on to red.  In  simpler  terms,  from low risk  investments,
through moderate to high risk. The lower the risk, the lower the possible reward
- -- the higher the risk, the higher the potential reward.

                                      C-2
<PAGE>

The Forum Family of Funds provides  conservative  investment  opportunities that
reduce the risk of loss of capital,  using underlying  money market  investments
U.S. Government  securities  (although the shares of the Forum Funds are neither
insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies),  thus cushioning
the investment  against  market  volatility.  These funds offer regular  income,
ready access to your money, and flexibility to buy or sell at any time.

In the less  conservative  but still not  aggressive  category  are funds in the
Forum Family that seek to provide steady income and, in certain cases,  tax-free
earnings.  Such investments  provide important  diversification to an investment
portfolio.

Growth funds in the Forum Family more  aggressively  pursue a high return at the
risk of market volatility.  These funds include domestic and international stock
mutual funds."

                                      C-3
<PAGE>


                      TEXT OF PEOPLES HERITAGE NEWS RELEASE

Peoples Heritage Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:PHBK) announced today that it has
formed an alliance with a major mutual fund provider and an investment  advisory
firm to expand its mutual fund  offerings.  The  alliance  with Forum  Financial
Group and H.M.  Payson & Company will result in 18 funds,  including  the unique
Maine Municipal Bond Fund and New Hampshire Bond Fund, being offered through the
branches  of Peoples'  affiliate  banks in Maine,  New  Hampshire  and  northern
Massachusetts and the Company's trust and investment subsidiaries

'There is no secret to where  financial  services  are moving,  under one roof,"
said William J. Ryan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Peoples
Heritage.   "One  only  has  to  watch  the  virtually  daily  announcements  of
consolidations  in  the  financial  sector  to  understand  that  customers  are
demanding and receiving 'one-stop' financial services.

"We think we are adding the additional  competitive  advantage of funds that are
managed and administered close to home."

Eighteen  Forum funds will be offered  including two Payson funds.  The tax-free
Maine and New Hampshire  state bond funds are the only two such funds  available
and usually  invest 80% of total  assets in  municipal  securities.  Other funds
being  provided by the alliance  include money  market,  fixed income and equity
funds.

   
Forum Financial, based in Portland, Maine since 1987, administers 146 funds with
more than $36 billion in assets.  Forum  manages  mutual  funds for  independent
investment advisers such as Payson and for banks. Forum Investment Advisors, LLC
an affiliate,  is the largest Maine-based  investment adviser with approximately
$1.7 billion in fund assets under management.
    

"We are providing a great product set to the customers served by Peoples' nearly
200 branches in northern New  England,"  said John Y.  Keffer,  Forum  Financial
president,  "The key today is to link a wide variety of investment  options with
convergent, easy access for customers. I believe this alliance does just that."

   
H.M.  Payson & Co.,  founded in 1854, is one of the nation's  oldest  investment
firms with  nearly $1 billion in assets  under  management  and $300  million in
non-managed custodial accounts. The Payson Value
    
Fund and Payson Balanced Fund are among the 18 offerings.

   
"I believe we have all the  ingredients  of a  tremendous  alliance,"  said John
Walker,  Payson president and managing  director.  "We have the region's premier
community banking company,  a community-based  investment  adviser,  and a local
mutual fund company that operates  nationally  and  specializes  in working with
banks. We are poised to provide solid investment performance and service."
    

Peoples Heritage Financial Group is a $10 billion multi-state bank and financial
services  holding company  headquartered  in Portland,  Maine. Its Maine banking
affiliate,  Peoples Heritage Bank, has the state's leading deposit market share.
Its New Hampshire  banking  affiliate,  Bank of New  Hampshire,  has the state's
leading deposit market share. Family Bank, the Company's  Massachusetts  banking
subsidiary,  has the state's tenth largest  deposit market share and the leading
market  share  in many of the  northern  Massachusetts  communities  it  serves.
Peoples  affiliate  banks  also  operate  subsidiaries  in  leasing,  trust  and
investment services and insurance.

                                      C-4
<PAGE>


FORUM FINANCIAL GROUP:

Headquarters:  Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101
President:  John Y. Keffer
Offices:  Portland, Seattle, Warsaw, Bermuda
   
*Established  in 1986 to  administer  mutual  funds for  independent  investment
 advisers and banks
*Among the nation's largest  third-party fund  administrators
*Uses proprietary in-house systems and custom programming capabilities
    
         *ADMINISTRATION  AND  DISTRIBUTION  SERVICES:   Regulatory, compliance,
          expense  accounting, budgeting for all funds
         *FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICES:  Portfolio  valuation, accounting, dividend
          declaration, and tax advice
         *SHAREHOLDER SERVICES: Preparation of statements, distribution support,
          inquiries and processing of trades
*CLIENT ASSETS UNDER ADMINISTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION:  $36.9 billion
*CLIENT ASSETS PROCESSED BY FUND ACCOUNTING:  $47.6 billion
*CLIENT FUNDS UNDER ADMINISTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION:  146 mutual funds with 219
 share classes
*INTERNATIONAL VENTURES:
         Joint  venture  with Bank  Handlowy in Warsaw,  Poland,  using  Forum's
         proprietary   transfer  agency  and  distribution   systems   Off-shore
         investment  fund  administration,  using  Bermuda as Forum's  center of
         operations
*FORUM EMPLOYEES:  United States -198, Poland - 61, Bermuda - 3

FORUM CONTACTS:
Mark Kaplan, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, Forum Investment
Advisors, LLC,
(207) 879-1900 X 6123
Tony Santaniello, Director of Marketing, (207) 879-1900 X 6175

                                      C-5
<PAGE>

H.M. PAYSON & CO.:
- -----------------

Headquarters:  One Portland Square, Portland, Maine
President and Managing Director: John Walker
Quality investment services and conservative wealth management since 1854
   
*Assets under Management: $1.5 Billion
*Non-Managed Custody Assets: $388 Million
*Client Base: 85% individuals; 15% institutional
*Owned by 12 shareholders; 12 managing directors
    
*Payson Balanced Fund and Payson Value Fund  (administrative  and shareholder
 services  provided by Forum Financial Group)
*Employees: 45


H.M. PAYSON & CO. CONTACT:
Joel Harris, Marketing Coordinator, (207) 772-3761







                                      C-6
<PAGE>


                            AUSTIN GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

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

   
Investment Advisor:                         Account Information and
    Austin Investment Management, Inc.      Shareholder Servicing:
    375 Park Avenue, Suite 2102                  Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
    New York, New York 10152                Two Portland Square
    (212) 888-9292                               Portland, Maine  04101
                                                 207-879-0001
                                                 800-754-8759

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                 August 1, 1998

Austin Global Equity Fund (the "Fund') is a series of Forum Funds (the "Trust"),
a  registered  open-end   investment  company.   This  Statement  of  Additional
Information  ("SAI")  supplements  the Prospectus  dated August 1, 1998 offering
shares of the Austin  Global Equity Fund (the "Fund") and should be read only in
conjunction with the Prospectus,  a copy of which may be obtained without charge
by contacting Forum Shareholder Services, LLC at the address listed above.
    

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
   
      1.       General......................................................
      2.       Investment Policies..........................................
      3.       Additional Investment Policies...............................
      4.       Performance Data.............................................
      5.       Management...................................................
      6.       Determination of Net Asset Value.............................
      7.       Portfolio Transactions.......................................
      8.       Additional Purchase and
    
                 Redemption Information.....................................
   
      9.       Tax Matters..................................................
      10.      Other Matters................................................

      Appendix A - Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities...... A-1
      Appendix B - Description of Securities Ratings
    

THIS  STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND IS AUTHORIZED
FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE  INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY AN
EFFECTIVE PROSPECTUS.


<PAGE>


   
1.       GENERAL

THE  TRUST.  The Trust is  registered  with the SEC as an  open-end,  management
investment  company and was organized as a business  trust under the laws of the
State of Delaware on August 29, 1995. On January 5, 1996 the Trust  succeeded to
the  assets  and  liabilities  of  Forum  Funds,  Inc.  Forum  Funds,  Inc.  was
incorporated  on March 24,  1980 and assumed  the name of Forum  Funds,  Inc. on
March 16, 1987. The Board of Directors ("Board"),  without shareholder approval,
has the authority to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial  interest
with no par value per share and  create  separate  classes  of shares  with each
series (such as Investor and Institutional  Shares).  The Trust currently offers
shares of 23 series. The series of the Trust are as follows:

Investors Bond Fund                           Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund
TaxSaver Bond Fund                            Austin Global Equity Fund
Investors High Grade Bond Fund                Quadra Value Equity Fund
Maine Municipal Bond Fund                     Quadra Growth Fund
New Hampshire Bond Fund                       Polaris Global Value Fund
Daily Assets Government Fund                  Investors Equity Fund
Daily Assets Treasury Obligations Fund        Equity Index Fund
Daily Assets Cash Fund                        Small Company Opportunities Fund
Daily Assets Government Obligations Fund      International Equities Fund
Daily Assets Municipal Fund                   Emerging Markets Fund
Payson Value Fund                             Investors Growth Fund
Payson Balanced Fund

Each  share of each  fund of the  Trust  and  each  class of  shares  has  equal
dividend,  distribution,  liquidation and voting rights,  and fractional  shares
have  those  rights  proportionately,   except  that  expenses  related  to  the
distribution  of the shares of each class (and certain  other  expenses  such as
transfer  agency and  administration  expenses) are borne solely by those shares
and each class votes separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1
plan  which  pertain to the class and other  matters  for which  separate  class
voting is appropriate under applicable law.  Generally,  shares will be voted in
the aggregate  without reference to a particular  portfolio or class,  except if
the matter  affects only one  portfolio or class or voting by portfolio or class
is required by law, in which case shares will be voted  separately  by portfolio
or class, as appropriate. Delaware law does not require the Trust to hold annual
meetings of shareholders,  and it is anticipated that shareholder  meetings will
be held only when  specifically  required by Federal or state law.  Shareholders
have  available  certain  procedures  for the removal of Trustees.  There are no
conversion or  preemptive  rights in  connection  with shares of the Trust.  All
shares when issued in  accordance  with the terms of the offering  will be fully
paid and nonassessable.  Shares are redeemable at net asset value, at the option
of the  shareholders,  subject to any contingent  deferred sales charge that may
apply.  A shareholder in a portfolio is entitled to the  shareholder's  pro rata
share of all dividends and  distributions  arising from that portfolio's  assets
and, upon  redeeming  shares,  will receive the portion of the  portfolio's  net
assets represented by the redeemed shares.

As of July 1, 1998,  the  Officers  and  Directors of the Trust as a group owned
less  than 1% of the  outstanding  shares  of the  Fund.  Also as of that  date,
Appendix  A  identifies  all  shareholders  who own of  record 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of any of the Registrant's series.

DEFINITIONS. As used in this Statement of Additional Information,  the following
terms shall have the meanings listed:

"Board" means the Board of Trustees of Forum Funds.

"FAdS" means Forum Administrative Services, LLC.

"FAcS" means Forum Accounting Services, LLC.

"FFC" means Forum Financial Corp.

"FFSI" means Forum Financial Services, Inc.

                                       2
<PAGE>


"Adviser" " means Austin Investment Management, Inc.

"Fund" means Austin Global Equity Fund

"Fund Business Day" has the meaning ascribed  thereto in the current  Prospectus
of the Fund.

"NRSRO" means a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

"SAI" means this Statement of Additional Information.

"SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Trust" means Forum Funds, a Delaware business trust.

"U.S.  Government  Securities" has the meaning  ascribed  thereto by the current
Prospectus of the Fund.

"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

2.  INVESTMENT POLICIES
    

         The Fund's investment adviser, Austin Investment Management,  Inc. (the
"Adviser"),  in determining  the composition of the Fund's  portfolio,  seeks to
distribute investments among various countries, including the United States, and
various  geographic  regions.  In  making  investment  decisions,   the  Adviser
considers  many  factors,  including:  prospects  for economic  growth among the
various  countries;  relative amounts of capital invested in foreign  countries;
expected  levels  of  inflation;   government  policies   influencing   business
conditions; outlooks for relative currency exchange rates in the future; and the
range of investment opportunities available.

INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN SECURITIES

The Fund invests primarily in issuers based in the United States,  Europe, Japan
and the Pacific Basin. The European and Pacific Basin countries in which issuers
will be based are primarily those of Western Europe, such as the United Kingdom,
Germany,  France,  Italy  and  the  Scandinavian  countries,  and  South  Korea,
Australia and New Zealand.

Foreign  securities are generally  purchased in  over-the-counter  markets or on
stock  exchanges  located in the  countries  in which the  respective  principal
offices of the issuers of the various  securities  are  located,  if that is the
best available market. Foreign securities markets are generally not as developed
or efficient as those in the United States,  and securities of foreign companies
may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable United States
companies.  Fixed  commissions on foreign stock  exchanges are generally  higher
than negotiated  commissions on United States exchanges,  although the Fund will
endeavor  to  achieve  the  most   favorable   net  results  on  its   portfolio
transactions.  There is generally less government  supervision and regulation of
stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the United States. Foreign
countries may place  limitations  on the removal of funds or other assets of the
Fund,  and  diplomatic  developments  could affect United States  investments in
those countries.  Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or
unfavorably  from the United States' economy in such respects as growth of gross
national product, rate of inflation,  capital reinvestment,  self-sufficiency of
natural resources and balance of payments position.

The dividends and interest  payable on certain of the Fund's  foreign  portfolio
securities may be subject to foreign  withholding  taxes,  thus reducing the net
amount of income  available  for  distribution  to the  Fund's  shareholders.  A
shareholder otherwise subject to United States federal income taxes may, subject
to certain  limitations,  be  entitled to claim a credit or  deduction  for U.S.
federal income tax purposes for the shareholder's proportionate share of foreign
taxes paid by the Fund. (See "Tax Matters.")

                                       3
<PAGE>


Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars,  it will not
normally convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily
basis.  It will do so from time to time,  and  investors  should be aware of the
costs of currency conversion.  Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a
fee for conversion,  they do realize a profit based on the difference  (commonly
known as the  "spread")  between  the price 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.

Investors  should  understand that the expense ratio of the Fund can be expected
to be  higher  than  that of other  investment  companies  investing  solely  in
domestic  securities due to, among other things, the greater cost of maintaining
the custody of foreign securities and higher transaction charges,  such as stamp
duties and turnover  taxes that may be associated  with the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities.

RATINGS AS INVESTMENT CRITERIA

   
Moody's Investors  Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's") and Standard & Poor's Corporation
("S&P") are private  services that provide ratings of the credit quality of debt
obligations,  including  convertible  securities.  A description of the range of
ratings assigned to corporate bonds, including convertible securities by Moody's
and S&P is included in Appendix B to this  Statement of Additional  Information.
The Fund may use these ratings in determining whether to purchase,  sell or hold
a security.  It should be emphasized,  however, that ratings are general and are
not  absolute  standards  of  quality.  Consequently,  securities  with the same
maturity,  interest rate and rating may have different market prices. Subsequent
to its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its
rating may be reduced.  The Adviser will consider  such an event in  determining
whether the Fund should continue to hold the obligation.  Credit ratings attempt
to evaluate  the safety of principal  and interest  payments and do not evaluate
the risks of  fluctuations  in market value.  Also,  rating agencies may fail to
make timely changes in credit ratings in response to subsequent  events, so that
an issuer's current  financial  condition may be better or worse than the rating
indicates.
    

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

The Fund may invest in convertible securities. A convertible security is a bond,
debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or
exchanged  for a  prescribed  amount of common  stock of the same or a different
issuer  within a particular  period of time at a specified  price or formula.  A
convertible  security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on
debt or the dividend  paid on  preferred  stock until the  convertible  security
matures or is redeemed,  converted or exchanged. Before conversion,  convertible
securities have  characteristics  similar to  nonconvertible  debt securities in
that they  ordinarily  provide a stable stream of income with  generally  higher
yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar  issuers.  Although no
securities investment is without some risk, investment in convertible securities
generally  entails less risk than in the issuer's  common  stock.  However,  the
extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the degree to
which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed income security.
Convertible  securities  have  unique  investment  characteristics  in that they
generally  (1) have  higher  yields than common  stocks,  but lower  yields than
comparable  non-convertible  securities,  (2) are less subject to fluctuation in
value than the  underlying  stocks since they have fixed income  characteristics
and (3) provide the  potential for capital  appreciation  if the market price of
the underlying common stock increases.

The  investment  value of a  convertible  security is  influenced  by changes in
interest rates,  with investment  value declining as interest rates increase and
increasing  as interest  rates  decline.  The credit  standing of the issuer and
other factors also may have an effect on the convertible  security's  investment
value.  The  conversion  value of a  convertible  security is  determined by the
market price of the  underlying  common stock.  If the  conversion  value is low
relative  to the  investment  value,  the price of the  convertible  security is
governed  principally by its investment value and generally the conversion value
decreases as the convertible  security  approaches  maturity.  To the extent the
market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion
price, the price of the convertible security will be increasingly  influenced by
its conversion value. In addition, a convertible security generally will sell at
a premium over its conversion  value determined by the extent to which investors
place value on the right to acquire the underlying  common stock while holding a
fixed income security.

                                       4
<PAGE>


A convertible  security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer
at a price established in the convertible security's governing instrument.  If a
convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be
required  to permit  the  issuer to redeem  the  security,  convert  it into the
underlying common stock or sell it to a third party.

WARRANTS

The Fund may  invest  in  warrants,  which are  options  to  purchase  an equity
security  at  a  specified  price  (usually  representing  a  premium  over  the
applicable  market value of the  underlying  equity  security at the time of the
warrant's issuance) and usually during a specified period of time. To the extent
that the market value of the security that may be purchased upon exercise of the
warrant  rises above the exercise  price,  the value of the warrant will tend to
rise.  To the extent that the exercise  price equals or exceeds the market value
of such security, the warrants will have little or no market value. If a warrant
is not exercised within the specified time period,  it will become worthless and
the Fund will lose the  purchase  price  paid for the  warrant  and the right to
purchase the underlying security.


                                       5
<PAGE>

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

Investments  in foreign  companies  will usually  involve  currencies of foreign
countries.  In addition, the Fund may temporarily hold funds in bank deposits in
foreign  currencies during the completion of investment  programs.  Accordingly,
the value of the assets of the Fund as measured in United States  dollars may be
affected by changes in foreign  currency  exchange  rates and  exchange  control
regulations, and the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between
various currencies.  The Fund may conduct foreign currency exchange transactions
either on a spot (i.e.,  cash) basis at the spot rate  prevailing in the foreign
currency  exchange  market,  or through  entering into foreign  currency forward
contracts  ("forward  contracts")  to purchase  or sell  foreign  currencies.  A
forward contract  involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency
at a future date,  which may be any fixed number of days  (usually less than one
year) from the date of the contract  agreed upon by the parties,  at a price set
at the time of the contract.  These contracts are traded in the interbank market
conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and
their  customers  and involve the risk that the other party to the  contract may
fail to deliver  currency when due,  which could result in losses to the Fund. A
forward contract  generally has no deposit  requirement,  and no commissions are
charged at any stage for trades. Foreign exchange dealers realize a profit based
on the  difference  between  the  price  at  which  they  buy and  sell  various
currencies.

The Fund may enter into forward contracts under two  circumstances.  First, with
respect to specific  transactions,  when the Fund enters into a contract for the
purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency,  it may desire
to "lock in" the U.S.  dollar price of the security.  By entering into a forward
contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of dollars,  of the amount
of foreign currency involved in the underlying security  transactions,  the Fund
may be able to protect  itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse
change in the  relationship  between  the U.S.  dollar and the  subject  foreign
currency  during the period  between the date the  security is purchased or sold
and the date on which payment is made or received.

Second,  the Fund may enter into forward  currency  contracts in connection with
existing portfolio  positions.  For example,  when the Adviser believes that the
currency  of a  particular  foreign  country  may suffer a  substantial  decline
against the U.S. dollar, the Fund may enter into a forward contract to sell, for
a fixed  amount of dollars,  the amount of foreign  currency  approximating  the
value of some or all of the  Fund's  portfolio  securities  denominated  in such
foreign currency.

The  precise  matching  of the  forward  contract  amounts  and the value of the
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 date the forward contract
is entered into and the date it matures.  The projection of short-term  currency
market  movement is  extremely  difficult,  and the  successful  execution  of a
short-term  hedging strategy is highly uncertain.  Forward contracts involve the
risk of inaccurate predictions of currency price movements,  which may cause the
Fund to incur losses on these contracts and transaction  costs. The Adviser does
not intend to enter into forward contracts on a regular or continuous basis, and
will not do so if, as a result, the Fund will have more than 25% of the value of
its total assets committed to such contracts or the contracts would obligate the
Fund to  deliver  an amount of  foreign  currency  in excess of the value of the
Fund's portfolio securities or other assets denominated in that currency.

At or before the settlement of a forward currency contract,  the Fund may either
make delivery of the foreign currency or terminate its contractual obligation to
deliver the foreign currency by purchasing an offsetting  contract.  If the Fund
chooses to make delivery of the foreign  currency,  it may be required to obtain
the currency through the conversion of assets of the Fund into the currency. The
Fund may  close out a  forward  contract  obligating  it to  purchase  a foreign
currency by selling an offsetting contract. If the Fund engages in an offsetting
transaction,  the Fund will incur a gain or a loss to the extent  that there has
been a  change  in  forward  contract  prices.  Additionally,  although  forward
contracts may tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of
the  hedged  currency,  at the same time they tend to limit any  potential  gain
which might result should the value of such currency increase.

There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies
and there is no regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers
or  other  market  sources  be firm or  revised  on a  timely  basis. 

                                       6
<PAGE>


Quotation  information  available  is  generally  representative  of very  large
transactions in the interbank market. The interbank market in foreign currencies
is a global, around-the-clock market.

When required by applicable regulatory guidelines, the Fund will set aside cash,
U.S. Government Securities (as defined in the Prospectus) or other liquid assets
in a segregated account with its custodian in the prescribed amount.

HEDGING STRATEGIES

As discussed in the  Prospectus,  the Adviser may engage in certain  options and
futures strategies to attempt to hedge the Fund's portfolio.  The instruments in
which the Fund may invest include (i) options on  securities,  stock indexes and
foreign  currencies,  (ii) stock index and foreign  currency  futures  contracts
("futures  contracts"),  and (iii)  options on futures  contracts.  Use of these
instruments is subject to regulation by the  Securities and Exchange  Commission
(the "SEC"),  the several  options and futures  exchanges upon which options and
futures are traded, and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC").

The  various  strategies  referred  to herein and in the Fund's  Prospectus  are
intended to illustrate the type of strategies  that are available to, and may be
used by, the Adviser in  managing  the Fund's  portfolio.  No  assurance  can be
given, however, that any strategies will succeed.

The  Fund  will  not use  leverage  in its  hedging  strategies.  In the case of
transactions entered into as a hedge, the Fund will hold securities,  currencies
or other  options or futures  positions  whose  values  are  expected  to offset
("cover")  its  obligations  thereunder.  The Fund will not enter into a hedging
strategy  that exposes the Fund to an obligation to another party unless it owns
either (1) an  offsetting  ("covered")  position  or (2) cash,  U.S.  Government
Securities or other liquid assets with a value  sufficient at all times to cover
its potential  obligations.  When required by applicable regulatory  guidelines,
the Fund will set aside cash, U.S. Government  Securities or other liquid assets
in a segregated  account with its custodian in the prescribed amount. Any assets
used for cover or held in a  segregated  account  cannot  be sold or closed  out
while the hedging strategy is outstanding, unless they are replaced with similar
assets. As a result, there is a possibility that the use of cover or segregation
involving  a  large  percentage  of  a  Fund's  assets  could  impede  portfolio
management or the Fund's  ability to meet  redemption  requests or other current
obligations.

The Fund is  subject to the  following  restrictions  in its use of options  and
futures contracts.  The Fund will not (i) sell futures  contracts,  purchase put
options,  or write  call  options  if, as a result,  more than 25% of the Fund's
total  assets would be hedged  through the use of options or futures  contracts,
(ii) purchase futures contracts or write put options if, as a result, the Fund's
total obligations upon settlement or exercise of purchased futures contracts and
written put options would exceed 25% of its total assets, or (iii) purchase call
options  if, as a result,  the  current  value of options  premiums  for options
purchased would exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets.

OPTIONS STRATEGIES

The Fund may purchase  put and call  options  written by others and write (sell)
put and call options covering specified securities,  stock index-related amounts
or currencies.  A put option (sometimes called a "standby commitment") gives the
buyer of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to deliver a specified
amount of a  security  or  currency  to the  writer of the option on or before a
fixed date at a predetermined  price. A call option (sometimes called a "reverse
standby  commitment")  gives the  purchaser  of the  option,  upon  payment of a
premium,  the right to call upon the writer to deliver a  specified  amount of a
security or currency on or before a fixed date, at a  predetermined  price.  The
predetermined  prices  may be  higher  or  lower  than the  market  value of the
underlying currency or security.  The Fund may buy or sell both  exchange-traded
and over-the-counter  ("OTC") options. The Fund will purchase or write an option
only if that option is traded on a recognized  U.S.  options  exchange or if the
Adviser believes that a liquid secondary market for the option exists.  When the
Fund  purchases  an OTC  option,  it  relies  on the  dealer  from  which it has
purchased the OTC option to make or take delivery of the  securities or currency
underlying  the option.  Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss
of the premium paid by the Fund as well as the loss of the  expected  benefit of
the  transaction.  OTC  options  and the  securities  underlying  these  options
currently are treated as illiquid securities.

                                       7
<PAGE>


The Fund may purchase call options on equity securities that the Adviser intends
to  include  in the  Fund's  portfolio  in  order  to fix the  cost of a  future
purchase.  Call options may also be purchased as a means of  participating in an
anticipated price increase of a security on a more limited risk basis than would
be possible if the security itself were purchased.  In the event of a decline in
the price of the underlying security,  use of this strategy would serve to limit
the potential  loss to the Fund to the option premium paid;  conversely,  if the
market price of the underlying  security  increases above the exercise price and
the Fund either sells or exercises the option,  any profit  eventually  realized
will be reduced by the premium paid. The Fund may similarly purchase put options
in order to hedge  against a decline in market value of  securities  held in its
portfolio.  The put  enables  the Fund to sell the  underlying  security  at the
predetermined exercise price; thus the potential for loss to the Fund is limited
to the option  premium paid. If the market price of the  underlying  security is
lower than the exercise  price of the put,  any profit the Fund  realizes on the
sale of the  security  would be reduced by the  premium  paid for the put option
less any amount for which the put may be sold.

The Fund may write  covered call  options.  The Fund may write call options when
the Adviser  believes that the market value of the underlying  security will not
rise to a value greater than the exercise price plus the premium received.  Call
options may also be written to provide limited  protection against a decrease in
the market price of a security,  in an amount equal to the call premium received
less any  transaction  costs.  The Fund may write  covered put  options  only to
effect closing transactions.

The Fund may purchase  and write put and call  options on stock  indices in much
the same manner as the equity  security  options  discussed  above,  except that
stock index options may serve as a hedge  against  overall  fluctuations  in the
securities  markets  (or market  sectors) or as a means of  participating  in an
anticipated  price  increase  in those  markets.  The  effectiveness  of hedging
techniques  using stock index  options  will depend on the extent to which price
movements  in the stock index  selected  correlate  with price  movements of the
securities which are being hedged.  Stock index options are settled  exclusively
in cash.

FOREIGN CURRENCY OPTIONS AND RELATED RISKS

The Fund may take  positions in options on foreign  currencies in order to hedge
against the risk of foreign exchange  fluctuation on foreign securities the Fund
holds in its  portfolio  or which it  intends  to  purchase.  Options on foreign
currencies are affected by the factors  discussed in "Options  Strategies" above
and "Foreign  Currency Forward  Transactions"  which influence  foreign exchange
sales and investments generally.

The value of foreign currency options is dependent upon the value of the foreign
currency  relative to the U.S.  dollar and has no relationship to the investment
merits of a foreign security. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in
the interbank market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be
involved in the use of foreign currency  options,  the Fund may be disadvantaged
by having to deal in an odd lot market (generally  consisting of transactions of
less than $1 million) for the underlying  foreign  currencies at prices that are
less favorable than for round lots.

To the extent that the U.S.  options markets are closed while the market for the
underlying  currencies  remains open,  significant  price and rate movements may
take place in the  underlying  markets  that cannot be  reflected in the options
markets.

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF OPTIONS TRADING

The Fund may  effectively  terminate  its  right or  obligation  under an option
contract by  entering  into a closing  transaction.  For  instance,  if the Fund
wished to terminate  its potential  obligation to sell  securities or currencies
under a call  option it had  written,  a call  option of the same type  would be
purchased  by the Fund.  Closing  transactions  essentially  permit  the Fund to
realize  profits or limit losses on its options  positions prior to the exercise
or expiration of the option. In addition:

                                       8
<PAGE>


         (1) The successful use of options depends upon the Adviser's ability to
forecast the direction of price  fluctuations  in the  underlying  securities or
currency  markets,  or in the case of a stock index option,  fluctuations in the
market sector represented by the index.

         (2)  Options  normally  have  expiration  dates  of up to nine  months.
Options that expire unexercised have no value. Unless an option purchased by the
Fund is exercised or unless a closing  transaction  is effected  with respect to
that position, a loss will be realized in the amount of the premium paid.

         (3) A position in an  exchange-listed  option may be closed out only on
an exchange which provides a market for identical options.  Most exchange-listed
options  relate to equity  securities.  Exchange  markets for options on foreign
currencies  are  relatively  new and the  ability  to  establish  and  close out
positions on the exchanges is subject to the  maintenance of a liquid  secondary
market.  Closing  transactions may be effected with respect to options traded in
the  over-the-counter  markets  (currently  the  primary  markets for options on
foreign  currencies)  only by  negotiating  directly with the other party to the
option  contract or in a secondary  market for the option if such market exists.
There  is no  assurance  that a  liquid  secondary  market  will  exist  for any
particular  option  at any  specific  time.  If it is not  possible  to effect a
closing  transaction,  the Fund  would  have to  exercise  the  option  which it
purchased  in order to realize any  profit.  The  inability  to effect a closing
transaction  on an option  written by the Fund may result in material  losses to
the Fund.

         (4) The Fund's activities in the options markets may result in a higher
portfolio turnover rate and additional brokerage costs.

FUTURES STRATEGIES

A futures contract is a bilateral  agreement wherein one party agrees to accept,
and the other party agrees to make,  delivery of cash,  securities or currencies
as called for in the  contract  at a  specified  future  date and at a specified
price. For stock index futures contracts, delivery is of an amount of cash equal
to a specified dollar amount times the difference  between the stock index value
at the time of the contract and the close of trading of the contract.

The Fund may sell stock index  futures  contracts in  anticipation  of a general
market or market sector  decline that may adversely  affect the market values of
the Fund's securities. To the extent that the Fund's portfolio correlates with a
given stock index, the sale of futures  contracts on that index could reduce the
risks  associated  with a market  decline and thus provide an alternative to the
liquidation of securities positions. The Fund may purchase a stock index futures
contract if a significant market or market sector advance is anticipated.  These
purchases  would serve as a temporary  substitute for the purchase of individual
stocks, which stocks may then be purchased in the future.

The Fund  may  purchase  call  options  on a stock  index  future  as a means of
obtaining  temporary  exposure  to market  appreciation  at limited  risk.  This
strategy is analogous to the purchase of a call option on an  individual  stock,
in that it can be used as a  temporary  substitute  for a position  in the stock
itself.  The Fund may  purchase a call option on a stock  index  future to hedge
against a market advance in stocks which the Fund planned to acquire at a future
date.  The Fund may also purchase put options on stock index futures  contracts.
These  purchases are analogous to the purchase of protective  puts on individual
stocks, where a level of protection is sought below which no additional economic
loss would be incurred by the Fund.  The Fund may write  covered call options on
stock index futures contracts as a partial hedge against a decline in the prices
of stocks held in the Fund's  portfolio.  This is analogous  to writing  covered
call options on securities.

The Fund may sell foreign currency  futures  contracts to hedge against possible
variations in the exchange rate of the foreign  currency in relation to the U.S.
dollar.  In addition,  the Fund may sell foreign currency futures contracts when
the Adviser  anticipates a general  weakening of foreign currency exchange rates
that could adversely  affect the market values of the Fund's foreign  securities
holdings.  The Fund may purchase a foreign  currency  futures  contract to hedge
against an  anticipated  foreign  exchange rate increase  pending  completion of
anticipated transactions.  Such a purchase would serve as a temporary measure to
protect the Fund against such  increase.  The Fund may also purchase call or put
options on foreign currency futures contracts to obtain a fixed foreign exchange
rate at  limited 

                                       9
<PAGE>


risk. The Fund may write call options on foreign currency futures contracts as a
partial hedge  against the effects of declining  foreign  exchange  rates on the
value of foreign securities.

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF FUTURES AND RELATED OPTIONS TRADING

No price is paid upon  entering  into  futures  contracts;  rather,  the Fund is
required to deposit with its  custodian  in a segregated  account in the name of
the futures  broker an amount of cash or U.S.  Government  Securities  generally
equal to 5% or less of the  contract  value.  This  amount  is known as  initial
margin.  Subsequent  payments,  called variation margin, to and from the broker,
would be made on a daily basis as the value of the futures position varies. When
writing a call on a futures  contract,  variation  margin must be  deposited  in
accordance  with  applicable  exchange  rules.  The  initial  margin in  futures
transactions 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 contract, assuming
all contractual obligations have been satisfied.

Holders and writers of futures and options on futures  contracts  can enter into
offsetting closing transactions,  similar to closing transactions on options, by
selling or purchasing,  respectively,  a futures contract or related option with
the same terms as the position held or written.  Positions in futures  contracts
may be closed only on an exchange or board of trade providing a secondary market
for such futures contracts.  For example, futures contracts on broad-based stock
indices can  currently be entered into with respect to the Standard & Poor's 500
Stock  Index on the Chicago  Mercantile  Exchange,  the New York Stock  Exchange
Composite Stock Index on the New York Futures Exchange, the Value Line Composite
Stock Index on the Kansas City Board of Trade and the Major  Market Index of the
Chicago Board of Trade.

Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits in the
amount that the price of a futures contract or related option may vary either up
or down from the previous day's settlement  price. Once the daily limit has been
reached  in a  particular  contract,  no trades  may be made that day at a price
beyond that limit.  Prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive
trading days with little or no trading and thereby prevent prompt liquidation of
positions.  In such  event,  it may not be  possible  for  the  Fund to  close a
position,  and in the event of adverse price  movements,  the Fund would have to
make daily cash payments of variation margin. In addition:

         (1) Successful use by the Fund of futures contracts and related options
will depend upon the Adviser's  ability to predict movements in the direction of
the overall securities and currency markets, which requires different skills and
techniques  than  predicting  changes  in the prices of  individual  securities.
Moreover,  futures  contracts  relate not to the current level of the underlying
instrument but to the anticipated levels at some point in the future;  thus, for
example,  trading of stock  index  futures  may not  reflect  the trading of the
securities  which are used to formulate an index or even actual  fluctuations in
the relevant index itself.

         (2) The price of futures  contracts  may not correlate  perfectly  with
movement  in the  price of the  hedged  securities  or  currencies  due to price
distortions  in the futures  market or otherwise.  There may be several  reasons
unrelated to the value of the underlying  securities or currencies  which causes
this  situation  to occur.  As a result,  a correct  forecast of general  market
trends  still may not result in  successful  hedging  through the use of futures
contracts over the short term.

         (3) There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for
any  particular  contract at any particular  time. In such event,  it may not be
possible to close a position,  and in the event of adverse price movements,  the
Fund would  continue  to be required  to make daily cash  payments of  variation
margin.

         (4) Like other  options,  options on futures  contracts  have a limited
life.  The Fund will not trade  options on futures  contracts on any exchange or
board of trade unless and until, in the Adviser's  opinion,  the market for such
options has developed  sufficiently that the risks in connection with options on
futures  transactions  are not greater than the risks in connection with futures
transactions.

         (5) Purchasers of options on futures contracts pay a premium in cash at
the time of purchase.  This amount and the  transaction  costs is all that is at
risk.  Sellers of options on futures  contracts,  however,  must post an initial

                                       10
<PAGE>


margin and are subject to additional  margin calls which could be substantial in
the event of adverse price movements.

         (6) The Fund's activities in the futures markets may result in a higher
portfolio  turnover rate and additional  transaction  costs in the form of added
brokerage commissions.

         (7)  Buyers  and  sellers of foreign  currency  futures  contracts  are
subject  to the same  risks  that  apply to the  buying  and  selling of futures
generally. In addition, there are risks associated with foreign currency futures
contracts and their use as a hedging  device  similar to those  associated  with
options on foreign  currencies  described  above.  In  addition,  settlement  of
foreign  currency  futures  contracts must occur within the country issuing that
currency.  Thus, the Fund must accept or make delivery of the underlying foreign
currency in  accordance  with any U.S. or foreign  restrictions  or  regulations
regarding the maintenance of foreign banking arrangements by U.S. residents, and
the Fund may be required to pay any fees, taxes or charges  associated with such
delivery which are assessed in the issuing country.

COMMODITY FUTURES CONTRACTS AND COMMODITY OPTIONS

The Fund may invest in certain financial futures contracts and options contracts
in accordance with the policies  described in the Prospectus and above. The Fund
will only invest in futures  contracts,  options on futures  contracts and other
options  contracts that are subject to the jurisdiction of the CFTC after filing
a notice of eligibility and otherwise complying with the requirements of Section
4.5 of the rules of the CFTC.  Under that section the Fund would be permitted to
purchase such futures or options  contracts only for bona fide hedging  purposes
within  the  meaning  of the  rules  of the  CFTC;  provided,  however,  that in
addition,  with respect to positions in commodity  futures and option  contracts
not for bona fide  hedging  purposes,  the Fund  represents  that the  aggregate
initial margin and premiums  required to establish these  positions  (subject to
certain  exclusions)  will not exceed 5% of the liquidation  value of the Fund's
assets  after  taking  into  account  unrealized  profits and losses on any such
contract the Fund has entered into.

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Reverse repurchase  agreements are transactions in which a Fund sells a security
and  simultaneously  commits to  repurchase  that  security from the buyer at an
agreed upon price on an agreed upon future  date.  The resale price in a reverse
repurchase  agreement  reflects a market rate of interest that is not related to
the coupon rate or maturity of the sold security. For certain demand agreements,
there is no agreed upon  repurchase  date and interest  payments are  calculated
daily, often based upon the prevailing overnight repurchase rate. A counterparty
to a reverse  repurchase  agreement must be a primary dealer that reports to the
Federal  Reserve Bank of New York ("primary  dealers") or one of the largest 100
commercial banks in the United States.

Generally,  a reverse  repurchase  agreement enables the Fund to recover for the
term of the reverse repurchase agreement all or most of the cash invested in the
portfolio  securities sold and to keep the interest income associated with those
portfolio  securities.  Such  transactions are only advantageous if the interest
cost to the Fund of the reverse repurchase  transaction is less than the cost of
obtaining the cash otherwise. In addition,  interest costs on the money received
in a  reverse  repurchase  agreement  may  exceed  the  return  received  on the
investments  made by a Fund with those  monies.  The use of  reverse  repurchase
agreement  proceeds to make  investments  may be  considered to be a speculative
technique.

WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS

   
The Fund may purchase or sell  portfolio  securities on a when-issued or delayed
delivery  basis.   When-issued  or  delayed  delivery  transactions  arise  when
securities  are  purchased  by a Fund with payment and delivery to take place in
the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and
yield to the Fund at the time it enters into the  transaction.  In those  cases,
the purchase  price and the interest rate payable on the securities are fixed on
the  transaction  date and  delivery  and payment may take place a month or more
after the date of the transaction.  When the Fund enters into a delayed delivery
transaction,  it becomes obligated to purchase  securities and it has all 


                                       11
<PAGE>


of the  rights  and risks  attendant  to  ownership  of the  security,  although
delivery and payment occur at a later date. To facilitate such acquisitions, the
Fund  will  maintain  with its  custodian  a  separate  account  with  portfolio
securities in an amount at least equal to such commitments.
    

At the time a Fund makes the commitment to purchase  securities on a when-issued
or delayed  delivery  basis,  the Fund will record the transaction as a purchase
and thereafter  reflect the value each day of such securities in determining its
net asset value. The value of the fixed income securities to be delivered in the
future will fluctuate as interest rates and the credit of the underlying  issuer
vary.  On  delivery  dates  for  such  transactions,  the  Fund  will  meet  its
obligations  from  maturities,  sales  of the  securities  held in the  separate
account or from other  available  sources of cash.  The Fund  generally  has the
ability to close out a purchase  obligation  on or before the  settlement  date,
rather than purchase the  security.  If the Fund chooses to dispose of the right
to acquire a when-issued  security prior to its  acquisition,  it could, as with
the disposition of any other portfolio obligation, realize a gain or loss due to
market fluctuation.

To the extent the Fund engages in when-issued or delayed delivery  transactions,
it will do so for the purpose of acquiring securities consistent with the Fund's
investment  objectives  and  policies  and  not for the  purpose  of  investment
leverage or to  speculate  in  interest  rate  changes.  The Fund will only make
commitments to purchase  securities on a when-issued  or delayed  delivery basis
with the intention of actually  acquiring the securities,  but the Fund reserves
the right to  dispose  of the  right to  acquire  these  securities  before  the
settlement date if deemed advisable.

The use of when-issued  transactions and forward commitments enables the Fund to
hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in
periods of rising  interest  rates and falling bond prices,  the Fund might sell
securities which it owned on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to
falling prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising bond prices, the
Fund might sell a security  and  purchase  the same or a similar  security  on a
when-issued  or forward  commitment  basis,  thereby  obtaining  the  benefit of
currently  higher  cash  yields.  However,  if  the  Adviser  were  to  forecast
incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements, the Fund might be required
to complete such  when-issued or forward  transactions at prices inferior to the
current market values.

When-issued  securities  and  forward  commitments  may  be  sold  prior  to the
settlement  date, but the Fund enters into  when-issued and forward  commitments
only with the intention of actually  receiving or delivering the securities,  as
the case may be.  If the  Fund,  however,  chooses  to  dispose  of the right to
acquire a when-issued  security  prior to its  acquisition  or to dispose of its
right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment, it can incur a gain or
loss. The Fund will establish and maintain with its custodian a separate account
with cash,  U.S.  Government  Securities  or other liquid assets in an amount at
least equal to such commitments.  No when-issued or forward  commitments will be
made by the Fund if, as a result, more than 10% of the value of the Fund's total
assets would be committed to such transactions.

INVESTMENT COMPANY SECURITIES

In  connection  with  managing  its cash  positions,  the Fund may invest in the
securities of other investment  companies that are money market funds within the
limits  proscribed by the Investment  Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"). The Fund
may invest up to 10% of the value of its net assets in the  securities  of money
market funds. In addition to the Fund's  expenses  (including the various fees),
as a shareholder in another  investment  company, a Fund would bear its pro rata
portion of the other investment company's expenses (including fees).

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION

The cash or cash equivalents in which the Fund may invest include (i) short-term
U.S. Government Securities,  (ii) certificates of deposit,  bankers' acceptances
and interest-bearing  savings deposits of commercial banks doing business in the
United States that are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation and
whose short term ratings are rated in one of the two highest  rating  categories
by S&P or Moody's or, if not rated by those agencies,  determined by the Adviser
to be of comparable  quality,  (iii) commercial paper of prime quality rated A-2
or higher 

                                       12
<PAGE>


by S&P or  Prime-2  or higher  by  Moody's  or, if not rated by those  agencies,
determined  by the  Adviser to be of  comparable  quality,  and (iv)  repurchase
agreements covering any of the securities in which the Fund may invest directly.

   
3.  ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The  Investment  objective  and all  investment  policies  of the Fund  that are
designed as  fundamental  may be changed only with the approval of the holders a
majority  of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of the Fund.  A  majority  of
outstanding  voting  securities  means  the  lesser  of (1)  67%  of the  shares
presented or represented  at a shareholder  meeting at which the holders of more
than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented,  or (2) more than
50% of outstanding shares.  Unless otherwise indicated,  all investment policies
are not fundamental and may be changed by the Trust's Board without  approval by
the shareholders of the Fund.

In addition to the fundamental  policies identified in the Prospectus,  the Fund
has adopted the following fundamental investment  limitations,  which may not be
changed without shareholder approval. The Fund may not:
    

         (1) Borrow money,  except that the Fund may enter into  commitments  to
purchase  securities  in  accordance  with  its  investment  program,  including
delayed-delivery and when-issued  securities and reverse repurchase  agreements,
provided that the total amount of any such  borrowing does not exceed 33 1/3% of
the Fund's total assets.

         (2) Purchase  securities,  other than U.S. Government  Securities,  if,
immediately after each purchase,  more than 25% of the Fund's total assets taken
at market  value would be invested in  securities  of issuers  conducting  their
principal business activity in the same industry.

         (3) With  respect  to 75% of the  value of its total  assets,  purchase
securities,  other than U.S.  Government  Securities,  of any one issuer, if (a)
more than 5% of the Fund's  total assets taken at market value would at the time
of purchase be invested in the  securities of that issuer,  or (b) such purchase
would at the  time of  purchase  cause  the  Fund to hold  more  than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of that issuer.

         (4) Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the
extent that, in connection  with the  disposition of portfolio  securities,  the
Fund may be deemed to be an  underwriter  for purposes of the  Securities Act of
1933.

         (5)  Make  loans  to  other  persons  except  for  loans  of  portfolio
securities and except  through the use of repurchase  agreements and through the
purchase of debt securities which are otherwise permissible investments.

         (6) Purchase or sell real estate or any interest  therein,  except that
the Fund  may  invest  in  securities  issued  or  guaranteed  by  corporate  or
governmental  entities  secured by real  estate or  interests  therein,  such as
mortgage  pass-throughs and collateralized  mortgage  obligations,  or issued by
companies that invest in real estate or interests therein.

         (7) Purchase or sell physical  commodities  unless acquired as a result
of ownership of  securities or other  instruments  (but this shall not prevent a
Fund from purchasing or selling options and futures  contracts or from investing
in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).

   
         (8) Issue any senior security(as  defined in the 1940 Act), except that
(a) the Fund may  engage in  transactions  that may  result in the  issuance  of
senior  securities to the extent  permitted  under  applicable  regulations  and
interpretations  of the 1940 Act or an exemptive order; (b) the Fund may acquire
securities to the extent  otherwise  permitted by its investment  policies,  the
acquisition  of which may result in the  issuance of a senior  security,  to the
extent permitted under  applicable  regulations or  interpretations  of the 1940
Act; and (c) subject to the  restrictions  set forth above,  the Fund may borrow
money as authorized by the 1940 Act.

                                       13
<PAGE>


In addition to the  nonfundamental  policies  identified in the Prospectus,  the
Fund has also adopted the following  nonfundamental  investment limitations that
may be changed by the Trust's without shareholder approval. The Fund:
    

         (a) May borrow money for  temporary or emergency  purposes in an amount
not  exceeding  5% of the value of its total assets at the time when the loan is
made; provided that any such temporary or emergency borrowings representing more
than 5% of the  Fund's  total  assets  must be repaid  before  the Fund may make
additional investments.

         (b) May not pledge,  mortgage  or  hypothecate  its  assets,  except to
secure permitted indebtedness. The deposit in escrow of securities in connection
with the writing of put and call options, collateralized loans of securities and
collateral  arrangements  with respect to margin for futures  contracts  are not
deemed to be pledges or hypothecations for this purpose.

         (c) May not  invest in  securities  of  another  registered  investment
company,  except in  connection  with a merger,  consolidation,  acquisition  or
reorganization;  and except that the Fund may invest in money  market  funds and
privately-issued mortgage related securities to the extent permitted by the 1940
Act.

         (d) May not  purchase  securities  on margin,  or make  short  sales of
securities  (except  short  sales  against  the  box),  except  for  the  use of
short-term  credit  necessary  for the  clearance  of  purchases  and  sales  of
portfolio  securities,  but the Fund may make margin deposits in connection with
permitted  transactions  in options,  futures  contracts  and options on futures
contracts.

   
         (e) May not purchase  securities  for  investment  while any  borrowing
equaling 5% or more of the Fund's total assets is  outstanding  or borrow money,
except for temporary or emergency purposes  (including the meeting of redemption
requests), in an amount exceeding 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets.

         (f) May not acquire securities or invest in repurchase  agreements with
respect to any securities  if, as a result,  more than (i) 15% of the Fund's net
assets (taken at current  value) would be invested in repurchase  agreements not
entitling the holder to payment of principal within seven days and in securities
which are not readily  marketable,  including  securities  that are  illiquid by
virtue of  restrictions  on the sale of such  securities  to the public  without
registration under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Restricted  Securities") or (ii)
10% of the Fund's  total  assets  would be  invested in  Restricted  Securities.
Except as required by the 1940 Act,  whenever an amended or restated  investment
policy or limitation  states a maximum  percentage of the Fund's assets that may
be invested, such percentage limitation will be determined immediately after and
as a result of the  acquisition of such security or other asset.  Any subsequent
change in values,  assets or other  circumstances  will not be  considered  when
determining  whether the investment complies with the Fund's investment policies
or limitations.

4.  PERFORMANCE DATA
    

The Fund may quote  performance  in various ways.  All  performance  information
supplied  by the  Fund in  advertising  is  historical  and is not  intended  to
indicate future returns. The Fund's net asset value, yield and total return will
fluctuate in response to market  conditions and other factors,  and the value of
Fund shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.

   
Total return  information  for the Fund as of March 31, 1998 is set forth in the
following table:

                                       14
<PAGE>


                                                       Total Return
                                         Total Return      Since
                                            1 Year       Inception*

         Austin Global Equity Fund          39.88%         17.26%


* Austin Global Equity Fund commenced operations on December 8, 1993.

In  advertising  performance,  the  Fund  may  compare  any of  its  performance
information  with data published by independent  evaluators such as Morningstar,
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., IBC/Donoghue,  Inc., CDA/Wiesenberger or other
companies which track the investment  performance of investment companies ("Fund
Tracking  Companies").  Each  Fund  may  also  compare  any of  its  performance
information  with the performance of recognized  stock,  bond and other indexes,
including  but not limited to the  Standard & Poor's 500  Composite  Stock Price
Index,  the Dow Jones Industrial  Average,  the Salomon Brothers Bond Index, the
Shearson Lehman Bond Index, U.S.  Treasury bonds,  bills or notes and changes in
the Consumer  Price Index as published by the U.S.  Department of Commerce.  The
Funds may refer to general  market  performances  over past time periods such as
those published by Ibbotson Associates. In addition, the Funds may refer in such
materials to mutual fund  performance  rankings and other data published by Fund
Tracking Companies. Performance advertising may also refer to discussions of the
Funds and  comparative  mutual  fund data and ratings  reported  in  independent
periodicals, such as newspapers and financial magazines.
    

TOTAL RETURN CALCULATIONS

The Fund may advertise total return. Total returns quoted in advertising reflect
all aspects of the Fund's return,  including the effect of reinvesting dividends
and capital gain distributions, and any change in the Fund's net asset value per
share over the period.  Average annual returns are calculated by determining the
growth or decline in value of a hypothetical  historical  investment in the Fund
over a stated period,  and then calculating the annually  compounded  percentage
rate that would have  produced  the same result if the rate of growth or decline
in value had been constant over the period.  For example, a cumulative return of
100% over ten years would produce an average  annual  return of 7.18%,  which is
the steady annual rate that would equal 100% growth on a compounded basis in ten
years.  While  average  annual  returns  are a  convenient  means  of  comparing
investment  alternatives,  investors  should realize that the performance is not
constant  over time but  changes  from  year to year,  and that  average  annual
returns  represent  averaged  figures  as  opposed  to the  actual  year-to-year
performance of the Fund.

Average  annual  total  return is  calculated  by  finding  the  average  annual
compounded  rates of  return of a  hypothetical  investment,  over such  periods
according to the following formula:

         P(1+T)n = ERV; where:

                  P = a  hypothetical  initial  payment of  $1,000;
                  T = average annual  total  return;  
                  n = number of years;  and 
                  ERV = ending redeemable value

ERV is the value, at the end of the applicable period, of a hypothetical  $1,000
payment made at the beginning of the applicable period.

   
In addition to average  annual total returns,  the Fund may quote  unaveraged or
cumulative total returns  reflecting the simple change in value of an investment
over a stated period.  Average annual and cumulative total returns may be quoted
as a  percentage  or as a  dollar  amount,  and may be  calculated  for a single
investment,  as series or  investments,  and/or a series of  redemptions.  Total
returns  may be  broken  down  into  their  components  of  income  and  capital
(including  capital gains and changes in share price) in order to illustrate the
relationship  of these factors and their  contributions  to total return.  Total
returns,  yields, and other performance information may be quoted numerically or
in a table, graph, or similar illustration.
    

Period total return is calculated according to the following formula:

                                       15
<PAGE>


         PT = (ERV/P-1); where:

                  PT = period total return;
                  The other  definitions are the same as in average annual total
                  return above.

   
Investors who purchase and redeem shares of the Fund through a customer  account
maintained  at a  Processing  Organization  may be  charged  one or  more of the
following  types of fees as agreed upon by the Processing  Organization  and the
investor,  with  respect to the  customer  services  provided by the  Processing
Organization:  account fees (a fixed amount per month or per year);  transaction
fees  (a  fixed  amount  per  transaction   processed);   compensating   balance
requirements  (a minimum  dollar  amount a customer  must  maintain  in order to
obtain the services  offered);  or account  maintenance  fees (a periodic charge
based upon a percentage of the assets in the account or of the dividends paid on
these  assets).  Such fees will have the effect of reducing  the average  annual
total return of the Fund for those investors.


OTHER ADVERTISING MATTERS

The Fund may also include various information in their advertisements including,
but not  limited to: (1)  portfolio  holdings  and  portfolio  allocation  as of
certain  dates,  such  as  portfolio  diversification  by  instrument  type,  by
instrument,   by  location  of  issuer  or  by  maturity;   (2)   statements  or
illustrations  relating to the  appropriateness  of types of  securities  and/or
mutual  funds that may be employed by an  investor  to meet  specific  financial
goals,  such  as  funding  retirement,   paying  for  children's  education  and
financially  supporting  aging parents;  (3) information  (including  charts and
illustrations)  showing the effects of compounding interest  (compounding is the
process of earning  interest on principal plus interest that was earned earlier;
interest can be compounded at different intervals,  such as annually,  quarterly
or daily); (4) information  relating to inflation and its effects on the dollar;
for example,  after ten years the  purchasing  power of $25,000  would shrink to
$16,621,  $14,968,  $13,465 and  $12,100,  respectively,  if the annual rates of
inflation were 4%, 5%, 6% and 7%,  respectively;  (5) information  regarding the
effects of automatic investment and systematic  withdrawal plans,  including the
principal of dollar cost  averaging;  (6) background  information  regarding the
Fund's Adviser and  biographical  descriptions  of the  management  staff of the
Adviser; (7) summaries of the views of the Adviser with respect to the financial
markets;  (8) background  information  regarding the Trust; (9) the results of a
hypothetical  investment  in a fund over a given number of years,  including the
amount that the investment  would be at the end of the period;  (10) the effects
of investing in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account
or Section  401(k)  pension  plan;  and (11) the net asset value,  net assets or
number of shareholders of the Fund as of one or more dates.

5  MANAGEMENT

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

THE TRUST
    

The trustees and officers of the Trust and their  principal  occupations  during
the past five years are set forth  below.  Each  Trustee  who is an  "interested
person" (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Trust is indicated by an asterisk.

   
John Y. Keffer,* Trustee, Chairman and President (age 54)

          President , Forum Financial  Group,  LLC (mutual fund services company
          holding company).,  Mr. Keffer is a director and/or officer of various
          registered  investment companies for which the various Forum Financial
          Group of  Companies  provides  services.  His address is Two  Portland
          Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

                                       16
<PAGE>


Costas Azariadis, Trustee (age 55)
    

          Professor of Economics,  University of California,  Los Angeles, since
          July 1992. Prior thereto,  Dr. Azariadis was Professor of Economics at
          the  University  of   Pennsylvania.   His  address  is  Department  of
          Economics,  University of California, Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Avenue,
          Los Angeles, California 90024.

   
James C. Cheng, Trustee (age 56)
    

          President of Technology  Marketing  Associates (a marketing consulting
          company) since September 1991. Prior thereto,  Mr. Cheng was President
          and Chief  Executive  Officer of  Network  Dynamics,  Incorporated  (a
          software  development  company).  His  address  is 27  Temple  Street,
          Belmont, Massachusetts 02178.

   
J. Michael Parish, Trustee (age 54)

          Partner at the law firm of Reid & Priest L.L.P.  since 1995. From 1989
          to 1995,  he was a partner  at  Winthrop,  Stimson,  Putnam & Roberts.
          Prior thereto,  he was a partner at LeBoeuf,  Lamb,  Leiby & MacRae, a
          law firm of which he was a member from 1974 to 1989. His address is 40
          West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.

Mark D. Kaplan, Vice President (age 42)

          Director,  Investments,  Forum Financial  Group, LLC with which he has
          been associated  since September 1995.  Prior thereto,  Mr. Kaplan was
          Managing  Director and  Director of Research at H.M.  Payson & Co. His
          address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Stacey Hong, Treasurer (age 32)

          Director,  Fund Accounting,  Forum Financial Group, LLC, with which he
          has been  associated  since April 1992.  Prior thereto,  Mr. Hongwas a
          Senior  Accountant at Ernst & Young,  LLP. His address is Two Portland
          Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Max Berueffy,  Secretary (age 46)

          Senior  Counsel,  Forum Financial  Group,  LLC, with which he has been
          associated since 1994. Prior thereto, Mr. Berueffy was on the staff of
          the U.S.  Securities and Exchange Commission for seven years, first in
          the appellate branch of the Office of the General  Counsel,  then as a
          counsel to  Commissioner  Grundfest  and  finally as a senior  special
          counsel in the Division of Investment  Management.  Mr.  Berueffy also
          serves as an  officer of other  registered  investment  companies  for
          which  the  various  Forum  Financial  Group  of  Companies   provided
          services. His address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Leslie K. Klenk, Assistant Secretary (age 33)

          Assistant Counsel, Forum Financial Group, LLC, with which she has been
          associated  since  April  1998.  Prior  thereto,  Ms.  Klenk  was Vice
          President and Associate General Counsel of Smith Barney Inc. Ms. Klenk
          also serves as an officer of other registered investment companies for
          which  the  various  Forum  Financial  Group  of  Companies   provides
          services. Her address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Pamela Stutch, Assistant Secretary (age 31).

          Fund  Administrator,  Forum Financial  Group,  LLC, with which she has
          been associated since May 1998. Ms. Stutch attended Temple  University
          School  of Law and  graduated  in 1997.  Ms.  Stutch  was also a legal
          intern for the Maine  Department of the Attorney  General.  Ms. Stutch
          also serves as an officer of other registered investment companies for
          which  the  various  Forum  Financial  Group  of  Companies   provides
          services. Her address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
    

                                       17
<PAGE>


TRUSTEE COMPENSATION

Each  Trustee of the Trust  (other  than John Y.  Keffer,  who is an  interested
person of the Trust) is paid $1,000 for each Board meeting attended  (whether in
person or by  electronic  communication)  plus $100 per active  portfolio of the
Trust and is paid $1,000 for each  committee  meeting  attended on a date when a
Board  meeting  is not held.  To the extent a meeting  relates  to only  certain
portfolios  of the Trust,  Trustees  are paid the $100 fee only with  respect to
those  portfolios.  Trustees are also reimbursed for travel and related expenses
incurred  in  attending  meetings  of the  Board.  No  officer  of the  Trust is
compensated by the Trust.

   
The following  table provides the aggregate  compensation  paid to each Trustee.
The Trust has not  adopted  any form of  retirement  plan  covering  Trustees or
officers. Information is presented for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.
    
   
<TABLE>
          <S>                           <C>                 <C>               <C>              <C>
                                                           Accrued           Annual
                                        Aggregate          Pension        Benefits Upon       Total
         Trustee                      Compensation        Benefits         Retirement      Compensation
         -------                      ------------        --------         ----------      ------------
         Mr. Keffer                       None              None              None             None
         Mr. Azariadis                  $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
         Mr. Cheng                      $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
         Mr. Parish                     $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
</TABLE>

TRUSTEE COMPENSATION FOR CORE TRUST (DELAWARE)

Each of the Trustees of the Trust is also a Trustee of Core Trust (Delaware),  a
registered,  open-end management investment company ("Core Trust"). Each Trustee
of Core Trust (other than John Y. Keffer,  who is an  interested  person of Core
Trust) is paid $1,000 for each Core Trust  Board  meeting  attended  (whether in
person or by electronic  communication)  plus $100 per active  portfolio of Core
Trust and is paid $1,000 for each  committee  meeting  attended on a date when a
Core Trust Board  meeting is not held.  To the extent a meeting  relates to only
certain  portfolios  of Core  Trust,  trustees  are paid the $100 fee only  with
respect to those portfolios.  Core Trust trustees are also reimbursed for travel
and related expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Core Trust Board.

THE ADVISER

Pursuant  to an  Investment  Advisory  Agreement  with  the  Trust , the  Fund's
investment  adviser,  Austin Investment  Management,  Inc. (furnishes at its own
expense all  services,  facilities  and personnel  necessary in connection  with
managing the Fund's  investments and effecting  portfolio  transactions  for the
Fund.  Subject  to  the  general  supervision  of  the  Board,  the  Adviser  is
responsible for, among other things,  developing a continuing investment program
for the Fund in  accordance  with its  investment  objectives  and reviewing the
investments, investment strategies, and policies of the Fund. In this regard, it
is the  responsibility  of the Adviser to make decisions  relating to the Fund's
investments  and to place purchase and sale orders  regarding  such  investments
with  brokers or dealers  selected by it in its  discretion.  The  Adviser  also
furnishes to the Board,  which has overall  responsibility  for the business and
affairs of the Trust,  periodic  reports on the  investment  performance  of the
Fund.

The Investment  Advisory  Agreement will remain in effect for a period of twelve
months from the date of its effectiveness and will continue in effect thereafter
only if its  continuance is  specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the
Board or by a majority  vote of the  shareholders  and (2) by a majority  of the
Trustees who are not parties to the Investment  Advisory Agreement or interested
persons of any such party.  The  Investment  Advisory  Agreement  is  terminable
without penalty by the Trust or by majority vote of the shareholders on 60 days'
written  notice to the Adviser or by the Adviser on 60 days'  written  notice to
the Trust and will automatically  terminate in the event of its assignment.  The
Investment  Advisory Agreement also provides that, with respect to the Fund, the
Adviser  shall not be liable for any mistake of judgment or in any event  except
for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its
duties or by reason of reckless  disregard of its  obligations  and duties under
the Investment Advisory Agreement.

                                       18
<PAGE>


The Investment  Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser may render services
to others. The Adviser may also act and be compensated as investment manager for
its clients  with  respect to assets  which are  invested  in the Fund.  In some
instances the Adviser may elect to credit against any investment  management fee
received from a client who is also a shareholder  in the Fund an amount equal to
all or a portion of the fees  received  by the Adviser or any  affiliate  of the
Adviser from the Fund with respect to the client's assets invested in the Fund.

The  Adviser  has  agreed  to  reimburse  the Trust for  certain  of the  Fund's
operating  expenses which in any year exceed the limits  prescribed by any state
in which the Fund's shares are  qualified  for sale.  The Trust may elect not to
qualify its shares for sale in every state.  For the purpose of this  obligation
to reimburse  expenses,  the Fund's  annual  expenses are  estimated and accrued
daily,  and any  appropriate  estimated  payments  will  be made by the  Adviser
monthly.  Subject to the  obligations  of the Adviser to reimburse the Trust for
its excess  expenses,  the Trust has, under the Investment  Advisory  Agreement,
confirmed its obligation to pay all its other  expenses.  The Fund believes that
currently the most restrictive  expense ratio limitation imposed by any state is
2-1/2% of the first $30 million of the Fund's average net asset,  2% of the next
$70  million of its  average  net assets and 1-1/2% of its average net assets in
excess of $100 million.

For its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser receives a
fee at an annual rate of 1.5% of the average net daily  assets of the Fund.  The
following  table shows the dollar  amount of fees payable  under the  Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Austin Investment Management, Inc., the
amount  of fee that was  waived  by the  Adviser,  if any,  and the  actual  fee
received by the Advisor. The data is for the past three years.
<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                      <C>                        <C>
                                        Advisory Fee Payable       Advisory Fee Waived       Advisory Fee Retained
Austin Global Value Fund

Year Ended March 31, 1998             $195,053                  $24,463                    $170,590
Year Ended March 31, 1997             $118,156                  $69,562                    $48,594
Year Ended June 30, 1996              $142,592                  $71,022                    $71,570
</TABLE>

THE ADMINISTRATOR

Pursuant to an Administration  Agreement with the Trust,,  Forum  Administrative
Services,  LLC ("FAdS") acts as the  administrator to the Trust on behalf of the
Fund. As administrator,  FAdS provides  management and  administrative  services
necessary  to  the  operation  of  the  Trust  (which   includes,   among  other
responsibilities,  negotiation  of contracts  and fees with,  and  monitoring of
performance  and billing of, the transfer  agent,  fund accountant and custodian
and  arranging for  maintenance  of books and records of the Trust) and provides
the  Trust  with  general  office   facilities..   FAdS  also  provides  persons
satisfactory to the Board to serve as officers of the Trust. Those officers,  as
well as certain  other  employees  and Trustees of the Trust,  may be directors,
officers or employees of FAdS, the Adviser or their  respective  affiliates.  In
addition,  under the Agreement,  FAdS is directly  responsible  for managing the
Trust's  regulatory and legal  compliance and overseeing the  preparation of its
registration statement.

The Administration Agreement will remain in effect for a period of twelve months
from the date of its  effectiveness  and will continue in effect thereafter only
if its continuance is  specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the Board
or by majority  vote of the  shareholders  and (2) by a majority of the Trustees
who are not parties to the  agreement  or  interested  persons of any such party
(other  than as  Trustees of the Trust).  The  Administration  Agreement  may be
terminated with respect to the Fund, without payment of a penalty,  by the Board
or FAdS on 60 days' written notice. The  Administration  Agreement provides that
FAdS shall not be liable for any action or inaction taken in the  administration
or management of the Trust,  except for willful  misfeasance,  bad faith,  gross
negligence,  or reckless  disregard in the  performance  of its duties under the
Administration Agreement.

Until May 31, 1994, Stone Bridge Trust Company ("SBTC"),  as administrator,  and
Forum Financial Services,  Inc. ("FFSI"), as  sub-administrator,  supervised the
overall  management  of the Fund,  which  was then a series of The Stone  Bridge
Funds,  Inc.,  a  registered  management  investment  company  (the  "Company"),
including   the   administrative   duties   described   above,   pursuant  to  a
Co-Administration  Agreement and a Distribution  and 

                                       19
<PAGE>


Administration  Agreement,  respectively.  Effective  June 1, 1994,  the Company
entered into an Administration and Distribution  Agreement with FFSI under which
FFSI provided the administration and distribution services it has provided since
the Fund's inception and assumed the  administrative  responsibilities  formerly
performed  by SBTC.  As of  November  25,  1996,  administrative  services  were
provided to the Fund pursuant to a Management and Distribution Agreement between
the  Trust  and FFSI.  Effective  June 19,  1997,  administrative  services  are
provided by FAdS under the current Administration Agreement with the Trust.

For the fiscal years ending March 31, 1998 and 1997 and June 30, 1996, the total
administration fees paid were $32,509, $19,693, and $23,765, respectively.

THE DISTRIBUTOR

Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, FFSI acts as distributor of
the Fund's  shares The  Distributor  is under no  obligation  to sell a specific
amount of Fund shares. All subscriptions of shares obtained by FFSI are directed
to the Trust for acceptance and are not binding on the Trust until accepted.

The  Distribution  Agreement will remain in effect for a period of twelve months
from the date of its  effectiveness  and will continue in effect thereafter only
if its continuance is  specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the Board
or by majority  vote of  shareholders  and (2) by a majority of the Trustees who
are not parties to the agreement or interested  persons of any such party and do
not  have  any  direct  or  indirect  financial  interest  in  the  Distribution
Agreement.
    

The Distribution Agreement terminates automatically if it is assigned and may be
terminated  without  penalty  with  respect  to the  Fundby  vote of the  Fund's
shareholders  or by either party to the agreement on 60 days' written  notice to
the Trust.  The  Distribution  Agreement  also  provides  that FFSI shall not be
liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or omission in
the administration or management of the Trust,  except for willful  misfeasance,
bad faith or gross  negligence in the  performance of its duties or by reason of
reckless  disregard  of  its  obligations  and  duties  under  the  Distribution
Agreement.

   
FFSI may enter into  agreements  with selected  broker-dealers,  banks, or other
financial  institutions  for distribution of shares of the Fund. These financial
institutions  may charge a fee for their  services and may receive  shareholders
service fees even though  shares of the Fund are sold without  sales  charges or
distribution fees. These financial  institutions may otherwise act as processing
agents, and will be responsible for promptly transmitting  purchase,  redemption
and other requests to the Fund.

Investors who purchase  shares in this manner will be subject to the  procedures
of the institution through whom they purchase shares, which may include charges,
investment  minimums,  cutoff  times and other  restrictions  in addition to, or
different  from,  those listed  herein.  Information  concerning  any charges or
services will be provided to customers by the financial  institution.  Investors
purchasing  shares of the Fund in this manner should  acquaint  themselves  with
their  institution's  procedures and should read this  Prospectus in conjunction
with any materials and information provided by their institution.  The financial
institution  and not its customers will be the  shareholder of record,  although
customers  may have the right to vote shares  depending  upon their  arrangement
with the institution.

On May 19, 1998, the Board terminated a distribution plan previously  adopted by
the Board in accordance  with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act  ("Plan").  The Plan
required  the Trust and FFSI to prepare,  at least  quarterly,  written  reports
setting forth all amounts expended for distribution purposes by FFSI pursuant to
the  Plan  and   identifying  the   distribution   activities  for  which  those
expenditures  were made.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Plan did
not incur any expenses.

THE TRANSFER AGENT

Pursuant to a Transfer  Agency and Services  Agreement  with the Trust dated May
19, 1998,  Forum  Shareholder  Services,  LLC ("FSS") acts as transfer agent and
dividend  disbursing agent of the Trust. FSS became the transfer

                                       20
<PAGE>


agent  effective  January  1,  1998 when it  succeeded  to the  transfer  agency
business of Forum  Financial  Corp.  (FSS and Forum Financial Corp. are commonly
controlled entities).

The Transfer Agency and Services Agreement will remain in effect for a period of
one year and will  continue  in effect  thereafter  only if its  continuance  is
specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the Board or by majority vote of
the  shareholders  and (2) by a majority of the  Trustees who are not parties to
the respective  agreement or interested  persons of any such party. The Transfer
Agency and Services  Agreement may also be terminated on 60 days written  notice
by either the Board or FSS. The  Transfer  Agency and  Services  Agreement  also
provides  that FSS shall not be liable  for any  action,  failure,  or  omission
except  for  willful  misfeasance,  bad  faith,  and  gross  negligence  in  the
performance  of its duties  under the Transfer  Agency and  Services  Agreement.
Among the  responsibilities  of FSS as agent for the Trust  are:  (1)  answering
customer  inquiries  regarding  account status and history,  the manner in which
purchases  and  redemptions  of shares of the Funds may be effected  and certain
other matters pertaining to the Funds; (2) assisting  shareholders in initiating
and  changing  account  designations  and  addresses;  (3)  providing  necessary
personnel  and  facilities to establish  and maintain  shareholder  accounts and
records,  assisting in  processing  purchase  and  redemption  transactions  and
receiving wired funds;  (4)  transmitting and receiving funds in connection with
customer  orders  to  purchase  or  redeem  shares;  (5)  verifying  shareholder
signatures  in  connection  with  changes  in the  registration  of  shareholder
accounts;  (6) furnishing periodic statements and confirmations of purchases and
redemptions;  (7) arranging for the  transmission  of proxy  statements,  annual
reports,   prospectuses  and  other   communications   from  the  Trust  to  its
shareholders;  (8) arranging for the receipt, tabulation and transmission to the
Trust  of  proxies  executed  by  shareholders   with  respect  to  meetings  of
shareholders of the Trust;  and (9) providing such other related services as the
Trust or a shareholder may reasonably request.

FSS or any  sub-transfer  agent or  processing  agent  may also act and  receive
compensation  for acting as custodian,  investment  manager,  nominee,  agent or
fiduciary  for its customers or clients who are  shareholders  of the Funds with
respect to assets invested in the Funds. FSS or any sub-transfer  agent or other
processing  agent may  elect to credit  against  the fees  payable  to it by its
clients or customers all or a portion of any fee received from the Trust or from
FSS with respect to assets of those customers or clients  invested in the Funds.
FSS, FAdS or  sub-transfer  agents or processing  agents  retained by FSS may be
Processing  Organizations  (as  defined in the  Prospectus)  and, in the case of
sub-transfer  agents or processing agents, may also be affiliated persons of FSS
or FAdS.

For its services, FSS receives with respect to the Fund an annual fee of $12,000
plus $25 per shareholder account. FFC served as the transfer agent for the Trust
pursuant to similar terms and compensation as FSS.

THE FUND ACCOUNTANT

Pursuant to a Fund  Accounting  Agreement  with the Trust  dated June 19,  1997,
Forum  Accounting  Services,  LLC  ("FAcS")  provides  the Fund  with  portfolio
accounting,  including the  calculation of the Fund's net asset value.  Prior to
June 19, 1997, accounting services were provided to the Trust by FFC.

The Fund Accounting Agreement will remain in effect for a period of one year and
will  continue in effect  thereafter  only if its  continuance  is  specifically
approved  at  least  annually  (1) by  the  Board  or by  majority  vote  of the
shareholders  and (2) by a majority of the  Trustees  who are not parties to the
respective  agreement  or  interested  persons  of  any  such  party.  The  Fund
Accounting  Agreement may also be terminated on 60 days written notice by either
the Board or FAcS. The Fund  Accounting  Agreement also provides that FAcS shall
not be liable for any action or inaction  taken except for willful  misfeasance,
bad faith ,gross  negligence,  or reckless  disregard in the  performance of its
duties under the Fund Accounting Agreement. For services provided under the Fund
Accounting Agreement, FAcS receives and FFC received with respect to the Fund an
annual fee of $36,000 plus certain surcharges depending upon the amount and type
of the Fund's  portfolio  transactions  and  positions.  For fiscal years ending
March 31, 1998 and 1997 and June 30, 1996,  the  accounting  fees were  $36,000,
$27,000, and $39,000, respectively.
    

4.  DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

                                       21
<PAGE>


The Trust  determines the net asset value per share of the Fund as of 4:00 P.M.,
Eastern time, on Fund Business Days (as defined in the Prospectus),  by dividing
the value of the Fund's net assets (i.e.,  the value of its securities and other
assets  less its  liabilities,  including  expenses  payable or  accrued) by the
number of shares  outstanding at the time the  determination  is made. The Trust
does not determine net asset value on the  following  holidays:  New Year's Day,
Martin  Luther  King,  Jr. Day,  Presidents'  Day,  Good Friday,  Memorial  Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Securities listed or traded on United States or foreign securities exchanges are
valued at the last quoted sales prices on such exchanges  prior to the time when
assets are  valued.  Securities  listed or traded on certain  foreign  exchanges
whose  operations are similar to the United States  over-the-counter  market are
valued at the price  within the limits of the latest  available  current bid and
asked prices deemed best to reflect market value. Listed securities that are not
traded  on  a  particular   day,  and   securities   regularly   traded  in  the
over-the-counter market, are valued at the price within the limits of the latest
available  current bid and asked prices deemed best to reflect market value.  In
instances  where market  quotations are not readily  available,  the security is
valued in a manner intended to reflect its fair value.  All other securities and
assets  are valued in a manner  determined  to reflect  their  fair  value.  For
purposes of  determining  the Fund's net asset  value per share,  all assets and
liabilities  initially  expressed in foreign  currencies  will be converted into
United States dollars at the mean of the bid and asked prices of such currencies
against the United States dollar last quoted by any major bank.

Trading in  securities  on European  and Far Eastern  securities  exchanges  and
over-the-counter markets is normally completed well before the close of business
of each Fund  Business  Day in New York.  In  addition,  European or Far Eastern
securities  trading  generally or in a particular  country or countries  may not
take place on all business days in New York. Furthermore, trading takes place in
Japanese  markets on certain  Saturdays and in various  foreign  markets on days
which are not Fund  Business  Days in New York and on which the Fund's net asset
value is not  calculated.  Calculation  of the net asset  value per share of the
Fund does not take place  contemporaneously with the determination of the prices
of the majority of the portfolio  securities  used in such  calculation.  Events
affecting the values of portfolio  securities  that occur between the time their
prices are  determined and the close of the New York Stock  Exchange,  Inc. will
not be  reflected  in the Fund's  calculation  of net asset  value  unless it is
deemed that the particular  event would  materially  affect net asset value,  in
which case an adjustment will be made.

5.  PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

The Fund  generally will effect  purchases and sales through  brokers who charge
commissions.  Allocations  of  transactions  to  brokers  and  dealers  and  the
frequency of transactions are determined by the Adviser in its best judgment and
in a manner deemed to be in the best interest of shareholders of the Fund rather
than by any formula. The primary  consideration is prompt execution of orders in
an effective manner and at the most favorable price available to the Fund.

Transactions on stock exchanges involve the payment of brokerage commissions. In
transactions  on stock  exchanges in the United States,  these  commissions  are
negotiated,  whereas on foreign stock exchanges these  commissions are generally
fixed.   In  the  case  of  securities   traded  in  the  foreign  and  domestic
over-the-counter markets, there is generally no stated commission, but the price
usually includes an undisclosed commission or markup. In underwritten offerings,
the price includes a disclosed fixed commission or discount.  Where transactions
are executed in the over-the-counter market, the Fund will seek to deal with the
primary market makers; but when necessary in order to obtain best execution,  it
will  utilize  the  services  of others.  In all cases the Fund will  attempt to
negotiate best execution.

The Fund may not always pay the lowest commission or spread  available.  Rather,
in determining the amount of commission,  including certain dealer spreads, paid
in  connection  with Fund  transactions,  the Adviser  takes into  account  such
factors  as  size of the  order,  difficulty  of  execution,  efficiency  of the
executing broker's  facilities  (including the services described below) and any
risk  assumed by the  executing  broker.  The Adviser may also take

                                       22
<PAGE>


into account payments made by brokers effecting transactions for the Fund (i) to
the Fund or (ii) to other persons on behalf of the Fund for services provided to
it for which it would be obligated to pay.

In addition,  the Adviser may give  consideration to research services furnished
by  brokers  to the  Adviser  for its use and may  cause  the Fund to pay  these
brokers a higher amount of commission than may be charged by other brokers. Such
research and analysis may be used by the Adviser in connection  with services to
clients  other than the Fund,  and the Adviser's fee is not reduced by reason of
the Adviser's receipt of the research services.

Investment  decisions for the Fund will be made independently from those for any
other account or investment  company that is or may in the future become managed
by the Adviser or its  affiliates.  If, however,  the Fund and other  investment
companies or accounts  managed by the Adviser are  contemporaneously  engaged in
the purchase or sale of the same security,  the  transactions may be averaged as
to price and  allocated  equitably to each account.  In some cases,  this policy
might adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the
position  obtainable  for the Fund. In addition,  when purchases or sales of the
same  security  for the Fund and for other  investment  companies  and  accounts
managed by the Adviser occur contemporaneously,  the purchase or sale orders may
be  aggregated  in order to  obtain  any  price  advantages  available  to large
denomination purchases or sales.

   
The Fund  contemplates  that,  consistent  with the policy of obtaining best net
results,   brokerage   transactions  may  be  conducted  through  the  Adviser's
affiliates,  affiliates  of  those  persons  or  FFSI.  The  Advisory  Agreement
authorizes the Adviser to so execute trades. The Board has adopted procedures in
conformity with applicable rules under the Investment Company Act to ensure that
all brokerage commissions paid to these persons are reasonable and fair. For the
fiscal  years ended  March 31,  1998 and 1997 and June 30, 1996 , the  aggregate
brokerage  commissions incurred by the Fund were $19,974,  $11,976, and $22,929,
of which 0% ($0.00) was paid in each year to American Securities Corporation, an
affiliate of the Adviser.  During those periods, 0.0% of the total dollar amount
of transactions  by the Fund involving the payment of commissions  were effected
through American Securities Corporation.

6.  ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

Shares of the Fund are sold on a  continuous  basis by FFSI at net  asset  value
without any sales charge.  As of March 31, 1998,  the Fund's net asset value per
share was $16.27%.

REDEMPTIONS IN KIND
    

Proceeds of redemptions normally are paid in cash. However, payments may be made
wholly or partly  in  portfolio  securities  if the  Board  determines  economic
conditions  exist  which  would  make  payment in cash  detrimental  to the best
interests of the Fund.  If payment for shares  redeemed is made wholly or partly
in portfolio  securities,  brokerage costs may be incurred by the shareholder in
converting  the securities to cash. The Trust has filed an election with the SEC
to which the Fund may only effect a redemption  in portfolio  securities  if the
particular shareholder is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's total
net assets, whichever is less, during any 90-day period.

In addition to the situations  described in the Prospectus  under "Purchases and
Redemptions of Shares," the Trust may redeem shares  involuntarily  to reimburse
the Fund for any loss  sustained  by reason of the failure of a  shareholder  to
make full  payment for shares  purchased  by the  shareholder  or to collect any
charge relating to transactions  effected for the benefit of a shareholder which
is applicable to the Fund's  shares as provided in the  Prospectus  from time to
time.

Shareholders'  rights of  redemption  may not be  suspended,  except (i) for any
period  during  which the New York Stock  Exchange,  Inc. is closed  (other than
customary  weekend and holiday closings) or during which the SEC determines that
trading thereon is restricted, (ii) for any period during which an emergency (as
determined  by the SEC) exists as a result of which  disposal by the Fund of its
securities  is not  reasonably  practicable  or as a  result  of 

                                       23
<PAGE>


which it is not  reasonably  practicable  for the Fund fairly to  determine  the
value of its net assets,  or (iii) for such other period as the SEC may by order
permit for the protection of the shareholders of the Fund.

   
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

The exchange privilege permits shareholders of the Fund to exchange their shares
for Investor shares of the Daily Asset  Government  Fund, a money market fund of
the Trust (the "Daily Assets Fund").  For Federal income tax purposes,  exchange
transactions  are treated as sales on which a purchaser  will  realize a capital
gain or loss  depending  on whether the value of the shares  redeemed is more or
less than his basis in such shares at the time of the transaction.

By use of the exchange privilege, the shareholder authorizes FSS to act upon the
instruction  of any  person  representing  himself  to either be, or to have the
authority  to act on behalf of, the  investor and believed by FSS to be genuine.
The records of FSS of such  instructions  are  binding.  Proceeds of an exchange
transaction  may be  invested  in the  Daily  Assets  Fund  in the  name  of the
shareholder.

Exchange transactions will be made on the basis of relative net asset values per
share  at the  time of the  exchange  transaction.  Shares  of the  Fund  may be
redeemed and the proceeds used to purchase,  without a sales  charge,  shares of
the Daily  Assets  Fund.  The terms of the  exchange  privilege  are  subject to
change,  and the  privilege  may be  terminated  by the Daily Assets Fund or the
Trust.  However,  the privilege will not be terminated,  and no material  change
that  restricts  the  availability  of the  privilege  to  shareholders  will be
implemented, without reasonable advance notice to shareholders.
    

8.  TAX MATTERS

FOREIGN INCOME TAXES

Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may
be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. The United States has
entered into tax treaties with many foreign  countries which entitle the Fund to
a reduced  rate of such  taxes or  exemption  from taxes on such  income.  It is
impossible to know the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount
of  the  Fund's  assets  to be  invested  within  various  countries  cannot  be
determined.

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

The Fund  intends  for each  taxable  year to  qualify  for tax  treatment  as a
"regulated investment Trust" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the  "Code").  Such  qualification  does not, of course,  involve  governmental
supervision of management or investment practices or policies.  Investors should
consult their own counsel for a complete  understanding  of the requirements the
Fund must meet to qualify for such treatment.

Income received by the Fund from sources within various foreign countries may be
subject to foreign income tax. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total
assets at the close of its taxable year  consists of the stock or  securities of
foreign  corporations,  the Fund  may  elect to  "pass  through"  to the  Fund's
shareholders  the amount of foreign  income taxes paid by the Fund.  Pursuant to
that election,  shareholders would be required:  (i) to include in gross income,
even though not actually  received,  their respective  pro-rata share of foreign
taxes  paid by the  Fund;  and (ii)  either to deduct  their  pro-rata  share of
foreign  taxes in  computing  their  taxable  income,  or,  subject  to  certain
limitations, to use it as a foreign tax credit against federal income taxes (but
not both).  No deduction for foreign taxes could be claimed by a shareholder who
does not itemize deductions.

The Fund may or may not meet the  requirements  of the Code to "pass through" to
its  shareholders  foreign income taxes paid. Each  shareholder will be notified
after the close of each taxable year of the Fund whether the foreign  taxes paid
by the Fund will "pass  through"  for that year,  and, if so, the amount of each
shareholder's  pro-rata  share (by country) of (i) the foreign  taxes paid,  and
(ii) the Fund's  gross  income from foreign  sources.  Shareholders  who 

                                       24
<PAGE>


are not liable for Federal  income  taxes,  such as retirement  plans  qualified
under  Section 401 of the Code,  will not be  affected by any "pass  through" of
foreign taxes.

For Federal income tax purposes, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in
exchange  rates which occur between the time the Fund accrues  interest or other
receivables or accrues  expenses or other  liabilities  denominated in a foreign
currency and the time the Fund actually  collects such  receivables or pays such
liabilities are treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. Similarly, gains or
losses from the  disposition  of (i) foreign  currencies,  (ii) debt  securities
denominated in a foreign currency,  or (iii) a forward contract denominated in a
foreign  currency,  which are  attributable  to fluctuations in the value of the
foreign  currency  between the date of acquisition of the assets and the date of
disposition also are treated as ordinary gain or loss.

The use of certain hedging  strategies  such as writing and purchasing  options,
futures  contracts  and options on futures  contracts  and entering into foreign
currency forward contracts and other foreign instruments, involves complex rules
that will  determine  for  income  tax  purposes  the  character  and  timing of
recognition of income received by the Fund in connection therewith.

Dividends out of net ordinary income and distributions of net short-term capital
gain  are   eligible,   in  the  case  of   corporate   shareholders,   for  the
dividends-received  deduction,  subject to proportionate reduction of the amount
eligible for deduction if the  aggregate  qualifying  dividends  received by the
Fund  from  domestic  corporations  in any year are less  than 100% of its gross
income  (excluding  long-term  capital  gain from  securities  transactions).  A
corporation's   dividends-received  deduction  will  be  disallowed  unless  the
corporation holds shares in the Fund more than 45 days. Furthermore,  provisions
of the tax  law  disallow  the  dividends-received  deduction  to the  extent  a
corporation's investment in shares of the Fund is financed with indebtedness.

9.  OTHER MATTERS

COUNSEL

Legal matters in connection  with the issuance of shares of beneficial  interest
of the  Trust  are  passed  upon  by  Seward  &  Kissel,  1200 G  Street,  N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20005.

   
CUSTODIAN

Pursuant to a Custodian Agreement, BankBoston,N.A.  (formerly The First National
Bank of Boston), 100 Federal Street,  Boston, MA 02106, acts as the custodian of
the Fund's assets.  The custodian's  responsibilities  include  safeguarding and
controlling  the Fund's cash and securities,  determining  income and collecting
interest on Fund investments.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
    

Deloitte  & Touche,  LLP,  125  Summer  Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts,  02110,
independent auditors, have been selected as auditors for the Trust.




                                       25
<PAGE>


   
                                   APPENDIX A

               CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

As of July 1, 1998, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group owned less
than 1% of the  outstanding  shares  of each  Fund.  Also as of that  date,  the
shareholders  listed below owned more than 5% of each Fund.  Shareholders owning
25% or more of the  shares of a Fund or of the Trust as a whole may be deemed to
be controlling persons. By reason of their substantial holdings of shares, these
persons may be able to require the Trust to hold a  shareholder  meeting to vote
on certain  issues and may be able to determine  the outcome of any  shareholder
vote.  As noted,  certain of these  shareholders  are known to the Trust to hold
their shares of record only and have no beneficial interest, including the right
to vote, in the shares.
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                        <C>
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                       ------------               -------------
OAK HALL SMALL CAP CONTRARIAN FUND
- ----------------------------------

Maryann Wolf                                                              13.30%                   40,946.955
55 Central Park West Apt 12-13
New York  NY  10023

Simeon Gold & Heide Gold, Jt. Ten.                                         9.05%                   27,856.149
136 East 76th Street Apt. 10F
New York  NY  10021

Jane Levy                                                                  5.73%                   17,622.969
320 West 87th Street Apt. 3W
New York  NY  10024

Bank of Boston, IRA Custodian                                              5.70%                   17,553.097
FBO Maryann Wolf
55 Central Park West Apt. 12-13
New York  NY  10023

WR Family Associates 401K Plan Option                                      5.48%                   16,870.661
Attn: Olga M. Dimmini
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2400 New York, NY 10168-002

    
</TABLE>

                                      A-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>
   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND                                           ------------               -------------
INSTITUTIONAL  SHARES
- ---------------------

H M Payson & Co. Custody Account                                          56.56%                 18,033,015.150
FBO Customer Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland  ME  04112


H M Payson & Co. Trust Account                                            43.44%                 13,850,465.390
FBO Trust Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Bank of Boston, IRA Rollover Custodian                                    16.52%                  826,387.330
FBO Merne E. Young Rollover
18751 San Rufino
Irvine, CA 92612

Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation                                    15.90%                  795,276.550
Foundation Smith Family Care Fund
Attn: Kristy Hurley
2850 N. Garey Avenue
P.O. Box 6001
Pomona, CA 91769-6001                                                     15.90%                  795,276.550

Lansdowne Parking Associates LP                                            9.99%                  499,939.120
c/o Meredith Management
29 Crafts Street #300
Newton, MA 02158

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                         100%                     100.920
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101


DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Allagash & Co.                                                            46.30%                 12,236,932.890
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-2
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                         <C>
   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND                                                 ------------              -------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES CON'T

H M Payson & Co. Custody Account                                          34.44%                 9.101,914.440
FBO Customer Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

H M Payson & Co. Trust Account                                            19.27%                 5,092,100.590
FBO Trust Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Cutler Approved List Equity Fund                                          18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Sound Shore Fund                                                          18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Small Cap Value Fund                                                  18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Cutler Equity Income Fund                                                 18.12%                  951,550.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM All Cap Value Fund                                                     9.45%                  496,164.720
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Mid Cap Value Fund                                                     5.70%                  299,263.830
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-3
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                        <C>

   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF               AMOUNT OF
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               SHARES OWNED
                                                                       ------------               ------------
DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, Inc.                                        100%                     101.200
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    

   
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Allagash & Co.                                                            72.89%                 11,915,149.240
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                    26.73%                 4,368,592.160
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302-0477

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Dirigo Drywall Assoc.                                                     22.89%                  682,716.350
225 Riverside Street
Portland, ME 04103

Cutler Approved List Equity Fund                                          19.58%                  583,950.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Sound Shore Fund                                                          19.58%                  583,950.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Small Cap Value Fund                                                  19.58%                  583,950,000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-4
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>                        <C>

   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF                AMOUNT OF
                                                                       SHARES OWNED              SHARES OWNED
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND                               ------------              ------------
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES-CON'T

Cutler Equity Income Fund                                                 9.05%                   269,894.440
C/O Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square

CRM All Cap Value Fund                                                    6.23%                   185,729.030
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                         100%                     100.900
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                    46.72%                 9,494,221.860
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                            25.38%                 5,157,680.310
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Imperial Securities Corp.                                                 23.96%                 4,868,005.220
Attn: Jack Singer
9920 South La Cieniega Blvd 14th Fl
Inglewood, CA 90301
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-5
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>                          <C>
   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF                AMOUNT OF
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               SHARES OWNED
                                                                      ------------               ------------
DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Forum Financing                                                            100%                      5.000
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND
INVESTOR SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                        100%                      100.060
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS TREASURY OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   65.16%                 62,106,021.450
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                           34.84%                 33,201,966.980
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

DAILY ASSETS TREASURY OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE

Allagash & Co.                                                           99.10%                  1,657,595.720
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
CONCORD, NH 03302-0477

INVESTORS BOND FUND
- -------------------

Firstrust Co.                                                            72.38%                  5,714,958.415
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

SEI Trust Company                                                        11.10%                   876,782.753
c/o Irwin Union Bank & Trust
Attn:  Mutual Funds Administrator
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks  PA  19456
    
</TABLE>


                                      A-6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>                         <C>


   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      ------------               -------------
FORUM TAXSAVER BOND FUND
- ------------------------

First Trust Co.                                                          49.33%                  1,717,000.264
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

SEI Trust Company                                                        21.80%                   758,668.285
c/o Irwin Union Bank & Trust
Attn:  Mutual Funds Administrator
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks  PA  19456

Leonore Zusman Ttee                                                       6.03%                   209,963.557
Leonore Zusman Living Trust  U/A/D 2/3/93
6439 Woodacre Ct.
Englewood  OH  45322

Lawrence L. Zusman Ttee                                                   5.41%                   188,185.433
Lawrence L. Zusman Living Trust  U/A/D 2/3/93
6439 Woodacre Court
Englewood  OH  45322

HIGH GRADE BOND FUND

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   99.76%                  3.451,019.518
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND

Independence Trust                                                       45.62%                   565,735.702
Attn: Linda Feliciano
200 Bedford Street 5th
Manchester, NH 03101
    
</TABLE>


                                      A-7
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>                           <C>

   
                                                                  PERCENTAGE OF SHARES         AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      OF FUND OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      -------------              -------------

PAYSON BALANCED FUND
- --------------------

ALA & Co.                                                                15.49%                   258,329.088
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

Payse & Co.                                                              14.98%                   249,788.506
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

PAYSON VALUE FUND
- -----------------

Payse & Co.                                                              21.90%                   208,621.301
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

ALA & Co.                                                                18.09%                   172,271.808
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

INVESTORS EQUITY FUND
- ---------------------

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   94.40%                  2,383,117.225
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                            5.18%                   130,658.987
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-8
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>                           <C>


   
                                                                  PERCENTAGE OF SHARES         AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      OF FUND OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      -------------              -------------
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
- -------------------------

Forum Financing                                                          67.80%                     500.000
Forum Financial Group
Two Portland Square
Portland  ME  04101

Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Sec Corp.                                   32.20%                     237.417
Mutual Funds Dept. - 5th Floor
PO Box 2052
Jersey City  NJ  07303

INVESTORS GROWTH FUND
- ---------------------

Firstrust Co.                                                            99.95%                  3,013,520.631
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

EQUITY INDEX FUND
- -----------------

Allagash & Co.                                                           99.27%                   440,772.554
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302

SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                        100%                      500.000
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

EMERGING MARKETS FUND

Forum Financing                                                          65.52%                     500.00
Attn:  Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Donald, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp.                               34.48%                     263.158
Mutual Funds Dept.-5th Floor
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ 07303
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-9
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>                        <C>
   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      ------------               -------------
QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND
- ------------------------

Holly Melosi & Arturo R. Melosi TTEE                                     80.77%                   406,724.176
FBO Atrgur & Holly Magill Foundation
36 Woodland Way Circle
Greenville, SC 29601

HMK Enterprises, Inc.                                                    8.41%%                   42,337.003
800 South Street
Suite 355
Waltham  MA  02154

QUADRA GROWTH FUND
- ------------------

Holly Melosi & Arturo R. Melosi TTEE                                     77.64%                   454,757.022
FBO Arthur & Holly Magill Foundation
36 Woodland Way Circle
Greenville, SC 29601

John E. Rosenthal                                                         12.52                   73,322.092
1212 West Street
Carlisle, MA 01741-1428

POLARIS GLOBAL VALUE FUND
- -------------------------

David Solomont                                                           11.39%                   271,791.712
c/o Utopia Inc.
200 Fifth Avenue
Waltham, MA 02154

DCGT TR                                                                   5.35%                   127,724.287
FBO Audrey Lewis-REG IRA
10 Rogers Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
    

</TABLE>




                                      A-10
<PAGE>


   
                                   APPENDIX B
    

                        DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS


CORPORATE BONDS (INCLUDING CONVERTIBLE DEBT)

         (A)  MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. ("MOODY'S")

         Moody's rates corporate bond issues, including convertible debt issues,
as follows:

Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged by Moody's 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 the various protective elements are
likely to change,  such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Bonds  which are rated Aa are  judged to be of high  quality  by all  standards.
Together  with  the Aaa  group,  they  comprise  what  are  generally  known  as
high-grade  bonds.  They are rated lower than the best bonds because  margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements  may be of greater  amplitude  or there may be other  elements  present
which make the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

Bonds which are rated A 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.

Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they
are neither highly protected nor poorly secured.  Interest payment 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.

Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative  elements;  their future
cannot be  considered  as well  assured.  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
bonds in this class.

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

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

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

Bonds which are rated C 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.

Note:  Those  bonds in the Aa, A, Baa,  Ba or B groups  which  Moody's  believes
possess the strongest  investment  attributes are designated by the symbols Aa1,
A1, Baa1, Ba1, and B1.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>

         (B)  STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION ("S&P")

         S&P rates corporate bond issues,  including convertible debt issues, as
follows:

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

Bonds rated AA have a very strong  capacity to pay interest and repay  principal
and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.

Bonds  rated A 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  rated  in  higher  rated
categories.

Bonds rated BBB 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
weakened  capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category
than in higher rated categories.

Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C are  regarded,  on  balance,  as  predominantly
speculative  with  respect to the  issuer's  capacity to pay  interest and repay
principal in  accordance  with the terms of the  obligation.  BB  indicates  the
lowest degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such
bonds will likely have some quality and  protective  characteristics,  these are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
Bonds  rated  `BB' have less  near-term  vulnerability  to  default  than  other
speculative issues.  However,  they face major ongoing uncertainties or exposure
to adverse  business,  financial,  or  economic  conditions  which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments.

Bonds rated `B' have a greater  vulnerability  to default but currently have the
capacity to meet interest  payments and principal  payments.  Adverse  business,
financial,  or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to
pay interest and repay principal.

Bonds rated `CCC' have currently identifiable  vulnerability to default, and are
dependent upon favorable  business,  financial,  and economic conditions to meet
timely  payment of interest and repayment of principal.  In the event of adverse
business,  financial,  or economic  conditions,  they are not likely to have the
capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

The `C' rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy  petition has
been filed, but debt service payments are continued.  The rating `C' is reserved
for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

Bonds are rated D when the issue is in payment default, or the obligor has filed
for bankruptcy.  Bonds rated `D' are in payment default. The `D' rating category
is used when  interest  payments or principal  payments are not made on the date
due even if the  applicable  grace period has not  expired,  unless S&P believes
that such payments will made during such grace period.  The `D' rating also will
be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy  petition if debt  service  payments are
jeopardized.

Note:  The ratings  from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+)
or minus (-) sign to show the relative standing within the rating category.

PREFERRED STOCK

         (A)  MOODY'S

         Moody's rates preferred stock issues as follows:

                                      B-2
<PAGE>

An issue  which is rated  aaa is a  top-quality  preferred  stock.  This  rating
indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend  impairment among
preferred stock issues.

An issue  which is rated  "aa" is a  high-grade  preferred  stock.  This  rating
indicates  that  there  is  a  reasonable  assurance  that  earnings  and  asset
protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future.

An issue which is rated "a" is an  upper-medium  grade  preferred  stock.  While
risks are judged to be somewhat  greater than in the aaa and aa  classification,
earnings and asset  protection are,  nevertheless,  expected to be maintained at
adequate levels.

An issue which is rated "baa" is a medium-grade  preferred stock, neither highly
protected nor poorly secured.  Earnings and asset protection  appear adequate at
present but may be questionable over any great length of time.

An issue which is rated "ba" has  speculative  elements and its future cannot be
considered well assured.  Earnings and asset protection may be very moderate and
not well safeguarded during adverse periods.
Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

An issue which is rated "b" generally lacks the  characteristics  of a desirable
investment. Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other terms of the
issue over any long period of time may be small.

An issue which is rated  "caa" is likely to be in arrears on dividend  payments.
This  rating  designation  does not  purport to  indicate  the future  status of
payments.

An issue which is rated "ca" is speculative in a high degree and is likely to be
in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payment.

An issue which is rated "c" can be regarded as having  extremely  poor prospects
of ever attaining any real investment  standing.  This is the lowest rated class
of preferred or preference stock.

         (B)  STANDARD & POOR'S

         Standard & Poor's rates preferred stock issues as follows:

"AAA" is the highest  rating that is assigned by S&P to a preferred  stock issue
and  indicates  an  extremely   strong  capacity  to  pay  the  preferred  stock
obligations.

A preferred stock issue rated "AA" also qualifies as a high-quality fixed income
security.  The  capacity to pay  preferred  stock  obligations  is very  strong,
although not as overwhelming as for issues rated "AAA."

An issue  rated "A" is backed by a sound  capacity  to pay the  preferred  stock
obligations,  although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions.

An issue rated  "BBB" is  regarded as backed by an adequate  capacity to pay the
preferred stock  obligations.  Whereas if normally exhibits adequate  protection
parameters,  adverse  economic  conditions  or changing  circumstances  are more
likely to lead to a weakened  capacity to make payments for a preferred stock in
this category than for issues in the "A" category.

Preferred  stock  rated  "BB,"  "B," and  "CCC" are  regarded,  on  balance,  as
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay preferred
stock obligations. "BB" indicates the lowest degree of speculation and "CCC" the
highest degree of  speculation.  While such issues will likely have some quality
and protective  characteristics,  these are outweighed by large uncertainties or
major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

The rating "CC" is reserved for a preferred  stock issue in arrears on dividends
or sinking fund payments but that is currently paying.

                                      B-3
<PAGE>

A preferred stock rated "C" is a non-paying issue.

A preferred stock rated "D" is a non-paying  issue with the issuer in default on
debt instruments.

To provide more detailed  indications of preferred  stock  quality,  the ratings
from "AA" to "B" may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign
to show relative standing within the major rating categories.


                                      B-4
<PAGE>





                      OAK HALL(R) SMALL CAP CONTRARIAN FUND

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

   
Investment Advisor:                     Account Information and
    Oak Hall Capital Advisors, L.P.     Shareholder Servicing:
    122 East 42nd Street                         Forum Shareholder Services, LLC
    New York, New York 10005                     Two Portland Square
    (212) 455-9600                               Portland, Maine  04101
    
                                                 800-625-4255
                                                 207-879-0001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
   
                                 AUGUST 1, 1998

Forum Funds (the  "Trust") is a registered  open-end  investment  company.  This
Statement of Additional  Information  ("SAI")  supplements the Prospectus  dated
August  1, 1998  offering  shares of Oak Hall  Small  Cap  Contrarian  Fund (the
"Fund") (formerly,  Oak Hall Equity Fund) and should be read only in conjunction
with the Fund's  Prospectus,  a copy of which may be obtained  without charge by
contacting Forum Shareholder Services, LLC at the address listed above.
    

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
   
   1.       General......................................................
   2.       Investment Policies..........................................
   3.       Additional Investment Policies...............................
   4.       Performance Data.............................................
   5.       Management...................................................
   6.       Determination of Net Asset Value.............................
   7.       Portfolio Transactions.......................................
   8.       Additional Purchase and
              Redemption Information.....................................
   9.       Tax Matters..................................................
   10.      Other Matters................................................

   Appendix A - Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities         B-1
   Appendix B - Description of Securities Ratings                           A-1
    

THIS  STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND IS AUTHORIZED
FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE  INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY AN
EFFECTIVE PROSPECTUS.


<PAGE>

   
1. GENERAL

THE TRUST

The  Trust is  registered  with the SEC as an  open-end,  management  investment
company  and was  organized  as a business  trust under the laws of the State of
Delaware  on August 29,  1995.  On January  5, 1996 the Trust  succeeded  to the
assets and liabilities of Forum Funds,  Inc. Forum Funds,  Inc. was incorporated
on March 24, 1980 and assumed the name of Forum  Funds,  Inc. on March 16, 1987.
The Board of Directors ("Board") without shareholder approval, has the authority
to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series
with no par value per share and to create separate classes of shares within each
series.  The Trust currently offers shares of 23 series. The series of the Trust
are as follows:

Investors Bond Fund                           Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund
TaxSaver Bond Fund                            Austin Global Equity Fund
High Grade Bond Fund                          Quadra Value Equity Fund
Maine Municipal Bond Fund                     Quadra Growth Fund
New Hampshire Bond Fund                       Polaris Global Value Fund
Daily Assets Government Fund                  Investors Equity Fund
Daily Assets Treasury Obligations Fund        Equity Index Fund
Daily Assets Cash Fund                        Small Company Opportunities Fund
Daily Assets Government Obligations Fund      International Equities Fund
Daily Assets Municipal Fund                   Emerging Markets Fund
Payson Value Fund                             Investors Growth Fund
Payson Balanced Fund

Each  share of each  fund of the  Trust  and  each  class of  shares  has  equal
dividend,  distribution,  liquidation and voting rights,  and fractional  shares
have  those  rights  proportionately,   except  that  expenses  related  to  the
distribution  of the shares of each class (and certain  other  expenses  such as
transfer  agency and  administration  expenses) are borne solely by those shares
and each class votes separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1
plan  which  pertain to the class and other  matters  for which  separate  class
voting is appropriate under applicable law.  Generally,  shares will be voted in
the aggregate  without reference to a particular  portfolio or class,  except if
the matter  affects only one  portfolio or class or voting by portfolio or class
is required by law, in which case shares will be voted  separately  by portfolio
or class, as appropriate. Delaware law does not require the Trust to hold annual
meetings of shareholders,  and it is anticipated that shareholder  meetings will
be held only when  specifically  required by Federal or state law.  Shareholders
have  available  certain  procedures  for the removal of Trustees.  There are no
conversion or  preemptive  rights in  connection  with shares of the Trust.  All
shares when issued in  accordance  with the terms of the offering  will be fully
paid and nonassessable.  Shares are redeemable at net asset value, at the option
of the  shareholders,  subject to any contingent  deferred sales charge that may
apply.  A shareholder in a portfolio is entitled to the  shareholder's  pro rata
share of all dividends and  distributions  arising from that portfolio's  assets
and, upon  redeeming  shares,  will receive the portion of the  portfolio's  net
assets represented by the redeemed shares.

As of July 1, 1998,  the  Officers  and  Directors of the Trust as a group owned
less  than 1% of the  outstanding  shares  of the  Fund.  Also as of that  date,
Appendix  A  identifies  all  shareholders  who own of  record 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of any of the Registrant's series.

DEFINITIONS

As used in this Statement of Additional  Information,  the following terms shall
have the meanings listed:

"Board" means the Board of Trustees of Forum Funds.

"FAdS" means Forum Administrative Services, LLC.

"FAcS" means Forum Accounting Services, LLC.

                                       2
<PAGE>


"FFC" means Forum Financial Corp.

"FFSI" means Forum Financial Services, Inc.

"Adviser" " means Oak Hall Capital Advisors, L.P

"Fund" means Oak Hall(R) Small Cap Contrarian Fund

"Business Day" has the meaning ascribed thereto in the current Prospectus of the
Fund.

"NRSRO" means a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

"SAI" means this Statement of Additional Information.

"SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Trust" means Forum Funds, a Delaware business trust.

"U.S.  Government  Securities" has the meaning  ascribed  thereto by the current
Prospectus of the Funds.

"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
    



                                       3
<PAGE>

   
2.  INVESTMENT POLICIES
    

RATINGS AS INVESTMENT CRITERIA

   
Moody's Investors  Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's") and Standard & Poor's Corporation
("S&P") are private  services that provide ratings of the credit quality of debt
obligations,  including  convertible  securities.  A description of the range of
ratings assigned to corporate bonds, including convertible securities by Moody's
and S&P is included in Appendix B to this  Statement of Additional  Information.
The Fund may use these ratings in determining whether to purchase,  sell or hold
a security.  It should be emphasized,  however, that ratings are general and are
not  absolute  standards  of  quality.  Consequently,  securities  with the same
maturity,  interest rate and rating may have different market prices. Subsequent
to its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its
rating may be reduced.  Oak Hall Capital  Advisors,  L.P. (the  "Adviser")  will
consider such an event in determining  whether the Fund should  continue to hold
the  obligation.  Credit ratings attempt to evaluate the safety of principal and
interest payments and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value.
Also,  rating  agencies  may fail to make  timely  changes in credit  ratings in
response to subsequent  events, so that an issuer's current financial  condition
may be better or worse than the rating indicates.

FOREIGN SECURITIES

The Fund may invest up to 30% of the value of its total assets in  securities of
foreign  issuers,  in American  Depositary  Receipts  ("ADRs") and in securities
denominated  in  foreign  currencies   (collectively,   "Foreign   Securities").
Investments in Foreign  Securities  involve certain risks, such as exchange rate
fluctuations,  political or economic instability of the issuer or the country of
issue and the possible  imposition of exchange  controls,  withholding  taxes on
dividends or interest payments, confiscatory taxes or expropriation.  Securities
registration,  custody  and  settlements  of  Foreign  Securities  may  in  some
instances  be  subject  to delays  and legal and  administrative  uncertainties.
Foreign  Securities  may also be subject to greater  fluctuations  in price than
securities  of  domestic  corporations  denominated  in  U.S.  dollars.  Foreign
Securities  and their  markets may not be as liquid as domestic  securities  and
their markets, and foreign brokerage  commissions and custody fees are generally
higher than those in the United States.  In addition,  less  information  may be
publicly  available about a foreign company than about a domestic  company,  and
foreign  companies  may not be  subject  to  uniform  accounting,  auditing  and
financial  reporting  standards  comparable  to  those  applicable  to  domestic
companies.  With respect to its  permitted  investments  in Foreign  Securities,
currently  the Fund  limits the amount of its assets that may be invested in one
country or denominated in one currency (other than the U.S.  dollar) to 25%. The
Fund may invest in sponsored and unsponsored  ADRs, which are receipts issued by
an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying  securities
issued  by a  foreign  issuer.  Unsponsored  ADRs  may be  created  without  the
participation  of the foreign  issuer.  Holders of these ADRs generally bear all
the costs of the ADR facility,  whereas foreign  issuers  typically bear certain
costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depository of an unsponsored
ADR may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received
from the foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights.
    

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

The Fund may invest in convertible securities. A convertible security is a bond,
debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or
exchanged  for a  prescribed  amount of common  stock of the same or a different
issuer  within a particular  period of time at a specified  price or formula.  A
convertible  security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on
debt or the dividend  paid on  preferred  stock until the  convertible  security
matures or is redeemed,  converted or exchanged. Before conversion,  convertible
securities have  characteristics  similar to  nonconvertible  debt securities in
that they  ordinarily  provide a stable stream of income with  generally  higher
yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar  issuers.  Convertible
securities rank senior to common stock in a corporation's  capital structure but
are usually subordinated to comparable  nonconvertible  securities.  Although no
securities investment is without some risk, investment in convertible securities
generally  entails less risk than in the issuer's  common  stock.  However,  the
extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the degree to
which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed income security.
Convertible  securities  have  unique  investment  characteristics  in that they
generally  (1) have  higher 

                                       4
<PAGE>


yields than common  stocks,  but lower  yields than  comparable  non-convertible
securities,  (2) are less subject to  fluctuation  in value than the  underlying
stocks  since  they  have  fixed  income  characteristics  and (3)  provide  the
potential for capital  appreciation if the market price of the underlying common
stock increases.

The value of a  convertible  security  is a function of its  "investment  value"
(determined  by its yield  comparison  with the  yields of other  securities  of
comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its
"conversion value" (the security's worth, at market value, if converted into the
underlying  common  stock).  The investment  value of a convertible  security is
influenced by changes in interest  rates,  with  investment  value  declining as
interest rates  increase and  increasing as interest  rates decline.  The credit
standing  of the  issuer  and  other  factors  also  may have an  effect  on the
convertible  security's  investment value. The conversion value of a convertible
security is determined by the market price of the  underlying  common stock.  If
the conversion  value is low relative to the investment  value, the price of the
convertible  security  is  governed  principally  by its  investment  value  and
generally the conversion value decreases as the convertible  security approaches
maturity.  To the  extent  the  market  price  of the  underlying  common  stock
approaches  or  exceeds  the  conversion  price,  the  price of the  convertible
security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. In addition, a
convertible  security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value
determined by the extent to which  investors place value on the right to acquire
the underlying common stock while holding a fixed income security.

A convertible  security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer
at a price established in the convertible security's governing instrument.  If a
convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be
required  to permit  the  issuer to redeem  the  security,  convert  it into the
underlying common stock or sell it to a third party.

   
The Fund will  invest  only in  convertible  debt that is rated "B" or higher by
Moody's Investors Service,  Inc. ("Moody's") or by Standard & Poor's Corporation
("S&P") and in preferred stock that is rated "b" or "B" or higher by Moody's and
S&P,  respectively.  The Fund may purchase unrated convertible securities if the
Adviser  determines  the  security is  comparable  in credit  quality to a rated
security that the Fund may purchase.  Unrated  securities may not be as actively
traded  as  rated  securities.  Securities  in  the  lowest  permissible  rating
categories are characterized by Moody's as generally lacking  characteristics of
a desirable investment and by S&P as being predominantly  speculative.  The Fund
may retain securities whose rating has been lowered below the lowest permissible
rating  category  (or that are  unrated and  determined  by the Adviser to be of
comparable quality) if the Adviser determines that retaining such security is in
the best  interests  of the Fund.  Convertible  securities  which are rated B by
Moody's  and S&P  generally  lack  characteristics  of a  desirable  investment.
Preferred  securities  which are rated B by S&P are  regarded,  on  balance,  as
predominantly  speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation.
    

WARRANTS

The Fund may  invest  in  warrants,  which are  options  to  purchase  an equity
security  at  a  specified  price  (usually  representing  a  premium  over  the
applicable  market value of the  underlying  equity  security at the time of the
warrant's issuance) and usually during a specified period of time. To the extent
that the market value of the security that may be purchased upon exercise of the
warrant  rises above the exercise  price,  the value of the warrant will tend to
rise.  To the extent that the exercise  price equals or exceeds the market value
of such security, the warrants will have little or no market value. If a warrant
is not exercised within the specified time period,  it will become worthless and
the Fund will lose the  purchase  price  paid for the  warrant  and the right to
purchase the  underlying  security.  The Fund may not invest more than 2% of its
net assets in warrants not traded on the American or New York Stock Exchange.

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION

   
When the Adviser  believes that business or financial  conditions  warrant,  the
Fund  may  assume  a  temporary  defensive  position.  For  temporary  defensive
purposes,  the Fund may invest without limit in cash or in investment grade cash
equivalents, including (1) short-term obligations of the U.S. Government and its
agencies or instrumentalities ("U.S. Government Securities"),  (2) prime quality
certificates  of deposit,  bankers'  acceptances  and


                                       5
<PAGE>


interest-bearing  savings  deposits of  commercial  banks doing  business in the
United  States that have, at the time of  investment,  total assets in excess of
one billion dollars (or the equivalent in other currencies) and that are members
of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,  (3i) prime commercial paper rated
A-2 or  higher  by S&P or  Prime-2  or  higher  by  Moody's  or,  if not  rated,
determined  by  the  Adviser  to  be  of  comparable  quality,  (iv)  repurchase
agreements  covering any of the securities in which the Fund may invest directly
and subject to the limits of the 1940 Act,  and (5) money market  mutual  funds.
During periods when the Fund has assumed a temporary defensive  position,  it is
not pursuing its investment objective.
    

FOREIGN CURRENCY FORWARD CONTRACTS

Investments  in foreign  companies  will usually  involve  currencies of foreign
countries.  In addition, the Fund may temporarily hold funds in bank deposits in
foreign  currencies during the completion of investment  programs.  Accordingly,
the value of the assets of the Fund as measured in United States  dollars may be
affected by changes in foreign  currency  exchange  rates and  exchange  control
regulations, and the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between
various currencies.  The Fund may conduct foreign currency exchange transactions
either on a spot (i.e.,  cash) basis at the spot rate  prevailing in the foreign
currency  exchange  market,  or through  entering into foreign  currency forward
contracts  ("forward  contracts")  to purchase  or sell  foreign  currencies.  A
forward contract  involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency
at a future date,  which may be any fixed number of days  (usually less than one
year) from the date of the contract  agreed upon by the parties,  at a price set
at the time of the contract.  These contracts are traded in the interbank market
conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and
their  customers  and involve the risk that the other party to the  contract may
fail to deliver  currency when due,  which could result in losses to the Fund. A
forward contract  generally has no deposit  requirement,  and no commissions are
charged at any stage for trades. Foreign exchange dealers realize a profit based
on the  difference  between  the  price  at  which  they  buy and  sell  various
currencies.

   
The  Fund may  utilize  foreign  currency  forward  contracts  in order to hedge
against uncertainty in the level of future foreign exchange rates. The Fund will
not enter into these contracts for speculative purposes. The Fund may enter into
foreign  currency  forward  contracts to manage currency risks and to facilitate
transactions in foreign  securities.  These contracts  involve a risk of loss if
the Adviser fails to predict  currency values correctly and also involve similar
risks to those described under "Hedging  Strategies."  The Fund may also buy and
sell foreign  currency options and other  derivatives,  foreign currency futures
contracts and options on those futures contracts. See "Hedging Strategies."
    

The Fund may enter into forward contracts under two  circumstances.  First, with
respect to specific  transactions,  when the Fund enters into a contract for the
purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency,  it may desire
to "lock in" the U.S.  dollar price of the security.  By entering into a forward
contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of dollars,  of the amount
of foreign currency involved in the underlying security  transactions,  the Fund
may be able to protect  itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse
change in the  relationship  between  the U.S.  dollar and the  subject  foreign
currency  during the period  between the date the  security is purchased or sold
and the date on which payment is made or received.

Second,  the Fund may enter into forward  currency  contracts in connection with
existing portfolio  positions.  For example,  when the Adviser believes that the
currency  of a  particular  foreign  country  may suffer a  substantial  decline
against the U.S. dollar, the Fund may enter into a forward contract to sell, for
a fixed  amount of dollars,  the amount of foreign  currency  approximating  the
value of some or all of the  Fund's  portfolio  securities  denominated  in such
foreign currency.

The  precise  matching  of the  forward  contract  amounts  and the value of the
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 date the forward contract
is entered into and the date it matures.  The projection of short-term  currency
market  movement is  extremely  difficult,  and the  successful  execution  of a
short-term  hedging strategy is highly uncertain.  Forward contracts involve the
risk of inaccurate predictions of currency price movements,  which may cause the
Fund to incur losses on these contracts and transaction  costs. The Adviser does
not intend to enter into forward contracts on a regular or continuous basis, and
will not do so if, as a result, the Fund will have more than 25% of the value of
its total assets committed to such 

                                       6
<PAGE>


contracts  or the  contracts  would  obligate  the Fund to  deliver an amount of
foreign  currency in excess of the value of the Fund's  portfolio  securities or
other assets denominated in that currency.

At or before the settlement of a forward currency contract,  the Fund may either
make delivery of the foreign currency or terminate its contractual obligation to
deliver the foreign currency by purchasing an offsetting  contract.  If the Fund
chooses to make delivery of the foreign  currency,  it may be required to obtain
the currency through the conversion of assets of the Fund into the currency. The
Fund may  close out a  forward  contract  obligating  it to  purchase  a foreign
currency by selling an offsetting contract. If the Fund engages in an offsetting
transaction,  the Fund will incur a gain or a loss to the extent  that there has
been a  change  in  forward  contract  prices.  Additionally,  although  forward
contracts may tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of
the  hedged  currency,  at the same time they tend to limit any  potential  gain
which might result should the value of such currency increase.

There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies
and there is no regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers
or  other  market  sources  be firm or  revised  on a  timely  basis.  Quotation
information available is generally  representative of very large transactions in
the interbank  market.  The interbank market in foreign  currencies is a global,
around-the-clock market.

   
Under normal circumstances,  consideration of the prospect for currency parities
will be incorporated  in a longer term  investment  decision made with regard to
overall  diversification  strategies.  When  required by  applicable  regulatory
guidelines,  the Fund will set aside cash, U.S.  Government  Securities or other
liquid  assets in a  segregated  account with its  custodian  in the  prescribed
amount.

HEDGING STRATEGIES
    

The Adviser may engage in certain  options and futures  strategies to attempt to
hedge the Fund's portfolio. The instruments in which the Fund may invest include
(i) options on  securities,  stock  indexes and foreign  currencies,  (ii) stock
index and foreign currency futures contracts  ("futures  contracts"),  and (iii)
options on futures contracts.  Use of these instruments is subject to regulation
by the Securities and Exchange  Commission (the "SEC"),  the several options and
futures exchanges upon which options and futures are traded, and the Commodities
Futures  Trading  Commission (the "CFTC").  No assurance can be given,  however,
that any strategies will succeed.

   
The  Fund  will  not use  leverage  in its  hedging  strategies.  In the case of
transactions entered into as a hedge, the Fund will hold securities,  currencies
or other  options or futures  positions  whose  values  are  expected  to offset
("cover")  its  obligations  thereunder.  The Fund will not enter into a hedging
strategy  that exposes the Fund to an obligation to another party unless it owns
either:  (1) an offsetting  ("covered")  position or (2) cash,  U.S.  Government
Securities or other liquid assets with a value  sufficient at all times to cover
its potential  obligations.  When required by applicable regulatory  guidelines,
the Fund will set aside cash, U.S. Government  Securities or other liquid assets
in a segregated  account with its custodian in the prescribed amount. Any assets
used for cover or held in a  segregated  account  cannot  be sold or closed  out
while the hedging strategy is outstanding, unless they are replaced with similar
assets. As a result, there is a possibility that the use of cover or segregation
involving  a  large  percentage  of  a  Fund's  assets  could  impede  portfolio
management or the Fund's  ability to meet  redemption  requests or other current
obligations.
    

The Fund is  subject to the  following  restrictions  in its use of options  and
futures contracts.  The Fund will not: (1) sell futures contracts,  purchase put
options,  or write  call  options  if, as a result,  more than 25% of the Fund's
total  assets would be hedged  through the use of options or futures  contracts;
(2) purchase futures contracts or write put options if, as a result,  the Fund's
total obligations upon settlement or exercise of purchased futures contracts and
written put options would exceed 25% of its total  assets;  or (3) purchase call
options  if, as a result,  the  current  value of options  premiums  for options
purchased would exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets.

OPTIONS STRATEGIES. The Fund may purchase put and call options written by others
and write  (sell) put and call  options  covering  specified  securities,  stock
index-related  amounts or currencies.  A put option (sometimes called a "standby
commitment") gives the buyer of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right
to deliver a  specified  amount of a security  or  currency to the writer of the
option  on or  before  a fixed  date at a  predetermined  price.  A

                                       7
<PAGE>


call  option  (sometimes  called  a  "reverse  standby  commitment")  gives  the
purchaser of the option,  upon payment of a premium,  the right to call upon the
writer to deliver a  specified  amount of a security  or currency on or before a
fixed date, at a predetermined  price. The predetermined prices may be higher or
lower than the market value of the underlying currency or security. The Fund may
buy or sell both exchange-traded and over-the-counter  ("OTC") options. The Fund
will  purchase or write an option only if that option is traded on a  recognized
U.S.  options exchange or if the Adviser believes that a liquid secondary market
for the option exists.  When the Fund purchases an OTC option,  it relies on the
dealer from which it has  purchased  the OTC option to make or take  delivery of
the securities or currency underlying the option. Failure by the dealer to do so
would  result in the loss of the premium paid by the Fund as well as the loss of
the  expected  benefit  of the  transaction.  OTC  options  and  the  securities
underlying these options, currently are treated as illiquid securities.

The Fund may purchase call options on equity securities that the Adviser intends
to  include  in the  Fund's  portfolio  in  order  to fix the  cost of a  future
purchase.  Call options may also be purchased as a means of  participating in an
anticipated price increase of a security on a more limited risk basis than would
be possible if the security itself were purchased.  In the event of a decline in
the price of the underlying security,  use of this strategy would serve to limit
the potential  loss to the Fund to the option premium paid;  conversely,  if the
market price of the underlying  security  increases above the exercise price and
the Fund either sells or exercises the option,  any profit  eventually  realized
will be reduced by the premium paid. The Fund may similarly purchase put options
in order to hedge  against a decline in market value of  securities  held in its
portfolio.  The put  enables  the Fund to sell the  underlying  security  at the
predetermined exercise price; thus the potential for loss to the Fund is limited
to the option  premium paid. If the market price of the  underlying  security is
higher than the exercise  price of the put, any profit the Fund  realizes on the
sale of the  security  would be reduced by the  premium  paid for the put option
less any amount for which the put may be sold.

The Fund may write  covered  call  options.  The Fund may write call  options on
behalf  of the Fund  when the  Adviser  believes  that the  market  value of the
underlying  security  will not rise to a value  greater than the exercise  price
plus the premium  received.  Call options may also be written to provide limited
protection  against a decrease in the market  price of a security,  in an amount
equal to the call premium  received  less any  transaction  costs.  The Fund may
write covered put options only to effect closing transactions.

The Fund may purchase  and write put and call  options on stock  indices in much
the same manner as the equity  security  options  discussed  above,  except that
stock index options may serve as a hedge  against  overall  fluctuations  in the
securities  markets  (or market  sectors) or as a means of  participating  in an
anticipated  price  increase  in those  markets.  The  effectiveness  of hedging
techniques  using stock index  options  will depend on the extent to which price
movements  in the stock index  selected  correlate  with price  movements of the
securities which are being hedged.  Stock index options are settled  exclusively
in cash.

FOREIGN  CURRENCY  OPTIONS AND RELATED  RISKS.  The Fund may take  positions  in
options  on foreign  currencies  in order to hedge  against  the risk of foreign
exchange  fluctuation  on foreign  securities the Fund holds in its portfolio or
which it intends to purchase.  Options on foreign currencies are affected by the
factors  discussed in "Foreign  Currency Forward  Transactions"  which influence
foreign exchange sales and investments generally.

The value of foreign currency options is dependent upon the value of the foreign
currency  relative to the U.S.  dollar and has no relationship to the investment
merits of a foreign security. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in
the interbank market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be
involved in the use of foreign currency  options,  the Fund may be disadvantaged
by having to deal in an odd lot market (generally  consisting of transactions of
less than $1 million) for the underlying  foreign  currencies at prices that are
less favorable than for round lots.

To the extent that the U.S.  options markets are closed while the market for the
underlying  currencies  remains open,  significant  price and rate movements may
take place in the  underlying  markets  that cannot be  reflected in the options


                                       8
<PAGE>

markets.

SPECIAL  CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF OPTIONS TRADING.  The Fund may effectively
terminate  its right or obligation  under an option  contract by entering into a
closing transaction. For instance, if the Fund wished to terminate its potential
obligation to sell securities or currencies  under a call option it had written,
a call  option  of the  same  type  would  be  purchased  by the  Fund.  Closing
transactions  essentially  permit the Fund to realize profits or limit losses on
its options  positions  prior to the exercise or  expiration  of the option.  In
addition:

         (1) The successful use of options depends upon the Adviser's ability to
forecast the direction of price  fluctuations  in the  underlying  securities or
currency  markets,  or in the case of a stock index option,  fluctuations in the
market sector represented by the index.

         (2)  Options  normally  have  expiration  dates  of up to nine  months.
Options that expire unexercised have no value. Unless an option purchased by the
Fund is exercised or unless a closing  transaction  is effected  with respect to
that position, a loss will be realized in the amount of the premium paid.

         (3) A position in an exchange  listed  option may be closed out only on
an exchange which provides a market for identical options.  Most exchange listed
options  relate to equity  securities.  Exchange  markets for options on foreign
currencies  are  relatively  new and the  ability  to  establish  and  close out
positions on the exchanges is subject to the  maintenance of a liquid  secondary
market.  Closing  transactions may be effected with respect to options traded in
the  over-the-counter  markets  (currently  the  primary  markets for options on
foreign  currencies)  only by  negotiating  directly with the other party to the
option  contract or in a secondary  market for the option if such market exists.
There  is no  assurance  that a  liquid  secondary  market  will  exist  for any
particular  option  at any  specific  time.  If it is not  possible  to effect a
closing  transaction,  the Fund  would  have to  exercise  the  option  which it
purchased  in order to realize any  profit.  The  inability  to effect a closing
transaction  on an option  written by the Fund may result in material  losses to
the Fund.

         (4) The Fund's activities in the options markets may result in a higher
portfolio turnover rate and additional brokerage costs.

FUTURES  STRATEGIES.  A futures  contract is a bilateral  agreement  wherein one
party agrees to accept,  and the other party  agrees to make,  delivery of cash,
securities  or  currencies  as called for in the contract at a specified  future
date and at a specified price. For stock index futures contracts, delivery is of
an  amount of cash  equal to a  specified  dollar  amount  times the  difference
between  the  stock  index  value at the time of the  contract  and the close of
trading of the contract.

The Fund may sell stock index  futures  contracts in  anticipation  of a general
market or market sector  decline that may adversely  affect the market values of
the Fund's securities. To the extent that the Fund's portfolio correlates with a
given stock index, the sale of futures  contracts on that index could reduce the
risks  associated  with a market  decline and thus provide an alternative to the
liquidation of securities positions. The Fund may purchase a stock index futures
contract if a significant market or market sector advance is anticipated.  These
purchases  would serve as a temporary  substitute for the purchase of individual
stocks, which stocks may then be purchased in the future.

The Fund  may  purchase  call  options  on a stock  index  future  as a means of
obtaining  temporary  exposure  to market  appreciation  at limited  risk.  This
strategy is analogous to the purchase of a call option on an  individual  stock,
in that it can be used as a  temporary  substitute  for a position  in the stock
itself.  The Fund may  purchase a call option on a stock  index  future to hedge
against a market advance in stocks which the Fund planned to acquire at a future
date.  The Fund may also purchase put options on stock index futures  contracts.
These  purchases are analogous to the purchase of protective  puts on individual
stocks, where a level of protection is sought below which no additional economic
loss would be incurred by the Fund.  The Fund may write  covered call options on
stock index futures contracts as a partial hedge against a decline in the prices
of stocks held in the Fund's  portfolio.  This is analogous  to writing  covered
call options on securities.

The Fund may sell foreign currency  futures  contracts to hedge against possible
variations in the exchange rate of the foreign  currency in relation to the U.S.
dollar.  In addition,  the Fund may sell foreign currency futures contracts when
the Adviser  anticipates a general  weakening of foreign currency exchange rates
that could adversely  affect the 

                                       9
<PAGE>


market values of the Fund's foreign securities holdings. The Fund may purchase a
foreign  currency  futures  contract  to hedge  against an  anticipated  foreign
exchange rate increase pending  completion of anticipated  transactions.  Such a
purchase  would serve as a temporary  measure to protect the Fund  against  such
increase.  The Fund may also  purchase  call or put options on foreign  currency
futures  contracts to obtain a fixed foreign  exchange rate at limited risk. The
Fund may write call options on foreign currency  futures  contracts as a partial
hedge against the effects of declining  foreign  exchange  rates on the value of
foreign securities.

   
SPECIAL  CHARACTERISTICS  AND RISKS OF FUTURES AND RELATED OPTIONS  TRADING.  No
price is paid upon entering into futures contracts; rather, the Fund is required
to deposit with its custodian in a segregated account in the name of the futures
broker an amount of cash or U.S. Government  Securities generally equal to 5% or
less of the contract value.  This amount is known as initial margin.  Subsequent
payments,  called variation margin,  to and from the broker,  would be made on a
daily basis as the value of the futures position varies.  When writing a call on
a futures  contract,  variation  margin must be  deposited  in  accordance  with
applicable exchange rules. The initial margin in futures  transactions 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 contract,  assuming all contractual
obligations have been satisfied.
    

Holders and writers of futures and options on futures  contracts  can enter into
offsetting closing transactions,  similar to closing transactions on options, by
selling or purchasing,  respectively,  a futures contract or related option with
the same terms as the position held or written.  Positions in futures  contracts
may be closed only on an exchange or board of trade providing a secondary market
for such futures contracts.  For example, futures contracts on broad-based stock
indices can  currently be entered into with respect to the Standard & Poor's 500
Stock  Index on the Chicago  Mercantile  Exchange,  the New York Stock  Exchange
Composite Stock Index on the New York Futures Exchange, the Value Line Composite
Stock Index on the Kansas City Board of Trade and the Major  Market Index of the
Chicago Board of Trade.

Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits in the
amount that the price of a futures contract or related option may vary either up
or down from the previous day's settlement  price. Once the daily limit has been
reached  in a  particular  contract,  no trades  may be made that day at a price
beyond that limit.  Prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive
trading days with little or no trading and thereby prevent prompt liquidation of
positions.  In such  event,  it may not be  possible  for  the  Fund to  close a
position,  and in the event of adverse price  movements,  the Fund would have to
make daily cash payments of variation margin. In addition:

         (1) Successful use by the Fund of futures contracts and related options
will depend upon the Adviser's  ability to predict movements in the direction of
the overall securities and currency markets, which requires different skills and
techniques  than  predicting  changes  in the prices of  individual  securities.
Moreover,  futures  contracts  relate not to the current level of the underlying
instrument but to the anticipated levels at some point in the future;  thus, for
example,  trading of stock  index  futures  may not  reflect  the trading of the
securities  which are used to formulate an index or even actual  fluctuations in
the relevant index itself.

         (2) The price of futures  contracts  may not correlate  perfectly  with
movement  in the  price of the  hedged  securities  or  currencies  due to price
distortions  in the futures  market or otherwise.  There may be several  reasons
unrelated to the value of the underlying  securities or currencies  which causes
this  situation  to occur.  As a result,  a correct  forecast of general  market
trends  still may not result in  successful  hedging  through  the use of future
contracts over the short term.

         (3) There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for
any  particular  contract at any particular  time. In such event,  it may not be
possible to close a position,  and in the event of adverse price movements,  the
Fund would  continue  to be required  to make daily cash  payments of  variation
margin.

         (4) Like other  options,  options on futures  contracts  have a limited
life.  The Fund will not trade  options on futures  contracts on any exchange or
board of trade unless and until, in the Adviser's  opinion,  the market for such
options has developed  sufficiently that the risks in connection with options on
futures  transactions  are not greater than the risks in connection with futures
transactions.

                                       10
<PAGE>


         (5) Purchasers of options on futures contracts pay a premium in cash at
the time of purchase.  This amount and the  transaction  costs is all that is at
risk.  Sellers of options on futures  contracts,  however,  must post an initial
margin and are subject to additional  margin calls which could be substantial in
the event of adverse price movements.

         (6) The Fund's activities in the futures markets may result in a higher
portfolio  turnover rate and additional  transaction  costs in the form of added
brokerage commissions.

         (7)  Buyers  and  sellers of foreign  currency  futures  contracts  are
subject  to the same  risks  that  apply to the  buying  and  selling of futures
generally. In addition, there are risks associated with foreign currency futures
contracts and their use as a hedging  device  similar to those  associated  with
options on foreign  currencies  described  above.  In  addition,  settlement  of
foreign  currency  futures  contracts must occur within the country issuing that
currency.  Thus, the Fund must accept or make delivery of the underlying foreign
currency in  accordance  with any U.S. or foreign  restrictions  or  regulations
regarding the maintenance of foreign banking arrangements by U.S. residents, and
the Fund may be required to pay any fees, taxes or charges  associated with such
delivery which are assessed in the issuing country.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE WITH RESPECT TO COMMODITY FUTURES CONTRACTS
AND COMMODITY OPTIONS

The Fund may invest in certain financial futures contracts and options contracts
in accordance with the policies  described in the Prospectus and above. The Fund
will only invest in futures  contracts,  options on futures  contracts and other
options  contracts that are subject to the jurisdiction of the CFTC after filing
a notice of eligibility and otherwise complying with the requirements of Section
4.5 of the rules of the CFTC.  Under that section the Fund would be permitted to
purchase such futures or options  contracts only for bona fide hedging  purposes
within  the  meaning  of the  rules  of the  CFTC;  provided,  however.  that in
addition,  with respect to positions in commodity  futures and option  contracts
not for bona fide  hedging  purposes,  the Fund  represents  that the  aggregate
initial margin and premiums  required to establish these  positions  (subject to
certain  exclusions)  will not exceed 5% of the liquidation  value of the Fund's
assets  after  taking  into  account  unrealized  profits and losses on any such
contract the Fund has entered into.

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Reverse repurchase  agreements are transactions in which a Fund sells a security
and  simultaneously  commits to  repurchase  that  security from the buyer at an
agreed upon price on an agreed upon future  date.  The resale price in a reverse
repurchase  agreement  reflects a market rate of interest that is not related to
the coupon rate or maturity of the sold security. For certain demand agreements,
there is no agreed upon  repurchase  date and interest  payments are  calculated
daily, often based upon the prevailing overnight repurchase rate.

Generally,  a reverse  repurchase  agreement enables the Fund to recover for the
term of the reverse repurchase agreement all or most of the cash invested in the
portfolio  securities sold and to keep the interest income associated with those
portfolio  securities.  Such  transactions are only advantageous if the interest
cost to the Fund of the reverse repurchase  transaction is less than the cost of
obtaining the cash otherwise. In addition,  interest costs on the money received
in a  reverse  repurchase  agreement  may  exceed  the  return  received  on the
investments  made by the Fund with those monies.  The use of reverse  repurchase
agreement  proceeds to make  investments  may be  considered to be a speculative
technique.

WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS

The Fund may purchase portfolio securities on a when-issued and purchase or sell
portfolio  securities  on  forward  commitment  basis.  When-issued  or  forward
commitment  transactions  arise when  securities  are purchased by the Fund with
payment  and  delivery  to take place in the  future in order to secure  what is
considered  to be an  advantageous  price  and  yield to the Fund at the time it
enters into the transaction. In those cases, the purchase price and the interest
rate payable on the  securities are fixed on the  transaction  date and delivery
and  payment  may take 


                                       11
<PAGE>


place a month or more after the date of the  transaction.  When the Fund  enters
into  a  forward  commitment  transaction,  it  becomes  obligated  to  purchase
securities and it has all of the rights and risks  attendant to ownership of the
security,  although  delivery and payment  occur at a later date.  To facilitate
such acquisitions,  the Fund will maintain with its custodian a separate account
with portfolio securities in an amount at least equal to such commitments.

At  the  time  the  Fund  makes  the  commitment  to  purchase  securities  on a
when-issued or forward commitment basis, the Fund will record the transaction as
a purchase  and  thereafter  reflect  the value each day of such  securities  in
determining its net asset value. The value of the fixed income  securities to be
delivered in the future will  fluctuate as interest  rates and the credit of the
underlying issuer vary. On delivery dates for such  transactions,  the Fund will
meet  its  obligations  from  maturities,  sales of the  securities  held in the
separate account or from other available sources of cash. The Fund generally has
the ability to close out a purchase obligation on or before the settlement date,
rather than purchase the  security.  If the Fund chooses to dispose of the right
to acquire a when-issued  security prior to its  acquisition,  it could, as with
the disposition of any other portfolio obligation, realize a gain or loss due to
market fluctuation.

To the extent the Fund engages in when-issued or delayed delivery  transactions,
it will do so for the purpose of acquiring securities consistent with the Fund's
investment  objectives  and  policies  and  not for the  purpose  of  investment
leverage or to  speculate  in  interest  rate  changes.  The Fund will only make
commitments to purchase  securities on a when-issued  or delayed  delivery basis
with the intention of actually  acquiring the securities,  but the Fund reserves
the right to  dispose  of the  right to  acquire  these  securities  before  the
settlement date if deemed advisable.

The use of when-issued  transactions and forward commitments enables the Fund to
hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in
periods of rising  interest  rates and falling bond prices,  the Fund might sell
securities which it owned on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to
falling prices.  In periods of falling  interest rates and rising bond prices, a
Fund might sell a security  and  purchase  the same or a similar  security  on a
when-issued  or forward  commitment  basis,  thereby  obtaining  the  benefit of
currently  higher  cash  yields.  However,  if  the  Adviser  were  to  forecast
incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements, the Fund might be required
to complete such  when-issued or forward  transactions at prices inferior to the
current market values.

When-issued securities may include bonds purchased on a "when, as and if issued"
basis under which the issuance of the securities  depends upon the occurrence of
a subsequent  event,  such as approval of a proposed  financing  by  appropriate
municipal authorities. Any significant commitment of the Fund's assets committed
to the purchase of securities  on a "when,  as and if issued" basis may increase
the volatility of its net asset value.  No  when-issued  or forward  commitments
will be made by the Fund if,  as a  result,  more  than 10% of the  value of the
Fund's total assets would be committed to such transactions.

   
3. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The  investment  objective  and all  investment  policies  of the Fund  that are
designated as  fundamental  may be changed only with the approval of the holders
of a majority of the  outstanding  voting  securities of the Fund. A majority of
the  Fund's  outstanding  voting  securities  means the lesser of (1) 67% of the
shares of the Fund present or  represented  at a meeting at which the holders of
more than 50% of the  outstanding  shares of the Fund are present or represented
or, (2) more than 50% of the outstanding  shares of the Fund.  Unless  otherwise
indicated, all investment policies are not fundamental and may be changed by the
Board without shareholder approval.

In addition to the fundamental investment policies identified in the Prospectus,
the Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment limitations, which may
not be changed without shareholder approval. The Fund may not:
    

         (1)  Pledge,  mortgage  or  hypothecate  its  assets,  except to secure
         indebtedness  permitted  to be  incurred  by the Fund.  The  deposit in


                                       12
<PAGE>

         escrow of  securities  in  connection  with the writing of put and call

         options, collateralized loans of securities and collateral arrangements
         with  respect  to margin  for  futures  contracts  are not deemed to be
         pledges or hypothecations for this purpose.

         (2) Borrow money,  except that the Fund may enter into  commitments  to
         purchase   securities  in  accordance  with  its  investment   program,
         including  delayed-delivery  and  when-issued  securities  and  reverse
         repurchase  agreements,  provided  that the  total  amount  of any such
         borrowing does not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets.

         (3) Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the
         extent  that,  in  connection   with  the   disposition   of  portfolio
         securities,  the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter for purpose of
         the Securities Act of 1933.

         (4) Purchase or sell real estate or any interest  therein,  except that
         the Fund may invest in securities  issued or guaranteed by corporate or
         governmental entities secured by real estate or interests therein, such
         as mortgage pass-throughs and collateralized  mortgage obligations,  or
         issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein.

         (5) Purchase or sell physical  commodities  unless acquired as a result
         of ownership of  securities  or other  instruments  (but this shall not
         prevent a Fund from purchasing or selling options and futures contracts
         or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical
         commodities).

   
         (6) Issue any senior  securities (as defined in the Investment  Company
         Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"),  except that:  (a) the Fund may engage in
         transactions  that may result in the issuance of senior  securities  to
         the extent permitted under applicable  regulations and  interpretations
         of the  1940  Act or an  exemptive  order;  (b) the  Fund  may  acquire
         securities  to  the  extent  otherwise   permitted  by  its  investment
         policies,  the  acquisition  of which may result in the  issuance  of a
         senior security,  to the extent permitted under applicable  regulations
         or interpretations of the 1940 Act; and (c) subject to the restrictions
         set forth in the prospectus, the Fund may borrow money as authorized by
         the 1940 Act.

In  addition  to  the  nonfundamental  investment  policies  identified  in  the
Prospectus,  the  Fund  has  adopted  the  following  nonfundamental  investment
limitations  that  may be  changed  by the  Trust's  Board  without  shareholder
approval. The Fund:
    

         (1) May borrow money for  temporary or emergency  purposes in an amount
         not  exceeding 5% of the value of its total assets at the time when the
         loan is made; provided that any such temporary or emergency  borrowings
         representing  more than 5% of the Fund's  total  assets  must be repaid
         before the Fund may make additional investments.

         (2)  May not  purchase  securities  on  margin,  except  for the use of
         short-term credit necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of
         portfolio  securities,  but  the  Fund  may  make  margin  deposits  in
         connection with permitted transactions in options,  futures and options
         on futures.

         (3) May not  invest in  securities  of  another  registered  investment
         company except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

   
         (4) May not invest more than 15% of its net assets in  securities  that
         are not readily marketable, including repurchase agreements maturing in
         more than seven days.
    

Except as required by the 1940 Act,  whenever an amended or restated  investment
policy or limitation  states a maximum  percentage of the Fund's assets that may
be invested, such percentage limitation will be determined immediately after and
as a result of the  acquisition of such security or other asset.  Any subsequent
change in values,  assets or other  circumstances  will not be  considered  when
determining   whether  the  investment   complies  with  the  Fund's  investment
limitations.  If the Fund were to invest in money  market  funds as described in
limitation  (c),  it  would  indirectly  incur  its  proportionate  share of the
advisory and other expenses of the money market fund.

                                       13
<PAGE>


   
4.  PERFORMANCE DATA
    

The Fund may quote  performance  in various ways.  All  performance  information
supplied  by the  Fund in  advertising  is  historical  and is not  intended  to
indicate future returns. The Fund's net asset value, yield and total return will
fluctuate in response to market  conditions and other factors,  and the value of
Fund shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.

   
Total return  information for the Funds as of March 31, 1998 is set forth in the
following table:
<TABLE>
     <S>                                     <C>                      <C>                      <C>
                                                                                               Total Return Since
                                            Total Return 1 Year      Total Return 5 Year           Inception*

    Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund              49.71%                   15.27%                  16.96%
</TABLE>

*Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund commenced operations on July 13, 1992.
    

In  performance  advertising  the  Fund  may  compare  any  of  its  performance
information  with data published by independent  evaluators such as Morningstar,
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., IBC/Donoghue,  Inc., CDA/Wiesenberger or other
companies which track the investment  performance of investment companies ("Fund
Tracking  Companies").  The  Fund  may  also  compare  any  of  its  performance
information  with the performance of recognized  stock,  bond and other indices,
including  but not limited to the  Standard & Poor's 500  Composite  Stock Price
Index,  the Dow Jones Industrial  Average,  the Salomon Brothers Bond Index, the
Shearson Lehman Bond Index, U.S.  Treasury bonds,  bills or notes and changes in
the Consumer  Price Index as published by the U.S.  Department of Commerce.  The
Fund may refer to general  market  performances  over past time  periods such as
those published by Ibbotson Associates.  In addition, the Fund may refer in such
materials to mutual fund  performance  rankings and other data published by Fund
Tracking Companies. Performance advertising may also refer to discussions of the
Fund and  comparative  mutual  fund data and  ratings  reported  in  independent
periodicals, such as newspapers and financial magazines.

TOTAL RETURN CALCULATIONS

The Fund may advertise total return. Total returns quoted in advertising reflect
all aspects of the Fund's return,  including the effect of reinvesting dividends
and capital gain distributions, and any change in the Fund's net asset value per
share over the period.  Average annual returns are calculated by determining the
growth or decline in value of a hypothetical  historical  investment in the Fund
over a stated period,  and then calculating the annually  compounded  percentage
rate that would have  produced  the same result if the rate of growth or decline
in value had been constant over the period.  For example, a cumulative return of
100% over ten years would produce an average  annual  return of 7.18%,  which is
the steady annual rate that would equal 100% growth on a compounded basis in ten
years.  While  average  annual  returns  are a  convenient  means  of  comparing
investment  alternatives,  investors  should realize that the performance is not
constant  over time but  changes  from  year to year,  and that  average  annual
returns  represent  averaged  figures  as  opposed  to the  actual  year-to-year
performance of the Fund.

Average  annual  total  return is  calculated  by  finding  the  average  annual
compounded  rates of  return of a  hypothetical  investment,  over such  periods
according to the following formula:

         P(1+T)n = ERV; where:

                  P = a  hypothetical  initial  payment of  $1,000; 
                  T = average annual total return; 
                  n = number of years; and
                  ERV = ending redeemable value (ERV is the value, at the end of
                  the applicable  period, of a hypothetical  $1,000 payment made
                  at the beginning of the applicable period.

                                       14
<PAGE>


   
In addition to average  annual total returns,  the Fund may quote  unaveraged or
cumulative total returns  reflecting the simple change in value of an investment
over a stated period.  Average annual and cumulative total returns may be quoted
returns  may be  quoted  as a  percentage  or as a  dollar  amount,  and  may be
calculated for a single  investment,  a series of investments and/or a series of
redemptions over time. Total returns may be broken down into their components of
income and capital (including capital gains and changes in share price) in order
to illustrate the relationship of these factors and their contributions to total
return. Total returns,  yields, and other performance  information may be quoted
numerically or in a table, graph, or similar illustration.
    

Period total return is calculated according to the following formula:

         PT = (ERV/P-1); where:

                  PT = period total return;
                  The other  definitions are the same as in average annual total
return above.

   
OTHER ADVERTISING MATTERS

The Fund may also include various information in their advertisements including,
but not  limited to: (1)  portfolio  holdings  and  portfolio  allocation  as of
certain  dates,  such  as  portfolio  diversification  by  instrument  type,  by
instrument,   by  location  of  issuer  or  by  maturity;   (2)   statements  or
illustrations  relating to the  appropriateness  of types of  securities  and/or
mutual  funds that may be employed by an  investor  to meet  specific  financial
goals,  such  as  funding  retirement,   paying  for  children's  education  and
financially  supporting  aging parents;  (3) information  (including  charts and
illustrations)  showing the effects of compounding interest  (compounding is the
process of earning  interest on principal plus interest that was earned earlier;
interest can be compounded at different intervals,  such as annually,  quarterly
or daily); (4) information  relating to inflation and its effects on the dollar;
for example,  after ten years the  purchasing  power of $25,000  would shrink to
$16,621,  $14,968,  $13,465 and  $12,100,  respectively,  if the annual rates of
inflation were 4%, 5%, 6% and 7%,  respectively;  (5) information  regarding the
effects of automatic investment and systematic  withdrawal plans,  including the
principal of dollar cost  averaging;  (6) background  information  regarding the
Fund's Adviser and  biographical  descriptions  of the  management  staff of the
Adviser; (7) summaries of the views of the Adviser with respect to the financial
markets;  (8) background  information  regarding the Trust; (9) the results of a
hypothetical  investment  in a fund over a given number of years,  including the
amount that the investment  would be at the end of the period;  (10) the effects
of investing in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account
or Section  401(k)  pension  plan;  and (11) the net asset value,  net assets or
number of shareholders of the Fund as of one or more dates.
    

5.  MANAGEMENT

   
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

THE TRUST
    

The trustees and officers of the Trust and their  principal  occupations  during
the past five years are set forth  below.  Each  Trustee  who is an  "interested
person" (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Trust is indicated by an asterisk.

   
John Y. Keffer,* Trustee, Chairman and President (age 56)

          President,  Forum Financial  Group,  LLC (mutual fund services company
          holding company)..  Mr. Keffer is a director and/or officer of various
          registered  investment companies for which the various Forum Financial
          Group of  Companies  provides  services.  His address is Two  Portland
          Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
    

                                       15
<PAGE>


Costas Azariadis, Trustee (age 55)

          Professor of Economics,  University of California,  Los Angeles, since
          July 1992. Prior thereto,  Dr. Azariadis was Professor of Economics at
          the  University  of   Pennsylvania.   His  address  is  Department  of
          Economics,  University of California, Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Avenue,
          Los Angeles, California 90024.

   
James C. Cheng, Trustee (age 56)
    

          President of Technology  Marketing  Associates (a marketing consulting
          company) since September 1991. Prior thereto,  Mr. Cheng was President
          and Chief  Executive  Officer of  Network  Dynamics,  Incorporated  (a
          software  development  company).  His  address  is 27  Temple  Street,
          Belmont, Massachusetts 02178.

J. Michael Parish, Trustee (age 54)

   
          Partner at the law firm of Reid & Priest L.L.P.  since 1995. From 1989
          to 1995, he was a partner at the law firm of Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam
          & Roberts.  Prior thereto, he was a partner at LeBoeuf,  Lamb, Leiby &
          MacRae,  a law firm of which he was a member  from  1974 to 1989.  His
          address is 40 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.
    

Mark D. Kaplan, Vice President (age 42)

   
          Director,  Investments,  Forum Financial Group, LLC, with which he has
          been associated  since September 1995.  Prior thereto,  Mr. Kaplan was
          Managing  Director and  Director of Research at H.M.  Payson & Co. His
          address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
    

Stacey Hong, Treasurer (age 32)

   
          Director,  Fund Accounting,  Forum Financial Group, LLC, with which he
          has been associated  since April 1992.  Prior thereto,  Mr. Hong was a
          Senior Accountant with Ernst & Young, LLP. His
    
         address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine  04101.

Max Berueffy, Secretary (age 46)

   
          Senior  Counsel,  Forum Financial  Group,  LLC, with which he has been
          associated since 1994. Prior thereto, Mr. Berueffy was on the staff of
          the U.S.  Securities and Exchange Commission for seven years, first in
          the appellate branch of the Office of the General  Counsel,  then as a
          counsel to  Commissioner  Grundfest  and  finally as a senior  special
          counsel in the Division of Investment  Management.  Mr.  Berueffy also
          serves as an  officer of other  registered  investment  companies  for
          which  the  various  Forum  Financial  Group  of  Companies   provides
          services. His address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
    

Leslie K. Klenk, Assistant Secretary (age 33)

   
          Assistant Counsel,  Forum Financial Group LLC, with which she has been
          associated  since  April  1998.  Prior  thereto,  Ms.  Klenk  was Vice
          President and Associate General Counsel of Smith Barney Inc. Ms. Klenk
          also serves as an officer of other registered investment companies for
          which  the  various  Forum  Financial  Group  of  Companies   provides
          services. Her address is Two Portland Square, Portland, ME 04101.

Pamela Stutch, Assistant Secretary (age 30)

          Fund  Administrator,  Forum Financial  Group,  LLC, with which she has
          been  associated  since May 1998.  Prior thereto,  Ms. Stutch attended
          Temple  University School of Law and graduated in 1997. Ms. Stutch was
          also a legal intern for the Maine Department of the Attorney  General.
          Ms.  Stutch also serves as an officer of other  registered  investment
          companies  for which the various  Forum  Financial  Group of Companies
          provides services.  Her address is Two Portland Square,  Portland,  ME
          04101.
    

                                       16
<PAGE>


TRUSTEE COMPENSATION

Each  Trustee of the Trust  (other  than John Y.  Keffer,  who is an  interested
person of the Trust) is paid $1,000 for each Board meeting attended  (whether in
person or by  electronic  communication)  and is paid $1,000 for each  committee
meeting  attended  on a date when a Board  meeting is not held.  As of March 31,
1997,  in  addition  to $1,000 for each Board  meeting  attended,  each  Trustee
receives $100 per active portfolio of the Trust. To the extent a meeting relates
to only  certain  portfolios  of the Trust,  Trustees are paid the $100 fee only
with respect to those  portfolios.  Trustees are also  reimbursed for travel and
related expenses incurred in attending  meetings of the Board. No officer of the
Trust is compensated by the Trust.

   
The following  table provides the aggregate  compensation  paid to each Trustee.
The Trust has not  adopted  any form of  retirement  plan  covering  Trustees or
officers. Information is presented for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.
    
<TABLE>
          <S>                           <C>                 <C>            <C>              <C>
                                                           ACCRUED           ANNUAL
                                        AGGREGATE          PENSION        BENEFITS UPON       TOTAL
         TRUSTEE                      COMPENSATION        BENEFITS         RETIREMENT      COMPENSATION
         -------                      ------------        --------         ----------      ------------
   
         Mr. Keffer                       None              None              None             None
         Mr. Azariadis                  $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
         Mr. Cheng                      $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
         Mr. Parish                     $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
</TABLE>

TRUSTEE COMPENSATION FOR CORE TRUST (DELAWARE)

Each of the Trustees of the Trust is also a Trustee of Core Trust (Delaware),  a
registered,  open-end management investment company ("Core Trust"). Each Trustee
of Core Trust (other than John Y. Keffer,  who is an  interested  person of Core
Trust) is paid $1,000 for each Core Trust  Board  meeting  attended  (whether in
person or by electronic  communication)  plus $100 per active  portfolio of Core
Trust and is paid $1,000 for each  committee  meeting  attended on a date when a
Core Trust Board  meeting is not held.  To the extent a meeting  relates to only
certain  portfolios  of Core  Trust,  trustees  are paid the $100 fee only  with
respect to those portfolios.  Core Trust trustees are also reimbursed for travel
and related expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Core Trust Board.
    

THE ADVISER

   
Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust , , Oak Hall Capital
Advisors,  L.P.  furnishes  at its own  expense  all  services,  facilities  and
personnel  necessary in  connection  with  managing the Fund's  investments  and
effecting   portfolio   transactions  for  the  Fund.  Subject  to  the  general
supervision of the Board,  the Adviser is  responsible  for, among other things,
developing a continuing  investment  program for the Fund in accordance with its
investment objectives and reviewing the investments,  investment strategies, and
policies of the Fund. In this regard, it is the responsibility of the Adviser to
make decisions relating to the Fund's investments and to place purchase and sale
orders  regarding such investments with brokers or dealers selected by it in its
discretion.  The  Adviser  also  furnishes  to  the  Board,  which  has  overall
responsibility  for the business and affairs of the Trust,  periodic  reports on
the investment performance of the Fund.

The Investment  Advisory  Agreement will remain in effect for a period of twelve
months from the date of its effectiveness and will continue in effect thereafter
only if its  continuance is  specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the
Board or by  majority  vote of the  shareholders  and (2) by a  majority  of the
Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory  Agreement or interested persons of
any such party.

The Investment  Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Board or
a majority vote of the  shareholders  on 60 days' written notice to the Adviser,
or  by  the  Adviser  on  60  days'  written  notice  to  the  Trust,  and  will
automatically  terminate in the event of its assignment.  The Advisory Agreement
also provides  that,  with respect to the Fund,  the Adviser shall not be liable
for any error of  judgment  or mistake of law or for any act or  omission in the
performance of its duties to the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith
or gross  negligence 

                                       17
<PAGE>


in the  performance  of its  duties or by reason of  reckless  disregard  of its
obligations and duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement.

The Investment  Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser may render services
to others. The Adviser may also act and be compensated as investment manager for
its clients  with  respect to assets  which are  invested  in the Fund.  In some
instances the Adviser may elect to credit against any investment  management fee
received from a client who is also a shareholder  in the Fund an amount equal to
all or a portion of the fees  received  by the Adviser or any  affiliate  of the
Adviser from the Fund with respect to the client's assets invested in the Fund.

For its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser receives a
fee at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.  The
following  table shows the dollar  amount of fees payable  under the  Investment
Advisory  Agreement  between the Fund and Oak Hall Capital  Advisors,  L.P., the
amount  of fee that was  waived  by the  Adviser,  if any,  and the  actual  fee
received by the Adviser. The data is for the past three fiscal years.
    
<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>                   <C>               <C>
                                                       Advisory Fee        Advisory Fee        Advisory Fee
                                                          Payable              Waived           Retained
Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund                        -------              ------           --------

   
     Year Ended March 31, 1998                            $49,135              $49,135                  $0
     Year Ended March 31, 1997                            $54,263              $54,263                  $0
     Year Ended June 30, 1996                             110,257               64,502              45,755
</TABLE>

THE ADMINISTRATOR

Pursuant to an  Administration  Agreement with the Trust,  Forum  Administrative
Services,  LLC ("FAdS") acts as the  administrator of the Trust on behalf of the
Fund. As administrator,  FAdS provides  management and  administrative  services
necessary  to  the  operation  of  the  Trust  (which   includes,   among  other
responsibilities,  negotiation  of contracts  and fees with,  and  monitoring of
performance  and billing of, the transfer  agent,  fund accountant and custodian
and  arranging for  maintenance  of books and records of the Trust) and provided
the Trust with general office facilities. At the request of the Board, FAdS also
provides  persons  satisfactory  to the Board to serve as officers of the Trust.
Those  officers,  as well as certain other  employees and Trustees of the Trust,
may be directors, officers or employees of FAdS, the Adviser or their respective
affiliates.  In addition, under the Agreement,  FAdS is directly responsible for
managing  the  Trust's  regulatory  and  legal  compliance  and  overseeing  the
preparation of its registration statement.

The Administration Agreement will remain in effect for a period of twelve months
from the date of its  effectiveness  and will continue in effect thereafter only
if its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by
majority  vote of the  shareholders  and, in either  case,  by a majority of the
Trustees who are not parties to the agreement or interested  persons of any such
party (other than as Trustees of the Trust). The Administration Agreement may be
terminated with respect to any Fund, without payment of a penalty,  by the Board
or FAdS on 60 days' written notice. The  Administration  Agreement provides that
FAdS shall not be liable for any action or inaction taken in the  administration
or management of the Trust, except for willful  misfeasance,  bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of its duties under the Administration Agreement.

Until May 31, 1994, Stone Bridge Trust Company ("SBTC"),  as administrator,  and
Forum Financial Services,  Inc. ("FFSI"), as  sub-administrator,  supervised the
overall  management  of the Fund,  which  was then a series of The Stone  Bridge
Funds,  Inc.,  a  registered  management  investment  company  (the  "Company"),
including   the   administrative   duties   described   above,   pursuant  to  a
Co-Administration  Agreement and a Distribution  and  Administration  Agreement,
respectively. Effective June 1, 1994, the Company entered into an Administration
and   Distribution   Agreement   with  FFSI  under  which  FFSI   provided   the
administration  and  distribution  services  it has  provided  since the  Fund's
inception and assumed the administrative  responsibilities formerly performed by
SBTC. As of November 25, 1996, administrative services were provided to the Fund
pursuant to a Management and Distribution  Agreement between the Trust and FFSI.
Effective June 19, 1997,  administrative services are provided by FAdS under the
current Administration Agreement with the Trust.

                                       18
<PAGE>


For the fiscal  years  ending  March 31,  1998 and 1997 and June 30,  1996,  the
administration fees were $ 16,378, $18,088, and $36,752 , respectively.

THE DISTRIBUTOR

Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, FFSI acts as distributor of
the  Fund's  shares  (the The  Distributor  is under no  obligation  to sell any
specific  amount of the Fund's  shares.  All  subscriptions  of shares  that are
obtained by FFSI are directed to the Trust for acceptance and are not binding on
the Trust until accepted.

The  Distribution  Agreement will remain in effect for a period of twelve months
from the date of its  effectiveness  and will continue in effect thereafter only
if its continuance is  specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the Board
or by majority  vote of the  shareholders  and (2) by a majority of the Trustees
who are not parties to the agreement or interested persons of any such party and
do not have any  direct  or  indirect  financial  interest  in the  Distribution
Agreement.

The Distribution Agreement terminates automatically if it is assigned and may be
terminated  without  penalty  with  respect to the Fund by majority  vote of the
shareholders  or by either party to the agreement on 60 days' written  notice to
the Trust.  The  Distribution  Agreement  also  provides  that FFSI shall not be
liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or omission in
the administration or management of the Trust,  except for willful  misfeasance,
bad faith or gross  negligence in the  performance of its duties or by reason of
reckless  disregard  of  its  obligations  and  duties  under  the  Distribution
Agreement.

FFSI may enter into  agreements  with selected  broker-dealers,  banks, or other
financial  institutions  for distribution of shares of the Fund. These financial
institutions  may charge a fee for their  services and may receive  shareholders
service fees even though  shares of the Fund are sold without  sales  charges or
distribution fees. These financial  institutions may otherwise act as processing
agents, and will be responsible for promptly transmitting  purchase,  redemption
and other requests to the Fund.

Investors who purchase  shares in this manner will be subject to the  procedures
of the institution through whom they purchase shares, which may include charges,
investment  minimums,  cutoff  times and other  restrictions  in addition to, or
different  from,  those listed  herein.  Information  concerning  any charges or
services will be provided to customers by the financial  institution.  Investors
purchasing  shares of the Fund in this manner should  acquaint  themselves  with
their  institution's  procedures and should read this  Prospectus in conjunction
with any materials and information provided by their institution.  The financial
institution  and not its customers will be the  shareholder of record,  although
customers  may have the right to vote shares  depending  upon their  arrangement
with the institution.

On December 5, 1997, the Board terminated a distribution plan previously adopted
by the Board in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act ("Plan"). The Plan
required  the Trust and FFSI to prepare,  at least  quarterly,  written  reports
setting forth all amounts expended for distribution purposes by FFSI pursuant to
the  Plan  and   identifying  the   distribution   activities  for  which  those
expenditures  were made.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Plan did
not incur any expenses,

THE TRANSFER AGENT

Pursuant to a Transfer  Agency and Services  Agreement  with the Trust dated May
19, 1998,  Forum  Shareholder  Services,  LLC ("FSS") acts as transfer agent and
dividend  disbursing agent of the Trust. FSS became the transfer agent effective
January 1, 1998 when it  succeeded  to the  transfer  agency  business  of Forum
Financial Corp. (FSS and Forum Financial Corp.  ("FFC") are commonly  controlled
entities).

The Transfer Agency and Services Agreement will remain in effect for a period of
one year and will  continue  in effect  thereafter  only if its  continuance  is
specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the Board or by majority vote of
the  shareholders  and (2) by a majority of the  Trustees who are not parties to
the respective  agreement or interested  persons of any such party. The Transfer
Agency and Services  Agreement may also be terminated on 60 

                                       19
<PAGE>


days written notice by either the Board or FSS. The Transfer Agency and Services
Agreement  also provides that FSS shall not be liable for any action or inaction
taken except for willful  misfeasance,  bad faith,  and gross  negligence in the
performance of its duties under the Fund Accounting Agreement.

Among the  responsibilities  of FSS as agent for the Trust  are:  (1)  answering
customer  inquiries  regarding  account status and history,  the manner in which
purchases  and  redemptions  of shares of the Funds may be effected  and certain
other matters pertaining to the Funds; (2) assisting  shareholders in initiating
and  changing  account  designations  and  addresses;  (3)  providing  necessary
personnel  and  facilities to establish  and maintain  shareholder  accounts and
records,  assisting in  processing  purchase  and  redemption  transactions  and
receiving wired funds;  (4)  transmitting and receiving funds in connection with
customer  orders  to  purchase  or  redeem  shares;  (5)  verifying  shareholder
signatures  in  connection  with  changes  in the  registration  of  shareholder
accounts;  (6) furnishing periodic statements and confirmations of purchases and
redemptions;  (7) arranging for the  transmission  of proxy  statements,  annual
reports,   prospectuses  and  other   communications   from  the  Trust  to  its
shareholders;  (8) arranging for the receipt, tabulation and transmission to the
Trust  of  proxies  executed  by  shareholders   with  respect  to  meetings  of
shareholders of the Trust;  and (9) providing such other related services as the
Trust or a shareholder may reasonably request.

FSS or any  sub-transfer  agent or  processing  agent  may also act and  receive
compensation  for acting as custodian,  investment  manager,  nominee,  agent or
fiduciary  for its customers or clients who are  shareholders  of the Funds with
respect to assets invested in the Funds. FSS or any sub-transfer  agent or other
processing  agent may  elect to credit  against  the fees  payable  to it by its
clients or customers all or a portion of any fee received from the Trust or from
FSS with respect to assets of those customers or clients  invested in the Funds.
FSS, FAdS or  sub-transfer  agents or processing  agents  retained by FSS may be
Processing  Organizations  (as  defined in the  Prospectus)  and, in the case of
sub-transfer  agents or processing agents, may also be affiliated persons of FSS
or FAdS.

For its services, FSS receives with respect to the Fund an annual fee of $12,000
plus $25 per shareholder account. FFC served as the transfer agent for the Trust
pursuant to similar terms and compensation as FSS.

THE FUND ACCOUNTANT

Pursuant  to a Fund  Accounting  Agreement  with  the  Trust,  Forum  Accounting
Services,  LLC ("FAcS") provides the Fund with portfolio  accounting,  including
the calculation of the Fund's net asset value. For these services,  the Transfer
Agent  receives  with  respect to the Fund an annual fee of $36,000 plus certain
surcharges based upon the amount and type of the Fund's  portfolio  transactions
and positions.

The Fund Accounting Agreement will remain in effect for a period of one year and
will  continue in effect  thereafter  only if its  continuance  is  specifically
approved  at  least  annually  (1) by  the  Board  or by  majority  vote  of the
shareholders  and (2) by a majority of the  Trustees  who are not parties to the
respective  agreement  or  interested  persons  of  any  such  party.  The  Fund
Accounting  Agreement may also be terminated on 60 days written notice by either
the Board or FAcS. The Fund  Accounting  Agreement also provides that FAcS shall
not be liable for any action or inaction  taken except for willful  misfeasance,
bad faith or gross  negligence in the  performance  of its duties under the Fund
Accounting Agreement.

For the fiscal  years  ending  March 31,  1998 and 1997 and June 30,  1996,  the
accounting fees were $41,000, $30,000, and $40,000, respectively.
    
EXPENSES

Subject to the  obligations of the Adviser to reimburse the Trust for its excess
expenses as  described  in the  Prospectus,  the Trust has,  under the  Advisory
Agreement, confirmed its obligation to pay all its other expenses.

The Trust's  expenses  include:  interest  charges,  taxes,  brokerage  fees and
commissions;  certain insurance premiums; fees, interest charges and expenses of
the Trust's custodian and transfer agent; fees of pricing,  interest,  dividend,
credit and other reporting services;  costs of membership in trade associations;
telecommunications  expenses;  funds transmission expenses;  auditing, legal and
compliance  expenses;  costs of  forming  the  Trust and  maintaining 

                                       20
<PAGE>


corporate existence;  costs of preparing and printing the Trust's  prospectuses,
statements of additional information and shareholder reports and delivering them
to existing  shareholders;  costs of  maintaining  books and accounts;  costs of
reproduction,  stationery and supplies;  compensation  of the Trust's  trustees;
compensation of the Trust's  officers and employees who are not employees of the
Adviser,  FAdS or their  respective  affiliates  and  costs  of other  personnel
performing services for the Trust; costs of corporate  meetings;  Securities and
Exchange  Commission  registration fees and related  expenses;  state securities
laws registration fees and related expenses; the fees payable under the Advisory
Agreement,    the   Administration    Agreement   and   the   Distribution   and
Sub-Administration  Agreement; and any fees and expenses payable pursuant to the
Plan.

   
6.  DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
    

The Trust  determines the net asset value per share of the Fund as of 4:00 p.m.,
Eastern time, on each Business Day (as defined in the  Prospectus),  by dividing
the value of the Fund's net assets (i.e.,  the value of its securities and other
assets  less its  liabilities,  including  expenses  payable or  accrued) by the
number of shares  outstanding at the time the  determination  is made. The Trust
does not determine net asset value on the  following  holidays:  New Year's Day,
Dr. Martin Luther King,  Jr. Day,  Presidents'  Day, Good Friday,  Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

   
7.  PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
    

The Fund generally  purchases and sells  securities  through  brokers who charge
commissions.  Allocations  of  transactions  to  brokers  and  dealers  and  the
frequency of transactions are determined by the Adviser in its best judgment and
in a manner deemed to be in the best interest of shareholders of the Fund rather
than by any formula. The primary  consideration is prompt execution of orders in
an effective manner and at the most favorable price available to the Fund.

The Fund may not always pay the lowest commission or spread  available.  Rather,
in determining the amount of commission,  including certain dealer spreads, paid
in  connection  with Fund  transactions,  the Adviser  takes into  account  such
factors  as  size of the  order,  difficulty  of  execution,  efficiency  of the
executing broker's  facilities  (including the services described below) and any
risk  assumed by the  executing  broker.  The Adviser may also take into account
payments made by brokers effecting  transactions for the Fund (1) to the Fund or
(2) to other persons on behalf of the Fund for services provided to it for which
it would be obligated to pay.

In addition,  the Adviser may give  consideration to research services furnished
by  brokers  to the  Adviser  for its use and may  cause  the Fund to pay  these
brokers a higher amount of commission than may be charged by other brokers. Such
research and analysis may be used by the Adviser in connection  with services to
clients  other than the Fund,  and the Adviser's fee is not reduced by reason of
the Adviser's receipt of the research services.

Investment  decisions for the Fund will be made independently from those for any
other account or investment  company that is or may in the future become managed
by the Adviser or its  affiliates.  If, however,  the Fund and other  investment
companies or accounts  managed by the Adviser are  contemporaneously  engaged in
the purchase or sale of the same security,  the  transactions may be averaged as
to price and  allocated  equitably to each account.  In some cases,  this policy
might adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the
position  obtainable  for the Fund. In addition,  when purchases or sales of the
same  security  for the Fund and for other  investment  companies  and  accounts
managed by the Adviser occur contemporaneously,  the purchase or sale orders may
be  aggregated  in order to  obtain  any  price  advantages  available  to large
denomination purchases or sales.

   
The Fund  contemplates  that,  consistent  with the policy of obtaining best net
results,   brokerage   transactions  may  be  conducted  through  the  Adviser's
affiliates,  affiliates  of those  persons  or  Forum.  The  Advisory  Agreement
authorizes the Adviser to so execute trades. The Board has adopted procedures in
conformity with applicable rules under the Investment Company Act to ensure that
all brokerage commissions paid to these persons are reasonable and fair. For the
Trust's fiscal years ended March 31, 1998, March 31, 1997, and June 30, 1996 the
aggregate brokerage commissions incurred by the Fund were $26,268,  $66,316, and
$198,598,  respectively,  of which  0%,  0%,  and 5.1%  ($0,  $0,  and  $10,095,
respectively) was paid to American Securities  Corporation,  an affiliate of the

                                       21
<PAGE>


Adviser.  During those periods,  approximately 0%, 0%, and 4.67% , respectively,
of the total dollar amount of  transactions by the Fund involving the payment of
commissions were effected through American Securities Corporation.

8.  ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

Shares of the Fund are sold on a continuous basis by FFSI at the net asset value
next determined  without any sales charge.  As of March 31, 1998, the Fund's net
asset value was $20.66.

REDEMPTION IN KIND
    

Proceeds of redemptions normally are paid in cash. However, payments may be made
wholly or partly  in  portfolio  securities  if the  Board  determines  economic
conditions  exist  which  would  make  payment in cash  detrimental  to the best
interests of the Fund.  If payment for shares  redeemed is made wholly or partly
in portfolio  securities,  brokerage costs may be incurred by the shareholder in
converting  the  securities  to cash.  The Trust has filed an election  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission pursuant to which the Fund may only effect a
redemption in portfolio  securities if the  particular  shareholder is redeeming
more than  $250,000  or 1% of the Fund's  total net assets,  whichever  is less,
during any 90-day period.

In addition to the situations  described in the Prospectus  under "Purchases and
Redemptions of Shares," the Trust may redeem shares  involuntarily  to reimburse
the Fund for any loss  sustained  by reason of the failure of a  shareholder  to
make full  payment for shares  purchased  by the  shareholder  or to collect any
charge relating to transactions  effected for the benefit of a shareholder which
is applicable to the Fund's  shares as provided in the  Prospectus  from time to
time.

Shareholders'  rights of  redemption  may not be  suspended,  except (i) for any
period  during  which the New York Stock  Exchange,  Inc. is closed  (other than
customary  weekend and holiday  closings)  or during  which the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission determines that trading thereon is restricted,  (ii) for any
period during which an emergency (as  determined by the  Securities and Exchange
Commission)  exists as a result of which  disposal by the Fund of its securities
is not  reasonably  practicable  or as a result  of  which it is not  reasonably
practicable  for the Fund fairly to  determine  the value of its net assets,  or
(iii) for such other period as the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  may by
order permit for the protection of the shareholders of the Fund.

Fund shares are  normally  issued for cash only.  In the  Adviser's  discretion,
however,  the Fund may  accept  portfolio  securities  that meet the  investment
objective  and  policies of the Fund as payment for Fund  shares.  The Fund will
only accept  securities that (i) are not restricted as to transfer either by law
or liquidity of market and (ii) have a value which is readily ascertainable (and
not established only by valuation procedures).

   
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

The exchange privilege permits shareholders of the Fund to exchange their shares
for Investor shares of the Daily Asset  Government  Fund, a money market fund of
the Trust (the "Daily Assets Fund").  For Federal income tax purposes,  exchange
transactions  are treated as sales on which a purchaser  will  realize a capital
gain or loss  depending  on whether the value of the shares  redeemed is more or
less than his basis in such shares at the time of the transaction.

By use of the exchange privilege, the shareholder authorizes FSS to act upon the
instruction  of any  person  representing  himself  to either be, or to have the
authority  to act on behalf of, the  investor and believed by FSS to be genuine.
The records of FSS of such  instructions  are  binding.  Proceeds of an exchange
transaction  may be  invested  in the  Daily  Assets  Fund  in the  name  of the
shareholder.

Exchange transactions will be made on the basis of relative net asset values per
share  at the  time of the  exchange  transaction.  Shares  of the  Fund  may be
redeemed and the proceeds used to purchase,  without a sales  charge,  shares of
the Daily  Assets  Fund.  The terms of the  exchange  privilege  are  subject to
change,  and the  privilege  may be

                                       22
<PAGE>


terminated by the Daily Assets Fund or the Trust.  However,  the privilege  will
not be terminated, and no material change that restricts the availability of the
privilege to shareholders will be implemented, without reasonable advance notice
to shareholders.

9.  TAX MATTERS
    

The Fund  intends  for each  taxable  year to  qualify  for tax  treatment  as a
"regulated  investment  company"  under the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as
amended.   Such  qualification  does  not,  of  course,   involve   governmental
supervision of management or investment practices or policies.  Investors should
consult their own counsel for a complete  understanding  of the requirements the
Fund must meet to qualify for such  treatment.  The information set forth in the
Prospectus and the following discussion relate solely to Federal income taxes on
dividends and distributions by the Fund and assumes that the Fund qualifies as a
regulated  investment  company.  Investors  should consult their own counsel for
further  details and for the  application  of state and local tax laws to his or
her particular situation.

A portion of the  dividends  paid out of the Fund's net  ordinary  income may be
eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations.

For federal income tax purposes,  gains and losses  attributable to fluctuations
in  exchange  rates which occur  between the time the Fund  accrues  interest or
other  receivable  or accrues  expenses or other  liabilities  denominated  in a
foreign  currency and the time the Fund actually  collects such  receivables  or
pays  such  liabilities  are  treated  as  ordinary  income  or  ordinary  loss.
Similarly, gains or losses from the disposition of foreign currencies,  from the
disposition of debt securities  denominated in a foreign  currency,  or from the
disposition of a forward  contract  denominated in a foreign  currency which are
attributable to fluctuations  in the value of the foreign  currency  between the
date of acquisition of the asset and the date of disposition also are treated as
ordinary gain or loss.

For federal income tax purposes,  when equity or  over-the-counter  put and call
options which the Fund has purchased or sold or expire unexercised, the premiums
paid by the Fund give rise to short or long-term  capital  losses at the time of
sale or expiration  (depending on the Fund's  holding period with respect to the
put or call). When put and call options written by the Fund expire  unexercised,
the premiums  received by the Fund give rise to short-term  capital gains at the
time of  expiration.  When the Fund  exercises a call, the purchase price of the
security  purchased  is increased by the amount of the premium paid by the Fund.
When  the Fund  exercises  a put,  the  proceeds  from  the sale of the  related
security are  decreased by the premium  paid.  When a put or call written by the
Fund is exercised,  the purchase  price (selling price in the case of a call) of
the security is decreased  (increased in the case of a call) for tax purposes by
the  premium  received.  There  may be  short  or long  term  gains  and  losses
associated with closing purchase or sale transactions.

In  addition,  the  use of  certain  hedging  strategies  such  as  writing  and
purchasing  options,  futures  contracts and options on futures  contracts,  and
entering into foreign currency forward contracts and other foreign  instruments,
involves complex rules that will determine for income tax purposes the character
and timing of recognition of income received in connection therewith.

   
10.  OTHER INFORMATION
    

COUNSEL

Legal  matters in  connection  with the issuance of shares of stock of the Trust
are passed upon by Seward & Kissel, 1200 G. Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

   
CUSTODIAN

Pursuant to a Custodian Agreement, BankBoston, N.A. (formerly The First National
Bank of  Boston),  P.O.  Box 1959,  Boston,  Massachusetts,  02105,  acts as the
custodian  of  the  Funds'  assets.  The  custodian's  responsibilities

                                       23
<PAGE>


include safeguarding and controlling the Fund's cash and securities, determining
income and collecting interest on Fund investments.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
    

Deloitte  & Touche,  LLP,  125  Summer  Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts,  02110,
independent auditors, have been selected as auditors for the Trust.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
The audited financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year ended March 31,
1998 (included in the Annual Report to Shareholders),  which are delivered along
with this  Statement  of  Additional  Information,  are  incorporated  herein by
reference.
    


                                       24
<PAGE>


   
                                   APPENDIX A
                                   ----------
               CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
               ---------------------------------------------------

As of July 1, 1998, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group owned less
than 1% of the  outstanding  shares  of each  Fund.  Also as of that  date,  the
shareholders  listed below owned more than 5% of each Fund.  Shareholders owning
25% or more of the  shares of a Fund or of the Trust as a whole may be deemed to
be controlling persons. By reason of their substantial holdings of shares, these
persons may be able to require the Trust to hold a  shareholder  meeting to vote
on certain  issues and may be able to determine  the outcome of any  shareholder
vote.  As noted,  certain of these  shareholders  are known to the Trust to hold
their shares of record only and have no beneficial interest, including the right
to vote, in the shares.
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>                        <C>
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                       ------------               -------------
OAK HALL SMALL CAP CONTRARIAN FUND
- ----------------------------------
Maryann Wolf                                                              13.30%                   40,946.955
55 Central Park West Apt 12-13
New York  NY  10023

Simeon Gold & Heide Gold, Jt. Ten.                                         9.05%                   27,856.149
136 East 76th Street Apt. 10F
New York  NY  10021

Jane Levy                                                                  5.73%                   17,622.969
320 West 87th Street Apt. 3W
New York  NY  10024

Bank of Boston, IRA Custodian                                              5.70%                   17,553.097
FBO Maryann Wolf
55 Central Park West Apt. 12-13
New York  NY  10023

WR Family Associates 401K Plan Option                                      5.48%                   16,870.661
Attn: Olga M. Dimmini
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2400 New York, NY 10168-002

    
</TABLE>

                                      A-1
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>                        <C>

   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND                                           ------------               -------------
INSTITUTIONAL  SHARES
- ---------------------

H M Payson & Co. Custody Account                                          56.56%                 18,033,015.150
FBO Customer Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland  ME  04112


H M Payson & Co. Trust Account                                            43.44%                 13,850,465.390
FBO Trust Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Bank of Boston, IRA Rollover Custodian                                    16.52%                  826,387.330
FBO Merne E. Young Rollover
18751 San Rufino
Irvine, CA 92612

Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation                                    15.90%                  795,276.550
Foundation Smith Family Care Fund
Attn: Kristy Hurley
2850 N. Garey Avenue
P.O. Box 6001
Pomona, CA 91769-6001                                                     15.90%                  795,276.550

Lansdowne Parking Associates LP                                            9.99%                  499,939.120
c/o Meredith Management
29 Crafts Street #300
Newton, MA 02158

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                         100%                     100.920
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101


DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Allagash & Co.                                                            46.30%                 12,236,932.890
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                        <C>

   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND                                                 ------------              -------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES CON'T

H M Payson & Co. Custody Account                                          34.44%                 9.101,914.440
FBO Customer Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

H M Payson & Co. Trust Account                                            19.27%                 5,092,100.590
FBO Trust Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Cutler Approved List Equity Fund                                          18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Sound Shore Fund                                                          18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Small Cap Value Fund                                                  18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Cutler Equity Income Fund                                                 18.12%                  951,550.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM All Cap Value Fund                                                     9.45%                  496,164.720
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Mid Cap Value Fund                                                     5.70%                  299,263.830
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-3
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                        <C>

   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF               AMOUNT OF
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               SHARES OWNED
                                                                       ------------               ------------
DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, Inc.                                        100%                     101.200
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Allagash & Co.                                                            72.89%                 11,915,149.240
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                    26.73%                 4,368,592.160
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302-0477

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Dirigo Drywall Assoc.                                                     22.89%                  682,716.350
225 Riverside Street
Portland, ME 04103

Cutler Approved List Equity Fund                                          19.58%                  583,950.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Sound Shore Fund                                                          19.58%                  583,950.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc./
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Small Cap Value Fund                                                  19.58%                  583,950,000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-4
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>                          <C>

   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF                AMOUNT OF
                                                                       SHARES OWNED              SHARES OWNED
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND                               ------------              ------------
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES-CON'T

Cutler Equity Income Fund                                                 9.05%                   269,894.440
C/O Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square

CRM All Cap Value Fund                                                    6.23%                   185,729.030
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                         100%                     100.900
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                    46.72%                 9,494,221.860
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                            25.38%                 5,157,680.310
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Imperial Securities Corp.                                                 23.96%                 4,868,005.220
Attn: Jack Singer
9920 South La Cieniega Blvd 14th Fl
Inglewood, CA 90301

DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Forum Financing                                                            100%                      5.000
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-5
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                          <C>

   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF                AMOUNT OF
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               SHARES OWNED
DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND                                           ------------               ------------
INVESTOR SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                        100%                      100.060
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS TREASURY OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   65.16%                 62,106,021.450
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                           34.84%                 33,201,966.980
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

DAILY ASSETS TREASURY OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE

Allagash & Co.                                                           99.10%                  1,657,595.720
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
CONCORD, NH 03302-0477

INVESTORS BOND FUND
- -------------------

Firstrust Co.                                                            72.38%                  5,714,958.415
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

SEI Trust Company                                                        11.10%                   876,782.753
c/o Irwin Union Bank & Trust
Attn:  Mutual Funds Administrator
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks  PA  19456
    
</TABLE>


                                      A-6
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>                         <C>

   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      ------------               -------------
FORUM TAXSAVER BOND FUND
- ------------------------

First Trust Co.                                                          49.33%                  1,717,000.264
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

SEI Trust Company                                                        21.80%                   758,668.285
c/o Irwin Union Bank & Trust
Attn:  Mutual Funds Administrator
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks  PA  19456

Leonore Zusman Ttee                                                       6.03%                   209,963.557
Leonore Zusman Living Trust  U/A/D 2/3/93
6439 Woodacre Ct.
Englewood  OH  45322

Lawrence L. Zusman Ttee                                                   5.41%                   188,185.433
Lawrence L. Zusman Living Trust  U/A/D 2/3/93
6439 Woodacre Court
Englewood  OH  45322

HIGH GRADE BOND FUND

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   99.76%                  3.451,019.518
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND

Independence Trust                                                       45.62%                   565,735.702
Attn: Linda Feliciano
200 Bedford Street 5th
Manchester, NH 03101
    
</TABLE>


                                      A-7
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                      <C>                          <C>

   
                                                                  PERCENTAGE OF SHARES         AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      OF FUND OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      -------------              -------------

PAYSON BALANCED FUND
- --------------------

ALA & Co.                                                                15.49%                   258,329.088
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

Payse & Co.                                                              14.98%                   249,788.506
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

PAYSON VALUE FUND
- -----------------

Payse & Co.                                                              21.90%                   208,621.301
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

ALA & Co.                                                                18.09%                   172,271.808
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

INVESTORS EQUITY FUND
- ---------------------

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   94.40%                  2,383,117.225
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                            5.18%                   130,658.987
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>

   
                                                                  PERCENTAGE OF SHARES         AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      OF FUND OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      -------------              -------------
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
- -------------------------

Forum Financing                                                          67.80%                     500.000
Forum Financial Group
Two Portland Square
Portland  ME  04101

Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Sec Corp.                                   32.20%                     237.417
Mutual Funds Dept. - 5th Floor
PO Box 2052
Jersey City  NJ  07303

INVESTORS GROWTH FUND
- ---------------------

Firstrust Co.                                                            99.95%                  3,013,520.631
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

EQUITY INDEX FUND
- -----------------

Allagash & Co.                                                           99.27%                   440,772.554
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302

SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                        100%                      500.000
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

EMERGING MARKETS FUND

Forum Financing                                                          65.52%                     500.00
Attn:  Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Donald, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp.                               34.48%                     263.158
Mutual Funds Dept.-5th Floor
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ 07303
    
</TABLE>

                                      A-9
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                        <C>

   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      ------------               -------------
QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND
- ------------------------

Holly Melosi & Arturo R. Melosi TTEE                                     80.77%                   406,724.176
FBO Atrgur & Holly Magill Foundation
36 Woodland Way Circle
Greenville, SC 29601

HMK Enterprises, Inc.                                                    8.41%%                   42,337.003
800 South Street
Suite 355
Waltham  MA  02154

QUADRA GROWTH FUND
- ------------------

Holly Melosi & Arturo R. Melosi TTEE                                     77.64%                   454,757.022
FBO Arthur & Holly Magill Foundation
36 Woodland Way Circle
Greenville, SC 29601

John E. Rosenthal                                                         12.52                   73,322.092
1212 West Street
Carlisle, MA 01741-1428

POLARIS GLOBAL VALUE FUND
- -------------------------

David Solomont                                                           11.39%                   271,791.712
c/o Utopia Inc.
200 Fifth Avenue
Waltham, MA 02154

DCGT TR                                                                   5.35%                   127,724.287
FBO Audrey Lewis-REG IRA
10 Rogers Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
    

</TABLE>



                                      A-10

<PAGE>



                                   APPENDIX B

                        DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS


CORPORATE BONDS (INCLUDING CONVERTIBLE DEBT)

         (A)  MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. ("MOODY'S")

         Moody's rates corporate bond issues, including convertible debt issues,
as follows:

         Bonds  which  are rated Aaa are  judged  by  Moody's  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  the  various
protective  elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are
most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

         Bonds  which  are  rated Aa are  judged  to be of high  quality  by all
standards.  Together with the Aaa group,  they comprise what are generally known
as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements  may be of greater  amplitude  or there may be other  elements  present
which make the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

         Bonds which are rated A 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.

         Bonds which are rated Baa are  considered as medium grade  obligations,
i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payment 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.

         Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered  as well assured.  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 bonds in this class.

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

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

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

         Bonds which are rated C 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.

         Note:  Those  bonds in the Aa, A,  Baa,  Ba or B groups  which  Moody's
believes  possess the  strongest  investment  attributes  are  designated by the
symbols Aa1, A1, Baa1, Ba1, and B1.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>

         (B)  STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION ("S&P")

         S&P rates corporate bond issues,  including convertible debt issues, as
follows:

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

         Bonds rated AA have a very strong  capacity to pay  interest  and repay
principal and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.

         Bonds  rated  A 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 rated in higher rated
categories.

         Bonds  rated BBB 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 weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt
in this category than in higher rated categories.

         Bonds  rated  BB,  B,  CCC,  CC  and C are  regarded,  on  balance,  as
predominantly  speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates
the lowest degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation.  While
such bonds will likely have some quality and protective  characteristics,  these
are  outweighed  by large  uncertainties  or major  risk  exposures  to  adverse
conditions.  Bonds rated `BB' have less near-term  vulnerability to default than
other  speculative  issues.  However,  they face major ongoing  uncertainties or
exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead
to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments.

         Bonds rated `B' have a greater  vulnerability  to default but currently
have the capacity to meet  interest  payments and  principal  payments.  Adverse
business,  financial,  or economic  conditions  will likely  impair  capacity or
willingness to pay interest and repay principal.

         Bonds rated `CCC' have currently identifiable vulnerability to default,
and are dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to
meet timely  payment of interest  and  repayment of  principal.  In the event of
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, they are not likely to have
the capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

         The `C'  rating  may be used to cover a  situation  where a  bankruptcy
petition has been filed,  but debt service  payments are  continued.  The rating
`Cl' is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

         Bonds are rated D when the issue is in payment default,  or the obligor
has filed for bankruptcy. Bonds rated `D' are in payment default. The `D' rating
category is used when  interest  payments or principal  payments are not made on
the date due even if the  applicable  grace period has not  expired,  unless S&P
believes that such  payments will made during such grace period.  The `D' rating
also  will be used upon the  filing of a  bankruptcy  petition  if debt  service
payments are jeopardized.

         Note:  The ratings  from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a
plus (+) or minus  (-) sign to show the  relative  standing  within  the  rating
category.

PREFERRED STOCK

         (A)  MOODY'S

         Moody's rates preferred stock issues as follows:

                                      B-2
<PAGE>

         An issue  which is rated aaa is a  top-quality  preferred  stock.  This
rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment
among preferred stock issues.

         An issue  which is rated "aa" is a  high-grade  preferred  stock.  This
rating  indicates  that there is a reasonable  assurance that earnings and asset
protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future.

         An issue which is rated "a" is an upper-medium  grade preferred  stock.
While  risks  are  judged  to be  somewhat  greater  than  in  the  aaa  and  aa
classification,  earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be
maintained at adequate levels.

         An issue  which  is rated  "baa"  is a  medium-grade  preferred  stock,
neither  highly  protected  nor poorly  secured.  Earnings and asset  protection
appear  adequate at present  but may be  questionable  over any great  length of
time.

         An issue which is rated "ba" has  speculative  elements  and its future
cannot be considered  well assured.  Earnings and asset  protection  may be very
moderate  and not  well  safeguarded  during  adverse  periods.  Uncertainty  of
position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

         An issue which is rated "b" generally  lacks the  characteristics  of a
desirable  investment.  Assurance of dividend  payments and maintenance of other
terms of the issue over any long period of time may be small.

         An issue  which is rated  "caa" is likely to be in arrears on  dividend
payments. This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future status
of payments.

         An issue  which is rated "ca" is  speculative  in a high  degree and is
likely to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payment.

         An issue which is rated "c" can be regarded  as having  extremely  poor
prospects of ever  attaining any real  investment  standing.  This is the lowest
rated class of preferred or preference stock.

         (B)  STANDARD & POOR'S

         Standard & Poor's rates preferred stock issues as follows:

         "AAA" is the  highest  rating  that is  assigned  by S&P to a preferred
stock issue and  indicates an  extremely  strong  capacity to pay the  preferred
stock obligations.

         A preferred  stock issue rated "AA" also  qualifies  as a  high-quality
fixed income security.  The capacity to pay preferred stock  obligations is very
strong, although not as overwhelming as for issues rated "AAA."

         An issue rated "A" is backed by a sound  capacity to pay the  preferred
stock  obligations,  although it is  somewhat  more  susceptible  to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions.

         An issue rated  "BBB" is regarded as backed by an adequate  capacity to
pay the  preferred  stock  obligations.  Whereas if normally  exhibits  adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more  likely to lead to a weakened  capacity  to make  payments  for a preferred
stock in this category than for issues in the "A" category.

         Preferred stock rated "BB," "B," and "CCC" are regarded, on balance, as
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay preferred
stock obligations. "BB" indicates the lowest degree of speculation and "CCC" the
highest degree of  speculation.  While such issues will likely have some quality
and protective  characteristics,  these are outweighed by large uncertainties or
major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

                                      B-3
<PAGE>

         The rating "CC" is reserved  for a preferred  stock issue in arrears on
dividends or sinking fund payments but that is currently paying.

         A preferred stock rated "C" is a non-paying issue.

         A preferred  stock rated "D" is a  non-paying  issue with the issuer in
default on debt instruments.

         To provide more detailed  indications of preferred  stock quality,  the
ratings  from "AA" to "B" may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus
(-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.


                                      B-4
<PAGE>


                              INVESTORS GROWTH FUND

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

Account Information and
Shareholder Servicing:                     Distributor:
   
     Forum Shareholder Servicing, LLC             Forum Financial Services, Inc.
     P.O. Box 446                                 Two Portland Square
     Portland, Maine 04112                        Portland, Maine  04101
     207-879-0001                                 207-879-1900
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   
                                 AUGUST 1, 1998

Investors  Growth Fund (the "Fund") is a series of Forum Funds (the "Trust"),  a
registered,   open-end   investment   company.   This  Statement  of  Additional
Information  supplements the Prospectus  dated August 1, 1998 offering shares of
the Fund, and should be read only in conjunction with the Prospectus,  a copy of
which may be obtained by an investor  without  charge by contacting  the Trust's
Distributor at the address listed above.
    

THIS  STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND IS AUTHORIZED
FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE  INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY AN
EFFECTIVE PROSPECTUS.

                                        TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
   
        1.      General......................................................
        2.      Investment Policies..........................................
        3.      Additional Investment Policies...............................
        4.      Performance Data.............................................
        5.      Management...................................................
        6.      Determination of Net Asset Value.............................
        7.      Portfolio Transactions.......................................
        8.      Additional Purchase and
                Redemption Information.......................................
        9.      Tax Matters..................................................
    
       10.      Other Information............................................

       Appendix A - Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities......A-1
       Appendix B - Description of Securities Ratings........................B-1
       Appendix C - Additional Advertising Materials.........................C-1


<PAGE>

1.  GENERAL

   
THE  TRUST.  The Trust is  registered  with the SEC as an  open-end,  management
investment  company and was organized as a business  trust under the laws of the
State of Delaware on August 29, 1995. On January 5, 1996 the Trust  succeeded to
the  assets  and  liabilities  of  Forum  Funds,  Inc.  Forum  Funds,  Inc.  was
incorporated  on March 24,  1980 and assumed  the name of Forum  Funds,  Inc. on
March  16,  1987.  The  Board of  Trustees  (the  "Board")  without  shareholder
approval, has the authority to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial
interest  of  separate  series  with no par value per share and create  separate
classes  of shares  within  each  series  (such as  Investor  and  Institutional
Shares).  The Trust currently offers shares of 23 series The series of the Trust
are as follows:

Investors Bond Fund                           Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund
TaxSaver Bond Fund                            Austin Global Equity Fund
High Grade Bond Fund                          Quadra Value Equity Fund
Maine Municipal Bond Fund                     Quadra Growth Fund
New Hampshire Bond Fund                       Polaris Global Value Fund
Daily Assets Government Fund                  Investors Equity Fund
Daily Assets Treasury Obligations Fund        Equity Index Fund
Daily Assets Cash Fund                        Small Company Opportunities Fund
Daily Assets Government Obligations Fund      International Equities Fund
Daily Assets Municipal Fund                   Emerging Markets Fund
Payson Value Fund                             Investors Growth Fund
Payson Balanced Fund                          

Each  share of each  fund of the  Trust  and  each  class of  shares  has  equal
dividend,  distribution,  liquidation and voting rights,  and fractional  shares
have  those  rights  proportionately,   except  that  expenses  related  to  the
distribution  of the shares of each class (and certain  other  expenses  such as
transfer  agency and  administration  expenses) are borne solely by those shares
and each class votes separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1
plan  which  pertain to the class and other  matters  for which  separate  class
voting is appropriate under applicable law.  Generally,  shares will be voted in
the aggregate  without reference to a particular  portfolio or class,  except if
the matter  affects only one  portfolio or class or voting by portfolio or class
is required by law, in which case shares will be voted  separately  by portfolio
or class, as appropriate. Delaware law does not require the Trust to hold annual
meetings of shareholders,  and it is anticipated that shareholder  meetings will
be held only when  specifically  required by Federal or state law.  Shareholders
have  available  certain  procedures  for the removal of Trustees.  There are no
conversion or  preemptive  rights in  connection  with shares of the Trust.  All
shares when issued in  accordance  with the terms of the offering  will be fully
paid and nonassessable.  Shares are redeemable at net asset value, at the option
of the  shareholders,  subject to any contingent  deferred sales charge that may
apply.  A shareholder in a portfolio is entitled to the  shareholder's  pro rata
share of all dividends and  distributions  arising from that portfolio's  assets
and, upon  redeeming  shares,  will receive the portion of the  portfolio's  net
assets represented by the redeemed shares.

As of July 1, 1998,  the  Officers  and  Directors of the Trust as a group owned
less  than 1% of the  outstanding  shares  of the  Fund.  Also as of that  date,
Appendix  A  identifies  all  shareholders  who own of  record 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of any of the Registrant's series.
    

DEFINITIONS. As used in this Statement of Additional Information,  the following
terms shall have the meanings listed:

"Board" means the Board of Trustees of Forum Funds.

   
"FAdS" means Forum Administrative Services, LLC.
    

"FAcS" means Forum Accounting Services, LLC.

"FFC" means Forum Financial Corp.

   
"FFSI" means Forum Financial Services, Inc.

                                       2
<PAGE>


"Adviser" " means Forum Investment Advisors, LLC
    

"Fund" means Investors Growth Fund, a separate series of Forum Funds.

"Fund Business Day" has the meaning ascribed  thereto in the current  Prospectus
of the Fund.

"NRSRO" means a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

"SAI" means this Statement of Additional Information.

 "SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Trust" means Forum Funds, a Delaware business trust.

"U.S.  Government  Securities" has the meaning  ascribed  thereto by the current
Prospectus of the Funds.

"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.


                                       3
<PAGE>


2. INVESTMENT POLICIES

The following  information  supplements the discussion  found under  "Investment
Objective and Policies" and "Additional Investment Policies" in the Prospectus.

   
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION
    

For temporary defensive purposes, to accumulate cash for investments, or to meet
anticipated  redemptions,  the Fund may  invest  in (or  enter  into  repurchase
agreements  with banks and broker  dealers  with  respect  to)  short-term  debt
securities,  including Treasury bills and other U.S. Government securities,  and
certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances of U.S. banks.

ILLIQUID AND RESTRICTED SECURITIES

"Illiquid and Restricted  Securities" under "Additional  Investment Policies" in
the  Prospectus  sets  forth the  circumstances  in which the Fund may invest in
"restricted  securities".  In connection  with the Fund's  original  purchase of
restricted  securities  it may  negotiate  rights  with the  issuer to have such
securities  registered  for  sale at a later  time.  Further,  the  registration
expenses of illiquid  restricted  securities  may also be negotiated by the Fund
with the issuer at the time such  securities  are  purchased  by the Fund.  When
registration is required,  however, a considerable period may elapse between the
decision to sell the securities and the time the Fund would be permitted to sell
such securities. A similar delay might be experienced in attempting to sell such
securities pursuant to an exemption from registration. Thus, the Fund may not be
able to  obtain  as  favorable  a price  as that  prevailing  at the time of the
decision to sell.

U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES

The Fund may invest in obligations  issued or guaranteed by the U.S.  Government
or  its  agencies  or  instrumentalities  which  have  remaining  maturates  not
exceeding one year. Agencies and instrumentalities which issue or guarantee debt
securities and which have been  established or sponsored by the U.S.  Government
include the Bank for  Cooperatives,  the  Export-Import  Bank,  the Federal Farm
Credit  System,  the Federal  Home Loan Banks,  the Federal  Home Loan  Mortgage
Corporation,  the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Federal Land Banks, the
Federal  National  Mortgage   Association,   the  Government  National  Mortgage
Association and the Student Loan Marketing  Association.  Except for obligations
issued by the U.S. Treasury and the Government  National  Mortgage  Association,
none of the obligations of the other agencies or  instrumentalities  referred to
above are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government.

                                       4
<PAGE>


BANK OBLIGATIONS

The Fund may invest in  obligations  of U.S. banks  (including  certificates  of
deposit and bankers' acceptances) having total assets at the time of purchase in
excess  of $1  billion.  Such  banks  must be  members  of the  Federal  Deposit
Insurance Corporation or the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation.

The Fund also may invest in  certificates  of deposit  issued by foreign  banks,
denominated in any major foreign  currency.  The Fund will invest in instruments
issued by foreign  banks which,  in the view of its  investment  adviser and the
Trustees of the Trust, are of  credit-worthiness  and financial stature in their
respective countries comparable to U.S. banks used by the Fund.

A certificate of deposit is an interest-bearing negotiable certificate issued by
a bank  against  funds  deposited  in  the  bank.  A  bankers'  acceptance  is a
short-term draft drawn on a commercial bank by a borrower, usually in connection
with an international  commercial  transaction.  Although the borrower is liable
for payment of the draft, the bank  unconditionally  guarantees to pay the draft
at its face value on the maturity date.

LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

The Fund may lend its portfolio securities subject to the restrictions stated in
the Prospectus.  Under applicable regulatory  requirements (which are subject to
change),  the loan  collateral must (a) on each business day, at least equal the
market value of the loaned securities and (b) must consist of cash, bank letters
of credit,  U.S. Government  securities,  or other cash equivalents in which the
Fund is permitted to invest.  To be acceptable as collateral,  letters of credit
must obligate a bank to pay amounts demanded by the Fund if the demand meets the
terms of the letter. Such terms and the issuing bank must be satisfactory to the
Fund. When lending portfolio securities,  the Fund receives from the borrower an
amount  equal to the  interest  paid or the  dividends  declared  on the  loaned
securities  during  the term of the loan  plus the  interest  on the  collateral
securities (less any finders' or administrative  fees the Fund pays in arranging
the  loan).  A Fund  may  share  the  interest  it  receives  on the  collateral
securities with the borrower as long as it realizes at least a minimum amount of
interest required by the lending  guidelines  established by the Board. The Fund
will not lend its  portfolio  securities to any officer,  director,  employee or
affiliate of the Fund or the  investment  adviser to the Fund.  The terms of the
Fund's loans must meet certain tests under the Internal  Revenue Code and permit
the Fund to reacquire loaned securities on five business days' notice or in time
to vote on any important matter.

SHORT-TERM DEBT SECURITIES

The Fund may invest in commercial paper, that is short-term unsecured promissory
notes issued in bearer form by bank holding companies,  corporations and finance
companies.  The commercial  paper purchased by the Fund for temporary  defensive
purposes  consists of direct  obligations of domestic issuers which, at the time
of investment, are rated "P-1" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or
"A-1" by Standard & Poor's  Corporation  ("S&P"),  or securities  which,  if not
rated,  are issued by companies having an outstanding debt issue currently rated
Aa by Moody's or AAA or AA by S&P.  The rating  "P-1" is the highest  commercial
paper rating assigned by Moody's and the rating "A-1" is the highest  commercial
paper ratings assigned by S&P.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

The Fund may invest in  securities  subject to repurchase  agreements  with U.S.
banks or broker-dealers  maturing in seven days or less. In a typical repurchase
agreement  the  seller of a security  commits  itself at the time of the sale to
repurchase  that  security  from the buyer at a  mutually  agreed-upon  time and
price.  The repurchase  price exceeds the sale price,  reflecting an agreed-upon
interest rate  effective  for the period the buyer owns the security  subject to
repurchase.  The  agreed-upon  rate is unrelated  to the  interest  rate on that
security. The Fund's investment adviser will monitor the value of the underlying
security at the time the transaction is entered into and at all times during the
term of the repurchase agreement to insure that the value of the security always
equals or exceeds the  repurchase  price.  In the event of default by the seller
under the repurchase agreement, the Fund may have difficulties in exercising its
rights to the  underlying  securities  and may incur costs and  experience  time
delays in  connection  with 

                                       5
<PAGE>


the disposition of such securities.  To evaluate potential risks, the investment
adviser reviews the  credit-worthiness of those banks and dealers with which the
Fund enters into repurchase agreements.

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

The Fund may  invest  in  convertible  preferred  stocks  and  convertible  debt
securities.  A convertible security is a bond, debenture,  note, preferred stock
or other  security  that may be  converted  into or  exchanged  for a prescribed
amount of common  stock of the same or a different  issuer  within a  particular
period of time at a specified  price or  formula.  Convertible  securities  rank
senior to common stocks in a  corporation's  capital  structure and,  therefore,
carry less risk than the corporation's  common stock. The value of a convertible
security  is a function  of its  "investment  value" (its value as if it did not
have a conversion  privilege),  and its "conversion value" (the security's worth
if it were to be  exchanged  for  the  underlying  security,  at  market  value,
pursuant to its conversion privilege).

   
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

Investments in securities of foreign  issuers may be in the form of sponsored or
unsponsored   American  Depositary  Receipts  ("ADRs")  or  European  Depositary
Receipts ("EDRs"),  or other similar  securities  convertible into securities of
foreign issuers. These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same
currency as the securities  into which they may be converted.  ADRs are receipts
typically  issued in the United  States by a bank or trust  company,  evidencing
ownership of the  underlying  securities.  EDRs are  typically  issued in Europe
under a similar arrangement.  Generally,  ADRs, in registered form, are designed
for use in the U.S.  securities  markets and EDRs, in bearer form,  are designed
for use in European securities markets.  Unsponsored ADRs may be created without
the  participation  of the foreign issuer.  Holders of these ADRs generally bear
all the  costs of the ADR  facility,  whereas  foreign  issuers  typically  bear
certain  costs in a sponsored  ADR. The bank or trust  company  depository of an
unsponsored   ADR  may  be  under  no  obligation   to  distribute   shareholder
communications  received  from the  foreign  issuer  or to pass  through  voting
rights.
    

FOREIGN SECURITIES

Investment in the securities of foreign issuers may involve risks in addition to
those normally  associated with  investments in the securities of U.S.  issuers.
There may be less publicly  available  information about foreign issuers than is
available  for U.S.  issuers,  and foreign  auditing,  accounting  and financial
reporting practices may differ from U.S.  practices.  Foreign securities markets
may be less  active  than U.S.  markets,  trading  may be thin and  consequently
securities prices may be more volatile.  The Fund's investment adviser, will, in
general,  invest only in securities of companies  and  governments  of countries
which,  in  its  judgment,   are  both  politically  and  economically   stable.
Nevertheless,  all foreign investments are subject to risks of foreign political
and economic  instability,  adverse  movements in foreign  exchange  rates,  the
imposition  or  tightening  of  exchange  controls or other  limitations  on the
repatriation  of foreign capital and changes in foreign  governmental  attitudes
toward  private  investment,  possibly  leading  to  nationalization,  increased
taxation, or confiscation of Fund assets.

WARRANTS AND STOCK RIGHTS

The Fund may  invest  in  warrants,  which are  options  to  purchase  an equity
security  at  a  specified  price  (usually  representing  a  premium  over  the
applicable  market value of the  underlying  equity  security at the time of the
warrant's  issuance).  A Fund may not invest  more than 5% of its net assets (at
the time of investment) in warrants (other than those that have been acquired in
units or attached to other securities). No more than 2% of the Fund's net assets
(at the time of  investment)  may be invested in warrants that are not listed on
the New York or  American  Stock  Exchanges.  Investments  in  warrants  involve
certain risks,  including the possible lack of a liquid market for the resale of
the warrants,  potential price  fluctuations as a result of speculation or other
factors and failure of the price of the underlying  security to reach a level at
which the  warrant  can be  prudently  exercised  (in which case the warrant may
expire  without  being  exercised,  resulting  in the loss of the Fund's  entire
investment therein).  The prices of warrants do not necessarily move parallel to
the prices of the underlying securities. Warrants have no voting rights, receive
no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.

                                       6
<PAGE>


In  addition,  the  Fund  may  invest  up to 5% of its  assets  (at the  time of
investment)  in stock rights.  A stock right is an option given to a shareholder
to buy  additional  shares at a  predetermined  price  during a  specified  time
period.

   
3.  ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The  investment  objective  and all  investment  policies  of the Fund  that are
designated as  fundamental  may be changed only with the approval of the holders
of a majority of the  outstanding  voting  securities of the Fund. A majority of
outstanding  voting securities means the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares present
or represented at a shareholder meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of
the  outstanding  shares  are  present or  represented,  or (2) more than 50% of
outstanding shares. Unless otherwise indicated,  all investment policies are not
fundamental and may be changed by the Board without  approval by shareholders of
the Fund. The Fund has adopted the following  investment policies in addition to
those  described  under  "Investment  Objective and  Policies"  and  "Additional
Investment Policies" in the Prospectus.

(a) DIVERSIFICATION:
    

         The  Fund  may not,  with  respect  to 75% of its  assets,  purchase  a
         security  if as a  result:  (i)  more  than 5% of its  assets  would be
         invested in the  securities of any single issuer or (ii) the Fund would
         own more than 10% of the  outstanding  voting  securities of any single
         issuer.  This  restriction  does not apply to securities  issued by the
         U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

(b)      ILLIQUID SECURITIES

   
         The Fund will not invest  more than 15% of its net assets in  "illiquid
         securities",  which are  securities  that  cannot be disposed of within
         seven  days  at  their  then  current  value.   For  purposes  of  this
         limitation,   "illiquid   securities"   includes,   except   in   those
         circumstances described below, (i) "restricted  securities",  which are
         securities  that  cannot be resold to the public  without  registration
         under the  Federal  securities  laws,  and (ii)  securities  of issuers
         having a record  (together  with all  predecessors)  of less than three
         years of continuous operation.
    

(c)      CONCENTRATION

         The Fund will not invest  25% or more of the value of its total  assets
in any one industry.

(d)      UNDERWRITING ACTIVITIES

         The Fund will not underwrite  securities issued by other persons except
         to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of its portfolio
         investments,  it  may  be  deemed  to  be  an  underwriter  under  U.S.
         securities laws.

(e)      BORROWING

   
         The  Fund  may  borrow  money  for  temporary  or  emergency  purposes,
         including the meeting of redemption  requests,  but not in excess of 33
         1/3% of the value of the  Fund's  total  assets  (computed  immediately
         after the borrowing).
    

(f)      PLEDGING

         As a  non-fundamental  policy,  the  Fund  may  not  pledge,  mortgage,
         hypothecate  or encumber any of its assets  except to secure  permitted
         borrowings or to secure other permitted transactions.

(g)      MARGIN AND SHORT SALES

                                       7
<PAGE>


         The Fund may not purchase securities on margin;  however,  the Fund may
         make margin deposits in connection with any Hedging Instruments,  which
         it may use as permitted by any of its other fundamental policies.

         The Fund may not sell securities short.

(h)      INVESTING FOR CONTROL

         The Fund may not make investments for the purpose of exercising control
         or management.

(i)      REAL ESTATE

         The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate,  provided  that the Fund
         may  invest in  securities  issued by  companies  which  invest in real
         estate or interests therein.

(j)      LENDING

   
         The Fund will not lend money except in connection  with the acquisition
         of that  portion  of  publicly-distributed  debt  securities  which the
         Fund's investment  policies and restrictions permit it to purchase (see
         "Investment   Objective  and  Policies"  and   "Additional   Investment
         Policies" in the Prospectus); the Fund may also make loans of portfolio
         securities  (see  "Loans  of  Portfolio  Securities")  and  enter  into
         repurchase agreements (see "Repurchase Agreements");
    

(k)      SENIOR SECURITIES

         The Fund will not issue senior securities except pursuant to Section 18
         of the Investment  Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act") and except that the
         Fund may borrow money  subject to investment  limitations  specified in
         the Fund's Prospectus

(l)      PURCHASES AND SALES OF COMMODITIES

         The Fund will not invest in commodities or commodity  contracts  (other
         than  Hedging  Instruments  which it may use as permitted by any of its
         other fundamental policies,  whether or not any such Hedging Instrument
         is considered to be a commodity or a commodity contract);

(m)      OPTIONS AND FUTURES CONTRACTS

         The Fund may not purchase or write puts or calls except as permitted by
         any of its other fundamental investment policies.

(n)      WARRANTS

         The Fund may not  invest  in  warrants,  valued at the lower of cost or
         market,  more than 5% of the value of the Fund's  net assets  (included
         within that amount, but not to exceed 2% of the value of the Fund's net
         assets,  may be  warrants  which  are not  listed  on the  New  York or
         American  Stock  Exchange.  Warrants  acquired  by the Fund in units or
         attached to securities may be deemed to be without value).

4.  PERFORMANCE DATA

   
The Fund may quote  performance  in various ways.  All  performance  information
supplied  by the  Fund in  advertising  is  historical  and is not  intended  to
indicate future returns. The Fund's net asset value, yield and total return will
fluctuate in response to market  conditions and other factors,  and the value of
Fund shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.

                                       8
<PAGE>


For the period beginning  December 12, 1997 (the  commencement of operations) to
March 31, 1998, the Fund's unannualized total return was 8.96%. The total return
figure takes into consideration the applicable maximum sales charge.

In  performance  advertising  the  Fund  may  compare  any  of  its  performance
information  with data published by independent  evaluators such as Morningstar,
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., IBC/Donoghue,  Inc., CDA/Wiesenberger or other
companies which track the investment  performance of investment companies ("Fund
Tracking  Companies").  The  Fund  may  also  compare  any  of  its  performance
information  with the performance of recognized  stock,  bond and other indices,
including  but not limited to the  Standard & Poor's 500  Composite  Stock Price
Index,  the Dow Jones Industrial  Average,  the Salomon Brothers Bond Index, the
Shearson Lehman Bond Index, U.S.  Treasury bonds,  bills or notes and changes in
the Consumer  Price Index as published by the U.S.  Department of Commerce.  The
Fund may refer to general  market  performances  over past time  periods such as
those published by Ibbotson Associates.  In addition, the Fund may refer in such
materials to mutual fund  performance  rankings and other data published by Fund
Tracking Companies. Performance advertising may also refer to discussions of the
Fund and  comparative  mutual  fund data and  ratings  reported  in  independent
periodicals, such as newspapers and financial magazines.

TOTAL RETURN CALCULATIONS
    

The Fund may, from time to time,  include quotations of its average annual total
return in advertisements or reports to shareholders or prospective investors.

Quotations  of average  annual  total  return will be  expressed in terms of the
average annual  compounded  rate of return of a  hypothetical  investment in the
Fund over periods of 1, 5 and 10 years (up to the life of the Fund),  calculated
pursuant to the following formula:

                                    P (1+T)n = ERV

(where P = a  hypothetical  initial  payment of $1,000,  T = the average  annual
total return, n = the number of years, and ERV = the ending  redeemable value of
a hypothetical  $1,000  payment made at the beginning of the period).  All total
return  figures will  reflect the  deduction  of Fund  expenses  (net of certain
reimbursed  expenses) on an annual basis, and will assume that all dividends and
distributions are reinvested when paid.

Quotations of total return will reflect only the  performance  of a hypothetical
investment in the Fund during the particular time period shown. Total return for
the Fund will vary based on changes  in market  conditions  and the level of the
Fund's  expenses,  and no reported  performance  figure  should be considered an
indication of performance which may be expected in the future.

In  connection  with  communicating  total  return  to  current  or  prospective
investors,  the Fund also may compare these figures to the  performance of other
mutual  funds  tracked by mutual  fund  rating  services  or to other  unmanaged
indexes which may assume  reinvestment of dividends but generally do not reflect
deductions for administrative and management costs.

   
In addition to average  annual total returns,  the Fund may quote  unaveraged or
cumulative total returns  reflecting the simple change in value of an investment
over a stated period.  Average annual and cumulative total returns may be quoted
as a  percentage  or as a  dollar  amount,  and may be  calculated  for a single
investment, a series of investments and/or a series of redemptions over any time
period.  Total  returns may be broken down into their  components  of income and
capital  (including  capital  gains  and  changes  in share  price)  in order to
illustrate the  relationship of these factors and their  contributions  to total
return.  Total returns may be quoted with or without taking into consideration a
Fund's  front-end  sales  charge;  excluding  sales  charges from a total return
calculation  produces a higher return figure.  Total returns,  yields, and other
performance  information  may be quoted  numerically  or in a table,  graph,  or
similar illustration.

                                       9
<PAGE>


Period total return is calculated according to the following formula:

         PT = (ERV/P-1); where:

                  PT = period total return;
                  The other  definitions are the same as in average annual total
return above.
    

Investors who purchase and redeem shares of the Fund through a customer  account
maintained at a Service Organization may be charged one or more of the following
types of fees as agreed upon by the Service Organization and the investor,  with
respect to the customer services provided by the Service  Organization:  account
fees (a fixed  amount per month or per year);  transaction  fees (a fixed amount
per transaction processed);  compensating balance requirements (a minimum dollar
amount a customer  must  maintain in order to obtain the services  offered);  or
account  maintenance  fees (a periodic  charge  based upon a  percentage  of the
assets in the account or of the dividends paid on these assets).  Such fees will
have the effect of reducing  the  average  annual  total  return of the Fund for
those investors.

   
OTHER ADVERTISING MATTERS

The  Funds  may  also  include  various  information  in  their   advertisements
including,  but not limited to: (1) portfolio holdings and portfolio  allocation
as of certain dates,  such as portfolio  diversification  by instrument type, by
instrument,   by  location  of  issuer  or  by  maturity;   (2)   statements  or
illustrations  relating to the  appropriateness  of types of  securities  and/or
mutual  funds that may be employed by an  investor  to meet  specific  financial
goals,  such  as  funding  retirement,   paying  for  children's  education  and
financially  supporting  aging parents;  (3) information  (including  charts and
illustrations)  showing the effects of compounding interest  (compounding is the
process of earning  interest on principal plus interest that was earned earlier;
interest can be compounded at different intervals,  such as annually,  quarterly
or daily); (4) information  relating to inflation and its effects on the dollar;
for example,  after ten years the  purchasing  power of $25,000  would shrink to
$16,621,  $14,968,  $13,465 and  $12,100,  respectively,  if the annual rates of
inflation were 4%, 5%, 6% and 7%,  respectively;  (5) information  regarding the
effects of automatic investment and systematic  withdrawal plans,  including the
principal of dollar cost  averaging;  (6) background  information  regarding the
Funds' Adviser and  biographical  descriptions  of the  management  staff of the
Adviser; (7) summaries of the views of the Adviser with respect to the financial
markets;  (8) background  information  regarding the Trust; (9) the results of a
hypothetical  investment  in a fund over a given number of years,  including the
amount that the investment  would be at the end of the period;  (10) the effects
of investing in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account
or Section  401(k)  pension  plan;  and (11) the net asset value,  net assets or
number of shareholders of the Funds as of one or more dates.
    

5.  MANAGEMENT

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

THE TRUST

The trustees and officers of the Trust and their  principal  occupations  during
the past five years are set forth  below.  Each  Trustee  who is an  "interested
person" (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Trust is indicated by an asterisk.

   
John Y. Keffer,* Trustee, Chairman and President (age 55)

          President,  Forum Financial  Group,  LLC (mutual fund services company
          holding  company).  Mr. Keffer is a director and/or officer of various
          registered  investment companies for which the various Forum Financial
          Group of  Companies  provides  services..  His address is Two Portland
          Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
    

                                       10
<PAGE>


Costas Azariadis, Trustee (age 55)

          Professor of Economics,  University of California,  Los Angeles, since
          July 1992. Prior thereto,  Dr. Azariadis was Professor of Economics at
          the  University  of   Pennsylvania.   His  address  is  Department  of
          Economics,  University of California, Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Avenue,
          Los Angeles, California 90024.

   
James C. Cheng, Trustee (age 56)
    

          President of Technology  Marketing  Associates (a marketing consulting
          company) since September 1991. Prior thereto,  Mr. Cheng was President
          and Chief  Executive  Officer of  Network  Dynamics,  Incorporated  (a
          software  development  company).  His  address  is 27  Temple  Street,
          Belmont, Massachusetts 02178.

J. Michael Parish, Trustee (age 54)

   
          Partner at the law firm of Reid and Priest,  LLP,  since  1995.  Prior
          thereto, he was a partner at the law firm of Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam
          & Roberts from 1989 to 1995 and was a partner at LeBoeuf,  Lamb, Leiby
          & MacRae,  a law firm of which he was a member from 1974 to 1989.  His
          address is 40 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.
    

Mark D. Kaplan, Vice President (age 42)

   
          Director,  Investments,  Forum Financial Group, LLC, with which he has
          been associated  since September 1995.  Prior thereto,  Mr. Kaplan was
          Managing  Director and  Director of Research at H.M.  Payson & Co. His
          address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
    


Stacey Hong, Treasurer (age 32)

   
          Director,  Fund Accounting,  Forum Financial Group, LLC, with which he
          has been associated  since April 1992.  Prior thereto,  Mr. Hong was a
          Senior Accountant with Ernst & Young, LLP. His address is Two Portland
          Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
    

Max Berueffy, Secretary (age 46)

   
          Senior  Counsel,  Forum Financial  Group,  LLC, with which he has been
          associated since 1994. Prior thereto, Mr. Berueffy was on the staff of
          the U.S.  Securities and Exchange Commission for seven years, first in
          the appellate branch of the Office of the General  Counsel,  then as a
          counsel to  Commissioner  Grundfest  and  finally as a senior  special
          counsel in the Division of Investment  Management.  Mr.  Berueffy also
          serves as an  officer of other  registered  investment  companies  for
          which  the  various  Forum  Financial  Group  of  Companies   provides
          services. His address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
    

Leslie K. Klenk, Assistant Secretary (age 33)

   
          Assistant  Counsel,  Forum Financial Group LLC with which she has been
          associated  since  April  1998.  Prior  thereto,  Ms.  Klenk  was Vice
          President and Associate General Counsel of Smith Barney Inc. Ms. Klenk
          also serves as an officer of other registered investment companies for
          which  the  various  Forum  Financial  Group  of  Companies   provides
          services. Her address is Two Portland Square,  Portland,  Maine 04101.
          Her address is Two Portland Square, Portland, ME 04101.

Pamela Stutch, Assistant Secretary (age 31)

          Fund Administrator, Forum Financial Group, LLC with which she has been
          associated since May 1998.  Prior thereto,  Ms. Stutch attended Temple
          University  School of Law and graduated in 1997. Ms. Stutch was also a
          legal intern for the Maine  Department  of the Attorney  General.  Ms.
          Stutch  also  serves  as an  officer  of other  registered  investment
          companies  for which the various  Forum  Financial  Group of Companies
          provides services. Her address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine
          04101.
    

                                       11
<PAGE>


TRUSTEE COMPENSATION

Each  Trustee of the Trust  (other  than John Y.  Keffer,  who is an  interested
person of the Trust) is paid $1,000 for each Board meeting attended  (whether in
person or by  electronic  communication)  and is paid $1,000 for each  committee
meeting  attended  on a date when a Board  meeting is not held.  As of March 31,
1997,  in  addition  to $1,000 for each Board  meeting  attended,  each  Trustee
receives $100 per active portfolio of the Trust. To the extent a meeting relates
to only  certain  portfolios  of the Trust,  Trustees are paid the $100 fee only
with respect to those  portfolios.  Trustees are also  reimbursed for travel and
related expenses incurred in attending  meetings of the Board. No officer of the
Trust is compensated by the Trust.

   
The following  table provides the aggregate  compensation  paid to each Trustee.
The Trust has not  adopted  any form of  retirement  plan  covering  Trustees or
officers. Information is presented for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.
    
   
<TABLE>
          <S>                           <C>                 <C>                 <C>             <C>
                                                           ACCRUED           ANNUAL
                                        AGGREGATE          PENSION        BENEFITS UPON       TOTAL
         TRUSTEE                      COMPENSATION        BENEFITS         RETIREMENT      COMPENSATION
         -------                      ------------        --------         ----------      ------------
         Mr. Keffer                       None              None              None             None
         Mr. Azariadis                  $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
         Mr. Cheng                      $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
         Mr. Parish                     $9,718.64           None              None           $9,718.64
</TABLE>

TRUSTEE COMPENSATION FOR CORE TRUST (DELAWARE)

Each of the Trustees of the Trust is also a Trustee of Core Trust (Delaware),  a
registered,  open-end management investment company ("Core Trust"). Each Trustee
of Core Trust (other than John Y. Keffer,  who is an  interested  person of Core
Trust) is paid $1,000 for each Core Trust  Board  meeting  attended  (whether in
person or by electronic  communication)  plus $100 per active  portfolio of Core
Trust and is paid $1,000 for each  committee  meeting  attended on a date when a
Core Trust Board  meeting is not held.  To the extent a meeting  relates to only
certain  portfolios  of Core  Trust,  trustees  are paid the $100 fee only  with
respect to those portfolios.  Core Trust trustees are also reimbursed for travel
and related expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Core Trust Board. For
the fiscal year ended March 31,  1997,  each Core Trust  trustee  received  fees
totaling $7,200.

THE ADVISER

Pursuant to an Investment  Advisory  Agreement with the Trust,  Forum Investment
Advisors,  LLC  ("Adviser")  furnishes,   at  its  own  expense,  all  services,
facilities  and  personnel  necessary  in  connection  with  managing the Fund's
investments  and  effecting  portfolio  transactions.  Subject  to  the  general
supervision  of the Board,  the Adviser is  responsible  for among other things,
developing a continuing  investment  program for the Fund in accordance with its
investment  objective and reviewing the investments,  investment  strategies and
policies of the Fund In this regard, it is the  responsibility of the Adviser to
make decisions relating to the Fund's investments and to place purchase and sale
orders  regarding such investments with brokers or dealers selected by it in its
discretion.  The  Adviser  also  furnishes  to  the  Board,  which  has  overall
responsibility  for the business and affairs of the Trust,  periodic  reports on
the  investment  performance  of the Fund.  Under  the  terms of the  Investment
Advisory  Agreement,  the Adviser is  required  to manage the Fund's  investment
portfolio in accordance  with  applicable  laws and  regulations.  In making its
investment decisions,  the Adviser does not use material information that may be
in its possession or in the possession of its affiliates.

The Investment  Advisory  Agreement  provides,  with respect to the Fund, for an
initial term of two years from its  effective  date and for its  continuance  in
effect for successive twelve-month periods thereafter, provided the agreement is
approved  annually (1) by the Board or by majority vote of shareholders  and (2)
by a  majority  of the  Trustees  who  are not  parties  to  such  agreement  or
"interested  persons"  (as  defined  in the  1940  Act) of any such  party.  The
Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated, without penalty, by vote of the
Board or by majority  vote of the  shareholders  of the Fund on 30 days' written
notice to the Adviser, or by the Adviser on 90

                                       12
<PAGE>


days'  written  notice  to the  Trust  and it will  terminate  automatically  if
assigned.  The Investment Advisory Agreement also provides that, with respect to
the Fund, the Adviser shall not be liable for any mistake of judgment, or in any
event whatsoever,  except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence
in the  performance  of its duties or by reason of reckless  disregard of its or
their obligations and duties under the investment advisory agreement.

For services under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser received a fee
at an annual  rate of 0.65% of the  average  daily net  assets of the Fund.  The
following  table  shows the dollar  amount of fees  payable to the  Adviser  for
services  rendered  to the Fund under the  Investment  Advisory  Agreement,  the
amount  of fee that was  waived  by the  Adviser,  if any,  and the  actual  fee
received by the  Adviser.  The data is for the period of December  12, 1997 (the
date the Fund commenced public operations) through March 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                           <C>                           <C>
Fiscal Year                       Advisory Fee Payable          Advisory Fee Waived         Advisory Fee Retained
Year Ended March 31, 1998
                                        $59,250                         $0                         $59,250
</TABLE>

THE ADMINISTRATOR

Pursuant to an Administration  Agreement,  Forum  Administrative  Services,  LLC
("FAdS")  acts  as  administrator  to  the  Trust  on  behalf  of the  Fund.  As
administrator, FAdS provides management and administrative services necessary to
the  operation  of the  Trust  (which  include,  among  other  responsibilities,
negotiation  of contracts  and fees with,  and  monitoring  of  performance  and
billing of, the transfer  agent and custodian and arranging for  maintenance  of
books and  records of the  Trust) and  provides  the Trust with  general  office
facilities.  At the request of the Board, FAdS provides persons  satisfactory to
the Board to serve as officers of the Trust. Those officers,  as well as certain
other  employees  and  Trustees  of the Trust,  may be  directors,  officers  or
employees of FAdS, the Adviser or their affiliates.

 The  Administration  Agreement  will  remain in  effect  for a period of twelve
months with respect to the Fund and will continue in effect  thereafter  only if
it is  specifically  approved at least  annually (1) by the Board or by majority
vote of the  shareholders  and (2) by a  majority  of the  Trustees  who are not
parties to the  Administration  Agreement are not interested persons of any such
party (other than as Trustees of the Trust).The  Administration Agreement may be
terminated without penalty with respect to the Fund by the Board or FAdS upon 60
days written notice. The Administration  Agreement also provides that FAdS shall
not be liable  for any error of  judgment  or  mistake  of law or for any act or
omission in the  administration  or management of the Trust,  except for willful
misfeasance,  bad faith or gross  negligence in the performance of its duties or
by  reason  of  reckless  disregard  of its  obligations  and  duties  under the
Administration Agreement.

The following table shows the dollar amount of fees payable to FAdS for services
rendered to the Fund under the Administration  Agreement, the amount of fee that
was waived by FAdS, if any, and the actual fee received by FAdS. The data is for
the period of December 12, 1997 (the date the Fund commenced public  operations)
through March 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                           <C>                           <C>
Fiscal Year                    Administration Fee Payable    Administration Fee Waived   Administration Fee Retained
Year Ended March 31, 1998
                                        $18,231                       $18,231                        $0
</TABLE>

THE DISTRIBUTOR

Pursuant to a Distribution  Agreement,  Forum Financial Services, Inc. ("FFSI"),
an affiliate of FAdS,  is the Trust's  distributor  and acts as the agent of the
Trust in  connection  with the  offering  of  shares of the Fund  pursuant  to a
Distribution  Agreement.  The  Distributor  is under no  obligation  to sell any
specific amount of Fund shares. All subscriptions of shares obtained by FFSI are
directed  to the Trust for  acceptance  and are not  binding on the Trust  until
accepted.

                                       13
<PAGE>


The  Distribution  Agreement  will continue in effect for twelve months from the
date of its  effectiveness  and will continue in effect  thereafter  only if its
continuance  is  specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the Board or by
majority vote of the  shareholders and (2) by a majority of the Trustees who are
not parties to the Distribution Agreement are not interested persons of any such
party (other than as Trustees of the Trust).

The Distribution  Agreement terminates  automatically upon assignment and may be
terminated  with  respect to the Fund  without  penalty (1) by the Board or by a
majority vote of outstanding  voting  securities of the Fund on 60 days' written
notice  to FFSI or (2) by FFSI on 60 days'  written  notice  to the  Trust.  The
Distribution  Agreement  provides that FFSI shall not be liable for any error of
judgment  or  mistake  of law or in any event  whatsoever,  except  for  willful
misfeasance,  bad faith or gross  negligence in the performance of FFSI's duties
or by reason of  reckless  disregard  of its  obligations  and duties  under the
Distribution Agreement.

FFSI may enter into  agreements  with selected  broker-dealers,  banks, or other
financial  institutions  for distribution of shares of the Fund. These financial
institutions  may charge a fee for their  services and may receive  shareholders
service fees even though  shares of the Fund are sold without  sales  charges or
distribution fees. These financial  institutions may otherwise act as processing
agents, and will be responsible for promptly transmitting  purchase,  redemption
and other requests to the Fund.
    

Investors who purchase  shares in this manner will be subject to the  procedures
of the institution through whom they purchase shares, which may include charges,
investment  minimums,  cutoff  times and other  restrictions  in addition to, or
different  from,  those listed  herein.  Information  concerning  any charges or
services will be provided to customers by the financial  institution.  Investors
purchasing  shares of the Fund in this manner should  acquaint  themselves  with
their  institution's  procedures and should read this  Prospectus in conjunction
with any materials and information provided by their institution.  The financial
institution  and not its customers will be the  shareholder of record,  although
customers  may have the right to vote shares  depending  upon their  arrangement
with the institution.

   
For  these  services,  FFSI  receives,  and may  reallow  to  certain  financial
institutions,  the sales charge paid by the purchasers of the Fund's shares. For
the fiscal  year ended March 31,  1998,  no sales  charges  were paid to FFSI in
connection with purchases of the Fund.

THE TRANSFER AGENT

Pursuant to a Transfer and Services Agency  Agreement dated May 19, 1998,  Forum
Shareholder Services, LLC ("FSS") acts as transfer agent of the Trust FSS became
the transfer agent  effective  January 1, 1998 when it succeeded to the transfer
agency business of Forum Financial Corp. (FSS and Forum Financial Corp.  ("FFC")
are commonly controlled entities).

The Transfer Agency and Services Agreement  provided,  with respect to the Fund,
for an initial term of one year from its effective date and for its  continuance
in effect for  successive  twelve-month  periods  thereafter,  provided that the
agreement  is  specifically  approved  at least  annually  by the Board or, with
respect to either  Fund,  by a vote of the  shareholders  of that  Fund,  and in
either case by a majority of the  directors  who are not parties to the Transfer
Agency Agreement or interested persons of any such party at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on the Transfer Agency Agreement.  The Transfer Agency and
Services  Agreement may also be  terminated on 60 days written  notice by either
the Board or FSS. The Transfer Agency And Services  Agreement also provides that
FSS shall not be liable  for any action or  inaction  taken  except for  willful
misfeasance,  bad faith,  and gross  negligence in the performance of its duties
under the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement.

Among the  responsibilities  of FSS as agent for the Trust  are:  (1)  answering
customer  inquiries  regarding  account status and history,  the manner in which
purchases  and  redemptions  of shares of the Fund may be  effected  and certain
other matters  pertaining to the Fund; (2) assisting  shareholders in initiating
and  changing  account  designations  and  addresses;  (3)  providing  necessary
personnel  and  facilities to establish  and maintain  shareholder  accounts and
records,  assisting in  processing  purchase  and  redemption  transactions  and
receiving wired funds;  (4)  transmitting and receiving funds in connection with
customer  orders  to  purchase  or  redeem  shares;  (5)  verifying 

                                       14
<PAGE>


shareholder  signatures  in  connection  with  changes  in the  registration  of
shareholder  accounts;  (6) furnishing  periodic statements and confirmations of
purchases  and  redemptions;   (7)  arranging  for  the  transmission  of  proxy
statements, annual reports, prospectuses and other communications from the Trust
to its shareholders;  (8) arranging for the receipt, tabulation and transmission
to the Trust of proxies  executed by  shareholders  with  respect to meetings of
shareholders of the Trust;  and (9) providing such other related services as the
Trust or a shareholder may reasonably request.

FSS or any  sub-transfer  agent or  processing  agent  may also act and  receive
compensation as custodian,  investment manager,  nominee, agent or fiduciary for
its customers or clients who are shareholders of the Fund with respect to assets
invested in the Fund. FSS or any  sub-transfer  agent or other  processing agent
may elect to credit  against the fees  payable to it by its clients or customers
all or a portion of any fee received  from the Trust or from FSS with respect to
assets  of those  customers  or  clients  invested  in the  Fund.  FSS,  FAdS or
sub-transfer  agents or  processing  agents  retained  by FFC may be  Processing
Organizations  (as defined in the Prospectus)  and, in the case of sub- transfer
agents or processing agents, may also be affiliated persons of FSS or FAdS.

For its services under the Transfer Agency Agreement, FFS receives: (i) a fee at
an annual rate of 0.25  percent of the average  daily net assets of the Fund and
(ii) a fee of $12,000 per year;  such amounts to be computed and paid monthly in
arrears by the Fund; and (iii) Annual Shareholder  Account Fees of $18.00;  such
fees to be computed as of the last business day of the prior month.

FSS or any  sub-transfer  agent or  processing  agent  may also act and  receive
compensation  for acting as custodian,  investment  manager,  nominee,  agent or
fiduciary  for its  customers or clients who are  shareholders  of the Fund with
respect to assets invested in the Fund.

For its services, FSS receives with respect to the Fund an annual fee of $12,000
plus $25 per shareholder account. FFC served as the transfer agent for the Trust
pursuant to similar terms and compensation as FSS. The following table shows the
dollar  amount of fees payable to FSS and FFC for services  rendered to the Fund
under the  Transfer  Agency and Services  Agreement,  the amount of fee that was
waived by either FSS or FFC, if any,  and the actual fee received by FSS or FFC.
FFC served as the  transfer  agent of the Trust  pursuant  to similar  terms and
compensation  as FSS.  The data is for the period of December 12, 1997 (the date
the Fund commenced public operations) through March 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                           <C>                           <C>
Fiscal Year                   Transfer Agency Fee Payable   Transfer Agency Fee Waived       Transfer Agency Fee
                                                                                                  Retained
Year Ended March 31, 1998
                                       $26,445.00                   $22,744.00                    $3,701.00
</TABLE>

THE FUND ACCOUNTANT

Pursuant  to a Fund  Accounting  Agreement  with  the  Trust,  Forum  Accounting
Services,  LLC  ("FAcS")  performs  portfolio  accounting  services for the Fund
pursuant to the Fund Accounting  Agreement with the Trust.  Under its agreement,
FAcS prepares and maintains  books and records  prepares and maintains books and
records  of the Fund on  behalf  of the  Trust as  required  under the 1940 Act,
calculates  the net asset value per share of the Fund and  dividends and capital
gain  distributions  and  prepares  periodic  reports  to  shareholders  and the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Fund Accounting Agreement will continue in effect for twelve months from the
date of its  effectiveness  and will continue in effect only if such continuance
is specifically  approved at least annually (1) by the Board of Trustees or by a
vote of the  shareholders  of the Trust and (2)by a majority of the Trustees who
are not parties to the Fund  Accounting  Agreement or interested  persons of any
such party, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Fund Accounting
Agreement.  The Fund  Accounting  Agreement  may also be  terminated  on 60 days
written notice by either the Board or FAcS. The Fund  Accounting  Agreement also
provides  that FAcS shall not be liable for any action of inaction  taken except
for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its
duties under the Fund Accounting Agreement.

                                       15
<PAGE>


For its services, FAcS receives from the Trust with respect to the Fund a fee of
$36,000   subject  to   adjustments   for  the  number  and  type  of  portfolio
transactions.  The  following  table shows the dollar  amount of fees payable to
FAcS for services rendered to the Fund under the Administration  Agreement,  the
amount of fee that was waived by FAcS,  if any,  and the actual fee  received by
FAcS.  The data is for the  period  of  December  12,  1997  (the  date the Fund
commenced public operations) through March 31, 1998.

<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                           <C>                        <C>
Fiscal Year                       Accounting Fee Payable        Accounting Fee Waived      Accounting Fee Retained
Year Ended March 31, 1998
                                        $10,935                         $0                         $10,935
    
</TABLE>

6.  DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

   
         The Trust  determines  the net asset  value per share of the Fund as of
4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on each Fund Business Day as defined in the Prospectus,
by dividing the value of the Fund's net assets (I.E., the value of its portfolio
securities and other assets less its  liabilities)  by the number of that Fund's
shares  outstanding at the time the  determination is made.  Purchases and sales
are effected at the time of the next  determination of net asset value following
the receipt of any purchase or redemption order.
    

Securities owned by the Fund listed on the recognized stock exchanges are valued
at the last reported trade price,  prior to the time when the assets are valued,
on  the  exchange  on  which  the  securities  are  principally  traded.  Listed
securities  traded on recognized stock exchanges where last trade prices are not
available are valued at mid-market prices. Securities traded in over-the-counter
markets,  or listed  securities  for which no trade is reported on the valuation
date, are valued at the most recent reported  mid-market price. Other securities
and assets for which market  quotations are not readily  available are valued at
fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Board.

Trading in  securities  on European  and Far Eastern  Securities  exchanges  and
over-the-counter markets may not take place on every day that the New York Stock
Exchange  is open for  trading.  Furthermore,  trading  takes  place in  various
foreign  markets on days on which the Fund's  NAV is not  calculated.  If events
materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when
their price is determined and the time when net asset value is calculated,  such
securities  will be  valued at fair  value as  determined  in good  faith by the
Board.

All assets and  liabilities of the Fund  denominated  in foreign  currencies are
converted  to U.S.  dollars  at the mid price of such  currencies  against  U.S.
dollars  last  quoted by a major  bank prior to the time when NAV of the Fund is
calculated.

7.  PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

INVESTMENT DECISIONS

Investment  decisions for the Fund and for the other investment advisory clients
of the investment  advisers are made with a view to achieving  their  respective
investment  objectives.  Investment decisions are the product of many factors in
addition to basic  suitability  for the  particular  client  involved.  Thus,  a
particular  security  may be bought or sold for certain  clients  even though it
could have been bought or sold for other clients at the same time.  Likewise,  a
particular  security  may be  bought  for one or more  clients  when one or more
clients are  selling  the  security.  In some  instances,  one client may sell a
particular  security to another  client.  It also sometimes  happens that two or
more clients  simultaneously  purchase or sell the same security, in which event
each day's  transactions in such security are, insofar as is possible,  averaged
as to  price  and  allocated  between  such  clients  in a  manner  which in the
investment  adviser's  opinion is equitable to each and in  accordance  with the
amount  being  purchased  or sold  by  each.  There  may be  circumstances  when
purchases or sales of portfolio  securities for one or more clients will have an
adverse effect on other clients.

                                       16
<PAGE>


BROKERAGE AND RESEARCH SERVICES

   
Transactions on U.S. stock exchanges and other agency  transactions  involve the
payment by the Fund of negotiated brokerage  commissions.  Such commissions vary
among  different  brokers.  Also,  a  particular  broker  may  charge  different
commissions  according  to  such  factors  as the  difficulty  and  size  of the
transaction. Transactions in foreign securities generally involve the payment of
fixed brokerage commissions, which are generally higher than those in the United
States. There is generally no stated commission in the case of securities traded
in the over-the-counter markets, but the price paid by the Fund usually includes
an undisclosed  dealer  commission or mark-up.  In underwritten  offerings,  the
price paid by the Fund  includes  a  disclosed,  fixed  commission  or  discount
retained by the underwriter or dealer. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998,
the aggregate  brokerage  commission paid by the Fund was $9,612. For the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1998, $0.00 or 0.0% of aggregate brokerage commissions paid
was  paid to an  affiliated  broker  and  0.0% of the  total  dollar  amount  of
transactions involving payment of commissions was effected through an affiliated
broker.
    

The Investment Advisory Agreement  authorizes and directs the investment adviser
to place  orders for the  purchase  and sale of assets  with  brokers or dealers
selected  by the  investment  advisers  in their  discretion  and to seek  "best
execution" of such portfolio transactions. An investment adviser places all such
orders for the  purchase  and sale of  portfolio  securities  and buys and sells
securities for the Fund through a substantial number of brokers and dealers.  In
so doing,  the  investment  adviser uses its best efforts to obtain for the Fund
the most favorable price and execution  available.  The Fund may,  however,  pay
higher than the lowest available  commission  rates when the investment  adviser
believes it is  reasonable  to do so in light of the value of the  brokerage and
research services  provided by the broker effecting the transaction.  In seeking
the most favorable price and execution,  the investment adviser,  having in mind
the Fund's best interests,  considers all factors it deems relevant,  including,
by way of illustration,  price,  the size of the transaction,  the nature of the
market  for the  security,  the  amount  of the  commission,  the  timing of the
transaction  taking  into  account  market  prices and trends,  the  reputation,
experience  and  financial  stability  of the  broker-dealers  involved  and the
quality of service rendered by the broker-dealers in other transactions.

It has for many years been a common practice in the investment advisory business
as conducted in certain countries,  including the United States, for advisers of
investment  companies  and other  institutional  investors  to receive  research
services  from  broker-dealers  which  execute  portfolio  transactions  for the
clients of such advisers.  Consistent with this practice,  an investment adviser
may  receive  research  services  from  broker-dealers  with which it places the
Fund's portfolio transactions.  These services,  which in some cases may also be
purchased for cash,  include such items as general  economic and security market
reviews,   industry  and  company   reviews,   evaluations   of  securities  and
recommendations  as to the  purchase  and  sale of  securities.  Some  of  these
services  are of value to the  investment  adviser  in  advising  various of its
clients (including the Fund), although not all of these services are necessarily
useful and of value in managing the Fund.  The  investment  advisory fee paid by
the Fund is not  reduced  because  the  investment  adviser  and its  affiliates
receive such services.

As  permitted  by  Section  28(e) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 (the
"Act"),  an investment  adviser may cause the Fund to pay a broker-dealer  which
provides  "brokerage  and  research  services"  (as defined in the Act) to it an
amount of disclosed commission for effecting a securities  transaction in excess
of the commission which another  broker-dealer  would have charged for effecting
that transaction.

The  annual  portfolio  turnover  rate of the Fund may  exceed  50% but will not
ordinarily exceed 100%.

8.  ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

Detailed  information  pertaining  to  the  purchase  of  shares  of  the  Fund,
redemption of shares and the determination of the net asset value of Fund shares
is set forth in the Prospectus under "Purchases and Redemptions of Shares".

Shares of the Fund are sold on a continuous basis by the distributor.

                                       17
<PAGE>


   
Set forth below is an example of the method of computing  the offering  price of
the  Fund's  shares.  The  example  assumes a purchase  of shares of  beneficial
interest aggregating less than $100,000 subject to the schedule of sales charges
set forth in the Prospectus at a price based on the net asset value per share of
the Fund on March 31, 1998.

Net Asset Value Per Share                   $ 11.35
    

Sales Charge, 4.00% of offering
price (4.17% of net asset value
   
per share)                                  $  0.47

Offering to Public                          $ 11.82
    

In addition to the situations  described in the Prospectus  under "Purchases and
Redemptions of Shares," the Trust may redeem shares involuntarily,  from time to
time, to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a
shareholder to make full payment for shares  purchased by the  shareholder or to
collect  any charge  relating  to  transactions  effected  for the  benefit of a
shareholder  which  is  applicable  to the  Fund's  shares  as  provided  in the
Prospectus.

The  Trust  has  filed a  formal  election  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission pursuant to which the Fund will only effect a redemption in portfolio
securities if a shareholder  is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's
total net assets, whichever is less, during any 90-day period.

REDEMPTION IN KIND

In the event  that  payment  for  redeemed  shares  is made  wholly or partly in
portfolio  securities,  brokerage  costs may be incurred by the  shareholder  in
converting  the  securities  to  cash.  An in  kind  distribution  of  portfolio
securities will be less liquid than cash. The shareholder may have difficulty in
finding a buyer for  portfolio  securities  received  in  payment  for  redeemed
shares. Portfolio securities may decline in value between the time of receipt by
the  shareholder  and  conversion  to cash. A  redemption  in kind of the Fund's
portfolio securities could result in a less diversified portfolio of investments
for the Fund and could affect adversely the liquidity of the Fund's portfolio.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

   
The exchange privilege permits shareholders of the Fund to exchange their shares
for shares of any other fund of the Trust or shares of certain other  portfolios
of  investment  companies  which  retain FAdS or its  affiliates  as  investment
adviser or distributor and which  participate in the Trust's exchange  privilege
program  ("Participating  Fund").  For  Federal  income tax  purposes,  exchange
transactions  are treated as sales on which a purchaser  will  realize a capital
gain or loss  depending  on whether the value of the shares  redeemed is more or
less than his basis in such shares at the time of the transaction.

By use of the exchange privilege, the shareholder authorizes FSS to act upon the
instruction  of any  person  representing  himself  to either be, or to have the
authority  to act on behalf of, the  investor and believed by FSS to be genuine.
The records of FSS of such  instructions  are  binding.  Proceeds of an exchange
transaction  may be  invested in another  Participating  Fund in the name of the
shareholder.
    

Exchange transactions will be made on the basis of relative net asset values per
share at the time of the exchange  transaction plus any sales charge  applicable
to the  Participating  Fund  whose  shares  are  being  acquired.  Shares of any
Participating Fund may be redeemed and the proceeds used to purchase,  without a
sales charge,  shares of any other Participating Fund that are offered without a
sales charge. Shares of any Participating Fund purchased with a sales charge may
be redeemed and the proceeds used to purchase, without a sales charge, shares of
any other  Participating  Fund otherwise sold with the same sales charge. If the
Participating Fund purchased in the exchange  transaction imposes a higher sales
charge than was paid originally on the exchanged shares, the shareholder will be
responsible  for the difference  between the two sales charges.  Shares acquired
through the reinvestment of dividends 

                                       18
<PAGE>


and  distributions  are deemed to have been  acquired  with a sales  charge rate
equal to that paid on the shares on which the dividend or distribution was paid.

The terms of the exchange privilege are subject to change, and the privilege may
be  terminated  by any of the  Participating  Funds or the  Trust.  However  the
privilege  will not be  terminated,  and no material  change that  restricts the
availability  of the  privilege to  shareholders  will be  implemented,  without
reasonable advance notice to shareholders.

   
9.  TAX MATTERS
    

The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M
of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").  To qualify as a
regulated  investment  company the Fund intends to distribute to shareholders at
least 90% of its net  investment  income  (which  includes,  among other  items,
dividends,  interest and the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net
long-term capital losses), and to meet certain diversification of assets, source
of income, and other requirements of the Code. By so doing, the Fund will not be
subject to  Federal  income tax on its net  investment  income and net  realized
capital  gains (the excess of net long-term  capital  gains over net  short-term
capital losses)  distributed to  shareholders.  If the Fund does not meet all of
these Code requirements,  it will be taxed as an ordinary  corporation,  and its
distributions will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

Amounts not  distributed  on a timely basis in  accordance  with a calendar year
distribution  requirement  are  subject to a 4%  nondeductible  excise  tax.  To
prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Fund must distribute for each calendar
year  an  amount  equal  to the sum of (1) at  least  98%  its  ordinary  income
(excluding  any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (2) at least 98%
of the excess of its  capital  gains over  capital  losses  realized  during the
one-year  period  ending  October  31 of such  year,  and (3) all such  ordinary
income and capital  gains for previous  years that were not  distributed  during
such years. A  distribution  will be treated as paid during the calendar year if
it is declared  by the Fund in October,  November or December of the year with a
record date in such month and paid by the Fund during  January of the  following
year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders in the calendar year in
which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the
distributions are received.

In addition to satisfying the distribution  requirement,  a regulated investment
company must derive at least 90% of its gross income from  dividends,  interest,
certain payments with respect to securities loans,  gains from the sale or other
disposition  of stock or  securities  or  foreign  currencies  and other  income
(including but not limited to gain from options,  futures or forward  contracts)
derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock,  securities  or
currencies.

Distributions  of net  investment  income  (including  realized  net  short-term
capital gain) are taxable to  shareholders  as ordinary  income.  It is expected
that a portion of such distributions will be eligible for the dividends received
deduction available to corporations.

Distributions  of net capital  gain (i.e.,  the excess of net gain from  capital
assets  held for more than one year over net loss from  capital  assets held for
not more  than one  year)  will be  treated  in the  hands  of  shareholders  as
long-term capital gain,  regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares in
the Fund.  Distributions  of net capital gain are not eligible for the dividends
received  deduction.  A loss realized by a shareholder  on the sale of shares of
the Fund with respect to which  distributions of net capital gain have been paid
will, to the extent of such distributions,  be treated as long-term capital loss
although such shares may have been held by the shareholder for one year or less.
Further,  a loss realized on a disposition  will be disallowed to the extent the
shares disposed of are replaced  (whether by reinvestment  of  distributions  or
otherwise)  within a period of 61 days  beginning  30 days  before and ending 30
days after the shares are disposed  of. In such a case,  the basis of the shares
acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

All  distributions  are  taxable  to  the  shareholder   whether  reinvested  in
additional shares or received in cash.  Shareholders receiving  distributions in
the form of  additional  shares  will have a cost basis for  Federal  income tax
purposes in each share  received  equal to the net asset value of a share of the
Fund on the reinvestment date.  Shareholders will be notified annually as to the
Federal tax status of distributions.

                                       19
<PAGE>


Distributions  by the Fund  reduce  the net asset  value of the  Fund's  shares.
Should a  distribution  reduce the net asset  value below a  shareholder's  cost
basis,  such  distribution  nevertheless  would be taxable to the shareholder as
ordinary  income or  capital  gain as  described  above,  even  though,  from an
investment  standpoint,  it may  constitute  a  partial  return of  capital.  In
particular,  investors  should be careful to consider  the tax  implications  of
buying  shares just prior to a  distribution.  The price of shares  purchased at
that time includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution.  Those purchasing
just prior to a distribution will receive a distribution which will nevertheless
be taxable to them.

Upon redemption or sale of his shares, a shareholder will realize a taxable gain
or loss depending upon his basis in his shares. Such gain or loss generally will
be  treated as capital  gain or loss if the  shares  are  capital  assets in the
shareholder's hands. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term or short-term
depending upon the shareholder's holding period for the shares.

The Fund will be required to report to the Internal  Revenue Service (the "IRS")
all  distributions  as well as gross  proceeds  from the  redemption of the Fund
shares,   except  in  the  case  of  certain  exempt   shareholders.   All  such
distributions  and proceeds  generally will be subject to withholding of Federal
income  tax at a rate of 31%  ("backup  withholding")  in the case of  nonexempt
shareholders  if (1) the  shareholder  fails to  furnish  the  Fund  with and to
certify  the  shareholder's  correct  taxpayer  identification  number or social
security  number,  (2) the IRS notifies the Fund that the shareholder has failed
to  report  properly  certain  interest  and  dividend  income to the IRS and to
respond  to  notices  to  that  effect,  or (3)  when  required  to do  so,  the
shareholder  fails to certify that he is not subject to backup  withholding.  If
the withholding  provisions are applicable,  any such distributions or proceeds,
whether reinvested in additional shares or taken in cash, will be reduced by the
amount required to be withheld. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the
shareholder's Federal income tax liability.  Investors may wish to consult their
tax advisers about the applicability of the backup withholding provisions.

The foregoing discussion relates only to Federal income tax law as applicable to
U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens and residents and U.S. domestic  corporations,
partnerships, trusts and estates). Distributions by the Fund also may be subject
to state and local taxes,  and their  treatment under state and local income tax
laws may differ  from the  Federal  income tax  treatment.  Shareholders  should
consult  their tax  advisors  with respect to  particular  questions of Federal,
state and local taxation.  Shareholders  who are not U.S. persons should consult
their tax advisors  regarding U.S. and foreign tax  consequences of ownership of
shares of the Fund including the likelihood that  distributions to them would be
subject to withholding of U.S. tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower rate under a tax
treaty).

10.  OTHER INFORMATION

   
COUNSEL
    

Legal matters in connection  with the issuance of shares of beneficial  interest
of the Trust are passed upon by the law firm of Seward & Kissel,  1200 G Street,
N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005.

                                       20
<PAGE>


   
CUSTODIAN

Pursuant to a Custodian Agreement, BankBoston, N.A. ,100 Federal Street, Boston,
MA  02106,  acts  as  the  custodian  of  the  Fund's  assets.  The  custodian's
responsibilities  include  safeguarding  and  controlling  the  Fund's  cash and
securities, determining income and collecting interest on Fund investments.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
    

Deloitte  &  Touche  LLP,  125  Summer  Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts,  02110,
independent auditors, act as auditors for the Trust.

   
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial  statements of Investors  Growth Fund for the year ended March 31,
1998,  which are included in the Annual Report to  Shareholders of the Trust and
delivered along with this Statement of Additional Information,  are incorporated
herein by reference.
    



                                       21
<PAGE>


   
                                   APPENDIX A
                                   ----------
               CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
               ---------------------------------------------------

As of July 1, 1998, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group owned less
than 1% of the  outstanding  shares  of each  Fund.  Also as of that  date,  the
shareholders  listed below owned more than 5% of each Fund.  Shareholders owning
25% or more of the  shares of a Fund or of the Trust as a whole may be deemed to
be controlling persons. By reason of their substantial holdings of shares, these
persons may be able to require the Trust to hold a  shareholder  meeting to vote
on certain  issues and may be able to determine  the outcome of any  shareholder
vote.  As noted,  certain of these  shareholders  are known to the Trust to hold
their shares of record only and have no beneficial interest, including the right
to vote, in the shares.
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                        <C>
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                       ------------               -------------
OAK HALL SMALL CAP CONTRARIAN FUND
- ----------------------------------

Maryann Wolf                                                              13.30%                   40,946.955
55 Central Park West Apt 12-13
New York  NY  10023

Simeon Gold & Heide Gold, Jt. Ten.                                         9.05%                   27,856.149
136 East 76th Street Apt. 10F
New York  NY  10021

Jane Levy                                                                  5.73%                   17,622.969
320 West 87th Street Apt. 3W
New York  NY  10024

Bank of Boston, IRA Custodian                                              5.70%                   17,553.097
FBO Maryann Wolf
55 Central Park West Apt. 12-13
New York  NY  10023

WR Family Associates 401K Plan Option                                      5.48%                   16,870.661
Attn: Olga M. Dimmini
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2400 New York, NY 10168-002

    



                                       A-1
<PAGE>




   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND                                           ------------               -------------
INSTITUTIONAL  SHARES
- ---------------------

H M Payson & Co. Custody Account                                          56.56%                 18,033,015.150
FBO Customer Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland  ME  04112


H M Payson & Co. Trust Account                                            43.44%                 13,850,465.390
FBO Trust Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Bank of Boston, IRA Rollover Custodian                                    16.52%                  826,387.330
FBO Merne E. Young Rollover
18751 San Rufino
Irvine, CA 92612

Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation                                    15.90%                  795,276.550
Foundation Smith Family Care Fund
Attn: Kristy Hurley
2850 N. Garey Avenue
P.O. Box 6001
Pomona, CA 91769-6001                                                     15.90%                  795,276.550

Lansdowne Parking Associates LP                                            9.99%                  499,939.120
c/o Meredith Management
29 Crafts Street #300
Newton, MA 02158

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                         100%                     100.920
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101


DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- --------------------

Allagash & Co.                                                            46.30%                 12,236,932.890
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477
    


                                      A-2
<PAGE>



   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND                                                 ------------              -------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES CON'T

H M Payson & Co. Custody Account                                          34.44%                 9.101,914.440
FBO Customer Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

H M Payson & Co. Trust Account                                            19.27%                 5,092,100.590
FBO Trust Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Cutler Approved List Equity Fund                                          18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Sound Shore Fund                                                          18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Small Cap Value Fund                                                  18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Cutler Equity Income Fund                                                 18.12%                  951,550.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM All Cap Value Fund                                                     9.45%                  496,164.720
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Mid Cap Value Fund                                                     5.70%                  299,263.830
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    

                                      A-3
<PAGE>



   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF               AMOUNT OF
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               SHARES OWNED
                                                                       ------------               ------------
DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, Inc.                                        100%                     101.200
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    

   
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

Allagash & Co.                                                            72.89%                 11,915,149.240
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                    26.73%                 4,368,592.160
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302-0477

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Dirigo Drywall Assoc.                                                     22.89%                  682,716.350
225 Riverside Street
Portland, ME 04103

Cutler Approved List Equity Fund                                          19.58%                  583,950.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Sound Shore Fund                                                          19.58%                  583,950.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc./
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Small Cap Value Fund                                                  19.58%                  583,950,000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    

                                      A-4
<PAGE>



   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF                AMOUNT OF
                                                                       SHARES OWNED              SHARES OWNED
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND                               ------------              ------------
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES-CON'T

Cutler Equity Income Fund                                                 9.05%                   269,894.440
C/O Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square

CRM All Cap Value Fund                                                    6.23%                   185,729.030
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                         100%                     100.900
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                    46.72%                 9,494,221.860
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                            25.38%                 5,157,680.310
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Imperial Securities Corp.                                                 23.96%                 4,868,005.220
Attn: Jack Singer
9920 South La Cieniega Blvd 14th Fl
Inglewood, CA 90301

DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Forum Financing                                                            100%                      5.000
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    

                                      A-5
<PAGE>



   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF                AMOUNT OF
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               SHARES OWNED
DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND                                           ------------               ------------
INVESTOR SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                        100%                      100.060
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS TREASURY OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   65.16%                 62,106,021.450
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                           34.84%                 33,201,966.980
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

DAILY ASSETS TREASURY OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE

Allagash & Co.                                                           99.10%                  1,657,595.720
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
CONCORD, NH 03302-0477

INVESTORS BOND FUND

Firstrust Co.                                                            72.38%                  5,714,958.415
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

SEI Trust Company                                                        11.10%                   876,782.753
c/o Irwin Union Bank & Trust
Attn:  Mutual Funds Administrator
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks  PA  19456
    


                                      A-6
<PAGE>



   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      ------------               -------------
FORUM TAXSAVER BOND FUND

First Trust Co.                                                          49.33%                  1,717,000.264
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

SEI Trust Company                                                        21.80%                   758,668.285
c/o Irwin Union Bank & Trust
Attn:  Mutual Funds Administrator
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks  PA  19456

Leonore Zusman Ttee                                                       6.03%                   209,963.557
Leonore Zusman Living Trust  U/A/D 2/3/93
6439 Woodacre Ct.
Englewood  OH  45322

Lawrence L. Zusman Ttee                                                   5.41%                   188,185.433
Lawrence L. Zusman Living Trust  U/A/D 2/3/93
6439 Woodacre Court
Englewood  OH  45322

HIGH GRADE BOND FUND

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   99.76%                  3.451,019.518
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND

Independence Trust                                                       45.62%                   565,735.702
Attn: Linda Feliciano
200 Bedford Street 5th
Manchester, NH 03101
    


                                      A-7
<PAGE>



   
                                                                  PERCENTAGE OF SHARES         AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      OF FUND OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      -------------              -------------
    

   
PAYSON BALANCED FUND

ALA & Co.                                                                15.49%                   258,329.088
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

Payse & Co.                                                              14.98%                   249,788.506
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

PAYSON VALUE FUND

Payse & Co.                                                              21.90%                   208,621.301
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

ALA & Co.                                                                18.09%                   172,271.808
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

INVESTORS EQUITY FUND

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   94.40%                  2,383,117.225
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                            5.18%                   130,658.987
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302
    

                                      A-8
<PAGE>




   
                                                                  PERCENTAGE OF SHARES         AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      OF FUND OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      -------------              -------------
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Forum Financing                                                          67.80%                     500.000
Forum Financial Group
Two Portland Square
Portland  ME  04101

Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Sec Corp.                                   32.20%                     237.417
Mutual Funds Dept. - 5th Floor
PO Box 2052
Jersey City  NJ  07303

INVESTORS GROWTH FUND

Firstrust Co.                                                            99.95%                  3,013,520.631
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

EQUITY INDEX FUND

Allagash & Co.                                                           99.27%                   440,772.554
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302

SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                        100%                      500.000
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

EMERGING MARKETS FUND

Forum Financing                                                          65.52%                     500.00
Attn:  Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Donald, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp.                               34.48%                     263.158
Mutual Funds Dept.-5th Floor
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ 07303
    

                                      A-9
<PAGE>


   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      ------------               -------------
QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND

Holly Melosi & Arturo R. Melosi TTEE                                     80.77%                   406,724.176
FBO Atrgur & Holly Magill Foundation
36 Woodland Way Circle
Greenville, SC 29601

HMK Enterprises, Inc.                                                    8.41%%                   42,337.003
800 South Street
Suite 355
Waltham  MA  02154

QUADRA GROWTH FUND

Holly Melosi & Arturo R. Melosi TTEE                                     77.64%                   454,757.022
FBO Arthur & Holly Magill Foundation
36 Woodland Way Circle
Greenville, SC 29601

John E. Rosenthal                                                         12.52                   73,322.092
1212 West Street
Carlisle, MA 01741-1428

POLARIS GLOBAL VALUE FUND

David Solomont                                                           11.39%                   271,791.712
c/o Utopia Inc.
200 Fifth Avenue
Waltham, MA 02154

DCGT TR                                                                   5.35%                   127,724.287
FBO Audrey Lewis-REG IRA
10 Rogers Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
    
</TABLE>



                                      A-10

<PAGE>






   
                                   APPENDIX B
    

                        DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

1.  PREFERRED STOCK

         (A) MOODY'S

         Moody's rates preferred stock issues as follows:

         An issue  which is rated aaa is a  top-quality  preferred  stock.  This
rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment
among preferred stock issues.

         An issue  which is rated "aa" is a  high-grade  preferred  stock.  This
rating  indicates  that there is a reasonable  assurance that earnings and asset
protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future.

         An issue which is rated "a" is an upper-medium  grade preferred  stock.
While  risks  are  judged  to be  somewhat  greater  than  in  the  aaa  and  aa
classification,  earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be
maintained at adequate levels.

         An issue  which  is rated  "baa"  is a  medium-grade  preferred  stock,
neither  highly  protected  nor poorly  secured.  Earnings and asset  protection
appear  adequate at present  but may be  questionable  over any great  length of
time.

         An issue which is rated "ba" has  speculative  elements  and its future
cannot be considered  well assured.  Earnings and asset  protection  may be very
moderate  and not  well  safeguarded  during  adverse  periods.  Uncertainty  of
position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

         An issue which is rated "b" generally  lacks the  characteristics  of a
desirable  investment.  Assurance of dividend  payments and maintenance of other
terms of the issue over any long period of time may be small.

         An issue  which is rated  "caa" is likely to be in arrears on  dividend
payments. This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future status
of payments.

         An issue  which is rated "ca" is  speculative  in a high  degree and is
likely to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payment.

         An issue which is rated "c" can be regarded  as having  extremely  poor
prospects of ever  attaining any real  investment  standing.  This is the lowest
rated class of preferred or preference stock.

         (B) STANDARD & POOR'S

         Standard & Poor's rates preferred stock issues as follows:

         "AAA" is the  highest  rating  that is  assigned  by S&P to a preferred
stock issue and  indicates an  extremely  strong  capacity to pay the  preferred
stock obligations.

         A preferred  stock issue rated "AA" also  qualifies  as a  high-quality
fixed income security.  The capacity to pay preferred stock  obligations is very
strong, although not as overwhelming as for issues rated "AAA."

         An issue rated "A" is backed by a sound  capacity to pay the  preferred
stock  obligations,  although it is  somewhat  more  susceptible  to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>


         An issue rated  "BBB" is regarded as backed by an adequate  capacity to
pay the  preferred  stock  obligations.  While  it  normally  exhibits  adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more  likely to lead to a weakened  capacity  to make  payments  for a preferred
stock in this category than for issues in the "A" category.

         Preferred stock rated "BB," "B," and "CCC" are regarded, on balance, as
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay preferred
stock obligations. "BB" indicates the lowest degree of speculation and "CCC" the
highest degree of  speculation.  While such issues will likely have some quality
and protective  characteristics,  these are outweighed by large uncertainties or
major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

         The rating "CC" is reserved  for a preferred  stock issue in arrears on
dividends or sinking fund payments but that is currently paying.

         A preferred stock rated "C" is a non-paying issue.

         A preferred  stock rated "D" is a  non-paying  issue with the issuer in
default on debt instruments.

         To provide more detailed  indications of preferred  stock quality,  the
ratings  from "AA" to "B" may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus
(-) sign to show relative standing


2.  CORPORATE BONDS INCLUDING CONVERTIBLE DEBT

         (A) MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. ("MOODY'S")

         Moody's rates corporate bond issues, including convertible debt issues,
as follows:

         Bonds  which  are rated Aaa are  judged  by  Moody's  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  the  various
protective  elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are
most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

         Bonds  which  are  rated Aa are  judged  to be of high  quality  by all
standards.  Together with the Aaa group,  they comprise what are generally known
as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements  may be of greater  amplitude  or there may be other  elements  present
which make the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

         Bonds which are rated A 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.

         Bonds which are rated Baa are  considered as medium grade  obligations,
i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payment 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.

         Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered  as well assured.  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 bonds in this class.

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

                                      B-2
<PAGE>

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

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

         Bonds which are rated C 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.

         Note:  Those  bonds in the Aa, A,  Baa,  Ba or B groups  which  Moody's
believes  possess the  strongest  investment  attributes  are  designated by the
symbols Aa1, A1, Baa1, Ba1, and B1.

         (B) STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION ("S&P")

         S&P rates corporate bond issues,  including convertible debt issues, as
follows:

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

         Bonds rated AA have a very strong  capacity to pay  interest  and repay
principal and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.

         Bonds  rated  A 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 rated in higher rated
categories.

         Bonds  rated BBB 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 weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt
in this category than in higher rated categories.

         Bonds  rated  BB,  B,  CCC,  CC  and C are  regarded,  on  balance,  as
predominantly  speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates
the lowest degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation.  While
such bonds will likely have some quality and protective  characteristics,  these
are  outweighed  by large  uncertainties  or major  risk  exposures  to  adverse
conditions.  Bonds rated `BB' have less near-term  vulnerability to default than
other  speculative  issues.  However,  they face major ongoing  uncertainties or
exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead
to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments.

         Bonds rated `B' have a greater  vulnerability  to default but currently
have the capacity to meet  interest  payments and  principal  payments.  Adverse
business,  financial,  or economic  conditions  will likely  impair  capacity or
willingness to pay interest and repay principal.

         Bonds rated `CCC' have currently identifiable vulnerability to default,
and are dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to
meet timely  payment of interest  and  repayment of  principal.  In the event of
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, they are not likely to have
the capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

         The `C'  rating  may be used to cover a  situation  where a  bankruptcy
petition has been filed,  but debt service  payments are  continued.  The rating
`Cl' is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

         Bonds are rated D when the issue is in payment default,  or the obligor
has filed for bankruptcy. Bonds rated `D' are in payment default. The `D' rating
category is used when  interest  payments or principal  payments are not made on
the date due even if the  applicable  grace period has not  expired,  unless S&P
believes that such 

                                      B-3
<PAGE>

payments  will made during such grace  period.  The `D' rating also will be used
upon  the  filing  of  a  bankruptcy  petition  if  debt  service  payments  are
jeopardized.

         Note:  The ratings  from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a
plus (+) or minus  (-) sign to show the  relative  standing  within  the  rating
category.

3.  COMMERCIAL PAPER

   
         MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. ("MOODY'S")
    

Moody's two highest ratings for short-term debt, including commercial paper, are
Prime-1 and Prime-2.  Both are judged investment grade, to indicate the relative
repayment ability of rated issuers.

Issuers rated Prime-1 have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term
debt  obligations.  Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of
the following characteristics:

          --      Leading market positions in well-established industries.
          --      High rates of return on funds employed.
          --      Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance
                  on debt and ample asset protection.
          --      Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges
                  and high internal cash generation.
          --      Well-established  access  to a  range  of  financial  markets
                  and  assured  sources  of alternate liquidity.

Issuers rated  Prime-2 by Moody's have a strong  ability for repayment of senior
short-term  debt  obligations.  This will  normally be  evidenced by many of the
characteristics of issuers rated Prime-1 but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends
and  coverage   ratios,   while  sound,   may  be  more  subject  to  variation.
Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by
external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

   
         STANDARD AND POOR'S CORPORATION ("S&P")
    

S&P's two highest  commercial  paper  ratings are A and B. Issues  assigned an A
rating are regarded as having the greatest  capacity for timely payment.  Issues
in this  category  are  delineated  with the numbers 1, 2 and 3 to indicate  the
relative  degree of  safety.  An A-1  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 denoted
with a plus (+) sign designation. The capacity for timely payment on issues with
an A-2 designation is strong.  However,  the relative degree of safety is not as
high as for issues  designated A-1. A-3 issues have a satisfactory  capacity for
timely  payment.  They are,  however,  somewhat  more  vulnerable to the adverse
effects  of  changes  in  circumstances  than  obligations  carrying  the higher
designations.  Issues rated B are  regarded as having only an adequate  capacity
for timely payment. However, such capacity may be damaged by changing conditions
or short-term adversities.

   
         FITCH IBCA, INC.("FITCH")
    

Fitch's  short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand
or have original maturities of generally up to three years, including commercial
paper, certificates of deposit,  medium-term notes, and municipal and investment
notes.

F-1+. Issues assigned this rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of
assurance for timely payment.

F-1.  Issues  assigned this rating  reflect an assurance of timely  payment only
slightly less in degree than issues rated F-1+.

                                      B-4
<PAGE>

F-2.  Issues  assigned this rating have a  satisfactory  degree of assurance for
timely payment,  but the margin of safety is not as great as for issues assigned
F-1+ or F-1 ratings.

                                      B-5
<PAGE>




   
                                   APPENDIX C

                        ADDITIONAL ADVERTISING MATERIALS
    

                                          TEXT OF FORUM BROCHURE

In connection with its  advertisements,  a Fund may provide a description of the
Fund's investment adviser and its affiliates, which are service providers to the
Fund. Text which is currently in use is set forth below.

"FORUM FINANCIAL GROUP OF COMPANIES

Forum Financial  Group of Companies  represent more than a decade of diversified
experience  with every  aspect of mutual  funds.  The Forum  Family of Funds has
benefited from the informed,  sharply  focused  perspective on mutual funds that
experience makes possible.

The Forum Family of Funds has been created and managed by  affiliated  companies
of Portland-based  Forum Financial Group, among the nation's largest mutual fund
administrators  providing clients with a full line of services for every type of
mutual fund.

The Forum  Family of Funds is designed to give  investment  representatives  and
investors a broad choice of carefully  structured  and  diversified  portfolios,
portfolios  that can satisfy a wide  variety of  immediate  as well as long-term
investment goals.

Forum  Financial Group has developed its "brand name" family of mutual funds and
has made them available to the investment public and to institutions on both the
national and regional levels.

For more than a decade Forum has had direct  experience with mutual funds from a
different  perspective,  a perspective  made  possible by Forum's  position as a
leading designer and full-service  administrator  and manager of mutual funds of
all types.

Today Forum  Financial  Group  administers  and  provides  services for over 120
mutual  funds for 17  different  fund  managers,  with more than $30  billion in
client assets. Forum has its headquarters in Portland, Maine, and has offices in
Seattle, Bermuda, and Warsaw, Poland. In a joint venture with Bank Handlowy, the
largest  and  oldest  commercial  bank  in  Poland,   Forum  operates  the  only
independent  transfer agent and mutual fund accounting business in Poland. Forum
directs an off-shore and hedge fund administration  business through its Bermuda
office. It employs more than 230 professionals worldwide.

From the  beginning,  Forum  developed a plan of action that was effective  with
both start- up funds, and funds that needed  restructuring and improved services
in order to live up to their potential.  The success of its innovative  approach
is  evident  in  Forum's  growth  rate over the  years,  a growth  rate that has
consistently outstripped that of the mutual fund industry as a whole, as well as
that of the fund service outsource industry.

Forum has worked with both  domestic  and  international  mutual fund  sponsors,
designing  unique  mutual  fund  structures,  positioning  new funds  within the
sponsors' own corporate planning and targeted markets.

Forum's staff of experienced lawyers, many of whom have been associated with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  have  been  available  to work with fund
sponsors to customize  fund  components and to evaluate the potential of various
fund structures.

Forum has introduced fund sponsors to its unique proprietary Core and Gateway(R)
partnership,  helping them to take advantage of this full-service  master/feeder
structure.

                                      C-1
<PAGE>

Fund sponsors  understand that even the most efficiently and creatively designed
fund can disappoint  shareholders  if it is inadequately  serviced.  That is the
reason why fund  sponsors  have relied on Forum to meet all of a fund's  complex
compliance, regulatory, and filing needs.

Forum's full service commitment  includes providing state-of- the-art accounting
support (Forum has 8 CPAs on staff, as well as senior  accountants who have been
associated with Big 6 accounting firms).  Forum's proprietary  accounting system
is continually upgraded and can provide custom-built modules to satisfy a fund's
specific  requirements.   This  service  is  joined  with  transfer  agency  and
shareholder  service  groups that draw their strength both from the high caliber
of the people staffing each unit and from Forum's  advanced  technology  support
system.

More than a decade of  experience  with mutual  funds has given Forum  practical
hands-on  experience and knowledge of how mutual funds function "from the inside
out."

Forum has put that  experience to work by creating the Forum Family of Funds,  a
family where each member is designed  and  positioned  for your best  investment
advantage,  and where each fund is  serviced  with the utmost  attention  to the
delivery of timely, accurate, and comprehensive shareholder information.

INVESTMENT ADVISERS

Forum Investment  Advisors,  LLC offers the services of portfolio  managers with
the highest  qualifications--because without such direction, a comprehensive and
goal-oriented  investment  program  and  ongoing  investment  strategy  are  not
possible.  Serving  as  portfolio  managers  for the  Forum  Family of Funds are
individuals  with  decades  of  experience  with  some  of the  country's  major
financial institutions.

Individual  funds in the Forum Family of Funds invest in portfolios that have as
their investment adviser nationally recognized institutions,  including Schroder
Capital Management International, Inc., a major figure in worldwide mutual funds
that, with its affiliates, managed over $175 billion as of September 30, 1997.

Forum Funds are also  managed by the  portfolio  managers of H.M.  Payson & Co.,
founded in Portland, Maine in 1854 and one of the oldest investment firms in the
country.  Payson has approximately $1 billion in assets under  management,  with
clients that include  pension plans,  endowment  funds,  and  institutional  and
individual accounts.

FORUM INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC

Forum Investment  Advisors,  LLC is the largest Maine based  investment  adviser
with  approximately  $1.4  billion in assets  under  management.  The  portfolio
managers have decades of combined experience in a cross section of the country's
financial  markets.  The managers have  specific,  day-to-day  experience in the
asset class  portfolios  they manage,  bringing  critical  focus to meeting each
fund's explicit investment objectives. The portfolio managers have been involved
in investing the assets of large  insurance  companies,  banks,  pension  plans,
individuals,  and of course mutual funds. Forum Investment  Advisors,  LLC has a
staff of analysts and investment  administrators  to meet the demands of serving
shareholders in our funds.

FORUM FAMILY OF FUNDS

It has been said that  mutual  fund  investment  offerings--of  which  there are
nearly  10,000,  with assets spread across stock,  bond,  and money market funds
worth  more  than  $4  trillion--come  in  a  rainbow  of  varieties.  A  better
description  would be a "spectrum" of varieties,  the spectrum graded from green
through  amber  and on to red.  In  simpler  terms,  from low risk  investments,
through moderate to high risk. The lower the risk, the lower the possible reward
- -- the higher the risk, the higher the potential reward.

                                      C-2
<PAGE>

The Forum Family of Funds provides  conservative  investment  opportunities that
reduce the risk of loss of capital,  using underlying  money market  investments
U.S. Government  securities  (although the shares of the Forum Funds are neither
insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies),  thus cushioning
the investment  against  market  volatility.  These funds offer regular  income,
ready access to your money, and flexibility to buy or sell at any time.

In the less  conservative  but still not  aggressive  category  are funds in the
Forum Family that seek to provide steady income and, in certain cases,  tax-free
earnings.  Such investments  provide important  diversification to an investment
portfolio.

Growth funds in the Forum Family more  aggressively  pursue a high return at the
risk of market volatility.  These funds include domestic and international stock
mutual funds."

                                      C-3
<PAGE>


                          PEOPLES HERITAGE NEWS RELEASE

Peoples Heritage Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:PHBK) announced today that it has
formed an alliance with a major mutual fund provider and an investment  advisory
firm to expand its mutual fund  offerings.  The  alliance  with Forum  Financial
Group and H.M.  Payson & Company will result in 18 funds,  including  the unique
Maine Municipal Bond Fund and New Hampshire Bond Fund, being offered through the
branches  of Peoples'  affiliate  banks in Maine,  New  Hampshire  and  northern
Massachusetts and the Company's trust and investment subsidiaries

'There is no secret to where  financial  services  are moving,  under one roof,"
said William J. Ryan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Peoples
Heritage.   "One  only  has  to  watch  the  virtually  daily  announcements  of
consolidations  in  the  financial  sector  to  understand  that  customers  are
demanding and receiving 'one-stop' financial services.

"We think we are adding the additional  competitive  advantage of funds that are
managed and administered close to home."

Eighteen  Forum funds will be offered  including two Payson funds.  The tax-free
Maine and New Hampshire  state bond funds are the only two such funds  available
and usually  invest 80% of total  assets in  municipal  securities.  Other funds
being  provided by the alliance  include money  market,  fixed income and equity
funds.

Forum Financial, based in Portland, Maine since 1987, administers 146 funds with
more than $36 billion in assets.  Forum  manages  mutual  funds for  independent
investment advisors such as Payson and for banks. Forum Investment Advisors, LLC
an affiliate,  is the largest Maine-based  investment advisor with approximately
$1.7 billion in fund assets under management.

"We are providing a great product set to the customers served by Peoples' nearly
200 branches in northern New  England,"  said John Y.  Keffer,  Forum  Financial
president,  "The key today is to link a wide variety of investment  options with
convergent, easy access for customers. I believe this alliance does just that."

   
H.M.  Payson & Co.,  founded in 1854, is one of the nation's  oldest  investment
firms with  nearly $1 billion in assets  under  management  and $300  million in
non-managed  custodial accounts.  The Payson Value Fund and Payson Balanced Fund
are among the 18 offerings.
    

"I believe we have all the  ingredients  of a  tremendous  alliance,"  said John
Walker,  Payson president and managing  director.  "We have the region's premier
community banking company,  a community-based  investment  advisor,  and a local
mutual fund company that operates  nationally  and  specializes  in working with
banks. We are poised to provide solid investment performance and service."

Peoples Heritage Financial Group is a $10 billion multi-state bank and financial
services  holding company  headquartered  in Portland,  Maine. Its Maine banking
affiliate,  Peoples Heritage Bank, has the state's leading deposit market share.
Its New Hampshire  banking  affiliate,  Bank of New  Hampshire,  has the state's
leading deposit market share. Family Bank, the Company's  Massachusetts  banking
subsidiary,  has the state's tenth largest  deposit market share and the leading
market  share  in many of the  northern  Massachusetts  communities  it  serves.
Peoples  affiliate  banks  also  operate  subsidiaries  in  leasing,  trust  and
investment services and insurance.

                                      C-4
<PAGE>


FORUM FINANCIAL GROUP:
- ---------------------

Headquarters:  Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101
President:  John Y. Keffer
Offices:  Portland, Seattle, Warsaw, Bermuda
*Established  in 1986 to  administer  mutual  funds for  independent  investment
 advisors and banks
*Among the nation's largest  third-party fund  administrators
*Uses proprietary in-house systems and custom programming capabilities
         *ADMINISTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION SERVICES:  Regulatory, compliance,
          expense  accounting, budgeting for all funds
         *FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICES: Portfolio valuation, accounting, dividend
          declaration,  and tax advice
         *SHAREHOLDER SERVICES: Preparation of statements, distribution support,
          inquiries  and  processing of trades
*CLIENT ASSETS UNDER ADMINISTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION:  $36.9 billion
*CLIENT ASSETS PROCESSED BY FUND ACCOUNTING:  $47.6 billion
*CLIENT FUNDS UNDER ADMINISTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION:  146 mutual funds with 219
 share classes
*INTERNATIONAL VENTURES:
         Joint  venture  with Bank  Handlowy in Warsaw,  Poland,  using  Forum's
         proprietary   transfer  agency  and  distribution   systems   Off-shore
         investment  fund  administration,  using  Bermuda as Forum's  center of
         operations
*FORUM EMPLOYEES:  United States -198, Poland - 61, Bermuda - 3

FORUM CONTACTS:
Mark Kaplan, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, Forum Investment
Advisors, LLC,
(207) 879-1900 X 6123
Tony Santaniello, Director of Marketing, (207) 879-1900 X 6175

                                      C-5
<PAGE>


H.M. PAYSON & CO.:
- -----------------

Headquarters:  One Portland Square, Portland, Maine
President and Managing Director: John Walker
Quality investment services and conservative wealth management since 1854
   
*Assets under Management: $1.5 Billion
*Non-managed Custody Assets: $388 Million
*Client Base: 85% individuals; 15% institutional
*Owned by 12 shareholders; 12 managing directors
    
*Payson Balanced Fund and Payson Value Fund  (administrative  and shareholder 
 services  provided by Forum Financial Group)
*Employees: 45

H.M. PAYSON & CO. CONTACT:
Joel Harris, Marketing Coordinator, (207) 772-3761

                                      C-6
<PAGE>

THE QUADRA FUNDS

       QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND
       QUADRA GROWTH FUND

INVESTMENT ADVISER, ACCOUNT INFORMATION
AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

   
       Quadra Capital Partners, LLC
       270 Congress Street
       Boston, Massachusetts  02210
    
       800.595.9291
       617.426.0900

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   
                                 August 1, 1998

This  Statement of Additional  Information  ("SAI")  supplements  the Prospectus
dated  August 1, 1998,  offering  shares of Quadra  Value Equity Fund and Quadra
Growth Fund (each a "Fund" and  collectively  the  "Funds").  The Funds are each
diversified  portfolios  of Forum Funds (the  "Trust"),  a registered  open-end,
management  investment company. This SAI should be read only in conjunction with
the  Prospectus,  which you may obtain  without charge by contacting the Trust's
Distributor,  Forum Financial  Services,  Inc., Two Portland  Square,  Portland,
Maine 04101.
    

                                            TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                   PAGE

   
            1.     General..................................

            2.     Investment Policies.....................3
            3.     Additional Investment Policies.........15
            4.     Performance Data.......................17
            5.     Management.............................19
            6.     Determination of Net Asset Value.......24
            7.     Portfolio Transactions.................24
            8.     Additional Purchase and................25
                      Redemption Information..............26
            9.     Tax Matters............................26
           10.     Other Information......................28

                  Appendix A - Control Persons
                  Principal Holders of Securities........B-1

                   Appendix B - Description of
                       Securities Ratings................A-1
    

THIS  STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND IS AUTHORIZED
FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE  INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY AN
EFFECTIVE PROSPECTUS.

As used in this SAI, the following  terms shall have the meanings  listed:  (See
below)

   
       "Adviser" shall mean Quadra Capital Partners,  LLC. "Advisers" shall mean
       Quadra and each of the  investment  subadvisers  that provide  investment
       advice and portfolio  management for one or more of the Funds pursuant to
       an investment subadvisory agreement with Quadra Capital Partners, LLC.
    
<PAGE>

       "Board" shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

       "CFTC" shall mean the U.S. Commodities Futures Trading Commission.

       "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

       "Custodian"  shall mean First National Bank of Boston,  or its successor,
       acting in its capacity as custodian of a Fund.

   
        "FFC" shall mean Forum Financial Corp., the Trust's fund accountant.

       "Fitch" shall mean Fitch IBCA

        "FFSI" shall mean Forum Financial Services, Inc., the distributor of the
        Trust's shares.

       "FAdS" shall mean Forum Administrative Services, LLC, the Trust's
       administrator.
    

       "Fund" shall mean each of the separate  portfolios  of the Trust to which
       this  Statement of  Additional  Information  relates as identified on the
       cover page.

       "Moody's" shall mean Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

       "NRSRO" shall mean a nationally recognized statistical rating
       organization.

   
       "Quadra"  or  "Adviser"  shall mean Quadra  Capital  Partners,  LLC,  the
       investment adviser to the Funds.
    

       "SEC" shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

       "S&P" shall mean Standard & Poor's Rating Group.

       "Subadviser"  shall mean each of the  investment  advisers  that  provide
       investment  advice and portfolio  management for the Funds pursuant to an
       investment subadvisory agreements with Quadra.

   
       "FSS" shall mean Forum Shareholder  Services, LLC. acting in its capacity
       as transfer and dividend disbursing agent of the a Fund.
    

       "Trust" shall mean Forum Funds, an open-end management investment company
       registered under the 1940 Act.

       "U.S.  Government Securities" shall mean obligations issued or guaranteed
       by the U.S.  Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

       "1933 Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

       "1940 Act" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.


                                       2
<PAGE>

   
1.  GENERAL

The  Trust is  registered  with the SEC as an  open-end,  management  investment
company  and was  organized  as a business  trust under the laws of the State of
Delaware on August 29,  1995.  On January 5, 1996,  the Trust  succeeded  to the
assets and liabilities of Forum Funds,  Inc.. Forum Funds, Inc. was incorporated
on March 24, 1980 and assumed the name of Forum  Funds,  Inc. on March 16, 1987.
The Trust has an unlimited number of authorized  shares of beneficial  interest.
The  Board,  without  shareholder  approval,  has the  authority  to  issues  an
unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series with no par
value per share and to create  separate  classes of shares  within  each  series
(such as Investor and Institutional  Shares).  The Trust currently offers shares
of 23 separate series. The series of the Trust are as follows:

Investors Bond Fund                           Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund
TaxSaver Bond Fund                            Austin Global Equity Fund
High Grade Bond Fund                          Quadra Value Equity Fund
Maine Municipal Bond Fund                     Quadra Growth Fund
New Hampshire Bond Fund                       Polaris Global Value Fund
Daily Assets Government Fund                  Investors Equity Fund
Daily Assets Treasury Obligations Fund        Equity Index Fund
Daily Assets Cash Fund                        Small Company Opportunities Fund
Daily Assets Government Obligations Fund      International Equities Fund
Daily Assets Municipal Fund                   Emerging Markets Fund
Payson Value Fund                             Investors Growth Fund
Payson Balanced Fund

Each  share of each  fund of the  Trust  and  each  class of  shares  has  equal
dividend,  distribution,  liquidation and voting rights,  and fractional  shares
have  those  rights  proportionately,   except  that  expenses  related  to  the
distribution  of the shares of each class (and certain  other  expenses  such as
transfer  agency and  administration  expenses) are borne solely by those shares
and each class votes separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1
plan  which  pertain to the class and other  matters  for which  separate  class
voting is appropriate under applicable law.  Generally,  shares will be voted in
the aggregate  without reference to a particular  portfolio or class,  except if
the matter  affects only one  portfolio or class or voting by portfolio or class
is required by law, in which case shares will be voted  separately  by portfolio
or class, as appropriate. Delaware law does not require the Trust to hold annual
meetings of shareholders,  and it is anticipated that shareholder  meetings will
be held only when  specifically  required by Federal or state law.  Shareholders
have  available  certain  procedures  for the removal of Trustees.  There are no
conversion or  preemptive  rights in  connection  with shares of the Trust.  All
shares when issued in  accordance  with the terms of the offering  will be fully
paid and nonassessable.  Shares are redeemable at net asset value, at the option
of the  shareholders,  subject to any contingent  deferred sales charge that may
apply.  A shareholder in a portfolio is entitled to the  shareholder's  pro rata
share of all dividends and  distributions  arising from that portfolio's  assets
and, upon  redeeming  shares,  will receive the portion of the  portfolio's  net
assets represented by the redeemed shares.

From time to time, certain shareholders may own a large percentage of the shares
of a Fund. Accordingly, those shareholders may be able to greatly affect (if not
determine)  the  outcome  of a  shareholder  vote.  As noted,  certain  of these
shareholders are known to the Trust to hold their shares of record only and have
no beneficial interest, including the right to vote, in the shares.

As of July 1, 1998, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group owned less
than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Funds. Also as of that date, Appendix A
identifies  all  shareholders  who own of record  5% or more of the  outstanding
shares of any of the Registrant's series.
    


                                       3
<PAGE>

   
2.  INVESTMENT POLICIES
    

The  following  discussion  is  intended to  supplement  the  disclosure  in the
Prospectus  concerning  each  Fund's  investments,   investment  techniques  and
strategies and the risks associated  therewith.  No Fund may make any investment
or employ any investment  technique or strategy not referenced in the Prospectus
which  relates  to that  Fund.  For  example,  while  the SAI  describes  "swap"
transactions below, only those Funds whose investment policies,  as described in
the Prospectus, allow the Fund to invest in swap transactions may do so.

SECURITY RATINGS INFORMATION

   
Moody's,  S&P and other NRSROs are private  services that provide ratings of the
credit  quality  of debt  obligations.  A  description  of the range of  ratings
assigned to various  types of bonds and other  securities  by several  NRSROs is
included in Appendix B to this SAI. The Funds may use these ratings to determine
whether to purchase, sell or hold a security. It should be emphasized,  however,
that   ratings  are  general  and  are  not   absolute   standards  of  quality.
Consequently,  securities  with the same maturity,  interest rate and rating may
have different market prices. If an issue of securities ceases to be rated or if
its rating is reduced after it is purchased by a Fund (neither  event  requiring
sale of such  security by a Fund),  the  Subadviser  of the Fund will  determine
whether the Fund should continue to hold the obligation.  To the extent that the
ratings given by a NRSRO may change as a result of changes in such organizations
or their rating systems,  the Subadviser  will attempt to substitute  comparable
ratings. Credit ratings attempt to evaluate the safety of principal and interest
payments and do not evaluate the risks of  fluctuations  in market value.  Also,
rating agencies may fail to make timely changes in credit  ratings.  An issuer's
current financial condition may be better or worse than a rating indicates.
    

A Fund may purchase unrated securities if its Subadviser determines the security
to be of  comparable  quality to a rated  security  that the Fund may  purchase.
Unrated securities may not be as actively traded as rated securities. A Fund may
retain  securities  whose rating has been lowered  below the lowest  permissible
rating  category (or that are unrated and  determined by its Subadviser to be of
comparable  quality to securities whose rating has been lowered below the lowest
permissible  rating  category) if the Subadviser  determines that retaining such
security is in the best interests of the Fund.

   
To limit  credit  risks,  the  Funds  may only  invest  in  securities  that are
investment grade (rated in the top four long-term  investment grades by an NRSRO
or in the top two short-term  investment grades by an NRSRO.)  Accordingly,  the
lowest permissible  long-term  investment grades for corporate bonds,  including
convertible bonds, are Baa in the case of Moody's and BBB in the case of S&P and
Fitch IBCA ("Fitch") ; the lowest  permissible  long-term  investment grades for
preferred  stock are baa in the case of  Moody's  and BBB in the case of S&P and
Fitch; and the lowest  permissible  short-term  investment grades for short-term
debt,  including commercial paper, are Prime-2 (P-2) in the case of Moody's, A-2
in the case of S&P and F-2 in the case of Fitch. All these ratings are generally
considered to be investment  grade  ratings,  although  Moody's  indicates  that
securities with long-term ratings of Baa have speculative characteristics.
    

WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS

Each Fund may  purchase  securities  offered  on a  "when-issued"  basis and may
purchase  or  sell  securities  on  a  "forward  commitment"  basis.  When  such
transactions are negotiated,  the price,  which is generally  expressed in yield
terms, is fixed at the time the commitment is made, but delivery and payment for
the securities take place at a later date. Normally,  the settlement date occurs
within two months  after the  transaction,  but delayed  settlements  beyond two
months may be negotiated. During the period between a commitment and settlement,
no payment is made for the  securities  purchased by the purchaser and, thus, no
interest accrues to the purchaser from the transaction. At the time a Fund makes
the  commitment  to purchase  securities on a  when-issued  or delayed  delivery
basis, the Fund will record the transaction as a purchase and thereafter reflect
the value each day of such securities in determining its net asset value.


                                       4
<PAGE>


The use of when-issued transactions and forward commitments enables the Funds to
hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. For instance, in
periods of rising  interest  rates and falling  bond  prices,  a Fund might sell
securities which it owned on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to
falling prices.  In periods of falling  interest rates and rising bond prices, a
Fund might sell a security  and  purchase  the same or a similar  security  on a
when-issued  or forward  commitment  basis,  thereby  obtaining  the  benefit of
currently higher cash yields. However, if the Fund's Subadviser were to forecast
incorrectly the direction of interest rate movements, the Fund might be required
to  complete  such  when-issued  or forward  commitment  transactions  at prices
inferior to the current market values.

When-issued  securities  and  forward  commitments  may  be  sold  prior  to the
settlement  date, but the Funds enter into  when-issued  and forward  commitment
transactions  only with the intention of actually  receiving or  delivering  the
securities,  as the case may be. If a Fund,  however,  chooses to dispose of the
right to acquire a when-issued  security prior to its  acquisition or to dispose
of its right to deliver or receive against a forward commitment,  it can incur a
gain or loss.  When-issued securities may include bonds purchased on a "when, as
and if issued" basis under which the issuance of the securities depends upon the
occurrence of a subsequent event. Any significant  commitment of a Fund's assets
to the purchase of securities  on a "when,  as and if issued" basis may increase
the volatility of its net asset value.

Each Fund will establish and maintain with its custodian a separate account with
cash, U.S. Government Securities (as defined in the Prospectus) and other liquid
high-grade  debt  securities in an amount at least equal to its  commitments  to
purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

ILLIQUID SECURITIES

Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net  assets in  illiquid  securities.  The
term  "illiquid  securities"  for this purpose means  securities  that cannot be
disposed  of  within  seven  days  in  the   ordinary   course  of  business  at
approximately  the  amount  at which  the Fund has  valued  the  securities  and
includes,  among other  things,  purchased  over-the-counter  (OTC)  options and
repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.

The Board has the  ultimate  responsibility  for  determining  whether  specific
securities  are liquid or  illiquid.  The Board has  delegated  the  function of
making  day-to-day  determinations  of  liquidity to the  Advisers,  pursuant to
guidelines  approved by the Board.  The  Advisers  take into account a number of
factors in reaching liquidity  decisions,  including but not limited to: (1) the
frequency of trades and quotations  for the security;  (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.  A Fund's  Subadviser  monitors the liquidity of the
securities in the Fund's portfolio and reports periodically on such decisions to
the Board.

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

The Funds may invest in  convertible  securities.  A  convertible  security is a
bond,  debenture,  note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted
into or  exchanged  for a  prescribed  amount of  common  stock of the same or a
different  issuer  within a  particular  period of time at a specified  price or
formula. A convertible  security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or
accrued on debt or the dividend  paid on preferred  stock until the  convertible
security  matures or is redeemed,  converted or  exchanged.  Before  conversion,
convertible  securities  have  characteristics  similar to  nonconvertible  debt
securities  in that  they  ordinarily  provide a stable  stream  of income  with
generally  higher  yields  than  those of common  stocks of the same or  similar
issuers.  Convertible  securities rank senior to common stock in a corporation's
capital  structure but are usually  subordinated  to  comparable  nonconvertible
securities.  Although no securities  investment is without some risk, investment
in  convertible  securities  generally  entails  less risk than in the  issuer's
common stock. However, the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large
measure upon the degree to which the convertible  security sells above its value
as a fixed  income  security.  Convertible  securities  have  unique  investment
characteristics  in that they  generally  (1) have  higher  yields  than  common
stocks,  but lower yields than comparable  non-convertible  securities,  (2) are
less subject to 

                                       5
<PAGE>


fluctuation  in value than the  underlying  stocks  since they have fixed income
characteristics  and (3) provide the potential for capital  appreciation  if the
market price of the underlying common stock increases.

The value of a  convertible  security  is a function of its  "investment  value"
(determined  by its yield  comparison  with the  yields of other  securities  of
comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its
"conversion value" (the security's worth, at market value, if converted into the
underlying  common  stock).  The investment  value of a convertible  security is
influenced by changes in interest  rates,  with  investment  value  declining as
interest rates  increase and  increasing as interest  rates decline.  The credit
standing  of the  issuer  and  other  factors  also  may have an  effect  on the
convertible  security's  investment value. The conversion value of a convertible
security is determined by the market price of the  underlying  common stock.  If
the conversion  value is low relative to the investment  value, the price of the
convertible  security  is  governed  principally  by its  investment  value  and
generally the conversion value decreases as the convertible  security approaches
maturity.  To the  extent  the  market  price  of the  underlying  common  stock
approaches  or  exceeds  the  conversion  price,  the  price of the  convertible
security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. In addition, a
convertible  security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value
determined by the extent to which  investors place value on the right to acquire
the underlying common stock while holding a fixed income security.

A convertible  security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer
at a price established in the convertible security's governing instrument.  If a
convertible  security held by a Fund is called for redemption,  the Fund will be
required  to permit  the  issuer to redeem  the  security,  convert  it into the
underlying common stock or sell it to a third party.

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITION.

When a Fund assumes a temporary  defensive  position it may invest without limit
in (1) short-term  U.S.  Government  Securities,  (2)  certificates  of deposit,
bankers' acceptances and  interest-bearing  savings deposits of commercial banks
doing business in the United States that have, at the time of investment,  total
assets in excess of one  billion  dollars  and that are  insured by the  Federal
Deposit  Insurance  Corporation,  (3)  commercial  paper of prime  quality rated
Prime-2  or  higher  by  Moody's  or A-2 or  higher  by S&P  or,  if not  rated,
determined by the Fund's Subadviser to be of comparable quality,  (4) repurchase
agreements  covering any of the securities in which the Fund may invest directly
and (5) money market mutual funds.

The Funds may invest in the securities of other investment  companies within the
limits proscribed by the 1940 Act. In addition to the Fund's expenses (including
the various fees), as a shareholder in another investment  company, a Fund would
bear its pro rata portion of the other investment  company's expenses (including
fees).

FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS

   
Each Fund may in the  future  seek to hedge  against  a decline  in the value of
securities it owns or an increase in the price of  securities  which it plans to
purchase  through the writing and  purchase  of  exchange-traded  and  over-the-
counter  options and the purchase and sale of futures  contracts  and options on
those  futures  contracts.  Each  Fund  may  buy or  sell  stock  index  futures
contracts,  such as contracts on the S&P 500 stock index. In addition, each Fund
may buy or sell futures  contracts on Treasury  bills,  Treasury bonds and other
financial  instruments.  The Funds may write covered  options and buy options on
the futures contracts in which they may invest.
    

In addition, the Funds may write (sell) covered put and call options and may buy
put and call options on debt  securities and bond indices.  An option is covered
if, so long as the Fund is  obligated  under the option,  it owns an  offsetting
position in the underlying  security,  currency or futures contract or maintains
cash, U.S. Government Securities or other liquid, assets in a segregated account
with a value at all times  sufficient to cover the Fund's  obligation  under the
option.

The Funds' use of options  and  futures  contracts  would  subject  the Funds to
certain investment risks and transaction costs to which they might not otherwise
be subject.  These risks include:  (1) dependence on the Subadviser's ability to
predict movements in the prices of individual securities and fluctuations in the
general securities markets;  (2) 


                                       6
<PAGE>

imperfect  correlation  between  movements  in the  prices of  options,  futures
contracts or related options and movements in the price of the securities hedged
or used for cover; (3) the fact that skills and techniques needed to trade these
instruments  are different  from those needed to select the other  securities in
which the Funds invest;  (4) lack of assurance  that a liquid  secondary  market
will exist for any  particular  instrument at any  particular  time; and (5) the
possible need to defer  closing out of certain  options,  futures  contracts and
related  options to avoid  adverse tax  consequences.  Other  risks  include the
inability of the Fund,  as the writer of covered call  options,  to benefit from
the  appreciation of the underlying  securities above the exercise price and the
possible loss of the entire premium paid for options purchased by the Fund.

The Funds have no current  intention  of  investing  in  futures  contracts  and
options  thereon for purposes other than hedging.  No Fund may purchase any call
or put option on a futures  contract if the  premiums  associated  with all such
options held by the Fund would exceed 5 percent of the Fund's total assets as of
the date the option is purchased.  No Fund may sell a put option if the exercise
value of all put  options  written  by the Fund  would  exceed 50 percent of the
Fund's  total  assets or sell a call  option if the  exercise  value of all call
options  written by the Fund would  exceed  the value of the Fund's  assets.  In
addition,  the current market value of all open futures positions held by a Fund
will not exceed 50 percent of its total assets.

A Fund will only invest in futures  contracts and options after providing notice
to its  shareholders  and  filing a notice  of  eligibility  (if  required)  and
otherwise  complying  with the  requirements  of the Commodity  Futures  Trading
Commission  ("CFTC").  The CFTC's rules  provide that the Funds are permitted to
purchase  such  futures  or  options  contracts  only (1) for bona fide  hedging
purposes within the meaning of the rules of the CFTC; provided, however, that in
the  alternative  with  respect  to each long  position  in a futures or options
contract entered into by a Fund, the underlying commodity value of such contract
at all times does not  exceed the sum of cash,  short-term  United  States  debt
obligations or other United States dollar  denominated  short-term  money market
instruments  set  aside for this  purpose  by the  Fund,  accrued  profit on the
contract held with a futures commission merchant and cash proceeds from existing
Fund investments due in 30 days; and (2) subject to certain limitations.

HEDGING AND OPTION INCOME STRATEGIES

   
Each Fund may (1) purchase or sell (write) put and call options on securities to
enhance the Fund's  performance  and (2) seek to hedge  against a decline in the
value of securities  owned by it or an increase in the price of securities which
it plans to purchase  through the writing and  purchase of  exchange-traded  and
over-the-counter  options on  individual  securities  or securities or financial
indices and through the  purchase and sale of financial  futures  contracts  and
related  options.  The Funds  currently  do no not intend to enter into any such
transactions  Whether  or not  used  for  hedging  purposes,  these  investments
techniques  involve  risks  that are  different  in  certain  respects  from the
investment risks  associated with the other  investments of a Fund. Use of these
instruments is subject to regulation by the SEC, the several options and futures
exchanges upon which options and futures are traded or the CFTC.
    

No assurance can be given,  however,  that any hedging or option income strategy
will succeed in achieving its intended result.

Except as otherwise  noted in the  Prospectus or herein,  the Funds will not use
leverage  in  their  option  income  and  hedging  strategies.  In the  case  of
transactions entered into as a hedge, a Fund will hold securities, currencies or
other options or futures positions whose values are expected to offset ("cover")
its obligations  thereunder.  A Fund will not enter into a hedging strategy that
exposes  it to an  obligation  to  another  party  unless it owns  either (1) an
offsetting ("covered") position or (2) cash, U.S. Government Securities or other
liquid  securities (or other assets as may be permitted by the SEC) with a value
sufficient  at all times to cover its  potential  obligations.  When required by
applicable regulatory guidelines, the Funds will set aside cash, U.S. Government
Securities  or other liquid  securities  (or other assets as may be permitted by
the SEC) in a segregated  account with its custodian in the  prescribed  amount.
Any  assets  used for cover or held in a  segregated  account  cannot be sold or
closed out while the hedging or option income  strategy is  outstanding,  unless
they are replaced with similar assets. As a result,  there is a possibility that
the use of cover or segregation  involving a large percentage of a Fund's assets
could  impede  portfolio  management  or the Fund's  ability to meet  redemption
requests or other current obligations.



                                       7
<PAGE>


OPTIONS STRATEGIES

A Fund may purchase put and call options written by others and sell put and call
options  covering  specified  individual  securities,  securities  or  financial
indices or currencies.  A put option (sometimes  called a "standby  commitment")
gives the buyer of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to deliver a
specified  amount of  currency  to the writer of the option on or before a fixed
date at a  predetermined  price.  A call  option  (sometimes  called a  "reverse
standby  commitment")  gives the  purchaser  of the  option,  upon  payment of a
premium,  the right to call upon the  writer to  deliver a  specified  amount of
currency on or before a fixed date, at a predetermined  price. The predetermined
prices may be higher or lower than the market value of the underlying  currency.
A Fund  may  buy or  sell  both  exchange-traded  and  over-the-counter  ("OTC")
options.  A Fund will  purchase or write an option only if that option is traded
on a recognized  U.S.  options  exchange or if the  Subadviser  believes  that a
liquid  secondary  market for the option  exists.  When a Fund  purchases an OTC
option,  it relies on the dealer from which it has  purchased  the OTC option to
make or take  delivery of the  currency  underlying  the option.  Failure by the
dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by the Fund as well
as the loss of the  expected  benefit of the  transaction.  OTC  options and the
securities underlying these options currently are treated as illiquid securities
by the Funds.

Upon  selling an option,  a Fund  receives a premium  from the  purchaser of the
option.  Upon  purchasing an option the Fund pays a premium to the seller of the
option. The amount of premium received or paid by the Fund is based upon certain
factors,  including  the market  price of the  underlying  securities,  index or
currency,  the  relationship  of the  exercise  price to the market  price,  the
historical price volatility of the underlying assets, the option period,  supply
and demand and interest rates.

   Call  options  may  also  be  purchased  as a means  of  participating  in an
anticipated price increase of a security on a more limited risk basis than would
be possible if the security itself were purchased.  In the event of a decline in
the price of the underlying security,  use of this strategy would serve to limit
the potential  loss to the Fund to the option premium paid;  conversely,  if the
market price of the underlying  security  increases above the exercise price and
the Fund either sells or exercises the option,  any profit  eventually  realized
will be reduced by the premium paid. A Fund may  similarly  purchase put options
in order to hedge  against a decline in market value of  securities  held in its
portfolio.  The put  enables  the Fund to sell the  underlying  security  at the
predetermined exercise price; thus the potential for loss to the Fund is limited
to the option  premium paid. If the market price of the  underlying  security is
lower than the exercise  price of the put,  any profit the Fund  realizes on the
sale of the  security  would be reduced by the  premium  paid for the put option
less any amount for which the put may be sold.

A Subadviser  may write call  options when it believes  that the market value of
the underlying security will not rise to a value greater than the exercise price
plus the premium  received.  Call options may also be written to provide limited
protection  against a decrease in the market  price of a security,  in an amount
equal to the call premium received less any transaction costs.

   
Each Fund may purchase and write put and call options on equity security indexes
in much the same  manner as the  options  discussed  above,  except  that  index
options  may  serve  as a  hedge  against  overall  fluctuations  in the  equity
securities  markets  (or market  sectors) or as a means of  participating  in an
anticipated  price  increase  in those  markets.  The  effectiveness  of hedging
techniques  using  index  options  will  depend  on the  extent  to which  price
movements in the index selected correlate with price movements of the securities
which are being hedged. Index options are settled exclusively in cash.
    

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF OPTIONS TRADING

A Fund may  effectively  terminate  its  right  or  obligation  under an  option
contract by  entering  into a closing  transaction.  For  instance,  if the Fund
wished to terminate  its potential  obligation to sell  securities or currencies
under a call  option it had  written,  a call  option of the same type  would be
purchased  by the Fund.  Closing  

                                       8
<PAGE>


transactions  essentially  permit the Fund to realize profits or limit losses on
its options  positions  prior to the exercise or  expiration  of the option.  In
addition:

       (1) The successful use of options depends upon the  Subadviser's  ability
       to  forecast  the  direction  of  price  fluctuations  in the  underlying
       securities  or  currency  markets,  or in the  case of an  index  option,
       fluctuations in the market sector represented by the index.

       (2) Options normally have expiration dates of up to nine months.  Options
       that expire  unexercised  have no value.  Unless an option purchased by a
       Fund is  exercised  or  unless a closing  transaction  is  effected  with
       respect to that  position,  a loss will be  realized in the amount of the
       premium paid.

       (3) A position in an exchange-listed  option may be closed out only on an
       exchange   which   provides  a  market  for   identical   options.   Most
       exchange-listed options relate to equity securities. Exchange markets for
       options on foreign  currencies  are  relatively  new,  and the ability to
       establish  and close out  positions  on the  exchanges  is subject to the
       maintenance of a liquid  secondary  market.  Closing  transactions may be
       effected with respect to options traded in the  over-the-counter  markets
       (currently the primary markets for options on foreign currencies) only by
       negotiating  directly with the other party to the option contract or in a
       secondary  market  for the  option  if such  market  exists.  There is no
       assurance  that a liquid  secondary  market will exist for any particular
       option at any  specific  time.  If it is not possible to effect a closing
       transaction,  a Fund would have to exercise the option which it purchased
       in order to  realize  any  profit.  The  inability  to  effect a  closing
       transaction on an option written by a Fund may result in material  losses
       to the Fund.

       (4) A Fund's  activities  in the  options  markets may result in a higher
       portfolio turnover rate and additional brokerage costs.

       (5)  When  a  Fund  enters  into  an  over-the-counter  contract  with  a
       counterparty,  the Fund will assume the risk that the  counterparty  will
       fail to perform its obligations in which case the Fund could be worse off
       than if the contract had not been entered into.

FUTURES STRATEGIES

A futures contract is a bilateral  agreement wherein one party agrees to accept,
and the other  party  agrees  to make,  delivery  of cash,  an  underlying  debt
security  or the  currency as called for in the  contract at a specified  future
date and at a specified price.  For futures  contracts with respect to an index,
delivery is of an amount of cash equal to a specified  dollar  amount  times the
difference  between the index value at the time of the contract and the close of
trading of the contract.

A Fund may sell interest rate futures  contracts in order to continue to receive
the income from a fixed income security,  while  endeavoring to avoid part of or
all of a decline in the market value of that security  which would  accompany an
increase in interest rates.

A Fund may purchase  index futures  contracts for several  reasons:  to simulate
full investment in the underlying  index while retaining a cash balance for fund
management purposes,  to facilitate trading, to reduce transactions costs, or to
seek  higher  investment   returns  when  a  futures  contract  is  priced  more
attractively than securities in the index.

A Fund may purchase  call options on a futures  contract as a means of obtaining
temporary  exposure to market  appreciation  at limited  risk.  This strategy is
analogous to the purchase of a call option on an individual security, in that it
can be used as a temporary substitute for a position in the security itself.

                                       9
<PAGE>


SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF FUTURES AND RELATED OPTIONS TRADING

No price  is paid  upon  entering  into  futures  contracts;  rather,  a Fund is
required to deposit (typically with its custodian in a segregated account in the
name of the  futures  broker)  an amount of cash or U.S.  Government  Securities
generally  equal to 5% or less of the  contract  value.  This amount is known as
initial margin.  Subsequent  payments,  called variation margin, to and from the
broker,  would be made on a daily  basis as the  value of the  futures  position
varies.  When  writing a call on a futures  contract,  variation  margin must be
deposited in accordance  with applicable  exchange rules.  The initial margin in
futures  transactions  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
contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied.

Holders and writers of futures and options on futures  contracts  can enter into
offsetting closing transactions,  similar to closing transactions on options, by
selling or purchasing,  respectively,  a futures contract or related option with
the same terms as the position held or written.  Positions in futures  contracts
may be closed only on an exchange or board of trade providing a secondary market
for such futures contracts.

Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits in the
amount that the price of a futures contract or related option may vary either up
or down from the previous day's settlement  price. Once the daily limit has been
reached  in a  particular  contract,  no trades  may be made that day at a price
beyond that limit.  Prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive
trading days with little or no trading and thereby prevent prompt liquidation of
positions. In such event, it may not be possible for a Fund to close a position,
and in the event of adverse  price  movements,  it would have to make daily cash
payments of variation margin. In addition:

       (1)  Successful  use by a Fund of futures  contracts and related  options
       will depend upon the  Subadviser's  ability to predict  movements  in the
       direction of the overall securities and currency markets,  which requires
       different skills and techniques than predicting  changes in the prices of
       individual  securities.  Moreover,  futures  contracts  relate not to the
       current level of the underlying  instrument but to the anticipated levels
       at some point in the future;  thus,  for example,  trading of stock index
       futures may not reflect the trading of the  securities  which are used to
       formulate  an index or even actual  fluctuations  in the  relevant  index
       itself.

       (2) The price of  futures  contracts  may not  correlate  perfectly  with
       movement in the price of the hedged  currencies due to price  distortions
       in  the  futures  market  or  otherwise.  There  may be  several  reasons
       unrelated  to the value of the  underlying  currencies  which causes this
       situation to occur.  As a result,  a correct  forecast of general  market
       trends  may still not result in  successful  hedging  through  the use of
       futures contracts over the short term.

       (3) There is no assurance that a liquid  secondary  market will exist for
       any particular contract at any particular time. In such event, it may not
       be  possible  to close a  position,  and in the  event of  adverse  price
       movements,  the Fund would  continue  to be  required  to make daily cash
       payments of variation margin.

       (4) Like other options, options on futures contracts have a limited life.
       A Fund will not trade  options on futures  contracts  on any  exchange or
       board of trade unless and until, in the Subadviser's  opinion, the market
       for such options has developed  sufficiently that the risks in connection
       with  options on futures  transactions  are not greater than the risks in
       connection with futures transactions.

       (5)  Purchasers of options on futures  contracts pay a premium in cash at
       the time of purchase.  This amount and the transaction  costs is all that
       is at risk. Sellers of options on futures contracts,  however,  must post
       an initial margin and are subject to additional  margin calls which could
       be substantial in the event of adverse price movements.

       (6) A Fund's  activities  in the  futures  markets may result in a higher
       portfolio  turnover rate and additional  transaction costs in the form of
       added brokerage commissions.

                                       10
<PAGE>


   
FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS
    

A Fund may invest in certain  financial  futures contracts and options contracts
in accordance  with the policies  described in the  Prospectus and above. A Fund
will only invest in futures  contracts,  options on futures  contracts and other
options  contracts that are subject to the jurisdiction of the CFTC after filing
a notice of eligibility and otherwise complying with the requirements of Section
4.5 of the rules of the CFTC.  Under that section a Fund will not enter into any
futures contract or option on a futures contract if, as a result,  the aggregate
initial  margins and premiums  required to establish such positions would exceed
5% of the Fund's net assets.

   
3.  ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The  investment  objective  and all  investment  policies  of each Fund that are
designated as  fundamental  may be changed only with the approval of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding  voting  securities of each Fund. A majority of
outstanding  voting securities means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares present
or represented at a shareholder meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of
the  outstanding  shares are  present or  represented,  or (ii) more than 50% of
outstanding shares. Unless otherwise indicated,  all investment policies are not
fundamental and may be changed by the Board without  approval by shareholders of
the Fund.

The Funds have adopted the following  fundamental  investment policies which are
in addition to those  contained  in the Funds'  Prospectus  and which may not be
changed without shareholder approval. No Fund may:
    


             (1) Borrow money from banks or by entering into reverse  repurchase
             agreements  in excess of 33 1/3% of the value of the  Fund's  total
             assets (computed immediately after the borrowing).

             (2) Purchase securities, other than U.S. Government Securities, if,
             immediately after each purchase,  more than 25% of the Fund's total
             assets  taken at market  value would be invested in  securities  of
             issuers  conducting their principal  business  activity in the same
             industry,  provided  that  the  Funds  may  invest,  to the  extent
             permitted  by the 1940  Act,  all or a  portion  of its  assets  in
             another  diversified,  open-end management  investment company with
             substantially   the  same   investment   objective,   policies  and
             restrictions as the Fund.

             (3) With respect to 75% of its assets,  purchase securities,  other
             than U.S.  Government  Securities,  of any one issuer,  if (a) more
             than 5% of the Fund's  total  assets taken at market value would at
             the time of purchase be invested in the  securities of that issuer,
             or (b) such purchase  would at the time of purchase  cause the Fund
             to hold more than 10% of the outstanding  voting securities of that
             issuer;  however,  each Fund may  invest  all or a  portion  of its
             assets  in  another  diversified,  open-end  management  investment
             company with substantially the same investment objective,  policies
             and restrictions as the Fund.

             (4) Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to
             the extent that, in connection  with the  disposition  of portfolio
             securities,  the  Fund  may  be  deemed  to be an  underwriter  for
             purposes of the Securities Act of 1933.

             (5) Make  loans to other  persons  except  for  loans of  portfolio
             securities and except through the use of repurchase  agreements and
             through the purchase of commercial  paper or debt securities  which
             are otherwise permissible investments.

             (6)  Purchase or sell real estate or any interest  therein,  except
             that the Fund may  invest in  securities  issued or  guaranteed  by
             corporate  or  governmental  entities  secured  by real  estate  or
             interests   therein,    such   as   mortgage    pass-throughs   and
             collateralized  mortgage  obligations,  or issued by companies that
             invest in real estate or interests therein.

             (7) Purchase or sell physical  commodities or contracts relating to
             physical  commodities,  provided that currencies,  currency-related
             contracts  and  contracts  on  indices  will  not be  deemed  to be
             physical commodities.

                                       11
<PAGE>


             (8) Issue senior  securities  except  pursuant to Section 18 of the
             Investment  Company  Act of 1940  ("1940 Act ) and except  that the
             Fund may borrow money subject to investment  limitations  specified
             in the Fund's Prospectus.

             (9) Invest in interests in oil or gas or interests in other mineral
             exploration or development programs.

   
Each Fund has adopted the following nonfundamental  investment policies that may
be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. No Fund may:
    

             (a) Borrow for purposes other than meeting redemptions in an amount
             exceeding  5% of the value of the Fund's  total  assets or purchase
             securities for investment  while any borrowing  equaling 5% or more
             of the Fund's total assets is outstanding.

             (b) Pledge,  mortgage or hypothecate  its assets,  except to secure
             permitted  indebtedness.  The  deposit in escrow of  securities  in
             connection with the writing of put and call options, collateralized
             loans of securities  and  collateral  arrangements  with respect to
             margin  for  futures  contracts  are not  deemed to be  pledges  or
             hypothecations for this purpose.

             (c) Invest in securities of another registered  investment company,
             except in connection with a merger,  consolidation,  acquisition or
             reorganization; and except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

             (d)  Purchase   securities  on  margin,  or  make  short  sales  of
             securities (except for short sales against the box), except for the
             use of short-term  credit  necessary for the clearance of purchases
             and sales of  portfolio  securities,  but the Fund may make  margin
             deposits in  connection  with  permitted  transactions  in options,
             futures contracts and options on futures contracts.
   
             (e) Acquire  securities  or invest in  repurchase  agreements  with
             respect to any securities if, as a result, more than (1) 15% of the
             Fund's net assets  (taken at current  value)  would be  invested in
             repurchase  agreements  not  entitling  the  holder to  payment  of
             principal within seven days and in securities which are not readily
             marketable,  including  securities  that are  illiquid by virtue of
             restrictions  on the sale of such  securities to the public without
             registration   under  the  Securities  Act  of  1933   ("Restricted
             Securities")  or (2)  10% of  the  Fund's  total  assets  would  be
             invested in Restricted Securities.


             (f)  Invest  in  warrants  if (1) more  than 5% of the value of the
             Fund's net assets will be invested in warrants (valued at the lower
             of cost or  market)  or (2) more than 2% of the value of the Fund's
             net assets  would be invested  in warrants  which are not listed on
             the New York Stock  Exchange or the American  Stock  Exchange.  For
             purpose of this limitation,  warrants acquired by the Fund in units
             or attached to securities are deemed to have no value.
    

Except as required by the 1940 Act, if any percentage  restriction on investment
or  utilization  of assets is adhered to at the time an  investment  is made,  a
later change in percentage  resulting  from a change in the market values of the
Fund's  assets or purchases and  redemptions  of shares will not be considered a
violation of the limitation.

   
5.  PERFORMANCE DATA
    

The Funds may quote  performance  in various ways. All  performance  information
supplied  by the Funds in  advertising  is  historical  and is not  intended  to
indicate  future  returns.  A Fund's  net asset  value,  yield and total  return
fluctuate in response to market  conditions and other factors,  and the value of
Fund shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.

                                       12
<PAGE>


In  performance  advertising  the Funds  may  compare  any of their  performance
information  with data published by independent  evaluators such as Morningstar,
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., IBC/Donoghue,  Inc., CDC/Wiesenberger or other
companies which track the investment  performance of investment companies ("Fund
Tracking  Companies").  In addition,  a Fund may compare any of its  performance
information  with the performance of recognized  stock,  bond and other indexes,
including  but not limited to the Salomon  Brothers  Bond  Index,  the  Shearson
Lehman Bond Index,  the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite  Stock Price Index,  the
Dow Jones  Industrial  Average,  and  changes  in the  Consumer  Price  Index as
published by the U.S. Department of Commerce. A Fund may refer in such materials
to mutual fund  performance  rankings and other data  published by Fund Tracking
Companies.  Performance  advertising may also refer to discussions of a Fund and
comparative  mutual fund data and ratings  reported in independent  periodicals,
such as newspapers and financial magazines.

   
For the fiscal year ended March 31,  1998,  the one year total return for Quadra
Value Equity Fund was 37.47% while total return since  inception  (unannualized)
for the Quadra  Growth  Fund was 14.23%.  Quadra  Value  Equity  Fund  commenced
operations  on April 21, 1997 and Quadra  Growth Fund  commenced  operations  on
November 4, 1997.

YIELD CALCULATIONS
    

Yields  for a Fund used in  advertising  are  computed  by  dividing  the Fund's
interest income for a given 30-day or one-month period, net of expenses,  by the
average number of shares  entitled to receive  distributions  during the period,
dividing  this  figure by the Fund's net asset value per share at the end of the
period and annualizing the result  (assuming  compounding of income) in order to
arrive at an annual percentage rate. In general, interest income is reduced with
respect to bonds  purchased at a premium over their par value by  subtracting  a
portion of the  premium  from income on a daily  basis,  and is  increased  with
respect to bonds  purchased at a discount by adding a portion of the discount to
daily  income.   Capital  gain  and  loss  generally  are  excluded  from  these
calculations.

Income  calculated  for the purpose of  determining  a Fund's yield differs from
income as determined  for other  accounting  purposes.  Because of the different
accounting  methods  used,  and  because  of the  compounding  assumed  in yield
calculations,  the  yield  quoted  for a  Fund  may  differ  from  the  rate  of
distribution  the Fund paid over the same period or the rate of income  reported
in the Fund's financial statements.

Although  published  yield  information  is useful to  investors  in reviewing a
Fund's performance,  investors should be aware that a Fund's yield for any given
period is not an  indication or  representation  by the Fund of future yields or
rates of return on the Fund's shares. Also, Processing  Organizations may charge
their customers  direct fees in connection  with an investment in a Fund,  which
will have the effect of reducing the Fund's net yield to those shareholders. The
yields of each Fund are not fixed or guaranteed,  and an investment in a Fund is
not insured or guaranteed. Accordingly, yield information may not necessarily be
used to compare shares of a Fund with investment  alternatives which, like money
market instruments or bank accounts, may provide a fixed rate of interest. Also,
it may not be  appropriate  to compare a Fund's  yield  information  directly to
similar  information  regarding  investment  alternatives  which are  insured or
guaranteed.

TOTAL RETURN CALCULATIONS

Each  of  the  Funds  may  advertise  total  return.  Total  returns  quoted  in
advertising  reflect all  aspects of a Fund's  return,  including  the effect of
reinvesting  dividends  and capital  gain  distributions,  and any change in the
Fund's net asset value per share over the  period.  Average  annual  returns are
calculated  by  determining  the growth or  decline  in value of a  hypothetical
historical  investment in a Fund over a stated period,  and then calculating the
annually compounded  percentage rate that would have produced the same result if
the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period.  While
average  annual  returns  are  a  convenient   means  of  comparing   investment
alternatives, investors should realize that the performance is not constant over
time but changes from year to year, and that average  annual  returns  represent
averaged figures as opposed to the actual year-to-year performance of the Funds.

Average  annual  total  return is  calculated  by  finding  the  average  annual
compounded  rates of return of a  hypothetical  investment  over a given  period
according to the following formula:

                                       13
<PAGE>


                                                    n
                                               P(1+T) = ERV

Where:

                         P = a  hypothetical  initial  payment  of  $1,000; 
                         T = average annual total return;  
                         n = number of years;  and
                         ERV = ending redeemable value.

ERV is the value, at the end of the applicable period, of a hypothetical  $1,000
payment made at the beginning of the applicable period.

   
In  addition  to  average  annual  returns,  each Fund may quote  unaveraged  or
cumulative total returns  reflecting the simple change in value of an investment
over a stated period.  Average annual and cumulative total returns may be quoted
as a  percentage  or as a  dollar  amount,  and may be  calculated  for a single
investment,  a series of  investments  and/or a series of  redemptions  over any
period of time. Total returns may be broken down into their components of income
and capital  (including  capital  gain and  changes in share  price) in order to
illustrate the  relationship of these factors and their  contributions  to total
return.  Total returns,  yields and other performance  information may be quoted
numerically or in a table, graph or similar illustration.
    

Period total return is calculated according to the following formula:

                                              PT = (ERV/P-1)

Where:

                                PT = period total return.  The other definitions
                                are the same as in average  annual  total return
                                above.

   
Investors  who purchase and redeem  shares of a Fund through a customer  account
maintained  at a  Processing  Organization  may be  charged  one or  more of the
following  types of fees as agreed upon by the Processing  Organization  and the
investor,  with  respect to the  customer  services  provided by the  Processing
Organization:  account fees (a fixed amount per month or per year);  transaction
fees  (a  fixed  amount  per  transaction   processed);   compensating   balance
requirements  (a minimum  dollar  amount a customer  must  maintain  in order to
obtain the services  offered);  or account  maintenance  fees (a periodic charge
based upon a percentage of the assets in the account or of the dividends paid on
these  assets).  Such fees will have the effect of reducing  the average  annual
total return of the Fund for those investors.

OTHER ADVERTISING MATTERS

The  Funds  may  also  include  various  information  in  their   advertisements
including,  but not limited to: (1) portfolio holdings and portfolio  allocation
as of certain dates,  such as portfolio  diversification  by instrument type, by
instrument,   by  location  of  issuer  or  by  maturity;   (2)   statements  or
illustrations  relating to the  appropriateness  of types of  securities  and/or
mutual  funds that may be employed by an  investor  to meet  specific  financial
goals,  such  as  funding  retirement,   paying  for  children's  education  and
financially  supporting  aging parents;  (3) information  (including  charts and
illustrations)  showing the effects of compounding interest  (compounding is the
process of earning  interest on principal plus interest that was earned earlier;
interest can be compounded at different intervals,  such as annually,  quarterly
or daily); (4) information  relating to inflation and its effects on the dollar;
for example,  after ten years the  purchasing  power of $25,000  would shrink to
$16,621,  $14,968,  $13,465 and  $12,100,  respectively,  if the annual rates of
inflation were 4%, 5%, 6% and 7%,  respectively;  (5) information  regarding the
effects of automatic investment and systematic  withdrawal plans,  including the
principal of dollar cost  averaging;  (6) background  information  regarding the
Funds' Adviser and  biographical  descriptions  of the  management  staff of the
Adviser; (7) summaries of the views of the Adviser with respect to the financial
markets;  (8) background  information  regarding the Trust; (9) the results of a
hypothetical  investment  in a fund over a given number of years, 


                                       14
<PAGE>


including the amount that the investment would be at the end of the period; (10)
the  effects of  investing  in a  tax-deferred  account,  such as an  individual
retirement account or Section 401(k) pension plan; and (11) the net asset value,
net assets or number of shareholders of the Funds as of one or more dates.

5.  MANAGEMENT

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

THE TRUST
    

The trustees and officers of the Trust and their  principal  occupations  during
the past five years are set forth  below.  Each  Trustee  who is an  "interested
person" (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Trust is indicated by an asterisk.

   
John Y. Keffer,* Trustee, Chairman and President (age 56)

          President,  Forum Financial Group,  LLC, (mutual fund services company
          holding  company).  Mr. Keffer is a director and/or officer of various
          registered  investment companies for which the various Forum Financial
          Group of  Companies  provides  services.  His address is Two  Portland
          Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Costas Azariadis, Trustee (age 55)
    

          Professor of Economics,  University of California,  Los Angeles, since
          July 1992. Prior thereto,  Dr. Azariadis was Professor of Economics at
          the  University  of   Pennsylvania.   His  address  is  Department  of
          Economics,  University of California, Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Avenue,
          Los Angeles, California 90024.

   
James C. Cheng, Trustee (age 56)
    

          President of Technology  Marketing  Associates (a marketing consulting
          company) since September 1991. Prior thereto,  Mr. Cheng was President
          and Chief  Executive  Officer of  Network  Dynamics,  Incorporated  (a
          software  development  company).  His  address  is 27  Temple  Street,
          Belmont, Massachusetts 02178.

   
J. Michael Parish, Trustee (age 54)

          Partner at the law firm of Reid & Priest L.L.P.  since 1995. From 1989
          to 1995, he was a partner at the law firm of Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam
          & Roberts.  Prior thereto, he was a partner at LeBoeuf,  Lamb, Leiby &
          MacRae,  a law firm of which he was a member  from  1974 to 1989.  His
          address is 40 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.

Mark D. Kaplan, Vice President (age 42)

          Director,  Investments,  Forum Financial Group, LLC, with which he has
          been associated  since September 1995.  Prior thereto,  Mr. Kaplan was
          Managing  Director and  Director of Research at H.M.  Payson & Co. His
          address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Stacey Hong, Treasurer (age 32)

          Director,  Fund Accounting,  Forum Financial Group, LLC, with which he
          has been associated  since April 1992.  Prior thereto,  Mr. Hong was a
          Senior Accountant with Ernst & Young, LLP. His address is Two Portland
          Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
    


                                       15
<PAGE>



   
Max Berueffy, Secretary (age 46)

          Senior  Counsel,  Forum Financial  Group,  LLC, with which he has been
          associated since 1994. Prior thereto, Mr. Berueffy was on the staff of
          the U.S.  Securities and Exchange Commission for seven years, first in
          the appellate branch of the Office of the General  Counsel,  then as a
          counsel to  Commissioner  Grundfest  and  finally as a senior  special
          counsel in the Division of Investment  Management.  Mr.  Berueffy also
          serves as an  officer of other  registered  investment  companies  for
          which  the  various  Forum  Financial  Group  of  Companies   provided
          services. His address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.


Leslie K. Klenk, Assistant Secretary (age 33)

          Assistant Counsel, Forum Financial Group, LLC, with which she has been
          associated  since  April  1998.  Prior  thereto,  Ms.  Klenk  was Vice
          President and Associate General Counsel of Smith Barney Inc. Ms. Klenk
          also serves as an officer of other registered investment companies for
          which  the  various  Forum  Financial  Group  of  Companies   provided
          services. Her address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.

Pamela Stutch, Assistant Secretary (age 31)

          Fund  Administrator,  Forum Financial  Group,  LLC, with which she has
          been  associated  since May 1998.  Prior thereto,  Ms. Stutch attended
          Temple University School of Law and graduated in 1997. Ms. Stutch also
          was a legal intern for the Maine  Department of the Attorney  General.
          Ms.  Stutch also serves as an officer of other  registered  investment
          companies  for which the various  Forum  Financial  Group of Companies
          provided services. Her address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine
          04101.
    
John Y. Keffer is an  interested  person of the Trust as that term is defined in
the 1940 Act.

TRUSTEE COMPENSATION

Each  Trustee of the Trust  (other  than John Y.  Keffer,  who is an  interested
person of the Trust) is paid $1,000 for each Board meeting attended  (whether in
person or by  electronic  communication)  and is paid $1,000 for each  committee
meeting  attended  on a date when a Board  meeting is not held.  As of March 31,
1997,  in  addition  to $1,000 for each Board  meeting  attended,  each  Trustee
receives $100 per active  portfolio of a Trust.  To the extent a meeting relates
to only  certain  portfolios  of the Trust,  Trustees are paid the $100 fee only
with respect to those  portfolios.  Trustees are also  reimbursed for travel and
related expenses  incurred in attending  meeting of the Board. No officer of the
Trust is compensated by the Trust.

   
The following  table provides the aggregate  compensation  paid to each Trustee.
The Trust has not  adopted  any form of  retirement  plan  covering  Trustees or
officers. Information is presented for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.
    
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                   <C>               <C>              <C>
                                                       ACCRUED           ANNUAL
                                   AGGREGATE           PENSION        BENEFITS UPON         TOTAL
TRUSTEE                          COMPENSATION          BENEFITS        RETIREMENT         COMPENSATION
- -------                          ------------          --------        ----------         ------------
Mr. Keffer                            None               None               None               None
Mr. Azariadis                    $9,718.64               None               None          $9,718.64
Mr. Cheng                        $9,718.64               None               None          $9,718.64
Mr. Parish                       $9,718.64               None               None          $9,718.64
</TABLE>

TRUSTEE COMPENSATION FOR CORE TRUST (DELAWARE)

Each of the Trustees of the Trust is also a Trustee of Core Trust (Delaware),  a
registered,  open-end management investment company ("Core Trust"). Each Trustee
of Core Trust (other than John Y. Keffer,  who is an  interested  person of Core
Trust) is paid $1,000 for each Core Trust  Board  meeting  attended  (whether in
person or by electronic  communication)  plus $100 per active  portfolio of Core
Trust and is paid $1,000 for each  committee  meeting  attended on a date when a
Core Trust Board  meeting is not held.  To the extent a meeting  relates to only

                                       16
<PAGE>


certain  portfolios  of Core  Trust,  trustees  are paid the $100 fee only  with
respect to those portfolios.  Core Trust trustees are also reimbursed for travel
and related expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Core Trust Board.

THE ADVISERS

Quadra  Capital  Partners,   LLC  ("Quadra"),   270  Congress  Street,   Boston,
Massachusetts  02210,  serves as investment  adviser to the Funds pursuant to an
investment  advisory  agreement with the Trust (the "Advisory  Agreement").  The
business address of Quadra is 270 Congress Street, Boston,  Massachusetts 02210.
As a new  entity,  Quadra has no  previous  experience  managing  an  investment
company.  The officers of Quadra have significant  experience,  however,  in the
formation and management of trust and investment  management  entities including
registered   investment  companies,   registered  investment  advisers,   and  a
commingled fund of funds.

Ms. Eileen Delasandro is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quadra.  She has
over twenty  years of  experience  in the  institutional  investment  management
industry.  Prior to founding Quadra, she was Partner and Chief Operating Officer
at  Nicholas-Applegate  Capital Management,  L.P. Mr. Donald Levi is founder and
Chief Operating Officer of Quadra. He has over thirty years of experience in the
banking and trust  industries.  Prior founding Quadra,  he was founder and Chief
Executive Officer of Western Trust Services. Mr. Howard Stevenson is founder and
Chairman of Quadra.  He is also the  Sarafin-Rock  Professor at Harvard Business
School,  were he has taught for over  twenty-five  years, and was co-chairman of
the Baupost Group, a private registered investment adviser, which he co-founded.
Mr. Philip Hamilton is Senior Voce President at Quadra. Prior to joining Quadra,
he was Senior  Researcher in Finance at Harvard  Business  School.  He serves as
compliance officer for the firm.
    

To assist it in carrying  out its  responsibility,  the Adviser has retained the
Subadvisers to render advisory services and make daily investment  decisions for
each Fund  pursuant to an  investment  subadvisory  agreements  with Quadra (the
"Subadvisory Agreements"). Quadra has retained the following Subadvisers:

CARL DOMINO ASSOCIATES,  L.P., ("CDA") founded in 1987 by Mr. Carl Domino,  CFA,
who is presently Managing Partner and Senior Portfolio Manager of CDA.

SMITH ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP,  L.P. ("Smith Group"),  founded in 1995 by Stephen
S. Smith, CFA, who is the Chief Investment Officer of Smith Group.

The amount of the fees paid by Quadra to each  Subadviser  may vary from time to
time as a result of periodic  negotiations  with the  Subadviser  regarding such
matters  as the  nature  and  extent  of the  services  (other  than  investment
selection  and order  placement  activities)  provided by the  Subadviser to the
Fund, the increased  cost and complexity of providing  services to the Fund, the
investment  record of the  Subadviser  in  managing  the Fund and the nature and
magnitude  of the  expenses  incurred by the  Subadviser  in managing the Fund's
assets and by the Adviser in  overseeing  and  administering  management  of the
Fund. However, the contractual fee payable to each Fund by Quadra for investment
advisory  services that is set forth in the Prospectus will not vary as a result
of those negotiations.

The Advisers furnish at their own expense all services, facilities and personnel
necessary to perform their duties under the Advisory or Subadvisory  Agreements.
The Advisory and Subadvisory  Agreements provide, with respect to each Fund, for
an initial term of two years from its effective date and for its  continuance in
effect for successive twelve-month periods thereafter, provided the agreement is
specifically  approved at least  annually by the Board or, with  respect to each
Fund, by vote of the shareholders of that Fund, and in either case by a majority
of the  directors  who are not parties to the Advisory  Agreement or  interested
persons of any such party.

The Advisory and  Subadvisory  Agreements are terminable  without penalty by the
Trust  and by the  Adviser,  respectively,  with  respect  to a Fund on 30 days'
written notice when authorized either by vote of the Fund's shareholders or by a
vote  of a  majority  of  the  Board,  or by the  Adviser  and  the  Subadviser,
respectively,  on not less than 90 days' written notice,  and will automatically
terminate in the event of its assignment. The Agreements also provide that, with
respect to each Fund,  the Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment
or mistake of law or for any act or omission in the performance of its duties to
the Fund, except for willful  misfeasance,  bad faith or


                                       17
<PAGE>


gross  negligence in the  performance  of the  Adviser's  duties or by reason of
reckless  disregard  of its  obligations  and duties  under the  Agreements.  In
addition, under the Advisory Agreement, if the Adviser ceases to act as a Fund's
investment  advisor,  or in the event the Adviser so  requests  in writing,  the
Trust will  change a Fund's  name so as not to include  the word  "Quadra."  The
Advisory  and  Subadvisory  Agreements  provide  that the  Advisers  may  render
services to others.

In addition to receiving  its advisory fee from the Funds,  the Adviser may also
act and be  compensated  as  investment  manager for its clients with respect to
assets which are invested in a Fund. In some  instances the Adviser may elect to
credit against any investment  management fee received from a client who is also
a shareholder in a Fund an amount equal to all or a portion of the fees received
by the Adviser or any  affiliate  of the Adviser from a Fund with respect to the
client's assets invested in that Fund.

   
The  following  table shows the dollar amount of fees payable under the Advisory
and  Subadvisory  Agreements  for the Quadra  Value  Equity  Fund and the Quadra
Growth  Fund,  the  amount  of fees  that  was  waived  by the  Advisers  and/or
Subadvisers, if any, and the actual fee received by the Advisers/Subadvisers.
<TABLE>

QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND
<S>                                <C>                           <C>                         <C>
 FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31       ADVISORY FEE PAYABLE          ADVISORY FEE WAIVED         ADVISORY FEE RETAINED

            1998                         $8,367                       $8,367                         $0
    
</TABLE>




                                       18
<PAGE>



<TABLE>

   
QUADRA GROWTH FUND
<S>                                <C>                           <C>                           <C>
 FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31       ADVISORY FEE PAYABLE          ADVISORY FEE WAIVED         ADVISORY FEE RETAINED

            1998                         $5,793                       $5,793                         $0
</TABLE>


THE ADMINISTRATOR

Pursuant to an Administration  Agreement approved by the Trust on June 19, 1997,
Forum Administrative  Services,  LLC ("FAdS") acts as administrator to the Trust
on  behalf  of the  Funds..  As  administrator,  FAdS  provides  management  and
administrative  services necessary to the operation of the Trust (which include,
among  other  responsibilities,  negotiation  of  contracts  and fees with,  and
monitoring of  performance  and billing of, the transfer agent and custodian and
arranging for  maintenance of books and records of the Trust),  and provides the
Trust with general office facilities. At the request of the Board, FAdS provides
persons  satisfactory  to the Board to serve as  officers  of the  Trust.  Those
officers,  as well as certain other employees and Trustees of the Trust,  may be
directors,  officers or employees of FAdS or its  affiliates.  Prior to June 19,
1997,  administrative  services  were  provided to the Trust by Forum  Financial
Services, Inc. ("FFSI") pursuant to a Management Agreement.

The Administration  Agreement will remain in effect,  with respect to each Fund,
for a period  of  twelve  months  from the  date of its  effectiveness  and will
continue in effect  thereafter only if its continuance is specifically  approved
at least annually (1) by the Board or by majority vote of shareholders of a Fund
and (2) by a majority of the  Trustees  who are not parties to the  agreement or
interested  persons of any such party (other than as Trustees of the Trust). The
Administration  Agreement  may be  terminated  with  respect to a Fund,  without
penalty,  by the Board or FAdS on 60 days' written  notice.  The  Administration
Agreement  provides  that FAdS shall not be liable  for any  action or  inaction
taken in the  administration  or  management  of the Trust,  except for  willful
misfeasance,  bad faith or gross  negligence  in the  performance  of its duties
under the Administration Agreement.

For  administrative  services  performed on behalf of the Funds, FAdS receives a
fee at an annual rate of 0.10% of the first $50 million of the average daily net
assets of each Fund and 0.05%  over $50  million.  Prior to June 19,  1997,  FSS
served  as the  administrator  for the  Trust  pursuant  to  similar  terms  and
compensation  as FFSI.  The  following  table  shows the  dollar  amount of fees
payable,  the  amount of fees  that was  waived,  if any,  and the  actual  fees
received  with  respect to the Funds  under the  Administration  and  Management
Agreements. The data is for the Funds' initial fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.
    



                                       19
<PAGE>




   
<TABLE>

QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND
<S>                             <C>                           <C>                         <C>
 FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31    ADMINISTRATION FEE PAYABLE    ADMINISTRATION FEE WAIVED   ADMINISTRATION FEE RETAINED

            1998                        $39,889                       $39,889                        $0
</TABLE>

<TABLE>

QUADRA GROWTH FUND
<S>                                <C>                           <C>                       <C>
 FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31    ADMINISTRATION FEE PAYABLE    ADMINISTRATION FEE WAIVED   ADMINISTRATION FEE RETAINED

            1998                        $16,333                       $6,333                       $10,000
</TABLE>

THE DISTRIBUTOR

Pursuant to a Distribution  Agreement,  Forum Financial Services, Inc. ("FFSI"),
an affiliate of FAdS,  is the Trust's  distributor  and acts as the agent of the
Trust in  connection  with the  offering  of  shares of the Fund  pursuant  to a
Distribution  Agreement.  All  subscriptions  for shares  obtained  by Forum are
directed  to the Trust for  acceptance  and are not  binding on the Trust  until
accepted by it. Forum receives no compensation or  reimbursement of expenses for
the  distribution  services  provided  the Funds  pursuant  to the  Distribution
Agreement and is under no obligation to sell any specific amount of Fund shares.

The Distribution  Agreement will continue in effect,  with respect to each Fund,
for twelve months and will continue in effect thereafter only if its continuance
is  specifically  approved at least annually by the Board or by majority vote of
the  shareholders  of a Fund,  and in either case, by a majority of the Trustees
who (1) are not parties to the  Distribution  Agreement  and are not  interested
persons of any such party (other than as Trustees of the Trust..

The  Distribution  Agreement  terminates  automatically  if assigned  and may be
terminated  without  penalty  by  is  the  Board  or by  majority  vote  of  the
shareholders  of  each  Fund on 60  days'  written  to FFSI by FFSI on 60  days'
written notice to the Board. The Distribution Agreement provides that FFSI shall
not be  liable  for any  error of  judgment  or  mistake  of law or in any event
whatsoever, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance  of  FFSI's  duties  or by  reason  of  reckless  disregard  of  its
obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement.

FFSI may enter into  agreements  with selected  broker-dealers,  banks, or other
financial  institutions  for  distribution of shares of a Fund.  These financial
institutions  may charge a fee for their  services and may receive  shareholders
service fees even though  shares of the Fund are sold without  sales  charges or
distribution fees. These financial  institutions may otherwise act as processing
agents, and will be responsible for promptly transmitting  purchase,  redemption
and other requests to the Fund.
    

Investors who purchase  shares in this manner will be subject to the  procedures
of the institution through whom they purchase shares, which may include charges,
investment  minimums,  cutoff  times and other  restrictions  in addition to, or
different  from,  those listed  herein.  Information  concerning  any charges or
services will be provided to customers by the financial  institution.  Investors
purchasing  shares of the Fund in this manner should  acquaint  themselves  with
their  institution's  procedures and should read this  Prospectus in conjunction
with any materials and information provided by their institution.  The financial
institution  and not its customers will be the  shareholder of record,  although
customers  may have the right to vote shares  depending  upon their  arrangement
with the institution.

                                       20
<PAGE>


   
THE TRANSFER AGENT

Pursuant to a Transfer  Agency and Services  Agreement  with the Trust dated May
19, 1998, Forum Shareholder Services,  LLC ("FSS") acts as transfer agent of the
Trust. FSS became the transfer agent effective January 1, 1998 when it succeeded
to the transfer agency business of Forum Financial Corp.
(FSS and Forum Financial Corp. ("FFC")) are commonly controlled entities.

 The Transfer  Agency  Agreement  provides,  with  respect to each Fund,  for an
initial  term of one year from its  effective  date and for its  continuance  in
effect  for  successive  twelve-month  periods  thereafter,  provided  that  the
Transfer  Agency  and  Services  Agreement  is  specifically  approved  at least
annually (1) by the Board or by a majority vote of the  shareholders  of a Fund,
and in either  case by a majority  of the  directors  who are not parties to the
Transfer Agency and Services Agreement or interested persons of any such party..
The Transfer  Agency and Services  Agreement may also be terminated by the Trust
or the  Board on 60 days  written  notice.  The  Transfer  Agency  and  Services
Agreement  also provides that FSS shall not be liable for any action or inaction
taken except for willful  misfeasance,  bad faith,  and gross  negligence in the
performance of its duties under the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement.

Among the  responsibilities  of FSS as agent for the Trust  are:  (1)  answering
customer  inquiries  regarding  account status and history,  the manner in which
purchases  and  redemptions  of shares of the Funds may be effected  and certain
other matters pertaining to the Funds; (2) assisting  shareholders in initiating
and  changing  account  designations  and  addresses;  (3)  providing  necessary
personnel  and  facilities to establish  and maintain  shareholder  accounts and
records,  assisting in  processing  purchase  and  redemption  transactions  and
receiving wired funds;  (4)  transmitting and receiving funds in connection with
customer  orders  to  purchase  or  redeem  shares;  (5)  verifying  shareholder
signatures  in  connection  with  changes  in the  registration  of  shareholder
accounts;  (6) furnishing periodic statements and confirmations of purchases and
redemptions;  (7) arranging for the  transmission  of proxy  statements,  annual
reports,   prospectuses  and  other   communications   from  the  Trust  to  its
shareholders;  (8) arranging for the receipt, tabulation and transmission to the
Trust  of  proxies  executed  by  shareholders   with  respect  to  meetings  of
shareholders of the Trust;  and (9) providing such other related services as the
Trust or a shareholder may reasonably request.

FSS or any  sub-transfer  agent or  processing  agent  may also act and  receive
compensation as custodian,  investment manager,  nominee, agent or fiduciary for
its  customers  or clients  who are  shareholders  of the Funds with  respect to
assets invested in the Funds. FSS or any sub-transfer  agent or other processing
agent may elect to credit  against  the fees  payable  to it by its  clients  or
customers  all or a portion of any fee received  from the Trust or from FSS with
respect to assets of those  customers  or clients  invested  in the Funds.  FSS,
Forum  or  sub-transfer  agents  or  processing  agents  retained  by FSS may be
Processing Organizations (as defined in the Prospectus) and, in the case of sub-
transfer agents or processing  agents,  may also be affiliated persons of FSS or
Forum.

For its  services,  FSS  receives  with  respect  to each Fund an annual  fee of
$24,000 per year plus shareholder  account fees of $25.00 per retail account and
$125.00 per  institutional.  Prior to June 19, 1997,  FFC served as the transfer
agent for the Trust  pursuant  to similar  terms and  compensation  as FSS.  The
following table shows the dollar amount of fees payable, the amount of fees that
was waived by FSS, if any,  and the actual fee  received by FSS with  respect to
the Funds under the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement.
<TABLE>

QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND
<S>                            <C>                           <C>                             <C>
 FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31   TRANSFER AGENCY FEE PAYABLE   TRANSFER AGENCY FEE WAIVED       TRANSFER AGENCY FEE
                                                                                                  RETAINED

            1998                        $24,310                         $0                         $24,310
</TABLE>
<TABLE>

QUADRA GROWTH FUND
<S>                           <C>                           <C>                              <C>
 FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31   TRANSFER AGENCY FEE PAYABLE   TRANSFER AGENCY FEE WAIVED       TRANSFER AGENCY FEE
                                                                                                  RETAINED

            1998                         $9,883                         $0                         $9,883
</TABLE>

                                       21
<PAGE>


FSS or any  sub-transfer  agent or  processing  agent  may also act and  receive
compensation  for acting as custodian,  investment  manager,  nominee,  agent or
fiduciary  for its  customers  or clients  who are  shareholders  of a Fund with
respect to assets invested in the Fund.

THE FUND ACCOUNTANT

Pursuant to a Fund  Accounting  Agreement  with the Trust  dated June 19,  1997,
Forum  Accounting  Services,  LLC  ("FAcS"),  provides the Funds with  portfolio
accounting.  Under the Fund  Accounting  Agreement,  FAcS prepares and maintains
books and records of each Fund on behalf of the Trust as required under the 1940
Act,  calculates  the net asset value per share of each Fund and  dividends  and
capital gain distributions and prepares periodic reports to shareholders and the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Prior to June 19, 1997, accounting services
were provided to the Trust by FFC.

The Fund  Accounting  Agreement  provides,  with  respect to each  Fund,  for an
initial period of one year from the date of its  effectiveness and will continue
in effect only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by
(1) the Board or by  majority  vote of the  shareholders  of a Fund and (2) by a
majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Fund Accounting Agreement or
interested persons of any such party. The Fund Accounting  Agreement may also be
terminated on 60 days written notice by either the Board or FAcS.

For its services, FAcS receives, with respect to each Fund, a fee of $36,000 per
year plus certain  surcharges  depending  upon the amount and type of the Fund's
portfolio  transactions  and  positions.  Prior to June 19, 1997,  FFSI provided
accounting  services to the Trust for a similar fee. The  following  table shows
the dollar  amount of fees  payable to FAcS for  services  rendered to the Funds
under the Fund Accounting Agreement,  the amount of fee that was waived by FAcS,
if any, and the actual fee received by FAcS.  The data is for the initial fiscal
year of operations ended March 31, 1998 for each Fund.
<TABLE>

QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND
<S>                            <C>                           <C>                             <C>
Fiscal Year 
Year Ended March 31,            Accounting Fee Payable        Accounting Fee Waived        Accounting Fee Retained
 1998                                   $36,900                       $27,900                      $9,000

QUADRA GROWTH FUND

Fiscal Year 
Year Ended March 31,           Accounting Fee Payable        Accounting Fee Waived         Accounting Fee Retained
 1998                                  $14,700                       $5,700                       $9,000
    
</TABLE>

EXPENSES

Under the Advisory Agreement,  the Trust has confirmed its obligation to pay all
its expenses subject to the obligation of the Adviser to reimburse the Trust for
its excess  expenses as described in the  Prospectus.  The Trust  believes  that
currently the most restrictive  expense ratio limitation imposed by any state is
2-1/2% of the first $30 million of the Fund's average net assets, 2% of the next
$70  million of its  average  net assets and 1-1/2% of its average net assets in
excess of $100 million.

                                       22
<PAGE>


The Trust's  expenses  include:  interest  charges,  taxes,  brokerage  fees and
commissions;  certain insurance premiums; fees, interest charges and expenses of
the Trust's custodian and transfer agent; fees of pricing,  interest,  dividend,
credit and other reporting services;  costs of membership in trade associations;
telecommunications  expenses;  funds transmission expenses;  auditing, legal and
compliance  expenses;  costs of  forming  the  Trust and  maintaining  corporate
existence; costs of preparing and printing the Trust's prospectuses,  statements
of  additional  information  and  shareholder  reports  and  delivering  them to
existing  shareholders;  costs  of  maintaining  books  and  accounts;  costs of
reproduction,  stationery and supplies;  compensation  of the Trust's  Trustees;
compensation of the Trust's  officers and employees who are not employees of the
Adviser,  Forum or their  respective  affiliates  and  costs of other  personnel
performing services for the Trust; costs of corporate  meetings;  Securities and
Exchange Commission registration fees and related expenses;  expenses associated
with state securities laws; the fees payable under the Advisory  Agreement,  and
the Administration and Distribution Agreement.

   
6.  DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

 The Trust  determines the net asset value per share of the each Fund as of 4:00
p.m.,  Eastern Time,  on each Fund Business Day as defined in the  Prospectus by
dividing the value of the Fund's net assets  (i.e.,  the value of its  portfolio
securities and other assets less its  liabilities)  by the number of that Fund's
shares outstanding at the time the determination is made.  Securities owned by a
Fund for which market  quotations  are readily  available  are valued at current
market value,  or, in their  absence,  at fair value as determined by the Board.
Purchases and redemptions are effected at the time of the next  determination of
net asset  value  following  the  receipt  in  proper  form of any  purchase  or
redemption order.
    

7.  PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

   
Each  Fund  will  effect   purchases  and  sales  through   brokers  who  charge
commissions.  Allocations  of  transactions  to  brokers  and  dealers  and  the
frequency of  transactions  are  determined by the Subadviser to the Fund in its
best judgment and in a manner deemed to be in the best interest of  shareholders
of the Fund rather than by any  formula.  The  primary  consideration  is prompt
execution  of orders in an  effective  manner  and at the most  favorable  price
available to the Fund.

A Fund may not always pay the lowest commission or spread available.  Rather, in
determining the amount of commission,  including certain dealer spreads, paid in
connection  with Fund  transactions,  the  Subadviser  takes into  account  such
factors  as  size of the  order,  difficulty  of  execution,  efficiency  of the
executing broker's  facilities  (including the services described below) and any
risk assumed by the executing broker.  The Subadviser may also take into account
payments made by brokers  effecting  transactions  for a Fund (1) to the Fund or
(2) to other persons on behalf of the Fund for services provided to it for which
it would be obligated to pay.
    

In addition,  each Subadviser may give  consideration to research and investment
analysis services  furnished by brokers or dealers to the Subadviser for its use
and may cause the Fund to pay these brokers a higher  amount of commission  than
may be charged by other  brokers.  Such  research  and  analysis is of the types
described  in  Section  28(e)(3)  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
amended,  and is designed to augment the Subadviser's own internal  research and
investment  strategy  capabilities.  The  Subadviser  may use the  research  and
analysis in connection  with  services to clients  other than the Fund,  and the
Subadviser's  fee is not  reduced by reason of the  Subadviser's  receipt of the
research services.

Investment decisions for the Funds will be made independently from those for any
other account or investment  company that is or may in the future become managed
by the Advisers or their  affiliates.  If, however,  a Fund and other investment
companies  or  accounts  managed by one of the  Advisers  are  contemporaneously
engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security,  the  transactions  may be
averaged as to price and  allocated  equitably to each  account.  In some cases,
this policy might  adversely  affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the
size of the position  obtainable  for the Fund. In addition,  when  purchases or
sales of the same  security for a Fund and for other  investment  companies  and
accounts managed by one of the Advisers occur contemporaneously, the purchase or
sale 


                                       23
<PAGE>


orders may be  aggregated in order to obtain any price  advantages  available to
large denomination purchases or sales.

   
In the future  the  Funds,  consistent  with the  policy of  obtaining  best net
results, may conduct brokerage  transactions  through the Advisers'  affiliates,
affiliates of those persons or Forum. If a Fund anticipates conducting brokerage
transactions   through  these  persons,  the  Board  will  adopt  procedures  in
conformity with applicable rules under the 1940 Act to ensure that all brokerage
commissions  paid to these persons are  reasonable and fair. For the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1998, the aggregate brokerage commissions incurred by the Quadra
Value  Equity  Fund  and  the  Quadra   Growth  Fund  were  $5,410  and  $4,896,
respectively.  For fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, $0.00 or 0.00% of aggregate
brokerage commissions was paid to an affiliate of the Advisers.

8.  ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

Shares of each Fund are sold on a  continuous  basis by the  distributor.  As of
March 31,  1998,  the net assets  value of the Quadra  Value Equity Fund and the
Quadra Growth Fund was $12.80 and $11.42, respectively.
    

In addition to the situations  described in the Prospectus  under "Purchases and
Redemptions of Shares," the Trust may redeem shares involuntarily,  from time to
time,  to reimburse a Fund for any loss  sustained by reason of the failure of a
shareholder to make full payment for shares  purchased by the  shareholder or to
collect  any charge  relating  to  transactions  effected  for the  benefit of a
shareholder  which  is  applicable  to  a  Fund's  shares  as  provided  in  the
Prospectus.

The  Trust  has  filed a  formal  election  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  pursuant to which a Fund will only effect a redemption  in portfolio
securities if a shareholder  is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's
total net assets, whichever is less, during any 90-day period.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

   
The  exchange  privilege  permits  shareholders  of the Funds to exchange  their
shares  for  shares  of any  other  Fund or  Investors  shares  of Daily  Assets
Government  Fund,  a money market fund of Forum Funds  (each,  a  "Participating
Fund").  For Federal income tax purposes,  exchange  transactions are treated as
sales on which a purchaser  will  realize a capital  gain or loss  depending  on
whether the value of the shares  redeemed is more or less than his basis in such
shares at the time of the transaction.

By use of the exchange privilege, the shareholder authorizes FSS to act upon any
instruction  believed by FSS to be genuine of any person representing himself to
either be, or to have the  authority to act on behalf of, the  shareholder.  The
records  of FSS of  such  instructions  are  binding.  Proceeds  of an  exchange
transaction  may be  invested in another  Participating  Fund in the name of the
shareholder.
    

Exchange transactions will be made on the basis of relative net asset values per
share at the time of the exchange transaction.  Shares of any Participating Fund
may be redeemed  and the  proceeds  used to  purchase,  without a sales  charge,
shares of any other  Participating Fund. The terms of the exchange privilege are
subject to change, and the privilege may be terminated by the Trust. However the
privilege  will not be  terminated,  and no material  change that  restricts the
availability  of the  privilege to  shareholders  will be  implemented,  without
reasonable advance notice to shareholders.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT

   
The Funds offer an individual  retirement  plan (the "IRA") for  individuals who
wish to use shares of the Funds as a medium for  funding  individual  retirement
savings.  Under the IRA, distributions of net investment income and capital gain
will be  automatically  reinvested in the IRA established for the investor.  The
Funds'  custodian  furnishes  custodial  services to the IRAs for a service fee.
Shareholders  wishing to use a Fund's IRA should contact FSS for further details
and information.

                                       24
<PAGE>


9.  TAX MATTERS
    

Each Fund intends, for each taxable year, to qualify as a "regulated  investment
company"  under the  Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended  (the  "Code").
Qualification as a regulated  investment company under the Code does not involve
governmental  supervision  of management  or  investment  practices or policies.
Investors  should consult their own counsel for a complete  understanding of the
requirements the Funds must meet to qualify for such treatment.  The information
set  forth in the  Prospectus  and the  following  discussion  relate  solely to
Federal  income taxes on dividends and  distributions  by a Fund and assume that
each Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company.  Investors should consult
their own counsel for further details and for the application of state and local
tax laws to the investor's particular situation.

The Funds expect to derive a substantial amount of their gross income (exclusive
of  capital  gain)  from  dividends.  Accordingly,  that  portion  of the Funds'
dividends  so derived  will  qualify for the  dividends-received  deduction  for
corporations to the extent attributable to certain qualifying dividends received
by the Fund from  domestic  corporations.  Capital  gain  distributions  are not
eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations.

   
Pursuant to the Taxpayer  Relief Act of 1997,  two  different tax rates apply to
net capital  gains -- that is, the excess of net gains from capital  assets held
for more than one year over net losses  from  capital  assets  held for not more
than one year. One rate  (generally  28%) applies to net gains on capital assets
held for more than one year but not more than 18 months ("mid-term gains"),  and
a second rate  (generally  20%) applies to the balance of such net capital gains
("adjusted  net capital  gains").  Except as noted below,  distributions  of net
capital gains will be treated in the hands of  shareholders  a mid-term gains to
the extent  designated by a Fund as deriving from net gains from assets held for
more than one year but not more than 18 months,  and the balance will be treated
as adjusted net capital gains.  Gains derived from assets sold after May 7, 1997
and held for more  than 18 months  will be  treated  as  mid-term  gains.  Gains
derived from assets sold after May 6, 1997 and before July 29, 1997 and held for
more than one year will be treated as adjusted net capital gains.  Distributions
of mid-term gains and adjusted net capital gains will be taxable to shareholders
as such, regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares in a Fund.
    

Under the Code, gains or losses from the disposition of (1) foreign  currencies,
(2) debt securities  denominated in a foreign  currency,  (3) certain options on
foreign  currencies or (4) certain  forward  contracts  denominated in a foreign
currency,  that are  attributed  to  fluctuations  in the  value of the  foreign
currency  between  the  date of  acquisition  of the  asset  and the date of its
disposition  are  treated  as  ordinary  gain or loss.  These  gains or  losses,
referred  to under  the Code as  "Section  988"  gains or  losses,  increase  or
decrease the amount of a Fund's  investment  company taxable income available to
be distributed to  shareholders  as ordinary  income,  rather than affecting the
amount of the Fund's net capital  gain.  Because  section 988 losses  reduce the
amount of ordinary  dividends a Fund will be allowed to distribute for a taxable
year, such losses may result in all or a portion of prior dividend distributions
for such  year  being  recharacterized  as  non-taxable  return  of  capital  to
shareholders,  rather than as an ordinary dividend,  reducing each shareholder's
basis in his or her  shares.  To the  extent  that such  distributions  exceed a
shareholder's  basis,  each distribution will be treated as a gain from the sale
of shares. Under certain conditions, a Fund may elect to except from Section 988
any foreign  currency gain or loss  realized by a Fund on any regulated  forward
contract,  option or futures  contract  which would be "marked to market"  under
Section 1256 of the Code if held on the last day of taxable  year,  as described
immediately below.

Certain  listed  options,  regulated  futures  contracts  and  foreign  exchange
contracts  are  considered  "section  1256  contracts"  for  Federal  income tax
purposes.  Section 1256 contracts held by a Fund at the end of each taxable year
will be "marked to market" and treated for Federal income tax purposes as though
sold for fair market value on the last business day of such taxable  year.  Gain
or  loss  realized  by a Fund  on  section  1256  contracts  generally  will  be
considered  60%  long-term and 40%  short-term  capital gain or loss. A Fund can
elect to exempt its section 1256 contracts which are part of a "mixed  straddle"
from the application of section 1256.

With respect to equity or  over-the-counter  put and call options,  gain or loss
realized by a Fund upon the lapse or sale of such  options held by the Fund will
be either  long-term  or  short-term  capital  gain or loss  depending  upon the
respective Fund's holding period with respect to such option.  However,  gain or
loss  realized upon the lapse or closing out of such options that are written by
a Fund will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. In general, if


                                       25
<PAGE>


a  Fund  exercises  an  option,  or if an  option  that a Fund  has  written  is
exercised,  gain or loss on the option will not be separately recognized but the
premium  received or paid will be included  in the  calculation  of gain or loss
upon disposition of the property underlying the option.

Any option,  futures contract,  or other position entered into or held by a Fund
in  conjunction  with any  other  position  held by such Fund may  constitute  a
"straddle"  for Federal  income tax purposes.  A straddle of which at least one,
but not all, the  positions are section 1256  contracts may  constitute a "mixed
straddle".  In general,  straddles  are subject to certain rules that may affect
the  character  and timing of a Fund's gains and losses with respect to straddle
positions  by  requiring,   among  other  things,  that  (1)  loss  realized  on
disposition of one position of a straddle not be recognized to the extent that a
Fund has  unrealized  gains with respect to the other position in such straddle;
(2) a Fund's  holding  period  in  straddle  positions  be  suspended  while the
straddle exists (possibly  resulting in gain being treated as short-term capital
gain rather than long-term  capital gain); (3) losses recognized with respect to
certain  straddle  positions  which are part of a mixed  straddle  and which are
non-section  1256  positions  be treated  as 60%  long-term  and 40%  short-term
capital loss; (4) losses  recognized with respect to certain straddle  positions
which would otherwise  constitute  short-term capital losses be treated as long-
term capital  losses;  and (5) the  deduction  of interest and carrying  charges
attributable to certain straddle  positions may be deferred.  Various  elections
are  available to a Fund which may  mitigate the effects of the straddle  rules,
particularly  with respect to mixed  straddles.  In general,  the straddle rules
described  above  do  not  apply  to any  straddles  held  by a Fund  all of the
offsetting positions of which consist of section 1256 contracts.

Pursuant to the Taxpayer  Relief Act of 1997, if a Fund has unrealized gain with
respect  to a  security  and  enters  into a short  sale  with  respect  to such
security,  the Fund,  generally,  will be  deemed  to have sold the  appreciated
security and, thus, will recognize gain for tax purposes.

A Fund's  investment  in zero  coupon  securities  will be  subject  to  special
provisions  of the Code  which may cause the Fund to  recognize  income  without
receiving  cash  necessary  to pay  dividends or make  distributions  in amounts
necessary to satisfy the  distribution  requirements for avoiding federal income
and excise taxes. In order to satisfy those  distribution  requirements the Fund
may be forced to sell other portfolio securities.

If a Fund owns  shares in a foreign  corporation  that  constitutes  a  "passive
foreign  investment  company" (a "PFIC") for federal income tax purposes and the
Fund does not elect to treat the foreign  corporation  as a "qualified  electing
fund" within the meaning of the Code,  the Fund may be subject to United  States
federal income  taxation on a portion of any "excess  distribution"  it receives
from the PFIC or any gain it derives from the  disposition of such shares,  even
if  such  income  is  distributed  as a  taxable  dividend  by the  Fund  to its
shareholders.  A Fund may also be  subject  to  additional  interest  charges in
respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. Any tax paid
by a Fund as a result of its ownership of shares in a PFIC will not give rise to
any  deduction  or credit to the Fund or to any  shareholder.  A PFIC  means any
foreign corporation if, for the taxable year involved,  either (1) it derives at
least 75% of its gross income from "passive income" (including,  but not limited
to, interest, dividends,  royalties, rents and annuities), or (2) on average, at
least 50% of the value (or adjusted tax basis, if elected) of the assets held by
the corporation produce "passive income." Under recently enacted legislation,  a
Fund could  elect for taxable  years  beginning  after 1997 to  "mark-to-market"
stock in a PFIC.  Under such an  election,  a Fund would  include in income each
year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the PFIC
stock as of the close of the taxable year over the Fund's  adjusted basis in the
PFIC stock.  A Fund would be allowed a deduction for the excess,  if any, of the
adjusted basis of the PFIC stock over the fair market value of the PFIC stock as
of  the  close  of  the  taxable  year,  but  only  to the  extent  of  any  net
mark-to-market  gains  included by the Fund for prior  taxable  years.  A Fund's
adjusted  basis in the PFIC  stock  would be  adjusted  to reflect  the  amounts
included in, or deducted from,  income under this election.  Amounts included in
income pursuant to this election,  as well as gain realized on the sale or other
disposition  of the PFIC  stock,  would  be  treated  as  ordinary  income.  The
deductible portion of any  mark-to-market  loss, as well as loss realized on the
sale or other  disposition  of the PFIC stock to the extent  that such loss does
not exceed the net mark-to-market  gains previously included by a Fund, would be
treated as ordinary loss. A Fund generally  would not be subject to the deferred
tax and interest  charge  provisions  discussed above with respect to PFIC stock
for which a mark-to-market election has been made. If a Fund purchases shares in
a PFIC and the Fund does elect to treat the foreign  corporation as a "qualified
electing fund" under the Code, the 


                                       26
<PAGE>


Fund may be  required  to  include  in its  income  each year a  portion  of the
ordinary income and net capital gains of the foreign  corporation,  even if this
income is not distributed to the Fund.


9.  OTHER INFORMATION

CUSTODIAN

Pursuant to a Custodian Agreement,  BankBoston,  100 Federal Street,  Boston, MA
02106,   acts  as  the  custodian  of  the  Funds'   assets.   The   custodian's
responsibilities  include  safeguarding  and  controlling  the  Funds'  cash and
securities, determining income and collecting interest on Fund investments.

COUNSEL

Legal matters in connection  with the issuance of shares of beneficial  interest
of the Trust are passed upon by the law firm of Seward & Kissel, 1200 G. Street,
N.W., Washington, DC 20005.

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

   
Wolf & Company, P.C., One International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-9801,
act as independent accountants for the Funds.
    







                                       27
<PAGE>



FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   
The financial  statements of the Funds for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998,
which  are  included  in the  Annual  Report  to  Shareholders  of the Trust and
delivered along with this Statement of Additional Information,  are incorporated
herein by reference. 
    





                                       28
<PAGE>

   
                                   APPENDIX A
                                   ----------

               CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
               ---------------------------------------------------

As of July 1, 1998, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group owned less
than 1% of the  outstanding  shares  of each  Fund.  Also as of that  date,  the
shareholders  listed below owned more than 5% of each Fund.  Shareholders owning
25% or more of the  shares of a Fund or of the Trust as a whole may be deemed to
be controlling persons. By reason of their substantial holdings of shares, these
persons may be able to require the Trust to hold a  shareholder  meeting to vote
on certain  issues and may be able to determine  the outcome of any  shareholder
vote.  As noted,  certain of these  shareholders  are known to the Trust to hold
their shares of record only and have no beneficial interest, including the right
to vote, in the shares.
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                       ------------               -------------
OAK HALL SMALL CAP CONTRARIAN FUND

Maryann Wolf                                                              13.30%                   40,946.955
55 Central Park West Apt 12-13
New York  NY  10023

Simeon Gold & Heide Gold, Jt. Ten.                                         9.05%                   27,856.149
136 East 76th Street Apt. 10F
New York  NY  10021

Jane Levy                                                                  5.73%                   17,622.969
320 West 87th Street Apt. 3W
New York  NY  10024

Bank of Boston, IRA Custodian                                              5.70%                   17,553.097
FBO Maryann Wolf
55 Central Park West Apt. 12-13
New York  NY  10023

WR Family Associates 401K Plan Option                                      5.48%                   16,870.661
Attn: Olga M. Dimmini
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2400 New York, NY 10168-002

    

                                      A-1
<PAGE>



   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND                                           ------------               -------------
INSTITUTIONAL  SHARES

H M Payson & Co. Custody Account                                          56.56%                 18,033,015.150
FBO Customer Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland  ME  04112


H M Payson & Co. Trust Account                                            43.44%                 13,850,465.390
FBO Trust Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Bank of Boston, IRA Rollover Custodian                                    16.52%                  826,387.330
FBO Merne E. Young Rollover
18751 San Rufino
Irvine, CA 92612

Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation                                    15.90%                  795,276.550
Foundation Smith Family Care Fund
Attn: Kristy Hurley
2850 N. Garey Avenue
P.O. Box 6001
Pomona, CA 91769-6001                                                     15.90%                  795,276.550

Lansdowne Parking Associates LP                                            9.99%                  499,939.120
c/o Meredith Management
29 Crafts Street #300
Newton, MA 02158

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                         100%                     100.920
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101


DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

Allagash & Co.                                                            46.30%                 12,236,932.890
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477
    

                                      A-2
<PAGE>



   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                       SHARES OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND                                                 ------------              -------------
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES CON'T

H M Payson & Co. Custody Account                                          34.44%                 9.101,914.440
FBO Customer Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

H M Payson & Co. Trust Account                                            19.27%                 5,092,100.590
FBO Trust Funds Under Mgmt
P.O. Box 31
Portland, ME 04112

DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Cutler Approved List Equity Fund                                          18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Sound Shore Fund                                                          18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Small Cap Value Fund                                                  18.73%                  983,490.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Cutler Equity Income Fund                                                 18.12%                  951,550.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM All Cap Value Fund                                                     9.45%                  496,164.720
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Mid Cap Value Fund                                                     5.70%                  299,263.830
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    

                                      A-3
<PAGE>



   
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF               AMOUNT OF
                                                                       SHARES OWNED               SHARES OWNED
                                                                       ------------               ------------
DAILY ASSETS CASH FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, Inc.                                        100%                     101.200
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    

   
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

Allagash & Co.                                                            72.89%                 11,915,149.240
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                    26.73%                 4,368,592.160
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302-0477

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Dirigo Drywall Assoc.                                                     22.89%                  682,716.350
225 Riverside Street
Portland, ME 04103

Cutler Approved List Equity Fund                                          19.58%                  583,950.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Sound Shore Fund                                                          19.58%                  583,950.000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc./
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

CRM Small Cap Value Fund                                                  19.58%                  583,950,000
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    

                                      A-4
<PAGE>



   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF                AMOUNT OF
                                                                       SHARES OWNED              SHARES OWNED
DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND                               ------------              ------------
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES-CON'T

Cutler Equity Income Fund                                                 9.05%                   269,894.440
C/O Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square

CRM All Cap Value Fund                                                    6.23%                   185,729.030
c/o Forum Financial Services, Inc.
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FUND
INVESTORS SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                         100%                     100.900
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                    46.72%                 9,494,221.860
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                            25.38%                 5,157,680.310
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Imperial Securities Corp.                                                 23.96%                 4,868,005.220
Attn: Jack Singer
9920 South La Cieniega Blvd 14th Fl
Inglewood, CA 90301

DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE SHARES

Forum Financing                                                            100%                      5.000
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101
    

                                      A-5
<PAGE>



   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF                AMOUNT OF
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               SHARES OWNED
DAILY ASSETS MUNICIPAL FUND                                           ------------               ------------
INVESTOR SHARES

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                        100%                      100.060
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

DAILY ASSETS TREASURY OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   65.16%                 62,106,021.450
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                           34.84%                 33,201,966.980
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

DAILY ASSETS TREASURY OBLIGATIONS FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE

Allagash & Co.                                                           99.10%                  1,657,595.720
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
CONCORD, NH 03302-0477

INVESTORS BOND FUND

Firstrust Co.                                                            72.38%                  5,714,958.415
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

SEI Trust Company                                                        11.10%                   876,782.753
c/o Irwin Union Bank & Trust
Attn:  Mutual Funds Administrator
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks  PA  19456
    


                                      A-6
<PAGE>



   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      ------------               -------------
FORUM TAXSAVER BOND FUND

First Trust Co.                                                          49.33%                  1,717,000.264
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

SEI Trust Company                                                        21.80%                   758,668.285
c/o Irwin Union Bank & Trust
Attn:  Mutual Funds Administrator
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks  PA  19456

Leonore Zusman Ttee                                                       6.03%                   209,963.557
Leonore Zusman Living Trust  U/A/D 2/3/93
6439 Woodacre Ct.
Englewood  OH  45322

Lawrence L. Zusman Ttee                                                   5.41%                   188,185.433
Lawrence L. Zusman Living Trust  U/A/D 2/3/93
6439 Woodacre Court
Englewood  OH  45322

HIGH GRADE BOND FUND

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   99.76%                  3.451,019.518
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND

Independence Trust                                                       45.62%                   565,735.702
Attn: Linda Feliciano
200 Bedford Street 5th
Manchester, NH 03101
    


                                      A-7
<PAGE>



   
                                                                  PERCENTAGE OF SHARES         AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      OF FUND OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      -------------              -------------

PAYSON BALANCED FUND

ALA & Co.                                                                15.49%                   258,329.088
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

Payse & Co.                                                              14.98%                   249,788.506
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

PAYSON VALUE FUND

Payse & Co.                                                              21.90%                   208,621.301
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

ALA & Co.                                                                18.09%                   172,271.808
c/o H.M. Payson & Co.
PO Box 31
Portland  ME  04112

INVESTORS EQUITY FUND

Babb & Co. #02-6004105                                                   94.40%                  2,383,117.225
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
P.O. Box 477
Concord, NH 03302-0477

Allagash & Co.                                                            5.18%                   130,658.987
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302
    

                                      A-8
<PAGE>




   
                                                                  PERCENTAGE OF SHARES         AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      OF FUND OWNED              OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      -------------              -------------
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Forum Financing                                                          67.80%                     500.000
Forum Financial Group
Two Portland Square
Portland  ME  04101

Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Sec Corp.                                   32.20%                     237.417
Mutual Funds Dept. - 5th Floor
PO Box 2052
Jersey City  NJ  07303

INVESTORS GROWTH FUND

Firstrust Co.                                                            99.95%                  3,013,520.631
National City Bank Trust Dept.
227 Main Street
Evansville  IN  47708

EQUITY INDEX FUND

Allagash & Co.                                                           99.27%                   440,772.554
c/o Bank of New Hampshire
PO Box 477
Concord  NH  03302

SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Forum Administrative Services, LLC                                        100%                      500.000
Attn: Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

EMERGING MARKETS FUND

Forum Financing                                                          65.52%                     500.00
Attn:  Corporate Accounting
Two Portland Square
Portland, ME 04101

Donald, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp.                               34.48%                     263.158
Mutual Funds Dept.-5th Floor
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ 07303
    

                                      A-9
<PAGE>

   
                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF            AMOUNT OF SHARES
                                                                      SHARES OWNED               OF FUND OWNED
                                                                      ------------               -------------
QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND

Holly Melosi & Arturo R. Melosi TTEE                                     80.77%                   406,724.176
FBO Atrgur & Holly Magill Foundation
36 Woodland Way Circle
Greenville, SC 29601

HMK Enterprises, Inc.                                                    8.41%%                   42,337.003
800 South Street
Suite 355
Waltham  MA  02154

QUADRA GROWTH FUND

Holly Melosi & Arturo R. Melosi TTEE                                     77.64%                   454,757.022
FBO Arthur & Holly Magill Foundation
36 Woodland Way Circle
Greenville, SC 29601

John E. Rosenthal                                                         12.52                   73,322.092
1212 West Street
Carlisle, MA 01741-1428

POLARIS GLOBAL VALUE FUND

David Solomont                                                           11.39%                   271,791.712
c/o Utopia Inc.
200 Fifth Avenue
Waltham, MA 02154

DCGT TR                                                                   5.35%                   127,724.287
FBO Audrey Lewis-REG IRA
10 Rogers Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
    

</TABLE>



                                      A-10
<PAGE>



                                THE QUADRA FUNDS

   
                 APPENDIX B - DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
    

1.   CORPORATE BONDS

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. ("MOODY'S")

Moody's rates  corporate  bond issues,  including  convertible  debt issues,  as
follows:

Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged by Moody's 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 the various protective elements are
likely to change,  such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Bonds  which are rated Aa are  judged to be of high  quality  by all  standards.
Together with the Aaa group,  they  comprise  what are generally  known as high-
grade  bonds.  They are rated  lower  than the best  bonds  because  margins  of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements  may be of greater  amplitude  or there may be other  elements  present
which make the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

Bonds which are rated A 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 some time in the future.

Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they
are neither highly protected nor poorly secured.  Interest payment 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.

Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative  elements;  their future
cannot be  considered  as well  assured.  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
bonds in this class.

Bonds  which  are  rated  B  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.

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

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

Bonds which are rated C 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.

Note:  Those  bonds in the Aa, A, Baa,  Ba or B groups  which  Moody's  believes
possess the strongest  investment  attributes are designated by the symbols Aa1,
A1, Baa1, Ba1, and B1.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>

STANDARD AND POOR'S CORPORATION ("S&P")

S&P rates corporate bond issues, including convertible debt issues, as follows:

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

Bonds rated AA have a very strong  capacity to pay interest and repay  principal
and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.

Bonds  rated A 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  rated  in  higher  rated
categories.

Bonds rated BBB 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
weakened  capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category
than in higher rated categories.

Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C are  regarded,  on  balance,  as  predominantly
speculative  with  respect to the  issuer's  capacity to pay  interest and repay
principal in  accordance  with the terms of the  obligation.  BB  indicates  the
lowest degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such
bonds will likely have some quality and  protective  characteristics,  these are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
Bonds  rated  BB  have  less  near-term  vulnerability  to  default  than  other
speculative issues.  However,  they face major ongoing uncertainties or exposure
to adverse  business,  financial,  or  economic  conditions  which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments.

Bonds rated B have a greater  vulnerability  to default but  currently  have the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal  repayments.  Adverse business,
financial,  or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to
pay interest and repay principal.

Bonds rated CCC have currently  identifiable  vulnerability to default,  and are
dependent upon favorable  business,  financial,  and economic conditions to meet
timely  payment of interest and repayment of principal.  In the event of adverse
business,  financial,  or economic  conditions,  they are not likely to have the
capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

Bonds rated CC typically are debt  subordinated to senior debt which is assigned
an actual or implied CCC debt  rating.  This rating may also be used to indicate
imminent default.

The C rating may be used to cover a situation  where a  bankruptcy  petition has
been filed, but debt service  payments are continued.  The rating Cl is reserved
for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

Bonds are rated D when the issue is in payment default, or the obligor has filed
for  bankruptcy.  Bonds rated D are in payment  default or the obligor has filed
for  bankruptcy.  The D  rating  category  is used  when  interest  payments  or
principal  payments are not made on the date due, even if the  applicable  grace
period has not expired,  unless S&P believes that such payments will made during
such grace period.

Note:  The ratings  from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+)
or minus (-) sign to show the relative standing within the rating category.

                                      B-2
<PAGE>

FITCH IBCA, INC. ("FITCH")

Fitch rates  corporate  bond  issues,  including  convertible  debt  issues,  as
follows:

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
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, shorter-term debt of these issuers is generally rate 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 bonds with higher ratings.

BBB Bonds are  considered  to be  investment  grade and of  satisfactory  credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest 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 bonds,  and therefore
impair timely payment.  The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall
below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher 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  bonds 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 which, 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
bonds  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 bonds,  and D represents
the lowest potential for recovery.

Plus (+) and  minus (-) signs  are used  with a rating  symbol to  indicate  the
relative position of a credit within the rating category.  Plus and minus signs,
however, are not used in the AAA, DDD, DD, or D categories.

2.   PREFERRED STOCK

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

Moody's rates preferred stock as follows:

An issue rated aaa is  considered  to be a  top-quality  preferred  stock.  This
rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment
among preferred stock issues.

                                      B-3
<PAGE>

An issue  rated aa is  considered  a  high-grade  preferred  stock.  This rating
indicates  that  there  is  a  reasonable  assurance  that  earnings  and  asset
protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future.

An issue rated a is  considered to be an  upper-medium  grade  preferred  stock.
While  risks  are  judged  to be  somewhat  greater  than  in  the  aaa  and  aa
classification,  earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be
maintained at adequate levels.

An issue rated baa is considered to be a medium-grade,  neither highly protected
nor poorly secured. Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but
may be questionable over any great length of time.

An issue rated ba is  considered  to have  speculative  elements  and its future
cannot be considered  well assured.  Earnings and asset  protection  may be very
moderate  and not  well  safeguarded  during  adverse  periods.  Uncertainty  of
position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

An issue which is rated b  generally  lacks the  characteristics  of a desirable
investment. Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other terms of the
issue over any long period of time may be small.

An issue  which is rated caa is likely to be in  arrears on  dividend  payments.
This  rating  designation  does not  purport to  indicate  the future  status of
payments.

An issue which is rated ca is  speculative  in a high degree and is likely to be
in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payment.

An issue which is rated c can be regarded as having  extremely poor prospects of
ever attaining any real investment  standing.  This is the lowest rated class of
preferred or preference stock.

Note:   Moody's  applies  numerical   modifiers  1,  2  and  3  in  each  rating
classification  from aa through b in its  preferred  stock  rating  system.  The
modifier 1 indicates  that the  security  ranks in the higher end of its generic
rating category;  the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier
3  indicates  that the  issuer  ranks in the  lower  end of its  generic  rating
category.

STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION

S&P rates preferred stock as follows:

AAA is the highest rating that is assigned by S&P to a preferred stock issue and
indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations.

A preferred  stock issue rated AA also qualifies as a high-quality  fixed income
security.  The  capacity to pay  preferred  stock  obligations  is very  strong,
although not as overwhelming as for issues rated AAA.

An issue  rated A is  backed  by a sound  capacity  to pay the  preferred  stock
obligations,  although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions.

An issue  rated BBB is  regarded  as backed by an  adequate  capacity to pay the
preferred stock  obligations.  Whereas it normally exhibits adequate  protection
parameters,  adverse  economic  conditions  or changing  circumstances  are more
likely to lead to a weakened  capacity to make payments for a preferred stock in
this category than for issues in the A category.

Preferred stock rated BB, B, and CCC are regarded,  on balance, as predominantly
speculative  with  respect  to the  issuer's  capacity  to pay  preferred  stock
obligations.  BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation  and CCC the highest
degree of  speculation.  While such issues  will  likely  have some  quality and
protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major
risk exposures to adverse conditions.

                                      B-4
<PAGE>

The rating CC is reserved for a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or
sinking fund payments but that is currently paying.

A preferred stock rated C is a non-paying issue.

A preferred  stock rated D is a  non-paying  issue with the issuer in default on
debt instruments.

To provide more detailed  indications of preferred  stock  quality,  the ratings
from AA to CCC may be modified  by the  addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign
to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

3.   SHORT-TERM DEBT (COMMERCIAL PAPER)

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

Moody's two highest ratings for short-term debt, including commercial paper, are
Prime-1 and Prime-2,  both are judged investment grade, to indicate the relative
repayment ability of rated issuers.

Issuers rated Prime-1 have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term
debt  obligations.  Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of
the following characteristics:

                   ---  Leading market positions in well-established industries.
                   ---  High  rates of return on funds  employed.
                   ---  Conservative  capitalization  structure  with moderate
                        reliance on debt and ample asset  protection.
                   ---  Broad  margins in earnings  coverage of fixed  financial
                        charges and high internal cash  generation.
                   ---  Well-established access to a range of financial markets 
                        and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

Issuers rated  Prime-2 by Moody's have a strong  ability for repayment of senior
short-term  debt  obligations.  This will  normally be  evidenced by many of the
characteristics of issuers rated Prime-1 but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends
and  coverage   ratios,   while  sound,   may  be  more  subject  to  variation.
Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by
external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

STANDARD AND POOR'S CORPORATION

S&P's two highest  commercial  paper  ratings are A and B. Issues  assigned an A
rating are regarded as having the greatest  capacity for timely payment.  Issues
in this  category  are  delineated  with the numbers 1, 2 and 3 to indicate  the
relative  degree of  safety.  An A-1  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 denoted
with a plus (+) sign designation. The capacity for timely payment on issues with
an A-2 designation is strong.  However,  the relative degree of safety is not as
high as for issues  designated A-1. A-3 issues have a satisfactory  capacity for
timely  payment.  They are,  however,  somewhat  more  vulnerable to the adverse
effects  of  changes  in  circumstances  than  obligations  carrying  the higher
designations.  Issues rated B are  regarded as having only an adequate  capacity
for timely payment. However, such capacity may be damaged by changing conditions
or short-term adversities.

FITCH IBCA, INC.

Fitch's  short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand
or have original maturities of generally up to three years, including commercial
paper, certificates of deposit,  medium-term notes, and municipal and investment
notes.

F-1+. Issues assigned this rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of
assurance for timely payment.

                                      B-5
<PAGE>

F-1.  Issues  assigned this rating  reflect an assurance of timely  payment only
slightly less in degree than issues rated F-1+.

F-2.  Issues  assigned this rating have a  satisfactory  degree of assurance for
timely payment,  but the margin of safety is not as great as for issues assigned
F-1+ or F-1 ratings.

F-3. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics suggesting that the degree
of assurance for timely payment is adequate,  however, near-term adverse changes
could cause these securities to be rated below investment grade.

F-S.  Issues  assigned  this rating have  characteristics  suggesting  a minimal
degree of assurance for timely payment and are  vulnerable to near-term  adverse
changes in financial and economic conditions.

D..   Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent payment default.


                                      B-6
<PAGE>


                                     PART C
                                OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 24.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

         (a)      Financial statements

   
                           Prospectuses: Financial Highlights.
    

                           Statement of Additional Information: Not Applicable

         (b)      Exhibits

                 (1)      Trust Instrument of Registrant dated August 29, 1995
                          (see note 1).

                 (2)      By-Laws of Registrant (see note 2).

                 (3)      None.

                 (4)      See the  following  Sections in the Trust  Instrument
                          filed as Exhibit(1): Sections 2.04 and 2.06.

                 (5)(a)  Investment  Advisory  Agreement between  Registrant and
                         H.M.  Payson & Co.  relating  to Payson  Value Fund and
                         Payson  Balanced Fund dated December 18, 1995 (see note
                         3).

                    (b)  Investment  Advisory  Agreement between  Registrant and
                         Quadra Capital Partners,  L.P. relating to Quadra Value
                         Equity Fund and Quadra Growth Fund dated as of December
                         20, 1996 (see note 4).

   
                    (c)  Investment Subadvisory Agreement between Quadra Capital
                         Partners,   L.P.  and  Carl  Domino  Associates,   L.P.
                         relating  to  Quadra  Value  Equity  Fund  dated  as of
                         October 18, 1996 (see note 4).
    

                    (d)  Investment  Advisory  Agreement between  Registrant and
                         Austin Investment  Management,  Inc. relating to Austin
                         Global  Equity Fund dated as of June 14, 1996 (see note
                         3).

                    (e)  Investment  Advisory  Agreement between  Registrant and
                         Oak Hall Capital  Advisors,  Inc.  relating to Oak Hall
                         Equity Fund dated as of June 14, 1996 (see note 3).

                    (f)  Investment  Advisory  Agreement between  Registrant and
                         Forum  Investment  Advisors,  LLC relating to Investors
                         Bond Fund,  TaxSaver Bond Fund,  Maine  Municipal  Bond
                         Fund,  Investors  High  Grade  Bond Fund and  Investors
                         Growth Fund dated as of January 2, 1998 (see note 5).

                    (g)  Investment Subadvisory Agreement between Quadra Capital
                         Partners,  L.P. and Smith Asset Management  Group, L.P.
                         relating to Quadra  Growth Fund dated as of November 1,
                         1997 (see note 6).

   
                    (h)  Investment  Advisory  Agreement between  Registrant and
                         Polaris Capital Management, Inc. (see note 11).

                    (i)  Investment Subadvisory Agreement between  H.M. Payson &
                         Co. relating to the Investors  Equity  Fund dated as of
                         December 5, 1997 (filed herewith).
    
<PAGE>

                 (6)(a)  Selected  Dealer  Agreement   between  Forum  Financial
                         Services, Inc. and securities brokers (see note 3).

                    (b)  Bank Affiliated Selected Dealer Agreement between Forum
                         Financial Services,  Inc. and bank affiliates (see note
                         3).

   
                    (c)  Distribution  Agreement  between  Registrant  and Forum
                         Financial  Services,  Inc.  relating  to  Quadra  Value
                         Equity Fund,  Quadra Growth Fund,  Investors Bond Fund,
                         TaxSaver  Bond  Fund,  Investors  High Grade Bond Fund,
                         Maine  Municipal  Bond Fund,  New Hampshire  Bond Fund,
                         Equity Index Fund, Small Companies  Opportunities Fund,
                         International   Equity  Fund,  Investors  Equity  Fund,
                         Emerging Markets Fund,  Investors  Growth Fund,  Payson
                         Balanced  Fund,  Payson Value Fund,  Oak Hall Small Cap
                         Contrarian  Fund,  Austin Global  Equity Fund,  Polaris
                         Global  Value Fund and Investor  Shares,  Institutional
                         Shares and Institutional Service Shares of Daily Assets
                         Government  Fund,  Daily  Assets  Treasury  Obligations
                         Fund, Daily Assets  Government  Obligations Fund, Daily
                         Assets Cash Fund and Daily Assets  Municipal Fund dated
                         as of June 19, 1997 (see note 3).
    

                 (7)      None.

   
                 (8)(a)  Transfer   Agency  and   Services   Agreement   between
                         Registrant and Forum Shareholder Services, LLC relating
                         to TaxSaver Bond Fund,  Maine  Municipal Bond Fund, New
                         Hampshire  Bond Fund,  Investors  Bond Fund,  Investors
                         High Grade Bond Fund,  Investors  Growth  Fund,  Payson
                         Balanced  Fund,  Payson  Value Fund,  Investors  Equity
                         Fund,  Equity Index Fund,  Small Company  Opportunities
                         Fund, International Equity Fund, Emerging Markets Fund,
                         Institutional Shares,  Institutional Service Shares and
                         Investor  Shares of Daily Assets  Treasury  Obligations
                         Fund,  Daily  Assets   Government  Fund,  Daily  Assets
                         Government  Obligations  Fund,  Daily Assets Cash Fund,
                         Daily Assets Municipal Fund and Shares of Austin Global
                         Equity Fund, Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund, Quadra
                         Value  Equity  Fund,  Quadra  Growth  Fund and  Polaris
                         Global Value Fund dated May 19, 1998 (see note 3).

                    (b)  Custodian  Agreement between  Registrant and BankBoston
                         N.A.,  relating to, Daily Assets  Treasury  Obligations
                         Fund,  Daily  Assets   Government  Fund,  Daily  Assets
                         Government  Obligations  Fund,  Daily Assets Cash Fund,
                         Daily Assets Municipal Fund,  Investors High Grade Bond
                         Fund,  Investors Bond Fund,  TaxSaver Bond Fund,  Maine
                         Municipal Bond Fund,  New Hampshire  Bond Fund,  Payson
                         Balanced  Fund,  Equity  Index Fund,  Investors  Equity
                         Fund,   Payson  Value  Fund,   Investors  Growth  Fund,
                         International Equity Fund, Emerging Markets Fund, Small
                         Company  Opportunities  Fund, Quadra Value Equity Fund,
                         Quadra Growth Fund, Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund,
                         Austin Global Equity Fund and Polaris Global Value Fund
                         dated as of May 19, 1998 (filed herewith).

                 (9)(a)  Administration  Agreement between  Registrant and Forum
                         Administrative Services, LLC relating to Investors High
                         Grade Bond Fund,  Investors  Bond Fund,  TaxSaver  Bond
                         Fund,  Maine  Municipal  Bond Fund,  New Hampshire Bond
                         Fund,  Payson Balanced Fund,  Payson Value Fund, Equity
                         Index   Fund,   Small   Company   Opportunities   Fund,
                         International   Equity  Fund,  Emerging  Markets  Fund,
                         Investors  Equity Fund,  Investors  Growth Fund,  Daily
                         Assets Cash Fund,  Daily Assets  Government Fund, Daily
                         Assets   Government   Obligations  Fund,  Daily  Assets
                         Municipal Fund, Daily Assets Treasury Obligations Fund,
<PAGE>

                         Austin   Global   Equity  Fund,   Oak  Hall  Small  Cap
                         Contrarian  Fund,  Polaris  Global  Value Fund,  Quadra
                         Value Equity Fund,  and Quadra  Growth Fund dated as of
                         June 19,  1997 and  amended as of December 5, 1997 (see
                         note 3).
    

                    (b)  Shareholder  Service  Plan of  Registrant  relating  to
                         Quadra Funds dated June 19, 1997, amended September 22,
                         1997 and Form of Shareholder Service Agreement relating
                         to Quadra Funds (see note 7).

   
                    (c)  Form of  Shareholder  Service Plan of Registrant  dated
                         September  22,  1997  and Form of  Shareholder  Service
                         Agreement  dated December 5, 1997 relating to the Daily
                         Assets  Treasury  Fund,  Daily Assets Cash Fund,  Daily
                         Assets Government Fund, Daily Assets Municipal Fund and
                         Daily Assets Treasury Obligations Fund (see note 8).
    

                 (10)     Opinion of Seward & Kissel dated January 5, 1996 (see
                          note 3)

   
                 (11)(a)  Consent of Independent Auditors (filed herewith).

                 (11)(b)  Consent of Independent Auditors (filed herewith).
    

                 (12)     None.

   
                 (13)     Investment Representation letter of Reich & Tang, Inc.
                          as original purchaser of shares of Registrant (see
                          note 3).
    

                 (14)     Form of Disclosure  Statement  and Custodial  Account
                          Agreement   applicable   to   individual   retirement
                          accounts (see note 3)

                 (15)     Form of Rule 12b-1 Plan adopted by Registrant (see
                          note 3)


   
                 (16)     Schedule of Sample Performance Calculations (see note
                          10) relating to:
<TABLE>
                             <S><C>                                          <C>
                            Investors High Grade Bond Fund                  Payson Balanced Fund
                            Investors Bond Fund                             Austin Global Equity Fund
                            TaxSaver Bond Fund                              Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund
                            Maine Municipal Bond Fund                       Quadra Value Equity Fund
                            New Hampshire Bond Fund                         Quadra Growth Fund
                            Daily Assets Treasury Obligations Fund          Equity Index Fund
                            Daily Assets Government Fund                    Investors Equity Fund
                            Daily Assets Government Obligations Fund        Investors Growth Fund
                            Daily Assets Cash Fund                          Small Company Opportunities Fund
                            Daily Assets Municipal Fund                     International Equity Fund
                            Payson Value Fund                               Emerging Markets Fund
</TABLE>

                 (17)     Financial Data Schedules (filed herewith)
    

                 (18)     18f-3 plan adopted by Registrant (see note 3).

        Other Exhibits:

   
                 Powers of Attorney (see note 1).

                 Power of Attorney for John Y. Keffer (filed herewith).
    
         ---------------
<PAGE>

Note      (1)  Exhibit  incorporated  by  reference  as filed on PEA No.  34 via
               EDGAR on May 9, 1996, accession number 0000912057-96-008780.

          (2)  Exhibit  incorporated  by  reference  as filed on PEA No.  43 via
               EDGAR on July 31, 1997, accession number 0000912057-97-025707.

          (3)  Exhibit  incorporated  by  reference  as filed on PEA No.  62 via
               EDGAR on May 26, 1998, accession number 0001004402-98-000307.

          (4)  Exhibit  incorporated  by  reference  as filed on PEA No.  41 via
               EDGAR    on    December     31,    1996,     accession     number
               0000912057-96-030646.

          (5)  Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed on PEA 56 via EDGAR on
               December 31, 1997, accession number 0001004402-97-000281.

          (6)  Exhibit  incorporated  by  reference  as filed on PEA No.  48 via
               EDGAR on October 31, 1997, accession number 0001004402-97-000152.

          (7)  Exhibit  incorporated  by  reference  as filed on PEA No.  49 via
               EDGAR on November 5, 1997, accession number 0001004402-97-000163.

          (8)  Exhibit  incorporated  by  reference  as filed on PEA No.  50 via
               EDGAR on November 12, 1997, accession no. 0001004402-97-000189.

          (9)  Exhibit  incorporated  by  reference  as filed on PEA No.  33 via
               EDGAR on January 5, 1996, accession number 0000912057-96-000216.

          (10) Exhibit  incorporated  by  reference  as filed on PEA No.  61 via
               EDGAR on May 8, 1998, accession number 0001004402-98-000295.

   
          (11) Exhibit incorporated by reference as file on PEA No. 62 via EDGAR
               on June 8, 1998, accession number 0001004402-98-000339.
    

ITEM 25.  PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT

         None.

ITEM 26.  NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
<TABLE>
             <S>                                                                        <C>
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
           Title of Class                                                                Number of Recordholders
                                                                                           as of July 1, 1998
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           Investors High Grade Bond Fund                                                           2
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
           Investors Bond Fund                                                                     57
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           TaxSaver Bond Fund                                                                      41
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
           Maine Municipal Bond Fund                                                               389
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
           New Hampshire Bond Fund                                                                 74
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           Daily Assets Treasury Obligations Fund
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
                    Institutional Services                                                          3
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
                    Institutional                                                                   5
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
                    Investor Shares                                                                 1
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
            <S>                                                                      <C>

           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
           Title of Class                                                                Number of Recordholders
                                                                                           as of July 1, 1998
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           Daily Assets Government Fund
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
                    Institutional Services                                                         102
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
                    Institutional                                                                   3
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
                    Investor Shares                                                                 1
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           Daily Assets Government Obligations Fund
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
                    Institutional Services                                                          9
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
                    Institutional                                                                   5
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
                    Investor Shares                                                                 1
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           Daily Assets Cash Fund
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
                    Institutional Services                                                         26
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
                    Institutional                                                                   4
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
                    Investor Shares                                                                 1
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           Daily Assets Municipal Fund
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
                    Institutional Services                                                          5
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
                    Institutional                                                                   1
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
                    Investor Shares                                                                 1
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
           Payson Value Fund                                                                       361
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           Payson Balanced Fund                                                                    387
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
           Austin Global Equity Fund                                                               13
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
           Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund                                                      163
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           Quadra Value Equity Fund                                                                17
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           Quadra Growth Fund                                                                      14
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
           Polaris Global Value Fund                                                               125
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           Equity Index Fund                                                                        3
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
           Investors Equity Fund                                                                    7
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           Investors Growth Fund                                                                    3
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           Small Company Opportunities Fund                                                         1
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
   
           International Equity Fund                                                                2
    
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
           Emerging Markets Fund                                                                    2
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
</TABLE>


ITEM 27.  INDEMNIFICATION

         In  accordance  with Section 3803 of the Delaware  Business  Trust Act,
         Section 5.2 of Registrant's Trust Instrument provides as follows:

         "5.2.    INDEMNIFICATION.

         "(a)     Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in Section
         (b) below:

                  "(i) Every Person who is, or has been, a Trustee or officer of
         the Trust  (hereinafter  referred  to as a "Covered  Person")  shall be
         indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against
         liability and against all expenses  reasonably  incurred or paid by him
         in connection  with any claim,  action, 

<PAGE>

          suit or  proceeding  in  which  he  becomes  involved  as a  party  or
          otherwise  by virtue of being or having  been a Trustee or officer and
          against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof;

                  "(ii) The words  "claim,"  "action,"  "suit," or  "proceeding"
         shall  apply  to all  claims,  actions,  suits or  proceedings  (civil,
         criminal or other,  including  appeals),  actual or threatened while in
         office or thereafter,  and the words  "liability" and "expenses"  shall
         include, without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts
         paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.

         "(b)     No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covere
         Person:

                  "(i) Who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before
         which the  proceeding  was brought (A) to be liable to the Trust or its
         Holders by reason of willful  misfeasance,  bad faith, gross negligence
         or  reckless  disregard  of the duties  involved  in the conduct of the
         Covered  Person's  office or (B) not to have acted in good faith in the
         reasonable belief that Covered Person's action was in the best interest
         of the Trust; or

                  "(ii) In the event of a  settlement,  unless  there has been a
         determination  that such  Trustee or officer  did not engage in willful
         misfeasance,  bad faith,  gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
         duties involved in the conduct of the Trustee's or officer's office,

                           "(A) By the court or other body approving the 
                           settlement;

                           "(B) By at least a majority of those Trustees who are
         neither  Interested  Persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter
         based upon a review of readily  available  facts (as  opposed to a full
         trial-type inquiry); or

                           "(C) By written opinion of independent  legal counsel
         based upon a review of readily  available  facts (as  opposed to a full
         trial-type inquiry);

         provided,   however,   that  any  Holder  may,  by  appropriate   legal
         proceedings,  challenge  any such  determination  by the Trustees or by
         independent counsel.

         "(c) The  rights of  indemnification  herein  provided  may be  insured
         against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable,  shall
         not be  exclusive  of or affect any other  rights to which any  Covered
         Person may now or hereafter be entitled,  shall continue as to a person
         who has ceased to be a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of
         the  heirs,  executors  and  administrators  of such a person.  Nothing
         contained  herein shall affect any rights to  indemnification  to which
         Trust personnel,  other than Covered Persons,  and other persons may be
         entitled by contract or otherwise under law.

         "(d) Expenses in connection with the preparation and  presentation of a
         defense to any  claim,  action,  suit or  proceeding  of the  character
         described in paragraph (a) of this Section 5.2 may be paid by the Trust
         or Series  from time to time prior to final  disposition  thereof  upon
         receipt of an  undertaking  by or on behalf of such Covered Person that
         such  amount  will be paid  over by him to the Trust or Series if it is
         ultimately  determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under
         this  Section  5.2;  provided,  however,  that either (a) such  Covered
         Person shall have provided  appropriate  security for such undertaking,
         (b) the Trust is insured against losses arising out of any such advance
         payments  or (c)  either a majority  of the  Trustees  who are  neither
         Interested  Persons  of  the  Trust  nor  parties  to  the  matter,  or
         independent legal counsel in a written opinion,  shall have determined,
         based  upon a review  of  readily  available  facts  (as  opposed  to a
         trial-type  inquiry  or full  investigation),  that  there is reason to
         believe   that  such   Covered   Person  will  be  found   entitled  to
         indemnification under this Section 5.2.

         "(e) Conditional advancing of indemnification monies under this Section
         5.2 for  actions  based  upon  the  1940  Act  may be made  only on the
         following conditions: (i) the advances must be limited to amounts used,
         or to be used, for the  preparation or presentation of a defense to the
         action, including costs connected

<PAGE>

          with the  preparation of a settlement;  (ii) advances may be made only
          upon receipt of a written  promise by, or on behalf of, the  recipient
          to repay that amount of the advance which exceeds that amount which it
          is ultimately determined that he is entitled to receive from the Trust
          by reason of  indemnification;  and  (iii)  (a) such  promise  must be
          secured by a surety bond,  other  suitable  insurance or an equivalent
          form of security  which assures that any repayments may be obtained by
          the Trust without delay or litigation,  which bond, insurance or other
          form of security must be provided by the recipient of the advance,  or
          (b) a majority  of a quorum of the  Trust's  disinterested,  non-party
          Trustees, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion,  shall
          determine,  based upon a review of readily  available facts,  that the
          recipient  of  the  advance  ultimately  will  be  found  entitled  to
          indemnification.

         "(f) In case any Holder or former Holder of any Series shall be held to
         be  personally  liable  solely by reason of the Holder or former Holder
         being or having  been a Holder of that  Series  and not  because of the
         Holder or former Holder acts or omissions or for some other reason, the
         Holder or former  Holder  (or the  Holder  or  former  Holder's  heirs,
         executors,  administrators or other legal  representatives,  or, in the
         case of a corporation  or other entity,  its corporate or other general
         successor)  shall  be  entitled  out of  the  assets  belonging  to the
         applicable Series to be held harmless from and indemnified  against all
         loss and expense arising from such  liability.  The Trust, on behalf of
         the affected  Series,  shall,  upon  request by the Holder,  assume the
         defense of any claim made against the Holder for any act or  obligation
         of the Series and satisfy any  judgment  thereon from the assets of the
         Series."

         Paragraph 4 of each Investment Advisory Agreement provides in substance
as follows:

         "4. We shall  expect of you,  and you will give us the benefit of, your
         best  judgment  and efforts in rendering  these  services to us, and we
         agree as an  inducement  to your  undertaking  these  services that you
         shall not be liable  hereunder  for any  mistake of  judgment or in any
         event whatsoever,  except for lack of good faith, provided that nothing
         herein shall be deemed to protect,  or purport to protect,  you against
         any  liability to us or and to our security  holders to which you would
         otherwise  be subject by reason of  willful  misfeasance,  bad faith or
         gross  negligence in the  performance of your duties  hereunder,  or by
         reason  of your  reckless  disregard  of your  obligations  and  duties
         hereunder."

Section 8 of the Distribution Agreement provides:

         (a) The Trust  will  indemnify,  defend and hold the  Distributor,  its
         employees,  agents,  directors and officers and any person who controls
         the Distributor  within the meaning of section 15 of the Securities Act
         or  section  20 of the 1934 Act  ("Distributor  Indemnitees")  free and
         harmless from and against any and all claims, demands,  actions, suits,
         judgments,  liabilities,  losses, damages,  costs, charges,  reasonable
         counsel  fees  and  other   expenses  of  every  nature  and  character
         (including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands,
         actions,  suits or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred
         in connection  therewith)  which any Distributor  Indemnitee may incur,
         under the Securities Act, or under common law or otherwise, arising out
         of or based  upon any  alleged  untrue  statement  of a  material  fact
         contained in the Registration  Statement or the Prospectuses or arising
         out of or based upon any  alleged  omission  to state a  material  fact
         required  to be  stated in any one  thereof  or  necessary  to make the
         statements in any one thereof not misleading,  unless such statement or
         omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information
         furnished in writing to the Trust in connection with the preparation of
         the Registration Statement or exhibits to the Registration Statement by
         or on behalf of the Distributor ("Distributor Claims").

         After receipt of the Distributor's  notice of termination under Section
         13(e), the Trust shall indemnify and hold each  Distributor  Indemnitee
         free and harmless  from and against any  Distributor  Claim;  provided,
         that the term  Distributor  Claim for purposes of this  sentence  shall
         mean any  Distributor  Claim  related  to the  matters  for  which  the
         Distributor has requested  amendment to the Registration  Statement and
         for which the Trust has not filed a Required  Amendment,  regardless of
         with respect to such matters  whether any statement in or omission from
         the Registration  Statement was made in reliance upon, or in conformity
         with,  information  furnished  to  the  Trust  by or on  behalf  of the
         Distributor.
<PAGE>

         (b) The Trust may assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any
         Distributor Claim and may retain counsel of good standing chosen by the
         Trust and  approved by the  Distributor,  which  approval  shall not be
         withheld  unreasonably.  The Trust shall advise the Distributor that it
         will assume the defense of the suit and retain  counsel within ten (10)
         days of receipt of the notice of the claim.  If the Trust  assumes  the
         defense of any such suit and retains counsel, the defendants shall bear
         the fees and expenses of any  additional  counsel that they retain.  If
         the  Trust  does  not  assume  the  defense  of any  such  suit,  or if
         Distributor does not approve of counsel chosen by the Trust or has been
         advised  that it may have  available  defenses  or claims  that are not
         available to or conflict with those  available to the Trust,  the Trust
         will reimburse any  Distributor  Indemnitee  named as defendant in such
         suit for the  reasonable  fees and  expenses of any counsel that person
         retains. A Distributor Indemnitee shall not settle or confess any claim
         without the prior written consent of the Trust, which consent shall not
         be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

         (c) The Distributor  will indemnify,  defend and hold the Trust and its
         several officers and trustees (collectively,  the "Trust Indemnitees"),
         free  and  harmless  from  and  against  any and all  claims,  demands,
         actions,  suits,  judgments,   liabilities,   losses,  damages,  costs,
         charges, reasonable counsel fees and other expenses of every nature and
         character  (including  the  cost of  investigating  or  defending  such
         claims,  demands,  actions,  suits or  liabilities  and any  reasonable
         counsel fees incurred in connection therewith),  but only to the extent
         that such claims,  demands,  actions,  suits,  judgments,  liabilities,
         losses,  damages,  costs,  charges,  reasonable  counsel fees and other
         expenses result from, arise out of or are based upon:

         (i) any alleged  untrue  statement of a material fact  contained in the
         Registration  Statement  or  Prospectus  or any  alleged  omission of a
         material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements
         therein not  misleading,  if such  statement  or  omission  was made in
         reliance upon,  and in conformity  with,  information  furnished to the
         Trust in writing in connection with the preparation of the Registration
         Statement or Prospectus by or on behalf of the Distributor; or

         (ii)  any  act  of,  or   omission   by,   Distributor   or  its  sales
         representatives that does not conform to the standard of care set forth
         in Section 7 of this Agreement ("Trust Claims").

         (d) The  Distributor  may  assume the  defense  of any suit  brought to
         enforce any Trust Claim and may retain counsel of good standing  chosen
         by the Distributor and approved by the Trust,  which approval shall not
         be withheld  unreasonably.  The Distributor shall advise the Trust that
         it will  assume the defense of the suit and retain  counsel  within ten
         (10) days of receipt of the  notice of the  claim.  If the  Distributor
         assumes  the  defense  of  any  such  suit  and  retains  counsel,  the
         defendants  shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional  counsel
         that they retain. If the Distributor does not assume the defense of any
         such  suit,  or if Trust  does not  approve  of  counsel  chosen by the
         Distributor or has been advised that it may have available  defenses or
         claims that are not  available to or conflict  with those  available to
         the  Distributor,  the Distributor  will reimburse any Trust Indemnitee
         named as defendant in such suit for the reasonable fees and expenses of
         any counsel that person retains. A Trust Indemnitee shall not settle or
         confess any claim without the prior written consent of the Distributor,
         which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

         (e)  The  Trust's  and  the   Distributor's   obligations   to  provide
         indemnification under this Section is conditioned upon the Trust or the
         Distributor   receiving   notice  of  any  action  brought   against  a
         Distributor Indemnitee or Trust Indemnitee, respectively, by the person
         against whom such action is brought  within  twenty (20) days after the
         summons or other first legal process is served. Such notice shall refer
         to the  person or  persons  against  whom the  action is  brought.  The
         failure to provide such notice shall not relieve the party  entitled to
         such  notice  of any  liability  that it may  have  to any  Distributor
         Indemnitee or Trust Indemnitee except to the extent that the ability of
         the  party  entitled  to such  notice to defend  such  action  has been
         materially adversely affected by the failure to provide notice.

         (f) The provisions of this Section and the parties' representations and
         warranties in this Agreement  shall remain  operative and in full force
         and effect regardless of any investigation  made by or on behalf of any
<PAGE>

         Distributor  Indemnitee or Trust  Indemnitee and shall survive the sale
         and redemption of any Shares made pursuant to subscriptions obtained by
         the Distributor.  The  indemnification  provisions of this Section will
         inure  exclusively  to  the  benefit  of  each  person  that  may  be a
         Distributor  Indemnitee  or Trust  Indemnitee  at any  time  and  their
         respective  successors and assigns (it being intended that such persons
         be deemed to be third party beneficiaries under this Agreement).

         (g) Each  party  agrees  promptly  to  notify  the  other  party of the
         commencement  of any litigation or proceeding of which it becomes aware
         arising  out of or in any way  connected  with the  issuance or sale of
         Shares.

         (h) Nothing contained herein shall require the Trust to take any action
         contrary to any  provision of its Organic  Documents or any  applicable
         statute or  regulation  or shall  require the  Distributor  to take any
         action  contrary to any provision of its Articles of  Incorporation  or
         Bylaws or any applicable statute or regulation; provided, however, that
         neither the Trust nor the Distributor may amend their Organic Documents
         or Articles of Incorporation  and Bylaws,  respectively,  in any manner
         that would result in a violation of a  representation  or warranty made
         in this Agreement.

         (i) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to protect the
         Distributor  against any liability to the Trust or its security holders
         to which the  Distributor  would  otherwise be subject by reason of its
         failure to satisfy the  standard of care set forth in Section 7 of this
         Agreement.

ITEM 28.  BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER

           (a)      Forum Investment Advisors, LLC

                    The   description   of  Forum   Investment   Advisors,   LLC
                    (investment   adviser  to  each  of  Daily  Assets  Treasury
                    Obligations Fund, Daily Assets Government Fund, Daily Assets
                    Government  Obligations  Fund, Daily Assets Cash Fund, Daily
                    Assets  Municipal  Fund,  Investors  High  Grade  Bond Fund,
                    Investors  Bond Fund,  TaxSaver Bond Fund,  Maine  Municipal
                    Bond Fund,  New  Hampshire  Bond Fund and  Investors  Growth
                    Fund)  in the  Prospectuses  and  Statements  of  Additional
                    Information,   constituting   certain  of  Parts  A  and  B,
                    respectively,    of   this   Registration   Statement,   are
                    incorporated by reference herein.

                    The following are the members of Forum Investment  Advisors,
                    LLC, Two Portland Square,  Portland,  Maine 04101, including
                    their  business  connections  which  are  of  a  substantial
                    nature.

                           Forum Holdings Corp. I., Member.
                           Forum Trust, LLC., Member.

                    Both Forum Holdings Corp. and Forum Financial Group, LLC are
                    controlled by John Y. Keffer,  Chairman and President of the
                    Registrant.  Mr.  Keffer  is  President  of Forum  Financial
                    Group,  LLC. Mr. Keffer is also a director and/or officer of
                    various  registered   investment  companies  for  which  the
                    various  Forum   Financial   Group  of  Companies   provides
                    services.

                    The following are the officers of Forum Investment Advisors,
                    LLC,  including  their business  connections  which are of a
                    substantial  nature. Each officer may serve as an officer of
                    various registered  investment companies for which the Forum
                    Financial Group of Companies provides services.
<TABLE>
               <S>                             <C>                                   <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           William J. Lewis                   Director                             Forum Investment Advisors, LLC.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
           <S>                                    <C>                                <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Sara M. Morris                     Treasurer                            Forum Investment Advisors, LLC.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Chief Financial Officer              Forum Financial Group, LLC.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Officer                              Other Forum affiliated companies
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           David I. Goldstein                 Secretary                            Forum Investment Advisors, LLC.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              General Counsel                      Forum Financial Group, LLC.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Officer                              Other Forum affiliated companies
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Dana A. Lukens                     Assistant Secretary                  Forum Investment Advisors, LLC.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Corporate Counsel                    Forum Financial Group, LLC.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Officer                              Other Forum affiliated companies
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Margaret J. Fenderson              Assistant Treasurer                  Forum Investment Advisors, LLC.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Corporate Accounting Manager         Forum Financial Group, LLC.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Officer                              Other Forum affiliated companies
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>

         (b)      H.M. Payson & Co.

   
                    The description of H.M. Payson & Co. in the Prospectuses and
                    Statements  of Additional  Information,  with respect to the
                    Payson Value Fund, Payson Balanced Fund and Investors Equity
                    Fund,  constituting  certain of Parts A and B, respectively,
                    of  this   Registration   Statement,   are  incorporated  by
                    reference herein.
    

                    The following  are the  directors  and  principal  executive
                    officers  of H.M.  Payson & Co.,  including  their  business
                    connections which are of a substantial  nature.  The address
                    of H.M. Payson & Co. is One Portland Square, Portland, Maine
                    04101.
<TABLE>
               <S>                                <C>                                <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Adrian L. Asherman                 Managing Director                    H.M. Payson & Co.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           John C. Downing                    Managing Director, Treasurer         H.M. Payson & Co.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           William A. Macleod                 Managing Director                    H.M. Payson & Co.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Thomas M. Pierce                   Managing Director                    H.M. Payson & Co.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Peter E. Robbins                   Managing Director                    H.M. Payson & Co.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
           <S>                                    <C>                                <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           John H. Walker                     Managing Director, President         H.M. Payson & Co.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Director                             York Holding Company
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Director                             York Insurance Company
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Teresa M. Esposito                 Managing Director                    H.M. Payson & Co.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           John C. Knox                       Managing Director                    H.M. Payson & Co.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Harold J Dixon                     Managing Director                    H.M. Payson & Co.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Laura McDill                       Managing Director                    H.M. Payson & Co.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>

         (c)      Austin Investment Management, Inc.

                  The description of Austin Investment  Management,  Inc. in the
                  Prospectus  and  Statement  of  Additional   Information  with
                  respect to the Austin Global Equity Fund, constituting certain
                  of  Parts  A  and  B,   respectively,   of  this  Registration
                  Statement, are incorporated by reference herein.

                  The following is the director and principal  executive officer
                  of Austin  Investment  Management,  Inc. 375 Park Avenue,  New
                  York, New York 10152, including his business connections which
                  are of a substantial nature.

<TABLE>
               <S>                                <C>                                <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Peter Vlachos                      Director, President, Treasurer,      Austin Investment Management Inc.
                                              Secretary
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>

         (d)      Oak Hall Capital Advisors, LLP

                  The  description  of Oak  Hall  Capital  Advisors,  LLP in the
                  Prospectus  and  Statement  of  Additional   Information  with
                  respect to Oak Hall Small Cap  Contrarian  Fund,  constituting
                  part of  Parts  A and B,  respectively,  of this  Registration
                  Statement are incorporated by reference herein.

                  The  following  are  the  directors  and  principal  executive
                  officers  of, Oak Hall  Capital  Advisors,  Inc. 122 East 42nd
                  Street,  New York,  New York 10168,  including  their business
                  connections which are of a substantial nature.
<TABLE>
               <S>                              <C>                                  <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Alexander G. Anagnos               Director, Portfolio Manager          Oak Hall Capital Advisors, LLP
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Consultant                           American Services Corporation
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Financial Advisor                    WR Family Associates
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Lewis G. Cole                      Director                             Oak Hall Capital Advisors, LLP
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Partner                              The Law Firm of Strook, Strook &
                                                                                   Lavan
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           John J. Hock                       Executive Vice President             Oak Hall Capital Advisors, LLP
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
<PAGE>

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Charles D. Klein                   Portfolio Manager                    Oak Hall Capital Advisors, LLP
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Director                             American Services Corporation
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Financial Advisor                    WR Family Associates
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           David P. Steinmann                 Executive Vice President             Oak Hall Capital Advisors, LLP
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Secretary, Treasurer                 American Securities Corporation
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Administrator                        WR Family Associates
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>

         (e)      Carl Domino Associates, L.P.

                  The  description  of  Carl  Domino  Associates,  L.P.  in  the
                  Prospectus  and  Statement  of  Additional   Information  with
                  respect to the Quadra Value Equity Fund,  constituting certain
                  of  Parts  A  and  B,   respectively,   of  this  Registration
                  Statement, are incorporated by reference herein.

                  The  following  are  the  directors  and  principal  executive
                  officers of, Carl Domino Associates,  L.P., 580 Village Blvd.,
                  West Palm Beach, FL 33409 including their business connections
                  which are of a substantial nature.
<TABLE>
           <S>                                    <C>                                <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Carl J. Domino                     Managing Partner, Portfolio Manager  Carl Domino Associates, L.P.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Paul Scoville, Jr.                 Senior Portfolio Manager             Carl Domino Associates, L.P.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Ann Fritts Syring                  Senior Portfolio Manager             Carl Domino Associates, L.P.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           John Wagstaff-Callahan             Senior Portfolio Manager             Carl Domino Associates, L.P.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Trustee                              formerly of Batterymarch
                                                                                   Financial Management
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Stephen Krider Kent, Jr.           Senior Portfolio Manager             Carl Domino Associates, L.P.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Senior Portfolio Manager             formerly of Gamble, Jones
                                                                                   Holbrook & Brent
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>

         (f)      Smith Asset Management Group, L.P.

                  The description of Smith Asset Management  Group,  L.P. in the
                  Prospectus  and  Statement  of  Additional   Information  with
                  respect to the Quadra  Growth  Fund,  constituting  certain of
                  Parts A and B, respectively,  of this Registration  Statement,
                  are incorporated by reference herein.

                  The  following  are  the  directors  and  principal  executive
                  officers  of Smith Asset  Management  Group,  L.P.,  including
                  their business connections which are of a substantial nature.
<TABLE>
           <S>                                <C>                                    <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Stephen S. Smith                   President, Chief Executive Officer   Smith Asset Management Group
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Partner                              Discovery Management
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
<PAGE>

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Stephen J. Summers                 Chief Operating Officer              Smith Asset Management Group
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Partner                              Discovery Management
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Sarah C. Castleman                 Vice President                       Smith Asset Management Group
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Partner                              Discovery Management
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Assistant Vice President             NationsBank (formerly)
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>


         (g)      Norwest Investment Management, Inc.

                  The description of Norwest Investment Management, Inc. ("NIM")
                  in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional  Information for
                  Equity  Index  Fund,  constituting  certain  of Parts A and B,
                  respectively, of this Registration Statement, are incorporated
                  by reference herein.

                  The  following  are  the  directors  and  principal  executive
                  officers of NIM,  including their business  connections  which
                  are  of  a   substantial   nature.   The  address  of  Norwest
                  Corporation,  the  parent  of  Norwest  Bank  Minnesota,  N.A.
                  ("Norwest  Bank"),  which is the  parent  of NIM,  is  Norwest
                  Center,  Sixth Street and Marquette  Avenue,  Minneapolis,  MN
                  55479.   Unless  otherwise   indicated  below,  the  principal
                  business  address of any company with which the  directors and
                  principal  executive  officers  are  connected  is also  Sixth
                  Street and Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55479.
<TABLE>
               <S>                             <C>                                   <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           P. Jay Kiedrowski                  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,   Norwest Investment Management,
                                              President                            Inc.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Executive Vice President, Employee   Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                               Director                             Crestone Capital Management, Inc.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Chairman                             Galliard Capital Management, Inc.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Stephen P. Gianoli                 Senior Vice President, Chief         Norwest Investment Management,
                                              Executive Officer                    Inc.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Director                             Crestone Capital Management, Inc.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           David S. Lunt                      Vice President, Senior Portfolio     Norwest Investment Management,
                                              Manager                              Inc.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Richard C. Villars                 Vice President, Senior Portfolio     Norwest Investment Management,
                                              Manager                              Inc.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Lee K. Chase                       Senior Vice President                Norwest Investment Management,
                                                                                   Inc.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           James W. Paulsen                   Vice President                       Norwest Investment Management,
                                                                                   Inc.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
           <S>                                 <C>                                    <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Andrew Owen                        Vice President                       Norwest Investment Management,
                                                                                   Inc.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Eileen A. Kuhry                    Investment Compliance Specialist     Norwest Investment Management,
                                                                                   Inc.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>

         (h)      Schroder Capital Management International Inc.

                  The description of Schroder Capital  Management  International
                  Inc.  ("Schroder")  in the Prospectus  Statement of Additional
                  Information relating to International Equity Fund and Emerging
                  Markets  Fund,   constituting   certain  of  Parts  A  and  B,
                  respectively, of this Registration Statement, are incorporated
                  by reference herein.

                  The following  are the  directors  and  principal  officers of
                  Schroder,   including   their   business   connections   of  a
                  substantial nature. The address of each company listed, unless
                  otherwise  noted,  is 33 Gutter Lane,  London EC2V 8AS, United
                  Kingdom.  Schroder Capital  Management  International  Limited
                  ("Schroder  Ltd.") is a United  Kingdom  affiliate of Schroder
                  which provides investment  management  services  international
                  clients located principally in the United States.

<TABLE>
           <S>                                   <C>                                 <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           David M. Salisbury                 Chairman, Director                   SCMI
    

                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Chief Executive, Director            Schroder Ltd.
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Director                             Schroders plc.
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Trustee and Officer                  Schroder Series Trust II
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Richard R. Foulkes                 Deputy Chairman, Director            SCMI
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Deputy Chairman                      Schroder Ltd.
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Officer                              Certain open end management
                                                                                   investment companies for which
                                                                                   SCMI and/or its affiliates
                                                                                   provide investment services
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           John A. Troiano                    Chief Executive, Director            SCMI
    
                                              ------------------------------------
                                                                                   ----------------------------------
   
                                              Chief Executive, Director            Schroder Ltd.
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                                                                   ----------------------------------
   
                                              Officer                              Certain open end management
                                                                                   investment companies for which
                                                                                   SCMI and/or its affiliates
                                                                                   provide investment services
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
           <S>                                 <C>                                   <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Sharon L. Haugh                    Executive Vice President, Director   SCMI
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Director, Chairman                   Schroder Fund Advisors Inc
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Director                             Schroder Ltd.
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Chairman, Director                   Schroder Capital Management Inc.*
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Trustee                              Certain open end management
                                                                                   investment companies for which
                                                                                   SCMI and/or its affiliates
                                                                                   provide investment services
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Gavin D. L. Ralston                Senior Vice President, Managing      SCMI
                                              Director
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Director                             Schroder Ltd.
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Mark J. Smith                      Senior Vice President, Director      SCMI
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Senior Vice President, Director      Schroder Ltd.
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Director                             Schroder Fund Advisors Inc.
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Trustee and Officer                  Certain open end management
                                                                                   investment companies for which
                                                                                   SCMI and/or its affiliates
                                                                                   provide investment services
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Robert G. Davy                     Senior Vice President, Director      SCMI
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Director                             Schroder Ltd.
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Officer                              Certain open end management
                                                                                   investment companies for which
                                                                                   SCMI and/or its affiliates
                                                                                   provide investment services
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Jane P. Lucas                      Senior Vice President, Director      SCMI
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Director                             Schroder Fund Advisors Inc.
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Director                             Schroder Capital Management Inc.*
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Officer                              Certain open end management
                                                                                   investment companies for which
                                                                                   SCMI and/or its affiliates
                                                                                   provide investment services
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           David R. Robertson                 Group Vice President                 SCMI
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Senior Vice President                Schroder Fund Advisors Inc..
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Director of Institutional Business   Oppenheimer Funds, Inc.
                                                                                   resigned 2/98
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Michael M. Perlstein               Senior Vice President, Director      SCMI
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Senior Vice President, Director      Schroders Ltd.
    
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
                                              Managing Director                    MacKay Shields Financial
                                                                                   Corporation
                                                                                   resigned 11/96
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
           <S>                                 <C>                                   <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Louise Croset                      First Vice President, Director       SCMI
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              First Vice President                 Schroder Ltd.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Trustee and Officer                  Schroder Series Trust II
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Abdallah Nauphal                   Group Vice President, Director       SCMI
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Group Vice President, Director       Schroder Capital Management Inc.*
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Ellen B. Sullivan                  Group Vice President, Director       SCMI
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Director                             Schroder Capital Management Inc.*
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Catherine A. Mazza                 Group Vice President                 SCMI
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              President, Director                  Schroder Fund Advisors Inc.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Director                             Schroder Capital Management Inc.*
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Officer                              Certain open end management
                                                                                   investment companies for
                                                                                   which SCMI and/or its
                                                                                   affiliates provide investment
                                                                                   services.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Heather Crighton                   First Vice President, Director       SCMI
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              First Vice President, Director       Schroder Ltd.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Fariba Talebi                      Group Vice President                 SCMI
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Director                             Schroder Capital Management Inc.*
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Officer                              Certain open end management
                                                                                   investment companies for
                                                                                   which SCMI and/or its
                                                                                   affiliates provide investment
                                                                                   services.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Ira Unschuld                       Group Vice President                 SCMI
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Officer                             Certain open end management
                                                                                   investment companies for
                                                                                   which SCMI and/or its
                                                                                   affiliates provide
                                                                                   investment services.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Paul M. Morris                     Senior Vice President                SCMI
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Director                             Schroder Capital Management Inc.*
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Principal, Senior Portfolio Manager  Weiss, Peck & Greer LLC
                                                                                   resigned 12/96
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Susan B. Kenneally                 First Vice President, Director       SCMI
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              First Vice President, Director       Schroder Ltd.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Jennifer A. Bonathan               First Vice President, Director       SCMI
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              First Vice President, Director       Schroder Ltd.
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

   
                    *Schroder Capital  Management Inc. is located at 787 Seventh
                    Avenue, 34th Floor, New York, NY 10019.
    

         (i)      Polaris Capital Management, Inc.

                  The   description   of  Polaris   Capital   Management,   Inc.
                  ("Polaris") under the caption "Management - Investment Adviser
                  and Portfolio  Manager." in the  Prospectus for Polaris Global
                  Value Fund and "Management - Investment  Adviser and Portfolio
                  Manager" in the Statement of Additional  Information  relating
                  to  that  fund,   constituting  certain  of  Parts  A  and  B,
                  respectively,  of the Registration Statement, are incorporated
                  by reference herein.

                  The following  are the  directors  and  principal  officers of
                  Polaris, including their business connections of a substantial
                  nature.  The  address of the  company  is 125  Summer  Street,
                  Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

<TABLE>
               <S>                                <C>                                <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Bernard R. Horn, Jr.               President, Portfolio Manager         Polaris Capital Management, Inc.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>

   
         (j)      Quadra Capital Partners, L.P.

                  The description of Quadra Capital  Partners,  L.P.  ("Quadra")
                  under the caption "Management - The Adviser" in the Prospectus
                  for  Quadra  Value  Equity  Fund and  Quadra  Growth  Fund and
                  "Management   -  Advisers"  in  the  Statement  of  Additional
                  Information  relating to those funds,  constituting certain of
                  Parts A and B,  respectively,  of the Registration  Statement,
                  are incorporated by reference herein.

                  The following are the  principals of Quadra,  including  their
                  business  connections of a substantial  nature. The address of
                  the company is 270 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210.
    
<TABLE>
           <S>                                   <C>                                 <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
   
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Eileen Delasandro                  Chief Executive Officer              Quadra Capital Partners, Inc.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Donald Levi                        Chief Operating Officer              Quadra Capital Partners, Inc.
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Howard Stevenson                   Chairman                             Quadra Capital Partners, Inc.
                                              ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                              Sarofim-Rock Professor               Harvard Business School
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Philip Hamilton                    Director of Strategic Planning,      Quadra Capital Partners, Inc.
                                              Compliance Officer
    
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
         (k)      Peoples Heritage Bank

                  The  description of Peoples  Heritage Bank  ("Peoples") in the
                  Prospectus  and  Statement  of  Additional  Information,  with
                  respect to the Investors Equity Fund,  constituting certain of
                  Parts A and B, respectively,  of this Registration  Statement,
                  are incorporated by reference herein.

                  The  following  are  the  directors  and  principal  executive
                  officers  of Peoples,  including  their  business  connections
                  which  are of a  substantial  nature  who  provide  investment
                  advisory related services.  Unless otherwise  indicated below,
                  the  principal  business  address  of  Peoples  with which the
                  directors  and principal  executive  officers are connected is
                  One Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
<TABLE>
               <S>                                <C>                                <C>
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Name                               Title                                Business Connection
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Gary L. Robinson                   Senior Vice President                Peoples
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Dorothy M. Wentworth               Vice President                       Peoples
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Stephen L. Eddy                    Vice President                       Peoples
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Dana R. Mitiguy                    Chief Investment Officer             Peoples
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Larry D. Pelletier                 Vice President                       Peoples
           217 Main Street
           Lewiston, Maine 04240
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Carolyn B. May                     Vice President                       Peoples
           217 Main Street
           Lewiston, Maine 04240
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Kevin K. Brown                     Vice President                       Peoples
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Donald W. Smith                    Vice President                       Peoples
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           John W. Gibbons                    Vice President                       Peoples
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Joseph M. Pratt                    Vice President                       Peoples
           74 Hammond Street
           Bangor, Maine 04401
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Lucy L. Tucker                     Vice President                       Peoples
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Nancy W. Bard                      Assistant Vice President             Peoples
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Douglas P. Adams                   Trust Officer                        Peoples
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Melanie L. Bishop                  Trust Officer                        Peoples
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
           Jeffrey Oldfield                   Vice President                       Peoples
           ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------

</TABLE>


<PAGE>


ITEM 29.  PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

         (a)      Forum  Financial  Services,  Inc.,  Registrant's  underwriter,
                  serves as underwriter for the following  investment  companies
                  registered  under  the  Investment  Company  Act of  1940,  as
                  amended:
<TABLE>
                    <S><C>                                  <C>
                   The CRM Funds                          BT Alex. Brown Cash Reserve Fund, Inc
                   The Cutler Trust                       Flag Investors Telephone Fund, Inc.
                   Forum Funds                            Flag Investors International Fund, Inc.
                   Flag Investor Family of Funds          Flag Investors Emerging Growth Fund, Inc.
<PAGE>

                   The Glenmede Fund, Inc.                Total Return U.S. Treasury Fund, Inc.
                   The Glenmede Portfolios                Managed Municipal Fund, Inc.
                   Memorial Funds                         Flag Investors Value Builder Fund, Inc.
                   Monarch Funds                          Flag Investors Real Estate Securities Fund, Inc.
                   Norwest Advantage Funds                Flag Investors Equity Partners Fund, Inc.
                   Norwest Select Funds                   Flag Investors Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.
                   Sound Shore Fund, Inc.                 Flag Investors Short-Intermediate Income Fund, Inc.
</TABLE>

         (b)      The  following  directors  and  officers  of  Forum  Financial
                  Services,  Inc. hold the following  positions with Registrant.
                  Their business address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine
                  04101.
<TABLE>
                    <S>                           <C>                           <C>
                   --------------------------- ------------------------------- -----------------------------
                   Name                        Position with Underwriter       Position with Registrant
                   --------------------------- ------------------------------- -----------------------------

                   --------------------------- ------------------------------- -----------------------------
                   John Y. Keffer                        President             Chairman, President
                   --------------------------- ------------------------------- -----------------------------
</TABLE>

         (c)      Not Applicable.

ITEM 30.  LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

         The majority of the accounts,  books and other documents required to be
         maintained by Section 31(a) of the  Investment  Company Act of 1940 and
         the  Rules   thereunder   are   maintained  at  the  offices  of  Forum
         Administrative  Services,  LLC and Forum Financial  Corp., Two Portland
         Square,  Portland,  Maine 04101.  The records required to be maintained
         under  Rule  31a-1(b)(1)  with  respect to  journals  of  receipts  and
         deliveries of  securities  and receipts and  disbursements  of cash are
         maintained at the offices of the  Registrant's  custodian,  BankBoston,
         100 Federal Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts 02106. The records required
         to be maintained under Rule 31a-1(b)(5),  (6) and (9) are maintained at
         the offices of the  Registrant's  adviser or  subadviser,  as listed in
         Item 28 hereof.

ITEM 31.  MANAGEMENT SERVICES

         Not Applicable.

ITEM 32.  UNDERTAKINGS

         Registrant  undertakes  to furnish each person to whom a prospectus  is
         delivered  with  a  copy  of  Registrant's   latest  annual  report  to
         shareholders  relating to the  portfolio or class  thereof to which the
         prospectus relates upon request and without charge.


<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

   
Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company  Act  of  1940,  the  Registrant  certifies  that  it  meets  all of the
requirements for effectiveness of this Registration  Statement  pursuant to rule
485(a) under the  Securities  Act of 1933 and has duly caused this  Registration
Statement  to  be  signed  on  its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereto  duly
authorized, in the City of Portland, and State of Maine on the 31st day of July,
1998.
    

                                              FORUM FUNDS


                                              By:      /s/ John Y. Keffer
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                       John Y. Keffer, President

   
Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities Act of 1933,  this amendment to
the Registrant's  Registration  Statement has been signed below by the following
persons on the 31st day of July, 1998.
    

         Signatures                                               Title
         ----------                                               -----

(a)      Principal Executive Officer

                  /s/ John Y. Keffer                              President
                  -----------------------                         and Chairman
                  John Y. Keffer

(b)      Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

                  /s/ Stacey Hong                                 Treasurer
                  -----------------------
                  Stacey Hong

(c)      A majority of the Trustees

                  /s/ John Y. Keffer                              Trustee
                  -----------------------
                  John Y. Keffer

                  James C. Cheng*                                 Trustee
                  J. Michael Parish*                              Trustee
                  Costas Azariadis*                               Trustee

   
                  *By:     /s/ John Y. Keffer
                        -----------------------
    
                           John Y. Keffer
                           Attorney in Fact



<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS



EXHIBIT

   
(5)(i)   Investment Subadvisory Agreement

(8)(b)   Custodian Agreement between registrant and BankBoston, N.A. dated as of
         May 1, 1998.

(11)(a)  Consent of Independent Auditors.

(11)(b)  Consent of Independent Auditors.

(17)     Financial Data Schedules.

Other exhibits:

         Power of Attorney for John Y. Keffer.

    



                                                                  EXHIBIT (5)(I)
                              SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                              H.M. PAYSON & CO. AND
                              PEOPLES HERITAGE BANK


         AGREEMENT made as of the 5th day of December, 1997, between H.M. Payson
& Co.  ("Payson"),  a corporation  organized under the law of the State of Maine
with its principal place of business at One Portland  Square,  Portland,  Maine,
and Peoples Heritage Bank, (the "Subadviser"), a bank organized under the law of
the State of Maine with its principal place of business at One Portland  Square,
Portland, Maine.

         WHEREAS,  the Trust is registered  under the Investment  Company Act of
1940, as amended,  (the "Act") as an open-end management  investment company and
is authorized to issue its shares in separate series and classes; and

         WHEREAS, Payson has entered into an investment advisory agreement dated
as of the 5th day of December 1997 ("Advisory  Agreement") with Forum Funds (the
"Trust"), a business trust organized under the law of the State of Delaware with
its principal place of business at Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101;

         WHEREAS, under the Advisory Agreement, and subject to the direction and
control of the Board of  Trustees of the Trust  ("Board"),  Payson has agreed to
provide  investment  advisory  and  other  services  specified  in the  Advisory
Agreement  for the  investment  portfolio or  portfolios  of the Trust listed on
Schedule A hereto (the "Fund" or "Funds"), each a separate series of the Trust;

         WHEREAS,  the  Subadviser  is  engaged  in the  business  of  rendering
investment advice,  and, as a bank, is exempt from registration as an investment
adviser under the Investment  Advisers Act of 1940, as amended  ("Adviser Act");
and

         WHEREAS,  Payson is authorized by the Advisory  Agreement to select the
Fund  subadviser  and  desires to retain the  Subadviser  to perform  investment
advisory  and other  services  for the Fund,  and the  Subadviser  is willing to
provide those services on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

         NOW THEREFORE, Payson and the Subadviser agree as follows:

         SECTION 1.  APPOINTMENT AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS

         (a) Payson hereby appoints the Subadviser as investment  subadviser for
the  Fund(s)  for the period and on the terms set forth in this  Agreement.  The
Subadviser  accepts  this 

<PAGE>

appointment  and agrees to render its services as investment  subadviser for the
compensation set forth herein.

         (b) Payson has  delivered  copies of each of the  following  documents,
which it has  received  from the Trust,  and will from time to time  furnish the
Subadviser with any supplements or amendments to such documents that it receives
from the Trust:

                  (1) the Trust  Instrument  of the  Trust,  as in effect on the
date hereof and as amended from time to time ("Trust Instrument");

                  (2)  the  Bylaws of the Trust as in effect on the date  hereof
and as  amended  from time to time ("Bylaws");

                  (3)  the   Registration   Statement  under  the  Act  and  the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities  Act"), as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"),  relating to the Fund and its shares and
all amendments thereto ("Registration Statement");

                  (4)  the   prospectus(es)   and   statement(s)  of  additional
information relating to the Fund(s) ("Prospectus"); and,

                  (5) all proxy statements, reports to shareholders, advertising
or other materials prepared for distribution to Fund shareholders or the public,
that refer to the Subadviser or its clients.

         Payson  shall  furnish  the  Subadviser  with  any  further  documents,
materials or information  that the  Subadviser  may reasonably  request and that
Payson is able to obtain  from the Trust to enable  Subadviser  to  perform  its
duties under this Agreement.

         SECTION 2.  DUTIES OF THE SUBADVISER

         (a) Subject to the direction,  control and supervision of the Board and
Payson, the Subadviser shall assist in directing the investments of the Fund and
shall  assist in making  decisions  with respect to all  purchases  and sales of
securities and other investment assets in the Fund. To carry out such decisions,
the Subadviser is hereby authorized,  as agent and  attorney-in-fact for Payson,
for the  account  of,  and in the name of the Trust,  to place  orders and issue
instructions  with respect to those  transactions of the Fund. In all purchases,
sales and other  transactions  in  securities  for the Fund,  the  Subadviser is
authorized to exercise full  discretion and act for the Trust in the same manner
and with the same  force  and  effect as Payson  could do with  respect  to such
purchases,  sales or other  transactions,  as well as with  respect to all other
things  necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases,
sales or other transactions.

         (b)  The  Subadviser   will  provide  to  the  Board  and  Payson  such
information,  reports,  evaluations,  analyses and opinions  prior to or at each
meeting of the Board as the Board or

<PAGE>

Payson may reasonably  request.  On its own  initiative,  the  Subadviser  shall
provide the Board  andPayson from time to time  information  that the Subadviser
believes appropriate,  including, but not limited to, information concerning the
individual  companies whose securities are included in the Fund's holdings,  the
industries in which they engage, or the economic, social or political conditions
prevailing  in each  country  in  which  the  Fund  maintains  investments.  The
Subadviser  shall also  advise the Board and  Payson of  important  developments
affecting the Trust, the Fund and the Subadviser.

         (c) In assisting in making  purchases and sales of  securities  for the
Fund , and otherwise performing its duties hereunder, the Subadviser will comply
with the Act and the  rules and  regulations  thereunder,  all other  applicable
federal and state laws and  regulations,  the  policies set from time to time by
the Board or Payson as well as the limitations  imposed by the Trust Instrument,
Bylaws,  Registration  Statement,  prospectus,  and the Internal Revenue Code of
1986,  as  amended,  in  respect  of  regulated  investment  companies  and  the
investment  objective,  policies and restrictions of the Fund.  Without limiting
the foregoing, the Subadviser agrees that, in placing orders with broker-dealers
for the purchase or sales of portfolio  securities,  it shall  attempt to obtain
quality execution at favorable security prices;  provided that,  consistent with
section 28(e) of the Securities  and Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange  Act"),
the  exercise  of the  Subadviser's  fiduciary  duties  under  this  Subadvisory
Agreement,  and any other applicable law, the Subadviser may allocate  brokerage
on behalf of the Fund to  broker-dealers  who provide research  services and may
cause the Fund to pay these  broker-dealers  a higher amount of commission  than
may be charged by other broker-dealers,  subject to the Subadviser's determining
in good  faith  that  such  commission  is  reasonable  in terms  either  of the
particular transaction or of the overall responsibility of the Subadviser to the
Fund and its other clients and that the total  commissions paid by the Fund will
be  reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund over the long term. In no
instance will portfolio  securities be purchased from or sold to the Subadviser,
or any  affiliated  person  thereof,  except  in  accordance  with  the  federal
securities  laws and the rules and  regulations  thereunder.  The Subadviser may
aggregate  sales  and  purchase  orders of the  assets of the Fund with  similar
orders being made simultaneously for other accounts advised by the Subadviser or
its affiliates. Whenever the Subadviser simultaneously places orders to purchase
or sell the same  security on behalf of the Fund and one or more other  accounts
advised by the  Subadviser,  the orders will be allocated as to price and amount
among all such accounts in a manner  believed to be equitable  over time to each
account.

         (d) The  Subadviser may from time to time employ or associate with such
persons as the Subadviser  believes to be  particularly  fitted to assist in the
execution  of  the  Subadviser's  duties  under  this  Agreement,  the  cost  of
performance of such duties to be borne and paid by the Subadviser, provided that
absent preapproval by Payson, the Subadviser shall not delegate its duties under
this Agreement to another subadviser. No obligation may be incurred on behalf of
either Payson or the Trust in any such respect.

         (e) The  Subadviser  will  maintain  records  relating to its portfolio
transactions  and placing and allocation of brokerage  orders as are required to
be maintained by the Trust or Payson under the Act. The Subadviser shall prepare
and maintain,  assist in preparing and maintaining,  or cause to be prepared and
maintained,  in such form,  for such  periods  and in such 

<PAGE>

locations  as may be required  by  applicable  law,  all  documents  and records
relating to the services provided by the Subadviser  required to be prepared and
maintained  by the Trust or Payson  under the Act and the rules and  regulations
thereunder,  the  rules  and  regulations  of  any  national,  state,  or  local
government entity with jurisdiction over the Trust, including the Commission and
the Internal Revenue Service,  including but not limited to, records relating to
Fund transactions and the placing and allocation of brokerage orders.  The books
and records  pertaining to the Trust that are in  possession  of the  Subadviser
shall be the  property of the Trust.  The Trust or Payson,  or their  authorized
representatives, shall have access to such books and records at all times during
the Subadviser's normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Trust
or Payson,  copies of any such books and records  shall be provided  promptly by
the Subadviser to the Trust and Payson or their authorized representatives.

         (f) The  Subadviser  shall  provide  the  Trust's  custodian  and  fund
accountant  on  each  business  day  with  such  information   relating  to  all
transactions  effected by the  Subadviser  concerning  the Fund's  assets as the
custodian  and fund  accountant  may  reasonably  require.  In  accordance  with
procedures adopted by the Board, as amended from time to time, the Subadviser is
responsible for assisting in the fair valuation of all portfolio  securities and
will use its  reasonable  efforts to assist in arranging  for the provision of a
price(s) from a party(ies)  independent  of Payson and the  Subadviser  for each
portfolio  security  for  which  the  custodian  does not  obtain  prices in the
ordinary course of business from an automated pricing service.

         (g) To the extent  consistent with all applicable  federal and/or state
laws  and  regulations,  the  Subadviser  shall  authorize  and  permit  any  of
itsdirectors  and  officers  who may be elected as  trustees  or officers of the
Trust to serve in the capacities in which they are elected.

         SECTION 3.  EXPENSES

         (a) The Subadviser shall waive its fee, where required,  to ensure that
the Fund's  expense  ratio does not exceed any expense  limit  described  in the
prospectus or applicable to the Fund under the laws or  regulations of any state
in which Fund shares are qualified for sale (reduced pro rata for any portion of
less than a year). In the event that the Subadviser is required to waive its fee
hereunder  with  respect to the Fund,  and Payson is  required  to waive its fee
under the Advisory Agreement with respect to such Fund, the amount of the fee to
be waived by each party shall be proportionate to the fees otherwise  payable to
each party with respect to such Fund.

         (b) If the Fund's expense ratio exceeds the expense limits described in
subsection  (a) above after the  Subadviser  has waived its fees, the Subadviser
shall be responsible for that portion of the Fund's net expenses that exceed any
expense limit  described in the prospectus  and the Fund's net expenses  (except
interest,  taxes,  brokerage,  fees  and  other  expenses  paid  by the  Fund in
accordance   with  an  effective  plan  under  Rule  12b-1  under  the  Act  and
organization  expenses,  all to the extent  such  exceptions  are  permitted  by
applicable  state law and  regulation)  incurred  by the Fund during each of the
Fund's fiscal years or portion  thereof that this  Agreement is in effect which,
as to the Fund,  in any such year exceeds any expense  limits  applicable to the
Fund  under  the laws or  regulations  of any  state in which  Fund  shares  are
<PAGE>

qualified  for sale  (reduced pro rata for any portion of less than a year).  In
the event that the  Subadviser  is  responsible  for a portion of the Fund's net
expenses as described  above,  and Payson is  responsible  for a portion of such
Fund's net expenses under the Advisory Agreement, the Subadviser shall be solely
responsible for the payment of such expenses and shall promptly reimburse Payson
for any share of such expenses paid by it.


         SECTION 4.  STANDARD OF CARE

         The Subadviser shall use its best judgment and efforts in rendering the
services  described in this Agreement.  The Subadviser shall not be liable to or
Payson for any action or inaction of the Subadviser in the absence of bad faith,
willful  misconduct or gross negligence or based upon information,  instructions
or requests with respect to the Fund made to the Subadviser by a duly authorized
officer of the Trust or  Payson.  The  Subadviser  shall not be  responsible  or
liable for any failure or delay in  performance  of its  obligations  under this
Agreement caused by circumstances  beyond its reasonable  control.  Payson shall
not be liable to the  Subadviser  for any  action or  inaction  of Payson in the
absence of bad  faith,  willful  misconduct  or gross  negligence  or based upon
information, instructions or requests with respect to the Fund made to Payson by
a duly authorized officer of the Subadviser.  Payson shall not be responsible or
liable for any failure or delay in  performance  of its  obligations  under this
Agreement caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

         Each party  hereto  (the  "indemnifying  party")  agrees to  indemnify,
defend and hold  harmless  the other  party  hereto,  and each of its  officers,
employees,   managing   directors,   directors  and  agents   (collectively  the
"indemnified party"),  from and against any and all costs, damages,  liabilities
and expenses  incurred by or imposed upon the  indemnified  party in  connection
with any  pending or  threatened  action,  suit or  proceeding,  whether  civil,
criminal,  administrative,  or investigative (including any arbitration or other
dispute resolution  proceeding),  in which the indemnified party may be involved
resulting  from,  caused  by or by  reason  of any  action  or  inaction  of the
indemnifying party in breach of the standard of care described in the proceeding
paragraph.  Indemnified expenses include,  without limitation,  attorneys' fees,
costs of investigation,  expert witness fees, judgments,  fines, amounts paid in
settlement,  and other similar or related  expenses  reasonably  incurred by the
indemnified party in connection with the action, suit or proceeding.

         SECTION 5.  COMPENSATION

         In  consideration  of the foregoing,  Payson shall pay the  Subadviser,
with  respect to the Fund,  a fee at an annual  rate as listed in  Schedule A to
this Agreement. These fees shall be accrued daily and payable monthly in arrears
on the first (1st)  business day of each calendar  month for services  performed
hereunder during the prior calendar month. The  Subadviser's  reimbursement,  if
any, of the Fund's expenses as provided in Section 3 hereof,  shall be estimated
and accrued daily and paid to the Trust monthly, in arrears, at the same time as
Payson's  payment to the Subadviser for such month.  The obligation of Payson to
pay the  Subadviser 

<PAGE>

hereunder  with  respect to the Fund shall be  dependent on Payson being paid by
the  Trust the fee that it is  entitled  to under the  Advisory  Agreement  with
respect to such Fund.


         SECTION 6.  EFFECTIVENESS, DURATION AND TERMINATION

         (a) With respect to the Fund,  this  Agreement  shall become  effective
upon the date first written above;  provided that it shall not take effect until
approved by: (1) a majority of the Trust's Trustees, including a majority of the
Trustees  who are not  interested  persons of the  Trust;  and (2) to the extent
required  under section 15(a) of the Act, a majority of the  outstanding  voting
securities of the Fund to which this Agreement  pertains,  voting  separately by
Fund.

         (b) This  Agreement  shall remain in effect for a period of twenty-four
(24) months from the date of its  effectiveness and shall continue in effect for
successive  twelve (12) month periods  (computed from each  anniversary  date of
approval) or for such shorter  period as may be specified by the Board in giving
its approval as provided below;  provided that such  continuance is specifically
approved at least annually: (1) by the Board or by the vote of a majority of the
outstanding  voting  securities  of the  Fund;  and,  in either  case,  (2) by a
majority  of the  Trust's  Trustees  who are not  parties to this  Agreement  or
interested  persons of any such party  (other  than as  Trustees  of the Trust);
provided  further,  however,  that if the  continuation of this Agreement is not
approved, the Subadviser may continue to render the services described herein in
the manner and to the extent  permitted by the Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder.  The annual  approvals  provided  for herein  shall be  effective to
continue this Agreement  from year to year (or such shorter  period  referred to
above) if given within a period beginning not more than sixty (60) days prior to
such  anniversary,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  more  than  three  hundred
sixty-five (365) days may have elapsed since the date on which such approval was
last given.
         (c) This  Agreement may be terminated at any time,  without the payment
of any penalty: (1) by Payson, upon approval of the Board, by the Board, or by a
vote of a majority of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of the Fund, in each
case on sixty (60) days' written notice to Subadviser;  or (2) by the Subadviser
on sixty (60) days' written notice to the Trust,  with copies to Payson and each
of the Trust's Trustees at their  respective  addresses set forth in the Trust's
Registration  Statement or at such other  address as such persons may specify to
the Subadviser and to legal counsel to the Trust. This Agreement shall terminate
automatically  and  immediately  upon  assignment  or  upon  termination  of the
Advisory Agreement.

         SECTION 7.  ACTIVITIES OF SUBADVISER

         Except to the extent  necessary to perform its  obligations  hereunder,
nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict the  Subadviser's  right, or
the right of any of the  Subadviser's  officers,  directors or employees who may
also be a  Trustee,  officer or  employee  of the  Trust,  or persons  otherwise
affiliated  with the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote time and
attention to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a
similar or  dissimilar  nature,  or to render  services of any kind to any other
corporation, trust, firm, individual or association.
<PAGE>

         SECTION 8.  REPRESENTATIONS OF SUBADVISER.

         The Subadviser represents, warrants and agrees as follows:

         (a) The  Subadviser:  (1) is (A)  registered as an  investment  adviser
under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this
Agreement  remains in effect or (B) exempt from  registration  as an  investment
adviser under the Advisers Act; (2) is not prohibited by the Act or the Advisers
Act or otherwise from  performing the services  contemplated  by this Agreement;
(3) has met,  and will seek to  continue  to meet for so long as this  Agreement
remains in effect,  any other applicable federal or state  requirements,  or the
applicable  requirements of any regulatory or industry  self-regulatory  agency,
necessary  to be met in order  to  perform  the  services  contemplated  by this
Agreement;  (4) has the  authority  to  enter  into  and  perform  the  services
contemplated  by this  Agreement;  and (5) will  promptly  notify  Payson of the
occurrence of any event that would  disqualify  the  Subadviser  from serving or
adversely affect the ability of the Subadviser to serve as an investment adviser
of an investment company under Section 9(a) of the Act or otherwise.

         (b) The  Subadviser  will adopt within  forty-five  (45) days a written
code of ethics  complying with the  requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and
will provide  Payson and the Board with a copy of such code of ethics,  together
with evidence of its adoption.  Within  fifteen days (15) of the end of the last
calendar quarter of each year that this Agreement is in effect, the president or
a  vice-president  of the Subadviser  shall certify to the Board and Payson that
the  Subadviser  has  complied  with the  requirements  of Rule 17j-1 during the
previous year and that there has been no violation of the  Subadviser's  code of
ethics or, if such a violation  occurred,  that appropriate  action was taken in
response to such violation.  Upon the written request of Payson,  the Subadviser
shall permit Payson,  its employees or its agents or the appropriate  regulatory
authority to examine any reports  required to be made by the  Subadviser by Rule
17j-1 (c) (1) and all other records relevant to the Subadviser's code of ethics.


         (c) The  Subadviser  will notify  Payson and the Trust of any change of
control  of the  Subadviser,  including  of  twenty-five  percent  (25%)  of its
shareholders, as applicable, and any changes in the key personnel who are either
the portfolio manager(s) of the Fund or senior management of the Subadviser,  in
each case prior to or promptly after such change.

         SECTION 9.  NOTICES

         Any  notice or other  communication  required  to be given  under  this
Agreement  shall be in writing or by telex and shall be effective  upon receipt.
Notices and communications shall be given, if to Payson, at:
<PAGE>

                  H.M. Payson & Co.
                  One Portland Square
                  P.O. Box 31
                  Portland, ME  04112
                  Attention:  John C. Downing

and if to Subadviser, at:

                  Peoples Heritage Bank
                  One Portland Square
                  Portland, ME  04101
                  Attention:

and if to the Trust, at:

                  Forum Funds
                  Two Portland Square
                  Portland, ME 04101
                  Attn: Secretary

         SECTION 10.  MISCELLANEOUS

         (a) No  provisions  of this  Agreement  with respect to the Fund may be
amended  or  modified  in any  manner  except  by a written  agreement  properly
authorized and executed by both parties hereto and, if required by the Act, by a
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.

         (b) Section  headings in this  Agreement  are included for  convenience
only and are not to be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.

         (c) This  Agreement  shall be  governed  by and shall be  construed  in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

         (d)  The  terms  "vote  of  a  majority  of  the   outstanding   voting
securities,"  "interested  person,"  "affiliated  person" and "assignment" shall
have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Act.

         (e) For  purposes of this  Agreement,  any notices,  documents,  books,
records, reports,  evaluations,  analyses,  opinions or other information of any
kind that is disclosed or furnished by the  Subadviser to the Board or the Trust
shall be disclosed or furnished to Payson as well.
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

                                                     H.M. PAYSON & CO.


                                                     by: /s/ John C. Downing
                                                       ------------------------
                                                     John C. Downing
                                                       Managing Director


                                                     PEOPLES HERITAGE BANK


                                                     by:/s/ Dorothy M. Wentworth
                                                       -------------------------
                                                          Vice President



Approved by the Trust.


<PAGE>




                              SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
                                     BETWEEN
                              H.M. PAYSON & CO. AND
                              PEOPLES HERITAGE BANK


                                   SCHEDULE A

                             AS OF DECEMBER 5, 1997


                                                       Fee as a % of the
                                                Annual Average Daily Net Assets
                        FUNDS                             of the Fund
                        -----                             -----------

                Investors Equity Fund                        0.25%








   
                                                                    EXHIBIT 8(B)
                               CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
                                   FORUM FUNDS


         THIS AGREEMENT made as of this 19th day of May,  1998,  between,  Forum
Funds, a Delaware  business  trust,  with its principal place of business at Two
Portland Square,  Portland,  Maine 04101 (hereinafter  called the "Trust"),  and
BankBoston,  N.A., a national  banking  association  with its principal place of
business in Boston, Massachusetts (hereinafter called the "Custodian").

         WHEREAS,  the Trust desires that the  securities and cash of certain of
its separate series shall be hereafter held and administered by Custodian as the
Trust's agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; and

         WHEREAS,  the Custodian provides services in the ordinary course of its
business which will meet the Trust's needs as provided for hereinafter;

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the mutual promises herein made,
the Trust and the Custodian agree as follows:

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS

         (a) "Account" shall mean the applicable custodial account maintained by
the  Custodian  on behalf of the Trust for each Fund.  The  Account of each Fund
shall be separate from the Account of each other Fund and the assets of a Fund's
Account shall not in any way be charged with the liabilities of any other Fund's
Account.

         (b) "Bank" shall mean a bank as defined in Section  2(a)(5) of the 1940
Act.

         (c)  "Fund"  shall  mean  each of the  separate  series of the Trust as
listed in  Appendix A hereto  and each other  series of the Trust as may be made
subject to this Agreement by a writing between the Trust and the Custodian.

         (d)  "Securities"  shall  mean  and  include  stocks,   shares,  bonds,
debentures, notes, money market instruments,  "foreign securities," as that term
is defined  in Rule  17f-5  under the 1940 Act,  and other  obligations  and any
certificates,  receipts,  warrants or other instruments  representing  rights to
receive,  purchase, or subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing any
other rights or interests therein, or in any property or assets.

         (e)  "Officers'  Certificate"  shall  mean a request  or  direction  in
writing or a written  confirmation of an oral request or direction signed in the
name of the Trust by any two of the  Officers of the Trust,  the Chariman or any
other persons duly authorized to sign by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
<PAGE>

         (f) "1940 Act" shall mean the United States  Investment  Company Act of
1940, as amended.

         (g)  "Officer of the Trust" shall mean any  President,  Vice-President,
Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary of Assistant Secretary of the Trust.

         (h) "Securities  Depository"  means a clearing  corporation  registered
under  Section  17A of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 which  maintains a
system for the central  handling of  securities  in which all  securities of any
particular class or series of any issuer deposited within the system are treated
as fungible  and may be  transferred  or pledged by  bookkeeping  entry  without
physical delivery of the securities.

         (i) "Book-Entry  securities" means securities issued by the Treasury of
the United States of America and Federal agencies and  instrumentalities  of the
United States of America that are maintained in the book-entry  system  provided
by the Federal Reserve Banks.

         (j)  "Book-Entry  Account"  means an  account  maintained  by a Federal
Reserve Bank.

SECTION 2.  CUSTODIAN AS AGENT

         The Custodian is authorized to act under the terms of this Agreement as
the Trust's agent and to represent the Trust and a particular  Fund of the Trust
whenever acting within the scope of the Agreement.

SECTION 3.  NAMES, TITLES AND SIGNATURE OF FUND'S OFFICERS

         (a) An Officer of the Trust will  certify to the  Custodian  the names,
titles,  and  signatures  of those  persons  authorized  to sign  the  Officers'
Certificates,  as well as  names  of the  Board of  Trustees  and the  Executive
Committee.  Said Officer,  or his or her  successor,  will provide the Custodian
with any changes which may occur from time to time.

         (b) The  Custodian  is  authorized  to rely  and act upon  written  and
manually  signed  instructions  of any person or persons (if  Custodain has been
directed to act on the  instructions  of more than one person)  identified  on a
separate  list  ("Authorized  Persons") of those  persons who may  authorize the
withdrawal  of any  portion of the cash or  Securities  contained  in an Account
furnished  to the  Custodian  from time to time and  signed by an Officer of the
Trust and certified by its Secretary or an Assistant  Secretary.  The Trust will
provide the Custodian with authenticated  specimen  signatures of all Authorized
Persons.

         (c) The Custodian is further  authorized to rely upon any  instructions
received by any other means and identified as having been given or authorized by
any Authorized  Person;  regardless of whether such  instructions  shall in fact
have been authorized or given by any such persons; provided, that,
<PAGE>

         (i) the Custodian and the Trust shall have previously agreed in writing
         upon the means of  transmission  and the method of  identification  for
         such instructions;

         (ii)     the Custodian has not been notified by the Trust to cease to
         recognize such means and methods; and

         (iii) such means and methods have in fact been used.

         (d) If the Trust should choose to have dial-up or other means of direct
access  to  the  Custodian's  accounting  system  for  Securities  in  custodial
accounts, the Custodian is also authorized to rely and act upon any instructions
received by the  Custodian  through the terminal  device,  regardless of whether
such  instructions  shall in fact have been  given or  authorized  by the Trust,
provided that such  instructions  are  accompanied by passwords  which have been
mutually  agreed to in writing by the  Custodian and the Trust and the Custodian
has not been notified by the Trust to cease recognizing such passwords.

         When  dial-up  or other  direct  means  of  access  to the  Custodian's
accounting  system  for cash or  Securities  is  utilized,  the Trust  agrees to
indemnify  the  Custodian  and hold it  harmless  from and  against  any and all
liabilities,   losses,  damages,  costs,  reasonable  counsel  fees,  and  other
reasonable  expenses of every  nature  suffered or incurred by the  Custodian by
reason of or in connection with the improper use, unauthorized use and misuse by
the Trust or its employees of any terminal device with access to the Custodian's
accounting  system for cash or  Securities  in custodial  accounts,  unless such
losses,  damages, etc., result from negligent or wrongful acts of the Custodian,
its employees or agents.

SECTION 4.  RECEIPT AND DISBURSEMENT OF MONEY

         (a) The  Custodian  shall open and  maintain a  separate  Account  with
respect to each Fund, subject to debit only by a draft or order by the Custodian
acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian shall hold in each
Account,  subject to the provisions  hereof, all cash received by it from or for
the Account of the applicable Fund.

         (b) With respect to the Account of each Fund, the Custodian  shall make
payment of cash to the Account or shall debit the Account only:

         (i)      for the purchase of Securities for the portfolio of the Fund
          upon the delivery of such Securities to the Custodian;

         (ii) for  payments  in  connection  with the  conversion,  exchange  or
         surrender of  Securities  owned or subscribed to by the Fund held by or
         to be delivered to the Custodian;

         (iii) for payments in connection with the return of the cash collateral
         received in connection with Securities loaned by the Fund;
<PAGE>

         (iv)     for payments in connection with futures contracts positions 
         held by the Fund;

         (v)      for payments of interest, dividends, taxes and in connection 
         with rights offerings; or

         (vi)     for other proper Fund purposes.

         All  Securities  accepted  in  connection  with  the  purchase  of such
Securities,  if  (a)  usual  in the  course  of  local  market  practice  or (b)
specifically  required in  instructions  from the Fund,  shall be accompanied by
payment of, or a "due bill" for, any dividends,  interest or other distributions
of the issue due the purchaser.

         (c)  Except as  hereinafter  provided,  the  Custodian  shall  make any
payment for which it receives  direction  from an  Authorized  Person so long as
such  direction is (A) in writing (or is a facsimile  transmission  of a written
direction),  (B)  electronically  transmitted  to the  Custodian  as provided in
Section 3 or (C) orally when written or electronic  directions cannot reasonably
be given within the relevant  time period,  when the person giving the direction
is known to the  Custodian's  employee and when the person giving such direction
(i) assures the Custodian that the directions will be confirmed in writing by an
Authorized  Person  within  twenty-four  (24)  hours and (ii)  states  that such
payment is for a purpose permitted under the terms of this subsection.

         (d) All funds  received by the Custodian in  connection  with the sale,
transfer,  exchange or loan of  Securities  will be  credited to the  applicable
Account in  immediately  available  funds as soon as reasonably  possible on the
date such received  funds are  immediately  available.  Payments for purchase of
Securities  for an Account made in immediately  available  funds will be charged
against  the Account on the day of  delivery  of such  Securities  and all other
payments will be charged on the business day after the day of delivery.

         (i) The Custodian is hereby authorized and required to (A) collect on a
         timely basis all income and other  payments  with respect to Securities
         held  hereunder  to which a Fund  shall be  entitled  either  by law or
         pursuant  to  custom in the  securities  business,  and to credit  such
         income to the  Account,  (B) detach and present for payment all coupons
         and other income items  requiring  presentation as and when they become
         due, (C) collect  interest when due on Securities held  hereunder,  and
         (D) endorse and  collect  all  checks,  drafts or other  orders for the
         payment of money received by the Custodian for the account of the Fund.

         (ii) If the  Custodian  agrees to  advance  cash or  Securities  of the
         Custodian  for  delivery  on  behalf  of a Fund to a third  party,  any
         property  received by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund in respect of
         such  delivery  shall serve as security  for the Fund's  obligation  to
         repay such advance  until such time as such advance is repaid,  and, in
         the case where such advance is extended for the purchase of  Securities
         which  constitute  "margin  stock"  under  Regulation U of the Board of
         Governors of the Federal Reserve System, such additional  Securities of
         the Fund, as shall be necessary for the Custodian,  in the  Custodian's
<PAGE>

         reasonable  determination,  to be in compliance  with such Regulation U
         also shall constitute  security for the Fund's obligation to repay such
         advance.  Each Fund hereby grants the Custodian a security  interest in
         such  property of the Fund to secure  such  advance and agrees to repay
         such advance  promptly  without  demand from the Custodian  (and in any
         event,  as soon as reasonably  practicable  following any demand by the
         Custodian), unless otherwise agreed by both parties. Should a Fund fail
         to repay such  advance as  required,  the  Custodian  shall be entitled
         immediately  to apply such  security to the extent  necessary to obtain
         repayment of the advance,  subject,  in the case of a Fund's failure to
         make prompt repayment without demand, to prior notice to the Fund.

SECTION 5.  RECEIPT OF SECURITIES

         (a) The Custodian shall hold in each Fund's Account,  segregated at all
times from those of any other  persons,  firms or  corporations  (including  the
Accounts of other Funds),  pursuant to the  provisions  hereof,  all  Securities
received  by it  from  or for the  account  of the  applicable  Fund.  All  such
Securities  are to be held or disposed of by the  Custodian  for, and subject at
all times to the  instructions  of, the applicable Fund pursuant to the terms of
this  Agreement.  The  Custodian  shall  have no power or  authority  to assign,
hypothecate,  pledge or  otherwise  dispose of any of the  Securities  and cash,
except pursuant to the directive of the applicable Fund and only for the account
of the Fund as set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement.

         (b) The Trust hereby  authorizes the Custodian to deposit assets of the
Funds of the Trust as follows:

         (i)      deposit with the Custodian or any opther bank licensed and
         examined by the United States or any state thereof;

         (ii)  deposit  in  the  Custodian's   account(s)  with  any  Securities
         Depository  all or any part of the  Securities as may from time to time
         be held for the Trust; and

         (iii)  deposit  Book-Entry  Securities  belonging  to  the  Funds  in a
         Book-Entry  Account  maintained for the Custodian by a Federal  Reserve
         Bank.

So long as any deposit  referred to in (ii) or (iii) above is maintained for the
Trust, the Custodian shall:

         (A)      deposit the Securities in an account that includes only assets
         held by it for customers;

         (B) with respect to Securities of the Trust transferred to the account,
         identify  as  belonging  to the Trust a  quantity  of  securities  in a
         fungible  bulk of  securities  that are  registered  in the name of the
         Custodian or its nominee,  or shown on the  Custodian's  account on the
         books of the  Securities  Depository,  the  Book-Entry  System,  or the
         Custodian's agent;
<PAGE>

         (C) promptly send to the Trust all reports the Custodian  receives from
         the appropriate  Federal  Reserve Bank or Securities  Depository on its
         respective system of internal accounting control; and

         (D)  send  to the  Trust  such  reports  of  the  systems  of  internal
         accounting  control of the Custodian and its agents  through which such
         Securities  are  deposited  as  are  available  and as  the  Trust  may
         reasonably request from time to time.

The  Custodian  shall  not waive any  rights  it may have  against a  Securities
Depository or Federal  Reserve Bank. The Trust may elect to be subrogated to the
rights of the Custodian  against the  Securities  Depository or Federal  Reserve
Bank or any other person with respect to any claim that the  Custodian  may have
as a consequence of any loss or damage  suffered by the Trust as a result of the
Custodian's use of the Securities Depository or Book-Entry account if and to the
extent that the Trust has not been made whole for any such loss or damage.

SECTION 6.  FOREIGN SUBCUSTODIANS AND OTHER AGENTS

         (a) In the event the  Custodian  places  Securities,  pursuant  to this
Agreement,  with any foreign  subcustodian,  the Custodian  agrees that it shall
place such  Securities  only with those foreign  subcustodians  which either are
"eligible  foreign  custodians"  as defined in Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act, or
with respect to which exemptive  relief has been granted by the U. S. Securities
and Exchange Commission from the requirements of Section 17(f).

         The Custodian  agrees further that in placing  Securities with any such
foreign subcustodian,  it will enter into a written subcustodian agreement which
shall provide that:  (i) the Custodian  will be adequately  indemnified  and the
Securities  so placed  adequately  insured in the event of loss,  as provided in
subsection  6(b); (ii) the Securities will not be subject to any right,  charge,
security  interest,  lien  or  claim  of  any  kind  in  favor  of  the  foreign
subcustodian  or its  creditors  (except any claim for payment for the  services
provided by such subcustodian and any related expenses;  provided,  however that
the  Custodian  shall use its best  efforts  promptly to release any such right,
charge,  security  interest,  lien or claim on the assets,  except to the extent
such right,  charge,  security interest,  lien or claim arises with respect to a
special  request or  requirement  by the Fund for services the cost of which and
the  expenses  incurred  in  connection  with which the Fund has not paid or has
declined to pay, it being agreed and  understood  that, in the ordinary  course,
all payments for usual and routine services  rendered and expenses incurred by a
subcustodian  shall  be the  obligation  of  the  Custodian);  (iii)  beneficial
ownership of the Securities will be freely transferable without payment of money
or value other than for safe custody or  administration;  (iv) adequate  records
will be maintained  identifying  the Securities as belonging to the Funds of the
Trust; (v) the Custodian's  independent  public accountants will be given access
to those records or the confirmation of the contents of those records;  and (vi)
the Custodian will receive  periodic  reports with respect to the safekeeping of
the Securities,  including,  but not necessarily limited to, notification of any
transfer to or from the Accounts.

         (b) In addition to the indemnities  included in Section 13 hereof,  the
Custodian  agrees that the  Custodian  shall be liable to the Trust for any loss
which  shall  occur as a result of the 

<PAGE>

failure of a subcustodian  as listed in exhibit B hereto to exercise  reasonable
care with respect to the  safekeeping of the Securities and cash of the Trust to
the same extent that the Custodian would be liable to the Trust if the Custodian
were holding such Securities or cash in NewYork.

         (c)  With  respect  to  any   Securities  to  be  placed  with  foreign
subcustodians  pursuant to this section,  the Custodian  represents and warrants
that during the term of this  Agreement it will carry a Bankers  Blanket Bond or
similar  insurance  for  losses  incurred  as a  result  of  such  sub-custodial
arrangements.

         (d)  The  Trust  authorizes  the  Custodian  to  release  any  and  all
information regarding Securities placed with foreign subcustodians  hereunder as
may be required by court order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

         (e) So long as Rule 17f-5  under the 1940 Act so  requires  the Trust's
Board of  Trustees  or  Funds's  investment  adviser  to review or  monitor  the
Custodian's global custody network,  the Custodian shall (a) furnish annually to
the Trust  information  concerning  the foreign  sub-custodians  employed by the
Custodian  similar in kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection
with the initial  approval of this  Agreement;  (b) promptly inform the Trust in
the event  that the  custodian  learns of (i) a material  adverse  change in the
financial  condition of a foreign  sub-custodian,  (ii) any material loss of the
assets  of a Fund or  (iii)  a  foreign  sub-custodian  not  the  subject  of an
exemptive order from the U.S.  Securities and Exchange  Commission  ceasing,  or
becoming  likely to  cease,  to meet  applicable  minimum  shareholders'  equity
requirements.

SECTION 7.  TRANSFER, EXCHANGE AND REDELIVERY OF SECURITIES

         The Custodian (or a  subcustodian  or any other agent of the Custodian)
shall have sole power to release or deliver any Securities of a Fund held by the
Custodian  (or such  subcustodian  or agent)  pursuant  to this  Agreement.  The
Custodian agrees (and will obtain an undertaking from each subcustodian or other
agent) that  Securities  held by the  Custodian (or by a  subcustodian  or other
agent of the Custodian) will be transferred, exchanged or delivered only:

         (i) for sales of  Securities  for the account of the Fund in accordance
         with  (A) "New  York  Street  Practice",  (B)  predominant  established
         practice in the relevant  local  market,  or (C) specific  instructions
         from the Fund;

         (ii)     when Securities are called, redeemed or retired or otherwise 
         become payable;

         (iii) for  examination  by any broker  selling any such  Securities  in
         accordance with "street delivery" custom or other relevant local market
         practice;

         (iv) in exchange for or upon conversion into other  Securities  whether
         pursuant  to  any  plan  of  merger,   consolidation,   reorganization,
         recapitalization or readjustment, or otherwise;
<PAGE>

         (v)      upon conversion of such Securities pursuant to their terms
         into other Securities;

         (vi) upon exercise of  subscription,  purchase or other similar  rights
         represented by such Securities pursuant to their terms;

         (vii)    for the purpose of exchanging interim receipts or temporary 
         Securities for definitive Securities;

         (viii)   for the purpose of tendering Securities;

         (ix)     for the purpose of delivering Securities lent by the Fund;

         (x)      for purposes of delivering collateral upon redelivery of
         Securities lent or for purposes of delivering excess collateral; or

         (xi)     for other proper Fund purposes.

As to any deliveries  made by the Custodian  pursuant to items (ii),  (iv), (v),
(vi),  (vii),  (ix),  (x) and (xi),  Securities  in exchange  therefor  shall be
deliverable  to  the  Custodian  (or  a  subcustodian  or  other  agent  of  the
Custodian).  The  Custodian  may  rely  upon  any  written,  electronic  or oral
instructions  or an Officers'  Certificate  relating  thereto as provided for in
Sections 3 and 4 hereof.

SECTION 8.  THE CUSTODIAN'S ACTS WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS

         Unless and until the Custodian  receives  instructions to the contrary,
the Custodian (or a subcustodian or other agent of the Custodian) shall:

         (i) present for payment all coupons and other  income  items held by it
         for the account of each Fund which call for payment  upon  presentation
         and hold the cash  received by it upon such  payment in the  applicable
         Account;

         (ii)  collect  interest  and cash  dividends  and other  distributions,
         provide notice to the Fund of receipts, and deposit to the Account;

         (iii) hold for the account of the Fund all stock dividends,  rights and
         similar  Securities  issued with respect to any Securities  held by the
         Custodian under the terms of this Agreement;

         (iv)  execute  as agent on behalf of the Fund all  necessary  ownership
         certificates  required by the United  States  Internal  Revenue Code of
         1986,  as  amended,  the Income Tax  Regulations  of the United  States
         Treasury  Department,  the laws of any State or territory of the United
         States,   or,  in  the  case  of   Securities   held  through   foreign
         subcustodians,  the laws of the  jurisdiction  in which such Securities
         are held, now or hereafter in effect, inserting the Fund's name on such
         certificates  as the owner of the Securities  covered  thereby,  to the
         extent it may lawfully do so;
<PAGE>

         (v) use its best efforts,  in  cooperation  with the Fund, to file such
         forms,  certificates  and other  documents as may be required to comply
         with  all  applicable  laws and  regulations  relating  to  withholding
         taxation applicable to the Securities; and

         (vi) use its best efforts to assist the Fund in obtaining any refund of
         local taxes to which the Fund may have a reasonable claim.

The Trust agrees to furnish to the  Custodian  such  information  and to execute
such forms and other  documents as the  Custodian may  reasonably  request or as
otherwise  may be  reasonably  necessary  in  connection  with  the  Custodian's
performance of its obligations under clauses (v) and (vi).

SECTION 9.  REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

         (a) Except as  otherwise  directed  by an  Officers'  Certificate,  the
Custodian shall register all  Securities,  except such as are in bearer form, in
the name of the Trust or the  applicable  Fund or a  registered  nominee  of the
Trust or the Fund or a registered  nominee of the  Custodian or a  subcustodian.
Securities deposited with a Securities Depository or with a foreign subcustodian
permitted  under  Section  6 may  be  registered  in  the  nominee  name  of the
Securities Depository or such foreign subcustodian.  The Custodian shall execute
and deliver all such certificates in connection  therewith as may be required by
the applicable provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code fo 1986, as
amended,  the Income Tax Regulations of the United States  Treasury  Department,
the laws of any State or  territory  of the  United  States,  or, in the case of
Securities  placed with foreign  subcustodians,  the laws of the jurisdiction in
which such  Securities  are held.  The Custodian  shall  maintain such books and
records as may be  necessary  to identify  the  specific  Securities  held by it
hereunder at all times.

         (b) The Trust shall from time to time furnish the Custodian appropriate
instruments  to enable  the  Custodian  to hold or  deliver  in proper  form for
transfer,  or to register in the name of its registered nominee,  any Securities
which it may hold for the  account  of a Fund and which may from time to time be
registered in the name of a Fund.

SECTION 10.  VOTING AND OTHER ACTION

         Neither the  Custodian nor any nominee of the Custodian or of DTC shall
vote any of the Securities held hereunder by or for the account of a Fund except
in accordance with the instructions contained in an Officers' Certificate.

         The Custodian shall deliver or have delivered to the Trust all notices,
proxies and proxy soliciting  materials with relation to such  Securities,  such
proxies  to be  executed  by  the  registered  holder  of  such  Securities  (if
registered  otherwise  than in the name of a Fund),  but without  indicating the
manner in which such proxies are to be voted.
<PAGE>

         With respect to Securities deposited with a Securities  Depository or a
foreign  subcustodian,  as  provided  for  in  Section  6  hereof,  that  may be
registered  in the  nominee  name of the  Securities  Depository  or the foreign
subcustodian, the Custodian shall request that the nominee shall not vote any of
such  deposited  Securities  or  execute  any proxy to vote  thereon or give any
consent or take any other action with respect thereto unless instructed to do so
by the Custodian following receipt by the Custodian of an Officers' Certificate.

SECTION 11.  TRANSFER TAX AND OTHER DISBURSEMENTS

         The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, shall pay or reimburse the Custodian
from time to time for any transfer  taxes  payable upon  transfers of Securities
made hereunder and for all other necessary and proper disbursements and expenses
made or incurred by the  Custodian  in the  performance  of this  Agreement,  as
required by U.S. law or the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Securities are
held, as the case may be.

         The Custodian shall execute and deliver such certificates in connection
with Securities delivered to it or by it under this Agreement as may be required
under  the laws of any  jurisdiction  to exempt  from  taxation  any  exemptible
transfers and/or deliveries of any such Securities.

SECTION 12.  COMPENSATION AND THE CUSTODIAN'S EXPENSES

         The Custodian shall be paid as compensation  for its services  pursuant
to this Agreement such  compensation  as may from time to time be agreed upon in
writing between the two parties.

SECTION 13.  INDEMNIFICATION

         The  Trust,  on  behalf of each  Fund,  agrees  to  indemnify  and hold
harmless the  Custodian  and its  employees,  agents and nominee from all taxes,
charges,  expenses,  assessments,  claims and liabilities  (including attorneys'
fees) incurred or assessed  against them in connection  with the  performance of
the  Agreement,  except  such as may  arise  from  their own  negligent  action,
negligent  failure  to  act or  willful  misconduct.  The  Custodian  agrees  to
indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and its trustees, officers, employees, and
agents from all taxes, charges,  expenses,  assessments,  claims and liabilities
(including  attorneys fees) incurred or assessed against the Trust in connection
with the  performance of the Agreement,  which may arise from negligent  action,
negligent failure to act or willful misconduct on the part of the Custodian.  In
the event of any advance of cash for any purpose made by the Custodian resulting
from orders or instructions of a Fund, or in the event that the Custodian or its
nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes,  charges,  expenses,  assessments,
claims or liabilities  in connection  with the  performance  of this  Agreement,
except  such as may  arise  from  its or its  nominee's  own  negligent  action,
negligent  failure to act or willful  misconduct,  any property at any time held
for the account of the Fund shall be security therefor.

         Within a  reasonable  time  after  receipt by an  indemnified  party of
notice of the  commencement  of any action,  such  indemnified  party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be

<PAGE>

made against any indemnifying party, notify in writing the indemnifying party of
the commencement  thereof;  and the omission so to notify the indemnifying party
will not relieve it from any liability  hereunder as to the particular  item for
which  indemnification is then being sought, unless such omission is a result of
the failure to exercise reasonable care on the part of the indemnified party. In
case any such action is brought against an indemnified party, and it notifies an
indemnifying party of the commencement  thereof,  the indemnifying party will be
entitled to participate therein, and to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
who shall be to the reasonable satisfaction of such indemnified party, and after
notice from the indemnifying  party to such indemnified party of its election so
to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such
indemnified party for any legal or other expenses  subsequently incurred by such
indemnified  party in connection  with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation.  Any such indemnifying  party shall not be liable to any
such  indemnified  party on  account  of any  settlement  of any claim or action
effected without the consent of such indemnifying party.

SECTION 14.  MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS

         The  Custodian  will  maintain  records  with  respect  to  each  Fund,
including  general  ledgers,  portfolio  ledgers,  subsidiary  ledgers,  if any,
appropriate  journals or other records  reflecting (i) Securities  maintained in
the portfolio of a Fund, (ii)  Securities  borrowed,  loaned or  collateralizing
obligations of a Fund,  (iii) monies borrowed and monies loaned (together with a
record of the collateral  thereto and  substitutions of such  collateral),  (iv)
dividends  and interest  received,  and (v)  dividends  receivable  and interest
accrued,  in compliance  with the rules and  regulations  of the 1940 Act, where
applicable.

SECTION 15.  REPORTS BY THE CUSTODIAN

         The Custodian will furnish to the Trust at the end of every month,  and
at the close of each quarter of a Fund's  fiscal  year, a list of the  portfolio
Securities  and the aggregate  amount of cash in each Account and will assist in
the preparation of the financial data for the N-SAR annual report to be filed on
behalf of a Fund.

         The  Custodian   shall  furnish  the  Trust  with  such  other  reports
concerning  transactions  in the Accounts and/or the Securities as may be agreed
upon from time to time. The books and records of the Custodian pertaining to its
actions under this Agreement shall be kept and preserved by the Custodian in the
manner and, in accordance with applicable  rules and regulations  under the 1940
Act,  and shall be open to  inspection  and audit at  reasonable  times and upon
reasonable notice to the Custodian,  by officers of any auditors employed by the
Trust (and such other persons as the Trust may designate from time to time). All
such books and  records  shall be the  property  of the Trust and the  Custodian
shall  forthwith upon the Trust's  request,  turn over to the Trust and cease to
retain in its  files,  records  and  documents  created  and  maintained  by the
Custodian  pursuant to this  Agreement,  except that the  Custodian may maintain
copies of any such files,  records and  documents  to the extent  needed for its
protection.
<PAGE>

SECTION 16.  FUND VALUATION -- INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

SECTION 17.  TERMINATION AND ASSIGNMENT

         (a) This agreement may be terminated  with respect to one or more Funds
by the Trust or by the Custodian, immediately upon written notice from the Trust
or the Custodian,  as applicable,  to the other party,  if the other party fails
materially to perform its obligations hereunder, and may otherwise be terminated
by the Trust or by the  Custodian on sixty (60) days'  notice,  given in writing
and sent by  registered  mail to the  Custodian or the Trust as the case may be.
Upon  termination of this Agreement,  the Custodian shall deliver the Securities
and  cash in the  Account  of the  Funds  for  which  this  Agreement  has  been
terminated  to the Trust as is  designated  in writing by the Trust and,  in the
absence of such a designation  may, but shall not be obligated to,  deliver them
to a bank or trust company of the Custodian's own selection  having an aggregate
capital,  surplus and undivided profits as shown by its last published report of
not less than 50 million  dollars  ($50,000,000),  the Securities and cash to be
held by such bank or trust  company  for the  benefit of the Trust  under  terms
similar to those of this  Agreement,  and the Trust shall be obligated to pay to
such transferee the then current rates of such transferee for services  rendered
by it. The  Custodian  may  decline,  however,  to transfer  such amount of such
Securities equivalent to all fees and other sums owing by the applicable Fund to
the  Custodian,  and the  Custodian  shall have a charge  against  and  security
interest in such amount  until all monies owing to it have been paid or escrowed
to its satisfaction.

         (b) This  Agreement  may not be assigned by the  Custodian  without the
consent of the Trust,  authorized  or  approved by a  resolution  of the Trust's
Board of Trustees.

SECTION 18.  FORCE MAJEURE

         The Custodian shall not be liable or accountable for any loss or damage
resulting from any condition or event beyond its reasonable  control;  provided,
however,  that the Custodian shall promptly use its best efforts to mitigate any
such loss or damage to the Trust or a Fund as a result of any such  condition or
event.  For the  purposes  of the  foregoing,  the actions or  inactions  of the
Custodian's  subcustodians and other agents shall not be deemed to be beyond the
reasonable  control of the  Custodian.  In connection  with the  foregoing,  the
Custodian  agrees (and  agrees  that it will use its best  efforts to obtain the
undertaking  of its  subcustodians  and  other  agents to the  effect)  that the
Custodian  (and/or such  subcustodian  or agent) shall  maintain such  alternate
power  sources for  computer  and related  systems and  alternate  channels  for
electronic  communication  with such  computers  and  related  systems  that the
failure  of the  primary  power  source  and/or  communications  channel  of the
Custodian (and/or its subcustodians or other agents) will not foreseeably result
in any loss or damage to the Trust or any Fund.

SECTION 19.  THIRD PARTIES

         This  Agreement  shall be binding  upon and the  benefits  hereof shall
inure to the  parties  hereto  and  their  respective  successors  and  assigns.
However,  nothing in this Agreement shall give or be construed to give or confer
upon any third party any rights hereunder.
<PAGE>

SECTION 20.  AMENDMENTS

         The terms of this  Agreement  shall not be waived,  altered,  modified,
amended,  supplemented or terminated in any manner whatsoever, except by written
instrument signed by both of the parties hereto.

SECTION 21.  GOVERNING LAW

         This Agreement  shall be governed and construed in accordance  with the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

SECTION 22.  COUNTERPARTS

         This agreement may be executed in several  counterparts,  each of which
is an original.

SECTION 23.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT

         This Agreement  constitutes  the entire  agreement  between the parties
hereto and  supersedes  any prior  agreement  with respect to the subject matter
hereof, whether oral or written.

SECTION 24.  NOTICES

         All notices  provided  for herein  shall be in writing and shall become
effective  when  deposited  in the  United  States  mail,  postage  prepaid  and
certified, addressed

         (i)      if to the Custodian, at:  150 Royall Street
                                            Canton, MA  02021
                                            Attention:  Worldwide Custody - MS:
                                                        45-02-90

         (ii)     if to the Trust, at:      Two Portland Square
                                            Portland, Maine 04101
                                            Attention:  Secretary

or to such other address as either party may notify the other in writing.

         A copy of the Trust  Instrument of the Trust has been  delivered to the
Custodian is on file with the  Secretary of the Trust and notice is hereby given
that this  instrument  is  executed  on behalf of the  Trustees  of the Trust as
Trustees, and the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the
Trustees,  officers,  or shareholders of the Trust individually but binding only
upon assets and property of the applicable Fund of the Trust.
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective  officers  thereunto duly authorized as of the date
first written above.

                                        FORUM FUNDS


                                        By:      /s/ David I. Goldstein
                                             --------------------------------
                                                 David I. Goldstein, Secretary

                                        BANKBOSTON, N.A.


                                        By:      /s/ Herbert Alleyne, Jr.
                                             --------------------------------
                                        Name:     Herbert Alleyne, Jr.
                                        Title:   Director and Senior Manager
    


<PAGE>


   
                               CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
                                   FORUM FUNDS

                                   APPENDIX A
                               FUNDS OF THE TRUST
                                   MAY 1, 1998


         Polaris Global Value Fund
    


<PAGE>


   
                               CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
                                   FORUM FUNDS

                                   APPENDIX A
                               FUNDS OF THE TRUST
                                  MAY 19, 1998

(A)      MONEY MARKET FUNDS (INSTITUTIONAL, INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE, AND INVESTOR
         SHARE CLASS)
         Daily Assets Treasury Fund
         Daily Assets Treasury Obligations Fund
         Daily Assets Government Fund
         Daily Assets Cash Fund
         Daily Assets Municipal Fund

(B)      FORUM FIXED INCOME FUNDS
         Investors High Grade Bond Fund
         Investors Bond Fund
         TaxSaver Bond Fund
         Maine Municipal Bond Fund
         New Hampshire Bond Fund

(C)      FORUM EQUITY FUNDS
         Payson Balanced Fund
         Equity Index Fund
         Investors Equity Fund
         Payson Value Fund
         Investors Growth Fund
         International Equity Fund
         Emerging Markets Fund
         Small Company Opportunities Fund

(D)      QUADRA FUNDS
         Quadra Value Equity Fund
         Quadra Growth Fund

(E)      OTHER FUNDS
         Oak Hall Small Cap Contrarian Fund
         Austin Global Equity Fund
         Polaris Global Value Fund
    



<PAGE>


   
                               CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
                                   FORUM FUNDS

                                   APPENDIX B
                 SUBCUSTODIANS FOR WHICH THE CUSTODIAN IS LIABLE
<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
COUNTRY                                                     SUBCUSTODIAN

Australia                                                   Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, Ltd.
Austria                                                     Creditanstalt-Bankverein
Belgium                                                     Banque Bruxelles Lambert, S.A.
Canada                                                      Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Denmark                                                     Den Danske Bank
Finland                                                     Merita Bank
France                                                      Credit Agricole Indosuez
Germany                                                     Dresdner Bank AG
Greece                                                      Citibank, N.A.
Hong Kong                                                   Standard Chartered Bank
Hungary                                                     Creditanstalt-Bankverein
Indonesia                                                   Standard Chartered Bank
Ireland                                                     The Bank of Ireland
Italy                                                       Banque Paribas
Japan                                                       Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd.
Korea                                                       Standard Chartered Bank
Malaysia                                                    Standard Chartered Bank
Mexico                                                      Citibank, N.A.
Netherlands                                                 Kas-Associatie N.V.
New Zealand                                                 Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, Ltd.
Norway                                                      Den norske Bank
Portugal                                                    Banco Espirito Santo Commercial de Lisboa
Singapore                                                   Standard Chartered Bank
South Africa                                                Standard Bank of South Africa Ltd.
Spain                                                       Banco Bilboa Vizcaya
Sweden                                                      Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken
Switzerland                                                 Bank Leu Ltd.
Transitional                                                Cedel, S.A.
United Kingdom                                              Midland Bank plc
                                                            First Chicago Clearing Centre
Venezuela                                                   Citibank, N.A.

Argentina, Brazil, Chile , Columbia, Panama, Peru, United   Bank Boston, N.A.
States and Uruguay
    
</TABLE>





                                                         One International Place
                                                Boston, Massachusetts 02110-9801
                                                   617/439-9700 fax 617/439-0476
WOLF
COMPANY,P.C.                                                    1441 Main Street
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS                    Springfield, Massachusetts 01103
  AND BUSINESS CONSULTANTS                         413/747-9042 fax 413/733-1990
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                   Exhibit 11(a)


Consent of Independent Auditors



The Board of Trustees and Shareholders
Forum Funds:

We consent to the use of our report  dated May 15,  1998  included in the Annual
Report to  Shareholders  for Quadra  Value  Equity Fund and Quadra  Growth Fund,
portfolios  of the  Forum  Funds,  incorporated  herein  by  reference  into the
Statement of Additional  Information and to the references to our Firm under the
headings, "Financial Highlights" in the prospectus and "Independent Accountants"
in the Statement of Additional Information.



                                                        /s/ Wolf & Company, P.C.
                                                            Wolf & Company, P.C.


Boston, Massachusetts
July 27, 1998







      Member of Associated Regional Accounting Firms and TGI International


                                                                   Exhibit 11(b)


Independent Auditors' Consent




We  consent to the use of our  reports  dated May 1, 1998 for Oak Hall Small Cap
Contrarian Fund,  Austin Global Equity Fund,  Payson Balance Fund,  Payson Value
Fund, Investors Growth Fund, Maine Municipal Bond Fund, New Hampshire Bond Fund,
Investors  High Grade Bond Fund,  Investors  Bond Fund,  and TaxSaver Bond Fund,
series of Forum Funds,  incorporated  herein by reference into the statements of
additional  information  and  to  the  references  to  us  under  the  headings,
"Financial  Highlights" in the prospectuses  and  "Independent  Auditors" in the
statements of additional information.



/s/ Deloitte & Touch LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
July 31, 1998

<TABLE> <S> <C>



<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUSTIN
GLOBAL EQUITY FUND ANNUAL REPORT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 017
   <NAME> AUSTIN GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       10,364,626
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      15,374,832
<RECEIVABLES>                                   32,136
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  17,785
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              15,424,753
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       45,791
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                             45,791
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    10,047,354
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          945,268
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          801,074
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        321,402
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     5,010,206
<NET-ASSETS>                                15,378,962
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              216,787
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               42,926
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 324,990
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       (65,277)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                     1,816,799
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    2,479,548
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        4,231,070
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                     1,232,391
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      1,230,491
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    371,889
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                          1,232,391
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       5,089,672
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (263,006)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          195,053
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                349,453
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        13,003,515
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            12.84
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                  (.07)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           4.95
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                              1.45
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              16.27
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   2.50
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>




<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FORUM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT DATED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 025
   <NAME> INVESTORS HIGH GRADE BOND FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       33,134,244
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      33,629,831
<RECEIVABLES>                                  500,537
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   5,118
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              34,135,486
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       98,589
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                             98,589
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    33,541,310
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        3,415,730
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       495,587
<NET-ASSETS>                                34,036,897
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               93,471
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  10,449
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         83,022
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                             0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      (120,183)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          (37,161)
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                       83,022
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                     34,311,467
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    154,387
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      34,036,897
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                            5,970
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 44,701
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        34,046,102
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .02
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          (.04)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .02
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               9.96
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .70
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>




<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FORUM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT DATED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 024
   <NAME> INVESTORS GROWTH FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       17,996,212
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      35,303,400
<RECEIVABLES>                                   45,658
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  14,333
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              35,363,391
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                     1,407,043
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       57,410
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                          1,464,453
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    16,503,288
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        2,987,037
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       88,462
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    17,307,188
<NET-ASSETS>                                33,898,938
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              118,840
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               69,128
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 100,136
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         87,832
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                             0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   3,816,203
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                       3,904,035
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                     31,213,621
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  1,218,718
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      33,898,938
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           59,250
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                142,373
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        30,246,471
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .03
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           1.32
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.35
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.10
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>



<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FORUM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT DATED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 003
   <NAME> INVESTORS BOND FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                     MAR-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       83,479,363
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                           84,951,645
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,160,195
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              86,111,840
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      513,809
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            513,809
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    83,858,624
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        8,097,617
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        2,178,639
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                      (4,904)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        272,029
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     1,472,282
<NET-ASSETS>                                85,598,031
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              159,141
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            2,940,733
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 300,574
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      2,799,300
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       407,860
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    619,147
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        3,826,307
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    2,799,300
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                     70,612,230
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  8,475,106
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                            243,656
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      63,407,787
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                        (2,108)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                    (138,629)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          171,777
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                525,151
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        42,944,138
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.19
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .71
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .38
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 .71
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                           0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.57
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .70
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        




</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>



<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FORUM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT DATED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 008
   <NAME> MAINE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       27,095,843
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      28,259,742
<RECEIVABLES>                                  569,586
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              28,829,328
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       570,009
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       63,266
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            633,275
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    27,002,433
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        2,552,646
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        2,406,727
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         29,721
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     1,163,899
<NET-ASSETS>                                28,196,053
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            1,410,516
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 161,193
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      1,249,323
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        85,991
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      692,888
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        2,028,202
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    1,249,323
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                        15,537
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      4,686,863
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  4,007,882
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                            926,235
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       2,368,558
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (40,733)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          107,471
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                398,596
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        26,867,624
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.73
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .51
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .33
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .51
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                          .01
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.05
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .60
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        




</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>



<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FORUM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT DATED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 013
   <NAME> NEW HAMPSHIRE BOND FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       12,255,283
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      12,644,231
<RECEIVABLES>                                  282,145
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,926,376
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       18,449
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                             18,449
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    12,506,403
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        1,202,463
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          843,042
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          489
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         12,087
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       388,948
<NET-ASSETS>                                12,907,927
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              552,456
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  65,665
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        486,791
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        28,990
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      381,519
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          897,300
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                      486,791
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                         3,158
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      4,626,698
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  1,266,972
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                            450,170
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       4,217,247
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                            489
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                     (13,745)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           43,782
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                197,588
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        10,945,572
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.31
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .47
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .43
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .48
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.73
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .60
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        





</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>




<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
OAK HALL SMALL CAP CONTRARIAN FUND ANNUAL REPORT DATED MARCH 31, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 016
   <NAME> OAK HALL SMALL CAP CONTRARIAN FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        6,008,651
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       7,285,006
<RECEIVABLES>                                   39,898
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  19,043
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,343,947
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                        98,251
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       37,771
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            136,022
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     5,932,162
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          348,816
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          529,586
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          (592)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     1,276,355
<NET-ASSETS>                                 7,207,925
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                               35,349
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                6,738
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 126,450
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       (84,363)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                     1,344,532
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    1,304,798
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        2,564,967
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      2,446,775
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  5,114,010
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       (102,268)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                  (1,345,124)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           49,135
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                194,125
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         6,551,293
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            13.80
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                  (.24)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           7.10
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              20.66
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.93
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>



<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FORUM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT DATED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 007
   <NAME> PAYSON BALANCED FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       20,720,404
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      23,918,513
<RECEIVABLES>                                  618,516
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              24,537,029
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       97,194
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                             97,194
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    19,858,219
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        1,652,819
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        1,375,806
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                      (3,069)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      1,386,576
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     3,198,109
<NET-ASSETS>                                24,439,835
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              353,967
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              464,294
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 252,149
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        566,112
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                     3,327,732
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    1,901,486
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        5,795,330
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                      566,112
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                     2,798,475
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      3,548,584
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  1,833,253
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                          2,130,618
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       6,276,692
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                        (1,366)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      854,090
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          131,512
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                343,586
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        21,918,721
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            13.20
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .37
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           3.52
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                              .37
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                         1.93
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              14.79
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.15
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        




</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>




<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FORUM FUND ANNUAL REPORT DATED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 010
   <NAME> PAYSON VALUE FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       13,321,844
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      20,112,471
<RECEIVABLES>                                   39,905
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              20,152,376
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       184,050
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       49,969
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            234,019
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    12,199,033
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          919,046
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          814,041
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                     (15,760)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        944,457
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     6,790,627
<NET-ASSETS>                                19,918,357
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              309,230
<INTEREST-INCOME>                               31,251
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 238,718
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        101,763
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                     1,827,572
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                    4,127,867
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        6,057,202
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                      101,763
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                     1,140,141
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      3,200,541
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  1,944,400
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                            737,950
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       6,809,389
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                       (24,390)
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      264,765
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          131,769
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                307,364
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        16,471,177
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            16.10
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .12
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           6.93
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .12
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                         1.36
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              21.67
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.45
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        




</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>




<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE QUADRA
FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT DATED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 023
   <NAME> QUADRA GROWTH FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   5-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        3,455,475
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       3,717,030
<RECEIVABLES>                                   50,361
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  27,550
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,794,941
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       73,044
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                             73,044
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     3,464,233
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          325,950
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                        3,599
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        (7,490)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       261,555
<NET-ASSETS>                                 3,721,897
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                5,595
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                5,008
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                   5,785
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          4,818
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       (7,490)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      261,555
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          258,883
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        1,219
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      3,517,545
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                     54,541
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              1,219
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       3,721,887
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                            5,793
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 70,427
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                         1,428,646
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .01
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           1.41
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.42
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.00
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        




</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>



<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE QUADRA
FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT DATED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 020
   <NAME> QUADRA VALUE EQUITY FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        3,332,585
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       3,552,799
<RECEIVABLES>                                   56,470
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  24,017
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,633,286
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      75,638
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            75,638
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                     3,314,449
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          277,950
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                       14,307
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          8,678
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       220,214
<NET-ASSETS>                                 3,557,648
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                               21,506
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                8,999
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                   8,358
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         22,147
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        40,519
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      220,214
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          282,880
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        7,840
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                        31,841
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                      3,389,076
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    114,318
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             39,681
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       3,557,638
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                            8,367
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                138,615
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                           838,995
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .22
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           3.45
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .17
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                          .70
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              12.80
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.00
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>



<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FORUM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT DATED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 005
   <NAME> TAXSAVER BOND FUND
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       37,539,720
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      38,740,469
<RECEIVABLES>                                  628,979
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              39,369,448
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      166,141
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            166,141
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    37,578,093
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        3,645,233
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        1,693,197
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                        8,267
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        416,198
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     1,200,749
<NET-ASSETS>                                39,203,307
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                            1,415,850
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 152,995
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                      1,262,855
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       431,531
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      12,927
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        1,707,313
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                    1,254,588
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                        10,731
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                     25,165,062
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  4,512,629
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                            351,873
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                      21,446,300
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      (4,602)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          102,003
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                346,511
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        25,500,766
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.49
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .53
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .27
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                           .53
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                .01
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.75
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .60
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        



</TABLE>


   

                                                                   OTHER EXHIBIT
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that John Y. Keffer  constitutes  and appoints
David I. Goldstein,  Anthony C.J. Nuland, Max Berueffy, Leslie K. Klenk and each
of them,  as true and lawful  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents  with full power of
substitution  and  resubstitution,  for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities to sign the  Registration  Statement on Form N-1A and any
or all  amendments  thereto  of  Forum  Funds,  and to file  the  same  with the
Securites  and Exchange  Commission,  granting unto said  attorneys-in-fact  and
agents full power and  authority  to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and  necessary to be done in and about the  premises,  as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might do or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or their or his substitute
or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                                    /s/John Y. Keffer
                                                  ----------------------------

                                                    John Y. Keffer


Dated: May 19, 1998
    



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