As Filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on February 22, 1996
1933 Act File No. 2-78609
1940 Act File No. 811-3519
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 / /
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Pre-Effective Amendment No. / /
Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 / X /
-- ----
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 / /
-----
Amendment No. 21 / X /
-- ----
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
FREEDOM GROUP OF TAX EXEMPT FUNDS
(Exact Name of Registrant)
One Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(617) 523-3170
(Registrant's Telephone Number)
Edward T. O'Dell, P.C.
Goodwin, Procter & Hoar
Exchange Place, Boston, MA 02109
(Name and Address of Agent for Service of Process)
Approximate date of proposed public offering:
It is proposed that this filing will become effective under Rule 485 (check
appropriate box):
/ / Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ X / On February 22, 1996, pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ / On _____ pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ / 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
/ / On _____ pursuant to paragraph (a)(2).
If appropriate check the following box:
/ / This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for
a previously filed post-effective amendment.
The Registrant, pursuant to Rule 24f-2 promulgated under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, has previously registered an indefinite number of shares of
the Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund series and the Freedom California Tax Exempt
Money Fund series. A Rule 24f-2 Notice for the Registrant's most recent fiscal
year with respect to the Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund series and Freedom
California Tax Exempt Money Fund series will be filed on or about February 22,
1996.
<PAGE>
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
PURSUANT TO RULE 481(A)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Form N-1A Item No. Caption or Location
Part A in Prospectuses
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<S> <C>
1. Cover Page Same
2. Synopsis Summary of Our Expenses
3. Condensed Financial Our Financial Highlights
Information
4. General Description of Our Investment Objectives;
Registrant Our Organization and Shares; Special
Considerations and Risk Factors
5. Management of the Fund Our Management; Additional
Information
5A. Management's Discussion of Fund Performance [To be included in Annual Reports to
Shareholders]
6. Capital Stock and Other Our Organization and
Securities Shares; Additional Information;
Dividends; Taxes
7. Purchase of Securities Being How to Purchase Shares
Offered
8. Redemption or Repurchase How to Redeem Shares
9. Pending Legal Proceedings Not Applicable
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Caption or Location in
Form N-1A Item No. Statements of
Part B Additional Information
- ----------------- ----------------------
<S> <C>
10. Cover Page Cover Page
11. Table of Contents Table of Contents
12. General Information and History General Information
13. Investment Objectives and Investment Objectives
Policies and Policies; Investment Restrictions
14. Management of the Fund Management of the Trusts/Fund
</TABLE>
(ii)
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Caption or Location in
Form N-1A Item No. Statements of
Part B Additional Information
- ----------------- ----------------------
<S> <C>
15. Control Persons and Principal Management of the Trusts/Fund
Holders of Securities
16. Investment Advisory and Other The Investment Adviser;
Services Distribution of Shares of the
Trusts/Fund; Custodian; Financial
Statements and Independent
Accountants
17. Brokerage Allocation and Portfolio Transactions
Other Practices
18. Capital Stock and Other General Information
Securities
19. Purchase, Redemption and Pricing Additional Information on Redemption;
of Securities Being Offered Net Asset Value
20. Tax Status Additional Information on
Taxes
21. Underwriters Distribution of Shares of the
Trusts/Fund
22. Calculations of Performance Data Current Yield
23. Financial Statements Financial Statements and Independent
Accountants
</TABLE>
(iii)
<PAGE>
FREEDOM MUTUAL FUND [FLAG
LOGO]
FREEDOM GROUP OF TAX EXEMPT FUNDS
ONE BEACON STREET - BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02108
(800) 453-8206 NATIONWIDE
We are two investment companies offering three separate portfolios,
commonly known as mutual funds (the "Funds"), each of which is a no-load money
market fund with its own specific investment objectives.
Freedom Cash Management Fund -- A money market fund investing in a
diversified portfolio of high-grade money market instruments.
Freedom Government Securities Fund -- A money market fund investing
exclusively in obligations issued or guaranteed as to both principal and
interest by the U.S. Government and its agencies or instrumentalities.
Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund -- A money market fund investing in a
diversified portfolio of high quality short-term municipal securities.
INVESTMENTS IN THE FUNDS ARE NEITHER INSURED NOR GUARANTEED BY THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE FUNDS WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A
STABLE $1.00 PER SHARE NET ASSET VALUE.
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Funds that you
ought to know before investing. Please read the Prospectus and retain it for
future reference. Additional information, contained in a Statement of Additional
Information also dated February 22, 1996, has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and is available upon request without charge by writing to
the Funds at the address set forth above. The Statement of Additional
Information having the same date as this Prospectus is incorporated by reference
into this Prospectus.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
PROSPECTUS AND ANNUAL REPORT -- February 22, 1996
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Introduction ......................................................... 1
Benefits to Our Investors ................................................. 1
Summary of Our Expenses ................................................... 2
Our Financial Highlights .................................................. 3
Our Investment Objectives ................................................. 4
Freedom Cash Management Fund ......................................... 4
Freedom Government Securities Fund ................................... 5
Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund ........................................ 5
Certain Investment Strategies ............................................. 6
Special Considerations -- Tax Exempt Money Fund ........................... 6
How to Purchase Shares .................................................... 7
How to Redeem Shares ...................................................... 9
Freedom Asset Account ..................................................... 11
Pricing of Our Shares ..................................................... 12
Dividends ................................................................. 12
Current Yield ............................................................. 12
Taxes ..................................................................... 12
Our Organization and Shares ............................................... 14
Our Management ............................................................ 15
Shareholder Services ...................................................... 15
Additional Information .................................................... 17
Annual Report -- December 31, 1995 ........................................ 18
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION
We are two open-end diversified management investment companies offering three
separate portfolios, commonly known as mutual funds (the "Funds"). Each Fund is
a no-load money market fund which provides a stable net asset value and high
current income by investing in a portfolio of high-quality money market
obligations. The Funds described in this Prospectus are Freedom Cash Management
Fund ("Cash Management Fund"), Freedom Government Securities Fund ("Government
Securities Fund") and Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund ("Tax Exempt Money Fund").
BENEFITS TO OUR INVESTORS
Our money market funds offer you important benefits and conveniences:
No Sales Charge, No Redemption Fee.
Minimum Initial Investment: $1,000.
Minimum Subsequent Investment: $100. See "How to Purchase Shares" and "How
to Redeem Shares".
Liquidity and Share Price Stability: Investment liquidity through
convenient purchase and redemption procedures. Stability of principal through
maintenance of a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share.
Checkwriting Privilege: You have the convenience of making redemptions
without charge merely by writing a check. Such checks may be payable to anyone
you wish and there is no limit on the number of checks you may write.
Professional Management: Freedom Capital Management Corporation, founded in
1930, serves as the Funds' investment adviser (the "Adviser"). The Adviser
provides a number of mutual funds and other clients with investment research and
portfolio management services. Assets under the Adviser's supervision currently
exceed $4 billion. The Adviser is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of John
Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Free Exchange Privilege: You may exchange shares of any Fund without charge
for shares of any other Fund described in this Prospectus.
Investments in the Funds are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S.
Government. There is no assurance that the Funds will be able to maintain a
stable $1.00 per share net asset value.
1
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF OUR EXPENSES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Cash Government Tax Exempt
Management Fund Securities Fund Money Fund
--------------- --------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Sales Load Imposed on Purchases None None None
Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends None None None
Redemption Fees None None None
Exchange Fees None None None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF
AVERAGE NET ASSETS)*
Management Fees .47% .50% .50%
12b-1 Fees None None None
Other Expenses .26% .15% .14%
Total Fund Operating Expenses .73% .65% .64%
</TABLE>
- --------------
* For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995
The purpose of this table is to assist you in understanding the various
costs and expenses that you will bear directly or indirectly as an investor in
each Fund. For further information on management fees, see "Our Management."
EXAMPLE
The following example illustrates the effect of each Fund's expenses on the
value of a hypothetical $1,000 investment at the end of one, three, five and ten
year periods in that Fund. As noted in the table above, none of the Funds charge
redemption fees of any kind. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS A
REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR INVESTMENT RETURNS. ACTUAL EXPENSES
AND INVESTMENT RETURNS MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN SHOWN.
You would pay the following expenses on a
$1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual
return and (2) redemption at the end of each
time period: 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
------ ------- ------- --------
Cash Management Fund $7 $23 $41 $91
Government Securities Fund $7 $21 $36 $81
Tax Exempt Money Fund $7 $20 $36 $80
2
<PAGE>
OUR FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The table of Financial Highlights below represents a summary history of our
operations. The table uses the Funds' fiscal year (which ends December 31) and
expresses the information in terms of a single share outstanding throughout each
year. The table has been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, independent
accountants, whose unqualified report covering the fiscal years appears
elsewhere in this Prospectus. The financial highlights information should be
read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes also
included in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET RATIO OF RATIO OF NET
NET ASSET DIVIDENDS NET ASSET ASSETS EXPENSES INVESTMENT
VALUE NET FROM NET VALUE END OF TO AVERAGE INCOME TO
YEAR BEGINNING INVESTMENT INVESTMENT END OF TOTAL YEAR DAILY AVERAGE DAILY
ENDED OF YEAR INCOME INCOME YEAR RETURN (THOUSANDS) NET ASSETS NET ASSETS
----- ------- ------ ------ ---- ------ ----------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CASH MANAGEMENT FUND
December 31, 1995 $1.00 $0.0526 $(0.0526) $1.00 5.38% $1,346,625 0.73% 5.26%
December 31, 1994 1.00 0.0353 (0.0353) 1.00 3.59 1,083,661 0.75 3.54
December 31, 1993 1.00 0.0247 (0.0247) 1.00 2.50 1,138,578 0.75 2.47
December 31, 1992 1.00 0.0309 (0.0309) 1.00 3.13 1,069,472 0.78 3.09
December 31, 1991 1.00 0.0546 (0.0546) 1.00 5.60 1,183,684 0.77 5.46
December 31, 1990 1.00 0.0753 (0.0753) 1.00 7.80 1,103,050 0.78 7.49
December 31, 1989 1.00 0.0844 (0.0844) 1.00 8.78 1,111,954 0.80 8.45
December 31, 1988 1.00 0.0679 (0.0679) 1.00 7.01 800,970 0.85 6.81
December 31, 1987 1.00 0.0588 (0.0588) 1.00 6.04 691,151 0.84 5.88
December 31, 1986 1.00 0.0602 (0.0602) 1.00 6.19 700,841 0.85 5.93
GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
December 31, 1995 $1.00 $0.0500 $(0.0500) $1.00 5.10% $317,400 0.65% 5.00%
December 31, 1994 1.00 0.0331 (0.0331) 1.00 3.36 268,434 0.65 3.31
December 31, 1993 1.00 0.0246 (0.0246) 1.00 2.49 349,808 0.59 2.47
December 31, 1992 1.00 0.0315 (0.0315) 1.00 3.18 336,804 0.60 3.15
December 31, 1991 1.00 0.0521 (0.0521) 1.00 5.34 352,803 0.57 5.30
December 31, 1990 1.00 0.0743 (0.0743) 1.00 7.69 266,179 0.66 7.41
December 31, 1989 1.00 0.0817 (0.0817) 1.00 8.48 179,730 0.69 8.21
December 31, 1988 1.00 0.0647 (0.0647) 1.00 6.67 169,967 0.71 6.47
December 31, 1987 1.00 0.0550 (0.0550) 1.00 5.64 195,394 0.72 5.53
December 31, 1986 1.00 0.0587 (0.0587) 1.00 6.03 208,498 0.70 5.89
TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
December 31, 1995 $1.00 $0.0319 $(0.0319) $1.00 3.23% $274,076 0.64% 3.19%
December 31, 1994 1.00 0.0216 (0.0216) 1.00 2.19 248,045 0.65 2.16
December 31, 1993 1.00 0.0171 (0.0171) 1.00 1.73 270,474 0.63 1.71
December 31, 1992 1.00 0.0232 (0.0232) 1.00 2.35 243,333 0.63 2.32
December 31, 1991 1.00 0.0389 (0.0389) 1.00 3.96 252,393 0.61 3.90
December 31, 1990 1.00 0.0522 (0.0522) 1.00 5.35 251,439 0.59 5.20
December 31, 1989 1.00 0.0555 (0.0555) 1.00 5.69 229,859 0.60 5.58
December 31, 1988 1.00 0.0459 (0.0459) 1.00 4.69 205,166 0.57(a) 4.57(a)
December 31, 1987 1.00 0.0398 (0.0398) 1.00 4.05 222,820 0.53(a) 3.98(a)
December 31, 1986 1.00 0.0434 (0.0434) 1.00 4.43 230,799 0.49(a) 4.31(a)
</TABLE>
- ------------
(a) Net of fees waived by the Adviser which amounted to $0.0008, $0.0016, and
$0.0019 per share in the years 1988, 1987, and 1986, respectively.
3
<PAGE>
OUR INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
In order to provide you with liquidity, the Funds follow practices to
maintain a $1.00 share price: limiting their portfolios' average maturity to 90
days or less; buying securities which mature in 397 days or less; and buying
only high quality securities with minimal credit risks. Of course, the Funds
cannot guarantee a $1.00 share price, but these practices help to minimize any
price fluctuations that might result from rising or declining interest rates.
While each Fund invests in high quality securities, you should be aware that
your investment is not without risk even if all the securities in the portfolio
are paid in full at maturity. Each of the Funds has a fundamental investment
objective with an investment program to aid in achieving its objective. There is
no assurance that the Funds will achieve their investment objectives. All money
market instruments and debt securities, including U.S. Government securities,
can change in value when interest rates change or when an issuer's
creditworthiness changes.
Each of the Funds will limit its portfolio investments to high quality
money market obligations that, at the time of acquisition, (i) are rated in the
two highest categories by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations ("NRSROs") (or by one NRSRO if only one NRSRO has rated the
security), (ii) if not rated, are obligations of an issuer whose other
outstanding short-term debt obligations are so rated, or (iii) if not rated, are
of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser in accordance with procedures
established by the Trustees (collectively, "Eligible Securities"). Each Fund
will limit its investments to Eligible Securities that present minimal credit
risk, as determined by the Adviser in accordance with procedures established by
the Trustees.
All Eligible Securities may be classified as "first tier" securities and
"second tier" securities. In general, first tier securities consist of Eligible
Securities that have received the highest rating by at least two NRSROs (or by
one NRSRO if only one NRSRO has rated the security) or which are unrated but
determined to be of comparable quality. All other Eligible Securities are
classified as second tier securities. Neither the Cash Management Fund nor the
Government Securities Fund may invest more than 5% of its total assets in second
tier securities or invest more than 1% of its total assets or $1.0 million
(whichever is greater) in the second tier securities of any single issuer. A
description of the ratings of the NRSROs is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information.
FREEDOM CASH MANAGEMENT FUND
Investment Objective. The Cash Management Fund seeks to achieve as high a
rate of current income as is consistent with maintenance of liquidity and
preservation of capital.
Investment Program. To achieve its objectives, the Fund invests in a
diversified portfolio of short-term, U.S. dollar-denominated instruments of U.S.
and foreign issuers. These instruments include securities issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, foreign
governments, certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers' acceptances and
other short-term obligations issued by domestic banks, foreign branches of
domestic banks, foreign subsidiaries of domestic banks, and domestic and foreign
branches of foreign banks, asset-backed securities, repurchase agreements, and
high-quality domestic and foreign commercial paper and other short-term
corporate obligations, including those with floating or variable rates of
interest.
Foreign obligations, including obligations of foreign banks, U.S. branches
and agencies of foreign banks, and foreign branches of U.S. banks, may involve
different risks than domestic obligations, including unfavorable political and
economic developments, currency controls or other governmental restrictions
which could affect the payment of principal or interest. Additionally, foreign
issuers may be subject to less governmental regulation and supervision than U.S.
issuers.
4
<PAGE>
FREEDOM GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
Investment Objective. The Government Securities Fund seeks to achieve as
high a rate of current income as is consistent with maintenance of liquidity and
preservation of capital.
Investment Program. To achieve its objectives, the Fund invests exclusively
in short-term U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Government agency securities and
repurchase agreements with respect to such securities. Some U.S. Government
agency securities, such as Government National Mortgage Association pass-through
certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States
Treasury; others, such as securities of Federal Home Loan Banks, by the right of
the issuer to borrow from the Treasury. Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund Investment
Objective. The Tax Exempt Money Fund seeks to achieve as high a rate of current
income exempt from federal income taxes as is consistent with maintenance of
liquidity and preservation of capital. Investment Program. To protect its
capital, the Fund invests only in highly rated securities. The Fund may invest
in "Municipal Securities", which, as used in this Prospectus, means obligations
issued by or on behalf of states, territories, and possessions of the United
States, including the District of Columbia, and their political subdivisions,
agencies and instrumentalities, the interest from which is exempt from federal
income tax. Municipal Securities include tax anticipation notes, revenue
anticipation notes, general obligation bonds, industrial revenue bonds,
construction loan notes, bond anticipation notes, tax exempt commercial paper
and short-term municipal bonds. The tax exempt status of a Municipal Security is
determined by the issuer's bond counsel at the time of the issuance of the
security. Interest income of the Fund which is exempt from federal income tax is
expected to retain its tax-free status when distributed to shareholders. Such
income may be subject to state and local taxes.
The Fund may also invest in when-issued securities and certain variable and
floating rate demand notes. Variable and floating rate demand notes generally
have a maturity in excess of one year, but permit their holder to demand
prepayment upon a specified number of days' notice.
Certain of the Municipal Securities may be backed by a letter of credit
issued by a domestic or a foreign bank in order to improve their credit rating.
In that case, the Fund considers the bank to be the ultimate obligor and credit
risk. See "Special Considerations -- Tax Exempt Money Fund."
It is a fundamental policy of the Fund that during normal market conditions
the Fund's assets will be invested so that at least 80% of the Fund's income
during its fiscal year will be exempt from federal personal income taxes. Up to
20% of the Fund's portfolio may be invested in issues which are not exempt from
federal income tax such as commercial paper, corporate notes, certificates of
deposit, obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities
(and repurchase agreements secured by these obligations). Under federal tax
legislation, the interest on certain tax exempt securities which the Fund may
purchase will be included in income subject to the federal individual
alternative minimum tax. The Fund's present policy is to invest no more than 20%
of its total assets in taxable securities including those subject to the
alternative minimum tax. During periods of uncertain market conditions, the Fund
may place more than 20% of its total assets for temporary defensive purposes in
taxable investments or cash reserves.
5
<PAGE>
CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Repurchase Agreements. Each of the Funds may enter into repurchase
agreements with a bank, financial institution or broker-dealer as a means of
earning income for periods as short as overnight. A repurchase agreement
provides for a Fund to purchase securities, subject to the seller's agreement to
repurchase such securities at a specified time (normally the next business day)
and price. Each repurchase agreement entered into by a Fund will provide that
the value of the collateral underlying the repurchase agreement will always be
at least equal to the repurchase price, including any accrued interest. A Fund's
right to liquidate its collateral, in the event of a default by the seller,
could involve certain costs, losses or delays and, to the extent that proceeds
from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase are less than the
repurchase price, a Fund could suffer a loss. No Fund will invest more than 10%
of its net assets in repurchase agreements of more than one week's duration.
Borrowing. Each Fund may borrow up to 10% of the value of its net assets
from banks for temporary purposes (not for leveraging or investment) but will
not make any new investments so long as such borrowings exceed 5% of the value
of its net assets.
Illiquid Securities. Each Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in
securities for which no readily available market exists (including repurchase
agreements maturing in more than one week). Each Fund may purchase restricted
securities eligible for resale to "qualified institutional buyers" pursuant to
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. However, if the Trustees determine
that they are liquid, based upon a continuing review of the trading markets for
specific Rule 144A securities, then they may be purchased without regard to the
10% limit. The Trustees will carefully monitor each Fund's investments in these
securities, focusing on factors, among others, such as valuation, liquidity and
availability of information. This investment practice could have the effect of
increasing the level of illiquidity in the Funds to the extent that qualified
institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these
restricted securities.
When-Issued Securities. The Tax Exempt Money Fund may invest in
"when-issued" securities. When-issued securities involve commitments to buy a
new issue with settlement up to 45 days later. During the time between the
commitment and settlement, the Fund does not accrue interest but the market
value may fluctuate. This can result in the Fund's share value increasing or
decreasing. If the Fund invests in securities of this type, it will maintain a
segregated account to pay for them and mark it to market daily.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS -- TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
The ability of the Tax Exempt Money Fund to achieve its investment
objective is dependent 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. It should also be pointed out that, unlike
other types of investments, Municipal Securities traditionally have not been
subject to regulation by, or registration with, the Securities and Exchange
Commission, although there have been proposals which would provide for
regulation in the future.
With respect to Municipal Securities that are backed by a letter of credit
issued by a foreign bank, the ultimate source of payment is the foreign bank.
Investment in foreign banks may involve risks not present in domestic
investments. These include the fact that the foreign bank may be subject to
different, and in some cases less comprehensive, regulatory, accounting,
financial reporting and disclosure standards than are domestic banks.
6
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
GENERAL
Shares of the Funds are distributed by Tucker Anthony Incorporated ("Tucker
Anthony") and Freedom Distributors Corporation ("Freedom", and together with
Tucker Anthony, the "Distributors") and Sutro & Co., Incorporated ("Sutro"), an
authorized securities dealer which has entered into a sales agreement with the
Distributors. State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street") acts as the
Funds' custodian. John Hancock Investor Services Corp. ("JHIS") acts as the
Funds' transfer and shareholder services agent.
You may open an account in any Fund by placing an order for at least
$1,000. You may then make subsequent investments for $100 or more.
Shares of the Funds are offered on a continuing basis without a sales
charge at a public offering price equal to the net asset value next determined
after a purchase order is received in proper form as described below. Shares may
be purchased either (1) through the Distributors, utilizing an existing or new
securities brokerage account with a Tucker Anthony or Sutro account executive,
or (2) directly through JHIS. Orders to purchase shares do not become effective
until receipt of "Federal Funds" (monies credited to JHIS's account with its
registered Federal Reserve Bank) by JHIS.
There is no minimum amount for initial or subsequent investment (i) by a
tax-deferred retirement plan (Cash Management Fund and Government Securities
Fund only) or (ii) in connection with purchases through the automatic "sweep"
program (described below) sponsored by Tucker Anthony and Sutro (all Funds).
Where a bank, investment adviser or similar institution has a large number of
accounts and is willing to receive a monthly summary of accounts in lieu of the
regular statement for each account under its control, the minimum amount for
initial investments by individual accounts covered by the summary of accounts is
reduced to $100. All payments will be invested in full and fractional shares.
PURCHASES BY CLIENTS OF TUCKER ANTHONY AND SUTRO
If you have a brokerage account with Tucker Anthony or Sutro, and have not
elected the automatic "sweep" program described below, you may purchase any
Fund's shares through your account executive. In order to purchase through your
account, your account must have a free credit balance (i.e. immediately
available funds). If a properly completed order to purchase Fund shares is
received at any Tucker Anthony or Sutro office after 12:00 noon New York time
and paid utilizing a free credit balance available on a brokerage account,
Tucker Anthony or Sutro will transfer Federal Funds to the Fund and your order
will be executed on the next business day and dividends on such shares will
begin on that day. Accordingly, Tucker Anthony or Sutro may benefit from the use
of free credit balances in your account prior to their transfer to a Fund.
Certificates for shares owned generally are not issued to you if you have
purchased your shares through Tucker Anthony or Sutro. Tucker Anthony and Sutro
will receive statements and dividends directly from the Funds and will in turn
provide you with account statements reflecting a Fund's purchases, redemptions
and dividend payments.
7
<PAGE>
"Sweep" Program. You may also purchase any Fund's shares by participating
in the "sweep" program of Tucker Anthony and Sutro in which any free credit cash
balance (in available funds) of any amount in your Tucker Anthony/Sutro
brokerage account is invested in one of the Funds automatically no less
frequently than weekly. Under the terms of this program, you may have your free
credit balance invested in shares of any Fund although at any one time your free
credit balance may be invested automatically in only one Fund (the "Designated
Fund"). Free credit cash balances (in available funds) of $2,000 or more will be
invested in shares of the Designated Fund automatically on the next business
day. Automatic purchases using free credit balances of less than $2,000 will be
made weekly, generally on Monday (or the next business day if any Monday is a
holiday) of each week based upon the free credit balance in the account at the
close of business on the preceding Friday. Unless you have elected cash
dividends, dividends on your shares in the Designated Fund will be automatically
reinvested in shares monthly. Redemptions will be effected automatically to
satisfy debit balances in your brokerage account created by activity therein.
Each brokerage account will be scanned automatically for debits each business
day as of the close of business on that day and, after application of any free
credit cash balances in the account to such debits, a sufficient number of
shares of the Designated Fund owned by you will be redeemed at 12:00 noon the
following business day to satisfy any remaining debits in the brokerage account.
Tucker Anthony or Sutro may benefit from the use of free credit balances in your
account prior to their transfer to a Fund.
If you wish additional information concerning the "sweep" program, please
call your account executive.
OTHER INVESTORS -- PURCHASE BY CHECK OR WIRE
Purchase by Mail. On an initial purchase, complete the Purchase Application
included in this Prospectus, indicating which of the Funds you wish to invest in
and each of the services to be used, and mail it, together with a check written
against a U.S. bank and payable to Freedom Cash Management Fund, Freedom
Government Securities Fund or Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund, to:
John Hancock Investor Services Corp.
[Name of Fund(s)]
Attn: Dealer Services
P.O. Box 9102
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9102
Subsequent purchases of $100 or more may also be made through JHIS by
forwarding payment, together with the detachable stub from your account
statement or a letter containing your account number. When you pay by check,
your order for additional shares of a Fund will be executed at the price next
determined after Federal Funds become immediately available to the applicable
Fund. Federal Funds normally do not become available to a Fund when payment is
by check until two business days or more after the check is deposited. Checks
drawn on banks which are not members of the Federal Reserve System may take
longer to be converted into Federal Funds. When you purchase shares by check,
the Funds can hold payment on redemptions until they are reasonably satisfied
that the investment has been collected (which can take up to ten days).
Purchase by Wire Transfer. You may also purchase shares of any Fund through
JHIS by means of a wire order. Please call JHIS toll free at (800) 257-3336 for
instructions. You should then give
8
<PAGE>
instructions to your wiring bank to transmit the specified amount in Federal
Funds to: First Signature Bank & Trust, Portsmouth, New Hampshire -- Freedom
Group of Money Funds, Attention: [Name of Fund(s)], ABA #211475000, specifying
on the wire your account number and your name.
If you transfer Federal Funds by wire in this manner, the transfer may be
subject to a service charge by your bank. If notice from your bank of the wire
transfer is received by JHIS before 12:00 noon New York time, your order will be
executed at 12:00 noon New York time on that day. If notice from your bank of
the wire transfer is received by JHIS after 12:00 noon New York time, your order
will be executed at 12:00 noon New York time on the next business day.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
GENERAL
Redemption orders are effected at the net asset value next determined after
receipt of the order by JHIS. For your convenience, and so that you can continue
earning daily dividends for as long as possible, the Funds have established
several different redemption procedures described below. SHOULD THE REDEMPTION
INCLUDE SHARES PURCHASED BY CHECK, PAYMENT MAY BE DELAYED FOR UP TO TEN DAYS
AFTER THE PURCHASE IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE PURCHASE CHECK TO CLEAR. A redemption
of shares purchased by wire will not be subject to this period of delay.
The shares of any Fund may be redeemed in several ways: (1) shares
purchased through a Tucker Anthony or Sutro brokerage account can be redeemed by
placing a redemption order with your account executive or by check redemption,
and (2) shares purchased directly may be redeemed by mail, by expedited
redemption (i.e., wire redemption if you have elected this option on your
Purchase Application) or by check redemption.
REDEMPTION THROUGH YOUR TUCKER ANTHONY OR SUTRO BROKERAGE ACCOUNT
In order to redeem shares purchased through a Tucker Anthony or Sutro
brokerage account, you should advise your account executive, by telephone or
mail, to execute the redemption. If a properly completed order to redeem Fund
shares is received by a Tucker Anthony or Sutro office after 12:00 noon New York
time, your order will be forwarded to the appropriate Fund and will be executed
on the following business day. Redemption proceeds will be held in your
brokerage account unless you give instructions to your account executive to
reinvest or remit the proceeds to you. Generally, redemption proceeds will not
be invested for your benefit without specific instruction, and Tucker Anthony or
Sutro may benefit from the use of temporarily uninvested funds.
DIRECT REDEMPTION
Redemptions by mail and expedited redemptions are not available for shares
purchased through a Tucker Anthony or Sutro brokerage account. Any such
redemption requests received by JHIS will be forwarded to the appropriate Tucker
Anthony or Sutro account executive who will process them as described above.
Redemption By Mail. You may redeem shares by mail. Payment of the
redemption proceeds will ordinarily be made within seven days after the request
for redemption is received in "good order" at
9
<PAGE>
the net asset value next determined. If you send your redemption order to JHIS
by mail, you must assume responsibility for assuring that the request for
redemption is received in "good order". "Good order" means that the request must
be accompanied by the following:
(a) A letter of instruction specifying the number of shares or amount of
investment to be redeemed (or that all shares credited to a Fund account be
redeemed), signed by all registered owners of the shares in the exact names
in which they are registered;
(b) For a redemption order over $25,000, or for any amount if the
proceeds are to be sent elsewhere than the address of record, a guarantee of
the signature of each registered owner by a commercial bank which is a
member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, a trust company or a
member of a recognized stock exchange (a signature guarantee by a savings
bank or notarization by a notary public are not acceptable); and
(c) Additional legal documents concerning authority and related matters
in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships, custodianships, partnerships
and corporations.
All proceeds from redemptions are mailed to your address of record. If you
are uncertain as to the requirements for redemption, please call JHIS toll free
at (800) 257-3336. All redemption requests by mail should be mailed to:
John Hancock Investor Services Corp.
[Name of Fund(s)]
Attention: Dealer Services
P.O. Box 9102
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9102
Expedited Redemptions. If you have elected the expedited redemption option
on the Purchase Application on file with JHIS and wish to redeem $5,000 or more
from any Fund, you may request that payment be made in Federal Funds.
Shareholders may place orders for expedited redemption with JHIS without a
signature guarantee and have the proceeds sent by wire to a bank or trust
company account previously designated in writing. Please call JHIS toll free at
(800) 257-3336 for instructions. If the expedited redemption order is received
by JHIS's Boston office prior to 12:00 noon New York time on a day on which the
New York Stock Exchange is open, payment will be wired to your bank on the same
business day, provided that it is a member of the Federal Reserve System and
that the federal wire system is open. However, if your bank is not a member of
the Federal Reserve System, Federal Funds may not reach your bank until the next
business day. If the redemption order is received after 12:00 noon New York
time, the redemption will be executed and payment will be wired in Federal Funds
on the next business day.
CHECK REDEMPTIONS
You can redeem shares by writing checks drawn on State Street payable in
any amount. In order to redeem shares by writing a check, you must complete a
Purchase Application electing the checkwriting feature and return it either to
your investment executive if you have a brokerage account or directly to JHIS if
you do not have a brokerage account. If you have elected the checkwriting
service on the Purchase Application on file with JHIS, you will be provided with
an initial order of checks free of charge. You may write checks payable to the
order of any person (including any corporation, bank,
10
<PAGE>
trust, etc.) in any amount. When your check is presented for payment, JHIS as
transfer agent will cause the Fund to redeem a sufficient number of shares to
cover the amount of the check. This procedure entitles you to continue receiving
dividends on those shares equal to the amount of the check until such time as
the check is presented to JHIS for payment. If you do not own sufficient shares
of the Fund to cover a check, the check will be returned to the payee marked
"insufficient funds." Should the redemption include shares purchased by check,
payment may be delayed for up to ten days after the purchase in order to allow
the purchase check to clear. A redemption of shares purchased by wire will not
be subject to this period of delay. As the aggregate amount owned by a
shareholder may change each day, you should not attempt to redeem all shares
held in your account by using the check redemption procedure. Cancelled checks
will be returned to shareholders monthly. For information on account statements,
see "Shareholder Services."
The Funds reserve the right to terminate or alter the check writing service
at any time after giving shareholders 30 days written notice. Your shareholder
account will be charged $20.00 each for stop payment orders or checks returned
for "insufficient funds."
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REDEMPTION
Because the Funds incur certain fixed costs in maintaining shareholder
accounts, the Funds reserve the right to involuntarily redeem shareholder
accounts in any Fund which have less than $500 in them as of the end of any
month. If a Fund elects to redeem such accounts, it will notify the shareholders
of its intention to do so and provide those shareholders with an opportunity to
increase their accounts by investing a sufficient amount to bring their accounts
up to $500 or more within 30 days of the notice. The Funds will not redeem
accounts which fall below $500 as a result of reduction in net asset value per
share.
FREEDOM ASSET ACCOUNT
The Freedom Asset Account provides an alternative method for investing in
shares of the Funds in conjunction with a program of four financial services:
(1) a Sutro or Tucker Anthony securities margin account ("securities account");
(2) one of the Funds; (3) a check writing facility on an account maintained at
Provident National Bank ("Provident"); and (4) a Visa Gold|Pr Card with ATM
access from PNC National Bank ("PNC", an affiliate of Provident).
To participate in the Freedom Asset Account, an investor must place in a
securities account, cash, marketable securities or a combination of the two
having a gross market value of no less than $20,000 and must meet credit
criteria established by PNC. All customary transactional fees incurred in use of
a securities account must be paid by the participant, including brokerage fees
for securities transactions and interest on margin loans, if any.
THIS SECTION IS ONLY A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FREEDOM ASSET ACCOUNT AND
ITS RELATION TO THE FUNDS AND DOES NOT DESCRIBE ALL OF THE FEATURES OF THE
FREEDOM ASSET ACCOUNT. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION AND REVIEW CAREFULLY THE JOHN HANCOCK CLEARING CORPORATION FREEDOM
ASSET ACCOUNT AGREEMENT.
11
<PAGE>
PRICING OF OUR SHARES
The net asset value per share of the Funds for the purpose of pricing
orders for the purchase and redemption of shares is determined daily as of 12:00
noon New York time, Monday through Friday, exclusive of national business
holidays. Purchase or redemption orders accepted by JHIS prior to 12:00 noon New
York time will be priced at 12:00 noon New York time that day. Purchase or
redemption orders accepted by JHIS subsequent to 12:00 noon New York time will
be priced at 12:00 noon New York time the next day that net asset value is
computed. Net asset value per share is computed by taking the value of all
assets of any Fund, less liabilities, and dividing by the number of shares of
the Fund outstanding. To determine the value of the assets of any Fund for the
purpose of obtaining the net asset value, portfolio securities are valued at
amortized cost, as described below, and interest is accrued daily.
Amortized cost valuation involves valuing a security at its cost and adding
or subtracting, ratably to maturity, any discount or premium, regardless of the
impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the security. Under
the amortized cost method of valuation, neither the amount of daily income nor
net asset value is affected by any unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
the portfolio. As a result, in periods of declining interest rates, the
indicated daily yield on a portfolio valued by amortized cost will be higher
than on a portfolio valued by market prices.
DIVIDENDS
Dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly on
or about the fifteenth day of the following month. Dividend payments include all
dividends declared during the prior month and not previously paid. You will
receive dividends automatically in additional shares at net asset value, or you
may elect to receive cash. Redemption payments for the entire account value will
include all unpaid dividends.
Purchase orders which are received together with Federal Funds prior to
12:00 noon New York time will receive the dividend declared that day, and
redemption orders effected prior to 12:00 noon New York time will not receive
that day's dividend.
CURRENT YIELD
From time to time, each Fund may quote its yield in advertisements or in
reports to shareholders. Performance information ratings as reported in national
financial publications such as Donoghue's Money Fund Report, a widely recognized
independent publication that monitors the performance of money market funds, may
also be used in comparing the performance of the Funds to other money market
funds with similar investment objectives. Each Fund calculates its annualized
simple and compound yields based on a seven-day period. Since net investment
income of the Funds changes in response to fluctuations in interest rates and
Fund expenses, any given yield quotation should not be considered representative
of a Fund's yield for any future period. CURRENT YIELD INFORMATION FOR THE FUNDS
MAY BE OBTAINED BY CALLING TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-453-8206.
TAXES
Cash Management Fund and Government Securities Fund. Each Fund will
distribute all of its net investment income and capital gains net of capital
losses to shareholders. Income dividends and distributions of realized net
short-term capital gains paid by each Fund are taxable to you as ordinary income
whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
Properly designated
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<PAGE>
distributions of net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gain
over net short-term capital loss), if any, are taxable to you as long-term
capital gains, regardless of the length of time you have held shares of a Fund
and whether received in cash or additional shares of a Fund.
Government Securities Fund. For mutual funds organized as business trusts
(such as the Fund), most states' laws provide for a pass-through of the state
and local income tax exemption afforded to direct owners of U.S. Government
securities. Thus, for residents of most states, the portion of distributions
derived from the Fund's income from investment in U.S. Government securities
should be free from state and local income taxes. You may wish to consult your
own tax adviser regarding the tax laws in your state.
Tax Exempt Money Fund. The Fund intends to meet all the IRS requirements
necessary to ensure that it is qualified to pay "exempt-interest dividends"
which means that the Fund may pass on to you the federal tax exempt status of
this investment income. For federal income tax purposes, your proportionate
share of taxable distributions from the Fund's other net investment income and
net short-term capital gains, if any, will be taxable as ordinary income,
whether received in cash or invested in additional shares. Properly designated
distributions of net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gain
over net short-term capital loss), if any, are taxable to you as long-term
capital gains, regardless of the length of time you have held shares of the Fund
and whether received in cash or additional shares of the Fund.
The tax-exempt status of distributions for federal income tax purposes may
not result in similar treatment under the laws of a particular state or local
taxing authority. You should consult your tax adviser about the status of
distributions from the Fund in your state and locality.
The table below shows the approximate taxable securities yields which are
equivalent to yields of Municipal Securities from 2% to 5% under federal income
tax laws that apply to 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Single Return* Joint Return Income TAX EXEMPT YIELD
-------------- ------------ Tax ----------------
(Taxable Income)** Bracket 2% 3% 4% 5%
------------------ ------- -- -- -- --
EQUIVALENT YIELD TABLE
<C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0-24,000 $0-40,100 15% 2.35% 3.53% 4.71% 5.88%
$24,000-58,150 $40,100-96,900 28% 2.78% 4.17% 5.56% 6.94%
$58,150-121,300 $96,900-147,700 31%*** 2.90% 4.35% 5.80% 7.25%
$121,300-263,750 $147,700-263,750 36%*** 3.13% 4.69% 6.25% 7.81%
Over $263,750 Over $263,750 39.6%*** 3.31% 4.97% 6.62% 8.28%
</TABLE>
- --------------
* Other than surviving spouses and heads of households.
** Net amount subject to federal income tax after deductions and exemptions.
*** To implement the phase-out of personal exemption deductions for single
taxpayers having 1996 adjusted gross income of more than $114,700 and
married taxpayers (filing jointly) having 1996 adjusted gross income of more
than $172,050, the exemption deduction is reduced by two percent for each
$2,500 by which adjusted gross income exceeds the threshold amounts. For
taxpayers having 1996 adjusted gross income of more than $114,700 ($57,350
for married filing separately), certain allowable itemized deductions are
reduced. These adjustments may result in effective marginal tax rates
greater than those indicated above. Please consult your tax adviser
regarding your situation.
13
<PAGE>
General. Each Fund in which you own shares will inform you of the amount
and nature of its distributions annually. The Funds are required by federal law
to withhold 31% of reportable payments (which may include dividends, capital
gains distributions and redemptions) paid to certain accounts whose owners have
not complied with IRS regulations. In connection with this withholding
requirement, you will be asked to certify on your account application that the
social security or taxpayer identification number you provide is correct and
that you are not subject to 31% backup withholding for previous underreporting
to the IRS. Each of the Funds qualified as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code for its most recent fiscal year.
OUR ORGANIZATION AND SHARES
Freedom Mutual Fund and Freedom Group of Tax Exempt Funds (the "Trusts")
are open-end management investment companies organized as Massachusetts business
trusts. Freedom Mutual Fund was organized on December 22, 1980 and Freedom Group
of Tax Exempt Funds was organized on June 1, 1982. Freedom Mutual Fund currently
has two funds, Freedom Cash Management Fund and Freedom Government Securities
Fund. Freedom Group of Tax Exempt Funds currently has two funds, Freedom Tax
Exempt Money Fund and Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund (which is
described in a separate prospectus). The Boards of Trustees supervise our
activities and review our contractual arrangements with companies that provide
us with services. We reserve the right to create and issue a number of series of
shares, or funds, which are separately managed and have different investment
objectives. Each Fund has the right to invest all of its assets in the
securities of a single open-end management investment company with substantially
the same fundamental investment objectives, policies and limitations as such
Fund, although the management of each Fund currently has no intention to do so.
Each share of each Fund has equal dividend, redemption and liquidation rights
and when issued is fully paid and nonassessable. On any matter submitted to the
shareholders, the holder of each Fund share is entitled to one vote per share
regardless of the net asset value thereof (with proportionate voting for
fractional shares). Shareholders of a Fund are not entitled to vote on any
matter which does not affect their Fund but which requires a separate vote of
another Fund.
Under each Trust's Master Trust Agreement, no annual or regular meeting of
shareholders is required. Thus, there will ordinarily be no shareholder meetings
unless required by the Investment Company Act of 1940. The shareholders of each
Trust elected a Board of Trustees at a meeting held on December 2, 1993.
Thereafter, the Trustees are a self-perpetuating body until fewer than 50% of
the Trustees serving as such are Trustees who were elected by shareholders. At
that time, another meeting of shareholders will be called to elect Trustees.
Under each Trust's Master Trust Agreement, any Trustee may be removed by vote of
two-thirds of the outstanding Trust shares and holders of ten percent or more of
the outstanding shares of each Trust can require Trustees to call a meeting of
shareholders for purposes of voting on the removal of one or more Trustees.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as "partners" for its obligations.
However, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself was
unable to meet its obligations, a possibility which the Adviser believes is
remote. Although each Trust is offering for sale only its own shares and is not
participating in the sale of shares of the other Trust, the Trusts have been
informed that it is the position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission that it is possible that a Trust is liable for any misstatements in
this Prospectus concerning the other Trust.
14
<PAGE>
OUR MANAGEMENT
The Boards of Trustees and officers provide broad supervision over the
affairs of the Funds.
ADVISER
The Funds' Adviser, Freedom Capital Management Corporation, One Beacon
Street, Boston, Massachusetts, provides each Fund with overall investment
advisory and administrative services, as well as general office facilities
pursuant to advisory agreements (the "Advisory Agreements"). As compensation for
its services, under the Advisory Agreements the Adviser receives from each Fund
a fee computed and paid monthly based upon the average daily net asset value of
the Fund, at the annual rate of one-half of one percent (0.50%) on the first
$500 million of average net assets and forty-five hundredths of one percent
(0.45%) on average daily net assets in excess of that amount.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreements
are paid by each Fund. These include, but are not limited to, taxes, legal,
transfer agent, custodian and auditing fees and printing and other expenses
relating to each Fund's operations. Total expenses for each such Fund for the
year ended December 31, 1995, reflected as an annualized percentage of each
Fund's average net assets were as follows: .73% for the Cash Management Fund,
.65% for the Government Securities Fund and .64% for the Tax Exempt Money Fund.
From time to time in the past, the Adviser has waived some or all of its
advisory fees due from the Tax Exempt Money Fund.
The Adviser is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of John Hancock Mutual
Life Insurance Company ("John Hancock"). John Hancock is a major mutual life
insurance company with subsidiaries which offer property and casualty insurance
and another subsidiary which manages investment companies. John Hancock's head
offices are at John Hancock Place, Boston, Massachusetts. Freedom Distributors
Corporation, a registered broker-dealer which acts as a Distributor with respect
to the Funds' shares, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an
indirect subsidiary of John Hancock. Tucker Anthony Incorporated, a brokerage
firm which is a member of the New York Stock Exchange, also acts as a
Distributor with respect to the Funds' shares and is an indirect subsidiary of
John Hancock continuing an investment banking and brokerage business established
in 1892. Sutro, a dealer of the Funds' shares, is also an indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of John Hancock.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
You will receive a statement of account each time shares are purchased or
redeemed and a report not less frequently than quarterly from JHIS or monthly
from Tucker Anthony or Sutro, showing the activity in your account.
Shares are maintained by each Fund on its register maintained by JHIS, and
the holders thereof will have the same rights and ownership with respect to such
shares as if certificates had been issued.
15
<PAGE>
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Shares of each Fund may be exchanged for shares of the other Funds
described in this Prospectus. In addition, if you are a resident of the State of
California, shares of the Funds may be exchanged for shares of the Freedom
California Tax Exempt Money Fund, a no-load money market fund investing in high
quality short-term California municipal securities the income of which is exempt
from federal income tax and California personal income tax. You should carefully
review the prospectus describing the Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund
prior to making your exchange.
Exchanges are subject to a minimum investment requirement of $1,000, with
subsequent exchanges permitted in amounts of $100 or more. Any such exchange is
made on the basis of the net asset value per share of the Funds on the date the
exchange request is received.
IF YOU HAVE A BROKERAGE ACCOUNT WITH SUTRO OR TUCKER ANTHONY, YOU MUST
PLACE EXCHANGE ORDERS THROUGH YOUR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN
ACCOUNT WITH SUTRO OR TUCKER ANTHONY, YOU MAY MAKE AN EXCHANGE IN WRITING OR BY
TELEPHONE. Exchanges of shares can be made by writing John Hancock Investor
Services Corp., Attention: Freedom Group of Money Funds, Attention: Dealer
Services, P.O. Box 9102, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9102. If you do not have a
brokerage account with Sutro or Tucker Anthony, you also have the automatic
privilege of exchanging your shares by telephone. To place a telephone exchange
request, call JHIS at (800) 257-3336. JHIS employs the following procedures to
confirm that instructions received by telephone are genuine. Your name, the
account number, taxpayer identification number applicable to the account and
other relevant information may be requested. Telephone instructions are
recorded. If reasonable procedures, such as those described above, are not
followed, the Funds may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent
instructions. In all other cases, neither the Funds nor JHIS will be liable for
any loss or expense for acting upon telephone instructions made in accordance
with the telephone transaction procedures described above. During times of
drastic economic or market conditions, the telephone exchange privilege may be
difficult to implement because of busy telephone lines. In such times, you may
prefer to submit your exchange requests by express mail c/o the Fund(s) to: John
Hancock Fund Services, Inc., 101 Huntington Avenue, Attention: Dealer Services,
Boston, MA 02205-9102, Attention: Freedom Group of Money Funds. Telephone and
written exchange requests must be received by 4:00 p.m. New York time on a Fund
business day to be effective that day. An exchange can be made only between
accounts that are registered in the same name. The Funds reserve the right to
reject any exchange request and to modify or terminate the exchange privilege at
any time upon sixty (60) days' notice to shareholders. You should carefully
review the part of this Prospectus describing the Fund into which your exchange
is being made prior to making your exchange.
BANK INVESTING PLAN AND SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
Please call (800) 257-3336 for more information concerning these plans.
RETIREMENT PLANS (Cash Management Fund and Government Securities Fund only)
Taxes on current income may be deferred if an investor qualifies for
certain types of retirement programs. For the convenience of the investor,
prototype plans are made available by your investment executive for eligible
persons to establish Keogh plans, IRA plans and Simplified Employee Pension
plans (SEP/IRA). Other investors interested in any of such plans may obtain
additional information from JHIS at (800) 257-3336.
16
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FUNDS
For further information about the Funds, please contact your Tucker Anthony
or Sutro account executive or call JHIS toll free at (800) 257-3336.
TRANSFER AGENT, CUSTODIAN AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
John Hancock Investor Services Corp. ("JHIS") acts as transfer and
shareholder services agent for the Funds. JHIS is an indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company. State Street Bank and
Trust Company holds all cash and securities of the Funds.
John Hancock Clearing Corporation ("JHCC"), under the terms of a Service
Agreement with the Funds, provides many of the shareholder services (such as
providing monthly account statements and processing purchase and sale orders)
for shareholders who hold shares of the Funds through their brokerage accounts.
JHCC receives from each of the Funds a fee of $10.50 per account in payment for
the shareholder services it provides. Transfer agent charges from JHIS are
reduced for those shareholder accounts that are held through a brokerage account
with JHCC.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Price Waterhouse LLP, 160 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 acts
as the independent accountants for the Funds.
The financial statements of Freedom Cash Management Fund, Freedom
Government Securities Fund and Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund for the year ended
December 31, 1995 appear on pages 18 through 32.
----------------------
This Prospectus does not contain all the information included in the
Registration Statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the securities offered hereby,
certain portions of which have been omitted pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Registration
Statements including the exhibits filed therewith may be examined at the office
of the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract
or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each
instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statements of which this Prospectus forms a
part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
17
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To The Shareholders and Trustees of
FREEDOM CASH MANAGEMENT FUND
FREEDOM GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
FREEDOM TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities,
including the schedules of investments, and the related statements of operations
and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights appearing on page 3 of
the Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of Freedom Cash Management Fund and Freedom Government Securities Fund, (each a
series of Freedom Mutual Fund) and Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund (a series of
Freedom Group of Tax Exempt Funds) (the "Funds") at December 31, 1995, the
results of each of their operations, the changes in their net assets and the
financial highlights for the periods indicated, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles. These financial statements and financial
highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the
responsibility of the Funds' management; our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our
audits of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 1995 by
correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis for the opinion
expressed above.
Price Waterhouse LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 7, 1996
18
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CASH MANAGEMENT FUND
INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL MATURITY
AMOUNT RATE DATE VALUE
------ ---- ---- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
COMMERCIAL PAPER -- 72.4%
AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CORP.
$10,000,000 5.680% 02/02/96 $ 9,949,511
10,000,000 5.680% 02/06/96 9,943,200
10,000,000 5.570% 02/28/96 9,910,261
10,000,000 5.530% 03/26/96 9,869,430
AMERICAN GENERAL FINANCE CORP.
10,000,000 5.570% 02/27/96 9,911,808
10,000,000 5.450% 03/07/96 9,900,083
10,000,000 5.450% 03/14/96 9,889,486
AT&T CORP.
10,000,000 5.400% 04/08/96 9,853,000
10,000,000 5.380% 05/09/96 9,807,217
ASSET SECURITIZATION COOPERATIVE CORP.
10,000,000 5.700% 01/23/96 9,965,167
10,000,000 5.720% 01/30/96 9,953,922
10,000,000 5.670% 02/13/96 9,932,275
10,000,000 5.650% 02/14/96 9,930,944
ASSOCIATES CORP. OF NORTH AMERICA
10,000,000 5.670% 01/29/96 9,955,900
10,000,000 5.690% 02/01/96 9,951,003
10,000,000 5.700% 02/08/96 9,939,833
10,000,000 5.700% 02/09/96 9,938,250
CARCO AUTO LOAN MASTER TRUST
50,000,000 5.965% 01/16/96 50,000,000
CHEVRON UK INVESTMENT PLC
10,000,000 5.710% 01/29/96 9,955,589
CIESCO LP
10,000,000 5.700% 01/19/96 9,971,500
10,000,000 5.520% 02/22/96 9,920,267
10,000,000 5.450% 03/19/96 9,881,917
CITIZENS UTILITIES CO.
20,000,000 5.720% 01/18/96 19,945,978
COMMERZBANK U.S. FINANCE INC.
10,000,000 5.580% 01/10/96 9,986,050
20,000,000 5.700% 01/12/96 19,965,167
COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION OF TRACTOR DEALERS INC.
10,000,000 5.800% 01/22/96 9,966,167
4,400,000 5.640% 03/08/96 4,353,815
8,600,000 5.650% 03/15/96 8,500,120
CORPORATE ASSET FUNDING CO. INC.
6,500,000 5.680% 01/25/96 6,475,387
10,000,000 5.680% 02/05/96 9,944,778
10,000,000 5.650% 02/13/96 9,932,514
10,000,000 5.550% 03/12/96 9,890,542
DRESDNER U.S. FINANCE INC.
$10,000,000 5.680% 01/24/96 9,963,711
ELI LILLY & CO.
9,000,000 5.670% 01/17/96 8,977,320
10,000,000 5.670% 01/18/96 9,973,225
10,000,000 5.700% 02/07/96 9,941,417
5,000,000 5.650% 02/14/96 4,965,472
10,000,000 5.580% 03/14/96 9,886,850
FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORP.
25,000,000 5.540% 02/26/96 24,784,555
FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION
17,000,000 5.325% 05/24/96 16,637,900
FORD CREDIT EUROPE PLC
10,400,000 5.690% 01/08/96 10,388,493
10,000,000 5.710% 01/09/96 9,987,311
10,000,000 5.700% 01/11/96 9,984,167
10,000,000 5.680% 02/01/96 9,951,089
FORD MOTOR CREDIT CO.
10,000,000 5.690% 01/23/96 9,965,228
General Electric Capital Corp.
10,000,000 5.450% 03/11/96 9,894,028
10,000,000 5.600% 03/15/96 9,884,889
10,000,000 5.350% 04/12/96 9,848,417
GLAXO PLC
20,000,000 5.570% 03/22/96 19,749,350
GOLDEN PEANUT CO.
6,000,000 5.680% 01/25/96 5,977,280
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.
10,000,000 5.650% 03/06/96 9,897,986
10,000,000 5.620% 03/11/96 9,890,722
10,000,000 5.530% 03/18/96 9,881,719
HANSON FINANCE (U.K.) PLC
10,000,000 5.700% 01/19/96 9,971,500
10,000,000 5.720% 01/30/96 9,953,922
10,000,000 5.670% 02/12/96 9,933,850
10,000,000 5.600% 03/08/96 9,895,778
J.P. MORGAN & CO. INC.
20,000,000 5.650% 02/16/96 19,855,611
10,000,000 5.580% 03/05/96 9,900,800
KNIGHT RIDDER INC.
11,900,000 5.700% 01/19/96 11,866,085
10,000,000 5.700% 01/26/96 9,960,417
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
19
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CASH MANAGEMENT FUND
INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995 - (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL MATURITY
AMOUNT RATE DATE VALUE
------ ---- ---- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
COMMERCIAL PAPER -- (CONTINUED)
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
$10,000,000 5.750% 01/05/96 $ 9,993,611
10,000,000 5.720% 01/09/96 9,987,289
METLIFE FUNDING INC.
10,000,000 5.670% 01/26/96 9,960,625
10,000,000 5.630% 02/07/96 9,942,136
MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS FINANCE CORP. TAXABLE
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BONDS
10,000,000 5.900% 01/03/96 10,000,000
MONSANTO CO.
15,000,000 5.650% 02/16/96 14,891,708
NATIONSBANK CORP.
10,000,000 5.590% 01/16/96 9,976,708
10,000,000 5.700% 01/23/96 9,965,167
NEW YORK (CITY OF) GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS
14,000,000 5.900% 01/12/96 14,000,000
18,000,000 5.820% 03/20/96 18,000,000
PITNEY BOWES CREDIT CORP.
10,000,000 5.650% 01/31/96 9,952,917
PROCTER & GAMBLE CO.
10,000,000 5.670% 01/16/96 9,976,375
5,000,000 5.670% 01/30/96 4,977,162
15,000,000 5.580% 02/28/96 14,865,150
20,000,000 5.430% 03/07/96 19,800,900
PRUDENTIAL FUNDING CORP.
10,000,000 5.460% 03/01/96 9,909,000
10,000,000 5.460% 03/06/96 9,901,417
SHEFFIELD RECEIVABLES CORP.
15,000,000 5.750% 01/17/96 14,961,667
15,000,000 5.660% 02/15/96 14,893,875
10,000,000 5.650% 02/29/96 9,907,403
USAA CAPITAL CORP.
10,000,000 5.680% 01/17/96 9,974,755
10,000,000 5.660% 01/22/96 9,966,983
10,000,000 5.670% 01/24/96 9,963,775
10,000,000 5.670% 01/25/96 9,962,200
10,000,000 5.550% 03/13/96 9,889,000
--------------
TOTAL COMMERCIAL PAPER 974,679,996
--------------
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT -- 16.9%
ABBEY NATIONAL PLC
20,000,000 5.730% 01/03/96 20,000,033
20,000,000 5.750% 01/11/96 20,000,109
ABN-AMRO BANK N.V.
$10,000,000 5.770% 03/05/96 10,000,896
17,000,000 5.670% 04/04/96 17,000,893
10,000,000 5.610% 04/11/96 10,001,110
BAYERISCHE LANDESBANK
15,000,000 5.620% 01/18/96 14,999,079
13,000,000 5.480% 06/11/96 12,998,383
25,000,000 5.950% 07/18/96 25,000,000
COMMERZBANK AG
10,000,000 5.760% 01/31/96 10,000,150
MORGAN GUARANTY
15,000,000 5.760% 01/22/96 14,999,791
NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK PLC
15,000,000 5.810% 01/12/96 15,000,045
23,000,000 5.760% 01/31/96 23,000,528
10,000,000 5.790% 02/01/96 10,000,085
UNION BANK OF SWITZERLAND
25,000,000 5.820% 02/20/96 25,000,674
--------------
TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT 228,001,776
--------------
BANK NOTES -- 2.6%
STATE STREET BANK & TRUST CO.
10,000,000 5.756% 02/21/96 10,000,000
10,000,000 5.550% 02/26/96 9,913,667
WACHOVIA BANK
15,000,000 5.750% 01/24/96 14,999,991
--------------
Total Bank Notes 34,913,658
--------------
BANKERS ACCEPTANCES -- 0.4%
BANK OF AMERICA
5,000,000 5.720% 01/31/96 4,976,167
--------------
TOTAL BANKER'S ACCEPTANCES 4,976,167
--------------
DESCRIPTION
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT -- 6.5%
87,785,000 Bankers Trust Co. 5.85%
dated 12/29/95, due 1/02/96
(Collateralized by
U.S.Treasury Notes valued
at $89,167,499. Repurchase
proceeds of $87,842,060) 87,785,000
--------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS -- 98.8% 1,330,356,597(a)
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net -- 1.2% 16,268,233
--------------
TOTAL NET ASSETS -- 100.0% $1,346,624,830
==============
</TABLE>
- --------------
(a) Cost for tax purposes is the same.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
20
<PAGE>
FREEDOM GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL MATURITY
AMOUNT RATE DATE VALUE
------ ---- ---- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. GOVERNMENT ISSUES -- 99.4%
U.S. TREASURY BILLS -- 99.4%
$600,000 5.325% 01/11/1996 $ 599,113
1,125,000 5.330% 01/11/1996 1,123,334
8,000,000 5.370% 01/11/1996 7,988,067
4,150,000 5.440% 01/11/1996 4,143,729
4,100,000 5.230% 01/18/1996 4,089,874
875,000 5.285% 01/18/1996 872,816
4,525,000 5.330% 01/25/1996 4,508,921
10,400,000 5.350% 01/25/1996 10,362,907
7,500,000 5.355% 01/25/1996 7,473,225
4,900,000 5.240% 02/08/1996 4,872,898
7,100,000 5.300% 02/08/1996 7,060,279
6,000,000 5.320% 02/08/1996 5,966,307
890,000 5.325% 02/08/1996 884,997
590,000 5.335% 02/08/1996 586,677
5,000,000 5.345% 02/08/1996 4,971,790
900,000 5.225% 02/15/1996 894,122
3,000,000 5.245% 02/15/1996 2,980,331
10,000,000 5.310% 02/15/1996 9,933,625
11,000,000 5.280% 02/22/1996 10,916,107
5,320,000 5.285% 02/22/1996 5,279,388
5,570,000 5.290% 02/22/1996 5,527,439
25,000,000 5.175% 02/29/1996 24,787,969
24,000,000 4.820% 03/07/1996 23,787,920
25,000,000 4.830% 03/07/1996 24,778,625
6,100,000 5.280% 03/07/1996 6,040,952
850,000 5.300% 03/07/1996 841,741
1,600,000 5.315% 03/07/1996 1,584,409
1,800,000 5.320% 03/07/1996 1,782,444
4,900,000 5.370% 03/07/1996 4,851,760
9,850,000 5.260% 03/14/1996 9,744,938
11,000,000 5.270% 03/14/1996 10,882,450
4,200,000 5.285% 03/21/1996 4,150,673
1,835,000 5.295% 03/21/1996 1,813,407
15,500,000 5.380% 03/21/1996 15,314,688
9,750,000 5.000% 04/04/1996 9,622,431
1,500,000 5.250% 04/04/1996 1,479,438
7,000,000 5.290% 04/04/1996 6,903,311
10,000,000 5.310% 04/04/1996 9,861,350
1,000,000 5.330% 04/04/1996 986,083
1,900,000 5.180% 04/11/1996 1,872,388
1,000,000 5.190% 04/11/1996 985,439
1,000,000 5.215% 04/11/1996 985,369
10,000,000 5.250% 04/11/1996 9,852,708
10,000,000 5.265% 04/11/1996 9,852,288
900,000 5.170% 04/18/1996 886,041
12,700,000 5.180% 04/18/1996 12,502,642
3,450,000 5.160% 04/25/1996 3,393,133
3,800,000 5.170% 04/25/1996 3,737,242
1,450,000 5.180% 04/25/1996 1,426,007
4,500,000 5.020% 05/02/1996 4,423,445
3,500,000 4.960% 05/09/1996 3,437,793
1,850,000 5.060% 05/16/1996 1,814,636
--------------
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT ISSUES -- 99.4% 315,419,666(a)
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net -- 0.6% 1,980,596
--------------
TOTAL NET ASSETS -- 100.0% $317,400,262
==============
</TABLE>
- --------------
(a) Cost for tax purposes is the same.
21
<PAGE>
FREEDOM TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT DESCRIPTION VALUE
------ ----------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
MUNICIPAL BONDS -- 97.8%
ALABAMA -- 2.1%
$ 1,900,000 Alabama HFA (Heatherbrook)
Series 0 (AmSouth LOC)
5.25% 1-03-96 1,900,000
4,000,000 Alabama HFA Series 92A
(AmSouth LOC)
5.00% 1-03-96 4,000,000
-----------
5,900,000
-----------
ALASKA -- 0.5%
1,500,000 Anchorage TANS 4.25%
12-13-96 1,510,996
ARIZONA -- 10.3%
13,000,000 Apache County IDA (Tucson
Electric & Gas) (Barclays
Bank LOC) 5.15% 1-03-96 13,000,000
4,700,000 Maricopa County IDA (Grand
Canyon University) (Bank
One LOC) 5.20% 1-04-96 4,700,000
2,000,000 Maricopa County PCR (P.S.
of New Mexico) (C.I.B.C.
LOC) 5.00% 1-03-96 2,000,000
Pima County IDA (Tucson
Electric Power Co.)
3,000,000 (Barclays Bank LOC) Series
83A 5.15% 1-03-96 3,000,000
5,600,000 (Societe Generale LOC) 5.00%
1-03-96 5,600,000
-----------
28,300,000
-----------
ARKANSAS -- 2.8%
7,800,000 Arkansas Development
Finance Authority (FGIC
Insured/Citibank LOC)
5.00% 1-04-96 7,800,000
CALIFORNIA -- 6.4%
1,000,000 California PCR (San Diego
Gas & Electric)
4.00% 9-01-96 1,000,000
4,600,000 California Student Loan
Revenue Bonds (Sallie Mae)
5.20% 1-03-96 4,600,000
1,000,000 Los Angeles County MTA
(Swiss Bank LOC) 5.00%
4-25-96 6.00% 1-02-96 1,002,319
2,000,000 Los Angeles Regional
Airport Commission
(Wachovia LOC)
6.00% 1-02-96 2,000,000
3,860,000 San Bernadino County
Transit Authority Sales
Tax Revenue Bonds (MBIA
Insured) 3.70% 3-01-96 3,859,362
4,000,000 Santa Cruz County TRANS
4.50% 7-11-96 4,010,018
1,000,000 Tahoe-Truckee Unified
School District TRANS
4.70% 9-05-96 1,003,575
-----------
17,475,274
-----------
COLORADO -- 0.8%
2,000,000 Colorado Transit Auth-
ority Series A (National
Westminster LOC)
4.50% 6-27-96 2,007,499
260,000 Clear Creek County
(National Westminster LOC)
5.15% 1-03-96 260,000
-----------
2,267,499
-----------
CONNECTICUT -- 2.2%
2,000,000 Connecticut (C.U.R.B.)
Series 93C (FGIC-SPI
Insured) 3.90% 7-01-96 2,000,000
4,100,000 Connecticut GO Series B
5.10% 6-01-96 4,100,000
-----------
6,100,000
-----------
FLORIDA -- 5.4%
2,000,000 Hillsborough County
Capital Improvement
Bonds 8.30% 2-01-96 2,047,323
2,515,000 Orange County HFA (May-
flower Project) Series
88 (Banque Paribas LOC)
5.20% 1-04-96 2,515,000
3,000,000 Orange County HFA (Pooled
Hospital) Series 85
(MBIA Insured/Banque
Paribas LOC)
3.55% 2-22-96 3,000,000
Putnam County PCR
(Seminole Electric)
3,000,000 3.75% 3-15-96 3,000,000
1,000,000 3.30% 6-15-96 1,000,000
3,300,000 West Orange Memorial
Hospital Tax District
(Rabobank LOC)
3.55% 3-07-96 3,300,000
-----------
14,862,323
-----------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
22
<PAGE>
FREEDOM TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT DESCRIPTION VALUE
------ ----------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
MUNICIPAL BONDS -- (CONTINUED)
GEORGIA -- 3.0%
Burke County Development
Authority PCR Bonds
(Oglethorpe Power Corp.)
(Credit Suisse LOC)
$ 2,000,000 3.40% 4-02-96 $ 2,000,000
2,000,000 3.70% 4-04-96 2,000,000
4,200,000 Savannah Port Authority
IDA (Pier 1 Imports)
(National Westminster
LOC) 5.15% 1-03-96 4,200,000
-----------
8,200,000
-----------
ILLINOIS -- 5.9%
1,600,000 Chicago GO Tender Notes
Series 95A (Morgan
Guaranty LOC)
3.75% 5-01-96 1,600,000
4,000,000 Illinois Development
Finance Authority VRDN
(Aurora Central Catholic
High School) (Northern
Trust LOC) 5.20% 1-03-96 4,000,000
1,000,000 Illinois Development
Finance Authority VRDN
(Lake Forest Academy)
(Northern Trust LOC)
5.20% 1-03-96 1,000,000
4,600,000 Illinois Development
Finance Authority VRDN
(Marriot Corp.) (National
Westminster LOC)
5.15% 1-03-96 4,600,000
1,000,000 Illinois Health Facilities
Authority Series 85E (MBIA
Insured/Morgan Guaranty LOC)
3.35% 3-06-96 1,000,000
3,000,000 Illinois RANS
4.50% 6-10-96 3,008,887
1,000,000 Illinois Toll Highway
Priority 7.375% 1-01-96 1,020,000
-----------
16,228,887
-----------
INDIANA -- 1.6%
1,365,000 Indiana HFA Series D
(FGIC Insured)
3.90% 7-01-96 1,365,000
1,500,000 Indianapolis MFHA (Canal
Square) (Societe Generale
LOC) 5.00% 1-03-96 1,500,000
1,400,000 Indianapolis Public
Improvement Bond Bank
4.50% 7-11-96 1,405,760
-----------
4,270,760
-----------
IOWA -- 0.9%
2,385,000 Iowa School Corporation
Series 95/96A (Capital
Guaranty Insured)
4.75% 6-28-96 2,395,101
KANSAS -- 1.7%
2,300,000 Burlington PCR (Kansas
City Power & Light)
(Toronto Dominion LOC)
3.60% 2-06-96 2,300,000
2,400,000 Mission (Woodland Village
Project) (Citibank LOC)
5.25% 1-02-96 2,400,000
-----------
4,700,000
-----------
LOUISIANA -- 2.5%
1,500,000 Ascension Parish (Borden
Project) (Credit Suisse
LOC) 5.00% 1-03-96 1,500,000
400,000 East Baton Rouge IDB
(Georgia Pacific Corp.)
(Toronto Dominion LOC)
5.05% 1-04-96 400,000
1,700,000 Jefferson County PCR
(Louisville Gas & Electric)
3.75% 2-14-96 1,700,000
Plaquemines Port Harbor &
Terminal (Tampa Electric
Co. Finance Corp.)
1,900,000 3.80% 1-10-96 1,900,000
1,500,000 3.80% 2-15-96 1,500,000
-----------
7,000,000
-----------
MAINE -- 1.1%
3,000,000 Maine TANS 4.50% 6-28-96 3,010,615
-----------
MARYLAND -- 0.4%
1,000,000 Montgomery County Series 95
(UBS LOC) 3.70% 1-12-96 1,000,000
-----------
MASSACHUSETTS -- 2.1%
2,000,000 Massachusetts Bay Transpor-
tation Authority Series C
(Bayerische Landesbank LOC)
3.55% 1-31-96 2,000,000
3,800,000 Massachusetts Water
Resources Authority
(Morgan Guaranty LOC)
3.60% 2-12-96 3,800,000
-----------
5,800,000
-----------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
23
<PAGE>
FREEDOM TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT DESCRIPTION VALUE
------ ----------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
MUNICIPAL BONDS -- (CONTINUED)
MICHIGAN -- 0.4%
$ 1,000,000 Ingham Economic Develop-
ment Corp. (National Aus-
tralia Bank LOC)
5.20% 1-03-96 $1,000,000
MINNESOTA -- 2.5%
1,000,000 Coon Rapids (Health Central
System) (Norwest LOC)
5.25% 1-03-96 1,000,000
1,200,000 Duluth (Lake Superior Paper
Industries) (National Aus-
tralia Bank LOC)5.10%
1-04-96 1,200,000
1,500,000 Robbinsdale IDR (Banque Pa-
ribas LOC) 5.20% 1-03-96 1,500,000
Southern Minnesota Munici-
pal Power Agency
1,000,000 6.75% 1-01-96 1,020,000
1,000,000 7.125% 1-01-96 1,020,000
1,000,000 University of Minnesota
3.65% 2-01-96 1,000,000
-----------
6,740,000
-----------
MISSOURI -- 2.7%
2,800,000 Columbia (Insurance Reserve
Bonds) (Toronto Dominion
LOC)
5.15% 1-03-96 2,800,000
1,000,000 Independence IDR Housing
Revenue Bonds (Ridge
Apts.) (Citibank LOC)
5.25% 1-02-96 1,000,000
Missouri Environmental Im-
provement Energy Bonds
Series A (UBS LOC)
1,000,000 3.40% 1-24-96 1,000,000
2,500,000 3.40% 2-13-96 2,500,000
-----------
7,300,000
-----------
NEVADA -- 2.3%
6,400,000 Clark County Airport Reve-
nue Series 95A (Toronto
Dominion LOC) 5.05%
1-03-96 6,400,000
-----------
NEW HAMPSHIRE -- 0.8%
2,100,000 New Hampshire Business Fi-
nance Authority (CT Light
& Power) Series 92A (Cana-
dian Imperial Bank of Com-
merce LOC)
5.00% 1-03-96 2,100,000
-----------
NEW JERSEY -- 2.5%
3,000,000 New Jersey Housing and Mort-
gage Finance Agency (MBIA
Insured/Bank
of America LOC)
3.80% 4-01-96 3,000,000
New Jersey TRANS
(UBS LOC)
2,000,000 3.35% 1-19-96 2,000,000
2,000,000 3.30% 2-08-96 2,000,000
-----------
7,000,000
-----------
NEW YORK -- 2.2%
2,000,000 New York City RANS Series
96B (7 LOC Banks)
4.75% 6-28-96 2,007,133
4,000,000 New York City Series F7
(UBS LOC) 5.00% 1-03-96 4,000,000
-----------
6,007,133
-----------
NORTH CAROLINA -- 1.5%
3,000,000 North Carolina Educational
Facilities VRDN (Bowman
Gray Medical School)
(Wachovia Bank LOC)
5.00% 1-04-96 3,000,000
1,000,000 North Carolina Educational
Facilities VRDN (Moses
Cone Hospital) (Wachovia
Bank LOC) 5.00% 1-04-96 1,000,000
-----------
4,000,000
-----------
OKLAHOMA -- 1.0%
2,700,000 Oklahoma City Industrial
Facilities Authority
(Credit Suisse LOC)
5.10% 1-02-96 2,700,000
-----------
OREGON -- 2.0%
2,000,000 Klamath Falls Electric
Revenue Bonds
4.40% 5-01-96 2,000,000
3,400,000 Port of St. Helens PCR
(Portland Gas & Electric)
(C.I.B.C. LOC)
5.95% 1-02-96 3,400,000
----------
5,400,000
----------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
24
<PAGE>
FREEDOM TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT DESCRIPTION VALUE
------ ----------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
MUNICIPAL BONDS -- (CONTINUED)
PENNSYLVANIA -- 1.1%
$ 3,000,000 Delaware County IDA Solid
Waste Revenue Bonds
(Scott Paper Co.) Series
84D (National Westminster
Bank LOC) 5.00% 1-03-96 $3,000,000
-----------
SOUTH CAROLINA -- 1.2%
2,000,000 York County (North Carolina
Electric) (NRUCFC)
3.75% 3-15-96 2,000,000
1,300,000 York County (Saluda River
Project) (NRUCFC) Series
E1 3.80% 2-15-96 1,300,000
-----------
3,300,000
-----------
TENNESSEE -- 6.1%
2,000,000 Franklin Industrial Develop-
ment Board (Landing
Project) (Citibank LOC)
5.25% 1-02-96 2,000,000
1,800,000 Industrial Development Au-
thority of Metropolitan
Nashville-Davidson-
County IDR (Credit Suisse
LOC) 4.05% 1-15-96 1,800,000
1,400,000 Knox County Industrial De-
velopment Board (Melrose
Assoc.) (Credit Suisse LOC)
4.05% 1-15-96 1,400,000
1,000,000 Metropolitan Government of
Nashville & Davidson
County (Vanderbuilt
University) 5.10% 1-15-96 1,000,000
2,400,000 Metropolitan Nashville Airport
Authority (American Airlines)
(Bayerische Landesbank LOC)
6.00% 1-02-96 2,400,000
3,000,000 Sullivan County PCR
(Mead Corp.) (UBS LOC)
6.00% 1-02-96 3,000,000
Tennessee BANS
2,000,000 Series 95A 5.15% 5-01-96 2,000,000
3,000,000 Series B 5.15% 5-01-96 3,000,000
-----------
16,600,000
-----------
TEXAS -- 10.5%
4,130,000 Brazos River Authority PCR
(Monsanto Co. Project)
5.00% 1-03-96 4,130,000
2,400,000 Grapevine IDR VRDN
(Morgan Guaranty LOC)
6.00% 1-02-96 2,400,000
1,800,000 Gulf Coast Waste Disposal
Authority (Exxon Corp.)
3.60% 2-13-96 1,800,000
2,000,000 Harris County Health System
Authority (Sisters of Char-
ity) (Credit Suisse LOC)
3.55% 2-20-96 2,000,000
1,000,000 Houston TRANS 4.50%
6-27-96 1,003,993
1,330,000 Hunt County Industrial De-
velopment (Trico Indus-
tries) (ABN Amro LOC)
5.10% 1-02-96 1,330,000
3,000,000 Mansfield Industrial Develop-
ment (Pier 1 Imports)
(National Westminster LOC)
5.15% 1-03-96 3,000,000
1,000,000 North Central Texas Health
Facilities Authority Series
85D (Presbyterian
Medical Center) (MBIA
Insured/ Nationsbank
LOC) 6.00% 1-02-96 1,000,000
Texas Public Finance
Authority Series 93A
3,000,000 3.75% 1-17-96 3,000,000
2,000,000 3.35% 3-05-96 2,000,000
2,000,000 3.45% 5-08-96 2,000,000
Texas TRANS
2,000,000 Series 95B 3.65% 8-20-96 2,000,000
3,000,000 4.75% 8-30-96 3,019,622
-----------
28,683,615
-----------
UTAH -- 6.1%
Intermountain Power Agency
2,500,000 (Bank of America LOC)
3.70% 2-27-96 2,500,000
3,000,000 (Swiss Bank LOC) 3.75%
3-15-96 3,000,000
7,700,000 State Board of Regents Stu-
dent Loan Revenue Series
88B (AMBAC Insured/Swiss
Bank LOC) 5.10% 1-03-96 7,700,000
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
25
<PAGE>
FREEDOM TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT DESCRIPTION VALUE
------ ----------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
MUNICIPAL BONDS -- (CONTINUED)
UTAH -- (CONTINUED)
$ 1,000,000 Utah County Environmental
Improvement Revenue
Bonds (USX Corp.)
(Wachovia LOC) 3.70%
5-01-96 $ 1,000,000
2,600,000 Utah HFA Series 93D (Gold-
man Sachs LOC) 5.05%
1-03-96 2,600,000
-----------
16,800,000
-----------
VIRGINIA -- 1.5%
2,000,000 Harrisonburg Virginia Rede-
velopment and Housing
Revenue Bonds (Misty
Ridge Project) (BankOne
LOC) 5.15% 1-04-96 2,000,000
2,000,000 Virginia HDA Series 93 3.75%
3-04-96 2,000,000
-----------
4,000,000
-----------
WISCONSIN -- 2.0%
2,000,000 Alma PCR (DairyLand Power
Coop.) (Rabobank LOC)
3.90% 1-02-96 2,000,000
1,500,000 Milwaukee School Order Rev-
enue Bonds 4.75% 8-22-96 1,508,178
2,000,000 Wisconsin 4.50% 6-12-96 2,006,808
-----------
5,514,986
-----------
WYOMING -- 1.7%
4,800,000 Sweetwater PCR VRDN (Paci-
ficorp) (Credit Suisse LOC)
5.25% 1-03-96 4,800,000
-----------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS -- 97.8% $268,167,189(a)
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net -- 2.2% 5,909,263
-----------
TOTAL NET ASSETS -- 100.0% $274,076,452
============
</TABLE>
Legend:
BANS -- Bond Anticipation Notes
CIBC -- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
HDA -- Housing Development Authority
HFA -- Housing Finance Authority
IDR -- Industrial Development Revenue
LOC -- Letter of Credit
MFHA -- Multi-Family Housing Authority
NRUCFC -- National Rural Utilities Cooperative
Finance Corp.
PCR -- Pollution Control Revenue
TANS -- Tax Anticipation Notes
TRANS -- Tax & Revenue Anticipation Notes
VRDN -- Variable Rate Demand Note
Insurance Abbreviations:
FGIC -- Federal Guaranty Insurance Corporation
MBIA -- Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
Maturity dates for many bonds and notes represent the next scheduled date at
which the interest rate may be adjusted or a "demand" or "put" feature may be
exercised.
- ----------------
(a) Cost for tax purposes is the same.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
26
<PAGE>
FREEDOM GROUP OF MONEY FUNDS
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FREEDOM FREEDOM FREEDOM
CASH GOVERNMENT TAX EXEMPT
MANAGEMENT SECURITIES MONEY
FUND FUND FUND
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Investments, at amortized cost $1,330,356,597 $315,419,666 $268,167,189
Cash -- -- 1,308,304
Receivable for Investments sold -- 1,974,063 --
Receivable for Fund shares sold 14,140,980 3,580,746 3,147,623
Interest receivable 4,440,607 -- 1,796,014
Prepaid expenses 79,761 18,560 16,645
Other assets 65,871 26,573 21,495
------ ------ ------
1,349,083,816 321,019,608 274,457,270
------------- ----------- -----------
LIABILITIES
Payable for Fund shares redeemed 272,693 861,012 87,952
Payable to custodian bank 643,428 2,433,769 --
Dividends payable 560,670 122,165 87,500
Accrued expenses:
Investment adviser's fee 538,428 132,495 119,530
Shareholder servicing fee 331,498 32,341 29,013
Trustees' fee 15,270 3,843 4,561
Other 96,999 33,721 52,262
------ ------ ------
2,458,986 3,619,346 380,818
--------- --------- -------
NET ASSETS $1,346,624,830 $317,400,262 $274,076,452
============== ============ ============
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Capital paid in $1,346,772,195 $317,393,977 $274,068,692
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) (147,365) 6,285 7,760
-------- ----- -----
$1,346,624,830 $317,400,262 $274,076,452
============== ============ ============
SHARES ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING (UNLIMITED SHARES
AUTHORIZED) 1,346,772,195 317,393,977 274,068,692
------------- ----------- -----------
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
============== ============ ============
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
27
<PAGE>
FREEDOM GROUP OF MONEY FUNDS
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FREEDOM FREEDOM FREEDOM
CASH GOVERNMENT TAX EXEMPT
MANAGEMENT SECURITIES MONEY
FUND FUND FUND
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
INTEREST INCOME $73,899,043 $15,714,883 $10,469,975
----------- ----------- -----------
EXPENSES
Investment adviser's fee 5,802,037 1,391,071 1,365,700
Transfer agent & shareholder services 2,416,310 234,175 200,290
Custodian 222,086 53,537 2,398
Compensation of trustees 55,705 18,420 19,170
Audit 38,550 7,300 34,675
Legal 45,820 8,265 29,940
Printing, postage and stationery 205,250 24,320 31,650
Membership dues 48,697 12,487 13,636
Registration expense 51,100 36,500 41,105
Insurance expense 56,236 13,902 14,249
Other 4,896 1,826 3,360
----- ----- -----
8,946,687 1,801,803 1,756,173
--------- --------- ---------
INVESTMENT INCOME -- NET 64,952,356 13,913,080 8,713,802
---------- ---------- ---------
REALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS -- NET -- 8,262 --
---------- ---------- ---------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $64,952,356 $13,921,342 $8,713,802
=========== =========== ==========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
28
<PAGE>
FREEDOM GROUP OF MONEY FUNDS
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FREEDOM FREEDOM FREEDOM
CASH MANAGEMENT FUND GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
-------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
1995 1994 1995 1994 1995 1994
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income $ 64,952,356 $ 39,357,687 $ 13,913,080 $ 9,232,714 $ 8,713,802 $ 6,041,672
Net realized gain (loss) on
investments -- 312 8,262 (35,617) -- 463
-------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
Net increase resulting from
operations 64,952,356 39,357,999 13,921,342 9,197,097 8,713,802 6,042,135
Dividends to shareholders (64,952,356) (39,357,687) (13,913,080) (9,232,714) (8,713,802) (6,041,672)
-------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
-- 312 8,262 (35,617) -- 463
-------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:
(At Net Asset Value of $1
per share)
Proceeds from sale of shares 4,507,108,299 3,645,672,303 1,187,233,854 1,043,326,877 1,033,773,788 1,051,627,434
Net asset value of shares
issued to share holders in
reinvestment of dividends 62,392,885 37,467,219 13,179,702 8,671,139 8,090,985 5,553,668
Cost of shares redeemed (4,306,537,450) (3,738,056,248) (1,151,455,435) (1,133,336,914) (1,015,833,634) (1,079,609,948)
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Increase (decrease) in net
assets derived from
capital share
transactions 262,963,734 (54,916,726) 48,958,121 (81,338,898) 26,031,139 (22,428,846)
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net increase (decrease) in
net assets 262,963,734 (54,916,414) 48,966,383 (81,374,515) 26,031,139 (22,428,383)
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of year 1,083,661,096 1,138,577,510 268,433,879 349,808,394 248,045,313 270,473,696
-------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
End of year $1,346,624,830 $1,083,661,096 $ 317,400,262 $ 268,433,879 $ 274,076,452 $ 248,045,313
============== ============== ============= ============= ============= =============
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS PER
SHARE $ 0.0526 $ 0.0353 $ 0.0500 $ 0.0331 $ 0.0319 $ 0.0216
============== ============== ============= ============= ============= =============
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
29
<PAGE>
FREEDOM MUTUAL FUND
FREEDOM GROUP OF TAX EXEMPT FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES. The Freedom Mutual Fund and the Freedom Group
of Tax Exempt Funds (the "Trusts") are Massachusetts business trusts registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as open-end management
companies. The Agreements and Declarations of Trust permit the issuance of an
unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest in separate series, with
shares of each series representing interests in a separate portfolio of assets
and operating as a separate distinct fund (a "Fund"). The Freedom Mutual Fund
consists of the Freedom Cash Management Fund and the Freedom Government
Securities Fund. The Freedom Group of Tax Exempt Funds consists of the Freedom
Tax Exempt Money Fund and the Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund. The
financial statements of the Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund are
included in a separate annual report for that Fund.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by
the Trusts in the preparation of their financial statements. The policies are in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
Security Valuation and Transactions. Each Trust values its portfolio
securities utilizing the amortized cost valuation method. This method involves
valuing a portfolio security at its cost and thereafter assuming a constant
amortization to maturity of any discount or premium. Cost is determined and
gains and losses are based upon the specific identification method for both
financial statement and federal income tax purposes. Investment securities
transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold.
Expenses. The majority of the expenses of each Trust are directly
identifiable to an individual Fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable
as belonging to a specific Fund are allocated in such manner as deemed equitable
by the Trustees, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and
type of expense and the relative sizes of the Funds.
Trustees' fees of $6,000 per Trust, per year, plus $250 per meeting of the
Board of Trustees and $350 per meeting of any committee thereof, are paid to
each Trustee who is not an interested person of the Trusts. No remuneration is
paid by either Trust to any Trustee or officer of that Trust who is affiliated
with Freedom Capital Management Corporation, the Trusts' adviser.
The Trusts have entered into an insurance agreement with ICI Mutual
Insurance Company, under which each Trust pays both an annual insurance premium
and a one-time reserve premium, and is committed to provide additional funds of
up to 300% of its initial annual premium if and when called upon.
Federal Income Tax. It is each Fund's policy to comply with the provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute all of its income to its shareholders. It is also the intention of
the Funds to make sufficient distributions to shareholders to avoid imposition
of excise tax on undistributed amounts under the Internal Revenue Code.
Therefore, no federal income or excise tax provision is required.
30
<PAGE>
FREEDOM MUTUAL FUND
FREEDOM GROUP OF TAX EXEMPT FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)
Interest Income and Dividends to Shareholders. Interest income is accrued
as earned. Dividends to shareholders are declared daily from net investment
income, which consists of interest accrued or discount earned (including
original issue and market discount) less amortization of premium and the
estimated expenses of the Fund applicable to the dividend period.
Other. Investment security transactions are accounted for on the date the
securities are purchased or sold. The custodian takes possession through the
federal book-entry system of securities collateralizing repurchase agreements.
Collateral is marked-to-market daily to ensure that the market value of the
underlying assets remains sufficient to protect the Funds in the event of
default by the seller. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements,
if the seller defaults and the collateral declines, or if the seller enters an
insolvency proceeding, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be limited
or delayed.
The Funds may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued basis. Payment
and delivery may take place more than a week after the date of the transaction.
The price that will be paid for the underlying securities is fixed at the time
the transaction is negotiated.
NOTE 2. Investment Advisor and Other Related Party Transactions. Freedom
Capital Management Corporation ("FCMC") is the investment advisor of the Funds
and also furnishes the Funds with administration and other services and office
facilities in Boston. For these services and facilities, each Fund pays a
monthly fee, computed separately for each Fund, based upon the average daily net
asset value of each Fund, at the annual rate of one half of one percent (.50%)
on the first $500 million of average daily net assets and forty-five hundreths
of one percent (.45%) for average daily net assets in excess of that amount. The
Funds themselves pay no salaries or compensation to any of their officers.
The Funds' Advisory Agreements provide that if, in any fiscal year, the
total expenses of any Fund (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions and
extraordinary items, but including the management fee) exceed the expense
limitations applicable to that Fund imposed by the securities regulations of any
state in which it is registered to sell shares, FCMC will pay or reimburse that
Fund for that excess up to the amount of its management fee during that fiscal
year. Although there is no certainty that these limitations will be in effect in
the future, the most restrictive limitation on an annual basis currently
applicable to the Funds is 2.5% of the first $30 million of average daily net
assets, 2.0% of the next $70 million and 1.5% of average daily net assets over
$100 million.
Tucker Anthony Incorporated ("Tucker Anthony") and Freedom Distributors
Corporation act as distributors of the Trusts' shares and receive no
compensation for such services. John Hancock Clearing Corporation, an affiliate
of Tucker Anthony, received reimbursements from the Funds for maintaining and
servicing certain shareholder accounts for the year ended December 31, 1995 as
follows:
Cash Government Tax
Management Securities Exempt Money
Fund Fund Fund
---- ---- ----
$994,425 $99,600 $81,650
======== ======= =======
31
<PAGE>
FREEDOM MUTUAL FUND
FREEDOM GROUP OF TAX EXEMPT FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (Continued)
John Hancock Investor Services Corp. ("JHIS"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Berkeley Financial Group, an affiliate of FCMC, is transfer agent for the
Funds. JHIS received the following from the Funds for the year ended December
31, 1995:
Cash Government Tax
Management Securities Exempt Money
Fund Fund Fund
---- ---- ----
$1,421,885 $134,575 $118,640
========== ======== ========
NOTE 3. Purchases and sales (including maturities) of investments
(excluding repurchase agreements) for the year ended December 31, 1995 were as
follows:
Cash Government Tax
Management Securities Exempt Money
Fund Fund Fund
---- ---- ----
Purchases
U.S. Government 125,738,015 1,565,555,475 --
Other 6,749,399,851 -- 788,087,042
Sales
U.S. Government 155,000,000 1,525,881,795 --
Other 6,573,154,000 -- 763,972,200
32
<PAGE>
NO SALES OR REDEMPTION CHARGES
DISTRIBUTORS
Freedom Distributors Corporation
One Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02108-3105
Telephone Toll Free
800-453-8206
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Freedom Capital Management Corporation
One Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02108-3105
TRANSFER AND SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES AGENT
John Hancock Investor
Services Corporation
P.O. Box 9102
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9102
Telephone Toll Free
800-257-3336
[Flag Logo] FREEDOM
GROUP OF MONEY FUNDS
No person has been authorized to give any information
or to make any representations not contained in this
Prospectus in connection with the offering made by this
Prospectus and, if given or made, such information, or
representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Funds or their Distributors. This
Prospectus does not constitute an offering by the Funds
or by the Distributors in any jurisdiction in which such
offering may not lawfully be made.
F01ARR 0296
FREEDOM GROUP
OF MONEY FUNDS
[Flag Logo}
FREEDOM
CASH MANAGEMENT
FUND
o
FREEDOM
GOVERNMENT
SECURITIES FUND
o
FREEDOM
TAX EXEMPT
MONEY FUND
PROSPECTUS AND ANNUAL REPORT
DECEMBER 31, 1995
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FREEDOM MUTUAL FUND
Freedom Cash Management Fund
Freedom Government Securities Fund
FREEDOM GROUP OF TAX EXEMPT FUNDS
Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund
(The "Funds")
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus but should
be read in conjunction with the Funds' Prospectus dated February 22, 1996, which
may be obtained at no charge from Freedom Distributors Corporation, One Beacon
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108. Unless otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms have the meanings given to them in the Prospectus.
The date of this Statement of Additional Information is February 22,
1996.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
<S> <C>
GENERAL INFORMATION...............................................................................................1
INVESTORS FOR WHOM THE TRUSTS ARE DESIGNED........................................................................2
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES................................................................................2
Additional Information on Investments - Mutual Fund Only.....................................................2
Additional Information on Investments - Tax Exempt Money Fund Only...........................................4
Special Types of Municipal Securities - Tax Exempt Money Fund Only...........................................6
Temporary Taxable Investments - Tax Exempt Money Fund Only...................................................7
Risk Considerations - Tax Exempt Money Fund Only.............................................................8
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS...........................................................................................8
Cash Management Fund and Government Securities Fund..........................................................8
Tax Exempt Money Fund.......................................................................................10
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS...........................................................................................12
CURRENT YIELD....................................................................................................12
Yield Information...........................................................................................13
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REDEMPTION.............................................................................13
NET ASSET VALUE..................................................................................................13
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON TAXES..................................................................................15
Cash Management Fund and Government Securities Fund.........................................................15
Tax Exempt Money Fund.......................................................................................16
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUSTS.........................................................................................17
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER...........................................................................................19
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES OF THE TRUSTS.............................................................................20
CUSTODIAN........................................................................................................20
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS.................................................................21
INFORMATION ABOUT SECURITIES RATINGS OF NATIONALLY
RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING ORGANIZATIONS ("NRSROs").....................................................22
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
GENERAL INFORMATION
Freedom Mutual Fund and Freedom Group of Tax Exempt Funds are open-end
management investment companies organized as Massachusetts business trusts on
December 22, 1980 and June 1, 1982, respectively. Freedom Mutual Fund (the
"Mutual Fund") has two series, Freedom Cash Management Fund (the "Cash
Management Fund") and Freedom Government Securities Fund (the "Government
Securities Fund"). Freedom Group of Tax Exempt Funds (individually the "Tax
Exempt Trust" and collectively with the Mutual Fund the "Trusts") currently has
two series, Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund (the "Tax Exempt Money Fund") and
Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund, which is described in a separate
prospectus and statement of additional information. Each of the Cash Management
Fund and the Government Securities Fund seeks to obtain as high a rate of
current income from investments in specified short-term money market instruments
as is consistent with maintaining liquidity and preservation of capital. The Tax
Exempt Money Fund seeks to obtain as high a rate of current income exempt from
federal income taxes as is consistent with the maintenance of liquidity and
preservation of capital by investing primarily in specified tax exempt,
short-term money market instruments.
The assets received by the Trusts from the issue and sale of shares of
each Fund, and all income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, subject only
to the rights of creditors, are especially allocated to that Fund and constitute
the underlying assets of such Fund. The underlying assets of each Fund are
required to be segregated on the books of account and are to be charged with the
expenses in respect to that Fund and with a share of the general expenses of the
Trust. Any general expenses of the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging
to a particular Fund shall be allocated by or under the direction of the
Trustees in such manner as the Trustees determine to be fair and equitable,
taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense
and the relative sizes of the Funds.
Each share of a Fund has equal dividend, redemption and liquidation
rights with other shares of that Fund and when issued is fully paid and
nonassessable. Under the Trusts' Master Trust Agreements, no annual or regular
meeting of shareholders is required. Thus, there will ordinarily be no annual
shareholder meetings, unless otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "1940 Act"). The Trusts called a meeting of shareholders on December
2, 1993 at which time shareholders elected the Board of Trustees. Thereafter,
the Trustees are a self-perpetuating body until fewer than 50% of the Trustees
serving as such are Trustees who were elected by shareholders. At that time
another meeting of shareholders will be called to elect Trustees. On any matter
submitted to the shareholders for a vote, the holder of each share of a Fund is
entitled to one vote per share (with proportionate voting for fractional shares)
regardless of the relative net asset value thereof. Shareholders of a Fund are
not entitled to vote on any matter which does not affect that Fund but which
requires a separate vote of another Fund. Under the Master Trust Agreements, any
Trustee may be removed by vote of two-thirds of the outstanding Trust shares,
and holders of ten percent or more of the outstanding shares of a Trust can
require Trustees to call a meeting of shareholders for purposes of voting on the
removal of one or more Trustees. The Master Trust Agreements also provide that
if ten or more shareholders who have been such for at least six months and who
hold in the aggregate shares with a net asset value of at least $25,000 inform
the Trustees that they wish to communicate with other shareholders, the Trustees
will either give such shareholders access to the shareholder lists or inform
them of the cost involved if the Trusts forward materials to the shareholders on
their behalf. If the Trustees object to mailing such materials, they must inform
the Securities and Exchange Commission and thereafter comply with the
requirements of the 1940 Act.
Shares do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that in
situations in which shareholders elect Trustees, holders of more than 50% of the
shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trust's
Trustees, and the holders of less than 50% of the shares voting for the election
of Trustees will not be able to elect any person as a Trustee.
Shares have no preemptive or subscription rights and are fully
transferable. There are no conversion rights.
<PAGE>
INVESTORS FOR WHOM THE TRUSTS ARE DESIGNED
The following information supplements the discussion of the Funds'
investment objectives and policies in the Prospectus of the Funds.
The Trusts offer the economic advantages of block purchases of
securities and diversification. Securities and instruments of the types in which
the Funds invest are not generally available in denominations of less than
$100,000, and in many cases the minimum denominations are substantially higher.
Typically, higher yields are not available unless money market instruments are
bought directly from issuers in amounts of $1,000,000 or more. The Trusts also
offer investors the opportunity to participate in a more diversified selection
of short-term securities than the size of each investor's own portfolio might
otherwise permit.
Investment in the Trusts may also relieve the investor of several
administrative burdens usually associated with the direct purchase of money
market instruments, such as coordinating maturities and reinvestments,
safekeeping of securities, surveying the market for the best price at which to
buy and/or sell and maintaining separate principal and income records.
Furthermore, purchasers electing and complying with the procedures for expedited
redemption have the convenience, if a redemption order is received before 12:00
noon, New York time, on a business day on which the New York Stock Exchange is
open, of having the proceeds from the redemption of their shares remitted to
their bank account at a member bank of the Federal Reserve System by Federal
Funds wire for use on the same business day, provided that the federal wire
system is open. In addition, shareholders availing themselves of the Trust's
check redemption program have the convenience of making redemptions merely by
writing a check. See "How to Redeem Shares" in the Prospectus. All such
advantages, however, will be reduced to the extent of the expenses and losses of
the Fund in which you invest (including losses from portfolio transactions or
from defaults, if any, in payments of interest or principal by issuers).
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The following information supplements the discussion of the Funds'
investment objectives and policies discussed in the Prospectus.
Additional Information on Investments - Mutual Fund Only
The Cash Management Fund may invest in all categories of investments
described below, whereas the Government Securities Fund may invest only in U.S.
Treasury securities, U.S. Government agency securities and repurchase agreements
with respect to which the underlying securities are in those two categories.
U.S. Treasury Securities: Either Fund may invest in the various types
of marketable securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, which consist of bills,
notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United States
Government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills,
the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up
to one year and are issued on a discount basis.
U.S. Government Agency Securities: Either Fund may invest in U.S.
Government agency securities, which are obligations guaranteed as to principal
and interest by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government. Some U.S.
Government agency securities, such as Government National Mortgage Association
pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the
United States Treasury; others, such as securities of Federal Home Loan Banks,
by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; still others, such as
bonds issued by Federal National Mortgage Association, a private corporation,
are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. The Government
Securities Fund will not invest in the securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association or any other
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instrumentality where the bonds are supported only by the credit of that
instrumentality. Subject to the foregoing, the Funds may invest in all types of
U.S. Government agency securities currently outstanding or issued in the future.
Domestic and Foreign Issuers. The Cash Management Fund may invest in
U.S. dollar-denominated time deposits, certificates of deposit, bankers'
acceptances of U.S. banks and their branches located outside of the U.S., U.S.
branches and agencies of foreign banks, and foreign branches of foreign banks.
The Cash Management Fund may also invest in U.S. dollar-denominated securities
issued or guaranteed by other U.S. or foreign issuers, including U.S. and
foreign corporations or other business organizations, foreign governments,
foreign government agencies or instrumentalities, and U.S. and foreign financial
institutions, including savings and loan institutions, insurance companies,
mortgage bankers, and real estate investment trusts, as well as banks. These
short-term instruments may include obligations bearing fixed, floating or
variable interest rates.
Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking
institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate. Time
deposits which may be held by the Cash Management Fund will not benefit from
insurance from the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund
administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Bankers' acceptances
are credit instruments evidencing the obligation of a bank to pay a draft drawn
on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank
and of the drawer to pay the face amount of the instrument upon maturity.
Certificates of deposit are interest-bearing negotiable certificates issued by
banks or financial institutions against funds deposited in the issuing
institution.
The obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks may be general
obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be
limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by governmental regulation.
Payment of interest and principal on these obligations may also be affected by
governmental action in the country of domicile of the branch (generally referred
to as sovereign risk). In addition, evidences of ownership of portfolio
securities may be held outside of the U.S. and the Cash Management Fund may be
subject to the risks associated with the holding of such property overseas.
Various provisions of federal law governing the establishment and operation of
U.S. branches do not apply to foreign branches of U.S. banks.
Obligations of U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks may be
general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may
be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by federal and state
regulation as well as by governmental action in the country in which the foreign
bank has its head office.
Obligations of foreign issuers involve certain additional risks. These
risks may include future unfavorable political and economic developments,
withholding taxes, seizures of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest
limitations, or other governmental restrictions that might affect payment of
principal or interest. Additionally, there may be less public information
available about foreign banks and their branches. Foreign issuers may be subject
to less governmental regulation and supervision than U.S. issuers. Foreign
issuers also generally are not bound by uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers.
Variable and Floating Rate Instruments. The Cash Management Fund may
invest in variable or floating rate instruments that ultimately mature in more
than 397 days, if the Fund acquires a right to sell the securities that meets
certain requirements set forth in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of
1940. Variable rate instruments (including instruments subject to a demand
feature) that mature in 397 days or less may be deemed to have maturities equal
to the period remaining until the next adjustment of the interest rate. Other
variable rate instruments with demand features may be deemed to have a maturity
equal to the longer of the period remaining until the next readjustment of the
interest rate or the period remaining until the principal amount can be
recovered through demand. A floating rate instrument subject to a demand feature
may be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period remaining until the
principal amount can be recovered through demand.
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Repurchase Agreements. Both Funds may invest in securities subject to
repurchase agreements with any member bank of the Federal Reserve System or
primary dealer in U.S. Government securities. A repurchase agreement is
characterized as an instrument under which the purchaser (i.e., the Fund)
acquires ownership of the obligation (debt security) and the seller agrees, at
the time of the sale, to repurchase the obligation at a mutually agreed upon
time and price, thereby determining the yield during the purchaser's holding
period. This results in a fixed rate of return insulated from market
fluctuations during such period. The underlying securities will only consist of
U.S. Treasury or Government agency securities in the case of the Government
Securities Fund, and those securities plus certificates of deposit, commercial
paper or bankers' acceptances in the case of the Cash Management Fund.
Repurchase agreements will be entered into with primary dealers for periods not
to exceed seven days. Each repurchase agreement will be fully collateralized
with respect to both principal and interest for the entire term of the
agreement. Upon payment, possession of all of the underlying collateral will be
transferred to an agent of a Fund for the term of the agreement. If a particular
bank or securities dealer defaults on its obligation to repurchase the
underlying security as required by the terms of a repurchase agreement, a Fund
will incur a loss to the extent that the proceeds it receives in the sale of
collateral are less than the repurchase price of the security. In addition,
should the defaulting securities dealer or bank file for bankruptcy, a Fund
could incur certain costs in establishing that it is entitled to dispose of the
collateral and its realization on the collateral may be delayed or limited.
Additional Information on Investments - Tax Exempt Money Fund Only
Following purchase by the Tax Exempt Money Fund, a Municipal Security
may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required
for purchase by the Tax Exempt Money Fund. Neither event requires a sale of such
security by the Fund, although Freedom Capital Management Corporation (the
"Adviser") will consider such event to be relevant in determining whether the
Fund should continue to hold such security in its portfolio. If the rating
accorded by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization ("NRSRO")
for Municipal Securities changes due to changes in the rating systems, the Fund
will attempt to use comparable ratings as standards for investments in
accordance with the investment policies contained herein.
The two principal classifications of Municipal Securities are
"municipal notes" and "municipal bonds."
Municipal Notes. Municipal notes generally are used to provide for
short-term capital needs and generally have maturities of one year or less.
Municipal notes include:
1. Tax Anticipation Notes. 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.
2. Revenue Anticipation Notes. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in
expectation of receipt of other types of revenue, such as revenues available
under federal revenue sharing programs.
3. Bond Anticipation Notes. 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.
4. Construction Loan 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 "Fannie Mae" (the Federal National Mortgage Association) or "Ginnie Mae"
(the Government National Mortgage Association).
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5. Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper. 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.
Municipal Bonds. Municipal bonds, which meet longer term capital needs
and generally have maturities of more than one year when issued, have two
principal classifications: general obligation bonds and revenue bonds.
1. General Obligation Bonds. Issuers of general obligation bonds
include 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 waste and sewer
systems. The basic security behind a general obligation bond 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.
2. Revenue Bonds. Revenue bonds fund two sorts of projects,
publicly-operated facilities ("revenue bonds") and privately-operated facilities
("industrial development bonds").
(a) Revenue Bonds. The principal security for a revenue bond
is generally the 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, waste and sewer systems; highways,
bridges and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and
hospitals. Although the principal security behind these bonds may vary, many
provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund whose
money may be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuer's
obligations. Housing finance 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.
(b) Industrial Development Bonds. Industrial development
bonds, which are considered municipal bonds if the interest paid thereon is
exempt from federal income tax, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities
to raise money to finance various privately-operated facilities for business and
manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control. These bonds are also used
to finance privately-operated public facilities such as airports, mass transit
systems, ports, and parking. 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 so
financed as security for such payment.
There are also other types of Municipal Securities that are, or may
become, available which are similar to the foregoing municipal notes and
municipal bonds. Municipal Securities are sometimes supported by an irrevocable,
unconditional external agreement (normally a bank letter of credit) from a bank
whose own securities are of high quality in order to improve the credit rating
of the Municipal Security. Such external agreement may be issued by a foreign
bank.
For the purpose of the Tax Exempt Money Fund's investment restrictions
set forth beginning on page 10, the identification of the "issuer" of Municipal
Securities which are not general obligation bonds is made by the Adviser on the
basis of the characteristics of the obligation as described above, the most
significant of which is the source of funds for the payment of principal and
interest on such securities. In the case of industrial development bonds, the
"issuer" is the user of the facility, which is usually a non-governmental
entity.
Obligations of issuers of Municipal Securities are subject to the
provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Code. In addition, the
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obligations of such 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 municipalities to levy taxes. There is also the
possibility that, as a result of litigation or other conditions, the power or
ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its
Municipal Securities may be materially affected. The Tax Exempt Money Fund may
invest more than 25% of its total assets in Municipal Securities the interest
upon which is paid from revenues of similar types of projects. There could be
economic, business or political developments which might affect all Municipal
Securities of a similar type. However, the Tax Exempt Money Fund believes that
the most important consideration affecting credit risk is the quality of
particular issues of Municipal Securities, rather than factors affecting all, or
broad classes of, Municipal Securities.
On December 6, 1994, Orange County (California) became the largest
municipality in the United States to file for protection under the Federal
bankruptcy laws. The filing stemmed from approximately $1.7 billion in losses
suffered by the County's investment pool due to investments in high risk
"derivative" securities. In September 1995 the state legislature approved
legislation permitting Orange County to use for bankruptcy recovery $820 million
over 20 years in sales taxes previously earmarked for highways, transit and
development. Such legislation also permits the Governor to appoint a trustee to
take over Orange County's financial affairs if the county does not have a full
recovery plan filed with the Bankruptcy Court by May 1996.
Special Types of Municipal Securities - Tax Exempt Money Fund Only
In addition to the general types of Municipal Securities discussed
above, the Tax Exempt Money Fund may invest in the following Municipal
Securities.
When-Issued Securities. Municipal Securities are frequently offered on
a "when-issued" basis. When so offered, the price, which is generally expressed
in yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is made, but
delivery and payment for the when-issued securities take place at a later date.
Normally, the settlement date occurs within one month of the purchase of
municipal notes; during the period between purchase and settlement, no payment
is made by the Tax Exempt Money Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to
the Fund. To the extent that assets of the Fund are not invested prior to the
settlement of a purchase of securities, the Fund will earn no income. It is the
Fund's intention, however, to be fully invested to the extent practicable,
subject to the policies stated above. While when-issued securities may be sold
prior to the settlement date, the Fund intends to purchase such securities with
the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a sale appears desirable for
investment reasons. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase a
Municipal Security on a when-issued basis, it will record the transaction and
reflect the value of the security in determining its net asset value.
In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission policy, whenever
the Tax Exempt Money Fund agrees to purchase securities on a when-issued basis,
its custodian will set aside cash or portfolio securities equal to the amount of
the commitment in a separate account. If necessary, additional assets will be
placed in the account daily so that the value of the account will equal the
amount of the Fund's purchase commitment. When the time comes to pay for
when-issued securities, the Fund will meet its obligations from the then-
available cash flow, sale of securities held in the separate account, cash held
in the separate account or otherwise, sale of other securities or, although it
would not normally expect to do so, from the sale of the when- issued securities
themselves (which may have a value greater or less than the Fund's payment
obligations). To the extent that the Fund sets aside portfolio securities to
satisfy its purchase commitment for when-issued securities, there will be a
greater possibility of fluctuation in market value of the Fund's shares (see
"Pricing of Our Shares" in the Prospectus) than if the Fund were to set aside
cash. The Fund does not intend to purchase when-issued securities for
speculative purposes, but only in furtherance of its investment objectives.
Variable Rate and Floating Rate Instruments. The Tax Exempt Money Fund
may invest in variable or floating rate instruments that ultimately mature in
more than 397 days, if the Fund acquires a right to sell the securities that
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meets certain requirements set forth in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act
of 1940. Variable rate instruments (including instruments subject to a demand
feature) that mature in 397 days or less may be deemed to have maturities equal
to the period remaining until the next adjustment of the interest rate. Other
variable rate instruments with demand features may be deemed to have a maturity
equal to the longer of the period remaining until the next readjustment of the
interest rate or the period remaining until the principal amount can be
recovered through demand. A floating rate instrument subject to a demand feature
may be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period remaining until the
principal amount can be recovered through demand.
Temporary Taxable Investments - Tax Exempt Money Fund Only
Although the Tax Exempt Money Fund will be invested primarily in
Municipal Securities, the Fund is authorized to place up to 20% of its net
assets in taxable investments or in cash reserves during normal market
conditions for liquidity reasons. During periods of uncertain market conditions,
the Fund may place more than 20% of its total assets for temporary defensive
purposes in taxable investments or cash reserves. The taxable investments in
which the Fund may invest are:
(a) obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies and
instrumentalities (not all of such obligations are backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States; for example, bonds issued by
Federal National Mortgage Association, a private corporation, are
backed only by the credit of the issuing instrumentality);
(b) certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
short-term obligations of domestic branches of U.S. banks with total
assets of $1 billion or more;
(c) commercial paper rated A-1 by Standard & Poor's, Prime-1
by Moody's (or equivalently rated by another NRSRO), or, if not rated,
of equivalent investment quality as determined by the Adviser;
(d) short-term debt securities of issuers having, at the time
of purchase, a quality rating within the two highest grades by Moody's
(Aaa or Aa), Standard & Poor's (AAA or AA) or Fitch (AAA or AA) (or
equivalently rated by another NRSRO); and
(e) repurchase agreements with respect to an underlying
security which would otherwise qualify for investment by the Fund.
Temporary taxable investments of up to 20% of total assets may also be
made in anticipation of redemptions, pending investment of proceeds from
subscription for Fund shares or from the sale of portfolio securities, or
because of market conditions or the scarcity of suitable tax exempt securities.
Interest income from such investments will be taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income under federal tax laws. Consequently, the Fund intends to invest
its assets in Municipal Securities to the maximum extent possible and prudent.
Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements maturing in more than
seven days, together with any other illiquid instruments held by the Tax Exempt
Money Fund (excluding restricted securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule
144A under the Securities Act of 1933, which the Board of Trustees or the
Adviser has determined under Board-approved guidelines are liquid), will not, at
the time entered into, exceed 10% of the net assets of such Fund. Because of
their short maturity, repurchase agreements provide liquidity to the Fund while
allowing the Fund to remain fully or substantially invested. The Fund will only
enter into repurchase agreements of one business day's maturity and only with
broker/dealers with substantial capital or major U.S. banks. Each repurchase
agreement will be fully collateralized with respect to both principal and
interest by U.S. Treasury instruments for the entire term of the agreement. Upon
payment, possession of all underlying collateral will be transferred to an agent
of the Fund for the term of the agreement. If a particular securities dealer or
bank defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying
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security as required by the terms of a repurchase agreement, the Fund will incur
a loss to the extent that the proceeds it realizes on the sale of the collateral
are less than the repurchase price of the security. In addition, should the
defaulting securities dealer or bank file for bankruptcy, the Fund could incur
certain costs in establishing that it is entitled to dispose of the collateral
and its realization on the collateral may be delayed or limited.
Risk Considerations - Tax Exempt Money Fund Only
There can be no assurance that the Tax Exempt Money Fund will achieve
its investment objectives or be able to maintain its net asset value per share
at $1.00. The price stability and liquidity of the Fund may not be equal to that
of a money market fund which exclusively invests in short-term taxable money
market securities. The taxable money market is a broader and more liquid market
with a greater number of investors, issuers and market makers than the
short-term Municipal Securities market.
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 market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of
the obligations and the rating of the issue.
The policies described above in this section are not fundamental and
may be changed upon notice to shareholders.
Tax exempt securities purchased on a when-issued basis are subject to
changes in value as a result of changes in interest rates in the same way that
securities held in the Fund's portfolio are. Purchasing tax exempt securities on
a when-issued basis can thus involve a risk that yields available in the market
when delivery takes place may actually be higher than those obtained in the
when-issued transaction.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Cash Management Fund and Government Securities Fund
The following investment restrictions apply to both the Cash Management
Fund and Government Securities Fund. They may not be changed without a
shareholder vote, shareholders of each Fund voting separately to change
restrictions applying to their Fund. A change requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of a Fund's outstanding shares, which as used in this Statement means
the lesser of (1) 67% of that Fund's outstanding shares present at a meeting at
which the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in
person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of that Fund's outstanding shares.
With respect to investment restrictions Number 1 through 10 below,
neither Fund may:
1. Purchase securities on margin; sell short; purchase warrants; or
write, purchase, or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads or combinations
thereof.
2. Borrow money, except from banks for temporary purposes (not for
leveraging or investment) and then in an aggregate amount not in excess of 10%
of the value of that Fund's assets at the time of such borrowing, provided, that
so long as such borrowings exceed 5% of the value of the net assets, that Fund
will not make any investments; or mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any assets
except in connection with any such borrowing and in an aggregate amount not in
excess of the dollar amount borrowed.
3. Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers.
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4. Purchase securities (other than under repurchase agreements of not
more than one week's duration, considering only the remaining days to maturity
of each existing repurchase agreement) for which there exists no readily
available market, or for which there are legal or contractual restrictions on
resale (excluding restricted securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule
144A under the Securities Act of 1933, which the Board of Trustees or the
Adviser has determined under Board-approved guidelines are liquid), if as a
result of any such purchase, more than 10% of that Fund's net assets would be
invested in such securities.
5. Purchase any securities if, immediately after such purchase, more
than 25% of the value of that Fund's total assets would be invested in the
securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities
in the same industry, provided that there is no limitation with respect to
investments in U.S. Treasury securities, Government agency securities and bank
obligations. Neither all finance companies as a group nor all utility companies
as a group are considered a single industry for purposes of this restriction.
6. Purchase securities of any one issuer, other than U.S. Treasury
securities or Government agency securities, if immediately after such purchase,
more than 5% of the value of that Fund's total assets would be invested in such
issuer.
7. Acquire more than 10% of any class of securities of an issuer. For
this purpose, all outstanding bonds and other evidences of indebtedness shall be
deemed within a single class regardless of maturities, priorities, coupon rates,
series, designations, conversion rights, security or other differences.
8. Purchase or sell real estate.
9. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity futures contracts, or oil,
gas or mineral exploration or development programs.
10. Make loans, except that a Fund may purchase or hold debt
instruments and may enter into repurchase agreements in accordance with its
investment objective and policies.
11. Each Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment
policy or limitation, invest all of its assets in the securities of a single
open-end management investment company with substantially the same fundamental
investment objectives, policies and limitations as that Fund.
The following investment restrictions may be changed by the Board of
Trustees without the approval of shareholders. Appropriate notice will be given
of any changes in these restrictions made by the Board of Trustees. With respect
to investment restrictions Number 12 through 15 below, the Funds may not:
12. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization, and
except for purchases of the securities of money market mutual funds.
13. Purchase securities of any issuer for the purpose of exercising
control or management, except in connection with a merger, consolidation,
acquisition or reorganization.
14. Invest more than 5% of either Fund's total assets in securities of
any issuer which, together with its predecessors, has been in continuous
operation less than three years.
15. Purchase or retain the securities of an issuer if those officers or
trustees of the Trust or officers or directors of the Adviser who are also
officers or directors of the issuer and who each own beneficially more than 1/2
of 1% of the securities of that issuer together own more than 5% of the
securities of such issuer.
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16. Neither Fund currently intends to invest all of its assets in the
securities of a single open-end management investment company with substantially
the same fundamental investment objectives, policies and limitations as that
Fund.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of
portfolio securities or amount of net assets will not be considered a violation
of any of the foregoing restrictions.
Tax Exempt Money Fund
The following investment restrictions apply to the Tax Exempt Money
Fund. They may not be changed without a shareholder vote. A change requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding shares, which as used
in this Statement means the lesser of (1) 67% of the Fund's outstanding shares
present at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares are present in person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the Fund's
outstanding shares. With respect to investment restrictions Number 1 through 12
below, the Fund may not:
1. Purchase securities on margin; sell short; purchase warrants; or
write, purchase, or sell straddles, spreads, or combinations thereof.
2. Borrow money, except from banks for temporary purposes (not for
leveraging or investment) and then in an aggregate amount not in excess of 10%
of the value of the Fund's assets at the time of such borrowing, provided, that
so long as such borrowings exceed 5% of the value of the net assets, the Fund
will not make any investments; or mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any assets
except in connection with any such borrowing and in an aggregate amount not in
excess of the dollar amount borrowed.
3. Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the
extent that the purchase of Municipal Securities in accordance with the Fund's
investment objective, policies and limitations may be deemed to be an
underwriting.
4. Purchase securities (other than under repurchase agreements of not
more than one week's duration, considering only the remaining days to maturity
of each existing repurchase agreement) for which there exists no readily
available market, or for which there are legal or contractual restrictions on
resale (excluding restricted securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule
144A under the Securities Act of 1933, which the Board of Trustees or the
Adviser has determined under Board-approved guidelines are liquid), if as a
result of any such purchase, more than 10% of the Fund's net assets would be
invested in such securities.
5. Purchase any securities if, immediately after such purchase, more
than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the
securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities
in the same industry, provided that there is no limitation with respect to
investments in general municipal obligations and obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
6. Purchase securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S.
Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, if immediately after such
purchase more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets would be invested
in such issuer.
7. Acquire more than 10% of any class of securities of an issuer,
except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its
agencies or instrumentalities, or securities which are backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States.
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8. Purchase or sell real estate, except this shall not prevent the Fund
from investing in Municipal Securities secured by real estate or interests
therein.
9. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity futures contracts, or oil,
gas or mineral exploration or development programs.
10. Make loans, except that the Fund may hold debt instruments and
enter into repurchase agreements in accordance with its investment objectives
and policies.
11. Issue any class of securities senior to any other class of
securities, except that the Fund may purchase when-issued securities as
described under "Investment Objectives and Policies."
12. Invest more than 25% of its total assets within a single state of
the United States or the District of Columbia.
13. The Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment
policy or limitation, invest all of its assets in the securities of a single
open-end management investment company with substantially the same fundamental
investment objectives, policies and limitations as the Fund.
The following investment restrictions may be changed by the Board of
Trustees without the approval of shareholders. Appropriate notice will be given
of any changes in these restrictions made by the Board of Trustees. With respect
to investment restrictions Number 14 through 17 below, the Fund may not:
14. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization, and
except for purchases of the securities of money market mutual funds.
15. Purchase securities of any issuer for the purpose of exercising
control or management, except in connection with a merger, consolidation,
acquisition or reorganization.
16. Invest more than 5% of the Fund's total assets in securities of any
issuer which, together with its predecessors, has been in continuous operation
less than three years, except obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government or its agencies, or Municipal Securities (other than industrial
development bonds) (for this purpose the period of operation of the issuer shall
include the period of operation of any predecessor or unconditional guarantor of
such issuer).
17. Purchase or retain the securities of an issuer if those officers or
trustees of the Trust or officers or directors of the Adviser who are also
officers or directors of the issuer and who each own beneficially more than 1/2
of 1% of the securities of that issuer together own more than 5% of the
securities of such issuer.
18. The Fund does not currently intend to invest all of its assets in
the securities of a single open- end management investment company with
substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, policies and
limitations as the Fund.
For the purposes of the limitations set forth in paragraphs 5, 6, 7, 16
and 17, the Fund will regard the entity which has the ultimate responsibility
for the payment of principal and interest as the issuer.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of
portfolio securities or amount of net assets will not be considered a violation
of any of the foregoing restrictions.
11
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The Advisory Agreements authorize the Adviser (subject to the control
of the Boards of Trustees) to select brokers and dealers to execute purchases
and sales of portfolio securities. They direct the Adviser to use its best
efforts to obtain the best overall terms for the Trusts, taking into account
such factors as price (including dealer spread), the size, type and difficulty
of the transaction involved, and the financial condition and execution
capability of the broker or dealer.
With respect to the Cash Management Fund and the Government Securities
Fund, the Adviser generally will purchase portfolio securities for both Funds
either directly from the issuer or from dealers who specialize in "money market"
instruments. During the last three fiscal years ended December 31, 1993, 1994,
and 1995 the Cash Management Fund and the Government Securities Fund paid no
brokerage commissions.
With respect to the Tax Exempt Money Fund, purchases and sales of the
Fund's portfolio securities are generally placed by the Adviser with the issuer,
the issuer's underwriter or with a primary market maker. Usually no brokerage
commission is paid, although the price usually includes an undisclosed
compensation. (Transactions with primary market makers reflect the spread
between bid and asked prices; purchases of underwritten issues include an
underwriting fee paid by the issuer to the underwriter.) During the last three
fiscal years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, the Tax Exempt Money Fund
paid no brokerage commissions.
With respect to all of the Funds, to the extent that the execution and
price offered by more than one dealer are comparable, the Adviser may, in its
discretion, effect transactions in portfolio securities with dealers who provide
the Trusts with research services such as credit analysis. Any such research
services would be available for use on all investment advisory accounts of the
Adviser.
Other investment advisory clients advised by the Adviser may also
invest in the same securities as the Trusts. When these clients buy or sell the
same securities at substantially the same time, the Adviser may average the
transactions as to price and allocate the amount of available investments in a
manner which the Adviser believes to be equitable to each client, including any
Fund. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the
price paid or received by any Fund or the size of the position obtainable for
it. On the other hand, to the extent permitted by law, the Adviser may aggregate
the securities to be sold or purchased for any Fund with those to be sold or
purchased for other clients managed by it in order to obtain best execution.
In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to
John Hancock, Tucker Anthony Incorporated ("Tucker Anthony"), Sutro & Co.
Incorporated ("Sutro") or any affiliated person (as defined in the 1940 Act)
thereof.
The Board of Trustees of the Mutual Fund has determined that any
portfolio transaction for the Mutual Fund may be executed through Tucker Anthony
or Sutro, if, in the Adviser's judgment, the use of Tucker Anthony or Sutro is
likely to result in price and execution at least as favorable as those of other
qualified brokers, and if, in the transaction, Tucker Anthony or Sutro charges
the Mutual Fund a commission rate consistent with those charged by Tucker
Anthony or Sutro to comparable unaffiliated customers in similar transactions.
Neither Tucker Anthony nor Sutro will participate in commissions in brokerage
given by the Mutual Fund to other brokers or dealers and will not receive any
reciprocal brokerage business resulting therefrom.
CURRENT YIELD
The Securities and Exchange Commission requires by rule that a yield
quotation set forth in an advertisement or prospectus for a "money market" fund
be computed by a standardized method based on a historical seven calendar
12
<PAGE>
day period referred to as the "base period." The yield quoted may be a simple
annualized yield or a compounded effective yield which gives effect to the
reinvestment of the proceeds of the investment portfolio. If the compounded
effective yield is used in an advertisement, the simple annualized yield must
also be included. Both yields are computed on the basis of the base period
return on a hypothetical pre-existing account in each Fund having a balance of
one share at the beginning of the seven-day base period. The base period return
equals the net change in value of the account over the seven-day period,
including dividends declared both on the original share and on any additional
shares purchased with previous dividends (such dividends are declared daily and
paid from the net investment income of the Fund) and minus all fees, other than
nonrecurring account or sales charges charged to all shareholder accounts, in
proportion to the length of the base period and the Fund's average account size.
The fees deducted will take into account the expense limitation agreement as
described in "Our Management" in the Prospectus. The net change in value does
not include realized gains and losses from the sale of securities or unrealized
appreciation or depreciation of the securities. The base period return is then
multiplied by 365/7 to arrive at the annualized simple yield. The compounded
effective yield is calculated by dividing the base period return (calculated as
above) by 7, adding 1, raising that sum to the 365th power and subtracting 1
from the result. Both calculations of yields are then expressed to at least two
decimal points.
Yield Information
Cash Management Fund. For the seven day period ended December 31, 1995,
the simple annualized yield of the Cash Management Fund was 5.05%, the compound
effective yield was 5.18%, and the Fund had an average weighted maturity of
investments of 46 days.
Government Securities Fund. For the seven day period ended December 31,
1995, the simple annualized yield of the Government Securities Fund was 4.73%,
the compound effective yield was 4.84%, and the Fund had an average weighted
maturity of investments of 70 days.
Tax Exempt Money Fund. For the seven day period ended December 31,
1995, the simple annualized yield of the Tax Exempt Money Fund was 3.83%, the
compound effective yield was 3.90%, and the Fund had an average weighted
maturity of investments of 47 days.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REDEMPTION
The Trusts may suspend redemption privileges or postpone the date of
payment on shares of any Fund for more than seven days during any period (1)
when the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than for week-ends or
holidays) or trading on the Exchange is restricted as determined by the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), (2) when an emergency exists, as
defined by the SEC, which makes it not reasonably practicable for either Trust
to dispose of securities owned by it or fairly to determine the value of its
assets, or (3) as the SEC may otherwise permit.
It is possible that under unusual circumstances the redemption price
may be more or less than the shareholder's cost, depending on the market value
of a Fund's portfolio at the time.
NET ASSET VALUE
As disclosed in the Prospectus, the net asset value per share of each
Fund is determined at 12:00 noon New York time Monday through Friday, as
described below. The Funds will be closed on the following national business
13
<PAGE>
holidays: New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The net asset value per share of the Funds is determined daily under
the general supervision of the Trusts' Board of Trustees by the Trusts'
custodian at 12:00 noon New York time on each day on which the New York Stock
Exchange is open or on which there is a sufficient degree of trading in the
Trusts' portfolio securities that the current net asset value of the Trusts'
redeemable securities might be materially affected by changes in the value of
the portfolio securities. Purchase or redemption orders accepted by John Hancock
Investor Services Corp. ("JHIS") prior to 12:00 noon New York time will be
priced at 12:00 noon New York time that day. Purchase or redemption orders
accepted by JHIS subsequent to 12:00 noon New York time will be priced at 12:00
noon New York time the next day that net asset value is computed. Net asset
value per share is computed by taking the value of all assets of any Fund, less
liabilities, and dividing by the number of shares of the Fund outstanding. To
determine the value of the assets of any Fund for the purpose of obtaining the
net asset value, portfolio securities are valued at amortized cost, as described
below, and interest is accrued daily.
Since the Trusts have adopted a policy of normally holding portfolio
securities to maturity, all portfolio securities of the Funds will normally be
valued at amortized cost. Thus, it is not expected that realized or unrealized
gains or losses on portfolio securities will be a substantial factor in the
computation of the net asset value or gross income of any Fund. If in some
extraordinary circumstance any Fund experiences gains or losses (realized or
unrealized), whether recognized or unrecognized, this could result in a change
in net asset value, a change in dividends, or both.
The Trusts comply with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act
which permits each Fund to compute the net asset value using the amortized cost
method of valuing portfolio securities. To comply with that rule, the Board of
Trustees of each Trust has agreed to establish procedures to stabilize the net
asset value for each Fund at $1.00 per share. These procedures include a review
by the Board of Trustees of the extent of any deviation of net asset value per
share, based on available market quotations or estimates of market value
determined by the Boards of Trustees in good faith, from the Fund's $1.00
amortized cost value per share. If that deviation exceeds 1/2 of 1%, the
Trustees will consider any action that should be initiated to reasonably
eliminate or reduce material dilution or other unfair results to shareholders.
Such action may include selling portfolio securities prior to maturity,
withholding dividends, or utilizing a net asset value per share as determined by
using available market quotations. In addition, the Trusts must (a) maintain a
dollar weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or less for each Fund, (b)
not purchase any instrument with a remaining maturity greater than 397 days, (c)
limit portfolio investments, including repurchase agreements, to securities
that, at the time of acquisition, (i) are rated in the two highest categories by
at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (or by one
organization if only one organization has rated the security), (ii) if not
rated, are obligations of an issuer whose other outstanding short-term debt
obligations are so rated, or (iii) if not rated, are of comparable quality as
determined by the Boards of Trustees in accordance with procedures established
by the Boards of Trustees, and (d) comply with certain reporting and
recordkeeping procedures. The Trusts' officers will periodically review the
method of valuation and recommend changes to the Boards of Trustees which may be
necessary to assure that the portfolio securities of the Funds are valued at
their fair value as determined by the Trustees in good faith. The Funds will
limit their investments to securities that present minimal credit risks, as
determined by the Boards of Trustees in accordance with the procedures
established by the Boards of Trustees.
Amortized cost valuation involves valuing a security at its cost and
adding or subtracting, ratably to maturity, any discount or premium, regardless
of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the security.
Under the amortized cost method of valuation, neither the amount of daily income
nor net asset value is affected by any unrealized appreciation or depreciation
of the portfolio. As a result, in periods of declining interest rates, the
indicated daily yield on a portfolio valued by amortized cost will be higher
than on a portfolio valued by market prices.
14
<PAGE>
Since there is no sales load involved in an investment in either Trust,
100% of the shareholder's purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund
purchased.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON TAXES
Each Fund intends to qualify and elect to be treated as a "regulated
investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). If so qualified, a Fund will not be liable for federal
income taxes on its taxable net investment income and capital gain net income
that is distributed to shareholders, provided that the Fund distributes at least
90% of its net investment income (other than capital gains) and its net
short-term capital gain for the year. To qualify for tax treatment as a
"regulated investment company" under the Code, a Fund must, among other things,
(i) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends,
interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or
other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies or other income
derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or
currencies and (ii) derive in each taxable year less than 30% of its gross
income from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or certain other
financial instruments held for less than three months.
If for any taxable year any Fund does not qualify as a regulated
investment company, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax at
corporate rates and, in such event, dividend distributions to its shareholders
would be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction.
The Code imposes a nondeductible 4% excise tax on a regulated
investment company that fails to distribute during each calendar year an amount
at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its taxable ordinary income for the
calendar year, and (2) 98% of its capital gain net income for the twelve month
period ending on October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) certain undistributed
amounts from the preceding calendar year. The Funds intend to make sufficient
distributions to avoid this 4% excise tax.
Taxable distributions generally are included in a shareholder's gross
income for the taxable year in which they are received. However, dividends
declared in October, November and December and made payable to shareholders of
record in such a month are taxable as of December 31, provided that a Fund pays
the dividend during the following January. It is expected that none of the
Funds' distributions will qualify for the 70% corporate dividends-received
deduction.
Cash Management Fund and Government Securities Fund
Since none of the net investment income of the Cash Management Fund or
the Government Securities Fund will arise from dividends on common or preferred
stock, it is expected that none of the Trust's distributions to shareholders
will be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction.
Since all net investment income will be distributed as dividends, it
will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income, except for (a) such portion
as may exceed a shareholder's ratable share of a Fund's earnings and profits as
determined for tax purposes and available therefor, which excess will be applied
against and reduce the shareholder's adjusted tax basis for his shares, and (b)
amounts representing distributions of realized net capital gain (i.e., the
excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) and
properly designated as such. If the excess described in (a) above were to exceed
the shareholder's tax basis for his shares, the amount thereof would be treated
as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. The amount of any net capital
gain realized by a Fund is, to the extent designated by that Fund, taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time a
particular shareholder may have held his shares in the Fund. Not later than
sixty days after the end of each taxable year, each Fund will send to its
shareholders a written notice designating the amount of any distributions made
during such year which is a
15
<PAGE>
distribution of long-term capital gain or represents a return of capital. In
view of their policy of investing only in instruments maturing within one year,
it is unlikely that either Fund will realize any long-term capital gains.
Tax Exempt Money Fund
Net investment income received by the Fund from investments in debt
securities other than tax exempt securities, and any excess of net short-term
capital gain over net long-term capital loss recognized by the Fund, will be
taxable to shareholders upon distribution as ordinary income, regardless of
whether the distribution is paid in cash or in additional shares. The excess of
net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss ("net capital
gain"), to the extent properly designated by the Fund, will be taxable to
shareholders upon distribution as long-term capital gain, regardless of the
length of time the shares have been held or whether the distribution is paid in
cash or in additional shares. Such distributions of net capital gain will not be
eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. However, it is
expected that any such amounts will be insubstantial in relation to the tax
exempt interest generated by the Fund.
Interest on certain private activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986
not otherwise subject to federal income tax may be subject to the federal
alternative minimum tax ("AMT") although the interest continues to be excludable
from gross income for other purposes. The AMT is a supplemental tax designed to
ensure that taxpayers pay at least a minimum amount of tax on their income, even
if they make substantial use of certain tax deductions and exclusions (including
the "items of tax preference"). Interest from certain private activity bonds is
one of the items of tax preference that is added into income from other sources
for the purposes of determining whether a taxpayer is subject to the AMT and the
amount of any tax to be paid. Under regulations to be prescribed,
exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund will be treated as interest on such
private activity bonds to the extent of the proportionate share of the interest
on such bonds received by the Fund. In addition, corporate investors should note
that exempt-interest dividends will be a component of the "current earnings"
adjustment for the corporate AMT. Prospective investors should consult their own
tax advisors with respect to the possible application of the AMT to their tax
situation.
To the extent that the net asset value at the time of purchase of
shares in the Fund reflects capital gains, a subsequent distribution to the
shareholder of such amounts, although constituting a return of his investment,
would be taxable as described above. Any loss on the sale or exchange of shares
of the Fund held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent that
tax-exempt interest dividends were paid on such shares.
Information concerning the tax status of dividends and distributions is
mailed to shareholders annually. The Fund anticipates that substantially all of
the dividends to be paid by the Fund will be exempt from federal income taxes.
If any portion of the Fund's dividends is not exempt from federal income taxes,
the Fund will advise shareholders in the annual tax information notice of the
percentage of both tax exempt and taxable income. The Fund will also advise
shareholders in the annual tax information notice of the proportion of dividends
and distributions derived from Municipal Securities of each state. In accordance
with the Code, expenses of the Fund will be allocated pro rata between taxable
and nontaxable income.
Shareholders who are recipients of Social Security benefits should be
aware that tax-exempt interest dividends received from the Fund are taken into
account for purposes of determining whether their incomes are large enough to
result in taxation of up to 85% of the amount of such Social Security benefits.
From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for
the purpose of restricting, limiting, or eliminating the federal income tax
exemptions for interest on Municipal Securities. It can be expected that similar
proposals may be introduced in the future. If any such proposal were enacted,
the availability of Municipal Securities for investment by the Fund and the
value of the Fund's portfolio would be affected. In such an event, the Fund
would reevaluate its investment objective and policies.
16
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUSTS
The Trustees and executive officers of the Trusts and their principal
occupations during the past five years are set forth below. Unless otherwise
indicated, the business address of each is One Beacon Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02108.
*Dexter A. Dodge-Trustee, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer, President and Managing Director of the Adviser since July 1992. He is
61. Vice President of Freedom Distributors Corporation since 1989 and Director
since 1994.
Richard A. Farrell-Trustee-160 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02110. He is 62. President since 1980 of Farrell, Healer & Co., a venture
capital management firm that manages The Venture Capital Fund of New England.
Ernest T. Kendall-Trustee-230 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02116. He is 63. President, Commonwealth Research Group, Inc., Boston, MA, a
consulting firm specializing in microeconomics, regulatory economics and labor
economics, since 1978.
Richard B. Osterberg-Trustee-84 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. He is
51. Member of the law firm of Weston, Patrick, Willard & Redding, Boston, MA
since 1978.
*Lawrence G. Kirshbaum-Trustee and Chief Financial Officer-1 World
Financial Center, New York, New York 10281. He is 53. Chief Financial Officer
and Executive Vice President of John Hancock Freedom Securities Corporation
since 1992. Director of Tucker Anthony Incorporated, Sutro & Co. Incorporated,
John Hancock Clearing Corporation and the Adviser since 1992. Chairman of
Prescott, Ball & Turben, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, from 1987-1990. Chief Financial
Officer of Prescott, Ball & Turben, Inc. from 1982-1987.
*Arthur E. McCarthy-Trustee-Managing Director of the Adviser since
February 1995. He is 60. Managing Director of Tucker Anthony Incorporated since
January 1979.
John J. Danello-President and Secretary-Chief Operating Officer of the
Adviser since February 1994 and Managing Director, Clerk and General Counsel
since November 1986. He is 40. President and Director since February 1989 and
Clerk since February 1987 of Freedom Distributors Corporation. Prior to November
1986, Mr. Danello was associated with the law firm of Goodwin, Procter & Hoar.
Darlene F. Rego-Treasurer-Vice President of the Adviser since February
1995 and Assistant Vice President since December 1992. She is 32. Assistant
Treasurer of the Trusts from July 1987 until December 1992.
Mary Jeanne Currie-Vice President-Vice President of the Adviser since
February 1983. She is 47.
- --------
* Trustee may be deemed to be an "interested person" of the Trust as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Michael M. Spencer-Vice President-Senior Vice President and Director of
Fixed-Income Investments of the Adviser since August 1995. He is 45. From 1985
to 1995, Mr. Spencer was a Portfolio Manager at Shawmut Investment Advisers.
17
<PAGE>
Paul F. Marandett-Vice President-Vice President of the Adviser since
1990. He is 53. From 1980 to 1990, Mr. Marandett was vice president with the
Bank of Boston.
Sarah H. Scranton-Vice President-Vice President and Portfolio Manager
of the Adviser since September 1994 and Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
the Freedom Group of Money Funds since April 1994 . She is 31. From March 1990
to September 1994, Ms. Scranton was an Assistant Vice President and Assistant
Portfolio Manager of the Adviser.
Maureen M. Renzi-Assistant Secretary-Assistant Vice President of the
Adviser since February 1995 and Assistant Clerk and Compliance Officer since
July 1992. She is 31. Vice President of Freedom Distributors Corporation since
February 1995. Paralegal of New England Securities from March 1989 to July 1992.
Messrs. Dodge, Danello, Kirshbaum, Marandett, McCarthy and Spencer and
Mesdames Currie, Rego, Renzi and Scranton are all officers of the Adviser as
well as of the Trusts.
- --------
* Trustee may be deemed to be an "interested person" of the Trust as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
During the last fiscal year of the Trust, the Trustees were compensated
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name of Aggregate Aggregate Aggregate Total
Trustee Compensation Compensation Compensation Compensation
from the Tax Exempt from the Government from the Cash from Fund Complex
Money Fund Securities Fund Management Fund Paid to Trustees (a)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dexter A. Dodge $0 $0 $0 $0
Richard A. Farrell 3,901 4,018 10,124 20,800
Ernest T. Kendall 2,901 3,018 9,124 16,800
Richard B. Osterberg 2,901 3,018 9,124 16,800
Lawrence G. Kirshblaum 0 0 0 0
Arthur E. McCarthy 0 0 0 0
</TABLE>
(a) Includes compensation from the Tax Exempt Money Fund, Government
Securities Fund, Cash Management Fund and Freedom California Tax Exempt
Money Fund. The Trust does not provide any pension or retirement
benefits for the Trustees.
As of January 31, 1996, the Estate of Jane S. Miller, 520 SW Yamhill RG
#8, Portland, Oregon 97204- 1335 was the beneficial owner of approximately 6% of
the shares of the Tax Exempt Money Fund. To the knowledge of the Mutual Fund and
the Tax Exempt Trust, no other person benficially owns 5% or more of the shares
of any of the Funds. As of January 31, 1996, the officers and Trustees of the
Mutual Fund as a group owned less than 1% of each of the Cash Management Fund
and the Government Securities Fund, and the officers and Trustees of the Tax
Exempt Trust as a group owned less than 1% of the Tax Exempt Money Fund.
18
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
The investment adviser for each of the Funds is Freedom Capital
Management Corporation (formerly Tucker Anthony Management Corporation), a
Massachusetts corporation (the "Adviser"), with offices at One Beacon Street,
Boston, Massachusetts. The Adviser is a registered investment advisory firm
which maintains a large securities research department, the efforts of which
will be made available to the Funds.
The Adviser is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of John Hancock
Mutual Life Insurance Company ("John Hancock"). John Hancock is a major mutual
life insurance company with subsidiaries which offer property and casualty
insurance and another subsidiary which manages investment companies. John
Hancock's head offices are at John Hancock Place, Boston, Massachusetts. Freedom
Distributors Corporation ("Freedom") and Tucker Anthony Incorporated ("Tucker
Anthony" and together with Freedom, the "Distributors"), affiliates of the
Adviser, serve as distributors and principal underwriters for the Funds pursuant
to a distribution agreement with each Trust. Freedom, established in 1987, is an
indirect subsidiary of John Hancock. Tucker Anthony (formerly Tucker, Anthony &
R.L. Day, Inc.), a brokerage firm which is a member of the New York Stock
Exchange, is also an indirect subsidiary of John Hancock and continues an
investment banking and brokerage business established in 1892.
Pursuant to investment advisory agreements dated as of June 25, 1982
with respect to the Mutual Fund and as of September 15, 1982 with respect to the
Tax Exempt Trust (the "Advisory Agreements") between the respective Trusts and
the Adviser, the Adviser agreed to act as investment adviser and manager to the
Funds. As manager and investment adviser, the Adviser will: (a) furnish
continuously an investment program for the Funds and determine, subject to the
overall supervision and review of the Boards of Trustees, which investments
should be purchased, held, sold or exchanged, (b) provide supervision over all
aspects of the Funds' operations except those which are delegated to a
custodian, transfer agent or other agent, and (c) provide the Trusts with such
executive, administrative and clerical personnel, officers and equipment as are
deemed necessary for the conduct of the business of the Trusts.
Each Trust bears all costs of its organization and operation, including
expenses of preparing, printing and mailing all shareholders' reports, notices,
prospectuses (except that the expense of printing and mailing prospectuses used
for promotional purposes will not be borne by the Trusts), proxy statements and
reports to regulatory agencies; expenses relating to the issuance, registration
and qualification of shares of the Trust; government fees; interest charges;
expenses of furnishing to shareholders their account statements; taxes; expenses
of redeeming shares; brokerage and other expenses connected with the execution
of portfolio securities transactions; fees and expenses of the Trust's
custodian, including those for keeping books and accounts and calculating the
net asset value of shares of each Fund; fees and expenses of its independent
accountants, legal counsel, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent; the
compensation and expenses of its Trustees who are not otherwise affiliated with
the Trust, the Adviser or John Hancock or any of their affiliates; expenses of
trustees' and shareholders' meetings; trade association memberships; insurance
premiums; and any extraordinary expenses.
The State of California imposes limitations on the expenses of the
Funds. The Advisory Agreements provide that if, in any fiscal year, the total
expenses of any Fund (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions and
extraordinary items, but including the management fee) exceed the expense
limitations applicable to the Fund imposed by the securities regulations of any
state in which it is then registered to sell shares, the Adviser will pay or
reimburse the Fund for that excess up to the amount of its management fee during
that fiscal year. Although there is no certainty that these limitations will be
in effect in the future, the most restrictive of these limitations on an annual
basis currently is 2.5% of the first $30 million of net assets; 2% of the next
$70 million; and 1.5% of the average daily net assets over $100 million. For the
purpose of determining whether a Fund is entitled to reimbursement, the expenses
of the Fund are calculated on a monthly basis. If the Fund is entitled to
reimbursement, that month's advisory fee will be reduced or postponed, with any
adjustment made after the end of the year.
19
<PAGE>
The continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the Mutual Fund was
approved on May 23, 1995 by all of the Trustees, including all of the Trustees
who are not parties to that Advisory Agreement or "interested persons" (as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of any such party and was
approved on June 14, 1982 by the outstanding shareholders of each of the Cash
Management Fund and the Government Securities Fund. The continuation of the
Advisory Agreement for the Tax Exempt Trust was approved on May 23, 1995 by all
of the Trustees, including all of the Trustees who are not parties to the
Advisory Agreement or "interested persons" of any such party and was approved on
June 13, 1983 by the outstanding shareholders of the Tax Exempt Money Fund. The
Advisory Agreements will continue in effect with respect to the Mutual Fund and
Tax Exempt Trust from year to year, provided that its continuance is approved
annually both (i) by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of each Fund or by the Board of Trustees, and (ii) by a majority of
the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreements or "interested
persons" of any such party. The Advisory Agreements may be terminated on 60 days
written notice by either party and will terminate automatically if they are
assigned.
Mr. Osterberg, a Trustee of the Trusts, is a member of the law firm of
Weston, Patrick, Willard & Redding, which has retained the Adviser from time to
time to provide investment advisory consulting services for clients of such
firm.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, the Cash Management Fund,
the Government Securities Fund and the Tax Exempt Money Fund paid the Adviser an
investment advisory fee of $5,306,800, $1,741,908 and $1,312,821, respectively.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, the Cash Management Fund,
the Government Securities Fund and the Tax Exempt Money Fund paid the Adviser an
investment advisory fee of $5,260,049, $1,393,542 and $1,399,383, respectively.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, the Cash Management Fund,
the Government Securities Fund and the Tax Exempt Money Fund paid the Adviser an
investment advisory fee of $5,802,037, $1,391,071, and $1,365,700 respectively.
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES OF THE TRUSTS
The Trusts have each entered into a Distribution Agreement with the
Distributors whereby the Distributors act as exclusive selling agent of the
Funds selling shares of each Fund on a "best efforts" basis. Although the
Distributors distribute shares of each Fund on a continuous basis, shares may
also be purchased directly from the Funds. No underwriting commissions or
discounts are paid to the Distributors in connection with their distribution of
shares of the Funds.
CUSTODIAN
All cash and securities of the Trusts are held by State Street Bank and
Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02106, as custodian.
20
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse LLP, 160 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
serves as the Trusts' independent accountants, providing audit services,
including review and consultation, in connection with various filings by the
Trusts with the Securities and Exchange Commission and tax authorities.
The financial statements and the report of the independent accountants
with respect to the Cash Management Fund, the Government Securities Fund and the
Tax Exempt Money Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 are included
in the Trusts' Prospectus.
21
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SECURITIES RATINGS OF NATIONALLY
RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING ORGANIZATIONS ("NRSROs")
Debt Security Ratings, Including Municipal Bonds
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. Aaa--the "best quality." Aa--"high
quality by all standards", but margins of protection or other elements make
long-term risks appear somewhat larger than Aaa rated municipal bonds.
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION. AAA--"obligations of the highest
quality." AA--issues with investment characteristics "only slightly less marked
than those of the prime quality issues."
Ratings of Municipal Notes
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. MIG 1: the best quality. MIG 2: high
quality, with margins of protection ample although not so large as in the
preceding group.
Ratings of Commercial Paper
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. The rating Prime-1 is the highest
commercial paper rating assigned by Moody's. Among the factors considered by
Moody's in assigning ratings are the following: valuation of the management of
the issuer; economic evaluation of the issuer's industry or industries and an
appraisal of speculative-type risks which may be inherent in certain areas;
evaluation of the issuer's products in relation to competition and customer
acceptance; liquidity; amount and quality of long-term debt; trend of earnings
over a period of 10 years; financial strength of the parent company and the
relationships which exist with the issuer; and recognition by the management of
obligations which may be present or may arise as a result of public interest
questions and preparations to meet such obligations. These factors are all
considered in determining whether the commercial paper is rated P1, P2 or P3.
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION. Commercial paper rated A (highest
quality) by S&P has the following characteristics: liquidity ratios are adequate
to meet cash requirements; and long-term senior debt is rated "A" or better,
although in some cases "BBB" credits may be allowed. The issuer has access to at
least two additional channels of borrowing. Basic earnings and cash flow have an
upward trend with allowance made for unusual circumstances. Typically, the
issuer's industry is well established and the issuer has a strong position
within the industry. The reliability and quality of management are unquestioned.
The relative strength or weakness of the above factors determines whether the
issuer's commercial paper is rated A1, A2, or A3.
IBCA LIMITED/IBCA INC. Short-term obligations, including commercial
paper, rated A-1+ by IBCA Limited or its affiliate IBCA Inc. are obligations
supported by the highest capacity for timely repayment. Obligations rated A-1
have a very strong capacity for timely repayment. Obligations rated A-2 have a
strong capacity for timely repayment, although such capacity may be susceptible
to adverse changes in business, economic or financial conditions.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICES, INC. Fitch Investors Services, Inc. employs
the rating F-1+ to indicate issues regarded as having the strongest degree of
assurance for timely payment. The rating F-1 reflects an assurance of timely
payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated F-1+, while the rating
F-2 indicates a satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, although
the margin of safety is not as great as indicated by the F-1+ and F-1
categories.
DUFF & PHELPS INC. Duff & Phelps Inc. employs the designation of Duff 1
with respect to top grade commercial paper and bank money instruments. Duff 1+
indicates the highest certainty of timely payment: Short-term
22
<PAGE>
liquidity is clearly outstanding, and safety is just below risk-free U.S.
Treasury short-term obligations. Duff 1- indicates high certainty of time
payment. Duff 2 indicates good certainty of timely payment: liquidity factors
and company fundamentals are sound.
THOMSON BANKWATCH, INC. ("BANKWATCH"). BankWatch will assign both
short-term debt ratings and issuer ratings to the issuers it rates. BankWatch
will assign a short-term rating ("TBW-1," "TBW- 2," "TBW-3," or "TBW-4") to each
class of debt (e.g., commercial paper or non-convertible debt), having a
maturity of one-year or less, issued by a holding company structure or an entity
within the holding company structure that is rated by BankWatch. Additionally,
BankWatch will assign an issuer rating ("A," A/B," "B," "B/C, "C," "C/D," "D,"
"D/E," and "E") to each issuer that it rates.
Certain NRSROs utilize rankings within rating categories indicated by a
+ or -. The Funds, in accordance with industry practice, recognize such rankings
with categories as graduations, viewing for example S&P's rating of A-1+ and A-1
as being in S&P's highest rating category.
Ratings of Short-Term Corporate Debt Securities
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. Aaa--Best quality. These securities
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. Aa--High quality by all
standards. They are rated lower than the best bond because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities, fluctuation of protective elements may
be of greater amplitude, or there may be other elements present which made the
long-term risks appear somewhat greater.
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION. AAA--Highest grade. They possess the
ultimate degree of protection as to principal and interest. Marketwise, they
move with interest rates, and hence provide the maximum safety on all counts.
AA--High grade. Generally, these bonds differ from AAA issues only in a small
degree. Here, too, prices move with the long-term money market.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. AAA-High grade, broadly marketable,
suitable for investment by trustees and fiduciary institutions, and liable to
but slight market fluctuation other than through changes in the money rate. The
prime feature of an "AAA" bond is the showing of earnings several times or many
times interest requirements for such stability of applicable interest that
safety is beyond reasonable question whenever changes occur in conditions. Other
features may be considered, such as a wide margin of protection through
collateral, security or direct lien on specific property. Sinking funds or
voluntary reduction of debt by call or purchase are often factors, while
guarantee or assumption by parties other than the original debtor may influence
their rating. AA--Of safety virtually beyond question and readily salable. Their
merits are not greatly unlike those of "AAA" class but a bond so rated may be
junior though it has a strong lien, or the margin of safety may be less
strikingly broad. The issue may be the obligation of a small company, strongly
secured, but influenced as to rating by the lesser financial power of the
enterprise and more local type of market.
23
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND [Flag Logo]
ONE BEACON STREET - BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02108
(800) 453-8206 NATIONWIDE
Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund (the "Fund") is a no-load money
market fund. Its goal is to provide you with as high a level of current income
exempt from federal and California personal income taxes as is consistent with
the preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity.
The Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share. You
can invest, reinvest or redeem shares at any time without charge or penalty.
The Fund offers you a convenient way to invest in a portfolio of high
quality, short-term California Municipal Securities.
INVESTMENTS IN THE FUND ARE NEITHER INSURED NOR GUARANTEED BY THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE FUND WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A
STABLE $1.00 PER SHARE NET ASSET VALUE.
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that you
ought to know before investing. Please read the Prospectus and retain it for
future reference. Additional information, contained in a Statement of Additional
Information also dated February 22, 1996, has been filed with th e Securities
and Exchange Commission and is available upon request without charge by writing
to the Fund at the address set forth above. The Statement of Additional
Information having the same date as this Prospectus is incorporated by reference
into this Prospectus.
FREEDOM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
INVESTMENT ADVISER
SUTRO & CO. INCORPORATED
DISTRIBUTOR
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CO NTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
PROSPECTUS AND ANNUAL REPORT -- February 22, 1996
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Introduction.............................................................. 1
Benefits to Our Investors................................................. 1
Summary of Our Expenses................................................... 2
Our Financial Highlights.................................................. 3
Our Investment Objectives................................................. 4
Certain Investment Strategies............................................. 6
Special Considerations and Risk Factors................................... 6
How to Purchase Shares.................................................... 7
How to Redeem Shares...................................................... 9
Freedom Asset Account..................................................... 12
Pricing of Our Shares..................................................... 12
Dividends................................................................. 13
Current Yield............................................................. 13
Taxes..................................................................... 13
Our Organization and Shares............................................... 15
Our Management............................................................ 15
Shareholder Services...................................................... 16
Additional Information.................................................... 17
Annual Report -- December 31, 1995........................................ 19
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION
Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund (the "Fund") is an open-end
non-diversified investment company, commonly known as a money market mutual
fund. The Fund is a no-load money market fund which provides a stable net asset
value and high current income by investing in a portfolio of high-quality money
market obligations, exempt from federal income tax and California personal
income tax.
BENEFITS TO OUR INVESTORS
The Fund offers you important benefits and conveniences:
No Sales Charge, No Redemption Fee.
Minimum Initial Investment: $1,000.
Minimum Subsequent Investment: $100. See "How to Purchase Shares" and "How
to Redeem Shares".
Liquidity and Share Price Stability: Investment liquidity through
convenient purchase and redemption procedures. Stability of principal through
maintenance of a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share.
Checkwriting Privilege: You have the convenience of making redemptions
without charge merely by writing a check. Such checks may be payable to anyone
you wish and there is no limit on the number of checks you may write.
Professional Management: Freedom Capital Management Corporation, founded in
1930, serves as the Fund's investment adviser (the "Adviser"). The Adviser
provides a number of mutual funds and other clients with investment research and
portfolio management services. Assets under the Adviser's supervision currently
exceed $4 billion. The Adviser is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of John
Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Free Exchange Privilege: You may exchange shares of the Fund without charge
for shares of the following money market funds in the Freedom Group of Money
Funds:
Freedom Cash Management Fund -- A money market fund investing in a
diversified portfolio of high-grade money market instruments.
Freedom Government Securities Fund -- A money market fund investing
exclusively in obligations issued or guaranteed as to both principal and
interest by the U.S. Government and its agencies or instrumentalities.
Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund -- A money market fund investing in a
diversified portfolio of high quality short-term municipal securities, the
income of which is exempt from federal income tax.
Investments in the Fund are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S.
Government. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to maintain a
stable $1.00 per share net asset value.
1
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF OUR EXPENSES
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Sales Load Imposed on Purchases.................................... None
Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends......................... None
Redemption Fees.................................................... None
Exchange Fees...................................................... None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)*
Management Fees (net of reimbursement or waiver)................. .32%
12b-1 Fees....................................................... None
Other Expenses................................................... .15%
TOTAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES............................... .47%(a)
* For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
(a) Annual operating expenses of the Fund in the table reflect the expenses that
were paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, net of the
Adviser's reimbursement or waiver of certain expenses amounting to .18%. In
the absence of a reimbursement or waiver by the Adviser, the expenses wou ld
have been .65% of the Fund's net assets.
The purpose of this table is to assist you in understanding the various
costs and expenses that you will bear directly or indirectly as an investor in
the Fund. For further information on management fees, see "Our Management."
EXAMPLE
The following example illustrates the effect of the Fund's expenses on the
value of a hypothetical $1,000 investment at the end of one, three, five and ten
year periods in the Fund. As noted in the table above, the Fund charges no
redemption fees of any kind. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A
REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR INVESTMENT RETURNS. ACTUAL EXPENSES
AND INVESTMENT RETURNS MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2) ------ ------- ------- --------
redemption at the end of each time period: $5 $15 $26 $59
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
OUR FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The table of FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS below represents a summary history of our
operations. The table uses the Fund's fiscal year (which ends December 31) and
expresses the information in terms of a single share outstanding throughout each
period. The table has been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, ind ependent
accountants, whose unqualified report covering the fiscal periods appears
elsewhere in this Prospectus. The financial highlights information should be
read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes also
included in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET RATIO OF RATIO OF NET
NET ASSET DIVIDENDS NET ASSET ASSETS EXPENSES INVESTMENT
VALUE NET FROM NET VALUE END OF TO AVERAGE INCOME TO
PERIOD BEGINNING INVESTMENT INVESTMENT END OF TOTAL PERIOD DAILY AVERAGE DAILY
ENDED OF PERIOD INCOME INCOME PERIOD RETURN** (THOUSANDS) NET ASSETS(A) NET ASSETS(A)
----- --------- ------ ------ ---- -------- ----------- ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1995 $1.00 $0.0325 $(0.0325) $1.00 3.29% $85,204 0.47% 3.25%
December 31, 1994 1.00 0.0228 (0.0228) 1.00 2.32 72,659 0.46 2.28
December 31, 1993 1.00 0.0195 (0.0195) 1.00 1.96 90,479 0.33 1.95
December 31, 1992 1.00 0.0241 (0.0241) 1.00 2.45 67,929 0.29 2.41
December 31, 1991 1.00 0.0388 (0.0388) 1.00 3.94 50,005 0.27 3.89
December 31, 1990* 1.00 0.0183 (0.0183) 1.00 1.84 32,381 0.34 5.28+
</TABLE>
- ---------------
+ Annualized.
(a) Net of fees waived by the Adviser which amounted to $.0018, $.0020, $.0028,
$.0033, $.0042 and $.0017 per share in the years 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992,
1991 and 1990, respectively.
* From commencement of operations, August 27, 1990.
** Total return would have been lower had the Adviser not waived fees. Periods
less than a year are not annualized.
3
<PAGE>
OUR INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
In order to provide you with liquidity, the Fund follows practices to
maintain a $1.00 share price: limiting its portfolio's average maturity to 90
days or less; buying securities which mature in 397 days or less; and buying
only high quality securities with minimal credit risks. Of course, the Fun d
cannot guarantee a $1.00 share price, but these practices help to minimize any
price fluctuations that might result from rising or declining interest rates.
While the Fund invests in high quality securities, you should be aware that your
investment is not without risk even if all the securities i n the portfolio are
paid in full at maturity. The Fund has a fundamental investment objective with
an investment program to aid in achieving its objective. There is no assurance
that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. All money market
instruments and debt securities, including short-t erm municipal securities, can
change in value when interest rates change or when an issuer's creditworthiness
changes.
The Fund will limit its portfolio investments to securities that, at the
time of acquisition, (i) are rated in the two highest categories by at least two
nationally recognized statistical rating organizations ("NRSROs") (or by one
NRSRO if only one NRSRO has rated the security), (ii) if not rated , are
obligations of an issuer whose other outstanding short-term debt obligations are
so rated, or (iii) if not rated, are of comparable quality as determined by the
Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Trustees (collectively,
"Eligible Securities"). The Fund will limit its i nvestments to Eligible
Securities that present minimal credit risk, as determined by the Adviser in
accordance with procedures established by the Trustees.
All Eligible Securities may be classified as "first tier" securities and
"second tier" securities. In general, first tier securities consist of Eligible
Securities that have received the highest rating by at least two NRSROs (or by
one NRSRO, if only one NRSRO has rated the security) or which a re unrated but
determined to be of comparable quality. All other Eligible Securities are
classified as second tier securities. A description of the ratings of the NRSROs
is contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
Investment Objective. The Fund seeks to achieve as high a rate of current
income exempt from federal and California personal income taxes as is consistent
with maintenance of liquidity and preservation of capital.
Investment Program. To protect its capital, the Fund invests only in highly
rated securities. The Fund invests primarily in high quality short-term
California municipal securities ("California Municipal Securities") which are
described below. Normally, the Fund will seek to invest substantially a ll of
its assets in California Municipal Securities. It is a fundamental policy of the
Fund that during normal market conditions the Fund's assets will be invested so
that at least 80% of the Fund's income during its fiscal year will be exempt
from federal and California personal income taxes. Howe ver, under certain
circumstances, such as a decline in the issuance of California Municipal
Securities, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in the following:
short-term, high quality municipal securities issued outside of California (the
income from which may be subject to California person al income taxes) and
certain high quality, taxable fixed income securities (the income from which may
be subject to federal and California personal income taxes). For temporary
defensive purposes, such as a national financial emergency, the Fund reserves
the right to invest more than 20% of its ass ets in securities other than
California Municipal Securities.
4
<PAGE>
Subject to the same 20% limit, the Fund is also authorized to invest in
California Municipal Securities subject to the federal individual alternative
minimum tax. The income from such securities is exempt from regular federal and
California personal income taxes, but may be a tax preference item for purposes
of the federal alternative minimum tax.
California Municipal Securities. "California Municipal Securities" are
generally understood to include debt obligations issued by the State of
California and its political subdivisions to obtain funds for various public
purposes. Such securities may have fixed or adjustable rates of interest. Cal
ifornia Municipal Securities are classified into two principal categories:
municipal bonds and municipal notes. Municipal bonds can be further classified
into three basic categories: general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and
industrial development bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by th e
issuer's pledge of its faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of
principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable from the revenue derived from
a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the
proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source, but not from
the general taxing power. In addition, certain types of "industrial development
bonds" issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds for
privately-operated facilities are included in the term California Municipal
Securities, provided that the interest paid thereon qualifie s as exempt from
federal and California state income taxes. Tax exempt industrial development
bonds, in most cases, are revenue bonds and do not generally carry the pledge of
the credit of the issuing municipality. Municipal notes, which are short-term
instruments, are obligations of the issuing mu nicipalities or agencies and are
sold in anticipation of a bond sale, collection of taxes or receipt of other
revenues.
The Fund will not generally invest more than 25% of its total assets in any
industry. Tax exempt California Municipal Securities issued by the State of
California and its political subdivisions are not considered part of any
industry. However, "industrial development bonds" described above will b e
subject to this limitation. It is possible that the Fund may from time to time
invest more than 25% of its assets in a particular segment of the California
Municipal Securities market, such as hospital revenue obligations, housing
agency obligations, or airport revenue obligations. This would be the case only
if the Adviser determined that the yields available from obligations in a
particular segment of the market justified the additional risks associated with
such concentration. Economic, business, political and other developments
generally affecting the revenues of issuers in a market se gment (e.g. proposed
legislation or pending court decisions affecting the financing of projects and
market factors affecting the demand for their services or products) may have a
general adverse effect on all municipal securities in the segment. The Fund
reserves the right to invest more than 25% o f its assets in industrial
development bonds. However, the interest on certain tax exempt securities which
the Fund may purchase will be included in income subject to the federal
alternative minimum tax. The Fund's present policy is to invest no more than 20%
of its total assets in taxable securiti es including those subject to the
alternative minimum tax.
The Fund may invest in certain variable and floating rate demand notes.
Such securities have interest rates that are adjusted periodically. Variable and
floating rate demand notes generally have a maturity in excess of one year but
permit their holder to demand prepayment upon a specified number of days' notice
and so may be treated as short-term investments under certain circumstances.
Certain of the California Municipal Securities may be backed by a letter of
credit issued by a domestic or foreign bank in order to improve their credit
rating. In that case, the Fund considers the bank to be the ultimate obligor and
credit risk. See "Special Considerations and Risk Factors."
5
<PAGE>
CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with a
bank, financial institution or broker-dealer as a means of earning income for
periods as short as overnight. These transactions must be fully collateralized
at all times, but involve some credit risk to the Fund if the othe r party
should default on its obligation and the Fund is delayed or prevented from
recovering the collateral.
When-Issued Securities. The Fund may invest in "when-issued" securities.
When-issued securities involve commitments to buy a new issue with settlement up
to 45 days later. During the time between the commitment and settlement, the
Fund does not accrue interest but the market value may fluctuate.If the Fund
invests in securities of this type, it will maintain a segregated account with
its custodian to pay for them and mark it to market daily.
Borrowing. The Fund may borrow up to 10% of the value of its net assets
from banks for temporary purposes (not for leveraging or investment) but will
not make any new investments so long as such borrowings exceed 5% of the value
of its net assets.
Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in
securities for which no readily available market exists or which are otherwise
illiquid (including repurchase agreements maturing in more than one week). The
Fund may purchase restricted securities eligible for resale to "qual ified
institutional buyers" pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.
However, if the Trustees determine that they are liquid, based upon a continuing
review of the trading markets for specific Rule 144A securities, then they may
be purchased without regard to the 10% limit. The Trus tees will carefully
monitor the Fund's investments in these securities, focusing on factors, among
others, such as valuation, liquidity and availability of information. This
investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity
in the Fund to the extent that qualified ins titutional buyers become for a time
uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISK FACTORS
The ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objectives is dependent
on the continuing ability of the issuers of California Municipal Securities in
which the Fund invests to meet their obligations for the payment of principal
and interest when due. It should also be pointed out that, unlike ot her types
of investments, California Municipal Securities traditionally have not been
subject to regulation by, or registration with, the Securities and Exchange
Commission, although there have been proposals which would provide for
regulation in the future.
With respect to California Municipal Securities that are backed by a letter
of credit issued by a foreign bank, the Fund considers the bank to be the
ultimate obligor and credit risk. Investment in foreign banks may involve risks
not present in domestic investments. These include the fact that the foreign
bank may be subject to different, and in some cases less comprehensive,
regulatory, accounting, financial reporting and disclosure standards than are
domestic banks.
There are risks in any investment program, and there is no assurance that
the Fund will achieve its investment objective. California Municipal Securities
are subject to relative degrees of credit risk and market volatility. Credit
risk relates to the issuer's (and any guarantor's) ability to make timely
6
<PAGE>
payments of principal and interest. Market volatility relates to the changes in
market price that occur as a result of variations in the level of prevailing
interest rates and yield relationships between sectors in the tax exempt
securities market and other market factors.
You should be aware that certain California constitutional amendments,
legislative measures, executive orders, administrative regulations, voter
initiatives and judicial decisions could result in certain adverse consequences
affecting California Municipal Securities. For instance, certain provision s of
the California Constitution and statutes that limit the taxing and spending
authority of California governmental entities may impair the ability of the
issuers of some California Municipal Securities to maintain debt service on
their obligations. Other measures affecting the taxing or spending authority of
California or its political subdivisions may be approved or enacted in the
future. Finally, the Fund will be affected by general changes in interest rates
nationally which will result in increases or decreases in the value of the
securities held by the Fund. For a more detailed discussion of the risks to
which California Municipal Securities are subject, see the Statement of
Additional Information.
The Fund is a "non-diversified" fund as defined in the Investment Company
Act of 1940. As a non-diversified fund, the Fund may invest a larger percentage
of its assets in individual issuers than a diversified fund. To the extent the
Fund makes investments in excess of five percent of its assets i n a particular
issuer, its exposure to credit and market risks associated with that issuer is
increased. However, the Fund will be subject to diversification requirements
imposed under the Internal Revenue Code.
Except for the Fund's investment objective and certain investment
restrictions designated as fundamental in the Statement of Additional
Information, the investment policies described in this Prospectus and in the
Statement of Additional Information are not fundamental policies. The Trustees
may cha nge any non-fundamental investment policies without shareholder
approval.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
GENERAL
Shares of the Fund are distributed by Freedom Distributors Corporation
("Freedom") and Sutro & Co. Incorporated ("Sutro"). State Street Bank and Trust
Company ("State Street") acts as the Fund's custodian. John Hancock Investor
Services Corp. ("JHIS") acts as the Fund's shareholder services and transfer
agent. You may open an account in the Fund by placing an order for at least
$1,000. You may then make subsequent investments of $100 or more.
Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuing basis without a sales charge
at a public offering price equal to the net asset value next determined after a
purchase order is received in proper form as described below. Shares may be
purchased either (1) through Sutro, utilizing an existing or new se curities
brokerage account with a Sutro account executive, or (2) directly through JHIS.
Orders to purchase shares do not become effective until receipt of "Federal
Funds" (monies credited to JHIS's account with its registered Federal Reserve
Bank) by JHIS. Whether you purchase shares through Sutro or directly through
JHIS, certificates for shares will not be issued.
7
<PAGE>
There is no minimum amount for initial or subsequent investment in
connection with purchases through the automatic "sweep" program (described
below) sponsored by Sutro. Where a bank, investment adviser or similar
institution has a large number of accounts and is willing to receive a monthly
summa ry of accounts in lieu of the regular statement for each account under its
control, the minimum amount for initial investments by individual accounts
covered by the summary of accounts is reduced to $100. All payments will be
invested in full and fractional shares.
PURCHASES BY CLIENTS OF SUTRO
Purchase Through Sutro. If you have a brokerage account with Sutro, and
have not elected the automatic "sweep" program described below, you may purchase
the Fund's shares through your account executive. In order to purchase through
your account, your account must have a free credit balance (i.e. immediately
available funds). See "Sweep Program" below. If a properly completed order to
purchase Fund shares is received at any Sutro office after 12:00 noon New York
time and paid utilizing a free credit balance available on a brokerage account,
Sutro will transfer Federal Funds to the Fund an d your order will be executed
on the next business day and dividends on such shares will begin on that day.
Accordingly, Sutro may benefit from the use of free credit balances in your
account prior to their transfer to the Fund.
Sutro will receive statements and dividends directly from the Fund and will
in turn provide you with account statements reflecting the Fund's purchases,
redemptions and dividend payments.
"Sweep" Program. You may also purchase the Fund's shares by participating
in the "sweep" program sponsored by Sutro in which any free credit balance (in
available funds) of any amount in your brokerage account is invested in the Fund
automatically no less frequently than weekly. Under the terms of this program,
you may have your free credit balance invested in shares of the Fund. Free
credit balances (in available funds) of $2,000 or more will be invested in
shares of the Fund automatically on the next business day and dividends on such
shares will begin on that day. Automatic purchases using free credit balances of
less than $2,000 will be made weekly, generally on Monday (or the next business
day if any Monday is a holiday) of each week based upon the free credit balance
in the account at the close of business on the preceding Friday. Unless you have
elected cash dividends, divi dends on your shares in the Fund will be
automatically reinvested in shares monthly. Redemptions will be effected
automatically to satisfy debit balances in your brokerage account created by
activity therein. Each brokerage account will be scanned automatically for
debits each business day as of th e close of business on that day and, after
application of any free credit cash balances in the account to such debits, a
sufficient number of shares of the Fund owned by you will be redeemed at 12:00
noon the following business day to satisfy any remaining debits in the brokerage
account. Sutro may benefit from the use of free credit balances in your account
prior to their transfer to the Fund.
If you wish additional information concerning the "sweep" program, please
call your account executive.
8
<PAGE>
OTHER INVESTORS -- PURCHASE BY CHECK OR WIRE
Purchase by Mail. On an initial purchase, complete the Purchase Application
included in this Prospectus, indicating each of the services to be used, and
mail it, together with a check written against a U.S. bank and payable to
Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund, to:
John Hancock Investor Services Corp.
Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund
Attention: Dealer Services
P.O. Box 9102
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9102
Subsequent purchases of $100 or more may also be made through JHIS by
forwarding payment, together with the detachable stub from your account
statement or a letter containing your account number. When you pay by check,
your order for additional shares of the Fund will be executed at the price next
determined after Federal Funds become immediately available to the Fund. Federal
Funds normally do not become available to the Fund when payment is by check
until two business days or more after the check is deposited. Checks drawn on
banks which are not members of the Federal Reserve System may ta ke longer to be
converted into Federal Funds. When you purchase shares by check, the Fund can
hold payment on redemptions until it is reasonably satisfied that the investment
has been collected (which can take up to ten days).
Purchase by Wire Transfer. You may also purchase shares of the Fund through
JHIS by means of a wire order. Please call JHIS toll free at (800) 257-3336 for
instructions. You should then give instructions to your wiring bank to transmit
the specified amount in Federal Funds to: FirstSignature Bank & Trust,
Portsmouth, New Hampshire -- Freedom Group of Money Funds, Attention: Freedom
California Tax Exempt Money Fund, ABA#211475000, specifying on the wire your
account number and your name.
If you transfer Federal Funds by wire in this manner, the transfer may be
subject to a service charge by your bank. If notice from your bank of the wire
transfer is received by JHIS before 12:00 noon New York time, your order will be
executed at 12:00 noon New York time on that day. If notice from your bank of
the wire transfer is received by JHIS after 12:00 noon New York time, your order
will be executed at 12:00 noon New York time on the next business day.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
GENERAL
Redemption orders are effected at the net asset value next determined after
receipt of the order by JHIS. For your convenience, and so that you can continue
earning daily dividends for as long as possible, the Fund has established
several different redemption procedures described below. SHOULD THE REDEMPTION
INCLUDE SHARES PURCHASED BY CHECK, PAYMENT MAY BE DELAYED FOR UP TO TEN DAYS
AFTER THE PURCHASE IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE PURCHASE CHECK TO CLEAR. A redemption
of shares purchased by wire will not be subject to this period of delay.
9
<PAGE>
Shares of the Fund may be redeemed in several ways: (1) shares purchased
through a Sutro brokerage account can be redeemed by placing a redemption order
with your account executive or by check redemption, and (2) shares purchased
directly may be redeemed by mail, by expedited redemption (i.e., wire redemption
if you have elected this option on your Purchase Application) or by check
redemption.
REDEMPTION THROUGH YOUR SUTRO BROKERAGE ACCOUNT
In order to redeem shares purchased through a Sutro brokerage account, you
should advise your account executive, by telephone or mail, to execute the
redemption. If a properly completed order to redeem Fund shares is received by a
Sutro office after 12:00 noon New York time, your order will be forw arded to
the Fund and will be executed on the following business day. Redemption proceeds
will be held in your brokerage account unless you give instructions to your
account executive to reinvest or remit the proceeds to you. Generally,
redemption proceeds will not be invested for your benefit with out specific
instruction, and Sutro may benefit from the use of temporarily uninvested funds.
DIRECT REDEMPTION
Redemptions by mail and expedited redemptions are not available for shares
purchased through a Sutro brokerage account. Any such redemption requests
received by JHIS will be forwarded to the appropriate Sutro account executive
who will process them as described above.
Redemption by Mail. You may redeem shares by mail. Payment of the
redemption proceeds will ordinarily be made within seven days after the request
for redemption is received in "good order" at the net asset value next
determined. If you send your redemption order to JHIS by mail, you must assume r
esponsibility for assuring that the request for redemption is received in "good
order". "Good order" means that the request must be accompanied by the
following:
(a) A letter of instruction specifying the number of shares or amount
of investment to be redeemed (or that all shares credited to a Fund account
be redeemed), signed by all registered owners of the shares in the exact
names in which they were registered;
(b) For a redemption order over $25,000, or for any amount if the
proceeds are to be sent elsewhere than the address of record, a guarantee
of the signature of each registered owner by a commercial bank which is a
member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, a trust company or a
member of a recognized stock exchange (a signature guarantee by a savings
bank or notarization by a notary public are not acceptable); and
(c) Additional legal documents concerning authority and related
matters in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships, custodianships,
partnerships and corporations.
All proceeds from redemption are mailed to your address of record. If you
are uncertain as to the requirements for redemption, please call JHIS toll free
at (800) 257-3336. All redemption requests by mail should be mailed to:
John Hancock Investor Services Corp.
Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund
Attention: Dealer Services
P.O. Box 9102
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9102
10
<PAGE>
Expedited Redemptions. If you have elected the expedited redemption option
on the Purchase Application on file with JHIS and wish to redeem $5,000 or more
from the Fund, you may request that payment be made in Federal Funds.
Shareholders may place orders for expedited redemption with JHIS without a
signature guarantee and have the proceeds sent by wire to a bank or trust
company account previously designated in writing. Please call JHIS toll free at
(800) 257-3336 for instructions. If the expedited redemption order is received
by JHIS's Boston office prior to 12:00 noon New York time on a da y on which the
New York Stock Exchange is open, payment will be wired to your bank on the same
business day, provided that it is a member of the Federal Reserve System and
that the federal wire system is open. However, if your bank is not a member of
the Federal Reserve System, Federal Funds may no t reach your bank until the
next business day. If the redemption order is received after 12:00 noon New York
time, the redemption will be executed and payment will be wired in Federal Funds
on the next business day.
CHECK REDEMPTIONS
You can redeem shares by writing checks drawn on State Street payable in
any amount. In order to redeem shares by writing a check, you must complete a
Purchase Application electing the checkwriting feature and return it either to
your investment executive if you have a brokerage account or directly to JHIS if
you do not have a brokerage account. If you have elected the checkwriting
service on the Purchase Application on file with JHIS, you will be provided with
an initial order of checks free of charge. You may write checks payable to the
order of any person (including any corporation, bank, trust, etc.) in any
amount. When your check is presented for payment, JHIS as transfer agent will
cause the Fund to redeem a sufficient number of shares to cover the amount of
the check. This procedure entitles you to continue receiving dividends on those
shares equal to the amount of the check un til such time as the check is
presented to JHIS for payment. If you do not own sufficient shares of the Fund
to cover a check, the check will be returned to the payee marked "insufficient
funds." Should the redemption include shares purchased by check, payment may be
delayed for up to ten days af ter the purchase in order to allow the purchase
check to clear. A redemption of shares purchased by wire will not be subject to
this period of delay. As the aggregate amount owned by a shareholder may change
each day, you should not attempt to redeem all shares held in your account by
using the che ck redemption procedure. Cancelled checks will be returned to
shareholders monthly. For information on account statements, see "Shareholder
Services."
The Fund reserves the right to terminate or alter the check writing service
at any time after giving shareholders 30 days' written notice. Your shareholder
account will be charged $20.00 for each stop payment order or check returned for
"insufficient funds."
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REDEMPTION
Because the Fund incurs fixed costs in maintaining shareholder accounts,
the Fund reserves the right to involuntarily redeem shareholder accounts which
have less than $500 in them as of the end of any month. If the Fund elects to
redeem such accounts, it will notify the shareholders of its
11
<PAGE>
intention to do so and provide those shareholders with an opportunity to
increase their accounts by investing a sufficient amount to bring their accounts
up to $500 or more within 30 days of the notice. The Fund will not redeem
accounts which fall below $500 as a result of reduction in net asset value per
share.
FREEDOM ASSET ACCOUNT
The Freedom Asset Account provides an alternative method for investing in
shares of the Fund in conjunction with a program of four financial services: (1)
a Sutro securities margin account ("securities account"); (2) one of the Freedom
Family of Money Market Funds; (3) a check writing facility on an account
maintained at Provident National Bank ("Provident"); and (4) a Visa Gold|Pr Card
with ATM access from PNC National Bank ("PNC", an affiliate of Provident).
To participate in the Freedom Asset Account, an investor must place in a
securities account, cash, marketable securities or a combination of the two
having a gross market value of no less than $20,000 and must meet credit
criteria established by PNC. All customary transactional fees incurred in use of
a securities account must be paid by the participant, including brokerage fees
for securities transactions and interest on margin loans, if any.
THIS SECTION IS ONLY A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FREEDOM ASSET ACCOUNT AND
ITS RELATION TO THE FUND AND DOES NOT DESCRIBE ALL OF THE FEATURES OF THE
FREEDOM ASSET ACCOUNT. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION AND REVIEW CAREFULLY THE JOHN HANCOCK CLEARING CORPORATION FREEDOM
ASSET ACCOUNT AGREEMENT.
PRICING OF OUR SHARES
The net asset value per share of the Fund for the purpose of pricing orders
for the purchase and redemption of shares is determined daily as of 12:00 noon
New York time, Monday through Friday, exclusive of national business holidays.
Purchase or redemption orders accepted by JHIS prior to 12:00 noo n New York
time will be priced at 12:00 noon New York time that day. Purchase or redemption
orders accepted by JHIS subsequent to 12:00 noon New York time will be priced at
12:00 noon New York time the next day that net asset value is computed. Net
asset value per share is computed by taking the va lue of all assets of the
Fund, less liabilities, and dividing by the number of shares of the Fund
outstanding. To determine the value of the assets of the Fund for the purpose of
obtaining the net asset value, portfolio securities are valued at amortized
cost, as described below, and interest is ac crued daily.
Amortized cost valuation involves valuing a security at its cost and adding
or subtracting, ratably to maturity, any discount or premium, regardless of the
impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the security. Under
the amortized cost method of valuation, neither the amount of d aily income nor
net asset value is affected by any unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
the portfolio. As a result, in periods of declining interest rates, the
indicated daily yield on a portfolio valued by amortized cost will be higher
than on a portfolio valued by market prices.
12
<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS
Dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly on
or about the fifteenth day of the following month. Dividend payments include all
dividends declared during the prior month and not previously paid. You will
receive dividends automatically in additional shares at net asset value, or you
may elect to receive cash. Redemption payments for the entire account value will
include all unpaid dividends.
Purchase orders which are received together with Federal Funds prior to
12:00 noon New York time will receive the dividend declared that day, and
redemption orders effected prior to 12:00 noon New York time will not receive
that day's dividend.
CURRENT YIELD
From time to time, the Fund may quote its yield in advertisements or in
reports to shareholders. Performance information ratings as reported in national
financial publications such as Donoghue's Money Fund Report, a widely recognized
independent publication that monitors the performance of money ma rket funds,
may also be used in comparing the performance of the Fund to other money market
funds with similar investment objectives. The Fund calculates its annualized
simple and compound yields based on a seven-day period. Since net investment
income of the Fund changes in response to fluctuation s in interest rates and
Fund expenses, any given yield quotation should not be considered representative
of the Fund's yield for any future period. CURRENT YIELD INFORMATION FOR THE
FUND MAY BE OBTAINED BY CALLING TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-453-8206.
TAXES
The Fund intends to qualify for tax treatment as a "regulated investment
company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code") and applicable California law so as to be able to pay dividends
which will be exempt from federal and California personal income tax es.
Distributions of net short-term capital gains, if any, or any dividends from
taxable net investment income are taxable as ordinary dividends, whether
received in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Distributions of long-term
capital gains, if any, are taxable as such regardless of how long shares of the
Fund are held and whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund. In general, such taxable income distributions from the Fund are expected
to be negligible in comparison with tax exempt dividends. However, under unusual
circumstances, the Fund may invest in secur ities other than California
Municipal Securities. In such cases, a portion of the Fund's income may be
subject to California personal income taxes, federal income taxes, or both. For
corporate investors, dividends are not excludable in computing California
franchise or corporate income tax.
The Fund will inform you of the amount and nature of its distributions
annually. The Fund is required by federal law to withhold 31% of reportable
payments (which may include dividends, capital gains distributions and
redemptions) paid to certain accounts whose owners have not complied with IRS
reg ulations. In connection with this withholding requirement, you will be asked
to certify on your account application that the social security or taxpayer
identification number you provide is correct and that you are not subject to 31%
backup withholding for previous underreporting to the IRS.
13
<PAGE>
The table below shows California taxpayers what an investor would have to
earn from a comparable taxable investment to equal the Fund's double tax-free
yield.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HYPOTHETICAL
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT
1996 TAXABLE INCOME* COMBINED CALIFORNIA MONEY FUND YIELD OF
- ----------------------------------- AND FEDERAL MARGINAL -----------------------------
SINGLE RETURN*** JOINT RETURN INCOME BRACKET** 2% 3% 4% 5%
---------------- ------------ ---------------- -- -- -- --
EQUIVALENT TAXABLE YIELD
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$1-4,831 $1-9,662 15.85% 2.38% 3.57% 4.75% 5.94%
$4,832-11,449 $9,663-22,898 16.70% 2.40% 3.60% 4.80% 6.00%
$11,450-18,068 $22,899-36,136 18.40% 2.45% 3.68% 4.90% 6.13%
$18,069-24,000 $36,137-40,100 20.10% 2.50% 3.75% 5.01% 6.26%
$24,001-25,083 $40,101-50,166 32.32% 2.96% 4.43% 5.91% 7.39%
$25,084-31,700 $50,167-63,400 33.76% 3.02% 4.53% 6.04% 7.55%
$31,701-58,150 $63,401-96,900 34.70% 3.06% 4.59% 6.13% 7.66%
$58,151-109,936 $96,901-147,700 37.42% 3.20% 4.79% 6.39% 7.99%
$109,937-121,300 37.90% 3.22% 4.83% 6.44% 8.05%
$147,701-219,872 41.95% 3.45% 5.17% 6.89% 8.61%
$121,300-219,872 $219,873-263,750 42.40% 3.47% 5.21% 6.94% 8.68%
$219,873-263,750 43.04% 3.51% 5.27% 7.02% 8.78%
$263,751-439,744 45.64% 3.68% 5.52% 7.36% 9.20%
Over $263,750 Over $439,744 46.24% 3.72% 5.58% 7.44% 9.30%
- ---------------
</TABLE>
* Net amount subject to federal income tax after deductions and exemptions.
** This table is a combination of the 1996 federal and the 1995 California
taxable income brackets which are adjusted annually for inflation.
California will announce its inflation adjusted tax rates after May of 1996
and is scheduled to reduce its top marginal rate to 9.3%. Thus the above
tax brac kets are based on the most recent information available, are
subject to change, and should not be relied upon. The above table does not
apply to corporate investors. To implement the phase-out of personal
exemption deductions for single taxpayers having 1996 adjusted gross
taxable income of more th an $117,950 (estimated) and married taxpayers
(filing jointly) having 1996 adjusted gross taxable income of more than
$176,950 (estimated), the exemption deduction is reduced by two percent for
each $2,550 (estimated) by which adjusted gross income exceeds the
threshold amount. For taxpayers filing a joint return having adjusted gross
income of more than $117,950 (estimated) or married taxpayers filing
separate returns having adjusted gross income of $58,975 (estimated),
certain allowable itemized deductions are reduced. These adjustments may
result in combined marginal tax rates greater tha n those indicated. In
addition, for investors who pay alternative minimum tax, tax-free yields
may be equivalent to lower yields then those shown above.
*** Other than surviving spouses, heads of households and married filing
separately.
Of course, there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve any specific
tax exempt yield. While it is expected that the Fund will invest principally in
California Municipal Securities, other income received by the Fund may be
taxable. The table does not take into account any state or local taxes p ayable
on Fund distributions except for California personal income tax.
14
<PAGE>
OUR ORGANIZATION AND SHARES
Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund is a separate series of Freedom
Group of Tax Exempt Funds, an open-end management investment company organized
as a Massachusetts business trust on June 1, 1982. The Board of Trustees
supervises our activities and reviews our contractual arrangements with co
mpanies that provide us with services. We reserve the right to create and issue
a number of series of shares, or funds, which are separately managed and have
different investment objectives. The Fund has the right to invest all of its
assets in the securities of a single open-end management investm ent company
with substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, policies and
limitations as the Fund, although the management of the Fund currently has no
intention to do so. Each share of the Fund has equal dividend, redemption and
liquidation rights and when issued is fully paid and no nassessable. On any
matter submitted to the shareholders, the holder of each Fund share is entitled
to one vote per share regardless of the net asset value thereof (with
proportionate voting for fractional shares).
Under the Trust's Master Trust Agreement, no annual or regular meeting of
shareholders is required. Thus, there will ordinarily be no shareholder meetings
unless required by the Investment Company Act of 1940. The shareholders of the
Trust elected a Board of Trustees at a meeting held on December 2 , 1993.
Thereafter, the Trustees are a self-perpetuating body until fewer than 50% of
the Trustees serving as such are trustees who were elected by shareholders. At
that time, another meeting of shareholders will be called to elect Trustees.
Under the Trust's Master Trust Agreement, any Trustee may be removed by vote of
two-thirds of the outstanding trust shares and holders of ten percent or more of
the outstanding shares of each Trust can require Trustees to call a meeting of
shareholders for purposes of voting on the removal of one or more Trustees.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable as "partners" for its obligations.
However, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself was
unable to meet its obligations, a possibility which the Adviser believes is
remote.
OUR MANAGEMENT
The Board of Trustees and officers provide broad supervision over the
affairs of the Fund.
Adviser
The Fund's Adviser, Freedom Capital Management Corporation, One Beacon
Street, Boston, Massachusetts provides the Fund with overall investment advisory
and administrative services, as well as general office facilities pursuant to an
advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement"). As compensation f or its
services, under the Advisory Agreement the Adviser receives a fee computed and
paid monthly based upon the average daily net asset value of the Fund, at the
annual rate of one-half of one percent (0.50%) on the first $500 million of
average net assets and forty-five hundredths of one percent (0.45%) on average
daily net assets in excess of that amount.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement
are paid by the Fund. These include, but are not limited to, taxes, legal,
transfer agent, custodian and auditing fees and printing and other expenses
related to the Fund's operations. Total expenses for the Fund for the yea r
ended December 31, 1995, reflected as an annualized percentage of the Fund's
average net assets, were .47%.
15
<PAGE>
The Adviser is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of John Hancock Mutual
Life Insurance Company ("John Hancock"). John Hancock is a major mutual life
insurance company with subsidiaries which offer property and casualty insurance
and another subsidiary which manages investment companies. John H ancock's head
offices are at John Hancock Place, Boston, Massachusetts. Freedom Distributors
Corporation, a registered broker-dealer which acts as a Distributor with respect
to the Fund's shares, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and an
indirect subsidiary of John Hancock. Sutro, a brokerage firm which is a member
of the New York Stock Exchange and a Distributor of the Fund's shares, is also
an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of John Hancock.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
You will receive a statement of account each time shares are purchased or
redeemed and a report not less frequently than quarterly from JHIS or monthly
from Sutro, showing the activity in your account.
Shares are maintained by the Fund on its register maintained by JHIS, and
the holders thereof will have the same rights and ownership with respect to such
shares as if certificates had been issued.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged without charge for shares of the
following money market funds in the Freedom Group of Money Funds:
o Freedom Cash Management Fund -- A money market fund investing in a
diversified portfolio of high-grade money market instruments.
o Freedom Government Securities Fund -- A money market fund investing
exclusively in obligations issued or guaranteed as to both principal and
interest by the U.S. Government and its agencies or instrumentalities.
o Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund -- A money market fund investing in a
diversified portfolio of high quality short-term municipal securities,
the income of which is exempt from federal income tax.
Exchanges are subject to a minimum investment requirement of $1,000, with
subsequent exchanges permitted in amounts of $100 or more. Any such exchange is
made on the basis of the net asset value per share of the Fund on the date the
exchange request is received.
IF YOU HAVE A BROKERAGE ACCOUNT WITH SUTRO, YOU MUST PLACE EXCHANGE ORDERS
THROUGH YOUR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ACCOUNT WITH SUTRO, YOU
MAY MAKE AN EXCHANGE IN WRITING OR BY TELEPHONE. Exchanges of shares can be made
by writing John Hancock Investor Services Corp., Freedom Group of Money Funds,
Attention: Freedom Funds, Attention: Dealer Services, P.O. Box 9102, Boston,
Massachusetts 02205-9102. If you do not have a brokerage account with
16
<PAGE>
Sutro, you also have the automatic privilege of exchanging your shares by
telephone. To place a telephone exchange request, call JHIS at ( 800) 257-3336.
JHIS employs the following procedures to confirm that instructions received by
telephone are genuine. Your name, the account number, taxpayer identification
number applicable to the account and other relevant information may be
requested. Telephone instructions are recorded. If reaso nable procedures, such
as those described above, are not followed, the Fund may be liable for any loss
due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. In all other cases, neither the
Fund nor JHIS will be liable for any loss or expense for acting upon telephone
instructions made in accordance with the telephone transaction procedures
described above. During times of drastic economic or market conditions, the
telephone exchange privilege may be difficult to implement because of busy
telephone lines. In such times, you may prefer to submit your exchange requests
by express mail c/o the Fund to : John Hancock Investor Services Corp., 101
Huntington Avenue, Attention: Dealer Services, Boston MA 02205-9102, Attention:
Freedom Group of Money Funds. Telephone and written exchange requests must be
received by 4:00 p.m. New York time on a Fund business day to be effective that
day. An exchange can be made only between accounts that are registered in the
same name. The Fund reserves the right to reject any exchange request and to
modify or terminate the exchange privilege at any time upon sixty (60) days'
notice to shareholders. You should carefully review the Prospectus describing
the Fu nd or Funds into which your exchange is being made prior to making your
exchange.
BANK INVESTING PLAN AND SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
Please call (800) 257-3336 for more information concerning these plans.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FUND
For further information about the Fund, please contact your Sutro account
executive or call JHIS toll-free at (800) 257-3336.
TRANSFER AGENT, CUSTODIAN AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
John Hancock Investor Services Corp. ("JHIS") acts as transfer and
shareholder services agent for the Fund. JHIS is an indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company. State Street Bank and
Trust Company holds all cash and securities of the Fund.
John Hancock Clearing Corporation ("JHCC"), under the terms of a Service
Agreement with the Fund, provides many of the shareholder services (such as
providing monthly account statements and processing purchase and sale orders)
for shareholders who hold shares of the Fund through their brokerage a ccounts
at Sutro. JHCC receives from the Fund an annual fee of $10.50 per account in
payment for the shareholder services it provides. Transfer agent charges from
JHIS are reduced for those Sutro shareholder accounts that are held through a
brokerage account with JHCC.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Price Waterhouse LLP, 160 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 acts
as the independent accountants for the Fund.
17
<PAGE>
The financial statements of the Fund for the year ended December 31, 1995
appear on pages 19 through 26.
This Prospectus does not contain all the information included in the
Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the securities offered hereby,
certain portions of which have been omitted pursuant to the rules and regulat
ions of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Registration Statement
including the exhibits filed herewith may be examined at the office of the
Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract
or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each
instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a
part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
18
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholders and Trustees of
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
(A Series of Freedom Group of Tax Exempt Funds)
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities,
including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations
and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights appearing on page 3 of
the Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the financi al position
of the Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund (the "Fund") at December 31,
1995, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and the
financial highlights for the periods indicated, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles. These financial statemen ts and financial
highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the
responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our
audits of these financial statements in accordance with ge nerally accepted
auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financia l statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 1995 by
correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis for the opinion
expressed above.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 7, 1996
19
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT DESCRIPTION VALUE
------ ----------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
SHORT TERM MUNICIPAL
SECURITIES -- 97.8%
$1,290,000 Alameda County Mortgage
VRD Notes (Quail Run
Apts.) (FNMA-Insured)
5.00% 1-03-96 $ 1,290,000
California Dept. of Water
Resources (Canadian
Imperial Bank of
Commerce LOC)
700,000 4.80% 1-03-96 700,000
3,600,000 4.90% 1-03-96 3,600,000
2,000,000 California School Cash
Reserve Program 95
Series A (MBIA Insured)
4.75% 7-03-96 2,009,685
2,000,000 California Statewide Com-
munities Development
Authority (FNMA Insured)
4.70% 1-03-96 2,000,000
1,000,000 California HFA Revenue
Bonds Series B (Catholic
West) (MBIA-Insured/
Morgan Guaranty LOC
4.85% 1-03-96 1,000,000
1,000,000 California HFA Revenue
Bonds Series B (Catholic
West) (MBIA-Insured/
Rabobank LOC) 4.85%
1-03-96 1,000,000
2,100,000 California HFA Revenue
Bonds Series C (Catholic
West)(MBIA-Insured/
Morgan Guaranty LOC)
4.85% 1-03-96 2,100,000
2,420,000 California HFA Revenue
Bonds (Health Dimen-
sions) (Bank of America
LOC) 3.50% 2-01-96 2,420,000
1,000,000 California HFA Revenue
Bonds (Kaiser Permanente)
4.90% 1-03-96 1,000,000
500,000 California HFA Revenue
Bonds (Pooled Loan Pro-
gram) Series 90A (Swiss
Bank LOC) 4.95% 1-03-96 500,000
California PCFA Revenue
Bonds (Pacific Gas & Elec-
tric) (Credit Suisse LOC)
$2,000,000 3.65% 1-08-96 $ 2,000,000
1,400,000 3.65% 1-12-96 1,400,000
800,000 3.60% 1-18-96 800,000
1,000,000 California PCFA Revenue
Bonds (San Diego Gas &
Electric) 4.00% 9-01-96 1,000,000
California PCFA Revenue
Bonds (Southern California
Edison Company)
1,350,000 3.80% 1-10-96 1,350,000
1,600,000 3.90% 1-16-96 1,600,000
2,000,000 3.60% 2-02-96 2,000,000
4,000,000 California Revenue Anticipa-
tion Warrants Series C
(14 LOC Banks) 5.75%
4-25-96 4,023,778
2,000,000 City of Santa Clara Electric
Revenue (National
Westminster LOC) 4.90%
1-03-96 2,000,000
1,750,000 Contra Costa County TRANS
4.50% 7-03-96 1,757,210
1,300,000 Contra Costa Transportation
Authority Series 93A
(FGIC Insured) 4.90%
1-03-96 1,300,000
1,000,000 County of Sacramento
MFHA Revenue Bonds
Series 90A (Grouse Run)
(Bank of America LOC)
4.80% 1-04-96 1,000,000
1,300,000 Duarte Redevelopment
Agency Series A (Bank of
America LOC) 4.90%
1-04-96 1,300,000
4,200,000 Foothill/Eastern Transporta-
tion Agency Series 95B
(Morgan Guaranty LOC)
4.75% 1-04-96 4,200,000
2,450,000 Independent Cities VRD
Notes (National Westmin-
ster LOC) 4.90% 1-03-96 2,450,000
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
20
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
INVESTMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT DESCRIPTION VALUE
------ ----------- -----
<S> <C> <C>
$3,300,000 Irvine Ranch Water District
Revenue Bonds (Bank of
America LOC) 6.00%
1-02-96 $ 3,300,000
3,100,000 Los Angeles County IDA,
VRD Revenue Bonds
(Hon Industries Project)
(Morgan Guaranty LOC)
4.75% 1-03-96 3,100,000
4,000,000 Los Angeles County MTA
(Swiss Bank LOC) 5.00%
4-25-96 4,009,276
Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transit
Authority (5 LOC Banks)
500,000 3.60% 1-18-96 500,000
1,500,000 3.70% 2-09-96 1,500,000
1,500,000 3.70% 2-16-96 1,500,000
1,000,000 Los Angeles Regional
Airport (Wachovia LOC)
6.00% 1-02-96 1,000,000
3,000,000 Los Angeles Regional
Airport (Societe Generale
LOC) 6.00% 1-02-96 3,000,000
3,000,000 Los Angeles USD TRANS
Series 95-96 4.50%
7-03-96 3,010,904
3,300,000 Mountainview Housing
Authority VRD Notes
(Villa Mariposa Project)
(FGIC-SPI) 5.00% 1-04-96 3,300,000
1,800,000 Palm Springs Community
Redevelopment Agency
(Citibank LOC) 4.80%
1-03-96 1,800,000
Sacramento Municipal Utili-
ties District VRD Notes
(Bayerische Landesbank
Girocentrale LOC)
1,400,000 3.40% 1-29-96 1,400,000
2,000,000 3.55% 2-06-96 2,000,000
4,000,000 Santa Clara County MFHA
(Foxchase Apts.) (FGIC-SPI
Insured) 5.00% 1-04-96 4,000,000
500,000 San Jose MFHA (Fairway
Glen Apts.) Series 85A
(FGIC-SPI Insured) 5.00%
1-04-96 500,000
300,000 San Jose MFHA (Foxchase
Apts.)(FGIC-SPI Insured)
5.00% 1-04-96 300,000
850,000 Tuolunme Board of
Education TRANS 4.50%
6-28-96 851,996
2,485,000 Vallejo County Housing
Authority VRD Notes
(FNMA Insured) 5.00%
1-03-96 2,485,000
-----------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS -- 97.8% $83,357,849(a)
-----------
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net -- 2.2% 1,846,635
-----------
TOTAL NET ASSETS -- 100.0% $85,204,484
===========
</TABLE>
Legend:
FNMA -- Federal National Mortgage Association
HFA -- Health Facilities Authority
LOC -- Letter of Credit
MFHA -- Multifamily Housing Authority
MTA -- Metropolitan Transportation Authority
PCFA -- Pollution Control Finance Authority
TRANS -- Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
USD -- Unified School District
VRD -- Variable Rate Demand
Insurance Abbreviations:
FGIC -- Federal Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FGIC-SPI -- Federal Guaranty Insurance Corporation-
Securities Purchased Inc.
MBIA -- Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
Maturity dates for many bonds and notes represent the next scheduled date at
which the interest rate may be adjusted or a "demand" or "put" feature may be
exercised.
- --------------
(a) Cost for tax purposes is the same.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
21
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 1995
ASSETS
Investments, at amortized cost $83,357,84
Cash 685,010
Receivable for Fund shares sold 628,127
Interest receivable 663,915
Prepaid expenses 5,385
----------
85,340,286
----------
LIABILITIES
Payable for Fund shares redeemed 58,359
Dividends payable 27,235
Accrued expenses:
Investment adviser's fee 25,074
Shareholder servicing fee 5,871
Trustees' fee 5,752
Other 13,511
-----------
135,802
-----------
NET ASSETS $85,204,484
===========
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Capital paid in $85,202,276
Accumulated net realized gain 2,208
-----------
$85,204,484
===========
SHARES ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING (UNLIMITED SHARES AUTHORIZED) 85,202,276
-----------
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE $ 1.00
===========
See Notes to Financial Statements.
22
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
December 31, 1995
INTEREST INCOME $3,233,011
----------
EXPENSES:
Investment adviser's fee 434,998
Transfer agent & shareholder services 44,465
Custodian 2,129
Compensation of Trustees 15,670
Audit 11,870
Legal 10,975
Printing, postage and stationery 19,980
Membership dues 3,597
Registration expense 2,985
Amortization of organization expenses 5,764
Insurance expense 4,229
Other 1,825
----------
Total Expenses 558,487
Less: fees waived by adviser (152,510)
----------
405,977
----------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $2,827,034
==========
See Notes to Financial Statements.
23
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, 1995 December 31, 1994
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income $ 2,827,034 $ 1,868,045
Dividends to shareholders (2,827,034) (1,868,045)
------------ ------------
-- --
------------ ------------
FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:
(At Net Asset Value of $1 per share)
Proceeds from sale of shares 304,441,189 237,239,534
Net asset value of shares issued to
shareholders in reinvestment
of dividends 2,768,062 1,822,138
Cost of shares redeemed (294,663,687) (256,881,636)
------------ ------------
Increase/(decrease) in net
assets derived from
capital share transactions 12,545,564 (17,819,964)
------------ ------------
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets 12,545,564 (17,819,964)
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period 72,658,920 90,478,884
------------ ------------
End of period $ 85,204,484 $ 72,658,920
============ ============
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS PER SHARE $ 0.0325 $ 0.0228
============ ============
See Notes to Financial Statements.
24
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
(A Series of Freedom Group of Tax Exempt Funds)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES. The Freedom Group of Tax Exempt Funds (the
"Trust") is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management company. The
Agreement and Declaration of Trust permits the issuance of an unlimited number
of shares of beneficial interest in separate series, with shares of each series
representing interests in a separate portfolio of assets and operating as a
separate distinct fund. The Trust consists of two series: the Freedom California
Tax Exempt Money Fund (the "Fund") and the Freedom Tax Exem pt Money Fund. The
financial statements of the Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund are included in a
separate annual report for that Fund.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by
the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting p
rinciples requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
Security Valuation and Transactions. The Fund values its portfolio
securities utilizing the amortized cost valuation method. This method involves
valuing a portfolio security at its cost and thereafter assuming a constant
amortization to maturity of any discount or premium. Cost is determined and g
ains and losses are based upon the specific identification method for both
financial statement and federal income tax purposes. Investment securities
transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued basis. Payment
and delivery may take place more than a week after the date of the transaction.
The price that will be paid for the underlying securities is fixed at the time
the transaction is negotiated.
Expenses. The majority of the expenses of the Trust are directly
identifiable to an individual fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable
as belonging to a specific fund are allocated in such manner as deemed equitable
by the Trustees, taking into consideration, among other things, the natur e and
type of expense and the relative size of the funds. Organization expenses have
been capitalized by the Fund and amortized on a straight-line basis over a 60
month period from the commencement of operations.
Trustees' fees of $6,000 per year, plus $250 per meeting of the Board of
Trustees and $350 per meeting of any committee thereof, are paid by the Trust to
each Trustee who is not an interested person of the Trust. No remuneration is
paid by the Trust to any Trustee or officer of the Trust who is aff iliated with
Freedom Capital Management Corporation, the Trust's adviser.
The Trust has entered into an insurance agreement with ICI Mutual Insurance
Company, under which the Trust pays both an annual insurance premium and a
one-time reserve premium, and is committed to provide additional funds of up to
300% of its initial annual premium if and when called upon.
Federal Income Tax. It is the Fund's policy to comply with the provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute all of its income to its shareholders. It is also the intention of
the Fund to make sufficient distributions to shareholders to avoid imposition of
excise tax on undistributed amounts under the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore,
no federal income or excise tax provision is required.
25
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
(A Series of Freedom Group of Tax Exempt Funds)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Interest Income and Dividends to Shareholders. Interest income is accrued
as earned. Dividends to shareholders are declared daily from net investment
income, which consists of interest accrued or discount earned (including
original issue and market discount) less amortization of premium and the est
imated expenses of the Fund applicable to the dividend period.
Other. There are certain risks arising from geographic concentration in any
state. Certain revenue or tax related events in a state may impair the ability
of certain issuers of municipal securities to pay principal and interest on
their obligations. The Fund may focus its investments in certain ind ustries. As
a result, the Fund may be subject to a greater risk than a fund that is more
fully diversified in various industries.
NOTE 2. Investment Advisory Fee and Other Related Party Transactions.
Freedom Capital Management Corporation ("FCMC") is the investment advisor of the
Trust and also furnishes the Fund with administration and other services and
office facilities in Boston. For these services and facilities, the F und pays a
monthly fee, based upon the average daily net asset value of the Fund, at the
annual rate of one half of one percent (.50%) on the first $500 million of
average daily net assets and forty-five hundredths of one percent (.45%) for
average daily net assets in excess of that amount. The Fun d itself pays no
salaries or compensation to any of its officers.
The Advisory Agreement provides that if, in any fiscal year, the total
expenses of the Fund (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions and
extraordinary items, but including the management fee) exceed the expense
limitations applicable to the Fund imposed by the securities regulations of any
state in which it is registered to sell shares, the Adviser will pay or
reimburse the Fund for that excess up to the amount of its management fee during
that fiscal year. Although there is no certainty that these limitations will be
in effect in the future, the most restrictive limitation on an an nual basis
currently applicable to the Fund is 2.5% of the first $30 million of average
daily net assets, 2.0% of the next $70 million and 1.5% of average daily net
assets over $100 million. Additionally, FCMC may voluntarily waive part or all
of its management fee for a period under the terms of t he advisory agreement.
Such waivers were provided to the Fund for the year ended December 31, 1995 and
may be discontinued at any time.
Sutro & Co. Inc. ("Sutro") and Freedom Distributors Corporation act as
distributors of the Fund's shares and receive no compensation for such services.
An affiliate of Sutro, John Hancock Clearing Corporation, received
reimbursements of $17,670 for maintaining and servicing certain shareholder ac
counts for the year ended December 31, 1995.
John Hancock Investor Services Corp. ("JHIS"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Berkeley Financial Group, an affiliate of FCMC, is transfer agent for the
Fund. JHIS received $26,795 for the year ended December 31, 1995.
NOTE 3. Purchases and sales (including maturities) of investments for the
year ended December 31, 1995 were as follows:
Purchases of investments $303,933,356
Sales of investments $291,875,000
26
<PAGE>
NO SALES OR REDEMPTION CHARGES
DISTRIBUTORS
Sutro & Co. Incorporated
201 California Street
San Francisco, California 94111
Freedom Distributors Corporation
One Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02108-3105
Telephone Toll Free
800-453-8206
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Freedom Capital Management Corporation
One Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02108-3105
TRANSFER AND SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES AGENT
John Hancock Investor
Services Corporation
P.O. Box 9102
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9102
Telephone Toll Free
800-257-3336
[Flag Logo] FREEDOM
GROUP OF MONEY FUNDS
No person has been authorized to give any information or to
make any representations not contained in this Prospectus
in connection with the offering made by this Prospectus
and, if given or made, such information, or representations
must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the
Funds or their Distributors. This Prospectus does not consti-
tute an offering by the Fund or by the Distributors in any
jurisdiction in which such offering may not lawfully be made.
F01ARR 0296 [Recycled Bug]
FREEDOM
CALIFORNIA
[Logo of Bear & Flag]
TAX EXEMPT
MONEY FUND
PROSPECTUS AND
ANNUAL REPORT
DECEMBER 31, 1995
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FREEDOM GROUP OF TAX EXEMPT FUNDS
Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund
(The "Fund")
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus but should
be read in conjunction with the Fund's Prospectus dated February 22, 1996, which
may be obtained at no charge from Freedom Distributors Corporation, One Beacon
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108. Unless otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms have the meanings given to them in the Prospectus.
The date of this Statement of Additional Information is February 22,
1996.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
<S> <C>
GENERAL INFORMATION...............................................................................................1
INVESTORS FOR WHOM THE FUND IS DESIGNED...........................................................................1
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES................................................................................2
Additional Information on California Municipal Securities................................................2
Risk Factors - California Municipal Securities...........................................................4
Special Types of California Municipal Securities.........................................................7
Temporary Taxable and Tax-Exempt Investments.............................................................8
Risk Considerations......................................................................................9
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS...........................................................................................9
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS...........................................................................................11
CURRENT YIELD....................................................................................................12
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REDEMPTION.............................................................................12
NET ASSET VALUE..................................................................................................12
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON TAXES..................................................................................13
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND...........................................................................................16
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER...........................................................................................18
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES OF THE FUND...............................................................................20
CUSTODIAN........................................................................................................20
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS.................................................................20
INFORMATION ABOUT SECURITIES RATINGS OF NATIONALLY
RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING ORGANIZATIONS ("NRSROs").....................................................21
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
GENERAL INFORMATION
Freedom Group of Tax Exempt Funds (the "Trust") is an open-end
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on
June 1, 1982. The Trust currently has two series, Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund,
a tax exempt money market fund which is described in a separate prospectus and
statement of additional information, and Freedom California Tax Exempt Money
Fund (the "Fund"). The Fund seeks to obtain as high a rate of current income
exempt from federal and State of California personal income taxes as is
consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity by
investing primarily in high-quality, short-term California Municipal Securities.
The assets received by the Fund from the issue and sale of its shares,
and all income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, subject only to the
rights of creditors, constitute the underlying assets of the Fund. The
underlying assets of the Fund are required to be segregated on the books of
account and are to be charged with the expenses in respect to the Fund and with
a share of the general expenses of the Trust. Any general expenses of the Trust
not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular Fund shall be allocated by
or under the direction of the Trustees in such manner as the Trustees determine
to be fair and equitable, taking into consideration, among other things, the
nature and type of expense and the relative sizes of the Funds.
Each share of the Fund has equal dividend, redemption and liquidation
rights with other shares of the Fund and when issued is fully paid and
nonassessable. Under the Trust's Master Trust Agreement, no annual or regular
meeting of shareholders is required. Thus, there will ordinarily be no annual
shareholder meetings, unless otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "1940 Act"). The Trust called a meeting of shareholders on December 2,
1993 at which time shareholders elected the Board of Trustees. Thereafter, the
Trustees are a self-perpetuating body until fewer than 50% of the Trustees
serving as such are Trustees who were elected by shareholders. At that time
another meeting of shareholders will be called to elect Trustees. On any matter
submitted to the shareholders for a vote, the holder of each share of the Fund
is entitled to one vote per share (with proportionate voting for fractional
shares) regardless of the relative net asset value thereof. Under the Master
Trust Agreement, any Trustee may be removed by vote of two-thirds of the
outstanding Trust shares, and holders of ten percent or more of the outstanding
shares of the Trust can require Trustees to call a meeting of shareholders for
purposes of voting on the removal of one or more Trustees. The Master Trust
Agreement also provides that if ten or more shareholders who have been such for
at least six months and who hold in the aggregate shares with a net asset value
of at least $25,000 inform the Trustees that they wish to communicate with other
shareholders, the Trustees will either give such shareholders access to the
shareholder lists or inform them of the cost involved if the Trust forwards
materials to the shareholders on their behalf. If the Trustees object to mailing
such materials, they must inform the Securities and Exchange Commission and
thereafter comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
Shares do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that in
situations in which shareholders elect Trustees, holders of more than 50% of the
shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trust's
Trustees, and the holders of less than 50% of the shares voting for the election
of Trustees will not be able to elect any person as a Trustee.
Shares have no preemptive or subscription rights and are fully
transferable. There are no conversion rights.
INVESTORS FOR WHOM THE FUND IS DESIGNED
The Fund is designed for investors who, because of their tax bracket,
would benefit from receiving income exempt from federal and California personal
income taxes. The Fund is not appropriate for retirement plans where income is
already tax-deferred.
The Fund offers the economic advantages of block purchases of
securities and diversification. Securities and instruments of the types in which
the Fund invests are not generally available in denominations of less than
$100,000, and in many cases the minimum denominations are substantially higher.
Typically, higher yields are not available
<PAGE>
unless money market instruments are bought directly from issuers in amounts of
$1,000,000 or more. The Fund also offers investors the opportunity to
participate in a more diversified selection of short-term securities than the
size of each investor's own portfolio might otherwise permit.
Investment in the Fund may also relieve the investor of several
administrative burdens usually associated with the direct purchase of money
market instruments, such as coordinating maturities and reinvestments,
safekeeping of securities, surveying the market for the best price at which to
buy and/or sell and maintaining separate principal and income records.
Furthermore, purchasers electing and complying with the procedures for expedited
redemption have the convenience, if a redemption order is received before 12:00
noon, New York time, on a business day on which the New York Stock Exchange is
open, of having the proceeds from the redemption of their shares remitted to
their bank account at a member bank of the Federal Reserve System by Federal
Funds wire for use on the same business day, provided that the federal wire
system is open. In addition, shareholders availing themselves of the Fund's
check redemption program have the convenience of making redemptions merely by
writing a check. See "How to Redeem Shares" in the Prospectus. All such
advantages, however, will be reduced to the extent of the expenses and losses of
the Fund in which you invest (including losses from portfolio transactions or
from defaults, if any, in payments of interest or principal by issuers).
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The following information supplements the discussion of the Fund's
investment objectives and policies in the Prospectus.
Additional Information on California Municipal Securities
Following purchase by the Fund, a California Municipal Security may
cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required for
purchase by the Fund. Neither event requires a sale of such security by the
Fund, although Freedom Capital Management Corporation (the "Adviser") will
consider such event to be relevant in determining whether the Fund should
continue to hold such security in its portfolio. If the rating accorded by
Moody's or S&P for California Municipal Securities changes due to changes in the
rating systems, the Fund will attempt to use comparable ratings as standards for
investments in accordance with the investment policies contained herein.
The two principal classifications of California Municipal Securities
are "municipal notes" and "municipal bonds."
Municipal Notes. Municipal notes generally are used to provide for
short-term capital needs and generally have maturities of one year or less.
Municipal notes include:
1. Tax Anticipation Notes. 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.
2. Revenue Anticipation Notes. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in
expectation of receipt of other types of revenue, such as revenues available
under federal revenue sharing programs.
3. Bond Anticipation Notes. 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.
2
<PAGE>
4. Construction Loan 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 "Fannie Mae" (the Federal National Mortgage Association) or "Ginnie Mae"
(the Government National Mortgage Association).
5. Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper. 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.
Municipal Bonds. Municipal bonds, which meet longer term capital needs
and generally have maturities of more than one year when issued, have two
principal classifications: general obligation bonds and revenue bonds.
1. General Obligation Bonds. Issuers of general obligation bonds
include 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 waste and sewer
systems. The basic security behind a general obligation bond 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.
2. Revenue Bonds. Revenue bonds fund two sorts of projects,
publicly-operated facilities ("revenue bonds") and privately-operated facilities
("industrial development bonds").
(a) Revenue Bonds. The principal security for a revenue bond is
generally the 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, waste and sewer systems; highways,
bridges and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and
hospitals. Although the principal security behind these bonds may vary, many
provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund which may
be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuer's obligations.
Housing finance 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 governmental entity's ability (without
obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.
(b) Industrial Development Bonds. Industrial development bonds, which
are considered municipal bonds if the interest paid thereon is exempt from
federal income tax, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise
money to finance various privately-operated facilities for business and
manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control. These bonds are also used
to finance privately-operated public facilities such as airports, mass transit
systems, ports, and parking. 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 so
financed as security for such payment.
There are also other types of California Municipal Securities that are,
or may become, available which are similar to the foregoing municipal notes and
municipal bonds. California Municipal Securities are sometimes supported by an
irrevocable, unconditional external agreement (normally a bank letter of credit)
from a bank whose own securities are of high quality in order to improve the
credit rating of the California Municipal Security. Such external agreement may
be issued by a foreign bank.
For the purpose of the Fund's investment restrictions set forth
beginning on page 9, the identification of the "issuer" of California Municipal
Securities which are not general obligation bonds is made by the Adviser on the
basis of the characteristics of the obligation as described above, the most
significant of which is the source of funds for the
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payment of principal and interest on such securities. In the case of industrial
development bonds, the "issuer" is the user of the facility, which is usually a
non-governmental entity.
Obligations of issuers of California Municipal Securities are subject
to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights
and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Code. In addition, the
obligations of such 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 municipalities to levy taxes. There is also the
possibility that, as a result of litigation or other conditions, the power or
ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its
California Municipal Securities may be materially affected. The Fund may invest
more than 25% of its total assets in California Municipal Securities the
interest upon which is paid from revenues of similar types of projects. There
could be economic, business or political developments which might affect all
California Municipal Securities of a similar type. However, the Fund believes
that the most important consideration affecting the credit risk is the quality
of particular issues of California Municipal Securities, rather than factors
affecting all, or broad classes of, California Municipal Securities.
Risk Factors - California Municipal Securities
Since the Fund's portfolio concentrates its investments in California
Municipal Securities, the Fund is affected by any political, economic,
regulatory or other developments which constrain the taxing and spending
authority of California issuers or otherwise affect the ability of California
issuers to pay interest or repay principal. The following information
constitutes only a brief summary of some of such developments and does not
purport to be a complete description.
Certain of the California Municipal Securities in which the Fund
invests may be obligations of issuers that rely, as a source of revenue, in
whole or in part, directly or indirectly, on ad valorem real property taxes. In
1978, state voters approved an amendment to the State Constitution known as
Proposition 13, which added Article XIIIA to the State Constitution. The effect
of Article XIIIA is to limit ad valorem taxes on real property and to restrict
the ability of taxing entities to increase real property tax revenues. In
addition, Article XIIIA provides that additional taxes may be levied by cities,
counties and special districts only upon approval of not less than a two-thirds
vote of the "qualified electors" of such city, county or district, and requires
not less than a two-thirds vote of each of the two houses of the State
Legislature to enact any changes in state taxes for the purpose of increasing
revenues, whether by increased rates or changes in methods of computation.
Certain California Municipal Securities may be obligations of
issuers which rely in whole or in part on state revenues for payment of such
obligations. After the adoption of Article XIIIA, legislation was adopted which
provided for the reallocation of property taxes and other revenues to local
public agencies, increased state aid to such agencies, and the assumption by the
state of certain obligations previously paid out of local funds. More recent
legislation has, however, reduced state assistance payments to local
governments. There can be no assurance that any particular level of state aid to
local governments will be maintained in future years.
In 1979, an amendment was passed adding Article XIIIB to the State
Constitution. As amended in 1990, Article XIIIB imposes an "appropriations
limit" on the spending authority of the state and local government entities. In
general, the appropriations limit is based on certain 1978-1979 expenditures,
adjusted annually to reflect changes in the cost of living, population and
certain services provided by state and local government entities. If a
governmental entity raises revenues beyond its "appropriations limit" in any
year, a portion of the excess which cannot be appropriated within the following
year's limit must be returned to the entity's taxpayers within the two
subsequent fiscal years, generally by a tax credit, refund, or temporary
suspension of tax rates or fee schedules. One of the exclusions from these
limitations is "debt service" (defined as "appropriations required to pay the
cost of interest and redemption charges, including the funding of any reserve or
sinking fund required in connection therewith, on
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indebtedness existing or legally authorized as of January 1, 1979 or on bonded
indebtedness thereafter approved" by the voters). During the 1986-87 fiscal
year, when excess revenues could not be carried over to the following year, the
State General Fund collected approximately $1 billion more than could be spent
under the Article XIIIB limitation. These excess revenues were returned to
taxpayers, and no assurance exists that similar excess tax collections will not
recur in the future.
In 1988 and 1990, Article XIIIB was amended to require the State
Legislature to establish a prudent state reserve, and to require the transfer of
50% of excess revenues to the State School Fund; any amounts allocated to the
State School Fund will increase the appropriations limit. It was further amended
in 1990 to exclude from the appropriations limit appropriations for qualified
capital outlay projects, certain increases in transportation-related taxes, and
certain emergency appropriations. In 1988, California voters approved an
initiative known as Proposition 98, which, in addition to amending Article
XIIIB, amended Article XVI to require a minimum level of funding for public
schools and community colleges. In 1992-93 and 1993-94, the State budget met
part of its commitment to education through $1.8 billion in off-book loans. The
legality of these loans was challenged in a lawsuit by the California Teachers
Association. A lower court in California has ruled against the State, and under
this decision the schools would not be required to repay these loans. If upheld
on appeal, the ruling would increase the State's officially recognized 1993-94
year-end deficit by $1.8 billion.
In addition to the adoption of Articles XIIIA and XIIIB, in June 1982
state voters approved initiative measures which: (1) repealed the state gift and
inheritance taxes and enacted a California death tax, and (2) reduced state
personal income tax revenues by increasing the amount by which personal income
tax brackets will be adjusted for inflation. The State Legislature has also
adopted other changes in revenue laws which reduce state tax revenues by
exempting business inventories from state personal property taxation, excluding
acquisitions of real estate to replace property transferred to a public entity
from the definition of "change of ownership" for property tax purposes, and
adopting a variety of tax credits.
In 1986, state voters approved an initiative measure known as
Proposition 62, which among other things requires that any tax for general
governmental purposes imposed by local governments be approved by a two-thirds
vote of the governmental entity's legislative body and by a majority of its
electorate, requires that any special tax (levied for other than general
governmental purposes) imposed by a local government be approved by a two-thirds
vote of its electorate, and restricts the use of revenues from a special tax to
the purposes or for the service for which the special tax was imposed. In
September 1995 the California Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of
Proposition 62, creating uncertainty as to the legality of certain local taxes
enacted by non-charter cities in California without voter approval. It is not
possible to predict the impact of the decision. In 1988, State voters approved
Proposition 87, which amended Article XVI of the State Constitution to authorize
the California Legislature to prohibit redevelopment agencies from receiving any
property tax revenues raised by increased property taxes to repay bonded
indebtedness of local governments which is not approved by voters on or after
January 1, 1989. It is not possible to predict whether the California
Legislature will enact such a prohibition, nor is it possible to predict the
impact of Proposition 87 on redevelopment agencies and their ability to make
payments on outstanding debt obligations.
In July 1991, California increased taxes by adding two new marginal tax
rates, at 10% and 11%, effective for tax years 1991 through 1995. After 1995,
the maximum personal income tax rate is scheduled to return to 9.3%, and the
alternative minimum tax rate is scheduled to drop from 8.5% to 7%. In addition,
legislation in July 1991 raised the sales tax by 1.25%, 0.5% of which was a
permanent addition to counties that was specifically earmarked to trust funds to
pay for health and welfare programs whose administration had been transferred to
such counties. This tax increase will be cancelled if a court rules that such
transfer and tax increase violate any constitutional requirements. An additional
0.5% of the sales tax rate was scheduled for termination on June 30, 1993, but
was extended by legislation through December 31, 1993. The approval of
Proposition 172 on the November 1993 ballot by the voters extended this increase
permanently.
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The application and interpretation of a number of the foregoing
provisions of the State Constitution and laws are currently and will probably
continue to be the subject of numerous lawsuits in the California courts. It is
not possible to predict the outcome of litigation or the ultimate scope and
impact of such provisions, their implementing legislation and regulations issued
by the State Board of Equalization. However, the outcome of such litigation,
legislation and regulations could substantially impact local property tax
collections and the ability of state agencies, local governments and districts
to make future payments on outstanding debt obligations.
Certain debt obligations in which the Fund invests may be payable
solely from the revenues of specific institutions, or may be secured by specific
properties, which are subject to provisions of California law that could
adversely affect the holders of such obligations. For example, the revenues of
California health care institutions may be subject to state laws, and California
laws limit the remedies of a creditor secured by a mortgage or deed of trust.
The effects of these various constitutional and statutory provisions
upon the ability of the issuers of California Municipal Securities to pay
interest and principal on their obligations remains unclear. In addition, other
measures affecting the taxing or spending authority of the state or its
political subdivisions may be enacted in the future.
California is the most populous state in the nation with a total
population at the 1990 census of 29,976,000. Growth has been incessant since
World War II, with population gains in each decade since 1950 of between 18% and
49%. During the last decade, population rose 26%. The State now comprises 12.3%
of the nation's population and 12.9% of its total personal income. Its economy
is broad and diversified with major concentrations in high technology research
and manufacturing, aerospace and defense-related manufacturing, trade, real
estate, and financial services. After experiencing strong growth throughout much
of the 1980's, the State was adversely affected by both the national recession
and the cutbacks in aerospace and defense spending which have had a severe
impact on the economy in Southern California. ln 1990, unemployment moved above
the national average for the first time in many years and has remained
significantly above the U.S. average in 1994. Although California is still
experiencing some effects of the recession, recent economic data indicate that
the State's economy grew at a modest rate in 1995 and continued growth is
expected in 1996.
These economic difficulties have exacerbated the structural budget
imbalance which has been evident since fiscal year 1985-1986. Since that time,
budget shortfalls have become increasingly more difficult to solve and the State
has recorded General Fund operating deficits in six of the past seven fiscal
years. Many of these problems have been attributable to the fact that the great
population influx has produced increased demand for education and social
services at a far greater pace than the growth in the State's tax revenues.
Despite substantial tax increases, expenditure reductions and the shift of some
expenditure responsibilities to local government, the budget condition has
remained problematic in recent years.
On August 3, 1995, the Governor signed into law a new $57.5 billion
budget which, among other things, reduces welfare payments and increases
education spending from the previous fiscal year. The fiscal 1995-96 budget
calls for $44.1 billion in revenues and $43.4 billion in spending, an increase
of over 3.5% and 4.0%, respectively, from the fiscal 1994-95 budget . Although
the State's budget projects an operating surplus of approximately $600 million,
it continues to rely on federal actions, both to fund programs relating to
MediCal and incarceration costs associated with illegal immigrants and to
relieve the State from federally mandated spending, which are not certain of
occurring. Accordingly, the surplus may not be realized unless the economy
outperforms expectations or spending falls below planned levels.
Although an improving economy and healthier tax revenues are
anticipated, the political environment and voter initiatives may constrain the
State's financial flexibility. For example, according to the Legislative
Analyst's Office the passage of Proposition 187 in the November 1994 election,
which in part denies certain social services to illegal immigrants, could
jeopardize $15 billion in federal funding. In addition, the passage of
Proposition 184 in the November 1994 election, which imposes mandatory, lengthy
prison sentences on individuals convicted of three
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felonies, is expected to increase prison operating costs by $3 billion annually
and increase prison construction costs by $20 billion.
Because of the State of California's continuing budget problems, the
rating of the State's general obligation bonds was downgraded in July 1994 from
Aa to A1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., from A+ to A by Standard & Poor's
Corporation, and from AA to A by Fitch Investors Services, Inc. All three rating
agencies expressed uncertainty in the State's ability to balance the budget by
1996.
On December 6, 1994, Orange County (California) became the largest
municipality in the United States to file for protection under the Federal
bankruptcy laws. The filing stemmed from approximately $1.7 billion in losses
suffered by the County's investment pool due to investments in high risk
"derivative" securities. In September 1995 the state legislature approved
legislation permitting Orange County to use for bankruptcy recovery $820 million
over 20 years in sales taxes previously earmarked for highways, transit and
development. Such legislation also permits the Governor to appoint a trustee to
take over Orange County's financial affairs if the county does not have a full
recovery plan filed with the Bankruptcy Court by May 1996.
Los Angeles County, the nation's largest county, is also experiencing
financial difficulty. In August 1995 the credit rating of the county's long-term
bonds was downgraded for the third time since 1992 as a result of, among other
things, severe operating deficits for the county's health care system. In
September 1995, federal and state aid to Los Angeles County totaling $514
million was pledged, providing a short-term solution to the County's budget
problems. Despite such efforts, the County is facing a potential budget gap of
$1.0 billion in the 1996-97 fiscal year.
Special Types of California Municipal Securities
In addition to the general types of California Municipal Securities
discussed above, the Fund may invest in the following special types of
California Municipal Securities.
When-Issued Securities. California Municipal Securities are frequently
offered on a "when-issued" basis. When so offered, the price, which is generally
expressed in yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment to purchase is
made, but delivery and payment for the when-issued securities take place at a
later date. Normally, the settlement date occurs within one month of the
purchase of municipal notes; during the period between purchase and settlement,
no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to the
Fund. To the extent that assets of the Fund are not invested prior to the
settlement of a purchase of securities, the Fund will earn no income. It is the
Fund's intention, however, to be fully invested to the extent practicable,
subject to the policies stated above. While when-issued securities may be sold
prior to the settlement date, the Fund intends to purchase such securities with
the purpose of actually acquiring them unless a sale appears desirable for
investment reasons. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase a
California Municipal Security on a when-issued basis, it will record the
transaction and reflect the value of the security in determining its net asset
value.
In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission policy, whenever
the Fund agrees to purchase securities on a when-issued basis, its custodian
will set aside cash or portfolio securities equal to the amount of the
commitment in a separate account. If necessary, additional assets will be placed
in the account daily so that the value of the account will equal the amount of
the Fund's purchase commitment. When the time comes to pay for when-issued
securities, the Fund will meet its obligations from the then-available cash
flow, sale of securities held in the separate account, cash held in the separate
account or otherwise, sale of other securities or, although it would not
normally expect to do so, from the sale of the when-issued securities themselves
(which may have a value greater or less than the Fund's payment obligations). To
the extent that the Fund sets aside portfolio securities to satisfy its purchase
commitment for when-issued securities, there will be a greater possibility of
fluctuation in market value of the Fund's shares (see "Pricing of Our Shares" in
the Prospectus) than if the Fund were to set aside cash. The Fund does not
intend to purchase when-issued securities for speculative purposes, but only in
furtherance of its investment objectives.
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Variable Rate and Floating Rate Instruments. The Fund may invest in
variable or floating rate instruments that ultimately mature in more than 397
days, if the Fund acquires a right to sell the securities that meets certain
requirements set forth in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Variable rate instruments (including instruments subject to a demand feature)
that mature in 397 days or less may be deemed to have maturities equal to the
period remaining until the next adjustment of the interest rate. Other variable
rate instruments with demand features may be deemed to have a maturity equal to
the longer of the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest
rate or the period remaining until the principal amount can be recovered through
demand. A floating rate instrument subject to a demand feature may be deemed to
have a maturity equal to the period remaining until the principal amount can be
recovered through demand.
Temporary Taxable and Tax-Exempt Investments
Although the Fund will be invested primarily in California Municipal
Securities, the Fund is authorized to place up to 20% of its net assets in
taxable investments, cash reserves or short-term municipal securities issued
outside of California during normal market conditions for liquidity reasons.
During periods of uncertain market conditions, the Fund may place more than 20%
of its total assets for temporary defensive purposes in taxable investments,
cash reserves or short-term municipal securities issued outside of California.
The taxable investments in which the Fund may invest are:
(a) obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies and
instrumentalities (not all of such obligations are backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States; for example, bonds issued by
Federal National Mortgage Association, a private corporation, are
backed only by the credit of the issuing instrumentality);
(b) certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
short-term obligations of domestic branches of U.S. banks with total
assets of $1 billion or more;
(c) commercial paper rated A-1 by Standard & Poor's, Prime-1
by Moody's (or equivalently rated by another NRSRO), or, if not rated,
of equivalent investment quality as determined by the Adviser;
(d) short-term debt securities of issuers having, at the time
of purchase, a quality rating within the two highest grades by Moody's
(Aaa or Aa) or Standard & Poor's (AAA or AA) (or equivalently rated by
another NRSRO);
(e) repurchase agreements with respect to an underlying
security which would otherwisequalify for investment by the Fund.
Temporary taxable investments of up to 20% of total assets may also be
made in anticipation of redemptions, pending investment of proceeds from
subscription for Fund shares or from the sale of portfolio securities, or
because of market conditions or the scarcity of suitable California Municipal
Securities. Interest income from taxable investments will be taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income under federal tax laws and California personal
income tax. Consequently, the Fund intends to invest its assets in California
Municipal Securities to the maximum extent possible and prudent.
The short-term tax exempt municipal securities of non-California
issuers in which the Fund may invest include tax anticipation notes, revenue
anticipation notes, general obligation bonds, industrial revenue bonds,
construction loan notes and tax anticipation commercial paper. Such securities
will be limited to those obligations which, at the time of purchase, are (a)
rated in the top two categories of Moody's (Aaa or Aa) or Standard & Poor's (AAA
or AA) or, in the case of municipal notes, rated MIG-1 by Moody's, or A-1 by
S&P; or (b) unrated municipal obligations which,
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in the opinion of the Adviser, have credit characteristics equivalent to such
ratings. The income from such securities is exempt from federal income taxes but
may not be exempt from California personal income taxes.
Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements maturing in more than
seven days, together with any other illiquid instruments held by the Fund
(excluding restricted securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under
the Securities Act of 1933 which the Board of Trustees or the Adviser has
determined under Board- approved guidelines are liquid), will not, at the time
entered into, exceed 10% of the net assets of the Fund. Because of their short
maturity, repurchase agreements provide liquidity to the Fund while allowing the
Fund to remain fully or substantially invested. The Fund will only enter into
repurchase agreements of one business day's maturity and only with
broker/dealers with substantial capital or major U.S. banks. Each repurchase
agreement will be fully collateralized with respect to both principal and
interest by U.S. Treasury instruments for the entire term of the agreement. Upon
payment, possession of all underlying collateral will be transferred to an agent
of the Fund for the term of the agreement. If a particular securities dealer or
bank defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security as
required by the terms of a repurchase agreement, the Fund will incur a loss to
the extent that the proceeds it realizes on the sale of the collateral are less
than the repurchase price of the security. In addition, should the defaulting
securities dealer or bank file for bankruptcy, the Fund could incur certain
costs in establishing that it is entitled to dispose of the collateral and its
realization on the collateral may be delayed or limited.
Risk Considerations
There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objectives or be able to maintain its net asset value per share at $1.00. The
price stability and liquidity of the Fund may not be equal to that of a money
market fund which exclusively invests in short-term taxable money market
securities. The taxable money market is a broader and more liquid market with a
greater number of investors, issuers, and market makers than the short-term
California Municipal Securities market.
Yields on California 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 market, the size of a particular offering, the
maturity of the obligations and the rating of the issue.
The policies described above in this section are not fundamental and
may be changed upon notice to shareholders.
Tax exempt securities purchased on a when-issued basis are subject to
changes in value as a result of changes in interest rates in the same way that
securities held in the Fund's portfolio are. Purchasing tax exempt securities on
a when-issued basis can thus involve a risk that yields available in the market
when delivery takes place may actually be higher than those obtained in the
when-issued transaction.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following investment restrictions may not be changed without a
shareholder vote. A change requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Fund's outstanding shares, which as used in this Statement means the lesser of
(1) 67% of the Fund's outstanding shares present at a meeting at which the
holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or by
proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding shares. With respect to
investment restrictions Number 1 through 9 below, the Fund may not:
1. Purchase securities on margin; sell short; purchase warrants; or
write, purchase, or sell straddles, spreads, or combinations thereof.
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2. Borrow money, except from banks for temporary purposes (not for
leveraging or investment) and then in an aggregate amount not in excess of 10%
of the value of the Fund's assets at the time of such borrowing, provided, that
so long as such borrowings exceed 5% of the value of the net assets, the Fund
will not make any investments; or mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any assets
except in connection with any such borrowing and in an aggregate amount not in
excess of the dollar amount borrowed.
3. Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the
extent that the purchase of securities in accordance with the Fund's investment
objective, policies and limitations may be deemed to be an underwriting.
4. Purchase securities (other than under repurchase agreements of not
more than one week's duration, considering only the remaining days to maturity
of each existing repurchase agreement) for which there exists no readily
available market, or for which there are legal or contractual restrictions on
resale (excluding restricted securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule
144A under the Securities Act of 1933, which the Board of Trustees or the
Adviser has determined under Board-approved guidelines are liquid), if as a
result of any such purchase, more than 10% of the Fund's net assets would be
invested in such securities.
5. Purchase any securities if, immediately after such purchase, more
than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the
securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities
in the same industry, provided that there is no limitation with respect to
investments issued or guaranteed by the California state government or a
political subdivision thereof and obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
6. Purchase or sell real estate, except this shall not prevent the Fund
from investing in securities secured by real estate or interests therein.
7. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity futures contracts, or oil,
gas or mineral exploration or development programs.
8. Make loans, except that the Fund may hold debt instruments and enter
into repurchase agreements in accordance with its investment objectives and
policies.
9. Issue any class of securities senior to any other class of
securities, except that the Fund may purchase when-issued securities as
described in the Prospectus and herein.
10. The Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment
policy or limitation, invest all of its assets in the securities of a single
open-end management investment company with substantially the same fundamental
investment objectives, policies and limitations as the Fund.
The following investment restrictions may be changed by the Board of
Trustees without the approval of shareholders. Appropriate notice will be given
of any changes in these restrictions made by the Board of Trustees. With respect
to investment restrictions Number 11 through 14 below, the Fund may not:
11. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization, and
except for purchases of securities of money market mutual funds.
12. Purchase securities of any issuer for the purpose of exercising
control or management, except in connection with a merger, consolidation,
acquisition or reorganization.
13. Invest more than 5% of the Fund's total assets in securities of any
issuer which, together with its predecessors, has been in continuous operation
less than three years, except obligations issued or guaranteed by the
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U.S.Government or its agencies, or California Municipal Securities (other than
industrial development bonds) (for this purpose the period of operation of the
issuer shall include the period of operation of any predecessor or unconditional
guarantor of such issuer).
14. Purchase or retain the securities of an issuer if those officers or
trustees of the Trust or officers or directors of the Adviser who are also
officers or directors of the issuer and who each own beneficially more than 1/2
of 1% of the securities of that issuer together own more than 5% of the
securities of such issuer.
15. The Fund does not currently intend to invest all of its assets in
the securities of a single open-end management investment company with
substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, policies and
limitations as the Fund.
For the purposes of the limitations set forth in paragraphs 5, 13 and
14, the Fund will regard the entity which has the ultimate responsibility for
the payment of principal and interest as the issuer.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of
portfolio securities or amount of net assets will not be considered a violation
of any of the foregoing restrictions.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The Advisory Agreement authorizes the Adviser (subject to the control
of the Board of Trustees) to select brokers and dealers to execute purchases and
sales of portfolio securities. The Advisory Agreement directs the Adviser to use
its best efforts to obtain the best overall terms for the Fund, taking into
account such factors as price (including dealer spread), the size, type and
difficulty of the transaction involved, and the financial condition and
execution capability of the broker or dealer.
Purchases and sales of the Fund's portfolio securities are generally
placed by the Adviser with the issuer, the issuer's underwriter or with a
primary market maker. Usually no brokerage commission is paid, although the
price usually includes an undisclosed compensation. (Transactions with primary
market makers reflect the spread between bid and asked prices; purchases of
underwritten issues include an underwriting fee paid by the issuer to the
underwriter.) During the last three fiscal years ended December 31, 1993, 1994
and 1995 the Fund paid no brokerage commissions.
To the extent that the execution and price offered by more than one
dealer are comparable, the Adviser may, in its discretion, effect transactions
in portfolio securities with dealers who provide the Fund with research services
such as credit analysis. Any such research services would be available for use
on all investment advisory accounts of the Adviser.
Other investment advisory clients advised by the Adviser may also
invest in the same securities as the Fund. When these clients buy or sell the
same securities at substantially the same time, the Adviser may average the
transactions as to price and allocate the amount of available investments in a
manner which the Adviser believes to be equitable to each client, including the
Fund. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the
price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the position obtainable for
it. On the other hand, to the extent permitted by law, the Adviser may aggregate
the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or
purchased for other clients managed by it in order to obtain best execution.
In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to
John Hancock, Sutro, Tucker Anthony Incorporated or any affiliated person (as
defined in the 1940 Act) thereof.
11
<PAGE>
CURRENT YIELD
The Securities and Exchange Commission requires by rule that a yield
quotation set forth in an advertisement or prospectus for a "money market" fund
be computed by a standardized method based on a historical seven calendar day
period referred to as the "base period." The yield quoted may be a simple
annualized yield or a compounded effective yield which gives effect to the
reinvestment of the proceeds of the investment portfolio. If the compounded
effective yield is used in an advertisement, the simple annualized yield must
also be included. Both yields are computed on the basis of the base period
return on a hypothetical pre-existing account in the Fund having a balance of
one share at the beginning of the seven-day base period. The base period return
equals the net change in value of the account over the seven-day period,
including dividends declared both on the original share and on any additional
shares purchased with previous dividends (such dividends are declared daily and
paid from the net investment income of the Fund) and minus all fees, other than
nonrecurring account or sales charges charged to all shareholder accounts, in
proportion to the length of the base period and the Fund's average account size.
The fees deducted will take into account the expense limitation agreement as
described in "Our Management" in the Prospectus. The net change in value does
not include realized gains and losses from the sale of securities or unrealized
appreciation or depreciation of the securities. The base period return is then
multiplied by 365/7 to arrive at the annualized simple yield. The compounded
effective yield is calculated by dividing the base period return (calculated as
above) by 7, adding 1, raising that sum to the 365th power and subtracting 1
from the result. Both calculations of yields are then expressed to at least two
decimal points.
For the seven day period ended December 31, 1995, the simple annualized
yield of the Fund was 3.89%, the compound effective yield was 3.97%, and the
Fund had an average weighted maturity of investments of 41 days.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REDEMPTION
The Fund may suspend redemption privileges or postpone the date of
payment on shares for more than seven days during any period (1) when the New
York Stock Exchange is closed (other than for weekends or holidays) or trading
on the Exchange is restricted as determined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC"), (2) when an emergency exists, as defined by the SEC, which
makes it not reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities owned
by it or fairly to determine the value of its assets, or (3) as the SEC may
otherwise permit.
It is possible that under unusual circumstances the redemption price
may be more or less than the shareholder's cost, depending on the market value
of the Fund's portfolio at the time.
NET ASSET VALUE
As disclosed in the Prospectus, the net asset value per share of the
Fund is determined at 12:00 noon New York time Monday through Friday, as
described below. The Fund will be closed on the following national business
holidays: New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined daily under the
general supervision of the Trust's Board of Trustees by the Fund's custodian at
12:00 noon New York time on each day on which the New York Stock Exchange is
open or on which there is a sufficient degree of trading in the Fund's portfolio
securities that the current net asset value of the Fund's redeemable securities
might be materially affected by changes in the value of the portfolio
securities. Purchase or redemption orders accepted by John Hancock Investor
Services Corp. ("JHIS") prior to 12:00 noon New York time will be priced at
12:00 noon New York time that day. Purchase or redemption orders accepted
12
<PAGE>
by JHIS subsequent to 12:00 noon New York time will be priced at 12:00 noon New
York time the next day that net asset value is computed. Net asset value per
share is computed by taking the value of all assets of the Fund, less
liabilities, and dividing by the number of shares outstanding. To determine the
value of the assets of the Fund for the purpose of obtaining the net asset
value, portfolio securities are valued at amortized cost, as described below,
and interest is accrued daily.
Since the Fund has adopted a policy of normally holding portfolio
securities to maturity, all portfolio securities of the Fund will normally be
valued at amortized cost. Thus, it is not expected that realized or unrealized
gains or losses on portfolio securities will be a substantial factor in the
computation of the net asset value or gross income of the Fund. If in some
extraordinary circumstance the Fund experiences gains or losses (realized or
unrealized), whether recognized or unrecognized, this could result in a change
in net asset value, a change in dividends, or both.
The Trust complies with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act
which permits the Fund to compute the net asset value using the amortized cost
method of valuing portfolio securities. To comply with that rule, the Board of
Trustees has agreed to establish procedures to stabilize the net asset value for
the Fund at $1.00 per share. These procedures include a review by the Board of
Trustees of the extent of any deviation of net asset value per share, based on
available market quotations or estimates of market value determined by the Board
of Trustees in good faith, from the Fund's $1.00 amortized cost value per share.
If that deviation exceeds 1/2 of 1%, the Board of Trustees will consider any
action that should be initiated to reasonably eliminate or reduce material
dilution or other unfair results to shareholders. Such action may include
selling portfolio securities prior to maturity, withholding dividends, or
utilizing a net asset value per share as determined by using available market
quotations. In addition, the Fund must (a) maintain a dollar weighted average
portfolio maturity of 90 days or less, (b) not purchase any instrument with a
remaining maturity greater than 397 days, (c) limit portfolio investments,
including repurchase agreements, to securities that, at the time of acquisition,
(i) are rated in the two highest categories by at least two nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations (or by one organization if only one
organization has rated the security), (ii) if not rated, are obligations of an
issuer whose other outstanding short-term debt obligations are so rated, or
(iii) if not rated, are of comparable quality as determined by the Board of
Trustees in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees, and
(d) comply with certain reporting and recordkeeping procedures. The Trust's
officers will periodically review the method of valuation and recommend changes
to the Board of Trustees which may be necessary to assure that the portfolio
securities of the Fund are valued at their fair value as determined by the
Trustees in good faith. The Fund will limit its investments to securities that
present minimal credit risks, as determined by the Board of Trustees in
accordance with the procedures established by the Board of Trustees.
Amortized cost valuation involves valuing a security at its cost and
adding or subtracting, ratably to maturity, any discount or premium, regardless
of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the security.
Under the amortized cost method of valuation, neither the amount of daily income
nor net asset value is affected by any unrealized appreciation or depreciation
of the portfolio. As a result, in periods of declining interest rates, the
indicated daily yield on a portfolio valued by amortized cost will be higher
than on a portfolio valued by market prices.
Since there is no sales load involved in an investment in the Fund,
100% of the shareholder's purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON TAXES
Taxation of the Fund
The Fund intends to qualify and elects to be treated as a "regulated
investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). If so qualified, the Fund will not be liable for federal
income taxes on its taxable net investment income and capital gain net income
that are distributed to shareholders,
13
<PAGE>
provided that the Fund distributes at least 90% of its net investment income
(other than capital gains) and net short-term capital gain for the taxable year.
To qualify for tax treatment as a "regulated investment company" under the Code,
the Fund must, among other things, (i) derive in each taxable year at least 90%
of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to
securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock,
securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to its
business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies (the "90% test");
(ii) derive in each taxable year less than 30% of its gross income from the sale
or other disposition of stock, securities or certain other financial investments
held for less than three months (the "30% test"); and (iii) satisfy certain
other diversification requirements at the close of each quarter of the Fund's
taxable year. Furthermore, in order to be entitled to pay tax-exempt interest
income dividends to its shareholders, the Fund must satisfy the requirement
that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the
value of its total assets consists of obligations the interest of which is
exempt from federal income tax. The Fund intends to satisfy this requirement.
The Code imposes a nondeductible 4% excise tax on a regulated
investment company that fails to distribute during each calendar year an amount
at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its taxable ordinary income for the
calendar year, and (2) 98% of its capital gain net income for the twelve month
period ending on October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) certain undistributed
amounts from the preceding calendar year. The Fund intends to make sufficient
distributions to avoid this 4% excise tax.
Taxation of Shareholders
Information concerning the tax status of dividends and distributions is
mailed to shareholders annually. The Fund anticipates that substantially all of
the dividends to be paid by the Fund will be exempt from federal income taxes
and California personal income taxes. If any portion of the Fund's dividends is
not exempt from federal or California personal income taxes, the Fund will
advise shareholders in the annual tax information notice of the percentage of
both tax exempt and taxable income. In accordance with the Code, expenses of the
Fund will be allocated pro rata between taxable and nontaxable income.
Net investment income received by the Fund from investments in debt
securities other than tax exempt securities, and any excess of net short-term
capital gain over net long-term capital loss recognized by the Fund, will be
taxable to shareholders upon distribution as ordinary income, regardless of
whether they are paid in cash or in additional shares. The excess of net
long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, to the extent properly
designated by the Fund, will be taxable to shareholders upon distribution as
long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares have been
held or whether they are paid in cash or in additional shares. However, it is
expected that any such amounts will be insubstantial in relation to the tax
exempt interest generated by the Fund.
Taxable distributions generally are included in a shareholder's gross
income for the taxable year in which they are received. However, dividends
declared in October, November and December and made payable to shareholders of
record in such a month are taxable as of December 31, provided that the Fund
pays the dividend during the following January. It is expected that none of the
Fund's distributions will qualify for the 70% corporate dividends-received
deduction.
The Fund designates and pays exempt-interest dividends from interest
earned on all tax exempt obligations. Such exempt-interest dividends may be
excluded by shareholders of the Fund from their gross income for federal income
tax purposes.
To the extent that the net asset value at the time of purchase of
shares in the Fund reflects capital gains, a subsequent distribution to the
shareholder of such amounts, although constituting a return of his or her
investment, would be taxable as described above. Any loss on the sale or
exchange of shares of the Fund held for six months or less will be disallowed to
the extent that tax-exempt interest dividends were paid on such shares.
14
<PAGE>
To the extent that the Fund's dividends distributed to shareholders are
derived from interest income exempt from federal income tax and are properly
designated as "exempt-interest dividends" by the Fund, they will be excludable
from a shareholder's gross income for federal income tax purposes. Shareholders
who are recipients of Social Security benefits should be aware that exempt
interest dividends received from the Fund must be taken into account for
purposes of determining whether their incomes are large enough to result in
taxation of up to 85% of the amount of such Social Security benefits.
All distributions of investment income during the year will have the
same percentage designated as tax exempt. Since the Fund invests primarily in
tax exempt securities, the percentage will be substantially the same as the
amount actually earned during any particular distribution period.
Interest on certain private activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986
not otherwise subject to federal income tax may be subject to the federal
alternative minimum tax ("AMT") although the interest continues to be excludable
from gross income for other purposes. The AMT is a supplemental tax designed to
ensure that taxpayers pay at least a minimum amount of tax on their income, even
if they make substantial use of certain tax deductions and exclusions (including
the "items of tax preference"). Interest from certain private activity bonds is
one of the items of tax preference that is added into income from other sources
for the purposes of determining whether a taxpayer is subject to the AMT and the
amount of any tax to be paid. Under regulations to be prescribed,
exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund will be treated as interest on such
private activity bonds to the extent of the proportionate share of the interest
on such bonds received by the Fund. In addition, corporate investors should note
that exempt-interest dividends will be a component of the "current earnings"
adjustment for the corporate AMT. Prospective investors should consult their own
tax advisors with respect to the possible application of the AMT to their tax
situation.
Opinions relating to the validity of tax exempt securities and the
exemption of interest thereon from federal and California income taxes are
rendered by recognized bond counsel to the issuers. Neither the Adviser's nor
the Fund's counsel makes any review of proceedings relating to the issuance of
tax-exempt securities or the bases of such opinions.
From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for
the purpose of restricting, limiting, or eliminating the federal income tax
exemptions for interest on municipal securities. It can be expected that similar
proposals may be introduced in the future. If any such proposal were enacted,
the availability of California Municipal Securities for investment by the Fund
and the value of the Fund's portfolio would be affected. In such an event, the
Fund would reevaluate its investment objective and policies.
California Taxation
The State of California has adopted legislation incorporating the
federal provisions relating to regulated investment companies. Thus, to the
extent the Fund distributes its income annually, the Fund will be exempt from
the California franchise and corporate income tax as a regulated investment
company under Section 24871 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
As a regulated investment company, the Fund may distribute dividends
("California exempt-interest dividends") that are exempt from the California
personal income tax to its individual shareholders, provided 50% or more of the
value of the total assets of the Fund at the close of each quarter of its
taxable year consists of obligations the interest on which (when held by an
individual) is exempt from personal income taxation under California law. The
Fund intends to satisfy this requirement so that it can distribute California
exempt-interest dividends. If the Fund fails to so qualify, no part of its
dividends will be exempt from the California personal income tax.
15
<PAGE>
The portion of dividends constituting California exempt-interest
dividends is that portion derived from interest on obligations of California and
its municipalities and localities which pay interest excludable from income
under California law. Distributions from the Fund that are attributable to
sources other than those described in the preceding sentence generally will be
taxable to such shareholders as ordinary income. In addition, distributions
other than exempt-interest dividends to such shareholders are includable in
income that may be subject to the California alternative minimum tax. Any
dividends paid to corporate shareholders subject to the California franchise or
corporate income tax will be taxed as ordinary dividends to such shareholders.
The total amount of California exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund to all
of its individual shareholders with respect to any taxable year cannot exceed
the amount of interest received by the Fund during such year on California
Municipal Obligations less any expenses and expenditures (including any
dividends paid to corporate shareholders) deemed to have been paid from such
interest.
Because, unlike federal law, California law does not impose personal
income tax on an individual's Social Security benefits, the receipt of
California exempt-interest dividends will have no effect on an individual's
California personal income tax.
Interest on indebtedness incurred by shareholders to purchase or carry
shares of the Fund will not generally be deductible for California income tax
purposes. If the shareholders of the Fund receive any California exempt-interest
dividends and sell their shares within six months of their acquisition, then any
loss, to the extent of the amount of exempt-interest dividends received on the
sale, will be disallowed. Any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within
thirty days before or after the acquisition of other shares of the same series
may be disallowed under the "wash sale" rules.
With respect to individual shareholders, California does not treat
tax-exempt interest as a tax preference item for purposes of its alternative
minimum tax. Distributions other than exempt-interest dividends are includable
in income subject to the California alternative minimum tax.
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important California
personal income tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its
shareholders. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the
California personal income tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and
this discussion is not intended as a substitute for careful planning.
Accordingly, potential investors in the Fund should consult their tax advisers
with respect to the application of California taxes to the receipt of the Fund's
dividends and to their own California tax situation.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Trustees and executive officers of the Trust and their principal
occupations during the past five years are set forth below. Unless otherwise
indicated, the business address of each is One Beacon Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02108.
*Dexter A. Dodge-Trustee, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer, President and Managing Director of the Adviser since July 1992. He is
61. Vice President of Freedom Distributors Corporation since 1989 and Director
since 1994.
- ---------------
* Trustee may be deemed to be an "interested person" of the Trust as defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
16
<PAGE>
Richard A. Farrell-Trustee-160 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02110. He is 62. President since 1980 of Farrell, Healer & Co., a venture
capital management firm that manages The Venture Capital Fund of New England.
Ernest T. Kendall-Trustee-230 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02116. He is 63. President, Commonwealth Research Group, Inc., Boston, MA, a
consulting firm specializing in microeconomics, regulatory economics and labor
economics, since 1978.
Richard B. Osterberg-Trustee-84 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02109. He is 51. Member of the law firm of Weston, Patrick, Willard & Redding,
Boston, MA since 1978.
*Lawrence G. Kirshbaum-Trustee and Chief Financial Officer-1 World
Financial Center, New York, New York 10281. He is 53. Chief Financial Officer
and Executive Vice President of John Hancock Freedom Securities Corporation
since 1992. Director of Tucker Anthony Incorporated, Sutro & Co. Incorporated,
John Hancock Clearing Corporation and the Adviser since 1992. Chairman of
Prescott, Ball & Turben, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, from 1987-1990. Chief Financial
Officer of Prescott, Ball & Turben, Inc. from 1982-1987.
*Arthur E. McCarthy-Trustee-Managing Director of the Adviser since
February 1995. He is 60. Managing Director of Tucker Anthony Incorporated since
January 1979.
John J. Danello-President and Secretary-Chief Operating Officer of the
Adviser since February 1994 and Managing Director, Clerk and General Counsel
since November 1986. He is 40. President and Director since February 1989 and
Clerk since February 1987 of Freedom Distributors Corporation. Prior to November
1986, Mr. Danello was associated with the law firm of Goodwin, Procter & Hoar.
Darlene F. Rego-Treasurer-Vice President of the Adviser since February
1995 and Assistant Vice President since December 1992. She is 32. Assistant
Treasurer of the Trusts from July 1987 until December 1992.
Mary Jeanne Currie-Vice President-Vice President of the Adviser since
February 1983. She is 47.
Michael M. Spencer-Vice President-Senior Vice President and Director of
Fixed-Income Investments of the Adviser since August 1995. He is 45. From 1985
to 1995, Mr. Spencer was a Portfolio Manger at Shawmut Investment Advisers.
Paul F. Marandett-Vice President-Vice President of the Adviser since
1990. He is 53. From 1980 to 1990, Mr. Marandett was vice president with the
Bank of Boston.
Sarah H. Scranton-Vice President-Vice President and Portfolio Manager
of the Adviser since September 1994 and Vice President and Portfolio Manager of
the Freedom Group of Money Funds since April 1994 . She is 31. From March 1990
to September 1994, Ms. Scranton was an Assistant Vice President and Assistant
Portfolio Manager of the Adviser.
- ---------------
* Trustee may be deemed to be an "interested person" of the Trust as defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Maureen M. Renzi-Assistant Secretary-Assistant Vice President of the
Adviser since February 1995 and Assistant Clerk and Compliance Officer since
July 1992. She is 31. Vice President of Freedom Distributors Corporation since
February 1995. Paralegal at New England Securities from March 1989 to July 1992.
17
<PAGE>
Messrs. Dodge, Danello, Kirshbaum, Marandett, McCarthy and Spencer and
Mesdames Currie, Rego, Renzi and Scranton are all officers of the Adviser as
well as of the Trust.
- ---------------
* Trustee may be deemed to be an "interested person" of the Trust as defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
During the last fiscal year of the Trust, the Trustees were compensated
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregate Total
Compensation Compensation
Name of From the California from Fund Complex
Trustee Tax Exempt Money Fund Paid to Trustees (a)
<S> <C> <C>
Dexter A. Dodge $0 $0
Richard A. Farrell 2,757 20,800
Ernest T. Kendall 1,757 16,800
Richard B.Osterberg 1,757 16,800
Lawrence G. Kirshbaum 0 0
Arthur E. McCarthy 0 0
</TABLE>
(a) Includes compensation from the Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund, Freedom
Government Securities Fund, Freedom Cash Management Fund and California
Tax Exempt Money Fund. The Trust does not provide any pension or
retirement benefits for the Trustees.
Although the nominees of the Fund may at times be the record holders of
in excess of 5% of shares of the Fund by virtue of holding shares in "street
name," to the knowledge of the Trust, no person owns beneficially 5% or more of
the shares of the Fund. As of January 31, 1996, the officers and Trustees of the
Trust as a group own less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
The investment adviser for the Fund is Freedom Capital Management
Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (the "Adviser"), with offices at One
Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts. The Adviser is a registered investment
advisory firm which maintains a large securities research department, the
efforts of which will be made available to the Fund.
The Adviser is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of John Hancock
Mutual Life Insurance Company ("John Hancock"). John Hancock is a major mutual
life insurance company with subsidiaries which offer property and casualty
insurance and another subsidiary which manages investment companies. John
Hancock's head offices are at John Hancock Place, Boston, Massachusetts. Freedom
Distributors Corporation ("Freedom" or the "Distributor") serves as distributor
and principal underwriter for the Fund pursuant to a distribution agreement with
the Trust. Freedom, established in 1987, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Adviser. Sutro & Co. Incorporated and Tucker
18
<PAGE>
Anthony Incorporated, brokerage firms which are members of the New York Stock
Exchange, are also indirect subsidiaries of John Hancock.
Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement dated as of September 15,
1982 (the "Advisory Agreement") between the Trust and the Adviser, the Adviser
agreed to act as investment adviser and manager to the Fund. As manager and
investment adviser, the Adviser will: (a) furnish continuously an investment
program for the Fund and determine, subject to the overall supervision and
review of the Board of Trustees, which investments should be purchased, held,
sold or exchanged, (b) provide supervision over all aspects of the Fund's
operations except those which are delegated to a custodian, transfer agent or
other agent, and (c) provide the Trust with such executive, administrative and
clerical personnel, officers and equipment as are deemed necessary for the
conduct of the business of the Trust.
The Fund bears all costs of its organization and operation, including
expenses of preparing, printing and mailing all shareholders' reports, notices,
prospectuses (except that the expense of printing and mailing prospectuses used
for promotional purposes will not be borne by the Fund), proxy statements and
reports to regulatory agencies; expenses relating to the issuance, registration
and qualification of shares of the Fund; government fees; interest charges;
expenses of furnishing to shareholders their account statements; taxes; expenses
of redeeming shares; brokerage and other expenses connected with the execution
of portfolio securities transactions; fees and expenses of the Trust's
custodian, including those for keeping books and accounts and calculating the
net asset value of shares of the Fund; fees and expenses of its independent
accountants, legal counsel, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent; the
compensation and expenses of its Trustees who are not otherwise affiliated with
the Trust, the Adviser or John Hancock or any of their affiliates; expenses of
trustees' and shareholders' meetings; trade association memberships; insurance
premiums; and any extraordinary expenses.
The State of California imposes a limitation on the expenses of the
Fund. The Advisory Agreement provides that if, in any fiscal year, the total
expenses of the Fund (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions and
extraordinary items, but including the management fee) exceed the expense
limitations applicable to the Fund imposed by the securities regulations of any
state in which it is then registered to sell shares, the Adviser will pay or
reimburse the Fund for that excess up to the amount of its management fee during
that fiscal year. Although there is no certainty that this limitation will be in
effect in the future, the California limitation on an annual basis currently is
2.5% of the first $30 million of net assets; 2% of the next $70 million; and
1.5% of the average daily net assets over $100 million. For the purpose of
determining whether the Fund is entitled to reimbursement, the expenses of the
Fund are calculated on a monthly basis. If the Fund is entitled to
reimbursement, that month's advisory fee will be reduced or postponed, with any
adjustment made after the end of the year.
The Advisory Agreement was approved by the outstanding shareholders of
the Fund on April 10, 1991. The continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the
Trust was approved on May 23, 1995 by all of the Trustees, including all of the
Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or "interested persons"
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party. The Advisory Agreement will
continue in effect from year to year, provided that its continuance is approved
annually both (i) by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of each Fund or by the Board of Trustees, and (ii) by a majority of
the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or "interested
persons" of any such party. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated on 60 days
written notice by either party and will terminate automatically if it is
assigned.
Mr. Osterberg, a Trustee of the Trust, is a member of the law firm of
Weston, Patrick, Willard & Redding, which has retained the Adviser from time to
time to provide investment advisory consulting services for clients of such
firm.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, the Fund incurred
investment advisory fees in the amount of $388,332. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1993, the Adviser waived $217,989 of that amount.
19
<PAGE>
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, the Fund incurred
investment advisory fees in the amount of $410,414. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1994, the Adviser waived $164,965 of that amount.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, the fund incurred
investment advisory fees in the amount of $434,998. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995, the Adviser waived $152,510 of that amount.
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES OF THE FUND
The Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement with Freedom
Distributors Corporation and Sutro & Co. Incorporated (the "Distributors")
whereby the Distributors act as exclusive selling agents of the Fund selling
shares of the Fund on a "best efforts" basis. Although the Distributors
distribute shares of the Fund on a continuous basis, shares may also be
purchased directly from the Fund. No underwriting commissions or discounts are
paid to the Distributors in connection with their distribution of shares of the
Fund.
CUSTODIAN
All cash and securities of the Fund are held by State Street Bank and
Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02106, as custodian.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Price Waterhouse LLP, 160 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
serves as the Trust's independent accountants, providing audit services,
including review and consultation, in connection with various filings by the
Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission and tax authorities.
The financial statements and the report of the independent accountants
with respect to the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 are
included in the Fund's Prospectus.
20
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SECURITIES RATINGS
OF NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING ORGANIZATIONS ("NRSROs")
Debt Security Ratings, Including Municipal Bonds
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. Aaa--the "best quality." Aa--"high
quality by all standards", but margins of protection or other elements make
long-term risks appear somewhat larger than Aaa rated municipal bonds.
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION. AAA--"obligations of the highest
quality." AA--issues with investment characteristics "only slightly less marked
than those of the prime quality issues."
Municipal Bonds
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. ("Moody's")
Aaa: Municipal bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best
quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally
referred to as "gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are
most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa: Municipal 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, 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.
A: Municipal 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.
Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade
obligations; i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured.
Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but
certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically
unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa through B in its corporate bond ratings. 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 modifier 3 indicates
that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION ("S&P")
AAA: Municipal bonds rated AAA are highest grade obligations. They
possess the ultimate degree of protection as to principal and interest. In the
market they move with interest rates and hence provide the maximum safety on all
counts.
AA: Municipal bonds rated AA also qualify as high-grade obligations,
and in the majority of instances differ from AAA issues only in small degree.
Here, too, prices move with the long-term money market.
A: Municipal bonds rated A are regarded as upper medium grade. They
have considerable investment strength but are not entirely free from adverse
effects of changes in economic and trade conditions. Interest and
21
<PAGE>
principal are regarded as safe. They predominantly reflect money rates in their
market behavior, but also to some extent, economic conditions.
BBB: Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
principal and interest. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest for bonds in
this category than for bonds in the A category.
Municipal Notes
MOODY's
Moody's ratings for state and municipal and other short-term
obligations will be designated Moody's Investment Grade ("MIG"). This
distinction is in recognition of the differences between short-term credit risk
and long-term risk. Factors affecting the liquidity of the borrower are
uppermost in importance in short-term borrowing, while various factors of the
first importance in long-term borrowing risk are of lesser importance in the
short run. Symbols used will be as follows:
MIG-1 - Notes are of the best quality enjoying strong protection from
established cash flows of funds for their servicing or from established and
broad-based access to the market for refinancing, or both.
MIG-2 - Notes are of high quality, with margins of protection ample, although
not so large as in the preceding group.
MIG-3 - Notes are of favorable quality, with all security elements accounted
for, but lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding grades. Market access
for refinancing, in particular, is likely to be less well established.
MIG-4 - Notes are of adequate quality, carrying specific risk but having
protection commonly regarded as required of an investment security and not
distinctly or predominantly speculative.
S&P's
SP-1 - Issues carrying this designation have a very strong or strong capacity to
pay principal and interest. Issues determined to possess overwhelming safety
characteristics will be given a "plus" (+) designation.
SP-2 - Issues carrying this designation have a satisfactory capacity to pay
principal and interest.
Commercial Paper
MOODY's
Moody's Commercial Paper ratings, which are also applicable to
municipal paper investments permitted to be made by the Fund, are opinions of
the ability of issuers to repay punctually their promissory obligations not
having an original maturity in excess of nine months. Moody's employs the
following designations, all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the
relative repayment capacity of rated issuers:
P-1 (Prime-1): Superior capacity for repayment.
P-2 (Prime-2): Strong capacity for repayment.
22
<PAGE>
S&P's
S&P's ratings are a current assessment of the likelihood of timely
payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Ratings
are graded into four categories, ranging from "A" for the highest quality
obligations to "D" for the lowest. Issues within the "A" category are delineated
with the numbers 1, 2, and 3 to indicate the relative degree of safety, as
follows:
A-1: This designation indicates the degree of safety regarding timely payment is
very strong. A "plus" (+) designation indicates an even stronger likelihood of
timely payment.
A-2: Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is strong.
However, the relative degree of safety is not as overwhelming as for issues
designated A-1.
A-3: Issues carrying this designation 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.
IBCA LIMITED/IBCA INC.
Short-term obligations, including commercial paper, rated A-1+ by IBCA
Limited or its affiliate IBCA Inc. are obligations supported by the highest
capacity for timely repayment. Obligations rated A-1 have a very strong capacity
for timely repayment. Obligations rated A-2 have a strong capacity for timely
repayment, although such capacity may be susceptible to adverse changes in
business, economic or financial conditions.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICES, INC.
Fitch Investors Services, Inc. employs the rating F-1+ to indicate
issues regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
The rating F-1 reflects an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in
degree than issues rated F-1+, while the rating F-2 indicates a satisfactory
degree of assurance for timely payment, although the margin of safety is not as
great as indicated by the F-1+ and F-1 categories.
DUFF & PHELPS INC.
Duff & Phelps Inc. employs the designation of Duff 1 with respect to
top grade commercial paper and bank money instruments. Duff 1+ indicates the
highest certainty of timely payment: Short-term liquidity is clearly
outstanding, and safety is just below risk-free U.S. Treasury short-term
obligations. Duff 1- indicates high certainty of time payment. Duff 2 indicates
good certainty of timely payment: liquidity factors and company fundamentals are
sound.
THOMSON BANKWATCH, INC. ("BANKWATCH")
BankWatch will assign both short-term debt ratings and issuer ratings
to the issuers it rates. BankWatch will assign a short-term rating ("TBW-1,"
"TBW-2," "TBW-3," or "TBW-4") to each class of debt (e.g., commercial paper or
non-convertible debt), having a maturity of one year or less, issued by a
holding company structure or an entity within the holding company structure that
is rated by BankWatch. Additionally, BankWatch will assign an issuer rating
("A," A/B," "B," "B/C, "C," "C/D," "D," "D/E," and "E") to each issuer that it
rates.
Note: Certain NRSROs utilize rankings within rating categories
indicated by a + or -. The Fund, in accordance with industry practice,
recognizes such rankings with categories as graduations, viewing for example
S&P's rating of A-1+ and A-1 as being in S&P's highest rating category.
23
<PAGE>
PART C
To the Registration Statement of Freedom Group of
Tax Exempt Funds including Freedom Tax Exempt Money
Fund (the "Tax Exempt Fund") and Freedom California
Tax Exempt Money Fund (the "California Fund")
Item 24 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial Statements:
(1) Financial Statements included in PART A
(Prospectuses) of this Registration
Statement:
Financial Highlights for the fiscal periods
ended 1986 through 1995 with respect to the
Tax Exempt Fund and for the period August
27, 1990 (commencement of operations)
through December 31, 1990 and the fiscal
periods ended 1991 through 1995 with respect
to the California Fund.
Financial Statements for the Tax Exempt Fund
and the California Fund for the fiscal
period ended December 31, 1995.
Report of Independent Accountants
Investments
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Statement of Operations
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
(2) Financial Statements included in PART B of
this Registration Statement:
None
(b) Exhibits:
Exhibit No. Description
1 Amended and Restated Agreement and
Declaration of Trust (Master Trust
Agreement) dated September 27, 1982
incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement
No. 2-78609. Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 to
Master Trust Agreement incorporated by
reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.
13. Amendment No. 3 to Master Trust
Agreement incorporated by referenece to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 12.
C-1
<PAGE>
Exhibit No. Description
Amendment No. 4 to Master Trust Agreement
incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 13.
2 By-Laws adopted June 1, 1982 incorporated by
reference from Pre-Effective Amendment No.
2. By-Laws as amended and restated
incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 16.
3 None.
4 Specimen share certificate for the Tax
Exempt Fund incorporated by reference to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 13.
5 Advisory Agreement dated September 15, 1982
between Registrant and Tucker Anthony
Management Corporation (now Freedom Capital
Management Corporation) incorporated by
reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.
Letter Agreement to add the California Fund
incorporated by reference to Post- Effective
Amendment No. 13.
6 Distribution Agreement dated January 1, 1984
and amended and restated through May 1, 1987
between the Registrant and Tucker, Anthony &
R.L. Day, Inc. (now Tucker Anthony
Incorporated) incorporated by reference to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 13. Amendment
to Distribution Agreement to add the
California Fund incorporated by reference to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 13.
7 None.
8 Custodian Agreement between Registrant and
State Street Bank and Trust Company
incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 2. Letter Agreement to add the
California Fund incorporated by reference to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 13.
9 Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated
January 9, 1989 between Registrant and State
Street Bank and Trust Company incorporated
by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.
9. Letter Agreement to add the California
Fund incorporated by reference to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 13. Transfer
Agency and Service Agreement between Freedom
Group of Tax Exempt Funds and John Hancock
Fund Services, Inc., dated as of June 19,
1993, incorporated by reference to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 16.
C-2
<PAGE>
10 Opinion and Consent of Goodwin, Procter &
Hoar incorporated by reference to
Pre-Effective Amendment No.2. Opinion and
Consent of Goodwin, Procter & Hoar with
respect to the California Fund incorporated
by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.
12.
11 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP included
herein.
12 Not Applicable.
13 Investment Letter incorporated by reference
to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2.
14 None.
15 None.
16 None.
17 Financial Data Schedules for the Tax Exempt
Fund and the California Fund.
18 None.
19 Powers of Attorney dated February 1, 1995
and February 6, 1995, filed as Exhibit No.
17 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 and
incorporated by reference to such post-
effective amendment.
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant.
Registrant is not directly or indirectly controlled by or
under common control with any person other than the Trustees. Registrant does
not have any subsidiaries.
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities.
As of January 31, 1996, the record holders of each class of
Registrant's securities were as follows:
Title of Class Number of Record Holders
Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund 9,513
Freedom California Tax Exempt 2,142
Money Fund
C-3
<PAGE>
Item 27 Indemnification.
Under Article VII of the Registrant's Amended and Restated
Agreement and Declaration of Trust, any present or former Trustee, Officer,
agent or employee or person serving in such capacity with another entity at the
request of the Registrant ("Covered Person") shall be indemnified against all
liabilities, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of
judgments, in compromises or as fines or penalties and expenses, including
reasonable legal and accounting fees, in connection with the defense or
disposition of any proceeding by or in the name of the Registrant or any
shareholder in his capacity as such if: (i) a favorable final decision on the
merits is made by a court or administrative body; or (ii) a reasonable
determination is made by a vote of the majority of a quorum of disinterested
Trustees or by independent legal counsel that the Covered Person was not liable
by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in his office ("Disabling Conduct"); or (iii) a
determination is made to indemnify the Covered Person under procedures approved
by the Board of Trustees which in the opinion of independent legal counsel are
not inconsistent with the Investment Company Act of 1940. Said Article VII
further provides that the Registrant shall indemnify any Covered Person against
any such liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with the defense or
disposition of any other type of proceeding except with respect to any matter as
to which the Covered Person shall have engaged in Disabling Conduct or shall
have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith and in the
reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Registrant.
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
Freedom Capital Management Corporation (the "Adviser") is a
registered investment adviser. The Adviser's offices are located at One Beacon
Street, Boston, Massachusetts. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of John Hancock
Freedom Securities, Inc. Freedom Distributors Corporation, a registered
broker-dealer, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser and acts as a
distributor of shares of the Registrant. The principal office of Freedom
Distributors Corporation is at One Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108.
The principal office of John Hancock Freedom Securities, Inc. is at John Hancock
Place, Boston, Massachusetts. The Adviser offers a wide range of investment
advisory services to both individuals and institutions.
On June 25, 1982, the Adviser and Tucker Anthony Incorporated,
a brokerage firm which is a member of the New York Stock Exchange and continues
an investment banking and brokerage business established in 1892, were acquired
by John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company ("John Hancock") as indirect
subsidiaries. John Hancock is a major national life insurance company with its
head offices located at John Hancock Place, Boston, Massachusetts.
C-4
<PAGE>
The Adviser also acts as investment adviser for one other
registered investment company, Freedom Mutual Fund.
The following information is provided with respect to each
director and executive officer of the Adviser:
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Business and Other
Position Positions Within
Name With Adviser Last Two Years
<S> <C> <C>
Dexter A. Dodge President, Managing Director of the
Managing Adviser. Director
Director of Freedom Distributors
Corporation.
John J. Danello Chief Operating President and
Officer, Managing Director of
Director, Clerk Freedom Distributors
and General Corporation.
Counsel
David L. Richardson, Jr. Managing Managing Director of
Director the Adviser.
Edward W. Weld Managing Managing Director of the
Director Adviser. Registered Representative
of Tucker Anthony Incorporated.
Richard V. Howe Managing Managing Director of
Director the Adviser.
Business and Other
Position Positions Within
Name With Adviser Last Two Years
Michael M. Spencer Senior Vice Portfolio Manager at
President and Shawmut Investment Advisers.
Director of Fixed-
Income Investments
Arthur E. McCarthy Director Managing Director of
Tucker Anthony
Incorporated.
</TABLE>
C-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Lawrence Kirshbaum Director Chief Financial Officer of John
Hancock Freedom Securities, Inc.
Director of Tucker Anthony
Holding Corp., John Hancock
Clearing Corporation and Sutro
Group. Registered Principal of
Tucker Anthony Incorporated.
Former Chief Executive Officer of
Kirshbaum & Co. and of Prescott,
Ball & Turben.
John H. Goldsmith Chairman President and Chief
Executive Officer of John
Hancock Freedom Securities,
Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Tucker Anthony
Incorporated.
Michael G. Ferry Vice President Vice President and Chief
and Chief Financial Financial Officer of the
Officer Adviser. Treasurer of Freedom
Distributors Corporation.
</TABLE>
Item 29. Principal Underwriters.
(a) Freedom Distributors Corporation ("Freedom") acts as co-distributor
with Sutro & Co. Incorporated ("Sutro") with respect to the California Fund, and
Freedom acts as co-distributor with Tucker Anthony Incorporated ("Tucker
Anthony") with respect to the Tax Exempt Fund. Freedom and Tucker Anthony also
act as co-distributors for Freedom Mutual Fund, and Freedom acts as a
distributor for Freedom Investment Trust, Freedom Investment Trust II and
Freedom Investment Trust III, all registered investment companies.
(b)(1) The name of each director and officer of Freedom,
together with the offices held by such person with Freedom and the Registrant,
are set forth below. The principal business address of each person named below
is One Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108.
C-6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Offices With Freedom and the Registrant
<S> <C>
John J. Danello............................................. President and Director of Freedom
and Secretary of the Registrant
Michael G. Ferry............................................ Treasurer of Freedom
Dexter A. Dodge............................................. Director of Freedom and Chief
Executive Officer of the Registrant.
Maureen M. Renzi............................................ Vice President and Clerk of Freedom.
Assistant Secretary of the Registrant.
</TABLE>
(b)(2) The persons whose names and addresses are set forth
below hold the offices with Tucker Anthony indicated below. None of these
persons holds any position or office with Freedom.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Principal
Business Address Offices With Tucker Anthony
<S> <C>
John H. Goldsmith (1)................................................ Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
Robert H. Yevich (2)................................................. President and Director
Thomas A. Pasquale (2)............................................... Executive Vice President
and Director
Marc Menchel (2)..................................................... Executive Vice President,
Secretary and Clerk
Thomas E. Gilligan (2)............................................... Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
</TABLE>
(1) Business address is One Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108.
(2) Business address is One World Financial Center, 200 Liberty Street, New
York, New York 10281.
(b)(3) The name and principal business address of each
director and officer of Sutro, together with the offices held by such persons
with Sutro, are set forth below. No officer or director of Sutro holds any
office with the Registrant.
C-7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Principal
Business Address Offices With Sutro
<S> <C>
John F. Luikart (1).......................................................... President and CEO
Mary Jane Delaney (1)........................................................ Executive Vice President
and General Counsel
John H. Goldsmith (2)........................................................ Director
Fergus J. Henehan (1)........................................................ Executive Vice President
John W. Eisle (1)............................................................ Executive Vice President
Thomas R. Weinberger (1)..................................................... Executive Vice President
</TABLE>
(1) Business address is 201 California Street, San Francisco, California 94111.
(2) Business address is One Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108.
(c) Not applicable.
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records.
The accounts and records of the Registrant are maintained at
the offices of Registrant at One Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts and at the
offices of the Custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02106 and 1776 Heritage Drive, North Quincy,
Massachusetts 01171.
Item 31. Management Services.
There are no management-related service contracts other than
the Advisory Agreement relating to management services described in Parts A and
B.
C-8
<PAGE>
Item 32. Undertakings.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person, upon
request and without charge, to whom a Prospectus with respect to a series of the
Registrant is delivered with a copy of the latest annual report to shareholders
with respect to that series.
C-9
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant hereby certifies that it meets
all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement
pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused
this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in this City of Boston and Commonwealth
of Massachusetts on the 22nd day of February, 1996.
FREEDOM GROUP OF TAX EXEMPT FUNDS
By:/s/ Dexter A. Dodge
Dexter A. Dodge, Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
<S> <C> <C>
Principal Executive Officer
/s/ Dexter A. Dodge Chairman and Trustee February 22, 1996
- ---------------------------
Dexter A. Dodge
Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer
/s/Lawrence G. Kirshbaum Trustee February 22, 1996
- ---------------------------
Lawrence G. Kirshbaum
* Trustee February 22, 1996
- --------------------------
Richard A. Farrell
* Trustee February 22, 1996
- --------------------------
Patrick Grant
* Trustee February 22, 1996
- ---------------------------
Ernest T. Kendall
* Trustee February 22, 1996
- ---------------------------
Richard B. Osterberg
* Trustee February 22, 1996
- ---------------------------
Arthur E. McCarthy
*By:/s/ Lawrence G. Kirshbaum
-------------------------
Lawrence G. Kirshbaum,
Attorney-in-Fact under
Powers of Attorney dated
February 1, 1995 and
February 6, 1995, and
included as Exhibit 17 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 18
and incorporated by reference to
such post-effective amendment
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Manually
Numbered
Exhibit No. Description Page
<S> <C> <C>
11 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP.
27 Financial Data Schedules for the Tax Exempt Fund and
the California Fund.
</TABLE>
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectuses constituting parts of this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to the registration statement on Form N-1A (the
"Registration Statement") of our reports dated February 7, 1996, relating to the
financial statements and financial highlights of Freedom California Tax Exempt
Money Fund and Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund (each a series of Freedom Group of
Tax Exempt Funds), which appear in such Prospectuses, and to the incorporation
by reference of our reports into the Statements of Additional Information which
also constitute parts of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the
references to us under the headings "Our Financial Highlights" and "Independent
Accountants and Financial Statements" in such Prospectuses and to the references
to us under the headings "Financial Statements and Independent Accountants" in
such Statements of Additional Information.
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
Price Waterhouse LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 22, 1996
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000704348
<NAME> FREEDOM GROUP OF TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 1
<NAME> FREEDOM TAX-EXEMPT MONEY FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 268167189
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 268086816
<RECEIVABLES> 4943637
<ASSETS-OTHER> 1346444
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 274457270
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 380818
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 380818
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 274068692
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 274068692
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 248037553
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<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 7760
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<NET-ASSETS> 274076452
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 10469975
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 1756173
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 8713802
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 8713802
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (8713802)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1033773788
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (1015833634)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 8090985
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 26031139
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 7760
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
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<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1365700
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1756173
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 273139959
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 1.00
<PER-SHARE-NII> .032
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.032)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 1.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .006
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000704348
<NAME> FREEDOM GROUP OF TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 2
<NAME> FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT MONEY FUND
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 83357849
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 83370527
<RECEIVABLES> 1292042
<ASSETS-OTHER> 690395
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 85340286
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 135802
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 135802
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 85202276
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 85202276
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 72656712
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2208
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 0
<NET-ASSETS> 85204484
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 3233011
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 405977
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 2827034
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 2827034
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (2827034)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 304441189
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (294663687)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 2768062
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 12545564
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 2208
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 434998
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 558487
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 86999530
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 1.00
<PER-SHARE-NII> .033
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.033)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 1.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .005
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
