Rule 497(e)
File No. 2-94935
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CORTLAND 600 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 10020
TRUST, INC. (212) 830-5280
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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
October 31, 2000
Cortland Trust, Inc.
consisting of the following portfolios:
Cortland General Money Market Fund
U.S. Government Fund, and the
Municipal Money Market Fund
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It should be read
in conjunction with the Prospectus for the Cortland Trust, Inc. (the "Company"),
dated July 28, 2000, which may be obtained from your securities dealer or by
writing to Reich & Tang Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), 600 Fifth
Avenue, New York, New York 10020, or toll free at (800) 433-1918.
This Statement of Additional Information should be read in conjunction with the
Company's Annual Report dated March 31, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
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Table of Contents
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General Information about the Company 2 Net Asset Value Determination 15
Investment Programs and Restrictions 2 Dividends and Tax Matters 16
Investment Programs 2 Dividends 16
When-Issued Securities 5 Tax Matters 17
Stand-by Commitments 5 Qualification as a Regulated
Municipal Participations 6 Investment Company 17
Investment Restrictions 6 Excise Tax on Regulated
Directors and Officers 7 Investment Companies 18
Compensation Table 8 Fund Distributions 19
Manager and Investment Advisor 8 Sale or Redemption of Shares 20
Expenses 11 Foreign Shareholders 20
Distributor and Plans of Distribution 12 Effect of Future Legislation and
Custodian 14 Local Tax Considerations 21
Transfer Agent 14 Yield Information 21
Sub-Accounting 14 Portfolio Transactions 21
Principal Holders of Securities 14 The Company and Its Shares 22
Reports 15 Investment Ratings 24
Financial Statements 15
Share Purchases and Redemptions 15
Purchases and Redemptions 15
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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY
Cortland Trust, Inc. (the "Company") is a money market mutual fund, formerly
known as "Cortland Trust." The Company is a no-load, open-end diversified
investment company. The Company was initially organized as a Massachusetts
business trust pursuant to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated October
31, 1984, but had no operations prior to May 9, 1985. On July 31, 1989, the
Company was reorganized from a Massachusetts business trust into a Maryland
corporation, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization approved by the
shareholders on July 31, 1989.
INVESTMENT PROGRAMS AND RESTRICTIONS
Investment Programs
Information concerning the fundamental investment objectives of the Company and
each Fund is set forth in each Prospectus. The principal features of the
investment programs and the primary risks associated with those investment
programs of the Company and the Funds are discussed in each Prospectus under the
caption "Investment Objectives, Principal Investment Strategies and Related
Risks".
The following is a more detailed description of the portfolio instruments
eligible for purchase by the Funds which augments the summary of the Company's
and the Funds' investment programs which appears in each Prospectus, under the
aforementioned captions. The Company seeks to achieve its objectives by
investing in portfolios of short-term instruments rated high quality by a major
rating service or determined to be of high quality by Reich & Tang under the
supervision of the Board of Directors.
Subsequent to its purchase by a Fund, a particular issue of Money Market
Obligations or Municipal Securities, as defined in each Prospectus, may cease to
be rated, or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase
by the Funds. Neither event requires the elimination of such obligation from a
Fund's portfolio, but Reich & Tang will consider such an event to be relevant in
its determination of whether the Fund should continue to hold such obligation in
its portfolio. To the extent that the ratings accorded by a nationally
recognized statistical rating organization ("NRSRO") for Money Market
Obligations or Municipal Securities may change as a result of changes in these
rating systems, the Company will attempt to use comparable ratings as standards
for its investments in Money Market Obligations and Municipal Securities in
accordance with the investment policies contained herein.
The Municipal Money Market Fund may, from time to time, on a temporary or
defensive basis, invest in U.S. Government Obligations, Money Market Obligations
and repurchase agreements. The Municipal Money Market Fund may invest in these
temporary investments, for example, due to market conditions or pending
investment of proceeds from sales of shares or proceeds from the sale of
portfolio securities or in anticipation of redemptions. Although interest earned
from such temporary investments will be taxable as ordinary income, the
Municipal Money Market Fund intends to minimize taxable income through
investment, when possible, in short-term tax-exempt securities, which may
include shares of investment companies whose dividends are tax-exempt. (See
"Investment Programs and Restrictions - Investment Restrictions" for limitations
on the Municipal Money Market Fund's investment in repurchase agreements and
shares of other investment companies.) It is a fundamental policy of the
Municipal Money Market Fund that the Municipal Money Market Fund's assets will
be invested so that at least 80% of the Municipal Money Market Fund's income
will be exempt from federal income taxes. However, there is no limitation on the
percentage of such income which may constitute an item of tax preference and
which may therefore give use to an alternative minimum tax liability for
individual shareholders. The Municipal Money Market Fund may hold cash reserves
pending the investment of such reserves in Municipal Securities or short-term
tax-exempt securities.
The investment objectives and policies of the Company are "fundamental" only
where noted. Fundamental policies may only be changed by a vote of the majority
of the outstanding shares of the affected Funds. (See "The Company and its
Shares".) There can be no assurance that the Funds' objectives will be achieved.
The following is a more detailed description of the portfolio instruments
eligible for purchase by the Company's three Funds which augments the summary of
each Fund's investment program which appears in the Prospectus for the Company
under the caption "Investment Objectives, Principal Investment Strategies and
Related Risks". The Company seeks to achieve the objectives of its Portfolios by
investing in portfolios of money market instruments.
The U.S. Government Fund limits investments to U.S. Government Obligations
consisting of marketable securities and instruments issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. Government or by certain of its agencies or instrumentalities. Direct
obligations are issued by the U.S. Treasury and include bills, certificates of
indebtedness, notes and bonds. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities ("Agencies") are issued by government-sponsored agencies and
enterprises acting under authority of Congress. Certain Agencies are backed by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, and others are not.
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The Cortland General Money Market Fund portfolio may include, in addition to
direct U.S. Government Obligations, the following investments:
Agencies that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government, such as obligations of the Federal Home Loan Bank System and the
Federal Farm Credit Bank.
Bank Instruments which consist mainly of certificates of deposit, bankers'
acceptances and time deposits. Certificates of deposit represent short-term
interest-bearing deposits of commercial banks and against which certificates
bearing fixed rates of interest are issued. Bankers' acceptances are short-term
negotiable drafts endorsed by commercial banks, which arise primarily from
international commercial transactions. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits
maintained in a bank for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate.
The Cortland General Money Market Fund limits investments to bank instruments
described in each Prospectus under the caption "Investment Objectives, Principal
Investment Strategies and Related Risks".
Corporate Commercial Instruments consisting of short-term unsecured promissory
notes issued by corporations to finance short-term credit needs. (See
"Investment Program and Restrictions - Investment Ratings" herein for
information with respect to commercial paper ratings.) Among the instruments
that the Cortland General Money Market Fund may purchase are variable amount
master demand notes, which are unsecured demand notes that permit investment of
fluctuating amounts of money at variable rates of interest pursuant to
arrangements between the issuer and the payee or its agent whereby the
indebtedness on the notes may vary and the interest rate is periodically
redetermined.
In addition, the Cortland General Money Market Fund may purchase loan
participations, which consist of interests in loans made by banks to
corporations, where both the bank and the corporation meet the Company's credit
standards. The Cortland General Money Market Fund generally purchases loan
participation certificates maturing in seven days or less.
The Municipal Money Market Fund endeavors to achieve its objective by investing
in the following securities. Municipal Securities in which the Municipal Money
Market Fund may invest include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for
various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public
facilities such as airports, bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass
transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Other public
purposes for which Municipal Securities may be issued include the refunding of
outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses and
lending such funds to other public institutions and facilities. In addition,
certain types of industrial development bonds are issued by or on behalf of
public authorities to obtain funds to provide for the construction, equipment,
repair or improvement of privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass
transit, industrial, port or parking facilities, air or water pollution control
facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas, electricity or
sewage or solid waste disposal. The interest paid on such bonds may be exempt
from federal income tax, although current federal tax laws place substantial
limitations on the purposes and size of such issues. Such obligations are
considered to be Municipal Securities, provided that the interest paid thereon
qualifies as exempt from federal income tax in the opinion of bond counsel.
However, interest on Municipal Securities may give rise to a federal alternative
minimum tax liability and may have other collateral federal income tax
consequences. (See "Dividends and Tax Matters - Tax Matters" herein).
The two major classifications of Municipal Securities are bonds and notes. Bonds
may be further categorized as "general obligation" or "revenue" issues. General
obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its faith, credit, and
taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are
payable from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of
facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other
specific revenue source, but not from the general taxing power. Tax-exempt
industrial development bonds are in most cases revenue bonds and do not
generally carry the pledge of the credit of the issuing municipality. Notes are
short-term instruments which usually mature in less than two years. Most notes
are general obligations of the issuing municipalities or agencies and are sold
in anticipation of a bond sale, collection of taxes or receipt of other
revenues. There are, of course, variations in the risks associated with
Municipal Securities, both within a particular classification and between
classifications. The Municipal Money Market Fund's assets may consist of any
combination of general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial revenue bonds
and notes. The percentage of such securities in the Municipal Money Market
Fund's portfolio will vary from time to time.
For the purpose of diversification, the identification of the issuer of
Municipal Securities depends on the terms and conditions of the security. When
the assets and revenues of an agency, authority, instrumentality or other
political subdivision are separate from those of the government creating the
subdivision and the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of the
subdivision, such subdivision would be deemed to be the sole issuer. Similarly,
in the case of an industrial development bond, if that bond is backed only by
the assets and revenues of the non-governmental user, then such non-governmental
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user would be deemed to be the sole issuer. If, however, in either case, the
creating government or some other entity guarantees a security, such a guarantee
would be considered a separate security and will be treated as an issue of such
government or other agency. Certain Municipal Securities may be secured by the
guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit of a major banking institution. In
such case, the Municipal Money Market Fund reserves the right to invest up to
10% of its total assets in Municipal Securities guaranteed or secured by the
credit of a single bank. Furthermore, if the primary issuer of a Municipal
Security or some other non-governmental user which guarantees the payment of
interest on and principal of a Municipal Security possesses credit
characteristics which qualify an issue of Municipal Securities for a high
quality rating from a major rating service (or a determination of high quality
by Reich & Tang and the Board of Directors of the Company) without reference to
the guarantee or letter of credit of a banking institution, the banking
institution will not be deemed to be an issuer for the purpose of applying the
foregoing 10% limitation.
From time to time, various proposals to restrict or eliminate the federal income
tax exemption for interest on Municipal Securities have been introduced before
Congress. Similar proposals may be introduced in the future, and, if enacted,
the availability of Municipal Securities for investment by the Municipal Money
Market Fund could be adversely affected. In such event, the Board of Directors
would reevaluate the investment objective and policies and submit possible
changes in the structure of the Municipal Money Market Fund for the
consideration of shareholders.
The Company may enter into the following arrangements with respect to all three
Funds:
1) Repurchase Agreements under which the purchaser (for example, one of the
Funds) acquires ownership of an obligation (e.g., a debt instrument or time
deposit) 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 arrangement results
in a fixed rate of return insulated from market fluctuations during such
period. Although the underlying collateral for repurchase agreements may
have maturities exceeding one year, a Fund will not enter into a repurchase
agreement if as a result of such transaction more than 10% of a Fund's
total assets would be invested in illiquid securities, including repurchase
agreements expiring in more than seven days. A Fund may, however, enter
into a "continuing contract" or "open" repurchase agreement under which the
seller is under a continuing obligation to repurchase the underlying
obligation from the Fund on demand and the effective interest rate is
negotiated on a daily basis. In general, the Funds will enter into
repurchase agreements only with domestic banks with total assets of at
least $1.5 billion or with primary dealers in U.S. Government securities,
but total assets will not be the sole determinative factor, and the Funds
may enter into repurchase agreements with other institutions which the
Board of Directors believes present minimal credit risks. Nevertheless, if
the seller of a repurchase agreement fails to repurchase the debt
instrument in accordance with the terms of the agreement, the Fund which
entered into the repurchase agreement may incur a loss to the extent that
the proceeds it realizes on the sale of the underlying obligation are less
than the repurchase price. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans
by the Company under the 1940 Act.
2) Reverse Repurchase Agreements involving the sale of money market
instruments held by a Fund, with an agreement that the Fund will repurchase
the instruments at an agreed upon price and date. A Fund will employ
reverse repurchase agreements when necessary to meet unanticipated net
redemptions so as to avoid liquidating other money market instruments
during unfavorable market conditions, or in some cases as a technique to
enhance income, and only in amounts up to 10% of the value of a Fund's
total assets at the time it enters into a reverse repurchase agreement. At
the time it enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund will place
in a segregated custodial account high-quality debt securities having a
dollar value equal to the repurchase price. A Fund will utilize reverse
repurchase agreements when the interest income to be earned from portfolio
investments which would otherwise have to be liquidated to meet redemptions
is greater than the interest expense incurred as a result of the reverse
repurchase transactions.
3) Delayed Delivery Agreements involving commitments by a Fund to dealers or
issuers to acquire securities or instruments at a specified future date
beyond the customary same-day settlement for money market instruments.
These commitments may fix the payment price and interest rate to be
received on the investment. Delayed delivery agreements will not be used as
a speculative or leverage technique. Rather, from time to time, the Manager
can anticipate that cash for investment purposes will result from scheduled
maturities of existing portfolio instruments or from net sales of shares of
the Fund. To assure that a Fund will be as fully invested as possible in
instruments meeting that Fund's investment objective, a Fund may enter into
delayed delivery agreements, but only to the extent of anticipated funds
available for investment during a period of not more than five business
days. Until the settlement date, that Fund will set aside in a segregated
account high-quality debt securities of a dollar value sufficient at all
times to make payment for the delayed delivery securities. Not more than
25% of a Fund's total assets will be committed to delayed delivery
agreements and when-issued securities, as described below. The
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delayed delivery securities, which will not begin to accrue interest
until the settlement date, will be recorded as an asset of the Fund and
will be subject to the risks of market fluctuation. The purchase price of
the delayed delivery securities is a liability of the Fund until
settlement. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the Fund will not sell or
otherwise transfer the delayed delivery securities prior to settlement. If
cash is not available to the Fund at the time of settlement, the Fund may
be required to dispose of portfolio securities that it would otherwise hold
to maturity in order to meet its obligation to accept delivery under a
delayed delivery agreement. The Board of Directors has determined that
entering into delayed delivery agreements does not present a materially
increased risk of loss to shareholders, but the Board of Directors may
restrict the use of delayed delivery agreements if the risk of loss is
determined to be material or if it affects the constant net asset value of
any of the Funds.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES
Many new issues of Money Market Obligations and Municipal Securities are offered
on a "when-issued" basis, that is, the date for delivery of and payment for the
securities is not fixed at the date of purchase, but is set after the securities
are issued (normally within forty-five days after the date of the transaction).
The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on the
securities are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. A Fund
will only make commitments to purchase such Money Market Obligations and
Municipal Securities with the intention of actually acquiring such securities,
but such Fund may sell these securities before the settlement date if it is
deemed advisable. No additional when-issued commitments will be made if as a
result more than 25% of such Fund's net assets would become committed to
purchases of when-issued securities and delayed delivery agreements.
If one of the Funds purchases a when-issued security, it will direct its
custodian bank to collateralize the when-issued commitment by establishing a
segregated account in the same fashion as required for a Delayed Delivery
Agreement. The special custody account will likewise be marked-to-market, and
the amount in the special custody account will be increased if necessary to
maintain adequate coverage of the when-issued commitments.
Securities purchased on a when-issued basis and the securities held in a Fund's
portfolio are subject to changes in market value based upon the public's
perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes in the level of
interest rates (which will generally result in all of those securities changing
in value in the same way, i.e., all those securities experiencing appreciation
when interest rates rise). Therefore, if, in order to achieve higher interest
income, a Fund is to remain substantially fully invested at the same time that
it has purchased securities on a when-issued basis, there will be a possibility
that the market value of such Fund's assets will fluctuate to a greater degree.
Furthermore, when the time comes for such Fund to meet its obligations under
when-issued commitments, the Fund will do so by using then-available cash flow,
by sale of the securities held in the separate account, by sale of other
securities or, although it would not normally expect to do so, by directing the
sale of the when-issued securities themselves (which may have a market value
greater or less than the Fund's payment obligation).
A sale of securities to meet such obligations carries with it a greater
potential for the realization of net short-term capital gains, which are not
exempt from federal income taxes. The value of when-issued securities on the
settlement date may be more or less than the purchase price.
Stand-by Commitments
The Municipal Money Market Fund may attempt to improve its portfolio liquidity
by assuring same-day settlements on portfolio sales (and thus facilitate the
same-day payment of redemption proceeds) through the acquisition of "Stand-by
Commitments." A Stand-by Commitment is a right of the Municipal Money Market
Fund, when it purchases Municipal Securities for its portfolio from a broker,
dealer or other financial institution, to sell the same principal amount of such
securities back to the seller, at the Municipal Money Market Fund's option, at a
specified price. The Municipal Money Market Fund will acquire Stand-by
Commitments solely to facilitate portfolio liquidity and does not intend to
exercise its rights thereunder for trading purposes, and the acquisition or
exercisability of a Stand-by Commitment will not affect the valuation of its
underlying portfolio securities, which will continue to be valued in accordance
with the method described under "Share Purchases and Redemptions - Net Asset
Value Determination." The weighted average maturity of the Municipal Money
Market Fund's portfolio will not be affected by the acquisition of a Stand-by
Commitment.
The Stand-by Commitments acquired by the Municipal Money Market Fund will
generally have the following features: (1) they will be in writing and will be
physically held by the Municipal Money Market Fund's custodian; (2) they may be
exercised by the Municipal Money Market Fund at any time prior to the underlying
security's maturity; (3) they will be entered into only with dealers, banks and
broker-dealers who in the Manager's opinion present a minimal risk of default;
(4) the Municipal Money Market Fund's right to exercise them will be
unconditional and unqualified; (5) although the Stand-by Commitments will not be
transferable, Municipal Securities purchased subject to such commitments could
be sold to a third party at any time, even though the commitment was
outstanding; and (6) their exercise price will be (i) the
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Municipal Money Market Fund's acquisition cost of the Municipal Securities which
are subject to the commitment (excluding any accrued interest which the
Municipal Money Market Fund paid on their acquisition), less any amortized
market premium or plus amortized market or original issue discount during the
period the securities were owned by the Municipal Money Market Fund, plus (ii)
all interest accrued on the securities since the last interest payment date.
Since the Municipal Money Market Fund values its portfolio securities on the
amortized cost basis, the amount payable under a Stand-by Commitment will be
substantially the same as the value of the underlying security.
The Company expects that Stand-by Commitments generally will be available
without the payment of any direct or indirect compensation. However, if
necessary and advisable, the Municipal Money Market Fund will pay for Stand-by
Commitments, either separately in cash or by paying higher prices for portfolio
securities which are acquired subject to the commitments. As a matter of policy,
the total amount "paid" in either manner for outstanding Stand-by Commitments
held by the Municipal Money Market Fund will not exceed 1/2 of 1% of the value
of its total assets calculated immediately after any Stand-by Commitment is
acquired. The Municipal Money Market Fund expects to refrain from exercising
Stand-by Commitments to avoid imposing a loss on a dealer and jeopardizing the
Company's business relationship with that dealer, except when necessary to
provide liquidity. The Municipal Money Market Fund will not acquire a Stand-by
Commitment unless immediately after the acquisition, with respect to 75% of the
total amortized cost value of its assets, not more than 5% of such Fund's total
amortized cost value of its assets will be invested in Stand-by Commitments with
the same institution.
The acquisition of a Stand-by Commitment would not affect the valuation or
assumed maturity of the underlying Municipal Securities which, as noted, would
continue to be valued in accordance with the amortized cost method. Stand-by
Commitments acquired by the Municipal Money Market Fund would be valued at zero
in determining net asset value. Where the Municipal Money Market Fund paid any
consideration directly or indirectly for a Stand-by Commitment, its cost would
be reflected as unrealized depreciation for the period during which the Stand-by
Commitment was held by such Fund.
Municipal Participations
The Municipal Money Market Fund may invest in participation agreements with
respect to Municipal Securities under which the Municipal Money Market Fund
acquires an undivided interest in the Municipal Security and pays a bank which
sells the participation a servicing fee. The participation agreement will have a
variable rate of interest and may be terminated by the Municipal Money Market
Fund on seven days' notice, in which event such Fund receives from the issuer of
the participation the par value of the participation plus accrued interest as of
the date of termination. Before entering into purchases of participations the
Company will obtain an opinion of counsel (generally, counsel to the issuer of
the participation) or a letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to the
effect that interest earned with respect to municipal participations qualifies
as exempt-interest income under the Code. The Company has been advised that it
is the present policy of the Internal Revenue Service not to issue private
letter rulings relating to municipal participations. In the absence of an
opinion of counsel or a letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, the
Municipal Money Market Fund will refrain from investing in participation
agreements.
Investment Restrictions
In addition to the Fund's investment objectives, the following investment
restrictions have been adopted by the Funds as fundamental policies, which means
they can be changed only by a majority shareholder vote. A "majority vote of
shareholders" means the affirmative vote of the holders of the lesser of (1)
more then 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or (2) 67% or more of the
shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the
Fund are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy. Therefore, none of
the Funds will:
1) purchase any Money Market Obligation or Municipal Security, if, as a result
of such purchase, more than 5% of a Fund's total assets would be invested
in securities of issuers, which, with their predecessors, have been in
business for less than three years;
2) invest in shares of any other investment company, other than in connection
with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of assets;
except that the Municipal Money Market Fund may invest up to 10% of its
assets in securities of other investment companies (which also charge
investment advisory fees) and then only for temporary purposes in
investment companies whose dividends are tax-exempt, provided that the
Municipal Money Market Fund will not invest more than 5% of its assets in
securities of any one investment company nor purchase more than 3% of the
outstanding voting stock of any investment company;
3) invest more than 10% of the value of a Fund's total assets in illiquid
securities, including variable amount master demand notes (if such notes
provide for prepayment penalties) and repurchase agreements with remaining
maturities in excess of seven days;
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4) invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control;
5) underwrite any issue of securities, except to the extent that the purchase
of securities, either directly from the issuer or from an underwriter for
an issuer, and the later disposition of such securities in accordance with
the Funds' investment programs, may be deemed an underwriting;
6) purchase or sell real estate, but this shall not prevent investments in
securities secured by real estate or interests therein;
7) sell securities short or purchase any securities on margin, except for such
short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions;
8) purchase or retain securities of an issuer if, to the knowledge of the
Company, the directors and officers of the Company and the Manager, each of
whom owns more than 1/2 of 1% of such securities, together own more than 5%
of the securities of such issuer;
9) mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any assets except to secure permitted
borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements and then only in an amount up
to 15% of the value of any Fund's total assets at the time of borrowing or
entering into a reverse repurchase agreement; or
10) purchase or sell commodities or commodity futures contracts or interests in
oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development program (a Fund may,
however, purchase and sell securities of companies engaged in the
exploration, development, production, refining, transporting and marketing
of oil, gas or minerals).
In order to permit the sale of the Funds' shares in certain states, the Company
may make commitments more restrictive than the restrictions described above.
Should the Company determine that any such commitment is no longer in the best
interest of the Funds and their shareholders it will revoke the commitment by
terminating sales of its shares in the state(s) involved. Pursuant to one such
commitment, the Company has agreed that the Cortland General Money Market Fund
will not invest in: (i) warrants; (ii) real estate limited partnerships; or
(iii) oil, gas or mineral leases.
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 or assets
will not constitute a violation of such restriction.
Directors and Officers
The directors and executive officers of the Company and their principal
occupations during the last five years are set forth below. Unless otherwise
noted, the address of each director and officer is 600 Fifth Avenue, New York,
New York 10020.
Steven W. Duff, 46 - President and Director of the Company, has been President
of the Mutual Funds Division of the Manager since September 1994. Mr. Duff is
President and a Director/Trustee of 13 other funds in the Reich & Tang Fund
Complex, President of Back Bay Funds, Inc., Director of Pax World Money Market
Fund, Inc., President and Chief Executive Officer of Tax Exempt Proceeds Fund,
Inc. and Executive Vice President of Delafield Fund, Inc.
Albert R. Dowden, 58 - Director of the Company, 1815 Central Park Drive,
Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80477. Director of Annuity & Life Re (Holdings),
Ltd. and The Magellan Insurance Company. Mr. Dowden was formerly President and
CEO of Volvo North America Corporation.
Carl Frischling, 63 - Director of the Company, 919 Third Avenue, New York, NY
10022. Partner, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP. Director, ERD Waste, Inc.,
Aegis Consumer Finance and Lazard Funds, Inc. Mr. Frischling was formerly
Partner at Reid & Priest and Spengler, Carlson, Gubar, Brodsky & Frischling.
William Lerner, 64 - Director of the Company, 423 East Beau Street, Washington,
Pennsylvania 15301. Attorney. Director, Seitel, Inc., Rent-Way, Inc., Helm
Capital Group, Inc. and Micro-to-Mainframes, Inc.
James L. Schultz, 63 - Director of the Company, Southpoint Plaza 1, 400
Southpoint Blvd., Suite 300, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317-8539. President,
Treasurer and Director of Computer Research, Inc.
Richard DeSanctis, 43 - Vice President and Treasurer of the Company, has been
Vice President and Treasurer of the Manager since September 1993. Mr. De Sanctis
is Treasurer of 17 funds in the Reich & Tang Fund Complex.
Molly Flewharty, 49 - Vice President of the Company, has been Vice President of
the Mutual Funds Division of the Manager since September 1993. Ms. Flewharty is
also Vice President of 17 other funds in the Reich & Tang Fund Complex.
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Dana E. Messina, 43 - Vice President of the Company, has been Executive Vice
President of the Mutual Funds Division of the Manager since January 1995 and was
Vice President from September 1993 to January 1995. Ms. Messina is also Vice
President of 14 other funds in the Reich & Tang Fund Complex.
Ruben Torres, 51 - Vice President of the Company, has been Vice President of
Operations of Reich & Tang Services, Inc. since January 1991. Mr. Torres was
formerly Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of Cortland Financial Group,
Inc.
Bernadette N. Finn, 52 - Vice President and Secretary of the Company, has been
Vice President of the Mutual Funds Division of the Manager since September 1993.
Ms. Finn is also Secretary of 14 funds in the Reich & Tang Fund Complex, and a
Vice President and Secretary of 3 other funds in the Reich & Tang Fund Complex.
Rosanne Holtzer, 35 - Assistant Treasurer of the Company, has been Vice
President of the Mutual Funds division of the Manager since December 1997. Ms.
Holtzer was formerly Manager of Fund Accounting for the Manager with which she
was associated from June 1986. Ms. Holtzer is also Assistant Treasurer of 17
other funds in the Reich & Tang Fund Complex.
Each director who is not an "interested person" receives an annual fee from the
Company of $10,000 for his services as a director and a fee of $1,250 for each
Board meeting attended, and all directors are reimbursed by the Company for
expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the Board of
Directors. Effective September 30, 2000, the annual fee from the Company will be
increased from $10,000 to $15,000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Compensation Table
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Name of Person, Aggregate Compensation from Pension or Retirement Estimated Annual Total Compensation from
Position Registrant for Fiscal Year Benefits Accrued as Benefits upon Retirement Fund and Fund Complex
Part of Fund Expenses Paid to Directors*
Owen Daly II, $11,250 0 0 $11,250 (1 Fund)
Director
Albert R. Dowden, $15,000 0 0 $15,000 (1 Fund)
Director
James L. Schultz $15,000 0 0 $15,000 (1 Fund)
Director
William Lerner $3,750 0 0 $3,750 (1 Fund)
Director
</TABLE>
* The total compensation paid to such persons by the Fund and Fund Complex for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000 and, with respect to certain of the funds
in the Fund Complex, estimated to be paid during the fiscal year ended March 31,
2000. The parenthetical number represents the number of investment companies
(including the Fund) from which such person receives compensation that are
considered part of the same Fund complex as the Fund, because, among other
things, they have a common investment advisor.
MANAGER AND INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Reich & Tang Asset Management L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, with its
principal offices at 600 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10020, serves as the
manager and investment advisor of the Company and its three Funds pursuant to
agreements with the Funds dated August 30, 1996 (the "Management/Investment
Advisory Agreements"). Under the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements,
Reich & Tang Asset Management L.P. (the "Manager") provides, either directly or
indirectly through contracts with others, all services required for the
management of the Company. The Manager bears all ordinary operating expenses
associated with the Company's operation except: (a) the fees of the Directors
who are not "interested persons" of the Company, as defined by the 1940 Act, and
the travel and related expenses of the Directors incident to their attending
shareholders', directors' and committee meetings, (b) interest, taxes and
brokerage commissions (which are expected to be insignificant), (c)
extraordinary expenses, if any, including but not limited to legal claims and
liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification related thereto, (d)
shareholder service or distribution fees payable by the Company under the plans
of distribution described under the heading "Distributor" below, and (e)
membership dues of any industry association. Additionally, the Manager has
assumed all expenses associated with organizing the Company and all expenses of
registering or qualifying the Company's shares under federal and state
securities laws.
8
<PAGE>
The Manager was, as of June 30, 2000, investment manager, advisor or supervisor
with respect to assets aggregating in excess of $15.6 billion. The Manager
currently acts as investment manager or administrator of seventeen other
investment companies and also advises pension trusts, profit sharing trusts and
endowments.
Nvest Companies, L.P. (Nvest Companies) is the limited partner and owner of a
99.5% interest in the Manager. Reich & Tang Asset Management, Inc. (RTAM) is the
sole general partner and owner of the remaining 0.5% interest of the Manager, as
well as being an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Nvest Companies. Nvest
Companies is a publicly traded company of which approximately 13% of its
outstanding partnership interests is owned, directly and indirectly, by Reich &
Tang, Inc. The managing general partner of Nvest Companies is Nvest Corporation,
a Massachusetts corporation (formerly known as The New England Investment
Companies, Inc.).
Nvest Companies is a holding company offering a broad array of investment styles
across a wide range of asset categories through seventeen subsidiaries,
divisions and affiliates offering a wide array of investment styles and products
to institutional clients. Its business units, in addition to the Manager,
include AEW Capital Management, L.P., Back Bay Advisors, L.P.; Capital Growth
Management Limited Partnerships; Greystone Partners, L.P.; Harris Associates,
L.P.; Jurika & Voyles, L.P.; Kobrick Funds, LLP, Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.;
New England Funds, L.P.; Nvest Associates, Inc.; Snyder Capital Management,
L.P.; Vaughan, Nelson, Scarborough & McCullough, L.P.; and Westpeak Investment
Advisors, L.P. These affiliates in the aggregate are investment advisors or
managers to more than 80 other registered investment companies.
CDC Asset Management ("CDC AM"), the investment management arm of France's
Caisse des Depots Group, has completed its acquisition of Nvest, L.P. and Nvest
Companies, L.P. As a result CDC AM owns, directly or indirectly, a controlling
interest in the Manager, which serves as investment adviser to the Company's
Funds.
The Nvest-CDC AM transaction involved a change of ownership of Nvest, which may
be deemed to have caused a "change of control" of the Manager, even though the
Manager's operations did not change as a result. As required by the 1940 Act,
which regulates investment companies such as the Funds, each Fund's shareholders
approved a new Management/Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund to assure
that there is no interruption in the services the Manager provides to the Fund.
Each new Management/Investment Advisory Agreement is effective as of October 30,
2000.
CDC AM is 60% owned by CDC Finance, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caisse des
depots et Consignations ("CDC"). Founded in 1816, CDC is a major diversified
financial institution. In addition to its 60% ownership of CDC AM through CDC
Finance, CDC owns 40% of CNP Assurances, the leading French insurance company,
which itself owns 20% of CDC AM. CDC also owns 35% of Caisse National des
Caisses d'Epargne, which also owns 20% of CDC AM. CDC is 100% owned by the
French state.
On July 25, 2000, the Board of Directors, including a majority of the
directors who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Fund or the Manager, approved Management/Investment Advisory Agreements for an
initial period extending to June 30, 1998. By their terms, the
Management/Investment Advisory Agreements may be continued from year to year
thereafter. The Management/Investment Advisory Agreements were most recently
approved for continuance by the Board of Directors of the Fund on June 15, 2000,
and will remain in effect from year to year as long as their continuation is
approved at least annually by (i) the Board of Directors or the vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and (ii) a majority
of the Directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of any party to the
Management/Investment Advisory Agreements, cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The Management/Investment Advisory Agreements were approved by each Fund on
March 28, 1996 and each contains the same terms and conditions governing the
Manager's investment management responsibilities as the Fund's previous
Management/ Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, except as to the
date of execution and termination.
Pursuant to the terms of the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements, the
Manager manages the investments of each of the Funds, subject at all times to
the policies and control of the Company's Board of Directors. The Manager
obtains and evaluates economic, statistical and financial information to
formulate and implement investment policies for the Funds. The Manager shall not
be liable to the Funds or to their shareholders except in the case of the
Manager's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of duty.
9
<PAGE>
Under the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements, the Manager: (a) supervises
and manages all aspects of the Company's operations and the operations of each
of the Company's three Funds; (b) furnishes the Company with such office space,
heat, light, utilities, equipment and personnel as may be necessary for the
proper operation of the Funds and the Company's principal executive office; (c)
monitors the performance by all other persons furnishing services to the Company
on behalf of each Fund and the shareholders thereof and periodically reports on
such performance to the Board of Directors; (d) investigates, selects and
conducts relationships on behalf of the Company with custodians, depositories,
accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, insurers, banks,
printers and other service providers and entities performing services to the
Funds and their shareholders; (e) furnishes the Funds with all
necessary accounting services; and (f) reviews and supervises the preparation of
all financial, tax and other reports and regulatory filings. The expenses of
furnishing the foregoing are borne by the Manager. See "Expenses" below.
In consideration of the services to be provided by the Manager and the expenses
to be borne by the Manager under the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements,
the Manager receives annual fees from each of the Portfolios, calculated daily
and paid monthly, of 0.800% of the first $500 million of the Company's average
daily net assets, 0.775% of the average daily net assets of the Company in
excess of $500 million but less than $1 billion, 0.750% of the average daily net
assets of the Company in excess of $1 billion but less than $1.5 billion, plus
0.725% of the Company's average daily net assets in excess of $1.5 billion. The
Company's comprehensive fee is higher than most other money market mutual funds
which do not offer services that the Company offers. However, most other funds
bear certain expenses that are borne by the Manager. During the fiscal years
ended March 31, 2000, March 31, 1999 and March 31, 1998 the Company paid to the
Manager the management fees set forth in the table below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Management Fees
2000 Payable Waived Paid
---- ------- ------ ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cortland General $12,573,363 $550,000 $12,023,363
U.S. Government 1,465,992 250,000 1,215,992
Municipal 2,196,430 0 2,196,430
1999
Cortland General $9,651,092 $0 $9,651,092
U.S. Government 1,371,830 0 1,371,830
Municipal 2,252,782 0 2,252,782
1998
Cortland General $10,788,822 $428,000 $10,360,822
U.S. Government 1,493,237 361,000 1,132,237
Municipal 1,853,830 0 1,853,830
</TABLE>
The Management/Investment Advisory Agreements may be terminated on 60 days'
written notice without penalty. Each Management/Investment Advisory Agreement
terminates automatically in the event of its "assignment," as defined in the
1940 Act. The Company's (Portfolios') right to use the name "Cortland" in its
name in any form or combination may terminate upon termination of the Manager as
the Company's (Portfolios') investment manager.
Pursuant to the terms of the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements, the
Manager: (a) provides the Company with certain executive, administrative and
clerical services as are deemed advisable by the Board of Directors; (b)
arranges, but does not pay for, the periodic updating of prospectuses and
statements of additional information and supplements thereto, proxy materials,
tax returns, reports to each Fund's shareholders and reports to and filings with
the SEC and state Blue Sky authorities; (c) provides the Board of Directors on a
regular basis with financial reports and analyses of the Funds' operations and
the operation of comparable investment companies; (d) obtains and evaluates
10
<PAGE>
pertinent information about significant developments and economic, statistical
and financial data, domestic, foreign or otherwise, whether affecting the
economy generally or any of the Funds and whether concerning the individual
issuers whose securities are included in the portfolios of the Company's three
Funds; (e) determines which issuers and securities shall be represented in the
Funds' portfolios and regularly reports thereon to the Company's Board of
Directors; (f) formulates and implements continuing programs for the purchases
and sales of securities for the Funds; and (g) takes, on behalf of the Funds,
all actions which appear to be necessary to carry into effect such purchase and
sale programs, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities. Any investment program undertaken by the Manager will at
all times be subject to the policies and control of the Board of Directors. The
Manager shall not be liable to the Funds or to their shareholders for any act or
omission by the Manager or for any loss sustained by a Fund or its shareholders
except in the case of the Manager's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of duty.
EXPENSES
Pursuant to the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements, the Manager
furnishes, without cost to the Company, the services of the President, Secretary
and one or more Vice Presidents of the Company and such other personnel as are
required for the proper conduct of the Funds' affairs and to carry out their
obligations under the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements. Pursuant to the
Management/Investment Advisory Agreements, the Manager maintains, at its expense
and without cost to the Funds, a trading function in order to carry out its
obligations to place orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities
for the Funds. The Manager, on behalf of its affiliate, Reich & Tang
Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), pays out of the management fees from
each of the Funds and payments under a Plan of Distribution (see "Distributor
and Plans of Distribution") the expenses of printing and distributing
prospectuses and statements of additional information and any other promotional
or sales literature used by the Distributor or furnished by the Distributor to
purchasers or dealers in connection with the public offering of the Funds'
shares, the expenses of advertising in connection with such public offering and
all legal expenses in connection with the foregoing.
Except as set forth below, the Manager pays all expenses of the Funds,
including, without limitation: the charges and expenses of any registrar, any
custodian or depository appointed by the Company for the safekeeping of its
cash, portfolio securities and other property, and any stock transfer, dividend
or accounting agent or agents appointed by the Company; all fees payable by the
Company to federal, state or other governmental agencies; the costs and expenses
of engraving or printing certificates representing shares of the Company (the
Company does not issue share certificates at the present time); all costs and
expenses in connection with the registration and maintenance of registration of
the Funds and their shares with the SEC and various states and other
jurisdictions (including filing fees, legal fees and disbursements of counsel);
the costs and expenses of printing, including typesetting, and distributing
prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Company and
supplements thereto to the Company's shareholders and to potential shareholders
of the Funds; all expenses of shareholders' meetings and of preparing, printing
and mailing of proxy statements and reports to shareholders; all expenses
incident to the payment of any dividend, distribution, withdrawal or redemption,
whether in shares or in cash; charges and expenses of any outside service used
for pricing of the Funds' shares; routine fees and expenses of legal counsel and
of independent accountants, in connection with any matter relating to the
Company; postage; insurance premiums on property or personnel (including
officers and directors) of the Company which inure to its benefit; and all other
charges and costs of the Funds' operations unless otherwise explicitly assumed
by the Company. The Company is responsible for payment of the following expenses
not borne by the Manager: (a) the fees of the directors who are not "interested
persons" of the Company, as defined by the 1940 Act, and travel and related
expenses of the directors for attendance at meetings, (b) interest, taxes and
brokerage commissions (which can be expected to be insignificant), (c)
extraordinary expenses, if any, including, but not limited to, legal claims and
liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification related thereto, (d)
any shareholder service or distribution fee payable by the Company under the
plan of distribution described below, and (e) membership dues of any industry
association.
Expenses which are attributable to any of the Company's Funds are charged
against the income of such Fund in determining net income for dividend purposes.
Expenses of the Company which are not directly attributable to the operations of
any single Fund are allocated among the Funds based upon the relative net assets
of each Fund.
The Manager has agreed to reduce its aggregate fees for any fiscal year, or to
reimburse each Fund, to the extent required so that the amount of the ordinary
expenses of each Fund (excluding brokerage commissions, interest, taxes and
extraordinary expenses such as litigation costs) paid or incurred by any of the
Funds do not exceed the expense limitations applicable to the Funds imposed by
the securities laws or regulations of those states or jurisdictions in which
such Fund's shares are registered or qualified for sale.
11
<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTOR AND PLANS OF DISTRIBUTION
The Distributor serves as the principal underwriter of the Company's shares
pursuant to Distribution Agreements dated September 15, 1993. The Distributor
has an office located at 600 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10020.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreements, the Distributor: (a) solicits and
receives orders for the purchase of shares of the Funds, accepts or rejects such
orders on behalf of the Company in accordance with the Company's currently
effective Prospectuses and transmits such orders as are accepted to the Company
as promptly as possible; (b) receives requests for redemptions and transmits
such redemption requests to the Company as promptly as possible; (c) responds to
inquiries from shareholders concerning the status of their accounts and the
operation of the Company; and (d) provides daily information concerning yields
and dividend rates to shareholders. The Distributor shall not be liable to the
Company or to its shareholders for any act or omission or any loss sustained by
the Company or its shareholders except in the case of the Distributor's willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty. The
Distributor receives no compensation from the Company for its services.
The Funds have adopted plans of distribution under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act
(the "Plans"). Pursuant to the Plans, the Distributor may pay certain
promotional and advertising expenses and may compensate certain registered
securities dealers and financial institutions for services provided in
connection with the processing of orders for purchase or redemption of the
shares of the Company and furnishing other shareholder services. Payments by the
Distributor are paid out of the management fees and distribution plan payments
received by the Manager and/or its affiliates from each of the Funds, out of
past profits or from any other source available to the Distributor. The
Distributor may enter into shareholder processing and service agreements (the
"Shareholder Service Agreements") with any securities dealer who is registered
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member in good standing of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and with banks and other
financial institutions which may wish to establish accounts or sub-accounts on
behalf of their customers ("Shareholder Service Agents"). For processing
investor purchase and redemption orders, responding to inquiries from Company
shareholders concerning the status of their accounts and operations of the Funds
and communicating with the Company and the Distributor, the Company may pay each
such Shareholder Service Agent (or if no Shareholder Service Agent provides
services, the Distributor, to cover expenditures for advertising, sales
literature and other promotional materials on behalf of the Company) an amount
not to exceed on an annual basis 0.25% of the aggregate average daily net assets
that such Shareholder Service Agent's customers maintain with the Company during
the term of any Shareholder Service Agreement. During the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2000, the Company paid $1,935,871, $158,595 and $138,593 for expenses
incurred pursuant to the Plans on behalf of the Cortland General Money Market
Fund, the U.S. Government Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund, respectively
(of this amount $161,292, $19,640 and $17,139 was voluntarily waived by the
Distributor for the Cortland General Money Market Fund, the U.S. Government Fund
and the Municipal Money Market Fund, respectively), all of which amounts were
spent in payment to financial intermediaries in connection with the distribution
of the Funds' shares. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, the Company
paid $1,416,410, $133,237 and $118,803 for expenses incurred pursuant to the
Plans on behalf of the Cortland General Money Market Fund, the U.S. Government
Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund, respectively (of this amount $169,971,
$21,318 and $17,877 was voluntarily waived by the Distributor for the Cortland
General Money Market Fund, the U.S. Government Fund and the Municipal Money
Market Fund, respectively), all of which amounts were spent in payment to
financial intermediaries in connection with the distribution of the Funds'
shares. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Company paid
$2,279,946, $278,868 and $245,314 for expenses incurred pursuant to the Plans on
behalf of the Cortland General Money Market Fund, the U.S. Government Fund and
the Municipal Money Market Fund, respectively, all of which amounts were spent
in payment to financial intermediaries in connection with the distribution of
the Funds' shares.
The Distributor, under the Plans, may also make payments to Shareholder Service
Agents out of the investment management fees received by the Manager from each
of the Funds, out of its past profits or from any other source available to the
Distributor. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, the Distributor paid
Shareholder Service Agents $5,700,304, $680,184 and $1,054,016, on behalf of the
Cortland General Money Market Fund, the U.S. Government Fund and the Municipal
Money Market Fund, respectively, under the Plans. During the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1999, the Distributor paid Shareholder Service Agents $4,526,144,
$1,173,860 and $1,837,213, on behalf of the Cortland General Money Market Fund,
the U.S. Government Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund, respectively,
under the Plans. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Distributor
paid Shareholder Service Agents $5,760,453, $845,153 and $1,074,158, on behalf
of the Cortland General Money Market Fund, the U.S. Government Fund and the
Municipal Money Market Fund, respectively, under the Plans.
The fees payable to Shareholder Service Agents under Shareholder Service
Agreements are negotiated by the Distributor. The Distributor will report
quarterly to the Board of Directors on the rate to be paid under each such
agreement and the amounts paid or payable under such agreements. The rate of
payment will be based upon the Distributor's analysis of: (1)
12
<PAGE>
the contribution that the Shareholder Service Agent makes to each of the Funds
by increasing assets under management and reducing expense ratios; (2) the
nature, quality and scope of services being provided by the Shareholder Service
Agent; (3) the cost to the Company if shareholder services were provided
directly by the Company or other authorized persons; (4) the costs incurred by
the Shareholder Service Agent in connection with providing services to
shareholders; and (5) the need to respond to competitive offers of others, which
could result in assets being withdrawn from a Fund and an increase in the
expense ratio for any of the Funds.
The Distribution Agreements for each of the Funds were last renewed by the Board
of Directors on June 15, 2000, to provide for the distribution of the shares of
each of the Funds. The Distribution Agreements will continue in effect from year
to year if specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Directors and
the affirmative vote of a majority ofthe directors who are not parties to the
Distribution Agreements or any Shareholder Service Agreement or "interested
persons" of any such party by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such
purpose. In approving the Plans, the directors determined, in the exercise of
their business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties as directors of
the Company, that there was a reasonable likelihood that the Plans would benefit
the Funds and their shareholders. The Plans may only be renewed if the directors
make a similar determination for each subsequent year. On June 10, 1999 the
Plans were renewed by the Company's Board of Directors and by the directors who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans to continue in effect
for an additional year. The Plans may not be amended to increase the maximum
amount of payments by the Company or the Manager to its Shareholder Service
Agents without shareholder approval, and all material amendments to the
provisions of the Plans must be approved by the Board of Directors and by the
directors who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans, by
votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of such vote. Each Fund
or the Distributor may terminate the Distribution Agreements on 60 days' written
notice without penalty. The Distribution Agreements terminate automatically in
the event of their "assignment," as defined in the 1940 Act. The services of the
Distributor to the Funds are not exclusive, and it is free to render similar
services to others. The Plans may also be terminated by each of the Funds or by
the Manager or in the event of their "assignment," as defined in the 1940 Act,
on the same basis as the Distribution Agreements.
Although it is a primary objective of the Plans to reduce expenses of the Funds
by fostering growth in the Funds' net assets, there can be no assurance that
this objective of the Plans will be achieved; however, based on the data and
information presented to the Board of Directors by the Manager and the
Distributor, the Board of Directors determined that there is a reasonable
likelihood that the benefits of growth in the size of the Funds can be
accomplished under the Plans.
When the Board of Directors approved the Distribution Agreements, the Primary
Dealer Agreement, the forms of Shareholder Service Agreement and the Plans, the
Board of Directors requested and evaluated such information as they deemed
reasonably necessary to make an informed determination that the Distribution
Agreements, Plans and related agreements should be approved. They considered and
gave appropriate weight to all pertinent factors necessary to reach the good
faith judgment that the Distribution Agreements, Plans and related agreements
would benefit the Funds and their respective shareholders.
The Board of Directors reviewed, among other things, (1) the nature and extent
of the services to be provided by the Manager, the Distributor and the
Shareholder Service Agents, (2) the value of all benefits received by the
Manager, (3) the overhead expenses incurred by the Manager attributable to
services provided to the Company's shareholders, and (4) expenses of the Company
being assumed by the Manager.
In connection with the approval of the Plans, the Board of Directors also
determined that the Funds would be expected to receive at least the following
benefits:
1) The Distributor and Shareholder Service Agents will furnish rapid access by
a shareholder to his Fund account for the purpose of effecting executions
of purchase and redemption orders.
2) The Distributor and Shareholder Service Agents will provide prompt,
efficient and reliable responses to inquiries of a shareholder concerning
his account status.
3) The Company's ability to sustain a relatively predictable flow of cash for
investment purposes and to meet redemptions facilitates more successful,
efficient portfolio management and the achievement of each of the Funds'
fundamental policies and objectives of providing stability of principal,
liquidity, and, consistent with the foregoing, the highest possible current
income, is enhanced by a stable network of distribution.
4) A successful distribution effort will assist the Manager in maintaining and
increasing the organizational strength needed to serve the Company.
5) The establishment of an orderly system for processing sales and redemptions
is also important to the Company's goal of maintaining the constant net
asset value of each Fund's shares, which most shareholders depend upon. By
identifying potential investors whose needs are served by the objectives of
the Fund, a well-developed,
13
<PAGE>
dependable network of Shareholder Service Agents may help to curb sharp
fluctuations in rates of redemptions and sales, thereby reducing the chance
that an unanticipated increase in net redemptions could adversely affect
the ability of the Funds to stabilize their net asset values per share.
6) The Company expects to share in the benefits of growth in the Funds' net
assets by achieving certain economies of scale based on a reduction in the
management fees, although the Manager will receive a larger fee if net
assets grow.
The Plans will only make payments for expenses actually incurred by the
Distributor. The Plans will not carry over expenses from year to year and if a
Plan is terminated in accordance with its terms, the obligations of a Fund to
makepayments to the Distributor pursuant to the Plan will cease and the Fund
will not be required to make any payments past the date the Plan terminates.
Prior to entering into shareholder servicing agreements with banks in Texas,
Cortland will obtain a representation from such banks that they are either
registered as dealers in Texas, or that they will not engage in activities that
would constitute acting as dealers under Texas State law.
Custodian
State Street Kansas City, acts as custodian for the Company's portfolio
securities and cash. State Street Kansas City receives such compensation from
the Manager for its services in such capacity as is agreed to from time to time
by State Street Kansas City and the Manager. The address of State Street Kansas
City is 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.
Transfer Agent
Reich & Tang Services, Inc., 600 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10020, acts as
transfer agent to the Fund. All costs associated with performing such services
are borne by the Manager.
Sub-Accounting
The Manager, at its expense, will provide sub-accounting services to all
shareholders, and maintain information with respect to underlying owners.
Investors, such as bank trust departments, investment counselors and brokers,
who purchase shares for the account of others, can make arrangements through the
Manager for these sub-accounting services.
Principal Holders of Securities
On June 30, 2000 there were 781,977,225 outstanding shares of the Cortland
General Money Market Fund Class of shares, 60,487,597 outstanding shares of the
U.S. Government Fund Class of shares and 51,005,707 outstanding shares of the
Municipal Money Market Fund Class of shares. As of June 30, 2000 the amount of
shares owned by all officers and directors of the Funds as a group was less than
1% of the outstanding shares of each Fund. Set forth below is certain
information as to persons who owned 5% or more of each Fund's outstanding shares
as of June 30, 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nature of
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Name and address Fund % of Class Ownership
Fiserv Correspondent, Inc. General Money Market 41.65% Record
As agent for various owners U.S. Government 41.10% Record
1125 17th Street Municipal Money Market 22.33% Record
Denver, Colorado 80202
BHC Securities, Inc. General Money Market 5.80% Record
As agent for various owners U.S. Government 5.96% Record
One Commerce Square Municipal Money Market 30.13% Record
2005 Market Street 12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-3212
14
<PAGE>
Southwest Securities, Inc. Municipal Money Market 10.39% Record
As agent for various owners
1201 Elm Street, Suite 4300
Dallas, TX 75270
Pilgrim Distributors Corp. General Money Market 5.77% Record
As agent for various owners
40 North Central Ave., Suite 1200
Phoenix, AZ 85004-4424
</TABLE>
Reports
The Company furnishes shareholders with semi-annual reports containing
information about the Funds and their operations, including a schedule of
investments held in the Funds' portfolios and the financial statements for each
Fund. The annual financial statements are audited by the Company's independent
auditors. The Board of Directors has selected Ernst & Young LLP, 787 Seventh
Avenue, New York, NY 10019, as the Company's independent auditors to audit the
Funds' financial statements and to review the Funds' tax returns.
Financial Statements
The audited financial statements for the Fund and the report of Ernst & Young
LLP thereon for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000 are herein incorporated by
reference to the Fund's Annual Report. The Annual Report is available upon
request and without charge.
SHARE PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Purchases and Redemptions
A complete description of the manner in which the Company's shares may be
purchased, redeemed or exchanged appears in the Prospectuses under the caption
"Shareholder Information".
The possibility that shareholders who maintain accounts of less than $500 in
value will be subject to mandatory redemption is also described under the
caption "How to Redeem Shares". If the Board of Directors authorizes mandatory
redemption of such small accounts, the holders of shares with a value of less
than $500 will be notified that they must increase their investment to $500 or
their shares will be redeemed on or after the 60th day following such notice or
pay a fee. Involuntary redemptions will not be made if the decline in value of
the account results from a decline in the net asset value of a share of any of
the Funds. The Company does not presently redeem such small accounts and does
not currently intend to do so.
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed when
(a) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted, as determined by
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, (b) the New York Stock Exchange is
closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings, (c) the SEC has by
order permitted such suspension, or (d) an emergency as determined by the SEC
exists making disposal of portfolio securities or the valuation of the net
assets of a Fund not reasonably practicable.
Net Asset Value Determination
The net asset values of the Funds are determined daily as of 12 noon Eastern
time on each day the New York Stock Exchange and the Company's custodian are
open for business.
For the purpose of determining the price at which shares of the Funds are issued
and redeemed, the net asset value per share is calculated immediately after the
daily dividend declaration by: (a) valuing all securities and instruments of a
Fund as set forth below; (b) deducting such Fund's liabilities; (c) dividing the
resulting amount by the number of shares outstanding of such Fund; and (d)
rounding the per share net asset value to the nearest whole cent. As discussed
below, it is the intention of the Company to maintain a net asset value per
share of $1.00 for each of the Funds.
The debt instruments held in each of the Fund's portfolios are valued on the
basis of amortized cost. This method involves valuing an instrument at its cost
and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or
premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market
value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it
may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is
higher or lower than the price a Fund would receive if it sold the entire
portfolio. During periods of declining interest rates, the
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daily yield for a Fund, computed as described under the caption "Dividends and
Tax Matters" below, may be higher than a similar computation made by a fund with
identical investments utilizing a method of valuation based upon market prices
and estimates of market prices for all of its portfolio instruments. Thus, if
the use of amortized cost by a Fund results in a lower aggregate portfolio value
for such Fund on a particular day, a prospective investor in the Fund would be
able to obtain a somewhat higher yield than would result from an investment in a
fund utilizing solely market values, and existing investors in such Fund would
receive less investment income. The converse would apply in a period of rising
interest rates.
As it is difficult to evaluate the likelihood of exercise or potential benefit
of a Stand-by Commitment, described under the caption "Investment Programs and
Restrictions - Stand-by Commitments," such commitments will be considered to
have no value, regardless of whether any direct or indirect consideration is
paid for such commitments. Where theMunicipal Money Market Fund has paid for a
Stand-by Commitment, its cost will be reflected as unrealized depreciation for
the period during which the commitment is held.
The valuation of the portfolio instruments based upon their amortized cost, the
calculation of each Fund's per share net asset value to the nearest whole cent
and the concomitant maintenance of the net asset value per share of $1.00 for
each of the Funds is permitted in accordance with applicable rules and
regulations of the SEC, which require the Funds to adhere to certain conditions.
Each Fund maintains a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or
less, purchases only instruments having remaining maturities of thirteen months
or less and invests only in securities determined by the Manager to be of high
quality with minimal credit risk. The Board of Directors is required to
establish procedures designed to stabilize, to the extent reasonably possible,
each Fund's price per share at $1.00 as computed for the purpose of sales and
redemptions. Such procedures include review of a Fund's portfolio holdings by
the Board of Directors, at such intervals as they may deem appropriate, to
determine whether the net asset value calculated by using available market
quotations or other reputable sources for a Fund deviates from $1.00 per share
and, if so, whether such deviation may result in material dilution or is
otherwise unfair to existing holders of the shares of the Fund. In the event the
Board of Directors determines that such a deviation exists for a Fund, it will
take such corrective action as the Board of Directors deems necessary and
appropriate, including the sale of portfolio instruments prior to maturity to
realize capital gains or losses or to shorten the average portfolio maturity;
the withholding of dividends; redemption of shares in kind; or the establishment
of a net asset value per share by using available market quotations.
DIVIDENDS AND TAX MATTERS
Dividends
All of the net income earned by each Fund is declared daily as dividends to the
respective holders of record of each Fund. Net income for each of the Funds for
dividend purposes (from the time of the immediately preceding determination
thereof) consists of (a) interest accrued and discount earned, if any, on the
assets of each Fund and any general income of the Company prorated to such Fund
based on the relative net assets of such Fund, less (b) amortization of premium
and accrued expenses for the applicable dividend period attributable directly to
such Fund and general expenses of the Company prorated to such Fund based on the
relative net assets of such Fund. The amount of discount or premium on
instruments in each Fund's portfolio is fixed at the time of purchase of the
instruments. See "Net Asset Value Determination" above. Realized gains and
losses on portfolio securities held by each Fund will be reflected in the net
asset value of such Fund. Each Fund expects to distribute any net realized
short-term gains of such Fund at least once each year, although it may
distribute them more frequently if necessary in order to maintain such Fund's
net asset value at $1.00 per share. The Funds do not expect to realize net
long-term capital gains.
Should any of the Funds incur or anticipate any unusual expense, loss or
depreciation which would adversely affect the net asset value per share or net
income per share of a Fund for a particular period, the Board of Directors would
at that time consider whether to adhere to the present dividend policy described
above or to revise it in light of then prevailing circumstances. For example, if
the net asset value per share of a Fund were reduced, or was anticipated to be
reduced, below $1.00, the Board of Directors may suspend further dividend
payments with respect to that Fund until the net asset value per share returns
to $1.00. Thus, such expense or loss or depreciation might result in a
shareholder receiving no dividends for the period during which he held shares of
the Fund and/or in his receiving upon redemption a price per share lower than
the price which he paid.
Dividends on a Fund's shares are normally payable on the date that a share
purchase or exchange order is effective and not on the date that a redemption
order is effective. The net income of a Fund for dividend purposes is determined
as of 12:00 noon Eastern time on each "business day" of the Company, as defined
in the Prospectus and immediately prior to the determination of each Fund's net
asset value on that day. Dividends are declared daily and reinvested in
additional full and fractional shares of each Fund at net asset value. A
shareholder may elect to have the declared dividends paid monthly to him by
check.
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Tax Matters
The following is only a summary of certain additional federal income tax
considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders that are not
described in their Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed
explanation of the tax treatment of each Fund or its shareholders, and the
discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as substitutes for
careful tax planning.
Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company
Each Fund has elected to be taxed as a regulated investment company for federal
income tax purposes under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). As a regulated investment company, a Fund is not subject
to federal income tax on the portion of its net investment income (i.e., taxable
interest, dividends and other taxable ordinary income, net of expenses) and
capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of capital gains over capital losses)
that it distributes to shareholders, provided that it distributes at least 90%
of its investment company taxable income (i.e., net investment income and the
excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) and, with
respect to the Municipal Money Market Fund, at least 90% of its tax-exempt
income (net of expenses allocable thereto) for the taxable year (the
"Distribution Requirement"), and satisfies certain other requirements of the
Code that are described below. Distributions by a Fund made during the taxable
year or, under specified circumstances, within twelve months after the close of
the taxable year, will be considered distributions of income and gains of the
taxable year and will therefore count toward satisfaction of the Distribution
Requirement.
If a Fund has a net capital loss (i.e., the excess of capital losses over
capital gains) for any year, the amount thereof may be carried forward up to
eight years and treated as a short-term capital loss which can be used to offset
capital gains in such years. As of March 31, 2000, the Cortland General Fund,
U.S. Government Fund, and Municipal Fund have capital loss carryforwards of
$1,648,320, $675,978, and $28,940, respectively, expiring, with respect to the
Cortland General Fund, $43,454 in the year 2003 and $1,604,866 in the year 2004;
with respect to the U.S. Government Fund, $224,737 in the year 2003 and $451,241
in the year 2004; and, with respect to the Municipal Fund, $13,541 in the year
2001, $3,530 in the year 2002, and $11,869 in the year 2003. Under Code Section
382, if a Fund has an "ownership change," the Fund's use of its capital loss
carryforwards in any year following the ownership change will be limited to an
amount equal to the net asset value of the Fund immediately prior to the
ownership change multiplied by the highest adjusted long-term tax-exempt rate
(which is published monthly by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS")) in
effect for any month in the 3-calendar-month period ending with the calendar
month in which the ownership change occurs (the rate for June 1999 is 4.85%).
Each Fund will use its best efforts to avoid having an ownership change.
However, because of circumstances which may be beyond the control of a Fund,
there can be no assurance that the Fund will not have, or has not already had,
an ownership change. If a Fund has or has had an ownership change, any capital
gain net income for any year following the ownership change in excess of the
annual limitation on the capital loss carryforwards will have to be distributed
by the Fund and will be taxable to shareholders as described under "Fund
Distributions" below.
In addition to satisfying the Distribution Requirement, a regulated investment
company must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest,
certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other
disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies (to the extent such
currency gains are directly related to the regulated investment company's
principal business of investing in stock or securities) and other income
(including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts)
derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or
currencies (the "Income Requirement").
In general, gain or loss recognized by a Fund on the disposition of an asset
will be a capital gain or loss. In addition, gain will be recognized as a result
of certain constructive sales, including short sales "against the box." However,
gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation (including municipal
obligations) purchased by a Fund at a market discount (generally, at a price
less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent
of the portion of the market discount which accrued during the period of time
the Fund held the debt obligation.
Further, the Code also treats as ordinary income a portion of the capital gain
attributable to a transaction where substantially all of the return realized is
attributable to the time value of a Fund's net investment in the transaction
and: (1) the transaction consists of the acquisition of property by the Fund and
a contemporaneous contract to sell substantially identical property in the
future; (2) the transaction is a straddle within the meaning of section 1092 of
the Code; (3) the transaction is one that was marketed or sold to the Fund on
the basis that it would have the economic characteristics of a loan but the
interest-like return would be taxed as capital gain; or (4) the transaction is
described as a conversion transaction in the Treasury Regulations. The amount of
the gain recharacterized generally will not exceed the amount of the interest
that would have accrued on the net investment for the relevant period at a yield
equal to 120% of the federal long-term, mid-term, or short-term rate, depending
upon the type of instrument at issue, reduced by
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an amount equal to: (1) prior inclusions of ordinary income items from the
conversion transaction and (2) the capital interest on acquisition indebtedness
under Code section 263(g). Built-in losses will be preserved where the Fund has
a built-in loss with respect to property that becomes a part of a conversion
transaction. No authority exists that indicates that the converted character of
the income will not be passed through to the Fund's shareholders.
In general, for purposes of determining whether capital gain or loss recognized
by a Fund on the disposition of an asset is long-term or short-term, the holding
period of the asset may be affected if (1) the asset is used to close a "short
sale" (which includes for certain purposes the acquisition of a put option) or
is substantially identical to another asset so used, (2) the asset is otherwise
held by the Fund as part of a "straddle" (which term generally excludes a
situation where the asset is stock and the Fund grants a qualified covered call
option (which, among other things, must not be deep-in-the-money) with respect
thereto) or (3) the asset is stock and the Fund grants an in-the-money qualified
covered call option with respect thereto. In addition, a Fund may be required to
defer the recognition of a loss on the disposition of an asset held as part of a
straddle to the extent of any unrecognized gain on the offsetting position.
Any gain recognized by a Fund on the lapse of, or any gain or loss recognized by
a Fund from a closing transaction with respect to, an option written by the Fund
will be treated as a short-term capital gain or loss.
Certain transactions that may be engaged in by a Fund (such as regulated futures
contracts and options on futures contracts) will be subject to special tax
treatment as "Section 1256 contracts." Section 1256 contracts are treated as if
they are sold for their fair market value on the last business day of the
taxable year, even though a taxpayer's obligations (or rights) under such
contracts have not terminated (by delivery, exercise, entering into a closing
transaction or otherwise) as of such date. Any gain or loss recognized as a
consequence of the year-end deemed disposition of Section 1256 contracts is
taken into account for the taxable year together with any other gain or loss
that previously was recognized upon the termination of Section 1256 contracts
during that taxable year. Any capital gain or loss for the taxable year with
respect to Section 1256 contracts (including any capital gain or loss arising as
a consequence of the year-end deemed sale of such contracts) is generally
treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or
loss. A Fund, however, may elect not to have this special tax treatment apply to
Section 1256 contracts that are part of a "mixed straddle" with other
investments of the Fund that are not Section 1256 contracts.
Treasury Regulations permit a regulated investment company, in determining its
investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net
long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) for any taxable year,
to elect (unless it made a taxable year election for excise tax purposes as
discussed below) to treat all or any part of any net capital loss, any net
long-term capital loss or any net foreign currency loss incurred after October
31 as if it had been incurred in the succeeding year.
In addition to satisfying the requirements described above, each Fund must
satisfy an asset diversification test in order to qualify as a regulated
investment company. Under this test, at the close of each quarter of each Fund's
taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund's assets must consist of
cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated
investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to each of which the
Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets in
securities of such issuer and does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of such issuer), and no more than 25% of the value of its
total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than
U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment
companies), or in two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are
engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses. Generally, an option (call
or put) with respect to a security is treated as issued by the issuer of the
security, not the issuer of the option. For purposes of asset diversification
testing, obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of
the U.S. Government such as the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, the
Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Corporation, a Federal Home Loan Bank,
the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage
Association, the Government National Mortgage Corporation, and the Student Loan
Marketing Association are treated as U.S. Government securities.
If for any taxable year a Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment
company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) will be
subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for
distributions to shareholders, and such distributions will be taxable to the
shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund's current and
accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions generally will be eligible
for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders.
Excise Tax on Regulated Investment Companies
A 4% non-deductible excise tax is imposed on a regulated investment company that
fails to distribute in each calendar year an amount equal to 98% of ordinary
taxable income for the calendar year and 98% of capital gain net income for
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the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year (or, at the
election of a regulated investment company having a taxable year ending November
30 or December 31, for its taxable year (a "taxable year election")).
(Tax-exempt interest on municipal obligations is not subject to the excise tax.)
The balance of such income must be distributed during the next calendar year.
For the foregoing purposes, a regulated investment company is treated as having
distributed any amount on which it is subject to income tax for any taxable year
ending in such calendar year.
For purposes of the excise tax, a regulated investment company shall: (1) reduce
its capital gain net income (but not below its net capital gain) by the amount
of any net ordinary loss for the calendar year; and (2) exclude foreign currency
gains and losses incurred after October 31 of any year (or after the end of its
taxable year if it has made a taxable yearelection) in determining the amount of
ordinary taxable income for the current calendar year (and, instead, include
such gains and losses in determining ordinary taxable income for the succeeding
calendar year).
Each Fund intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions of
its ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income prior to the end of each
calendar year to avoid liability for the excise tax. However, investors should
note that a Fund may in certain circumstances be required to liquidate portfolio
investments to make sufficient distributions to avoid excise tax liability.
Fund Distributions
Each Fund anticipates distributing substantially all of its investment company
taxable income for each taxable year. Such distributions will be taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income and treated as dividends for federal income tax
purposes, but they will not qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction for
corporate shareholders.
Each Fund may either retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain
for each taxable year. Each Fund currently intends to distribute any such
amounts. Net capital gain that is distributed and designated as a capital gain
dividend will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless
of the length of time the shareholder has held his shares or whether such gain
was recognized by the Fund prior to the date on which the shareholder acquired
his shares.
Conversely, if a Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be
taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at
the 35% corporate tax rate. If a Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, it
is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders of record on the
last day of its taxable year treated as if each received a distribution of his
pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be
required to report his pro rata share of such gain on his tax return as
long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for his pro rata
share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for
his shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
The Municipal Fund intends to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends by
satisfying the requirement that at the close of each quarter of the its taxable
year at least 50% of the Municipal Fund's total assets consists of tax-exempt
municipal obligations. Distributions from the Municipal Fund will constitute
exempt-interest dividends to the extent of such Fund's tax-exempt interest
income (net of expenses and amortized bond premium). Exempt-interest dividends
distributed to shareholders of the Municipal Fund are excluded from gross income
for federal income tax purposes. However, shareholders required to file a
federal income tax return will be required to report the receipt of
exempt-interest dividends on their returns. Moreover, while exempt-interest
dividends are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, they
may be subject to alternative minimum tax ("AMT") in certain circumstances and
may have other collateral tax consequences as discussed below. Distributions by
a Fund of any investment company taxable income or of any net capital gain will
be taxable to shareholders as discussed above.
AMT is imposed in addition to, but only to the extent it exceeds, the regular
tax and is computed at a maximum marginal rate of 28% for non-corporate
taxpayers and 20% for corporate taxpayers on the excess of the taxpayer's
alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI") over an exemption amount.
Exempt-interest dividends derived from certain "private activity" municipal
obligations issued after August 7, 1986 will generally constitute an item of tax
preference includable in AMTI for both corporate and non-corporate taxpayers. In
addition, exempt-interest dividends derived from all municipal obligations,
regardless of the date of issue, must be included in adjusted current earnings,
which are used in computing an additional corporate preference item (i.e., 75%
of the excess of a corporate taxpayer's adjusted current earnings over its AMTI
(determined without regard to this item and the AMT net operating loss
deduction)) includable in AMTI.
Exempt-interest dividends must be taken into account in computing the portion,
if any, of social security or railroad retirement benefits that must be included
in an individual shareholder's gross income and subject to federal income tax.
Further, a shareholder of the Municipal Fund is denied a deduction for interest
on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares of the Fund.
Moreover, a shareholder who is (or is related to) a "substantial user" of a
facility
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financed by industrial development bonds held by the Municipal Fund
will likely be subject to tax on dividends paid by the Fund which are derived
from interest on such bonds. Receipt of exempt-interest dividends may result in
other collateral federal income tax consequences to certain taxpayers, including
financial institutions, property and casualty insurance companies, and foreign
corporations engaged in a trade or business in the United States. Prospective
investors should consult their own advisers as to such consequences.
Distributions by a Fund that do not constitute ordinary income dividends,
exempt-interest dividends, or capital gain dividends will be treated as a return
of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder's tax basis in
his shares; any excess will be treated as gain realized from a sale of the
shares, as discussed below. Distributions by a Fund will be treated in the
manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash
or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund (or of another fund).
Shareholders receiving a distribution in the form of additional shares will be
treated as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value
of the shares received, determined as of the reinvestment date. In addition, if
the net asset value at the time a shareholder purchases shares of a Fund
reflects realized but undistributed income or gain, or unrealized appreciation
in the value of the assets held by the Fund, distributions of such amounts will
be taxable to the shareholder in the manner described above, although such
distributions economically constitute a return of capital to the shareholder.
Ordinarily, shareholders are required to take distributions by a Fund into
account in the year in which they are made. However, dividends declared in
October, November or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record
on a specified date in such a month will be deemed to have been received by the
shareholders (and made by the U.S. Government Series) on December 31 of such
calendar year provided such dividends are actually paid in January of the
following year. Shareholders will be advised annually as to the U.S. federal
income tax consequences of distributions made (or deemed made) to them during
the year.
Each Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the U.S.
Treasury 31% of ordinary income dividends and capital gain dividends, and the
proceeds of redemption of shares, paid to any shareholder (1) who has failed to
provide a correct taxpayer identification number, (2) who is subject to backup
withholding for failure properly to report the receipt of interest or dividend
income, or (3) who has failed to certify to the Fund that it is not subject to
backup withholding or that it is an "exempt recipient" (such as a corporation).
Sale or Redemption of Shares
Each Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share;
however, there can be no assurance that the Funds will be able to maintain such
value. If the net asset value deviates from $1.00 per share, a shareholder will
recognize gain or loss on the sale or redemption of shares of a Fund in an
amount equal to the difference between the proceeds of the sale or redemption
and the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares. All or a portion of any
loss so recognized may be disallowed if the shareholder purchases other shares
of a Fund within 30 days before or after the sale or redemption. In general, any
gain or loss arising from (or treated as arising from) the sale or redemption of
shares of a Fund will be considered capital gain or loss and will be long-term
capital gain or loss if the shares were held for longer than one year. However,
any capital loss arising from the sale or redemption of shares held for six
months or less will be disallowed to the extent of the amount of exempt-interest
dividends received with respect to such shares and (to the extent not
disallowed) will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the
amount of capital gain dividends received on such shares. For this purpose, the
special holding period rules of Code section 246(c)(3) and (4) generally will
apply in determining the holding period of shares. Capital losses in any year
are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a
noncorporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.
Foreign Shareholders
Taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien
individual, foreign trust or estate, foreign corporation, or foreign partnership
("foreign shareholder"), depends on whether the income from a Fund is
"effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such
shareholder.
If the income from a Fund is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or
business carried on by a foreign shareholder, ordinary income dividends paid to
the shareholder will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or
lower applicable treaty rate) on the gross amount of the dividend. Such a
foreign shareholder would generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on
gains realized on the sale or redemption of shares of a Fund, capital gain
dividends, exempt-interest dividends, and amounts retained by a Fund that are
designated as undistributed capital gains.
If the income from a Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business
carried on by a foreign shareholder, then ordinary income and capital gain
dividends received in respect of, and any gains realized upon the sale of,
shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates
applicable to U.S. taxpayers.
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In the case of a noncorporate foreign shareholder, a Fund may be required to
withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 31% on distributions that are
otherwise exempt from withholding (or subject to withholding at a reduced treaty
rate), unless the shareholder furnishes the Fund with proper notification of its
foreign status.
The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of
an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described herein. Foreign
shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the
particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund, including the
applicability of foreign taxes.
Effect of Future Legislation; Local Tax Considerations
The foregoing general discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences is
based on the Code and Treasury Regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the
date of this Statement of Additional Information. Future legislative or
administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the
conclusions expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may have a
retroactive effect.
Rules of state and local taxation of ordinary income dividends, exempt-interest
dividends and capital gain dividends from regulated investment companies may
differ from the rules for U.S. federal income taxation described above.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers as to the consequences of
these and other state and local tax rules affecting investment in a Fund.
YIELD INFORMATION
The yield for each Fund can be obtained by calling your securities dealer or the
Distributor at (212) 830-5280 if calling from New Jersey, Alaska or Hawaii, or
by calling toll free at (800) 433-1918 if calling from elsewhere in the
continental U.S. Quotations of yield on the Funds may also appear from time to
time in the financial press and in advertisements.
The current yields quoted will be the net average annualized yield for an
identified period, usually seven consecutive calendar days. Yield for a Fund
will be computed by assuming that an account was established with a single share
of such Fund (the "Single Share Account") on the first day of the period. To
arrive at the quoted yield, the net change in the value of that Single Share
Account for the period (which would include dividends accrued with respect to
the share, and dividends declared on shares purchased with dividends accrued and
paid, if any, but would not include realized gains and losses or unrealized
appreciation or depreciation) will be multiplied by 365 and then divided by the
number of days in the period, with the resulting figure carried to the nearest
hundredth of 1%. The Company may also furnish a quotation of effective yield for
each Fund that assumes the reinvestment of dividends for a 365 day year and a
return for the entire year equal to the average annualized yield for the period,
which will be computed by compounding the unannualized current yield for the
period by adding 1 to the unannualized current yield, raising the sum to a power
equal to 365 divided by the number of days in the period, and then subtracting 1
from the result. Historical yields are not necessarily indicative of future
yields. Rates of return will vary as interest rates and other conditions
affecting money market instruments change. Yields also depend on the quality,
length of maturity and type of instruments in each Fund's portfolio and each
Fund's operating expenses. Quotations of yields will be accompanied by
information concerning the average weighted maturity of the Funds. Comparison of
the quoted yields of various investments is valid only if yields are calculated
in the same manner and for identical limited periods. When comparing the yield
for one of the Funds with yields quoted with respect to other investments,
shareholders should consider (a) possible differences in time periods, (b) the
effect of the methods used to calculate quoted yields, (c) the quality and
average-weighted maturity of portfolio investments, expenses, convenience,
liquidity and other important factors, and (d) the taxable or tax-exempt
character of all or part of dividends received.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the
Company, broker-dealer selection and negotiation of commission rates. Since
purchases and sales of portfolio securities by the Company are usually principal
transactions, the Funds incur little or no brokerage commissions. Portfolio
securities are normally purchased directly from the issuer or from a market
maker for the securities. The purchase price paid to dealers serving as market
makers may include a spread between the bid and asked prices. The Company may
also purchase securities from underwriters at prices which include a commission
paid by the issuer to the underwriter.
The Company does not seek to profit from short-term trading, and will generally
(but not always) hold portfolio securities to maturity. However, the Manager may
seek to enhance the yield of the Funds by taking advantage of yield disparities
or other factors that occur in the money market. For example, market conditions
frequently result in similar securities trading at different prices. The Manager
may dispose of any portfolio security prior to its maturity if such disposition
and reinvestment of proceeds are expected to enhance yield consistent with the
Manager's judgment as to desirable portfolio maturity structure or if such
disposition is believed to be advisable due to other circumstances or
conditions.
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Each Fund is required to maintain an average weighted portfolio maturity of 90
days or less and purchase only instruments having remaining maturities of 13
months or less. Both may result in relatively high portfolio turnover, but since
brokerage commissions are not normally paid on U.S. Government Obligations,
Agencies, Money Market Obligations and Municipal Securities, the high rate of
portfolio turnover is not expected to have a material effect on the Funds' net
income or expenses.
Allocation of transactions, including their frequency, to various dealers is
determined by the Manager in its best judgment and in a manner deemed to be in
the best interest of shareholders of the Company rather than by any formula. The
primary consideration is prompt execution of orders in an effective manner at
the most favorable price.
The Manager and its affiliates manage several other investment accounts, some of
which may have objectives similar to the Funds'. It is possible that at times,
identical securities will be acceptable for one or more of such investment
accounts. However, the position of each account in the securities of the same
issue may vary and the length of time that each account may choose to hold its
investment in the securities of the same issue may likewise vary. The timing and
amount of purchase by each account will also be determined by its cash position.
If the purchase or sale of securities consistent with the investment policies of
the Funds and one or more of these accounts is considered at or about the same
time, transactions in such securities will be allocated in good faith among the
Funds and such accounts in a manner deemed equitable by the Manager. The Manager
may combine such transactions, in accordance with applicable laws and
regulations, in order to obtain the best net price and most favorable execution.
The allocation and combination of simultaneous securities purchases on behalf of
the three Funds will be made in the same way that such purchases are allocated
among or combined with those of other Reich & Tang accounts. Simultaneous
transactions could adversely affect the ability of a Fund to obtain or dispose
of the full amount of a security which it seeks to purchase or sell.
Provisions of the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder have also been
construed to prohibit the Funds' purchasing securities or instruments from or
selling securities or instruments to, any holder of 5% or more of the voting
securities of any investment company managed by the Manager. The Funds have
obtained an order of exemption from the SEC which would permit the Funds to
engage in transactions with such a 5% holder, if the 5% holder is one of the 50
largest U.S. banks measured by deposits. Purchases from these 5% holders will be
subject to quarterly review by the Board of Directors including those directors
who are not "interested persons" of the Company. Additionally, such purchases
and sales will be subject to the following conditions: (1) the Company will
maintain and preserve a written copy of the internal control procedures for the
monitoring of such transactions, together with a written record of any such
transactions setting forth a description of the security purchased or sold, the
identity of the purchaser or seller, the terms of the purchase or sale
transaction and the information or materials upon which the determinations to
purchase or sell each security were made; (2) each security to be purchased or
sold by a Fund will be: (i) consistent with such Fund's investment policies and
objectives; (ii) consistent with the interests of shareholders of such Fund; and
(iii) comparable in terms of quality, yield, and maturity to similar securities
purchased or sold during a comparable period of time; (3) the terms of each
transaction will be reasonable and fair to shareholders of the Funds and will
not involve overreaching on the part of any person; and (4) each commission,
fee, spread or other remuneration received by a 5% holder will be reasonable and
fair compared to the commission, fee, spread or other remuneration received by
other brokers or dealers in connection with comparable transactions involving
similar securities purchased or sold during a comparable period of time and will
not exceed the limitations set forth in Section 17(e)(2) of the 1940 Act.
The Company and Its Shares
The shares of the Company are divided into three series constituting separate
portfolios of investments, with various investment objectives and policies (each
such series is referred to herein as a "Fund" and collectively as the "Funds"):
Cortland General Money Market Fund
U.S. Government Fund
Municipal Money Market Fund
Each Fund issues shares of common stock in the Company. Shares of the Company
have equal rights with respect to voting, except that the holders of shares of a
particular Fund will have the exclusive right to vote on matters affecting only
the rights of the holders of such Fund. Each share of a Fund bears equally the
expenses of such Fund.
As used in each Prospectus of the Company, the term "majority of the outstanding
shares" of the Company or of a particular Fund means, respectively, the vote of
the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the shares of the Company or such Fund present
at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the
Company or such Fund are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50%
of the outstanding shares of the Company or such Fund.
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<PAGE>
Shareholders of the Funds do not have cumulative voting rights, and therefore
the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Company voting
together for the election of directors may elect all of the members of the Board
of Directors. In such event, the remaining holders cannot elect any members of
the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may classify or reclassify any unissued shares to create
a new class or classes in addition to those already authorized by setting or
changing in any one or more respects, from time to time, prior to the issuance
of such shares, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, or terms or
conditions of redemption, of such shares. Any such classification or
reclassification will comply with the provisions of the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
The Company currently offers the following Classes of shares: Cortland General
Money Market Fund Shares, U.S. Government Fund Shares, Municipal Money Market
Fund Shares, Live Oak General Money Market Fund Shares, Live Oak U.S. Government
Fund Shares and Live Oak U.S. Government Fund Shares. The Articles of
Incorporation, as supplemented, permit the Directors to issue the following
number of full and fractional shares, par value $.001, of the Portfolios:
2,000,000,000 shares of the Cortland General Money Market Fund (of which
100,000,000 shares are classified as the Pilgrim General Fund and 400,000,000
shares are classified as Live Oak General Money Market Fund Shares);
1,000,000,000 shares of the U.S. Government Fund (of which 100,000,000 shares
are classified as Live Oak U.S. Government Fund Shares and 400,000,000 shares
are classified as the Bradford U.S. Government Money Market Fund Shares); and
1,000,000,000 shares of the Municipal Money Market Fund (of which 100,000,000
shares are classified as Live Oak Municipal Money Market Fund Shares and
400,000,000 shares are classified as the Bradford Short-Term Municipal Money
Market Fund Shares). Each Fund share is entitled to participate pro rata in the
dividends and distributions from that Fund. Additional information concerning
the rights of share ownership is set forth in each Prospectus.
The assets received by the Company for the issue or sale of shares of each Fund
and all income, earnings, profits, losses and proceeds therefrom, subject only
to the rights of creditors, are allocated to that Fund, and constitute the
underlying assets of that Fund. The underlying assets of each Fund are
segregated and are charged with the expenses with respect to that Fund and with
a share of the general expenses of the Company as described below under
"Expenses." While the expenses of the Company are allocated to the separate
books of account of each Fund, certain expenses may be legally chargeable
against the assets of all three Funds. Also, certain expenses may be allocated
to a particular class of a Fund. See "Expenses."
The Articles of Incorporation provide that to the fullest extent that
limitations on the liability of directors and officers are permitted by the
Maryland General Corporation Law, no director or officer of the Company shall
have any liability to the Company or to its shareholders for damages.
The Articles of Incorporation further provide that the Company shall indemnify
and advance expenses to its currently acting and its former directors to the
fullest extent that indemnification of directors is permitted by the Maryland
General Corporation Law; that the Company shall indemnify and advance expenses
to its officers to the same extent as its directors and to such further extent
as is consistent with law and that the Board of Directors may through By-law,
resolution or agreement make further provisions for indemnification of
directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the
Maryland General Corporation Law. However, nothing in the Articles of
Incorporation protects any director or officer of the Company against any
liability to the Company or to its shareholders to which he or she would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or
her office.
As described in the Prospectus, the Company will not normally hold annual
shareholders' meetings. Under Maryland law and the Company's By-Laws, an annual
meeting is not required to be held in any year in which the election of
directors is not required to be acted upon under the 1940 Act. At such time as
less than a majority of the directors have been elected by the shareholders, the
directors then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for the election of
directors.
Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus and in this Statement of
Additional Information, the directors shall continue to hold office and may
appoint their successors.
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INVESTMENT RATINGS
The following is a description of the two highest commercial paper, bond,
municipal bond and other short- and long-term categories assigned by Standard &
Poor's Rating Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies ("S&P"), Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch"),
Duff and Phelps ("Duff"), and IBCA Inc. and IBCA Limited ("IBCA"):
COMMERCIAL PAPER AND SHORT-TERM RATINGS
The designation A-1 by S&P indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is either overwhelming or very strong. Those issues determined to
possess overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+)
designation. Capacity for timely payment on issues with an A-2 designation is
strong. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues
designated A-1.
The rating Prime-1 (P-1) is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by
Moody's. Issuers of P-1 paper must have a superior capacity for repayment of
short-term promissory obligations, and ordinarily will be evidenced by leading
market positions in well established industries, high rates of return of funds
employed, conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on debt
and ample asset protection, broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed
financial charges and high internal cash generation, and well established access
to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
Issues rated Prime-2 (P-2) have a strong capacity for repayment of short-term
promissory obligations. This ordinarily will be evidenced by many of the
characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage
ratios, while sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization
characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external
conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
The rating Fitch-1 (Highest Grade) is the highest commercial rating assigned by
Fitch. Paper rated Fitch-1 is regarded as having the strongest degree of
assurance for timely payment. The rating Fitch-2 (Very Good Grade) is the second
highest commercial paper rating assigned by Fitch which reflects an assurance of
timely payment only slightly less in degree than the strongest issues.
The rating Duff-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Duff. Paper
rated Duff-1 is regarded as having very high certainty of timely payment with
excellent liquidity factors which are supported by ample asset protection. Risk
factors are minor. Paper rated Duff-2 is regarded as having good certainty of
timely payment, good access to capital markets and sound liquidity factors and
company fundamentals. Risk factors are small.
The designation A1 by IBCA indicates that the obligation is supported by a very
strong capacity for timely repayment. Those obligations rated A1+ are supported
by the highest capacity for timely repayment. Obligations rated A2 are supported
by a strong capacity for timely repayment, although such capacity may be
susceptible to adverse changes in business, economic or financial conditions.
BOND AND LONG-TERM RATINGS
Bonds rated AAA are considered by S&P to be the highest grade obligations and
possess an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Bonds rated
AA by S&P are judged by S&P to have a very strong capacity to pay principal and
interest, and in the majority of instances, differ only in small degrees from
issues rated AAA.
Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the
smallest degree of investment risk and are general referred to as "gilt edge."
Bonds rated Aa by Moody's are judged by Moody's 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 Aaa bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large or fluctuations of protective elements may be of
greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the
long-term risks appear somewhat larger. Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2
and 3 in the Aa rating category. The modifier 1 indicates a ranking for the
security in the higher end of this rating category, the modifier 2 indicates a
mid-range ranking, and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of
the rating category.
Bonds rated AAA by Fitch are judged by Fitch to be strictly high grade, broadly
marketable, suitable for investment by trustees and fiduciary institutions and
are liable to but slight market fluctuation other than through changes in the
money rate. The prime feature of an AAA bond is a showing of earnings several
times or many times interest requirements, with such stability of applicable
earnings that safety is beyond reasonable question whatever changes occur in
conditions. Bonds rated AA by Fitch are judged by Fitch to be of safety
virtually beyond question and are readily salable, whose merits are not unlike
those of the AAA class, but whose margin of safety is 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
market.
Bonds rated Duff-1 are judged by Duff to be of the highest credit quality with
negligible risk factors; only slightly more than U.S. Treasury debt. Bonds rated
Duff-2, 3 and 4 are judged by Duff to be of high credit quality with strong
protection factors. Risk is modest but may vary slightly from time to time
because of economic conditions.
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Obligations rated AAA by IBCA have the lowest expectation of investment risk.
Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is substantial, such
that adverse changes in business, economic or financial conditions are unlikely
to increase investment risk significantly. Obligations for which there is a very
low expectation of investment risk are rated AA by IBCA.
Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is substantial. Adverse
changes in business, economic or financial conditions may increase investment
risk albeit not very significantly.
MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
S&P's Municipal Bond Ratings cover obligations of states and political
subdivisions. Ratings are assigned to general obligation and revenue bonds.
General obligation bonds are usually secured by all resources available to the
municipality and the factors outlined in the rating definitions below are
weighed in determining the rating. Because revenue bonds in general are payable
from specifically pledged revenues, the essential element in the security for a
revenue bond is the quantity of the pledged revenues available to pay debt
service.
Although an appraisal of most of the same factors that bear on the quality of
general obligation bond credit is usually appropriate in the rating analysis of
a revenue bond, other facts are also important, including particularly the
competitive position of the municipal enterprise under review and the basic
security covenants. Although a rating reflects S&P's judgment as to the issuer's
capacity for the timely payment of debt service, in certain circumstances it may
also reflect a mechanism or procedure for an assured and prompt cure of a
default, should one occur, i.e., an insurance program, federal or state
guaranty, or the automatic withholding and use of state aid to pay the default
debt service.
AAA
These are obligations of the highest quality. They have the strongest capacity
for timely payment of debt service.
General Obligation Bonds - In a period of economic stress, the issuers will
suffer the smallest declines in income and will be least susceptible to
autonomous decline. Debt burden is moderate. A strong revenue structure appears
more than adequate to meet future expenditure requirements. Quality of
management appears superior.
Revenue Bonds - Debt service coverage has been, and is expected to remain,
substantial. Stability of the pledged revenues is also exceptionally strong, due
to the competitive position of the municipal enterprise or to the nature of the
revenues. Basic security provisions (including rate covenants, earning tests for
issuance of additional bonds, and debt service reserve requirements) are
rigorous. There is evidence of superior management.
AA
The investment characteristics of general obligation and revenue bonds in this
group are only slightly less marked than those of the AAA category. Bonds rated
"AA" have the second strongest capacity for payment of debt service.
S&P's bond letter ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or a
minus (-) sign which designates a bond's relative quality within the major
rating categories, except in the AAA category.
S&P Tax-Exempt Demand Bonds Ratings
S&P assigns "dual" ratings to all long-term debt issues that have as part of
their provisions a demand feature.
The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest
as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term
debt rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity, and the
commercial paper rating symbols are used to denote the put option (e.g.,
"AAA/A-1+").
MOODY'S MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
Aaa
Bonds which are judged to be of the highest quality are rated "Aaa." 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 anticipated are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa
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 Aaa bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as the Aaa securities or the fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude, or other elements may be
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa
securities.
MOODY'S STATE AND MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM RATINGS
Moody's assigns state and municipal notes, as well as other short-term
obligations, a Moody's Investment Grade ("MIG") rating. Factors affecting the
liquidity of the borrower and short-term cyclical elements are critical in
short-term ratings, while other factors of major importance in evaluating bond
risk may be less important over the short run.
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MIG 1
Notes bearing this designation are of the best quality. The notes enjoy strong
"protection" by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or a
demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2
Notes bearing this designation are of high quality. Margins of protection are
ample although not as large as in the preceding group.
MOODY'S TAX-EXEMPT DEMAND RATINGS
Moody's assigns issues which have demand features (i.e., variable rate demand
obligations) a VMIG symbol. This symbol reflects such characteristics as payment
upon periodic demand rather than fixed maturity, and payment relying on external
liquidity. The VMIG rating is modified by the numbers 1, 2 or 3. VMIG1
represents the best quality in the VMIG category and VMIG2 represents high
quality.
INTERNATIONAL AND U.S. BANK RATINGS
An IBCA bank rating represents IBCA's current assessment of the strength of the
bank and whether such bank would receive support should it experience
difficulties. In its assessment of a bank, IBCA uses a dual rating system
comprised of Legal Ratings and Individual Ratings. In addition, IBCA assigns
banks Long- and Short-Term Ratings as used in the corporate ratings discussed
above. Legal Ratings, which range in gradation from 1 through 5, address the
question of whether the bank would receive support provided by central banks or
shareholders if it experienced difficulties, and such ratings are considered by
IBCA to be a prime factor in its assessment of credit risk. Individual Ratings,
which range in gradations from A through E, represent IBCA's assessment of a
bank's economic merits and address the question of how the bank would be viewed
if it were entirely independent and could not rely on support from state
authorities or its owners.
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Live Oak 600 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10020
Shares (212) 830-5280
================================================================================
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
October 31, 2000
Relating to the Live Oak Shares Prospectus
dated July 28, 2000
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It should be read
in conjunction with a Prospectus which may be obtained from your securities
dealer or by writing to Reich & Tang Distributors, Inc., 600 Fifth Avenue, New
York, New York 10020 or toll free at (800) 433-1918.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table of Contents
<S> <C> <C> <C>
General Information about the Company 2 Net Asset Value Determination 15
Investment Programs and Restrictions 2 Dividends and Tax Matters 16
Investment Programs 2 Dividends 16
When-Issued Securities 5 Tax Matters 16
Stand-by Commitments 5 Qualification as a Regulated
Municipal Participations 6 Investment Company 17
Investment Restrictions 6 Excise Tax on Regulated
Directors and Officers 7 Investment Companies 18
Compensation Table 8 Fund Distributions 19
Manager and Investment Advisor 8 Sale or Redemption of Shares 20
Expenses 11 Foreign Shareholders 20
Distributor and Plans of Distribution 12 Effect of Future Legislation and
Custodian 14 Local Tax Considerations 21
Transfer Agent 14 Yield Information 21
Sub-Accounting 14 Portfolio Transactions 21
Principal Holders of Securities 15 The Company and Its Shares 22
Reports 15 Investment Ratings 24
Financial Statements 15
Share Purchases and Redemptions 15
Purchases and Redemptions 15
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY
The Company, Cortland Trust, Inc., is a money market mutual fund. The Company is
a no-load, open-end diversified investment company. The Company was initially
organized as a Massachusetts business trust pursuant to an Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated October 31, 1984, but had no operations prior to May
9, 1985. On July 31, 1989, the Company was reorganized from a Massachusetts
business trust into a Maryland corporation, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization approved by the shareholders on July 31, 1989.
INVESTMENT PROGRAMS AND RESTRICTIONS
Investment Programs
Information concerning the fundamental investment objectives of the Company and
each Portfolio is set forth in the Prospectus, respectively, under the caption
"Investment Objectives, Principal Investment Strategies and Related Risks". The
principal features of the investment programs and the primary risks associated
with those investment programs of the Company and the Portfolios are discussed
in the Prospectus under the aforementioned captions.
The following is a more detailed description of the portfolio instruments
eligible for purchase by the Portfolios which augments the summary of the
Company's and the Portfolios' investment programs which appears in the
Prospectus, under the aforementioned captions. The Company seeks to achieve its
objectives by investing in portfolios of short-term instruments rated high
quality by a major rating service or determined to be of high quality by the
Manager under the supervision of the Board of Directors.
Subsequent to its purchase by a Portfolio, a particular issue of Money Market
Obligations or Municipal Securities, as defined in the Prospectus under the
aforementioned captions may cease to be rated, or its rating may be reduced
below the minimum required for purchase by the Portfolios. Neither event
requires the elimination of such obligation from a Portfolio's portfolio, but
the Manager will consider such an event to be relevant in its determination of
whether the Portfolio should continue to hold such obligation in its portfolio.
To the extent that the ratings accorded by a nationally recognized statistical
rating organization ("NRSRO") for Money Market Obligations or Municipal
Securities may change as a result of changes in these rating systems, the
Company will attempt to use comparable ratings as standards for its investments
in Money Market Obligations and Municipal Securities in accordance with the
investment policies contained herein.
The Municipal Money Market Fund may, from time to time, on a temporary or
defensive basis, invest in U.S. Government Obligations, Money Market Obligations
and repurchase agreements. The Municipal Money Market Fund may invest in these
temporary investments, for example, due to market conditions or pending
investment of proceeds from sales of shares or proceeds from the sale of
portfolio securities or in anticipation of redemptions. Although interest earned
from such temporary investments will be taxable as ordinary income, the
Municipal Money Market Fund intends to minimize taxable income through
investment, when possible, in short-term tax-exempt securities, which may
include shares of investment companies whose dividends are tax-exempt. (See
"Investment Programs and Restrictions - Investment Restrictions" for limitations
on the Municipal Money Market Fund's investment in repurchase agreements and
shares of other investment companies.) It is a fundamental policy of the
Municipal Money Market Fund that the Municipal Money Market Fund's assets will
be invested so that at least 80% of the Municipal Money Market Fund's income
will be exempt from federal income taxes. However, there is no limitation on the
percentage of such income which may constitute an item of tax preference and
which may therefore give use to an alternative minimum tax liability for
individual shareholders. The Municipal Money Market Fund may hold cash reserves
pending the investment of such reserves in Municipal Securities or short-term
tax-exempt securities.
The investment objectives and policies of the Company are "fundamental" only
where noted. Fundamental policies may only be changed by a vote of the majority
of the outstanding shares of the affected Portfolios. (See "The Company and its
Shares".) There can be no assurance that the Portfolios' objectives will be
achieved.
The following is a more detailed description of the portfolio instruments
eligible for purchase by the Company's three Portfolios which augments the
summary of each Portfolio's investment program which appears in the Prospectus
under the caption "Investment Objectives, Principal Investment Strategies and
Related Risks". The Company seeks to achieve the objectives of its Portfolios by
investing in money market instruments.
The U.S. Government Fund limits investments to U.S. Government Obligations
consisting of marketable securities and instruments issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. Government or by certain of its agencies or instrumentalities. Direct
obligations are issued by the U.S. Treasury and include bills, certificates of
indebtedness, notes and bonds. Obligations
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of U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities ("Agencies") are issued by
government-sponsored agencies and enterprises acting under authority of
Congress. Certain Agencies are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government, and others are not.
The Cortland General Money Market Fund's investments may include, in addition to
direct U.S. Government Obligations, the following investments:
Agencies that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government, such as obligations of the Federal Home Loan Bank System and the
Federal Farm Credit Bank.
Bank Instruments which consist mainly of certificates of deposit, bankers'
acceptances and time deposits. Certificates of deposit represent short-term
interest-bearing deposits of commercial banks and against which certificates
bearing fixed rates of interest are issued. Bankers' acceptances are short-term
negotiable drafts endorsed by commercial banks, which arise primarily from
international commercial transactions. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits
maintained in a bank for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate.
The Cortland General Money Market Fund limits investments to bank instruments
described in each Prospectus under the caption "Investment Objectives, Principal
Investment Strategies and Related Risks".
Corporate Commercial Instruments which consist of short-term unsecured
promissory notes issued by corporations to finance short-term credit needs. (See
"Investment Program and Restrictions - Investment Ratings" herein for
information with respect to commercial paper ratings.) Among the instruments
that the Cortland General Money Market Fund may purchase are variable amount
master demand notes, which are unsecured demand notes that permit investment of
fluctuating amounts of money at variable rates of interest pursuant to
arrangements between the issuer and the payee or its agent whereby the
indebtedness on the notes may vary and the interest rate is periodically
redetermined.
In addition, the Cortland General Money Market Fund may purchase loan
participation certificates, which consist of interests in loans made by banks to
corporations, where both the bank and the corporation meet the Company's credit
standards. The Cortland General Money Market Portfolio generally purchases loan
participation certificates maturing in seven days or less.
The Municipal Money Market Fund endeavors to achieve its objective by investing
in the following securities. Municipal Securities in which the Municipal Money
Market Fund may invest include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for
various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public
facilities such as airports, bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass
transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Other public
purposes for which Municipal Securities may be issued include the refunding of
outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses and
lending such funds to other public institutions and facilities. In addition,
certain types of industrial development bonds are issued by or on behalf of
public authorities to obtain funds to provide for the construction, equipment,
repair or improvement of privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass
transit, industrial, port or parking facilities, air or water pollution control
facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas, electricity or
sewage or solid waste disposal. The interest paid on such bonds may be exempt
from federal income tax, although current federal tax laws place substantial
limitations on the purposes and size of such issues. Such obligations are
considered to be Municipal Securities, provided that the interest paid thereon
qualifies as exempt from federal income tax in the opinion of bond counsel.
However, interest on Municipal Securities may give rise to a federal alternative
minimum tax liability and may have other collateral federal income tax
consequences. (See "Dividends and Tax Matters - Tax Matters" herein.)
The two major classifications of Municipal Securities are bonds and notes. Bonds
may be further categorized as "general obligation" or "revenue" issues. General
obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its faith, credit, and
taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are
payable from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of
facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other
specific revenue source, but not from the general taxing power. Tax-exempt
industrial development bonds are in most cases revenue bonds and do not
generally carry the pledge of the credit of the issuing municipality. Notes are
short-term instruments which usually mature in less than two years. Most notes
are general obligations of the issuing municipalities or agencies and are sold
in anticipation of a bond sale, collection of taxes or receipt of other
revenues. There are, of course, variations in the risks associated with
Municipal Securities, both within a particular classification and between
classifications. The Municipal Money Market Fund's assets may consist of any
combination of general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial revenue bonds
and notes. The percentage of such securities in the Municipal Money Market
Fund's portfolio will vary from time to time.
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<PAGE>
For the purpose of diversification, the identification of the issuer of
Municipal Securities depends on the terms and conditions of the security. When
the assets and revenues of an agency, authority, instrumentality or other
political subdivision are separate from those of the government creating the
subdivision and the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of the
subdivision, such subdivision would be deemed to be the sole issuer. Similarly,
in the case of an industrial development bond, if that bond is backed only by
the assets and revenues of the non-governmental user, then such non-governmental
user would be deemed to be the sole issuer. If, however, in either case, the
creating government or some other entity guarantees a security, such a guarantee
would be considered a separate security and will be treated as an issue of such
government or other agency. Certain Municipal Securities may be secured by the
guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit of a major banking institution. In
such case, the Municipal Money Market Fund reserves the right to invest up to
10% of its total assets in Municipal Securities guaranteed or secured by the
credit of a single bank. Furthermore, if the primary issuer of a Municipal
Security or some other non-governmental user which guarantees the payment of
interest on and principal of a Municipal Security possesses credit
characteristics which qualify an issue of Municipal Securities for a high
quality rating from a major rating service (or a determination of high quality
by the Manager and the Board of Directors of the Company) without reference to
the guarantee or letter of credit of a banking institution, the banking
institution will not be deemed to be an issuer for the purpose of applying the
foregoing 10% limitation.
From time to time, various proposals to restrict or eliminate the federal income
tax exemption for interest on Municipal Securities have been introduced before
Congress. Similar proposals may be introduced in the future, and, if enacted,
the availability of Municipal Securities for investment by the Municipal Money
Market Fund could be adversely affected. In such event, the Board of Directors
would reevaluate the investment objective and policies and submit possible
changes in the structure of the Municipal Money Market Fund for the
consideration of shareholders.
The Company may enter into the following arrangements with respect to all three
Portfolios:
1) Repurchase Agreements under which the purchaser (for example, one of the
Portfolios) acquires ownership of an obligation (e.g., a debt instrument or
time deposit) 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
arrangement results in a fixed rate of return insulated from market
fluctuations during such period. Although the underlying collateral for
repurchase agreements may have maturities exceeding one year, a Portfolio
will not enter into a repurchase agreement if as a result of such
transaction more than 10% of a Portfolio's total assets would be invested
in illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements expiring in more
than seven days. A Portfolio may, however, enter into a "continuing
contract" or "open" repurchase agreement under which the seller is under a
continuing obligation to repurchase the underlying obligation from the
Portfolio on demand and the effective interest rate is negotiated on a
daily basis. In general, the Portfolios will enter into repurchase
agreements only with domestic banks with total assets of at least $1.5
billion or with primary dealers in U.S. Government securities, but total
assets will not be the sole determinative factor, and the Portfolios may
enter into repurchase agreements with other institutions which the Board of
Directors believes present minimal credit risks. Nevertheless, if the
seller of a repurchase agreement fails to repurchase the debt instrument in
accordance with the terms of the agreement, the Portfolio which entered
into the repurchase agreement may incur a loss to the extent that the
proceeds it realizes on the sale of the underlying obligation are less than
the repurchase price. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans by
the Company under the 1940 Act.
2) Reverse Repurchase Agreements involving the sale of money market
instruments held by a Portfolio, with an agreement that the Portfolio will
repurchase the instruments at an agreed upon price and date. A Portfolio
will employ reverse repurchase agreements when necessary to meet
unanticipated net redemptions so as to avoid liquidating other money market
instruments during unfavorable market conditions, or in some cases as a
technique to enhance income, and only in amounts up to 10% of the value of
a Portfolio's total assets at the time it enters into a reverse repurchase
agreement. At the time it enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, the
Portfolio will place in a segregated custodial account high-quality debt
securities having a dollar value equal to the repurchase price. A Portfolio
will utilize reverse repurchase agreements when the interest income to be
earned from portfolio investments which would otherwise have to be
liquidated to meet redemptions is greater than the interest expense
incurred as a result of the reverse repurchase transactions.
3) Delayed Delivery Agreements involving commitments by a Portfolio to dealers
or issuers to acquire securities or instruments at a specified future date
beyond the customary same-day settlement for money market instruments.
These commitments may fix the payment price and interest rate to be
received on the investment. Delayed delivery agreements will not be used as
a speculative or leverage technique. Rather, from time to time, the Manager
can anticipate that cash for investment purposes will result from scheduled
maturities of existing portfolio instruments or from net sales of shares of
4
<PAGE>
the Portfolio. To assure that a Portfolio will be as fully invested as
possible in instruments meeting that Portfolio's investment objective, a
Portfolio may enter into delayed delivery agreements, but only to the
extent of anticipated funds available for investment during a period of not
more than five business days. Until the settlement date, that Portfolio
will set aside in a segregated account high-quality debt securities of a
dollar value sufficient at all times to make payment for the delayed
delivery securities. Not more than 25% of a Portfolio's total assets will
be committed to delayed delivery agreements and when-issued securities, as
described below. The delayed delivery securities, which will not begin to
accrue interest until the settlement date, will be recorded as an asset of
the Portfolio and will be subject to the risks of market fluctuation. The
purchase price of the delayed delivery securities is a liability of the
Portfolio until settlement. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the
Portfolio will not sell or otherwise transfer the delayed delivery
securities prior to settlement. If cash is not available to the Portfolio
at the time of settlement, the Portfolio may be required to dispose of
portfolio securities that it would otherwise hold to maturity in order to
meet its obligation to accept delivery under a delayed delivery agreement.
The Board of Directors has determined that entering into delayed delivery
agreements does not present a materially increased risk of loss to
shareholders, but the Board of Directors may restrict the use of delayed
delivery agreements if the risk of loss is determined to be material or if
it affects the constant net asset value of any of the Portfolios.
When-Issued Securities
Many new issues of Money Market Obligations and Municipal Securities are offered
on a "when-issued" basis, that is, the date for delivery of and payment for the
securities is not fixed at the date of purchase, but is set after the securities
are issued (normally within forty-five days after the date of the transaction).
The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on the
securities are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. A
Portfolio will only make commitments to purchase such Money Market Obligations
and Municipal Securities with the intention of actually acquiring such
securities, but such Portfolio may sell these securities before the settlement
date if it is deemed advisable. No additional when-issued commitments will be
made if as a result more than 25% of such Portfolio's net assets would become
committed to purchases of when-issued securities and delayed delivery
agreements.
If one of the Portfolios purchases a when-issued security, it will direct its
custodian bank to collateralize the when-issued commitment by establishing a
segregated account in the same fashion as required for a Delayed Delivery
Agreement. The special custody account will likewise be marked-to-market, and
the amount in the special custody account will be increased if necessary to
maintain adequate coverage of the when-issued commitments.
Securities purchased on a when-issued basis and the securities held in a
Portfolio's portfolio are subject to changes in market value based upon the
public's perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes in the
level of interest rates (which will generally result in all of those securities
changing in value in the same way, i.e., all those securities experiencing
appreciation when interest rates rise). Therefore, if, in order to achieve
higher interest income, a Portfolio is to remain substantially fully invested at
the same time that it has purchased securities on a when-issued basis, there
will be a possibility that the market value of such Portfolio's assets will
fluctuate to a greater degree. Furthermore, when the time comes for such
Portfolio to meet its obligations under when-issued commitments, the Portfolio
will do so by using then-available cash flow, by sale of the securities held in
the separate account, by sale of other securities or, although it would not
normally expect to do so, by directing the sale of the when-issued securities
themselves (which may have a market value greater or less than the Portfolio's
payment obligation).
A sale of securities to meet such obligations carries with it a greater
potential for the realization of net short-term capital gains, which are not
exempt from federal income taxes. The value of when-issued securities on the
settlement date may be more or less than the purchase price.
Stand-by Commitments
The Municipal Money Market Fund may attempt to improve its portfolio liquidity
by assuring same-day settlements on portfolio sales (and thus facilitate the
same-day payment of redemption proceeds) through the acquisition of "Stand-by
Commitments." A Stand-by Commitment is a right of the Municipal Money Market
Fund, when it purchases Municipal Securities for its portfolio from a broker,
dealer or other financial institution, to sell the same principal amount of such
securities back to the seller, at the Municipal Money Market Fund's option, at a
specified price. The Municipal Money Market Fund will acquire Stand-by
Commitments solely to facilitate portfolio liquidity and does not intend to
exercise its rights thereunder for trading purposes, and the acquisition or
exercisability of a Stand-by Commitment will not affect the valuation of its
underlying portfolio securities, which will continue to be valued in accordance
with the method described under "Share Purchases and Redemptions - Net Asset
Value Determination." The weighted average maturity of the Municipal Money
Market Fund's portfolio will not be affected by the acquisition of a Stand-by
Commitment.
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The Stand-by Commitments acquired by the Municipal Money Market Fund will
generally have the following features: (1) they will be in writing and will be
physically held by the Municipal Money Market Fund's custodian; (2) they may be
exercised by the Municipal Money Market Fund at any time prior to the underlying
security's maturity; (3) they will be entered into only with dealers, banks and
broker-dealers who in the Manager's opinion present a minimal risk of default;
(4) the Municipal Money Market Fund's right to exercise them will be
unconditional and unqualified; (5) although the Stand-by Commitments will not be
transferable, Municipal Securities purchased subject to such commitments could
be sold to a third party at any time, even though the commitment was
outstanding; and (6) their exercise price will be (i) the Municipal Money Market
Fund's acquisition cost of the Municipal Securities which are subject to the
commitment (excluding any accrued interest which the Municipal Money Market Fund
paid on their acquisition), less any amortized market premium or plus amortized
market or original issue discount during the period the securities were owned by
the Municipal Money Market Fund, plus (ii) all interest accrued on the
securities since the last interest payment date. Since the Municipal Money
Market Fund values its portfolio securities on the amortized cost basis, the
amount payable under a Stand-by Commitment will be substantially the same as the
value of the underlying security.
The Company expects that Stand-by Commitments generally will be available
without the payment of any direct or indirect compensation. However, if
necessary and advisable, the Municipal Money Market Fund will pay for Stand-by
Commitments, either separately in cash or by paying higher prices for portfolio
securities which are acquired subject to the commitments. As a matter of policy,
the total amount "paid" in either manner for outstanding Stand-by Commitments
held by the Municipal Money Market Fund will not exceed 1/2 of 1% of the value
of its total assets calculated immediately after any Stand-by Commitment is
acquired. The Municipal Money Market Fund expects to refrain from exercising
Stand-by Commitments to avoid imposing a loss on a dealer and jeopardizing the
Company's business relationship with that dealer, except when necessary to
provide liquidity. The Municipal Money Market Fund will not acquire a Stand-by
Commitment unless immediately after the acquisition, with respect to 75% of the
total amortized cost value of its assets, not more than 5% of such Portfolio's
total amortized cost value of its assets will be invested in Stand-by
Commitments with the same institution.
The acquisition of a Stand-by Commitment would not affect the valuation or
assumed maturity of the underlying Municipal Securities which, as noted, would
continue to be valued in accordance with the amortized cost method. Stand-by
Commitments acquired by the Municipal Money Market Fund would be valued at zero
in determining net asset value. Where the Municipal Money Market Fund paid any
consideration directly or indirectly for a Stand-by Commitment, its cost would
be reflected as unrealized depreciation for the period during which the Stand-by
Commitment was held by such Fund.
Municipal Participations
The Municipal Money Market Fund may invest in participation agreements with
respect to Municipal Securities under which the Municipal Money Market Fund
acquires an undivided interest in the Municipal Security and pays a bank which
sells the participation a servicing fee. The participation agreement will have a
variable rate of interest and may be terminated by the Municipal Money Market
Fund on seven days' notice, in which event such Fund receives from the issuer of
the participation the par value of the participation plus accrued interest as of
the date of termination. Before entering into purchases of participation the
Company will obtain an opinion of counsel (generally, counsel to the issuer of
the participation) or a letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to the
effect that interest earned with respect to municipal participation qualifies as
exempt-interest income under the Code. The Company has been advised that it is
the present policy of the Internal Revenue Service not to issue private letter
rulings relating to municipal participation. In the absence of an opinion of
counsel or a letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, the Municipal
Money Market Fund will refrain from investing in participation agreements.
Investment Restrictions
In addition to the Portfolios' investment objectives, the following investment
restrictions have been adopted by the Portfolios as fundamental policies, which
means they can be changed only by a majority shareholder vote. A "majority vote
of shareholders" means the affirmative vote of the holders of the lesser of (1)
more then 50% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio or (2) 67% or more of
the shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
the Portfolio are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy. Therefore,
none of the Portfolios will:
1) purchase any Money Market Obligation or Municipal Security, if, as a result
of such purchase, more than 5% of a Portfolio's total assets would be
invested in securities of issuers, which, with their predecessors, have
been in business for less than three years;
2) invest in shares of any other investment company, other than in connection
with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of assets;
except that the Municipal Money Market Fund may invest up to 10% of its
assets in securities of other investment companies (which also charge
investment advisory fees) and then only for temporary purposes in
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<PAGE>
investment companies whose dividends are tax-exempt, provided that the
Municipal Money Market Fund will not invest more than 5% of its assets in
securities of any one investment company nor purchase more than 3% of the
outstanding voting stock of any investment company;
3) invest more than 10% of the value of a Portfolio's total assets in illiquid
securities, including variable amount master demand notes (if such notes
provide for prepayment penalties) and repurchase agreements with remaining
maturities in excess of seven days;
4) invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control;
5) underwrite any issue of securities, except to the extent that the purchase
of securities, either directly from the issuer or from an underwriter for
an issuer, and the later disposition of such securities in accordance with
the Portfolios' investment programs, may be deemed an underwriting;
6) purchase or sell real estate, but this shall not prevent investments in
securities secured by real estate or interests therein;
7) sell securities short or purchase any securities on margin, except for such
short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions;
8) purchase or retain securities of an issuer if, to the knowledge of the
Company, the directors and officers of the Company and the Manager, each of
whom owns more than 1/2 of 1% of such securities, together own more than 5%
of the securities of such issuer;
9) mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any assets except to secure permitted
borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements and then only in an amount up
to 15% of the value of any Portfolio's total assets at the time of
borrowing or entering into a reverse repurchase agreement; or
10) purchase or sell commodities or commodity futures contracts or interests in
oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development program (a Portfolio
may, however, purchase and sell securities of companies engaged in the
exploration, development, production, refining, transporting and marketing
of oil, gas or minerals).
In order to permit the sale of the Portfolios' shares in certain states, the
Company may make commitments more restrictive than the restrictions described
above. Should the Company determine that any such commitment is no longer in the
best interest of the Portfolios and their shareholders it will revoke the
commitment by terminating sales of its shares in the state(s) involved. Pursuant
to one such commitment, the Company has agreed that the Cortland General Money
Market Fund will not invest in: (i) warrants; (ii) real estate limited
partnerships; or (iii) oil, gas or mineral leases.
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 or assets
will not constitute a violation of such restriction.
Directors and Officers
The directors and executive officers of the Company and their principal
occupations during the last five years are set forth below. Unless otherwise
noted, the address of each director and officer is 600 Fifth Avenue, New York,
New York 10020.
Steven W. Duff, 46 - President and Director of the Company, has been President
of the Mutual Funds Division of the Manager since September 1994. Mr. Duff is
President and a Director/Trustee of 13 other funds in the Reich & Tang Fund
Complex, President of Back Bay Funds, Inc., Director of Pax World Money Market
Fund, Inc., President and Chief Executive Officer of Tax Exempt Proceeds Fund,
Inc. and Executive Vice President of Delafield Fund, Inc.
Albert R. Dowden, 58 - Director of the Company, 1815 Central Park Drive,
Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80477. Director of Annuity & Life Re (Holdings),
Ltd. and The Magellan Insurance Company. Mr. Dowden was formerly President and
CEO of Volvo North America Corporation.
Carl Frischling, 63 - Director of the Company, 919 Third Avenue, New York, NY
10022. Partner, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP. Director, ERD Waste, Inc.,
Aegis Consumer Finance and Lazard Funds, Inc. Mr. Frischling was formerly
Partner at Reid & Priest and Spengler, Carlson, Gubar, Brodsky & Frischling.
William Lerner, 64 - Director of the Company, 423 East Beau Street, Washington,
Pennsylvania 15301. Attorney. Director, Seitel, Inc., Rent-Way, Inc., Helm
Capital Group, Inc. and Micro-to-Mainframes, Inc.
James L. Schultz, 63 - Director of the Company, Southpoint Plaza 1, 400
Southpoint Blvd., Suite 300, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317-8539. President,
Treasurer and Director of Computer Research, Inc.
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Richard DeSanctis, 43 - Vice President and Treasurer of the Company, has been
Vice President and Treasurer of the Manager since September 1993. Mr. De Sanctis
is Treasurer of 17 funds in the Reich & Tang Fund Complex.
Molly Flewharty, 49 - Vice President of the Company, has been Vice President of
the Mutual Funds Division of the Manager since September 1993. Ms. Flewharty is
also Vice President of 17 other funds in the Reich & Tang Fund Complex.
Dana E. Messina, 43 - Vice President of the Company, has been Executive Vice
President of the Mutual Funds Division of the Manager since January 1995 and was
Vice President from September 1993 to January 1995. Ms. Messina is also Vice
President of 14 other funds in the Reich & Tang Fund Complex.
Ruben Torres, 51 - Vice President of the Company, has been Vice President of
Operations of Reich & Tang Services, Inc. since January 1991. Mr. Torres was
formerly Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of Cortland Financial Group,
Inc.
Bernadette N. Finn, 52 - Vice President and Secretary of the Company, has been
Vice President of the Mutual Funds Division of the Manager since September 1993.
Ms. Finn is also Secretary of 14 funds in the Reich & Tang Fund Complex, and a
Vice President and Secretary of 3 other funds in the Reich & Tang Fund Complex.
Rosanne Holtzer, 35 - Assistant Treasurer of the Company, has been Vice
President of the Mutual Funds division of the Manager since December 1997. Ms.
Holtzer was formerly Manager of Fund Accounting for the Manager with which she
was associated from June 1986. Ms. Holtzer is also Assistant Treasurer of 17
other funds in the Reich & Tang Fund Complex.
Each director who is not an "interested person" receives an annual fee from the
Company of $15,000 for his services as a director and a fee of $1,250 for each
Board meeting attended, and all directors are reimbursed by the Company for
expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the Board of
Directors. Effective September 30, 2000, the annual fee from the Company will be
increased from $10,000 to $15,000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Compensation Table
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Name of Person, Position Aggregate Compensation Pension or Retirement Estimated Annual Total Compensation from
from Registrant for Benefits Accrued as Benefits upon Retirement Fund and Fund Complex
Fiscal Year Part of Fund Expenses Paid to Directors*
Owen Daly II, $11,250 0 0 $11,250 (1 Fund)
Director
Albert R. Dowden, $15,000 0 0 $15,000 (1 Fund)
Director
William Lerner $3,750 0 0 $3,750 (1 Fund)
Director
James L. Schultz $15,000 0 0 $15,000 (1 Fund)
Director
* The total compensation paid to such persons by the Fund and Fund Complex for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000 and, with respect to certain of the funds
in the Fund Complex, estimated to be paid during the fiscal year ended March 31,
2000. The parenthetical number represents the number of investment companies
(including the Fund) from which such person receives compensation that are
considered part of the same Fund complex as the Fund, because, among other
things, they have a common investment advisor.
</TABLE>
MANAGER AND INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Reich & Tang Asset Management L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, with its
principal offices at 600 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10020, serves as the
manager and investment advisor of the Company and its three Funds pursuant to
agreements with the Funds dated August 30, 1996 (the "Management/Investment
Advisory Agreements"). Under the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements,
Reich & Tang Asset Management L.P. (the "Manager") provides, either directly or
indirectly through contracts with others, all services required for the
management of the Company. The Manager bears all ordinary operating expenses
associated with the Company's operation except: (a) the fees of the Directors
who are not "interested persons" of the Company, as defined by the 1940 Act, and
the travel and related expenses of the Directors incident to their attending
shareholders', directors' and committee meetings, (b) interest, taxes and
brokerage commissions (which are expected to be insignificant), (c)
extraordinary expenses, if any, including but not limited to legal claims and
liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification related thereto, (d)
shareholder service or distribution fees
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payable by the Company under the plans of distribution described under the
heading "Distributor" below, and (e) membership dues of any industry
association. Additionally, the Manager has assumed all expenses associated with
organizing the Company and all expenses of registering or qualifying the
Company's shares under federal and state securities laws.
The Manager was, at June 30, 2000, investment manager, advisor or supervisor
with respect to assets aggregating in excess of $15.6 billion. The Manager
currently acts as investment manager or administrator of seventeen other
investment companies and also advises pension trusts, profit sharing trusts and
endowments.
Nvest Companies, L.P. (Nvest Companies) is the limited partner and owner of a
99.5% interest in the Manager. Reich & Tang Asset Management, Inc. (RTAM) is the
sole general partner and owner of the remaining 0.5% interest of the Manager, as
well as being an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Nvest Companies. Nvest
Companies is a publicly traded company of which approximately 13% of its
outstanding partnership interests is owned, directly and indirectly, by Reich &
Tang, Inc. The managing general partner of Nvest Companies is Nvest Corporation,
a Massachusetts corporation (formerly known as The New England Investment
Companies, Inc.).
Nvest Companies is a holding company offering a broad array of investment styles
across a wide range of asset categories through seventeen subsidiaries,
divisions and affiliates offering a wide array of investment styles and products
to institutional clients. Its business units, in addition to the Manager,
include AEW Capital Management, L.P., Back Bay Advisors, L.P.; Capital Growth
Management Limited Partnerships; Greystone Partners, L.P.; Harris Associates,
L.P.; Jurika & Voyles, L.P.; Kobrick Funds, LLP, Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.;
New England Funds, L.P.; Nvest Associates, Inc.; Snyder Capital Management,
L.P.; Vaughan, Nelson, Scarborough & McCullough, L.P.; and Westpeak Investment
Advisors, L.P. These affiliates in the aggregate are investment advisors or
managers to more than 80 other registered investment companies.
CDC Asset Management ("CDC AM"), the investment management arm of France's
Caisse des Depots Group, has completed its acquisition of Nvest, L.P. and Nvest
Companies, L.P. As a result CDC AM owns, directly or indirectly, a controlling
interest in the Manager, which serves as investment adviser to the Company's
Funds.
The Nvest-CDC AM transaction involved a change of ownership of Nvest, which may
be deemed to have caused a "change of control" of the Manager, even though the
Manager's operations did not change as a result. As required by the 1940 Act,
which regulates investment companies such as the Funds, each Fund's shareholders
approved a new Management/Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund to assure
that there is no interruption in the services the Manager provides to the Fund.
Each new Management/Investment Advisory Agreement is effective as of October 30,
2000.
CDC AM is 60% owned by CDC Finance, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caisse des
depots et Consignations ("CDC"). Founded in 1816, CDC is a major diversified
financial institution. In addition to its 60% ownership of CDC AM through CDC
Finance, CDC owns 40% of CNP Assurances, the leading French insurance company,
which itself owns 20% of CDC AM. CDC also owns 35% of Caisse National des
Caisses d'Epargne, which also owns 20% of CDC AM. CDC is 100% owned by the
French state.
On July 25, 2000, the Board of Directors, including a majority of the directors
who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or the
Manager, approved Management/Investment Advisory Agreements for an initial
two-year period. By their terms, the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements
may be continued from year to year thereafter. The Management/Investment
Advisory Agreements will remain in effect from year to year as long as their
continuation is approved at least annually by (i) the Board of Directors or the
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and (ii) a
majority of the Directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of any
party to the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements, cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The Management/Investment Advisory Agreements were approved by shareholders of
each Fund on October 10, 2000 and each contains the same terms and conditions
governing the Manager's investment management responsibilities as the Fund's
previous Management/Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, except as to
the date of execution and termination.
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Pursuant to the terms of the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements, the
Manager manages the investments of each of the Funds, subject at all times to
the policies and control of the Company's Board of Directors. The Manager
obtains and evaluates economic, statistical and financial information to
formulate and implement investment policies for the Funds. The Manager shall not
be liable to the Funds or to their shareholders except in the case of the
Manager's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of duty.
Under the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements, the Manager: (a) supervises
and manages all aspects of the Company's operations and the operations of each
of the Company's three Portfolios; (b) furnishes the Company with such office
space, heat, light, utilities, equipment and personnel as may be necessary for
the proper operation of the Portfolios and the Company's principal executive
office; (c) monitors the performance by all other persons furnishing services to
the Company on behalf of each Portfolio and the shareholders thereof and
periodically reports on such performance to the Board of Directors; (d)
investigates, selects and conducts relationships on behalf of the Company with
custodians, depositories, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and
dealers, insurers, banks, printers and other service providers and entities
performing services to the Portfolios and their shareholders; (e) furnishes the
Portfolios with all necessary accounting services; and (f) reviews and
supervises the preparation of all financial, tax and other reports and
regulatory filings. The expenses of furnishing the foregoing are borne by the
Manager. See "Expenses" below.
In consideration of the services to be provided by the Manager and the expenses
to be borne by the Manager under the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements,
the Manager receives annual fees from each of the Portfolios, calculated daily
and paid monthly, of 0.800% of the first $500 million of the Company's average
daily net assets, 0.775% of the average daily net assets of the Company in
excess of $500 million but less than $1 billion, 0.750% of the average daily net
assets of the Company in excess of $1 billion but less than $1.5 billion, plus
0.725% of the Company's average daily net assets in excess of $1.5 billion. The
Company's comprehensive fee is higher than most other money market mutual funds
which do not offer services that the Company offers. However, most other funds
bear certain expenses that are borne by the Manager. During the fiscal years
ended March 31, 2000, March 31, 1999 and March 31, 1998 the Company paid to the
Manager the management fees set forth in the table below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Management Fees
2000 Payable Waived Paid
---- ------- ------ ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cortland General $12,573,363 $550,000 $12,023,363
U.S. Government 1,465,992 250,000 1,215,992
Municipal 2,196,430 0 2,196,430
1999
Cortland General $9,651,092 $0 $9,651,092
U.S. Government 1,371,830 0 1,371,830
Municipal 2,252,782 0 2,252,782
1998
Cortland General $10,788,822 $428,000 $10,360,822
U.S. Government 1,493,237 361,000 1,132,237
Municipal 1,853,830 0 1,853,830
</TABLE>
The Management/Investment Advisory Agreements may be terminated on 60 days'
written notice without penalty. Each Management/Investment Advisory Agreement
terminates automatically in the event of its "assignment," as defined in the
1940 Act. The Company's (Portfolios') right to use the name "Cortland" in its
name in any form or combination may terminate upon termination of the Manager as
the Company's (Portfolios') investment manager.
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Pursuant to the terms of the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements, the
Manager: (a) provides the Company with certain executive, administrative and
clerical services as are deemed advisable by the Board of Directors; (b)
arranges, but does not pay for, the periodic updating of prospectuses and
statements of additional information and supplements thereto, proxy materials,
tax returns, reports to each Portfolio's shareholders and reports to and filings
with the SEC and state Blue Sky authorities; (c) provides the Board of Directors
on a regular basis with financial reports and analyses of the Portfolios'
operations and the operation of comparable investment companies; (d) obtains and
evaluates pertinent information about significant developments and economic,
statistical and financial data, domestic, foreign or otherwise, whether
affecting the economy generally or any of the Portfolios and whether concerning
the individual issuers whose securities are included in the portfolios of the
Company's three Portfolios; (e) determines which issuers and securities shall be
represented in the Portfolios' portfolios and regularly reports thereon to the
Company's Board of Directors; (f) formulates and implements continuing programs
for the purchases and sales of securities for the Portfolios; and (g) takes, on
behalf of the Portfolios, all actions which appear to be necessary to carry into
effect such purchase and sale programs, including the placing of orders for the
purchase and sale of portfolio securities. Any investment program undertaken by
the Manager will at all times be subject to the policies and control of the
Board of Directors. The Manager shall not be liable to the Portfolios or to
theirshareholders for any act or omission by the Manager or for any loss
sustained by a Portfolio or its shareholders except in the case of the Manager's
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty.
EXPENSES
Pursuant to the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements, the Manager
furnishes, without cost to the Company, the services of the President, Secretary
and one or more Vice Presidents of the Company and such other personnel as are
required for the proper conduct of the Portfolios' affairs and to carry out
their obligations under the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements. Pursuant
to the Management/Investment Advisory Agreements, the Manager maintains, at its
expense and without cost to the Portfolios, a trading function in order to carry
out its obligations to place orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities for the Portfolios. The Manager, on behalf of its affiliate, Reich &
Tang Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), pays out of the management fees
from each of the Funds and payments under a Plan of Distribution (see
"Distributor and Plans of Distribution") the expenses of printing and
distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and any other
promotional or sales literature used by the Distributor or furnished by the
Distributor to purchasers or dealers in connection with the public offering of
the Portfolios' shares, the expenses of advertising in connection with such
public offering and all legal expenses in connection with the foregoing.
Except as set forth below, the Manager pays all expenses of the Portfolios,
including, without limitation: the charges and expenses of any registrar, any
custodian or depository appointed by the Company for the safekeeping of its
cash, portfolio securities and other property, and any stock transfer, dividend
or accounting agent or agents appointed by the Company; all fees payable by the
Company to federal, state or other governmental agencies; the costs and expenses
of engraving or printing certificates representing shares of the Company (the
Company does not issue share certificates at the present time); all costs and
expenses in connection with the registration and maintenance of registration of
the Portfolios and their shares with the SEC and various states and other
jurisdictions (including filing fees, legal fees and disbursements of counsel);
the costs and expenses of printing, including typesetting, and distributing
prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Company and
supplements thereto to the Company's shareholders and to potential shareholders
of the Portfolios; all expenses of shareholders' meetings and of preparing,
printing and mailing of proxy statements and reports to shareholders; all
expenses incident to the payment of any dividend, distribution, withdrawal or
redemption, whether in shares or in cash; charges and expenses of any outside
service used for pricing of the Portfolios' shares; routine fees and expenses of
legal counsel and of independent accountants, in connection with any matter
relating to the Company; postage; insurance premiums on property or personnel
(including officers and directors) of the Company which inure to its benefit;
and all other charges and costs of the Portfolios' operations unless otherwise
explicitly assumed by the Company. The Company is responsible for payment of the
following expenses not borne by the Manager: (a) the fees of the directors who
are not "interested persons" of the Company, as defined by the 1940 Act, and
travel and related expenses of the directors for attendance at meetings, (b)
interest, taxes and brokerage commissions (which can be expected to be
insignificant), (c) extraordinary expenses, if any, including, but not limited
to, legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification
related thereto, (d) any shareholder service or distribution fee payable by the
Company under the plan of distribution described below, and (e) membership dues
of any industry association.
Expenses which are attributable to any of the Company's Portfolios are charged
against the income of such Portfolio in determining net income for dividend
purposes. Expenses of the Company which are not directly attributable to the
operations of any single Portfolio are allocated among the Portfolios based upon
the relative net assets of each Portfolio.
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<PAGE>
The Manager has agreed to reduce its aggregate fees for any fiscal year, or to
reimburse each Portfolio, to the extent required so that the amount of the
ordinary expenses of each Portfolio (excluding brokerage commissions, interest,
taxes and extraordinary expenses such as litigation costs) paid or incurred by
any of the Portfolios do not exceed the expense limitations applicable to the
Portfolios imposed by the securities laws or regulations of those states or
jurisdictions in which such Portfolio's shares are registered or qualified for
sale.
DISTRIBUTOR AND PLANS OF DISTRIBUTION
The Distributor serves as the principal underwriter of the Company's shares
pursuant to Distribution Agreements dated September 15, 1993. The Distributor
has an office located at 600 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10020.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreements, the Distributor: (a) solicits and
receives orders for the purchase of shares of the Portfolios, accepts or rejects
such orders on behalf of the Company in accordance with the Company's currently
effective Prospectuses and transmits such orders as are accepted to the Company
as promptly as possible; (b) receives requests for redemptions and transmits
such redemption requests to the Company as promptly as possible; (c) responds to
inquiries from shareholders concerning the status of their accounts and the
operation of the Company; and (d) provides daily information concerning yields
and dividend rates to shareholders. The Distributor shall not be liable to the
Company or to its shareholders for any act or omission or any loss sustained by
the Company or its shareholders except in the case of the Distributor's willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty. The
Distributor receives no compensation from the Company for its services.
On November 9, 1995, the Distributor entered into a Primary Dealer Agreement
with Interstate Johnson/ Lane in order to provide for the offer and sale of the
Funds.
Each Portfolio has adopted a plan of distribution under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940
Act (the "Plans") with respect to the Funds. Pursuant to the Funds' Plans, the
Distributor may pay certain promotional and advertising expenses and may
compensate certain registered securities dealers (including Interstate
Johnson/Lane) and financial institutions for services provided in connection
with the processing of orders for purchase or redemption of the shares of the
Company and furnishing other shareholder services. Payments by the Distributor
are paid out of the management fees and distribution plan payments received by
the Manager and/or its affiliates from each of the Funds, out of past profits or
from any other source available to the Distributor. Interstate Johnson/Lane may
enter into shareholder processing and service agreements (the "Shareholder
Service Agreements") with any securities dealer who is registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member in good standing of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and with banks and other financial
institutions which may wish to establish accounts or sub-accounts on behalf of
their customers ("Shareholder Service Agents"). For processing investor purchase
and redemption orders, responding to inquiries from Fund shareholders concerning
the status of their accounts and operations of the Funds and communicating with
Interstate Johnson/Lane and the Distributor, the Company may pay each such
Shareholder Service Agent (or if no Shareholder Service Agent provides services,
the Distributor, to cover expenditures for advertising, sales literature and
other promotional materials on behalf of the Company) an amount not to exceed on
an annual basis 0.20% of the aggregate average daily net assets that such
Shareholder Service Agent's customers maintain with the Funds during the term of
any Shareholder Service Agreement. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000,
the Company paid $1,759,696, $143,426 and $118,794 for expenses incurred
pursuant to the Live Oak distribution plans for the Live Oak General Money
Market Fund Class, the Live Oak U.S. Government Fund Class and the Live Oak
Municipal Money Market Fund Class, respectively (of this amount $0, $39,606 and
$0 was voluntarily waived by the Distributor for the Live Oak General Money
Market Fund Class, the Live Oak U.S. Government Fund Class, and the Live Oak
Municipal Money Market Fund Class, respectively), all of which amounts were
spent in payment to financial intermediaries in connection with the distribution
of such portfolios' shares. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, the
Company paid $1,378,999, $143,685 and $129,679 for expenses incurred pursuant to
the Live Oak distribution plans for the Live Oak General Money Market Fund
Class, the Live Oak U.S. Government Fund Class and the Live Oak Municipal Money
Market Fund Class, respectively (of this amount $3,853, $54,177 and $19,860 was
voluntarily waived by the Distributor for the Live Oak General Money Market Fund
Class, the Live Oak U.S. Government Fund Class, and the Live Oak Municipal Money
Market Fund Class, respectively), all of which amounts were spent in payment to
financial intermediaries in connection with the distribution of such portfolios'
shares. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Company paid $997,083,
$118,605 and $114,160 for expenses incurred pursuant to the Live Oak
distribution plans for the Live Oak General Money Market Fund Class, the Live
Oak U.S. Government Fund Class and the Live Oak Municipal Money Market Fund
Class, respectively (of this amount $108,646, $54,822 and $40,155 was
voluntarily waived by the Distributor for the Live Oak General Money Market Fund
Class, the Live Oak U.S. Government Fund Class, and
12
<PAGE>
the Live Oak Municipal Money Market Fund Class, respectively), all of which
amounts were spent in payment to financial intermediaries in connection with the
distribution of such portfolios' shares. The Company also offers other classes
of shares of the Portfolios with different distribution arrangements designed
for institutional and other categories of investors.
The Distributor, under the Plans, may also make payments to Interstate
Johnson/Lane and/or Shareholder Service Agents out of the investment management
fees received by the Manager from each of the Funds, out of its past profits or
from any other source available to the Distributor. During the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2000, the Distributor paid Shareholder Service Agents $5,140,705,
$650,307 and $590,616, on behalf of the Cortland General Money Market Fund, the
U.S. Government Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund, respectively, under
the Plans. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, the Distributor paid
Shareholder Service Agents $3,591,327, $767,722 and $796,365, on behalf of the
Cortland General Money Market Fund, the U.S. Government Fund and the Municipal
Money Market Fund, respectively, under the Plans. During the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1998, the Distributor paid Shareholder Service Agents $2,939,468,
$352,631 and $338,823, on behalf of the Cortland General Money Market Fund, the
U.S. Government Fund and the Municipal Money Market Fund, respectively, under
the Plans. The fees payable to Shareholder Service Agents under Shareholder
Service Agreements are negotiated by the Distributor. The Distributor will
report quarterly to the Board of Directors on the rate to be paid under each
such agreement and the amounts paid or payable under such agreements. The rate
of payment will be based upon the Distributor's analysis of: (1) the
contribution that the Shareholder Service Agent makes to each of the Portfolios
by increasing assets under management and reducing expense ratios; (2) the
nature, quality and scope of services being provided by the Shareholder Service
Agent; (3) the cost to the Company if shareholder services were provided
directly by the Company or other authorized persons; (4) the costs incurred by
the Shareholder Service Agent in connection with providing services to
shareholders; and (5) the need to respond to competitive offers of others, which
could result in assets being withdrawn from a Portfolio and an increase in the
expense ratio for any of the Portfolios.
The Distribution Agreements for each of the Funds were last approved by the
Board of Directors on June 15, 2000, to provide for the distribution of the
shares of each of the Funds. The Distribution Agreements will continue in effect
from year to year if specifically approved at least annually by the Board of
Directors and the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors who are not
parties to the Distribution Agreements or any Shareholder Service Agreement or
"interested persons" of any such party by votes cast in person at a meeting
called for such purpose. In approving the Plans, the directors determined, in
the exercise of their business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties
as directors of the Company, that there was a reasonable likelihood that the
Plans would benefit the Funds and their shareholders. The Plans may only be
renewed if the directors make a similar determination for each subsequent year.
The Plans may not be amended to increase the maximum amount of payments by the
Company or the Manager to its Shareholder Service Agents without shareholder
approval, and all material amendments to the provisions of the Plans must be
approved by the Board of Directors and by the directors who have no direct or
indirect financial interest in the Plans, by votes cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of such vote. Each Fund or the Distributor may terminate
the Distribution Agreements on 60 days' written notice without penalty. The
Distribution Agreements terminate automatically in the event of their
"assignment," as defined in the 1940 Act. The services of the Distributor to the
Funds are not exclusive, and it is free to render similar services to others.
The Plans may also be terminated by each of the Funds or by the Manager or in
the event of their "assignment," as defined in the 1940 Act, on the same basis
as the Distribution Agreements.
Although it is a primary objective of the Plans to reduce expenses of the
Portfolios by fostering growth in the Portfolios' net assets, there can be no
assurance that this objective of the Plans will be achieved; however, based on
the data and information presented to the Board of Directors by the Manager and
the Distributor, the Board of Directors determined that there is a reasonable
likelihood that the benefits of growth in the size of the Portfolios can be
accomplished under the Plans.
When the Board of Directors approved the Distribution Agreements, the Primary
Dealer Agreement, the forms of Shareholder Service Agreement and the Plans, the
Board of Directors requested and evaluated such information as they deemed
reasonably necessary to make an informed determination that the Distribution
Agreements, Plans and related agreements should be approved. They considered and
gave appropriate weight to all pertinent factors necessary to reach the good
faith judgment that the Distribution Agreements, Plans and related agreements
would benefit the Portfolios and their respective shareholders.
The Board of Directors reviewed, among other things, (1) the nature and extent
of the services to be provided by the Manager, the Distributor, Interstate
Johnson/Lane and the Shareholder Service Agents, (2) the value of all benefits
received by the Manager, (3) the overhead expenses incurred by the Manager
attributable to services provided to the Company's shareholders, and (4)
expenses of the Company being assumed by the Manager.
13
<PAGE>
In connection with the approval of the Plans, the Board of Directors also
determined that the Portfolios would be expected to receive at least the
following benefits:
1) The Distributor and Shareholder Service Agents will furnish rapid access by
a shareholder to his Portfolio account for the purpose of effecting
executions of purchase and redemption orders.
2) The Distributor and Shareholder Service Agents will provide prompt,
efficient and reliable responses to inquiries of a shareholder concerning
his account status.
3) The Company's ability to sustain a relatively predictable flow of cash for
investment purposes and to meet redemptions facilitates more successful,
efficient portfolio management and the achievement of each of the
Portfolios' fundamental policies and objectives of providing stability of
principal, liquidity, and, consistent with the foregoing, the highest
possible current income, is enhanced by a stable network of distribution.
4) A successful distribution effort will assist the Manager in maintaining and
increasing the organizational strength needed to serve the Company.
5) The establishment of an orderly system for processing sales and redemptions
is also important to the Company's goal of maintaining the constant net
asset value of each Portfolio's shares, which most shareholders depend
upon. By identifying potential investors whose needs are served by the
objectives of the Portfolio, a well-developed, dependable network of
Shareholder Service Agents may help to curb sharp fluctuations in rates of
redemptions and sales, thereby reducing the chance that an unanticipated
increase in net redemptions could adversely affect the ability of the
Portfolios to stabilize their net asset values per share.
6) The Company expects to share in the benefits of growth in the Portfolios'
net assets by achieving certain economies of scale based on a reduction in
the management fees, although the Manager will receive a larger fee if net
assets grow.
The Plans will only make payments for expenses actually incurred by the
Distributor. The Plans will not carry over expenses from year to year and if a
Plan is terminated in accordance with its terms, the obligations of a Portfolio
to make payments to the Distributor pursuant to the Plan will cease and the
Portfolio will not be required to make any payments past the date the Plan
terminates.
Prior to entering into shareholder servicing agreements with banks in Texas, the
Distributor will obtain a representation from such banks that they are either
registered as dealers in Texas, or that they will not engage in activities that
would constitute acting as dealers under Texas State law.
Custodian
State Street Kansas City acts as custodian for the Company's portfolio
securities and cash. State Street Kansas City receives such compensation from
the Manager for its services in such capacity as is agreed to from time to time
by State Street Kansas City and the Manager. The address of State Street Kansas
City is 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.
Transfer Agent
Reich & Tang Services, Inc., 600 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10020, acts as
transfer agent with respect to the Funds. All costs associated with performing
such services are borne by the Manager.
Sub-Accounting
The Manager, at its expense, will provide sub-accounting services to all
shareholders and maintain information with respect to underlying owners.
Principal Holders of Securities
On June 30, 2000 there were 1,066,116,628 Live Oak shares outstanding. On June
30, 2000 there were 948,976,085 outstanding shares of the Live Oak General Money
Market Fund, 65,185,031 outstanding shares of the Live Oak U.S. Government Fund
and 51,955,512 outstanding shares of the Live Oak Municipal Money Market Fund.
As of June 30, 2000 the amount of shares owned by all officers and directors of
the Portfolios as a group was less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the
Portfolios. To the best of the knowledge of the company, no person or entity
held 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of any of the Portfolios.
14
<PAGE>
Reports
The Company furnishes shareholders with semi-annual reports containing
information about the Portfolios and their operations, including a schedule of
investments held by the Portfolios and the financial statements for each
Portfolio. The annual financial statements are audited by the Company's
independent auditors. The Board of Directors has selected Ernst & Young LLP, 787
Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019 as the Company's independent auditors to
audit the Portfolios' financial statements and to review the Portfolios' tax
returns.
Financial Statements
The audited financial statements for the Fund and the report of Ernst & Young
LLP thereon for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000 are herein incorporated by
reference to the Fund's Annual Report. The Annual Report is available upon
request and without charge.
SHARE PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Purchases and Redemptions
A complete description of the manner in which the Company's shares may be
purchased, redeemed or exchanged appears in the Shareholder Information section
of the Prospectus under the captions "How to Purchase Shares," "How to Redeem
Shares," and "Exchange Privilege."
The possibility that shareholders who maintain accounts of less than $500 in
value will be subject to mandatory redemption is also described under the
caption "How to Redeem Shares." If the Board of Directors authorizes mandatory
redemption of such small accounts, the holders of shares with a value of less
than $500 will be notified that they must increase their investment to $500 or
their shares will be redeemed on or after the 60th day following such notice or
pay a fee. Involuntary redemptions will not be made if the decline in value of
the account results from a decline in the net asset value of a share of any of
the Portfolios. The Company does not presently redeem such small accounts and
does not currently intend to do so.
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed when
(a) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted, as determined by
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, (b) the New York Stock Exchange is
closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings, (c) the SEC has by
order permitted such suspension, or (d) an emergency as determined by the SEC
exists making disposal of portfolio securities or the valuation of the net
assets of a Portfolio not reasonably practicable.
Net Asset Value Determination
The net asset values of the Portfolios are determined daily as of 12 noon
Eastern time on each day the New York Stock Exchange and the Company's custodian
are open for business.
For the purpose of determining the price at which shares of the Portfolios are
issued and redeemed, the net asset value per share is calculated immediately
after the daily dividend declaration by: (a) valuing all securities and
instruments of a Portfolio as set forth below; (b) deducting such Portfolio's
liabilities; (c) dividing the resulting amount by the number of shares
outstanding of such Portfolio; and (d) rounding the per share net asset value to
the nearest whole cent. As discussed below, it is the intention of the Company
to maintain a net asset value per share of $1.00 for each of the Portfolios.
The debt instruments held in each of the Portfolio's portfolios are valued on
the basis of amortized cost. This method involves valuing an instrument at its
cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount
or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market
value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it
may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is
higher or lower than the price a Portfolio would receive if it sold the entire
portfolio. During periods of declining interest rates, the daily yield for a
Portfolio, computed as described under the caption "Dividends and Tax Matters"
below, may be higher than a similar computation made by a fund with identical
investments utilizing a method of valuation based upon market prices and
estimates of market prices for all of its portfolio instruments. Thus, if the
use of amortized cost by a Portfolio results in a lower aggregate portfolio
value for such Portfolio on a particular day, a prospective investor in the
Portfolio would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield than would result from
an investment in a fund utilizing solely market values, and existing investors
in such Portfolio would receive less investment income. The converse would apply
in a period of rising interest rates.
As it is difficult to evaluate the likelihood of exercise or potential benefit
of a Stand-by Commitment, described under the caption "Investment Programs and
Restrictions - Stand-by Commitments," such commitments will be considered to
have no
15
<PAGE>
value, regardless of whether any direct or indirect consideration is paid for
such commitments. Where the Municipal Money Market Portfolio has paid for a
Stand-by Commitment, its cost will be reflected as unrealized depreciation for
the period during which the commitment is held.
The valuation of the portfolio instruments based upon their amortized cost, the
calculation of each Portfolio's per share net asset value to the nearest whole
cent and the concomitant maintenance of the net asset value per share of $1.00
for each of the Portfolios is permitted in accordance with applicable rules and
regulations of the SEC, which require the Portfolios to adhere to certain
conditions. Each Portfolio maintains a dollar-weighted average portfolio
maturity of 90 days or less, purchases only instruments having remaining
maturities of thirteen months or less and invests only in securities determined
by the Manager to be of high quality with minimal credit risk. The Board of
Directors is required to establish procedures designed to stabilize, to the
extent reasonably possible, each Portfolio's price per share at $1.00 as
computed for the purpose of sales and redemptions. Such procedures include
review of a Portfolio's portfolio holdings by the Board of Directors, at such
intervals as they may deem appropriate, to determine whether the net asset value
calculated by using available market quotations or other reputable sources for a
Portfolio deviates from $1.00 per share and, if so, whether such deviation may
result in material dilution or is otherwise unfair to existing holders of the
shares of the Portfolio. In the event the Board of Directors determines that
such a deviation exists for a Portfolio, it will take such corrective action as
the Board of Directors deems necessary and appropriate, including the sale of
portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to
shorten the average portfolio maturity; the withholding of dividends; redemption
of shares in kind; or the establishment of a net asset value per share by using
available market quotations.
DIVIDENDS AND TAX MATTERS
Dividends
All of the net income earned by each Portfolio is declared daily as dividends to
the respective holders of record of each Portfolio. Net income for each of the
Portfolios for dividend purposes (from the time of the immediately preceding
determination thereof) consists of (a) interest accrued and discount earned, if
any, on the assets of each Portfolio and any general income of the Company
prorated to such Portfolio based on the relative net assets of such Portfolio,
less (b) amortization of premium and accrued expenses for the applicable
dividend period attributable directly to such Portfolio and general expenses of
the Company prorated to such Portfolio based on the relative net assets of such
Portfolio. The amount of discount or premium on instruments in each Portfolio's
portfolio is fixed at the time of purchase of the instruments. See "Net Asset
Value Determination" above. Realized gains and losses on portfolio securities
held by each Portfolio will be reflected in the net asset value of such
Portfolio. Each Portfolio expects to distribute any net realized short-term
gains of such Portfolio at least once each year, although it may distribute them
more frequently if necessary in order to maintain such Portfolio's net asset
value at $1.00 per share. The Portfolios do not expect to realize net long-term
capital gains.
Should any of the Portfolios incur or anticipate any unusual expense, loss or
depreciation which would adversely affect the net asset value per share or net
income per share of a Portfolio for a particular period, the Board of Directors
would at that time consider whether to adhere to the present dividend policy
described above or to revise it in light of then prevailing circumstances. For
example, if the net asset value per share of a Portfolio were reduced, or was
anticipated to be reduced, below $1.00, the Board of Directors may suspend
further dividend payments with respect to that Portfolio until the net asset
value per share returns to $1.00. Thus, such expense or loss or depreciation
might result in a shareholder receiving no dividends for the period during which
he held shares of the Portfolio and/or in his receiving upon redemption a price
per share lower than the price which he paid.
Dividends on a Portfolio's shares are normally payable on the date that a share
purchase or exchange order is effective and not on the date that a redemption
order is effective. The net income of a Portfolio for dividend purposes is
determined as of 12:00 noon Eastern time on each "business day" of the Company,
as defined in the Prospectus and immediately prior to the determination of each
Portfolio's net asset value on that day. Dividends are declared daily and
reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of each Portfolio at net
asset value. A shareholder may elect to have the declared dividends paid monthly
to him by check.
Tax Matters
The following is only a summary of certain additional federal income tax
considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders that are not
described in their Prospectuses. No attempt is made to present a detailed
explanation of the tax treatment of each Fund or its shareholders, and the
discussions here and in the Prospectuses are not intended as substitutes for
careful tax planning.
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Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company
Each Fund has elected to be taxed as a regulated investment company for federal
income tax purposes under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). As a regulated investment company, a Fund is not subject
to federal income tax on the portion of its net investment income (i.e., taxable
interest, dividends and other taxable ordinary income, net of expenses) and
capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of capital gains over capital losses)
that it distributes to shareholders, provided that it distributes at least 90%
of its investment company taxable income (i.e., net investment income and the
excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) and, with
respect to the Municipal Money Market Fund (the "Municipal Fund"), at least 90%
of its tax-exempt income (net of expenses allocable thereto) for the taxable
year (the "Distribution Requirement"), and satisfies certain other requirements
of the Code that are described below. Distributions by a Fund made during the
taxable year or, under specified circumstances, within twelve months after the
close of the taxable year, will be considered distributions of income and gains
of the taxable year and will therefore count toward satisfaction of the
Distribution Requirement.
If a Fund has a net capital loss (i.e., the excess of capital losses over
capital gains) for any year, the amount thereof may be carried forward up to
eight years and treated as a short-term capital loss which can be used to offset
capital gains in such years. As of March 31, 2000, the Cortland General Fund,
U.S. Government Fund, and Municipal Fund have capital loss carryforwards of
$1,648,320, $675,978, and $28,940, respectively, expiring, with respect to the
Cortland General Fund, $43,454 in the year 2003 and $1,604,866 in the year 2004;
with respect to the U.S. Government Fund, $224,737 in the year 2003 and $451,241
in the year 2004; and, with respect to the Municipal Fund, $13,541 in the year
2001, $3,530 in the year 2002, and $11,869 in the year 2003. Under Code Section
382, if a Fund has an "ownership change," the Fund's use of its capital loss
carryforwards in any year following the ownership change will be limited to an
amount equal to the net asset value of the Fund immediately prior to the
ownership change multiplied by the highest adjusted long-term tax-exempt rate
(which is published monthly by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS")) in
effect for any month in the 3-calendar-month period ending with the calendar
month in which the ownership change occurs (the rate for June 1999 is 4.85%).
Each Fund will use its best efforts to avoid having an ownership change.
However, because of circumstances which may be beyond the control of a Fund,
there can be no assurance that the Fund will not have, or has not already had,
an ownership change. If a Fund has or has had an ownership change, any capital
gain net income for any year following the ownership change in excess of the
annual limitation on the capital loss carryforwards will have to be distributed
by the Fund and will be taxable to shareholders as described under "Fund
Distributions" below.
In addition to satisfying the Distribution Requirement, a regulated investment
company must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest,
certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other
disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies (to the extent such
currency gains are directly related to the regulated investment company's
principal business of investing in stock or securities) and other income
(including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts)
derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or
currencies (the "Income Requirement").
In general, gain or loss recognized by a Fund on the disposition of an asset
will be a capital gain or loss. In addition, gain will be recognized as a result
of certain constructive sales, including short sales "against the box." However,
gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation (including municipal
obligations) purchased by a Fund at a market discount (generally, at a price
less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent
of the portion of the market discount which accrued during the period of time
the Fund held the debt obligation.
Further, the Code also treats as ordinary income a portion of the capital gain
attributable to a transaction where substantially all of the return realized is
attributable to the time value of a Fund's net investment in the transaction
and: (1) the transaction consists of the acquisition of property by the Fund and
a contemporaneous contract to sell substantially identical property in the
future; (2) the transaction is a straddle within the meaning of section 1092 of
the Code; (3) the transaction is one that was marketed or sold to the Fund on
the basis that it would have the economic characteristics of a loan but the
interest-like return would be taxed as capital gain; or (4) the transaction is
described as a conversion transaction in the Treasury Regulations. The amount of
the gain recharacterized generally will not exceed the amount of the interest
that would have accrued on the net investment for the relevant period at a yield
equal to 120% of the federal long-term, mid-term, or short-term rate, depending
upon the type of instrument at issue, reduced by an amount equal to: (1) prior
inclusions of ordinary income items from the conversion transaction and (2) the
capital interest on acquisition indebtedness under Code section 263(g). Built-in
losses will be preserved where the Fund has a built-in loss with respect to
property that becomes a part of a conversion transaction. No authority exists
that indicates that the converted character of the income will not be passed
through to the Fund's shareholders.
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In general, for purposes of determining whether capital gain or loss recognized
by a Fund on the disposition of an asset is long-term or short-term, the holding
period of the asset may be affected if (1) the asset is used to close a "short
sale" (which includes for certain purposes the acquisition of a put option) or
is substantially identical to another asset so used, (2) the asset is otherwise
held by the Fund as part of a "straddle" (which term generally excludes a
situation where the asset is stock and the Fund grants a qualified covered call
option (which, among other things, must not be deep-in-the-money) with respect
thereto) or (3) the asset is stock and the Fund grants an in-the-money qualified
covered call option with respect thereto. In addition, a Fund may be required to
defer the recognition of a loss on the disposition of an asset held as part of a
straddle to the extent of any unrecognized gain on the offsetting position.
Any gain recognized by a Fund on the lapse of, or any gain or loss recognized by
a Fund from a closing transaction with respect to, an option written by the Fund
will be treated as a short-term capital gain or loss.
Certain transactions that may be engaged in by a Fund (such as regulated futures
contracts and options on futures contracts) will be subject to special tax
treatment as "Section 1256 contracts." Section 1256 contracts are treated as if
they are sold for their fair market value on the last business day of the
taxable year, even though a taxpayer's obligations (or rights) under such
contracts have not terminated (by delivery, exercise, entering into a closing
transaction or otherwise) as of such date. Any gain or loss recognized as a
consequence of the year-end deemed disposition of Section 1256 contracts is
taken into account for the taxable year together with any other gain or loss
that previously was recognized upon the termination of Section 1256 contracts
during that taxable year. Any capital gain or loss for the taxable year with
respect to Section 1256 contracts (including any capital gain or loss arising as
a consequence of the year-end deemed sale of such contracts) is generally
treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or
loss. A Fund, however, may elect not to have this special tax treatment apply to
Section 1256 contracts that are part of a "mixed straddle" with other
investments of the Fund that are not Section 1256 contracts.
Treasury Regulations permit a regulated investment company, in determining its
investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net
long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) for any taxable year,
to elect (unless it made a taxable year election for excise tax purposes as
discussed below) to treat all or any part of any net capital loss, any net
long-term capital loss or any net foreign currency loss incurred after October
31 as if it had been incurred in the succeeding year.
In addition to satisfying the requirements described above, each Fund must
satisfy an asset diversification test in order to qualify as a regulated
investment company. Under this test, at the close of each quarter of each Fund's
taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund's assets must consist of
cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated
investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to each of which the
Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets in
securities of such issuer and does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of such issuer), and no more than 25% of the value of its
total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than
U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment
companies), or in two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are
engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses. Generally, an option (call
or put) with respect to a security is treated as issued by the issuer of the
security, not the issuer of the option. For purposes of asset diversification
testing, obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of
the U.S. Government such as the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, the
Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Corporation, a Federal Home Loan Bank,
the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage
Association, the Government National Mortgage Corporation, and the Student Loan
Marketing Association are treated as U.S. Government securities.
If for any taxable year a Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment
company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) will be
subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for
distributions to shareholders, and such distributions will be taxable to the
shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund's current and
accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions generally will be eligible
for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders.
Excise Tax on Regulated Investment Companies
A 4% non-deductible excise tax is imposed on a regulated investment company that
fails to distribute in each calendar year an amount equal to 98% of ordinary
taxable income for the calendar year and 98% of capital gain net income for the
one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year (or, at the election
of a regulated investment company having a taxable year ending November 30 or
December 31, for its taxable year (a "taxable year election")). (Tax-exempt
interest on municipal obligations is not subject to the excise tax.) The balance
of such income must be distributed during
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the next calendar year. For the foregoing purposes, a regulated investment
company is treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to
income tax for any taxable year ending in such calendar year.
For purposes of the excise tax, a regulated investment company shall: (1) reduce
its capital gain net income (but not below its net capital gain) by the amount
of any net ordinary loss for the calendar year; and (2) exclude foreign currency
gains and losses incurred after October 31 of any year (or after the end of its
taxable year if it has made a taxable year election) in determining the amount
of ordinary taxable income for the current calendar year (and, instead, include
such gains and losses in determining ordinary taxable income for the succeeding
calendar year).
Each Fund intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions of
its ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income prior to the end of each
calendar year to avoid liability for the excise tax. However, investors should
note that a Fund may in certain circumstances be required to liquidate portfolio
investments to make sufficient distributions to avoid excise tax liability.
Fund Distributions
Each Fund anticipates distributing substantially all of its investment company
taxable income for each taxable year. Such distributions will be taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income and treated as dividends for federal income tax
purposes, but they will not qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction for
corporate shareholders.
Each Fund may either retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain
for each taxable year. Each Fund currently intends to distribute any such
amounts. Net capital gain that is distributed and designated as a capital gain
dividend will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless
of the length of time the shareholder has held his shares or whether such gain
was recognized by the Fund prior to the date on which the shareholder acquired
his shares.
Conversely, if a Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be
taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at
the 35% corporate tax rate. If a Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, it
is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders of record on the
last day of its taxable year treated as if each received a distribution of his
pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be
required to report his pro rata share of such gain on his tax return as
long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for his pro rata
share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for
his shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
The Muncipal Fund intends to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends by
satisfying the requirement that at the close of each quarter of the its taxable
year at least 50% of the Municipal Fund's total assets consists of tax-exempt
municipal obligations. Distributions from the Municipal Fund will constitute
exempt-interest dividends to the extent of such Fund's tax-exempt interest
income (net of expenses and amortized bond premium). Exempt-interest dividends
distributed to shareholders of the Municipal Fund are excluded from gross income
for federal income tax purposes. However, shareholders required to file a
federal income tax return will be required to report the receipt of
exempt-interest dividends on their returns. Moreover, while exempt-interest
dividends are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, they
may be subject to alternative minimum tax ("AMT") in certain circumstances and
may have other collateral tax consequences as discussed below. Distributions by
a Fund of any investment company taxable income or of any net capital gain will
be taxable to shareholders as discussed above.
AMT is imposed in addition to, but only to the extent it exceeds, the regular
tax and is computed at a maximum marginal rate of 28% for non-corporate
taxpayers and 20% for corporate taxpayers on the excess of the taxpayer's
alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI") over an exemption amount.
Exempt-interest dividends derived from certain "private activity" municipal
obligations issued after August 7, 1986 will generally constitute an item of tax
preference includable in AMTI for both corporate and non-corporate taxpayers. In
addition, exempt-interest dividends derived from all municipal obligations,
regardless of the date of issue, must be included in adjusted current earnings,
which are used in computing an additional corporate preference item (i.e., 75%
of the excess of a corporate taxpayer's adjusted current earnings over its AMTI
(determined without regard to this item and the AMT net operating loss
deduction)) includable in AMTI.
Exempt-interest dividends must be taken into account in computing the portion,
if any, of social security or railroad retirement benefits that must be included
in an individual shareholder's gross income and subject to federal income tax.
Further, a shareholder of the Municipal Fund is denied a deduction for interest
on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares of the Fund.
Moreover, a shareholder who is (or is related to) a "substantial user" of a
facility financed by industrial development bonds held by the Municipal Fund
will likely be subject to tax on dividends paid by the Fund which are derived
from interest on such bonds. Receipt of exempt-interest dividends may result in
other collateral
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federal income tax consequences to certain taxpayers, including
financial institutions, property and casualty insurance companies, and foreign
corporations engaged in a trade or business in the United States. Prospective
investors should consult their own advisers as to such consequences.
Distributions by a Fund that do not constitute ordinary income dividends,
exempt-interest dividends, or capital gain dividends will be treated as a return
of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder's tax basis in
his shares; any excess will be treated as gain realized from a sale of the
shares, as discussed below.
Distributions by a Fund will be treated in the manner described above regardless
of whether such distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional
shares of the Fund (or of another fund). Shareholders receiving a distribution
in the form of additional shares will be treated as receiving a distribution in
an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received, determined as
of the reinvestment date. In addition, if the net asset value at the time a
shareholder purchases shares of a Fund reflects realized but undistributed
income or gain, or unrealized appreciation in the value of the assets held by
the Fund, distributions of such amounts will be taxable to the shareholder in
the manner described above, although such distributions economically constitute
a return of capital to the shareholder.
Ordinarily, shareholders are required to take distributions by a Fund into
account in the year in which they are made. However, dividends declared in
October, November or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record
on a specified date in such a month will be deemed to have been received by the
shareholders (and made by the U.S. Government Series) on December 31 of such
calendar year provided such dividends are actually paid in January of the
following year. Shareholders will be advised annually as to the U.S. federal
income tax consequences of distributions made (or deemed made) to them during
the year.
Each Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the U.S.
Treasury 31% of ordinary income dividends and capital gain dividends, and the
proceeds of redemption of shares, paid to any shareholder (1) who has failed to
provide a correct taxpayer identification number, (2) who is subject to backup
withholding for failure properly to report the receipt of interest or dividend
income, or (3) who has failed to certify to the Fund that it is not subject to
backup withholding or that it is an "exempt recipient" (such as a corporation).
Sale or Redemption of Shares
Each Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share;
however, there can be no assurance that the Funds will be able to maintain such
value. If the net asset value deviates from $1.00 per share, a shareholder will
recognize gain or loss on the sale or redemption of shares of a Fund in an
amount equal to the difference between the proceeds of the sale or redemption
and the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares. All or a portion of any
loss so recognized may be disallowed if the shareholder purchases other shares
of a Fund within 30 days before or after the sale or redemption. In general, any
gain or loss arising from (or treated as arising from) the sale or redemption of
shares of a Fund will be considered capital gain or loss and will be long-term
capital gain or loss if the shares were held for longer than one year. However,
any capital loss arising from the sale or redemption of shares held for six
months or less will be disallowed to the extent of the amount of exempt-interest
dividends received with respect to such shares and (to the extent not
disallowed) will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the
amount of capital gain dividends received on such shares. For this purpose, the
special holding period rules of Code section 246(c)(3) and (4) generally will
apply in determining the holding period of shares. Capital losses in any year
are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a
noncorporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.
Foreign Shareholders
Taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien
individual, foreign trust or estate, foreign corporation, or foreign partnership
("foreign shareholder"), depends on whether the income from a Fund is
"effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such
shareholder.
If the income from a Fund is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or
business carried on by a foreign shareholder, ordinary income dividends paid to
the shareholder will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or
lower applicable treaty rate) on the gross amount of the dividend. Such a
foreign shareholder would generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on
gains realized on the sale or redemption of shares of a Fund, capital gain
dividends, exempt-interest dividends, and amounts retained by a Fund that are
designated as undistributed capital gains.
If the income from a Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business
carried on by a foreign shareholder, then ordinary income and capital gain
dividends received in respect of, and any gains realized upon the sale of,
shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates
applicable to U.S. taxpayers.
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In the case of a noncorporate foreign shareholder, a Fund may be required to
withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 31% on distributions that are
otherwise exempt from withholding (or subject to withholding at a reduced treaty
rate), unless the shareholder furnishes the Fund with proper notification of its
foreign status.
The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of
an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described herein. Foreign
shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the
particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund, including the
applicability of foreign taxes.
Effect of Future Legislation and Local Tax Considerations
The foregoing general discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences is
based on the Code and Treasury Regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the
date of this Statement of Additional Information. Future legislative or
administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the
conclusions expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may have a
retroactive effect.
Rules of state and local taxation of ordinary income dividends, exempt-interest
dividends and capital gain dividends from regulated investment companies may
differ from the rules for U.S. federal income taxation described above.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers as to the consequences of
these and other state and local tax rules affecting investment in a Fund.
YIELD INFORMATION
The yield for each Portfolio can be obtained by calling your securities dealer
or the Distributor at (212) 830-5280 if calling from New Jersey, Alaska or
Hawaii, or by calling toll free at (800) 433-1918 if calling from elsewhere in
the continental U.S. Quotations of yield on the Portfolios may also appear from
time to time in the financial press and in advertisements.
The current yields quoted will be the net average annualized yield for an
identified period, usually seven consecutive calendar days. Yield for a
Portfolio will be computed by assuming that an account was established with a
single share of such Portfolio (the "Single Share Account") on the first day of
the period. To arrive at the quoted yield, the net change in the value of that
Single Share Account for the period (which would include dividends accrued with
respect to the share, and dividends declared on shares purchased with dividends
accrued and paid, if any, but would not include realized gains and losses or
unrealized appreciation or depreciation) will be multiplied by 365 and then
divided by the number of days in the period, with the resulting figure carried
to the nearest hundredth of 1%. The Company may also furnish a quotation of
effective yield for each Portfolio that assumes the reinvestment of dividends
for a 365 day year and a return for the entire year equal to the average
annualized yield for the period, which will be computed by compounding the
unannualized current yield for the period by adding 1 to the unannualized
current yield, raising the sum to a power equal to 365 divided by the number of
days in the period, and then subtracting 1 from the result. Historical yields
are not necessarily indicative of future yields. Rates of return will vary as
interest rates and other conditions affecting money market instruments change.
Yields also depend on the quality, length of maturity and type of instruments in
each Portfolio's portfolio and each Portfolio's operating expenses. Quotations
of yields will be accompanied by information concerning the average weighted
maturity of the Portfolios. Comparison of the quoted yields of various
investments is valid only if yields are calculated in the same manner and for
identical limited periods. When comparing the yield for one of the Portfolios
with yields quoted with respect to other investments, shareholders should
consider (a) possible differences in time periods, (b) the effect of the methods
used to calculate quoted yields, (c) the quality and average-weighted maturity
of portfolio investments, expenses, convenience, liquidity and other important
factors, and (d) the taxable or tax-exempt character of all or part of dividends
received.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the
Company, broker-dealer selection and negotiation of commission rates. Since
purchases and sales of portfolio securities by the Company are usually principal
transactions, the Portfolios incur little or no brokerage commissions. Portfolio
securities are normally purchased directly from the issuer or from a market
maker for the securities. The purchase price paid to dealers serving as market
makers may include a spread between the bid and asked prices. The Company may
also purchase securities from underwriters at prices which include a commission
paid by the issuer to the underwriter.
The Company does not seek to profit from short-term trading, and will generally
(but not always) hold portfolio securities to maturity. However, the Manager may
seek to enhance the yield of the Portfolios by taking advantage of yield
disparities or other factors that occur in the money market. For example, market
conditions frequently result in similar securities trading at different prices.
The Manager may dispose of any portfolio security prior to its maturity if such
disposition and reinvestment
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of proceeds are expected to enhance yield consistent with the Manager's judgment
as to desirable portfolio maturity structure or if such disposition is believed
to be advisable due to other circumstances or conditions. Each Portfolio is
required to maintain an average weighted portfolio maturity of 90 days or less
and purchase only instruments having remaining maturities of 13 months or less.
Both may result in relatively high portfolio turnover, but since brokerage
commissions are not normally paid on U.S. Government Obligations, Agencies,
Money Market Obligations and Municipal Securities, the high rate of portfolio
turnover is not expected to have a material effect on the Portfolios' net income
or expenses.
Allocation of transactions, including their frequency, to various dealers is
determined by the Manager in its best judgment and in a manner deemed to be in
the best interest of shareholders of the Company rather than by any formula. The
primary consideration is prompt execution of orders in an effective manner at
the most favorable price.
The Manager and its affiliates manage several other investment accounts, some of
which may have objectives similar to the Portfolios'. It is possible that at
times, identical securities will be acceptable for one or more of such
investment accounts. However, the position of each account in the securities of
the same issue may vary and the length of time that each account may choose to
hold its investment in the securities of the same issue may likewise vary. The
timing and amount of purchase by each account will also be determined by its
cash position. If the purchase or sale of securities consistent with the
investment policies of the Portfolios and one or more of these accounts is
considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be
allocated in good faith among the Portfolios and such accounts in a manner
deemed equitable by the Manager. The Manager may combine such transactions, in
accordance with applicable laws and regulations, in order to obtain the best net
price and most favorable execution. The allocation and combination of
simultaneous securities purchases on behalf of the three Portfolios will be made
in the same way that such purchases are allocated among or combined with those
of other Reich & Tang accounts. Simultaneous transactions could adversely affect
the ability of a Portfolio to obtain or dispose of the full amount of a security
which it seeks to purchase or sell.
Provisions of the 1940 Act and rules and regulations thereunder have also been
construed to prohibit the Portfolios' purchasing securities or instruments from
or selling securities or instruments to, any holder of 5% or more of the voting
securities of any investment company managed by the Manager. The Portfolios have
obtained an order of exemption from the SEC which would permit the Portfolios to
engage in transactions with such a 5% holder, if the 5% holder is one of the 50
largest U.S. banks measured by deposits. Purchases from these 5% holders will be
subject to quarterly review by the Board of Directors including those directors
who are not "interested persons" of the Company. Additionally, such purchases
and sales will be subject to the following conditions: (1) the Company will
maintain and preserve a written copy of the internal control procedures for the
monitoring of such transactions, together with a written record of any such
transactions setting forth a description of the security purchased or sold, the
identity of the purchaser or seller, the terms of the purchase or sale
transaction and the information or materials upon which the determinations to
purchase or sell each security were made; (2) each security to be purchased or
sold by a Portfolio will be: (i) consistent with such Portfolio's investment
policies and objectives; (ii) consistent with the interests of shareholders of
such Portfolio; and (iii) comparable in terms of quality, yield, and maturity to
similar securities purchased or sold during a comparable period of time; (3) the
terms of each transaction will be reasonable and fair to shareholders of the
Portfolios and will not involve overreaching on the part of any person; and (4)
each commission, fee, spread or other remuneration received by a 5% holder will
be reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee, spread or other
remuneration received by other brokers or dealers in connection with comparable
transactions involving similar securities purchased or sold during a comparable
period of time and will not exceed the limitations set forth in Section 17(e)(2)
of the 1940 Act.
The Company and Its Shares
The shares of the Company are divided into three portfolios constituting
separate portfolios of investments, with various investment objectives and
policies (the "Portfolios") and, in turn, each Portfolio is divided into classes
(each such class is referred to herein as a "Fund" and collectively as the
"Funds"):
Live Oak General Money Market Fund
Live Oak U.S. Government Fund
Live Oak Municipal Money Market Fund
Each Portfolio issues shares of common stock in the Company. Shares of the
Company have equal rights with respect to voting, except that the holders of
shares of a particular Portfolio will have the exclusive right to vote on
matters affecting only the rights of the holders of such Portfolio. Each share
of a Portfolio bears equally the expenses of such Portfolio.
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As used in the Prospectus, the term "majority of the outstanding shares" of the
Company or of a particular Portfolio means, respectively, the vote of the lesser
of (i) 67% or more of the shares of the Company or such Portfolio present at a
meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the
Company or such Portfolio are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than
50% of the outstanding shares of the Company or such Portfolio.
Shareholders of the Portfolios do not have cumulative voting rights, and
therefore the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Company
voting together for the election of directors may elect all of the members of
the Board of Directors. In such event, the remaining holders cannot elect any
members of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may classify or reclassify any unissued shares to create
a new class or classes in addition to those already authorized by setting or
changing in any one or more respects, from time to time, prior to the issuance
of such shares, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, or terms or
conditions of redemption, of such shares. Any such classification or
reclassification will comply with the provisions of the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
The Company currently offers the following Classes of shares: Cortland General
Money Market Fund Shares, U.S. Government Fund Shares, Municipal Money Market
Fund Shares, Live Oak General Money Market Fund Shares, Live Oak U.S. Government
Fund Shares and Live Oak U.S. Government Fund Shares. The Articles of
Incorporation, as supplemented, permit the Directors to issue the following
number of full and fractional shares, par value $.001, of the Portfolios:
2,000,000,000 shares of the Cortland General Money Market Fund (of which
100,000,000 shares are classified as the Pilgrim America Shares and 400,000,000
shares are classified as Live Oak General Money Market Fund Shares);
1,000,000,000 shares of the U.S. Government Fund (of which 100,000,000 shares
are classified as Live Oak U.S. Government Fund Shares and 400,000,000 shares
are classified as the Bradford U.S. Government Money Market Fund Shares); and
1,000,000,000 shares of the Municipal Money Market Fund (of which 100,000,000
shares are classified as Live Oak Municipal Money Market Fund Shares and
400,000,000 shares are classified as the Bradford Short-Term Municipal Money
Market Fund Shares). Each Fund share is entitled to participate pro rata in the
dividends and distributions from that Fund. Additional information concerning
the rights of share ownership is set forth in each Prospectus.
The assets received by the Company for the issue or sale of shares of each
Portfolio and all income, earnings, profits, losses and proceeds therefrom,
subject only to the rights of creditors, are allocated to that Portfolio, and
constitute the underlying assets of that Portfolio. The underlying assets of
each Portfolio are segregated and are charged with the expenses with respect to
that Portfolio and with a share of the general expenses of the Company as
described below under "Expenses." While the expenses of the Company are
allocated to the separate books of account of each Portfolio, certain expenses
may be legally chargeable against the assets of all three Portfolios. Also,
certain expenses may be allocated to a particular class of a Portfolio. See
"Expenses".
The Articles of Incorporation provide that to the fullest extent that
limitations on the liability of directors and officers are permitted by the
Maryland General Corporation Law, no director or officer of the Company shall
have any liability to the Company or to its shareholders for damages.
The Articles of Incorporation further provide that the Company shall indemnify
and advance expenses to its currently acting and its former directors to the
fullest extent that indemnification of directors is permitted by the Maryland
General Corporation Law; that the Company shall indemnify and advance expenses
to its officers to the same extent as its directors and to such further extent
as is consistent with law and that the Board of Directors may through By-law,
resolution or agreement make further provisions for indemnification of
directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the
Maryland General Corporation Law. However, nothing in the Articles of
Incorporation protects any director or officer of the Company against any
liability to the Company or to its shareholders to which he or she would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or
her office.
As described in each Prospectus, the Company will not normally hold annual
shareholders' meetings. Under Maryland law and the Company's By-Laws, an annual
meeting is not required to be held in any year in which the election of
directors is not required to be acted upon under the 1940 Act. At such time as
less than a majority of the directors have been elected by the shareholders, the
directors then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for the election of
directors.
Except as otherwise disclosed in each Prospectus and in this Statement of
Additional Information, the directors shall continue to hold office and may
appoint their successors.
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INVESTMENT RATINGS
The following is a description of the two highest commercial paper, bond,
municipal bond and other short- and long-term categories assigned by Standard &
Poor's Rating Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies ("S&P"), Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch"),
Duff and Phelps ("Duff"), and IBCA Inc. and IBCA Limited ("IBCA"):
COMMERCIAL PAPER AND SHORT-TERM RATINGS
The designation A-1 by S&P indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is either overwhelming or very strong. Those issues determined to
possess overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+)
designation. Capacity for timely payment on issues with an A-2 designation is
strong. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues
designated A-1.
The rating Prime-1 (P-1) is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by
Moody's. Issuers of P-1 paper must have a superior capacity for repayment of
short-term promissory obligations, and ordinarily will be evidenced by leading
market positions in well established industries, high rates of return of funds
employed, conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on debt
and ample asset protection, broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed
financial charges and high internal cash generation, and well established access
to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
Issues rated Prime-2 (P-2) have a strong capacity for repayment of short-term
promissory obligations. This ordinarily will be evidenced by many of the
characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage
ratios, while sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization
characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external
conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
The rating Fitch-1 (Highest Grade) is the highest commercial rating assigned by
Fitch. Paper rated Fitch-1 is regarded as having the strongest degree of
assurance for timely payment. The rating Fitch-2 (Very Good Grade) is the second
highest commercial paper rating assigned by Fitch which reflects an assurance of
timely payment only slightly less in degree than the strongest issues.
The rating Duff-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Duff. Paper
rated Duff-1 is regarded as having very high certainty of timely payment with
excellent liquidity factors which are supported by ample asset protection. Risk
factors are minor. Paper rated Duff-2 is regarded as having good certainty of
timely payment, good access to capital markets and sound liquidity factors and
company fundamentals. Risk factors are small.
The designation A1 by IBCA indicates that the obligation is supported by a very
strong capacity for timely repayment. Those obligations rated A1+ are supported
by the highest capacity for timely repayment. Obligations rated A2 are supported
by a strong capacity for timely repayment, although such capacity may be
susceptible to adverse changes in business, economic or financial conditions.
BOND AND LONG-TERM RATINGS
Bonds rated AAA are considered by S&P to be the highest grade obligations and
possess an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Bonds rated
AA by S&P are judged by S&P to have a very strong capacity to pay principal and
interest, and in the majority of instances, differ only in small degrees from
issues rated AAA.
Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the
smallest degree of investment risk and are general referred to as "gilt edge."
Bonds rated Aa by Moody's are judged by Moody's 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 Aaa bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large or fluctuations of protective elements may be of
greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the
long-term risks appear somewhat larger. Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2
and 3 in the Aa rating category. The modifier 1 indicates a ranking for the
security in the higher end of this rating category, the modifier 2 indicates a
mid-range ranking, and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of
the rating category.
Bonds rated AAA by Fitch are judged by Fitch to be strictly high grade, broadly
marketable, suitable for investment by trustees and fiduciary institutions and
are liable to but slight market fluctuation other than through changes in the
money rate. The prime feature of an AAA bond is a showing of earnings several
times or many times interest requirements, with such stability of applicable
earnings that safety is beyond reasonable question whatever changes occur in
conditions. Bonds rated AA by Fitch are judged by Fitch to be of safety
virtually beyond question and are readily salable, whose merits are not unlike
those of the AAA class, but whose margin of safety is 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
market.
Bonds rated Duff-1 are judged by Duff to be of the highest credit quality with
negligible risk factors; only slightly more than U.S. Treasury debt. Bonds rated
Duff-2, 3 and 4 are judged by Duff to be of high credit quality with strong
protection factors. Risk is modest but may vary slightly from time to time
because of economic conditions.
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Obligations rated AAA by IBCA have the lowest expectation of investment risk.
Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is substantial, such
that adverse changes in business, economic or financial conditions are unlikely
to increase investment risk significantly. Obligations for which there is a very
low expectation of investment risk are rated AA by IBCA.
Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is substantial. Adverse
changes in business, economic or financial conditions may increase investment
risk albeit not very significantly.
MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
S&P's Municipal Bond Ratings cover obligations of states and political
subdivisions. Ratings are assigned to general obligation and revenue bonds.
General obligation bonds are usually secured by all resources available to the
municipality and the factors outlined in the rating definitions below are
weighed in determining the rating. Because revenue bonds in general are payable
from specifically pledged revenues, the essential element in the security for a
revenue bond is the quantity of the pledged revenues available to pay debt
service.
Although an appraisal of most of the same factors that bear on the quality of
general obligation bond credit is usually appropriate in the rating analysis of
a revenue bond, other facts are also important, including particularly the
competitive position of the municipal enterprise under review and the basic
security covenants. Although a rating reflects S&P's judgment as to the issuer's
capacity for the timely payment of debt service, in certain circumstances it may
also reflect a mechanism or procedure for an assured and prompt cure of a
default, should one occur, i.e., an insurance program, federal or state
guaranty, or the automatic withholding and use of state aid to pay the default
debt service.
AAA
These are obligations of the highest quality. They have the strongest capacity
for timely payment of debt service.
General Obligation Bonds - In a period of economic stress, the issuers will
suffer the smallest declines in income and will be least susceptible to
autonomous decline. Debt burden is moderate. A strong revenue structure appears
more than adequate to meet future expenditure requirements. Quality of
management appears superior.
Revenue Bonds - Debt service coverage has been, and is expected to remain,
substantial. Stability of the pledged revenues is also exceptionally strong, due
to the competitive position of the municipal enterprise or to the nature of the
revenues. Basic security provisions (including rate covenants, earning tests for
issuance of additional bonds, and debt service reserve requirements) are
rigorous. There is evidence of superior management.
AA
The investment characteristics of general obligation and revenue bonds in this
group are only slightly less marked than those of the AAA category. Bonds rated
"AA" have the second strongest capacity for payment of debt service.
S&P's bond letter ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or a
minus (-) sign which designates a bond's relative quality within the major
rating categories, except in the AAA category.
S&P Tax-Exempt Demand Bonds Ratings
S&P assigns "dual" ratings to all long-term debt issues that have as part of
their provisions a demand feature.
The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest
as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term
debt rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity, and the
commercial paper rating symbols are used to denote the put option (e.g.,
"AAA/A-1+").
MOODY'S MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
Aaa
Bonds which are judged to be of the highest quality are rated "Aaa." 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 anticipated are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa
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 Aaa bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as the Aaa securities or the fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude, or other elements may be
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa
securities.
MOODY'S STATE AND MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM RATINGS
Moody's assigns state and municipal notes, as well as other short-term
obligations, a Moody's Investment Grade ("MIG") rating. Factors affecting the
liquidity of the borrower and short-term cyclical elements are critical in
short-term ratings, while other factors of major importance in evaluating bond
risk may be less important over the short run.
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MIG 1
Notes bearing this designation are of the best quality. The notes enjoy strong
"protection" by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or a
demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2
Notes bearing this designation are of high quality. Margins of protection are
ample although not as large as in the preceding group.
MOODY'S TAX-EXEMPT DEMAND RATINGS
Moody's assigns issues which have demand features (i.e., variable rate demand
obligations) a VMIG symbol. This symbol reflects such characteristics as payment
upon periodic demand rather than fixed maturity, and payment relying on external
liquidity. The VMIG rating is modified by the numbers 1, 2 or 3. VMIG1
represents the best quality in the VMIG category and VMIG2 represents high
quality.
INTERNATIONAL AND U.S. BANK RATINGS
An IBCA bank rating represents IBCA's current assessment of the strength of the
bank and whether such bank would receive support should it experience
difficulties. In its assessment of a bank, IBCA uses a dual rating system
comprised of Legal Ratings and Individual Ratings. In addition, IBCA assigns
banks Long- and Short-Term Ratings as used in the corporate ratings discussed
above. Legal Ratings, which range in gradation from 1 through 5, address the
question of whether the bank would receive support provided by central banks or
shareholders if it experienced difficulties, and such ratings are considered by
IBCA to be a prime factor in its assessment of credit risk. Individual Ratings,
which range in gradations from A through E, represent IBCA's assessment of a
bank's economic merits and address the question of how the bank would be viewed
if it were entirely independent and could not rely on support from state
authorities or its owners.
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