As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 28, 2000
Securities Act File No. 2-99009
Investment Company Act File No. 811-4354
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
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FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pre-Effective Amendment No. __ [ ]
Post Effective Amendment No. 17 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Amendment No. 21 [X]
RNC MUTUAL FUND GROUP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
11601 Wilshire Boulevard, 25th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(Address of Principal Executive Office)
(310) 477-6543
(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)
Julie Allecta, Esq.
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
345 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
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It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
[X] Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] On pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] On pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[ ] On pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
If appropriate, check the following box:
[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
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PROSPECTUS
JANUARY 28,2000
RNC MUTUAL FUND GROUP, INC.
(800) 385-7003
RNC EQUITY FUND
RNC MONEY MARKET FUND
RNC MUTUAL FUND GROUP (RNC) HAS REGISTERED EACH MUTUAL FUND OFFERED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC). THAT
REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY, HOWEVER, THAT THE SEC ENDORSES THE FUNDS.
THE SEC HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
RNC Equity Fund
RNC Money Market Fund
Portfolio Management
Management Fees
Additional Investment Strategies and Related Risks
Financial Highlights
Account Information
Purchase of Shares
Selling Shares
Exchange Privileges
Calculation of Net Asset Value (NAV)
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
Investor Services
Distribution Arrangements
Shareholder Communications
This prospectus contains important information about the investment objectives,
strategies and risks of RNC Equity Fund and RNC Money Market Fund (the Funds)
that you should know before you invest in them. Please read it carefully and
keep it on hand for future reference.
You should also know that you could lose money by investing in the Funds.
The Funds are advised by RNC Capital Management LLC (Adviser) which provides
portfolio management and other services to the Funds. Inquiries regarding the
Funds can be made by calling (800) 576-8229.
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RNC EQUITY FUND
OBJECTIVE Achieve above-average total return consistent with reasonable
risk. By reasonable risk, we mean that a particular investment
will be selected only when we believe that its potential return
justifies the risk of that investment.
STRATEGY To accomplish its objective, the Fund employs a blended growth
and value investment strategy. In making investment decisions,
the Fund will analyze a company's current business fundamentals
and future business prospects. The stock selection process
emphasizes the potential earnings growth of a company as well as
the manner in which that growth can be achieved. Valuation is
carefully reviewed, both on an historical basis as well as
relative to the market, in order to establish an appropriate
price that the Fund is willing to pay for the acquisition of a
stock.
The Fund will normally invest at least 80%, and usually closer to
100%, of its total assets in common stocks. The Fund may invest
up to 15% of its net assets in foreign securities in the form of
U.S. dollar-denominated American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) or
European Depositary Receipts (EDRs). Although the Fund will
typically be invested primarily in equity securities, it may
invest up to 20% of its assets in short-term money market
instruments and repurchase agreements.
RISKS The Fund may not achieve its stated objective. Furthermore, by
investing in stocks, the Fund is exposed to risks that could
cause you to lose money, such as a sudden decline in a holding's
share price or an overall decline in the stock market. As with
any stock fund, the value of your investment will fluctuate daily
with movements in the stock market, as well as in response to the
activities of individual companies. To the extent the Fund has
more investments in certain economic sectors than the Standard
and Poor's 500 Composite Price Index (S&P 500) does, the Fund may
be more volatile than the S&P 500.
When the Fund's portfolio manager believes that market conditions
are not favorable or when he is unable to locate attractive
investments, he may invest various amounts of the Fund's assets
in cash or short-term money market instruments. Larger cash or
money market positions can be a defensive measure in adverse
market conditions. Should the market advance, however, the Fund
may not participate as much as it might have if more of its
assets were invested in stocks.
PAST FUND PERFORMANCE The bar chart below shows the risks of investing in the
Fund and how the Fund's total return has varied from year-to-year. The bar chart
on the right compares the Fund's performance to a commonly used index for its
market segment. Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future results.
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[bar chart]
1997: 27.68%
1998: 20.70%
1999: 14.65%
During the period described above in the bar chart, the Fund's best quarter was
Q4 1998 (22.70%) and its worst quarter was Q3 1998 (-13.38%).
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS THROUGH 12/31/99
Since Inception
One Year (11/1/96)
-------- ---------
RNC Equity Fund 14.65% 20.15%
S&P 500 Index* 19.53% 26.19%
- ----------
* The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the market
for the stocks of large sized U.S. companies. In prior years, the Fund had
compared its performance to the S&P 500 Index as well as to the Lipper Equity
Income Fund Index. Lipper Analytical Services no longer publishes this Index.
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)
Redemption Fee 0.00%
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+
Management Fee 1.00%
Distribution/Service (12b-1) Fee 0.25%
Other Expenses 1.54%
-----
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES 2.79%
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (1.14%)
-----
NET EXPENSES 1.65%
+ The Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or absorb expenses
to limit the Fund's total annual operating expenses (excluding interest and tax
expenses) to 1.65%. This contract has a one-year term, renewable at the end of
each fiscal year.
EXAMPLE OF FUND EXPENSES This example is intended to help you compare the cost
of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The
table below shows what you would pay in expenses over time, whether or not you
sold your shares at the end of each period. It assumes a $10,000 initial
investment, 5% total return each year and no changes in expenses. This example
is for comparison purposes only. It does not necessarily represent the Fund's
actual expenses or returns. Although the Adviser expects to continue to limit
total annual operating expenses throughout the ten-year period shown, the
example shown only assumes fee waivers and expense reimbursements for the first
year.
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
------ ------- ------- --------
$168 $757 $1,373 $3,036
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RNC MONEY MARKET FUND
OBJECTIVE Obtain as high as possible current income consistent with
preservation of capital and liquidity.
STRATEGY The Fund's strategy is to invest in a diversified portfolio of
high-quality, short-term money market securities that the
portfolio manager believes offer attractive yields.
The Fund invests primarily in short-term securities issued by the
U.S. Treasury and other government agencies, bank certificates of
deposit, commercial paper, corporate bonds, banker's acceptances
and repurchase agreements. The Fund will invest in fixed-income
securities only if they are rated within the two highest grades
for short-term securities and the top three rating category by
any of the four nationally recognized statistical rating
organization below. These organizations are called NRSROs. To
determine if a security is in a specific category, we may use the
highest rating assigned to it by any of these NRSROs. If the
security is unrated, it is to be considered of comparable quality
by the Adviser.
This chart shows the rating quality of securities in which the
Fund may invests.
Top 2 Ratings for Top 3 Ratings for
Short-term Securities Corporate Bonds
--------------------- ---------------
STANDARD & POOR'S A; A-1 AAA; AA; A
MOODY'S Prime-1; Prime 2 Ass; Aa; A
FITCH F-1+; F1 AAA; AA
DUFF & PHELPS Duff 1+; Duff 1 AAA; AA+
If the quality rating of the security is downgraded after
purchase, the Fund will monitor the situation to determine if any
action is needed such as selling the security.
RISKS Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment
at $1 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in
this Fund. Also a decline in short-term interest rates would
lower the Fund's yield and the return on your investment. An
investment in the RNC Money Market Fund is neither insured nor
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any
other government agency.
PAST FUND PERFORMANCE The bar chart below shows the risks of investing in the
Fund and how the Fund's total return has varied from year-to-year. Of course,
past performance is no guarantee of future results.
[bar chart]
1990: 7.83%
1991: 5.62%
1992: 3.36%
1993: 2.56%
1994: 3.70%
1995: 5.15%
1996: 4.72%
1997: 5.11%
1998: 4.81%
1999: 4.74%
During the period described above, the Fund's best quarter was Q2 1989 (2.29%)
and its worst quarter was Q2 1993 (0.61%).
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AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS THROUGH 12/31/99
7-day Yield
One Year Five Years Ten Years as of 12/31/99
-------- ---------- --------- --------------
4.74% 4.91% 4.75% 4.99%
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES
SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)
Redemption Fee 0.00%
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)+
Management Fee 0.41%
Distribution/Service (12b-1) Fee 0.25%
Other Expenses ++ 0.34%
-----
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES 1.00%
Fee Waiver (0.25%)
-----
NET EXPENSES 0.75%
+ The Principal Underwriter has contractually agreed to waive the 0.25%
Distribution/Service (12b- 1) fee for a one-year period ending September 30,
2000.
++ Other Expenses have been restated to reflect current expenses.
EXAMPLE OF FUND EXPENSES This example is intended to help you compare the cost
of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The
table below shows what you would pay in expenses over time, whether or not you
sold your shares at the end of each period. It assumes a $10,000 initial
investment, 5% total return each year and no changes in expenses. This example
is for comparison purposes only. It does not necessarily represent the Fund's
actual expenses or returns. The example shown was calculated using total annual
Fund operating expenses.
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
------ ------- ------- --------
$178 $719 $1,288 $2,835
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES RNC Capital Management LLC (Adviser) provides investment
advice to the Funds. The Adviser and its affiliates have provided investment
advice for over 29 years, and, as of December 31, 1999, managed approximately
$1.58 billion in assets.
RNC EQUITY FUND
JOHN G. MARSHALL, C.F.A., serves as the portfolio manager for RNC Equity Fund.
Mr. Marshall joined a predecessor affiliate of the Adviser in 1985 and is the
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Director of Equity, Chairman of the Equity Strategy Committee and a member of
the Investment Policy Committee. Prior to 1985, Mr. Marshall was Vice President,
Equity Portfolio Manager with Pacific Investment Management Co.
RNC MONEY MARKET FUND
STEPHAN M. BRADASICH serves as the portfolio manager for RNC Money Market Fund.
Mr. Bradasich joined a predecessor of the Adviser in 1992 and is the Director of
Fixed Income and a member of the Investment Policy Committee. Prior to 1992, Mr.
Bradasich was a consultant for Youbramar Investment Resources, Inc.; a manager
of a special asset group for Security Pacific State Trust Co.; a vice president
and portfolio manager for Imperial Bank; and a portfolio manager for Old
national Bank.
MANAGEMENT FEES
The management fee rate paid to the Adviser over the past fiscal year for the
Funds was:
RNC Equity Fund 1.00%
RNC Money Market Fund 0.28%, net of waiver
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS
DEFENSIVE INVESTMENTS
At the discretion of its portfolio manager, the Equity Fund may invest up to
100% of its assets in cash for temporary defensive purposes. Such a stance may
help the Equity Fund minimize or avoid losses during adverse market, economic or
political conditions. During such a period, the Equity Fund may not achieve its
investment objective. For example, should the market advance during this period,
the Equity Fund may not participate as much as it would have if it had been more
fully invested.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Funds' portfolio managers will sell a security when they believe it is
appropriate to do so, regardless of how long a Fund has owned that security.
Buying and selling securities generally involves some expense to a Fund, such as
commission paid to brokers and other transaction costs. By selling a security, a
Fund may realize taxable capital gains that it will subsequently distribute to
shareholders. Generally speaking, the higher a Fund's annual portfolio turnover,
the greater its brokerage costs and the greater the likelihood that it will
realize taxable capital gains. Increased brokerage costs may adversely affect a
Fund's performance. Also, unless you are a tax-exempt investor or you purchase
shares through a tax-exempt investor or you purchase shares through a tax-
deferred account, the distribution of capital gains may affect your after-tax
return. Annual portfolio turnover of 100% or more is considered high. See
"Financial Highlights," beginning on page __, for the Equity Fund's historical
portfolio turnover.
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The information for the year(s) ending September 30, 1999, has been audited by
Tait, Weller & Baker, RNC's independent certified public accountants, whose
unqualified report thereon and other financial statements of RNC are
incorporated by reference in the Statement of Additional Information. This
information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements in RNC's
Annual Report to Shareholders, copies of which may be obtained at no charge by
writing or telephoning RNC at the address or telephone number appearing on the
front page of this Prospectus.
RNC MONEY MARKET FUND
FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Year Ended September 30
--------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value at beginning of year ............... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income ............................ 0.044 0.049 0.049 0.047 0.051
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Less distributions:
From net investment income ....................... (0.044) (0.049) (0.049) (0.047) (0.051)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net Asset Value at end of year ..................... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Total Return ....................................... 4.52% 4.99% 5.01% 4.70% 5.10%
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net Assets, end of period (000's) .................. $ 38,410 $ 34,134 $ 44,570 $ 37,744 $ 31,066
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
(After expense waiver) ........................... 0.66% 0.76% 0.70% 0.90% 0.80%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
(After expense waiver) ........................... 4.48% 4.92% 4.90% 4.70% 5.00%
</TABLE>
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RNC EQUITY FUND
FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Year Ended
September 30 For the period
----------------- November 1, 1996* to
1999 1998 September 30, 1997
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period .............. $ 15.21 $ 14.85 $ 12.00
------- ------- -------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) ...................... (0.03) 0.01 0.02
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments ... 3.57 0.39 2.83
------- ------- -------
Total from investment operations .................... 3.54 0.40 2.85
------- ------- -------
Less distributions:
From net investment income ........................ (0.02) (0.04) 0.00
------- ------- -------
Net asset value at end of period .................... $ 18.73 $ 15.21 $ 14.85
======= ======= =======
Total Return ........................................ 23.29% 2.68% 23.75%+
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net Assets, end of period (000 omitted) ............. $ 9,389 $ 6,562 $ 3,518
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
Before expense reimbursement ...................... 2.79% 3.57% 8.50%**
After expense reimbursement ....................... 1.65% 1.64% 1.65%**
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:
Before expense reimbursement ...................... (1.35%) (1.90%) (6.53%)**
After expense reimbursement ....................... (0.21%) 0.03% 0.32%**
Portfolio turnover rate ............................. 46% 20% 38%
</TABLE>
- ----------
* Commencement of Operations.
** Annualized.
+ Not Annualized
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ACCOUNT INFORMATION
No sales charges are assessed when you invest in the Funds. You must initially
invest a minimum of $1,000 in a Fund and subsequent investments must be at least
$100. All investments must be made in U.S. dollars. If you buy shares from a
broker or investment adviser, different minimums may apply. To purchase shares
directly from RNC, you must complete and sign the attached Account Application
and pay for the shares purchased. Corporations, trusts or associations may be
required to provide additional information. Shares may be purchased by mail or
by wire.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
You can purchase shares of each Fund directly from ICA Fund Services Corp.,
RNC's Transfer Agent, from First Fund Distributors, Inc., RNC's Distributor and
Principal Underwriter or from securities dealers through an arrangement with the
Distributor. The Distributor is affiliated with the Transfer Agent and with
Investment Company Administration, L.L.C., RNC's Administrator.
Investments will be made on the day the order is placed, receiving the dividend
and net asset value (NAV or share price) determined on that day, if the order
and payment are received by the Transfer Agent (or a sub-transfer agent) prior
to the time the Fund's NAV is determined. To avoid additional operating costs
and for investor convenience, stock certificates are not issued unless you
request them, in writing, from the Transfer Agent. Certificates are not issued
for fractional shares. The Transfer Agent will send you a statement of shares of
the relevant Fund owned after each purchase or redemption transaction you make.
Any order may be rejected by the Principal Underwriter or RNC. The Group
reserves the right to suspend the sale of shares of the Funds to the public in
response to conditions in securities markets, or otherwise. Shares of RNC Equity
Fund may not be offered in all states.
PURCHASE BY MAIL. Send a check or Federal Reserve draft, payable to RNC Equity
Fund or RNC Money Market Fund, by mail to RNC Mutual Fund Group, Inc., c/o ICA
Fund Services Corp., 4455 East Camelback Road, Suite 261E, Phoenix, AZ 85018,
and, in the case of a new account, a completed Account Application. Third party
checks will not be accepted for initial investments. If RNC is unable to collect
upon the full face value of an investor's check, the purchase order will be
canceled and the investor or the dealer through which the shares are purchased
will be liable for any losses or fees incurred.
PURCHASE BY WIRE. Normally purchases by wire, which may involve a charge by the
bank sending the wire, are used for large purchases ($100,000 or more). If you
are making your first investment in a Fund, before you wire funds, the Transfer
Agent must have a completed Account Application. You can mail or overnight
deliver your Account Application to the Transfer Agent at the above address. You
may also fax the Account Application to the Transfer Agent at (602) 522-8172.
Upon receipt of your completed Account Application, the Transfer Agent will
establish an account for you. Once you have faxed your new account application,
you may instruct your bank to send the wire. Your bank must include both the
name of the Fund you are purchasing and your name so that monies can be
correctly applied. Your bank should transmit immediately available funds by wire
to:
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Firstar Bank, N.A. Cinti/Trust
ABA # 0420-0001-3
DDA #483897690
For Account: 19-7200
RNC Mutual Fund Group, Inc.
Fund Name:
Your Account No.:
If you are making a subsequent purchase, your bank should wire funds as
indicated above. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOUR BANK INCLUDE COMPLETE INFORMATION
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT IN ALL WIRE TRANSACTIONS. If you have questions about how to
invest by wire, you may call the Transfer Agent at (800) 576- 8229.
INVESTING THROUGH FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES. You may purchase shares from a
securities broker and other financial intermediaries. You should contact such
brokers and intermediaries directly for appropriate instructions, as well as
information pertaining to accounts and any related fees. Purchase orders through
brokers and intermediaries are effected at the net asset value (NAV or share
price) next determined after receipt of the order by the Transfer Agent. It is
the responsibility of the financial intermediary to transmit orders on a timely
basis to the Transfer Agent.
RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. You may establish the following types of retirement plans
with the Funds' Custodian, Firstar Bank, N.A.: an Individual Retirement Account
(IRA); a SIMPLE Retirement Account (SIMPLE); an Education IRA (Education) (the
minimum purchase requirement for an Education account is $500); a Roth IRA
(Roth); a 403(b) Retirement Account (403(b)) and a KEOGH Account (KEOGH) and
purchase shares through such individual retirement account. Additional
information regarding establishment of such an account may be obtained by
contacting RNC or the Principal Underwriter.
SELLING SHARES
You may sell some or all of your shares, by check or wire, upon receipt of a
written request in proper form. The redemption price is the NAV of the relevant
Fund next determined after the Transfer Agent receives a proper redemption
request from you.
ORDINARY REDEMPTION PROCEDURE. You may redeem shares of a Fund without charge by
delivering a written request to sell your shares to the Transfer Agent, together
with any stock certificates you may have for the shares to be sold. Your
redemption request requires the signature(s) of all persons in whose name(s) the
shares are registered, signed exactly as their name(s) appear on the Transfer
Agent's register or on the stock certificate(s), as the case may be. Also, the
signatures on the notice must be guaranteed by an eligible financial
institution, such as a commercial bank, a savings association, a trust company
or a member firm of a national or regional securities exchange. A notary public
is not an acceptable guarantor. In certain instances, the Transfer Agent may
require additional documents such as, but not limited to, trust instruments,
death certificates, appointments as executor or administrator, or certificates
of corporate authority. When you redeem your shares directly with the Transfer
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Agent, payment will be mailed within seven days of receipt of a proper notice of
redemption. At various times, a Fund may be requested to redeem shares for which
it has not yet received good payment. A Fund may delay mailing a redemption
check for up to 15 days until it is assured that good payment (that is, cash or
a certified check drawn against an account maintained in a bank located in the
United States) has been collected for the purchase of such shares.
If, as a result of your selling shares, your account falls below $1,000, then a
Fund may, at its option, require you to redeem your remaining shares. In such a
case, you would receive 60-days' written notice before mandatory redemption
occurs, during which time you will have the right to increase your account to or
above $1,000.
REDEMPTION BY CHECK (RNC MONEY MARKET FUND ONLY). If you request, in writing,
the Transfer Agent will establish a checking account for your Money Market Fund.
You can make checks drawn on this account payable to anyone as long as the
checks are for at least $500. The payee of the check may cash or deposit the
check like any other check drawn on a bank. When such a check is presented to
the Transfer Agent for payment, the Transfer Agent will present the check to RNC
as authority to redeem a sufficient number of shares in the shareholder's
account to cover the amount of the check. This enables the shareholder to
continue earning daily income dividends until the check is cleared. The Transfer
Agent will return canceled checks to the shareholder.
You are subject to the Transfer Agent's rules and regulations governing such
checking accounts, including the right of the Transfer Agent not to honor checks
in amounts exceeding the value of the shareholder's account at the time the
check is presented for payment. Also, the Transfer Agent may not honor checks
drawn against shares purchased, other than by Federal Funds wire or bank wire,
until 15 days after the purchase of such shares.
REDEMPTION BY WIRE. You can have your redemption proceeds wired to a bank
account if you checked the appropriate box on a Group Account Application, and
filed a Telephone Authorization Form with the Transfer Agent. You must make your
redemption request before the closing of regular trading in the New York Stock
Exchange ("NYSE"), normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, in order for it to be wired
the same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m., Eeastern time will be wired on
the next business day after the redemption request is received. The Group
reserves the right to refuse any redemption request made by telephone, in which
case ordinary redemption procedures should be used. The minimum amount which may
be wired is $1,000. The Group may limit the frequency of telephone redemptions.
Shares in certificate form may not be redeemed by check or wire.
The Transfer Agent and RNC can change or terminate the privileges of redemption
by check or wire. The Group employs reasonable procedures to confirm that
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. These procedures include
sending a confirmation and requiring you to give a special authorization number
or other personal information not likely to be known by others. If such
procedures are followed, neither RNC nor the Transfer Agent will be liable for
any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transactions.
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BUYING AND SELLING SHARES THROUGH SECURITIES BROKERS AND BENEFIT PLAN
ADMINISTRATORS. You may purchase and sell shares through securities brokers and
benefit plan administrators or their subagents. You should contact them directly
for information how to invest or redeem through them. They may also charge you
service or transaction fees. If you purchase or redeem shares through them, you
will receive the NAV calculated after receipt of the order by them (generally,
4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on any day the NYSE is open. If your order is received
by them after that time it will be purchased or redeemed at the next-calculated
NAV. Brokers and benefit plan administrators who perform shareholder servicing
for the Funds may receive fees from the Funds or RNC for providing those
services.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
You may exchange shares of the Equity Fund for shares of the Money Market Fund
or vice versa. To do this, you must mail or deliver written instructions to the
Transfer Agent at: RNC Mutual Fund Group, Inc., c/o ICA Fund Services Corp.,
4455 East Camelback Road, Suite 261E, Phoenix, AZ 85018. You may also exchange
shares by telephoning the Transfer Agent at (800) 576-8228, subject to proper
identification. Share exchange requests must be received prior to the close of
regular trading on the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, in order to be
effective on the date the request is received.
You should note that an exchange of shares may result in the recognition of a
gain or loss for income tax purposes. The Group reserves the right to limit
excessive share exchanges, which can harm a Fund's performance.
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE (NAV)
The NAV for the Money Market Fund is determined at 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, and
as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, which normally is 4:00 p.m.,
Eastern time, on each business day the NYSE is open for trading. The Money
Market Fund will not calculate an NAV on bank holidays, even if the NYSE is open
on that day. The NAV for the Equity Fund is determined as of the close of
regular trading on the NYSE, which is normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on each
business day the NYSE is open for trading. The NAV of a Fund is computed by
dividing the value of the net assets of a Fund by the total number of its shares
outstanding, rounded to the nearest cent. Expenses, including the investment
advisory fees payable to the Adviser, are accrued daily. The Money Market Fund
uses the amortized cost method of valuing its portfolio securities.
RNC Money Market Fund seeks to maintain an NAV of $1.00 for purchases and
redemptions. There can be no assurance, however, that RNC Money Market Fund will
be able to maintain a NAV of $1.00.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Group expects the Equity Fund to declare and
pay dividends annually from net income. Long-term net capital gains, if any, are
currently declared and paid annually by December 31, of each year. The Money
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Market Fund declares dividends from net income daily and pays them monthly.
Dividends of the Money Market Fund begin accruing the day shares are purchased
or credited to your account. All dividends and distributions are automatically
reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of the appropriate Fund at
the net asset value next determined after payment of the dividend or
distribution and credited to your account or, at your option, paid in cash. All
Fund expenses are accrued daily and deducted before declaration of dividends.
How to elect either dividend reinvestment or cash payments is more fully
explained in "Investor Services -- Reinvestment of Dividends and Capital Gains
Distributions."
TAX WITHHOLDING INFORMATION
Be sure to complete the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) section of the
Account Application. If you do not have a Social Security Number or TIN, apply
for one immediately by contacting your local office of the Social Security
Administration or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you do not provide us
with a TIN or a certified Social Security number, federal tax law may require us
to withhold 31% of your taxable dividends, capital-gains distributions, and
redemption and exchange proceeds (unless you qualify as an exempt payee under
certain rules).
Other rules about TINs apply for certain investors. For example, if you are
establishing an account for a minor under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, you
should furnish the minor's TIN. If the IRS has notified you that you are subject
to backup withholding because you failed to report all interest and dividend
income on your tax return, you must check the appropriate item on the Account
Application. Foreign shareholders should note that any dividends the Funds pay
to them may be subject to up to 30% withholding instead of backup withholding.
TAXES
IRS rules require that the Funds distribute all of their net investment income
and capital gains, if any, to shareholders. Capital gains may be taxable at
different rates depending upon the length of time the Fund holds its assets. We
will inform you about the source of any dividends and capital gains upon
payment. After the close of each calendar year, we will advise you of their tax
status. We expect that virtually all distributions from the Money Market Fund
will be short-term capital gains that are taxed as ordinary income.
When you redeem shares of the Funds, any gain may be subject to federal and
state income tax. In addition, the Funds' distributions, whether received in
cash or reinvested, will be taxable (unless you invest solely through a
tax-advantaged account such as an IRA or a 401K plan). Furthermore, any exchange
of a Fund's shares for another Fund will be treated as a sale, and any gain may
be taxable. Dividends and capital gains distributions may also be subject to
state and local taxes.
You are urged to consult your own tax adviser regarding specific questions about
federal, state or local taxes particularly in light of recent tax law changes.
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INVESTOR SERVICES
RNC offers a number of services to you which are designed to facilitate your
investment in Fund shares at no extra cost. These services are summarized below.
More detail about these services can be obtained directly from RNC at (800)
576-8229.
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT. As a shareholder, you have an investment account and will
receive transaction reports from the Transfer Agent after each share transaction
and dividend reinvestment. After the end of each year, you will receive federal
income tax information regarding dividends and capital gains distributions.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN. You may make additions of $50 or more to your
investment account at any time through a service known as the Automatic
Investment Plan, in which the Transfer Agent is authorized to purchase shares
for your investment account and deduct the cost from your regular bank account
on a monthly basis.
REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS. Unless you indicate
otherwise on the Account Application form, your dividends and capital gains
distributions are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the
appropriate Fund. These reinvestments are calculated at the source Fund's NAV as
of the close of business on the day on which the dividend or distribution is
paid. You may elect in writing to receive either your dividends or your capital
gains distributions, or both, in cash, in which event the Transfer Agent will
mail the amounts to you within seven days after the payment date. You may, at
any time, notify the Transfer Agent in writing that you no longer wish to have
your dividends and/or capital gains distributions reinvested in shares or vice
versa.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. You may request that automatic withdrawals be made
monthly or quarterly from a Fund. In order to be eligible for the Systematic
Withdrawal Plan, you must have a minimum of $10,000 in your investment account.
Either monthly or quarterly sufficient shares will be redeemed from your account
to provide your specified withdrawal amount. You may specify either a dollar
amount or a percentage of the value of your investment account. Redemptions are
made at NAV as determined at the close of business on the NYSE on the 25th day
of the last month of each quarter in the case of quarterly distributions and on
the 25th day of each month in the case of monthly distributions. If the NYSE is
not open for business on that date, the shares are redeemed at the close of
business on the immediately preceding business day. The check for the withdrawal
payment is mailed on the next business day following redemption. Your Systematic
Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time, without charge or penalty, by
you, RNC, the Transfer Agent or the Principal Underwriter.
Withdrawal payments should not be considered as dividends, yield or income. Each
withdrawal is a taxable event, which may result in gain or loss. If periodic
withdrawals continuously exceed reinvested dividends, the shareholder's original
investment may be correspondingly reduced.
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DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
The Group on behalf of each Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan (the
Plans). These Plans provide that the Principal Underwriter will be reimbursed by
each Fund for the actual expenses incurred in furnishing that Fund with services
covered by its Plan which includes: (i) sending periodic information to service
organizations that track investment company information; (ii) answering
shareholder inquiries; (iii) collecting updated account and address information
from shareholders and sending it to the Transfer Agent; (iv) collecting the same
type of information from independent account executives and brokers and sending
it to the Transfer Agent; (v) supplying other information to the Transfer Agent
so that the Transfer Agent can properly maintain shareholder account records;
(vi) providing facilities, equipment and personnel in connection with the
provision of such services; and (vii) performing additional shareholder
services.
Each Plan also allows reimbursement for activities, such as (i) preparing,
printing and mailing prospectuses; (ii) shareholder reports such as semi-annual
and annual reports, performance reports and newsletters; (iii) sales literature
and other promotional material to prospective investors; (iv) direct mail
solicitation; (v) advertising; (vi) public relations; (vii) compensation of
sales personnel, advisers, and others for assistance with distributing shares;
(viii) payments to financial intermediaries, including ERISA third-party
retirement plan administrators, for shareholder support, administration and
accounting services; and (ix) other expenses, as may be approved by the Board of
Directors.
The Adviser, out of its own funds, also may compensate broker-dealers who have
signed dealer agreements for distribution of a Fund's shares as well as other
service providers who provide shareholder and administrative services. Under the
Plan, each Fund will reimburse the actual expenses incurred by the Principal
Underwriter, up to a maximum annual rate of 0.25% of that Fund's average daily
net assets. The Plan provides that all reimbursements are accounted for in the
same fiscal year that the expenditures were incurred. The Principal Underwriter
has contractually agreed to waive all fees due from the Money Market Fund under
the Plan for a one-year period ending September 30, 2000.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
During the year, we will also send you the following communications:
CONFIRMATION STATEMENTS
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS-Mailed after the close of each calendar quarter.
ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS- Mailed approximately 60 days after
September 30 and March 31.
1099 TAX FORM-Sent by January 31.
ANNUAL UPDATED PROSPECTUS-Mailed to existing shareholders around the
beginning of each year.
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To save you money, we will send only one copy of each shareholder report or
other mailing to your household if you hold accounts under common ownership or
at the same address (regardless of the number of shareholders or accounts at
that household or address), unless you request additional copies.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER. The Principal Underwriter for the Funds is First Fund
Distributors, Inc., whose address is 4455 East Camelback Road, Suite 261E,
Phoenix, Arizona 85018.
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT. ICA Fund Services Corp., 4455 East
Camelback Road, Suite 261E, Phoenix, AZ 85018 is the Transfer Agent and Dividend
Disbursing Agent for RNC and the Funds, and maintains RNC's accounting records.
CUSTODIAN. Firstar Institutional Custody Services, 425 Walnut Street,
Cincinnati, OH 45202, is the Custodian for the Funds.
LEGAL COUNSEL. Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, 345 California Street, San
Francisco, CA 94104, is legal counsel to the Funds.
You can find more information about RNC's investment policies in the Statement
of Additional Information (SAI), which is available free of charge.
To request a copy, please call us at (800) 576-8229. If you have access to the
Internet, you can also view a copy of RNC's SAI at the Securities and Exchange
Commission's Web site: WWW.SEC.GOV. You may also request a copy by writing to
the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C., 20549-0102 or by
electronic request to the following e-mail address: [email protected]. The SEC
charges a duplicating fee for this service. You can also visit the SEC's Public
Reference Room (telephone 202-942-8090)
You can find further information about RNC in our annual and semiannual
shareholder reports, which discuss the market conditions and investment
strategies that significantly affected each Fund's performance during its most
recent fiscal period. To request a copy of the most recent annual or semiannual
report, please call us at (800) 385-7003.
Corporate Headquarters:
RNC Mutual Fund Group, Inc.
11601 Wilshire Blvd., 25th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(800) 385-7003
WWW.RNCCAPITAL.COM
(The Funds' SEC File No. is 811-04354)
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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
JANUARY 28, 2000
RNC MUTUAL FUND GROUP, INC.
11601 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, 25TH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90025
(800) 576-8229
RNC Mutual Fund Group, Inc. (the "Group"), is a no-load fund group with two
diversified mutual funds: RNC Equity Fund (the "Equity Fund") and RNC Money
Market Fund (the "Money Market Fund").
The Equity Fund invests primarily in common stocks with the objective of
achieving above-average total return consistent with reasonable risk. The Equity
Fund's ability to achieve above-average total return cannot be guaranteed and is
subject to the risk of occasional volatile market conditions.
The Money Market Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of short-term money
market securities with the objective of obtaining as high as possible current
income consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity. There can be no
assurance that the investment objective to maintain a constant net asset value
of $1.00 per share will be achieved.
Shares of the Funds may be purchased at their net asset value with no sales
load.
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") of RNC is not a prospectus and
should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of RNC dated January 28, 2000,
as may be amended from time to time (the "Prospectus"). The Prospectus provides
the basic information a prospective investor should know before purchasing
shares of the Funds and may be obtained by calling or by writing RNC at the
above telephone number or address. This SAI has been incorporated by reference
into the Prospectus. Both the Prospectus and this SAI have been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
The date of this SAI is January 28, 2000.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
RNC Mutual Fund Group, Inc.
Objectives and Policies
Investment Restrictions
Management of the Group
Investment Advisory and Other Services
Portfolio Transactions
Purchase of Shares
Redemption of Shares
Taxes
Dividends
Shareholder Rule 12b-1 Plans
Performance Information
Principal Underwriter
Financial Statements
Appendix
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RNC MUTUAL FUND GROUP, INC.
The Group was organized as a Maryland corporation on April 9, 1985 and currently
consists of two diversified mutual funds: RNC Equity Fund and RNC Money Market
Fund. As a separate series, each Fund votes separately on matters affecting only
that Fund (e.g., approval of the Investment Management Agreement). On matters
affecting all series, the Funds vote as a single class (e.g., election or
removal of Directors). Shares do not have cumulative voting rights, and the
holders of more than 50% of the shares of the Funds voting for the election of
Directors can elect all of the Directors of RNC if they choose to do so, and in
such event the holders of the remaining shares would not be able to elect any
Directors. The Funds do not normally hold annual meetings of shareholders except
when required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act").
The authorized capital stock of the Funds consists of 500,000,000 shares of
Common Stock in the Money Market Fund and 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock in
the Equity Fund, each having a par value of $0.01 per share. The shares have
equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and voting rights in a Fund. Each
share, with respect to the Fund from which it is issued, is entitled to one vote
and is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared
by the Fund and in net assets of the Fund remaining after satisfaction of
outstanding liabilities upon liquidation or dissolution. The shares of a Fund,
when issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, have no preference, preemptive,
conversion, exchange or similar rights, and are freely transferable.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
In addition to the investment restrictions set forth in the Prospectus, each
Fund has adopted a set of investment restrictions, none of which may be changed
without the approval of a majority of the relevant Fund's outstanding shares.
For this purpose, majority approval means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the
respective Fund's shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50%
of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or
(ii) more than 50% of the respective Fund's outstanding shares, whichever is
less.
RNC EQUITY FUND MAY NOT:
(1) Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.
(2) Invest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs,
commodities or commodity contracts, except that RNC Equity Fund may invest in
securities of issuers which invest or deal in any of the above.
(3) Invest in real estate or in interests in real estate, except that RNC Equity
Fund may purchase readily marketable securities of companies holding real estate
or interests therein, and may invest in mortgaged-backed securities.
(4) Purchase any securities on margin, except for use of short-term credit
necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
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(5) Make loans, except that RNC Equity Fund may (a) purchase debt obligations in
accordance with its investment objective and policies, (b) make loans of
portfolio securities provided, among other things, that the value of the
securities loaned does not exceed 10% of the value of its net assets and (c)
enter into repurchase agreements as disclosed in the Prospectus. (RNC Equity
Fund does not presently loan portfolio securities.) The acquisition of bonds,
debentures or other corporate debt securities which are not publicly distributed
is considered to be the making of a loan under the 1940 Act.
(6) Mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer as security for
indebtedness any securities owned or held by RNC Equity Fund except as may be
necessary in connection with borrowings mentioned in (7) below, and then such
mortgaging, pledging or hypothecating may not exceed 10% of RNC Equity Fund's
total assets, taken at market value.
(7) Borrow in excess of 10% of the total assets of RNC Equity Fund, taken at
market value, and then only from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary
or emergency purposes. Usually only "leveraged" investment companies may borrow
in excess of 5% of their assets; however, RNC Equity Fund will not borrow to
increase income but only to meet redemption requests which might otherwise
require untimely dispositions of portfolio securities. In addition, RNC Equity
Fund will not purchase securities while outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of its
total assets.
(8) Act as an underwriter of securities, except to the extent that RNC Equity
Fund may technically be deemed to be an underwriter when engaged in the
activities described in (5) above or insofar as RNC Equity Fund may be deemed an
underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") in selling
portfolio securities.
(9) Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, except that this
restriction shall not be deemed to prohibit RNC Equity Fund from (a) making any
permitted borrowings, mortgages or pledges, or (b) entering into options,
forward or repurchase transactions.
(10) Purchase or sell futures or futures contracts or invest in put, call,
straddle or spread options. (As a matter of operating policy, the Board of
Directors may authorize RNC Equity Fund to engage in certain activities
involving options and/or futures for bona fide hedging purposes. Any such
authorization will be accompanied by appropriate notification to shareholders.)
(11) Invest in the securities of other investment companies, except as provided
in the 1940 Act.
RNC MONEY MARKET FUND MAY NOT:
(1) Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.
(2) Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in connection with
a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization.
(3) Invest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs,
commodities or commodity contracts, except that RNC Money Market Fund may invest
in securities of issuers which invest or deal in any of the above.
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(4) Invest in real estate or in interests in real estate, but RNC Money Market
Fund may purchase readily marketable securities of companies holding real estate
or interests therein.
(5) Purchase any securities on margin, except for use of short-term credit
necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
(6) Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position or write,
purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads or combinations thereof.
(7) Make loans, provided that RNC Money Market Fund may (a) purchase debt
obligations in accordance with its investment objective and policies, (b) make
loans of portfolio securities provided, among other things, that the value of
the securities loaned does not exceed 10% of the value of RNC Money Market
Fund's net assets and (c) enter into repurchase agreements as disclosed in the
Prospectus. (RNC Money Market Fund does not presently loan portfolio
securities.) The acquisition of bonds, debentures or other corporate debt
securities which are not publicly distributed is considered to be the making of
a loan under the 1940 Act.
(8) Mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer as security for
indebtedness any securities owned or held by RNC Money Market Fund except as may
be necessary in connection with borrowings mentioned in (9) below, and then such
mortgaging, pledging or hypothecating may not exceed 10% of RNC Money Market
Fund's total assets, taken at market value.
(9) Borrow in excess of 10% of the total assets of RNC Money Market Fund, taken
at market value, and then only from banks as a temporary measure for
extraordinary or emergency purposes. Usually only "leveraged" investment
companies may borrow in excess of 5% of their assets; however, RNC Money Market
Fund will not borrow to increase income but only to meet redemption requests
which might otherwise require untimely dispositions of portfolio securities. In
addition, RNC Money Market Fund will not purchase securities while borrowings
are outstanding.
(10) Act as an underwriter of securities, except to the extent that RNC Money
Market Fund may technically be deemed an underwriter when engaged in the
activities described in (7) above or insofar as RNC Money Market Fund may be
deemed an underwriter under the 1933 Act in selling portfolio securities.
(11) Invest in securities of any one issuer with a record of less than three
years of continuous operation, including predecessors, except obligations issued
or guaranteed by the United States Government or its agencies.
(12) Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, except that this
restriction shall not be deemed to prohibit RNC Money Market Fund from (a)
making any permitted borrowings, mortgages or pledges, or (b) entering into
permissible repurchase transactions.
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Bank money instruments in which a Fund invests must be issued by depository
institutions with total assets of at least $500 million or capital surplus and
undivided profits in excess of $100 million.
Each Fund's commercial paper investments will be rated at the time of purchase
in the top rating category as determined by the requisite number of nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations ("NRSROs") or be of "comparable
quality" as determined by the Board of Directors if unrated. Each Fund's
investments in corporate bonds (which for RNC Money Market Fund must have
maturities at purchase of thirteen (13) months or less) must be rated at least
"A" by at least two of the NRSROs. For further information regarding various
corporate debt ratings, see the Appendix.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS. Each Fund may purchase money market securities on a forward
commitment basis at fixed purchase terms. The purchase will be recorded on the
date a Fund enters into the commitment and the value of the security will
thereafter be reflected in the calculation of that Fund's net asset value. The
value of the security on the delivery date may be more or less than its purchase
price. Each Fund will designate liquid assets having a market value at all times
at least equal to the amount of the forward commitment on the custodian's
records.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. RNC Equity Fund does not
currently enter into futures contracts and options on futures contracts.
However, to hedge against movements in interest rates, securities prices or
currency exchange rates, RNC Equity Fund reserves the right to purchase and sell
various kinds of futures contracts and options on futures contracts. However,
RNC Equity Fund will enter such transactions only upon the approval of RNC's
Board of Directors and notice to shareholders.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. RNC Equity Fund may write (sell) covered call options to
a limited extent on its portfolio securities ("covered options") in an attempt
to enhance gain.
When RNC Equity Fund writes a covered call option, it gives the purchaser of the
option the right, upon exercise of the option, to buy the underlying security at
the price specified in the option (the "exercise price") at any time during the
option period, generally ranging up to nine months. If the option expires
unexercised, RNC Equity Fund will realize income to the extent of the amount
received for the option (the "premium"). If the call option is exercised, a
decision over which RNC Equity Fund has no control, the Fund must sell the
underlying security to the option holder at the exercise price. By writing a
covered option, RNC Equity Fund forgoes, in exchange for the premium less the
commission ("net premium"), the opportunity to profit during the option period
from an increase in the market value of the underlying security above the
exercise price.
RNC Equity Fund may terminate its obligation as writer of a call option by
purchasing an option with the same exercise price and expiration date as the
option previously written. This transaction is called a "closing purchase
transaction."
Closing sale transactions enable RNC Equity Fund immediately to realize gains or
minimize losses on its options positions. There is no assurance that a liquid
secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or
at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market may exist. In
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addition, stock index prices may be distorted by interruptions in the trading of
securities of certain companies or of issuers in certain industries, which could
disrupt trading in option positions on such indices and preclude RNC Equity Fund
from closing out its options positions. If RNC Equity Fund is unable to effect a
closing purchase transaction with respect to options it has written, it will not
be able to terminate its obligations or minimize its losses under such options
prior to their expiration. If RNC Equity Fund is unable to effect a closing sale
transaction with respect to options that it has purchased, it would have to
exercise the option in order to realize any profit.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the
underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close
before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate
movements may take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in
the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity
which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated
with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. RNC Equity Fund may write (sell) covered call
options on securities indices in an attempt to increase gain. A securities index
option written by RNC Equity Fund would obligate it, upon exercise of the
option, to pay a cash settlement, rather than to deliver actual securities, to
the option holder. Although RNC Equity Fund will not ordinarily own all of the
securities comprising the stock indices on which it writes call options, such
options will usually be written on those indices which correspond most closely
to the composition of RNC Equity Fund's portfolio. As with writing covered call
options on securities, RNC Equity Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the
premium received upon writing an option if the value of the underlying index
increases above the exercise price and the option is exercised. RNC Equity Fund
will be required to pay a cash settlement that may exceed the amount of the
premium received by the Fund. RNC Equity Fund may purchase call options in order
to terminate its obligations under call options it has written.
RNC Equity Fund may purchase call and put options on securities indices for the
purpose of hedging against the risk of unfavorable price movements adversely
affecting the value of RNC Equity Fund's securities or securities RNC Equity
Fund intends to buy. Securities index options will not be purchased for
speculative purposes. Unlike an option on securities, which gives the holder the
right to purchase or sell specified securities at a specified price, an option
on a securities index gives the holder the right, upon the exercise of the
option, to receive a cash "exercise settlement amount" equal to (i) the
difference between the exercise price of the option and the value of the
underlying securities index on the exercise date multiplied by (ii) a fixed
"index multiplier."
A securities index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the securities
included in the index. For example, some securities index options are based on a
broad market index such as the Standard & Poor's 500 or the Value Line Composite
Index, or a narrower market index such as the Standard & Poor's 100. Indices may
also be based on industry or market segments.
RNC Equity Fund may purchase put options in order to hedge against an
anticipated decline in stock market prices that might adversely affect the value
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of RNC Equity Fund's portfolio securities. If RNC Equity Fund purchases a put
option on a stock index, the amount of payment it receives on exercising the
option depends on the extent of any decline in the level of the stock index
below the exercise price. Such payments would tend to offset a decline in the
value of RNC Equity Fund's portfolio securities. If, however, the level of the
stock index increases and remains above the exercise price while the put option
is outstanding, RNC Equity Fund will not be able to exercise the option
profitably and will lose the amount of the premium and any transaction costs.
Such loss may be partially offset by an increase in the value of RNC Equity
Fund's portfolio securities. RNC Equity Fund may write put options on stock
indices in order to close out positions in stock index put options which it has
purchased.
RNC Equity Fund may purchase call options on stock indices in order to
participate in an anticipated increase in stock market prices or to lock in a
favorable price on securities that it intends to buy in the future. If RNC
Equity Fund purchases a call option on a stock index, the amount of the payment
it receives upon exercising the option depends on the extent of any increase in
the level of the stock index above the exercise price. Such payments would in
effect allow RNC Equity Fund to benefit from stock market appreciation even
though it may not have had sufficient cash to purchase the underlying stocks.
Such payments may also offset increases in the price of stocks that RNC Equity
Fund intends to purchase. If, however, the level of the stock index declines and
remains below the exercise price while the call option is outstanding, RNC
Equity Fund will not be able to exercise the option profitably and will lose the
amount of the premium and transaction costs. Such loss may be partially offset
by a reduction in the price RNC Equity Fund pays to buy additional securities
for its portfolio. RNC Equity Fund may write call options on stock indices in
order to close out positions in stock index call options which it has purchased.
The effectiveness of hedging through the purchase of options on securities
indices will depend upon the extent to which price movements in the portion of
the securities portfolio being hedged correlate with price movements in the
selected stock index. Perfect correlation is not possible because the securities
held or to be acquired by RNC Equity Fund will not exactly match the composition
of the stock indices on which the options are available. In addition, the
purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and
transaction costs paid by RNC Equity Fund in purchasing an option will be lost
as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising
the stock index on which the option is based.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements. A Fund's
repurchase agreements will generally involve a short-term investment in a U.S.
Government security or other high-grade liquid debt security, with the seller of
the underlying security agreeing to repurchase it at a mutually agreed-upon time
and price. (For RNC Money Market Fund, the security must be rated in the highest
grade by at least one of the NRSROs.) The repurchase price is generally higher
than the purchase price, the difference being interest income to the Fund.
Alternatively, the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest
at a stated rate due to a Fund together with the repurchase price on the date of
repurchase. In either case, the income to a Fund is unrelated to the interest
rate on the underlying security.
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Under each repurchase agreement, the seller is required to maintain the value of
the securities subject to the repurchase agreement at not less than their
repurchase price. The Adviser, acting under the supervision of the Board of
Directors, reviews on a periodic basis the suitability and creditworthiness, as
well as the value of the collateral, of those sellers with whom the Funds enter
into repurchase agreements to evaluate potential risk. All repurchase agreements
will be made pursuant to procedures adopted and regularly reviewed by the Board
of Directors.
The Funds generally will enter into repurchase agreements of short maturities,
from overnight to one week, although the underlying securities will generally
have longer maturities. The Funds regard repurchase agreements with maturities
in excess of seven days as illiquid. RNC Equity Fund may not invest more than
15%, while RNC Money Market Fund may not invest more than 10%, of the value of
its net assets in illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements with
maturities greater than seven days.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a
collateralized loan from a Fund to the seller of the security subject to the
repurchase agreement. It is not clear whether a court would consider the
security acquired by a Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by
that Fund or as being collateral for a loan by that Fund to the seller. If
bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of
the security before its repurchase under a repurchase agreement, a Fund may
encounter delays and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Delays
may involve loss of interest or a decline in price of the security. If a court
characterizes such a transaction as a loan and a Fund has not perfected a
security interest in the security, that Fund may be required to return the
security to the seller's estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the
seller. As an unsecured creditor, a Fund would be at risk of losing some or all
of the principal and income involved in the transaction. As with any unsecured
debt instrument purchased for a Fund, the Adviser seeks to minimize the risk of
loss through repurchase agreements by analyzing the creditworthiness of the
seller of the security.
Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, a Fund also runs
the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, each Fund
always requires collateral for any repurchase agreement to which it is a party
in the form of securities acceptable to the Fund, the market value of which is
equal to at least 100% of the amount invested by the Fund plus accrued interest,
and a Fund makes payment against such securities only upon physical delivery or
evidence of book entry transfer to the account of the Fund's custodian bank. If
the market value of the security subject to the repurchase agreement becomes
less than the repurchase price (including interest), a Fund, pursuant to its
repurchase agreement, may require the seller of the security to deliver
additional securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the
repurchase agreement equals or exceeds the repurchase price (including interest)
at all times.
Each Fund may participate in one or more joint accounts with another Fund within
RNC that invests in repurchase agreements collateralized, subject to each Fund's
investment policies, either by (i) obligations issued or guaranteed as to
principal and interest by the U.S. Government or by one of its agencies or
instrumentalities, or (ii) privately issued mortgage-related securities that are
in turn collateralized by securities issued by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC, and are
rated in the highest rating category by a NRSRO (See Appendix) or, if unrated,
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are deemed by the Adviser to be of comparable quality using objective criteria.
Any such repurchase agreement will have, with rare exceptions, an overnight,
over-the-weekend or over-the-holiday duration, and will in no event have a
duration of more than seven days.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. RNC Equity Fund may enter into reverse repurchase
agreements, as set forth in the Prospectus. RNC Equity Fund typically will
invest the proceeds of a reverse repurchase agreement in money market
instruments or repurchase agreements maturing not later than the expiration of
the reverse repurchase agreement. This use of proceeds involves leverage. RNC
Equity Fund will enter into a reverse repurchase agreement for leverage purposes
only when the Adviser believes that the interest income to be earned from the
investment of the proceeds would be greater than the interest expense of the
transaction. RNC Equity Fund also may use the proceeds of reverse repurchase
agreements to provide liquidity to meet redemption requests when the sale of RNC
Equity Fund's securities is disadvantageous.
RNC Equity Fund causes its custodian to designate liquid assets, equal in value
to their obligations (including accrued interest) with respect to reverse
repurchase agreements. Such assets are marked to market daily to ensure that
full collateralization is maintained.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. RNC Equity Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in
illiquid securities. RNC Money Market Fund may invest up to 10% of its net
assets in illiquid securities. The term "illiquid securities" for this purpose
means securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary
course of business at approximately the amount at which a Fund has valued the
securities and includes, among others, repurchase agreements maturing in more
than seven days, certain restricted securities and securities that are otherwise
not freely transferable. Illiquid securities also include shares of an
investment company held by a Fund in excess of 1% of the total outstanding
shares of that investment company. Restricted securities may be sold only in
privately negotiated transactions or in public offerings with respect to which a
registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act. Illiquid securities
acquired by a Fund may include those that are subject to restrictions on
transferability contained in the securities laws of other countries. Securities
that are freely marketable in the country where they are principally traded, but
that would not be freely marketable in the United States, will not be considered
illiquid. Where registration is required, a Fund may be obligated to pay all or
part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between
the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell
a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period,
adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less
favorable price than prevailed when it decided to sell.
In recent years a large institutional market has developed for certain
securities that are not registered under the 1933 Act, including securities sold
in private placements, repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign
securities and corporate bonds and notes. These instruments often are restricted
securities because the securities are sold in transactions not requiring
registration. Institutional investors generally will not seek to sell these
instruments to the general public, but instead will often depend either on an
efficient institutional market in which such unregistered securities can be
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resold readily or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for repayment.
Therefore, the fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale
to the general public or certain institutions is not determinative of the
liquidity of such investments.
Rule 144A under the 1933 Act establishes a safe harbor from the registration
requirements of the 1933 Act for resale of certain securities to qualified
institutional buyers. Institutional markets for restricted securities sold
pursuant to Rule 144A in many cases provide both readily ascertainable values
for restricted securities and the ability to liquidate an investment to satisfy
share redemption orders. Such markets might include automated systems for the
trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and
foreign issuers, such as the PORTAL System sponsored by the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. An insufficient number of qualified buyers
interested in purchasing Rule 144A-eligible restricted securities held by a
Fund, however, could adversely affect the marketability of such portfolio
securities and result in the Fund's inability to dispose of such securities
promptly or at favorable prices.
The Board of Directors has delegated the function of making day-to-day
determinations of liquidity to the Adviser pursuant to guidelines approved by
the Board. The Adviser takes into account a number of factors in reaching
liquidity decisions, including, but not limited to: (i) the frequency of trades
for the security, (ii) the number of dealers that quote prices for the security,
(iii) the number of dealers that have undertaken to make a market in the
security, (iv) the number of other potential purchasers, and (v) the nature of
the security and how trading is effected (e.g., the time needed to sell the
security, how bids are solicited and the mechanics of transfer). The Adviser
monitors the liquidity of restricted securities in the Funds' portfolios and
reports periodically on such decisions to the Board of Directors.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. RNC Equity Fund may invest in foreign securities in the form
of U.S. dollar-denominated American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and European
Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"). Both ADRs and EDRs are certificates evidencing
ownership of shares of a foreign-based issuer held in trust by a bank or similar
financial institution. Designed for use in U.S. and European securities markets,
respectively, ADRs and EDRs are alternatives to the purchase of the underlying
securities in their national market and currencies. It is not expected that RNC
Equity Fund will invest in unsponsored ADRs or EDRs. RNC Equity Fund will not
concentrate its investments in any particular foreign country and will only
purchase securities denominated in U.S. Dollars. Investments in foreign
securities, particularly those of non-governmental issuers, involve
considerations which are not ordinarily associated with investing in U.S.
issuers. These considerations include changes in currency rates, currency
exchange control regulations, the possibility of expropriation, the
unavailability of financial information or the difficulty of interpreting
financial information prepared under foreign accounting standards, less
liquidity and more volatility in foreign securities markets, the impact of
political, social or diplomatic developments, and the difficulty of assessing
economic trends in countries outside the United States. If it should become
necessary, RNC Equity Fund could encounter greater difficulties in invoking
legal processes abroad than would be the case in the United States. Transaction
costs in foreign securities may be higher. These and other factors will be
considered before investing in foreign securities, unless such investments will
meet RNC Equity Fund's standards and objectives.
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VARIABLE RATE DEMAND NOTES. Each Fund may also purchase variable rate demand
notes ("VRDNs") issued by U.S. and foreign companies having an outstanding debt
issue at the time of purchase rated in the top two grades of any NRSRO. (See
Appendix.) VRDNs are obligations with rates of interest that are adjusted
periodically or "float" continuously according to specific formulae. Often,
VRDNs have a demand feature entitling the purchaser to resell the securities at
an amount approximately equal to amortized cost or the principal amount plus
accrued interest. See "Illiquid Securities."
MANAGEMENT OF THE GROUP
The Group has an independent Board of Directors (the "Board") which establishes
policies and supervises and reviews the management of each Fund. The Board is
responsible for the overall management of RNC and the Funds, including general
supervision and review of investment activities. The day-to-day operation of RNC
is the responsibility of its officers, who are appointed by the Board, as well
as the Funds' Administrator and Adviser, who are each subject to the general
supervision of the Board pursuant to the respective terms of the Administration
Agreements and the Investment Advisory Agreements. One of RNC's current
Directors, Mr. Daniel J. Genter, Jr., is an "interested person" (as defined in
the 1940 Act) of RNC, the Funds or any adviser, administrator or principal
underwriter of the Funds. The officers who administer RNC's daily operations are
appointed by the Board. The current Directors and officers of RNC, their
addresses, and their principal occupations for the past five years are set forth
below.
BRUCE B. STUART, (born 1942), Director; 1440-2E South State College Boulevard,
Anaheim, California 92806. Since 1991, Mr. Stuart has been the president of
Nu-Ceramic Technology, Inc., a company involved in the research and development
of advanced ceramic metallization for the semiconductor and hybrid industry.
From 1984 to 1991, Mr. Stuart was a partner of the Richmar Group, a management
consulting firm.
DEVERE W. McGUFFIN, II, (born 1943), Director; 1441 East Chevy Chase, Glendale,
California 91206. Mr. McGuffin is the owner and principal executive officer of
the Meadow Grove Group, a finance and investment firm with which he has been
associated since 1974. Mr. McGuffin is also the Chief Executive Officer of
California Adventist Federal Credit Union. Mr. McGuffin also directs First
Interurban Development Corporation, a non-profit financial corporation which he
founded in 1981. Mr. McGuffin is also currently licensed as a securities
representative and as a commodities futures principal.
DANIEL J. GENTER, JR., (born 1957), President of RNC; 11601 Wilshire Boulevard,
25th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90025. Mr. Genter is currently President and
Chief Executive Officer of RNC Capital Management LLC and has held these
positions since 1992 with a predecessor firm affiliate of the Adviser. Mr.
Genter joined a predecessor affiliate of the Adviser in 1979, became Vice
President in 1984 and Senior Vice President in 1985.
MANUEL A. GUTIERREZ, (born 1946), Secretary and Treasurer of RNC; 11601 Wilshire
Boulevard, 25th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90025. Mr. Gutierrez is currently
(since April 1998) Senior Vice President, Treasurer/Secretary and Chief
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Financial Officer of RNC Capital Management LLC. Mr. Gutierrez joined a
predecessor affiliate of the Adviser in 1984 and was previously Vice President
and Controller.
The Directors receive an annual retainer plus fees and expenses for each Board
meeting and Audit Committee meeting attended. (For the latest fiscal year, ended
September 30, 1999, the Directors each received $6,500 for their attendance at
Board and Audit Committee meetings.) The Group does not provide any pension or
retirement benefits for its Directors. Pursuant to the terms of the
Administration Agreement, the Funds' administrator pays all compensation of
officers of RNC, who are also employees of the Administrator and no person
receives any compensation directly from RNC or the Funds for acting as an
officer of RNC. However, such officers may be deemed to receive remuneration
indirectly from RNC and the Funds because the administrator is paid an
administrative fee by RNC.
As of December 31, 1999, the following persons held of record 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of RNC Money Market Fund. An asterisk (*) denotes an account
affiliated with the Fund's investment adviser, officers or trustees: Union Bank
of California, San Diego, CA 92186 - 70.45%; Firstcinco, Milwaukee, WI 53201 -
13.20%; and RNC Capital Management LLC*, Los Angeles, CA 90025 - 11.16%.
As of December 31, 1999, there were no shareholders who held 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of RNC Equity Fund.
As of December 31, 1999, the Directors and officers of RNC as a whole owned less
than 1% of the outstanding shares of the RNC Money Market Fund and 11.41% of the
outstanding shares of RNC Equity Fund.
While RNC is not required and does not intend to hold annual meetings of
shareholders, such meetings may be called by the Directors in their discretion,
or upon demand by the holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of the
Funds for the purpose of electing or removing Directors. Shareholders may
receive assistance from RNC in communicating with other shareholders, in
connection with the election or removal of Directors, pursuant to the provisions
contained in Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
The Group on behalf of each Fund has entered into Investment Advisory Agreements
with RNC Capital Management LLC (the "Adviser"). The principal business address
of the Adviser is 11601 Wilshire Boulevard, 25th Floor, Los Angeles, California
90025.
The Directors and principal executive officers of the Adviser are: Daniel J.
Genter, Jr., President, Chief Executive Officer and Director; Manuel A.
Gutierrez, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary; John G. Marshall,
Senior Vice President and Director of Equity; Jan Kallik, Senior Vice President
and Director of Equity Research; Stephan M. Bradasich, Senior Vice President and
Director of Fixed Income; and Neal S. Salisian, Senior Vice President and
Director of Marketing.
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Subject to supervision by RNC's Board, the Adviser is responsible for the actual
management of each Fund's portfolio and constantly reviews the holdings of each
portfolio in light of its own research analysis and analyses from other relevant
sources. The responsibility for making decisions to buy, sell or hold a
particular security rests with the Adviser. The Adviser provides the portfolio
managers for the Funds who consider analyses from various sources, make the
necessary investment decisions and place transactions accordingly.
As compensation for its services to RNC Equity Fund, the Adviser is paid a fee
at a maximum annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets. As
compensation for its services to RNC Money Market Fund, the Adviser is paid a
fee at a maximum annual rate of 0.41% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
From time to time, the Adviser may voluntarily waive all or a portion of its
fees payable by the Funds and may also absorb certain expenses. These waivers
and expense reductions will have the effect of lowering the overall expense
ratio of a Fund and increasing the relevant Fund's yield or return to investors
while the fee waiver is in effect. Any reductions made by the Adviser in its
fees and any payments or reimbursement of expenses made by the Adviser which are
a Fund's obligation are subject to reimbursement within the following three
years by that Fund provided the Fund is able to effect such reimbursement and
remain in compliance with applicable expense limitations.
Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreements
will continue in effect until April 7, 2000 for RNC Money Market Fund and RNC
Equity Fund. Each Agreement will continue in effect for successive one-year
periods thereafter if approved annually (a) by RNC's Board or by a majority of
the outstanding voting shares of the relevant Fund and (b) by a majority of the
Directors who are not parties to such contracts or interested persons (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party. Each Agreement terminates upon
assignment and may be terminated without penalty upon 60-days' written notice at
the option of either party thereto or by the vote of the shareholders of the
relevant Fund.
From time to time the Adviser may voluntarily reduce its fee or reimburse all or
a portion of a Fund's other expenses, which reimbursement will have the effect
of lowering the overall net expense ratio of a Fund and of increasing its yield
or return to investors for the period for which such expenses were payable. Any
reductions made by the Adviser in its fees and any payments or reimbursement of
expenses made by the Adviser which are a Fund's obligation are subject to
reimbursement within the following three years by the appropriate Fund provided
the Fund is able to effect such reimbursement and remain in compliance with
applicable expense limitations. For the year ended September 30, 1999, the
Adviser waived fees and reimbursed expenses totaling $216,596 for RNC Money
Market Fund and $100,594 for RNC Equity Fund. For the year ended September 30,
1998, the Adviser waived fees totaling $146,007 for RNC Money Market Fund and
reimbursed expenses and fees totaling $100,606 for RNC Equity Fund. For the year
ended September 30, 1997, the Adviser waived fees totaling $164,262 for RNC
Money Market Fund and reimbursed expenses and fees totaling $120,658 for RNC
Equity Fund for the period November 1, 1996, (commencement of operations)
through September 30, 1997.
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For RNC Money Market Fund, in the years ended September 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997,
total fees payable by the Fund to the Adviser were $100,946, $104,329 and
$121,035, respectively. The amount of the management fee paid by the Fund
reflects a voluntary fee reduction by the Adviser. In the absence of this fee
reduction, the rate of management fee payable under the Investment Advisory
Agreement would be 0.41% for RNC Money Market Fund. For the years ended
September 30, 1999 and 1998, total fees payable by RNC Equity Fund to the
Adviser were $87,937 and $51,010. For the period November 1, 1996, (commencement
of operations) through September 30, 1997, total fees payable by RNC Equity Fund
to the Adviser were $17,621.
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENTS. The Group has entered into an Administration
Agreement on behalf of each Fund with Investment Company Administration, L.L.C.
("ICA" or the "Administrator") under which ICA provides the Funds with certain
services in connection with their management and operation. These services
include supervising the operations of the Funds; providing RNC with officers;
coordinating the preparation of reports and other materials; and other
functions. ICA is affiliated with RNC's Principal Underwriter. As compensation
for providing these services, ICA receives a minimum annual fee of $40,000 or
0.10% for the first $100 million, 0.05% for the next $100 million, and 0.03%
thereafter, whichever is greater, payable monthly by the fifth day of the next
month. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999, the Administrator received
$40,000 in fees from each of the Funds.
LICENSE OF INITIALS. The Adviser has granted RNC and the Funds a non-exclusive
license to use the initials "RNC" in its name for so long as the Adviser serves
as investment adviser to the Funds.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The Funds have no obligation to execute any transactions in portfolio securities
through any dealer or group of dealers. Subject to the policies established by
the Directors of RNC, the Adviser is primarily responsible for making portfolio
decisions for the Funds and placing portfolio transactions. In placing orders,
the policy of the Funds is to seek to obtain the best execution so that the
resultant price to a Fund is as favorable as possible under prevailing market
conditions. Factors which may be considered include the price of the security
being offered (including the applicable dealer spread), the size, type and
difficulty of the transaction involved, the firm's general execution and
operational facilities, and the risk in position in the securities involved.
Where such transactions are executed with brokers on an agency basis, the
Adviser may also consider the provision of supplemental investment research,
market and statistical information and other research services and products.
Brokers providing such services may execute brokerage transactions at a higher
cost to the Funds than might result from the allocation of brokerage to other
brokers solely on the basis of most favorable price and efficient execution.
Because such services are beneficial to the Funds, the purchase and sale of
securities for the Funds may be made with brokers who provide such research
analysis, subject to review by RNC's Board. From time to time the Directors will
review the extent of this practice to determine whether each Fund continues to
benefit directly or indirectly from such practice. The Adviser may select
broker-dealers for the execution of the Funds' portfolio transactions who
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provide research and analysis as the Adviser may lawfully and appropriately use
in its investment management and advisory capacities, whether or not such
research and analysis may also be useful to the Adviser in connection with its
services to other clients. The Adviser does not intend to use affiliated brokers
to handle portfolio transactions.
The cost of executing portfolio securities transactions for RNC Money Market
Fund will primarily consist of dealer spreads and underwriting commissions. The
money market securities in which RNC Money Market Fund invests are traded
primarily in the over-the-counter market. Bonds and debentures are usually
traded over-the-counter, but may be traded on an exchange. Where possible, RNC
Money Market Fund will deal directly with the dealers who make a market in the
securities involved except in those circumstances where prices and execution are
available elsewhere. Such dealers are acting as principals for their own
accounts.
On occasion, securities may be purchased directly from the issuer. Bonds and
money market securities also are generally traded on a net basis and do not
normally involve either brokerage commissions or transfer taxes. Therefore, RNC
Money Market Fund rarely pays any brokerage commissions. During the three fiscal
years ended September 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997, RNC paid no brokerage fees on
behalf of RNC Money Market Fund.
With respect to RNC Equity Fund, portfolio securities are purchased either from
a dealer (typically a market maker in the particular security or a selling group
member in the case of an initial or secondary public offering) at a negotiated
mark-up, or from a broker to whom the Fund is buying or selling listed
securities, futures contracts and options thereon, it will use a broker and pay
a brokerage commission. The Fund does not typically invest in futures contracts.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999, the Fund paid $24,785 in brokerage
commissions, of which $24,541 was paid to firms who furnished research services.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998 and for the period November 1, 1996
(commencement of operations) through September 30, 1997, the Fund paid 4,667 and
18,813, respectively, in brokerage commissions.
The Adviser is responsible for effecting portfolio transactions and does so in a
manner deemed fair and reasonable to each Fund. The primary consideration in all
portfolio transactions will be the prompt execution of orders in an efficient
manner at a competitive price. In selecting and monitoring broker-dealers and
negotiating commissions, the Adviser considers the firm's reliability, the
quality of its execution services on a continuing basis, its financial
condition, and the broker's ability to generate "soft dollar" credits which are
used to purchase research services that are of assistance to the Adviser in
managing its client accounts, including the Funds. Currently, the Adviser places
all, or substantially all, of RNC Equity Fund's trades with a variety of
brokerage firms. The Adviser believes that it receives competitively priced
executions through this broker. The brokers also give soft dollar credits that
are used to purchase various types of third party research and research-related
services that are of assistance to the Adviser in its overall advisory business.
Brokerage commissions and the use of soft dollar credits generated by the Fund's
brokerage is reviewed regularly by RNC's Board.
Investment decisions for the Funds are made in conjunction with those of other
client accounts of the Adviser or its affiliates that share the same objectives.
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Nevertheless, it is possible that at times the same securities will be
acceptable for the Funds and for one or more of such client accounts. The
Adviser and its personnel may have interests in one or more of those client
accounts, either through direct investment or because of management fees based
on gains in the account. To the extent any of these client accounts and the
Funds seek to acquire the same security at the same time, the Funds may not be
able to acquire as large a portion of such security as they would otherwise, or
they may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower yield for such security.
Similarly, the Funds may not be able to obtain as high a price for, or as large
an execution of, an order to sell any particular security at the same time. If
one or more of such client accounts simultaneously purchases or sells the same
security that the Funds are purchasing or selling, each day's transactions in
such security will be allocated between the Funds and all such client accounts
in a manner deemed equitable by the Adviser, taking into account the respective
sizes of the accounts, the amount being purchased or sold and other factors
deemed relevant by the Adviser. It is recognized that in some cases this system
could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security insofar as
the Funds are concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the
ability of the Funds to participate in volume transactions may produce better
executions for the Funds.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
As described in the Prospectus, shares of each Fund are offered on a continuous
basis at a price equal to the net asset value per share of the relevant Fund
next determined after receipt of a purchase order in proper form.
NET ASSET VALUE. The value of each Fund's portfolio securities is determined on
each day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for trading, except that
the Money Market Fund will not determine its net asset value on bank holidays.
The NYSE is open on business days other than certain holidays (New Year's Day,
Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day).
The net asset value of shares of RNC Equity Fund will fluctuate daily. The net
asset value per share is computed by dividing the value of the securities held
in RNC Equity Fund plus any cash or other assets (including interests and
dividends accrued but not yet received) minus all liabilities (including accrued
expenses) by the total numbers of shares in RNC Equity Fund outstanding at such
time.
RNC Money Market Fund uses the amortized cost method of valuation. The amortized
cost method of valuation involves valuing a security at its cost on the date of
purchase, and thereafter (absent unusual circumstances) 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 this method, is higher or lower than the price RNC Money
Market Fund would receive if it sold the instrument. During such periods the
yield to investors in RNC Money Market Fund may differ somewhat from that
obtained in a similar fund which uses other methods to determine the fair or
market value of its portfolio securities.
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RNC Money Market Fund intends to use its best efforts to maintain a constant net
asset value of $1.00 per share. If net unrealized gains or losses were to exceed
$0.005 per share, RNC Money Market Fund's net asset value would deviate from
$1.00 per share. RNC Money Market Fund endeavors to reduce the amount of
unrealized gains and losses which result from, among other things, interest rate
changes, by maintaining a dollar weighted average portfolio maturity of less
than 90 days.
RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. An investor desiring to purchase shares in a Fund through
an retirement account may establish such an account through the Funds'
custodian, Firstar Bank, N.A. Through such an account, investments may be made
in each Fund. Firstar Bank, N.A. charges an initial establishment fee and an
annual custodial fee for each account. The following types of retirement
accounts are available: an Individual Retirement Account ("IRA"), a SIMPLE
Retirement Account ("SIMPLE"), an Education IRA ("Education"), a Roth IRA
("Roth"), a 403(b) Retirement Account ("403(b)") and a KEOGH Account ("KEOGH").
Information with respect to these accounts is available upon request from RNC or
First Fund Distributors, Inc., the Funds' principal underwriter. The minimum
investment for an individual retirement account is $1,000 with the exception of
the Education account which has a $500 minimum investment.
Capital gains and ordinary income received in such an account are generally
exempt from federal income taxation until distributed from the account. Capital
gains and ordinary income may be taxable in whole or in part, however, if the
account has borrowed to purchase or carry shares of a Fund. Investors
considering participation in such an account should review specific tax laws
relating thereto and should consult their attorneys or tax advisers with respect
to the establishment and maintenance of such an account.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Reference is made to "Selling Shares" in the Prospectus for a discussion of the
redemption and repurchase rights of shareholders.
The right to redeem shares or to receive payment with respect to any such
redemption may be suspended for more than seven days only for periods during
which trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission or the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and
holiday closings), for periods during which an emergency exists as defined by
the Securities and Exchange Commission as a result of which disposal of
portfolio securities or determination of the net asset value of a Fund is not
reasonably practicable, and for such other periods as the Securities and
Exchange Commission may by order permit for the protection of a Fund's
shareholders.
Signature guarantees may be required to effect a redemption. A signature
guarantee is a widely accepted way to protect stockholders and RNC by verifying
the signature on the request. Signature guarantees should not be qualified in
any way, whether by date or otherwise. Signatures must be guaranteed by an
"Eligible Guarantor Institution" and not by a notary public or any other person
or entity. An "Eligible Guarantor Institution" means a bank, trust company,
broker, dealer, municipal or government securities broker or dealer, credit
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union, national securities exchange, registered securities association, clearing
agency or savings association that is a participant in the Securities Transfer
Agents Medallion Program endorsed by the Securities Transfer Association.
Subject to the Funds' compliance with applicable regulations, the Funds have
reserved the right to pay the redemption or repurchase price, either totally or
partially, by a distribution in kind of securities (instead of cash) from the
respective Fund's portfolio. Such regulations require, in part, that the Funds
commit to pay in cash all requests for redemption by any shareholder, limited in
amount for each shareholder during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000
or 1% of the net asset value of the respective Fund at the beginning of such
period. Each Fund anticipates that it would make redemptions in kind only if it
received redemption requests with respect to a substantial portion of its net
assets at a time when disposition of a substantial portion of its portfolio
securities would be disadvantageous. The securities distributed in such a
distribution would be valued at the same price as the price assigned to such
securities in calculating the net asset value of the particular Fund. If a
shareholder receives a distribution in kind in securities, in most instances
brokerage charges will be incurred when the securities received are converted by
the shareholder into cash.
TAXES
Each Fund has elected and intends to continue to qualify to be treated as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), for each taxable year by complying with all
applicable requirements regarding the source of its income, the diversification
of its assets, and the timing of its distributions. Each Fund has so qualified
and elected in prior tax years. Each Fund's policy is to distribute to its
shareholders all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized
capital gains for each fiscal year in a manner that complies with the
distribution requirements of the Code, so that Fund will not be subject to any
federal income tax or excise taxes based on net income. However, the Board may
elect to pay such excise taxes if it determines that payment is, under the
circumstances, in the best interests of a Fund.
In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, each Fund must, among
other things, (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income each year from
dividends, interest, payments with respect to loans of stock and securities,
gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign
currency gains related to investments in stocks or other securities, or other
income (generally including gains from options, futures or forward contracts)
derived with respect to the business of investing in stock, securities or
currency, and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal
quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of its assets is represented by
cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated
investment companies and other securities limited, for purposes of this
calculation, in the case of other securities of any one issuer to an amount not
greater than 5% of that Fund's assets or 10% of the voting securities of the
issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or
securities of other regulated investment companies). As such, and by complying
with the applicable provisions of the Code, a Fund will not be subject to
federal income tax on taxable income (including realized capital gains) that is
distributed to shareholders in accordance with the timing requirements of the
Code. If a Fund is unable to meet certain requirements of the Code, it may be
subject to taxation as a corporation.
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Distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains by a Fund
will be taxable to shareholders whether made in cash or reinvested in shares. In
determining amounts of net realized capital gains to be distributed, any capital
loss carryovers from the eight prior taxable years will be applied against
capital gains. Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional
shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so
received equal to the net asset value of a share of a Fund on the reinvestment
date. Fund distributions also will be included in individual and corporate
shareholders' income on which the alternative minimum tax may be imposed.
The Funds or any securities dealer effecting a redemption of the Funds' shares
by a shareholder will be required to file information reports with the IRS with
respect to distributions and payments made to the shareholder. In addition, the
Funds will be required to withhold federal income tax at the rate of 31% on
taxable dividends, redemptions and other payments made to accounts of individual
or other non-exempt shareholders who have not furnished their correct taxpayer
identification numbers and made certain required certifications on the Account
Application Form or with respect to which a Fund or the securities dealer has
been notified by the IRS that the number furnished is incorrect or that the
account is otherwise subject to withholding.
The Funds intend to declare and pay dividends and other distributions, as stated
in the Prospectus. In order to avoid the payment of any federal excise tax based
on net income, each Fund must declare on or before December 31 of each year, and
pay on or before January 31 of the following year, distributions at least equal
to 98% of its ordinary income for that calendar year and at least 98% of the
excess of any capital gains over any capital losses realized in the one-year
period ending October 31 of that year, together with any undistributed amounts
of ordinary income and capital gains (in excess of capital losses) from the
previous calendar year.
A Fund may receive dividend distributions from U.S. corporations. To the extent
that a Fund receives such dividends and distributes them to its shareholders,
and meets certain other requirements of the Code, corporate shareholders of the
Fund may be entitled to the "dividends received" deduction. Availability of the
deduction is subject to certain holding period and debt- financing limitations.
RNC Equity Fund may also invest in securities of foreign issuers, futures
contracts, forward contracts and options. These investments involve complex
rules to determine the character and timing of recognition of income received in
connection therewith by RNC Equity Fund.
Any gain or loss realized by RNC Equity Fund upon the expiration or sale of
options held by it generally will be capital gain or loss. Any security, option,
or other position entered into or held by RNC Equity Fund that substantially
diminishes its risk of loss from any other position held by that Fund may
constitute a "straddle" for federal income tax purposes. In general, straddles
are subject to certain rules that may affect the amount, character and timing of
RNC Equity Fund's gains and losses with respect to straddle positions by
requiring, among other things, that the loss realized on disposition of one
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position of a straddle be deferred until gain is realized on disposition of the
offsetting position; that the Fund's holding period in certain straddle
positions not begin until the straddle is terminated (possibly resulting in the
gain being treated as short-term capital gain rather than long-term capital
gain); and that losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions,
which would otherwise constitute short-term capital losses, be treated as
long-term capital losses. Different elections are available to RNC Equity Fund
that may mitigate the effects of the straddle rules.
Certain options, futures contracts and forward contracts that are subject to
Section 1256 of the Code ("Section 1256 Contracts") and that are held by RNC
Equity Fund at the end of its taxable year generally will be required to be
"marked to market" for federal income tax purposes, that is, deemed to have been
sold at market value. Sixty percent of any net gain or loss recognized on these
deemed sales and 60 percent of any net gain or loss realized from any actual
sales of Section 1256 Contracts will be treated as long-term capital gain or
loss, and the balance will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.
Redemptions and exchanges of shares of a Fund will result in gains or losses for
tax purposes to the extent of the difference between the proceeds and the
shareholder's adjusted tax basis for the shares. Any loss realized upon the
redemption or exchange of shares within six months from their date of purchase
will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions of
long-term capital gain dividends with respect to such shares during such
six-month period. All or a portion of a loss realized upon the redemption of
shares of a Fund may be disallowed to the extent shares of the same Fund are
purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30
days before or after such redemption.
Some shareholders may be subject to a 31% withholding tax on reportable dividend
distributions, capital gains distributions and redemption payments ("backup
withholding"). Generally, shareholders subject to backup withholding will be
those for whom taxpayer identification numbers are not on file with the Fund or
who, to the Fund's knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number. When
establishing an account, an investor must certify under penalties of perjury
that such number is correct and that he or she is not subject to backup
withholding. Foreign shareholders may also be subject to other withholding
requirements.
Shares of the Funds are redeemable at the option of the Fund if, in the opinion
of the Fund, ownership has or may become concentrated to an extent that would
cause the Fund to be deemed a personal holding company within the meaning of the
Code, or in the event that the value of a shareholder's shares in a Fund falls
below $1,000 as the result of shareholder redemptions. In the event of such
concentration, the Fund may compel the redemption of, reject any order for, or
refuse to give effect on the books of the Fund to the transfer of shares in an
effort to maintain the ownership of shares so as to prevent that consequence.
Neither Fund, however, assumes responsibility to compel redemptions or to reject
any orders.
Depending upon the extent of RNC's activities in those states and localities in
which its offices are maintained or in which its agents or independent
contractors are located, RNC and the Funds may be subject to the tax laws of
such states or localities. In addition, the treatment of each Fund and its
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shareholders under applicable state and local tax laws may differ from their
treatment under the federal income tax laws. For example, distributions of net
investment income (including capital gains) may be taxable to shareholders as
dividend income. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisers
concerning the application of state and local taxes.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of certain provisions of the
Code and Treasury Regulations currently in effect. For complete provisions,
reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and Treasury Regulations
promulgated thereunder. The Code and Treasury Regulations are subject to change
by legislative or administrative action, which may have retroactive affect.
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP has expressed no opinion on the tax
matters discussed herein.
DIVIDENDS
Dividends of each Fund are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the
appropriate Fund at net asset value and credited to the shareholder's account
or, at the shareholder's option, paid in cash to the shareholder.
Should a Fund incur or anticipate any unusual or unexpected significant expense
or loss which would affect disproportionately the Fund's income for a particular
period, the Board would at that time consider whether to adhere to the present
dividend policy or to revise it in the light of the then-prevailing
circumstances in order to ameliorate, to the extent possible, the
disproportionate effect of such expense or loss on then-existing shareholders.
Such expenses or losses may nevertheless result in a shareholder's receiving no
dividends for the period during which he or she held his or her shares and in
his or her receiving upon redemption a price per share lower than that which he
or she paid.
Shareholders of RNC Money Market Fund may receive their dividends in cash
monthly by completing the appropriate section of the Account Application. Such
cash distributions will be paid by check within seven days after the end of each
month. The election to receive cash distributions may be made at the time of
purchase of Fund shares or at any time subsequent thereto by giving written
notice to the Transfer Agent. Dividends and distributions are taxable to
shareholders whether distributed in cash or reinvested in additional shares. See
"Taxes."
The Transfer Agent will send each shareholder of RNC Money Market Fund a monthly
statement showing the total number of shares owned as of the last business day
of the month, as well as the current month's and year-to-date dividends paid in
terms of total cash distributed and, for those shareholders which have dividends
reinvested, the number of shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends.
The policy of each Fund with respect to dividends is further explained below.
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RNC EQUITY FUND
All of RNC Equity Fund's net investment income is declared and paid as dividends
on an annual basis. Dividends declared in October, November or December of any
year and payable to shareholders of record on a date in one of such months will
be deemed to have been paid by RNC Equity Fund and received by the shareholders
on the record date if the dividends are paid by RNC Equity Fund during the
following January. Accordingly, such dividends will be taxable to shareholders
for the year in which the record date falls.
Net income of RNC Equity Fund (from the time of the immediately preceding
determination thereof) will consist of (i) interest accrued or discount earned
(including both original issue and market discount), (ii) plus or minus all
realized gains and losses, if any, on the portfolio securities of RNC Equity
Fund (iii) less the estimated expenses of RNC Equity Fund applicable to that
dividend period.
RNC MONEY MARKET FUND
All of RNC Money Market Fund's net investment income is declared as dividends
daily and paid monthly, on or about the last business day of each month. RNC
Money Market Fund's net investment income for dividend purposes is determined
daily. Such determination will be made as of 4:00 P.M. eastern time and, on days
when RNC Money Market Fund's net asset value is calculated, immediately prior to
such calculation. Immediately after each calculation of net asset value, RNC
Money Market Fund will declare a dividend (with respect to one or more days)
payable to shareholders of record as of 2:00 P.M. eastern time on such day. Each
day's dividend will be declared and paid with respect to shares effectively
purchased at or before 2:00 P.M. eastern time, but will not be declared or paid
with respect to shares effectively redeemed at or before 2:00 P.M. eastern time.
Net income of RNC Money Market Fund (from the time of the immediately preceding
determination thereof) will consist of (i) interest accrued or discount earned
(including both original issue and market discount), (ii) plus or minus all
realized gains and losses, if any, on the portfolio securities of RNC Money
Market Fund (iii) less the estimated expenses of RNC Money Market Fund
applicable to that dividend period.
RNC Money Market Fund intends to use its best efforts to maintain its net asset
value at $1.00 per share. As a result of a significant expense or realized or
unrealized loss, it is possible that RNC Money Market Fund's net asset value may
fall below $1.00 per share. See "Purchase of Shares--Net Asset Value."
SHAREHOLDER RULE 12B-1 PLANS
The Group on behalf of each Fund has adopted a Shareholder Rule 12b-1 Plan (the
"Rule 12b-1 Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act.
Each Rule 12b-1 Plan requires annual renewal by a vote of RNC's Board including
those Directors who are not "interested persons" of RNC, as defined in the 1940
Act (referred to herein as "disinterested Directors"). Each plan may be
terminated at any time if so voted by a majority of the disinterested Directors
or by holders of a majority of the relevant outstanding shares.
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The Rule 12b-1 Plans may not be amended to increase materially the amounts
payable to First Fund Distributors, Inc., or Midvale Securities Corporation (the
"Distributors") unless approved by a majority of the affected outstanding voting
shares, as defined in the 1940 Act, and may not be amended in any other material
respect unless approved by a majority of the disinterested Directors. Each plan
requires that quarterly reports be made to the Board detailing the payments made
under each plan and the expenses for which reimbursement is being sought. The
Rule 12b-1 Plans contemplate that the Distributors may delegate their
shareholder servicing functions for certain shareholder accounts to other
persons and compensate such persons accordingly. No payments were made under a
Rule 12b-1 Plan during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999, with respect to
the Money Fund. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999, the Equity Fund
paid fees of $21,984 pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan, of which $19,426 was paid out
as selling compensation to dealers and $2,558 was for reimbursement of printing
expenses.
The Board, including the disinterested Directors, in approving the Rule 12b-1
Plans for another year concluded that, in the exercise of their business
judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties, there is a reasonable
likelihood that both Rule 12b-1 Plans could be of value to benefit RNC, the
Funds and their shareholders, and could be used to increase shareholder
satisfaction, and preserve and expand the shareholder base of each Fund. Among
the possible benefits considered by the disinterested Directors was the
increased potential of a continuous cash flow arising out of the retention of
current shareholders and the expansion of the Funds to include new shareholders,
enabling the Funds to meet redemptions and to take advantage of buying
opportunities without having to make unwarranted liquidations of portfolio
securities. Another benefit anticipated by the disinterested Directors is the
potential for increasing the size of the Funds and thereby reducing the
operating costs on a per share basis of the Funds.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
GENERAL
From time to time, RNC Money Market Fund may publish its "yield" and "effective
yield" in advertisements and communications to investors. Both yield figures are
based on historical earnings and are not intended to indicate future
performance. The "yield" of a fund refers to the income generated by an
investment in that fund over a seven-day period (which period will be stated in
the advertisement). This income is then "annualized." That is, the amount of
income generated by the investment during that week is assumed to be generated
each week over a 52- week period and is shown as a percentage of the investment.
The "effective yield" is calculated similarly but, when annualized, the income
earned by an investment in the Fund is assumed to be reinvested. The "effective
yield" will be slightly higher than the "yield" because of the compounding
effect of this assumed reinvestment.
B-24
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YIELD FOR THE MM
From time to time, each Fund may include general comparative information, such
as statistical data regarding inflation, securities indices or the features or
performance of alternative investments, in advertisements, sales literature and
reports to shareholders. Each Fund may also include calculations, such as
hypothetical compounding examples or tax-free compounding examples, which
describe hypothetical investment results in such communications. Such
performance examples will be based on an express set of assumptions and are not
indicative of the performance of the relevant Fund.
TOTAL RETURN
From time to time, each Fund may publish its total return in advertisements and
communications to investors. Total return is defined as the change in value of
an investment in a Fund over a particular period, assuming that all
distributions have been reinvested. Thus, total return reflects not only income
earned, but also variations in share prices at the beginning and end of the
period. Total return information will include a Fund's average annual compounded
rate of return over the four most recent calendar quarters and over the period
from the Fund's inception of operations. Each Fund may also advertise aggregate
and average total return information over different periods of time. Aggregate
total return reflects the total percentage change in the value of an investment
in a particular Fund over the stated period. Average annual return reflects the
average percentage change per year in the value of an investment in a particular
Fund. Each Fund's total return will be based upon the value of the shares
acquired through a hypothetical $1,000 investment (at the beginning of the
specified period and the net asset value of such shares at the end of the
period, assuming reinvestment of all the distributions) at the maximum public
offering price. Total return figures will reflect all recurring charges against
a Fund's income. Investors should note that the investment results of each Fund
will fluctuate over time, and any presentation of a Fund's total return for any
prior period should not be considered as a representation of what an investor's
total return may be in any future period.
Average annual total return quotations used in the Funds' advertising and
promotional materials are calculated according to the following formula:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
where P equals a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000; T equals average
annual total return; n equals the number of years; and ERV equals the ending
redeemable value at the end of a period of a hypothetical $1,000 investment made
at the beginning of the period.
Under the foregoing formula, the time periods used in advertising will be based
on rolling calendar quarters, updated to the last day of the most recent quarter
prior to submission of the advertising for publication. Average annual total
return, or "T" in the above formula, is computed by finding the average annual
compounded rates of return over the period that would equate the initial amount
invested to the ending redeemable value. Average annual total return assumes the
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.
The RNC Equity Fund's average annual total return since its inception on
November 1, 1996 through the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999 was 16.67%.
The RNC Equity Fund's total return for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999
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was 23.29%. Certain fees and expenses of the Fund have been reimbursed from
inception through September 30, 1999. Accordingly, return figures are higher
than they would have been had such fees and expenses not been reimbursed.
ADVISER'S EQUITY PERFORMANCE HISTORY
Set forth in the table below is certain performance data provided by the Adviser
relating to all of its managed equity accounts for the last 20 years that have
substantially the same investment objective as RNC Equity Fund and are managed
using substantially similar investment strategies and techniques. See the "RNC
Equity Fund" section in the Prospectus. The results presented are not intended
to predict or suggest the return to be experienced by RNC Equity Fund or the
return an investor might achieve by investing in this Fund. Results may differ
because of, among other things, differences in brokerage commissions paid,
account expenses, including investment advisory fees, (which expenses and fees
may be higher for RNC Equity Fund than for the accounts), the size of positions
taken in relation to account size, diversification of securities, timing of
purchases and sales, timing of cash additions and withdrawals, the private
character of the composite accounts compared with the public character of this
Fund, and the tax-exempt status of some of the accounts compared with this Fund
and its shareholders. Investors should be aware that the use of different
methods of determining performance could result in different performance
results. Investors should not rely on the following performance data as an
indication of future performance of the Adviser or RNC Equity Fund.
RNC EQUITY ACCOUNTS: AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
For Periods Ending December 31, 1999
Net Gross
of Fees of Fees
------- -------
One Year 15.1% 16.1%
Three Years 23.1% 24.4%
Five Years 23.7% 25.1%
Ten Years 14.9% 16.0%
Fifteen Years 15.4% 16.5%
Twenty Years 14.8% 16.0%
The performance data presented is based upon audited figures, except for the
year ending December 31, 1999, which is in the process of being audited at the
time of this filing. The computation of performance results includes all fully
discretionary, unrestricted and institutional equity accounts under RNC
management for each full year within the period ending December 31, 1999. The
performance results are shown both net of all applicable fees as well as gross
of all fees. For the periods one through fifteen years, the performance
computation is prepared and presented in compliance with the Association for
Investment Management and Research Performance Presentation Standards
("AIMR-PPS") and Level II Verification.
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AIMR has not been involved with the preparation or review of this presentation
of performance. RNC adopted the AIMR Performance Presentation Standards
effective January 1, 1983. Performance results for all time periods shown
represent asset-weighted measures of the percentage change in the total market
value after considering the effect of additions and withdrawals of capital.
Performance data of a Fund quoted in advertising and other promotional materials
represents past performance and is not intended to predict or indicate future
results. The return and principal value of an investment in a Fund will
fluctuate, and an investor's redemption proceeds may be more or less than the
original investment amount. In advertising and promotional materials a Fund may
compare its performance with data published by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
("Lipper"), Morningstar, Inc. ("Morningstar") or CDA Investment Technologies,
Inc. ("CDA"). A Fund also may refer in such materials to mutual fund performance
rankings and other data, such as comparative asset, expense and fee levels,
published by Lipper, CDA or Morningstar. Advertising and promotional materials
also may refer to discussions of a Fund and comparative mutual fund data and
ratings reported in independent periodicals including, but not limited to, The
Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Forbes, Business Week, Financial World and
Barron's.
YIELD CALCULATION
RNC Money Market Fund quotes current yield, and for this purpose the yield
quoted is the net average annualized yield for the most recent 7-day period. The
yield quoted is computed by assuming that an account is established with one
share (the "one-share account") on the first day of the period. To arrive at the
quoted yield, the net change in the value of the one-share account for the 7-day
period (which includes interest accrued and original issue discount and market
discount earned, and is less premium amortized and expenses accrued, but does
not include any realized gains or losses or unrealized appreciation or
depreciation) is multiplied by 365 and then divided by 7 (the number of days in
the period), with the resulting figure carried to the nearest one hundredth of
one percent. RNC Money Market Fund also furnishes a quotation of effective yield
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 is
computed by adding 1 to the net change in the value of the one-share account
during the period, raising the sum to a power equal to 365 divided by 7, and
then subtracting one from the result.
Yields for the 7-day period ended September 30, 1999 for RNC Money Market Fund
were as follows:
Current yield: 4.94% Effective yield: 5.07%
RNC Money Market Fund may also quote the average dollar-weighted portfolio
maturity for the corresponding seven-day period. At September 30, 1999, this
average was 42.34 days for RNC Money Market Fund.
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PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
First Fund Distributors, Inc., is currently the principal underwriter of the
Funds' shares pursuant to underwriting agreements with RNC on behalf of the
Funds. The Funds' shares are sold to the public on a best efforts basis in a
continuous offering without a sales load or other commission. For each of the
fiscal years ended September 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997, the Funds' principal
underwriter received no underwriting commission. The Funds' principal
underwriter is under common control with Investment Company Administration,
L.L.C., the Funds' administrator.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Funds' 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders (the "1999 Annual Report"),
including audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30,
1999, has been previously sent to shareholders and filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
The financial statements and independent auditors' report in the 1999 Annual
Report are incorporated by reference into this SAI. Additional copies of the
1999 Annual Report may be obtained at no charge by writing or telephoning RNC at
the address or telephone number appearing on the front page of this SAI.
The Funds' independent certified public accountants and auditors for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 1999 are Tait, Weller & Baker, whose address is Eight
Penn Center Plaza, Suite 800, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. The Funds'
custodian is Firstar Institutional Custody Services, 425 Walnut Street,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. The Funds' Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent is ICA
Fund Services Corp., 4455 East Camelback Road, Suite 261E, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
The Funds' legal counsel is Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, 345
California Street, San Francisco, CA 94104.
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APPENDIX
DESCRIPTION OF NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL RATING ORGANIZATIONS ("NRSROS")
AND COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. - COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. commercial paper ratings are opinions of the
ability of issuers to repay punctually promissory obligations not having an
original maturity in excess of nine months. Moody's employs three designations,
all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity
of rated issuers. The first of these three designations, representing the
securities in which the Funds may invest, is "PRIME-1." Issuers rated "Prime-1"
(or related supporting institutions) have a superior capacity for repayment of
short-term promissory obligations.
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP - COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
A Standard & Poor's Ratings Group commercial paper rating is a current
assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original
maturity of no more than 365 days. Ratings are graded into four categories,
ranging from "A" for the highest quality obligations to "D" for the lowest.
Ratings are applicable to both taxable and tax-exempt commercial paper. The
highest category is described as follows:
A Issues assigned this highest rating are regarded as having the greatest
capacity for timely payment. Issues in this category are further refined with
the designation 1, 2 and 3 to indicate the relative degree of safety.
A-1 This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is very strong.
DUFF & PHELPS CREDIT RATING CO. - SHORT-TERM DEBT SCALE
Duff & Phelps' short-term ratings are consistent with the rating criteria
utilized by money market participants. The ratings apply to all obligations with
maturities of under one year, including commercial paper, the uninsured portion
of certificates of deposit, unsecured bank loans, master notes, bankers
acceptances, irrevocable letters of credit, and current maturities of long-term
debt. Asset-back commercial paper is also rated according to this scale.
Emphasis is placed on liquidity which we define as not only cash from
operations, but also access to alternative sources of funds including trade
credit, bank lines, and the capital markets. An important consideration is the
level of an obligor's reliance on short-term funds on an ongoing basis.
DUFF 1+ Highest certainty of timely payment. Short-term liquidity, including
internal operating factors and/or access to alternative sources of funds, is
outstanding, and safety is just below risk-free U.S. Treasury short-term
obligations.
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DUFF 1 Very high certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are excellent
and supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk factors are minor.
FITCH RATINGS - SHORT-TERM RATINGS
Fitch's short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand
or have original maturities of generally up to three years, including commercial
paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal and investment
notes. The short-term rating places greater emphasis than a long-term rating on
the existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer's obligations in a
timely manner.
F-1+ Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are
regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
F-1 Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance
of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated F-1+.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. - CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
Moody's corporate bond ratings are opinions of the relative investment qualities
of bonds. Moody's employs nine designations to indicate such relative qualities,
ranging from "AAA" for the highest quality obligations to "C" for the lowest.
Issues are further refined with the designation 1, 2 and 3 to indicate the
relative ranking within designations. The highest two designations are described
as follows:
AAA Bonds in this category are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the
smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edge."
Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin
and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to
change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
AA Bonds in this category are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
the long-term risks somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP - CORPORATE DEBT RATINGS
A Standard & Poor's corporate debt rating is a current assessment of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation. Ratings
are graded into ten categories, ranging from "AAA" for the highest quality
obligation to "D for debt in default. Issues are further refined with a "Plus"
or "Minus" sign to show relative standing within the categories. The highest two
categories are described as follows:
B-30
<PAGE>
AAA Issues having this rating indicate that capacity to pay interest and repay
principal is extremely strong.
A This debt has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and
differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
DUFF & PHELPS CREDIT RATING CO. - LONG-TERM DEBT AND PREFERRED STOCK RATING
SCALE
These ratings represent a summary opinion of the issuer's long-term fundamental
quality. Rating determination is based on qualitative and quantitative factors
which may vary according to the basic economic and financial characteristics of
each industry and each issuer. Important considerations are vulnerability to
economic cycles as well as risks related to such factors as competition,
government action, regulation, technological obsolescence, demand shifts, cost
structure, and management depth and expertise. The projected viability of the
obligor at the trough of the cycle is a critical determination.
AAA Highest credit quality. The risk factors are negligible, being only slightly
more than for risk-free U.S. Treasury debt.
AA+ High credit quality. Protection factors are strong. Risk is AA modest but
may vary slightly from time to time because of AA- economic conditions.
FITCH RATINGS - INVESTMENT BOND RATINGS
Fitch investment grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in determining
the credit risk associated with a particular security. The ratings represent
Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to meet the obligations of a specific
debt issue or class of debt in a timely manner. The rating takes into
consideration special features of the issuer. Its relationship to other
obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective financial condition and
operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor, as well as the economic
and political environment that might affect the issuer's future financial
strength and credit quality.
AAA Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality.
The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay
principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
AA Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although
not quite as strong as bonds rated "AAA". Because bonds rated in the "AAA" and
"AA" categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future
developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated "F-1+".
B-31
<PAGE>
RNC MUTUAL FUND GROUP, INC.
PART C
ITEM 23. EXHIBITS.
(1) Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (3)
(2) By-Laws (3)
(3) Specimen stock certificate (1)
(4) (a) Investment Advisory Agreement (3)
(b) Operating Expense Agreement (5)
(5) (a) Form of Underwriting Agreement (3)
(b) Form of Selected Dealers Agreement (3)
(6) Not applicable
(7) Custodian Agreement (3)
(8) (a) Form of Administration Agreement (3)
(b) Fund Accounting Service Agreement (2)
(c) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement (2)
(9) (a) Opinion of counsel-Money Market Fund (1)
(b) Opinion of counsel-Equity Fund (4)
(10) Consent of auditors
(11) Not applicable
(12) Investment Letter (1)
(13) (a) Form of Rule 12b-1 Plan-Money Market Fund (4)
(b) Form of Rule 12b-1 Plan-Equity Fund (3)
(14) Not applicable
(15) Not applicable
(1) Incorporated by reference from Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed in August, 1985.
(2) Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on December 24, 1990.
(3) Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on July 3, 1996.
(4) Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January 15, 1998.
(5) Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January 29, 1999.
<PAGE>
ITEM 24. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
As of the date of this Amendment to the Registration Statement, there are
no persons controlled or under common control with the Registrant.
ITEM 25. INDEMNIFICATION
Reference is made to Article V, Section A of Registrant's Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation, Article VI of Registrant's By-Laws, Section
2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law and Section 16 of the Underwriting
Agreement.
Insofar as the conditional advancing of indemnification monies for actions
based upon the Investment Company Act of 1940 may be concerned, such payments
will be made only on the following conditions: (i) the advances must be limited
to amounts used, or to be used, for the preparation or presentation of a defense
to the action, including costs connected with the preparation of a settlement;
(ii) advances may be made only upon receipt of a written promise by, or on
behalf of, the recipient to repay that amount of the advance which exceeds that
amount to which it is ultimately determined he is entitled to receive from the
Registrant by reason of indemnification; and (iii)(a) such promise must be
secured by a surety bond, other suitable insurance or an equivalent form of
security which assures that any repayments may be obtained by the Registrant
without a delay or litigation, which bond, insurance or other form of security
must be provided by the recipient of the advance; or (b) a majority of a quorum
of the Registrant's disinterested, non-party directors, or an independent legal
counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of readily
available facts, that the recipient of the advance ultimately will be found
entitled to indemnification.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in
connection with the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by the director, officer or controlling person in connection with
shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
ITEM 26. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.
RNC Capital Management LLC (the "Investment Adviser") acts as the
investment adviser to various individuals and institutions.
A list of each director and principal officer of the Investment Adviser is
set forth below indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of
a substantial nature in which each such person has been engaged during the past
two fiscal years for his or her own account or in the capacity of director,
officer, partner or trustee:
<PAGE>
Other Substantial
Position with Business, Profession,
Name Investment Adviser Vocation or Employment
---- ------------------ ----------------------
Daniel J. Genter, Jr. President, Chief Executive Chairman of Midvale
Officer and Director Securities Corporation
Manuel A. Gutierrez Senior Vice President, Vice President and
Treasurer and Secretary Treasurer of RNC Capital
Group, Inc.* and
Secretary of Midvale
Securities Corporation*
John G. Marshall Senior Vice President and None
Director of Equity
Jan F. Kallik Senior Vice President and None
Director of Equities Research
Stephan M. Bradasich Senior Vice President and None
Director of Fixed Income
Neal S. Salisian Senior Vice President and None
Director of Marketing
- ----------
* The address of RNC Capital Management LLC and Midvale Securities
Corporation is 11601 Wilshire Boulevard, 25th Floor, Los Angeles,
California 90025
ITEM 27. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS.
(a) First Fund Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") is the Fund's
principal underwriter. The Distributor acts as principal underwriter for the
following other investment companies:
Advisors Series Trust
Brandes Investment Trust
Fleming Mutual Fund Group
Fremont Mutual Funds
Guinness Flight Investment Funds
Jurika & Voyles Fund Group
Kayne Anderson Mutual Funds
<PAGE>
Masters' Select Investment Trust
O'Shaughnessy Funds, Inc.
PIC Investment Trust
Purisima Funds
Rainier Investment Management Mutual Funds
(b) The officers of First Fund Distributors, Inc. are:
Robert H. Wadsworth President & Treasurer
Eric Banhazl Vice President
Steven J. Paggioli Secretary
Each officer's business address is 4455 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 261-E, Phoenix,
AZ 85018.
c. Incorporated by reference from the Statement of Additional Information
filed herewith as Part B.
ITEM 28. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.
The accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
the rules promulgated thereunder will be maintained either at the offices of
Star Bank, N.A., Post Office Box 1118, Cincinnati, OH 45201-1118 or the office
of the Registrant.
ITEM 29. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Parts A
and B.
ITEM 30. UNDERTAKINGS
All undertakings satisfied.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets the
requirements for effectiveness of the Amendment under Rule 485(b) under the
Securities Act of 1933 and that the Registrant has duly caused this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to the Registrant Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San
Francisco and State of California on the 26th day of January 2000.
RNC MUTUAL FUND GROUP, INC.
(Registrant)
By /s/ Daniel J. Genter
-------------------------------------
Daniel J. Genter, Jr.
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
/s/ DeVere W. McGuffin, II* Director January 26, 2000
- -----------------------------
DeVere W. McGuffin, II
/s/ Bruce B. Stuart* Director January 26, 2000
- -----------------------------
Bruce B. Stuart
/s/ Daniel J. Genter President January 26, 2000
- -----------------------------
Daniel J. Genter, Jr.
/s/ Manuel A. Guiterrez Treasurer January 26, 2000
- -----------------------------
Manuel A. Guiterrez
* By: /s/ Julie Allecta
-----------------------------
Julie Allecta, Attorney-In-Fact
Pursuant to Power of Attorney previously filed.
<PAGE>
EXHIBITS
Number Description
- ------ -----------
99.B10 Consent of auditors
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the use of our report dated October 22, 1999 on the financial
statements and financial highlights of RNC Money Market Fund, Inc. and RNC
Equity Fund, each a series of shares of RNC Mutual Fund Group. Such financial
statements and financial highlights appear in the 1999 Annual Report to
Shareholders, which are incorporated by reference in the Post-Effective
Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of RNC Mutual Fund Group.
We also consent to the references to the name of our Firm in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus.
/s/ Tait, Weller & Baker
TAIT, WELLER & BAKER
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 21, 2000
