ARMADA FUNDS
DEFS14A, 1998-05-20
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<PAGE>   1
 
================================================================================
 
                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
      PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
                        ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.     )
 
Filed by the Registrant  [X]
 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  [ ]
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement               [ ]  CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION
                                                    ONLY
[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement                (AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
</TABLE>
 
                                  ARMADA FUNDS
                (NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
                           FILE NOS. 33-488;811-4416
 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT, IF OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X]  No fee required.
[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
 
     1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: ........
 
     2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: ...........
 
     3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
        pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
        filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): .............
 
     4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: .......................
 
     5) Total fee paid: ........................................................
 
[ ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
[ ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
     0-11 (a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
     previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
     or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
 
     1) Amount Previously Paid: ................................................
 
     2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: ..........................
 
     3) Filing Party: ..........................................................
 
     4) Date Filed: ............................................................
 
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
                                  ARMADA FUNDS
 
                            One Freedom Valley Drive
                            Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456
 
                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
                                                                   June 29, 1998
 
To the Shareholders of Armada Funds:
 
Enhanced Income Fund
Total Return Advantage Fund
Core Equity Fund
 
    NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of shareholders of the
Enhanced Income Fund, the Total Return Advantage Fund and the Core Equity Fund
(each a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds") of the Armada Funds (the "Trust")
will be held on Monday, June 29, 1998, at 11 a.m. local time, at One Freedom
Valley Drive, Boardroom B, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, for the following purposes:
 
    1. Each Fund will vote upon a proposal to approve an interim advisory
agreement between the Trust and National Asset Management Corporation ("NAM").
 
    2. Each Fund will vote upon a proposal to approve a new advisory agreement
between the Trust and National City Bank ("National City").
 
    3. The Total Return Advantage Fund and the Core Equity Fund will vote upon a
proposal to approve a new sub-advisory agreement between National City and NAM.
 
    4. The transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before
the meeting.
 
    Shareholders of record at the close of business on May 11, 1998 will be
entitled to vote at the meeting.
 
    THE ARMADA FUNDS BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT YOU APPROVE THESE
PROPOSALS. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU PUT FORTH YOUR VOTE REGARDING THESE
PROPOSITIONS.
 
    It is hoped that you will attend the meeting, but if you cannot do so,
please fill in and sign the enclosed proxy, and return it in the accompanying
envelope as promptly as possible. YOU MAY ALSO FAX YOUR VOTED BALLOT(S) TO
1-888-451-8683 TO REGISTER YOUR VOTE. Any shareholder attending can vote in
person even though a proxy has already been returned.
 
                                           /s/ W. Bruce McConnel, III
                                           W. Bruce McConnel, III
                                           Secretary
 
Oaks, Pennsylvania
May 26, 1998
<PAGE>   3
 
                                  ARMADA FUNDS
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
     This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by
and on behalf of the Board of Trustees of Armada Funds (the "Trust") for use at
the Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Enhanced Income Fund, the Total
Return Advantage Fund and the Core Equity Fund (each a "Fund" and collectively,
the "Funds") of the Trust (the "Meeting") to be held at One Freedom Valley
Drive, Boardroom B, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456 on Monday, June 29, 1998 at 11
a.m., local time. The address of the principal office of the Fund is One Freedom
Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. This proxy statement and form of proxy
were first sent to shareholders on or about May 26, 1998.
 
PROXY SOLICITATION
 
     All proxies in the enclosed form which are properly executed and returned
to the Trust will be voted as provided therein at the Meeting or at any
adjournments thereof. A shareholder executing and returning a proxy has the
power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by giving written notice
of such revocation to the Secretary of the Trust. Signing and mailing the proxy
will not affect your right to give a later proxy or to attend the Special
Meeting and vote your shares in person.
 
     The Board of Trustees intends to bring before the meeting the matters set
forth in items 1, 2 and 3 in the foregoing notice. The persons named in the
enclosed proxy and acting thereunder will vote with respect to items 1, 2 and 3
in accordance with the directions of the shareholders as specified on the proxy
card; if no choice is specified, the shares will be voted IN FAVOR of approval
of the interim advisory agreement with National Asset Management Corporation
("NAM") described in item 1, IN FAVOR of approval of the new investment advisory
agreement with National City Bank ("National City") described in item 2 and IN
FAVOR of approval of the sub-advisory agreement between National City and NAM
described in item 3. If any other matters are properly presented to the meeting
for action, it is intended that the persons named in the enclosed proxy and
acting thereunder will vote in accordance with the views of management thereon.
Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for quorum purposes. Abstentions
and broker non-votes will have the effect of a negative vote on the proposal to
approve the interim advisory agreement, the new investment advisory agreement
and the proposal to approve the sub-advisory agreement because each requires the
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") and described below.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
     The affirmative vote of the lesser of (i) more than 50% of the respective
Fund's outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting or (ii) 67% of the
shares present at the meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or by proxy, is
required for approval of the investment advisory agreement (Item 3).
 
     In the event a quorum is not present at the meeting or in the event that a
quorum is present but sufficient votes to approve the proposed item are not
received, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of
the meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. Any such adjournment will
require the affirmative vote of a majority of those shares represented at such
meeting in person or by proxy. The persons named as proxies will vote those
proxies that they are entitled to vote FOR any such proposal, in favor of such
an adjournment, and will vote those proxies required to be voted AGAINST any
such proposal, against any such adjournment.
 
     National City Corporation and its bank subsidiaries hold shares for the
benefit of their customers and may be considered controlling persons of the
Trust for purposes of certain federal securities laws. National City Corporation
and its subsidiaries intend to vote Shares over which they have voting authority
pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") in the
best interests of the plan participants. With respect to Shares over which
National City Corporation and its subsidiaries possess voting authority, but
which are not subject to ERISA, National City Corporation and its subsidiaries
will vote such shares in the same proportion as the votes cast by other
shareholders.
 
     National City and NAM will bear the costs of preparing, printing and
mailing this proxy statement, the proxies and any additional materials which may
be furnished to shareholders. Solicitation may be undertaken by mail, telegraph,
facsimile and personal contact. Shareholders requiring further information with
respect to electronically transmitted voting instructions or the proxy generally
should contact 1-800-622-FUND (3863). If voting by facsimile, shareholders
should send their ballots to FAX #1-888-451-8683. The Annual Report of the Funds
has been mailed to shareholders and is available by calling 1-800-622-FUND
(3863).
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
     The following table summarizes the proposals to be voted on at the Special
Meeting and indicates those shareholders who are being solicited with respect to
each proposal:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PROPOSALS
                       -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    PROPOSAL #3:
                          PROPOSAL #1:         PROPOSAL #2:         SUB-ADVISORY
                        INTERIM ADVISORY    ADVISORY AGREEMENT    AGREEMENT BETWEEN
  FUND SHAREHOLDERS     AGREEMENT BETWEEN    BETWEEN TRUST AND      NATIONAL CITY
      SOLICITED           TRUST AND NAM        NATIONAL CITY           AND NAM
  -----------------    -------------------  -------------------  -------------------
<S>                    <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Enhanced Income
  Fund...............           X                    X
Total Return
  Advantage Fund.....           X                    X                    X
Core Equity Fund.....           X                    X                    X
</TABLE>
 
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
 
     Holders of Shares of Beneficial Interests of the Funds ("Shares") of record
at the close of business on May 11, 1998 will be entitled to vote at the Meeting
or any adjournment thereof. Each full share is entitled to one vote and each
fractional share is entitled to a proportionate fractional vote on all business
of the meeting.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
     The total outstanding shares of the Funds and beneficial owners of more
than 5% of the outstanding Beneficial Interests of the Fund as of the record
date are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    % OF TOTAL
                        OUTSTANDING           SHAREHOLDER             NUMBER OF     OUTSTANDING
        FUND              SHARES            NAME AND ADDRESS            SHARES        SHARES
        ----            -----------         ----------------          ---------     -----------
<S>                    <C>            <C>                           <C>             <C>
ENHANCED INCOME FUND
Institutional
  Shares.............  7,813,705.972  Sheldon & Co.                  6,381,804.436     81.68%
                                      FutureQuest
                                      c/o National City Bank
                                      Trust Mutual Funds
                                      P. O. Box 94777
                                      Cleveland, OH 44101-4777
                                      Whayne Supply Co.              1,142,772.300     15.01%
                                      P. O. Box 35900
                                      Louisville, KY 40232
                                      Hanover College                  939,047.320     12.34%
                                      P. O. Box 108
                                      Hanover, IN 47243
                                      Key Trust Company                543,542.064      6.96%
                                      FBO St. Luke's Self Ins
                                      P. O. Box 94871
                                      Cleveland, OH 44101-4871
                                      Sheldon & Co.--Pathway 49        528,630.465      6.77%
                                      c/o National City Bank
                                      Trust Mutual Funds
                                      P. O. Box 94777
                                      Cleveland, OH 44101-4777
                                      Kosair Charities                 397,253.530      5.22%
                                      P. O. Box 37370
                                      Louisville, KY 40233
                                      Baptist Hospitals, Inc.          388,599.750      5.11%
                                      4007 Kresge Way
                                      Louisville, KY 40207
Retail Shares........     55,126.509  Wheat First FBO                   34,554.303     62.68%
                                      B.F. Beverage Co., Inc.
                                      3150 Shelby Street
                                      Indianapolis, IN 46227-3165
                                      Wheat First FBO                   13,075.329     23.72%
                                      Harvey M. Brunner, Jr. IRA
                                      WFS as Custodian
                                      700 Brick Mill Run, Apt. 106
                                      Westlake, OH 44145-1655
</TABLE>
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    % OF TOTAL
                        OUTSTANDING           SHAREHOLDER             NUMBER OF     OUTSTANDING
        FUND              SHARES            NAME AND ADDRESS            SHARES        SHARES
        ----            -----------         ----------------          ---------     -----------
<S>                    <C>            <C>                           <C>             <C>
TOTAL RETURN ADVANTAGE FUND
Institutional
  Shares.............  28,059,821.406 Sheldon & Co.                 26,633,236.338     94.92%
                                      c/o National City Bank
                                      Trust Mutual Funds
                                      P. O. Box 94777
                                      Cleveland, OH 44101-4777
                                      Appalachian Regional           6,534,900.240      23.3%
                                      Healthcare
                                      Attn: Mr. Richard Blackburn
                                      1220 Harrodsburg
                                      Lexington, KY 40533
                                      University of Louisville       1,828,133.210      6.53%
                                      Attn: Larry Goldstein
                                      Belknap Campus Service
                                      Complex
                                      Louisville KY 40292
Retail Shares........     61,180.231  Wheat First Securities, Inc.      11,701.753     19.13%
                                      Everette McBride TTEE
                                      FBO Everette McBride
                                      Rd. #1 Box 155 81
                                      Michael Brownstein                10,557.767     17.26%
                                      c/o Prudential Securities
                                      One New York Plaza
                                      New York, NY 10304-1901
                                      Wheat First Securities, Inc.       8,089.204     13.22%
                                      Frederick Kunzler IRA R/O
                                      WFS as Custodian
                                      4314 Brownsboro Glen
                                      Road
                                      Louisville, KY 40241-4158
                                      Wheat First Securities, Inc.       4,986.450      8.15%
                                      FBO John S. Dorich IRA
                                      c/o NatCity Investments
                                      10700 North Park Drive
                                      Glen Allen, VA 23060-9243
                                      Wheat First Securities, Inc.       3,419.147      5.59%
                                      Erskine X-Press, Inc.
                                      John R. Swab Sr.
                                      6210 Center Road
                                      Lowellville, OH 44436-9521
                                      Argo Tool Corporation              3,239.247      5.29%
                                      401K Plan
                                      Laszlo N. Repay
                                      Attn: Linda Repay
                                      1862 Case Parkway
                                      Twinsburg, OH 44087
</TABLE>
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    % OF TOTAL
                        OUTSTANDING           SHAREHOLDER             NUMBER OF     OUTSTANDING
        FUND              SHARES            NAME AND ADDRESS            SHARES        SHARES
        ----            -----------         ----------------          ---------     -----------
<S>                    <C>            <C>                           <C>             <C>
CORE EQUITY FUND
Institutional
  Shares.............  9,723,891.160  National City Corporation      9,552,925.135     98.24%
                                      Non-Contributory Retirement
                                      Trust
                                      Trust Mutual Funds
                                      P. O. Box 94777
                                      Cleveland, OH 44101-4777
Retail Shares........     31,680.408  Wheat First Securities, Inc.      10,662.283     33.66%
                                      Everette McBride TTEE
                                      FBO Everette McBride
                                      Rd. #1, Box 155 B1
                                      Wheat First Securities, Inc.       5,039.771     15.91%
                                      Vincent A. DiGirolamo &
                                      Nancy S. DiGirolamo
                                      2802 Fox Trace Trail
                                      Cuyahoga Falls, OH
                                      44223-3738
                                      Wheat First Securities, Inc.       3,073.467      9.70%
                                      Erskine X-Press, Inc.
                                      John R. Swab, Sr. TTEE
                                      6210 Center Road
                                      Lowellville, OH 44436-9521
                                      Diemaster Tool & Mold,             2,877.984      9.08%
                                      Inc.
                                      Paul J. Badovick
                                      Attn: Dorothy Badovick
                                      895 E. Highland Road
                                      Macedonia, OH 44056-2228
                                      Charles W. Edwards, Jr.            2,577.320      8.14%
                                      570 Bennett Way
                                      Florence, AL 35634-2604
                                      Diemaster Tool & Mold, Inc.        1,859.582      5.87%
                                      Paul J. Badovick
                                      Attn: Dorothy Badovick
                                      895 E. Highland Road
                                      Macedonia, OH 44056-2228
  B Shares...........        203.964  SEI Trust Company                    102.579     50.29%
                                      Cust for the Rollover IRA of
                                      Mary L. Altizer
                                      554 Hillman Road
                                      Akron, OH 44312-2157
                                      SEI Investments Co.                   96.933     47.55%
                                      Attn: Rob Silvestri
                                      One Freedom Valley Drive
                                      Oaks, PA 19456
</TABLE>
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
     All of these Shares were beneficially owned by the record owners named
above because they possessed or shared investment or voting power with respect
to them while owning the Shares or while acting in a fiduciary, advisory,
custodial, or other similar capacity on behalf of their customers.
 
     For purposes of the 1940 Act, any person who owns directly or through one
or more controlled companies more than 25 percent of the voting securities of a
company is presumed to "control" such company. Under this definition, National
City Corporation and its affiliates may be deemed to be controlling persons of
the Trust.
 
     The officers and trustees of the Trust as a group beneficially own in the
aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust and of each Fund.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
I. ENHANCED INCOME FUND, TOTAL RETURN ADVANTAGE FUND AND CORE EQUITY FUND:
 
                  APPROVAL OF THE INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENTS
                                 FOR THE FUNDS
 
BACKGROUND
 
     National City is a wholly-owned subsidiary of National City Corporation
("NCC"), a publicly held, regional multibank holding company registered under
the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. NAM was formerly a
wholly-owned subsidiary of NCC. Under an Agreement dated as of March 6, 1998 by
and among NCC, NAM and certain individuals, NCC agreed to divest control of NAM
by selling all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of NAM, comprised of
100 shares of common stock owned by NCC, to NAM's principal management team in
exchange for one share of NAM's Class A Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock"),
which constitutes 100% of NAM's authorized Class A Preferred Stock (the
"Transaction"). The Preferred Stock was issued to NCC on March 6, 1998 for
consideration of $1.00. The Preferred Stock has a stated value of $32 million.
As a result of the Transaction, NAM is no longer a wholly-owned subsidiary of
NCC. The Transaction closed on March 6, 1998.
 
     The Transaction, by operation of law, resulted in an assignment of the two
existing advisory agreements between the Trust and NAM relating to each Fund
(the "Existing Advisory Agreements"). As required by the 1940 Act, the Existing
Advisory Agreements provide for their automatic termination upon "assignment".
At a meeting held by the Board of Trustees of the Trust on March 6, 1998, the
Trustees, (including the non-interested Trustees who are not parties to the
existing, interim or new advisory or sub-advisory agreements, or interested
persons of such parties) approved interim investment advisory agreements with
NAM, which are identical in substance to the Existing Agreements, except for
their effective and termination dates and certain escrow provisions (the
"Interim Advisory Agreements"). The description of the Interim Advisory
Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the forms of agreement
attached as Exhibits A and B to this proxy statement. The total contractual rate
chargeable for investment advisory services under each of the Existing
Agreements and the Interim Advisory Agreements is .75% of average daily net
assets for the Core Equity Fund, .55% of average daily net assets for the Total
Return Advantage Fund and .45% of average daily net assets for the Enhanced
Income Fund. If the Interim Advisory Agreements had been in effect during the
most recent fiscal year, total Fund operating expenses for each Fund would have
been the same as the expenses at the end of the most recent fiscal year. As of
May 11, 1998, the Funds had net assets as follows:
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    FUND                           NET ASSETS
- ---------------------------------------------      ----------
<S>                                              <C>
Enhanced Income Fund.........................    $ 77,037,209.81
Total Return Advantage Fund..................     284,859,241.78
Core Equity Fund.............................     114,321,806.44
</TABLE>
 
     The Trust and NAM have requested an Order from the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC"), which if granted, would permit the implementation, without
shareholder approval, of Interim Advisory Agreements for a period beginning on
the date of the issuance of the requested Order and continuing, in respect of
each Fund, through the date on which each Interim Advisory Agreement is approved
or disapproved by the respective Fund's shareholders (the "Interim Period"). The
Interim Period will terminate no later than July 6, 1998. The Order would permit
NAM to receive actual out-of-pocket costs to NAM for providing advisory services
to the Funds from the closing date of the Transaction on March 6, 1998 to the
date of the issuance of the requested Order, and to receive all fees earned
under the new advisory agreements during the Interim Period, (the "Interim
Period Advisory Fees"), following shareholder approval of the Interim Advisory
Agreements. The Interim Period Advisory Fees will be paid into an
interest-bearing escrow account maintained by an independent escrow agent. The
escrow agent will release the amounts held in the escrow account (including any
interest earned): (a) to NAM upon approval of the Interim Advisory Agreements by
shareholders at this Meeting; or (b) to the Fund which paid the fees if the
Interim Period ends and the Interim Advisory Agreements have not received the
requisite shareholder approval.
 
     NAM is a SEC registered investment adviser, with its principal place of
business located at 101 South Fifth Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202. NAM
currently manages approximately $9.2 billion in assets for a diverse group of
clients. The officers and directors of NAM, and their principal occupations are
described below. Each of them may be contacted at NAM's address above.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           NAME                           PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- ---------------------------         ---------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>
Carl W. Hafele                      President, CEO and Principal, NAM
William F. Chandler, Jr.            Principal, NAM
Randall T. Zipfel                   COO and Principal, NAM
Brent A. Bell                       Principal, NAM
David B. Chick                      Principal, NAM
Erik N. Evans                       Principal, NAM
John W. Ferreby                     Secretary and Principal, NAM
Michael C. Heyman                   Principal, NAM
David B. Hiller                     Principal, NAM
Stephen G. Mullins                  Principal, NAM
Catherine R. Stodghill              Principal, NAM
Larry J. Walker                     Principal, NAM
</TABLE>
 
     No individual or entity owns in excess of 25% of the outstanding voting
stock of NAM. Mr. Hafele owns 20% of the outstanding voting stock of NAM.
Messrs. Hiller and Ferreby each own 10.5% of the outstanding voting stock of NAM
and Mr. Chandler owns 10% of the outstanding voting stock of NAM.
 
     NAM received no advisory fees from any of the Funds for the most recent
fiscal year. Core Equity Fund had not commenced operations at May 31, 1997; NAM
waived $1,530,963 in advisory fees for the Total Return Advantage Fund; and NAM
waived $236,026 for the Enhanced Income Fund. Currently, NAM also serves as
sub-adviser to the Long-term Bond Investments portfolio of the Consulting Group
Capital Markets Fund, a registered investment company with approximately $200
million in assets. For its services as sub-adviser, NAM receives a fee of .20%
of average daily net assets.
 
     In connection with the Trust's approval of the Interim Advisory Agreements,
the Board considered that the terms of the Transaction do not require a change
in the Funds' investment objective or policies, NAM's investment management or
operation of the Funds, the investment personnel managing the Funds, the
investment advisory fees or other business activities of the Funds. The Board
determined that, on balance, these factors weighed heavily in favor of
continuation of the advisory relationship with NAM.
 
     Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act provides that when a change in the control of
an investment adviser occurs, the investment adviser or any of its affiliated
persons may receive any amount or benefit in connection therewith as long as two
conditions are satisfied. First, no "unfair burden" may be imposed on the
investment company as a result of the transaction relating to the change of
control, or any express or implied terms, conditions or understandings
applicable thereto. The term "unfair burden," as defined in the 1940 Act,
includes any arrangement
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
during the two-year period after the change in control whereby the investment
adviser (or predecessor or successor adviser), or any interested person of any
such adviser, receives or is entitled to receive any compensation, directly or
indirectly, from the investment company or its security holders (other than fees
for bona fide investment advisory or other services) or from any person in
connection with the purchase or sale of securities or other property to, from,
or on behalf of the investment company (other than fees for bona fide principal
underwriting services). No such compensation arrangements are in effect or
contemplated insofar as the Fund is concerned.
 
     The second condition is that, during the three-year period immediately
following consummation of the transaction, at least 75% of the investment
company's board of directors must not be "interested persons" of the Adviser
within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Trust expects to comply with Section
15(f).
 
     The Trustees of the Trust unanimously approved the Interim Advisory
Agreements and recommended that they be submitted for approval to the
shareholders of the respective Funds. If the Board's approval of the Interim
Advisory Agreements is ratified by either more than 50% of a Fund's outstanding
shares entitled to vote at the meeting, or by 67% of the shares present at such
meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote at the meeting are present in person or by proxy, the Interim Advisory
Agreement will be approved for such Fund.
 
     The proposed Interim Advisory Agreements between the Trust and NAM are
Exhibits A and B of this proxy statement. In the event the Interim Advisory
Agreement is not approved by a Fund's shareholders, the Trustees will promptly
seek to enter into a new advisory arrangement for the Fund, subject to approval
by the Fund's shareholders.
 
     THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE TO APPROVE THE INTERIM ADVISORY
AGREEMENTS.
 
II. ENHANCED INCOME FUND, TOTAL RETURN ADVANTAGE FUND AND CORE EQUITY FUND:
 
                                APPROVAL OF THE
                      NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENT FOR THE FUNDS
 
     The Board of Trustees approved a new investment advisory agreement between
the Trust and National City for the Enhanced Income Fund, the Total Return
Advantage Fund and the Core Equity Fund (the "New Advisory Agree-
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
ment") at its meeting held on March 6, 1998, to be effective upon shareholder
approval of the agreement. The Board also approved a new sub-advisory agreement
between National City and NAM for the Total Return Advantage Fund and the Core
Equity Fund, to be effective upon shareholder approval as described below, in
Item III.
 
     The Existing Advisory Agreements and the proposed New Advisory Agreement
are identical in all material substantive respects. The Agreements differ only
in their effective and termination dates and, in the case of the Core Equity
Fund, the Agreements differ also in the description of the obligations of
brokers and dealers utilized by the Fund. The description of the New Advisory
Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Agreement
attached as Exhibit C to this proxy statement.
 
     The Existing Advisory Agreements and the New Advisory Agreement provide
that National City shall "use its best efforts to seek on behalf of the Trust
and each Fund the best overall terms available, in placing portfolio transaction
orders." In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the
Existing Advisory Agreements and the New Advisory Agreement require NAM and
National City, respectively, to consider all factors deemed relevant, including
the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the
financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the
reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific transaction and
on a continuing basis. Moreover, in evaluating the best overall terms available
and selecting brokers or dealers to execute portfolio transactions, the Existing
Advisory Agreements and the New Advisory Agreement provides that NAM and
National City, respectively, may consider brokerage and research services (as
those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act")) provided to any Fund and/or other accounts over
which the adviser or any of its affiliates exercise investment discretion.
 
     In addition, as permitted by Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, subject to
the prior approval of the Trust's Board of Trustees, the Existing Advisory
Agreements and the New Advisory Agreement authorize NAM and National City,
respectively, to negotiate and pay to a broker or dealer providing such
brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio
transaction which is higher than the amount of commission another broker or
dealer would have charged for effecting the same transaction if, but only if,
NAM or National City, respectively, determines in good faith that such
commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
services provided by such broker or dealer (also, as stated in the Existing
Advisory Agreement for the Enhanced Income Fund and the Total Return Advantage
Fund, and the New Advisory Agreement for the Funds, as
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of the overall
responsibilities of the advisers with respect to the Fund and other accounts as
to which they exercise investment discretion).
 
     This new provision relating to the Core Equity Fund is intended to provide
National City additional flexibility to negotiate, to the extent legally
permitted, the amount of brokerage commissions payable to a Fund in
consideration for brokerage and research services.
 
     Pursuant to the terms of the Existing Advisory Agreements and the New
Advisory Agreement, NAM and National City, respectively, provide a continuous
investment program for each Fund, including investment research and management
with respect to all securities and investments and cash equivalents in each
Fund, and determine from time to time what securities and other investments will
be purchased, retained or sold by each Fund. National City or its affiliates
paid the fees, salaries or other remuneration of Trustees and officers of the
Trust who also served as directors, officers or employees of National City, or
any of their affiliated companies and National City will continue to do so. In
return for services provided under the Existing Advisory Agreements and the New
Advisory Agreement, the Funds pay advisory fees as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  FEE AS % OF
                                                 AVERAGE DAILY
                    FUND                          NET ASSETS
- ---------------------------------------------    -------------
<S>                                              <C>
Enhanced Income Fund.........................         .45
Total Return Advantage Fund..................         .55
Core Equity Fund.............................         .75
</TABLE>
 
     National City would have earned the same fees if the New Advisory Agreement
had been in effect during the fiscal year ended May 31, 1997. NAM did not
receive fees during this period because of voluntary fee waivers and Core Equity
Fund had not commenced operations. National City intends to waive a portion of
its fees under the New Advisory Agreement, although it is not required to do so,
in the following manner: waiver of .25% of Enhanced Income Fund fee and .20% of
Total Return Advantage Fund fee.
 
     National City also serves as custodian for the assets of the Trust. The
Funds reimburse National City for its direct and indirect costs and expenses
incurred in rendering custodial services. For the most recent fiscal year, the
Funds paid custody fees to National City as follows:
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 CUSTODIAN
                    FUND                           FEES
- ---------------------------------------------    ---------
<S>                                              <C>
Enhanced Income Fund.........................     $13,516
Total Return Advantage Fund..................     $38,762
Core Equity Fund.............................     $     0
</TABLE>
 
     The Existing Advisory Agreements provide that the adviser will not be
liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by
the Trust in connection with the performance of the Agreement, except a loss
resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the
adviser's part in the performance of its duties under the Agreement, reckless
disregard by the adviser of its obligation and duties, or a loss resulting from
a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for
services. The New Advisory Agreement contains identical provisions.
 
     The Existing Advisory Agreements were approved by the Board of Trustees on
July 17, 1997 and September 17, 1997 for both Enhanced Income Fund and Total
Return Advantage Fund, and on July 17, 1997 for the Core Equity Fund, for an
initial term ending September 30, 1998. Shareholders of the Enhanced Income and
Total Return Advantage Funds approved the Existing Advisory Agreement relating
to these Funds on November 19, 1997. The Existing Agreement relating to the Core
Equity Fund was last approved by its initial Shareholder in connection with the
commencement of the Fund's operations. The proposed New Advisory Agreement will
become effective on the date of shareholder approval and continue in force until
September 30, 1999 unless sooner terminated. The Existing Advisory Agreements
and the New Advisory Agreement provide that the respective Agreement will
continue for successive twelve month periods ending on September 30 so long as
such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (1) the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or (2) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of a Fund; provided, however, that in either event the continuance
also is required to be approved by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the
Trust who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust
or the adviser, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
upon such approval. The Existing Advisory Agreements and the New Advisory
Agreement provide for automatic termination of the respective Agreement in the
event of its assignment. In addition, each Agreement is terminable at any time,
without penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by the vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund or by the adviser on 60
days' written notice to the Trust.
 
     In connection with the Trust's approval of the New Advisory Agreement, the
Board considered that the overall primary responsibility for managing each of
the Funds in the Trust would be consolidated, providing for certain
administrative
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
efficiencies in the Trust's operations. The Board determined that these
adminsistrative efficiencies, when combined with the continuation of the
investment personnel managing the Fund, and no change in the advisory fee, on
balance, weighed heavily in favor of the New Advisory Agreement.
 
     Annual Fund Operating Expenses. If the proposed New Advisory Agreement had
been in effect during the most recent fiscal year, total Fund operating expenses
for each of the Funds would not have differed.
 
     National City is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NCC. In addition to the
Funds, National City serves as investment adviser to the following Armada funds:
 
                               MONEY MARKET FUND
                          GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
                           TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
                          TAX EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND
                             INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND
                              OHIO TAX EXEMPT FUND
                            NATIONAL TAX EXEMPT FUND
                               EQUITY GROWTH FUND
                               EQUITY INCOME FUND
                              SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
                   PENNSYLVANIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND
                                   BOND FUND
                                   GNMA FUND
                          PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPAL FUND
                           INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
                               EQUITY INDEX FUND
                             SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
                           REAL RETURN ADVANTAGE FUND
                            TAX MANAGED EQUITY FUND
                            BALANCED ALLOCATION FUND
 
National City provides trust and banking services to individuals, corporations
and institutions, both nationally and internationally, including investment
management, estate and trust administration, financial planning, corporate trust
and agency, and personal and corporate banking. It is a member bank of the
Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. As of
April 30, 1998, the Trust Department of National City had approximately $18.3
billion in assets under management and approximately $25.5 billion in trust
assets.
 
     The principal executive officers and directors of National City and their
principal occupations as of April 30, 1998 are set forth below. Unless otherwise
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
noted, the address of the officers and directors of National City is 1900 East
Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44114.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               POSITION WITH        OTHER BUSINESS             TYPE OF
           NAME              NATIONAL CITY BANK       CONNECTIONS             BUSINESS
           ----              ------------------     --------------            --------
<S>                          <C>                 <C>                    <C>
George R. Berlin             Director            President and Chief
                                                 Executive Officer,
                                                 Berco, Inc.
 
Thomas G. Breitenbach        Director            President and Chief    Health Care
                                                 Executive Officer,
                                                 Premier Health
                                                 Partners
 
Steve D. Bullock             Director            Chief Executive        Non-Profit
                                                 Officer and Chapter    organization
                                                 Manager,
                                                 American Red Cross
 
David A. Daberko             Director            Chairman and Chief     Bank holding company
                                                 Executive Officer,
                                                 National City
                                                 Corporation
 
                                                 Director:              Banks
                                                 National City Bank
                                                 of Indiana
                                                 National City Bank
                                                 of Kentucky
                                                 National City Bank
                                                 of Pennsylvania
                                                 First of America Bank
                                                 N.A.
                                                 Federal Reserve Bank
                                                 of Cleveland
 
                                                 Trustee:               Civic organizations
                                                 Cleveland Tomorrow
                                                 Greater Cleveland
                                                   Council of the Boy
                                                   Scouts of America
                                                 Case Western Reserve
                                                   University
                                                 Hawken School
                                                 Neighborhood Progress
                                                 Ohio Foundation of
                                                   Independent
                                                 Colleges
                                                 University Circle
                                                   Incorporated
                                                 University Hospitals
                                                   Health System
</TABLE>
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               POSITION WITH        OTHER BUSINESS             TYPE OF
           NAME              NATIONAL CITY BANK       CONNECTIONS             BUSINESS
           ----              ------------------     --------------            --------
<S>                          <C>                 <C>                    <C>
David A. Daberko                                 Board Member, Greater  Civic organization
  (continued)                                      Cleveland Growth
                                                   Association
 
                                                 Member, The Bankers
                                                 Roundtable
 
Vincent A. DiGirolamo        Director            Vice Chairman,         Bank holding company
                                                 National City
                                                 Corporation
 
Daniel W. Duval              Director            President and Chief
                                                 Executive Officer,
                                                 Robbins & Myers, Inc.
 
Thomas J. Fitzpatrick        Director            Chairman and Chief
                                                 Executive Officer,
                                                 Elford, Inc.
 
Gary A. Glaser               Chairman            Executive Vice         Bank holding company
                                                 President, National
                                                 City Corporation
 
Gordon D. Harnett            Director            President, Chairman    Manufacturer of
                                                 and                    engineering material
                                                 Chief Executive
                                                 Officer,
                                                 Brush Wellman, Inc.
 
Donald V. Kellermeyer        Director            President,
                                                 Kellermeyer Co.
 
William G. Kelley            Director            Chairman and
                                                 Chief Executive
                                                 Officer,
                                                 Consolidated Stores
                                                 Corporation
 
J. Peter Kelly               Director            President and Chief    Manufacturer of steel
                                                 Operating Officer,
                                                 LTV Corp.
 
William E. MacDonald III     President, Chief    Executive Vice         Bank holding company
                             Executive Officer   President,
                             and Director        National City
                                                 Corporation
</TABLE>
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               POSITION WITH        OTHER BUSINESS             TYPE OF
           NAME              NATIONAL CITY BANK       CONNECTIONS             BUSINESS
           ----              ------------------     --------------            --------
<S>                          <C>                 <C>                    <C>
William P. Madar             Director            Chairman, Nordson      Manufacturer of
                                                 Corporation            machinery
 
Paul A. Ormond               Director            Chairman, President
                                                 and
                                                 Chief Executive
                                                 Officer,
                                                 Health Care &
                                                 Retirement Corp.
 
William F. Patient           Director            Chairman, President    PVC manufacturer
                                                 and
                                                 Chief Executive
                                                 Officer,
                                                 The Geon Company
 
Shelley B. Roth              Director            President, Pierre's    Ice cream
                                                 French Ice Cream
                                                 Company
 
Dr. K. Wayne Smith           Director            President and Chief
                                                 Executive Officer,
                                                 OCLC Online Computer
                                                 Library, Inc.
 
Thomas C. Sullivan           Director            Chairman of the Board  Manufacturer of
                                                 and Chief Executive    protective coatings,
                                                 Officer,               roofing material
                                                 RPM, Inc.              and paint
 
Dr. Jerry S. Thornton        Director            President, Cuyahoga    Education
                                                 Community College
 
John R. Werren, Esq.         Director            Partner, Day,          Law firm
                                                 Ketterer, Raley,
                                                 Wright & Rybollt
 
W. Douglas Bannerman         Senior Executive    Senior Vice            Bank holding company
                             Vice President,     President,
                             Corporate Banking   National City
                                                 Corporation
 
Jeffrey M. Biggar            Executive Vice      Senior Vice            Bank holding company
                             President, Private  President,
                             Client Group        National City
                                                 Corporation
</TABLE>
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               POSITION WITH        OTHER BUSINESS             TYPE OF
           NAME              NATIONAL CITY BANK       CONNECTIONS             BUSINESS
           ----              ------------------     --------------            --------
<S>                          <C>                 <C>                    <C>
Timothy R. Fitzwater         President and       None
                             Chief Executive
                             Officer, Northeast
                             Region
 
Salvatore F. Gianino         President and       None
                             Chief Executive
                             Officer, Northwest
                             Region
 
James H. Gilmore             Executive Vice      None
                             President, NCCS
                             Group
 
Kenneth M. Goetz             Executive Vice      None
                             President,
                             Corporate Banking
 
Jane Grebenc                 Executive Vice      None
                             President, Retail
                             Banking
 
Robert K. Healey, Jr.        Executive Vice      None
                             President, Retail
                             Banking
 
Katherine B. Hollingsworth   Executive Vice      None
                             President,
                             Southwest Region
 
Dorothy M. Horvath           Executive Vice      None
                             President, Central
                             Region
 
James Hughes                 Executive Vice      Senior Vice            Bank holding company
                             President,          President, National
                             Northcoast Region   City Corporation
</TABLE>
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               POSITION WITH        OTHER BUSINESS             TYPE OF
           NAME              NATIONAL CITY BANK       CONNECTIONS             BUSINESS
           ----              ------------------     --------------            --------
<S>                          <C>                 <C>                    <C>
Jeffrey D. Kelly             Executive Vice      Executive Vice         Bank holding company
                             President, Bank     President,
                             Investment Group    National City
                                                 Corporation
 
Timothy J. Lathe             Executive Vice      None
                             President,
                             Multinational
 
Stephen McLane               Executive Vice      None
                             President, Central
                             Region
 
Bruce T. Muddell             Executive Vice      None
                             President, Credit
                             Administration
 
Richard A. Ray               Executive Vice      None
                             President, Central
                             Region
 
Philip L. Rice               Executive Vice      None
                             President,
                             Northcoast Region
 
David W. Ridenour            Executive Vice      None
                             President,
                             Northwest Region
 
Robert A. Robinson           Executive Vice      None
                             President,
                             Northwest Region
 
Frederick W. Schantz         President and       None
                             Chief Executive
                             Officer, Southwest
                             Region
</TABLE>
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               POSITION WITH        OTHER BUSINESS             TYPE OF
           NAME              NATIONAL CITY BANK       CONNECTIONS             BUSINESS
           ----              ------------------     --------------            --------
<S>                          <C>                 <C>                    <C>
Jeffrey T. Siler             Executive Vice      None
                             President,
                             Southwest Region
 
William F. Smith             Executive Vice      None
                             President, Central
                             Region
 
Harold B. Todd, Jr.          Executive Vice      Executive Vice         Bank holding company
                             President,          President,
                             Institutional       National City
                             Trust and Asset     Corporation
                             Management
 
Gregory L. Tunis             Senior Executive    None
                             Vice President,
                             Retail Banking
</TABLE>
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
     The following officer of NCC also serves as an officer and director of the
Trust:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
                                  OFFICER   POSITION WITH   DURING PAST 5 YEARS
       NAME AND ADDRESS            SINCE      THE TRUST    AND OTHER AFFILIATIONS
       ----------------           -------   -------------  ----------------------
<S>                              <C>        <C>            <C>
Herbert R. Martens, Jr.          July 1997  President and  Executive Vice
c/o NatCity Investments, Inc.               Trustee        President, National
1965 East Sixth Street                                     City Corporation (bank
Cleveland, OH 44114                                        holding company),
                                                           since July 1997;
                                                           Chairman and Chief
                                                           Executive Officer,
                                                           NatCity Investments,
                                                           Inc. (investment
                                                           banking), since July
                                                           1995; President and
                                                           Chief Executive
                                                           Officer,
                                                           Raffensberger, Hughes
                                                           & Co. (broker-dealer),
                                                           from 1993 until 1995;
                                                           President, Reserve
                                                           Capital Group, from
                                                           1990 until 1993.
</TABLE>
 
     The Trustees of the Trust unanimously approved the New Advisory Agreement
and recommended that it be submitted for approval to the shareholders of the
respective Funds. If the Board's approval of the New Advisory Agreement is
ratified by either more than 50% of a Fund's outstanding shares entitled to vote
at the meeting, or by 67% of the shares present at such meeting if the holders
of more than 50% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting are
present in person or by proxy, the New Advisory Agreement will be approved for
such Fund.
 
     The proposed New Advisory Agreement between the Trust and National City is
Exhibit C of this proxy statement. In the event the New Advisory Agreement is
not approved by a Fund's shareholders, the Trustees will promptly seek to enter
into a new advisory agreement for the Fund, subject to approval by the Fund's
shareholders.
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
     THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE TO APPROVE THE NEW
ADVISORY AGREEMENT.
 
III. CORE EQUITY FUND AND TOTAL RETURN ADVANTAGE FUND:
 
              APPROVAL OF THE SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT FOR THE FUNDS
 
     Shareholders of the Core Equity Fund and the Total Return Advantage Fund
are being asked to approve a new sub-advisory agreement between National City
and NAM for the benefit of the Funds (the "Sub-Advisory Agreement"). Pursuant to
the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement, NAM: assists National City in providing
a continuous investment program for each Fund, including investment research and
management with respect to all securities, investments, cash and cash
equivalents in the Funds; assists National City in determining from time to time
what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained or sold by
each Fund; transmits trades to the Trust's custodian for proper settlement;
prepares a quarterly broker security transaction summary and monthly security
transaction listing for the Funds; maintains all books and records with respect
to the Funds' securities transactions effected by it; and supplies the Trust and
the Trustees with reports and statistical data as reasonably requested. NAM pays
all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under the
Sub-Advisory Agreement other than the cost of securities, commodities and other
investments purchased or sold for any Fund. For its services and expenses
assumed, NAM will receive a fee from National City of .32% and .16% of the
average net assets of the Core Equity Fund and the Total Return Advantage Fund,
respectively.
 
     The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that NAM will not be liable for any
error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in
connection with the performance of the Sub-Advisory Agreement, except a loss
resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of
compensation for services or loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith
or gross negligence on the part of NAM in the performance of its duties or from
reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under the SubAdvisory
Agreement.
 
     The proposed Sub-Advisory Agreement will become effective on the date of
shareholder approval and continue in force until September 30, 1999 unless
sooner terminated. It will continue for successive twelve month periods ending
on September 30, so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually by (1) the Board of Trustees of the Trust or (2) the vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund; provided, however, that in
either event the continuance also is required to be approved by the vote of a
majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or NAM cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting upon
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
such approval. The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides for automatic termination of
the Agreement in the event of its assignment. In addition, the Agreement is
terminable at any time, without penalty, by National City or the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the particular Fund on 60 days' written notice to NAM, or by NAM
on 60 days' written notice to the Trust. In addition, if National City's New
Advisory Agreement with the Trust terminates with respect to a particular Fund
for any reason (whether by the Trust, by National City or by operation of law),
the Sub-Advisory Agreement will terminate with respect to the same Fund upon the
effective date of such termination of the New Advisory Agreement.
 
     In connection with the Trust's approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the
Board considered that the overall primary responsibility for managing each of
the Funds in the Trust would be consolidated, providing for certain
administrative efficiencies in the Trust's operations. The Board determined that
these administrative efficiencies, when combined with the continuation of the
investment personnel managing the Funds and no change in the advisory fee, on
balance, weighed heavily in favor of the proposed Sub-Advisory Agreement.
 
     The Trustees of the Trust unanimously approved the Sub-Advisory Agreement
and recommended that it be submitted for approval to the shareholders of the
respective Funds. If the Board's approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement is
ratified by either more than 50% of a Fund's outstanding shares entitled to vote
at the meeting, or by 67% of the shares present at such meeting if the holders
of more than 50% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting are
present in person or by proxy, the Sub-Advisory Agreement will be approved for
such Fund.
 
     The proposed Sub-Advisory Agreement between National City and NAM is
Exhibit D of this proxy statement. In the event the Sub-Advisory Agreement is
not approved by a Fund's shareholders, the Trustees will meet to determine what
course of action to pursue and may seek to enter into a new sub-advisory
agreement for the Fund, subject to approval by the Fund's shareholders. The New
Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of a sub-adviser, the adviser,
National City, may provide investment advisory services to a Fund without
further shareholder approval.
 
     THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE TO APPROVE THE
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
     SEI Investments Distribution Co. serves as the Trust's distributor (the
"Distributor"). SEI Fund Resources serves as the Trust's Administrator (the
"Administrator"). The address of the Distributor and the Administrator is One
Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456.
 
     Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, with offices at Two Commerce
Square, 2001 Market Street, Suite 4000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves
as independent auditors of the Trust and audited the Trust's operations for the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1997. The Board of Trustees selected Ernst & Young LLP
at its meeting on July 17, 1997 to serve in such capacity for the fiscal year
ending May 31, 1998. Shareholders are not herein requested to approve the
selection of Ernst & Young LLP. Nevertheless, a representative of Ernst & Young
LLP is expected to be available by telephone at the Meeting should any matter
arise requiring consultation with the auditors, and Ernst & Young LLP will be
given the opportunity to make a statement if it chooses.
 
                             SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
     The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Trust's
Declaration of Trust does not require that an annual meeting of shareholders be
held each year. The Trust does not intend to hold annual meetings of
shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. The
Trust's Code of Regulations provides that special meetings of shareholders,
including meetings to consider the removal of trustees, shall be called at the
written request of the shareholders entitled to vote at least 10% of the
outstanding shares of the Trust entitled to be voted at such meetings. Any
shareholder desiring to present a proposal for consideration at a future meeting
of shareholders of the Trust will be required to submit such proposal in writing
so that it is received by the Trust, at least 120 days before the date of the
meeting. Mere submission of a shareholder proposal does not guarantee inclusion
of the proposal in the proxy statement or presentation of the proposal at the
meeting since such inclusion and presentation are subject to compliance with
certain federal regulations.
 
     The management of the Trust does not know of any matters to be presented at
the Meeting, other than those set forth in this Proxy Statement.
 
/s/ W. Bruce McConnel, III
W. Bruce McConnel, III
Secretary
 
May 26, 1998
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                           INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
                                  ARMADA FUNDS
 
                              ENHANCED INCOME FUND
                          TOTAL RETURN ADVANTAGE FUND
 
                               ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
     AGREEMENT made as of March 6, 1998 between ARMADA FUNDS, a Massachusetts
business trust, located in Oaks, Pennsylvania (the "Trust") and NATIONAL ASSET
MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, located in Louisville, Kentucky (the "Adviser").
 
     WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end, management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"); and
 
     WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Adviser as investment adviser to
the Enhanced Income and Total Return Advantage Funds (individually, a "Fund" and
collectively, the "Funds");
 
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, it is agreed among the parties hereto as follows:
 
     1. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Adviser acknowledges that it has received
copies of each of the following:
 
          (a) The Trust's Declaration of Trust, as filed with the State
              Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on January 29, 1986
              and all amendments thereto (such Declaration of Trust, as
              presently in effect and as it shall from time to time be amended,
              is herein called the "Declaration of Trust");
 
          (b) The Trust's Code of Regulations, and amendments thereto (such Code
              of Regulations, as presently in effect and as it shall from time
              to time be amended, is herein called the "Code of Regulations");
 
          (c) Resolutions of the Trust's Board of Trustees authorizing the
              appointment of the Adviser and approving this Agreement;
 
          (d) The Trust's Notification of Registration on Form N-8A under the
              1940 Act as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
              ("SEC") on September 26, 1985 and all amendments thereto;
 
                                       A-1
<PAGE>   29
 
          (e) The Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the
              Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act") (File No. 33-488)
              and under the 1940 Act as filed with the SEC on September 26, 1985
              and all amendments thereto; and
 
          (f) The Trust's most recent prospectuses and statements of additional
              information with respect to the Funds (such prospectuses and
              statements of additional information, as presently in effect and
              all amendments and supplements thereto are herein called
              individually, a "Prospectus," and collectively, the
              "Prospectuses").
 
     The Trust will furnish the Adviser from time to time with execution copies
of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing.
 
     2. SERVICES. The Trust hereby appoints the Adviser to act as investment
adviser to the Funds for the period and on the terms set forth in this
Agreement. Intending to be legally bound, the Adviser accepts such appointment
and agrees to furnish the services required herein to the Funds for the
compensation hereinafter provided.
 
     Subject to the supervision of the Trust's Board of Trustees, the Adviser
will provide a continuous investment program for each Fund, including investment
research and management with respect to all securities and investments and cash
equivalents in each Fund. The Adviser will determine from time to time what
securities and other investments will be purchased, retained or sold by each
Fund. The Adviser will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance
with each Fund's investment objective, policies, and restrictions as stated in
the Prospectus and resolutions of the Trust's Board of Trustees applicable to
such Fund.
 
     3. SUBCONTRACTORS. It is understood that the Adviser may from time to time
employ or associate with itself such person or persons as the Adviser may
believe to be particularly fitted to assist in the performance of this
Agreement; provided, however, that the compensation of such person or persons
shall be paid by the Adviser and that the Adviser shall be as fully responsible
to the Trust for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as it is for its
own acts and omissions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is
agreed that investment advisory service to any Fund may be provided by a
subcontractor agreeable to the Adviser and approved in accordance with the
provision of the 1940 Act. Any such sub-advisers are hereinafter referred to as
the "Sub-Advisers." In the event that any Sub-Adviser appointed hereunder is
terminated, the Adviser may provide investment advisory services pursuant to
this Agreement to the Fund without further shareholder approval.
Not-withstanding the employment of any Sub-Adviser, the Adviser shall
 
                                       A-2
<PAGE>   30
 
in all events: (a) establish and monitor general investment criteria and
policies for the fund; (b) review investments in each fund on a periodic basis
for compliance with its fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions
as stated in the Prospectus; (c) review periodically any Sub-Adviser's policies
with respect to the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities; (d) review, monitor, analyze and report to the Board of Trustees on
the performance of any Sub-Adviser; (e) furnish to the Board of Trustees or any
Sub-Adviser, reports, statistics and economic information as may be reasonably
requested; and (f) recommend, either in its sole discretion or in conjunction
with any Sub-Adviser, potential changes in investment policy.
 
     4. COVENANTS BY ADVISER. The Adviser agrees with respect to the services
provided to each Fund that it:
 
          (a) will comply with all applicable Rules and Regulations of the SEC
              and will in addition conduct its activities under this Agreement
              in accordance with other applicable law;
 
          (b) will use the same skill and care in providing such services as it
              uses in providing services to similar fiduciary accounts for which
              it has investment responsibilities;
 
          (c) will not make loans to any person to purchase or carry shares in
              the Funds, or make interest-bearing loans to the Trust or the
              Funds;
 
          (d) will maintain a policy and practice of conducting its investment
              management activities independently of the Commercial Departments
              of all banking affiliates. In making investment recommendations
              for the Funds, personnel will not inquire or take into
              consideration whether the issuers (or related supporting
              institutions) of securities proposed for purchase or sale for the
              Funds' accounts are customers of the Commercial Department. In
              dealing with commercial customers, the Commercial Department will
              not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of those
              customers are held by the Funds;
 
          (e) will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for
              the Funds either directly with the issuer or with any broker or
              dealer. In selecting brokers or dealers for executing portfolio
              transactions, the Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on
              behalf of the Trust and each Fund the best overall terms
              available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any
              transaction the Adviser shall consider all factors it deems
              relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the
              price of the security, the financial condition and
                                       A-3
<PAGE>   31
 
              execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the
              reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for the specific
              transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best
              overall terms available, and in selecting the broker or dealer to
              execute a particular transaction, the Adviser may also consider
              the brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in
              Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended)
              provided to any Fund and/or other accounts over which the Adviser
              or any affiliate of the Adviser exercises investment discretion.
              The Adviser is authorized, subject to the prior approval of the
              Board, to negotiate and pay to a broker or dealer who provides
              such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a
              portfolio transaction for any Fund which is in excess of the
              amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged
              for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Adviser
              determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in
              relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
              provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of that
              particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities
              of the Adviser with respect to the accounts as to which it
              exercises investment discretion. In no instance will fund
              securities be purchased from or sold to the Adviser, any
              Sub-Adviser, SEI Investments Distribution Co. ("SEI") (or any
              other principal underwriter to the Trust) or an affiliated person
              of either the Trust, the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, or SEI (or such
              other principal underwriter) unless permitted by an order of the
              SEC or applicable rules. In executing portfolio transactions for
              any Fund, the Adviser may, but shall not be obligated to, to the
              extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, aggregate the
              securities to be sold or purchased with those of other Funds and
              its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with
              the policies set forth in the Trust's registration statement. In
              such event, the Adviser will allocate the securities so purchased
              or sold, and the expenses incurred in the transaction, in the
              manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent with
              its fiduciary obligations to the Funds and such other clients;
 
          (f) will maintain all books and records with respect to the securities
              transactions for the Funds and furnish the Trust's Board of
              Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Board may
              request; and
 
          (g) will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the
              Trust all records and other information relative to the Funds and
              prior, present or potential shareholders, and will not use such
              records and informa-
                                       A-4
<PAGE>   32
 
              tion for any purpose other than performance of its
              responsibilities and duties hereunder (except after prior
              notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, which
              approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be
              withheld and will be deemed granted where the Adviser may be
              exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to
              comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly
              constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Trust).
 
     5. SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE. The services furnished by the Adviser hereunder
are deemed not to be exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to furnish similar
services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired
thereby.
 
     6. BOOKS AND RECORDS. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3
under the 1940 Act, the Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it
maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust and further agrees to
surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request.
The Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2
under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the
1940 Act.
 
     7. EXPENSES. During the term of this Agreement, the Adviser will pay all
expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement
other than the cost of securities (including brokerage commissions, if any)
purchased for the Funds.
 
     8. COMPENSATION. For the services provided and the expenses assumed
pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust will pay the Adviser from the assets
belonging to the Funds and the Adviser will accept as full compensation therefor
fees, computed daily and paid monthly, at the following annual rates: .45% of
the average daily net assets of the Enhanced Income Fund; and .55% of the
average daily net assets of the Total Return Advantage Fund.
 
     The fee attributable to each Fund shall be the several (and not joint or
joint and several) obligations of each Fund.
 
     The fees payable under this Section 8 shall be maintained in an interest-
bearing escrow account until such Fund's shareholders' approve the payment of
such fees to the Adviser. If a Fund's shareholders do not approve the payment to
the Adviser of such fees for such period, on or before July 6, 1998, the balance
in the escrow account shall be paid to such Fund.
 
                                       A-5
<PAGE>   33
 
     The Funds will not pay the Adviser any fees other than compensation
permitted by the Order issued to the Trust and the Adviser from the Securities
and Exchange Commission related to such compensation.
 
     9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Adviser shall not be liable for any error
of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in
connection with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from
a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for
services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from
reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
 
     10. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement will become effective with
respect to each Fund on March 6, 1998, subject to approval of this Agreement by
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each such Fund, and,
unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue in effect until June
29, 1998. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect
with respect to a particular Fund for successive twelve month periods ending on
June 29, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually
(a) by the vote of a majority of those members of the Trust's Board of Trustees
who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at
a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the
Trust's Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be
terminated as to any Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by
the Trust (by the Trust's Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the particular Fund), or by the Adviser on 60
days' written notice. This Agreement will immediately terminate in the event of
its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms "majority of the
outstanding voting securities," "interested persons" and "assignment" shall have
the same meaning of such terms in the 1940 Act.)
 
     11. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT. No provision of this Agreement may be
changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in
writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought. No amendment of this Agreement shall be
effective with respect to a Fund until approved by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of that Fund.
 
     12. MISCELLANEOUS. The Adviser expressly agrees that notwithstanding the
termination of or failure to continue this Agreement with respect to a
particular Fund, the Adviser shall continue to be legally bound to provide the
services required herein for the other Funds for the period and on the terms set
forth in this Agreement. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of
                                       A-6
<PAGE>   34
 
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this
Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or
otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and shall be governed by Delaware law.
 
     13. NAMES. The names "ARMADA FUNDS" and "Trustees of ARMADA FUNDS" refer
respectively to the Trust created and the Trustees, as trustees but not
individually or personally, acting from time to time under a Declaration of
Trust dated January 28, 1986 which is hereby referred to and a copy of which is
on file at the office of the State Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and the principal office of the Trust. The obligations of "ARMADA
FUNDS" entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees,
representatives or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and
are not binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, or representatives of
the Trust personally, but bind only the Trust property, and all persons dealing
with any class of shares of the Trust must look solely to the Trust property
belonging to such class for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above
written.
 
                             ARMADA FUNDS
 
                             By:
                                 ---------------------------------------------
 
                             Title:
                                   ------------------------------------------
 
                             NATIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
 
                             By:
                                 ---------------------------------------------
 
                             Title:
                                   ------------------------------------------


 
                                       A-7
<PAGE>   35
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT B
                           INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
                                  ARMADA FUNDS
 
                                CORE EQUITY FUND
 
                               ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
     AGREEMENT made as of March 6, 1998 between ARMADA FUNDS, a Massachusetts
business trust, located in Oaks, Pennsylvania (the "Trust") and NATIONAL ASSET
MANAGEMENT CORPORATION located in Louisville, Kentucky (the "Adviser").
 
     WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end, management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"); and
 
     WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Adviser as investment adviser to
the Core Equity Fund (the "Fund");
 
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, it is agreed among the parties hereto as follows:
 
     1. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Adviser acknowledges that it has received
copies of each of the following:
 
          (a) The Trust's Declaration of Trust, as filed with the State
              Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on January 29, 1986
              and all amendments thereto (such Declaration of Trust, as
              presently in effect and as it shall from time to time be amended,
              is herein called the "Declaration of Trust");
 
          (b) The Trust's Code of Regulations, and amendments thereto (such Code
              of Regulations, as presently in effect and as it shall from time
              to time be amended, is herein called the "Code of Regulations");
 
          (c) Resolutions of the Trust's Board of Trustees authorizing the
              appointment of the Adviser and approving this Agreement;
 
          (d) The Trust's Notification of Registration on Form N-8A under the
              1940 Act as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
              ("SEC") on September 26, 1985 and all amendments thereto;
 
          (e) The Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the
              Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act") (File No. 33-488)
              and
 
                                       B-1
<PAGE>   36
 
              under the 1940 Act as filed with the SEC on September 26, 1985 and
              all amendments thereto; and
 
          (f) The Trust's most recent prospectus and statement of additional
              information with respect to the Fund (such prospectus and
              statement of additional information, as presently in effect and
              all amendments and supplements thereto are herein called a
              "Prospectus").
 
     The Trust will furnish the Adviser from time to time with execution copies
of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing.
 
     2. SERVICES. The Trust hereby appoints the Adviser to act as investment
adviser to the Fund for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement.
Intending to be legally bound, the Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees
to furnish the services required herein to the Fund for the compensation
hereinafter provided.
 
     Subject to the supervision of the Trust's Board of Trustees, the Adviser
will provide a continuous investment program for the Fund, including investment
research and management with respect to all securities and investments and cash
equivalents in the Fund. The Adviser will determine from time to time what
securities and other investments will be purchased, retained or sold by the
Fund. The Adviser will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance
with the Fund's investment objective, policies, and restrictions as stated in
the Prospectus and resolutions of the Trust's Board of Trustees applicable to
the Fund.
 
     3. SUBCONTRACTORS. It is understood that the Adviser may from time to time
employ or associate with itself such person or persons as the Adviser may
believe to be particularly fitted to assist in the performance of this
Agreement; provided, however, that the compensation of such person or persons
shall be paid by the Adviser and that the Adviser shall be as fully responsible
to the Trust for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as it is for its
own acts and omissions. Without limiting the generality or the foregoing, it is
agreed that investment advisory service to any Fund may be provided by a
subcontractor agreeable to the Adviser and approved in accordance with the
provision of the 1940 Act. Any such sub-advisers are hereinafter referred to as
the "Sub-Advisers." In the event that any Sub-Adviser appointed hereunder is
terminated, the Adviser may provide investment advisory services pursuant to
this Agreement to the Fund without further shareholder approval. Notwithstanding
the employment of any Sub-Adviser, the Adviser shall in all events: (a)
establish and monitor general investment criteria and policies for the fund; (b)
review investments in the fund on a periodic basis for compliance with its
fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions as stated in the
Prospectus; (c) review periodically any Sub-Adviser's policies with respect to
the placement of
 
                                       B-2
<PAGE>   37
 
orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities; (d) review, monitor,
analyze and report to the Board of Trustees on the performance of any
Sub-Adviser; (e) furnish to the Board of Trustees or any Sub-Adviser, reports,
statistics and economic information as may be reasonably requested; and (f)
recommend, either in its sole discretion or in conjunction with any Sub-Adviser,
potential changes in investment policy.
 
     4. COVENANTS BY ADVISER. The Adviser agrees with respect to the services
provided to the Fund that it:
 
          (a) will comply with all applicable Rules and Regulations of the SEC
              and will in addition conduct its activities under this Agreement
              in accordance with other applicable law;
 
          (b) will use the same skill and care in providing such services as it
              uses in providing services to similar fiduciary accounts for which
              it has investment responsibilities;
 
          (c) will not make loans to any person to purchase or carry shares in
              the Fund, or make interest-bearing loans to the Trust or the Fund;
 
          (d) will maintain a policy and practice of conducting its investment
              management activities independently of the Commercial Departments
              of all banking affiliates. In making investment recommendations
              for the Fund, personnel will not inquire or take into
              consideration whether the issuers (or related supporting
              institutions) of securities proposed for purchase or sale for the
              Fund's accounts are customers of the Commercial Department. In
              dealing with commercial customers, the Commercial Department will
              not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of those
              customers are held by the Fund;
 
          (e) will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for
              the Fund either directly with the issuer or with any broker or
              dealer. In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers
              or dealers, the Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on
              behalf of the Trust and the Fund the best overall terms available.
              In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction
              the Adviser shall consider all factors it deems relevant,
              including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of
              the security, the financial condition and execution capability of
              the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if
              any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis.
              In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting
              the broker or dealer to execute a particular transaction, the
                                       B-3
<PAGE>   38
 
              Adviser may also consider the brokerage and research services (as
              those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities
              Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) provided to any Fund and/or
              other accounts over which the Adviser or any affiliate of the
              Adviser exercises investment discretion. The Adviser is
              authorized, subject to the prior approval of the Board, to
              negotiate and pay to a broker or dealer who provides such
              brokerage and research services a commission for executing a
              portfolio transaction for any Fund which is in excess of the
              amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged
              for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Adviser
              determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in
              relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
              provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of that
              particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities
              of the Adviser to the particular Fund and to the Trust. In no
              instance will fund securities be purchased from or sold to the
              Adviser, any Sub-Adviser, SEI Investments Distribution Co. ("SEI")
              (or any other principal underwriter to the Trust) or an affiliated
              person of either the Trust, the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, or SEI (or
              such other principal underwriter) unless permitted by an order of
              the SEC or applicable rules. In executing portfolio transactions
              for any Fund, the Adviser may, but shall not be obligated to, to
              the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, aggregate
              the securities to be sold or purchased with those of other Funds
              and its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent
              with the policies set forth in the Trust's registration statement.
              In such event, the Adviser will allocate the securities so
              purchased or sold, and the expenses incurred in the transaction,
              in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent
              with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and such other clients;
 
          (f) will maintain all books and records with respect to the securities
              transactions for the Fund and furnish the Trust's Board of
              Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Board may
              request; and
 
          (g) will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the
              Trust all records and other information relative to the Fund and
              prior, present or potential shareholders, and will not use such
              records and information for any purpose other than performance of
              its responsibilities and duties hereunder (except after prior
              notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, which
              approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be
              withheld and will be deemed granted where the Adviser may be
              exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceed-
                                       B-4
<PAGE>   39
 
              ings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such
              information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested
              by the Trust).
 
     5. SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE. The services furnished by the Adviser hereunder
are deemed not to be exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to furnish similar
services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired
thereby.
 
     6. BOOKS AND RECORDS. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3
under the 1940 Act, the Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it
maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust and further agrees to
surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request.
The Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2
under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the
1940 Act.
 
     7. EXPENSES. During the term of this Agreement, the Adviser will pay all
expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement
other than the cost of securities (including brokerage commissions, if any)
purchased for the Fund.
 
     8. COMPENSATION. For the services provided and the expenses assumed
pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust will pay the Adviser from the assets
belonging to the Fund and the Adviser will accept as full compensation therefor
fees, computed daily and paid monthly, at the following annual rate: .75% of the
average daily net assets of the Fund.
 
     The fee attributable to the Fund shall be the several (and not joint and
several) obligations of the Fund.
 
     The fees payable under this Section 8 shall be maintained in an interest-
bearing escrow account until the Fund's shareholders' approve the payment of
such fees to the Adviser. If the Fund's shareholders do not approve the payment
to the Adviser of such fees for such period, the balance in the escrow account
shall be paid to such Fund.
 
     The Fund will not pay the Adviser any fees other than compensation
permitted by the Order issued to the Trust and the Adviser from the Securities
and Exchange Commission related to such compensation.
 
     9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Adviser shall not be liable for any error
of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in
connection with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from
a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for
services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of the
                                       B-5
<PAGE>   40
 
Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement.
 
     10. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement will become effective with
respect to the Fund on March 6, 1998, subject to approval of this Agreement by
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and, unless
sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue in effect until June 29,
1998. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect
with respect to the Fund for successive twelve month periods ending on June 29,
provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the
vote of a majority of those members of the Trust's Board of Trustees who are not
interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the Trust's Board
of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated as to the
Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Trust (by the
Trust's Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the particular Fund), or by the Adviser on 60 days' written
notice. This Agreement will immediately terminate in the event of its
assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms "majority of the outstanding
voting securities," "interested persons" and "assignment" shall have the same
meaning of such terms in the 1940 Act.)
 
     11. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT. No provision of this Agreement may be
changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in
writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought. No amendment of this Agreement shall be
effective with respect to the Fund until approved by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
 
     12. MISCELLANEOUS. The Adviser expressly agrees that notwithstanding the
termination of or failure to continue this Agreement with respect to the Fund,
the Adviser shall continue to be legally bound to provide the services required
herein for the other Funds for the period and on the terms set forth in this
Agreement. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this
Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or
otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and shall be governed by Delaware law.
 
     13. NAMES. The names "ARMADA FUNDS" and "Trustees of ARMADA FUNDS" refer
respectively to the Trust created and the Trustees, as trustees but not
                                       B-6
<PAGE>   41
 
individually or personally, acting from time to time under a Declaration of
Trust dated January 28, 1986 which is hereby referred to and a copy of which is
on file at the office of the State Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and the principal office of the Trust. The obligations of "ARMADA
FUNDS" entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees,
representatives or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and
are not binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, or representatives of
the Trust personally, but bind only the Trust property, and all persons dealing
with any class of shares of the Trust must look solely to the Trust property
belonging to such class for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above
written.
 
                             ARMADA FUNDS
    
                             By:
                                 ---------------------------------------------
 
                             Title:
                                   ------------------------------------------

 
                             NATIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
 
                             By:
                                 ---------------------------------------------
 
                             Title:
                                   ------------------------------------------

 
                                       B-7
<PAGE>   42
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT C
                             NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
                                  ARMADA FUNDS
 
                   CORE EQUITY FUND, ENHANCED INCOME FUND AND
                          TOTAL RETURN ADVANTAGE FUND
 
                               ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
     AGREEMENT made as of March 6, 1998 between ARMADA FUNDS, a Massachusetts
business trust, located in Oaks, Pennsylvania (the "Trust") and NATIONAL CITY
BANK located in Cleveland, Ohio (the "Adviser").
 
     WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end, management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"); and
 
     WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Adviser as investment adviser to
the Core Equity, Enhanced Income and Total Return Advantage Funds (the "Funds");
 
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, it is agreed among the parties hereto as follows:
 
     1. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Adviser acknowledges that it has received
copies of each of the following:
 
          (a) The Trust's Declaration of Trust, as filed with the State
              Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on January 29, 1986
              and all amendments thereto (such Declaration of Trust, as
              presently in effect and as it shall from time to time be amended,
              is herein called the "Declaration of Trust");
 
          (b) The Trust's Code of Regulations, and amendments thereto (such Code
              of Regulations, as presently in effect and as it shall from time
              to time be amended, is herein called the "Code of Regulations");
 
          (c) Resolutions of the Trust's Board of Trustees authorizing the
              appointment of the Adviser and approving this Agreement;
 
          (d) The Trust's Notification of Registration on Form N-8A under the
              1940 Act as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
              ("SEC") on September 26, 1985 and all amendments thereto;
 
                                       C-1
<PAGE>   43
 
          (e) The Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the
              Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act") (File No. 33-488)
              and under the 1940 Act as filed with the SEC on September 26, 1985
              and all amendments thereto; and
 
          (f) The Trust's most recent prospectuses and statements of additional
              information with respect to the Funds (such prospectuses and
              statements of additional information, as presently in effect and
              all amendments and supplements thereto are herein called
              individually, a "Prospectus," and collectively, the
              "Prospectuses").
 
     The Trust will furnish the Adviser from time to time with execution copies
of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing.
 
     2. SERVICES. The Trust hereby appoints the Adviser to act as investment
adviser to the Funds for the period and on the terms set forth in this
Agreement. Intending to be legally bound, the Adviser accepts such appointment
and agrees to furnish the services required herein to the Funds for the
compensation hereinafter provided.
 
     Subject to the supervision of the Trust's Board of Trustees, the Adviser
will provide a continuous investment program for each Fund, including investment
research and management with respect to all securities and investments and cash
equivalents in each Fund. The Adviser will determine from time to time what
securities and other investments will be purchased, retained or sold by each
Fund. The Adviser will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance
with each Fund's investment objective, policies, and restrictions as stated in
the Prospectus and resolutions of the Trust's Board of Trustees applicable to
such Fund.
 
     3. SUBCONTRACTORS. It is understood that the Adviser may from time to time
employ or associate with itself such person or persons as the Adviser may
believe to be particularly fitted to assist in the performance of this
Agreement; provided, however, that the compensation of such person or persons
shall be paid by the Adviser and that the Adviser shall be as fully responsible
to the Trust for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as it is for its
own acts and omissions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is
agreed that investment advisory service to any Fund may be provided by a
subcontractor agreeable to the Adviser and approved in accordance with the
provision of the 1940 Act. Any such sub-advisers are hereinafter referred to as
the "Sub-Advisers." In the event that any Sub-Adviser appointed hereunder with
respect to a Fund is terminated, the Adviser may provide investment advisory
services pursuant to this Agreement to the Fund without further shareholder
approval. Notwithstanding the employment of any Sub-Adviser
 
                                       C-2
<PAGE>   44
 
with respect to a Fund, the Adviser shall in all events: (a) establish and
monitor general investment criteria and policies for the Fund; (b) review
investments in the Fund on a periodic basis for compliance with its investment
objective, policies and restrictions as stated in the Prospectus; (c) review
periodically any Sub-Adviser's policies with respect to the placement of orders
for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities; (d) review, monitor, analyze
and report to the Board of Trustees on the performance of any Sub-Adviser; (e)
furnish to the Board of Trustees or any Sub-Adviser, reports, statistics and
economic information as may be reasonably requested; and (f) recommend, either
in its sole discretion or in conjunction with any Sub-Adviser, potential changes
in investment policy. Pursuant to this paragraph, on the date hereof, the
Adviser has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with National Asset Management
Corporation with respect to the Core Equity Fund and Total Return Advantage
Fund.
 
     4. COVENANTS BY ADVISER. The Adviser agrees with respect to the services
provided to each Fund that it:
 
          (a) will comply with all applicable Rules and Regulations of the SEC
              and will in addition conduct its activities under this Agreement
              in accordance with other applicable law;
 
          (b) will use the same skill and care in providing such services as it
              uses in providing services to similar fiduciary accounts for which
              it has investment responsibilities;
 
          (c) will not make loans to any person to purchase or carry shares in
              the Funds, or make interest-bearing loans to the Trust or the
              Funds;
 
          (d) will maintain a policy and practice of conducting its investment
              management activities independently of the Commercial Departments
              of all banking affiliates. In making investment recommendations
              for the Funds, personnel will not inquire or take into
              consideration whether the issuers (or related supporting
              institutions) of securities proposed for purchase or sale for the
              Funds' accounts are customers of the Commercial Department. In
              dealing with commercial customers, the Commercial Department will
              not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of those
              customers are held by the Funds;
 
          (e) will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for
              the Funds either directly with the issuer or with any broker or
              dealer. In selecting brokers or dealers for executing portfolio
              transactions, the Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on
              behalf of the Trust and each Fund the best overall terms
              available. In assessing the best
                                       C-3
<PAGE>   45
 
              overall terms available for any transaction the Adviser shall
              consider all factors it deems relevant, including the breadth of
              the market in the security, the price of the security, the
              financial condition and execution capability of the broker or
              dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, both for
              the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating
              the best overall terms available, and in selecting the broker or
              dealer to execute a particular transaction, the Adviser may also
              consider the brokerage and research services (as those terms are
              defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
              as amended) provided to any Fund and/or other accounts over which
              the Adviser or any affiliate of the Adviser exercises investment
              discretion. The Adviser is authorized, subject to the prior
              approval of the Board, to negotiate and pay to a broker or dealer
              who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for
              executing a portfolio transaction for any Fund which is in excess
              of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have
              charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the
              Adviser determines in good faith that such commission was
              reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
              services provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of that
              particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities
              of the Adviser with respect to the accounts as to which it
              exercises investment discretion. In no instance will fund
              securities be purchased from or sold to the Adviser, any
              Sub-Adviser, SEI Investments Distribution Co. ("SEI") (or any
              other principal underwriter to the Trust) or an affiliated person
              of either the Trust, the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, or SEI (or such
              other principal underwriter) unless permitted by an order of the
              SEC or applicable rules. In executing portfolio transactions for
              any Fund, the Adviser may, but shall not be obligated to, to the
              extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, aggregate the
              securities to be sold or purchased with those of other Funds and
              its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with
              the policies set forth in the Trust's registration statement. In
              such event, the Adviser will allocate the securities so purchased
              or sold, and the expenses incurred in the transaction, in the
              manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent with
              its fiduciary obligations to the Funds and such other clients;
 
          (f) will maintain all books and records with respect to the securities
              transactions for the Funds and furnish the Trust's Board of
              Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Board may
              request; and
 
                                       C-4
<PAGE>   46
 
          (g) will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the
              Trust all records and other information relative to the Funds and
              prior, present or potential shareholders, and will not use such
              records and information for any purpose other than performance of
              its responsibilities and duties hereunder (except after prior
              notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, which
              approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be
              withheld and will be deemed granted where the Adviser may be
              exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to
              comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly
              constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Trust).
 
     5. SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE. The services furnished by the Adviser hereunder
are deemed not to be exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to furnish similar
services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired
thereby.
 
     6. BOOKS AND RECORDS. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3
under the 1940 Act, the Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it
maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust and further agrees to
surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's request.
The Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2
under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the
1940 Act.
 
     7. EXPENSES. During the term of this Agreement, the Adviser will pay all
expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement
other than the cost of securities (including brokerage commissions, if any)
purchased for the Funds.
 
     8. COMPENSATION. For the services provided and the expenses assumed
pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust will pay the Adviser from the assets
belonging to the Fund and the Adviser will accept as full compensation therefor
fees, computed daily and paid monthly, at the following annual rates: .75% of
the average daily net assets of the Core Equity Fund; .45% of the average daily
net assets of the Enhanced Income Fund; and .55% of the average daily net assets
of the Total Return Advantage Fund.
 
     The fee attributable to each Fund shall be the several (and not joint or
joint and several) obligation of each Fund.
 
     9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Adviser shall not be liable for any error
of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in
connection with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from
a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for
services or a loss
                                       C-5
<PAGE>   47
 
resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of
the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of
its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
 
     10. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement will become effective with
respect to each Fund upon approval of this Agreement by vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and, unless sooner terminated as
provided herein, shall continue in effect until September 30, 1999. Thereafter,
if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the
Fund for successive twelve month periods ending on September 30, provided such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a
majority of those members of the Trust's Board of Trustees who are not
interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the Trust's Board
of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
Funds. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated as to the
Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Trust (by the
Trust's Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the particular Fund), or by the Adviser on 60 days' written
notice. This Agreement will immediately terminate in the event of its
assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms "majority of the outstanding
voting securities," "interested persons" and "assignment" shall have the same
meaning of such terms in the 1940 Act.)
 
     11. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT. No provision of this Agreement may be
changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in
writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought. No amendment of this Agreement shall be
effective with respect to the Fund until approved by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
 
     12. MISCELLANEOUS. The Adviser expressly agrees that notwithstanding the
termination of or failure to continue this Agreement with respect to a the Fund,
the Adviser shall continue to be legally bound to provide the services required
herein for the other Funds for the period and on the terms set forth in this
Agreement. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this
Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or
otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and shall be governed by Delaware law.
 
                                       C-6
<PAGE>   48
 
     13. NAMES. The names "ARMADA FUNDS" and "Trustees of ARMADA FUNDS" refer
respectively to the Trust created and the Trustees, as trustees but not
individually or personally, acting from time to time under a Declaration of
Trust dated January 28, 1986 which is hereby referred to and a copy of which is
on file at the office of the State Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and the principal office of the Trust. The obligations of "ARMADA
FUNDS" entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees,
representatives or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and
are not binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, or representatives of
the Trust personally, but bind only the Trust property, and all persons dealing
with any class of shares of the Trust must look solely to the Trust property
belonging to such class for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above
written.
 
                             ARMADA FUNDS
 
                             By:
                                 ---------------------------------------------
 
                             Title:
                                   ------------------------------------------
 

                             NATIONAL CITY BANK
 
                             By:
                                 ---------------------------------------------
 
                             Title:
                                   ------------------------------------------


 
                                       C-7
<PAGE>   49
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT D
                             SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
                                  ARMADA FUNDS
 
                                CORE EQUITY FUND
                          TOTAL RETURN ADVANTAGE FUND
 
                             SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
     AGREEMENT made as of March 6, 1998 between NATIONAL CITY BANK (the
"Adviser"), and NATIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION (the "Sub-Adviser").
 
     WHEREAS, ARMADA FUNDS, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), is
registered as an open-end, management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"); and
 
     WHEREAS, pursuant to an Advisory Agreement dated March 6, 1998 (the
"Advisory Agreement") by and between the Trust and the Adviser, the Trust has
appointed the Adviser to furnish the investment advisory and other services to
the Trust for its Core Equity and Total Return Advantage Funds and the Adviser
has agreed thereto; and
 
     WHEREAS, the Advisory Agreement authorizes the Adviser to subcontract
investment advisory services with respect to the Funds to the Sub-Adviser; and
 
     WHEREAS, the Adviser desires to retain the Sub-Adviser to furnish
investment advisory services to the Trust with respect to the Core Equity and
Total Return Advantage Funds (the "Funds") and the Sub-Adviser is willing to so
furnish such services;
 
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
 
     1. APPOINTMENT AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS.
 
          (a) Intending to be legally bound, the Adviser, with the approval of
              the Trust, hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser to act as investment
              adviser to the Funds for the period and on the terms set forth in
              this Agreement. Intending to be legally bound, the Sub-Adviser
              accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services herein
              set forth for the compensation herein provided.
 
                                       D-1
<PAGE>   50
 
          (b) The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that it has received copies of the
              Trust's most recent prospectuses and statements of additional
              information with respect to the Funds.
 
     2. SERVICES OF SUB-ADVISER. The Sub-Adviser agrees that with respect to
each Fund it shall:
 
          (a) Subject to the supervision of the Trust's Board of Trustees,
              assist the Adviser in providing a continuous investment program
              for each such Fund, including investment research and management
              with respect to all securities, investments, cash and cash
              equivalents in the Funds. The Sub-Adviser will assist the Adviser
              in determining from time to time what securities and other
              investments will be purchased, retained or sold by each such Fund.
              The Sub-Adviser will provide the services rendered by it under
              this Agreement in accordance with each Fund's investment
              objective, policies, and restrictions as stated in the Prospectus
              and Statement of Additional Information and resolutions of the
              Trust's Board of Trustees applicable to such Fund;
 
          (b) Transmit trades to the Trust's custodian for proper settlement;
 
          (c) Prepare a quarterly broker security transaction summary and
              monthly security transaction listing for the Funds;
 
          (d) Maintain all books and records with respect to the Funds'
              securities transactions effected by it as required by
              subparagraphs (b)(5), (6), (7), (9), (10) and (11) and paragraph
              (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act; and
 
          (e) Supply the Trust and its Board of Trustees with reports and
              statistical data as reasonably requested.
 
     3. OTHER COVENANTS. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it:
 
          (a) will comply with all applicable Rules and Regulations of the
              Securities and Exchange Commission and will in addition conduct
              its activities under this Agreement in accordance with other
              applicable law;
 
          (b) will use the same skill and care in providing such services as it
              uses in providing services to similar fiduciary accounts for which
              it has investment responsibilities;
 
          (c) will not make loans to any person to purchase or carry shares in
              the Funds or make interest-bearing loans to the Trust or the
              Funds;
 
                                       D-2
<PAGE>   51
 
          (d) will maintain a policy and practice of conducting its investment
              advisory services hereunder independently of the commercial
              banking operations of any affiliated person of the Adviser. In
              making investment recommendations for the Funds, the Sub-Adviser's
              personnel will not inquire or take into consideration whether the
              issuers (or related supporting institutions) of securities
              proposed for purchase or sale for each such Fund's account are
              customers of the commercial department of any affiliated person of
              the Adviser;
 
          (e) in connection with its duties under paragraph 2 of this Agreement,
              will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for
              the Funds either directly with the issuer or with any broker or
              dealer. In selecting brokers or dealers for executing portfolio
              transactions, the Sub-Adviser will use its best efforts to seek on
              behalf of the Funds the best overall terms available. In assessing
              the best overall terms available for any transaction the
              Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors it deems relevant,
              including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of
              the security, the financial condition and execution capability of
              the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if
              any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis.
              In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting
              the broker or dealer to execute a particular transaction, the
              Sub-Adviser may also consider the brokerage and research services
              (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities
              Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) provided to any Fund and/or
              other accounts over which the Sub-Adviser or any affiliate of the
              Sub-Adviser exercises investment discretion. The Sub-Adviser is
              authorized, subject to the prior approval of the Board, to
              negotiate and pay to a broker or dealer who provides such
              brokerage and research services a commission for executing a
              portfolio transaction for the Funds which is in excess of the
              amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged
              for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Sub-Adviser
              determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in
              relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
              provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of that
              particular transaction or in terms of the overall responsibilities
              of the Sub-Adviser with respect to the accounts as to which it
              exercises investment discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
              prior approval by the Board shall be required so long as the
              broker or dealer selected by the Sub-Adviser provides best price
              and execution on a particular transaction. In no instance will
              Fund securities be
 
                                       D-3
<PAGE>   52
 
              purchased from or sold to the Adviser, any Sub-Adviser, SEI
              Investments Distribution Co. ("SEI") (or any other principal
              underwriter to the Trust) or an affiliated person of either the
              Trust, the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, or SEI (or such other principal
              underwriter) unless permitted by an order of the SEC or applicable
              rules. In executing portfolio transactions for the Funds, the
              Sub-Adviser may, but shall not be obligated to, to the extent
              permitted by applicable laws and regulations, aggregate the
              securities to be sold or purchased with those of other Funds and
              its other clients where such aggregation is not inconsistent with
              the policies set forth in the Trust's registration statement. In
              such event, the Sub-Adviser will allocate the securities so
              purchased or sold, and the expenses incurred in the transaction,
              in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent
              with its fiduciary obligations to the Funds and such other
              clients; and
 
          (f) will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the
              Trust all records and other information relative to the Funds and
              prior, present or potential shareholders, and will not use such
              records and information for any purpose other than performance of
              its responsibilities and duties hereunder (except after prior
              notification to and approval in writing by the Trust, which
              approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be
              withheld and will be deemed granted where the Sub-Adviser may be
              exposed to civil or criminal intent proceedings for failure to
              comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly
              constituted authorities or when so requested by the Trust).
 
     4. SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE. The services furnished by the Sub-Adviser
hereunder are deemed not to be exclusive, and the Sub-Adviser shall be free to
furnish similar services to others so long as its services under this Agreement
are not impaired thereby. The Adviser acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser may give
advice and take action in the performance of its duties with respect to any of
its other clients which may differ from advice given, or the time or nature of
action taken, with respect to the Funds.
 
     5. BOOKS AND RECORDS. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3
under the 1940 Act, the Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it
maintains for the Funds are the property of the Trust and further agrees to
surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust's written
request; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain a copy of such
records. The Sub-Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed
by Rule 31a-2
 
                                       D-4
<PAGE>   53
 
under the 1940 Act any such records required to be maintained by it pursuant to
paragraph 2(d) of this Agreement.
 
     6. EXPENSES. During the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will pay
all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this
Agreement other than the cost of securities, commodities and other investments
(including brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, if any) purchased
or sold for any Funds.
 
     7. COMPENSATION. For the services provided and the expenses assumed
pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser and the Sub-
Adviser will accept as full compensation therefor a fee, computed daily and
payable monthly, of .32% and .16% of the average daily net assets of the Core
Equity Fund and the Total Return Advantage Fund, respectively.
 
     8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any
error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in
connection with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from
a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for
services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its duties or
from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this
Agreement.
 
     9. DURATION AND TERMINATION. This Agreement will become effective with
respect to each Fund upon approval of this Agreement by vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of each such Fund, and, unless sooner
terminated as provided herein, shall continue in effect until September 30,
1999. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall automatically continue
in effect as to a particular Fund for successive twelve month periods ending on
September 30, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually (a) by the vote of a majority of those members of the Trust's Board of
Trustees who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b)
by the Trust's Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the particular Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
Agreement may be terminated as to any Fund at any time, without the payment of
any penalty, by the Adviser or by the Trust (by vote of the Trust's Board of
Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
particular Fund) on sixty days' written notice to the Sub-Adviser, or by the
SubAdviser, on sixty days' written notice to the Trust, provided that in each
such case, notice shall be given simultaneously to the Adviser. In addition,
notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event of the termination
of the Advisory Agreement with respect to a particular Fund for any reason
(whether by the Trust, by the Adviser or by operation of law) this Agreement
shall terminate with respect to the same Fund upon the effective date of such
termination of the
                                       D-5
<PAGE>   54
 
Advisory Agreement. This Agreement will immediately terminate in the event of
its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms "majority of the
outstanding voting securities," "interested persons" and "assignment" shall have
the same meaning as such terms have in the 1940 Act.)
 
     10. AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT. No provision of this Agreement may be
changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in
writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought. No amendment of this Agreement shall be
effective as to a particular Fund until approved by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of such Fund.
 
     11. MISCELLANEOUS. The Sub-Adviser expressly agrees that notwithstanding
the termination of or failure to continue this Agreement with respect to a
particular Fund, Sub-Adviser shall continue to be legally bound to provide the
services required herein for any other Funds to which it is Sub-Adviser pursuant
to this Agreement for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement.
 
     During the term of this Agreement, the Adviser agrees to furnish the
SubAdviser at its principal office all Prospectuses, proxy statements, reports
to shareholders, sales literature or other materials prepared for distribution
to shareholders of the Funds, the Adviser, broker-dealers or the public that
refer to the Sub-Adviser. Sub-Adviser shall consent to such materials unless it
reasonably objects in writing within five business days (or such other period as
may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. The Sub-Adviser's right to object
to such materials is limited to the portions of the materials that expressly
relate to the Sub-Adviser, its services and its clients. The Adviser agrees to
use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that materials prepared by its
employees or agents or affiliates that refer to the SubAdviser or its clients in
any way are consistent with those materials previously approved by the
Sub-Adviser.
 
     The captions in the Agreement are included for convenience of reference
only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the
remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall
be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and shall be governed by Delaware law.
 
     12. NAMES. The names "ARMADA FUNDS" and "Trustees of ARMADA FUNDS" refer
respectively to the Trust created and the Trustees, as trustees but not
individually or personally, acting from time to time under an Declaration of
Trust dated January 28, 1986 which is hereby referred to and a copy of which is
on file at
 
                                       D-6
<PAGE>   55
 
the office of the State Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the
principal office of the Trust. The obligations of "ARMADA FUNDS" entered into in
the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, representatives or agents
are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any
of the Trustees, shareholders or representatives of the Trust personally, but
bind only the Trust Property, and all persons dealing with any class of shares
of the Trust must look solely to the Trust Property belonging to such class for
the enforcement of any claims against the Trust.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above
written.
 
                             NATIONAL CITY BANK
 
                             By:
                                 ---------------------------------------------
 
                             Title:
                                   ------------------------------------------


 
                             NATIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
 
                             By:
                                 ---------------------------------------------
 
                             Title:
                                   ------------------------------------------


 
                                       D-7
<PAGE>   56
                  PLEASE VOTE YOUR PROXY TODAY AND RETURN IT
                    IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
        PROMPT RESPONSE WILL SAVE THE EXPENSE OF ADDITIONAL MAILINGS.

     IF IT IS MORE CONVENIENT, YOU MAY FAX YOUR SIGNED PROXY TOLL-FREE TO
                                1-888-451-8683

                 PLEASE BE SURE TO FAX BOTH SIDES OF THE CARD.
                                       ----------

Please fold and detach card at perforation below.  Return bottom portion of
card only.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    ARMADA FUNDS
                                                                           PROXY

     THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST
             FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, JUNE 29, 1998

The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Kathryn Stanton and Michael
Bellopede or either of them, with full power of substitution, as attorneys and  
proxies to appear and vote all of the shares of beneficial interests standing   
in the name of the undersigned at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of Armada
Funds to be held at One Freedom Valley Drive, Boardroom B, Oaks, Pennsylvania
19456, on the 29th day of June, 1998 at 11:00 a.m., local time, and at any and
all adjournments thereof, and the undersigned hereby instructs said attorneys
to vote as indicated on the reverse side. If any other matters properly come
before the meeting about which the proxy holders were not aware prior to the
time of solicitation, authorization is given the proxy holders to vote in
accordance with the views of the management thereto. The management is not
aware of any such matters.

                                               Date:_____________________ , 1998

                                                    PLEASE  SIGN IN BOX BELOW
                                                   AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD
                                                    IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

                                               Signature of all joint owners is 
                                               required. Fiduciaries please
                                               indicate your full title.
                                               _________________________________
                                              |                                |
                                              |                                |
                                              |                                |
                                              |________________________________|
                                               Signature(s) Title(s), if        
                                               applicable                    NAM


<PAGE>   57
                  PLEASE VOTE YOUR PROXY TODAY AND RETURN IT
                    IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
        PROMPT RESPONSE WILL SAVE THE EXPENSE OF ADDITIONAL MAILINGS.

     IF IT IS MORE CONVENIENT, YOU MAY FAX YOUR SIGNED PROXY TOLL-FREE TO
                                1-888-451-8683

                 PLEASE BE SURE TO FAX BOTH SIDES OF THE CARD.
                                       ----------

Please fold and detach card at perforation below.  Return bottom portion of
card only.

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

     THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED IN THE
     FOLLOWING ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3 BUT IF NO CHOICE IF SPECIFIED, THEY WILL BE
    VOTED FOR THE INTERIM ADVISORY AGREEMENTS ATTACHED AS EXHIBITS A AND B TO
    THE PROXY STATEMENT, FOR THE NEW ADVISORY AGREEMENT ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT C
      TO THE PROXY STATEMENT AND FOR THE SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT ATTACHED AS
                        EXHIBIT D TO THE PROXY STATEMENT.

            PLEASE VOTE BY FILLING IN THE APPROPRIATE BOX(ES) BELOW.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        FOR         AGAINST     ABSTAIN

<S>                                                                     <C>           <C>          <C>
1.   FOR ALL FUNDS: The approval of the Interim Advisory                [ ]           [ ]          [ ]
     Agreement between Armada Funds and National Asset Management
     Corporation ("NAM")

2.   FOR ALL FUNDS: The approval of the New Advisory Agreement          [ ]           [ ]          [ ]
     between Armada Funds and National City Bank

3.   FOR CORE EQUITY AND TOTAL RETURN ADVANTAGE FUNDS ONLY: The         [ ]           [ ]          [ ]
     approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement between National City
     Bank and NAM

                                                                         |_            |_           |_
     Upon any other business which may properly come before the
     meeting or any adjournment thereof. The management knows of
     no such other business.
</TABLE>
                                                                             NAM


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