As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about October 20,
2000
Securities Act Registration No. 33-7603
Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-4770
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [ ]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 [ X ]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [ ]
Amendment No. 32 [ X ]
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
STRONG MUNICIPAL FUNDS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
100 Heritage Reserve
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (414) 359-3400
Elizabeth N. Cohernour
Strong Capital Management, Inc.
100 Heritage Reserve
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate
box):
[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
[ X ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
If appropriate, check the following box:
[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective
date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
This Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement of Strong
Municipal Funds, Inc., which is currently comprised of three Funds, relates
only to Strong Tax-Exempt Municipal Money Market Fund, which is being added
through this Amendment. This Post-Effective Amendment does not relate to,
amend, supersede, or
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otherwise affect the separate Prospectuses and Statements of Additional
Information contained in Post-Effective Amendments No. 26, No. 27, No. 28, and
No. 29
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THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY
NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN
OFFER TO SELL SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATE OF ISSUANCE: OCTOBER 20, 2000
[Strong logo and picture of man and two children fishing]
prospectus
THE STRONG TAX-EXEMPT
MUNICIPAL MONEY
MARKET FUND
_________, 2000
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC) HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF
THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Your Investment.................................................................
Key Information.................................................................
What are the fund's goals?......................................................
What are the fund's principal investment strategies?............................
What are the main risks of investing in the fund?...............................
What are the fund's fees and expenses?..........................................
Who are the fund's investment advisor and portfolio manager?....................
Other Important Information You Should Know.....................................
A Word About Credit Quality.....................................................
Taxable Investments.............................................................
If You Are Subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax...............................
Financial Highlights............................................................
Your Account....................................................................
Share Price.....................................................................
Buying Shares...................................................................
Selling Shares..................................................................
Additional Policies.............................................................
Distributions...................................................................
Taxes...........................................................................
Services For Investors..........................................................
Reserved Rights................................................................
For More Information.................................................Back Cover
IN THIS PROSPECTUS, "WE" OR "US" REFERS TO STRONG CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC., THE
INVESTMENT ADVISOR, ADMINISTRATOR, AND TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE STRONG FUNDS.
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YOUR INVESTMENT
KEY INFORMATION
WHAT ARE THE FUND'S GOALS?
The STRONG TAX-EXEMPT MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND seeks federally tax-exempt
current income, a stable share price, and daily liquidity.
WHAT ARE THE FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES?
The TAX-EXEMPT MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND is managed to provide a stable share
price of $1.00. The fund invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80%
of its assets in short-term, high-quality municipal obligations whose interest
is exempt from federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum
tax (AMT). Although under normal market conditions, the fund expects to invest
substantially all of its assets in obligations that are exempt from federal
income tax, including the AMT, the fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in
taxable securities of comparable quality to its investments in municipal
obligations, including U.S. government securities, bank and corporate
obligations, and short-term fixed securities. The fund may also invest any
amount in cash or taxable cash equivalents to the extent the manager cannot
obtain suitable obligations that are exempt from federal income tax, including
the AMT. The average maturity of the fund will normally be 90 days or less.
The manager may sell a holding if its fundamental qualities deteriorate, or to
take advantage of more attractive yield opportunities.
((Side Box))
Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest at least 80% of its assets
in municipal obligations. MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS are debt obligations issued by
or for U.S. states, territories, and possessions and the District of Columbia
and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities. Municipal
obligations can be issued to obtain money for public purposes or for privately
operated facilities or projects. Some municipal obligations pay interest which
is exempt from federal income tax. Examples of municipal obligations are
general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial development bonds, notes,
and municipal lease obligations.
The fund anticipates that substantially all of the income that it pays will be
exempt from federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax
(AMT). To the extent the fund holds taxable securities or securities subject
to the federal alternative minimum tax, some income the fund pays may be
taxable. In addition, income from the fund may be subject to state and local
taxes.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND?
NOT INSURED: Your investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency.
The fund's goal is to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share.
However, it is possible to lose money by investing in this fund.
INVESTMENT RISK: Economic, business, or political developments may affect the
ability of municipal issuers to repay principal and to make interest payments.
This could result in fluctuations in the fund's returns.
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MANAGEMENT RISK: The fund is subject to management risk because it is actively
managed. There is no guarantee that the investment techniques and risk
analyses used by the managers will produce the desired results.
The fund is appropriate for investors who are comfortable with the risks
described here and who need cash immediately. It can also be used as a
permanent conservative part of your portfolio.
The bar chart and performance table are not presented because the fund is new
and did not begin operations until
____________, 2000.
WHAT ARE THE FUND'S FEES AND EXPENSES?
This section describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and
hold shares of the fund.
SHAREHOLDER FEES
(fees paid directly from your investment)
The fund is 100% no-load, so you pay no sales charges (loads) to buy or sell
shares.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that are deducted from fund assets)
The costs of operating the fund are deducted from fund assets, which means you
pay them indirectly. These costs are deducted before computing the daily share
price or making distributions. As a result, they don't appear on your account
statement, but instead reduce the total return you receive from your fund
investment.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENT OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
Management Fees 0.50%
Other Expenses
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
EXAMPLE: This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in
the fund, before fee waivers and expense absorptions, with the cost of
investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in
the fund and reinvest all dividends and distributions for the time periods
indicated, and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The
example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that
the fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may
be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
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1 YEAR 3 YEARS
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WHO ARE THE FUND'S INVESTMENT ADVISOR AND PORTFOLIO MANAGER?
Strong Capital Management, Inc. (Strong) is the investment advisor for the
fund. Strong provides investment management services for mutual funds and other
investment portfolios representing assets, as of __________, 2000, of over $__
billion. Strong began conducting business in 1974. Since then, its principal
business has been providing investment advice for individuals and institutional
accounts, such as pension and profit-sharing plans, as well as mutual funds,
several of which are available through variable insurance products. Strong's
address is P.O. Box 2936, Milwaukee, WI 53201.
JOHN C. BONNELL manages the fund. He has over ten years of investment
experience and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. He joined Strong as a
portfolio manager in May 1999 and has managed the fund since its inception in
December 2000. For ten years prior to joining Strong, Mr. Bonnell worked at
USAA Investment Management Company, most recently serving as an executive
director and portfolio manager. From 1995 to 1996, he was a senior securities
analyst and from 1991 to 1995 he served as a securities analyst. Mr. Bonnell
received his bachelors degree in Finance from the University of Texas in 1987
and his Masters of Business Administration from St. Mary's University in 1991.
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OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW
A WORD ABOUT CREDIT QUALITY
CREDIT QUALITY measures the issuer's expected ability to pay interest and
principal payments on time. Credit quality can be "higher-quality",
"medium-quality", "lower-quality", or "in default". The fund only invests in
securities with a "higher-quality" rating. HIGHER-QUALITY means bonds that are
in any of the three highest rating categories. For example, bonds rated AAA to
A by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group (S&P)*.
* OR THOSE RATED IN THIS CATEGORY BY ANY NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STATISTICAL
RATING ORGANIZATION. S&P IS ONLY ONE EXAMPLE OF A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
STATISTICAL RATING ORGANIZATION.
This chart shows S&P's definition and ratings group for credit quality. Other
rating organizations use similar definitions.
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CREDIT S&P'S S&P'S RATINGS RATING
QUALITY DEFINITION GROUP CATEGORY
---------- ------------------ --------------- ---------------
Higher Highest quality AAA First highest
High quality AA Second highest
Upper medium grade A Third highest
</TABLE>
We determine a bond's credit quality rating at the time of investment by
conducting credit research and analysis and by relying on credit ratings of
several nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. These
organizations are called NRSROs. When we determine if a bond is in a specific
category, we may use the highest rating assigned to it by any NRSRO. If a bond
is not rated, we rely on our credit research and analysis to rate the bond. If
a bond's credit quality rating is downgraded after our investment, we monitor
the situation to decide if we need to take any action such as selling the bond.
Typically, municipal bonds are not rated. This means that investments in
municipal bonds may require more credit analysis by us than investments in
taxable bonds.
TAXABLE INVESTMENTS
The fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in U.S. government and corporate
bonds, and other debt securities that are of the same quality as the fund's
investments in municipal bonds. These bonds may produce taxable income,
including income subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT), and
income subject to state and local taxes.
YOUR ACCOUNT
SHARE PRICE
Your transaction price for buying, selling, or exchanging shares of the fund is
the net asset value per share (NAV) for the fund. NAV is generally calculated
as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 3:00 p.m.
Central Time) every day the NYSE is open. If the NYSE closes at any other
time, or if an emergency exists, NAV may be calculated at a different time.
Your share price will be the next NAV calculated after we accept your order.
We use amortized cost to value money market securities held by the fund.
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((Side Box))
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When we use AMORTIZED COST to value money market
fund securities, we generally mean that the security is
initially valued at the price we paid for it. After that, the
value of the security is gradually increased (amortizing a
discount) or decreased (amortizing a premium) each day
without regard to fluctuating interest rates.
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((Side Box))
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We determine the share price or NAV of the fund by
dividing net assets attributable to the fund (the value of
the investments, cash, and other assets attributable to the
fund minus the liabilities attributable to the fund) by the
number of fund shares outstanding.
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</TABLE>
BUYING SHARES
INVESTMENT MINIMUMS: When buying shares, you must meet the following investment
minimum requirements.
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INITIAL INVESTMENT ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT
MINIMUM MINIMUM
----------------------------- ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Regular accounts $2,500 $50
----------------------------- ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Education IRA accounts $500 $50
----------------------------- ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Other IRAs and $250 $50
UGMA/UTMA accounts
----------------------------- ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
SIMPLE IRA, SEP-IRA, the lesser of $250 or $25 per month $50
403(b)(7), Keogh, Pension
Plan, and Profit Sharing Plan
accounts
----------------------------- ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
</TABLE>
PLEASE REMEMBER ...
- You cannot use an Automatic Investment Plan with an Education IRA.
- If you open a qualified retirement plan account where we or one of our
alliance partners provides administrative services, there is no initial
investment minimum.
BUYING INSTRUCTIONS
You can buy shares in several ways.
MAIL
You can open or add to an account by mail with a check made payable to Strong.
Send it to the address listed on the back of this prospectus, along with your
account application (for a new account) or an Additional Investment Form (for
an existing account).
EXCHANGE OPTION
Sign up for the exchange option when you open your account. To add this
option to an existing account, visit the Investor Services area at
WWW.ESTRONG.COM or call 800-368-3863 for a Shareholder Account Options Form.
((Side Box))
QUESTIONS?
Call 800-368-3863
24 hours a day,
7 days a week
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EXPRESS PURCHASESM
You can make additional investments to your existing account directly from
your bank account. If you didn't establish this option when you opened your
account, visit the Investor Services area at WWW.ESTRONG.COM or call us at
800-368-3863 for a Shareholder Account Options Form.
STRONG DIRECT(R)
You can use Strong Direct(R) to add to your investment from your bank account
or to exchange shares between Strong Funds by calling 800-368-7550. See
"Services for Investors" for more information.
STRONG NETDIRECT(R)
You can use Strong netDirect(R) at WWW.ESTRONG.COM, to add to your investment
from your bank account or to exchange shares between Strong Funds. See
"Services for Investors" for more information.
INVESTOR CENTERS
You can visit our Investor Center in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, near
Milwaukee. Call 800-368-3863 for hours and directions, or for the location of
our other Investor Centers.
WIRE
Call 800-368-3863 for instructions before wiring funds either to open or add
to an account. This helps to ensure that your account will be credited
promptly and correctly.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT SERVICES
See "Services for Investors" for detailed information on all of our automatic
investment services. You can sign up for these plans when you open your
account or you can add them later by visiting the Investor Services area at
WWW.ESTRONG.COM or by calling 800-368-3863 for the appropriate form.
BROKER-DEALER
You may purchase shares through a broker-dealer or other intermediary who may
charge you a fee. Broker-dealers, including the fund's distributor, and other
intermediaries may also from time to time sponsor or participate in promotional
programs pursuant to which investors receive incentives for establishing with
the broker-dealer or intermediary an account and/or for purchasing shares of
the Strong Funds through the account(s). Investors should contact the
broker-dealer or intermediary and consult the Statement of Additional
Information for more information about promotional programs.
PLEASE REMEMBER . . .
- We only accept checks payable to Strong.
- We do not accept cash, third-party checks, credit card convenience checks, or
checks drawn on banks outside the U.S.
- You will be charged $20 for every check, wire, or Electronic Funds Transfer
returned unpaid.
SELLING SHARES
You can access the money in your account by selling (also called redeeming)
some or all of your shares by one of the methods below. After your redemption
request is accepted, we normally send you the proceeds on the next business
day.
SELLING INSTRUCTIONS
You can sell shares in several ways.
MAIL
Write a letter of instruction. It should specify your account number, the
dollar amount or number of shares you wish to redeem, the names and signatures
of the owners (or other authorized persons), and your mailing address. Then,
mail it to the address listed on the back of this prospectus.
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REDEMPTION OPTION
Sign up for the redemption option when you open your account or add it later
by visiting the Investor Services area at WWW.ESTRONG.COM or by calling
800-368-3863 to request a Shareholder Account Options Form. With this option,
you may sell shares by phone or via the Internet and receive the proceeds in
one of three ways:
(1) We can mail a check to your account's address. Checks will not
be forwarded by the Postal Service, so please notify us if your address
has changed.
(2) We can transmit the proceeds by Electronic Funds Transfer to a
properly pre-authorized bank account. The proceeds usually will arrive at
your bank two banking days after we process your redemption.
(3) For a $10 fee, we can transmit the proceeds by wire to a properly
pre-authorized bank account. The proceeds usually will arrive at your
bank the first banking day after we process your redemption.
STRONG DIRECT(R)
You can redeem shares through Strong Direct(R) at 800-368-7550. See "Services
for Investors" for more information.
STRONG NETDIRECT(R)
You can use Strong netDirect(R) at WWW.ESTRONG.COM, to redeem shares. See
"Services for Investors" for more information.
INVESTOR CENTERS
You can visit our Investor Center in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, near
Milwaukee. Call 800-368-3863 for hours and directions, or for the location of
our other Investor Centers.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
You can set up automatic withdrawals from your account at regular intervals.
You can sign up for this service when you open your account, or you can add it
later by visiting the Investor Services area at WWW.ESTRONG.COM or by calling
800-368-3863 for the appropriate form. See "Services for Investors" for
information on this service and other automatic investment and withdrawal
services.
BROKER-DEALER
You may sell shares through a broker-dealer or other intermediary who may
charge you a fee.
CHECK WRITING
Sign up for free check writing when you open your account or call 800-368-3863
to add it later to an existing account. Check redemptions must be for a
minimum of $500. You cannot write a check to close out an account.
PLEASE REMEMBER ...
- If you recently purchased shares, the payment of your redemption proceeds may
be delayed by up to 10 days to allow the purchase check or electronic
transaction to clear.
- You will be charged a $10 service fee for a stop-payment on a check written
on your Strong Funds account.
- Some transactions and requests require a signature guarantee.
- If you are selling shares you hold in certificate form, you must submit the
certificates with your redemption request. Each registered owner must sign
the certificates and all signatures must be guaranteed.
- With an IRA (or other retirement account), you will be charged (1) a $10
annual account maintenance fee for each account up to a maximum of $30 and
(2) a $50 fee for transferring assets to another custodian or for closing an
account.
- If you sell shares out of a non-IRA retirement account and you are eligible
to roll the sale proceeds into another retirement plan, we will withhold for
federal income tax purposes a portion of the sale proceeds unless you
transfer all of the proceeds to an eligible retirement plan.
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((Side Box))
There may be special distribution requirements that apply to retirement
accounts. For instructions on:
- Roth and Traditional IRA accounts, call
800-368-3863, and
- SIMPLE IRA, SEP-IRA , 403(b)(7), Keogh, Pension Plan, Profit Sharing Plan, or
401(k) Plan accounts, call 800-368-2882.
((Side Box))
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SIGNATURE GUARANTEES help ensure that major
transactions or changes to your account are in fact
authorized by you. For example, we require a signature
guarantee on written redemption requests for more than
$100,000. You can obtain a signature guarantee for a
nominal fee from most banks, brokerage firms, and
other financial institutions. A notary public stamp or
seal cannot be substituted for a signature guarantee.
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</TABLE>
ADDITIONAL POLICIES
INVESTING THROUGH A THIRD PARTY
If you invest through a third party (rather than directly with Strong), the
policies and fees may be different than described in this prospectus. Banks,
brokers, 401(k) plans, financial advisors, and financial supermarkets may
charge transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or
limitations on buying or selling shares. Consult a representative of your
plan or financial institution for details.
LOW BALANCE ACCOUNT FEE
Because of the high cost of maintaining small accounts, an annual low balance
account fee of $10 (or the value of the account if the account value is less
than $10) will be charged to all accounts that fail to meet the initial
investment minimum. The fee, which is payable to the transfer agent, will not
apply to (1) any retirement accounts, (2) accounts with an automatic
investment plan (unless regular investments have been discontinued), or (3)
shareholders whose combined Strong Funds assets total $100,000 or more. We may
waive the fee, in our discretion, in the event that a significant market
correction lowers an account balance below the account's initial investment
minimum.
PURCHASES IN KIND
You may, if we approve, purchase shares of the fund with securities that are
eligible for purchase by the fund (consistent with the fund's investment
restrictions, policies, and goal) and that have a value that is readily
ascertainable in accordance with the fund's valuation policies.
TELEPHONE AND INTERNET TRANSACTIONS
We use reasonable procedures to confirm that telephone and Internet
transaction requests are genuine. We may be responsible if we do not follow
these procedures. You are responsible for losses resulting from fraudulent or
unauthorized instructions received over the telephone or by computer, provided
we reasonably believe the instructions were genuine. To safeguard your
account, please keep your Strong Direct(R) and Strong netDirect(R) passwords
confidential. Contact us immediately if you believe there is a discrepancy
between a transaction you performed and the confirmation statement you
received, or if you believe someone has obtained unauthorized access to your
account or password.
During times of unusual market activity, our phones may be busy and you may
experience a delay placing a telephone request. During these times, consider
trying Strong Direct(R), our 24-hour automated telephone system, by calling
800-368-7550, or Strong netDirect(R), our on-line transaction center, by
visiting WWW.ESTRONG.COM. Please remember that you must have telephone
redemption as an option on your account to redeem shares through Strong
Direct(R) or Strong netDirect(R).
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VERIFICATION OF ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
You should contact Strong in writing regarding any errors or discrepancies
within 45 days after the date of the statement confirming a transaction. The
statement will be deemed correct if we do not hear from you within those 45
days.
DISTRIBUTIONS
DISTRIBUTION POLICY
The fund generally pays you dividends from net investment income monthly and
distributes any net capital gains that it realizes annually. Dividends are
declared on each day NAV is calculated, except for bank holidays. Dividends
earned on weekends, holidays, and days when the fund's NAV is not calculated
are declared on the first day preceding these days that the fund's NAV is
calculated. Your investment generally earns dividends from the first business
day after we accept your purchase order.
REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS
Your dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested
in additional shares, unless you choose otherwise. Your other options are to
receive checks for these payments, have them automatically invested in another
Strong Fund, or have them deposited into your bank account. To change the
current option for payment of dividends and capital gain distributions, please
call 800-368-3863.
TAXES
TAXABLE DISTRIBUTIONS
Any net investment income and net short-term capital gain distributions you
receive are taxable as ordinary dividend income at your income tax rate.
Distributions of net capital gains are generally taxable as long-term capital
gains. This is generally true no matter how long you have owned your shares
and whether you reinvest your distributions or take them in cash. You may also
have to pay taxes when you exchange or sell shares if your shares have
increased in value since you bought them.
TAX-EXEMPT DISTRIBUTIONS
Exempt-interest dividends from municipal funds are generally exempt from
federal income taxes, but may be subject to state and local tax. Under normal
market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in
municipal obligations whose interest is exempt from federal income taxes,
including the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT).
((Side Box))
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Generally, if your investment is in a Traditional IRA or
other TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNT, your dividends and
distributions will not be taxed at the time they are paid,
but instead at the time you withdraw them from your
account.
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RETURN OF CAPITAL
If your fund's (1) income distributions exceed its net investment income and
net short-term capital gains or (2) capital gain distributions exceed its net
capital gains in any year, all or a portion of those distributions may be
treated as a return of capital to you. Although a return of capital is not
taxed, it will reduce the cost basis of your shares.
YEAR-END STATEMENT
To assist you in tax preparation, after the end of each calendar year, we send
you a statement of your fund's ordinary dividends and net capital gain
distributions (Form 1099).
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
By law, we must withhold 31% of your distributions and proceeds if (1) you are
subject to backup withholding or (2) you have not provided us with complete
and correct taxpayer information such as your Social Security Number (SSN) or
Tax Identification Number (TIN).
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((Side Box))
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Unless your investment is in a tax-deferred retirement
account such as an IRA, YOU MAY WANT TO AVOID:
-Investing a large amount in a fund close to the end of
the calendar year. If the fund makes a capital gain
distribution, you may receive some of your
investment back as a taxable distribution.
-Selling shares of a mutual fund at a loss if you have
purchased additional shares of the same fund within
30 days prior to the sale or if you plan to purchase
additional shares of the same fund within 30 days
following the sale. This is called a wash sale and
you will not be allowed to claim a tax loss on this
transaction.
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((Side Box))
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COST BASIS is the amount that you paid for the shares.
When you sell shares, you subtract the cost basis from the
sale proceeds to determine whether you realized an
investment gain or loss. For example, if you bought a
share of a fund at $30 and you sold it two years later at
$40, your cost basis on the share is $30 and your gain is
$10.
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Because everyone's tax situation is unique, you should consult your tax
professional for assistance.
SERVICES FOR INVESTORS
We provide you with a variety of services to help you manage your investment.
For more details, call 800-368-3863, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These
services include:
STRONG DIRECT(R) AUTOMATED TELEPHONE SYSTEM
Our 24-hour automated response system enables you to use a touch-tone phone to
access current share prices (800-368-3550), to access fund and account
information (800-368-5550), and to make purchases, exchanges, or redemptions
among your existing accounts if you have elected these services
(800-368-7550). Passwords help to protect your account information.
ESTRONG.COM
Visit us on-line at WWW.ESTRONG.COM to access your fund's performance and
portfolio holding information. In addition to general information about
investing, our web site offers daily performance information, portfolio
manager commentaries, and information on available account options.
STRONG NETDIRECT(R)
If you are a shareholder, you may use Strong netDirect(R) to access your
account information 24 hours a day from your personal computer. Strong
netDirect(R) allows you to view account history, account balances, and recent
dividend activity, as well as to make purchases, exchanges, or redemptions
among your existing accounts if you have elected these services. Encryption
technology and passwords help to protect your account information. You may
register to use Strong netDirect(R) at WWW.ESTRONG.COM.
STRONGMAIL
If you register for StrongMail at WWW.STRONGMAIL.COM, you will receive your
fund's closing price by e-mail each business day. In addition, StrongMail
offers market news and updates throughout the day.
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STRONG EXCHANGE OPTION
You may exchange shares of a fund for shares of another Strong Fund, either in
writing, by telephone, or through your personal computer, if the accounts are
identically registered (with the same name, address, and taxpayer
identification number). Please ask us for the appropriate prospectus and read
it before investing in any of the Strong Funds. Remember, an exchange of
shares of one Strong Fund for those of another Strong Fund is considered a
sale and a purchase of shares for tax purposes and may result in a capital
gain or loss. Some Strong Funds that you may want to exchange into may charge
a redemption fee of 0.50% to 1.00% on the sale of shares held for less than
six months. Purchases by exchange are subject to the investment requirements
and other criteria of the fund purchased.
STRONG CHECK WRITING
Strong Funds offers check writing on most of its bond and money market funds.
Checks written on your account are subject to this prospectus and the terms
and conditions found in the front of the book of checks.
STRONG AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT SERVICES
You may invest or redeem automatically in the following ways, some of which
may be subject to additional restrictions or conditions.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN (AIP)
This plan allows you to make regular, automatic investments from your bank
checking or savings account.
AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE PLAN
This plan allows you to make regular, automatic exchanges from one eligible
Strong Fund to another.
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
Your dividends and capital gains will be automatically reinvested in
additional shares, unless you choose otherwise. Your other options are to
receive checks for these payments, have them automatically invested in another
Strong Fund, or have them deposited into your bank account.
PAYROLL DIRECT DEPOSIT PLAN
This plan allows you to send all or a portion of your paycheck, social
security check, military allotment, or annuity payment to the Strong Funds of
your choice.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
This plan allows you to redeem a fixed sum from your account on a regular
basis. Payments may be sent electronically to a bank account or as a check to
you or anyone you properly designate.
STRONG RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES
We offer a wide variety of retirement plans for individuals and institutions,
including large and small businesses. For information on:
- INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT PLANS, including Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs, call
800-368-3863.
- QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS, including SIMPLE IRAs, SEP-IRAs, 403(b)(7)s,
Keoghs, Pension Plans, Profit Sharing Plans, and 401(k) Plans, call
800-368-2882.
SAME-DAY DIVIDEND AND WIRE
You will earn a same-day dividend if you purchase shares and have, or with
your purchase will have, at least $5 million invested in the fund and you have
completed a special application. The following rules also apply:
- Call 800-368-1683 before 9:00 am Central Time and place an irrevocable
purchase order.
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- You must send the purchase price via federal funds wire which must be
received by [custodian] by 2:30 p.m. Central Time. If you do not wire federal
funds by this deadline, we may cancel the purchase order. If we do not
cancel the order and the fund borrows an amount of money equal to your
purchase price, you may be liable for any interest expense caused by the
borrowing.
- Wires should be sent to:
[custodian address]
You may also receive a same-day redemption wire by calling 800-368-1683. You
must place your redemption order by 9:00 a.m. Central Time. Redemption
proceeds will not earn dividends on the day in which they are wired. If you
use a same-day redemption wire to close an account, dividends credited to your
account for the month up to the day of redemption will be paid the next
business day.
SOME OF THESE SERVICES MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS OR
CONDITIONS. CALL 800-368-3863 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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RESERVED RIGHTS
We reserve the right to:
- Refuse, change, discontinue, or temporarily suspend account services,
including purchase, exchange, or telephone and Strong netDirect(R) redemption
privileges, for any reason.
- Reject any purchase request for any reason including exchanges from other
Strong Funds. Generally, we do this if the purchase or exchange is
disruptive to the efficient management of a fund (due to the timing of the
investment or an investor's history of excessive trading).
- Change the minimum or maximum investment amounts.
- Delay sending out redemption proceeds for up to seven days (this generally
only applies to very large redemptions without notice, excessive trading, or
during unusual market conditions).
- Suspend redemptions or postpone payments when the NYSE is closed for any
reason other than its usual weekend or holiday closings, when trading is
restricted by the SEC, or under any emergency circumstances.
- Make a redemption in kind (a payment in portfolio securities rather than
cash) if the amount you are redeeming is in excess of the lesser of (1)
$250,000 or (2) 1% of the fund's assets. Generally, redemption in kind is
used when large redemption requests may cause harm to the fund and its
shareholders. This includes redemptions made by check writing.
- Close any account that does not meet minimum investment requirements. We
will give you notice and 60 days to increase your balance to the required
minimum.
- Waive the initial investment minimum at our discretion.
- Reject any purchase or redemption request that does not contain all required
documentation.
- Amend or terminate purchases in kind at any time.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
More information is available upon request at no charge, including:
SHAREHOLDER REPORTS: Additional information will be available in the annual and
semi-annual report to shareholders. When available, these reports will contain
a letter from management, discuss recent market conditions, economic trends and
investment strategies that significantly affected your investment's performance
during the last fiscal year, and list portfolio holdings.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI): The SAI contains more details about
investment policies and techniques. A current SAI is on file with the SEC and
is incorporated into this prospectus by reference. This means that the SAI is
legally considered a part of this prospectus even though it is not physically
contained within this prospectus.
To request information or to ask questions:
BY TELEPHONE FOR HEARING-IMPAIRED (TDD)
414-359-1400 or 800-368-3863 800-999-2780
BY MAIL BY OVERNIGHT DELIVERY
Strong Funds Strong Funds
P.O. Box 2936 900 Heritage Reserve
Milwaukee, WI 53201-2936 Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
ON THE INTERNET BY E-MAIL
View on-line or download documents: [email protected]
Strong Funds: WWW.ESTRONG.COM
SEC*: www.sec.gov
To reduce the volume of mail you receive, only one copy of financial reports,
prospectuses, and other regulatory materials is mailed to your household. You
can call us at 800-368-3863, or write to us at the address listed above, to
request (1) additional copies free of charge, or (2) that we discontinue our
practice of householding regulatory materials.
This prospectus is not an offer to sell securities in places other than the
United States and its territories.
*INFORMATION ABOUT A FUND (INCLUDING THE SAI) CAN ALSO BE REVIEWED AND COPIED
AT THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION'S PUBLIC REFERENCE ROOM IN
WASHINGTON, D.C. YOU MAY CALL THE COMMISSION AT 202-942-8090 FOR INFORMATION
ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC REFERENCE ROOM. REPORTS AND OTHER
INFORMATION ABOUT A FUND ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE EDGAR DATABASE ON THE
COMMISSION'S INTERNET SITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV. YOU MAY OBTAIN A COPY OF THIS
INFORMATION, AFTER PAYING A DUPLICATING FEE, BY SENDING A WRITTEN REQUEST TO
THE COMMISSION'S PUBLIC REFERENCE SECTION, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549-0102, OR BY
SENDING AN ELECTRONIC REQUEST TO THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL ADDRESS:
[email protected].
Strong Tax-Exempt Municipal Money Market Fund, a series of Strong Municipal
Funds, Inc., SEC file number: 811-4770
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THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT COMPLETE AND
MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL SECURITIES AND IS
NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR
SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATE OF ISSUANCE: OCTOBER 20, 2000
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI")
STRONG TAX-EXEMPT MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND, A SERIES FUND OF STRONG
MUNICIPAL FUNDS, INC.
P.O. Box 2936
Milwaukee, WI 53201
Telephone: (414) 359-1400
Toll-Free: (800) 368-3863
e-mail: [email protected]
web site: www.eStrong.com
This SAI is not a Prospectus and should be read together with the Prospectus
for the Fund dated ____________. Requests for copies of the Prospectus should
be made by calling any number listed above.
____________
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TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS........................................................3
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES.............................................5
Strong Tax-Exempt Municipal Money Market Fund..................................5
Borrowing......................................................................5
Debt Obligations...............................................................5
Illiquid Securities............................................................6
Lending of Portfolio Securities................................................6
Municipal Obligations..........................................................7
Participation Interests........................................................8
Repurchase Agreements..........................................................8
Rule 2a-7: Maturity, Quality, and Diversification Restrictions................8
Sector Concentration...........................................................9
Standby Commitments............................................................9
Taxable Securities.............................................................9
U.S. Government Securities.....................................................9
Variable- or Floating-Rate Securities.........................................10
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS........................................................11
INVESTMENT ADVISOR............................................................13
DISTRIBUTOR...................................................................15
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE..........................................16
CUSTODIAN.....................................................................18
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT..................................19
TAXES.........................................................................19
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE..............................................21
ADDITIONAL SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION............................................21
ORGANIZATION..................................................................25
SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS..........................................................26
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.......................................................26
GENERAL INFORMATION...........................................................33
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS.......................................................34
LEGAL COUNSEL.................................................................35
APPENDIX A- DEFINITION OF BOND RATINGS........................................36
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in this SAI and its corresponding
Prospectus, and if given or made, such information or representations may not
be relied upon as having been authorized. This SAI does not constitute an
offer to sell securities.
2
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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The following are the Fund's fundamental investment limitations which, along
with the Fund's investment objective (which is described in the Prospectus),
cannot be changed without shareholder approval. To obtain approval, a majority
of the Fund's outstanding voting shares must vote for the change. A majority
of the Fund's outstanding voting securities means the vote of the lesser of:
(1) 67% or more of the voting securities present, if more than 50% of the
outstanding voting securities are present or represented, or (2) more than 50%
of the outstanding voting shares.
Unless indicated otherwise below, the Fund:
1. May not with respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase the securities
of any issuer (except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or
its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, (1) more than 5% of the
Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or (2)
the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that
issuer.
2. May (1) borrow money from banks and (2) make other investments or engage
in other transactions permissible under the Investment Company Act of 1940
("1940 Act") which may involve a borrowing, provided that the combination of
(1) and (2) shall not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets
(including the amount borrowed), less the Fund's liabilities (other than
borrowings), except that the Fund may borrow up to an additional 5% of its
total assets (not including the amount borrowed) from a bank for temporary or
emergency purposes (but not for leverage or the purchase of investments). The
Fund may also borrow money from the other Strong Funds or other persons to the
extent permitted by applicable law.
3. May not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.
4. May not act as an underwriter of another issuer's securities, except to
the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning
of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities.
5. May not purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a
result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not
prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts, or
other derivative instruments, or from investing in securities or other
instruments backed by physical commodities).
6. May not make loans if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of the Fund's
total assets would be lent to other persons, except through (1) purchases of
debt securities or other debt instruments, or (2) engaging in repurchase
agreements.
7. May not purchase the securities of any issuer if, as a result, more than 25%
of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers,
the principal business activities of which are in the same industry.
8. May not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prohibit the
Fund from purchasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by real
estate or of issuers engaged in real estate activities).
9. May, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment policy or
restriction, invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end
management investment company with substantially the same fundamental
investment objective, policies, and restrictions as the Fund.
10. May not, under normal market conditions, invest less than 80% of its
net assets in municipal securities.
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NON-FUNDAMENTAL OPERATING POLICIES
The following are the Fund's non-fundamental operating policies which may be
changed by the Fund's Board of Directors without shareholder approval.
Unless indicated otherwise below, the Fund may not:
1. Sell securities short, unless the Fund owns or has the right to obtain
securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short, or
unless it covers such short sale as required by the current rules and positions
of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or its staff, and provided
that transactions in options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts,
or other derivative instruments are not deemed to constitute selling securities
short.
2. Purchase securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such
short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions; and
provided that margin deposits in connection with futures contracts, options on
futures contracts, or other derivative instruments shall not constitute
purchasing securities on margin.
3. Invest in illiquid securities if, as a result of such investment, more
than 15% (10% with respect to a money fund) of its net assets would be invested
in illiquid securities, or such other amounts as may be permitted under the
1940 Act.
4. Purchase securities of other investment companies except in compliance
with the 1940 Act and applicable state law.
5. Invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end
investment management company with substantially the same fundamental
investment objective, restrictions and policies as the Fund.
6. Engage in futures or options on futures transactions which are
impermissible pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act and, in
accordance with Rule 4.5, will use futures or options on futures transactions
solely for bona fide hedging transactions (within the meaning of the Commodity
Exchange Act), provided, however, that the Fund may, in addition to bona fide
hedging transactions, use futures and options on futures transactions if the
aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish such positions,
less the amount by which any such options positions are in the money (within
the meaning of the Commodity Exchange Act), do not exceed 5% of the Fund's net
assets.
7. Borrow money except (1) from banks or (2) through reverse repurchase
agreements or mortgage dollar rolls, and will not purchase securities when bank
borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.
8. Make any loans other than loans of portfolio securities, except through
(1) purchases of debt securities or other debt instruments, or (2) engaging in
repurchase agreements.
9. Engage in any transaction or practice which is not permissible under
Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment
limitation or non-fundamental operating policy.
Unless noted otherwise, if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time
of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a
change in the Fund's assets (I.E. due to cash inflows or redemptions) or in
market value of the investment or the Fund's assets will not constitute a
violation of that restriction.
4
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INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES
The following information supplements the discussion of the Fund's investment
objective, policies, and techniques described in the Prospectus.
STRONG TAX-EXEMPT MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND
- The Fund invests only in high-quality securities. Accordingly, the Fund will
invest at least 95% of its total assets in "first-tier" securities, generally
defined as those securities that, at the time of acquisition, are rated in
the highest rating category by at least two NRSROs or, if unrated, are
determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality.
- The balance of the Fund, up to 5% of its total assets, may be invested in
securities that are considered "second-tier" securities, generally defined as
those securities that, at the time of acquisition, are rated in the
second-highest rating category or are determined by the Advisor to be of
comparable quality.
- Under normal market conditions at least 80% of the Fund's net assets will be
invested in municipal securities whose interest is exempt from federal income
tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT).
- The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in taxable securities of
comparable quality to its investments in municipal securities, including U.S.
government securities, bank and corporate obligations, and short-term
fixed-income securities.
- The Fund may invest any amount in cash or cash equivalents, which may be
taxable, to the extent the manager cannot obtain other suitable tax-exempt
securities.
BORROWING
The Fund may borrow money from banks and make other investments or engage in
other transactions permissible under the 1940 Act which may be considered a
borrowing (such as mortgage dollar rolls and reverse repurchase agreements).
However, the Fund may not purchase securities when bank borrowings exceed 5%
of the Fund's total assets. Presently, the Fund only intends to borrow from
banks for temporary or emergency purposes.
The Fund has established a line-of-credit ("LOC") with certain banks by which
it may borrow funds for temporary or emergency purposes. A borrowing is
presumed to be for temporary or emergency purposes if it is repaid by the Fund
within 60 days and is not extended or renewed. The Fund intends to use the
LOC to meet large or unexpected redemptions that would otherwise force the
Fund to liquidate securities under circumstances which are unfavorable to the
Fund's remaining shareholders. The Fund pays a commitment fee to the banks
for the LOC.
DEBT OBLIGATIONS
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in debt obligations. Issuers of
debt obligations have a contractual obligation to pay interest at a specified
rate on specified dates and to repay principal on a specified maturity date.
Certain debt obligations (usually intermediate- and long-term bonds) have
provisions that allow the issuer to redeem or "call" a bond before its
maturity. Issuers are most likely to call such securities during periods of
falling interest rates and the Fund may have to replace such securities with
lower yielding securities, which could result in a lower return for the Fund.
PRICE VOLATILITY. The market value of debt obligations is affected primarily
by changes in prevailing interest rates. The market value of a debt
obligation generally reacts inversely to interest-rate changes, meaning, when
prevailing interest rates decline, an obligation's price usually rises, and
when prevailing interest rates rise, an obligation's price usually declines.
MATURITY. In general, the longer the maturity of a debt obligation, the
higher its yield and the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
Conversely, the shorter the maturity, the lower the yield but the greater the
price stability. Commercial paper is generally considered the shortest
maturity form of debt obligation.
CREDIT QUALITY. The values of debt obligations may also be affected by
changes in the credit rating or financial condition of their issuers.
Generally, the lower the quality rating of a security, the higher the degree
of risk as to the payment of interest and return of principal. To compensate
investors for taking on such increased risk, those issuers deemed to be less
creditworthy generally must offer their investors higher interest rates than
do issuers with better credit ratings.
5
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In conducting its credit research and analysis, the Advisor considers both
qualitative and quantitative factors to evaluate the creditworthiness of
individual issuers. The Advisor also relies, in part, on credit ratings
compiled by a number of Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations
("NRSROs").
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in illiquid securities (I.E., securities that are not
readily marketable). However, the Fund will not acquire illiquid securities
if, as a result, the illiquid securities would comprise more than 15% (10% for
money market funds) of the value of the Fund's net assets (or such other
amounts as may be permitted under the 1940 Act). However, as a matter of
internal policy, the Advisor intends to limit the Fund's investments in
illiquid securities to 10% of its net assets.
The Board of Directors of the Fund, or its delegate, has the ultimate
authority to determine, to the extent permissible under the federal securities
laws, which securities are illiquid for purposes of this limitation. Certain
securities exempt from registration or issued in transactions exempt from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"),
such as securities that may be resold to institutional investors under Rule
144A under the Securities Act and Section 4(2) commercial paper, may be
considered liquid under guidelines adopted by the Fund's Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors of the Fund has delegated to the Advisor the day-to-day
determination of the liquidity of a security, although it has retained
oversight and ultimate responsibility for such determinations. The Board of
Directors has directed the Advisor to look to such factors as (1) the
frequency of trades or quotes for a security, (2) the number of dealers
willing to purchase or sell the security and number of potential buyers, (3)
the willingness of dealers to undertake to make a market in the security, (4)
the nature of the security and nature of the marketplace trades, such as the
time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and
the mechanics of transfer, (5) the likelihood that the security's
marketability will be maintained throughout the anticipated holding period,
and (6) any other relevant factors. The Advisor may determine 4(2) commercial
paper to be liquid if (1) the 4(2) commercial paper is not traded flat or in
default as to principal and interest, (2) the 4(2) commercial paper is rated
in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two NRSROs, or if only
one NRSRO rates the security, by that NRSRO, or is determined by the Advisor
to be of equivalent quality, and (3) the Advisor considers the trading market
for the specific security taking into account all relevant factors. With
respect to any foreign holdings, a foreign security may be considered liquid
by the Advisor (despite its restricted nature under the Securities Act) if the
security can be freely traded in a foreign securities market and all the facts
and circumstances support a finding of liquidity.
Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or
in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in
effect under the Securities Act. Where registration is required, the Fund may
be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a
considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and
the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective
registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions
were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed
when it decided to sell. Restricted securities will be priced in accordance
with pricing procedures adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund. If
through the appreciation of restricted securities or the depreciation of
unrestricted securities the Fund should be in a position where more than 15%
of the value of its net assets are invested in illiquid securities, including
restricted securities which are not readily marketable (except for 144A
Securities and 4(2) commercial paper deemed to be liquid by the Advisor), the
Fund will take such steps as is deemed advisable, if any, to protect the
liquidity of the Fund's portfolio.
The Fund may sell OTC options and, in connection therewith, segregate assets
or cover its obligations with respect to OTC options written by the Fund. The
assets used as cover for OTC options written by the Fund will be considered
illiquid unless the OTC options are sold to qualified dealers who agree that
the Fund may repurchase any OTC option it writes at a maximum price to be
calculated by a formula set forth in the option agreement. The cover for an
OTC option written subject to this procedure would be considered illiquid only
to the extent that the maximum repurchase price under the formula exceeds the
intrinsic value of the option.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The Fund is authorized to lend up to 33 1/3% of the total value of its
portfolio securities to broker-dealers or institutional investors that the
Advisor deems qualified, but only when the borrower maintains with the Fund's
custodian bank collateral either in cash or money market instruments in an
amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned, plus
accrued interest and dividends, determined on a daily basis and adjusted
accordingly. Although the Fund is authorized to lend, the Fund
6
<PAGE>
does not presently intend to engage in lending. In determining whether to lend
securities to a particular broker-dealer or institutional investor, the Advisor
will consider, and during the period of the loan will monitor, all relevant
facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrower. The
Fund will retain authority to terminate any loans at any time. The Fund may
pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan and
may pay a negotiated portion of the interest earned on the cash or money market
instruments held as collateral to the borrower or placing broker. The Fund
will receive reasonable interest on the loan or a flat fee from the borrower
and amounts equivalent to any dividends, interest or other distributions on the
securities loaned. The Fund will retain record ownership of loaned securities
to exercise beneficial rights, such as voting and subscription rights and
rights to dividends, interest or other distributions, when retaining such
rights is considered to be in the Fund's interest.
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS
IN GENERAL. Municipal obligations are debt obligations issued by or on behalf
of states, territories, and possessions of the United States and the District
of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities.
Municipal obligations generally include debt obligations issued to obtain
funds for various public purposes. Certain types of municipal obligations are
issued in whole or in part to obtain funding for privately operated facilities
or projects. Municipal obligations include general obligation bonds, revenue
bonds, industrial development bonds, notes, and municipal lease obligations.
Municipal obligations also include obligations, the interest on which is
exempt from federal income tax, that may become available in the future as
long as the Board of Directors of the Fund determines that an investment in
any such type of obligation is consistent with the Fund's investment
objective.
BONDS AND NOTES. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge
of its full faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of interest and
principal. Revenue bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a
project or facility or from the proceeds of a specified revenue source.
Industrial development bonds are generally revenue bonds secured by payments
from and the credit of private users. Municipal notes are issued to meet the
short-term funding requirements of state, regional, and local governments.
Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes,
revenue anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, construction
loan notes, short-term discount notes, tax-exempt commercial paper, demand
notes, and similar instruments.
LEASE OBLIGATIONS. Municipal lease obligations may take the form of a lease,
an installment purchase, or a conditional sales contract. They are issued by
state and local governments and authorities to acquire land, equipment, and
facilities, such as state and municipal vehicles, telecommunications and
computer equipment, and other capital assets. The Fund may purchase these
obligations directly, or it may purchase participation interests in such
obligations. (See "Participation Interests" below.) Municipal leases are
generally subject to greater risks than general obligation or revenue bonds.
State constitutions and statutes set forth requirements that states or
municipalities must meet in order to issue municipal obligations. Municipal
leases may contain a covenant by the state or municipality to budget for,
appropriate, and make payments due under the obligation. Certain municipal
leases may, however, contain "non-appropriation" clauses which provide that
the issuer is not obligated to make payments on the obligation in future years
unless funds have been appropriated for this purpose each year. Accordingly,
such obligations are subject to "non-appropriation" risk. While municipal
leases are secured by the underlying capital asset, it may be difficult to
dispose of any such asset in the event of non-appropriation or other default.
MORTGAGE-BACKED BONDS. The Fund's investments in municipal obligations may
include mortgage-backed municipal obligations, which are a type of municipal
security issued by a state, authority, or municipality to provide financing
for residential housing mortgages to target groups, generally low-income
individuals who are first-time home buyers. The Fund's interest, evidenced by
such obligations, is an undivided interest in a pool of mortgages. Payments
made on the underlying mortgages and passed through to the Fund will represent
both regularly scheduled principal and interest payments. The Fund may also
receive additional principal payments representing prepayments of the
underlying mortgages. While a certain level of prepayments can be expected,
regardless of the interest rate environment, it is anticipated that prepayment
of the underlying mortgages will accelerate in periods of declining interest
rates. In the event that the Fund receives principal prepayments in a
declining interest-rate environment, its reinvestment of such funds may be in
bonds with a lower yield.
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<PAGE>
PARTICIPATION INTERESTS
A participation interest gives the Fund an undivided interest in a municipal
obligation in the proportion that the Fund's participation interest bears to
the principal amount of the obligation. These instruments may have fixed,
floating, or variable rates of interest. The Fund will only purchase
participation interests if accompanied by an opinion of counsel that the
interest earned on the underlying municipal obligations will be tax-exempt. If
the Fund purchases unrated participation interests, the Board of Directors or
its delegate must have determined that the credit risk is equivalent to the
rated obligations in which the Fund may invest. Participation interests may be
backed by a letter of credit or guaranty of the selling institution. When
determining whether such a participation interest meets the Fund's credit
quality requirements, the Fund may look to the credit quality of any financial
guarantor providing a letter of credit or guaranty.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with certain banks or non-bank
dealers. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund buys a security at one price,
and at the time of sale, the seller agrees to repurchase the obligation at a
mutually agreed upon time and price (usually within seven days). The
repurchase agreement, thereby, determines the yield during the purchaser's
holding period, while the seller's obligation to repurchase is secured by the
value of the underlying security. The Advisor will monitor, on an ongoing
basis, the value of the underlying securities to ensure that the value always
equals or exceeds the repurchase price plus accrued interest. Repurchase
agreements could involve certain risks in the event of a default or insolvency
of the other party to the agreement, including possible delays or restrictions
upon the Fund's ability to dispose of the underlying securities. Although no
definitive creditworthiness criteria are used, the Advisor reviews the
creditworthiness of the banks and non-bank dealers with which the Fund enters
into repurchase agreements to evaluate those risks. The Fund may, under
certain circumstances, deem repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S.
government securities to be investments in U.S. government securities.
RULE 2A-7: MATURITY, QUALITY, AND DIVERSIFICATION RESTRICTIONS
All capitalized but undefined terms in this discussion shall have the meaning
such terms have in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund is subject to
certain maturity restrictions in accordance with Rule 2a-7 for money market
funds that use the amortized cost method of valuation to maintain a stable net
asset value of $1.00 per share. Accordingly, the Fund will (1) maintain a
dollar weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or less, and (2) will
purchase securities with a remaining maturity of no more than 13 months (397
calendar days). Further, the Fund will limit its investments to U.S.
dollar-denominated securities which represent minimal credit risks and meet
certain credit quality and diversification requirements. For purposes of
calculating the maturity of portfolio instruments, the Fund will follow the
requirements of Rule 2a-7. Under Rule 2a-7, the maturity of portfolio
instruments is calculated as indicated below.
Generally, the maturity of a portfolio instrument shall be deemed to be the
period remaining (calculated from the trade date or such other date on which
the Fund's interest in the instrument is subject to market action) until the
date noted on the face of the instrument as the date on which, in accordance
with the terms of the security, the principal amount must unconditionally be
paid, or in the case of an instrument called for redemption, the date on which
the redemption payment must be made.
The Fund is subject to certain credit quality restrictions pursuant to Rule
2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund will invest at least 95% of its assets in
instruments determined to present minimal credit risks. The balance of the
securities in which the Fund may invest are instruments determined to present
minimal credit risks, which do not qualify as first-tier securities. These
are referred to as "second-tier securities."
From time to time, the Fund may obtain securities ratings from NRSROs, which
may require the Fund to be managed in a manner that is more restrictive than
Rule 2a-7.
8
<PAGE>
SECTOR CONCENTRATION
From time to time, the Fund may invest 25% or more of its assets in municipal
bonds that are related in such a way that an economic, business, or political
development or change affecting one such security could also affect the other
securities (for example, securities whose issuers are located in the same
state). Such related sectors may include hospitals, retirement centers,
pollution control, single family housing, multiple family housing, industrial
development, utilities, education, and general obligation bonds. The Fund
also may invest 25% or more of its assets in municipal bonds whose issuers are
located in the same state. Such states may include California, Pennsylvania,
Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.
STANDBY COMMITMENTS
In order to facilitate portfolio liquidity, the Fund may acquire standby
commitments from brokers, dealers, or banks with respect to securities in its
portfolio. Standby commitments entitle the holder to achieve same-day
settlement and receive an exercise price equal to the amortized cost of the
underlying security plus accrued interest. Standby commitments generally
increase the cost of the acquisition of the underlying security, thereby
reducing the yield. Standby commitments are subject to the issuer's ability
to fulfill its obligation upon demand. Although no definitive
creditworthiness criteria are used, the Advisor reviews the creditworthiness
of the brokers, dealers, and banks from which the Fund obtains standby
commitments to evaluate those risks.
TAXABLE SECURITIES
From time to time when the Advisor deems it appropriate, the Fund may invest
up to 20% of its net assets in taxable investments (of comparable quality to
their respective tax-free investments), which would produce interest not
exempt from federal income tax, including among others: (1) obligations issued
or guaranteed, as to principal and interest, by the United States government,
its agencies, or instrumentalities; (2) obligations of financial institutions,
including banks, savings and loan institutions, insurance companies and
mortgage banks, such as certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, and
time deposits; (3) corporate obligations, including preferred stock and
commercial paper, with equivalent credit quality to the municipal securities
in which the Fund may invest; and (4) repurchase agreements with respect to
any of the foregoing instruments. For example, the Fund may invest in such
taxable investments pending the investment or reinvestment of such assets in
municipal securities, in order to avoid the necessity of liquidating portfolio
securities to satisfy redemptions or pay expenses, or when such action is
deemed to be in the interest of the Fund's shareholders.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
U.S. government securities are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or
its agencies or instrumentalities. Securities issued by the government include
U.S. Treasury obligations, such as Treasury bills, notes, and bonds.
Securities issued by government agencies or instrumentalities include
obligations of the following:
- the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration,
Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration, and
the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), including GNMA
pass-through certificates, whose securities are supported by the full faith
and credit of the United States;
- the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, and the
Tennessee Valley Authority, whose securities are supported by the right of
the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury;
- the Federal National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by
the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain
obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and
- the Student Loan Marketing Association, the Interamerican Development Bank,
and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, whose securities
are supported only by the credit of such agencies.
Although the U.S. government provides financial support to such U.S.
government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given
that it will always do so. The U.S. government and its agencies and
instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities;
consequently, the value of such securities will fluctuate.
9
<PAGE>
VARIABLE- OR FLOATING-RATE SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in securities which offer a variable- or floating-rate of
interest. Variable-rate securities provide for automatic establishment of a
new interest rate at fixed intervals (E.G., daily, monthly, semi-annually,
etc.). Floating-rate securities generally provide for automatic adjustment of
the interest rate whenever some specified interest rate index changes. The
interest rate on variable- or floating-rate securities is ordinarily
determined by reference to or is a percentage of a bank's prime rate, the
90-day U.S. Treasury bill rate, the rate of return on commercial paper or bank
certificates of deposit, an index of short-term interest rates, or some other
objective measure.
Variable- or floating-rate securities frequently include a demand feature
entitling the holder to sell the securities to the issuer at par. In many
cases, the demand feature can be exercised at any time on seven days notice;
in other cases, the demand feature is exercisable at any time on 30 days
notice or on similar notice at intervals of not more than one year. Some
securities which do not have variable or floating interest rates may be
accompanied by puts producing similar results and price characteristics. When
considering the maturity of any instrument which may be sold or put to the
issuer or a third party, the Fund may consider that instrument's maturity to
be shorter than its stated maturity.
Variable-rate demand notes include master demand notes which are obligations
that permit the Fund to invest fluctuating amounts, which may change daily
without penalty, pursuant to direct arrangements between the Fund, as lender,
and the borrower. The interest rates on these notes fluctuate from time to
time. The issuer of such obligations normally has a corresponding right,
after a given period, to prepay in its discretion the outstanding principal
amount of the obligations plus accrued interest upon a specified number of
days notice to the holders of such obligations. The interest rate on a
floating-rate demand obligation is based on a known lending rate, such as a
bank's prime rate, and is adjusted automatically each time such rate is
adjusted. The interest rate on a variable-rate demand obligation is adjusted
automatically at specified intervals. Frequently, such obligations are
secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by
banks. Because these obligations are direct lending arrangements between the
lender and borrower, it is not contemplated that such instruments will
generally be traded. There generally is not an established secondary market
for these obligations, although they are redeemable at face value.
Accordingly, where these obligations are not secured by letters of credit or
other credit support arrangements, the Fund's right to redeem is dependent on
the ability of the borrower to pay principal and interest on demand. Such
obligations frequently are not rated by credit rating agencies and, if not so
rated, the Fund may invest in them only if the Advisor determines that at the
time of investment the obligations are of comparable quality to the other
obligations in which the Fund may invest. The Advisor, on behalf of the Fund,
will consider on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the issuers of the
floating- and variable-rate demand obligations in the Fund's portfolio.
The Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets (10% for money market
funds) in variable- and floating-rate demand obligations that are not readily
marketable (a variable- or floating-rate demand obligation that may be
disposed of on not more than seven days notice will be deemed readily
marketable and will not be subject to this limitation). In addition, each
variable- or floating-rate obligation must meet the credit quality
requirements applicable to all the Fund's investments at the time of purchase.
When determining whether such an obligation meets the Fund's credit quality
requirements, the Fund may look to the credit quality of the financial
guarantor providing a letter of credit or other credit support arrangement.
In determining the Fund's weighted average portfolio maturity, the Fund will
consider a floating- or variable-rate security to have a maturity equal to its
stated maturity (or redemption date if it has been called for redemption),
except that it may consider (1) variable-rate securities to have a maturity
equal to the period remaining until the next readjustment in the interest
rate, unless subject to a demand feature, (2) variable-rate securities subject
to a demand feature to have a remaining maturity equal to the longer of (a)
the next readjustment in the interest rate or (b) the period remaining until
the principal can be recovered through demand, and (3) floating-rate
securities subject to a demand feature to have a maturity equal to the period
remaining until the principal can be recovered through demand. Variable- and
floating-rate securities generally are subject to less principal fluctuation
than securities without these attributes since the securities usually trade at
amortized cost following the readjustment in the interest rate.
10
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The Board of Directors of the Fund is responsible for managing the Fund's
business and affairs. Directors and officers of the Fund, together with
information as to their principal business occupations during the last five
years, and other information are shown below. Each director who is deemed an
"interested person," as defined in the 1940 Act, is indicated by an asterisk
(*). Each officer and director holds the same position with the 27 registered
open-end management investment companies consisting of 58 mutual funds
("Strong Funds"). The Strong Funds, in the aggregate, pay each Director who
is not a director, officer, or employee of the Advisor, or any affiliated
company (a "disinterested director") an annual fee of $86,000 plus $6,000 per
Board meeting, except for the Chairman of the Independent Directors Committee.
The Chairman of the Independent Directors Committee receives an annual fee of
$94,600 plus $6,600 per Board meeting. The Independent Directors have formed
an Audit Committee. For their services on the Audit Committee, each
Independent Director receives an additional $2,500 per meeting attended. The
Chairman of the Audit Committee receives $2,750 per meeting attended. In
addition, each disinterested director is reimbursed by the Strong Funds for
travel and other expenses incurred in connection with attendance at such
meetings. Other officers and directors of the Strong Funds receive no
compensation or expense reimbursement from the Strong Funds.
*RICHARD S. STRONG (DOB 5/12/42), Director and Chairman of the Board of the
Strong Funds.
Prior to August 1985, Mr. Strong was Chief Executive Officer of the Advisor,
which he founded in 1974. Since August 1985, Mr. Strong has been a Security
Analyst and Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. In October 1991, Mr. Strong
also became the Chairman of the Advisor. Mr. Strong is a Director of the
Advisor. Mr. Strong has been in the investment management business since
1967.
MARVIN E. NEVINS (DOB 7/9/18), Director of the Strong Funds.
Private Investor. From 1945 to 1980, Mr. Nevins was Chairman of Wisconsin
Centrifugal Inc., a foundry. From 1980 until 1981, Mr. Nevins was the Chairman
of the Wisconsin Association of Manufacturers & Commerce. He has been a
Director of A-Life Medical, Inc., San Diego, CA since 1996 and Surface
Systems, Inc. (a weather information company), St. Louis, MO since 1992. He
was also a regent of the Milwaukee School of Engineering and a member of the
Board of Trustees of the Medical College of Wisconsin and Carroll College.
WILLIE D. DAVIS (DOB 7/24/34), Director of the Strong Funds.
Mr. Davis has been Director of Alliance Bank since 1980, Sara Lee Corporation
(a food/consumer products company) since 1983, KMart Corporation (a discount
consumer products company) since 1985, Dow Chemical Company since 1988, MGM
Grand, Inc. (an entertainment/hotel company) since 1990, WICOR, Inc. (a
utility company) since 1990, Johnson Controls, Inc. (an industrial company)
since 1992, Checker's Hamburger, Inc. since 1994, and MGM, Inc. (an
entertainment company) since 1998. Mr. Davis has been a trustee of the
University of Chicago since 1980 and Marquette University since 1988. Since
1977, Mr. Davis has been President and Chief Executive Officer of All Pro
Broadcasting, Inc. Mr. Davis was a Director of the Fireman's Fund (an
insurance company) from 1975 until 1990.
STANLEY KRITZIK (DOB 1/9/30), Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of
the Strong Funds.
Mr. Kritzik has been a Partner of Metropolitan Associates since 1962, a
Director of Aurora Health Care since 1987, and Health Network Ventures, Inc.
since 1992.
WILLIAM F. VOGT (DOB 7/19/47), Director and Chairman of the Independent
Directors Committee of the Strong Funds.
Mr. Vogt has been the President of Vogt Management Consulting, Inc. since
1990. From 1982 until 1990, he served as Executive Director of University
Physicians of the University of Colorado. Mr. Vogt is the Past President of
the Medical Group Management Association and a Fellow of the American College
of Medical Practice Executives.
11
<PAGE>
NEAL MALICKY (DOB 9/14/34), Director of the Strong Funds.
Mr. Malicky has been Chancellor at Baldwin-Wallace College since July 1999.
From 1981 to July 1999, he served as President of Baldwin-Wallace College. He
is a Trustee of Southwest Community Health Systems, Cleveland Scholarship
Program, and The National Conference for Community Justice (NCCJ). He is also
the Past President of the National Association of Schools and Colleges of the
United Methodist Church, the Past Chairperson of the Association of
Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio, and the Past Secretary of the
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
ELIZABETH N. COHERNOUR (DOB 4/26/50), Vice President and Secretary of the
Strong Funds.
Ms. Cohernour has been General Counsel and Senior Vice President of the
Advisor since January 2000. From February 1999 until January 2000, Ms.
Cohernour acted as Counsel to MFP Investors. From May 1988 to February 1999,
Ms. Cohernour acted as General Counsel and Vice President to Franklin Mutual
Advisers, Inc.
CATHLEEN A. EBACHER (DOB 11/9/62), Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
the Strong Funds.
Ms. Ebacher has been Senior Counsel of the Advisor since December 1997. From
November 1996 until December 1997, Ms. Ebacher acted as Associate Counsel to
the Advisor. From May 1992 until November 1996, Ms. Ebacher acted as
Corporate Counsel to Carson Pirie Scott & Co., a department store retailer.
From June 1989 until May 1992, Ms. Ebacher was an attorney for Reinhart,
Boerner, Van Deuren, Norris & Rieselbach, s.c., a Milwaukee law firm.
RHONDA K. HAIGHT (DOB 11/13/64), Assistant Treasurer of the Strong Funds.
Ms. Haight has been Manager of the Mutual Fund Accounting Department of the
Advisor since January 1994. From May 1990 to January 1994, Ms. Haight was a
supervisor in the Mutual Fund Accounting Department of the Advisor. From June
1987 to May 1990, Ms. Haight was a Mutual Fund Accountant of the Advisor.
SUSAN A. HOLLISTER (DOB 7/8/68), Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the
Strong Funds.
Ms. Hollister has been Associate Counsel of the Advisor since July 1999. From
August 1996 until May 1999, Ms. Hollister completed a Juris Doctor at the
University of Wisconsin Law School. From December 1993 until August 1996, Ms.
Hollister was Deposit Operations Supervisor for First Federal Savings Bank, La
Crosse - Madison.
DENNIS A. WALLESTAD (DOB 11/3/62), Vice President of the Strong Funds.
Mr. Wallestad has been Director of Finance and Operations of the Advisor since
February 1999. From April 1997 to February 1999, Mr. Wallestad was the Chief
Financial Officer of The Ziegler Companies, Inc. From November 1996 to April
1997, Mr. Wallestad was the Chief Administrative Officer of Calamos Asset
Management, Inc. From July 1994 to November 1996, Mr. Wallestad was Chief
Financial Officer for Firstar Trust and Investments Group. From September
1991 to June 1994 and from September 1985 to August 1989, Mr. Wallestad was an
Audit Manager for Arthur Andersen & Co., LLP in Milwaukee. Mr. Wallestad
completed a Masters of Accountancy from the University of Oklahoma from
September 1989 to August 1991.
JOHN W. WIDMER (DOB 1/19/65), Treasurer of the Strong Funds.
Mr. Widmer has been Treasurer of the Advisor since April 1999. From May 1997
to January 2000, Mr. Widmer was the Manager of Financial Management and Sales
Reporting Systems. From May 1992 to May 1997, Mr. Widmer was an Accounting
and Business Advisory Manager in the Milwaukee office of Arthur Andersen LLP.
From June 1987 to May 1992, Mr. Widmer was an accountant at Arthur Andersen
LLP.
12
<PAGE>
THOMAS M. ZOELLER (DOB 2/21/64), Vice President of the Strong Funds.
Mr. Zoeller has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the
Advisor since February 1998 and a member of the Office of the Chief Executive
since November 1998. From October 1991 to February 1998, Mr. Zoeller was the
Treasurer and Controller of the Advisor, and from August 1991 to October 1991
he was the Controller. From August 1989 to August 1991, Mr. Zoeller was the
Assistant Controller of the Advisor. From September 1986 to August 1989, Mr.
Zoeller was a Senior Accountant at Arthur Andersen & Co.
Except for Messrs. Nevins, Davis, Kritzik, Vogt, and Malicky, the address of
all of the above persons is P.O. Box 2936, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201. Mr.
Nevins' address is 6075 Pelican Bay Boulevard #1006, Naples, Florida 34108.
Mr. Davis' address is 161 North La Brea, Inglewood, California 90301. Mr.
Kritzik's address is 1123 North Astor Street, P.O. Box 92547, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53202-0547. Mr. Vogt's address is P.O. Box 7657, Avon, CO 81620.
Mr. Malicky's address is 518 Bishop Place, Berea, OH 44017.
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
The Fund has entered into an Advisory Agreement with Strong Capital
Management, Inc. ("Advisor"). Mr. Strong controls the Advisor due to his
stock ownership of the Advisor. Mr. Strong is the Chairman and a Director of
the Advisor, Ms. Cohernour is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the
Advisor, Ms. Ebacher is Senior Counsel of the Advisor, Ms. Haight is Manager
of the Mutual Fund Accounting Department of the Advisor, Ms. Hollister is
Associate Counsel of the Advisor, Mr. Wallestad is Senior Vice President of
the Advisor, Mr. Widmer is Treasurer of the Advisor, and Mr. Zoeller is Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Advisor. As of [date], the
Advisor had over $__ billion under management.
The Advisory Agreement is required to be approved annually by either the Board
of Directors of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding
voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act). In either case, each annual
renewal must be approved by the vote of a majority of the Fund's directors who
are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such
party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval. The Advisory Agreement is terminable, without penalty, on 60 days
written notice by the Board of Directors of the Fund, by vote of a majority of
the Fund's outstanding voting securities, or by the Advisor, and will
terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor manages the Fund's
investments subject to the supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors. The
Advisor is responsible for investment decisions and supplies investment
research and portfolio management. The Advisory Agreement authorizes the
Advisor to delegate its investment advisory duties to a subadvisor in
accordance with a written agreement under which the subadvisor would furnish
such investment advisory services to the Advisor. In that situation, the
Advisor continues to have responsibility for all investment advisory services
furnished by the subadvisor under the subadvisory agreement. At its expense,
the Advisor provides office space and all necessary office facilities,
equipment and personnel for servicing the investments of the Fund. The
Advisor places all orders for the purchase and sale of the Fund's portfolio
securities at the Fund's expense.
Except for expenses assumed by the Advisor, as set forth above, or by Strong
Investments, Inc. with respect to the distribution of the Fund's shares, the
Fund is responsible for all its other expenses, including, without limitation,
interest charges, taxes, brokerage commissions, and similar expenses; expenses
of issue, sale, repurchase or redemption of shares; expenses of registering or
qualifying shares for sale with the states and the SEC; expenses for printing
and distribution of prospectuses to existing shareholders; charges of
custodians (including fees as custodian for keeping books and similar services
for the Fund), transfer agents (including the printing and mailing of reports
and notices to shareholders), registrars, auditing and legal services, and
clerical services related to recordkeeping and shareholder relations; printing
of stock certificates; fees for directors who are not "interested persons" of
the Advisor; expenses of indemnification; extraordinary expenses; and costs of
shareholder and director meetings.
As compensation for its advisory services, the Fund pays to the Advisor a
monthly management fee at the annual rate specified below of the average daily
net asset value of the Fund. From time to time, the Advisor may voluntarily
waive all or a portion of its management fee for the Fund.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
FUND ANNUAL RATE
---------------------------------------- -----------
Tax-Exempt Municipal Money Market Fund 0.50%
</TABLE>
The Advisory Agreement requires the Advisor to reimburse the Fund in the event
that the expenses and charges payable by the Fund in any fiscal year,
including the management fee but excluding taxes, interest, brokerage
commissions, and similar fees and to the extent permitted extraordinary
expenses, exceed two percent (2%) of the average net asset value of the Fund
for such year, as determined by valuations made as of the close of each
business day of the year. Reimbursement of expenses in excess of the
applicable limitation will be made on a monthly basis and will be paid to the
Fund by reduction of the Advisor's fee, subject to later adjustment, month by
month, for the remainder of the Fund's fiscal year. The Advisor may from time
to time voluntarily absorb expenses for the Fund in addition to the
reimbursement of expenses in excess of applicable limitations.
On July 12, 1994, the SEC filed an administrative action ("Order") against the
Advisor, Mr. Strong, and another employee of the Advisor in connection with
conduct that occurred between 1987 and early 1990. In re Strong/Corneliuson
Capital Management, Inc., et al. Admin. Proc. File No. 3-8411. The proceeding
was settled by consent without admitting or denying the allegations in the
Order. The Order found that the Advisor and Mr. Strong aided and abetted
violations of Section 17(a) of the 1940 Act by effecting trades between mutual
funds, and between mutual funds and Harbour Investments Ltd. ("Harbour"),
without complying with the exemptive provisions of SEC Rule 17a-7 or otherwise
obtaining an exemption. It further found that the Advisor violated, and Mr.
Strong aided and abetted violations of, the disclosure provisions of the 1940
Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 by misrepresenting the Advisor's
policy on personal trading and by failing to disclose trading by Harbour, an
entity in which principals of the Advisor owned between 18 and 25 percent of
the voting stock. As part of the settlement, the respondents agreed to a
censure and a cease and desist order and the Advisor agreed to various
undertakings, including adoption of certain procedures and a limitation for
six months on accepting certain types of new advisory clients.
On June 6, 1996, the Department of Labor ("DOL") filed an action against the
Advisor for equitable relief alleging violations of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") in connection with cross trades that
occurred between 1987 and late 1989 involving certain pension accounts managed
by the Advisor. Contemporaneous with this filing, the Advisor, without
admitting or denying the DOL's allegations, agreed to the entry of a consent
judgment resolving all matters relating to the allegations. Reich v. Strong
Capital Management, Inc., (U.S.D.C. E.D. WI) ("Consent Judgment"). Under the
terms of the Consent Judgment, the Advisor agreed to reimburse the affected
accounts a total of $5.9 million. The settlement did not have any material
impact on the Advisor's financial position or operations.
The Fund, the Advisor, and the Distributor have adopted a Code of Ethics
("Code") which governs the personal trading activities of all "Access Persons"
of the Advisor and Distributor. Access Persons include every director and
officer of the Advisor, the Distributor, and the investment companies managed
by the Advisor, including the Fund, as well as certain employees of the
Advisor and the Distributor who have access to information relating to the
purchase or sale of securities by the Advisor on behalf of accounts managed by
it. The Code is based upon the principal that such Access Persons have a
fiduciary duty to place the interests of the Fund and the Advisor's other
clients ahead of their own.
The Code requires Access Persons (other than Access Persons who are
independent directors of the investment companies managed by the Advisor,
including the Fund) to, among other things, preclear their securities
transactions (with limited exceptions, such as transactions in shares of
mutual funds, direct obligations of the U.S. government, and certain options
on broad-based securities market indexes) and to execute such transactions
through the Advisor's trading department. The Code, which applies to all
Access Persons (other than Access Persons who are independent directors of the
investment companies managed by the Advisor, including the Fund), includes a
ban on acquiring any securities in an initial public offering, other than a
new offering of a registered open-end investment company, and a prohibition
from profiting on short-term trading in securities. In addition, no Access
Person may purchase or sell any security which is contemporaneously being
purchased or sold, or to the knowledge of the Access Person, is being
considered for purchase or sale, by the Advisor on behalf of any mutual fund
or other account managed by it. Finally, the Code provides for trading "black
out" periods of seven calendar days during which time Access Persons who are
portfolio managers may not trade in securities which have been purchased or
sold by any mutual fund or other account managed by the portfolio manager.
The Advisor provides investment advisory services for multiple clients through
different types of investment accounts (E.G., mutual funds, hedge funds,
separately managed accounts, etc.) who may have similar or different
investment objectives and investment policies (E.G., some accounts may have an
active trading strategy while others follow a "buy and hold" strategy). In
managing these accounts, the Advisor seeks to maximize each account's return,
consistent with the account's investment objectives and investment strategies.
While the Advisor's policies are designed to ensure that over time
similarly-situated clients
14
<PAGE>
receive similar treatment, to the maximum extent possible, because of the range
of the Advisor's clients, the Advisor may give advice and take action with
respect to one account that may differ from the advice given, or the timing or
nature of action taken, with respect to another account (the Advisor, its
principals and associates also may take such actions in their personal
securities transactions, to the extent permitted by and consistent with the
Code). For example, the Advisor may use the same investment style in managing
two accounts, but one may have a shorter-term horizon and accept high-turnover
while the other may have a longer-term investment horizon and desire to
minimize turnover. If the Advisor reasonably believes that a particular
security may provide an attractive opportunity due to short-term volatility but
may no longer be attractive on a long-term basis, the Advisor may cause
accounts with a shorter-term investment horizon to buy the security at the same
time it is causing accounts with a longer-term investment horizon to sell the
security. The Advisor takes all reasonable steps to ensure that investment
opportunities are, over time, allocated to accounts on a fair and equitable
basis relative to the other similarly-situated accounts and that the investment
activities of different accounts do not unfairly disadvantage other accounts.
From time to time, the Advisor votes the shares owned by the Fund according to
its Statement of General Proxy Voting Policy ("Proxy Voting Policy"). The
general principal of the Proxy Voting Policy is to vote any beneficial
interest in an equity security prudently and solely in the best long-term
economic interest of the Fund and its beneficiaries considering all relevant
factors and without undue influence from individuals or groups who may have an
economic interest in the outcome of a proxy vote. Shareholders may obtain a
copy of the Proxy Voting Policy upon request from the Advisor.
The Advisor also provides a program of custom portfolio management called the
Strong Advisor. This program is designed to determine which investment
approach fits an investor's financial needs and then provides the investor
with a custom built portfolio of Strong Funds based on that allocation. The
Advisor, on behalf of participants in the Strong Advisor program, may
determine to invest a portion of the program's assets in any one Strong Fund,
which investment, particularly in the case of a smaller Strong Fund, could
represent a material portion of the Fund's assets. In such cases, a decision
to redeem the Strong Advisor program's investment in a Fund on short notice
could raise a potential conflict of interest for the Advisor, between the
interests of participants in the Strong Advisor program and of the Fund's
other shareholders. In general, the Advisor does not expect to direct the
Strong Advisor program to make redemption requests on short notice. However,
should the Advisor determine this to be necessary, the Advisor will use its
best efforts and act in good faith to balance the potentially competing
interests of participants in the Strong Advisor program and the Fund's other
shareholders in a manner the Advisor deems most appropriate for both parties
in light of the circumstances.
From time to time, the Advisor may make available to third parties current and
historical information about the portfolio holdings of the Advisor's mutual
funds or other clients. Release may be made to entities such as fund ratings
entities, industry trade groups, and financial publications. Generally, the
Advisor will release this type of information only where it is otherwise
publicly available. This information may also be released where the Advisor
reasonably believes that the release will not be to the detriment of the best
interests of its clients.
For more complete information about the Advisor, including its services,
investment strategies, policies, and procedures, please call 800-368-3863 and
ask for a copy of Part II of the Advisor's Form ADV.
DISTRIBUTOR
Under a Distribution Agreement with the Fund ("Distribution Agreement"),
Strong Investments, Inc. ("Distributor"), P.O. Box 2936, Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
53201, acts as underwriter of the Fund's shares. Mr. Strong is the Chairman
and Director of the Distributor. The Distribution Agreement provides that the
Distributor will use its best efforts to distribute the Fund's shares. The
Distribution Agreement further provides that the Distributor will bear the
additional costs of printing prospectuses and shareholder reports which are
used for selling purposes, as well as advertising and any other costs
attributable to the distribution of the Fund's shares. The Distributor is a
direct subsidiary of the Advisor and controlled by the Advisor and Richard S.
Strong. The Distribution Agreement is subject to the same termination and
renewal provisions as are described above with respect to the Advisory
Agreement.
The shares of the Fund are offered on a "no-load" basis, which means that no
sales commissions are charged on the purchase of those shares.
From time to time, the Distributor may hold in-house sales incentive programs
for its associated persons under which these persons may receive compensation
awards in connection with the sale and distribution of the Fund's shares.
These awards may
15
<PAGE>
include items such as, but not limited to, cash, gifts, merchandise, gift
certificates, and payment of travel expenses, meals, and lodging. Any in-house
sales incentive program will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD").
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
The Advisor is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the
Fund and for the placement of the Fund's investment business and the
negotiation of the commissions to be paid on such transactions. It is the
policy of the Advisor, to seek the best execution at the best security price
available with respect to each transaction, in light of the overall quality of
brokerage and research services provided to the Advisor, or the Fund. In OTC
transactions, orders are placed directly with a principal market maker unless
it is believed that a better price and execution can be obtained using a
broker. The best price to the Fund means the best net price without regard to
the mix between purchase or sale price and commissions, if any. In selecting
broker-dealers and in negotiating commissions, the Advisor considers a variety
of factors, including best price and execution, the full range of brokerage
services provided by the broker, as well as its capital strength and
stability, and the quality of the research and research services provided by
the broker. Brokerage will not be allocated based on the sale of any shares
of the Strong Funds.
The Advisor has adopted procedures that provide generally for the Advisor to
seek to bunch orders for the purchase or sale of the same security for the
Fund, other mutual funds managed by the Advisor, and other advisory clients
(collectively, "client accounts"). The Advisor will bunch orders when it
deems it to be appropriate and in the best interest of the client accounts.
When a bunched order is filled in its entirety, each participating client
account will participate at the average share price for the bunched order on
the same business day, and transaction costs shall be shared pro rata based on
each client's participation in the bunched order. When a bunched order is
only partially filled, the securities purchased will be allocated on a pro
rata basis to each client account participating in the bunched order based
upon the initial amount requested for the account, subject to certain
exceptions, and each participating account will participate at the average
share price for the bunched order on the same business day.
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Section 28(e)") permits
an investment advisor, under certain circumstances, to cause an account to pay
a broker or dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the
amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting
the transaction in recognition of the value of the brokerage and research
services provided by the broker or dealer. Brokerage and research services
include (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability
of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of
securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and
reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and
trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting
securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as
clearance, settlement, and custody).
In carrying out the provisions of the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor may
cause the Fund to pay a broker, which provides brokerage and research services
to the Advisor, a commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess
of the amount another broker would have charged for effecting the transaction.
The Advisor believes it is important to its investment decision-making process
to have access to independent research. The Advisory Agreement provides that
such higher commissions will not be paid by the Fund unless (1) the Advisor
determines in good faith that the amount is reasonable in relation to the
services in terms of the particular transaction or in terms of the Advisor's
overall responsibilities with respect to the accounts as to which it exercises
investment discretion; (2) such payment is made in compliance with the
provisions of Section 28(e), other applicable state and federal laws, and the
Advisory Agreement; and (3) in the opinion of the Advisor, the total
commissions paid by the Fund will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to
the Fund over the long term. The investment management fee paid by the Fund
under the Advisory Agreement is not reduced as a result of the Advisor's
receipt of research services. To request a copy of the Advisor's Soft Dollar
Practices, please call 800-368-3863.
The Advisor may engage in "step-out" and "give-up" brokerage transactions
subject to best price and execution. In a step-out or give-up trade, an
investment advisor directs trades to a broker-dealer who executes the
transactions while a second broker-dealer clears and settles part or all of
the transaction. The first broker-dealer then shares part of its commission
with the second broker-dealer. The Advisor engages in step-out and give-up
transactions primarily (1) to satisfy directed brokerage arrangements of
certain of its client accounts and/or (2) to pay commissions to broker-dealers
that supply research or analytical services.
Generally, research services provided by brokers may include information on
the economy, industries, groups of securities, individual companies,
statistical information, accounting and tax law interpretations, political
developments, legal developments
16
<PAGE>
affecting portfolio securities, technical market action, pricing and appraisal
services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance analysis, and
analysis of corporate responsibility issues. Such research services are
received primarily in the form of written reports, telephone contacts, and
personal meetings with security analysts. In addition, such research services
may be provided in the form of access to various computer-generated data,
computer hardware and software, and meetings arranged with corporate and
industry spokespersons, economists, academicians, and government
representatives. In some cases, research services are generated by third
parties but are provided to the Advisor by or through brokers. Such brokers may
pay for all or a portion of computer hardware and software costs relating to
the pricing of securities.
Where the Advisor itself receives both administrative benefits and research
and brokerage services from the services provided by brokers, it makes a good
faith allocation between the administrative benefits and the research and
brokerage services, and will pay for any administrative benefits with cash.
In making good faith allocations between administrative benefits and research
and brokerage services, a conflict of interest may exist by reason of the
Advisor's allocation of the costs of such benefits and services between those
that primarily benefit the Advisor and those that primarily benefit the Fund
and other advisory clients.
From time to time, the Advisor may purchase new issues of securities for the
Fund in a fixed income price offering. In these situations, the seller may be
a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling the securities
to the Fund and other advisory clients, provide the Advisor with research. The
NASD has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under
certain circumstances. Generally, the seller will provide research "credits"
in these situations at a rate that is higher than that which is available for
typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within
the safe harbor of Section 28(e).
At least annually, the Advisor considers the amount and nature of research and
research services provided by brokers, as well as the extent to which such
services are relied upon, and attempts to allocate a portion of the brokerage
business of the Fund and other advisory clients on the basis of that
consideration. In addition, brokers may suggest a level of business they would
like to receive in order to continue to provide such services. The actual
brokerage business received by a broker may be more or less than the suggested
allocations, depending upon the Advisor's evaluation of all applicable
considerations.
The Advisor has informal arrangements with various brokers whereby, in
consideration for providing research services and subject to Section 28(e),
the Advisor allocates brokerage to those firms, provided that the value of any
research and brokerage services was reasonable in relationship to the amount
of commission paid and was subject to best execution. In no case will the
Advisor make binding commitments as to the level of brokerage commissions it
will allocate to a broker, nor will it commit to pay cash if any informal
targets are not met. The Advisor anticipates it will continue to enter into
such brokerage arrangements.
The Advisor may direct the purchase of securities on behalf of the Fund and
other advisory clients in secondary market transactions, in public offerings
directly from an underwriter, or in privately negotiated transactions with an
issuer. When the Advisor believes the circumstances so warrant, securities
purchased in public offerings may be resold shortly after acquisition in the
immediate aftermarket for the security in order to take advantage of price
appreciation from the public offering price or for other reasons. Short-term
trading of securities acquired in public offerings, or otherwise, may result
in higher portfolio turnover and associated brokerage expenses.
The Advisor places portfolio transactions for other advisory accounts,
including other mutual funds managed by the Advisor. Research services
furnished by firms through which the Fund effects its securities transactions
may be used by the Advisor in servicing all of its accounts; not all of such
services may be used by the Advisor in connection with the Fund. In the
opinion of the Advisor, it is not possible to measure separately the benefits
from research services to each of the accounts managed by the Advisor. Because
the volume and nature of the trading activities of the accounts are not
uniform, the amount of commissions in excess of those charged by another
broker paid by each account for brokerage and research services will vary.
However, in the opinion of the Advisor, such costs to the Fund will not be
disproportionate to the benefits received by the Fund on a continuing basis.
The Advisor seeks to allocate portfolio transactions equitably whenever
concurrent decisions are made to purchase or sell securities by the Fund and
another advisory account. In some cases, this procedure could have an adverse
effect on the price or the amount of securities available to the Fund. In
making such allocations between the Fund and other advisory accounts, the main
factors considered by the Advisor are the respective investment objectives,
the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities,
the availability of cash for investment, the size of investment commitments
generally held, and the opinions of the persons responsible for recommending
the investment.
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<PAGE>
Where consistent with a client's investment objectives, investment
restrictions, and risk tolerance, the Advisor may purchase securities sold in
underwritten public offerings for client accounts, commonly referred to as
"deal" securities. To the extent the Fund participates in deals in the
initial public offering market ("IPOs") and during the period that the Fund
has a small asset base, a significant portion of the Fund's returns may be
attributable to its IPO investments. As the Fund's assets grow, any impact of
IPO investments on the Fund's total return may decline and the Fund may not
continue to experience substantially similar performance.
The Advisor has adopted deal allocation procedures ("Procedures"), summarized
below, that reflect the Advisor's overriding policy that deal securities must
be allocated among participating client accounts in a fair and equitable
manner and that deal securities may not be allocated in a manner that unfairly
discriminates in favor of certain clients or types of clients.
The Procedures provide that, in determining which client accounts a portfolio
manager team will seek to have purchase deal securities, the team will
consider all relevant factors including, but not limited to, the nature, size,
and expected allocation to the Advisor of deal securities; the size of the
account(s); the accounts' investment objectives and restrictions; the risk
tolerance of the client; the client's tolerance for possibly higher portfolio
turnover; the amount of commissions generated by the account during the past
year; and the number and nature of other deals the client has participated in
during the past year.
Where more than one of the Advisor's portfolio manager team seeks to have
client accounts participate in a deal and the amount of deal securities
allocated to the Advisor by the underwriting syndicate is less than the
aggregate amount ordered by the Advisor (a "reduced allocation"), the deal
securities will be allocated among the portfolio manager teams based on all
relevant factors. The primary factor shall be assets under management,
although other factors that may be considered in the allocation decision
include, but are not limited to, the nature, size, and expected allocation of
the deal; the amount of brokerage commissions or other amounts generated by
the respective participating portfolio manager teams; and which portfolio
manager team is primarily responsible for the Advisor receiving securities in
the deal. Based on relevant factors, the Advisor has established general
allocation percentages for its portfolio manager teams, and these percentages
are reviewed on a regular basis to determine whether asset growth or other
factors make it appropriate to use different general allocation percentages
for reduced allocations.
When a portfolio manager team receives a reduced allocation of deal
securities, the portfolio manager team will allocate the reduced allocation
among client accounts in accordance with the allocation percentages set forth
in the team's initial allocation instructions for the deal securities, except
where this would result in a DE MINIMIS allocation to any client account. On
a regular basis, the Advisor reviews the allocation of deal securities to
ensure that they have been allocated in a fair and equitable manner that does
not unfairly discriminate in favor of certain clients or types of clients.
Transactions in futures contracts are executed through futures commission
merchants ("FCMs"). The Fund's procedures in selecting FCMs to execute the
Fund's transactions in futures contracts are similar to those in effect with
respect to brokerage transactions in securities.
CUSTODIAN
As custodian of the Fund's assets, [custodian], has custody of all securities
and cash of the Fund, delivers and receives payment for securities sold,
receives and pays for securities purchased, collects income from investments,
and performs other duties, all as directed by officers of the Fund. The
custodian is in no way responsible for any of the investment policies or
decisions of the Fund.
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<PAGE>
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
The Advisor, P.O. Box 2936, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53201, acts as transfer
agent and dividend-disbursing agent for the Fund. The Advisor is compensated
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
FUND TYPE/SHARE CLASS FEE*
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money Funds and Investor Class $32.50 annual open account fee, $4.20 annual closed account fee.
shares of Money Funds
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class shares of Money 0.20% of the average daily net asset value of all Advisor Class shares.
Funds(1)
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional class shares of Money 0.015% of the average daily net asset value of all Institutional Class shares.
Funds
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Funds and Investor Class $31.50 annual open account fee, $4.20 annual closed account fee.
shares of Income Funds
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class shares of Income 0.20% of the average daily net asset value of all Advisor Class shares.
Funds
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class shares of Income 0.015% of the average daily net asset value of all Institutional Class shares.
Funds
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity Funds and Investor Class $21.75 annual open account fee, $4.20 annual closed account fee.
shares of Equity Funds
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisor Class shares of Equity Funds 0.20% of the average daily net asset value of all Advisor Class shares.
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Institutional Class shares of Equity 0.015% of the average daily net asset value of all Institutional Class shares.
Funds
--------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Plus out-of-pocket expenses, such as postage and printing expenses in
connection with shareholder communications.
(1) Excluding the Strong Heritage Money Fund. The fee for the Heritage
Money Fund is 0.015% of the average daily net asset value of all Advisor Class
shares.
From time to time, the Fund, directly or indirectly through arrangements with
the Advisor, and/or the Advisor may pay fees to third parties that provide
transfer agent type services and other administrative services to persons who
beneficially own interests in the Fund, such as participants in 401(k) plans
and shareholders who invest through other financial intermediaries. These
services may include, among other things, sub-accounting services, transfer
agent type activities, answering inquiries relating to the Fund, transmitting
proxy statements, annual reports, updated prospectuses, other communications
regarding the Fund, and related services as the Fund or beneficial owners may
reasonably request. In such cases, the Fund will not pay fees based on the
number of beneficial owners at a rate that is greater than the rate the Fund
is currently paying the Advisor for providing these services to Fund
shareholders; however, the Advisor may pay to the third party amounts in
excess of such limitation out of its own profits.
TAXES
GENERAL
The Fund intends to qualify annually for treatment as a regulated investment
company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of the IRC. If so qualified, the Fund will
not be liable for federal income tax on earnings and gains distributed to its
shareholders in a timely manner. This qualification does not involve
government supervision of the Fund's management practices or policies. The
following federal tax discussion is intended to provide you with an overview
of the impact of federal income tax provisions on the Fund or its
shareholders. These tax provisions are subject to change by legislative or
administrative action at the federal, state, or local level, and any changes
may be applied retroactively. Any such action that limits or restricts the
Fund's current ability to pass-through earnings without taxation at the Fund
level, or otherwise materially changes the Fund's tax treatment, could
adversely affect the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. Because
the Fund's taxes are a complex matter, you should consult your tax adviser for
more detailed information concerning the taxation of the Fund and the federal,
state, and local tax consequences to shareholders of an investment in the
Fund.
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<PAGE>
In order to qualify for treatment as a RIC under the IRC, the Fund must
distribute to its shareholders for each taxable year at least 90% of its
investment company taxable income (consisting generally of taxable net
investment income, net short-term capital gain, and net gains from certain
foreign currency transactions, if applicable) ("Distribution Requirement") and
must meet several additional requirements. These requirements include the
following: (1) the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income each
taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities
loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities (or foreign
currencies if applicable) or other income (including gains from options,
futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of
investing in securities ("Income Requirement"); (2) at the close of each
quarter of the Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total
assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities,
securities of other RICs, and other securities, with these other securities
limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of
the value of the Fund's total assets and that does not represent more than 10%
of the issuer's outstanding voting securities; and (3) at the close of each
quarter of the Fund's taxable year, not more than 25% of the value of its
total assets may be invested in securities (other than U.S. government
securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer. There is a
30-day period after the end of each calendar year quarter in which to cure any
non-compliance with these requirements.
If Fund shares are sold at a loss after being held for 12 months or less, the
loss will be treated as long-term, instead of short-term, capital loss to the
extent of any capital gain distributions received on those shares.
The Fund's distributions are taxable in the year they are paid, whether they
are taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, except that certain
distributions declared in the last three months of the year and paid in
January are taxable as if paid on December 31.
The Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax ("Excise Tax") to
the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year
substantially all of its ordinary income for that year and capital gain net
income for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year, plus certain
other amounts. The Fund may make additional distributions if necessary to
avoid imposition of a 4% excise tax on undistributed income and gains.
PASS-THROUGH INCOME TAX EXEMPTION
Most state laws provide a pass-through to mutual fund shareholders of the
state and local income tax exemption afforded owners of direct U.S. government
obligations. You will be notified annually of the percentage of a Fund's
income that is derived from U.S. government securities.
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES
A substantial portion of the dividends paid by the Fund will qualify as
exempt-interest dividends and thus will be excludable from gross income by its
shareholders, if the Fund satisfies the requirement that, at the close of each
quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets
consists of securities the interest on which is excludable from gross income
under section 103(a); the Fund intends to continue to satisfy this
requirement. The aggregate dividends excludable from the Fund's shareholders'
gross income may not exceed the Fund's net tax-exempt income. The
shareholders' treatment of dividends from the Fund under local and state
income tax laws may differ from the treatment thereof under the Tax Code.
Tax-exempt interest attributable to certain private activity bonds ("PABs")
(including, in the case of a RIC receiving interest on such bonds, a
proportionate part of the exempt-interest dividends paid by that RIC) is
subject to the alternative minimum tax. Exempt-interest dividends received by
a corporate shareholder also may be indirectly subject to that tax without
regard to whether the Fund's tax-exempt interest was attributable to such
bonds. Entities or persons who are "substantial users" (or persons related to
"substantial users") of facilities financed by PABs or industrial development
bonds ("IDBs") should consult their tax advisors before purchasing shares of
the Fund because, for users of certain of these facilities, the interest on
such bonds is not exempt from federal income tax. For these purposes, the
term "substantial user" is defined generally to include a "non-exempt person"
who regularly uses in trade or business a part of a facility financed from the
proceeds of PABs or IDBs.
The Fund may invest in municipal bonds that are purchased, generally not on
their original issue, with market discount (that is, at a price less than the
principal amount of the bond or, in the case of a bond that was issued with
original issue discount, a price less than the amount of the issue price plus
accrued original issue discount) ("municipal market discount bonds"). Market
discount generally arises when the value of the bond declines after issuance
(typically, because of an increase in prevailing
20
<PAGE>
interest rates or a decline in the issuer's creditworthiness). Gain on the
disposition of a municipal market discount bond purchased by the Fund after
April 30, 1993 (other than a bond with a fixed maturity date within one year
from its issuance), generally is treated as ordinary (taxable) income, rather
than capital gain, to the extent of the bond's accrued market discount at the
time of disposition. Market discount on such a bond generally is accrued
ratably, on a daily basis, over the period from the acquisition date to the
date of maturity. In lieu of treating the disposition gain as above, the Fund
may elect to include market discount in its gross income currently, for each
taxable year to which it is attributable.
USE OF TAX-LOT ACCOUNTING
When sell decisions are made by the Fund's portfolio manager, the Advisor
generally sells the tax lots of the Fund's securities that results in the
lowest amount of taxes to be paid by the shareholders on the Fund's capital
gain distributions. The Advisor uses tax-lot accounting to identify and sell
the tax lots of a security that have the highest cost basis and/or longest
holding period to minimize adverse tax consequences to the Fund's
shareholders. However, if the Fund has a capital loss carry forward position,
the Advisor would reverse its strategy and sell the tax lots of a security
that have the lowest cost basis and/or shortest holding period to maximize the
use of the Fund's capital loss carry forward position.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
Generally, when an investor makes any purchases, sales, or exchanges, the
price of the investor's shares will be the net asset value ("NAV") next
determined after Strong Funds receives a request in proper form (which
includes receipt of all necessary and appropriate documentation and subject to
available funds). Any applicable sales charges will be added to the purchase
price for Advisor Class shares of the Fund, if any. The "offering price" is
the initial sales charge, if any, plus the NAV. If Strong Funds receives such
a request prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") on a day
on which the NYSE is open, the share price will be the NAV determined that
day. The NAV for each Fund or each class of shares is normally determined as
of 3:00 p.m. Central Time ("CT") each day the NYSE is open. The NYSE is open
for trading Monday through Friday except New Year's Day, Martin Luther King
Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Additionally, if any of the
aforementioned holidays falls on a Saturday, the NYSE will not be open for
trading on the preceding Friday, and when any such holiday falls on a Sunday,
the NYSE will not be open for trading on the succeeding Monday, unless unusual
business conditions exist, such as the ending of a monthly or yearly
accounting period. The Fund reserves the right to change the time at which
purchases, redemptions, and exchanges are priced if the NYSE closes at a time
other than 3:00 p.m. CT or if an emergency exists. The NAV of each Fund or of
each class of shares of a Fund is calculated by taking the fair value of the
Fund's total assets attributable to that Fund or class, subtracting all its
liabilities attributable to that Fund or class, and dividing by the total
number of shares outstanding of that Fund or class. Expenses are accrued
daily and applied when determining the NAV. The Fund's portfolio securities
are valued based on market quotations or at fair value as determined by the
method selected by the Fund's Board of Directors.
The Fund values its securities on the amortized cost basis and seek to
maintain their net asset value at a constant $1.00 per share. In the event a
difference of 1/2 of 1% or more were to occur between the net asset value
calculated by reference to market values and the Fund's $1.00 per share net
asset value, or if there were any other deviation which the Fund's Board of
Directors believed would result in a material dilution to shareholders or
purchasers, the Board of Directors would consider taking any one or more of
the following actions or any other action considered appropriate: selling
portfolio securities to shorten average portfolio maturity or to realize
capital gains or losses, reducing or suspending shareholder income accruals,
redeeming shares in kind, or utilizing a value per unit based upon available
indications of market value. Available indications of market value may
include, among other things, quotations or market value estimates of
securities and/or values based on yield data relating to money market
securities that are published by reputable sources.
ADDITIONAL SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
BROKERS RECEIPT OF PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION ORDERS
The Fund has authorized certain brokers to accept purchase and redemption
orders on the Fund's behalf. These brokers are, in turn, authorized to
designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on the
Fund's behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or
redemption order when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker's
authorized designee, accepts the order. Purchase and redemption orders
received in this manner will be priced at the Fund's net asset value next
computed after they are accepted by an authorized broker or the broker's
authorized designee.
21
<PAGE>
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING
Strong Funds' Automatic Investment Plan, Payroll Direct Deposit Plan, and
Automatic Exchange Plan are methods of implementing dollar cost averaging.
Dollar cost averaging is an investment strategy that involves investing a
fixed amount of money at regular time intervals. By always investing the same
set amount, an investor will be purchasing more shares when the price is low
and fewer shares when the price is high. Ultimately, by using this principle
in conjunction with fluctuations in share price, an investor's average cost
per share may be less than the average transaction price. A program of
regular investment cannot ensure a profit or protect against a loss during
declining markets. Since such a program involves continuous investment
regardless of fluctuating share values, investors should consider their
ability to continue the program through periods of both low and high
share-price levels. These methods are unavailable for Institutional Class
accounts.
FEE WAIVERS
The Fund reserves the right to waive some or all fees in certain conditions
where the application of the fee would not serve its purpose.
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
If an investor purchases or redeems shares of the Fund through a financial
intermediary, certain features of the Fund relating to such transactions may
not be available or may be modified. In addition, certain operational
policies of the Fund, including those related to settlement and dividend
accrual, may vary from those applicable to direct shareholders of the Fund and
may vary among intermediaries. Please consult your financial intermediary for
more information regarding these matters. In addition, the Fund may pay,
directly or indirectly through arrangements with the Advisor, amounts to
financial intermediaries that provide transfer agent type and/or other
administrative services to their customers. The Fund will not pay more for
these services through intermediary relationships than it would if the
intermediaries' customers were direct shareholders in the Fund; however, the
Advisor may pay to the financial intermediary amounts in excess of such
limitation out of its own profits. Certain financial intermediaries may
charge an advisory, transaction, or other fee for their services. Investors
will not be charged for such fees if investors purchase or redeem Fund shares
directly from the Fund without the intervention of a financial intermediary.
FUND REDEMPTIONS
Shareholders (except Advisor and Institutional Class shareholders) can gain
access to the money in their accounts by selling (also called redeeming) some
or all of their shares by mail, telephone, computer, automatic withdrawals,
through a broker-dealer, or by writing a check (assuming all the appropriate
documents and requirements have been met for these account options). Advisor
and Institutional Class shareholders may redeem some or all of their shares by
telephone or by faxing a written request. After a redemption request is
processed, the proceeds from the sale will normally be sent on the next
business day but, in any event, no more than seven days later.
MOVING ACCOUNT OPTIONS AND INFORMATION
When establishing a new account (other than an Institutional Class account) by
exchanging funds from an existing Strong Funds account, some account options
(such as checkwriting, the Exchange Option, Express PurchaseSM, and the
Redemption Option), if existing on the account from which money is exchanged,
will automatically be made available on the new account unless the shareholder
indicates otherwise, or the option is not available on the new account.
Subject to applicable Strong Funds policies, other account options, including
automatic investment, automatic exchange and systematic withdrawal, may be
moved to the new account at the request of the shareholder. These options are
not available for Institutional Class accounts. If allowed by Strong Funds
policies (i) once the account options are established on the new account, the
shareholder may modify or amend the options, and (ii) account options may be
moved or added from one existing account to another new or existing account.
Account information, such as the shareholder's address of record and social
security number, will be copied from the existing account to the new account.
22
<PAGE>
PROMOTIONAL ITEMS
From time to time, the Advisor and/or Distributor may give de minimis gifts or
other immaterial consideration to investors who open new accounts or add to
existing accounts with the Strong Funds. In addition, from time to time, the
Advisor and/or Distributor, alone or with other entities or persons, may
sponsor, participate in conducting, or be involved with sweepstakes,
give-aways, contests, incentive promotions, or other similar programs
("Give-Aways"). This is done in order to, among other reasons, increase the
number of users of and visits to the Fund's Internet web site. As part of the
Give-Aways, persons may receive cash or other awards including without
limitation, gifts, merchandise, gift certificates, travel, meals, and lodging.
Under the Advisor's and Distributor's standard rules for Give-Aways, their
employees, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and members of
their immediate families are not eligible to enter the Give-Aways.
REDEMPTION IN KIND
The Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, which
obligates the Fund to redeem shares in cash, with respect to any one
shareholder during any 90-day period, up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of
the assets of the Fund. If the Advisor determines that existing conditions
make cash payments undesirable, redemption payments may be made in whole or in
part in securities or other financial assets, valued for this purpose as they
are valued in computing the NAV for the Fund's shares (a "redemption in
kind"). Shareholders receiving securities or other financial assets in a
redemption in kind may realize a gain or loss for tax purposes, and will incur
any costs of sale, as well as the associated inconveniences. If you expect to
make a redemption in excess of the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's
assets during any 90-day period and would like to avoid any possibility of
being paid with securities in-kind, you may do so by providing Strong Funds
with an unconditional instruction to redeem at least 15 calendar days prior to
the date on which the redemption transaction is to occur, specifying the
dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed and the date of the
transaction (please call 800-368-3863). This will provide the Fund with
sufficient time to raise the cash in an orderly manner to pay the redemption
and thereby minimize the effect of the redemption on the interests of the
Fund's remaining shareholders.
Redemption checks in excess of the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's
assets during any 90-day period may not be honored by the Fund if the Advisor
determines that existing conditions make cash payments undesirable.
RETIREMENT PLANS
TRADITIONAL INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT (IRA): Everyone under age 70 1/2
with earned income may contribute to a tax-deferred Traditional IRA. The
Strong Funds offer a prototype plan for you to establish your own Traditional
IRA. You are allowed to contribute up to the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of your
earned income each year to your Traditional IRA (or up to $4,000 between your
Traditional IRA and your non-working spouses' Traditional IRA). Under certain
circumstances, your contribution will be deductible.
ROTH IRA: Taxpayers, of any age, who have earned income, and whose adjusted
gross income ("AGI") does not exceed $110,000 (single) or $160,000 (joint) can
contribute to a Roth IRA. Allowed contributions begin to phase-out at $95,000
(single) or $150,000 (joint). You are allowed to contribute up to the lesser
of $2,000 or 100% of earned income each year into a Roth IRA. If you also
maintain a Traditional IRA, the maximum contribution to your Roth IRA is
reduced by any contributions that you make to your Traditional IRA.
Distributions from a Roth IRA, if they meet certain requirements, may be
federally tax free. If your AGI is $100,000 or less, you can convert your
Traditional IRAs into a Roth IRA. Conversions of earnings and deductible
contributions are taxable in the year of the distribution. The early
distribution penalty does not apply to amounts converted to a Roth IRA even if
you are under age 59 1/2.
EDUCATION IRA: Taxpayers may contribute up to $500 per year into an Education
IRA for the benefit of a child under age 18. Total contributions to any one
child cannot exceed $500 per year. The contributor must have adjusted income
under $110,000 (single) or $160,000 (joint) to contribute to an Education IRA.
Allowed contributions begin to phase-out at $95,000 (single) or $150,000
(joint). Withdrawals from the Education IRA to pay qualified higher
education expenses are federally tax free. Any withdrawal in excess of higher
education expenses for the year are potentially subject to tax and an
additional 10% penalty.
23
<PAGE>
DIRECT ROLLOVER IRA: To avoid the mandatory 20% federal withholding tax on
distributions, you must transfer the qualified retirement or IRC section
403(b) plan distribution directly into an IRA. The distribution must be
eligible for rollover. The amount of your Direct Rollover IRA contribution
will not be included in your taxable income for the year.
SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION PLAN (SEP-IRA): A SEP-IRA plan allows an employer
to make deductible contributions to separate IRA accounts established for each
eligible employee.
SALARY REDUCTION SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION PLAN (SAR SEP-IRA): A SAR SEP-IRA
plan is a type of SEP-IRA plan in which an employer may allow employees to
defer part of their salaries and contribute to an IRA account. These deferrals
help lower the employees' taxable income. Please note that you may no longer
open new SAR SEP-IRA plans (since December 31, 1996). However, employers with
SAR SEP-IRA plans that were established prior to January 1, 1997 may still
open accounts for new employees.
SIMPLIFIED INCENTIVE MATCH PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES (SIMPLE-IRA): A SIMPLE-IRA plan
is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to contribute a percentage
of their compensation, up to $6,000, on a pre-tax basis, to a SIMPLE-IRA
account. The employer is required to make annual contributions to eligible
employees' accounts. All contributions grow tax-deferred.
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN: A defined contribution plan allows self-employed
individuals, partners, or a corporation to provide retirement benefits for
themselves and their employees. Plan types include: profit-sharing plans,
money purchase pension plans, and paired plans (a combination of a
profit-sharing plan and a money purchase plan).
401(K) PLAN: A 401(k) plan is a type of profit-sharing plan that allows
employees to have part of their salary contributed on a pre-tax basis to a
retirement plan which will earn tax-deferred income. A 401(k) plan is funded
by employee contributions, employer contributions, or a combination of both.
403(B)(7) PLAN: A 403(b)(7) plan is a tax-sheltered custodial account designed
to qualify under section 403(b)(7) of the IRC and is available for use by
employees of certain educational, non-profit, hospital, and charitable
organizations.
RIGHT OF SET-OFF
To the extent not prohibited by law, the Fund, any other Strong Fund, and the
Advisor, each has the right to set-off against a shareholder's account balance
with a Strong Fund, and redeem from such account, any debt the shareholder may
owe any of these entities. This right applies even if the account is not
identically registered.
SHARES IN CERTIFICATE FORM
Certificates will be issued for shares (other than Advisor Class or
Institutional Class shares) held in a Fund account only upon written request.
Certificates will not be issued for Institutional Class or Advisor Class
shares of any Fund. A shareholder will, however, have full shareholder rights
whether or not a certificate is requested.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
A signature guarantee is designed to protect shareholders and the Fund against
fraudulent transactions by unauthorized persons. In the following instances,
the Fund will require a signature guarantee for all authorized owners of an
account:
- when adding the Redemption Option to an existing account;
- when transferring the ownership of an account to another individual or
organization;
- when submitting a written redemption request for more than $100,000;
- when requesting to redeem or redeposit shares that have been issued in
certificate form;
- if requesting a certificate after opening an account;
- when requesting that redemption proceeds be sent to a different name or
address than is registered on an account;
- if adding/changing a name or adding/removing an owner on an account; and
- if adding/changing the beneficiary on a transfer-on-death account.
24
<PAGE>
A signature guarantee may be obtained from any eligible guarantor institution,
as defined by the SEC. These institutions include banks, savings
associations, credit unions, brokerage firms, and others. Please note that a
notary public stamp or seal is not acceptable.
TELEPHONE AND INTERNET EXCHANGE/REDEMPTION PRIVILEGES
The Fund employs reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions
communicated by telephone or the Internet are genuine. The Fund may not be
liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Such
procedures include but are not limited to requiring a form of personal
identification prior to acting on instructions received by telephone or the
Internet, providing written confirmations of such transactions to the address
of record, tape recording telephone instructions and backing up Internet
transactions.
ORGANIZATION
The Fund is either a "Corporation" or a "Series" of common stock of a
Corporation, as described in the chart below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Incorporation Date Series Date Class Authorized Par
Corporation Date Created Created Shares Value ($)
----------------------------------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Strong Municipal Funds, Inc. (1) 07/28/96 Indefinite .00001
- Strong Municipal Money Market Fund 07/28/86 Indefinite .00001
- Strong Municipal Advantage Fund 10/27/95 Indefinite .00001
* Investor Class(3) 10/27/95 Indefinite .00001
* Advisor Class 09/21/00 Indefinite .00001
* Institutional Class 07/24/00 Indefinite .00001
- Strong Tax-Exempt Municipal Money __/__/__ Indefinite .00001
Market Fund
</TABLE>
(1) Prior to October 27, 1995, the Fund's name was Strong Municipal Money
Market Fund, Inc.
The Strong Municipal Money Market Fund, the Strong Municipal Advantage, and
the Strong Tax-Exempt Municipal Money Market Funds are diversified series of
Strong Municipal Funds, Inc., which is an open-end management investment
company.
The Corporation is a Wisconsin corporation that is authorized to offer
separate series of shares representing interests in separate portfolios of
securities, each with differing investment objectives. The shares in any one
portfolio may, in turn, be offered in separate classes, each with differing
preferences, limitations or relative rights. However, the Articles of
Incorporation for the Corporation provide that if additional series of shares
are issued by the Corporation, such new series of shares may not affect the
preferences, limitations or relative rights of the Corporation's outstanding
shares. In addition, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is authorized
to allocate assets, liabilities, income and expenses to each series and class.
Classes within a series may have different expense arrangements than other
classes of the same series and, accordingly, the net asset value of shares
within a series may differ. Finally, all holders of shares of the Corporation
may vote on each matter presented to shareholders for action except with
respect to any matter which affects only one or more series or class, in which
case only the shares of the affected series or class are entitled to vote.
Each share of the Fund has one vote, and all shares participate equally in
dividends and other capital gains distributions by the Fund and in the
residual assets of the Fund in the event of liquidation. Fractional shares
have the same rights proportionately as do full shares. Shares of the
Corporation have no preemptive, conversion, or subscription rights. If the
Corporation issues additional series, the assets belonging to each series of
shares will be held separately by the custodian, and in effect each series
will be a separate fund.
25
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
The Wisconsin Business Corporation Law permits registered investment
companies, such as the Fund, to operate without an annual meeting of
shareholders under specified circumstances if an annual meeting is not
required by the 1940 Act. The Fund has adopted the appropriate provisions in
its Bylaws and may, at its discretion, not hold an annual meeting in any year
in which the election of directors is not required to be acted on by
shareholders under the 1940 Act.
The Fund's Bylaws allow for a director to be removed by its shareholders with
or without cause, only at a meeting called for the purpose of removing the
director. Upon the written request of the holders of shares entitled to not
less than ten percent (10%) of all the votes entitled to be cast at such
meeting, the Secretary of the Fund shall promptly call a special meeting of
shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of any
director. The Secretary shall inform such shareholders of the reasonable
estimated costs of preparing and mailing the notice of the meeting, and upon
payment to the Fund of such costs, the Fund shall give not less than ten nor
more than sixty days notice of the special meeting.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Strong Funds may advertise a variety of types of performance information
as more fully described below. The Fund's performance is historical and past
performance does not guarantee the future performance of the Fund. From time
to time, the Advisor may agree to waive or reduce its management fee and/or to
absorb certain operating expenses for the Fund. Waivers of management fees
and absorption of expenses will have the effect of increasing the Fund's
performance.
7-DAY CURRENT AND EFFECTIVE YIELD
The Fund's 7-day current yield quotation is based on a seven-day period and is
computed as follows. The first calculation is net investment income per
share, which is accrued interest on portfolio securities, plus amortized
discount, minus amortized premium, less accrued expenses. This number is then
divided by the price per share (expected to remain constant at $1.00) at the
beginning of the period ("base period return"). The result is then divided by
7 and multiplied by 365 and the resulting yield figure is carried to the
nearest one-hundredth of one percent. Realized capital gains or losses and
unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments are not included in the
calculation. The Fund's effective yield is determined by taking the base
period return (computed as described above) and calculating the effect of
assumed compounding. Effective yield is equal [(base period return +
1)(365/7)]- 1.
TAXABLE EQUIVALENT YIELD
The Fund's tax-equivalent yield is computed by dividing that portion of the
Fund's yield (computed as described above) that is tax-exempt by one minus the
stated federal income tax rate and adding the result to that portion, if any,
of the yield of the Fund that is not tax-exempt. Tax-equivalent yield does
not reflect possible variations due to the federal alternative minimum tax.
An investor may want to determine which investment, tax-exempt or taxable,
will provide you with a higher after-tax return. To determine the
tax-equivalent yield, simply divide the yield from the tax-exempt investment
by the sum of (1 minus the investor's marginal tax rate). The tables below
are provided for making this calculation for selected tax-exempt yield and
taxable income levels. These yields are presented for purposes of illustration
only and are not representative of any yield that a Fund may generate.
26
<PAGE>
The following table is based upon the 2000 federal tax rates in effect as of
January 1, 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
A TAX-FREE YIELD OF:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 Taxable Income Levels* 4% 5% 6% 7% 8%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Married Filing Marginal IS EQUIVALENT TO A TAXABLE YIELD OF:
Jointly Tax Rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
under $26,250 under $43,850 15% 4.71% 5.88% 7.06% 8.24% 9.41%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$26,250- $43,850- 28% 5.56% 6.94% 8.33% 9.72% 11.11%
$63,550 $105,950
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$63,550- $105,950- 31% 5.80% 7.25% 8.70% 10.14% 11.59%
$132,600 $161,450
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$132,600- $161,450- 36% 6.25% 7.81% 9.38% 10.94% 12.50%
$288,350 $288,350
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
over $288,350 over $288,350 39.6% 6.62% 8.28% 9.93% 11.59% 13.25%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* A taxpayer with an adjusted gross income in excess of $128,950 may, to
the extent such taxpayer itemizes deductions, be subject to a higher effective
marginal rate.
DISTRIBUTION RATE
The distribution rate for the Fund is computed, according to a
non-standardized formula, by dividing the total amount of actual distributions
per share paid by the Fund over a twelve month period by the Fund's net asset
value on the last day of the period. The distribution rate differs from the
Fund's yield because the distribution rate includes distributions to
shareholders from sources other than dividends and interest, such as
short-term capital gains. Therefore, the Fund's distribution rate may be
substantially different than its yield. Both the Fund's yield and
distribution rate will fluctuate.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
The Fund's average annual total return quotation is computed in accordance
with a standardized method prescribed by rules of the SEC. The average annual
total return for the Fund for a specific period is calculated by first taking
a hypothetical $10,000 investment ("initial investment") in the Fund's shares
on the first day of the period and computing the "redeemable value" of that
investment at the end of the period. The redeemable value is then divided by
the initial investment, and this quotient is taken to the Nth root (N
representing the number of years in the period) and 1 is subtracted from the
result, which is then expressed as a percentage. The calculation assumes that
all income and capital gains dividends paid by the Fund have been reinvested
at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period. Average
annual total returns reflect the impact of sales charges, if any.
TOTAL RETURN
Calculation of the Fund's total return is not subject to a standardized
formula. Total return performance for a specific period is calculated by
first taking an investment (assumed below to be $10,000) ("initial
investment") in the Fund's shares on the first day of the period and computing
the "ending value" of that investment at the end of the period. The total
return percentage is then determined by subtracting the initial investment
from the ending value and dividing the remainder by the initial investment and
expressing the result as a percentage. The calculation assumes that all
income and capital gains dividends paid by the Fund have been reinvested at
net asset value of the Fund on the reinvestment dates during the period.
Total return may also be shown as the increased dollar value of the
hypothetical investment over the period. Total returns reflect the impact of
sales charges, if any.
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Cumulative total return represents the simple change in value of an investment
over a stated period and may be quoted as a percentage or as a dollar amount.
Total returns and cumulative total returns may be broken down into their
components of income and capital (including capital gains and changes in share
price) in order to illustrate the relationship between these factors and their
contributions to total return. Cumulative total returns reflect the impact of
sales charges, if any.
27
<PAGE>
COMPARISONS
U.S. TREASURY BILLS, NOTES, OR BONDS. Investors may want to compare the
performance of the Fund to that of U.S. Treasury bills, notes, or bonds, which
are issued by the U.S. Government. Treasury obligations are issued in
selected denominations. Rates of Treasury obligations are fixed at the time
of issuance and payment of principal and interest is backed by the full faith
and credit of the Treasury. The market value of such instruments will
generally fluctuate inversely with interest rates prior to maturity and will
equal par value at maturity. Generally, the values of obligations with
shorter maturities will fluctuate less than those with longer maturities.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT. Investors may want to compare the Fund's performance
to that of certificates of deposit offered by banks and other depositary
institutions. Certificates of deposit may offer fixed or variable interest
rates and principal is guaranteed and may be insured. Withdrawal of the
deposits prior to maturity normally will be subject to a penalty. Rates
offered by banks and other depositary institutions are subject to change at
any time specified by the issuing institution.
MONEY MARKET FUNDS. Investors may also want to compare performance of the
Fund to that of money market funds. Money market fund yields will fluctuate
and shares are not insured, but share values usually remain stable.
LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC. ("LIPPER") AND OTHER INDEPENDENT RANKING
ORGANIZATIONS. From time to time, in marketing and other fund literature, the
Fund's performance may be compared to the performance of other mutual funds in
general or to the performance of particular types of mutual funds with similar
investment goals, as tracked by independent organizations. Among these
organizations, Lipper, a widely used independent research firm which ranks
mutual funds by overall performance, investment objectives, and assets, may be
cited. Lipper performance figures are based on changes in net asset value,
with all income and capital gains dividends reinvested. Such calculations do
not include the effect of any sales charges imposed by other funds. The Fund
will be compared to Lipper's appropriate fund category, that is, by fund
objective and portfolio holdings. The Fund's performance may also be compared
to the average performance of its Lipper category.
MORNINGSTAR, INC. The Fund's performance may also be compared to the
performance of other mutual funds by Morningstar, Inc., which rates funds on
the basis of historical risk and total return. Morningstar's ratings range
from five stars (highest) to one star (lowest) and represent Morningstar's
assessment of the historical risk level and total return of a fund as a
weighted average for 3, 5, and 10 year periods. Ratings are not absolute and
do not represent future results.
OTHER SOURCES. The Fund's advertisements and supplemental sales literature
may contain full or partial reprints of editorials or articles evaluating the
Fund's management and performance from such sources as Money, Forbes,
Kiplinger's, Smart Money, Financial World, Business Week, U.S. News and World
Report, The Wall Street Journal, Mutual Fund Magazine, Barron's, and various
investment newsletters. The Fund may also include testimonials from
shareholders, clients, and others that describe their experiences with the
Fund, the Advisor, or the Distributor, including descriptions of the Fund's
performance, features, and attributes and the services, tools, and assistance
provided by the Fund, the Advisor, or the Distributor.
VARIOUS BANK PRODUCTS. The Fund's performance also may be compared on a
before or after-tax basis to various bank products, including the average rate
of bank and thrift institution money market deposit accounts, Super N.O.W.
accounts and certificates of deposit of various maturities as reported in the
Bank Rate Monitor, National Index of 100 leading banks, and thrift
institutions as published by the Bank Rate Monitor, Miami Beach, Florida. The
rates published by the Bank Rate Monitor National Index are averages of the
personal account rates offered on the Wednesday prior to the date of
publication by 100 large banks and thrifts in the top ten Consolidated
Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The rates provided for the bank
accounts assume no compounding and are for the lowest minimum deposit required
to open an account. Higher rates may be available for larger deposits.
With respect to money market deposit accounts and Super N.O.W. accounts,
account minimums range upward from $2,000 in each institution and compounding
methods vary. Super N.O.W. accounts generally offer unlimited check writing
while money market deposit accounts generally restrict the number of checks
that may be written. If more than one rate is offered, the lowest rate is
used. Rates are determined by the financial institution and are subject to
change at any time specified by the institution. Generally, the rates offered
for these products take market conditions and competitive product yields into
consideration when set. Bank products represent a taxable alternative income
producing product. Bank and thrift institution deposit accounts may be
insured. Shareholder accounts in the Fund are not insured. Bank passbook
savings accounts compete with money market
28
<PAGE>
mutual fund products with respect to certain liquidity features but may not
offer all of the features available from a money market mutual fund, such as
check writing. Bank passbook savings accounts normally offer a fixed rate of
interest while the yield of the Fund fluctuates. Bank checking accounts
normally do not pay interest but compete with money market mutual fund products
with respect to certain liquidity features (E.G., the ability to write checks
against the account). Bank certificates of deposit may offer fixed or variable
rates for a set term. (Normally, a variety of terms are available.)
Withdrawal of these deposits prior to maturity will normally be subject to a
penalty. In contrast, shares of the Fund are redeemable at the net asset value
(normally, $1.00 per share) next determined after a request is received,
without charge.
INDICES. The Fund may compare its performance to a wide variety of indices.
There are differences and similarities between the investments that a Fund may
purchase and the investments measured by the indices.
HISTORICAL ASSET CLASS RETURNS. From time to time, marketing materials may
portray the historical returns of various asset classes. Such presentations
will typically compare the average annual rates of return of inflation, U.S.
Treasury bills, bonds, common stocks, and small stocks. There are important
differences between each of these investments that should be considered in
viewing any such comparison. The market value of stocks will fluctuate with
market conditions, and small-stock prices generally will fluctuate more than
large-stock prices. Stocks are generally more volatile than bonds. In return
for this volatility, stocks have generally performed better than bonds or cash
over time. Bond prices generally will fluctuate inversely with interest rates
and other market conditions, and the prices of bonds with longer maturities
generally will fluctuate more than those of shorter-maturity bonds. Interest
rates for bonds may be fixed at the time of issuance, and payment of principal
and interest may be guaranteed by the issuer and, in the case of U.S. Treasury
obligations, backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.
STRONG FUNDS. The Strong Funds offer a comprehensive range of conservative to
aggressive investment options. The Strong Funds and their investment
objectives are listed below.
FUND NAME INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH MANAGEMENT
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Advantage Fund Current income with a very low degree of share-price fluctuation.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Heritage Money Fund Current income, a stable share price, and daily liquidity.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Investors Money Fund Current income, a stable share price, and daily liquidity.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Money Market Fund Current income, a stable share price, and daily liquidity.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Municipal Advantage Fund Federally tax-exempt current income with a very low degree of share-price
fluctuation.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Municipal Money Market Fund Federally tax-exempt current income, a stable share-price, and daily liquidity.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Tax-Exempt Municipal Money Federally tax-exempt current income, a stable share-price, and daily liquidity.
Market Fund
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROWTH AND INCOME
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong American Utilities Fund Total return by investing for both income and capital growth.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Balanced Fund High total return consistent with reasonable risk over the long term.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Blue Chip 100 Fund Total return by investing for both income and capital growth.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Equity Income Fund Total return by investing for both income and capital growth.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Growth and Income Fund High total return by investing for capital growth and income.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Limited Resources Fund Total return by investing for both capital growth and income.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Schafer Balanced Fund Total return by investing for both income and capital growth.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Schafer Value Fund Long-term capital appreciation principally through investment in common stocks
and other equity securities. Current income is a secondary objective.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQUITY
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Common Stock Fund* Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Discovery Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Dow 30 Value Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Enterprise Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
29
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Strong Growth Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Growth 20 Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Index 500 Fund To approximate as closely as practicable (before fees and expenses) the
capitalization-weighted total rate of return of that portion of the U.S. market for
publicly traded common stocks composed of the larger capitalized companies.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Internet Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Large Cap Growth Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Mid Cap Disciplined Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Mid Cap Growth Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Opportunity Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Small Cap Value Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Strategic Growth Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Technology 100 Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong U.S. Emerging Growth Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Value Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Bond Fund Total return by investing for a high level of current income with a moderate
degree of share-price fluctuation.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Corporate Bond Fund Total return by investing for a high level of current income with a moderate
degree of share-price fluctuation.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Government Securities Fund Total return by investing for a high level of current income with a moderate
degree of share-price fluctuation.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong High-Yield Bond Fund Total return by investing for a high level of current income and capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Short-Term Bond Fund Total return by investing for a high level of current income with a low degree of
share-price fluctuation.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Short-Term High Yield Bond Total return by investing for a high level of current income with a moderate
Fund degree of share-price fluctuation.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Asia Pacific Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Foreign MajorMarketsSM Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong International Bond Fund High total return by investing for both income and capital appreciation.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong International Stock Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Overseas Fund Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Short-Term Global Bond Fund Total return by investing for a high level of income with a low degree of share
price fluctuation.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIFE STAGE SERIES
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Aggressive Portfolio Capital growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Conservative Portfolio Total return by investing primarily for income and secondarily for capital
growth.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Moderate Portfolio Total return by investing primarily for capital growth and secondarily for
income.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MUNICIPAL INCOME
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong High-Yield Municipal Bond Total return by investing for a high level of federally tax-exempt current income.
Fund
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Municipal Bond Fund Total return by investing for a high level of federally tax-exempt current income
with a moderate degree of share-price fluctuation.
---------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Short-Term High Yield Total return by investing for a high level of federally tax-exempt current income
Municipal Fund with a moderate degree of share-price fluctuation.
-------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Short-Term Municipal Bond Total return by investing for a high level of federally tax-exempt current income
Fund with a low degree of share-price fluctuation.
-------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* The Fund is closed to new investors, except the Fund may continue to
offer its shares through certain 401(k) plans and similar company-sponsored
retirement plans.
The Advisor also serves as Advisor to several management investment companies,
some of which fund variable annuity separate accounts of certain insurance
companies.
The Fund may from time to time be compared to other Strong Funds based on a
risk/reward spectrum. In general, the amount of risk associated with any
investment product is commensurate with that product's potential level of
reward. The Strong Funds risk/reward continuum or any Fund's position on the
continuum may be described or diagrammed in marketing materials. The Strong
Funds risk/reward continuum positions the risk and reward potential of each
Strong Fund relative to the other Strong Funds, but is not intended to
position any Strong Fund relative to other mutual funds or investment
products. Marketing materials may also discuss the relationship between risk
and reward as it relates to an individual investor's portfolio.
TYING TIME FRAMES TO YOUR GOALS. There are many issues to consider as you
make your investment decisions, including analyzing your risk tolerance,
investing experience, and asset allocations. You should start to organize
your investments by learning to link your many financial goals to specific
time frames. Then you can begin to identify the appropriate types of
investments to help meet your goals. As a general rule of thumb, the longer
your time horizon, the more price fluctuation you will be able to tolerate in
pursuit of higher returns. For that reason, many people with longer-term
goals select stocks or long-term bonds, and many people with nearer-term goals
match those up with for instance, short-term bonds. The Advisor developed the
following suggested holding periods to help our investors set realistic
expectations for both the risk and reward potential of our funds. (See table
below.) Of course, time is just one element to consider when making your
investment decision.
STRONG FUNDS SUGGESTED MINIMUM HOLDING PERIODS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
UNDER 1 YEAR 1 TO 2 YEARS 4 TO 7 YEARS
---------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------
Heritage Money Fund Advantage Fund Conservative Portfolio
Investors Money Fund Municipal Advantage Fund Corporate Bond Fund
Money Market Fund Government Securities Fund
Municipal Money Market 2 TO 4 YEARS High-Yield Bond Fund
Fund Short-Term Bond Fund High-Yield Municipal Bond
Tax-Exempt Municipal Short-Term Global Bond Fund
Money Market Fund Fund International Bond Fund
Short-Term High Yield Bond Municipal Bond Fund
Fund
Short-Term High Yield
Municipal Fund
Short-Term Municipal Bond
Fund
<S> <C>
5 OR MORE YEARS
----------------------
Aggressive Portfolio
American Utilities Fund
Asia Pacific Fund
Balanced Fund
Blue Chip 100 Fund
Common Stock Fund*
Discovery Fund
Dow 30 Value Fund
Enterprise Fund
Equity Income Fund
Foreign MajorMarketsSM
Fund
Growth Fund
Growth 20 Fund
Growth and Income Fund
Index 500 Fund
International Stock Fund
Internet Fund
Large Cap Growth Fund
Limited Resources Fund
Mid Cap Disciplined Fund
Mid Cap Growth Fund
Moderate Portfolio
Opportunity Fund
Overseas Fund
Schafer Balanced Fund
Schafer Value Fund
Small Cap Value Fund
Strategic Growth Fund
Technology 100 Fund
U.S. Emerging Growth Fund
Value Fund
</TABLE>
31
<PAGE>
* This Fund is closed to new investors, except the Fund may continue to
offer its shares through certain 401(k) plans and similar company-sponsored
retirement plans.
ADDITIONAL FUND INFORMATION
PORTFOLIO CHARACTERISTICS. In order to present a more complete picture of the
Fund's portfolio, marketing materials may include various actual or estimated
portfolio characteristics, including but not limited to median market
capitalizations, earnings per share, alphas, betas, price/earnings ratios,
returns on equity, dividend yields, capitalization ranges, growth rates,
price/book ratios, top holdings, sector breakdowns, asset allocations, quality
breakdowns, and breakdowns by geographic region.
MEASURES OF VOLATILITY AND RELATIVE PERFORMANCE. Occasionally statistics may
be used to specify fund volatility or risk. The general premise is that
greater volatility connotes greater risk undertaken in achieving performance.
Measures of volatility or risk are generally used to compare the Fund's net
asset value or performance relative to a market index. One measure of
volatility is beta. Beta is the volatility of a fund relative to the total
market as represented by the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index. A beta of
more than 1.00 indicates volatility greater than the market, and a beta of
less than 1.00 indicates volatility less than the market. Another measure of
volatility or risk is standard deviation. Standard deviation is a statistical
tool that measures the degree to which a fund's performance has varied from
its average performance during a particular time period.
Standard deviation is calculated using the following formula:
Standard deviation = the square root of S(xi - xm)2
n-1
Where: S = "the sum of",
xi = each individual return during the time period,
xm = the average return over the time period, and
n = the number of individual returns during the time period.
Statistics may also be used to discuss the Fund's relative performance. One
such measure is alpha. Alpha measures the actual return of a fund compared to
the expected return of a fund given its risk (as measured by beta). The
expected return is based on how the market as a whole performed, and how the
particular fund has historically performed against the market. Specifically,
alpha is the actual return less the expected return. The expected return is
computed by multiplying the advance or decline in a market representation by
the Fund's beta. A positive alpha quantifies the value that the fund manager
has added, and a negative alpha quantifies the value that the fund manager has
lost.
Other measures of volatility and relative performance may be used as
appropriate. However, all such measures will fluctuate and do not represent
future results.
DURATION. Duration is a calculation that seeks to measure the price
sensitivity of a bond or a bond fund to changes in interest rates. It
measures bond price sensitivity to interest rate changes by taking into
account the time value of cash flows generated over the bond's life. Future
interest and principal payments are discounted to reflect their present value
and then are multiplied by the number of years they will be received to
produce a value that is expressed in years. Since duration can also be
computed for the Fund, you can estimate the effect of interest rates on the
Fund's share price. Simply multiply the Fund's duration by an
32
<PAGE>
expected change in interest rates. For example, the price of the Fund with a
duration of two years would be expected to fall approximately two percent if
market interest rates rose by one percentage point.
GENERAL INFORMATION
BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY
The Advisor is an independent, Midwestern-based investment advisor, owned by
professionals active in its management. Recognizing that investors are the
focus of its business, the Advisor strives for excellence both in investment
management and in the service provided to investors. This commitment affects
many aspects of the business, including professional staffing, product
development, investment management, and service delivery.
The increasing complexity of the capital markets requires specialized skills
and processes for each asset class and style. Therefore, the Advisor believes
that active management should produce greater returns than a passively managed
index. The Advisor has brought together a group of top-flight investment
professionals with diverse product expertise, and each concentrates on their
investment specialty. The Advisor believes that people are the firm's most
important asset. For this reason, continuity of professionals is critical to
the firm's long-term success.
INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT
Discussions of economic, social, and political conditions and their impact on
the Fund may be used in advertisements and sales materials. Such factors that
may impact the Fund include, but are not limited to, changes in interest
rates, political developments, the competitive environment, consumer behavior,
industry trends, technological advances, macroeconomic trends, and the supply
and demand of various financial instruments. In addition, marketing materials
may cite the portfolio management's views or interpretations of such factors.
EIGHT BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR SUCCESSFUL MUTUAL FUND INVESTING
These common sense rules are followed by many successful investors. They make
sense for beginners, too. If you have a question on these principles, or would
like to discuss them with us, please contact us at 800-368-3863.
1. HAVE A PLAN - even a simple plan can help you take control of your
financial future. Review your plan once a year, or if your circumstances
change.
2. START INVESTING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Make time a valuable ally. Let it
put the power of compounding to work for you, while helping to reduce your
potential investment risk.
3. DIVERSIFY YOUR PORTFOLIO. By investing in different asset classes -
stocks, bonds, and cash - you help protect against poor performance in one
type of investment while including investments most likely to help you achieve
your important goals.
4. INVEST REGULARLY. Investing is a process, not a one-time event. By
investing regularly over the long term, you reduce the impact of short-term
market gyrations, and you attend to your long-term plan before you're tempted
to spend those assets on short-term needs.
5. MAINTAIN A LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE. For most individuals, the best
discipline is staying invested as market conditions change. Reactive,
emotional investment decisions are all too often a source of regret - and
principal loss.
6. CONSIDER STOCKS TO HELP ACHIEVE MAJOR LONG-TERM GOALS. Over time,
stocks have provided the more powerful returns needed to help the value of
your investments stay well ahead of inflation.
7. KEEP A COMFORTABLE AMOUNT OF CASH IN YOUR PORTFOLIO. To meet current
needs, including emergencies, use a money market fund or a bank account - not
your long-term investment assets.
33
<PAGE>
8. KNOW WHAT YOU'RE BUYING. Make sure you understand the potential risks
and rewards associated with each of your investments. Ask questions... request
information...make up your own mind. And choose a fund company that helps you
make informed investment decisions.
STRONG RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES
Strong Retirement Plan Services offers a full menu of high quality, affordable
retirement plan options, including traditional money purchase pension and
profit sharing plans, 401(k) plans, simplified employee pension plans, salary
reduction plans, Keoghs, and 403(b) plans. Retirement plan specialists are
available to help companies determine which type of retirement plan may be
appropriate for their particular situation.
TURNKEY APPROACH. The retirement plans offered by the Advisor are designed to
be streamlined and simple to administer. To this end, the Advisor has
invested heavily in the equipment, systems, technology, and people necessary
to adopt or convert a plan, and to keep it running smoothly. The Advisor
provides all aspects of the plan, including plan design, administration,
recordkeeping, and investment management. To streamline plan design, the
Advisor provides customizable IRS-approved prototype documents. The Advisor's
services also include annual government reporting and testing as well as daily
valuation of each participant's account. This structure is intended to
eliminate the confusion and complication often associated with dealing with
multiple vendors. It is also designed to save plan sponsors time and expense.
The Advisor strives to provide one-stop retirement savings programs that
combine the advantages of proven investment management, flexible plan design,
and a wide range of investment options.
RETIREMENT OPTIONS. The Advisor works closely with plan sponsors to design a
comprehensive retirement program. The open architecture design of the plans
allow for the use of the family of mutual funds managed by the Advisor as well
as a stable asset value option. Large company plans may supplement these
options with their company stock (if publicly traded) or funds from other
well-known mutual fund families.
EDUCATION. Participant education and communication is key to the success of
any retirement program, and therefore is one of the most important services
that the Advisor provides. The Advisor's goal is twofold: to make sure that
plan participants fully understand their options and to educate them about the
lifelong investment process. To this end, the Advisor provides attractive,
readable print materials that are supplemented with audio and videotapes, and
retirement education programs. The Advisor will work with plan sponsors to
identify participants' education needs.
SERVICE. The Advisor's goal is to provide a world class level of service
through the use of experienced retirement plan professionals and advanced
technology. One aspect of that service is an experienced, knowledgeable team
that provides ongoing support for plan sponsors, both at adoption or
conversion and throughout the life of a plan. The Advisor is committed to
delivering accurate and timely information, evidenced by straightforward,
complete, and understandable reports, participant account statements, and plan
summaries. The Advisor invests in the latest technology in order to provide
plan sponsors and participants with superior service.
The Advisor has designed both "high-tech" and "high-touch" systems, providing
an automated telephone system and Internet access as well as professional
personal contact. Participants can access daily account information, conduct
transactions, or have questions answered in the way that is most comfortable
for them.
STRONG FINANCIAL ADVISORS GROUP
The Strong Financial Advisors Group is dedicated to helping financial advisors
better serve their clients. Financial advisors receive regular updates on the
mutual funds managed by the Advisor, access to portfolio managers through
special conference calls, consolidated mailings of duplicate confirmation
statements, access to the Advisor's network of regional representatives, and
other specialized services. For more information on the Strong Financial
Advisors Group, call 800-368-1683.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 100 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
53202, are the independent accountants for the Fund, providing audit services
and assistance and consultation with respect to the preparation of filings
with the SEC.
34
<PAGE>
LEGAL COUNSEL
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., 780 North Water Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202,
acts as legal counsel for the Fund.
35
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A- DEFINITION OF BOND RATINGS
STANDARD & POOR'S ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS
A Standard & Poor's issue credit rating is a current opinion of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial
obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial
program (including ratings on medium term note programs and commercial paper
programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors,
insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes
into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The issue
credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a financial
obligation, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability
for a particular investor.
Issue credit ratings are based on current information furnished by the
obligors or obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers
reliable. Standard & Poor's does not perform an audit in connection with any
credit rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information.
Credit ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes
in, or unavailability of, such information, or based on other circumstances.
Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term
ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in
the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an
original maturity of no more than 365 days - including commercial paper.
Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an
obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. The result is
a dual rating, in which the short-term rating addresses the put feature, in
addition to the usual long-term rating. Medium-term notes are assigned
long-term ratings.
Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following
considerations:
1. Likelihood of payment - capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet
its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the
obligation;
2. Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
3. Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the
event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of
bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
The issue rating definitions are expressed in terms of default risk. As such,
they pertain to senior obligations of an entity. Junior obligations are
typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority
in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation applies when an entity
has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured
obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)
Accordingly, in the case of junior debt, the rating may not conform exactly
with the category definition.
'AAA'
An obligation rated 'AAA' has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is extremely strong.
'AA'
An obligation rated 'AA' differs from the highest rated obligations only in
small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is very strong.
'A'
An obligation rated 'A' is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher
rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is still strong.
36
<PAGE>
'BBB'
An obligation rated 'BBB' exhibits adequate protection parameters. However,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead
to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation.
Obligations rated 'BB', 'B', 'CCC', 'CC' and 'C' are regarded as having
significant speculative characteristics. 'BB' indicates the least degree of
speculation and 'C' the highest. While such obligations will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large
uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
'BB'
An obligation rated 'BB' is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure
to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the
obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation.
'B'
An obligation rated 'B' is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations
rated 'BB', but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic
conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation.
'CCC'
An obligation rated 'CCC' is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely
to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
'CC'
An obligation rated 'CC' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
'C'
A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated 'C' is CURRENTLY
HIGHLY VULNERABLE to nonpayment. The 'C' rating may be used to cover a
situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken,
but payments on this obligation are being continued. A 'C' also will be
assigned to a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund
payments, but that is currently paying.
'D'
An obligation rated 'D' is in payment default. The 'D' rating category is
used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes
that such payments will be made during such grace period. The 'D' rating also
will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a
similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
Plus (+) or minus (-) : The ratings from 'AA' to 'CCC' may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.
37
<PAGE>
r
This symbol is attached to the ratings of instruments with significant
noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility of expected
returns which are not addressed in the credit rating. Examples include:
obligations linked or indexed to equities, currencies, or commodities;
obligations exposed to severe prepayment risk - such as interest-only or
principal-only mortgage securities; and obligations with unusually risky
interest terms, such as inverse floaters.
N.R.
This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient
information on which to base a rating, or that
Standard & Poor's does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
MOODY'S LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
Aaa - Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized
are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa - Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known
as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins
of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa
securities.
A - Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving
security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may
be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the
future.
Baa - Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations
(i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest
payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain
protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable
over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba - Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B - Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa - Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal
or interest.
Ca - Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.
C - Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
38
<PAGE>
FITCH IBCA, INC. ("FITCH") LONG-TERM NATIONAL CREDIT RATINGS
AAA (xxx)
'AAA' national ratings denote the highest rating assigned by Fitch in its
national rating scale for that country. This rating is assigned to the "best"
credit risk relative to all other issuers or issues in the same country and
will normally be assigned to all financial commitments issued or guaranteed by
the sovereign state.
AA (xxx)
'AA' national ratings denote a very strong credit risk relative to other
issuers or issues in the same country. The credit risk inherent in these
financial commitments differs only slightly from the country's highest rated
issuers or issues.
A (xxx)
'A' national ratings denote a strong credit risk relative to other issuers or
issues in the same country. However, changes in circumstances or economic
conditions may affect the capacity for timely repayment of these financial
commitments to a greater degree than for financial commitments denoted by a
higher rated category.
BBB (xxx)
'BBB' national ratings denote an adequate credit risk relative to other
issuers or issues in the same country. However, changes in circumstances or
economic conditions are more likely to affect the capacity for timely
repayment of these financial commitments than for financial commitments
denoted by a higher rated category.
BB (xxx)
'BB' national ratings denote a fairly weak credit risk relative to other
issuers or issues in the same country. Within the context of the country,
payment of these financial commitments is uncertain to some degree and
capacity for timely repayment remains more vulnerable to adverse economic
change over time.
B (xxx)
'B' national ratings denote a significantly weak credit risk relative to other
issuers or issues in the same country. Financial commitments are currently
being met but a limited margin of safety remains and capacity for continued
timely payments is contingent upon a sustained, favourable business and
economic environment.
CCC (xxx), CC (xxx), C (xxx)
These categories of national ratings denote an extremely weak credit risk
relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. Capacity for meeting
financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favourable business or
economic developments.
DDD (xxx), DD (xxx), D (xxx)
These categories of national ratings are assigned to entities or financial
commitments which are currently in default.
A special identifier for the country concerned will be added to all national
ratings. For illustrative purposes, (xxx) has been used, as above.
"+" or "-" may be appended to a national rating to denote relative status
within a major rating category. Such suffixes are not added to the 'AAA
(xxx)' national rating category or to categories below 'CCC (xxx)'.
39
<PAGE>
THOMSON BANKWATCH (TBW) LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
Long-Term Debt Ratings assigned by TBW HEAVILY WEIGH GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP AND
SUPPORT. The quality of both the company's management and franchise are of
even greater importance in the Long-Term Debt Rating decisions. Long-Term
Debt Ratings look out over a cycle and are not adjusted frequently for what it
believes are short-term performance aberrations.
Long-Term Debt Ratings can be restricted to local currency debt - ratings will
be identified by the designation LC. In addition, Long-Term Debt Ratings may
include a plus (+) or minus (-) to indicate where within the category the
issue is placed. BankWatch Long-Term Debt Ratings are based on the following
scale:
INVESTMENT GRADE
AAA (LC-AAA) - Indicates that the ability to repay principal and interest on a
timely basis is extremely high.
AA (LC-AA) - Indicates a very strong ability to repay principal and interest
on a timely basis, with limited incremental risk compared to issues rated in
the highest category.
A (LC-A) - Indicates the ability to repay principal and interest is strong.
Issues rated A could be more vulnerable to adverse developments (both internal
and external) than obligations with higher ratings.
BBB (LC-BBB) - The lowest investment-grade category; indicates an acceptable
capacity to repay principal and interest. BBB issues are more vulnerable to
adverse developments (both internal and external) than obligations with higher
ratings.
NON-INVESTMENT GRADE - may be speculative in the likelihood of timely
repayment of principal and interest
BB (LC-BB) - While not investment grade, the BB rating suggests that the
likelihood of default is considerably less than for lower-rated issues.
However, there are significant uncertainties that could affect the ability to
adequately service debt obligations.
B (LC-B) - Issues rated B show a higher degree of uncertainty and therefore
greater likelihood of default than higher-rated issues. Adverse developments
could negatively affect the payment of interest and principal on a timely
basis.
CCC (LC-CCC) - Issues rated CCC clearly have a high likelihood of default,
with little capacity to address further adverse changes in financial
circumstances.
CC (LC-CC) - CC is applied to issues that are subordinate to other obligations
rated CCC and are afforded less protection in the event of bankruptcy or
reorganization.
D (LC-D) - Default.
SHORT-TERM RATINGS
STANDARD & POOR'S SHORT-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS
'A-1'
A short-term obligation rated 'A-1' is rated in the highest category by
Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are
designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity
to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
40
<PAGE>
'A-2'
A short-term obligation rated 'A-2' is somewhat more susceptible to the
adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to
meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
'A-3'
A short-term obligation rated 'A-3' exhibits adequate protection parameters.
However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely
to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation.
'B'
A short-term obligation rated 'B' is regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing
uncertainties which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation.
'C'
A short-term obligation rated 'C' is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
'D'
A short-term obligation rated 'D' is in payment default. The 'D' rating
category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due
even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's
believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The 'D'
rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the
taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
MOODY'S SHORT-TERM DEBT RATINGS
Moody's short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to
repay punctually senior debt obligations. These obligations have an original
maturity not exceeding one year, unless explicitly noted.
Moody's employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment
grade, to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
PRIME - 1 Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a
superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1
repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following
characteristics:
- Leading market positions in well-established industries.
- High rates of return on funds employed.
- Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and
ample asset protection.
- Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high
internal cash generation.
- Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources
of alternate liquidity.
PRIME - 2 Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will
normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above, but to a
lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more
subject to variation. Capitalization
41
<PAGE>
characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external
conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
PRIME - 3 Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an
acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect
of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced.
Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of
debt protection measurements and may require relatively high financial
leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
NOT PRIME Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime
rating categories.
FITCH IBCA, INC. ("FITCH") SHORT-TERM NATIONAL CREDIT RATINGS
F1 (xxx)
Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments
relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. Under Fitch's
national rating scale, this rating is assigned to the "best" credit risk
relative to all others in the same country and is normally assigned to all
financial commitments issued or guaranteed by the sovereign state. Where the
credit risk is particularly strong, a "+" is added to the assigned rating.
F2 (xxx)
Indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments
relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. However, the margin
of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
F3 (xxx)
Indicates an adequate capacity for timely payment of financial commitments
relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. However, such
capacity is more susceptible to near-term adverse changes than for financial
commitments in higher rated categories.
B (xxx)
Indicates an uncertain capacity for timely payment of financial commitments
relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. Such capacity is
highly susceptible to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic
conditions.
C (xxx)
Indicates a highly uncertain capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. Capacity
or meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable
business and economic environment.
D (xxx)
Indicates actual or imminent payment default.
A special identifier for the country concerned will be added to all national
ratings. For illustrative purposes, (xxx) has been used, as above.
"+" or "-" may be appended to a national rating to denote relative status
within a major rating category. Such suffixes are not added to ratings other
than 'F1 (xxx)'.
In certain countries, regulators have established credit rating scales, to be
used within their domestic markets, using specific nomenclature. In these
countries, our rating definitions for F1+ (xxx), F1 (xxx), F2 (xxx) and F3
(xxx) may be substituted by the regulatory scales, E.G. A1+, A1, A2 and A3.
42
<PAGE>
THOMSON BANKWATCH (TBW) SHORT-TERM RATINGS
TBW assigns Short-Term Debt Ratings to specific debt instruments with original
maturities of one year or less. The ratings are based on the overall health
and financial condition of the rated company on a consolidated basis. In
addition, the ratings place a GREAT EMPHASIS ON THE LIKELIHOOD OF GOVERNMENT
SUPPORT.
TBW-1 (LC-1) The highest category; indicates a very high likelihood that
principal and interest will be paid on a timely basis.
TBW-2 (LC-2) The second-highest category; while the degree of safety regarding
timely repayment of principal and interest is strong, the relative degree of
safety is not as high as for issues rated TBW-1.
TBW-3 (LC-3) The lowest investment-grade category; indicates that while the
obligation is more susceptible to adverse developments (both internal and
external) than those with higher ratings, the capacity to service principal and
interest in a timely fashion is considered adequate.
TBW-4 (LC-4) The lowest rating category; this rating is regarded as
non-investment grade and therefore speculative.
43
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STRONG MUNICIPAL FUNDS, INC.
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. EXHIBITS
(a) Articles of Incorporation dated July 31, 1996(2)
(a.1) Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated October 13, 1997(3)
(a.2) Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated February 22,
2000(8)
(a.3) Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated July 24, 2000(9)
(a.4) Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated September 21,
2000(11)
(a.5) Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated ____________*
(b) Bylaws dated October 20, 1995(1)
(b.1) Amendment to Bylaws dated May 1, 1998(4)
(c) Specimen Stock Certificate(8)
(d) Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement(8)
(e) Distribution Agreement(8)
(e.1) Distribution Agreement - Advisor Class(8)
(e.2) Dealer Agreement*
(e.3) Services Agreement(8)
(f) Inapplicable
(g) Custody Agreement(1)
(h) Amended and Restated Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent
Agreement(8)
(h.1) Administration Agreement-Investor Class(8)
(h.2) Administration Agreement-Advisor Class(8)
(h.3) Administration Agreement-Institutional Class(9)
(i) Opinion and Consent of Counsel*
(j) Consent of Independent Accountants*
(k) Inapplicable
(l) Stock Subscription Agreement*
(m) Amended and Restated Rule 12b-1 Plan(8)
(n) Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan(8)
(o) Inapplicable
(p) Code of Ethics for Access Persons dated January 1, 1999(6)
(p.1) Code of Ethics for Non-Access Persons dated January 1, 1999(6)
(q) Power of Attorney dated August 1, 2000(10)
(r) Letter of Representation*
*To be filed by Amendment.
(1) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Registrant filed on or about
November 17, 1995.
(2) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Registrant filed on or about June
27, 1997.
(3) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Registrant filed on or about
November 25, 1997.
(4) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Registrant filed on or about June
26, 1998.
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<PAGE>
(5) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Registrant filed on or about
December 28, 1998.
(6) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Registrant filed on or about
February 26, 1999.
(7) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Registrant filed on or about
December 29, 1999.
(8) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Registrant filed on or about
February 25, 2000.
(9) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Registrant filed on or about July
27, 2000.
(10) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Registrant filed on or about August
1, 2000.
(11) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Registrant filed on or about
September 28, 2000.
Item 24. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT
Registrant neither controls any person nor is under common control with
any other person.
Item 25. INDEMNIFICATION
Officers and directors of the Funds, its advisor and underwriter are
insured under a joint directors and officers/errors and omissions insurance
policy underwritten by a group of insurance companies in the aggregate amount
of $115,000,000, subject to certain deductions. Pursuant to the authority of
the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law ("WBCL"), Article VII of Registrant's
Bylaws provides as follows:
ARTICLE VII. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 7.01. MANDATORY INDEMNIFICATION. The Corporation shall
indemnify, to the full extent permitted by the WBCL, as in effect from time to
time, the persons described in Sections 180.0850 through 180.0859 (or any
successor provisions) of the WBCL or other provisions of the law of the State
of Wisconsin relating to indemnification of directors and officers, as in
effect from time to time. The indemnification afforded such persons by this
section shall not be exclusive of other rights to which they may be entitled as
a matter of law.
SECTION 7.02. PERMISSIVE SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFITS. The Corporation may,
but shall not be required to, supplement the right of indemnification under
Section 7.01 by (a) the purchase of insurance on behalf of any one or more of
such persons, whether or not the Corporation would be obligated to indemnify
such person under Section 7.01; (b) individual or group indemnification
agreements with any one or more of such persons; and (c) advances for related
expenses of such a person.
SECTION 7.03. AMENDMENT. This Article VII may be amended or repealed
only by a vote of the shareholders and not by a vote of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 7.04. INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. In no event shall the Corporation
indemnify any person hereunder in contravention of any provision of the
Investment Company Act.
2
<PAGE>
Item 26. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISOR
The information contained under "Who are the funds' investment advisor and
portfolio managers?" in the Prospectus and under "Directors and Officers,"
"Investment Advisor," and "Distributor" in the Statement of Additional
Information is hereby incorporated by reference pursuant to Rule 411 under the
Securities Act of 1933.
3
<PAGE>
Item 27. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
(a) Strong Investments, Inc., principal underwriter for Registrant, also
serves as principal underwriter for Strong Advantage Fund, Inc.; Strong Asia
Pacific Fund, Inc.; Strong Balanced Fund, Inc.; Strong Common Stock Fund, Inc.;
Strong Conservative Equity Funds, Inc.; Strong Corporate Bond Fund, Inc.;
Strong Discovery Fund, Inc.; Strong Equity Funds, Inc.; Strong Government
Securities Fund, Inc.; Strong Heritage Reserve Series, Inc.; Strong High-Yield
Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.; Strong Income Funds, Inc.; Strong Income Funds II,
Inc.; Strong International Equity Funds, Inc.; Strong International Income
Funds, Inc.; Strong Large Cap Growth Fund, Inc.; Strong Life Stage Series,
Inc.; Strong Money Market Fund, Inc.; Strong Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.; Strong
Opportunity Fund, Inc.; Strong Opportunity Fund II, Inc.; Strong Schafer Funds,
Inc.; Strong Schafer Value Fund, Inc.; Strong Short-Term Bond Fund, Inc.;
Strong Short-Term Global Bond Fund, Inc.; Strong Short-Term Municipal Bond
Fund, Inc.; and Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.
(b)
Name and Principal Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
BUSINESS ADDRESS WITH UNDERWRITER WITH FUND
Peter D. Schwab President and Director none
100 Heritage Reserve
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Richard W. Smirl Vice President and Chief
100 Heritage Reserve Compliance Officer none
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Dana J. Russart Vice President none
100 Heritage Reserve
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Michael W. Stefano Vice President none
100 Heritage Reserve
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Lawrence B. Zuntz Vice President none
100 Heritage Reserve
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Dennis A. Wallestad Vice President Vice President
100 Heritage Reserve
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Elizabeth N. Cohernour Secretary Vice President and
100 Heritage Reserve Secretary
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Thomas M. Zoeller Treasurer and Chief Vice President
100 Heritage Reserve Financial Officer
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Kevin J. Scott Assistant Treasurer none
100 Heritage Reserve
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
4
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Constance R. Wick Assistant Secretary none
100 Heritage Reserve
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
(c) None
Item 28. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
All accounts, books, or other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules promulgated
thereunder are in the physical possession of Registrant's Vice President,
Elizabeth N. Cohernour, at Registrant's corporate offices, 100 Heritage
Reserve, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051.
Item 29. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
All management-related service contracts entered into by Registrant are
discussed in Parts A and B of this Registration Statement.
Item 30. UNDERTAKINGS
None
5
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this
Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the Village of Menomonee
Falls, and State of Wisconsin on the 20th day of October, 2000.
STRONG MUNICIPAL FUNDS, INC.
(Registrant)
BY: /S/ ELIZABETH N. COHERNOUR
Elizabeth N. Cohernour, Vice President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A has been
signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date
indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
NAME TITLE DATE
--------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------
Chairman of the Board (Principal
Executive Officer) and a Director October 20, 2000
---------------------------
Richard S. Strong*
Treasurer (Principal Financial and
/s/ John W. Widmer Accounting Officer) October 20, 2000
---------------------------
John W. Widmer
Director October 20, 2000
---------------------------
Marvin E. Nevins*
Director October 20, 2000
---------------------------
Willie D. Davis*
Director October 20, 2000
---------------------------
William F. Vogt*
Director October 20, 2000
---------------------------
Stanley Kritzik*
Director October 20, 2000
---------------------------
Neal Malicky*
</TABLE>
* Susan A. Hollister signs this document pursuant to powers of attorney
filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A.
By: /S/ SUSAN A. HOLLISTER
Susan A. Hollister
1
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EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
EDGAR
EXHIBIT NO. EXHIBIT EXHIBIT NO.
----------- ----------------------
None
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
