IAI INVESTMENT FUNDS III INC
485BPOS, 1997-05-07
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       As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 1997
    
                                            1933 Act Registration No. 33-10207
                                            1940 Act Registration No. 811-4904


                       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. 22               X
    

                                     and/or
                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                         INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
   
                                  Amendment No. 22                      X
    

                         IAI INVESTMENT FUNDS III, INC.
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

                       3700 First Bank Place, P.O. Box 357
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

                                 (612) 376-2700
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)



Christopher J. Smith, Esq.                      Copy to:
3700 First Bank Place                           Michael J. Radmer, Esq.
P.O. Box 357                                    Dorsey & Whitney
Minneapolis, Minnesota  55440                   220 South Sixth Street
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)         Minneapolis, Minnesota  55402


 It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box) 
   
   X    immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
  ---
    
  ---   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) 
  ---   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) 
  ---   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) 
  ---   75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) 
  ---   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

   
Registrant  has  registered  an  indefinite   number  of  securities  under  the
Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the  Investment  Company Act
of 1940, as amended.  Rule 24f-2 Notices were last filed with the  Commission on
March 26, 1997.
    


<PAGE>


                         IAI INVESTMENT FUNDS III, INC.

                                    FORM N-1A
                              CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>               <C>                                                <C>
Item Number       Caption                                            Prospectus Caption
- -----------       -------                                            ------------------

        1         Cover Page....................................     Cover Page of Prospectus

        2         Synopsis......................................     Fund Expense Information

        3         Condensed Financial Information...............     Investment Performance

        4         General Description of Registrant ............     Investment Objective and Policies;
                                                                     Description of Common Stock; Additional
                                                                     Information

        5         Management of the Fund........................     Fund Expense Information; Management;
                                                                     Additional Information; Custodian, Transfer
                                                                     Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

        5A        Management's Discussion of Fund Performance...
                  Information...................................     Information is contained in the Annual Report

        6         Capital Stock and Other Securities............     Dividends, Distributions and Tax Status;
                                                                     Description of Common Stock; Additional
                                                                     Information

        7         Purchase of Securities Being Offered..........     Computation of Net Asset Value and Pricing;
                                                                     Purchase of Shares; Automatic Investment
                                                                     Plan; Exchange Privilege; Automatic Exchange
                                                                     Plan; Retirement Plans; Authorized Telephone
                                                                     Trading

        8         Redemption or Repurchase......................     Systematic Cash Withdrawal Plan; Redemption
                                                                     of Shares; Authorized Telephone Trading

        9         Pending Legal Proceedings.....................     Not Applicable



<PAGE>

Item Number       Caption                                            Statement of Additional Information Caption
- -----------       -------                                            -------------------------------------------

        10        Cover Page....................................     Cover Page of Statement of Additional
                                                                     Information

        11        Table of Contents.............................     Table of Contents

        12        General Information and History...............     Management

        13        Investment Objectives and Policies............     Investment Objectives and Policies;
                                                                     Investment Restrictions

        14        Management of the Fund........................     Management

        15        Control Persons and Principal
                  Holders of Securities.........................     Management; Capital Stock

        16        Investment Advisory and Other Services........     Management; Counsel and Auditors; Custodian;
                                                                     Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

        17        Brokerage Allocation..........................     Portfolio Transactions and Allocation of
                                                                     Brokerage

        18        Capital Stock and Other Securities............     Capital Stock

        19        Purchase, Redemption and Pricing
                  of Securities Being Offered...................     Purchase and Redemptions In Kind; Net Asset
                                                                     Value and Public Offering  Price

        20        Tax Status....................................     Tax Status

        21        Underwriters..................................     Not Applicable

        22        Calculation of Performance Data...............     Investment Performance

        23        Financial Statements..........................     Financial Statements
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

   

                       Registration Statement on Form N-1A
                                       of
                         IAI Investment Funds III, Inc.
                               (File No. 33-10207)



                                     Part A


     The Prospectus  dated  December 4, 1996 of IAI  Investment  Funds III, Inc.
relating  to IAI  Latin  America  Fund  is  incorporated  by  reference  to said
Prospectus  as filed with the  commission  pursuant  to Rule  497(c) on or about
December 13, 1996.


<PAGE>


                       Registration Statement on Form N-1A
                                       of
                         IAI Investment Funds III, Inc.
                               (File No. 33-10207)



                                     Part B


     The  Statement  of  Additional  Information  dated  December 4, 1996 of IAI
Investment Funds III, Inc. relating to IAI Latin America Fund is incorporated by
reference  to said  Prospectus  as filed with the  commission  pursuant  to Rule
497(c) on or about December 13, 1996.
    

<PAGE>

                                     PART C


Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
- ------------------------------------------
   
         (a)  Financial Statements (Series A and B) (1)
              Financial Statements (Series C)

         (b)  Exhibits

              (1A)  Articles of Incorporation (2)
              (1B)  Certificate of Designation (Series B) (2)
              (1C)  Certificate of Designation (Series C) (2)


              (2)   Bylaws (2)

              (5A)  Management Agreement (Series A) (2)
              (5B)   Management Agreement (Series B) (2)
              (5C)  Management Agreement (Series C) (2)
              (5D)  Subadvisory Agreement (Series A) (2)
              (5E)  Subadvisory Agreement (Series B) (2)
              (5F)  Subadvisory Agreement (Series C) (2)


              (6A)  Dealer Sales Agreement (Series A and B) (1)
              (6B)  Dealer Sales Agreement (Series C) (2)
              (6C)  Shareholder Services Agreement (2)

              (8A)  Custodian Agreement  (Series A) (2)
              (8B)  Custodian Agreement (Series B) (2)
              (8C)    Custodian Agreement (Series C)

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

     (1)  Incorporated  by  reference  to  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  19 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 1, 1996.

     (2)  Incorporated  by  reference  to  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  21 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on September 20, 1996.
    

<PAGE>



Item 25. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

     See the sections of the Prospectus  entitled  "Management" and "Description
of Common  Stock" and the section of the  Statement  of  Additional  Information
entitled "Management," filed as part of this Registration Statement.

Item 26. Number of Holders Securities.
- --------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                       <C>                          <C>
                                                                       Number of Record Holders
Portfolio                                     Title of Class             as of March 31, 1997
- ---------                                     --------------             --------------------
   
IAI International Fund                     Common Stock (Series A)            2,835
IAI Developing Countries Fund              Common Stock (Series B)              804
IAI Latin America Fund                     Common Stock (Series C)              231
    
</TABLE>

Item 27. Indemnification.
- -------------------------

     Incorporated  by reference  to  Post-Effective  Amendment  to  Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May 22, 1996.

Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
- --------------------------------------------------------------

     Information  on the  business  of  Investment  Advisers,  Inc.  ("IAI")  is
described  in  the  Prospectus  section  "Management"  and  in  Part  B of  this
Registration Statement in the section "Management."

     The senior officers and directors of IAI and their titles are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                        <C>                    
     Name                                  Title
     ----                                  -----
       
Jeffrey R. Applebaum                       Senior Vice President
Scott Allen Bettin                         Senior Vice President
Archie Campbell Black, III                 Senior Vice President/Treasurer
Iain D. Cheyne                             Director
Stephen C. Coleman                         Senior Vice President
Larry Ray Hill                             Executive Vice President
Richard A. Holway                          Senior Vice President
Irving Philip Knelman                      President/Director
Kevin McKendry                             Director
Timothy A. Palmer                          Senior Vice President
Peter Phillips                             Director
Noel Paul Rahn                             Chief Executive Officer/Director
James S. Sorenson                          Senior Vice President
R. David Spreng                            Senior Vice President
Christopher John Smith                     Senior Vice President/Secretary
Richard E. Struthers                       Executive Vice President
    
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


     All of such persons have been  affiliated  with IAI for more than two years
except Messrs.  Cheyne,  McKendry and Phillips.  Prior to being appointed to the
Board in 1996, Mr. Cheyne was and remains General  Manager of Corporate  Banking
of Lloyds Bank plc, St. George's House, 6-8 Eastcheap,  London, England EC3M 1LL
since 1972.  Prior to being appointed to the Board in 1996, Mr. McKendry was and
remains Bank Counsel to Lloyds Bank Plc, P.O. Box 2008, One Seaport  Plaza,  199
Water Street,  New York, NY 10038,  since 1979.  Prior to being appointed to the
Board in 1996, Mr. Phillips was and remains Executive Vice President and General
Manager of Lloyds Bank Plc, P.O. Box 2008, One Seaport Plaza,  199 Water Street,
New York, NY 10038, since 1993.

     Certain  directors and officers of IAI are directors and/or officers of the
Registrant,  as  described  in  the  section  of  the  Statement  of  Additional
Information  entitled  "Management,"  filed  as  a  part  of  this  Registration
Statement.

     The address of the officers and  directors of IAI is that of IAI,  which is
3700 First Bank Place, P. O. Box 357, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440.

     Certain of the  officers  and  directors  of IAI also serve as officers and
directors  of  IAI  International  Ltd.  Both  IAI  and  IAI  International  are
wholly-owned  subsidiaries  of Hill  Samuel  Group BV, a  London-based  merchant
banking and financial services firm which, in turn, is owned by Lloyds TSB Group
plc, a publicly-held  financial services organization based in London,  England.
The senior officers and directors of IAI  International  and their titles are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                <C>
Name                               Title
- ----                               -----

Noel Paul Rahn                     Chairman of the Board of Directors
Roy C. Gillson                     Chief Investment Officer/Director
Iain D. Cheyne                     Director
Irving Philip Knelman              Director
Hilary Fane                        Deputy Chief Investment Officer/Director
Feidhlim O'Broin                   Associate Director
</TABLE>

     Certain of the  officers  and  directors  of IAI also serve as officers and
directors of IAI Trust Company,  a wholly-owned  subsidiary of IAI. The officers
and directors of IAI Trust Company and their titles are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                 <C>
Name                                Title
- ----                                -----
   
Archie C. Black                     Chairman of the Board/President/Treasurer
Christopher J. Smith                Director/Vice President
Susan J. Haedt                      Vice President
Thomas S. Smith                     Supervisor of Trust Services
Steven G. Lentz                     Secretary
    
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

Item 29.  Principal Underwriters
- --------  ----------------------

         (a)      Not applicable

         (b)      Not applicable.

Item 30.  Location of Accounts and Records.
- --------  ---------------------------------

     The  Custodian  for  Registrant is Norwest Bank  Minnesota,  N.A.,  Norwest
Center, Sixth & Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479. The Custodian maintains
records of all cash  transactions of Registrant.  All other books and records of
Registrant,  including books and records of Registrant's  investment portfolios,
are maintained by IAI. IAI also acts as Registrant's transfer agent and dividend
disbursing agent, at 3700 First Bank Place, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402.

Item 31. Management Services.
- -----------------------------

     Not applicable.

Item 32. Undertakings.
- ----------------------

     (a) Not applicable.
        
     (b)  Registrant  undertakes  to furnish each person to whom a prospectus is
delivered with a copy of its latest annual report to shareholders,  upon request
and without charge.

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------
   
     Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933  and  the
Investment  Company Act of 1940,  Registrant  certifies that it meets all of the
requirements for effectiveness of this Registration  Statement  pursuant to Rule
485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this  Post-Effective
Amendment  to its  Registration  Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, and State of
Minnesota, on the 25th day of April, 1997.
    

                                      IAI INVESTMENT FUNDS III, INC.
                                      (Registrant)


                                      By  /s/ Richard E. Struthers, President
                                          Richard E. Struthers, President


     Pursuant  to  the   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Post-Effective  Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by
the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

   
/s/ Richard E. Struthers        President (principal           April 25, 1997
Richard E. Struthers            executive officer) & Director                
                                


/s/ Archie C. Black III         Treasurer (principal           April 25, 1997
Archie C. Black III             financial and accounting
                                officer)

Noel P. Rahn (1)
Director

Madeline Betsch (1)
Director

W. William Hodgson (1)
Director

George R. Long (1)
Director

J. Peter Thompson (1)
Director

Charles H. Withers (1)
Director


/s/ William C. Joas                   April 25, 1997
- ---------------------------------
William C. Joas
Attorney-in-fact
    

     (1)  Registrant's  directors  executing Powers of Attorney dated August 18,
1993, and filed with the Commission on June 28, 1994.


<PAGE>




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------


Exhibit No.       Exhibit Description                     Sequential Page No.
- -----------       -------------------                     -------------------
   
8                 Custodian Agreement (Series C)
99B               Financial Statements (Series C)
    



                               CUSTODIAN CONTRACT

                                     between
                        IAI Latin America Fund Series of
                         IAI INVESTMENT FUNDS III, INC.

                                       and

                          NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.


<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>   <C>                                                                                 <C>
                                                                                          Page

1.    Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It.................................1

2.    Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held by
      the Custodian in the United States....................................................1

      2.1     Holding Securities............................................................1
      2.2     Delivery of Securities........................................................1
      2.3     Registration of Securities....................................................3
      2.4     Bank Accounts.................................................................3
      2.5     Payments for Shares...........................................................3
      2.6     Availability of Federal Funds.................................................3
      2.7     Collection of Income..........................................................3
      2.8     Payment of Company Monies.....................................................3
      2.9     Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased...........4
      2.10    Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of a Fund...................4
      2.11    Appointment of Agents.........................................................4
      2.12    Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities System...................................4
      2.13    Segregated Account............................................................5
      2.14    Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes.......................................6

3.    Duties of Custodian with Respect to Fund Property Held Outside of the United States...6

      3.1     Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians.........................................6
      3.2     Assets to be Held.............................................................6
      3.3     Segregation of Securities.....................................................6
      3.4     Agreement with Foreign Banking Institution....................................6
      3.5     Access of Independent Accountants of the Company..............................7
      3.6     Reports by Custodian..........................................................7
      3.7     Foreign Securities Transactions...............................................7
      3.8     Foreign Securities Lending....................................................8
      3.9     Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians...........................................8
      3.10    Monitoring Responsibilities...................................................8
      3.11    Branches of United States Banks...............................................8
      3.12    Expropriation Insurance.......................................................8

4.    Proxies ..............................................................................9

5.    Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities..................................9

6.    Proper Instructions...................................................................9

7.    Actions Permitted Without Express Authority...........................................9

8.    Evidence of Authority.................................................................9

9.    Class Actions.........................................................................10

10.   Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of Net
      Asset Value and Net Income............................................................10

11.   Records.............................................................................. 10


<PAGE>

12.   Opinion of Company's Independent Accountant...........................................10

13.   Reports to Company by Independent Public Accountant...................................10

14.   Compensation of Custodian.............................................................11

15.   Responsibility of Custodian...........................................................11

16.   Effective Period, Termination and Amendment...........................................11

17.   Successor Custodian...................................................................12

18.   Interpretive and Additional Provisions................................................12

19.   Minnesota Law to Apply................................................................12

20.   Prior Contracts.......................................................................12

21.   General.............................................................................. 13
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                                   

                               CUSTODIAN CONTRACT


     This  AGREEMENT made as of November 27, 1996, by and between IAI Investment
Funds III, Inc., a Minnesota  corporation  having its principal office and place
of business at 3700 First Bank Place,  Minneapolis,  Minnesota, (the "Company"),
and Norwest Bank  Minnesota,  N.A., a National  Banking  Association  having its
principal  office and place of business at Sixth and  Marquette,  Minnesota,  MN
55479 (the "Custodian").

     WHEREAS, the Company is a mutual fund whose shares are currently offered in
the  following  series  (which,  together with each future series of the Company
that adopts this contract are hereafter referred to individually as a "Fund" and
collectively as the "Funds") as set forth in Exhibit D.

     WHEREAS,  the Company desires to appoint the Bank as the custodian for each
Fund, and the Bank desires to accept such appointment;

     WITNESSETH,  that in  consideration  of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.       Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It.
         ------------------------------------------------------
         
     The Company  hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets of
each Fund,  including securities the Company desires to be held in places within
the United States ("domestic  securities") and securities the Company desires to
be held outside of the United States ("foreign securities").  The Company agrees
to deliver to the Custodian all  securities and cash owned by each Fund, and all
payments of income,  payments of principal or capital distributions  received by
the Fund with respect to all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and
the cash  consideration  received by the Fund for such new or treasury shares of
capital stock ("Shares") of the Fund as may be issued or sold from time to time.
The  Custodian  shall  not be  responsible  for any  property  of a Fund held or
received by the Fund and not delivered to the Custodian.
         
     Upon  receipt of "Proper  Instructions"  (within the meaning of Article 6),
the  Custodian  shall from time to time employ one or more  sub-custodians,  but
only in accordance with any necessary approvals by the Board of Directors of the
Company,   and  provided   that  the   appointment   by  the  Custodian  of  any
sub-custodians shall not relieve the Custodian of any of its responsibilities or
liabilities hereunder.

2.       Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Fund Property held by the 
         Custodian in the United States.
         ------------------------------------------------------------------

2.1      Holding Securities.
         -------------------

     The Custodian  shall hold and physically  segregate for the account of each
of the Funds all non-cash property, including all securities owned by the Funds,
other than (a)  securities  which are  maintained  pursuant to Section 2.12 in a
clearing  agency which acts as a securities  depository or in a Federal  Reserve
Bank,  as  Custodian  may  select,  and to permit  such  deposited  Assets to be
registered  in the name of  Custodian  or  Custodian's  agent or  nominee on the
records of such Federal reserve Bank or such  registered  clearing agency or the
nominee  of  either,  and to employ and use  securities  depositories,  clearing
agencies, clearance systems, sub-custodians or agents located outside the United
States  in  connection   with   transactions   involving   foreign   securities,
collectively referred to herein as a "Securities System".

2.2      Delivery of Securities.
         -----------------------       

     The Custodian shall release and deliver securities owned by the Company for
the account of a Fund held by the Custodian or in a Securities System account of
the Custodian only upon receipt of Proper Instructions,  which may be continuing
instructions when deemed  appropriate by the parties,  and only in the following
cases:  

     1) Upon sale of such  securities  for the  account of a Fund and receipt of
payment therefor;

     2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase  agreement
related to such securities entered into by the Company on behalf of a Fund;

     3) In  the  case  of a  sale  effected  through  a  Securities  System,  in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12 hereof;

     4) To the  depository  agent in  connection  with  tender or other  similar
offers for portfolio securities of a Fund;

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

     5) To the  issuer  thereof or its agent when such  securities  are  called,
redeemed,  retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any such case,
the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;


     6) To the issuer thereof,  or its agent,  for transfer into the name of the
Company for the account of a Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of
the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent  appointed  pursuant
to Section 2.11 or into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian  appointed
pursuant  to  Article  1; or for  exchange  for a  different  number  of  bonds,
certificates  or other evidence  representing  the same aggregate face amount or
number of units;  provided  that, in any such case, the new securities are to be
delivered to the Custodian;

     7) Upon the  sale of such  securities  for the  account  of a Fund,  to the
broker or its clearing agent,  against a receipt,  for examination in accordance
with "street  delivery"  custom;  provided that in any such case,  the Custodian
shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery
of such securities prior to receiving  payment for such securities except as may
arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct;

     8)  For   exchange   or   conversion   pursuant  to  any  plan  or  merger,
consolidation,   recapitalization,   reorganization   or   readjustment  of  the
securities  of the issuer of such  securities,  or  pursuant to  provisions  for
conversion  contained in such securities,  or pursuant to any deposit agreement;
provided  that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;

     9) In the case of warrants,  rights or similar  securities,  the  surrender
thereof in the exercise of such  warrants,  rights or similar  securities or the
surrender of interim receipts of temporary securities for definitive securities;
provided  that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be
delivered to the Custodian;

     10) For delivery in  connection  with any loans of  securities  made by the
Company on behalf of a Fund, but only against receipt of adequate  collateral as
agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Company,  which may be in
the form of cash or  obligations  issued by the United  States  government,  its
agencies  or  instrumentalities,  except that in  connection  with any loans for
which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's  account in the book-entry
system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not
be held liable or  responsible  for the delivery of  securities  owned by a Fund
prior to the receipt of such collateral;

     11) For  delivery as  security in  connection  with any  borrowings  by the
Company  on behalf of a Fund  requiring  a pledge  of assets by the  Company  on
behalf of such Fund, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed;

     12) For delivery in accordance  with the provisions of any agreement  among
the Company on behalf of a Fund,  the Custodian and a  broker-dealer  registered
under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange  Act") and a member of
the National Association of Securities Dealers,  Inc. ("NASD"),  relating to the
compliance  with  the  rules  of The  Options  Clearing  Corporation  and of any
registered  national  securities  exchange,  or of any similar  organization  or
organizations,  regarding  escrow  or  other  arrangements  in  connection  with
transactions by the Company;

     13) For delivery in accordance  with the provisions of any agreement  among
the  Company  on  behalf of a Fund,  the  Custodian,  and a  Futures  Commission
Merchant  registered  under the Commodity  Exchange Act,  relating to compliance
with the rules of the Commodity  Futures Trading  Commission and/or any Contract
Market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding account deposits
in connection with transactions by the Company on behalf of a Fund;

     14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer Agent")
for the  applicable  Fund, for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the holders
of shares in connection  with  distributions  in kind, as may be described  from
time to time in the Fund's  currently  effective  prospectus  and  statement  of
additional information ("prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of
Shares for repurchase or redemptions; and

     15) For any other proper  corporate  purpose,  but only upon receipt of, in
addition to Proper  Instructions,  a certified copy of a resolution of the Board
of Directors of the Company signed by an officer of the Company and certified by
the  Secretary  or an  Assistant  Secretary,  specifying  the  securities  to be
delivered,  setting  forth the  purpose  for which such  delivery is to be made,
declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate  purpose,  and naming the person
or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

2.3      Registration of Securities.
         -----------------------------

     Domestic  securities held by the Custodian  (other than bearer  securities)
shall be registered in the name of the Company for the account of the applicable
Fund(s) or in the name of any  nominee of the  Company or of any  nominee of the
Custodian which nominee shall be assigned  exclusively to the Company's,  unless
the Company has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in
common with other  registered  investment  companies  having the same investment
adviser as the applicable  Fund(s),  or in the name of nominee name of any agent
appointed  pursuant  to  Section  2.11  or in the  name or  nominee  name of any
sub-custodian  appointed  pursuant to Article 1. All securities  accepted by the
Custodian on behalf of the Company under the terms of this Contract  shall be in
"street name" or other good delivery form.

2.4      Bank Accounts.
         --------------         

     The  Custodian  shall open and maintain a separate bank account or accounts
in the name of each Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting
pursuant  to the terms of this  Contract,  and  shall  hold in such  account  or
accounts,  subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for
the  account  of  each  applicable  Fund,  other  than  cash  maintained  by the
applicable  Fund in a bank account  established and used in accordance with Rule
17f-3 under the Investment  Company Act of 1940.  Cash held by the Custodian for
each Fund may be  deposited  by it to its  credit as  Custodian  in the  Banking
Department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust  companies as it may
in its discretion  deem necessary or desirable;  provided,  however,  that every
such bank or trust  company  shall be qualified to act as a custodian  under the
Investment  Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust company and the
cash to be deposited  with each such bank or trust  company shall be approved by
vote of a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company.  Such cash shall be
deposited  by  the   Custodian  in  its  capacity  as  Custodian  and  shall  be
withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.

2.5      Payments for Shares.
         --------------------         

     The Custodian  shall receive from the  distributor  for each Fund Shares or
from the  Transfer  Agent of each Fund and deposit  into the Fund  account  such
payments as are received for Shares of the Fund issued or sold from time to time
by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely  notification to the Fund and the
Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of the Funds.

2.6      Availability of Federal Funds.
         ------------------------------
         
     Upon mutual agreement between the Company and the Custodian,  the Custodian
shall, upon the receipt of Proper Instructions,  make federal funds available to
the Funds as of specified times agreed upon from time to time by the Company and
the  Custodian  in the amount of checks  received  in payment  for Shares of the
Funds which are deposited into the Funds' accounts.

2.7      Collection of Income.
         ---------------------         

     The Custodian shall, or shall cause its agent or sub-custodian  to, collect
on a timely  basis all  income and other  payments  with  respect to  registered
securities  held hereunder to which each Fund shall be entitled either by law or
pursuant to custom in the  securities  business,  and shall  collect on a timely
basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer securities if, on the
date of payment by the issuer,  such securities are held by the Custodian or its
agent or  sub-custodian  and shall  credit such  income,  as  collected,  to the
applicable  Fund's  custodian  account.  Without  limiting the generality of the
foregoing,  the  Custodian  shall detach and present for payment all coupons and
other income items requiring  presentation as and when they become due and shall
collect interest when due on securities held hereunder.  Unless the Custodian is
the lending agent in connection with securities  loaned by the Fund,  income due
each Fund on securities  loaned  pursuant to the  provisions of Section 2.2 (10)
shall be the  responsibility of the Company.  The Custodian will have no duty or
responsibility in connection  therewith,  other than to provide the Company with
such  information or data as may be necessary to assist the Company in arranging
for the timely  delivery  to the  Custodian  of the income to which each Fund is
properly entitled.

2.8      Payment of Company Monies.
         -------------------------         

     Upon receipt of Proper Instructions,  which may be continuing  instructions
when deemed  appropriate by the parties,  the Custodian  shall pay out monies of
each  Fund in the  following  cases  only:  

     1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities,  options, futures contracts or
options on futures  contracts  for the account of each Fund but only (a) against
the delivery of such  securities or evidence of title to such  options,  futures
contracts  or options  on  futures  contracts,  to the  Custodian  (or any bank,
banking firm or trust company doing

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

business in the United States or abroad which is qualified  under the Investment
Company  Act of  1940  to act as a  custodian  and has  been  designated  by the
Custodian as its agent for this  purpose)  registered in the name of the Company
for the account of a Fund or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian  referred
to in Section  2.3 hereof or in proper form for  transfer;  (b) in the case of a
purchase effected through a Securities System, in accordance with the conditions
set forth in Section 2.12 hereof or (c) in the case of the repurchase agreements
entered  into  between the  Company and the  Custodian,  or another  bank,  or a
broker-dealer  which is a member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities
either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's account
at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against delivery of the
receipt  evidencing  purchase  by the  Company  for  the  account  of a Fund  of
securities  owned by the Custodian along with written  evidence of the agreement
by the Custodian to  repurchase  such  securities  from a Fund; 

     2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned
by a Fund  as set  forth  in  Section  2.2  hereof;  

     3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by a Fund as set forth
in Section 2.10 hereof;

     4) For  the  payment  of any  expense  or  liability  incurred  by a  Fund,
including  but not  limited to the  following  payments  for the account of such
Fund: interest,  taxes, management,  accounting,  transfer agent and legal fees,
and  operating  expenses of the Fund  whether or not such  expenses are to be in
whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;

     5) For the payment of any  dividends  declared  pursuant  to the  governing
documents of the Company and the applicable Fund;

     6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of securities
sold short; or

     7) For any other proper  purpose,  but only upon receipt of, in addition to
Proper Instructions,  a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors
of the  Company  signed  by an  officer  of the  Company  and  certified  by its
Secretary  or an Assistant  Secretary,  specifying  the amount of such  payment,
setting forth the purpose for which such payment is to be made,  declaring  such
purpose  to be a proper  purpose,  and naming the person or persons to whom such
payment is to be made.

2.9      Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased.
         --------------------------------------------------------------------

     The  Custodian  shall  not  make  payment  for  the  purchase  of  domestic
securities  for the  account of a Fund in  advance of receipt of the  securities
purchased in the absence of specific written instructions from the Company to so
pay in advance.  In any and every case where  payment  for  purchase of domestic
securities  for the  account  of a Fund is made by the  Custodian  in advance of
receipt  of  the  securities  purchased  in  the  absence  of  specific  written
instructions  from the  Company to so pay in  advance,  the  Custodian  shall be
absolutely  liable  to the  Company  (for  the  account  of the  Fund)  for such
securities  to the same  extent as if the  securities  had been  received by the
Custodian.

2.10     Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of a Fund.
         -------------------------------------------------------------         

     From such funds as may be  available  for the  purpose  but  subject to the
limitations of the Articles of  Incorporation or Bylaws and any applicable votes
of the Board of Directors of the Company,  the Custodian shall,  upon receipt of
instructions  from the  Transfer  Agent,  make funds  available  for  payment to
holders  of Shares  who have  delivered  to the  Transfer  Agent a  request  for
redemption or repurchase of their Shares.  In connection  with the redemption or
repurchase  of Shares of a Fund,  the  Custodian is  authorized  upon receipt of
instructions  from the  Transfer  Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial
bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption
or repurchase of Shares of a Fund, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the
Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by the Company
to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such
procedures  and controls as are  mutually  agreed upon from time to time between
the Company and the Custodian.

2.11     Appointment of Agents.
         ----------------------        

     The Custodian may at any time or times in its  discretion  appoint (and may
at any time remove) any other bank or trust  company  which is itself  qualified
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 to act as a custodian,  as its agent to
carry out such of the  provisions  of this Article 2 as the  Custodian  may from
time to time direct; provided,  however, that the appointment of any agent shall
not  relieve  the  Custodian  of  any  of its  responsibilities  or  liabilities
hereunder.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

2.12     Deposit of Fund Assets in Securities Systems.
         ---------------------------------------------         

     The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain domestic  securities owned by any
Fund in a clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange commission
under Section 17A of the Exchange Act, which acts as a securities depository, or
in a Federal Reserve Bank, as Custodian may select, and to permit such deposited
Assets to be registered in the name of Custodian or Custodian's agent or nominee
on the records of such Federal reserve Bank or such  registered  clearing agency
or the  nominee  of either  (collectively  referred  to  herein  as  "Securities
System") in accordance with applicable  Federal Reserve Board and Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and regulations,  if any, and subject to the following
provisions:  

     1) The  Custodian  may keep  domestic  securities of a Fund in a Securities
System provided that such  securities are represented in an account  ("Account")
of the Custodian in the Securities  System which shall not include any assets of
the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary,  custodian or otherwise for
customers;

     2) The records of the  Custodian  with respect to domestic  securities of a
Fund which are  maintained in a Securities  System shall  identify by book-entry
those securities belonging to such Fund;

     3) The  Custodian  shall  pay for  domestic  securities  purchased  for the
account  of a Fund  upon  (i)  the  simultaneous  receipt  of  advice  from  the
Securities System that such securities have been transferred to the Account, and
(ii) the making of an entry on the  records  of the  Custodian  to reflect  such
payment and transfer for the account of the Fund.  The Custodian  shall transfer
domestic  securities  sold for the  account of a Fund upon (i) the  simultaneous
receipt of advice from the  Securities  System that payment for such  securities
has been  transferred  to the  Account,  and (ii) the  making of an entry on the
records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of
the Fund.  Copies of all advises  from the  Securities  System of  transfers  of
securities  for the account of a Fund shall identify the Fund, be maintained for
the Fund by the  Custodian  and be provided to the Company at its request.  Upon
request,  the Custodian shall furnish the Company  confirmation of each transfer
to or from the  account of a Fund in the form of a written  advice or notice and
shall furnish to the Company copies of daily transaction  sheets reflecting each
day's transactions in the Securities System for the account of each Fund.

     4) The Custodian  shall provide the Company with any report obtained by the
Custodian on the Securities  System's  accounting  system,  internal  accounting
control and procedures for safeguarding  securities  deposited in the Securities
System;

     5) The Custodian shall have received the initial or annual certificate,  as
the case may be, required by Article 16 hereof;

     6) Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the Custodian
shall be liable to the  Company  (for the  account of each Fund) for any loss or
damage to the applicable  Fund(s) resulting from use of the Securities System by
reason of any  negligence,  misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any of
its agents or of any of its or their  employees or from failure of the Custodian
or any such agent or employee to enforce  effectively such rights as it may have
against the  Securities  System;  at the  election of the  Company,  it shall be
entitled to be  subrogated  to the rights of the  Custodian  with respect to any
claim against the Securities  System or any other person which the Custodian may
have as a  consequence  of any such loss or damage if and to the extent that the
applicable Funds have not been made whole for any such loss or damage.

2.13     Segregated Account.
         -------------------

     The  Custodian  shall upon  receipt of Proper  Instructions  establish  and
maintain a segregated  account or accounts for and on behalf of each Fund,  into
which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or  securities,  including
securities  maintained in an account by the  Custodian  pursuant to Section 2.12
hereof,  (i) in  accordance  with the  provisions  of any  agreement  among  the
Company, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and
a member  of NASD (or any  futures  commission  merchant  registered  under  the
Commodity  Exchange Act),  relating to compliance  with the rules of The Options
Clearing  Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered  contract market),  or of
any  similar   organization  or   organizations,   regarding   escrow  or  other
arrangements in connection  with  transactions by the Company for the account of
any Fund, (ii) for the purpose of segregating  cash or government  securities in
connection  with  options  purchased,  sold or  written by the  Company  for the
account of any Fund or commodity  futures contracts or options thereon purchased
or sold by the  Company  for the  account of any Fund,  (iii) for the purpose of
compliance by the Company with the procedures required by Investment Company Act
Release No. 10666,  or any subsequent  release or releases of the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  relating  to the  maintenance  of  segregated  accounts by

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

registered  investment  companies and (iv) for other proper corporate  purposes,
but only, in the case of the clause (iv), upon receipt of, in addition to Proper
Instructions,  a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Company signed by an officer of the Company and certified by the Secretary or an
Assistant  Secretary,  setting forth the purpose or purposes of such  segregated
account and declaring such purposes to be proper corporate purposes.

2.14     Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes.
         -----------------------------------------         

     The Custodian shall execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits
for all federal and state tax purposes in  connection  with receipt of income or
other  payments with respect to domestic  securities of each Fund held by it and
in connection with transfers of securities.

3.       Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Fund Property Held Outside 
         of the United States.
         -------------------------------------------------------------------

3.1      Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians.
         -------------------------------------
     
     The Custodian is authorized and  instructed,  either directly or indirectly
(through one or more  sub-custodian  U.S. banks),  to employed as sub-custodians
for any Fund's  securities  and other  assets  maintained  outside of the United
States the foreign banking  institutions,  foreign  securities  depositories and
foreign   clearing   agencies   designated   on   Exhibit  A  hereto   ("foreign
sub-custodians");  provided,  however,  that,  notwithstanding  the  contents of
Exhibit A hereto, the Custodian  (including any of its agents and subcustodians)
is  authorized  to directly or  indirectly  employ or retain any  sub-custodian,
depository  or  clearing  agency only if said  employed or retained  institution
qualifies  as either (a) an  "eligible  foreign  custodian",  as defined in Rule
17f-5 under the Investment  Company Act of 1940, or (b) a "bank",  as defined in
Section 2(a)(5) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, that in turn qualifies as
an eligible domestic custodian under Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act
of 1940; and provided  further that the Custodian shall be liable to the Company
for any loss of any Fund  assets  custodied  with any  institution  directly  or
indirectly  employed  or  retained  by the  Custodian  (or any of its  agents or
sub-custodians)  that does not meet the  qualifications  of either clause (a) of
(b) of the preceding proviso.
         

     Upon receipt of Proper  Instructions,  together with a certified resolution
of the Company's Board of Directors,  the Custodian and the Company may agree to
amend Schedule A hereto from time to time to designate additional or alternative
foreign  banking  institutions,  foreign  securities  depositories  and  foreign
clearing  agencies to act as  sub-custodians.  Each foreign banking  institution
shall be authorized to deposit securities in foreign securities depositories and
foreign clearing agencies authorized pursuant to Rule 17f-5 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940.  Upon receipt of Proper  Instructions  from the Company the
Custodian  shall  promptly  cease  the  employment  of any  one or  more of such
sub-custodians for maintaining custody of the assets of the applicable Fund(s).

3.2      Assets to be Held.
        ------------------- 

     The Custodian shall limit the securities and other assets maintained in the
custody of the foreign sub-custodian to: (a) "foreign securities", as defined in
paragraph (c) (1) of Rule 17f-5 under the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  and
(b) cash and cash  equivalents  in such amounts as the  Custodian or the Company
may  determine  to be  reasonably  necessary  to effect the  foreign  securities
transactions of the applicable Fund(s).

3.3      Segregation of Securities.
         ----------------------------
         
     The Custodian  shall  identify on its books as belonging to the Company for
the account of one or more of the Fund(s),  the foreign  securities of each such
Fund held by each foreign  sub-custodian.  Each agreement  pursuant to which the
Custodian or its duly appointed  U.S.  sub-custodian  employs a foreign  banking
institution shall require that such institution  establish a custody account for
the Custodian (or its U.S.  sub-custodian,  as the case may be) on behalf of its
customers and physically  segregate in that account  securities and other assets
of the Custodian's customers, and, in the event that such institution deposits a
Fund's securities in a foreign securities  depository,  the sub-custodian  shall
identify on its books as belonging to the Custodian (or its U.S.  sub-custodian,
as the case may be), as agent for the Custodian's  customers,  the securities so
deposited (all collectively referred to as the "Account").

3.4      Agreement with Foreign Banking Institution.
         -------------------------------------------         

     Each agreement with a foreign banking  institution  shall provide that: (a)
each Fund's assets will not be subject to any right, charge,  security interest,
lien or claim or any kind in favor of the  foreign  banking  institution  or its
creditors,  except a claim of payment for their safe custody or  administration;

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

(b)  beneficial  ownership  for each Fund's  assets will be freely  transferable
without the payment of money or value other than for custody or  administration,
which may include  payment of stamp  duties or  government  taxes;  (c) adequate
records will be maintained  identifying the assets as belonging to the customers
of Custodian;  (d) officers of or auditors employed by, or other representatives
of the Custodian,  including  independent public accountants for each Fund, will
be given  access to the books and  records of the  foreign  banking  institution
relating to its actions given under its agreement with the Custodian or shall be
given confirmation of the contents of such books and records;  and (e) assets of
each  Fund  held  by the  foreign  sub-custodian  will  be  subject  only to the
instructions of the Company, the Custodian or their agents.

3.5      Access of Independent Accountants of the Company.
         -------------------------------------------------         

     Upon request of the  Company,  the  Custodian  will use its best efforts to
arrange for the independent  accountants of the Company to be afforded access to
the books and records of any foreign banking  institution  employed as a foreign
sub-custodian  insofar as such books and records  relate to the  performance  of
such foreign banking institutions under its agreement with the Custodian (or its
U.S. sub-custodian, as the case may be).

3.6      Reports by Custodian.
         ---------------------         

     The  Custodian  will supply to the Company  from time to time,  as mutually
agreed upon,  statements in respect of the  securities  and other assets of each
Fund  held  by  foreign   sub-custodians,   including  but  not  limited  to  an
identification   of  entities  having   possession  of  each  applicable  Fund's
securities  and other  assets and advice or  notifications  of any  transfers of
securities  to  or  from  each  custodial   account   maintained  by  a  foreign
sub-custodian for the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Fund indicating, as
to securities  acquired for the Fund, the identity of the entity having physical
possession of such securities.

3.7      Foreign Securities Transactions.
         --------------------------------         

     1) Upon receipt of Proper Instruction, which may be continuing instructions
when deemed  appropriate by the parties,  the Custodian  shall make or cause its
foreign sub-custodian to transfer,  exchange or deliver foreign securities owned
by the Company for the  account of a Fund,  but except to the extent  explicitly
provided herein only in any of the cases specified in Section 2.2.
         
     2)  Upon  receipt  of  Proper   Instructions,   which  may  be   continuing
instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out
or cause its foreign  sub-custodian  to pay out monies of a Fund,  but except to
the extent  explicitly  provided  herein only in any of the cases  specified  in
Section 2.8.
         
     3) Settlement and payment for securities received for the account of a Fund
and  delivery  of  securities  maintained  for the  account of a Fund may,  upon
receipt of Proper Instructions,  be effected in accordance with the customary or
established securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures
in the  jurisdiction  or  market  in which the  transaction  occurs,  including,
without  limitation,  delivering  securities  to the  purchaser  thereof or to a
dealer  therefor (or an agent for such  purchaser  or dealer)  against a receipt
with the  expectation of receiving  later payment for such  securities from such
purchaser or dealer.
         
     4) With  respect  to any  transaction  involving  foreign  securities,  the
Custodian or any sub-custodian in its discretion may case a Fund's account to be
credited on either the contractual settlement date or the actual settlement date
with the proceeds of any sale or exchange of foreign securities from the account
of the applicable  Fund and to be debited on either the  contractual  settlement
date or the actual settlement date for the cost of foreign securities  purchased
or  acquired  for such Fund  according  to  Custodian's  then  current  internal
policies and procedures pertaining to securities settlement,  which policies and
procedures may change from time to time.  Custodian  shall advise the Company of
any changes to such policies and procedures.  The Custodian may reverse any such
credit or debit made on the contractual  settlement date if the transaction with
respect  to which  such  credit  or  debit  was made  fails to  settle  within a
reasonable period,  determined by Custodian in its reasonable discretion,  after
the contractual  settlement date except that if any foreign securities delivered
pursuant to this section are returned by the  recipient  thereof,  the Custodian
may cause any such credits and debits to be reversed at any time.
         
     5) Securities  maintained in the custody of a foreign  sub-custodian may be
maintained in the name of such entity's  nominee to the same extent as set forth
in Section 2.3 of this  Contract  and the Fund  agrees to hold any such  nominee
harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such securities.
       
                                      -7-
<PAGE>
  
     6) Until the Custodian  receives  written  instructions to the contrary the
Custodian  shall, or shall cause the  sub-custodian  to collect all interest and
dividends paid on securities held in each applicable Fund's account, unless such
payment is in default. Unless otherwise instructed,  the Custodian shall convert
interest,  dividends  and  principal  received  with respect to  securities in a
Fund's  account into United  States  dollars,  and the  Custodian  shall perform
foreign  exchange  contracts  for the  conversion  of United  States  dollars to
foreign currencies for the settlement of trades whenever it is practicable to do
so through customary banking channels. Customary banking channels may vary based
upon  industry  practice  in each  jurisdiction,  and shall  include the banking
facilities of the Custodian's  affiliates,  in accordance with such  affiliate's
then  prevailing  internal  policy on funds  repatriation.  All risk and expense
incident to such foreign  collection and  conversions is the  responsibility  of
each applicable Fund's account,  and Custodian shall have no responsibility  for
fluctuation in exchange rates affecting collections or conversions.

3.8      Foreign Securities Lending.
         ---------------------------         

Notwithstanding  any other provisions  contained in this Contract,  the
Custodian and any sub-custodian  shall deliver and receive  securities loaned or
returned in connection with  securities  lending  transactions  only upon and in
accordance  with Proper  Instructions;  provided,  if the  Custodian  is not the
lending  agent in  connection  with such  securities  lending,  then neither the
Custodian or any sub-custodian shall undertake, or otherwise be responsible for,
         
     (i) marking to market values for such loaned securities.

     (ii)  collection  of  dividends,   interest  or  other   disbursements   or
distributions made with respect to such loaned securities

     (iii)  receipt of  corporate  action  notices,  communications,  proxies or
instruments with respect to such loaned securities, and

     (iv) custody, safekeeping,  valuation or any other actions or services with
respect to any collateral securing any such securities lending transactions.

     In the event that the Custodian is the  applicable  Fund's lending agent in
connection  with a specific  securities  loan, the Custodian  shall undertake to
perform  all of the above  duties  with  regard to such  loan,  except  that the
Company shall not receive,  nor be enabled to vote,  proxies in connection  with
such loaned security.

3.9      Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians.
         ------------------------------------         

     Each agreement  pursuant to which the Custodian (or its U.S.  sub-custodian
bank,  as  applicable)  employs  a  foreign  banking  institution  as a  foreign
sub-custodian  shall require the institution to exercise  reasonable care in the
performance of its duties and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian and
Custodian's  customers  from  and  against  any  loss,  damage,  cost,  expense,
liability or claim arising out of such  sub-custodian's  negligence,  fraud, bad
faith,  willful  misconduct or reckless disregard of its duties. At the election
of the  Company,  it shall be  entitled  to be  subrogated  to the  right of the
Custodian with respect to any claims against the Custodian's U.S.  sub-custodian
bank (if any) or a foreign  banking  institution  as a  consequence  of any such
loss, damage,  cost,  expense,  liability or claim if and to the extent that the
Company  has not been  made  whole for any such  loss,  damage,  cost,  expense,
liability or claim.

3.10     Monitoring Responsibilities.
         ------------------------------   

     The Custodian shall furnish annually to the Company information  concerning
the foreign sub-custodians  employed by the Custodian (or its U.S. sub-custodian
bank, as  applicable).  Such  information  shall be similar in kind and scope to
that  furnished to the Company in connection  with the initial  approval of this
Contract (and any contracts  with U.S. and foreign  sub-custodians  entered into
pursuant hereto). In addition, the Custodian will promptly inform the Company in
the  event  that the  Custodian  learns  of a  material  adverse  change  in the
financial condition of a foreign sub-custodian or is notified by the Custodian's
U.S.  sub-custodian bank (if any) or a foreign banking  institution  employed as
foreign sub-custodian that there appears to be a substantial likelihood that its
shareholders'  equity will decline below $200 million  (United States dollars or
the equivalent thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has declined below $200
million (in each case  computed in accordance  with  generally  accepted  United
States accounting principles).

3.11     Branches of United States Banks.
         --------------------------------         

     Except as otherwise set forth in this Contract, the provisions hereof shall
not apply where the custody of any Fund's assets  maintained in a foreign branch
of a banking institution which is a "bank" as defined by Section 2(a) (5) of the

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

Investment  Company  Act of 1940  which  meets  the  qualification  set forth in
Section 26(a) of said Act. The appointment of any such branch as a sub-custodian
shall be governed by Article 1 of this Contract.

3.12     Expropriation Insurance.
         -----------------------         

     The  Custodian  represents  that it does not intend to obtain any insurance
for the benefit of the Company or any Fund which protects against the imposition
of exchange control  restrictions or the transfer from any foreign  jurisdiction
of the proceeds of sale of any securities or against confiscation, expropriation
or  nationalization  of any  securities  or the  assets  of the  issuer  of such
securities is organized or in which  securities are held for safekeeping  either
by Custodian or any sub  custodians  in such country.  The Custodian  represents
that its  understanding  of the  position  of the  Staff of the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission is that any investment  company  investing in securities of
foreign  issuers has the  responsibility  for reviewing the  possibility  of the
imposition of exchange control  restrictions which would affect the liquidity of
such  investment  company's  assets and the possibility of exposure to political
risk, including the appropriateness of insuring against such risk.

4.       Proxies.
         --------         

     The Custodian shall,  with respect to the securities held hereunder,  cause
to be promptly  executed by the  registered  holder of such  securities,  if the
securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the Company or a nominee
of the Company,  all  proxies,  without  indication  of the manner in which such
proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Company such proxies,
all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such securities.

5.       Communications Relating to Fund Portfolio Securities.
        ------------------------------------------------------         

     The  Custodian   shall  transmit   promptly  to  the  Company  all  written
information (including,  without limitation,  dependency of calls and maturities
of securities and  expirations of rights in connection  therewith and notices of
exercise of call and put options written by the Fund and the maturity of futures
contracts  purchased  or sold by the  Company)  received by the  Custodian  from
issuers of the  securities  being held for each Fund.  With respect to tender or
exchange  offers,  the  Custodian  shall  transmit  promptly  to the Company all
written  information  received by the Custodian  from issuers of the  securities
whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or his agents) making the
tender or exchange  offer. If the Company desires to take action with respect to
any tender offer,  exchange offer or any other similar transaction,  the Company
shall  notify the  Custodian at least three  business  days prior to the date on
which the Custodian is to take such action.

6.       Proper Instructions.
         --------------------         

     Proper  Instructions  as used in this  Contract  means a writing  signed or
initialed  by one or more  person or  persons as the Board of  Directors  of the
Company  shall have from time to time  authorized.  Each such writing  shall set
forth the specific  transaction  or type of  transaction  involved,  including a
specific  statement  of the  purpose for which such  action is  requested.  Oral
instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian  reasonably
believes  them  to  have  been  given  by  a  person  authorized  to  give  such
instructions with respect to the transaction  involved.  The Company shall cause
all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing.  Upon receipt of a certificate
of the Secretary or an Assistant  Secretary as to the authorization by the Board
of Directors of the Company accompanied by a detailed  description of procedures
approved  by  the  Board  of   Directors,   Proper   Instructions   may  include
communications  effected  directly  between  election-mechanical  or  electronic
devices  provided  that the Board of Directors  and the  Custodian are satisfied
that such procedures afford adequate safeguards for each Fund's assets.

7.       Actions Permitted Without Express Authority.
         ---------------------------------------------         

     The Custodian may in its  discretion,  without  express  authority from the
Company:
         
     1) Make  payments  to itself  or others  for  minor  expenses  of  handling
securities  provided  that  all such  payments  shall  be  accounted  for to the
Company;
         
     2) Surrender  securities  in temporary  form for  securities  in definitive
form;
         
     3) Endorse for  collection,  in the names of the applicable  Fund,  checks,
drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
         
     4) In general,  attend to all non-discretionary  details in connection with
the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the
securities and property of the Company except as otherwise directed by the Board
of Directors of the Company.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

8.       Evidence of Authority.
         ----------------------         

     The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any  instructions,  notice,
request, consent,  certificate or other instrument of paper believed by it to be
genuine and to have been properly  executed by or on behalf of the Company.  The
Custodian  may  receive  and accept a  certified  copy of a vote of the Board of
Directors  of the Company as  conclusive  evidence  (a) of the  authority of any
person to act in accordance with such vote or (b) or any determination or of any
action duly made or taken by the Board of  Directors  as described in such vote,
and such vote may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the
Custodian of written notice to the contrary.

9.        Class  Actions.  
          ----------------

     The Custodian  shall transmit  promptly to the Company all notices or other
communications  received  by it in  connection  with any  class  action  lawsuit
relating  to  securities  currently  or  previously  held for one or more of the
Funds.  Upon being directed by the Company to do so, the Custodian shall furnish
to  the  Company   any  and  all   written   materials   which   establish   the
holding/ownership,  amount held/owned,  and period of  holding/ownership  of the
securities in question.

     10.  Records.  -------- The Custodian shall create and maintain all records
relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in such manner as
will meet the  obligations  of the  Company  and each Fund under the  Investment
Company Act of 1940,  with  particular  attention to Section 31 thereof and Rule
31a-1 and 31a-2  thereunder.  The  Custodian  shall  also  maintain  records  as
directed by the Company in connection with applicable federal and state tax laws
and any other law or administrative  rules or procedures which may be applicable
to the Company and the Funds. With respect to securities and cash deposited with
a Securities System, a sub-custodian or an agent of the Custodian, the Custodian
shall  identify on its books all such  securities  and cash as  belonging to the
Company for the account of the applicable Fund(s). All such records shall be the
property of the Company and shall at all times during the regular business hours
of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authority officers, employees or
agents of the Company.  Such records shall be made  available to the Company for
review by employees and agents of the  Securities and Exchange  Commission.  The
Custodian  shall  furnish  to the  Company,  and its agents as  directed  by the
Company,  as of the close of  business on the last day of each month a statement
showing all  transactions and entries for the account of the Company during that
month, and all holdings as of month-end.
         
     All records so maintained in connection  with the performance of its duties
under this Agreement  shall remain the property of the Company and, in the event
of termination of this Agreement, shall be delivered to the Company.  Subsequent
to such delivery,  and surviving the termination of this Agreement,  the Company
shall provide the Custodian  access to examine and photocopy such records as the
Custodian, in its discretion,  deems necessary,  for so long as such records are
retained by the Company.

11.      Opinion of Company's Independent Accountant.
         ---------------------------------------------         

     The Custodian  shall take all  reasonable  action,  as the Company may from
time to time request,  to obtain from year to year  favorable  opinions from the
Company's  independent  accountants with respect to its activities  hereunder in
connection  with the  preparation  of the Company's  Form N-1A and Form N-SAR or
other reports to the Securities and Exchange  Commission and with respect to any
other requirements of such Commission.

12.      Reports to Company by Independent Public Accountants.
         -------------------------------------------------------         

     The Custodian  shall provide the Company,  at such times as the Company may
reasonably  require,  with  reports by  independent  public  accountants  on the
accounting system,  internal  accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities,  futures  contracts  and  options  on futures  contracts,  including
securities  deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System,  relating to the
services provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such reports shall be of
sufficient scope, and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by the
Company to provide reasonable assurance that any material  inadequacies would be
disclosed  by such  examination,  and,  if there are no such  inadequacies,  the
reports shall so state.

13.      Compensation of Custodian.
         --------------------------         

     For performance by the Custodian  pursuant to this Agreement,  the Company,
out of the assets of each applicable  Fund,  agrees to pay the Custodian  annual
asset  fees  and  supplemental  charges  as  set  out in  Exhibit  B.  Fees  and
supplemental  charges may be changed from time to time subject to mutual written
agreement between the Company and the Custodian.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

14.      Responsibility of Custodian.
         ----------------------------         

     So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care,
the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of
any  property or evidence of title  thereto  received by it or  delivered  by it
pursuant to this  Contract and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice,
request,  consent,  certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to
be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties.  The Custodian shall
be held to the exercise of  reasonable  care in carrying out the  provisions  of
this Contract,  but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without  liability
to the  Company or any Fund for any action  taken or omitted by it in good faith
and without negligence.  It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice
of counsel of, or  reasonably  acceptable  to, the Company on all  matters,  and
shall be without  liability for any action  reasonably taken or omitted pursuant
to  such  advice.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the  responsibility  of the
Custodian with respect to  redemptions  effected by check shall be in accordance
with a separate Agreement entered into between the Custodian and the Company.

     If the Company  requires  the  Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities,  which action  involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the reasonable opinion of the Custodian,  result in the Custodian or its nominee
assigned  to the  Company  being  liable for the  payment of money or  incurring
liability of some other form, the Company,  as a  prerequisite  to requiring the
Custodian to take such action,  shall  provide  indemnity to the Custodian in an
amount and form reasonably satisfactory to it.

     If the Company requires the Custodian to advance cash or securities for any
purpose or in the event that the  Custodian  or its  nominee  shall  incur or be
assessed any taxes,  charges,  expenses,  assessments,  claims or liabilities in
connection with the performance of this Contract,  except such as may arise from
its or its nominee's own negligent  action,  negligent failure to act or willful
misconduct,  any  property  at any time held for the  account of a Fund shall be
security  therefor and should the Company fail to repay the  Custodian  promptly
with respect to any Fund, the Custodian  shall be entitled to utilize  available
cash and to dispose of assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.

     The Custodian  shall not be liable for any loss or damage to the Company or
any Fund resulting from  participation  in a securities  depository  unless such
loss or  damage  arises by reason of any  negligence,  misfeasance,  or  willful
misconduct  of officers or  employees of the  Custodian,  or from its failure to
enforce effectively such rights as it may have against any securities depository
or from use of a  sub-custodian  or  agent.  Anything  in this  Contract  to the
contrary  notwithstanding,  the Custodian shall exercise,  in the performance of
its obligations undertaken or reasonably assumed with respect to this Agreement,
reasonable care, for which the Custodian shall be responsible to the same extent
as  if  it  were  performing  such  duties  directly.  The  Custodian  shall  be
responsible  for  the  securities  and  cash  held  by  or  deposited  with  any
sub-custodian  or agent to the same extent as if such  securities  and cash were
directly held by or deposited  with the Custodian.  The Custodian  hereby agrees
that it shall  indemnify and hold the Company and each  applicable Fund harmless
from and  against  any loss which  shall  occur as a result of the  failure of a
foreign  sub-custodian  holding  the  securities  and cash to provide a level of
safeguards  for  maintaining  any  Fund's  securities  and cash  not  materially
different  from  that  provided  by  a  United  States  custodian  holding  such
securities and cash in the United States.

     The  Custodian  agrees to  indemnify  and hold the  Company and each of the
Funds harmless for any and all loss, liability and expense, including reasonable
legal fees and  expenses,  arising  out of the  Custodian's  own  negligence  or
willful misconduct or that of its officers, agents,  sub-custodians or employees
in  the  performance  of the  Custodian's  duties  and  obligations  under  this
Contract.

15.       Effective Period,  Termination and Amendment. 
          ----------------------------------------------

     The Contract shall become effective as of its execution,  shall continue in
full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter  provided,  may be amended
at any time by mutual  agreement of the parties  hereto and may be terminated by
either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to
the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than sixty (60) days
after  the  date of such  delivery  or  mailing;  provided,  however,  that  the
Custodian  shall not act under  Section 2.12 hereof in the absence of receipt of
an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board
of  Directors  of the Company  has  approved  the  initial  use of a  particular
Securities  System and the receipt of an annual  certificate of the Secretary or
an Assistant  Secretary that the Board of Directors has reviewed the use by each
Fund of such Securities System, as required in each case by Rule 17f-4 under the
Investment  Company Act of 1940,  provided  further,  however,  that the Company
shall not amend or terminate  this Contract in  contravention  of any applicable
federal or state regulations, or any provision of its Articles of Incorporation,
and further provided, that the Company may at any time by action of its Board of
Directors, with respect to any Fund (i) substitute another bank or trust company
for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian,  or (ii)

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

immediately  terminate  this  Contract  in the  event  of the  appointment  of a
conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the  Comptroller of the Currency or
upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory
agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
         

     Upon termination of the Contract,  the Company on behalf of each Fund shall
pay to the  Custodian  such  compensation  as may be due as of the  date of such
termination and shall likewise  reimburse the Custodian for its costs,  expenses
and disbursements.

16.      Successor Custodian.
         ---------------------
         
     If a successor  custodian  shall be  appointed by the Board of Directors of
the Company,  the Custodian shall, upon  termination,  deliver to such successor
custodian  at the office of the  Custodian,  duly  endorsed  and in the form for
transfer to an account of the successor  custodian each of the Fund's securities
held in a Securities System.
         
     If no such successor custodian shall be appointed,  the Custodian shall, in
like  manner,  upon  receipt  of a  certified  copy  of a vote of the  Board  of
Directors of the Company,  deliver at the office of the  Custodian  and transfer
such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.
         
     In the event that no written  order  designating  a successor  custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Board of Directors  shall have been delivered to
the  Custodian  on or  before  the  date  when  such  termination  shall  become
effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust
company,  which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, of
its own selection,  having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits,
as shown by its last  published  report,  of not  less  than  $100,000,000,  all
securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian and all instruments
held by the Custodian  relative  thereto and all other property held by it under
this Contract and to transfer to an account of such  successor  custodian all of
each Fund's securities held in any Securities System.  Thereafter,  such bank or
trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under and pursuant to this
Contract.
         
     In the event  that  securities,  funds and other  properties  remain in the
possession  of the  Custodian  after  the date of  termination  hereof  owing to
failure of the Company to procure the certified  copy of the vote referred to or
of the Board of Directors to appoint a successor custodian,  the Custodian shall
be  entitled to fair  compensation  for its  services  during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities,  funds and other properties and
the  provisions of this Contract  relating to the duties and  obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.

17.      Interpretive and Additional Provisions.
         ----------------------------------------

     In connection  with the operation of this  Contract,  the Custodian and the
Company  may from time to time agree on such  provisions  interpretive  of or in
addition to the  provisions  of this  Contract as may in their joint  opinion be
consistent  with the general tenor of this Contract.  Any such  interpretive  or
additional  provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be
annexed  hereto,  provided that no such  interpretive  or additional  provisions
shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of
the Articles of  Incorporation  or Bylaws of the  Company.  No  interpretive  or
additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed
to be an amendment of this Contract.

18.      Minnesota Law to Apply.
        ------------------------
         
     This Contract  shall be construed and the  provisions  thereof  interpreted
under and in accordance with laws of the State of Minnesota.

19.      Prior Contracts.
         ----------------         

     This Contract  supersedes and terminates,  as of the date hereof, all prior
contracts between the Company and the Custodian  relating to the custody of each
Fund's  assets.  This  Contract  shall not be  assignable  by any party  hereto;
provided  however,  that any entity into which the Company or the Custodian,  as
the  case  may  be,  may  be  merged  or  converted  or  with  which  it  may be
consolidated,  or any  entity  succeeding  to all  or  substantially  all of the
business of the Company or the custody business of the Custodian,  shall succeed
to the respective  rights and shall assume the respective  duties of the Company
or the Custodian, as the case may be, hereunder.

20.      General.
         --------

     Nothing  expressed or  mentioned in or to be implied from any  provision of
this  Contract  is  intended  to, or shall be  construed  to give any  person or
corporation other than the parties hereto, any legal or equitable right,  remedy
or claim under or in respect to this  Contract,  or any covenant,  condition and
provision herein contained,  this Contract and all of the covenants,  conditions
and  provisions  hereof  being  intended to be and being the sole and  exclusive
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the parties has caused this  instrument to be
executed  in its name and behalf by its duly  authorized  officers as of the day
and year first above written.


IAI Investment Funds III, Inc.           Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A.

       
By /s/ Richard E. Struthers               By /s/Denize V. Zapzalka

ATTEST                                    ATTEST

By /s/ William C. Joas                    By /s/Kim Devnich

                                 FUND PORTFOLIO
                                 --------------
                             IAI LATIN AMERICA FUND

                                 March 31, 1997
          (percentage figures indicate percentage of total net assets)
                                   (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      <S>                                                                <C>               <C>            
      COMMON STOCKS - 62.3%
                                                                                              Market
                                                                          Quantity            Value(a)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      ARGENTINA - 8.4%
      CIA International Bebidas Y Alimentos (Consumer Non-Durables)       17,265           $    35,742
      Telefonica de Argentina ADR (Utilities)                              2,794                82,074
      Transportadora de Gas del Sur ADR (Utilities)                        9,650               124,244
      YPF Sociedad Anonima ADR (Energy Minerals)                           4,521               119,806
                                                                                               -------
                                                                                               361,866
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      BRAZIL - 9.9%
      Telebras (Electronic Technology)                                 1,430,000               143,634
      Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras ADR (Utilities)                         1,501               153,477
      Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais ADR (Non-Energy Minerals)       10,917               125,546
                                                                                               -------
                                                                                               422,657
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHILE - 6.3%
      CIA Telecom Chile ADR (Technology Services)                          2,246                64,580
      Enersis ADR (Utilities)                                              3,690               117,157
      Vina Concha Y Toro ADR (Consumer Non-Durables)                       3,074                87,609
                                                                                               ------
                                                                                               269,346
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      MEXICO - 28.8%
      ALFA Class A (Financial)                                            22,000               123,579
      Corporacion GEO Series B (Financial) (b)                            28,000               134,157
      DESC Series B (Financial) (b)                                       21,000               140,335
      Fomento Economico Mexicano Class B (Commercial Services)            31,000               137,000
      Grupo Carso Series Class A-1 (Financial)                            16,000                93,708
      Grupo Corvi (Commercial Services)                                  135,000                71,151
      Grupo Financiero Bancomer Class B (Financial) (b)                  224,000                79,365
      Grupo Industrial Maseca Series B (Producer Manufacturing)          116,000               119,934
      Panamerican Beverages ADR (Consumer Non-Durables)                    2,310               123,874
      Telefonos de Mexico ADR (Utilities)                                  2,000                77,000
      Tubos de Acero de Mexico (Non-Energy Minerals) (b)                   8,000               136,780
                                                                                               -------
                                                                                             1,236,883
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PERU - 5.3%
      Credicorp ADR (Financial)                                            6,100               142,587
      Telefonica de Peru ADR (Utilities)                                   3,931                87,465
                                                                                                ------
                                                                                               230,052
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      UNITED KINGDOM - 1.8%
      Five Arrows Chile Investment Trust (Financial)                      26,267                79,852
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      VENEZUELA - 1.8%
      Siderurgica Venezolana Sivensa ADR (Producer Manufacturing)         26,362                77,850
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN COMMON STOCKS
      (Cost: $2,417,140)                                                                  $   2,678,506
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


               See accompanying Notes to Fund Portfolio on page 3

                                        1
<PAGE>

                                 FUND PORTFOLIO
                                 --------------
                             IAI LATIN AMERICA FUND

                                 March 31, 1997
          (percentage figures indicate percentage of total net assets)
                                   (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      <S>                                                                      <C>               <C>
      NON-CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS - 26.8%
                                                                                                    Market
                                                                               Quantity             Value(a)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      BRAZIL - 24.6%
      Centrais Electricas de Santa Catarina Series B (Utilities) (b)            64,000           $    73,036
      CIA Tecidos Norte de Minas (Process Industries)                           44,000               137,561
      Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais (Producer Manufacturing) (b)      2,700,000               110,771
      Eletricidade Sao Paulo Series B (Producer Manufacturing) (b)             622,000               121,725
      Globex Utilidades PFD (Consumer Durables)                                  6,900               130,152
      Multicanal Participacoes ADR (Consumer Services) (b)                       9,430               130,841
      Petroleo Brasileiro (Energy Minerals)                                    630,000               125,667
      Telepar (Electronic Technology)                                          180,000               115,607
      Vale Do Rio Doce (Non-Energy Minerals)                                     5,000               113,647
                                                                                                     -------
                                                                                                   1,059,007
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      COLOMBIA - 2.2%
      Banco Ganadero ADR (Financial)                                             3,699                93,862
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN NON-CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS
      (Cost:$945,844)                                                                           $  1,152,869
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN LONG-TERM SECURITIES
      (Cost: $3,362,984)                                                                        $  3,831,375
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      <S>                                                 <C>          <C>              <C>        <C> 
      SHORT-TERM SECURITIES - 2.3%
                                                                                        Principal       Market
                                                           Rate         Maturity         Amount         Value(a)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS - 2.3%
      U.S. Treasury Bill                                   5.15%       07/24/97        $ 100,000   $      98,331
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SHORT-TERM SECURITIES
      (Cost:$98,426)                                                                               $      98,331
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES
      (Cost: $3,461,410) (c)                                                                       $   3,929,706
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (NET) - 8.6 %
                                                                                                   $     370,405
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL NET ASSETS
                                                                                                   $   4,300,111
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

               See accompanying Notes to Fund Portfolio on page 3

                                        2

<PAGE>


                             NOTES TO FUND PORTFOLIO
                             -----------------------
                             IAI LATIN AMERICA FUND

                                 March 31, 1997
                                   (unaudited)

                                                                         



                                       (a)
    Market values of securities are stated in U.S. dollars and are determined
as described in Note 1 to the financial statements, under "Security Valuation."

                                       (b)
                    Currently non-income producing security.

                                       (c)
   At March 31, 1997, the cost of securities for federal income tax purposes
        and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation
                      based on that cost were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                           <C> 
                                                              IAI Latin America Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Cost for federal tax purposes                                      $ 3,461,410
                                                                   ===========
                                                      
Gross unrealized appreciation                                        $ 536,771
Gross unrealized depreciation                                          (68,475)
                                                                   ------------ 
                                                      
Net unrealized appreciation                                          $ 468,296
                                                                   ============
</TABLE>


                                        3

<PAGE>
                       STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
                             IAI LATIN AMERICA FUND

                                 March 31, 1997
                                  (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                 <C>                 <C>
ASSETS

Investment in securities, at market
      (Cost: $3,461,410 (see Fund Portfolio)                                           $      3,929,706
Cash in bank on demand deposit                                                                  354,118
Dividends and accrued interest receivable                                                        16,287
                                                                                        ---------------
      Total assets                                                                            4,300,111
                                                                                       ----------------
LIABILITIES

      Total liabilities                                                                          --
                                                                                      ----------------
      Net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock                              $      4,300,111
                                                                                      =================

REPRESENTED BY:

Capital stock                                                                         $          3,647
Additional paid-in capital                                                                   3,746,109
Undistributed net investment income                                                             12,941
Accumulated net realized gains (losses) on investments                                          69,135
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
      Investment securities                                         $   468,296
      Other assets & liabilities denominated in foreign currency           (17)
                                                                    -----------
                                                                                               468,279
                                                                                      -----------------
      Total - representing net assets applicable to
         outstanding capital stock                                                    $       4,300,111
                                                                                      ==================
      Shares of capital stock outstanding; authorized 10 billion shares
           of $0.01 par value stock                                                             364,660
                                                                                      ==================
      Net asset value per share of outstanding capital stock                          $           11.79
                                                                                     ===================
</TABLE>
               See accompanying Notes to Fund Portfolio on page 8

                                        4

<PAGE>
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                             IAI LATIN AMERICA FUND

                Period from December 12, 1996* to March 31, 1997
                                   (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                               <C>          <C>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
      Income
           Dividends (net of foreign income taxes withheld of $266)            $     28,363
           Interest                                                                   7,108
                                                                               -------------
                Total income                                                         35,471
                                                                               -------------

      Expenses
           Management fees                                                           33,795
           Compensation of Directors                                                     86
                                                                               -------------
                Total expenses                                                       33,881
                Less fees waived or reimbursed by Advisers                          (11,351)
                                                                               -------------
                Net expenses                                                         22,530
                                                                               -------------
                Net investment income                                                12,941
                                                                               -------------

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES)
      Net realized gains (losses) on :
           Investment securities                                  $   75,917
           Foreign currency transactions                              (6,782)
                                                                  ------------
                                                                                     69,135
      Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on:
           Investment securities                                 $    468,296
           Other assets and liabilities denominated in 
             foreign currency                                             (17)
                                                                 -------------
                                                                                    468,279
                                                                                  ----------

                Net gain on investments                                             537,414
                                                                                 -----------
                                                                                                               
                Net increase in net assets resulting from operations            $    550,355
                                                                                =============
</TABLE>

     * Commencement of operations


               See accompanying Notes to Fund Portfolio on page 8

                                        5

<PAGE>

                       STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                             IAI LATIN AMERICA FUND

                Period from December 12, 1996* to March 31, 1997
                                   (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                     <C>
OPERATIONS
      Net investment income                                             $         12,941
      Net realized gains (losses)                                                 69,135
      Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation                      468,279
                                                                       -------------------
           Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                  550,355
                                                                       -------------------

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
      Net investment income                                                          -
      Net realized gains                                                             -
                                                                        ------------------
           Total distributions                                                       -
                                                                        -------------------

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
      Net proceeds from sale of 389,962 shares                                  4,041,736
      Cost of 25,301 shares redeemed                                             (291,980)
                                                                         -------------------
           Increase in net assets from capital share transactions                3,749,756
                                                                         -------------------
           Total increase in net assets                                          4,300,111
                                                                         -------------------

Net assets at beginning of period                                                    -
                                                                          
Net assets at end of period                                                 $    4,300,111
                                                                         ===================
      including undistributed net investment income of:                     $       12,941
                                                                         ===================
</TABLE>

* Commencement of operations

               See accompanying Notes to Fund Portfolio on page 8

                                        6


<PAGE>
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                             IAI LATIN AMERICA FUND

     Per share data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each
    period and selected information for each period indicated are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                       <C>
                                                             Period from
                                                          December 12, 1996****
                                                           to March 31, 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE                                               (unaudited)
      Beginning of period                                 $             10.00
                                                          --------------------

OPERATIONS
      Net investment income                                              0.04
      Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)                         1.75
                                                           --------------------
           Total from operations                                         1.79
                                                             -----------------

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM :
      Net investment income                                                -
      Net realized gains                                                   -
                                                           --------------------
           Total distributions                                             -
                                                             -----------------

NET ASSET VALUE
      End of period                                        $              11.79
                                                           =====================

Total investment return*                                                  17.90%

Net assets at end of period (000's omitted)                $              4,300

RATIOS
      Expenses to average daily net assets**                               2.00%
      Net investment income to average daily net assets**                  1.15%
      Average brokerage commission rate***                 $             0.0013
      Portfolio turnover rate
           (excluding short-term securities)                                9.8%
</TABLE>


     * Total  investment  return is based on the change in net asset  value of a
share during the period and assumes  reinvestment  of all  distributions  at net
asset value.

     ** The Fund's adviser voluntarily waived $11,265 for the period ended March
31, 1997. If the Fund had been charged these expenses,  the ratio of expenses to
average  daily net assets would have been 3.00% and the ratio of net  investment
income to average daily net assets would have been 0.15%.  Expenses in excess of
2.00% of average daily net assets will be  voluntarily  waived  through March 1,
1998. The ratios for the period ended March 31, 1997 are annualized.

     *** The fund is required to disclose an average brokerage  commission rate.
The comparability of rates between domestic and foreign equities may be affected
by the fact that commission rates per share can vary significantly among foreign
countries.

     **** Commencement of operations

                                       7
<PAGE>

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                             IAI LATIN AMERICA FUND

                                 March 31, 1997
                                   (unaudited)

                                                                          
[1]  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
- ---  ------------------------------------------

     IAI Investment Funds III, Inc. is registered  under the Investment  Company
Act of 1940  (as  amended)  as a  diversified,  open-end  management  investment
company.  IAI Latin  America  Fund (the  Fund) is a  separate  portfolio  of IAI
Investment  Funds III, Inc. The Fund commenced  operations on December 12, 1996.
The Fund has a primary  objective  of  long-term  capital  appreciation  through
investing primarily in the securities of Latin American issuers.
         
     Significant accounting policies followed by the Fund are summarized below:

SECURITY VALUATION

     Investments in securities  traded on national or  international  securities
exchanges  are  valued  at the last  reported  sales  price at the close of each
business day. Securities traded on the over-the-counter market are valued at the
last reported sales price or if the last sales price is not available,  the last
reported bid price is used. Such  valuations are obtained from pricing  services
or are  supplied by dealers.  

     Securities  for which  quotations  are not readily  available are valued at
their  fair  value  as  determined  in good  faith  using  consistently  applied
procedures under the general supervision of the Board of Directors.

     Short-term  securities  with maturities of 60 days or less from the date of
initial  acquisition  are  valued  at  amortized  cost.  Those  securities  with
maturities  greater  than 60 days  from  the  date of  initial  acquisition  are
marked-to-market on a daily basis.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATIONS AND FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS

     The Fund invests in foreign securities.  The market value of securities and
other assets and  liabilities  denominated  in foreign  currencies is translated
daily into U.S. dollars at the closing rate of exchange.  Purchases and sales of
securities,  income and expenses  are  translated  at the  exchange  rate on the
transaction  date and are  recorded  in  realized  and  unrealized  appreciation
(depreciation)  on foreign  currency  transactions.  Exchange gains (losses) may
also be realized  between the trade and settlement dates on security and forward
currency contract transactions.

     The Fund  does not  isolate  that  portion  of the  results  of  operations
resulting  from  changes  in  foreign  exchange  rates on  investments  from the
fluctuations  arising from changes in market  prices of  securities  held.  Such
fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from
investments.

     The Fund may enter into forward  foreign  currency  exchange  contracts for
operational  purposes and to hedge against adverse  exchange rate  fluctuations.
The net U.S.  dollar  value  of  foreign  currency  underlying  all  contractual
commitments  held by the  Fund  and the  resulting  unrealized  appreciation  or
depreciation  are  determined  using  foreign  currency  exchange  rates from an
independent  pricing  service.  The Fund is subject to the credit  risk that the
other party will not complete the obligations of the contract.


                                       8

<PAGE>
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                             IAI LATIN AMERICA FUND

                                 March 31, 1997
                                   (unaudited)

[1] SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT.)

FEDERAL TAXES

     Since it is the Fund's policy to comply with the provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code applicable to regulated  investment companies and to distribute all
of its taxable  income to its  shareholders,  no  provision  for income taxes is
required. In order to avoid the payment of any federal excise taxes, the Fund is
required to distribute  substantially  all of its net investment  income and net
realized gains on a calendar year basis.

     Net  investment  income  and net  realized  gains  (losses)  may differ for
financial  statement and tax purposes primarily due to differing  treatments for
foreign currency  transactions,  passive foreign investments  companies (PFICs),
and losses  deferred due to "wash  sales." The character of  distributions  made
during the year for net investment  income or net realized gains may also differ
from it's ultimate characterization for tax purposes.

     The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes on income,  gains on  investments,
or currency repatriation. The Fund accrues such taxes as applicable.

SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME

     The  Fund  records  security  transactions  on  trade  date,  the  date the
securities are purchased or sold. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend
date or upon receipt of ex-dividend  notification in the case of certain foreign
securities.

     Security gains and losses are  determined on the basis of identified  cost,
which is the same basis used for federal income tax purposes.  Investment income
is  recorded  net of foreign  taxes  withheld  where  recovery  of such taxes is
uncertain.

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

     Distributions  to  shareholders  are  recorded  on  the  ex-dividend  date.
Distributions from net investment income are paid semi-annually.  Capital gains,
if any, are primarily distributed as of the end of the calendar year. Additional
capital gains distributions as needed to comply with federal tax regulations are
distributed during the year.

CONCENTRATION OF RISK

     Investments  in countries  with limited or developing  capital  markets may
involve greater risks than investments in more developed  markets and the prices
of such investments may be volatile.  The  consequences of political,  social or
economic  changes in these  markets  may have  disruptive  effects on the market
prices of the Fund's  investments  and the income it  generates,  as well as the
Fund's ability to repatriate such amounts.

                                       9
<PAGE>
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                             IAI LATIN AMERICA FUND

                                 March 31, 1997
                                   (unaudited)


[1]  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT.)
USE OF ESTIMATES
        
     The  preparation  of financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that  affect the  reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities  and
disclosure of  contingent  assets and  liabilities  at the date of the financial
statements and the reported results of operations  during the reporting  period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

[2]  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     For purposes of obtaining certain types of insurance  coverage for the Fund
and  its   officers  and   directors,   the  Fund  is  a   policyholder   in  an
industry-sponsored  mutual insurance  company (the Company).  In connection with
its obligations as a policyholder,  the Fund is committed to make future capital
contributions, if requested by the Company.

     The Latin America Fund has an available  line of credit of $ 250,000 with a
bank at the prime interest rate. To the extent funds are drawn against the line,
securities  are  held in a  segregated  account.  No  compensating  balances  or
commitment fees are required under the line of credit.  There were no borrowings
outstanding at March 31, 1997.

[3]  FEES AND EXPENSES

     Under terms of the Fund's Management Agreement,  Investment Advisers,  Inc.
(Advisers) is required to pay for all expenses of the Fund, except certain costs
(primarily those incurred in the purchase and sale of assets, taxes and interest
and  extraordinary  expenses)  in return  for the Fund  paying an all  inclusive
management  fee (unified  fee) to Advisers.  The  Management  Agreement  further
provides  that IAI will either  reimburse  the Fund for the fees and expenses it
pays to Directors who are not "interested persons" of the Fund or reduce its fee
by an equivalent  amount.  The  management fee is paid monthly and is calculated
based on average  daily net assets at an annual rate of 3.00% for the first $100
million in net assets,  2.95% for the next $150 million in net assets, 2.75% for
the next $250 million in net assets and 2.65% for net assets above $500 million.
Until March 1, 1998,  IAI has  voluntarily  agreed to waive its fee in excess of
2.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

[4]  INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

     For the period ended March 31,  1997,  purchases  of  securities  and sales
proceeds,  other  than  investments  in  short-term  securities,  for  the  Fund
aggregated $3,628,796 and $342,255, respectively.

                                       10


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