PROSPECTUS
JULY 1, 1998
BOSTON PARTNERS
MICRO CAP
VALUE FUND
(INSTITUTIONAL SHARES)
[LOGO OMITTED]
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BOSTON PARTNERS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
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BOSTON PARTNERS MICRO CAP VALUE FUND
(INSTITUTIONAL CLASS)
OF
THE RBB FUND, INC.
Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund (the "Fund") is an investment
portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc. ("RBB"), an open-end management investment
company. The shares of the Institutional Class ("Shares") offered by this
Prospectus represent interests in the Fund. The Fund is a diversified fund that
seeks long-term growth of capital, with current income as a secondary objective,
primarily through equity investments, such as common stocks. It seeks to achieve
its objectives by investing at least 65% of its total assets in a diversified
portfolio consisting of equity securities of issuers with market capitalizations
that do not exceed $500 million when purchased by the Fund, and identified by
Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. (the "Adviser") as equity securities that
it believes possess value characteristics. The Adviser examines various factors
in determining the value characteristics of such issuers, including, but not
limited to, price to book value ratios and price to earnings ratios. These value
characteristics are examined in the context of the issuer's operating and
financial fundamentals such as return on equity, earnings growth and cash flow.
This Prospectus contains information that a prospective investor needs to
know before investing. Please keep it for future reference. A Statement of
Additional Information, dated July 1, 1998, has been filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. It
may be obtained free of charge from the Fund by calling (888) 261-4073. The
Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information are available for
reference, along with other related materials, on the SEC Internet Web Site
(http://www.sec.gov).
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OR ANY OTHER BANK AND SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY
INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD
OR ANY OTHER AGENCY. INVESTMENTS IN SHARES OF THE FUND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISKS,
INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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PROSPECTUS July 1, 1998
<PAGE>
EXPENSE TABLE
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The following table illustrates the shareholder transaction and annual
operating expenses that are expected to be incurred by Institutional Shares of
the Fund (after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) during the next twelve
months as a percentage of average daily net assets. An example based on the
summary is also shown.
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases ........................... None
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends ................ None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge ....................................... None
Redemption Fee(1) ................................................... 1.00%
Exchange Fee ........................................................ None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
Management Fees (after waivers)(2) .................................. 0.00%
12b-1 Fees .......................................................... None
Other Expenses (after expense reimbursements)(2) .................... 1.55%
-----
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after waivers
and expense reimbursements)(2) ................................... 1.55%
=====
(1) To prevent the Fund from being adversely affected by the transaction costs
associated with short-term shareholder transactions, the Fund will redeem
shares at a price equal to the net asset value of the shares, less an
additional transaction fee equal to 1.00% of the net asset value of all
such shares redeemed that have been held for less than one year. Such fees
are not sales charges or contingent deferred sales charges, but are
retained by the Fund to cover brokerage and other market impact costs
associated with such redemptions.
(2) In the absence of fee waivers and expense reimbursements, Management Fees
would be 1.25%, Other Expenses would be 2.15%, and Total Fund Operating
Expenses would be 3.40%. Management Fees are based on average daily net
assets and are calculated daily and paid monthly.
EXAMPLE
An investor would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment in the
Fund, assuming (1) a 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end of each time
period (including the 1.00% transaction fee on redemptions made within a year of
purchase):
ONE THREE
YEAR YEARS
---- -----
Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund .............. $16 $49
The Fee Table is designed to assist an investor in understanding the
various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly. (For more complete descriptions of the various costs and expenses,
see "Management" below.) The Fee Table reflects expense reimbursements and
voluntary waivers of Management Fees for the Fund, which are expected to be in
effect during the current fiscal year. However, the Adviser, and the Fund's
other service providers are under no obligation with respect to such expense
reimbursements and waivers and there can be no assurance that any future expense
reimbursements and waivers of Management Fees will not vary from the figures
reflected in the Fee Table.
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The Example in the Fee Table assumes that all dividends and distributions
are reinvested and that the amounts listed under "Annual Fund Operating
Expenses" remain the same in the years shown. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE
CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES AND ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY
BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
INTRODUCTION
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RBB is an open-end management investment company incorporated under the
laws of the State of Maryland currently operating or proposing to operate
twenty-six separate investment portfolios. The Shares offered by this Prospectus
represent interests in the Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund. RBB was
incorporated in Maryland on February 29, 1988.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
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The Fund's investment objective is to provide long-term growth of capital,
with current income as a secondary objective, primarily through equity
investments, such as common stocks. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by
investing, under normal market conditions, at least 65% of its total assets in a
diversified portfolio consisting primarily of equity securities of issuers with
market capitalizations that do not exceed $500 million when purchased by the
Fund, and identified by the Adviser as equity securities that possess value
characteristics.
The Fund generally invests in the equity securities of small companies. The
Adviser will seek to invest in companies it considers to be well managed and to
have attractive fundamental financial characteristics. The Adviser believes
greater potential for price appreciation exists among small companies since they
tend to be less widely followed by other securities analysts and thus may be
more likely to be undervalued by the market. The Fund may invest from time to
time a portion of its assets, not to exceed 35% (under normal conditions) at the
time of purchase, in companies with considerably larger market capitalizations.
The Fund presents greater risks than funds that invest in equity securities
of larger companies for the following reasons: Companies in which the Fund
primarily invests will include those that have limited product lines, markets,
or financial resources, or are dependent upon a small management group. In
addition, because these stocks are not well known to the investing public, do
not have significant institutional ownership, and are followed by relatively few
securities analysts, there will normally be less publicly available information
concerning these securities compared to what is available for the securities of
larger companies. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not
based on fundamental analysis, can decrease the value and liquidity of
securities held by the Fund. Historically, small capitalization stocks have been
more volatile in price than larger capitalization stocks. Among the reasons for
the greater price volatility of these small company stocks are the less certain
growth prospects of smaller firms, the lower degree of liquidity in the markets
for such stocks, the greater sensitivity of small companies to changing economic
conditions, the fewer market makers and the wider spreads between quoted bid and
asked prices which exist in the over-the-counter market for such stocks. Besides
exhibiting greater volatility, small company stocks may, to a degree, fluctuate
independently of larger company stocks. Small company stocks may decline in
price as large company stocks rise, or rise in price as large company stocks
decline. Investors should therefore expect that the Fund will be more volatile
than, and may fluctuate independently of, broad stock market indices such as the
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index.
The securities in which the Fund invests will often be traded only in the
over-the-counter market or on a regional securities exchange, may be listed only
in the quotation service commonly known as the "pink sheets," and may not be
traded every day or in the volume typical of trading on a national securities
exchange. They may be subject to wide fluctuations in market value. The trading
market for any given security may be sufficiently thin as to make it difficult
for the
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Fund to dispose of a substantial block of such securities. The disposition by
the Fund of portfolio securities to meet redemptions or otherwise may require
the Fund to sell these securities at a discount from market prices or during
periods when, in the Adviser's judgment, such disposition is not desirable or to
make many small sales over a lengthy period of time.
The Adviser examines various factors in determining the value
characteristics of such issuers, including, but not limited to, price to book
value ratios and price to earnings ratios. These value characteristics are
examined in the context of the issuer's operating and financial fundamentals
such as return on equity, earnings growth and cash flow.
The Adviser selects securities for the Fund based on a fundamental analysis
of industries and companies, earning power and growth and other investment
criteria. In general, the Fund's investments are broadly diversified over a
number of industries and, as a matter of policy, the Fund will not invest 25% or
more of its total assets in any one industry.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of foreign
issuers, including American Depository Receipts ("ADRs") and European Depository
Receipts ("EDRs"). Investing in securities of foreign issuers involves
considerations not typically associated with investing in securities of
companies organized and operating in the United States. Foreign securities
generally are denominated and pay dividends or interest in foreign currencies.
The Fund may hold from time to time various foreign currencies pending their
investment in foreign securities or their conversion into U.S. dollars. The
value of the assets of the Fund as measured in U.S. dollars may therefore be
affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in exchange rates. There may be
less publicly available information concerning foreign issuers than is available
with respect to U.S. issuers. Foreign securities may not be registered with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and generally, foreign companies are
not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements
comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. ADRs and EDRs are receipts
issued by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying
securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs and EDRs may be listed on a national
securities exchange or may trade in the over-the-counter market. ADR and EDR
prices are denominated in U.S. dollars, even though the underlying security may
be denominated in a foreign currency. The underlying security may be subject to
foreign government taxes which would reduce the yield on such securities.
Investments in such instruments involve risks similar to those of investing
directly in foreign securities. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--Foreign
Securities" in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Fund may invest the remainder of its total assets in derivative
securities; debt securities issued by U.S. banks, corporations and other
business organizations that are investment grade securities; and debt securities
issued by the U.S. government or government agencies.
In accordance with the above-mentioned policies, the Fund may also invest
in indexed securities, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements,
dollar rolls, financial futures contracts, options on futures contracts and may
lend portfolio securities. See "Investment Objectives and Policies" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
The Fund may invest in registered investment companies and investment funds
in foreign countries subject to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and as discussed in "Investment Objectives
and Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information. If the Fund invests in
such investment companies, the Fund will bear its proportionate share of the
costs incurred by such companies, including investment advisory fees.
While the Adviser intends to fully invest the Fund's assets at all times in
accordance with the above-mentioned policies, the Fund reserves the right to
hold up to 100% of its assets, as a temporary defensive measure, in cash and
eligible U.S. dollar-denominated money market instruments. The Adviser would
determine when market conditions warrant temporary defensive measures.
The Fund's investment objective and the policies described above may be
changed by RBB's Board of Directors without the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding Shares representing interests in the Fund.
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INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
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The Fund may not change the following investment limitations without
shareholder approval. (A complete list of the investment limitations that cannot
be changed without such a vote of the shareholders is contained in the Statement
of Additional Information under "Investment Objectives and Policies.")
The Fund may not:
1. Purchase the securities of any one issuer, other than securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities, if immediately after and as a result of such purchase
more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets would be invested in
the securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer would be owned by the Fund, except that up to 25%
of the value of the Fund's total assets may be invested without regard to
such limitations.
2. Purchase any securities which would cause, at the time of purchase,
25% or more of the value of the total assets of the Fund to be invested in
the obligations of issuers in any single industry, provided that there is
no limitation with respect to investments in U.S. Government obligations.
3. Borrow money or issue senior securities, except that the Fund may
borrow from banks and enter into reverse repurchase agreements and dollar
rolls for temporary purposes in amounts up to one-third of the value of its
total assets at the time of such borrowing; or mortgage, pledge or
hypothecate any assets, except in connection with any such borrowing and
then in amounts not in excess of one-third of the value of the Fund's total
assets at the time of such borrowing. The Fund will not purchase securities
while its aggregate borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements,
dollar rolls and borrowings from banks) are in excess of 5% of its total
assets. Securities held in escrow or separate accounts in connection with
the Fund's investment practices are not considered to be borrowings or
deemed to be pledged for purposes of this limitation.
Except as required by the 1940 Act with respect to the borrowing of money,
if a percentage restriction is satisfied at the time of investment, a later
increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values will not
constitute a violation of that restriction.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund retains the right to sell securities irrespective of how long they
have been held. The Adviser estimates that the annual turnover in the Fund will
not exceed 150%. Such a relatively high portfolio turnover will be accompanied
by relatively high transactional (i.e., brokerage) costs. It may also result in
increased capital gains realized by the Fund and distributed to shareholders.
RISK FACTORS
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As with other mutual funds, there can be no assurance that the Fund will
achieve its objective. The net asset value per share of Shares representing an
interest in the Fund will fluctuate as the values of its portfolio securities
change in response to changing conditions in the equity market. An investment in
the Fund is not intended to constitute a balanced investment program. As of the
date of this Prospectus, U.S. stock markets were trading at or close to record
high levels and there can be no guarantee that such levels will continue. Other
risk factors are discussed above under "Investment Objectives and Policies" and
in the Statement of Additional Information under "Investment Objectives and
Policies."
Investment methods described in this Prospectus are among those which the
Fund has the power to utilize. Some may be employed on a regular basis; others
may not be used at all. Accordingly, reference to any particular method or
technique carries no implication that it will be utilized or, if it is, that it
will be successful.
5
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MANAGEMENT
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The business and affairs of RBB and the Fund are managed under the
direction of RBB's Board of Directors.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P., located at Boston, Massachusetts,
serves as the Fund's investment adviser. The Adviser provides investment
management and investment advisory services to investment companies and other
institutional accounts that had aggregate total assets under management as of
March 31, 1998, in excess of $15 billion. The adviser is organized as a Delaware
limited partnership whose sole general partner is Boston Partners, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.
Subject to the supervision and direction of the Trust's Board of Trustees,
the Adviser manages the Fund's portfolio in accordance with the Fund's
investment objective and policies, makes investment decisions for the Fund,
places orders to purchase and sell securities, and employs professional
portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services to the
Fund. For its services to the Fund, the Adviser is paid a monthly advisory fee
computed at an annual rate of 1.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The
Adviser has notified RBB, however, that it expects to waive all advisory fees
during the current fiscal year.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund is the responsibility of
David M. Dabora and Wayne J. Archambo who are portfolio managers of the Adviser.
Prior to taking on day to day responsibilities for the Micro Cap Value Fund, Mr.
Dabora was an assistant portfolio manager/analyst of the premium equity product
of the Adviser, an all-cap value institutional product. Before joining the
Adviser in April 1995, Mr. Dabora had been employed by The Boston Company Asset
Management, Inc. since 1991 as a senior equity analyst. Mr. Dabora has over 10
years of investment experience and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr.
Archambo oversees the investment activities of the Adviser's $900 million of
mid-capitalization value equity product (including the $56 million Mid Cap Value
Fund) and the $1.2 billion small-capitalization value institutional equity
product. Prior to joining the Adviser in April 1995, Mr. Archambo had been
employed by The Boston Company Asset Management, Inc. since 1989 as a senior
portfolio manager and a member of that firm's Equity Policy Committee. Mr.
Archambo has over 15 years of investment experience and is a Chartered Financial
Analyst.
ADMINISTRATOR
PFPC Inc. ("PFPC") serves as administrator to the Fund and generally
assists the Fund in all aspects of its administration and operations, including
matters relating to the maintenance of financial records and accounting. For its
services, PFPC receives a fee calculated at an annual rate of .125% of the
Fund's average daily net assets, with a minimum annual fee of $75,000 payable
monthly on a pro rata basis. PFPC has notified the Fund that it intends to waive
one-half of its minimum annual fee during the current fiscal year.
DISTRIBUTOR
Provident Distributors, Inc. ("PDI"), with a principal business address at
Four Falls Corporate Center, 6th Floor, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428,
acts as distributor for the Shares pursuant to a distribution agreement (the
"Distribution Agreement") with RBB on behalf of the Shares.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGENT
PDI acts as Administrative Services Agent to the Fund with respect to its
Institutional Class shares, providing certain administrative services to such
Class that are not provided by PFPC. These services include furnishing corporate
secretarial, data processing and clerical services, acting as liaison between
the Fund's Institutional Class shares
6
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and the Fund's various service providers, furnishing corporate secretarial
services, which include assisting in the coordination and preparation of reports
to shareholders including proxy statements and annual, semi-annual and quarterly
reports and generally assisting in monitoring and developing compliance
procedures for the Fund. As compensation for such administrative services, PDI
is entitled to a monthly fee calculated at the annual rate of .15% of the Fund's
Institutional Class's average daily net assets.
TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT, AND CUSTODIAN
PNC Bank, National Association ("PNC Bank") serves as the Fund's custodian
and PFPC serves as the Fund's transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent. The
principal offices of PFPC, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of PNC Bank, are
located at 400 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809.
EXPENSES
The expenses of the Fund are deducted from its total income before
dividends are paid. Any general expenses of RBB that are not readily
identifiable as belonging to a particular investment portfolio of RBB will be
allocated among all investment portfolios of RBB based upon the relative net
assets of the investment portfolios. The Institutional Class of the Fund pays
its own distribution fees, if any, and may pay a different share of other
expenses than other classes (excluding advisory and custodial fees) if those
expenses are actually incurred in a different amount by the Institutional Class
or if it receives different services.
The Adviser may assume expenses of the Fund from time to time. To the
extent any service providers assume expenses of the Fund, such assumption of
expenses will have the effect of lowering the Fund's overall expense ratio and
increasing its yield to investors.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
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GENERAL
Shares representing an interest in the Fund are offered continuously for
sale by the Distributor. Shares may be purchased initially by completing the
application included in this Prospectus and forwarding the application to the
Fund's transfer agent, PFPC. Purchases of Shares may be effected by wire to an
account to be specified by PFPC or by mailing a check or Federal Reserve Draft,
payable to the order of "The Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund," c/o PFPC
Inc., P.O. Box 8852, Wilmington, Delaware 19899-8852. The name of the Fund,
Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund, must also appear on the check or Federal
Reserve Draft. Shareholders may not purchase shares of the Boston Partners Micro
Cap Value Fund with a check issued by a third party and endorsed over to the
Fund. Federal Reserve Drafts are available at national banks or any state bank
which is a member of the Federal Reserve System. Initial investments in the Fund
must be at least $100,000 and subsequent investments must be at least $5,000.
For purposes of meeting the minimum initial purchase, clients which are part of
endowments, foundation or other related groups may be aggregated. The Fund
reserves the right to suspend the offering of Shares for a period of time or to
reject any purchase order. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund intends
to suspend the offering of Shares upon the Fund's attaining $300 million in
total assets.
Shares may be purchased on any Business Day. A "Business Day" is any day
that the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "NYSE") is open for business.
Currently, the NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and on the preceding Friday or
subsequent Monday when one of these holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
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<PAGE>
The price paid for Shares purchased is based on the net asset value next
computed after a purchase order is received by the Fund or its agents prior to
close of the NYSE on such day (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Orders
received by the Fund or its agents after the close of the NYSE are priced at the
net asset value next determined on the following Business Day. In those cases
where an investor pays for Shares by check, the purchase will be effected at the
net asset value next determined after the Fund or its agents receives the order
and the completed application.
Shares may be purchased and subsequent investments may be made by
principals and employees of the Adviser, and by their spouses and children,
either directly or through their individual retirement accounts, trusts or other
such vehicles, and by any pension and profit-sharing plan of the Adviser (or any
person having a relationship with such plans), without being subject to the
minimum investment limitations.
An investor may also purchase Shares by having his bank or his broker wire
Federal Funds to PFPC. An investor's bank or broker may impose a charge for this
service. The Fund does not currently impose a service charge for effecting wire
transfers but reserves the right to do so in the future. In order to ensure
prompt receipt of an investor's Federal Funds wire for an initial investment, it
is important that an investor follows these steps:
A. Telephone the Fund's transfer agent, PFPC, toll-free (888) 261-4073,
and provide PFPC with your name, address, telephone number, Social Security
or Tax Identification Number, the Fund selected, the amount being wired,
and by which bank. PFPC will then provide an investor with a Fund account
number. Investors with existing accounts should also notify PFPC prior to
wiring funds.
B. Instruct your bank or broker to wire the specified amount, together
with your assigned account number, to PFPC's account with PNC:
PNC Bank, N.A.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
ABA NUMBER: 0310-0005-3
CREDITING ACCOUNT NUMBER: 86-1108-2507
FROM: (name of investor)
ACCOUNT NUMBER: (Investor's account number with the Fund)
FOR PURCHASE OF: (name of the Fund)
AMOUNT: (amount to be invested)
C. Fully complete and sign the application and mail it to the address
shown thereon. PFPC will not process purchases until it receives a fully
completed and signed application.
For subsequent investments, an investor should follow steps A and B above.
AUTOMATIC INVESTING
Additional investments in Shares may be made automatically by authorizing
the Fund's transfer agent to withdraw funds from your bank account. Investors
desiring to participate in the automatic investing program should call the
Fund's transfer agent, PFPC, at (888) 261-4073 to obtain the appropriate forms.
HOW TO REDEEM AND EXCHANGE SHARES
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REDEMPTION BY MAIL
Shareholders may redeem for cash some or all of their Shares of the Fund at
any time. To do so, a written request in proper form must be sent directly to
Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund, c/o PFPC Inc., P.O. Box 8852, Wilmington,
Delaware 19899-8852. There is no charge for a redemption, unless the Shareholder
has held his or her Shares for less than one year, upon which a fee equal to 1%
of the net asset value of the Shares redeemed at the time of redemption will be
imposed.
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BOSTON PARTNERS MICRO CAP VALUE FUND bp
(INSTITUTIONAL CLASS) BOSTON PARTNERS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
ACCOUNT APPLICATION
PLEASE NOTE: Do not use this form to open a retirement plan account. For an IRA
application or help with this Application, please call 1-888-261-4073
+--------------+ (Please check the appropriate box(es) below.)
| 1 | [ ] Individual [ ] Joint Tenant [ ] Other
| Account |
| Registration:| --------------------------------------------------------------
+--------------+ Name SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR TAX ID #
OF PRIMARY OWNER
--------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF JOINT OWNER JOINT OWNER SOCIAL SECURITY
NUMBER OR TAX ID #
For joint accounts, the account registrants will be joint
tenants with right of survivorship and not tenants in common
unless tenants in common or community property registrations
are requested.
- -------------
GIFT TO MINOR: [ ] UNIFORM GIFTS/TRANSFER TO MINOR'S ACT
- -------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF ADULT CUSTODIAN (ONLY ONE PERMITTED)
--------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF MINOR (ONLY ONE PERMITTED)
--------------------------------------------------------------
MINOR'S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND DATE OF BIRTH
- ------------------
CORPORATION,
PARTNERSHIP, TRUST
OR OTHER ENTITY:
- ------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, NAME(S) OF TRUSTEE(S)
OR OTHER
--------------------------------------------------------------
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
+--------------+ --------------------------------------------------------------
| 2 | STREET OR P.O. BOX AND/OR APARTMENT NUMBER
| Mailing |
| Address: | --------------------------------------------------------------
+--------------+ CITY STATE ZIP CODE
--------------------------------------------------------------
DAY PHONE NUMBER EVENING PHONE NUMBER
+--------------+
| 3 | Minimum initial investment Amount of investment $______
| Investment | of $100,000.
| Information: |
+--------------+ Make the check payable to Boston Partners
Micro Cap Value Fund.
Shareholders may not purchase shares of this Fund with a check
issued by a third party and endorsed over to the Fund.
- ------------
DISTRIBUTION NOTE: Dividends and capital gains may be reinvested or paid by
OPTIONS: check. If no options are selected below, both dividends and
- ------------ capital gains will be reinvested in additional Fund shares.
DIVIDENDS [ ] Pay by check [ ] Reinvest [ ]
CAPITAL GAINS [ ] Pay by check [ ] Reinvest [ ]
+--------------+ To use this option, you must initial the appropriate line
| 4 | below.
| Telephone | I authorize the Transfer Agent to accept instructions from
| Redemption: | any persons to redeem or exchange shares in my account(s) by
+--------------+ telephone in accordance with the procedures and conditions set
set forth in the Fund's current prospectus.
Redeem shares, and send
------------------ ------------- the proceeds to the
individual initial joint initial address of record.
Exchange shares for
------------------ ------------- shares of The Boston
individual initial joint initial Partners Large Cap
Value Fund, Boston
Partners Mid Cap Value
Fund or Boston Partners
Bond Fund.
+--------------+ The Automatic Investment Plan which is available to
| 5 | shareholders of the Fund, makes possible regularly scheduled
| Automatic | purchases of Fund shares to allow dollar-cost averaging. The
| Investment | Fund's Transfer Agent can arrange for an amount of money
| Plan: | selected by you to be deducted from your checking account and
+--------------+ used to purchase shares of the Fund.
Please debit $________ from my checking account (named below
on or about the 20th of the month. PLEASE ATTACH AN UNSIGNED,
VOIDED CHECK.
[ ] Monthly [ ] Every Alternate Month [ ] Quarterly [ ] Other
- --------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
BANK OF RECORD: BANK NAME STREET ADDRESS OR P.O. BOX
- ---------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
CITY STATE ZIP CODE
--------------------------------------------------------------
BANK ABA NUMBER BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER
+--------------+ The undersigned warrants that I (we) have full authority and,
| 6 | if a natural person, I (we) am (are) of legal age to purchase
| Signatures: | shares pursuant to this Account Application, and I (we) have
+--------------+ received a current prospectus for the Fund in which I (we) am
(are) investing.
Under the Interest and Dividend Tax Compliance Act of 1983,
the Fund is required to have the following certification:
Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1) The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer
identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be
issued to), and
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding because (a) I am
exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been
notified by the Internal Revenue Service that I am subject to
31% backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all
interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I
am no longer subject to backup withholding.
NOTE: YOU MUST CROSS OUT ITEM (2) ABOVE IF YOU HAVE BEEN
NOTIFIED BY THE IRS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO BACKUP
WITHHOLDING BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAILED TO REPORT ALL INTEREST AND
DIVIDENDS ON YOUR TAX RETURN. THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
DOES NOT REQUIRE YOUR CONSENT TO ANY PROVISION OF THIS
DOCUMENT OTHER THAN THE CERTIFICATION REQUIRED TO AUDIT BACKUP
WITHHOLDING.
--------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT DATE
--------------------------------------------------------------
PRINT NAME TITLE (IF APPLICABLE)
--------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE OF JOINT OWNER DATE
--------------------------------------------------------------
PRINT NAME TITLE (IF APPLICABLE)
(If you are signing for a corporation, you must indicate
corporate office or title. If you wish additional signatories
on the account, please include a corporate resolution. If
signing as a fiduciary, you must indicate capacity.)
For information on additional options, such as IRA
Applications, rollover requests for qualified retirement
plans, or for wire instructions, please call us at
1-888-261-4073.
MAIL COMPLETED THE BOSTON PARTNERS MICRO CAP VALUE FUND
ACCOUNT APPLICATION C/O PFPC INC.
AND CHECK TO: P.O. BOX 8852
WILMINGTON, DE 19899-8852
<PAGE>
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
<PAGE>
A request for redemption must be signed by all persons in whose names the
Shares are registered. Signatures must conform exactly to the account
registration. If the proceeds of the redemption would exceed $10,000, or if the
proceeds are not to be paid to the record owner at the record address, or if the
shareholder is a corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, signature(s) must
be guaranteed according to the procedures described below under "Exchange
Privilege."
Generally, a properly signed written request with any required signature
guarantee is all that is required for a redemption. In some cases, however,
other documents may be necessary. In the case of shareholders holding share
certificates, the certificates for the shares being redeemed must accompany the
redemption request. Additional documentary evidence of authority is also
required by the Fund's transfer agent in the event redemption is requested by a
corporation, partnership, trust, fiduciary, executor or administrator.
TRANSACTION FEE IMPOSED ON CERTAIN REDEMPTIONS
The Fund requires the payment of a transaction fee on redemptions of Shares
of the Fund held for less than one year equal to 1.00% of the net asset value of
such Shares redeemed at the time of redemption. This additional transaction fee
is paid to the Fund, NOT to the adviser, distributor or transfer agent. It is
NOT a sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge. The fee does not apply
to redeemed Shares that were purchased through reinvested dividends or capital
gain distributions. The purpose of the additional transaction fee is to
indirectly allocate transaction costs associated with redemptions to those
investors making redemptions after holding their shares for a short period, thus
protecting existing shareholders. These costs include: (1) brokerage costs; (2)
market impact costs -- i.e., the decrease in market prices which may result when
the Fund sells certain securities in order to raise cash to meet the redemption
request; (3) the realization of capital gains by the other shareholders in the
Fund; and (4) the effect of the "bid-ask" spread in the over-the-counter market.
The 1.00% amount represents the Fund's estimate of the brokerage and other
transaction costs which may be incurred by the Fund in disposing of stocks in
which the Fund may invest. Without the additional transaction fee, the Fund
would generally be selling its shares at a price less than the cost to the Fund
of acquiring the portfolio securities necessary to maintain its investment
characteristics, resulting in reduced investment performance for all
shareholders in the Fund. With the additional transaction fee, the transaction
costs of selling additional stocks are not borne by all existing shareholders,
but the source of funds for these costs is the transaction fee paid by those
investors making redemptions.
INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION
The Fund reserves the right to redeem a shareholder's account at any time
the net asset value of the account falls below $500 as the result of a
redemption or an exchange request.
Shareholders will be notified in writing that the value of their account is
less than $500 and will be allowed 30 days to make additional investments before
the redemption is processed.
PAYMENT OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
With the exception of redemptions to which the 1.00% transaction fee
applies, the redemption price is the net asset value per share next determined
after the request for redemption is received in proper form by the Fund or its
agents. For redemptions to which the additional transaction fee applies, the
redemption price is the net asset value per share next determined after the
request for redemption is received in proper form by the Fund or its agents,
less an amount equal to 1.00% of the net asset value of such Shares redeemed
that the shareholder has held for less than one year. Payment for Shares
redeemed is made by check mailed within seven days after acceptance by the Fund
or its agents of the request and any other necessary documents in proper order.
Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended as provided
by the 1940 Act. If the Shares to be redeemed have been recently purchased by
check, the Fund's transfer agent may delay mailing a redemption check, which may
be a period of up to 15 days from the purchase date, pending a determination
that the check has cleared. The Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1
under the 1940 Act so that a portfolio is obligated to redeem its shares solely
in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its net asset value during any
90-day period for any one shareholder of a portfolio.
9
<PAGE>
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
The exchange privilege is available to shareholders residing in any state
in which the Shares being acquired may be legally sold. A shareholder may
exchange Shares of the Fund for Institutional Shares of the Boston Partners
Large Cap Value Fund, Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund or Boston Partners Bond
Fund up to six (6) times per year. Such exchange will be effected at the net
asset value of the exchanged Fund and the net asset value of the Boston Partners
Large Cap Value Fund, Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund or Boston Partners Bond
Fund next determined after PFPC's receipt of a request for an exchange. An
exchange of Shares will be treated as a sale for federal income tax purposes.
See "Taxes." A shareholder wishing to make an exchange may do so by sending a
written request to PFPC.
If the exchanging shareholder does not currently own Institutional Shares
of the Boston Partners Large Cap Value Fund, Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund
or Boston Partners Bond Fund, a new account will be established with the same
registration, dividend and capital gain options as the account from which shares
are exchanged, unless otherwise specified in writing by the shareholder with all
signatures guaranteed. A signature guarantee may be obtained from a domestic
bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency or savings association
who are participants in a medallion program recognized by the Securities
Transfer Association. The three recognized medallion programs are Securities
Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP), Stock Exchanges Medallion Program
(SEMP) and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program (MSP).
Signature guarantees that are not part of these programs will not be accepted.
The exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time, or from time
to time, by RBB, upon 60 days' written notice to shareholders.
If an exchange is to a new account in the Boston Partners Large Cap Value
Fund, Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund or Boston Partners Bond Fund, the
dollar value of Institutional Shares acquired must equal or exceed that Fund's
minimum for a new account; if to an existing account, the dollar value must
equal or exceed that Fund's minimum for subsequent investments. If any amount
remains in the Fund from which the exchange is being made, such amount must not
drop below the minimum account value required by the Fund.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE LIMITATIONS
The Fund's exchange privilege is not intended to afford shareholders a way
to speculate on short-term movements in the market. Accordingly, in order to
prevent excessive use of the exchange privilege that may potentially disrupt the
management of the Fund and increase transactions costs, the Fund has established
a policy of limiting excessive exchange activity.
Shareholders are entitled to six (6) exchange redemptions (at least 30 days
apart) from the Fund during any twelve-month period. Notwithstanding these
limitations, the Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase request
(including exchange purchases from the Boston Partners Large Cap Value Fund,
Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund and Boston Partners Bond Fund) that is deemed
to be disruptive to efficient portfolio management.
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
In order to request a telephone exchange or redemption, a shareholder must
have completed and returned an account application containing a telephone
election. To add a telephone option to an existing account that previously did
not provide for this option, a Telephone Authorization Form must be filed with
PFPC. This form is available from PFPC. Once this election has been made, the
shareholder may simply contact PFPC by telephone to request the exchange or
redemption by calling (888) 261-4073. Neither RBB, the Fund, the Distributor,
the Administrator nor any other Fund agent will be liable for any loss,
liability, cost or expense for following RBB's telephone transaction procedures
described below or for following instructions communicated by telephone that
they reasonably believe to be genuine.
RBB's telephone transaction procedures include the following measures: (1)
requiring the appropriate telephone transaction privilege forms; (2) requiring
the caller to provide the names of the account owners, the account social
security number and name of the Fund, all of which must match RBB's records; (3)
requiring RBB's service representative
10
<PAGE>
to complete a telephone transaction form, listing all of the above caller
identification information; (4) permitting exchanges only if the two account
registrations are identical; (5) requiring that redemption proceeds be sent only
by check to the account owners of record at the address of record, or by wire
only to the owners of record at the bank account of record; (6) sending a
written confirmation for each telephone transaction to the owners of record at
the address of record within five (5) Business Days of the call; and (7)
maintaining tapes of telephone transactions for six months, if the Fund elects
to record shareholder telephone transactions. For accounts held of record by
broker-dealers (other than the Distributor), financial institutions, securities
dealers, financial planners and other industry professionals, additional
documentation or information regarding the scope of a caller's authority is
required. Finally, for telephone transactions in accounts held jointly,
additional information regarding other account holders is required. Telephone
transactions will not be permitted in connection with IRA or other retirement
plan accounts or by an attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney.
NET ASSET VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The net asset values for each class of a fund are calculated by adding the
value of the proportionate interest of the class in a fund's cash, securities
and other assets, deducting actual and accrued liabilities of the class and
dividing the result by the number of outstanding shares of the class. The net
asset value of each class are calculated independently of each other class. The
net asset values are calculated as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE,
generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on each Business Day.
Valuation of securities held by the Fund is as follows: securities traded
on a national securities exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are
valued at the last reported sale price that day; securities traded on a national
securities exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System for which there were
no sales on that day and securities traded on other over-the-counter markets for
which market quotations are readily available are valued at the mean of the bid
and asked prices; and securities for which market quotations are not readily
available are valued at fair market value as determined in good faith by or
under the direction of the RBB's Board of Directors. The amortized cost method
of valuation may also be used with respect to debt obligations with sixty days
or less remaining to maturity.
With the approval of RBB's Board of Directors, the Fund may use a pricing
service, bank or broker-dealer experienced in such matters to value the Fund's
securities. A more detailed discussion of net asset value and security valuation
is contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund will distribute substantially all of the net investment income and
net realized capital gains, if any, of the Fund to the Fund's shareholders. All
distributions are reinvested in the form of additional full and fractional
Shares unless a shareholder elects otherwise.
The Fund will declare and pay dividends from net investment income annually
and will pay them in the calendar year in which they are declared, generally in
December. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains),
if any, will be distributed at least annually.
TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following discussion is only a brief summary of some of the important
tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders and is not
intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Accordingly, investors in the
Fund should consult their tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax
situation.
11
<PAGE>
The Fund will elect to be taxed as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. So long as the
Fund qualifies for this tax treatment, it will be relieved of federal income tax
on amounts distributed to shareholders, but shareholders, unless otherwise
exempt, will pay income or capital gains taxes on amounts so distributed (except
distributions that are treated as a return of capital) regardless of whether
such distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares.
Distributions out of the "net capital gain" (the excess of net long-term
capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, of the Fund will be
taxed to shareholders as long-term capital gain regardless of the length of time
a shareholder has held his Shares, whether such gain was reflected in the price
paid for the Shares, or whether such gain was attributable to bonds bearing
tax-exempt interest. All other distributions, to the extent they are taxable,
are taxed to shareholders as ordinary income.
RBB will send written notices to shareholders annually regarding the tax
status of distributions made by the Fund. Dividends declared in December of any
year payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month will
be deemed to have been received by the shareholders on December 31, provided
such dividends are paid during January of the following year. The Fund intends
to make sufficient actual or deemed distributions prior to the end of each
calendar year to avoid liability for federal excise tax.
Investors should be careful to consider the tax implications of buying
shares just prior to a distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time
will reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those investors
purchasing shares just prior to a distribution will nevertheless be taxed on the
entire amount of the distribution received, although the distribution is, in
effect, a return of capital.
Shareholders who exchange shares representing interests in one Fund for
shares representing interests in another Fund will generally recognize capital
gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.
Shareholders who are nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or
estates, foreign corporations or foreign partnerships may be subject to
different U.S. Federal income tax treatment and should consult their tax
advisers.
MULTI-CLASS STRUCTURE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund offers one other class of shares, Investor Shares, which are
offered directly to individual investors pursuant to a separate prospectus.
Shares of each class represent equal pro rata interests in the Fund and accrue
dividends and calculate net asset value and performance quotations in the same
manner. The Fund will quote performance of the Investor Shares separately from
Institutional Shares. Because of different expenses paid by the Institutional
Shares, the total return on such shares can be expected, at any time, to be
different than the total return on Investor Shares. Information concerning other
classes may be obtained by calling the Fund at (800) 311-9783 or 9829.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RBB has authorized capital of thirty billion shares of Common Stock, $.001
par value per share, of which 14.928 billion shares are currently classified
into 92 different classes of Common Stock. See "Description of Shares" in the
Statement of Additional Information."
THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCORPORATED
HEREIN RELATE PRIMARILY TO BOSTON PARTNERS MICRO CAP VALUE FUND AND DESCRIBE
ONLY THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES, OPERATIONS, CONTRACTS AND OTHER
MATTERS RELATING TO BOSTON PARTNERS MICRO CAP VALUE FUND.
12
<PAGE>
Each share that represents an interest in the Fund has an equal
proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the Fund with each other share
that represents an interest in the Fund, even where a share has a different
class designation than another share representing an interest in the Fund.
Shares of the Fund do not have preemptive or conversion rights. When issued for
payment as described in this Prospectus, Shares will be fully paid and
non-assessable.
RBB currently does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders
except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. The law under
certain circumstances provides shareholders with the right to call for a meeting
of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more directors. To the extent
required by law, RBB will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.
Holders of Shares of the Fund will vote in the aggregate and not by class
on all matters, except where otherwise required by law. Further, shareholders of
all investment portfolios of RBB will vote in the aggregate and not by portfolio
except as otherwise required by law or when the Board of Directors determines
that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interests of the shareholders
of a particular investment portfolio. (See the Statement of Additional
Information under "Additional Information Concerning Fund Shares" for examples
when the 1940 Act requires voting by investment portfolio or by class.)
Shareholders of the Fund are entitled to one vote for each full share held
(irrespective of class or portfolio) and fractional votes for fractional shares
held. Voting rights are not cumulative and, accordingly, the holders of more
than 50% of the aggregate shares of Common Stock of the Fund may elect all of
the directors.
As of June 15, 1998, to the Fund's knowledge, no person held of record or
beneficially 25% or more of the outstanding shares of all classes of RBB.
OTHER INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTS AND INQUIRIES
Shareholders will receive unaudited semi-annual reports describing the
Fund's investment operations and annual financial statements audited by
independent accountants. Shareholder inquiries should be addressed to PFPC Inc.,
the Fund's transfer agent, Bellevue Park Corporate Center, 400 Bellevue Parkway,
Wilmington, Delaware 19809, toll-free (888) 261-4073.
SHARE CERTIFICATES
In the interest of economy and convenience, physical certificates
representing Shares in the Fund are not normally issued.
FUTURE PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund may advertise its performance, including
comparisons to other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and to
stock or other relevant indices. All such advertisements will show the average
annual total return over one, five and ten year periods or, if such periods have
not yet elapsed, shorter periods corresponding to the life of the Fund. Such
total return quotations will be computed by finding the compounded average
annual total return for each time period that would equate the assumed initial
investment of $1,000 to the ending redeemable value, net of fees, according to a
required standardized calculation. The standard calculation is required by the
SEC to provide consistency and comparability in investment company advertising.
The Fund may also from time to time include in such advertising an aggregate
total return figure or a total return figure that is not calculated according to
the standardized formula in order to compare more accurately the Fund's
performance with other measures of investment return. For example, the Fund's
total return may be compared with data published by Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc., CDA
13
<PAGE>
Investment Technologies, Inc. or Weisenberger Investment Company Service, or
with the performance of the Russell 2000 Index. Performance information may also
include evaluation of the Fund by nationally recognized ranking services and
information as reported in financial publications such as BUSINESS WEEK,
FORTUNE, INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR, MONEY MAGAZINE, FORBES, BARRON'S, THE WALL
STREET JOURNAL, THE NEW YORK TIMES, or other national, regional or local
publications. All advertisements containing performance data will include a
legend disclosing that such performance data represents past performance and
that the investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate
so that an investor's Shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than
their original cost.
14
<PAGE>
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN RBB'S STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFERING MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY RBB OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY RBB OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN
ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
---------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
EXPENSE TABLE ................................ 2
INTRODUCTION ................................. 3
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES ........... 3
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS ....................... 5
RISK FACTORS ................................. 5
MANAGEMENT ................................... 6
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES ....................... 7
HOW TO REDEEM AND EXCHANGE SHARES ............ 8
NET ASSET VALUE .............................. 11
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS .................. 11
TAXES ........................................ 11
MULTI-CLASS STRUCTURE ........................ 12
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES ........................ 12
OTHER INFORMATION ............................ 13
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P.
Boston, Massachusetts
CUSTODIAN
PNC Bank, N.A.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TRANSFER AGENT AND ADMINISTRATOR
PFPC Inc.
Wilmington, Delaware
DISTRIBUTOR
Provident Distributors, Inc.
West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
COUNSEL
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
JULY 1, 1998
BOSTON PARTNERS
MICRO CAP
VALUE FUND
(INVESTOR SHARES)
[LOGO OMITTED]
bp
BOSTON PARTNERS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
<PAGE>
BOSTON PARTNERS MICRO CAP VALUE FUND
(INVESTOR SHARES)
OF
THE RBB FUND, INC.
Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund (the "Fund") is an investment
portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc. ("RBB"), an open-end management investment
company. The shares of the Investor Class ("Shares") offered by this Prospectus
represent interests in the Fund. The Fund is a diversified fund that seeks
long-term growth of capital, with current income as a secondary objective,
primarily through equity investments, such as common stocks. It seeks to achieve
its objectives by investing at least 65% of its total assets in a diversified
portfolio consisting of equity securities of issuers with market capitalizations
that do not exceed $500 million when purchased by the Fund, and identified by
Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. (the "Adviser") as equity securities that
possess value characteristics. The Adviser examines various factors in
determining the value characteristics of such issuers, including, but not
limited to, price to book value ratios and price to earnings ratios. These value
characteristics are examined in the context of the issuer's operating and
financial fundamentals such as return on equity, earnings growth and cash flow.
This Prospectus contains information that a prospective investor needs to
know before investing. Please keep it for future reference. A Statement of
Additional Information, dated July 1, 1998, has been filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. It
may be obtained free of charge from the Fund by calling (888) 261-4073. The
Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information are available for
reference, along with other related materials, on the SEC Internet Web Site
(http://www.sec.gov).
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OR ANY OTHER BANK AND SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY
INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD
OR ANY OTHER AGENCY. INVESTMENTS IN SHARES OF THE FUND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISKS,
INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROSPECTUS July 1, 1998
<PAGE>
EXPENSE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table illustrates the shareholder transaction and annual
operating expenses that are expected to be incurred by Investor Shares of the
Fund (after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) during the next twelve
months as a percentage of average daily net assets. An example based on the
summary is also shown.
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases ......................... None
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Dividends .............. None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge ..................................... None
Redemption Fee(1) ................................................. 1.00%
Exchange Fee ...................................................... None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
Management Fees (after waivers)(2) ................................ 0.00%
12b-1 Fees (after waivers)(2) ..................................... 0.00%
Other Expenses (after expense reimbursements)(2) .................. 1.80%
-----
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after waivers and
expense reimbursements)(2) ................................... 1.80%
=====
(1) To prevent the Fund from being adversely affected by the transaction costs
associated with short-term shareholder transactions, the Fund will redeem
shares at a price equal to the net asset value of the shares, less an
additional transaction fee equal to 1.00% of the net asset value of all
such shares redeemed that have been held for less than one year. Such fees
are not sales charges or contingent deferred sales charges, but are
retained by the Fund for the benefit of all shareholders.
(2) In the absence of fee waivers and expense reimbursements, Management Fees
would be 1.25%, Other Expenses would be 2.00%, 12b-1 Fees would be 0.25%
and Total Fund Operating Expenses would be 3.50%. Management Fees and 12b-1
Fees are each based on average daily net assets and are calculated daily
and paid monthly.
EXAMPLE
An investor would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment in the
Fund, assuming (1) a 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end of each time
period (including the 1.00% transaction fee on redemptions made within a year of
purchase):
ONE THREE
YEAR YEARS
---- -----
Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund ........... $18 $57
The Fee Table is designed to assist an investor in understanding the
various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly. (For more complete descriptions of the various costs and expenses,
see "Management" and "Distribution of Shares" below.) The Fee Table reflects
expense reimbursements and voluntary waivers of Management Fees and 12b-1 fees
for the Fund, which are expected to be in effect during the current fiscal year.
However, the Adviser, the Distributor and the Fund's other service providers are
under no obligation with respect
2
<PAGE>
to such expense reimbursements and waivers and there can be no assurance that
any future expense reimbursements and waivers of Management Fees or 12b-1 Fees
will not vary from the figures reflected in the Fee Table.
The Example in the Fee Table assumes that all dividends and distributions
are reinvested and that the amounts listed under "Annual Fund Operating
Expenses" remain the same in the years shown. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE
CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES AND ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY
BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
INTRODUCTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RBB is an open-end management investment company incorporated under the
laws of the State of Maryland currently operating or proposing to operate
twenty-six separate investment portfolios. The Shares offered by this Prospectus
represent interests in the Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund. RBB was
incorporated in Maryland on February 29, 1988.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund's investment objective is to provide long-term growth of capital,
with current income as a secondary objective, primarily through equity
investments, such as common stocks. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by
investing, under normal market conditions, at least 65% of its total assets in a
diversified portfolio consisting primarily of equity securities of issuers with
market capitalizations that do not exceed $500 million when purchased by the
Fund, and identified by the Adviser as equity securities that possess value
characteristics.
The Fund generally invests in the equity securities of small companies. The
Adviser will seek to invest in companies it considers to be well managed and to
have attractive fundamental financial characteristics. The Adviser believes
greater potential for price appreciation exists among small companies since they
tend to be less widely followed by other securities analysts and thus may be
more likely to be undervalued by the market. The Fund may invest from time to
time a portion of its assets, not to exceed 35% (under normal conditions) at the
time of purchase, in companies with considerably larger market capitalizations.
The Fund presents greater risks than funds that invest in equity securities
of larger companies for the following reasons: Companies in which the Fund
primarily invests will include those that have limited product lines, markets,
or financial resources, or are dependent upon a small management group. In
addition, because these stocks are not well known to the investing public, do
not have significant institutional ownership, and are followed by relatively few
securities analysts, there will normally be less publicly available information
concerning these securities compared to what is available for the securities of
larger companies. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not
based on fundamental analysis, can decrease the value and liquidity of
securities held by the Fund. Historically, small capitalization stocks have been
more volatile in price than larger capitalization stocks. Among the reasons for
the greater price volatility of these small company stocks are the less certain
growth prospects of smaller firms, the lower degree of liquidity in the markets
for such stocks, the greater sensitivity of small companies to changing economic
conditions, the fewer market makers and the wider spreads between quoted bid and
asked prices which exist in the over-the-counter market for such stocks. Besides
exhibiting greater volatility, small company stocks may, to a degree, fluctuate
independently of larger company stocks. Small company stocks may decline in
price as large company stocks rise, or rise in price as large company stocks
decline. Investors should therefore expect that the Fund will be more volatile
than, and may fluctuate independently of, broad stock market indices such as the
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index.
3
<PAGE>
The securities in which the Fund invests will often be traded only in the
over-the-counter market or on a regional securities exchange, may be listed only
in the quotation service commonly known as the "pink sheets," and may not be
traded every day or in the volume typical of trading on a national securities
exchange. They may be subject to wide fluctuations in market value. The trading
market for any given security may be sufficiently thin as to make it difficult
for the Fund to dispose of a substantial block of such securities. The
disposition by the Fund of portfolio securities to meet redemptions or otherwise
may require the Fund to sell these securities at a discount from market prices
or during periods when, in the Adviser's judgment, such disposition is not
desirable or to make many small sales over a lengthy period of time.
The Adviser examines various factors in determining the value
characteristics of such issuers, including, but not limited to, price to book
value ratios and price to earnings ratios. These value characteristics are
examined in the context of the issuer's operating and financial fundamentals
such as return on equity, earnings growth and cash flow.
The Adviser selects securities for the Fund based on a fundamental analysis
of industries and companies, earning power and growth and other investment
criteria. In general, the Fund's investments are broadly diversified over a
number of industries and, as a matter of policy, the Fund will not invest 25% or
more of its total assets in any one industry.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of foreign
issuers, including American Depository Receipts ("ADRs") and European Depository
Receipts ("EDRs"). Investing in securities of foreign issuers involves
considerations not typically associated with investing in securities of
companies organized and operating in the United States. Foreign securities
generally are denominated and pay dividends or interest in foreign currencies.
The Fund may hold from time to time various foreign currencies pending their
investment in foreign securities or their conversion into U.S. dollars. The
value of the assets of the Fund as measured in U.S. dollars may therefore be
affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in exchange rates. There may be
less publicly available information concerning foreign issuers than is available
with respect to U.S. issuers. Foreign securities may not be registered with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and generally, foreign companies are
not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements
comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. ADRs and EDRs are receipts
issued by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying
securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs and EDRs may be listed on a national
securities exchange or may trade in the over-the-counter market. ADR and EDR
prices are denominated in U.S. dollars, even though the underlying security may
be denominated in a foreign currency. The underlying security may be subject to
foreign government taxes which would reduce the yield on such securities.
Investments in such instruments involve risks similar to those of investing
directly in foreign securities. See "Investment Objectives and Policies--Foreign
Securities" in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Fund may invest the remainder of its total assets in derivative
securities; debt securities issued by U.S. banks, corporations and other
business organizations that are investment grade securities; and debt securities
issued by the U.S. government or government agencies.
In accordance with the above-mentioned policies, the Fund may also invest
in indexed securities, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements,
dollar rolls, financial futures contracts, options on futures contracts and may
lend portfolio securities. See "Investment Objectives and Policies" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
The Fund may invest in registered investment companies and investment funds
in foreign countries subject to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and as discussed in "Investment Objectives
and Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information. If the Fund invests in
such investment companies, the Fund will bear its proportionate share of the
costs incurred by such companies, including investment advisory fees.
While the Adviser intends to fully invest the Fund's assets at all times in
accordance with the above-mentioned policies, the Fund reserves the right to
hold up to 100% of its assets, as a temporary defensive measure, in cash and
eligible U.S. dollar-denominated money market instruments. The Adviser would
determine when market conditions warrant temporary defensive measures.
4
<PAGE>
The Fund's investment objective and the policies described above may be
changed by RBB's Board of Directors without the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the outstanding Shares representing interests in the Fund.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund may not change the following investment limitations without
shareholder approval. (A complete list of the investment limitations that cannot
be changed without such a vote of the shareholders is contained in the Statement
of Additional Information under "Investment Objectives and Policies.")
The Fund may not:
1. Purchase the securities of any one issuer, other than securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities, if immediately after and as a result of such purchase
more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets would be invested in
the securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer would be owned by the Fund, except that up to 25%
of the value of the Fund's total assets may be invested without regard to
such limitations.
2. Purchase any securities which would cause, at the time of purchase,
25% or more of the value of the total assets of the Fund to be invested in
the obligations of issuers in any single industry, provided that there is
no limitation with respect to investments in U.S. Government obligations.
3. Borrow money or issue senior securities, except that the Fund may
borrow from banks and enter into reverse repurchase agreements and dollar
rolls for temporary purposes in amounts up to one-third of the value of its
total assets at the time of such borrowing; or mortgage, pledge or
hypothecate any assets, except in connection with any such borrowing and
then in amounts not in excess of one-third of the value of the Fund's total
assets at the time of such borrowing. The Fund will not purchase securities
while its aggregate borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements,
dollar rolls and borrowings from banks) are in excess of 5% of its total
assets. Securities held in escrow or separate accounts in connection with
the Fund's investment practices are not considered to be borrowings or
deemed to be pledged for purposes of this limitation.
Except as required by the 1940 Act with respect to the borrowing of money,
if a percentage restriction is satisfied at the time of investment, a later
increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values will not
constitute a violation of that restriction.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund retains the right to sell securities irrespective of how long they
have been held. The Adviser estimates that the annual turnover in the Fund will
not exceed 150%. Such a relatively high portfolio turnover will be accompanied
by relatively high transactional (i.e., brokerage) costs. It may also result in
increased capital gains realized by the Fund and distributed to shareholders.
RISK FACTORS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As with other mutual funds, there can be no assurance that the Fund will
achieve its objective. The net asset value per share of Shares representing an
interest in the Fund will fluctuate as the values of its portfolio securities
change in response to changing conditions in the equity market. An investment in
the Fund is not intended to constitute a balanced investment program. As of the
date of this Prospectus, U.S. stock markets were trading at or close to record
high levels and there can be no guarantee that such levels will continue. Other
risk factors are discussed above under "Investment Objectives and Policies" and
in the Statement of Additional Information under "Investment Objectives and
Policies."
5
<PAGE>
Investment methods described in this Prospectus are among those which the
Fund has the power to utilize. Some may be employed on a regular basis; others
may not be used at all. Accordingly, reference to any particular method or
technique carries no implication that it will be utilized or, if it is, that it
will be successful.
MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The business and affairs of RBB and the Fund are managed under the
direction of RBB's Board of Directors.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P., located at Boston, Massachusetts,
serves as the Fund's investment adviser. The Adviser provides investment
management and investment advisory services to investment companies and other
institutional accounts that had aggregate total assets under management as of
March 31, 1998, in excess of $15 billion. The adviser is organized as a Delaware
limited partnership whose sole general partner is Boston Partners, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.
Subject to the supervision and direction of the Trust's Board of Trustees,
the Adviser manages the Fund's portfolio in accordance with the Fund's
investment objective and policies, makes investment decisions for the Fund,
places orders to purchase and sell securities, and employs professional
portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services to the
Fund. For its services to the Fund, the Adviser is paid a monthly advisory fee
computed at an annual rate of 1.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The
Adviser has notified RBB, however, that it expects to waive all advisory fees
during the current fiscal year.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund is the responsibility of
David M. Dabora and Wayne J. Archambo who are portfolio managers of the Adviser.
Prior to taking on day to day responsibilities for the Micro Cap Value Fund, Mr.
Dabora was an assistant portfolio manager/analyst of the premium equity product
of the Adviser, an all-cap value institutional product. Before joining the
Adviser in April 1995, Mr. Dabora had been employed by The Boston Company Asset
Management, Inc. since 1991 as a senior equity analyst. Mr. Dabora has over 10
years of investment experience and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr.
Archambo oversees the investment activities of the Adviser's $900 million of
mid-capitalization value equity product (including the $56 million Mid Cap Value
Fund) and the $1.2 billion small capitalization value institutional equity
product. Prior to joining the Adviser in April 1995, Mr. Archambo had been
employed by The Boston Company Asset Management, Inc. since 1989 as a senior
portfolio manager and a member of that firm's Equity Policy Committee. Mr.
Archambo has over 15 years of investment experience and is a Chartered Financial
Analyst.
ADMINISTRATOR
PFPC Inc. ("PFPC") serves as administrator to the Fund and generally
assists the Fund in all aspects of its administration and operations, including
matters relating to the maintenance of financial records and accounting. For its
services, PFPC receives a fee calculated at an annual rate of .125% of the
Fund's average daily net assets, with a minimum annual fee of $75,000 payable
monthly on a pro rata basis. PFPC has notified the Fund that it intends to waive
one-half of its minimum annual fee during the current fiscal year.
DISTRIBUTOR
Provident Distributors, Inc. ("PDI"), with a principal business address at
Four Falls Corporate Center, 6th Floor, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428,
acts as distributor for the Shares pursuant to a distribution agreement (the
"Distribution Agreement") with RBB on behalf of the Shares.
6
<PAGE>
TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT, AND CUSTODIAN
PNC Bank, National Association ("PNC Bank") serves as the Fund's custodian
and PFPC serves as the Fund's transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent. The
principal offices of PFPC, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of PNC Bank, are
located at 400 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809. PFPC may enter into
shareholder servicing agreements with registered broker-dealers who have entered
into dealer agreements, with the Distributor ("Authorized Dealers") for the
provision of certain shareholder support services to customers of such
Authorized Dealers who are shareholders of the Fund. The services provided and
the fees payable by the Fund for these services are described in the Statement
of Additional Information under "Investment Advisory, Distribution and Servicing
Arrangements."
EXPENSES
The expenses of the Fund are deducted from its total income before
dividends are paid. Any general expenses of RBB that are not readily
identifiable as belonging to a particular investment portfolio of RBB will be
allocated among all investment portfolios of RBB based upon the relative net
assets of the investment portfolios. The Investor Class of the Fund pays its own
distribution fees, and may pay a different share than the Institutional Class of
other expenses (excluding advisory and custodial fees) if those expenses are
actually incurred in a different amount by the Investor Class or if it receives
different services.
The Adviser may assume expenses of the Fund from time to time. To the
extent any service providers assume expenses of the Fund, such assumption of
expenses will have the effect of lowering the Fund's overall expense ratio and
increasing its yield to investors.
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors of RBB has approved and adopted a Distribution
Agreement and Plan of Distribution for the Shares (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, the Distributor is entitled to receive
from the Fund a distribution fee with respect to the Shares, which is accrued
daily and paid monthly, of up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average
daily net assets of the Shares. The actual amount of such compensation under the
Plan is agreed upon by RBB's Board of Directors and by the Distributor. The
Distributor may, in its discretion, from time to time waive voluntarily all or
any portion of its distribution fee. The Distributor intends to waive all fees
under the Plan during the current fiscal year.
Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Plan may be used by the
Distributor to cover expenses that are related to (i) the sale of the Shares,
(ii) ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of Shareholders, and
(iii) sub-transfer agency services, subaccounting services or administrative
services related to the sale of the Shares, all as set forth in the Fund's 12b-1
Plan. The Distributor may delegate some or all of these functions to Service
Agents. See "How to Purchase Shares - Purchases Through Intermediaries."
The Plan obligates the Fund, during the period it is in effect, to accrue
and pay to the Distributor on behalf of the Shares the fee agreed to under the
Distribution Agreement. Payments under the Plan are not tied exclusively to
expenses actually incurred by the Distributor, and the payments may exceed
distribution expenses actually incurred.
PURCHASES THROUGH INTERMEDIARIES
Shares of the Fund may be available through certain brokerage firms,
financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, "Service
Organizations"). Certain features of the Shares, such as the initial and
subsequent investment minimums and certain trading restrictions, may be modified
or waived by Service Organizations. Service Organizations may impose transaction
or administrative charges or other direct fees, which charges and fees would not
be imposed if Shares are purchased directly from the Fund. Therefore, a client
or customer should contact the Service Organization acting on his behalf
concerning the fees (if any) charged in connection with a purchase or redemption
of
7
<PAGE>
Shares and should read this Prospectus in light of the terms governing his
accounts with the Service Organization. Service Organizations will be
responsible for promptly transmitting client or customer purchase and redemption
orders to the Fund in accordance with their agreements with the Fund and with
clients or customers. Service Organizations or, if applicable, their designees
that have entered into agreements with the Fund or its agent may enter confirmed
purchase orders on behalf of clients and customers, with payment to follow no
later than the Fund's pricing on the following Business Day. If payment is not
received by such time, the Service Organization could be held liable for
resulting fees or losses. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or
redemption order when a Service Organization, or, if applicable, its authorized
designee, accepts a purchase or redemption order in good order. Orders received
by the Fund in good order will be priced at the Fund's net asset value next
computed after they are accepted by the Service Organization or its authorized
designee.
For administration, subaccounting, transfer agency and/or other services,
Boston Partners, the Distributor or their affiliates may pay Service
Organizations and certain recordkeeping organizations a fee of up to .35% (the
"Service Fee") of the average annual value of accounts with the Fund maintained
by such Service Organizations or recordkeepers. The Service Fee payable to any
one Service Organization is determined based upon a number of factors, including
the nature and quality of services provided, the operations processing
requirements of the relationship and the standardized fee schedule of the
Service Organization or recordkeeper.
The Adviser, the Distributor or either of their affiliates may, at their
own expense, provide promotional incentives for qualified recipients who support
the sale of Shares, consisting of securities dealers who have sold Shares or
others, including banks and other financial institutions, under special
arrangements. Incentives may include opportunities to attend business meetings,
conferences, sales or training programs for recipients, employees or clients and
other programs or events and may also include opportunities to participate in
advertising or sales campaigns and/or shareholder services and programs
regarding one or more Boston Partners Funds. Travel, meals and lodging may also
be paid in connection with these promotional activities. In some instances,
these incentives may be offered only to certain institutions whose
representatives provide services in connection with the sale or expected sale of
significant amounts of Shares.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL
Shares representing interests in the Fund are offered continuously for sale
by the Distributor and may be purchased without imposition of a sales charge.
Shares may be purchased initially by completing the application included in this
Prospectus and forwarding the application to the Fund's transfer agent, PFPC.
Purchases of Shares may be effected by wire to an account to be specified by
PFPC or by mailing a check or Federal Reserve Draft, payable to the order of
"The Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund," c/o PFPC Inc., P.O. Box 8852,
Wilmington, Delaware 19899-8852. The name of the Fund, Boston Partners Micro Cap
Value Fund, must also appear on the check or Federal Reserve Draft. Shareholders
may not purchase shares of the Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund with a check
issued by a third party and endorsed over to the Fund. Federal Reserve Drafts
are available at national banks or any state bank which is a member of the
Federal Reserve System. Initial investments in the Fund must be at least $2,500
and subsequent investments must be at least $100. The Fund reserves the right to
suspend the offering of Shares for a period of time or to reject any purchase
order. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund intends to suspend the
offering of Shares upon the Fund's attaining $300 million in total assets.
Shares may be purchased on any Business Day. A "Business Day" is any day
that the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "NYSE") is open for business.
Currently, the NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and
8
<PAGE>
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<PAGE>
BOSTON PARTNERS MICRO CAP VALUE FUND bp
(INVESTOR CLASS) BOSTON PARTNERS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
ACCOUNT APPLICATION
PLEASE NOTE: Do not use this form to open a retirement plan account. For an IRA
application or help with this Application, please call 1-888-261-4073
+--------------+ (Please check the appropriate box(es) below.)
| 1 | [ ] Individual [ ] Joint Tenant [ ] Other
| Account |
| Registration:| --------------------------------------------------------------
+--------------+ Name SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR TAX ID #
OF PRIMARY OWNER
--------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF JOINT OWNER JOINT OWNER SOCIAL SECURITY
NUMBER OR TAX ID #
For joint accounts, the account registrants will be joint
tenants with right of survivorship and not tenants in common
unless tenants in common or community property registrations
are requested.
- -------------
GIFT TO MINOR: [ ] UNIFORM GIFTS/TRANSFER TO MINOR'S ACT
- -------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF ADULT CUSTODIAN (ONLY ONE PERMITTED)
--------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF MINOR (ONLY ONE PERMITTED)
--------------------------------------------------------------
MINOR'S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND DATE OF BIRTH
- ------------------
CORPORATION,
PARTNERSHIP, TRUST
OR OTHER ENTITY:
- ------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, NAME(S) OF TRUSTEE(S)
OR OTHER
--------------------------------------------------------------
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
+--------------+ --------------------------------------------------------------
| 2 | STREET OR P.O. BOX AND/OR APARTMENT NUMBER
| Mailing |
| Address: | --------------------------------------------------------------
+--------------+ CITY STATE ZIP CODE
--------------------------------------------------------------
DAY PHONE NUMBER EVENING PHONE NUMBER
+--------------+
| 3 | Minimum initial investment Amount of investment $______
| Investment | of $2,500
| Information: |
+--------------+ Make the check payable to Boston Partners
Micro Cap Value Fund.
Shareholders may not purchase shares of this Fund with a check
issued by a third party and endorsed over to the Fund.
- ------------
DISTRIBUTION NOTE: Dividends and capital gains may be reinvested or paid by
OPTIONS: check. If no options are selected below, both dividends and
- ------------ capital gains will be reinvested in additional Fund shares.
DIVIDENDS [ ] Pay by check [ ] Reinvest [ ]
CAPITAL GAINS [ ] Pay by check [ ] Reinvest [ ]
+--------------+ To use this option, you must initial the appropriate line
| 4 | below.
| Telephone | I authorize the Transfer Agent to accept instructions from
| Redemption: | any persons to redeem or exchange shares in my account(s) by
+--------------+ telephone in accordance with the procedures and conditions set
set forth in the Fund's current prospectus.
Redeem shares, and send
------------------ ------------- the proceeds to the
individual initial joint initial address of record.
Exchange shares for
------------------ ------------- shares of The Boston
individual initial joint initial Partners Large Cap
Value Fund, Boston
Partners Mid Cap Value
Fund or Boston Partners
Bond Fund.
+--------------+ The Automatic Investment Plan which is available to
| 5 | shareholders of the Fund, makes possible regularly scheduled
| Automatic | purchases of Fund shares to allow dollar-cost averaging. The
| Investment | Fund's Transfer Agent can arrange for an amount of money
| Plan: | selected by you to be deducted from your checking account and
+--------------+ used to purchase shares of the Fund.
Please debit $________ from my checking account (named below
on or about the 20th of the month. PLEASE ATTACH AN UNSIGNED,
VOIDED CHECK.
[ ] Monthly [ ] Every Alternate Month [ ] Quarterly [ ] Other
- --------------- --------------------------------------------------------------
BANK OF RECORD: BANK NAME STREET ADDRESS OR P.O. BOX
- ---------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
CITY STATE ZIP CODE
--------------------------------------------------------------
BANK ABA NUMBER BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER
+--------------+ The undersigned warrants that I (we) have full authority and,
| 6 | if a natural person, I (we) am (are) of legal age to purchase
| Signatures: | shares pursuant to this Account Application, and I (we) have
+--------------+ received a current prospectus for the Fund in which I (we) am
(are) investing.
Under the Interest and Dividend Tax Compliance Act of 1983,
the Fund is required to have the following certification:
Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1) The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer
identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be
issued to), and
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding because (a) I am
exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been
notified by the Internal Revenue Service that I am subject to
31% backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all
interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I
am no longer subject to backup withholding.
NOTE: YOU MUST CROSS OUT ITEM (2) ABOVE IF YOU HAVE BEEN
NOTIFIED BY THE IRS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO BACKUP
WITHHOLDING BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAILED TO REPORT ALL INTEREST AND
DIVIDENDS ON YOUR TAX RETURN. THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
DOES NOT REQUIRE YOUR CONSENT TO ANY PROVISION OF THIS
DOCUMENT OTHER THAN THE CERTIFICATION REQUIRED TO AUDIT BACKUP
WITHHOLDING.
--------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT DATE
--------------------------------------------------------------
PRINT NAME TITLE (IF APPLICABLE)
--------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE OF JOINT OWNER DATE
--------------------------------------------------------------
PRINT NAME TITLE (IF APPLICABLE)
(If you are signing for a corporation, you must indicate
corporate office or title. If you wish additional signatories
on the account, please include a corporate resolution. If
signing as a fiduciary, you must indicate capacity.)
For information on additional options, such as IRA
Applications, rollover requests for qualified retirement
plans, or for wire instructions, please call us at
1-888-261-4073.
MAIL COMPLETED THE BOSTON PARTNERS MICRO CAP VALUE FUND
ACCOUNT APPLICATION C/O PFPC INC.
AND CHECK TO: P.O. BOX 8852
WILMINGTON, DE 19899-8852
<PAGE>
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<PAGE>
Christmas Day and on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday when one of these
holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
The price paid for Shares purchased initially or acquired through the
exercise of an exchange privilege is based on the net asset value next computed
after a purchase order is received by the Fund or its agents prior to the close
of the NYSE on such day (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Orders received by
the Fund or its agents after the close of the NYSE are priced at the net asset
value next determined on the following Business Day. In those cases where an
investor pays for Shares by check, the purchase will be effected at the net
asset value next determined after the Fund or its agents receives the order and
the completed application.
Provided that the investment is at least $2,500, An investor may also
purchase Shares by having his bank or his broker wire Federal Funds to PFPC. An
investor's bank or broker may impose a charge for this service. The Fund does
not currently impose a service charge for effecting wire transfers but reserves
the right to do so in the future. In order to ensure prompt receipt of an
investor's Federal Funds wire for an initial investment, it is important that an
investor follows these steps:
A. Telephone the Fund's transfer agent, PFPC, toll-free (888) 261-4073,
and provide PFPC with your name, address, telephone number, Social Security
or Tax Identification Number, the Fund selected, the amount being wired,
and by which bank. PFPC will then provide an investor with a Fund account
number. Investors with existing accounts should also notify PFPC prior to
wiring funds.
B. Instruct your bank or broker to wire the specified amount, together
with your assigned account number, to PFPC's account with PNC:
PNC Bank, N.A.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
ABA NUMBER: 0310-0005-3
CREDITING ACCOUNT NUMBER: 86-1108-2507
FROM: (name of investor)
ACCOUNT NUMBER: (Investor's account number with the Fund)
FOR PURCHASE OF: Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund
AMOUNT: (amount to be invested)
C. Fully complete and sign the application and mail it to the address
shown thereon. PFPC will not process purchases until it receives a fully
completed and signed application.
For subsequent investments, an investor should follow steps A and B above.
AUTOMATIC INVESTING
Additional investments in Shares may be made automatically by authorizing
the Fund's transfer agent to withdraw funds from your bank account. Investors
desiring to participate in the automatic Investing Program should call the
Fund's transfer agent, PFPC, at (888) 261-4073 to obtain the appropriate forms.
RETIREMENT PLANS
Shares may be purchased in conjunction with individual retirement accounts
("IRAs") and rollover IRAs where PNC Bank acts as custodian. For further
information as to applications and annual fees, contact the Fund's transfer
agent, PFPC, at (888) 261-4073. To determine whether the benefits of an IRA are
available and/or appropriate, a shareholder should consult with a tax adviser.
9
<PAGE>
HOW TO REDEEM AND EXCHANGE SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REDEMPTION BY MAIL
Shareholders may redeem for cash some or all of their Shares of the Fund at
any time. To do so, a written request in proper form must be sent directly to
Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund, c/o PFPC Inc., P.O. Box 8852, Wilmington,
Delaware 19899-8852. There is no charge for a redemption, unless the Shareholder
has held his or her Shares for less than one year, upon which a fee equal to 1%
of the net asset value of the Shares redeemed at the time of redemption will be
imposed.
A request for redemption must be signed by all persons in whose names the
Shares are registered. Signatures must conform exactly to the account
registration. If the proceeds of the redemption would exceed $10,000, or if the
proceeds are not to be paid to the record owner at the record address, or if the
shareholder is a corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, signature(s) must
be guaranteed according to the procedures described below under "Exchange
Privilege."
Generally, a properly signed written request with any required signature
guarantee is all that is required for a redemption. In some cases, however,
other documents may be necessary. In the case of shareholders holding share
certificates, the certificates for the shares being redeemed must accompany the
redemption request. Additional documentary evidence of authority is also
required by the Fund's transfer agent in the event redemption is requested by a
corporation, partnership, trust, fiduciary, executor or administrator.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
If your account has a value of at least $10,000, you may establish a
Systematic Withdrawal Plan and receive regular periodic payments. A request to
establish a Systematic Withdrawal Plan must be submitted in writing to PFPC at
P.O. Box 8852, Wilmington, Delaware 19899-8852. Each withdrawal redemption will
be processed on or about the 25th of the month and mailed as soon as possible
thereafter. There are no service charges for maintenance; the minimum amount
that you may withdraw each period is $100. (This is merely the minimum amount
allowed and should not be mistaken for a recommended amount.) The holder of a
Systematic Withdrawal Plan will have any income dividends and any capital gains
distributions reinvested in full and fractional shares at net asset value. To
provide funds for payment, Shares will be redeemed in such amount as is
necessary at the redemption price, which is net asset value next determined
after the Fund's receipt of a redemption request. Redemption of Shares may
reduce or possibly exhaust the Shares in your account, particularly in the event
of a market decline. As with other redemptions, a redemption to make a
withdrawal payment is a sale for federal income tax purposes. Payments made
pursuant to a Systematic Withdrawal Plan cannot be considered as actual yield or
income since part of such payments may be a return of capital.
You will ordinarily not be allowed to make additional investments of less
than the aggregate annual withdrawals under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan
during the time you have the plan in effect and, while a Systematic Withdrawal
Plan is in effect, you may not make periodic investments under the Automatic
Investment Plan. You will receive a confirmation of each transaction showing the
sources of the payment and the Share and cash balance remaining in your plan.
The plan may be terminated on written notice by the shareholder or by the Fund
and will terminate automatically if all Shares are liquidated or withdrawn from
the account or upon the death or incapacity of the shareholder. You may change
the amount and schedule of withdrawal payments or suspend such payments by
giving written notice to the Fund's transfer agent at least seven Business Days
prior to the end of the month preceding a scheduled payment.
TRANSACTION FEE IMPOSED ON CERTAIN REDEMPTIONS
The Fund requires the payment of a transaction fee on redemptions of Shares
of the Fund held for less than one year equal to 1.00% of the net asset value of
such Shares redeemed at the time of redemption. This additional transaction fee
is paid to the Fund, NOT to the adviser, distributor or transfer agent. It is
NOT a sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge. The purpose of the
additional transaction fee is to indirectly allocate transaction costs
associated
10
<PAGE>
with redemptions to those investors making redemptions after holding their
shares for a short period, thus protecting existing shareholders. These costs
include: (1) brokerage costs; (2) market impact costs -- i.e., the decrease in
market prices which may result when the Fund sells certain securities in order
to raise cash to meet the redemption request; (3) the realization of capital
gains by the other shareholders in the Fund; and (4) the effect of the "bid-ask"
spread in the over-the-counter market. The 1.00% amount represents the Fund's
estimate of the brokerage and other transaction costs which may be incurred by
the Fund in disposing of stocks in which the Fund may invest. Without the
additional transaction fee, the Fund would generally be selling its shares at a
price less than the cost to the Fund of acquiring the portfolio securities
necessary to maintain its investment characteristics, resulting in reduced
investment performance for all shareholders in the Fund. With the additional
transaction fee, the transaction costs of selling additional stocks are not
borne by all existing shareholders, but the source of funds for these costs is
the transaction fee paid by those investors making redemptions.
INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION
The Fund reserves the right to redeem a shareholder's account at any time
the net asset value of the account falls below $500 as the result of a
redemption or an exchange request. Shareholders will be notified in writing that
the value of their account is less than $500 and will be allowed 30 days to make
additional investments before the redemption is processed.
PAYMENT OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
With the exception of redemptions to which the 1.00% transaction fee
applies, the redemption price is the net asset value per share next determined
after the request for redemption is received in proper form by the Fund or its
agents. For redemptions to which the additional transaction fee applies, the
redemption price is the net asset value per share next determined after the
request for redemption is received in proper form by the Fund or its agents,
less an amount equal to 1.00% of the net asset value of such shares redeemed
that the shareholder has held for less than one year. Payment for Shares
redeemed is made by check mailed within seven days after acceptance by the Fund
or its agents of the request and any other necessary documents in proper order.
Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended as permitted
by the 1940 Act. If the Shares to be redeemed have been recently purchased by
check, the Fund's transfer agent may delay mailing a redemption check, which may
be a period of up to 15 days from the purchase date, pending a determination
that the check has cleared. The Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1
under the 1940 Act so that a portfolio is obligated to redeem its shares solely
in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its net asset value during any
90-day period for any one shareholder of a portfolio.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
The exchange privilege is available to shareholders residing in any state
in which the Shares being acquired may be legally sold. A shareholder may
exchange Shares of the Fund for Investor Shares of the Boston Partners Large Cap
Value Fund, Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund or Boston Partners Bond Fund
subject to the restrictions described under "Exchange Privilege Limitations."
Such exchange will be effected at the net asset value of the exchanged Fund and
the net asset value of the Boston Partners Large Cap Value Fund, Boston Partners
Mid Cap Value Fund or Boston Partners Bond Fund next determined after receipt of
a request for an exchange by the Fund or its agents. An exchange of Shares will
be treated as a sale for federal income tax purposes. See "Taxes." A shareholder
wishing to make an exchange may do so by sending a written request to PFPC.
If the exchanging shareholder does not currently own Investor Shares of the
Boston Partners Large Cap Value Fund, Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund or
Boston Partners Bond Fund, a new account will be established with the same
registration, dividend and capital gain options as the account from which shares
are exchanged, unless otherwise specified in writing by the shareholder with all
signatures guaranteed. A signature guarantee may be obtained from a domestic
bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency or savings association
who are participants in a medallion program recognized by the Securities
Transfer Association. The three recognized medallion programs are Securities
11
<PAGE>
Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP), Stock Exchanges Medallion Program
(SEMP) and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program (MSP).
Signature guarantees that are not part of these programs will not be accepted.
The exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time, or from time
to time, by RBB, upon 60 days' written notice to shareholders.
If an exchange is to a new account in the Boston Partners Large Cap Value
Fund, Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund or Boston Partners Bond Fund, the
dollar value of Investor Shares acquired must equal or exceed that Fund's
minimum for a new account; if to an existing account, the dollar value must
equal or exceed that Fund's minimum for subsequent investments. If any amount
remains in the Fund from which the exchange is being made, such amount must not
drop below the minimum account value required by the Fund.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE LIMITATIONS
The Fund's exchange privilege is not intended to afford shareholders a way
to speculate on short-term movements in the market. Accordingly, in order to
prevent excessive use of the exchange privilege that may potentially disrupt the
management of the Fund and increase transaction costs, the Fund has established
a policy of limiting excessive exchange activity.
Shareholders are entitled to six (6) exchange redemptions (at least 30 days
apart) from the Fund during any twelve-month period. Notwithstanding these
limitations, the Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase request
(including exchange purchases from the Boston Partners Large Cap Value Fund,
Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund and Boston Partners Bond Fund) that is deemed
to be disruptive to efficient portfolio management.
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
In order to request a telephone exchange or redemption, a shareholder must
have completed and returned an account application containing a telephone
election. To add a telephone option to an existing account that previously did
not provide for this option, a Telephone Authorization Form must be filed with
PFPC. This form is available from PFPC. Once this election has been made, the
shareholder may simply contact PFPC by telephone to request the exchange or
redemption by calling (888) 261-4073. Neither RBB, the Fund, the Distributor,
the Administrator nor any other Fund agent will be liable for any loss,
liability, cost or expense for following RBB's telephone transaction procedures
described below or for following instructions communicated by telephone that
they reasonably believe to be genuine.
RBB's telephone transaction procedures include the following measures: (1)
requiring the appropriate telephone transaction privilege forms; (2) requiring
the caller to provide the names of the account owners, the account social
security number and name of the Fund, all of which must match RBB's records; (3)
requiring RBB's service representative to complete a telephone transaction form,
listing all of the above caller identification information; (4) permitting
exchanges only if the two account registrations are identical; (5) requiring
that redemption proceeds be sent only by check to the account owners of record
at the address of record, or by wire only to the owners of record at the bank
account of record; (6) sending a written confirmation for each telephone
transaction to the owners of record at the address of record within five (5)
Business Days of the call; and (7) maintaining tapes of telephone transactions
for six months, if the Fund elects to record shareholder telephone transactions.
For accounts held of record by broker-dealers (other than the Distributor),
financial institutions, securities dealers, financial planners and other
industry professionals, additional documentation or information regarding the
scope of a caller's authority is required. Finally, for telephone transactions
in accounts held jointly, additional information regarding other account holders
is required. Telephone transactions will not be permitted in connection with IRA
or other retirement plan accounts or by an attorney-in-fact under a power of
attorney.
12
<PAGE>
NET ASSET VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The net asset values for each class of a fund are calculated by adding the
value of the proportionate interest of the class in a fund's cash, securities
and other assets, deducting actual and accrued liabilities of the class and
dividing the result by the number of outstanding shares of the class. The net
asset value of each class is calculated independently of each other class. The
net asset values are calculated as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE,
generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on each Business Day.
Valuation of securities held by the Fund is as follows: securities traded
on a national securities exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are
valued at the last reported sale price that day; securities traded on a national
securities exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System for which there were
no sales on that day and securities traded on other over-the-counter markets for
which market quotations are readily available are valued at the mean of the bid
and asked prices; and securities for which market quotations are not readily
available are valued at fair market value as determined in good faith by or
under the direction of the RBB's Board of Directors. The amortized cost method
of valuation may also be used with respect to debt obligations with sixty days
or less remaining to maturity.
With the approval of RBB's Board of Directors, the Fund may use a pricing
service, bank or broker-dealer experienced in such matters to value the Fund's
securities. A more detailed discussion of net asset value and security valuation
is contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund will distribute substantially all of the net investment income and
net realized capital gains, if any, of the Fund to the Fund's shareholders. All
distributions are reinvested in the form of additional full and fractional
Shares unless a shareholder elects otherwise.
The Fund will declare and pay dividends from net investment income annually
and will pay them in the calendar year in which they are declared, generally in
December. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains),
if any, will be distributed at least annually.
TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following discussion is only a brief summary of some of the important
tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders and is not
intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Accordingly, investors in the
Fund should consult their tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax
situation.
The Fund will elect to be taxed as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. So long as the
Fund qualifies for this tax treatment, it will be relieved of federal income tax
on amounts distributed to shareholders, but shareholders, unless otherwise
exempt, will pay income or capital gains taxes on amounts so distributed (except
distributions that are treated as a return of capital) regardless of whether
such distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares.
Distributions out of the "net capital gain" (the excess of net long-term
capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, of the Fund, will be
taxed to shareholders as long-term capital gain regardless of the length of time
a shareholder has held his Shares, whether such gain was reflected in the price
paid for the Shares, or whether such gain was attributable to bonds bearing
tax-exempt interest. All other distributions, to the extent they are taxable,
are taxed to shareholders as ordinary income.
13
<PAGE>
RBB will send written notices to shareholders annually regarding the tax
status of distributions made by the Fund. Dividends declared in December of any
year payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month will
be deemed to have been received by the shareholders on December 31, provided
such dividends are paid during January of the following year. The Fund intends
to make sufficient actual or deemed distributions prior to the end of each
calendar year to avoid liability for federal excise tax.
Investors should be careful to consider the tax implications of buying
shares just prior to a distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time
will reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those investors
purchasing shares just prior to a distribution will nevertheless be taxed on the
entire amount of the distribution received, although the distribution is, in
effect, a return of capital.
Shareholders who exchange shares representing interests in one Fund for
shares representing interests in another Fund will generally recognize capital
gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.
Shareholders who are nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or
estates, foreign corporations or foreign partnerships may be subject to
different U.S. Federal income tax treatment and should consult their tax
advisers.
MULTI-CLASS STRUCTURE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund offers one other class of shares, Institutional Shares, which is
offered directly to institutional investors pursuant to a separate prospectus.
Shares of each class represent equal pro rata interests in the Fund and accrue
dividends and calculate net asset value and performance quotations in the same
manner. The Fund will quote performance of the Institutional Shares separately
from Investor Shares. Because of different expenses paid by the Investor Shares,
the total return on such shares can be expected, at any time, to be different
than the total return on Institutional Shares. Information concerning other
classes may be obtained by calling the Fund at (800) 311-9783 or 9829.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RBB has authorized capital of thirty billion shares of Common Stock, $.001
par value per share, of which 14.928 billion shares are currently classified
into 92 different classes of Common Stock. See "Description of Shares" in the
Statement of Additional Information."
THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCORPORATED
HEREIN RELATE PRIMARILY TO BOSTON PARTNERS MICRO CAP VALUE FUND AND DESCRIBE
ONLY THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES, OPERATIONS, CONTRACTS AND OTHER
MATTERS RELATING TO BOSTON PARTNERS MICRO CAP VALUE FUND.
Each share that represents an interest in the Fund has an equal
proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the Fund with each other share
that represents an interest in the Fund, even where a share has a different
class designation than another share representing an interest in the Fund.
Shares of the Fund do not have preemptive or conversion rights. When issued for
payment as described in this Prospectus, Shares will be fully paid and
non-assessable.
RBB currently does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders
except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. The law under
certain circumstances provides shareholders with the right to call for a meeting
of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more directors. To the extent
required by law, RBB will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.
Holders of Shares of the Fund will vote in the aggregate and not by class
on all matters, except where otherwise required by law. Further, shareholders of
all investment portfolios of RBB will vote in the aggregate and not by portfolio
except as otherwise required by law or when the Board of Directors determines
that the matter to be voted upon
14
<PAGE>
affects only the interests of the shareholders of a particular investment
portfolio. (See the Statement of Additional Information under "Additional
Information Concerning Fund Shares" for examples when the 1940 Act requires
voting by investment portfolio or by class.) Shareholders of the Fund are
entitled to one vote for each full share held (irrespective of class or
portfolio) and fractional votes for fractional shares held. Voting rights are
not cumulative and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate
shares of Common Stock of the Fund may elect all of the directors.
As of June 15, 1998, to the Fund's knowledge, no person held of record or
beneficially 25% or more of the outstanding shares of all classes of RBB.
OTHER INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTS AND INQUIRIES
Shareholders will receive unaudited semi-annual reports describing the
Fund's investment operations and annual financial statements audited by
independent accountants. Shareholder inquiries should be addressed to PFPC Inc.,
the Fund's transfer agent, Bellevue Park Corporate Center, 400 Bellevue Parkway,
Wilmington, Delaware 19809, toll-free (888) 261-4073.
SHARE CERTIFICATES
In the interest of economy and convenience, physical certificates
representing Shares in the Fund are not normally issued.
FUTURE PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund may advertise its performance, including
comparisons to other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and to
stock or other relevant indices. All such advertisements will show the average
annual total return over one, five and ten year periods or, if such periods have
not yet elapsed, shorter periods corresponding to the life of the Fund. Such
total return quotations will be computed by finding the compounded average
annual total return for each time period that would equate the assumed initial
investment of $1,000 to the ending redeemable value, net of fees, according to a
required standardized calculation. The standard calculation is required by the
SEC to provide consistency and comparability in investment company advertising.
The Fund may also from time to time include in such advertising an aggregate
total return figure or a total return figure that is not calculated according to
the standardized formula in order to compare more accurately the Fund's
performance with other measures of investment return. For example, the Fund's
total return may be compared with data published by Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc., CDA Investment Technologies, Inc. or Weisenberger Investment Company
Service, or with the performance of the Russell 2000 Index. Performance
information may also include evaluation of the Fund by nationally recognized
ranking services and information as reported in financial publications such as
BUSINESS WEEK, FORTUNE, INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR, MONEY MAGAZINE, FORBES,
BARRON'S, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, THE NEW YORK TIMES, or other national,
regional or local publications. All advertisements containing performance data
will include a legend disclosing that such performance data represents past
performance and that the investment return and principal value of an investment
will fluctuate so that an investor's Shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or
less than their original cost.
15
<PAGE>
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTA-TIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN RBB'S STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFERING MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY RBB OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY RBB OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN
ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
EXPENSE TABLE ................................ 2
INTRODUCTION ................................. 3
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES ........... 3
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS ....................... 5
RISK FACTORS ................................. 5
MANAGEMENT ................................... 6
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES ....................... 7
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES ....................... 8
HOW TO REDEEM AND EXCHANGE SHARES ............ 10
NET ASSET VALUE .............................. 13
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS .................. 13
TAXES ........................................ 13
MULTI-CLASS STRUCTURE ........................ 14
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES ........................ 14
OTHER INFORMATION ............................ 15
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P.
Boston, Massachusetts
CUSTODIAN
PNC Bank, N.A.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TRANSFER AGENT AND ADMINISTRATOR
PFPC Inc.
Wilmington, Delaware
DISTRIBUTOR
Provident Distributors, Inc.
West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
COUNSEL
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
<PAGE>
BOSTON PARTNERS MICRO CAP VALUE FUND
(Institutional and Investor Classes)
Of
The RBB Fund, Inc.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information provides
supplementary information pertaining to shares of the Investor and Institutional
Classes (the "Shares") representing interests in the Boston Partners Micro Cap
Value Fund (the "Fund") of The RBB Fund, Inc. ("RBB"). This Statement of
Additional Information is not a prospectus, and should be read only in
conjunction with the Boston Partners Micro Cap Value Fund Prospectuses, dated
July 1, 1998 (together, the "Prospectus"). A copy of any of the Prospectuses may
be obtained from RBB by calling toll-free (800) 311-9783 or 9829.
This Statement of Additional Information is dated July 1, 1998.
CONTENTS
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR
PROSPECTUS PROSPECTUS
PAGE PAGE PAGE
---- ------------- ----------
General ................................. 2 3 3
Investment Objectives and Policies ...... 2 3 3
Directors and Officers .................. 9 N/A N/A
Investment Advisory, Distribution
and Servicing Arrangements ............ 12 6 6
Portfolio Transactions .................. 15 N/A N/A
Purchase and Redemption Information ..... 16 7 8
Valuation of Shares ..................... 17 8 13
Performance and Yield Information ....... 18 11 13
Taxes ................................... 19 11 13
Additional Information Concerning
RBB Shares ........................... 21 12 14
Miscellaneous ........................... 24 N/A N/A
Financial Statements .................... N/A N/A N/A
Appendix A .............................. A-1 N/A N/A
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THE PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY RBB OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR. THE PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE
FUND OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT
LAWFULLY BE MADE.
<PAGE>
GENERAL
The RBB Fund, Inc. ("RBB") is an open-end management
investment company currently operating or proposing to operate twenty-seven
separate investment portfolios. RBB was organized as a Maryland corporation on
February 29, 1988.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have
the same meanings as are given to them in the Prospectus.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The following supplements the information contained in the
Prospectus concerning the investment objectives and policies of the Fund.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON FUND INVESTMENTS.
LENDING OF FUND SECURITIES. The Fund may lend its portfolio
securities to financial institutions in accordance with the investment
restrictions described below. Such loans would involve risks of delay in
receiving additional collateral in the event the value of the collateral
decreased below the value of the securities loaned or of delay in recovering the
securities loaned or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower
of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to
borrowers deemed by the Fund's investment adviser to be of good standing and
only when, in the Adviser's judgment, the income to be earned from the loans
justifies the attendant risks. Any loans of the Fund's securities will be fully
collateralized and marked to market daily.
INDEXED SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in indexed securities
whose value is linked to securities indices. Most such securities have values
which rise and fall according to the change in one or more specified indices,
and may have characteristics similar to direct investments in the underlying
securities. The Fund does not presently intend to invest more than 5% of net
assets in indexed securities.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may agree to purchase
securities from financial institutions subject to the seller's agreement to
repurchase them at an agreed-upon time and price ("repurchase agreements"). The
securities held subject to a repurchase agreement may have stated maturities
exceeding 13 months, provided the repurchase agreement itself matures in less
than 13 months. The financial institutions with whom the Fund may enter into
repurchase agreements will be banks which the Adviser considers creditworthy
pursuant to criteria approved by the Board of Directors and non-bank dealers of
U.S. Government securities that are listed on the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York's list of reporting dealers. The Adviser will consider the creditworthiness
of a seller in determining whether to have the Fund enter into a repurchase
agreement. The seller under a repurchase agreement will be required to maintain
the value of the
-2-
<PAGE>
securities subject to the agreement at not less than the repurchase price plus
accrued interest. The Adviser will mark to market daily the value of the
securities, and will, if necessary, require the seller to maintain additional
securities, to ensure that the value is not less than the repurchase price.
Default by or bankruptcy of the seller would, however, expose the Fund to
possible loss because of adverse market action or delays in connection with the
disposition of the underlying obligations.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND DOLLAR ROLLS. The Fund may
enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to portfolio securities
for temporary purposes (such as to obtain cash to meet redemption requests) when
the liquidation of portfolio securities is deemed disadvantageous or
inconvenient by the Adviser. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of
securities held by the Fund pursuant to the Fund's agreement to repurchase the
securities at an agreed-upon price, date and rate of interest. Such agreements
are considered to be borrowings under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"1940 Act"), and may be entered into only for temporary or emergency purposes.
While reverse repurchase transactions are outstanding, the Fund will maintain in
a segregated account with the Fund's custodian or a qualified sub-custodian,
cash or liquid securities of an amount at least equal to the market value of the
securities, plus accrued interest, subject to the agreement and will monitor the
account to ensure that such value is maintained. Reverse repurchase agreements
involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Fund may
decline below the price of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase.
The Fund may also enter into "dollar rolls," in which it sells fixed income
securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to
repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) securities on
a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund would forgo principal
and interest paid on such securities. The Fund would be compensated by the
difference between the current sales price and the forward price for the future
purchase, as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial
sale. The Fund does not presently intend to engage in reverse repurchase or
dollar roll transactions involving more than 5% of the Fund's net assets.
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. The Fund may purchase U.S.
Government agency and instrumentality obligations that are debt securities
issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises and federal agencies. Some
obligations of agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government are
supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government or by U.S.
Treasury guarantees, such as securities of the Government National Mortgage
Association and the Federal Housing Authority; others, by the ability of the
issuer to borrow, provided approval is granted, from the U.S. Treasury, such as
securities of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and others, only by the
credit of the agency or instrumentality issuing the obligation, such as
securities of the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Loan
Banks.
The Fund's net assets may be invested in obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or the agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S.
Government, including options and futures on such obligations. The maturities of
U.S. Government securities usually range from three months to thirty years.
Examples of types of U.S. Government obligations include U.S. Treasury Bills,
Treasury Notes and Treasury Bonds and the obligations of Federal Home Loan
-3-
<PAGE>
Banks, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, the Federal Housing
Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United
States, Small Business Administration, Federal National Mortgage Association,
Government National Mortgage Association, General Services Administration,
Student Loan Marketing Association, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Home
Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Maritime
Administration, the Asian-American Development Bank and the Inter-American
Development Bank. The Fund does not presently intend to invest more than 5% of
net assets in U.S. Government obligations.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Fund may not invest more than 15% of
its net assets in illiquid securities (including repurchase agreements that have
a maturity of longer than seven days), including securities that are illiquid by
virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual
restrictions on resale. Securities that have legal or contractual restrictions
on resale but have a readily available market are not considered illiquid for
purposes of this limitation. With respect to the Fund, repurchase agreements
subject to demand are deemed to have a maturity equal to the notice period.
Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant amount of
restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on
resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse
effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and a mutual fund might be
unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at
reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions
within seven days. A mutual fund might also have to register such restricted
securities in order to dispose of them resulting in additional expense and
delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of
securities.
The Fund may purchase securities which are not registered
under the Securities Act but which may be sold to "qualified institutional
buyers" in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act. These securities
will not be considered illiquid so long as it is determined by the Fund's
adviser that an adequate trading market exists for the securities. This
investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity
in a Fund during any period that qualified institutional buyers become
uninterested in purchasing restricted securities.
The Adviser will monitor the liquidity of restricted
securities in the Fund under the supervision of the Board of Directors. In
reaching liquidity decisions, the Adviser may consider, among others, the
following factors: (1) the unregistered nature of the security; (2) the
frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (3) the number of dealers
wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential
purchasers; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and (5)
the nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the
time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the
mechanics of the transfer).
HEDGING INVESTMENTS. At such times as the Adviser deems it
appropriate and consistent with the investment objective of the Fund, the Fund
may invest in financial futures
-4-
<PAGE>
contracts and options on financial futures contracts. The purpose of such
transactions is to hedge against changes in the market value of securities in
the Fund caused by fluctuating interest rates and to close out or offset its
existing positions in such futures contracts or options as described below. Such
instruments will not be used for speculation. Futures contracts and options on
futures are discussed below.
FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Fund may invest in financial futures
contracts with respect to those securities listed on the S&P 500 Stock Index.
Financial futures contracts obligate the seller to deliver a specific type of
security called for in the contract, at a specified future time, and for a
specified price. Financial futures contracts may be satisfied by actual delivery
of the securities or, more typically, by entering into an offsetting
transaction. There are risks that are associated with the use of futures
contracts for hedging purposes. In certain market conditions, as in a rising
interest rate environment, sales of futures contracts may not completely offset
a decline in value of the portfolio securities against which the futures
contracts are being sold. In the futures market, it may not always be possible
to execute a buy or sell order at the desired price, or to close out an open
position due to market conditions, limits on open positions, and/or daily price
fluctuations. Risks in the use of futures contracts also result from the
possibility that changes in the market interest rates may differ substantially
from the changes anticipated by the Fund's investment adviser when hedge
positions were established. The Fund does not presently intend to invest more
than 5% of net assets in futures contracts.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES. The Fund may purchase and write call and
put options on futures contracts with respect to those securities listed on the
S&P 500 Stock Index and enter into closing transactions with respect to such
options to terminate an existing position. An option on a futures contract gives
the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in
a futures contract. The Fund may use options on futures contracts in connection
with hedging strategies. The purchase of put options on futures contracts is a
means of hedging against the risk of rising interest rates. The purchase of call
options on futures contracts is a means of hedging against a market advance when
the Fund is not fully invested.
There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to close out
its financial futures positions at any time, in which case it would be required
to maintain the margin deposits on the contract. There can be no assurance that
hedging transactions will be successful, as there may be imperfect correlations
(or no correlations) between movements in the prices of the futures contracts
and of the securities being hedged, or price distortions due to market
conditions in the futures markets. Such imperfect correlations could have an
impact on the Fund's ability to effectively hedge its securities. The Fund does
not presently intend to invest more than 5% of net assets in options on futures.
BANK AND CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS. The Fund may purchase
obligations of issuers in the banking industry, such as short-term obligations
of bank holding companies, certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and
time deposits issued by U.S. or foreign banks or savings institutions having
total assets at the time of purchase in excess of $1 billion. Investment in
obligations of foreign banks or foreign branches of U.S. banks may entail risks
that are different from those of investments in obligations of U.S. banks due to
differences in political,
-5-
<PAGE>
regulatory and economic systems and conditions. The Fund may also make
interest-bearing savings deposits in commercial and savings banks in amounts not
in excess of 5% of its total assets.
The Fund may invest in debt obligations, such as bonds and
debentures, issued by corporations and other business organizations that are
rated at the time of purchase within the three highest ratings categories of S&P
or Moody's (or which, if unrated, are determined by the Adviser to be of
comparable quality). Unrated securities will be determined to be of the
comparable quality to rated debt obligations if, among other things, other
outstanding obligations of the issuers of such securities are rated A or better.
See Appendix "A" for a description of corporate debt ratings.
COMMERCIAL PAPER. The Fund may purchase commercial paper rated
(at the time of purchase) "A-1" by S&P or "Prime-1" by Moody's or, when deemed
advisable by the Fund's investment adviser, issues rated "A-2" or "Prime-2" by
S&P or Moody's, respectively. These rating symbols are described in Appendix "A"
hereto. The Fund may also purchase unrated commercial paper provided that such
paper is determined to be of comparable quality by the Fund's investment adviser
pursuant to guidelines approved by the Fund's Board of Directors. Commercial
paper issues in which the Fund may invest include securities issued by
corporations without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act") in reliance on the exemption from such registration
afforded by Section 3(a)(3) thereof, and commercial paper issued in reliance on
the so-called "private placement" exemption from registration, which is afforded
by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act ("Section 4(2) paper"). Section 4(2) paper
is restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws in that any
resale must similarly be made in an exempt transaction. Section 4(2) paper is
normally resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance
of investment dealers who make a market in Section 4(2) paper, thus providing
liquidity. The Fund does not presently intend to invest more than 5% of its net
assets in commercial paper.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in foreign securities,
either directly or indirectly through American Depository Receipts and European
Depository Receipts. Investments in foreign securities involve higher costs than
investments in U.S. securities, including higher transaction costs as well as
the imposition of additional taxes by foreign governments. In addition, foreign
investments may include additional risks associated with currency exchange
rates, less complete financial information about the issuers, less market
liquidity and political stability. Future political and economic information,
the possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest income, the possible
seizure or nationalization of foreign holdings, the possible establishment of
exchange controls, or the adoption of other governmental restrictions, might
adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on foreign obligations.
Although the Fund may invest in securities denominated in
foreign currencies, the Fund values its securities and other assets in U.S.
dollars. As a result, the net asset value of a Fund's shares may fluctuate with
U.S. dollar exchange rates as well as the price changes of the Fund's securities
in the various local markets and currencies. Thus, an increase in the value of
the U.S. dollar compared to the currencies in which the Fund makes its
investments could reduce
-6-
<PAGE>
the effect of increases and magnify the effect of decreases in the price of the
Fund's securities in their local markets. Conversely, a decrease in the value of
the U.S. dollar may have the opposite effect of magnifying the effect of
increases and reducing the effect of decreases in the prices of the Fund's
securities in its foreign markets. In addition to favorable and unfavorable
currency exchange rate developments, the Fund is subject to the possible
imposition of exchange control regulations or freezes on convertibility of
currency.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS.
RBB has adopted the following fundamental investment
limitations, which may not be changed without the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding Shares (as defined in Section
2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act). The Fund may not:
1. Borrow money or issue senior securities, except that the
Fund may borrow from banks and enter into reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls for temporary purposes in amounts up to one-third of the value of
its total assets at the time of such borrowing; or mortgage, pledge or
hypothecate any assets, except in connection with any such borrowing and then in
amounts not in excess of one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets at
the time of such borrowing. The Fund will not purchase securities while its
aggregate borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls and
borrowings from banks) are in excess of 5% of its total assets. Securities held
in escrow or separate accounts in connection with the Fund's investment
practices are not considered to be borrowings or deemed to be pledged for
purposes of this limitation.
2. Issue any senior securities, except as permitted under the
1940 Act;
3. Act as an underwriter of securities within the meaning of
the Securities Act, except insofar as it might be deemed to be an underwriter
upon disposition of certain portfolio securities acquired within the limitation
on purchases of restricted securities;
4. Purchase or sell real estate (including real estate limited
partnership interests), provided that the Fund may invest (a) in securities
secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies that invest
in real estate or interests therein or (b) in real estate investment trusts;
5. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except
that a Fund may deal in forward foreign exchanges between currencies of the
different countries in which it may invest and purchase and sell stock index and
currency options, stock index futures, financial futures and currency futures
contracts and related options on such futures;
6. Make loans, except through loans of portfolio instruments
and repurchase agreements, provided that for purposes of this restriction the
acquisition of bonds, debentures or other debt instruments or interests therein
and investment in government obligations, loan
-7-
<PAGE>
participations and assignments, short-term commercial paper, certificates of
deposit and bankers' acceptances shall not be deemed to be the making of a loan;
7. Invest 25% or more of its assets, taken at market value at
the time of each investment, in the securities of issuers in any particular
industry (excluding the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities);
or
8. Purchase the securities of any one issuer, other than
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities, if immediately after and as a result of such purchase, more
than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the
securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities
of such issuer would be owned by the Fund, except that up to 25% of the value of
the Fund's total assets may be invested without regard to such limitations.
(For purposes of Investment Limitation No. 1, any collateral
arrangements with respect to, if applicable, the writing of options and futures
contracts, options on futures contracts, and collateral arrangements with
respect to initial and variation margin are not deemed to be a pledge of assets.
For purposes of Investment Limitation No. 2, neither the foregoing arrangements
nor the purchase or sale of futures or related options are deemed to be the
issuance of senior securities.)
The Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment
companies within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act. As a shareholder of
another investment company, the Fund would bear, along with other shareholders,
its pro rata portion of the other investment company's expenses, including
advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory and other
expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations.
Except as required by the 1940 Act with respect to the
borrowing of money, if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of
investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change
in market values of portfolio securities or amount of total or net assets will
not be considered a violation of any of the foregoing restrictions.
Securities held by the Fund generally may not be purchased
from, sold or loaned to the Adviser or its affiliates or any of their directors,
officers or employees, acting as principal, unless pursuant to a rule or
exemptive order under the 1940 Act.
-8-
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The directors and executive officers of RBB, their ages,
business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are:
POSITION PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME AND ADDRESS AND AGE WITH FUND DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------ --------- ----------------------
*Arnold M. Reichman - 49 Director Senior Managing Director, Chief
466 Lexington Avenue Operating Officer and Assistant
New York, NY 10017 Secretary, Warburg Pincus Asset
Management, Inc.; Director and
Executive Officer of
Counsellors Securities Inc.;
Director/Trustee of various
investment companies advised by
Warburg Pincus Asset
Management, Inc.
**Robert Sablowsky - 58 Director Senior Vice President,
110 Wall Street Fahnestock Co., Inc. (a
New York, NY 10005 registered broker-dealer);
Prior to October 1996,
Executive Vice President of
Gruntal & Co., Inc. (a
registered broker-dealer).
Francis J. McKay - 60 Director Since 1963, Executive Vice
7701 Burholme Avenue President, Fox Chase Cancer
Philadelphia, PA 19111 Center (biomedical research and
medical care).
Marvin E. Sternberg - 62 Director Since 1974, Chairman, Director
937 Mt. Pleasant Road and President, Moyco Industries,
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Inc. (manufacturer of
dental supplies and precision
coated abrasives); since 1968,
Director and President, Mart
MMM, Inc. (formerly
Montgomeryville Merchandise Mart
Inc.) and Mart PMM, Inc.
(formerly Pennsauken Merchandise
Mart, Inc.) (shopping centers);
and since 1975, Director and
Executive Vice President,
Cellucap Mfg. Co., Inc.
(manufacturer of
-9-
<PAGE>
POSITION PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME AND ADDRESS AND AGE WITH FUND DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------ --------- ----------------------
disposable headwear).
Julian A. Brodsky - 63 Director Director and Vice Chairman since
1234 Market Street 1969 Comcast Corporation (cable
16th Floor television and communications);
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3723 Director Comcast Cablevision of
Philadelphia (cable television
and communications) and Nextel
(wireless communications).
Donald van Roden - 72 Director Self-employed businessman.
1200 Old Mill Lane and Chairman From February 1980 to March
Wyomissing, PA 19610 of the Board 1987, Vice Chairman, SmithKline
Beecham Corporation
(pharmaceuticals); Director, AAA
Mid-Atlantic (auto service);
Director, Keystone Insurance Co.
Edward J. Roach - 73 President Certified Public Accountant;
Suite 100 and Vice Chairman of the Board,
Bellevue Park Treasurer Fox Chase Cancer Center;
Corporate Center Trustee Emeritus, Pennsylvania
400 Bellevue Parkway School for the Deaf; Trustee
Wilmington, DE 19809 Emeritus, Immaculata College;
President or Vice President and
Treasurer of various investment
companies advised by PNC
Institutional Management
Corporation; Director, The
Bradford Funds, Inc.
Morgan R. Jones - 58 Secretary Chairman of the law firm of
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP;
1345 Chestnut Street Director, Rocking Horse Child
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3496 Care Centers of America, Inc.
- ----------------------
* Mr. Reichman is an "interested person" of RBB, as that term is defined in the
1940 Act, by virtue of his position with Counsellors Securities Inc., a
registered broker-dealer.
** Mr. Sablowsky is an "interested person" of RBB, as that term is defined in
the 1940 Act, by virtue of his position with Fahnestock Co., Inc., a
registered broker-dealer.
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<PAGE>
Messrs. McKay, Sternberg and Brodsky are members of the Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee, among other things,
reviews results of the annual audit and recommends to RBB the firm to be
selected as independent auditors.
Messrs. Reichman, McKay and van Roden are members of the
Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee may
generally carry on and manage the business of RBB when the Board of Directors is
not in session.
Messrs. McKay, Sternberg, Brodsky and van Roden are members of
the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee
recommends to the Board all persons to be nominated as directors of RBB.
RBB pays directors who are not "affiliated persons" (as that
term is defined in the 1940 Act) of any investment adviser or sub-adviser of the
Fund or the Distributor and Mr. Sablowsky, who is considered to be an affiliated
person, $12,000 annually and $1,000 per meeting of the Board or any committee
thereof that is not held in conjunction with a Board meeting. In addition, the
Chairman of the Board receives an additional fee of $5,000 per year for his
services in this capacity. Directors who are not affiliated persons of RBB and
Mr. Sablowsky are reimbursed for any expenses incurred in attending meetings of
the Board of Directors or any committee thereof. For the year ended August 31,
1997, each of the following members of the Board of Directors received
compensation from RBB in the following amounts:
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
-----------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PENSION OR TOTAL
RETIREMENT COMPENSATION
BENEFITS ESTIMATED FROM REGISTRANT
AGGREGATE ACCRUED AS ANNUAL AND FUND
COMPENSATION PART OF FUND BENEFITS UPON COMPLEX 1 PAID
NAME OF PERSON/ POSITION FROM REGISTRANT EXPENSES RETIREMENT TO DIRECTORS
- ------------------------ --------------- ------------ ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Julian A. Brodsky, $16,000 N/A N/A $16,000
Director
Francis J. McKay, $19,000 N/A N/A $19,000
Director
Arnold M. Reichman, $ 0 N/A N/A $ 0
Director
Robert Sablowsky, $ 8,000 N/A N/A $ 8,000
Director
Marvin E. Sternberg, $19,000 N/A N/A $19,000
Director
Donald van Roden, $24,000 N/A N/A $24,000
Director and Chairman
</TABLE>
-11-
<PAGE>
- ----------
1 A Fund Complex means two or more investment companies that hold themselves
out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor
services, or have a common investment adviser or have an investment adviser
that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any other investment
companies.
On October 24, 1990 RBB adopted, as a participating employer,
the Fund Office Retirement Profit-Sharing Plan and Trust Agreement, a retirement
plan for employees (currently Edward J. Roach and one other employee), pursuant
to which RBB will contribute on a quarterly basis amounts equal to 10% of the
quarterly compensation of each eligible employee. By virtue of the services
performed by RBB's advisers, custodians, administrators and distributor, RBB
itself requires only two part-time employees. Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, of
which Mr. Jones is a partner, receives legal fees as counsel to RBB. No officer,
director or employee of Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. ("Boston
Partners" or the "Adviser") or the Distributor currently receives any
compensation from RBB.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY, DISTRIBUTION
AND SERVICING ARRANGEMENTS
ADVISORY AGREEMENT. Boston Partners renders advisory services
to the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement dated July 1, 1998 (the
"Advisory Agreement"). Boston Partners' general partner is Boston Partners, Inc.
Boston Partners has investment discretion for the Fund and
will make all decisions affecting assets in the Fund under the supervision of
RBB's Board of Directors and in accordance with the Fund's stated policies.
Boston Partners will select investments for the Fund. For its services to the
Fund, Boston Partners is entitled to receive a monthly advisory fee under the
Advisory Agreement computed at an annual rate of 1.25% of the Fund's average
daily net assets. Boston Partners is currently waiving advisory fees in excess
of 0.00% of average daily net assets.
Each class of the Fund bears its own expenses not specifically
assumed by Boston Partners. General expenses of RBB not readily identifiable as
belonging to a portfolio of RBB are allocated among all investment portfolios by
or under the direction of RBB's Board of Directors in such manner as the Board
determines to be fair and equitable. Expenses borne by a portfolio include, but
are not limited to, the following (or a portfolio's share of the following): (a)
the cost (including brokerage commissions) of securities purchased or sold by a
portfolio and any losses incurred in connection therewith; (b) fees payable to
and expenses incurred on behalf of a portfolio by Boston Partners; (c) any
costs, expenses or losses arising out of a liability of or claim for damages or
other relief asserted against RBB or a portfolio for violation of any law; (d)
any extraordinary expenses; (e) fees, voluntary assessments and other expenses
incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; (f)
the cost of investment
-12-
<PAGE>
company literature and other publications provided by RBB to its directors and
officers; (g) organizational costs; (h) fees to the investment adviser and PFPC;
(i) fees and expenses of officers and directors who are not affiliated with a
portfolios' investment adviser or Distributor; (j) taxes; (k) interest; (l)
legal fees; (m) custodian fees; (n) auditing fees; (o) brokerage fees and
commissions; (p) certain of the fees and expenses of registering and qualifying
the Fund and its shares for distribution under federal and state securities
laws; (q) expenses of preparing prospectuses and statements of additional
information and distributing annually to existing shareholders that are not
attributable to a particular class of shares of RBB; (r) the expense of reports
to shareholders, shareholders' meetings and proxy solicitations that are not
attributable to a particular class of shares of RBB; (s) fidelity bond and
directors' and officers' liability insurance premiums; (t) the expense of using
independent pricing services; and (u) other expenses which are not expressly
assumed by a portfolio's investment adviser under its advisory agreement with
the portfolio. Each class of the Fund pays its own distribution fees, if
applicable, and may pay a different share than other classes of other expenses
(excluding advisory and custodial fees) if those expenses are actually incurred
in a different amount by such class or if it receives different services.
Under the Advisory Agreement, Boston Partners will not be
liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by
the Fund or RBB in connection with the performance of the Advisory Agreement,
except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence
on the part of Boston Partners in the performance of its duties or from reckless
disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder.
The Advisory Agreement was most recently approved on April 29,
1998 by vote of RBB's Board of Directors, including a majority of those
directors who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of such parties. The Advisory Agreement was
approved by the initial shareholder of each class of the Fund. The Advisory
Agreement is terminable by vote of RBB's Board of Directors or by the holders of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, at any time without
penalty, on 60 days' written notice to Boston Partners. The Advisory Agreement
may also be terminated by Boston Partners on 60 days' written notice to RBB. The
Advisory Agreement terminates automatically in the event of its assignment.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENTS. PNC Bank is
custodian of the Fund's assets pursuant to a custodian agreement dated August
16, 1988, as amended (the "Custodian Agreement"). Under the Custodian Agreement,
PNC Bank (a) maintains a separate account or accounts in the name of the Fund
(b) holds and transfers portfolio securities on account of the Fund, (c) accepts
receipts and makes disbursements of money on behalf of the Fund, (d) collects
and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the
Fund's portfolio securities and (e) makes periodic reports to RBB's Board of
Directors concerning the Fund's operations. PNC Bank is authorized to select one
or more banks or trust companies to serve as sub-custodian on behalf of the
Fund, provided that PNC Bank remains responsible for the performance of all of
its duties under the Custodian Agreement and holds the Fund harmless from the
acts and omissions of any sub-custodian.
-13-
<PAGE>
PFPC Inc. ("PFPC"), an affiliate of PNC Bank, serves as the
transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund pursuant to a Transfer
Agency Agreement dated November 5, 1991, as supplemented (the "Transfer Agency
Agreement"), under which PFPC (a) issues and redeems shares of the Fund, (b)
addresses and mails all communications by the Fund to record owners of the
Shares, including reports to shareholders, dividend and distribution notices and
proxy materials for its meetings of shareholders, (c) maintains shareholder
accounts and, if requested, sub-accounts and (d) makes periodic reports to RBB's
Board of Directors concerning the operations of the Fund. PFPC may, on 30 days'
notice to RBB, assign its duties as transfer and dividend disbursing agent to
any other affiliate of PNC Bank Corp.
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT. PFPC serves as administrator to the
Fund pursuant to an Administration and Accounting Services Agreement dated July
1, 1998, (the "Administration Agreement"). PFPC has agreed to furnish to the
Fund statistical and research data, clerical, accounting and bookkeeping
services, and certain other services required by the Fund. In addition, PFPC has
agreed to, among other things, prepare and file (or assist in the preparation
of) certain reports with the SEC and other regulatory agencies. For its services
to the Fund, PFPC is entitled to receive a fee calculated at an annual rate of
.125% of the Fund's average daily net assets, with a minimum annual fee of
$75,000 payable monthly on a pro rata basis. PFPC is currently waiving one-half
of its minimum annual fee.
The Administration Agreement provides that PFPC shall be
obligated to exercise care and diligence in the performance of its duties under
the Administration Agreement, to act in good faith and to use its best efforts,
within reasonable limits, in performing services. PFPC shall be responsible for
failure to perform its duties under the Administration Agreement arising out of
PFPC's gross negligence.
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT. Pursuant to the terms of a
distribution agreement, dated as of May 29, 1998, (the "Distribution
Agreement"), entered into by the Distributor and RBB on behalf of the
Institutional and Investor Classes, and a Plan of Distribution for the Investor
Class (the "Plan"), which was adopted by RBB in the manner prescribed by Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Distributor will use appropriate efforts to
solicit orders for the sale of Fund Shares. As compensation for its distribution
services, the Distributor receives, pursuant to the terms of the Distribution
Agreement, a distribution fee under the Plan, to be calculated daily and paid
monthly by the Investor Class at the annual rate set forth in the Prospectus.
-14-
<PAGE>
On April 29, 1998, the Plan was approved by RBB's Board of
Directors, including the directors who are not "interested persons" of RBB and
who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans
or any agreements related to the Plan ("12b-1 Directors"). RBB believes that the
Plan may benefit the Fund by increasing sales of Fund shares.
Among other things, the Plan provides that: (1) the
Distributor shall be required to submit quarterly reports to the directors of
RBB regarding all amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which
such expenditures were made, including commissions, advertising, printing,
interest, carrying charges and any allocated overhead expenses; (2) the Plan
will continue in effect only so long as it is approved at least annually, and
any material amendment thereto is approved, by a majority of RBB's directors,
including the 12b-1 Directors, acting in person at a meeting called for said
purpose; (3) the compensation payable to the Distributor pursuant to the Plan
shall not be materially increased without approval by a vote of at least a
majority of the Fund's outstanding shares; and (4) while the Plan remains in
effect, the selection and nomination of RBB's directors who are not "interested
persons" of RBB (as defined in the 1940 Act) shall be committed to the
discretion of such directors who are not "interested persons" of RBB.
Messrs. Reichman and Sablowsky, directors of RBB, have an
indirect interest in the operation of the Plan by virtue of their respective
positions with registered broker-dealers.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT. PDI provides certain
administrative services to the Institutional Class of the Fund that are not
provided by PFPC, pursuant to an Agreement dated May 29, 1998 (the
"Administrative Services Agreement").
The Administrative Services Agreement provides that PDI shall
be obligated to exercise care and diligence, to act in good faith and to use its
best efforts within reasonable limits in performing services and that PDI shall
be responsible for its own negligent failure to perform its duties thereunder.
As compensation for its services to the Institutional Class of
the Fund under the Administrative Services Agreement, PDI receives a monthly fee
for the previous month calculated at the annual rate of .15% of the average
daily net assets of the Institutional Class of the Fund.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Subject to policies established by the Board of Directors,
Boston Partners is responsible for the execution of portfolio transactions and
the allocation of brokerage transactions for the Fund. In purchasing and selling
portfolio securities, Boston Partners seeks to obtain the best net price and the
most favorable execution of orders. To the extent that the
-15-
<PAGE>
execution and price offered by more than one broker/dealer are comparable, the
Adviser may effect transactions in portfolio securities with broker/dealers who
provide research, advice or other services such as market investment literature.
Investment decisions for the Fund and for other investment
accounts managed by Boston Partners are made independently of each other in the
light of differing conditions. However, the same investment decision may be made
for two or more of such accounts. In such cases, simultaneous transactions are
inevitable. Purchases or sales are then averaged as to price and allocated as to
amount according to a formula deemed equitable to each such account. While in
some cases this practice could have a detrimental effect upon the price or value
of the security as far as the Fund is concerned, in other cases it is believed
to be beneficial to the Fund.
The Fund expects that its annual portfolio turnover rate will
not exceed 150%. A high rate (100% or more) of portfolio turnover involves
correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses and other transaction
costs that must be borne directly by the Fund, as well as the potential for
increased realization of capital gains that are paid the shareholders. The Fund
anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate will vary from year to year.
The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of a
portfolio's annual sales or purchases of portfolio securities (exclusive of
purchases or sales of securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition
were one year or less) by the monthly average value of the securities in the
portfolio during the year.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
RBB reserves the right, if conditions exist which make cash
payments undesirable, to honor any request for redemption or repurchase of the
Fund's shares by making payment in whole or in part in securities chosen by RBB
and valued in the same way as they would be valued for purposes of computing the
Fund's net asset value. If payment is made in securities, a shareholder may
incur transaction costs in converting these securities into cash. RBB has
elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act so that the
Fund is obligated to redeem its shares solely in cash up to the lesser of
$250,000 or 1% of its net asset value during any 90-day period for any one
shareholder of the Fund.
Under the 1940 Act, RBB may suspend the right to redemption or
postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which the New
York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "NYSE") is closed (other than customary weekend
and holiday closings), or during which trading on the NYSE is restricted, or
during which (as determined by the SEC by rule or regulation) an emergency
exists as a result of which disposal or valuation of portfolio securities is not
reasonably practicable, or for such other periods as the SEC may permit. (RBB
may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of its shares upon
the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions.)
-16-
<PAGE>
The computation of the hypothetical offering price per share
of an Institutional and Investor Share of the Fund based on the projected value
of the Fund's estimated net assets and number of Institutional and Investor
Shares outstanding is as follows:
BOSTON PARTNERS MICRO CAP VALUE FUND
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES INVESTOR SHARES
-------------------- ---------------
Net Assets ....................... $1,365,800 $5,000
Outstanding Shares ............... 136,580 500
Net Asset Value
per Share ....................... $ 10.00 $10.00
Maximum Sales Charge ............. 0.00% 0.00%
Maximum Offering Price
to Public ...................... $ 10.00 $10.00
VALUATION OF SHARES
The net asset values per share of each class of the Fund are
calculated as of the close of the NYSE, generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on each
Business Day. "Business Day" means each weekday when the NYSE is open.
Currently, the NYSE is closed on New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and on the preceding Friday and subsequent
Monday when one of these holidays falls on Saturday or Sunday. Net asset value
per share, the value of an individual share in a fund, is computed by adding the
value of the proportionate interest of each class in a Fund's securities, cash
and other assets, subtracting the actual and accrued liabilities of the class,
and dividing the result by the number of outstanding shares of the class. The
net asset values of each class are calculated independently of the other
classes. Securities that are listed on stock exchanges are valued at the last
sale price on the day the securities are valued or, lacking any sales on such
day, at the mean of the bid and asked prices available prior to the evaluation.
In cases where securities are traded on more than one exchange, the securities
are generally valued on the exchange designated by the Board of Directors as the
primary market. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market and listed on
the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System
("NASDAQ") are valued at the last trade price listed on the NASDAQ at the close
of regular trading (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time); securities listed on
NASDAQ for which there were no sales on that day and other over-the-counter
securities are valued at the mean of the bid and asked prices available prior to
valuation. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are
valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of
RBB's Board of Directors.
-17-
<PAGE>
The amortized cost method of valuation may also be used with respect to debt
obligations with sixty days or less remaining to maturity.
In determining the approximate market value of portfolio
investments, the Fund may employ outside organizations, which may use a matrix
or formula method that takes into consideration market indices, matrices, yield
curves and other specific adjustments. This may result in the securities being
valued at a price different from the price that would have been determined had
the matrix or formula method not been used. All cash, receivables and current
payables are carried on the Fund's books at their face value. Other assets, if
any, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by RBB's Board of
Directors.
PERFORMANCE AND YIELD INFORMATION
TOTAL RETURN. The Fund may from time to time advertise its
"average annual total return." The Fund computes such return separately for each
class of shares by determining the average annual compounded rate of return
during specified periods that equates the initial amount invested to the ending
redeemable value of such investment according to the following formula:
ERV
T = [(-----)1/n - 1]
P
Where: T = average annual total return;
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
payment made at the beginning of the 1, 5 or 10 year
(or other) periods at the end of the applicable
period (or a fractional portion thereof);
P = hypothetical initial payment of $1,000; and
n = period covered by the computation, expressed in years.
The Fund, when advertising its "aggregate total return,"
computes such returns separately for each class of shares by determining the
aggregate compounded rates of return during specified periods that likewise
equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value of such
investment. The formula for calculating aggregate total return is as follows:
ERV
Aggregate Total Return = [(-----) - 1]
P
-18-
<PAGE>
The calculations are made assuming that (1) all dividends and
capital gain distributions are reinvested on the reinvestment dates at the price
per share existing on the reinvestment date, (2) all recurring fees charged to
all shareholder accounts are included, and (3) for any account fees that vary
with the size of the account, a mean (or median) account size in the Fund during
the periods is reflected. The ending redeemable value (variable "ERV" in the
formula) is determined by assuming complete redemption of the hypothetical
investment after deduction of all nonrecurring charges at the end of the
measuring period.
TAXES
The following is only a summary of certain additional tax
considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that are not
described in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed
explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and the
discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended as a substitute for
careful tax planning. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisers with
specific reference to their own tax situation.
The Fund has elected to be taxed as a regulated investment
company under Part I of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). As a regulated investment company, the Fund is exempt from
federal income tax on its net investment income and realized capital gains that
it distributes to shareholders, provided that it distributes an amount equal to
the sum of (a) at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (net
taxable investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net
long-term capital loss, if any, for the year) and (b) at least 90% of its net
tax-exempt interest income, if any, for the year (the "Distribution
Requirement") and satisfies certain other requirements of the Code that are
described below. Distributions of investment company taxable income made during
the taxable year or, under specified circumstances, within twelve months after
the close of the taxable year will satisfy the Distribution Requirement.
In addition to the foregoing requirements, at the close of
each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund's assets
must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of
other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to
which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of its total assets in
securities of such issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10%
of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer), and no more than 25% of
the value of the Fund's total assets may be invested in the securities of any
one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and securities of other
regulated investment companies), or in two or more issuers which the Fund
controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses (the
"Asset Diversification Requirement").
Distributions of investment company taxable income will be
taxable (subject to the possible allowance of the dividend received deduction
described below) to shareholders as ordinary income, regardless of whether such
distributions are paid in cash or are reinvested in shares. Shareholders
receiving any distribution from the Fund in the form of additional shares
-19-
<PAGE>
will be treated as receiving a taxable distribution in an amount equal to the
fair market value of the shares received, determined as of the reinvestment
date.
The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders its net capital
gain (excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if
any, for each taxable year. Such gain is distributed as a capital gain dividend
and is taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain (20% or 28% rate gain,
as applicable), regardless of the length of time the shareholder has held his
shares, whether such gain was recognized by the Fund prior to the date on which
a shareholder acquired shares of the Fund and whether the distribution was paid
in cash or reinvested in shares. The aggregate amount of distributions
designated by the Fund as capital gain dividends may not exceed the net capital
gain of the Fund for any taxable year, determined by excluding any net capital
loss or net long-term capital loss attributable to transactions occurring after
October 31 of such year and by treating any such loss as if it arose on the
first day of the following taxable year. Such distributions will be designated
as capital gain dividends in a written notice mailed by the Fund to shareholders
not later than 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year.
In the case of corporate shareholders, distributions (other
than capital gain dividends) of the Fund for any taxable year generally qualify
for the dividends received deduction to the extent of the gross amount of
"qualifying dividends" received by the Fund for the year. Generally, a dividend
will be treated as a "qualifying dividend" if it has been received from a
domestic corporation. Distributions of net investment income received by the
Fund from investments in debt securities will be taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income and will not be treated as "qualifying dividends" for purposes
of the dividends received deduction. The Fund will designate the portion, if
any, of the distribution made by the Fund that qualifies for the dividends
received deduction in a written notice mailed by the Fund to corporate
shareholders not later than 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year.
If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a
regulated investment company, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax
at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to
shareholders, and all distributions will be taxable as ordinary dividends to the
extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits. Such
distributions will be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case
of corporate shareholders. Investors should be aware that any loss realized on a
sale of shares of the Fund will be disallowed to the extent an investor
repurchases shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days (beginning 30 days
before and ending 30 days after the day of disposition of the shares). Dividends
paid by the Fund in the form of shares within the 61-day period would be treated
as a purchase for this purpose.
A shareholder will recognize gain or loss upon a redemption of
shares or an exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of another Boston
Partners Fund upon exercise of the exchange privilege, to the extent of any
difference between the price at which the shares are redeemed or exchanged and
the price or prices at which the shares were originally purchased for cash.
-20-
<PAGE>
The Code imposes a non-deductible 4% excise tax on regulated
investment companies that do not distribute with respect to each calendar year
an amount equal to 98% of their ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98%
of their capital gain net income for the 1-year period ending on October 31 of
such calendar year. The balance of such income must be distributed during the
next calendar year. For the foregoing purposes, a company is treated as having
distributed any amount on which it is subject to income tax for any taxable year
ending in such calendar year. Investors should note that the Fund may in certain
circumstances be required to liquidate investments in order to make sufficient
distributions to avoid excise tax liability.
The Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold and
remit to the United States Treasury 31% of dividends paid to any shareholder (1)
who has provided either an incorrect tax identification number or no number at
all, (2) who is subject to backup withholding by the Internal Revenue Service
for prior failure to properly report the receipt of interest or dividend income,
or (3) who has failed to certify to the Fund that he is not subject to backup
withholding or that he is an "exempt recipient."
The foregoing general discussion of federal income tax
consequences is based on the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in
effect on the date of this Statement of Additional Information. Future
legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly
change the conclusions expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may
have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.
Although the Fund expects to qualify as a "regulated
investment company" and to be relieved of all or substantially all federal
income taxes, depending upon the extent of its activities in states and
localities in which its offices are maintained, in which its agents or
independent contractors are located or in which it is otherwise deemed to be
conducting business, the Fund may be subject to the tax laws of such states or
localities.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING RBB SHARES
RBB has authorized capital of thirty billion shares of Common Stock,
$.001 par value per share, of which 14.928 billion shares are currently
classified in 92 classes as follows: 100 million shares are classified as Class
A Common Stock (Growth & Income), 100 million shares are classified as Class B
Common Stock, 100 million shares are classified as Class C Common Stock
(Balanced), 100 million shares are classified as Class D Common Stock
(Tax-Free), 500 million shares are classified as Class E Common Stock (Money),
500 million shares are classified as Class F Common Stock (Municipal Money), 500
million shares are classified as Class G Common Stock (Money), 500 million
shares are classified as Class H Common Stock (Municipal Money), 1 billion
shares are classified as Class I Common Stock (Money), 500 million shares are
classified as Class J Common Stock (Municipal Money), 500 million shares are
classified as Class K Common Stock (Government Money), 1,500 million shares are
classified as Class L Common Stock (Money), 500 million shares are classified as
Class M Common Stock (Municipal Money), 500 million shares are classified as
Class N Common Stock (Government Money), 500 million shares are classified as
Class O Common Stock (N.Y. Money), 100 million shares are classified as Class P
Common Stock (Government), 100 million shares are classified as Class Q Common
-21-
<PAGE>
Stock, 500 million shares are classified as Class R Common Stock (Municipal
Money), 500 million shares are classified as Class S Common Stock (Government
Money), 500 million shares are classified as Class T Common Stock
(International), 500 million shares are classified as Class U Common Stock (High
Yield), 500 million shares are classified as Class V Common Stock (Emerging),
100 million shares are classified as Class W Common Stock, 50 million shares are
classified as Class X Common Stock (U.S. Core Equity), 50 million shares are
classified as Class Y Common Stock (U.S. Core Fixed Income), 50 million shares
are classified as Class Z Common Stock (Strategic Global Fixed Income), 50
million shares are classified as Class AA Common Stock (Municipal Bond), 50
million shares are classified as Class BB Common Stock (BEA Balanced), 50
million shares are classified as Class CC Common Stock (Short Duration), 100
million shares are classified as Class DD Common Stock, 100 million shares are
classified as Class EE Common Stock, 50 million shares are classified as Class
FF Common Stock (n/i Numeric Investors Micro Cap), 50 million shares are
classified as Class GG Common Stock (n/i Numeric Investors Growth), 50 million
shares are classified as Class HH (n/i Numeric Investors Growth & Value), 100
million shares are classified as Class II Common Stock (BEA Investor
International), 100 million shares are classified as Class JJ Common Stock (BEA
Investor Emerging), 100 million shares are classified as Class KK Common Stock
(BEA Investor High Yield), 100 million shares are classified as Class LL Common
Stock (BEA Investor Global Telecom), 100 million shares are classified as Class
MM Common Stock (BEA Advisor International), 100 million shares are classified
as Class NN Common Stock (BEA Advisor Emerging), 100 million shares are
classified as Class OO Common Stock (BEA Advisor High Yield), 100 million shares
are classified as Class PP Common Stock (BEA Advisor Global Telecom), 100
million shares are classified as Class QQ Common Stock (Boston Partners
Institutional Large Cap), 100 million shares are classified as Class RR Common
Stock (Boston Partners Investor Large Cap), 100 million shares are classified as
Class SS Common Stock (Boston Partners Advisor Large Cap), 100 million shares
are classified as Class TT Common Stock (Boston Partners Investor Mid Cap), 100
million shares are classified as Class UU Common Stock (Boston Partners
Institutional Mid Cap), 100 million shares are classified as Class VV Common
Stock (Boston Partners Institutional Bond), 100 million shares are classified as
Class WW Common Stock (Boston Partners Investor Bond), 100 million shares are
classified as Class DDD Common Stock (Boston Partners Institutional Micro Cap),
100 million shares are classified as Class EEE Common Stock (Boston Partners
Investors Micro Cap), 50 million shares are classified as Class XX Common Stock
(n/i Numeric Investors Larger Cap Value), 700 million shares are classified as
Class Janney Money Common Stock (Money), 200 million shares are classified as
Class Janney Municipal Money Common Stock (Municipal Money), 500 million shares
are classified as Class Janney Government Money Common Stock (Government Money),
100 million shares are classified as Class Janney N.Y. Municipal Money Common
Stock (N.Y. Money), 1 million shares are classified as Class Beta 1 Common Stock
(Money), 1 million shares are classified as Class Beta 2 Common Stock (Municipal
Money), 1 million shares are classified as Class Beta 3 Common Stock (Government
Money), 1 million shares are classified as Class Beta 4 Common Stock (N.Y.
Money), 1 million shares are classified as Gamma 1 Common Stock (Money), 1
million shares are classified as Gamma 2 Common Stock (Municipal Money), 1
million shares are classified as Gamma 3 Common Stock (Government Money), 1
million shares are classified as Gamma 4 Common Stock (N.Y. Money), 1 million
shares are classified as Delta 1 Common Stock (Money), 1 million shares are
classified as Delta 2 Common Stock
-22-
<PAGE>
(Municipal Money), 1 million shares are classified as Delta 3 Common Stock
(Government Money), 1 million shares are classified as Delta 4 Common Stock
(N.Y. Money), 1 million shares are classified as Epsilon 1 Common Stock (Money),
1 million shares are classified as Epsilon 2 Common Stock (Municipal Money), 1
million shares are classified as Epsilon 3 Common Stock (Government Money), 1
million shares are classified as Epsilon 4 Common Stock (N.Y. Money), 1 million
shares are classified as Zeta 1 Common Stock (Money), 1 million shares are
classified as Zeta 2 Common Stock (Municipal Money), 1 million shares are
classified as Zeta 3 Common Stock (Government Money), 1 million shares are
classified as Zeta 4 Common Stock (N.Y. Money), 1 million shares are classified
as Eta 1 Common Stock (Money), 1 million shares are classified as Eta 2 Common
Stock (Municipal Money), 1 million shares are classified as Eta 3 Common Stock
(Government Money), 1 million shares are classified as Eta 4 Common Stock (N.Y.
Money), 1 million shares are classified as Theta 1 Common Stock (Money), 1
million shares are classified as Theta 2 Common Stock (Municipal Money), 1
million shares are classified as Theta 3 Common Stock (Government Money), and 1
million shares are classified as Theta 4 Common Stock (N.Y. Money). Shares of
the Class DDD and EEE Common Stock constitute the Boston Partners Micro Cap
Value Fund Institutional and Investor classes, respectively. Under RBB's
charter, the Board of Directors has the power to classify or reclassify any
unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time.
The classes of Common Stock have been grouped into fourteen
separate "families": The Cash Preservation Family, the Sansom Street Family, the
Bedford Family, the BEA Family, the Janney Montgomery Scott Money Family, the
n/i Numeric Investors Family, the Boston Partners Family, the Beta Family, the
Gamma Family, the Delta Family, the Epsilon Family, the Zeta Family, the Eta
Family and the Theta Family. The Cash Preservation Family represents interests
in the Money Market and Municipal Money Market Funds; the Sansom Street Family
represents interests in the Money Market, Municipal Money Market and Government
Obligations Money Market Funds; the Bedford Family represents interests in the
Money Market, Municipal Money Market and Government Obligations Money Market
Funds; the BEA Family represents interests in ten non-money market portfolios;
the n/i Numeric Investors Family represents interests in four non-money market
portfolios; the Boston Partners Family represents interest in four non-money
market portfolios; the Janney Montgomery Scott Family and the Beta, Gamma,
Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Eta and Theta Families represent interests in the Money
Market, Municipal Money Market, Government Obligations Money Market and New York
Municipal Money Market Funds.
RBB does not currently intend to hold annual meetings of
shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. RBB's
amended By-Laws provide that shareholders owning at least ten percent of the
outstanding shares of all classes of Common Stock of RBB have the right to call
for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more directors.
To the extent required by law, RBB will assist in shareholder communication in
such matters.
As stated in the Prospectus, holders of shares of each class
of the Fund will vote in the aggregate and not by class on all matters, except
where otherwise required by law. Further, shareholders of the Fund will vote in
the aggregate and not by portfolio except as
-23-
<PAGE>
otherwise required by law or when the Board of Directors determines that the
matter to be voted upon affects only the interests of the shareholders of a
particular portfolio. Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter
required to be submitted by the provisions of the 1940 Act or applicable state
law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding securities of an investment
company such as the Fund shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon
unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, of each portfolio affected by the
matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a portfolio shall be deemed to be
affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each portfolio in
the matter are identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the
portfolio. Under Rule 18f-2, the approval of an investment advisory agreement or
any change in a fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon
with respect to a portfolio only if approved by the holders of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, of such portfolio.
However, Rule 18f-2 also provides that the ratification of the selection of
independent public accountants and the election of directors are not subject to
the separate voting requirements and may be effectively acted upon by
shareholders of an investment company voting without regard to portfolio.
Notwithstanding any provision of Maryland law requiring a
greater vote of shares of RBB's common stock (or of any class voting as a class)
in connection with any corporate action, unless otherwise provided by law, or by
RBB's Articles of Incorporation, RBB may take or authorize such action upon the
favorable vote of the holders of more than 50% of all of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock entitled to vote on the matter voting without regard to class
(or portfolio).
MISCELLANEOUS
COUNSEL. The law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, 1345
Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-3496 serves as counsel to RBB
and the non-interested directors.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS. Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., 2400 Eleven
Penn Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves as RBB's independent
accountants.
CONTROL PERSONS. As of June 30, 1998, to RBB's knowledge, the
following named persons at the addresses shown below owned of record
approximately 5% or more of the total outstanding shares of each class of RBB
indicated below. See "Additional Information Concerning RBB Shares" above. RBB
does not know whether such persons also beneficially own such shares.
As of the same date, directors and officers as a group owned
less than one percent of the shares of RBB.
-24-
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER NAME AND PERCENTAGE OF
FUND NAME ADDRESS FUND HELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEA INT'L EQUITY Employees Ret Plan Marshfield Clini 7.34%
INSTITUTIONAL 1000 N. Oak Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449-5772
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indiana University Foundation 5.13%
Attn: Walter L. Koon, Jr.
P.O. Box 500
Bloomington, IN 47402-0500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEA EMERGING Wachovia Bank North Carolina 45.76%
MARKETS EQUITY - Trust Carolina Power & Light Co.
INSTITUTIONAL Supplemental Retirement Trust
P.O. Box 3073
301 N. Main Street, MC NC 31057
Winston-Salem, NC 27101-3819
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clariden Bank 6.92%
Clariden Str. 26
CH-8002 Zurich
Switzerland
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Academy of Sciences 5.36%
2101 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20418-0006
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arkansas Public Emp. Retirement Syst. 31.99%
124 W. Capitol Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72201-3704
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEA U.S. CORE EQUITY Werner & Pfleiderer Pension Plan 6.62%
- - INSTITUTIONAL Employees
663 E. Crescent Ave.
Ramsey, NJ 07446-1287
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit Suisse Private Banking 11.57%
Dividend Reinvest Plan
C/o Credit Suisse Pvt Bkg
12 E. 49th St., 40th Floor
New York, NY 10017-1028
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Washington Hebrew Congregation 11.58%
3935 Macomb St., NW
Washington, DC 20016-3799
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fleet National Bank Trst. 5.73%
Hospital St. Raphael Malpractice
Attn: 1958875010
P.O. Box 92800
Rochester, NY 14692-8900
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-25-
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER NAME AND PERCENTAGE OF
FUND NAME ADDRESS FUND HELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patterson & Co. 46.24%
P.O. Box 7829
Philadelphia, PA 19101-7829
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEA U.S. CORE FIXED DCA Food Industries Inc. 5.87%
INCOME - 100 East Grand Ave.
INSTITUTIONAL Beloit, WI 53511-6255
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Investments Institutional 6.67%
Operations Co. Inc. (FIIOC) as Agent
for Credit Suisse First Boston
Employee's Savings PSP
100 Magellan Way #KWIC
Covington, KY 41015-1987
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local 239 Pension Fund 6.17%
R. J. Scheer, A.L. Miceli, H. Blomberg
R. T. Waldbauer, Jr, A. Evarieto,
I. Stockel TTEES DTD 04/01/1960
2380 Hempstead Tpke.
East Meadow, NY 11554-2030
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The TJX Companies Inc. Retirement 5.49%
State Street Bank & Trust Co TTEE
770 Cochituate Rd.
Framingham, MA 01701-4672
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winifred Masterson Burke Foundation 8.22%
785 Mamaroneck Ave.
White Plains, NY 10605-2593
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New England UFCW & Employers' 16.17%
Pension Fund Board of Trustees
161 Forbes Rd, Ste. 201
Braintree, MA 02184-2606
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEA STRATEGIC Sunkist Master Trust 52.79%
GLOBAL FIXED 14130 Riverside Dr.
INCOME FUND Sherman Oaks, CA 91423-2392
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patterson & Co. 37.75%
P.O. Box 7829
Philadelphia, PA 19101-7829
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State St. Bank & Trust TTEE 5.36%
Fenway Holdings LLC Master Trust
P.O. Box 470
Boston, MA 02102-0470
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-26-
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER NAME AND PERCENTAGE OF
FUND NAME ADDRESS FUND HELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEA HIGH YIELD - Carl F. Besenbach 18.30%
INSTITUTIONAL Trst Michelin North America Inc.
Master Trust
P.O. Box 19001
Greenville, SC 29602-9001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southdown Inc. Pension Pl 9.58%
Mac & Co A/C SDIF8575302
Mutual Fund Operations
P.O. Box 3198
Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward J. Demske TTEE 5.53%
Miami University Foundation
202 Roudebush Hall
Oxford, OH 45056
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Investments Institutional 16.96%
Operations Co. Inc. as Agent for
Certain Employee Benefits Plan
100 Magellan Way #KWIC
Covington, KY 41015-1987
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAC & CO A/C CSBF8605082 5.16%
Mutual Fund Operations
P.O. Box 3198
Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEA MUNI BOND - Arnold Leon 12.92%
INSTITUTIONAL c/o Fiduciary Trust Company
P.O. Box 3199 Church Street Station
New York, NY 10008-3199
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William A. Marquard 36.97%
2199 Maysville Rd.
Carlisle, KY 40311-9716
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leo Bogart 5.58%
135 Central Park West 9N
New York, NY 10023-2465
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Howard Isermann 6.37%
9 Tulane Dr.
Livingston, NJ 07039-6212
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEA INT'L. EQUITY TRANSCORP 8.09%
ADVISOR FBO William E. Burns
P.O. Box 6535
Englewood, CO 80155-6535
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Street Bank & Trust Co. 16.80%
Cust. For the IRA of
Gerald W. McKinney
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-27-
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER NAME AND PERCENTAGE OF
FUND NAME ADDRESS FUND HELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5873 Cove Road
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7963
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob & Co. 65.47%
P.O. Box 1809
Boston, MA 02105-1809
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEA EMERGING SEMA & Co. 81.25%
MARKETS EQUITY - 12E 49th St. Fl. 41
ADVISOR New York, NY 10017-1028
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFSC FEBO #114-623016 14.43%
Fmt Co Cust IRA
FBO Patricia F. Powell
5811 Valley Oak Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90068-3650
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEA GLOBAL TELE- E. M. Warburg Pincus & Co. Inc. 13.47%
COMMUNICATIONS - Attn: Sandra Correale
ADVISOR 466 Lexington Ave.
New York, NY 10017-3140
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co. 5.98%
Special Custody Account for the
Exclusive Benefit of Customers
101 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John B. Hurford 36.68%
153 E. 53rd St., FL 57
New York, NY 10022-4611
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FTC & Co. 18.10%
Attn: DATALYNX #148
P.O. Box 173736
Denver, CO 80217-3736
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEA HIGH YIELD - Charles Schwab & Co. 97.49%
ADVISOR Special Custody Account for the
Exclusive Benefit of Customers
101 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH PRESERVATION Jewish Family and Children's Agency 47.6%
MONEY MARKET of Phil Capital Campaign
Attn: S. Ramm
1610 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marian E. Kunz 12.7%
52 Weiss Ave.
Flourtown, PA 19031
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-28-
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER NAME AND PERCENTAGE OF
FUND NAME ADDRESS FUND HELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAMSON STREET Saxon and Co. 72.3%
MONEY MARKET FBO Paine Webber
A/C 32 32 400 4000038
P.O. Box 7780 1888
Phila., PA 19182
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wasner & Co. for Account of 26.8%
Paine Webber and Managed Assets
Sundry Holdings
Attn: Joe Domizio
76 A 260 ABC 200 Stevens Drive
Lester, PA 19113
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH PRESERVATION Gary L. Lange 39.7%
MUNICIPAL MONEY and Susan D. Lange
MARKET JT TEN
1354 Shady Knoll Ct.
Longwood, FL 32750
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Diederich 6.3%
Doris Diederich
JT TEN
1003 Lindeman
Des Peres, MO 63131
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kenneth Farwell 11.4%
and Valerie Farwell
3854 Sullivan
St. Louis, MO 63107
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gwendolyn Haynes 5.1%
2757 Geyer
St. Louis, MO 63104
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N/I MICRO CAP FUND Charles Schwab & Co. Inc 14.2%
Special Custody Account for the
Exclusive Benefit of Customers
Attn: Mutual Funds
101 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Janis Claflin, Bruce Fetzer and 5.2%
Winston Franklin, Robert Lehman Trst
the John E. Fetzer Institute, Inc.
U/A DTD 06-1992
Attn: Christina Adams
9292 West KL Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-29-
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER NAME AND PERCENTAGE OF
FUND NAME ADDRESS FUND HELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Inst. For Social Security 7.3%
1001 19th St., N. 16th Flr.
Arlington, VA 22209
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portland General Holdings Inc. 16.5%
DTD 01/29/90
Attn: William J. Valach
121 S.W. Salmon St.
Portland, OR 97202
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Street Bank and Trust Company 8.4%
FBO Yale Univ. Ret. Pln for Staff Emp
State Street Bank & Tr Co. Master Tr.
Div
Attn: Kevin Sutton
Solomon Williard Bldg. One Enterprise
Dr.
North Quincy, MA 02171
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N/I GROWTH FUND Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. 18.7%
Special Custody Account for the
Exclusive Benefit of Customers
Attn: Mutual Funds
101 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Citibank North America Inc. 19.5%
Trst Sargent & Lundy Retirement Trust
DTD 06/01/96
Mutual Fund Unit
Bld. B Floor 1 Zone 7
3800 Citibank Center Tampa
Tampa, FL 33616-9122
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Equity Investment Portfolio LP 5.9%
1001 N. US Hwy One Suite 800
Jupiter, FL 33477
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N/I GROWTH AND Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. 21.7%
VALUE FUND Special Custody Account for the
Exclusive Benefit of Customers
Attn: Mutual Funds
101 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The John E. Fetzer Institute Inc. 5.2%
Attn: Christina Adams
9292 W. KL Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-30-
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER NAME AND PERCENTAGE OF
FUND NAME ADDRESS FUND HELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bankers Trust Cust Pge-Enron 5.8%
Foundation
Attn: Procy Fernandez
300 S. Grand Ave. 40th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N/I LARGER CAP Charles Schwab & Co. Inc 35.3%
VALUE FUND Special Custody Account for the
Exclusive Benefit of Customers
Attn: Mutual Funds
101 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank of America NT & SA 34.1%
FBO Community Hospital Central Cal
Pn Pl
A/C 10-35-155-2048506
Attn: Mutual Funds 38615
P.O. Box 513577
Los Angeles, CA 90051
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSTON PARTNERS Dr. Janice B. Yost 17.8%
LARGE CAP FUND INST Trst Mary Black Foundation Inc.
SHARES Bell Hill - 945 E. Main St.
Spartanburg, SC 29302
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shady Side Academy Endowment 5.0%
423 Fox Chapel Rd.
Pittsburg, PA 15238
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saxon And Co. 6.8%
FBO UJF Equity Funds
AC 10-01-001-0578481
P.O. Box 7780-1888
Philadelphia, PA 19182
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Irving Fireman's Relief & Ret Fund 7.4%
Attn: Edith Auston
825 W. Irving Blvd.
Irvin, TX 75060
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wells Fargo Bank 7.1%
Trst Stoel Rives
Tr 008125
P.O. Box 9800
Calabasas, CA 91308
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James B. Beam 6.7%
Trst World Publishing Co Pft Shr Trust
P.O. Box 1511
Wenatchee, WA 98807
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-31-
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER NAME AND PERCENTAGE OF
FUND NAME ADDRESS FUND HELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swanee Hunt and Charles Ansbacher 8.6%
Trst The Swanee Hunt Family Fund
C/o Elizabeth Alberti
168 Brattle St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swanee Hunt and Charles Ansbacher 6.6%
Trst The Hunt Alternatives Fund
C/o Elizabeth Alberti
168 Brattle St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Samuel Gary and Ronald Williams 7.5%
And David Younggren
Trst Gary Tax Advantaged PRO+ PSP
370 17th St. Suite 5300
Denver, CO 80202
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSTON PARTNERS National Financial Services Corp. 67.0%
LARGE CAP FUND For the Exclusive Bene of Our
INVESTOR SHARES Customers
Attn: Mutual Funds 5th Floor
200 Liberty St I World Financial
Center
New York, NY 10281
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. 10.2%
Special Custody Account for the
Benefit of Customers
Attn: Mutual Funds
101 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSTON PARTNERS U.S. Bank National Association as Cust 5.0%
MID CAP VALUE FUND Jean Vollum
INST. SHARES P.O. Box 64010
St. Paul, MN 55164-0010
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette 12.8%
Securities Corporation
Attn: Mutual Funds
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ 07303
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North American Trst. Co. 6.5%
FBO Cooley Godward
P.O. Box 84419
San Diego, CA 92138
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-32-
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER NAME AND PERCENTAGE OF
FUND NAME ADDRESS FUND HELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Carroll University 7.5%
20700 N. Park Blvd.
University Heights, OH 44118
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAC & CO. 10.6%
A/C BPHF 3006002
Mutual Funds Operations
P.O. Box 3198
Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISTCO 7.5%
P.O. Box 523
Belleville, IL 62222-0523
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Insurance Enterprises Inc. 9.7%
Attn: Chris Baldwin
P.O. Box 240429
Montgomery AL 36124
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Healthcare Workers Compensation 6.7%
Fund
Attn: Chris Baldwin
P.O. Box 240429
Montgomery, AL 36124
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSTON PARTNERS National Financial Svcs Corp. for 12.5%
MID CAP VALUE FUND Exclusive Bene of Our Customers Sal
INV SHARES Vella
200 Liberty St.
New York, NY 10281
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. 42.6%
Special Custody Account for Benefit of
Customers
Attn: Mutal Funds
101 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
George B. Smithy, Jr 5.5%
38 Greenwood Rd.
Wellesley, MA 02181
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSTON PARTNERS Boston Partners Asset Mgmt LP 79.3%
BOND FUND One Financial Center 43rd Fl.
INSTITUTIONAL Boston, MA 02111
SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chiles Foundation 20.7%
111 S.W. Fifth Ave.
4010 US Bancorp Tower
Portland, OR 97204
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-33-
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER NAME AND PERCENTAGE OF
FUND NAME ADDRESS FUND HELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSTON PARTNERS Charles Schwab & Co. Inc 77.0%
BOND FUND INVESTOR Special Custody Account for Benefit of
SHARES Customers
Attn: Mutual Funds
101 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette 5.1%
Securities Corporation
Attn: Mutual Funds
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ 07303
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen W. Hamilton 15.3%
17 Lakeside Ln
N. Barrington, IL 60010
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-34-
<PAGE>
OTHER COMMUNICATIONS. From time to time, references to the
Fund may appear in advertisements and sales literature for certain products or
services offered by the Adviser, its affiliates or others, through which it is
possible to invest in one or more Funds managed by the Adviser.
The Fund may also from time to time include discussions or
illustrations of the effects of compounding in advertisements. "Compounding"
refers to the fact that, if dividends or other distributions on a Fund
investment are reinvested by being paid in additional Fund shares, any future
income or capital appreciation of a Fund would increase the value, not only of
the original Fund investment, but also of the additional Fund shares received
through reinvestment. As a result, the value of the Fund investment would
increase more quickly than if dividends or other distributions had been paid in
cash.
The Fund or Adviser may also include discussions or
illustrations of the potential investment goals of a prospective investor,
investment management strategies, techniques, policies or investment suitability
of a Fund or that employed by the Adviser (such as value investing, market
timing, dollar cost averaging, asset allocation, constant ratio transfer,
automatic accounting rebalancing, the advantages and disadvantages of investing
in tax-deferred and taxable instruments), economic conditions, risk and
volatility assessments, the relationship between sectors of the economy and the
economy as a whole, various securities markets, the effects of inflation and
historical performance of various asset classes, including but not limited to,
stocks, bonds and Treasury bills. The Fund or Adviser may also include in such
advertisements or communications additional information concerning the Adviser
and/or its employees or owners, its management philosophies, operating
strategies and other advisory clients, as well as statements about the Adviser
attributed to others. From time to time advertisements or communications to
shareholders may summarize the substance of information contained in shareholder
reports (including the investment composition of the Fund), as well as the view
of the Adviser or Fund as to current market, economy, trade and interest rate
trends, legislative, regulatory and monetary developments, investment strategies
and related matters believed to be of relevance to the Fund or an investor
generally. The Fund or Adviser may also include in advertisements charts, graphs
or drawings which compare the investment objective, return potential, relative
stability and/or growth possibilities of the Fund and/or other mutual funds, or
illustrate the potential risks and rewards of investment in various investment
vehicles, including but not limited to, stocks, bonds, Treasury bills and shares
of the Fund. In addition, advertisements or shareholder communications may
include a discussion of certain attributes or benefits to be derived by an
investment in the Fund and/or other mutual funds, shareholder profiles and
hypothetical investor scenarios, timely information on financial management, tax
and retirement planning and investment alternatives to certificates of deposit
and other financial
-35-
<PAGE>
instruments. Such advertisements or communications may include symbols,
headlines or other material which highlight or summarize the information
discussed in more detail therein.
LITIGATION. There is currently no material litigation
affecting RBB.
-36-
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
- ------------------------
A Standard & Poor's ("S&P") commercial paper rating is a
current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an
original maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating
categories used by Standard and Poor's for commercial paper:
"A-1" - The highest category indicates that the degree of
safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess
extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+)
designation.
"A-2" - Capacity for timely payment on issues with this
designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as
high as for issues designated "A-1."
"A-3" - Issues carrying this designation have adequate
capacity for timely payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher
designations.
"B" - Issues are regarded as having only a speculative
capacity for timely payment.
"C" - This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations
with a doubtful capacity for payment.
"D" - Issues are in payment default. The "D" rating category
is used when interest payments of principal payments are not made on the date
due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes
such payments will be made during such grace period.
Moody's commercial paper ratings are opinions of the ability
of issuers to repay punctually senior debt obligations not having an original
maturity in excess of one year, unless explicitly noted. The following
summarizes the rating categories used by Moody's for commercial paper:
"Prime-1" - Issuers (or supporting institutions) have a
superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1
repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following
characteristics: leading market positions in well-established industries; high
rates of return on funds employed; conservative capitalization structure with
moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; broad margins in earnings
coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation; and
well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of
alternate liquidity.
A-1
<PAGE>
"Prime-2" - Issuers (or supporting institutions) have a strong
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally
be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
"Prime-3" - Issuers (or supporting institutions) have an
acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. The
effects of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more
pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in
the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively high
financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
"Not Prime" - Issuers do not fall within any of the Prime
rating categories.
CORPORATE LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
- --------------------------------
The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor's
for corporate debt:
"AAA" - This designation represents the highest rating
assigned by Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
"AA" - An obligation rated "AA" differs from the highest rated
obligations only in small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is very strong.
"A" - An obligation rated "A" is somewhat more susceptible to
the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
obligations in higher rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
"BBB" - An obligation rated "BBB" exhibits adequate protection
parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
"BB," "B," "CCC," "CC" and "C" - Debt is regarded as having
significant speculative characteristics. "BB" indicates the least degree of
speculation and "C" the highest. While such obligations will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large
uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
"BB" - Debt is less vulnerable to non-payment than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial or
A-2
<PAGE>
economic conditions which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to
meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
"B" - Debt is more vulnerable to non-payment than obligations
rated "BB", but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial or economic conditions
will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
"CCC" - Debt is currently vulnerable to non-payment, and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of
adverse business, financial or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to
have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
"CC" - An obligation rated "CC" is currently highly vulnerable
to non-payment.
"C" - The "C" rating may be used to cover a situation where a
bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but
payments on this obligation are being continued.
"D" - An obligation rated "D" is in payment default. This
rating is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, even
if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S & P believes that such
payments will be made during such grace period. "D" rating is also used upon the
filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on
an obligation are jeopardized.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) - The ratings from "AA" through "CCC"
may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative
standing within the major rating categories.
"r" - This rating is attached to highlight derivative, hybrid,
and certain other obligations that S & P believes may experience high volatility
or high variability in expected returns due to non-credit risks. Examples of
such obligations are: securities whose principal or interest return is indexed
to equities, commodities, or currencies; certain swaps and options; and
interest-only and principal-only mortgage securities. The absence of an "r"
symbol should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will exhibit no
volatility or variability in total return.
The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody's for corporate
debt:
"Aaa" - Bonds are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
A-3
<PAGE>
"Aa" - Bonds are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the "Aaa" group they comprise what are generally known
as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in "Aaa" securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in "Aaa"
securities.
"A" - Bonds possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security
to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
"Baa" - Bonds are considered as medium-grade obligations,
(i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
"Ba," "B," "Caa," "Ca," and "C" - Bonds that possess one of
these ratings provide questionable protection of interest and principal ("Ba"
indicates speculative elements; "B" indicates a general lack of characteristics
of desirable investment; "Caa" are of poor standing; "Ca" represents obligations
which are speculative in a high degree; and "C" represents the lowest rated
class of bonds). "Caa," "Ca" and "C" bonds may be in default.
Con. (---) - Bonds for which the security depends upon the
completion of some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated
conditionally. These are bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under
construction, (b) earnings of projects unseasoned in operation experience, (c)
rentals which begin when facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some
other limiting condition attaches. Parenthetical rating denotes probable credit
stature upon completion of construction or elimination of basis of condition.
(P)... - When applied to forward delivery bonds, indicates
that the rating is provisional pending delivery of the bonds. The rating may be
revised prior to delivery if changes occur in the legal documents or the
underlying credit quality of the bonds.
Note: Those bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B groups which
Moody's believes possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by
the symbols, Aa1, A1, Baa1, Ba1 and B1.
A-4