SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST
485BPOS, 1997-04-30
Previous: MUSICLAND STORES CORP, 10-K/A, 1997-04-30
Next: PRIDE PETROLEUM SERVICES INC, DEF 14A, 1997-04-30



<PAGE>
                                             REGISTRATION NOS. 33-22132/811-5574
                                                               -----------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C.  20549
                                    FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933               /X/

          Pre-Effective Amendment No.                                 /_/
                                       ----------

   
          Post-Effective Amendment No.      15                        /X/
                                       ----------
    

                        and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940       /X/


   
                    Amendment No.      16                             /X/
                                  ------------
    


                        (Check appropriate box or boxes.)

                           SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST    
                         -------------------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


                   SAFECO PLAZA, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON          98185   
          -------------------------------------------------------------
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices)           Zip Code


Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code       (206) 545-5180      
                                                   --------------------------


                                   Name and Address of Agent for Service

                                        DAVID F. HILL
                                        SAFECO Plaza
                                        Seattle, Washington  98185
                         
                    Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:  Continuous

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
             immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
     -----
   
       X     on April 30, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b)
     -----
    
             60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
     -----
             on __________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
     -----
             75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) (2)
     ----
             on __________ pursuant to paragraph (a) (2) of Rule 485
     -----



If appropriate, check the following box:
   
     /X/  This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
    


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registrant is registering an indefinite number of its shares under the
Securities Act of 1933, by declaration made pursuant to Section 24(f) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (Act).  Pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Act,
Registrant filed a Rule 24f-2 Notice on or about February 26, 1997.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>


                            SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST

                       Contents of Registration Statement

This registration statement consists of the following papers and documents:

      -  Cover Sheet

      -  Contents of Registration Statement

      -  Cross Reference Sheets

      -  No-Load Class of:

               SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund
               SAFECO GNMA Fund
               SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund
               SAFECO Managed Bond Fund                   
               -------------------------------------------

               PART A - Prospectus


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

     -   No - Load Class of:

               SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund
               SAFECO GNMA Fund
               SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund
               SAFECO Managed Bond Fund
               ---------------------------------------------

               PART B - Statement of Additional Information


      -  Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B Shares of:
          
               SAFECO Growth Fund
               SAFECO Equity Fund
               SAFECO Income Fund
               SAFECO Northwest Fund
               SAFECO Balanced Fund
               SAFECO International Stock Fund
               SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund
               SAFECO U.S. Value Fund
               SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund
               SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund        
               SAFECO Managed Bond Fund
               SAFECO Money Market Fund 
               SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund
               SAFECO California Tax-Free Income Fund
               SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund  
               ---------------------------------------------

               PART A - Prospectus


     -   Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B Shares of:

               SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund
               SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund
               SAFECO Managed Bond Fund
               SAFECO Money Market Fund 
               SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund
               SAFECO California Tax-Free Income Fund
               SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund  
               ---------------------------------------------
    


                                        2
<PAGE>

                  PART B - Statement of Additional Information

     -  PART C - Other Information

     -  Signature Page

     -  Exhibits

   
This filing is made to update the Registration Statement of SAFECO Taxable 
Bond Trust and designate a new effective date for the Trust's post-effective 
amendment filed under Rule 485(a) on February 28, 1997.  No changes are 
hereby made to the Prospectus and Statements of Additional Information 
currently on file with the Commission relating to the No-Load Class of SAFECO 
Common Stock Trust, SAFECO Tax-Exempt Bond Trust, SAFECO Money Market Trust 
or SAFECO Managed Bond Trust. 
    


                                        3
<PAGE>
                            SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST
                   SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund
                                SAFECO GNMA Fund
                           SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund

                            SAFECO MANAGED BOND TRUST
                            SAFECO Managed Bond Fund

                                  No-Load Class

                         Form N-1A Cross Reference Sheet

                                     Part A
                                     ------

ITEM NO.                                               LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
- -------                                                ----------------------
 Item 1.       Cover Page                              Cover Page
 Item 2.       Synopsis                                Introduction to the
                                                       Trusts and the Funds;
                                                       Expenses
 Item 3.       Condensed Financial Information         Financial
                                                       Highlights;Performance
                                                       Information
   
 Item 4.       General Description of Registrant       Each Fund's Investment
                                                       Objective and Policies;
                                                       Information about Share
                                                       Ownership and Companies
                                                       that Provide Services to
                                                       the Trusts
    
 Item 5.       Management of the Trust                 Expenses; Portfolio
                                                       Managers; Information
                                                       about Share Ownership and
                                                       Companies that Provide
                                                       Services to the Trusts
   
 Item 6.       Capital Stock and Other Securities      Cover Page; Share Price
                                                       Calculation; Information
                                                       About Share Ownership and
                                                       Companies that Provide
                                                       Services to the Trusts;
                                                       Fund Distributions and
                                                       How They Are Taxed;
                                                       Persons Controlling 
                                                       Certain Funds
    

 Item 7.       Purchase of Securities Being Offered    How to Purchase Shares;
                                                       How to Systematically
                                                       Purchase or Redeem
                                                       Shares; How to Exchange
                                                       Shares from One Fund to
                                                       Another; Telephone
                                                       Transactions;
                                                       Transactions Through
                                                       Registered Investment
                                                       Advisers; Share Price
                                                       Calculation; Tax-Deferred
                                                       Retirement Plans; Account
                                                       Statements


                                        4
<PAGE>

 Item 8.       Redemption or Repurchase                How to Redeem Shares; How
                                                       to Systematically
                                                       Purchase or Redeem
                                                       Shares; How to Exchange
                                                       Shares from One Fund to
                                                       Another; Telephone
                                                       Transactions;
                                                       Transactions Through
                                                       Registered Investment
                                                       Advisers; Account
                                                       Statements; Account
                                                       Changes and Signature
                                                       Requirements

 Item 9.       Pending Legal Proceedings               Not applicable
 


                                     Part B
                                     ------


                                                       LOCATION IN STATEMENT
ITEM NO.                                               OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- -------                                                ------------------------
 Item 10.      Cover page                              Cover page

 Item 11.      Table of Contents                       Table of Contents

 Item 12.      General Information and History         Not applicable

   
 Item 13.      Investment Objectives and Policies      Investment Policies of
                                                       the Taxable Bond Funds;
                                                       Additional Investment
                                                       Information; Description
                                                       of Commercial Paper
                                                       Ratings
    

 Item 14.      Management of the Trust                 Trustees and Officers

 Item 15.      Control Persons and Principal Holders   Principal Shareholders of
               of Securities                           Certain Funds

 Item 16.      Investment Advisory and Other Services  Investment Advisory and
                                                       Other Services

 Item 17.      Brokerage Allocation and Other          Brokerage Practices
               Practices

 Item 18.      Capital Stock and Other Securities      Additional Information on
                                                       Calculation of Net Asset
                                                       Value Per Share

 Item 19.      Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of     Additional Information on
               Securities Being Offered                Calculation of Net Asset
                                                       Value Per Share;
                                                       Redemption in Kind

 Item 20.      Tax Status                              Additional Tax
                                                       Information 

 Item 21.      Underwriters                            Investment Advisory and
                                                       Other Services

 Item 22.      Calculation of Performance Data         Additional Performance
                                                       Information

 Item 23.      Financial Statements                    Financial Statements

 
 
                                     Part C
                                     ------

Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the appropriate
item, so numbered, in Part C of this Registration Statement.


                                        5
<PAGE>
                            SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST
                   SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund
                           SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund

                            SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
                               SAFECO Growth Fund 
                               SAFECO Equity Fund
                               SAFECO Income Fund
                              SAFECO Northwest Fund
                              SAFECO Balanced Fund
                         SAFECO International Stock Fund
                         SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund
                             SAFECO U.S. Value Fund

                            SAFECO MANAGED BOND TRUST
                            SAFECO Managed Bond Fund

                            SAFECO MONEY MARKET TRUST
                            SAFECO Money Market Fund

                          SAFECO TAX-EXEMPT BOND TRUST
                           SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund
                     SAFECO California Tax-Free Income Fund
                   SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund

                   Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B Shares

                         Form N-1A Cross Reference Sheet



                                     Part A
                                     ------


 ITEM NO.                                              LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
 -------                                               ----------------------
 Item 1.       Cover Page                              Cover Page
 Item 2.       Synopsis                                Introduction to the 
                                                       Trusts and the Funds;
                                                       Expenses

 Item 3.       Condensed Financial Information         Financial Highlights; 
                                                       Performance Information

 Item 4.       General Description of Registrant       Each Fund's Investment 
                                                       Objective and Policies;
                                                       Information about Share
                                                       Ownership and Companies
                                                       that Provide Services to
                                                       the Trusts

 Item 5.       Management of the Trust                 Expenses; Sub-Adviser 
                                                       Information for the
                                                       International Fund;
                                                       Information About Share
                                                       Ownership and Companies
                                                       that Provide Services to
                                                       the Trusts; Portfolio
                                                       Managers

 Item 6.       Capital Stock and Other Securities      Cover Page; Share Price 
                                                       Calculation; Information
                                                       About Share Ownership and
                                                       Companies That Provide
                                                       Services to the Trusts;
                                                       Fund Distributions and
                                                       How They Are Taxed;
                                                       Persons Controlling
                                                       Certain Funds


                                        6
<PAGE>


 Item 7.       Purchase of Securities Being Offered    How to Purchase Shares;
                                                       How to Systematically
                                                       Purchase or Redeem
                                                       Shares; How to Exchange
                                                       Shares From One Fund to
                                                       Another; Telephone
                                                       Transactions; Share Price
                                                       Calculation; Tax-Deferred
                                                       Retirement Plans; Account
                                                       Statements

 Item 8.       Redemption or Repurchase                How to Redeem Shares; How
                                                       to Systematically
                                                       Purchase or Redeem
                                                       Shares; How to Exchange
                                                       Shares From One Fund to
                                                       Another; Telephone
                                                       Transactions; Account
                                                       Statements; Account
                                                       Changes and Signature
                                                       Requirements

 Item 9.       Pending Legal Proceedings               Not applicable
 


                            SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST
                   SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund
                           SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund

                            SAFECO MANAGED BOND TRUST
                            SAFECO Managed Bond Fund

                            SAFECO MONEY MARKET TRUST
                            SAFECO Money Market Fund

                          SAFECO TAX-EXEMPT BOND TRUST
                           SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund
                     SAFECO California Tax-Free Income Fund
                   SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund

                   Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B Shares

                         Form N-1A Cross Reference Sheet

                                     Part B
                                     ------

                                                       LOCATION IN STATEMENT
                                                       OF ADDITIONAL  
ITEM NO.                                               INFORMATION
- --------                                               -----------

 Item 10.      Cover page                              Cover page

 Item 11.      Table of Contents                       Table of Contents

 Item 12.      General Information and History         Not applicable
   
 Item 13.      Investment Objectives and Policies      Investment Policies; 
                                                       Investment Policies of 
                                                       the Taxable Bond Funds;
                                                       Additional Investment
                                                       Information; Description
                                                       of Ratings
    
 Item 14.      Management of the Trust                 Trustees and Officers

 Item 15.      Control Persons and Principal Holders   Principal Shareholders
               of Securities

 Item 16.      Investment Advisory and Other Services  Investment Advisory and
                                                       Other Services


                                        7

<PAGE>

 Item 17.      Brokerage Allocation and Other          Brokerage Practices
               Practices

 Item 18.      Capital Stock and Other Securities      Additional Information on
                                                       Calculation of Net Asset
                                                       Value Per Share;
                                                       Conversion of Advisor
                                                       Class B Shares

 Item 19.      Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of     Additional Information on
                Securities Being Offered               Calculation of Net Asset
                                                       Value Per Share;
                                                       Redemption in Kind

 Item 20.      Tax Status                              Additional Tax
                                                       Information

 Item 21.      Underwriters                            Investment Advisory and
                                                       Other Services

 Item 22.      Calculation of Performance Data         Additional Performance
                                                       Information

 Item 23.      Financial Statements                    Financial Statements
 

                                     Part C
                                     ------

Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the appropriate
item, so numbered, in Part C of this Registration Statement.

                                        8

<PAGE>
                                   PROSPECTUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
SAFECO GROWTH FUND
SAFECO EQUITY FUND
SAFECO INCOME FUND
SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND
SAFECO INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND
SAFECO BALANCED FUND
SAFECO SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND
SAFECO U.S. VALUE FUND
SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND
SAFECO HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND
SAFECO MANAGED BOND FUND
SAFECO MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
SAFECO CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
SAFECO WASHINGTON STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
SAFECO MONEY MARKET FUND
 
Advisor Class A
 
Advisor Class B                                                   April 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Each fund named above ("Fund") is a series of one of the following trusts (each
a "Trust"): the SAFECO Common Stock Trust ("Common Stock Trust"), the SAFECO
Taxable Bond Trust ("Taxable Bond Trust"), the SAFECO Managed Bond Trust
("Managed Bond Trust"), the SAFECO Tax-Exempt Bond Trust ("Tax-Exempt Bond
Trust") or the SAFECO Money Market Trust ("Money Market Trust"). The investment
objective for each Fund appears on Page    .
 
   
This Prospectus sets forth the information a prospective investor should know
before investing. PLEASE READ AND RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Statements of Additional Information relating to the Advisor Class A ("Class A")
and Advisor Class B ("Class B") shares (collectively "Advisor Classes"), dated
April 30, 1997 and incorporated herein by this reference, have been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and are available at no charge upon
request by calling the telephone number listed on this page. The Statements of
Additional Information and other information about the Funds is also available
on the Securities and Exchange Commission Website (http://www.sec.gov). The
Statements of Additional Information contain more information about many of the
topics in this Prospectus as well as information about the trustees and officers
of the Trusts.
    
 
For additional assistance, please contact your investment professional, or call
or write:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                         <C>
NATIONWIDE 1-800-463-8791   SAFECO MUTUAL FUNDS
                            ADVISOR CLASS SHARES
                            P.O. BOX 34680
                            SEATTLE, WA 98124-1868
</TABLE>
 
   
           All telephone calls are tape-recorded for your protection.
    
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
FUND SHARES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY,
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT OR ANY BANK, NOR ARE FUND SHARES FEDERALLY INSURED OR
OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL
RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY, AND FUND SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT
RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED. THERE CAN BE NO
ASSURANCE THAT THE SAFECO MONEY MARKET FUND WILL MAINTAIN A STABLE $1.00 SHARE
PRICE.
 
THE SAFECO CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND IS OFFERED FOR SALE ONLY TO RESIDENTS
OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. THE SAFECO WASHINGTON STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND IS
OFFERED FOR SALE ONLY TO RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. THESE FUNDS ARE
NOT PERMITTED TO OFFER OR SELL SHARES TO RESIDENTS OF OTHER STATES.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                    -- 1 --
<PAGE>
SAFECO GROWTH FUND ("Growth Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
growth of capital and the increased income that ordinarily follows from such
growth. The Growth Fund ordinarily invests a preponderance of its assets in
common stock selected primarily for potential appreciation.
 
SAFECO EQUITY FUND ("Equity Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
long-term growth of capital and reasonable current income. The Equity Fund
invests principally in common stock selected for appreciation and/or dividend
potential and from a long-range investment standpoint.
 
SAFECO INCOME FUND ("Income Fund") has as its investment objective to seek high
current income and, when consistent with its objective, the long-term growth of
capital. The Income Fund invests primarily in common and preferred stock and in
convertible bonds selected for dividend potential.
 
SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND ("Northwest Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
long-term growth of capital through investing primarily in Northwest companies.
To pursue its objective, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets
in securities issued by companies with their principal executive offices located
in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington ("Northwest").
 
SAFECO INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND ("International Fund") has as its investment
objective to seek maximum long-term total return (capital appreciation and
income) by investing primarily in common stock of established non-U.S.
companies. To pursue its objective, the International Fund, under normal market
conditions, will invest at least 65% of its total assets in the securities of
companies domiciled in at least five countries, not including the United States.
 
SAFECO BALANCED FUND ("Balanced Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
growth and income consistent with the preservation of capital. To pursue its
objective, the Balanced Fund will invest primarily in equity and fixed income
securities.
 
SAFECO SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND ("Small Company Fund") has as its investment
objective to seek long-term growth of capital through investing primarily in
small-sized companies. To pursue its objective, the Small Company Fund will
invest primarily in companies with total market capitalization of less than $1
billion.
 
SAFECO U.S. VALUE FUND ("Value Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
long-term growth of capital and income. To pursue its objective, the Value Fund
will primarily invest in common stocks selected for potential appreciation and
income using fundamental value analysis.
 
SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND ("Intermediate Treasury Fund") has
as its investment objective to provide as high a level of current income as is
consistent with the preservation of capital. During normal market conditions,
the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in direct obligations of
the U.S. Treasury.
 
SAFECO HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND ("High-Yield Fund") has as its investment objective
to provide a high level of current interest income through the purchase of
high-yield, fixed-income securities. During normal market conditions, the Fund
will invest at least 65% of its total assets in high-yield, fixed income
securities.
 
SAFECO MANAGED BOND FUND ("Managed Bond Fund") has as its investment objective
to provide as high a level of total return as is consistent with the relative
stability of capital through the purchase of investment grade debt securities.
 
SAFECO MUNICIPAL BOND FUND ("Municipal Bond Fund") has as its investment
objective to provide as high a level of current interest income exempt from
federal income tax as is consistent with the relative stability of capital.
 
SAFECO CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND ("California Fund") has as its investment
objective to provide as high a level of current interest income exempt from
federal income tax and California state personal income tax as is consistent
with the relative stability of capital.
 
SAFECO WASHINGTON STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND ("Washington Fund") has as its
investment objective to provide as high a level of current interest income
exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with prudent investment risk.
 
SAFECO MONEY MARKET FUND ("Money Market Fund") has as its investment objective
to seek as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation
of capital and liquidity through investment in high-quality money market
instruments maturing in thirteen months or less.
 
There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
                                    -- 2 --
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                        <C>
Introduction to the Trusts and the Funds                                                           4
 
Expenses                                                                                           6
 
Financial Highlights                                                                              10
 
Adviser's Institutional Private Account Performance                                               24
 
Alternative Purchase Arrangement                                                                  26
 
Each Fund's Investment Objective and Policies                                                     27
 
Risk Factors                                                                                      47
 
Portfolio Managers                                                                                51
 
How to Purchase Shares                                                                            53
 
How to Redeem Shares                                                                              59
 
How to Systematically Purchase or Redeem Shares                                                   60
 
How to Exchange Shares From One Fund to Another                                                   61
 
Telephone Transactions                                                                            62
 
Share Price Calculation                                                                           63
 
Information About Share Ownership and Companies that Provide Services to the Trusts               64
 
Distribution Plans                                                                                68
 
Persons Controlling Certain Funds                                                                 69
 
Performance Information                                                                           69
 
Fund Distributions and How They are Taxed                                                         70
 
Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans                                                                     72
 
Account Statements                                                                                73
 
Account Changes and Signature Requirements                                                        73
 
Description of Stocks, Bonds and Convertible Securities                                           74
 
Ratings Supplement                                                                                74
 
Debt Securities Holdings                                                                          76
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    -- 3 --
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION TO THE TRUSTS AND THE FUNDS
 
Each Trust is an open-end management investment company that issues shares
representing one or more series. This Prospectus offers shares of the stock,
taxable fixed-income, tax-exempt income and money market Funds listed below. The
stock Funds offered are the Growth Fund, the Equity Fund, the Income Fund, the
Northwest Fund, the Balanced Fund, the International Fund, the Small Company
Fund, and the Value Fund (collectively, the "Stock Funds"). Each Stock Fund is a
diversified series of the Common Stock Trust.
 
The taxable fixed-income Funds offered are the Intermediate Treasury Fund, the
High-Yield Fund and the Managed Bond Fund (collectively, the "Taxable
Fixed-Income Funds"). The Intermediate Treasury Fund and the High-Yield Fund are
diversified series of the Taxable Bond Trust. The Managed Bond Fund is a
diversified series of the Managed Bond Trust. Prior to September 30, 1996, the
name of the Managed Bond Fund was the SAFECO Fixed-Income Portfolio and the name
of the Managed Bond Trust was the SAFECO Institutional Series Trust.
 
The tax-exempt income Funds offered are the Municipal Bond Fund, the California
Fund and the Washington Fund (collectively, the "Tax-Exempt Income Funds"). Each
of the Tax-Exempt Income Funds is a diversified series of the Tax-Exempt Bond
Trust.
 
This Prospectus also offers the Money Market Fund, which is a diversified series
of the Money Market Trust.
 
THE FUNDS
 
Each Fund offers multiple classes of shares. The Advisor Classes of shares are
offered to investors who engage the services of an investment professional. For
each Fund (except the Money Market Fund), Class A shares are subject to a
front-end sales charge and pay a Rule 12b-1 fee. Class B shares are not subject
to a front-end sales charge, but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC") and pay a higher Rule 12b-1 fee.
 
For the Money Market Fund, Class A shares are sold at net asset value with no
front-end sales charge. A front-end sales charge may apply when you exchange
your Class A Money Market Fund shares for Class A shares of other Funds. Money
Market Fund Class B Shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a
CDSC upon redemption, provided that the shareholder has remained solely invested
in Money Market Fund Class B shares. A CDSC may apply upon redemption of Money
Market Fund Class B shares that have been exchanged at any time during the
investor's ownership for Class B shares of other Funds. Money Market Fund Class
A and Class B shares do not currently pay Rule 12b-1 fees.
 
Each Fund:
 
/ / Offers easy access to your money through telephone redemptions and wire
    transfers.
 
/ / Has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 for regular accounts, $250 for
    individual retirement accounts ("IRAs") and accounts established under the
    Uniform Gift to Minors Act ("UGMA") or Uniform Transfer to Minors Act
    ("UTMA"). No minimum initial investment is required to establish the
    Automatic Investment Method ("AIM") or Payroll Deduction Plan.
 
RISK FACTORS
 
There is, of course, no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment
objective. See "Each Fund's Investment Objective and Policies" for more
information.
 
There is a risk that the market value of each Fund's portfolio of securities may
decrease and result in a decrease in the value of a shareholder's investment.
Because the Northwest, California and Washington Funds concentrate their
investments in geographic regions, they may be subject to special
 
                                    -- 4 --
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION TO THE TRUSTS AND THE FUNDS (CONTINUED)
risks. Investors should carefully consider the investment risks of such
geographic concentration before purchasing shares of those Funds. Because the
International Fund invests primarily in foreign securities, it is subject to
various risks in addition to those associated with U.S. investments. For
example, the value of the International Fund depends in part upon currency
values, the political and regulatory environments, and overall economic factors
in the countries in which the Fund invests. The Small Company Fund invests in
small-sized companies, which involve greater risks than investments in larger,
more established issuers and their securities can be subject to more abrupt and
erratic movements in price. The value of the Intermediate Treasury Fund,
High-Yield Fund, Managed Bond Fund, Municipal Bond Fund, California Fund and
Washington Fund will normally fluctuate inversely with changes in market
interest rates. The High-Yield Fund is subject to special risks associated with
below investment grade securities, sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," which
it will purchase to pursue its investment objective. The principal risk
associated with money market funds is that they may experience a delay or
failure in principal or interest payments at maturity of one or more of the
portfolio securities. The Money Market Fund's yield will fluctuate with general
money market interest rates. See "Each Fund's Investment Objective and Policies"
and "Risk Factors" for more information.
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER; SUB-ADVISER OF INTERNATIONAL FUND
 
   
Each Fund is managed by SAFECO Asset Management Company ("SAM"). SAM is
headquartered in Seattle, Washington and managed over $2.5 billion in mutual
fund assets as of December 31, 1996. SAM has been an adviser to mutual funds and
other investment portfolios since 1973, and its predecessors have been advisers
since 1932. The Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.) Limited (the
"Sub-Adviser") acts as a sub-adviser to the International Fund. The Sub-Adviser
is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited
(an investment advisory firm), which is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and an
indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank of Ireland, which is also
headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. See "Information about Share Ownership and
Companies that Provide Services to the Trusts" for more information.
    
 
                                    -- 5 --
<PAGE>
EXPENSES
 
A.  SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES FOR CLASS A AND CLASS B OF EACH FUND
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              CLASS A     CLASS B
                                                                                            -----------  ---------
<S>                                                                                         <C>          <C>
Maximum Sales Charge on Purchases                                                                4.50%*       NONE
  (as a Percentage of Offering Price)
Sales Charge on Reinvested Dividends                                                              NONE        NONE
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC)                                                   NONE*      5.00%**
Redemption Fees                                                                                   NONE        NONE
Exchange Fees                                                                                     NONE        NONE
</TABLE>
 
 * Except for initial purchases of the Money Market Fund. In addition, purchases
   of $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares are not subject to a front-end sales
   charge, but a 1% CDSC will apply to redemptions made in the first year. See
   "How to Purchase Shares" on page 48 for more information.
 
** Except for initial purchases of the Money Market Fund. A CDSC may apply to
   redemptions from the Money Market Fund that follow exchanges from Class B
   shares of another Fund. See "How to Purchase Shares" on page 48 for more
   information.
 
Sales charge waivers and reduced sales charge purchase plans are available for
Class A shares. See "How to Purchase Shares" on page 51 for more information.
The maximum 5% CDSC on Class B shares applies to redemptions during the first
year after purchase, declining to 0% in the first month following the investor's
sixth anniversary from purchase. Class B shares of a Fund convert automatically
into Class A shares of that Fund in the first month following the investor's
sixth anniversary from purchase. Money Market Fund Class B shareholders who
subsequently exchange into Class B of another Fund do not receive credit for the
initial time invested in the Money Market Fund for purposes of calculating any
CDSC due upon redemption or the conversion to Class A Shares. See "Purchasing
Advisor Class B Shares" on page 52 for more information.
 
SAFECO Services Corporation ("SAFECO Services"), the transfer agent for the
Funds, charges a $10 fee to wire redemption proceeds.
 
B.  ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
 
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        GROWTH FUND         EQUITY FUND         INCOME FUND
                                                     -----------------   -----------------   -----------------
                                                     ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR
                                                     CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B
                                                     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Management Fee                                         .71%      .71%      .56%      .56%      .67%      .67%
Rule 12b-1 Fees                                        .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%
Other Expenses                                         .16%      .16%      .16%      .19%      .11%      .12%
                                                     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Total Operating
 Expenses (estimated)                                 1.12%     1.87%      .97%     1.75%     1.03%     1.79%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                           INTERNATIONAL
                                                      NORTHWEST FUND           FUND            BALANCED FUND
                                                     -----------------   -----------------   -----------------
                                                     ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR
                                                     CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B
                                                     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Management Fee                                         .75%      .75%     1.10%     1.10%      .73%      .73%
Rule 12b-1 Fees                                        .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%
Other Expenses                                         .40%      .43%      .06%      .07%      .37%      .38%
                                                     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Total Operating Expenses (estimated)                  1.40%     2.18%     1.41%     2.17%     1.35%     2.11%
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    -- 6 --
<PAGE>
EXPENSES (CONTINUED)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       SMALL COMPANY                           INTERMEDIATE
                                                           FUND             VALUE FUND         TREASURY FUND
                                                     -----------------   -----------------   -----------------
                                                     ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR
                                                     CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B
                                                     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Management Fee                                         .83%      .83%      .75%      .75%      .54%      .55%
Rule 12b-1 Fees                                        .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%
Other Expenses                                         .34%      .35%      .29%      .29%      .28%      .17%
                                                     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Total Operating Expenses (estimated)                  1.42%     2.18%     1.29%     2.04%     1.07%     1.72%
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                           MANAGED BOND
                                                      HIGH-YIELD FUND          FUND           WASHINGTON FUND
                                                     -----------------   -----------------   -----------------
                                                     ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR
                                                     CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B
                                                     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Management Fee                                         .64%      .64%      .49%      .49%      .64%      .65%
Rule 12b-1 Fees                                        .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%
Other Expenses                                         .26%      .26%      .56%      .58%      .42%      .41%
                                                     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Total Operating Expenses (estimated)                  1.15%     1.90%     1.30%     2.07%     1.31%     2.06%
<CAPTION>
 
                                                      MUNICIPAL BOND                           MONEY MARKET
                                                           FUND           CALIFORNIA FUND          FUND
                                                     -----------------   -----------------   -----------------
                                                     ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR
                                                     CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B
                                                     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Management Fee                                         .43%      .43%      .55%      .55%      .50%      .50%
Rule 12b-1 Fees                                        .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%      .00%      .00%
Other Expenses                                         .14%      .07%      .09%      .09%      .05%      .04%
                                                     -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Total Operating Expenses (estimated)                   .82%     1.50%      .89%     1.64%      .55%      .54%
</TABLE>
    
 
* The Money Market Fund does not have a Rule 12b-1 fee at this time.
  Shareholders will be notified in advance by a supplement to this Prospectus in
  the event that the Money Market Fund establishes a Rule 12b-1 fee under its
  Rule 12b-1 Plan.
 
   
Effective September 30, 1996, all of the then-existing shares of each Fund were
redesignated as No-Load Class shares and each Fund, except the High-Yield Fund
and the Value Fund, commenced offering Advisor Class A and Class B shares. The
High-Yield Fund commenced offering Class A and Class B shares on January 31,
1997. The Value Fund commenced offering Advisor Class A and Class B shares as of
the date of this prospectus. The amounts shown above for the Value Fund are
estimated expenses based on the Fund's maximum management fee, applicable Rule
12b-1 fees, and "Other Expenses." The amounts shown for the High Yield Fund are
annualized expenses based on the actual expenses paid by shareholders of the
Fund's other class for the three-month fiscal period ended December 31, 1996,
restated as applicable to reflect fees borne by Class A or Class B shares. The
amounts shown for the Funds other than the Value and High Yield Funds are
annualized expenses based on the actual expenses paid by the shareholders of the
Funds' Advisor Classes for the fiscal period ended December 31, 1996. The
management fees paid by the International and Small Company Funds are higher
than the management fees paid by most other investment companies. See
"Information about Share Ownership and Companies that Provide Services to the
Trusts" on page 60 for more information.
    
 
Rule 12b-1 fees have the following two components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         ADVISOR          ADVISOR
                                                                         CLASS A          CLASS B
                                                                     ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                  <C>              <C>
Rule 12b-1 service fees                                                     0.25%            0.25%
Rule 12b-1 distribution fees                                                0.00%            0.75%
</TABLE>
 
                                    -- 7 --
<PAGE>
EXPENSES (CONTINUED)
Long-term Class A and Class B shareholders may pay more in sales charges and
12b-1 fees than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge
permitted by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
C.  EXAMPLE OF EXPENSES
 
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment assuming a 5% annual
return and redemption at the end of each time period. The example also assumes
that all dividends and other distributions are reinvested and that the
percentage amounts listed in each Fund's "Annual Operating Expenses" above
remain the same in the years shown.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND                                                                                    1 YEAR      3 YEARS     5 YEARS   10 YEARS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------     -----     ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
Growth
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      56   $      79   $     104  $     175
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      69   $      89   $     111  $     191
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      19   $      59   $     101  $     181
Equity
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      54   $      75   $      96  $     159
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      68   $      85   $     105  $     167
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      18   $      55   $      95  $     167
Income
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      55   $      76   $      99  $     165
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      68   $      86   $     107  $     176
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      18   $      56   $      97  $     176
Northwest
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      59   $      87   $     118  $     205
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      72   $      98   $     127  $     213
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      22   $      68   $     117  $     213
International
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      59   $      88   $     119  $     206
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)                                            $      72   $      98   $     126  $     213
    Assuming no redemption at end of period                                            $      22   $      68   $     116  $     213
Balanced
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      58   $      86   $     116  $     200
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)                                            $      71   $      96   $     123  $     207
    Assuming no redemption at end of period                                            $      21   $      66   $     113  $     207
Small Company
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      59   $      88   $     119  $     208
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)                                            $      72   $      98   $     127  $     214
    Assuming no redemption at end of period                                            $      22   $      68   $     117  $     214
Value Fund
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      58   $      84
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period (2)(3)                                        $      71   $      94
    Assuming no redemption at end of period                                            $      21   $      64
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    -- 8 --
<PAGE>
EXPENSES (CONTINUED)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND                                                                                    1 YEAR      3 YEARS     5 YEARS   10 YEARS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------     -----     ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
Intermediate Treasury
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      55   $      78   $     101  $     170
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      67   $      93   $     103  $     180
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      17   $      63   $      93  $     180
High-Yield
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      56   $      81   $     107  $     183
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      69   $      91   $     125  $     189
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      19   $      61   $     105  $     189
Managed Bond
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      58   $      88   $     119  $     206
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      71   $      98   $     136  $     208
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      21   $      68   $     111  $     208
Municipal Bond
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      53   $      70   $      88  $     142
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      65   $      77   $      92  $     142
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      15   $      47   $      82  $     142
California
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      54   $      72   $      92  $     150
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      67   $      82   $      99  $     158
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      17   $      52   $      89  $     158
Washington
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      58   $      85   $     114  $     219
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      71   $      95   $     121  $     203
    Assuming redemption at end of period(3)                                            $      21   $      65   $     111  $     203
Money Market(4)
  Advisor Class A                                                                      $       6   $      18   $      31  $      69
  Advisor Class B                                                                      $       6   $      17   $      31  $      68
</TABLE>
    
 
(1) Includes deduction at the time of purchase of the maximum sales charge.
 
(2) Includes deduction at the time of redemption of the applicable CDSC.
 
(3) Ten-year figures assume conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares in
    the first month following the investor's sixth anniversary from purchase.
 
   
(4) Figures for the Money Market Fund assume that the investor purchased Money
    Market Fund shares as an initial investment and made no subsequent
    exchanges.
    
 
The purpose of the table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and
expenses that an investor in Class A and Class B shares of each Fund would bear,
directly or indirectly. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. A FUND'S ACTUAL EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE MAY BE GREATER
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. THE ASSUMED 5% ANNUAL RETURN IS REQUIRED BY SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL MUTUAL FUNDS AND IT IS NOT
A PREDICTION OF, NOR DOES IT REPRESENT, PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR THE
PERFORMANCE OF ANY FUND.
 
                                    -- 9 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
   
The amounts shown for each Fund (except for the High-Yield Bond Fund) in the
Financial Highlights tables that follow are based upon a single No-Load Class
share outstanding through September 30, 1996, and a single Advisor Class A or B
share outstanding from October 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996, and do not
reflect Rule 12b-1 fees. The amounts shown for the High-Yield Bond Fund are
based upon a single No-Load Class share outstanding through December 31, 1996,
and do not reflect Rule 12b-1 fees. In 1996, the Common Stock Trust, Taxable
Bond Trust, Tax-Exempt Bond Trust and Money Market Trust changed their fiscal
year ends to December 31. The following selected data has been derived from
financial statements that have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP. The data
should be read in conjunction with the financial statements, related notes and
other financial information included in each Trust's Annual Report to
shareholders and incorporated by reference in the applicable Trust's Statement
of Additional Information. A copy of each Trust's Statement of Additional
Information may be obtained by calling the number on the front page of this
Prospectus.
    
 
SAFECO GROWTH FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            CLASS A        CLASS B
                                         -------------  -------------
                                          THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH
                                         PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                             1996           1996
                                         ----------------------------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period         $15.45         $15.45
 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment (loss) income                  (0.02)         (0.05)
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                        1.77           1.77
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Total from investment operations                 1.75           1.72
                                         -------------  -------------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment income             --             --
 
  Distributions from capital gains              (0.23)         (0.23)
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Total distributions                             (0.23)         (0.23)
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Net asset value at end of period               $16.97         $16.94
                                         -------------  -------------
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Total return+                                  11.35%*        11.15%*
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                       $187           $116
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets         1.12%**        1.87%**
 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
  average net assets                           -0.58%**       -1.38%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                        82.93%*        82.93%**
 
Average Commission rate paid                  $0.0477        $0.0477
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                        YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                           1996       1995       1994       1993       1992
 
<S>                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period      $15.83     $17.37     $19.20     $13.98     $17.95
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
  Net investment (loss) income                (.02)       .07       (.02)      (.02)      (.01)
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                     2.24       4.07        .78       5.39      (3.15)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment operations              2.22       4.14        .76       5.37      (3.16)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment income          --       (.07)        --         --         --
  Distributions from capital gains           (2.60)     (5.61)     (2.59)      (.15)      (.81)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total distributions                          (2.60)     (5.68)     (2.59)      (.15)      (.81)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of period            $15.45     $15.83     $17.37     $19.20     $13.98
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return+                               14.16%     23.93%      3.88%     38.43%    -17.83%
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                $179,574   $176,483   $156,108   $158,723   $127,897
Ratio of expenses to average net assets      1.02%       .98%       .95%       .91%       .91%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
  average net assets                         (.14%)      .34%      (.12%)     (.10%)     (.10%)
Portfolio turnover rate                    124.79%    110.44%     71.18%     57.19%     85.38%
Average Commission rate paid                $.0548         --         --         --         --
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                             YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                           1991       1990       1989       1988       1987
 
Net asset value at beginning of period      $11.14     $17.22     $14.95     $18.13     $15.40
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
  Net investment (loss) income                 .05        .14        .53        .35        .24
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                     7.77      (4.20)      3.17       (.99)      4.31
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment operations              7.82      (4.06)      3.70       (.64)      4.55
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment income        (.05)      (.14)      (.53)      (.48)      (.23)
  Distributions from capital gains            (.96)     (1.88)      (.90)     (2.06)     (1.59)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total distributions                          (1.01)     (2.02)     (1.43)     (2.54)     (1.82)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of period            $17.95     $11.14     $17.22     $14.95     $18.13
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return+                               70.22%    -23.67%     25.23%     -1.47%     32.68%
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                $155,429    $59,164    $81,472    $74,324    $82,703
Ratio of expenses to average net assets       .90%      1.01%       .94%       .98%       .92%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
  average net assets                          .36%       .88%      3.27%      2.37%      1.46%
Portfolio turnover rate                     49.86%     90.48%     11.38%     19.31%     23.61%
Average Commission rate paid                    --         --         --         --         --
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
   included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 10 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO EQUITY FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        CLASS A        CLASS B
                                     -------------  -------------
                                      THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH
                                     PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED
                                     DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                         1996           1996
                                     ----------------------------
<S>                                  <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
 period                                    $15.85         $15.85
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                      0.04           0.02
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                    1.35           1.33
                                     -------------  -------------
 
Total from investment operations             1.39           1.35
                                     -------------  -------------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment
    income                                  (0.04)         (0.02)
 
  Distributions from capital gains          (0.58)         (0.58)
                                     -------------  -------------
 
Total distributions                         (0.62)         (0.60)
                                     -------------  -------------
 
Net asset value at end of period           $16.62         $16.60
                                     -------------  -------------
                                     -------------  -------------
 
Total return+                               8.78%*         8.50%*
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
 omitted)                                  $2,894           $355
 
Ratio of expenses to average net
 assets                                     0.97%**        1.75%**
 
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets                         1.38%**        0.51%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                    59.34%**       59.34%**
 
Avg. Commission rate paid                 $0.0571        $0.0571
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                    YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                       1996       1995       1994       1993       1992
 
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
 period                                 $15.31     $13.89     $12.54      $9.53     $10.38
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                    .28        .34        .23        .17        .15
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                 2.42       2.59       1.83       3.79       (.09)
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment operations          2.70       2.93       2.06       3.96        .06
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment
    income                                (.28)      (.34)      (.23)      (.17)      (.15)
  Distributions from capital gains       (1.88)     (1.17)      (.48)      (.78)      (.76)
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total distributions                      (2.16)     (1.51)      (.71)      (.95)      (.91)
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of period        $15.85     $15.31     $13.89     $12.54      $9.53
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return+                           18.04%     21.59%     16.51%     41.77%       .41%
Net assets at end of period (000's
 omitted)                             $725,780   $598,582   $412,805   $148,894    $74,383
Ratio of expenses to average net
 assets                                   .79%       .84%       .85%       .94%       .96%
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets                      1.74%      2.38%      1.72%      1.50%      1.34%
Portfolio turnover rate                 74.07%     56.14%     33.33%     37.74%     39.88%
Avg. Commission rate paid               $.0587         --         --         --         --
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                         YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                       1991       1990       1989       1988       1987
 
Net asset value at beginning of
 period                                  $8.43     $10.10      $8.51     $12.23     $11.44
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                    .17        .22        .39        .18        .21
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                 2.37      (1.28)      2.26      (1.82)      2.83
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment operations          2.54      (1.06)      2.65      (1.64)      3.04
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment
    income                                (.17)      (.22)      (.39)      (.23)      (.22)
  Distributions from capital gains        (.42)      (.39)      (.67)     (1.85)     (2.03)
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total distributions                       (.59)      (.61)     (1.06)     (2.08)     (2.25)
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of period        $10.38      $8.43     $10.10      $8.51     $12.23
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return+                           30.39%    (10.73%)    32.12%     (9.93%)    31.75%
Net assets at end of period (000's
 omitted)                              $71,586    $51,603    $53,892    $45,625    $64,668
Ratio of expenses to average net
 assets                                   .98%       .97%       .96%      1.00%       .97%
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets                      1.70%      2.19%      4.13%      2.16%      1.92%
Portfolio turnover rate                 45.21%     51.01%     63.62%     88.19%     85.11%
Avg. Commission rate paid                   --         --         --         --         --
</TABLE>
    
 
 * Not annualized.
 
** Annualized.
 
   
 + Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
   included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 11 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO INCOME FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            CLASS A        CLASS B
                                         -------------  -------------
                                          THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH
                                         PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                             1996           1996
                                         ----------------------------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period         $20.03         $20.03
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                          0.12           0.10
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                        1.65           1.62
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Total from investment operations                 1.77           1.72
                                         -------------  -------------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment income          (0.12)         (0.10)
 
  Distributions from capital gains              (0.53)         (0.53)
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Total distributions                             (0.65)         (0.63)
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Net asset value at end of period               $21.15         $21.12
                                         -------------  -------------
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Total return+                                   8.85%*         8.60%*
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                       $193           $112
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets         1.03%**        1.79%**
 
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                            2.66%**        1.99%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                        37.84%**       37.84%**
 
Avg. Commission rate paid                     $0.0573        $0.0573
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                        YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                           1996       1995       1994       1993       1992
 
<S>                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period      $19.11     $17.25     $17.79     $16.27     $15.35
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                        .73        .82        .81        .78        .80
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                     2.84       2.71       (.30)      1.52        .96
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment operations              3.57       3.53        .51       2.30       1.76
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment income        (.73)      (.82)      (.81)      (.78)      (.80)
  Distributions from capital gains           (1.92)      (.85)      (.24)        --       (.04)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total distributions                          (2.65)     (1.67)     (1.05)      (.78)      (.84)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of period            $20.03     $19.11     $17.25     $17.79     $16.27
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return+                               18.98%     21.04%      2.98%     14.35%     11.75%
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                $260,023   $217,870   $190,610   $203,019   $181,582
Ratio of expenses to average net assets       .86%       .87%       .86%       .90%       .90%
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                         3.56%      4.55%      4.59%      4.55%      5.06%
Portfolio turnover rate                     50.11%     31.12%     19.30%     20.74%     20.35%
Avg. Commission rate paid                   $.0591         --         --         --         --
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                             YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                           1991       1990       1989       1988       1987
 
Net asset value at beginning of period      $12.89     $16.44     $14.32     $17.16     $15.52
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                        .81        .85        .81        .78        .78
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                     2.53      (3.39)      2.12      (1.80)      2.37
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment operations              3.34      (2.54)      2.93      (1.02)      3.15
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment income        (.83)      (.83)      (.81)      (.98)      (.78)
  Distributions from capital gains            (.05)      (.18)        --       (.84)      (.73)#
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total distributions                           (.88)     (1.01)      (.81)     (1.82)     (1.51)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of period            $15.35     $12.89     $16.44     $14.32     $17.16
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return+                               26.43%    -16.06%     21.00%     (4.61%)    21.41%
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                $181,265   $170,153   $232,812   $231,724   $313,308
Ratio of expenses to average net assets       .93%       .92%       .92%       .97%       .94%
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                         5.58%      5.59%      5.28%      5.58%      4.53%
Portfolio turnover rate                     22.25%     19.37%     16.38%     34.13%     33.08%
Avg. Commission rate paid                       --         --         --         --         --
</TABLE>
    
 
 # Distributions include $.04 of additional gain arising from investment
   transactions of securities acquired in a non-taxable exchange.
 
 * Not annualized.
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 12 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            CLASS A        CLASS B
                                         -------------  -------------
                                          THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH
                                         PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED    YEAR ENDED     YEAR ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                             1996           1996           1996           1995
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period         $13.78         $13.78         $14.41         $12.59
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                         (0.01)         (0.03)           .02            .04
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                        0.29           0.28           1.32           2.35
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
 
Total from investment operations                 0.28           0.25           1.34           2.39
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment income             --             --           (.02)          (.04)
 
  Distributions from capital gains                 --             --          (1.95)          (.53)
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
 
Total distributions                                --             --          (1.97)          (.57)
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
 
Net asset value at end of period               $14.06         $14.03         $13.78         $14.41
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
 
Total return+                                   2.03%*         1.81%*         9.61%         19.01%
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                       $369           $232        $43,128        $40,140
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets         1.40%**        2.18%**        1.07%          1.09%
 
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                           -0.39%**       -1.19%**         .11%           .31%
 
Portfolio turnover rate                        67.32%**       67.32%**       35.69%         19.59%
 
Average Commission rate paid                  $0.0482        $0.0482         $.0591             --
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       FOR THE PERIOD
                                                                                      FROM FEBRUARY 7,
                                                        FOR THE NINE-                       1991
                                                        MONTH PERIOD                   (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                          YEAR ENDED        ENDED       YEAR ENDED      OFFERING) TO
                                         SEPTEMBER 30,  SEPTEMBER 30,  DECEMBER 31,     DECEMBER 31,
                                             1994           1993           1992             1991
 
<S>                                      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period         $12.34         $12.59         $11.37             $10.06
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                           .04            .02            .06                .13
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                         .59           (.25)          1.53               1.44
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------           -------
Total from investment operations                  .63           (.23)          1.59               1.57
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------           -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment income           (.04)          (.02)          (.06)              (.19)
  Distributions from capital gains               (.34)            --           (.31)              (.07)
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------           -------
Total distributions                              (.38)          (.02)          (.37)              (.26)
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------           -------
Net asset value at end of period               $12.59         $12.34         $12.59             $11.37
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------           -------
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------           -------
Total return+                                   5.19%         (1.86%)*       14.08%            14.93%*
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                    $36,383        $39,631        $40,402            $26,434
Ratio of expenses to average net assets         1.06%          1.11%**        1.11%              1.27%**
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                             .33%           .18%**         .55%              1.14%**
Portfolio turnover rate                        18.46%         14.05%**       33.34%             27.71%**
Average Commission rate paid                       --             --             --                 --
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 13 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      CLASS A        CLASS B
                                                    ------------   ------------   FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                    THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH     JANUARY 31, 1996
                                                    PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED     (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                                    DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,      OFFERING) TO
                                                        1996           1996       SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period                $10.39         $10.39             $10.00
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                                   --             --                .06
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
    investments and foreign currency transactions       0.95           0.93                .39
                                                    ------------   ------------        -------
 
Total from investment operations                        0.95           0.93                .45
                                                    ------------   ------------        -------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment income                 (0.05)         (0.04)              (.06)
 
  Distributions from realized gains                       --             --                 --
                                                    ------------   ------------        -------
 
Total distributions                                    (0.05)         (0.04)              (.06)
                                                    ------------   ------------        -------
 
Net asset value at end of period                      $11.29         $11.28             $10.39
                                                    ------------   ------------        -------
                                                    ------------   ------------        -------
 
Total return++                                         9.19%*         8.96%*            4.54%*
 
Net assets at end of period (000's omitted)             $154           $112             $8,323
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets                1.41%**+       2.17%**+           2.36%**+
 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average
  net assets                                          (0.23%)**      (1.15%)**            .93%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                               18.51%**       18.51%**           15.73%**
 
Average Commission rate paid                          0.0223         0.0223             $.0225
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not Annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Net of reimbursements by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the ratio of
   expenses to average net assets would be 1.72% and 2.47% for Class A and Class
   B, respectively.
    
 
   
++ Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
   included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 14 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO BALANCED FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      CLASS A        CLASS B
                                                    ------------   ------------   FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                    THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH      JANUARY 31, 1996
                                                    PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED     (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                                    DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,       OFFERING) TO
                                                        1996           1996        SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                    --------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period                $10.38         $10.38              $10.00
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                                 0.09           0.06                 .21
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
    investments and foreign currency transactions       0.44           0.45                 .39
                                                    ------------   ------------        --------
 
Total from investment operations                        0.53           0.51                 .60
                                                    ------------   ------------        --------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment income                 (0.09)         (0.06)               (.21)
 
  Distributions from realized gains                    (0.13)         (0.13)               (.01)
                                                    ------------   ------------        --------
 
Total distributions                                    (0.22)         (0.19)               (.22)
                                                    ------------   ------------        --------
 
Net asset value at end of period                      $10.69         $10.70              $10.38
                                                    ------------   ------------        --------
                                                    ------------   ------------        --------
 
Total return++                                         5.07%*         4.85%*              5.99%*
 
Net assets at end of period (000's omitted)             $110           $115              $7,632
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets                1.35%**+       2.11%**+            1.32%**
 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average
  net assets                                           3.01%**        2.23%**             3.21%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                               36.10%**       36.10%**           143.87%**
 
Average Commission rate paid                          0.0548         0.0548              $.0560
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not Annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Net of reimbursements by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the ratio of
   expenses to average net assets would be 1.70% and 2.46% for the Class A and
   Class B, respectively.
    
 
   
++ Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
   included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 15 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SMALL COMPANY FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       CLASS A        CLASS B     FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                                    -------------  -------------    JANUARY 31, 1996
                                                                     THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH     (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                                                    PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED        OFFERING)
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,     TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                        1996           1996               1996
                                                                    --------------------------------------------------
 
<S>                                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period                                  $11.51         $11.51             $10.00
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                                                   (.01)          (.04)              (.01)
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
    foreign currency transactions                                          .31            .32               2.19
                                                                    -------------  -------------      ----------
 
Total from investment operations                                           .30            .28               2.18
                                                                    -------------  -------------      ----------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment income                                      --             --                 --
 
  Distributions from realized gains                                         --             --               (.67)
                                                                    -------------  -------------      ----------
 
Total distributions                                                         --             --               (.67)
                                                                    -------------  -------------      ----------
 
Net asset value at end of period                                        $11.81         $11.79             $11.51
                                                                    -------------  -------------      ----------
                                                                    -------------  -------------      ----------
 
Total return++                                                           2.61%*         2.43%   *         21.83%      *
 
Net assets at end of period (000's omitted)                               $135           $103            $12,552
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets                                  1.42%   **+      2.18%   **+          1.49%      **
 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets              (.50%   )**     (1.28%   )**          (.24%      )**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                                                 73.47%   **     73.47%   **         91.03%      **
 
Average Commission rate paid                                            $.0496         $.0496             $.0510
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not Annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Net of reimbursements by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the ratio of
   expenses to average net assets would be 1.62% and 2.41% for Class A and Class
   B, respectively.
    
 
   
++ Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 16 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      CLASS A       CLASS B
                    ------------  ------------
                    THREE-MONTH   THREE-MONTH
                    PERIOD ENDED  PERIOD ENDED
                    DECEMBER 31,  DECEMBER 31,                        FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                        1996          1996        1996       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991       1990
                    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                 <C>           <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net asset value at
  beginning of
  period                 $10.10        $10.10      $10.24      $9.74     $10.74     $10.69     $10.20      $9.83      $9.96
 
INCOME FROM
  INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment
    income                  .15           .14         .54        .55        .52        .60        .72        .75        .77
 
  Net realized and
    unrealized
    gain (loss) on
    investments             .01           .02        (.14)       .50      (1.00)       .49        .54        .37       (.13)
                    ------------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Total from
  investment
  operations                .16           .16         .40       1.05       (.48)      1.09       1.26       1.12        .64
                    ------------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
LESS
  DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from
    net investment
    income                 (.15 )        (.14 )      (.54)      (.55)      (.52)      (.60)      (.72)      (.75)      (.77)
 
  Distributions
    from capital
    gains                    --            --          --         --         --       (.44)      (.05)        --         --
                    ------------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Total
  distributions            (.15 )        (.14 )      (.54)      (.55)      (.52)     (1.04)      (.77)      (.75)      (.77)
                    ------------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Net asset value at
  end of period          $10.11        $10.12      $10.10     $10.24      $9.74     $10.74     $10.69     $10.20      $9.83
                    ------------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                    ------------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Total return++           1.63%*        1.55%*       4.00%     11.07%     (4.56%)    10.51%     12.78%     11.80%      6.65%
 
Net assets at end
  of period (000's
  omitted)                 $704          $223     $14,668    $13,774    $13,367    $14,706    $12,205     $9,458     $6,916
 
Ratio of expenses
  to average net
  assets                1.07**+       1.72**+       1.01%       .96%       .90%       .99%       .98%      1.00%      1.00%
 
Ratio of net
  investment
  income to
  average net
  assets                6.07%**       5.35%**       5.30%      5.51%      5.08%      5.52%      6.89%      7.45%      7.76%
 
Portfolio turnover
  rate                125.42%**     125.42%**     294.25%     124.9%     75.46%    104.94%     37.19%      9.51%     24.17%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                 SEPTEMBER 7, 1988
                                  (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                   OFFERING) TO
                      1989      SEPTEMBER 30, 1988
 
<S>                 <C>        <C>
Net asset value at
  beginning of
  period                $9.95           $9.93
INCOME FROM
  INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
  Net investment
    income                .77             .05
  Net realized and
    unrealized
    gain (loss) on
    investments          (.01)            .02
                    ---------          ------
Total from
  investment
  operations              .78             .07
                    ---------          ------
LESS
  DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from
    net investment
    income               (.77)           (.05       )
  Distributions
    from capital
    gains                  --              --
                    ---------          ------
Total
  distributions          (.77)           (.05       )
                    ---------          ------
Net asset value at
  end of period         $9.96           $9.95
                    ---------          ------
                    ---------          ------
Total return++          8.20%           .69%*
Net assets at end
  of period (000's
  omitted)             $6,249          $5,007
Ratio of expenses
  to average net
  assets                 .96%         1.06%**
Ratio of net
  investment
  income to
  average net
  assets                7.82%         7.46%**
Portfolio turnover
  rate                  4.36%            None
</TABLE>
    
 
 * Not annualized.
 
** Annualized.
 
   
 + Net of reimbursement by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the ratio of expenses
   to average net assets would be 1.30% and 1.95% for Class A and Class B,
   respectively.
    
 
   
++ Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 17 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                      FOR THE
                                                                                                                    PERIOD FROM
                                                                                                                   SEPTEMBER 7,
                                 THREE-MONTH                                                                           1988
                                 PERIOD                                                                              (INITIAL
                                  ENDED                                                                               PUBLIC
                                 DECEMBER                                                                          OFFERING) TO
                                 31,                          FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30                      SEPTEMBER 30,
                                  1996     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991      1990     1989        1988
                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
  period                         $8.79      $8.68    $8.55    $9.22    $8.92    $8.35    $7.94     $9.33    $9.86        $9.89
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income          .19          .78      .79      .82      .91      .83      .93      1.04     1.11          .07
 
  Net realized and unrealized
    gain (loss) on investments   .03          .11      .13     (.67)     .30      .57      .41     (1.39)    (.53)        (.03)
                                 -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -------------
 
Total from investment
  operations                     .22          .89      .92      .15     1.21     1.40     1.34      (.35)     .58          .04
                                 -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -------------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment
    income                       (.19   )    (.78)    (.79)    (.82)    (.91)    (.83)    (.93)    (1.04)   (1.11)        (.07)
                                 -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -------------
 
Net asset value at end of
  period                         $8.82      $8.79    $8.68    $8.55    $9.22    $8.92    $8.35     $7.94    $9.33        $9.86
                                 -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -------------
                                 -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -------------
 
Total return+                    2.50%  *  10.79%   11.43%    1.61%   14.29%   17.52%   18.18%    (4.04%)   6.10%          .37%*
 
Net assets at end of period
  (000's omitted)                $50,298  $47,880  $39,178  $27,212  $28,291  $19,672  $11,931    $7,786   $9,051       $5,204
 
Ratio of expenses to average
  net assets                     .90%   **    .94%   1.01%    1.03%    1.09%    1.05%    1.11%     1.15%    1.11%         1.25%**
 
Ratio of net investment income
  to average net assets          8.56%  **   8.99%   9.28%    9.26%    9.94%    9.66%   11.51%    11.90%    11.52%       10.27%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate          35.01% **  92.65%  38.03%   63.02%   50.27%   40.66%   32.46%    18.46%    12.57%        None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Total return information is for a No-Load Class share outstanding throughout
   the period indicated. The High-Yield Bond Fund did not commence offering
   Class A and Class B shares until January 31, 1997.
    
 
                                    -- 18 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO MANAGED BOND FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            CLASS A            CLASS B                          FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                       -----------------  -----------------                      FEBRUARY 28, 1994
                                          THREE-MONTH        THREE-MONTH       FOR THE YEAR       (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                         PERIOD ENDED       PERIOD ENDED           ENDED             OFFERING)
                                       DECEMBER 31, 1996  DECEMBER 31, 1996  DECEMBER 31, 1995  TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
  period                                  $      8.35        $      8.35         $    8.15           $     8.68
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                          0.11               0.09               .44                  .27
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                          --                 --               .94                 (.53)
                                       -----------------  -----------------       --------          -----------
 
Total from investment operations                 0.11               0.09              1.38                 (.26)
                                       -----------------  -----------------       --------          -----------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
  FROM:
 
  Net investment income                         (0.11)             (0.09)             (.44)                (.27)
 
  Net Realized gains on investments                --                 --              (.32)                  --
                                       -----------------  -----------------       --------          -----------
 
Total distributions                             (0.11)             (0.09)             (.76)                (.27)
                                       -----------------  -----------------       --------          -----------
 
Net asset value at end of period          $      8.35        $      8.35         $    8.77           $     8.15
                                       -----------------  -----------------       --------          -----------
                                       -----------------  -----------------       --------          -----------
 
Total return+                                  1.34%*             1.15%*            17.35%             (3.01%)*
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                $       140        $       100         $   4,497           $    4,627
 
Ratio of expenses to average net
  assets                                      1.30%**            2.07%**             1.16%              1.28%**
 
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                          5.22%**            4.45%**             5.14%              3.88%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                     136.29%**          136.29%**            78.78%            132.26%**
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 19 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       CLASS A          CLASS B
                                     ------------     ------------
                                     THREE-MONTH      THREE-MONTH
                                     PERIOD ENDED     PERIOD ENDED           YEAR ENDED MARCH 31
                                     DECEMBER 31,     DECEMBER 31,
                                         1996             1996        1996      1995      1994      1993
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>              <C>           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
  period                               $13.82           $13.82        $13.36    $13.27    $14.13    $13.37
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                  0.18             0.15           .76       .77       .78       .81
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) investments                   0.17             0.16           .33       .12      (.55)      .94
                                     ------------     ------------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total from investment operations         0.35             0.31          1.09       .89       .23      1.75
                                     ------------     ------------  --------  --------  --------  --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment
    income                              (0.18    )       (0.15    )     (.76)     (.77)     (.78)     (.81)
 
  Distributions from realized gains        --               --            --      (.03)     (.31)     (.18)
                                     ------------     ------------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total distributions                     (0.18    )       (0.15    )     (.76)     (.80)    (1.09)     (.99)
                                     ------------     ------------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net asset value at end of period       $13.99           $13.98        $13.69    $13.36    $13.27    $14.13
                                     ------------     ------------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                     ------------     ------------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total return++                         2.52%*           2.27%*         8.23%     7.10%     1.30%    13.60%
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                               $311             $112      $480,643  $472,569  $507,453  $541,515
 
Ratio of expenses to average net
  assets                              0.82%**          1.50%**          .54%      .56%      .52%      .53%
 
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                  5.04%**          4.42%**         5.47%     5.96%     5.49%     5.91%
 
Portfolio turnover rate               6.66%**          6.66%**        12.60%    26.96%    22.07%    31.66%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                        YEAR ENDED MARCH 31
                                       1992      1991      1990      1989      1988      1987
 
<S>                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
  period                               $12.95    $12.73    $12.92    $12.85    $14.16    $13.74
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                   .86       .86       .88       .94       .96       .99
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) investments                    .48       .26       .25       .36      (.91)      .63
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total from investment operations         1.34      1.12      1.13      1.30       .05      1.62
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment
    income                               (.86)     (.86)     (.88)     (.94)     (.96)     (.99)
  Distributions from realized gains      (.06)     (.04)     (.44)     (.29)     (.40)     (.21)
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total distributions                      (.92)     (.90)    (1.32)    (1.23)    (1.36)    (1.20)
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net asset value at end of period       $13.37    $12.95    $12.73    $12.92    $12.85    $14.16
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total return++                         10.57%     9.13%     9.05%    10.49%      .93%    12.49%+
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                           $427,638  $331,647  $286,303  $231,911  $183,642  $214,745
Ratio of expenses to average net
  assets                                 .54%      .56%      .57%      .60%      .61%      .59%
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                    6.37%     6.68%     6.76%     7.23%     7.42%     7.20%
Portfolio turnover rate                25.18%    38.55%    65.80%   135.60%    71.91%    23.09%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not Annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Unaudited.
    
 
   
++ Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 20 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     CLASS A    CLASS B
                                     --------   --------
                                     THREE-MONTH THREE-MONTH
                                      PERIOD     PERIOD
                                      ENDED      ENDED
                                     DECEMBER   DECEMBER                        YEAR ENDED MARCH 31
                                     31, 1996   31, 1996    1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991     1990
                                     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
  period                              $12.07     $12.07     $11.54   $11.51   $12.23   $11.60   $11.24   $11.07   $11.02
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                 0.15       0.12        .62      .63      .66      .68      .71      .71      .72
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) investments                  0.19       0.18        .40      .13     (.38)     .76      .44      .23      .23
                                     --------   --------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
Total from investment operations        0.34       0.30       1.02      .76      .28     1.44     1.15      .94      .95
                                     --------   --------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment
    income                             (0.15)     (0.12)      (.62)    (.63)    (.66)    (.68)    (.71)    (.71)    (.72)
 
  Distributions from realized gains    (0.03)     (0.03)      (.08)    (.10)    (.34)    (.13)    (.08)    (.06)    (.18)
                                     --------   --------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
Total distributions                    (0.18)     (0.15)      (.70)    (.73)   (1.00)    (.81)    (.79)    (.77)    (.90)
                                     --------   --------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
Net asset value at end of period      $12.23     $12.22     $11.86   $11.54   $11.51   $12.23   $11.60   $11.24   $11.07
                                     --------   --------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                                     --------   --------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
Total return***                        2.83%*     2.56%*     8.87%    7.01%    1.97%   12.88%   10.43%    8.78%    8.87%
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                              $122       $101    $70,546  $64,058  $77,056  $79,872  $71,480  $57,066  $47,867
 
Ratio of expenses to average net
  assets                               0.89%**    1.64%**     .68%     .70%     .68%     .66%     .67%     .67%     .68%
 
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                   4.84%**    4.08%**    5.12%    5.65%    5.31%    5.71%    6.13%    6.32%    6.42%
 
Portfolio turnover rate               10.52%**   10.52%**   16.25%   44.10%   32.58%   23.18%   39.35%   22.92%   71.37%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                      1989       1988          1987
 
<S>                                  <C>      <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
  period                              $10.72      $12.14       $11.68
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                  .75         .76          .80
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) investments                   .30        (.99)         .57
                                     -------  ----------     --------
Total from investment operations        1.05        (.23)        1.37
                                     -------  ----------     --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment
    income                              (.75)       (.76)        (.80)
  Distributions from realized gains       --        (.43)++      (.11)
                                     -------  ----------     --------
Total distributions                     (.75)      (1.19)        (.91)
                                     -------  ----------     --------
Net asset value at end of period      $11.02      $10.72       $12.14
                                     -------  ----------     --------
                                     -------  ----------     --------
Total return***                       10.09%      (1.39%)     12.25%+
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                           $36,930     $28,790      $34,792
Ratio of expenses to average net
  assets                                .71%        .72%         .70%
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                   6.86%       6.99%        6.71%
Portfolio turnover rate               76.95%      66.72%       44.61%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  * Not Annualized.
    
 
   
 ** Annualized.
    
 
   
*** Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
    included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
   
  + Unaudited.
    
 
   
++ Distribution includes $.05 per share attributable to the December 31, 1987,
   capital gain distribution paid in order to avoid any excise tax due under the
   Tax Reform Act of 1986.
    
 
                                    -- 21 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO WASHINGTON STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         CLASS A         CLASS B
                                      -------------   -------------
                                       THREE-MONTH     THREE-MONTH
                                      PERIOD ENDED    PERIOD ENDED
                                      DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,      YEAR ENDED       YEAR ENDED       YEAR ENDED
                                          1996            1996        MARCH 31, 1996   MARCH 31, 1995   MARCH 31, 1994
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                  <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>
 Net asset value at beginning of
   period                                $10.45          $10.45           $10.10           $9.91            $10.27
 
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
   Net investment income                  0.12            0.10             0.50             0.49             0.44
 
   Net realized and unrealized gain
     (loss) on investments                0.09            0.11             0.27             0.19            (0.35)
                                      -------------   -------------     -------           ------          -------
 Total from investment operations         0.21            0.21             0.77             0.68             0.09
                                      -------------   -------------     -------           ------          -------
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
   Dividends from net investment
     income                              (0.12)          (0.10)           (0.50)           (0.49)           (0.44)
 
   Distribution from realized gains      (0.01)          (0.01)           (0.03)              --            (0.01)
                                      -------------   -------------     -------           ------          -------
 Total distributions                     (0.13)          (0.11)           (0.53)           (0.49)           (0.45)
                                      -------------   -------------     -------           ------          -------
 Net asset value at end of period        $10.53          $10.55           $10.34           $10.10           $9.91
                                      -------------   -------------     -------           ------          -------
                                      -------------   -------------     -------           ------          -------
 Total return+                           1.94%*          1.94%*           7.73%            7.13%             .68%
 
 Net assets at end of period (000's
   omitted)                              $ 336           $ 211            $6,489           $5,953           $2,908
 
 Ratio of expenses to average net
   assets                                1.31%**         2.06%**          1.07%            1.09%            1.44%
 
 Ratio of net investment income to
   average net assets                    4.49%**         3.71%**          4.78%            5.06%            4.17%
 
 Portfolio turnover rate                15.96%**        15.96%**         20.86%            9.23%           17.26%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                         FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                           MARCH 18, 1993
                                      (INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING)
                                          TO MARCH 31, 1993
 
 <S>                                  <C>
 Net asset value at beginning of
   period                                      $10.32
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income                        0.02
   Net realized and unrealized gain
     (loss) on investments                     (0.05)
                                            --------
 Total from investment operations              (0.03)
                                            --------
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
   Dividends from net investment
     income                                    (0.02)
   Distribution from realized gains               --
                                            --------
 Total distributions                           (0.02)
                                            --------
 Net asset value at end of period              $10.27
                                            --------
                                            --------
 Total return+                                 (.31%)*
 Net assets at end of period (000's
   omitted)                                    $2,163
 Ratio of expenses to average net
   assets                                      1.04%**
 Ratio of net investment income to
   average net assets                          4.47%**
 Portfolio turnover rate                        None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
   included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 22 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO MONEY MARKET FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      CLASS A  CLASS B
                      -------  -------
                      THREE-MONTH THREE-MONTH
                      PERIOD   PERIOD
                       ENDED    ENDED
                      DECEMBER DECEMBER
                        31,      31,                                       YEAR ENDED MARCH 31
                       1996     1996     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991     1990     1989     1988      1987
                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Net asset value at
  beginning of
  period              $1.00    $1.00      $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00  $1.00
 
INCOME FROM
  INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment
    income            .01      .01          .05      .04      .02      .03      .05      .07      .08      .08      .06    .06
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net
    investment
    income            (.01   ) (.01   )    (.05)    (.04)    (.02)    (.03)    (.05)    (.07)    (.08)    (.08)    (.06)  (.06   )
                      -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------
 
  Net asset value at
    end of period     $1.00    $1.00      $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00  $1.00
                      -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------
                      -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------
 
Total return          1.21%  * 1.21%  *   5.15%    4.20%    2.48%    2.98%    5.04%    7.60%    8.77%    7.86%    6.56%  5.90%   +
 
Net assets at end of
  period (000's
  omitted)            $295     $106     $165,122 $171,958 $186,312 $144,536 $184,823 $224,065 $225,974 $177,813 $119,709 $57,998
 
Ratio of expenses to
  average net assets  .55%   ** .54%   **    .78%    .78%    .79%     .77%     .73%     .70%     .71%     .74%     .79%   .82%
Ratio of net
  investment income
  to average net
  assets              5.01%  ** 4.96%  **   5.04%   4.21%   2.47%    3.02%    5.05%    7.34%    8.45%    7.66%    6.49%  5.71%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not Annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Unaudited.
    
 
                                    -- 23 --
<PAGE>
   
ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE
    
 
   
The Value Fund's adviser, SAFECO Asset Management Company ("SAM") has been
managing institutional private accounts (the "SAFECO Composite") since 1979. The
SAFECO Composite had investment objectives, policies, strategies and risks
substantially similar to those of the Value Fund. The data below is provided to
illustrate the past performance of SAM in managing substantially similar
accounts as measured against the S&P 500 Index and does not represent the
performance of the Value Fund.
    
 
   
CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             SAFECO           SAFECO        S&P 500
YEAR                                                      COMPOSITE(A)     COMPOSITE(B)      INDEX*
- -------------------------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------
<S>                                                      <C>              <C>              <C>
1987                                                            0.25%            (.50%)         5.17%
1988                                                           18.83%           17.98%         16.50%
1989                                                           19.43%           18.58%         31.43%
1990                                                           (4.50%)          (5.22%)        (3.19%)
1991                                                           28.55%           27.65%         30.55%
1992                                                           12.98%           12.06%          7.68%
1993                                                           10.58%            9.73%         10.00%
1994                                                            3.31%            2.54%          1.33%
1995                                                           36.74%           35.74%         37.50%
1996                                                           25.07%           24.15%         23.25%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR ONE, FIVE AND TEN YEAR PERIODS ENDING DECEMBER
31, 1996
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            SAFECO        S&P 500
                                                                           COMPOSITE       INDEX
                                                                         -------------  -----------
<S>                                                                      <C>            <C>
Last One Year                                                                 25.43%        23.25%
Last Five Years                                                               17.46%        15.26%
Last Ten Years                                                                14.74%        15.26%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
 *   The gross performance of the SAFECO Composite in the tables above is shown
     after reduction by the Value Fund's maximum management fee and the
     estimated "other expenses" (1.29% per year for Class A Shares and 2.04% for
     Class B Shares).
    
 
   
**   The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index containing common stocks of 500
     industrial, transportation, utility and financial companies, regarded as
     generally representative of the U.S. stock market. The Index reflects the
     reinvestment of income dividends and capital gain distributions, if any,
     but does not reflect fees, brokerage commissions, or other expenses of
     investing.
    
 
   
All returns presented were calculated on a total return basis and reflect the
reinvestment of capital gains, dividends and interest. Custodial fees, if any,
were not included in the SAFECO Composite calculation. The SAFECO Composite's
returns are asset-weighted using beginning-of-period market values adjusted for
cash flows.
    
 
   
The Value Fund's expenses, timing of purchases and sales of portfolio
securities, availability of cash flows, and brokerage commissions may cause the
performance of the Value Fund to vary from that of the SAFECO Composite. In
addition, the institutional private accounts are not subject to the
diversification requirements, specific tax restrictions and investment
limitations imposed on the Value Fund by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently, the performance results
for the SAFECO Composite could have been adversely affected if the accounts
included in the composite had been regulated as investment companies under the
federal securities laws.
    
 
                                    -- 24 --
<PAGE>
ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)
   
The investment results of the SAFECO Composite are unaudited and are not
intended to predict or suggest the returns that might be experienced by the
Value Fund. Investors should also be aware that the use of a methodology
different from that used above to calculate the SAFECO Composite's performance
could result in different performance data.
    
 
   
The S&P 500 Index is used for comparison purposes only. The S&P 500 Index is an
unmanaged index of representative U.S. stocks that has no management or expense
charges. Performance is based on historical earnings and is not intended to
indicate future performance of the Value Fund.
    
 
   
SUB-ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE
    
 
   
The International Fund's sub-adviser, Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.)
Limited ("BIAM") has been managing separate accounts for institutional clients
in the United States for seven years. These accounts had investment objectives,
policies, strategies and risks substantially similar to those of the
International Fund. BIAM's past performance in advising these accounts was a key
factor in its selection as the Fund's sub-adviser. The performance set forth in
the tables below is based on the return achieved on BIAM's fully discretionary
international equity composite of accounts (the "BIAM Composite"). The BIAM
Composite data is provided to illustrate the past performance of BIAM in
managing substantially similar accounts as measured against the International
Fund and the EAFE Index, and does not represent the performance of the
International Fund.
    
 
   
CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            BIAM             BIAM           EAFE
YEAR                                                    COMPOSITE(A)     COMPOSITE(B)      INDEX*
- -----------------------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  -----------
<S>                                                    <C>              <C>              <C>
1990                                                         (4.65%)           5.37%        (23.20%)
1991                                                         10.61%            9.80%         12.50%
1992                                                         11.00%           10.19%        (11.85%)
1993                                                         49.49%           39.53%         32.94%
1994                                                          8.04%           (8.74%)         8.06%
1995                                                         18.09%           17.25%         11.55%
1996                                                         21.49%           20.62%          6.36%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      PERIOD
                                                     BEGINNING
                                                    JANUARY 31,
                                                       1996,
                                                      ENDING
                                                   DECEMBER 31,      ONE       FIVE        TEN
                                                       1996         YEAR       YEARS      YEARS
                                                   -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>
International Fund                                                       --         --         --
Class A                                       9.01%
Class B                                       8.91%
BIAM Composite                                                       26.67%     18.62%      15.89
EAFE Index                                                            6.36%      8.48%       8.74
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
 
   
 *   Not annualized
    
 
                                    -- 25 --
<PAGE>
SUB-ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)
   
The gross performance of the Composite in the tables above is shown after
reduction by the International Fund's weighted average expenses (2.34% for Class
A Shares and 3.09% for Class B Shares) of the two fiscal periods ending
September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1996. All returns presented were calculated
on a total return basis and reflect the reinvestment of capital gains, dividends
and interest. The BIAM Composite's returns are asset-weighted using
beginning-of-period market values adjusted for cash flows.
    
- ------------------------
 
   
**  The Morgan Stanley Europe, Australia and Far East Index ("EAFE Index") is a
    market-weighted aggregate of 20 individual country indices that collectively
    represent many of the major markets of the world, excluding Canada and the
    United States.
    
 
   
The International Fund's expenses, timing of purchases and sales of portfolio
securities, availability of cash flows, and brokerage commissions are all
reasons that might cause the performance of the International Fund to vary from
that of the SAFECO Composite. In addition, the BIAM Composite accounts are not
subject to the diversification requirements, specific tax restrictions and
investment limitations imposed on the International Fund by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 or Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently,
the performance results for the BIAM Composite could have been adversely
affected if the accounts included in the BIAM Composite had been regulated as
investment companies under the federal securities laws.
    
 
   
The investment results of BIAM's composite are unaudited and are not intended to
predict or suggest the returns that might be experienced by the International
Fund. Investors should also be aware that the use of a methodology different
from that used below to calculate performance could result in different
performance data.
    
 
   
The EAFE Index is used for comparison purposes only. The EAFE Index is an
unmanaged index of representative international stocks that has no management or
expense charges. Performance is based on historical earnings and is not intended
to indicate future performance of the International Fund.
    
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE ARRANGEMENT
 
This Prospectus offers two classes of shares for each Fund. For each Fund except
the Money Market Fund, Class A shares are sold at net asset value plus an
initial sales charge of up to 4.5%. Class A shares also pay an annual Rule 12b-1
service fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares. For
each Fund except the Money Market Fund, Class B shares are sold at net asset
value with no initial sales charge, but a CDSC of up to 5% applies to
redemptions made within six years of purchase. Class B shares also pay an annual
Rule 12b-1 service fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class B
shares and an annual Rule 12b-1 distribution fee of 0.75% of the average daily
net assets of the Class B shares. Class B shares convert to Class A shares in
the first month following the investor's sixth anniversary from purchase. The
maximum investment amount in Class B shares is $500,000.
 
Class A and B shares of the Money Market Fund are sold at net asset value, are
not subject to sales charges, and do not currently pay Rule 12b-1 fees. Money
Market Fund Class A and Class B shares may be subject to sales charges if an
investor exchanges into Class A or Class B shares of another Fund. See
"Purchasing Advisor Class A Shares" and "Purchasing Advisor Class B Shares."
 
For shareholders of each Fund except the Money Market Fund, the alternative
purchase arrangement permits an investor to choose the method of purchasing
shares that is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length of
time the investor expects to hold the shares, and other circumstances. Investors
should consider whether, during the anticipated life of their investment in a
 
                                    -- 26 --
<PAGE>
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE ARRANGEMENT (CONTINUED)
Fund, the accumulated distribution and service fees and CDSCs on Class B shares
prior to conversion would be less than the initial sales charge and accumulated
service fee on Class A shares purchased at the same time.
 
Class A shares will normally be more beneficial than Class B shares to investors
who qualify for reduced initial sales charges or a sales load waiver on Class A
shares. Class A shares are subject to a service fee (but not a distribution fee)
and, accordingly, pay correspondingly higher dividends per share than Class B
shares. However, because initial sales charges are deducted at the time of
purchase, investors purchasing Class A shares would not have all their funds
invested initially and, therefore, would initially own fewer shares.
 
Investors not qualifying for reduced initial sales charges who expect to
maintain their investment for an extended period of time might consider
purchasing Class B shares. The CDSC imposed on the redemption of Class B shares
decreases and is completely eliminated with respect to such shares beginning in
the first month following the investor's sixth anniversary from purchase. Class
B shares automatically convert to Class A shares (which are subject to lower
continuing charges) in the first month following the investor's sixth
anniversary from purchase.
 
For more information about each Fund's shares, see "How to Purchase Shares"
beginning on page 48.
 
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
The investment objective and investment policies for each Fund are described
below. A Trust's Board of Trustees may change a Fund's (except the California
Fund's) objective without a shareholder vote, but no such change will be made
without prior written notice to shareholders of that Fund (60 days' in the case
of the Money Market, Municipal Bond and Washington Funds and 30 days' in the
case of the other Funds). The California Fund has a fundamental investment
objective that may not be changed without a shareholder vote. In the event a
Fund changes its investment objective, the new objective may not meet the
investment needs of every shareholder and may be different from the objective a
shareholder considered appropriate at the time of initial investment. Each Fund
has adopted a number of investment restrictions. If a Fund satisfies a
percentage limitation at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in
value, assets or other circumstances will not be considered in determining
whether the Fund complies with the applicable policy (except to the extent the
change may impact the Fund's borrowing limits). Unless otherwise stated, the
investment policies and limitations described below under each Fund's
description and "Common Investment Practices" are non-fundamental and may be
changed without a shareholder vote.
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS
 
GROWTH FUND
 
The Growth Fund has as its investment objective to seek growth of capital and
the increased income that ordinarily follows from such growth. The Growth Fund
ordinarily invests a preponderance of its assets in common stock selected
primarily for potential appreciation. Such investments may cause its share price
to be more volatile than the Equity and Income Funds.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Growth Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST A PREPONDERANCE OF ITS ASSETS IN COMMON STOCKS SELECTED
    PRIMARILY FOR POTENTIAL APPRECIATION. To determine those common stocks which
    have the potential for long-term growth, SAM will evaluate the issuer's
    financial strength, quality of management and earnings power.
 
                                    -- 27 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
2.  MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK (INCLUDING CORPORATE
    BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK THAT CONVERT TO COMMON STOCK, EITHER AUTOMATICALLY
    AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT THE OPTION OF THE ISSUER). The Fund
    will purchase convertible securities if such securities offer a higher yield
    than an issuer's common stock and provide reasonable potential for capital
    appreciation.
 
3.  MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF NET ASSETS IN CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS. A contingent
    value right is a right issued by a corporation that takes on a
    preestablished value if the underlying common stock does not attain a target
    price by a specified date.
 
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 70.
 
EQUITY FUND
 
The Equity Fund has as its investment objective to seek long-term growth of
capital and reasonable current income. The Equity Fund invests principally in
common stock selected for appreciation and/ or dividend potential and from a
long-range investment standpoint. The Equity Fund does not seek to achieve both
growth and income with every portfolio security investment. Rather, it attempts
to achieve a reasonable balance between growth and income on an overall basis.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Equity Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST, DURING NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, AT LEAST 65% OF ITS TOTAL
    ASSETS IN EQUITY SECURITIES (WHICH INCLUDE COMMON STOCKS AND PREFERRED
    STOCKS). The Fund will invest principally in common stocks selected by SAM
    primarily for appreciation and/or dividend potential and from a long-range
    investment standpoint.
 
2.  MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK (INCLUDING CORPORATE
    BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK THAT CONVERT TO COMMON STOCK, WHETHER
    AUTOMATICALLY AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT THE OPTION OF THE
    ISSUER), EXCEPT THAT LESS THAN 35% OF ITS NET ASSETS WILL BE INVESTED IN
    SUCH SECURITIES. The Equity Fund may invest in convertible corporate bonds
    that are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as "high-yield"
    or "junk" bonds) or in comparable, unrated bonds, but less than 35% of the
    Equity Fund's net assets will be invested in such securities. The Equity
    Fund will not purchase a bond rated below Ca by Moody's Investors Service,
    Inc. ("Moody's") or CC by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of
    The McGraw-Hill Companies ("S&P") or which is in default on the payment of
    principal and interest. Bonds rated Ca or CC are highly speculative and have
    large uncertainties or major risk exposures. See "Risk Factors" on page 42
    for more information.
 
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 70. For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 70.
 
INCOME FUND
 
The Income Fund has as its investment objective to seek high current income and,
when consistent with its objective, the long-term growth of capital. The Fund
currently intends to place greatest emphasis on holding common stock,
convertible corporate bonds and convertible preferred stock. SAM will select
securities primarily for current income, but also with a view toward capital
growth when this can be accomplished without conflicting with the Fund's
investment objective.
 
                                    -- 28 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
To pursue its investment objective, the Income Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN COMMON STOCK AND ALSO IN CONVERTIBLE AND
    NON-CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK (INCLUDING CORPORATE
    BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK THAT CONVERT TO COMMON STOCK EITHER AUTOMATICALLY
    AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT THE OPTION OF THE ISSUER). The Fund
    will purchase convertible securities if such securities offer a higher yield
    than an issuer's common stock and provide reasonable potential for capital
    appreciation. The Income Fund may invest in convertible corporate bonds that
    are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as "high-yield" or
    "junk" bonds) or in comparable, unrated bonds, but less than 35% of the
    Income Fund's net assets will be invested in such securities. Bonds rated Ca
    by Moody's or CC by S&P are highly speculative and have large uncertainties
    or major risk exposures. See "Risk Factors" on page 42 for more information.
 
   
2.  MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF TOTAL ASSETS IN EURODOLLAR BONDS WHICH ARE ISSUED BY
    U.S. ISSUERS. Eurodollar bonds are traded in the European bond market and
    are denominated in U.S. dollars. The Fund will purchase Eurodollar bonds
    through U.S. securities dealers and hold such bonds in the United States.
    The delivery of Eurodollar bonds to the Fund's custodian in the United
    States may cause slight delays in settlement which are not anticipated to
    affect the Fund in any material, adverse manner.
    
 
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 70. For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 70.
 
NORTHWEST FUND
 
The Northwest Fund has as its investment objective to seek long-term growth of
capital through investing primarily in Northwest companies. To pursue its
objective, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in securities
issued by companies with their principal executive offices located in Alaska,
Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Northwest Fund:
 
   
1.  WILL ORDINARILY INVEST ITS ASSETS IN SHARES OF COMMON STOCKS AND PREFERRED
    STOCKS OF COMPANIES LOCATED IN THE NORTHWEST SELECTED PRIMARILY FOR
    POTENTIAL LONG-TERM APPRECIATION. To determine those common and preferred
    stocks which have the potential for long-term growth, SAM will evaluate the
    issuer's financial strength, quality of management and earnings power. The
    Fund generally invests a portion of its assets in smaller companies. See
    "Risk Factors" for more information about the risks of investing primarily
    in companies located in the Northwest.
    
 
   
2.  MAY OCCASIONALLY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK WHEN, IN
    THE OPINION OF SAM, THE EXPECTED TOTAL RETURN OF A CONVERTIBLE SECURITY
    EXCEEDS THE EXPECTED TOTAL RETURN OF COMMON STOCK ELIGIBLE FOR PURCHASE BY
    THE FUND. The Fund may purchase corporate bonds and preferred stock that
    convert to common stock either automatically after a specified period of
    time or at the option of the issuer. The Fund will purchase those
    convertible securities which, in SAM's opinion, have underlying common stock
    with potential for long-term growth. The Fund will purchase convertible
    securities which are investment grade, i.e., rated in the top four
    categories by either S&P or Moody's.
    
 
See "Risk Factors" for more information about the risks inherent in geographic
concentration. For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks,
convertible securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of
Stocks, Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 70. For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 70.
 
                                    -- 29 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
INTERNATIONAL FUND
 
The investment objective of the International Fund is to seek maximum long-term
total return (capital appreciation and income) by investing primarily in common
stock of established non-U.S. companies. To pursue its objective, the
International Fund, under normal market conditions, will invest at least 65% of
its total assets in the securities of companies domiciled in at least five
countries, not including the United States.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the International Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN COMMON STOCKS OF NON-U.S. COMPANIES. Common stock
    issued by foreign companies is subject to various risks in addition to those
    associated with U.S. investments. For example, the value of the common stock
    depends in part upon currency values, the political and regulatory
    environments, and overall economic factors in the countries in which the
    common stock is issued.
 
2.  MAY INVEST IN PREFERRED STOCKS AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES ISSUED BY FOREIGN
    COMPANIES.
 
3.  MAY INVEST IN DEBT SECURITIES ISSUED BY FOREIGN COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENTS.
    The Fund will make such investments primarily for defensive purposes, but
    may also do so where anticipated interest rate movements, or other factors
    affecting the degree of risk inherent in a fixed income security, are
    expected to change significantly so as to produce appreciation in the
    security consistent with the objective of the Fund. The Fund may purchase
    sovereign debt instruments issued or guaranteed by foreign governments or
    their agencies. Sovereign debt may be in the form of conventional securities
    or other types of debt instruments such as loans or loan participations.
    Governments or governmental entities responsible for repayment of the debt
    may be unable or unwilling to repay principal and interest when due, and may
    require renegotiation or rescheduling of debt payments. Repayment of
    principal and interest may depend also upon political and economic factors.
 
4.  MAY INVEST IN PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES ("PFICS"), WHICH INCLUDE
    FUNDS OR TRUSTS ORGANIZED AS INVESTMENT VEHICLES TO INVEST IN COMPANIES OF
    CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. Investors in PFICs bear their proportionate share
    of the PFIC's management fees and other expenses. See "Additional Tax
    Information" in the Common Stock Trust's Statement of Additional
    Information.
 
5.  MAY PURCHASE AND SELL PUT AND CALL OPTIONS ON SECURITIES, FINANCIAL INDICES
    AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES, MAY PURCHASE AND SELL THE FOLLOWING NON-LEVERAGED
    DERIVATIVE SECURITIES: FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS WITH RESPECT TO
    SECURITIES, FINANCIAL INDICES AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES, AND MAY ENTER INTO
    FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS SUCH AS FORWARD CONTRACTS. The Fund may employ
    certain strategies and techniques utilizing these instruments to mitigate
    its exposure to changing currency exchange rates, security prices, interest
    rates and other factors that affect security values. There is no guarantee
    that these strategies and techniques will work.
 
An option gives an owner the right to buy or sell securities at a predetermined
exercise price for a given period of time. The writer of an option is obligated
to purchase or sell (depending upon the nature of the option) the underlying
securities if the option is exercised during the specified period of time. A
futures contract is an agreement in which the seller of the contract agrees to
deliver to the buyer an amount of cash equal to a specific dollar amount times
the difference between the value of a security at the close of the last trading
day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is made. A forward
currency contract is an agreement to purchase or sell a foreign currency at some
future time for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars.
 
The Fund, under normal conditions, will not sell a put or call option if, as a
result thereof, the aggregate value of the assets underlying all such options
(determined as of the date such options are
 
                                    -- 30 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
written) would exceed 25% of the Fund's net assets. The Fund will not purchase a
put or call option or option on a futures contract if, as a result thereof, the
aggregate premiums paid on all options or options on futures contracts held by
the Fund would exceed 20% of its net assets. In addition, the Fund will not
enter into any futures contract or option on a futures contract if, as a result
thereof, the aggregate margin deposits and premiums required on all such
instruments would exceed 5% of its net assets.
 
See "Risk Factors" for more information about the risks inherent in securities
issued by foreign issuers and in the purchase and sale of options, futures and
forward contracts. For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks,
convertible securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of
Stocks, Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 70.
 
BALANCED FUND
 
The Balanced Fund has as its investment objective to seek growth and income
consistent with the preservation of capital. To pursue its objective, the
Balanced Fund will invest primarily in equity and fixed income securities and
will occasionally alter the mix of its equity and fixed income securities. Such
action will be taken in response to economic conditions and generally in small
increments. The Balanced Fund will not make significant changes in its asset mix
in an attempt to "time the market."
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Balanced Fund:
 
1.  WILL ORDINARILY INVEST FROM 50% TO 70% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN EQUITY
    SECURITIES, WHICH INCLUDE COMMON STOCKS, PREFERRED STOCK AND SECURITIES
    CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK. The Fund will invest principally in common
    stocks selected by SAM primarily for appreciation and/or dividend potential
    and from a long-range investment standpoint. The Fund may purchase corporate
    bonds and preferred stock that convert to common stock either automatically
    after a specified period of time or at the option of the issuer.
 
    The Fund will purchase those convertible securities which, in SAM's opinion,
    have underlying common stock with potential for long-term growth. The Fund
    will purchase convertible securities which are investment grade, i.e., rated
    in the top four categories by either S&P or Moody's.
 
2.  WILL INVEST AT LEAST 25% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN FIXED-INCOME SENIOR
    SECURITIES. The Fund will purchase only those U.S. Government and investment
    grade debt obligations or non-rated debt obligations which in SAM's view
    contain the credit characteristics of investment grade debt obligations.
    Investment grade obligations (rated between Aaa-Baa by Moody's and AAA-BBB
    by S&P) are from high to medium quality. Medium quality obligations possess
    speculative characteristics and may be more sensitive to economic changes
    and changes to the financial condition of issuers.
 
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 70. For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 70.
 
SMALL COMPANY FUND
 
The Small Company Fund has as its investment objective to seek long-term growth
of capital through investing primarily in small-sized companies. To pursue its
objective, the Small Company Fund will invest primarily in companies with total
market capitalization of less than $1 billion.
 
                                    -- 31 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
To pursue its investment objective, the Small Company Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST AT LEAST 65% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED
    STOCK OF SMALL-SIZED COMPANIES WITH TOTAL MARKET CAPITALIZATION OF LESS THAN
    $1 BILLION. Companies whose capitalization falls outside this range after
    purchase continue to be considered small-capitalized for purposes of the 65%
    policy. The Fund will invest principally in common stocks selected by SAM
    primarily for appreciation and/or dividend potential and from a long-range
    investment standpoint. In determining those common and preferred stocks
    which have the potential for long-term growth, SAM will evaluate the
    issuer's financial strength, quality of management and earnings power.
    Investments in small or newly formed companies involve greater risks than
    investments in larger, more established issuers and their securities can be
    subject to more abrupt and erratic movements in price. See "Risk Factors"
    for more information about the risks inherent in securities issued by small
    companies.
 
   
2.  MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK WHEN, IN SAM'S
    OPINION, THE EXPECTED TOTAL RETURN OF A CONVERTIBLE SECURITY EXCEEDS THE
    EXPECTED TOTAL RETURN OF COMMON STOCK ELIGIBLE FOR PURCHASE BY THE FUND. The
    Fund will purchase convertible securities if such securities offer a higher
    yield than an issuer's common stock and provide reasonable potential for
    capital appreciation. The Fund may invest in convertible corporate bonds
    that are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as "high-yield"
    or "junk" bonds) or in comparable, unrated bonds, but less than 35% of the
    Fund's net assets will be invested in such securities. Bonds rated Ca by
    Moody's or CC by S&P are highly speculative and have large uncertainties or
    major risk exposures. See "Risk Factors" on page 42 for more information.
    
 
   
See "Risk Factors" for more information about the risks inherent in small
company issuers. For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks,
convertible securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of
Stocks, Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 74. For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 74.
    
 
VALUE FUND
 
   
The Value Fund has as its investment objective to seek long-term growth of
capital and income. The
Value Fund primarily invests in common stock selected for potential appreciation
and income using fundamental value analysis. The Value Fund wil invest of least
65% of its assets in common stock and preferred stock issued by U.S. companies.
    
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Value Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST A PREPONDERANCE OF ITS ASSETS IN COMMON STOCKS SELECTED
    PRIMARILY FOR POTENTIAL APPRECIATION. To determine those common stocks which
    have the potential for long-term growth, SAM will evaluate the issuer's
    financial strength, quality of management and earnings power.
 
2.  MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK (INCLUDING CORPORATE
    BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK THAT CONVERT TO COMMON STOCK, EITHER AUTOMATICALLY
    AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT THE OPTION OF THE ISSUER). The Fund
    will purchase convertible securities if such securities offer a higher yield
    than an issuer's common stock and provide reasonable potential for capital
    appreciation.
 
   
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 74.
    
 
                                    -- 32 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
 
COMMON INVESTMENT PRACTICES OF THE STOCK FUNDS
 
Each of the Stock Funds may also follow the investment practices described
below:
 
1.  MAY INVEST IN BONDS AND OTHER DEBT SECURITIES.
 
    Each Fund may invest in bonds and other debt securities that are rated
    investment grade by Moody's or S&P, or unrated bonds determined by SAM to be
    of comparable quality to such rated bonds. Bonds rated in the lowest
    category of investment grade (Baa by Moody's and BBB by S&P) and comparable
    unrated bonds have speculative characteristics and are more likely to have a
    weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments under changing
    economic conditions or upon deterioration in the financial condition of the
    issuer.
 
    After purchase by a Stock Fund, a corporate bond may be downgraded or, if
    unrated, may cease to be comparable to a rated security. Neither event will
    require a Stock Fund to dispose of that security, but SAM will take a
    downgrade or loss of comparability into account in determining whether the
    Fund should continue to hold the security in its portfolio. The Equity Fund
    will not hold more than 3% of its total assets and the Income Fund will not
    hold more than 1% of its total assets in bonds that go into default on the
    payment of principal and interest after purchase. In the event that 35% or
    more of a Stock Fund's net assets is held in securities rated below
    investment grade due to a downgrade of one or more corporate bonds, SAM will
    engage in an orderly disposition of such securities to the extent necessary
    to ensure that the Fund's holdings of such securities remain below 35% of
    the Fund's net assets.
 
2.  MAY INVEST IN WARRANTS. Warrants are options to buy a stated number of
    shares of common stock at a specified price any time during the life of the
    warrant. Generally, the value of a warrant will fluctuate by greater
    percentages than the value of the underlying common stock. The primary risk
    associated with a warrant is that the term of the warrant may expire before
    the exercise price of the common stock has been reached. Under these
    circumstances, a Stock Fund could lose all of its principal investment in
    the warrant.
 
3.  MAY HOLD CASH OR INVEST TEMPORARILY IN HIGH QUALITY, SHORT-TERM SECURITIES
    ISSUED BY AN AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, HIGH QUALITY
    COMMERCIAL PAPER, CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, SHARES OF NO-LOAD, OPEN-END MONEY
    MARKET FUNDS (EXCEPT THE EQUITY FUND) OR REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Stock
    Funds may purchase these short-term securities as a cash management
    technique under those circumstances where it has cash to manage for a short
    time period, for example, after receiving proceeds from the sale of
    securities, dividend distributions from portfolio securities or cash from
    the sale of Fund shares to investors. With respect to repurchase agreements,
    each Stock Fund will invest no more than 5% of its total assets in
    repurchase agreements and will not purchase repurchase agreements that
    mature in more than seven days. Counterparties of foreign repurchase
    agreements may be less creditworthy than U.S. counterparties.
 
4.  MAY PURCHASE SECURITIES ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED-DELIVERY" BASIS OR
    PURCHASE OR SELL SECURITIES ON A "FORWARD COMMITMENT" BASIS. Under this
    procedure, a Stock Fund agrees to acquire securities that are to be issued
    and delivered against payment in the future. The price, however, is fixed at
    the time of commitment. When a Stock Fund purchases when-issued or
    delayed-delivery securities, its custodian bank will maintain in a temporary
    holding account cash, U.S. Government securities or other high-grade debt
    obligations having a value equal to or greater than such commitments. On
    delivery dates for such transactions, the Fund will meet its obligations
    from maturities or sales of the securities held in the temporary holding
    account or
 
                                    -- 33 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
    from then-available cash flow. If a Stock Fund chooses to dispose of the
    right to acquire a when-issued or delayed delivery security prior to its
    acquisition, it could incur a gain or loss due to market fluctuations. Use
    of these techniques may affect a Fund's share price in a manner similar to
    leveraging.
 
5.  MAY INVEST IN AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ("ADRS"). ADRs are registered
    receipts evidencing ownership of an underlying foreign security. They
    typically are issued in the United States by a bank or trust company. In
    addition to the risks of foreign investment applicable to the underlying
    securities, ADRs may also be subject to the risks that the foreign issuer
    may not be obligated to cooperate with the U.S. bank or trust company, or
    that such information in the U.S. market may not be current. ADRs which are
    structured without sponsorship of the issuer of the underlying foreign
    security may also be subject to the risk that the foreign issuer may not
    provide financial and other material information to the U.S. bank or trust
    company issuer. The International Fund may utilize European Depositary
    Receipts ("EDRs"), which are similar instruments. EDRs may be in bearer form
    and are designed for use in the European securities markets.
 
6.  MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN FOREIGN SECURITIES, EXCEPT THE
    INTERNATIONAL FUND, WHICH MAY INVEST 100% OF ITS ASSETS IN FOREIGN
    SECURITIES. FOREIGN SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS IN ADDITION TO THOSE
    INHERENT IN INVESTMENTS IN DOMESTIC SECURITIES. See "Risk Factors" on page
    42 for more information about the risks associated with investments in
    foreign securities.
 
7.  MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN SHARES OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
    TRUSTS ("REITS"). REITs purchase real property, which is then leased, and
    make mortgage investments. For federal income tax purposes, REITs attempt to
    qualify for beneficial "modified pass-through" tax treatment by annually
    distributing at least 95% of their taxable income. If a REIT were unable to
    qualify for such tax treatment, it would be taxed as a corporation and the
    distributions made to its shareholders would not be deductible by it in
    computing its taxable income. REITs are dependent upon the successful
    operation of properties owned and the financial condition of lessees and
    mortgagors. The value of REIT units fluctuates depending on the underlying
    value of the real property and mortgages owned and the amount of cash flow
    (net income plus depreciation) generated and paid out. In addition, REITs
    typically borrow to increase funds available for investment. Generally,
    there is a greater risk associated with REITs that are highly leveraged.
 
   
8.  MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN RESTRICTED SECURITIES, PROVIDED
    THAT SAM HAS DETERMINED THAT SUCH SECURITIES ARE LIQUID UNDER GUIDELINES
    ADOPTED BY THE COMMON STOCK TRUST'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Restricted securities
    may be sold only in offerings registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
    as amended ("1933 Act"), or in transactions exempt from the registration
    requirements under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A under the 1933 Act provides an
    exemption for the resale of certain restricted securities to qualified
    institutional buyers. Investing in restricted securities may increase the
    Stock Funds' illiquidity to the extent that qualified institutional buyers
    or other buyers become, for a time, unwilling to purchase the securities. As
    a result, a Stock Fund may not be able to sell these securities when its
    investment adviser or sub-investment adviser deems it advisable to sell, or
    may have to sell them at less than fair value. In addition, market
    quotations are sometimes less readily available for restricted securities.
    Therefore, judgment may at times play a greater role in valuing these
    securities than in the case of unrestricted securities.
    
 
9.  MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES WHOSE PERFORMANCE AND PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AT MATURITY
    ARE LINKED TO A SPECIFIED EQUITY SECURITY OR SECURITIES INDEX. The value of
    an indexed security is determined by reference to a specific equity
    instrument or statistic. The performance of indexed securities
 
                                    -- 34 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
    depends largely on the performance of the securities or indices to which
    they are indexed, but such securities are also subject to credit risks
    associated with the issuer of the security. Indexed securities may also be
    more volatile than their underlying instruments.
 
10. MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN SECURITIES OF UNSEASONED ISSUERS.
    Unseasoned issuers are those companies which, together with any
    predecessors, have been in operation for less than three years.
 
The following restrictions are fundamental policies of the Stock Funds that
cannot be changed without shareholder vote.
 
1.  EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 75% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, MAY NOT
    INVEST MORE THAN 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN THE SECURITIES OF ANY ONE ISSUER
    (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
2.  THE GROWTH, INCOME AND NORTHWEST FUNDS MAY NOT PURCHASE MORE THAN 10% OF ANY
    CLASS OF SECURITIES OF ANY ONE ISSUER.
 
3.  EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 100% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, MAY NOT
    PURCHASE MORE THAN 10% OF THE OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES OF ANY ONE
    ISSUER (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
   
4.  EACH STOCK FUND MAY BORROW MONEY ONLY FOR TEMPORARY OR EMERGENCY PURPOSES,
    AND THE GROWTH FUND ONLY FOR EXTRAORDINARY OR EMERGENCY PURPOSES, FROM A
    BANK OR AFFILIATE OF SAFECO CORPORATION AT AN INTEREST RATE NOT GREATER THAN
    THAT AVAILABLE FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS. The Growth, Income and Northwest Funds
    will not borrow amounts in excess of 20%, and the Equity, Balanced,
    International, Small Company and Value Funds will not borrow amounts in
    excess of 33%, of total assets. A Stock Fund will not purchase securities if
    borrowings equal to or greater than 5% of total assets are outstanding for
    that Fund.
    
 
For more information, see the "Investment Policies" and "Additional Investment
Information" sections of the Common Stock Trust's Statement of Additional
Information.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND
 
The investment objective of the Intermediate Treasury Fund is to provide as high
a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital. The
Intermediate Treasury Fund will seek to maintain a portfolio of U.S. Treasury
obligations with an average dollar weighted maturity of between three and ten
years; however, individual obligations held by the Intermediate Treasury Fund
may have maturities outside that range.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Intermediate Treasury Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST, DURING NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, AT LEAST 65% OF ITS TOTAL
    ASSETS IN DIRECT OBLIGATIONS OF THE U.S. TREASURY SUCH AS U.S. TREASURY
    BILLS, NOTES AND BONDS. The Intermediate Treasury Fund may also invest in
    stripped securities that are direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury. Direct
    obligations of the U.S. Treasury are supported by the full faith and credit
    of the U.S. Government.
 
2.  WILL INVEST UP TO 35% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN:
 
    OTHER U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES, including (a) securities supported by the
    full faith and credit of the U.S. Government but that are not direct
    obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as securities issued by the
    Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), (b) securities that are
    not supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government but are
    supported by the issuer's ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as
    securities issued by the Federal National
 
                                    -- 35 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND (CONTINUED)
    Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
    ("FHLMC"), and (c) securities supported solely by the creditworthiness of
    the issuer, such as securities issued by the Tennessee Valley Authority
    ("TVA"). While U.S. Government securities are considered to be of the
    highest credit quality available, they are subject to the same market risks
    as comparable debt securities.
 
    CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES which at the time of purchase are rated in the top
    three grades (A or higher) by either Moody's or S&P, or, if unrated,
    determined by SAM to be of comparable quality to such rated debt securities.
    In addition to reviewing ratings, SAM will analyze the quality of rated and
    unrated corporate bonds for purchase by the Fund by evaluating various
    factors that may include the issuer's capital structure, earnings power and
    quality of management. See "Ratings Supplement" beginning on page   .
 
3.  MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN YANKEE SECTOR DEBT SECURITIES,
    EURODOLLAR BONDS AND MUNICIPAL SECURITIES. See the Taxable Bond Trust's
    Statement of Additional Information for more information about these
    securities.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE HIGH-YIELD FUND
 
The High-Yield Fund has as its investment objective to provide a high level of
current interest income through the purchase of high-yield, fixed-income
securities. The higher yields that the Fund seeks are usually available from
lower-rated or unrated securities sometimes referred to as "junk bonds." The
maturity of the debt obligations held by the Fund may range from 1 to 30 years.
However, it is anticipated that the majority of debt obligations will have
maturities from 5 to 15 years.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the High-Yield Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST, DURING NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, AT LEAST 65% OF ITS PORTFOLIO
    IN HIGH-YIELD, FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. The High-Yield Fund may purchase
    debt and preferred stock issues (including convertible securities) which are
    below investment grade, I.E., rated lower than the top four grades by S&P or
    Moody's, or, if not rated by these agencies, in the opinion of SAM, have
    credit characteristics comparable to such rated securities. Up to 25% of the
    Fund's total assets may be invested in such unrated securities. SAM will
    determine the quality of unrated obligations by evaluating the issuer's
    capital structure, earnings power and quality of management. Unrated
    securities may not be as attractive to as many investors as rated
    securities. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in
    securities which are in default. The Fund will purchase securities which are
    in default only when, in SAM's opinion, the potential for high yield
    outweighs the risk.
 
   
    While fixed-income securities rated lower than investment grade generally
    lack characteristics of a desirable investment, they normally offer a
    current yield or yield-to-maturity which is significantly higher than the
    yield available from securities rated as investment grade. These securities
    are speculative and involve greater investment risks due to the issuers'
    reduced creditworthiness and increased likelihood of default and bankruptcy.
    In addition, these securities are frequently subordinated to senior
    securities. For further explanation of the special risks associated with
    investing in lower-rated, fixed-income securities, see "Risk Factors" on
    page   .
    
 
   
    For a description of debt ratings, see "Description of Debt Ratings" on page
      . For a breakdown of the debt securities held by the High-Yield Fund
    during the fiscal period ended December 31, 1996, see "Debt Securities Held
    by the High-Yield Fund" on page   . The High-Yield Fund may retain an issue
    whose rating has been changed.
    
 
                                    -- 36 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE HIGH-YIELD FUND (CONTINUED)
2.  MAY INVEST IN FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES WITH EQUITY FEATURES WHEN COMPARABLE
    IN YIELD AND RISK TO FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES WITHOUT EQUITY FEATURES, BUT
    ONLY WHEN ACQUIRED AS A RESULT OF UNIT OFFERINGS WHICH CARRY AN EQUITY
    ELEMENT SUCH AS COMMON STOCK, RIGHTS OR OTHER EQUITY SECURITIES. The Fund
    will hold these common stocks, rights or other equity securities until SAM
    determines that, in its opinion, the optimal time for sale of the equity
    security has been reached.
 
   
3.  MAY INVEST IN RESTRICTED SECURITIES ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE UNDER RULE 144A
    ("RULE 144A SECURITIES"), PROVIDED THAT SAM HAS DETERMINED THAT SUCH
    SECURITIES ARE LIQUID UNDER GUIDELINES ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
    Restricted securities may be sold only in offerings registered under the
    Securities Act of 1933 ("1933 Act") or in transactions exempt from the
    registration requirements under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A under the 1933 Act
    provides an exemption for the resale of certain restricted securities to
    qualified institutional buyers. Investing in Rule 144A securities could have
    the effect of increasing the Fund's illiquidity to the extent that qualified
    institutional buyers or other buyers become, for a time, unwilling to
    purchase the securities.
    
 
4.  MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN MUNICIPAL SECURITIES WHICH ARE
    RATED LOWER THAN THE TOP THREE GRADES ASSIGNED BY MOODY'S OR S&P OR ARE
    UNRATED BUT COMPARABLE TO SUCH RATED SECURITIES IF, IN THE OPINION OF SAM,
    THE POTENTIAL FOR APPRECIATION IS GREATER THAN, AND YIELD IS COMPARABLE TO
    OR GREATER THAN, SIMILARLY-RATED TAXABLE SECURITIES. Investment in medium
    and lower quality tax-exempt bonds involves the same risks as investments in
    taxable bonds of similar quality.
 
5.  MAY INVEST IN OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED BY, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, ITS
    AGENCIES OR INSTRUMENTALITIES OR IN FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES WHICH ARE RATED
    IN THE FOUR HIGHEST GRADES ASSIGNED BY MOODY'S OR S&P DURING MARKET
    CONDITIONS WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF SAM, ARE UNFAVORABLE FOR SATISFACTORY
    PERFORMANCE BY LOWER-RATED OR UNRATED FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. The Fund may
    invest in higher-rated securities when changing economic conditions or other
    factors cause the difference in yield between lower-rated and higher-rated
    securities to narrow and SAM believes that the risk of loss to principal may
    be substantially reduced with a small reduction in yield.
 
COMMON INVESTMENT PRACTICES OF THE INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND AND THE HIGH-YIELD
FUND
 
The Intermediate Treasury Fund and High-Yield Fund may also follow the
investment practices described below:
 
1.  MAY HOLD CASH OR INVEST TEMPORARILY IN HIGH-QUALITY COMMERCIAL PAPER,
    CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, SHARES OF NO-LOAD, OPEN-END MONEY MARKET FUNDS,
    REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND HIGH-QUALITY SHORT-TERM SECURITIES ISSUED BY AN
    AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. Each Fund may purchase
    these short-term securities as a cash management technique under those
    circumstances where it has cash to manage for a short time period, for
    example, after receiving proceeds from the sale of securities, interest
    payments, dividend distributions from portfolio securities, or cash from the
    sale of Fund shares to investors. Interest earned from these short-term
    securities will be taxable to investors as ordinary income when distributed.
 
2.  MAY INVEST FOR SHORT-TERM PURPOSES WHEN SAM BELIEVES SUCH ACTION TO BE
    DESIRABLE AND CONSISTENT WITH SOUND INVESTMENT PRACTICES. Neither Fund,
    however, will engage primarily in trading for the purpose of short-term
    profits. A Fund may dispose of its portfolio securities whenever SAM deems
    advisable, without regard to the length of time the securities have been
    held.
 
                                    -- 37 --
<PAGE>
COMMON INVESTMENT PRACTICES OF THE INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND AND THE HIGH-YIELD
FUND (CONTINUED)
3.  MAY PURCHASE OR SELL SECURITIES ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED-DELIVERY"
    BASIS. Under this procedure, a Fund agrees to acquire or sell securities
    that are to be delivered against payment in the future, normally 30 to 45
    days. The price, however, is fixed at the time of commitment. When a Fund
    purchases when-issued or delayed-delivery securities, it will earmark
    liquid, high-quality securities in an amount equal in value to the purchase
    price of the security. Use of these techniques may affect the Fund's share
    price in a manner similar to leveraging.
 
The following restrictions are fundamental policies of the Intermediate Treasury
Fund and High-Yield Fund which cannot be changed without shareholder vote.
 
1.  EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 75% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, MAY NOT
    INVEST MORE THAN 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN THE SECURITIES OF ANY ONE ISSUER
    (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
2.  EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 100% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, MAY NOT
    PURCHASE MORE THAN 10% OF THE OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES OF ANY ONE
    ISSUER (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
3.  EACH FUND MAY BORROW MONEY ONLY FOR TEMPORARY OR EMERGENCY PURPOSES FROM A
    BANK OR SAFECO CORPORATION OR AFFILIATES OF SAFECO CORPORATION AT AN
    INTEREST RATE NOT GREATER THAN THAT AVAILABLE FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS. A Fund
    will not borrow amounts in excess of 20% of its total assets. A Fund will
    not purchase securities if outstanding borrowings are equal to or greater
    than 5% of its total assets. Each Fund intends to exercise its borrowing
    authority primarily to meet shareholder redemptions under circumstances
    where redemption requests exceed available cash.
 
4.  EACH FUND MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS NET ASSETS IN ILLIQUID SECURITIES,
    WHICH ARE SECURITIES THAT CANNOT BE SOLD WITHIN SEVEN DAYS IN THE ORDINARY
    COURSE OF BUSINESS FOR APPROXIMATELY THE AMOUNT AT WHICH THEY ARE VALUED.
    Due to the absence of an active trading market, a Fund may experience
    difficulty in valuing or disposing of illiquid securities. SAM determines
    the liquidity of the securities under guidelines adopted by the Taxable Bond
    Trust's Board of Trustees.
 
5.  EACH FUND MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF NET ASSETS IN REPURCHASE AGREEMENT
    TRANSACTIONS. Repurchase agreements are transactions in which a Fund
    purchases securities from a bank or recognized securities dealer and
    simultaneously commits to resell the securities to the bank or dealer at an
    agreed-upon date and price reflecting a market rate of interest unrelated to
    the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased securities. Repurchase
    agreements carry certain risks not associated with direct investments in
    securities, including the risk that the Fund will be unable to dispose of
    the security during the term of the repurchase agreement if the security's
    market value declines, and delays and costs to a Fund if the other party to
    the repurchase agreement declares bankruptcy.
 
For more information see the "Investment Policies" and "Additional Investment
Information" sections of the Taxable Bond Trust's Statement of Additional
Information.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MANAGED BOND FUND
 
The investment objective of the Managed Bond Fund is to provide as high a level
of total return as is consistent with the relative stability of capital through
purchase of investment grade debt securities.
 
In pursuing the Managed Bond Fund's investment objective, SAM will seek to
minimize the effects of interest rate risks while pursuing total return by
adjusting the investment portfolio's average maturity in response to interest
rate changes. In general, the Managed Bond Fund's strategy will be to hold
 
                                    -- 38 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MANAGED BOND FUND (CONTINUED)
fixed-income securities with shorter maturities as interest rates rise and with
longer maturities as interest rates fall. The fixed-income securities held by
the Managed Bond Fund will have maturities of 10 years or less from the date of
purchase. SAM reserves the right to modify the Managed Bond Fund's investment
strategy in any respect at any time.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Managed Bond Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST AT LEAST 65% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN BONDS, DEFINED AS
    FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES.
 
2.  WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT SECURITIES; I.E., SECURITIES
    RATED IN THE TOP FOUR CATEGORIES BY EITHER S&P OR MOODY'S OR IF NOT RATED,
    SECURITIES WHICH, IN SAM'S OPINION, ARE COMPARABLE IN QUALITY TO INVESTMENT
    GRADE DEBT SECURITIES. Included in investment grade debt securities are
    securities of medium grade (rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P) which have
    speculative characteristics and are more likely to have a weakened capacity
    to make principal and interest payments under changing economic or other
    conditions than higher grade securities. The Managed Bond Fund will limit
    investments in such medium grade debt securities to no more than 10% of its
    total assets. Unrated securities are not necessarily of lower quality than
    rated securities, but may not be as attractive to investors.
 
    The Managed Bond Fund may retain debt securities which are downgraded to
    below investment grade (commonly referred to as "high yield" or "junk"
    bonds) after purchase. In the event that due to a downgrade of one or more
    debt securities an amount in excess of 5% of the Fund's net assets is held
    in securities rated below investment grade, SAM will engage in an orderly
    disposition of such securities to the extent necessary to reduce the Fund's
    holdings of such securities to no more than 5% of the Fund's net assets. In
    addition to reviewing ratings, SAM may analyze the quality of rated and
    unrated debt securities purchased for the Managed Bond Fund by evaluating
    the issuer's capital structure, earnings power, quality of management and
    position within its industry. For a description of debt securities ratings,
    see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 70.
 
3.  WILL INVEST AT LEAST 50% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN OBLIGATIONS OF OR GUARANTEED
    BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, ITS AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES. These
    obligations include (a) direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as
    U.S. Treasury notes, bills, bonds and stripped securities; (b) securities
    supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government but that are
    not direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as securities issued by
    the GNMA; (c) securities that are not supported by the full faith and credit
    of the U.S. Government but are supported by the issuer's ability to borrow
    from the U.S. Treasury, such as securities issued by the FNMA and the FHLMC;
    and (d) securities supported solely by the creditworthiness of the issuer,
    such as securities issued by the TVA. While U.S. Government securities are
    considered to be of the highest credit quality available, they are subject
    to the same market risks as comparable debt securities.
 
4.  MAY INVEST UP TO 50% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES OR
    EURODOLLAR BONDS. Eurodollar bonds are bonds issued by either U.S. or
    foreign issuers that are traded in the European bond markets and denominated
    in U.S. dollars. The Managed Bond Fund will purchase Eurodollar bonds
    through U.S. securities dealers and hold such bonds in the United States.
    The delivery of Eurodollar bonds to the Managed Bond Fund's custodian in the
    United States may cause slight delays in settlement which are not
    anticipated to affect the Managed Bond Fund in any material, adverse manner.
    Eurodollar bonds issued by foreign issuers are subject to the same risks as
    Yankee sector bonds discussed below.
 
5.  MAY INVEST IN ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES, WHICH REPRESENT INTERESTS IN, OR ARE
    SECURED BY AND PAYABLE FROM, POOLS OF ASSETS SUCH AS CONSUMER LOANS,
    AUTOMOBILE RECEIVABLE SECURITIES, CREDIT CARD RECEIVABLE SECURITIES, AND
    INSTALLMENT LOAN CONTRACTS. These securities may be supported by credit
    enhancements such as letters of credit. Payment of interest and principal
    ultimately
 
                                    -- 39 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MANAGED BOND FUND (CONTINUED)
    depends upon borrowers paying the underlying loans. There is a risk that one
    or more of the underlying borrowers may default and that recovery on
    repossessed collateral may be unavailable or inadequate to support payments
    on the defaulted asset-backed securities. In addition, asset-backed
    securities are subject to prepayment risks which may reduce the overall
    return of the investment.
 
6.  MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN YANKEE SECTOR DEBT SECURITIES,
    WHICH ARE SECURITIES ISSUED AND TRADED IN THE UNITED STATES BY FOREIGN
    ISSUERS. These bonds have investment risks that are different from those of
    domestic issuers. Such risks may include nationalization of the issuer,
    confiscatory taxation by the foreign government that would inhibit the
    ability of the issuer to make principal and interest payments to the Managed
    Bond Fund, lack of comparable publicly available information concerning
    foreign issuers, lack of comparable accounting and auditing practices in
    foreign countries and, finally, difficulty in enforcing claims against
    foreign issuers in the event of default.
 
    Both S&P and Moody's rate Yankee sector debt obligations. If a debt
    obligation is unrated, SAM will attempt to analyze a potential investment in
    the foreign issuer with respect to quality and risk on the same basis as the
    rating services. Because public information is not always comparable to that
    available on domestic issuers, this may not be possible. Therefore, while
    SAM will attempt to select investments in foreign securities on the same
    basis, and with comparable quantities and types of information, as its
    investments in domestic securities, that may not always be possible.
 
7.  MAY PURCHASE OR SELL SECURITIES ON A WHEN-ISSUED OR DELAYED-DELIVERY BASIS.
    Under this procedure, the Managed Bond Fund agrees to acquire securities
    that are to be issued and delivered against payment in the future, normally
    30 to 45 days. The price, however, is fixed at the time of commitment. When
    the Managed Bond Fund purchases when-issued or delayed-delivery securities,
    it will earmark liquid, high quality securities in an amount equal in value
    to the purchase price of the security. Use of these techniques may affect
    the Managed Bond Fund's share price in a manner similar to the use of
    leveraging.
 
8.  MAY HOLD CASH OR INVEST TEMPORARILY IN HIGH QUALITY, SHORT-TERM SECURITIES
    ISSUED BY AN AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, HIGH QUALITY
    COMMERCIAL PAPER, CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, SHARES OF NO-LOAD, OPEN-END MONEY
    MARKET FUNDS OR REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Managed Bond Fund may purchase
    these short-term securities as a cash management technique under those
    circumstances where it has cash to manage for a short time period, for
    example, after receiving proceeds from the sale of securities, interest
    payments or dividend distributions from portfolio securities or cash from
    the sale of Managed Bond Fund shares to investors. Interest earned from
    these short-term securities will be taxable to investors as ordinary income
    when distributed. With respect to repurchase agreements, the Managed Bond
    Fund will invest no more than 5% of its total assets in repurchase
    agreements, and will not purchase repurchase agreements which mature in more
    than seven days.
 
9.  MAY HOLD CASH AS A TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE MEASURE WHEN MARKET CONDITIONS SO
    WARRANT.
 
10. MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN MUNICIPAL SECURITIES IF, IN SAM'S
    OPINION, THE POTENTIAL FOR APPRECIATION IS GREATER THAN, AND YIELD IS
    COMPARABLE TO OR GREATER THAN, SIMILARLY RATED TAXABLE SECURITIES.
 
11. MAY INVEST FOR SHORT-TERM PURPOSES WHEN SAM BELIEVES SUCH ACTION TO BE
    DESIRABLE AND CONSISTENT WITH SOUND INVESTMENT PRACTICES. The Managed Bond
    Fund, however, will not engage primarily in trading for the purpose of
    short-term profits. The Managed Bond Fund may dispose of its portfolio
    securities whenever SAM deems advisable, without regard to the length of
    time the securities have been held.
 
                                    -- 40 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MANAGED BOND FUND (CONTINUED)
The following restrictions are fundamental policies of the Managed Bond Fund
which cannot be changed without shareholder vote.
 
1.  THE FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 75% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, MAY NOT
    INVEST MORE THAN 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN THE SECURITIES OF ANY ONE ISSUER
    (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
2.  THE FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 100% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, MAY NOT
    PURCHASE MORE THAN 10% OF THE OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES OF ANY ONE
    ISSUER (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
3.  THE FUND MAY BORROW MONEY FOR TEMPORARY OR EMERGENCY PURPOSES ONLY FROM A
    BANK OR AFFILIATE OF SAFECO CORPORATION AT AN INTEREST RATE NOT GREATER THAN
    THAT AVAILABLE FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS. The Fund will not borrow amounts in
    excess of 20% of its total assets. As a non-fundamental policy, the Fund
    will not purchase securities if outstanding borrowings are equal to or
    greater than 5% of its total assets. The Fund intends to exercise its
    borrowing authority primarily to meet shareholder redemptions under
    circumstances where redemptions exceed available cash.
 
For more information, see the "Investment Policies" and "Additional Investment
Information" sections of the Managed Bond Trust's Statement of Additional
Information.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUNDS
 
The investment objective of the Municipal Bond Fund is to provide as high a
level of current interest income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent
with the relative stability of capital. The investment objective of the
California Fund is to provide as high a level of current interest income exempt
from federal income tax and California state personal income tax as is
consistent with the relative stability of capital. The investment objective of
the Washington Fund is to provide as high a level of current interest income
exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with prudent investment risk.
 
To pursue its investment objective, each of the Tax-Exempt Income Funds:
 
1.  WILL, DURING NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, INVEST AS A MATTER OF FUNDAMENTAL
    POLICY AT LEAST 80% OF ITS NET ASSETS IN SECURITIES THE INTEREST ON WHICH IS
    EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX AND, IN THE CASE OF THE CALIFORNIA FUND,
    EXEMPT FROM CALIFORNIA PERSONAL INCOME TAX. The Tax-Exempt Income Funds do
    not currently intend to purchase taxable investments, except as a temporary
    accommodation or in an emergency situation.
 
2.  WILL INVEST AT LEAST 65% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN MUNICIPAL BONDS (IN THE CASE
    OF THE WASHINGTON FUND, ISSUED BY THE STATE OF WASHINGTON OR POLITICAL
    SUBDIVISIONS, MUNICIPALITIES, AGENCIES, INSTRUMENTALITIES OR PUBLIC
    AUTHORITIES WITHIN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON) HAVING A MATURITY IN EXCESS OF
    ONE YEAR THAT AT THE TIME OF ACQUISITION ARE INVESTMENT GRADE; I.E., RATED
    IN ONE OF THE FOUR HIGHEST GRADES ASSIGNED BY MOODY'S OR S&P OR, IF UNRATED,
    DETERMINED BY SAM TO BE OF COMPARABLE QUALITY. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund
    may invest up to 20% of its total assets in unrated municipal bonds. Unrated
    securities are not necessarily lower in quality than rated securities, but
    may not be as attractive to as many investors as rated securities. Each
    Tax-Exempt Income Fund will invest no more than 33% of its total assets in
    municipal bonds rated in the fourth highest grade or in comparable unrated
    bonds. Such bonds are of medium grade, have speculative characteristics and
    are more likely to have a weakened capacity to make principal and interest
    payments under changing economic conditions or upon deterioration in the
    financial condition of the issuer.
 
                                    -- 41 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUNDS (CONTINUED)
 
    In addition to reviewing ratings, SAM will analyze the quality of rated and
    unrated municipal bonds for purchase by each Tax-Exempt Income Fund by
    evaluating various factors that may include the issuer's or guarantor's
    financial resources and liquidity, economic feasibility of revenue bond
    project financing and general purpose borrowings, cash flow and ability to
    meet anticipated debt service requirements, quality of management,
    sensitivity to economic conditions, operating history and any relevant
    political or regulatory matters. SAM may also evaluate trends in the
    economy, the financial markets or specific geographic areas in determining
    whether to purchase a bond. For a description of municipal bond ratings, see
    the Tax-Exempt Bond Trust's Statement of Additional Information.
 
    After purchase by a Fund, a municipal bond may be downgraded to below
    investment grade or, if unrated, may cease to be comparable to a rated
    investment grade security (such below investment grade securities are
    commonly referred to as "high-yield" or "junk" bonds). Neither event will
    require a Fund to dispose of that security, but SAM will take a downgrade or
    loss of comparability into account in determining whether the Fund should
    continue to hold the security in its portfolio. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund
    will not hold more than 5% of its net assets in such below investment grade
    securities.
 
    The term "municipal bonds" as used in this Prospectus means those
    obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories or possessions of
    the United States and the District of Columbia and their political
    subdivisions, municipalities, agencies, instrumentalities or public
    authorities, the interest on which in the opinion of bond counsel is exempt
    from federal income tax and, in the case of the California Fund, exempt from
    California personal income tax.
 
3.  MAY INVEST IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF MUNICIPAL BONDS:
 
    REVENUE BONDS, which are "limited obligation" bonds that provide financing
    for specific projects or public facilities. These bonds are backed by
    revenues generated by a particular project or facility or by a special tax.
    A "resource recovery bond" is a type of revenue bond issued to build waste
    facilities or plants. An "industrial development bond" ("IDB") is a type of
    revenue bond that is backed by the credit of a private issuer, generally
    does not have access to the resources of a municipality for payment and may
    involve greater risk. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund intends to invest
    primarily in revenue bonds that may be issued to finance various types of
    projects, including but not limited to education, hospitals, housing, waste
    and utilities. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund will not purchase private
    activity bonds ("PABs") or any other type of revenue bonds, the interest on
    which is a tax preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax.
 
    GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, which are bonds that provide general purpose
    financing for state and local governments and are backed by the taxing power
    of the state and local government as the case may be. The taxes or special
    assessments that can be levied for the payment of principal and interest on
    general obligation bonds may be limited or unlimited as to rate or amount.
 
    VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE OBLIGATIONS, which are municipal obligations that
    carry variable or floating rates of interest. Variable rate instruments bear
    interest at rates that are readjusted at periodic intervals. Floating rate
    instruments bear interest at rates that vary automatically with changes in
    specified market rates or indexes, such as the bank prime rate. Accordingly,
    as interest rates fluctuate, the potential for capital appreciation or
    depreciation of these obligations is less than for fixed rate obligations.
    Floating and variable rate obligations typically carry demand features that
    permit a Fund to tender (sell) them back to the issuer at par prior to
    maturity and on short notice. A Fund's ability to obtain payment from the
    issuer at par may be affected by
 
                                    -- 42 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUNDS (CONTINUED)
    events occurring between the date the Fund elects to tender the obligation
    to the issuer and the date redemption proceeds are payable to the Fund. Each
    Tax-Exempt Income Fund will purchase floating and variable rate obligations
    only if at the time of purchase there is a secondary market for such
    instruments.
 
    PUT BONDS, which are municipal bonds that give the holder the unconditional
    right to sell the bond back to the issuer at a specified price and exercise
    date and PUT BONDS WITH DEMAND FEATURES. The obligation to purchase the bond
    on the exercise date may be supported by a letter of credit or other
    arrangement from a bank, insurance company or other financial institution,
    the credit standing of which affects the credit quality of the bond. A
    demand feature is a put that entitles the Fund holding it to repayment of
    the principal amount of the underlying security on no more than 30 days'
    notice at any time or at specified intervals.
 
    MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS, which are issued by or on behalf of state or
    local government authorities to acquire land, equipment or facilities and
    may be subject to annual budget appropriations. These obligations themselves
    are not normally backed by the credit of the municipality or the state but
    are secured by rent payments made by the municipality or by the state
    pursuant to a lease. If the lease is assigned, the interest on the
    obligation may become taxable. The leases underlying certain municipal lease
    obligations provide that lease payments are subject to partial or full
    abatement if, because of material damage or destruction of the lease
    property, there is substantial interference with the lessee's use or
    occupancy of such property. This "abatement risk" may be reduced by the
    existence of insurance covering the leased property, the maintenance by the
    lessee of reserve funds or the provision of credit enhancements such as
    letters of credit. Certain municipal lease obligations also contain
    "non-appropriation" clauses that provide that the municipality has no
    obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years
    unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. Some
    municipal lease obligations of this type are insured as to timely payment of
    principal and interest, even in the event of a failure by the municipality
    to appropriate sufficient funds to make payments under the lease. However,
    in the case of an uninsured municipal lease obligation, a Fund's ability to
    recover under the lease in the event of a non-appropriation or default will
    be limited solely to the repossession of leased property without recourse to
    the general credit of the lessee, and disposition of the property in the
    event of foreclosure might prove difficult. If rent is abated because of
    damage to the leased property or if the lease is terminated because monies
    are not appropriated for the following year's lease payments, the issuer may
    default on the obligation causing a loss to a Fund. Each Tax-Exempt Income
    Fund will only invest in municipal lease obligations that are, in the
    opinion of SAM, liquid securities under guidelines adopted by the Tax-Exempt
    Bond Trust's Board of Trustees. Generally, municipal lease obligations will
    be determined to be liquid if they have a readily available market after an
    evaluation of all relevant factors.
 
    CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION in municipal lease obligations ("COPs"), which
    are certificates issued by state or local governments that entitle the
    holder of the certificate to a proportionate interest in the lease purchase
    payments made. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund will only invest in COPs that
    are, in the opinion of SAM, liquid securities under guidelines adopted by
    the Tax-Exempt Bond Trust's Board of Trustees. Generally, COPs will be
    determined to be liquid if they have a readily available market after an
    evaluation of all relevant factors.
 
    PARTICIPATION INTERESTS, which are interests in municipal bonds and floating
    and variable rate obligations that are owned by banks. These interests carry
    a demand feature that permits a Fund holding an interest to tender (sell) it
    back to the bank. Generally, the bank will accept tender of
 
                                    -- 43 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUNDS (CONTINUED)
    the participation interest with same day notice, but may require up to five
    days' notice. The demand feature is usually backed by an irrevocable letter
    of credit or guarantee of the bank. The credit rating of the bank may affect
    the credit quality of the participation interest.
 
    MUNICIPAL NOTES, which are notes generally issued by an issuer to provide
    for short-term capital needs and generally have maturities of one year or
    less. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund may purchase municipal notes as a medium
    for its short-term investments. Municipal Notes include tax anticipation,
    revenue anticipation and bond anticipation notes and tax-exempt commercial
    paper. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund will invest only in those municipal notes
    that at the time of purchase are rated within one of the three highest
    grades by Moody's or S&P or, if unrated by any of these agencies, in the
    opinion of SAM, are of comparable quality.
 
4.  MAY INVEST IN SHARES OF NO-LOAD, OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANIES THAT INVEST
    IN TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES WITH REMAINING MATURITIES OF ONE YEAR OR LESS. Such
    shares will only be purchased as a medium for a Fund's short-term
    investments if SAM determines that they provide a better combination of
    yield and liquidity than a direct investment in short-term, tax-exempt
    securities. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund will not invest more than 10% of its
    total assets in shares issued by other investment companies, will not invest
    more than 5% of its total assets in a single investment company, and will
    not purchase more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of a single
    investment company.
 
5.  MAY INVEST FOR SHORT-TERM PURPOSES WHEN SAM BELIEVES SUCH ACTION TO BE
    DESIRABLE AND CONSISTENT WITH SOUND INVESTMENT PRACTICES. Each Tax-Exempt
    Income Fund, however, will not engage primarily in trading for the purpose
    of short-term profits. A Fund may dispose of its portfolio securities
    whenever SAM deems advisable, without regard to the length of time the
    securities have been held. The portfolio turnover rate is not expected to
    exceed 70%.
 
6.  MAY PURCHASE OR SELL SECURITIES ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED-DELIVERY"
    BASIS. Under this procedure, a Tax-Exempt Income Fund agrees to acquire or
    sell securities that are to be delivered against payment in the future,
    normally 30 to 45 days. The price, however, is fixed at the time of
    commitment. When a Fund purchases when-issued or delayed-delivery
    securities, it will earmark liquid, high quality securities in an amount
    equal in value to the purchase price of the security. Use of this technique
    may affect a Fund's share price in a manner similar to leveraging.
 
7.  MAY HOLD CASH OR INVEST TEMPORARILY IN HIGH QUALITY, SHORT-TERM SECURITIES
    ISSUED BY AN AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, HIGH QUALITY
    COMMERCIAL PAPER, CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT AND SHARES OF NO-LOAD, OPEN-END
    MONEY MARKET FUNDS. A Tax-Exempt Income Fund may purchase these short-term
    securities as a cash management technique under those circumstances where it
    has cash to manage for a short time period, for example, after receiving
    proceeds from the sale of securities, dividend distributions from portfolio
    securities, or cash from the sale of Fund shares to investors. Interest
    earned from these short-term securities will be taxable to investors as
    ordinary income when distributed.
 
The following restrictions are fundamental policies of the Tax-Exempt Income
Funds and cannot be changed without shareholder vote.
 
1.  EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 75% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, WILL NOT
    INVEST MORE THAN 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN THE SECURITIES OF ANY ONE ISSUER
    (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
2.  EACH FUND WILL NOT INVEST 25% OR MORE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN MUNICIPAL
    OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER PERMITTED INVESTMENTS, THE INTEREST ON WHICH IS
    PAYABLE FROM REVENUES ON SIMILAR TYPES OF PROJECTS SUCH AS: SPORTS,
    CONVENTION OR TRADE SHOW FACILITIES; AIRPORTS; MASS TRANSPORTATION; SEWAGE
    OR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES; OR AIR OR WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
    PROJECTS.
 
                                    -- 44 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUNDS (CONTINUED)
3.  THE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND WILL NOT INVEST 25% OR MORE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN
    SECURITIES WHOSE ISSUERS ARE LOCATED IN THE SAME STATE.
 
4.  EACH FUND MAY BORROW MONEY ONLY FOR TEMPORARY OR EMERGENCY PURPOSES FROM A
    BANK OR AFFILIATE OF SAFECO CORPORATION AT AN INTEREST RATE NOT GREATER THAN
    THAT AVAILABLE FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS. A Tax-Exempt Income Fund will not
    borrow amounts in excess of 20% of its total assets. As a non-fundamental
    policy of the Washington Fund and a fundamental policy of the California and
    Municipal Bond Funds, a Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings
    equal to or greater than 5% of its total assets are outstanding. Each
    Tax-Exempt Income Fund intends to primarily exercise its borrowing authority
    to meet shareholder redemptions under circumstances where redemptions exceed
    available cash.
 
   
For a further description of each Fund's investment policies and restrictions as
well as an explanation of ratings, see the "Investment Policies" and
"Description of Ratings" sections of the Tax-Exempt Bond Trust's Statement of
Additional Information.
    
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MONEY MARKET FUND
 
The investment objective of the Money Market Fund is to seek as high a level of
current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity
through investment in high quality money market instruments maturing in thirteen
months or less.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Money Market Fund:
 
1.  WILL PURCHASE ONLY HIGH QUALITY SECURITIES THAT, IN THE OPINION OF SAM
    OPERATING UNDER GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED BY THE MONEY MARKET TRUST'S BOARD OF
    TRUSTEES, PRESENT MINIMAL CREDIT RISKS AFTER AN EVALUATION OF THE CREDIT
    QUALITY OF AN ISSUER OR OF ANY ENTITY PROVIDING A CREDIT ENHANCEMENT FOR THE
    SECURITY. The Fund complies with industry-standard guidelines on the quality
    and maturity of its investments, which are designed to help maintain a
    stable $1.00 share price. The Fund invests in instruments with remaining
    maturities of 397 days or less and maintains a dollar-weighted average
    portfolio maturity of not more than 90 days.
 
    MAY INVEST IN COMMERCIAL PAPER OBLIGATIONS. Commercial paper is a short-term
    instrument issued by corporations, financial institutions, governmental
    entities and other entities. The principal risk associated with commercial
    paper is the potential insolvency of the issuer. In addition to commercial
    paper obligations of domestic corporations, the Fund may also purchase
    dollar-denominated commercial paper issued in the United States by foreign
    entities. While investments in foreign securities are intended to reduce
    risk by providing further diversification, such investments involve
    sovereign and other risks, in addition to the credit and market risks
    normally associated with domestic securities. These additional risks include
    the possibility of adverse political and economic developments (including
    political instability) and the potentially adverse effects of unavailability
    of public information regarding issuers, reduced governmental supervision of
    financial markets, reduced liquidity of certain financial markets, and the
    lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial standards or the
    application of standards that are different or less stringent than those
    applied in the United States. The Fund will only purchase such securities,
    if, in the opinion of SAM, the security is of an investment quality
    comparable to other obligations that may be purchased by the Fund.
 
2.  MAY INVEST IN NEGOTIABLE AND NON-NEGOTIABLE DEPOSITS, BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES
    AND OTHER SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS OF U.S. AND FOREIGN BANKS. Companies in the
    financial services industry are subject to various risks related to that
    industry, such as government regulation, changes in interest rates, and
    exposure on loans, including loans to foreign borrowers. The Fund may also
    invest in dollar-
 
                                    -- 45 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MONEY MARKET FUND (CONTINUED)
    denominated securities issued by foreign banks (including foreign branches
    of U.S. banks) provided that, in the opinion of SAM, the security is of an
    investment quality comparable to other obligations which may be purchased by
    the Fund. Foreign banks may not be subject to accounting standards or
    governmental supervision comparable to U.S. banks and there may be less
    public information available about their operations. In addition, foreign
    securities may be subject to risks relating to the political and economic
    conditions of the foreign country involved, which could affect the payment
    of principal and interest.
 
   
4.  MAY INVEST IN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. U.S. Government securities include
    (a) direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, (b) securities supported by the
    full faith and credit of the U.S. Government but that are not direct
    obligations of the U.S. Treasury, (c) securities that are not supported by
    the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government but are supported by the
    issuer's ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury such as securities issued
    by the FNMA and the FHLMC, and (d) securities supported solely by the
    creditworthiness of the issuer such as securities issued by the Tennessee
    Valley Authority (the "TVA"). While these securities are considered to be of
    the highest credit quality available, they are subject to the same market
    risks as comparable debt securities.
    
 
   
5.  MAY INVEST IN CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS SUCH AS PUBLICLY TRADED BONDS,
    DEBENTURES AND NOTES. The securities are used by issuers to borrow money
    from investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of
    interest, and must repay the amount borrowed at maturity.
    
 
   
6.  MAY INVEST IN EURODOLLAR AND YANKEE BANK OBLIGATIONS. Eurodollar bank
    obligations are dollar-denominated certificates of deposit and time deposits
    issued outside the U.S. capital markets by foreign branches of U.S. banks
    and by foreign banks. Yankee bank obligations are dollar-denominated
    obligations issued in the United States capital markets by foreign banks.
    
 
    Eurodollar and Yankee obligations are subject to the same risks that pertain
    to domestic issues, notably credit risk, market risk and liquidity risk.
    Additionally, Eurodollar (and to a lesser extent, Yankee) obligations are
    subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibility that a
    foreign government might prevent dollar-denominated funds from flowing
    across its borders. Other risks include: adverse political and economic
    developments in a foreign country; the extent and quality of government
    regulation of financial markets and institutions; the imposition of foreign
    withholding taxes; and expropriation or nationalization of foreign issuers.
    Eurodollar and Yankee obligations will undergo the same credit analysis as
    domestic issues in which the Fund invests, and foreign issuers will be
    required to meet the same tests of financial strength as the domestic
    issuers approved for the Fund.
 
   
7.  MAY INVEST IN REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund
    buys securities at one price and simultaneously agrees to sell them back at
    a higher price. Delays or losses could result if the counterparty to the
    agreement defaults or becomes insolvent. The Fund will invest no more than
    10% of total assets in repurchase agreements and will not purchase
    repurchase agreements that mature in more than seven days.
    
 
   
8.  MAY INVEST IN VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS. Issuers of floating or
    variable rate notes include, but are not limited to, corporations,
    partnerships, the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and
    municipalities. The interest rates on variable rate instruments reset
    periodically on specified dates so as to cause the instruments' market value
    to approximate their par value. The interest rates on floating rate
    instruments change whenver there is a change in a designated benchmark rate.
    Variable and floating rate instruments may have put features. These
    instruments may have optional put features. Puts may also be mandatory, in
    which case the Fund would be required to act to keep the instrument.
    
 
                                    -- 46 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MONEY MARKET FUND (CONTINUED)
   
9.  MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN RESTRICTED SECURITIES ELIGIBLE
    FOR RESALE UNDER RULE 144A UNDER THE 1933 ACT ("RULE 144A SECURITIES") AND
    COMMERCIAL PAPER SOLD PURSUANT TO SECTION 4(2) OF THE 1933 ACT ("SECTION
    4(2) PAPER"), PROVIDED THAT SAM HAS DETERMINED THAT SUCH SECURITIES ARE
    LIQUID UNDER GUIDELINES ADOPTED BY THE MONEY MARKET TRUST'S BOARD OF
    TRUSTEES. Restricted securities may be sold only in offerings registered
    under the 1933 Act or in transactions exempt from the registration
    requirements under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A under the 1933 Act provides an
    exemption for the resale of certain restricted securities to qualified
    institutional buyers. Investing in such 144A Securities could have the
    effect of increasing the Fund's illiquidity to the extent that qualified
    institutional buyers or other buyers become, for a time, unwilling to
    purchase the securities. Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act exempts securities
    sold by the issuer in private transactions from the 1933 Act's registration
    requirements. Because Section 4(2) paper is a restricted security, investing
    in Section 4(2) paper could have the effect of increasing the Fund's
    illiquidity to the extent that buyers are unwilling to purchase the
    securities.
    
 
The following restrictions are fundamental policies of the Money Market Fund and
cannot be changed without shareholder vote. The Money Market Fund:
 
1.  MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS ASSETS IN THE SECURITIES OF ANY ONE ISSUER OTHER
    THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.
 
2.  MAY INVEST UP TO 25% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN ANY ONE INDUSTRY (INCLUDING
    SECURITIES ISSUED BY FOREIGN BANKS AND FOREIGN BRANCHES OF U.S. BANKS),
    PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS LIMITATION DOES NOT APPLY TO U.S. GOVERNMENT
    SECURITIES, OR TO CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT OR BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES ISSUED BY
    DOMESTIC BANKS.
 
3.  MAY BORROW MONEY FOR TEMPORARY OR EMERGENCY PURPOSES (BUT NOT FOR INVESTMENT
    PURPOSES) FROM A BANK OR AFFILIATES OF SAFECO CORPORATION AT AN INTEREST
    RATE NOT GREATER THAN THAT AVAILABLE FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS. The Fund will
    not borrow amounts in excess of 20% of total assets and will not purchase
    securities if borrowings equal to or greater than 5% of total assets are
    outstanding. The Fund intends to primarily exercise its borrowing authority
    to meet shareholder redemptions under the circumstances where redemptions
    exceed available cash.
 
For more information, see the "Investment Policies" and "Additional Investment
Information" sections of the Money Market Trust's Statement of Additional
Information.
 
RISK FACTORS
 
There are market risks in all securities transactions. Various factors may cause
the value of a shareholder's investment in a Fund to fluctuate. The principal
risk factor associated with an investment in a mutual fund is that the market
value of the portfolio securities may decrease, resulting in a decrease in the
value of a shareholder's investment.
 
RISK FACTORS OF THE STOCK FUNDS
 
An investment in the Northwest Fund may be subject to different risks than a
mutual fund whose investments are more geographically diverse. Since the
Northwest Fund invests primarily in companies with their principal executive
offices located in the Northwest, the number of issuers whose securities are
eligible for purchase is significantly less than many other mutual funds. Also,
some companies whose securities are held in the Northwest Fund's portfolio may
primarily distribute products or provide services in a specific locale or in the
Northwest region. The long-term growth of these companies can be significantly
affected by business trends in and the economic health of those areas. Other
companies whose securities are held by the Northwest Fund may have a
predominately national or partially international market for their products or
services and are more likely to be
 
                                    -- 47 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
impacted by national or international trends. As a result, the performance of
the Northwest Fund may be influenced by business trends or economic conditions
not only in a specific locale or in the Northwest region but also on a national
or international level, depending on the companies whose securities are held in
its portfolio at any particular time.
 
                                    -- 48 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
 
The Equity, Income, Small Company and Value Funds may invest in, and the other
Stock Funds as a result of downgrades may own, below investment grade bonds.
Below investment grade bonds are speculative and involve greater investment
risks than investment grade bonds due to the issuer's reduced creditworthiness
and increased likelihood of default and bankruptcy. During periods of economic
uncertainty or change, the market prices of below investment grade bonds may
experience increased volatility. Below investment grade bonds tend to reflect
short-term economic and corporate developments to a greater extent than higher
quality bonds.
 
Because the International Fund primarily invests, and the other Stock Funds may
invest, in foreign securities, each Stock Fund is subject to risks in addition
to those associated with U.S. investments. Foreign investments involve sovereign
risk, which includes the possibility of adverse local political or economic
developments, expropriation or nationalization of assets, imposition of
withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments and currency blockage (which
would prevent currency from being sold). Foreign investments may be affected
favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control
regulations. There is generally less publicly available information about
issuers of foreign securities as compared to U.S. issuers. Many foreign
companies are not subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
Securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than
securities of U.S. issuers. Financial markets on which foreign securities trade
are generally subject to less governmental regulation as compared to U.S.
markets. Foreign brokerage commissions and custodian fees are generally higher
than those in the United States.
 
In addition, the International Fund may purchase and sell put and call options,
futures contracts and forward contracts. Risks inherent in the use of futures,
options and forward contracts include: the risk that interest rates, security
prices and currency markets will not move in the directions anticipated;
imperfect correlation between the price of the future, option or forward
contract and the price of the security, interest rate or currency being hedged;
the risk that potential losses may exceed the amount invested in the contracts
themselves; the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular
instrument at any time; the possible need to defer closing out certain hedged
positions to avoid adverse tax consequences; and the reduction or elimination of
the opportunity to profit from increases in the value of the security, interest
rate or currency being hedged.
 
The Growth Fund currently has an aggressive investment approach to seeking
capital appreciation. The Growth Fund may invest a significant portion of its
assets in securities issued by smaller companies. In addition, the Small Company
Fund invests in companies with small market capitalizations which involve more
risks than investments in larger companies. Such companies may include newly
formed companies which have limited product lines, markets or financial
resources and may lack management depth. The securities of small or newly formed
companies may have limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt and
erratic movements in price than securities of larger, more established
companies, or equity securities in general. Such volatility in price may in turn
cause the Growth Fund's and Small Company Fund's share prices to be volatile.
 
   
RISK FACTORS OF THE INTERMEDIATE TREASURY, HIGH-YIELD, MANAGED BOND, MUNICIPAL
BOND, CALIFORNIA, WASHINGTON AND MONEY MARKET FUNDS (THE "FIXED-INCOME FUNDS")
    
 
The value of each Fixed-Income Fund (except the Money Market Fund) will normally
fluctuate inversely with changes in market interest rates. Generally, when
market interest rates rise, the price of debt securities held by a Fund will
fall, and when market interest rates fall, the price of the debt securities will
rise. Also, there is a risk that the issuer of a bond or other security held in
a Fund's portfolio will fail to make timely payments of principal and interest
to the Fixed-Income Funds.
 
                                    -- 48 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
Included in investment grade debt securities are securities of medium grade
(rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P) which have speculative characteristics and
are more likely to have a weakened capacity to make principal and interest
payments under changing economic or other conditions than higher grade
securities.
 
The Managed Bond Fund may invest in stripped securities that are obligations
issued by the U.S. Treasury. Stripped securities are the separate income or
principal components of a debt security. The risks associated with stripped
securities are similar to those of other debt securities, although stripped
securities may be more volatile than other debt securities.
 
The Money Market Fund seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Of course,
there is no guarantee that the Money Market Fund will maintain a stable $1.00
share price. It is possible that a major change in interest rates or a default
on the Money Market Fund's investments could cause its share price (and the
value of your investment) to fall. The Money Market Fund's yield will fluctuate
with general interest rates.
 
Because the California and Washington Funds each concentrate their investments
in a single state, there is a greater risk of fluctuation in the values of their
portfolio securities than with mutual funds whose investments are more
geographically diverse. Investors should carefully consider the investment risks
of such concentration. The share price of the California and Washington Funds
can be affected by political and economic developments within and by the
financial condition of the respective state, its public authorities and
political subdivisions. See the discussion below and "Investment Risks of
Concentration in California and Washington Issuers" in the Tax-Exempt Bond
Trust's Statement of Additional Information for further information.
 
SPECIAL RISKS OF THE HIGH-YIELD FUND.
 
The High-Yield Fund invests primarily in high-yield, fixed-income securities
which are subject to the following risks:
 
SENSITIVITY TO ECONOMIC AND CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS
 
Yields on high-yield, fixed-income securities will fluctuate over time. During
periods of economic uncertainty or change, the market prices of high-yield,
fixed-income securities may experience increased volatility, which may in turn
cause the net asset value ("NAV") per share of the High-Yield Fund to be
volatile. Lower-quality, fixed-income securities tend to reflect short-term
economic and corporate developments to a greater extent than higher-quality
securities which primarily react to fluctuations in interest rates. Economic
downturns or increases in interest rates can significantly affect the market for
high-yield, fixed-income securities and the ability of issuers to timely repay
principal and interest, increasing the likelihood of defaults. Lower-quality
securities include debt obligations issued as a part of capital restructurings,
such as corporate takeovers or buyouts. Capital restructurings generally involve
the issuance of additional debt on terms different from any current outstanding
debt. As a result, the issuer of the debt is more highly leveraged. During an
economic downturn or period of rising interest rates, a highly-leveraged issuer
may experience financial difficulties which adversely affect its ability to make
principal and interest payments, meet projected business goals and obtain
additional financing. In addition, the issuer will depend on its cash flow and
may depend, especially in the context of corporate takeovers, on a sale of its
assets to service debt. Failure to realize projected cash flows or asset sales
may seriously impair the issuer's ability to service this greater debt load,
which in turn might cause the Fund to lose all or part of its investment in that
security. SAM will seek to minimize these additional risks through
diversification, careful assessment of the issuer's financial structure,
business plan and management team following any restructuring, and close
monitoring of the issuer's progress toward its financial goals.
 
                                    -- 49 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
ZERO-COUPON AND PAYMENT-IN-KIND SECURITIES
 
The High-Yield Fund may hold "zero-coupon" and "payment-in-kind" fixed-income
securities. Zero-coupon securities are purchased at a discount without scheduled
interest payments. Payment-in-kind securities receive interest paid in
additional securities rather than cash. The Fund accrues income on these
securities, but does not receive cash interest payments until maturity or
payment date. The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its income to
its shareholders so that it can be treated as a regulated investment company
under current federal tax law. As a result, if its cash position is depleted,
the Fund may have to sell securities under disadvantageous circumstances to
obtain enough cash to meet its distribution requirement. However, SAM does not
expect non-cash income to materially affect the Fund's operations. Zero-coupon
and payment-in-kind securities are generally subject to greater price
fluctuations due to changes in interest rates than those fixed-income securities
paying cash interest on a schedule until maturity.
 
LIQUIDITY AND VALUATION
 
The liquidity and price of high-yield, fixed-income securities can be affected
by a number of factors, including investor perceptions and adverse publicity
regarding major issuers, underwriters or dealers of lower-quality corporate
obligations. These effects can be particularly pronounced in a thinly-traded
market with few participants and may adversely impact the High-Yield Fund's
ability to dispose of its securities as well as make valuation of securities
more difficult. Because there tend to be fewer investors in lower-rated,
fixed-income securities, it may be difficult for the Fund to sell these
securities at an optimum time. Consequently, lower-rated securities are subject
to more price changes, fluctuations in yield and risk to principal and income
than higher-rated securities of the same maturity. Judgment plays a greater role
in the valuation of thinly-traded securities.
 
CREDIT RATINGS
 
Rating agencies evaluate the likelihood that an issuer will make principal and
interest payments, but ratings may not reflect market value risks associated
with lower-rated, fixed-income securities. Also, rating agencies may not timely
revise ratings to reflect subsequent events affecting an issuer's ability to pay
principal and interest. SAM uses S&P and Moody's ratings as a preliminary
indicator of investment quality. SAM will periodically research and analyze each
issue (whether rated or unrated) and evaluate such factors as the issuer's
interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects and managerial
strength. This analysis will help SAM to determine if the issuer has sufficient
cash flow and profits to meet required principal and interest payments and to
monitor the liquidity of the issue. Achievement of a Fund's investment objective
will be more dependent on SAM's credit analysis of bonds rated below the three
highest rating categories than would be the case were the Fund to invest in
higher quality debt securities. This is particularly true for the High-Yield
Fund.
 
SPECIAL RISKS OF THE CALIFORNIA AND WASHINGTON FUNDS
 
The information in the following discussion is drawn primarily from official
statements relating to state securities offerings which are dated prior to the
date of this Prospectus. The California and Washington Funds have not
independently verified any of the information in the discussion below.
 
CALIFORNIA FUND
 
After suffering through a severe recession, California's economy has been on a
steady recovery since the start of 1994. Nevertheless, the State's budget
problems in recent years have also been caused by the increasing costs of
education, health, welfare and corrections, driven by California's rapid
population growth. These pressures on the State's General Fund are expected to
continue. The State's
 
                                    -- 50 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
   
long-term credit ratings, reduced in 1992, were lowered again in 1994 and have
not been fully restored. Its ability to provide assistance to its public
authorities and political subdivisions has been impaired. Cutbacks in state aid
adversely affect the financial condition of many cities, counties and school
districts which are already subject to fiscal constraints and are facing their
own reduced tax collections. In addition, some municipally-owned electric
utilities may be adversely affected by the restructuring of the electric utility
industry now underway in California.
    
 
   
In the past, California voters have passed amendments to the California
Constitution and other measures that limit the taxing and spending authority of
California governmental entities. Future voter initiatives could result in
adverse consequences affecting obligations issued by the State and its political
subdivisions. These factors, among others, could reduce the credit standing of
certain issuers of California obligations. At any given time there are numerous
lawsuits against the State which could affect its revenues and expenditures.
    
 
WASHINGTON FUND
 
   
The State of Washington's economy consists of both export and local industries.
The State's leading export industries are aerospace, forest products,
agriculture and food processing. The State's manufacturing base includes
aircraft manufacture, which comprised approximately 25% of total manufacturing
in 1995. The Boeing Company is the State's largest employer and has a
significant impact, in terms of overall production, employment and labor
earnings, on the State's economy. Boeing anticipates increasing employment in
the State by approximately 24,100 jobs by the end of 1997, and by 28,600 by the
end of 1999. The commercial airline industry is cyclical in nature and future
job cuts could have an adverse effect on the Washington economy. Forest products
rank second behind aerospace in value of total production. Although productivity
in the forest products industry has increased steadily in recent years, declines
in production are expected in the future. Unemployment in the timber industry is
anticipated in certain regions; however the impact is not expected to affect the
State's overall economic performance. Growth in agriculture has been an
important factor in the State's economic growth over the past decade. The State
is the home of many technology firms of which approximately half are
computer-related. Microsoft, the world's largest microcomputer software company,
is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
    
 
   
State law requires a balanced budget. The Governor has a statutory
responsibility to reduce expenditures across the board to avoid any cash deficit
at the end of a biennium. In addition, State law prohibits State tax revenue
growth from exceeding the growth rate of State personal income. To date,
Washington State tax revenue increases have remained substantially below the
applicable limits. At any given time, there are numerous lawsuits against the
State which could affect its revenues and expenditures.
    
 
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
 
GROWTH FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the Growth Fund is Thomas M. Maguire, Vice President,
SAM. Mr. Maguire has served as portfolio manager for the Fund since 1989.
 
EQUITY FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the Equity Fund is Richard D. Meagley, Vice President,
SAM. Mr. Meagley began serving as portfolio manager for the Fund in 1995. He is
also the portfolio manager for certain other SAFECO Funds. Prior to these
positions, he served as portfolio manager and analyst from 1992
 
                                    -- 51 --
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS (CONTINUED)
to 1994 for Kennedy Associates, Inc., an investment advisory firm located in
Seattle, Washington. He was an Assistant Vice President of SAM and the fund
manager of the SAFECO Northwest Fund from 1991 to 1992.
 
INCOME FUND
 
   
The portfolio manager for the Income Fund is Thomas E. Rath, Assistant Vice
President of SAM. Mr. Rath has been a portfolio manager and securities analyst
for SAFECO Corporation since 1994. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Rath was a principal
and portfolio manager for Meridian Capital Management, Inc., located in Seattle,
Washington. From 1987 to 1992, he was a portfolio manager and securities analyst
for First Interstate Bank, located in Seattle, Washington.
    
 
NORTHWEST FUND
 
   
The portfolio manager for the Northwest Fund is Bill Whitlow. Mr. Whitlow began
serving as portfolio manager for the Fund in April 1997. From 1990 to April
1997, he was a principal and Manager of Pacific Northwest Research for the
brokerage firm of Pacific Crest Securities, located in Seattle, Washington.
    
 
BALANCED FUND
 
   
The equity portion of the Balanced Fund is co-managed by Rex L. Bentley, Vice
President, SAM and Lynette D. Sagvold, Assistant Vice President, SAM, and the
fixed income portion is managed by Michael C. Knebel, Vice President, SAM. Mr.
Bentley was Vice President and Investment Counsel at the investment advisory
firm of Badgley, Phelps and Bell Investment Counsel, Inc., from 1990 to 1995.
Ms. Sagvold was a portfolio manager and analyst for First Investors Bank from
1993 to 1995 and she was a portfolio manager and analyst for Key Trust Company
from 1985 to 1993. Mr. Knebel has served as portfolio manager for certain other
SAFECO mutual funds since 1989.
    
 
INTERNATIONAL FUND
 
The International Fund is managed by a committee of portfolio managers employed
and supervised by the Sub-Adviser, Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.)
Limited, an investment adviser registered with the SEC. All investment decisions
are made by this committee and no single person is primarily responsible for
making recommendations to that committee.
 
SMALL COMPANY FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the Small Company Fund is Greg Eisen, Assistant Vice
President, SAM. Mr. Eisen has served as an investment analyst for SAM since
1992. From 1986 to 1992, Mr. Eisen was engaged by the SAFECO Insurance Companies
as a financial analyst.
 
VALUE FUND
 
   
The Value Fund is co-managed by Rex L. Bentley, Vice President, SAM and Lynette
D. Sagvold, Assistant Vice President, SAM. Mr. Bentley was vice president and
investment counsel at the investment advisory firm of Badgley, Phelps and Bell
Investment Counsel, Inc. from 1990 to 1995. Ms. Sagvold was a portfolio manager
and analyst for First Interstate Bank from 1993 to 1995 and she was a portfolio
manager and analyst for Key Trust Company from 1985 to 1993.
    
 
INTERMEDIATE TREASURY AND MANAGED BOND FUNDS
 
The portfolio manager for the Intermediate Treasury and Managed Bond Funds is
Michael C. Knebel, Vice President, SAM. Mr. Knebel has served as portfolio
manager or co-manager for the Managed Bond
 
                                    -- 52 --
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS (CONTINUED)
Fund since 1994. He has served as portfolio manager for the Intermediate
Treasury Fund since 1995. Mr. Knebel has served as portfolio manager and/or
co-portfolio manager for other SAFECO mutual funds since 1989.
 
HIGH-YIELD FUND
 
The portfolio managers for the High-Yield Bond Fund are John Stoeser, Assistant
Vice President, SAM, and Robert Kern, a securities analyst for SAM. Mr. Stoeser
has served as a securities analyst and portfolio manager for SAM since 1992.
From 1989 to 1992 he was an administrative assistant to the President of SAM.
Mr. Kern served as a securities analyst for SAM since 1994. From 1988 to 1994,
Mr. Kern was engaged by the SAFECO Insurance Companies in the Controller's
Department.
 
MUNICIPAL BOND AND CALIFORNIA FUNDS
 
The portfolio manager for the Municipal Bond and California Funds is Stephen C.
Bauer, President, SAM. Mr. Bauer has served as portfolio manager for each Fund
since it commenced operations: 1981 for the Municipal Bond Fund and 1983 for the
California Fund. Mr. Bauer is the portfolio manager for certain other SAFECO
municipal bond funds, and also serves as a Director of SAM.
 
WASHINGTON FUND
 
   
The portfolio manager for the Washington Fund is Beverly Denny, Assistant Vice
President, SAM. Ms. Denny was the Marketing Director for the SAFECO mutual funds
from 1991 to 1993, and has been employed as an investment analyst with SAM since
1993.
    
 
MONEY MARKET FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the Money Market Fund is Naomi Urata, Assistant Vice
President, SAM. Ms. Urata has been employed as an investment analyst for the
SAFECO mutual funds since 1993. From 1990 to 1992, Ms. Urata served as Cash
Manager for The Seattle Times.
 
Each portfolio manager and certain other persons related to SAM, the Sub-Adviser
and the Funds are subject to written policies and procedures designed to prevent
abusive personal securities trading. Incorporated within these policies and
procedures are recommendations made by the Investment Company Institute (the
trade group for the mutual fund industry) with respect to personal securities
trading by persons associated with mutual funds. Those recommendations include
preclearance procedures and blackout periods when certain personnel may not
trade in securities that are the same or related securities being considered for
purchase or sale by a Fund.
 
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
 
When placing purchase orders, investors should specify whether the order is for
Class A or Class B shares of a Fund. All share purchase orders that fail to
specify a class will automatically be invested in Class A shares.
 
The minimum initial investment is $1,000 (IRA, UGMA and UTMA $250). The minimum
additional investment is $100 for all accounts, except for UGMA or UTMA
Automatic Investment Method ("AIM") accounts opened with an initial investment
of $250 or more. These accounts have a minimum additional investment of only
$50. Minimum additional investments are negotiable for retirement accounts other
than IRAs. Except as noted above in connection with UGMA and UTMA accounts, no
minimum initial investment is required to establish the Automatic Investment
Method or Payroll Deduction Plan.
 
Shares of each Fund are available for purchase through investment professionals
who work at broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions which have
entered into selling agreements with
 
                                    -- 53 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
SAFECO Securities, Inc. ("SAFECO Securities"), the distributor of the Funds.
Orders received by such financial institutions before 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time on
any day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for regular trading will be
effected that day, provided that such order is transmitted to SAFECO Services,
the transfer agent for the Funds, prior to 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on such day.
Investment professionals will be responsible for forwarding the investor's order
to SAFECO Services so that it will be received prior to such time.
 
Broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions that do not have selling
agreements with SAFECO Securities also may offer to place orders for the
purchase of each Fund's shares. Purchases made through these investment firms
will be effected at the public offering price next determined after the order is
received by SAFECO Services. Such financial institutions may charge the investor
a transaction fee as determined by the financial institution. The fee will be in
addition to the sales charge payable by the investor with respect to Class A
shares, and may be avoided by purchasing shares through a broker-dealer, bank or
other financial institution that has a selling agreement with SAFECO Securities.
 
Broker-dealers, banks, financial institutions and any other person entitled to
receive compensation for selling or servicing each Fund's shares may receive
different levels of compensation with respect to one particular class of Fund
shares over another. Salespersons of broker-dealers, banks and other financial
institutions that sell each Fund's shares are eligible to receive special
compensation, the amount of which varies depending on the amount of shares sold.
 
   
The Funds only accept funds drawn in U.S. dollars and payable through a U.S.
Bank. The Funds do not accept currency. The Funds issue shares in uncertified
form, but will issue certificates for whole shares without charge upon written
request. You will be required to post a bond to replace missing certificates.
    
 
THE FUNDS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY OFFER TO PURCHASE SHARES OF ANY CLASS.
 
PURCHASING ADVISOR CLASS A SHARES
 
The public offering price of Class A shares of each Fund except the Money Market
Fund is the next determined net asset value per share (see "Share Price
Calculation" on page for additional information) plus any sales charge, which
will vary with the size of the purchase as shown in the following schedule:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       SALE CHARGE AS          BROKER
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF       REALLOWANCE AS
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE                                                 ----------------------  PERCENTAGE OF
AT THE PUBLIC                                                      OFFERING       NET       THE OFFERING
OFFERING PRICE                                                       PRICE    INVESTMENT       PRICE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  -----------  --------------
<S>                                                                <C>        <C>          <C>
Less than $50,000                                                      4.50%       4.71%           4.00%
$50,000 but less than $100,000                                         4.00%       4.17%           3.50%
$100,000 but less than $250,000                                        3.50%       3.63%           3.00%
$250,000 but less than $500,000                                        2.50%       2.56%           2.00%
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000                                      1.50%       1.52%           1.00%
$1,000,000 or more                                                     NONE*                 See Below**
</TABLE>
 
 * Purchases of $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares are not subject to a
   front-end sales charge, but a 1% CDSC will apply to redemptions made in the
   first year.
 
** See discussion below for a description of the commissions payable on sales of
   Class A shares of $1 million or more.
 
                                    -- 54 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
Class A shares of the Money Market Fund are offered at the next determined net
asset value per share (see "Share Price Calculation" on page 57 for additional
information) with no initial sales charge. A sales charge will apply to the
first exchange from Class A shares of the Money Market Fund to Class A shares of
another Fund.
 
From time to time, SAFECO Securities may reallow to broker-dealers, banks and
other financial institutions the full amount of the sales charge on Class A
Shares. In some instances, SAFECO Securities may offer these reallowances only
to those financial institutions that have sold or may sell significant amounts
of Class A shares. These commissions also may be paid to financial institutions
that initiate purchases made pursuant to sales charge waivers (1) and (8),
described below under "Sales Charge Waivers -- Class A shares." To the extent
that SAFECO Securities reallows 90% or more of the sales charge to a financial
institution, such financial institution may be deemed to be an underwriter under
the 1933 Act.
 
Except as stated below, broker-dealers of record will be paid commissions on
sales of Class A shares of $1 million or more based on an investor's (or a
related group of investors') cumulative purchases during the one-year period
beginning with the date of the initial purchase at net asset value. Each
subsequent one-year measuring period for these purposes begins with the first
net asset value purchase following the end of the prior period. Such commissions
are paid at the rate of up to .50% of the amount under $50 million and .25%
thereafter, except for sales to participant-directed qualified plans (including
a plan sponsored by an employer with 200 or more eligible employees).
Commissions for such plans will be paid at a rate of 1.00% of the amount up to
$2 million, .80% of the next $1 million, .50% of the next $47 million and .25%
thereafter. In addition, SAFECO Securities may pay a commission to a
broker-dealer where clients of a particular registered representative invest, at
or about the same time, collectively $1 million or more in one or more of the
Funds. The commission will be payable in lieu of other commissions that might
otherwise be payable under the terms of this prospectus, and will not be paid
except in connection with a transaction described in the preceding sentence.
 
The following describes purchases that may be aggregated for purposes of
determining the amount of purchase:
 
 1. Individual purchases on behalf of a single purchaser and the purchaser's
    spouse and their children under the age of 21 years. This includes shares
    purchased in connection with an employee benefit plan(s) exclusively for the
    benefit of such individual(s), such as an IRA, individual plan(s) under
    Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), or
    single-participant Keogh-type plan(s). This also includes purchases made by
    a company controlled by such individual(s);
 
 2. Individual purchases by a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a
    single trust estate or a single fiduciary account, including an employee
    benefit plan (such as employer-sponsored pension, profit-sharing and stock
    bonus plans, including plans under Code Section 401(k), and medical, life
    and disability insurance trusts) other than a plan described in (1) above;
    or
 
 3. Individual purchases by a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares
    concurrently for two or more employee benefit plans of a single employer or
    of employers affiliated with each other (excluding an employee benefit plan
    described in (2) above).
 
SALES CHARGE WAIVERS -- CLASS A SHARES
 
Class A shares are sold at net asset value per share without imposition of sales
charges for the following investments:
 
 1. Registered representatives or full-time employees of broker-dealers, banks
    and other financial institutions that have entered into selling agreements
    with SAFECO Securities, and the children,
 
                                    -- 55 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
 
    spouse and parents of such representatives and employees, and employees of
    financial institutions that directly, or through their affiliates, have
    entered into selling agreements with SAFECO Securities;
 
 2. Companies exchanging shares with or selling assets to one or more of the
    Funds pursuant to a merger, acquisition or exchange offer;
 
 3. Any of the direct or indirect affiliates of SAFECO Securities;
 
 4. Purchases made through the automatic investment of dividends and
    distributions paid by another Fund;
 
 5. Clients of administrators or consultants to tax-qualified employee benefit
    plans which have entered into agreements with SAFECO Securities or any of
    its affiliates;
 
 6. Retirement plan participants who borrow from their retirement accounts by
    redeeming Fund shares and subsequently repay such loans via a purchase of
    Fund shares;
 
 7. Retirement plan participants who receive distributions from a tax-qualified
    employer-sponsored retirement plan, which is invested in Fund shares, the
    proceeds of which are reinvested in Fund shares;
 
 8. Accounts as to which a broker-dealer, bank or other financial institution
    charges an account management fee, provided the financial institution has
    entered into an agreement with SAFECO Securities regarding such accounts;
 
 9. Current or retired officers, directors, trustees or employees of any SAFECO
    mutual fund or SAFECO Corporation or its affiliates and the children, spouse
    and parents of such persons; and
 
10. Investments made with redemption proceeds from mutual funds having a similar
    investment objective with respect to which the investor paid a front-end
    sales charge.
 
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE
 
Shareholders who paid an initial sales charge and redeem their Class A shares in
a Fund have a one-time privilege to reinstate their investment by investing the
proceeds of the redemption at net asset value per share without a sales charge
in Class A shares of that Fund and/or one or more of the other Funds. SAFECO
Services must receive from the investor or the investor's broker-dealer, bank or
other financial institution within 60 days after the date of the redemption both
a written request for reinvestment and a check not exceeding the amount of the
redemption proceeds. The reinstatement purchase will be effected at the net
asset value per share next determined after such receipt.
 
REDUCED SALES CHARGE PLANS -- CLASS A SHARES
 
Class A shares of the Funds may be purchased at reduced sales charges either
through the Right of Accumulation or under a Letter of Intent. For more details
on these plans, investors should contact their broker-dealer, bank or other
financial institution or SAFECO Services. Pursuant to the RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION,
investors are permitted to purchase Class A shares of the Funds at the sales
charge applicable to the total of (a) the dollar amount then being purchased
plus (b) the dollar amount equal to the total purchase price of the investor's
concurrent purchases of Class A shares of other SAFECO Mutual Funds plus (c) the
dollar amount equal to the current public offering price of all Class A shares
of Funds already held by the investor. To receive the Right of Accumulation, at
the time of purchase investors must give their broker-dealers, banks or other
financial institutions sufficient information to permit confirmation of
qualification.
 
                                    -- 56 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
In executing a LETTER OF INTENT ("LOI"), an investor should indicate an
aggregate investment amount he or she intends to invest in Class A shares of
Funds in the following thirteen months. The LOI is included as part of the
Account Application. The Class A sales charge applicable to that aggregate
amount then becomes the applicable sales charge on all purchases of Class A
shares made concurrently with the execution of the LOI and in the thirteen
months following that execution. If an investor executes an LOI within 90 days
of a prior purchase of Class A shares, the prior purchase may be included under
the LOI and an appropriate adjustment, if any, with respect to the sales charges
paid by the investor in connection with the prior purchase will be made, based
on the then-current net asset value(s) of the pertinent Fund(s).
 
If at the end of the thirteen-month period covered by the LOI, the total amount
of purchases does not equal the amount indicated, the investor will be required
to pay the difference between the sales charges paid at the reduced rate and the
sales charges applicable to the purchases actually made. Shares having a value
equal to 5% of the amount specified in the LOI will be held in escrow during the
thirteen month period (while remaining registered in the investor's name) and
are subject to redemption to assure any necessary payment to SAFECO Securities
of a higher applicable sales charge.
 
PURCHASING ADVISOR CLASS B SHARES
 
The public offering price of the Class B shares of each Fund is the next
determined net asset value per share. No initial sales charge is imposed.
However, a CDSC is imposed on certain redemptions of Class B shares. Because
Class B shares are sold without an initial sales charge, the investor receives
Fund shares equal to the full amount of the investment. The maximum investment
amount in Class B shares is $500,000.
 
Class B shares of a Fund that are redeemed will not be subject to a CDSC to the
extent that the value of such shares represents: (a) reinvestment of dividends
or other distributions or (b) shares redeemed more than six full years after
their purchase. Former Class B shareholders of the SAFECO Advisor Series Trust
who invest in Class B shares of any Fund may include the length of time of
ownership of the former Class B shares for purposes of calculating any CDSC due
upon redemption.
 
Initial investments in Class B shares of the Money Market Fund are sold with no
initial sales charge and are not subject to a CDSC upon redemption, provided
that the investor has remained invested exclusively in Class B shares of the
Money Market Fund and has not exchanged into Class B Shares of another Fund in
the interim. Money Market Fund Class B shareholders will become subject to a
CDSC calculated in accordance with the table below if they exchange into Class B
shares of another SAFECO Fund and then redeem those shares. The CDSC will also
apply to any Class B shares of the Money Market Fund subsequently acquired by
exchange. Shareholders who initially purchase Money Market Fund Class B shares
do not receive credit for the time initially invested in the Money Market Fund
for purposes of calculating any CDSC due upon redemption of Class B shares of
another SAFECO Fund.
 
Redemptions of most other Class B shares will be subject to a CDSC. (See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers.") The amount of any applicable CDSC
will be calculated by multiplying the lesser of
 
                                    -- 57 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
the original purchase price or the net asset value of such shares at the time of
redemption by the applicable percentage shown in the table below. Accordingly,
no charge is imposed on increases in the net asset value above the original
purchase price:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE
                                                          LESSER OF NET ASSET VALUE AT REDEMPTION
REDEMPTION DURING                                             OR THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE
- --------------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>
1st Year Since Purchase                                                         5%
2nd Year Since Purchase                                                         4%
3rd Year Since Purchase                                                         3%
4th Year Since Purchase                                                         3%
5th Year Since Purchase                                                         2%
6th Year Since Purchase                                                         1%
Thereafter                                                                      0%*
</TABLE>
 
* Automatically converts to Class A shares in the first month following the
  investor's sixth anniversary from purchase.
 
In determining whether a CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the calculation
will be made in a manner that results in the lowest possible rate. It will be
assumed that the redemption is made first of amounts representing shares
acquired pursuant to the reinvestment of dividends and other distributions and
then of amounts representing the cost of shares held for the longest period of
time.
 
For example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares at $10 per share at a cost
of $1,000. Subsequently, the shareholder acquired 15 additional shares through
dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase, the investor
decided to redeem $500 of his or her investment. Assuming at the time of the
redemption a net asset value of $11 per share, the value of the investor's
shares would be $1,265 (115 shares at $11 per share). The CDSC would not be
applied to the value of the reinvested dividend shares. Therefore, the 15 shares
currently valued at $165.00 would be redeemed without a CDSC. The number of
shares needed to fund the remaining $335.00 of the redemption would equal
30.455. Using the lower of cost or market price to determine the CDSC, the
original purchase price of $10.00 per share would be used. The CDSC calculation
would therefore be 30.455 shares times $10.00 per share at a CDSC rate of 4%
(the applicable rate in the second year after purchase) for a total CDSC of
$12.18.
 
Except for the time period during which a shareholder is initially invested in
Money Market Fund Class B shares, if a shareholder effects one or more exchanges
among Class B shares of the Funds during the six year period, the holding
periods for the shares so exchanged will be counted toward the six year period.
 
For federal income tax purposes, the amount of the CDSC will reduce the gain or
increase the loss, as the case may be, recognized on the redemption of shares.
The amount of any CDSC will be paid to SAFECO Securities.
 
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE WAIVERS
 
The CDSC will be waived in the following circumstances: (a) total or partial
redemptions made within one year following the death or disability of a
shareholder; (b) redemptions made pursuant to any systematic withdrawal plan
based on the shareholder's life expectancy, including substantially equal
periodic payments prior to age 59 1/2 which are described in Code section 72(t),
and required minimum distributions after age 70 1/2, including those required
minimum distributions made in connection with customer accounts under Section
403(b) of the Code and other retirement plans; (c) total or partial redemption
resulting from a distribution following retirement in the case of a tax-
qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan; (d) when a redemption results from
a tax-free return of an excess contribution pursuant to Section 408(d)(4) or (5)
of the Code; (e) reinvestment in Class B
 
                                    -- 58 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
shares of a Fund within 60 days of a prior redemption; (f) redemptions pursuant
to the Fund's right to liquidate a shareholder's account involuntarily; (g)
redemptions pursuant to distributions from a tax-qualified employer-sponsored
retirement plan that are invested in Funds and are permitted to be made without
penalty pursuant to the Code; and (h) redemptions in connection with a Fund's
systematic withdrawal plan not in excess of 10% of the value of the account
annually.
 
CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES
 
A shareholder's Class B shares of a Fund will automatically convert to Class A
shares in the same Fund in the first month following the investor's sixth
anniversary from purchase, together with a pro rata portion of all Class B
shares representing dividends and other distributions paid in additional Class B
shares. Class B shares so converted will no longer be subject to the higher
expenses borne by Class B shares. The conversion will be effected at the
relative net asset values per share of the two classes on the first business day
in the first month following the investor's sixth anniversary from the purchase
of Class B shares. Because the net asset value per share of Class A shares may
be higher than that of Class B shares at the time of conversion, a shareholder
may receive fewer Class A shares than the number of Class B shares converted,
although the dollar value will be the same.
 
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
 
As described below, shares of the Funds may be redeemed at their next-determined
net asset value (subject to any applicable CDSC) and redemption proceeds will be
sent to shareholders within seven days of the receipt of a redemption request.
Shareholders who have purchased shares through broker-dealers, banks or other
financial institutions that sell shares may redeem shares through such firms; if
the shares are held in the "street name" of the broker-dealer, bank or other
financial institution, the redemption must be made through such firm.
 
Please note the following:
 
/ / If your shares were purchased by wire, redemption proceeds will be available
    immediately. If shares were purchased other than by wire, each Fund reserves
    the right to hold the proceeds of your redemption for up to 15 business days
    after investment or until such time as the Fund has received assurance that
    your investment will be honored by the bank on which it was drawn, whichever
    occurs first.
 
/ / SAFECO Services charges a $10 fee to wire redemption proceeds. In addition,
    some banks may charge a fee to receive wires.
 
/ / If shares are issued in certificate form, the certificates must accompany a
    redemption request and be duly endorsed.
 
/ / Under some circumstances (e.g., a change in corporate officer or death of an
    owner), SAFECO Services may require certified copies of supporting documents
    before a redemption will be made.
 
REDEMPTIONS THROUGH BROKER-DEALERS, BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
Shareholders with accounts at broker-dealers, banks and other financial
institutions that sell shares of the Funds may submit redemption requests to
such firms. Broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions may honor a
redemption request either by repurchasing shares from a redeeming shareholder at
the shares' net asset value per share next computed after the firm receives the
request or by forwarding such requests to SAFECO Services. Redemption proceeds
(less any applicable CDSC) normally will be paid by check. Broker-dealers, banks
and other financial institutions may impose a
 
                                    -- 59 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES (CONTINUED)
service charge for handling redemption transactions placed through them and may
impose other requirements concerning redemptions. Accordingly, shareholders
should contact the investment professional at their broker-dealer, bank or other
financial institution for details.
 
   
Redemption requests may also be transmitted to SAFECO Services by telephone (for
amounts of less than $100,000), by mail or by redemption check. SAFECO Services
will send to you, free of charge, redemption checks (drafts) payable through
U.S. Bank of Washington, N.A. Redemption checks are not available to IRA
shareholders or for shares issued in certificate form. Redemption checks may be
made payable to any person or entity and must contain the proper number of
signatures. Redemption checks must be for $500 or more. Neither the Funds nor
SAFECO Services will be liable for payment of postdated redemption checks. See
"Account Changes and Signature Requirements" on page   , for futher information.
    
 
SHARE REDEMPTION PRICE AND PROCESSING
 
Your shares will be redeemed at the net asset value per share (subject to any
applicable CDSC) next calculated after receipt of your request that meets the
redemption requirements of the Funds. Except for the Money Market Fund, the
value of the shares you redeem may be more or less than the dollar amount you
purchased, depending on the market value of the shares at the time of
redemption. See "Share Price Calculation" on page 57 for more information.
 
Redemption proceeds will normally be sent on the next business day following
receipt of your redemption request. If your redemption request is received after
the close of trading on the NYSE (normally 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time), proceeds
will normally be sent on the second business day following receipt. Each Fund,
however, reserves the right to postpone payment of redemption proceeds for up to
seven days if making immediate payment could adversely affect its portfolio. In
addition, redemptions may be suspended or payment dates postponed if the NYSE is
closed, its trading is restricted or the Securities and Exchange Commission
declares an emergency.
 
Due to the high cost of maintaining small accounts, your account may be closed
upon 60 days' written notice if at the time of any redemption or exchange the
total value falls below $100. Your shares will be redeemed at the net asset
value per share calculated on the day your account is closed and the proceeds
will be sent to you.
 
HOW TO SYSTEMATICALLY PURCHASE OR REDEEM SHARES
 
Call your investment professional or SAFECO Services at 1-800-463-8791 for more
information.
 
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT METHOD (AIM)
 
AIM enables you to make regular monthly investments by authorizing SAFECO
Services to withdraw a specific amount from your bank account and invest the
amount in any Fund. AIM has a minimum of $100 per Fund for all accounts (except
UGMA and UTMA accounts which have a lower $50 minimum for additional
investments, provided that the account was opened with an initial investment of
at least $250).
 
PAYROLL DEDUCTION PLAN
 
An employer or other entity using group billing may establish a
self-administered payroll deduction plan in any Fund. Payroll deduction amounts
are negotiable.
 
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
 
This plan enables you to receive a portion of your investment on a monthly
basis. A Fund automatically redeems shares in your account and sends you a
withdrawal check (minimum amount
 
                                    -- 60 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO SYSTEMATICALLY PURCHASE OR REDEEM SHARES (CONTINUED)
$50 per Fund) on or about the fifth business day of every month. Because Class A
shares are subject to sales charges, shareholders should not concurrently
purchase shares with respect to an account which is utilizing a systematic
withdrawal plan. Class B shares may not be suitable for a systematic withdrawal
plan, except in appropriate cases where the CDSC is being waived. Please see
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers" on page 53 for more information.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES FROM ONE FUND TO ANOTHER
 
Shares of one class of a Fund may be exchanged for shares of the same class of
any other Fund, based on their next-determined respective net asset values,
without imposition of any sales charges, provided that the shareholder account
registration remains identical. CLASS A SHARES MAY BE EXCHANGED ONLY FOR CLASS A
SHARES OF THE OTHER FUNDS LISTED ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THIS PROSPECTUS. CLASS B
SHARES MAY BE EXCHANGED ONLY FOR CLASS B SHARES OF THE OTHER FUNDS LISTED ON THE
FIRST PAGE OF THIS PROSPECTUS. The exchange of Class B shares will not be
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. For purposes of computing the
CDSC, except for the time period during which a shareholder is initially
invested in Class B shares of the Money Market Fund, the length of time of
ownership of Class B shares will be measured from the date of original purchase
and will not be affected by the exchange. Exchanges are not tax-free and may
result in a shareholder's realizing a gain or loss, as the case may be, for tax
purposes. See "Fund Distributions and How They Are Taxed" on page for more
information. You may purchase shares of a Fund by exchange only if it is
registered for sale in the state where you reside. Before exchanging into an
Advisor class of another Fund, please be familiar with the Fund's investment
objective and policies as described in "Each Fund's Investment Objective and
Policies" beginning on page 22 of this Prospectus.
 
EXCHANGES BY MAIL
 
Exchange orders should be sent by mail to the investor's broker-dealer, bank or
other financial institution. If a shareholder has an account at SAFECO Services,
exchange orders may be sent to the address set forth on the cover of this
Prospectus.
 
EXCHANGES BY TELEPHONE
 
A shareholder may give exchange instructions to the shareholder's broker-dealer,
bank or other financial institution or to SAFECO Services by telephone at the
appropriate toll-free number provided on the cover of this Prospectus. Exchange
orders will be accepted by telephone provided that the exchange involves only
uncertificated shares or certificated shares for which certificates previously
have been deposited in the shareholder's account. See "Telephone Transactions"
for more information.
 
SHARE EXCHANGE PRICE AND PROCESSING
 
The shares of the Fund you are exchanging from will be redeemed at the price
next computed after your exchange request is received. Normally the purchase of
the Fund you are exchanging into is executed on the same day. However, each Fund
reserves the right to delay the payment of proceeds and, hence, the purchase in
an exchange for up to seven days if making immediate payment could adversely
affect the portfolio of the Fund whose shares are being redeemed. The exchange
privilege may be modified or terminated with respect to a Fund at anytime, upon
at least 60 days' notice to shareholders.
 
LIMITATIONS
 
Each Fund reserves the right to refuse exchange purchases or simultaneous order
transactions by any person or group if, in SAM's judgment, the Fund would not be
able to invest the money effectively in
 
                                    -- 61 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES FROM ONE FUND TO ANOTHER (CONTINUED)
accordance with that Fund's investment objective and policies or would otherwise
potentially be adversely affected. Although a Fund will attempt to give you
prior notice whenever it is reasonably able to do so, it may impose the above
restrictions at any time.
 
The Funds are not intended to serve as vehicles for frequent trading in response
to short-term fluctuations in the market. Due to the disruptive effect that
market-timing investment strategies can have on efficient portfolio management,
the Funds have instituted certain policies to discourage excessive exchange and
simultaneous order transactions. Exchanges and simultaneous order transactions
which, in SAM's judgment, appear to follow a market-timing strategy are limited
to 4 in any 12 month period per account holder (or account, in a case where one
person or entity exercises investment discretion over more than one account).
For purposes of these limitations a "simultaneous order transaction" is a
transaction where a significant portion of an account's assets are redeemed from
one SAFECO Mutual Fund and shortly thereafter reinvested into another SAFECO
Mutual Fund. In order to protect the shareholders of the Funds, SAM reserves the
right to exercise its discretion in determining whether a particular transaction
qualifies as a simultaneous order transaction. In addition to the foregoing
limitations on exchanges and simultaneous order transactions, as described
above, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any offer to purchase shares.
 
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
 
To redeem or exchange shares by telephone, call 1-800-463-8791 between 6:00 a.m.
and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, except certain holidays. All
telephone calls are tape-recorded for your protection. During times of drastic
or unusual market volatility, it may be difficult for you to exercise the
telephone transaction privileges.
 
To use the telephone redemption and exchange privileges, you must have
previously selected these services either on your account application or by
having submitted a request in writing to SAFECO Services at the address on the
Prospectus cover. Redeeming or exchanging shares by telephone allows the Funds
and SAFECO Services to accept telephone instructions from an account owner or a
person preauthorized in writing by an account owner.
 
Each of the Funds and SAFECO Services reserve the right to refuse any telephone
transaction when a Fund or SAFECO Services, in its sole discretion, is unable to
confirm to its satisfaction that a caller is the account owner or a person
preauthorized by the account owner.
 
The Funds and SAFECO Services will not be liable for the authenticity of
instructions received by telephone that a Fund or SAFECO Services, in its
discretion, believes to be delivered by an account owner or preauthorized
person, provided that the Fund or SAFECO Services follows reasonable procedures
to identify the caller. The shareholder will bear the risk of any resulting
loss. The Funds and SAFECO Services will employ reasonable procedures to confirm
that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. These procedures may
include requiring the account owner to select the telephone privilege in writing
prior to first use and to designate persons authorized to deliver telephone
instructions. SAFECO Services tape-records telephone transactions and may
request certain identifying information from the caller.
 
The telephone transaction privileges may be suspended, limited, modified or
terminated at any time without prior notice by the Funds or SAFECO Services. The
Funds and SAFECO Services may be liable if they do not employ reasonable
procedures to confirm that telephone transactions are genuine.
 
                                    -- 62 --
<PAGE>
SHARE PRICE CALCULATION
 
The net asset value per share ("NAV") of each class of each Fund is computed at
the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 1:00 p.m. Pacific time) each
day that the NYSE is open for trading. NAV is determined separately for each
class of shares of each Fund. The NAV of a Fund is calculated by subtracting a
Fund's liabilities from its assets and dividing the result by the number of
outstanding shares. In calculating the net asset value of each class appropriate
adjustments will be made to each class's NAV to reflect expenses allocated to
it.
 
PORTFOLIO VALUATION FOR THE STOCK FUNDS
 
   
The Stock Funds generally value their portfolio securities at the last reported
sale price on the national exchange on which the securities are primarily
traded, unless there are no transactions in which case they shall be valued at
the last reported bid price. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at
the last sale price, unless there is no reported sale price in which case the
last reported bid price will be used. Portfolio securities that trade on a stock
exchange and over-the-counter are valued according to the broadest and most
representative market. Securities not traded on a national exchange are valued
based on consideration of information with respect to transactions in similar
securities, quotations from dealers and various relationships between
securities. Valuations of portfolio securities calculated in a like manner may
be obtained from a pricing service. Investments for which a representative value
cannot be established are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith
by or under the direction of the Common Stock Trust's Board of Trustees.
    
 
   
The International Fund will invest primarily, and other Funds may invest from
time to time, in foreign securities. Trading in foreign securities will
generally be substantially completed each day at various times prior to the
close of the NYSE. The values of any such securities are determined as of such
times for purposes of computing the Funds' net asset value. Foreign currency
exchange rates are also generally determined prior to the close of the NYSE.
Foreign portfolio securities are valued on the basis of quotations from the
primary market in which they trade. The value of foreign securities are
translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using current exchange
rates. If quotations are not readily available, or if values have been
materially affected by events occurring after the close of a foreign market, the
security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by SAM or BIAM
under procedures established by and under general supervision of the Common
Stock Trust's Board of Trustees.
    
 
INTERNATIONAL FUND
 
Options that are traded on national securities exchanges are valued at their
last sale price as of the close of option trading on such exchange. Futures
contracts will be marked to market daily, and options thereon are valued at
their last sale price, as of the close of the applicable commodities exchange.
Forward contracts are valued at the current cost of covering or offsetting such
contracts.
 
PORTFOLIO VALUATION FOR THE FIXED-INCOME FUNDS
 
   
For each of the Fixed-Income Funds except the Money Market Fund, securities are
valued based on consideration of information with respect to transactions in
similar securities, quotations from dealers and various relationships between
securities. Valuations of a Fixed-Income Fund's portfolio securities calculated
in a like manner may be obtained from a pricing service. Investments for which a
representative value cannot be established are valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith by or under the direction of each Fixed-Income Fund's
respective Trust's Board of Trustees.
    
 
Like most money market funds, the Money Market Fund values the securities it
owns on the basis of amortized cost. The Money Market Fund may use amortized
cost valuation as long as the Money Market Trust's Board of Trustees determines
that it fairly reflects market value. Amortized cost valuation involves valuing
a security at its cost and adding or subtracting, ratably to maturity, any
 
                                    -- 63 --
<PAGE>
SHARE PRICE CALCULATION (CONTINUED)
 
discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on
the market value of the security. This method minimizes the effect of changes in
a security's market value and helps the Money Market Fund maintain a stable
$1.00 share price.
 
The NAV of the Class B shares of each Fund will generally be lower than the NAV
of Class A shares of the same Fund because of the higher expenses borne by the
Class B shares. The NAVs of the Advisor Classes of a Fund's shares also may
differ due to differing allocations of class-specific expenses. The NAVs of the
Advisor Classes of each Fund's shares will tend to converge, however,
immediately after the payment of dividends.
 
Call 1-800-463-8794 for 24-hour price information.
 
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS
 
Each Trust is a Delaware business trust established by a Trust Instrument dated
May 13, 1993, and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest. The Board of Trustees of each Trust may establish
additional series or classes of shares of the Trust without approval of
shareholders.
 
In addition to Class A and Class B shares, each Fund also offers No-Load Class
shares through a separate prospectus to investors who purchase shares directly
from SAFECO Securities. No-Load Class shares are sold without a front-end sales
charge or CDSC and are not subject to Rule 12b-1 fees. Accordingly, the
performance of No-Load Class shares will differ from that of Class A or Class B
shares. For more information about No-Load Class shares of each Fund, please
call 1-800-624-5711.
 
Each share of a Fund is entitled to participate equally in dividends and other
distributions and the proceeds of any liquidation except that, due to the
differing expenses borne by the three classes, dividends and liquidation
proceeds for each class of shares will likely differ. All shares issued are
fully paid and non-assessable, and shareholders have no preemptive or other
right to subscribe to any additional shares.
 
The Trusts do not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders of the Funds.
The Trustees of a Trust will call a special meeting of shareholders of a Fund of
that Trust only if required under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940
Act"), in their discretion, or upon the written request of holders of 10% or
more of the outstanding shares of a Fund or a class entitled to vote. Separate
votes are taken by each class of shares, a Fund, or a Trust if a matter affects
only that class of shares, Fund, or Trust, respectively.
 
Under Delaware law, the shareholders of the Funds will not be personally liable
for the obligations of any Fund; a shareholder is entitled to the same
limitation of personal liability extended to shareholders of corporations. To
guard against the risk that Delaware law might not be applied in other states,
each Trust Instrument requires that every written obligation of the Trust or a
Fund thereof contain a statement that such obligation may be enforced only
against the assets of that Trust or Fund and generally provides for
indemnification out of property of that Trust or Fund of any shareholder
nevertheless held personally liable for Trust or Fund obligations, respectively.
 
Because the Trusts use a combined Prospectus, it is possible that a Fund might
become liable for a misstatement about the series of another Trust contained in
this Prospectus. The Boards of Trustees have considered this factor in approving
the use of a single combined Prospectus.
 
SAM is the investment adviser for each Fund under an agreement with each Trust.
Under each agreement, SAM is responsible for the overall management of each
Trust's and each Fund's business
 
                                    -- 64 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS (CONTINUED)
affairs. SAM provides investment research, advice, management and supervision to
each Trust and each Fund, and, consistent with each Fund's investment objectives
and policies, SAM determines what securities will be purchased, retained or sold
by each Fund and implements those decisions. Each Fund pays SAM an annual
management fee based on a percentage of that Fund's net assets ascertained each
business day and paid monthly in accordance with the schedules below. A
reduction in the fees paid by a Fund occurs only when that Fund's net assets
reach the dollar amounts of the break points and applies only to the assets that
fall within the specified range:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       GROWTH, EQUITY AND INCOME FUNDS
 
<S>                                <C>
NET ASSETS                         ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $100,000,000                  .75 of 1%
$100,000,001 -- $250,000,000        .65 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .55 of 1%
Over $500,000,000                   .45 of 1%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                NORTHWEST FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .75 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .65 of 1%
$500,000,001 -- $750,000,000        .55 of 1%
Over $750,000,000                   .45 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
           BALANCED AND VALUE FUNDS
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .75 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .65 of 1%
Over $500,000,000                   .55 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
              INTERNATIONAL FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                 1.10 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000       1.00 of 1%
Over $500,000,000                   .90 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
              SMALL COMPANY FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .85 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .75 of 1%
Over $500,000,000                   .65 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
                                    -- 65 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
<S>                                <C>
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .55 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .45 of 1%
$500,000,001 -- $750,000,000        .35 of 1%
Over $750,000,000                   .25 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
               HIGH-YIELD FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .65 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .55 of 1%
$500,000,001 -- $750,000,000        .45 of 1%
Over $750,000,000                   .35 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
              MANAGED BOND FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $100,000,000                  .50 of 1%
$100,000,001 -- $250,000,000        .40 of 1%
Over $250,000,000                   .35 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
              MONEY MARKET FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .50 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .40 of 1%
$500,000,001 -- $750,000,000        .30 of 1%
Over $750,000,000                   .25 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
        MUNICIPAL AND CALIFORNIA FUNDS
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $100,000,000                  .55 of 1%
$100,000,001 -- $250,000,000        .45 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .35 of 1%
Over $500,000,000                   .25 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
               WASHINGTON FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .65 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .55 of 1%
$500,000,001 -- $750,000,000        .45 of 1%
Over $750,000,000                   .35 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
A Trust and each Fund thereof will bear all expenses of their organization,
operations and business not specifically assumed by SAM under each Fund's
management contract. Such expenses may
 
                                    -- 66 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS (CONTINUED)
include, among others, custody and accounting expenses, transfer agency and
related expenses, distribution and shareholder servicing expenses, expenses
related to preparing, printing and delivering prospectuses and shareholder
reports, the expenses of holding shareholders' meetings, legal fees, the
compensation of non-interested trustees of the Trusts, brokerage, taxes and
extraordinary expenses.
 
With respect to the International Fund, SAM has a sub-advisory agreement with
the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the
Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited and is an indirect, wholly owned
subsidiary of Bank of Ireland. The Sub-Adviser has its headquarters at 26
Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin, Ireland, and its U.S. office at 2 Greenwich Plaza,
Greenwich, Connecticut. The Sub-Adviser was established in 1987 and currently
manages over $3 billion in assets. Because the Sub-Adviser is doing business
from a location within the United States, investors will be able to effect
service of legal process within the United States upon the Sub-Adviser, under
federal securities laws in United States courts. However, the Sub-Adviser is a
foreign organization and maintains a substantial portion of its assets outside
the United States. Therefore, the ability of investors to enforce judgments
against the Sub-Adviser may be affected by the willingness of foreign courts to
enforce judgments of U.S. courts.
 
Under the agreement, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for providing investment
research and advice used to manage the investment portfolio of the International
Fund. In return, SAM (and not the International Fund) pays the Sub-Adviser a fee
in accordance with the schedule below:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>
NET ASSETS                         ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $50,000,000                   .60 of 1%
$50,000,001 -- $100,000,000         .50 of 1%
Over $100,000,000                   .40 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
The parent company of the Sub-Adviser, Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited,
is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank of Ireland, which engages in
the investment advisory business and is located at 26 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin,
Ireland. The Bank of Ireland is a holding company whose primary subsidiaries are
engaged in banking, insurance, securities and related financial services, and is
located at Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, Ireland.
 
The distributor of the Advisor Classes of each Fund's shares under an agreement
with each Trust is SAFECO Securities a broker-dealer registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
The transfer, dividend disbursement and shareholder servicing agent for the
Advisor Classes of each Fund under an agreement with each Trust is SAFECO
Services. SAFECO Services receives a fee from each Fund for every shareholder
account held in the Fund. SAFECO Services may enter into subcontracts with
registered broker-dealers, third-party administrators and other qualified
service providers that generally perform shareholder, administrative, and/or
accounting services which would otherwise be provided by SAFECO Services. Fees
incurred by a Fund for these services will not exceed the transfer agency fee
payable to SAFECO Services. Any distribution expenses associated with these
arrangements will be borne by SAM.
 
SAM, SAFECO Securities and SAFECO Services are wholly owned subsidiaries of
SAFECO Corporation (a holding company whose primary subsidiaries are engaged in
the insurance and financial services businesses) and are each located at SAFECO
Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185.
 
As interpreted by courts and administrative agencies, the Glass-Steagall Act and
other applicable laws and regulations limit the ability of a bank or other
depository institution to become an underwriter or distributor of securities.
However, in the opinion of each Trust's management, based on the advice of
 
                                    -- 67 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS (CONTINUED)
counsel, these laws and regulations do not prohibit such depository institutions
from providing services for investment companies. Banks or other depository
institutions may be subject to various state laws regarding such services, and
may be required to register as dealers pursuant to state law.
 
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
 
Each Trust, on behalf of the Advisor Classes of each Fund, has entered into a
Distribution Agreement (each an "Agreement") with SAFECO Securities. Each Trust
has also adopted a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect
to each of the Advisor Classes of each Fund (the "Plans"). Pursuant to the
Plans, each Advisor class pays SAFECO Securities a quarterly service fee, at the
annual rate of 0.25% of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Advisor
class. Class B shares also pay SAFECO Securities a quarterly distribution fee at
the annual rate of 0.75% of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Class
B shares. Although the Money Market Trust has adopted Plans with respect to the
Advisor Classes of the Money Market Fund, the Money Market Trust's Board of
Trustees and SAFECO Securities have agreed not to implement the Plans at this
time. Thus, the Advisor Classes of the Money Market Fund do not currently pay
service or distribution fees to SAFECO Securities under the Money Market Fund
Plans. The Money Market Fund Plans will not be implemented unless authorized by
the Money Market Trust's Board of Trustees.
 
Under the Plans, SAFECO Securities will use the service fees primarily to
compensate persons selling shares of the Funds for the provision of personal
service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. SAFECO Securities will
use the distribution fees under the Class B Plan to offset the commissions it
pays to broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions for selling each
Fund's Class B shares. In addition, SAFECO Securities will use the distribution
fees under the Class B Plan to offset each Fund's marketing costs attributable
to the Class B shares, such as preparation of sales literature, advertising and
printing and distributing prospectuses and other shareholder materials to
prospective investors. SAFECO Securities also may use the distribution fee to
pay other costs allocated to SAFECO Securities' distribution activities,
including acting as shareholder of record, maintaining account records and other
overhead expenses.
 
   
SAFECO Securities will receive the proceeds of the initial sales charges paid
upon the purchase of Class A shares and the CDSCs paid upon applicable
redemptions of Class B shares and may use these proceeds for any of the
distribution expenses described above. The amount of sales charges reallowed to
broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions who sell Class A shares
will equal the percentage of the amount invested in accordance with the schedule
set forth in "Purchasing Advisor Class A Shares" on page   . SAFECO Securities,
out of its own resources, will pay a brokerage commission equal to 4.00% of the
amount invested to broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions who
sell Class B shares. Broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions who
sell Class B shares of the Money Market Fund will receive the 4.00% brokerage
commission at the time the shareholder exchanges his or her Class B Money Market
Fund shares for Class B shares of another Fund.
    
 
During the period they are in effect, the Plans and related Agreements obligate
the Advisor Classes of the Funds to which they relate to pay service and
distribution fees to SAFECO Securities as compensation for its service and
distribution activities, not as reimbursement for specific expenses incurred.
Thus, even if SAFECO Securities' expenses exceed its service or distribution
fees for any class, the class will not be obligated to pay more than those fees
and, if SAFECO Securities' expenses are less than such fees, it will retain its
full fees and realize a profit. Each Fund that has implemented a Rule 12b-1 Plan
will pay the service and distribution fees to SAFECO Securities until either the
applicable Plan or Agreement is terminated or not renewed.
 
                                    -- 68 --
<PAGE>
PERSONS CONTROLLING CERTAIN FUNDS
 
   
At April 2, 1997, SAM, a wholly owned subsidiary of SAFECO Corporation,
controlled the International and Balanced Funds. At April 4, 1997 SAM controlled
the Value Fund. At April 2, 1997, SAFECO Corporation controlled the Small
Company Fund. SAFECO Corporation and SAM have their principal place of business
at SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185.
    
 
At April 4, 1997, SAFECO Insurance Company of America ("SAFECO Insurance")
controlled the Intermediate Treasury and Washington Funds. SAFECO Insurance is a
Washington Corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of SAFECO Corporation,
which has its principal place of business at SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington
98185.
 
At April 4, 1997, Crown Packaging Corp. Profit Sharing & Pension Plan and
Massman Construction Co. Profit Sharing Retirement Trust controlled the Managed
Bond Fund. Crown Packaging Corp. Profit Sharing & Pension Plan's address of
record is 8514 Eager Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63144. Massman Construction Co. Profit
Sharing Retirement Trust's address of record is 8901 Stateline, Kansas City, Mo.
64114.
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
The yield, total return and average annual total return of each class of a Fund
may be quoted in advertisements. For each Fund except the Money Market Fund,
yield is the annualization on a 360-day basis of a class's net income per share
over a 30-day period divided by the class's net asset value per share on the
last day of the period. The formula for the yield calculation is defined by
regulation. Consequently, the rate of actual income distributions paid by the
Funds may differ from quoted yield figures. Total return is the total percentage
change in an investment in a class of a Fund, assuming the reinvestment of
dividend and capital gain distributions, over a stated period of time. Average
annual total return is the annual percentage change in an investment in a class
of a Fund, assuming the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain
distributions, over a stated period of time. Performance quotations are
calculated separately for each class of a Fund. Standardized returns for Class A
shares reflect deduction of the Fund's maximum initial sales charge at the time
of purchase, and standardized returns for Class B shares reflect deduction of
the applicable CDSC imposed on a redemption of shares held for the period. A
Fund's portfolio turnover rate will vary from year to year. A high portfolio
turnover rate involves correspondingly higher transaction costs in the form of
broker commissions and dealer spreads and other costs that a Fund will bear
directly.
 
For the Money Market Fund, yield is the annualization on a 365-day basis of the
Fund's net income over a 7-day period. Effective yield is the annualization, on
a 365-day basis, of the Money Market Fund's net income over a 7-day period with
dividends reinvested. The effective yield will be slightly higher than the yield
because of the compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment.
 
From time to time, a Fund may advertise rankings. Rankings are calculated by
independent companies that monitor mutual fund performance (E.G., CDA Investment
Technologies, Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., and Morningstar, Inc.) and are
reported periodically in national financial publications such as BARRON'S,
BUSINESS WEEK, FORBES, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY, MONEY MAGAZINE, and THE WALL
STREET JOURNAL. In addition, non-standardized performance figures may accompany
the standardized figures described above. Non-standardized figures may be
calculated in a variety of ways, including but not necessarily limited to,
different time periods and different initial investment amounts. Each Fund may
also compare its performance to the performance of relevant indices.
 
Performance information and quoted rankings are indicative only of past
performance and are not intended to represent future investment results. Except
for the Money Market Fund, the yield and share price of each class of a Fund
will fluctuate and your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than
you originally paid for them.
 
                                    -- 69 --
<PAGE>
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS AND HOW THEY ARE TAXED
 
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
The Fixed-Income Funds declare dividends on each business day and pay them on
the last business day of each month; the Equity, Income, Balanced and Value
Funds declare and pay dividends on the last business day of each calendar
quarter; and the Growth, Northwest, International, and Small Company Funds
declare and pay dividends annually. Each Fund declares dividends from net
investment income (which includes accrued dividends and interest, earned
discount, and other income earned on portfolio securities less expenses). Shares
of each Fund become entitled to receive dividends on the next business day after
they are purchased for your account. If you request redemption of all your
shares at any time during a month, you will receive all declared dividends
through the date of redemption, together with the proceeds of the redemption.
 
Dividends and other distributions paid by a Fund on each class of its shares are
calculated at the same time in the same manner. However, except for the Money
Market Fund, because of the higher Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees
associated with Class B shares, the dividends paid by a Fund on its Class B
shares will be lower than those paid on its Class A shares.
 
Your dividends and other distributions are reinvested in additional shares of
the distributing Fund at net asset value per share, generally determined as of
the close of business on the ex-distribution date, unless you elect in writing
to receive dividends and/or other distributions in cash and that election is
provided to SAFECO Services at the address on the Prospectus cover. The election
remains in effect until revoked by written notice to SAFECO Services. For
retirement accounts, all dividends and other distributions declared by a Fund
must be invested in additional shares of that Fund.
 
States generally treat the pass-through of interest earned on U.S. Treasury
securities and other direct obligations of the U.S. Government as tax-free
income in the calculation of their state income tax. This treatment may be
dependent upon the maintenance of certain percentages of fund ownership in these
securities. The Intermediate Treasury Fund will invest primarily in these
securities while the other Funds may occasionally invest a portion of their
portfolios in these securities.
 
Please remember that if you purchase shares shortly before a Fund pays a taxable
dividend or other distribution, you will pay the full price for the shares, then
receive part of the price back as a taxable distribution.
 
TAXES
 
Each Fund intends to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. By
so qualifying, a Fund will not be subject to federal income taxes to the extent
it distributes its net investment income and realized capital gains to its
shareholders. Each Fund will inform you as to the amount and nature of dividends
and other distributions to your account. Dividends and other distributions
declared in December, but received by shareholders in January, are taxable to
shareholders in the year in which declared.
 
When you sell (redeem) shares, it may result in a taxable gain or loss. This
depends upon whether you receive more or less than your adjusted basis for the
shares (which normally takes into account any initial sales charge paid on Class
A shares). An exchange of any Fund's shares for shares of another Fund generally
will have similar tax consequences.
 
Special rules apply when you dispose of Class A shares of a Fund (except the
Money Market Fund) through a redemption or exchange within 60 days after your
purchase thereof and subsequently reacquire Class A shares of the same Fund or
acquire Class A shares of another Fund without paying a sales charge due to the
exchange privilege or reinstatement privilege. See "How to Purchase Shares --
Reinstatement Privilege" on page 51 and "How to Exchange Shares from One Fund to
Another" on page 56 for more information. In these cases, any gain on the
disposition of the original
 
                                    -- 70 --
<PAGE>
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS AND HOW THEY ARE TAXED (CONTINUED)
Class A shares will be increased, or any loss decreased, by the amount of the
sales charge paid when you acquired those shares, and that amount will increase
the basis of the shares subsequently acquired. In addition, if you purchase
shares of a Fund (whether pursuant to the reinstatement privilege or otherwise)
within thirty days before or after redeeming other shares of that Fund
(regardless of class) at a loss, all or part of that loss will not be deductible
and will increase the basis of the newly purchased shares.
 
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUNDS
 
TAXES
 
Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund intends to continue to qualify for favorable tax
treatment as a "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code
("Code") so as to be able to pay dividends that are exempt from federal personal
income taxes. The portion of dividends representing net short-term capital
gains, however, is not exempt and will be treated as taxable dividends for
federal income tax purposes. In addition, income which is derived from
purchasing certain bonds below their issued price after April 30, 1993, will be
treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.
 
A portion of a Tax-Exempt Income Fund's assets may from time to time be
temporarily invested in fixed-income obligations, the interest on which when
distributed to the Fund's shareholders will be subject to federal income taxes.
As a matter of non-fundamental investment policy, the Tax-Exempt Income Funds
will not purchase so-called "non-essential or private activity" bonds, the
interest on which would constitute a preference item for shareholders in
determining their alternative minimum tax.
 
The excess of net long-term capital gains realized by a Tax-Exempt Income Fund
over net short-term capital loss on portfolio transactions does not necessarily
result in exemption under other federal, state or local income taxes.
Shareholders of each Tax-Exempt Income Fund should bear in mind that they may be
subject to other taxes.
 
If a shareholder buys shares of a Tax-Exempt Income Fund and sells them at a
loss within six months, such loss for federal income tax purposes will be
disallowed to the extent of the tax-exempt interest component of dividends
received during such six-month period.
 
If a shareholder buys shares of a Tax-Exempt Income Fund and sells them at a
loss within six months, to the extent not disallowed in the previous paragraph
and to the extent of any long-term capital gains distributions, the loss will be
treated as a long-term capital loss for federal income tax purposes.
 
Individuals who receive Social Security benefits must use the amount of income
dividends received from each of the Tax-Exempt Income Funds in determining the
amount of any federal income tax due on such benefits.
 
Under the Code, the tax effect on individuals of receiving dividends from any of
the Tax-Exempt Income Funds is substantially different from the tax effect on
other types of shareholders.
 
CALIFORNIA FUND
 
   
The California Fund intends to pay dividends that are exempt from California
State personal income taxes. This would not include taxable interest paid on
temporary investments, if any. Generally, the tax treatment of capital gains
under California law is the same as under federal law, but such gains are taxed
at the same rates as ordinary income. Capital gains distributions paid by the
California Fund are treated as long-term capital gains under California law
regardless of how long the shares have been held. Redemptions and exchanges of
the California Fund may result in a capital gain or loss for California income
tax purposes.
    
 
                                    -- 71 --
<PAGE>
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS AND HOW THEY ARE TAXED (CONTINUED)
   
Under California law, the dividend income from California municipal bonds is
exempt from the Calfornia personal income tax applicable to individual
shareholders but is fully taxable for purposes of the California franchise tax
applicable to most corporate shareholders.
    
 
Shares of the California Fund will not be subject to the California property
tax.
 
WASHINGTON FUND
 
   
Currently the State of Washington has no state personal income tax. Should
Washington State enact a personal income tax, there can be no assurance that
income from the Washington Fund's portfolio securities which is distributed to
shareholders would be exempt from such a tax.
    
 
TAX WITHHOLDING INFORMATION
 
You will be asked to certify on your account application or on a separate form
that the taxpayer identification number you provide is correct and that you are
not subject to, or are exempt from, backup withholding for previous
underreporting to the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Retirement plan distributions may be subject to federal income tax withholding.
However, you may elect not to have any distributions withheld by checking the
appropriate box on the Redemption Request form or by instructing SAFECO Services
in writing at the address on the Prospectus cover.
 
If the International Fund pays nonrefundable taxes to foreign governments during
the year, the taxes will reduce the Fund's dividends but still be included in
your taxable income. However, you may be able to claim an offsetting credit or
deduction on your tax return for your share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund.
 
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important federal tax
considerations generally affecting each Fund and its shareholders; see the
Trusts' Statements of Additional Information for a further discussion. There may
be other federal, state or local tax considerations applicable to a particular
investor. You therefore are urged to consult your tax adviser.
 
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS
 
SAFECO Services offers a variety of tax-deferred retirement plans for
individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations. An account may be
established under one of the following plans which allow you to defer investment
income from federal income tax while you save for retirement. Many of the Funds
(other than the Tax-Exempt Income Funds) may be used as investment vehicles for
these plans.
 
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (IRAS).  IRAs are tax-deferred retirement
accounts for anyone under age 70 1/2 with earned income. The maximum annual
contribution generally is $2,000 per person ($4,000 for you and a non-working
spouse). Under certain circumstances your contribution will be deductible for
income tax purposes. An annual custodial fee will be charged for any part of a
calendar year in which you have an IRA investment in a Fund.
 
SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION IRAS (SEP-IRAS).  SEP-IRAs are easily administered
retirement plans for small businesses and self-employed individuals. Annual
contributions up to $22,500 may be made to SEP-IRA accounts; the annual
contribution limit is subject to change. SEP-IRAs have the same investment
minimums and custodial fees as regular IRAs.
 
403(b) PLANS.  403(b) plans are retirement plans for tax-exempt organizations
and school systems to which employers and employees both may contribute. Minimum
investment amounts are negotiable.
 
                                    -- 72 --
<PAGE>
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)
401(k) PLANS.  401(k) plans allow employers and employees to make tax-advantaged
contributions to a retirement account. SAFECO Services offers a low-cost
administration package that includes a prototype plan, record keeping, testing
and employee communications. Minimum investment amounts are negotiable.
 
PROFIT SHARING AND MONEY PURCHASE PENSION PLANS.  Each plan allows corporations,
partnerships and self-employed persons to make annual, tax-deductible
contributions to a retirement account for each person covered by the plan. A
plan may be adopted individually or paired with another plan to maximize
contributions. SAFECO Services offers an administration package for these plans.
Minimum investment amounts are negotiable.
 
For information about the above accounts and plans, please contact your
investment professional, or call 1-800-278-1985. For a description of federal
income tax withholding on distributions from these accounts and plans, see "Fund
Distributions and How They Are Taxed -- Tax Withholding Information" on page 66.
 
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
 
Periodically, you will receive an account statement indicating your current Fund
holdings and transactions affecting your account. Confirmation statements will
be sent to you after each transaction that affects your account balance. Please
review the information on each confirmation statement for accuracy immediately
upon receipt. If you do not notify us within 30 days of any processing error,
SAFECO Services will consider the transactions listed on the confirmation
statement to be correct.
 
ACCOUNT CHANGES AND SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS
 
Changes to your account registration or the services you have selected must be
in writing and signed by the number of owners specified on your account
application as having authority to make these changes. Send written changes to
the broker-dealer, bank or other financial institution where your account is
maintained. (Changes made to accounts maintained at SAFECO Services should be
sent to the address on the Prospectus cover.) Certain changes to the Automatic
Investment Method and Systematic Withdrawal Plan can be made by telephone
request if you have previously selected single signature authorization for your
account.
 
You must specify on your account application the number of signatures required
to authorize redemptions and exchanges and to change account registration or the
services selected. Authorizing fewer than all account owners has important
implications. For example, one owner of a joint tenant account can redeem money
without the co-owner's signature. If you do not indicate otherwise on the
application, the signatures of all account owners will be required to effect a
transaction. Your selection of fewer than all account owner signatures may be
revoked by any account owner who writes to SAFECO Services or the financial
institution where your account is maintained.
 
The broker-dealer, bank or financial institution where your account is
maintained or SAFECO Services may require a signature guarantee for a signature
that cannot be verified by comparison to the signature(s) on your account
application. A signature guarantee may be obtained from most financial
institutions including banks, savings and loans and broker-dealers.
 
                                    -- 73 --
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF STOCKS, BONDS AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
 
COMMON STOCKS represent equity interest in a corporation. Although common stocks
have a history of long-term growth in value, their prices fluctuate based on
changes in a company's financial condition and overall market and economic
conditions. Smaller companies are especially sensitive to these factors.
 
PREFERRED STOCKS are equity securities whose owners have a claim on a company's
earnings and assets before holders of common stock, but after debt holders. The
risk characteristics of preferred stocks are similar to those of common stocks,
except that preferred stocks are generally subject to less risk than common
stocks.
 
BONDS AND OTHER DEBT SECURITIES are used by issuers to borrow money from
investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of interest,
and must repay the amount borrowed at maturity. The value of bonds and other
debt securities will normally vary inversely with interest rates. In general,
bond prices rise when interest rates fall, and bond prices fall when interest
rates rise. Debt securities have varying degrees of quality and varying levels
of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Long-term bonds are generally more
sensitive to interest rate changes than short-term bonds.
 
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are debt or preferred stock which are convertible into or
exchangeable for common stock. The value of convertible corporate bonds will
normally vary inversely with interest rates and the value of convertible
corporate bonds and convertible preferred stock will normally vary with the
value of the underlying common stock.
 
RATINGS SUPPLEMENT
 
Ratings by Moody's and S&P represent their respective opinions as to the
investment quality of the rated obligations. Investors should realize these
ratings do not constitute a guarantee that the principal and interest payable
under these obligations will be paid when due.
 
DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
 
MOODY'S.  Issuers rated Prime-1 have a superior ability for repayment of senior
short-term debt obligations. Issuers rated Prime-2 have a strong ability for
repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Issuers rated Prime-3 have an
acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.
 
S&P.  Issues rated A-1 are the highest category, indicating 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.Issues designated A-2 have a satisfactory capacity for timely
payment, however, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues
designated "A-1." Issues designated as A-3 have an adequate capacity for timely
payment.
 
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT RATINGS
 
Excerpts from Moody's descriptions of its ratings:
 
Investment Grade:
 
Aaa -- Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt-edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the position of such issues.
 
                                    -- 74 --
<PAGE>
RATINGS SUPPLEMENT (CONTINUED)
Aa -- Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as
high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities.
 
A -- Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security
to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
 
Baa -- Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations
(i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present, but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
 
Below Investment Grade:
 
Ba -- Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
 
B- -- Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
 
Caa -- Bonds which are rated Caa have poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
 
Ca -- Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
 
C -- Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
 
Excerpts from S&P's descriptions of its ratings:
 
Investment Grade:
 
AAA -- Debt which is rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity
to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
   
AA -- Debt which is rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
    
 
   
A -- Debt which is rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated
categories.
    
 
   
BBB -- Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher-rated categories.
    
 
                                    -- 75 --
<PAGE>
RATINGS SUPPLEMENT (CONTINUED)
Below Investment Grade:
 
   
BB, B, CCC, CC, C -- Debt which is rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C is regarded as
having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. "BB" indicates the least degree of speculation and
"C" the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures
to adverse conditions.
    
 
   
C1 -- The rating C1 is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
    
 
   
D -- Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments 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.
    
 
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.
 
DEBT SECURITIES HOLDINGS
 
   
THE EQUITY FUND DID NOT HOLD ANY CONVERTIBLE DEBT SECURITIES DURING THE FISCAL
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996.
    
 
INCOME FUND
 
   
The weighted average ratings of all debt securities held by the Income Fund,
expressed as a percentage of total investments held during the fiscal period
ended December 31, 1996, were as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MOODY'S                                     %      S&P                                         %
- --------------------------------------  ---------  --------------------------------------  ---------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>                                     <C>
                                          INVESTMENT GRADE
Aaa                                             0% AAA                                             0%
Aa                                              0% AA                                              0%
A                                               5% A                                               3%
Baa                                             1% BBB                                             3%
 
                                       BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE
Ba                                              5% BB                                              2%
B                                               3% B                                               3%
Caa                                             0% CCC                                             0%
Ca                                              0% CC                                              0%
C                                               0% C                                               0%
                                                   D                                               0%
Not Rated, but determined to be                    Not Rated, but determined to be
  investment grade                              0%   investment grade                              0%
Not Rated, but determined to be below              Not Rated, but determined to be below
  investment grade                              0%   investment grade                              3%
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    -- 76 --
<PAGE>
DEBT SECURITIES HOLDINGS (CONTINUED)
HIGH-YIELD FUND
 
   
The weighted average ratings of all fixed-income securities, expressed as a
percentage of total investments held by the High-Yield Bond during the fiscal
period ended December 31, 1996, were as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MOODY'S                                     %      S&P                                         %
- --------------------------------------  ---------  --------------------------------------  ---------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>                                     <C>
                                          INVESTMENT GRADE
Aaa                                             0% AAA                                             0%
Aa                                              0% AA                                              0%
A                                               0% A                                               0%
Baa                                             0% BBB                                             0%
 
                                       BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE
Ba                                             20% BB                                             28%
B                                              72% B                                              64%
Caa                                             1% CCC                                             1%
Ca                                              0% CC                                              0%
C                                               0% C                                               0%
                                                   D                                               0%
Not Rated, but determined to be                    Not Rated, but determined to be
  investment grade                              1%   investment grade                              1%
Not Rated, but determined to be below              Not Rated, but determined to be below
  investment grade                              0%   investment grade                              0%
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    -- 77 --
<PAGE>
SAFECO FAMILY OF FUNDS
 
STABILITY OF PRINCIPAL
 
  SAFECO Money Market Fund
 
BOND INCOME
 
  SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund
 
  SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund
 
  SAFECO Managed Bond Fund
 
TAX-FREE BOND INCOME
 
  SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund
 
  SAFECO California Tax-Free Income Fund
 
  SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund
 
HIGH CURRENT INCOME WITH LONG-TERM GROWTH
 
  SAFECO Income Fund
 
LONG-TERM GROWTH
 
  SAFECO Growth Fund
 
  SAFECO Equity Fund
 
  SAFECO Northwest Fund
 
  SAFECO International Stock Fund
 
  SAFECO Balanced Fund
 
  SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund
 
  SAFECO U.S. Value Fund
 
FOR MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ON ADVISOR CLASS SHARES OF ANY SAFECO MUTUAL FUND,
INCLUDING MANAGEMENT FEES AND EXPENSES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR INVESTMENT
PROFESSIONAL.
<PAGE>
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
 
DEALER SERVICES
 
  Nationwide: (800) 528-6501
 
  Seattle: (206) 545-6409
 
LITERATURE ORDER:
 
  Nationwide: (800) 463-8792
 
  Seattle: (206) 545-6227
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES/TELEPHONE EXCHANGE:
 
  MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY,
 
  6:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. PACIFIC TIME
 
  NATIONWIDE: (800) 463-8791
 
  SEATTLE: (206) 545-6283
 
24-HOUR PRICE AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
  Nationwide: (800) 463-8794
 
  Seattle: (206) 545-6295
 
      MAILING ADDRESS:
 
      SAFECO MUTUAL FUNDS
 
      Advisor Class Shares
 
      P.O. Box 34890
 
      Seattle, WA 98124-1890
 
      EXPRESS/OVERNIGHT MAIL:
 
      SAFECO Mutual Funds
 
      Advisor Class Shares
 
      4333 Brooklyn Avenue N.E.
 
      Seattle, WA 98105
 
      DISTRIBUTOR:
 
      SAFECO Securities, Inc.
 
PROSPECTUS
 
April 30, 1997
 
SAFECO GROWTH FUND
 
SAFECO EQUITY FUND
 
SAFECO INCOME FUND
 
SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND
 
SAFECO INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND
 
SAFECO BALANCED FUND
 
SAFECO SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND
 
SAFECO U.S. VALUE FUND
 
SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM
 
      U.S. TREASURY FUND
 
SAFECO HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND
 
SAFECO MANAGED BOND FUND
 
SAFECO MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
 
SAFECO CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
 
SAFECO WASHINGTON STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
 
SAFECO MONEY MARKET FUND
 
  ADVISOR CLASS A
 
  ADVISOR CLASS B
 
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY ANY TRUST, ANY FUND, OR BY
SAFECO SECURITIES. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY BY ANY TRUST, ANY FUND, OR BY SAFECO SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
 
GMF 4111 2/96
<PAGE>
SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND
SAFECO GNMA FUND
SAFECO HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND
SAFECO MANAGED BOND FUND
 
NO-LOAD CLASS                                                     April 30, 1997
 
This Prospectus offers shares of each of the funds listed above. The SAFECO
Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund, the SAFECO GNMA Fund and the SAFECO
High-Yield Bond Fund are series of the SAFECO Taxable Bond Trust ("Taxable Bond
Trust"). The SAFECO Managed Bond Fund is a series of the SAFECO Managed Bond
Trust ("Managed Bond Trust"). The investment objectives for each of these Funds
appears on page 3.
 
This Prospectus sets forth the information a prospective investor should know
before investing. Please read and retain this Prospectus for future reference. A
Statement of Additional Information, dated April 30, 1997, and incorporated
herein by reference, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and is available at no charge upon request by calling one of the numbers listed
below. The Statement of Additional Information and other information about the
Funds are also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission website
(http://www.sec.gov). The Statement of Additional Information contains more
information about many of the topics in this Prospectus as well as information
about the trustees and officers of the Trusts.
 
For additional assistance, please call or write:
 
               NATIONWIDE 1-800-624-5711; SEATTLE 1-206-545-7319
            DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING TTY/TDD SERVICE 1-800-438-8718
 
                              SAFECO MUTUAL FUNDS
                              NO-LOAD CLASS SHARES
                                 P.O. BOX 34890
                             SEATTLE, WA 98124-1890
 
                     ALL TELEPHONE CALLS ARE TAPE-RECORDED
                              FOR YOUR PROTECTION.
- ---------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- ---------------------------------------------------------
 
                                    -- 1 --
<PAGE>
FUND SHARES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY,
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT OR ANY BANK, NOR ARE FUND SHARES FEDERALLY INSURED OR
OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL
RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY, AND FUND SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT
RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED.
 
- ---------------------------------------------------------
 
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY EITHER TRUST, ANY FUND, OR
BY SAFECO SECURITIES. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY BY ANY TRUST, ANY FUND, OR BY SAFECO SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
 
                                    -- 2 --
<PAGE>
SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND ("Intermediate Treasury Fund") has
as its investment objective to provide as high a level of current income as is
consistent with the preservation of capital. During normal market conditions,
the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in direct obligations of
the U.S. Treasury.
 
SAFECO GNMA FUND ("GNMA Fund") has as its investment objective to provide as
high a level of current interest income as is consistent with the preservation
of capital through the purchase of U.S. Government securities. During normal
market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in
Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") mortgage-backed securities.
 
SAFECO HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND ("High-Yield Bond Fund") has as its investment
objective to provide a high level of current interest income through the
purchase of high-yield, fixed-income securities. During normal market
conditions, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in high-yield,
fixed-income securities.
 
SAFECO MANAGED BOND FUND ("Managed Bond Fund") has as its investment objective
to provide as high a level of total return as is consistent with the relative
stability of capital through the purchase of investment grade debt securities.
 
There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
                                    -- 3 --
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      PAGE
                                                                      -----
<S>                                                                <C>
Introduction to the Trusts and the Funds                                    5
Expenses                                                                    7
Financial Highlights                                                        9
Each Fund's Investment Objective and Policies                              14
Risk Factors                                                               28
Portfolio Managers                                                         32
How to Purchase Shares                                                     33
How to Redeem Shares                                                       36
How to Systematically Purchase or Redeem Shares                            39
How to Exchange Shares from One Fund to Another                            40
Telephone Transactions                                                     42
Transactions Through Registered Investment Advisers                        43
Share Price Calculation                                                    44
Information about Share Ownership and Companies that Provide
  Services to the Trusts                                                   44
Persons Controlling Certain Funds                                          49
Performance Information                                                    49
Fund Distributions and How They Are Taxed                                  50
Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans                                              52
Account Statements                                                         53
Account Changes and Signature Requirements                                 54
Debt Securities Held by the High-Yield Bond Fund                           55
Description of Ratings                                                     55
</TABLE>
 
                                    -- 4 --
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION TO THE TRUSTS AND THE FUNDS
 
The Taxable Bond Trust is an open-end management investment company that issues
shares representing three diversified mutual funds: the Intermediate Treasury
Fund, the GNMA Fund and the High-Yield Bond Fund (collectively, the "Taxable
Bond Funds").
 
The Managed Bond Trust is an open-end management investment company that
currently issues shares representing one diversified mutual fund: the Managed
Bond Fund (each Taxable Bond Fund and the Managed Bond Fund, a "Fund"). Prior to
September 30, 1996, the name of the Managed Bond Fund was the SAFECO
Fixed-Income Portfolio and the name of the Managed Bond Trust was the SAFECO
Institutional Series Trust.
 
THE FUNDS
 
No-Load Class shares of each Fund are offered through this Prospectus. Each
Fund, except the GNMA Fund, also offers other classes of shares.
 
The No-Load Class of each Fund:
 
/ / Is 100% no-load; there are no initial or contingent deferred sales charges
    or Rule 12b-1 fees.
 
/ /
  Offers free exchanges as well as easy access to your money
  through telephone redemptions and wire transfers.
 
/ /
  Has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 for regular
  accounts, $250 for individual retirement accounts ("IRAs") and accounts
  established under the Uniform Gift to Minors Act ("UGMA") or Uniform Transfer
  to Minors Act ("UTMA").
 
RISK FACTORS
 
There is, of course, no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment
objective. See "Each Fund's Investment Objective and Policies" for more
information.
 
There is a risk that the market value of each Fund's portfolio of securities may
decrease and result in a decrease in the
 
                                    -- 5 --
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION TO THE TRUSTS AND THE FUNDS (CONTINUED)
value of a shareholder's investment. Also, the value of a Fund's portfolio will
normally fluctuate inversely with changes in interest rates. In addition, the
High-Yield Bond Fund is subject to special risks associated with below
investment grade securities, sometimes referred to as "junk" bonds, which it
will purchase to pursue its investment objective. See "Each Fund's Investment
Objective and Policies" for more information.
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
Each Fund is managed by SAFECO Asset Management Company ("SAM"). SAM is
headquartered in Seattle, Washington and managed over $2.5 billion in mutual
fund assets as of December 31, 1996. SAM has been an adviser to mutual funds and
other investment portfolios since 1973 and its predecessors have been advisers
since 1932. See "Information about Share Ownership and Companies that Provide
Services to the Trusts" for more information.
 
                                    -- 6 --
<PAGE>
EXPENSES
 
A.  SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES FOR THE NO-LOAD CLASS OF EACH FUND
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SALES CHARGE
SALES CHARGE    IMPOSED ON      CONTINGENT
 IMPOSED ON     REINVESTED    DEFERRED SALES
  PURCHASES      DIVIDENDS        CHARGE        REDEMPTION FEES    EXCHANGE FEES
- -------------  -------------  ---------------  -----------------  ---------------
<S>            <C>            <C>              <C>                <C>
       NONE           NONE            NONE              NONE              NONE
</TABLE>
 
SAFECO Services Corporation ("SAFECO Services"), the transfer agent for the
Funds, charges a $10 fee to wire redemption proceeds.
 
B.   ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES FOR THE NO-LOAD CLASS OF EACH FUND
 
     (as a percentage of average net assets)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               TOTAL
                                                          RULE 12B-1                 OTHER                   OPERATING
FUND                          MANAGEMENT FEE       +         FEES          +        EXPENSES        =        EXPENSES
- ----------------------------  ---------------             -----------             ------------             -------------
<S>                           <C>              <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>
Intermediate Treasury                 .55%                   None                        .30%                     .85%+
GNMA                                  .65%                   None                        .36%                    1.01%
High-Yield Bond                       .64%                   None                        .26%                     .90%
Managed Bond                          .49%                   None                        .78%                    1.27%
</TABLE>
 
The amounts shown are annualized expenses based on the actual expenses paid by
shareholders of each Fund for the three-month fiscal period ended December 31,
1996. See "Information about Share Ownership and Companies that Provide Services
to the Trusts" for more information.
 
+ Net of reimbursements by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the total operating
expenses as a percentage of net assets would have been 1.07%.
 
                                    -- 7 --
<PAGE>
EXPENSES (CONTINUED)
C.  EXAMPLE OF EXPENSES
 
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment in No-Load Class
shares, assuming a 5% annual return. The example also assumes that all dividends
and other distributions are reinvested and that the percentage amounts listed in
"Annual Operating Expenses" above remain the same in the years shown.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND                                       1 YEAR       3 YEARS      5 YEARS     10 YEARS
- ---------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Intermediate Treasury                     $       9    $      27    $      47    $     105
GNMA                                      $      10    $      32    $      56    $     124
High-Yield Bond                           $       9    $      29    $      50    $     111
Managed Bond                              $      13    $      40    $      70    $     153
</TABLE>
 
The purpose of the table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and
expenses that an investor in No-Load Class shares of each Fund would bear,
directly or indirectly. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. A FUND'S ACTUAL EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE MAY BE GREATER
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. THE ASSUMED 5% ANNUAL RETURN IS REQUIRED BY SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL MUTUAL FUNDS, AND IT IS
NOT A PREDICTION OF, NOR DOES IT REPRESENT, PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR THE
PERFORMANCE OF ANY FUND.
 
                                    -- 8 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
The amounts shown for each Fund in the Financial Highlights tables that follow
are based upon a single share outstanding throughout the period indicated. The
following selected data has been derived from financial statements that have
been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors. The data should be read
in conjunction with the financial statements, related notes, and other financial
information included in the Trusts' Annual Report to shareholders and
incorporated by reference in the Trusts' Statement of Additional Information. A
copy of the Trusts' Statement of Additional Information may be obtained by
calling one of the numbers on the front page of this Prospectus.
 
                                    -- 9 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a No-Load Class Share Outstanding Throughout the Period)
 
SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           THREE-MONTH
                          PERIOD ENDED
                          DECEMBER 31,                                  YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                              1996*        1996       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991       1990       1989
                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net asset value at
  beginning of period       $   10.10    $   10.24  $    9.74  $   10.74  $   10.69  $   10.20  $    9.83  $    9.96  $    9.95
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income           .16          .54        .55        .52        .60        .72        .75        .77        .77
  Net realized and
   unrealized gain
   (loss) on investments          .01         (.14)       .50      (1.00)       .49        .54        .37       (.13)      (.01)
                          -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment
  operations                      .17          .40       1.05       (.48)      1.09       1.26       1.12        .64        .78
                          -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net
   investment income             (.16)        (.54)      (.55)      (.52)      (.60)      (.72)      (.75)      (.77)      (.77)
Distributions from
  capital gains                    --           --         --         --       (.44)      (.05)        --         --         --
                          -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total distributions              (.16)        (.54)      (.55)      (.52)     (1.04)      (.77)      (.75)      (.77)      (.77)
                          -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end
  of
  period                    $   10.11    $   10.10  $   10.24  $    9.74  $   10.74  $   10.69  $   10.20  $    9.83  $    9.96
                          -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                          -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return                    1.68%+       4.00%     11.07%     -4.56%     10.51%     12.78%     11.80%      6.65%      8.20%
Net assets at end of
  period (000's omitted)  $    14,679    $  14,668  $  13,774  $  13,367  $  14,706  $  12,205  $   9,458  $   6,916  $   6,249
Ratio of expenses to
  average net assets             .85%  ++#     1.01%      .96%      .90%       .99%       .98%      1.00%      1.00%       .96%
Ratio of net investment
  income to average net
  assets                        6.30%  ++     5.30%     5.51%      5.08%      5.52%      6.89%      7.45%      7.76%      7.82%
Portfolio turnover rate       125.42%  ++   294.25%    124.9%     75.46%    104.94%     37.19%      9.51%     24.17%      4.36%
 
<CAPTION>
                             FOR THE
                           PERIOD FROM
                          SEPT. 7, 1988
                            (INITIAL
                             PUBLIC
                          OFFERING) TO
                            SEPT. 30,
                              1988
 
<S>                       <C>
Net asset value at
  beginning of period       $    9.93
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income           .05
  Net realized and
   unrealized gain
   (loss) on investments          .02
                               ------
Total from investment
  operations                      .07
                               ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net
   investment income             (.05)
Distributions from
  capital gains                    --
                               ------
Total distributions              (.05)
                               ------
Net asset value at end
  of
  period                    $    9.95
                               ------
                               ------
Total return                     .69%  +
Net assets at end of
  period (000's omitted)  $     5,007
Ratio of expenses to
  average net assets            1.06%  ++
Ratio of net investment
  income to average net
  assets                        7.46%  ++
Portfolio turnover rate          None
</TABLE>
 
 * In 1996, the Taxable Bond Trust changed its fiscal year end from September 30
to December 31.
 + Not annualized.
++ Annualized.
 # Net of reimbursements by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the ratio of
expenses to average net assets would have been 1.07%.
 
                                    -- 10 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a No-Load Class Share Outstanding Throughout the Period)
 
SAFECO GNMA FUND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               THREE-MONTH
                                 PERIOD
                                  ENDED
                                DECEMBER                             FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                31, 1996*     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991     1990     1989     1988
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>           <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Net asset value at beginning
  of period                      $  9.26     $  9.45  $  9.05  $ 10.03  $  9.95  $  9.68  $  9.16  $  9.23  $  9.06  $  9.13
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income              .15         .60      .60      .60      .67      .73      .78      .76      .81      .87
  Net realized and unrealized
   gain (loss) on investments        .10        (.19)     .40     (.98)     .08      .27      .52     (.07)     .17     (.07)
                               -----------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Total from investment
  operations                         .25         .41     1.00     (.38)     .75     1.00     1.30      .69      .98      .80
                               -----------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net
   investment income                (.15)       (.60)    (.60)    (.60)    (.67)    (.73)    (.78)    (.76)    (.81)    (.87)
                               -----------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Net asset value at end of
  period                         $  9.36     $  9.26  $  9.45  $  9.05  $ 10.03  $  9.95  $  9.68  $  9.16  $  9.23  $  9.06
                               -----------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                               -----------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Total return                       2.71%+      4.48%   11.49%   -3.91%    7.81%   10.75%   14.72%    7.77%   11.25%    9.05%
Net assets at end of period
  (000's omitted)                $39,543     $39,703  $44,055  $46,176  $62,720  $56,474  $42,207  $28,587  $27,063  $27,724
Ratio of expenses to average
  net assets                       1.01%++     1.03%    1.01%     .95%     .93%     .94%     .97%     .99%    1.02%    1.06%
Ratio of net investment
  income to average net
  assets                           6.43%++     6.42%    6.55%    6.26%    6.71%    7.49%    8.23%    8.28%    8.83%    9.51%
Portfolio turnover rate           51.06%++    47.75%  131.24%   55.12%   70.96%   24.66%   43.80%   90.19%   77.39%  109.53%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                1987
- -----------------------------
<S>                            <C>
Net asset value at beginning
  of period                    $ 10.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income            .82
  Net realized and unrealized
   gain (loss) on investments     (.87)
                               -------
Total from investment
  operations                      (.05)
                               -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net
   investment income              (.82)
                               -------
Net asset value at end of
  period                       $  9.13
                               -------
                               -------
Total return                     -.63%
Net assets at end of period
  (000's omitted)              $20,257
Ratio of expenses to average
  net assets                     1.05%
Ratio of net investment
  income to average net
  assets                         8.59%
Portfolio turnover rate        100.96%
</TABLE>
 
 * In 1996, the Taxable Bond Trust changed its fiscal year end from September 30
   to December 31.
 + Not annualized.
++ Annualized.
 
                                    -- 11 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a No-Load Class Share Outstanding Throughout the Period)
 
SAFECO HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              THREE-MONTH
                             PERIOD ENDED
                             DECEMBER 31,                              FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                 1996*        1996       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991       1990       1989
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net asset value at
 beginning of period           $    8.79    $    8.68  $    8.55  $    9.22  $    8.92  $    8.35  $    7.94  $    9.33  $    9.86
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income              .19          .78        .79        .82        .91        .83        .93       1.04       1.11
  Net realized and
   unrealized gain (loss)
   on investments                    .03          .11        .13       (.67)       .30        .57        .41      (1.39)      (.53)
                             -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment
 operations                          .22          .89        .92        .15       1.21       1.40       1.34       (.35)       .58
                             -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net
   investment income                (.19)        (.78)      (.79)      (.82)      (.91)      (.83)      (.93)     (1.04)     (1.11)
                             -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of
 period                        $    8.82    $    8.79  $    8.68  $    8.55  $    9.22  $    8.92  $    8.35  $    7.94  $    9.33
                             -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                             -------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return                       2.50%+      10.79%     11.43%      1.61%     14.29%     17.52%     18.18%     (4.04%)     6.10%
Net assets at end of period
 (000's omitted)               $  50,298    $  47,880  $  39,178  $  27,212  $  28,291  $  19,672  $  11,931  $   7,786  $   9,051
Ratio of expenses to
 average net assets                 .90%++       .94%      1.01%      1.03%      1.09%      1.05%      1.11%      1.15%      1.11%
Ratio of net investment
 income to average net
 assets                            8.56%++      8.99%      9.28%      9.26%      9.94%      9.66%     11.51%     11.90%     11.52%
Portfolio turnover rate           35.01%++     92.65%     38.03%     63.02%     50.27%     40.66%     32.46%     18.46%     12.57%
 
<CAPTION>
                             FOR THE PERIOD
                             FROM SEPTEMBER
                                 7, 1988
                             (INITIAL PUBLIC
                              OFFERING) TO
                             SEPT. 30, 1988
 
<S>                          <C>
Net asset value at
 beginning of period            $    9.89
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income               .07
  Net realized and
   unrealized gain (loss)
   on investments                    (.03)
                                  -------
Total from investment
 operations                           .04
                                  -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net
   investment income                 (.07)
                                  -------
Net asset value at end of
 period                         $    9.86
                                  -------
                                  -------
Total return                         .37%+
Net assets at end of period
 (000's omitted)                $   5,204
Ratio of expenses to
 average net assets                 1.25%++
Ratio of net investment
 income to average net
 assets                            10.27%++
Portfolio turnover rate              None
</TABLE>
 
 * In 1996, the Taxable Bond Trust changed its fiscal year end from September 30
   to December 31.
 + Not annualized.
++ Annualized.
 
                                    -- 12 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a No-Load Class Share Outstanding Throughout the Period)
 
SAFECO MANAGED BOND FUND
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                FOR THE
                                                              PERIOD FROM
                                                               FEBRUARY
                                                               28, 1994
                                                               (INITIAL
                                    FOR THE                     PUBLIC
                                     YEAR         FOR THE      OFFERING)
                                     ENDED      YEAR ENDED        TO
                                   DECEMBER    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER
                                   31, 1996        1995        31, 1994
                                  -----------  -------------  -----------
Net asset value at beginning of
 period                            $    8.77     $    8.15     $    8.68
<S>                               <C>          <C>            <C>
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
 OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                  .41           .44           .27
  Net realized and unrealized
   gain (loss) on investments           (.42)          .94          (.53)
                                  -----------       ------    -----------
Total from investment operations        (.01)         1.38          (.26)
                                  -----------       ------    -----------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
 FROM:
  Net investment income                 (.41)         (.44)         (.27)
  Realized gains on investments           --          (.32)           --
                                  -----------       ------    -----------
Total distributions                     (.41)         (.76)         (.27)
                                  -----------       ------    -----------
Net asset value at end of period   $    8.35     $    8.77     $    8.15
                                  -----------       ------    -----------
                                  -----------       ------    -----------
Total return                            .02%         17.35%       -3.01%+
Net assets at end of period
 (000's omitted)                   $   4,215     $   4,497     $   4,627
Ratio of expenses to average net
 assets                                1.27%          1.16%        1.28%++
Ratio of net investment income
 to average net assets                 4.86%          5.14%        3.88%++
Portfolio turnover rate              136.29%         78.78%      132.26%++
</TABLE>
 
 + Not annualized.
 
++ Annualized.
 
                                    -- 13 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
Each Trust is a Delaware business trust established by a Trust Instrument dated
May 13, 1993.
 
The investment objective and investment policies for each Fund are described
below. A Trust's Board of Trustees may change a Fund's objective without a
shareholder vote, but no such change will be made without 30 days' prior written
notice to shareholders of that Fund. In the event a Fund changes its investment
objective, the new objective may not meet the investment needs of every
shareholder and may be different from the objective a shareholder considered
appropriate at the time of initial investment.
 
Each Fund has adopted a number of investment restrictions. If a Fund satisfies a
percentage limitation at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in
value, assets or other circumstances will not be considered in determining
whether a Fund complies with the applicable policy (except to the extent the
change may impact a Fund's borrowing limits). Unless otherwise stated, the
investment policies and limitations described below under each Fund's
description and "Common Investment Practices" are non-fundamental and may be
changed without a shareholder vote.
 
INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND
 
The Intermediate Treasury Fund has as its investment objective to provide as
high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of
capital. The Intermediate Treasury Fund will seek to maintain a portfolio of
U.S. Treasury obligations with an average dollar weighted maturity of between
three and ten years; however, individual obligations held by the Intermediate
Treasury Fund may have maturities outside that range.
 
                                    -- 14 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
To pursue its investment objective, the Intermediate Treasury Fund:
 
1. WILL INVEST, DURING NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, AT LEAST 65%
   OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN DIRECT OBLIGATIONS OF THE U.S. TREASURY SUCH AS U.S.
   TREASURY BILLS, NOTES AND BONDS. The Intermediate Treasury Fund may also
   invest in stripped securities that are direct obligations of the U.S.
   Treasury. Direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury are supported by the full
   faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
 
2. WILL INVEST UP TO 35% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN:
 
   OTHER U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES, including (a) securities supported by the
   full faith and credit of the U.S. Government but that are not direct
   obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as securities issued by GNMA; (b)
   securities that are not supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
   Government but are supported by the issuer's ability to borrow from the U.S.
   Treasury, such as securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage
   Association ("FNMA") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
   ("FHLMC"); and (c) securities supported solely by the creditworthiness of the
   issuer, such as securities issued by the Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA").
   While U.S. Government securities are considered to be of the highest credit
   quality available, they are subject to the same market risks as comparable
   debt securities.
 
   CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES which at the time of purchase are rated in the top
   three grades (A or higher) by either Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
   ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw
   Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P"), or, if unrated, determined by SAM to be of
   comparable quality to such rated debt securities. In addition to reviewing
   ratings, SAM will analyze the quality of rated and unrated corporate bonds
   for purchase by the Fund by evaluating various factors that
 
                                    -- 15 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   may include the issuer's capital structure, earnings power and quality of
   management. See "Description of Ratings" beginning on page 55.
 
3. MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN YANKEE SECTOR
   DEBT SECURITIES. EURODOLLAR BONDS AND MUNICIPAL SECURITIES. See the Statement
   of Additional Information for more information about these securities.
 
GNMA FUND
 
The investment objective of the GNMA Fund is to provide as high a level of
current interest income as is consistent with the preservation of capital
through the purchase of U.S. Government securities.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the GNMA Fund:
 
1. WILL INVEST, DURING NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, AT LEAST 65%
   OF ITS PORTFOLIO IN MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES ISSUED BY GNMA ("GNMA
   SECURITIES"). The GNMA securities in which the GNMA Fund will invest
   represent ownership in a pool of mortgage loans or securities collateralized
   by pools of mortgage loans. Each mortgage loan in the pool is either insured
   by the Federal Housing Administration or the Farmers Home Administration or
   guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. Once approved by GNMA, the timely
   payment of principal and interest by each mortgage pool is guaranteed by
   GNMA. The GNMA guarantee represents a general obligation of the U.S.
   Treasury.
 
   GNMA securities in which the GNMA Fund may invest include "modified
   pass-through" securities or collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs").
   Modified pass-through securities "pass through" to their holders the
   scheduled monthly interest and principal payments relating to mortgage loans
   in the pool. CMOs are securities collateralized by a portfolio of mortgage
   loans or mortgage-backed securities. CMOs are issued with a number of classes
   or
 
                                    -- 16 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   series which have different maturities and which may represent interests in
   some or all of the interest or principal of the underlying collateral or a
   combination thereof. One type of CMO that the GNMA Fund will purchase is
   interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits ("REMICs") sponsored by
   GNMA.
 
   CMO classes may be specially structured in a manner that provides any of a
   wide variety of investment characteristics, such as yield, effective maturity
   and interest rate sensitivity. As market conditions change, however, and
   particularly during periods of rapid or unanticipated changes in market
   interest rates, the attractiveness of the CMO classes and the ability of the
   structure to provide the anticipated investment characteristics may
   significantly change. Such changes can result in volatility in the market
   value, and in some instances reduced liquidity, of the CMO class.
 
   While the market values of particular securities in which the GNMA Fund
   invests may be volatile, or may become volatile under certain conditions, SAM
   will seek to manage the Fund so that the volatility of the Fund's portfolio,
   taken as a whole, is consistent with the Fund's investment objective.
   Unanticipated interest rate changes and other factors may affect the
   volatility of securities held by the Fund and the Fund's ability to fully
   meet its investment objective.
 
2. MAY INVEST UP TO 35% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN:
 
   OTHER U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES, including (a) securities backed by the full
   faith and credit of the U.S. Government, such as U.S. Treasury bills, notes
   and bonds; (b) securities issued by U.S. Government agencies or
   instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the
   U.S. Government but are supported by the issuer's right to borrow from the
   U.S. Treasury, such as securities issued by
 
                                    -- 17 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   FNMA and FHLMC; and (c) securities supported solely by the creditworthiness
   of the issuer, such as securities issued by TVA. While U.S. Government
   securities are considered to be of the highest credit quality available, they
   are subject to the same market risks as comparable debt securities.
 
   OTHER COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS issued by the U.S. Government or
   one of its agencies or instrumentalities (such as FNMA or FHLMC) or by
   private issuers which are collateralized by securities issued by the U.S.
   Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities (such as FNMA or
   FHLMC). CMOs are securities collateralized by a portfolio of mortgages or
   mortgage-backed securities. The issuer's obligation to make interest and
   principal payments on the CMO is secured by the underlying portfolio of
   mortgages or mortgage-backed securities. CMOs are issued with a number of
   classes or series that have different maturities and that may represent
   interests in some or all of the interest or principal of the underlying
   collateral or a combination thereof.
 
   CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES which are investment grade. Investment grade
   corporate debt securities are rated in one of the four highest grades
   assigned by Moody's or S&P or, if unrated, determined by SAM to be of
   comparable quality to such rated debt securities. Moody's deems securities
   rated in the fourth category (Baa) to have speculative characteristics. The
   GNMA Fund may retain a debt security which is downgraded to below investment
   grade after purchase. In the event that, due to a downgrade of one or more
   debt securities, an amount in excess of 5% of the Fund's net assets is held
   in securities rated below investment grade, SAM will engage in an orderly
   disposition of such securities to the extent necessary to ensure that the
   Fund's holdings
 
                                    -- 18 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   of such securities do not exceed 5% of the Fund's net assets. For an
   explanation of ratings, see "Description of Ratings" on page 55.
 
HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND
 
The High-Yield Bond Fund has as its investment objective to provide a high level
of current interest income through the purchase of high-yield, fixed-income
securities. The higher yields that the Fund seeks are usually available from
lower-rated or unrated securities sometimes referred to as "junk bonds." The
maturity of the debt obligations held by the Fund may range from 1 to 30 years.
However, it is anticipated that the majority of debt obligations will have
maturities from 5 to 15 years.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the High-Yield Bond Fund:
 
1. WILL INVEST, DURING NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, AT LEAST 65%
   OF ITS PORTFOLIO IN HIGH-YIELD, FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. The High-Yield Bond
   Fund may purchase debt and preferred stock issues (including convertible
   securities) which are below investment grade, i.e., rated lower than the top
   four grades by S&P or Moody's, or, if not rated by these agencies, in the
   opinion of SAM, have credit characteristics comparable to such rated
   securities. Up to 25% of the Fund's total assets may be invested in such
   unrated securities. SAM will determine the quality of unrated obligations by
   evaluating the issuer's capital structure, earnings power and quality of
   management. Unrated securities may not be as attractive to as many investors
   as rated securities. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 5% of its total
   assets in securities which are in default. The Fund will purchase securities
   which are in default only when, in SAM's opinion, the potential for high
   yield outweighs the risk.
 
                                    -- 19 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   While fixed-income securities rated lower than investment grade generally
   lack characteristics of a desirable investment, they normally offer a current
   yield or yield-to-maturity which is significantly higher than the yield
   available from securities rated as investment grade. These securities are
   speculative and involve greater investment risks due to the issuers' reduced
   creditworthiness and increased likelihood of default and bankruptcy. In
   addition, these securities are frequently subordinated to senior securities.
   For further explanation of the special risks associated with investing in
   lower-rated, fixed-income securities, see "Risk Factors" on page 28.
 
   For a description of debt ratings, see "Description of Ratings" on page 55.
   For a breakdown of the debt securities held by the High-Yield Bond Fund
   during the fiscal period ended December 31, 1996, see "Debt Securities Held
   by the High-Yield Bond Fund" on page 55.
 
   The High-Yield Bond Fund may retain an issue whose rating has been changed.
 
2. MAY INVEST IN FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES WITH EQUITY FEATURES
   WHEN COMPARABLE IN YIELD AND RISK TO FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES WITHOUT EQUITY
   FEATURES, BUT ONLY WHEN ACQUIRED AS A RESULT OF UNIT OFFERINGS WHICH CARRY AN
   EQUITY ELEMENT SUCH AS COMMON STOCK, RIGHTS OR OTHER EQUITY SECURITIES. The
   Fund will hold these common stocks, rights or other equity securities until
   SAM determines that, in its opinion, the optimal time for sale of the equity
   security has been reached.
 
3. MAY INVEST IN RESTRICTED SECURITIES ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE UNDER
   RULE 144A ("RULE 144A SECURITIES"), PROVIDED THAT SAM HAS DETERMINED THAT
   SUCH SECURITIES ARE LIQUID UNDER GUIDELINES ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
   Restricted securities may be sold only in offerings registered under the
   Securities Act of 1933 ("1933 Act") or in transactions
 
                                    -- 20 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   exempt from the registration requirements under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A under
   the 1933 Act provides an exemption for the resale of certain restricted
   securities to qualified institutional buyers. Investing in Rule 144A
   securities could have the effect of increasing the Fund's illiquidity to the
   extent that qualified institutional buyers or other buyers become, for a
   time, unwilling to purchase the securities.
 
4. MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN MUNICIPAL
   SECURITIES WHICH ARE RATED LOWER THAN THE TOP THREE GRADES ASSIGNED BY
   MOODY'S OR S&P OR ARE UNRATED BUT COMPARABLE TO SUCH RATED SECURITIES IF, IN
   THE OPINION OF SAM, THE POTENTIAL FOR APPRECIATION IS GREATER THAN, AND YIELD
   IS COMPARABLE TO OR GREATER THAN, SIMILARLY-RATED TAXABLE SECURITIES.
   Investment in medium and lower quality tax-exempt bonds involves the same
   risks as investments in taxable bonds of similar quality.
 
5. MAY INVEST IN OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED BY, THE U.S.
   GOVERNMENT, ITS AGENCIES OR INSTRUMENTALITIES OR IN FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES
   WHICH ARE RATED IN THE FOUR HIGHEST GRADES ASSIGNED BY MOODY'S OR S&P DURING
   MARKET CONDITIONS WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF SAM, ARE UNFAVORABLE FOR
   SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE BY LOWER-RATED OR UNRATED FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES.
   The Fund may invest in higher-rated securities when changing economic
   conditions or other factors cause the difference in yield between lower-rated
   and higher-rated securities to narrow and SAM believes that the risk of loss
   to principal may be substantially reduced with a small reduction in yield.
 
MANAGED BOND FUND
 
The Managed Bond Fund has as its investment objective to provide as high a level
of total return as is consistent with the relative stability of capital through
the purchase of investment grade debt securities.
 
                                    -- 21 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
 
In pursuing the Managed Bond Fund's investment objective, SAM will seek to
minimize the effects of interest rate risks while pursuing total return by
adjusting the investment portfolio's average maturity in response to interest
rate changes. In general, the Managed Bond Fund's strategy will be to hold
fixed-income securities with shorter maturities as interest rates rise and with
longer maturities as interest rates fall. The fixed-income securities held by
the Managed Bond Fund will have maturities of 10 years or less from the date of
purchase. SAM reserves the right to modify the Managed Bond Fund's investment
strategy in any respect at any time.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Managed Bond Fund:
 
1. WILL INVEST AT LEAST 65% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN BONDS,
   DEFINED AS FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES.
 
2. WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT SECURITIES;
   I.E., SECURITIES RATED IN THE TOP FOUR CATEGORIES BY EITHER S&P OR MOODY'S OR
   IF NOT RATED, SECURITIES WHICH, IN SAM'S OPINION, ARE COMPARABLE IN QUALITY
   TO INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT SECURITIES. Included in such securities are medium
   grade debt securities. The Fund will limit investments in such medium grade
   debt securities to no more than 10% of its total assets. Unrated securities
   are not necessarily of lower quality than rated securities, but may not be as
   attractive to investors.
 
   The Fund may retain debt securities which are downgraded to below investment
   grade (commonly referred to as "high yield" or "junk" bonds) after purchase.
   In the event that due to a downgrade of one or more debt securities an amount
   in excess of 5% of the Fund's net assets is held in securities rated below
   investment grade, SAM will engage in an orderly disposition of such
   securities to the extent necessary to reduce the Fund's holdings of such
   securities to no more than 5% of the Fund's net assets. In addition to
 
                                    -- 22 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   reviewing ratings, SAM may analyze the quality of rated and unrated debt
   securities purchased for the Fund by evaluating the issuer's capital
   structure, earnings power, quality of management and position within its
   industry. For a description of debt securities ratings, see "Description of
   Ratings" on page 55.
 
3. WILL INVEST AT LEAST 50% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN OBLIGATIONS OF
   OR GUARANTEED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, ITS AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES.
   These obligations include (a) direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such
   as U.S. Treasury notes, bills, bonds and stripped securities; (b) securities
   supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government but that are
   not direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as securities issued by
   GNMA; (c) securities that are not supported by the full faith and credit of
   the U.S. Government but are supported by the issuer's ability to borrow from
   the U.S. Treasury, such as securities issued by the FNMA and the FHLMC and
   (d) securities supported solely by the creditworthiness of the issuer, such
   as securities issued by the TVA. While U.S. Government securities are
   considered to be of the highest credit quality available, they are subject to
   the same market risks as comparable debt securities.
 
4. MAY INVEST UP TO 50% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN CORPORATE DEBT
   SECURITIES OR EURODOLLAR BONDS. Eurodollar bonds are bonds issued by either
   U.S. or foreign issuers that are traded in the European bond markets and
   denominated in U.S. dollars. The Fund will purchase Eurodollar bonds through
   U.S. securities dealers and hold such bonds in the United States. The
   delivery of Eurodollar bonds to the Fund's custodian in the United States may
   cause slight delays in settlement which are not anticipated to affect the
   Fund in any material, adverse manner. Eurodollar bonds issued by foreign
   issuers are subject to the same risks as Yankee sector bonds discussed below.
 
                                    -- 23 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
5. MAY INVEST IN ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES, WHICH REPRESENT
   INTERESTS IN, OR ARE SECURED BY AND PAYABLE FROM, POOLS OF ASSETS SUCH AS
   CONSUMER LOANS, AUTOMOBILE RECEIVABLE SECURITIES, CREDIT CARD RECEIVABLE
   SECURITIES AND INSTALLMENT LOAN CONTRACTS. These securities may be supported
   by credit enhancements such as letters of credit. Payment of interest and
   principal ultimately depends upon borrowers paying the underlying loans.
   There is the risk that one or more of the underlying borrowers may default
   and that recovery on repossessed collateral may be unavailable or inadequate
   to support payments on the defaulted asset-backed securities. In addition,
   asset-backed securities are subject to prepayment risks which may reduce the
   overall return of the investment.
 
6. MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN YANKEE SECTOR
   DEBT SECURITIES, WHICH ARE SECURITIES ISSUED AND TRADED IN THE UNITED STATES
   BY FOREIGN ISSUERS. These bonds have investment risks that are different from
   those of domestic issuers. Such risks may include nationalization of the
   issuer, confiscatory taxation by the foreign government that would inhibit
   the ability of the issuer to make principal and interest payments to the
   Fund, lack of comparable publicly available information concerning foreign
   issuers, lack of comparable accounting and auditing practices in foreign
   countries and, finally, difficulty in enforcing claims against foreign
   issuers in the event of default.
 
   Both S&P and Moody's rate Yankee sector debt obligations. If a debt
   obligation is unrated, SAM will attempt to analyze a potential investment in
   the foreign issuer with respect to quality and risk on the same basis as the
   rating services. Because public information is not always comparable to that
   available on domestic issuers, this may not be possible. Therefore, while SAM
   will attempt to select investments in foreign securities on the same basis,
   and
 
                                    -- 24 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   with comparable quantities and types of information, as its investments in
   domestic securities, that may not always be possible.
 
7. MAY HOLD CASH AS A TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE MEASURE WHEN
   MARKET CONDITIONS SO WARRANT.
 
8. MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN MUNICIPAL
   SECURITIES IF, IN SAM'S OPINION, THE POTENTIAL FOR APPRECIATION IS GREATER
   THAN, AND YIELD IS COMPARABLE TO OR GREATER THAN, SIMILARLY RATED TAXABLE
   SECURITIES.
 
COMMON INVESTMENT PRACTICES
 
Each Fund may also follow the investment practices described below:
 
1. HOLD CASH OR INVEST TEMPORARILY IN HIGH QUALITY, SHORT-TERM
   SECURITIES ISSUED BY AN AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT,
   HIGH QUALITY COMMERCIAL PAPER, CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, SHARES OF NO-LOAD,
   OPEN-END MONEY MARKET FUNDS OR REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. A Fund may purchase
   these short-term securities as a cash management technique under those
   circumstances where it has cash to manage for a short time period, for
   example, after receiving proceeds from the sale of securities, interest
   payments or dividend distributions from portfolio securities or cash from the
   sale of Fund shares to investors. Interest earned from these short-term
   securities will be taxable to investors as ordinary income when distributed.
   The Managed Bond Fund will invest no more than 5% of its total assets in
   repurchase agreements and will not purchase repurchase agreements which
   mature in more than seven days.
 
   Each Taxable Bond Fund will limit investments in repurchase agreement
   transactions to 10% of the Fund's net assets. See "Fundamental Policies"
   below for more information about the Taxable Bond Funds' investments in
   repurchase agreement transactions.
 
                                    -- 25 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2. INVEST FOR SHORT-TERM PURPOSES WHEN SAM BELIEVES SUCH
   ACTION TO BE DESIRABLE AND CONSISTENT WITH SOUND INVESTMENT PRACTICES. No
   Fund, however, will engage primarily in trading for the purpose of short-term
   profits. A Fund may dispose of its portfolio securities whenever SAM deems
   advisable, without regard to the length of time the securities have been
   held.
 
3. PURCHASE OR SELL SECURITIES ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED-
   DELIVERY" BASIS. Under this procedure, a Fund agrees to acquire or sell
   securities that are to be issued and delivered against payment in the future,
   normally 30 to 45 days. The price, however, is fixed at the time of
   commitment. When a Fund purchases when-issued or delayed-delivery securities,
   it will earmark liquid, high-quality securities in an amount equal in value
   to the purchase price of the security. Use of these techniques may affect a
   Fund's share price in a manner similar to the use of leveraging.
 
FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES
 
Except as noted, the following restrictions are fundamental policies of each
Fund which cannot be changed without shareholder vote:
 
1. EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 75% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL
   ASSETS, MAY NOT INVEST MORE THAN 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN THE SECURITIES OF
   ANY ONE ISSUER (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
2. EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 100% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL
   ASSETS, MAY NOT PURCHASE MORE THAN 10% OF THE OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES
   OF ANY ONE ISSUER (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
3. EACH FUND MAY BORROW MONEY ONLY FOR TEMPORARY OR
   EMERGENCY PURPOSES FROM A BANK (OR SAFECO CORPORATION IN THE CASE OF THE
   TAXABLE BOND FUNDS) OR AFFILIATES OF SAFECO CORPORATION AT AN INTEREST RATE
   NOT GREATER THAN
 
                                    -- 26 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   THAT AVAILABLE FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS. A Fund will not borrow amounts in
   excess of 20% of its total assets. A Fund will not purchase securities if
   outstanding borrowings are equal to or greater than 5% of its total assets
   (this 5% policy is non-fundamental for the Managed Bond Fund). Each Fund
   intends to exercise its borrowing authority primarily to meet shareholder
   redemptions under circumstances where redemptions exceed available cash.
 
The Taxable Bond Funds have adopted the following additional fundamental
investment restrictions which cannot be changed without shareholder vote:
 
1. EACH TAXABLE BOND FUND MAY INVEST UP TO 10% (HIGH-
   YIELD BOND AND INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUNDS) AND 5% (GNMA FUND) OF ITS NET
   ASSETS IN ILLIQUID SECURITIES, WHICH ARE SECURITIES THAT CANNOT BE SOLD
   WITHIN SEVEN DAYS IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF BUSINESS FOR APPROXIMATELY THE
   AMOUNT AT WHICH THEY ARE VALUED. Due to the absence of an active trading
   market, a Fund may experience difficulty in valuing or disposing of illiquid
   securities. SAM determines the liquidity of the securities under guidelines
   adopted by the Taxable Bond Trust's Board of Trustees.
 
2. EACH TAXABLE BOND FUND MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF NET
   ASSETS IN REPURCHASE AGREEMENT TRANSACTIONS. Repurchase agreements are
   transactions in which a Fund purchases securities from a bank or recognized
   securities dealer and simultaneously commits to resell the securities to the
   bank or dealer at an agreed-upon date and price reflecting a market rate of
   interest unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased
   securities. Repurchase agreements carry certain risks not associated with
   direct investments in securities, including the risk that a Fund will be
   unable to dispose of the security during the term of the repurchase agreement
   if the security's market value declines, and delays and costs to a Fund if
   the other party to the repurchase agreement declares bankruptcy.
 
                                    -- 27 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
For more information, see the "Investment Policies of the Taxable Bond Funds"
and "Investment Policies of the Managed Bond Fund" and the "Additional
Investment Information" sections of the Trusts' Statement of Additional
Information.
 
RISK FACTORS
 
There are market risks in all securities transactions. Various factors may cause
the value of a shareholder's investment in a Fund to fluctuate. The principal
risk factor associated with an investment in a mutual fund is that the market
value of the portfolio securities may decrease resulting in a decrease in the
value of a shareholder's investment. The value of a Fund's portfolio will
normally fluctuate inversely with changes in market interest rates. Generally,
when market interest rates rise, the price of the debt securities held by a Fund
will fall, and when market interest rates fall, the price of the debt securities
will rise. Also, there is a risk that the issuer of a bond or other security
held in a Fund's portfolio will fail to make timely payments of principal and
interest to the Fund. Included in investment grade debt securities are
securities of medium grade (rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P) which have
speculative characteristics and are more likely to have a weakened capacity to
make principal and interest payments under changing economic or other conditions
than higher grade securities.
 
The prices of GNMA and other mortgage-backed securities, like conventional
fixed-income securities, are inversely affected by changes in interest rate
levels. Because of the likelihood of increased prepayments of mortgages in times
of declining interest rates, the GNMA securities held in a Fund's portfolio have
less potential for capital appreciation than comparable fixed-income securities
and may in fact decrease in value when interest rates fall. Further, purchases
of GNMA or other mortgage-backed securities for the GNMA Fund are based on an
anticipated prepayment rate. During periods of rising
 
                                    -- 28 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
interest rates, a decrease in the prepayment of mortgages is likely. This
decrease may cause the average dollar weighted maturity of particular securities
held by the GNMA Fund and the GNMA Fund's portfolio as a whole to increase,
thereby increasing the overall volatility of the Fund's share price during
periods of rising interest rates. To the extent that the other Funds purchase
GNMA or other mortgage-backed securities, they would be similarly affected.
 
The Managed Bond Fund may invest in stripped securities that are obligations
issued by the U.S. Treasury. Stripped securities are the separate income or
principal components of a debt security. The risks associated with stripped
securities are similar to those of other debt securities, although stripped
securities may be more volatile than other debt securities.
 
SPECIAL RISKS OF THE HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND
 
The High-Yield Bond Fund invests primarily in high-yield, fixed-income
securities which are subject to the following risks:
 
SENSITIVITY TO ECONOMIC AND CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS
 
Yields on high-yield, fixed-income securities will fluctuate over time. During
periods of economic uncertainty or change, the market prices of high-yield,
fixed-income securities may experience increased volatility, which may in turn
cause the net asset value ("NAV") per share of the High-Yield Bond Fund to be
volatile. Lower-quality, fixed-income securities tend to reflect short-term
economic and corporate developments to a greater extent than higher-quality
securities which primarily react to fluctuations in interest rates. Economic
downturns or increases in interest rates can significantly affect the market for
high-yield, fixed-income securities and the ability of issuers to timely repay
principal and interest, increasing the likelihood of defaults. Lower-quality
securities include debt obligations issued as a part of capital restructurings,
such as corporate takeovers or buyouts. Capital restructurings generally involve
the issuance of additional debt on terms different
 
                                    -- 29 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
from any current outstanding debt. As a result, the issuer of the debt is more
highly leveraged. During an economic downturn or period of rising interest
rates, a highly-leveraged issuer may experience financial difficulties which
adversely affect its ability to make principal and interest payments, meet
projected business goals and obtain additional financing. In addition, the
issuer will depend on its cash flow and may depend, especially in the context of
corporate takeovers, on a sale of its assets to service debt. Failure to realize
projected cash flows or asset sales may seriously impair the issuer's ability to
service this greater debt load, which in turn might cause the Fund to lose all
or part of its investment in that security. SAM will seek to minimize these
additional risks through diversification, careful assessment of the issuer's
financial structure, business plan and management team following any
restructuring, and close monitoring of the issuer's progress toward its
financial goals.
 
ZERO-COUPON AND PAYMENT-IN-KIND SECURITIES
 
The High-Yield Bond Fund may hold "zero-coupon" and "payment-in-kind"
fixed-income securities. Zero-coupon securities are purchased at a discount
without scheduled interest payments. Payment-in-kind securities receive interest
paid in additional securities rather than cash. The Fund accrues income on these
securities, but does not receive cash interest payments until maturity or
payment date. The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its income to
its shareholders so that it can be treated as a regulated investment company
under current federal tax law. As a result, if its cash position is depleted,
the Fund may have to sell securities under disadvantageous circumstances to
obtain enough cash to meet its distribution requirement. However, SAM does not
expect non-cash income to materially affect the Fund's operations. Zero-coupon
and payment-in-kind securities are generally subject to
 
                                    -- 30 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
 
greater price fluctuations due to changes in interest rates than those
fixed-income securities paying cash interest on a schedule until maturity.
 
LIQUIDITY AND VALUATION
 
The liquidity and price of high-yield, fixed-income securities can be affected
by a number of factors, including investor perceptions and adverse publicity
regarding major issuers, underwriters or dealers of lower-quality corporate
obligations. These effects can be particularly pronounced in a thinly-traded
market with few participants and may adversely impact the High-Yield Bond Fund's
ability to dispose of its securities as well as make valuation of securities
more difficult. Because there tend to be fewer investors in lower-rated,
fixed-income securities, it may be difficult for the Fund to sell these
securities at an optimum time. Consequently, lower-rated securities are subject
to more price changes, fluctuations in yield and risk to principal and income
than higher-rated securities of the same maturity. Judgment plays a greater role
in the valuation of thinly-traded securities.
 
CREDIT RATINGS
 
Rating agencies evaluate the likelihood that an issuer will make principal and
interest payments, but ratings may not reflect market value risks associated
with lower-rated, fixed-income securities. Also, rating agencies may not timely
revise ratings to reflect subsequent events affecting an issuer's ability to pay
principal and interest. SAM uses S&P and Moody's ratings as a preliminary
indicator of investment quality.
 
SAM will periodically research and analyze each issue (whether rated or unrated)
and evaluate such factors as the issuer's interest or dividend coverage, asset
coverage, earnings prospects and managerial strength. This analysis will help
SAM to determine if the issuer has sufficient cash flow and profits to meet
required principal and interest payments and to monitor the liquidity of the
issue. Achievement of a Fund's investment objective will be more dependent on
SAM's credit
 
                                    -- 31 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
analysis of bonds rated below the three highest rating categories than would be
the case were the Fund to invest in higher quality debt securities. This is
particularly true for the High-Yield Bond Fund.
 
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
 
INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND AND MANAGED BOND FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the Intermediate Treasury Fund and the Managed Bond
Fund is Michael C. Knebel, Vice President, SAM. Mr. Knebel has served as
portfolio manager for the Intermediate Treasury Fund since 1995. He has served
as manager or co-manager of the Managed Bond Fund since 1994. He has served as
portfolio manager and/or portfolio co-manager for other SAFECO mutual funds
since 1989.
 
GNMA FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the GNMA Fund is Paul A. Stevenson, Vice President,
SAM. Mr. Stevenson has served as portfolio manager for the Fund since 1988. In
addition, he is an Assistant Vice President of the SAFECO Life Insurance
Company.
 
HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND
 
The portfolio managers for the High-Yield Bond Fund are John Stoeser, Assistant
Vice President, SAM, and Robert Kern, a securities analyst for SAM. Mr. Stoeser
has served as a securities analyst and portfolio manager for SAM since 1992.
From 1989 to 1992 he was an administrative assistant to the President of SAM.
Mr. Kern has served as a securities analyst for SAM since 1994. From 1988 to
1994, Mr. Kern was engaged by the SAFECO Insurance Companies in the Controller's
Department.
 
Each portfolio manager and certain other persons related to SAM and the Funds
are subject to written policies and procedures designed to prevent abusive
personal securities trading. Incorporated within these policies and procedures
are
 
                                    -- 32 --
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS (CONTINUED)
recommendations made by the Investment Company Institute (the trade group for
the mutual fund industry) with respect to personal securities trading by persons
associated with mutual funds. Those recommendations include preclearance
procedures and blackout periods when certain personnel may not trade in
securities that are the same or related securities being considered for purchase
or sale by a Fund.
 
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
 
A completed and signed application must accompany payment for an initial
purchase by mail and in all cases is necessary before a redemption can be made.
Specific applications for retirement accounts must be completed and signed
before any retirement account can be set up. The Funds only accept funds drawn
in U.S. dollars and payable through a U.S. bank. The Funds do not accept
currency. The Funds issue shares in uncertificated form, but will issue
certificates for whole shares without charge upon written request. You will be
required to post a bond to replace missing certificates. Please note that SAFECO
Services may not be able to provide participant sub-accounting services for all
employee benefit or pension plans that require such services.
 
THE FUNDS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY OFFER TO PURCHASE SHARES.
 
INITIAL PURCHASES
 
MINIMUM INITIAL INVESTMENT $1,000 (IRA, UGMA AND UTMA $250).
 
Minimum initial investments are negotiable for retirement accounts other than
IRAs.
 
No minimum initial investment is required to establish an Automatic Investment
Method account (except for certain UGMA or UTMA accounts) or Payroll Deduction
Plan.
 
                                    -- 33 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
BY WRITTEN REQUEST
 
Send a check or money order made payable to the No-Load Class of the applicable
Fund and a completed and signed application to the address on the Prospectus
cover.
 
BY WIRE
 
Call toll-free 1-800-624-5711 or, in Seattle, 206-545-7319 for instructions.
 
Not available for retirement accounts.
 
IN PERSON
 
Visit a SAFECO Investor Center. Investor Centers are located at 1409 Fifth
Avenue and 4333 Brooklyn Avenue N.E. in Seattle, Washington, and at 15411 N.E.
51st Street in Redmond, Washington. A representative will be available to assist
you in completing your application.
 
ADDITIONAL PURCHASES
 
Minimum Additional Investment $100 for all accounts, except for UGMA or UTMA
Automatic Investment Method ("AIM") accounts opened with an initial investment
of $250 or more. These accounts have a minimum additional investment of only
$50. There is no minimum investment for dividend reinvestments.
 
Minimum additional investments are negotiable for retirement accounts other than
IRAs.
 
BY WRITTEN REQUEST
 
Send a check or money order made payable to the No-Load Class of the applicable
Fund to the address on the Prospectus cover. Please specify your account number.
 
BY WIRE
 
Instruct your bank to send wires to U.S. Bank of Washington, N.A., Seattle,
Washington, ABA #1250-0010-5, Account #0017-086083.
 
                                    -- 34 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
To ensure timely credit to your account, ask your bank to include the following
information in its wire to U.S. Bank of Washington, N.A.:
 
/ / SAFECO Fund name and class name (No-Load)
 
/ / SAFECO account number
 
/ / Name of the registered owner(s) of the SAFECO account
 
Delays of purchases caused by inadequate wire instructions are not the
responsibility of the Funds or SAFECO Services.
 
Your bank may charge a fee for wire services.
 
BY TELEPHONE
 
Call 1-800-624-5711 or, in Seattle, 206-545-7319. You must have previously
selected this service on your account application or by written request. Not
available to open a new account or for retirement accounts.
 
Maximum purchase $100,000 per day, minimum purchase $100 per day.
 
Monies will be transferred from your predesignated bank account to your existing
Fund account. Your bank may charge a fee if monies are wired to your Fund
account. Please allow 15 business days after selecting this service for it to be
available for first use.
 
Telephone purchases may be unavailable from some bank accounts and non-bank
financial institutions.
 
Please read "Telephone Transactions" on page 42 for important information.
 
IN PERSON
 
Visit a SAFECO Investor Center. Investor Centers are located at 1409 Fifth
Avenue and 4333 Brooklyn Avenue N.E. in Seattle, Washington, and at 15411 N.E.
51st Street in Redmond, Washington.
 
                                    -- 35 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
THROUGH REGISTERED SECURITIES DEALERS
 
You may open your account and make additional investments through a registered
securities dealer who is responsible for the prompt forwarding of purchase
orders. A dealer may charge a transaction fee and may place more restrictive
conditions on a purchase than would apply if you purchased your shares directly
from a Fund.
 
THROUGH REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS
 
Please read "Transactions Through Registered Investment Advisers" on page 43 for
other important information.
 
SHARE PURCHASE PRICE
 
You will buy full and fractional shares at the NAV next computed after your
check, money order or wire has been received. For telephone purchase orders, you
will receive the price per share calculated on the day monies are received from
your bank account. See "Share Price Calculation" on page 44 for more
information.
 
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
 
BY WRITTEN REQUEST
 
Shares may be redeemed by sending a letter which specifies your account number,
the Fund's name and applicable class, and the number of shares or dollar amount
you wish to redeem. The request should be sent to the address on the Prospectus
cover. The request must be signed by the appropriate number of owners and in
some cases a signature guarantee may be required. In all cases, SAFECO Services
must have a signed and completed application on file before a redemption can be
made. See "Account Changes and Signature Requirements" on page 54 for more
information.
 
Retirement account shareholders must specify whether or not they elect 10%
federal income tax withholding from a distribution other than an "eligible
rollover distribution."
 
                                    -- 36 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES (CONTINUED)
BY TELEPHONE
 
Call 1-800-624-5711 or, in Seattle, 206-545-7319. You must have previously
selected this service on your account application or by written request.
Telephone redemptions are not available for retirement accounts or shares issued
in certificate form. You may request that redemption proceeds be sent directly
to your predesignated bank or mailed to your account address of record.
 
Please read "Telephone Transactions" on page 42 for important information.
 
IN PERSON
 
Shares may be redeemed in person by visiting a SAFECO Investor Center. Investor
Centers are located at 1409 Fifth Avenue and 4333 Brooklyn Avenue N.E. in
Seattle, Washington, and at 15411 N.E. 51st Street in Redmond, Washington. Funds
for shares redeemed in person may be mailed to your address of record, sent
directly to your bank or retrieved directly from the SAFECO Investor Center once
they become available.
 
THROUGH REGISTERED SECURITIES DEALERS
 
Requests for redemption of shares by wire or telephone will be accepted from
registered securities dealers under agreement with each Fund's principal
underwriter. The dealer may charge a transaction fee for any order processed.
 
THROUGH REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS
 
Please read "Transactions Through Registered Investment Advisers" on page 43 for
important information.
 
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
 
If your shares were purchased by wire, redemption proceeds will be available
immediately. If shares were purchased by means other than wire, each Fund
reserves the right to hold the proceeds of a redemption for up to 15 business
days after
 
                                    -- 37 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES (CONTINUED)
investment or until such time as the Fund has received assurance that your
investment will be honored by the bank on which it was drawn, whichever occurs
first.
 
SAFECO Services charges a $10 fee to wire redemption proceeds. In addition, some
banks may charge a fee to receive wires.
 
If shares are issued in certificate form, the certificates must accompany a
redemption request and be duly endorsed.
 
Under some circumstances (E.G., a change in corporate officer or death of an
owner), SAFECO Services may require certified copies of supporting documents
before a redemption will be made.
 
SHARE REDEMPTION PRICE AND PROCESSING
 
Your shares will be redeemed at the NAV per share next calculated after receipt
of a request that meets the redemption requirements of the Funds. The value of
the shares you redeem may be more or less than the dollar amount purchased,
depending on the market value of the shares at the time of redemption. See
"Share Price Calculation," on page 44 for more information.
 
Redemption proceeds will normally be sent on the next business day following
receipt of your redemption request. If your redemption request is received after
the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 1:00 p.m. Pacific
time), proceeds will normally be sent on the second business day following
receipt. Each Fund, however, reserves the right to postpone payment of
redemption proceeds for up to seven days if making immediate payment could
adversely affect its portfolio. In addition, redemptions may be suspended or
payment dates postponed if the New York Stock Exchange is closed, its trading is
restricted or the Securities and Exchange Commission declares an emergency.
 
Due to the high cost of maintaining small accounts, your account may be closed
upon 60 days' written notice if at the
 
                                    -- 38 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES (CONTINUED)
time of any redemption or exchange the total value falls below $100. Your shares
will be redeemed at the NAV per share calculated on the day your account is
closed and the proceeds will be sent to you.
 
HOW TO SYSTEMATICALLY PURCHASE OR REDEEM SHARES
 
Call 1-800-426-6730 or 206-545-5530, in Seattle, for more information.
 
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT METHOD (AIM)
 
AIM enables you to make regular monthly investments by authorizing SAFECO
Services to withdraw a specific amount from your bank account and invest the
amount in any Fund. AIM has a minimum of $100 per withdrawal per Fund for all
accounts (except UGMA and UTMA accounts which have a lower $50 minimum, provided
that the account was opened with an initial investment of at least $250).
 
PAYROLL DEDUCTION PLAN
 
An employer or other entity using group billing may establish a
self-administered payroll deduction plan in any Fund. Payroll deduction amounts
are negotiable.
 
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
 
This plan enables you to receive a portion of your investment on a monthly
basis. A Fund automatically redeems shares in your account and sends you a
withdrawal check (minimum amount $50 per Fund) on or about the fifth business
day of every month.
 
                                    -- 39 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES FROM ONE FUND TO ANOTHER
 
An exchange is the redemption of shares of one SAFECO Fund and the purchase of
shares of another SAFECO Fund in accounts which are identically registered,
I.E., have the same registered owners and account number. For income tax
purposes, depending on the cost or other basis of the shares you exchange, you
may realize a capital gain or loss when you make an exchange. You may purchase
shares of a SAFECO Fund by exchange only if it is registered for sale in the
state where you reside. Before exchanging into another SAFECO Fund, please read
its current Prospectus.
 
BY WRITTEN REQUEST
 
Shares may be exchanged by writing SAFECO Services at the address on the
Prospectus cover. Please designate the SAFECO Funds and classes you wish to
exchange out of and into as well as your account number. The request must be
signed by the number of owners designated on your account application and in
some cases a signature guarantee may be required. See "Account Changes and
Signature Requirements" on page 54 for more information.
 
If the shares you want to exchange are evidenced by certificates, the
certificates must accompany the request and be duly endorsed.
 
Under some circumstances (E.G., a change in corporate officer or death of an
owner), SAFECO Services may require certified copies of supporting documents
before an exchange can be made.
 
BY TELEPHONE
 
Call 1-800-624-5711 or, in Seattle, 206-545-7319.
 
Exchanges by telephone must be in amounts of $1,000 or more.
 
Telephone exchanges are not available for shares issued in certificate form.
 
                                    -- 40 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES FROM ONE FUND TO ANOTHER (CONTINUED)
Please read "Telephone Transactions" on page 42 for important information.
 
THROUGH REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS
 
Please read "Transactions Through Registered Investment Advisers" on page 43 for
important information.
 
SHARE EXCHANGE PRICE AND PROCESSING
 
The shares of the SAFECO Fund you are exchanging from will be redeemed at the
price next computed after your exchange request is received. Normally, the
purchase of the SAFECO Fund you are exchanging into is executed on the same day.
However, each Fund reserves the right to delay the payment of proceeds and,
hence, the purchase in an exchange for up to seven days if making immediate
payment could adversely affect the portfolio of the Fund whose shares are being
redeemed. The exchange privilege may be modified or terminated with respect to a
Fund at any time, upon at least 60 days' notice to shareholders.
 
LIMITATIONS
 
Each Fund reserves the right to refuse exchange purchases or simultaneous order
transactions by any person or group if, in SAM's judgment, the Fund would not be
able to invest the money effectively in accordance with that Fund's investment
objective and policies or would otherwise potentially be adversely affected.
Although a Fund will attempt to give you prior notice whenever it is reasonably
able to do so, it may impose the above restrictions at any time.
 
The Funds are not intended to serve as vehicles for frequent trading in response
to short-term fluctuations in the market. Due to the disruptive effect that
market-timing investment strategies can have on efficient portfolio management,
the Funds have instituted certain policies to discourage excessive exchange and
simultaneous order transactions. Exchanges and simultaneous order transactions
which, in SAM's judgment,
 
                                    -- 41 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES FROM ONE FUND TO ANOTHER (CONTINUED)
appear to follow a market-timing strategy are limited to 4 in any 12 month
period per account holder (or account, in a case where one person or entity
exercises investment discretion over more than one account). For purposes of
these limitations a "simultaneous order transaction" is a transaction where a
significant portion of an account's assets are redeemed from one SAFECO Mutual
Fund and shortly thereafter reinvested into another SAFECO Mutual Fund. In order
to protect the shareholders of the Funds, SAM reserves the right to exercise its
discretion in determining whether a particular transaction qualifies as a
simultaneous order transaction. In addition to the foregoing limitations on
exchanges and simultaneous order transactions, as described above, the Funds
reserve the right to refuse any offer to purchase shares.
 
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
 
To purchase, redeem or exchange shares by telephone, call 1-800-624-5711 or, in
Seattle, 206-545-7319 between 5:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Pacific time, Monday
through Friday, except certain holidays. All telephone calls are tape-recorded
for your protection. During times of drastic or unusual market volatility, it
may be difficult for you to exercise the telephone transaction privileges.
 
To use the telephone purchase, redemption and exchange privileges, you must have
previously selected these services either on your account application or by
having submitted a request in writing to SAFECO Services at the address on the
Prospectus cover. Purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares by telephone allows
the Funds and SAFECO Services to accept telephone instructions from an account
owner or a person preauthorized in writing by an account owner. Each Fund and
SAFECO Services reserve the right to refuse any telephone transaction when a
Fund or SAFECO Services, in its sole
 
                                    -- 42 --
<PAGE>
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
discretion, is unable to confirm to its satisfaction that a caller is the
account owner or a person preauthorized by the account owner.
 
The Funds and SAFECO Services will not be liable for the authenticity of
instructions received by telephone which a Fund or SAFECO Services, in its
discretion, believes to be delivered by an account owner or preauthorized
person, provided that the Fund or SAFECO Services follows reasonable procedures
to identify the caller. The shareholder will bear the risk of any resulting
loss. The Funds and SAFECO Services will employ reasonable procedures to confirm
that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. These procedures may
include requiring the account owner to select the telephone privilege in writing
prior to first use and to designate persons authorized to deliver telephone
instructions. SAFECO Services tape-records telephone transactions and may
request certain identifying information from the caller.
 
The telephone transaction privileges may be suspended, limited, modified or
terminated at any time without prior notice by the Funds or SAFECO Services. The
Funds and SAFECO Services may be liable if they do not employ reasonable
procedures to confirm that telephone transactions are genuine.
 
TRANSACTIONS THROUGH REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS
 
SAFECO Services may accept instructions for share transactions and account
information changes from investment advisers who are acting on behalf of
shareholders, provided that the adviser is registered under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, has a signed agreement with SAFECO Services and has an
executed power of attorney from the shareholder, in an acceptable form, on file
with SAFECO Services. Advisers may charge a fee to shareholders for their
services. The Trust, the Funds and SAFECO Services have no control over, or
involvement with, the fees charged by advisers for such services.
 
                                    -- 43 --
<PAGE>
TRANSACTIONS THROUGH REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS (CONTINUED)
Advisers are responsible for the prompt forwarding of instructions on
shareholders' accounts to SAFECO Services and are bound by the terms of this
Prospectus. The Trusts, the Funds, SAFECO Services and their affiliated
companies will not be responsible to any shareholder for any losses,
liabilities, costs or expenses associated with any investment advice or
recommendation provided by the adviser to the shareholder or for accepting and
following any instructions from such adviser on the shareholder's account(s).
 
SHARE PRICE CALCULATION
 
The NAV per share of the No-Load Class shares of each Fund is computed at the
close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (normally 1:00
p.m. Pacific time) each day that the NYSE is open for trading. NAV is determined
separately for each class of shares of each Fund. The NAV of a Fund is
calculated by subtracting a Fund's liabilities from its assets and dividing the
result by the number of outstanding shares.
 
Securities are valued based on consideration of information with respect to
transactions in similar securities, quotations from dealers and various
relationships between securities. Valuations of a Fund's portfolio securities
calculated in a like manner may be obtained from a pricing service. Investments
for which a representative value cannot be established are valued at their fair
value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of each Trust's
Board of Trustees.
 
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS
 
The Intermediate Treasury Fund, GNMA Fund, and High-Yield Bond Fund are series
of the SAFECO Taxable Bond Trust. The Managed Bond Fund is a series of the
SAFECO Managed Bond
 
                                    -- 44 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS (CONTINUED)
Trust. Each Trust is a Delaware business trust established by a Trust Instrument
dated May 13, 1993. Each Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of
shares of beneficial interest. The Boards of Trustees may establish additional
series or classes of shares of the Trusts without the approval of shareholders.
 
In addition to the No-Load Class of shares, the Intermediate Treasury Fund, the
High-Yield Bond Fund and the Managed Bond Fund also offer two other classes of
shares through a separate prospectus to investors who engage the services of an
investment professional: Advisor Class A shares and Advisor Class B shares.
Advisor Class A shares are sold subject to an initial sales charge and Advisor
Class B shares are sold subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Advisor
Class A and Advisor Class B shares also incur different expenses than No-Load
Class shares. Accordingly, the performance of the three classes will differ. For
more information about Advisor Class A shares and Advisor Class B shares of the
Intermediate Treasury, High-Yield Bond and Managed Bond Funds, please call
1-800-463-8791.
 
Each share of a Fund is entitled to participate equally in dividends and other
distributions and the proceeds of any liquidation except that, due to the
differing expenses borne by the three classes of the Intermediate Treasury,
High-Yield Bond and Managed Bond Funds, dividends and liquidation proceeds for
each class of shares of those Funds will likely differ. All shares issued are
fully paid and non-assessable, and shareholders have no preemptive or other
right to subscribe to any additional shares.
 
The Trusts do not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders of the Funds.
The Trustees of a Trust will call a special meeting of shareholders of a Fund
only if required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, in their discretion,
or upon
 
                                    -- 45 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS (CONTINUED)
the written request of holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of that
Fund entitled to vote. Separate votes are taken by each class of shares, a Fund,
or a Trust if a matter affects only that class of shares, a Fund, or a Trust,
respectively.
 
Under Delaware law, the shareholders of the Funds will not be personally liable
for the obligations of any Fund; a shareholder is entitled to the same
limitation of personal liability extended to shareholders of corporations. To
guard against the risk that Delaware law might not be applied in other states,
each Trust Instrument requires that every written obligation of a Trust or a
Fund contain a statement that such obligation may be enforced only against the
assets of a Trust or Fund and generally provides for indemnification out of
Trust or Fund property of any shareholder nevertheless held personally liable
for Trust or Fund obligations, respectively.
 
Because the Trusts use a combined Prospectus, it is possible that a Fund might
become liable for a misstatement about the series of another Trust contained in
the Prospectus. The Boards of Trustees have considered this factor in approving
the use of a single, combined Prospectus.
 
SAM is the investment adviser for each Fund under an agreement with each Trust.
Under each agreement, SAM is responsible for the overall management of the
Trust's and each Fund's business affairs. SAM provides investment research,
advice, management and supervision to each Trust and each Fund, and, consistent
with each Fund's investment objectives and policies, SAM determines what
securities will be purchased, retained or sold by each Fund and implements those
decisions. Each Fund pays SAM an annual management fee based on a percentage of
that Fund's net assets ascertained each business day and paid monthly in
accordance with the schedules below. A reduction in the fees paid by a Fund
 
                                    -- 46 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS (CONTINUED)
occurs only when that Fund's net assets reach the dollar amounts of the break
points and applies only to the assets that fall within the specified range:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND
 
<S>                           <C>
NET ASSETS                    ANNUAL FEE
$0 - $250,000,000              .55 of 1%
$250,000,001 - $500,000,000    .45 of 1%
$500,000,001 - $750,000,000    .35 of 1%
Over $750,000,000              .25 of 1%
 
<CAPTION>
 
     GNMA AND HIGH-YIELD BOND FUNDS
 
NET ASSETS                    ANNUAL FEE
<S>                           <C>
$0 - $250,000,000              .65 of 1%
$250,000,001 - $500,000,000    .55 of 1%
$500,000,001 - $750,000,000    .45 of 1%
Over $750,000,000              .35 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
            MANAGED BOND FUND
 
NET ASSETS                    ANNUAL FEE
<S>                           <C>
$0 - $100,000,000              .50 of 1%
$100,000,001 - $250,000,000    .40 of 1%
Over $250,000,000              .35 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
The Trusts and each Fund will bear all expenses of their organization,
operations and business not specifically assumed by SAM under each Fund's
management contract. Such expenses may include, among others, custody and
accounting expenses, transfer agency and related expenses, distribution and
shareholder servicing expenses, expenses related to preparing, printing and
delivering prospectuses and shareholder reports, the expenses of holding
shareholders' meetings, legal fees, the compensation of non-interested trustees
of the Trusts, brokerage, taxes and extraordinary expenses.
 
                                    -- 47 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS (CONTINUED)
The distributor for the No-Load Class of each Fund's shares under an agreement
with each Trust is SAFECO Securities, Inc. ("SAFECO Securities"), a
broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. SAFECO Securities
receives no compensation from the Trusts or the Funds for its services as
distributor of the No-Load Class shares.
 
The transfer, dividend and distribution disbursement and shareholder servicing
agent for the No-Load Class of each Fund under an agreement with each Trust is
SAFECO Services. SAFECO Services receives a fee from each Fund for each
shareholder account held in that Fund. SAFECO Services may enter into
subcontracts with registered broker-dealers, third party administrators and
other qualified service providers that generally perform shareholder,
administrative, and/or accounting services which would otherwise be provided by
SAFECO Services. Fees incurred by a Fund for these services will not exceed the
transfer agency fee payable to SAFECO Services. Any distribution expenses
associated with these arrangements will be borne by SAM.
 
SAM, SAFECO Securities and SAFECO Services are wholly-owned subsidiaries of
SAFECO Corporation (a holding company whose primary subsidiaries are engaged in
the insurance and financial services businesses) and are each located at SAFECO
Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185.
 
                                    -- 48 --
<PAGE>
PERSONS CONTROLLING CERTAIN FUNDS
 
At April 4, 1997, SAFECO Insurance Company of America ("SAFECO Insurance")
controlled the Intermediate Treasury Fund. SAFECO Insurance is a Washington
corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAFECO Corporation, which has its
principal place of business at SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185.
 
At April 4, 1997, Crown Packaging Corp. Profit Sharing & Pension Plan and
Massman Construction Co. Profit Sharing Retirement Trust controlled the Managed
Bond Fund. Crown Packaging Corp. Profit Sharing & Pension Plan's address of
record is 8514 Eager Road, St. Louis, MO 63144. Massman Construction Co. Profit
Sharing Retirement Trust's address of record is 8901 Stateline, Kansas City, MO
64114.
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
The yield, total return and average annual total return of each class of a Fund
may be quoted in advertisements. Yield is the annualization on a 360-day basis
of a class' net income per share over a 30-day period divided by the class' NAV
per share on the last day of the period. The formula for the yield calculation
is defined by regulation. Consequently, the rate of actual income distributions
paid by the Funds may differ from quoted yield figures. Total return is the
total percentage change in an investment in a class of a Fund, assuming the
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, over a stated period
of time. Average annual total return is the annual percentage change in an
investment in a class of a Fund, assuming the reinvestment of dividends and
capital gain distributions, over a stated period of time. Performance quotations
are calculated separately for each class of a Fund.
 
A Fund's portfolio turnover rate will vary from year to year. A high portfolio
turnover rate involves correspondingly higher transaction costs in the form of
dealer spreads and other costs that a Fund will bear directly.
 
                                    -- 49 --
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
From time to time, a Fund may advertise rankings. Rankings are calculated by
independent companies that monitor mutual fund performance (E.G., CDA Investment
Technologies, Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., and Morningstar, Inc.), and are
reported periodically in national financial publications such as BARRON'S,
BUSINESS WEEK, FORBES, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY, MONEY MAGAZINE, and THE WALL
STREET JOURNAL. In addition, non-standardized performance figures may accompany
the standardized figures described above. Non-standardized figures may be
calculated in a variety of ways including, but not necessarily limited to,
different time periods and different initial investment amounts. Each Fund may
also compare its performance to the performance of relevant indices.
 
Performance information and quoted rankings are indicative only of past
performance and are not intended to represent future investment results. The
yield and share price of each class of a Fund will fluctuate and your shares,
when redeemed, may be worth more or less than you originally paid for them.
 
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS AND HOW THEY ARE TAXED
 
DIVIDEND AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
Each Fund declares dividends on each business day from its net investment income
(which includes accrued interest, earned discount, and other income earned on
portfolio securities less expenses) and shares become entitled to declared
dividends on the next business day after they are purchased for your account. If
you request redemption of all your shares at any time during a month, you will
receive all declared dividends through the date of redemption, together with the
proceeds of the redemption.
 
Your dividends and other distributions are reinvested in additional shares of
the distributing Fund at net asset value per share, generally determined as of
the close of business on the ex-distribution date, unless you elect in writing
to receive
 
                                    -- 50 --
<PAGE>
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS AND HOW THEY ARE TAXED (CONTINUED)
dividends and/or other distributions in cash and that election is provided to
SAFECO Services at the address on the Prospectus cover. The election remains in
effect until revoked by written notice to SAFECO Services. For retirement
accounts, all dividends and other distributions declared by a Fund must be
invested in additional shares of that Fund.
 
States generally treat the pass through of interest earned on U.S. Treasury
securities and other direct obligations of the U.S. government as tax-free
income in the calculation of their state income tax. This treatment may be
dependent upon the maintenance of certain minimum percentages of fund ownership
of these securities. The Intermediate Treasury Fund will invest primarily in
these securities, while the GNMA Fund may occasionally invest a portion of its
portfolio in these securities.
 
Please remember that if you purchase shares shortly before a Fund pays a taxable
dividend or other distribution, you will pay the full price for the shares, then
receive part of the price back as a taxable distribution.
 
TAXES
 
Each Fund intends to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. By
so qualifying, a Fund will not be subject to federal income taxes to the extent
it distributes its net investment income and realized capital gains to its
shareholders. Each Fund will inform you as to the amount and nature of dividends
and other distributions to your account. Dividends and other distributions
declared in December, but received by shareholders in January, are taxable to
shareholders in the year in which declared.
 
TAX WITHHOLDING INFORMATION
 
You will be asked to certify on your account application or on a separate form
that the taxpayer identification number you
 
                                    -- 51 --
<PAGE>
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS AND HOW THEY ARE TAXED (CONTINUED)
provide is correct and that you are not subject to, or are exempt from, backup
withholding for previous under reporting to the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Retirement plan distributions may be subject to federal income tax withholding.
However, you may elect not to have any distributions withheld by checking the
appropriate box on the Redemption Request form or by instructing SAFECO Services
in writing at the address on the Prospectus cover.
 
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important federal tax
considerations generally affecting each Fund and its shareholders; see the
Trusts' Statement of Additional Information for additional tax information.
There may be other federal, state or local tax considerations applicable to a
particular investor. You therefore are urged to consult your tax adviser.
 
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS
 
SAFECO Services offers a variety of tax-deferred retirement plans for
individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations. An account may be
established under one of the following plans which allow you to defer investment
income from federal income tax while you save for retirement. Many of the SAFECO
Funds may be used as investment vehicles for these plans.
 
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (IRAS).  IRAs are tax-deferred retirement
accounts for anyone under age 70 1/2 with earned income. The maximum annual
contribution generally is $2,000 per person ($4,000 for you and a non-working
spouse). Under certain circumstances your contribution will be deductible for
income tax purposes. An annual custodial fee will be charged for any part of a
calendar year in which you have an IRA investment in a Fund.
 
                                    -- 52 --
<PAGE>
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)
SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION IRAS (SEP-IRAS).  SEP-IRAs are easily administered
retirement plans for small businesses and self-employed individuals. Annual
contributions of up to $22,500 may be made to SEP-IRA accounts; the annual
contribution limit is subject to change. SEP-IRAs have the same investment
minimums and custodial fees as regular IRAs.
 
403(b) PLANS.  403(b) plans are retirement plans for tax-exempt organizations
and school systems to which employers and employees both may contribute. Minimum
investment amounts are negotiable.
 
401(k) PLANS.  401(k) plans allow employers and employees to make tax-advantaged
contributions to a retirement account. SAFECO Services offers a low-cost
administration package that includes a prototype plan, record keeping, testing
and employee communications. Minimum investment amounts are negotiable.
 
PROFIT SHARING AND MONEY PURCHASE PENSION PLANS.  Each plan allows corporations,
partnerships and self-employed persons to make annual, tax-deductible
contributions to a retirement account for each person covered by the plan. A
plan may be adopted individually or paired with another plan to maximize
contributions. SAFECO Services offers an administration package for these plans.
Minimum investment amounts are negotiable.
 
For information about the above accounts and plans, please call 1-800-278-1985.
For a description of federal income tax withholding on distributions from these
accounts and plans, see "Fund Distributions and How They are Taxed -- Tax
Withholding Information" on page 50.
 
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
 
Periodically, you will receive an account statement showing your current Fund
holdings and transactions affecting your account. Confirmation statements will
be sent after each
 
                                    -- 53 --
<PAGE>
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
transaction that affects your account balance. Please review the information on
each confirmation statement for accuracy immediately upon receipt. If you do not
notify us within 30 days of any processing error, SAFECO Services will consider
the transactions listed on the confirmation statement to be correct.
 
ACCOUNT CHANGES AND SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS
 
Changes to your account registration or the services you have selected must be
in writing and signed by the person(s) specified on your account application as
having authority to make these changes. Send written changes to SAFECO Services
at the address on the Prospectus cover. Certain changes to the Automatic
Investment Method and Systematic Withdrawal Plan can be made by telephone
request if you have previously selected single signature authorization for your
account.
 
You must specify on your account application the number of signatures required
to authorize redemptions and exchanges and to change account registration or the
services selected. Authorizing fewer than all account owners has important
implications. For example, one owner of a joint tenant account can redeem money
without the co-owner's signature. If you do not indicate otherwise on the
application, the signatures of all account owners will be required to effect a
transaction. Your selection of fewer than all account owner signatures may be
revoked by any account owner who writes to SAFECO Services at the address on the
Prospectus cover.
 
SAFECO Services may require a signature guarantee for a signature that cannot be
verified by comparison to the signature(s) on your account application. A
signature guarantee may be obtained from most financial institutions, including
banks, savings and loans and broker-dealers.
 
                                    -- 54 --
<PAGE>
DEBT SECURITIES HELD BY THE
HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND
 
The weighted average ratings of all fixed-income securities, expressed as a
percentage of total investments held by the High-Yield Bond Fund during the
fiscal period ended December 31, 1996, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MOODY'S                     %      S&P                         %
- ----------------------  ---------  ----------------------  ---------
<S>                     <C>        <C>                     <C>
                          INVESTMENT GRADE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Aaa                             0  AAA                             0
Aa                              0  AA                              0
A                               0  A                               0
Baa                             0  BBB                             0
 
<CAPTION>
                       BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>        <C>                     <C>
Ba                             20  BB                             28
B                              72  B                              64
Caa                             1  CCC                             1
Ca                              0  CC                              0
C                               0  C                               0
                                   D                               0
Not Rated, but                     Not Rated, but
  determined to be                   determined to be
  investment grade              1    investment grade              1
Not Rated, but                     Not Rated, but
  determined to be                   determined to be
  below investment                   below investment
  grade                         0    grade                         0
</TABLE>
 
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
 
Ratings by Moody's and S&P represent their respective opinions as to the
investment quality of the rated obligations. Investors should realize these
ratings do not constitute a guarantee that the principal and interest payable
under these obligations will be paid when due.
 
                                    -- 55 --
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS (CONTINUED)
DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
 
MOODY'S.  Issuers rated Prime-1 have a superior ability for repayment of senior
short-term debt obligations. Issuers rated Prime-2 have a strong ability for
repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Issuers rated Prime-3 have an
acceptable ability for the repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.
 
S&P.  For issues designated A-1 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. For issuers
designated A-2 capacity for timely payment is satisfactory. Issuers designated
A-3 have adequate capacity for timely payment.
 
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT RATINGS
 
EXCERPTS FROM MOODY'S DESCRIPTION OF ITS RATINGS:
 
INVESTMENT GRADE:
Aaa -- Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt-edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
 
Aa -- Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as
high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities.
 
A -- Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper-medium-
 
                                    -- 56 --
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS (CONTINUED)
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 which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations
(I.E., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
 
BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE:
Ba -- Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
 
B -- Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
 
Caa -- Bonds which are rated Caa have poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
 
Ca -- Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
 
C -- Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
 
                                    -- 57 --
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS (CONTINUED)
EXCERPTS FROM S&P'S DESCRIPTION OF ITS RATINGS:
 
INVESTMENT GRADE:
AAA -- Debt which is rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity
to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
AA -- Debt which is rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
 
A -- Debt which is rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated
categories.
 
BBB -- Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher-rated categories.
 
BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE:
BB, B, CCC, CC, C -- Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C is regarded as having
predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay
interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation.
"BB" indicates the least degree of speculation and "C" the highest. While such
debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
 
C1 -- The rating C1 is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
 
D -- Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating is used when interest
payments or principal payments are not made
 
                                    -- 58 --
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS (CONTINUED)
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.
 
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.
 
                                    -- 59 --
<PAGE>
SAFECO FAMILY OF FUNDS
 
STABILITY OF PRINCIPAL
 
  SAFECO Money Market Fund
 
  SAFECO Tax-Free Money Market Fund
 
BOND INCOME
 
  SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund
  SAFECO GNMA Fund
  SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund
  SAFECO Managed Bond Fund
 
TAX-FREE BOND INCOME
 
  SAFECO Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Fund
  SAFECO Insured Municipal Bond Fund
  SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund
  SAFECO California Tax-Free Income Fund
  SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund
 
HIGH CURRENT INCOME WITH LONG-TERM GROWTH
 
  SAFECO Income Fund
 
LONG-TERM GROWTH
 
  SAFECO Growth Fund
  SAFECO Equity Fund
  SAFECO Northwest Fund
  SAFECO Balanced Fund
  SAFECO International Stock Fund
  SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund
  SAFECO U.S. Value Fund
 
FOR MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ON ANY SAFECO MUTUAL FUND, INCLUDING MANAGEMENT
FEES AND EXPENSES, CALL OR WRITE FOR A FREE PROSPECTUS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY
BEFORE YOU INVEST OR SEND MONEY.
<PAGE>
TO REQUEST A PROSPECTUS:
 
  Nationwide: 1-800-426-6730
  Seattle: 1-206-545-5530
 
FOR 24-HOUR AUTOMATED
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
AND TRANSACTIONS:
 
  Nationwide: 1-800-835-4391
  Seattle: 1-206-545-5113
 
FOR SHAREHOLDER SERVICE*:
 
  Nationwide: 1-800-624-5711
  Seattle: 1-206-545-7319
  Deaf and Hard of Hearing TDD/TTY Service:
  1-800-438-8718
 
 *All telephone calls are tape-recorded for your
  protection.
 
INTERNET: http:\\networth.galt.com\safeco
 
E-MAIL: [email protected]
 
        MAILING ADDRESS:
 
        SAFECO Mutual Funds
 
        No-Load Class Shares
 
        P.O. Box 34890
 
        Seattle, WA 98124-1890
 
        EXPRESS/OVERNIGHT MAIL:
 
        SAFECO Mutual Funds
        No-Load Class Shares
 
        4333 Brooklyn Avenue N.E.
        Seattle, WA 98105
 
        DISTRIBUTOR:
 
        SAFECO Securities, Inc.
 
                                                              GMF 532 4/97
 
                                                                       [LOGO]
                                                Printed on Recycled Paper.
              -Registered Trademark- Registered trademark of SAFECO Corporation.
<PAGE>


                           SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST:
                   SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND
                          SAFECO HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND

                           SAFECO MANAGED BOND TRUST:
                            SAFECO MANAGED BOND FUND

                          SAFECO TAX-EXEMPT BOND TRUST:
                           SAFECO MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
                     SAFECO CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
                   SAFECO WASHINGTON STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

                           SAFECO MONEY MARKET TRUST:
                            SAFECO MONEY MARKET FUND

                                 ADVISOR CLASS A
                                 ADVISOR CLASS B

                       Statement of Additional Information


This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should be read
in conjunction with the Prospectus for the funds listed above (each a "Fund"). A
copy of the Prospectus may be obtained by writing SAFECO Mutual Funds, Advisor
Class Shares, P.O. Box 34890, Seattle, Washington 98124-1890, or by calling TOLL
FREE:  1-800-463-8791


The date of the most current Prospectus of the Funds to which this Statement of
Additional Information relates is April 30, 1997.



The date of this Statement of Additional Information is April 30, 1997.


<PAGE>

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

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS 

   
INVESTMENT POLICIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE  TAXABLE BOND FUNDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MANAGED BOND FUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS . . . . . . . . . 10
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MONEY MARKET FUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
INVESTMENT RISKS OF CONCENTRATION IN CALIFORNIA AND WASHINGTON ISSUERS . . 24
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS OF CERTAIN FUNDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
CONVERSION OF ADVISOR CLASS B SHARES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE . . . . 38
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON DIVIDENDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
BROKERAGE PRACTICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
REDEMPTION IN KIND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
    

<PAGE>


INVESTMENT POLICIES

   
SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund ("Intermediate Treasury Fund") and
SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund ("High-Yield Bond Fund") are series of the SAFECO
Taxable Bond Trust (collectively the "Taxable Bond Funds"). The SAFECO Managed
Bond Fund ("Managed Bond Fund") is a series of SAFECO  Managed Bond Trust
("Managed Bond Trust"); (Taxable Bond Funds and Managed Bond Fund, collectively
the "Taxable Fixed Income Funds").
    

SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund ("Municipal Bond Fund"), SAFECO California Tax-Free
Income Fund ("California Fund") and SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund 
("Washington Fund") (collectively, the "Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Funds") are
series of SAFECO Tax-Exempt Bond Trust ("Tax-Exempt Bond Trust").

SAFECO Money Market Fund ("Money Market Fund") is a series of SAFECO Money
Market Trust ("Money Market Trust"). 

   
The investment policies of each Fund are described in the Prospectus and this 
Statement of Additional Information.  These policies state the investment 
practices that the Funds will follow, in some cases limiting investments to a 
certain percentage of assets, as well as those investment activities that are 
prohibited.  The types of securities that a Fund may purchase are also 
disclosed in the Prospectus.  Before a Fund purchases a security that the 
following policies permit, but that is not currently described in the 
Prospectus, the Prospectus will be amended or supplemented to identify or 
describe the security.  If a policy's percentage limitation is adhered to at 
the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in values, net assets or 
other circumstances will not be considered in determining whether a Fund 
complies with the applicable limitation (except to the extent the change may 
impact a Fund's borrowing limit).
    
Generally, the entity that has the ultimate responsibility for the payment of
interest and principal on a particular security is deemed to be its issuer for
purposes of the Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Funds' investment policies.  The
identification of the issuer of a tax-exempt security for purposes of
diversification depends on the terms and conditions of the security.  For
example, when the assets and revenues of an agency, authority, instrumentality
or other political subdivision are separate from those of the government
creating the subdivision and the security is backed only by the assets and
revenues of the subdivision, such subdivision would be deemed to be the sole
issuer for diversification purposes.  Similarly, in the case of an industrial
development bond, if that bond is backed only by the assets and revenues of the
non-governmental user, then such non-governmental user would be deemed to be the
sole issuer for purposes of diversification.  If, however, in either case, the
creating government or some other entity guarantees a security, such a guarantee
would be considered a separate security which must be valued and included in
each Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Fund's five percent (5%) limitation on investments
in one issuer.

Each Fund's fundamental policies may not be changed without the approval of a
"majority of its outstanding voting securities," as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended 


                                       -2-

<PAGE>

("1940 Act").  For purposes of such approval, the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of a Fund means the vote, at a meeting of the
shareholders of such Fund duly called, (i) of 67% or more of the voting
securities present at such meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the
outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) of
more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities, whichever is less.

Non-fundamental policies may be changed without shareholder approval.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE  TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
   
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

Each Taxable Bond Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment
policies. Each Taxable Bond Fund will NOT:
    
1.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
     agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more than five percent (5%)
     of the value of its total assets at the time of purchase would be invested
     in the securities of such issuer, except that up to twenty-five percent
     (25%) of the value of a Fund's assets (which twenty-five percent (25%)
     shall not include securities issued by another investment company) may be
     invested without regard to this five percent (5%) limitation;


2.   Underwrite any issue of securities, except to the extent that the purchase
     of permitted investments directly from the issuer in accordance with the
     Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions and the subsequent
     disposition thereof may be deemed to be underwriting or the later
     disposition of restricted securities acquired within the limits imposed on
     the acquisition of such securities may be deemed to be an underwriting;

3.   Purchase or sell real estate, but this shall not prevent the Fund from
     investing in municipal obligations or other permitted investments secured
     by real estate or interests therein;

4.   Purchase or retain for the Fund's portfolio the securities of any issuer,
     if, to the Fund's knowledge, the officers or directors of the Fund, or its
     investment adviser, who individually own more than one-half ( 1/2) of one
     percent (1%) of the outstanding securities of such an issuer, together own
     more than five percent (5%) of such outstanding securities;

5.   Borrow money, except from a bank or SAFECO Corporation or its affiliates at
     an interest rate not greater than that available to the Fund from
     commercial banks, for temporary or emergency purposes and not for
     investment purposes, and then only in an amount not exceeding twenty
     percent (20%) of the value of the Fund's total assets at the time of such
     borrowing;


                                       -3-

<PAGE>


     Each Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings equal to or greater
     than five percent (5%) of the Fund's total assets are outstanding;


6.   Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except that to secure
     borrowings permitted by subparagraph (5) above, it may pledge securities
     having a market value at the time of pledge not exceeding ten percent (10%)
     of the cost of the Fund's total assets;

7.   Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, other than futures
     contracts, or invest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or
     development programs or in arbitrage transactions;

8.   Make short sales of securities or purchase securities on margin, except for
     margin deposits in connection with futures contracts and such short-term
     credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions;

9.   Participate on a joint or a joint-and-several basis in any trading account
     in securities, except that the Fund may, for the purpose of seeking better
     net results on portfolio transactions or lower brokerage commission rates,
     join with other transactions executed by the investment adviser or the
     investment adviser's parent company and any subsidiary thereof;

10.  Purchase from or sell portfolio securities to any officer or director, the
     Fund's investment adviser, principal underwriter or any affiliates or
     subsidiaries thereof; provided, however, that this prohibition shall not
     prohibit the Fund from purchasing with the up to $7,000,000 raised through
     the sale of up to 700,000 shares of common stock to SAFECO Life Insurance
     Company, portfolio securities from subsidiaries of SAFECO Corporation prior
     to the effective date of the Fund's initial public offering;

11.  Purchase securities (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the
     United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities), if as a
     result twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the Fund's total assets would
     be invested in one industry (governmental issuers of securities are not
     considered part of any one industry);


12.  Purchase shares of common stock, other than those issued by other regulated
     investment companies only, when the acquisition of such common stocks,
     rights or other equity interests is consistent with the  Fund's investment
     objective.  Generally, each Fund will only hold such equity securities as a
     result of purchases or unit offerings of fixed-income securities which
     include such equity securities or in connection with an actual or proposed
     conversion or exchange of fixed-income securities;



13.  Issue or sell any senior security, except that this restriction shall not
     be construed to prohibit the Fund from borrowing funds (i) on a temporary
     basis as permitted by Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act or (ii) from any bank
     provided, that immediately after such 


                                       -4-

<PAGE>

     borrowing, there is an asset coverage of at least three hundred percent 
     (300%) for all such borrowings and provided, further, that in the event 
     that such asset coverage shall at any time fall below three hundred 
     percent (300%), the Fund shall, within three (3) days thereafter (not 
     including Sundays and holidays), or such longer period as the Securities 
     and Exchange Commission ("SEC") may prescribe by rules and regulations, 
     reduce the amount of its borrowings to an extent that the asset coverage 
     of such borrowings shall be at least three hundred percent (300%).  For 
     purposes of this restriction, the terms "senior security" and "asset 
     coverage" shall be understood to have the meaning assigned to those 
     terms in Section 18 of the 1940 Act;


14.  Purchase securities of any issuer, if, as a result, more than ten percent
     (10%) of any class of securities of such issuer would be owned by the Fund;

15.  With respect to one hundred percent (100%) of the value of its total
     assets, purchase more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding voting
     securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities);

16.  Purchase or otherwise acquire securities which are illiquid or subject to
     legal or contractual restrictions on resale, if as a result more than ten
     percent (10%) of the Fund's total assets would be invested in such
     securities, except that in the case of the High-Yield Fund the purchase 
     of Rule 144A Securities deemed to be liquid pursuant to guidelines 
     adopted by the Board of Trustees of the High-Yield Fund shall not be 
     limited by this restriction; or


17.  Make loans, except through the purchase of a portion or all of an issue of
     debt or money market securities in accordance with its investment
     objective, policies and restrictions, or through investments in qualified
     repurchase agreements (provided, however, that the Fund shall not invest
     more than ten percent (10%) of its total assets in qualified repurchase
     agreements maturing in more than seven (7) days), or through qualified loan
     agreements (by making secured loans of its portfolio securities which
     amount to not more than five percent (5%) of its total assets).

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES


In addition to the policies described in the Prospectus, each Taxable Bond Fund
has adopted the following non-fundamental investment policies which may be
changed without shareholder approval:


1.   The Fund will not invest more than five percent (5%) of its total assets in
     securities of issuers, including their predecessors, which have been in
     operation for less than three years.

2.   The Fund will not issue long-term debt securities.


                                       -5-

<PAGE>

3.   The Fund will not invest in securities with unlimited liability, I.E.,
     securities the holder of which may be assessed for amounts in addition to
     the subscription or other price paid for the security.

4.   The Fund will not trade in foreign currency, except as may be necessary to
     convert the proceeds of the sale of foreign securities in the Fund's
     portfolio into U.S. dollars.

5.   The Fund may purchase "when-issued" or "delayed-delivery" securities or
     purchase or sell securities on a "forward commitment" basis.

6.   The Fund will not invest in any security issued by a commercial bank unless
     (a) the bank has total assets of at least $1 billion, or the equivalent in
     other currencies, or, in the case of a United States bank which does not
     have assets of at least $1 billion, the aggregate investment made in any
     one such bank is limited to $100,000 and the principal sum of each
     investment is insured in full by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 
     ("FDIC"), (b) in the case of a U.S. bank, it is a member of the FDIC and
     (c) in the case of a foreign bank, the security is, in the opinion of the
     Fund's investment adviser, of an investment quality comparable with other
     debt securities which may be purchased by the Fund.  These limitations do
     not prohibit investment in securities issued by foreign branches of U.S.
     banks, provided the U.S. banks meet the foregoing requirements.

7.   The Fund shall not engage primarily in trading for short-term profits, but
     it may from time to time make investments for short-term purposes when such
     action is believed to be desirable and consistent with sound investment
     policy, and it may dispose of securities whenever its investment adviser
     deems advisable without regard to the length of time they have been held.


8.   The Intermediate Treasury Fund may invest up to five percent (5%) of its
     total assets in Yankee Sector debt securities and up to five percent (5%)
     of its total assets in Eurodollar bonds.


9.   The Fund may invest up to five percent (5%) of its total assets in
     securities the interest on which, in the opinion of counsel for the issuer,
     is exempt from federal income tax. 

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MANAGED BOND FUND

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The Managed Bond Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment policies.
The Managed Bond Fund will NOT:

1.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
     agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more than five percent (5%)
     of the value of total assets at 


                                       -6-

<PAGE>

     the time of purchase would be invested in the securities of such issuer,
     except that up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of the Fund's
     assets (which twenty-five percent (25%) shall not include securities issued
     by another investment company) may be invested without regard to this five
     percent (5%) limitation;
     
2.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than obligations of or
     guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities) if,
     as a result, more than ten percent (10%) of any class of securities of such
     issuer will be held by the Fund;

3.   With respect to one hundred percent (100%) of the value of its total
     assets, purchase more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding voting
     securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities);

4.   Purchase securities, if as a result, twenty-five percent (25%) or more of
     the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers
     having their principal business activities in any one industry.  Securities
     of foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks are considered to be
     one industry.  This limitation does not apply to obligations issued or
     guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or to 
     certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances issued by domestic banks;

5.   Purchase securities on margin, except for short-term credits necessary for
     the clearance of transactions;

6.   Make short sales of securities (sales of securities not presently owned);

7.   Make loans, except through the purchase of a portion or all of an issue of
     debt securities in accordance with the Fund's investment objective,
     policies and restrictions or through investments in qualified repurchase
     agreements;

8.   Borrow money, except from a bank or SAFECO Corporation or its affiliates at
     an interest rate not greater than that available to the Fund from
     commercial banks, for temporary or emergency purposes and not for
     investment purposes, and then only in an amount not exceeding twenty
     percent (20%) of the value of the Fund's total assets (including
     borrowings) less liabilities (other than borrowings) immediately after such
     borrowing;
     
9.   Underwrite any issue of securities, except to the extent that the purchase
     of permitted investments directly from the issuer in accordance with the
     Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions and the subsequent
     disposition thereof may be deemed to be underwriting or the later
     disposition of restricted securities acquired within the limits imposed on
     the acquisition of such securities may be deemed to be an underwriting;

10.  Purchase or sell real estate or real estate limited partnerships (unless
     acquired as a result of the ownership of securities or instruments) but
     this shall not prevent the Fund from 


                                       -7-

<PAGE>

     investing in permitted investments secured by real estate or interests
     therein or in real estate investment trusts;

11.  Purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts or futures contracts;

12.  Participate on a joint or joint-and-several basis in any trading account in
     securities, except that the Fund may join with other transactions executed
     by the investment adviser or the investment adviser's parent company and
     any subsidiary thereof, for the purpose of seeking better net results on
     portfolio transactions or lower brokerage commission rates; or

13.  Issue or sell any senior security, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

In addition to the policies described in the Prospectus, the Managed Bond Fund
has adopted the following non-fundamental policies which may be changed without
shareholder approval:

1.   The Fund will not issue long-term debt securities.  

2.   The Fund will not invest in any security for the purpose of acquiring or
     exercising control or management of the issuer.  

3.   The Fund will not invest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or
     development programs or leases.

4.   The Fund will not invest in or sell (write) puts, calls, straddles, spreads
     or any combinations thereof.  

5.   The Fund will not invest more than five percent (5%) of its total assets in
     securities of issuers (including predecessor companies of the issuer)
     having a record of less than three years continuous operation.

6.   The Fund will not invest in securities with unlimited liability, I.E.,
     securities the holder of which may be assessed for amounts in addition to
     the subscription or other price paid for the security.

7.   The Fund will not invest more than ten percent (10%) of its total assets in
     qualified repurchase agreements and will not invest in qualified repurchase
     agreements maturing in more than seven (7) days. 
     
8.   The Fund will not purchase the securities of any other investment company,
     except by purchase in the open market where no commission or profit to a
     broker or dealer results 


                                       -8-

<PAGE>

     from such purchase other than the customary broker's commissions, or except
     as part of a merger, consolidation or acquisition.  The Fund shall not
     invest more than ten percent (10%) of its total assets in shares of other
     investment companies, invest more than five percent (5%) of its total
     assets in a single investment company nor purchase more than three percent
     (3%) of the outstanding voting securities of a single investment company.

9.   The Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings equal to or greater
     than five percent (5%) of the Fund's total assets are outstanding. 

10.  The Fund will invest at least sixty-five percent (65%) of its total assets
     in fixed income obligations.

11.  The Fund will invest at least fifty percent (50%) of its total assets in
     obligations of or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and
     instrumentalities.  

12.  The Fund may invest up to fifty percent (50%) of its total assets in
     corporate debt securities or Eurodollar bonds.

13.  The Fund may invest up to ten percent (10%) of its total assets in Yankee
     Sector debt obligations.

14.  The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis
     or may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. 

15.  The Fund may temporarily invest its cash in high quality commercial paper,
     certificates of deposit, shares of no-load, open-end money market funds
     (subject to the percentage limitations set forth in subparagraph 8 above),
     repurchase agreements (subject to the limitations set forth in subparagraph
     7 above) or any other short-term instrument the Fund's investment adviser
     deems appropriate.

16.  The Fund may hold cash as a temporary defensive measure when market
     conditions so warrant.

17.  The Fund shall not engage primarily in trading for short-term profits, but
     it may from time to time make investments for short-term purposes when such
     action is believed to be desirable and consistent with sound investment
     policy.  The Fund may dispose of securities whenever it deems advisable
     without regard to the length of time they have been held.

18.  The Fund may invest up to five percent (5%) of its total assets in
     securities the interest on which, in the opinion of counsel for the issuer,
     is exempt from federal income tax.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>

WHILE THE FUND HAS THE AUTHORITY TO INVEST IN THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF SECURITIES,
IT HAS NO PRESENT INTENTION TO DO SO IN THE COMING YEAR.  BEFORE THE FUND
PURCHASES ANY OF THESE SECURITIES, THE PROSPECTUS WILL BE AMENDED BY SUPPLEMENT
TO IDENTIFY OR DESCRIBE THE SECURITY.


19.  The Fund may invest up to five percent (5%) of its total assets in shares
     of real estate investment trusts.

20.  The Fund may purchase securities subject to legal or contractual
     restrictions on resale or illiquid securities, if no more than fifteen
     percent (15%) of the Fund's total assets would be invested in such
     securities.  

21.  The Fund may purchase foreign securities, provided that such purchase, at
     the time thereof, would not cause more than ten percent (10%) of the total
     assets of the Fund (taken at market value) to be invested in foreign
     securities.

22.  The Fund will not buy or sell foreign currency, except as may be necessary
     to invest the proceeds of the sale of any foreign securities held by the
     Fund in U.S. dollars.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The WASHINGTON FUND has adopted the following fundamental investment policies.
The Washington Fund will NOT:

1.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
     agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more than five percent (5%)
     of the value of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities
     of such issuer, except that up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of
     the Fund's total assets (which twenty-five percent (25%) shall not include
     securities issued by another investment company) may be invested without
     regard to this five percent (5%) limitation;



2.   Underwrite any issue of securities, except to the extent that the purchase
     of municipal obligations or other permitted investments directly from the
     issuer in accordance with the Fund's investment objective, policies and
     restrictions and the later disposition thereof may be deemed to be
     underwriting;

3.   Purchase or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of the ownership
     of securities or instruments, but this shall not prevent the Fund from
     investing in municipal obligations or other permitted investments secured
     by real estate or interests therein;

4.   Borrow money, except from a bank or affiliates of SAFECO Corporation at an
     interest rate not greater than that available to the Fund from commercial
     banks, for temporary or 


                                      -10-

<PAGE>

     emergency purposes and not for investment purposes, and then only in an
     amount not exceeding twenty percent (20%) of its total assets (including
     borrowings) less liabilities (other than borrowings) immediately after such
     borrowing;

5.   Make loans, except through the purchase of a portion or all of an issue of
     debt securities in accordance with the Fund's investment objective,
     policies and restrictions and through investments in qualified repurchase
     agreements;

6.   Purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts or futures;

7.   Purchase securities, if as a result, twenty-five percent (25%) or more of
     the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers
     having their principal business activities in any one industry
     (governmental issuers of special or general tax-exempt securities are not
     considered part of any one industry);

8.   Issue or sell any senior security, except as permitted under the 1940 Act;

9.   Permit twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the Fund's total assets to be
     invested in municipal obligations and other permitted investments, the
     interest on which is payable from revenues on similar types of projects. As
     a matter of operating policy, similar types of projects may include sports,
     convention or trade show facilities; airports or mass transportation;
     sewage or solid waste disposal facilities; or air or water pollution
     control projects; or

10.  During normal market conditions, invest less than eighty percent (80%) of
     the Fund's net assets in obligations the interest on which, in the opinion
     of counsel for the issuer of the obligation, is exempt from federal income
     tax.

The MUNICIPAL BOND and CALIFORNIA FUNDS have adopted the following fundamental
investment policies.  The Funds will NOT:

1.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
     agencies or instrumentalities), if as a result more than five percent (5%)
     of the value of a Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities
     of such issuer, except that up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of
     a Fund's assets (which twenty-five percent (25%) shall not include
     securities issued by another investment company) may be invested without
     regard to this five percent (5%) limitation;

2.   Underwrite any issue of securities, except to the extent that the purchase
     of municipal obligations or other permitted investments directly from the
     issuer in accordance with a Fund's investment objective, policies and
     restrictions and the subsequent disposition thereof may be deemed to be
     underwriting; 


                                      -11-

<PAGE>

3.   Purchase or sell real estate or real estate limited partnerships, but this
     shall not prevent a Fund from investing in municipal obligations or other
     permitted investments secured by real estate or interests therein;

4.   Purchase or retain for a Fund's portfolio the securities of any issuer if,
     to the Fund's knowledge, the officers or directors of the Fund, or its
     investment adviser, who individually own more than one-half (1/2) of one
     percent (1%) of the outstanding securities of such an issuer, together own
     more than five percent (5%) of such outstanding securities;

5.   Participate on a joint or a joint-and-several basis in any trading account
     in securities, except that a Fund may, for the purpose of seeking better
     net results on portfolio transactions or lower brokerage commission rates,
     join with other transactions executed by the investment adviser or the
     investment adviser's parent company and any subsidiary thereof;

6.   Purchase from, or sell portfolio securities to, any officer or director,
     the Fund's investment adviser, principal underwriter or any affiliates or
     subsidiaries thereof;

7.   Borrow money, except from a bank or affiliates of SAFECO Corporation at an
     interest rate not greater than that available to a Fund from commercial
     banks, for temporary or emergency purposes and not for investment purposes
     and then only in an amount not exceeding twenty percent (20%) of its total
     assets (including borrowings) less liabilities (other than borrowings)
     immediately after such borrowing;

8.   Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except that, to secure
     borrowings permitted by subparagraph 7 above, a Fund may pledge securities
     having a market value at the time of pledge not exceeding ten percent (10%)
     of the cost of a Fund's total assets;

9.   Make loans, except through the purchase of a portion or all of an issue of
     debt securities in accordance with a Fund's investment objective, policies
     and restrictions and through investments in qualified repurchase agreements
     (provided, however, that a Fund will not invest more than ten percent (10%)
     of its total assets in qualified repurchase agreements maturing in more
     than seven (7) days);

10.  Purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts or futures or invest in
     oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs or leases;

11.  Make short sales of securities or purchase securities on margin, except for
     such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions,
     or purchase or sell any put or call options or combinations thereof;


                                      -12-

<PAGE>

12.  Knowingly purchase or otherwise acquire any securities that are subject to
     legal or contractual restrictions on resale or for which there is no
     readily available market;

13.  Purchase securities (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the
     U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities), if as a result, more
     than twenty-five percent (25%) of a Fund's total assets would be invested
     in one industry (governmental issuers of special or general tax-exempt
     securities are not considered part of any one industry);

14.  Purchase an industrial development bond, if as a result of such purchase,
     more than five percent (5%) of a Fund's total assets would be invested in
     industrial revenue bonds where the payment of principal and interest is the
     responsibility of a company with less than three years' operating history; 

15.  Issue or sell any senior security, except that this restriction shall not
     be construed to prohibit a Fund from borrowing funds (i) on a temporary
     basis as permitted by Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, or (ii) from any bank
     provided, that immediately after such borrowing, there is an "asset
     coverage" of at least three hundred percent (300%) for all such borrowings
     and provided, further, that in the event that such "asset coverage" shall
     at any time fall below three hundred percent (300%), the Fund shall, within
     three (3) days thereafter (not including Sundays and holidays) or such
     longer period as the SEC may prescribe by rules and regulations, reduce the
     amount of its borrowings to an extent that the asset coverage of such
     borrowings shall be at least three hundred percent (300%) (for purposes of
     this restriction, the terms "senior security" and "asset coverage" shall be
     understood to have the meanings assigned to those terms in Section 18 of
     the 1940 Act); 

16.  Permit more than twenty percent (20%) of a Fund's net assets to be
     invested, during normal market conditions, in securities the interest on
     which is not, in its investment adviser's opinion, exempt from federal
     income tax, as long as the Fund has its investment objective to provide as
     high a level of current interest income exempt from federal income tax as
     is consistent with the relative stability of capital.  As a matter of
     operating policy, the Funds' investment adviser may base its opinion on the
     opinion of counsel for the issuer of the security;

17.  Permit twenty-five percent (25%) or more of a Fund's total assets to be
     invested in municipal obligations and other permitted investments, the
     interest on which is payable from revenues on similar types of projects
     such as sports, convention or trade show facilities; airports or mass
     transportation; sewage or solid waste disposal facilities or air or water
     pollution control projects;

18.  MUNICIPAL BOND FUND ONLY:  Permit twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the
     Fund's total assets to be invested in securities whose issuers are located
     in the same state; or


                                      -13-

<PAGE>

19.  During normal market conditions, invest less than eighty percent (80%) of a
     Fund's net assets in obligations the interest on which, in the opinion of
     counsel for the issuer, is exempt from federal income tax (and, in the case
     of the California Fund, also from California state personal income tax).

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

In addition to the policies described in the Prospectus, the WASHINGTON,
MUNICIPAL BOND and CALIFORNIA FUNDS have adopted the following non-fundamental
policies which may be changed without shareholder approval:

1.   Each Fund may invest in any of the following types of short-term, tax-
     exempt obligations: municipal notes of issuers rated, at the time of
     purchase, within one of the three highest grades assigned by Moody's
     Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a
     division of The McGraw-Hill Companies ("S&P") or Fitch Investors Services,
     Inc. ("Fitch"); unrated municipal notes offered by issuers having
     outstanding municipal bonds rated within one of the three highest grades
     assigned by Moody's, S&P or Fitch; notes issued by or on behalf of
     municipal issuers which are guaranteed by the U.S. Government; tax-exempt
     commercial paper assigned one of the two highest grades by Moody's, S&P or
     Fitch; certificates of deposit issued by banks with assets of
     $1,000,000,000 or more and municipal obligations which have a maturity of
     one year or less from the date of purchase.  The Funds do not currently
     intend to rely on Fitch Ratings.

2.   Each Fund may invest in obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or
     instrumentalities or in qualified repurchase agreements, the net interest
     on which is taxable.

3.   Each Fund may invest in municipal notes including tax anticipation, revenue
     anticipation and bond anticipation notes and tax-exempt commercial paper.  

4.   Each Fund may invest in repurchase agreements for a period longer than
     seven days.  

5.   Each Fund may permit twenty-five percent (25%) or more of its assets to be
     invested in industrial development bonds.

6.   Each Fund may purchase or sell securities on a "when-issued" or "delayed-
     delivery" basis.

In addition, the WASHINGTON FUND has adopted the following non-fundamental
policies.  The Washington Fund:

1.   May not make short sales of securities.


                                      -14-

<PAGE>

2.   May not purchase securities on margin, except that a Fund may obtain such
     short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions.

3.   May not purchase or sell any put or call options or combinations thereof.

4.   May not purchase any security, if as a result, more than fifteen percent
     (15%) of its net assets would be invested in illiquid securities.  

5.   May not invest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development
     programs or leases.

6.   May not invest in real estate limited partnerships.

7.   Will not purchase securities if borrowings equal to or greater than five
     percent (5%) of its total assets are outstanding.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MONEY MARKET FUND 

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The Money Market Fund has adopted the following fundamental policies.  The Money
Market Fund will NOT:

1.   Purchase securities of any issuer, other than obligations of, or guaranteed
     by, the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, if, as a
     result, more than five percent (5%) of the value of the Fund's assets would
     be invested in securities of such issuer;

2.   Purchase more than ten percent (10%) of any class of securities of any
     issuer.  All issues of debt securities of any issuer are considered as one
     class;

3.   Concentrate more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of its total
     assets in any one industry including securities issued by foreign banks and
     foreign branches of U.S. banks; provided, however, that this limitation
     does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government,
     or its agencies or instrumentalities, or to certificates of deposit or
     bankers' acceptances issued by domestic banks;

4.   Invest more than five percent (5%) of the Fund's total assets in securities
     of issuers that with their predecessors have a record of less than three
     years' continuous operation;

5.   Invest more than five percent (5%) of the Fund's total assets in securities
     restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws;


                                      -15-

<PAGE>

6.   Invest more than ten percent (10%) of the Fund's total assets in time
     deposits, repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days and other
     non-negotiable instruments;

7.   Enter into repurchase agreements if, as a result thereof, more than ten
     percent (10%) of the Fund's total assets valued at the time of the
     transaction would be subject to repurchase agreements maturing in more than
     seven days; 

8.   Make loans to others, except through the purchase of publicly distributed
     debt obligations or repurchase agreements;

9.   Borrow money, except from a bank or affiliates of SAFECO Corporation at an
     interest rate not greater than that available to the Fund from commercial
     banks, for temporary or emergency purposes and not for investment purposes,
     and then only in an amount not exceeding twenty percent (20%) of its total
     assets (including borrowings) less liabilities (other than borrowings)
     immediately after such borrowing.  The Fund will not purchase securities if
     borrowings in excess of five percent (5%) of the Fund's total assets are
     outstanding;

10.  Make short sales of securities or purchase securities on margin, except for
     such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions,
     or purchase or sell any put or call options or combinations thereof;

11.  Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate, or in any other manner transfer as
     security for indebtedness any security owned by the Fund, except as may be
     necessary in connection with permissible borrowings mentioned in paragraph
     9 above, and then such pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating may not exceed
     fifteen percent (15%) of the Fund's total assets, taken at cost; provided,
     however, that as a matter of operating policy the Fund will limit any such
     pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating to ten percent (10%) of its net
     assets, taken at market, in order to comply with certain state investment
     restrictions;

12.  Purchase or retain securities of any issuer if any of the officers or
     directors of the Fund or its investment adviser owns beneficially more than
     one-half (1/2) of one percent (1%) of the securities of such issuer and
     together own more than five percent (5%) of the securities of such issuer;

13.  Invest in commodities or commodity futures contracts or in real estate,
     although the Fund may invest in securities which are secured by real estate
     and securities of issuers that invest or deal in real estate;

14.  Invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development
     programs, although it may invest in securities of issuers that invest in or
     sponsor such programs;

15.  Purchase securities of other investment companies;


                                      -16-

<PAGE>

16.  Underwrite securities issued by others except to the extent the Fund may be
     deemed to be an underwriter, under the federal securities laws, in
     connection with the disposition of portfolio securities; or

17.  Issue or sell any senior security, except that this restriction shall not
     be construed to prohibit the Fund from borrowing funds (i) on a temporary
     basis as permitted by Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, or (ii) from any bank
     provided, that immediately after such borrowing, there is an asset coverage
     of at least three hundred percent (300%) for all such borrowings and
     provided, further, that in the event that such asset coverage shall at any
     time fall below three hundred percent (300%), the Fund shall, within three
     (3) days thereafter (not including Sundays and holidays), or such longer
     period as the SEC may prescribe by rules and regulations, reduce the amount
     of its borrowings to an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowings
     shall be at least three hundred percent (300%) (for purposes of this
     restriction, the terms "senior security" and "asset coverage" shall be
     understood to have the meaning assigned to those terms in Section 18 of the
     1940 Act).

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

In addition to the policies described in the Prospectus, the Money Market Fund
has adopted the following non-fundamental policies which may be changed without
shareholder approval:


1.   The Fund will not invest in securities with unlimited liability; i.e.,
     securities the holder of which may be assessed for amounts in addition to
     the subscription or other price paid for the security.


2.   The Fund will not buy or sell foreign currency, except as may be necessary
     to convert the proceeds of the sale of foreign securities in the Fund's
     portfolio into U.S. dollars.

3.   The Fund may invest up to five percent (5%) of its total assets in
     restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A ("Rule 144A
     securities") or Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Section 4(2)
     securities"), provided that SAFECO Asset Management Company ("SAM"), the
     Fund's investment adviser, has determined that such securities are liquid
     under guidelines adopted by the Money Market Trust's Board of Trustees.

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION


TAXABLE BOND FUNDS  



The Taxable Bond Funds may make the following investments, among others,
although  the Funds may not buy all of the types of securities that are
described.



                                      -17-

<PAGE>


1.   RESTRICTED SECURITIES AND RULE 144A SECURITIES.  Restricted securities 
     are securities that may be sold only in a public offering with respect 
     to which a registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act or, if 
     they are unregistered, pursuant to an exemption from registration.  In 
     recognition of the increased size and liquidity of the institutional 
     markets for unregistered securities and the importance of institutional 
     investors in the formation of capital, the Securities and Exchange 
     Commission ("SEC") has adopted Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, which is 
     designed to further facilitate efficient trading among institutional 
     investors by permitting the sale of Rule 144A securities to qualified 
     institutional buyers without registration under the 1933 Act.  To the 
     extent privately placed securities held by a Fund qualify under Rule 
     144A and an institutional market develops for those securities, the Fund 
     likely will be able to dispose of the securities without registering 
     them under the 1933 Act.  SAM, acting under guidelines established by 
     the Taxable Bond Trust's Board of Trustees, may determine that certain 
     securities qualified for trading under Rule 144A are liquid.



     Where registration is required, a Fund may be obligated to pay all or part
     of the registration expenses, and a considerable period may elapse between
     the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a
     security under an effective registration statement.  If, during such a
     period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a
     less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to sell.  To the extent
     privately placed securities are illiquid, purchases thereof will be subject
     to any limitations on investments in illiquid securities.  Restricted
     securities for which no market exists are priced at fair value as
     determined in accordance with procedures approved and periodically reviewed
     by the Taxable Bond Trust's Board of Trustees. 

  

2.   REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  Repurchase agreements are transactions in which  a
     Fund purchases securities from a bank or recognized securities dealer and
     simultaneously commits to resell the securities to the bank or dealer at an
     agreed upon date and price reflecting a market rate of interest unrelated
     to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased securities.  A Fund
     maintains custody of the underlying securities prior to their repurchase;
     thus, the obligation of the bank or dealer to pay the repurchase price on
     the date agreed to is, in effect, secured by such securities.  If the value
     of these securities is less than the repurchase price, plus any agreed-upon
     additional amount, the other party to the agreement must provide additional
     collateral so that at all times the collateral is at least equal to the
     repurchase price, plus any agreed-upon additional amount.



     Each Fund intends to enter into repurchase agreements only with banks and
     dealers in transactions believed by SAM to present minimum credit risks in
     accordance with guidelines established by the Taxable Bond Trust's Board of
     Trustees.  SAM will review and monitor the creditworthiness of those
     institutions under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees.



                                      -18-

<PAGE>


3.   WHEN-ISSUED OR DELAYED-DELIVERY SECURITIES.  Under this procedure, a Fund
     agrees to acquire securities (whose terms and conditions, including price,
     have been fixed by the issuer) that are to be issued and delivered against
     payment in the future.  Delivery of securities so sold normally takes place
     30 to 45 days (settlement date) after the date of the commitment.  No
     interest is earned by a Fund prior to the settlement date.  The value of
     securities sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may fluctuate
     before the settlement date and  a Fund bears the risk of such fluctuation
     from the date of purchase.  A Fund may dispose of its interest in those
     securities before delivery.



     A Fund will commit to purchase such securities only with the intent of
     actually acquiring the securities when issued.  Assets which are short-
     term, high-quality obligations will be earmarked in anticipation of making
     payments for securities purchased on a when-issued basis.     



4.   YANKEE DEBT SECURITIES AND EURODOLLAR BONDS.  Yankee debt securities are
     securities issued in the U.S. by foreign issuers.  These bonds involve
     investment risks that are different from those of domestic issuers.  Such
     risks may include nationalization of the issuer, confiscatory taxation by
     the foreign government, establishment of controls by the foreign government
     that would inhibit the ability of the issuer to make principal and interest
     payments to a Fund, lack of comparable publicly available information
     concerning foreign issuers, lack of comparable accounting and auditing
     practices in foreign countries and finally, difficulty in enforcing claims
     against foreign issuers in the event of default.


     SAM will make every effort to analyze potential investments in foreign
     issuers on the same basis as the rating services analyze domestic issuers.
     Because public information is not always comparable to that available on
     domestic issuers, this may not be possible.  Therefore, while SAM will make
     every effort to select investment in foreign securities on the same basis
     relative to quality and risk as its investments in domestic securities,
     that may not always be possible.


     Eurodollar bonds are denominated in U.S. dollars.  A Fund will purchase
     Eurodollar bonds through U.S. securities dealers and hold such bonds in the
     U.S.  The delivery of Eurodollar bonds to  a Fund's custodian in the U.S.
     may cause slight delays in settlement which are not anticipated to affect
     any Fund in any material, adverse manner.  Eurodollar bonds issued by
     foreign issuers are subject to the same risks as Yankee sector bonds.


5.   MUNICIPAL SECURITIES.  Municipal securities include obligations issued by
     or on behalf of the states, territories and possessions of the United
     States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions,
     agencies, instrumentalities or authorities, the interest on which, in the
     opinion of counsel to the issuer, is exempt from federal income tax.
     Generally, when market interest rates rise, the price of municipal
     securities will fall, and when market interest rates fall, the price of
     these securities will rise.  There is also a risk that the issuer of a
     municipal security will fail to make timely payments of principal and
     interest to the Fund.


                                      -19-

<PAGE>


6.   ILLIQUID SECURITIES.  Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be
     sold within seven days in the ordinary course of business for approximately
     the amount at which they are valued.  Due to the absence of an active
     trading market,  a Fund may experience difficulty in valuing or disposing
     of illiquid securities.  SAM determines the liquidity of the securities
     under guidelines adopted by the Taxable Bond Trust's Board of Trustees.

 
MANAGED BOND FUND

The Managed Bond Fund may make the following investments, among others, although
it may not buy all of the types of securities that are described.


1.   REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  See the description of such securities under
     "Additional Investment Information-- Taxable Bond Funds" on page 17. 



2.   WHEN-ISSUED OR DELAYED-DELIVERY SECURITIES.  See the description of such
     securities under "Additional Investment Information-- Taxable Bond Funds"
     on page 17.



3.   YANKEE DEBT SECURITIES AND EURODOLLAR BONDS.  See the description of such
     securities under "Additional Investment Information-- Taxable Bond Funds"
     on page 17.



4.   MUNICIPAL SECURITIES.  See the description of such securities under
     "Additional Investment Information-- Taxable Bond Funds" on page 17.


5.   ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES.  Asset-backed securities represent interests in,
     or are secured by and payable from, pools of assets such as consumer loans,
     automobile receivable securities, credit card receivable securities, and
     installment loan contracts.  The assets underlying the securities are
     securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations.
     These securities may be supported by credit enhancements such as letters of
     credit.  Payment of interest and principal ultimately depends upon
     borrowers paying the underlying loans.  Repossessed collateral may be
     unavailable or inadequate to support payments on defaulted asset-backed
     securities.  In addition, asset-backed securities are subject to prepayment
     risks which may reduce the overall return of the investment.

     Automobile receivable securities represent undivided fractional interests
     in a trust whose assets consist of a pool of automobile retail installment
     sales contracts and security interests in vehicles securing the contracts.
     Payments of principal and interest on the certificates issued by the
     automobile receivable trust are passed through periodically to certificate
     holders and are generally guaranteed up to specified amounts by a letter of
     credit issued by a financial institution.  Certificate holders may
     experience delays in payments or losses if the full amounts due on the
     underlying installment sales contracts are not realized by the trust
     because of factors such as unanticipated legal or administrative costs of
     enforcing the contracts, or depreciation, damage or loss of the vehicles
     securing the contracts.  


                                      -20-

<PAGE>

     Credit card receivable securities are backed by receivables from revolving
     credit card accounts.  Certificates issued by credit card receivable trusts
     generally are pass-through securities.  Competitive and general economic
     factors and an accelerated cardholder payment rate can adversely affect the
     rate at which new receivables are credited to an account, potentially
     shortening the expected weighted average life of the credit card receivable
     security and reducing its yield.  Credit card accounts are unsecured
     obligations of the cardholder.


6.   ZERO COUPON BONDS.  Zero coupon bonds do not make interest payments;
     instead they are sold at a deep discount from their face value and are
     redeemed at face value when they mature.  Because zero coupon bonds do not
     pay current income, their prices can be very volatile when interest rates
     change.  In calculating its dividends, the Managed Bond Fund takes into
     account as income a portion of the difference between a zero coupon bond's
     purchase price and its face value.


     The Federal Reserve Bank creates STRIPS (Separate Trading of Registered
     Interest and Principal of Securities) by separating the interest and
     principal components of an outstanding U.S. Treasury bond and selling them
     as individual securities.

TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS 

The Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Funds may make the following investments, among
others, although they may not buy all of the types of securities that are
described.


1.   REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  See the description of such securities under
     "Additional Investment Information-- Taxable Bond Funds" on page 17.



2.   WHEN-ISSUED OR DELAYED-DELIVERY SECURITIES.   See the description of such
     securities under "Additional Investment Information--Taxable Bond Funds" on
     page 17.



3.   ILLIQUID SECURITIES.  See the description of such securities under
     "Additional Investment Information-- Taxable Bond Funds" on page 17.


MONEY MARKET FUND 

The Money Market Fund may make the following investments, among others, although
it may not buy all of the types of securities that are described.

1.   QUALITY AND MATURITY.  Pursuant to procedures adopted by the Money Market
     Trust's Board of Trustees, the Fund may purchase only high-quality
     securities that SAM believes present minimal credit risks.  To be
     considered high quality, a security must be rated, or the issuer must have
     received a rating for a comparable short-term security, in accordance with
     applicable rules in one of the two highest categories for short-term
     securities by at least two 


                                      -21-

<PAGE>

     nationally recognized rating services (or by one, if only one rating
     service has rated the security); or, if unrated, judged to be of equivalent
     quality by SAM.

     High-quality securities are divided into "first tier" and "second tier"
     securities.  First tier securities are those deemed to be in the highest
     rating category (e.g., A-1 by S&P) and second tier securities are those
     deemed to be in the second highest rating category (e.g., A-2 by S&P).

     The Fund may not invest more than five percent (5%) of its total assets in
     second tier securities.  In addition, the Fund may not invest more than one
     percent (1%) of its total assets or $1 million (whichever is greater) in
     the second tier securities of a single issuer.

     The Fund currently intends to limit its investments to securities with
     remaining maturities of 397 days or less, and to maintain a dollar-weighted
     average maturity of 90 days or less.  When determining the maturity of a
     security, the Fund may look to an interest rate reset or demand feature.

     A security is considered to be rated if either the security itself is
     assigned a rating or the issuer is assigned a rating for comparable short-
     term debt obligations.  Alternatively, a security (whether or not rated)
     with an unconditional demand feature (as defined in Rule 2a-7 under the
     1940 Act) may be considered to be rated if the demand feature or its issuer
     has been assigned a rating.  See "Description of Ratings" on page 62 for
     further explanation of rating categories.


2.   RESTRICTED SECURITIES AND RULE 144A SECURITIES.  See the description of
     such securities under "Additional Investment Information-- Taxable Bond
     Funds" on page 17.


3.   VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS.   Certain municipal obligations may
     carry variable or floating rates of interest.  Variable rate instruments
     bear interest at rates that are readjusted at periodic intervals so as to
     cause the instruments' market value to approximate their par value.
     Floating rate instruments bear interest at rates which vary automatically
     with changes in specified market rates or indices, such as the bank prime
     rate.  The Fund's right to obtain payment at par on a demand instrument
     upon demand could be affected by events occurring between the date the Fund
     elects to redeem the instrument and the date redemption proceeds are due
     which affect the ability of the issuer to pay the instrument at par value.

4.   TERM PUT BONDS.  Term put bonds are variable rate obligations which have a
     maturity in excess of one year with the option to put back (sell back) the
     bonds on a specified put date.  On the put date, the interest rate of the
     bond is reset according to current market conditions and accrues at the
     reset rate until the next put date.  The Fund may also hold mandatory put
     bonds.  Mandatory put bonds require the holder to take certain action to
     retain the bonds.  Put bonds are generally credit-enhanced by collateral,
     guaranteed investment contracts, 


                                      -22-

<PAGE>

     surety bonds, a letter of credit or insurance which guarantees the payment
     of principal and interest.  


5.   ILLIQUID SECURITIES.  See the description of such securities under
     "Additional Investment Information-- Taxable Bond Funds" beginning on 
     page 17.



6.   FOREIGN ISSUERS.  Obligations of foreign issuers involve certain additional
     risks.  These risks may include future unfavorable political and economic
     developments, withholding taxes, seizures of foreign deposits, currency
     controls, interest limitations, or other governmental restrictions that
     might affect payment of principal or interest.  Additionally, there may be
     less public information available about foreign banks and their branches.
     Foreign issuers may be subject to less governmental regulation and
     supervision than U.S. issuers.  Foreign issuers also generally are not
     bound by uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements
     comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers.

7.   SECURITIES ISSUED BY BANKS AND OTHER ISSUERS.  Investments may be made in
     U.S. dollar-denominated time deposits, certificates of deposit, and
     bankers' acceptances of U.S. banks and their branches located outside of
     the United States, U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks and foreign
     branches of foreign banks.  The Fund may also invest in U.S. dollar-
     denominated securities issued or guaranteed by other U.S. or foreign
     issuers, including U.S. and foreign corporations or other business
     organizations, foreign governments, foreign government agencies or
     instrumentalities and U.S. and foreign financial institutions, including
     savings and loan institutions, insurance companies and mortgage bankers, as
     well as banks.

     The obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks may be general
     obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be
     limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by governmental
     regulation.  Payment of interest and principal on these obligations may
     also be affected by governmental action in the country of domicile of the
     branch (generally referred to as sovereign risk).  In addition, evidence of
     ownership of portfolio securities may be held outside of the U.S. and the
     Fund may be subject to the risks associated with the holding of such
     property overseas.  Various provisions of federal law governing the
     establishment and operation of U.S. branches do not apply to foreign
     branches of U.S. banks.

     Obligations of U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks may be general
     obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be
     limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by federal and state
     regulation, as well as by governmental action in the country in which the
     foreign bank has its head office.


                                      -23-

<PAGE>

INVESTMENT RISKS OF CONCENTRATION IN CALIFORNIA AND WASHINGTON ISSUERS

CALIFORNIA FUND

The following is a condensed and general description of the judicial,
legislative and electoral proceedings affecting the taxing ability and fiscal
condition of the State of California and its various political subdivisions
which have occurred since June 1978.  All of these proceedings affect the
continuing ability of California political subdivisions to meet their debt
service obligations. Since during normal market conditions the Fund plans to
invest at least 80% of its net assets in bonds issued by California and its
political subdivisions, the investment risk of such concentration should be
carefully considered.  The description below summarizes discussions contained in
official statements relating to various types of bonds issued by the State of
California and its political subdivisions.  A more detailed description can be
found in such official statements.  The California Fund has not independently
verified any of the information presented in this section.

The taxing powers of California public agencies are limited by Article XIII A of
the State Constitution, added by an initiative amendment approved by voters on
June 6, 1978, and commonly known as Proposition 13.  Article XIII A limits the
maximum ad valorem tax on real property to one percent of "full cash value"
which is defined as "the County Assessor's valuation of real property as shown
on the fiscal year 1975-76 tax bill under 'full cash value' or, thereafter, the
appraised value of real property when purchased, newly constructed, or a change
in ownership has occurred after the 1975 assessment."  The full cash value may
be adjusted annually to reflect inflation at a rate not to exceed two percent
per year, or reduction in the consumer price index or comparable local data, or
declining property value caused by damage, destruction, or other factors.

The tax rate limitation referred to above does not apply to ad valorem taxes to
pay the interest and redemption charges on any indebtedness approved by the
voters before July 1, 1978 or any bonded indebtedness for the acquisition or
improvement of real property approved by two-thirds of the votes cast by the
voters voting on the proposition.  Article XIII A also requires a two-thirds
vote of the electors prior to the imposition of any special taxes and totally
precludes the imposition of any new ad valorem taxes on real property or sales
or transaction taxes on the sales of real property.   The validity of Article
XIII A has been upheld by both the California Supreme Court and the United
States Supreme Court.

Legislation adopted in 1979 exempts business inventories from taxation. However,
the same legislation provides a formula for reimbursement by California to
cities and counties, special districts and school districts for the amount of
tax revenues lost by reason of such exemption or adjusted for changes in the
population and the cost of living.  Legislation adopted in 1980 provides for
state reimbursements to redevelopment agencies to replace revenues lost due to
the exemption of business inventories from taxation.  Such legislation provides
for restoration of 


                                      -24-

<PAGE>

business inventory tax revenues through the annual addition of artificial
assessed value, not actually existing in a project  area, to the tax rolls of
redevelopment projects.  These reimbursements are adjusted for changes in the
population and the cost of living.  All such reimbursements are subject to
change or repeal by the Legislature, and they have been changed since 1980.
Furthermore, current law generally prohibits the pledging of such reimbursement
revenues to secure redevelopment agency bonds.

Redevelopment agencies in California have no power to levy and collect taxes;
hence, any decrease in property taxes or limitations in the amounts by which
property taxes may increase adversely affects such agencies, which lack the
inherent power to correct for such decreases or limitations.

State and local government agencies in California and the State itself are
subject to annual "appropriation limits" imposed by Article XIII B, an
initiative constitutional amendment approved by the voters on November 6, 1979,
which prohibits government agencies and the State from spending "appropriations
subject to limitation" in excess of the appropriations limit imposed.
"Appropriations subject to limitation" are authorizations to spend "proceeds of
taxes", which consist of tax revenues, certain State subventions and certain
other funds, including proceeds from regulatory licenses, user revenues, certain
State subventions and certain other funds to the extent that such proceeds
exceed "the cost reasonably born by such entity in providing the regulation,
product, or service."  No limit is imposed on appropriation of funds which are
not "proceeds of taxes", on debt service or indebtedness existing or authorized
by January 1, 1979, or subsequently authorized by the voters, or appropriations
required to comply with mandates of courts or the federal government, or user
charges or fees that do not exceed the cost of the service provided, nor on
certain other non-tax funds.

By statute (which has been upheld by the California Court of Appeals), tax
revenues allocated to redevelopment agencies are not "proceeds of taxes" within
the meaning of Article XIII B, and the expenditure of such revenues is therefore
not subject to the limitations under Article XIII B.

The imposition of taxes by local agencies is further limited by the provisions
of an initiative statute ("Proposition 62") approved by the voters on November
4, 1986.  The statute (i) requires that any tax for general governmental
purposes imposed by local government entities be approved by resolution or
ordinance adopted by two-thirds vote of the governmental entity's legislative
body and by a majority vote of the electorate of the governmental entity, (ii)
requires that any special tax (defined as a tax levied for other than general
governmental purposes) imposed by a local governmental entity be approved by a
two-thirds vote of the voters within that jurisdiction, (iii) restricts the use
of revenues from a special tax to the purposes or for the service for which the
special tax was imposed, (iv) prohibits the imposition of AD VALOREM taxes on
real property by local governmental entities except as permitted by Article XIII
A, (v) prohibits the imposition of transaction taxes and sales taxes on the sale
of real property by local governmental entities and (vi) requires that any tax
imposed by a local governmental entity on or 


                                      -25-

<PAGE>

after May 1, 1985 be ratified by a majority vote of the electorate within two
years of the adoption of the initiative or be terminated by November 15, 1988.

Subsequent decisions of California Courts of Appeal held that all or portions of
the provisions of Proposition 62, including those requiring the submission of
general fund tax measures to the electorate, are unconstitutional.  However, on
September 28, 1995, in the case of SANTA CLARA COUNTY LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
AUTHORITY V. GUARDINO, the California Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality
of Proposition 62.  As a result, the annual revenues of any local government or 
district as shown in the general fund budget must be reduced in any year to the
extent that they rely on the proceeds of any general tax which has not been
approved by majority vote of the electorate.  Senate Bill No. 1590 has been
introduced in the California Legislature in an effort to clarify whether the
general tax voter approval requirement is applicable to any tax that was imposed
or increased by an ordinance or resolution adopted prior to December 14, 1995.
If adopted, Senate Bill No. 1590 will apply the GUARDINO decision prospectively
only.

An initiative petition called the "Right to Vote on Taxes Act" is expected to
qualify for the November 5, 1996 general election ballot.  If this measure
receives the requisite number of signatures for inclusion on the ballot and if
it is approved by majority vote of the electorate, it will add Articles XIII C
and XIII D to the State Constitution.  The measure requires that general tax
increases by all local government entities be approved by not less than a
majority vote and that taxes for special purposes be approved by a two-thirds
vote; provides that existing language in the California Constitution shall not
be construed to limit the initiative power with respect to reducing or repealing
any local tax, assessment, fee or charge; prescribes procedures applicable to
all assessments and requires that all assessments be approved by property
owners; prohibits property related fees and charges from exceeding costs of the
service being provided; imposes procedural requirements, including notice and
public hearing, prior to imposition of new or increased fees or charges on
property; and requires that, except for fees for sewer, water and refuse
collection, fees be approved by a majority vote of the fee payers.

Generally, revenues derived from most utility property assessed by the State
Board of Equalization are allocated as follows:  (i) each jurisdiction,
including redevelopment project areas, receives up to 102 percent of its prior
year State-assessed revenue; and (ii) if countrywide revenues generated from
such utility property are less than the previous year's revenue or greater than
102 percent of the previous year's revenues, each jurisdiction shares the burden
of the shortfall or benefit from the excess revenues by a specified formula.
This provision applies to all utility property except railroads whose valuation
will continue to be allocated to individual tax rate areas.  In a 1991 Superior
Court ruling, the valuation method used by the State Board to value unitary
utility property was declared illegal and a new method was imposed, resulting in
significantly lower values and therefore significantly reduced property tax
revenues.  One of the effects of the decision was to entitle the principal
utility plaintiff to a refund of $9 million.  As a result of this case, the
State Board along with certain counties signed a settlement agreement with
several affected utilities providing for an orderly 10.5% phase-down of tax
assessments over fiscal years 1992-93, 1993-94 and 1994-95.


                                      -26-

<PAGE>

Lease-based financing, typically marketed in the form of certificates of
participation, has been extremely popular in California, since the courts have
long held that properly structured long-term leases do not create "indebtedness"
for purposes of constitutional and statutory debt limitations.  The obligation
to pay rent thereunder is nevertheless enforceable, on an annual basis, so long
as the leased property is available for use and occupancy by the government
lessee.  The risk of rent abatement (because of construction delays, damage to
structures and the like) is usually mitigated by funded reserves, casualty
insurance and rental interruption insurance.

Given the turbulent history of California electoral, judicial and legal
proceedings affecting taxation since 1978, it is impossible to predict what
proceedings might occur in the future that would affect the ability of
California and its political subdivisions to service their outstanding
indebtedness.  In addition, there are both nuclear and non-nuclear electric
power authorities in California that are financed in whole or in part by so-
called "take or pay" or "hell or high water" contracts.  Court decisions outside
of the State of California have called into question the enforceability of such
contracts.

The State of California recently issued general obligation bonds in March, 1996.
The related Official Statement for that bond issue disclosed that the recent
recession has seriously affected State tax revenues, has caused increased
expenditures for health and welfare programs, and has caused a structural
imbalance in the State's budget, with the largest programs supported by the
General Fund -- K-12 schools and community colleges, health and welfare, and
corrections --growing at rates higher than the growth rates for the principal
revenue sources of the General Fund.  As a result, the State has experienced
recurring budget deficits and has had to use a series of external borrowings to
meet its cash needs.

The Governor's budget proposal for 1996-97 released January 10, 1996, projects
General Fund revenues and transfers in the 1995-96 fiscal year of $45 billion
(an increase of approximately $900 million over the projection contained in the
original 1995-96 Budget Act) and expenditures of $44.2 billion (an increase of
approximately $800 million over the amount shown in the original 1995-96 Budget
Act).  The Governor's Budget for 1996-97 estimates General Fund revenues and
transfers of about $45.6 billion, which would leave a balance of approximately
$400 million in the budget reserve, the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties,
at June 30, 1997.

As a result of the deterioration in the State's budget and cash situation in
fiscal years 1991-92 and 1992-93, rating agencies reduced the State's credit
ratings.  Between November 1991 and October 1992 the rating on the State's
general obligation bonds was reduced by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group from
"AAA" to "A+" and by Moody's Investors Service from "Aaa" to "Aa" and by Fitch
Investors Service, Inc. from "AAA" to "AA."  On July 15, 1994, based on the
State's inability to eliminate its accumulated deficit, the same three rating
agencies further lowered their ratings on the State's general obligation bonds
to "A," "A1" and "A", respectively.  More recently, however, Fitch Investors
Service, Inc. raised its rating from "A" to "A+".  It is not possible to predict
the future course of the State's credit ratings.


                                      -27-

<PAGE>

On December 6, 1994, Orange County, California, together with its pooled
investment funds, filed for protection under Chapter 9 of the federal Bankruptcy
Code, after reports that the funds had suffered significant market losses in
their investments, causing a liquidity crisis for the funds and the County. More
than 200 other public entities, most of which, but not all, are located in the
County, were also depositors in the funds.  As of mid-January, 1995, the County
estimated the funds' loss at about $1.69 billion, or 23% of their initial
deposits of approximately $7.5 billion.  Many of the entities which deposited
moneys in the funds, including the County, faced interim or extended cash flow
difficulties because of the bankruptcy filing and may be required to reduce
programs or capital projects.  Orange County has embarked on a fiscal recovery
plan based on sharp reductions in services and personnel, and rescheduling of
outstanding short-term debt using certain new revenues transferred to Orange
County from other local governments pursuant to special legislation approved by
the bankruptcy judge on May 15, 1996.  The State has no existing obligation with
respect to any outstanding obligations or securities of Orange County or any of
the other participating entities.

The Fund will attempt to achieve geographic diversification by investing in
obligations of issuers that are located in different areas within California as
well as obligations of the State of California itself.  In addition, the Fund
will not invest more than 15% of its total assets in tax allocation bonds issued
by California redevelopment agencies.  These are operating policies of the Fund
and may be changed without the approval of the Fund's shareholders. 

WASHINGTON FUND

WASHINGTON STATE

A discussion of certain economic, financial and legal matters regarding the
State of Washington follows.   During normal market conditions, the Washington
Fund will generally invest at least 80% of its net assets in bonds issued by
Washington and its political subdivisions, municipalities, agencies,
instrumentalities or public authorities.  Therefore, the investment risk of such
concentration should be carefully considered.  The information in the discussion
is drawn primarily from official statements relating to securities offerings of
the State which are dated prior to the date of this Statement of Additional
Information. This information may be relevant in evaluating the economic and
financial position of the State, but is not intended to provide all relevant
data necessary for a complete evaluation of the State's economic and financial
position. Discussions regarding the financial health of the State government may
not be relevant to municipal obligations issued by a political subdivision of
the State.  Furthermore, general economic conditions discussed may or may not
affect issuers of the obligations of the State. The Washington Fund has not
independently verified any of the information presented in this section.

GENERAL INFORMATION

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 1990 Census,  Washington State's
population is ranked 18th of the 50 states. During the ten-year time period from
1980-1990, the State's population 


                                      -28-

<PAGE>

increased at an average annual rate of 1.8%, while the U.S. population grew at
an average annual rate of 1.1%.  The State's population increased at an average
annual rate of approximately 2.5% 1990 to 1993, and at an average annual rate of
approximately 1.8% from 1993 to 1995. 

The State's largest city, Seattle, is part of an international trade,
manufacturing, high technology and business service corridor which extends along
Puget Sound from Everett to Tacoma.  The State's Pacific Coast-Puget Sound
region includes 75% of its population, the major portion of its industrial
activity and the major part of the forests important to its timber and paper
industries.  The remainder of the State has  agricultural areas primarily
devoted to grain, fruit orchard and dairy operations.

The State's economy has recently diversified with employment in the trade and
service sectors representing an increasing portion of total employment relative
to the manufacturing sector. The rate of economic growth as measured by
employment in the State was 2.0% in 1992, 1.3% in 1993, 2.3% in 1994 and 2.1% in
1995. 

The State operates on a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year and on a biennial budget
basis.  Fiscal controls are exercised during the biennium through an allotment
process which requires each agency to submit a monthly expenditure plan.  The
plan must be approved by the Office of Financial Management, which is the
Governor's budget agency. It provides the authority for agencies to spend funds
within statutory maximums specified in a legislatively adopted budget.  State
law requires a balanced biennial budget.  Whenever it appears that disbursements
will exceed the aggregate of estimated receipts plus beginning cash surplus, the
Governor is required to reduce allotments, thereby reducing expenditures of
appropriated funds.

As interpreted by the State Supreme Court, Washington's Constitution prohibits
the imposition of net income taxes.  

The State's tax revenues are primarily comprised of excise and ad valorem taxes.
By constitutional provision, the aggregate of all regular (unvoted) tax levies
on real and personal property by state and local taxing districts cannot exceed
1% of the true and fair value of the property. Excess levies are subject to
voter approval. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, approximately 78.5% of
the State's tax revenues came from general and selective sales and gross
receipts taxes, of which the retail sales tax and its companion use tax
represented 46% of total collections.  Business and occupation tax collections
represented about 16.6% and the motor vehicle fuel tax represented approximately
7.0% of total State taxes for the year. Ad valorem taxes represented 10.8% of
State revenues for the fiscal year 1995.

Expenditures of State revenues are made in accordance with constitutional and
statutory mandates.


                                      -29-

<PAGE>

STATE EXPENDITURE LIMITATIONS

Initiative 601, which passed by the voters in November 1993, limits increases in
General Fund-State government expenditures to the average rate of population and
inflation growth, and sets forth a series of guidelines for limiting tax and
expenditure increases and stabilizing long range budget planning.
   
Provisions of Initiative 601 establish a procedure for computing a fiscal year
growth factor based on a lagged, three-year average of population and inflation
growth.  This growth factor is used to determine a State spending limit for
programs and expenditures supported by the State General Fund.  The growth
factor was 5.13% for fiscal year 1996 and is 4.47% for fiscal year 1997.  The
initiative created two new reserve funds (the Emergency Reserve Fund and the
Education Construction Fund) for depositing revenues in excess of the spending
limit and abolished the current Budget Stabilization Account.  Ending balances
in the Budget Stabilization Account were transferred to the State General Fund
($100 million) and the Pension Reserve Account ($25 million).  The initiative
also places restrictions on the addition or transfer of functions to local
government unless there is reimbursement by the State.
    
The Initiative's requirement for voter approval for new tax measures has
expired.  Effective July 1, 1995, taxes can be enacted with a two-thirds
majority of both houses of the State Legislature if resulting General Fund-State
expenditures do not exceed the spending limit.  Voter approval is still required
to exceed the spending limit.  Thus far, the Initiative has not had a
restrictive impact on the State's budget.  However, the State expects its
expenditures to be constrained by the Initiative beginning in the 1997-99
Biennium.

The State Constitution and enabling statutes authorize the incurrence of State
general obligation debt to the payment of which the State's full faith and
credit and taxing power are pledged. With certain exceptions, the amount of
State general obligation debt which may be incurred is limited by constitutional
and statutory restrictions.  These limitations are imposed by prohibiting the
issuance of new debt if the new debt would cause the maximum annual debt service
on all thereafter outstanding general obligation debt to exceed a specified
percentage of the arithmetic mean of general State revenues for the preceding
three years.  These limitations apply to the incurrence of new debt and are not
limitations on the amount of debt service which may be paid by the State in
future years.
   
The State Legislature is obligated to appropriate money for State debt service 
requirements.  Generally, on or before June 30 of each year, the State Finance
Committee certifies to the State Treasurer the amount required for payment of
bond interest and principal for the coming year.  Some general obligation bond
statutes provide that the General Fund will be reimbursed from discrete revenues
which are not considered general State revenues. Other bonds are limited
obligation bonds not payable from the General Fund. For the 1995-97 Biennium,
General Fund-State revenues are projected to be $17.647 billion, an increase of
7.1% over the 1993-95 Biennium, plus a carry-forward of $559 million.  The
revenue outlook for the 1995-97 
    

                                      -30-

<PAGE>
   
Biennium is stable and the General Fund is projected to end the Biennium with a
$624 million fund balance.

The operating budget for the 1995-97 Biennium calls for an overall 
expenditure level of $17.613 billion for the General Fund-State, an increase 
of $1.3 billion or 8.0% over the 1993-95 Biennium and within the $17.9 
billion expenditure limit imposed under  Initiative 601.

Fifty-eight percent of the General Fund-State budget will go to support 
public schools and higher education, representing a $602 million increase in 
public school funding and an increase of $22 million in funding for public 
universities and colleges.

Social and Health Services funding accounts for approximately 26% of the 
State budget, respresenting increased State expenditures of $574 million, and 
the criminal justice budget also increased.  A 4% across-the-board salary 
increase for State employees is expected to be offset by initiation of 
efficiency measures and privatization proposals in the areas of general 
government, natural resources and transportation.

The 1996 Supplemental Budget passed the State Legislature on March 7, 1996 
and then Governor Lowry signed the budget bill on March 30, 1996.  The 
overall General Fund-State supplemental budget resulted in a net increase of 
only $14 million after the Governor's vetos.  New policy initiatives totaling 
$125 million were set forth to strengthen children protective services, 
provide early intervention to at-risk youth, upgrade security and safety 
conditions in the juvenile justice system, continue edcation reform, and 
expand access to higher education through improved technology.  The 1996 
Legislature also appropriated $41 million to address emergent and previously 
unfunded needs.  Nine million in State funds was appropriated to address 
federal cutbacks in emergency food assistance programs, job training youth 
employment programs, and planned closures in federally-supported fish 
hatcheries on the Columbia River.  These appropriated increases were offset 
by a General Fund-State reduction of $174 million to reflect downward 
adjustments in public school enrollments and social and health services 
forecasted caseloads.  Approximately $23 million in State Funds and $95 
million in federal relief funds was set aside in a general account to address 
the devasting damages that resulted from two severe floods.

During the 1996 legislative session, the State Legislature overturned a veto 
by then Governor Lowry that will result in a reduction in the business and 
occupation tax, and passed a series of new legislation to give sales tax 
exemptions for machinery and equipment used by manufacturers for research and 
development and other specialized uses.  The total of these tax and revenue 
reduction measures would decrease General Fund-State revenues by $208 million.
    
For most municipalities in the State, the fiscal year is the calendar year
except that school districts have a September 1 - August 31 fiscal year.  All
municipalities must maintain balanced budgets.  Depending on the type of
municipality, local revenues are derived from ad valorem taxes, excise and gross
receipts taxes, special assessments, fees, user charges and State and federal
grants.

Municipalities incur debt by the issuance of general obligations or other
borrowings which are payable from taxes, though other revenue sources may be
used.  Revenue obligations do not constitute debt under constitutional and
statutory limitations as long as taxes are not pledged or used to pay debt
service.  Only non-tax revenue from the operation of a project or enterprise
financed by the revenue obligations (and sometimes special assessments on
property benefitted from the financed improvements) may be used to pay that debt
service.  Usually, revenue bonds are secured by a reserve funded in an amount
based on a factor of debt service.  Many municipalities may issue improvement
district obligations payable only from special assessments on benefitted
property, but some of those obligations also may be secured by a special
guaranty fund.


                                      -31-

<PAGE>

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW
   
Over the past few years, the State's economic performance has remained
relatively strong compared to the U.S. as a whole.  After adjusting for
inflation, growth in personal income in the State increased 3.7% in 1995 over
the 1994 level and an estimated 4.2% in 1996 over the 1995 level.

The State's economic base includes manufacturing and service industries as well
as agricultural and timber production.  During 1990-1995, the State experienced
growth in non-manufacturing industries and a decline in manufacturing
industries.  The rate of employment growth, which exceeded 4.5% during the mid-
to-late 1980's, has declined since 1991 to an average rate of 1.4%.  The 1996
employment growth rate is expected to be 2.5%. 
    
Washington's economy consists of both export and local industries. Leading
export industries are aerospace, forest products, agriculture and food
processing. The aerospace, timber and food processing industries together employ
approximately 9% of the State's non-farm workers. However, the non-manufacturing
sector has played an increasingly significant role in contributing to the
State's economy in recent years.

Below is a summary of key industry segments of the State's economy as well as of
selected economic and employment data.
   
MANUFACTURING. The Boeing Company ("Boeing"), which is the Seattle 
Metropolitan Area's largest employer, has several facilities located 
throughout the area. Boeing is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial 
airliners and as of November 1996 employed approximately 85,214 people 
State-wide, primarily at several locations in the area.  While the primary 
activity of Boeing is the manufacture of commercial aircraft, Boeing has 
played leading roles in the aerospace and military missile programs of the 
U.S. and has undertaken a broad program of diversification activities 
including Boeing Information and Support Services.  In 1995, Boeing had $19.5 
billion in sales and net earnings of $393 million, and a backlog of orders 
totaling $72.3 billion.  Boeing currently anticipates 1996 sales to be in the 
$22 billion range.

Boeing recently completed two major expansion projects and is currently 
undertaking another.  The company recently acquired a 212-acre site in Renton 
(King County), which is the site of the former Longacres Race Track.  The 
site will be used as a location for the development of an office complex, the 
first building of which is an approximately 500,000 square-foot customer 
service training center that was recently completed.  In Everett (Snohomish 
County), Boeing completed construction of a 5.6 million square-foot assembly 
plant for the new 777 jetliner.  In 1993, Boeing completed a $400 million 
skin and spar plant and a composite manufacturing center on 500 acres in 
Puyallup (Pierce County).
    

                                      -32-

<PAGE>
   
A total of 206 commercial jet transports were delivered in 1995, compared 
with 270 for 1994.  Defense and space sales of $5.6 billion were 
approximately 10% higher than in 1994.  The 10-week strike by the 
International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers (IAM) resulted 
in the delay of approximately 30 commercial jet transport deliveries during 
the fourth quarter of 1995.  During the first quarter of 1996, deliveries for 
all models were hampered by the strike.  A total of 40 commercial jet 
transports were delivered, compared with 59 in the first quarter of 1995.  In 
the second quarter of 1996, deliveries of commercial aircraft, including sales 
of certain aircraft previously on operating lease, totaled 62.
    
TECHNOLOGY-RELATED INDUSTRIES. The State ranks fourth among all states in the
percentage of its work force employed by technology-related industries.  It
ranks third among the largest software development centers.  The State is the
home of approximately 1000 advanced technology firms of which approximately 50%
are computer-related.  Microsoft, headquartered in Redmond, Washington, is the
largest microcomputer software company in the world.  In addition, several
biotechnical firms located in the State have attained international acclaim for
their research and development.     
   
TIMBER. Natural forests cover more than 40% of the State's land area and 
forest products rank second behind aerospace in terms of total production.  
The primary employer in the timber industry is The Weyerhaeuser Company.  
Productivity in the State's forest products industry increased steadily from 
1980 to 1990. However,  since 1991, recessionary influences have resulted in 
a production decline.  A slight decline is anticipated for the next few 
years, due to federally-imposed limitations on the harvest of old-growth 
timber and the inability to maintain the previous record levels of production 
increases. Although a continued decline in employment is anticipated in 
certain regions, the impact is not expected to affect materially the State's 
overall economic performance.  
    
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING. Agriculture and food processing is the State's
most important industry by most measures.  Growth in agricultural products was
an integral factor in the State's economic growth in the late 1980s and early
1990s.  
   
FINANCE, INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE. Employment in finance, insurance and real
estate is estimated to represent 5.2% of the State's wage and salary employment
in 1995. Projections for 1996 show this segment declined slightly to 5.1% of 
employment.

TRADE. International trade plays an important role in the State's employment 
base and one in six jobs is related to this sector.  During the past twenty 
years the State has consistently ranked number one or number two in 
international exports per capita. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the 
focus of the region's air traffic and trade. The State, particularly the 
Puget Sound Corridor, is a trade center for the Northwest and the State of 
Alaska.  A system of public ports, the largest of which are the Ports of 
Seattle and Tacoma, handle waterborne trade primarily to and from the Far 
East.  These two Ports each rank among the top 20 ports in the world based on 
volume of containerized cargo shipped; on a combined basis they are the 
second largest load center for containerized cargo in the United States.  
Approximately 70% of the cargo entering the Ports of Seattle and
    

                                      -33-

<PAGE>

Tacoma has an ultimate destination outside the Pacific Northwest.  Therefore,
trade levels depend largely on national and world, rather than local, economic
conditions. 

Growth in retail sales in the State between 1990 and 1992 was higher than that
in the United States.  During 1993 through 1995, the rate of growth for retail
sales was lower for the State than for the United States.  The State is home to
a number of specialty retail companies that have reached national stature,
including Nordstrom, Eddie Bauer, Costco and Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI).
   
SERVICES/TOURISM. The highest employment growth in the State since 1981 has 
taken place in the services sector, although rate of growth has shown small 
but relatively consistent decline since 1990 from 7% to 4.3% forecast for 
1995 and 3.4% forecast for 1996. Seattle is the location for the Washington 
State Convention and Trade Center which opened in June 1988.  The State also 
has many tourist attractions such as the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, 
ocean beaches and local wineries.

CONSTRUCTION.  Employment in the construction sector in the Puget Sound area 
increased 69.2% between 1981 and 1991.  The increase in employment in the 
late 1980s was due in part to the relative affordability of housing compared 
to other areas of the country.  Construction employment growth flattened 
between 1991 and 1993, but showed a modest increase in 1994 and leveled again 
in 1995.  Commercial building, while not increasing at the pace of the 1980s, 
remains stable.
    
FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.  Employment in the government sector
represents approximately 19% of all wage and salary employment in the State on a
combined basis.  Seattle is the regional headquarters for a number of federal
government agencies and the State receives an above-average share of defense
expenditures.  Employment in the government sector has expanded in the State
since 1990, but at a declining rate.  State and local government employment has
increased at a faster pace than employment by the federal government, and is
projected to add new jobs through 1996.

LITIGATION

At any given time, including the present, there are numerous lawsuits pending
against the State of Washington which could affect the State's revenues and
expenditures.  However, none of the lawsuits are expected to have a material
adverse impact on either State revenues or expenditures. 


                                      -34-

<PAGE>

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS OF CERTAIN FUNDS

INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND

   
At April 2, 1997, SAFECO Insurance Company of America ("SAFECO Insurance") 
owned 500,000 shares of the Intermediate Treasury Fund which represented 33% 
of the outstanding shares of the Fund.  SAFECO Insurance is a Washington 
Corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAFECO Corporation, each of 
which has its principal place of business at SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, 
Washington  98185. At April 2, 1997, SAFECO Corporation owned 500,000 shares 
of the High-Yield Bond Fund, which represented 9% of the outstanding shares 
of the Fund. SAFECO Corporation is a Washington corporation and a holding 
company whose primary subsidiaries are engaged in the insurance and related 
financial service businesses. At April 2, 1997, Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., 
101 Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA 94104, owned 891,057 shares of the 
High-Yield Bond Fund, which represented 16% of the Fund's outstanding shares.
    
MANAGED BOND FUND
   
At April 2, 1997, Principal Shareholders of the Managed Bond Fund were as 
follows.  Crista Ministries, PO Box 330303, Seattle, WA  98133, owned 94,132 
shares, which represented 17% of the Fund's outstanding shares.  Massman 
Construction Co. Profit Sharing and Pension Plan, 8901 Stateline, Kansas 
City, MO 64114, owned 240,303 shares, which represented 45% of the Fund's 
outstanding shares.  Crown Packaging Corp. Profit Sharing Retirement Trust, 
8514 Eager Road, St. Louis, MO  63144, owned 160,640 shares, which 
represented 30% of the Fund's outstanding shares.  
    
WASHINGTON FUND
   
At April 2, 1997, SAFECO Insurance owned 500,000 shares, which represents 73% 
of the outstanding shares of the Washington Fund.  SAFECO is a wholly-owned 
subsidiary of SAFECO Corporation, a Washington corporation, having its 
principal place of business at SAFECO Plaza, Seattle Washington  98185.
    
Principal shareholders of a Fund may control the outcome of a shareholder vote.

ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION

GENERAL

Each Fund intends to continue to qualify as a "regulated investment company"
under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ("Code").  In order to
qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company under the Code, a Fund
must distribute to its shareholders for each taxable year at least 90% of its
investment company taxable income (consisting generally of taxable net
investment income and net short-term capital gain).  Each Fund intends to make
sufficient distributions to shareholders to relieve it from liability for
federal excise and income taxes.
   
Each Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent it 
fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year substantially all of its 
ordinary income for that year and capital gain net income for the one-year 
period ending on December 31 (by election) of that year, plus certain other 
amounts.
    

                                      -35-

<PAGE>

Each Fund is treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes.

The excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss
realized by a Fund on portfolio transactions, when distributed by the Fund, is
subject to long-term capital gains treatment under the Code, regardless of how
long you have held the shares of the Fund.  Distributions of net short-term
capital gains realized from portfolio transactions are treated as ordinary
income for federal income tax purposes.  The tax consequences described above
apply whether distributions are taken in cash or in additional shares.
Redemptions and exchanges of shares of a Fund may result in a capital gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes.

If shares of a Fund are sold at a loss after being held for one year or less,
the loss will be treated as long-term, instead of short-term, capital loss to
the extent of any capital gain distributions received on those shares. Investors
also should be aware that if shares are purchased shortly before the record date
for any distribution, the shareholder will pay full price for the shares and
receive some portion of the purchase price back as a taxable dividend or capital
gain distribution.

Each Fund is required to withhold 31% of all taxable dividends, capital gain
distributions and redemption proceeds payable to individuals and certain other
noncorporate shareholders who do not furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer
identification number.  Withholding at that rate also is required from dividends
and those distributions for shareholders who otherwise are subject to backup
withholding.

These are tax requirements that all mutual funds must follow in order to avoid
federal taxation.  The Funds may have to limit investment activity in some types
of securities in order to adhere to these requirements.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

The tax-exempt interest portion of each daily dividend will be based upon the
ratio of a Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Fund's tax-exempt to taxable income for the
entire fiscal year (average annual method).  As a result, the percentage of tax-
exempt income for any particular distribution may be substantially different
from the percentage of a Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Fund's income that was tax-
exempt during the period covered by that distribution.  Each Tax-Exempt Fixed
Income Fund will advise its shareholders of this ratio within 60 days after the
close of its fiscal year.

Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued by a shareholder to purchase or
carry shares of a Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Fund is not deductible.  In addition,
entities or persons who are "substantial users" (or related persons) of
facilities financed by most "private activity" bonds should consult their tax
advisers before purchasing shares of any of the Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Funds.
"Substantial user" is generally defined to include a "non-exempt person" who
regularly uses in a trade or business a part of a facility financed from the
proceeds of most "private activity" bonds.


                                      -36-

<PAGE>

Each Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Fund may invest in municipal bonds that are
purchased, generally not on their original issue, with market discount (that is,
at a price less than the principal amount of the bond or, in the case of a bond
that was issued with original issue discount, at a price less than the amount of
the issue price plus accrued original issue discount) ("municipal market
discount bonds").  Gain on the disposition of a municipal market discount bond
(other than a bond with a fixed maturity date within one year from its
issuance), generally is treated as ordinary (taxable) income, rather than
capital gain, to the extent of the bond's accrued market discount at the time of
disposition.  Market discount on such a bond generally is accrued ratably, on a
daily basis, over the period from the acquisition date to the date of maturity. 
In lieu of treating the disposition gain as above, a Tax-Exempt Fixed Income
Fund may elect to include market discount in its gross income currently, for
each taxable year to which it is attributable.
   
    
No portion of the dividends or other distributions paid by any Tax-Exempt Fixed
Income Fund is eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to
corporations.

In the future, proposals may be introduced before Congress for the purpose of
further restricting or even eliminating the federal income tax exemption for
interest on all or certain types of municipal obligations.  If such a proposal
were enacted, the availability of municipal obligations for investment by each
Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Fund and the value of each Tax-Exempt Fixed Income
Fund's portfolio would be affected.  In such event, each Tax-Exempt Fixed Income
Fund would review its investment objectives and policies.
   
CALIFORNIA STATE AND LOCAL TAX MATTERS

Individual shareholders of each Fund who are subject to California personal 
income taxation will not be required to include in their California gross 
income that portion of their federally tax-exempt dividends which the Fund 
clearly and accurately identifies as directly attributable to interest earned 
on obligations, the interest on which is exempt from California personal 
income tax, provided that at least 50 percent of the value of the Fund's 
total assets consists of obligations the interest on which is exempt from 
California personal income taxation.  Distributions to individual 
shareholders derived from interest on municipal obligations issued by 
governmental authorities in states other than California, short-term capital 
gains and other taxable income will be taxed as dividends for purposes of 
California personal income taxation.  Each Fund's long-term capital gains for 
federal income tax purposes will be taxed as long-term capital gains to 
individual shareholders of the Fund for purposes of California personal income 
taxation.  Gain or loss, if any, resulting from an exchange or redemption of
shares will be recognized in the year of the exchange or redemption.  
Present California law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gains at 
the rates applicable to ordinary income.  Interest on indebtedness incurred 
or continued by a shareholder in connection with the purchase of shares of a 
Fund will not be deductible for California personal income tax purposes.  
California has an alternative minimum tax similar to the federal alternative 
minimum tax.  However, the California alternative minimum tax does not 
include interest from private activity bonds as an item of tax preference.

Generally corporate shareholders of the Fund subject to the California 
franchise tax will be required to include any gain on an exchange or 
redemption of shares and all distributions of exempt-interest, capital gains 
and other taxable income, if any, as income subject to such tax.

A Fund will not be subject to California franchise or corporate income tax on 
interest income or net capital gain distributed to the shareholders.

Shares of a Fund will be exempt from local property taxes in California.

The foregoing is a general, abbreviated summary of certain of the provisions 
of the California Revenue and Taxation Code presently in effect as it 
directly governs the taxation of shareholders of a Fund.  These provisions 
are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, and any such 
change may be retroactive with respect to Fund transactions.  Shareholders 
are advised to consult with their tax advisers for more detailed information 
concerning California tax matters.
    
CONVERSION OF ADVISOR CLASS B SHARES

Advisor Class B shares of a Fund will automatically convert to Advisor Class A
shares of that Fund, based on the relative net asset values per share ("NAVs")
of the Classes, within the first month following the investor's sixth
anniversary from purchase of such Advisor Class B shares. For the purpose of
calculating the holding period required for conversion of Advisor Class B shares
of each Fund except the Money Market Fund, the date of purchase shall mean (1)
the date on which such Advisor Class B shares were purchased, or (2) for Advisor
Class B shares obtained through an exchange, or a series of exchanges, the date
on which the original Advisor Class B shares were purchased. For the purpose of
calculating the holding period required for conversion of Advisor Class B shares
of the Money Market Fund, the date of purchase shall mean the date on which
those shares were first exchanged for Advisor Class B shares of any other SAFECO
Fund.  Holders of Class B shares of the SAFECO Advisor Series Trust ("Advisor
Series Shares") who have converted those shares to Advisor Class B shares may
calculate the holding period from the date of the purchase of the Advisor Series
Shares.


                                      -37-

<PAGE>


For purposes of conversion to Advisor Class A shares, Advisor Class B shares
purchased through the reinvestment of dividends and other distributions paid in
respect of Advisor Class B shares will be held in a separate sub-account; each
time any Advisor Class B shares in the shareholder's regular account (other than
those in the sub-account) convert to Advisor Class A shares, a pro rata portion
of the Advisor Class B shares in the sub-account will also convert to Advisor
Class A shares.  The portion will be determined by the ratio that the
shareholder's Advisor Class B shares converting to Advisor Class A shares bears
to the shareholder's total Advisor Class B shares not acquired through dividends
and other distributions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

Each Fund determines its NAV by subtracting its liabilities (including accrued
expenses and dividends payable) from its total assets (the market value of the
securities the Fund holds plus cash and other assets, including interest accrued
but not yet received) and dividing the result by the total number of shares
outstanding.  The NAVs of the Advisor Classes of each Fund are calculated as of
the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("Exchange") every
day the Exchange is open for trading.  The Exchange is closed on the following
days:  New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.  NAV is determined
separately for each class of shares of each Fund.
   
Short-term debt securities held in a Fund's portfolio having a remaining
maturity of less than 60 days when purchased and securities originally purchased
with maturities in excess of 60 days, but which currently have maturities of 60
days or less, may be valued at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums or
accrual of discounts if in the judgment of each Board of Trustees such methods
of valuation are appropriate or under such other methods as a Board of Trustees 
may from time to time deem to be appropriate.  The cost of those securities that
had original maturities in excess of 60 days shall be determined by their fair
market value up until the 61st day prior to maturity.  All other securities and
assets in the portfolio will be appraised in accordance with those procedures
established by each Board of Trustees in good faith in computing the fair market
value of those assets.
    
The portfolio instruments of the Money Market Fund are valued on the basis of
amortized cost.  The valuation of the Money Market Fund's portfolio securities
based upon amortized cost, and the maintenance of the Money Market Fund's NAV at
$1.00, are permitted pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.  Pursuant to that
rule, the Money Market Fund maintains a dollar-weighted average portfolio
maturity of 90 days or less, purchases only securities having remaining
maturities of 397 days or less, and invests only in securities determined by
SAM, under guidelines adopted by the Money Market Trust's Board of Trustees, to
be of high quality and to present minimal credit risks.  The Board of Trustees
has established procedures designed to stabilize, to the extent reasonably
possible, the Money Market Fund's price-per-share as computed for the purpose of
sales and redemptions at $1.00.  These procedures include a review 


                                      -38-

<PAGE>

of the Money Market Fund's portfolio holdings by the Board of Trustees, at such
intervals as the Board deems appropriate, to determine whether the Fund's NAV,
calculated by using available market quotations, deviates from $1.00 per share
and, if so, whether such deviation may result in material dilution or is
otherwise unfair to existing shareholders of the Money Market Fund.  In the
event the Board determines that such a deviation exists in the Fund, the
Trustees will take such corrective action with respect to the Money Market Fund
as they regard as necessary and appropriate, including, but not limited to:
selling portfolio investments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or
losses or to shorten average portfolio maturity, withholding dividends or
redeeming shares in kind, establishing the NAV by using available market
quotations.

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION


Effective September 30, 1996, all of the then-existing shares of each Fund were
redesignated No-Load Class shares and each Fund, except the High-Yield Bond
Fund, commenced offering Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B shares.  Advisor
Class A and Advisor Class B shares of the High-Yield Bond Fund were first
offered on or about January 31, 1997.
   
The yield and total return calculations set forth below are for the dates
indicated and are not a prediction of future results.  

YIELDS FOR THE INTERMEDIATE TREASURY, MANAGED BOND, AND TAX-EXEMPT FIXED 
INCOME FUNDS

The yields for the Advisor Classes of the Intermediate Treasury Fund for the 
30-day period ended December 31, 1996 were as follows:  

                                       Advisor Class A     Advisor Class B
                                       ---------------     ---------------

     Intermediate Treasury Fund             4.67%               4.28%

The yields for the Advisor Classes of the Managed Bond Fund for the 30-day
period ended December 31, 1996 were as follows:  

                                       Advisor Class A     Advisor Class B
                                       ---------------     ---------------

     Managed Bond Fund                      4.91%               4.40%

YIELDS FOR THE HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND

The performance information that follows has been derived from performance 
information for the High-Yield Bond Fund's No-Load Class shares, restated to 
reflect the sales charges and Rule 12b-1 fees of the Advisors Classes.  The 
yields for the Advisor Classes of the High-Yield Bond Fund for the 30-day 
period ended December 31, 1996 would have been as follows:

                                       Advisor Class A     Advisor Class B
                                       ---------------     ---------------

     High-Yield Bond Fund                   8.12%               7.86%
    

                                            -39-

<PAGE>

   
The yields and tax-equivalent yields for the 30-day period ended December 31, 
1996 at the maximum federal tax rate of 39.6% for the Advisor Classes of the 
Municipal, California, and Washington Funds and at the maximum combined 
federal and California tax rates of 45.2% for the Advisor Classes of the 
California Fund, were as follows:  

                                   Advisor Class A           Advisor Class B
                                   ---------------           ---------------

                                        Tax-equivalent            Tax-equivalent
                                Yield       Yield         Yield       Yield
                                -----   --------------    -----   --------------
     Municipal Fund             4.42%       7.32%         4.06%       6.72%

     California Fund            4.56%       8.32%         4.03%       7.35%

     Washington Fund            4.17%       6.90%         3.58%       5.93%
    
Yield is computed using the following formula:

   
                    a-b    6
     Yield   = 2[( ---- +1)  -1]
                    cd
    

     Where:  a =    dividends and interest earned during the period

             b =    expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements)

             c =    the average daily number of shares outstanding during the
                    period that were entitled to receive dividends

             d =    the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the
                    period


                                      -40-

<PAGE>

Tax-equivalent yield is computed using the following formula:

                                     eg
        Tax-equivalent yield   =   [-----]   + [e(1-g)]
                                    (1-f)

     Where:  e =    yield as calculated above

             f =    tax rate

             g =    percentage of "yield" which is tax-free

YIELD FOR THE MONEY MARKET FUND
   
The yields and effective yields for the Advisor Classes of the Money Market Fund
for the 7-day period ended December 31, 1996 were as follows:

                                   Advisor Class A           Advisor Class B
                                   ---------------           ---------------

                               Yield   Effective Yield   Yield   Effective Yield
                               -----   ---------------   -----   ---------------
     Money Market Fund          4.93%       5.05%         4.94%       5.06%
    

Yield is computed using the following formula:

            (x-y) - z                                 365
     Yield =[--------]   =    Base Period Return  x  -----
              y                                        7

     Where:  x  =   value of one share at the end of a 7-day period

             y  =   value of one share at the beginning of a 7-day period
                    ($1.00)

             z  =   capital changes during the 7-day period, if any 

Effective yield is computed using the following formula:

     Effective yield   =   [(Base Period Return + 1)   365/7] -1


                                      -41-

<PAGE>

During periods of declining interest rates, the Money Market Fund's yield based
on amortized cost may be higher than the yield based on market valuations. Under
these circumstances, a shareholder in the Money Market Fund would be able to
obtain a somewhat higher yield than would result if the Money Market Fund
utilized market valuations to determine its NAV.  The converse would apply in a
period of rising interest rates.

   
TOTAL RETURN AND AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN FOR THE INTERMEDIATE TREASURY,
MANAGED BOND, AND TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

The performance information that follows reflects (1) the actual performance 
of the Advisor Classes for the period September 30, 1996 to December 31, 
1996; and (2) the performance of the No-Load Class of each Fund, restated to 
reflect the sales charges but not the Rule 12b-1 fees of the Advisor Classes 
for the period prior to September 30, 1996.  Performance information for the 
period prior to September 30, 1996 would have been lower if Rule 12b-1 fees 
were reflected.

The total returns for the Advisor Classes of the Intermediate Treasury Fund 
for the one-year, five-year, and since initial public offering periods ended 
December 31, 1996 would have been as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Since Initial         # of      Date of Initial
                          1 Year                 5 Years            Public Offering       Months     Public Offering
                          ------                 -------            ----------------      ------     ----------------------
                   Advisor     Advisor     Advisor     Advisor     Advisor     Advisor
                   Class A     Class B     Class A     Class B     Class A     Class B
                   -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
<S>                <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
Intermediate       
Treasury Fund      (4.19%)     (4.75%)      27.35%      31.26%      72.04%     81.02%      99       September 7, 1988

</TABLE>

The total returns for the Advisor Classes of the Managed Bond Fund for the 
one-year and since initial public offering periods ended December 31, 1996 would
have been as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Since Initial      # of    Date of Initial
                     1 Year         Public Offering    Months   Public Offering
                     ------         ---------------    ------   ---------------

               Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor
               Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B
               -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>            <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>
Managed Bond
Fund           (4.43%)   (5.11%)   (8.77%)   (10.69%)     34    February 28, 1994
</TABLE>
    


                                      -42-

<PAGE>

   
The total returns for the Advisor Classes of the Municipal and California Funds
for the one-year, five-year and ten-year periods ended December 31, 1996 would
have been as follows:

                          1 Year             5 Years             10 Years
                          ------             -------             --------

                    Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor
                    Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B
                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------

Municipal Fund      (1.47%)   (2.07%)   34.55%    38.56%    105.03%   114.18%

California Fund     (2.05%)   (2.71%)   37.18%    41.26%    100.47%   109.36%

The total returns for the Advisor Classes of the Washington Fund for the 
one-year and since initial public offering periods ended December 31, 1996 
would have been as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Since Initial           # of         Date of Initial
                              1 Year                     Public Offering         Months        Public Offering
                              ------                 ------------------------    ------     ----------------------
                    Advisor          Advisor         Advisor          Advisor                                
                    Class A          Class B         Class A          Class B    
                    -------          -------         -------          -------                                
<S>                 <C>              <C>             <C>              <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                                                             
Washington Fund     (1.67%)          (2.04%)          17.37%           19.84%     45            March 18, 1993

</TABLE>

The average annual total returns for the Advisor Classes of the Intermediate 
Treasury Fund for the one-year, five-year and since initial public offering 
periods ended December 31, 1996 would have been as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Since Initial      # of     Date of Initial
                       1 Year              5 Years        Public Offering    Months    Public Offering
                       ------              -------        ---------------    ------    ----------------------
                 Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor
                 Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B
                 -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>              <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Intermediate 
Treasury Fund    (4.19%)   (4.75%)     4.95%     5.59%     6.80%     7.39%     99      September 7, 1988

</TABLE>
    


                                      -43-

<PAGE>
   
The average annual total returns for the Advisor Classes of the Managed Bond 
Fund for the one-year and since initial public offering periods ended 
December 31, 1996 would have been as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Since Initial       # of    Date of Initial
                    1 Year          Public Offering     Months   Public Offering
                    ------          ---------------     ------   ---------------------
                Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor  
                Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B  
                -------   -------   -------   -------  
<S>             <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>n      <C>      <C>
                                                       
Managed Bond                                           
Fund            (4.43%)   (5.11%)     3.01%     3.65%       34    February 28, 1994

</TABLE>

The average annual total returns for the Advisor Classes of the Municipal and
California Funds for the one-year, five-year and ten-year periods ended
December 31, 1996 would have been as follows:

                          1 Year             5 Years             10 Years
                          ------             -------             --------

                    Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor
                    Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B
                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Municipal Fund       (1.47%)  (2.07%)     6.12%     6.74%     7.44%     7.91%
California Fund      (2.05%)  (2.71%)     6.53%     7.15%     7.20%     7.67%
    

                                      -44-
<PAGE>
   
The average annual total returns for the Advisor Classes of the Washington 
Fund for the one-year and since initial public offering periods ended 
December 31, 1996 would have been as follows:  

                                     Since Initial      # of    Date of Initial
                     1 Year         Public Offering    Months   Public Offering
                     ------         ---------------    ------   ---------------

               Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor
               Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B
               -------   -------   -------   -------

Washington 
Fund            (1.67%)  (2.04%)     4.36%     4.95%       45   March 18, 1993


TOTAL RETURN AND AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN FOR THE HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND

The performance information that follows has been derived from performance 
information for the High-Yield Bond Fund's No-Load Class shares; restated to 
reflect the sales charges but not the Rule 12b-1 fees of the Advisor Classes.
Performance information would have been lower if Rule 12b-1 fees were reflected.

The total returns for the Advisor Classes of the High-Yield Bond Fund for the 
one-year, five-year and since initial public offering periods ended December 
31, 1996 would have been as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Since Initial      # of     Date of Initial   
                       1 Year              5 Years        Public Offering    Months    Public Offering
                       ------              -------        ---------------    ------    ----------------------
                 Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor
                 Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B
                 -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>              <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
High-Yield 
Bond Fund          5.42%     5.39%    58.64%    64.12%    98.43%    107.78%     99        September 7, 1988

</TABLE>

The average annual total returns for the Advisor Classes of the High-Yield 
Bond Fund for the one-year, five-year and since initial public offering 
periods ended December 31, 1996 would have been as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Since Initial      # of     Date of Initial   
                       1 Year              5 Years        Public Offering    Months    Public Offering
                       ------              -------        ---------------    ------    ----------------------
                 Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor
                 Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B
                 -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>              <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
High-Yield 
Bond Fund          5.42%     5.39%      9.67%   10.42%     8.66%     9.27%     99        September 7, 1988

</TABLE>
    

The total return is computed using the following formula:

                           ERV-P
               T    =    [ ----- ]  x  100
                             P
   
    

The average annual total return is computed using the following formula:

          A = (nth-root (ERV/P) - 1) x 100

     Where:    T    =    total return

               A    =    average annual total return

               n    =    number of years

               ERV  =    ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
                         investment at the end of a specified period of time 

               P    =    a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000


In making the above calculation all dividends and capital gain distributions are
assumed to be reinvested at the Fund's NAV on the reinvestment date.

In addition to performance figures, each Fund may advertise its ranking as
calculated by independent rating services which monitor mutual funds'
performance (E.G., CDA Investment Technologies, Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
and Morningstar, Inc.).  These rankings may be 


                                      -45-

<PAGE>

among mutual funds with similar objectives and/or size or with mutual funds in
general and may be based on relative performance during periods deemed by the
rating services to be representative of up and down markets.  The Funds may also
describe in their advertisements the methodology used by the rating services to
arrive at Fund ratings.  In addition, the Funds may also advertise individual
measurements of Fund performance published by the rating services.

The Funds may upon occasion reproduce articles or portions of articles about the
Funds written by independent third parties such as financial writers, financial
planners and financial analysts, and appearing in financial publications of
general circulation or financial newsletters (including but not limited to
BARRONS, BUSINESS WEEK, FABIANS, FORBES, FORTUNE, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY,
KIPLINGER'S, MONEY MAGAZINE, MORNINGSTAR MUTUAL FUNDS, MUTUAL FUNDS FORECASTER,
MUTUAL FUNDS MAGAZINE, NO-LOAD FUND INVESTOR, NO-LOAD FUND X, NEWSWEEK, PENSIONS
& INVESTMENTS, RUCKEYSER'S MUTUAL FUNDS, TELESWITCH, TIME MAGAZINE, U.S. NEWS
AND WORLD REPORT, YOUR MONEY and THE WALL STREET JOURNAL).

Each Fund may also present in its advertisements and sales literature (i) a
biography or the credentials of its portfolio manager (including but not limited
to educational degrees, professional designations, work experience, work
responsibilities and outside interests); (ii) current facts (including but not
limited to number of employees, number of shareholders, business
characteristics) about its investment adviser (SAM) or any sub investment
adviser, the investment adviser's parent company (SAFECO Corporation) or the
parent company of any sub investment adviser or the SAFECO Family of Funds;
(iii) descriptions, including quotations attributable to the portfolio manager,
of the investment style used to manage a Fund's portfolio, the research
methodologies underlying securities selection and a Fund's investment objective;
and (iv) information about particular securities held in a Fund's portfolio.

From time to time, each Fund may discuss its performance in relation to the
performance of relevant indices and/or representative peer groups.  Such
discussions may include how a Fund's investment style (including but not limited
to portfolio holdings, asset types, industry/sector weightings and the purchase
and sale of specific securities) contributed to such performance.

In addition, each Fund may comment on the market and economic outlook in
general, on specific economic events, on how these conditions have impacted its
performance and on how the portfolio manager will or has addressed such
conditions. 

Performance information and quoted ratings are indicative only of past
performance and are not intended to represent future investment results.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON DIVIDENDS

Because the Money Market Fund intends to hold its portfolio securities to
maturity and expects that most of its portfolio securities will be valued at
their amortized cost, realized gains or losses should not be a significant
factor in the computation of net income.  Should, however, in an unusual
circumstance, the Money Market Fund experience a realized gain or loss, a
shareholder 


                                      -46-

<PAGE>

of the Money Market Fund could receive an increased, reduced, or no dividend for
a period of time.  In such an event, the Money Market Trust's Board of Trustees
would consider whether to adhere to its present dividend policy or to revise it
in light of the then-prevailing circumstances.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
 

                      Position(s) Held         Principal Occupation(s)
 Name and Address     with the Trusts           During Past 5 Years
 ----------------     ----------------         -----------------------

Boh A. Dickey*        Chairman and Trustee   President, Chief Operating Officer
SAFECO Plaza                                 and Director of SAFECO Corporation.
Seattle, WA 98185                            Previously, Executive Vice 
(52)                                         President and Chief Financial
                                             Officer. He has been an executive
                                             officer of SAFECO Corporation
                                             subsidiaries since 1982.  See table
                                             under "Investment Advisory and 
                                             Other Services."

Barbara J. Dingfield  Trustee                Manager, Corporate Contributions
Microsoft Corporation                        and Community Programs for 
One Microsoft Way                            Microsoft Corporation, Redmond,
Redmond, WA 98052                            Washington, a computer software
(51)                                         company;  Director and former
                                             Executive Vice President of Wright
                                             Runstad & Co., Seattle, Washington,
                                             a real estate development company;
                                             Director of First SAFECO National
                                             Life Insurance Company of New York.
   
Richard W. Hubbard*   Trustee                Retired Vice President and
1270 NW Blakely Ct.                          Treasurer of the Trust and other 
Seattle, WA 98177                            SAFECO Trusts; retired Senior Vice
(68)                                         President and Treasurer of SAFECO
                                             Corporation; former President of
                                             SAFECO Asset Management Company;
                                             Director of First SAFECO National
                                             Life Insurance Company of New York.
    
Richard E. Lundgren   Trustee                Director of Marketing and Customer
764 S. 293rd Street                          Relations, Building Materials 
Federal Way, WA 98032                        Distribution, Weyerhaeuser Company,
(59)                                         Tacoma, Washington; Director of
                                             First SAFECO National Life
                                             Insurance Company of New York.



                                      -47-

<PAGE>

                      Position(s) Held         Principal Occupation(s)
 Name and Address     with the Trusts           During Past 5 Years
 ----------------     ----------------         -----------------------

Larry L. Pinnt        Trustee                Retired Vice President and Chief
1600 Bell Plaza                              Financial Officer U.S. WEST
Room 1802                                    Communications, Seattle, 
Seattle, WA 98191                            Washington; Director of Key Bank
(62)                                         of Washington, Seattle, Washington;
                                             Director of University of
                                             Washington Medical Center, Seattle,
                                             Washington; Director of Cascade
                                             Natural Gas Corporation, Seattle,
                                             Washington; Director of First
                                             SAFECO National Life Insurance
                                             Company of New York.

John W. Schneider     Trustee                President of Wallingford Group,
1808 N 41st St.                              Inc., Seattle, Washington; former
Seattle, WA 98103                            President of Coast Hotels, Inc.,
(55)                                         Seattle, Washington; Director of
                                             First SAFECO National Life
                                             Insurance Company of New York.

David F. Hill*        President              President of SAFECO Securities,
SAFECO Plaza          Trustee                Inc. and SAFECO Services
Seattle, WA 98185                            Corporation;  Senior Vice President
(48)                                         of SAFECO Asset  Management
                                             Company.  See table under
                                             "Investment Advisory and other
                                             Services."

Neal A. Fuller        Vice President         Vice President, Controller,
SAFECO Plaza          Controller             Assistant Secretary and Treasurer
Seattle, WA 98185     Assistant Secretary    of SAFECO Securities, Inc. and
(34)                                         SAFECO Services Corporation; Vice
                                             President, Controller, Secretary
                                             and Treasurer of SAFECO Asset
                                             Management Company. See table under
                                             "Investment Advisory and Other
                                             Services." 


                                      -48-

<PAGE>

                      Position(s) Held         Principal Occupation(s)
 Name and Address     with the Trusts           During Past 5 Years
 ----------------     ----------------         -----------------------
   
Ronald L. Spaulding   Vice President         Chairman of SAFECO Asset
SAFECO Plaza          Treasurer              Management Company; Vice President
Seattle, WA 98185                            and Treasurer of SAFECO
(53)                                         Corporation; Vice President of
                                             SAFECO Life Insurance Company;
                                             former Senior Fund Manager of
                                             SAFECO insurance companies; former
                                             Fund Manager for several SAFECO
                                             mutual funds. See table under
                                             "Investment Advisory and Other
                                             Services."
    

* Trustees who are interested persons as defined by the 1940 Act.


                                      -49-

<PAGE>

   
                    COMPENSATION TABLE FOR CURRENT TRUSTEES 
                              (Taxable Bond Trust)
                  For the Fiscal Period Ended December 31, 1996


                                 Pension or                     Total
                                 Retirement                     Compensation 
                                 Benefits                       From Registrant
                Aggregate        Accrued As    Estimated        and Fund
                Compensation     Part of Fund  Annual Benefits  Complex Paid to
Trustee         from Registrant  Expenses      Upon Retirement  Trustees
- -------         ---------------  --------      ---------------  --------
                                                                        
Boh A. Dickey       N/A             N/A              N/A           N/A
                                                    
Barbara J.                                          
Dingfield           $204            N/A              N/A           $2,188
                                                    
Richard E.                                          
Lundgren            $204            N/A              N/A           $2,188
                                                    
Larry L. Pinnt      $204            N/A              N/A           $2,188
                                                    
John W.                                             
Schneider           $204            N/A              N/A           $2,188
                                                    
Richard W.                                          
Hubbard             $204            N/A              N/A           $1,750
                                                    
David F. Hill*      N/A             N/A              N/A           N/A

    
*    First elected to the Board of Trustees in August, 1996.

   
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, Barbara J. Dingfield, Richard 
E. Lundgren, Larry L. Pinnt, John W. Schneider and Richard W. Hubbard each 
received $2,458 aggregate compensation from Registrant and $28,478 total 
compensation from Registrant and fund complex paid to Trustees.  Mr. Dickey 
and Mr. Hill are officers of various SAFECO companies and are not compensated 
by the Trusts.  Similarly, the officers of the SAFECO Trusts receive no 
compensation for their service as officers.

Currently, there is no pension, retirement, or other plan or any arrangement 
pursuant to which Trustees or officers of the Trust are compensated by the 
Trust.  Each Trustee also serves as Trustee for five other registered 
open-end management companies that have, in the aggregate, twenty-two series 
companies managed by SAM.  
    
   
At April 2, 1997, the Trustees and officers of the Taxable Bond Trust as a
group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each of the Taxable 
Bond Funds.
    


                                      -50-

<PAGE>

   
                     COMPENSATION TABLE FOR CURRENT TRUSTEES
                              (Managed Bond Trust)
                   For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1996

                                 Pension or                     Total
                                 Retirement                     Compensation 
                                 Benefits                       From Registrant
                Aggregate        Accrued As    Estimated        and Fund
                Compensation     Part of Fund  Annual Benefits  Complex Paid to
Trustee         from Registrant  Expenses      Upon Retirement  Trustees
- -------         ---------------  --------      ---------------  --------

Boh A. Dickey   N/A              N/A           N/A              N/A

Barbara J. 
Dingfield       $684             N/A           N/A              $24,750

Richard E. 
Lundgren        $684             N/A           N/A              $24,750

Larry L. Pinnt  $684             N/A           N/A              $24,750

John W. 
Schneider       $684             N/A           N/A              $24,750

Richard W. 
Hubbard         $684             N/A           N/A              $23,000

David F. Hill*  N/A              N/A           N/A              N/A
    

*    First elected to the Board of Trustees in August, 1996.
   
Mr. Dickey and Mr. Hill are officers of various SAFECO companies and are not 
compensated by the Trusts.  Similarly, the officers of the SAFECO Trusts 
receive no compensation for their service as officers.
    
   
Currently, there is no pension, retirement, or other plan or any arrangement
pursuant to which Trustees or officers of the Trust are compensated by the
Trust.  Each Trustee also serves as Trustee for five other registered open-end
management companies that have, in the aggregate, twenty-four series companies
managed by SAM.  
    
   
    
   
At April 2, 1997, the Trustees and officers of the Managed Bond Trust owned
none or less than 1% depending on what each says of the outstanding shares of 
the Managed Bond Fund
    

                                      -51-

<PAGE>
   
                     COMPENSATION TABLE FOR CURRENT TRUSTEES
                              (Money Market Trust)
                  For the Fiscal Period Ended December 31, 1996


                                 Pension or                     Total
                                 Retirement                     Compensation 
                                 Benefits                       From Registrant
                Aggregate        Accrued As    Estimated        and Fund
                Compensation     Part of Fund  Annual Benefits  Complex Paid to
Trustee         from Registrant  Expenses      Upon Retirement  Trustees
- -------         ---------------  --------      ---------------  --------

Boh A. Dickey   N/A              N/A           N/A              N/A

Barbara J. 
Dingfield       $1,777           N/A           N/A              $21,563

Richard E. 
Lundgren        $1,777           N/A           N/A              $21,563

Larry L. Pinnt  $1,777           N/A           N/A              $21,563

John W. 
Schneider       $1,777           N/A           N/A              $21,563

Richard W. 
Hubbard         $1,777           N/A           N/A              $20,250

David F. Hill*  N/A              N/A           N/A              N/A
    

*    First elected to the Board of Trustees in August, 1996.

   
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, Barbara J. Dingfield, Richard E. 
Lundgren, Larry L. Pinnt, John W. Schneider and Richard W. Hubbard each 
received $2,095 aggregate compension from Registrant and (except for Mr. 
Hubbard) $24,813 total compensation from Registrant and fund complex paid to 
Trustees.  Mr. Hubbard received $23,000 total compensation from Registrant 
and fund complex paid to Trustees.  Mr. Dickey and Mr. Hill are officers of 
various SAFECO companies and are not compensated by the Trusts.  Similarly, 
the officers of the SAFECO Trusts receive no compensation for their service 
as officers.

Currently, there is no pension, retirement, or other plan or any arrangement 
pursuant to which Trustees or officers of the Trust are compensated by the 
Trust.  Each Trustee also serves as trustee for five other registered 
open-end, management investment companies that have, in the aggregate, 
twenty-three series companies managed by SAM.
    
   
At April 2, 1997, the Trustees and officers of the Money Market Trust as a 
group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Money Market Fund.
    


                                      -52-

<PAGE>
   
                     COMPENSATION TABLE FOR CURRENT TRUSTEES
                             (Tax-Exempt Bond Trust)
                    For the Fiscal Period Ended December 31, 1996


                                 Pension or                     Total
                                 Retirement                     Compensation 
                                 Benefits                       From Registrant
                Aggregate        Accrued As    Estimated        and Fund
                Compensation     Part of Fund  Annual Benefits  Complex Paid to
Trustee         from Registrant  Expenses      Upon Retirement  Trustees
- -------         ---------------  --------      ---------------  --------

Boh A. Dickey   N/A              N/A           N/A              N/A

Barbara J. 
Dingfield       $4,326           N/A           N/A              $21,563

Richard E. 
Lundgren        $4,326           N/A           N/A              $21,563

Larry L. Pinnt  $4,326           N/A           N/A              $21,563

John W. 
Schneider       $4,326           N/A           N/A              $21,563

Richard W. 
Hubbard         $4,326           N/A           N/A              $20,250

David F. Hill*  N/A              N/A           N/A              N/A
    

*    First elected to the Board of Trustees in August, 1996.

   
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, Barbara J. Dingfield, Richard E. 
Lundgren, Larry L. Pinnt, John W. Schneider and Richard W. Hubbard each 
received $4,547 aggregate compension from Registrant and (except for Mr. 
Hubbard) $24,813 total compensation from Registrant and fund complex paid to 
Trustees.  Mr. Hubbard received $23,000 total compensation from Registrant 
and fund complex paid to Trustees.  Mr. Dickey and Mr. Hill are officers of 
various SAFECO companies and are not compensated by the Trusts.  Similarly, 
the officers of the SAFECO Trusts receive no compensation for their service 
as officers.

Currently, there is no pension, retirement, or other plan or any arrangement 
pursuant to which Trustees or officers of a Trust are compensated by that 
Trust. Each Trustee also serves as trustee for five other registered 
open-end, management investment companies that have, in the aggregate, 
twenty series companies managed by SAM.
    
   
    
   
At April 2, 1997, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned 
less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Fund.
    

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

SAFECO Asset Management Company ("SAM"), SAFECO Securities, Inc. ("SAFECO
Securities") and SAFECO Services Corporation ("SAFECO Services") are wholly-
owned subsidiaries of SAFECO Corporation.  SAFECO Securities is the principal
underwriter of each Fund and SAFECO Services is the transfer, dividend and
distribution disbursement and shareholder servicing agent of each Fund.

The following individuals have the following positions and offices with the
Trusts, SAM, SAFECO Securities and SAFECO Services.


                                      -53-

<PAGE>


                                                SAFECO         SAFECO
Name            Trusts           SAM            Securities     Securities
- ----            ------           ---            ----------     ----------
   
B. A. Dickey    Chairman         Director                      Director
                Trustee          
    
D. F. Hill      President        Senior         President      President
                Trustee          Vice           Director       Secretary
                                 President      Secretary      Director
                                 Director

N. A. Fuller    Vice President   Vice           Vice           Vice President
                Controller       President      President      Controller
                Assistant        Controller     Controller     Assistant
                Secretary        Secretary      Assistant      Secretary
                                 Treasurer      Secretary      Treasurer
                                                Treasurer
   
R.L. Spaulding  Vice President   Chairman      Director       Director
                Treasurer        Director
    
S.C. Bauer                       President 
                                 Director

D.H. Longhurst                   Assistant      Assistant      Assistant
                                 Controller     Controller     Controller


Mr. Dickey is President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of SAFECO
Corporation and Mr. Spaulding is a Treasurer and Vice President of SAFECO
Corporation.  Messrs. Dickey and Spaulding are also Directors of other SAFECO
Corporation subsidiaries.
   
In connection with its investment advisory contract with each Trust, SAM
furnishes or pays for all facilities and services furnished or performed for or
on behalf of each Trust and each Fund, which includes furnishing office
facilities, books, records and personnel to manage each Trust's and each Fund's
affairs and paying certain expenses.
    
The Trust Instrument of each Trust provides that the Trust will indemnify its
Trustees and its officers against liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred
in connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of their
offices with the Trust, unless it is adjudicated that they engaged in bad faith,
wilful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of their offices.  In the case of settlement, such
indemnification will not be provided unless it has been determined -- by a court
or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or by a majority of
disinterested Trustees, based upon a review of readily available facts, or in a
written opinion of independent counsel -- that such officers or Trustees have
not engaged in wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of their duties.

SAM also serves as the investment adviser for other investment companies in
addition to the Funds.  Several of these investment companies have investment
objectives similar to those of certain Funds.  It is therefore possible that the
same securities will be purchased for both a Fund and another investment company
advised by SAM.  When two or more funds advised by SAM 


                                      -54-

<PAGE>

are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the 
prices and amounts will be allocated in a manner considered by the officers 
of the funds involved to be equitable to each fund.  In some cases this 
system could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security 
as far as a Fund is concerned.  It is expected that the opportunity to 
participate in volume transactions will produce better executions and prices 
for a Fund, generally.  In some cases, the price of a security allocated to 
one Fund may be higher or lower than the price of a security allocated to 
another Fund.


For the services and facilities furnished by SAM, each Fund has agreed to pay an
annual fee computed on the basis of the average market value of the net assets
of each Fund ascertained each business day and paid monthly in accordance with
the following schedules.  The reduction in fees occurs only at such time as the
respective Fund's net assets reach the dollar amounts of the break points and
applies only to those assets that fall within the specified range:


                           INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND

     NET ASSETS                                        FEE
     $0 - $250,000,000                                 .55 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000                       .45 of 1%
     $500,000,001 - $750,000,000                       .35 of 1%
     Over $750,000,000                                 .25 of 1%


                              HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND
     NET ASSETS                                        FEE
     $0 - $250,000,000                                 .65 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000                       .55 of 1%
     $500,000,001 - $750,000,000                       .45 of 1%
     Over $750,000,000                                 .35 of 1%

 
                                MANAGED BOND FUND

     NET ASSETS                                        FEE
     $0 - $100,000,000                                 .50 of 1%
     $100,000,001 - $250,000,000                       .40 of 1%
     Over $250,000,000                                 .35 of 1%


                                 WASHINGTON FUND

     NET ASSETS                                        FEE
     $0 - $250,000,000                                 .65 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000                       .55 of 1%
     $500,000,001 - $750,000,000                       .45 of 1%
     Over $750,000,000                                 .35 of 1%


                                      -55-

<PAGE>

                         MUNICIPAL AND CALIFORNIA FUNDS

     NET ASSETS                                        FEE
     $0 - $100,000,000                                 .55 of 1%
     $100,000,001 - $250,000,000                       .45 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000                       .35 of 1%
     Over $500,000,000                                 .25 of 1%


                                MONEY MARKET FUND

     NET ASSETS                                        FEE
     $0 - $250,000,00                                  .50 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000                       .40 of 1%
     $500,000,001 - $750,000,000                       .30 of 1%
     Over $750,000,000                                 .25 of 1%




   
The following states the total amounts of compensation paid by each Fund to 
SAM for the fiscal period ended December 31, 1996, and the past three fiscal 
years (or since its initial public offering in the case of the Managed Bond 
Fund):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     TAXABLE BOND FUNDS
                                         Year Ended
                          
                        Three Month       
                       Period Ended       
                        December 31,      September 30,     September 30,     September 30, 1994
                           1996              1996             1995
                       -------------      -------------     -------------     ------------------
<S>                    <C>                <C>               <C>               <C>
                     
Intermediate                       
Treasury Fund             $21,000            $ 78,000           $ 71,000             $ 77,000
                              
High-Yield Bond               
Fund                      $82,000            $255,000           $206,000             $202,000

</TABLE>
    


                                      -56-

<PAGE>

                                MANAGED BOND FUND

                              Year or Period Ended

   
                                                         February 28, 1994
                                                   (Initial Public Offering) to
December 31, 1996       December 31, 1995                December 31, 1994
- -----------------       -----------------          ----------------------------

     $21,000                $23,000                          $16,000


                          TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

                               Year or Period Ended

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            9 Month Period Ended
                              December 31, 1996    March 31, 1996    March 31, 1995    March 31, 1994
                            --------------------   --------------    --------------    --------------
     <S>                    <C>                    <C>               <C>               <C>
     Municipal Bond Fund         $1,533,000          $2,020,685        $2,010,754        $2,248,615

     California Fund               $290,000            $365,684          $364,000          $455,505

     Washington Fund                $32,000             $39,038           $31,475           $18,350
</TABLE>


                                MONEY MARKET FUND

                              Year or Period Ended

       9 Month Period Ended
         December 31, 1996    March 31, 1996   March 31, 1995   March 31, 1994
       --------------------   --------------   --------------   --------------

             $630,000            $864,914         $840,727          $690,549
    

DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS.  SAFECO Securities is the principal underwriter for
each Fund and acts as the distributor of the Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B
shares of each Fund under a Distribution Agreement with each Trust that requires
SAFECO Securities to use its best efforts, consistent with its other businesses,
to sell shares of the Funds.  Shares of the Funds are offered continuously.

Under separate plans of distribution pertaining to the Advisor Class A and
Advisor Class B shares of each Fund adopted by each Trust in the manner
prescribed under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (each a "Plan"), each Advisor
Class pays fees described in the Prospectus.

   
Among other things, each Plan provides that (1) SAFECO Securities will submit to
each Trust's Board of Trustees at least quarterly, and the Trustees will review,
reports regarding all amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which
such expenditures were made, (2) the Plan will continue in effect so long as it
is approved at least annually and any material amendment thereto is approved, by
each respective Trust's Board of Trustees, including those Trustees who are not 
"interested persons" of each Trust, acting in person at the meeting called for 
that purpose, (3) payments by a Fund under the Plan shall not be materially 
increased 


                                      -57-

<PAGE>

without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the relevant Advisor Class of that Fund and (4) while the
Plan remains in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not
"interested persons" of each Trust shall be committed to the discretion of each
of the Trustees who are  not "interested persons" of each Trust.
    


In reporting amounts expended under the Plans to each Trust's Board of Trustees,
SAFECO Securities will allocate expenses attributable to the sale of each
Advisor Class of Fund shares to such Advisor Class based on the ratio of sales
of shares of such Advisor Class to the sales of all Advisor Classes of shares.
Expenses attributable to a specific Advisor Class will be allocated to that
Advisor Class.


In approving the adoption of each Plan, each Trust's Board of Trustees
determined that the adoption was in the best interests of the Funds'
shareholders. 

In the event that a Plan is terminated or not continued with respect to the
Advisor Class A or Advisor Class B shares of any Fund, (i) no fees would be owed
by the Fund to SAFECO Securities with respect to that class, and (ii) the Fund
would not be obligated to pay SAFECO Securities for any amounts expended under
the Plan not previously recovered by SAFECO Securities.

The Plans comply with rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. which limit the annual asset-based sales charges and service fees that a
mutual fund may impose on a class of shares to .75% and .25%, respectively, of
the average annual net assets attributable to that class.  The rules also limit
the aggregate of all front-end, deferred and asset-based sales charges imposed
with respect to a class of shares by a mutual fund that also charges a service
fee to 6.25% of cumulative gross sales of that class, plus interest at the prime
rate plus 1% per annum.
   
CUSTODIAN.  State Street Bank and Trust Company, 1776 Heritage Drive, North
Quincy, MA 02170, is the custodian of the securities, cash and other assets of
each Fund under an agreement with each Trust. 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR.  Ernst & Young LLP, 999 Third Avenue, Suite 3500, Seattle, 
Washington 98104, is the independent auditor of each Fund's financial 
statements.

TRANSFER AGENT.  SAFECO Services, SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185 is
the transfer, dividend and distribution disbursement and shareholder servicing
agent for the Advisor Classes of each fund under an agreement with the Trusts.
SAFECO Services provides, or through subcontracts makes provision for, all
required transfer agency activity, including maintenance of records of each
Fund's Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B shareholders, records of transactions
involving each Fund's Advisor Class B shares, and the compilation, distribution,
or reinvestment of income dividends or capital gains distribution.  For the 
Intermediate Treasury, Managed Bond and Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Funds, SAFECO 
Services is paid a fee for these services equal to $32.00 per shareholder 
account, but not to exceed .30% of each Fund's average net assets.  For the 
Money Market Fund, SAFECO Services is paid a fee of $34.00 per shareholder 
account, but not to exceed .30% of each Fund's average net assets.  The 
following tables shows the fees paid by each Fund to SAFECO Services during the 
fiscal year or period ended December 31, 1996 and the past three fiscal years.
    

                                      -58-

<PAGE>


   
                               TAXABLE BOND FUNDS

                              Year or Period Ended*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       3 Month Period Ended      September 30,     September 30,     September 30, 1994
                         December 31, 1996            1996             1995
                       --------------------      -------------     -------------     ------------------
<S>                    <C>                       <C>               <C>               <C>
     Intermediate 
     Treasury Fund            $     0                $39,000           $33,000              $25,000
High-Yield Bond Fund          $17,000                $90,000           $78,000              $63,000
</TABLE>


                                MANAGED BOND FUND

                              Year or Period Ended*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     February 28, 1994
                                                               (Initial Public Offering) to
               December 31, 1996       December 31, 1995             December 31, 1994
              -----------------       -----------------        ----------------------------
              <S>                     <C>                      <C>
                     $199                    $309                           $96
</TABLE>

                                MONEY MARKET FUND

                              Year or Period Ended*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      9 Month Period Ended
        December 31, 1996         March 31, 1996      March 31, 1995      March 31, 1994
      --------------------        --------------      --------------      --------------
      <S>                         <C>                 <C>                 <C>
             $325,000                $424,260            $385,495            $308,090
</TABLE>

                          TAX-EXEMPT FIXED INCOME FUNDS

                              Year or Period Ended*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           9 Month Period Ended
                             December 31, 1996       March 31, 1996    March 31, 1995    March 31, 1994
                           --------------------      --------------    --------------    --------------
     <S>                   <C>                       <C>               <C>               <C>
     Municipal Bond Fund        $300,000                 $511,005          $531,978          $557,561

     California Fund             $48,000                  $68,839           $68,840           $66,667

     Washington Fund              $2,000                   $2,842            $3,219            $2,801
</TABLE>
* Figures reflect fees of $3.10 per shareholder transaction until July, 1996 
when the new fee schedule went into effect.
    

                                      -59-

<PAGE>
   
BROKERAGE PRACTICES

Brokers typically charge commissions on mark-ups/mark-downs to affect 
securities transactions.  Securities owned by the Funds may be purchased with 
brokerage commissions or on a principal basis without brokerage commissions.  
The Fund may also purchase securities from underwriters, the price of which 
will include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the 
underwriter.  The purchase price of securities purchased from dealers serving 
as market makers will include the spread between the bid and asked prices.  
Brokerage transactions involving securities of companies domiciled in 
countries.  In most international markets, commission rates are not 
negotiable and may be higher than the negotiated commission rates available 
in the United States.  There is generally less government supervision and 
regulation of foreign stock exchanges and broker-dealers than in the United 
States.

SAM determines the broker/dealers through whom securities transactions for 
the Funds are executed.  SAM may select a broker/dealer who may receive a 
commission for portfolio transactions exceeding the amount another 
broker/dealer would have charged for the same transaction if SAM determines 
that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the 
brokerage and research services performed or provided by the broker/dealer, 
viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or SAM's overall 
responsibilities to the client for whose account such portfolio transaction 
is executed and other accounts advised by SAM.  Research services include 
market information, analysis of specific issues, presentation of special 
situations and trading opportunities on a timely basis, advice concerning 
industries, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and performance 
of accounts.

Research services are used in advising all accounts, including accounts 
advised by related persons of SAM, and not all such services are necessarily 
used by SAM in connection with the specific account that paid commissions to 
the broker/dealer providing such services.  SAM does not acquire research 
services through the generation of credits with respect to principal 
transactions or transactions in financial futures.

The overall reasonableness of broker commissions paid is evaluated 
periodically.  Such evaluation includes review of what competing 
broker/dealers are willing to charge for similar types of services and what 
discounts are being granted by brokerage firms.  The evaluation also 
considers the timeliness and accuracy of the research received.
    

REDEMPTION IN KIND

If a Trust concludes that cash payment upon redemption to a shareholder of a
Fund would be prejudicial to the best interest of other shareholders of a Fund,
a portion of the payment may be made in kind.  Each Trust has elected to be
governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, pursuant to which the Trust must
redeem shares tendered by a shareholder of a Fund solely in cash up to the
lesser of $250,000 or 1% of a net asset value of a Fund during any 90-day
period.  Any shares tendered by the shareholder in excess of the above-mentioned
limit may be redeemed through distribution of a Fund's assets.  Any securities
or other property so distributed in kind shall be valued by the same method as
is used in computing NAV.  Distributions in kind will be made in readily
marketable securities, unless the investor elects otherwise.  Investors may
incur brokerage costs in disposing of securities received in such a distribution
in kind. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
The following financial statements for the Intermediate Treasury and High-Yield
Bond Funds and the report thereon of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors,
are incorporated herein by reference to the Taxable Bond Trust's Annual Report
for the period ended December 31, 1996.


     Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 1996
     Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1996
     Statement of Operations for the Periods Ended December 31, 1996 and 
       September 30, 1996
     Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the Three-Month Period Ended
     December 31, 1996 and for the Years ended September 30, 1996 and
       September 30, 1995
     Notes to Financial Statements
    
                                      -60-
<PAGE>

   
The following financial statements for the Managed Bond Fund (formerly Fixed
Income Portfolio) and the report thereon of Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, are incorporated herein by reference to the Managed Bond Trust's
(formerly Institutional Series Trust) Annual Report for the year ended
December 31, 1996:

     Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 1996
     Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1996
     Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 1996
     Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the Years Ended December 31, 1996
     and December 31, 1995
     Notes to Financial Statements


The following financial statements for the Municipal Bond, California and
Washington Funds and the report thereon of Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, are incorporated herein by reference to the Tax-Exempt Bond Trust's
Annual Report for the period ended December 31, 1996:

     Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 1996
     Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1996
     Statement of Operations for the Period Ended December 31, 1996
     Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the Nine-Month Period Ended 
     December 31, 1996 and for the Year ended March 31, 1996
     Notes to Financial Statements

The following financial statements for the Money Market Fund and the report
thereon of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, are incorporated herein by
reference to the Money Market Trust's Annual Report for the period ended 
December 31, 1996:

     Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 1996
     Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1996
     Statement of Operations for the Period Ended December 31, 1996
     Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the Nine-Month Period Ended 
     December 31, 1996 and for the Year ended March 31, 1996
     Notes to Financial Statements


A copy of each Trusts' Annual Report accompanies this Statement of Additional
Information.  Additional copies may be obtained by calling SAFECO Services at
1-800-463-8791 or by writing to the address on the Prospectus cover.
    

                                      -61-

<PAGE>

DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS

Ratings by Moody's and S&P represent opinions of those organizations as to the
investment quality of the rated obligations.  Investors should realize these
ratings do not constitute a guarantee that the principal and interest payable
under these obligations will be paid when due.

                           DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS

                                     MOODY'S

INVESTMENT GRADE DESCRIPTIONS:


Aaa -- Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best-quality.  They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edged."  Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure.  While the various protective elements
are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to
impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.


Aa -- Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards.  Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known
as high grade bonds.  They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins
of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa
securities.

A -- Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations.  Factors giving security
to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

Baa -- Bonds which are rated Baa are considered 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.

BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE DESCRIPTIONS:

Ba -- Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured.  Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future.  Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.

B -- Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment.  Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa -- Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing.  Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.

Ca -- Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree.  Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.


                                      -62-

<PAGE>

C -- Bonds which are rated C are the lowest-rated class of bonds.  Issues so
rated have extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment
standing.

                                       S&P

INVESTMENT GRADE DESCRIPTIONS:

AAA -- Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by S&P's.  Capacity to
pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
   
AA -- Debt rated "AA" has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in a small degree.

A -- Debt rated "A" has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated
categories.

BBB -- Debt rated "BBB" is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
interest and repay principal.  Whereas, it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher-rated categories.
    
BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE DESCRIPTIONS:
   
BB, B, CCC, CC, C -- Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is regarded as having 
predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay 
interest and repay principal.  "BB" indicates the least degree of 
speculation and "C" the highest.   While such debt will likely have some 
quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large 
uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
    
BB -- Debt rated "BB" has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues.  However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure
to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments.  The "BB"
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied "BBB-" rating.

B -- Debt rated "B" has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments.  Adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to
pay interest and repay principal.  The "B" rating category is also used for debt
subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "BB" or "BB-"
rating.
   
CCC -- Debt rated "CCC" has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default,
and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to
meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal.  In the event of
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have
the capacity to pay interest and repay principal.  The "CCC" rating category 
is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that
is assigned an actual or implied "B" or "B-" rating.

CC -- The rating "CC" typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior 
debt that is assigned an actual or implied "CCC" rating.
    
                                      -63-

<PAGE>

C -- The rating "C" is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt
which is assigned an actual or implied "CCC-" debt rating.  The "C" rating may
be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but
debt service payments are continued.

C1 -- The rating C1 is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
   
D -- Debt rated D is in payment default.  The "D" rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payment
will be made during such grace period.  The "D" rating also will be used upon 
the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.

PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-):   Ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.  
    

                     DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

                                     MOODY'S

Moody's short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to repay
punctually senior debt obligations with an original maturity not exceeding one
year.

Prime-1:  Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 (P-1) have a
superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.  P-1
repayment ability will often be evidenced by  many of the following
characteristics:

     -    Leading market positions in well-established industries.
     -    High rates of return on funds employed.
     -    Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt
          and ample asset protection.
     -    Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high
          internal cash generation.
     -    Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured
          sources of alternate liquidity.
   
Prime-2:  Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 (P-2) 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.
    

                                      -64-

<PAGE>

                                       S&P
   
An 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.
    
A-1:  This 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.

                   DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS FOR MUNICIPAL NOTES,
            TAX-EXEMPT DEMAND NOTES AND OTHER SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS

                                     MOODY'S

Moody's rates municipal notes and other short-term obligations using Moody's
Investment Grade (MIG).  A short-term obligation having a demand feature (a
variable-rate demand obligation) will be designated VMIG.  This distinction
recognizes differences between short-term credit risk and long-term credit risk
as well as differences between short-term issues making payments on fixed
maturity dates (MIG) and those making payments on periodic demand (VMIG).

MIG/VMIG 1:  This designation denotes best quality.  There is present strong
protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated
broadbased access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2/VMIG 2:  This designation denotes high quality.  Margins of protection are
ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
   
MIG/VMIG 3:  This designation denotes favorable quality.  All security 
elements are accounted for but there is lacking the undeniable strength of 
the preceding grades.  Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and 
market access for refinancing is likely to be less well established.
    
                                       S&P

Ratings for municipal notes and other short-term obligations are designated by
Standard & Poor's note rating.  These ratings reflect liquidity concerns and
market access risks unique to notes.  Notes due in three years or less will
likely receive a note rating.

SP-1 Very strong or strong capacity to pay principal and interest.  Those issues
     determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics will be given a
     plus (+) designation.

SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.

Standard & Poor's assigns "dual" ratings to all long-term debt issues that have
as part of their provisions a demand or double feature.

The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest
as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature.  The long-term
debt rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the
commercial paper rating symbols are used to denote the put option (for example,
"AAA/A-1+").  For the newer "demand notes," Standard & Poor's note rating
symbols, combined with the commercial paper symbols, are used (for example, "SP-
1+/A-1+").


                                      -65-
<PAGE>

                              SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST:
                     SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND
                                   SAFECO GNMA FUND
                             SAFECO HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND

                              SAFECO MANAGED BOND TRUST:
                               SAFECO MANAGED BOND FUND

                                    NO-LOAD CLASS

                         Statement of Additional Information

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should be read
in conjunction with the Prospectus for the funds listed above (each a "Fund").
A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained by writing SAFECO Mutual Funds, No-Load
Class Shares, P.O. Box 34890, Seattle, Washington 98124-1890, or by calling TOLL
FREE:

                                      Nationwide
                                    1-800-426-6730

                                     Seattle Area
                                     206-545-5530

                        Deaf and Hard of Hearing TDD/TTY Service
                                    1-800-438-8718



The date of the most current Prospectus of the Funds to which this Statement of
Additional Information relates is April 30, 1997.



The date of this Statement of Additional Information is April 30, 1997.


<PAGE>

                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

   
    INVESTMENT POLICIES...................................................   2

    INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAXABLE BOND FUNDS..........................  2

    INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MANAGED BOND FUND...........................  6

    ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION...................................... 10

    PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS OF CERTAIN FUNDS................................ 14

    ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION............................................. 14

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE..... 15

    ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION..................................... 16

    TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUSTS.................................... 21

    INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES................................. 26

    BROKERAGE PRACTICES.................................................... 30

    REDEMPTION IN KIND..................................................... 30

    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS................................................... 31

    DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS................................ 31
    

<PAGE>

INVESTMENT POLICIES

   
SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund ("Intermediate Treasury Fund"), 
SAFECO GNMA Fund ("GNMA Fund") and SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund ("High-Yield 
Bond Fund") (collectively "Taxable Bond Funds") are series of SAFECO Taxable 
Bond Trust ("Taxable Bond Trust").  SAFECO Managed Bond Fund ("Managed Bond 
Fund") is the only series of SAFECO Managed Bond Trust ("Managed Bond Trust" 
and, together with Taxable Bond Trust, the "Trusts").  The investment 
policies of the Taxable Bond Funds and the Managed Bond Fund (each a "Fund") 
are described in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information. 
These policies state the investment practices that the Funds will follow, in 
some cases limiting investments to a certain percentage of assets, as well as 
those investment activities that are prohibited.  The types of securities 
that a Fund may purchase are also disclosed in the Prospectus.  Before a Fund 
purchases a security that the following policies permit, but that is not 
currently described in the Prospectus, the Prospectus will be amended or 
supplemented to identify or describe the security.  If a policy's percentage 
limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or 
decrease in values, net assets or other circumstances will not be considered 
in determining whether a Fund complies with the applicable limitation (except 
to the extent the change may impact a Fund's borrowing limit).
    

Each Fund's fundamental policies may not be changed without the approval of a
"majority of its outstanding voting securities," as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act").  For purposes of such approval,
the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund means the
vote, at a meeting of the shareholders of such Fund duly called, (i) of 67% or
more of the voting securities present at such meeting if the holders of more
than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by
proxy, or (ii) of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities, whichever
is less.

Non-fundamental policies may be changed without shareholder approval.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAXABLE BOND FUNDS

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

Each Taxable Bond Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment
policies.  Each Taxable Bond Fund will NOT:

1.  Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
    agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more than five percent (5%)
    of the value of its total assets at the time of purchase would be invested
    in the securities of such issuer, except that up to twenty-five percent
    (25%) of the value of a Fund's assets (which twenty-five percent (25%)
    shall not include securities issued by another investment company) may be
    invested without regard to this five percent (5%) limitation.


                                          2

<PAGE>

2.  Underwrite any issue of securities, except to the extent that the purchase
    of permitted investments directly from the issuer in accordance with the
    Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions and the subsequent
    disposition thereof may be deemed to be underwriting or the later
    disposition of restricted securities acquired within the limits imposed on
    the acquisition of such securities may be deemed to be an underwriting.

3.  Purchase or sell real estate, but this shall not prevent the Fund from
    investing in municipal obligations or other permitted investments secured
    by real estate or interests therein.

4.  Purchase or retain for the Fund's portfolio the securities of any issuer,
    if, to the Fund's knowledge, the officers or directors of the Fund, or its
    investment adviser, who individually own more than one-half (1/2) of one
    percent (1%) of the outstanding securities of such an issuer, together own
    more than five percent (5%) of such outstanding securities.

5.  High-Yield Bond and Intermediate Treasury Funds only:  Borrow money, except
    from a bank or SAFECO Corporation or its affiliates at an interest rate not
    greater than that available to the Fund from commercial banks, for
    temporary or emergency purposes and not for investment purposes, and then
    only in an amount not exceeding twenty percent (20%) of the value of the
    Fund's total assets at the time of such borrowing.

    GNMA Fund only:  Borrow money, except from a bank or affiliates of SAFECO
    Corporation at an interest rate not greater than that available to the GNMA
    Fund from commercial banks, for temporary or emergency purposes and not for
    investment purposes, and then only in an amount not exceeding twenty
    percent (20%) of its total assets (including borrowings) less liabilities
    (other than borrowings) immediately after such borrowing.

    Each Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings equal to or greater
    than five percent (5%) of the Fund's total assets are outstanding.

6.  Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except that to secure
    borrowings permitted by subparagraph (5) above, it may pledge securities
    having a market value at the time of pledge not exceeding ten percent (10%)
    of the cost of the Fund's total assets.

7.  Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, other than futures
    contracts, or invest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or
    development programs or in arbitrage transactions.

8.  Make short sales of securities or purchase securities on margin, except for
    margin deposits in connection with futures contracts and such short-term
    credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions.


                                          3

<PAGE>

9.  Participate on a joint or a joint-and-several basis in any trading account
    in securities, except that the Fund may, for the purpose of seeking better
    net results on portfolio transactions or lower brokerage commission rates,
    join with other transactions executed by the investment adviser or the
    investment adviser's parent company and any subsidiary thereof.

10. Purchase from or sell portfolio securities to any officer or director, the
    Fund's investment adviser, principal underwriter or any affiliates or
    subsidiaries thereof; provided, however, that this prohibition shall not
    prohibit the Fund from purchasing with the up to $7,000,000 raised through
    the sale of up to 700,000 shares of common stock to SAFECO Life Insurance
    Company, portfolio securities from subsidiaries of SAFECO Corporation prior
    to the effective date of the Fund's initial public offering.

11. Purchase securities (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the
    United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities), if as a
    result twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the Fund's total assets would
    be invested in one industry (governmental issuers of securities are not
    considered part of any one industry).

12. Purchase shares of common stock, other than those issued by other regulated
    investment companies (or, with respect to the High-Yield Bond and
    Intermediate Treasury Funds only, when the acquisition of such common
    stocks, rights or other equity interests is consistent with the High-Yield
    Bond and Intermediate Treasury Funds' investment objectives).  Generally,
    the High-Yield Bond and Intermediate Treasury Funds will only hold such
    equity securities as a result of purchases or unit offerings of
    fixed-income securities which include such equity securities or in
    connection with an actual or proposed conversion or exchange of
    fixed-income securities.

13. Issue or sell any senior security, except that this restriction shall not
    be construed to prohibit the Fund from borrowing funds (i) on a temporary
    basis as permitted by Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act or (ii) from any bank
    provided, that immediately after such borrowing, there is an asset coverage
    of at least three hundred percent (300%) for all such borrowings and
    provided, further, that in the event that such asset coverage shall at any
    time fall below three hundred percent (300%), the Fund shall, within three
    (3) days thereafter (not including Sundays and holidays), or such longer
    period as the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") may prescribe by
    rules and regulations, reduce the amount of its borrowings to an extent
    that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least three hundred
    percent (300%).  For purposes of this restriction, the terms "senior
    security" and "asset coverage" shall be understood to have the meaning
    assigned to those terms in Section 18 of the 1940 Act.

14. Purchase securities of any issuer, if, as a result, more than ten percent
    (10%) of any class of securities of such issuer would be owned by the Fund.


                                          4

<PAGE>

15. With respect to one hundred percent (100%) of the value of its total
    assets, purchase more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding voting
    securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities).

16. Purchase or otherwise acquire securities which are illiquid or subject to
    legal or contractual restrictions on resale, if as a result more than ten
    percent (10%) of the Fund's (five percent (5%) of the GNMA Fund's) total
    assets would be invested in such securities, except that in the case of 
    the High-Yield Fund the purchase of Rule 144A securities deemed to be liquid
    pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees of the High-Yield 
    Fund shall not be limited by this restriction.


17. Make loans, except through the purchase of a portion or all of an issue of
    debt or money market securities in accordance with its investment
    objective, policies and restrictions, or through investments in qualified
    repurchase agreements (provided, however, that a Fund shall not invest more
    than ten percent (10%) of its total assets in qualified repurchase
    agreements maturing in more than seven (7) days), or through qualified loan
    agreements (by making secured loans of its portfolio securities which
    amount to not more than five percent (5%) of its total assets).

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

In addition to the policies described in the Prospectus, each Taxable Bond Fund
has adopted the following non-fundamental investment policies which may be
changed without shareholder approval:

1.  The Fund will not invest more than five percent (5%) of its total assets in
    securities of issuers, including their predecessors, which have been in
    operation for less than three years.

2.  The Fund will not issue long-term debt securities.

3.  The Fund will not invest in securities with unlimited liability, i.e.,
    securities the holder of which may be assessed for amounts in addition to
    the subscription or other price paid for the security.

4.  The Fund will not trade in foreign currency, except as may be necessary to
    convert the proceeds of the sale of foreign securities in the Fund's
    portfolio into U.S. dollars.

5.  The Fund may purchase "when-issued" or "delayed-delivery" securities or
    purchase or sell securities on a "forward commitment" basis.

6.  The Fund will not invest in any security issued by a commercial bank unless
    (a) the bank has total assets of at least $1 billion, or the equivalent in
    other currencies, or, in the case of a United States bank which does not
    have assets of at least $1 billion, the aggregate investment made in any
    one such bank is limited to $100,000 and the principal sum of each
    investment is insured in full by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation


                                          5

<PAGE>

    ("FDIC"), (b) in the case of a U.S. bank, it is a member of the FDIC and
    (c) in the case of a foreign bank, the security is, in the opinion of the
    Fund's investment adviser, of an investment quality comparable with other
    debt securities which may be purchased by the Fund.  These limitations do
    not prohibit investment in securities issued by foreign branches of U.S.
    banks, provided the U.S. banks meet the foregoing requirements.

7.  The Fund shall not engage primarily in trading for short-term profits, but
    it may from time to time make investments for short-term purposes when such
    action is believed to be desirable and consistent with sound investment
    policy, and it may dispose of securities whenever its investment adviser
    deems advisable without regard to the length of time they have been held.

8.  The Intermediate Treasury Fund may invest up to five percent (5%) of its
    total assets in Yankee Sector debt securities and up to five percent (5%)
    of its total assets in Eurodollar bonds.

9.  The Intermediate Treasury Fund and High-Yield Bond Fund may each invest up
    to five percent (5%) of its total assets in securities the interest on
    which, in the opinion of counsel for the issuer, is exempt from federal
    income tax.  The GNMA Fund may not invest in such tax-exempt securities.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MANAGED BOND FUND

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The Managed Bond Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment policies.
The Managed Bond Fund will NOT:

1.  Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
    agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more than five percent (5%)
    of the value of total assets at the time of purchase would be invested in
    the securities of such issuer, except that up to twenty-five percent (25%)
    of the value of the Fund's assets (which twenty-five percent (25%) shall
    not include securities issued by another investment company) may be
    invested without regard to this five percent (5%) limitation.

2.  Purchase the securities of any issuer (other than obligations of or
    guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities) if,
    as a result, more than ten percent (10%) of any class of securities of such
    issuer will be held by the Fund.

3.  With respect to one hundred percent (100%) of the value of its total
    assets, purchase more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding voting
    securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities).


                                          6

<PAGE>

4.  Purchase securities, if as a result, twenty-five percent (25%) or more of
    the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers
    having their principal business activities in any one industry.  Securities
    of foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks are considered to be
    one industry.  This limitation does not apply to obligations issued or
    guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or to
    certificates of deposits or bankers' acceptances issued by domestic banks.

5.  Purchase securities on margin, except for short-term credits necessary for
    the clearance of transactions.

6.  Make short sales of securities (sales of securities not presently owned).

7.  Make loans, except through the purchase of a portion or all of an issue of
    debt securities in accordance with the Fund's investment objective,
    policies and restrictions or through investments in qualified repurchase
    agreements.

8.  Borrow money, except from a bank or SAFECO Corporation or its affiliates at
    an interest rate not greater than that available to the Fund from
    commercial banks, for temporary or emergency purposes and not for
    investment purposes, and then only in an amount not exceeding twenty
    percent (20%) of the value of the Fund's total assets (including
    borrowings) less liabilities (other than borrowings) immediately after such
    borrowing.

9.  Underwrite any issue of securities, except to the extent that the purchase
    of permitted investments directly from the issuer in accordance with the
    Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions and the subsequent
    disposition thereof may be deemed to be underwriting or the later
    disposition of restricted securities acquired within the limits imposed on
    the acquisition of such securities may be deemed to be an underwriting.

10. Purchase or sell real estate or real estate limited partnerships (unless
    acquired as a result of the ownership of securities or instruments) but
    this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in permitted investments
    secured by real estate or interests therein or in real estate investment
    trusts.

11. Purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts or futures contracts.

12. Participate on a joint or joint-and-several basis in any trading account in
    securities, except that the Fund may join with other transactions executed
    by the investment adviser or the investment adviser's parent company and
    any subsidiary thereof, for the purpose of seeking better net results on
    portfolio transactions or lower brokerage commission rates.

13. Issue or sell any senior security, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.


                                          7

<PAGE>

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The Managed Bond Fund has adopted the following non-fundamental investment
policies which may be changed without shareholder approval:

 1. The Fund will not issue long-term debt securities.

 2. The Fund will not invest in any security for the purpose of acquiring or
    exercising control or management of the issuer.

 3. The Fund will not invest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or
    development programs or leases.

 4. The Fund will not invest in or sell (write) puts, calls, straddles, spreads
    or any combinations thereof.

 5. The Fund will not invest more than five percent (5%) of its total assets in
    securities of issuers (including predecessor companies of the issuer)
    having a record of less than three years continuous operation.

 6. The Fund will not invest in securities with unlimited liability, i.e.,
    securities the holder of which may be assessed for amounts in addition to
    the subscription or other price paid for the security.

 7. The Fund will not invest more than ten percent (10%) of its total assets in
    qualified repurchase agreements and will not invest in qualified repurchase
    agreements maturing in more than seven (7) days.

 8. The Fund will not purchase the securities of any other investment company,
    except by purchase in the open market where no commission or profit to a
    broker or dealer results from such purchase other than the customary
    broker's commissions, or except as part of a merger, consolidation or
    acquisition.  The Fund shall not invest more than ten percent (10%) of its
    total assets in shares of other investment companies, invest more than five
    percent (5%) of its total assets in a single investment company nor
    purchase more than three percent (3%) of the outstanding voting securities
    of a single investment company.

 9. The Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings equal to or greater
    than five percent (5%) of the Fund's total assets are outstanding.

10. The Fund will invest at least sixty-five percent (65%) of its total assets
    in fixed income obligations.


                                          8

<PAGE>

11. The Fund will invest at least fifty percent (50%) of its total assets in
    obligations of or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and
    instrumentalities.

12. The Fund may invest up to fifty percent (50%) of its total assets in
    corporate debt securities or Eurodollar bonds.

13. The Fund may invest up to ten percent (10%) of its total assets in Yankee
    Sector debt obligations.

14. The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis
    or may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis.

15. The Fund may temporarily invest its cash in high quality commercial paper,
    certificates of deposit, shares of no-load, open-end money market funds
    (subject to the percentage limitations set forth in subparagraph 8 above),
    repurchase agreements (subject to the limitations set forth in subparagraph
    7 above) or any other short-term instrument the Fund's investment adviser
    deems appropriate.

16. The Fund may hold cash as a temporary defensive measure when market
    conditions so warrant.

17. The Fund shall not engage primarily in trading for short-term profits, but
    it may from time to time make investments for short-term purposes when such
    action is believed to be desirable and consistent with sound investment
    policy.  The Fund may dispose of securities whenever it deems advisable
    without regard to the length of time they have been held.

18. The Fund may invest up to five percent (5%) of its total assets in
    securities the  interest on which, in the opinion of counsel for the
    issuer, is exempt from federal income tax.

WHILE THE FUND HAS THE AUTHORITY TO INVEST IN THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF SECURITIES,
IT HAS NO PRESENT INTENTION TO DO SO IN THE COMING YEAR.  BEFORE THE FUND
PURCHASES ANY OF THESE SECURITIES, THE PROSPECTUS WILL BE AMENDED BY SUPPLEMENT
TO IDENTIFY OR DESCRIBE THE SECURITY.

19. The Fund may invest up to five percent (5%) of its total assets in shares
    of real estate investment trusts.

20. The Fund may purchase securities subject to legal or contractual
    restrictions on resale or illiquid securities, if no more than fifteen
    percent (15%) of the Fund's total assets would be invested in such
    securities.


                                          9

<PAGE>

21. The Fund may purchase foreign securities, provided that such purchase, at
    the time thereof, would not cause more than ten percent (10%) of the total
    assets of the Fund (taken at market value) to be invested in foreign
    securities.

22. The Fund will not buy or sell foreign currency, except as may be necessary
    to invest the proceeds of the sale of any foreign securities held by the
    Fund in U.S. dollars.

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION

The Funds may make the following investments, among others, although they may
not buy all of the types of securities that are described.

1.  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  Repurchase agreements are transactions in which a
    Fund purchases securities from a bank or recognized securities dealer and
    simultaneously commits to resell the securities to the bank or dealer at an
    agreed-upon date and price reflecting a market rate of interest unrelated
    to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased securities.  A Fund
    maintains custody of the underlying securities prior to their repurchase;
    thus, the obligation of the bank or dealer to pay the repurchase price on
    the date agreed to is, in effect, secured by such securities.  If the value
    of these securities is less than the repurchase price, plus any agreed-upon
    additional amount, the other party to the agreement must provide additional
    collateral so that at all times the collateral is at least equal to the
    repurchase price, plus any agreed-upon additional amount.

   
    Each Fund intends to enter into repurchase agreements only with banks and
    dealers in transactions believed by SAM to present minimum credit risks in
    accordance with guidelines established by the Trusts' Board of Trustees.
    SAM will review and monitor the creditworthiness of those institutions 
    under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees.
    

2.  WHEN-ISSUED OR DELAYED-DELIVERY SECURITIES.  Under this procedure, a Fund
    agrees to acquire securities (whose terms and conditions, including price,
    have been fixed by the issuer) that are to be issued and delivered against
    payment in the future.  Delivery of securities so sold normally takes place
    30 to 45 days (settlement date) after the date of the commitment.  No
    interest is earned by a Fund prior to the settlement date.  The value of
    securities sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may fluctuate
    before the settlement date and a Fund bears the risk of such fluctuation
    from the date of purchase.  A Fund may dispose of its interest in those
    securities before delivery.

    A Fund will commit to purchase such securities only with the intent of
    actually acquiring the securities when issued.  Assets which are
    short-term, high-quality obligations will be earmarked in anticipation of
    making payments for securities purchased on a when-issued basis.


                                          10

<PAGE>

3.  YANKEE DEBT SECURITIES AND EURODOLLAR BONDS.  Yankee debt securities are
    securities issued in the U.S. by foreign issuers.  These bonds involve
    investment risks that are different from those of domestic issuers.  Such
    risks may include nationalization of the issuer, confiscatory taxation by
    the foreign government, establishment of controls by the foreign government
    that would inhibit the ability of the issuer to make principal and interest
    payments to a Fund, lack of comparable publicly available information
    concerning foreign issuers, lack of comparable accounting and auditing
    practices in foreign countries and finally, difficulty in enforcing claims
    against foreign issuers in the event of default.

    SAM will make every effort to analyze potential investments in foreign
    issuers on the same basis as the rating services analyze domestic issuers.
    Because public information is not always comparable to that available on
    domestic issuers, this may not be possible.  Therefore, while SAM will make
    every effort to select investment in foreign securities on the same basis
    relative to quality and risk as its investments in domestic securities,
    that may not always be possible.

    Eurodollar bonds are denominated in U.S. dollars.  A Fund will purchase
    Eurodollar bonds through U.S. securities dealers and hold such bonds in the
    United States.  The delivery of Eurodollar bonds to a Fund's custodian in
    the United States may cause slight delays in settlement which are not
    anticipated to affect any Fund in any material, adverse manner.  Eurodollar
    bonds issued by foreign issuers are subject to the same risks as Yankee
    sector bonds.

4.  MUNICIPAL SECURITIES.  Municipal securities include obligations issued by
    or on behalf of the states, territories and possessions of the United
    States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions,
    agencies, instrumentalities or authorities, the interest on which, in the
    opinion of counsel to the issuer, is exempt from federal income tax.
    Generally, when market interest rates rise, the price of municipal
    securities will fall, and when market interest rates fall, the price of
    these securities will rise.  There is also a risk that the issuer of a
    municipal security will fail to make timely payments of principal and
    interest to the Fund.

The TAXABLE BOND FUNDS may also purchase the following types of securities:

1.  RESTRICTED SECURITIES AND RULE 144A SECURITIES.  Restricted securities are
    securities that may be sold only in a public offering with respect to which
    a registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act or, if they are
    unregistered, pursuant to an exemption from registration.  In recognition 
    of the increased size and liquidity of the institutional markets for 
    unregistered securities and the importance of institutional investors in 
    the formation of capital, the SEC has adopted Rule 144A under the 1933 Act,
    which is designed to further facilitate efficient trading among 
    institutional investors by permitting the sale of Rule 144A securities to 
    qualified institutional buyers without registration under the 1933 Act.  
    To the extent privately placed securities held by a Fund qualify under 
    Rule 144A and an institutional market develops for those securities, the 
    Fund likely will be able to dispose of the securities without registering 
    them under the 1933 Act.  SAM, acting under guidelines established by the 
    Taxable Bond Trust's Board of Trustees, may determine that certain 
    securities qualified for trading under Rule 144A are liquid.


                                          11

<PAGE>

    Where registration is required, a Fund may be obligated to pay all or part
    of the registration expenses, and a considerable period may elapse between
    the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a
    security under an effective registration statement.  If, during such a
    period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a
    less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to sell.  To the extent
    privately placed securities are illiquid, purchases thereof will be subject
    to any limitations on investments in illiquid securities.  Restricted
    securities for which no market exists are priced at fair value as
    determined in accordance with procedures approved and periodically reviewed
    by the Taxable Bond Trust's Board of Trustees.

2.  MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (GNMA FUND ONLY).  Unlike conventional bonds,
    the principal with respect to GNMA securities is paid back over the life of
    the loan rather than at maturity.  Consequently, the GNMA Fund will receive
    monthly scheduled payments of both principal and interest.  In addition,
    the GNMA Fund may receive unscheduled principal payments representing
    unscheduled prepayments on the underlying mortgages.  Since the GNMA Fund
    must reinvest scheduled and unscheduled principal payments at prevailing
    interest rates at the time of such investment and such interest rates may
    be higher or lower than the current yield of the GNMA Fund's portfolio,
    GNMA securities may not be an effective means to lock in long-term interest
    rates.  In addition, while prices of GNMA securities, like conventional
    bonds, are inversely affected by changes in interest rate levels, because
    of the likelihood of increased prepayments of mortgages in times of
    declining interest rates, they have less potential for capital appreciation
    than comparable fixed-income securities and may in fact decrease in value
    when interest rates fall.

    The rate of interest payable on CMO classes may be set at levels that are
    either above or below market rates at the time of issuance, so that the
    securities will be sold at a substantial premium to, or at a discount from,
    par value.  If the mortgage assets underlying a CMO experience greater than
    anticipated principal prepayments, an investor may fail to recoup fully its
    initial investment even though the security is government issued or
    guaranteed.

    Some CMO classes are structured to pay interest at rates that are adjusted
    in accordance with a formula, such as a multiple or fraction of the change
    in a specified interest rate index, so as to pay at a rate that will be
    attractive in certain interest rate environments but not in others.  For
    example, a CMO may be structured so that its yield moves in the same
    direction as market interest rates - i.e., the yield may increase as rates
    increase and



                                          12

<PAGE>

    decrease as rates decrease - but may do so more rapidly or to a greater
    degree.  Other CMO classes may be structured to pay floating interest rates
    that either move in the same direction or the opposite of short-term
    interest rates.  The market value of such securities may be more volatile
    than that of a fixed rate obligation.  Such interest rate formulas may be
    combined with other CMO characteristics.  The GNMA Fund will not invest in
    interest-only or principal-only classes -- such investments are extremely
    sensitive to changes in interest rates.

3.  ILLIQUID SECURITIES.  Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be
    sold within seven days in the ordinary course of business for approximately
    the amount at which they are valued.  Due to the absence of an active
    trading market, a Fund may experience difficulty in valuing or disposing of
    illiquid securities.  SAM determines the liquidity of the securities under
    guidelines adopted by the Taxable Bond Trust's Board of Trustees.

The MANAGED BOND FUND may also purchase the following type of securities:

1.  ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES.  Asset-backed securities represent interests in,
    or are secured by and payable from, pools of assets such as consumer loans,
    automobile receivable securities, credit card receivable securities, and
    installment loan contracts.  The assets underlying the securities are
    securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations.
    These securities may be supported by credit enhancements such as letters of
    credit.  Payment of interest and principal ultimately depends upon
    borrowers paying the underlying loans.  Repossessed collateral may be
    unavailable or inadequate to support payments on defaulted asset-backed
    securities.  In addition, asset-backed securities are subject to prepayment
    risks which may reduce the overall return of the investment.

    Automobile receivable securities represent undivided fractional interests
    in a trust whose assets consist of a pool of automobile retail installment
    sales contracts and security interests in vehicles securing the contracts.
    Payments of principal and interest on the certificates issued by the
    automobile receivable trust are passed through periodically to certificate
    holders and are generally guaranteed up to specified amounts by a letter of
    credit issued by a financial institution.  Certificate holders may
    experience delays in payments or losses if the full amounts due on the
    underlying installment sales contracts are not realized by the trust
    because of factors such as unanticipated legal or administrative costs of
    enforcing the contracts, or depreciation, damage or loss of the vehicles
    securing the contracts.

    Credit card receivable securities are backed by receivables from revolving
    credit card accounts.  Certificates issued by credit card receivable trusts
    generally are pass-through securities.  Competitive and general economic
    factors and an accelerated cardholder payment rate can adversely affect the
    rate at which new receivables are credited to an account, potentially
    shortening the expected weighted average life of the credit card


                                          13

<PAGE>

    receivable security and reducing its yield.  Credit card accounts are
    unsecured obligations of the cardholder.

2.  ZERO COUPON BONDS.  Zero coupon bonds do not make interest payments;
    instead they are sold at a deep discount from their face value and are
    redeemed at face value when they mature.  Because zero coupon bonds do not
    pay current income, their prices can be very volatile when interest rates
    change.  In calculating its dividends, the Managed Bond Fund takes into
    account as income a portion of the difference between a zero coupon bond's
    purchase price and its face value.

    The Federal Reserve Bank creates STRIPS (Separate Trading of Registered
    Interest and Principal of Securities) by separating the interest and
    principal components of an outstanding U.S. Treasury bond and selling them
    as individual securities.

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS OF CERTAIN FUNDS

   
At April 2, 1997, SAFECO Insurance Company of America ("SAFECO Insurance") 
owned 500,000 shares of the Intermediate Treasury Fund, which represented 33% 
of the outstanding shares of the Fund.  SAFECO Insurance is a Washington 
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of SAFECO Corporation, each of 
which has its principal place of business at SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, WA 98185. 
At April 2, 1997, SAFECO Corporation owned 500,000 shares of High-Yield Bond 
Fund, which represented 9% of the Fund's outstanding shares.  SAFECO 
Corporation is a Washington corporation and a holding company whose primary 
subsidiaries are engaged in the insurance and financial services businesses.  
At April 2, 1997, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. whose address of record is 101 
Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA  94104, owned 891,057 shares of the 
High-Yield Bond Fund, which represented 16% of the Fund's outstanding shares.
    

   
At April 2, 1997, the principal shareholders of the Managed Bond Fund were as 
follows:  Crista Ministries, whose address of record is P.O. Box 330303, 
Seattle, WA 98133, owned 94,132 shares, which represented 17% of the Fund's 
outstanding shares.  Massman Construction Co.  Profit Sharing Retirement 
Trust, whose address of record is 8901 Stateline, Kansas City, MO 64114, 
owned 240,303 shares, which represented 45% of the Fund's outstanding shares. 
Crown Packaging Corp.  Profit Sharing & Pension Plan, whose address of 
record is 8514 Eager Road, St. Louis, MO 63144, owned 160,640 shares, which 
represented 30% of the Fund's outstanding shares.
    

Principal shareholders of a Fund may control the outcome of a shareholder vote.

ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund intends to continue to qualify as a "regulated investment company"
under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ("Code").  In order to
qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company under the Code, a Fund
must distribute to its shareholders for each taxable year at least 90% of its
investment company taxable income (consisting generally of


                                          14

<PAGE>

taxable net investment income and net short-term capital gain).  Each Fund
intends to make sufficient distributions to shareholders to relieve it from
liability for federal excise and income taxes.
   
Each Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent it 
fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year substantially all of its 
ordinary income for that year and capital gain net income for the one-year 
period ending on December 31 (by election) of that year, plus certain other 
amounts.
    
   
Each Fund is treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes.
    
   
The excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital loss
realized by a Fund on portfolio transactions, when distributed by the Fund, is
subject to long-term capital gains treatment under the Code, regardless of how
long you have held the shares of the Fund.  Distributions of net short-term
capital gains realized from portfolio transactions are treated as ordinary
income for federal income tax purposes.  The tax consequences described above
apply whether distributions are taken in cash or in additional shares.
Redemptions and exchanges of shares of a Fund may result in a capital gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes.
    
If shares of a Fund are sold at a loss after being held for one year or less,
the  loss will be treated as long-term, instead of short-term, capital loss to
the extent of any capital gain distributions received on those shares.
Investors also should be aware that if shares are purchased shortly before the
record date for any distribution, the shareholder will pay full price for the
shares and receive some portion of the purchase price back as a taxable dividend
or capital gain distribution.
   
    
High-Yield Bond Fund may acquire zero coupon or other securities issued with 
original issue discount ("OID").  As a holder of such securities, the Fund 
must include in its income the portion of the OID that accrues on the 
securities during the taxable year, even if it receives no corresponding 
payment on them during the year.  Similarly, High-Yield Bond Fund must include
in its gross income securities it receives as "interest" on payment-in-kind 
securities.  Because the Fund annually must distribute substantially all 
of its investment company taxable income, including any accrued OID and other 
non-cash income, to satisfy the Distribution Requirement and avoid imposition 
of the Excise Tax, it may be required in a particular year to distribute as 
a dividend an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash it 
actually receives.  Those distributions will be made from the Fund's cash 
assets or from the proceeds of sales of portfolio securities, if necessary.  
The Fund may realize capital gains or losses from those sales, which would 
increase or decrease its investment company taxable income and/or net capital 
gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital 
loss).  In addition, any such gains may be realized on the disposition of 
securities held for less than three months.   Because of the Short-Short 
Limitation, any such gains would reduce the Fund's ability to sell other 
securities held for more than three months that it might be able to sell in the
ordinary course of the portfolio management.


Each Fund is required to withhold 31% of all taxable dividends, capital gain
distributions and redemption proceeds payable to individuals and certain other
noncorporate shareholders who do not furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer
identification number.  Withholding at that rate also is required from dividends
and those distributions for shareholders who otherwise are subject to backup
withholding.

These are tax requirements that all mutual funds must follow in order to avoid
federal taxation.  The Funds may have to limit investment activity in some types
of securities in order to adhere to these requirements.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

Each Fund determines its net asset value per share ("NAV") by subtracting its
liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends payable) from its total
assets (the market value of the securities the Fund holds plus cash and other
assets, including interest accrued but not yet received) and dividing the result
by the total number of shares outstanding.  The NAV of the No-Load Class of each
Fund is calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange ("Exchange") every day the Exchange is open for trading.  The Exchange
is closed on the following days:  New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
NAV is determined separately for each class of shares of each Fund.


                                          15

<PAGE>
   
Short-term securities held in a Fund's portfolio having a remaining maturity of
less than 60 days when purchased, and securities originally purchased with
maturities in excess of 60 days but which currently have maturities of 60 days
or less, may be valued at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums or accrual
of discounts or under such other methods as a Board of Trustees may from time to
time deem to be appropriate.  The cost of those securities that had original
maturities in excess of 60 days shall be determined by their fair market value
up until the 61st day prior to maturity.  All other securities and assets in the
portfolio will be appraised in accordance with those procedures established by a
Board of Trustees in good faith in computing the fair market value of those
assets.
    
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Effective September 30, 1996 all of the then-existing shares of each Fund were
redesignated No-Load Class shares, and the Intermediate Treasury and Managed
Bond Funds commenced offering Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B shares.
The High-Yield Bond Fund commenced offering Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B 
shares on or about January 31, 1997.

The yield and total return calculations set forth below are for the dates
indicated and are not a prediction of future results.
   
The yields for the No-Load Class of the Taxable Bond Funds for the 30-day period
ended December 31,  1996 were as follows:

              Intermediate Treasury Fund     5.14%
              GNMA Fund                      6.75%
              High-Yield Bond Fund           8.83%
    
   
The yields for the No-Load Class of the Managed Bond Fund for the 30-day period
ended December 31, 1996 was 5.42%.
    

                                          16

<PAGE>

Yield is computed using the following formula:

                            a-b    6
         Yield  =       2[( --- +1)  -1]
                            cd

    Where:         a =  dividends and interest earned during the period

                   b =  expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements)

                   c =  the average daily number of shares outstanding during
                        the period that were entitled to receive dividends

                   d =  the maximum offering price per share on the last day of
                        the period

   
The total returns for the No-Load Class of each Taxable Bond Fund for the
one-year, five-year and ten-year (or since initial public offering ) period
ended December 31,  1996 were as follows:

                                   10 Year Period 
                                  or Since Initial    # of      Date of Initial
                1 Year  5 Year    Public Offering    Months     Public Offering
                ------  ------    ---------------    ------     ---------------
Intermediate
Treasury
Fund              .38%  33.43%          80.25%         100     September 7, 1988
                        

GNMA Fund        3.98%  31.34%         101.34%         120     July 15, 1986

High-Yield   
Bond Fund       10.39%  66.12%         107.78%         100     September 7, 1988

 (*) 10-year period

The total returns for the No-Load Class of the Managed Bond Fund for the
one-year and since initial public offering periods ended December 31, 1996, were
as follows:

                    One      Since Initial       # of       Date of Initial
                    Year     Public Offering     Months     Public Offering
                     ---     ---------------     ------     ---------------
Managed
Bond Fund           .02%          13.84%           34     February 28, 1994
    

                                          17

<PAGE>

   
The average annual returns for the No-Load Class of each Taxable Bond Fund for
the one-year, five-year and ten-year (or since initial public offering ) period
ended December 31,  1996 were as follows:

                                     10 year or
                                    Since Initial      # of     Date of Initial
                1 Year   5 Year   Public Offering    Months     Public Offering
                ------   ------   ---------------    ------     ---------------

Intermediate
Treasury Fund     .38%    5.94%          7.40%         100     September 7, 1988

GNMA Fund        3.98%    5.60%          7.25%(*)      120     July 15, 1986

High-Yield Bond
Fund            10.39%   10.68%          9.27%         100     September 7, 1988

 (*) 10-year period.

The average annual returns for the No-Load Class of the Managed Bond Fund for
the one-year and since initial public offering periods ended December 31, 1996
were as follows:

                    One      Since Initial       # of       Date of Initial
                    Year     Public Offering     Months     Public Offering
                     ---     ---------------     ------     ---------------

Managed
Bond Fund           .02%            4.68%          34     February 28, 1994
    

                                          18

<PAGE>

   
    

Total return is computed using the following formula:

                    ERV-P
              T = -------  x 100
                     P

The average annual total return is computed using the following formula:

         A = (nth-root(ERV/P) - 1) x 100

    Where:    T    =    total return

              A    =    average annual total return

              n    =    number of years

              ERV  =    ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
                        investment at the end of a specified period of time

              P    =    a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000

In making the above calculation, all dividends and capital gain distributions
are assumed to be reinvested at the Fund's NAV on the reinvestment date.

In addition to performance figures, the Funds may advertise their rankings as
calculated by independent rating services which monitor mutual funds'
performance (e.g., CDA Investment Technologies, Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc., Morningstar, Inc. and Wiesenberger Investment Companies Service).  These
rankings may be among mutual funds with similar objectives and/or size or with
mutual funds in general.  In addition, the Funds may advertise rankings which
are in part based upon subjective criteria developed by independent rating
services to measure relative performance.  Such criteria may include methods to
account for levels of risk and potential tax liability, sales commissions and
expense and turnover ratios.  These rating services may also base the measure of
relative performance on time periods deemed by them to be representative of up
and down markets.  The Funds may also describe in their advertisements the
methodology used


                                          19

<PAGE>

by rating services to arrive at Fund ratings.  In addition, the Funds may also
advertise individual measurements of Fund performance published by the rating
services.

The Funds may occasionally reproduce articles or portions of articles about the
Funds written by independent third parties such as financial writers, financial
planners and financial analysts, which have appeared in financial publications
of general circulation or financial newsletters (including but not limited to
BARRONS, BUSINESS WEEK, FABIANS, FORBES, FORTUNE, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY,
KIPLINGER'S, MORNINGSTAR MUTUAL FUNDS, MUTUAL FUNDS FORECASTER, MUTUAL FUNDS
MAGAZINE, MONEY MAGAZINE, NEWSWEEK, NO-LOAD FUND INVESTOR, NO-LOAD FUND X,
NO-LOAD INVESTOR, PENSIONS & INVESTMENTS, RUKEYSER'S MUTUAL FUNDS, TELESWITCH,
TIME MAGAZINE, U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT, YOUR MONEY and THE WALL STREET
JOURNAL).

Each Fund may also present in its advertisements and sales literature (i) a
biography or the credentials of its portfolio manager (including but not limited
to educational degrees, professional designations, work experience, work
responsibilities and outside interests), (ii) descriptions, including quotations
attributable to the portfolio manager of the investment style used to manage a
Fund's portfolio, the research methodologies underlying securities selection and
a Fund's investment objective, (iii) current facts (including but not limited to
number of employees, number of shareholders, business characteristics) about the
Fund's investment adviser (SAM), or any sub investment adviser, the investment
adviser's parent company (SAFECO Corporation) or the parent company of any sub
investment adviser, or the SAFECO Family of Funds, and (iv) information about
particular securities held in a Fund's portfolio.

From time to time, each Fund may discuss its performance in relation to the
performance of relevant indices and/or representative peer groups.  Such
discussions may include how a Fund's investment style (including but not limited
to portfolio holdings, asset types, industry/sector weightings and the purchase
and sale of specific securities) contributed to such performance.

In addition, each Fund may comment on the market and economic outlook in
general, on specific economic events, on how these conditions have impacted its
performance and on how the portfolio manager will or has addressed such
conditions.

Performance information and quoted ratings are indicative only of past
performance and are not intended to represent future investment results.


                                          20

<PAGE>

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUSTS

                        Position(s) Held with    Principal Occupation(s)
Name and Address        the Trust                During Past 5 Years
- ----------------        ------------------       --------------------

Boh A. Dickey*          Chairman and Trustee     President, Chief Operating
SAFECO Plaza                                     Officer, and Director of
Seattle, WA 98185                                SAFECO Corporation.
(52)                                             Previously, Executive Vice
                                                 President and Chief Financial
                                                 Officer.  He has been an
                                                 executive officer of SAFECO
                                                 Corporation subsidiaries since
                                                 1982.  See table under
                                                 Investment Advisory and Other
                                                 Services.

Barbara J. Dingfield    Trustee                  Manager, Corporate
Microsoft Corporation                            Contributions and Community
One Microsoft Way                                Programs for Microsoft
Redmond, WA 98052                                Corporation, Redmond,
(51)                                             Washington, a computer
                                                 software company;  Director
                                                 and former Executive Vice
                                                 President of Wright Runstad &
                                                 Co., Seattle, Washington, a
                                                 real estate development
                                                 company;  Director of First
                                                 SAFECO National Life Insurance
                                                 Company of New York.

   
Richard W. Hubbard*     Trustee                  Retired Vice President and
1270 NW Blakely Ct.                              Treasurer of the Trust and
Seattle, WA 98177                                other SAFECO Trusts; retired
(68)                                             Senior Vice President and
                                                 Treasurer of SAFECO
                                                 Corporation; former President
                                                 of SAFECO Asset Management
                                                 Company; Director of First
                                                 SAFECO National Life Insurance
                                                 Company of New York.
    

Richard E. Lundgren     Trustee                  Director of Marketing and
764 S. 293rd Street                              Customer Relations, Building
Federal Way, WA 98032                            Materials Distribution,
(59)                                             Weyerhaeuser Company, Tacoma,
                                                 Washington; Director of First
                                                 SAFECO National Life Insurance
                                                 Company of New York.


                                          21

<PAGE>

                        Position(s) Held with    Principal Occupation(s)
Name and Address        the Trust                During Past 5 Years
- ----------------        ------------------       --------------------

Larry L. Pinnt          Trustee                  Retired Vice President and
1600 Bell Plaza                                  Chief Financial Officer U.S.
Room 1802                                        WEST Communications, Seattle,
Seattle, WA 98191                                Washington; Director of Key
(62)                                             Bank of Washington, Seattle,
                                                 Washington; Director of
                                                 University of Washington
                                                 Medical Center, Seattle,
                                                 Washington; Director of
                                                 Cascade Natural Gas
                                                 Corporation, Seattle,
                                                 Washington; Director of First
                                                 SAFECO National Life Insurance
                                                 Company of New York.

John W. Schneider       Trustee                  President of Wallingford
1808 N 41st St.                                  Group, Inc.,  an international
Seattle, WA 98103                                trading and business/real
(55)                                             estate development consulting
                                                 firm, Seattle, Washington;
                                                 former President of Coast
                                                 Hotels, Inc., Seattle,
                                                 Washington; Director of
                                                 First SAFECO National Life
                                                 Insurance Company of New York.

David F. Hill*          President                President of SAFECO
SAFECO Plaza            Trustee                  Securities, Inc. and SAFECO
Seattle, WA 98185                                Services Corporation;  Senior
(48)                                             Vice President of SAFECO Asset
                                                 Management Company.  See table
                                                 under "Investment Advisory and
                                                 other Services."

Neal A. Fuller          Vice President           Vice President, Controller,
SAFECO Plaza            Controller               Assistant Secretary and
Seattle, WA 98185       Assistant Secretary      Treasurer of SAFECO
(34)                                             Securities, Inc. and SAFECO
                                                 Services Corporation; Vice
                                                 President, Controller,
                                                 Secretary and Treasurer of
                                                 SAFECO Asset Management
                                                 Company; See table under
                                                 Investment Advisory and Other
                                                 Services.


                                          22

<PAGE>

                        Position(s) Held with    Principal Occupation(s)
Name and Address        the Trust                During Past 5 Years
- ----------------        ------------------       --------------------

   
Ronald L. Spaulding     Vice President           Chairman of SAFECO Asset
SAFECO Plaza            Treasurer                Management Company;  Vice
Seattle, WA 98185                                President and Treasurer of
(53)                                             SAFECO Corporation;  Vice
                                                 President of SAFECO Life
                                                 Insurance Company; former
                                                 Senior Portfolio Manager of
                                                 SAFECO insurance companies;
                                                 former Portfolio Manager for
                                                 several SAFECO mutual funds.
                                                 See table under Investment
                                                 Advisory and Other Services.
    


* Trustees who are interested persons as defined by the Investment Company Act
of 1940.

                                          23

<PAGE>
   

                       COMPENSATION TABLE FOR CURRENT TRUSTEES
                              FOR THE FISCAL PERIOD ENDED
                                   DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                 (Taxable Bond Trust)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Total
                                            Pension or                              Compensation
                                            Retirement          Estimated Annual    From Registrant
                        Aggregate           Benefits Accrued    Benefits Upon       and Fund
                        Compensation        As Part of Fund     Retirement          Complex Paid to
     Trustee            from Registrant     Expenses            ----------          Trustees
     -------            ---------------     --------                                --------

<S>                     <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Boh A. Dickey           N/A                 N/A                 N/A                 N/A

Barbara J. Dingfield    $204.               N/A                 N/A                 $2,188.

Richard E. Lundgren     $204.               N/A                 N/A                 $2,188.

Larry L. Pinnt          $204.               N/A                 N/A                 $2,188.

John W. Schneider       $204.               N/A                 N/A                 $2,188.

Richard W. Hubbard      $204.               N/A                 N/A                 $1,750.

David F. Hill*          N/A                 N/A                 N/A                 N/A

*  First elected to the Board of Trustees in August, 1996.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, Barbara J. Dingfield, Richard 
E. Lundgren, Larry L. Pinnt, John W. Schneider and Richard W. Hubbard each 
received $2,458 aggregate compensation from Registrant and $28,478 total 
compensation from Registrant and fund complex paid to Trustees.  Mr. Dickey 
and Mr. Hill are officers of various SAFECO companies and are not compensated 
by the Trusts.  Similarly, the officers of the SAFECO Trusts receive no 
compensation for their service as officers.
</TABLE>
    

Currently, there is no pension, retirement, or other plan or any arrangement 
pursuant to which Trustees or officers of the Trust are compensated by the 
Trust.  Each Trustee also serves as Trustee for five other registered 
open-end management companies that have, in the aggregate, twenty series 
companies managed by SAM.

   
    

At April 30, 1997 the Trustees and officers of the Taxable Bond Trust as a
group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each Taxable Bond Fund.


                                          24

<PAGE>
   
                       COMPENSATION TABLE FOR CURRENT TRUSTEES
                              FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
                                  DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                 (Managed Bond Trust)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Pension or                              Total
                                            Retirement                              Compensation
                                            Benefits            Estimated           From Registrant
                        Aggregate           Accrued As          Annual Benefits     and Fund
                        Compensation        Part of Fund        Upon Retirement     Complex Paid to
Trustee                 from Registrant     Expenses            ---------------     Trustees
- -------                 ---------------     --------                                --------

<S>                     <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Boh A. Dickey           N/A                 N/A                 N/A                 N/A

Barbara J. Dingfield    $684                N/A                 N/A                 $24,750

Richard E. Lundgren     $684                N/A                 N/A                 $24,750

Larry L. Pinnt          $684                N/A                 N/A                 $24,750

John W. Schneider       $684                N/A                 N/A                 $24,750

Richard W. Hubbard      $684                N/A                 N/A                 $23,000

David F. Hill*          N/A                 N/A                 N/A                 N/A
</TABLE>
    

* First elected to the Board of Trustees in August, 1996.
   
Mr. Dickey and Mr. Hill are officers of various SAFECO companies and are not 
compensated by the Trusts.  Similarly, the officers of the SAFECO Trusts 
receive no compensation for their service as officers.
    
Currently, there is no pension, retirement, or other plan or any arrangement
pursuant to which Trustees or officers of the Trust are compensated by the
Trust.  Each Trustee also serves as Trustee for five other registered open-end
management companies that have, in the aggregate, twenty-two series companies
managed by SAM.
   
    
   
At April 2, 1997 the Trustees and officers of the Managed Bond Trust owned
none of the outstanding shares of the Managed Bond Fund.
    

                                          25
<PAGE>

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

SAM, SAFECO Securities, Inc. ("SAFECO Securities") and SAFECO Services
Corporation ("SAFECO Services") are wholly-owned subsidiaries of SAFECO
Corporation.  SAFECO Securities is the principal underwriter of each Fund and
SAFECO Services is the transfer, dividend and distribution disbursement and
shareholder servicing agent of each Fund.

   
The following individuals have the following positions and offices with the
Trusts, SAM, SAFECO Securities and SAFECO Services:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                SAFECO              SAFECO
Name                    Trusts              SAM                 Securities          Services
- ----                    ------              ---                 ----------          --------

<S>                     <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
B. A. Dickey            Chairman            Director                                Director
                        Trustee             

D. F. Hill              President           Senior Vice         President           President
                        Trustee             President           Director            Director
                                            Director            Secretary           Secretary

N. A. Fuller            Vice President      Vice President      Vice President      Vice President
                        Controller          Controller          Controller          Controller
                        Assistant           Secretary           Assistant           Assistant
                        Secretary           Treasurer           Secretary           Secretary
                                                                Treasurer           Treasurer

R. L. Spaulding         Vice President      Chairman            Director            Director
                        Treasurer           Director

S. C. Bauer                                 President
                                            Director

D.H. Longhurst                              Assistant           Assistant           Assistant
                                            Controller          Controller          Controller

</TABLE>
    

Mr. Dickey is President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of SAFECO
Corporation and Mr. Spaulding is a Treasurer and a Vice President of SAFECO
Corporation.  Messrs. Dickey and Spaulding are also  directors of other SAFECO
Corporation subsidiaries.

In connection with the investment advisory contract with each Trust, SAM
furnishes or pays for all facilities and services furnished or performed for or
on behalf of each Trust and each Fund of the Trust, which includes furnishing
office facilities, books, records and personnel to manage each Trust's and each
Fund's affairs and paying certain expenses.

The Trust Instrument of each Trust provides that the Trust will indemnify its
Trustees and its officers against liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred
in connection with litigation in


                                          26

<PAGE>

which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trust, unless it is
adjudicated that they engaged in bad faith, wilful misfeasance, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their
offices.  In the case of settlement, such indemnification will not be provided
unless it has been determined -- by a court or other body approving the
settlement or other disposition, or by a majority of a quorum of Trustees who
are neither interested persons of the Trust nor are parties to the proceeding,
based upon a review of readily available facts (rather than a trial-type
inquiry), or in a written opinion of independent counsel --that such officers or
Trustees have not engaged in wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of their duties.

SAM also serves as the investment adviser for other investment companies in 
addition to the Funds.  Several of these investment companies have investment 
objectives similar to those of certain Funds.  It is therefore possible that 
the same securities will be purchased for both a Fund and another investment 
company advised by SAM.  When two or more funds advised by SAM are 
simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the 
prices and amounts will be allocated in a manner considered by the officers 
of the funds involved to be equitable to each Fund.  It is expected that the 
opportunity to participate in volume transactions will produce better 
executions and prices for a Fund generally.  In some cases, the price of a 
security allocated to the Fund may be higher or lower than the price of a 
security allocated to another Fund.

For the services and facilities furnished by SAM, each Trust has agreed to pay
an annual fee for each Fund computed on the basis of the average market value of
the net assets of each Fund ascertained each business day and paid monthly in
accordance with the following schedules.  The reduction in fees occurs only at
such time as the respective Fund's net assets reach the dollar amounts of the
break points and applies only to those assets that fall within the specified
range:

                              INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND

    For assets up to and
    including $250,000,000                                 .55 of 1%

    For assets in excess of $250,000,000
    and up to and including $500,000,000                   .45 of 1%

    For assets in excess of $500,000,000
    and up to and including $750,000,000                   .35 of 1%

    For assets over $750,000,000                           .25 of 1%


                            GNMA AND HIGH-YIELD BOND FUNDS

    For assets up to and
    including $250,000,000                                 .65 of 1%

    For assets in excess of $250,000,000
    and up to and including $500,000,000                   .55 of 1%

    For assets in excess of $500,000,000
    and up to and including $750,000,000                   .45 of 1%

    For assets over $750,000,000                           .35 of 1%

                                          27
<PAGE>

                                  MANAGED BOND FUND
    Net Assets                                                Fee
    ----------                                                ---

    For assets up to and
    including $100,000,000                                 .50 of 1%

    For assets in excess of $100,000,000
    and up to and including $250,000,000                   .40 of 1%

    For assets over $250,000,000                           .35 of 1%


Each Fund bears all expenses of its operations not specifically assumed by SAM.

   
The following table states the total amount of compensation paid by each Fund 
to SAM for the fiscal year or period ended December 31, 1996 and the past 
three fiscal years (or since its initial public offering in the case of the 
Managed Bond Fund):

                                  TAXABLE BOND FUNDS

                                      Year Ended

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 3 month
                 Period Ended
                 December 31,
                    1996        September 30, 1996  September 30, 1995  September 30, 1994
<S>              <C>            <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Intermediate
Treasury Fund    $21,000        $ 78,000            $ 71,000            $ 77,000

GNMA Fund        $65,000        $270,000            $276,000            $352,000

High-Yield Bond  
Fund             $82,000        $255,000            $206,000            $202,000
</TABLE>

                                  MANAGED BOND FUND

                                      
              Year Ended                Period from February 28, 1994
- --------------------------------------    (Initial Public Offering) to
December 31, 1996    December 31, 1995        December 31, 1994
- -----------------    -----------------  ------------------------------

    $21,000              $23,000                  $16,000

                                          28

<PAGE>

CUSTODIAN.  State Street Bank and Trust Company, 1776 Heritage Dr., North 
Quincy, MA 02170, is the custodian of the securities, cash and other assets of
each Fund under an agreement with the Trusts.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR.  Ernst & Young LLP, 999 Third Avenue, Suite 3500, 
Seattle, Washington 98104 is the independent auditor of each Fund's financial 
statements.

TRANSFER AGENT. SAFECO Services, SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185 is 
the transfer, dividend and distribution disbursement and shareholder 
servicing agent for the No-Load Class of each Fund under an Agreement with 
the Trusts.  SAFECO Services provides, or through subcontracts makes 
provisions for, all required transfer agent activity, including maintenance 
of records of each Fund's No-Load Class shareholders, records of transactions 
involving each Fund's No-Load Class shares, and the compilation,
distribution, or reinvestment of income dividends or capital gains
distributions.

SAFECO Services is paid a fee for these services equal to $32.00 per 
shareholder account but not to exceed .30% of each Taxable Bond Fund's or the 
Managed Bond Fund's average net assets.  The following table shows the fees 
paid by each Taxable Bond Fund to SAFECO Services during the fiscal period 
ended December 31, 1996 the past three fiscal years:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Year or Period Ended*

                 December 31, 1996   September 30, 1996  September 30, 1995  September 30, 1994
<S>              <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Intermediate
Treasury Fund         $ 6,000          $ 39,000            $ 33,000            $ 25,000

GNMA Fund             $17,000          $111,000            $120,000            $115,000

High-Yield Bond
Fund                  $17,000          $ 90,000            $ 78,000            $ 63,000
</TABLE>

The following table states the total amount of compensation paid by the 
Managed Bond Fund to SAFECO Services for the years ended December 31, 1996, 
December 31, 1995 and for the period from February 28, 1994 (initial public 
offering) to December 31, 1994:


              Year Ended                 Period from February 28, 1994
- --------------------------------------     (Initial Public Offering) to
December 31, 1996*   December 31, 1995*        December 31, 1994*
- -----------------    -----------------   ------------------------------

      $15                  $309                      $96
    

* Figures reflect fees of $3.10 per shareholder transaction until July, 1996 
when the new fee schedule went into effect.

SAFECO Securities is the principal underwriter for the No-Load Class of each
Fund and distributes each Fund's No-Load Class shares on a continuous best
efforts basis under an Agreement with the Trusts.  SAFECO Securities is not
compensated by the Trusts or the Funds for underwriting, distribution or other
activities in connection with the No-Load shares.

BROKERAGE PRACTICES

   
Brokers typically charge commissions or mark-ups/mark-downs to effect 
securities transactions. The Funds may also purchase securities from 
underwriters the price of which will include a commission or concession paid 
by the issuer to the underwriter. The purchase price of securities purchased 
from dealers serving as market makers will include the spread between the bid 
and asked prices. Brokerage transactions involving securities of companies 
domiciled in countries other than the United States will normally be 
conducted on the principal stock exchanges of those countries. In most 
international markets, commission rates are not negotiable and may be higher 
than the negotiated commission rates available in the United States. There is 
generally less government supervision and regulations of foreign stock 
exchanges and broker-dealers than in the United States.

SAM determines the broker/dealers through whom securities transactions for the 
Funds are executed. SAM may select a broker/dealer who may receive a 
commission for portfolio transactions exceeding the amount another 
broker/dealer would have charged for the same transaction if SAM determines 
that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the 
brokerage and research services performed or provided by the broker/dealer, 
viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or SAM's overall 
responsibilities to the client for whose account such portfolio transaction 
is executed and other accounts advised by SAM. Research services include 
market information, analysis of specific issues, presentation of special 
situations and trading opportunities on a timely basis, advice concerning 
industries, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and performance 
of accounts. Research services are used in advising all accounts, including 
accounts advised by related persons of SAM and not all such services are 
necessarily used by SAM in connection with the specific account that paid 
commissions to the broker/dealer providing such services. SAM does not 
acquire research services through the generation of credits with respect to 
principal transactions or transactions in financial futures.

The overall reasonableness of broker commissions paid is evaluated 
periodically. Such evaluation includes review of what competing 
broker/dealers are willing to charge for similar types of services and what 
discounts are being granted by brokerage firms. The evaluation also considers 
the timeliness and accuracy of the research received.
    

<PAGE>

REDEMPTION IN KIND

If the Trusts conclude that cash payment upon redemption to a shareholder would
be prejudicial to the best interest of the other shareholders of a Fund, a
portion of the payment may be made in kind.  The Trusts have elected to be
governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 pursuant to
which each Trust must redeem shares tendered by a shareholder solely in cash up
to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of a Fund during any
90-day period.  Any shares tendered by the shareholder in excess of the
above-mentioned limit may be redeemed through distribution of a Fund's assets.
Any securities or other property so distributed in kind shall be valued by the
same method as is used in computing NAV.  Distributions in kind will be made in
readily-marketable securities, unless the investor elects otherwise.  Investors
may incur brokerage costs in disposing of securities received in such a
distribution in kind.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

TAXABLE BOND FUNDS

   
The following financial statements of the Taxable Bond Funds and the report
thereon of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, are incorporated by
reference to the Taxable Bond Trust's Annual Report for the period ended 
December 31,  1996.

    Portfolio of Investments as of December 31,  1996
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31,  1996
    Statement of Operations for the Periods Ended December 31,  1996 and 
      September 30, 1996
    Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the Three-Month Period Ended 
      December 31,  1996 and the Years Ended September 30, 1996 and 
      September 30, 1995
    Notes to Financial Statements
    

                                          30

<PAGE>

The following financial statements of the Managed Bond Fund (formerly Fixed
Income Portfolio) and the report thereon of Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, are incorporated by reference to the Managed Bond Trust's (formerly
Institutional Series Trust) Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1996:

    Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 1996
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1996
    Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 1996
    Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended December 31, 1995
      and December 31, 1996.
    Notes to Financial Statements

   
A copy of each Trust's Annual Report accompanies this Statement of Additional 
Information.  Additional copies may be obtained by calling SAFECO Services at 
1-800-426-6730 nationwide or 206-545-5530 in Seattle or by writing to the 
address on the Prospectus cover.
    

DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICES, INC. ("MOODY'S")

Moody's short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to repay
punctually senior debt obligations with an original maturity not exceeding one
year.

Prime-1:  Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 (P-1) have a
superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.  P-1
repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following
characteristics:

    -    Leading market positions in well-established industries.
    -    High rates of return on funds employed.
    -    Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt
         and ample asset protection.
    -    Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high
         internal cash generation.
    -    Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured
         sources of alternate liquidity.

Prime-2:  Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 (P-2) have a strong
ability for repayment of senior short-term 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.

                                          31

<PAGE>

                            SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST

                                     PART C
                                OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 24.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS


(a)  Financial Statements*:  
   
     Part A
     ------
     None

     Part B
     ------
    
   
     The following financial statements for each series of the Registrant and 
     the report thereon of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, are 
     incorporated by reference into Part B of this Registration Statement:

        Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 1996
        Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1996
        Statement of Operations for the Periods Ended December 31, 1996 and
          September 30, 1996
        Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the Three-Month Period Ended
          December 31, 1996 and for the Years Ended September 30, 1996 and 
          September 30, 1995
        Notes to Financial Statements
    
   
     The following financial statements for the Managed Bond Fund and the 
     report thereon by Ernst & Young, LLP, independent auditors, are 
     incorporated by reference into Part B of this Registration Statement:

        Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 1996
        Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1996
        Statement of Operations for the Year ended December 31, 1996
        Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the Years Ended December 31, 
          1996 and December 31, 1996
        Notes to Financial Statements


     The following financial statements for the Intermediate-Term Municipal 
     Bond, Insured Municipal Bond, Municipal Bond, California Tax-Free Income 
     and Washington State Municipal Bond Funds and the report thereon of 
     Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, are incorporated by reference 
     into Part B of this Registration Statement:

        Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 1996
        Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1996
        Statement of Operations for the Period Ended December 31, 1996
        Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the Nine-Month Period Ended 
          December 31, 1996 and the Year Ended March 31, 1996
        Notes to Financial Statements


     The following financial statements for the Money Market and Tax-Free 
     Money Market Funds and the report thereon of Ernst & Young, LLP, 
     independent auditors, are incorporated by reference into Part B of 
     this Registration Statement:

        Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 1996
        Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1996
        Statement of Operations for the Period Ended December 31, 1996
        Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the Nine-Month Period Ended
          December 31, 1996 and for the Year Ended March 31, 1996
        Notes to Financial Statements
    

   
    

                                       C-1

<PAGE>

     (b)  Exhibits:

Exhibit
Number    Description of Document                              Page
- -------   -----------------------                              ----

   
(27.1-5)  Financial Data Schedules
    


(1)       Trust Instrument/Certificate of Trust                  *

(2)       Bylaws                                                 *
               
(3)       Inapplicable

(4)       Form of Stock Certificate                              *
          
(5)       Investment Advisory and Management Contract            *

(6)       Form of Distribution Agreement                         **
          Form of Selling Dealer Agreement                       **

(7)       Inapplicable

   
(8)       Custody Agreement with State Street Bank
            and Trust Company
    
                    
(9)       Form of Transfer Agent Agreement                       **

   
(10)      Opinion and Consent of Counsel for
            No-Load Class
          Opinion and Consent of Counsel for
            Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B


(11)      Consent of Independent Auditors


(12)      Registrant's Annual Report for the Period              +
          Ended December 31, 1996, including Financial
          Statements

          Annual Report for SAFECO Managed Bond Trust for        +
          the Year Ended December 31, 1996, including 
          Financial Statements

          Annual Report for SAFECO Money Market Trust for        +
          the Period Ended December 31, 1996, including 
          Financial Statements

    

                                       C-2
<PAGE>
   
          Annual Report for SAFECO Tax-Exempt Bond Trust         +
          for the Period Ended December 31, 1996, including
          Financial Statements
    


(13)      Subscription Agreement                                 * 
                         
(14)      Prototype 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan                   * 
     
(15)      Rule 12b-1 Plan (Advisor Class A)                      **
          Rule 12b-1 Plan (Advisor Class B)                      **

(16)      Calculation of Performance Information-                
            No-Load Class                                        *
          Calculation of Performance Information- 
            Advisor Class A                                      **
          Calculation of Performance Information- 
            Advisor Class B                                      ** 
(17)      See Exhibit 27.1-5

(18)      Rule 18f-3 Plan                                        **

   
    

*    Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 filed with the SEC
     on or about January 31, 1996.

**   Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 filed with the      
     SEC on or about August 1, 1996.

   
    



   
+    Annual Reports for the Advisor Classes and the No-Load Class of the 
     Registrant, SAFECO Managed Bond Trust, SAFECO Money Market Trust and 
     SAFECO Tax-Exempt Bond Trust were filed with the SEC on or about 
     February 26, 1997.
    

ITEM 25.  PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT


SAFECO Corporation, a Washington corporation, owns 100% of SAFECO Asset
Management Company (SAM), SAFECO Services Corporation (SAFECO Services) and
SAFECO Securities, Inc. (SAFECO Securities), each a Washington corporation.  SAM
is the investment advisor, SAFECO Services is the transfer agent and SAFECO
Securities is the principal underwriter for each of the SAFECO Mutual Funds. 
The SAFECO Mutual Funds consist of six Delaware business trusts: SAFECO Common
Stock Trust, SAFECO Taxable Bond Trust, SAFECO Tax-Exempt Bond Trust, SAFECO
Money Market Trust, SAFECO Managed Bond Trust (formerly SAFECO Institutional
Series Trust) and SAFECO Resource Series Trust.  The SAFECO 

                                       C-3
<PAGE>

Common Stock Trust consists of eight mutual funds: SAFECO Growth Fund, SAFECO
Equity Fund, SAFECO Income Fund, SAFECO Northwest Fund, SAFECO International
Stock Fund, SAFECO Balanced Fund, SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund and SAFECO
U.S. Value Fund.  The SAFECO Taxable Bond Trust consists of three mutual funds:
SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund, SAFECO GNMA Fund and SAFECO High-
Yield Bond Fund.  The SAFECO Tax-Exempt Bond Trust consists of five mutual
funds: SAFECO Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Fund, SAFECO Insured Municipal
Bond Fund, SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund, SAFECO California Tax-Free Income Fund
and SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund.  The SAFECO Money Market Trust
consists of two mutual funds: SAFECO Money Market Fund and SAFECO Tax-Free Money
Market Fund.  The SAFECO Managed Bond Trust consists of one mutual fund: SAFECO 
Managed Bond Fund (formerly SAFECO Fixed Income Portfolio).  The SAFECO Resource
Series Trust consists of six mutual funds: Equity Portfolio, Growth Portfolio,
Northwest Portfolio, Bond Portfolio, Money Market Portfolio and Small Company
Stock Portfolio.


SAFECO Corporation, a Washington corporation, owns 100% of the following
Washington corporations: SAFECO Insurance Company of America, General Insurance 
Company of America, First National Insurance Company of America, SAFECO Life
Insurance Company of America, SAFECO Assigned Benefits Service Company, SAFECO
Administrative Services, Inc., SAFECO Properties Inc., SAFECO Credit Company,
Inc., SAFECO Asset Management Company, SAFECO Securities, Inc., SAFECO Services 
Corporation, SAFECO Trust Company and General America Corporation.  SAFECO
Corporation owns 100% of SAFECO National Insurance Company, a Missouri
corporation, and SAFECO Insurance Company of Illinois, an Illinois corporation. 
SAFECO Corporation owns 20% of Agena, Inc., a Washington corporation.  SAFECO
Insurance Company of America owns 100% of SAFECO Surplus Lines Insurance
Company, a Washington corporation, and Market Square Holding, Inc., a Minnesota 
corporation.  SAFECO Life Insurance Company owns 100% of SAFECO National Life
Insurance Company, a Washington corporation, and First SAFECO National Life
Insurance Company of New York, a New York corporation.  SAFECO Administrative
Services, Inc. owns 100% of Employee Benefit Claims of Wisconsin, Inc. and
Wisconsin Pension and Group Services, Inc., each a Wisconsin corporation. 
General America Corporation owns 100% of COMAV Managers, Inc., an Illinois
corporation, F.B. Beattie & Co., Inc., a Washington corporation, General America
Corp. of Texas, a Texas corporation, Talbot Financial Corporation, a Washington 
corporation.  F.B. Beattie Co., Inc. owns 100% of F.B. Beattie Insurance
Services, Inc., a California corporation.  General America Corp. of Texas is
Attorney-in-fact for SAFECO Lloyds Insurance Company, a Texas corporation. 
Talbot Financial Corporation owns 100% of Talbot Agency, Inc., a New Mexico
corporation.  Talbot Agency, Inc. owns 100% of PNMR Securities, Inc., a
Washington corporation, and SAFECO Select Insurance Services, Inc., a California
corporation.  SAFECO Properties Inc. owns 100% of the following, each a
Washington corporation: RIA Development, Inc., SAFECARE Company, Inc. and Winmar
Company, Inc.  SAFECARE Company, Inc. owns 100% of the following, each a
Washington corporation: S.C. Bellevue, Inc., S.C. Everett, Inc., S.C.
Marysville, Inc., S.C. Simi Valley, Inc. and S.C. Vancouver, Inc.  SAFECARE
Company, Inc. owns 50% of Lifeguard Ventures, Inc., a California corporation,
50% of Mission Oaks Hospital, Inc., a California corporation, S.C. River Oaks,
Inc., a Washington corporation, Mississippi Health Services, Inc. a Louisiana
corporation, and Safecare Texas, Inc., a Texas corporation.  S.C. Simi Valley,
Inc. owns 100% of Simi Valley 

                                       C-4
<PAGE>

Hospital, Inc., a Washington corporation.  Winmar Company, Inc. owns 100% of the
following: Barton Street Corp., C-W Properties, Inc., Gem State Investors, Inc.,
Kitsap Mall, Inc., WNY Development, Inc., Winmar Cascade, Inc., Winmar Metro,
Inc., Winmar Northwest, Inc., Winmar Redmond, Inc. and Winmar of Kitsap, Inc.,
each a Washington corporation, and Capitol Court Corp., a Wisconsin corporation,
SAFECO Properties of Boise, Inc., an Idaho corporation, SCIT, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation, Valley Fair Shopping Centers, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, WDI Golf Club, Inc., a California corporation, Winmar Oregon, Inc.,
an Oregon corporation, Winmar of Texas, Inc., a Texas corporation, Winmar of
Wisconsin, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, and Winmar of the Desert, Inc., a
California corporation.  Winmar Oregon, Inc. owns 100% of the following, each an
Oregon corporation: North Coast Management, Inc., Pacific Surfside Corp., Winmar
of Jantzen Beach, Inc. and W-P Development, Inc., and 100% of the following,
each a Washington corporation: Washington Square, Inc. and Winmar Pacific, Inc.

ITEM 26.  NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES


   
      At April 2, 1997, Registrant had the following number of shareholders:


               Title of Class                  Number of Shareholders
                                                     of Record

      SAFECO Intermediate-Treasury Fund

      No-Load Class                                    505

      Advisor Class A                                   19

      Advisor Class B                                    5

      SAFECO GNMA Fund

      No-Load Class                                    1,795

      Advisor Class A                                   0

      Advisor Class B                                   0

      SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund

      No-Load Class                                    1710

      Advisor Class A                                   1

      Advisor Class B                                   1
    



ITEM 27.  INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Trust Instrument of the Registrant, the Registrant's trustees,
officers, employees and agents are indemnified against certain liabilities,
subject to specified conditions and limitations.  

Under the indemnification provisions in the Registrant's Trust Instrument and
subject to the limitations described in the paragraph below, every person who
is, or has been, a trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant shall
be indemnified by the Registrant or the appropriate Series of the Registrant to 
the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses
reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any claim, action, 
suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise
by virtue of his or her being, or having been, a trustee, officer, employee or
agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him or her in the settlement
thereof.  As used in this paragraph, "claim," "action," "suit" or "proceeding"
shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal or
other, including appeals), actual or threatened, and the words "liability" and
"expenses" shall include, without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs,
judgements, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.

No indemnification will be provided to a trustee, officer, employee or agent:
(i) who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the
proceeding was brought (a) to be liable to the Registrant or its shareholders by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office, or (b) not to have
acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her 


                                       C-5
<PAGE>

action was in the best interest of the Registrant; or (ii) in the event of
settlement, unless there has been a determination that such trustee, officer,
employee or agent did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or
her office; (a) by the court or other body approving the settlement, (b) by the
vote of at least a majority of a quorum of those trustees who are neither
interested persons, as that term is defined by the Investment Company Act of
1940, of the Registrant nor are the parties to the proceeding based upon a
review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial type inquiry); or
(c) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of
readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial type inquiry).

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, expenses incurred in
connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim,
action, suit or proceeding of the character described above may be paid by the
Registrant or applicable Series from time to time prior to final disposition
thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such trustee, officer,
employee or agent that such amount will be paid over by him or her to the
Registrant or the applicable Series if it is ultimately determined that he or
she is not entitled to indemnification under the Trust Instrument; provided,
however, that either (i) such trustee, officer, employee or agent shall have
provided appropriate security for such undertaking, (ii) the Registrant is
insured against such losses arising out of such advance payments or (iii) either
a majority of the trustees who are neither interested persons, as that term is
defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, of the Registrant nor parties to 
the proceeding, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have
determined, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full
trial type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that such trustee, officer,
employee or agent, will not be disqualified from indemnification under
Registrant's Trust Instrument.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers, employees and agents of the
Registrant pursuant to such provisions of the Trust Instrument or statutes or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in said Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer, employee or
agent of the Registrant in the successful defense of any such action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such a trustee, officer, employee or agent in
connection with the shares of any series of the Registrant, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling 
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in said Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Under an agreement with its distributor ("Distribution Agreement"), Registrant
has agreed to indemnify, defend and hold the distributor, the distributor's
several directors, officers and employees, and any person who controls the
distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, free and 

                                       C-6
<PAGE>

harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses
(including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or
liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the
distributor, its directors, officers or employees, or any such controlling
person may incur, under the 1933 Act or under common law or otherwise, arising
out of or based upon any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in the Registration Statement or arising out of or based upon any alleged
omission to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the
Registration Statement not misleading. 

In no event shall anything contained in the Distribution Agreement be construed 
so as to protect the distributor against any liability to the Registrant or its 
shareholders to which the distributor would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its
duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties
under the Distribution Agreement, and further provided that the Registrant shall
not indemnify the distributor for conduct set forth in this paragraph.

   
Under an agreement with its transfer agent ("Transfer Agent Agreement")
Registrant has agreed to indemnify and hold the transfer agent harmless
against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) resulting from: (1) any claim,
demand, action or suit brought by any person other than the Registrant,
including by a shareholder, which names the transfer agent and/or the Registrant
as a party, and is not based on and does not result from the transfer agent's
willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence or reckless disregard of duties,
and arises out of or in connection with the transfer agent's performance under
the Transfer Agent Agreement; or (2) any claim, demand, action or suit 
(except to the extent contributed to by the transfer agent's willful 
misfeasance, bad faith or negligence or reckless disregard of duties) which
results from the negligence of the Registrant, or from the transfer agent acting
upon any instruction(s) reasonably believed by it to have been executed or
communicated by any person duly authorized by the Registrant, or as a result of 
the transfer agent acting in reliance upon advice reasonably believed by the
transfer agent to have been given by counsel for the Registrant, or as a result 
of the transfer agent acting in reliance upon any instrument or stock
certificate reasonably believed by it to have been genuine and signed,
countersigned or executed by the proper person. 
    

ITEM 28.  BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER


The investment adviser to Registrant, SAM, serves as an adviser to:  (a) 
twenty-five series (portfolios) of six registered investment companies,
including six series of an investment company that serves as an investment
vehicle for variable insurance products and (b) a number of pension funds not
affiliated with SAFECO Corporation or its affiliates.  The directors and
officers of SAM serve in similar capacities with SAFECO Corporation or its
affiliates.  The information set forth under "Investment Advisory and Other
Services" in the Registrant's Statement of Additional Information is
incorporated by reference.


ITEM 29.  PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

                                       C-7
<PAGE>

(a)  SAFECO Securities, Inc., the principal underwriter for Registrant, also
     acts as the principal underwriter for each class of each series of the
     SAFECO Common Stock Trust, SAFECO Tax-Exempt Bond Trust, SAFECO Money
     Market Trust, SAFECO Managed Bond Trust.  In addition, SAFECO Securities,
     Inc. is the principal underwriter for SAFECO Separate Account C, SAFECO
     Variable Account B and SAFECO Separate Account SL, all of which are
     variable insurance products.

(b)  The information set forth under "Investment Advisory and Other Services" in
     the Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by reference.

ITEM 30.  LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

   
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 1776 Heritage Drive, North Quincy, 
MA 02170 maintains physical possession of the accounts, books and documents of
the Registrant relating to its activities as custodian of the Registrant.  
SAFECO Asset Management Company, SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185, 
maintains physical possession of all other accounts, books or documents of 
the Registrant required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment 
Company Act of 1940 and the rules promulgated thereunder.
    

ITEM 31.  MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Inapplicable.

ITEM 32.  UNDERTAKINGS

Registrant undertakes to furnish each person to whom a prospectus is delivered
with a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report to shareholders, upon
request and without charge.


                                       C-8
<PAGE>
   
                                 SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the 
requirements for the effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant
to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereto
duly authorized, in the City of Seattle, and State of Washington on the 29th
day of April, 1997.
    


                               SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST

                               By   /s/ David F. Hill 
                                  ----------------------------------
                                  David F. Hill, President

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

   
        Name                               Title                          Date
        ----                               -----                          ----

/s/ David F. Hill++               President and Trustee                 4/29/97
- -------------------------         Principal Executive Officer          ---------
David F. Hill

RONALD L. SPAULDING*              Vice President                        4/29/97
- -------------------------         Treasurer                            ---------
Ronald L. Spaulding

NEAL A. FULLER*                   Vice President, Controller            4/29/97
- -------------------------         and Assistant Secretary              ---------
Neal A. Fuller

/s/ Boh A. Dickey++               Chairman and Trustee                  4/29/97
- -------------------------                                              ---------
Boh A. Dickey

BARBARA J. DINGFIELD*             Trustee                               4/29/97
- -------------------------                                              ---------
Barbara J. Dingfield

RICHARD W. HUBBARD*++             Trustee                               4/29/97
- -------------------------                                              ---------
Richard W. Hubbard

RICHARD E. LUNDGREN*              Trustee                               4/29/97
- -------------------------                                              ---------
Richard E. Lundgren

LARRY L. PINNT*                   Trustee                               4/29/97
- -------------------------                                              ---------
Larry L. Pinnt

JOHN W. SCHNEIDER*                Trustee                               4/29/97
- -------------------------                                              ---------
John W. Schneider 
    
                                                    *By:  /s/ Boh A. Dickey
                                                          ----------------------
                                                          Boh A. Dickey
                                                          Attorney-in-Fact
                                        
                                                    *By:  /s/ David F. Hill 
                                                          ---------------------
                                                          David F. Hill
                                                          Attorney-in-Fact

++   Trustees who are interested persons as defined by the 1940 Act.

<PAGE>

                                             Registration Nos. 33-22132/811-5574
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    EXHIBITS

                                       to

                                    FORM N-1A

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT


   
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 15
    


                                      Under

                           The Securities Act of 1933

                                       and

   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 16
    

                                    Under
                              
                       The Investment Company Act of 1940

                                   __________

                            SAFECO Taxable Bond Trust
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

                                  SAFECO Plaza
                           Seattle, Washington  98185
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                                  206-545-5180

              (Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)

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

<PAGE>

                              SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST

                                     Form N-1A
   
                           Post-Effective Amendment No. 16
    

                                   Exhibit Index

Exhibit
Number                 Description of Document                             Page
- ------                 -----------------------                             ----

   
(27.1-5)               Financial Data Schedules
    

   
(99.8)                 Custody Agreement with State Street
                       Bank and Trust Company

(99.10)                Opinion and Consent of Counsel for
                       No-Load Class
                       Opinion and Consent of Counsel for
                       Advisor Class A and
                       Advisor Class B
    

(99.11)                Consent of Independent Auditors

   
(99.12)                Registrant's Annual Report for the Period Ended
                       December 31, 1996, including Financial 
                       Statements
    

   
+    Annual Reports for the Advisor Classes and the No-Load Class of the 
     Registrant for the Period Ended December 31, 1996, including Financial 
     Statements, were filed with the SEC on or about February 26, 1997 
     and are hereby incorporated by reference.
    

WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TAXABLE BOND TRUST AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000833045
<NAME> SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 2
   <NAME> SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           15,390
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          15,394
<RECEIVABLES>                                      285
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  15,679
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           73
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 73
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        15,798
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            1,544
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            1,453
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          (196)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             4
<NET-ASSETS>                                    15,606
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  275
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                      33
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            242
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         (125)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                          144
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                              261
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        (242)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            149
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                       (70)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                 12
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                             938
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                         (71)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                               21
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                     41
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            15,421
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.10
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.15
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.01
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.15)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                         0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.11
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.07
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                              0.00
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TAXABLE BOND TRUST AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000833045
<NAME> SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 2
   <NAME> SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           15,390
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          15,394
<RECEIVABLES>                                      285
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  15,679
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           73
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 73
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        15,798
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            1,544
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            1,453
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          (196)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             4
<NET-ASSETS>                                    15,606
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  275
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                      33
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            242
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         (125)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                          144
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                              261
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        (242)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            149
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                       (70)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                 12
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                             938
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                         (71)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                               21
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                     41
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            15,421
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.10
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.14
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.02
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.14)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                         0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.12
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.72
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                              0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TAXABLE BOND TRUST AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000833045
<NAME> SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 002
   <NAME> SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND CLASS 1
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           15,390
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          15,394
<RECEIVABLES>                                      285
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  15,679
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           73
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 73
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        15,798
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            1,544
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            1,453
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          (196)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             4
<NET-ASSETS>                                    15,606
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  275
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                      33
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            242
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         (125)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                          144
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                              261
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        (242)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            149
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                       (70)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                 12
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                             938
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                         (71)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                               21
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                     41
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            15,421
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.10
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.16
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.01
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.16)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                         0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.11
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   0.85
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                              0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TAXABLE BOND TRUST AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000833045
<NAME> SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 3
   <NAME> SAFECO GNMA FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           38,560
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          39,499
<RECEIVABLES>                                      247
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  39,746
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          203
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                203
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        41,587
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            4,226
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            4,289
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        (2,983)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                           939
<NET-ASSETS>                                    39,543
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  745
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     101
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            644
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                            31
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                          403
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                            1,078
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        (644)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            107
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                      (218)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                 48
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                           (160)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      (3,171)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                               65
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   2
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    101
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            40,041
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             9.26
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.15
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.10
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.15)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                         0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               9.36
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.01
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                              0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TAXABLE BOND TRUST AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000833045
<NAME> SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 1
   <NAME> SAFECO HIGH YIELD BOND FUND CLASS 1
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           48,480
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          49,713
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,488
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  51,201
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          903
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                903
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        50,358
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            5,703
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            5,448
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        (1,293)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                         1,233
<NET-ASSETS>                                    50,298
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                1,208
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     116
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          1,092
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         (426)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                          597
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                            1,263
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                      (1,092)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                          1,190
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (1,013)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                 78
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                           2,418
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                        (867)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                               82
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    116
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            51,061
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             8.79
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.19
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.03
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.19)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                         0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               8.82
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   0.90
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                              0.00
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>









                                  CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
                                       Between
                              SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST
                                         and
                         STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY









Trust/Series

<PAGE>

                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----

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

2.   Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property
     of the Trust Held by the Custodian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

     2.1  Holding Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
     2.2  Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
     2.3  Registration of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
     2.4  Bank Accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
     2.5  Payments for Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
     2.6  Collection of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
     2.7  Payment of Trust Monies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
     2.8  Liability for Payment in Advance of
          Receipt of Securities Purchased. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
     2.9  Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions
          of Shares of the Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
     2.10 Appointment of Agents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
     2.11 Deposit of Trust Assets in Securities System . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
     2.12 Trust Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct
          Paper System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
     2.13 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
     2.14 Proxies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
     2.15 Communications Relating to Portfolio
          Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
     2.16 Proper Instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
     2.17 Actions Permitted Without Express Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
     2.18 Evidence of Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

3.   Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books of
     Account and Calculation of Net Asset Value and
     Net Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4.   Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

5.   Reports to Trust by Independent Public Accountants. . . . . . . . . . . .10

6.   Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

7.   Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

<PAGE>

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

9.   Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

10.  Interpretive and Additional Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

11.  Additional Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

12.  Massachusetts Law to Apply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

13.  Custodian Representation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

14.  Limitation of Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

15.  Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

16.  Shareholder Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14


<PAGE>

                                  CUSTODIAN CONTRACT

     This Contract between SAFECO Taxable Bond Trust , a business trust 
organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, having its principal place 
of business at SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185 hereinafter called the 
"Trust", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust 
company, having its principal place of business at 225 Franklin Street, 
Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, hereinafter called the "Custodian",

                                     WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares in separate series, 
with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of 
securities and other assets; and

     WHEREAS, the Trust currently offers shares in three series, the 
Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund, GNMA Fund and High-Yield Bond Fund 
(such series together with all other series subsequently established by the 
Trust and made subject to this Contract in accordance with paragraph 11, 
being herein referred to as the "Portfolio(s)");

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

1.   EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT

     The Trust hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets of 
the Portfolios of the Trust pursuant to the provisions of the Trust 
Instrument of the Trust and the Trust's Bylaws.  The Trust on behalf of the 
Portfolio(s) agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash of 
the Portfolios, and all payments of income, payments of principal or capital 
distributions received by it with respect to all securities owned by the 
Portfolio(s) from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for 
such new or treasury shares of capital stock of the Trust representing 
interests in the Portfolios, ("Shares") as may be issued or sold from time to 
time.  The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a Portfolio 
held or received by the Portfolio and not delivered to the Custodian.

     Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section 
2.16), the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time 
to time employ one or more sub-custodians, but only in accordance with an 
applicable vote by the Board of Trustees of the Trust on behalf of the 
applicable Portfolio(s).  The Custodian covenants with the Trust that each 
agreement whereby the Custodian employs any such sub-custodian shall provide 
that the sub-custodian will be liable to the Custodian for losses and 
liabilities caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the 
sub-custodian.  The Trust, on behalf of the Portfolio(s), agrees that, so 
long as the Custodian has complied with its obligation set forth in the 
preceding sentence, the Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility 
or liability to the Trust on account of any actions or omissions of any 
sub-custodian so employed by it on behalf of the Trust than any such 
sub-custodian has to the Custodian.

<PAGE>

2.   DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE TRUST HELD BY THE
     CUSTODIAN

2.1  HOLDING SECURITIES.  The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate 
     for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, including all 
     securities owned by such Portfolio, other than (a) securities which are 
     maintained pursuant to Section 2.11 in a clearing agency which acts as a 
     securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. 
     Department of the Treasury, collectively referred to herein as 
     "Securities System" and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for which 
     State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying agent 
     ("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct 
     Paper System of the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.12.

2.2  DELIVERY OF SECURITIES.  The Custodian shall release and deliver 
     securities      owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or in a 
     Securities System account      of the Custodian or in the Custodian's 
     Direct Paper book entry system account      ("Direct Paper System 
     Account") only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from      the Trust 
     on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing      
     instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the 
     following      cases:

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

     2)   Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase 
          agreement related to such securities entered into by the 
          Portfolio;

     3)   In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in 
          accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 hereof;

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

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

     6)   To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of 
          the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of 
          the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent 
          appointed pursuant to Section 2.10 or into the name or nominee 
          name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Article 1; or 
          for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or 
          other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or 
          number of units; PROVIDED that, in any such case, the new securities 
          are to be delivered to the Custodian;

     7)   Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio, 
          to the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for 
          examination in accordance with "street 

                                          2
<PAGE>

          delivery" custom; provided that in any such case, the Custodian 
          shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss 
          arising from the delivery of such securities prior to 
          receiving payment for such securities except as may 
          arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct;
          
     8)   For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, 
          consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or 
          readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such 
          securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion   
          contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit 
          agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new 
          securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the 
          Custodian;

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

     10)  Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer 
          Agent") for the Trust, for delivery to such Transfer 
          Agent or to the holders of Shares in connection with 
          distributions in kind, as may be described from time to 
          time in the currently effective prospectus and statement of         
          additional information of the Trust, related to the Portfolio     
          ("Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of 
          Shares for repurchase or redemption; and

     11)  For any other proper Trust purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in 
          addition to Proper Instructions from the Trust on behalf 
          of the applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a 
          resolution of the Board of Trustees signed by an officer 
          of the Trust and certified by the Secretary or an           
          Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities of the Portfolio to 
          be delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such 
          delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a 
          proper Trust purpose, and naming the person or persons to 
          whom delivery of such securities shall be made.

2.3  REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES.  Securities held by the Custodian (other 
     than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the 
     Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of the Trust on behalf of 
     the Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee 
     shall be assigned exclusively to the Portfolio. All securities 
     accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the      
     terms of this Contract shall be in "street name" or other good delivery 
     form. If, however, the Trust directs the Custodian to maintain 
     securities in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize its best 
     efforts only to timely collect income due the Trust on such 
     securities and to notify the Trust on a best efforts basis only of 
     relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency 
     of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.

2.4  BANK ACCOUNTS.  The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank 
     account or accounts in the name of each Portfolio of the Trust, 
     subject only order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of 
     this Contract, and shall hold in such account or accounts, 


                                          3
<PAGE>
     subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for 
     the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the 
     Portfolio in a bank account established and used in accordance with 
     Rule 17f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  Trusts held 
     by the Custodian for a Portfolio may be deposited by it to its 
     credit as Custodian in the Banking Department of the Custodian or 
     in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion 
     deem necessary or desirable; PROVIDED, however, that every such bank or 
     trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the 
     Investment Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust 
     company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust 
     company shall on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved by 
     vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust.  Such 
     funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as 
     Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that 
     capacity.

2.5  PAYMENTS FOR SHARES.  The Custodian shall receive from the distributor 
     for the Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Trust and deposit 
     into the account of the appropriate Portfolio such payments as are 
     received for Shares of that Portfolio issued or sold from time to 
     time by the Trust.  The Custodian will provide timely notification 
     to the Trust on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer 
     Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.

2.6  COLLECTION OF INCOME.  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the 
     Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other 
     payments with respect to registered securities held hereunder to 
     which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to 
     custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely 
     basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer 
     securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are 
     held by the Custodian or its agent thereof and shall credit such 
     income, as collected, to such Portfolio's custodian account.  
     Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian 
     shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income 
     items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall 
     collect interest when due on securities held hereunder.

2.7  PAYMENT OF TRUST MONIES.  Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the 
     Trust on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be 
     continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the 
     Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following 
     cases only:

     1)   Upon the purchase of securities, options, futures contracts or 
          options on futures contracts for the account of the 
          Portfolio but only (a) against the delivery of such 
          securities or evidence of title to such options, futures 
          contracts or options on futures contracts to the Custodian (or any  
          bank, banking firm or trust company doing business in the 
          United States or abroad which is qualified under the 
          Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a 
          custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its 
          agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the Portfolio or  
          in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in 
          Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in 
          the case of a purchase effected through a Securities 
          System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in 
          Section 2.11 hereof; (c) in the 

                                          4 <PAGE>

          case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance 
          with the conditions set forth in Section 2.12; (d) in the 
          case of repurchase agreements entered into between the 
          Trust on behalf of the Portfolio and the Custodian, or 
          another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member of 
          NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either in certificate 
          form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's 
          account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities 
          or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing 
          purchase by the Portfolio of securities owned by the Custodian      
          along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian 
          to repurchase such securities from the Portfolio or (e) 
          for transfer to a time deposit account of the Trust in 
          any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may 
          be effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a 
          broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions   
          from the Trust as defined in Section 2.16;

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

     3)   For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Portfolio 
          as set forth in Section 2.9 hereof;

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

     5)   For the payment of any dividends or capital gain distributions on 
          Shares of the Portfolio declared pursuant to the 
          governing documents of the Trust;

     6)   For any other proper purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in addition 
          to Proper Instructions from the Trust on behalf of the 
          Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board 
          of Trustees of the Trust signed by an officer of the 
          Trust and certified by its Secretary or an Assistant 
          Secretary, specifying the amount of such payment, setting forth the 
          purpose for which such payment is to be made, declaring 
          such purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming the 
          person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

2.8  LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES PURCHASED.  
     Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any 
     and every case where payment for purchase of securities for the 
     account of a Portfolio is made by the Custodian in advance of 
     receipt of the securities purchased in the absence of specific 
     written instructions from the Trust on behalf of such Portfolio to 
     so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely liable to the Trust 
     for such securities to the same extent as if the securities had 
     been received by the Custodian.

                                          5

<PAGE>

2.9  PAYMENTS FOR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES OF THE TRUST.  From 
     such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the 
     limitations of the Trust Instrument and Trust's Bylaws and any 
     applicable votes of the Board of Trustees of the Trust pursuant 
     thereto, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions from the 
     Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of 
     Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for 
     redemption or repurchase of their Shares.

2.10 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS.  The Custodian may with the approval of an 
     officer of the Trust appoint (and may at any time remove) any other 
     bank or trust company which is itself qualified under the 
     Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian, 
     as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Article 2 
     as the Custodian may from time to time direct; PROVIDED, however, 
     that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its 
     responsibilities or liabilities hereunder. Neither the Custodian 
     nor the subcustodian shall be entitled to reimbursement by the 
     Trust or any Portfolios for any fees or expenses of any agent.

2.11 DEPOSIT OF TRUST ASSETS IN SECURITIES SYSTEMS.  The Custodian may 
     deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a 
     clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange 
     Commission under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 
     1934, which acts as a securities depository, or in the book-entry 
     system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and certain
     federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as "Securities 
     System" in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and 
     Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, if any, 
     and subject to the following provisions:

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

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

      3)  The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account 
          of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the 
          Securities System that such securities have been 
          transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an 
          entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such 
          payment and transfer for the account of the Portfolio.  The 
          Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of the  
          Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities 
          System that payment for such securities has been 
          transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an 
          entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such 
          transfer and payment for the account of the Portfolio.  
          Copies of all advices from the Securities System of transfers of    
          securities for the account of the Portfolio shall identify 
          the  Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by the 
          Custodian and be provided to the Trust at its request.  
          Upon request, the

                                          6

<PAGE>

          Custodian shall furnish the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio       
          confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the 
          Portfolio  in the form of a written advice or notice and 
          shall furnish to the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio 
          copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's 
          transactions in the Securities System for the account of 
          the Portfolio.

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

      5)  The Custodian shall have received from the Trust on behalf of the  
          Portfolio the initial or annual certificate, as the case 
          may be, required by Article 8 hereof;

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

 2.12 TRUST ASSETS HELD IN THE CUSTODIAN'S DIRECT PAPER SYSTEM.  The Custodian
      may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in the Direct
      Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following provisions:

      1)   No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System will
           be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions from the Trust on
           behalf of the Portfolio;

      2)   The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in the Direct
           Paper System only if such securities are represented in an account
           ("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct Paper System which shall
           not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a
           fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;

      3)   The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
           Portfolio which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall
           identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;

      4)   The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
           the Portfolio upon the making of an entry on the records of the
           Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to the
           account of the Portfolio.  The Custodian shall transfer securities
           sold for the account of the Portfolio upon the making of an entry


                                          7

<PAGE>
           on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt
           of payment for the account of the Portfolio;

      5)   The Custodian shall furnish the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio
           confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the
           Portfolio, in the form of a written advice or notice, of Direct Paper
           on the next business day following such transfer and shall furnish
           to the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio copies of daily transaction
           sheets reflecting each day's transaction in the Securities System for
           the account of the Portfolio;

      6)   The Custodian shall provide the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio with
           any report on its system of internal accounting control as the Trust
           may reasonably request from time to time.

 2.13 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES.  The Custodian shall execute
      ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state
      tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
      respect to securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with
      transfers of securities.

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

 2.15 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO PORTFOLIO SECURITIES.  Subject to the
      provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
      Trust for each Portfolio all written information (including, without
      limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of securities and expirations
      of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put
      options written by the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity
      of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Portfolio) received by the
      Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the Portfolio. 
      With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit
      promptly to the Portfolio all written information received by the
      Custodian from issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is
      sought and from the party (or his agents) making the tender or exchange
      offer.  If the Portfolio desires to take action with respect to any tender
      offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the Portfolio
      shall notify the Custodian at least three business days prior to the date
      on which the Custodian is to take such action.

 2.16 PROPER INSTRUCTIONS.  Proper Instructions as used throughout this Article
      2 means a writing signed by two persons as the Board of Trustees shall
      have from time to time authorized.  Each such writing shall set forth the
      specific transaction or type of transaction involved, including a specific
      statement of the purpose for which such action is requested.  Oral
      instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian
      reasonably believes


                                          8

<PAGE>

      them to have been given by a person authorized to give such instructions
      with respect to the transaction involved. The Trust shall cause all oral
      instructions to be confirmed in writing.  The Custodian shall confirm all
      oral instructions with an officer of the Trust if written instructions are
      not received within a week after the instructions are given.  Upon receipt
      of a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the
      authorization by the Board of Trustees of the Trust accompanied by a
      detailed description of procedures approved by the Board of Trustees,
      Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly between
      electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Board of
      Trustees and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford
      adequate safeguards for the Portfolios' assets.

 2.17 ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY.  The Custodian may in its
      discretion, without express authority from the Trust on behalf of each
      applicable Portfolio:

      1)   make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
           securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this
           Contract, PROVIDED that all such payments shall be approved by an
           officer of the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio;

      2)   surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
           form;

      3)   endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks, drafts
           and other negotiable instruments; and

      4)   in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection
           with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other
           dealings with the securities and property of the Portfolio except as
           otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

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

 3.   DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND CALCULATION
      OF NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME

      The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the
 entity or entities appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust to keep the
 books of account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per share
 of the outstanding shares of each Portfolio.

 4.   RECORDS


                                          9

<PAGE>

      The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all
 records relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in such
 manner as will meet the obligations of the Trust under the Investment Company
 Act of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1
 and 31a-2 thereunder.  All such records shall be the property of the Trust and
 shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open
 for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Trust
 and employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The
 Custodian shall, at the Trust's request, supply the Trust with a tabulation of
 securities owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when
 requested to do so by the Trust and for such compensation as shall be agreed
 upon between the Trust and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such
 tabulations.

 5.   REPORTS TO TRUST BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

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

 6.   COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
 
      The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
 services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between
 the Trust on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.

 7.   RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN

      So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable
 care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or
 genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or
 delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting
 upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably
 believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties. 
 The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out
 the provisions of this Contract, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be
 without liability to the Trust for any action taken or omitted by it in good
 faith without negligence, misfeasance, or misconduct of the Custodian or any
 of its subcustodians or agents, or any of the Custodian's or any agent's
 employees in the performance of the Custodian's duties under this agreement. 
 It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be
 counsel for the Trust) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any
 action reasonably taken or omitted in good faith pursuant to such advice.


                                          10

<PAGE>

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

      If the Trust requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or
 agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not
 limited to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed
 settlement) for the benefit of a Portfolio, any property at any time held for
 the account of the applicable Portfolio shall be security therefor and should
 the Trust fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled
 to utilize available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio's assets to the
 extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.

 8.   EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT

      This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue
 in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be
 amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be
 terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed,
 postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner
 than thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; PROVIDED,
 however that the Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under
 Section 2.11 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
 Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees of the Trust has
 approved the initial use of a particular Securities System by such Portfolio,
 as required by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
 and that the Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under Section
 2.12 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the
 Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has approved the
 initial use of the Direct Paper System by such Portfolio; PROVIDED FURTHER,
 however, that the Trust shall not amend or terminate this Contract in
 contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision
 of the Trust Bylaws, and further provided, that the Trust on behalf of one or
 more of the Portfolios may at any time by action of its Board of Trustees (i)
 substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as
 described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract
 in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian
 by the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the
 direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent
 jurisdiction.

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

 9.   SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN

      If a successor custodian for the Trust, of one or more of the Portfolios
 shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Custodian shall,
 upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the
 Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all cash,


                                          11

<PAGE>

 securities and any earned income associated with those securities (as received)
 of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to
 an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such
 Portfolio held in a Securities System.

      If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall,
 in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board of
 Trustees of the Trust, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such
 securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.

      In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
 certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees shall have been delivered to
 the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become
 effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or
 trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of
 1940, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an
 aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
 published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other
 properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all
 instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held
 by it under this Contract on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and to
 transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of
 each such Portfolio held in any Securities System.  Thereafter, such bank or
 trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Contract.

      In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
 possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
 failure of the Trust to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or
 of the Board of Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall
 be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
 Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and
 the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
 Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.

 10.  INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

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

 11.  ADDITIONAL FUNDS

      In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series of Shares in
 addition to the Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund, GNMA Fund and High-Yield
 Bond Fund with respect to which it desires to have the Custodian render
 services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian
 in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services,
 such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.


                                          12

<PAGE>

 12.  MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY

      This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
 under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 13.  CUSTODIAN REPRESENTATION

      The Custodian represents that it does meet, and will continue to meet at
 all times that this Contract is in effect, the requirements of the rules and
 regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act
 of 1940, as amended.

 14.  LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

      The Custodian is hereby expressly put on notice of (i) the limitation of
 shareholder, officer and trustee liability as set forth in the Trust Instrument
 of the Trust and (ii) of the provisions in the Trust Instrument permitting the
 establishment of separate Series and limiting the liability of each Series to
 obligations of that Series.  The Custodian hereby agrees that obligations
 assumed by the Trust pursuant to this Contract are in all cases assumed on
 behalf of a particular Series and each such obligation shall be limited in all
 cases to that Series and its assets.  The Custodian agrees that it shall not
 seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any
 individual shareholder of the Trust nor from the officers or trustees or any
 individual officer or trustee of the Trust.

 15.  MISCELLANEOUS

      This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the
 parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however,
 that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Trust without the written
 the written consent of the Custodian or by the Custodian without the written
 consent of the Trust.  The captions in this Agreement are included for
 convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the
 provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.  This
 Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which taken together shall
 constitute one and the same instrument.  

 16.  SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

      Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold
 securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of
 securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
 securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has
 expressly objected to disclosure of this information.  In order to comply with
 the rule,  the Custodian needs the Trust to indicate whether it authorizes the
 Custodian to provide the Trust's name, address, and share position to
 requesting companies whose stock the Trust own.  If the Trust tells the
 Custodian "no", the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting
 companies.  If the Trust tells the Custodian "yes" or do not check either "yes"
 or "no" below, the Custodian is


                                          13

<PAGE>

 required by the rule to treat the Trust as consenting to disclosure of this
 information for all securities owned by the Trust or any funds or accounts
 established by the Trust.  For the  Trust's protection, the Rule prohibits the
 requesting company from using the Trust's name and address for any purpose
 other than corporate communications.  Please indicate below whether the Trust
 consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.

      YES [  ]  The Custodian is authorized to release the Trust's name,
                address, and share positions.

      NO  [X]   The Custodian is not authorized to release the Trust's name,
                address, and share positions.


                                          14

<PAGE>


      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
 executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
 seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 31st day of March , 1997.


 ATTEST                                  SAFECO TAXABLE BOND TRUST



  /s/David H. Longhurst                  By       /s/ Neal A. Fuller   
 -------------------------------           -------------------------------




 ATTEST                                  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY



  /s/ Francine S. Hayes                  By      /s/ Ronald E. Logue  
 -------------------------------           -------------------------------
                                           Executive Vice President

<PAGE>

AMENDED AND RESTATED OPINION OF COUNSEL

April 25, 1997

SAFECO Taxable Bond Trust
SAFECO Plaza
Seattle, WA   98185

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have acted as counsel to the Trust in connection with filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission of Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A for the Shares of each series and class of
the Trust (the "Shares").  I have made such examination of law and have examined
such records and documents as in my judgment are necessary or appropriate to
enable me to render the following opinion:

1.   The Trust is a duly formed and validly existing business trust under the
laws of the State of Delaware.

2.   The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares which have
been divided into the following series and classes:  Intermediate-Term U.S.
Treasury Fund (No-Load Class, Advisor Class A, Advisor Class B); GNMA Fund (No-
Load Class); and High-Yield Bond Fund (No-Load Class, Advisor Class A, Advisor
Class B).

3.   The Shares, when issued pursuant to terms, provisions and conditions set
forth in the above-referenced Registration Statement relating to the Shares,
will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust.

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to said
Registration Statement.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/Mark A. Chapleau
- -------------------

Mark A. Chapleau



<PAGE>

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Financial
Highlights", "Investment Advisory and Other Services" and "Financial Statements"
in Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the Registration Statement (Form N-1A, No.
33-22132) and related No-Load Class and Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B
Prospectuses of SAFECO Taxable Bond Trust.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
January 31, 1997 with respect to the financial statements of SAFECO Taxable Bond
Trust as of and for the three month period ended December 31, 1996 included in
the 1996 Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/Ernst & Young LLP
- --------------------

Seattle, WA
   
April 29, 1997
    


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission