UAM FUNDS INC
497, 1996-07-11
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<PAGE>
                                   UAM FUNDS
                            UAM FUNDS SERVICE CENTER
                    C/O CHASE GLOBAL FUNDS SERVICES COMPANY
                                 P.O. BOX 2798
                             BOSTON, MA 02208-2798
                                 1-800-638-7983
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                        SIRACH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
             SERVES AS INVESTMENT ADVISER TO THE SIRACH PORTFOLIOS
                           INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
           PROSPECTUS -- FEBRUARY 29, 1996, AS AMENDED JUNE 26, 1996
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
 
UAM  Funds,  Inc. (hereinafter  defined  as "UAM  Funds"  or the  "Fund")  is an
open-end, management investment company known  as a "mutual fund" and  organized
as a Maryland corporation. The Fund consists of multiple series of shares (known
as   "Portfolios")  each  of  which  has  different  investment  objectives  and
investment policies. The Sirach Strategic  Balanced, Growth, Special Equity  and
Equity  Portfolios currently offer two separate classes of shares: Institutional
Class Shares and  Institutional Service Class  Shares ("Service Class  Shares").
The  Sirach Fixed Income and Short-Term Reserves Portfolios currently offer only
one class of shares: Institutional Class Shares. The securities offered in  this
Prospectus are Institutional Class Shares of six diversified, no-load Portfolios
of the Fund managed by Sirach Capital Management, Inc.
 
SIRACH  STRATEGIC BALANCED  PORTFOLIO.   The objective  of the  Sirach Strategic
Balanced Portfolio is  to provide  long-term growth of  capital consistent  with
reasonable  risk to principal by investing  in a diversified portfolio of common
stocks and fixed income securities.
 
SIRACH GROWTH PORTFOLIO.   The objective  of the Sirach  Growth Portfolio is  to
provide long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable risk to principal by
investing  primarily in common  stocks of companies  that offer long-term growth
potential.
 
SIRACH FIXED  INCOME  PORTFOLIO.   The  objective  of the  Sirach  Fixed  Income
Portfolio  is  to provide  above-average total  return  with reasonable  risk to
principal by investing primarily in investment grade fixed income securities.
 
SIRACH SHORT-TERM RESERVES PORTFOLIO.   The objective  of the Sirach  Short-Term
Reserves Portfolio is to provide competitive rates of return consistent with the
maintenance  of  principal and  liquidity by  investing primarily  in investment
grade fixed income securities with an  average weighted maturity of three  years
or less.
 
SIRACH  SPECIAL EQUITY  PORTFOLIO.  The  objective of the  Sirach Special Equity
Portfolio is  to provide  maximum long-term  growth of  capital consistent  with
reasonable  risk  to  principal, by  investing  in small  to  medium capitalized
companies with particularly attractive financial characteristics.
 
SIRACH EQUITY PORTFOLIO.   The objective  of the Sirach  Equity Portfolio is  to
provide long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable risk to principal by
investing  primarily in common  stocks of companies  that offer long-term growth
potential.
 
    There can be no assurance  that any of the  Portfolios will meet its  stated
objective.
 
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
    This  Prospectus, which should be retained  for future reference, sets forth
concisely information that you  should know before you  invest. A "Statement  of
Additional  Information" containing  additional information  about the  Fund has
been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such Statement is  dated
February  29,  1996, as  amended  June 26,  1996  and has  been  incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus. A copy of the Statement may be obtained, without
charge, by writing to the Fund or by calling the telephone number shown above.
 
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 OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                        CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
                                 FUND EXPENSES
 
    The  following table illustrates expenses and fees that a shareholder of the
Sirach Portfolios Institutional  Class Shares will  incur. However,  transaction
fees  may be charged if you are a customer of a broker-dealer or other financial
intermediary who has established a  shareholder servicing relationship with  the
Fund  on behalf of their customers. Please  see "Purchase of Shares" for further
information.
 
                        SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       SIRACH         SIRACH                        SIRACH         SIRACH
                                      STRATEGIC        FIXED         SIRACH       SHORT-TERM       SPECIAL        SIRACH
                                      BALANCED        INCOME         GROWTH        RESERVES        EQUITY         EQUITY
                                      PORTFOLIO      PORTFOLIO      PORTFOLIO      PORTFOLIO      PORTFOLIO      PORTFOLIO
                                    INSTITUTIONAL  INSTITUTIONAL  INSTITUTIONAL  INSTITUTIONAL  INSTITUTIONAL  INSTITUTIONAL
                                    CLASS SHARES   CLASS SHARES   CLASS SHARES   CLASS SHARES   CLASS SHARES   CLASS SHARES
                                    -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                 <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Sales Load Imposed on Purchases...         NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE
Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested
 Dividends........................         NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE
Deferred Sales Load...............         NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE
Redemption Fees...................         NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE
Exchange Fees.....................         NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE           NONE
</TABLE>
 
                         ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
                    (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       SIRACH          SIRACH                          SIRACH          SIRACH
                                      STRATEGIC         FIXED          SIRACH        SHORT-TERM        SPECIAL         SIRACH
                                      BALANCED         INCOME          GROWTH         RESERVES         EQUITY          EQUITY
                                      PORTFOLIO       PORTFOLIO       PORTFOLIO       PORTFOLIO       PORTFOLIO       PORTFOLIO
                                    INSTITUTIONAL   INSTITUTIONAL   INSTITUTIONAL   INSTITUTIONAL   INSTITUTIONAL   INSTITUTIONAL
                                    CLASS SHARES    CLASS SHARES    CLASS SHARES    CLASS SHARES    CLASS SHARES    CLASS SHARES
                                    -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                 <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Investment Advisory Fees..........      .65%            .65%            .65%            .40%            .70%            .65%
Administrative Fees...............      .13%            .45%            .12%            .27%            .12%            .13%
12b-1 Fees........................      NONE            NONE            NONE            NONE            NONE            NONE
Other Expenses....................      .09%            .27%            .09%            .20%            .04%            .22%
Advisory Fees Waived..............       --            (.61)%            --            (.35)%            --            (.32)%
                                        ---             ---             ---             ---             ---           -----
Total Operating Expenses (After
 Fee Waiver):                           .87%*           .76%+*          .86%*           .52%+*          .86%*          0.90%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
+Absent the Adviser's  fee waiver,  annualized Total Operating  Expenses of  the
 Sirach  Fixed Income Portfolio  Institutional Class Shares  for the fiscal year
 ended October 31, 1995  would have been 1.37%,  and annualized Total  Operating
 Expenses of the Sirach Short-Term Reserves Portfolio Institutional Class Shares
 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995 would have been 0.87%.
*The annualized Total Operating Expenses excludes the effect of expense offsets.
 If  expense offsets were  included, annualized Total  Operating Expenses of the
 Sirach Strategic  Balanced,  Fixed  Income,  Growth,  and  Short-Term  Reserves
 Portfolios  Institutional Class Shares would be 0.86%, 0.75%, 0.84%, and 0.50%,
 respectively, and annualized  Total Operating  Expenses of  the Sirach  Special
 Equity Portfolio Institutional Class Shares would not differ significantly.
 
    The  Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive  a portion of its advisory fees
and to assume as the Adviser's own expense operating expenses otherwise  payable
by  the Portfolios, if necessary,  in order to reduce  expense ratios. As of the
date of this  Prospectus, the Adviser  has agreed to  keep the annualized  Total
Operating  Expenses for Sirach Fixed Income,  the Sirach Short-Term Reserves and
the Sirach Equity  Portfolios Institutional Class  Shares from exceeding  0.75%,
0.50%  and 0.90% respectively,  of average daily  net assets. The  Fund will not
reimburse the  Adviser  for any  advisory  fees  that are  waived  or  Portfolio
expenses that the Adviser may bear on behalf of a Portfolio.
 
    The  purpose of the above  table is to assist  the investor in understanding
the various expenses that an investor of the Sirach Portfolios of the Fund  will
bear  directly or indirectly. With the exception of the Sirach Equity Portfolio,
the expenses and fees  for the Sirach  Portfolios set forth  above are based  on
operations  during the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995. The expenses and fees
set forth above  for the  Sirach Equity Portfolio  are based  on estimates.  For
purposes of the calculating the fees set forth above, the table assumes that the
Sirach  Equity  Portfolio's average  daily  assets will  be  $50 million.  It is
estimates that without waiving fees  and assuming reimbursing expense the  Total
Operating Expenses is estimated to be 1.00% of the average net assets.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
    The  following example illustrates the expenses that a shareholder would pay
on a $1,000 investment over various time  periods assuming (1) a 5% annual  rate
of  return and (2)  redemption at the end  of each time period.  As noted in the
table above, the Portfolios charge no redemption fees of any kind.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          1 YEAR  3 YEARS  5 YEARS  10 YEARS
                                          ------  -------  -------  --------
<S>                                       <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>
Sirach Strategic Balanced Portfolio
 Institutional Class Shares.............    $ 9     $ 28     $ 48     $ 107
Sirach Fixed Income Portfolio
 Institutional Class Shares.............    $ 8     $ 24     $ 42     $  94
Sirach Growth Portfolio Institutional
 Class Shares...........................    $ 9     $ 27     $ 48     $ 106
Sirach Short-Term Reserves Portfolio
 Institutional Class Shares.............    $ 5     $ 17     $ 29     $  65
Sirach Special Equity Portfolio
 Institutional Class Shares.............    $ 9     $ 27     $ 47     $ 105
Sirach Equity Portfolio Institutional
 Class Shares...........................    $ 9     $ 29
</TABLE>
 
    THIS EXAMPLE SHOULD  NOT BE CONSIDERED  A REPRESENTATION OF  PAST OR  FUTURE
EXPENSES  OR PERFORMANCE.  ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY  BE GREATER OR  LESSER THAN THOSE
SHOWN.
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
 
    SIRACH STRATEGIC BALANCED PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach  Strategic
Balanced  Portfolio is  to provide long-term  growth of  capital consistent with
reasonable risk to principal by investing  in a diversified portfolio of  common
stocks and fixed income securities.
 
    SIRACH GROWTH PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Growth Portfolio is to
provide long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable risk to principal by
investing  primarily in common  stocks of companies  that offer long-term growth
potential.
 
    SIRACH FIXED INCOME  PORTFOLIO.  The  objective of the  Sirach Fixed  Income
Portfolio  is  to provide  above-average total  return  with reasonable  risk to
principal by investing primarily in investment grade fixed income securities.
 
    SIRACH  SHORT-TERM  RESERVES  PORTFOLIO.    The  objective  of  the   Sirach
Short-Term  Reserves  Portfolio  is  to  provide  competitive  rates  of  return
consistent  with  the  maintenance  of  principal  and  liquidity  by  investing
primarily  in investment grade fixed income  securities with an average weighted
maturity of 3 years or less.
 
    SIRACH SPECIAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Special Equity
Portfolio is  to provide  maximum long-term  growth of  capital consistent  with
reasonable  risk  to  principal, by  investing  in small  to  medium capitalized
companies with particularly attractive financial characteristics.
 
    SIRACH EQUITY PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Equity Portfolio is to
provide long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable risk to principal by
investing primarily in common  stocks of companies  that offer long-term  growth
potential.
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
    Sirach  Capital Management,  Inc. (the "Adviser"),  an investment counseling
firm founded in 1970, serves as investment  adviser to six of the Fund's  Sirach
Portfolios.  The  Adviser  presently manages  over  $5.4 billion  in  assets for
institutional  clients  and  high   net  worth  individuals.  (See   "Investment
Adviser.")
 
PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
    Shares  of each Portfolio  are offered, through  UAM Fund Distributors, Inc.
(the "Distributor"), to investors at net asset value without a sales commission.
Share purchases may  be made by  sending investments directly  to the Fund.  The
minimum  initial investment is $2,500. The minimum for subsequent investments is
$100.  The  minimum  initial  investment  for  401(k)  plans  is  $500.  Certain
exceptions  to the  initial or  minimum investment  amounts may  be made  by the
officers of the Fund. (See "Purchase of Shares.")
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Each Portfolio  will  normally  distribute  substantially  all  of  its  net
investment  income  in  the  form  of  quarterly  dividends.  In  addition, each
Portfolio  will   distribute  any   unrealized  net   capital  gains   annually.
Distributions  will be  reinvested in  Portfolio shares  automatically unless an
investor elects to  receive cash distributions.  (See "Dividends, Capital  Gains
Distributions and Taxes.")
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES
 
    Shares  of each Portfolio may be redeemed  at any time, without cost, at the
net asset value of the Portfolio next determined after receipt of the redemption
request. The redemption price may be more or less than the purchase price.  (See
"Redemption of Shares.")
 
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
 
    UAM  Fund Services Inc.,  a wholly-owned subsidiary  of UAM Asset Management
Corporation, is responsible for  performing and overseeing administration,  fund
accounting,  dividend disbursing  and transfer  agency services  provided to the
Fund and its Portfolios by  third-party service providers. (See  "Administrative
Services.")
 
RISK FACTORS
 
    The  value of each Portfolio's shares  will fluctuate in response to changes
in market  and economic  conditions, as  well as  the financial  conditions  and
prospects  of the  issuers in which  a Portfolio  invests. Prospective investors
should consider the following factors. (1) The Sirach Fixed Income and  Balanced
Portfolios may invest a portion of their assets in derivatives including futures
contracts  and options.  (See "Futures Contracts  and Options.")  (2) The Sirach
Special Equity Portfolio  invests primarily in  small and medium  capitalization
companies,  some of which  may be foreign based.  (See "Investment Policies" and
"Foreign Investments.")  (3)  In general,  the  Portfolios will  not  trade  for
short-term  profits,  but when  circumstances warrant,  investments may  be sold
without regard to the length of time held. High rates of portfolio turnover  may
result  in additional  transaction costs and  the realization  of capital gains.
(See "Portfolio  Turnover.") (4)  In addition,  each Portfolio  may use  various
investment practices that involve special considerations, including investing in
repurchase  agreements,  when issued,  forward  delivery and  delayed settlement
securities and lending of securities. (See "Other Investment Policies.")
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                           INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES
 
    The following tables provide selected per share data and ratios for a  share
outstanding  throughout each of  the respective periods  presented of the Sirach
Special Equity, Strategic Balanced, Growth, Fixed Income and Short-Term Reserves
Portfolios' Institutional Class Shares and are part of the Portfolios' Financial
Statement included in the Portfolios'  1995 Annual Report to Shareholders  which
is  incorporated  by  reference  into the  Portfolios'  Statement  of Additional
Information. The Portfolios'  Financial Statements have  been examined by  Price
Waterhouse LLP whose opinion thereon (which is unqualified) is also incorporated
by  reference  into  the  Statement  of  Additional  Information.  The following
information should  be read  in  conjunction with  the Portfolio's  1995  Annual
Report to Shareholders.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          SIRACH SPECIAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
                                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                            <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
                                OCTOBER 2,**
                                  1989 TO                            YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                                OCTOBER 31,   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1989        1990        1991        1992        1993        1994        1995
                                ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Net Asset Value, Beginning of
  Period.......................   $ 10.00     $  9.67    $   8.58    $  13.90    $  15.03    $  19.10    $  16.10
 Income From Investment
  Operations
 Net Investment Income (Loss)..      0.02        0.15        0.07        0.05       (0.01)       0.04        0.11
 Net Realized & Unrealized Gain
  (Loss) on Investments........     (0.35)      (1.08)       5.33        1.13        4.68       (0.90)       3.65
 Total From Investment
  Operations...................     (0.33)      (0.93)       5.40        1.18        4.67       (0.86)       3.76
 Distributions:
 Net Investment Income.........        --       (0.16)      (0.08)      (0.05)      (0.01)      (0.02)      (0.11)
 Net Realized Gain on
  Investments..................        --          --          --          --       (0.59)      (2.12)      (0.95)
 Total Distributions...........        --       (0.16)      (0.08)      (0.05)      (0.60)      (2.14)      (1.06)
 Net Asset Value, End of
  Period.......................   $  9.67     $  8.58    $  13.90    $  15.03    $  19.10    $  16.10    $  18.80
 Total Return..................     (3.30)%     (9.78)%     63.13%       8.50%      31.81%      (4.68)%     25.31%
 Ratios and Supplemental Data
 Net Assets, End of Period
  (Thousands)..................   $25,679     $73,098    $255,118    $358,714    $528,078    $513,468    $498,026
 Ratio of Expenses to Average
  Net Assets...................      1.90%*      0.98%       0.92%       0.90%       0.89%       0.88%       0.85%#
 Ratio of Net Investment Income
  (Loss) to Average Net
  Assets.......................      2.64%*      1.71%       0.61%       0.38%      (0.03)%      0.27%       0.64%
 Portfolio Turnover Rate.......         7%        108%         85%        122%        102%        107%        137%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 *Annualized.
**Commencement of Operations.
#For  the year  ended October  31, 1995,  the Ratio  of Expenses  to Average Net
 Assets excludes  the  effect  of  expense  offsets.  If  expense  offsets  were
 included,  the Ratio of Expenses to  Average Net Assets would not significantly
 differ.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               SIRACH STRATEGIC BALANCED
                                                                                       PORTFOLIO
                                              SIRACH GROWTH PORTFOLIO       -------------------------------
                                          --------------------------------                       YEAR ENDED
                                          DECEMBER 1, 1993**   YEAR ENDED   DECEMBER 1, 1993**    OCTOBER
                                                  TO           OCTOBER 31,          TO              31,
                                           OCTOBER 31, 1994       1995       OCTOBER 31, 1994       1995
                                          -------------------  -----------  -------------------  ----------
 <S>                                      <C>                  <C>          <C>                  <C>
 Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period....      $ 10.00         $   9.66          $ 10.00         $   9.35
 Income From Investment Operations
 Net Investment Income...................         0.10             0.15             0.27             0.36
 Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
  on Investments.........................        (0.36)            1.70            (0.69)            1.39
 Total From Investment Operations........        (0.26)            1.85            (0.42)            1.75
 Distributions
 Net Investment Income...................        (0.08)           (0.16)           (0.23)           (0.35)
 Net Asset Value, End of Period..........      $  9.66         $  11.35          $  9.35         $  10.75
 Total Return............................        (2.58)%          19.33%           (4.19)%          19.10%
 Ratios and Supplemental Data
 Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)...      $80,944         $114,787          $99,564         $ 95,834
 Ratio of Expenses to Average Net
  Assets.................................         0.92%*           0.86%#           0.90%*           0.87%#
 Ratio of Net Investment Income to
  Average Net Assets.....................         1.13%*           1.48%            3.05%*           3.49%
 Portfolio Turnover Rate.................          141%             119%             158%             158%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 *Annualized.
**Commencement of Operations.
#For the year  ended October  31, 1995,  the Ratio  of Expenses  to Average  Net
 Assets  excludes  the  effect  of  expense  offsets.  If  expense  offsets were
 included, the Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets would be 0.84% and 0.86%,
 respectively, for the  Sirach Growth  Portfolio and  Sirach Strategic  Balanced
 Portfolio.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              SIRACH SHORT-TERM RESERVED
                                                                                       PORTFOLIO
                                           SIRACH FIXED INCOME PORTFOLIO    -------------------------------
                                          --------------------------------                       YEAR ENDED
                                          DECEMBER 1, 1993**   YEAR ENDED   DECEMBER 1, 1993**    OCTOBER
                                                  TO           OCTOBER 31,          TO              31,
                                           OCTOBER 31, 1994       1995       OCTOBER 31, 1994       1995
                                          -------------------  -----------  -------------------  ----------
 <S>                                      <C>                  <C>          <C>                  <C>
 Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period....      $ 10.00         $   9.16          $ 10.00         $  10.03
 Income From Investment Operations
 Net Investment Income+..................         0.48             0.58             0.34             0.59
 Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
  on Investments.........................        (0.91)            0.73            (0.02)           (0.02)
 Total From Investment Operations........        (0.43)            1.31             0.32             0.57
 Distributions
 Net Investment Income...................        (0.41)           (0.59)           (0.29)           (0.58)
 Net Asset Value, End of Period..........      $  9.16         $   9.88          $ 10.03         $  10.02
 Total Return............................        (4.33)%++        14.75%++          3.24%++          5.83%++
 Ratios and Supplemental Data
 Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)...      $12,178         $ 15,439          $21,371         $ 18,489
 Ratio of Expenses to Average Net
  Assets+................................         0.75%*           0.76%#           0.50%*           0.52%#
 Ratio of Net Investment Income to
  Average Net Assets+....................         5.37%*           6.13%            3.53%*           5.34%
 Portfolio Turnover Rate.................          230%             165%              13%              38%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 *Annualized.
**Commencement of Operations.
 +Net of voluntarily waived fees and expenses assumed by the Adviser of $.08 and
  $.06,  respectively  for  Sirach Fixed  Income  Portfolio and  $.04  and $.04,
  respectively for Sirach  Short-Term Reserves Portfolio,  for the period  ended
  October 31, 1994 and the year ended October 31, 1995.
++Total  return  would have  been lower  had  certain fees  not been  waived and
  expenses assumed by the Adviser during the periods indicated.
 #For the year  ended October 31,  1995, the  Ratio of Expenses  to Average  Net
  Assets  excludes  the  effect  of expense  offsets.  If  expense  offsets were
  included, the  Ratio of  Expenses to  Average Net  Assets would  be 0.75%  and
  0.50%,  respectively, for Sirach Fixed  Income Portfolio and Sirach Short-Term
  Reserves Portfolio.
 
                            PERFORMANCE CALCULATIONS
 
    Each Portfolio may advertise or quote  total return data. Total return  will
be  calculated  on  an  average  annual total  return  basis,  and  may  also be
calculated on  an aggregate  total return  basis, for  various periods.  Average
annual total return reflects the average annual percentage change in value of an
investment  in the  Portfolio over  a measuring  period. Aggregate  total return
reflects the total  percentage change  in value  over a  measuring period.  Both
methods  of calculating  total return  assume that  dividends and  capital gains
distributions made by a Portfolio during the period are reinvested in  Portfolio
shares.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    Performance  will  be  calculated  separately  for  Institutional  Class and
Service  Class  Shares.  Dividends   paid  by  a   Portfolio  with  respect   to
Institutional  Class and Service  Class Shares, to the  extent any dividends are
paid, will be calculated in the same manner at the same time on the same day and
will be in the same amount, except that services fees, distribution charges  and
any  incremental transfer agency costs relating  to Service Class Shares will be
borne exclusively by that class.
 
    The Annual Report to the shareholders of the Sirach Portfolios for the  most
recent fiscal year end contains additional performance information that includes
comparisons  with appropriate  indices. The  Annual Report  is available without
charge upon request to the Fund by  writing to the address or calling the  phone
number on the cover of this Prospectus.
 
                             INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
 
    SIRACH  STRATEGIC BALANCED PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Strategic
Balanced Portfolio  is  to  provide long-term  capital  growth  consistent  with
reasonable  risk to principal by investing  in a diversified portfolio of common
stocks of established  companies and investment  grade fixed income  securities.
The  proportion of  the Portfolio's  assets invested  in fixed  income or common
stocks will  vary as  market conditions  warrant. A  typical asset  mix for  the
Portfolio,  however, is expected  to be 50%  common stocks and  50% fixed income
securities.  Cash  equivalent  investments   will  be  maintained  when   deemed
appropriate by the Adviser.
 
    SIRACH GROWTH PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Growth Portfolio is to
provide long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable risk to principal by
investing in common stocks of companies that offer long-term growth potential.
 
    SIRACH  FIXED INCOME  PORTFOLIO.  The  objective of the  Sirach Fixed Income
Portfolio is to  provide above-average total  return consistent with  reasonable
risk  to  principal  by investing  primarily  in investment  grade  fixed income
securities of  varying  maturities of  the  U.S. Government  and  its  agencies,
corporate  bonds, collateralized mortgage  obligations ("CMOs"), mortgage-backed
securities, and  various  short  term  instruments  such  as  commercial  paper,
Treasury  bills and certificates of  deposit. Income return is  expected to be a
predominant portion of the Portfolio's total  return. Any capital return on  the
Portfolio is dependent upon interest rate movements. The capital return from the
Portfolio will vary according to, among other factors, interest rate changes and
the average maturity (duration) of the Portfolio.
 
    SIRACH   SHORT-TERM  RESERVES  PORTFOLIO.    The  objective  of  the  Sirach
Short-Term  Reserves  Portfolio  is  to  provide  competitive  rates  of  return
consistent  with  the  maintenance  of  principal  and  liquidity  by  investing
primarily in investment grade fixed  income securities with an average  weighted
maturity of 3 years or less.
 
    SIRACH SPECIAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Special Equity
Portfolio  is to  provide maximum  long-term growth  of capital  consistent with
reasonable risk to principal, by investing in small to medium capitalized growth
companies that have particularly strong financial characteristics as measured by
the Adviser's "ranking system."
 
    SIRACH EQUITY PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Equity Portfolio is to
provide long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable risk to principal by
investing primarily in commons stocks  of companies that offer long-term  growth
potential.  As described  below, growth potential  is measured  by the Adviser's
"ranking" system.
 
    There can be no assurance that any of the Portfolios will achieve its stated
objective.
 
                              INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    SIRACH  STRATEGIC  BALANCED  PORTFOLIO.    The  Sirach  Strategic   Balanced
Portfolio  is designed to provide a single  vehicle with which to participate in
the Adviser's equity and  fixed income strategies,  combined with the  Adviser's
asset  allocation decisions.  The Portfolio  seeks to  achieve its  objective by
investing in a combination of stocks,  bonds and short-term cash equivalents.  A
typical  asset mix of the Portfolio is expected to be 50% equities and 50% fixed
income securities. However, depending upon market conditions, the mix may  vary,
and  cash equivalent investments  will be maintained  when deemed appropriate by
the Adviser. Under  normal conditions,  the range  of exposure  to fixed  income
securities  is expected  to be  25% to 50%  of the  Portfolio, and  the range of
exposure to equity securities is  expected to be 35%  to 70%. However, at  least
25%  of the  Portfolio's total  assets will always  be invested  in fixed income
senior securities including debt securities and preferred stock.
 
    Equity and fixed income securities  are selected using approaches  identical
to  those for the Sirach Growth Portfolio  and the Sirach Fixed Income Portfolio
as set forth below.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
    SIRACH GROWTH PORTFOLIO.  The Sirach  Growth Portfolio seeks to achieve  its
objective  by investing in common stocks of companies that are small, medium and
large  growth  companies  deemed  by  the  Adviser  to  offer  long-term  growth
potential.  The securities  selected will  be from  a universe  of approximately
2,500 companies listed on the New York  and American Stock Exchanges and on  the
National   Association  of   Securities  Dealers   Automated  Quotations  system
("NASDAQ"). The Portfolio may  also invest in  convertible bonds or  convertible
preferred stocks.
 
    The  Adviser's security  selection process for  the Portfolio  will focus on
those companies that rank high on the Adviser's proprietary ranking system.  The
ranking  system  consists of  five  buying tests  that  are ranked  according to
decile. The  Adviser believes  that  companies that  possess a  higher  "ranking
score" are likely to provide superior rates of return over an extended period of
time  relative to  the stock  market in general.  The components  of the ranking
system include  past earnings  per share  growth rates,  earnings  acceleration,
prospective earnings "surprise" probabilities, relative price strength, and cash
reinvestment  rates.  The  Adviser  screens a  universe  of  approximately 2,500
companies to identify potentially attractive  securities. The list of  potential
investments  is narrowed further by the  use of traditional fundamental security
analysis. The  Adviser focuses  particular attention  on those  companies  whose
recent earnings have exceeded consensus expectations.
 
    As  perceived risks in  the marketplace increase, cash  reserves can be used
for defensive purposes. Under normal circumstances, it is anticipated that  cash
reserves  will represent a relatively small percentage of the Portfolio's assets
(less than 20%). For temporary defensive purposes, the Portfolio may reduce  its
holdings   of  equity  securities  and   increase  its  holdings  in  short-term
investments. (See "Other Investment Policies - Short-Term Investments.")
 
    The Adviser  anticipates  that  the  majority  of  the  investments  in  the
Portfolio  will be in United States based companies. However, from time to time,
shares of foreign based companies may  be purchased, if they pass the  selection
process  outlined above.  The Portfolio may  invest up  to 20% of  its assets in
shares of foreign based companies. In  addition, if shares of a foreign  company
are  purchased, they must be  traded in the United  States as sponsored American
Depositary Receipts  ("ADRs") which  are U.S.  domestic securities  representing
ownership  rights in  foreign companies. (See  "Foreign Investments"  for a more
detailed description of the risks involved.)
 
    SIRACH FIXED INCOME PORTFOLIO.  The  Sirach Fixed Income Portfolio seeks  to
achieve  its objective  by investing  in a  diversified mix  of investment grade
fixed income securities of varying  maturities including securities of the  U.S.
Government  and  its  agencies,  corporate  bonds,  mortgage-backed  securities,
asset-backed securities, and various short  term instruments such as  commercial
paper, Treasury bills and certificates of deposit.
 
    Investment grade bonds are generally considered to be those bonds having one
of  the  four  highest  grades  assigned  by  Moody's  Investors  Services, Inc.
("Moody's") (Aaa, Aa,  A or  Baa ) or  Standard and  Poor's Corporation  ("S&P")
(AAA,  AA, A or BBB). Securities rated Baa  by Moody's or BBB by S&P may possess
speculative characteristics and may be more sensitive to changes in the  economy
and  the financial condition of issuers than higher rated bonds. Mortgage-backed
securities in which the Portfolio may invest will either carry a guarantee  from
an  agency of the U.S.  Government or a private issuer  of the timely payment of
principal and interest  or are  sufficiently seasoned  to be  considered by  the
Adviser to be of investment grade quality.
 
    It  is  the Adviser's  intention that  the  Portfolio's investments  will be
limited to the investment grades described above. However, the Adviser  reserves
the right to retain securities which are downgraded by one or both of the rating
agencies  if, in  the Adviser's  judgement, the  retention of  the securities is
warranted.  In  addition,  the  Adviser  may  invest  in  preferred  stocks  and
convertible  securities. In the  case of convertible  securities, the conversion
privilege may be exercised, but the common stocks received will be sold.
 
    Credit quality of bonds in such  ratings categories can change suddenly  and
unexpectedly,  and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the
actual risks  posed by  a particular  security.  For these  reasons, it  is  the
Portfolio's policy not to rely primarily on ratings issued by established credit
rating  agencies, but to utilize such  ratings in conjunction with the Adviser's
own independent and on-going review of credit quality.
 
    The Adviser expects to  actively manage the Portfolio  in order to meet  its
investment  objective. The  Adviser attempts  to be  risk averse  believing that
preserving principal  in  periods  of  rising  interest  rates  should  lead  to
above-average  returns over the long run. The structure of the Portfolio will be
largely determined by  the Adviser's assessment  of current economic  conditions
and  trends, the Federal  Reserve Board's management  of monetary policy, fiscal
policy, inflation expectations, government and private credit demands and global
conditions. Once  these  factors  have  been  carefully  analyzed,  the  average
maturity/duration of the Portfolio will be adjusted to
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
reflect  the  Adviser's outlook.  Under normal  market conditions,  the weighted
average maturity and duration will range between eight and twelve years and four
and six years, respectively. Over a complete market cycle, the average  maturity
and duration will, on average, equal the general market.
 
    Additionally,  the  Adviser  attempts to  emphasize  relative  values within
selected maturity  ranges.  Interest  rate  spreads  between  different  quality
ranges,  by  types of  issues and  within  coupon areas  are monitored,  and the
Portfolio will be structured to take  advantage of relative values within  these
areas.  Marketability  of  individual  issues  and  diversification  within  the
Portfolio will be emphasized. The Portfolio will hold, under most circumstances,
no more than 10% of its assets in any non-governmental issue.
 
    While the  Adviser  anticipates that  the  majority  of the  assets  in  the
Portfolio  will  be  U.S.  dollar-denominated  securities,  up  to  20%  of  the
Portfolio's assets may consist of obligations of foreign governments,  agencies,
or  corporations denominated either  in U.S. dollars  or foreign currencies. The
credit quality standards applied  to foreign obligations are  the same as  those
applied to the selection of U.S.-based securities.
 
    The Portfolio may enter into futures contracts and options on such contracts
for  hedging purposes. (See "Futures Contracts  and Options" for a more complete
discussion of this policy and a description of special considerations and  risks
associated with investing in futures and options.)
 
    SIRACH  SHORT-TERM RESERVES PORTFOLIO.   The Portfolio  seeks to achieve its
objective by investing exclusively in the following short-term investment  grade
fixed income securities with an average weighted maturity of 3 years or less:
 
    (1) Short-term  corporate debt securities rated BBB  or better by S&P or Baa
        or better by Moody's;
 
    (2) U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agency obligations;
 
    (3) Bank  obligations,  including  certificates  of  deposit  and   banker's
        acceptances;
 
    (4) Commercial paper rated Prime-1 by Moody's or A-1 by S&P; and
 
    (5) Repurchase agreements collateralized by these securities.
 
    SIRACH  SPECIAL  EQUITY  PORTFOLIO.   The  Portfolio  seeks  to  achieve its
objective by investing primarily in the  common stocks of companies with  market
capitalizations  of $100 million to $2  billion dollars. Securities selected for
the Portfolio will be chosen from the New York Stock Exchange and American Stock
Exchange or  from  the  over  the  counter  markets  operated  by  the  National
Association of Securities Dealers.
 
    The  security selection process for the Portfolio focuses on those companies
within the market capitalization specified above and that rank above average  on
the  Adviser's proprietary  "ranking system."  The "ranking  system" consists of
five buying tests that are ranked according to decile. The Adviser believes that
companies with smaller capitalizations that possess a higher "ranking score" are
likely to  provide superior  rates of  return over  an extended  period of  time
relative  to the stock market  in general. The components  of the ranking system
include past earnings per share growth rates, earnings acceleration, prospective
earnings  "surprise"   probabilities,   relative  price   strength,   and   cash
reinvestment  rates. The Adviser screens a  universe of several thousand smaller
to medium capitalized companies  to identify potentially attractive  securities.
The  list of potential investments is narrowed further by the use of traditional
fundamental security  analysis.  In  addition, the  Adviser  focuses  particular
attention  on those  companies whose  earnings momentum  are accelerating and/or
whose recent earnings have exceeded the Adviser's expectations.
 
    It is  anticipated that  cash  reserves will  represent a  relatively  small
percentage of the Portfolio's assets (less than 20% under normal circumstances.)
For temporary defensive purposes, however, the Portfolio may reduce its holdings
of  equity  securities and  increase,  up to  100%,  its holdings  in short-term
investments.
 
    The Adviser  anticipates  that  the  majority  of  the  investments  in  the
Portfolio  will be in United States based companies. However, from time to time,
shares of foreign based  companies may be purchased  if they pass the  selection
process  outlined  above.  In  addition,  if shares  of  a  foreign  company are
purchased, they  must be  traded in  the United  States as  American  Depositary
Receipts  ("ADRs"), which  are U.S.  domestic securities  representing ownership
rights in foreign companies. Under normal circumstances, ADRs will not  comprise
more  than 20% of the Portfolio's assets.  (See "Foreign Investments" for a more
detailed description of the risks involved.)
 
    SIRACH EQUITY PORTFOLIO.   The Portfolio seeks to  achieve its objective  by
investing  primarily in  common stocks of  companies that are  small, medium and
large capitalization growth companies deemed  by the Adviser to offer  long-term
potential.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    The  security  selection  process  for the  Portfolio  will  focus  on those
companies that  rank  high on  the  Adviser's proprietary  ranking  system.  The
ranking  system  consists of  five  buying tests  that  are ranked  according to
decile. The  Adviser believes  that  companies that  possess a  higher  "ranking
score" are likely to provide superior rates of return over an extended period of
time  relative to  the stock  market in general.  The components  of the ranking
system include  past earnings  per share  growth rates,  earnings  acceleration,
prospective  earnings "surprise" probabilities, relative price strength and cash
reinvestment rates.  The  Adviser  screens a  universe  of  approximately  2,500
companies  to identify potentially attractive  securities. The list of potential
investments is narrowed further by  the use of traditional fundamental  security
analysis.  The  Adviser focuses  particular attention  on those  companies whose
recent earnings have exceeded consensus expectations.
 
    In seeking to fulfill its investment objective, the Portfolio, under  normal
circumstances,  will invest  at least  90% of  its assets  in equity securities,
consisting primarily of common stock; however, the Portfolio may also invest  in
convertible  bonds or convertible  preferred stocks. The  Portfolio may invest a
portion of its  assets in  shares of  foreign based  companies. If  shares of  a
foreign  company are  purchased, they  must be  traded in  the United  States as
sponsored American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"). (See "Foreign Investments"  for
a more detailed description of the risks involved.)
 
                           OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
 
    There  may be periods when  economic or market conditions  are such that the
Adviser deems  a temporary  defensive position  to be  appropriate. During  such
periods, each Portfolio may adopt a temporary defensive posture in which greater
than  35% of its net assets are invested in the following instruments consistent
with each Portfolio's investment policies as set forth above.
 
    (1) Time deposits, certificates  of deposit  (including marketable  variable
        rate  certificates  of deposit)  and  bankers' acceptances  issued  by a
        commercial bank  or  savings and  loan  association. Time  deposits  are
        non-negotiable  deposits  maintained  in  a  banking  institution  for a
        specified period  of  time at  a  stated interest  rate.  Time  deposits
        maturing  in more than seven days will  not be purchased by a Portfolio,
        and time deposits maturing from two business days through seven calendar
        days will not exceed 10% of the total assets of a Portfolio.
 
        Certificates of deposit are negotiable short-term obligations issued  by
        commercial  banks  or savings  and  loan associations  collateralized by
        funds deposited in the  issuing institution. Variable rate  certificates
        of  deposit are  certificates of deposit  on which the  interest rate is
        periodically adjusted  prior  to  their stated  maturity  based  upon  a
        specified  market rate. A banker's acceptance is a time draft drawn on a
        commercial  bank  by   a  borrower,  usually   in  connection  with   an
        international  commercial  transaction (to  finance the  import, export,
        transfer or storage of goods).
 
        Each Portfolio will not  invest in any security  issued by a  commercial
        bank unless (i) the bank has total assets of at least $1 billion, or the
        equivalent  in other currencies, (ii) in the case of U.S. banks, it is a
        member of the Federal  Deposit Insurance Corporation,  and (iii) in  the
        case  of foreign branches of U.S. banks, the security is, in the opinion
        of the  Adviser, of  an investment  quality comparable  with other  debt
        securities which may be purchased by each Portfolio;
 
    (2) Commercial  paper  rated A-1  or A-2  by  S&P or  Prime-1 or  Prime-2 by
        Moody's or, if not rated, issued by a corporation having an  outstanding
        unsecured debt issue rated A or better by Moody's or by S&P;
 
    (3) Short-term  corporate obligations rated  BBB or better by  S&P or Baa or
        better by Moody's;
 
    (4) U.S. Government obligations including bills, notes, bonds and other debt
        securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. These are direct obligations  of
        the  U.S. Treasury, supported by the full faith and credit pledge of the
        U.S. Government  and differ  mainly in  interest rates,  maturities  and
        dates of issue;
 
    (5) U.S.   Government  agency  securities  issued   or  guaranteed  by  U.S.
        Government sponsored instrumentalities and Federal agencies.  Generally,
        such  securities are evaluated on  the creditworthiness of their issuing
        agency or guarantor  and are  not backed by  the direct  full faith  and
        credit pledge of the U.S. Government. These include securities issued by
        the   Federal  Home  Loan   Banks,  Federal  Land   Bank,  Farmers  Home
        Administration, Federal Farm Credit  Banks, Federal Intermediate  Credit
        Bank, Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Financing Bank, the
        Tennessee Valley Authority, and others; and
 
    (6) Repurchase agreements collateralized by securities listed above.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
    The Fund has received permission from the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the  "Commission") to deposit the daily  uninvested cash balances of the Fund's
Portfolios, as well  as cash  for investment purposes,  into one  or more  joint
accounts  and to invest the daily balance of the joint accounts in the following
short-term   investments:    fully   collateralized    repurchase    agreements,
interest-bearing  or  discounted commercial  paper  including dollar-denominated
commercial paper  of foreign  issuers,  and any  other short-term  money  market
instruments  including  variable rate  demand notes  and other  tax-exempt money
market instruments. By entering into these  investments on a joint basis, it  is
expected  that  a Portfolio  may earn  a  higher rate  of return  on investments
relative to what it could earn individually.
 
    The Fund has received a ruling from the Commission which allows each of  its
Portfolios  to invest the greater  of 5% of its total  assets or $2.5 million in
the Fund's  DSI  Money  Market  Portfolio for  cash  management  purposes.  (See
"Investment Companies.")
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
    Each  Portfolio may invest  in repurchase agreements  collateralized by U.S.
Government securities, certificates of deposit, and certain bankers' acceptances
and  other  securities  outlined  above  under  "Short-Term  Investments."   The
Portfolio  may  acquire repurchase  agreements as  long as  the Fund's  Board of
Directors evaluates the creditworthiness  of the brokers  or dealers with  which
each Portfolio will enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement,
a  Portfolio  purchases a  security and  simultaneously  commits to  resell that
security at a future date to the seller (a qualified bank or securities  dealer)
at  an agreed  upon price plus  an agreed  upon market rate  of interest (itself
unrelated to the coupon rate or date of maturity of the purchased security). The
seller under a repurchase  agreement will be required  to maintain the value  of
the  securities subject  to the  agreement at not  less than  (1) the repurchase
price if  such securities  mature  in one  year  or less,  or  (2) 101%  of  the
repurchase  price  if  such  securities  mature  in  more  than  one  year.  The
Administrator and  the  Adviser will  mark  to market  daily  the value  of  the
securities  purchased, and the Adviser will, if necessary, require the seller to
maintain additional securities to  ensure that the value  is in compliance  with
the  previous  sentence. The  Adviser will  consider  the creditworthiness  of a
seller in  determining  whether  a  Portfolio should  enter  into  a  repurchase
agreement.
 
    In  effect, by entering into a  repurchase agreement, a Portfolio is lending
its funds  to the  seller at  the agreed  upon interest  rate, and  receiving  a
security  as collateral for  the loan. Such  agreements can be  entered into for
periods of one day (overnight repo) or for a fixed term (term repo).  Repurchase
agreements are a common way to earn interest income on short-term funds.
 
    The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the
seller  of the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying
securities at  a  time  when the  value  of  these securities  has  declined,  a
Portfolio  may  incur a  loss upon  disposition of  them. If  the seller  of the
agreement becomes insolvent and subject  to liquidation or reorganization  under
the  Bankruptcy Code or  other laws, a  bankruptcy court may  determine that the
underlying securities are collateral not within  the control of a Portfolio  and
therefore  subject to sale by the trustee in bankruptcy. Finally, it is possible
that a Portfolio may not be able to substantiate its interest in the  underlying
securities. While the Fund's management acknowledges these risks, it is expected
that  they can be  controlled through stringent  security selection criteria and
careful monitoring procedures. Credit screens will be established and maintained
for dealers and dealer-banks before portfolio transactions are executed for each
Portfolio.
 
    The Fund has  applied to  the Commission for  permission to  pool the  daily
uninvested  cash  balances  of  the  Fund's Portfolios  in  order  to  invest in
repurchase agreements on a joint  basis. By entering into repurchase  agreements
on  a joint basis, it is expected that a Portfolio will incur lower transactions
costs and  potentially  obtain  higher  rates of  interest  on  such  repurchase
agreements.  Each Portfolio's participation in the income from jointly purchased
repurchase agreements will be based on that Portfolio's percentage share in  the
total  repurchase agreement. While  the Fund expects  to receive permission from
the Commission, there  can be  no assurance that  the requested  relief will  be
granted.
 
STRIPPED SECURITIES
 
    The  Sirach  Fixed Income  Portfolio  may invest  in  "stripped" securities.
Stripped securities are usually structured with two or more classes that receive
different proportions of the interest and  principal distributions on a pool  of
U.S.  Government, mortgage or asset-assets securities.  In some cases, one class
will receive all of the interest distributions (the interest-only class or  "IO"
class),   while   the   other  class   will   receive  all   of   the  principal
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
distributions (the principal only or "PO" class). The Portfolio does not  intend
to  invest in  IOs. Stripped  securities commonly  have greater  volatility than
other types of fixed  income securities. Stripped  securities may be  considered
derivatives securities.
 
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
 
    Each  Portfolio may purchase  restricted securities that  are not registered
for sale to the general  public but which are  eligible for resale to  qualified
institutional investors under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Under the
supervision  of  the  Fund's  Board of  Directors,  the  Adviser  determines the
liquidity of such investments by considering all relevant factors. Provided that
a dealer  or  institutional trading  market  in such  securities  exists,  these
restricted  securities are not treated as  illiquid securities for purposes of a
Portfolio's investment limitations. Each of the Portfolios may also invest up to
15% of its  net assets  (except the Sirach  Special Equity  Portfolio which  may
invest up to 10% of its net assets) in securities that are illiquid by virtue of
the  absence of a  readily available market  or because of  legal or contractual
restrictions or resale. The prices realized  from the sales of these  securities
could  be more or less than those originally  paid by the Portfolio or less than
what may be considered the fair value of such securities.
 
LENDING OF SECURITIES
 
    Each Portfolio may lend its investment securities to qualified institutional
investors  who  need  to  borrow   securities  in  order  to  complete   certain
transactions,  such  as  covering  short  sales,  avoiding  failures  to deliver
securities or  completing  arbitrage  operations.  A  Portfolio  will  not  loan
portfolio  securities to the extent that greater than one-third of its assets at
fair market  value, would  be  committed to  loans.  By lending  its  investment
securities,  a Portfolio attempts to increase  its income through the receipt of
interest on the loan.  Any gain or  loss in the market  price of the  securities
loaned  that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of
the Portfolio.  A Portfolio  may  lend its  investment securities  to  qualified
brokers, dealers, domestic and foreign banks or other financial institutions, so
long  as the terms, the structure and the aggregate amount of such loans are not
inconsistent with the  Investment Company Act  of 1940, as  amended, (the  "1940
Act")  or  the  Rules  and  Regulations  or  interpretations  of  the Commission
thereunder, which currently require  that (a) the  borrower pledge and  maintain
with  the  Portfolio collateral  consisting of  cash,  an irrevocable  letter of
credit issued by a domestic U.S. bank or securities issued or guaranteed by  the
United  States Government having a value at all  times not less than 100% of the
value of the securities loaned, (b) the borrower add to such collateral whenever
the price  of the  securities loaned  rises (i.e.,  the borrower  "marks to  the
market"  on a daily basis),  (c) the loan be made  subject to termination by the
Portfolio at any time, and (d) the Portfolio receives reasonable interest on the
loan (which may include the Portfolio investing any cash collateral in  interest
bearing  short-term investments). As  with other extensions  of credit there are
risks of delay in recovery  or even loss of rights  in the securities loaned  if
the borrower of the securities fails financially. These risks are similar to the
ones  involved with repurchase agreements as discussed above. All relevant facts
and circumstances,  including  the creditworthiness  of  the broker,  dealer  or
institution,  will be considered in making decisions with respect to the lending
of securities, subject to review by the Fund's Board of Directors.
 
    At the present  time, the  Staff of  the Commission  does not  object if  an
investment  company pays  reasonable negotiated  fees in  connection with loaned
securities so long as such fees are set forth in a written contract and approved
by the investment company's Board of  Directors. The Portfolio will continue  to
retain  any voting rights with  respect to the loaned  securities. If a material
event occurs affecting an investment on a loan, the loan must be called and  the
securities voted.
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
    Generally,  the  Portfolios  will  not trade  in  securities  for short-term
profits, but, when circumstances warrant, securities may be sold without  regard
to  length of  time held.  It should  be understood  that the  rate of portfolio
turnover will depend  upon market and  other conditions,  and it will  not be  a
limiting   factor  when  the   Adviser  believes  that   portfolio  changes  are
appropriate. The portfolio turnover rate for the Sirach Equity Portfolio is  not
anticipated to exceed 125%. A rate of turnover of 100% would occur, for example,
if  all the securities held by a Portfolio  were replaced within a period of one
year. High rates  of portfolio  turnover necessarily  result in  correspondingly
heavier  brokerage and portfolio trading costs which are paid by the Portfolios.
In addition to Portfolio trading costs,  higher rates of portfolio turnover  may
result in the realization of capital gains. To the extent net short-term capital
gains  are realized, any distributions resulting  from such gains are considered
ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. (See "Dividends, Capital  Gains
Distributions and Taxes" for more
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
information  on taxation.) The Portfolios will not normally engage in short-term
trading, but  each  reserves  the right  to  do  so. The  tables  set  forth  in
"Financial  Highlights"  presents  the Sirach  Portfolios'  historical portfolio
turnover ratios.
 
WHEN-ISSUED, FORWARD DELIVERY AND DELAYED SETTLEMENT SECURITIES
 
    Each Portfolio may purchase and sell securities on a "when-issued," "delayed
settlement," or "forward  delivery" basis. "When-issued"  or "forward  delivery"
refers  to securities whose terms  and indenture are available,  and for which a
market exists, but which are  not available for immediate delivery.  When-issued
or forward delivery transactions may be expected to occur a month or more before
delivery  is due. Delayed settlement is a  term used to describe settlement of a
securities transaction in the secondary market which will occur sometime in  the
future.  No payment or delivery is made by a Portfolio until it receives payment
or delivery  from the  other  party to  any of  the  above transactions.  It  is
possible  that the market price of the securities at the time of delivery may be
higher or lower than the purchase price. Each Portfolio will maintain a separate
account of cash, U.S. Government securities or other high-grade debt obligations
at least  equal to  the value  of purchase  commitments until  payment is  made.
Typically, no income accrues on securities purchased on a delayed delivery basis
prior  to the time delivery of the securities is made although the Portfolio may
earn income on securities it has deposited in a segregated account.
 
    Each Portfolio  may engage  in when-issued  transactions to  obtain what  is
considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of the transaction.
When  a Portfolio  engages in when-issued  or forward  delivery transactions, it
will do  so  for  the  purpose  of  acquiring  securities  consistent  with  its
investment  objective  and  policies  and not  for  the  purposes  of investment
leverage.
 
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
 
    As permitted by the 1940 Act, each Portfolio reserves the right to invest up
to 10%  of its  total  assets, calculated  at the  time  of investment,  in  the
securities of other open-end or closed-end investment companies. No more than 5%
of  the investing Portfolio's total assets may  be invested in the securities of
any one  investment company  nor  may it  acquire more  than  3% of  the  voting
securities  of any other investment company.  The Portfolio will indirectly bear
its proportionate share of any management fees paid by an investment company  in
which it invests in addition to the advisory fee paid by the Portfolio.
 
    The  Fund has received a ruling from the Commission which allows each of its
Portfolios to invest the greater  of 5% of its total  assets or $2.5 million  in
the Fund's DSI Money Market Portfolio for cash management purposes provided that
the  investment  is  consistent  with the  Portfolio's  investment  policies and
restrictions. Based upon the Portfolio's assets invested in the DSI Money Market
Portfolio, the investing Portfolio's adviser will waive its investment  advisory
fee  and any other fees earned as a  result of the Portfolio's investment in the
DSI Money Market Portfolio.  The investing Portfolio will  bear expenses of  the
DSI Money Market Portfolio on the same basis as all of its other shareholders.
 
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
 
    Investors  should  recognize that  investing  in foreign  companies involves
certain special considerations which are not typically associated with investing
in  U.S.  companies.  Since  the  stocks  of  foreign  companies  are   normally
denominated  in foreign currencies,  the Portfolio may  be affected favorably or
unfavorably by changes in  currency rates and  in exchange control  regulations,
and may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies.
 
    As  non-U.S.  companies are  not  generally subject  to  uniform accounting,
auditing and financial  reporting standards  and practices  comparable to  those
applicable  to U.S. companies, there may  be less publicly available information
about certain foreign companies  than about U.S.  companies. Securities of  some
non-U.S.  companies  may be  less liquid  and more  volatile than  securities of
comparable  U.S.  companies.  In  addition,  with  respect  to  certain  foreign
countries,  there is the possibility  of expropriation or confiscatory taxation,
political or social instability, or  diplomatic developments which could  affect
U.S. investments in those countries.
 
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS
 
    In  order to  remain fully  invested, and  to reduce  transaction costs, the
Sirach Fixed  Income Portfolio  may utilize  appropriate futures  contracts  and
options  to a  limited extent.  Specifically, the  Portfolio may  invest in bond
futures and options and interest rate  futures contracts. For example, in  order
to  remain  fully exposed  to  the movements  of  the market,  while maintaining
liquidity to meet potential shareholder redemptions, the Portfolio may invest  a
portion  of  its assets  in  bond or  interest  rate futures  contracts. Because
futures contracts only require a
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
small initial margin deposit, the  Portfolio would then be  able to keep a  cash
reserve  available to meet  potential redemptions, while at  the same time being
effectively fully  invested. Also,  because  transaction costs  associated  with
futures  and options may be lower than the costs of investing in bonds directly,
it is expected  that the use  of index  futures and options  to facilitate  cash
flows  may reduce the Portfolio's overall  transactions costs. The Portfolio may
enter into futures contracts provided that  not more than 5% of the  Portfolio's
total assets are at the time of acquisition required as margin deposit to secure
obligations  under  such contracts.  The Portfolio  will  engage in  futures and
options transactions for hedging purposes only.
 
    The primary risks  associated with the  use of futures  and options are  (1)
imperfect  correlation between the change in market value of the securities held
by the Portfolio and  the prices of  futures and options  relating to the  bonds
purchased  or sold by the Portfolio; and (2) possible lack of a liquid secondary
market for a futures contract or option  and the resulting inability to close  a
futures  position which could have an  adverse impact on the Portfolio's ability
to hedge. In the opinion of the  Directors, the risk that the Portfolio will  be
unable  to close out a futures position or options contract will be minimized by
only entering into futures contracts or options transactions traded on  national
exchanges and for which there appears to be a liquid secondary market.
 
    Except  as specified above and  as described under "INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS,"
the foregoing  investment policies  are not  fundamental and  the Directors  may
change  such  policies  without  an  affirmative  vote  of  a  "majority  of the
outstanding voting securities of a Portfolio," as defined in the 1940 Act.
 
                             INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
 
    Each Portfolio  has  adopted  certain limitations  designed  to  reduce  its
exposure  to risk in specific  situations. Some of these  limitations are that a
Portfolio will not:
 
    (a) with respect to  75% of its  assets, invest  more than 5%  of its  total
        assets  at the time of  purchase in the securities  of any single issuer
        (other than  obligations  issued  or  guaranteed  as  to  principal  and
        interest  by the government of the U.S. or any agency or instrumentality
        thereof);
 
    (b) with respect to 75% of its assets,  purchase more than 10% of any  class
        of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer;
 
    (c) invest  more  than 5%  of  its assets  at the  time  of purchase  in the
        securities of  companies  that  have (with  predecessors)  a  continuous
        operating history of less than 3 years;
 
    (d) acquire  any securities of companies within one industry if, as a result
        of such acquisition, more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio's total
        assets  would  be  invested  in  securities  of  companies  within  such
        industry;  provided, however, that  there shall be  no limitation on the
        purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its
        agencies or instrumentalities, or instruments issued by U.S. banks  when
        a Portfolio adopts a temporary defensive position;
 
    (e) make  loans  except  (i)  by  purchasing  bonds,  debentures  or similar
        obligations  which  are  publicly  distributed,  (including   repurchase
        agreements  provided,  however, that  repurchase agreements  maturing in
        more than seven  days, together  with securities which  are not  readily
        marketable,  will not exceed  10% of the  Portfolio's total assets), and
        (ii) by lending its portfolio securities to banks, brokers, dealers  and
        other  financial institutions so long as such loans are not inconsistent
        with the 1940 Act or the Rules and Regulations or interpretations of the
        Commission thereunder;
 
    (f) (i)  borrow,  except  from  banks   and  as  a  temporary  measure   for
        extraordinary  or emergency purposes and then, in no event, in excess of
        33 1/3% (10% for the Sirach Special Equity Portfolio) of the Portfolio's
        gross assets valued at the lower of market or cost, and (ii) a Portfolio
        may not  purchase additional  securities when  borrowings exceed  5%  of
        total assets; or
 
    (g) pledge,  mortgage or hypothecate any of  its assets to an extent greater
        than 10% of its total assets at fair market value.
 
    The investment objectives of the Portfolios are fundamental and with respect
to each Portfolio  may be changed  only with the  approval of the  holders of  a
majority  of the  outstanding shares of  such Portfolio.  Except for limitations
(d), (e) and (f)(i), the Sirach Strategic Balanced, Sirach Growth, Sirach  Fixed
Income,  Sirach  Short-Term Reserves  and  Sirach Equity  Portfolios' investment
limitations and policies described  in this Prospectus and  in the Statement  of
Additional  Information are  not fundamental  and may  be changed  by the Fund's
Board  of  Directors  upon  reasonable  notice  to  investors.  The   investment
limitations of the Sirach Special Equity Portfolio
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
described  here and in  the Statement of  Additional Information are fundamental
policies and may be changed only with the approval of the holders of a  majority
of  the  outstanding shares  of  the Portfolio.  If  a percentage  limitation on
investment or utilization of assets as set forth above is adhered to at the time
an investment is made,  a later change in  percentage resulting from changes  in
the  value or  total cost  of the  Portfolios' assets  will not  be considered a
violation of the restriction.
 
                             INVESTMENT SUITABILITY
 
    The Sirach  Portfolios  were designed  principally  for the  investments  of
institutional  investors. The  Sirach Strategic Balanced  Portfolio is available
for purchase by individuals and may be suitable for investors who seek long-term
growth of capital consistent with reasonable risk to principal by investing in a
diversified portfolio of common stocks  and fixed income securities. The  Sirach
Growth  Portfolio is available  for purchase by individuals  and may be suitable
for investors who seek long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable  risk
to  principal by  investing primarily in  common stocks of  companies that offer
long-term growth potential. The Sirach  Fixed Income Portfolio is available  for
purchase by individuals and may be suitable for investors who seek above-average
total  return  with  reasonable  risk to  principal  by  investing  primarily in
investment  grade  fixed  income  securities.  The  Sirach  Short-Term  Reserves
Portfolio  is  available for  purchase by  individuals and  may be  suitable for
investors
who seek  competitive  rates  of  return  consistent  with  the  maintenance  of
principal  and liquidity by investing primarily in investment grade fixed income
securities with an average weighted maturity of three years or less. The  Sirach
Special  Equity Portfolio  is available for  purchase by individuals  and may be
suitable for investors who seek  maximum long-term growth of capital  consistent
with  reasonable risk to principal, by  investing in small to medium capitalized
companies with particularly attractive financial characteristics. No mutual fund
can guarantee  that its  investment objective  will be  met. The  Sirach  Equity
Portfolio  is  available for  purchase by  individuals and  may be  suitable for
investors  who  seek  maximum  long-term  growth  of  capital  consistent   with
reasonable  risk  to  principal,  by investing  in  small  to  large capitalized
companies with attractive long-term growth potential.
 
                               PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
    Shares of each Portfolio may be purchased, without sales commission, at  the
net asset value per share next determined after an order is received by the Fund
and  payment  is received  by the  Custodian. (See  "VALUATION OF  SHARES.") The
minimum initial investment required is $2,500 except that, for 401(k) plans  the
minimum  initial investment is $1,000. Certain  exceptions may be made from time
to time by the officers of the Fund.
 
INITIAL INVESTMENTS BY MAIL
 
    An account may be opened by  completing and signing an Account  Registration
Form, and mailing it, together with a check payable to UAM Funds, Inc., to:
 
                                UAM Funds, Inc.
                            UAM Funds Service Center
                    c/o Chase Global Funds Services Company
                                 P.O. Box 2798
                             Boston, MA 02208-2798
 
    The  carbon copy (manually signed) of  the Account Registration Form must be
delivered to:
 
                          UAM Fund Distributors, Inc.
                              211 Congress Street
                                Boston, MA 02110
 
    Payment for the purchase of shares received by mail will be credited to your
account at the net asset value per share of the Portfolio next determined  after
receipt.  Such payment need not be converted into Federal Funds (monies credited
to the Fund's Custodian Bank by a Federal Reserve Bank) before acceptance by the
Fund.
 
INITIAL INVESTMENTS BY WIRE
 
    Shares of each Portfolio  may also be purchased  by wiring Federal Funds  to
the  Fund's Custodian Bank  (see instructions below). In  order to insure prompt
crediting of the Federal Funds wire, it is important to follow these steps:
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
    (a) Telephone the  Fund's  Transfer  Agent  (toll-free  1-800-638-7983)  and
        provide  the account name, address, telephone number, social security or
        taxpayer identification number, the Portfolio selected, the amount being
        wired and  the  name of  the  bank  wiring the  funds.  (Investors  with
        existing accounts should also notify the Fund prior to wiring funds.) An
        account number will then be provided to you;
 
    (b) Instruct your bank to wire the specified amount to the Fund's Custodian;
 
                                 The Bank of New York
                                  New York, NY 10260
                                   ABA #0210-0023-8
                                 DDA Acct. #000-77-081
                                 F/B/O UAM Funds, Inc.
                                  Ref: Portfolio Name
                              --------------------------
                                  Your Account Number
                              --------------------------
                                   Your Account Name
                              --------------------------
 
    (c) A  completed Account Registration Form must be forwarded to the Fund and
        UAM Fund Distributors, Inc.  at the addresses shown  thereon as soon  as
        possible.  Federal Funds  purchases will  be accepted  only on  a day on
        which the New York  Stock Exchange and the  Custodian Bank are open  for
        business.
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS
 
    You  may add to your  account at any time  (minimum additional investment is
$100) by  purchasing  shares at  net  asset value  by  mailing a  check  to  the
Administrator  (payable to "UAM Funds, Inc.") at  the above address or by wiring
monies to the Custodian Bank using  the instructions outlined above. It is  very
important  that  your account  number,  account name,  and  the Portfolio  to be
purchased are specified on the check or wire to insure proper crediting to  your
account. In order to insure that your wire orders are invested promptly, you are
requested  to notify the Fund (toll-free 1-800-638-7983) prior to the wire date.
Mail orders  should include,  when possible,  the "Invest  by Mail"  stub  which
accompanies any Fund confirmation statement.
 
OTHER PURCHASE INFORMATION
 
    The  purchase price of the  shares of each Portfolio  is the net asset value
next determined after  the order  and payment  is received.  (See "VALUATION  OF
SHARES.")  An order received prior to the 4:00  p.m. close of the New York Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE")  will be executed  at the  price computed on  the date  of
receipt;  an  order received  after  the 4:00  p.m. close  of  the NYSE  will be
executed at the price computed on the next day the NYSE is open.
 
    The Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering
of shares of each Portfolio or reject purchase orders when, in the judgement  of
management, such suspension or rejection is in the best interests of the Fund.
 
    Purchases of a Portfolio's shares will be made in full and fractional shares
of  the Portfolio calculated to three decimal places. In the interest of economy
and convenience,  certificates for  shares  will not  be  issued except  at  the
written request of the shareholder. Certificates for fractional shares, however,
will not be issued.
 
    Shares of the Portfolios may be purchased by customers of brokers-dealers or
other  financial  intermediaries  ("Service Agents")  which  have  established a
shareholder servicing relationship with the  Fund on behalf of their  customers.
Service  Agents may impose additional or different conditions on the purchase or
redemption of Portfolio shares by their customers and may charge their customers
transaction or other account  fees on the purchase  and redemption of  Portfolio
shares.  Each Service Agent  is responsible for transmitting  to its customers a
schedule of any such fees and information regarding any additional or  different
conditions  regarding purchases and redemptions.  Shareholders who are customers
of Service Agents should consult  their Service Agent for information  regarding
these   fees  and  conditions.  Amounts  paid  to  Service  Agents  may  include
transaction fees  and/or service  fees paid  by the  Fund from  the Fund  assets
attributable  to the Service Agent, and which  would not be imposed if shares of
the Portfolio were  purchased directly  from the  Fund or  the Distributor.  The
Service  Agents may provide shareholder services to their customers that are not
available to a shareholder dealing directly with the Fund. A salesperson and any
other person entitled to receive compensation for selling or servicing Portfolio
shares may receive different compensation  with respect to one particular  class
of shares over another in the Fund.
 
    Service  Agents  may  enter confirmed  purchase  orders on  behalf  of their
customers. If you buy shares  of a Portfolio in  this manner, the Service  Agent
must  receive your investment order before the close of trading on the NYSE, and
transmit it to  the Fund's Transfer  Agent prior  to the close  of the  Transfer
Agent's business day and to
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
the  Distributor to receive that day's share price. Proper payment for the order
must be received by the Transfer Agent no later than the time when the Portfolio
is priced on the following business day. Service Agents are responsible to their
customers, the Fund and  the Fund's Distributor for  timely transmission of  all
subscription  and redemption requests, investment information, documentation and
money.
 
IN-KIND PURCHASES
 
    If accepted  by the  Fund, shares  of  each Portfolio  may be  purchased  in
exchange  for securities which are eligible for acquisition by the Portfolio, as
described in this Prospectus. Securities to  be exchanged which are accepted  by
the  Fund will be valued as set forth under "VALUATION OF SHARES" at the time of
the next determination of net asset  value after such acceptance. Shares  issued
by  a Portfolio  in exchange for  securities will  be issued at  net asset value
determined as of the same time. All dividends, interest, subscription, or  other
rights  pertaining to such securities shall become the property of the Portfolio
and must be delivered to the Fund by the investor upon receipt from the  issuer.
Securities  acquired through an in-kind purchase will be acquired for investment
and not for immediate resale.
 
    The Fund will not  accept securities in exchange  for shares of a  Portfolio
unless:  (1) such securities  are, at the  time of the  exchange, eligible to be
included in the Portfolio  and current market  quotations are readily  available
for  such securities; (2) the investor represents and agrees that all securities
offered  to  be  exchanged  are  liquid  securities  and  not  subject  to   any
restrictions  upon their sale by the Portfolio under the Securities Act of 1933,
or otherwise; and (3) the value  of any such securities (except U.S.  Government
securities)  being exchanged together  with other securities  of the same issuer
owned by the Portfolio  will not exceed  5% of the net  assets of the  Portfolio
immediately after the transaction.
 
    A gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes will be realized by investors
who are subject to Federal taxation upon the exchange depending upon the cost of
the  securities  or  local  currency  exchanged.  Investors  interested  in such
exchanges should contact the Adviser.
 
                              REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
    Shares of each Portfolio may be redeemed  by mail or telephone at any  time,
without  cost, at  the net  asset value of  the Portfolio  next determined after
receipt of  the redemption  request.  No charge  is  made for  redemptions.  Any
redemption  may be more or less than the purchase price of your shares depending
on the market value of the investment securities held by the Portfolio.
 
BY MAIL
 
    Each Portfolio will redeem its shares at the net asset value next determined
on the date  the request is  received in  "good order". Your  request should  be
addressed to:
 
                            UAM Funds Service Center
                    c/o Chase Global Funds Services Company
                                 P.O. Box 2798
                             Boston, MA 02208-2798
 
    "Good  order"  means that  the  request to  redeem  shares must  include the
following documentation:
 
    (a) The stock certificates, if issued;
 
    (b) A letter of instruction or a  stock assignment specifying the number  of
        shares  or dollar amount to be redeemed, signed by all registered owners
        of the shares in the exact names in which they are registered;
 
    (c) Any required signature  guarantees (see  "Signature Guarantees"  below);
        and
 
    (d) Other  supporting legal documents, if required,  in the case of estates,
        trusts, guardianships, custodianships, corporations, pension and  profit
        sharing plans and other organizations.
 
    Shareholders who are uncertain of requirements for redemption should contact
the UAM Funds Service Center.
 
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
 
    To  protect  your  account, the  Fund  and  the Transfer  Agent  from fraud,
signature guarantees are required for certain redemptions. Signature  guarantees
are  required for (1) redemptions  where the proceeds are  to be sent to someone
other than the registered shareowner(s) or the registered address, or (2)  share
transfer requests. The purpose of signature guarantees is to verify the identity
of the party who has authorized a redemption.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    Signatures  must  be guaranteed  by an  "eligible guarantor  institution" as
defined in Rule  17Ad-15 under  the Securities  Exchange Act  of 1934.  Eligible
guarantor  institutions include banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national
securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies  and
savings  associations. A complete definition  of eligible guarantor institutions
is available  from the  Transfer Agent.  Broker-dealers guaranteeing  signatures
must  be a member of a clearing corporation  or maintain net capital of at least
$100,000. Credit  unions  must  be authorized  to  issue  signature  guarantees.
Signatures  guarantees will be accepted  from any eligible guarantor institution
which participates in a signature guarantee program.
 
    The signature guarantee must appear either:  (1) on the written request  for
redemption;  (2) on a  separate instrument for  assignment ("stock power") which
should specify the total number  of shares to be redeemed;  or (3) on all  stock
certificates  tendered for redemption and,  if shares held by  the Fund are also
being redeemed, on the letter or stock power.
 
BY TELEPHONE
 
    Provided you have previously established the telephone redemption  privilege
by completing an Account Registration Form, you may request a redemption of your
shares  by calling the Fund and requesting  the redemption proceeds be mailed to
you or wired to your  bank. The Fund and the  Fund's Transfer Agent will  employ
reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are
genuine,  and they may  be liable for  any losses if  they fail to  do so. These
procedures  include  requiring   the  investor  to   provide  certain   personal
identification  at the  time an  account is opened  and prior  to effecting each
transaction requested  by  telephone.  In addition,  all  telephone  transaction
requests  will be recorded  and investors may be  required to provide additional
telecopied written  instructions  of  such transaction  requests.  The  Fund  or
Transfer  Agent may be liable  for any losses due  to unauthorized or fraudulent
telephone instructions if the Fund or  the Transfer Agent does not employ  these
procedures.  Neither the Fund nor the Transfer Agent will be responsible for any
loss,  liability,  cost  or  expense  for  following  instructions  received  by
telephone that it reasonably believes to be genuine.
 
    To  change the  name of  the commercial  bank or  the account  designated to
receive redemption proceeds, a written request must  be sent to the Fund at  the
address  above. Requests to  change the bank  or account must  be signed by each
shareholder and each signature must be  guaranteed. You cannot redeem shares  by
telephone if you hold stock certificates for these shares. Please contact one of
the Fund's representatives at the Administrator for further details.
 
FURTHER REDEMPTION INFORMATION
 
    Normally,  the Fund  will make  payment for  all shares  redeemed under this
procedure within one business  day of receipt  of the request,  but in no  event
will  payment be made more than seven days after receipt of a redemption request
in good order. The Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date
at times  when  both the  NYSE  and Custodian  Bank  are closed,  or  under  any
emergency circumstances as determined by the Commission.
 
    If  the Board of  Directors determines that  it would be  detrimental to the
best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment  wholly
or  partly in cash, the Fund may pay the redemption proceeds in whole or in part
by a distribution in-kind of  liquid securities held by  a Portfolio in lieu  of
cash  in conformity with applicable rules of the Commission. Investors may incur
brokerage charges on the sale of portfolio securities so received in payment  of
redemptions.
 
                              SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
 
    Institutional  Class Shares  of each Sirach  Portfolio may  be exchanged for
Institutional  Class  Shares  of  the  other  Sirach  Portfolios.  In  addition,
Institutional  Class Shares  of each Sirach  Portfolio may be  exchanged for any
other Institutional Class Shares of a Portfolio included in the UAM Funds  which
is comprised of the Fund and UAM Funds Trust. (See the list of Portfolios of the
UAM  Funds - Institutional Class Shares at the end of this Prospectus.) Exchange
requests should be made  by calling the Fund  (1-800-638-7983) or by writing  to
UAM  Funds, UAM Funds  Service Center, c/o Chase  Global Funds Services Company,
P.O. Box 2798, Boston, MA 02208-2798.  The exchange privilege is only  available
with respect to Portfolios that are registered for sale in a shareholder's state
of residence.
 
    Any  such exchange will be  based on the respective  net asset values of the
shares involved. There  is no  sales commission or  charge of  any kind.  Before
making  an exchange into  a Portfolio, a shareholder  should read its Prospectus
and consider the investment objectives of the Portfolio to be purchased. You may
obtain a Prospectus for  the Portfolio(s) you are  interested in by calling  the
UAM Funds Service Center at 1-800-638-7983.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
    Exchange  requests  may  be  made either  by  mail  or  telephone. Telephone
exchanges will  be  accepted only  if  the certificates  for  the shares  to  be
exchanged  are  held by  the Fund  for the  account of  the shareholder  and the
registration of  the two  accounts  will be  identical. Requests  for  exchanges
received  prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) will be processed as of the close of
business on the same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. will be processed on
the next  business day.  Exchanges may  also  be subject  to limitations  as  to
amounts  or  frequency and  to other  restrictions established  by the  Board of
Directors to assure  that such exchanges  do not disadvantage  the Fund and  its
shareholders.  For  additional  information  regarding  responsibility  for  the
authenticity of  telephoned  instructions,  see  "Redemption  of  Shares  --  By
Telephone" above.
 
    For  Federal income  tax purposes,  an exchange  between Funds  is a taxable
event, and accordingly, a  capital gain or  loss may be  realized. In a  revenue
ruling  relating to  circumstances similar  to the  Fund's, an  exchange between
series of a Fund was also deemed to be a taxable event. It is likely, therefore,
that a capital gain or loss would be realized on an exchange between Portfolios.
You may want to consult your tax adviser for further information in this regard.
The exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time.
 
TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION
 
    You may transfer  the registration  of any of  your Fund  shares to  another
person  by writing  to the UAM  Funds at  the above address.  As in  the case of
redemptions, the  written request  must be  received in  good order  before  any
transfer can be made. (See "Redemption of Shares.")
 
                              VALUATION OF SHARES
 
    The  net asset value of each Portfolio  is determined by dividing the sum of
the total market value of the Portfolio's investments and other assets, less any
liabilities, by the  total outstanding shares  of the Portfolio.  The net  asset
value  per share of each Portfolio is determined  as of the close of the NYSE on
each day that the NYSE is open for business.
 
    Equity  securities  listed  on  a  securities  exchange  for  which   market
quotations are readily available are valued at the last quoted sale price on the
day  the valuation is made. Price information on listed securities is taken from
the exchange where the security is primarily traded. Unlisted equity  securities
and  listed  securities  not  traded  on the  valuation  date  for  which market
quotations are  readily available  are valued  not exceeding  the current  asked
prices  nor less than the current bid prices. For valuation purposes, quotations
of foreign  securities  in a  foreign  currency  are converted  to  U.S.  dollar
equivalents  based upon  the bid price  of such currencies  against U.S. dollars
quoted by any major bank or by a broker.
 
    Bonds and other fixed income securities are valued according to the broadest
and most representative  market, which will  ordinarily be the  over-the-counter
market.  Net asset values include interest  on fixed income securities, which is
accrued daily.
 
    In addition, bonds and  other fixed income securities  may be valued on  the
basis  of prices provided by a pricing  service when such prices are believed to
reflect the  fair market  value of  such securities.  The prices  provided by  a
pricing  service are determined without  regard to bid or  last sale prices, but
take into account institutional size trading in similar groups of securities and
any developments related to  the specific securities.  Securities not priced  in
this  manner are  valued at  the most  recent quoted  bid price,  or, when stock
exchange valuations are  used, at the  latest quoted  sale price on  the day  of
valuation.  If there is no such reported  sale, the latest quoted bid price will
be used. Securities purchased with remaining  maturities of 60 days or less  are
valued  at amortized cost when the  Board of Directors determines that amortized
cost reflects fair value. In the event that amortized cost does not  approximate
market, market prices as determined above will be used.
 
    The value of other assets and securities for which no quotations are readily
available  (including restricted securities) is determined in good faith at fair
value using methods determined by the Directors.
 
                DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
 
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Each Portfolio  will  normally  distribute  substantially  all  of  its  net
investment income to shareholders in the form of quarterly dividends. If any net
capital  gains are realized, each Portfolio  will normally distribute such gains
with the last dividend for the fiscal year.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
    Undistributed net investment income is included in a Portfolio's net  assets
for  the purpose  of calculating  net asset value  per share.  Therefore, on the
"ex-dividend" date, the net asset value  per share excludes the dividend  (i.e.,
is  reduced by  the per  share amount of  the dividend).  Dividends paid shortly
after the purchase  of shares by  an investor,  although in effect  a return  of
capital, are taxable to shareholders.
 
    Each   Portfolio's  dividend   and  capital  gains   distributions  will  be
automatically reinvested in additional shares  of the Portfolio unless the  Fund
is  notified in writing that the  shareholder elects to receive distributions in
cash.
 
FEDERAL TAXES
 
    Each Portfolio  intends to  qualify  each year  as a  "regulated  investment
company"  under the Internal Revenue Code of  1986, as amended (the "Code"), and
if it qualifies, will not  be liable for Federal income  taxes to the extent  it
distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains. Dividends,
either  in cash or reinvested in shares, paid by a Portfolio from net investment
income will be taxable to shareholders  as ordinary income. Dividends paid  from
the  Sirach Strategic Balanced, Sirach Special  Equity, Sirach Growth and Sirach
Equity  Portfolios  will  generally  qualify  for  the  70%  dividends  received
deduction  for corporations, but the portion  of the dividends so qualified will
depend on the ratio of the aggregate taxable qualifying dividend income received
by the Portfolio from domestic (U.S.)  sources to the Portfolio's total  taxable
income, exclusive of long-term capital gains.
 
    Whether paid in cash or additional shares of the Portfolio and regardless of
the  length  of  time  the  shares  in the  Portfolio  have  been  owned  by the
shareholder,  distributions  from  long-term   capital  gains  are  taxable   to
shareholders as such, but are not eligible for the dividends received deduction.
Shareholders  are notified  annually by  the Fund  as to  Federal tax  status of
dividends  and  distributions   paid  by   a  Portfolio.   Such  dividends   and
distributions may also be subject to state and local taxes.
 
    Redemptions  of shares in a Portfolio  are taxable events for Federal income
tax purposes. A shareholder may also be subject to state and local taxes on such
redemptions.
 
    Each Portfolio  intends  to  declare  and pay  dividend  and  capital  gains
distributions  so as to  avoid imposition of  the Federal Excise  Tax. To do so,
each Portfolio expects to distribute an amount equal to (1) 98% of its  calendar
year  ordinary income, (2)  98% of its  capital gains net  income (the excess of
short and long-term capital gains over  short and long-term capital losses)  for
the  one-year  period ending  October 31st,  and (3)  100% of  any undistributed
ordinary or capital gain net income  from the prior year. Dividends declared  in
December  will  be  deemed  to  have  been paid  by  the  Fund  and  received by
shareholders on the  record date  provided that  the dividends  are paid  before
February 1 of the following year.
 
    The  Fund is required by Federal law  to withhold 31% of reportable payments
(which may include dividends, capital gains distributions, and redemptions) paid
to  shareholders  who  have  not  complied  with  IRS  taxpayer   identification
regulations. In order to avoid this withholding requirement, you must certify on
the  Account Registration Form or  on a separate form  supplied by the Fund that
your Social Security or Taxpayer  Identification Number provided is correct  and
that you are not currently subject to backup withholding, or that you are exempt
from backup withholding.
 
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
 
    Shareholders  may also be subject to  state and local taxes on distributions
from the Fund. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisers with  respect
to the tax status of distributions from the Fund in their state and locality.
 
                               INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
    Sirach   Capital  Management,   Inc.  is  a   Washington  corporation  whose
predecessor was formed in 1970 and is located at 3323 One Union Square, Seattle,
Washington 98101.  The Adviser  is  a wholly-owned  subsidiary of  United  Asset
Management  Corporation ("UAM")  and provides investment  management services to
corporations, pension and profit-sharing plans, 401(k) and thrift plans, trusts,
estates and  other  institutions  and  individuals.  As  of  the  date  of  this
Prospectus,  the Adviser had  over $5.4 billion in  assets under management. For
further information on  Sirach Capital Management,  Inc.'s investment  services,
please call (206) 624-3800.
 
    The  investment professionals of  the Adviser who  are primarily responsible
for the day-to-day  management of  the Sirach  Portfolios and  a description  of
their business experience during the past five years are as follows:
 
    SIRACH  STRATEGIC  BALANCED PORTFOLIO  --   George  B. Kauffman,  Stephen J.
Romano, and Robert L. Stephenson, Jr.;
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
    SIRACH GROWTH PORTFOLIO --  George B. Kauffman and Harvey G. Bateman;
 
    SIRACH FIXED INCOME PORTFOLIO --  Stephen J. Romano and Harvey G. Bateman;
 
    SIRACH SHORT-TERM RESERVES  PORTFOLIO --   Stephen J. Romano  and Harvey  G.
Bateman; and
 
    SIRACH SPECIAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO --  Harvey G. Bateman and Stefan W. Cobb.
 
    SIRACH EQUITY PORTFOLIO --  Harvey G. Bateman and George B. Kauffman
 
    HARVEY G. BATEMAN, CFA, CIC -- PRINCIPAL.  Mr. Bateman joined the Adviser in
1988.  He  has managed  equity funds  for  the Adviser  since 1989.  Mr. Bateman
assumed responsibility for managing  the Special Equity  Portfolio in 1989,  the
Fixed Income and Short-Term Reserves Portfolios in 1994, the Growth Portfolio in
1995 and the Equity Portfolio in 1996.
 
    GEORGE  B. KAUFFMAN, CFA, CIC -- PRINCIPAL.  Mr. Kauffman joined the Adviser
in 1981. He has managed  balanced and growth funds  for the Adviser since  1981.
Mr.  Kauffman assumed responsibility for managing the Strategic Balanced, Growth
Portfolios in 1993 and the Equity Portfolio in 1996.
 
    ROBERT L. STEPHENSON, JR., CFA, CIC -- PRINCIPAL.  Mr. Stephenson joined the
Adviser in 1987. He has managed balanced and growth funds for the Adviser  since
1987.  Mr. Stephenson assumed responsibility for managing the Strategic Balanced
Portfolio in 1993.
 
    STEPHEN J. ROMANO, CFA, CIC -- PRINCIPAL.  Mr. Romano joined the Adviser  in
1991.  Prior  to  that, he  was  a  Senior Investment  Officer  at Seattle-First
National Bank where he  managed equity and fixed  income portfolios for  private
banking clients. Mr. Romano has managed fixed income funds for the Adviser since
1991.  He assumed  responsibility for managing  the Fixed  Income and Short-Term
Reserves Portfolios in 1993.
 
    STEFAN W. COBB -- PRINCIPAL.  Mr. Cobb joined the Adviser in 1994. Prior  to
that,  he was  a Vice  President at  the investment  banking firm  of Robertson,
Stephens & Company where he was engaged in institutional sales. Mr. Cobb assumed
the responsibility for managing the Special Equity Portfolio in 1994.
 
    Under Investment Advisory Agreements (the "Agreements") with the Fund, dated
as of September  27, 1989  and October  29, 1993,  the Adviser,  subject to  the
control and supervision of the Fund's Board of Directors and in conformance with
the  stated investment objectives and policies of the Sirach Portfolios, manages
the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Sirach Portfolios. In  this
regard,  it is  the responsibility  of the Adviser  to manage  the Fund's Sirach
Portfolios and to place purchase and sales orders for the Sirach Portfolios.
 
    As  compensation  for  the  services  rendered  by  the  Adviser  under  the
Agreements,  each Sirach  Portfolio pays the  Adviser an annual  fee, in monthly
installments, calculated by  applying the following  annual percentage rates  to
each of the Sirach Portfolio's average daily net assets for the month:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          RATE
                                                                                                       -----------
<S>                                                                                                    <C>
Sirach Strategic Balanced Portfolio..................................................................       0.65%
Sirach Growth Portfolio..............................................................................       0.65%
Sirach Fixed Income Portfolio........................................................................       0.65%
Sirach Short-Term Reserves Portfolio.................................................................       0.40%
Sirach Special Equity Portfolio......................................................................       0.70%
Sirach Equity Portfolio..............................................................................       0.65%
</TABLE>
 
    The  Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive  a portion of its advisory fees
and to assume as the Adviser's own expense operating expenses otherwise  payable
by  the Portfolios, if necessary,  in order to reduce  expense ratios. As of the
date of this Prospectus, the Adviser has agreed to keep the Sirach Fixed Income,
the Sirach Short-Term  Reserves and the  Sirach Equity Portfolios  Institutional
Class  Shares from  exceeding 0.75%,  0.50% and  0.90% respectively,  of average
daily net assets. The Fund will not reimburse the Adviser for any advisory  fees
that  are waived or Portfolio expenses that the  Adviser may bear on behalf of a
Portfolio. In addition, the Adviser may compensate its affiliated companies  for
referring investors to the Portfolios. The Distributor, UAM, the Adviser, or any
of  their affiliates,  may, at  its own expense,  compensate a  Service Agent or
other person for marketing,  shareholder servicing, record-keeping and/or  other
services  performed with respect to the Fund, a Portfolio or any Class of Shares
of a Portfolio. The person making such  payments may do so out of its  revenues,
its profits or any other source available to it. Such service arrangements, when
in effect, are made generally available to all qualified service providers.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
 
    Set  forth  below  are  certain performance  data  provided  by  the Adviser
relating to the composite  of equity accounts of  clients of the Adviser.  These
accounts  have the same investment objective as the Sirach Equity Portfolio, and
were managed  using substantially  similar, though  not in  all cases  identical
investment  strategies  and  techniques as  those  contemplated for  use  by the
Adviser in managing the Sirach Equity Portfolio. (See "Investment Objectives and
Policies.") The Results  presented are not  intended to predict  or suggest  the
returns  to  be experienced  by the  Sirach  Equity Portfolio  or the  return an
individual investor might achieve by  investing in the Sirach Equity  Portfolio.
Results  may  differ because  of, among  other  things, difference  in brokerage
commissions, account expenses, including investment  advisory fees, the size  of
positions  taken  in relation  to account  size, diversification  of securities,
timing of purchases  and sales,  availability of  cash for  new investments  and
private  character of the accounts compared with the Sirach Equity portfolio and
its shareholders.  Investors  should  be  aware  that  the  use  of  methods  of
determining performance different from that used below could result in different
performance  data. Investors should not rely  on the following performance date.
The performance data shown is that of the Adviser's private accounts and is  not
indicative of Sirach Equity Portfolio's future performance.
 
Total Annualized Return for Various Periods Ended December 31, 1995 (Unaudited)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      INSTITUTIONAL          S&P
                                                                                     EQUITY ACCOUNTS      500 INDEX
                                                                                    ------------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>                 <C>
One-year period...................................................................          35.2%             37.5%
Five-year period..................................................................          18.5%             16.6%
Ten-year period...................................................................          16.8%             14.8%
Fourteen-year period*.............................................................          19.9%             16.3%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
*Inception of performance record
 
    1.    Sirach  Capital  Management,  Inc.  fully  adopted  the  Associate  of
       Investment Management and Research (AIMR) performance standards effective
       July 1, 1991.  Results prior to  April 1, 1989  were equal weighted.  The
       rates   of  return  were  calculated  using  a  quarterly  valuation  and
       geometrically linking of returns, as follows:
       The rate of  return for  each account was  the percentage  change in  the
       market value during the quarter, calculated monthly. This included earned
       income  for the quarter after allowing for the effect of any additions or
       withdrawals that might have occurred during the quarter. The formula used
       is in accordance with the acceptable methods set forth by AIMR (beginning
       July 1, 1991). Market value of each account was the sum of each account's
       total assets, including cash, cash equivalents, and securities valued  at
       current market prices, plus accrued income. To compute the annual rate of
       return  for each account, Sirach  Capital Management first determines the
       monthly rates, described above,  and then linked  the quarterly rates  of
       return.  To  compute the  rate  of return  for  more than  one  year, the
       quarterly rates of return were linked and then annualized.
 
    2.   Equity performance  results reflect  a blending  of 95%  of the  actual
       return from the equity only portion of Sirach Capital Management's Equity
       Composite  with 5% of the return of the Salomon Brothers 3 Month Treasury
       Bill rate.  Results are  based  on the  actual  performance of  an  asset
       weighted  composite of  fully discretionary,  non-restricted, unleveraged
       accounts. The composite totaled $1.519 billion as of 12/31/95.
 
    3.   The S&P  500 is  an unmanaged  index composite  of 400  industrial,  40
       financial,  40  utilities  and 20  transportation  stocks,  which assumes
       reinvestment of dividends and  is generally considered representative  of
       U.S. large capitalization stocks.
 
                            ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
 
    Pursuant  to a Fund Administration Agreement dated April 15, 1996, which was
approved by  the  Fund's Directors,  UAM  Fund Services,  Inc.,  a  wholly-owned
subsidiary  of UAM,  with its principal  office located at  211 Congress Street,
Boston, MA 02110, is responsible  for performing and overseeing  administration,
fund  accounting, dividend disbursing  and transfer agency  services provided to
the Fund and its Portfolios. The Fund pays UAM Fund Services, Inc. a monthly fee
for its services which on an annual basis  equals: 0.19 of 1% of the first  $200
million  of the aggregate  net assets of the  Fund; 0.11 of 1%  of the next $800
million of the aggregate net assets of the Fund; 0.07 of 1% of the aggregate net
assets in excess of $1 billion but less  than $3 billion; and 0.05 of 1% of  the
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
aggregate  assets in  excess of  $3 billion.  The fees  are allocated  among the
Portfolios on the basis of their relative assets and are subject to a  graduated
minimum  fee schedule  per Portfolio  of $1,250  per month  upon inception  of a
Portfolio to $70,000 annually after two years. If a separate class of shares  is
added  to a Portfolio, the minimum annual fee payable to UAM Fund Services, Inc.
by that Portfolio may be increased by up to $20,000. In addition, each Portfolio
will be pay to UAM Funds Services, Inc. a Fund-specific fee of between 0.02%  to
0.06% of the aggregate net assets of a Portfolio. The Directors of the Fund have
also  approved a Mutual Fund Service Agreement dated April 15, 1996, between UAM
Fund Services, Inc. and Chase Global Fund Services Company, an affiliate of  The
Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  N.A. under  which  Chase Global  Fund  Services Company
provides the Fund and its Portfolios  with certain services, including, but  not
limited  to,  fund accounting,  transfer  agency, maintenance  of  Fund records,
preparation of reports, assistance in the preparation of the Fund's registration
statement and general day to day administration of matters related to the Fund's
corporate existence. UAM Fund Services, Inc. pays Chase Global Funds Services  a
monthly fee for its services from the fees that UAM Fund Services, Inc. receives
from  the  Fund  under its  Fund  Administration Agreement.  Chase  Global Funds
Services Company  is  located  at  73 Tremont  Street,  Boston,  MA  02108-3913.
Effective  April 1,  1996, The  Chase Manhattan  Corporation, the  parent of The
Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.  merged with and  into Chemical Banking  Corporation,
the  parent  company  of  Chemical Bank.  Chemical  Banking  Corporation  is the
surviving corporation and will continue its existence under the name "The  Chase
Manhattan Corporation".
 
                                  DISTRIBUTOR
 
    UAM  Fund Distributors,  Inc., a  wholly-owned subsidiary  of UAM,  with its
principal office located at 211  Congress Street, Boston, MA 02110,  distributes
the  shares of the Fund. Under the Distribution Agreement (the "Agreement"), the
Distributor, as  agent of  the Fund,  agrees to  use its  best efforts  as  sole
distributor  of the Fund's shares.  The Distributor does not  receive any fee or
other compensation under  the Agreement  with respect to  the Sirach  Portfolios
Institutional  Class Shares offered in  this Prospectus. The Agreement continues
in effect so  long as  such continuance  is approved  at least  annually by  the
Fund's  Board of Directors, including a majority  of those Directors who are not
parties to such Agreement or interested persons of any such party. The Agreement
provides that the Fund  will bear the  costs of the  registration of its  shares
with  the Commission  and various states  and the printing  of its prospectuses,
statements of additional information and reports to shareholders.
 
                             PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
    The Investment  Advisory  Agreements authorize  the  Adviser to  select  the
brokers  or  dealers that  will execute  the purchases  and sales  of investment
securities for each of the Fund's  Sirach Portfolios and directs the Adviser  to
use  its best  efforts to  obtain the  best available  price and  most favorable
execution with  respect  to all  transactions  for the  Sirach  Portfolios.  The
Adviser  may, however, consistent  with the interests  of the Sirach Portfolios,
select brokers on the  basis of the research,  statistical and pricing  services
they  provide to the  Sirach Portfolios. Information  and research received from
such brokers will be in addition to,  and not in lieu of, the services  required
to  be  performed by  the Adviser  under the  Investment Advisory  Agreements. A
commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another  qualified
broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that such
commissions  are paid in compliance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and that the Adviser determines  in good faith that such commission  is
reasonable  in terms either of the  transaction or the overall responsibility of
the Adviser to the Sirach Portfolios and the Adviser's other clients.
 
    It is not  the Fund's  practice to  allocate brokerage  or effect  principal
transactions  with dealers  on the basis  of sales  of shares which  may be made
through broker-dealer firms.  However, the  Adviser may  place portfolio  orders
with qualified broker-dealers who refer clients to the Adviser.
 
    Some securities considered for investment by each of the Portfolios may also
be appropriate for other clients served by the Adviser. If a purchase or sale of
securities  is consistent with the investment policies of a Portfolio and one or
more of these other clients served by  the Adviser is considering a purchase  at
or  about the same time, transactions in such securities will be allocated among
the Portfolio and clients in a manner deemed fair and reasonable by the Adviser.
Although there is  no specified  formula for allocating  such transactions,  the
various  allocation  methods  used  by  the Adviser,  and  the  results  of such
allocations, are subject to periodic review by the Fund's Directors.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS
 
    The Fund  was  organized under  the  name "ICM  Fund,  Inc." as  a  Maryland
corporation  on October 11, 1988. On January 18,  1989, the name of the Fund was
changed to "The Regis Fund, Inc." On October 31, 1995, the name of the Fund  was
changed  to "UAM Funds, Inc." The  Fund's Articles of Incorporation, as amended,
permit the Directors  to issue  three billion shares  of common  stock, with  an
$.001  par value. The Directors  have the power to  designate one or more series
("Portfolios") or  classes  of  shares  of  common  stock  and  to  classify  or
reclassify  any unissued shares with respect to such Portfolios, without further
action by shareholders. Currently the Fund is offering shares of 30  Portfolios.
The Board of Directors may create additional Portfolios and Classes of shares of
the Fund in the future at its discretion.
 
    The  shares  of each  Portfolio and  Class of  the Fund  are fully  paid and
nonassessable, and have  no preference  as to  conversion, exchange,  dividends,
retirement  or other features and have no pre-emptive rights. The shares of each
Portfolio and  Class have  non-cumulative voting  rights, which  means that  the
holders  of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Directors can
elect 100% of the Directors if they  choose to do so. A shareholder is  entitled
to  one vote for each full share held (and a fractional vote for each fractional
share held), then standing in his name on  the books of the Fund. As of  January
31,  1996,  the  South  Alaska  Carpenters  Defined  Contribution  Pension Plan,
Anchorage, AK,  held of  record 43%  of  the outstanding  shares of  the  Sirach
Short-Term  Reserves  Portfolio  Institutional  Class  Shares.  The  persons  or
organizations owning 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Portfolio may be
presumed to "control" (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) such  Portfolio.
As  a result, those  persons or organizations  could have the  ability to vote a
majority of the shares of the Portfolio on any matter requiring the approval  of
shareholders  of  such  Portfolio. Both  Institutional  Class  and Institutional
Service Class Shares represent an interest in the same assets of a Portfolio and
are identical in all respects except that the Service Class Shares bear  certain
expenses  related to  shareholder servicing,  may bear  expenses related  to the
distribution of such  shares and have  exclusive voting rights  with respect  to
matters  relating  to  such  distribution  expenditures.  Information  about the
Service Class  Shares  of the  Portfolios,  along  with the  fees  and  expenses
associated with such shares, is available upon request by contacting the Fund at
1-800-638-7983.  Annual meetings will not be held except as required by the 1940
Act and other applicable laws. The  Fund has undertaken that its Directors  will
call  a meeting of shareholders if such a meeting is requested in writing by the
holders of not  less than  10% of  the outstanding shares  of the  Fund. To  the
extent   required  by  the   undertaking,  the  Fund   will  assist  shareholder
communications in such matters.
 
CUSTODIAN
 
    The Bank of New York serves as Custodian of the Fund's assets.
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
    Price Waterhouse LLP serves as the independent accountants for the Fund  and
audits its financial statements annually.
 
REPORTS
 
    Shareholders  receive unaudited semi-annual  financial statements and annual
financial statements audited by Price Waterhouse LLP.
 
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES
 
    Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing  to the Fund at the address  on
the cover of this Prospectus or by calling 1-800-638-7983.
 
LITIGATION
 
    The Fund is not involved in any litigation.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
                             DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
    The   Officers  of  the  Fund  manage  its  day-to-day  operations  and  are
responsible to the Fund's Board of  Directors. The Directors set broad  policies
for  the Fund and choose its Officers. The  following is a list of the Directors
and Officers of the Fund  and a brief statement  of their present positions  and
principal occupations during the past five years.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
MARY RUDIE BARNEBY(*)                 Director   and  Executive  Vice  President  of  the  Fund;
1133 Avenue of the Americas           President of Regis Retirement  Plan Services, since  1993;
New York, NY 10036                    Former  President of UAM Fund Distributors, Inc.; Formerly
Age 43                                responsible for Defined  Contribution Plan  Services at  a
                                      division  of the Equitable  Companies, Dreyfus Corporation
                                      and Merrill Lynch.
 
JOHN T. BENNETT, JR.                  Director  of  the  Fund;  President  of  Squam  Investment
College Road - RFD3                   Management  Company,  Inc.  and  Great  Island  Investment
Meredith, NH 03253                    Company, Inc.;  President  of Bennett  Management  Company
Age 67                                from 1988 to 1993.
 
J. EDWARD DAY                         Director  of the  Fund; Retired Partner  in the Washington
5804 Brookside Drive                  office  of  the  law  firm  Squire,  Sanders  &   Dempsey;
Chevy Chase, MD 20815                 Director,  Medical Mutual  Liability Insurance  Society of
Age 81                                Maryland; Formerly,  Chairman  of The  Montgomery  County,
                                      Maryland, Revenue Authority.
 
PHILIP D. ENGLISH                     Director  of the  Fund; President  and 16  Chief Executive
West Madison Street                   Officer of Broventure Company, Inc.; Chairman of the Board
Baltimore, MD 21201                   of Chektec Corporation, and Cyber Scientific, Inc.
Age 47
 
WILLIAM A. HUMENUK                    Director of the Fund;  Partner in the Philadelphia  office
4000 Bell Atlantic Tower              of  the law firm Dechert  Price & Rhoads; Director, Hofler
1717 Arch Street                      Corp.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Age 54
 
NORTON H. REAMER                      Director, President and Chairman  of the Fund;  President,
One International Place               Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Director  of  United Asset
Boston, MA 02110                      Management Corporation;  Director, Partner  or Trustee  of
Age 60                                each  of the Investment Companies of the Eaton Vance Group
                                      of Mutual Funds.
 
PETER M. WHITMAN, JR.(*)              Director of  the  Fund;  President  and  Chief  Investment
One Financial Center                  Officer  of  Dewey  Square  Investors  Corporation ("DSI")
Boston, MA 02111                      since 1988; Director  and Chief Executive  Officer of  H.T
Age 52                                Investors, Inc., formerly a subsidiary of DSI.
 
WILLIAM H. PARK(*)                    Vice  President of the Fund;  Executive Vice President and
One International Place               Chief  Financial  Officer   of  United  Asset   Management
Boston, MA 02110                      Corporation.
Age 49
 
GARY L. FRENCH(*)                     Treasurer  of  the  Fund;  President  and  Chief Executive
211 Congress Street                   Officer  of  UAM  Fund   Services,  Inc.;  formerly   Vice
Boston, MA 02110                      President-Operations  Development and  Control of Fidelity
Age 44                                Investment Institutional  Services from  February 1995  to
                                      August 1995; Treasurer of the Fidelity Group of Funds from
                                      1991 to February 1995.
 
MICHAEL E. DEFAO(*)                   Secretary  of the Fund; Vice President and General Counsel
211 Congress Street                   to UAM Fund Services, Inc.; formerly an Associate of Ropes
Boston, MA 02110                      & Gray (a law firm) from 1993 to November 1995.
Age 28
</TABLE>
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
ROBERT R. FLAHERTY(*)                 Assistant Treasurer of  the Fund; Senior  Manager of  Fund
73 Tremont Street                     Administration  and Compliance  of Sub-Administrator since
Boston, MA 02108                      March 1995; formerly Senior  Manager of Deloitte &  Touche
Age 32                                LLP from 1985 to 1995.
 
KARL O. HARTMANN(*)                   Assistant Secretary of the Fund; Senior Vice President and
73 Tremont Street                     General Counsel of Sub-Administrator; formerly Senior Vice
Boston, MA 02108                      President,   Secretary  and  General  Counsel  of  Leland,
Age 41                                O'Brien, Rubinstein Associates, Inc. from November 1990 to
                                      November 1991.
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
*These people are deemed to be "interested persons" of the Fund as that term  is
 defined in the 1940 Act.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
                    UAM FUNDS -- INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES
 
ACADIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Acadian Emerging Markets Portfolio
    Acadian International Equity Portfolio
 
BARROW, HANLEY, MEWHINNEY & STRAUSS, INC.
    BHM&S Total Return Bond Portfolio
 
CHICAGO ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Chicago Asset Management Value/Contrarian Portfolio
    Chicago Asset Management Intermediate Bond Portfolio
 
COOKE & BIELER, INC.
    C&B Balanced Portfolio
    C&B Equity Portfolio
 
C.S. MCKEE & COMPANY, INC.
    McKee U.S. Government Portfolio
    McKee Domestic Equity Portfolio
    McKee International Equity Portfolio
 
DEWEY SQUARE INVESTORS CORPORATION
    DSI Disciplined Value Portfolio
    DSI Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio
    DSI Money Market Portfolio
 
FIDUCIARY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    FMA Small Company Portfolio
 
INVESTMENT COUNSELORS OF MARYLAND, INC.
    ICM Equity Portfolio
    ICM Fixed Income Portfolio
    ICM Small Company Portfolio
 
INVESTMENT RESEARCH COMPANY
    IRC Enhanced Index Portfolio
 
MURRAY JOHNSTONE INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    MJI International Equity Portfolio
 
NEWBOLD'S ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Newbold's Equity Portfolio
 
NWQ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    NWQ Balanced Portfolio
    NWQ Value Equity Portfolio
 
RICE, HALL JAMES & ASSOCIATES
    Rice, Hall James Small Cap Portfolio
 
SIRACH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Sirach Fixed Income Portfolio
    Sirach Growth Portfolio
    Sirach Short-Term Reserves Portfolio
    Sirach Special Equity Portfolio
    Sirach Strategic Balanced Portfolio
    Sirach Equity Portfolio
 
SPECTRUM ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
    SAMI Preferred Stock Income Portfolio
    Enhanced Monthly Income Portfolio
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
STERLING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Sterling Partners' Balanced Portfolio
    Sterling Partners' Equity Portfolio
    Sterling Partners' Short-Term Fixed Income Portfolio
 
THOMPSON, STEGEL & WALMSLEY, INC.
    TS&W Equity Portfolio
    TS&W Fixed Income Portfolio
    TS&W International Equity Portfolio
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
                                   UAM FUNDS
 
                            UAM FUNDS SERVICE CENTER
                    C/O CHASE GLOBAL FUNDS SERVICES COMPANY
                                 P.O. BOX 2798
                             BOSTON, MA 02208-2798
                                 1-800-638-7983
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
                   FEBRUARY 29, 1996 AS AMENDED JUNE 26, 1996
                               Investment Adviser
                        SIRACH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
                             3323 One Union Square
                               Seattle, WA 98101
                                 (206) 624-3800
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                  Distributor
                          UAM FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
                              211 Congress Street
                                Boston, MA 02110
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      PAGE
                                                    ---------
<S>                                                 <C>
Fund Expenses.....................................          2
Prospectus Summary................................          3
Financial Highlights..............................          5
Performance Calculations..........................          6
Investment Objectives.............................          7
Investment Policies...............................          7
Other Investment Policies.........................         10
Investment Limitations............................         14
Investment Suitability............................         15
Purchase of Shares................................         15
Redemption of Shares..............................         17
 
<CAPTION>
                                                      PAGE
                                                    ---------
<S>                                                 <C>
Shareholder Services..............................         18
Valuation of Shares...............................         19
Dividends, Capital Gains Distributions and
 Taxes............................................         19
Investment Adviser................................         20
Administrative Services...........................         22
Distributor.......................................         23
Portfolio Transactions............................         23
General Information...............................         24
Directors and Officers............................         25
UAM Funds -- Institutional Class Shares...........         27
</TABLE>
 
NO  PERSON  HAS  BEEN  AUTHORIZED  TO  GIVE  ANY  INFORMATION  OR  TO  MAKE  ANY
REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, OR IN THE FUND'S STATEMENT  OF
ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS
AND, IF GIVEN OR  MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR  REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE  RELIED
UPON  AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE
AN OFFERING BY  THE FUND  IN ANY  JURISDICTION IN  WHICH SUCH  OFFERING MAY  NOT
LAWFULLY BE MADE.
<PAGE>
                                   UAM FUNDS
                            UAM FUNDS SERVICE CENTER
                    C/O CHASE GLOBAL FUNDS SERVICES COMPANY
                                 P.O. BOX 2798
                             BOSTON, MA 02208-2798
                                 1-800-638-7983
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                        SIRACH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
             SERVES AS INVESTMENT ADVISER TO THE SIRACH PORTFOLIOS
                       INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE CLASS SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
           PROSPECTUS -- FEBRUARY 29, 1996, AS AMENDED JUNE 26, 1996
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
 
UAM  Funds, Inc. (herein defined  as "UAM Funds" or  the "Fund") is an open-end,
management investment  company, known  as a  "mutual fund"  and organized  as  a
Maryland  corporation. The Fund consists of  multiple series of shares (known as
"Portfolios"), each of which has different investment objectives and  investment
policies.  The  Sirach Strategic  Balanced,  Growth, Special  Equity  and Equity
Portfolios currently offer two separate  classes of shares: Institutional  Class
Shares  and Institutional Service Class  Shares ("Service Class Shares"). Shares
of each class  represent equal,  pro rata interests  in a  Portfolio and  accrue
dividends  in the same manner except that Service Class Shares bear fees payable
by the class  (at the  rate of  .25% per  annum) to  financial institutions  for
services  they  provide  to  the  owners  of  such  shares.  (See  "SERVICE  AND
DISTRIBUTION PLANS.") The securities  offered in this  Prospectus are shares  of
the  Service Class  of the  four diversified Portfolios  of the  Fund managed by
Sirach Capital Management, Inc.
 
SIRACH STRATEGIC  BALANCED PORTFOLIO.   The  objective of  the Sirach  Strategic
Balanced  Portfolio is  to provide long-term  growth of  capital consistent with
reasonable risk to principal by investing  in a diversified portfolio of  common
stocks and fixed income securities.
 
SIRACH  GROWTH PORTFOLIO.   The objective of  the Sirach Growth  Portfolio is to
provide long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable risk to principal by
investing primarily in common  stocks of companies  that offer long-term  growth
potential.
 
SIRACH  SPECIAL EQUITY  PORTFOLIO.  The  objective of the  Sirach Special Equity
Portfolio is  to provide  maximum long-term  growth of  capital consistent  with
reasonable  risk  to  principal, by  investing  in small  to  medium capitalized
companies with particularly attractive financial characteristics.
 
SIRACH EQUITY PORTFOLIO.   The objective  of the Sirach  Equity Portfolio is  to
provide long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable risk to principal by
investing  primarily in common  stocks of companies  that offer long-term growth
potential.
 
    There can be no assurance  that any of the  Portfolios will meet its  stated
objective.
 
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
This  Prospectus,  which should  be retained  for  future reference,  sets forth
concisely information that you  should know before you  invest. A "Statement  of
Additional  Information" containing  additional information  about the  Fund has
been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such Statement is  dated
February  29,  1996  as amended  June  26,  1996 and  has  been  incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus. A copy of the Statement may be obtained, without
charge, by writing to the Fund or by calling the telephone number shown above.
 
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 OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                        CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
                                 FUND EXPENSES
 
    The  following  table illustrates  expenses and  fees  that a  Service Class
shareholder of the Sirach Portfolios  will incur. However, transaction fees  may
be  charged  if  you  are  a customer  of  a  broker-dealer  or  other financial
intermediary who has established a  shareholder servicing relationship with  the
Fund  on behalf of their customers. Please  see "Purchase of Shares" for further
information.
 
                        SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               SIRACH                  SIRACH
                                                              STRATEGIC    SIRACH      SPECIAL     SIRACH
                                                              BALANCED     GROWTH      EQUITY      EQUITY
                                                              PORTFOLIO   PORTFOLIO   PORTFOLIO   PORTFOLIO
                                                               SERVICE     SERVICE     SERVICE     SERVICE
                                                                CLASS       CLASS       CLASS       CLASS
                                                               SHARES      SHARES      SHARES      SHARES
                                                              ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Sales Load Imposed on Purchases.............................      NONE        NONE        NONE        NONE
Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends..................      NONE        NONE        NONE        NONE
Deferred Sales Load.........................................      NONE        NONE        NONE        NONE
Redemption Fees.............................................      NONE        NONE        NONE        NONE
Exchange Fees...............................................      NONE        NONE        NONE        NONE
</TABLE>
 
                         ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
                    (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               SIRACH                  SIRACH
                                                              STRATEGIC    SIRACH      SPECIAL     SIRACH
                                                              BALANCED     GROWTH      EQUITY      EQUITY
                                                              PORTFOLIO   PORTFOLIO   PORTFOLIO   PORTFOLIO
                                                               SERVICE     SERVICE     SERVICE     SERVICE
                                                                CLASS       CLASS       CLASS       CLASS
                                                               SHARES      SHARES      SHARES      SHARES
                                                              ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Investment Advisory Fees....................................      0.65%       0.65%       0.70%       0.65%**
Administrative Fees.........................................      0.13%       0.12%       0.11%       0.13%
12b-1 Fees (Including Shareholder Servicing Fees)+..........      0.25%       0.25%       0.25%       0.25%
Other Expenses..............................................      0.09%       0.09%*      0.04%       0.22%**
                                                                   ---         ---         ---    ---------
Advisory Fees Waived........................................        --          --          --       (0.35%)
                                                                   ---         ---         ---    ---------
Total Operating Expenses....................................      1.12%*      1.11%*      1.10%       0.90%**
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 *The annualized  Total  Operating  Expenses  excludes  the  effect  of  expense
  offsets. If expense offsets were included, annualized Total Operating Expenses
  of  the Sirach Strategic  Balanced and Growth  Portfolios Service Class Shares
  would be  1.11%  and  1.09%,  respectively,  and  annualized  Total  Operating
  Expenses of the Sirach Special Equity Portfolio Service Class Shares would not
  differ significantly.
**The Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fees and
  to assume as the Adviser's own expense operating expenses otherwise payable by
  the  Sirach Equity Portfolio, if necessary, in order to reduce expense ratios.
  As of  the  date of  this  Prospectus, the  Adviser  has agreed  to  keep  the
  annualized  Total Operating Expenses  for the Sirach  Equity Portfolio Service
  Class Shares from exceeding 0.90% of its average net assets. The Fund will not
  reimburse the  Adviser for  any advisory  fees that  are waived  or  Portfolio
  expenses that the Adviser may bear on behalf of the Sirach Equity Portfolio.
 +The   Service  Class  Shares  may  bear   service  fees  of  0.25%.  Long-term
  shareholders may  pay  more  than  the  economic  equivalent  of  the  maximum
  front-end  sales charges  permitted by  rules of  the National  Association of
  Securities Dealers Inc. (See "SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTIONS PLANS.")
 
    The purpose of  this table is  to assist the  investor in understanding  the
various  expenses that  an investor  in the Service  Class Shares  of the Sirach
Portfolios of the Fund will bear  directly or indirectly. With the exception  of
the  Sirach Equity Portfolio, the expenses and fees set forth above are based on
the operations  of the  Sirach  Strategic Balanced,  Growth and  Special  Equity
Portfolios  Institutional Class Shares during the  fiscal year ended October 31,
1995 except that such information has  been restated to reflect 12b-1 fees.  The
expenses  and fees set forth above for  the Sirach Equity Portfolio are based on
estimates. For purposes of the calculating  the fees set forth above, the  table
assumes  that the  Sirach Equity  Portfolio's average  daily assets  will be $50
million. It is  estimates that  without waiving  fees and  assuming expense  the
Total Operating Expenses is estimated to be 1.25% of the average net assets.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
    The  following example illustrates the expenses that a shareholder would pay
on a $1,000 investment over various time  periods assuming (1) a 5% annual  rate
of  return and (2)  redemption at the end  of each time period.  As noted in the
table above, the Portfolios charge no redemption fees of any kind.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          1 YEAR  3 YEARS  5 YEARS  10 YEARS
                                          ------  -------  -------  --------
<S>                                       <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>
Sirach Strategic Balanced Portfolio
 Service Class Shares...................    $11     $ 36     $ 62     $ 136
Sirach Growth Portfolio Service Class
 Shares.................................    $19     $ 28     $ 48     $ 107
Sirach Special Equity Portfolio Service
 Class Shares...........................    $11     $ 35     $ 61     $ 134
Sirach Equity Portfolio Service Class
 Shares.................................    $ 9     $ 29
</TABLE>
 
    THESE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED  A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR  FUTURE
EXPENSES  OR PERFORMANCE.  ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY  BE GREATER OR  LESSER THAN THOSE
SHOWN.
 
NOTE TO EXPENSE TABLE
 
    The information set  forth in the  table and example  above relates only  to
Service Class Shares which are subject to different total fees and expenses than
Institutional  Class  Shares.  Service Agents  may  charge other  fees  to their
customers who are beneficial owners of  Service Class Shares in connection  with
their customer accounts. (See "SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION PLANS.")
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
 
    SIRACH  STRATEGIC BALANCED PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Strategic
Balanced Portfolio is  to provide  long-term growth of  capital consistent  with
reasonable  risk to principal by investing  in a diversified portfolio of common
stocks and fixed income securities.
 
    SIRACH GROWTH PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Growth Portfolio is to
provide long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable risk to principal by
investing primarily in common  stocks of companies  that offer long-term  growth
potential.
 
    SIRACH SPECIAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Special Equity
Portfolio  is to  provide maximum  long-term growth  of capital  consistent with
reasonable risk  to  principal, by  investing  in small  to  medium  capitalized
companies with particularly attractive financial characteristics.
 
    SIRACH EQUITY PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Equity Portfolio is to
provide long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable risk to principal by
investing  primarily in common  stocks of companies  that offer long-term growth
potential.
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
    Sirach Capital Management,  Inc. (the "Adviser"),  an investment  counseling
firm  founded in 1970, serves as investment  adviser to six of the Fund's Sirach
Portfolios. The  Adviser  presently  manages  over $5.4  billion  in  funds  for
institutional   clients  and  high  net   worth  individuals.  (See  "Investment
Adviser.")
 
PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
    Shares of  each Portfolio  are offered,  through broker-dealers,  and  other
financial  institutions ("Service  Agents") at net  asset value  without a sales
commission. Share purchases may be made  by sending investments directly to  the
Fund.  The  minimum initial  investment is  $2,500.  The minimum  for subsequent
investments is $100. The  minimum initial investment for  401(k) plans is  $500.
Certain  exceptions to the initial or minimum  investment amounts may be made by
the officers of the Fund. (See "Purchase of Shares.")
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Each Portfolio  will  normally  distribute  substantially  all  of  its  net
investment income in the form of quarterly dividends to each class. In addition,
each  Portfolio will distribute  to each class any  unrealized net capital gains
annually. Distributions will be  reinvested in the same  Portfolio and class  of
shares  automatically unless an  investor elects to  receive cash distributions.
(See "Dividends, Capital Gains Distributions and Taxes.")
 
REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES
 
    Shares may be redeemed  at any time, without  cost, at their respective  net
asset  value  next  determined  after receipt  of  the  redemption  request. The
redemption price may be more or  less than the purchase price. (See  "Redemption
of Shares.")
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
 
    UAM  Fund Services, Inc., a wholly-owned  subsidiary of UAM Asset Management
Corporation, is responsible for  performing and overseeing administration,  fund
accounting dividend disbursing and transfer agency services provided to the Fund
and  its  Portfolios  by  third party  service  providers.  (See "Administrative
Services.")
 
RISK FACTORS
 
    The value of each Portfolio's shares  will fluctuate in response to  changes
in  market  and economic  conditions  as well  as  the financial  conditions and
prospects of the  issuers in  which a Portfolio  invests. Prospective  investors
should  consider  the  following  factors.  (1)  The  Sirach  Strategic Balanced
Portfolio may invest a  portion of its assets  in derivatives including  futures
contracts  and options.  (See "Futures Contracts  and Options.")  (2) The Sirach
Special Equity Portfolio  invests primarily in  small and medium  capitalization
companies,  some of which  may be foreign based.  (See "Investment Policies" and
"Foreign Investments.")  (3)  In general,  the  Portfolios will  not  trade  for
short-term  profits,  but when  circumstances warrant,  investments may  be sold
without regard to the length of time held. High rates of portfolio turnover  may
result  in additional  transaction costs and  the realization  of capital gains.
(See "Portfolio  Turnover.") (4)  In addition,  each Portfolio  may use  various
investment practices that involve special considerations, including investing in
repurchase  agreements,  when-issued,  forward delivery  and  delayed settlement
securities and lending of securities. (See "Other Investment Policies.")
 
                            PERFORMANCE CALCULATIONS
 
    Each Portfolio may advertise or quote  total return data. Total return  will
be  calculated  on  an  average  annual total  return  basis,  and  may  also be
calculated on  an aggregate  total return  basis, for  various periods.  Average
annual total return reflects the average annual percentage change in value of an
investment  in the  Portfolio over  a measuring  period. Aggregate  total return
reflects the total  percentage change  in value  over a  measuring period.  Both
methods  of calculating  total return  assume that  dividends and  capital gains
distributions made by a Portfolio during the period are reinvested in  Portfolio
shares.  Performance will be  calculated separately for  Institutional Class and
Service  Class  Shares.  Dividends   paid  by  a   Portfolio  with  respect   to
Institutional  Class and Service  Class Shares, to the  extent any dividends are
paid, will be calculated in the same manner at the same time on the same day and
will be in the same amount,  except that service fees, any distribution  charges
and  any incremental transfer agency costs relating to Service Class Shares will
be borne exclusively by that class.
 
    The Annual Report to the Shareholders of the Sirach Portfolios for the  most
recent fiscal year end contains additional performance information that includes
comparisons  with appropriate  indices. The  Annual Report  is available without
charge upon request to the Fund by  writing to the address or calling the  phone
number on the cover of this Prospectus.
 
                             INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
 
    SIRACH  STRATEGIC BALANCED PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Strategic
Balanced Portfolio  is  to  provide long-term  capital  growth  consistent  with
reasonable  risk to principal by investing  in a diversified portfolio of common
stocks of established  companies and investment  grade fixed income  securities.
The  proportion of  the Portfolio's  assets invested  in fixed  income or common
stocks will  vary as  market conditions  warrant. A  typical asset  mix for  the
Portfolio,  however, is expected  to be 50%  common stocks and  50% fixed income
securities.  Cash  equivalent  investments   will  be  maintained  when   deemed
appropriate by the Adviser.
 
    SIRACH GROWTH PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Growth Portfolio is to
provide long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable risk to principal by
investing in common stocks of companies that offer long-term growth potential.
 
    SIRACH SPECIAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Special Equity
Portfolio  is to  provide maximum  long-term growth  of capital  consistent with
reasonable risk to principal, by investing in small to medium capitalized growth
companies that have particularly strong financial characteristics as measured by
the Adviser's "ranking system."
 
    SIRACH EQUITY PORTFOLIO.  The objective of the Sirach Equity Portfolio is to
provide long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable risk to principal by
investing primarily in common  stocks of companies  that offer long-term  growth
potential.  As described  below, growth potential  is measured  by the Adviser's
ranking system.
 
    There can be no assurance that any of the Portfolios will achieve its stated
objective.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                              INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    SIRACH  STRATEGIC  BALANCED  PORTFOLIO.    The  Sirach  Strategic   Balanced
Portfolio  is designed to provide a single  vehicle with which to participate in
the Adviser's equity and  fixed income strategies,  combined with the  Adviser's
asset  allocation decisions.  The Portfolio  seeks to  achieve its  objective by
investing in a combination of stocks,  bonds and short-term cash equivalents.  A
typical  asset mix of the Portfolio is expected to be 50% equities and 50% fixed
income securities. However, depending upon market conditions, the mix may  vary,
and  cash equivalent investments  will be maintained  when deemed appropriate by
the Adviser. Under  normal conditions,  the range  of exposure  to fixed  income
securities  is expected  to be  25% to 50%  of the  Portfolio, and  the range of
exposure to equity securities is  expected to be 35%  to 70%. However, at  least
25%  of the  Portfolio's total  assets will always  be invested  in fixed income
senior securities including debt securities and preferred stock.
 
    The fixed income portion of the Portfolio will consist of a diversified  mix
of  investment  grade fixed  income securities  of varying  maturities including
securities  of  the   U.S.  Government  and   its  agencies,  corporate   bonds,
mortgage-backed  securities,  asset-backed  securities, and  various  short term
instruments such  as  commercial  paper,  Treasury  bills  and  certificates  of
deposit.
 
    Investment grade bonds are generally considered to be those bonds having one
of  the  four  highest  grades  assigned  by  Moody's  Investors  Services, Inc.
("Moody's") (Aaa, Aa,  A or  Baa ) or  Standard and  Poor's Corporation  ("S&P")
(AAA,  AA, A or BBB). Securities rated Baa  by Moody's or BBB by S&P may possess
speculative characteristics and may be more sensitive to changes in the  economy
and  the financial condition of issuers than higher rated bonds. Mortgage-backed
securities in which the Portfolio may invest will either carry a guarantee  from
an  agency of the U.S.  Government or a private issuer  of the timely payment of
principal and interest  or are  sufficiently seasoned  to be  considered by  the
Adviser to be of investment grade quality.
 
    It  is  the Adviser's  intention that  the  Portfolio's investments  will be
limited to the investment grades described above. However, the Adviser  reserves
the right to retain securities which are downgraded by one or both of the rating
agencies  if, in  the Adviser's  judgement, the  retention of  the securities is
warranted.
 
    Credit quality of bonds in such  ratings categories can change suddenly  and
unexpectedly,  and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the
actual risks  posed by  a particular  security.  For these  reasons, it  is  the
Portfolio's policy not to rely primarily on ratings issued by established credit
rating  agencies, but to utilize such  ratings in conjunction with the Adviser's
own independent and on-going review of credit quality.
 
    The Adviser attempts to be  risk averse believing that preserving  principal
in  periods of rising  interest rates should lead  to above-average returns over
the long  run.  The  fixed income  portion  of  the Portfolio  will  be  largely
determined  by  the  Adviser's  assessment of  current  economic  conditions and
trends, the  Federal  Reserve  Board's management  of  monetary  policy,  fiscal
policy, inflation expectations, government and private credit demands and global
conditions.  Once  these  factors  have  been  carefully  analyzed,  the average
maturity/duration of the  Portfolio will  be adjusted to  reflect the  Adviser's
outlook.  Under  normal market  conditions,  the weighted  average  maturity and
duration will  range between  eight and  twelve years  and four  and six  years,
respectively.  Over a complete  market cycle, the  average maturity and duration
will, on average, equal the general market.
 
    Additionally, the  Adviser  attempts  to emphasize  relative  values  within
selected  maturity  ranges.  Interest  rate  spreads  between  different quality
ranges, by  types of  issues and  within  coupon areas  are monitored,  and  the
Portfolio  will be structured to take  advantage of relative values within these
areas.  Marketability  of  individual  issues  and  diversification  within  the
Portfolio will be emphasized.
 
    Active security rotation will generate the majority of the excess returns in
the  Portfolio. The Portfolio will hold,  under most circumstances, no more than
10% of its assets in any non-governmental issue.
 
    While the  Adviser  anticipates that  the  majority  of the  assets  in  the
Portfolio  will  be  U.S.  dollar-denominated  securities,  up  to  20%  of  the
Portfolio's assets may consist of obligations of foreign governments,  agencies,
or  corporations denominated either  in U.S. dollars  or foreign currencies. The
credit quality standards applied  to foreign obligations are  the same as  those
applied to the selection of U.S.-based securities.
 
    Equity  securities are selected using approaches  identical to those for the
Sirach Growth Portfolio as set forth below.
 
    SIRACH GROWTH PORTFOLIO.  The Sirach  Growth Portfolio seeks to achieve  its
objective  by investing in common stocks of companies that are small, medium and
large  growth  companies  deemed  by  the  Adviser  to  offer  long-term  growth
potential.  The securities  selected will  be from  a universe  of approximately
2,500 companies listed on the
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
New York  and  American Stock  Exchanges  and  on the  National  Association  of
Securities Dealers Automated Quotation system ("NASDAQ"). The Portfolio may also
invest in convertible bonds or convertible preferred stocks.
 
    The  Adviser's security  selection process for  the Portfolio  will focus on
those companies that rank high on the Adviser's proprietary ranking system.  The
ranking  system  consists of  five  buying tests  that  are ranked  according to
decile. The  Adviser believes  that  companies that  possess a  higher  "ranking
score" are likely to provide superior rates of return over an extended period of
time  relative to  the stock  market in general.  The components  of the ranking
system include  past earnings  per share  growth rates,  earnings  acceleration,
prospective earnings "surprise" probabilities, relative price strength, and cash
reinvestment  rates.  The  Adviser  screens a  universe  of  approximately 2,500
companies to identify potentially attractive  securities. The list of  potential
investments  is narrowed further by the  use of traditional fundamental security
analysis. The  Adviser focuses  particular attention  on those  companies  whose
recent earnings have exceeded consensus expectations.
 
    As  perceived risks in  the marketplace increase, cash  reserves can be used
for defensive purposes. Under normal circumstances, it is anticipated that  cash
reserves  will represent a relatively small percentage of the Portfolio's assets
(less than 20%). For temporary defensive purposes, the Portfolio may reduce  its
holdings   of  equity  securities  and   increase  its  holdings  in  short-term
investments. (See "Other Investment Policies - Short-Term Investments.")
 
    The Adviser  anticipates  that  the  majority  of  the  investments  in  the
Portfolio  will be in United States based companies. However, from time to time,
shares of foreign based companies may  be purchased, if they pass the  selection
process  outlined above.  The Portfolio may  invest up  to 20% of  its assets in
shares of foreign based companies. In  addition, if shares of a foreign  company
are  purchased, they must be  traded in the United  States as sponsored American
Depositary Receipts  ("ADRs") which  are U.S.  domestic securities  representing
ownership  rights in  foreign companies. (See  "FOREIGN INVESTMENTS"  for a more
detailed description of the risks involved.)
 
    SIRACH SPECIAL  EQUITY  PORTFOLIO.    The Portfolio  seeks  to  achieve  its
objective  by investing primarily in the  common stocks of companies with market
capitalizations of $100 million to  $2 billion dollars. Securities selected  for
the Portfolio will be chosen from the New York Stock Exchange and American Stock
Exchange  or  from  the  over  the  counter  markets  operated  by  the National
Association of Securities Dealers.
 
    The security selection process for the Portfolio focuses on those  companies
within  the market capitalization specified above and that rank above average on
the Adviser's proprietary  "ranking system."  The "ranking  system" consists  of
seven  buying tests  that are ranked  according to decile.  The Adviser believes
that companies  with  smaller capitalizations  that  possess a  higher  "ranking
score" are likely to provide superior rates of return over an extended period of
time  relative to  the stock  market in general.  The components  of the ranking
system include  past earnings  per share  growth rates,  earnings  acceleration,
prospective  earnings,  "surprise" probabilities,  relative price  strength, and
cash reinvestment  rates. The  Adviser screens  a universe  of several  thousand
smaller  to  medium  capitalized companies  to  identify  potentially attractive
securities. The list of potential investments is narrowed further by the use  of
traditional  fundamental  security analysis.  In  addition, the  Adviser focuses
particular attention on those companies whose earnings momentum are accelerating
and/or whose recent earnings have exceeded the Adviser's expectations.
 
    It is  anticipated that  cash  reserves will  represent a  relatively  small
percentage of the Portfolio's assets (less than 20% under normal circumstances.)
For temporary defensive purposes, however, the Portfolio may reduce its holdings
of  equity  securities and  increase,  up to  100%,  its holdings  in short-term
investments.
 
    The Adviser  anticipates  that  the  majority  of  the  investments  in  the
Portfolio  will be in United States based companies. However, from time to time,
shares of foreign based  companies may be purchased  if they pass the  selection
process  outlined  above.  In  addition,  if shares  of  a  foreign  company are
purchased, they  must be  traded in  the United  States as  American  Depositary
Receipts  ("ADRs"), which  are U.S.  domestic securities  representing ownership
rights in foreign companies. Under normal circumstances, ADRs will not  comprise
more  than 20% of the Portfolio's assets.  (See "Foreign Investments" for a more
detailed description of the risks involved.)
 
    SIRACH EQUITY PORTFOLIO.   The Portfolio seeks to  achieve its objective  by
investing  primarily in  common stocks of  companies that are  small, medium and
large  capitalization  companies  deemed  by  the  Adviser  to  offer  long-term
potential.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    The  security  selection  process  for the  Portfolio  will  focus  on those
companies that  rank  high on  the  Adviser's proprietary  ranking  system.  The
ranking  system  consists of  five  buying tests  that  are ranked  according to
decile. The  Adviser believes  that  companies that  possess a  higher  "ranking
score" are likely to provide superior rates of return over an extended period of
time  relative to  the stock  market in general.  The components  of the ranking
system include  past earnings  per share  growth rates,  earnings  acceleration,
prospective  earnings "surprise" probabilities, relative price strength and cash
reinvestment rates.  The  Adviser  screens a  universe  of  approximately  2,500
companies  to identify potentially attractive  securities. The list of potential
investments is narrowed further by  the use of traditional fundamental  security
analysis.  The  Adviser focuses  particular attention  on those  companies whose
recent earnings have exceeded consensus expectations.
 
    In seeking to fulfill its investment objective, the Portfolio, under  normal
circumstances,  will invest  at least  90% of  its assets  in equity securities,
consisting primarily of common stock; however, the Portfolio may also invest  in
convertible  bonds or convertible  preferred stocks. The  Portfolio may invest a
portion of its  assets in  shares of  foreign based  companies. If  shares of  a
foreign  company are  purchased, they  must be  traded in  the United  States as
sponsored ADRs. (See "Foreign  Investments" for a  more detailed description  of
the risks involved.)
 
                           OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
 
    There  may be periods when  economic or market conditions  are such that the
Adviser deems  a temporary  defensive position  to be  appropriate. During  such
periods, each Portfolio may adopt a temporary defensive posture in which greater
than  35% of its net assets are invested in the following instruments consistent
with each Portfolio's investment policies as set forth above.
 
    (1) Time deposits, certificates  of deposit  (including marketable  variable
        rate  certificates  of deposit)  and  bankers' acceptances  issued  by a
        commercial bank  or  savings and  loan  association. Time  deposits  are
        non-negotiable  deposits  maintained  in  a  banking  institution  for a
        specified period  of  time at  a  stated interest  rate.  Time  deposits
        maturing  in more than seven days will  not be purchased by a Portfolio,
        and time deposits maturing from two business days through seven calendar
        days will not exceed 10% of the total assets of a Portfolio.
 
        Certificates of deposit are negotiable short-term obligations issued  by
        commercial  banks  or savings  and  loan associations  collateralized by
        funds deposited in the  issuing institution. Variable rate  certificates
        of  deposit are  certificates of deposit  on which the  interest rate is
        periodically adjusted  prior  to  their stated  maturity  based  upon  a
        specified  market rate. A banker's acceptance is a time draft drawn on a
        commercial  bank  by   a  borrower,  usually   in  connection  with   an
        international  commercial  transaction (to  finance the  import, export,
        transfer or storage of goods).
 
        Each Portfolio will not  invest in any security  issued by a  commercial
        bank unless (i) the bank has total assets of at least $1 billion, or the
        equivalent  in other currencies, (ii) in the case of U.S. banks, it is a
        member of the Federal  Deposit Insurance Corporation,  and (iii) in  the
        case  of foreign branches of U.S. banks, the security is, in the opinion
        of the  Adviser, of  an investment  quality comparable  with other  debt
        securities which may be purchased by each Portfolio;
 
    (2) Commercial  paper  rated A-1  or A-2  by  S&P or  Prime-1 or  Prime-2 by
        Moody's or, if not rated, issued by a corporation having an  outstanding
        unsecured debt issue rated A or better by Moody's or by
 
    (3) Short-term  corporate obligations rated  BBB or better by  S&P or Baa or
        better by Moody's;
 
    (4) U.S. Government obligations including bills, notes, bonds and other debt
        securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. These are direct obligations  of
        the  U.S. Treasury, supported by the full faith and credit pledge of the
        U.S. Government  and differ  mainly in  interest rates,  maturities  and
        dates of issue;
 
    (5) U.S.   Government  agency  securities  issued   or  guaranteed  by  U.S.
        Government sponsored instrumentalities and Federal agencies.  Generally,
        such  securities are evaluated on  the creditworthiness of their issuing
        agency or guarantor  and are  not backed by  the direct  full faith  and
        credit pledge of the U.S. Government. These include securities issued by
        the   Federal  Home  Loan   Banks,  Federal  Land   Bank,  Farmers  Home
        Administration, Federal Farm Credit  Banks, Federal Intermediate  Credit
        Bank, Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Financing Bank, the
        Tennessee Valley Authority, and others; and
 
    (6) Repurchase agreements collateralized by securities listed above.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
    The Fund has received permission from the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the  "Commission") to deposit the daily  uninvested cash balances of the Fund's
Portfolios, as well  as cash  for investment purposes,  into one  or more  joint
accounts  and to invest the daily balance of the joint accounts in the following
short-term   investments:    fully   collateralized    repurchase    agreements,
interest-bearing  or  discounted commercial  paper  including dollar-denominated
commercial paper  of foreign  issuers,  and any  other short-term  money  market
instruments  including  variable rate  demand notes  and other  tax-exempt money
market instruments. By entering into these  investments on a joint basis, it  is
expected  that  a Portfolio  may earn  a  higher rate  of return  on investments
relative to what it could earn individually.
 
    The Fund has received a ruling from the Commission which allows each of  its
Portfolios  to invest the greater  of 5% of its total  assets or $2.5 million in
the Fund's  DSI  Money  Market  Portfolio for  cash  management  purposes.  (See
"Investment Companies.")
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
    Each  Portfolio may invest  in repurchase agreements  collateralized by U.S.
Government securities, certificates of deposit, and certain bankers' acceptances
and  other  securities  outlined  above  under  "Short-Term  Investments."   The
Portfolio  may  acquire repurchase  agreements as  long as  the Fund's  Board of
Directors evaluates the creditworthiness  of the brokers  or dealers with  which
each Portfolio will enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement,
a  Portfolio  purchases a  security and  simultaneously  commits to  resell that
security at a future date to the seller (a qualified bank or securities  dealer)
at  an agreed  upon price plus  an agreed  upon market rate  of interest (itself
unrelated to the coupon rate or date of maturity of the purchased security). The
seller under a repurchase  agreement will be required  to maintain the value  of
the  securities subject  to the  agreement at not  less than  (1) the repurchase
price if  such securities  mature  in one  year  or less,  or  (2) 101%  of  the
repurchase  price  if  such  securities  mature  in  more  than  one  year.  The
Administrator and  the  Adviser will  mark  to market  daily  the value  of  the
securities  purchased, and the Adviser will, if necessary, require the seller to
maintain additional securities to  ensure that the value  is in compliance  with
the  previous  sentence. The  Adviser will  consider  the creditworthiness  of a
seller in  determining  whether  a  Portfolio should  enter  into  a  repurchase
agreement.
 
    In  effect, by entering into a  repurchase agreement, a Portfolio is lending
its funds  to the  seller at  the agreed  upon interest  rate, and  receiving  a
security  as collateral for  the loan. Such  agreements can be  entered into for
periods of one day (overnight repo) or for a fixed term (term repo).  Repurchase
agreements are a common way to earn interest income on short-term funds.
 
    The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the
seller  of the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying
securities at  a  time  when the  value  of  these securities  has  declined,  a
Portfolio  may  incur a  loss upon  disposition of  them. If  the seller  of the
agreement becomes insolvent and subject  to liquidation or reorganization  under
the  Bankruptcy Code or  other laws, a  bankruptcy court may  determine that the
underlying securities are collateral not within  the control of a Portfolio  and
therefore  subject to sale by the trustee in bankruptcy. Finally, it is possible
that a Portfolio may not be able to substantiate its interest in the  underlying
securities. While the Fund's management acknowledges these risks, it is expected
that  they can be  controlled through stringent  security selection criteria and
careful monitoring procedures. Credit screens will be established and maintained
for dealers and dealer-banks before portfolio transactions are executed for each
Portfolio.
 
    The Fund has  applied to  the Commission for  permission to  pool the  daily
uninvested  cash  balances  of  the  Fund's Portfolios  in  order  to  invest in
repurchase agreements on a joint  basis. By entering into repurchase  agreements
on  a joint basis, it is expected that a Portfolio will incur lower transactions
costs and  potentially  obtain  higher  rates of  interest  on  such  repurchase
agreements.  Each Portfolio's participation in the income from jointly purchased
repurchase agreements will be based on that Portfolio's percentage share in  the
total  repurchase agreement. While  the Fund expects  to receive permission from
the Commission, there  can be  no assurance that  the requested  relief will  be
granted.
 
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
 
    Each  Portfolio may purchase  restricted securities that  are not registered
for sale to the general  public but which are  eligible for resale to  qualified
institutional investors under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Under the
supervision  of  the  Fund's  Board of  Directors,  the  Adviser  determines the
liquidity of such investments by considering all relevant factors. Provided that
a dealer  or  institutional trading  market  in such  securities  exists,  these
restricted  securities are not treated as  illiquid securities for purposes of a
Portfolio's investment limitations. Each of the Portfolios may also invest up to
15% of  its  net  assets  (except the  Sirach  Special  Equity  Portfolio  which
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
may  invest up  to 10% of  its net assets)  in securities which  are illiquid by
virtue of the  absence of  a readily  available market  or because  of legal  or
contractual  restrictions on resale. The prices realized from the sales of these
securities could be more or less than those originally paid by the Portfolio  or
less than what may be considered the fair value of such securities.
 
LENDING OF SECURITIES
 
    Each Portfolio may lend its investment securities to qualified institutional
investors   who  need  to  borrow  securities   in  order  to  complete  certain
transactions, such  as  covering  short  sales,  avoiding  failures  to  deliver
securities  or  completing  arbitrage  operations.  A  Portfolio  will  not loan
portfolio securities to the extent that greater than one-third of its assets  at
fair  market  value, would  be  committed to  loans.  By lending  its investment
securities, a Portfolio attempts to increase  its income through the receipt  of
interest  on the loan.  Any gain or loss  in the market  price of the securities
loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account  of
the  Portfolio.  A Portfolio  may lend  its  investment securities  to qualified
brokers, dealers, domestic and foreign banks or other financial institutions, so
long as the terms, the structure and the aggregate amount of such loans are  not
inconsistent  with the  Investment Company Act  of 1940, as  amended, (the "1940
Act") or  the  Rules  and  Regulations  or  interpretations  of  the  Commission
thereunder,  which currently require  that (a) the  borrower pledge and maintain
with the  Portfolio collateral  consisting  of cash,  an irrevocable  letter  of
credit  issued by a domestic U.S. bank or securities issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. Government having a value at all times  not less than 100% of the value  of
the  securities loaned,  (b) the  borrower add  to such  collateral whenever the
price of the securities loaned rises  (i.e., the borrower "marks to the  market"
on  a daily basis), (c) the loan be made subject to termination by the Portfolio
at any time,  and (d)  the Portfolio receives  reasonable interest  on the  loan
(which  may  include the  Portfolio investing  any  cash collateral  in interest
bearing short-term investments). As with  other extensions of credit, there  are
risks  of delay in recovery  or even loss of rights  in the securities loaned if
the borrower of the securities fails financially. These risks are similar to the
ones involved with repurchase agreements as discussed above. All relevant  facts
and  circumstances,  including the  creditworthiness  of the  broker,  dealer or
institution, will be considered in making decisions with respect to the  lending
of securities, subject to review by the Fund's Board of Directors.
 
    At  the present  time, the  Staff of  the Commission  does not  object if an
investment company pays  reasonable negotiated  fees in  connection with  loaned
securities so long as such fees are set forth in a written contract and approved
by  the investment company's Board of  Directors. The Portfolio will continue to
retain any voting rights  with respect to the  loaned securities. If a  material
event  occurs affecting an investment on a loan, the loan must be called and the
securities voted.
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
    Generally, the  Portfolios  will  not trade  in  securities  for  short-term
profits,  but, when circumstances warrant, securities may be sold without regard
to length of  time held.  It should  be understood  that the  rate of  portfolio
turnover  will depend  upon market and  other conditions,  and it will  not be a
limiting  factor  when   the  Adviser  believes   that  portfolio  changes   are
appropriate.  The portfolio turnover rate for the Sirach Equity Portfolio is not
anticipated to exceed 125%. A rate of turnover of 100% would occur, for example,
if all the securities held by a  Portfolio were replaced within a period of  one
year.  High rates  of portfolio  turnover necessarily  result in correspondingly
heavier brokerage and portfolio trading costs which are paid by the  Portfolios.
In  addition to Portfolio trading costs,  higher rates of portfolio turnover may
result in the realization of capital gains. To the extent net short-term capital
gains are realized, any distributions  resulting from such gains are  considered
ordinary  income for federal income tax purposes. (See "Dividends, Capital Gains
Distributions and Taxes" for more information on taxation.) The Portfolios  will
not normally engage in short-term trading, but each reserves the right to do so.
The   table  set  forth  in  "Financial  Highlights"  presents  the  Portfolios'
historical portfolio turnover ratios.
 
WHEN-ISSUED, FORWARD DELIVERY AND DELAYED SETTLEMENT SECURITIES
 
    Each Portfolio may purchase and sell securities on a "when-issued," "delayed
settlement," or "forward  delivery" basis. "When-issued"  or "forward  delivery"
refers  to securities whose terms  and indenture are available,  and for which a
market exists, but which are  not available for immediate delivery.  When-issued
or forward delivery transactions may be expected to occur a month or more before
delivery  is due. Delayed settlement is a  term used to describe settlement of a
securities transaction in the secondary market which will occur sometime in  the
future.  No payment or delivery is made by a Portfolio until it receives payment
or delivery  from the  other  party to  any of  the  above transactions.  It  is
possible  that the market price of the securities at the time of delivery may be
higher or lower than the purchase price. Each Portfolio will maintain a separate
account of cash, U.S. Government securities or other high-grade debt obligations
at  least   equal  to   the  value   of  purchase   commitments  until   payment
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
is  made.  Typically, no  income accrues  on securities  purchased on  a delayed
delivery basis prior to the time delivery of the securities is made although the
Portfolio may  earn  income on  securities  it  has deposited  in  a  segregated
account.
 
    Each  Portfolio may  engage in  when-issued transactions  to obtain  what is
considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of the transaction.
When a Portfolio  engages in  when-issued or forward  delivery transactions,  it
will  do  so  for  the  purpose  of  acquiring  securities  consistent  with its
investment objective  and  policies  and  not for  the  purposes  of  investment
leverage.
 
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
 
    Investors  should  recognize that  investing  in foreign  companies involves
certain special considerations which are not typically associated with investing
in  U.S.  companies.  Since  the  stocks  of  foreign  companies  are   normally
denominated  in foreign currencies,  the Portfolio may  be affected favorably or
unfavorably by changes in  currency rates and  in exchange control  regulations,
and may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies.
 
    As  non-U.S.  companies are  not  generally subject  to  uniform accounting,
auditing and financial  reporting standards  and practices  comparable to  those
applicable  to U.S. companies, there may  be less publicly available information
about certain foreign companies  than about U.S.  companies. Securities of  some
non-U.S.  companies  may be  less liquid  and more  volatile than  securities of
comparable  U.S.  companies.  In  addition,  with  respect  to  certain  foreign
countries,  there is the possibility  of expropriation or confiscatory taxation,
political or social instability, or  diplomatic developments which could  affect
U.S. investments in those countries.
 
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
 
    As permitted by the 1940 Act, each Portfolio reserves the right to invest up
to  10%  of its  total  assets, calculated  at the  time  of investment,  in the
securities of other open-end or closed-end investment companies. No more than 5%
of the investing Portfolio's total assets  may be invested in the securities  of
any  one  investment company  nor  may it  acquire more  than  3% of  the voting
securities of any other investment  company. The Portfolio will indirectly  bear
its  proportionate share of any management fees paid by an investment company in
which it invests in addition to the advisory fee paid by the Portfolio.
 
    The Fund has received a ruling from the Commission which allows each of  its
Portfolios  to invest the greater  of 5% of its total  assets or $2.5 million in
the Fund's DSI Money Market Portfolio for cash management purposes provided that
the investment  is  consistent  with the  Portfolio's  investment  policies  and
restrictions. Based upon the Portfolio's assets invested in the DSI Money Market
Portfolio,  the investing Portfolio's adviser will waive its investment advisory
fee and any other fees earned as  a result of the Portfolio's investment in  the
DSI  Money Market Portfolio.  The investing Portfolio will  bear expenses of the
DSI Money Market Portfolio on the same basis as all of its other shareholders.
 
    Except as specified above and  as described under "Investment  Limitations,"
the  foregoing investment  policies are  not fundamental  and the  Directors may
change such  policies  without  an  affirmative  vote  of  a  "majority  of  the
outstanding voting securities of a Portfolio," as defined in the 1940 Act.
 
                             INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
 
    Each  Portfolio  has  adopted  certain limitations  designed  to  reduce its
exposure to risk in  specific situations. Some of  these limitations are that  a
Portfolio will not:
 
    (a) with  respect to  75% of its  assets, invest  more than 5%  of its total
        assets at the time  of purchase in the  securities of any single  issuer
        (other  than  obligations  issued  or  guaranteed  as  to  principal and
        interest by  the  U.S.  Government  or  any  agency  or  instrumentality
        thereof);
 
    (b) with  respect to 75% of its assets,  purchase more than 10% of any class
        of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer;
 
    (c) invest more  than 5%  of  its assets  at the  time  of purchase  in  the
        securities  of  companies  that have  (with  predecessors)  a continuous
        operating history of less than 3 years;
 
    (d) acquire any securities of companies within one industry if, as a  result
        of such acquisition, more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio's total
        assets  would  be  invested  in  securities  of  companies  within  such
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
        industry; provided, however, that  there shall be  no limitation on  the
        purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its
        agencies  or instrumentalities, or instruments issued by U.S. banks when
        a Portfolio adopts a temporary defensive position;
 
    (e) make loans  except  (i)  by  purchasing  bonds,  debentures  or  similar
        obligations   which  are  publicly  distributed,  (including  repurchase
        agreements provided,  however, that  repurchase agreements  maturing  in
        more  than seven  days, together with  securities which  are not readily
        marketable, will not exceed  10% of the  Portfolio's total assets),  and
        (ii)  by lending its portfolio securities to banks, brokers, dealers and
        other financial institutions so long as such loans are not  inconsistent
        with the 1940 Act or the Rules and Regulations or interpretations of the
        Commission thereunder;
 
    (f) (i)   borrow,  except  from  banks  and   as  a  temporary  measure  for
        extraordinary or emergency purposes and then, in no event, in excess  of
        33 1/3% (10% for the Sirach Special Equity Portfolio) of the Portfolio's
        gross assets valued at the lower of market or cost, and (ii) a Portfolio
        may  not  purchase additional  securities when  borrowings exceed  5% of
        total assets; or
 
    (g) pledge, mortgage or hypothecate any of  its assets to an extent  greater
        than 10% of its total assets at fair market value.
 
    The investment objectives of the Portfolios are fundamental and with respect
to  each Portfolio  may be changed  only with the  approval of the  holders of a
majority of the  outstanding shares  of such Portfolio.  Except for  limitations
(d),  (e) and (f)(i),  the Sirach Strategic Balanced,  Sirach Growth, and Sirach
Equity  Portfolios'  investment  limitations  and  policies  described  in  this
Prospectus  and in the  Statement of Additional  Information are not fundamental
and may be changed by  the Fund's Board of  Directors upon reasonable notice  to
investors.  The investment  limitations of  the Sirach  Special Equity Portfolio
described here and in  the Statement of  Additional Information are  fundamental
policies  and may be changed only with the approval of the holders of a majority
of the  outstanding shares  of  the Portfolio.  If  a percentage  limitation  on
investment or utilization of assets as set forth above is adhered to at the time
an  investment is made, a  later change in percentage  resulting from changes in
the value or  total cost  of the  Portfolios' assets  will not  be considered  a
violation of the restriction.
 
                             INVESTMENT SUITABILITY
 
    The  Sirach  Portfolios were  designed  principally for  the  investments of
institutional investors. The  Sirach Strategic Balanced  Portfolio is  available
for purchase by individuals and may be suitable for investors who seek long-term
growth of capital consistent with reasonable risk to principal by investing in a
diversified  portfolio of common stocks and  fixed income securities. The Sirach
Growth Portfolio is available  for purchase by individuals  and may be  suitable
for  investors who seek long-term capital growth consistent with reasonable risk
to principal by  investing primarily in  common stocks of  companies that  offer
long-term growth potential. The Sirach Special Equity Portfolio is available for
purchase by individuals and may be suitable for investors who seek maximum long-
term  growth  of  capital  consistent  with  reasonable  risk  to  principal, by
investing in small to medium capitalized companies with particularly  attractive
financial  characteristics.  Although  no  mutual fund  can  guarantee  that its
investment objective will be met. The  Sirach Equity Portfolio is available  for
purchase  by  individuals and  may be  suitable for  investors who  seek maximum
long-term growth  of capital  consistent with  reasonable risk  to principal  by
investing  in  small to  large capitalized  companies with  attractive long-term
growth potential.
 
                               PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
    Shares of each  Portfolio and  Class may  be purchased  through any  Service
Agent having selling or service agreements with UAM Fund Distributors, Inc. (the
"Distributor")  without a sales commission, at  their respective net asset value
per share  next  determined after  an  order is  received  by the  Fund  or  the
designated  Service Agent. (See "SERVICE  AND DISTRIBUTION PLANS" and "VALUATION
OF SHARES.") The minimum initial investment required is $2,500 except that,  for
401(k)  plans the minimum initial investment  is $500. Certain exceptions may be
made from time to  time by the  Officers of the Fund.  The Portfolios issue  two
classes  of shares: Institutional Class and Institutional Service Class. The two
classes of shares each represent interests in the same portfolio of investments,
have the same rights and are identical in all respects, except that the  Service
Class Shares offered by this Prospectus bear shareholder servicing expenses, may
in  the future bear distribution plan expenses, and have exclusive voting rights
with respect  to  the  Rule  12b-1  Distribution  Plan  pursuant  to  which  the
distribution   fee  may  be  paid.  The  two  classes  have  different  exchange
privileges. (See "Exchange Privilege.") The net income
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
attributable to Service Class Shares and the dividends payable on Service  Class
Shares  will  be  reduced  by  the  amount  of  the  shareholder  servicing  and
distribution fees; accordingly, the net asset value of the Service Class  Shares
will be reduced by such amount to the extent the Portfolio has undistributed net
income.
 
    Some  Service Agents may  also impose additional  or different conditions or
other account fees on the purchase and redemption of Portfolio shares, which are
not subject to the Rule 12b-1 Service and Distribution Plans, which may  include
transaction  fees and/or  service fees  paid by  the Fund  from the  Fund assets
attributable to the Service  Agent and, would  not be imposed  if shares of  the
Portfolio  were purchased directly from the Fund or the Distributor. The Service
Agents may  provide  shareholder  services  to  their  customers  that  are  not
available to a shareholder dealing directly with the Fund. Each Service Agent is
responsible  for transmitting to its  customers a schedule of  any such fees and
information regarding any additional or different conditions regarding purchases
and redemptions. Shareholders who are customers of Service Agents should consult
their Service  Agent for  information  regarding these  fees and  conditions.  A
salesperson and any other person entitled to receive compensation for selling or
servicing  Portfolio shares may  receive different compensation  with respect to
one particular class of shares over another in the Fund.
 
    If you buy shares of a Portfolio through a Service Agent, the Service  Agent
must  receive your investment order before the  close of trading on the New York
Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), generally 4:00 p.m.  (Eastern Time) and transmit it  to
the  Fund's Transfer Agent,  Chase Global Funds Services  Company, (prior to the
close of the Transfer Agent's business day) and the Distributor to receive  that
day's  offering price, with proper payment to the Fund to follow. Service Agents
are responsible to  their customers,  the Fund  and its  Distributor for  timely
transmission  of all  investment and  redemption information,  documentation and
money.
 
INITIAL INVESTMENTS BY MAIL
 
    An account also may be opened with  the assistance of your Service Agent  by
completing and signing an Account Registration Form, and forwarding it, together
with a check payable to UAM FUNDS, INC. through your Service Agent, to:
 
                                UAM Funds, Inc.
                            UAM Funds Service Center
                    c/o Chase Global Funds Services Company
                                 P.O. Box 2798
                             Boston, MA 02208-2798
 
    The  carbon copy (manually signed) of  the Account Registration Form must be
delivered to:
 
                          UAM Fund Distributors, Inc.
                              211 Congress Street
                                Boston, MA 02110
 
    Payment for the purchase of shares received by mail will be credited to your
account at the net asset value per share of the Portfolio next determined  after
receipt.  Such payment need not be converted into Federal Funds (monies credited
to the Fund's custodian bank, The Bank of New York (the "Custodian Bank"), by  a
Federal Reserve Bank) before acceptance by the Fund.
 
INITIAL INVESTMENTS BY WIRE
 
    Shares  may also be purchased by wiring  Federal Funds to the Custodian Bank
(see instructions below).  In order to  insure prompt crediting  of the  Federal
Funds wire, it is important to follow these steps:
 
    (a) Your Service Agent should telephone the Fund's Transfer Agent (toll-free
        1-800-638-7983) and provide the account name, address, telephone number,
        social  security  or taxpayer  identification  number, the  name  of the
        Portfolio (Service Class Shares), the amount being wired and the name of
        the bank wiring the funds. (Investors with existing accounts should also
        notify the Fund prior to wiring  funds.) An account number will then  be
        provided to you;
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    (b) Instruct your bank to wire the specified amount to the Custodian Bank;
 
                                  The Bank of New York
                                  New York, NY 10260
                                   ABA #0210-0023-8
                                 DDA Acct. #000-77-081
                                 F/B/O UAM Funds, Inc.
                                  Ref: Portfolio Name
                              --------------------------
                                  Your Account Number
                              --------------------------
                                   Your Account Name
                              --------------------------
 
    (c) A  completed Account Registration Form must be forwarded to the Fund and
        the Distributor  at the  addresses shown  thereon as  soon as  possible.
        Federal Funds purchases will be accepted only on a day on which the NYSE
        and the Custodian Bank are open for business.
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS
 
    You  may add to your  account at any time  (minimum additional investment is
$100) by purchasing shares at net asset  value through your Service Agent or  by
mailing a check to the Administrator (payable to "UAM Funds, Inc.") at the above
address  or  by  wiring monies  to  the  Custodian Bank  using  the instructions
outlined above. It is very important that your account number, account name, the
Portfolio, and class of  shares to be  purchased are specified  on the check  or
wire  to insure proper crediting  to your account. In  order to insure that your
wire orders  are  invested  promptly,  you are  requested  to  notify  the  Fund
(toll-free  1-800-638-7983) prior to the wire  date. Mail orders should include,
when possible, the "Invest by Mail" stub which accompanies any Fund confirmation
statement.
 
OTHER PURCHASE INFORMATION
 
    Non-securities dealer Service Agents may  receive transaction fees that  are
the same as distribution fees paid to dealers.
 
    The Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering
of  shares of either Class  or Portfolio or reject  purchase orders when, in the
judgement of management, such suspension or  rejection is in the best  interests
of the Fund.
 
    Purchases  of  shares will  be made  in  full and  fractional shares  of the
appropriate Class calculated to three decimal places. In the interest of economy
and convenience,  certificates for  shares  will not  be  issued except  at  the
written request of the shareholder. Certificates for fractional shares, however,
will not be issued.
 
IN-KIND PURCHASES
 
    If  accepted by the Fund, shares may be purchased in exchange for securities
which are  eligible  for  acquisition  by  the  Portfolio  being  purchased,  as
described  in this Prospectus. Securities to  be exchanged which are accepted by
the Fund will be valued as set forth under "VALUATION OF SHARES" at the time  of
the  next determination of net asset  value after such acceptance. Shares issued
in exchange for securities will be issued at relevant net asset value determined
as of the  same time.  All dividends,  interest, subscription,  or other  rights
pertaining  to such  securities shall become  the property of  the Portfolio and
must be delivered  to the Fund  by the  investor upon receipt  from the  issuer.
Securities  acquired through an in-kind purchase will be acquired for investment
and not for immediate resale.
 
    The Fund will not  accept securities in exchange  for shares of a  Portfolio
unless:  (1) such securities  are, at the  time of the  exchange, eligible to be
included in the Portfolio  and current market  quotations are readily  available
for  such securities; (2) the investor represents and agrees that all securities
offered to be exchanged are liquid and are not subject to any restrictions  upon
their  sale by the Portfolio  under the Securities Act  of 1933, or liquidity of
market; and  (3)  the value  of  any  such securities  (except  U.S.  Government
securities)  being exchanged together  with other securities  of the same issuer
owned by the Portfolio  will not exceed  5% of the net  assets of the  Portfolio
immediately after the transaction.
 
    A gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes will be realized by investors
who are subject to Federal taxation upon the exchange depending upon the cost of
the  securities  or  local  currency  exchanged.  Investors  interested  in such
exchanges should contact the Adviser.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
                              REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
    Shares may be redeemed by  mail or telephone at  any time, without cost,  at
their  net asset value next determined  after receipt of the redemption request.
No charge is made for redemptions. Any  redemption may be more or less than  the
purchase  price of your shares  depending on the market  value of the investment
securities held by the relevant Portfolio.
 
BY MAIL
 
    Shares will be  redeemed at the  net asset value  next determined after  the
request is received in "good order". Your request should be addressed to:
 
                            UAM Funds Service Center
                    c/o Chase Global Funds Services Company
                                 P.O. Box 2798
                             Boston, MA 02208-2798
 
or to your Service Agent.
 
    "Good  order"  means that  the  request to  redeem  shares must  include the
following documentation:
 
    (a) The stock certificates, if issued;
 
    (b) A letter of instruction or a  stock assignment specifying the number  of
        shares  or dollar amount to be redeemed, signed by all registered owners
        of the shares in the exact names in which they are registered;
 
    (c) Any required signature  guarantees (see  "SIGNATURE GUARANTEES"  below);
        and
 
    (d) Other  supporting legal documents, if required,  in the case of estates,
        trusts, guardianships, custodianships, corporations, pension and  profit
        sharing plans and other organizations.
 
    Shareholders who are uncertain of requirements for redemption should contact
the UAM Funds Service Center.
 
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
 
    To  protect  your  account, the  Fund  and  the Transfer  Agent  from fraud,
signature guarantees are required for certain redemptions. Signature  guarantees
are  required for (1) redemptions  where the proceeds are  to be sent to someone
other than the registered shareowner(s) or the registered address, or (2)  share
transfer requests. The purpose of signature guarantees is to verify the identity
of the party who has authorized a redemption.
 
    Signatures  must  be guaranteed  by an  "eligible guarantor  institution" as
defined in Rule  17Ad-15 under  the Securities  Exchange Act  of 1934.  Eligible
guarantor  institutions include banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national
securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies  and
savings  associations. A complete definition  of eligible guarantor institutions
is available  from the  Transfer Agent.  Broker-dealers guaranteeing  signatures
must  be a member of a clearing corporation  or maintain net capital of at least
$100,000. Credit  unions  must  be authorized  to  issue  signature  guarantees.
Signatures  guarantees will be accepted  from any eligible guarantor institution
which participates in a signature guarantee program.
 
    The signature guarantee must appear either:  (1) on the written request  for
redemption;  (2) on a  separate instrument for  assignment ("stock power") which
should specify the total number  of shares to be redeemed;  or (3) on all  stock
certificates  tendered for redemption and,  if shares held by  the Fund are also
being redeemed, on the letter or stock power.
 
BY TELEPHONE
 
    Provided you have previously established the telephone redemption  privilege
by completing an Account Registration Form, you may request a redemption of your
shares  by calling the Fund and requesting  the redemption proceeds be mailed to
you or wired to your  bank. The Fund and the  Fund's Transfer Agent will  employ
reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are
genuine,  and they may  be liable for  any losses if  they fail to  do so. These
procedures  include  requiring   the  investor  to   provide  certain   personal
identification  at the  time an  account is opened  and prior  to effecting each
transaction requested  by  telephone.  In addition,  all  telephone  transaction
requests  will be recorded  and investors may be  required to provide additional
telecopied written instructions of such  transaction requests. Neither the  Fund
nor  the Transfer  Agent will  be responsible for  any loss,  liability, cost or
expense for  following instructions  received by  telephone that  it  reasonably
believes to be genuine.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
    To  change the  name of  the commercial  bank or  the account  designated to
receive redemption proceeds, a written request must  be sent to the Fund at  the
address  above. Requests to  change the bank  or account must  be signed by each
shareholder and each signature must be  guaranteed. You cannot redeem shares  by
telephone if you hold stock certificates for these shares. Please contact one of
the Fund's representatives at the Administrator for further details.
 
FURTHER REDEMPTION INFORMATION
 
    Normally,  the Fund  will make payment  for all shares  redeemed under these
procedures within one business day of receipt of the request in good order,  but
in  no  event will  payment be  made more  than  seven days  after receipt  of a
redemption request in good order. The  Fund may suspend the right of  redemption
or  postpone the date at times when both the NYSE and Custodian Bank are closed,
or under any emergency circumstances as determined by the Commission.
 
    If the Board  of Directors determines  that it would  be detrimental to  the
best  interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment wholly
or partly in cash, the Fund may pay the redemption proceeds in whole or in  part
by  a distribution in-kind of  liquid securities held by  a Portfolio in lieu of
cash in conformity with applicable rules of the Commission. Investors may  incur
brokerage  charges on the sale of portfolio securities so received in payment of
redemptions.
 
                         SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION PLANS
 
    Under the Service Plan  for Service Class Shares,  adopted pursuant to  Rule
12b-1  under  the 1940  Act, the  Fund  may enter  into service  agreements with
Service Agents (broker-dealers or other financial institutions) who receive fees
with respect to the Fund's Service  Class Shares owned by shareholders for  whom
the  Service Agent is  the dealer or holder  of record, or  for whom the Service
Agent performs  Servicing, as  defined below.  These fees  are paid  out of  the
assets  allocable to  Service Class  Shares to  the Distributor,  to the Service
Agent directly or through the  Distributor. The Fund reimburses the  Distributor
or the Service Agent, as the case may be, for payments made at an annual rate of
up to .25 of 1% of the average daily value of Service Class Shares of the Sirach
Portfolios owned by clients of such Service Agent during the period payments for
Servicing  are being  made to  it. Such  payments are  borne exclusively  by the
Service Class  Shares. Each  item for  which a  payment may  be made  under  the
Service Plan constitutes personal service and/or shareholder account maintenance
and  may constitute an expense of distributing  Fund Service Class Shares as the
Commission construes such term under Rule 12b-1. The fees payable for  Servicing
are payable without regard to actual expenses incurred, subject to adjustment of
the fee prospectively to reflect actual expenses.
 
    Servicing  may include,  among other  things, one  or more  of the following
rendered with respect to Service Class Shares or shareholders: answering  client
inquiries  regarding the Fund;  assisting clients in  changing dividend options,
account designations and addresses; performing sub-accounting; establishing  and
maintaining  shareholder accounts and record; processing purchase and redemption
transactions; investing client  cash account balances  automatically in  Service
Class  Shares; providing periodic statements  showing a client's account balance
and integrating such statements with those of other transactions and balances in
the client's other accounts  serviced by the Service  Agent; arranging for  bank
wires;  and  such other  services as  the Fund  may request,  to the  extent the
Service Agent is permitted by applicable statute, rule or regulation.
 
    The  Glass-Steagall  Act  and  other  applicable  laws  prohibit   Federally
chartered  or supervised banks from engaging  in certain aspects of the business
of issuing, underwriting, selling  and/or distributing securities.  Accordingly,
banks will be engaged to act as Service Agent only to perform administrative and
shareholder  servicing functions, including  transaction-related agency services
for their customers. If a bank  were prohibited from so acting, its  shareholder
clients would be permitted to remain Fund shareholders and alternative means for
continuing  the Servicing of such shareholders  would be sought. Banks and other
financial service institutions may  be subject to  various state laws  regarding
the  services  described  above, and  may  be  required to  register  as dealers
pursuant to state law.
 
    Banks and other  financial service  institutions may be  subject to  various
state  laws  regarding the  services  described above,  and  may be  required to
register as dealers pursuant to state law.
 
    The Distributor promotes the distribution of the Service Class Shares of the
Fund in accordance  with the terms  of a Distribution  Plan adopted pursuant  to
Rule  12b-1 under the  1940 Act. The  Distribution Plan provides  for the use of
Fund assets allocable to  Service Class Shares to  pay expenses of  distributing
such shares.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
    The  Distribution Plan  and the  Service Plan  (together, the  "Plans") were
approved by the Board  of Directors, including a  majority of the directors  who
are not "interested persons" of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act (and each of
whom  has no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans or any agreement
related thereto, referred to herein as the "12b-1 Directors"). The Plans may  be
terminated  at any time by the  vote of the Board or  the 12b-1 Directors, or by
the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Service Class
Shares.
 
    While the Plans continue in effect, the selection of the 12b-1 Directors  is
committed  to the discretion of  such persons then in  office. The Plans provide
generally that a Portfolio  may incur distribution and  service costs under  the
Plans  which may not exceed 0.75% per  annum of that Portfolio's net assets. The
Board has currently limited  payments under the  Plans to 0.50%  per annum of  a
Portfolio's  net assets.  The Service  Class Shares  offered by  this Prospectus
currently are  not  making  any  payments  under  the  Distribution  Plan.  Upon
implementation,  the Distribution Plan would permit payments to the Distributor,
broker-dealers, other  financial institutions,  sales representatives  or  other
third  parties who render promotional and  distribution services, for items such
as advertising  expenses, selling  expenses,  commissions or  travel  reasonably
intended  to result in sales  of shares of the Service  Class Shares and for the
printing of prospectuses  sent to  prospective purchasers of  the Service  Class
Shares of the Sirach Portfolios.
 
    Although  the Plans may be amended by  the Board of Directors, any change in
the Plans which  would materially  increase the  amounts authorized  to be  paid
under  the Plans  must be  approved by shareholders  of the  class involved. The
total amounts paid with respect  to a class of shares  of a Portfolio under  the
foregoing  arrangements may not  exceed the maximum  limits specified above, and
the amounts and purposes of expenditures under the Plans must be reported to the
12b-1 Directors quarterly. The amounts allowable under the Plans for each  Class
of Shares of the Portfolios are also limited under certain rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
    In addition to payments by the Fund under the Plans, the Distributor, United
Asset  Management Corporation  ("UAM"), the parent  company of  the Adviser, the
Adviser, or  any of  their affiliates,  may, at  its own  expense, compensate  a
Service   Agent   or  other   person   for  marketing,   shareholder  servicing,
record-keeping and/or  other services  performed  with respect  to the  Fund,  a
Portfolio or any Class of Shares of a Portfolio. The person making such payments
may  do so out of its revenues, its profits or any other source available to it.
Such services arrangements, when in effect, are made generally available to  all
qualified service providers. The Adviser may compensate its affiliated companies
for referring investors to the Portfolios.
 
                              SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
 
    Service  Class Shares of each Sirach Portfolio  of the Fund may be exchanged
for Service Class Shares of any other Sirach Portfolio offering such shares.  In
addition, Service Class Shares of each Sirach Portfolio may be exchanged for any
other  Service Class Shares  of a Portfolio  included in the  UAM Funds which is
comprised of  the Fund  and UAM  Funds Trust.  (For those  Portfolios  currently
offering  Service  Class  Shares, please  call  the UAM  Funds  Service Center.)
Exchange requests should  be made  by calling  the Fund  (1-800-638-7983) or  by
writing  to UAM Funds, UAM Funds Service Center, c/o Chase Global Funds Services
Company, P.O. Box 2798,  Boston, MA 02208-2798. The  exchange privilege is  only
available  with  respect  to  Portfolios  that  are  registered  for  sale  in a
shareholder's state of residence.
 
    Any such exchange will be  based on the respective  net asset values of  the
shares  involved. There  is no  sales commission or  charge of  any kind. Before
making an exchange into  a Portfolio, a shareholder  should read its  Prospectus
and consider the investment objectives of the Portfolio to be purchased. You may
obtain  a Prospectus for the  Portfolio(s) you are interested  in by calling the
UAM Funds Service Center at 1-800-638-7983.
 
    Exchange requests may be made by mail, telephone or through a Service Agent.
Telephone exchanges will be accepted only if the certificates for the shares  to
be  exchanged are held  by the Fund for  the account of  the shareholder and the
registration of  the two  accounts  will be  identical. Requests  for  exchanges
received  prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) will be processed as of the close of
business on the same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. will be processed on
the next  business  day.  Neither  the  Fund nor  the  Transfer  Agent  will  be
responsible  for  the  authenticity  of the  exchange  instructions  received by
telephone. Exchanges  may  also be  subject  to  limitations as  to  amounts  or
frequency  and to  other restrictions established  by the Board  of Directors to
assure that such exchanges  do not disadvantage the  Fund and its  shareholders.
For  additional  information regarding  responsibility  for the  authenticity of
telecopied instructions. (See "Redemption of Shares by Telephone" above.)
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
    For Federal income  tax purposes,  an exchange  between Funds  is a  taxable
event,  and accordingly, a  capital gain or  loss may be  realized. In a revenue
ruling relating  to circumstances  similar to  the Fund's,  an exchange  between
series of a Fund was also deemed to be a taxable event. It is likely, therefore,
that a capital gain or loss would be realized on an exchange between Portfolios.
You may want to consult your tax adviser for further information in this regard.
The exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time.
 
TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION
 
    You  may transfer  the registration  of any of  your Fund  shares to another
person by writing  to the  UAM Funds at  the above  address. As in  the case  of
redemptions,  the  written request  must be  received in  good order  before any
transfer can be made. (See "Redemption of Shares.")
 
                              VALUATION OF SHARES
 
    The net asset value of  each Class of shares  is determined by dividing  the
sum  of the total market value  the underlying Portfolio's investments and other
assets, less any liabilities, by the total outstanding shares of the Class.  The
net  asset value per share  of each Class of each  Portfolio is determined as of
the close of the NYSE on each day that the NYSE is open for business  (currently
4:00  p.m. Eastern Time). The net asset value of the Service Class Shares may be
lower than the net asset value of the Institutional Class Shares reflecting  the
daily expense accruals of the shareholder servicing fee and any distribution and
transfer agency fees applicable to the Service Class Shares.
 
    Equity   securities  listed  on  a  securities  exchange  for  which  market
quotations are readily available are valued at the last quoted sale price on the
day the valuation is made. Price information on listed securities is taken  from
the  exchange where the security is primarily traded. Unlisted equity securities
and listed  securities  not  traded  on the  valuation  date  for  which  market
quotations  are readily  available are  valued not  exceeding the  current asked
prices nor less than the current bid prices. For valuation purposes,  quotations
of  foreign  securities  in a  foreign  currency  are converted  to  U.S. dollar
equivalents based upon  the bid price  of such currencies  against U.S.  dollars
quoted by any major bank or by a broker.
 
    Bonds and other fixed income securities are valued according to the broadest
and  most representative market,  which will ordinarily  be the over-the-counter
market. Net asset values include interest  on fixed income securities, which  is
accrued daily.
 
    In  addition, bonds and other  fixed income securities may  be valued on the
basis of prices provided by a pricing  service when such prices are believed  to
reflect  the fair  market value  of such  securities. The  prices provided  by a
pricing service are determined  without regard to bid  or last sale prices,  but
take into account institutional size trading in similar groups of securities and
any  developments related to  the specific securities.  Securities not priced in
this manner are  valued at  the most  recent quoted  bid price,  or, when  stock
exchange  valuations are  used, at the  latest quoted  sale price on  the day of
valuation. If there is no such reported  sale, the latest quoted bid price  will
be used. Securities purchased with remaining maturities of 60 value days or less
are  valued  at  amortized cost  when  the  Board of  Directors  determines that
amortized cost reflects fair  value. In the event  that amortized cost does  not
approximate market, market prices as determined above will be used.
 
    The value of other assets and securities for which no quotations are readily
available  (including restricted securities) is determined in good faith at fair
value using methods determined by the Directors.
 
                DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
 
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Each Portfolio  will  normally  distribute  substantially  all  of  its  net
investment income to shareholders in the form of quarterly dividends. If any net
capital  gains are realized, each Portfolio  will normally distribute such gains
with the  last  dividend  for the  fiscal  year.  The per  share  dividends  and
distributions on Service Class Shares generally will be lower than the per share
dividends  and distributions  on Institutional Class  Shares as a  result of the
shareholder servicing, distribution and any  transfer agency fees applicable  to
the Service Class Shares.
 
    Undistributed  net investment income is included in a Portfolio's net assets
for the purpose  of calculating  net asset value  per share.  Therefore, on  the
"ex-dividend"  date, the net asset value  per share excludes the dividend (i.e.,
is reduced by  the per  share amount of  the dividend).  Dividends paid  shortly
after  the purchase  of shares by  an investor,  although in effect  a return of
capital, are taxable to shareholders.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    Each  Portfolio's  dividend   and  capital  gains   distributions  will   be
automatically  reinvested in additional shares of  the Portfolio unless the Fund
is notified in writing that the  shareholder elects to receive distributions  in
cash.
 
FEDERAL TAXES
 
    Each  Portfolio  intends to  qualify each  year  as a  "regulated investment
company" under the Internal Revenue Code  of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),  and
if  it qualifies, will not  be liable for Federal income  taxes to the extent it
distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains. Dividends,
either in cash or reinvested in shares, paid by a Portfolio from net  investment
income  will be taxable to shareholders  as ordinary income. Dividends paid from
the Sirach Strategic Balanced, Sirach  Special Equity, Sirach Growth and  Sirach
Equity  Portfolios  will  generally  qualify  for  the  70%  dividends  received
deduction for corporations, but the portion  of the dividends so qualified  will
depend on the ratio of the aggregate taxable qualifying dividend income received
by  the Portfolio from domestic (U.S.)  sources to the Portfolio's total taxable
income, exclusive of long-term capital gains.
 
    Whether paid in cash or additional shares of the Portfolio and regardless of
the length  of  time  the  shares  in the  Portfolio  have  been  owned  by  the
shareholder,   distributions  from  long-term  capital   gains  are  taxable  to
shareholders as such, but are not eligible for the dividends received deduction.
Shareholders are  notified annually  by the  Fund as  to Federal  tax status  of
dividends   and  distributions   paid  by   a  Portfolio.   Such  dividends  and
distributions may also be subject to state and local taxes.
 
    Exchanges and redemptions of  shares in a Portfolio  are taxable events  for
Federal  income tax  purposes. A  shareholder may also  be subject  to state and
local taxes on such redemptions.
 
    Each Portfolio  intends  to  declare  and pay  dividend  and  capital  gains
distributions  so as to  avoid imposition of  the Federal Excise  Tax. To do so,
each Portfolio expects to distribute an amount equal to (1) 98% of its  calendar
year  ordinary income, (2)  98% of its  capital gains net  income (the excess of
short and long-term capital gains over  short and long-term capital losses)  for
the  one-year  period ending  October 31st,  and (3)  100% of  any undistributed
ordinary or capital gain net income  from the prior year. Dividends declared  in
December  will  be  deemed  to  have  been paid  by  the  Fund  and  received by
shareholders on the  record date  provided that  the dividends  are paid  before
February 1 of the following year.
 
    The  Fund is required by Federal law  to withhold 31% of reportable payments
(which may include dividends, capital gains distributions, and redemptions) paid
to  shareholders  who  have  not  complied  with  IRS  taxpayer   identification
regulations. In order to avoid this withholding requirement, you must certify on
the  Account Registration Form or  on a separate form  supplied by the Fund that
your Social Security or Taxpayer  Identification Number provided is correct  and
that you are not currently subject to backup withholding, or that you are exempt
from backup withholding.
 
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
 
    Shareholders  may also be subject to  state and local taxes on distributions
from the Fund. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisers with  respect
to the tax status of distributions from the Fund in their state and locality.
 
                               INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
    The  investment adviser to the Sirach Portfolios, Sirach Capital Management,
Inc., is a Washington  corporation whose predecessor was  formed in 1970 and  is
located  at 3323 One Union  Square, Seattle, Washington 98101.  The Adviser is a
wholly-owned subsidiary  of United  Asset  Management Corporation  and  provides
investment  management  services  to  corporations,  pension  and profit-sharing
plans, 401(k)  and thrift  plans,  trusts, estates  and other  institutions  and
individuals.  As  of the  date of  this  Prospectus, the  Adviser had  over $5.4
billion in assets under  management. For further  information on Sirach  Capital
Management, Inc.'s investment services, please call (206) 624-3800.
 
    The  investment professionals of  the Adviser who  are primarily responsible
for the day-to-day  management of  the Sirach  Portfolios and  a description  of
their business experience during the past five years are as follows:
 
    SIRACH  STRATEGIC  BALANCED  PORTFOLIO  -- George  B.  Kauffman,  Stephen J.
Romano, and Robert L. Stephenson, Jr.;
 
    SIRACH GROWTH PORTFOLIO -- George B. Kauffman and Harvey G. Bateman; and
 
    SIRACH SPECIAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO - Harvey G. Bateman and Stefan W. Cobb.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
    SIRACH EQUITY PORTFOLIO -- Harvey G. Bateman and George B. Kauffman
 
    HARVEY G. BATEMAN, CFA, CIC -- PRINCIPAL.  Mr. Bateman joined the Adviser in
1988. He  has managed  equity funds  for  the Adviser  since 1989.  Mr.  Bateman
assumed  responsibility for managing  the Special Equity  Portfolio in 1989, the
Growth Portfolio in 1995 and Equity Portfolio in 1996.
 
    GEORGE B. KAUFFMAN, CFA, CIC -- PRINCIPAL.  Mr. Kauffman joined the  Adviser
in  1981. He has managed  balanced and growth funds  for the Adviser since 1981.
Mr. Kauffman  assumed responsibility  for managing  the Strategic  Balanced  and
Growth Portfolios in 1993, and Equity Portfolio in 1996.
 
    ROBERT L. STEPHENSON, JR., CFA, CIC -- PRINCIPAL.  Mr. Stephenson joined the
Adviser  in 1987. He has managed balanced and growth funds for the Adviser since
1987. Mr. Stephenson assumed responsibility for managing the Strategic  Balanced
Portfolio in 1993.
 
    STEPHEN J. ROMANO, CFA -- PRINCIPAL.  Mr. Romano joined the Adviser in 1991.
Prior to that, he was a Senior Investment Officer at Seattle-First National Bank
where he managed equity and fixed income portfolios for private banking clients.
Mr. Romano has managed fixed income funds for the Adviser since 1991. He assumed
responsibility  for managing the fixed income  portion of the Strategic Balanced
Portfolio in 1993.
 
    STEFAN W. COBB -- PRINCIPAL.  Mr. Cobb joined the Adviser in 1994. Prior  to
that,  he was  a Vice  President at  the investment  banking firm  of Robertson,
Stephens & Company where he was engaged in institutional sales. Mr. Cobb assumed
responsibility for managing the Special Equity Portfolio in 1994.
 
    Under Investment Advisory  Agreements (the "Advisory  Agreements") with  the
Fund,  dated as of September 27, 1989 and October 29, 1993, the Adviser, subject
to the  control  and  supervision  of  the Fund's  Board  of  Directors  and  in
conformance  with the  stated investment objectives  and policies  of the Sirach
Portfolios, manages the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the  Sirach
Portfolios.  In this regard, it  is the responsibility of  the Adviser to manage
the Fund's Sirach  Portfolios and  to place purchase  and sales  orders for  the
Sirach Portfolios.
 
    As  compensation for the services rendered by the Adviser under the Advisory
Agreements, each Sirach  Portfolio pays the  Adviser an annual  fee, in  monthly
installments,  calculated by applying  the following annual  percentage rates to
each of the Sirach Portfolio's average daily net assets for the month:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         RATE
                                                                                                      -----------
<S>                                                                                                   <C>
Sirach Strategic Balanced Portfolio.................................................................      0.650%
Sirach Growth Portfolio.............................................................................      0.650%
Sirach Special Equity Portfolio.....................................................................      0.700%
Sirach Equity Portfolio.............................................................................      0.650%
</TABLE>
 
    The Adviser has voluntarily agreed to  waive a portion of its advisory  fees
and  to assume as the Adviser's own expense operating expenses otherwise payable
by the Portfolios, if necessary,  in order to reduce  expense ratios. As of  the
date  of  this Prospectus,  the Adviser  has  agreed to  keep the  Sirach Equity
Portfolio Institutional Service  Class Shares from  exceeding 0.90%, of  average
daily  net assets. The Fund will not reimburse the Adviser for any advisory fees
that are waived or Portfolio expenses that  the Adviser may bear on behalf of  a
Portfolio.  In addition, the Adviser may compensate its affiliated companies for
referring investors to the Portfolios. The Distributor, UAM, the Adviser, or any
of their affiliates,  may, at  its own expense,  compensate a  Service Agent  or
other  person for marketing, shareholder  servicing, record-keeping and/or other
services performed with respect to the Fund, a Portfolio or any Class of  Shares
of  a Portfolio. The person making such payments  may do so out of its revenues,
its profits or any other source available to it. Such service arrangements, when
in effect, are made generally available to all qualified service providers.
 
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE
 
    Set forth  below  are  certain  performance data  provided  by  the  Adviser
relating  to the composite of  equity accounts of clients  of the Adviser. These
accounts have the same investment objective as the Sirach Equity Portfolio,  and
were  managed using  substantially similar,  though not  in all  cases identical
investment strategies  and  techniques as  those  contemplated for  use  by  the
Adviser in managing the Sirach Equity Portfolio. (See "Investment Objectives and
Policies".)  The Results  presented are not  intended to predict  or suggest the
returns to  be experienced  by the  Sirach  Equity Portfolio  or the  return  an
individual  investor might achieve by investing  in the Sirach Equity Portfolio.
Results may  differ because  of,  among other  things, difference  in  brokerage
commissions,  account expenses, including investment  advisory fees, the size of
positions taken  in relation  to account  size, diversification  of  securities,
timing  of purchases  and sales,  availability of  cash for  new investments and
private
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
character of the  accounts compared  with the  Sirach Equity  portfolio and  its
shareholders.  Investors should be aware that  the use of methods of determining
performance different from that used below could result in different performance
data.  Investors  should  not  rely  on  the  following  performance  date.  The
performance  data shown  is that  of the Adviser's  private accounts  and is not
indicative of Sirach Equity Portfolio's future performance.
 
      Total Annualized Return for Various Periods Ended December 31, 1995
                                  (Unaudited)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      INSTITUTIONAL          S&P
                                                                                     EQUITY ACCOUNTS      500 INDEX
                                                                                    ------------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>                 <C>
One-year period...................................................................          35.2%             37.5%
Five-year period..................................................................          18.5%             16.6%
Ten-year period...................................................................          16.8%             14.8%
Fourteen-year period*.............................................................          19.9%             16.3%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
*Inception of performance record
 
    1.    Sirach  Capital  Management,  Inc.  fully  adopted  the  Associate  of
       Investment Management and Research (AIMR) performance standards effective
       July  1, 1991. Results  prior to April  1, 1989 were  equal weighted. The
       rates  of  return  were  calculated  using  a  quarterly  valuation   and
       geometrically linking of returns, as follows:
       The  rate of  return for  each account was  the percentage  change in the
       market value during the quarter, calculated monthly. This included earned
       income for the quarter after allowing for the effect of any additions  or
       withdrawals that might have occurred during the quarter. The formula used
       is in accordance with the acceptable methods set forth by AIMR (beginning
       July 1, 1991). Market value of each account was the sum of each account's
       total  assets, including cash, cash equivalents, and securities valued at
       current market prices, plus accrued income. To compute the annual rate of
       return for each account, Sirach  Capital Management first determines  the
       monthly  rates, described above,  and then linked  the quarterly rates of
       return. To  compute  the rate  of  return for  more  than one  year,  the
       quarterly rates of return were linked and then annualized.
 
    2.   Equity  performance results  reflect a  blending of  95% of  the actual
       return from the equity only portion of Sirach Capital Management's Equity
       Composite with 5% of the return of the Salomon Brothers 3 Month  Treasury
       Bill  rate.  Results are  based  on the  actual  performance of  an asset
       weighted composite  of fully  discretionary, non-restricted,  unleveraged
       accounts. The composite totaled $1.519 billion as of 12/31/95.
 
    3.    The S&P  500 is  an unmanaged  index composite  of 400  industrial, 40
       financial, 40  utilities  and  20 transportation  stocks,  which  assumes
       reinvestment  of dividends and is  generally considered representative of
       U.S. large capitalization stocks.
 
                            ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
 
    Pursuant to a Fund Administration Agreement dated April 15, 1996, which  was
approved  by  the  Fund's Directors,  UAM  Fund Services,  Inc.,  a wholly-owned
subsidiary of UAM,  with its principal  office located at  211 Congress  Street,
Boston,  MA 02110, is responsible  for performing and overseeing administration,
fund accounting, dividend  disbursing and transfer  agency services provided  to
the Fund and its Portfolios. The Fund pays UAM Fund Services, Inc. a monthly fee
for  its services which on an annual basis  equals: 0.19 of 1% of the first $200
million of the aggregate  net assets of the  Fund; 0.11 of 1%  of the next  $800
million of the aggregate net assets of the Fund; 0.07 of 1% of the aggregate net
assets  in excess of $1 billion but less than  $3 billion; and 0.05 of 1% of the
aggregate assets  in excess  of $3  billion. The  fees are  allocated among  the
Portfolios  on the basis of their relative assets and are subject to a graduated
minimum fee  schedule per  Portfolio of  $1,250 per  month upon  inception of  a
Portfolio  to $70,000 after two years. If a separate class of shares is added to
a Portfolio, the minimum annual fee payable  to UAM Fund Services, Inc. by  that
Portfolio  may be increased by  up to $20,000. In  addition, each Portfolio will
pay to UAM Fund Services, Inc. a Fund-specific fee of between 0.02% to 0.06%  of
the  aggregate net assets  of a Portfolio.  The Directors of  the Fund have also
approved a Mutual Fund Service Agreement dated April 15, 1996, between UAM  Fund
Services, Inc. and Chase Global Fund Services Company, an affiliate of The Chase
Manhattan Bank, N.A. under which Chase Global Fund Services Company provides the
Fund  and its Portfolios  with certain services, including,  but not limited to,
fund accounting, transfer agency, maintenance of
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
Fund records,  preparation of  reports,  assistance in  the preparation  of  the
Fund's  registration statement and general day  to day administration of matters
related to the Fund's  corporate existence. UAM Fund  Services, Inc. pays  Chase
Global Funds Services a monthly fee for its services from the fees that UAM Fund
Services,  Inc. receives from the Fund  under its Fund Administration Agreement.
Chase Global Funds Services Company is located at 73 Tremont Street, Boston,  MA
02108-3913. Effective April 1, 1996, The Chase Manhattan Corporation, the parent
of  The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  N.A. merged  with  and  into  Chemical Banking
Corporation, the parent company of  Chemical Bank. Chemical Banking  Corporation
is the surviving corporation and will continue its existence under the name "The
Chase Manhattan Corporation".
 
                                  DISTRIBUTOR
 
    UAM  Fund Distributors,  Inc., a  wholly-owned subsidiary  of UAM,  with its
principal office located at 211  Congress Street, Boston, MA 02110,  distributes
the   shares  of  the  Fund.  Under   the  Fund's  Distribution  Agreement  (the
"Agreement"), the Distributor,  as agent  of the Fund,  agrees to  use its  best
efforts  as  sole distributor  of the  Fund's shares.  The Distributor  does not
receive any fee or other compensation  under the Agreement (except as  described
under "Service and Distribution Plans" above). The Agreement continues in effect
so long as such continuance is approved at least annually by the Fund's Board of
Directors,  including a majority of those Directors  who are not parties to such
Agreement or interested persons of any  such party. The Agreement provides  that
the  Fund  will  bear the  costs  of the  registration  of its  shares  with the
Commission and various states and  the printing of its prospectuses,  statements
of additional information and reports to shareholders.
 
                             PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
    The  Advisory  Agreements authorize  the Adviser  to  select the  brokers or
dealers that will execute the purchases  and sales of investment securities  for
each  of the Fund's  Sirach Portfolios and  directs the Adviser  to use its best
efforts to obtain  the best available  price and most  favorable execution  with
respect to all transactions for the Sirach Portfolios. The Adviser may, however,
consistent  with the interests  of the Sirach Portfolios,  select brokers on the
basis of the  research, statistical  and pricing  services they  provide to  the
Sirach  Portfolios. Information and research received  from such brokers will be
in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by the
Adviser under the Advisory Agreement. A  commission paid to such brokers may  be
higher than that which another qualified broker would have charged for effecting
the same transaction, provided that such commissions are paid in compliance with
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the Adviser determines
in  good  faith  that such  commission  is  reasonable in  terms  either  of the
transaction  or  the  overall  responsibility  of  the  Adviser  to  the  Sirach
Portfolios and the Adviser's other clients.
 
    It  is not  the Fund's  practice to  allocate brokerage  or effect principal
transactions with dealers  on the basis  of sales  of shares which  may be  made
through intermediary brokers or dealers that market shares of the Fund. However,
the  Adviser may place portfolio orders  with qualified broker-dealers who refer
clients to the Adviser.
 
    Some securities considered for investment by each of the Portfolios may also
be appropriate for other clients served by the Adviser. If a purchase or sale of
securities is consistent with the investment policies of a Portfolio and one  or
more  of these other clients served by  the Adviser is considering a purchase at
or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be allocated  among
the Portfolio and clients in a manner deemed fair and reasonable by the Adviser.
Although  there is  no specified formula  for allocating  such transactions, the
various allocation  methods  used  by  the Adviser,  and  the  results  of  such
allocations, are subject to periodic review by the Fund's Directors.
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS
 
    The  Fund  was organized  under  the name  "ICM  Fund, Inc."  as  a Maryland
corporation on October 11, 1988. On January  18, 1989, the name of the Fund  was
changed  to "The Regis Fund, Inc." On October 31, 1995, the name of the Fund was
changed to "UAM Funds, Inc." The  Fund's Articles of Incorporation, as  amended,
permit  the Directors  to issue  three billion shares  of common  stock, with an
$.001 par value. The Directors  have the power to  designate one or more  series
("Portfolios")  or  classes  of  shares  of  common  stock  and  to  classify or
reclassify any unissued shares with respect to such Portfolios, without  further
action by shareholders. Currently, the Fund is offering shares of 30 Portfolios.
The Directors of the Fund may create additional Portfolios and Classes of shares
of the Fund in the future at their discretion.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
    The  shares  of each  Portfolio and  Class of  the Fund  are fully  paid and
nonassessable, and have  no preference  as to  conversion, exchange,  dividends,
retirement  or other features and have no pre-emptive rights. The shares of each
Portfolio and  Class have  non-cumulative voting  rights, which  means that  the
holders  of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Directors can
elect 100% of the Directors if they  choose to do so. A shareholder is  entitled
to  one vote for each full share held (and a fractional vote for each fractional
share held),  then  standing  in  his  name on  the  books  of  the  Fund.  Both
Institutional  Class and Service Class Shares  represent an interest in the same
assets of a Portfolio and are identical in all respects except that the  Service
Class Shares bear certain expenses related to shareholder servicing and may bear
expenses  related to the distribution of  such shares, and have exclusive voting
rights with  respect  to matters  relating  to such  distribution  expenditures.
Information  about the  Service Class Shares  of the Portfolios,  along with the
fees and expenses  associated with  such shares,  is available  upon request  by
contacting  the Fund at 1-800-638-7983. Annual  meetings will not be held except
as required by the 1940 Act and  other applicable laws. The Fund has  undertaken
that  its Directors  will call a  meeting of  shareholders if such  a meeting is
requested in writing  by the holders  of not  less than 10%  of the  outstanding
shares  of the Fund.  To the extent  required by the  undertaking, the Fund will
assist shareholder communications in such matters.
 
CUSTODIAN
 
    The Bank of New York serves as Custodian of the Fund's assets.
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
    Price Waterhouse LLP serves as the independent accountants for the Fund  and
audits its financial statements annually.
 
REPORTS
 
    Shareholders  receive unaudited semi-annual  financial statements and annual
financial statements audited by Price Waterhouse LLP.
 
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES
 
    Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing  to the Fund at the address  on
the cover of this Prospectus or by calling 1-800-638-7983.
 
LITIGATION
 
    The Fund is not involved in any litigation.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
                             DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
    The   Officers  of  the  Fund  manage  its  day-to-day  operations  and  are
responsible to the Fund's Board of  Directors. The Directors set broad  policies
for  the Fund and choose its Officers. The  following is a list of the Directors
and Officers of the Fund  and a brief statement  of their present positions  and
principal occupations during the past five years.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
MARY RUDIE BARNEBY(*)                 Director   and  Executive  Vice  President  of  the  Fund;
1133 Avenue of the Americas           President of Regis Retirement  Plan Services, since  1993;
New York, NY 10036                    Former  President of UAM Fund Distributors, Inc.; Formerly
Age 43                                responsible for Defined  Contribution Plan  Services at  a
                                      division  of the Equitable  Companies, Dreyfus Corporation
                                      and Merrill Lynch.
 
JOHN T. BENNETT, JR.                  Director  of  the  Fund;  President  of  Squam  Investment
College Road - RFD3                   Management  Company,  Inc.  and  Great  Island  Investment
Meredith, NH 03253                    Company, Inc.;  President  of Bennett  Management  Company
Age 67                                from 1988 to 1993.
 
J. EDWARD DAY                         Director  of the  Fund; Retired Partner  in the Washington
5804 Brookside Drive                  office  of  the  law  firm  Squire,  Sanders  &   Dempsey;
Chevy Chase, MD 20815                 Director,  Medical Mutual  Liability Insurance  Society of
Age 81                                Maryland; Formerly,  Chairman  of The  Montgomery  County,
                                      Maryland, Revenue Authority.
 
PHILIP D. ENGLISH                     Director  of the  Fund; President  and 16  Chief Executive
West Madison Street                   Officer of Broventure Company, Inc.; Chairman of the Board
Baltimore, MD 21201                   of Chektec Corporation, and Cyber Scientific, Inc.
Age 47
 
WILLIAM A. HUMENUK                    Director of the Fund;  Partner in the Philadelphia  office
4000 Bell Atlantic Tower              of  the law firm Dechert  Price & Rhoads; Director, Hofler
1717 Arch Street                      Corp.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Age 54
 
NORTON H. REAMER                      Director, President and Chairman  of the Fund;  President,
One International Place               Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Director  of  United Asset
Boston, MA 02110                      Management Corporation;  Director, Partner  or Trustee  of
Age 60                                each  of the Investment Companies of the Eaton Vance Group
                                      of Mutual Funds.
 
PETER M. WHITMAN, JR.(*)              Director of  the  Fund;  President  and  Chief  Investment
One Financial Center                  Officer  of  Dewey  Square  Investors  Corporation ("DSI")
Boston, MA 02111                      since 1988; Director  and Chief Executive  Officer of  H.T
Age 52                                Investors, Inc., formerly a subsidiary of DSI.
 
WILLIAM H. PARK(*)                    Vice  President of the Fund;  Executive Vice President and
One International Place               Chief  Financial  Officer   of  United  Asset   Management
Boston, MA 02110                      Corporation.
Age 49
 
GARY L. FRENCH(*)                     Treasurer  of  the  Fund;  President  and  Chief Executive
211 Congress Street                   Officer  of  UAM  Fund   Services,  Inc.;  formerly   Vice
Boston, MA 02110                      President - Operations Development and Control of Fidelity
Age 44                                Investment  Institutional Services  from February  1995 to
                                      August 1995; Treasurer of the Fidelity Group of Funds from
                                      1991 to February 1995.
 
MICHAEL E. DEFAO(*)                   Secretary of the Fund; Vice President and General  Counsel
211 Congress Street                   to UAM Fund Services, Inc.; formerly an Associate of Ropes
Boston, MA 02110                      & Gray (a law firm) from 1993 to November 1995.
Age 28
</TABLE>
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
ROBERT R. FLAHERTY(*)                 Assistant  Treasurer of  the Fund; Senior  Manager of Fund
73 Tremont Street                     Administration and Compliance  of Sub-Administrator  since
Boston, MA 02108                      March  1995; formerly Senior Manager  of Deloitte & Touche
Age 32                                LLP from 1985 to 1995.
 
KARL O. HARTMANN(*)                   Assistant Secretary of the Fund; Senior Vice President and
73 Tremont Street                     General Counsel of Sub-Administrator; formerly Senior Vice
Boston, MA 02108                      President,  Secretary  and  General  Counsel  of   Leland,
Age 41                                O'Brien, Rubinstein Associates, Inc. from November 1990 to
                                      November 1991.
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
*These  people are deemed to be "interested persons" of the Fund as that term is
 defined in the 1940 Act.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
                                   UAM FUNDS
 
                            UAM FUNDS SERVICE CENTER
                    C/O CHASE GLOBAL FUNDS SERVICES COMPANY
                                 P.O. BOX 2798
                             BOSTON, MA 02208-2798
                                 1-800-638-7983
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
                   FEBRUARY 29, 1996 AS AMENDED JUNE 26, 1996
                               Investment Adviser
                        SIRACH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
                             3323 One Union Square
                               Seattle, WA 98101
                                 (206) 624-3800
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                  Distributor
                          UAM FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
                              211 Congress Street
                                Boston, MA 02110
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Fund Expenses.....................................          2
Prospectus Summary................................          3
Performance Calculations..........................          4
Investment Objectives.............................          4
Investment Policies...............................          5
Other Investment Policies.........................          7
Investment Limitations............................         10
Investment Suitability............................         11
Purchase of Shares................................         11
Redemption of Shares..............................         14
 
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Service and Distribution Plans....................         15
Shareholder Services..............................         16
Valuation of Shares...............................         17
Dividends, Capital Gains Distributions and
 Taxes............................................         17
Investment Adviser................................         18
Administrative Services...........................         20
Distributor.......................................         21
Portfolio Transactions............................         21
General Information...............................         21
Directors and Officers............................         23
</TABLE>
 
NO  PERSON  HAS  BEEN  AUTHORIZED  TO  GIVE  ANY  INFORMATION  OR  TO  MAKE  ANY
REPRESENTATIONS  NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, OR IN THE FUND'S STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THIS  PROSPECTUS
AND,  IF GIVEN OR MADE,  SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS  MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT  CONSTITUTE
AN  OFFERING BY  THE FUND  IN ANY  JURISDICTION IN  WHICH SUCH  OFFERING MAY NOT
LAWFULLY BE MADE.
<PAGE>




                                     PART B



                                    UAM FUNDS
                                SIRACH PORTFOLIOS
                        STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                     FEBRUARY 29, 1996 AS AMENDED JUNE 26, 1996




     This Statement is not a Prospectus but should be read in conjunction with
the Prospectus of the UAM Funds, Inc. (the "UAM Funds" or the "Fund") for the
Sirach Portfolios' Institutional Class Shares dated 1996 and the Prospectus
relating to the Sirach Strategic Balanced, Growth, Special Equity and Equity
Portfolios' Institutional Service Class Shares (the "Service Class Shares")
dated.  To obtain a Prospectus, please call the UAM Funds Service Center:




                                 1-800-638-7983


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                         PAGE
                                                                         ----
Investment Objectives and Policies....................................    2
Purchase of Shares....................................................    4
Redemption of Shares..................................................    4
Shareholder Services..................................................    5
Investment Limitation.................................................    6
Management of the Fund................................................    7
Investment Adviser....................................................    9
Service and Distribution Plans........................................   10
Portfolio Transactions................................................   12
Administrative Services...............................................   12
Performance Calculations..............................................   12
General Information...................................................   16
Financial Statements..................................................   17
Appendix-Description of Securities and Ratings........................   A-1

<PAGE>

                       INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES


     The following policies supplement the investment objectives and policies of
the Sirach Strategic Balanced, Fixed Income, Growth, Short-Term Reserves,
Special Equity and Equity Portfolios (the "Portfolios') as set forth in the
Sirach Portfolios' Prospectuses:


SECURITIES LENDING

     Each Portfolio may lend its investment securities to qualified
institutional investors who need to borrow securities in order to complete
certain transactions, such as covering short sales, avoiding failures to deliver
securities or completing arbitrage operations. By lending its investment
securities, a Portfolio attempts to increase its income through the receipt of
interest on the loan. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities
loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of
the Portfolio.  Each Portfolio may lend its investment securities to qualified
brokers, dealers, domestic and foreign banks or other financial institutions, so
long as the terms, the structure and the aggregate amount of such loans are not
inconsistent with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the "1940
Act") or the Rules and Regulations or interpretations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, (the "Commission") thereunder, which currently require that
(a) the borrower pledge and maintain with the Portfolio collateral consisting of
cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a domestic U.S. bank or
securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government having a value
at all times not less than 100% of the value of the securities loaned, (b) the
borrower add to such collateral whenever the price of the securities loaned
rises (i.e., the borrower "marks to the market" on a daily basis), (c) the loan
be made subject to termination by the Portfolio at any time, and (d) the
Portfolio receives reasonable interest on the loan (which may include the
Portfolio investing any cash collateral in interest bearing short-term
investments). All relevant facts and circumstances, including the
creditworthiness of the broker, dealer or institution, will be considered in
making decisions with respect to the lending of securities, subject to review by
the Directors.

     At the present time, the Staff of the Commission does not object if an
investment company pays reasonable negotiated fees in connection with loaned
securities so long as such fees are set forth in a written contract and approved
by the investment company's Directors.  The Portfolio will continue to retain
any voting rights with respect to the loaned securities. If a material event
occurs affecting an investment on a loan, the loan must be called and the
securities voted.

FUTURES CONTRACTS

     The Sirach Fixed Income Portfolio may enter into futures contracts,
options, and options on futures contracts for the purposes of remaining fully
invested and reducing transactions costs. Futures contracts provide for the
future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of
a specific security at a specified future time and at a specified price. Futures
contracts which are standardized as to maturity date and underlying financial
instrument are traded on national futures exchanges. Futures exchanges and
trading are regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act by the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission ("CFTC"), a U.S. Government agency.

     Although futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery or
acceptance of the underlying securities, in most cases the contracts are closed
out before the settlement date without making or taking of delivery. Closing out
an open futures position is done by taking an opposite position ("buying" a
contract which has previously been "sold" or "selling" a contract previously
"purchased") in an identical contract to terminate the position. Brokerage
commissions are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold.

     Futures traders are required to make a good faith margin deposit in cash or
government securities with a broker or custodian to initiate and maintain open
positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to assure
completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying security)
if it is not terminated prior to the specified delivery date. Minimal initial
margin requirements are established by the futures exchange and may be changed.
Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange
minimums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin that
may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.

     After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is
marked to market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that
the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of
additional "variation" margin will be required. Conversely, change in the
contract value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of
excess margin to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made to and
from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. The Fund
expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.


                                       -2-

<PAGE>


     Traders in futures contracts may be broadly classified as either "hedgers"
or "speculators". Hedgers use the futures markets primarily to offset
unfavorable changes in the value of securities otherwise held for investment
purposes or expected to be acquired by them. Speculators are less inclined to
own the securities underlying the futures contracts which they trade, and use
futures contracts with the expectation of realizing profits from a fluctuation
in interest rates. Each Portfolio intends to use futures contracts only for
hedging purposes.

     Regulations of the CFTC applicable to the Fund require that all of its
futures transactions constitute bona fide hedging transactions or that the
Fund's commodity futures and option positions be for other purposes, to the
extent that the aggregate initial margins and premiums required to establish
such non-hedging positions do not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of a
Portfolio. The Portfolio will only sell futures contracts to protect securities
it owns against price declines or purchase contracts to protect against an
increase in the price of securities it intends to purchase. As evidence of this
hedging interest, the Portfolio expects that approximately 75% of its futures
contracts purchases will be "completed"; that is, equivalent amounts of related
securities will have been purchased or are being purchased by the Portfolio upon
sale of open futures contracts.

     Although techniques other than the sale and purchase of futures contracts
could be used to control the Portfolio's exposure to market fluctuations, the
use of futures contracts may be a more effective means of hedging this exposure.
While the Portfolio will incur commission expenses in both opening and closing
out futures positions, these costs are lower than transaction costs incurred in
the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.

RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS

     The Sirach Fixed Income Portfolio will not enter into futures contract
transactions to the extent that, immediately thereafter, the sum of its initial
margin deposits on open contracts exceeds 5% of the market value of its total
assets. In addition, the Portfolio will not enter into futures contracts to the
extent that its outstanding obligations to purchase securities under these
contracts would exceed 20% of its total assets.

RISK FACTORS IN FUTURES TRANSACTIONS

     The Portfolio will minimize the risk that it will be unable to close out a
futures contract by only entering into futures which are traded on national
futures exchanges and for which there appears to be a liquid secondary market.
However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for
any particular futures contract at any specific time. Thus, it may not be
possible to close a futures position. In the event of adverse price movements,
the Sirach Fixed Income Portfolio would continue to be required to make daily
cash payments to maintain its required margin. In such situations, if the
Portfolio has insufficient cash, it may have to sell Portfolio securities to
meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do
so. In addition, the Portfolio may be required to make delivery of the
instruments underlying futures contracts it holds. The inability to close
options and futures positions also could have an adverse impact on the
Portfolio's ability to effectively hedge.

     The risk of loss in trading futures contracts in some strategies can be
substantial, due both to the low margin deposits required, and the extremely
high degree of leverage involved in futures pricing. As a result, a relatively
small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and
substantial loss (as well as gain) to the investor. For example, if at the time
of purchase, 10% of the value of the futures contract is deposited as margin, a
subsequent 10% decrease in the value of the futures contracts would result in a
total loss of the margin deposit, before any deduction for the transaction
costs, if the account were then closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a
loss equal to 150% of the original margin deposit if the contract were closed
out. Thus, a purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in excess of the
amount invested in the contract. However, because the futures strategies of the
Portfolio is engaged in only for hedging purposes, the Adviser does not believe
that the Portfolio is subject to the risks of loss frequently associated with
futures transactions. The Portfolio would presumably have sustained comparable
losses if, instead of the futures contract, it had invested in the underlying
financial instrument and sold it after the decline.

     Utilization of futures transactions by the Portfolio does involve the risk
of imperfect or no correlation where the securities underlying futures contracts
have different maturities than the Portfolio securities being hedged. It is also
possible that the Portfolio could lose money on futures contracts and also
experience a decline in value of Portfolio securities. There is also the risk of
loss by the Portfolio of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker
with whom the Portfolio has an open position in a futures contract or related
option.

     Most futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures
contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the
maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down
from the previous day's settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once
the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, no


                                       -3-

<PAGE>


trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit
governs only price movement during a particular trading day and therefore does
not limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the liquidation of
unfavorable positions. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved to the
daily limit for several consecutive trading days, with little or no trading,
thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting some
futures traders to substantial losses.

FEDERAL TAX TREATMENT OF FUTURES CONTRACTS

     Except for transactions the Portfolio has identified as hedging
transactions, the Portfolio is required for Federal income tax purposes to
recognize as income for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on
regulated futures contracts as of the end of the year as well as those actually
realized during the year. In most cases, any gain or loss recognized with
respect to a futures contract is considered to be 60% long-term capital gain or
loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss, without regard to the holding
period of the contract. Furthermore, sales of futures contracts which are
intended to hedge against a change in the value of securities held by the
Portfolio may affect the holding period of such securities and, consequently,
the nature of the gain or loss on such securities upon disposition.

     In order for the Portfolio to continue to qualify for Federal income tax
treatment as a regulated investment company, at least 90% of its gross income
for a taxable year must be derived from qualifying income: i.e., dividends,
interest, income derived from loans of securities, and gains from the sale of
securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to its
business of investing in such securities or currencies. In addition, gains
realized on the sale or other disposition of securities held for less than three
months must be limited to less than 30% of the Portfolio's annual gross income.
It is anticipated that any net gain realized from the closing out of futures
contracts will be considered a gain from the sale of securities and therefore
will be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% requirement. In order to avoid
realizing excessive gains on securities held for less than three months, the
Portfolio may be required to defer the closing out of futures contracts beyond
the time when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so. It is anticipated
that unrealized gains on futures contracts, which have been open for less than
three months as of the end of the Portfolio's fiscal year and which are
recognized for tax purposes, will not be considered gains on securities held for
less than three months for the purposes of the 30% test.

     The Sirach Fixed Income Portfolio will distribute to shareholders annually
any net capital gains which have been recognized for Federal income tax purposes
(including unrealized gains at the end of the Portfolio's fiscal year) on
futures transactions. Such distributions will be combined with distributions of
capital gains realized on the Portfolio's other investments, and shareholders
will be advised on the nature of the payments.

                               PURCHASE OF SHARES


     Both classes of shares of the Portfolios may be purchased without a sales
commission at the net asset value per share next determined after an order is
received in proper form by the Fund and payment is received by the Fund's
Custodian. The minimum initial investment required is $2,500 with certain
exceptions  as may be determined from time to time by officers of the Fund.  An
order received in proper form prior to the 4:00 p.m. close of the New York Stock
Exchange ("Exchange") will be executed at the price computed on the date of
receipt; and an order received not in proper form or after the 4:00 p.m. close
of the Exchange will be executed at the price computed on the next day the
Exchange is open after proper receipt. The Exchange will be closed on the
following days: Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, 
Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, and Memorial Day.


     Each Portfolio reserves the right in its sole discretion (1) to suspend the
offering of its shares, (2) to reject purchase orders when in the judgement of
management such rejection is in the best interest of the Fund, and (3) to reduce
or waive the minimum for initial and subsequent investment for certain fiduciary
accounts such as employee benefit plans or under circumstances where certain
economies can be achieved in sales of a Portfolio's shares.

                              REDEMPTION OF SHARES

     Each Portfolio may suspend redemption privileges or postpone the date of
payment (1) during any period that both the Exchange and custodian bank are
closed, or trading on the Exchange is restricted as determined by the
Commission, (2) during any period when an emergency exists as defined by the
rules of the Commission as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable
for a Portfolio to dispose of securities owned by it, or to fairly determine the
value of its assets, and (3) for such other periods as the Commission may
permit. The Fund has made an election with the Commission to pay in cash all
redemptions requested by any shareholder of record limited in amount during any
90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net


                                       -4-

<PAGE>


assets of the Fund at the beginning of such period. Such commitment is
irrevocable without the prior approval of the Commission. Redemptions in excess
of the above limits may be paid in whole or in part, in investment securities or
in cash, as the Directors may deem advisable; however, payment will be made
wholly in cash unless the Directors believe that economic or market conditions
exist which would make such a practice detrimental to the best interests of the
Fund. If redemptions are paid in investment securities, such securities will be
valued as set forth in the Prospectus under "Valuation of Shares" and a
redeeming shareholder would normally incur brokerage expenses if these
securities were converted to cash.

     No charge is made by the Portfolios for redemptions. Any redemption may be
more or less than the shareholder's initial cost depending on the market value
of the securities held by the Portfolios.


     SIGNATURE GUARANTEES - To protect your account, the Fund and Chase 
Global Funds Services Company (the "Transfer Agent") from fraud, signature 
guarantees are required for certain redemptions. The purpose of signature 
guarantees is to verify the identity of the person who has authorized a 
redemption from your account. Signature guarantees are required in connection 
with (1) all redemptions when the proceeds are to be paid to someone other 
than the registered owner(s) or registered address; or (2) share transfer 
requests.

     Signatures must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" as 
defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Eligible 
guarantor institutions include banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, 
national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing 
agencies and savings associations. A complete definition of eligible 
guarantor institutions is available from the Transfer Agent. Broker-dealers 
guaranteeing signatures must be a member of a clearing corporation or 
maintain net capital of at least $100,000. Credit unions must be authorized 
to issue signature guarantees. Signature guarantees will be accepted from any 
eligible guarantor institution which participates in a signature guarantee 
program.

     The signature guarantee must appear either: (1) on the written request for
redemption; (2) on a separate instrument for assignment ("stock power") which
should specify the total number of shares to be redeemed; or (3) on all stock
certificates tendered for redemption and, if shares held by the Fund are also
being redeemed, on the letter or stock power.

                              SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

     The following supplements the shareholder services information set forth in
the Portfolios' Prospectuses:

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE


     Institutional Class Shares of each Sirach Portfolio may be exchanged for
Institutional Class Shares of the other Sirach Portfolios and Service Class
Shares of each Sirach Portfolio may be exchanged for Service Class Shares of the
other Sirach Portfolios. In addition, Institutional Class Shares of each Sirach
Portfolio may be exchanged for any other Institutional Class Shares of a
Portfolio included in the UAM Funds which is comprised of the Fund and UAM Funds
Trust.  (See the list of Portfolios of the UAM Funds - Institutional Class
Shares at the end of the Sirach Portfolios - Institutional Class Shares
Prospectus.) Service Class Shares of the Sirach Strategic Balanced, Growth,
Special Equity and Equity Portfolios may be exchanged for any other Service
Class Shares of a Portfolio included in the UAM Funds which is comprised of the
Fund and UAM Funds Trust.  (For those Portfolios currently offering Service
Class Shares, please call the UAM Funds Service Center.) Exchange requests
should be made by calling the Fund (1-800-638-7983) or by writing to UAM Funds,
UAM Funds Service Center, c/o Chase Global Funds Services Company, P.O. Box
2798, Boston, MA 02208-2798. The exchange privilege is only available with
respect to Portfolios that are registered for sale in a shareholder's state of
residence.



     Any such exchange will be based on the respective net asset values of the
shares involved. There is no sales commission or charge of any kind. Before
making an exchange into a Portfolio, a shareholder should read its Prospectus
and consider the investment objectives of the Portfolio to be purchased. You may
obtain a Prospectus for the Portfolio(s) you are interested in by calling the
UAM Funds Service Center at 1-800-638-7983.


     Exchange requests may be made either by mail or telephone. Telephone
exchanges will be accepted only if the certificates for the shares to be
exchanged are held by the Fund for the account of the shareholder, and the
registration of the two accounts will be identical. Requests for exchanges
received prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) will be processed as of the close of
business on the same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. will be processed on
the next business day. Neither the Fund nor the Administrator will be
responsible for the authenticity of the exchange instructions received by
telephone. Exchanges may also be subject to limitations as to amounts or
frequency and to other restrictions established by the Fund's Board of Directors
to assure that such exchanges do not disadvantage the Fund and its shareholders.



                                       -5-

<PAGE>


     For Federal income tax purposes an exchange between Funds is a taxable
event, and, accordingly, a capital gain or loss may be realized. In a revenue
ruling relating to circumstances similar to the Fund's, an exchange between
series of a Fund was also deemed to be a taxable event. It is likely, therefore,
that a capital gain or loss would be realized on an exchange between Portfolios.
You may want to consult your tax adviser for further information in this regard.
The exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time.

TRANSFER OF SHARES

     Shareholders may transfer shares  to another person by making a written
request to the Fund. The request should clearly identify the account and number
of shares to be transferred, and include the signature of all registered owners
and all stock certificates, if any, which are subject to the transfer. The
signature on the letter of request, the stock certificate or any stock power
must be guaranteed in the same manner as described under "Redemption of Shares".
As in the case of redemptions, the written request must be received in good
order before any transfer can be made.

                             INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS


     The following limitations supplement those set forth in the Prospectuses.
Whenever an investment limitation sets forth a percentage limitation on
investment or utilization of assets, such limitation shall be determined
immediately after and as a result of  a Portfolio's acquisition of such security
or other asset. Accordingly, any later increase or decrease resulting from a
change in values, net assets or other circumstances will not be considered when
determining whether the investment complies with the Portfolio's investment
limitations.


     Each Portfolio is subject to the following limitations which are
fundamental policies and may not be changed without the approval of the lesser
of: (1) at least 67% of the voting securities of a Portfolio present at a
meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of
a Portfolio are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the
outstanding voting securities of a Portfolio. Each Portfolio will not:

     (1)  invest in physical commodities or contracts on physical commodities;

     (2)  purchase or sell real estate or real estate limited partnerships,
          although it may purchase or sell securities of companies which deal in
          real estate and may purchase and sell securities which are secured by
          interests in real estate;

     (3)  with respect to 75% of its assets, purchase more than 10% of any class
          of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer;

     (4)  with respect to 75% of its assets, invest more than 5% of its total
          assets at the time of purchase in securities of any single issuer
          (other than obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and
          interest by the government of the U.S. or any agency or
          instrumentality thereof);

     (5)  borrow money, except (i) from banks and as a temporary measure for
          extraordinary or emergency purposes or (ii) except in connection with
          reverse repurchase agreements provided that (i) and (ii) in
          combination do not exceed 331/3% of the Portfolios' total assets (10%
          for the Sirach Special Equity Portfolio) (including the amount
          borrowed) less liabilities (exclusive of borrowings);

     (6)  acquire any securities of companies within one industry if, as a
          result of such acquisition, more than 25% of the value of a
          Portfolio's total assets would be invested in securities of companies
          within such industry; provided, however, that there shall be no
          limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the
          U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or instruments
          issued by U.S. banks when a Portfolio adopts a temporary defensive
          position;

     (7)  make loans except (i) by purchasing debt securities in accordance with
          its investment objectives and policies, or entering into repurchase
          agreements, subject to the limitation described in (d) below and
          (ii) by lending its portfolio securities to banks, brokers, dealers
          and other financial institutions so long as such loans are not
          inconsistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations or
          interpretations of the Commission thereunder; and

     (8)  underwrite the securities of other issuers.


                                       -6-

<PAGE>



     The following limitations are fundamental policies of the Sirach Special
Equity Portfolio and non-fundamental policies of the Sirach Strategic Balanced,
Sirach Growth, Sirach Fixed Income, Sirach Short-Term Reserves and Equity
Portfolios. Each of the Portfolios will not:


     (a)  purchase on margin or sell short;


     (b)  purchase or retain securities of an issuer if those officers and
          Directors of the Fund or its investment advisor owning more than 1/2
          of 1% of such securities together own more than 5% of such securities;



     (c)  pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate any of its assets to an extent
          greater than 10% of its total assets at fair market value;


     (d)  invest more than an aggregate of 10% of the net assets of the
          Portfolio (15% for the Sirach Strategic Balanced, Sirach Growth,
          Sirach Fixed Income,  Sirach Short-Term Reserves and Equity
          Portfolios), determined at the time of investment, in securities
          subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or securities
          for which there are no readily available markets, including repurchase
          agreements having maturities of more than seven days;


     (e)  invest for the purpose of exercising control over management of any
          company;

     (f)  invest more than 5% of its assets at the time of purchase in the
          securities of companies that have (with predecessors) continuous
          operations consisting of less than three years; and

     (g)  write or acquire options or interests in oil, gas, mineral leases or
          other mineral exploration or development programs.  As a matter of
          non-fundamental policy, each Portfolio will not:

As a matter of non-fundamental policy, each Portfolio will not:

     (a)  invest in warrants, valued at the lower of cost or market, in excess
          of 5.0% of the value of the Portfolio's net assets. Included within
          that amount, but not to exceed 2.0% of the value of the Portfolio's
          net assets, may be warrants that are not listed on the New York or
          American Stock Exchanges.  Warrants acquired in units or attached to
          securities may be deemed to be without value.


                             MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS


     The Fund's officers, under the supervision of the Board of Directors,
manage the day-to-day operations of the Fund. The Directors set broad policies
for the Fund and choose its officers. A list of the Directors and officers of
the Fund and a brief statement of their present positions and principal
occupations during the past 5 years is set forth in the Portfolios'
Prospectuses. As of January 31, 1996, the Directors and officers of the Fund
owned less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding shares.


REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     The Fund pays each Director, who is not also an officer or affiliated
person, a $150 quarterly retainer fee per active Portfolio which currently
amounts to $4,500 per quarter. In addition, each unaffiliated Director receives
a $2,000 meeting fee which is aggregated for all of the Directors and allocated
proportionately among the Portfolios of the Fund and UAM Funds Trust as well as
the AEW Commercial Mortgage Securities Fund, Inc. and reimbursement for travel
and other expenses incurred while attending Board meetings.  Directors who are
also officers or affiliated persons receive no remuneration for their service as
Directors.  The Fund's officers and employees are paid by either the Adviser,
United Asset Management Corporation ("UAM"), or Chase Global Funds Services
Company and receive no compensation from the Fund.  The following table shows
aggregate compensation paid to each of the Fund's unaffiliated Directors by the
Fund and total compensation paid by the Fund, UAM Funds Trust and AEW Commercial
Mortgage Securities Fund, Inc. (collectively the "Fund Complex") in the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1995.


                                       -7-

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       (1)                        (2)                       (3)                      (4)                     (5)

                                                         Pension or                                  Total Compensation
                               Aggregate             Retirement Benefits      Estimated Annual       From Registrant and
  Name of Person,            Compensation             Accrued as Part of        Benefits Upon        Fund Complex Paid
    Position                From Registrant             Fund Expenses             Retirement            to Directors

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                      <C>                      <C>                    <C>
John T. Bennett, Jr.
Director                         $24,435                      0                        0                    $26,750

J. Edward Day
Director                         $24,435                      0                        0                    $26,750

Philip D. English
Director                         $24,435                      0                        0                    $26,750

William A. Humenuk
Director                         $24,435                      0                        0                    $26,750

</TABLE>


PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

     As of January 31, 1996, the following persons or organizations held of
record or beneficially 5% or more of the shares of a Portfolio, as noted.


     SIRACH STRATEGIC BALANCED PORTFOLIO INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES:  Skagit
Valley Medical 401(k) Savings Plan, 1400 E. Kincaid Street, Mt. Vernon, WA, 7%;
South Bay Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees Pension Plan, c/o United
Administrative Services, P.O. Box 5057, San Jose, CA, 6%; Alaska Bricklayers
Retirement Plan, 407 Denali Street, Anchorage, AK, 5%; First Interstate Bank of
Washington, N.A., Trustee, Brunswick Fishing Boats Div. Profit Sharing Plan,
P.O. Box 21927, Seattle, WA, 5%*; Hartnat & Co., VECO, P.O. Box 4044, Boston,
MA, 5%*.

     SIRACH FIXED INCOME PORTFOLIO INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES:  Seattle First
National Bank, Custodian Conner Development, P.O. Box 3577, Terminal Annex, Los
Angeles, CA, 20%*; Hartnat & Co., VECO, P.O. Box 4044, Boston, MA, 15%*; Davis
Wright Tremaine 401(k), Profit Sharing Plan & Trust, 1501 4th Avenue, Suite
2600, Seattle, WA, 10%; The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. Custodian for the
Rollover IRA of Robert D. Duggan, 2900 One Union Square, Seattle, WA, 9%; Mithun
Partners, Inc., Retirement Plan, 414 Olive Way, Suite 500, Seattle, WA, 7%;
Orthopedics International Limited, Profit Sharing & Savings Plan, FBO Robert L.
Romano, M.D., 1645 73rd Avenue Northeast, Medina, WA, 6%; James G. Murphy Co.,
Profit Sharing Plan, 530 Bell Street, Suite 1000, Edmonds, WA, 5%; Dr. Donald H.
Mott, Money Purchase Pension Plan, 702 23rd Avenue, SE, Puyallup, WA, 5%.

     SIRACH GROWTH PORTFOLIO INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES:  Seattle First National
Bank, Trustee for Tractor and Machinery 401(k) Savings Plan, P.O. Box 3577,
Terminal Annex, Los Angeles, CA, 9%*; Park Investment Co., 500 Fifth Avenue, New
York, NY, 7%; Hartnat & Co., VECO, P.O. Box 4044, Boston, MA, 7%*; Davis Wright
Tremaine 401(k), Profit Sharing Plan & Trust, 1501 4th Avenue, Suite 2600,
Seattle, WA, 6%; U.S. Bank of Washington Trustee for King Count Medical Blue
Shield 401(k), c/o U.S. Bank of Oregon, P.O. Box 3168, Portland, OR, 6%*; H.D.
Bader & Co., No. S, c/o Foley & Lardner, 777 East Wisconsin Avenue, #3500,
Milwaukee, WI, 5%; So. Alaska Carpenters Defined Contribution Pension Plan,
Anchorage, AK, 5% and H.D. Bader & Co., No. E, c/o Foley & Lardner, 777 East
Wisconsin Avenue, #3500, Milwaukee, WI, 5%.

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

*    Denotes shares held by a trustee or other fiduciary for which beneficial
     ownership is disclaimed or presumed disclaimed.


                                       -8-

<PAGE>

     SIRACH SHORT-TERM RESERVES PORTFOLIO INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES:  So.
Alaska Carpenters Defined Contribution Pension Plan, P.O. Box 241266, Anchorage,
AK, 43%; Wendel & Co., c/o The Bank of New York, P.O. Box 1066, Wall Street
Station, New York, NY, 18%; Hartnat & Co., Trustee, VECO, P.O. Box 4044, Boston,
MA, 16%; U.S. Bank of Washington, Trustee, King County Medical Blue Shield
401(k), c/o U.S. Bank of Oregon, P.O. Box 3168, Portland, OR, 5%* and Seattle
First National Bank, Trustee, North Coast Electric, P.O. Box 3577, Terminal
Annex, Los Angeles, CA, 5%*.

     SIRACH SPECIAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES:  The Chase
Manhattan Bank, Trustee, Boeing Co. Voluntary Invest Plan, 3 Chase Metrotech
Center, 6th floor, Brooklyn, NY, 7%*.

     The persons or organizations listed above as owning 25% or more of the
outstanding shares of a Portfolio may be presumed to "control" (as that term is
defined in the 1940 Act) such Portfolio. As a result, those persons or
organizations could have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of the
Portfolio on any matter requiring the approval of shareholders of such
Portfolio.

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

*    Denotes shares held by a trustee or other fiduciary for which beneficial
     ownership is disclaimed or presumed disclaimed.

                               INVESTMENT ADVISER

CONTROL OF ADVISER

     Sirach Capital Management, Inc. (the "Adviser") is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of UAM, a holding company incorporated in Delaware in December 1980
for the purpose of acquiring and owning firms engaged primarily in institutional
investment management. Since its first acquisition in August 1983, UAM has
acquired or organized approximately 45 such wholly-owned affiliated firms (the
"UAM Affiliated Firms"). UAM believes that permitting UAM Affiliated Firms to
retain control over their investment advisory decisions is necessary to allow
them to continue to provide investment management services that are intended to
meet the particular needs of their respective clients. Accordingly, after
acquisition by UAM, UAM Affiliated Firms continue to operate under their own
firm name, with their own leadership and individual investment philosophy and
approach. Each UAM Affiliated Firm manages its own business independently on a
day-to-day basis. Investment strategies employed and securities selected by UAM
Affiliated Firms are separately chosen by each of them.


PHILOSOPHY AND STYLE

     The Adviser specializes in identifying and investing in growth-oriented
securities which have demonstrated strong earnings acceleration and what the
Adviser judges to be strong relative price strength and value.  The Adviser
emphasizes disciplined security selection in all asset classes.  As equity
analysts, the Adviser monitors a large list of companies which have passed an
initial screening process.  The Adviser's investment objective is to identify
the point at which a good company is becoming a good investment, purchase the
stock at a fair value, and then to identify when that good investment period is
coming to an end.  To achieve the objective of identifying good investments, the
Adviser uses a disciplined equity selection process that is built on a number of
buying tests.  To identify when a good investment period is changing, the
Adviser uses disciplined selling tests.  Capital protection is an integral part
of the Adviser's investment management objective.

     In managing fixed income portfolios, the Adviser regularly assesses
monetary policy, inflation expectations, economic trends and capital market
flows and then establishes a duration target and maturity structure.  Sector
weightings are determined by business cycle analysis, relative valuation and
expected interest rate volatility.  The Adviser also screens for mispriced
securities emphasizing both incremental yield and potential price performance.
Before any security is purchased, a thorough credit and fundamental analysis is
done.

REPRESENTATIVE INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS

     As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the Adviser's
representative institutional clients included:  Boeing, Honda of America, Nestle
and United Technologies.

     In compiling this client list, the Adviser used objective criteria such as
account size, geographic location and client classification.  The Adviser did
not use any performance based criteria.  It is not known whether these clients
approve or disapprove of the Adviser or the advisory services provided.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>

ADVISORY FEES

     As compensation for services rendered by the Adviser under the Portfolios'
Investment Advisory Agreements, each Portfolio pays the Adviser an annual fee,
in monthly installments, calculated by applying the following annual percentage
rates to the Portfolios' average daily net assets for the month:

Sirach Strategic Balanced Portfolio..................................   0.65%
Sirach Fixed Income Portfolio........................................   0.65%
Sirach Growth Portfolio..............................................   0.65%
Sirach Short-Term Reserves Portfolio.................................   0.40%
Sirach Special Equity Portfolio......................................   0.70%
Sirach Equity Portfolio..............................................   0.65%


     For the years ended October 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, the Sirach Special
Equity Portfolio paid advisory fees of approximately $3,166,000, $3,501,000 and
$3,571,000, respectively, to the Adviser. For the period from December 1, 1993
(commencement of operations) to October 31, 1994 and for the year ended October
31, 1995, the Sirach Strategic Balanced, Sirach Fixed Income, Sirach Growth and
Sirach Short-Term Reserves Portfolios paid advisory fees of approximately
$584,000 and $617,000, $0 and $6,000, $502,000 and $595,000, and $5,000 and
$11,000, respectively. During the period from December 1, 1993 to October 31,
1994 and for the year ended October 31, 1995, the Adviser voluntarily waived
advisory fees of approximately $77,000 and $82,000, and $78,000 and $76,000 for
the Sirach Fixed Income and Sirach Short-Term Reserves Portfolios, respectively.
As of the date of this Statement, Sirach Equity Portfolio has not commenced
operations.


                       SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION PLANS

     As stated in the Portfolios' Service Class Shares Prospectus, UAM Fund
Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") may enter into agreements with broker-
dealers and other financial institutions ("Service Agents"), pursuant to which
they will provide administrative support services to Service Class shareholders
who are their customers ("Customers") in consideration of the Fund's payment of
0.25 of 1% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net asset value of the
Service Class Shares held by the Service Agent for the benefit of its Customers.
Such services include:

     (a)  acting as the sole shareholder of record and nominee for beneficial
          owners;

     (b)  maintaining account record for such beneficial owners of the Fund's
          shares;

     (c)  opening and closing accounts;

     (d)  answering questions and handling correspondence from shareholders
          about their accounts;

     (e)  processing shareholder orders to purchase, redeem and exchange shares;

     (f)  handling the transmission of funds representing the purchase price or
          redemption proceeds;

     (g)  issuing confirmations for transactions in the Fund's shares by
          shareholders;

     (h)  distributing current copies of prospectuses, statements of additional
          information and shareholder reports;

     (i)  assisting customers in completing application forms, selecting
          dividend and other account options and opening any necessary custody
          accounts;

     (j)  providing account maintenance and accounting support for all
          transactions; and

     (k)  performing such additional shareholder services as may be agreed upon
          by the Fund and the Service Agent, provided that any such additional
          shareholder service must constitute a permissible non-banking activity
          in accordance with the then current regulations of, and
          interpretations thereof by, the Board of Governors of the Federal
          Reserve System, if applicable.


                                      -10-

<PAGE>

     Each agreement with a Service Agent is governed by a Shareholder Service
Plan (the "Service Plan") that has been adopted by the Fund's Board of
Directors.  Pursuant to the Service Plan, the Board of Directors reviews, at
least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended under each agreement
with Service Agents and the purposes for which the expenditures were made.  In
addition, arrangements with Service Agents must be approved annually by a
majority of the Fund's Directors, including a majority of the Directors who are
not "interested persons" of the company as defined in the 1940 Act and have no
direct or indirect financial interest in such arrangements.

     The Board of Directors has approved the arrangements with Service Agents
based on information provided by the Fund's service contractors that there is a
reasonable likelihood that the arrangements will benefit the Fund and its
shareholders by affording the Fund greater flexibility in connection with the
servicing of the accounts of the beneficial owners of its shares in an efficient
manner.  Any material amendment to the Fund's arrangements with Service Agents
must be approved by a majority of the Fund's Board of Directors (including a
majority of the disinterested Directors).  So long as the arrangements with
Service Agents are in effect, the selection and nomination of the members of the
Fund's Board of Directors who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the
1940 Act) of the Company will be committed to the discretion of such non-
interested Directors.

     Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted a
Distribution Plan for the Service Class Shares of the Fund (the "Distribution
Plan").  The Distribution Plan permits the Fund to pay for certain distribution,
promotional and related expenses involved in the marketing of only the Service
Class Shares.

     The Distribution Plan permits the Service Class Shares, pursuant to the
Distribution Agreement, to pay a monthly fee to the Distributor for its services
and expenses in distributing and promoting sales of the Service Class Shares.
These expenses include, among other things, preparing and distributing
advertisements, sales literature and prospectuses and reports used for sales
purposes, compensating sales and marketing personnel, and paying distribution
and maintenance fees to securities brokers and dealers who enter into agreements
with the Distributor.  In addition, the Service Class Shares may make payments
directly to other unaffiliated parties, who either aid in the distribution of
their shares or provide services to the Class.

     The maximum annual aggregate fee payable by the Fund under the Service and
Distribution Plans (the "Plans"), is 0.75% of the Service Class Shares' average
daily net assets for the year.  The Fund's Board of Directors may reduce this
amount at any time.  Although the maximum fee payable under the 12b-1 Plan
relating to the Service Class Shares is 0.75% of average daily net assets of
such Class, the Board of Directors has determined that the annual fee, payable
on a monthly basis, under the Plans relating to the Service Class Shares,
currently cannot exceed 0.50% of the average daily net assets represented the
Service Class.  While the current fee which will be payable under the Service
Plan has been set at 0.25%, the Plan permits a full 0.75% on all assets to be
paid at any time following appropriate Board approval.

     All of the distribution expenses incurred by the Distributor and others,
such as broker/dealers, in excess of the amount paid by the Service Class Shares
will be borne by such persons without any reimbursement from such classes.
Subject to seeking best price and execution, the Fund may, from time to time,
buy or sell portfolio securities from or to firms which receive payments under
the Plans.  From time to time, the Distributor may pay additional amounts from
its own resources to dealers for aid in distribution or for aid in providing
administrative services to shareholders.

     The Plans, the Distribution Agreement and the form of dealer's and services
agreements have all been approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund,
including a majority of the Directors who are not "interested persons" (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund and who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the Plans or any related agreements, by vote cast in
person at a meeting duly called for the purpose of voting on the Plans and such
Agreements.  Continuation of the Plans, the Distribution Agreement and the
related agreements must be approved annually by the Board of Directors in the
same manner, as specified above.  The Sirach Portfolios Service Class Shares
have not been offered prior to the date of this Statement.

     Each year the Directors must determine whether continuation of the Plans is
in the best interest of the shareholders of Service Class Shares and that there
is a reasonable likelihood of the Plans providing a benefit to the Class.  The
Plans, the Distribution Agreement and the related agreements with any broker-
dealer or others relating to a Class may be terminated at any time without
penalty by a majority of those Directors who are not "interested persons" or by
a majority vote of the outstanding voting securities of the Class.  Any
amendment materially increasing the maximum percentage payable under the Plans
must likewise be approved by a majority vote of the relevant Class' outstanding
voting securities, as well as by a majority vote of those Directors who are not
"interested persons."  Also, any other material amendment to the Plans must be
approved by a majority vote of the Directors including a majority of the
Directors of the Fund having no interest in the Plans.  In addition, in order
for the Plans to remain effective, the selection and nomination of Directors who
are not "interested persons" of the Fund must be effected by the Directors who
themselves are not "interested persons" and who have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the Plans.  Persons


                                      -11-

<PAGE>

authorized to make payments under the Plans must provide written reports at
least quarterly to the Board of Directors for their review.  The NASD has
adopted amendments to its Rules of Fair Practice relating to investment company
sales charges.  The Fund and the Distributor intend to operate in compliance
with these rules.

                             PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

     The Investment Advisory Agreements authorize the Adviser to select the
brokers or dealers that will execute the purchases and sales of investment
securities for the Portfolios and direct the Adviser to use its best efforts to
obtain the best execution with respect to all transactions for the Portfolios.
In doing so, a Portfolio may pay higher commission rates than the lowest rate
available when the Adviser believes it is reasonable to do so in light of the
value of the research, statistical, and pricing services provided by the broker
effecting the transaction. It is not the Fund's practice to allocate brokerage
or effect principal transactions with dealers on the basis of sales of shares
which may be made through broker-dealer firms. However, the Adviser may place
portfolio orders with qualified broker-dealers who recommend the Fund's
Portfolios or who act as agents in the purchase of shares of the Portfolios for
their clients. During the fiscal years ended, October 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995,
the entire Fund paid brokerage commissions of approximately $1,592,000,
$2,402,000 and $2,983,000, respectively.

     Some securities considered for investment by the Portfolios may also be
appropriate for other clients served by the Adviser. If purchases or sales of
securities consistent with the investment policies of the Portfolios and one or
more of these other clients served by the Adviser is considered at or about the
same time, transactions in such securities will be allocated among the
Portfolios and clients in a manner deemed fair and reasonable by the Adviser.
Although there is no specified formula for allocating such transactions, the
various allocation methods used by the Adviser, and the results of such
allocations, are subject to periodic review by the Fund's Directors.

                             ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

     As stated in each Prospectus, the Board of Directors of the Fund 
approved a new Fund Administration Agreement between UAM Fund Services, Inc., 
a wholly owned subsidiary of UAM, and the Fund.  The Fund's Directors also 
approved a Mutual Fund Services Agreement between UAM Fund Services, Inc. and 
Chase Global Funds Services Company.  The services provided by UAM Fund 
Services, Inc. and Chase Global Funds Services Company and the basis of the 
fees payable by the Fund under the Fund Administration Agreement are 
described in the Portfolios' Prospectus. Prior to April 15, 1996, Chase Global 
Funds Services Company or its predecessor, Mutual Funds Service Company, 
provided certain administrative services to the Fund under an Administration 
Agreement between the Fund and U.S. Trust Company of New York.  During the 
fiscal year ended October 31, 1993, administrative services fees paid by the 
Sirach Special Equity Portfolio totaled approximately $559,000. The basis of 
the fees paid to Chase Global Fund Services Company's predecessor for the 
1993 fiscal year was as follows: the Fund paid a monthly fee for its services 
which on an annualized basis equaled 0.16 of 1% of the first $200 million of 
the aggregate net assets of the Fund; plus 0.12 of 1% of the next $800 
million of the aggregate net assets of the Fund; plus 0.06 of 1% of the 
aggregate net assets in excess of $1 billion. The fees were allocated among 
the Portfolios on the basis of their relative assets and were subject to a 
graduated minimum fee schedule per Portfolio, which rose from $1,000 per 
month upon inception of a Portfolio to $50,000 annually after two years. 
During the fiscal years ended October 31, 1994 and October 31, 1995, 
administrative services fees paid by the Sirach Special Equity Portfolio 
totaled approximately $586,000 and $605,000, respectively. During the period 
from December 1, 1993 to October 31, 1994 and during the fiscal year ended 
October 31, 1995, administrative services fees paid by the Sirach Strategic 
Balanced, Sirach Fixed Income, Sirach Growth and Sirach Short-Term Reserves 
Portfolios totaled approximately $116,000 and $120,000, $27,000 and $60,000, 
$95,000 and $111,000, and $29,000 and $57,000, respectively.  For the Fund's 
fiscal years 1994 and 1995, the Fund paid Chase Global Funds Services 
Company, or its predecessor, Mutual Funds Services Company, a monthly fee for 
its services which on an annualized basis equaled 0.20 of 1% of the first 
$200 million of the aggregate net assets of the Fund;  0.12 of 1% of the next 
$800 million of the aggregate net assets of the Fund;  0.08 of 1% of the 
aggregate net assets in excess of $1 billion but less than $3 billion;  and 
0.06 of 1% of the aggregate net asset in excess of $3 billion the fees were 
allocated among the Portfolios on the basis of their relative assets and were 
subject to a graduated minimum fee schedule per Portfolio, which were from 
$2,000 per month upon inception of a Portfolio to $70,000 annually after two 
years.


                            PERFORMANCE CALCULATIONS

PERFORMANCE

     The Fund may from time to time quote various performance figures to
illustrate past performance of each class of the Fund's Portfolios.


                                      -12-

<PAGE>

     Performance quotations by investment companies are subject to rules adopted
by the Commission, which require the use of standardized performance quotations
or, alternatively, that every non-standardized performance quotation furnished
by each class of the Fund be accompanied by certain standardized performance
information computed as required by the Commission. Total return quotations used
by each class of the Fund are based on the standardized methods of computing
performance mandated by the Commission. An explanation of those and other
methods used by each class of the Fund to compute or express performance
follows.

TOTAL RETURN

     The average annual total return is determined by finding the average annual
compounded rates of return over 1, 5, and 10 year periods that would equate an
initial hypothetical $1,000 investment to its ending redeemable value. The
calculation assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested when
paid. The quotation assumes the amount was completely redeemed at the end of
each 1, 5 and 10 year period and the deduction of all applicable Fund expenses
on an annual basis. Since Service Class Shares of the Sirach Strategic Balanced,
Growth and Special Equity Portfolios bear additional service and distribution
expenses, the average annual total return of the Service Class Shares of a
Portfolio will generally be lower than that of the Institutional Class Shares of
the same Portfolio.

     The average annual total rates of return of the Institutional Class Shares
of the Sirach Special Equity Portfolio from inception and for the one and five
year periods ended on the date of the Financial Statements included herein and
the average annual total rates of return of the Institutional Class Shares of
the Sirach Fixed Income, Sirach Growth, Sirach Short-Term Reserves and Sirach
Strategic Balanced Portfolios from inception and for the one year period ended
on the date of the Financial Statements included herein are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              SINCE INCEPTION
                                                                                THROUGH YEAR
                                       ONE YEAR ENDED     FIVE YEARS ENDED          ENDED            INCEPTION
                                      OCTOBER 31, 1995    OCTOBER 31, 1995    OCTOBER 31, 1995         DATE
                                      ----------------    ----------------    ----------------       ---------
<S>                                   <C>                 <C>                 <C>                    <C>
Sirach Special Equity Portfolio             25.31%              22.75%              15.73%            10/2/89
Sirach Fixed Income Portfolio               14.75%                  --               5.00%            12/1/93
Sirach Growth Portfolio                     19.33%                  --               8.18%            12/1/93
Sirach Short-Term Reserves Portfolio         5.83%                  --               4.73%            12/1/93
Sirach Strategic Balanced Portfolio         19.10%                  --               7.14%            12/1/93
</TABLE>


     These figures are calculated according to the following formula:


     P (1 + T) TO THE POWER OF n = ERV
where:

     P    =    a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
     T    =    average annual total return
     n    =    number of years
   ERV    =    ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at
               the beginning of the 1, 5, or 10 year periods at the end of the
               1, 5, or 10 year periods (or fractional portion thereof).


     Service Class Shares of the Sirach Strategic Balanced, Growth and Special
Equity Portfolios were not offered as of October 31, 1995.  Accordingly, no
total return figures are available.





COMPARISONS

     To help investors better evaluate how an investment in a Portfolio of the
Fund might satisfy their investment objective, advertisements regarding the Fund
may discuss various measures of Fund performance as reported by various
financial publications. Advertisements may also compare performance (as
calculated above) to performance as reported by other investments, indices and
averages. The following publications, indices and averages may be used:


                                      -13-

<PAGE>

     (a)       Dow Jones Composite Average or its component averages - an
               unmanaged index composed of 30 blue-chip industrial corporation
               stocks (Dow Jones Industrial Average), 15 utilities company
               stocks and 20 transportation stocks. Comparisons of performance
               assume reinvestment of dividends.

     (b)       Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index or its component indices - an
               unmanaged index composed of 400 industrial stocks, 40 financial
               stocks, 40 utilities stocks and 20 transportation stocks.
               Comparisons of performance assume reinvestment of dividend.

     (c)       S&P Midcap 400 Index - consists of 400 domestic stocks chosen for
               market size (medium market capitalization of $993 million as of
               February 1995), liquidity and industry group representation. It
               is a market-weighted index with each stock affecting the index in
               proportion to its market value.

     (d)       The New York Stock Exchange composite or component indices -
               unmanaged indices of all industrial, utilities, transportation
               and finance stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange.


     (e)       Wilshire 5000 Equity Index or its component indices - represents
               the return on the market value of all common equity securities
               for which daily pricing is available. Comparisons of performance
               assume reinvestment of dividends.


     (f)       Lipper - Mutual Fund Performance Analysis and Lipper - Fixed
               Income Fund Performance Analysis - measures total return and
               average current yield for the mutual fund industry. Rank
               individual mutual fund performance over specified time periods,
               assuming reinvestment of all distributions, exclusive of any
               applicable sales charges.
     (g)       Morgan Stanley Capital International EAFE Index and World Index -
               respectively, arithmetic, market value-weighted averages of the
               performance of over 900 securities listed on the stock exchanges
               of countries in Europe, Australia and the Far East, and over
               1,400 securities listed on the stock exchanges of these
               continents, including North America.


     (h)       Goldman Sachs 100 Convertible Bond Index - currently includes 67
               bonds and 33 preferred. The original list of names was generated
               by screening for convertible issues of 100 million or greater in
               market capitalization. The index is priced monthly.


     (i)       Salomon Brothers GNMA Index - includes pools of mortgages
               originated by private lenders and guaranteed by the mortgage
               pools of the Government National Mortgage Association.


     (j)       Salomon Brothers High Grade Corporate Bond Index - consists of
               publicly issued, non-convertible corporate bonds rated AA or AAA.
               It is a value-weighted, total return index, including
               approximately 800 issues with maturities of 12 years or greater.


     (k)       Salomon Brothers Broad Investment Grade Bond - is a
               market-weighted index that contains approximately 4,700
               individually priced investment grade corporate bonds rated BBB or
               better, U.S. Treasury/agency issues and mortgage passthrough
               securities.

     (l)       Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Index - is an unmanaged
               index composed of a combination of the Government and Corporate
               Bond Indices. The Government Index includes public obligations of
               the U.S. Treasury, issues of Government agencies, and corporate
               debt backed by the U.S. Government. The Corporate Bond Index
               includes fixed-rate nonconvertible corporate debt. Also included
               are Yankee Bonds and nonconvertible debt issued by or guaranteed
               by foreign or international governments and agencies. All issues
               are investment grade (BBB) or higher, with maturities of at least
               one year and outstanding par value of at least $100 million for
               U.S. Government issues and $25 million for others. Any security
               downgraded during the month is held in the index until month-end
               and then removed. All returns are market value weighted inclusive
               of accrued income

     (m)       Lehman Brothers LONG-TERM Treasury Bond - is composed of all
               bonds covered by the Lehman Brothers Treasury Bond Index with
               maturities of 10 years or greater.


                                      -14-

<PAGE>


     (n)       Lehman Brothers Intermediate Government/Corporate Index - is an
               unmanaged index composed of a combination of the Government and
               Corporate Bond Indices. All issues are investment grade (BBB) or
               higher, with maturities of one to ten years and an outstanding
               par value of at least $100 million for U.S. Government issues and
               $25 million for others. The Government Index includes public
               obligations of the U.S. Treasury, issues of Government agencies,
               and corporate debt backed by the U.S. Government. The Corporate
               Bond Index includes fixed-rate nonconvertible corporate debt.
               Also included are Yankee Bonds and nonconvertible debt issued by
               or guaranteed by foreign or international governments and
               agencies. Any security downgraded during the month is held in the
               index until month-end and then removed. All returns are market
               value weighted inclusive of accrued income.

     (o)       Salomon Brothers 3-Month Treasury Bill Index - is a return
               equivalent of yield averages of the last three 3-Month Treasury
               Bill issues.

     (p)       NASDAQ Industrial Index - is composed of more than 3,000
               industrial issues. It is a value-weighted index calculated on
               price change only and does not include income.


     (q)       Value Line - composed of over 1,600 stocks in the Value Line
               Investment Survey.


     (r)       Russell 2000 - composed of the 2,000 smallest stocks in the
               Russell 3000, a market value weighted index of the 3,000 largest
               U.S. publicly-traded companies.


     (s)       Composite Indices - 70% Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and 30%
               NASDAQ Industrial Index; 35% Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index
               and 65% Salomon Brothers High Grade Bond Index; all stocks on the
               NASDAQ system exclusive of those traded on an exchange, and 65%
               Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and 35% Salomon Brothers High
               Grade Bond Index.


     (t)       CDA Mutual Fund Report, published by CDA Investment Technologies,
               Inc. - analyzes price, current yield, risk, total return and
               average rate of return (average annual compounded growth rate)
               over specified time periods for the mutual fund industry.


     (u)       Mutual Fund Source Book, published by Morningstar, Inc. -
               analyzes price, yield, risk and total return for equity funds.


     (v)       Financial publications: Business Week, Changing Times, Financial
               World, Forbes, Fortune, Money, Barron's, Consumer's Digest,
               Financial Times, Global Investor, Investor's Daily, Lipper
               Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., New York Times,
               Personal Investor, Wall Street Journal and Weisenberger
               Investment Companies Service - publications that rate fund
               performance over specified time periods.


     (w)       Consumer Price Index (or Cost of Living Index), published by the
               U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - a statistical measure of
               change, over time in the price of goods and services in major
               expenditure groups.


     (x)       Stocks, Bonds, Bills and Inflation, published by Ibbotson
               Associates - historical measure of yield, price and total return
               for common and small company stock, long-term government bonds,
               U.S. Treasury bills and inflation.


     (y)       Savings and Loan Historical Interest Rates - as published in the
               U.S. Savings & Loan League Fact Book.


     (z)       Lehman Brothers Aggregate Index - is a fixed income market value-
               weighted index that combines the Lehman Brothers
               Government/Corporate Index and the Lehman Brothers Mortgage-
               Backed Securities Index.  It includes fixed rate issues of
               investment grade (BBB) or higher, with maturities of at least one
               year and outstanding par values of at least $100 million for U.S.
               Government issues and $25 million for others.




     (aa)      Historical data supplied by the research departments of First
               Boston Corporation, the J.P. Morgan companies, Salomon Brothers,
               Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Lehman Brothers, Inc. and
               Bloomberg L.P.



                                      -15-

<PAGE>

     In assessing such comparisons of performance, an investor should keep in
mind that the composition of the investments in the reported indices and
averages is not identical to the composition of investments in the Fund's
Portfolios, that the averages are generally unmanaged, and that the items
included in the calculations of such averages may not be identical to the
formula used by the Fund to calculate its performance. In addition, there can be
no assurance that the Fund will continue this performance as compared to such
other averages.

                               GENERAL INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS

     The Fund was organized under the name "ICM Fund, Inc." as a Maryland
corporation on October 11, 1988. On January 18, 1989, the name of the Fund was
changed to "The Regis Fund, Inc."  On October 31, 1995, the name of the Fund was
changed to UAM Funds, Inc.  The Fund's principal executive office is located at
One International Place, Boston, MA  02110; however, all investor correspondence
should be directed to the Fund at the UAM Funds Service Center, c/o Chase Global
Funds Services Company, P.O. Box 2798, Boston, MA 02208-2798. The Fund's
Articles of Incorporation, as amended, authorize the Directors to issue
3,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $.001 par value. The Board of Directors
has the power to designate one or more series (Portfolios) or classes of common
stock and to classify or reclassify any unissued shares with respect to such
Portfolios, without further action by shareholders. Currently, the Fund is
offering shares of 31 Portfolios.  The Directors of the Fund may create
additional Portfolios and classes of shares at a future date.

     Both classes of  shares of a Portfolio, when issued and paid for as
provided for in the Prospectuses, will be fully paid and nonassessable, have no
preference as to conversion, exchange, dividends, retirement or other features
and have no preemptive rights. The shares of the Fund have noncumulative voting
rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for
the election of Directors can elect 100% of the Directors if they choose to do
so. A shareholder is entitled to one vote for each full share held (and a
fractional vote for each fractional share held), then standing in his or her
name on the books of the Fund.  Both Institutional Class and Service Class
Shares represent an interest in the same assets of a Portfolio and are identical
in all respects except that the Service Class Shares bear certain expenses
related to shareholder servicing and the distribution of such shares, and have
exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to such distribution
expenditures.

DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS

     The Fund's policy is to distribute substantially all of a Portfolio's net
investment income, if any, together with any net realized capital gains in the
amount and at the times that will avoid both income (including capital gains)
taxes on it and the imposition of the Federal excise tax on undistributed income
and capital gains (see discussion under "Dividends, Capital Gains Distributions
and Taxes" in the Prospectuses). The amounts of any income dividends or capital
gains distributions cannot be predicted.

     Any dividend or distribution paid shortly after the purchase of shares of a
Portfolio by an investor may have the effect of reducing the per share net asset
value of the Portfolio by the per share amount of the dividend or distribution.
Furthermore, such dividends or distributions, although in effect a return of
capital, are subject to income taxes as set forth in the Prospectuses.


     As set forth in the Prospectuses, unless the shareholder elects otherwise
in writing, all dividend and capital gains distributions are automatically
received in additional shares of a Portfolio at net asset value (as of the
business day following the record date). This will remain in effect until the
Fund is notified by the shareholder in writing at least three days prior to the
record date that either the Income Option (income dividends in cash and capital
gains distributions in additional shares at net asset value) or the Cash Option
(both income dividends and capital gains distributions in cash) has been
elected. An account statement is sent to shareholders whenever an income
dividend or capital gains distribution is paid.

     Each Portfolio will be treated as a separate entity (and hence as a
separate "regulated investment company") for Federal tax purposes. Any net
capital gains recognized by a Portfolio will be distributed to its investors
without need to offset (for Federal income tax purposes) such gains against any
net capital losses of another Portfolio.

FEDERAL TAXES

     In order for a Portfolio to continue to qualify for Federal income tax
treatment as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), at least 90% of its gross income for a taxable
year must be derived from qualifying income; i.e., dividends, interest, income
derived from loans of securities, and gains from the sale of securities or

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to its business of
investing in such securities or currencies. In addition, gains realized on the
sale or other disposition of securities held for less than three months must be
limited to less than 30% of a Portfolio's annual gross income.

     Each Portfolio will distribute to shareholders annually any net capital
gains which have been recognized for Federal income tax purposes. Shareholders
will be advised on the nature of the payments.

CODE OF ETHICS

     The Fund has adopted a Code of Ethics which restricts to a certain extent
personal transactions by access persons of the Fund and imposes certain
disclosure and reporting obligations.

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The Financial Statements of the Institutional Class Shares of the Sirach
Portfolios and the Financial Highlights for the respective periods presented,
which appear in the Portfolios' 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders, and the
report thereon of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, also appearing
therein, are on the following pages.

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

                APPENDIX - DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES AND RATINGS


I.   DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS FOR CORPORATE BOND AND PREFERRED SECURITIES


     Excerpts from Moody's Investor Service ("Moody's") description of its
highest bond ratings: Aaa - judged to be the highest quality; carry the smallest
degree of investment risk: Aa - judged to be of high quality by all standards; A
- - possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as
higher medium grade obligations; Baa - considered as lower medium grade
obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured.

     Excerpts from Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") description of its
highest bond ratings: AAA - highest grade obligations; possess the ultimate
degree of protection as to principal and interest; AA - also qualify as high
grade obligations, and in the majority of instances differs from AAA issues only
in small degree; A - regarded as upper medium grade; have considerable
investment strength but are not entirely free from adverse effects of changes in
economic and trade conditions. Interest and principal are regarded as safe; BBB
- - regarded as borderline between definitely sound obligations and those where
the speculative element begins to predominate; this group is the lowest which
qualifies for commercial bank investment.

II.   DESCRIPTION OF U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES

     The term "U.S. Government Securities" refers to a variety of securities
which are issued or guaranteed by the United States Government and by various
instrumentalities which have been established or sponsored by the United States
Government.

     U.S. Treasury securities are backed by the "full faith and credit" of the
United States. Securities issued or guaranteed by Federal agencies and U.S.
Government sponsored instrumentalities may or may not be backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States.

     In the case of securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States, the investor must look principally to the agency or
instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment
and may not be able to assess a claim against the United States itself in the
event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitment. Agencies which
are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include the
Export-Import Bank, Farmers Home Administration, Federal Financing Bank, and
others. Certain agencies and instrumentalities, such as the Government National
Mortgage Association, are, in effect, backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States through provisions in their charters that they may make
"indefinite and unlimited" drawings on the Treasury, if needed, to service its
debt. Debt from certain other agencies and instrumentalities, including the
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal National Mortgage Association, is not
guaranteed by the United States, but those institutions are protected by the
discretionary authority of the U.S. Treasury to purchase certain amounts of
their securities to assist the institution in meeting its debt obligations.
Finally, other agencies and instrumentalities, such as the Farm Credit System
and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, are federally chartered
institutions under government supervision, but their debt securities are backed
only by the credit worthiness of those institutions, not the U.S. Government.

     Some of the U.S. Government agencies that issue or guarantee securities
include the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Farmers Home
Administration, Federal Housing Administration, Maritime Administration, Small
Business Administration, and The Tennessee Valley Authority.

III.   DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER

     Each Portfolio may invest in commercial paper (including variable amount
master demand notes) rated A-1 or better by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody's or by S&P.
Commercial paper refers to short-term, unsecured promissory notes issued by
corporations to finance short-term credit needs. Commercial paper is usually
sold on a discount basis and has a maturity at the time of issuance not
exceeding nine months. Variable amount master demand notes are demand
obligations that permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying market
rates of interest pursuant to arrangement between the issuer and a commercial
bank acting as agent for the payees of such notes whereby both parties have the
right to vary the amount of the outstanding indebtedness on the notes. As
variable amount master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between a
lender and a borrower, it is not generally contemplated that such instruments
will be traded, and there is no secondary market for these notes, although they
are redeemable (and thus immediately repayable by the borrower) at face value,
plus accrued interest, at any time. In connection with the Portfolios'
investment in variable amount master demand notes, the Adviser's investment

                                       A-1

<PAGE>

management staff will monitor, on an ongoing basis, the earning power, cash flow
and other liquidity ratios of the issuer and the borrower's ability to pay
principal and interest on demand.

     Commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P has the following characteristics: (1)
liquidity ratios are adequate to meet cash requirements; (2) long-term senior
debt is rated "A" or better; (3) the issuer has access to at least two
additional channels of borrowing; (4) basic earnings and cash flow have an
upward trend with allowance made for unusual circumstances; (5) typically, the
issuer's industry is well established, and the issuer has a strong position
within the industry; and (6) the reliability and quality of management are
unquestioned. Relative strength or weakness of the above factors determine
whether the issuer's commercial paper is A-1, A-2 or A-3. The rating Prime-1 is
the highest commercial paper rating assignment by Moody's. Among the factors
considered by Moody's in assigning ratings are the following: (1) evaluation of
the management of the issuer; (2) economic evaluation of the issuer's industry
or industries and the appraisal of speculative-type risks which may be inherent
in certain areas; (3) evaluation of the issuer's products in relation to
completion and customer acceptance; (4) liquidity; (5) amount and quality of
long term debt; (6) trend of earnings over a period of ten years; (7) financial
strength of a parent company and the relationships which exist with the issuer;
and (8) recognition by the management of issuer of obligations which may be
present or may arise as a result of public interest questions and preparations
to meet such obligations.

IV.   DESCRIPTION OF BANK OBLIGATIONS

     Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking
institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate.
Certificates of deposit are negotiable short-term obligations of commercial
banks. Variable rate certificates of deposit are certificates of deposit on
which the interest rate is periodically adjusted prior to their stated maturity
based upon a specified market rate. As a result of these adjustments, the
interest rate on these obligations may increase or decrease periodically.
Frequently, dealers selling variable rate certificates of deposit to the
Portfolio will agree to repurchase such instruments, at the Portfolio's option,
at par on or near the coupon dates. The dealers' obligations to repurchase these
instruments are subject to conditions imposed by various dealers. Such
conditions typically are the continued credit standing of the issuer and the
existence of reasonably orderly market conditions. The Portfolios are also able
to sell variable rate certificates of deposit in the secondary market. Variable
rate certificates of deposit normally carry a higher interest rate than
comparable fixed rate certificates of deposit. A bankers' acceptance is a time
draft drawn on a commercial bank by a borrower usually in connection with an
international commercial transaction to finance the import, export, transfer or
storage of goods. The borrower is liable for payment as well as the bank which
unconditionally guarantees to pay the draft at its face amount on the maturity
date. Most acceptances have maturities of six months or less and are traded in
the secondary markets prior to maturity.

V.   DESCRIPTION OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

     Investors should recognize that investing in foreign companies involves
certain special considerations which are not typically associated with investing
in U.S. companies. Since the securities of foreign companies are frequently
denominated in foreign currencies, the Fund's Portfolios may be affected
favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange control
regulations, and may incur costs in connection with conversions between various
currencies.

     As foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting,
auditing and financial reporting standards and they may have policies that are
not comparable to those of domestic companies, there may be less information
available about certain foreign companies than about domestic companies.
Securities of some foreign companies are generally less liquid and more volatile
than securities of comparable domestic companies. There is generally less
government supervision and regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed
companies than in the U.S. In addition, with respect to certain foreign
countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation,
political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect
U.S. investments in those countries.

     Although the Fund will endeavor to achieve the most favorable execution
costs in its Portfolio transactions, fixed commissions on many foreign stock
exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges.

     Certain foreign governments levy withholding taxes on dividend and interest
income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes are recoverable, the
non-recoverable portion of foreign withholding taxes will reduce the income
received from the companies comprising the Fund's Portfolios. However, these
foreign withholding taxes are not expected to have a significant impact.

                                       A-2



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