SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
485BPOS, 1997-04-30
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<PAGE>

                                          Registration No. 33-36700/811-6167
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington, D.C.  20549

                                      FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933          /X/
                                                                  -

         Pre-Effective Amendment No.                             / /
                                     --------------               -
   
         Post-Effective Amendment No.      13                    /X/
                                     --------------               -
    

                                        and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940  /X/
   
                       Amendment No.       14                    /X/
                                    -------------
    
                          (Check appropriate box or boxes.)


                              SAFECO Common Stock Trust
               --------------------------------------------------
                  (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

                      SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington    98185
               --------------------------------------------------
                   (Address of Principal Executive Offices) ZIP Code

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

                        Name and Address of Agent for Service
                        -------------------------------------

                        DAVID F. HILL
                        SAFECO Plaza
                        Seattle, Washington 98185

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: Continuous

It is proposed that this filing will become effective

   
      immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
  ---
   X  on April 30, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b)
  ---
      75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
  ---
      on ________, 199_ pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
  ---
    
   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registrant is registering an indefinite number of its shares under the
Securities Act of 1933 by declaration made pursuant to Section 24(f) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (Act).  Pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Act,
Registrant will filed a Rule 24f-2 Notice on or about February 26, 1997.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

<PAGE>

                              SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST

                          Contents of Registration Statement

    This registration statement consists of the following papers and documents:

    Cover Sheet

    Contents of Registration Statement

    Cross Reference Sheets

    No-Load Class of:

         SAFECO Growth Fund
         SAFECO Equity Fund
         SAFECO Income Fund
         SAFECO Northwest Fund
         SAFECO International Stock Fund
         SAFECO Balanced Fund
         SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund
         SAFECO U.S. Value Fund
         -------------------------------

         PART A - Prospectus

    Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B Shares of:

         SAFECO Growth Fund
         SAFECO Equity Fund
         SAFECO Income Fund
         SAFECO Northwest Fund
         SAFECO International Stock Fund,
         SAFECO Balanced Fund
         SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund
         SAFECO U.S. Value Fund
         SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund
         SAFECO California Tax-Free Income Fund
         SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund
         SAFECO Money Market Fund
         SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund
         SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund
         SAFECO Managed Bond Fund
         -------------------------------------------

         PART A - Prospectus

         SAFECO Growth Fund
         SAFECO Equity Fund
         SAFECO Income Fund
         SAFECO Northwest Fund
         SAFECO International Fund
         SAFECO Balanced Fund
         SAFECO Small Company Fund
         SAFECO U.S. Value Fund
         -------------------------

         PART B - Statement of Additional Information

    Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B Shares of:

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

         PART B - Statement of Additional Information

                                          2
<PAGE>



    PART C - Other Information

    Signature Page

    Exhibits
   
    This filing is made to update the Registration Statement of SAFECO Common
    Stock Trust.  No changes are hereby made to the Prospectuses and Statements
    of Additional Information relating to the SAFECO Taxable Bond Trust, SAFECO
    Tax-Exempt Bond Trust, SAFECO Money Market Trust, or SAFECO Managed Bond
    Trust.
    


                                          3


<PAGE>

                              SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST

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

                                    No-Load Class


                                Part A
                                ------

Item No.                                    Location in Prospectus
- --------                                    -----------------------

Item 1.  Cover Page                         Cover page

Item 2.  Synopsis                           Introduction to the
                                            Trust and the Funds;
                                            Expenses

Item 3.  Condensed Financial Information    Financial Highlights;
                                            Performance Information

Item 4.  General Description of Registrant  Introduction to the
                                            Trust and the Funds; Each Fund's
                                            Investment Objective and Policies;
                                            Information about Share Ownership
                                            and Companies that Provide Services
                                            to the Trust; Risk Factors; 
                                            Description of Stocks, Bonds and
                                            Convertible Securities; Ratings
                                            Supplement

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


                                          4


<PAGE>


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

Item 7.  Purchase of Securities             How to Purchase Shares;
         Being Offered                      How to Exchange Shares From One
                                            Fund to Another; How to
                                            Systematically Purchase or Redeem
                                            Shares; Telephone Transactions;
                                            Transactions Through Registered
                                            Investment     Advisers; Share
                                            Price Calculation; Information 
                                            about share ownership and 
                                            companies that provide services 
                                            to the Trust; Tax-Deferred 
                                            Retirement Plans; Share Price 
                                            Calculation; Account Statements

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

Item 9.  Pending Legal Proceedings          Not applicable

   
                              SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
                                  SAFECO Growth Fund
                                  SAFECO Equity Fund
                                  SAFECO Income Fund
                                SAFECO Northwest Fund
                                 SAFECO Balanced Fund
                           SAFECO International Stock Fund
                           SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund
                                SAFECO U.S. Value Fund
                             SAFECO TAX-EXEMPT BOND TRUST
                              SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund
                        SAFECO California Tax-Free Income Fund
                     SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund

                              SAFECO MONEY MARKET TRUST
                               SAFECO Money Market Fund


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

                              SAFECO MANAGED BOND TRUST
                               SAFECO Managed Bond Fund

                      Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B Shares

                           Form N-1A Cross Reference Sheet

                                  Part A
                                  ------

Item No.                                    Location in Prospectus
- --------                                    ----------------------

Item 1.  Cover Page                         Cover page

Item 2.  Synopsis                           Introduction to the Trusts and the
                                            Funds; Expenses

Item 3.  Condensed Financial Information    Financial Highlights; Performance
                                            Information

Item 4.  General Description of Registrant  Introduction to the Trust and the 
                                            Funds; Each Fund's Investment 
                                            Objective and Policies; Risk 
                                            Factors; Information About Share 
                                            Ownership and Companies that 
                                            Provide Services to the Trusts; 
                                            Risk Factors; Description of 
                                            Stocks, Bonds and Convertible 
                                            Securities; Ratings Supplement

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

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


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

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

                              SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST

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

                                    No-Load Class

                           Form N-1A Cross Reference Sheet
    

                                  Part B
                                  ------

                                            Location in Statement of
Item No.                                    Additional Information
- --------                                    ------------------------

Item 10. Cover Page                         Cover page


                                          5


<PAGE>

Item 11. Table of Contents                  Table of Contents

Item 12. General Information and History    Not applicable

Item 13. Investment Objectives and          Investment Policies;
         Policies                           Investment Policies of the Growth,
                                            Equity, Income, Northwest, Balanced,
                                            International and Small Company
                                            Funds; Additional Investment
                                            Information; Special Risks of
                                            Below Investment Grade Bonds;
                                            Special Risks of Foreign Investment
                                            and Foreign Currency Transactions;
                                            Description of Commercial Paper
                                            and Preferred Stock Ratings


Item 14. Management of the Trust            Trustees and Officers

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

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

Item 17. Brokerage Allocation and Other     Brokerage Practices
         Practices

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

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

Item 20. Tax Status                         Additional Tax Information

Item 21. Underwriters                       Investment Advisory and
                                            Other Services

Item 22. Calculation of Performance Data    Additional Performance
                                            Information

Item 23. Financial Statements               Financial Statements

   
                              SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST

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

                     Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B Shares

                                    Part B
                                    ------

                                            Location in Statement
Item No.                                    of Additional Information
- --------                                    -------------------------

Item 10. Cover Page                         Cover page

Item 11. Table of Contents                  Table of Contents

Item 12. General Information and History    Not applicable


                                          8


<PAGE>


Item 13. Investment Objectives and          Investment Policies;
         Policies                           Investment Policies of the Growth,
                                            Equity, Income, Northwest, Balanced,
                                            International and Small Company
                                            Funds; Additional Investment
                                            Information; Special Risks of
                                            Below Investment Grade Bonds;
                                            Special Risks of Foreign Investment
                                            and Foreign Currency Transactions;
                                            Description of Commercial Paper
                                            and Preferred Stock Ratings


Item 14. Management of the Trust            Trustees and Officers

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

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

Item 17. Brokerage Allocation and Other     Brokerage Practices
         Practices

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

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

Item 20. Tax Status                         Additional Tax Information

Item 21. Underwriters                       Investment Advisory and
                                            Other Services

Item 22. Calculation of Performance Data    Additional Performance
                                            Information

Item 23. Financial Statements               Financial Statements
    

                                          6


<PAGE>

                                        Part C
                                        ------

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


                              SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
                                  SAFECO Growth Fund
                                  SAFECO Equity Fund
                                  SAFECO Income Fund
                                SAFECO Northwest Fund
                                 SAFECO Balanced Fund
                           SAFECO International Stock Fund
                           SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund
                                SAFECO U.S. Value Fund
                             SAFECO TAX-EXEMPT BOND TRUST
                              SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund
                        SAFECO California Tax-Free Income Fund
                     SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund

                              SAFECO MONEY MARKET TRUST
                               SAFECO Money Market Fund


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

                              SAFECO MANAGED BOND TRUST
                               SAFECO Managed Bond Fund

                      Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B Shares

                           Form N-1A Cross Reference Sheet

                                  Part A
                                  ------

Item No.                                    Location in Prospectus
- --------                                    ----------------------

Item 1.  Cover Page                         Cover page

Item 2.  Synopsis                           Introduction to the Trusts and the
                                            Funds; Expenses

Item 3.  Condensed Financial Information    Financial Highlights; Performance
                                            Information

Item 4.  General Description of Registrant  Introduction to the Trust and the 
                                            Funds; Each Fund's Investment 
                                            Objective and Policies; Risk 
                                            Factors; Information About Share 
                                            Ownership and Companies that 
                                            Provide Services to the Trusts; 
                                            Risk Factors; Description of 
                                            Stocks, Bonds and Convertible 
                                            Securities; Ratings Supplement



                                          7


<PAGE>


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

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


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

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


Item 9.  Pending Legal Proceedings          Not applicable


                              SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST

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

                     Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B Shares

                                    Part B
                                    ------

                                            Location in Statement
Item No.                                    of Additional Information
- --------                                    -------------------------

Item 10. Cover Page                         Cover page

Item 11. Table of Contents                  Table of Contents

Item 12. General Information and History    Not applicable


                                          8


<PAGE>


Item 13. Investment Objectives and          Investment Policies;
         Policies                           Investment Policies of the Growth,
                                            Equity, Income, Northwest, Balanced,
                                            International and Small Company
                                            Funds; Additional Investment
                                            Information; Special Risks of
                                            Below Investment Grade Bonds;
                                            Special Risks of Foreign Investment
                                            and Foreign Currency Transactions;
                                            Description of Commercial Paper
                                            and Preferred Stock Ratings


Item 14. Management of the Trust            Trustees and Officers

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

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

Item 17. Brokerage Allocation and Other     Brokerage Practices
         Practices

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

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

Item 20. Tax Status                         Additional Tax Information

Item 21. Underwriters                       Investment Advisory and
                                            Other Services

Item 22. Calculation of Performance Data    Additional Performance
                                            Information

Item 23. Financial Statements               Financial Statements




                                       9


<PAGE>
SAFECO GROWTH FUND
SAFECO EQUITY FUND
SAFECO INCOME FUND
SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND
SAFECO INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND
SAFECO BALANCED FUND
SAFECO SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND
SAFECO U.S. VALUE FUND
 
   
NO-LOAD CLASS                                                     April 30, 1997
    
 
   
Each mutual fund named above ("Fund") is a series of the SAFECO Common Stock
Trust ("Trust"), an open-end, management investment company. The investment
objective for each Fund appears on pages 3 and 4.
    
 
   
This Prospectus sets forth the information a prospective investor should know
before investing. PLEASE READ AND RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. A
Statement of Additional Information, dated April 30, 1997 and incorporated
herein by reference, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and is available at no charge upon request by calling one of the numbers listed
on this page. The Statement of Additional Information and other information
about the Funds are also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission
website (http://www.sec.gov). The Statement of Additional Information contains
more information about many of the topics in this Prospectus as well as
information about the trustees and officers of the Trust.
    
 
For additional assistance, please call or write:
 
               NATIONWIDE 1-800-624-5711; SEATTLE 1-206-545-7319
            DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING TTY/TDD SERVICE 1-800-438-8718
 
                              SAFECO MUTUAL FUNDS
                              NO-LOAD CLASS SHARES
                                 P.O. BOX 34890
                             SEATTLE, WA 98124-1890
 
                     ALL TELEPHONE CALLS ARE TAPE-RECORDED
                              FOR YOUR PROTECTION.
- ---------------------------------------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- ---------------------------------------------------------
 
                                    -- 1 --
<PAGE>
FUND SHARES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY,
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT OR ANY BANK, NOR ARE FUND SHARES FEDERALLY INSURED OR
OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL
RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY, AND FUND SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT
RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED.
 
- ---------------------------------------------------------
 
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE TRUST, ANY FUND, OR BY
SAFECO SECURITIES. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY BY THE TRUST, ANY FUND, OR BY SAFECO SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
 
                                    -- 2 --
<PAGE>
SAFECO GROWTH FUND ("Growth Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
growth of capital and the increased income that ordinarily follows from such
growth. The Growth Fund ordinarily invests a preponderance of its assets in
common stock selected primarily for potential appreciation.
 
SAFECO EQUITY FUND ("Equity Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
long-term growth of capital and reasonable current income. The Equity Fund
invests principally in common stock selected for appreciation and/or dividend
potential and from a long-range investment standpoint.
 
SAFECO INCOME FUND ("Income Fund") has as its investment objective to seek high
current income and, when consistent with its objective, the long-term growth of
capital. The Income Fund invests primarily in common and preferred stock and in
convertible bonds selected for dividend potential.
 
SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND ("Northwest Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
long-term growth of capital through investing primarily in Northwest companies.
To pursue its objective, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets
in securities issued by companies with their principal executive offices located
in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington ("Northwest").
 
SAFECO INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND ("International Fund") has as its investment
objective to seek maximum long-term total return (capital appreciation and
income) by investing primarily in common stock of established non-U.S.
companies. To pursue its objective, the International Fund, under normal market
conditions, will invest at least 65% of its total assets in the securities of
companies domiciled in at least five countries, not including the United States.
 
SAFECO BALANCED FUND ("Balanced Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
growth and income consistent with the preservation of capital. To pursue its
objective, the Balanced Fund will invest primarily in equity and fixed income
securities.
 
                                    -- 3 --
<PAGE>
SAFECO SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND ("Small Company Fund") has as its investment
objective to seek long-term growth of capital through investing primarily in
small-sized companies. To pursue its objective, the Small Company Fund will
invest primarily in companies with total market capitalization of less than $1
billion.
 
   
SAFECO U.S. VALUE FUND ("Value Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
long-term growth of capital and income. To pursue its objective, the Value Fund
will primarily invest in common stocks selected for potential appreciation and
income using fundamental value analysis.
    
 
There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
                                    -- 4 --
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      PAGE
                                                                      -----
<S>                                                                <C>
Introduction to the Trust and the Funds                                     6
Expenses                                                                    8
Financial Highlights                                                       10
Adviser's Institutional Private Account Performance                        18
Sub-Adviser's Institutional Private Account Performance                    20
Each Fund's Investment Objective and Policies                              22
Risk Factors                                                               39
Portfolio Managers                                                         42
How to Purchase Shares                                                     45
How to Redeem Shares                                                       48
How to Systematically Purchase or Redeem Shares                            51
How to Exchange Shares From One Fund to Another                            51
Telephone Transactions                                                     54
Transactions through Registered Investment Advisers                        55
Share Price Calculation                                                    56
Information about Share Ownership and Companies that Provide
  Services to the Trust                                                    57
Persons Controlling Certain Funds                                          63
Performance Information                                                    63
Fund Distributions and How They are Taxed                                  64
Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans                                              66
Account Statements                                                         68
Account Changes and Signature Requirements                                 68
Description of Stocks, Bonds and Convertible Securities                    69
Ratings Supplement                                                         70
Debt Securities Holdings                                                   73
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    -- 5 --
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION TO THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS
   
The Trust is a series investment company that currently issues shares
representing eight diversified mutual funds: Growth Fund, Equity Fund, Income
Fund, Northwest Fund, International Fund, Balanced Fund, Small Company Fund, and
the Value Fund (collectively, the "Funds").
    
 
THE FUNDS
 
Each Fund offers multiple classes of shares. No-Load Class shares of each Fund
are offered through this prospectus.
 
The No-Load Class of Each Fund:
 
/ / Is 100% no-load; there are no initial or contingent deferred sales charges
    or Rule 12b-1 fees.
 
/ /
  Offers free exchanges as well as easy access to your money
  through telephone redemptions and wire transfers.
 
/ /
  Has a minimum initial investment requirement of $1,000 for
  regular accounts, $250 for individual retirement accounts ("IRAs") and
  accounts established under the Uniform Gift to Minors Act ("UGMA") or Uniform
  Transfer to Minors Act ("UTMA").
 
RISK FACTORS
 
There is, of course, no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment
objective. See "Each Fund's Investment Objective and Policies" for more
information.
 
There is a risk that the market value of each Fund's portfolio of securities may
decrease and result in a decrease in the value of a shareholder's investment.
Because the Northwest Fund concentrates its investments primarily in the
Northwest, it may be subject to special risks. Investors should carefully
consider the investment risks of such geographic concentration before purchasing
shares of the Northwest Fund. Because the International Fund invests primarily
in foreign securities, it is subject to various risks in addition to those
associated
 
                                    -- 6 --
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION TO THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS (CONTINUED)
with U.S. investments. For example, the value of the International Fund depends
in part upon currency values, the political and regulatory environments, and
overall economic factors in the countries in which the Fund invests. The Small
Company Fund invests in small-sized companies, which involves greater risks than
investments in larger, more established issuers and their securities can be
subject to more abrupt and erratic movements in price. See "Each Fund's
Investment Objective and Policies" for more information.
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER; SUB-ADVISER OF INTERNATIONAL FUND
 
   
Each Fund is managed by SAFECO Asset Management Company ("SAM"). SAM is
headquartered in Seattle, Washington and managed over $2.5 billion in mutual
fund assets as of December 31, 1996. SAM has been an adviser to mutual funds and
other investment portfolios since 1973 and its predecessors have been advisers
since 1932. The Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.) Limited (the
"Sub-Adviser") acts as a sub-adviser to the International Fund. The Sub-Adviser
is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited
(an investment advisory firm), which is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and an
indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank of Ireland, which is also
headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. See "Information about Share Ownership and
Companies that Provide Services to the Trust" for more information.
    
 
                                    -- 7 --
<PAGE>
EXPENSES
A.  SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES FOR THE NO-LOAD CLASS OF EACH FUND
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SALES CHARGE
 SALES CHARGE      IMPOSED ON       CONTINGENT
  IMPOSED ON       REINVESTED     DEFERRED SALES    REDEMPTION     EXCHANGE
   PURCHASES        DIVIDENDS         CHARGE           FEES          FEES
- ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------------  -----------
<S>              <C>              <C>              <C>            <C>
        NONE             NONE             NONE            NONE          NONE
</TABLE>
 
SAFECO Services Corporation ("SAFECO Services"), the transfer agent for the
Funds, charges a $10 fee to wire redemption proceeds.
 
B.  ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES FOR THE NO-LOAD CLASS OF EACH FUND
 
    (as a percentage of average net assets)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   TOTAL
                                                                        OTHER                    OPERATING
FUND           12B-1 FEES       +       MANAGEMENT FEE       +         EXPENSES         =        EXPENSES
- -------------  -----------             ----------------             --------------             -------------
<S>            <C>          <C>        <C>               <C>        <C>             <C>        <C>
Growth            None                          .71%                        .28%                      .99%
Equity            None                          .56%                        .22%                      .78%
Income            None                          .67%                        .22%                      .89%
Northwest         None                          .75%                        .50%                     1.25%
International     None                         1.10%                        .27%                     1.37%+
Balanced          None                          .73%                        .43%                     1.16%+
Small Company     None                          .83%                        .52%                     1.35%+
Value Fund        None                          .75%                        .29%                     1.04%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
The amounts shown are annualized expenses based on the actual expenses paid by
shareholders of each Fund (other than the Value Fund) for the three-month fiscal
period ended December 31, 1996. The amounts shown for the Value Fund are
estimated expenses based on the Fund's maximum management fee and estimated
"Other Expenses." The management fees paid by the International and Small
Company Funds are higher than the management fees paid by most other
    
 
                                    -- 8 --
<PAGE>
EXPENSES (CONTINUED)
investment companies. See "Information about Share Ownership and Companies that
Provide Services to the Trust" for more information.
   
+  Net of reimbursements by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the total operating
   expenses as a percentage of net assets for the International, Balanced and
   Small Company Funds would have been 1.68%, 1.52% and 1.58%, respectively.
    
 
C.  EXAMPLE OF EXPENSES
 
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment in No-Load Class
shares assuming a 5% annual return. The example also assumes that all dividends
and other distributions are reinvested and that the percentage amounts listed in
"Annual Operating Expenses" above remain the same in the years shown.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND                             1 YEAR       3 YEARS      5 YEARS     10 YEARS
- -----------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Growth                          $      10    $      32    $      55    $     121
Equity                          $       8    $      25    $      43    $      97
Income                          $       9    $      28    $      49    $     110
Northwest                       $      13    $      40    $      69    $     151
International                   $      14    $      43    $      75    $     165
Balanced                        $      12    $      37    $      69    $     141
Small Company                   $      14    $      43    $      74    $     162
Value                           $      11    $      33
</TABLE>
    
 
The purpose of the table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and
expenses that an investor in the No-Load Class of each Fund would bear, directly
or indirectly. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE EXPENSES. A FUND'S ACTUAL EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE MAY BE GREATER OR LESS
THAN THOSE SHOWN. THE ASSUMED 5% ANNUAL RETURN IS REQUIRED BY SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL MUTUAL FUNDS AND IT IS NOT A
PREDICTION OF, NOR DOES IT REPRESENT, PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR THE PERFORMANCE
OF ANY FUND.
 
                                    -- 9 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
   
The amounts shown for each Fund in the Financial Highlights tables that follow
are based upon a single No-Load Class share outstanding throughout the period
indicated. In 1996, the Trust changed its fiscal year end from September 30 to
December 31. The following selected data for the Funds has been derived from
financial statements that have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors. The data should be read in conjunction with the financial statements,
related notes and other information included in the Trust's annual report to
shareholders and incorporated by reference in the Trust's Statement of
Additional Information. A copy of the Trust's Statement of Additional
Information may be obtained by calling one of the numbers on the front page of
this Prospectus.
    
 
                                    -- 10 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a No-Load Class Share Outstanding Throughout the Period)
 
SAFECO GROWTH FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     THREE-MONTH
                      PERIOD
                      ENDED
                     DECEMBER                                       YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                     31, 1996    1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991      1990      1989      1988      1987
<S>                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value at
  beginning of
  period             $ 15.45   $  15.83  $  17.37  $  19.20  $  13.98  $  17.95  $  11.14  $  17.22  $  14.95  $  18.13  $  15.40
INCOME (LOSS) FROM
  INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
Net investment
  (loss) income         (.02)      (.02)      .07      (.02)     (.02)     (.01)      .05       .14       .53       .35       .24
Net realized and
  unrealized gain
  (loss) on
  investments           1.77       2.24      4.07       .78      5.39     (3.15)     7.77     (4.20)     3.17      (.99)     4.31
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total from
  investment
  operations            1.75       2.22      4.14       .76      5.37     (3.16)     7.82     (4.06)     3.70      (.64)     4.55
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net
  investment income       --         --      (.07)       --        --        --      (.05)     (.14)     (.53)     (.48)     (.23)
Distributions from
  capital gains         (.23)     (2.60)    (5.61)    (2.59)     (.15)     (.81)     (.96)    (1.88)     (.90)    (2.06)    (1.59)
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total distributions     (.23)     (2.60)    (5.68)    (2.59)     (.15)     (.81)    (1.01)    (2.02)    (1.43)    (2.54)    (1.82)
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net asset value at
  end of period      $ 16.97   $  15.45  $  15.83  $  17.37  $  19.20  $  13.98  $  17.95  $  11.14  $  17.22  $  14.95  $  18.13
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total return          11.35%*    14.16%    23.93%     3.88%    38.43%   (17.83%)   70.22%   (23.67%)   25.23%    (1.47%)   32.68%
Net assets at end of
  period (000's
  omitted)           $195,760  $179,574  $176,483  $156,108  $158,723  $127,897  $155,429  $ 59,164  $ 81,472  $ 74,324  $ 82,703
Ratio of expenses to
  average net assets    .99%**    1.02%      .98%      .95%      .91%      .91%      .90%     1.01%      .94%      .98%      .92%
Ratio of net
  investment income
  (loss) to average
  net assets           (.51%)**    (.14%)     .34%    (.12%)    (.10%)    (.10%)     .36%      .88%     3.27%     2.37%     1.46%
Portfolio turnover
  rate                82.93%**  124.79%   110.44%    71.18%    57.19%    85.38%    49.86%    90.48%    11.38%    19.31%    23.61%
Avg. Commission rate
  paid               $ .0477   $  .0548        --        --        --        --        --        --        --        --        --
</TABLE>
    
 
   
*  Not Annualized
    
 
   
** Annualized
    
 
                                    -- 11 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a No-Load Class Share Outstanding Throughout the Period)
 
SAFECO EQUITY FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     THREE-MONTH
                      PERIOD
                      ENDED
                     DECEMBER                                       YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                     31, 1996    1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991      1990      1989      1988      1987
<S>                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value at
  beginning of
  period             $ 15.85   $  15.31  $  13.89  $  12.54  $   9.53  $  10.38  $   8.43  $  10.10  $   8.51  $  12.23  $  11.44
INCOME FROM
  INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
Net investment
  income                 .06        .28       .34       .23       .17       .15       .17       .22       .39       .18       .21
Net realized and
  unrealized gain
  (loss) on
  investments           1.33       2.42      2.59      1.83      3.79      (.09)     2.37     (1.28)     2.26     (1.82)     2.83
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total from
  investment
  operations            1.39       2.70      2.93      2.06      3.96       .06      2.54     (1.06)     2.65     (1.64)     3.04
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net
  investment income     (.06)      (.28)     (.34)     (.23)     (.17)     (.15)     (.17)     (.22)     (.39)     (.23)     (.22)
Distributions from
  capital gains         (.58)     (1.88)    (1.17)     (.48)     (.78)     (.76)     (.42)     (.39)     (.67)    (1.85)    (2.03)
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total distributions     (.64)     (2.16)    (1.51)     (.71)     (.95)     (.91)     (.59)     (.61)    (1.06)    (2.08)    (2.25)
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net asset value at
  end of period      $ 16.60   $  15.85  $  15.31  $  13.89  $  12.54  $   9.53  $  10.38  $   8.43  $  10.10  $   8.51  $  12.23
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total return           8.79%*    18.04%    21.59%    16.51%    41.77%      .41%    30.39%   (10.73%)   32.12%    (9.93%)   31.75%
Net assets at end of
  period (000's
  omitted)           $849,831  $725,780  $598,582  $412,805  $148,894  $ 74,383  $ 71,586  $ 51,603  $ 53,892  $ 45,625  $ 64,668
Ratio of expenses to
  average net assets    .78%**     .79%      .84%      .85%      .94%      .96%      .98%      .97%      .96%     1.00%      .97%
Ratio of net
  investment income
  to average net
  assets               1.48%**    1.74%     2.38%     1.72%     1.50%     1.34%     1.70%     2.19%     4.13%     2.16%     1.92%
Portfolio turnover
  rate                59.34%**   74.07%    56.14%    33.33%    37.74%    39.88%    45.21%    51.01%    63.62%    88.19%    85.11%
Avg. Commission rate
  paid               $ .0571   $  .0587        --        --        --        --        --        --        --        --        --
</TABLE>
    
 
   
*  Not Annualized
    
 
   
** Annualized
    
 
                                    -- 12 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a No-Load Class Share Outstanding Throughout the Period)
 
SAFECO INCOME FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     THREE-MONTH
                      PERIOD
                      ENDED
                     DECEMBER                                       YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                     31, 1996    1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991      1990      1989      1988      1987
<S>                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value at
  beginning of
  period             $ 20.03   $  19.11  $  17.25  $  17.79  $  16.27  $  15.35  $  12.89  $  16.44  $  14.32  $  17.16  $  15.52
INCOME FROM
  INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
Net investment
  income                 .15        .73       .82       .81       .78       .80       .81       .85       .81       .78       .78
Net realized and
  unrealized gain
  (loss) on
  investments           1.63       2.84      2.71      (.30)     1.52       .96      2.53     (3.39)     2.12     (1.80)     2.37
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total from
  investment
  operations            1.78       3.57      3.53       .51      2.30      1.76      3.34     (2.54)     2.93     (1.02)     3.15
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net
  investment income     (.15)      (.73)     (.82)     (.81)     (.78)     (.80)     (.83)     (.83)     (.81)     (.98)     (.78)
Distributions from
  capital gains         (.53)     (1.92)     (.85)     (.24)       --      (.04)     (.05)     (.18)       --      (.84)     (.73)#
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total distributions     (.68)     (2.65)    (1.67)    (1.05)     (.78)     (.84)     (.88)    (1.01)     (.81)    (1.82)    (1.51)
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net asset value at
  end of period      $ 21.13   $  20.03  $  19.11  $  17.25  $  17.79  $  16.27  $  15.35  $  12.89  $  16.44  $  14.32  $ 17.16%
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total return           8.89%*    18.98%    21.04%     2.98%    14.35%    11.75%    26.43%   (16.06%)   21.00%    (4.61%)   21.41%
Net assets at end of
  period (000's
  omitted)           $289,968  $260,023  $217,870  $190,610  $203,019  $181,582  $181,265  $170,153  $232,812  $231,724  $313,308
Ratio of expenses to
  average net assets    .89%**     .86%      .87%      .86%      .90%      .90%      .93%      .92%      .92%      .97%      .94%
Ratio of net
  investment income
  to average net
  assets               2.89%**    3.56%     4.55%     4.59%     4.55%     5.06%     5.58%     5.59%     5.28%     5.58%     4.53%
Portfolio turnover
  rate                37.84%**   50.11%    31.12%    19.30%    20.74%    20.35%    22.25%    19.37%    16.38%    34.13%    33.08%
Avg. Commission rate
  paid               $ .0573   $  .0591        --        --        --        --        --        --        --        --        --
</TABLE>
    
 
   
*  Not Annualized
    
 
   
** Annualized
    
 
# Distributions include $.04 of additional gain arising from investment
  transactions of securities acquired in a nontaxable exchange.
 
                                    -- 13 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a No-Load Class Share Outstanding Throughout the Period)
 
SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 FOR THE
                                                                                  PERIOD
                                                                                   FROM
                                                                                 FEBRUARY
                                                                                    7,
                                                             FOR THE               1991
                                                               NINE              (INITIAL
                                                              MONTH               PUBLIC
                     THREE-MONTH   YEAR    YEAR      YEAR     PERIOD     YEAR    OFFERING)
                      PERIOD    ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED     ENDED    TO
                      ENDED    SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER DECEMBER  DECEMBER
                     DECEMBER  30,       30,       30,       30,         31,       31,
                     31, 1996    1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
<S>                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net asset value at
  beginning of
  period             $ 13.78   $ 14.41   $ 12.59   $ 12.34   $ 12.59   $ 11.37   $ 10.06
INCOME FROM
  INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
  Net investment
   income               (.01)      .02       .04       .04       .02       .06       .13
Net realized and
  unrealized gain
  (loss) on
  investments            .30      1.32      2.35       .59      (.25)     1.53      1.44
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total from
  investment
  operations             .29      1.34      2.39       .63      (.23)     1.59      1.57
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net
  investment income       --      (.02)     (.04)     (.04)     (.02)     (.06)     (.19)
Distributions from
  capital gains           --     (1.95)     (.53)     (.34)       --      (.31)     (.07)
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total distributions       --     (1.97)     (.57)     (.38)     (.02)     (.37)     (.26)
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net asset value at
  end of period      $ 14.07   $ 13.78   $ 14.41   $ 12.59   $ 12.34   $ 12.59   $ 11.37
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total return           2.10%*    9.61%    19.01%     5.19%    (1.86%)*  14.08%    14.93%*
Net assets at end of
  period (000's
  omitted)           $43,345   $43,128   $40,140   $36,383   $39,631   $40,402   $26,434
Ratio of expenses to
  average net assets   1.25%**   1.07%     1.09%     1.06%     1.11%**   1.11%     1.27%**
Ratio of net
  investment income
  to average net
  assets               (.31%)**    .11%     .31%      .33%      .18%**    .55%     1.14%**
Portfolio turnover
  rate                67.32%**  35.69%    19.59%    18.46%    14.05%**  33.34%    27.71%**
Avg. Commission rate
  paid               $ .0482   $ .0591        --        --        --        --        --
</TABLE>
    
 
   
*  Not Annualized
    
 
   
** Annualized
    
 
                                    -- 14 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
   
(For a No-Load Class Share Outstanding Throughout the Period)
    
 
   
SAFECO INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           THREE-MONTH    JANUARY 31, 1996
                                          PERIOD ENDED     (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                          DECEMBER 31,      OFFERING) TO
                                              1996       SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                          -------------  -------------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period      $   10.39         $   10.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income                              --              0.06
Net realized and unrealized gain on
 investment and foreign currency
 transactions                                    0.96              0.39
                                          -------------         -------
Total from investment operations                 0.96              0.45
                                          -------------         -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment income            (0.06)            (0.06)
Distributions from realized gains                  --                --
                                          -------------         -------
Total distributions                             (0.06)            (0.06)
                                          -------------         -------
Net asset value at end of period            $   11.29         $   10.39
                                          -------------         -------
                                          -------------         -------
Total return*                                   9.27%             4.54%
Net assets at end of period (000's)         $  11,157         $   8,323
Ratio of expenses to average net
 assets**                                       1.37%+            2.36%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
 average net assets**                          (0.19%)            0.93%
Portfolio turnover rate**                      18.51%            15.73%
Average commission rate paid                   0.0223            0.0225
</TABLE>
    
 
   
*  Not Annualized.
    
   
** Annualized.
    
   
+  Net of reimbursements by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the ratio of
   expenses to average net assets would be 1.68%.
    
 
                                    -- 15 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
   
(For a No-Load Class Share Outstanding Throughout the Period)
    
 
   
SAFECO BALANCED FUND
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         JANUARY 31, 1996
                                           THREE-MONTH    (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                          PERIOD ENDED     OFFERING) TO
                                          DECEMBER 31,     SEPTEMBER 30,
                                              1996             1996
                                          -------------  -----------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period      $   10.38        $   10.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income                            0.08             0.21
Net realized and unrealized gain on
 investment and foreign currency
 transactions                                    0.45             0.39
                                          -------------       --------
Total from investment operations                 0.53             0.60
                                          -------------       --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment income            (0.08)           (0.21)
Distributions from realized gains               (0.13)           (0.01)
                                          -------------       --------
Total distributions                             (0.21)           (0.22)
                                          -------------       --------
Net asset value at end of period            $   10.70        $   10.38
                                          -------------       --------
                                          -------------       --------
Total return*                                   5.11%            5.99%
Net assets at end of period (000's)         $   8,262        $   7,632
Ratio of expenses to average net
 assets**                                       1.16%+           1.32%
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets**                           3.19%            3.21%
Portfolio turnover rate**                      36.10%          143.87%
Average commission rate paid                $  0.0548        $  0.0560
</TABLE>
    
 
   
*  Not Annualized.
    
   
** Annualized.
    
   
+  Net of reimbursement by SAM. Absent the reimbursement, the ratio of expenses
   to average net assets would be 1.52%.
    
 
                                    -- 16 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
   
(For a No-Load Class Share Outstanding Throughout the Period)
    
 
   
SAFECO SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           THREE-MONTH    JANUARY 31, 1996
                                          PERIOD ENDED     (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                          DECEMBER 31,      OFFERING) TO
                                              1996       SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                          -------------  -------------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period      $   11.51         $   10.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)                    (0.01)            (0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain on
 investment and foreign currency
 transactions                                    0.31              2.19
                                          -------------         -------
Total from investment operations                 0.30              2.18
                                          -------------         -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from net investment income               --                --
Distributions from realized gains                  --             (0.67)
                                          -------------         -------
Total distributions                                --             (0.67)
                                          -------------         -------
Net asset value at end of period            $   11.81         $   11.51
                                          -------------         -------
                                          -------------         -------
Total return*                                   2.61%            21.83%
Net assets at end of period (000's)         $  13,169         $  12,552
Ratio of expenses to average net
 assets**                                       1.35%+            1.49%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
 average net assets**                          (0.44%)           (0.24%)
Portfolio turnover rate**                      73.47%            91.03%
Average commission rate paid                $  0.0496         $  0.0510
</TABLE>
    
 
   
*  Annualized.
    
   
** Not Annualized.
    
   
+  Net of reimbursements by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the ratio of
   expenses to average net assets would be 1.58%.
    
 
                                    -- 17 --
<PAGE>
ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE
   
The Value Fund's adviser, SAFECO Asset Management Company ("SAM") has been
managing institutional private accounts (the "SAFECO Composite") since 1979. The
SAFECO Composite had investment objectives, policies, strategies and risks
substantially similar to those of the Value Fund. The data below is provided to
illustrate the past performance of SAM in managing substantially similar
accounts as measured against the S&P 500 Index and does not represent the
performance of the Value Fund.
    
 
   
CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        SAFECO       S&P 500
YEAR                                                  COMPOSITE       INDEX*
- --------------------------------------------------  --------------  ----------
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>
1987                                                       0.51%         5.17%
1988                                                      19.12%        16.50%
1989                                                      19.72%        31.43%
1990                                                      (4.25%)       (3.19%)
1991                                                      28.85%        30.55%
1992                                                      13.16%         7.68%
1993                                                      10.83%        10.00%
1994                                                       3.58%         1.33%
1995                                                      37.24%        37.50%
1996                                                      25.43%        23.25%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
*  The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index containing common stocks of
   500 industrial, transportation, utility and financial companies, regarded as
   generally representative of the U.S. stock market. The Index reflects the
   reinvestment of income dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, but
   does not reflect fees, brokerage commissions, or other expenses of investing.
    
 
                                    -- 18 --
<PAGE>
ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR ONE, FIVE AND TEN YEAR PERIODS ENDING DECEMBER
31, 1996
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   SAFECO        S&P 500
                                                  COMPOSITE       INDEX
                                                -------------  -----------
<S>                                             <C>            <C>
Last One Year                                        25.43%        23.25%
Last Five Years                                      17.46%        15.26%
Last Ten Years                                       14.74%        15.26%
</TABLE>
 
   
The gross performance of the SAFECO Composite in the tables above is shown after
reduction by the Value Fund's maximum management fee and the estimated "other
expenses" (1.04% per year). All returns presented were calculated on a total
return basis and reflect the reinvestment of capital gains, dividends and
interest. Custodial fees, if any, were not included in the SAFECO Composite
calculation. The SAFECO Composite's returns are asset-weighted using
beginning-of-period market values adjusted for cash flows.
    
 
   
The Value Fund's expenses, timing of purchases and sales of portfolio
securities, availability of cash flows, and brokerage commissions may cause the
performance of the Value Fund to vary from that of the SAFECO Composite. In
addition, the institutional private accounts are not subject to the
diversification requirements, specific tax restrictions and investment
limitations imposed on the Value Fund by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently, the performance results
for the SAFECO Composite could have been adversely affected if the accounts
included in the composite had been regulated as investment companies under the
federal securities laws.
    
 
   
The investment results of the SAFECO Composite are unaudited and are not
intended to predict or suggest the returns that might be experienced by the
Value Fund. Investors should also be aware that the use of a methodology
    
 
                                    -- 19 --
<PAGE>
ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)
different from that used above to calculate the SAFECO Composite's performance
could result in different performance data.
 
   
The S&P 500 Index is used for comparison purposes only. The S&P 500 Index is an
unmanaged index of representative U.S. stocks that has no management or expense
charges. Performance is based on historical earnings and is not intended to
indicate future performance of the Value Fund.
    
 
   
SUB-ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE
    
   
The International Fund's sub-adviser, Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.)
Limited ("BIAM") has been managing separate accounts for institutional clients
in the United States for seven years. These accounts had investment objectives,
policies, strategies and risks substantially similar to those of the
International Fund. BIAM's past performance in advising these accounts was a key
factor in its selection as the Fund's sub-adviser. The performance set forth in
the tables below is based on the return achieved on BIAM's fully discretionary
international equity composite of accounts (the "BIAM Composite"). The BIAM
Composite data is provided to illustrate the past performance of BIAM in
managing substantially similar accounts as measured against the International
Fund and the EAFE Index, and does not represent the performance of the
International Fund.
    
 
                                    -- 20 --
<PAGE>
SUB-ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)
   
CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      BIAM          EAFE
YEAR                                                COMPOSITE      INDEX*
- ------------------------------------------------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                               <C>            <C>
1990                                                   (4.40%)      (23.20%)
1991                                                   10.88%        12.50%
1992                                                   11.28%       (11.85%)
1993                                                   40.82%        32.94%
1994                                                   (7.80%)        8.06%
1995                                                   18.38%        11.55%
1996                                                   21.78%         6.36%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
 
   
*  The Morgan Stanley Europe, Australia and Far East Index ("EAFE Index")
   is a market-weighted aggregate of 20 individual country indices that
   collectively represent many of the major markets of the world, excluding
   Canada and the United States.
    
 
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PERIOD
                                       BEGINNING
                                      JANUARY 31,
                                         1996,
                                        ENDING
                                     DECEMBER 31,      ONE       FIVE
                                         1996         YEAR       YEARS
                                     -------------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                  <C>            <C>        <C>
International Fund                14.23%                   --         --
BIAM Composite                                         21.78%     15.80%
EAFE Index                                              6.36%      8.48%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
 
   
The gross performance of the Composite in the tables above is shown after
reduction by the International Fund's weighted average expenses (2.09%) of the
two fiscal periods ending September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1996. Custodial
fees, if any, were not included in the BIAM Composite calculation. All returns
presented were calculated on a total return basis and reflect the reinvestment
of capital gains, dividends and interest. The BIAM Composite's returns are
asset-weighted using beginning-of-period market values adjusted for cash flows.
    
 
                                    -- 21 --
<PAGE>
SUB-ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)
   
The International Fund's expenses, timing of purchases and sales of portfolio
securities, availability of cash flows, and brokerage commissions are all
reasons that might cause the performance of the International Fund to vary from
that of the SAFECO Composite. In addition, the BIAM Composite accounts are not
subject to the diversification requirements, specific tax restrictions and
investment limitations imposed on the International Fund by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 or Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently,
the performance results for the BIAM Composite could have been adversely
affected if the accounts included in the BIAM Composite had been regulated as
investment companies under the federal securities laws.
    
 
   
The investment results of BIAM's composite are unaudited and are not intended to
predict or suggest the returns that might be experienced by the International
Fund. Investors should also be aware that the use of a methodology different
from that used below to calculate performance could result in different
performance data.
    
 
   
The EAFE Index is used for comparison purposes only. The EAFE Index is an
unmanaged index of representative international stocks that has no management or
expense charges. Performance is based on historical earnings and is not intended
to indicate future performance of the International Fund.
    
 
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The investment objective and investment policies for each Fund are described
below. The Trust's Board of Trustees may change a Fund's objective without
shareholder vote, but no such change will be made without 30 days' prior written
notice to shareholders of that Fund. In the event a Fund changes its investment
objective, the new objective may not meet the
 
                                    -- 22 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
investment needs of every shareholder and may be different from the objective a
shareholder considered appropriate at the time of initial investment.
 
Each Fund has adopted a number of investment restrictions. If a Fund satisfies a
percentage limitation at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in
values, assets or other circumstances will not be considered in determining
whether a Fund complies with the applicable policy (except to the extent the
change may impact a Fund's borrowing limits). Unless otherwise stated, the
investment policies and limitations described below under each Fund's
description and "Common Investment Practices" are non-fundamental and may be
changed without a shareholder vote.
 
GROWTH FUND
 
The Growth Fund has as its investment objective to seek growth of capital and
the increased income that ordinarily follows from such growth. The Growth Fund
ordinarily invests a preponderance of its assets in common stock selected
primarily for potential appreciation. Such investments may cause its share price
to be more volatile than the Equity and Income Funds.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Growth Fund:
 
   
1. WILL INVEST A PREPONDERANCE OF ITS ASSETS IN COMMON STOCKS
   SELECTED PRIMARILY FOR POTENTIAL APPRECIATION. To determine those common
   stocks which have the potential for long-term growth, SAM will evaluate the
   issuer's financial strength, quality of management and earnings power.
    
 
2. MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK
   (INCLUDING CORPORATE BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK THAT CONVERT TO COMMON STOCK,
   EITHER AUTOMATICALLY AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT THE OPTION OF THE
   ISSUER). The Fund will purchase convertible securities if such
 
                                    -- 23 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   securities offer a higher yield than an issuer's common stock and provide
   reasonable potential for capital appreciation.
 
3. MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF NET ASSETS IN CONTINGENT VALUE
   RIGHTS. A contingent value right is a right issued by a corporation that
   takes on a preestablished value if the underlying common stock does not
   attain a target price by a specified date.
 
   
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 69.
    
 
EQUITY FUND
 
The Equity Fund has as its investment objective to seek long-term growth of
capital and reasonable current income. The Equity Fund invests principally in
common stock selected for appreciation and/or dividend potential and from a
long-range investment standpoint. The Equity Fund does not seek to achieve both
growth and income with every portfolio security investment. Rather, it attempts
to achieve a reasonable balance between growth and income on an overall basis.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Equity Fund:
 
1. WILL INVEST, DURING NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, AT LEAST 65%
   OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN EQUITY SECURITIES (WHICH INCLUDE COMMON STOCKS AND
   PREFERRED STOCKS). The Fund will invest principally in common stocks selected
   by SAM primarily for appreciation and/or dividend potential and from a
   long-range investment standpoint.
 
2. MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK
   (INCLUDING CORPORATE BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK THAT CONVERT TO COMMON STOCK,
   WHETHER AUTOMATICALLY AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT THE OPTION OF
   THE ISSUER),
 
                                    -- 24 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   
   EXCEPT THAT LESS THAN 35% OF ITS NET ASSETS WILL BE INVESTED IN SUCH
   SECURITIES. The Equity Fund may invest in convertible corporate bonds that
   are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as "high-yield" or
   "junk" bonds) or in comparable, unrated bonds, but less than 35% of the
   Equity Fund's net assets will be invested in such securities. The Equity Fund
   will not purchase a bond rated below Ca by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
   ("Moody's") or CC by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The
   McGraw-Hill Companies ("S&P") or which is in default on the payment of
   principal and interest. Bonds rated Ca or CC are highly speculative and have
   large uncertainties or major risk exposures. See "Risk Factors" on page 39
   for more information.
    
 
   
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 69. For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 70.
    
 
INCOME FUND
 
The Income Fund has as its investment objective to seek high current income and,
when consistent with its objective, the long-term growth of capital. The Fund
currently intends to place greatest emphasis on holding common stock,
convertible corporate bonds and convertible preferred stock. SAM will select
securities primarily for current income, but also with a view toward capital
growth when this can be accomplished without conflicting with the Fund's
investment objective.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Income Fund:
 
   
1. WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN COMMON STOCK AND ALSO IN
   CONVERTIBLE AND NON-CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK
   (INCLUDING CORPORATE BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK THAT CONVERT TO COMMON STOCK
   EITHER AUTOMATICALLY
    
 
                                    -- 25 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   
   AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT THE OPTION OF THE ISSUER). The Fund
   will purchase convertible securities if such securities offer a higher yield
   than an issuer's common stock and provide reasonable potential for capital
   appreciation. The Income Fund may invest in convertible corporate bonds that
   are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as "high-yield" or
   "junk" bonds) or in comparable, unrated bonds, but less than 35% of the
   Income Fund's net assets will be invested in such securities. Bonds rated Ca
   by Moody's or CC by S&P are highly speculative and have large uncertainties
   or major risk exposures. See "Risk Factors" on page 39 for more information.
    
 
   
2. MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF TOTAL ASSETS IN EURODOLLAR BONDS
   WHICH ARE ISSUED BY U.S. ISSUERS. Eurodollar bonds are traded in the European
   bond market and are denominated in U.S. dollars. The Fund will purchase
   Eurodollar bonds through U.S. securities dealers and hold such bonds in the
   United States. The delivery of Eurodollar bonds to the Fund's custodian in
   the United States may cause slight delays in settlement which are not
   anticipated to affect the Fund in any material, adverse manner.
    
 
   
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 69. For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 70.
    
 
NORTHWEST FUND
 
The Northwest Fund has as its investment objective to seek long-term growth of
capital through investing primarily in Northwest companies. To pursue its
objective, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in securities
issued by companies with their principal executive offices located in Alaska,
Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington.
 
                                    -- 26 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
To pursue its investment objective, the Northwest Fund:
 
1. WILL ORDINARILY INVEST ITS ASSETS IN SHARES OF COMMON STOCKS
   AND PREFERRED STOCKS OF COMPANIES LOCATED IN THE NORTHWEST SELECTED PRIMARILY
   FOR POTENTIAL LONG-TERM APPRECIATION. To determine those common and preferred
   stocks which have the potential for long-term growth, SAM will evaluate the
   issuer's financial strength, quality of management and earnings power. The
   Fund generally invests a portion of its assets in smaller companies. See
   "Risk Factors" for more information about the risks of investing primarily in
   companies located in the Northwest.
 
   
2. MAY OCCASIONALLY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO
   COMMON STOCK WHEN, IN THE OPINION OF SAM, THE EXPECTED TOTAL RETURN OF A
   CONVERTIBLE SECURITY EXCEEDS THE EXPECTED TOTAL RETURN OF COMMON STOCK
   ELIGIBLE FOR PURCHASE BY THE FUND. The Fund may purchase corporate bonds and
   preferred stock that convert to common stock either automatically after a
   specified period of time or at the option of the issuer. The Fund will
   purchase those convertible securities which, in SAM's opinion, have
   underlying common stock with potential for long-term growth. The Fund will
   purchase convertible securities which are investment grade, I.E., rated in
   the top four categories by either S&P or Moody's.
    
 
   
   See "Risk Factors" for more information about the risks inherent in
   geographic concentration. For a brief description of common stocks, preferred
   stocks, convertible securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see
   "Description of Stocks, Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 69. For a
   description of debt securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page
   70.
    
 
                                    -- 27 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
INTERNATIONAL FUND
 
The investment objective of the International Fund is to seek maximum long-term
total return (capital appreciation and income) by investing primarily in common
stock of established non-U.S. companies. To pursue its objective, the
International Fund, under normal market conditions, will invest at least 65% of
its total assets in the securities of companies domiciled in at least five
countries, not including the United States.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the International Fund:
 
1. WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN COMMON STOCKS OF NON-U.S.
   COMPANIES. Common stock issued by foreign companies is subject to various
   risks in addition to those associated with U.S. investments. For example, the
   value of the common stock depends in part upon currency values, the political
   and regulatory environments, and overall economic factors in the countries in
   which the common stock is issued.
 
   
2. MAY INVEST IN PREFERRED STOCKS AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
   ISSUED BY FOREIGN COMPANIES.
    
 
3. MAY INVEST IN DEBT SECURITIES ISSUED BY FOREIGN COMPANIES
   AND GOVERNMENTS. The Fund will make such investments primarily for defensive
   purposes, but may also do so where anticipated interest rate movements, or
   other factors affecting the degree of risk inherent in a fixed income
   security, are expected to change significantly so as to produce appreciation
   in the security consistent with the objective of the Fund. The Fund may
   purchase sovereign debt instruments issued or guaranteed by foreign
   governments or their agencies. Sovereign debt may be in the form of
   conventional securities or other types of debt instruments such as loans or
   loan participations. Governments or governmental entities responsible for
   repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal and
   interest
 
                                    -- 28 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   when due, and may require renegotiation or rescheduling of debt payments.
   Repayment of principal and interest may depend also upon political and
   economic factors.
 
4. MAY INVEST IN PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES
   ("PFICS"), WHICH INCLUDE FUNDS OR TRUSTS ORGANIZED AS INVESTMENT VEHICLES TO
   INVEST IN COMPANIES OF CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. Investors in PFICs bear
   their proportionate share of the PFIC's management fees and other expenses.
   See "Additional Tax Information" in the Trust's Statement of Additional
   Information.
 
5. MAY PURCHASE AND SELL PUT AND CALL OPTIONS ON SECURITIES,
   FINANCIAL INDICES AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES, MAY PURCHASE AND SELL THE FOLLOWING
   NON-LEVERAGED DERIVATIVE SECURITIES: FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS
   WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES, FINANCIAL INDICES AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES, AND MAY
   ENTER INTO FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS SUCH AS FORWARD CONTRACTS. The Fund
   may employ certain strategies and techniques utilizing these instruments to
   mitigate its exposure to changing currency exchange rates, security prices,
   interest rates and other factors that affect security values. There is no
   guarantee that these strategies and techniques will work.
 
   An option gives an owner the right to buy or sell securities at a
   predetermined exercise price for a given period of time. The writer of an
   option is obligated to purchase or sell (depending upon the nature of the
   option) the underlying securities if the option is exercised during the
   specified period of time. A futures contract is an agreement in which the
   seller of the contract agrees to deliver to the buyer an amount of cash equal
   to a specific dollar amount times the difference between the value of a
   security at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price
   at which
 
                                    -- 29 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   the agreement is made. A forward currency contract is an agreement to
   purchase or sell a foreign currency at some future time for a fixed amount of
   U.S. dollars.
 
   The Fund, under normal conditions, will not sell a put or call option if, as
   a result thereof, the aggregate value of the assets underlying all such
   options (determined as of the date such options are written) would exceed 25%
   of the Fund's net assets. The Fund will not purchase a put or call option or
   option on a futures contract if, as a result thereof, the aggregate premiums
   paid on all options or options on futures contracts held by the Fund would
   exceed 20% of its net assets. In addition, the Fund will not enter into any
   futures contract or option on a futures contract if, as a result thereof, the
   aggregate margin deposits and premiums required on all such instruments would
   exceed 5% of its net assets.
 
   
See "Risk Factors" for more information about the risks inherent in securities
issued by foreign issuers and in the purchase and sale of options, futures and
forward contracts. For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks,
convertible securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of
Stocks, Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 69.
    
 
BALANCED FUND
 
The Balanced Fund has as its investment objective to seek growth and income
consistent with the preservation of capital. To pursue its objective, the
Balanced Fund will invest primarily in equity and fixed income securities and
will occasionally alter the mix of its equity and fixed income securities. Such
action will be taken in response to economic conditions and generally in small
increments. The Balanced Fund will not make significant changes in its asset mix
in an attempt to "time the market."
 
                                    -- 30 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
To pursue its investment objective, the Balanced Fund:
 
1. WILL ORDINARILY INVEST FROM 50% TO 70% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS
   IN EQUITY SECURITIES, WHICH INCLUDE COMMON STOCKS, PREFERRED STOCK AND
   SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK. The Fund will invest principally in
   common stocks selected by SAM primarily for appreciation and/or dividend
   potential and from a long-range investment standpoint. The Fund may purchase
   corporate bonds and preferred stock that convert to common stock either
   automatically after a specified period of time or at the option of the
   issuer.
 
   The Fund will purchase those convertible securities which, in SAM's opinion,
   have underlying common stock with potential for long-term growth. The Fund
   will purchase convertible securities which are investment grade, I.E., rated
   in the top four categories by either S&P or Moody's.
 
2. WILL INVEST AT LEAST 25% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN FIXED-INCOME
   SENIOR SECURITIES. The Fund will purchase only those U.S. Government and
   investment grade debt obligations or non-rated debt obligations which in
   SAM's view contain the credit characteristics of investment grade debt
   obligations. Investment grade obligations (rated between Aaa - Baa by Moody's
   and AAA-BBB by S&P) are from high to medium quality. Medium quality
   obligations possess speculative characteristics and may be more sensitive to
   economic changes and changes to the financial condition of issuers.
 
   
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 69. For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 70.
    
 
                                    -- 31 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
SMALL COMPANY FUND
 
The Small Company Fund has as its investment objective to seek long-term growth
of capital through investing primarily in small-sized companies. To pursue its
objective, the Small Company Fund will invest primarily in companies with total
market capitalization of less than $1 billion.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Small Company Fund:
 
1. WILL INVEST AT LEAST 65% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN COMMON STOCK
   AND PREFERRED STOCK OF SMALL-SIZED COMPANIES WITH TOTAL MARKET CAPITALIZATION
   OF LESS THAN $1 BILLION. Companies whose capitalization falls outside this
   range after purchase continue to be considered small-capitalized for purposes
   of the 65% policy. The Fund will invest principally in common stocks selected
   by SAM primarily for appreciation and/or dividend potential and from a
   long-range investment standpoint. In determining those common and preferred
   stocks which have the potential for long-term growth, SAM will evaluate the
   issuer's financial strength, quality of management and earnings power.
   Investments in small or newly formed companies involve greater risks than
   investments in larger, more established issuers and their securities can be
   subject to more abrupt and erratic movements in price. See "Risk Factors" for
   more information about the risks inherent in securities issued by small
   companies.
 
2. MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK
   WHEN, IN SAM'S OPINION, THE EXPECTED TOTAL RETURN OF A CONVERTIBLE SECURITY
   EXCEEDS THE EXPECTED TOTAL RETURN OF COMMON STOCK ELIGIBLE FOR PURCHASE BY
   THE FUND. The Fund will purchase convertible securities if such securities
   offer a higher yield than an issuer's common stock and provide reasonable
   potential for capital appreciation. The Fund may invest in convertible
   corporate bonds that are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to
   as "high-yield" or "junk" bonds) or in comparable, unrated
 
                                    -- 32 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   
   bonds, but less than 35% of the Fund's net assets will be invested in such
   securities. Bonds rated Ca by Moody's or CC by S&P are highly speculative and
   have large uncertainties or major risk exposures. See "Risk Factors" on page
   39 for more information.
    
 
   
See "Risk Factors" for more information about the risks inherent in small
company issuers. For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks,
convertible securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of
Stocks, Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 69 . For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 70.
    
 
VALUE FUND
 
   
The Value Fund has as its investment objective to seek long-term growth of
capital and income. The Value Fund primarily invests in common stock selected
for potential appreciation and income using fundamental value analysis. The
Value Fund will invest at least 65% of its assets in common stock and preferred
stock issued by U.S. companies.
    
 
   
To pursue its investment objective, the Value Fund:
    
 
   
1. WILL INVEST A PREPONDERANCE OF ITS ASSETS IN COMMON STOCKS
   SELECTED PRIMARILY FOR POTENTIAL APPRECIATION. To determine those common
   stocks which have the potential for long-term growth, SAM will evaluate the
   issuer's financial strength, quality of management and earnings power.
    
 
   
2. MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK
   (INCLUDING CORPORATE BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK THAT CONVERT TO COMMON STOCK,
   EITHER AUTOMATICALLY, AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT THE OPTION OF
   THE ISSUER). The Fund will purchase convertible securities if such securities
   offer a higher yield than an issuer's common
    
 
                                    -- 33 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   
   stock and provide reasonable potential for capital appreciation. The Value
   Fund may invest in convertible corporate bonds that are rated below
   investment grade (commonly referred to as "high-yield" or "junk bonds") or in
   comparable, unrated bonds, but less than 35% of the Value Fund's net assets
   will be invested in such securities. Bonds rated Ca by Moody's or CC by S&P
   are highly speculative and have large uncertainties or major risk exposures.
    
 
   
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities on page 69. See "Risk Factors" on page 39 for
more information.
    
 
COMMON INVESTMENT PRACTICES OF THE FUNDS
 
Each of the Funds may also follow the investment practices described below:
 
1. MAY INVEST IN BONDS AND OTHER DEBT SECURITIES. Each Fund
   may invest in bonds and other debt securities that are rated investment grade
   by Moody's or S&P, or unrated bonds determined by SAM to be of comparable
   quality to such rated bonds. Bonds rated in the lowest category of investment
   grade (Baa by Moody's and BBB by S&P) and comparable unrated bonds have
   speculative characteristics and are more likely to have a weakened capacity
   to make principal and interest payments under changing economic conditions or
   upon deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer.
 
   After purchase by a Fund, a corporate bond may be downgraded or, if unrated,
   may cease to be comparable to a rated security. Neither event will require a
   Fund to dispose of that security, but SAM will take a downgrade or loss of
   comparability into account in determining whether the Fund should continue to
   hold the security in its portfolio. The Equity Fund will not hold more than
   3% of its total
 
                                    -- 34 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   assets and the Income Fund will not hold more than 1% of its total assets in
   bonds that go into default on the payment of principal and interest after
   purchase. In the event that 35% or more of a Fund's net assets is held in
   securities rated below investment grade due to a downgrade of one or more
   corporate bonds, SAM will engage in an orderly disposition of such securities
   to the extent necessary to ensure that the Fund's holdings of such securities
   remain below 35% of the Fund's net assets.
 
2. MAY INVEST IN WARRANTS. Warrants are options to buy a
   stated number of shares of common stock at a specified price any time during
   the life of the warrant. Generally, the value of a warrant will fluctuate by
   greater percentages than the value of the underlying common stock. The
   primary risk associated with a warrant is that the term of the warrant may
   expire before the exercise price of the common stock has been reached. Under
   these circumstances, a Fund could lose all of its principal investment in the
   warrant.
 
   
3. MAY HOLD CASH OR INVEST TEMPORARILY IN HIGH QUALITY, SHORT-
   TERM SECURITIES ISSUED BY AN AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE U.S.
   GOVERNMENT, HIGH QUALITY COMMERCIAL PAPER, CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, SHARES OF
   NO-LOAD, OPEN-END MONEY MARKET FUNDS (EXCEPT THE EQUITY FUND) OR REPURCHASE
   AGREEMENTS. The Funds may purchase these short-term securities as a cash
   management technique under those circumstances where it has cash to manage
   for a short time period, for example, after receiving proceeds from the sale
   of securities, dividend distributions from portfolio securities or cash from
   the sale of Fund shares to investors. With respect to repurchase agreements,
   each Fund will invest no more than 5% of its total assets in repurchase
   agreements and will not purchase repurchase agreements that mature
    
 
                                    -- 35 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   in more than seven days. Counterparties of foreign repurchase agreements may
   be less creditworthy than U.S. counterparties.
 
4. MAY PURCHASE SECURITIES ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED-
   DELIVERY" BASIS OR PURCHASE OR SELL SECURITIES ON A "FORWARD COMMITMENT"
   BASIS. Under this procedure, a Fund agrees to acquire securities that are to
   be issued and delivered against payment in the future. The price, however, is
   fixed at the time of commitment. When a Fund purchases when-issued or
   delayed-delivery securities, its custodian bank will maintain in a temporary
   holding account cash, U.S. Government securities or other high-grade debt
   obligations having a value equal to or greater than such commitments. On
   delivery dates for such transactions, the Fund will meet its obligations from
   maturities or sales of the securities held in the temporary holding account
   or from then-available cash flow. If a Fund chooses to dispose of the right
   to acquire a when-issued or delayed delivery security prior to its
   acquisition, it could incur a gain or loss due to market fluctuations. Use of
   these techniques may affect a Fund's share price in a manner similar to
   leveraging.
 
5. MAY INVEST IN AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ("ADRS").
   ADRs are registered receipts evidencing ownership of an underlying foreign
   security. They typically are issued in the United States by a bank or trust
   company. In addition to the risks of foreign investment applicable to the
   underlying securities, ADRs may also be subject to the risks that the foreign
   issuer may not be obligated to cooperate with the U.S. bank or trust company,
   or that such information in the U.S. market may not be current. ADRs which
   are structured without sponsorship of the issuer of the underlying foreign
   security may also be subject to the risk that the foreign issuer may not
   provide financial and other material information to the U.S. bank or trust
   company issuer. The
 
                                    -- 36 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   International Fund may utilize European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), which
   are similar instruments. EDRs may be in bearer form and are designed for use
   in the European securities markets.
 
   
6. MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN FOREIGN
   SECURITIES, EXCEPT THE INTERNATIONAL FUND, WHICH MAY INVEST 100% OF ITS
   ASSETS IN FOREIGN SECURITIES. Foreign securities are subject to risks in
   addition to those inherent in investments in domestic securities. See "Risk
   Factors" on page 39 for more information about the risks associated with
   investments in foreign securities.
    
 
7. MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN SHARES OF REAL
   ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS ("REITS"). REITs purchase real property, which is
   then leased, and make mortgage investments. For federal income tax purposes,
   REITs attempt to qualify for beneficial "modified pass-through" tax treatment
   by annually distributing at least 95% of their taxable income. If a REIT were
   unable to qualify for such tax treatment, it would be taxed as a corporation
   and the distributions made to its shareholders would not be deductible by it
   in computing its taxable income. REITs are dependent upon the successful
   operation of properties owned and the financial condition of lessees and
   mortgagors. The value of REIT units fluctuates depending on the underlying
   value of the real property and mortgages owned and the amount of cash flow
   (net income plus depreciation) generated and paid out. In addition, REITs
   typically borrow to increase funds available for investment. Generally, there
   is a greater risk associated with REITs that are highly leveraged.
 
8. MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN RESTRICTED
   SECURITIES, PROVIDED THAT SAM HAS DETERMINED THAT SUCH SECURITIES ARE LIQUID
   UNDER GUIDELINES ADOPTED BY THE TRUST'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Restricted
   securities may be sold
 
                                    -- 37 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
   
   only in offerings registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
   ("1933 Act"), or in transactions exempt from the registration requirements
   under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A under the 1933 Act provides an exemption for
   the resale of certain restricted securities to qualified institutional
   buyers. Investing in restricted securities may increase the Funds'
   illiquidity to the extent that qualified institutional buyers or other buyers
   become, for a time, unwilling to purchase the securities. As a result, a Fund
   may not be able to sell these securities when its investment adviser or
   sub-adviser deems it advisable to sell, or may have to sell them at less than
   fair value. In addition, market quotations are sometimes less readily
   available for restricted securities. Therefore, judgment may at times play a
   greater role in valuing these securities than in the case of unrestricted
   securities.
    
 
   
9. MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES WHOSE PERFORMANCE AND PRINCIPAL
   AMOUNT AT MATURITY ARE LINKED TO A SPECIFIED EQUITY SECURITY OR SECURITIES
   INDEX. The value of an indexed security is determined by reference to a
   specific equity instrument or statistic. The performance of indexed
   securities depends largely on the performance of the securities or indices to
   which they are indexed, but such securities are also subject to credit risks
   associated with the issuer of the security. Indexed securities may also be
   more volatile than their underlying instruments.
    
 
10.MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN SECURITIES OF
   UNSEASONED ISSUERS. Unseasoned issuers are those companies which, together
   with any predecessors, have been in operation for less than three years.
 
The following restrictions are fundamental policies of the Funds that cannot be
changed without shareholder vote.
 
                                    -- 38 --
<PAGE>
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES (CONTINUED)
1. EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 75% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL
   ASSETS, MAY NOT INVEST MORE THAN 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN THE SECURITIES OF
   ANY ONE ISSUER (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
2. THE GROWTH, INCOME AND NORTHWEST FUNDS MAY NOT
   PURCHASE MORE THAN 10% OF ANY CLASS OF SECURITIES OF ANY ONE ISSUER.
 
3. EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 100% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL
   ASSETS, MAY NOT PURCHASE MORE THAN 10% OF THE OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES
   OF ANY ONE ISSUER (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
   
4. EACH FUND MAY BORROW MONEY ONLY FOR TEMPORARY OR
   EMERGENCY PURPOSES, AND THE GROWTH FUND ONLY FOR EXTRAORDINARY OR EMERGENCY
   PURPOSES, FROM A BANK OR AFFILIATE OF SAFECO CORPORATION AT AN INTEREST RATE
   NOT GREATER THAN THAT AVAILABLE FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS. The Growth, Income and
   Northwest Funds will not borrow amounts in excess of 20%, and the Equity,
   Balanced, International, Small Company and Value Funds will not borrow
   amounts in excess of 33%, of total assets. A Fund will not purchase
   securities if borrowings equal to or greater than 5% of total assets are
   outstanding for that Fund.
    
 
For more information, see the "Investment Policies" and "Additional Investment
Information" sections of the Trust's Statement of Additional Information.
 
RISK FACTORS
There are market risks in all securities transactions. Various factors may cause
the value of a shareholder's investment in a Fund to fluctuate. The principal
risk factor associated with an
 
                                    -- 39 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
investment in a mutual fund like any of the Funds is that the market value of
the portfolio securities may decrease, resulting in a decrease in the value of a
shareholder's investment.
 
An investment in the Northwest Fund may be subject to different risks than a
mutual fund whose investments are more geographically diverse. Since the
Northwest Fund invests primarily in companies with their principal executive
offices located in the Northwest, the number of issuers whose securities are
eligible for purchase is significantly less than many other mutual funds. Also,
some companies whose securities are held in the Northwest Fund's portfolio may
primarily distribute products or provide services in a specific locale or in the
Northwest region. The long-term growth of these companies can be significantly
affected by business trends in and the economic health of those areas. Other
companies whose securities are held by the Northwest Fund may have a
predominately national or partially international market for their products or
services and are more likely to be impacted by national or international trends.
As a result, the performance of the Northwest Fund may be influenced by business
trends or economic conditions not only in a specific locale or in the Northwest
region but also on a national or international level, depending on the companies
whose securities are held in its portfolio at any particular time.
 
The Equity, Income, Small Company and Value Funds may invest in, and the other
Funds as a result of downgrades may own, below investment grade bonds. Below
investment grade bonds are speculative and involve greater investment risks than
investment grade bonds due to the issuer's reduced creditworthiness and
increased likelihood of default and bankruptcy. During periods of economic
uncertainty or change, the market prices of below-investment grade bonds may
experience increased volatility. Below-investment grade bonds tend to reflect
short-term economic and corporate developments to a greater extent than higher
quality bonds.
 
                                    -- 40 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
Because the International Fund primarily invests, and the other Funds may
invest, in foreign securities, each Fund is subject to risks in addition to
those associated with U.S. investments. Foreign investments involve sovereign
risk, which includes the possibility of adverse local political or economic
developments, expropriation or nationalization of assets, imposition of
withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments and currency blockage (which
would prevent currency from being sold). Foreign investments may be affected
favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control
regulations. There is generally less publicly available information about
issuers of foreign securities as compared to U.S. issuers. Many foreign
companies are not subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
Securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than
securities of U.S. issuers. Financial markets on which foreign securities trade
are generally subject to less governmental regulation as compared to U.S.
markets. Foreign brokerage commissions and custodian fees are generally higher
than those in the United States.
 
In addition, the International Fund may purchase and sell put and call options,
futures contracts and forward contracts. Risks inherent in the use of futures,
options and forward contracts include: the risk that interest rates, security
prices and currency markets will not move in the directions anticipated;
imperfect correlation between the price of the future, option or forward
contract and the price of the security, interest rate or currency being hedged;
the risk that potential losses may exceed the amount invested in the contracts
themselves; the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular
instrument at any time; the possible need to defer closing out certain hedged
positions to avoid adverse tax consequences; and the reduction or elimination of
the opportunity to profit from increases in the value of the security, interest
rate or currency being hedged.
 
                                    -- 41 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
 
The Growth Fund currently has an aggressive investment approach to seeking
capital appreciation. The Growth Fund may invest a significant portion of its
assets in securities issued by smaller companies. In addition, the Small Company
Fund invests in companies with small market capitalizations which involve more
risks than investments in larger companies. Such companies may include newly
formed companies which have limited product lines, markets or financial
resources and may lack management depth. The securities of small or newly formed
companies may have limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt and
erratic movements in price than securities of larger, more established
companies, or equity securities in general. Such volatility in price may in turn
cause the Growth Fund's and Small Company Fund's share prices to be volatile.
 
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
GROWTH FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the Growth Fund is Thomas M. Maguire, Vice President,
SAM. Mr. Maguire has served as portfolio manager for the Fund since 1989.
 
EQUITY FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the Equity Fund is Richard D. Meagley, Vice President,
SAM. Mr. Meagley began serving as portfolio manager for the Fund in 1995. He is
also the portfolio manager for certain other SAFECO Funds. Prior to these
positions, he served as portfolio manager and analyst from 1992 to 1994 for
Kennedy Associates, Inc., an investment advisory firm located in Seattle,
Washington. He was an Assistant Vice President of SAM and the fund manager of
the SAFECO Northwest Fund from 1991 to 1992.
 
                                    -- 42 --
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS (CONTINUED)
INCOME FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the Income Fund is Thomas E. Rath, Assistant Vice
President of SAM. Mr. Rath has been a portfolio manager and securities analyst
for SAFECO Corporation since 1994. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Rath was a principal
and portfolio manager for Meridian Capital Management, Inc., located in Seattle,
Washington. From 1987 to 1992 he was a portfolio manager and securities analyst
for First Interstate Bank, located in Seattle, Washington, and from 1983 to 1987
he was a securities analyst for SAFECO Corporation.
 
NORTHWEST FUND
 
   
The portfolio manager for the Northwest Fund is Bill Whitlow. Mr. Whitlow began
serving as portfolio manager for the Fund in April 1997. From 1990 to April
1997, he was a principal and Manager of Pacific Northwest Research for the
brokerage firm of Pacific Crest Securities, located in Seattle, Washington.
    
 
INTERNATIONAL FUND
 
The International Fund is managed by a committee of portfolio managers employed
and supervised by the Sub-Adviser, Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.)
Limited, an investment adviser registered with the SEC. All investment decisions
are made by this committee and no single person is primarily responsible for
making recommendations to that committee.
 
BALANCED FUND
 
The equity portion of the Balanced Fund is co-managed by Rex L. Bentley, Vice
President, SAM, and Lynette D. Sagvold, Assistant Vice President, SAM, and the
fixed-income portion is managed by Michael C. Knebel, Vice President, SAM. Mr.
Bentley was Vice President and Investment Counsel at the investment advisory
firm of Badgley, Phelps and Bell Investment Counsel, Inc., from 1990 to 1995. He
was a securities analyst for SAFECO Corporation from 1975 to 1983. Ms. Sagvold
was a portfolio manager and analyst for First Interstate Bank from 1993 to 1995
and she was a portfolio
 
                                    -- 43 --
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS (CONTINUED)
manager and analyst for Key Trust Company from 1985 to 1993. Mr. Knebel has
served as portfolio manager for certain other SAFECO mutual funds since 1989.
 
SMALL COMPANY FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the Small Company Fund is Greg Eisen. Mr. Eisen has
served as an investment analyst for SAM since 1992. From 1986 to 1992, Mr. Eisen
was engaged by the SAFECO Insurance Companies as a financial analyst.
 
VALUE FUND
 
The Value Fund is co-managed by Rex L. Bentley, Vice President, SAM and Lynette
D. Sagvold, Assistant Vice President, SAM. Mr. Bentley was Vice President and
Investment Counsel at the investment advisory firm of Badgley, Phelps and Bell
Investment Counsel, Inc. from 1990 to 1995. He was a securities analyst for
SAFECO Corporation from 1975 to 1983. Ms. Sagvold was a portfolio manager and
analyst for First Interstate Bank from 1993 to 1995 and she was a portfolio
manager and analyst for Key Trust Company from 1985 to 1993.
 
Each portfolio manager and certain other persons related to SAM, the Sub-Adviser
and the Funds are subject to written policies and procedures designed to prevent
abusive personal securities trading. Incorporated within these policies and
procedures are recommendations made by the Investment Company Institute (the
trade group for the mutual fund industry) with respect to personal securities
trading by persons associated with mutual funds. Those recommendations include
preclearance procedures and blackout periods when certain personnel may not
trade in securities that are the same or related securities being considered for
purchase or sale by a Fund.
 
                                    -- 44 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
   
A completed and signed application must accompany payment for an initial
purchase by mail and in all cases is necessary before a redemption can be made.
Specific applications for retirement accounts must be completed and signed
before any retirement account can be set up. The Funds only accept funds drawn
in U.S. dollars and payable through a U.S. bank. The Funds do not accept
currency. The Funds issue shares in uncertificated form, but will issue
certificates for whole shares without charge upon written request. You will be
required to post a bond to replace missing certificates. Please note that SAFECO
Services may not be able to provide participant sub-accounting services for all
employee benefit or pension plans that require such services.
    
 
THE FUNDS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY OFFER TO PURCHASE SHARES.
 
INITIAL PURCHASES
 
MINIMUM INITIAL INVESTMENT $1,000 (IRA, UGMA AND UTMA $250).
 
Minimum initial investments are negotiable for retirement accounts other than
IRAs.
 
No minimum initial investment is required to establish the Automatic Investment
Method (except for certain UGMA or UTMA accounts) or Payroll Deduction Plan.
 
BY WRITTEN REQUEST
 
   
Send a check or money order made payable to the No-Load Class of the applicable
Fund and a completed and signed application to the address on the Prospectus
cover.
    
 
BY WIRE
 
   
Call toll-free 1-800-624-5711 or, in Seattle, 1-206-545-7319 for instructions.
    
 
Not available for retirement accounts.
 
                                    -- 45 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
IN PERSON
 
   
Visit a SAFECO Investor Center. Investor Centers are located at 1409 Fifth
Avenue and 4333 Brooklyn Avenue N.E. in Seattle, Washington, and at 15411 N.E.
51st Street in Redmond, Washington. A representative will be available to assist
you in completing your application.
    
 
ADDITIONAL PURCHASES
 
MINIMUM ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT $100 FOR ALL ACCOUNTS, EXCEPT FOR UGMA OR UTMA
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT METHOD ("AIM") ACCOUNTS OPENED WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT
OF $250 OR MORE. THESE ACCOUNTS HAVE A MINIMUM ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT OF ONLY
$50. THERE IS NO MINIMUM INVESTMENT FOR DIVIDEND REINVESTMENTS.
 
Minimum additional investments are negotiable for retirement accounts other than
IRAs.
 
BY WRITTEN REQUEST
 
   
Send a check or money order made payable to the No-Load Class of the applicable
Fund to the address on the Prospectus cover. Please specify your account number.
    
 
BY WIRE
 
   
Instruct your bank to send wires to U.S. Bank of Washington, N.A., Seattle,
Washington, ABA#1250-0010-5,
Account #0017-086083.
    
 
   
To ensure timely credit to your account, ask your bank to include the following
information in its wire to            :
    
 
   
/ / SAFECO Fund name and class name (No-Load)
    
 
/ / SAFECO account number
 
/ / Name of the registered owner(s) of the SAFECO account
 
Delays of purchases caused by inadequate wire instructions are not the
responsibility of the Funds or SAFECO Services.
 
                                    -- 46 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
Your bank may charge a fee for wire services.
 
BY TELEPHONE
 
   
Call 1-800-624-5711 or, in Seattle, 1-206-545-7319. You must have previously
selected this service on your account application or by written request. Not
available to open a new account or for retirement accounts.
    
 
Maximum purchase $100,000 per day, minimum purchase $100 per day.
 
Monies will be transferred from your predesignated bank account to your existing
Fund account. Your bank may charge a fee if monies are wired to your Fund
account. Please allow 15 business days after selecting this service for it to be
available for first use.
 
Telephone purchases may be unavailable from some bank accounts and nonbank
financial institutions.
 
   
Please read "Telephone Transactions" on page 54 for other important information.
    
 
IN PERSON
 
   
You may complete your initial application and make additional investments in
person by visiting a SAFECO Investor Center. Investor Centers are located at
1409 Fifth Avenue and 4333 Brooklyn Avenue N.E. in Seattle, Washington, and at
15411 N.E. 51st Street in Redmond, Washington.
    
 
THROUGH REGISTERED SECURITIES DEALERS
 
You may open your account and make additional investments through a registered
securities dealer who is responsible for the prompt forwarding of purchase
orders. A dealer may charge a transaction fee and may place more restrictive
conditions on a purchase than would apply if you purchased your shares directly
from a Fund.
 
                                    -- 47 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
THROUGH REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS
 
   
Please read "Transactions Through Registered Investment Advisers" on page 55 for
important information.
    
 
SHARE PURCHASE PRICE
 
   
You will buy full and fractional shares at the net asset value ("NAV") next
computed after your check, money order or wire has been received. For telephone
purchase orders, you will receive the price per share calculated on the day
monies are received from your bank account. See "Share Price Calculation" on
page 56 for more information.
    
 
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
BY WRITTEN REQUEST
 
   
Shares may be redeemed by sending a letter which specifies your account number,
the Fund's name and applicable class, and the number of shares or dollar amount
you wish to redeem. The request should be sent to the address on the Prospectus
cover. The request must be signed by the appropriate number of owners and in
some cases a signature guarantee may be required. In all cases, SAFECO Services
must have a signed and completed application on file before a redemption can be
made. See "Account Changes and Signature Requirements" on page 68 for more
information.
    
 
Retirement account shareholders must specify whether or not they elect 10%
federal income tax withholding from a distribution other than an "eligible
rollover distribution."
 
BY TELEPHONE
 
   
Call 1-800-624-5711 or, in Seattle, 1-206-545-7319. You must have previously
selected this service on your account application or by written request.
Telephone redemptions are not available for retirement accounts or shares issued
in certificate
    
 
                                    -- 48 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES (CONTINUED)
form. You may request that redemption proceeds be sent directly to your
predesignated bank or mailed to your account address of record.
 
   
Please read "Telephone Transactions" on page 54 for other important information.
    
 
IN PERSON
 
Shares may be redeemed in person by visiting a SAFECO Investor Center. Investor
Centers are located at 1409 Fifth Avenue and 4333 Brooklyn Avenue N.E. in
Seattle, Washington, and at 15411 N.E. 51st Street in Redmond, Washington. Funds
for shares redeemed in person may be mailed to your address of record, sent
directly to your bank or retrieved directly from the SAFECO Investor Center once
they become available.
 
THROUGH REGISTERED SECURITIES DEALERS
 
Requests for redemption of shares by wire or telephone will be accepted from
registered securities dealers under agreement with each Fund's principal
underwriter. The dealer may charge a transaction fee for any order processed.
 
THROUGH REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS
 
   
Please read "Transactions Through Registered Investment Advisers" on page 55 for
important information.
    
 
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
 
If your shares were purchased by wire, redemption proceeds will be available
immediately. If shares were purchased other than by wire, each Fund reserves the
right to hold the proceeds of your redemption for up to 15 business days after
investment or until such time as the Fund has received assurance that your
investment will be honored by the bank on which it was drawn, whichever occurs
first.
 
                                    -- 49 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES (CONTINUED)
SAFECO Services charges a $10 fee to wire redemption proceeds. In addition, some
banks may charge a fee to receive wires.
 
If shares are issued in certificate form, the certificates must accompany a
redemption request and be duly endorsed.
 
Under some circumstances (E.G., a change in corporate officer or death of an
owner), SAFECO Services may require certified copies of supporting documents
before a redemption will be made.
 
SHARE REDEMPTION PRICE AND PROCESSING
 
   
Your shares will be redeemed at the NAV next calculated after receipt of your
request that meets the redemption requirements of the Funds. The value of the
shares you redeem may be more or less than the dollar amount you purchased,
depending on the market value of the shares at the time of redemption. See
"Share Price Calculation" on page 56 for more information.
    
 
   
Redemption proceeds will normally be sent on the next business day following
receipt of your redemption request. If your redemption request is received after
the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (normally 1:00 p.m.
Pacific time), proceeds will normally be sent on the second business day
following receipt. Each Fund, however, reserves the right to postpone payment of
redemption proceeds for up to seven days if making immediate payment could
adversely affect its portfolio. In addition, redemptions may be suspended or
payment dates postponed if the NYSE is closed, its trading is restricted or the
Securities and Exchange Commission declares an emergency.
    
 
Due to the high cost of maintaining small accounts, your account may be closed
upon 60 days' written notice if at the time of any redemption or exchange the
total value falls below
 
                                    -- 50 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES (CONTINUED)
$100. Your shares will be redeemed at the NAV calculated on the day your account
is closed and the proceeds will be sent to you.
 
HOW TO SYSTEMATICALLY PURCHASE OR REDEEM SHARES
   
Call 1-800-426-6730 or 1-206-545-5530, in Seattle, for more information.
    
 
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT METHOD ("AIM")
 
AIM enables you to make regular monthly investments by authorizing SAFECO
Services to withdraw a specific amount from your bank account and invest the
amount in any Fund. AIM has a minimum $100 per withdrawal per Fund for all
accounts (except UGMA and UTMA accounts which have a lower $50 minimum for
additional investments provided that the account was opened with an initial
investment of at least $250).
 
PAYROLL DEDUCTION PLAN
 
An employer or other entity using group billing may establish a
self-administered payroll deduction plan in any Fund. Payroll deduction amounts
are negotiable.
 
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
 
This plan enables you to receive a portion of your investment on a monthly
basis. A Fund automatically redeems shares in your account and sends you a
withdrawal check (minimum amount $50 per Fund) on or about the fifth business
day of every month.
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES FROM ONE FUND TO ANOTHER
An exchange is the redemption of shares of one SAFECO Fund and the purchase of
shares of another SAFECO Fund in
 
                                    -- 51 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES FROM ONE FUND TO ANOTHER (CONTINUED)
accounts which are identically registered; i.e., have the same registered owners
and account number. For income tax purposes, depending on the cost or other
basis of the shares you exchange, you may realize a capital gain or loss when
you make an exchange. You may purchase shares of a SAFECO Fund by exchange only
if it is registered for sale in the state where you reside. Before exchanging
into another SAFECO Fund, please read its current Prospectus.
 
BY WRITTEN REQUEST
 
Shares may be exchanged by writing SAFECO Services at the address on the
Prospectus cover. Please designate the SAFECO Funds and classes you wish to
exchange out of and into as well as your account number. The request must be
signed by the number of owners designated on your account application and in
some cases a signature guarantee may be required. See "Account Changes and
Signature Requirements" for more information.
 
If the shares you want to exchange are evidenced by certificates, the
certificates must accompany the request and be duly endorsed.
 
Under some circumstances (E.G., a change in corporate officer or death of an
owner), SAFECO Services may require certified copies of supporting documents
before an exchange can be made.
 
BY TELEPHONE
 
   
Call 1-800-624-5711 or, in Seattle, 1-206-545-7319.
    
 
Exchanges by telephone must be in amounts of $1,000 or more. Telephone exchanges
are not available for shares issued in certificate form.
 
   
Please read "Telephone Transactions" on page 54 for other important information.
    
 
                                    -- 52 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES FROM ONE FUND TO ANOTHER (CONTINUED)
THROUGH REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS
 
   
Please read "Transactions Through Registered Investment Advisers" on page 55 for
important information.
    
 
SHARE EXCHANGE PRICE AND PROCESSING
 
The shares of the SAFECO Fund you are exchanging from will be redeemed at the
price next computed after your exchange request is received. Normally, the
purchase of the SAFECO Fund you are exchanging into is executed on the same day.
However, each Fund reserves the right to delay the payment of proceeds and,
hence, the purchase in an exchange for up to seven days if making immediate
payment could adversely affect the portfolio of the Fund whose shares are being
redeemed. The exchange privilege may be modified or terminated with respect to a
Fund at any time, upon at least 60 days' notice to shareholders.
 
LIMITATIONS
 
Each Fund reserves the right to refuse exchange purchases or simultaneous order
transactions by any person or group if, in SAM's judgment, the Fund would not be
able to invest the money effectively in accordance with that Fund's investment
objective and policies or would otherwise potentially be adversely affected.
Although a Fund will attempt to give you prior notice whenever it is reasonably
able to do so, it may impose the above restrictions at any time.
 
The Funds are not intended to serve as vehicles for frequent trading in response
to short-term fluctuations in the market. Due to the disruptive effect that
market-timing investment strategies can have on efficient portfolio management,
the Funds have instituted certain policies to discourage excessive exchange and
simultaneous order transactions. Exchanges and simultaneous order transactions
which, in SAM's judgment, appear to follow a market-timing strategy are limited
to 4 in any 12 month period per account holder (or account, in a case
 
                                    -- 53 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES FROM ONE FUND TO ANOTHER (CONTINUED)
where one person or entity exercises investment discretion over more than one
account). For purposes of these limitations a "simultaneous order transaction"
is a transaction where a significant portion of an account's assets are redeemed
from one SAFECO Mutual Fund and shortly thereafter reinvested into another
SAFECO Mutual Fund. In order to protect the shareholders of the Funds, SAM
reserves the right to exercise its discretion in determining whether a
particular transaction qualifies as a simultaneous order transaction. In
addition to the foregoing limitations on exchanges and simultaneous order
transactions, as described above, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any
offer to purchase shares.
 
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
   
To purchase, redeem or exchange shares by telephone, call 1-800-624-5711 or, in
Seattle, 1-206-545-7319 between 5:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Pacific time, Monday
through Friday, except certain holidays. All telephone calls are tape-recorded
for your protection. During times of drastic or unusual market volatility, it
may be difficult for you to exercise the telephone transaction privileges.
    
 
To use the telephone purchase, redemption and exchange privileges, you must have
previously selected these services either on your account application or by
having submitted a request in writing to SAFECO Services at the address on the
Prospectus cover. Purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares by telephone allows
the Funds and SAFECO Services to accept telephone instructions from an account
owner or a person preauthorized in writing by an account owner.
 
Each of the Funds and SAFECO Services reserve the right to refuse any telephone
transaction when a Fund or SAFECO Services, in its sole discretion, is unable to
confirm to its satisfaction that a caller is the account owner or a person
preauthorized by the account owner.
 
                                    -- 54 --
<PAGE>
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)
The Funds and SAFECO Services will not be liable for the authenticity of
instructions received by telephone that a Fund or SAFECO Services, in its
discretion, believes to be delivered by an account owner or preauthorized
person, provided that the Fund or SAFECO Services follows reasonable procedures
to identify the caller. The shareholder will bear the risk of any resulting
loss. The Funds and SAFECO Services will employ reasonable procedures to confirm
that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. These procedures may
include requiring the account owner to select the telephone privilege in writing
prior to first use and to designate persons authorized to deliver telephone
instructions. SAFECO Services tape-records telephone transactions and may
request certain identifying information from the caller.
 
The telephone transaction privileges may be suspended, limited, modified or
terminated at any time without prior notice by the Funds or SAFECO Services. The
Funds and SAFECO Services may be liable if they do not employ reasonable
procedures to confirm that telephone transactions are genuine.
 
   
TRANSACTIONS THROUGH REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS
    
SAFECO Services may accept instructions for share transactions and account
information changes from investment advisers who are acting on behalf of
shareholders, provided that the adviser is registered under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, has a signed agreement with SAFECO Services and has an
executed power of attorney from the shareholder, in an acceptable form, on file
with SAFECO Services. Advisers may charge a fee to shareholders for their
services. The Trust, the Funds and SAFECO Services have no control over or
involvement with, the fees charged by advisers for such services. Advisers are
responsible for the prompt forwarding of instructions on shareholders' accounts
to SAFECO Services and are bound by the terms of this Prospectus. The Trust, the
Funds,
 
                                    -- 55 --
<PAGE>
TRANSACTIONS THROUGH REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS (CONTINUED)
SAFECO Services and their affiliated companies will not be responsible to any
shareholder for any losses, liabilities, costs or expenses associated with any
investment advice or recommendation provided by the adviser to the shareholder
or for accepting and following any instructions from such adviser on the
shareholder's account(s).
 
SHARE PRICE CALCULATION
   
The NAV of the No-Load Class shares of each Fund is computed at the close of
regular trading on the NYSE (normally 1:00 p.m. Pacific time) each day that the
NYSE is open for trading. NAV is determined separately for each class of shares
of each Fund. The NAV of a Fund is calculated by subtracting a Fund's
liabilities from its assets and dividing the result by the number of outstanding
shares. In calculating the net asset value of each class, appropriate
adjustments will be made to each class' NAV to reflect expenses allocated to it.
    
 
   
In general, portfolio securities are valued at the last reported sale price on
the national exchange on which the securities are primarily traded, unless there
are no transactions in which case they shall be valued at the last reported bid
price. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the last sale price,
unless there is no reported sale price in which case the last reported bid price
will be used. Portfolio securities that trade on a stock exchange and
over-the-counter are valued according to the broadest and most representative
market. Securities not traded on a national exchange are valued based on
consideration of information with respect to transactions in similar securities,
quotations from dealers and various relationships between securities. The
International Fund will invest primarily, and the other Funds may invest from
time to time, in foreign securities. Trading in foreign securities will
generally be substantially completed each day at various times prior to the
close of the NYSE. The values of any such securities are
    
 
                                    -- 56 --
<PAGE>
SHARE PRICE CALCULATION (CONTINUED)
   
determined as of such times for purposes of computing the Funds' NAV. Foreign
currency exchange rates are also generally determined prior to the close of the
NYSE. If quotations are not readily available, or if values have been materially
affected by events occurring after the close of a foreign market, the security
will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by SAM or BIAM under
procedures established by and under general supervision of the Fund's Board of
Trustees. Foreign portfolio securities are valued on the basis of quotations
from the primary market in which they trade. The value of foreign securities are
translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using current exchange
rates.
    
 
   
Valuations of a Fund's portfolio securities calculated in a like manner may be
obtained from a pricing service. Investments for which a representative value
cannot be established are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith
by or under the direction of the Trust's Board of Trustees.
    
 
   
INTERNATIONAL FUND
    
 
Options that are traded on national securities exchanges are valued at their
last sale price as of the close of option trading on such exchange. Futures
contracts will be marked to market daily, and options thereon are valued at
their last sale price, as of the close of the applicable commodities exchange.
Forward contracts are valued at the current cost of covering or offsetting such
contracts.
 
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUST
Each Fund is a series of SAFECO Common Stock Trust, a Delaware business trust
established by a Trust Instrument dated May 13, 1993. The Trust is authorized to
issue an
 
                                    -- 57 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUST (CONTINUED)
unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. The Board of Trustees may
establish additional series or classes of shares of the Trust without approval
of shareholders.
 
   
In addition to the No-Load Class of shares, each Fund also offers two other
classes of shares through a separate prospectus to investors who engage the
services of an investment professional: Advisor Class A shares and Advisor Class
B shares. Advisor Class A shares are sold subject to an initial sales charge and
Advisor Class B shares are sold subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.
Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B shares also incur different expenses than
No-Load Class shares. Accordingly, the performance of the three classes will
differ. For more information about Advisor Class A shares and Advisor Class B
shares of each Fund, please call 1-800-463-8791.
    
 
Each share of a Fund is entitled to participate equally in dividends and other
distributions and the proceeds of any liquidation except that, due to the
differing expenses borne by the three classes, dividends and liquidation
proceeds for each class of shares will likely differ. All shares issued are
fully paid and non-assessable, and shareholders have no preemptive or other
right to subscribe to any additional shares.
 
   
The Trust does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders of the Funds.
The Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders of a Fund only if
required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, in their discretion, or upon
the written request of holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of the
Fund entitled to vote. Separate votes are taken by each class of shares, a Fund,
or the Trust if a matter affects only that class of shares, a Fund, or the
Trust, respectively.
    
 
                                    -- 58 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUST (CONTINUED)
Under Delaware law, the shareholders of the Funds will not be personally liable
for the obligations of any Fund; a shareholder is entitled to the same
limitation of personal liability extended to shareholders of corporations. To
guard against the risk that Delaware law might not be applied in other states,
the Trust Instrument requires that every written obligation of the Trust or Fund
contain a statement that such obligation may be enforced only against the assets
of the Trust or Fund and generally provides for indemnification out of Trust or
Fund property of any shareholder nevertheless held personally liable for Trust
or Fund obligations, respectively.
 
Because the Trust may use a combined Prospectus to offer other classes of
shares, it is possible that a Fund might become liable for a misstatement about
the series of another Trust contained in a combined Prospectus. The Board of
Trustees has considered this factor in approving the use of a single, combined
Prospectus.
 
SAM is the investment adviser for each Fund under an agreement with the Trust.
Under the agreement, SAM is responsible for the overall management of the
Trust's and each Fund's business affairs. SAM provides investment research,
advice, management and supervision to the Trust and each Fund, and, consistent
with each Fund's investment objectives and policies, SAM determines what
securities will be purchased, retained or sold by each Fund and implements those
decisions. Each Fund pays SAM an annual management fee based on a percentage of
that Fund's net assets ascertained each business day and paid monthly in
accordance with the schedules below. A reduction in the fees paid by a Fund
 
                                    -- 59 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUST (CONTINUED)
occurs only when that Fund's net assets reach the dollar amounts of the break
points and applies only to the assets that fall within the specified range:
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     GROWTH, EQUITY AND INCOME FUNDS
<S>                           <C>
NET ASSETS                    ANNUAL FEE
$0 - $100,000,000              .75 of 1%
$100,000,001 - $250,000,000    .65 of 1%
$250,000,001 - $500,000,000    .55 of 1%
Over $500,000,000              .45 of 1%
 
<CAPTION>
 
             NORTHWEST FUND
NET ASSETS                    ANNUAL FEE
<S>                           <C>
$0 - $250,000,000              .75 of 1%
$250,000,001 - $500,000,000    .65 of 1%
$500,000,001 - $750,000,000    .55 of 1%
Over $750,000,000              .45 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
           INTERNATIONAL FUND
NET ASSETS                    ANNUAL FEE
<S>                           <C>
$0 - $250,000,000             1.10 of 1%
$250,000,001 - $500,000,000   1.00 of 1%
Over $500,000,000              .90 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
        BALANCED AND VALUE FUNDS
NET ASSETS                    ANNUAL FEE
<S>                           <C>
$0 - $250,000,000              .75 of 1%
$250,000,001 - $500,000,000    .65 of 1%
Over $500,000,000              .55 of 1%
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    -- 60 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUST (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           SMALL COMPANY FUND
NET ASSETS                    ANNUAL FEE
<S>                           <C>
$0 - $250,000,000              .85 of 1%
$250,000,001 - $500,000,000    .75 of 1%
Over $500,000,000              .65 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
The Trust and each Fund will bear all expenses of their organization, operations
and business not specifically assumed by SAM under each Fund's management
contract. Such expenses may include, among others, custody and accounting
expenses, transfer agency and related expenses, distribution and shareholder
servicing expenses, expenses related to preparing, printing and delivering
prospectuses and shareholder reports, the expenses of holding shareholders'
meetings, legal fees, the compensation of non-interested trustees of the Trusts,
brokerage, taxes and extraordinary expenses.
 
   
With respect to the International Fund, SAM has a sub-advisory agreement with
the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited and is an indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of Bank of Ireland. The Sub-Adviser has its headquarters at 26
Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin, Ireland, and its U.S. office at 2 Greenwich Plaza,
Greenwich, Connecticut. The Sub-Adviser was established in 1987 and currently
manages over $3 billion in assets. Because the Sub-Adviser is doing business
from a location within the United States, investors will be able to effect
service of legal process within the United States upon the Sub-Adviser under
federal securities laws in United States courts. However, the Sub-Adviser is a
foreign organization and maintains a substantial portion of its assets outside
the United States. Therefore, the ability of investors to enforce judgments
against the Sub-Adviser may be affected by the willingness of foreign courts to
enforce judgments of United States courts.
    
 
                                    -- 61 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUST (CONTINUED)
Under the sub-advisory agreement, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for providing
investment research and advice used to manage the investment portfolio of the
International Fund. In return, SAM (and not the International Fund) pays the
Sub-Adviser a fee in accordance with the schedule below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSETS                    ANNUAL FEE
<S>                           <C>
$0 - $50,000,000               .60 of 1%
$50,000,001 - $100,000,000     .50 of 1%
Over $100,000,000              .40 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
The parent company of the Sub-Adviser, Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited,
is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank of Ireland, which engages in
the investment advisory business and is located at 26 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin,
Ireland. The Bank of Ireland is a holding company whose primary subsidiaries are
engaged in banking, insurance, securities and related financial services, and is
located at Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, Ireland.
 
The distributor of the No-Load Class of each Fund's shares under an agreement
with the Trust is SAFECO Securities, Inc. ("SAFECO Securities"), a broker-dealer
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. SAFECO Securities receives no
compensation from the Trust or the Funds for its services as distributor of the
No-Load Class.
 
   
The transfer, dividend and distribution disbursement and shareholder servicing
agent for the No-Load Class of each Fund under an agreement with the Trust is
SAFECO Services. SAFECO Services receives a fee from each Fund for every
shareholder account held in the Fund. SAFECO Services may enter into
subcontracts with registered broker-dealers, third party administrators and
other qualified service providers that
    
 
                                    -- 62 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUST (CONTINUED)
generally perform shareholder, administrative, and/or accounting services which
would otherwise be provided by SAFECO Services. Fees incurred by a Fund for
these services will not exceed the transfer agency fee payable to SAFECO
Services. Any distribution expenses associated with these arrangements will be
borne by SAM.
 
SAM, SAFECO Securities and SAFECO Services are wholly-owned subsidiaries of
SAFECO Corporation (a holding company whose primary subsidiaries are engaged in
the insurance and financial services businesses) and are each located at SAFECO
Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185.
 
PERSONS CONTROLLING CERTAIN FUNDS
   
At April 2, 1997, SAM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAFECO Corporation,
controlled the International and Balanced Funds. At April 2, 1997, SAFECO
Corporation controlled the Small Company Fund. At April 2, 1997, SAM controlled
the Value Fund. SAFECO Corporation and SAM have their principal place of
business at SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185.
    
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
   
The yield, total return and average annual total return of each class of a Fund
may be quoted in advertisements. Yield is the annualization on a 360-day basis
of a class' net income per share over a 30-day period divided by the class' NAV
per share on the last day of the period. Total return is the total percentage
change in an investment in a class of a Fund, assuming the reinvestment of
dividend and capital gains distributions, over a stated period of time. Average
annual total return is the annual percentage change in an investment in a class
of a Fund, assuming the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions, over a stated period of time.
    
 
                                    -- 63 --
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
   
Performance quotations are calculated separately for each class of a Fund. SAM
currently anticipates that the U.S. Value Fund's portfolio turnover rate will
not exceed 100%. A Fund's portfolio turnover rate will vary from year to year. A
higher portfolio turnover rate would involve correspondingly higher transaction
costs in the form of broker commissions and dealer spreads and other costs that
a Fund bears directly.
    
 
   
From time to time, a Fund may advertise rankings. Rankings are calculated by
independent companies that monitor mutual fund performance (e.g., CDA Investment
Technologies, Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., and Morningstar, Inc.), and are
reported periodically in national financial publications such as BARRON'S,
BUSINESS WEEK, FORBES, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY, MONEY MAGAZINE, AND THE WALL
STREET JOURNAL. In addition, non-standardized performance figures may accompany
the standardized figures described above. Non-standardized figures may be
calculated in a variety of ways, including but not necessarily limited to,
different time periods and different initial investment amounts. Each Fund may
also compare its performance to the performance of relevant indices.
    
 
Performance information and quoted rankings are indicative only of past
performance and are not intended to represent future investment results. The
yield and share price of each class of a Fund will fluctuate and your shares,
when redeemed, may be worth more or less than you originally paid for them.
 
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS AND HOW THEY ARE TAXED
DIVIDEND AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
The Equity, Income, Balanced and Value Funds declare dividends on the last
business day of each calendar quarter and the Growth, Northwest, International
and Small Company Funds declare dividends annually. Each Fund declares dividends
from its net investment income (which includes accrued dividends and interest,
earned discount, and other income
 
                                    -- 64 --
<PAGE>
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS AND HOW THEY ARE TAXED (CONTINUED)
earned on portfolio securities less expenses) and such shares become entitled to
declared dividends on the next business day after shares are purchased for your
account. If you request redemption of all your shares at any time during a
month, you will receive all declared dividends through the date of redemption
together with the proceeds of the redemption.
 
A shareholder's dividends and other distributions are reinvested in additional
shares of the distributing Fund at net asset value per share generally
determined as of the close of business on the ex-distribution date, unless the
shareholder elects in writing to receive dividends or other distributions in
cash and that election is provided to SAFECO Services at the address on the
Prospectus cover.
 
The election remains in effect until revoked by written notice to SAFECO
Services. For retirement accounts, all dividends and other distributions
declared by a Fund must be invested in additional shares of that Fund.
 
Please remember that if you purchase shares shortly before a Fund pays a taxable
dividend or other distribution, you will pay the full price for the shares, then
receive part of the price back as a taxable distribution.
 
TAXES
 
Each Fund intends to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company
under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. By so qualifying, a Fund will
not be subject to federal income taxes to the extent it distributes its net
investment income and realized capital gains to its shareholders. Each Fund will
inform you as to the amount and nature of dividends and other distributions to
your account. Dividends and distributions declared in December, but received by
shareholders in January, are taxable to shareholders in the year in which
declared.
 
                                    -- 65 --
<PAGE>
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS AND HOW THEY ARE TAXED (CONTINUED)
TAX WITHHOLDING INFORMATION
 
You will be asked to certify on your account application or on a separate form
that the taxpayer identification number you provide is correct and that you are
not subject to, or are exempt from, backup withholding for previous
underreporting to the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Retirement plan distributions may be subject to federal income tax withholding.
However, you may elect not to have any distributions withheld by checking the
appropriate box on the Redemption Request form or by instructing SAFECO Services
in writing at the address on the Prospectus cover.
 
If the International Fund pays nonrefundable taxes to foreign governments during
the year, the taxes will reduce the Fund's dividends but still be included in
your taxable income. However, you may be able to claim an offsetting credit or
deduction on your tax return for your share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund.
 
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important federal tax
considerations generally affecting each Fund and its shareholders; see the
Trust's Statement of Additional Information for a further discussion. There may
be other federal, state or local tax considerations applicable to a particular
investor. You therefore are urged to consult your tax adviser.
 
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS
SAFECO Services offers a variety of tax-deferred retirement plans for
individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations. An account may be
established under one of the following plans which allow you to defer investment
income from federal income tax while you save for retirement. Many of the Funds
may be used as investment vehicles for these plans.
 
   
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (IRAS).  IRAs are tax-deferred retirement
accounts for anyone under age 70 1/2 with
    
 
                                    -- 66 --
<PAGE>
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)
earned income. The maximum annual contribution generally is $2,000 per person
($4,000 for you and a non-working spouse). Under certain circumstances your
contribution will be deductible for income tax purposes. An annual custodial fee
will be charged for any part of a calendar year in which you have an IRA
investment in a Fund.
 
   
SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION IRAS (SEP-IRAS).  SEP-IRAs are easily administered
retirement plans for small businesses and self-employed individuals. Annual
contributions up to $22,500 may be made to SEP-IRA accounts; the annual
contribution limit is subject to change. SEP-IRAs have the same investment
minimums and custodial fees as regular IRAs.
    
 
   
403(b) PLANS.  403(b) plans are retirement plans for tax-exempt organizations
and school systems to which employers and employees both may contribute. Minimum
investment amounts are negotiable.
    
 
401(k) PLANS.  401(k) plans allow employers and employees to make tax-advantaged
contributions to a retirement account. SAFECO Services offers a low-cost
administration package that includes a prototype plan, record keeping, testing
and employee communications. Minimum investment amounts are negotiable.
 
PROFIT SHARING AND MONEY PURCHASE PENSION PLANS.  Each plan allows corporations,
partnerships and self-employed persons to make annual, tax-deductible
contributions to a retirement account for each person covered by the plan. A
plan may be adopted individually or paired with another plan to maximize
contributions. SAFECO Services offers an administration package for these plans.
Minimum investment amounts are negotiable.
 
For information about the above accounts and plans, please call 1-800-278-1985.
 
                                    -- 67 --
<PAGE>
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
Periodically, you will receive an account statement indicating your current Fund
holdings and transactions affecting your account. Confirmation statements will
be sent to you after each transaction that affects your account balance. Please
review the information on each confirmation statement for accuracy immediately
upon receipt. If you do not notify us within 30 days of any processing error,
SAFECO Services will consider the transactions listed on the confirmation
statement to be correct.
 
ACCOUNT CHANGES AND SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS
Changes to your account registration or the services you have selected must be
in writing and signed by the number of owners specified on your account
application as having authority to make these changes. Send written changes to
SAFECO Services at the address on the Prospectus cover. Certain changes to the
Automatic Investment Method and Systematic Withdrawal Plan can be made by
telephone request if you have previously selected single signature authorization
for your account.
 
You must specify on your account application the number of signatures required
to authorize redemptions and exchanges and to change account registration or the
services selected. Authorizing fewer than all account owners has important
implications. For example, one owner of a joint tenant account can redeem money
without the co-owner's signature. If you do not indicate otherwise on the
application, the signatures of all account owners will be required to effect a
transaction. Your selection of fewer than all account owner signatures may be
revoked by any account owner who writes to SAFECO Services at the address on the
Prospectus cover.
 
SAFECO Services may require a signature guarantee for a signature that cannot be
verified by comparison to the
 
                                    -- 68 --
<PAGE>
ACCOUNT CHANGES AND SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS (CONTINUED)
signature(s) on your account application. A signature guarantee may be obtained
from most financial institutions, including banks, savings and loans and
broker-dealers.
 
DESCRIPTION OF STOCKS, BONDS AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
COMMON STOCKS represent equity interest in a corporation. Although common stocks
have a history of long-term growth in value, their prices fluctuate based on
changes in a company's financial condition and overall market and economic
conditions. Smaller companies are especially sensitive to these factors.
 
PREFERRED STOCKS are equity securities whose owners have a claim on a company's
earnings and assets before holders of common stock, but after debt holders. The
risk characteristics of preferred stocks are similar to those of common stocks,
except that preferred stocks are generally subject to less risk than common
stocks.
 
BONDS AND OTHER DEBT SECURITIES are used by issuers to borrow money from
investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of interest,
and must repay the amount borrowed at maturity. The value of bonds and other
debt securities will normally vary inversely with interest rates. In general,
bond prices rise when interest rates fall, and bond prices fall when interest
rates rise. Debt securities have varying degrees of quality and varying levels
of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Long-term bonds are generally more
sensitive to interest rate changes than short-term bonds.
 
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are debt or preferred stock which are convertible into or
exchangeable for common stock. The value of convertible corporate bonds will
normally vary inversely
 
                                    -- 69 --
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF STOCKS, BONDS AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES (CONTINUED)
with interest rates and the value of convertible corporate bonds and convertible
preferred stock will normally vary with the value of the underlying common
stock.
 
RATINGS SUPPLEMENT
Ratings by Moody's and S&P represent their respective opinions as to the
investment quality of the rated obligations. Investors should realize these
ratings do not constitute a guarantee that the principal and interest payable
under these obligations will be paid when due.
 
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT RATINGS
 
Excerpts from Moody's description of its ratings:
 
   
INVESTMENT GRADE:
Aaa -- Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
    
 
Aa -- Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as
high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities.
 
A -- Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security
to principal and
 
                                    -- 70 --
<PAGE>
RATINGS SUPPLEMENT (CONTINUED)
interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a
susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
 
Baa -- Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations
(I.E., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
 
BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE:
Ba -- Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
 
B -- Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
 
Caa -- Bonds which are rated Caa have poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
 
Ca -- Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
 
C -- Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
 
                                    -- 71 --
<PAGE>
RATINGS SUPPLEMENT (CONTINUED)
Excerpts from S&P's description of its ratings:
 
INVESTMENT GRADE:
AAA  Debt which is rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to
pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
   
AA -- Debt which is rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
    
 
   
A -- Debt which is rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated
categories.
    
 
   
BBB -- Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher-rated categories.
    
 
   
BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE:
BB, B, CCC, CC, C -- Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C is regarded as having
predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. "BB" indicates the least degree of speculation and
"CC" the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures
to adverse conditions.
    
 
   
C1 -- The rating C1 is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
    
 
   
D -- Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due, even if
the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such
payments will be made during such grace period.
    
 
                                    -- 72 --
<PAGE>
RATINGS SUPPLEMENT (CONTINUED)
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.
 
DEBT SECURITIES HOLDINGS
   
The Equity Fund did not hold any convertible debt securities during the fiscal
period ended December 31, 1996.
    
 
   
The weighted average ratings of all debt securities held by the Income Fund,
expressed as a percentage of total investments held during the fiscal period
ended December 31, 1996, were as follows:
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             %                                   %
MOODY'S                      -      S&P                          -
- -----------------------             -----------------------
<S>                      <C>        <C>                      <C>
                           INVESTMENT GRADE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Aaa                              0  AAA                              0
Aa                               0  AA                               0
A                                5  A                                3
Baa                              2  BBB                              3
 
<CAPTION>
                        BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>        <C>                      <C>
Ba                               5  BB                               2
B                                3  B                                3
Caa                              0  Ccc                              0
Ca                                  Cc                               0
Not Rated, but                      Not Rated, but
  determined to                       determined to
  be investment                       be investment
  grade                          0    grade                          3
Not Rated, but                      Not Rated, but
  determined to                       determined to
  be below                            be below
  investment grade               0    investment grade               0
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    -- 73 --
<PAGE>
SAFECO FAMILY OF FUNDS
STABILITY OF PRINCIPAL
 
  SAFECO Money Market Fund
  SAFECO Tax-Free Money Market Fund
 
BOND INCOME
 
  SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund
  SAFECO GNMA Fund
  SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund
  SAFECO Managed Bond Fund
 
TAX-FREE BOND INCOME
 
  SAFECO Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Fund
  SAFECO Insured Municipal Bond Fund
  SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund
  SAFECO California Tax-Free Income Fund
  SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund
 
HIGH CURRENT INCOME WITH LONG-TERM GROWTH
 
  SAFECO Income Fund
 
LONG-TERM GROWTH
 
  SAFECO Growth Fund
  SAFECO Equity Fund
  SAFECO Northwest Fund
  SAFECO International Stock Fund
  SAFECO Balanced Fund
  SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund
  SAFECO U.S. Value Fund
 
FOR MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ON ANY SAFECO MUTUAL FUND, INCLUDING MANAGEMENT
FEES AND EXPENSES, PLEASE CALL OR WRITE FOR A FREE PROSPECTUS. PLEASE READ IT
CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU INVEST OR SEND MONEY.
<PAGE>
TO REQUEST A PROSPECTUS:
 
   
  Nationwide: 1-800-426-6730
  Seattle: 1-206-545-5530
    
 
   
FOR 24-HOUR AUTOMATED
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND TRANSACTIONS:
    
 
   
  Nationwide: 1-800-835-4391
  Seattle: 1-206-545-5113
    
 
   
FOR SHAREHOLDER SERVICE*:
    
 
   
  Nationwide: 1-800-624-5711
  Seattle: 1-206-545-7319
  Deaf and Hard of Hearing TTY/TDD Service:
  1-800-438-8718
    
 
 *All telephone calls are tape-recorded for your
  protection.
 
INTERNET: http://networth.galt.com/safeco
 
E-MAIL: [email protected]
 
        MAILING ADDRESS:
   
        SAFECO Mutual Funds
        No-Load Class Shares
        P.O. Box 34890
        Seattle, WA 98124-1890
    
 
        EXPRESS/OVERNIGHT MAIL:
   
        SAFECO Mutual Funds
        No-Load Class Shares
        4333 Brooklyn Avenue N.E.
        Seattle, WA 98105
    
 
        DISTRIBUTOR:
        SAFECO Securities, Inc.
 
   
                                                              GMF 434 4/97
    
 
   
                                                                       [LOGO]
                                                Printed on Recycled Paper.
    
   
              -Registered Trademark- Registered trademark of SAFECO Corporation.
    
<PAGE>

                            SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST:
                               SAFECO GROWTH FUND
                               SAFECO EQUITY FUND
                               SAFECO INCOME FUND
                              SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND
                              SAFECO BALANCED FUND
                         SAFECO INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND
                         SAFECO SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND
                             SAFECO U.S. VALUE FUND

                                 NO-LOAD CLASS


                       Statement of Additional Information

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should be read
in conjunction with the Prospectus for the Funds.  A copy of the Prospectus may
be obtained by writing SAFECO Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 34890, Seattle, Washington
98124-1890, or by calling TOLL FREE:

                                   Nationwide
                                 1-800-426-6730

                                  Seattle Area
                                  206-545-5530

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

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

<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
     OVERVIEW OF INVESTMENT POLICIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
     INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE GROWTH FUND. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
     INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE EQUITY FUND. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
     INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE INCOME FUND. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
     INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE NORTHWEST FUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
     INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE BALANCED FUND. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
     INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL FUND . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
     INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE SMALL COMPANY FUND . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
     INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE U.S. VALUE FUND  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 
     ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 
     SPECIAL RISKS OF BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE BONDS . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 
     SPECIAL RISKS OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN
     CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
     PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS OF CERTAIN FUNDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
     ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
     ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER
     SHARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 
     ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 
     TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 
     INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 
     BROKERAGE PRACTICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 
     REDEMPTION IN KIND. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 
     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
     DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER AND PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS . . . . . .60 
    

                                       -1-

<PAGE>

OVERVIEW OF INVESTMENT POLICIES

SAFECO Growth Fund ("Growth Fund"), SAFECO Equity Fund ("Equity Fund"), 
SAFECO Income Fund ("Income Fund"), SAFECO Northwest Fund ("Northwest Fund"), 
SAFECO Balanced Fund ("Balanced Fund"), SAFECO International Stock Fund 
("International Fund") SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund ("Small Company Fund") 
and SAFECO U.S. Value Fund ("Value Fund") (collectively, the "Funds") are 
each a series of the SAFECO Common Stock Trust ("Trust").  The investment 
policies of each Fund are described in the Prospectus and this Statement of 
Additional Information.  These policies state the investment practices that 
the Funds will follow, in some cases limiting investments to a certain 
percentage of assets, as well as those investment activities that are 
prohibited.  The types of securities (E.G., common stock, U.S. Government 
securities or bonds) a Fund may purchase are also disclosed in the 
Prospectus. Before a Fund purchases a security that the following policies 
permit, but which is not currently described in the Prospectus, the 
Prospectus will be amended or supplemented to identify or describe the 
security.  If a policy's percentage limitation is adhered to immediately 
after and as a result of the investment, a later increase or decrease in 
values, net assets or other circumstances will not be considered in 
determining whether a Fund complies with the applicable limitation (except to 
the extent the change may impact a Fund's borrowing limit).

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

Non-fundamental policies may be changed without shareholder approval.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE GROWTH FUND

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

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

2.   Purchase securities of any issuer, if such purchase at the time thereof
     would cause more than 10% of any class of securities of such issuer to be
     held by the Growth Fund.


                                       -2-
<PAGE>

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

4.   Purchase securities of companies which have a record of less than 3 years
     of continuous operation, including in such 3 years the operation of any
     predecessor company or companies, partnerships, or individual
     proprietorship, if the company whose securities are to be purchased by the
     Growth Fund has come into existence as a result of a merger, consolidation,
     reorganization or purchase of substantially all of the assets of such
     predecessor company or companies, partnership or individual proprietorship,
     if such purchase at the time thereof would cause more than 5% of the Fund's
     assets to be invested in the securities of such companies.

5.   Concentrate its investments in particular industries or companies, but
     shall maintain substantial diversification of its investments among
     industries and, to the extent deemed practicable by management, among
     companies within particular industries.

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

7.   Make short sales (sales of securities not presently owned), except where
     the Growth Fund has at the time of sale, by virtue of its ownership in
     other securities, the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and
     amount to the securities sold.

8.   Make loans to any person, firm or corporation, but the purchase by the
     Growth Fund of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds,
     debentures or other securities issued by persons other than the Growth
     Fund, whether or not the purchase was made upon the original issue of
     securities, shall not be considered a loan within the prohibition of this
     section.

9.   Borrow money, except from banks or affiliates of SAFECO Corporation at an
     interest rate not greater than that available to the Growth Fund from
     commercial banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency
     purposes and in amounts not in excess of 20% of its total assets (including
     borrowings) less liabilities (other than borrowings) immediately after such
     borrowing.  The Growth Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings
     equal to or greater than 5% of the Fund's total assets are outstanding.

10.  Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate assets taken at market to an extent greater
     than 15% of its gross assets taken at cost.

11.  Purchase for nor retain in its portfolio securities issued by any issuer
     any of whose officers, directors or security holders is an officer or
     director of the Growth Fund, if or so long as the officers or trustees of
     the Growth Fund, together, own beneficially more than five percent (5%) of
     any class of the securities of such issuer.


                                       -3-
<PAGE>

12.  Purchase securities issued by any other investment company or investment
     trust, except by purchase in the open market where no commission or profit
     to a broker or dealer results from such purchase, other than the customary
     broker's commissions, or except when such purchase, although not made in
     the open market, is part of a merger, consolidation or acquisition.  Such
     purchases in the open market will be limited to not more than 5% of the
     value of the Growth Fund's total assets.  Nothing in this section or in
     sections 1 or 2 above shall prevent any purchase for the purpose of
     effecting a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets expressly
     approved by the shareholders after full disclosure of any commission or
     profit to the principal underwriter.

13.  Act as underwriter of securities issued by any other person, firm or
     corporation; however, the Growth Fund may be deemed to be a statutory
     underwriter as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and the Securities Act
     of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), in connection with the disposition of any
     unmarketable or restricted securities which it may acquire and hold in its
     portfolio.

14.  Buy or sell real estate (except real estate investment trusts),
     commodities, commodity contracts or futures contracts in the ordinary
     course of business, but this policy shall not be construed as preventing
     the Growth Fund from acquiring real estate, commodities, commodity
     contracts or futures contracts through liquidating distributions as a
     result of the ownership of securities.

15.  Participate, on a joint or joint and several basis, in any trading account
     in securities.

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

17.  Act as a distributor of securities of which the Growth Fund is the issuer,
     except through an underwriter (who may be designated as "distributor"), who
     may act as principal or be an agent of the Growth Fund and may not be
     obligated to the Growth Fund to sell or take any specific amount of
     securities.


                                       -4-
<PAGE>

18.  Purchase foreign securities only if (a) such securities are listed on a
     national securities exchange, and (b) such purchase, at the time thereof,
     would not cause more than 10% of the total assets of the Growth Fund (taken
     at market value) to be invested in foreign securities.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

1.   The Growth Fund will not buy or sell foreign exchange, except as necessary
     to convert the proceeds of the sale of foreign portfolio securities into
     U.S. dollars.

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

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

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

5.   The Growth Fund will not invest in puts, calls, straddles, spreads or any
     combinations thereof.

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

7.   Although the Growth Fund has the right to pledge, mortgage or hypothecate
     its assets up to 15% of gross assets under the fundamental policy at
     section 10 above, it will only do so up to ten percent (10%) of its net
     assets in order to comply with state law.

8.   The Growth Fund will invest no more than five percent (5%) of total assets
     in qualified repurchase agreements and will not enter into a repurchase
     agreement for a period longer than 7 days.

9.   The Growth Fund may purchase as temporary investments for its cash
     commercial paper, certificates of deposit, no-load, open-end money market
     funds (subject to the fundamental policy limitations set forth in section
     12 above), repurchase agreements (subject to the non-fundamental policy
     limitations in section 8 above) or any other short-term instrument that
     SAFECO Asset Management Company ("SAM") deems appropriate.

10.  The Growth Fund may invest up to 5% of net assets in warrants, but will
     limit investments in warrants which are not listed on the New York or
     American Stock Exchange to no more


                                       -5-
<PAGE>

     than two percent (2%) of net assets.  Warrants acquired as a result of unit
     offerings or attached to securities may be deemed without value for
     purposes of the 5% limitation.

11.  The Growth Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in contingent
     value rights.

12.  The Growth Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in shares of real
     estate investment trusts.

13.  The Growth Fund will not purchase any security, if as a result, more than
     15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed to be
     illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on
     resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course
     of business at approximately the prices at which they are valued.

14.  The Growth Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in restricted
     securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, as
     amended ("Rule 144A"), provided that SAM has determined that such
     securities are liquid under guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE EQUITY FUND

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

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

2.   Purchase securities of any issuer, if such purchase at the time thereof
     would cause more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such
     issuer to be held by the Equity Fund.

3.   Make short sales of securities or purchase securities on margin, except for
     such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions
     and where the Equity Fund has at the time of sale, by virtue of its
     ownership in other securities, the right to obtain securities equivalent in
     kind and amount to the securities sold.

4.   Purchase securities (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the
     U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more
     than 25% of the Equity Fund's total assets would be invested in one
     industry (governmental issues of securities are not considered part of any
     one industry).


                                       -6-
<PAGE>

5.   Make loans, except through the purchase of a portion or all of an issue of
     debt or money market securities in accordance with the Equity Fund's
     investment objective, policies and restrictions or through investments in
     qualified repurchase agreements; provided, however, that the Equity Fund
     shall not invest more than 10% of its total assets in qualified repurchase
     agreements or through qualified loan agreements.

6.   Borrow money, except from a bank or affiliates of SAFECO Corporation at an
     interest rate not greater than that available to the Equity Fund from
     commercial banks for temporary or emergency purposes and not for investment
     purposes.  The Equity Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings equal
     to or greater than 5% of the Fund's total assets are outstanding.

7.   Purchase shares of registered investment companies other than real estate
     investment trusts.

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

9.   Purchase or sell real estate (except real estate investment trusts),
     commodities, commodity contracts or futures contracts.  This limitation is
     intended to include ownership of real estate through limited partnerships.

10.  Purchase any security for the purpose of acquiring or exercising control or
     management of the issuer.

11.  Purchase puts, calls, straddles, spreads or any combination thereof;
     provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the purchase,
     ownership, holding or sale of warrants where the grantor of the warrants is
     the issuer of the underlying securities.

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

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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


                                       -7-
<PAGE>

1.   The Equity Fund will not participate on a joint or joint and several basis
     in any trading account in securities, except that the Equity Fund may, for
     the purpose of seeking better net results on portfolio transactions or
     lower brokerage commission rates, join with other transactions executed by
     the Fund's investment adviser or the investment adviser's parent company
     and any subsidiary thereof.

2.   The Equity Fund will not purchase securities of any issuer which with its
     predecessors has been in operation less than three years, if such purchase
     would cause more than 5% of the Equity Fund's total assets to be invested
     in such issuers.

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

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

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

6.   The Equity Fund will not pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate its portfolio
     securities to the extent that, at any time, the percentage of pledged
     securities at market value will exceed 10% of its net assets.

7.   The Equity Fund will invest no more than 5% of total assets in qualified
     repurchase agreements and will not enter into a repurchase agreement for a
     period longer than 7 days.

8.   The Equity Fund may purchase as temporary investments for its cash
     commercial paper, certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements (subject
     to the non-fundamental policy limitations in section 7) or any other short-
     term instrument SAM deems appropriate.

9.   The Equity Fund may invest up to 5% of net assets in warrants purchased at
     the lower of market or cost, but will limit investments in warrants which
     are not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchange to no more than
     2% of net assets.  Warrants acquired as a result of unit offerings or
     attached to securities may be deemed without value for purposes of the 5%
     limitation.

10.  The Equity Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in shares of real
     estate investment trusts.

11.  The Equity Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in restricted
     securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, provided that SAM has
     determined that such securities are liquid under guidelines adopted by the
     Board of Trustees.


                                       -8-
<PAGE>

12.  The Equity Fund may invest in securities convertible into common stock, but
     less than 35% of its total assets will be invested in such securities.

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

14.  The Equity Fund will not purchase or retain for its portfolio the
     securities of any issuer, if, to the Fund's knowledge, the officers or
     trustees of the Fund or its investment adviser (who individually own more
     than 0.5% of the outstanding securities of such issuer), together own more
     than 5% of such issuer's outstanding securities.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE INCOME FUND

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

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

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

2.   Purchase securities of any issuer, if such purchase at the time thereof
     would cause more than 10% of any class of securities of such issuer to be
     held by the Income Fund.

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

4.   Purchase securities of companies which have a record of less than three
     years of continuous operation (including in such three years the operation
     of any predecessor company or companies, partnerships, or individual
     proprietorship, if the company whose securities are to be purchased by the
     Income Fund has come into existence as a result of a merger, consolidation,
     reorganization or purchase of substantially all of the assets of such
     predecessor company or companies, partnership, or individual
     proprietorship), if such purchase at the time thereof would cause more than
     5% of the Income Fund's assets to be invested in the securities of such
     companies.

5.   Concentrate its investments in particular industries or companies, but
     shall maintain substantial diversification of its investments among
     industries and, to the extent deemed practicable by management, among
     companies within particular industries; in no event shall the Income Fund
     invest more than 25% of its assets in any one industry.


                                       -9-
<PAGE>

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

7.   Make short sales (sales of securities not presently owned), except where
     the Income Fund has at the time of sale, by virtue of its ownership in
     other securities, the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and
     amount to the securities sold.

8.   Make loans to any person, firm or corporation, but the purchase of a
     portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other
     securities issued by persons other than the Income Fund, whether or not the
     purchase was made upon the original issue of the securities, shall not be
     considered as a loan within the prohibition of this section.

9.   Borrow money, except from banks or affiliates of SAFECO Corporation at an
     interest rate not greater than that available to the Income Fund from
     commercial banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency
     purposes and in amounts not in excess of 20% of its total assets (including
     borrowings) less liabilities (other than borrowings) immediately after such
     borrowing.  The Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings equal to or
     greater than 5% of the Fund's total assets are outstanding.

10.  Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate assets taken at market to an extent greater
     than 15% of its gross assets taken at cost.

11.  Purchase for nor retain in its portfolio securities issued by any issuer,
     any of whose officers, directors or security holders is an officer or
     Trustee of the Income Fund, if or so long as the officers or trustees of
     the Income Fund together own beneficially more than five percent (5%) of
     any class of the securities of such issuer.

12.  Purchase securities issued by any other investment company or investment
     trust, except by purchase in the open market where no commission or profit
     to a broker or dealer results from such purchase, other than the customary
     broker's commissions, or except where such purchase, although not made in
     the open market, is part of a plan of merger or consolidation.  Such
     purchases in the open market shall be limited to not more than five percent
     (5%) of the value of the Income Fund's total assets.  Nothing in this
     section or in sections 1 or 2 above shall prevent any purchase for the
     purpose of effecting a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets.

13.  Underwrite securities issued by any other person, firm or corporation;
     however the Income Fund may be deemed a statutory underwriter as that term
     is defined in the 1940 Act and the 1933 Act in connection with the
     disposition of any unmarketable or restricted securities which it may
     acquire and hold in its portfolio.

14.  Buy or sell real estate, (except real estate investment trusts)
     commodities, commodity contracts or futures contracts.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

15.  Participate, on a joint or joint and several basis, in any trading account
     in securities.

16.  Purchase foreign securities, unless (a) such securities are listed on a
     national securities exchange, and (b) such purchase at the time thereof
     would not cause more than 10% of the total assets of the Income Fund (taken
     at market value) to be invested in foreign securities.

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

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

1.   The Income Fund will not buy or sell foreign exchange, except as necessary
     to convert the proceeds of the sale of foreign portfolio securities into
     U.S. dollars.

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

3.   Although the Income Fund has the right to pledge, mortgage or hypothecate
     its assets up to 15% of gross assets under the fundamental policy at
     section 10 above, it will only do so up to 10% of its net assets.

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

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

6.   The Income Fund will not invest in puts, calls, straddles, spreads or any
     combinations thereof.

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


                                      -11-
<PAGE>

8.   The Income Fund will invest no more than 5% of total assets in qualified
     repurchase agreements and will not enter into a repurchase agreement for a
     period longer than 7 days.

9.   The Income Fund will invest primarily in common stock and may also invest
     in convertible and non-convertible bonds and preferred stock.

10.  The Income Fund may purchase as temporary investments for its cash
     commercial paper, certificates of deposit, no-load, open-end money market
     funds (subject to the fundamental policy limitations set forth in section
     12 above), repurchase agreements (subject to the non-fundamental policy
     limitations in section 8 above) or any other short-term instrument SAM
     deems appropriate.

11.  The Income Fund may invest up to 5% of net assets in warrants, but will
     limit investments in warrants which are not listed on the New York or
     American Stock Exchange to no more than 2% of net assets.  Warrants
     acquired as a result of unit offerings or attached to securities may be
     deemed without value for purposes of the 5% limitation.

12.  The Income Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in shares of real
     estate investment trusts.

13.  The Income Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in restricted
     securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, provided that SAM has
     determined that such securities are liquid under guidelines adopted by the
     Board of Trustees.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE NORTHWEST FUND

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

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

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

2.   Purchase the securities of any issuer if, as a result, more than 10% of any
     class of securities of such issuer will be owned by the Fund.

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


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

4.   Concentrate its investments in particular industries (other than
     obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
     instrumentalities) or invest 25% or more of the Fund's total assets in any
     one industry (governmental issues of securities are not considered part of
     one industry).

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

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

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

8.   Borrow money, except from a bank or SAFECO Corporation or its affiliates at
     an interest rate not greater than that available to the Northwest Fund from
     commercial banks, for temporary or emergency purposes and not for
     investment purposes, and then only in an amount not exceeding 20% of the
     value of the Fund's total assets at the time of borrowing.  The Northwest
     Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings equal to or greater than 5%
     of the Fund's total assets are outstanding.

9.   Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except that, to secure
     borrowings permitted by section 7 above, the Northwest Fund may pledge
     securities having a market value at the time of pledge not exceeding 10% of
     the Fund's total assets.

10.  Purchase or retain for its portfolio the securities of any issuer, if, to
     the Northwest Fund's knowledge, the officers or directors of the Fund, or
     its investment adviser, who individually own more than  1/2 of 1% of the
     outstanding securities of such an issuer, together own more than 5% of such
     outstanding securities.

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

12.  Purchase or sell real estate, except real estate investment trusts.

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

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


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

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

16.  Purchase from, or sell portfolio securities to, any officer or director,
     the Northwest Fund's investment adviser, principal underwriter or any
     affiliates or subsidiaries thereof, provided, however, that this
     prohibition shall not prohibit the Northwest Fund from purchasing with the
     $5,000,000 raised through the sale of 500,000 shares of common stock to
     SAFECO Insurance Company of America, portfolio securities from subsidiaries
     of SAFECO Corporation prior to its effective date.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

1.   The Northwest Fund will not buy or sell foreign exchange, except as may be
     necessary to invest the proceeds of the sale of foreign securities in the
     Fund's portfolio in U.S. dollars.

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

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

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

5.   The Northwest Fund will not invest in puts, calls, straddles, spreads or
     any combinations thereof.

6.   The Northwest Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in
     securities of companies (including predecessor companies) having a record
     of less than 3 years of continuous operation.

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


                                      -14-
<PAGE>

8.   The Northwest Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in
     qualified repurchase agreements and will not invest in qualified repurchase
     agreements maturing in more than 7 days.

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

10.  The Northwest Fund may invest in shares of common stock selected primarily
     for potential appreciation.

11.  The Northwest Fund may occasionally invest in securities convertible into
     common stock when, in the opinion of SAM, the expected total return of a
     convertible security exceeds the expected total return of common stock
     eligible for purchase by the Fund.

12.  The Northwest Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in warrants, but
     shall limit investments in warrants which are not listed on the New York or
     American Stock Exchange to no more than 2% of net assets.  Warrants
     acquired as a result of unit offerings or attached to securities may be
     deemed without value for purposes of the 5% limitation.

13.  The Northwest Fund may purchase as temporary investments for its cash
     commercial paper, certificates of deposit, shares of no-load, open-end
     money market funds (subject to the percentage limitations set forth in
     section 9 above), repurchase agreements (subject to the limitations set
     forth in section 8 above) or any other short-term instrument that SAM deems
     appropriate.

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

15.  The Northwest Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in restricted
     securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, provided that SAM has
     determined that such securities are liquid under guidelines adopted by the
     Board of Trustees.

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


                                      -15-
<PAGE>

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE BALANCED FUND

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

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

1.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
     agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more than 5% of the value of
     the Balanced Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of
     such issuer or the Balanced Fund would own or hold more than 10% of the
     outstanding voting securities of such issuer), except that up to 25% of the
     value of such assets (which 25% shall not include securities issued by
     another investment company) may be invested without regard to these limits;

2.   Borrow money, except the Balanced Fund may borrow money for temporary and
     emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment purposes) in an amount
     not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed)
     less liabilities (other than borrowings).  Any borrowings by the Fund that
     come to exceed this amount shall be reduced within three days (not
     including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the
     33 1/3% limit;

3.   Act as underwriter of securities issued by any other person, firm or
     corporation; except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition
     of portfolio securities, the Balanced Fund may be deemed an underwriter
     under federal securities laws;

4.   Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act;

5.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
     agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the
     Balanced Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of companies
     whose principal business activities are in the same industry;

6.   Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of
     ownership of securities or other instruments; however, the Balanced Fund
     may purchase or sell options or futures contracts and invest in securities
     or other instruments backed by physical commodities;

7.   Lend any security or make any loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of
     its total assets would be lent to other parties; however, this limit does
     not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements; and

8.   Purchase or sell real estate, except real estate investment trusts.


                                      -16-
<PAGE>

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

1.   The Balanced Fund will not purchase securities of companies which together
     with any predecessors have a record of less than 3 years of continuous
     operation, if such purchase at the time thereof would cause more than 5% of
     the Fund's total assets to be invested in the securities of such companies.

2.   The Balanced Fund will not make short sales (sales of securities not
     presently owned), except where the Fund has at the time of sale, by virtue
     of its ownership in other securities, the right to obtain at no additional
     cost securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities to be sold.

3.   The Balanced Fund will not purchase securities issued by any other
     investment company, except by purchase in the open market where no
     commission or profit to a broker or dealer results from such purchase,
     other than the customary broker's commissions, or except when such
     purchase, although not made in the open market, is part of a merger,
     consolidation or acquisition.  Nothing in this policy shall prevent any
     purchase for the purpose of effecting a merger, consolidation or
     acquisition of assets expressly approved by the shareholders after full
     disclosure of any commission or profit to the principal underwriter.

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

5.   The Balanced Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in
     warrants.  Included in that amount, but not to exceed 2% of net assets, are
     warrants whose underlying securities are not traded on principal domestic
     or foreign exchanges.  Warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached
     to securities are not subject to these limits.

6.   The Balanced Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in real
     estate investment trusts, nor will the Fund invest in interests in real
     estate investment trusts that are not readily marketable or interests in
     real estate limited partnerships not listed or traded on the Nasdaq Stock
     Market ("Nasdaq") if, as a result, the sum of such interests considered
     illiquid and other illiquid securities would exceed 15% of the Fund's net
     assets.

7.   The Balanced Fund will not purchase securities on margin, except that the
     Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance
     of transactions, and provided that margin payments made in connection with
     futures contracts and options on futures shall not constitute purchasing
     securities on margins.

8.   The Balanced Fund may borrow money only from a bank or SAFECO Corporation
     or affiliates thereof or by engaging in reverse repurchase agreements with
     any party.  The Fund


                                      -17-
<PAGE>

     will not purchase any securities while borrowings equal to or greater than
     5% of its total assets are outstanding.

9.   The Balanced Fund will not purchase any security, if as a result, more than
     15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed to be
     illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on
     resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course
     of business at approximately the prices at which they are valued.

10.  The Balanced Fund will not make loans to any person, firm or corporation,
     but the purchase by the Fund of a portion of an issue of publicly
     distributed bonds, debentures or other securities issued by persons other
     than the Fund, whether or not the purchase was made upon the original issue
     of securities, shall not be considered a loan within the prohibition of
     this section.

11.  The Balanced Fund will not purchase or retain the securities of any issuer
     if, to the knowledge of the Fund's management, the officers and Trustees of
     the SAFECO Common Stock Trust and the officers and directors of the
     investment adviser to the Fund (each owning beneficially more than 0.5% of
     the outstanding securities of an issuer) own in the aggregate 5% or more of
     the securities of the issuer.

12.  The Balanced Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in restricted
     securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, provided that SAM has
     determined that such securities are liquid under guidelines adopted by the
     Board of Trustees.

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

14.  The Balanced Fund will not purchase puts, calls, straddles, spreads or any
     combination thereof if by reason thereof the value of its aggregate
     investment in such classes of securities would exceed 5% of its total
     assets; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the purchase,
     ownership, holding or sale of warrants where the grantor of the warrants is
     the issuer of the underlying securities.

15.  The Balanced Fund will not purchase or sell commodities or commodity
     contracts.


                                      -18-
<PAGE>

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL FUND

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

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

1.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
     agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more than 5% of the value of
     the International Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities
     of such issuer or the International Fund would own or hold more than 10% of
     the outstanding voting securities of such issuer), except that up to 25% of
     the value of such assets (which 25% shall not include securities issued by
     another investment company) may be invested without regard to these limits;

2.   Borrow money, except the International Fund may borrow money for temporary
     and emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment purposes) in an
     amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount
     borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings).  Any borrowings by the
     Fund that come to exceed this amount shall be reduced within three days
     (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with
     the 33 1/3% limit;

3.   Act as underwriter of securities issued by any other person, firm or
     corporation; except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition
     of portfolio securities, the International Fund may be deemed an
     underwriter under federal securities laws;

4.   Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act;

5.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
     agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the
     International Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of
     companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry;

6.   Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of
     ownership of securities or other instruments; however, the International
     Fund may purchase or sell options or futures contracts and invest in
     securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities;

7.   Lend any security or make any loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of
     its total assets would be lent to other parties; however, this limit does
     not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements; and

8.   Purchase or sell real estate, except real estate investment trusts.


                                      -19-
<PAGE>

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

1.   The International Fund will not purchase securities of companies which
     together with any predecessors have a record of less than 3 years of
     continuous operation, if such purchase at the time thereof would cause more
     than 5% of the Fund's total assets to be invested in the securities of such
     companies.

2.   The International Fund will not make short sales (sales of securities not
     presently owned), except where the Fund has at the time of sale, by virtue
     of its ownership in other securities, the right to obtain at no additional
     cost securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities to be sold.

3.   The International Fund will not purchase securities issued by any other
     investment company, except by purchase in the open market where no
     commission or profit to a broker or dealer results from such purchase,
     other than the customary broker's commissions, or except when such
     purchase, although not made in the open market, is part of a merger,
     consolidation or acquisition.  Nothing in this policy shall prevent any
     purchase for the purpose of effecting a merger, consolidation or
     acquisition of assets expressly approved by the shareholders after full
     disclosure of any commission or profit to the principal underwriter.

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

5.   The International Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in
     warrants.  Included in that amount, but not to exceed 2% of net assets, are
     warrants whose underlying securities are not traded on principal domestic
     or foreign exchanges.  Warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached
     to securities are not subject to these limits.

6.   The International Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in
     real estate investment trusts, nor will the Fund invest in interests in
     real estate investment trusts that are not readily marketable or interests
     in real estate limited partnerships not listed or traded on Nasdaq if, as a
     result, the sum of such interests considered illiquid and other illiquid
     securities would exceed 15% of the Fund's net assets.

7.   The International Fund will not purchase securities on margin, except that
     the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the
     clearance of transactions, and provided that margin payments made in
     connection with futures contracts and options on futures shall not
     constitute purchasing securities on margins.

8.   The International Fund may borrow money only from a bank or SAFECO
     Corporation or affiliates thereof or by engaging in reverse repurchase
     agreements with any party. The Fund


                                      -20-
<PAGE>

     will not purchase any securities while borrowings equal to or greater than
     5% of its total assets are outstanding.

9.   The International Fund will not purchase any security, if as a result, more
     than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed
     to be illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual
     restrictions on resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the
     ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they are
     valued.

10.  The International Fund will not make loans to any person, firm or
     corporation, but the purchase by the Fund of a portion of an issue of
     publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities issued by
     persons other than the Fund, whether or not the purchase was made upon the
     original issue of securities, shall not be considered a loan within the
     prohibition of this section.

11.  The International Fund will not purchase or retain the securities of any
     issuer if, to the knowledge of the Fund's management, the officers and
     Trustees of the SAFECO Common Stock Trust and the officers and directors of
     the investment adviser to the Fund (each owning beneficially more than 0.5%
     of the outstanding securities of an issuer) own in the aggregate 5% or more
     of the securities of the issuer.

12.  The International Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in
     restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, provided that
     SAM has determined that such securities are liquid under guidelines adopted
     by the Board of Trustees.

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

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE SMALL COMPANY FUND

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

The Small Company Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment
policies.  The Small Company Fund will NOT:

1.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
     agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more than 5% of the value of
     the Small Company Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities
     of such issuer or the Small Company Fund would own or hold more than 10% of
     the outstanding voting securities of such issuer), except that up to 25% of
     the value of such assets (which 25% shall not include securities issued by
     another investment company) may be invested without regard to these limits;


                                      -21-
<PAGE>

2.   Borrow money, except the Small Company Fund may borrow money for temporary
     and emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment purposes) in an
     amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount
     borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings).  Any borrowings by the
     Fund that come to exceed this amount shall be reduced within three days
     (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with
     the 33 1/3% limit;

3.   Act as underwriter of securities issued by any other person, firm or
     corporation; except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition
     of portfolio securities, the Small Company Fund may be deemed an
     underwriter under federal securities laws;

4.   Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act;

5.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
     agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Small
     Company Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of companies
     whose principal business activities are in the same industry;

6.   Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of
     ownership of securities or other instruments; however, the Small Company
     Fund may purchase or sell options or futures contracts and invest in
     securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities;

7.   Lend any security or make any loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of
     its total assets would be lent to other parties; however, this limit does
     not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements; and

8.   Purchase or sell real estate, except real estate investment trusts.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

1.   The Small Company Fund will not make short sales (sales of securities not
     presently owned), except where the Fund has at the time of sale, by virtue
     of its ownership in other securities, the right to obtain at no additional
     cost securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities to be sold.

2.   The Small Company Fund will not purchase securities issued by any other
     investment company, except by purchase in the open market where no
     commission or profit to a broker or dealer results from such purchase,
     other than the customary broker's commissions, or except when such
     purchase, although not made in the open market, is part of a merger,
     consolidation or acquisition.  Nothing in this policy shall prevent any
     purchase for the


                                      -22-
<PAGE>

     purpose of effecting a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets
     expressly approved by the shareholders after full disclosure of any
     commission or profit to the principal underwriter.

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

4.   The Small Company Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in
     warrants.  Included in that amount, but not to exceed 2% of net assets, are
     warrants whose underlying securities are not traded on principal domestic
     or foreign exchanges.  Warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached
     to securities are not subject to these limits.

5.   The Small Company Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in
     real estate investment trusts, nor will the Fund invest in interests in
     real estate investment trusts that are not readily marketable or interests
     in real estate limited partnerships not listed or traded on Nasdaq if, as a
     result, the sum of such interests considered illiquid and other illiquid
     securities would exceed 15% of the Fund's net assets.

6.   The Small Company Fund will not purchase securities on margin, except that
     the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the
     clearance of transactions, and provided that margin payments made in
     connection with futures contracts and options on futures shall not
     constitute purchasing securities on margins.

7.   The Small Company Fund may borrow money only from a bank or SAFECO
     Corporation or affiliates thereof or by engaging in reverse repurchase
     agreements with any party.  The Fund will not purchase any securities while
     borrowings equal to or greater than 5% of its total assets are outstanding.

8.   The Small Company Fund will not purchase any security, if as a result, more
     than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed
     to be illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual
     restrictions on resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the
     ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they are
     valued.

9.   The Small Company Fund will not make loans to any person, firm or
     corporation, but the purchase by the Fund of a portion of an issue of
     publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities issued by
     persons other than the Fund, whether or not the purchase was made upon the
     original issue of securities, shall not be considered a loan within the
     prohibition of this section.

10.  The Small Company Fund will not purchase or retain the securities of any
     issuer if, to the knowledge of the Fund's management, the officers and
     Trustees of the SAFECO Common Trust and the officers and directors of the
     investment adviser to the Fund (each owning beneficially more than 0.5% of
     the outstanding securities of an issuer) own in the aggregate 5% or more of
     the securities of the issuer.


                                      -23-
<PAGE>

11.  The Small Company Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in
     restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, provided that
     SAM has determined that such securities are liquid under guidelines adopted
     by the Board of Trustees.

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

13.  The Small Company Fund will not purchase securities of companies which
     together with any predecessors have a record of less than 3 years of
     continuous operation, if such purchase at the time thereof would cause more
     than 5% of the Fund's total assets to be invested in the securities of such
     companies.

14.  The Small Company Fund will not purchase puts, calls, straddles, spreads or
     any combination thereof, if by reason thereof the value of its aggregate
     investment in such classes of securities would exceed 5% of its total
     assets; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the purchase,
     ownership, holding or sale of warrants where the grantor of the warrants is
     the issuer of the underlying securities.

15.  The Small Company Fund will not purchase or sell commodities or commodity
     contracts.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE VALUE FUND

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

The U.S. Value Fund will not:

1.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its 
     agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more than 5% of the value 
     of the U.S. Value Fund's total assets would be invested in the 
     securities of such issuer or the U.S. Value Fund would own or hold more 
     than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, except 
     that up to 25% of the value of such assets (which 25% shall not include 
     securities issued by another investment company) may be invested without 
     regard to these limits;

2.   Borrow money, except the U.S. Value Fund may borrow money for temporary 
     and emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment purposes) in 
     an amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the 
     amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings).  Any 
     borrowings by the Fund that come to exceed this amount shall be reduced 
     within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent 
     necessary to comply with the 33 1/3% limit;

3.   Act as underwriter of securities issued by any other person, firm or 
     corporation; except to the extent that, in connection with the 
     disposition of portfolio securities, the U.S. Value Fund may be deemed 
     an underwriter under federal securities laws;

4.   Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, the 
     rules or regulations promulgated thereunder or pursuant to a no-action 
     letter or an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange 
     Commission;

   
5.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its 
     agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, 25% or more of the 
     U.S. Value Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of 
     companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry;
    
   
6.   Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of 
     ownership of securities or other instruments; however, the U.S. Value 
     Fund may purchase or sell may purchase financial futures contracts and 
     options and options on financial futures contracts.
    

7.   Lend any security or make any loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of 
     its total assets would be lent to other parties; however, this limit 
     does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase 
     agreements; and

8.   Purchase or sell real estate, except real estate investment trusts.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

1.   The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase securities of companies which 
     together with any predecessors have a record of less than 3 years of 
     continuous operation, if such purchase at the time thereof would cause 
     more than 5% of the Fund's total assets to be invested in the securities 
     of such companies;

2.   The U.S. Value Fund will not make short sales (sales of securities not 
     presently owned), except where the Fund has at the time of sale, by 
     virtue of its ownership in other securities, the right to obtain at no 
     additional cost securities equivalent in kind and amount to the 
     securities to be sold;

3.   The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase securities issued by any other 
     investment company, except by purchase in the open market where no 
     commission or profit to a broker or dealer results from such purchase, 
     other than the customary broker's commissions, or except when such 
     purchase, although not made in the open market, is part of a merger, 
     consolidation or acquisition.  Nothing in this policy shall prevent any 
     purchase for the purpose of effecting a merger, consolidation or 
     acquisition of assets expressly approved by the shareholders after full 
     disclosure of any commission or profit to the principal underwriter;

4.   The U.S. Value Fund will not invest in oil, gas or other mineral 
     exploration, development programs or leases;

5.   The U.S. Value Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in 
     warrants.  Warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached to 
     securities are not subject to the 5% limit;

6.   The U.S. Value Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in 
     real estate investment trusts, nor will the Fund invest in interests in 
     real estate investment trusts that are not readily marketable or 
     interests in real estate limited partnerships not listed or traded on the
     Nasdaq Stock Market if, as a result, the sum of such interests considered
     illiquid and other illiquid securities would exceed 15% of the Fund's 
     net assets;

7.   The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase securities on margin, except that 
     the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the 
     clearance of transactions, and provided that margin payments made in 
     connection with futures contracts and options on futures shall not 
     constitute purchasing securities on margin;

8.   The U.S. Value Fund may borrow money only from a bank or SAFECO 
     Corporation or affiliates thereof or by engaging in reverse repurchase 
     agreements with any party.  The Fund will not purchase any securities 
     while borrowings equal to or greater than 5% of its total assets are 
     outstanding;

9.   The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase any security, if as a result, more 
     than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are 
     deemed to be illiquid because they cannot be sold or disposed of in 
     the ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which 
     they are valued;

10.  The U.S. Value Fund will not make loans to any person, firm or 
     corporation, but the purchase by the Fund of a portion of an issue of 
     publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities issued by 
     persons other than the Fund, whether or not the purchase was made upon 
     the original issue of securities, shall not be considered a loan within 
     the prohibition of this section;

11.  The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase or retain the securities of any 
     issuer if, to the knowledge of the Fund's management, the officers and 
     Trustees of the SAFECO Common Stock Trust and the officers and directors of
     the investment adviser to the Fund (each owning beneficially more than 
     0.5% of the outstanding securities of an issuer) own in the aggregate 5% 
     or more of the securities of the issuer;

12.  The U.S. Value Fund may invest in restricted securities eligible for 
     resale under Rule 144A, provided that SAM has determined that such 
     securities are liquid under guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees;

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

14.  The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase puts, calls, straddles, spreads or 
     any combination thereof if by reason thereof the value of its aggregate 
     investment in such classes of securities would exceed 5% of its total 
     assets; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the 
     purchase, ownership, holding or sale of warrants where the grantor of 
     the warrants is the issuer of the underlying securities; and

15.  The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase or sell commodities or commodity 
     contracts.

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION

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

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

     Where registration is required, a Fund may be obligated to pay all or part
     of the registration expenses, and a considerable period may elapse between
     the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a
     security under an effective registration statement. If, during


                                      -24-
<PAGE>

     such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might
     obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to sell.  To
     the extent privately placed securities are illiquid, purchases thereof will
     be subject to any limitations on investments in illiquid securities.
     Restricted securities for which no market exists are priced at fair value
     as determined in accordance with procedures approved and periodically
     reviewed by the Trust's Board of Trustees.

2.   WARRANTS.  A warrant is an option issued by a corporation that gives the
     holder the right to buy a stated number of shares of common stock of the
     corporation at a specified price within a designated time period.  Warrants
     may be purchased and sold separately or attached to stocks or bonds as part
     of a unit offering.  The term of a warrant may run from two to five years
     and in some cases the term may be longer.  The exercise price carried by
     the warrant is usually well above the prevailing market price of the
     underlying common stock at the time the warrant is issued.  The holder of a
     warrant has no voting rights and receives no dividends.  Warrants are
     freely transferable and may trade on the major national exchanges.

     Warrants may be speculative.  Generally, the value of a warrant will
     fluctuate by greater percentages than the value of the underlying common
     stock.  The primary risk associated with a warrant is that the term of the
     warrant may expire before the exercise price of the common stock has been
     reached.  Under these circumstances, a Fund could lose all of its principal
     investment in the warrant.

     A Fund will invest in a warrant only if the Fund has the authority to hold
     the underlying common stock.  Additionally, if a warrant is part of a unit
     offering, a Fund will purchase the warrant only if it is attached to a
     security in which the Fund has authority to invest.  In all cases, a Fund
     will purchase warrants only after SAM determines that the exercise price
     for the underlying common stock is likely to be achieved within the
     required time-frame and for which an actively traded market exists.  SAM
     will make this determination by analyzing the issuer's financial health,
     quality of management and any other factors deemed to be relevant.

3.   REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  In a repurchase agreement, a Fund and the seller
     agree at the time of sale to the repurchase of a security at a mutually
     agreed upon time and place.  The period of maturity is usually quite short,
     possibly overnight or a few days. The resale price is in excess of the
     purchase price, reflecting an agreed upon market rate effective for the
     period of time a Fund's money is invested in the security (which is not
     related to the coupon rate of the purchased security).  Repurchase
     agreements may be considered loans of money to the seller of the underlying
     security, which are collateralized by the securities underlying the
     repurchase agreement.  A Fund will not enter into a repurchase agreement
     unless the agreement is fully collateralized.  A Fund will take possession
     of the securities underlying the repurchase agreement and will value them
     daily to assure that this condition is met.  In the event that a seller
     defaults on a repurchase agreement, a Fund may incur loss in the market
     value of the collateral, as well as disposition costs; and, if a party with
     whom a Fund has entered into a repurchase agreement becomes involved in a
     bankruptcy proceeding, a Fund's ability to realize the collateral may be
     limited or delayed and a loss may be incurred


                                      -25-
<PAGE>

     if the collateral securing the repurchase agreement declines in value
     during the bankruptcy proceeding.  Foreign repurchase agreements may be
     less well secured than U.S. repurchase agreements and may be subject to
     currency risks.  In addition, foreign counterparties may be less
     creditworthy than U.S. counterparties.

4.   COMMERCIAL PAPER AND CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT.  In making temporary
     investments in commercial paper and certificates of deposit, a Fund will
     adhere to the following guidelines:

      a) Commercial paper must be rated A-1 or A-2 by Standard & Poor's Ratings
         Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P") or
         Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's") or
         issued by companies with an unsecured debt issue currently outstanding
         rated AA by S&P or Aa by Moody's or higher.

      b) Certificates of deposit ("CDs") must be issued by banks or savings 
         and loan associations that have total assets of at least $1 billion 
         or, in the case of a bank or savings and loan association not having 
         total assets of at least $1 billion, the bank or savings and loan 
         association is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 
         ("FDIC"). The Growth Fund's investments in CDs issued by 
         FDIC-insured banks or savings and loans having less than $1 billion 
         in assets will be limited in amount to the statutory insurance 
         coverage provided by the FDIC.

5.   CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS.  A contingent value right ("CVR") is a right
     issued by a corporation that takes on a pre-established value if the
     underlying common stock does not attain a target price by a specified date.
     Generally, a CVR's value will be the difference between the target price
     and the current market price of the common stock on the target date.  If
     the common stock does attain the target price by the date, the CVR expires
     without value.  CVRs may be purchased and sold as part of the underlying
     common stock or separately from the stock.  CVRs may also be issued to
     owners of the underlying common stock as the result of a corporation's
     restructuring.

6.   REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS ("REITS").  REITs purchase real property,
     which is then leased, and make mortgage investments.  For federal income
     tax purposes REITs attempt to qualify for beneficial "modified pass
     through" tax treatment by annually distributing at least 95% of their
     taxable income.  If a REIT were unable to qualify for such beneficial tax
     treatment, it would be taxed as a corporation and the distributions made to
     its shareholders would not be deductible by it in computing its taxable
     income.

     REITs are dependent upon the successful operation of the properties owned
     and the financial condition of lessees and mortgagors.  The value of REIT
     units will fluctuate depending on the underlying value of the real property
     and mortgages owned and the amount of cash flow (net income plus
     depreciation) generated and paid out.  In addition, REITs typically borrow
     to increase funds available for investment.  Generally, there is a greater
     risk associated with REITs that are highly leveraged.


                                      -26-
<PAGE>

7.   ILLIQUID SECURITIES.  Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be
     sold within seven days in the ordinary course of business for approximately
     the amount at which they are valued. The Funds do not intend to purchase
     illiquid securities, but the market for some securities may become illiquid
     following purchase by the Fund. Due to the absence of an active trading
     market, a Fund may experience difficulty in valuing or disposing of
     illiquid securities.  SAM determines the liquidity of the securities under
     guidelines adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees.

8.   CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible bonds and convertible preferred stock
     may be exchanged for a stated number of shares of the issuer's common stock
     at a certain price known as the conversion price.  The conversion price is
     usually greater than the price of the common stock at the time the
     convertible security is purchased.  Generally, the interest rate of
     convertible bonds and the yield of convertible preferred stock will be
     lower than the issuer's non-convertible securities.  Also, the value of
     convertible securities will normally vary with the value of the underlying
     common stock and fluctuate inversely with interest rates.  However,
     convertible securities may show less volatility in value than the issuer's
     non-convertible securities.  A risk associated with convertible bonds and
     convertible preferred stock is that the conversion price of the common
     stock will not be attained.

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

10.  SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS. Sovereign debt instruments are issued or
     guaranteed by foreign governments or their agencies.  Sovereign debt may be
     in the form of conventional securities or other types of debt instruments
     such as loans or loan participations.  Governments or governmental entities
     responsible for repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay
     principal and interest when due, and may require renegotiation or
     rescheduling of debt payments.  Repayment of principal and interest may
     depend also upon political and economic factors.

11.  INDEXED SECURITIES.  Indexed securities are securities whose prices are
     indexed to the prices of other securities, securities indices, currencies,
     commodities or other financial indicators.  Indexed securities generally
     are debt securities whose value at maturity or interest rate is determined
     by reference to a specific instrument or statistic.  Currency-indexed
     securities generally are debt securities whose maturity values or interest
     rates are determined by reference to values of one or more specified
     foreign currencies.  Currency-indexed securities may be positively or
     negatively indexed; i.e., their maturity value may increase when the
     specified currency value increases, resulting in a security that performs
     similarly to a foreign-


                                      -27-
<PAGE>

     denominated instrument, or their maturity value may decline when foreign
     currencies increase, resulting in a security whose price characteristics
     are similar to a put on the underlying currency.  Currency-indexed
     securities may also have prices that depend on the values of different
     foreign securities relative to each other.

     The performance of an indexed security depends largely on the performance
     of the security, currency or other instrument to which they are indexed.
     Performance may also be influenced by interest rate changes in the United
     States and foreign countries.  Indexed securities additionally are subject
     to credit risks associated with the issuer of the security.  Their values
     may decline substantially if the issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates.
     Indexed securities may also be more volatile than their underlying
     instruments.

12.  PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES ("PFICS").  PFICs may include funds or
     trusts organized as investment vehicles to invest in companies of certain
     foreign countries.  Investors in a PFIC bear their proportionate share of
     the PFIC's management fees and other expenses.  See "Additional Tax
     Information" for more information.

13.  SHORT SALES AGAINST THE BOX.  A Fund may make short sales of securities or
     maintain a short position, provided that at all times when a short position
     is open the Fund owns an equal amount of such securities or an equal amount
     of the securities of the same issuer as the securities sold short (a "short
     sale against the box").  Funds engaging in short sales against the box will
     incur transaction costs.

   
14.  OPTIONS ON EQUITY SECURITIES.  (International Fund only.)  The
     International Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options
     on equity securities.  A call option is a short-term contract pursuant
     to which the purchaser or holder, in return for a premium paid, has the
     right to buy the equity security underlying the option at a specified
     exercise price (the strike price) at any time during the term of the
     option (for "American-style" options) or on the option expiration date
     (for "European-style" options).  The writer of the call option, who 
     received the premium, has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to 
     deliver the underlying equity security against payment of the strike price.
     A put option is a similar contract that gives the purchaser or holder, in 
     return for a premium, the right to sell the underlying equity security at a
     specified exercise price (the strike price) during the term of the option. 
     The writer of the put, who receives the premium, has the obligation to buy 
     the underlying equity security at the strike price upon exercise by the 
     holder of the put.
    

     The Fund will write call options on stocks only if they are covered, and 
     such options must remain covered so long as the Fund is obligated as a 
     writer.  A call option is "covered" if: the Fund has an immediate right 
     to acquire that security: (i) without additional cash consideration (or 
     for additional cash consideration held in a segregated account by its 
     custodian), or (ii) upon the Fund's conversion or exchange of other 
     securities held in its portfolio, or (iii) the Fund holds a 
     share-for-share basis a call on the same security as the call written 
     where the strike price of the call held is equal to or less than the 
     strike price of the call written, or greater than the strike price of 
     the call written if the difference is maintained


                                      -28-
<PAGE>

     by the Fund in cash, Treasury bills or other liquid high-grade short-term
     debt obligations in a segregated account with its custodian.

     The Fund will write put options on stocks only if they are covered, and 
     such options must remain covered so long as the Fund is obligated as a 
     writer.  A put option is "covered" if: (i) the Fund holds in a 
     segregated account cash, Treasury bills, or other liquid high-grade 
     short-term debt obligations of a value equal to the strike price, or 
     (ii) the Fund holds on a share-for-share basis a put on the same 
     security as the put written, where the strike price of the put held is 
     equal to or greater than the strike price of the put written, or less 
     than the strike price of the put written if the difference is maintained 
     by the Fund in cash, Treasury bills, or other liquid high-grade 
     short-term obligations in a segregated account with its custodian.

     The Fund may purchase "protective puts," i.e., put options acquired for the
     purpose of protecting a portfolio security from a decline in market value.
     In exchange for the premium paid for the put option, the Fund acquires the
     right to sell the underlying security at the strike price of the put
     regardless of the extent to which the underlying security declines in
     value.  The loss to the Fund is limited to the premium paid for, and
     transaction costs in connection with, the put plus the initial excess, if
     any, of the market price of the underlying security over the strike price.
     However, if the market price of the security underlying the put rises, the
     profit the Fund realizes on the sale of the security will be reduced by the
     premium paid for the put option less any amount (net of transaction costs)
     for which the put may be sold.

     The Fund does not intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets at any
     one time in the purchase of call options on stocks.

     If the Fund, as a writer of an option, wishes to terminate the obligation,
     it may effect a "closing purchase transaction" by  buying an option of the
     same series as the option previously written.  Similarly, the holder of an
     option may liquidate his or her position by exercising the option or by
     effecting a "closing sale transaction, i.e., selling an option of the same
     series as the option previously purchased.  The Fund may effect closing
     sale and purchase transactions.  The Fund will realize a profit from a
     closing transaction if the price of the transaction is less than the
     premium received from writing the option or is more than the premium paid
     to purchase the option.  Because increases in the market price of a call
     option will generally reflect increases in the market price of the
     underlying security, any loss resulting from a closing purchase transaction
     with respect to a call option is likely to be offset in whole or in part by
     appreciation of the underlying equity security owned by the Fund.  There is
     no guaranty that closing purchase or closing sale transactions can be
     effected.

     The Fund's use of options on equity securities is subject to certain
     special risks, in addition to the risk that the market value of the
     security will move adversely to the Fund's option position.  An option
     position may be closed out only on an exchange, board of trade or other
     trading facility that provides a secondary market for an option of the same
     series.  Although


                                      -29-
<PAGE>

     the Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which
     there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that
     a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular
     option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market
     on an exchange or otherwise may exist.  In such event it might not be
     possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, with the
     result that the Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize
     any profit and would incur brokerage commissions upon the exercise of such
     options and upon the subsequent disposition of the underlying securities
     acquired through the exercise of call options or upon the purchase of
     underlying securities or the exercise of put options.  If the Fund as a
     covered call option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase
     transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell underlying
     security until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security
     upon exercise.

     Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange can
     include any of the following:  (i) there may be insufficient trading
     interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions imposed by an exchange on
     opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts,
     suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular
     classes or series of options or underlying securities; (iv) unusual or
     unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange;
     (v) the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not at all
     times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more
     exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at
     some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular
     class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that
     exchange (or in the class or series of options) would cease to exist,
     although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by a
     clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue
     to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.  There is no assurance
     that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events
     might not, at times, render certain of the facility of any of the clearing
     corporations inadequate, and thereby result in the institution by an
     exchange of special procedures that may interfere with the timely execution
     of customers' orders.

   
15.  OPTIONS ON STOCK INDICES.  (International Fund only.)  The International
     Fund may purchase and sell (i.e., write) put and call options on stock
     indices.  Options on stock indices are similar to options on stock except 
     that, rather than obtaining the right to take or make delivery of stock at
     a specified price, an option on stock index gives the holder the right to
     receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing
     level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than (in
     the case of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the strike price of
     the option.  The amount of cash is equal to such difference between the
     closing price of the index and the strike price of the option times a
     specified multiple (the "multiplier").  If the option is exercised, the
     writer is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery
     of this amount.  Unlike stock options, all settlements are in cash, and
     gain or loss depends on price movements in the stock market generally (or
     in particular industry or segment of the market) rather than price
     movements in individual stocks.
    

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

     The Fund will write call options on stock indices only if they are covered,
     and such options remain covered as long as the Fund is obligated as a
     writer.  When the Fund writes a call option on a broadly based stock market
     index, the Fund will segregate or put into escrow with its custodian or
     pledge to a broker as collateral for the option, cash, Treasury bills or
     other liquid high-grade short-term debt obligations, or "qualified
     securities" (defined below) with a market value at the time the option is
     written of not less than 100% of the current index value times the
     multiplier times the number of contracts.  A "qualified security" is an
     equity security that is listed on a national securities exchange or listed
     on Nasdaq against which the Fund has not written a stock call option and
     that has not been hedged by the Fund by the sale of stock index futures.

     When the Fund writes a call option on an industry or market segment index,
     the Fund will segregate or put into escrow with its custodian or pledge to
     a broker as collateral for the option, cash, Treasury bills or other liquid
     high-grade short-term debt obligations, or at least five qualified
     securities, all of which are stocks of issuers in such industry or market
     segment, with a market value at the time the option is written of not less
     than 100% of the current index value times the multiplier times the number
     of contracts.  Such stocks will include stocks that represent at least 50%
     of the weighting of the industry or market segment index and will represent
     at least 50% of the portfolio's holdings in that industry or market
     segment.  No individual security will represent more than 15% of the amount
     so segregated, pledged or escrowed in the case of broadly based stock
     market stock options or 25% of such amount in the case of industry or
     market segment index options.

     If at the close of business on any day the market value of such qualified
     securities so segregated, escrowed, or pledged falls below 100% of the
     current index value times the multiplier times the number of contracts, the
     Fund will so segregate, escrow, or pledge an amount in cash, Treasury
     bills, or other liquid high-grade short-term obligations equal in value to
     the difference.  In addition, when the Fund writes a call on an index that
     is in-the-money at the time the call is written, the Fund will segregate
     with its custodian or pledge to the broker as  collateral, cash or U.S.
     Government or other liquid high-grade short-term debt obligations equal in
     value to the amount by which the call is in-the-money times the multiplier
     times the number of contracts.  Any amount segregated pursuant to the
     foregoing sentence may be applied to the Fund's obligation to segregate
     additional amounts in the event that the market value of the qualified
     securities falls below 100% of the current index value times the multiplier
     times the number of contracts.  A call option is also covered and the Fund
     need not follow the segregation requirements set forth in this paragraph
     if:  the Fund holds a call on the same index as the call written where the
     strike price of the call held is equal to or less than the strike price of
     the call written, or greater than the strike price of the call written if
     the difference is maintained by the Fund in cash, Treasury bills or other
     liquid high-grade short-term obligations in a segregated account with its
     custodian.

     The Fund will write put options on stock indices only if they are covered,
     and such options must remain covered so long as the Fund is obligated as a
     writer.  A put option is covered if: (i) the Fund holds in a segregated
     account cash, Treasury bills, or other liquid high-grade


                                      -31-
<PAGE>

     short-term debt obligations of a value equal to the strike price times the
     multiplier times the number of contracts, or (ii) the Fund holds a put on
     the same index as the put written where the strike price of the put held is
     equal to or greater than the strike price of the put written, or less than
     the strike price of the put written if the difference is maintained by the
     Fund in cash, Treasury bills, or other liquid high-grade short-term debt
     obligations in a segregated account with its custodian.

     The Fund does not intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets at any
     one time in the purchase of puts and calls on stock indices.  The Fund may
     effect closing sale and purchase transactions, as described above in
     connection with options on equity securities.

     The purchase and sale of options on stock indices will be subject to the
     same risks as options on equity securities, described above.  In addition,
     the distinctive characteristics of options on indices create certain risks
     that are not present with stock options.  Index prices may be distorted if
     trading of certain stocks included in the index is interrupted.  Trading in
     index options also may be interrupted in certain circumstances, such as if
     trading were halted in a substantial number of stocks included in the
     index.  If this occurred, the Fund would not be able to close out options
     that it had purchased or written and, if restrictions on exercise were
     imposed, may be unable to exercise an option it holds, which could result
     in substantial losses to the Fund.  The Fund generally will purchase or
     write options only on stock indices that include a number of stocks
     sufficient to minimize the likelihood of a trading halt in options on the
     index.

     Although the markets for certain index option contracts have developed
     rapidly, the markets for other index options are still relatively illiquid.
     The ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be
     subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market.
     It is not certain that this market will develop in all index options
     contracts.  The Fund will not purchase or sell any index option contract
     unless and until  Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.) Limited (the
     "Sub-Adviser"), the Fund's sub-investment adviser, believes the market for
     such options has developed sufficiently that the risk in connection with
     such transactions is no greater than the risk in connection with options on
     stocks.

     Price movements in the Fund's equity security portfolio probably will not
     correlate precisely with movements in the level of the index and,
     therefore, in writing a call on a stock index the Fund bears the risk that
     the price of the securities held by the Fund may not increase as much as
     the index.  In such event, the Fund would bear a loss on the call that is
     not completely offset by movement in the price of the Fund's equity
     securities.  It is also possible that the index may rise when the Fund's
     securities do not rise in value.  If this occurred, the Fund would
     experience a loss on the call that is not offset by an increase in the
     value of its securities portfolio and might also experience a loss in its
     securities portfolio.  However, because the value of a diversified
     securities portfolio will, over time, tend to move in the same direction as
     the market, movements in the value of the Fund's securities in the


                                      -32-
<PAGE>

     opposite direction as the market would be likely to occur for only a short
     period or to a small degree.

     When the Fund has written a call, there is also a risk that the market may
     decline between the time the Fund has a call exercised against it, at a
     price which is fixed as of the closing level of the index on the date of
     exercise, and the time the Fund is able to sell stocks in its portfolio.
     As with stock options, the Fund will not learn that an index option has
     been exercised until the day following the exercise date but, unlike a call
     on stock where the Fund would be able to deliver the underlying securities
     in settlement, the Fund may have to sell part of its stock portfolio in
     order to make settlement in cash, and the price of such stocks might
     decline before they can be sold.  This timing risk makes certain strategies
     involving more than one option substantially more risky with options in
     stock indices than with stock options.

     There are also certain special risks involved in purchasing put and call
     options on stock indices.  If the Fund holds an index option and exercises
     it before final determination of the closing index value for that day, it
     runs the risk that the level of the underlying index may change before
     closing.  If such a change causes the exercised option to fall out-of-the-
     money, the Fund will be required to pay the difference between the closing
     index value and the strike price of the option (times the applicable
     multiplier) to the assigned writer.  Although the Fund may be able to
     minimize the risk by withholding exercise instructions until just before
     the daily cutoff time or by selling rather than exercising an option when
     the index level is close to the exercise price, it may not be possible to
     eliminate this risk entirely because the cutoff times for index options may
     be earlier than those fixed for other types of options and may occur before
     definitive closing index values are announced.

   
16.  OPTIONS ON DEBT SECURITIES. (International Fund only.)  The Fund may
     purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options on debt securities.
     Options on debt are similar to options on stock, except that the option
     holder has the right to take or make delivery of a debt security, rather
     than stock.
    

     The Fund will write options only if they are covered, and such options must
     remain covered so long as the Fund is obligated as a writer.  An option on
     debt securities is covered in the same manner as options on equity
     securities as described above, except that, in the case of call options on
     U.S. Treasury bills, the Fund might own U.S. Treasury bills of a different
     series from those underlying the call option, but with a principal amount
     and value corresponding to the option contract amount and a maturity date
     no later than that of the securities deliverable under the call option.
     The principal reason for the Fund to write an option on one or more of its
     securities is to realize through the receipt of the premiums paid by the
     purchaser of the option a greater current return than would be realized on
     the underlying security alone.  Calls on debt securities will not be
     written when, in the opinion of the Sub-Adviser, interest rates are likely
     to decline significantly, because under those


                                      -33-
<PAGE>

     circumstances the premium received by writing the call likely would not
     fully offset the foregone appreciation in the value of the underlying
     security.

     The Fund may also write straddles (i.e., a combination of a call and a put
     written on the same security at the same strike price where the same issue
     of the security is considered "cover" for both the put and the call).  In
     such cases, the Fund will also segregate or deposit for the benefit of the
     Fund's broker cash or liquid high-grade debt obligations equivalent to the
     amount, if any, by which the put is in-the-money.  The Fund's use of
     straddles will be limited to 5% of its net assets (meaning that the
     securities used for cover or segregated as described above will not exceed
     5% of the Fund's net assets at the time the straddle is written).  The
     writing of a call and a put on the same security at the same strike price
     where the call and the put are covered by different securities is not
     considered a straddle for purposes of this limit.

     The Fund may purchase "protective puts" on debt securities in an effort to
     protect the value of a security that they own against a substantial decline
     in market value.  Protective puts are described above in "Options on
     Equities."

     The Fund does not intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets at any
     one time in the purchase of call options on debt securities.

   
     If the Fund, as a writer of an exchange-traded option, wishes to terminate
     the obligation, it may effect a closing purchase or sale transaction in a
     manner similar to that discussed above in connection with options on equity
     securities.  Unlike exchange-traded options, dealer options generally do 
     not have a continuous liquid market.  Consequently, the Fund will generally
     be able to realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by
     exercising it or reselling it to the dealer who issued it.  Similarly, when
     the Fund writes a dealer option, it generally will be able to close out the
     dealer option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing 
     purchase transaction with the dealer to which the Fund originally wrote the
     dealer option.  While the Fund will seek to enter into dealer options only 
     with counterparties who agree to and who are expected to be able to be 
     capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be 
     no assurance that the Fund will be able to liquidate a dealer option at a 
     favorable price at any time prior to expiration.  In the event of 
     insolvency of the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer
     option.  There is, in general, no guarantee that closing purchase or 
     closing sale transactions can be effected.  The Fund may not invest more 
     than 15% of its total assets (determined at the time of investment) in 
     illiquid securities, including debt securities for which there is not an 
     established market.  The staff of the SEC has taken the position that 
     purchased dealer options and the assets used as "cover" for written dealer
     options are illiquid securities.  However, pursuant to the terms of certain
     no-action letters issued by the staff, the securities used as cover for 
     written dealer options may be considered liquid provided that the Fund 
     sells dealer options only to qualified dealers who agree that the Fund may 
     repurchase any dealer option its writes for a maximum price to be 
     calculated by a predetermined formula.  In such cases, the dealer option 
     would be considered


                                      -34-
<PAGE>

     illiquid only to the extent that the maximum repurchase price under the
     formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option.
    

     The Fund's purchase and sale of exchange-traded options on debt securities
     will be subject to the risks described above in "Options on Equity
     Securities."

17.  OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES. (International Fund only.)  The Fund may
     purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies traded on
     U.S. or foreign securities exchanges or boards of trade for hedging
     purposes.  Options on foreign currencies are similar to options on stock,
     except that the option holder has the right to take or make delivery of a
     specified amount of foreign currency, rather than stock.

     The Fund may purchase and write options to hedge its securities denominated
     in foreign currencies.  If there is a decline in the dollar value of a
     foreign currency in which the Fund's securities are denominated, the dollar
     value of such securities will decline even though their foreign currency
     value remains the same.  To hedge against the decline of the foreign
     currency, the Fund may purchase put options on such foreign currency.  If
     the value of the foreign currency declines, the gain realized on the put
     option would offset, in whole or in part, the adverse effect such decline
     would have on the value of the Fund's securities.  Alternatively, the Fund
     may write a call option on the foreign currency.  If the foreign currency
     declines, the option would not be exercised and the decline in the value of
     the portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency would be
     offset in part by the premium the Fund received for the option.

     If, on the other hand, the Sub-Adviser anticipates purchasing a foreign
     security and also anticipates a rise in such foreign currency (thereby
     increasing the cost of such security), the Fund may purchase call options
     on the foreign currency.  The purchase of such options could offset, at
     least partially, the effects of the adverse movements of the exchange
     rates.  Alternatively, the Fund could write a put option on the currency
     and, if the exchange rates move as anticipated, the option would expire
     unexercised.

     The Fund's successful use of options on foreign currencies depends upon the
     Sub-Adviser's ability to predict the direction of the currency exchange
     markets and political conditions, which requires different skills and
     techniques than predicting changes in the securities markets generally.
     For instance, if the currency being hedged has moved in a favorable
     direction, the corresponding appreciation of the Fund's securities
     denominated in such currency would be partially offset by the premiums paid
     on the options.  Furthermore, if the currency exchange rate does not
     change, the Fund's net income would be less than if the Fund had not hedged
     since there are costs associated with options.

     The use of these options is subject to various additional risks.  The
     correlation between movements in the price of options and the price of the
     currencies being hedged is imperfect.  The use of these instruments will
     hedge only the currency risks associated with investments in foreign
     securities, not their market risks.  The Fund's ability to establish and
     maintain

                                      -35-
<PAGE>

     positions will depend on market liquidity.  The ability of the Fund to
     close out an option depends upon a liquid secondary market.  There is no
     assurance that liquid secondary markets will exist for any particular
     option at any particular time.

18.  STOCK INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS.  (International Fund only.)  The
     International Fund may buy and sell for hedging purposes stock index
     futures contracts traded on a commodities exchange or board of trade.  A
     stock index futures contract is an agreement in which the seller of the
     contract agrees to deliver to the buyer an amount of cash equal to a
     specific dollar amount times the difference between the value of a specific
     stock index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the
     price at which the agreement is made.  No physical delivery of the
     underlying stocks in the index is made.  When the futures contract is
     entered into, each party deposits with a broker or in a segregated
     custodial account approximately 5% of the contract amount, called the
     "initial margin."  Subsequent payments to and from the broker, called
     "variation margin," will be made on a daily basis as the price of the
     underlying stock index fluctuates, making the long and short positions in
     the futures contracts more or less valuable, a process known as "marking to
     the market."

     The Fund may sell stock index futures to hedge against a decline in the
     value of equity securities it holds.  The Fund may also buy stock index
     futures to hedge against a rise in the value of equity securities it
     intends to acquire.  To the extent permitted by federal regulations, the
     Fund may also engage in other types of hedging transactions in stock index
     futures that are economically appropriate for the reduction of risks
     inherent in the ongoing management of the Fund's equity securities.

     The Fund's successful use of stock index futures contracts depends upon the
     Sub-Adviser's ability to predict the direction of the market and is subject
     to various additional risks.  The correlation between movement in the price
     of the stock index future and the price of the securities being hedged is
     imperfect and the risk from imperfect correlation increases as the
     composition of the Fund's securities portfolio diverges from the
     composition of the relevant index.  In addition, the ability of the Fund to
     close out a futures position depends on a liquid secondary market.  There
     is no assurance that liquid secondary markets will exist for any particular
     stock index futures contract at any particular time.

     Under regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"),
     investment companies registered under the 1940 Act are excluded from
     regulation as commodity pools or commodity pool operators if their use of
     futures is limited in certain specified ways.  The Fund will use futures in
     a manner consistent with the terms of this exclusion.  Among other
     requirements, no more than 5% of the Fund's assets may be committed as
     initial margin on futures contracts.

19.  INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS.  (International Fund only.)  The
     International Fund may buy and sell for hedging purposes futures contracts
     on interest bearing securities (such as U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. Treasury
     notes, U.S. Treasury bills, and GNMA certificates) or interest rate
     indices.  Futures contracts on interest bearing securities and interest
     rate indices


                                      -36-
<PAGE>

     are referred to collectively as "interest rate futures contracts."  The
     portfolios will engage in transactions in only those futures contracts that
     are traded on a commodities exchange or board of trade.

     The Fund may sell an interest rate futures contract to hedge against a
     decline in the market value of debt securities it owns.  The Fund may
     purchase an interest rate futures contract to hedge against an anticipated
     increase in the value of debt securities it intends to acquire.  The Fund
     may also engage in other types of transactions in interest rate futures
     contracts that are economically appropriate for the reduction of risks
     inherent in the ongoing management of its futures.

     The Fund's successful use of interest rate futures contracts depends upon
     the Sub-Adviser's ability to predict interest rate movements.  Further,
     because there are a limited number of types of interest rate futures
     contracts, it is likely that the interest rate futures contracts available
     to the Fund will not exactly match the debt securities the Fund intends to
     hedge or acquire.  To compensate for differences in historical volatility
     between securities the Fund intends to hedge or acquire and the interest
     rate futures contracts available to it, the Fund could purchase or sell
     futures contracts with a greater or lesser value than the securities it
     wished to hedge or intended to purchase.  Interest rate futures contracts
     are subject to the same risks regarding closing transactions and the CFTC
     limits as described above in "Stock Index Futures Contracts."

20.  FOREIGN CURRENCY FUTURES CONTRACTS.  (International Fund only.)  The
     International Fund may buy and sell for hedging purposes futures contracts
     on foreign currencies or groups of foreign currencies such as the European
     Currency Unit.  An European Currency Unit is a basket of specified amounts
     of the currencies of certain member states of the European Economic
     Community, a Western European economic cooperative organization including
     France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.  The Fund will
     engage in transactions in only those futures contracts and other options
     thereon that are traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade.  See
     "Stock Index Futures Contracts" above for a general description of futures
     contracts.  The Fund intends to engage in transactions involving futures
     contracts as a hedge against changes in the value of the currencies in
     which they hold investments or in which they expect to pay expenses or pay
     for future purchases.  The Fund may also engage in such transactions when
     they are economically appropriate for the reduction of risks inherent in
     their ongoing management.

     The use of these futures contracts is subject to risks similar to those
     involved in the use of options of foreign currencies and the use of any
     futures contract.  The Fund's successful use of foreign currency futures
     contracts depends upon the Sub-Adviser's ability to predict the direction
     of currency exchange markets and political conditions.  In addition, the
     correlation between movements in the price of futures contracts and the
     price of currencies being hedged is imperfect, and there is no assurance
     that liquid markets will exist for any particular futures contract at any
     particular time.  Those risks are discussed above more fully under "Options
     on Foreign Currencies" and "Stock Index Futures Contracts."


                                      -37-
<PAGE>

21.  OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS.  (International Fund only.)  The Fund may, to
     the extent permitted by applicable regulations, enter into certain
     transactions involving options on futures contracts.  An option on a
     futures contract gives the purchaser or holder the right, but not the
     obligation, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if
     the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a
     specified price at any time during the option exercise period.  The writer
     of the option is required upon exercise to assume an offsetting futures
     position (a short position if the option is a call and a long position if
     the option is a put).  Upon exercise of the option, the assumption of
     offsetting futures positions by the writer and holder of the option will be
     accomplished by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer's futures
     margin account that represents the amount by which the market price of the
     futures contract, an exercise, exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less
     than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the futures
     contract.  As an alternative to exercise, the holder or writer of an option
     may terminate a position by selling or purchasing an option of the same
     series.  There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be
     effected.  The Fund intends to utilize options on futures contracts for the
     same purposes that it intends to use the underlying futures contracts.

     Options on futures contracts are subject to risks similar to those
     described above with respect to options and futures contracts.  There is
     also the risk of imperfect correlation between the option and the
     underlying futures contract.  If there were no liquid secondary market for
     a particular option on a futures contract, the Fund might have to exercise
     an option it held in order to realize any profit and might continue to be
     obligated under an option it had written until the option expired or was
     exercised.  If the Fund were unable to close out an option it had written
     on a futures contract, it would continue to be required to maintain initial
     margin and make variation margin payments with respect to the option
     position until the option expired or was exercise against the Fund.

22.  FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS.  (International Fund only.)
     The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts
     ("forward contracts") in several  circumstances.  When the Fund enters into
     a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign
     currency, or when the Fund anticipates the receipt in a foreign currency of
     dividends or interest payments on a security that it holds, the Fund may
     desire to "lock-in" the U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S.
     dollar equivalent of such dividend or interest payment, as the case may be.
     By entering into a forward contract for a fixed amount of dollars, for the
     purchase or sale of the amount of foreign currency involved in the
     underlying transactions, the Fund will be able to protect itself against a
     possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between
     the U.S. dollar and the subject foreign currency during the period between
     the date on which the security is purchased or sold, or on which the
     dividend or interest payment is declared, and the date on which such
     payments are made or received.

     Additionally, when the Sub-Adviser believes that the currency of a
     particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the
     U.S. dollar, the Fund may enter into a forward contract for a fixed amount
     of dollars, to sell the amount of foreign currency approximating


                                      -38-
<PAGE>

     the value of some or all of the portfolio securities denominated in such
     foreign currency.  The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and
     the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible since
     the future value of securities in foreign currencies will change as a
     consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between
     the date on which the forward contract is entered into and the date it
     matures.  The projection of short-term currency market movements is
     extremely difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging
     strategy is highly uncertain.  The Fund will not enter into forward
     contracts or maintain a net exposure to such contracts where the
     consummation of the contracts would obligate the Fund to deliver an amount
     of foreign currency in excess of the  value of the securities or other
     assets denominated in that currency held by the Fund.

     Under normal circumstances, consideration of the prospect for currency
     parities will be incorporated into the long-term investment decisions made
     with regard to overall diversification strategies.  However, the Sub-
     Adviser believes that it is important to have the flexibility to enter into
     forward contracts when it is determined that the best interests of the Fund
     will thereby be served.  The Fund's custodian will place cash or liquid,
     high-grade equity or debt securities into a segregated account of the
     portfolio in an amount equal to the value of the Fund's total assets
     committed to the consummation of forward foreign currency exchange
     contracts.  If the value of the securities placed in the segregated account
     declines, additional cash or securities will be placed in the account on a
     daily basis so that the value of the account will equal the amount of the
     Fund's commitments with respect to such contracts.

     The Fund generally will not enter into a forward contract with a term of
     greater than one year.  At the maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may
     either sell the portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign
     currency or it may retain the security and terminate its contractual
     obligation to deliver the foreign currency by purchasing an "offsetting"
     contract with the same currency trader obligating it to purchase, on the
     same maturity date, the same amount of the foreign currency.  However,
     there is no assurance that liquid markets will exist for any particular
     forward contract at any particular time or that the Fund will be able to
     effect a closing or "offsetting" transaction.  Forward contracts are
     subject to other risks described in "Special Risks of Foreign Investments
     and Foreign Currency Transactions."

     It is impossible to forecast with absolute precision the market value of a
     particular portfolio security at the expiration of the contract.
     Accordingly, it may be necessary for the Fund to purchase additional
     foreign currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase)
     if the market value of the security is less than the amount of foreign
     currency that the Fund is obligated to deliver and if a decision is made to
     sell the security and make delivery of the foreign currency.

     If the Fund retains the portfolio security and engages in an offsetting
     transaction, the Fund will incur a gain or a loss (as described below) to
     the extent that there has been movement in forward contract prices.  Should
     forward contract prices decline during the period between


                                      -39-
<PAGE>

     the Fund's entering into a forward contract for the sale of a foreign 
     currency and the date it enters into an offsetting contract for the 
     purchase of the foreign currency, the Fund will realize a gain to the 
     extent that the price of the currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the 
     price of the currency it has agreed to purchase.  Should forward contract 
     prices increase, the Fund will suffer a loss to the extent that the price 
     of the currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the price of the currency
     it has agreed to sell.

     The Fund's dealing in forward contracts will be limited to the transactions
     described above.  Of course, the Fund is not required to enter into such
     transactions with regard to its foreign currency-denominated securities.
     It also should be realized that this method of protecting the value of the
     portfolio securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not
     eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities that are
     unrelated to exchange rates.  Additionally, although such contracts tend to
     minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged
     currency, at the same time they tend to limit any potential gain that might
     result should the value of such currency increase.

     Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it does
     not intend physically to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into
     U.S. dollars on a daily basis.  The Fund will do so from time to time,
     incurring the costs of currency conversion.  Although foreign exchange
     dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based
     on the difference (the "spread") between the prices at which they are
     buying and selling various currencies.  Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a
     foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of
     exchange should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.

SPECIAL RISKS OF BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE BONDS

Below investment grade bonds (commonly referred to as "high-yield" or "junk"
bonds) have certain additional risks associated with them.  Yields on below
investment grade bonds will fluctuate over time.  These bonds tend to reflect
short-term economic and corporate developments to a greater extent than higher
quality bonds that primarily react to fluctuations in interest rates.  During an
economic downturn or period of rising interest rates, issuers of below
investment grade bonds may experience financial difficulties that adversely
affect their ability to make principal and interest payments, meet projected
business goals and obtain additional financing.  In addition, issuers often rely
on cash flow to service debt.  Failure to realize projected cash flows may
seriously impair the issuer's ability to service its debt load that in turn
might cause a Fund to lose all or part of its investment in that security.  SAM
will seek to minimize these additional risks through diversification, careful
assessment of the issuer's financial structure, business plan and management
team and monitoring of the issuer's progress toward its financial goals.

The liquidity and price of below investment grade bonds can be affected by a
number of factors, including investor perceptions and adverse publicity
regarding major issues, underwriters or dealers of lower-quality corporate
obligations.  These effects can be particularly pronounced in a thinly-traded
market with few participants and may adversely impact the Fund's ability to
dispose of the


                                      -40-
<PAGE>

bonds as well as make valuation of the bonds more difficult.  Because there tend
to be fewer investors in below investment grade bonds, it may be difficult for
the Fund to sell these securities at an optimum time.  Consequently, these bonds
may be subject to more price changes, fluctuations in yield and risk to
principal and income than higher-rated bonds of the same maturity.

Credit ratings evaluate the likelihood that an issuer will make principal and
interest payments, but may not reflect market value risks associated with lower-
rated bonds.  Credit rating agencies may not timely revise ratings to reflect
subsequent events affecting an issuer's ability to pay principal and interest.

SPECIAL RISKS OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

FOREIGN SECURITIES

Investing in foreign companies and markets involves certain considerations,
including those set forth below, that are not typically associated with
investing in U.S. securities denominated in U.S. dollars and traded in U.S.
markets.  Many of the securities held by a Fund will not be registered under,
nor will the issuers thereof be subject to the reporting requirements of, U.S.
securities laws.  Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information
about a foreign company than about a domestic company.  Foreign companies are
not generally subject to uniform accounting and auditing and financial reporting
standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S.
companies.  Securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and more
volatile than securities of comparable domestic companies.

It is contemplated that most foreign securities will be purchased in over-the-
counter markets or stock exchanges located in the countries in which the
respective principal offices of the issuers of the various securities are
located.  Fixed commissions on foreign stock exchanges are generally higher than
negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges.  There is generally less governmental
supervision and regulation of foreign stock exchanges, broker-dealers and
issuers than in the United States.

In addition, with respect to some foreign countries, there is the possibility of
expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the removal of funds or
other assets of a Fund, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments that could affect U.S. investments in those countries.  Moreover,
individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S.
economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation,
capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments
position.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES

The value of the assets of a Fund as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected
favorably or unfavorably by fluctuations in currency rates and exchange control
regulations (including, but not


                                      -41-
<PAGE>

limited to, actions by a foreign government to devalue its currency, thereby
effecting a possibly substantial reduction in the U.S. dollar value of a Fund's
investments in that country).  The International Fund is authorized to employ
certain hedging techniques to minimize this risk.  However, to the extent such
transactions do not fully protect the International Fund against adverse changes
in exchange rates, decreases in the value of the currencies of the countries in
which the Fund will invest will result in a corresponding decrease in the U.S.
dollar value of the Fund's assets denominated in those currencies.  Further, the
International Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between
various currencies.  Foreign exchange dealers (including banks) realize a profit
based on the difference between the prices at which they buy and sell various
currencies.  Thus, a dealer or bank normally will offer to sell a foreign
currency to the International Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of
exchange should the Fund desire immediately to resell that currency to the
dealer.  Moreover, fluctuations in exchange rates may decrease or eliminate
income available for distribution.  For example, if certain foreign currency
losses exceed other investment company taxable income (as defined below under
"Additional Tax Information") during a taxable year, the Fund would not be able
to make ordinary dividend distributions, or distributions made before the losses
were realized would be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders
for federal income tax purposes, rather than as an ordinary dividend, reducing
each shareholder's basis in his International Fund shares.

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS (INTERNATIONAL FUND ONLY)

Hedging transactions cannot eliminate all risks of loss to the International
Fund and may prevent the Fund from realizing some potential gains.  The
projection of short-term foreign currency and market movements is extremely
difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is
highly uncertain.  Among the risks of hedging transactions are: incorrect
prediction of the movement of currency exchange rates and market movements;
imperfect correlation of currency movements in cross-hedges and indirect hedges;
imperfect correlation in the price movements of options, futures contracts and
options on future contracts with the assets on which they are based; lack of
liquid secondary markets and inability to effect closing transactions; costs
associated with effecting such transactions; inadequate disclosure and/or
regulatory controls in certain markets; counterparty default with respect to
transactions not executed on an exchange; trading restrictions imposed by
governments, or securities and commodities exchanges; and governmental actions
affecting the value or liquidity of currencies.  Hedging transactions may be
effected in foreign markets or on foreign exchanges and are subject to the same
types of risks that affect foreign securities.  See "Special Risks of Foreign
Investments and Foreign Currency Transactions."

Indirect hedges and cross-hedges are more speculative than other hedges because
they are not directly related to the position or transaction being hedged.  With
respect to indirect hedges, movements in the proxy currency may not precisely
mirror movements in the currency in which portfolio securities are denominated.
Accordingly, the potential gain or loss on an indirect hedge may be more or less
than if the Fund had directly hedged a currency risk.  Similar risks are
associated with cross-hedge transactions.  In a cross-hedge, the foreign
currency in which a portfolio security is denominated is hedged against another
foreign currency, rather than the U.S. dollar.  Cross-hedges may also create a
greater risk of loss than other hedging transactions because they may


                                      -42-
<PAGE>

involve hedging a currency risk through the U.S. dollar rather than directly to
the U.S. dollar or another currency.

To help reduce certain risks associated with hedging transactions, the Board of
Trustees has adopted the requirement that forward contracts, options, futures
contracts and options on futures contracts be used on the behalf of the Fund as
a hedge and not for speculation.  In addition to this requirement, the Board of
Trustees has adopted the following percentage restrictions on the use of
options, futures contracts and options on futures contracts:

     (i)       The Fund will not write a put or call option if, as a result
               thereof, the aggregate value of the assets underlying all such
               options (determined as of the date such options are written)
               would exceed 25% of the Fund's net assets.

     (ii)      The Fund will not purchase a put or call option or option on a
               futures contract if, as a result thereof, the aggregate premiums
               paid on all options or options on futures contracts held by the
               Fund would exceed 20% of the Fund's net assets.

     (iii)     The Fund will not enter into any futures contract or option on a
               futures contract if, as a result thereof, the aggregate margin
               deposits and premiums required on all such instruments would
               exceed 5% of the Fund's net assets.

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS OF CERTAIN FUNDS

   
At April 2, 1997 SAFECO Insurance Company of America ("SAFECO Insurance") 
owned 500,000 shares of the Northwest Fund which represented 16% of the 
Fund's outstanding shares. At April 2, 1997, SAM owned 500,000 shares of each 
of the Balanced Fund and International Stock Fund, which represented 54% of 
the Balanced and 45% of the International Fund's outstanding shares.  At 
April 2, 1997, SAFECO Corporation owned 500,000 shares of the Small Company 
Stock Fund which represented 42% of the Fund's outstanding shares. At April 
2, 1997, SAM owned 500,000 shares of the Value Fund, which represented 100% 
of the Fund's outstanding shares.  SAFECO Insurance and SAM are Washington 
corporations and wholly owned subsidiaries of SAFECO Corporation, which has 
its principal place of business at SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185.  
Principal shareholders of a Fund may control the outcome of a shareholder 
vote.
    

ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION

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

                                      -43-
<PAGE>

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

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

The International Fund, may invest in the stock of PFICs.  A PFIC is a foreign
corporation that, in general, meets either of the following tests:  (1) at least
75% of its gross income is passive or (2) an average of at least 50% of its
assets produce, or are held for the production of, passive income.  Under
certain circumstances, if a Fund holds stock of a PFIC, it will be subject to
federal income tax on a portion of any "excess distribution" received on the
stock or of any gain on disposition of the stock (collectively "PFIC income"),
plus interest thereon, even if the Fund distributes the PFIC income as a taxable
dividend to its shareholders.  The balance of the PFIC income will be included
in the Fund's investment company taxable income and, accordingly, will not be
taxable to it to the extent that income is distributed to its shareholders.

If a Fund invests in a PFIC and elects to treat the PFIC as a "qualified
electing fund" ("QEF"), then in lieu of the foregoing tax and interest
obligation, the Fund would be required to include in income each year its pro
rata share of the QEF's annual ordinary earnings and net capital gain (the
excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) even if
those earnings and gain were not received by the Fund.  In most instances it
will be very difficult, if not impossible, to make this election because of
certain requirements thereof.

Pursuant to proposed regulations, open-end RICs, such as the Funds, would be
entitled to elect to "mark-to-market" their stock in certain PFIC's.  "Marking-
to-market," in this context, means recognizing as gain for each taxable year the
excess, as of the end of that year, of the fair market value of any such PFIC's
stock over the adjusted basis in that stock (including mark-to-market gain for
each prior year for which an election was in effect).

The International Fund and any other Fund that invests in foreign securities may
be required to pay withholding or other taxes to a foreign government.  If so,
the taxes will reduce the Fund's distributions.  Foreign tax withholding from
dividends and interest (if any) is typically set at a rate between 10% and 15%
if there is a treaty with the foreign government that addresses this issue.  If
no such treaty exists, the foreign tax withholding would generally be 30%.
Amounts withheld for


                                      -44-
<PAGE>

foreign taxes will reduce the amount of dividend distributions to shareholders,
but will be included in shareholders taxable income.  However, the Fund intends
to make an election which will allow shareholders to claim an offsetting credit
or deduction on their tax return for their share of foreign taxes paid by the
Fund.

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

If the International Fund's dividends exceed its taxable income in any year
because of currency-related losses or otherwise, all or a portion of the Fund's
dividends may be treated as a return of capital to shareholders for tax
purposes.  To minimize the risk of a return of capital, the Fund may adjust its
dividends to take currency fluctuations into account, causing the dividends to
vary.  Any return of capital will reduce the cost basis of your shares resulting
in a higher reported capital gains or a lower reported capital loss when you
sell your shares.

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

Each Fund determines its net asset value per share ("NAV") by subtracting its
liabilities (including accrued expenses and dividends payable) from its total
assets (the market value of the securities the Fund holds plus cash and other
assets, including interest accrued but not yet received) and dividing the result
by the total number of shares outstanding.  The NAV of No-Load Class of each
Fund is calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange ("Exchange"), normally 1:00 p.m. Pacific time every day the Exchange is
open for trading.  The Exchange is closed on the following days:  New Year's
Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.  NAV is determined separately for each class
of shares of each Fund.

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


                                      -45-
<PAGE>

Trading in foreign securities will generally be substantially completed each day
at various times prior to the close of the Exchange.  The value of any such
securities are determined as of such times for purposes of computing the
International Fund's NAV.  Foreign currency exchange rates are also generally
determined prior to the close of the Exchange.  If an extraordinary event occurs
after the close of an exchange on which that security is traded, the security
will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Sub-Adviser
under procedures established by and under general supervision of the Fund's
Board of Trustees.

Options the International Fund may purchase that are traded on national
securities exchanges are valued at their last sale price as of the close of
option trading on such exchange.  Futures contracts the International Fund will
enter into will be marked to market daily, and options thereon are valued at
their last sale price, as of the close of the applicable commodities exchange.
Quotations of foreign securities in a foreign currency are converted into U.S.
dollar equivalents at the current rate obtained by a recognized bank or dealer.
Forward contracts are valued at the current cost of covering or offsetting such
contracts.

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

   
Effective September 30, 1996, all of the then-existing shares of each Fund,
except the Value Fund, were redesignated No-Load Class shares, and each Fund
commenced offering Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B shares.  The following
historical performance figures are for No-Load Class Shares only.
    

The total returns, expressed as a percentage, for the one-, five- and ten-year
periods ended December 31, 1996, for the Growth, Equity and Income Funds were
as follows:

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

          Growth Fund        22.90%        80.58%        288.95%

          Equity Fund        25.01%       146.22%        366.39%

          Income Fund        23.99%       100.57%        194.28%
    

The total returns, expressed as a percentage, for the one-year, five-year and
since-inception (70 months) periods ended December 31, 1996, for the Northwest
Fund were as follows:

   
                                                   Since Initial Effective Date
                              1 Year       5 Year           (70 Months)
                              ------       ------         ---------------
          Northwest Fund      15.04%       56.85%              80.27%
    

The total returns, expressed as a percentage, for the eleven month period from
inception to December 31, 1996, for the Balanced, International, and Small
Company Funds were as follows:


                                      -46-

<PAGE>

   
                                              11 Month Period from Inception to
                                                      December 31, 1996

Balanced Fund                                               11.40%

International Fund                                          14.23%

Small Company Fund                                          25.01%
    

The total returns, expressed in dollars and assuming a $10,000 initial
investment, for the one-, five-and ten-year periods ended December 31, 1996,
for the Growth, Equity and Income Funds were as follows:

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

Growth Fund       $12,290      $18,058     $38,895

Equity Fund       $12,501      $24,622     $46,639

Income Fund       $12,399      $20,057     $29,428
    

The total returns, expressed in dollars and assuming a $10,000 initial
investment, for the one year, five year, and since-inception (70 months) periods
ended December 31, 1996, for the Northwest Fund were as follows:

   
                                                   Since Initial Effective Date
                              1 Year       5 Year       (70 Months)
                              ------       ------  ----------------------------
          Northwest Fund     $11,504      $15,685         $18,027
    

The total returns, expressed in dollars and assuming a $10,000 initial 
investment, for the eleven month period from inception to December 31, 1996,
for the Balanced, International and Small Company Funds were as follows:

   
                                         11 Month Period from
                                    Inception to December 31, 1996
                                    ------------------------------
         Balanced Fund                          $11,140

         International Fun                      $11,423

         Small Company Fund                     $12,501
    

                                      -47-

<PAGE>

The average annual total returns for the one, five and ten  year periods ended
December 31, 1996, for the Growth, Equity and Income Funds were as follows:

   
                                 1 Year       5 Years   10 Years
                                 ------       -------   --------
        Growth Fund              22.90%        12.55%    14.55%

        Equity Fund              25.01%        19.75%    16.65%

        Income Fund              23.99%        14.94%    11.40%
    

The average annual total returns for the one year, five year, and since-
inception (70 months) periods ended December 31, 1996, for the Northwest Fund
were as follows:

   
                                                   Since Initial Effective Date
                              1 Year      5 Years        (70 Months)
                              ------      -------  ----------------------------
         Northwest Fund       15.04%       9.42%            10.63%
    

CALCULATIONS

The total return, expressed as a percentage, is computed using the following
formula:

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

The total return, expressed in dollars, is computed using the following formula:

                                             n
                                   T = P(1+A)

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

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

Where:    T =  total return

          A =  average annual total return

          n =  number of years

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

          P =  a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 or $10,000 (when
               total return is expressed in dollars)


                                      -48-
<PAGE>

In making the above calculation, all dividends and capital gain distributions
are assumed to be reinvested at the respective Fund's NAV on the reinvestment
date, and the maximum sales charge, if any, for each Class is applied.

In addition to performance figures, the Funds may advertise their rankings as
calculated by independent rating services that monitor mutual funds' performance
(E.G., CDA Investment Technologies, Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.,
Morningstar, Inc., and Wiesenberger Investment Companies Service).  These
rankings may be among mutual funds with similar objectives and/or size or with
mutual funds in general.  In addition, the Funds may advertise rankings which
are in part based upon subjective criteria developed by independent rating
services to measure relative performance.  Such criteria may include methods to
account for levels of risk and potential tax liability, sales commissions and
expense and turnover ratios.  These rating services may also base the measure of
relative performance on time periods deemed by them to be representative of up
and down markets.  The Funds may also describe in their advertisements the
methodology used by rating services to arrive at Fund ratings.  In addition, the
Funds may also advertise individual measurements of Fund performance published
by the rating services, including but not limited to: a Fund's beta, standard
deviation, and price earnings ratio.

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

Each Fund may compare its performance against the following unmanaged indices
that (unless otherwise noted in the advertisement) assume reinvestment of
dividends:

     AMEX (AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE) MAJOR MARKET INDEX - Price weighted (high-
     priced issues have more influence than low-priced issues) average of 20
     Blue Chip stocks.

     DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE - Price weighted average of 30 actively
     traded Blue Chip stocks.

     NASDAQ PRICE INDEX - Market value weighted (impact of a component's price
     change is proportionate to the overall market value of the issue) index of
     approximately 3500 over-the-counter stocks.

     S & P'S COMPOSITE INDEX OF 500 STOCKS - Market value weighted index of 500
     stocks most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange with some
     listed on the American Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.


                                      -49-
<PAGE>

     WILSHIRE 5000 EQUITY INDEX - Market value weighted index of approximately
     5000 stocks including all stocks on the New York and American Exchanges.

     MORGAN STANLEY CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL EAFE INDEX - Market value weighted
     index of approximately 1200 companies located throughout the world.

     RUSSELL 2000 INDEX - The 2000 smallest firms in the Russell 3000 Index
     which is composed of the 3000 largest companies in the United States as
     measured by capitalization.

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

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

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

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


                                      -50-
<PAGE>

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

                           Position Held with      Principal Occupation
Name and Address           the Trust               During Past 5 Years
- ----------------           ------------------      --------------------
Boh A. Dickey*             Chairman and            President, Chief Operating
SAFECO Plaza               Trustee                 Officer and Director of
Seattle, WA  98185                                 SAFECO Corporation.
(52)                                               Previously, Executive Vice
                                                   President and Chief Financial
                                                   Officer. He has been an 
                                                   executive officer of 
                                                   SAFECO Corporation and its 
                                                   subsidiaries since 1982. 
                                                   See table under 
                                                   "Investment Advisory and 
                                                   Other Services."

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

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

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

                                      -51-
<PAGE>

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

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

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

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

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


                                      -52-
<PAGE>

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

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


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

   
                     COMPENSATION TABLE FOR CURRENT TRUSTEES
                         FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED
                                DECEMBER 31, 1996
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Total
                                                 Pension or                      Compensation
                                                 Retirement                      From
                                                 Benefits         Estimated      Registrant and
                               Aggregate         Accrued As Part  Annual         Fund Complex
                               Compensation      of Fund          Benefits Upon  Paid
Trustee                        from Registrant   Expenses         Retirement     to Trustees
- -------                        ---------------   --------         ----------     -----------
<S>                            <C>               <C>              <C>            <C>
Boh A. Dickey                  N/A               N/A              N/A            N/A

Barbara J. Dingfield           $  790            N/A              N/A            $ 2,188

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

Richard W. Hubbard             $  790            N/A              N/A            $ 1,750

Richard E. Lundgren            $  790            N/A              N/A            $ 2,188

Larry L. Pinnt                 $  790            N/A              N/A            $ 2,188

John W. Schneider              $  790            N/A              N/A            $ 2,188
</TABLE>
    

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

   
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, Barbara J. Dingfield, Richard 
E. Lundgren, Larry L. Pinnt, John W. Schneider and Richard W. Hubbard each 
received $7,949 aggregate compensation from the Registrant and $25,750 except 
Mr. Hubbard who received $24,000 total compensation from the Registrant and 
the fund complex paid to the Trustees.  Mr. Dickey and Mr. Hill are officers 
of various SAFECO Companies and are not compensated by the Trusts.  
Similarly, the officers of the SAFECO Trusts receive no compensation for 
their services as officers.
    

                                      -53-
<PAGE>

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

   
    

At April 2, 1997, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned
less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each Fund.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

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

SAM has a sub-advisory Agreement with Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.)
Limited.  The Sub-Adviser has its headquarters at 26 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin
Ireland and its U.S. office at 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, Connecticut.  The
Sub-Adviser is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Ireland Asset
Management Limited (an investment advisory firm) that is located at 26
Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin, Ireland.  The Sub-Adviser is an indirect, wholly
owned subsidiary of Bank of Ireland (a holding company whose primary
subsidiaries are engaged in banking, insurance, securities and related financial
services), which is located at Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, Ireland.

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


                                                   SAFECO              SAFECO
   Name            Trust           SAM             Securities          Services
   ----            -----           ---             ----------          --------
B. A. Dickey     Chairman        Director
                 Trustee         Chairman

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


                                      -54-
<PAGE>

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

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

S.C. Bauer                       President
                                 Director

D.H. Longhurst                   Assistant          Assistant         Assistant
                                 Controller         Controller        Controller

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

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

The Trust Instrument of the Trust provides that the Trust will indemnify its
Trustees and its officers against liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred
in connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of their
offices with the Trust, unless it is adjudicated that they engaged in bad faith,
wilful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of their offices.  In the case of settlement, such
indemnification will not be provided unless it has been determined -- by a court
or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or by a majority of
disinterested Trustees, based upon a review of readily available facts, or in a
written opinion of independent counsel -- that such officers or Trustees have
not engaged in wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of their duties.

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


                                      -55-
<PAGE>

executions and prices for a Fund generally.  In some cases, the price of a
security allocated to one Fund may be higher or lower than the price of a
security allocated to another Fund.

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

                         GROWTH, EQUITY AND INCOME FUNDS

          NET ASSETS                         ANNUAL FEE

     $0 - $100,000,000                       .75 of 1%
     $100,000,001 - $250,000,000             .65 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000             .55 of 1%
     Over $500,000,000                       .45 of 1%

                                 NORTHWEST FUND

          NET ASSETS                         ANNUAL FEE

     $0 - $250,000,000                       .75 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000             .65 of 1%
     $500,000,001 - $750,000,000             .55 of 1%
     Over $750,000,000                       .45 of 1%

                            BALANCED AND VALUE FUNDS

          NET ASSETS                         ANNUAL FEE

     $0 - $250,000,000                       .75 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000             .65 of 1%
     Over $500,000,000                       .55 of 1%

                               INTERNATIONAL FUND

          NET ASSETS                         ANNUAL FEE

     $0 - $250,000,000                       1.10 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000             1.00 of 1%
     Over $500,000,000                       .90 of 1%


                                      -56-
<PAGE>

                               SMALL COMPANY FUND

          NET ASSETS                         ANNUAL FEE

     $0 - $250,000,000                       .85 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000             .75 of 1%
     Over $500,000,000                       .65 of 1%

Under the sub-advisory Agreement between SAM and the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-
Adviser is responsible for providing investment research and advice used to
manage the investment portfolio of the International Fund.  In return, SAM (and
not the International Fund) pays the Sub-Adviser a fee in accordance with the
schedule below:

          NET ASSETS                         ANNUAL FEE

     $0 - $50,000,000                        .60 of 1%
     $50,000,001 - $100,000,000              .50 of 1%
     Over $100,000,000                       .40 of 1%

   
The following table states the total amounts of compensation paid to SAM for 
the fiscal period ended December 31, 1996, and the past three fiscal years for
the Growth, Equity, Income, and Northwest Funds:
    

                            Fiscal Year or Period Ended
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     For the Three
                  Month Period Ended
                     December 31,      September 30,  September 30,  September 30,
                         1996               1996           1995           1994
                  ------------------   -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>               <C>                  <C>            <C>            <C>
Growth Fund          $  327,000          $1,260,000     $1,107,000    $1,096,000
Equity Fund          $1,131,000          $3,752,000     $3,151,000    $1,676,000
Income Fund          $  469,000          $1,597,000     $1,348,000    $1,363,000
Northwest Fund       $   80,000          $  305,000     $  269,000    $  287,000
</TABLE>
    

   
The total amount of compensation paid to SAM for the Balanced, International, 
and Small Company Funds for the period from January 31, 1996 through 
December 31, 1996 was $47,000, $81,000, and $78,000, respectively.
    
   
CUSTODIAN.  State Street Bank and Trust Company, 1776 Heritage Drive, North 
Quincy, MA  02170, is the custodian of the securities, cash and other assets 
of each Fund (except the International Fund) under an agreement with the 
Trust. Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New 
York is the custodian of the securities, cash and other assets of the 
International Fund.  Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. has entered into 
sub-custodian agreements with several foreign banks and clearing agencies, 
pursuant to which portfolio securities purchased outside the United States 
are maintained in the custody of these entities.
    

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


                                      -57-
<PAGE>

   
TRANSFER AGENT.  SAFECO Services, SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185 is 
the transfer, dividend and distribution disbursement and shareholder 
servicing agent for the No-Load Class of each Fund under an Agreement with 
the Trust.  SAFECO Services provides, or through subcontracts makes provision 
for, all required transfer agent activity, including maintenance of records 
of each Fund's No-Load Class shareholders, records of transactions involving 
each Fund's No-Load Class shares, and the compilation, distribution, or 
reinvestment of income dividends or capital gains distributions.  SAFECO 
Services is paid a fee for these services equal to $28.00 per shareholder 
account, but not to exceed .30% of each Fund's average net assets.  The 
following table shows the fees paid by the Growth, Equity, Income and 
Northwest Funds to SAFECO Services during the fiscal period ended December 31, 
1996, and the past three fiscal years:
    

                            Fiscal Year or Period Ended*
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     For the Three  
                  Month Period Ended
                     December 31,      September 30,  September 30,  September 30,
                         1996              1996           1995           1994
                  ------------------   ------------   ------------   -------------
<S>               <C>                  <C>            <C>            <C>
Growth Fund          $   99,000         $  384,000     $  305,000     $  210,000
Equity Fund          $  378,000         $1,203,000     $1,018,000     $  370,000
Income Fund          $  123,000         $  359,000     $  298,000     $  264,000
Northwest Fund       $   32,000         $  105,000     $   97,000     $   85,000
</TABLE>
    

* The fees paid to SAFECO Services reflect fees of $3.10 per shareholder 
transaction until July, 1996 when the new fee schedule went into effect.

   
The fees paid by the Balanced, International, and Small Company Funds during 
the period from January 31, 1996 through December 31, 1996 were $6,000 
$14,000, and $21,000, respectively.
    

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

BROKERAGE PRACTICES

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

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

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

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

   
    

                                      -58-
<PAGE>

   
The following table states the total amount of brokerage expense for each 
Fund for the fiscal period ended December 31, 1996, and the past three fiscal 
years for the Growth, Equity, Income and Northwest Funds:
    

                            Fiscal Year or Period Ended
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       For the Three  
                    Month Period Ended
                       December 31,      September 30,  September 30,  September 30,
                           1996              1996           1995           1994
                    ------------------   ------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                 <C>                  <C>            <C>            <C>
Growth Fund            $   63,500         $  518,092     $  489,983     $  220,350
Equity Fund            $  278,203         $1,224,644     $1,082,137     $  731,184
Income Fund            $   42,827         $  286,999     $  159,717     $  111,612
Northwest              $   25,566         $   13,599     $    6,536     $   11,409
</TABLE>
    

   
The total amount of brokerage expenses for the Balanced, International, and 
Small Company Funds during the period ended December 31, 1996 was $1,548, 
$5,311, and $4,615, respectively.
    

REDEMPTION IN KIND

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

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following financial statements for the Growth, Equity, Income, Northwest,
International, Balanced and Small Company Funds and the report thereon of Ernst
& Young LLP, independent auditors, are incorporated herein by reference to the
Common Stock Trust's Annual Report for the period ended December 31, 1996.

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

                                      -59-
<PAGE>

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

DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER AND PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS

COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

                                     MOODY'S

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

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

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

Prime-2:  Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 (P-2) have a strong
ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations.  This will normally be
evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above, but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to
variation.  Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions.  Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

                                       S&P

A S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of
timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days.

A-1:  This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is strong.  Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.


                                      -60-
<PAGE>

A-2:  Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory.  However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
issues designated A-1.

PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS

Generally, a preferred stock rating is an assessment of the capacity and 
willingness of an issuer to pay preferred stock dividends.  A preferred stock 
rating differs from a bond rating since it is assigned to an equity issue which 
is different from, and subordinate to, a debt issue.

EXCERPTS FROM MOODY'S DESCRIPTION OF ITS PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS:

aaa --  An issue which is rated "aaa" is considered to be a top-quality
preferred stock.  This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk
of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks.

aa -- An issue which is rated "aa" is considered a high-grade preferred stock.
This rating indicates that there is a reasonable assurance the earnings and
asset protection will remain relatively well-maintained in the foreseeable
future.

a -- An issue which is rated "a" is considered to be an upper-medium grade
preferred stock.  While risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the
"aaa" and "aa" classification, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless,
expected to be maintained at adequate levels.

baa -- An issue which is rated "baa" is considered to be an upper-medium grade
preferred stock, neither highly protected nor poorly secured.  Earnings and
asset protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any
great length of time.

ba -- An issue which is rated "ba" is considered to have speculative elements
and its future cannot be considered well assured.  Earnings and asset protection
may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods.
Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

b -- An issue which is rated "b" generally lacks the characteristics of a
desirable investment.  Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other
terms of the issue over any long period of time may be small.

caa -- An issue which is rated "caa" is likely to be in arrears on dividend
payments.  This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future
status of payments.

ca -- An issue which is rated "ca" is speculative in a high degree and is likely
to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payments.

c -- This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference stock.  Issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.


                                      -61-
<PAGE>

EXCERPTS FROM S&P'S DESCRIPTION OF ITS PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS:

AAA -- This is the highest rating that may be assigned by S&P's to a preferred
stock issue and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay the preferred
stock obligations.

AA -- A preferred stock issue rated "AA" also qualifies as a high-quality,
fixed-income security.  The capacity to pay preferred stock obligations is very
strong, although not as overwhelming as for issues rated "AAA."

A -- An issue rated "A" is backed by a sound capacity to pay the preferred stock
obligations, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions.

BBB -- an issue rated "BBB" is regarded as backed by an adequate capacity to pay
the preferred stock obligations.  Whereas it normally exhibits adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make payments for a preferred
stock in this category than for issues in the "A" category.

BB, B, CCC -- Preferred stock rated "BB," and "CCC" -- are regarded, on balance,
as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay
preferred stock obligations.  "BB" indicates the lowest degree of speculation
and "CCC" the highest.  While such issues will likely have some quality and
protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major
risk exposures to adverse conditions.

CC -- The rating "CC" is reserved for a preferred stock issue in arrears on
dividends or sinking fund payments but that is currently paying.

C -- A preferred stock rated "C" is a nonpaying issue.

D -- A preferred stock rated "D" is a nonpaying issue with the issuer in default
on debt instruments.

N.R. -- This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is
insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor's
does not rate a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.

PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-)  To provide more detailed indications of preferred stock
quality, ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition of a plus or
minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

                                      -62-
<PAGE>
                                   PROSPECTUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
SAFECO GROWTH FUND
SAFECO EQUITY FUND
SAFECO INCOME FUND
SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND
SAFECO INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND
SAFECO BALANCED FUND
SAFECO SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND
SAFECO U.S. VALUE FUND
SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND
SAFECO HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND
SAFECO MANAGED BOND FUND
SAFECO MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
SAFECO CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
SAFECO WASHINGTON STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
SAFECO MONEY MARKET FUND
 
Advisor Class A
 
Advisor Class B                                                   April 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Each fund named above ("Fund") is a series of one of the following trusts (each
a "Trust"): the SAFECO Common Stock Trust ("Common Stock Trust"), the SAFECO
Taxable Bond Trust ("Taxable Bond Trust"), the SAFECO Managed Bond Trust
("Managed Bond Trust"), the SAFECO Tax-Exempt Bond Trust ("Tax-Exempt Bond
Trust") or the SAFECO Money Market Trust ("Money Market Trust"). The investment
objective for each Fund appears on page 2.
    
 
   
This Prospectus sets forth the information a prospective investor should know
before investing. PLEASE READ AND RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Statements of Additional Information relating to the Advisor Class A ("Class A")
and Advisor Class B ("Class B") shares (collectively "Advisor Classes"), dated
April 30, 1997 and incorporated herein by this reference, have been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and are available at no charge upon
request by calling the telephone number listed on this page. The Statements of
Additional Information and other information about the Funds are also available
on the Securities and Exchange Commission Website (http://www.sec.gov). The
Statements of Additional Information contain more information about many of the
topics in this Prospectus as well as information about the trustees and officers
of the Trusts.
    
 
For additional assistance, please contact your investment professional, or call
or write:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                         <C>
NATIONWIDE 1-800-463-8791   SAFECO MUTUAL FUNDS
                            ADVISOR CLASS SHARES
                            P.O. BOX 34680
                            SEATTLE, WA 98124-1868
</TABLE>
 
   
           All telephone calls are tape-recorded for your protection.
    
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
FUND SHARES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY,
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT OR ANY BANK, NOR ARE FUND SHARES FEDERALLY INSURED OR
OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL
RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY, AND FUND SHARES ARE SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT
RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED. THERE CAN BE NO
ASSURANCE THAT THE SAFECO MONEY MARKET FUND WILL MAINTAIN A STABLE $1.00 SHARE
PRICE.
 
THE SAFECO CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND IS OFFERED FOR SALE ONLY TO RESIDENTS
OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. THE SAFECO WASHINGTON STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND IS
OFFERED FOR SALE ONLY TO RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. THESE FUNDS ARE
NOT PERMITTED TO OFFER OR SELL SHARES TO RESIDENTS OF OTHER STATES.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                    -- 1 --
<PAGE>
SAFECO GROWTH FUND ("Growth Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
growth of capital and the increased income that ordinarily follows from such
growth. The Growth Fund ordinarily invests a preponderance of its assets in
common stock selected primarily for potential appreciation.
 
SAFECO EQUITY FUND ("Equity Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
long-term growth of capital and reasonable current income. The Equity Fund
invests principally in common stock selected for appreciation and/or dividend
potential and from a long-range investment standpoint.
 
SAFECO INCOME FUND ("Income Fund") has as its investment objective to seek high
current income and, when consistent with its objective, the long-term growth of
capital. The Income Fund invests primarily in common and preferred stock and in
convertible bonds selected for dividend potential.
 
SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND ("Northwest Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
long-term growth of capital through investing primarily in Northwest companies.
To pursue its objective, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets
in securities issued by companies with their principal executive offices located
in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington ("Northwest").
 
SAFECO INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND ("International Fund") has as its investment
objective to seek maximum long-term total return (capital appreciation and
income) by investing primarily in common stock of established non-U.S.
companies. To pursue its objective, the International Fund, under normal market
conditions, will invest at least 65% of its total assets in the securities of
companies domiciled in at least five countries, not including the United States.
 
SAFECO BALANCED FUND ("Balanced Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
growth and income consistent with the preservation of capital. To pursue its
objective, the Balanced Fund will invest primarily in equity and fixed income
securities.
 
SAFECO SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND ("Small Company Fund") has as its investment
objective to seek long-term growth of capital through investing primarily in
small-sized companies. To pursue its objective, the Small Company Fund will
invest primarily in companies with total market capitalization of less than $1
billion.
 
SAFECO U.S. VALUE FUND ("Value Fund") has as its investment objective to seek
long-term growth of capital and income. To pursue its objective, the Value Fund
will primarily invest in common stocks selected for potential appreciation and
income using fundamental value analysis.
 
SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND ("Intermediate Treasury Fund") has
as its investment objective to provide as high a level of current income as is
consistent with the preservation of capital. During normal market conditions,
the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in direct obligations of
the U.S. Treasury.
 
SAFECO HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND ("High-Yield Fund") has as its investment objective
to provide a high level of current interest income through the purchase of
high-yield, fixed-income securities. During normal market conditions, the Fund
will invest at least 65% of its total assets in high-yield, fixed income
securities.
 
SAFECO MANAGED BOND FUND ("Managed Bond Fund") has as its investment objective
to provide as high a level of total return as is consistent with the relative
stability of capital through the purchase of investment grade debt securities.
 
SAFECO MUNICIPAL BOND FUND ("Municipal Bond Fund") has as its investment
objective to provide as high a level of current interest income exempt from
federal income tax as is consistent with the relative stability of capital.
 
   
SAFECO CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND ("California Fund") has as its investment
objective to provide as high a level of current interest income exempt from
federal income tax and California State personal income tax as is consistent
with the relative stability of capital.
    
 
SAFECO WASHINGTON STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND ("Washington Fund") has as its
investment objective to provide as high a level of current interest income
exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with prudent investment risk.
 
SAFECO MONEY MARKET FUND ("Money Market Fund") has as its investment objective
to seek as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation
of capital and liquidity through investment in high-quality money market
instruments maturing in thirteen months or less.
 
There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
                                    -- 2 --
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                        <C>
Introduction to the Trusts and the Funds                                                           4
 
Expenses                                                                                           6
 
Financial Highlights                                                                              10
 
Adviser's Institutional Private Account Performance                                               24
 
Sub-Adviser's Institutional Private Account Performance                                           25
 
Alternative Purchase Arrangement                                                                  26
 
Each Fund's Investment Objective and Policies                                                     27
 
Risk Factors                                                                                      47
 
Portfolio Managers                                                                                51
 
How to Purchase Shares                                                                            53
 
How to Redeem Shares                                                                              59
 
How to Systematically Purchase or Redeem Shares                                                   60
 
How to Exchange Shares From One Fund to Another                                                   61
 
Telephone Transactions                                                                            62
 
Share Price Calculation                                                                           63
 
Information About Share Ownership and Companies that Provide Services to the Trusts               64
 
Distribution Plans                                                                                68
 
Persons Controlling Certain Funds                                                                 69
 
Performance Information                                                                           69
 
Fund Distributions and How They are Taxed                                                         70
 
Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans                                                                     72
 
Account Statements                                                                                73
 
Account Changes and Signature Requirements                                                        73
 
Description of Stocks, Bonds and Convertible Securities                                           74
 
Ratings Supplement                                                                                74
 
Debt Securities Holdings                                                                          76
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    -- 3 --
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION TO THE TRUSTS AND THE FUNDS
 
   
Each Trust is an open-end management investment company that issues shares
representing one or more series. This Prospectus offers shares of the stock,
taxable fixed-income, tax-exempt income and money market Funds listed below. The
stock Funds offered are the Growth Fund, the Equity Fund, the Income Fund, the
Northwest Fund, the Balanced Fund, the International Fund, the Small Company
Fund, and Value Fund (collectively, the "Stock Funds"). Each Stock Fund is a
diversified series of the Common Stock Trust.
    
 
The taxable fixed-income Funds offered are the Intermediate Treasury Fund, the
High-Yield Fund and the Managed Bond Fund (collectively, the "Taxable
Fixed-Income Funds"). The Intermediate Treasury Fund and the High-Yield Fund are
diversified series of the Taxable Bond Trust. The Managed Bond Fund is a
diversified series of the Managed Bond Trust. Prior to September 30, 1996, the
name of the Managed Bond Fund was the SAFECO Fixed-Income Portfolio and the name
of the Managed Bond Trust was the SAFECO Institutional Series Trust.
 
The tax-exempt income Funds offered are the Municipal Bond Fund, the California
Fund and the Washington Fund (collectively, the "Tax-Exempt Income Funds"). Each
of the Tax-Exempt Income Funds is a diversified series of the Tax-Exempt Bond
Trust.
 
This Prospectus also offers the Money Market Fund, which is a diversified series
of the Money Market Trust.
 
THE FUNDS
 
Each Fund offers multiple classes of shares. The Advisor Classes of shares are
offered to investors who engage the services of an investment professional. For
each Fund (except the Money Market Fund), Class A shares are subject to a
front-end sales charge and pay a Rule 12b-1 fee. Class B shares are not subject
to a front-end sales charge, but may be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC") and pay a higher Rule 12b-1 fee.
 
For the Money Market Fund, Class A shares are sold at net asset value with no
front-end sales charge. A front-end sales charge may apply when you exchange
your Class A Money Market Fund shares for Class A shares of other Funds. Money
Market Fund Class B Shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a
CDSC upon redemption, provided that the shareholder has remained solely invested
in Money Market Fund Class B shares. A CDSC may apply upon redemption of Money
Market Fund Class B shares that have been exchanged at any time during the
investor's ownership for Class B shares of other Funds. Money Market Fund Class
A and Class B shares do not currently pay Rule 12b-1 fees.
 
Each Fund:
 
/ / Offers easy access to your money through telephone redemptions and wire
    transfers.
 
/ / Has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 for regular accounts, $250 for
    individual retirement accounts ("IRAs") and accounts established under the
    Uniform Gift to Minors Act ("UGMA") or Uniform Transfer to Minors Act
    ("UTMA"). No minimum initial investment is required to establish the
    Automatic Investment Method ("AIM") or Payroll Deduction Plan.
 
RISK FACTORS
 
There is, of course, no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment
objective. See "Each Fund's Investment Objective and Policies" for more
information.
 
There is a risk that the market value of each Fund's portfolio of securities may
decrease and result in a decrease in the value of a shareholder's investment.
Because the Northwest, California and Washington Funds concentrate their
investments in geographic regions, they may be subject to special
 
                                    -- 4 --
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION TO THE TRUSTS AND THE FUNDS (CONTINUED)
risks. Investors should carefully consider the investment risks of such
geographic concentration before purchasing shares of those Funds. Because the
International Fund invests primarily in foreign securities, it is subject to
various risks in addition to those associated with U.S. investments. For
example, the value of the International Fund depends in part upon currency
values, the political and regulatory environments, and overall economic factors
in the countries in which the Fund invests. The Small Company Fund invests in
small-sized companies, which involve greater risks than investments in larger,
more established issuers and their securities can be subject to more abrupt and
erratic movements in price. The value of the Intermediate Treasury Fund,
High-Yield Fund, Managed Bond Fund, Municipal Bond Fund, California Fund and
Washington Fund will normally fluctuate inversely with changes in market
interest rates. The High-Yield Fund is subject to special risks associated with
below investment grade securities, sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," which
it will purchase to pursue its investment objective. The principal risk
associated with money market funds is that they may experience a delay or
failure in principal or interest payments at maturity of one or more of the
portfolio securities. The Money Market Fund's yield will fluctuate with general
money market interest rates. See "Each Fund's Investment Objective and Policies"
and "Risk Factors" for more information.
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER; SUB-ADVISER OF INTERNATIONAL FUND
 
   
Each Fund is managed by SAFECO Asset Management Company ("SAM"). SAM is
headquartered in Seattle, Washington and managed over $2.5 billion in mutual
fund assets as of December 31, 1996. SAM has been an adviser to mutual funds and
other investment portfolios since 1973, and its predecessors have been advisers
since 1932. The Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.) Limited (the
"Sub-Adviser") acts as a sub-adviser to the International Fund. The Sub-Adviser
is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited
(an investment advisory firm), which is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and an
indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank of Ireland, which is also
headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. See "Information about Share Ownership and
Companies that Provide Services to the Trusts" for more information.
    
 
                                    -- 5 --
<PAGE>
EXPENSES
 
A.  SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES FOR CLASS A AND CLASS B OF EACH FUND
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              CLASS A     CLASS B
                                                                                            -----------  ---------
<S>                                                                                         <C>          <C>
Maximum Sales Charge on Purchases                                                                4.50%*       NONE
  (as a Percentage of Offering Price)
Sales Charge on Reinvested Dividends                                                              NONE        NONE
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC)                                                   NONE*      5.00%**
Redemption Fees                                                                                   NONE        NONE
Exchange Fees                                                                                     NONE        NONE
</TABLE>
 
   
 * Except for initial purchases of the Money Market Fund. In addition, purchases
   of $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares are not subject to a front-end sales
   charge, but a 1% CDSC will apply to redemptions made in the first year. See
   "How to Purchase Shares" on page 53 for more information.
    
 
   
** Except for initial purchases of the Money Market Fund. A CDSC may apply to
   redemptions from the Money Market Fund that follow exchanges from Class B
   shares of another Fund. See "How to Purchase Shares" on page 53 for more
   information.
    
 
   
Sales charge waivers and reduced sales charge purchase plans are available for
Class A shares. See "How to Purchase Shares" on page 53 for more information.
The maximum 5% CDSC on Class B shares applies to redemptions during the first
year after purchase, declining to 0% in the first month following the investor's
sixth anniversary from purchase. Class B shares of a Fund convert automatically
into Class A shares of that Fund in the first month following the investor's
sixth anniversary from purchase. Money Market Fund Class B shareholders who
subsequently exchange into Class B of another Fund do not receive credit for the
initial time invested in the Money Market Fund for purposes of calculating any
CDSC due upon redemption or the conversion to Class A Shares. See "Purchasing
Advisor Class B Shares" on page 57 for more information.
    
 
SAFECO Services Corporation ("SAFECO Services"), the transfer agent for the
Funds, charges a $10 fee to wire redemption proceeds.
 
B.  ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
 
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       GROWTH FUND         EQUITY FUND         INCOME FUND
                                                    -----------------   -----------------   -----------------
                                                    ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR
                                                    CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Management Fee                                        .71%      .71%      .56%      .56%      .67%      .67%
Rule 12b-1 Fees                                       .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%
Other Expenses                                        .16%      .16%      .16%      .19%      .11%      .12%
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Total Operating
 Expenses (estimated)                                1.12%     1.87%      .97%     1.75%     1.03%     1.79%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                          INTERNATIONAL
                                                     NORTHWEST FUND           FUND            BALANCED FUND
                                                    -----------------   -----------------   -----------------
                                                    ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR
                                                    CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Management Fee                                        .75%      .75%     1.10%     1.10%      .73%      .73%
Rule 12b-1 Fees                                       .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%
Other Expenses                                        .40%      .43%      .06%      .07%      .37%      .38%
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Total Operating Expenses (estimated)                 1.40%     2.18%     1.41%*    2.17%*    1.35%**   2.11%**
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    -- 6 --
<PAGE>
EXPENSES (CONTINUED)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SMALL COMPANY                           INTERMEDIATE
                                                          FUND             VALUE FUND         TREASURY FUND
                                                    -----------------   -----------------   -----------------
                                                    ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR
                                                    CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Management Fee                                        .83%      .83%      .75%      .75%      .54%      .55%
Rule 12b-1 Fees                                       .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%
Other Expenses                                        .34%      .35%      .29%      .29%      .28%      .17%
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Total Operating Expenses (estimated)                 1.42%***  2.18%***  1.29%     2.04%     1.07%+    1.72%+
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                          MANAGED BOND
                                                     HIGH-YIELD FUND          FUND           WASHINGTON FUND
                                                    -----------------   -----------------   -----------------
                                                    ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR
                                                    CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Management Fee                                        .64%      .64%      .49%      .49%      .64%      .65%
Rule 12b-1 Fees                                       .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%
Other Expenses                                        .26%      .26%      .56%      .58%      .42%      .41%
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Total Operating Expenses (estimated)                 1.15%     1.90%     1.30%     2.07%     1.31%     2.06%
<CAPTION>
 
                                                     MUNICIPAL BOND                           MONEY MARKET
                                                          FUND           CALIFORNIA FUND         FUND++
                                                    -----------------   -----------------   -----------------
                                                    ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR   ADVISOR
                                                    CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B   CLASS A   CLASS B
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Management Fee                                        .43%      .43%      .55%      .55%      .50%      .50%
Rule 12b-1 Fees                                       .25%     1.00%      .25%     1.00%      .00%      .00%
Other Expenses                                        .14%      .07%      .09%      .09%      .05%      .04%
                                                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Total Operating Expenses (estimated)                  .82%     1.50%      .89%     1.64%      .55%      .54%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Net of reimbursement by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the total operating
   expenses would have been 1.72% and 2.47% for Class A and Class B of the
   International Fund, respectively.
    
 
   
 ** Net of reimbursement by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the total operating
    expenses would have been 1.70% and 2.46% for Class A and Class B of the
    Balanced Fund.
    
 
   
*** Net of reimbursement by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the total operating
    expenses would have been 1.62% and 2.41% for Class A and Class B of the
    Small Company Fund.
    
 
   
 + Net of reimbursement by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the total operating
   expenses would have been 1.30% and 1.95% for Class A and Class B of the
   Intermediate Treasury Fund.
    
 
   
 ++ The Money Market Fund does not have a Rule 12b-1 fee at this time.
    Shareholders will be notified in advance by a supplement to this Prospectus
    in the event that the Money Market Fund establishes a Rule 12b-1 fee under
    its Rule 12b-1 Plan.
    
 
   
Effective September 30, 1996, all of the then-existing shares of each Fund were
redesignated as No-Load Class shares and each Fund, except the High-Yield Fund
and the Value Fund, commenced offering Advisor Class A and Class B shares. The
High-Yield Fund commenced offering Class A and Class B shares on January 31,
1997. The Value Fund commenced offering Advisor Class A and Class B shares as of
the date of this Prospectus. The amounts shown above for the Value Fund are
estimated expenses based on the Fund's maximum management fee, applicable Rule
12b-1 fees, and "Other Expenses." The amounts shown for the High-Yield Fund are
annualized expenses based on the actual expenses paid by shareholders of the
Fund's other class for the three-month fiscal period ended December 31, 1996,
restated as applicable to reflect fees borne by Class A or Class B shares. The
amounts shown for the Funds other than the Value and High-Yield Funds are
annualized expenses based on the actual expenses paid by the shareholders of the
Funds' Advisor Classes for the fiscal period ended December 31, 1996. The
management fees paid by the International and Small Company Funds are higher
than the management fees paid by most other investment companies. See
"Information about Share Ownership and Companies that Provide Services to the
Trusts" on page 64 for more information.
    
 
                                    -- 7 --
<PAGE>
EXPENSES (CONTINUED)
Rule 12b-1 fees have the following two components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         ADVISOR          ADVISOR
                                                                         CLASS A          CLASS B
                                                                     ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                  <C>              <C>
Rule 12b-1 service fees                                                     0.25%            0.25%
Rule 12b-1 distribution fees                                                0.00%            0.75%
</TABLE>
 
Long-term Class A and Class B shareholders may pay more in sales charges and
12b-1 fees than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge
permitted by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
C.  EXAMPLE OF EXPENSES
 
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment assuming a 5% annual
return and redemption at the end of each time period. The example also assumes
that all dividends and other distributions are reinvested and that the
percentage amounts listed in each Fund's "Annual Operating Expenses" above
remain the same in the years shown.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND                                                                                    1 YEAR      3 YEARS     5 YEARS   10 YEARS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------     -----     ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
Growth
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      56   $      79   $     104  $     175
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      69   $      89   $     111  $     191
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      19   $      59   $     101  $     181
Equity
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      54   $      75   $      96  $     159
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      68   $      85   $     105  $     167
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      18   $      55   $      95  $     167
Income
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      55   $      76   $      99  $     165
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      68   $      86   $     107  $     176
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      18   $      56   $      97  $     176
Northwest
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      59   $      87   $     118  $     205
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      72   $      98   $     127  $     213
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      22   $      68   $     117  $     213
International
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      59   $      88   $     119  $     206
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      72   $      98   $     126  $     213
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      22   $      68   $     116  $     213
Balanced
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      58   $      86   $     116  $     200
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      71   $      96   $     123  $     207
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      21   $      66   $     113  $     207
Small Company
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      59   $      88   $     119  $     208
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      72   $      98   $     127  $     214
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      22   $      68   $     117  $     214
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    -- 8 --
<PAGE>
EXPENSES (CONTINUED)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND                                                                                    1 YEAR      3 YEARS     5 YEARS   10 YEARS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------     -----     ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
Value Fund
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      58   $      84
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)                                            $      71   $      94
    Assuming no redemption at end of period                                            $      21   $      64
Intermediate Treasury
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      55   $      78   $     101  $     170
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      67   $      93   $     103  $     180
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      17   $      63   $      93  $     180
High-Yield
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      56   $      81   $     107  $     183
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      69   $      91   $     125  $     189
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      19   $      61   $     105  $     189
Managed Bond
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      58   $      88   $     119  $     206
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      71   $      98   $     136  $     208
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      21   $      68   $     111  $     208
Municipal Bond
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      53   $      70   $      88  $     142
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      65   $      77   $      92  $     142
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      15   $      47   $      82  $     142
California
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      54   $      72   $      92  $     150
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      67   $      82   $      99  $     158
    Assuming no redemption at end of period(3)                                         $      17   $      52   $      89  $     158
Washington
  Advisor Class A(1)                                                                   $      58   $      85   $     114  $     219
  Advisor Class B
    Assuming redemption at end of period(2)(3)                                         $      71   $      95   $     121  $     203
    Assuming redemption at end of period(3)                                            $      21   $      65   $     111  $     203
Money Market(4)
  Advisor Class A                                                                      $       6   $      18   $      31  $      69
  Advisor Class B                                                                      $       6   $      17   $      31  $      68
</TABLE>
    
 
(1) Includes deduction at the time of purchase of the maximum sales charge.
 
(2) Includes deduction at the time of redemption of the applicable CDSC.
 
(3) Ten-year figures assume conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares in
    the first month following the investor's sixth anniversary from purchase.
 
   
(4) Figures for the Money Market Fund assume that the investor purchased Money
    Market Fund shares as an initial investment and made no subsequent
    exchanges.
    
 
The purpose of the table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and
expenses that an investor in Class A and Class B shares of each Fund would bear,
directly or indirectly. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. A FUND'S ACTUAL EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE MAY BE GREATER
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. THE ASSUMED 5% ANNUAL RETURN IS REQUIRED BY SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL MUTUAL FUNDS AND IT IS NOT
A PREDICTION OF, NOR DOES IT REPRESENT, PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR THE
PERFORMANCE OF ANY FUND.
 
                                    -- 9 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
   
The amounts shown for each Fund (except for the High-Yield Bond Fund) in the
Financial Highlights tables that follow are based upon a single No-Load Class
share outstanding through September 30, 1996, and a single Advisor Class A or B
share outstanding from October 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996, and do not
reflect Rule 12b-1 fees. The amounts shown for the High-Yield Bond Fund are
based upon a single No-Load Class share outstanding through December 31, 1996,
and do not reflect Rule 12b-1 fees. In 1996, the Common Stock Trust, Taxable
Bond Trust, Tax-Exempt Bond Trust and Money Market Trust changed their fiscal
year ends to December 31. The following selected data has been derived from
financial statements that have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP. The data
should be read in conjunction with the financial statements, related notes and
other financial information included in each Trust's Annual Report to
shareholders and incorporated by reference in the applicable Trust's Statement
of Additional Information. A copy of each Trust's Statement of Additional
Information may be obtained by calling the number on the front page of this
Prospectus.
    
 
SAFECO GROWTH FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            CLASS A        CLASS B
                                         -------------  -------------
                                          THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH
                                         PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                             1996           1996
                                         ----------------------------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period         $15.45         $15.45
 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment (loss) income                  (0.02)         (0.05)
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                        1.77           1.77
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Total from investment operations                 1.75           1.72
                                         -------------  -------------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment income             --             --
 
  Distributions from capital gains              (0.23)         (0.23)
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Total distributions                             (0.23)         (0.23)
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Net asset value at end of period               $16.97         $16.94
                                         -------------  -------------
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Total return+                                  11.35%*        11.15%*
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                       $187           $116
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets         1.12%**        1.87%**
 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
  average net assets                           -0.58%**       -1.38%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                        82.93%*        82.93%**
 
Average Commission rate paid                  $0.0477        $0.0477
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                        YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                           1996       1995       1994       1993       1992
 
<S>                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period      $15.83     $17.37     $19.20     $13.98     $17.95
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
  Net investment (loss) income                (.02)       .07       (.02)      (.02)      (.01)
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                     2.24       4.07        .78       5.39      (3.15)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment operations              2.22       4.14        .76       5.37      (3.16)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment income          --       (.07)        --         --         --
  Distributions from capital gains           (2.60)     (5.61)     (2.59)      (.15)      (.81)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total distributions                          (2.60)     (5.68)     (2.59)      (.15)      (.81)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of period            $15.45     $15.83     $17.37     $19.20     $13.98
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return+                               14.16%     23.93%      3.88%     38.43%    -17.83%
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                $179,574   $176,483   $156,108   $158,723   $127,897
Ratio of expenses to average net assets      1.02%       .98%       .95%       .91%       .91%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
  average net assets                         (.14%)      .34%      (.12%)     (.10%)     (.10%)
Portfolio turnover rate                    124.79%    110.44%     71.18%     57.19%     85.38%
Average Commission rate paid                $.0548         --         --         --         --
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                             YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                           1991       1990       1989       1988       1987
 
Net asset value at beginning of period      $11.14     $17.22     $14.95     $18.13     $15.40
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
  Net investment (loss) income                 .05        .14        .53        .35        .24
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                     7.77      (4.20)      3.17       (.99)      4.31
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment operations              7.82      (4.06)      3.70       (.64)      4.55
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment income        (.05)      (.14)      (.53)      (.48)      (.23)
  Distributions from capital gains            (.96)     (1.88)      (.90)     (2.06)     (1.59)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total distributions                          (1.01)     (2.02)     (1.43)     (2.54)     (1.82)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of period            $17.95     $11.14     $17.22     $14.95     $18.13
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return+                               70.22%    -23.67%     25.23%     -1.47%     32.68%
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                $155,429    $59,164    $81,472    $74,324    $82,703
Ratio of expenses to average net assets       .90%      1.01%       .94%       .98%       .92%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
  average net assets                          .36%       .88%      3.27%      2.37%      1.46%
Portfolio turnover rate                     49.86%     90.48%     11.38%     19.31%     23.61%
Average Commission rate paid                    --         --         --         --         --
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
   included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 10 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO EQUITY FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        CLASS A        CLASS B
                                     -------------  -------------
                                      THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH
                                     PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED
                                     DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                         1996           1996
                                     ----------------------------
<S>                                  <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
 period                                    $15.85         $15.85
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                      0.04           0.02
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                    1.35           1.33
                                     -------------  -------------
 
Total from investment operations             1.39           1.35
                                     -------------  -------------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment
    income                                  (0.04)         (0.02)
 
  Distributions from capital gains          (0.58)         (0.58)
                                     -------------  -------------
 
Total distributions                         (0.62)         (0.60)
                                     -------------  -------------
 
Net asset value at end of period           $16.62         $16.60
                                     -------------  -------------
                                     -------------  -------------
 
Total return+                               8.78%*         8.50%*
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
 omitted)                                  $2,894           $355
 
Ratio of expenses to average net
 assets                                     0.97%**        1.75%**
 
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets                         1.38%**        0.51%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                    59.34%**       59.34%**
 
Avg. Commission rate paid                 $0.0571        $0.0571
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                    YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                       1996       1995       1994       1993       1992
 
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
 period                                 $15.31     $13.89     $12.54      $9.53     $10.38
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                    .28        .34        .23        .17        .15
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                 2.42       2.59       1.83       3.79       (.09)
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment operations          2.70       2.93       2.06       3.96        .06
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment
    income                                (.28)      (.34)      (.23)      (.17)      (.15)
  Distributions from capital gains       (1.88)     (1.17)      (.48)      (.78)      (.76)
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total distributions                      (2.16)     (1.51)      (.71)      (.95)      (.91)
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of period        $15.85     $15.31     $13.89     $12.54      $9.53
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return+                           18.04%     21.59%     16.51%     41.77%       .41%
Net assets at end of period (000's
 omitted)                             $725,780   $598,582   $412,805   $148,894    $74,383
Ratio of expenses to average net
 assets                                   .79%       .84%       .85%       .94%       .96%
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets                      1.74%      2.38%      1.72%      1.50%      1.34%
Portfolio turnover rate                 74.07%     56.14%     33.33%     37.74%     39.88%
Avg. Commission rate paid               $.0587         --         --         --         --
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                         YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                       1991       1990       1989       1988       1987
 
Net asset value at beginning of
 period                                  $8.43     $10.10      $8.51     $12.23     $11.44
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                    .17        .22        .39        .18        .21
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                 2.37      (1.28)      2.26      (1.82)      2.83
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment operations          2.54      (1.06)      2.65      (1.64)      3.04
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment
    income                                (.17)      (.22)      (.39)      (.23)      (.22)
  Distributions from capital gains        (.42)      (.39)      (.67)     (1.85)     (2.03)
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total distributions                       (.59)      (.61)     (1.06)     (2.08)     (2.25)
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of period        $10.38      $8.43     $10.10      $8.51     $12.23
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return+                           30.39%    (10.73%)    32.12%     (9.93%)    31.75%
Net assets at end of period (000's
 omitted)                              $71,586    $51,603    $53,892    $45,625    $64,668
Ratio of expenses to average net
 assets                                   .98%       .97%       .96%      1.00%       .97%
Ratio of net investment income to
 average net assets                      1.70%      2.19%      4.13%      2.16%      1.92%
Portfolio turnover rate                 45.21%     51.01%     63.62%     88.19%     85.11%
Avg. Commission rate paid                   --         --         --         --         --
</TABLE>
    
 
 * Not annualized.
 
** Annualized.
 
   
 + Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
   included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 11 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO INCOME FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            CLASS A        CLASS B
                                         -------------  -------------
                                          THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH
                                         PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                             1996           1996
                                         ----------------------------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period         $20.03         $20.03
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                          0.12           0.10
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                        1.65           1.62
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Total from investment operations                 1.77           1.72
                                         -------------  -------------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment income          (0.12)         (0.10)
 
  Distributions from capital gains              (0.53)         (0.53)
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Total distributions                             (0.65)         (0.63)
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Net asset value at end of period               $21.15         $21.12
                                         -------------  -------------
                                         -------------  -------------
 
Total return+                                   8.85%*         8.60%*
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                       $193           $112
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets         1.03%**        1.79%**
 
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                            2.66%**        1.99%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                        37.84%**       37.84%**
 
Avg. Commission rate paid                     $0.0573        $0.0573
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                        YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                           1996       1995       1994       1993       1992
 
<S>                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period      $19.11     $17.25     $17.79     $16.27     $15.35
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                        .73        .82        .81        .78        .80
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                     2.84       2.71       (.30)      1.52        .96
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment operations              3.57       3.53        .51       2.30       1.76
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment income        (.73)      (.82)      (.81)      (.78)      (.80)
  Distributions from capital gains           (1.92)      (.85)      (.24)        --       (.04)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total distributions                          (2.65)     (1.67)     (1.05)      (.78)      (.84)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of period            $20.03     $19.11     $17.25     $17.79     $16.27
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return+                               18.98%     21.04%      2.98%     14.35%     11.75%
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                $260,023   $217,870   $190,610   $203,019   $181,582
Ratio of expenses to average net assets       .86%       .87%       .86%       .90%       .90%
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                         3.56%      4.55%      4.59%      4.55%      5.06%
Portfolio turnover rate                     50.11%     31.12%     19.30%     20.74%     20.35%
Avg. Commission rate paid                   $.0591         --         --         --         --
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                             YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                                           1991       1990       1989       1988       1987
 
Net asset value at beginning of period      $12.89     $16.44     $14.32     $17.16     $15.52
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                        .81        .85        .81        .78        .78
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                     2.53      (3.39)      2.12      (1.80)      2.37
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total from investment operations              3.34      (2.54)      2.93      (1.02)      3.15
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment income        (.83)      (.83)      (.81)      (.98)      (.78)
  Distributions from capital gains            (.05)      (.18)        --       (.84)      (.73)#
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total distributions                           (.88)     (1.01)      (.81)     (1.82)     (1.51)
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of period            $15.35     $12.89     $16.44     $14.32     $17.16
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total return+                               26.43%    -16.06%     21.00%     (4.61%)    21.41%
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                $181,265   $170,153   $232,812   $231,724   $313,308
Ratio of expenses to average net assets       .93%       .92%       .92%       .97%       .94%
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                         5.58%      5.59%      5.28%      5.58%      4.53%
Portfolio turnover rate                     22.25%     19.37%     16.38%     34.13%     33.08%
Avg. Commission rate paid                       --         --         --         --         --
</TABLE>
    
 
 # Distributions include $.04 of additional gain arising from investment
   transactions of securities acquired in a non-taxable exchange.
 
 * Not annualized.
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 12 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            CLASS A        CLASS B
                                         -------------  -------------
                                          THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH
                                         PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED    YEAR ENDED     YEAR ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                             1996           1996           1996           1995
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period         $13.78         $13.78         $14.41         $12.59
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                         (0.01)         (0.03)           .02            .04
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                        0.29           0.28           1.32           2.35
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
 
Total from investment operations                 0.28           0.25           1.34           2.39
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment income             --             --           (.02)          (.04)
 
  Distributions from capital gains                 --             --          (1.95)          (.53)
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
 
Total distributions                                --             --          (1.97)          (.57)
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
 
Net asset value at end of period               $14.06         $14.03         $13.78         $14.41
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
 
Total return+                                   2.03%*         1.81%*         9.61%         19.01%
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                       $369           $232        $43,128        $40,140
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets         1.40%**        2.18%**        1.07%          1.09%
 
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                           -0.39%**       -1.19%**         .11%           .31%
 
Portfolio turnover rate                        67.32%**       67.32%**       35.69%         19.59%
 
Average Commission rate paid                  $0.0482        $0.0482         $.0591             --
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       FOR THE PERIOD
                                                                                      FROM FEBRUARY 7,
                                                        FOR THE NINE-                       1991
                                                        MONTH PERIOD                   (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                          YEAR ENDED        ENDED       YEAR ENDED      OFFERING) TO
                                         SEPTEMBER 30,  SEPTEMBER 30,  DECEMBER 31,     DECEMBER 31,
                                             1994           1993           1992             1991
 
<S>                                      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period         $12.34         $12.59         $11.37             $10.06
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                           .04            .02            .06                .13
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                         .59           (.25)          1.53               1.44
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------           -------
Total from investment operations                  .63           (.23)          1.59               1.57
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------           -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment income           (.04)          (.02)          (.06)              (.19)
  Distributions from capital gains               (.34)            --           (.31)              (.07)
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------           -------
Total distributions                              (.38)          (.02)          (.37)              (.26)
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------           -------
Net asset value at end of period               $12.59         $12.34         $12.59             $11.37
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------           -------
                                         -------------  -------------  -------------           -------
Total return+                                   5.19%         (1.86%)*       14.08%            14.93%*
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                    $36,383        $39,631        $40,402            $26,434
Ratio of expenses to average net assets         1.06%          1.11%**        1.11%              1.27%**
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                             .33%           .18%**         .55%              1.14%**
Portfolio turnover rate                        18.46%         14.05%**       33.34%             27.71%**
Average Commission rate paid                       --             --             --                 --
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 13 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      CLASS A        CLASS B
                                                    ------------   ------------   FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                    THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH     JANUARY 31, 1996
                                                    PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED     (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                                    DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,      OFFERING) TO
                                                        1996           1996       SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                    -------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period                $10.39         $10.39             $10.00
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                                   --             --                .06
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
    investments and foreign currency transactions       0.95           0.93                .39
                                                    ------------   ------------        -------
 
Total from investment operations                        0.95           0.93                .45
                                                    ------------   ------------        -------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment income                 (0.05)         (0.04)              (.06)
 
  Distributions from realized gains                       --             --                 --
                                                    ------------   ------------        -------
 
Total distributions                                    (0.05)         (0.04)              (.06)
                                                    ------------   ------------        -------
 
Net asset value at end of period                      $11.29         $11.28             $10.39
                                                    ------------   ------------        -------
                                                    ------------   ------------        -------
 
Total return++                                         9.19%*         8.96%*            4.54%*
 
Net assets at end of period (000's omitted)             $154           $112             $8,323
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets                1.41%**+       2.17%**+           2.36%**+
 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average
  net assets                                          (0.23%)**      (1.15%)**            .93%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                               18.51%**       18.51%**           15.73%**
 
Average Commission rate paid                          0.0223         0.0223             $.0225
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not Annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Net of reimbursements by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the ratio of
   expenses to average net assets would be 1.72% and 2.47% for Class A and Class
   B, respectively.
    
 
   
++ Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
   included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 14 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO BALANCED FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      CLASS A        CLASS B
                                                    ------------   ------------   FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                    THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH      JANUARY 31, 1996
                                                    PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED     (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                                    DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,       OFFERING) TO
                                                        1996           1996        SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                    --------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period                $10.38         $10.38              $10.00
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                                 0.09           0.06                 .21
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
    investments and foreign currency transactions       0.44           0.45                 .39
                                                    ------------   ------------        --------
 
Total from investment operations                        0.53           0.51                 .60
                                                    ------------   ------------        --------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment income                 (0.09)         (0.06)               (.21)
 
  Distributions from realized gains                    (0.13)         (0.13)               (.01)
                                                    ------------   ------------        --------
 
Total distributions                                    (0.22)         (0.19)               (.22)
                                                    ------------   ------------        --------
 
Net asset value at end of period                      $10.69         $10.70              $10.38
                                                    ------------   ------------        --------
                                                    ------------   ------------        --------
 
Total return++                                         5.07%*         4.85%*              5.99%*
 
Net assets at end of period (000's omitted)             $110           $115              $7,632
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets                1.35%**+       2.11%**+            1.32%**
 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average
  net assets                                           3.01%**        2.23%**             3.21%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                               36.10%**       36.10%**           143.87%**
 
Average Commission rate paid                          0.0548         0.0548              $.0560
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not Annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Net of reimbursements by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the ratio of
   expenses to average net assets would be 1.70% and 2.46% for the Class A and
   Class B, respectively.
    
 
   
++ Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
   included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 15 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SMALL COMPANY FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       CLASS A        CLASS B     FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                                    -------------  -------------    JANUARY 31, 1996
                                                                     THREE-MONTH    THREE-MONTH     (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                                                    PERIOD ENDED   PERIOD ENDED        OFFERING)
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,     TO SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                        1996           1996               1996
                                                                    --------------------------------------------------
 
<S>                                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period                                  $11.51         $11.51             $10.00
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                                                   (.01)          (.04)              (.01)
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and
    foreign currency transactions                                          .31            .32               2.19
                                                                    -------------  -------------      ----------
 
Total from investment operations                                           .30            .28               2.18
                                                                    -------------  -------------      ----------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment income                                      --             --                 --
 
  Distributions from realized gains                                         --             --               (.67)
                                                                    -------------  -------------      ----------
 
Total distributions                                                         --             --               (.67)
                                                                    -------------  -------------      ----------
 
Net asset value at end of period                                        $11.81         $11.79             $11.51
                                                                    -------------  -------------      ----------
                                                                    -------------  -------------      ----------
 
Total return++                                                           2.61%*         2.43%   *         21.83%      *
 
Net assets at end of period (000's omitted)                               $135           $103            $12,552
 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets                                  1.42%   **+      2.18%   **+          1.49%      **
 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets              (.50%   )**     (1.28%   )**          (.24%      )**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                                                 73.47%   **     73.47%   **         91.03%      **
 
Average Commission rate paid                                            $.0496         $.0496             $.0510
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not Annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Net of reimbursements by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the ratio of
   expenses to average net assets would be 1.62% and 2.41% for Class A and Class
   B, respectively.
    
 
   
++ Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 16 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM U.S. TREASURY FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      CLASS A       CLASS B
                    ------------  ------------
                    THREE-MONTH   THREE-MONTH
                    PERIOD ENDED  PERIOD ENDED
                    DECEMBER 31,  DECEMBER 31,                        FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
                        1996          1996        1996       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991       1990
                    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                 <C>           <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net asset value at
  beginning of
  period                 $10.10        $10.10      $10.24      $9.74     $10.74     $10.69     $10.20      $9.83      $9.96
 
INCOME FROM
  INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment
    income                  .15           .14         .54        .55        .52        .60        .72        .75        .77
 
  Net realized and
    unrealized
    gain (loss) on
    investments             .01           .02        (.14)       .50      (1.00)       .49        .54        .37       (.13)
                    ------------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Total from
  investment
  operations                .16           .16         .40       1.05       (.48)      1.09       1.26       1.12        .64
                    ------------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
LESS
  DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from
    net investment
    income                 (.15 )        (.14 )      (.54)      (.55)      (.52)      (.60)      (.72)      (.75)      (.77)
 
  Distributions
    from capital
    gains                    --            --          --         --         --       (.44)      (.05)        --         --
                    ------------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Total
  distributions            (.15 )        (.14 )      (.54)      (.55)      (.52)     (1.04)      (.77)      (.75)      (.77)
                    ------------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Net asset value at
  end of period          $10.11        $10.12      $10.10     $10.24      $9.74     $10.74     $10.69     $10.20      $9.83
                    ------------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                    ------------  ------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Total return++           1.63%*        1.55%*       4.00%     11.07%     (4.56%)    10.51%     12.78%     11.80%      6.65%
 
Net assets at end
  of period (000's
  omitted)                 $704          $223     $14,668    $13,774    $13,367    $14,706    $12,205     $9,458     $6,916
 
Ratio of expenses
  to average net
  assets                1.07**+       1.72**+       1.01%       .96%       .90%       .99%       .98%      1.00%      1.00%
 
Ratio of net
  investment
  income to
  average net
  assets                6.07%**       5.35%**       5.30%      5.51%      5.08%      5.52%      6.89%      7.45%      7.76%
 
Portfolio turnover
  rate                125.42%**     125.42%**     294.25%     124.9%     75.46%    104.94%     37.19%      9.51%     24.17%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                 SEPTEMBER 7, 1988
                                  (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                   OFFERING) TO
                      1989      SEPTEMBER 30, 1988
 
<S>                 <C>        <C>
Net asset value at
  beginning of
  period                $9.95           $9.93
INCOME FROM
  INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
  Net investment
    income                .77             .05
  Net realized and
    unrealized
    gain (loss) on
    investments          (.01)            .02
                    ---------          ------
Total from
  investment
  operations              .78             .07
                    ---------          ------
LESS
  DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from
    net investment
    income               (.77)           (.05       )
  Distributions
    from capital
    gains                  --              --
                    ---------          ------
Total
  distributions          (.77)           (.05       )
                    ---------          ------
Net asset value at
  end of period         $9.96           $9.95
                    ---------          ------
                    ---------          ------
Total return++          8.20%           .69%*
Net assets at end
  of period (000's
  omitted)             $6,249          $5,007
Ratio of expenses
  to average net
  assets                 .96%         1.06%**
Ratio of net
  investment
  income to
  average net
  assets                7.82%         7.46%**
Portfolio turnover
  rate                  4.36%            None
</TABLE>
    
 
 * Not annualized.
 
** Annualized.
 
   
 + Net of reimbursement by SAM. Absent the reimbursements, the ratio of expenses
   to average net assets would be 1.30% and 1.95% for Class A and Class B,
   respectively.
    
 
   
++ Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 17 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                      FOR THE
                                                                                                                    PERIOD FROM
                                                                                                                   SEPTEMBER 7,
                                 THREE-MONTH                                                                           1988
                                 PERIOD                                                                              (INITIAL
                                  ENDED                                                                               PUBLIC
                                 DECEMBER                                                                          OFFERING) TO
                                 31,                          FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30                      SEPTEMBER 30,
                                  1996     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991      1990     1989        1988
                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
  period                         $8.79      $8.68    $8.55    $9.22    $8.92    $8.35    $7.94     $9.33    $9.86        $9.89
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income          .19          .78      .79      .82      .91      .83      .93      1.04     1.11          .07
 
  Net realized and unrealized
    gain (loss) on investments   .03          .11      .13     (.67)     .30      .57      .41     (1.39)    (.53)        (.03)
                                 -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -------------
 
Total from investment
  operations                     .22          .89      .92      .15     1.21     1.40     1.34      (.35)     .58          .04
                                 -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -------------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment
    income                       (.19   )    (.78)    (.79)    (.82)    (.91)    (.83)    (.93)    (1.04)   (1.11)        (.07)
                                 -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -------------
 
Net asset value at end of
  period                         $8.82      $8.79    $8.68    $8.55    $9.22    $8.92    $8.35     $7.94    $9.33        $9.86
                                 -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -------------
                                 -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------  -------  -------------
 
Total return+                    2.50%  *  10.79%   11.43%    1.61%   14.29%   17.52%   18.18%    (4.04%)   6.10%          .37%*
 
Net assets at end of period
  (000's omitted)                $50,298  $47,880  $39,178  $27,212  $28,291  $19,672  $11,931    $7,786   $9,051       $5,204
 
Ratio of expenses to average
  net assets                     .90%   **    .94%   1.01%    1.03%    1.09%    1.05%    1.11%     1.15%    1.11%         1.25%**
 
Ratio of net investment income
  to average net assets          8.56%  **   8.99%   9.28%    9.26%    9.94%    9.66%   11.51%    11.90%    11.52%       10.27%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate          35.01% **  92.65%  38.03%   63.02%   50.27%   40.66%   32.46%    18.46%    12.57%        None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Total return information is for a No-Load Class share outstanding throughout
   the period indicated. The High-Yield Bond Fund did not commence offering
   Class A and Class B shares until January 31, 1997.
    
 
                                    -- 18 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO MANAGED BOND FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            CLASS A            CLASS B                          FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                       -----------------  -----------------                      FEBRUARY 28, 1994
                                          THREE-MONTH        THREE-MONTH       FOR THE YEAR       (INITIAL PUBLIC
                                         PERIOD ENDED       PERIOD ENDED           ENDED             OFFERING)
                                       DECEMBER 31, 1996  DECEMBER 31, 1996  DECEMBER 31, 1995  TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
  period                                  $      8.35        $      8.35         $    8.15           $     8.68
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                          0.11               0.09               .44                  .27
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments                          --                 --               .94                 (.53)
                                       -----------------  -----------------       --------          -----------
 
Total from investment operations                 0.11               0.09              1.38                 (.26)
                                       -----------------  -----------------       --------          -----------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
  FROM:
 
  Net investment income                         (0.11)             (0.09)             (.44)                (.27)
 
  Net Realized gains on investments                --                 --              (.32)                  --
                                       -----------------  -----------------       --------          -----------
 
Total distributions                             (0.11)             (0.09)             (.76)                (.27)
                                       -----------------  -----------------       --------          -----------
 
Net asset value at end of period          $      8.35        $      8.35         $    8.77           $     8.15
                                       -----------------  -----------------       --------          -----------
                                       -----------------  -----------------       --------          -----------
 
Total return+                                  1.34%*             1.15%*            17.35%             (3.01%)*
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                                $       140        $       100         $   4,497           $    4,627
 
Ratio of expenses to average net
  assets                                      1.30%**            2.07%**             1.16%              1.28%**
 
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                          5.22%**            4.45%**             5.14%              3.88%**
 
Portfolio turnover rate                     136.29%**          136.29%**            78.78%            132.26%**
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 19 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       CLASS A          CLASS B
                                     ------------     ------------
                                     THREE-MONTH      THREE-MONTH
                                     PERIOD ENDED     PERIOD ENDED           YEAR ENDED MARCH 31
                                     DECEMBER 31,     DECEMBER 31,
                                         1996             1996        1996      1995      1994      1993
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>              <C>           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
  period                               $13.82           $13.82        $13.36    $13.27    $14.13    $13.37
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                  0.18             0.15           .76       .77       .78       .81
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) investments                   0.17             0.16           .33       .12      (.55)      .94
                                     ------------     ------------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total from investment operations         0.35             0.31          1.09       .89       .23      1.75
                                     ------------     ------------  --------  --------  --------  --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment
    income                              (0.18    )       (0.15    )     (.76)     (.77)     (.78)     (.81)
 
  Distributions from realized gains        --               --            --      (.03)     (.31)     (.18)
                                     ------------     ------------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total distributions                     (0.18    )       (0.15    )     (.76)     (.80)    (1.09)     (.99)
                                     ------------     ------------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net asset value at end of period       $13.99           $13.98        $13.69    $13.36    $13.27    $14.13
                                     ------------     ------------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                     ------------     ------------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total return++                         2.52%*           2.27%*         8.23%     7.10%     1.30%    13.60%
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                               $311             $112      $480,643  $472,569  $507,453  $541,515
 
Ratio of expenses to average net
  assets                              0.82%**          1.50%**          .54%      .56%      .52%      .53%
 
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                  5.04%**          4.42%**         5.47%     5.96%     5.49%     5.91%
 
Portfolio turnover rate               6.66%**          6.66%**        12.60%    26.96%    22.07%    31.66%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                        YEAR ENDED MARCH 31
                                       1992      1991      1990      1989      1988      1987
 
<S>                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
  period                               $12.95    $12.73    $12.92    $12.85    $14.16    $13.74
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                   .86       .86       .88       .94       .96       .99
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) investments                    .48       .26       .25       .36      (.91)      .63
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total from investment operations         1.34      1.12      1.13      1.30       .05      1.62
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment
    income                               (.86)     (.86)     (.88)     (.94)     (.96)     (.99)
  Distributions from realized gains      (.06)     (.04)     (.44)     (.29)     (.40)     (.21)
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total distributions                      (.92)     (.90)    (1.32)    (1.23)    (1.36)    (1.20)
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Net asset value at end of period       $13.37    $12.95    $12.73    $12.92    $12.85    $14.16
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
Total return++                         10.57%     9.13%     9.05%    10.49%      .93%    12.49%+
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                           $427,638  $331,647  $286,303  $231,911  $183,642  $214,745
Ratio of expenses to average net
  assets                                 .54%      .56%      .57%      .60%      .61%      .59%
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                    6.37%     6.68%     6.76%     7.23%     7.42%     7.20%
Portfolio turnover rate                25.18%    38.55%    65.80%   135.60%    71.91%    23.09%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not Annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Unaudited.
    
 
   
++ Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 20 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     CLASS A    CLASS B
                                     --------   --------
                                     THREE-MONTH THREE-MONTH
                                      PERIOD     PERIOD
                                      ENDED      ENDED
                                     DECEMBER   DECEMBER                        YEAR ENDED MARCH 31
                                     31, 1996   31, 1996    1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991     1990
                                     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
  period                              $12.07     $12.07     $11.54   $11.51   $12.23   $11.60   $11.24   $11.07   $11.02
 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment income                 0.15       0.12        .62      .63      .66      .68      .71      .71      .72
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) investments                  0.19       0.18        .40      .13     (.38)     .76      .44      .23      .23
                                     --------   --------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
Total from investment operations        0.34       0.30       1.02      .76      .28     1.44     1.15      .94      .95
                                     --------   --------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net investment
    income                             (0.15)     (0.12)      (.62)    (.63)    (.66)    (.68)    (.71)    (.71)    (.72)
 
  Distributions from realized gains    (0.03)     (0.03)      (.08)    (.10)    (.34)    (.13)    (.08)    (.06)    (.18)
                                     --------   --------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
Total distributions                    (0.18)     (0.15)      (.70)    (.73)   (1.00)    (.81)    (.79)    (.77)    (.90)
                                     --------   --------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
Net asset value at end of period      $12.23     $12.22     $11.86   $11.54   $11.51   $12.23   $11.60   $11.24   $11.07
                                     --------   --------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                                     --------   --------   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 
Total return***                        2.83%*     2.56%*     8.87%    7.01%    1.97%   12.88%   10.43%    8.78%    8.87%
 
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                              $122       $101    $70,546  $64,058  $77,056  $79,872  $71,480  $57,066  $47,867
 
Ratio of expenses to average net
  assets                               0.89%**    1.64%**     .68%     .70%     .68%     .66%     .67%     .67%     .68%
 
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                   4.84%**    4.08%**    5.12%    5.65%    5.31%    5.71%    6.13%    6.32%    6.42%
 
Portfolio turnover rate               10.52%**   10.52%**   16.25%   44.10%   32.58%   23.18%   39.35%   22.92%   71.37%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                      1989       1988          1987
 
<S>                                  <C>      <C>            <C>
Net asset value at beginning of
  period                              $10.72      $12.14       $11.68
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income                  .75         .76          .80
  Net realized and unrealized gain
    (loss) investments                   .30        (.99)         .57
                                     -------  ----------     --------
Total from investment operations        1.05        (.23)        1.37
                                     -------  ----------     --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  Dividends from net investment
    income                              (.75)       (.76)        (.80)
  Distributions from realized gains       --        (.43)++      (.11)
                                     -------  ----------     --------
Total distributions                     (.75)      (1.19)        (.91)
                                     -------  ----------     --------
Net asset value at end of period      $11.02      $10.72       $12.14
                                     -------  ----------     --------
                                     -------  ----------     --------
Total return***                       10.09%      (1.39%)     12.25%+
Net assets at end of period (000's
  omitted)                           $36,930     $28,790      $34,792
Ratio of expenses to average net
  assets                                .71%        .72%         .70%
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets                   6.86%       6.99%        6.71%
Portfolio turnover rate               76.95%      66.72%       44.61%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  * Not Annualized.
    
 
   
 ** Annualized.
    
 
   
*** Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
    included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
   
  + Unaudited.
    
 
   
++ Distribution includes $.05 per share attributable to the December 31, 1987,
   capital gain distribution paid in order to avoid any excise tax due under the
   Tax Reform Act of 1986.
    
 
                                    -- 21 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO WASHINGTON STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         CLASS A         CLASS B
                                      -------------   -------------
                                       THREE-MONTH     THREE-MONTH
                                      PERIOD ENDED    PERIOD ENDED
                                      DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,      YEAR ENDED       YEAR ENDED       YEAR ENDED
                                          1996            1996        MARCH 31, 1996   MARCH 31, 1995   MARCH 31, 1994
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                  <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>
 Net asset value at beginning of
   period                                $10.45          $10.45           $10.10           $9.91            $10.27
 
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
 
   Net investment income                  0.12            0.10             0.50             0.49             0.44
 
   Net realized and unrealized gain
     (loss) on investments                0.09            0.11             0.27             0.19            (0.35)
                                      -------------   -------------     -------           ------          -------
 Total from investment operations         0.21            0.21             0.77             0.68             0.09
                                      -------------   -------------     -------           ------          -------
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
   Dividends from net investment
     income                              (0.12)          (0.10)           (0.50)           (0.49)           (0.44)
 
   Distribution from realized gains      (0.01)          (0.01)           (0.03)              --            (0.01)
                                      -------------   -------------     -------           ------          -------
 Total distributions                     (0.13)          (0.11)           (0.53)           (0.49)           (0.45)
                                      -------------   -------------     -------           ------          -------
 Net asset value at end of period        $10.53          $10.55           $10.34           $10.10           $9.91
                                      -------------   -------------     -------           ------          -------
                                      -------------   -------------     -------           ------          -------
 Total return+                           1.94%*          1.94%*           7.73%            7.13%             .68%
 
 Net assets at end of period (000's
   omitted)                              $ 336           $ 211            $6,489           $5,953           $2,908
 
 Ratio of expenses to average net
   assets                                1.31%**         2.06%**          1.07%            1.09%            1.44%
 
 Ratio of net investment income to
   average net assets                    4.49%**         3.71%**          4.78%            5.06%            4.17%
 
 Portfolio turnover rate                15.96%**        15.96%**         20.86%            9.23%           17.26%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                         FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                           MARCH 18, 1993
                                      (INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING)
                                          TO MARCH 31, 1993
 
 <S>                                  <C>
 Net asset value at beginning of
   period                                      $10.32
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income                        0.02
   Net realized and unrealized gain
     (loss) on investments                     (0.05)
                                            --------
 Total from investment operations              (0.03)
                                            --------
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
   Dividends from net investment
     income                                    (0.02)
   Distribution from realized gains               --
                                            --------
 Total distributions                           (0.02)
                                            --------
 Net asset value at end of period              $10.27
                                            --------
                                            --------
 Total return+                                 (.31%)*
 Net assets at end of period (000's
   omitted)                                    $2,163
 Ratio of expenses to average net
   assets                                      1.04%**
 Ratio of net investment income to
   average net assets                          4.47%**
 Portfolio turnover rate                        None
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Total return excludes the effects of sales charges. If sales charges were
   included, the total return for Classes A and B would be lower.
    
 
                                    -- 22 --
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
SAFECO MONEY MARKET FUND
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      CLASS A  CLASS B
                      -------  -------
                      THREE-MONTH THREE-MONTH
                      PERIOD   PERIOD
                       ENDED    ENDED
                      DECEMBER DECEMBER
                        31,      31,                                       YEAR ENDED MARCH 31
                       1996     1996     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991     1990     1989     1988      1987
                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Net asset value at
  beginning of
  period              $1.00    $1.00      $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00  $1.00
 
INCOME FROM
  INVESTMENT
  OPERATIONS:
 
  Net investment
    income            .01      .01          .05      .04      .02      .03      .05      .07      .08      .08      .06    .06
 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
 
  Dividends from net
    investment
    income            (.01   ) (.01   )    (.05)    (.04)    (.02)    (.03)    (.05)    (.07)    (.08)    (.08)    (.06)  (.06   )
                      -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------
 
  Net asset value at
    end of period     $1.00    $1.00      $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00    $1.00  $1.00
                      -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------
                      -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  --------
 
Total return          1.21%  * 1.21%  *   5.15%    4.20%    2.48%    2.98%    5.04%    7.60%    8.77%    7.86%    6.56%  5.90%   +
 
Net assets at end of
  period (000's
  omitted)            $295     $106     $165,122 $171,958 $186,312 $144,536 $184,823 $224,065 $225,974 $177,813 $119,709 $57,998
 
Ratio of expenses to
  average net assets  .55%   ** .54%   **    .78%    .78%    .79%     .77%     .73%     .70%     .71%     .74%     .79%   .82%
Ratio of net
  investment income
  to average net
  assets              5.01%  ** 4.96%  **   5.04%   4.21%   2.47%    3.02%    5.05%    7.34%    8.45%    7.66%    6.49%  5.71%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 * Not Annualized.
    
 
   
** Annualized.
    
 
   
 + Unaudited.
    
 
                                    -- 23 --
<PAGE>
   
ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE
    
 
   
The Value Fund's adviser, SAFECO Asset Management Company ("SAM") has been
managing institutional private accounts (the "SAFECO Composite") since 1979. The
SAFECO Composite had investment objectives, policies, strategies and risks
substantially similar to those of the Value Fund. The data below is provided to
illustrate the past performance of SAM in managing substantially similar
accounts as measured against the S&P 500 Index and does not represent the
performance of the Value Fund.
    
 
   
CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             SAFECO           SAFECO        S&P 500
YEAR                                                      COMPOSITE(A)     COMPOSITE(B)      INDEX*
- -------------------------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------
<S>                                                      <C>              <C>              <C>
1987                                                            0.25%            (.50%)         5.17%
1988                                                           18.83%           17.98%         16.50%
1989                                                           19.43%           18.58%         31.43%
1990                                                           (4.50%)          (5.22%)        (3.19%)
1991                                                           28.55%           27.65%         30.55%
1992                                                           12.98%           12.06%          7.68%
1993                                                           10.58%            9.73%         10.00%
1994                                                            3.31%            2.54%          1.33%
1995                                                           36.74%           35.74%         37.50%
1996                                                           25.07%           24.15%         23.25%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR ONE, FIVE AND TEN YEAR PERIODS ENDING DECEMBER
31, 1996
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            SAFECO        S&P 500
                                                                           COMPOSITE       INDEX
                                                                         -------------  -----------
<S>                                                                      <C>            <C>
Last One Year                                                                 25.43%        23.25%
Last Five Years                                                               17.46%        15.26%
Last Ten Years                                                                14.74%        15.26%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
 *   The gross performance of the SAFECO Composite in the tables above is shown
     after reduction by the Value Fund's maximum management fee and the
     estimated "other expenses" (1.04 per year) and does not reflect the
     deduction of 12b-1 fees which would cause the performance figures to be
     lower.
    
 
   
**   The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index containing common stocks of 500
     industrial, transportation, utility and financial companies, regarded as
     generally representative of the U.S. stock market. The Index reflects the
     reinvestment of income dividends and capital gain distributions, if any,
     but does not reflect fees, brokerage commissions, or other expenses of
     investing.
    
 
   
All returns presented were calculated on a total return basis and reflect the
reinvestment of capital gains, dividends and interest. Custodial fees, if any,
were not included in the SAFECO Composite calculation. The SAFECO Composite's
returns are asset-weighted using beginning-of-period market values adjusted for
cash flows.
    
 
   
The Value Fund's expenses, timing of purchases and sales of portfolio
securities, availability of cash flows, and brokerage commissions may cause the
performance of the Value Fund to vary from that of the SAFECO Composite. In
addition, the institutional private accounts are not subject to the
diversification requirements, specific tax restrictions and investment
limitations imposed on the Value Fund by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently, the performance results
for the SAFECO Composite could have been adversely affected if the accounts
included in the composite had been regulated as investment companies under the
federal securities laws.
    
 
                                    -- 24 --
<PAGE>
ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)
   
The investment results of the SAFECO Composite are unaudited and are not
intended to predict or suggest the returns that might be experienced by the
Value Fund. Investors should also be aware that the use of a methodology
different from that used above to calculate the SAFECO Composite's performance
could result in different performance data.
    
 
   
The S&P 500 Index is used for comparison purposes only. The S&P 500 Index is an
unmanaged index of representative U.S. stocks that has no management or expense
charges. Performance is based on historical earnings and is not intended to
indicate future performance of the Value Fund.
    
 
   
SUB-ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE
    
 
   
The International Fund's sub-adviser, Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.)
Limited ("BIAM") has been managing separate accounts for institutional clients
in the United States for seven years. These accounts had investment objectives,
policies, strategies and risks substantially similar to those of the
International Fund. BIAM's past performance in advising these accounts was a key
factor in its selection as the Fund's sub-adviser. The performance set forth in
the tables below is based on the return achieved on BIAM's fully discretionary
international equity composite of accounts (the "BIAM Composite"). The BIAM
Composite data is provided to illustrate the past performance of BIAM in
managing substantially similar accounts as measured against the International
Fund and the EAFE Index, and does not represent the performance of the
International Fund.
    
 
   
CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            BIAM             BIAM           EAFE
YEAR                                                    COMPOSITE(A)     COMPOSITE(B)      INDEX*
- -----------------------------------------------------  ---------------  ---------------  -----------
<S>                                                    <C>              <C>              <C>
1990                                                         (4.65%)           5.37%        (23.20%)
1991                                                         10.61%            9.80%         12.50%
1992                                                         11.00%           10.19%        (11.85%)
1993                                                         49.49%           39.53%         32.94%
1994                                                          8.04%           (8.74%)         8.06%
1995                                                         18.09%           17.25%         11.55%
1996                                                         21.49%           20.62%          6.36%
</TABLE>
    
 
   
AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 PERIOD
                                                                BEGINNING
                                                               JANUARY 31,
                                                                  1996,
                                                                 ENDING
                                                              DECEMBER 31,      ONE       FIVE
                                                                  1996         YEAR       YEARS
                                                              -------------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>        <C>
International Fund**                                       --                       --         --
Class A                                                9.01%
Class B                                                8.91%
BIAM Composite                                                                  21.78%     15.80%
EAFE Index                                                                       6.36%      8.48%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
 
   
 *   The Morgan Stanley Europe, Australia and Far East Index ("EAFE Index") is a
     market-weighted aggregate of 20 individual country indices that
     collectively represent many of the major markets of the world, excluding
     Canada and the United States.
    
 
                                    -- 25 --
<PAGE>
SUB-ADVISER'S INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)
   
**   The performance information of the Class A and Class B Shares (the "Advisor
     Classes") of the International Fund reflects the actual performance of the
     Advisor Classes for the period September 30, 1996 to December 31, 1996 and
     the performance of the No-Load Class of each Fund, restated to reflect the
     sales charges but not the Rule 12b-1 fees of the Advisor Classes for the
     period prior to September 30, 1996. Performance information would have been
     lower for the period prior to September 30, 1996 if Rule 12b-1 fees were
     reflected. The gross performance of the Composite in the tables above is
     shown after reduction by the International Fund's weighted average expenses
     excluding 12b-1 fees (2.09%) of the two fiscal periods ending September 30,
     1996 and December 31, 1996.
    
 
   
All returns presented were calculated on a total return basis and reflect the
reinvestment of capital gains, dividends and interest. The BIAM Composite's
returns are asset-weighted using beginning-of-period market values adjusted for
cash flows.
    
 
   
The International Fund's expenses, timing of purchases and sales of portfolio
securities, availability of cash flows, and brokerage commissions are all
reasons that might cause the performance of the International Fund to vary from
that of the SAFECO Composite. In addition, the BIAM Composite accounts are not
subject to the diversification requirements, specific tax restrictions and
investment limitations imposed on the International Fund by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 or Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently,
the performance results for the BIAM Composite could have been adversely
affected if the accounts included in the BIAM Composite had been regulated as
investment companies under the federal securities laws.
    
 
   
The investment results of BIAM's composite are unaudited and are not intended to
predict or suggest the returns that might be experienced by the International
Fund. Investors should also be aware that the use of a methodology different
from that used below to calculate performance could result in different
performance data.
    
 
   
The EAFE Index is used for comparison purposes only. The EAFE Index is an
unmanaged index of representative international stocks that has no management or
expense charges. Performance is based on historical earnings and is not intended
to indicate future performance of the International Fund.
    
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE ARRANGEMENT
 
This Prospectus offers two classes of shares for each Fund. For each Fund except
the Money Market Fund, Class A shares are sold at net asset value plus an
initial sales charge of up to 4.5%. Class A shares also pay an annual Rule 12b-1
service fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares. For
each Fund except the Money Market Fund, Class B shares are sold at net asset
value with no initial sales charge, but a CDSC of up to 5% applies to
redemptions made within six years of purchase. Class B shares also pay an annual
Rule 12b-1 service fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class B
shares and an annual Rule 12b-1 distribution fee of 0.75% of the average daily
net assets of the Class B shares. Class B shares convert to Class A shares in
the first month following the investor's sixth anniversary from purchase. The
maximum investment amount in Class B shares is $500,000.
 
Class A and B shares of the Money Market Fund are sold at net asset value, are
not subject to sales charges, and do not currently pay Rule 12b-1 fees. Money
Market Fund Class A and Class B shares may be subject to sales charges if an
investor exchanges into Class A or Class B shares of another Fund. See
"Purchasing Advisor Class A Shares" and "Purchasing Advisor Class B Shares."
 
For shareholders of each Fund except the Money Market Fund, the alternative
purchase arrangement permits an investor to choose the method of purchasing
shares that is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length of
time the investor expects to hold the shares, and other circumstances. Investors
should consider whether, during the anticipated life of their investment in a
 
                                    -- 26 --
<PAGE>
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE ARRANGEMENT (CONTINUED)
Fund, the accumulated distribution and service fees and CDSCs on Class B shares
prior to conversion would be less than the initial sales charge and accumulated
service fee on Class A shares purchased at the same time.
 
Class A shares will normally be more beneficial than Class B shares to investors
who qualify for reduced initial sales charges or a sales load waiver on Class A
shares. Class A shares are subject to a service fee (but not a distribution fee)
and, accordingly, pay correspondingly higher dividends per share than Class B
shares. However, because initial sales charges are deducted at the time of
purchase, investors purchasing Class A shares would not have all their funds
invested initially and, therefore, would initially own fewer shares.
 
Investors not qualifying for reduced initial sales charges who expect to
maintain their investment for an extended period of time might consider
purchasing Class B shares. The CDSC imposed on the redemption of Class B shares
decreases and is completely eliminated with respect to such shares beginning in
the first month following the investor's sixth anniversary from purchase. Class
B shares automatically convert to Class A shares (which are subject to lower
continuing charges) in the first month following the investor's sixth
anniversary from purchase.
 
   
For more information about each Fund's shares, see "How to Purchase Shares"
beginning on page 53.
    
 
EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
The investment objective and investment policies for each Fund are described
below. A Trust's Board of Trustees may change a Fund's (except the California
Fund's) objective without a shareholder vote, but no such change will be made
without prior written notice to shareholders of that Fund (60 days' in the case
of the Money Market, Municipal Bond and Washington Funds and 30 days' in the
case of the other Funds). The California Fund has a fundamental investment
objective that may not be changed without a shareholder vote. In the event a
Fund changes its investment objective, the new objective may not meet the
investment needs of every shareholder and may be different from the objective a
shareholder considered appropriate at the time of initial investment. Each Fund
has adopted a number of investment restrictions. If a Fund satisfies a
percentage limitation at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in
value, assets or other circumstances will not be considered in determining
whether the Fund complies with the applicable policy (except to the extent the
change may impact the Fund's borrowing limits). Unless otherwise stated, the
investment policies and limitations described below under each Fund's
description and "Common Investment Practices" are non-fundamental and may be
changed without a shareholder vote.
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS
 
GROWTH FUND
 
The Growth Fund has as its investment objective to seek growth of capital and
the increased income that ordinarily follows from such growth. The Growth Fund
ordinarily invests a preponderance of its assets in common stock selected
primarily for potential appreciation. Such investments may cause its share price
to be more volatile than the Equity and Income Funds.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Growth Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST A PREPONDERANCE OF ITS ASSETS IN COMMON STOCKS SELECTED
    PRIMARILY FOR POTENTIAL APPRECIATION. To determine those common stocks which
    have the potential for long-term growth, SAM will evaluate the issuer's
    financial strength, quality of management and earnings power.
 
                                    -- 27 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
2.  MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK (INCLUDING CORPORATE
    BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK THAT CONVERT TO COMMON STOCK, EITHER AUTOMATICALLY
    AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT THE OPTION OF THE ISSUER). The Fund
    will purchase convertible securities if such securities offer a higher yield
    than an issuer's common stock and provide reasonable potential for capital
    appreciation.
 
3.  MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF NET ASSETS IN CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS. A contingent
    value right is a right issued by a corporation that takes on a
    preestablished value if the underlying common stock does not attain a target
    price by a specified date.
 
   
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 74.
    
 
EQUITY FUND
 
The Equity Fund has as its investment objective to seek long-term growth of
capital and reasonable current income. The Equity Fund invests principally in
common stock selected for appreciation and/ or dividend potential and from a
long-range investment standpoint. The Equity Fund does not seek to achieve both
growth and income with every portfolio security investment. Rather, it attempts
to achieve a reasonable balance between growth and income on an overall basis.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Equity Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST, DURING NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, AT LEAST 65% OF ITS TOTAL
    ASSETS IN EQUITY SECURITIES (WHICH INCLUDE COMMON STOCKS AND PREFERRED
    STOCKS). The Fund will invest principally in common stocks selected by SAM
    primarily for appreciation and/or dividend potential and from a long-range
    investment standpoint.
 
   
2.  MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK (INCLUDING CORPORATE
    BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK THAT CONVERT TO COMMON STOCK, WHETHER
    AUTOMATICALLY AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT THE OPTION OF THE
    ISSUER), EXCEPT THAT LESS THAN 35% OF ITS NET ASSETS WILL BE INVESTED IN
    SUCH SECURITIES. The Equity Fund may invest in convertible corporate bonds
    that are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as "high-yield"
    or "junk" bonds) or in comparable, unrated bonds, but less than 35% of the
    Equity Fund's net assets will be invested in such securities. The Equity
    Fund will not purchase a bond rated below Ca by Moody's Investors Service,
    Inc. ("Moody's") or CC by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of
    The McGraw-Hill Companies ("S&P") or which is in default on the payment of
    principal and interest. Bonds rated Ca or CC are highly speculative and have
    large uncertainties or major risk exposures. See "Risk Factors" on page 47
    for more information.
    
 
   
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 74. For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 74.
    
 
INCOME FUND
 
The Income Fund has as its investment objective to seek high current income and,
when consistent with its objective, the long-term growth of capital. The Fund
currently intends to place greatest emphasis on holding common stock,
convertible corporate bonds and convertible preferred stock. SAM will select
securities primarily for current income, but also with a view toward capital
growth when this can be accomplished without conflicting with the Fund's
investment objective.
 
                                    -- 28 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
To pursue its investment objective, the Income Fund:
 
   
1.  WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN COMMON STOCK AND ALSO IN CONVERTIBLE AND
    NON-CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK (INCLUDING CORPORATE
    BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK THAT CONVERT TO COMMON STOCK EITHER AUTOMATICALLY
    AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT THE OPTION OF THE ISSUER). The Fund
    will purchase convertible securities if such securities offer a higher yield
    than an issuer's common stock and provide reasonable potential for capital
    appreciation. The Income Fund may invest in convertible corporate bonds that
    are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as "high-yield" or
    "junk" bonds) or in comparable, unrated bonds, but less than 35% of the
    Income Fund's net assets will be invested in such securities. Bonds rated Ca
    by Moody's or CC by S&P are highly speculative and have large uncertainties
    or major risk exposures. See "Risk Factors" on page 47 for more information.
    
 
   
2.  MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF TOTAL ASSETS IN EURODOLLAR BONDS WHICH ARE ISSUED BY
    U.S. ISSUERS. Eurodollar bonds are traded in the European bond market and
    are denominated in U.S. dollars. The Fund will purchase Eurodollar bonds
    through U.S. securities dealers and hold such bonds in the United States.
    The delivery of Eurodollar bonds to the Fund's custodian in the United
    States may cause slight delays in settlement which are not anticipated to
    affect the Fund in any material, adverse manner.
    
 
   
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 74. For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 74.
    
 
NORTHWEST FUND
 
The Northwest Fund has as its investment objective to seek long-term growth of
capital through investing primarily in Northwest companies. To pursue its
objective, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in securities
issued by companies with their principal executive offices located in Alaska,
Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Northwest Fund:
 
   
1.  WILL ORDINARILY INVEST ITS ASSETS IN SHARES OF COMMON STOCKS AND PREFERRED
    STOCKS OF COMPANIES LOCATED IN THE NORTHWEST SELECTED PRIMARILY FOR
    POTENTIAL LONG-TERM APPRECIATION. To determine those common and preferred
    stocks which have the potential for long-term growth, SAM will evaluate the
    issuer's financial strength, quality of management and earnings power. The
    Fund generally invests a portion of its assets in smaller companies. See
    "Risk Factors" for more information about the risks of investing primarily
    in companies located in the Northwest.
    
 
   
2.  MAY OCCASIONALLY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK WHEN, IN
    THE OPINION OF SAM, THE EXPECTED TOTAL RETURN OF A CONVERTIBLE SECURITY
    EXCEEDS THE EXPECTED TOTAL RETURN OF COMMON STOCK ELIGIBLE FOR PURCHASE BY
    THE FUND. The Fund may purchase corporate bonds and preferred stock that
    convert to common stock either automatically after a specified period of
    time or at the option of the issuer. The Fund will purchase those
    convertible securities which, in SAM's opinion, have underlying common stock
    with potential for long-term growth. The Fund will purchase convertible
    securities which are investment grade, i.e., rated in the top four
    categories by either S&P or Moody's.
    
 
   
See "Risk Factors" for more information about the risks inherent in geographic
concentration. For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks,
convertible securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of
Stocks, Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 74. For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 74.
    
 
                                    -- 29 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
INTERNATIONAL FUND
 
The investment objective of the International Fund is to seek maximum long-term
total return (capital appreciation and income) by investing primarily in common
stock of established non-U.S. companies. To pursue its objective, the
International Fund, under normal market conditions, will invest at least 65% of
its total assets in the securities of companies domiciled in at least five
countries, not including the United States.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the International Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN COMMON STOCKS OF NON-U.S. COMPANIES. Common stock
    issued by foreign companies is subject to various risks in addition to those
    associated with U.S. investments. For example, the value of the common stock
    depends in part upon currency values, the political and regulatory
    environments, and overall economic factors in the countries in which the
    common stock is issued.
 
2.  MAY INVEST IN PREFERRED STOCKS AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES ISSUED BY FOREIGN
    COMPANIES.
 
3.  MAY INVEST IN DEBT SECURITIES ISSUED BY FOREIGN COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENTS.
    The Fund will make such investments primarily for defensive purposes, but
    may also do so where anticipated interest rate movements, or other factors
    affecting the degree of risk inherent in a fixed income security, are
    expected to change significantly so as to produce appreciation in the
    security consistent with the objective of the Fund. The Fund may purchase
    sovereign debt instruments issued or guaranteed by foreign governments or
    their agencies. Sovereign debt may be in the form of conventional securities
    or other types of debt instruments such as loans or loan participations.
    Governments or governmental entities responsible for repayment of the debt
    may be unable or unwilling to repay principal and interest when due, and may
    require renegotiation or rescheduling of debt payments. Repayment of
    principal and interest may depend also upon political and economic factors.
 
4.  MAY INVEST IN PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES ("PFICS"), WHICH INCLUDE
    FUNDS OR TRUSTS ORGANIZED AS INVESTMENT VEHICLES TO INVEST IN COMPANIES OF
    CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. Investors in PFICs bear their proportionate share
    of the PFIC's management fees and other expenses. See "Additional Tax
    Information" in the Common Stock Trust's Statement of Additional
    Information.
 
5.  MAY PURCHASE AND SELL PUT AND CALL OPTIONS ON SECURITIES, FINANCIAL INDICES
    AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES, MAY PURCHASE AND SELL THE FOLLOWING NON-LEVERAGED
    DERIVATIVE SECURITIES: FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS WITH RESPECT TO
    SECURITIES, FINANCIAL INDICES AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES, AND MAY ENTER INTO
    FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS SUCH AS FORWARD CONTRACTS. The Fund may employ
    certain strategies and techniques utilizing these instruments to mitigate
    its exposure to changing currency exchange rates, security prices, interest
    rates and other factors that affect security values. There is no guarantee
    that these strategies and techniques will work.
 
An option gives an owner the right to buy or sell securities at a predetermined
exercise price for a given period of time. The writer of an option is obligated
to purchase or sell (depending upon the nature of the option) the underlying
securities if the option is exercised during the specified period of time. A
futures contract is an agreement in which the seller of the contract agrees to
deliver to the buyer an amount of cash equal to a specific dollar amount times
the difference between the value of a security at the close of the last trading
day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is made. A forward
currency contract is an agreement to purchase or sell a foreign currency at some
future time for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars.
 
The Fund, under normal conditions, will not sell a put or call option if, as a
result thereof, the aggregate value of the assets underlying all such options
(determined as of the date such options are
 
                                    -- 30 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
written) would exceed 25% of the Fund's net assets. The Fund will not purchase a
put or call option or option on a futures contract if, as a result thereof, the
aggregate premiums paid on all options or options on futures contracts held by
the Fund would exceed 20% of its net assets. In addition, the Fund will not
enter into any futures contract or option on a futures contract if, as a result
thereof, the aggregate margin deposits and premiums required on all such
instruments would exceed 5% of its net assets.
 
   
See "Risk Factors" for more information about the risks inherent in securities
issued by foreign issuers and in the purchase and sale of options, futures and
forward contracts. For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks,
convertible securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of
Stocks, Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 74.
    
 
BALANCED FUND
 
The Balanced Fund has as its investment objective to seek growth and income
consistent with the preservation of capital. To pursue its objective, the
Balanced Fund will invest primarily in equity and fixed income securities and
will occasionally alter the mix of its equity and fixed income securities. Such
action will be taken in response to economic conditions and generally in small
increments. The Balanced Fund will not make significant changes in its asset mix
in an attempt to "time the market."
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Balanced Fund:
 
1.  WILL ORDINARILY INVEST FROM 50% TO 70% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN EQUITY
    SECURITIES, WHICH INCLUDE COMMON STOCKS, PREFERRED STOCK AND SECURITIES
    CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK. The Fund will invest principally in common
    stocks selected by SAM primarily for appreciation and/or dividend potential
    and from a long-range investment standpoint. The Fund may purchase corporate
    bonds and preferred stock that convert to common stock either automatically
    after a specified period of time or at the option of the issuer.
 
    The Fund will purchase those convertible securities which, in SAM's opinion,
    have underlying common stock with potential for long-term growth. The Fund
    will purchase convertible securities which are investment grade, i.e., rated
    in the top four categories by either S&P or Moody's.
 
2.  WILL INVEST AT LEAST 25% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN FIXED-INCOME SENIOR
    SECURITIES. The Fund will purchase only those U.S. Government and investment
    grade debt obligations or non-rated debt obligations which in SAM's view
    contain the credit characteristics of investment grade debt obligations.
    Investment grade obligations (rated between Aaa-Baa by Moody's and AAA-BBB
    by S&P) are from high to medium quality. Medium quality obligations possess
    speculative characteristics and may be more sensitive to economic changes
    and changes to the financial condition of issuers.
 
   
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 74. For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 74.
    
 
SMALL COMPANY FUND
 
The Small Company Fund has as its investment objective to seek long-term growth
of capital through investing primarily in small-sized companies. To pursue its
objective, the Small Company Fund will invest primarily in companies with total
market capitalization of less than $1 billion.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Small Company Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST AT LEAST 65% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED
    STOCK OF SMALL-SIZED COMPANIES WITH TOTAL MARKET CAPITALIZATION OF LESS THAN
    $1 BILLION. Companies whose
 
                                    -- 31 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
    capitalization falls outside this range after purchase continue to be
    considered small-capitalized for purposes of the 65% policy. The Fund will
    invest principally in common stocks selected by SAM primarily for
    appreciation and/or dividend potential and from a long-range investment
    standpoint. In determining those common and preferred stocks which have the
    potential for long-term growth, SAM will evaluate the issuer's financial
    strength, quality of management and earnings power. Investments in small or
    newly formed companies involve greater risks than investments in larger,
    more established issuers and their securities can be subject to more abrupt
    and erratic movements in price. See "Risk Factors" for more information
    about the risks inherent in securities issued by small companies.
 
   
2.  MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK WHEN, IN SAM'S
    OPINION, THE EXPECTED TOTAL RETURN OF A CONVERTIBLE SECURITY EXCEEDS THE
    EXPECTED TOTAL RETURN OF COMMON STOCK ELIGIBLE FOR PURCHASE BY THE FUND. The
    Fund will purchase convertible securities if such securities offer a higher
    yield than an issuer's common stock and provide reasonable potential for
    capital appreciation. The Fund may invest in convertible corporate bonds
    that are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as "high-yield"
    or "junk" bonds) or in comparable, unrated bonds, but less than 35% of the
    Fund's net assets will be invested in such securities. Bonds rated Ca by
    Moody's or CC by S&P are highly speculative and have large uncertainties or
    major risk exposures. See "Risk Factors" on page 42 for more information.
    
 
   
See "Risk Factors" for more information about the risks inherent in small
company issuers. For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks,
convertible securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of
Stocks, Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 74. For a description of debt
securities ratings, see the "Ratings Supplement" on page 74.
    
 
VALUE FUND
 
   
The Value Fund has as its investment objective to seek long-term growth of
capital and income. The Value Fund primarily invests in common stock selected
for potential appreciation and income using fundamental value analysis. The
Value Fund will invest of least 65% of its assets in common stock and preferred
stock issued by U.S. companies.
    
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Value Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST A PREPONDERANCE OF ITS ASSETS IN COMMON STOCKS SELECTED
    PRIMARILY FOR POTENTIAL APPRECIATION. To determine those common stocks which
    have the potential for long-term growth, SAM will evaluate the issuer's
    financial strength, quality of management and earnings power.
 
   
2.  MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON STOCK (INCLUDING CORPORATE
    BONDS AND PREFERRED STOCK THAT CONVERT TO COMMON STOCK, EITHER AUTOMATICALLY
    AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME OR AT THE OPTION OF THE ISSUER). The Fund
    will purchase convertible securities if such securities offer a higher yield
    than an issuer's common stock and provide reasonable potential for capital
    appreciation. The Value Fund may invest in convertible corporate bonds that
    are rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as "high-yield" or
    "junk bonds" or in comparable, unrated bonds, but less than 35% of the Value
    Fund's net assets will be invested in such securities. Bonds rated Ca by
    Moody's or CC by S&P are highly speculative and have large uncertainties or
    major risk exposures.
    
 
   
For a brief description of common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible
securities, and bonds and other debt securities, see "Description of Stocks,
Bonds and Convertible Securities" on page 74. See "Risk Factors" on page 39 for
more information.
    
 
                                    -- 32 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
 
COMMON INVESTMENT PRACTICES OF THE STOCK FUNDS
 
Each of the Stock Funds may also follow the investment practices described
below:
 
1.  MAY INVEST IN BONDS AND OTHER DEBT SECURITIES.
 
    Each Fund may invest in bonds and other debt securities that are rated
    investment grade by Moody's or S&P, or unrated bonds determined by SAM to be
    of comparable quality to such rated bonds. Bonds rated in the lowest
    category of investment grade (Baa by Moody's and BBB by S&P) and comparable
    unrated bonds have speculative characteristics and are more likely to have a
    weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments under changing
    economic conditions or upon deterioration in the financial condition of the
    issuer.
 
    After purchase by a Stock Fund, a corporate bond may be downgraded or, if
    unrated, may cease to be comparable to a rated security. Neither event will
    require a Stock Fund to dispose of that security, but SAM will take a
    downgrade or loss of comparability into account in determining whether the
    Fund should continue to hold the security in its portfolio. The Equity Fund
    will not hold more than 3% of its total assets and the Income Fund will not
    hold more than 1% of its total assets in bonds that go into default on the
    payment of principal and interest after purchase. In the event that 35% or
    more of a Stock Fund's net assets is held in securities rated below
    investment grade due to a downgrade of one or more corporate bonds, SAM will
    engage in an orderly disposition of such securities to the extent necessary
    to ensure that the Fund's holdings of such securities remain below 35% of
    the Fund's net assets.
 
2.  MAY INVEST IN WARRANTS. Warrants are options to buy a stated number of
    shares of common stock at a specified price any time during the life of the
    warrant. Generally, the value of a warrant will fluctuate by greater
    percentages than the value of the underlying common stock. The primary risk
    associated with a warrant is that the term of the warrant may expire before
    the exercise price of the common stock has been reached. Under these
    circumstances, a Stock Fund could lose all of its principal investment in
    the warrant.
 
3.  MAY HOLD CASH OR INVEST TEMPORARILY IN HIGH QUALITY, SHORT-TERM SECURITIES
    ISSUED BY AN AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, HIGH QUALITY
    COMMERCIAL PAPER, CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, SHARES OF NO-LOAD, OPEN-END MONEY
    MARKET FUNDS (EXCEPT THE EQUITY FUND) OR REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Stock
    Funds may purchase these short-term securities as a cash management
    technique under those circumstances where it has cash to manage for a short
    time period, for example, after receiving proceeds from the sale of
    securities, dividend distributions from portfolio securities or cash from
    the sale of Fund shares to investors. With respect to repurchase agreements,
    each Stock Fund will invest no more than 5% of its total assets in
    repurchase agreements and will not purchase repurchase agreements that
    mature in more than seven days. Counterparties of foreign repurchase
    agreements may be less creditworthy than U.S. counterparties.
 
4.  MAY PURCHASE SECURITIES ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED-DELIVERY" BASIS OR
    PURCHASE OR SELL SECURITIES ON A "FORWARD COMMITMENT" BASIS. Under this
    procedure, a Stock Fund agrees to acquire securities that are to be issued
    and delivered against payment in the future. The price, however, is fixed at
    the time of commitment. When a Stock Fund purchases when-issued or
    delayed-delivery securities, its custodian bank will maintain in a temporary
    holding account cash, U.S. Government securities or other high-grade debt
    obligations having a value equal to or greater than such commitments. On
    delivery dates for such transactions, the Fund will meet its obligations
    from maturities or sales of the securities held in the temporary holding
    account or
 
                                    -- 33 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
    from then-available cash flow. If a Stock Fund chooses to dispose of the
    right to acquire a when-issued or delayed delivery security prior to its
    acquisition, it could incur a gain or loss due to market fluctuations. Use
    of these techniques may affect a Fund's share price in a manner similar to
    leveraging.
 
5.  MAY INVEST IN AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ("ADRS"). ADRs are registered
    receipts evidencing ownership of an underlying foreign security. They
    typically are issued in the United States by a bank or trust company. In
    addition to the risks of foreign investment applicable to the underlying
    securities, ADRs may also be subject to the risks that the foreign issuer
    may not be obligated to cooperate with the U.S. bank or trust company, or
    that such information in the U.S. market may not be current. ADRs which are
    structured without sponsorship of the issuer of the underlying foreign
    security may also be subject to the risk that the foreign issuer may not
    provide financial and other material information to the U.S. bank or trust
    company issuer. The International Fund may utilize European Depositary
    Receipts ("EDRs"), which are similar instruments. EDRs may be in bearer form
    and are designed for use in the European securities markets.
 
   
6.  MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN FOREIGN SECURITIES, EXCEPT THE
    INTERNATIONAL FUND, WHICH MAY INVEST 100% OF ITS ASSETS IN FOREIGN
    SECURITIES. FOREIGN SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS IN ADDITION TO THOSE
    INHERENT IN INVESTMENTS IN DOMESTIC SECURITIES. See "Risk Factors" on page
    47 for more information about the risks associated with investments in
    foreign securities.
    
 
7.  MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN SHARES OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
    TRUSTS ("REITS"). REITs purchase real property, which is then leased, and
    make mortgage investments. For federal income tax purposes, REITs attempt to
    qualify for beneficial "modified pass-through" tax treatment by annually
    distributing at least 95% of their taxable income. If a REIT were unable to
    qualify for such tax treatment, it would be taxed as a corporation and the
    distributions made to its shareholders would not be deductible by it in
    computing its taxable income. REITs are dependent upon the successful
    operation of properties owned and the financial condition of lessees and
    mortgagors. The value of REIT units fluctuates depending on the underlying
    value of the real property and mortgages owned and the amount of cash flow
    (net income plus depreciation) generated and paid out. In addition, REITs
    typically borrow to increase funds available for investment. Generally,
    there is a greater risk associated with REITs that are highly leveraged.
 
   
8.  MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN RESTRICTED SECURITIES, PROVIDED
    THAT SAM HAS DETERMINED THAT SUCH SECURITIES ARE LIQUID UNDER GUIDELINES
    ADOPTED BY THE COMMON STOCK TRUST'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Restricted securities
    may be sold only in offerings registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
    as amended ("1933 Act"), or in transactions exempt from the registration
    requirements under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A under the 1933 Act provides an
    exemption for the resale of certain restricted securities to qualified
    institutional buyers. Investing in restricted securities may increase the
    Stock Funds' illiquidity to the extent that qualified institutional buyers
    or other buyers become, for a time, unwilling to purchase the securities. As
    a result, a Stock Fund may not be able to sell these securities when its
    investment adviser or sub-investment adviser deems it advisable to sell, or
    may have to sell them at less than fair value. In addition, market
    quotations are sometimes less readily available for restricted securities.
    Therefore, judgment may at times play a greater role in valuing these
    securities than in the case of unrestricted securities.
    
 
9.  MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES WHOSE PERFORMANCE AND PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AT MATURITY
    ARE LINKED TO A SPECIFIED EQUITY SECURITY OR SECURITIES INDEX. The value of
    an indexed security is determined by reference to a specific equity
    instrument or statistic. The performance of indexed securities
 
                                    -- 34 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES OF THE STOCK FUNDS (CONTINUED)
    depends largely on the performance of the securities or indices to which
    they are indexed, but such securities are also subject to credit risks
    associated with the issuer of the security. Indexed securities may also be
    more volatile than their underlying instruments.
 
10. MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN SECURITIES OF UNSEASONED ISSUERS.
    Unseasoned issuers are those companies which, together with any
    predecessors, have been in operation for less than three years.
 
The following restrictions are fundamental policies of the Stock Funds that
cannot be changed without shareholder vote.
 
1.  EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 75% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, MAY NOT
    INVEST MORE THAN 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN THE SECURITIES OF ANY ONE ISSUER
    (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
2.  THE GROWTH, INCOME AND NORTHWEST FUNDS MAY NOT PURCHASE MORE THAN 10% OF ANY
    CLASS OF SECURITIES OF ANY ONE ISSUER.
 
3.  EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 100% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, MAY NOT
    PURCHASE MORE THAN 10% OF THE OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES OF ANY ONE
    ISSUER (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
   
4.  EACH STOCK FUND MAY BORROW MONEY ONLY FOR TEMPORARY OR EMERGENCY PURPOSES,
    AND THE GROWTH FUND ONLY FOR EXTRAORDINARY OR EMERGENCY PURPOSES, FROM A
    BANK OR AFFILIATE OF SAFECO CORPORATION AT AN INTEREST RATE NOT GREATER THAN
    THAT AVAILABLE FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS. The Growth, Income and Northwest Funds
    will not borrow amounts in excess of 20%, and the Equity, Balanced,
    International, Small Company and Value Funds will not borrow amounts in
    excess of 33%, of total assets. A Stock Fund will not purchase securities if
    borrowings equal to or greater than 5% of total assets are outstanding for
    that Fund.
    
 
For more information, see the "Investment Policies" and "Additional Investment
Information" sections of the Common Stock Trust's Statement of Additional
Information.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND
 
The investment objective of the Intermediate Treasury Fund is to provide as high
a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital. The
Intermediate Treasury Fund will seek to maintain a portfolio of U.S. Treasury
obligations with an average dollar weighted maturity of between three and ten
years; however, individual obligations held by the Intermediate Treasury Fund
may have maturities outside that range.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Intermediate Treasury Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST, DURING NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, AT LEAST 65% OF ITS TOTAL
    ASSETS IN DIRECT OBLIGATIONS OF THE U.S. TREASURY SUCH AS U.S. TREASURY
    BILLS, NOTES AND BONDS. The Intermediate Treasury Fund may also invest in
    stripped securities that are direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury. Direct
    obligations of the U.S. Treasury are supported by the full faith and credit
    of the U.S. Government.
 
2.  WILL INVEST UP TO 35% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN:
 
    OTHER U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES, including (a) securities supported by the
    full faith and credit of the U.S. Government but that are not direct
    obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as securities issued by the
    Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), (b) securities that are
    not supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government but are
    supported by the issuer's ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as
    securities issued by the Federal National
 
                                    -- 35 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND (CONTINUED)
    Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
    ("FHLMC"), and (c) securities supported solely by the creditworthiness of
    the issuer, such as securities issued by the Tennessee Valley Authority
    ("TVA"). While U.S. Government securities are considered to be of the
    highest credit quality available, they are subject to the same market risks
    as comparable debt securities.
 
   
    CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES which at the time of purchase are rated in the top
    three grades (A or higher) by either Moody's or S&P, or, if unrated,
    determined by SAM to be of comparable quality to such rated debt securities.
    In addition to reviewing ratings, SAM will analyze the quality of rated and
    unrated corporate bonds for purchase by the Fund by evaluating various
    factors that may include the issuer's capital structure, earnings power and
    quality of management. See "Ratings Supplement" beginning on page 74.
    
 
3.  MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN YANKEE SECTOR DEBT SECURITIES,
    EURODOLLAR BONDS AND MUNICIPAL SECURITIES. See the Taxable Bond Trust's
    Statement of Additional Information for more information about these
    securities.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE HIGH-YIELD FUND
 
The High-Yield Fund has as its investment objective to provide a high level of
current interest income through the purchase of high-yield, fixed-income
securities. The higher yields that the Fund seeks are usually available from
lower-rated or unrated securities sometimes referred to as "junk bonds." The
maturity of the debt obligations held by the Fund may range from 1 to 30 years.
However, it is anticipated that the majority of debt obligations will have
maturities from 5 to 15 years.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the High-Yield Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST, DURING NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, AT LEAST 65% OF ITS PORTFOLIO
    IN HIGH-YIELD, FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. The High-Yield Fund may purchase
    debt and preferred stock issues (including convertible securities) which are
    below investment grade, I.E., rated lower than the top four grades by S&P or
    Moody's, or, if not rated by these agencies, in the opinion of SAM, have
    credit characteristics comparable to such rated securities. Up to 25% of the
    Fund's total assets may be invested in such unrated securities. SAM will
    determine the quality of unrated obligations by evaluating the issuer's
    capital structure, earnings power and quality of management. Unrated
    securities may not be as attractive to as many investors as rated
    securities. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in
    securities which are in default. The Fund will purchase securities which are
    in default only when, in SAM's opinion, the potential for high yield
    outweighs the risk.
 
   
    While fixed-income securities rated lower than investment grade generally
    lack characteristics of a desirable investment, they normally offer a
    current yield or yield-to-maturity which is significantly higher than the
    yield available from securities rated as investment grade. These securities
    are speculative and involve greater investment risks due to the issuers'
    reduced creditworthiness and increased likelihood of default and bankruptcy.
    In addition, these securities are frequently subordinated to senior
    securities. For further explanation of the special risks associated with
    investing in lower-rated, fixed-income securities, see "Risk Factors" on
    page 47.
    
 
   
    For a description of debt ratings, see "Rating Supplement" beginning on page
    74. For a breakdown of the debt securities held by the High-Yield Fund
    during the fiscal period ended December 31, 1996, see "Debt Securities
    Holdings" on page 76. The High-Yield Fund may retain an issue whose rating
    has been changed.
    
 
                                    -- 36 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE HIGH-YIELD FUND (CONTINUED)
2.  MAY INVEST IN FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES WITH EQUITY FEATURES WHEN COMPARABLE
    IN YIELD AND RISK TO FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES WITHOUT EQUITY FEATURES, BUT
    ONLY WHEN ACQUIRED AS A RESULT OF UNIT OFFERINGS WHICH CARRY AN EQUITY
    ELEMENT SUCH AS COMMON STOCK, RIGHTS OR OTHER EQUITY SECURITIES. The Fund
    will hold these common stocks, rights or other equity securities until SAM
    determines that, in its opinion, the optimal time for sale of the equity
    security has been reached.
 
   
3.  MAY INVEST IN RESTRICTED SECURITIES ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE UNDER RULE 144A
    ("RULE 144A SECURITIES"), PROVIDED THAT SAM HAS DETERMINED THAT SUCH
    SECURITIES ARE LIQUID UNDER GUIDELINES ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
    Restricted securities may be sold only in offerings registered under the
    Securities Act of 1933 ("1933 Act") or in transactions exempt from the
    registration requirements under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A under the 1933 Act
    provides an exemption for the resale of certain restricted securities to
    qualified institutional buyers. Investing in Rule 144A securities could have
    the effect of increasing the Fund's illiquidity to the extent that qualified
    institutional buyers or other buyers become, for a time, unwilling to
    purchase the securities.
    
 
4.  MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN MUNICIPAL SECURITIES WHICH ARE
    RATED LOWER THAN THE TOP THREE GRADES ASSIGNED BY MOODY'S OR S&P OR ARE
    UNRATED BUT COMPARABLE TO SUCH RATED SECURITIES IF, IN THE OPINION OF SAM,
    THE POTENTIAL FOR APPRECIATION IS GREATER THAN, AND YIELD IS COMPARABLE TO
    OR GREATER THAN, SIMILARLY-RATED TAXABLE SECURITIES. Investment in medium
    and lower quality tax-exempt bonds involves the same risks as investments in
    taxable bonds of similar quality.
 
5.  MAY INVEST IN OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED BY, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, ITS
    AGENCIES OR INSTRUMENTALITIES OR IN FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES WHICH ARE RATED
    IN THE FOUR HIGHEST GRADES ASSIGNED BY MOODY'S OR S&P DURING MARKET
    CONDITIONS WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF SAM, ARE UNFAVORABLE FOR SATISFACTORY
    PERFORMANCE BY LOWER-RATED OR UNRATED FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. The Fund may
    invest in higher-rated securities when changing economic conditions or other
    factors cause the difference in yield between lower-rated and higher-rated
    securities to narrow and SAM believes that the risk of loss to principal may
    be substantially reduced with a small reduction in yield.
 
COMMON INVESTMENT PRACTICES OF THE INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND AND THE HIGH-YIELD
FUND
 
The Intermediate Treasury Fund and High-Yield Fund may also follow the
investment practices described below:
 
1.  MAY HOLD CASH OR INVEST TEMPORARILY IN HIGH-QUALITY COMMERCIAL PAPER,
    CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, SHARES OF NO-LOAD, OPEN-END MONEY MARKET FUNDS,
    REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND HIGH-QUALITY SHORT-TERM SECURITIES ISSUED BY AN
    AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. Each Fund may purchase
    these short-term securities as a cash management technique under those
    circumstances where it has cash to manage for a short time period, for
    example, after receiving proceeds from the sale of securities, interest
    payments, dividend distributions from portfolio securities, or cash from the
    sale of Fund shares to investors. Interest earned from these short-term
    securities will be taxable to investors as ordinary income when distributed.
 
2.  MAY INVEST FOR SHORT-TERM PURPOSES WHEN SAM BELIEVES SUCH ACTION TO BE
    DESIRABLE AND CONSISTENT WITH SOUND INVESTMENT PRACTICES. Neither Fund,
    however, will engage primarily in trading for the purpose of short-term
    profits. A Fund may dispose of its portfolio securities whenever SAM deems
    advisable, without regard to the length of time the securities have been
    held.
 
                                    -- 37 --
<PAGE>
COMMON INVESTMENT PRACTICES OF THE INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND AND THE HIGH-YIELD
FUND (CONTINUED)
3.  MAY PURCHASE OR SELL SECURITIES ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED-DELIVERY"
    BASIS. Under this procedure, a Fund agrees to acquire or sell securities
    that are to be delivered against payment in the future, normally 30 to 45
    days. The price, however, is fixed at the time of commitment. When a Fund
    purchases when-issued or delayed-delivery securities, it will earmark
    liquid, high-quality securities in an amount equal in value to the purchase
    price of the security. Use of these techniques may affect the Fund's share
    price in a manner similar to leveraging.
 
The following restrictions are fundamental policies of the Intermediate Treasury
Fund and High-Yield Fund which cannot be changed without shareholder vote.
 
1.  EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 75% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, MAY NOT
    INVEST MORE THAN 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN THE SECURITIES OF ANY ONE ISSUER
    (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
2.  EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 100% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, MAY NOT
    PURCHASE MORE THAN 10% OF THE OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES OF ANY ONE
    ISSUER (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
3.  EACH FUND MAY BORROW MONEY ONLY FOR TEMPORARY OR EMERGENCY PURPOSES FROM A
    BANK OR SAFECO CORPORATION OR AFFILIATES OF SAFECO CORPORATION AT AN
    INTEREST RATE NOT GREATER THAN THAT AVAILABLE FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS. A Fund
    will not borrow amounts in excess of 20% of its total assets. A Fund will
    not purchase securities if outstanding borrowings are equal to or greater
    than 5% of its total assets. Each Fund intends to exercise its borrowing
    authority primarily to meet shareholder redemptions under circumstances
    where redemption requests exceed available cash.
 
4.  EACH FUND MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS NET ASSETS IN ILLIQUID SECURITIES,
    WHICH ARE SECURITIES THAT CANNOT BE SOLD WITHIN SEVEN DAYS IN THE ORDINARY
    COURSE OF BUSINESS FOR APPROXIMATELY THE AMOUNT AT WHICH THEY ARE VALUED.
    Due to the absence of an active trading market, a Fund may experience
    difficulty in valuing or disposing of illiquid securities. SAM determines
    the liquidity of the securities under guidelines adopted by the Taxable Bond
    Trust's Board of Trustees.
 
5.  EACH FUND MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF NET ASSETS IN REPURCHASE AGREEMENT
    TRANSACTIONS. Repurchase agreements are transactions in which a Fund
    purchases securities from a bank or recognized securities dealer and
    simultaneously commits to resell the securities to the bank or dealer at an
    agreed-upon date and price reflecting a market rate of interest unrelated to
    the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased securities. Repurchase
    agreements carry certain risks not associated with direct investments in
    securities, including the risk that the Fund will be unable to dispose of
    the security during the term of the repurchase agreement if the security's
    market value declines, and delays and costs to a Fund if the other party to
    the repurchase agreement declares bankruptcy.
 
For more information see the "Investment Policies" and "Additional Investment
Information" sections of the Taxable Bond Trust's Statement of Additional
Information.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MANAGED BOND FUND
 
The investment objective of the Managed Bond Fund is to provide as high a level
of total return as is consistent with the relative stability of capital through
purchase of investment grade debt securities.
 
In pursuing the Managed Bond Fund's investment objective, SAM will seek to
minimize the effects of interest rate risks while pursuing total return by
adjusting the investment portfolio's average maturity in response to interest
rate changes. In general, the Managed Bond Fund's strategy will be to hold
 
                                    -- 38 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MANAGED BOND FUND (CONTINUED)
fixed-income securities with shorter maturities as interest rates rise and with
longer maturities as interest rates fall. The fixed-income securities held by
the Managed Bond Fund will have maturities of 10 years or less from the date of
purchase. SAM reserves the right to modify the Managed Bond Fund's investment
strategy in any respect at any time.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Managed Bond Fund:
 
1.  WILL INVEST AT LEAST 65% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN BONDS, DEFINED AS
    FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES.
 
2.  WILL INVEST PRIMARILY IN INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT SECURITIES; I.E., SECURITIES
    RATED IN THE TOP FOUR CATEGORIES BY EITHER S&P OR MOODY'S OR IF NOT RATED,
    SECURITIES WHICH, IN SAM'S OPINION, ARE COMPARABLE IN QUALITY TO INVESTMENT
    GRADE DEBT SECURITIES. Included in investment grade debt securities are
    securities of medium grade (rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P) which have
    speculative characteristics and are more likely to have a weakened capacity
    to make principal and interest payments under changing economic or other
    conditions than higher grade securities. The Managed Bond Fund will limit
    investments in such medium grade debt securities to no more than 10% of its
    total assets. Unrated securities are not necessarily of lower quality than
    rated securities, but may not be as attractive to investors.
 
   
    The Managed Bond Fund may retain debt securities which are downgraded to
    below investment grade (commonly referred to as "high yield" or "junk"
    bonds) after purchase. In the event that due to a downgrade of one or more
    debt securities an amount in excess of 5% of the Fund's net assets is held
    in securities rated below investment grade, SAM will engage in an orderly
    disposition of such securities to the extent necessary to reduce the Fund's
    holdings of such securities to no more than 5% of the Fund's net assets. In
    addition to reviewing ratings, SAM may analyze the quality of rated and
    unrated debt securities purchased for the Managed Bond Fund by evaluating
    the issuer's capital structure, earnings power, quality of management and
    position within its industry. For a description of debt securities ratings,
    see "Ratings Supplement" beginning on page 74.
    
 
3.  WILL INVEST AT LEAST 50% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN OBLIGATIONS OF OR GUARANTEED
    BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, ITS AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES. These
    obligations include (a) direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as
    U.S. Treasury notes, bills, bonds and stripped securities; (b) securities
    supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government but that are
    not direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as securities issued by
    the GNMA; (c) securities that are not supported by the full faith and credit
    of the U.S. Government but are supported by the issuer's ability to borrow
    from the U.S. Treasury, such as securities issued by the FNMA and the FHLMC;
    and (d) securities supported solely by the creditworthiness of the issuer,
    such as securities issued by the TVA. While U.S. Government securities are
    considered to be of the highest credit quality available, they are subject
    to the same market risks as comparable debt securities.
 
4.  MAY INVEST UP TO 50% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES OR
    EURODOLLAR BONDS. Eurodollar bonds are bonds issued by either U.S. or
    foreign issuers that are traded in the European bond markets and denominated
    in U.S. dollars. The Managed Bond Fund will purchase Eurodollar bonds
    through U.S. securities dealers and hold such bonds in the United States.
    The delivery of Eurodollar bonds to the Managed Bond Fund's custodian in the
    United States may cause slight delays in settlement which are not
    anticipated to affect the Managed Bond Fund in any material, adverse manner.
    Eurodollar bonds issued by foreign issuers are subject to the same risks as
    Yankee sector bonds discussed below.
 
5.  MAY INVEST IN ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES, WHICH REPRESENT INTERESTS IN, OR ARE
    SECURED BY AND PAYABLE FROM, POOLS OF ASSETS SUCH AS CONSUMER LOANS,
    AUTOMOBILE RECEIVABLE SECURITIES, CREDIT CARD RECEIVABLE SECURITIES, AND
    INSTALLMENT LOAN CONTRACTS. These securities may be supported by credit
    enhancements such as letters of credit. Payment of interest and principal
    ultimately
 
                                    -- 39 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MANAGED BOND FUND (CONTINUED)
    depends upon borrowers paying the underlying loans. There is a risk that one
    or more of the underlying borrowers may default and that recovery on
    repossessed collateral may be unavailable or inadequate to support payments
    on the defaulted asset-backed securities. In addition, asset-backed
    securities are subject to prepayment risks which may reduce the overall
    return of the investment.
 
6.  MAY INVEST UP TO 10% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN YANKEE SECTOR DEBT SECURITIES,
    WHICH ARE SECURITIES ISSUED AND TRADED IN THE UNITED STATES BY FOREIGN
    ISSUERS. These bonds have investment risks that are different from those of
    domestic issuers. Such risks may include nationalization of the issuer,
    confiscatory taxation by the foreign government that would inhibit the
    ability of the issuer to make principal and interest payments to the Managed
    Bond Fund, lack of comparable publicly available information concerning
    foreign issuers, lack of comparable accounting and auditing practices in
    foreign countries and, finally, difficulty in enforcing claims against
    foreign issuers in the event of default.
 
    Both S&P and Moody's rate Yankee sector debt obligations. If a debt
    obligation is unrated, SAM will attempt to analyze a potential investment in
    the foreign issuer with respect to quality and risk on the same basis as the
    rating services. Because public information is not always comparable to that
    available on domestic issuers, this may not be possible. Therefore, while
    SAM will attempt to select investments in foreign securities on the same
    basis, and with comparable quantities and types of information, as its
    investments in domestic securities, that may not always be possible.
 
7.  MAY PURCHASE OR SELL SECURITIES ON A WHEN-ISSUED OR DELAYED-DELIVERY BASIS.
    Under this procedure, the Managed Bond Fund agrees to acquire securities
    that are to be issued and delivered against payment in the future, normally
    30 to 45 days. The price, however, is fixed at the time of commitment. When
    the Managed Bond Fund purchases when-issued or delayed-delivery securities,
    it will earmark liquid, high quality securities in an amount equal in value
    to the purchase price of the security. Use of these techniques may affect
    the Managed Bond Fund's share price in a manner similar to the use of
    leveraging.
 
8.  MAY HOLD CASH OR INVEST TEMPORARILY IN HIGH QUALITY, SHORT-TERM SECURITIES
    ISSUED BY AN AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, HIGH QUALITY
    COMMERCIAL PAPER, CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, SHARES OF NO-LOAD, OPEN-END MONEY
    MARKET FUNDS OR REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Managed Bond Fund may purchase
    these short-term securities as a cash management technique under those
    circumstances where it has cash to manage for a short time period, for
    example, after receiving proceeds from the sale of securities, interest
    payments or dividend distributions from portfolio securities or cash from
    the sale of Managed Bond Fund shares to investors. Interest earned from
    these short-term securities will be taxable to investors as ordinary income
    when distributed. With respect to repurchase agreements, the Managed Bond
    Fund will invest no more than 5% of its total assets in repurchase
    agreements, and will not purchase repurchase agreements which mature in more
    than seven days.
 
9.  MAY HOLD CASH AS A TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE MEASURE WHEN MARKET CONDITIONS SO
    WARRANT.
 
10. MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN MUNICIPAL SECURITIES IF, IN SAM'S
    OPINION, THE POTENTIAL FOR APPRECIATION IS GREATER THAN, AND YIELD IS
    COMPARABLE TO OR GREATER THAN, SIMILARLY RATED TAXABLE SECURITIES.
 
11. MAY INVEST FOR SHORT-TERM PURPOSES WHEN SAM BELIEVES SUCH ACTION TO BE
    DESIRABLE AND CONSISTENT WITH SOUND INVESTMENT PRACTICES. The Managed Bond
    Fund, however, will not engage primarily in trading for the purpose of
    short-term profits. The Managed Bond Fund may dispose of its portfolio
    securities whenever SAM deems advisable, without regard to the length of
    time the securities have been held.
 
                                    -- 40 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MANAGED BOND FUND (CONTINUED)
The following restrictions are fundamental policies of the Managed Bond Fund
which cannot be changed without shareholder vote.
 
1.  THE FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 75% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, MAY NOT
    INVEST MORE THAN 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN THE SECURITIES OF ANY ONE ISSUER
    (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
2.  THE FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 100% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, MAY NOT
    PURCHASE MORE THAN 10% OF THE OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES OF ANY ONE
    ISSUER (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
3.  THE FUND MAY BORROW MONEY FOR TEMPORARY OR EMERGENCY PURPOSES ONLY FROM A
    BANK OR AFFILIATE OF SAFECO CORPORATION AT AN INTEREST RATE NOT GREATER THAN
    THAT AVAILABLE FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS. The Fund will not borrow amounts in
    excess of 20% of its total assets. As a non-fundamental policy, the Fund
    will not purchase securities if outstanding borrowings are equal to or
    greater than 5% of its total assets. The Fund intends to exercise its
    borrowing authority primarily to meet shareholder redemptions under
    circumstances where redemptions exceed available cash.
 
For more information, see the "Investment Policies" and "Additional Investment
Information" sections of the Managed Bond Trust's Statement of Additional
Information.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUNDS
 
   
The investment objective of the Municipal Bond Fund is to provide as high a
level of current interest income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent
with the relative stability of capital. The investment objective of the
California Fund is to provide as high a level of current interest income exempt
from federal income tax and California State personal income tax as is
consistent with the relative stability of capital. The investment objective of
the Washington Fund is to provide as high a level of current interest income
exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with prudent investment risk.
    
 
To pursue its investment objective, each of the Tax-Exempt Income Funds:
 
1.  WILL, DURING NORMAL MARKET CONDITIONS, INVEST AS A MATTER OF FUNDAMENTAL
    POLICY AT LEAST 80% OF ITS NET ASSETS IN SECURITIES THE INTEREST ON WHICH IS
    EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX AND, IN THE CASE OF THE CALIFORNIA FUND,
    EXEMPT FROM CALIFORNIA PERSONAL INCOME TAX. The Tax-Exempt Income Funds do
    not currently intend to purchase taxable investments, except as a temporary
    accommodation or in an emergency situation.
 
2.  WILL INVEST AT LEAST 65% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN MUNICIPAL BONDS (IN THE CASE
    OF THE WASHINGTON FUND, ISSUED BY THE STATE OF WASHINGTON OR POLITICAL
    SUBDIVISIONS, MUNICIPALITIES, AGENCIES, INSTRUMENTALITIES OR PUBLIC
    AUTHORITIES WITHIN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON) HAVING A MATURITY IN EXCESS OF
    ONE YEAR THAT AT THE TIME OF ACQUISITION ARE INVESTMENT GRADE; I.E., RATED
    IN ONE OF THE FOUR HIGHEST GRADES ASSIGNED BY MOODY'S OR S&P OR, IF UNRATED,
    DETERMINED BY SAM TO BE OF COMPARABLE QUALITY. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund
    may invest up to 20% of its total assets in unrated municipal bonds. Unrated
    securities are not necessarily lower in quality than rated securities, but
    may not be as attractive to as many investors as rated securities. Each
    Tax-Exempt Income Fund will invest no more than 33% of its total assets in
    municipal bonds rated in the fourth highest grade or in comparable unrated
    bonds. Such bonds are of medium grade, have speculative characteristics and
    are more likely to have a weakened capacity to make principal and interest
    payments under changing economic conditions or upon deterioration in the
    financial condition of the issuer.
 
                                    -- 41 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUNDS (CONTINUED)
 
    In addition to reviewing ratings, SAM will analyze the quality of rated and
    unrated municipal bonds for purchase by each Tax-Exempt Income Fund by
    evaluating various factors that may include the issuer's or guarantor's
    financial resources and liquidity, economic feasibility of revenue bond
    project financing and general purpose borrowings, cash flow and ability to
    meet anticipated debt service requirements, quality of management,
    sensitivity to economic conditions, operating history and any relevant
    political or regulatory matters. SAM may also evaluate trends in the
    economy, the financial markets or specific geographic areas in determining
    whether to purchase a bond. For a description of municipal bond ratings, see
    the Tax-Exempt Bond Trust's Statement of Additional Information.
 
    After purchase by a Fund, a municipal bond may be downgraded to below
    investment grade or, if unrated, may cease to be comparable to a rated
    investment grade security (such below investment grade securities are
    commonly referred to as "high-yield" or "junk" bonds). Neither event will
    require a Fund to dispose of that security, but SAM will take a downgrade or
    loss of comparability into account in determining whether the Fund should
    continue to hold the security in its portfolio. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund
    will not hold more than 5% of its net assets in such below investment grade
    securities.
 
    The term "municipal bonds" as used in this Prospectus means those
    obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories or possessions of
    the United States and the District of Columbia and their political
    subdivisions, municipalities, agencies, instrumentalities or public
    authorities, the interest on which in the opinion of bond counsel is exempt
    from federal income tax and, in the case of the California Fund, exempt from
    California personal income tax.
 
3.  MAY INVEST IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF MUNICIPAL BONDS:
 
    REVENUE BONDS, which are "limited obligation" bonds that provide financing
    for specific projects or public facilities. These bonds are backed by
    revenues generated by a particular project or facility or by a special tax.
    A "resource recovery bond" is a type of revenue bond issued to build waste
    facilities or plants. An "industrial development bond" ("IDB") is a type of
    revenue bond that is backed by the credit of a private issuer, generally
    does not have access to the resources of a municipality for payment and may
    involve greater risk. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund intends to invest
    primarily in revenue bonds that may be issued to finance various types of
    projects, including but not limited to education, hospitals, housing, waste
    and utilities. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund will not purchase private
    activity bonds ("PABs") or any other type of revenue bonds, the interest on
    which is a tax preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax.
 
    GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, which are bonds that provide general purpose
    financing for state and local governments and are backed by the taxing power
    of the state and local government as the case may be. The taxes or special
    assessments that can be levied for the payment of principal and interest on
    general obligation bonds may be limited or unlimited as to rate or amount.
 
    VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE OBLIGATIONS, which are municipal obligations that
    carry variable or floating rates of interest. Variable rate instruments bear
    interest at rates that are readjusted at periodic intervals. Floating rate
    instruments bear interest at rates that vary automatically with changes in
    specified market rates or indexes, such as the bank prime rate. Accordingly,
    as interest rates fluctuate, the potential for capital appreciation or
    depreciation of these obligations is less than for fixed rate obligations.
    Floating and variable rate obligations typically carry demand features that
    permit a Fund to tender (sell) them back to the issuer at par prior to
    maturity and on short notice. A Fund's ability to obtain payment from the
    issuer at par may be affected by
 
                                    -- 42 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUNDS (CONTINUED)
    events occurring between the date the Fund elects to tender the obligation
    to the issuer and the date redemption proceeds are payable to the Fund. Each
    Tax-Exempt Income Fund will purchase floating and variable rate obligations
    only if at the time of purchase there is a secondary market for such
    instruments.
 
    PUT BONDS, which are municipal bonds that give the holder the unconditional
    right to sell the bond back to the issuer at a specified price and exercise
    date and PUT BONDS WITH DEMAND FEATURES. The obligation to purchase the bond
    on the exercise date may be supported by a letter of credit or other
    arrangement from a bank, insurance company or other financial institution,
    the credit standing of which affects the credit quality of the bond. A
    demand feature is a put that entitles the Fund holding it to repayment of
    the principal amount of the underlying security on no more than 30 days'
    notice at any time or at specified intervals.
 
    MUNICIPAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS, which are issued by or on behalf of state or
    local government authorities to acquire land, equipment or facilities and
    may be subject to annual budget appropriations. These obligations themselves
    are not normally backed by the credit of the municipality or the state but
    are secured by rent payments made by the municipality or by the state
    pursuant to a lease. If the lease is assigned, the interest on the
    obligation may become taxable. The leases underlying certain municipal lease
    obligations provide that lease payments are subject to partial or full
    abatement if, because of material damage or destruction of the lease
    property, there is substantial interference with the lessee's use or
    occupancy of such property. This "abatement risk" may be reduced by the
    existence of insurance covering the leased property, the maintenance by the
    lessee of reserve funds or the provision of credit enhancements such as
    letters of credit. Certain municipal lease obligations also contain
    "non-appropriation" clauses that provide that the municipality has no
    obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years
    unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. Some
    municipal lease obligations of this type are insured as to timely payment of
    principal and interest, even in the event of a failure by the municipality
    to appropriate sufficient funds to make payments under the lease. However,
    in the case of an uninsured municipal lease obligation, a Fund's ability to
    recover under the lease in the event of a non-appropriation or default will
    be limited solely to the repossession of leased property without recourse to
    the general credit of the lessee, and disposition of the property in the
    event of foreclosure might prove difficult. If rent is abated because of
    damage to the leased property or if the lease is terminated because monies
    are not appropriated for the following year's lease payments, the issuer may
    default on the obligation causing a loss to a Fund. Each Tax-Exempt Income
    Fund will only invest in municipal lease obligations that are, in the
    opinion of SAM, liquid securities under guidelines adopted by the Tax-Exempt
    Bond Trust's Board of Trustees. Generally, municipal lease obligations will
    be determined to be liquid if they have a readily available market after an
    evaluation of all relevant factors.
 
    CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION in municipal lease obligations ("COPs"), which
    are certificates issued by state or local governments that entitle the
    holder of the certificate to a proportionate interest in the lease purchase
    payments made. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund will only invest in COPs that
    are, in the opinion of SAM, liquid securities under guidelines adopted by
    the Tax-Exempt Bond Trust's Board of Trustees. Generally, COPs will be
    determined to be liquid if they have a readily available market after an
    evaluation of all relevant factors.
 
    PARTICIPATION INTERESTS, which are interests in municipal bonds and floating
    and variable rate obligations that are owned by banks. These interests carry
    a demand feature that permits a Fund holding an interest to tender (sell) it
    back to the bank. Generally, the bank will accept tender of
 
                                    -- 43 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUNDS (CONTINUED)
    the participation interest with same day notice, but may require up to five
    days' notice. The demand feature is usually backed by an irrevocable letter
    of credit or guarantee of the bank. The credit rating of the bank may affect
    the credit quality of the participation interest.
 
    MUNICIPAL NOTES, which are notes generally issued by an issuer to provide
    for short-term capital needs and generally have maturities of one year or
    less. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund may purchase municipal notes as a medium
    for its short-term investments. Municipal Notes include tax anticipation,
    revenue anticipation and bond anticipation notes and tax-exempt commercial
    paper. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund will invest only in those municipal notes
    that at the time of purchase are rated within one of the three highest
    grades by Moody's or S&P or, if unrated by any of these agencies, in the
    opinion of SAM, are of comparable quality.
 
4.  MAY INVEST IN SHARES OF NO-LOAD, OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANIES THAT INVEST
    IN TAX-EXEMPT SECURITIES WITH REMAINING MATURITIES OF ONE YEAR OR LESS. Such
    shares will only be purchased as a medium for a Fund's short-term
    investments if SAM determines that they provide a better combination of
    yield and liquidity than a direct investment in short-term, tax-exempt
    securities. Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund will not invest more than 10% of its
    total assets in shares issued by other investment companies, will not invest
    more than 5% of its total assets in a single investment company, and will
    not purchase more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of a single
    investment company.
 
5.  MAY INVEST FOR SHORT-TERM PURPOSES WHEN SAM BELIEVES SUCH ACTION TO BE
    DESIRABLE AND CONSISTENT WITH SOUND INVESTMENT PRACTICES. Each Tax-Exempt
    Income Fund, however, will not engage primarily in trading for the purpose
    of short-term profits. A Fund may dispose of its portfolio securities
    whenever SAM deems advisable, without regard to the length of time the
    securities have been held. The portfolio turnover rate is not expected to
    exceed 70%.
 
6.  MAY PURCHASE OR SELL SECURITIES ON A "WHEN-ISSUED" OR "DELAYED-DELIVERY"
    BASIS. Under this procedure, a Tax-Exempt Income Fund agrees to acquire or
    sell securities that are to be delivered against payment in the future,
    normally 30 to 45 days. The price, however, is fixed at the time of
    commitment. When a Fund purchases when-issued or delayed-delivery
    securities, it will earmark liquid, high quality securities in an amount
    equal in value to the purchase price of the security. Use of this technique
    may affect a Fund's share price in a manner similar to leveraging.
 
7.  MAY HOLD CASH OR INVEST TEMPORARILY IN HIGH QUALITY, SHORT-TERM SECURITIES
    ISSUED BY AN AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, HIGH QUALITY
    COMMERCIAL PAPER, CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT AND SHARES OF NO-LOAD, OPEN-END
    MONEY MARKET FUNDS. A Tax-Exempt Income Fund may purchase these short-term
    securities as a cash management technique under those circumstances where it
    has cash to manage for a short time period, for example, after receiving
    proceeds from the sale of securities, dividend distributions from portfolio
    securities, or cash from the sale of Fund shares to investors. Interest
    earned from these short-term securities will be taxable to investors as
    ordinary income when distributed.
 
The following restrictions are fundamental policies of the Tax-Exempt Income
Funds and cannot be changed without shareholder vote.
 
1.  EACH FUND, WITH RESPECT TO 75% OF THE VALUE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS, WILL NOT
    INVEST MORE THAN 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN THE SECURITIES OF ANY ONE ISSUER
    (OTHER THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES).
 
2.  EACH FUND WILL NOT INVEST 25% OR MORE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN MUNICIPAL
    OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER PERMITTED INVESTMENTS, THE INTEREST ON WHICH IS
    PAYABLE FROM REVENUES ON SIMILAR TYPES OF PROJECTS SUCH AS: SPORTS,
    CONVENTION OR TRADE SHOW FACILITIES; AIRPORTS; MASS TRANSPORTATION; SEWAGE
    OR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES; OR AIR OR WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
    PROJECTS.
 
                                    -- 44 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUNDS (CONTINUED)
3.  THE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND WILL NOT INVEST 25% OR MORE OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN
    SECURITIES WHOSE ISSUERS ARE LOCATED IN THE SAME STATE.
 
4.  EACH FUND MAY BORROW MONEY ONLY FOR TEMPORARY OR EMERGENCY PURPOSES FROM A
    BANK OR AFFILIATE OF SAFECO CORPORATION AT AN INTEREST RATE NOT GREATER THAN
    THAT AVAILABLE FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS. A TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUND WILL NOT
    BORROW AMOUNTS IN EXCESS OF 20% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS. As a non-fundamental
    policy of the Washington Fund and a fundamental policy of the California and
    Municipal Bond Funds, a Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings
    equal to or greater than 5% of its total assets are outstanding. Each
    Tax-Exempt Income Fund intends to primarily exercise its borrowing authority
    to meet shareholder redemptions under circumstances where redemptions exceed
    available cash.
 
   
For a further description of each Fund's investment policies and restrictions as
well as an explanation of ratings, see the "Investment Policies" and
"Description of Ratings" sections of the Tax-Exempt Bond Trust's Statement of
Additional Information.
    
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MONEY MARKET FUND
 
The investment objective of the Money Market Fund is to seek as high a level of
current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity
through investment in high quality money market instruments maturing in thirteen
months or less.
 
To pursue its investment objective, the Money Market Fund:
 
1.  WILL PURCHASE ONLY HIGH QUALITY SECURITIES THAT, IN THE OPINION OF SAM
    OPERATING UNDER GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED BY THE MONEY MARKET TRUST'S BOARD OF
    TRUSTEES, PRESENT MINIMAL CREDIT RISKS AFTER AN EVALUATION OF THE CREDIT
    QUALITY OF AN ISSUER OR OF ANY ENTITY PROVIDING A CREDIT ENHANCEMENT FOR THE
    SECURITY. The Fund complies with industry-standard guidelines on the quality
    and maturity of its investments, which are designed to help maintain a
    stable $1.00 share price. The Fund invests in instruments with remaining
    maturities of 397 days or less and maintains a dollar-weighted average
    portfolio maturity of not more than 90 days.
 
   
2.  MAY INVEST IN COMMERCIAL PAPER OBLIGATIONS. Commercial paper is a short-term
    instrument issued by corporations, financial institutions, governmental
    entities and other entities. The principal risk associated with commercial
    paper is the potential insolvency of the issuer. In addition to commercial
    paper obligations of domestic corporations, the Fund may also purchase
    dollar-denominated commercial paper issued in the United States by foreign
    entities. While investments in foreign securities are intended to reduce
    risk by providing further diversification, such investments involve
    sovereign and other risks, in addition to the credit and market risks
    normally associated with domestic securities. These additional risks include
    the possibility of adverse political and economic developments (including
    political instability) and the potentially adverse effects of unavailability
    of public information regarding issuers, reduced governmental supervision of
    financial markets, reduced liquidity of certain financial markets, and the
    lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial standards or the
    application of standards that are different or less stringent than those
    applied in the United States. The Fund will only purchase such securities,
    if, in the opinion of SAM, the security is of an investment quality
    comparable to other obligations that may be purchased by the Fund.
    
 
   
3.  MAY INVEST IN NEGOTIABLE AND NON-NEGOTIABLE DEPOSITS, BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES
    AND OTHER SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS OF U.S. BANKS. Companies in the financial
    services industry are subject to various risks related to that industry,
    such as government regulation, changes in interest rates, and exposure on
    loans, including loans to foreign borrowers. The Fund may also invest in
    dollar-
    
 
                                    -- 45 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MONEY MARKET FUND (CONTINUED)
    denominated securities issued by foreign banks (including foreign branches
    of U.S. banks) provided that, in the opinion of SAM, the security is of an
    investment quality comparable to other obligations which may be purchased by
    the Fund. Foreign banks may not be subject to accounting standards or
    governmental supervision comparable to U.S. banks and there may be less
    public information available about their operations. In addition, foreign
    securities may be subject to risks relating to the political and economic
    conditions of the foreign country involved, which could affect the payment
    of principal and interest.
 
   
4.  MAY INVEST IN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. U.S. Government securities include
    (a) direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, (b) securities supported by the
    full faith and credit of the U.S. Government but that are not direct
    obligations of the U.S. Treasury, (c) securities that are not supported by
    the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government but are supported by the
    issuer's ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury such as securities issued
    by the FNMA and the FHLMC, and (d) securities supported solely by the
    creditworthiness of the issuer such as securities issued by the Tennessee
    Valley Authority (the "TVA"). While these securities are considered to be of
    the highest credit quality available, they are subject to the same market
    risks as comparable debt securities.
    
 
   
5.  MAY INVEST IN CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS SUCH AS PUBLICLY TRADED BONDS,
    DEBENTURES AND NOTES. The securities are used by issuers to borrow money
    from investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of
    interest, and must repay the amount borrowed at maturity.
    
 
   
6.  MAY INVEST IN EURODOLLAR AND YANKEE BANK OBLIGATIONS. Eurodollar bank
    obligations are dollar-denominated certificates of deposit and time deposits
    issued outside the U.S. capital markets by foreign branches of U.S. banks
    and by foreign banks. Yankee bank obligations are dollar-denominated
    obligations issued in the United States capital markets by foreign banks.
    
 
    Eurodollar and Yankee obligations are subject to the same risks that pertain
    to domestic issues, notably credit risk, market risk and liquidity risk.
    Additionally, Eurodollar (and to a lesser extent, Yankee) obligations are
    subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibility that a
    foreign government might prevent dollar-denominated funds from flowing
    across its borders. Other risks include: adverse political and economic
    developments in a foreign country; the extent and quality of government
    regulation of financial markets and institutions; the imposition of foreign
    withholding taxes; and expropriation or nationalization of foreign issuers.
    Eurodollar and Yankee obligations will undergo the same credit analysis as
    domestic issues in which the Fund invests, and foreign issuers will be
    required to meet the same tests of financial strength as the domestic
    issuers approved for the Fund.
 
   
7.  MAY INVEST IN REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund
    buys securities at one price and simultaneously agrees to sell them back at
    a higher price. Delays or losses could result if the counterparty to the
    agreement defaults or becomes insolvent. The Fund will invest no more than
    10% of total assets in repurchase agreements and will not purchase
    repurchase agreements that mature in more than seven days.
    
 
   
8.  MAY INVEST IN VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS. Issuers of floating or
    variable rate notes include, but are not limited to, corporations,
    partnerships, the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and
    municipalities. The interest rates on variable rate instruments reset
    periodically on specified dates so as to cause the instruments' market value
    to approximate their par value. The interest rates on floating rate
    instruments change whenver there is a change in a designated benchmark rate.
    Variable and floating rate instruments may have put features. These
    instruments may have optional put features. Puts may also be mandatory, in
    which case the Fund would be required to act to keep the instrument.
    
 
                                    -- 46 --
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MONEY MARKET FUND (CONTINUED)
   
9.  MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN RESTRICTED SECURITIES ELIGIBLE
    FOR RESALE UNDER RULE 144A UNDER THE 1933 ACT ("RULE 144A SECURITIES") AND
    COMMERCIAL PAPER SOLD PURSUANT TO SECTION 4(2) OF THE 1933 ACT ("SECTION
    4(2) PAPER"), PROVIDED THAT SAM HAS DETERMINED THAT SUCH SECURITIES ARE
    LIQUID UNDER GUIDELINES ADOPTED BY THE MONEY MARKET TRUST'S BOARD OF
    TRUSTEES. Restricted securities may be sold only in offerings registered
    under the 1933 Act or in transactions exempt from the registration
    requirements under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A under the 1933 Act provides an
    exemption for the resale of certain restricted securities to qualified
    institutional buyers. Investing in such 144A Securities could have the
    effect of increasing the Fund's illiquidity to the extent that qualified
    institutional buyers or other buyers become, for a time, unwilling to
    purchase the securities. Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act exempts securities
    sold by the issuer in private transactions from the 1933 Act's registration
    requirements. Because Section 4(2) paper is a restricted security, investing
    in Section 4(2) paper could have the effect of increasing the Fund's
    illiquidity to the extent that buyers are unwilling to purchase the
    securities.
    
 
The following restrictions are fundamental policies of the Money Market Fund and
cannot be changed without shareholder vote. The Money Market Fund:
 
1.  MAY INVEST UP TO 5% OF ITS ASSETS IN THE SECURITIES OF ANY ONE ISSUER OTHER
    THAN U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.
 
2.  MAY INVEST UP TO 25% OF ITS TOTAL ASSETS IN ANY ONE INDUSTRY (INCLUDING
    SECURITIES ISSUED BY FOREIGN BANKS AND FOREIGN BRANCHES OF U.S. BANKS),
    PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS LIMITATION DOES NOT APPLY TO U.S. GOVERNMENT
    SECURITIES, OR TO CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT OR BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES ISSUED BY
    DOMESTIC BANKS.
 
3.  MAY BORROW MONEY FOR TEMPORARY OR EMERGENCY PURPOSES (BUT NOT FOR INVESTMENT
    PURPOSES) FROM A BANK OR AFFILIATES OF SAFECO CORPORATION AT AN INTEREST
    RATE NOT GREATER THAN THAT AVAILABLE FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS. The Fund will
    not borrow amounts in excess of 20% of total assets and will not purchase
    securities if borrowings equal to or greater than 5% of total assets are
    outstanding. The Fund intends to primarily exercise its borrowing authority
    to meet shareholder redemptions under the circumstances where redemptions
    exceed available cash.
 
For more information, see the "Investment Policies" and "Additional Investment
Information" sections of the Money Market Trust's Statement of Additional
Information.
 
RISK FACTORS
 
There are market risks in all securities transactions. Various factors may cause
the value of a shareholder's investment in a Fund to fluctuate. The principal
risk factor associated with an investment in a mutual fund is that the market
value of the portfolio securities may decrease, resulting in a decrease in the
value of a shareholder's investment.
 
RISK FACTORS OF THE STOCK FUNDS
 
An investment in the Northwest Fund may be subject to different risks than a
mutual fund whose investments are more geographically diverse. Since the
Northwest Fund invests primarily in companies with their principal executive
offices located in the Northwest, the number of issuers whose securities are
eligible for purchase is significantly less than many other mutual funds. Also,
some companies whose securities are held in the Northwest Fund's portfolio may
primarily distribute products or provide services in a specific locale or in the
Northwest region. The long-term growth of these companies can be significantly
affected by business trends in and the economic health of those areas. Other
companies whose securities are held by the Northwest Fund may have a
predominately national or partially international market for their products or
services and are more likely to be
 
                                    -- 47 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
 
impacted by national or international trends. As a result, the performance of
the Northwest Fund may be influenced by business trends or economic conditions
not only in a specific locale or in the Northwest region but also on a national
or international level, depending on the companies whose securities are held in
its portfolio at any particular time.
 
The Equity, Income, Small Company and Value Funds may invest in, and the other
Stock Funds as a result of downgrades may own, below investment grade bonds.
Below investment grade bonds are speculative and involve greater investment
risks than investment grade bonds due to the issuer's reduced creditworthiness
and increased likelihood of default and bankruptcy. During periods of economic
uncertainty or change, the market prices of below investment grade bonds may
experience increased volatility. Below investment grade bonds tend to reflect
short-term economic and corporate developments to a greater extent than higher
quality bonds.
 
Because the International Fund primarily invests, and the other Stock Funds may
invest, in foreign securities, each Stock Fund is subject to risks in addition
to those associated with U.S. investments. Foreign investments involve sovereign
risk, which includes the possibility of adverse local political or economic
developments, expropriation or nationalization of assets, imposition of
withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments and currency blockage (which
would prevent currency from being sold). Foreign investments may be affected
favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control
regulations. There is generally less publicly available information about
issuers of foreign securities as compared to U.S. issuers. Many foreign
companies are not subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
Securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than
securities of U.S. issuers. Financial markets on which foreign securities trade
are generally subject to less governmental regulation as compared to U.S.
markets. Foreign brokerage commissions and custodian fees are generally higher
than those in the United States.
 
In addition, the International Fund may purchase and sell put and call options,
futures contracts and forward contracts. Risks inherent in the use of futures,
options and forward contracts include: the risk that interest rates, security
prices and currency markets will not move in the directions anticipated;
imperfect correlation between the price of the future, option or forward
contract and the price of the security, interest rate or currency being hedged;
the risk that potential losses may exceed the amount invested in the contracts
themselves; the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular
instrument at any time; the possible need to defer closing out certain hedged
positions to avoid adverse tax consequences; and the reduction or elimination of
the opportunity to profit from increases in the value of the security, interest
rate or currency being hedged.
 
The Growth Fund currently has an aggressive investment approach to seeking
capital appreciation. The Growth Fund may invest a significant portion of its
assets in securities issued by smaller companies. In addition, the Small Company
Fund invests in companies with small market capitalizations which involve more
risks than investments in larger companies. Such companies may include newly
formed companies which have limited product lines, markets or financial
resources and may lack management depth. The securities of small or newly formed
companies may have limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt and
erratic movements in price than securities of larger, more established
companies, or equity securities in general. Such volatility in price may in turn
cause the Growth Fund's and Small Company Fund's share prices to be volatile.
 
   
RISK FACTORS OF THE INTERMEDIATE TREASURY, HIGH-YIELD, MANAGED BOND, MUNICIPAL
BOND, CALIFORNIA, WASHINGTON AND MONEY MARKET FUNDS (THE "FIXED-INCOME FUNDS")
    
 
The value of each Fixed-Income Fund (except the Money Market Fund) will normally
fluctuate inversely with changes in market interest rates. Generally, when
market interest rates rise, the price
 
                                    -- 48 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
of debt securities held by a Fund will fall, and when market interest rates
fall, the price of the debt securities will rise. Also, there is a risk that the
issuer of a bond or other security held in a Fund's portfolio will fail to make
timely payments of principal and interest to the Fixed-Income Funds. Included in
investment grade debt securities are securities of medium grade (rated Baa by
Moody's or BBB by S&P) which have speculative characteristics and are more
likely to have a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments under
changing economic or other conditions than higher grade securities.
 
The Managed Bond Fund may invest in stripped securities that are obligations
issued by the U.S. Treasury. Stripped securities are the separate income or
principal components of a debt security. The risks associated with stripped
securities are similar to those of other debt securities, although stripped
securities may be more volatile than other debt securities.
 
The Money Market Fund seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Of course,
there is no guarantee that the Money Market Fund will maintain a stable $1.00
share price. It is possible that a major change in interest rates or a default
on the Money Market Fund's investments could cause its share price (and the
value of your investment) to fall. The Money Market Fund's yield will fluctuate
with general interest rates.
 
Because the California and Washington Funds each concentrate their investments
in a single state, there is a greater risk of fluctuation in the values of their
portfolio securities than with mutual funds whose investments are more
geographically diverse. Investors should carefully consider the investment risks
of such concentration. The share price of the California and Washington Funds
can be affected by political and economic developments within and by the
financial condition of the respective state, its public authorities and
political subdivisions. See the discussion below and "Investment Risks of
Concentration in California and Washington Issuers" in the Tax-Exempt Bond
Trust's Statement of Additional Information for further information.
 
   
SPECIAL RISKS OF THE HIGH-YIELD FUND
    
 
The High-Yield Fund invests primarily in high-yield, fixed-income securities
which are subject to the following risks:
 
SENSITIVITY TO ECONOMIC AND CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS
 
Yields on high-yield, fixed-income securities will fluctuate over time. During
periods of economic uncertainty or change, the market prices of high-yield,
fixed-income securities may experience increased volatility, which may in turn
cause the net asset value ("NAV") per share of the High-Yield Fund to be
volatile. Lower-quality, fixed-income securities tend to reflect short-term
economic and corporate developments to a greater extent than higher-quality
securities which primarily react to fluctuations in interest rates. Economic
downturns or increases in interest rates can significantly affect the market for
high-yield, fixed-income securities and the ability of issuers to timely repay
principal and interest, increasing the likelihood of defaults. Lower-quality
securities include debt obligations issued as a part of capital restructurings,
such as corporate takeovers or buyouts. Capital restructurings generally involve
the issuance of additional debt on terms different from any current outstanding
debt. As a result, the issuer of the debt is more highly leveraged. During an
economic downturn or period of rising interest rates, a highly-leveraged issuer
may experience financial difficulties which adversely affect its ability to make
principal and interest payments, meet projected business goals and obtain
additional financing. In addition, the issuer will depend on its cash flow and
may depend, especially in the context of corporate takeovers, on a sale of its
assets to service debt. Failure to realize projected cash flows or asset sales
may seriously impair the issuer's ability to service this greater debt load,
which in turn might cause the Fund to lose all or part of its investment in that
 
                                    -- 49 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
security. SAM will seek to minimize these additional risks through
diversification, careful assessment of the issuer's financial structure,
business plan and management team following any restructuring, and close
monitoring of the issuer's progress toward its financial goals.
 
ZERO-COUPON AND PAYMENT-IN-KIND SECURITIES
 
The High-Yield Fund may hold "zero-coupon" and "payment-in-kind" fixed-income
securities. Zero-coupon securities are purchased at a discount without scheduled
interest payments. Payment-in-kind securities receive interest paid in
additional securities rather than cash. The Fund accrues income on these
securities, but does not receive cash interest payments until maturity or
payment date. The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its income to
its shareholders so that it can be treated as a regulated investment company
under current federal tax law. As a result, if its cash position is depleted,
the Fund may have to sell securities under disadvantageous circumstances to
obtain enough cash to meet its distribution requirement. However, SAM does not
expect non-cash income to materially affect the Fund's operations. Zero-coupon
and payment-in-kind securities are generally subject to greater price
fluctuations due to changes in interest rates than those fixed-income securities
paying cash interest on a schedule until maturity.
 
LIQUIDITY AND VALUATION
 
The liquidity and price of high-yield, fixed-income securities can be affected
by a number of factors, including investor perceptions and adverse publicity
regarding major issuers, underwriters or dealers of lower-quality corporate
obligations. These effects can be particularly pronounced in a thinly-traded
market with few participants and may adversely impact the High-Yield Fund's
ability to dispose of its securities as well as make valuation of securities
more difficult. Because there tend to be fewer investors in lower-rated,
fixed-income securities, it may be difficult for the Fund to sell these
securities at an optimum time. Consequently, lower-rated securities are subject
to more price changes, fluctuations in yield and risk to principal and income
than higher-rated securities of the same maturity. Judgment plays a greater role
in the valuation of thinly-traded securities.
 
CREDIT RATINGS
 
Rating agencies evaluate the likelihood that an issuer will make principal and
interest payments, but ratings may not reflect market value risks associated
with lower-rated, fixed-income securities. Also, rating agencies may not timely
revise ratings to reflect subsequent events affecting an issuer's ability to pay
principal and interest. SAM uses S&P and Moody's ratings as a preliminary
indicator of investment quality. SAM will periodically research and analyze each
issue (whether rated or unrated) and evaluate such factors as the issuer's
interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects and managerial
strength. This analysis will help SAM to determine if the issuer has sufficient
cash flow and profits to meet required principal and interest payments and to
monitor the liquidity of the issue. Achievement of a Fund's investment objective
will be more dependent on SAM's credit analysis of bonds rated below the three
highest rating categories than would be the case were the Fund to invest in
higher quality debt securities. This is particularly true for the High-Yield
Fund.
 
SPECIAL RISKS OF THE CALIFORNIA AND WASHINGTON FUNDS
 
The information in the following discussion is drawn primarily from official
statements relating to state securities offerings which are dated prior to the
date of this Prospectus. The California and Washington Funds have not
independently verified any of the information in the discussion below.
 
                                    -- 50 --
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)
CALIFORNIA FUND
 
   
After suffering through a severe recession, California's economy has been on a
steady recovery since the start of 1994. Nevertheless, the State's budget
problems in recent years have also been caused by the increasing costs of
education, health, welfare and corrections, driven by California's rapid
population growth. These pressures on the State's General Fund are expected to
continue. The State's long-term credit ratings, reduced in 1992, were lowered
again in 1994 and have not been fully restored. Its ability to provide
assistance to its public authorities and political subdivisions has been
impaired. Cutbacks in state aid adversely affect the financial condition of many
cities, counties and school districts which are already subject to fiscal
constraints and are facing their own reduced tax collections. In addition, some
municipally-owned electric utilities may be adversely affected by the
restructuring of the electric utility industry now underway in California.
    
 
   
In the past, California voters have passed amendments to the California
Constitution and other measures that limit the taxing and spending authority of
California governmental entities. Future voter initiatives could result in
adverse consequences affecting obligations issued by the State and its political
subdivisions. These factors, among others, could reduce the credit standing of
certain issuers of California obligations. At any given time there are numerous
lawsuits against the State which could affect its revenues and expenditures.
    
 
WASHINGTON FUND
 
   
The State of Washington's economy consists of both export and local industries.
The State's leading export industries are aerospace, forest products,
agriculture and food processing. The State's manufacturing base includes
aircraft manufacture, which comprised approximately 25% of total manufacturing
in 1995. The Boeing Company is the State's largest employer and has a
significant impact, in terms of overall production, employment and labor
earnings, on the State's economy. Boeing anticipates increasing employment in
the State by approximately 24,100 jobs by the end of 1997, and by 28,600 by the
end of 1999. The commercial airline industry is cyclical in nature and future
job cuts could have an adverse effect on the Washington economy. Forest products
rank second behind aerospace in value of total production. Although productivity
in the forest products industry has increased steadily in recent years, declines
in production are expected in the future. Unemployment in the timber industry is
anticipated in certain regions; however the impact is not expected to affect the
State's overall economic performance. Growth in agriculture has been an
important factor in the State's economic growth over the past decade. The State
is the home of many technology firms of which approximately half are
computer-related. Microsoft, the world's largest microcomputer software company,
is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
    
 
   
State law requires a balanced budget. The Governor has a statutory
responsibility to reduce expenditures across the board to avoid any cash deficit
at the end of a biennium. In addition, State law prohibits State tax revenue
growth from exceeding the growth rate of State personal income. To date,
Washington State tax revenue increases have remained substantially below the
applicable limits. At any given time, there are numerous lawsuits against the
State which could affect its revenues and expenditures.
    
 
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
 
GROWTH FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the Growth Fund is Thomas M. Maguire, Vice President,
SAM. Mr. Maguire has served as portfolio manager for the Fund since 1989.
 
                                    -- 51 --
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS (CONTINUED)
EQUITY FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the Equity Fund is Richard D. Meagley, Vice President,
SAM. Mr. Meagley began serving as portfolio manager for the Fund in 1995. He is
also the portfolio manager for certain other SAFECO Funds. Prior to these
positions, he served as portfolio manager and analyst from 1992 to 1994 for
Kennedy Associates, Inc., an investment advisory firm located in Seattle,
Washington. He was an Assistant Vice President of SAM and the fund manager of
the SAFECO Northwest Fund from 1991 to 1992.
 
INCOME FUND
 
   
The portfolio manager for the Income Fund is Thomas E. Rath, Assistant Vice
President of SAM. Mr. Rath has been a portfolio manager and securities analyst
for SAFECO Corporation since 1994. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Rath was a principal
and portfolio manager for Meridian Capital Management, Inc., located in Seattle,
Washington. From 1987 to 1992, he was a portfolio manager and securities analyst
for First Interstate Bank, located in Seattle, Washington.
    
 
NORTHWEST FUND
 
   
The portfolio manager for the Northwest Fund is Bill Whitlow. Mr. Whitlow began
serving as portfolio manager for the Fund in April 1997. From 1990 to April
1997, he was a principal and Manager of Pacific Northwest Research for the
brokerage firm of Pacific Crest Securities, located in Seattle, Washington.
    
 
BALANCED FUND
 
   
The equity portion of the Balanced Fund is co-managed by Rex L. Bentley, Vice
President, SAM and Lynette D. Sagvold, Assistant Vice President, SAM, and the
fixed income portion is managed by Michael C. Knebel, Vice President, SAM. Mr.
Bentley was Vice President and Investment Counsel at the investment advisory
firm of Badgley, Phelps and Bell Investment Counsel, Inc., from 1990 to 1995.
Ms. Sagvold was a portfolio manager and analyst for First Investors Bank from
1993 to 1995 and she was a portfolio manager and analyst for Key Trust Company
from 1985 to 1993. Mr. Knebel has served as portfolio manager for certain other
SAFECO mutual funds since 1989.
    
 
INTERNATIONAL FUND
 
The International Fund is managed by a committee of portfolio managers employed
and supervised by the Sub-Adviser, Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.)
Limited, an investment adviser registered with the SEC. All investment decisions
are made by this committee and no single person is primarily responsible for
making recommendations to that committee.
 
SMALL COMPANY FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the Small Company Fund is Greg Eisen, Assistant Vice
President, SAM. Mr. Eisen has served as an investment analyst for SAM since
1992. From 1986 to 1992, Mr. Eisen was engaged by the SAFECO Insurance Companies
as a financial analyst.
 
VALUE FUND
 
   
The Value Fund is co-managed by Rex L. Bentley, Vice President, SAM and Lynette
D. Sagvold, Assistant Vice President, SAM. Mr. Bentley was vice president and
investment counsel at the investment advisory firm of Badgley, Phelps and Bell
Investment Counsel, Inc. from 1990 to 1995. Ms. Sagvold was a portfolio manager
and analyst for First Interstate Bank from 1993 to 1995 and she was a portfolio
manager and analyst for Key Trust Company from 1985 to 1993.
    
 
                                    -- 52 --
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS (CONTINUED)
INTERMEDIATE TREASURY AND MANAGED BOND FUNDS
 
   
The portfolio manager for the Intermediate Treasury and Managed Bond Funds is
Michael C. Knebel, Vice President, SAM. Mr. Knebel has served as portfolio
manager or co-manager for the Managed Bond Fund since 1994. He has served as
portfolio manager for the Intermediate Treasury Fund since 1995. Mr. Knebel has
served as portfolio manager and/or portfolio co-manager for other SAFECO mutual
funds since 1989.
    
 
HIGH-YIELD FUND
 
The portfolio managers for the High-Yield Bond Fund are John Stoeser, Assistant
Vice President, SAM, and Robert Kern, a securities analyst for SAM. Mr. Stoeser
has served as a securities analyst and portfolio manager for SAM since 1992.
From 1989 to 1992 he was an administrative assistant to the President of SAM.
Mr. Kern served as a securities analyst for SAM since 1994. From 1988 to 1994,
Mr. Kern was engaged by the SAFECO Insurance Companies in the Controller's
Department.
 
MUNICIPAL BOND AND CALIFORNIA FUNDS
 
The portfolio manager for the Municipal Bond and California Funds is Stephen C.
Bauer, President, SAM. Mr. Bauer has served as portfolio manager for each Fund
since it commenced operations: 1981 for the Municipal Bond Fund and 1983 for the
California Fund. Mr. Bauer is the portfolio manager for certain other SAFECO
municipal bond funds, and also serves as a Director of SAM.
 
WASHINGTON FUND
 
   
The portfolio manager for the Washington Fund is Beverly Denny, Assistant Vice
President, SAM. Ms. Denny was the Marketing Director for the SAFECO mutual funds
from 1991 to 1993, and has been employed as an investment analyst with SAM since
1993.
    
 
MONEY MARKET FUND
 
The portfolio manager for the Money Market Fund is Naomi Urata, Assistant Vice
President, SAM. Ms. Urata has been employed as an investment analyst for the
SAFECO mutual funds since 1993. From 1990 to 1992, Ms. Urata served as Cash
Manager for The Seattle Times.
 
Each portfolio manager and certain other persons related to SAM, the Sub-Adviser
and the Funds are subject to written policies and procedures designed to prevent
abusive personal securities trading. Incorporated within these policies and
procedures are recommendations made by the Investment Company Institute (the
trade group for the mutual fund industry) with respect to personal securities
trading by persons associated with mutual funds. Those recommendations include
preclearance procedures and blackout periods when certain personnel may not
trade in securities that are the same or related securities being considered for
purchase or sale by a Fund.
 
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
When placing purchase orders, investors should specify whether the order is for
Class A or Class B shares of a Fund. All share purchase orders that fail to
specify a class will automatically be invested in Class A shares.
 
The minimum initial investment is $1,000 (IRA, UGMA and UTMA $250). The minimum
additional investment is $100 for all accounts, except for UGMA or UTMA
Automatic Investment Method ("AIM") accounts opened with an initial investment
of $250 or more. These accounts have a minimum additional investment of only
$50. Minimum additional investments are negotiable for retirement accounts other
than IRAs. Except as noted above in connection with UGMA and UTMA accounts, no
minimum initial investment is required to establish the Automatic Investment
Method or Payroll Deduction Plan.
 
                                    -- 53 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
Shares of each Fund are available for purchase through investment professionals
who work at broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions which have
entered into selling agreements with SAFECO Securities, Inc. ("SAFECO
Securities"), the distributor of the Funds. Orders received by such financial
institutions before 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time on any day the New York Stock
Exchange ("NYSE") is open for regular trading will be effected that day,
provided that such order is transmitted to SAFECO Services, the transfer agent
for the Funds, prior to 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on such day. Investment
professionals will be responsible for forwarding the investor's order to SAFECO
Services so that it will be received prior to such time.
 
Broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions that do not have selling
agreements with SAFECO Securities also may offer to place orders for the
purchase of each Fund's shares. Purchases made through these investment firms
will be effected at the public offering price next determined after the order is
received by SAFECO Services. Such financial institutions may charge the investor
a transaction fee as determined by the financial institution. The fee will be in
addition to the sales charge payable by the investor with respect to Class A
shares, and may be avoided by purchasing shares through a broker-dealer, bank or
other financial institution that has a selling agreement with SAFECO Securities.
 
Broker-dealers, banks, financial institutions and any other person entitled to
receive compensation for selling or servicing each Fund's shares may receive
different levels of compensation with respect to one particular class of Fund
shares over another. Salespersons of broker-dealers, banks and other financial
institutions that sell each Fund's shares are eligible to receive special
compensation, the amount of which varies depending on the amount of shares sold.
 
   
The Funds only accept funds drawn in U.S. dollars and payable through a U.S.
Bank. The Funds do not accept currency. The Funds issue shares in uncertificated
form, but will issue certificates for whole shares without charge upon written
request. You will be required to post a bond to replace missing certificates.
    
 
THE FUNDS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY OFFER TO PURCHASE SHARES OF ANY CLASS.
 
PURCHASING ADVISOR CLASS A SHARES
 
   
The public offering price of Class A shares of each Fund except the Money Market
Fund is the next determined net asset value per share (see "Share Price
Calculation" on page 63 for additional information) plus any sales charge, which
will vary with the size of the purchase as shown in the following schedule:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       SALE CHARGE AS          BROKER
                                                                       PERCENTAGE OF       REALLOWANCE AS
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE                                                 ----------------------  PERCENTAGE OF
AT THE PUBLIC                                                      OFFERING       NET       THE OFFERING
OFFERING PRICE                                                       PRICE    INVESTMENT       PRICE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  -----------  --------------
<S>                                                                <C>        <C>          <C>
Less than $50,000                                                      4.50%       4.71%           4.00%
$50,000 but less than $100,000                                         4.00%       4.17%           3.50%
$100,000 but less than $250,000                                        3.50%       3.63%           3.00%
$250,000 but less than $500,000                                        2.50%       2.56%           2.00%
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000                                      1.50%       1.52%           1.00%
$1,000,000 or more                                                     NONE*                 See Below**
</TABLE>
 
 * Purchases of $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares are not subject to a
   front-end sales charge, but a 1% CDSC will apply to redemptions made in the
   first year.
 
** See discussion below for a description of the commissions payable on sales of
   Class A shares of $1 million or more.
 
                                    -- 54 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
   
Class A shares of the Money Market Fund are offered at the next determined net
asset value per share (see "Share Price Calculation" on page 63 for additional
information) with no initial sales charge. A sales charge will apply to the
first exchange from Class A shares of the Money Market Fund to Class A shares of
another Fund.
    
 
From time to time, SAFECO Securities may reallow to broker-dealers, banks and
other financial institutions the full amount of the sales charge on Class A
Shares. In some instances, SAFECO Securities may offer these reallowances only
to those financial institutions that have sold or may sell significant amounts
of Class A shares. These commissions also may be paid to financial institutions
that initiate purchases made pursuant to sales charge waivers (1) and (8),
described below under "Sales Charge Waivers -- Class A shares." To the extent
that SAFECO Securities reallows 90% or more of the sales charge to a financial
institution, such financial institution may be deemed to be an underwriter under
the 1933 Act.
 
Except as stated below, broker-dealers of record will be paid commissions on
sales of Class A shares of $1 million or more based on an investor's (or a
related group of investors') cumulative purchases during the one-year period
beginning with the date of the initial purchase at net asset value. Each
subsequent one-year measuring period for these purposes begins with the first
net asset value purchase following the end of the prior period. Such commissions
are paid at the rate of up to .50% of the amount under $50 million and .25%
thereafter, except for sales to participant-directed qualified plans (including
a plan sponsored by an employer with 200 or more eligible employees).
Commissions for such plans will be paid at a rate of 1.00% of the amount up to
$2 million, .80% of the next $1 million, .50% of the next $47 million and .25%
thereafter. In addition, SAFECO Securities may pay a commission to a
broker-dealer where clients of a particular registered representative invest, at
or about the same time, collectively $1 million or more in one or more of the
Funds. The commission will be payable in lieu of other commissions that might
otherwise be payable under the terms of this prospectus, and will not be paid
except in connection with a transaction described in the preceding sentence.
 
The following describes purchases that may be aggregated for purposes of
determining the amount of purchase:
 
 1. Individual purchases on behalf of a single purchaser and the purchaser's
    spouse and their children under the age of 21 years. This includes shares
    purchased in connection with an employee benefit plan(s) exclusively for the
    benefit of such individual(s), such as an IRA, individual plan(s) under
    Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), or
    single-participant Keogh-type plan(s). This also includes purchases made by
    a company controlled by such individual(s);
 
 2. Individual purchases by a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a
    single trust estate or a single fiduciary account, including an employee
    benefit plan (such as employer-sponsored pension, profit-sharing and stock
    bonus plans, including plans under Code Section 401(k), and medical, life
    and disability insurance trusts) other than a plan described in (1) above;
    or
 
 3. Individual purchases by a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares
    concurrently for two or more employee benefit plans of a single employer or
    of employers affiliated with each other (excluding an employee benefit plan
    described in (2) above).
 
SALES CHARGE WAIVERS -- CLASS A SHARES
 
Class A shares are sold at net asset value per share without imposition of sales
charges for the following investments:
 
 1. Registered representatives or full-time employees of broker-dealers, banks
    and other financial institutions that have entered into selling agreements
    with SAFECO Securities, and the children,
 
                                    -- 55 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
 
    spouse and parents of such representatives and employees, and employees of
    financial institutions that directly, or through their affiliates, have
    entered into selling agreements with SAFECO Securities;
 
 2. Companies exchanging shares with or selling assets to one or more of the
    Funds pursuant to a merger, acquisition or exchange offer;
 
 3. Any of the direct or indirect affiliates of SAFECO Securities;
 
 4. Purchases made through the automatic investment of dividends and
    distributions paid by another Fund;
 
 5. Clients of administrators or consultants to tax-qualified employee benefit
    plans which have entered into agreements with SAFECO Securities or any of
    its affiliates;
 
 6. Retirement plan participants who borrow from their retirement accounts by
    redeeming Fund shares and subsequently repay such loans via a purchase of
    Fund shares;
 
 7. Retirement plan participants who receive distributions from a tax-qualified
    employer-sponsored retirement plan, which is invested in Fund shares, the
    proceeds of which are reinvested in Fund shares;
 
 8. Accounts as to which a broker-dealer, bank or other financial institution
    charges an account management fee, provided the financial institution has
    entered into an agreement with SAFECO Securities regarding such accounts;
 
 9. Current or retired officers, directors, trustees or employees of any SAFECO
    mutual fund or SAFECO Corporation or its affiliates and the children, spouse
    and parents of such persons; and
 
10. Investments made with redemption proceeds from mutual funds having a similar
    investment objective with respect to which the investor paid a front-end
    sales charge.
 
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE
 
Shareholders who paid an initial sales charge and redeem their Class A shares in
a Fund have a one-time privilege to reinstate their investment by investing the
proceeds of the redemption at net asset value per share without a sales charge
in Class A shares of that Fund and/or one or more of the other Funds. SAFECO
Services must receive from the investor or the investor's broker-dealer, bank or
other financial institution within 60 days after the date of the redemption both
a written request for reinvestment and a check not exceeding the amount of the
redemption proceeds. The reinstatement purchase will be effected at the net
asset value per share next determined after such receipt.
 
REDUCED SALES CHARGE PLANS -- CLASS A SHARES
 
Class A shares of the Funds may be purchased at reduced sales charges either
through the Right of Accumulation or under a Letter of Intent. For more details
on these plans, investors should contact their broker-dealer, bank or other
financial institution or SAFECO Services.
 
Pursuant to the RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION, investors are permitted to purchase Class
A shares of the Funds at the sales charge applicable to the total of (a) the
dollar amount then being purchased plus (b) the dollar amount equal to the total
purchase price of the investor's concurrent purchases of Class A shares of other
SAFECO Mutual Funds plus (c) the dollar amount equal to the current public
offering price of all Class A shares of Funds already held by the investor. To
receive the Right of Accumulation, at the time of purchase investors must give
their broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions sufficient
information to permit confirmation of qualification.
 
                                    -- 56 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
In executing a LETTER OF INTENT ("LOI"), an investor should indicate an
aggregate investment amount he or she intends to invest in Class A shares of
Funds in the following thirteen months. The LOI is included as part of the
Account Application. The Class A sales charge applicable to that aggregate
amount then becomes the applicable sales charge on all purchases of Class A
shares made concurrently with the execution of the LOI and in the thirteen
months following that execution. If an investor executes an LOI within 90 days
of a prior purchase of Class A shares, the prior purchase may be included under
the LOI and an appropriate adjustment, if any, with respect to the sales charges
paid by the investor in connection with the prior purchase will be made, based
on the then-current net asset value(s) of the pertinent Fund(s).
 
If at the end of the thirteen-month period covered by the LOI, the total amount
of purchases does not equal the amount indicated, the investor will be required
to pay the difference between the sales charges paid at the reduced rate and the
sales charges applicable to the purchases actually made. Shares having a value
equal to 5% of the amount specified in the LOI will be held in escrow during the
thirteen month period (while remaining registered in the investor's name) and
are subject to redemption to assure any necessary payment to SAFECO Securities
of a higher applicable sales charge.
 
PURCHASING ADVISOR CLASS B SHARES
 
The public offering price of the Class B shares of each Fund is the next
determined net asset value per share. No initial sales charge is imposed.
However, a CDSC is imposed on certain redemptions of Class B shares. Because
Class B shares are sold without an initial sales charge, the investor receives
Fund shares equal to the full amount of the investment. The maximum investment
amount in Class B shares is $500,000.
 
Class B shares of a Fund that are redeemed will not be subject to a CDSC to the
extent that the value of such shares represents: (a) reinvestment of dividends
or other distributions or (b) shares redeemed more than six full years after
their purchase. Former Class B shareholders of the SAFECO Advisor Series Trust
who invest in Class B shares of any Fund may include the length of time of
ownership of the former Class B shares for purposes of calculating any CDSC due
upon redemption.
 
Initial investments in Class B shares of the Money Market Fund are sold with no
initial sales charge and are not subject to a CDSC upon redemption, provided
that the investor has remained invested exclusively in Class B shares of the
Money Market Fund and has not exchanged into Class B Shares of another Fund in
the interim. Money Market Fund Class B shareholders will become subject to a
CDSC calculated in accordance with the table below if they exchange into Class B
shares of another SAFECO Fund and then redeem those shares. The CDSC will also
apply to any Class B shares of the Money Market Fund subsequently acquired by
exchange. Shareholders who initially purchase Money Market Fund Class B shares
do not receive credit for the time initially invested in the Money Market Fund
for purposes of calculating any CDSC due upon redemption of Class B shares of
another SAFECO Fund.
 
Redemptions of most other Class B shares will be subject to a CDSC. (See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers.") The amount of any applicable CDSC
will be calculated by multiplying the lesser of
 
                                    -- 57 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
the original purchase price or the net asset value of such shares at the time of
redemption by the applicable percentage shown in the table below. Accordingly,
no charge is imposed on increases in the net asset value above the original
purchase price:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE
                                                          LESSER OF NET ASSET VALUE AT REDEMPTION
REDEMPTION DURING                                             OR THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE
- --------------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>
1st Year Since Purchase                                                         5%
2nd Year Since Purchase                                                         4%
3rd Year Since Purchase                                                         3%
4th Year Since Purchase                                                         3%
5th Year Since Purchase                                                         2%
6th Year Since Purchase                                                         1%
Thereafter                                                                      0%*
</TABLE>
 
* Automatically converts to Class A shares in the first month following the
  investor's sixth anniversary from purchase.
 
In determining whether a CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the calculation
will be made in a manner that results in the lowest possible rate. It will be
assumed that the redemption is made first of amounts representing shares
acquired pursuant to the reinvestment of dividends and other distributions and
then of amounts representing the cost of shares held for the longest period of
time.
 
For example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares at $10 per share at a cost
of $1,000. Subsequently, the shareholder acquired 15 additional shares through
dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase, the investor
decided to redeem $500 of his or her investment. Assuming at the time of the
redemption a net asset value of $11 per share, the value of the investor's
shares would be $1,265 (115 shares at $11 per share). The CDSC would not be
applied to the value of the reinvested dividend shares. Therefore, the 15 shares
currently valued at $165.00 would be redeemed without a CDSC. The number of
shares needed to fund the remaining $335.00 of the redemption would equal
30.455. Using the lower of cost or market price to determine the CDSC, the
original purchase price of $10.00 per share would be used. The CDSC calculation
would therefore be 30.455 shares times $10.00 per share at a CDSC rate of 4%
(the applicable rate in the second year after purchase) for a total CDSC of
$12.18.
 
Except for the time period during which a shareholder is initially invested in
Money Market Fund Class B shares, if a shareholder effects one or more exchanges
among Class B shares of the Funds during the six year period, the holding
periods for the shares so exchanged will be counted toward the six year period.
 
For federal income tax purposes, the amount of the CDSC will reduce the gain or
increase the loss, as the case may be, recognized on the redemption of shares.
The amount of any CDSC will be paid to SAFECO Securities.
 
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE WAIVERS
 
The CDSC will be waived in the following circumstances: (a) total or partial
redemptions made within one year following the death or disability of a
shareholder; (b) redemptions made pursuant to any systematic withdrawal plan
based on the shareholder's life expectancy, including substantially equal
periodic payments prior to age 59 1/2 which are described in Code section 72(t),
and required minimum distributions after age 70 1/2, including those required
minimum distributions made in connection with customer accounts under Section
403(b) of the Code and other retirement plans; (c) total or partial redemption
resulting from a distribution following retirement in the case of a tax-
qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan; (d) when a redemption results from
a tax-free return of an excess contribution pursuant to Section 408(d)(4) or (5)
of the Code; (e) reinvestment in Class B
 
                                    -- 58 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES (CONTINUED)
shares of a Fund within 60 days of a prior redemption; (f) redemptions pursuant
to the Fund's right to liquidate a shareholder's account involuntarily; (g)
redemptions pursuant to distributions from a tax-qualified employer-sponsored
retirement plan that are invested in Funds and are permitted to be made without
penalty pursuant to the Code; and (h) redemptions in connection with a Fund's
systematic withdrawal plan not in excess of 10% of the value of the account
annually.
 
CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES
 
A shareholder's Class B shares of a Fund will automatically convert to Class A
shares in the same Fund in the first month following the investor's sixth
anniversary from purchase, together with a pro rata portion of all Class B
shares representing dividends and other distributions paid in additional Class B
shares. Class B shares so converted will no longer be subject to the higher
expenses borne by Class B shares. The conversion will be effected at the
relative net asset values per share of the two classes on the first business day
in the first month following the investor's sixth anniversary from the purchase
of Class B shares. Because the net asset value per share of Class A shares may
be higher than that of Class B shares at the time of conversion, a shareholder
may receive fewer Class A shares than the number of Class B shares converted,
although the dollar value will be the same.
 
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
 
As described below, shares of the Funds may be redeemed at their next-determined
net asset value (subject to any applicable CDSC) and redemption proceeds will be
sent to shareholders within seven days of the receipt of a redemption request.
Shareholders who have purchased shares through broker-dealers, banks or other
financial institutions that sell shares may redeem shares through such firms; if
the shares are held in the "street name" of the broker-dealer, bank or other
financial institution, the redemption must be made through such firm.
 
Please note the following:
 
/ / If your shares were purchased by wire, redemption proceeds will be available
    immediately. If shares were purchased other than by wire, each Fund reserves
    the right to hold the proceeds of your redemption for up to 15 business days
    after investment or until such time as the Fund has received assurance that
    your investment will be honored by the bank on which it was drawn, whichever
    occurs first.
 
/ / SAFECO Services charges a $10 fee to wire redemption proceeds. In addition,
    some banks may charge a fee to receive wires.
 
/ / If shares are issued in certificate form, the certificates must accompany a
    redemption request and be duly endorsed.
 
/ / Under some circumstances (e.g., a change in corporate officer or death of an
    owner), SAFECO Services may require certified copies of supporting documents
    before a redemption will be made.
 
REDEMPTIONS THROUGH BROKER-DEALERS, BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
Shareholders with accounts at broker-dealers, banks and other financial
institutions that sell shares of the Funds may submit redemption requests to
such firms. Broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions may honor a
redemption request either by repurchasing shares from a redeeming shareholder at
the shares' net asset value per share next computed after the firm receives the
request or by forwarding such requests to SAFECO Services. Redemption proceeds
(less any applicable CDSC) normally will be paid by check. Broker-dealers, banks
and other financial institutions may impose a
 
                                    -- 59 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES (CONTINUED)
service charge for handling redemption transactions placed through them and may
impose other requirements concerning redemptions. Accordingly, shareholders
should contact the investment professional at their broker-dealer, bank or other
financial institution for details.
 
   
Redemption requests may also be transmitted to SAFECO Services by telephone (for
amounts of less than $100,000), by mail or by redemption check. SAFECO Services
will send to you, free of charge, redemption checks (drafts) payable through
U.S. Bank of Washington, N.A. Redemption checks are not available to IRA
shareholders or for shares issued in certificate form. Redemption checks may be
made payable to any person or entity and must contain the proper number of
signatures. Redemption checks must be for $500 or more. Neither the Funds nor
SAFECO Services will be liable for payment of postdated redemption checks. See
"Account Changes and Signature Requirements" on page 73, for futher information.
    
 
SHARE REDEMPTION PRICE AND PROCESSING
 
   
Your shares will be redeemed at the net asset value per share (subject to any
applicable CDSC) next calculated after receipt of your request that meets the
redemption requirements of the Funds. Except for the Money Market Fund, the
value of the shares you redeem may be more or less than the dollar amount you
purchased, depending on the market value of the shares at the time of
redemption. See "Share Price Calculation" on page 63 for more information.
    
 
Redemption proceeds will normally be sent on the next business day following
receipt of your redemption request. If your redemption request is received after
the close of trading on the NYSE (normally 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time), proceeds
will normally be sent on the second business day following receipt. Each Fund,
however, reserves the right to postpone payment of redemption proceeds for up to
seven days if making immediate payment could adversely affect its portfolio. In
addition, redemptions may be suspended or payment dates postponed if the NYSE is
closed, its trading is restricted or the Securities and Exchange Commission
declares an emergency.
 
Due to the high cost of maintaining small accounts, your account may be closed
upon 60 days' written notice if at the time of any redemption or exchange the
total value falls below $100. Your shares will be redeemed at the net asset
value per share calculated on the day your account is closed and the proceeds
will be sent to you.
 
HOW TO SYSTEMATICALLY PURCHASE OR REDEEM SHARES
 
Call your investment professional or SAFECO Services at 1-800-463-8791 for more
information.
 
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT METHOD (AIM)
 
AIM enables you to make regular monthly investments by authorizing SAFECO
Services to withdraw a specific amount from your bank account and invest the
amount in any Fund. AIM has a minimum of $100 per Fund for all accounts (except
UGMA and UTMA accounts which have a lower $50 minimum for additional
investments, provided that the account was opened with an initial investment of
at least $250).
 
PAYROLL DEDUCTION PLAN
 
An employer or other entity using group billing may establish a
self-administered payroll deduction plan in any Fund. Payroll deduction amounts
are negotiable.
 
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
 
This plan enables you to receive a portion of your investment on a monthly
basis. A Fund automatically redeems shares in your account and sends you a
withdrawal check (minimum amount
 
                                    -- 60 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO SYSTEMATICALLY PURCHASE OR REDEEM SHARES (CONTINUED)
   
$50 per Fund) on or about the fifth business day of every month. Because Class A
shares are subject to sales charges, shareholders should not concurrently
purchase shares with respect to an account which is utilizing a systematic
withdrawal plan. Class B shares may not be suitable for a systematic withdrawal
plan, except in appropriate cases where the CDSC is being waived. Please see
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers" on page 58 for more information.
    
 
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES FROM ONE FUND TO ANOTHER
 
   
Shares of one class of a Fund may be exchanged for shares of the same class of
any other Fund, based on their next-determined respective net asset values,
without imposition of any sales charges, provided that the shareholder account
registration remains identical. CLASS A SHARES MAY BE EXCHANGED ONLY FOR CLASS A
SHARES OF THE OTHER FUNDS LISTED ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THIS PROSPECTUS. CLASS B
SHARES MAY BE EXCHANGED ONLY FOR CLASS B SHARES OF THE OTHER FUNDS LISTED ON THE
FIRST PAGE OF THIS PROSPECTUS. The exchange of Class B shares will not be
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. For purposes of computing the
CDSC, except for the time period during which a shareholder is initially
invested in Class B shares of the Money Market Fund, the length of time of
ownership of Class B shares will be measured from the date of original purchase
and will not be affected by the exchange. Exchanges are not tax-free and may
result in a shareholder's realizing a gain or loss, as the case may be, for tax
purposes. See "Fund Distributions and How They Are Taxed" on page 70 for more
information. You may purchase shares of a Fund by exchange only if it is
registered for sale in the state where you reside. Before exchanging into an
Advisor class of another Fund, please be familiar with the Fund's investment
objective and policies as described in "Each Fund's Investment Objective and
Policies" beginning on page 27 of this Prospectus.
    
 
EXCHANGES BY MAIL
 
Exchange orders should be sent by mail to the investor's broker-dealer, bank or
other financial institution. If a shareholder has an account at SAFECO Services,
exchange orders may be sent to the address set forth on the cover of this
Prospectus.
 
EXCHANGES BY TELEPHONE
 
A shareholder may give exchange instructions to the shareholder's broker-dealer,
bank or other financial institution or to SAFECO Services by telephone at the
appropriate toll-free number provided on the cover of this Prospectus. Exchange
orders will be accepted by telephone provided that the exchange involves only
uncertificated shares or certificated shares for which certificates previously
have been deposited in the shareholder's account. See "Telephone Transactions"
for more information.
 
SHARE EXCHANGE PRICE AND PROCESSING
 
The shares of the Fund you are exchanging from will be redeemed at the price
next computed after your exchange request is received. Normally the purchase of
the Fund you are exchanging into is executed on the same day. However, each Fund
reserves the right to delay the payment of proceeds and, hence, the purchase in
an exchange for up to seven days if making immediate payment could adversely
affect the portfolio of the Fund whose shares are being redeemed. The exchange
privilege may be modified or terminated with respect to a Fund at anytime, upon
at least 60 days' notice to shareholders.
 
LIMITATIONS
 
Each Fund reserves the right to refuse exchange purchases or simultaneous order
transactions by any person or group if, in SAM's judgment, the Fund would not be
able to invest the money effectively in
 
                                    -- 61 --
<PAGE>
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES FROM ONE FUND TO ANOTHER (CONTINUED)
accordance with that Fund's investment objective and policies or would otherwise
potentially be adversely affected. Although a Fund will attempt to give you
prior notice whenever it is reasonably able to do so, it may impose the above
restrictions at any time.
 
The Funds are not intended to serve as vehicles for frequent trading in response
to short-term fluctuations in the market. Due to the disruptive effect that
market-timing investment strategies can have on efficient portfolio management,
the Funds have instituted certain policies to discourage excessive exchange and
simultaneous order transactions. Exchanges and simultaneous order transactions
which, in SAM's judgment, appear to follow a market-timing strategy are limited
to 4 in any 12 month period per account holder (or account, in a case where one
person or entity exercises investment discretion over more than one account).
For purposes of these limitations a "simultaneous order transaction" is a
transaction where a significant portion of an account's assets are redeemed from
one SAFECO Mutual Fund and shortly thereafter reinvested into another SAFECO
Mutual Fund. In order to protect the shareholders of the Funds, SAM reserves the
right to exercise its discretion in determining whether a particular transaction
qualifies as a simultaneous order transaction. In addition to the foregoing
limitations on exchanges and simultaneous order transactions, as described
above, the Funds reserve the right to refuse any offer to purchase shares.
 
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
 
To redeem or exchange shares by telephone, call 1-800-463-8791 between 6:00 a.m.
and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, except certain holidays. All
telephone calls are tape-recorded for your protection. During times of drastic
or unusual market volatility, it may be difficult for you to exercise the
telephone transaction privileges.
 
To use the telephone redemption and exchange privileges, you must have
previously selected these services either on your account application or by
having submitted a request in writing to SAFECO Services at the address on the
Prospectus cover. Redeeming or exchanging shares by telephone allows the Funds
and SAFECO Services to accept telephone instructions from an account owner or a
person preauthorized in writing by an account owner.
 
Each of the Funds and SAFECO Services reserve the right to refuse any telephone
transaction when a Fund or SAFECO Services, in its sole discretion, is unable to
confirm to its satisfaction that a caller is the account owner or a person
preauthorized by the account owner.
 
The Funds and SAFECO Services will not be liable for the authenticity of
instructions received by telephone that a Fund or SAFECO Services, in its
discretion, believes to be delivered by an account owner or preauthorized
person, provided that the Fund or SAFECO Services follows reasonable procedures
to identify the caller. The shareholder will bear the risk of any resulting
loss. The Funds and SAFECO Services will employ reasonable procedures to confirm
that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. These procedures may
include requiring the account owner to select the telephone privilege in writing
prior to first use and to designate persons authorized to deliver telephone
instructions. SAFECO Services tape-records telephone transactions and may
request certain identifying information from the caller.
 
The telephone transaction privileges may be suspended, limited, modified or
terminated at any time without prior notice by the Funds or SAFECO Services. The
Funds and SAFECO Services may be liable if they do not employ reasonable
procedures to confirm that telephone transactions are genuine.
 
                                    -- 62 --
<PAGE>
SHARE PRICE CALCULATION
 
The net asset value per share ("NAV") of each class of each Fund is computed at
the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 1:00 p.m. Pacific time) each
day that the NYSE is open for trading. NAV is determined separately for each
class of shares of each Fund. The NAV of a Fund is calculated by subtracting a
Fund's liabilities from its assets and dividing the result by the number of
outstanding shares. In calculating the net asset value of each class appropriate
adjustments will be made to each class's NAV to reflect expenses allocated to
it.
 
PORTFOLIO VALUATION FOR THE STOCK FUNDS
 
   
The Stock Funds generally value their portfolio securities at the last reported
sale price on the national exchange on which the securities are primarily
traded, unless there are no transactions in which case they shall be valued at
the last reported bid price. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at
the last sale price, unless there is no reported sale price in which case the
last reported bid price will be used. Portfolio securities that trade on a stock
exchange and over-the-counter are valued according to the broadest and most
representative market. Securities not traded on a national exchange are valued
based on consideration of information with respect to transactions in similar
securities, quotations from dealers and various relationships between
securities. Valuations of portfolio securities calculated in a like manner may
be obtained from a pricing service. Investments for which a representative value
cannot be established are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith
by or under the direction of the Common Stock Trust's Board of Trustees.
    
 
   
The International Fund will invest primarily, and other Funds may invest from
time to time, in foreign securities. Trading in foreign securities will
generally be substantially completed each day at various times prior to the
close of the NYSE. The values of any such securities are determined as of such
times for purposes of computing the Funds' net asset value. Foreign currency
exchange rates are also generally determined prior to the close of the NYSE.
Foreign portfolio securities are valued on the basis of quotations from the
primary market in which they trade. The value of foreign securities are
translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using current exchange
rates. If quotations are not readily available, or if values have been
materially affected by events occurring after the close of a foreign market, the
security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by SAM or BIAM
under procedures established by and under general supervision of the Common
Stock Trust's Board of Trustees.
    
 
INTERNATIONAL FUND
 
Options that are traded on national securities exchanges are valued at their
last sale price as of the close of option trading on such exchange. Futures
contracts will be marked to market daily, and options thereon are valued at
their last sale price, as of the close of the applicable commodities exchange.
Forward contracts are valued at the current cost of covering or offsetting such
contracts.
 
PORTFOLIO VALUATION FOR THE FIXED-INCOME FUNDS
 
   
For each of the Fixed-Income Funds except the Money Market Fund, securities are
valued based on consideration of information with respect to transactions in
similar securities, quotations from dealers and various relationships between
securities. Valuations of a Fixed-Income Fund's portfolio securities calculated
in a like manner may be obtained from a pricing service. Investments for which a
representative value cannot be established are valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith by or under the direction of each Fixed-Income Fund's
respective Trust's Board of Trustees.
    
 
Like most money market funds, the Money Market Fund values the securities it
owns on the basis of amortized cost. The Money Market Fund may use amortized
cost valuation as long as the Money Market Trust's Board of Trustees determines
that it fairly reflects market value. Amortized cost valuation involves valuing
a security at its cost and adding or subtracting, ratably to maturity, any
 
                                    -- 63 --
<PAGE>
SHARE PRICE CALCULATION (CONTINUED)
 
discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on
the market value of the security. This method minimizes the effect of changes in
a security's market value and helps the Money Market Fund maintain a stable
$1.00 share price.
 
The NAV of the Class B shares of each Fund will generally be lower than the NAV
of Class A shares of the same Fund because of the higher expenses borne by the
Class B shares. The NAVs of the Advisor Classes of a Fund's shares also may
differ due to differing allocations of class-specific expenses. The NAVs of the
Advisor Classes of each Fund's shares will tend to converge, however,
immediately after the payment of dividends.
 
Call 1-800-463-8794 for 24-hour price information.
 
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS
 
Each Trust is a Delaware business trust established by a Trust Instrument dated
May 13, 1993, and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest. The Board of Trustees of each Trust may establish
additional series or classes of shares of the Trust without approval of
shareholders.
 
In addition to Class A and Class B shares, each Fund also offers No-Load Class
shares through a separate prospectus to investors who purchase shares directly
from SAFECO Securities. No-Load Class shares are sold without a front-end sales
charge or CDSC and are not subject to Rule 12b-1 fees. Accordingly, the
performance of No-Load Class shares will differ from that of Class A or Class B
shares. For more information about No-Load Class shares of each Fund, please
call 1-800-624-5711.
 
Each share of a Fund is entitled to participate equally in dividends and other
distributions and the proceeds of any liquidation except that, due to the
differing expenses borne by the three classes, dividends and liquidation
proceeds for each class of shares will likely differ. All shares issued are
fully paid and non-assessable, and shareholders have no preemptive or other
right to subscribe to any additional shares.
 
The Trusts do not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders of the Funds.
The Trustees of a Trust will call a special meeting of shareholders of a Fund of
that Trust only if required under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940
Act"), in their discretion, or upon the written request of holders of 10% or
more of the outstanding shares of a Fund or a class entitled to vote. Separate
votes are taken by each class of shares, a Fund, or a Trust if a matter affects
only that class of shares, Fund, or Trust, respectively.
 
Under Delaware law, the shareholders of the Funds will not be personally liable
for the obligations of any Fund; a shareholder is entitled to the same
limitation of personal liability extended to shareholders of corporations. To
guard against the risk that Delaware law might not be applied in other states,
each Trust Instrument requires that every written obligation of the Trust or a
Fund thereof contain a statement that such obligation may be enforced only
against the assets of that Trust or Fund and generally provides for
indemnification out of property of that Trust or Fund of any shareholder
nevertheless held personally liable for Trust or Fund obligations, respectively.
 
Because the Trusts use a combined Prospectus, it is possible that a Fund might
become liable for a misstatement about the series of another Trust contained in
this Prospectus. The Boards of Trustees have considered this factor in approving
the use of a single combined Prospectus.
 
SAM is the investment adviser for each Fund under an agreement with each Trust.
Under each agreement, SAM is responsible for the overall management of each
Trust's and each Fund's business
 
                                    -- 64 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS (CONTINUED)
affairs. SAM provides investment research, advice, management and supervision to
each Trust and each Fund, and, consistent with each Fund's investment objectives
and policies, SAM determines what securities will be purchased, retained or sold
by each Fund and implements those decisions. Each Fund pays SAM an annual
management fee based on a percentage of that Fund's net assets ascertained each
business day and paid monthly in accordance with the schedules below. A
reduction in the fees paid by a Fund occurs only when that Fund's net assets
reach the dollar amounts of the break points and applies only to the assets that
fall within the specified range:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       GROWTH, EQUITY AND INCOME FUNDS
 
<S>                                <C>
NET ASSETS                         ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $100,000,000                  .75 of 1%
$100,000,001 -- $250,000,000        .65 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .55 of 1%
Over $500,000,000                   .45 of 1%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                NORTHWEST FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .75 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .65 of 1%
$500,000,001 -- $750,000,000        .55 of 1%
Over $750,000,000                   .45 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
           BALANCED AND VALUE FUNDS
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .75 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .65 of 1%
Over $500,000,000                   .55 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
              INTERNATIONAL FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                 1.10 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000       1.00 of 1%
Over $500,000,000                   .90 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
              SMALL COMPANY FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .85 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .75 of 1%
Over $500,000,000                   .65 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
                                    -- 65 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          INTERMEDIATE TREASURY FUND
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
<S>                                <C>
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .55 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .45 of 1%
$500,000,001 -- $750,000,000        .35 of 1%
Over $750,000,000                   .25 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
               HIGH-YIELD FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .65 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .55 of 1%
$500,000,001 -- $750,000,000        .45 of 1%
Over $750,000,000                   .35 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
              MANAGED BOND FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $100,000,000                  .50 of 1%
$100,000,001 -- $250,000,000        .40 of 1%
Over $250,000,000                   .35 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
              MONEY MARKET FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .50 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .40 of 1%
$500,000,001 -- $750,000,000        .30 of 1%
Over $750,000,000                   .25 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
        MUNICIPAL AND CALIFORNIA FUNDS
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $100,000,000                  .55 of 1%
$100,000,001 -- $250,000,000        .45 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .35 of 1%
Over $500,000,000                   .25 of 1%
<CAPTION>
 
               WASHINGTON FUND
<S>                                <C>
 
NET ASSETS                          ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $250,000,000                  .65 of 1%
$250,000,001 -- $500,000,000        .55 of 1%
$500,000,001 -- $750,000,000        .45 of 1%
Over $750,000,000                   .35 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
A Trust and each Fund thereof will bear all expenses of their organization,
operations and business not specifically assumed by SAM under each Fund's
management contract. Such expenses may
 
                                    -- 66 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS (CONTINUED)
include, among others, custody and accounting expenses, transfer agency and
related expenses, distribution and shareholder servicing expenses, expenses
related to preparing, printing and delivering prospectuses and shareholder
reports, the expenses of holding shareholders' meetings, legal fees, the
compensation of non-interested trustees of the Trusts, brokerage, taxes and
extraordinary expenses.
 
With respect to the International Fund, SAM has a sub-advisory agreement with
the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the
Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited and is an indirect, wholly owned
subsidiary of Bank of Ireland. The Sub-Adviser has its headquarters at 26
Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin, Ireland, and its U.S. office at 2 Greenwich Plaza,
Greenwich, Connecticut. The Sub-Adviser was established in 1987 and currently
manages over $3 billion in assets. Because the Sub-Adviser is doing business
from a location within the United States, investors will be able to effect
service of legal process within the United States upon the Sub-Adviser, under
federal securities laws in United States courts. However, the Sub-Adviser is a
foreign organization and maintains a substantial portion of its assets outside
the United States. Therefore, the ability of investors to enforce judgments
against the Sub-Adviser may be affected by the willingness of foreign courts to
enforce judgments of U.S. courts.
 
Under the agreement, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for providing investment
research and advice used to manage the investment portfolio of the International
Fund. In return, SAM (and not the International Fund) pays the Sub-Adviser a fee
in accordance with the schedule below:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>
NET ASSETS                         ANNUAL FEE
$0 -- $50,000,000                   .60 of 1%
$50,000,001 -- $100,000,000         .50 of 1%
Over $100,000,000                   .40 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
The parent company of the Sub-Adviser, Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited,
is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank of Ireland, which engages in
the investment advisory business and is located at 26 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin,
Ireland. The Bank of Ireland is a holding company whose primary subsidiaries are
engaged in banking, insurance, securities and related financial services, and is
located at Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, Ireland.
 
The distributor of the Advisor Classes of each Fund's shares under an agreement
with each Trust is SAFECO Securities a broker-dealer registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
The transfer, dividend disbursement and shareholder servicing agent for the
Advisor Classes of each Fund under an agreement with each Trust is SAFECO
Services. SAFECO Services receives a fee from each Fund for every shareholder
account held in the Fund. SAFECO Services may enter into subcontracts with
registered broker-dealers, third-party administrators and other qualified
service providers that generally perform shareholder, administrative, and/or
accounting services which would otherwise be provided by SAFECO Services. Fees
incurred by a Fund for these services will not exceed the transfer agency fee
payable to SAFECO Services. Any distribution expenses associated with these
arrangements will be borne by SAM.
 
SAM, SAFECO Securities and SAFECO Services are wholly owned subsidiaries of
SAFECO Corporation (a holding company whose primary subsidiaries are engaged in
the insurance and financial services businesses) and are each located at SAFECO
Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185.
 
As interpreted by courts and administrative agencies, the Glass-Steagall Act and
other applicable laws and regulations limit the ability of a bank or other
depository institution to become an underwriter or distributor of securities.
However, in the opinion of each Trust's management, based on the advice of
 
                                    -- 67 --
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SHARE OWNERSHIP AND COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE
TRUSTS (CONTINUED)
counsel, these laws and regulations do not prohibit such depository institutions
from providing services for investment companies. Banks or other depository
institutions may be subject to various state laws regarding such services, and
may be required to register as dealers pursuant to state law.
 
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
 
Each Trust, on behalf of the Advisor Classes of each Fund, has entered into a
Distribution Agreement (each an "Agreement") with SAFECO Securities. Each Trust
has also adopted a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect
to each of the Advisor Classes of each Fund (the "Plans"). Pursuant to the
Plans, each Advisor class pays SAFECO Securities a quarterly service fee, at the
annual rate of 0.25% of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Advisor
class. Class B shares also pay SAFECO Securities a quarterly distribution fee at
the annual rate of 0.75% of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Class
B shares. Although the Money Market Trust has adopted Plans with respect to the
Advisor Classes of the Money Market Fund, the Money Market Trust's Board of
Trustees and SAFECO Securities have agreed not to implement the Plans at this
time. Thus, the Advisor Classes of the Money Market Fund do not currently pay
service or distribution fees to SAFECO Securities under the Money Market Fund
Plans. The Money Market Fund Plans will not be implemented unless authorized by
the Money Market Trust's Board of Trustees.
 
Under the Plans, SAFECO Securities will use the service fees primarily to
compensate persons selling shares of the Funds for the provision of personal
service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. SAFECO Securities will
use the distribution fees under the Class B Plan to offset the commissions it
pays to broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions for selling each
Fund's Class B shares. In addition, SAFECO Securities will use the distribution
fees under the Class B Plan to offset each Fund's marketing costs attributable
to the Class B shares, such as preparation of sales literature, advertising and
printing and distributing prospectuses and other shareholder materials to
prospective investors. SAFECO Securities also may use the distribution fee to
pay other costs allocated to SAFECO Securities' distribution activities,
including acting as shareholder of record, maintaining account records and other
overhead expenses.
 
   
SAFECO Securities will receive the proceeds of the initial sales charges paid
upon the purchase of Class A shares and the CDSCs paid upon applicable
redemptions of Class B shares and may use these proceeds for any of the
distribution expenses described above. The amount of sales charges reallowed to
broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions who sell Class A shares
will equal the percentage of the amount invested in accordance with the schedule
set forth in "Purchasing Advisor Class A Shares" on page 54. SAFECO Securities,
out of its own resources, will pay a brokerage commission equal to 4.00% of the
amount invested to broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions who
sell Class B shares. Broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions who
sell Class B shares of the Money Market Fund will receive the 4.00% brokerage
commission at the time the shareholder exchanges his or her Class B Money Market
Fund shares for Class B shares of another Fund.
    
 
During the period they are in effect, the Plans and related Agreements obligate
the Advisor Classes of the Funds to which they relate to pay service and
distribution fees to SAFECO Securities as compensation for its service and
distribution activities, not as reimbursement for specific expenses incurred.
Thus, even if SAFECO Securities' expenses exceed its service or distribution
fees for any class, the class will not be obligated to pay more than those fees
and, if SAFECO Securities' expenses are less than such fees, it will retain its
full fees and realize a profit. Each Fund that has implemented a Rule 12b-1 Plan
will pay the service and distribution fees to SAFECO Securities until either the
applicable Plan or Agreement is terminated or not renewed.
 
                                    -- 68 --
<PAGE>
PERSONS CONTROLLING CERTAIN FUNDS
 
   
At April 2, 1997, SAM, a wholly owned subsidiary of SAFECO Corporation,
controlled the International and Balanced Funds. At April 4, 1997 SAM controlled
the Value Fund. At April 2, 1997, SAFECO Corporation controlled the Small
Company Fund. SAFECO Corporation and SAM have their principal place of business
at SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185.
    
 
At April 4, 1997, SAFECO Insurance Company of America ("SAFECO Insurance")
controlled the Intermediate Treasury and Washington Funds. SAFECO Insurance is a
Washington Corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of SAFECO Corporation,
which has its principal place of business at SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington
98185.
 
At April 4, 1997, Crown Packaging Corp. Profit Sharing & Pension Plan and
Massman Construction Co. Profit Sharing Retirement Trust controlled the Managed
Bond Fund. Crown Packaging Corp. Profit Sharing & Pension Plan's address of
record is 8514 Eager Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63144. Massman Construction Co. Profit
Sharing Retirement Trust's address of record is 8901 Stateline, Kansas City, Mo.
64114.
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
   
The yield, total return and average annual total return of each class of a Fund
may be quoted in advertisements. For each Fund except the Money Market Fund,
yield is the annualization on a 360-day basis of a class' net income per share
over a 30-day period divided by the class' net asset value per share on the last
day of the period. The formula for the yield calculation is defined by
regulation. Consequently, the rate of actual income distributions paid by the
Funds may differ from quoted yield figures. Total return is the total percentage
change in an investment in a class of a Fund, assuming the reinvestment of
dividend and capital gain distributions, over a stated period of time. Average
annual total return is the annual percentage change in an investment in a class
of a Fund, assuming the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain
distributions, over a stated period of time. Performance quotations are
calculated separately for each class of a Fund. Standardized returns for Class A
shares reflect deduction of the Fund's maximum initial sales charge at the time
of purchase, and standardized returns for Class B shares reflect deduction of
the applicable CDSC imposed on a redemption of shares held for the period. SAM
currently anticipates that the U.S. Value Fund's portfolio turnover will not
exceed 100%. A Fund's portfolio turnover rate will vary from year to year. A
higher portfolio turnover rate involves correspondingly higher transaction costs
in the form of broker commissions and dealer spreads and other costs that a Fund
will bear directly.
    
 
For the Money Market Fund, yield is the annualization on a 365-day basis of the
Fund's net income over a 7-day period. Effective yield is the annualization, on
a 365-day basis, of the Money Market Fund's net income over a 7-day period with
dividends reinvested. The effective yield will be slightly higher than the yield
because of the compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment.
 
From time to time, a Fund may advertise rankings. Rankings are calculated by
independent companies that monitor mutual fund performance (E.G., CDA Investment
Technologies, Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., and Morningstar, Inc.) and are
reported periodically in national financial publications such as BARRON'S,
BUSINESS WEEK, FORBES, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY, MONEY MAGAZINE, and THE WALL
STREET JOURNAL. In addition, non-standardized performance figures may accompany
the standardized figures described above. Non-standardized figures may be
calculated in a variety of ways, including but not necessarily limited to,
different time periods and different initial investment amounts. Each Fund may
also compare its performance to the performance of relevant indices.
 
Performance information and quoted rankings are indicative only of past
performance and are not intended to represent future investment results. Except
for the Money Market Fund, the yield and share price of each class of a Fund
will fluctuate and your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than
you originally paid for them.
 
                                    -- 69 --
<PAGE>
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS AND HOW THEY ARE TAXED
 
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
The Fixed-Income Funds declare dividends on each business day and pay them on
the last business day of each month; the Equity, Income, Balanced and Value
Funds declare and pay dividends on the last business day of each calendar
quarter; and the Growth, Northwest, International, and Small Company Funds
declare and pay dividends annually. Each Fund declares dividends from net
investment income (which includes accrued dividends and interest, earned
discount, and other income earned on portfolio securities less expenses). Shares
of each Fund become entitled to receive dividends on the next business day after
they are purchased for your account. If you request redemption of all your
shares at any time during a month, you will receive all declared dividends
through the date of redemption, together with the proceeds of the redemption.
 
Dividends and other distributions paid by a Fund on each class of its shares are
calculated at the same time in the same manner. However, except for the Money
Market Fund, because of the higher Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees
associated with Class B shares, the dividends paid by a Fund on its Class B
shares will be lower than those paid on its Class A shares.
 
Your dividends and other distributions are reinvested in additional shares of
the distributing Fund at net asset value per share, generally determined as of
the close of business on the ex-distribution date, unless you elect in writing
to receive dividends and/or other distributions in cash and that election is
provided to SAFECO Services at the address on the Prospectus cover. The election
remains in effect until revoked by written notice to SAFECO Services. For
retirement accounts, all dividends and other distributions declared by a Fund
must be invested in additional shares of that Fund.
 
States generally treat the pass-through of interest earned on U.S. Treasury
securities and other direct obligations of the U.S. Government as tax-free
income in the calculation of their state income tax. This treatment may be
dependent upon the maintenance of certain percentages of fund ownership in these
securities. The Intermediate Treasury Fund will invest primarily in these
securities while the other Funds may occasionally invest a portion of their
portfolios in these securities.
 
Please remember that if you purchase shares shortly before a Fund pays a taxable
dividend or other distribution, you will pay the full price for the shares, then
receive part of the price back as a taxable distribution.
 
TAXES
 
Each Fund intends to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. By
so qualifying, a Fund will not be subject to federal income taxes to the extent
it distributes its net investment income and realized capital gains to its
shareholders. Each Fund will inform you as to the amount and nature of dividends
and other distributions to your account. Dividends and other distributions
declared in December, but received by shareholders in January, are taxable to
shareholders in the year in which declared.
 
When you sell (redeem) shares, it may result in a taxable gain or loss. This
depends upon whether you receive more or less than your adjusted basis for the
shares (which normally takes into account any initial sales charge paid on Class
A shares). An exchange of any Fund's shares for shares of another Fund generally
will have similar tax consequences.
 
   
Special rules apply when you dispose of Class A shares of a Fund (except the
Money Market Fund) through a redemption or exchange within 60 days after your
purchase thereof and subsequently reacquire Class A shares of the same Fund or
acquire Class A shares of another Fund without paying a sales charge due to the
exchange privilege or reinstatement privilege. See "How to Purchase Shares --
Reinstatement Privilege" on page 56 and "How to Exchange Shares from One Fund to
Another" on page 61 for more information. In these cases, any gain on the
disposition of the original
    
 
                                    -- 70 --
<PAGE>
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS AND HOW THEY ARE TAXED (CONTINUED)
Class A shares will be increased, or any loss decreased, by the amount of the
sales charge paid when you acquired those shares, and that amount will increase
the basis of the shares subsequently acquired. In addition, if you purchase
shares of a Fund (whether pursuant to the reinstatement privilege or otherwise)
within thirty days before or after redeeming other shares of that Fund
(regardless of class) at a loss, all or part of that loss will not be deductible
and will increase the basis of the newly purchased shares.
 
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUNDS
 
TAXES
 
Each Tax-Exempt Income Fund intends to continue to qualify for favorable tax
treatment as a "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code
("Code") so as to be able to pay dividends that are exempt from federal personal
income taxes. The portion of dividends representing net short-term capital
gains, however, is not exempt and will be treated as taxable dividends for
federal income tax purposes. In addition, income which is derived from
purchasing certain bonds below their issued price after April 30, 1993, will be
treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.
 
A portion of a Tax-Exempt Income Fund's assets may from time to time be
temporarily invested in fixed-income obligations, the interest on which when
distributed to the Fund's shareholders will be subject to federal income taxes.
As a matter of non-fundamental investment policy, the Tax-Exempt Income Funds
will not purchase so-called "non-essential or private activity" bonds, the
interest on which would constitute a preference item for shareholders in
determining their alternative minimum tax.
 
The excess of net long-term capital gains realized by a Tax-Exempt Income Fund
over net short-term capital loss on portfolio transactions does not necessarily
result in exemption under other federal, state or local income taxes.
Shareholders of each Tax-Exempt Income Fund should bear in mind that they may be
subject to other taxes.
 
If a shareholder buys shares of a Tax-Exempt Income Fund and sells them at a
loss within six months, such loss for federal income tax purposes will be
disallowed to the extent of the tax-exempt interest component of dividends
received during such six-month period.
 
If a shareholder buys shares of a Tax-Exempt Income Fund and sells them at a
loss within six months, to the extent not disallowed in the previous paragraph
and to the extent of any long-term capital gains distributions, the loss will be
treated as a long-term capital loss for federal income tax purposes.
 
Individuals who receive Social Security benefits must use the amount of income
dividends received from each of the Tax-Exempt Income Funds in determining the
amount of any federal income tax due on such benefits.
 
Under the Code, the tax effect on individuals of receiving dividends from any of
the Tax-Exempt Income Funds is substantially different from the tax effect on
other types of shareholders.
 
CALIFORNIA FUND
 
   
The California Fund intends to pay dividends that are exempt from California
State personal income taxes. This would not include taxable interest paid on
temporary investments, if any. Generally, the tax treatment of capital gains
under California law is the same as under federal law, but such gains are taxed
at the same rates as ordinary income. Capital gains distributions paid by the
California Fund are treated as long-term capital gains under California law
regardless of how long the shares have been held. Redemptions and exchanges of
the California Fund may result in a capital gain or loss for California income
tax purposes.
    
 
                                    -- 71 --
<PAGE>
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS AND HOW THEY ARE TAXED (CONTINUED)
   
Under California law, the dividend income from California municipal bonds is
exempt from the Calfornia personal income tax applicable to individual
shareholders but is fully taxable for purposes of the California franchise tax
applicable to most corporate shareholders.
    
 
Shares of the California Fund will not be subject to the California property
tax.
 
WASHINGTON FUND
 
   
Currently the State of Washington has no state personal income tax. Should
Washington State enact a personal income tax, there can be no assurance that
income from the Washington Fund's portfolio securities which is distributed to
shareholders would be exempt from such a tax.
    
 
TAX WITHHOLDING INFORMATION
 
You will be asked to certify on your account application or on a separate form
that the taxpayer identification number you provide is correct and that you are
not subject to, or are exempt from, backup withholding for previous
underreporting to the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Retirement plan distributions may be subject to federal income tax withholding.
However, you may elect not to have any distributions withheld by checking the
appropriate box on the Redemption Request form or by instructing SAFECO Services
in writing at the address on the Prospectus cover.
 
If the International Fund pays nonrefundable taxes to foreign governments during
the year, the taxes will reduce the Fund's dividends but still be included in
your taxable income. However, you may be able to claim an offsetting credit or
deduction on your tax return for your share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund.
 
   
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important tax considerations
generally affecting each Fund and its shareholders; see the Trusts' Statements
of Additional Information for a further discussion. There may be other federal,
state or local tax considerations applicable to a particular investor. You
therefore are urged to consult your tax adviser.
    
 
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS
 
SAFECO Services offers a variety of tax-deferred retirement plans for
individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations. An account may be
established under one of the following plans which allow you to defer investment
income from federal income tax while you save for retirement. Many of the Funds
(other than the Tax-Exempt Income Funds) may be used as investment vehicles for
these plans.
 
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (IRAS).  IRAs are tax-deferred retirement
accounts for anyone under age 70 1/2 with earned income. The maximum annual
contribution generally is $2,000 per person ($4,000 for you and a non-working
spouse). Under certain circumstances your contribution will be deductible for
income tax purposes. An annual custodial fee will be charged for any part of a
calendar year in which you have an IRA investment in a Fund.
 
   
SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION IRAS (SEP-IRAS).  SEP-IRAs are easily administered
retirement plans for small businesses and self-employed individuals. Annual
contributions up to $22,500 may be made to SEP-IRA accounts; the annual
contribution limit is subject to change. SEP-IRAs have the same investment
minimums and custodial fees as regular IRAs.
    
 
403(b) PLANS.  403(b) plans are retirement plans for tax-exempt organizations
and school systems to which employers and employees both may contribute. Minimum
investment amounts are negotiable.
 
                                    -- 72 --
<PAGE>
TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)
401(k) PLANS.  401(k) plans allow employers and employees to make tax-advantaged
contributions to a retirement account. SAFECO Services offers a low-cost
administration package that includes a prototype plan, record keeping, testing
and employee communications. Minimum investment amounts are negotiable.
 
PROFIT SHARING AND MONEY PURCHASE PENSION PLANS.  Each plan allows corporations,
partnerships and self-employed persons to make annual, tax-deductible
contributions to a retirement account for each person covered by the plan. A
plan may be adopted individually or paired with another plan to maximize
contributions. SAFECO Services offers an administration package for these plans.
Minimum investment amounts are negotiable.
 
   
For information about the above accounts and plans, please contact your
investment professional, or call 1-800-278-1985. For a description of federal
income tax withholding on distributions from these accounts and plans, see "Fund
Distributions and How They Are Taxed -- Tax Withholding Information" on page 72.
    
 
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
 
Periodically, you will receive an account statement indicating your current Fund
holdings and transactions affecting your account. Confirmation statements will
be sent to you after each transaction that affects your account balance. Please
review the information on each confirmation statement for accuracy immediately
upon receipt. If you do not notify us within 30 days of any processing error,
SAFECO Services will consider the transactions listed on the confirmation
statement to be correct.
 
ACCOUNT CHANGES AND SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS
 
Changes to your account registration or the services you have selected must be
in writing and signed by the number of owners specified on your account
application as having authority to make these changes. Send written changes to
the broker-dealer, bank or other financial institution where your account is
maintained. (Changes made to accounts maintained at SAFECO Services should be
sent to the address on the Prospectus cover.) Certain changes to the Automatic
Investment Method and Systematic Withdrawal Plan can be made by telephone
request if you have previously selected single signature authorization for your
account.
 
You must specify on your account application the number of signatures required
to authorize redemptions and exchanges and to change account registration or the
services selected. Authorizing fewer than all account owners has important
implications. For example, one owner of a joint tenant account can redeem money
without the co-owner's signature. If you do not indicate otherwise on the
application, the signatures of all account owners will be required to effect a
transaction. Your selection of fewer than all account owner signatures may be
revoked by any account owner who writes to SAFECO Services or the financial
institution where your account is maintained.
 
The broker-dealer, bank or financial institution where your account is
maintained or SAFECO Services may require a signature guarantee for a signature
that cannot be verified by comparison to the signature(s) on your account
application. A signature guarantee may be obtained from most financial
institutions including banks, savings and loans and broker-dealers.
 
                                    -- 73 --
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF STOCKS, BONDS AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
 
COMMON STOCKS represent equity interest in a corporation. Although common stocks
have a history of long-term growth in value, their prices fluctuate based on
changes in a company's financial condition and overall market and economic
conditions. Smaller companies are especially sensitive to these factors.
 
PREFERRED STOCKS are equity securities whose owners have a claim on a company's
earnings and assets before holders of common stock, but after debt holders. The
risk characteristics of preferred stocks are similar to those of common stocks,
except that preferred stocks are generally subject to less risk than common
stocks.
 
BONDS AND OTHER DEBT SECURITIES are used by issuers to borrow money from
investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of interest,
and must repay the amount borrowed at maturity. The value of bonds and other
debt securities will normally vary inversely with interest rates. In general,
bond prices rise when interest rates fall, and bond prices fall when interest
rates rise. Debt securities have varying degrees of quality and varying levels
of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Long-term bonds are generally more
sensitive to interest rate changes than short-term bonds.
 
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are debt or preferred stock which are convertible into or
exchangeable for common stock. The value of convertible corporate bonds will
normally vary inversely with interest rates and the value of convertible
corporate bonds and convertible preferred stock will normally vary with the
value of the underlying common stock.
 
RATINGS SUPPLEMENT
 
Ratings by Moody's and S&P represent their respective opinions as to the
investment quality of the rated obligations. Investors should realize these
ratings do not constitute a guarantee that the principal and interest payable
under these obligations will be paid when due.
 
DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
 
MOODY'S.  Issuers rated Prime-1 have a superior ability for repayment of senior
short-term debt obligations. Issuers rated Prime-2 have a strong ability for
repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Issuers rated Prime-3 have an
acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.
 
S&P.  Issues rated A-1 are the highest category, indicating that the degree of
safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess
extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) sign
designation.Issues designated A-2 have a satisfactory capacity for timely
payment, however, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues
designated "A-1." Issues designated as A-3 have an adequate capacity for timely
payment.
 
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT RATINGS
 
Excerpts from Moody's descriptions of its ratings:
 
Investment Grade:
 
   
Aaa -- Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt-edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
    
 
                                    -- 74 --
<PAGE>
RATINGS SUPPLEMENT (CONTINUED)
Aa -- Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as
high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities.
 
A -- Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security
to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
 
Baa -- Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations
(i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present, but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
 
Below Investment Grade:
 
Ba -- Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
 
B- -- Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
 
Caa -- Bonds which are rated Caa have poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
 
Ca -- Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
 
C -- Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.
 
Excerpts from S&P's descriptions of its ratings:
 
Investment Grade:
 
AAA -- Debt which is rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity
to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
   
AA -- Debt which is rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
    
 
   
A -- Debt which is rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated
categories.
    
 
   
BBB -- Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher-rated categories.
    
 
                                    -- 75 --
<PAGE>
RATINGS SUPPLEMENT (CONTINUED)
Below Investment Grade:
 
   
BB, B, CCC, CC, C -- Debt which is rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C is regarded as
having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. "BB" indicates the least degree of speculation and
"C" the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures
to adverse conditions.
    
 
   
C1 -- The rating C1 is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
    
 
   
D -- Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments
will be made during such grace period.
    
 
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.
 
DEBT SECURITIES HOLDINGS
 
   
THE EQUITY FUND DID NOT HOLD ANY CONVERTIBLE DEBT SECURITIES DURING THE FISCAL
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996.
    
 
INCOME FUND
 
   
The weighted average ratings of all debt securities held by the Income Fund,
expressed as a percentage of total investments held during the fiscal period
ended December 31, 1996, were as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MOODY'S                                     %      S&P                                         %
- --------------------------------------  ---------  --------------------------------------  ---------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>                                     <C>
                                          INVESTMENT GRADE
Aaa                                             0% AAA                                             0%
Aa                                              0% AA                                              0%
A                                               5% A                                               3%
Baa                                             1% BBB                                             3%
 
                                       BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE
Ba                                              5% BB                                              2%
B                                               3% B                                               3%
Caa                                             0% CCC                                             0%
Ca                                              0% CC                                              0%
C                                               0% C                                               0%
                                                   D                                               0%
Not Rated, but determined to be                    Not Rated, but determined to be
  investment grade                              0%   investment grade                              0%
Not Rated, but determined to be below              Not Rated, but determined to be below
  investment grade                              0%   investment grade                              3%
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    -- 76 --
<PAGE>
DEBT SECURITIES HOLDINGS (CONTINUED)
HIGH-YIELD FUND
 
   
The weighted average ratings of all fixed-income securities, expressed as a
percentage of total investments held by the High-Yield Bond during the fiscal
period ended December 31, 1996, were as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MOODY'S                                     %      S&P                                         %
- --------------------------------------  ---------  --------------------------------------  ---------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>                                     <C>
                                          INVESTMENT GRADE
Aaa                                             0% AAA                                             0%
Aa                                              0% AA                                              0%
A                                               0% A                                               0%
Baa                                             0% BBB                                             0%
 
                                       BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE
Ba                                             20% BB                                             28%
B                                              72% B                                              64%
Caa                                             1% CCC                                             1%
Ca                                              0% CC                                              0%
C                                               0% C                                               0%
                                                   D                                               0%
Not Rated, but determined to be                    Not Rated, but determined to be
  investment grade                              1%   investment grade                              1%
Not Rated, but determined to be below              Not Rated, but determined to be below
  investment grade                              0%   investment grade                              0%
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    -- 77 --
<PAGE>
SAFECO FAMILY OF FUNDS
 
STABILITY OF PRINCIPAL
 
  SAFECO Money Market Fund
 
BOND INCOME
 
  SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund
 
  SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund
 
  SAFECO Managed Bond Fund
 
TAX-FREE BOND INCOME
 
  SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund
 
  SAFECO California Tax-Free Income Fund
 
  SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund
 
HIGH CURRENT INCOME WITH LONG-TERM GROWTH
 
  SAFECO Income Fund
 
LONG-TERM GROWTH
 
  SAFECO Growth Fund
 
  SAFECO Equity Fund
 
  SAFECO Northwest Fund
 
  SAFECO International Stock Fund
 
  SAFECO Balanced Fund
 
  SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund
 
  SAFECO U.S. Value Fund
 
FOR MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ON ADVISOR CLASS SHARES OF ANY SAFECO MUTUAL FUND,
INCLUDING MANAGEMENT FEES AND EXPENSES, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR INVESTMENT
PROFESSIONAL.
<PAGE>
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
 
DEALER SERVICES
 
  Nationwide: (800) 528-6501
 
  Seattle: (206) 545-6409
 
LITERATURE ORDER:
 
  Nationwide: (800) 463-8792
 
  Seattle: (206) 545-6227
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES/TELEPHONE EXCHANGE:
 
  MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY,
 
  6:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. PACIFIC TIME
 
  NATIONWIDE: (800) 463-8791
 
  SEATTLE: (206) 545-6283
 
24-HOUR PRICE AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
  Nationwide: (800) 463-8794
 
  Seattle: (206) 545-6295
 
      MAILING ADDRESS:
 
      SAFECO MUTUAL FUNDS
 
      Advisor Class Shares
 
      P.O. Box 34890
 
      Seattle, WA 98124-1890
 
      EXPRESS/OVERNIGHT MAIL:
 
      SAFECO Mutual Funds
 
      Advisor Class Shares
 
      4333 Brooklyn Avenue N.E.
 
      Seattle, WA 98105
 
      DISTRIBUTOR:
 
      SAFECO Securities, Inc.
 
PROSPECTUS
 
April 30, 1997
 
SAFECO GROWTH FUND
 
SAFECO EQUITY FUND
 
SAFECO INCOME FUND
 
SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND
 
SAFECO INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND
 
SAFECO BALANCED FUND
 
SAFECO SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND
 
SAFECO U.S. VALUE FUND
 
SAFECO INTERMEDIATE-TERM
 
      U.S. TREASURY FUND
 
SAFECO HIGH-YIELD BOND FUND
 
SAFECO MANAGED BOND FUND
 
SAFECO MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
 
SAFECO CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
 
SAFECO WASHINGTON STATE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
 
SAFECO MONEY MARKET FUND
 
  ADVISOR CLASS A
 
  ADVISOR CLASS B
 
   
                                                    GMF 4111 4/97
 
   [LOGO]
                                       Printed on Recycled Paper.
      -Registered Trademark- Registered trademark of SAFECO Corporation
    
 
   
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY ANY TRUST, ANY FUND, OR BY
SAFECO SECURITIES. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY BY ANY TRUST, ANY FUND, OR BY SAFECO SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
    
<PAGE>


                              SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST:
                                  SAFECO GROWTH FUND
                                  SAFECO EQUITY FUND
                                  SAFECO INCOME FUND
                                SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND
                           SAFECO INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND
                                 SAFECO BALANCED FUND
                           SAFECO SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND
                                SAFECO U.S. VALUE FUND

                                   ADVISOR CLASS A
                                   ADVISOR CLASS B

                         Statement of Additional Information

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

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

<PAGE>

________________________________________________________________________________
                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
OVERVIEW OF INVESTMENT POLICIES.............................................. 1
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE GROWTH FUND....................................... 1
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE EQUITY FUND....................................... 5
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE INCOME FUND....................................... 8
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE NORTHWEST FUND....................................11
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE BALANCED FUND.....................................15
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL FUND................................18
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE SMALL COMPANY FUND................................20
INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE U.S. VALUE FUND...................................23
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION............................................ 8
SPECIAL RISKS OF BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE BONDS................................39
SPECIAL RISKS OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY
TRANSACTIONS.................................................................40
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS OF CERTAIN FUNDS......................................42
ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION...................................................42
CONVERSION OF ADVISOR CLASS B SHARES.........................................44
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER
SHARE........................................................................44
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION...........................................45
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS........................................................50
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES.......................................53
BROKERAGE PRACTICES..........................................................60
REDEMPTION IN KIND...........................................................
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.........................................................
DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER AND PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS..................
    

<PAGE>

OVERVIEW OF INVESTMENT POLICIES

SAFECO Growth Fund ("Growth Fund"), SAFECO Equity Fund ("Equity Fund"), 
SAFECO Income Fund ("Income Fund"), SAFECO Northwest Fund ("Northwest Fund"), 
SAFECO Balanced Fund ("Balanced Fund"), SAFECO International Stock Fund 
("International Fund"), SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund ("Small Company 
Fund") and SAFECO U.S. Value Fund ("Value Fund") (collectively, the "Funds") 
are each a series of the SAFECO Common Stock Trust ("Trust").  The investment 
policies of each Fund are described in the Prospectus and this Statement of 
Additional Information.  These policies state the investment practices that 
the Funds will follow, in some cases limiting investments to a certain 
percentage of assets, as well as those investment activities that are 
prohibited.  The types of securities (e.g., common stock, U.S. Government 
securities or bonds) a Fund may purchase are also disclosed in the 
Prospectus. Before a Fund purchases a security that the following policies 
permit, but which is not currently described in the Prospectus, the 
Prospectus will be amended or supplemented to describe the security.  If a 
policy's percentage limitation is adhered to immediately after and as a 
result of the investment, a later increase or decrease in values, net assets 
or other circumstances will not be considered in determining whether a Fund 
complies with the applicable limitation (except to the extent the change may 
impact a Fund's borrowing limit).

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

Non-fundamental policies may be changed  without shareholder approval.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE GROWTH FUND

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

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

2.  Purchase securities of any issuer, if such purchase at the time thereof
    would cause more than 10% of any class of securities of such issuer to be
    held by the Growth Fund.


                                         -1-
<PAGE>

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

4.  Purchase securities of companies which have a record of less than 3 years
    of continuous operation, including in such 3 years the operation of any
    predecessor company or companies, partnerships, or individual
    proprietorship, if the company whose securities are to be purchased by the
    Growth Fund has come into existence as a result of a merger, consolidation,
    reorganization or purchase of substantially all of the assets of such
    predecessor company or companies, partnership or individual proprietorship,
    if such purchase at the time thereof would cause more than 5% of the Fund's
    assets to be invested in the securities of such companies.

5.  Concentrate its investments in particular industries or companies, but
    shall maintain substantial diversification of its investments among
    industries and, to the extent deemed practicable by management, among
    companies within particular industries.

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

7.  Make short sales (sales of securities not presently owned), except where
    the Growth Fund has at the time of sale, by virtue of its ownership in
    other securities, the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and
    amount to the securities sold.

8.  Make loans to any person, firm or corporation, but the purchase by the
    Growth Fund of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds,
    debentures or other securities issued by persons other than the Growth
    Fund, whether or not the purchase was made upon the original issue of
    securities, shall not be considered a loan within the prohibition of this
    section.

9.  Borrow money, except from banks or affiliates of SAFECO Corporation at an
    interest rate not greater than that available to the Growth Fund from
    commercial banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency
    purposes and in amounts not in excess of 20% of its total assets (including
    borrowings) less liabilities (other than borrowings) immediately after such
    borrowing.  The Growth Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings
    equal to or greater than 5% of the Fund's total assets are outstanding.

10. Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate assets taken at market to an extent greater
    than 15% of its gross assets taken at cost.

11. Purchase for nor retain in its portfolio securities issued by any issuer
    any of whose officers, directors or security holders is an officer or
    director of the Growth Fund, if or so long as the officers or trustees of
    the Growth Fund, together, own beneficially more than five percent (5%) of
    any class of the securities of such issuer.


                                         -2-
<PAGE>

12. Purchase securities issued by any other investment company or investment
    trust, except by purchase in the open market where no commission or profit
    to a broker or dealer results from such purchase, other than the customary
    broker's commissions, or except when such purchase, although not made in
    the open market, is part of a merger, consolidation or acquisition.  Such
    purchases in the open market will be limited to not more than 5% of the
    value of the Growth Fund's total assets.  Nothing in this section or in
    sections 1 or 2 above shall prevent any purchase for the purpose of
    effecting a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets expressly
    approved by the shareholders after full disclosure of any commission or
    profit to the principal underwriter.

13. Act as underwriter of securities issued by any other person, firm or
    corporation; however, the Growth Fund may be deemed to be a statutory
    underwriter as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and the Securities Act
    of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), in connection with the disposition of any
    unmarketable or restricted securities which it may acquire and hold in its
    portfolio.

14. Buy or sell real estate (except real estate investment trusts),
    commodities, commodity contracts or futures contracts in the ordinary
    course of business, but this policy shall not be construed as preventing
    the Growth Fund from acquiring real estate, commodities, commodity
    contracts or futures contracts through liquidating distributions as a
    result of the ownership of securities.

15. Participate, on a joint or joint and several basis, in any trading account
    in securities.

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

17. Act as a distributor of securities of which the Growth Fund is the issuer,
    except through an underwriter (who may be designated as "distributor"), who
    may act as principal or be an agent of the Growth Fund and may not be
    obligated to the Growth Fund to sell or take any specific amount of
    securities.


                                         -3-
<PAGE>

18. Purchase foreign securities only if (a) such securities are listed on a
    national securities exchange, and (b) such purchase, at the time thereof,
    would not cause more than 10% of the total assets of the Growth Fund (taken
    at market value) to be invested in foreign securities.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

1.  The Growth Fund will not buy or sell foreign exchange, except as necessary
    to convert the proceeds of the sale of foreign portfolio securities into
    U.S. dollars.

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

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

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

5.  The Growth Fund will not invest in puts, calls, straddles, spreads or any
    combinations thereof.

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

7.  Although the Growth Fund has the right to pledge, mortgage or hypothecate
    its assets up to 15% of gross assets under the fundamental policy at
    section 10 above, it will only do so up to ten percent (10%) of its net
    assets in order to comply with state law.

8.  The Growth Fund will invest no more than five percent (5%) of total assets
    in qualified repurchase agreements and will not enter into a repurchase
    agreement for a period longer than 7 days.

9.  The Growth Fund may purchase as temporary investments for its cash
    commercial paper, certificates of deposit, no-load, open-end money market
    funds (subject to the fundamental policy limitations set forth in section
    12 above), repurchase agreements (subject to the non-fundamental policy
    limitations in section 8 above) or any other short-term instrument that
    SAFECO Asset Management Company ("SAM") deems appropriate.

10. The Growth Fund may invest up to 5% of net assets in warrants, but will
    limit investments in warrants which are not listed on the New York or
    American Stock Exchange to no more


                                         -4-
<PAGE>

than two percent (2%) of net assets.  Warrants acquired as a result of unit
offerings or attached to securities may be deemed without value for purposes of
the 5% limitation.

11. The Growth Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in contingent
    value rights.

12. The Growth Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in shares of real
    estate investment trusts.

13. The Growth Fund will not purchase any security, if as a result, more than
    15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed to be
    illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on
    resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course
    of business at approximately the prices at which they are valued.

14. The Growth Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in restricted
    securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, as
    amended ("Rule 144A"), provided that SAM has determined that such
    securities are liquid under guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE EQUITY FUND

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

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

2.  Purchase securities of any issuer, if such purchase at the time thereof
    would cause more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such
    issuer to be held by the Equity Fund.

3.  Make short sales of securities or purchase securities on margin, except for
    such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions
    and where the Equity Fund has at the time of sale, by virtue of its
    ownership in other securities, the right to obtain securities equivalent in
    kind and amount to the securities sold.

4.  Purchase securities (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the
    U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more
    than 25% of the Equity Fund's total assets would be invested in one
    industry (governmental issues of securities are not considered part of any
    one industry).


                                         -5-
<PAGE>

5.  Make loans, except through the purchase of a portion or all of an issue of
    debt or money market securities in accordance with the Equity Fund's
    investment objective, policies and restrictions or through investments in
    qualified repurchase agreements; provided, however, that the Equity Fund
    shall not invest more than 10% of its total assets in qualified repurchase
    agreements or through qualified loan agreements.

6.  Borrow money, except from a bank or affiliates of SAFECO Corporation at an
    interest rate not greater than that available to the Equity Fund from
    commercial banks for temporary or emergency purposes and not for investment
    purposes.  The Equity Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings equal
    to or greater than 5% of the Fund's total assets are outstanding.

7.  Purchase shares of registered investment companies other than real estate
    investment trusts.

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

9.  Purchase or sell real estate (except real estate investment trusts),
    commodities, commodity contracts or futures contracts.  This limitation is
    intended to include ownership of real estate through limited partnerships.

10. Purchase any security for the purpose of acquiring or exercising control or
    management of the issuer.

11. Purchase puts, calls, straddles, spreads or any combination thereof;
    provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the purchase,
    ownership, holding or sale of warrants where the grantor of the warrants is
    the issuer of the underlying securities.

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

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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


                                         -6-
<PAGE>

1.  The Equity Fund will not participate on a joint or joint and several basis
    in any trading account in securities, except that the Equity Fund may, for
    the purpose of seeking better net results on portfolio transactions or
    lower brokerage commission rates, join with other transactions executed by
    the Fund's investment adviser or the investment adviser's parent company
    and any subsidiary thereof.

2.  The Equity Fund will not purchase securities of any issuer which with its
    predecessors has been in operation less than three years, if such purchase
    would cause more than 5% of the Equity Fund's total assets to be invested
    in such issuers.

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

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

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

6.  The Equity Fund will not pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate its portfolio
    securities to the extent that, at any time, the percentage of pledged
    securities at market value will exceed 10% of its net assets.

7.  The Equity Fund will invest no more than 5% of total assets in qualified
    repurchase agreements and will not enter into a repurchase agreement for a
    period longer than 7 days.

8.  The Equity Fund may purchase as temporary investments for its cash
    commercial paper, certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements (subject
    to the non-fundamental policy limitations in section 7) or any other
    short-term instrument SAM deems appropriate.

9.  The Equity Fund may invest up to 5% of net assets in warrants purchased at
    the lower of market or cost, but will limit investments in warrants which
    are not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchange to no more than
    2% of net assets.  Warrants acquired as a result of unit offerings or
    attached to securities may be deemed without value for purposes of the 5%
    limitation.

10. The Equity Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in shares of real
    estate investment trusts.

11. The Equity Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in restricted
    securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, provided that SAM has
    determined that such securities are liquid under guidelines adopted by the
    Board of Trustees.


                                         -7-
<PAGE>

12. The Equity Fund may invest in securities convertible into common stock, but
    less than 35% of its total assets will be invested in such securities.

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

14. The Equity Fund will not purchase or retain for its portfolio the
    securities of any issuer, if, to the Fund's knowledge, the officers or
    trustees of the Fund or its investment adviser (who individually own more
    than 0.5% of the outstanding securities of such issuer), together own more
    than 5% of such issuer's outstanding securities.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE INCOME FUND

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

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

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

2.  Purchase securities of any issuer, if such purchase at the time thereof
    would cause more than 10% of any class of securities of such issuer to be
    held by the Income Fund.

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

4.  Purchase securities of companies which have a record of less than three
    years of continuous operation (including in such three years the operation
    of any predecessor company or companies, partnerships, or individual
    proprietorship, if the company whose securities are to be purchased by the
    Income Fund has come into existence as a result of a merger, consolidation,
    reorganization or purchase of substantially all of the assets of such
    predecessor company or companies, partnership, or individual
    proprietorship), if such purchase at the time thereof would cause more than
    5% of the Income Fund's assets to be invested in the securities of such
    companies.

5.  Concentrate its investments in particular industries or companies, but
    shall maintain substantial diversification of its investments among
    industries and, to the extent deemed practicable by management, among
    companies within particular industries; in no event shall the Income Fund
    invest more than 25% of its assets in any one industry.


                                         -8-
<PAGE>

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

7.  Make short sales (sales of securities not presently owned), except where
    the Income Fund has at the time of sale, by virtue of its ownership in
    other securities, the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and
    amount to the securities sold.

8.  Make loans to any person, firm or corporation, but the purchase of a
    portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other
    securities issued by persons other than the Income Fund, whether or not the
    purchase was made upon the original issue of the securities, shall not be
    considered as a loan within the prohibition of this section.

9.  Borrow money, except from banks or affiliates of SAFECO Corporation at an
    interest rate not greater than that available to the Income Fund from
    commercial banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency
    purposes and in amounts not in excess of 20% of its total assets (including
    borrowings) less liabilities (other than borrowings) immediately after such
    borrowing.  The Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings equal to or
    greater than 5% of the Fund's total assets are outstanding.

10. Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate assets taken at market to an extent greater
    than 15% of its gross assets taken at cost.

11. Purchase for nor retain in its portfolio securities issued by any issuer,
    any of whose officers, directors or security holders is an officer or
    Trustee of the Income Fund, if or so long as the officers or directors of
    the Income Fund together own beneficially more than five percent (5%) of
    any class of the securities of such issuer.

12. Purchase securities issued by any other investment company or investment
    trust, except by purchase in the open market where no commission or profit
    to a broker or dealer results from such purchase, other than the customary
    broker's commissions, or except where such purchase, although not made in
    the open market, is part of a plan of merger or consolidation.  Such
    purchases in the open market shall be limited to not more than five percent
    (5%) of the value of the Income Fund's total assets.  Nothing in this
    section or in sections 1 or 2 above shall prevent any purchase for the
    purpose of effecting a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets.

13. Underwrite securities issued by any other person, firm or corporation;
    however the Income Fund may be deemed a statutory underwriter as that term
    is defined in the 1940 Act and the 1933 Act in connection with the
    disposition of any unmarketable or restricted securities which it may
    acquire and hold in its portfolio.

14. Buy or sell real estate, (except real estate investment trusts)
    commodities, commodity contracts or futures contracts.


                                         -9-
<PAGE>

15. Participate, on a joint or joint and several basis, in any trading account
    in securities.

16. Purchase foreign securities, unless (a) such securities are listed on a
    national securities exchange, and (b) such purchase at the time thereof
    would not cause more than 10% of the total assets of the Income Fund (taken
    at market value) to be invested in foreign securities.

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

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

1.  The Income Fund will not buy or sell foreign exchange, except as necessary
    to convert the proceeds of the sale of foreign portfolio securities into
    U.S. dollars.

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

3.  Although the Income Fund has the right to pledge, mortgage or hypothecate
    its assets up to 15% of gross assets under the fundamental policy at
    section 10 above, it will only do so up to 10% of its net assets.

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

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

6.  The Income Fund will not invest in puts, calls, straddles, spreads or any
    combinations thereof.

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


                                         -10-
<PAGE>

8.  The Income Fund will invest no more than 5% of total assets in qualified
    repurchase agreements and will not enter into a repurchase agreement for a
    period longer than 7 days.

9.  The Income Fund will invest primarily in common stock and may also invest
    in convertible and non-convertible bonds and preferred stock.

10. The Income Fund may purchase as temporary investments for its cash
    commercial paper, certificates of deposit, no-load, open-end money market
    funds (subject to the fundamental policy limitations set forth in section
    12 above), repurchase agreements (subject to the non-fundamental policy
    limitations in section 8 above) or any other short-term instrument SAM
    deems appropriate.

11. The Income Fund may invest up to 5% of net assets in warrants, but will
    limit investments in warrants which are not listed on the New York or
    American Stock Exchange to no more than 2% of net assets.  Warrants
    acquired as a result of unit offerings or attached to securities may be
    deemed without value for purposes of the 5% limitation.

12. The Income Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in shares of real
    estate investment trusts.

13. The Income Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in restricted
    securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, provided that SAM has
    determined that such securities are liquid under guidelines adopted by the
    Board of Trustees.

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE NORTHWEST FUND

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

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

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

2.  Purchase the securities of any issuer if, as a result, more than 10% of any
    class of securities of such issuer will be owned by the Fund.

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


                                         -11-
<PAGE>

4.  Concentrate its investments in particular industries (other than
    obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
    instrumentalities) or invest 25% or more of the Fund's total assets in any
    one industry (governmental issues of securities are not considered part of
    one industry).

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

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

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

8.  Borrow money, except from a bank or SAFECO Corporation or its affiliates at
    an interest rate not greater than that available to the Northwest Fund from
    commercial banks, for temporary or emergency purposes and not for
    investment purposes, and then only in an amount not exceeding 20% of the
    value of the Fund's total assets at the time of borrowing.  The Northwest
    Fund will not purchase securities if borrowings equal to or greater than 5%
    of the Fund's total assets are outstanding.

9.  Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except that, to secure
    borrowings permitted by section 7 above, the Northwest Fund may pledge
    securities having a market value at the time of pledge not exceeding 10% of
    the Fund's total assets.

10. Purchase or retain for its portfolio the securities of any issuer, if, to
    the Northwest Fund's knowledge, the officers or directors of the Fund, or
    its investment adviser, who individually own more than 1/2 of 1% of the
    outstanding securities of such an issuer, together own more than 5% of such
    outstanding securities.

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

12. Purchase or sell real estate, except real estate investment trusts.

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

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


                                         -12-
<PAGE>

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

16. Purchase from, or sell portfolio securities to, any officer or director,
    the Northwest Fund's investment adviser, principal underwriter or any
    affiliates or subsidiaries thereof, provided, however, that this
    prohibition shall not prohibit the Northwest Fund from purchasing with the
    $5,000,000 raised through the sale of 500,000 shares of common stock to
    SAFECO Insurance Company of America, portfolio securities from subsidiaries
    of SAFECO Corporation prior to its effective date.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

1.  The Northwest Fund will not buy or sell foreign exchange, except as may be
    necessary to invest the proceeds of the sale of foreign securities in the
    Fund's portfolio in U.S. dollars.

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

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

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

5.  The Northwest Fund will not invest in puts, calls, straddles, spreads or
    any combinations thereof.

6.  The Northwest Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in
    securities of companies (including predecessor companies) having a record
    of less than 3 years of continuous operation.

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


                                         -13-
<PAGE>

8.  The Northwest Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in
    qualified repurchase agreements and will not invest in qualified repurchase
    agreements maturing in more than 7 days.

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

10. The Northwest Fund may invest in shares of common stock selected primarily
    for potential appreciation.

11. The Northwest Fund may occasionally invest in securities convertible into
    common stock when, in the opinion of SAM, the expected total return of a
    convertible security exceeds the expected total return of common stock
    eligible for purchase by the Fund.

12. The Northwest Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in warrants, but
    shall limit investments in warrants which are not listed on the New York or
    American Stock Exchange to no more than 2% of net assets.  Warrants
    acquired as a result of unit offerings or attached to securities may be
    deemed without value for purposes of the 5% limitation.

13. The Northwest Fund may purchase as temporary investments for its cash
    commercial paper, certificates of deposit, shares of no-load, open-end
    money market funds (subject to the percentage limitations set forth in
    section 9 above), repurchase agreements (subject to the limitations set
    forth in section 8 above) or any other short-term instrument that SAM deems
    appropriate.

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

15. The Northwest Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in restricted
    securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, provided that SAM has
    determined that such securities are liquid under guidelines adopted by the
    Board of Trustees.

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


                                         -14-
<PAGE>

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE BALANCED FUND

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

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

1.  Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
    agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more than 5% of the value of
    the Balanced Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of
    such issuer or the Balanced Fund would own or hold more than 10% of the
    outstanding voting securities of such issuer), except that up to 25% of the
    value of such assets (which 25% shall not include securities issued by
    another investment company) may be invested without regard to these limits;

2.  Borrow money, except the Balanced Fund may borrow money for temporary and
    emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment purposes) in an amount
    not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed)
    less liabilities (other than borrowings).  Any borrowings by the Fund that
    come to exceed this amount shall be reduced within three days (not
    including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the
    33 1/3% limit;

3.  Act as underwriter of securities issued by any other person, firm or
    corporation; except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition
    of portfolio securities, the Balanced Fund may be deemed an underwriter
    under federal securities laws;

4.  Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act;

5.  Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
    agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the
    Balanced Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of companies
    whose principal business activities are in the same industry;

6.  Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of
    ownership of securities or other instruments; however, the Balanced Fund
    may purchase or sell options or futures contracts and invest in securities
    or other instruments backed by physical commodities;

7.  Lend any security or make any loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of
    its total assets would be lent to other parties; however, this limit does
    not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements; and

8.  Purchase or sell real estate, except real estate investment trusts.


                                         -15-
<PAGE>

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

1.  The Balanced Fund will not purchase securities of companies which together
    with any predecessors have a record of less than 3 years of continuous
    operation, if such purchase at the time thereof would cause more than 5% of
    the Fund's total assets to be invested in the securities of such companies.

2.  The Balanced Fund will not make short sales (sales of securities not
    presently owned), except where the Fund has at the time of sale, by virtue
    of its ownership in other securities, the right to obtain at no additional
    cost securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities to be sold.

3.  The Balanced Fund will not purchase securities issued by any other
    investment company, except by purchase in the open market where no
    commission or profit to a broker or dealer results from such purchase,
    other than the customary broker's commissions, or except when such
    purchase, although not made in the open market, is part of a merger,
    consolidation or acquisition.  Nothing in this policy shall prevent any
    purchase for the purpose of effecting a merger, consolidation or
    acquisition of assets expressly approved by the shareholders after full
    disclosure of any commission or profit to the principal underwriter.

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

5.  The Balanced Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in
    warrants.  Included in that amount, but not to exceed 2% of net assets, are
    warrants whose underlying securities are not traded on principal domestic
    or foreign exchanges.  Warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached
    to securities are not subject to these limits.

6.  The Balanced Fund will not invest  more than 10% of its total assets in
    real estate investment trusts, nor will the Fund invest in interests in
    real estate investment trusts that are not readily marketable or interests
    in real estate limited partnerships not listed or  traded on the Nasdaq
    Stock Market ("Nasdaq") if, as a result, the sum of such interests
    considered illiquid and other illiquid securities would exceed 15% of the
    Fund's net assets.

7.  The Balanced Fund will not purchase securities on margin, except that the
    Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance
    of transactions, and provided that margin payments made in connection with
    futures contracts and options on futures shall not constitute purchasing
    securities on margins.


                                         -16-
<PAGE>

8.  The Balanced Fund may borrow money only from a bank or SAFECO Corporation
    or affiliates thereof or by engaging in reverse repurchase agreements with
    any party.  The Fund will not purchase any securities while borrowings
    equal to or greater than 5% of its total assets are outstanding.

9.  The Balanced Fund will not purchase any security, if as a result, more than
    15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed to be
    illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on
    resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course
    of business at approximately the prices at which they are valued.

10. The Balanced Fund will not make loans to any person, firm or corporation,
    but the purchase by the Fund of a portion of an issue of publicly
    distributed bonds, debentures or other securities issued by persons other
    than the Fund, whether or not the purchase was made upon the original issue
    of securities, shall not be considered a loan within the prohibition of
    this section.

11. The Balanced Fund will not purchase or retain the securities of any issuer
    if, to the knowledge of the Fund's management, the officers and Trustees of
    the SAFECO Common Stock Trust and the officers and directors of the
    investment adviser to the Fund (each owning beneficially more than 0.5% of
    the outstanding securities of an issuer) own in the aggregate 5% or more of
    the securities of the issuer.

12. The Balanced Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in restricted
    securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, provided that SAM has
    determined that such securities are liquid under guidelines adopted by the
    Board of Trustees.

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

14. The Balanced Fund will not purchase puts, calls, straddles, spreads or any
    combination thereof if by reason thereof the value of its aggregate
    investment in such classes of securities would exceed 5% of its total
    assets; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the purchase,
    ownership, holding or sale of warrants where the grantor of the warrants is
    the issuer of the underlying securities.

15. The Balanced Fund will not purchase or sell  commodities or commodity
    contracts.


                                         -17-
<PAGE>

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL FUND

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

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

1.  Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
    agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more than 5% of the value of
    the International Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities
    of such issuer or the International Fund would own or hold more than 10% of
    the outstanding voting securities of such issuer), except that up to 25% of
    the value of such assets (which 25% shall not include securities issued by
    another investment company) may be invested without regard to these limits;

2.  Borrow money, except the International Fund may borrow money for temporary
    and emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment purposes) in an
    amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount
    borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings).  Any borrowings by the
    Fund that come to exceed this amount shall be reduced within three days
    (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with
    the 33 1/3% limit;

3.  Act as underwriter of securities issued by any other person, firm or
    corporation; except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition
    of portfolio securities, the International Fund may be deemed an
    underwriter under federal securities laws;

4.  Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act;

5.  Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
    agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the
    International Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of
    companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry;

6.  Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of
    ownership of securities or other instruments; however, the International
    Fund may purchase or sell options or futures contracts and invest in
    securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities;

7.  Lend any security or make any loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of
    its total assets would be lent to other parties; however, this limit does
    not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements; and

8.  Purchase or sell real estate, except real estate investment trusts.


                                         -18-
<PAGE>

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

1.  The International Fund will not purchase securities of companies which
    together with any predecessors have a record of less than 3 years of
    continuous operation, if such purchase at the time thereof would cause more
    than 5% of the Fund's total assets to be invested in the securities of such
    companies.

2.  The International Fund will not make short sales (sales of securities not
    presently owned), except where the Fund has at the time of sale, by virtue
    of its ownership in other securities, the right to obtain at no additional
    cost securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities to be sold.

3.  The International Fund will not purchase securities issued by any other
    investment company, except by purchase in the open market where no
    commission or profit to a broker or dealer results from such purchase,
    other than the customary broker's commissions, or except when such
    purchase, although not made in the open market, is part of a merger,
    consolidation or acquisition.  Nothing in this policy shall prevent any
    purchase for the purpose of effecting a merger, consolidation or
    acquisition of assets expressly approved by the shareholders after full
    disclosure of any commission or profit to the principal underwriter.

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

5.  The International Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in
    warrants.  Included in that amount, but not to exceed 2% of net assets, are
    warrants whose underlying securities are not traded on principal domestic
    or foreign exchanges.  Warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached
    to securities are not subject to these limits.

6.  The International Fund will not invest  more than 10% of its total assets
    in real estate investment trusts, nor will the Fund invest in interests in
    real estate investment trusts that are not readily marketable or interests
    in real estate limited partnerships not listed or  traded on Nasdaq if, as
    a result, the sum of such interests considered illiquid and other illiquid
    securities would exceed 15% of the  Fund's net assets.

7.  The International Fund will not purchase securities on margin, except that
    the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the
    clearance of transactions, and provided that margin payments made in
    connection with futures contracts and options on futures shall not
    constitute purchasing securities on margins.

8.  The International Fund may borrow money only from a bank or SAFECO
    Corporation or affiliates thereof or by engaging in reverse repurchase
    agreements with any party. The Fund


                                         -19-
<PAGE>

will not purchase any securities while borrowings equal to or greater than 5% of
its total assets are outstanding.

9.  The International Fund will not purchase any security, if as a result, more
    than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed
    to be illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual
    restrictions on resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the
    ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they are
    valued.

10. The International Fund will not make loans to any person, firm or
    corporation, but the purchase by the Fund of a portion of an issue of
    publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities issued by
    persons other than the Fund, whether or not the purchase was made upon the
    original issue of securities, shall not be considered a loan within the
    prohibition of this section.

11. The International Fund will not purchase or retain the securities of any
    issuer if, to the knowledge of the Fund's management, the officers and
    Trustees of the SAFECO Common Stock Trust and the officers and directors of
    the investment adviser to the Fund (each owning beneficially more than 0.5%
    of the outstanding securities of an issuer) own in the aggregate 5% or more
    of the securities of the issuer.

12. The International Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in
    restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, provided that
    SAM has determined that such securities are liquid under guidelines adopted
    by the Board of Trustees.

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

INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE SMALL COMPANY FUND

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

The Small Company Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment
policies.  The Small Company Fund will NOT:

1.  Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
    agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more than 5% of the value of
    the Small Company  Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities
    of such issuer or the Small Company Fund would own or hold more than 10% of
    the outstanding voting securities of such issuer), except that up to 25% of
    the value of such assets (which 25% shall not include securities issued by
    another investment company) may be invested without regard to these limits;


                                         -20-
<PAGE>

2.  Borrow money, except the Small Company Fund may borrow money for temporary
    and emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment purposes) in an
    amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount
    borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings).  Any borrowings by the
    Fund that come to exceed this amount shall be reduced within three days
    (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with
    the 33 1/3% limit;

3.  Act as underwriter of securities issued by any other person, firm or
    corporation; except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition
    of portfolio securities, the Small Company Fund may be deemed an
    underwriter under federal securities laws;

4.  Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act;

5.  Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its
    agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Small
    Company Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of companies
    whose principal business activities are in the same industry;

6.  Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of
    ownership of securities or other instruments; however, the Small Company
    Fund may purchase or sell options or futures contracts and invest in
    securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities;

7.  Lend any security or make any loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of
    its total assets would be lent to other parties; however, this limit does
    not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase agreements; and

8.  Purchase or sell real estate, except real estate investment trusts.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

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

1.  The Small Company Fund will not make short sales (sales of securities not
    presently owned), except where the Fund has at the time of sale, by virtue
    of its ownership in other securities, the right to obtain at no additional
    cost securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities to be sold.

2.  The Small Company Fund will not purchase securities issued by any other
    investment company, except by purchase in the open market where no
    commission or profit to a broker or dealer results from such purchase,
    other than the customary broker's commissions, or except when such
    purchase, although not made in the open market, is part of a merger,
    consolidation or acquisition.  Nothing in this policy shall prevent any
    purchase for the


                                         -21-
<PAGE>

    purpose of effecting a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets
    expressly approved by the shareholders after full disclosure of any
    commission or profit to the principal underwriter.

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

4.  The Small Company Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in
    warrants.  Included in that amount, but not to exceed 2% of net assets, are
    warrants whose underlying securities are not traded on principal domestic
    or foreign exchanges.  Warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached
    to securities are not subject to these limits.

5.  The Small Company Fund will not invest  more than 10% of its total assets
    in real estate investment trusts, nor will the Fund invest in interests in
    real estate investment trusts that are not readily marketable or interests
    in real estate limited partnerships not listed or  traded on Nasdaq if, as
    a result, the sum of such interests considered illiquid and other illiquid
    securities would exceed 15% of the  Fund's net assets.

6.  The Small Company Fund will not purchase securities on margin, except that
    the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the
    clearance of transactions, and provided that margin payments made in
    connection with futures contracts and options on futures shall not
    constitute purchasing securities on margins.

7.  The Small Company Fund may borrow money only from a bank or SAFECO
    Corporation or affiliates thereof or by engaging in reverse repurchase
    agreements with any party.  The Fund will not purchase any securities while
    borrowings equal to or greater than 5% of its total assets are outstanding.

8.  The Small Company Fund will not purchase any security, if as a result, more
    than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed
    to be illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual
    restrictions on resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the
    ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they are
    valued.

9.  The Small Company Fund will not make loans to any person, firm or
    corporation, but the purchase by the Fund of a portion of an issue of
    publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities issued by
    persons other than the Fund, whether or not the purchase was made upon the
    original issue of securities, shall not be considered a loan within the
    prohibition of this section.

10. The Small Company Fund will not purchase or retain the securities of any
    issuer if, to the knowledge of the Fund's management, the officers and
    Trustees of the SAFECO Common Stock Trust and the officers and directors of
    the investment adviser to the Fund (each owning beneficially more than 0.5%
    of the outstanding securities of an issuer) own in the aggregate 5% or more
    of the securities of the issuer.


                                         -22-
<PAGE>

11. The Small Company Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in
    restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A, provided that
    SAM has determined that such securities are liquid under guidelines adopted
    by the Board of Trustees.

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

13. The Small Company Fund will not purchase securities of companies which
    together with any predecessors have a record of less than 3 years of
    continuous operation, if such purchase at the time thereof would cause more
    than 5% of the Fund's total assets to be invested in the securities of such
    companies.

14. The Small Company Fund will not purchase puts, calls, straddles, spreads or
    any combination thereof, if by reason thereof the value of its aggregate
    investment in such classes of securities would exceed 5% of its total
    assets; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the purchase,
    ownership, holding or sale of warrants where the grantor of the warrants is
    the issuer of the underlying securities.

15. The Small Company Fund will not purchase or sell  commodities or commodity
    contracts.

Fundamental Policies

U.S. Value Fund will not:

1.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its 
     agencies or instrumentalities) if as a result more than 5% of the value 
     of the U.S. Value Fund's total assets would be invested in the 
     securities of such issuer of the U.S. Value Fund would own or hold more 
     than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, except 
     that up to 25% of the value of such assets (which 25% shall not include 
     securities issued by another investment company) may be invested without 
     regard to these limits;

2.   Borrow money, except the U.S. Value Fund may borrow money for temporary 
     and emergency purposes (not for leveraging or investment purposes) in an 
     amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount 
     borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings).  Any borrowings by 
     the Fund that come to exceed this amount shall be reduced within three 
     days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to 
     comply with the 33 1/3% limit;

3.   Act as underwriter of securities issued by any other person, firm or 
     corporation; except to the extent that, in connection with the 
     disposition of portfolio securities, the U.S. Value Fund may be deemed 
     an underwriter under federal securities laws;

4.   Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, the 
     rules or regulations promulgated thereunder or pursuant to a no-action 
     letter or an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange 
     Commission;

   
5.   Purchase the securities of any issuer (except the U.S. Government, its 
     agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, 25% or more of the 
     U.S. Value Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of 
     companies whose principal business activities are in the same industry;
    
   
6.   Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of 
     ownership of securities or other instruments; however, the U.S. Value 
     Fund may purchase financial futures contracts and options and options on 
     financial futures contracts;
    

7.   Lend any security or make any loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of 
     its total assets would be lent to other parties; however, this limit 
     does not apply to purchases of debt securities or to repurchase 
     agreements; and

8.   Purchase or sell real estate, except real estate investment trusts.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

1.   The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase securities of companies which 
     together with any predecessors have a record of less than 3 years of 
     continuous operation, if such purchase at the time thereof would cause 
     more than 5% of the Fund's total assets to be invested in the securities 
     of such companies;

2.   The U.S. Value Fund will not make short sales (sales of securities not 
     presently owned), except where the Fund has at the time of sale, by 
     virtue of its ownership in other securities, the right to obtain at no
     additional cost securities equivalent in kind and amount to the 
     securities to be sold;

3.   The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase securities issued by any other 
     investment company, except by purchase in the open market where no 
     commission or profit to a broker or dealer results from such purchase, 
     other than the customary broker's commissions, or except when such 
     purchase, although not made in the open market, is part of a merger, 
     consolidation or acquisition.  Nothing in this policy shall prevent any 
     purchase for the purpose of effecting a merger, consolidation or 
     acquisition of assets expressly approved by the shareholders after full 
     disclosure of any commission or profit to the principal underwriter;

4.   The U.S. Value Fund will not invest in oil, gas or other mineral 
     exploration, development programs or leases;

5.   The U.S. Value Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in 
     warrants.  Warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached to 
     securities are not subject to the 5% limit;

6.   The U.S. Value Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in 
     real estate investment trusts, nor will the Fund invest in interests in 
     real estate investment trusts that are not readily marketable or 
     interests in real estate limited partnerships not listed or traded on 
     the Nasdaq Stock Market if, as a result, the sum of such interests 
     considered illiquid and other illiquid securities would exceed 15% of 
     the Fund's net assets;

7.   The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase securities on margin, except that 
     the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the 
     clearance of transactions, and provided that margin payments made in 
     connection with futures contracts and options on futures shall not 
     constitute purchasing securities on margin;

8.   The U.S. Value Fund may borrow money only from a bank or SAFECO 
     Corporation or affiliates thereof or by engaging in reverse repurchase 
     agreements with any party.  The Fund will not purchase any securities 
     while borrowings equal to or greater than 5% of its total assets are 
     outstanding.

9.   The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase any security, if as a result, more 
     than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are 
     deemed to be illiquid because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the 
     ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they 
     are valued;

10.  The U.S. Value Fund will not make loans to any person, firm or 
     corporation, but the purchase by the Fund of a portion of an issue of 
     publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities issued by 
     persons other than the Fund, whether or not the purchase was made upon 
     the original issue of securities, shall not be considered a loan within 
     the prohibition of this section;

11.  The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase or retain the securities of any 
     issuer if, to the knowledge of the Fund's management, the officers and 
     Trustees of the SAFECO Common Stock Trust and the officers and directors 
     of the investment adviser to the Fund (each owning beneficially more 
     than 0.5% of the outstanding securities of an issuer) own in the 
     aggregate 5% or more of the securities of the issuer;

12.  The U.S. Value Fund may invest in restricted securities eligible for 
     resale under Rule 144A, provided that SAM has determined that such 
     securities are liquid under guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees;

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

14.  The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase puts, calls, straddles, spreads or 
     any combination thereof if by reason thereof the value of its aggregate 
     investment in such classes of securities would exceed 5% of its total 
     assets; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the 
     purchase, ownership, holding or sale of warrants where the grantor of 
     the warrants is the issuer of the underlying securities; and

15.  The U.S. Value Fund will not purchase or sell commodities or commodity 
     contracts.

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION

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

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

    Where registration is required, a Fund may be obligated to pay all or part
    of the registration expenses, and a considerable period may elapse between
    the decision to sell and the time the


                                         -23-
<PAGE>

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

2.  WARRANTS.  A warrant is an option issued by a corporation that gives the
    holder the right to buy a stated number of shares of common stock of the
    corporation at a specified price within a designated time period.  Warrants
    may be purchased and sold separately or attached to stocks or bonds as part
    of a unit offering.  The term of a warrant may run from two to five years
    and in some cases the term may be longer.  The exercise price carried by
    the warrant is usually well above the prevailing market price of the
    underlying common stock at the time the warrant is issued.  The holder of a
    warrant has no voting rights and receives no dividends.  Warrants are
    freely transferable and may trade on the major national exchanges.

    Warrants may be speculative.  Generally, the value of a warrant will
    fluctuate by greater percentages than the value of the underlying common
    stock.  The primary risk associated with a warrant is that the term of the
    warrant may expire before the exercise price of the common stock has been
    reached.  Under these circumstances, a Fund could lose all of its principal
    investment in the warrant.

    A Fund will invest in a warrant only if the Fund has the authority to hold
    the underlying common stock.  Additionally, if a warrant is part of a unit
    offering, a Fund will purchase the warrant only if it is attached to a
    security in which the Fund has authority to invest.  In all cases, a Fund
    will purchase warrants only after SAM determines that the exercise price
    for the underlying common stock is likely to be achieved within the
    required time-frame and for which an actively traded market exists.  SAM
    will make this determination by analyzing the issuer's financial health,
    quality of management and any other factors deemed to be relevant.

3.  REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  In a repurchase agreement, a Fund and the seller 
    agree at the time of sale to the repurchase of a security at a mutually 
    agreed upon time and place.  The period of maturity is usually quite 
    short, possibly overnight or a few days. The resale price is in excess of 
    the purchase price, reflecting an agreed upon market rate effective for 
    the period of time a Fund's money is invested in the security (which is 
    not related to the coupon rate of the purchased security).  Repurchase 
    agreements may be considered loans of money to the seller of the 
    underlying security, which are collateralized by the securities 
    underlying the repurchase agreement.  A Fund will not enter into a 
    repurchase agreement unless the agreement is fully collateralized. A Fund 
    will take possession of the securities underlying the repurchase 
    agreement and will value them daily to assure that this condition is met. 
    In the event that a seller defaults on a repurchase agreement, a Fund may 
    incur loss in the market value of the collateral, as well as disposition 
    costs; and, if a party with whom a Fund has entered into a repurchase 
    agreement becomes


                                         -24-
<PAGE>

    involved in a bankruptcy proceeding, a Fund's ability to realize the
    collateral may be limited or delayed and a loss may be incurred if the
    collateral securing the repurchase agreement declines in value during the
    bankruptcy proceeding.  Foreign repurchase agreements may be less well
    secured than U.S. repurchase agreements and may be subject to currency
    risks.  In addition, foreign counter parties may be less creditworthy than
    U.S. counterparties.

4.  COMMERCIAL PAPER AND CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT.  In making temporary
    investments in commercial paper and certificates of deposit, a Fund will
    adhere to the following guidelines:

         a)   Commercial paper must be rated A-1 or A-2 by Standard & Poor's
              Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies , Inc.
              ("S&P") or Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
              ("Moody's") or issued by companies with an unsecured debt issue
              currently outstanding rated AA by S&P or Aa by Moody's or higher.

         b)   Certificates of deposit ("CDs") must be issued by banks or 
              savings and loan associations that have total assets of at 
              least $1 billion or, in the case of a bank or savings and loan 
              association not having total assets of at least $1 billion, the 
              bank or savings and loan association is insured by the Federal 
              Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). The Growth Fund's 
              investments in CDs issued by FDIC-insured banks or savings and 
              loans having less than $1 billion in assets will be limited in
              to amount the statutory insurance coverage provided by FDIC.

5.  CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS.  A contingent value right ("CVR") is a right
    issued by a corporation that takes on a pre-established value if the
    underlying common stock does not attain a target price by a specified date.
    Generally, a CVR's value will be the difference between the target price
    and the current market price of the common stock on the target date.  If
    the common stock does attain the target price by the date, the CVR expires
    without value.  CVRs may be purchased and sold as part of the underlying
    common stock or separately from the stock.  CVRs may also be issued to
    owners of the underlying common stock as the result of a corporation's
    restructuring.

6.  REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS ("REITS").  REITs purchase real property,
    which is then leased, and make mortgage investments.  For federal income
    tax purposes REITs attempt to qualify for beneficial "modified pass
    through" tax treatment by annually distributing at least 95% of their
    taxable income.  If a REIT were unable to qualify for such tax treatment,
    it would be taxed as a corporation and the distributions made to its
    shareholders would not be deductible by it in computing its taxable income.

    REITs are dependent upon the successful operation of the properties owned
    and the financial condition of lessees and mortgagors.  The value of REIT
    units will fluctuate depending on the underlying value of the real property
    and mortgages owned and the amount of cash flow (net income plus
    depreciation) generated and paid out.  In addition, REITs typically borrow
    to increase funds available for investment.  Generally, there is a greater
    risk associated with REITs that are highly leveraged.


                                         -25-
<PAGE>

7.  ILLIQUID SECURITIES.  Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be 
    sold within seven days in the ordinary course of business for 
    approximately the amount at which they are valued.  The Funds do not 
    intend to purchase illiquid securities, but the market for some 
    securities may become illiquid following purchase by the Fund.  Due to 
    the absence of an active trading market, a Fund may experience difficulty 
    in valuing or disposing of illiquid securities.  SAM determines the 
    liquidity of the securities under guidelines adopted by the Trust's Board 
    of Trustees.

8.  CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Convertible bonds and convertible preferred stock
    may be exchanged for a stated number of shares of the issuer's common stock
    at a certain price known as the conversion price.  The conversion price is
    usually greater than the price of the common stock at the time the
    convertible security is purchased.  Generally, the interest rate of
    convertible bonds and the yield of convertible preferred stock will be
    lower than the issuer's non-convertible securities.  Also, the value of
    convertible securities will normally vary with the value of the underlying
    common stock and fluctuate inversely with interest rates.  However,
    convertible securities may show less volatility in value than the issuer's
    non-convertible securities.  A risk associated with convertible bonds and
    convertible preferred stock is that the conversion price of the common
    stock will not be attained.

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

10. SOVEREIGN DEBT OBLIGATIONS. Sovereign debt instruments are issued or
    guaranteed by foreign governments or their agencies.  Sovereign debt may be
    in the form of conventional securities or other types of debt instruments
    such as loans or loan participations.  Governments or governmental entities
    responsible for repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay
    principal and interest when due, and may require renegotiation or
    rescheduling of debt payments.  Repayment of principal and interest may
    depend also upon political and economic factors.

11. INDEXED SECURITIES.  Indexed securities are securities whose prices are
    indexed to the prices of other securities, securities indices, currencies,
    commodities or other financial indicators.  Indexed securities generally
    are debt securities whose value at maturity or interest rate is determined
    by reference to a specific instrument or statistic.  Currency-indexed
    securities generally are debt securities whose maturity values or interest
    rates are determined by reference to values of one or more specified
    foreign currencies.  Currency-indexed securities may be positively or
    negatively indexed; i.e., their maturity value may increase when the
    specified currency value increases, resulting in a security that performs
    similarly to a foreign-denominated instrument, or their maturity value may
    decline when foreign currencies increase, resulting in a security whose
    price characteristics are similar to a put on the


                                         -26-
<PAGE>

    underlying currency.  Currency-indexed securities may also have prices that
    depend on the values of different foreign securities relative to each
    other.

    The performance of an indexed security depends largely on the performance
    of the security, currency or other instrument to which they are indexed.
    Performance may also be influenced by interest rate changes in the United
    States and foreign countries.  Indexed securities additionally are subject
    to credit risks associated with the issuer of the security.  Their values
    may decline substantially if the issuer's creditworthiness deteriorates.
    Indexed securities may also be more volatile than their underlying
    instruments.

12. PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES ("PFICS").  PFICs may include funds or
    trusts organized as investment vehicles to invest in companies of certain
    foreign countries.  Investors in a PFIC bear their proportionate share of
    the PFIC's management fees and other expenses.  See "Additional Tax
    Information" for more information.

13. SHORT SALES AGAINST THE BOX.  A Fund may make short sales of securities or
    maintain a short position, provided that at all times when a short position
    is open the Fund owns an equal amount of such securities or an equal amount
    of the securities of the same issuer as the securities sold short (a "short
    sale against the box").  Funds engaging in short sales against the box will
    incur transaction costs.

   
14. OPTIONS ON EQUITY SECURITIES.  (International Fund only.)  The International
    Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options on equity 
    securities.  A call option is a short-term contract pursuant to which the 
    purchaser or holder, in return for a premium paid, has the right to buy the 
    equity security underlying the option at a specified exercise price (the 
    strike price) at any time during the term of the option (for 
    "American-style" options) or on the option expiration date (for 
    European-style options).  The writer of the call option, who received the 
    premium, has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the 
    underlying equity security against payment of the strike price.  A put 
    option is a similar contract that gives the purchaser or holder, in return 
    for a premium, the right to sell the underlying equity security at a 
    specified exercise price (the strike price) during the term of the option.  
    The writer of the put, who receives the premium, has the obligation to buy 
    the underlying equity security at the strike price upon exercise by the 
    holder of the put.
    

    The Fund will write call options on stocks only if they are covered, and 
    such options must remain covered so long as the Fund is obligated as a 
    writer.  A call option is "covered" if: the Fund has an immediate right 
    to acquire that security (i) without additional cash consideration (or 
    for additional cash consideration held in a segregated account by its 
    custodian), or (ii) upon the Fund's conversion or exchange of other 
    securities held in its portfolio, or (iii) the Fund holds a 
    share-for-share basis a call on the same security as the call written 
    where the strike price of the call held is equal to or less than the 
    strike price of the call written or greater than the strike price of the 
    call written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in cash, 
    Treasury bills or other liquid high-grade short-term debt obligations in 
    a segregated account with its custodian.


                                         -27-
<PAGE>

    The Fund will write put options on stocks only if they are covered, and 
    such options must remain covered so long as the Fund is obligated as a 
    writer.  A put option is "covered" if: (i) the Fund holds in a segregated 
    account cash, Treasury bills, or other liquid high-grade short-term debt 
    obligations of a value equal to the strike price, or (ii) the Fund holds 
    on a share-for-share basis a put on the same security as the put written 
    where the strike price of the put held is equal to or greater than the 
    strike price of the put written, or less than the strike price of the put 
    written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in cash, Treasury 
    bills, or other liquid high-grade short-term obligations in a segregated 
    account with its custodian.

    The Fund may purchase "protective puts," i.e., put options acquired for the
    purpose of protecting a portfolio security from a decline in market value.
    In exchange for the premium paid for the put option, the Fund acquires the
    right to sell the underlying security at the strike price of the put
    regardless of the extent to which the underlying security declines in
    value.  The loss to the Fund is limited to the premium paid for, and
    transaction costs in connection with, the put plus the initial excess, if
    any, of the market price of the underlying security over the strike price.
    However, if the market price of the security underlying the put rises, the
    profit the Fund realizes on the sale of the security will be reduced by the
    premium paid for the put option less any amount (net of transaction
    costs)for which the put may be sold.

    The Fund does not intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets at any
    one time in the purchase of call options on stocks.

    If the Fund, as a writer of an option, wishes to terminate the obligation,
    it may effect a "closing purchase transaction " by  buying an option of the
    same series as the option previously written.  Similarly, the holder of an
    option may liquidate his or her position by exercising the option or by
    effecting a "closing sale transaction," I.E., selling an option of the same
    series as the option previously purchased.  The Fund may effect closing
    sale and purchase transactions.  The Fund will realize a profit from a
    closing transaction if the price of the transaction is less than the
    premium received from writing the option or is more than the premium paid
    to purchase the option.  Because increases in the market price of a call
    option will generally reflect increases in the market price of the
    underlying security, any loss resulting from a closing purchase transaction
    with respect to a call option is likely to be offset in whole or in part by
    appreciation of the underlying equity security owned by the Fund.  There is
    no guaranty that closing purchase or closing sale transactions can be
    effected.

    The Fund's use of options on equity securities is subject to certain
    special risks, in addition to the risk that the market value of the
    security will move adversely to the Fund's option position.  An option
    position may be closed out only on an exchange, board of trade or other
    trading facility that provides a secondary market for an option of the same
    series.  Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only those
    options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is
    no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for
    any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no
    secondary market on an exchange or otherwise may exist.  In such event it
    might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options,
    with the result that the Fund


                                         -28-
<PAGE>

    would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would
    incur brokerage commissions upon the exercise of such options and upon the
    subsequent disposition of the underlying securities acquired through the
    exercise of call options or upon the purchase of underlying securities or
    the exercise of put options.  If the Fund as a covered call option writer
    is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market,
    it will not be able to sell underlying security until the option expires or
    it delivers the underlying security upon exercise.

    Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange can
    include any of the following:  (i) there may be insufficient trading
    interest in certain options, (ii) restrictions imposed by an exchange on
    opening transactions or closing transactions or both, (iii) trading halts,
    suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular
    classes or series of options or underlying securities, (iv) unusual or
    unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange,
    (v) the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not at all
    times be adequate to handle current trading volume, or (vi) one or more
    exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at
    some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular
    class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that
    exchange (or in the class or series of options) would cease to exist,
    although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by a
    clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue
    to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.  There is no assurance
    that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events
    might not, at times, render certain of the facility of any of the clearing
    corporations inadequate, and thereby result in the institution by an
    exchange of special procedures that may interfere with the timely execution
    of customers' orders.

   
15. OPTIONS ON STOCK INDICES.  (International Fund only.)  The International
    Fund may purchase and sell (I.E., write) put and call options on stock
    indices.  Options on stock indices are similar to options on stock except 
    that, rather than obtaining the right to take or make delivery of stock at 
    a specified price, an option on stock index gives the holder the right to
    receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing
    level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than (in
    the case of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the strike price of
    the option.  The amount of cash is equal to such difference between the
    closing price of the index and the strike price of the option times a
    specified multiple (the "multiplier").  If the option is exercised, the
    writer is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery
    of this amount.  Unlike stock options, all settlements are in cash, and
    gain or loss depends on price movements in the stock market generally (or
    in particular industry or segment of the market) rather than price
    movements in individual stocks.
    

    The Fund will write call options on stock indices only if they are covered,
    and such options remain covered as long as the Fund is obligated as a
    writer.  When the Fund writes a call option on a broadly based stock market
    index, the Fund will segregate or put into escrow with its custodian or
    pledge to a broker as collateral for the option, cash, Treasury bills or
    other liquid high-grade short-term debt obligations, or "qualified
    securities " (defined


                                         -29-
<PAGE>

    below) with a market value at the time the option is written of not less
    than 100% of the current index value times the multiplier times the number
    of contracts.  A "qualified security " is an equity security that is listed
    on a national securities exchange or listed on  Nasdaq against which the
    Fund has not written a stock call option and that has not been hedged by
    the Fund by the sale of stock index futures.

    When the Fund writes a call option on an industry or market segment index,
    the Fund will segregate or put into escrow with its custodian or pledge to
    a broker as collateral for the option, cash, Treasury bills or other liquid
    high-grade short-term debt obligations, or at least five qualified
    securities, all of which are stocks of issuers in such industry or market
    segment, with a market value at the time the option is written of not less
    than 100% of the current index value times the multiplier times the number
    of contracts.  Such stocks will include stocks that represent at least 50%
    of the weighting of the industry or market segment index and will represent
    at least 50% of the portfolio's holdings in that industry or market
    segment.  No individual security will represent more than 15% of the amount
    so segregated, pledged or escrowed in the case of broadly based stock
    market stock options or 25% of such amount in the case of industry or
    market segment index options.

    If at the close of business on any day the market value of such qualified
    securities so segregated, escrowed, or pledged falls below 100% of the
    current index value times the multiplier times the number of contracts, the
    Fund will so segregate, escrow, or pledge an amount in cash, Treasury
    bills, or other liquid high-grade short-term obligations equal in value to
    the difference.  In addition, when the Fund writes a call on an index that
    is in-the-money at the time the call is written, the Fund will segregate
    with its custodian or pledge to the broker as  collateral, cash or U.S.
    Government or other liquid high-grade short-term debt obligations equal in
    value to the amount by which the call is in-the-money times the multiplier
    times the number of contracts.  Any amount segregated pursuant to the
    foregoing sentence may be applied to the Fund's obligation to segregate
    additional amounts in the event that the market value of the qualified
    securities falls below 100% of the current index value times the multiplier
    times the number of contracts.  A call option is also covered and the Fund
    need not follow the segregation requirements set forth in this paragraph 
    if: the Fund holds a call on the same index as the call written where the
    strike price of the call held is equal to or less than the strike price of
    the call written or greater than the strike price of the call written if
    the difference is maintained by the Fund in cash, Treasury bills or other
    liquid high-grade short-term obligations in a segregated account with its
    custodian.

    The Fund will write put options on stock indices only if they are 
    covered, and such options must remain covered so long as the Fund is 
    obligated as a writer.  A put option is covered if: (i) the Fund holds in 
    a segregated account cash, Treasury bills, or other liquid high-grade 
    short-term debt obligations of a value equal to the strike price times 
    the multiplier times the number of contracts, or (ii) the Fund holds a 
    put on the same index as the put written where the strike price of the 
    put held is equal to or greater than the strike price of the put written 
    or less than the strike price of the put written if the difference is 
    maintained by the Fund in cash,


                                         -30-
<PAGE>

    Treasury bills, or other liquid high-grade short-term debt obligations in a
    segregated account with its custodian.

    The Fund does not intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets at any
    one time in the purchase of puts and calls on stock indices.  The Fund may
    effect closing sale and purchase transactions, as described above in
    connection with options on equity securities.

    The purchase and sale of options on stock indices will be subject to the
    same risks as options on equity securities, described above.  In addition,
    the distinctive characteristics of options on indices create certain risks
    that are not present with stock options.  Index prices may be distorted if
    trading of certain stocks included in the index is interrupted.  Trading in
    index options also may be interrupted in certain circumstances, such as if
    trading were halted in a substantial number of stocks included in the
    index.  If this occurred, the Fund would not be able to close out options
    that it had purchased or written and, if restrictions on exercise were
    imposed, may be unable to exercise an option it holds, which could result
    in substantial losses to the Fund.  The Fund generally will purchase or
    write options only on stock indices that include a number of stocks
    sufficient to minimize the likelihood of a trading halt in options on the
    index.

    Although the markets for certain index option contracts have developed
    rapidly, the markets for other index options are still relatively illiquid.
    The ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be
    subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market.
    It is not certain that this market will develop in all index options
    contracts.  The Fund will not purchase or sell any index option contract
    unless and until  Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.) Limited (the
    "Sub-Adviser"), the Fund's sub-investment adviser, believes the market for
    such options has developed sufficiently that the risk in connection with
    such transactions is no greater than the risk in connection with options on
    stocks.

    Price movements in the Fund's equity security portfolio probably will not
    correlate precisely with movements in the level of the index and,
    therefore, in writing a call on a stock index the Fund bears the risk that
    the price of the securities held by the Fund may not increase as much as
    the index.  In such event, the Fund would bear a loss on the call that is
    not completely offset by movement in the price of the Fund's equity
    securities.  It is also possible that the index may rise when the Fund's
    securities do not rise in value.  If this occurred, the Fund would
    experience a loss on the call that is not offset by an increase in the
    value of its securities portfolio and might also experience a loss in its
    securities portfolio.  However, because the value of a diversified
    securities portfolio will, over time, tend to move in the same direction as
    the market, movements in the value of the Fund's securities in the opposite
    direction as the market would be likely to occur for only a short period or
    to a small degree.

    When the Fund has written a call, there is also a risk that the market may
    decline between the time the Fund has a call exercised against it, at a
    price which is fixed as of the closing level of the index on the date of
    exercise, and the time the Fund is able to sell stocks in its


                                         -31-
<PAGE>

    portfolio.  As with stock options, the Fund will not learn that an index
    option has been exercised until the day following the exercise date but,
    unlike a call on stock where the Fund would be able to deliver the
    underlying securities in settlement, the Fund may have to sell part of its
    stock portfolio in order to make settlement in cash, and the price of such
    stocks might decline before they can be sold.  This timing risk makes
    certain strategies involving more than one option substantially more risky
    with options in stock indices than with stock options.

    There are also certain special risks involved in purchasing put and call
    options on stock indices.  If the Fund holds an index option and exercises
    it before final determination of the closing index value for that day, it
    runs the risk that the level of the underlying index may change before
    closing.  If such a change causes the exercised option to fall
    out-of-the-money, the Fund will be required to pay the difference between
    the closing index value and the strike price of the option (times the
    applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.  Although the Fund may be
    able to minimize the risk by withholding exercise instructions until just
    before the daily cutoff time or by selling rather than exercising an option
    when the index level is close to the exercise price, it may not be possible
    to eliminate this risk entirely because the cutoff times for index options
    may be earlier than those fixed for other types of options and may occur
    before definitive closing index values are announced.

   
16. OPTIONS ON DEBT SECURITIES. (International Fund only.)  The Fund may
    purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options on debt securities.
    Options on debt are similar to options on stock, except that the option 
    holder has the right to take or make delivery of a debt security, rather 
    than stock.
    

    The Fund will write options only if they are covered, and such options 
    must remain covered so long as the Fund is obligated as a writer.  An 
    option on debt securities is covered in the same manner as explained in 
    connection with options on equity securities as described above, except 
    that, in the case of call options on U.S. Treasury bills, the Fund might 
    own U.S. Treasury bills of a different series from those underlying the 
    call option, but with a principal amount and value corresponding to the 
    option contract amount and a maturity date no later than that of the 
    securities deliverable under the call option.  The principal reason for 
    the Fund to write an option on one or more of its securities is to 
    realize through the receipt of the premiums paid by the purchaser of the 
    option a greater current return than would be realized on the underlying 
    security alone.  Calls on debt securities will not be written when, in 
    the opinion of the Sub-Adviser, interest rates are likely to decline 
    significantly, because under those circumstances the premium received by 
    writing the call likely would not fully offset the foregone appreciation 
    in the value of the underlying security.

    The Fund may also write straddles (i.e., a combination of a call and a put
    written on the same security at the same strike price where the same issue
    of the security is considered "cover"


                                         -32-
<PAGE>

    for both the put and the call).  In such cases, the Fund will also
    segregate or deposit for the benefit of the Fund's broker cash or liquid
    high-grade debt obligations equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the
    put is in-the-money.  The Fund's use of straddles will be limited to 5% of
    its net assets (meaning that the securities used for cover or segregated as
    described above will not exceed 5% of the Fund's net assets at the time the
    straddle is written).  The writing of a call and a put on the same security
    at the same strike price where the call and the put are covered by
    different securities is not considered a straddle for purposes of this
    limit.

    The Fund may purchase "protective puts" on debt securities in an effort to
    protect the value of a security that they own against a substantial decline
    in market value.  Protective puts are described above in "Options on
    Equities."

    The Fund does not intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets at any
    one time in the purchase of call options on debt securities.

   
    If the Fund, as a writer of an exchange-traded option, wishes to terminate
    the obligation, it may effect a closing purchase or sale transaction in a
    manner similar to that discussed above in connection with options on equity
    securities.  Unlike exchange-traded options, dealer options generally do not
    have a continuous liquid market.  Consequently, the Fund will generally be
    able to realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by
    exercising it or reselling it to the dealer who issued it.  Similarly, when
    the Fund writes an OTC option, it generally will be able to close out the
    dealer option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing 
    purchase transaction with the dealer to which the Fund originally wrote the 
    dealer option.  While the Fund will seek to enter into dealer options only 
    with dealers who agree to and who are expected to be able to be capable of
    entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance
    that the Fund will be able to liquidate a dealer option at a favorable price
    at any time prior to expiration.  In the event of insolvency of the other
    party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option.  There is, in
    general, no guarantee that closing purchase or closing sale transactions
    can be effected.  The Fund may not invest more than 15% of its total assets
    (determined at the time of investment) in illiquid securities, including
    debt securities for which there is not an established market.  The staff of
    the SEC has taken the position that purchased dealer options and the assets
    used as "cover" for written dealer options are illiquid securities.  
    However, pursuant to the terms of certain no-action letters issued by the 
    staff, the securities used as cover for written dealer options may be 
    considered liquid provided that the Fund sells dealer options only to 
    qualified dealers who agree that the Fund may repurchase any dealer option 
    its writes for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula.
    In such cases, the dealer option would be considered illiquid only to the 
    extent that the maximum repurchase price under the formula exceeds the 
    intrinsic value of the option.
    

    The Fund's purchase and sale of exchange-traded options on debt securities
    will be subject to the risks described above in "Options on Equity
    Securities."


                                         -33-
<PAGE>

17. OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES. (International Fund only.)  The Fund may
    purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies traded on
    U.S. or foreign securities exchanges or boards of trade for hedging
    purposes.  Options on foreign currencies are similar to options on stock,
    except that the option holder has the right to take or make delivery of a
    specified amount of foreign currency, rather than stock.

    The Fund may purchase and write options to hedge its securities denominated
    in foreign currencies.  If there is a decline in the dollar value of a
    foreign currency in which the Fund's securities are denominated, the dollar
    value of such securities will decline even though their foreign currency
    value remains the same.  To hedge against the decline of the foreign
    currency, the Fund may purchase put options on such foreign currency.  If
    the value of the foreign currency declines, the gain realized on the put
    option would offset, in whole or in part, the adverse effect such decline
    would have on the value of the Fund's securities.  Alternatively, the Fund
    may write a call option on the foreign currency.  If the foreign currency
    declines, the option would not be exercised and the decline in the value of
    the portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency would be
    offset in part by the premium the Fund received for the option.

    If, on the other hand, the Sub-Adviser anticipates purchasing a foreign
    security and also anticipates a rise in such foreign currency (thereby
    increasing the cost of such security), the Fund may purchase call options
    on the foreign currency.  The purchase of such options could offset, at
    least partially, the effects of the adverse movements of the exchange
    rates.  Alternatively, the Fund could write a put option on the currency
    and, if the exchange rates move as anticipated, the option would expire
    unexercised.

    The Fund's successful use of options on foreign currencies depends upon the
    Sub-Adviser's ability to predict the direction of the currency exchange
    markets and political conditions, which requires different skills and
    techniques than predicting changes in the securities markets generally.
    For instance, if the currency being hedged has moved in a favorable
    direction, the corresponding appreciation of the Fund's securities
    denominated in such currency would be partially offset by the premiums paid
    on the options.  Furthermore, if the currency exchange rate does not
    change, the Fund's net income would be less than if the Fund had not hedged
    since there are costs associated with options.

    The use of these options is subject to various additional risks.  The 
    correlation between movements in the price of options and the price of 
    the currencies being hedged is imperfect.  The use of these instruments 
    will hedge only the currency risks associated with investments in foreign 
    securities, not their market risks.  The Fund's ability to establish and 
    maintain positions will depend on market liquidity.  The ability of the 
    Fund to close out an option depends upon a liquid secondary market.  
    There is no assurance that liquid secondary markets will exist for any 
    particular option at any particular time.

18. STOCK INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS.  (International Fund only.)  The
    International Fund may buy and sell for hedging purposes stock index
    futures contracts traded on a commodities


                                         -34-
<PAGE>

    exchange or board of trade.  A stock index futures contract is an agreement
    in which the seller of the contract agrees to deliver to the buyer an
    amount of cash equal to a specific dollar amount times the difference
    between the value of a specific stock index at the close of the last
    trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is made.
    No physical delivery of the underlying stocks in the index is made.  When
    the futures contract is entered into, each party deposits with a broker or
    in a segregated custodial account approximately 5% of the contract amount,
    called the "initial margin."  Subsequent payments to and from the broker,
    called "variation margin," will be made on a daily basis as the price of
    the underlying stock index fluctuates, making the long and short positions
    in the futures contracts more or less valuable, a process known as "marking
    to the market."

    The Fund may sell stock index futures to hedge against a decline in the
    value of equity securities it holds.  The Fund may also buy stock index
    futures to hedge against a rise in the value of equity securities it
    intends to acquire.  To the extent permitted by federal regulations, the
    Fund may also engage in other types of hedging transactions in stock index
    futures that are economically appropriate for the reduction of risks
    inherent in the ongoing management of the Fund's equity securities.

    The Fund's successful use of stock index futures contracts depends upon the
    Sub-Adviser's ability to predict the direction of the market and is subject
    to various additional risks.  The correlation between movement in the price
    of the stock index future and the price of the securities being hedged is
    imperfect and the risk from imperfect correlation increases as the
    composition of the Fund's securities portfolio diverges from the
    composition of the relevant index.  In addition, the ability of the Fund to
    close out a futures position depends on a liquid secondary market.  There
    is no assurance that liquid secondary markets will exist for any particular
    stock index futures contract at any particular time.

    Under regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"),
    investment companies registered under the 1940 Act are excluded from
    regulation as commodity pools or commodity pool operators if their use of
    futures is limited in certain specified ways.  The Fund will use futures in
    a manner consistent with the terms of this exclusion.  Among other
    requirements, no more than 5% of the Fund's assets may be committed as
    initial margin on futures contracts.

19. INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS.  (International Fund only.)  The
    International Fund may buy and sell for hedging purposes futures contracts
    on interest bearing securities (such as U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. Treasury
    notes, U.S. Treasury bills, and GNMA certificates) or interest rate
    indices.  Futures contracts on interest bearing securities and interest
    rate indices are referred to collectively as "interest rate futures
    contracts."  The portfolios will engage in transactions in only those
    futures contracts that are traded on a commodities exchange or board of
    trade.

    The Fund may sell an interest rate futures contract to hedge against a
    decline in the market value of debt securities it owns.  The Fund may
    purchase an interest rate futures contract to


                                         -35-
<PAGE>

    hedge against an anticipated increase in the value of debt securities it
    intends to acquire.  The Fund may also engage in other types of
    transactions in interest rate futures contracts that are economically
    appropriate for the reduction of risks inherent in the ongoing management
    of its futures.

    The Fund's successful use of interest rate futures contracts depends upon
    the Sub-Adviser's ability to predict interest rate movements.  Further,
    because there are a limited number of types of interest rate futures
    contracts, it is likely that the interest rate futures contracts available
    to the Fund will not exactly match the debt securities the Fund intends to
    hedge or acquire.  To compensate for differences in historical volatility
    between securities the Fund intends to hedge or acquire and the interest
    rate futures contracts available to it, the Fund could purchase or sell
    futures contracts with a greater or lesser value than the securities it
    wished to hedge or intended to purchase.  Interest rate futures contracts
    are subject to the same risks regarding closing transactions and the CFTC
    limits as described above in "Stock Index Futures Contracts."

20. FOREIGN CURRENCY FUTURES CONTRACTS.  (International Fund only.)  The
    International Fund may buy and sell for hedging purposes futures contracts
    on foreign currencies or groups of foreign currencies such as the European
    Currency Unit.  An European Currency Unit is a basket of specified amounts
    of the currencies of certain member states of the European Economic
    Community, a Western European economic cooperative organization including
    France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.  The Fund will
    engage in transactions in only those futures contracts and other options
    thereon that are traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade.  See
    "Stock Index Futures Contracts" above for a general description of futures
    contracts.  The Fund intends to engage in transactions involving futures
    contracts as a hedge against changes in the value of the currencies in
    which they hold investments or in which they expect to pay expenses or pay
    for future purchases.  The Fund may also engage in such transactions when
    they are economically appropriate for the reduction of risks inherent in
    their ongoing management.

    The use of these futures contracts is subject to risks similar to those
    involved in the use of options of foreign currencies and the use of any
    futures contract.  The Fund's successful use of foreign currency futures
    contracts depends upon the Sub-Adviser's ability to predict the direction
    of currency exchange markets and political conditions.  In addition, the
    correlation between movements in the price of futures contracts and the
    price of currencies being hedged is imperfect, and there is no assurance
    that liquid markets will exist for any particular futures contract at any
    particular time.  Those risks are discussed above more fully under "Options
    on Foreign Currencies" and "Stock Index Futures Contracts."

21. OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS.  (International Fund only.)  The Fund may, to
    the extent permitted by applicable regulations, enter into certain
    transactions involving options on futures contracts.  An option on a
    futures contract gives the purchaser or holder the right, but not the
    obligation, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if
    the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a
    specified price at any time during the


                                         -36-
<PAGE>

    option exercise period.  The writer of the option is required upon exercise
    to assume an offsetting futures position (a short position if the option is
    a call and a long position if the option is a put).  Upon exercise of the
    option, the assumption of offsetting futures positions by the writer and
    holder of the option will be accomplished by delivery of the accumulated
    balance in the writer's futures margin account that represents the amount
    by which the market price of the futures contract, an exercise, exceeds, in
    the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise
    price of the option on the futures contract.  As an alternative to
    exercise, the holder or writer of an option may terminate a position by
    selling or purchasing an option of the same series.  There is no guarantee
    that such closing transactions can be effected.  The Fund intends to
    utilize options on futures contracts for the same purposes that it intends
    to use the underlying futures contracts.

    Options on futures contracts are subject to risks similar to those
    described above with respect to options and futures contracts.  There is
    also the risk of imperfect correlation between the option and the
    underlying futures contract.  If there were no liquid secondary market for
    a particular option on a futures contract, the Fund might have to exercise
    an option it held in order to realize any profit and might continue to be
    obligated under an option it had written until the option expired or was
    exercised.  If the Fund were unable to close out an option it had written
    on a futures contract, it would continue to be required to maintain initial
    margin and make variation margin payments with respect to the option
    position until the option expired or was exercise against the Fund.

22. FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS.  (International Fund only.)
    The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts
    ("forward contracts") in several  circumstances.  When the Fund enters into
    a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign
    currency, or when the Fund anticipates the receipt in a foreign currency of
    dividends or interest payments on a security that it holds, the Fund may
    desire to "lock-in" the U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S.
    dollar equivalent of such dividend or interest payment, as the case may be.
    By entering into a forward contract for a fixed amount of dollars, for the
    purchase or sale of the amount of foreign currency involved in the
    underlying transactions, the Fund will be able to protect itself against a
    possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between
    the U.S. dollar and the subject foreign currency during the period between
    the date on which the security is purchased or sold, or on which the
    dividend or interest payment is declared, and the date on which such
    payments are made or received.

    Additionally, when the Sub-Adviser believes that the currency of a
    particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the
    U.S. dollar, the Fund may enter into a forward contract for a fixed amount
    of dollars, to sell the amount of foreign currency approximating the value
    of some or all of the portfolio securities denominated in such foreign
    currency.  The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the
    value of the securities involved will not generally be possible since the
    future value of securities in foreign currencies will change as a
    consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between
    the date on which the forward contract is entered into and the date it
    matures.  The projection of


                                         -37-
<PAGE>

    short-term currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the
    successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain.
    The Fund will not enter into forward contracts or maintain a net exposure
    to such contracts where the consummation of the contracts would obligate
    the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of the  value
    of the securities or other assets denominated in that currency held by the
    Fund.

    Under normal circumstances, consideration of the prospect for currency
    parities will be incorporated into the long-term investment decisions made
    with regard to overall diversification strategies.  However, the Fund
    believes that it is important to have the flexibility to enter into forward
    contracts when it is determined that the best interests of the Fund will
    thereby be served.  The Fund's custodian will place cash or liquid,
    high-grade equity or debt securities into a segregated account of the
    portfolio in an amount equal to the value of the Fund's total assets
    committed to the consummation of forward foreign currency exchange
    contracts.  If the value of the securities placed in the segregated account
    declines, additional cash or securities will be placed in the account on a
    daily basis so that the value of the account will equal the amount of the
    Fund's commitments with respect to such contracts.

    The Fund generally will not enter into a forward contract with a term of
    greater than one year.  At the maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may
    either sell the portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign
    currency or it may retain the security and terminate its contractual
    obligation to deliver the foreign currency by purchasing an "offsetting"
    contract with the same currency trader obligating it to purchase, on the
    same maturity date, the same amount of the foreign currency.  However,
    there is no assurance that liquid markets will exist for any particular
    forward contract at any particular time or that the Fund will be able to
    effect a closing or "offsetting" transaction.  Forward contracts are
    subject to other risks described in "Special Risks of Foreign Investments
    and Foreign Currency Transactions."

    It is impossible to forecast with absolute precision the market value of a
    particular portfolio security at the expiration of the contract.
    Accordingly, it may be necessary for the Fund to purchase additional
    foreign currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase)
    if the market value of the security is less than the amount of foreign
    currency that the Fund is obligated to deliver and if a decision is made to
    sell the security and make delivery of the foreign currency.

    If the Fund retains the portfolio security and engages in an offsetting
    transaction, the Fund will incur a gain or a loss (as described below) to
    the extent that there has been movement in forward contract prices.  Should
    forward contract prices decline during the period between the Fund's
    entering into a forward contract for the sale of a foreign currency and the
    date it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase of the foreign
    currency, the Fund will realize a gain to the extent that the price of the
    currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the price of the currency it has
    agreed to purchase.  Should forward contract prices increase, the Fund will
    suffer a loss to the extent that the price of the currency it has agreed to
    purchase exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to sell.


                                         -38-
<PAGE>

    The Fund's dealing in forward contracts will be limited to the transactions
    described above.  Of course, the Fund is not required to enter into such
    transactions with regard to its foreign currency-denominated securities.
    It also should be realized that this method of protecting the value of the
    portfolio securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not
    eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities that are
    unrelated to exchange rates.  Additionally, although such contracts tend to
    minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged
    currency, at the same time they tend to limit any potential gain that might
    result should the value of such currency increase.

    Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it does
    not intend physically to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into
    U.S. dollars on a daily basis.  The Fund will do so from time to time,
    incurring the costs of currency conversion.  Although foreign exchange
    dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based
    on the difference (the "spread") between the prices at which they are
    buying and selling various currencies.  Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a
    foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of
    exchange should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.

SPECIAL RISKS OF BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE BONDS

Below investment grade bonds (commonly referred to as "high-yield" or "junk"
bonds) have certain additional risks associated with them.  Yields on below
investment grade bonds will fluctuate over time.  These bonds tend to reflect
short-term economic and corporate developments to a greater extent than higher
quality bonds that primarily react to fluctuations in interest rates.  During an
economic downturn or period of rising interest rates, issuers of below
investment grade bonds may experience financial difficulties that adversely
affect their ability to make principal and interest payments, meet projected
business goals and obtain additional financing.  In addition, issuers often rely
on cash flow to service debt.  Failure to realize projected cash flows may
seriously impair the issuer's ability to service its debt load that in turn
might cause a Fund to lose all or part of its investment in that security.  SAM
will seek to minimize these additional risks through diversification, careful
assessment of the issuer's financial structure, business plan and management
team and monitoring of the issuer's progress toward its financial goals.

The liquidity and price of below investment grade bonds can be affected by a
number of factors, including investor perceptions and adverse publicity
regarding major issues, underwriters or dealers of lower-quality corporate
obligations.  These effects can be particularly pronounced in a thinly-traded
market with few participants and may adversely impact the Fund's ability to
dispose of the bonds as well as make valuation of the bonds more difficult.
Because there tend to be fewer investors in below investment grade bonds, it may
be difficult for the Fund to sell these securities at an optimum time.
Consequently, these bonds may be subject to more price changes, fluctuations in
yield and risk to principal and income than higher-rated bonds of the same
maturity.

Credit ratings evaluate the likelihood that an issuer will make principal and
interest payments, but may not reflect market value risks associated with
lower-rated bonds.  Credit rating agencies may


                                         -39-
<PAGE>

not timely revise ratings to reflect subsequent events affecting an issuer's
ability to pay principal and interest.


SPECIAL RISKS OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

FOREIGN SECURITIES

Investing in foreign companies and markets involves certain considerations,
including those set forth below, that are not typically associated with
investing in U.S. securities denominated in U.S. dollars and traded in U.S.
markets.  Many of the securities held by a Fund will not be registered under,
nor will the issuers thereof be subject to the reporting requirements of, U.S.
securities laws.  Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information
about a foreign company than about a domestic company.  Foreign companies are
not generally subject to uniform accounting and auditing and financial reporting
standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic
companies.  Securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and more
volatile than securities of comparable domestic companies.

It is contemplated that most foreign securities will be purchased in
over-the-counter markets or stock exchanges located in the countries in which
the respective principal offices of the issuers of the various securities are
located.  Fixed commissions on foreign stock exchanges are generally higher than
negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges.  There is generally less governmental
supervision and regulation of foreign stock exchanges, broker-dealers and
issuers than in the United States.

In addition, with respect to some foreign countries, there is the possibility of
expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the removal of funds or
other assets of a Fund, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments that could affect U.S. investments in those countries.  Moreover,
individual foreign economics may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S.
economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation,
capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments
position.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES

The value of the assets of a Fund as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected
favorably or unfavorably by fluctuations in currency rates and exchange control
regulations (including, but not limited to, actions by a foreign government to
devalue its currency, thereby effecting a possibly substantial reduction in the
U.S. dollar value of a Fund's investments in that country).  The International
Fund is authorized to employ certain hedging techniques to minimize this risk.
However, to the extent such transactions do not fully protect the International
Fund against adverse changes in exchange rates, decreases in the value of the
currencies of the countries in which the Fund will invest will result in a
corresponding decrease in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets denominated
in those currencies.  Further, the International Fund may incur costs in
connection with conversions between various currencies.  Foreign exchange
dealers (including banks) realize a profit


                                         -40-
<PAGE>

based on the difference between the prices at which they buy and sell various
currencies.  Thus, a dealer or bank normally will offer to sell a foreign
currency to the International Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of
exchange should the Fund desire immediately to resell that currency to the
dealer.  Moreover, fluctuations in exchange rates may decrease or eliminate
income available for distribution.  For example, if certain foreign currency
losses exceed other investment company taxable income (as defined below under
"Additional Tax Information") during a taxable year, the Fund would not be able
to make ordinary dividend distributions, or distributions made before the losses
were realized would be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders
for federal income tax purposes, rather than as an ordinary dividend, reducing
each shareholder's basis in his International Fund shares.

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS (INTERNATIONAL FUND ONLY)

Hedging transactions cannot eliminate all risks of loss to the International
Fund and may prevent the Fund from realizing some potential gains.  The
projection of short-term foreign currency and market movements is extremely
difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is
highly uncertain.  Among the risks of hedging transactions are: incorrect
prediction of the movement of currency exchange rates and market movements;
imperfect correlation of currency movements in cross-hedges and indirect hedges;
imperfect correlation in the price movements of options, futures contracts and
options on future contracts with the assets on which they are based; lack of
liquid secondary markets and inability to effect closing transactions; costs
associated with effecting such transactions; inadequate disclosure and/or
regulatory controls in certain markets;  counterparty default with respect to
transactions not executed on an exchange; trading restrictions imposed by
governments, or securities and commodities exchanges; and governmental actions
affecting the value or liquidity of currencies.  Hedging transactions may be
effected in foreign markets or on foreign exchanges and are subject to the same
types of risks that affect foreign securities.  See "Special Risks of Foreign
Investments and Foreign Currency Transactions".

Indirect hedges and cross-hedges are more speculative than other hedges because
they are not directly related to the position or transaction being hedged.  With
respect to indirect hedges, movements in the proxy currency may not precisely
mirror movements in the currency in which portfolio securities are denominated.
Accordingly, the potential gain or loss on an indirect hedge may be more or less
than if the Fund had directly hedged a currency risk.  Similar risks are
associated with cross-hedge transactions.  In a cross-hedge, the foreign
currency in which a portfolio security is denominated is hedged against another
foreign currency, rather than the U.S. dollar.  Cross-hedges may also create a
greater risk of loss than other hedging transactions because they may involve
hedging a currency risk through the U.S. dollar rather than directly to the U.S.
dollar or another currency.


To help reduce certain risks associated with hedging transactions, the Board of
Trustees has adopted the requirement that forward contracts, options, futures
contracts and options on futures contracts be used on the behalf of the Fund as
a hedge and not for speculation.  In addition to this requirement, the Board of
Trustees has adopted the following percentage restrictions on the use of
options, futures contracts and options on futures contracts:


                                         -41-
<PAGE>

(i)      The Fund will not write a put or call option if, as a result thereof,
         the aggregate value of the assets underlying all such options
         (determined as of the date such options are written) would exceed 25%
         of the Fund's net assets.

(ii)     The Fund will not purchase a put or call option or option on a futures
         contract if, as a result thereof, the aggregate premiums paid on all
         options or options on futures contracts held by the Fund would exceed
         20% of the Fund's net assets.

(iii)    The Fund will not enter into any futures contract or option on a
         futures contract if, as a result thereof, the aggregate margin
         deposits and premiums required on all such instruments would exceed 5%
         of the Fund's net assets.


PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS OF CERTAIN FUNDS

   
At April 2, 1997 SAFECO Insurance Company of America ("SAFECO Insurance") 
owned 500,000 shares of the Northwest Fund which represented 16% of the 
Fund's outstanding shares.  At April 2, 1997, SAM owned 500,000 shares of 
each of the Balanced Fund and International Fund, which represented 54% of 
the Balanced Fund's, and 45% of the International Fund's outstanding shares.  
At April 2, 1997, SAFECO Corporation owned 500,000 shares of the Small 
Company Fund which represented 42% of the Fund's outstanding shares. At April 
2, 1997, SAM owned 500,000 shares of the Value Fund, which represented 100% 
of the Fund's outstanding Shares. SAFECO Insurance and SAM are Washington 
corporations and wholly owned subsidiaries of SAFECO Corporation, which has 
its principal place of business at SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185.  
Principal shareholders of a Fund may control the outcome of a shareholder 
vote.
    

ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION

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

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


                                         -42-
<PAGE>

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

The International Fund, may invest in the stock of PFICs.  A PFIC is a foreign
corporation that, in general, meets either of the following tests:  (1) at least
75% of its gross income is passive or (2) an average of at least 50% of its
assets produce, or are held for the production of, passive income.  Under
certain circumstances, if a Fund holds stock of a PFIC, it will be subject to
federal income tax on a portion of any "excess distribution" received on the
stock or of any gain on disposition of the stock (collectively "PFIC income"),
plus interest thereon, even if the Fund distributes the PFIC income as a taxable
dividend to its shareholders.  The balance of the PFIC income will be included
in the Fund's investment company taxable income and, accordingly, will not be
taxable to it to the extent that income is distributed to its shareholders.

If a Fund invests in a PFIC and elects to treat the PFIC as a "qualified
electing fund" ("QEF"), then in lieu of the foregoing tax and interest
obligation, the Fund would be required to include in income each year its pro
rata share of the QEF's annual ordinary earnings and net capital gain (the
excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) even if
those earnings and gain were not received by the Fund.  In most instances it
will be very difficult, if not impossible, to make this election because of
certain requirements thereof.

Pursuant to proposed regulations, open-end RICs, such as the Funds, would be
entitled to elect to "mark-to-market" their stock in certain PFICs.
"Marking-to-market," in this context, means recognizing as gain for each taxable
year the excess, as of the end of that year, of the fair market value of any
such PFIC's stock over the adjusted basis in that stock (including
mark-to-market gain for each prior year for which an election was in effect).

The International Fund and any other Fund that invests in foreign securities may
be required to pay withholding or other taxes to a foreign government.  If so,
the taxes will reduce the Fund's distributions.  Foreign tax withholding from
dividends and interest (if any) is typically set at a rate between 10% and 15%
if there is a treaty with the foreign government that addresses this issue.  If
no such treaty exists, the foreign tax withholding would generally be 30%.
Amounts  withheld for foreign taxes will reduce the amount of dividend
distributions to shareholders, but will be included in shareholders taxable
income.  However, the Fund intends to make an election which will allow
shareholders to claim an offsetting credit or deduction on their tax return for
their share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund.

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


                                         -43-
<PAGE>

If the International Fund's dividends exceed its taxable income in any year
because of currency-related losses or otherwise, all or a portion of the Fund's
dividends may be treated as a return of capital to shareholders for tax
purposes.  To minimize the risk of a return of capital, the Fund may adjust its
dividends to take currency fluctuations into account, causing the dividends to
vary.  Any return of capital will reduce the cost basis of your shares resulting
in a higher reported capital gains or a lower reported capital loss when you
sell your shares.

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

CONVERSION OF ADVISOR CLASS B SHARES

Advisor Class B shares of a Fund will automatically convert to Advisor Class A
shares of that Fund, based on the relative net asset values per share ("NAVs")
of the Classes,  within the first month following the sixth anniversary of the
shareholder's purchase of such Advisor Class B shares .  For the purpose of
calculating the holding period required for conversion of Advisor Class B shares
of each Fund except the Money Market Fund, the date of purchase shall mean
(1) the date on which such Advisor Class B shares were purchased or (2) for
Advisor Class B shares obtained through an exchange, or a series of exchanges,
the date on which the original Advisor Class B shares were purchased.  For the
purpose of calculating the holding period required for conversion of Advisor
Class B shares of the  Money Market Fund, the date of purchase shall mean the
date on which those shares were first exchanged for Advisor Class B shares of
any other SAFECO Fund.   Holders of Class B shares of the SAFECO Advisor Series
Trust ("Advisor Series Shares") who invest in Advisor Class B Shares of a Fund
may calculate the holding period from the date of the purchase of the Advisor
Series Shares.  For purposes of conversion to Advisor Class A shares, Advisor
Class B shares purchased through the reinvestment of dividends and other
distributions paid in respect of Advisor Class B shares will be held in a
separate sub-account; each time any Advisor Class B shares in the shareholder's
regular account (other than those in the sub-account) convert to Advisor Class A
shares, a pro rata portion of the Advisor Class B shares in the sub-account will
also convert to Advisor Class A shares.  The portion will be determined by the
ratio that the shareholder's Advisor Class B shares converting to Advisor Class
A shares bears to the shareholder's total Advisor Class B shares not acquired
through dividends and other distributions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

Each Fund determines its NAV by subtracting its liabilities (including accrued
expenses and dividends payable) from its total assets (the market value of the
securities the Fund holds plus cash and other assets, including interest accrued
but not yet received) and dividing the result by the total number of shares
outstanding.  The NAVs of the Advisor classes of each Fund are calculated as of
the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("Exchange",
normally 1:00 p.m.  Pacific Time, every day the Exchange is open for trading.
The Exchange is closed on the following


                                         -44-
<PAGE>

days:  New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.  NAV is determined
separately for each class of shares of each Fund.

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

Trading in foreign securities will generally be substantially completed each day
at various times prior to the close of the Exchange.  The value of any such
securities are determined as of such times for purposes of computing the
International Fund's NAV.  Foreign currency exchange rates are also generally
determined prior to the close of the Exchange.  If an extraordinary event occurs
after the close of an exchange on which that security is traded, the security
will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Sub-Adviser
under procedures established by and under general supervision of the Fund's
Board of Trustees.

Options the International Fund may purchase that are traded on national
securities exchanges are valued at their last sale price as of the close of
option trading on such exchange.  Futures contracts the International Fund will
enter into will be marked to market daily, and options thereon are valued at
their last sale price, as of the close of the applicable commodities exchange.
Quotations of foreign securities in a foreign currency are converted into U.S.
dollar equivalents at the current rate obtained by a recognized bank or dealer.
Forward contracts are valued at the current cost of covering or offsetting such
contracts.

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

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

The total returns, expressed as a percentage, for the one-, five-and ten-year
periods ended December 31, 1996, for the Growth, Equity and Income Funds
would have been as follows:


                                         -45-
<PAGE>

   
                          1 Year             5 Years            10 Years
                          ------             -------            --------
                    Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor
                    Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B
                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------

Growth Fund          17.37%    17.69%    72.46%    78.27%   271.45%   288.27%

Equity Fund          19.37%    19.68%   135.12%   143.57%   345.38%   365.17%

Income Fund          18.38%    18.67%    91.49%    98.04%   180.95%   193.50%
    

The total returns, expressed as a percentage, for the one-year, five year and 
since-inception (70 months) periods ended December 31, 1996, for the 
Northwest Fund would have been as follows:

   
                          1 Year              5 Year          Since Initial
                          ------              ------          Effective Date
                                                               (70 Months)
                                                              --------------
                    Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor
                    Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B
                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------

Northwest Fund        9.78%     9.71%    49.69%    54.41%    71.98%    78.76%
    
   
The total returns, expressed as a percentage, for the eleven month period 
from inception to December 31, 1996, for the Balanced, International, and 
Small Company Funds would have been as follows:
    
   
                                                11 Month Period from 
                                           Inception to December 31, 1996*
                                           -------------------------------
                                           Class A                 Class B
                                           -------                 -------
Balanced Fund                                6.35%                   6.12%
International Fund                           9.01%                   8.91%
Small Company Fund                          19.38%                  19.79%

* Not Annualized.
    

The total returns, expressed in dollars and assuming a $10,000 initial 
investment, for the one-, five-and ten-year periods ended December 31, 1996, 
for the Growth, Equity and Income Funds would have been as follows:

   
                          1 Year             5 Years             10 Years
                          ------             -------             --------
                    Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor
                    Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B
                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------

Growth Fund         $11,737   $11,769   $17,246   $17,827   $37,145   $38,827

Equity Fund         $11,937   $11,968   $23,512   $24,357   $44,538   $46,517

Income Fund         $11,838   $11,867   $19,149   $19,804   $28,095   $29,350
    

The total returns, expressed in dollars and assuming a $10,000 initial 
investment, for the one year, five year and since-inception (70 months) 
periods ended December 31, 1996, for the Northwest Fund would have been as 
follows:


                                      -46-
<PAGE>

   
                          1 Year              5 Year          Since Initial
                          ------              ------          Effective Date
                                                               (70 Months)
                                                              --------------
                    Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor
                    Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B
                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------

Northwest Fund      $10,978   $10,971   $14,969   $15,441   $17,198   $17,876
    
   
The total returns, expressed in dollars and assuming a $10,000 initial 
investment, for the eleven month period from inception to December 31, 1996 
for the Balanced, International and Small Company Funds would have been as 
follows:
    
   
                                            11 Month Period from Inception
                                                to December 31, 1996*
                                            ------------------------------
                                            Class A                Class B
                                            -------                -------
Balanced Fund                               $10,635                $10,612
International Fund                          $10,901                $10,891
Small Company Fund                          $11,938                $11,979

* Not Annualized.
    

The average annual total returns for the one-, five- and ten-year periods 
ended December 31, 1996, for the Growth, Equity and Income Funds would have 
been as follows:

   
                          1 Year             5 Years             10 Years
                          ------             -------             --------
                    Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor
                    Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B
                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------

Growth Fund          17.37%    17.69%    11.52%    12.26%    14.02%    14.53%

Equity Fund          19.37%    19.68%    18.65%    19.49%    16.11%    16.62%

Income Fund          18.38%    18.67%    13.87%    14.64%    10.88%    11.37%
    

The average annual total returns for the one year, five year and 
since-inception (70 months) periods ended December 31, 1996, for the 
Northwest Fund would have been as follows:

   
                          1 Year              5 Year          Since Initial
                          ------              ------          Effective Date
                                                               (70 Months)
                                                              --------------
                    Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor   Advisor
                    Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B
                    -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------

Northwest Fund        9.78%     9.71%     8.40%     9.08%     9.74%    10.47%
    

                                      -47-
<PAGE>

CALCULATIONS

The total return, expressed as a percentage, is computed using the following
formula:

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

The total return, expressed in dollars, is computed using the following formula:

                                             n
                                   T = P(1+A)

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

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

     Where:    T =  total return

               A =  average annual total return

               n =  number of years

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

          P =  a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 or $10,000
          (when total return is expressed in dollars)

In making the above calculation, all dividends and capital gain distributions
are assumed to be reinvested at the respective Fund's NAV on the reinvestment
date, and the maximum sales charge, if any, for each Class is applied.


In addition to performance figures, the Funds may advertise their rankings as
calculated by independent rating services that monitor mutual funds' performance
(e.g., CDA Investment Technologies, Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.,
Morningstar, Inc., and Wiesenberger Investment Companies Service).  These
rankings may be among mutual funds with similar objectives and/or size or with
mutual funds in general.  In addition, the Funds may advertise rankings which
are in part based upon subjective criteria developed by independent rating
services to measure relative performance.  Such criteria may include methods to
account for levels of risk and potential tax liability, sales commissions and
expense and turnover ratios.  These rating services may also base the measure of
relative performance on time periods deemed by them to be representative of up
and down markets.  The Funds may also describe in their endorsements the
methodology used by rating services to arrive at Fund ratings.  In addition, the
Funds may also advertise individual measurements of Fund performance published
by the rating services, including, but not limited to: a Fund's beta, standard
deviations, and price earnings ratio.


                                      -48-
<PAGE>

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

Each Fund may compare its performance against the following unmanaged indices
that (unless otherwise noted in the advertisement) assume reinvestment of
dividends:

     AMEX (AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE) MAJOR MARKET INDEX - Price weighted (high
     priced issues have more influence than low-priced issues) average of 20
     Blue Chip stocks.

     DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE - Price weighted average of 30 actively-traded
     Blue Chip stocks.

     NASDAQ PRICE INDEX - Market value weighted (impact of a component's price
     change is proportionate to the overall market value of the issue) index of
     approximately 3500 over-the-counter stocks.

     S & P'S COMPOSITE INDEX OF 500 STOCKS - Market value weighted index of 500
     stocks most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange with some
     listed on the American Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.

     WILSHIRE 5000 EQUITY INDEX - Market value weighted index of approximately
     5000 stocks including all stocks on the New York and American Exchanges.

     MORGAN STANLEY CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL EAFE INDEX - Market value weighted
     index of approximately 1200 companies located throughout the world.

     RUSSELL 2000 INDEX - The 2000 smallest firms in the Russell 3000 Index
     which is composed of the 3000 largest companies in the United States as
     measured by capitalization.

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


                                      -49-
<PAGE>

selection and a Fund's investment objective and (iv) information about
particular securities held in a Fund's portfolio.

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

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

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

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

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

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

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


                                      -50-
<PAGE>

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

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

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

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


                                      -51-
<PAGE>

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

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

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


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


                                      -52-
<PAGE>

                     COMPENSATION TABLE FOR CURRENT TRUSTEES
   
               FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           Total
                                             Pension or                                Compensation
                                             Retirement                                    From
                                              Benefits             Estimated          Registrant and
                         Aggregate         Accrued As Part      Annual Benefits        Fund Complex
                       Compensation           of Fund                Upon                  Paid
    Trustee           from Registrant         Expenses            Retirement           to Trustees
    -------           ---------------      ---------------      ---------------       --------------
<C>                   <S>                  <S>                  <S>                   <S>
Boh A. Dickey               N/A                  N/A                  N/A                   N/A

Barbara J. Dingfield       $  790                N/A                  N/A                  $ 2,188

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

Richard W. Hubbard         $  790                N/A                  N/A                  $ 1,750

Richard E. Lundgren        $  790                N/A                  N/A                  $ 2,188

Larry L. Pinnt             $  790                N/A                  N/A                  $ 2,188

John W. Schneider          $  790                N/A                  N/A                  $ 2,188
</TABLE>
    

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


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

   
The the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, Barbara J. Dingfield, Richard 
E. Lundgren, Larry L. Pinnt, John W. Schneider and Richard N. Hubbard each 
received $7,949 aggregate compensation from Registrant and (except for Mr. 
Hubbard) $25,750 total compensation from Registrant and the Fund complex paid 
to Trustees; Mr. Hubbard received $24,000 total compensation from Registrant 
and Fund complex paid to Trustees.  Mr. Dickey and Mr. Hill are officers of 
various SAFECO Companies and are not compensated by the Trusts.  Similarly, 
the officers of the SAFECO Trusts receive no compensation for their services 
as officers.
    

At April 2, 1997, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned
less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each Fund.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

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

SAM has a sub-advisory agreement with Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.)
Limited.  The Sub-Adviser has its headquarters at 26 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin
Ireland and its U.S. office at 2


                                      -53-
<PAGE>

Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, Connecticut.  The Sub-Adviser is a direct, wholly
owned subsidiary of Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited (an investment
advisory firm) that is located at 26 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin, Ireland.  The
Sub-Adviser is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Ireland (a
holding company whose primary subsidiaries are engaged in banking, insurance,
securities and related financial services), which is located at Lower Baggot
Street, Dublin, Ireland.

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

                                                 SAFECO           SAFECO
    Name            Trust            SAM         Securities       Services
    ----            -----            ---         ----------       --------

B. A. Dickey      Chairman        Director                        Director
                  Trustee         Chairman

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

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

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

S. C. Bauer                       President
                                  Director

D. H. Longhurst                   Assistant      Assistant        Assistant
                                  Controller     Controller       Controller

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

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

The Trust Instrument of the Trust provides that the Trust will indemnify its
Trustees and its officers against liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred
in connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of their
offices with the Trust, unless it is adjudicated that they engaged in bad faith,
wilful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties


                                      -54-
<PAGE>

involved in the conduct of their offices.  In the case of settlement, such
indemnification will not be provided unless it has been determined -- by a court
or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or by a majority of
disinterested Trustees, based upon a review of readily available facts, or in a
written opinion of independent counsel -- that such officers or Trustees have
not engaged in wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of their duties.

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

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

                         GROWTH, EQUITY AND INCOME FUNDS

            NET ASSETS                                 ANNUAL FEE

     $0 - $100,000,000                                 .75% of 1%
     $100,000,001 - $250,000,000                       .65% of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000                       .55% of 1%
     Over $500,000,000                                 .45% of 1%

                                 NORTHWEST FUND

          NET ASSETS                                   ANNUAL FEE

     $0 - $250,000,000                                 .75 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000                       .65 of 1%
     $500,000,001 - $750,000,000                       .55 of 1%
     Over $750,000,000                                 .45 of 1%


                                      -55-
<PAGE>

                            BALANCED AND VALUE FUNDS

          NET ASSETS                                   ANNUAL FEE

     $0 - $250,000,000                                 .75 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000                       .65 of 1%
     Over $500,000,000                                 .55 of 1%


                               INTERNATIONAL FUND

          NET ASSETS                                   ANNUAL FEE

     $0 - $250,000,000                                 1.10 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000                       1.00 of 1%
     Over $500,000,000                                 .90 of 1%


                               SMALL COMPANY FUND

          NET ASSETS                                   ANNUAL FEE

     $0 - $250,000,000                                 .85 of 1%
     $250,000,001 - $500,000,000                       .75 of 1%
     Over $500,000,000                                 .65 of 1%

Under the sub-advisory Agreement between SAM and the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-
Adviser is responsible for providing investment research and advice used to
manage the investment portfolio of the International Fund.  In return, SAM (and
not the International Fund) pays the Sub-Adviser a fee in accordance with the
schedule below:

          NET ASSETS                                   ANNUAL FEE

     $0 - $50,000,000                                  .60 of 1%
     $50,000,001 - $100,000,000                        .50 of 1%
     Over $100,000,000                                 .40 of 1%


   
The following table states the total amounts of compensation paid to SAM for 
the fiscal period ended December 31, 1996, and the past three fiscal years 
for the Growth, Equity, Income and Northwest Funds:
    

                                      -56-
<PAGE>

                                   FISCAL YEAR OR PERIOD ENDED

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      For the Three Month
                         Period Ended         September 30,      September 30,  September 30,
                       December 31, 1996          1996               1995           1994
                      -------------------     ------------       ------------   -------------
<S>                   <C>                     <C>                <C>            <C>
     Growth Fund         $  327,000            $1,260,000         $1,107,000     $1,096,000
     Equity Fund         $1,131,000            $3,752,000         $3,151,000     $1,676,000
     Income Fund         $  469,000            $1,597,000         $1,348,000     $1,363,000
     Northwest Fund      $   80,000            $  305,000         $  269,000     $  287,000
</TABLE>
    
   
The total amount of compensation paid to SAM for the Balanced, International, 
and Small Company Fund for the period from January 31, 1996 through December 31,
1996 was $47,000, $81,000, and $78,000, respectively.
    

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

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

Among other things, each Plan provides that (1) SAFECO Securities will submit to
the Trust's Board of Trustees at least quarterly, and the Trustees will review,
reports regarding all amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which
such expenditures were made, (2) the Plan will continue in effect so long as it
is approved at least annually and any material amendment thereto is approved, by
the Trust's Board of Trustees, including those Trustees who are not "interested
persons" of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan or any agreement related to the Plan, acting in person
at the meeting called for that purpose, (3) payments by a Fund under the Plan
shall not be materially increased without the affirmative vote of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant Advisor Class of
that Fund and (4) while the Plan remains in effect, the selection and nomination
of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust shall be committed to
the discretion of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust.

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


                                      -57-
<PAGE>

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

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

The Plans comply with rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. which limit the annual asset-based sales charges and service fees that a
mutual fund may impose on a class of shares to .75% and .25%, respectively, of
the average annual net assets attributable to that class.  The rules also limit
the aggregate of all front-end, deferred and asset-based sales charges imposed
with respect to a class of shares by a mutual fund that also charges a service
fee to 6.25% of cumulative gross sales of that class, plus interest at the prime
rate plus 1% per annum.

   
CUSTODIAN.  State Street Bank and Trust Company, 1776 Heritage Drive North 
Quincy, MA  02170, is the custodian of the securities, cash and other assets 
of each Fund (except the International Fund) under an agreement with the 
Trust. Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New 
York is the custodian of the securities, cash and other assets of the 
International Fund.  Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. has entered into 
sub-custodian agreements with several foreign banks and clearing agencies, 
pursuant to which portfolio securities purchased outside the United States 
are maintained in the custody of these entities.
    

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

   
TRANSFER AGENT.  SAFECO Services, SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185 is 
the transfer, dividend and distribution disbursement and shareholder 
servicing agent for the Advisor classes of each Fund under an Agreement with 
the Trust.  SAFECO Services provides, or through subcontracts makes provision 
for, all required transfer agent activity, including maintenance of records 
of each Fund's Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B shareholders, records of 
transactions involving each Fund's Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B 
shares, and the compilation, distribution, or reinvestment of income 
dividends or capital gains distributions.  SAFECO Services is paid a fee for 
these services equal to $28.00 per shareholder account, but not to exceed 
 .30% of each Fund's average net assets.  
    

                                      -58-
<PAGE>

   
The following table shows the fees paid by the Growth, Equity, Income and 
Northwest Funds to SAFECO Services during the fiscal period ended December 31, 
1996 and the past three fiscal years:
    

                                   Fiscal Year or Period Ended
   
<TABLE>
Caption>
                      For the Three Month                                     
                         Period Ended         September 30,      September 30,  September 30,
                       December 31, 1996          1996               1995           1994
                      -------------------     ------------       ------------   -------------
<S>                   <C>                     <C>                <C>            <C>
Growth Fund               $   99,000           $  384,000         $  305,000     $  210,000
Equity Fund               $  378,000           $1,203,000         $1,018,000     $  371,000
Income Fund               $  123,000           $  359,000         $  298,000     $  264,000
Northwest Fund            $   32,000           $  105,000         $   97,000     $   85,000
- ------------------
</TABLE>
    
   
     The fees paid by the Balanced, International and Small Company Fund 
during the period from January 31, 1996 through December 31, 1996 were 
$6,000, $14,000, and $21,000, respectively.
    

     The fees paid to SAFECO Services reflect fees of $3.10 per shareholder
transaction until July, 1996 when the new fee schedule went into effect.


BROKERAGE PRACTICES

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

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

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

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

   
    

                                      -59-
<PAGE>

   
The following table states the total amount of brokerage expense for each 
Fund for the fiscal period ended December 31, 1996, and the past three fiscal 
years for the Growth, Equity, Income and Northwest Funds:
    

                                   Fiscal Year or Period Ended
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  For the Three Month     
                     Period Ended            September 30,       September 30,  September 30,
                   December 31, 1996             1996                1995           1994
                  -------------------        ------------        ------------   -------------
<S>               <C>                        <C>                 <C>            <C>
Growth Fund          $   63,000               $  518,092          $  489,983     $  220,350
Equity Fund          $  278,203               $1,224,694          $1,082,137     $  731,184
Income Fund          $   42,827               $  286,999          $  159,717     $  111,612
Northwest Fund       $   25,566               $   13,599          $    6,536     $   11,409
</TABLE>
    
   
The total amount of brokerage expenses for the Balanced, International and 
Small Company Funds during the period ended December 31, 1996 were $1,548, 
$5,311, and $4,615, respectively.
    

REDEMPTION IN KIND

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

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following financial statements for the Growth, Equity, Income, Northwest, 
International, Balanced and Small Company Funds and the report thereon of 
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, are incorporated herein by reference 
to the Trust's Annual Report for the periods, ended December 31, 1996.

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

                                      -60-
<PAGE>

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

DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER AND PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS

COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

MOODY'S

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

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

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

Prime-2:  Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 (P-2) have a strong
ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations.  This will normally be
evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above, but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to
variation.  Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions.  Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

S&P

A Standard & Poor's commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than
365 days.

A-1:  This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is strong.  Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.

A-2:  Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory.  However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
issues designated A-1.


                                      -61-
<PAGE>

PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS

Generally, a preferred stock rating is an assessment of the capacity and
willingness of an issuer to pay preferred stock dividends.  A preferred stock
rating differs from a bond rating since it is assigned to an equity issue which
is different from, and subordinated to, a debt issue.

EXCERPTS FROM MOODY'S DESCRIPTION OF ITS PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS:

aaa --  An issue which is rated "aaa" is considered to be a top-quality
preferred stock.  This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk
of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks.

aa -- An issue which is rated "aa" is considered a high-grade preferred stock.
This rating indicates that there is a reasonable assurance the earnings and
asset protection will remain relatively well-maintained in the foreseeable
future.

a -- An issue which is rated "a" is considered to be an upper-medium grade
preferred stock.  While risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the
"aaa" and "aa" classification, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless,
expected to be maintained at adequate levels.

baa -- An issue which is rated "baa" is considered to be an upper-medium grade
preferred stock, neither highly protected nor poorly secured.  Earnings and
asset protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any
great length of time.

ba -- An issue which is rated "ba" is considered to have speculative elements
and its future cannot be considered well assured.  Earnings and asset protection
may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods.
Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

b -- An issue which is rated "b" generally lacks the characteristics of a
desirable investment.  Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other
terms of the issue over any long period of time may be small.

caa -- An issue which is rated "caa" is likely to be in arrears on dividend
payments.  This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future
status of payments.

ca -- An issue which is rated "ca" is speculative in a high degree and is likely
to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payments.

c -- This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference stock.  Issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.***


                                      -62-
<PAGE>

EXCERPTS FROM S&P'S DESCRIPTION OF ITS PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS:

AAA -- This is the highest rating that may be assigned by S&P's to a preferred
stock issue and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay the preferred
stock obligations.

AA -- A preferred stock issue rated "AA" also qualifies as a high-quality,
fixed-income security.  The capacity to pay preferred stock obligations is very
strong, although not as overwhelming as for issues rated "AAA."

A -- An issue rated "A" is backed by a sound capacity to pay the preferred stock
obligations, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions.

BBB -- an issue rated "BBB" is regarded as backed by an adequate capacity to pay
the preferred stock obligations.  Whereas it normally exhibits adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make payments for a preferred
stock in this category than for issues in the "A" category.

"BB", "B", "CCC" PREFERRED STOCK RATED "BB," AND "CCC" -- are regarded, on
balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to
pay preferred stock obligations.  "BB" indicates the lowest degree of
speculation and "CCC" the highest.  While such issues will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large
uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

"CC" -- The rating "CC" is reserved for a preferred stock issue in arrears on
dividends or sinking fund payments but that is currently paying.

"C" -- A preferred stock rated "C" is a nonpaying issue.

"D" -- A preferred stock rated "D" is a nonpaying issue with the issuer in
default on debt instruments.

N.R. -- This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is
insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor's
does not rate a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.

PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-)  To provide more detailed indications of preferred stock
quality, ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition of a plus or
minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.


                                      -63-
<PAGE>

                            SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
                                     PART C
                                OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 24.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a)       Financial Statements:
   
          Part A

          - None 

          Part B

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

                                       C-1
<PAGE>

          the Registration Statement of SAFECO Managed Bond Trust and will be 
          filed with the SEC on or about February 27, 1997 for SAFECO Managed 
          Bond Trust.

          Financial Statements from the Registrant's Annual Report are filed as
          Exhibit 12.

(b)  Exhibits:

Exhibit
Number                   Description                                       Page
- -------                  -----------                                       ----

   
(27.1-7)                 Financial Data Schedules
    

(1)                      Trust Instrument/Certificate of Trust             *

(2)                      Bylaws                                            *

(3)                      Inapplicable

(4)                      Form of Stock Certificate                         *

(5)                      Investment Advisory and Management                *
                         Contract

                         Sub-Investment Advisory Contract

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

(7)                      Inapplicable

   
(8)                      Custody Agreement with State Street               *
                           Bank and Trust Company
                         Custody Agreement with Chase
                           Manhattan Bank
                         Form of Chase Manhattan Bank                      *
                           Subcustodian Agreement
    

(9)                      Form of Transfer Agent Agreement                  **

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

   
(11)                     Consent of Independent Auditors
    

(12)                     Registrant's Annual Report for Year Ended         +
                         December 31, 1996 Including Financial
                         Statements

   
    


                                       C-2
<PAGE>

   
    
(13)                     Subscription Agreement                            *

(14)                     Prototype 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan              *

(15)                     Rule 12b-1 Plan (Advisor Class A)                 **
                         Rule 12b-1 Plan (Adviser Class B)

(16)                     Calculation of Performance Information-           *
                           No-Load Class
                         Calculation of Performance Information-
                           Advisor Class A
                         Calculation of Performance Information-
                           Advisor Class B
   
(17)                     See Exhibit 27.1-7
    
(18)                     Rule 18f-3 Plan                              **

*    Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 filed with the SEC on
     November 17, 1995.
 
**   Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 filed with the SEC
     on July 31, 1996.
 
***  Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 filed with the SEC
     on January 31, 1996.
 
   
+    Registrant's Annual Report was filed with the SEC on or about 
     February 26, 1997.
    
   
    


                                       C-3
<PAGE>

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

   
SAFECO Corporation, a Washington corporation, owns 100% of SAFECO Asset 
Management Company (SAM), SAFECO Services Corporation (SAFECO Services) and 
SAFECO Securities, Inc. (SAFECO Securities), each a Washington corporation.  
SAM is the investment advisor, SAFECO Services is the transfer agent and 
SAFECO Securities is the principal underwriter for each of the SAFECO Mutual 
Funds. The SAFECO Mutual Funds consist of seven Delaware business trusts: 
SAFECO Common Stock Trust, SAFECO Taxable Bond Trust, SAFECO Tax-Exempt Bond 
Trust, SAFECO Money Market Trust, SAFECO Managed Bond Trust (formerly SAFECO 
Institutional Series Trust) and SAFECO Resource Series Trust.  The SAFECO 
Common Stock Trust consists of eight mutual funds: SAFECO Growth Fund, SAFECO 
Equity Fund, SAFECO Income Fund, SAFECO Northwest Fund, SAFECO International 
Stock Fund, SAFECO Balanced Fund, SAFECO Small Company Stock Fund, and SAFECO 
U.S. Value Fund.  The SAFECO Taxable Bond Trust consists of three mutual 
funds: SAFECO Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury Fund, SAFECO GNMA Fund and 
SAFECO High-Yield Bond Fund.  The SAFECO Tax-Exempt Bond Trust consists of 
five mutual funds: SAFECO Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Fund, SAFECO 
Insured Municipal Bond Fund, SAFECO Municipal Bond Fund, SAFECO California 
Tax-Free Income Fund and SAFECO Washington State Municipal Bond Fund.  The 
SAFECO Money Market Fund consists of two mutual funds: SAFECO Money Market 
Fund and SAFECO Tax-Free Money Market Fund.  The SAFECO Managed Bond Trust 
consists of one mutual fund: Managed Bond Fund (formerly Fixed-Income 
Portfolio).  The SAFECO Resource Series Trust consists of six mutual funds: 
Equity Portfolio, Growth Portfolio, Northwest Portfolio, Bond Portfolio, 
Money Market Portfolio and Small Company Stock Portfolio.
    

SAFECO Corporation, a Washington Corporation, owns 100% of the following
Washington corporations: SAFECO Insurance Company of America, General Insurance
Company of America, First National Insurance Company of America, SAFECO Life
Insurance Company of America, SAFECO Assigned Benefits Service Company, SAFECO
Administrative Services, Inc., SAFECO Properties Inc., SAFECO Credit Company,
Inc., SAFECO Asset Management Company, SAFECO Securities, Inc., SAFECO Services
Corporation, SAFECO Trust Company and General America Corporation.  SAFECO
Corporation owns 100% of SAFECO National Insurance Company, a Missouri
corporation, and SAFECO Insurance Company of Illinois, an Illinois corporation.
SAFECO Corporation owns 20% of Agena, Inc., a Washington corporation.  SAFECO
Insurance Company of America owns 100% of SAFECO Surplus Lines Insurance
Company, a Washington corporation, and Market Square Holding, Inc., a Minnesota
corporation.  SAFECO Life Insurance Company owns 100% of SAFECO National Life
Insurance Company, a Washington corporation, and First SAFECO National Life
Insurance Company of New York, a New York corporation.  SAFECO Administrative
Services, Inc. owns 100% of Employee Benefit Claims of Wisconsin, Inc. and
Wisconsin Pension and Group Services, Inc., each a Wisconsin corporation.
General America Corporation owns 100% of COMAV Managers, Inc., an Illinois
corporation, F.B. Beattie & Co., Inc., a Washington corporation, General America
Corp. of Texas, a Texas corporation, Talbot Financial Corporation, a Washington
corporation and SAFECO Select Insurance Services, Inc., a California
corporation.  F.B. Beattie & Co., Inc. owns 100% of F.B. Beattie Insurance
Services, Inc., a California corporation.  General America Corp. of Texas is
Attorney-in-fact for SAFECO Lloyds Insurance Company, a Texas corporation.
Talbot Financial Corporation owns 100% of Talbot Agency, Inc., a New Mexico
corporation.  Talbot Agency, Inc. owns 100% of PNMR Securities, Inc., a
Washington corporation.  SAFECO Properties Inc. owns 100% of the following, each
a Washington corporation: RIA Development, Inc., SAFECARE Company, Inc. and
Winmar Company, Inc.  SAFECARE Company, Inc. owns 100% of the following, each a
Washington corporation: S.C. Bellevue, Inc., S.C. Everett, Inc., S.C.
Marysville, Inc., S.C. Simi Valley, Inc. and S.C. Vancouver, Inc.  SAFECARE
Company, Inc. owns 50% of Lifeguard Ventures, Inc., a California corporation,
50% of Mission Oaks Hospital, Inc., a California corporation, S.C. River Oaks,
Inc., a Washington corporation, Mississippi Health Services, Inc., a Louisiana
corporation, and Safecare Texas, Inc., a Texas corporation.  S.C. Simi Valley,
Inc. owns 100% of Simi Valley Hospital, Inc., a Washington corporation.  Winmar
Company, Inc. owns 100% of the following: Barton Street Corp., C-W Properties,
Inc., Gem State Investors, Inc., Kitsap Mall, Inc., WNY Development, Inc.,
Winmar Cascade, Inc., Winmar Metro, Inc., Winmar Northwest, Inc., Winmar
Redmond, Inc. and Winmar of Kitsap, Inc., each a Washington corporation, and
Capitol Court Corp., a Wisconsin corporation, SAFECO Properties of Boise, Inc.,
an Idaho corporation, SCIT, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, Valley Fair
Shopping Centers, Inc., a Delaware corporation, WDI Golf Club, Inc., a


                                       C-4
<PAGE>

California corporation, Winmar Oregon, Inc., an Oregon corporation, Winmar of
Texas, Inc., a Texas corporation, Winmar of Wisconsin, Inc., a Wisconsin
corporation, and Winmar of the Desert, Inc., a California corporation.  Winmar
Oregon, Inc. owns 100% of the following, each an Oregon corporation: North Coast
Management, Inc., Pacific Surfside Corp., Winmar of Jantzen Beach, Inc. and W-P
Development, Inc., and 100% of the following, each a Washington corporation:
Washington Square, Inc. and Winmar Pacific, Inc.

ITEM 26.  NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

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

   
TITLE OF CLASS                               NUMBER OF SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD

SAFECO GROWTH FUND

No-Load Class                                          12,892

Advisor Class A                                          26

Advisor Class B                                          15

SAFECO EQUITY FUND

No-Load Class                                          52,479

Advisor Class A                                          151

Advisor Class B                                           73

SAFECO INCOME FUND

No-Load Class                                          15,784

Advisor Class A                                           16

Advisor Class B                                            7

SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND

TITLE OF CLASS                               NUMBER OF SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD

No-Load Class                                            3,874

Advisor Class A                                            69

Advisor Class B                                            24

SAFECO BALANCED FUND

No-Load Class                                              374

Advisor Class A                                              7

Advisor Class B                                             13

SAFECO INTERNATIONAL FUND

No-Load Class                                               834

Advisor Class A                                              8

Advisor Class B                                             10

SAFECO SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND

No-Load Class                                              1,454

Advisor Class A                                              5

Advisor Class B                                             13


                                       C-5
<PAGE>

TITLE OF CLASS                               NUMBER OF SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD

SAFECO SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND

No-Load Class                                            

Advisor Class A                                              

Advisor Class B                                              
    

ITEM 27.  INDEMNIFICATION

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

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

No indemnification will be provided to a trustee, officer, employee or agent:
(i) who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the
proceeding was brought (a) to be liable to the Registrant or its shareholders by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office, or (b) not to have
acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the
best interest of the Registrant; or (ii) in the event of settlement, unless
there has been a determination that such trustee, officer, employee or agent did
not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office; (a) by the
court or other body approving the settlement, (b) by the vote of at least a
majority of a quorum of those trustees who are neither interested persons, as
that term is defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, of the Registrant
nor are the parties to the proceeding based upon a review of readily available
facts (as opposed to a full trial type inquiry) or (c) by written opinion of
independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as
opposed to a full trial type inquiry).

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


                                       C-6
<PAGE>

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

Under an Agreement with its distributor ("Distribution Agreement"), Registrant
has agreed to indemnify, defend and hold the distributor, the distributor's
several directors, officers and employees, and any person who controls the
distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, free and harmless
from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses
(including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or
liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the
distributor, its directors, officers or employees, or any such controlling
person may incur, under the 1933 Act or under common law or otherwise, arising
out of or based upon any alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in the Registration Statement or arising out of or based upon any alleged
omission to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the
Registration Statement not misleading.

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

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

ITEM 28.  BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-
          INVESTMENT ADVISER

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

                                       C-7
<PAGE>

ITEM 29.  PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
 
(a)       SAFECO Securities, Inc., the principal underwriter for each class of
          each series of Registrant, acts also as the principal underwriter for
          each class of each series of SAFECO Tax-Exempt Bond Trust, SAFECO
          Taxable Bond Trust, SAFECO Money Market Trust, and SAFECO Managed Bond
          Trust.  In addition, SAFECO Securities, Inc. is the principal
          underwriter for SAFECO Separate Account C, SAFECO Variable Account B
          and SAFECO Separate Account SL, all of which are variable insurance
          products.
 
(b)       The information set forth under "Investment Advisory and Other
          Services" in the Statement of Additional Information is incorporated
          by reference.

ITEM 30.  LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

   
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 1776 Heritage Drive North Quincy, MA  
02170; the Bank of Ireland Investment Management Limited, 26 Fitzwilliam 
Street, Dublin, Ireland; Bank of Ireland Investment Management (U.S.) 
Limited, 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, Connecticut; Chase Manhattan Bank, 
N.A, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, and various 
sub-custodians maintain physical possession of the accounts, books and 
documents of Registrant relating to its activities as custodian of the 
Registrant.  SAFECO Asset Management Company, SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, 
Washington 98185, maintains physical possession of all other accounts, books 
or documents of the Registrant required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of 
the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules promulgated thereunder.
    

ITEM 31.  MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Inapplicable.

ITEM 32.  UNDERTAKINGS

Registrant, on behalf of the U.S. Value Fund undertakes to file a 
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement, using financial 
statements which need not be certified, within four to six months from the 
effective date of Registrant's 1933 Act Registration Statement.

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


                                       C-8
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

   
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereto duly authorized, in the
City of Seattle, and State of Washington as of the 29th day of April, 1997.
    

                               SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST

 
                               By:   /s/   David F. Hill
                                    ----------------------------------
                                      David F. Hill, President
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates indicated.

   
          Name                               Title                    Date

/s/  David F. Hill++                    President and Trustee         4/29/97
- ------------------------------          Principal Executive Officer   ------
David F. Hill


RONALD L. SPAULDING*                    Vice President                4/29/97
- ------------------------------          Treasurer                     ------
Ronald L. Spaulding


NEAL A. FULLER*                         Vice President                4/29/97
- ------------------------------          Controller                    ------
Neal A. Fuller                          Assistant Secretary


/s/  Boh A. Dickey++                    Chairman and Trustee          4/29/97
- ------------------------------                                        ------
Boh A. Dickey


BARBARA J. DINGFIELD*                   Trustee                       4/29/97
- ------------------------------                                        ------
Barbara J. Dingfield


RICHARD W. HUBBARD*++                   Trustee                       4/29/97
- ------------------------------                                        ------
Richard W. Hubbard


RICHARD E. LUNDGREN*                    Trustee                       4/29/97
- ------------------------------                                        ------
Richard E. Lundgren


LARRY L. PINNT*                         Trustee                       4/29/97
- ------------------------------                                        ------
Larry L. Pinnt


JOHN W. SCHNEIDER*                      Trustee                       4/29/97
- ------------------------------                                        ------
John W. Schneider
    

                                             *By  /s/  Boh A. Dickey
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Boh A. Dickey
                                                  Attorney-in-Fact

                                             *By  /s/  David F. Hill
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  David F. Hill
                                                  Attorney-in-Fact

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

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 001
   <NAME> SAFECO GROWTH FUND CLASS 1
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                          155,983
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                         195,143
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,410
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 196,553
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          490
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                490
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                       156,903
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           11,552
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           11,639
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        39,160
<NET-ASSETS>                                   196,063
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                  204
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                   20
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     460
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          (236)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         2,890
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                       17,540
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                           20,194
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (2,649)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                          1,572
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (1,807)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                148
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                          16,289
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                              327
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   4
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    460
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                           185,176
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            15.45
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.02)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           1.77
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.23)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              16.97
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .99
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 002
   <NAME> SAFECO GROWTH FUND CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                          155,983
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                         195,143
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,410
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 196,553
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          490
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                490
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                       156,903
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           11,552
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           11,639
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        39,160
<NET-ASSETS>                                   196,063
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                  204
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                   20
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     460
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          (236)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         2,890
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                       17,540
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                           20,194
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (2,649)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                          1,572
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (1,807)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                148
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                          16,289
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                              327
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   4
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    460
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                           185,176
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            15.45
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.02)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           1.77
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.23)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              16.97
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.12
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 003
   <NAME> SAFECO GROWTH FUND CLASS B
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                          155,983
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                         195,143
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,410
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 196,553
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          490
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                490
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                       156,903
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           11,552
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           11,639
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        39,160
<NET-ASSETS>                                   196,063
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                  204
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                   20
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     460
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          (236)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         2,890
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                       17,540
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                           20,194
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (2,649)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                          1,572
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (1,807)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                148
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                          16,289
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                              327
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   4
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    460
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                           185,176
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            15.45
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.05)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           1.77
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (0.23)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              16.94
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.87
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 004
   <NAME> SAFECO INCOME FUND CLASS 1
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                          226,221
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                         290,383
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,678
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 292,061
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                           509
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                        1,279
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                              1,788
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                       226,111
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           13,740
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           12,989
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        64,162
<NET-ASSETS>                                   290,273
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                2,155
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  501
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     624
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          2,032
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         7,031
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                       14,121
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                           23,184
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                      (2,030)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (7,041)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            869
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                      (503)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                385
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                          30,050
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                              469
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    624
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 005
   <NAME> SAFECO INCOME FUND CLASS A
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<S>                             <C>
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
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   <NUMBER> 006
   <NAME> SAFECO INCOME FUND CLASS B
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<S>                             <C>
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 007
   <NAME> SAFECO EQUITY FUND CLASS 1
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<S>                             <C>
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 008
   <NAME> SAFECO EQUITY FUND CLASS A
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<S>                             <C>
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 009
   <NAME> SAFECO EQUITY FUND CLASS B
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<S>                             <C>
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 010
   <NAME> SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND CLASS 1
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<S>                             <C>
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
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   <NAME> SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND CLASS A
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 012
   <NAME> SAFECO NORTHWEST FUND CLASS B
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<S>                             <C>
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 013
   <NAME> SAFECO INTERNATIONAL FUND CLASS 1
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<S>                             <C>
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 014
   <NAME> SAFECO INTERNATIONAL FUND CLASS A
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<S>                             <C>
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 015
   <NAME> SAFECO INTERNATIONAL FUND CLASS B
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<S>                             <C>
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 016
   <NAME> SAFECO BALANCED FUND CLASS 1
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<S>                             <C>
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 017
   <NAME> SAFECO BALANCED FUND CLASS A
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 018
   <NAME> SAFECO BALANCED FUND CLASS B
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 019
   <NAME> SAFECO SMALL COMPANY FUND CLASS 1
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
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   <NUMBER> 020
   <NAME> SAFECO SMALL COMPANY FUND CLASS A
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          (278)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                         1,523
<NET-ASSETS>                                    13,407
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                   21
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    8
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                      43
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           (14)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         (278)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                          643
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                              351
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            254
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                      (226)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                (1)
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                             655
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                               27
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                     49
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            12,820
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.51
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.01)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.31
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                         0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.81
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.42
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                              0.00
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000867579
<NAME> SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 021
   <NAME> SAFECO SMALL COMPANY FUND CLASS A
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           12,050
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          13,573
<RECEIVABLES>                                      126
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      16
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  13,715
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          308
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                308
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        12,162
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            1,135
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            1,108
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          (278)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                         1,523
<NET-ASSETS>                                    13,407
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                   21
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    8
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                      43
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           (14)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         (278)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                          643
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                              351
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            254
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                      (226)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                (1)
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                             655
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                               27
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                     49
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            12,820
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.51
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                 (0.04)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           0.32
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                              0.00
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                         0.00
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.79
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   2.18
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                              0.00
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>




                               CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
                                     Between
                            SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST
                                       and
                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY




Trust/Series

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                -----------------
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

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

2.   Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the 
     Trust Held by the Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

     2.1    Holding Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
     2.2    Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
     2.3    Registration of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
     2.4    Bank Accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
     2.5    Payments for Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
     2.6    Collection of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
     2.7    Payment of Trust Monies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
     2.8    Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of 
            Securities Purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
     2.9    Payments for Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Trust . . 6
     2.10   Appointment of Agents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
     2.11   Deposit of Trust Assets in Securities System . . . . . . . . . . . 6
     2.12   Trust Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System . . . . . 7
     2.13   Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
     2.14   Proxies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
     2.15   Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities. . . . . . . . . . 8
     2.16   Proper Instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
     2.17   Actions Permitted Without Express Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . 9
     2.18   Evidence of Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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

4.   Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

5.   Reports to Trust by Independent Public Accountants. . . . . . . . . . . .10

6.   Compensation of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

7.   Responsibility of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

<PAGE>

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

9.   Successor Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

10.  Interpretive and Additional Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

11.  Additional Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

12.  Massachusetts Law to Apply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

13.  Custodian Representation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

14.  Limitation of Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

15.  Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

16.  Shareholder Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

<PAGE>

                               CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
                               ------------------

     This Contract between SAFECO Common Stock Trust, a business trust
organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, having its principal place of
business at SAFECO Plaza, Seattle, Washington 98185 hereinafter called the
"Trust", and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company,
having its principal place of business at 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts, 02110, hereinafter called the "Custodian",

                                   WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with
each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities
and other assets; and

     WHEREAS, the Trust currently offers shares in seven series, the Growth
Fund, Equity Fund, Income Fund, Northwest Fund, Balanced Fund, International
Stock Fund and Small Company Stock Fund (such series together with all other
series subsequently established by the Trust and made subject to this Contract
in accordance with paragraph 11, being herein referred to as the
"Portfolio(s)");

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

1.   EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT

     The Trust hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets of
the Portfolios of the Trust pursuant to the provisions of the Trust Instrument
of the Trust and the Trust's Bylaws.  The Trust on behalf of the Portfolio(s)
agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash of the Portfolios,
and all payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions
received by it with respect to all securities owned by the Portfolio(s) from
time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury
shares of capital stock of the Trust representing interests in the Portfolios,
("Shares") as may be issued or sold from time to time.  The Custodian shall not
be responsible for any property of a Portfolio held or received by the Portfolio
and not delivered to the Custodian.

     Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Section 2.16),
the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to time
employ one or more sub-custodians, but only in accordance with an applicable
vote by the Board of Trustees of the Trust on behalf of the applicable
Portfolio(s).  The Custodian covenants with the Trust that each agreement
whereby the Custodian employs any such sub-custodian shall provide that the sub-
custodian will be liable to the Custodian for losses and liabilities caused by
the negligence or willful misconduct of the sub-custodian.  The Trust, on behalf
of the Portfolio(s), agrees that, so long as the Custodian has complied with its
obligation set forth in the preceding sentence, the Custodian shall have no more
or less responsibility or liability to the Trust on account of any actions or
omissions of any sub-custodian so employed by it on behalf of the Trust than any
such sub-custodian has to the Custodian.

<PAGE>

2.   DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE TRUST HELD BY THE
     CUSTODIAN

2.1  HOLDING SECURITIES.  The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for
     the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, including all
     securities owned by such Portfolio, other than (a) securities which are
     maintained pursuant to Section 2.11 in a clearing agency which acts as a
     securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S.
     Department of the Treasury, collectively referred to herein as "Securities
     System" and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for which State Street Bank
     and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying agent ("Direct Paper") which
     is deposited and/or maintained in the Direct Paper System of the Custodian
     pursuant to Section 2.12.

2.2  DELIVERY OF SECURITIES.  The Custodian shall release and deliver securities
     owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian or in a Securities System
     account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's Direct Paper book entry
     system account ("Direct Paper System Account") only upon receipt of Proper
     Instructions from the Trust on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which
     may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and
     only in the following cases:

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

     2)   Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
          agreement related to such securities entered into by the Portfolio;

     3)   In the case of a sale effected through a Securities System, in
          accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 hereof;

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

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

     6)   To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the
          Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian
          or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to
          Section 2.10 or into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian
          appointed pursuant to Article 1; or for exchange for a different
          number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same
          aggregate face amount or number of units; PROVIDED that, in any such
          case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;

     7)   Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio, to
          the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination
          in accordance with "street 


                                        2

<PAGE>

          delivery" custom; provided that in any such case, the Custodian shall
          have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the
          delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such
          securities except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or
          willful misconduct;

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

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

     10)  Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent ("Transfer
          Agent") for the Trust, for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the
          holders of Shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be
          described from time to time in the currently effective prospectus and
          statement of additional information of the Trust, related to the
          Portfolio ("Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of
          Shares for repurchase or redemption; and

     11)  For any other proper Trust purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in
          addition to Proper Instructions from the Trust on behalf of the
          applicable Portfolio, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
          Trustees signed by an officer of the Trust and certified by the
          Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, specifying the securities of the
          Portfolio to be delivered, setting forth the purpose for which such
          delivery is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper Trust
          purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such
          securities shall be made.

2.3  REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES.  Securities held by the Custodian (other than
     bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Portfolio or in
     the name of any nominee of the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio or of any
     nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the
     Portfolio.  All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the
     Portfolio under the terms of this Contract shall be in "street name" or
     other good delivery form.  If, however, the Trust directs the Custodian to
     maintain securities in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize its best
     efforts only to timely collect income due the Trust on such securities and
     to notify the Trust on a best efforts basis only of relevant corporate
     actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities,
     tender or exchange offers.

2.4  BANK ACCOUNTS.  The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
     account or accounts in the name of each Portfolio of the Trust, subject
     only order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Contract,
     and shall hold in such account or accounts, 


                                        3

<PAGE>

     subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the
     account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a
     bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the
     Investment Company Act of 1940.  Trusts held by the Custodian for a
     Portfolio may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking
     Department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it
     may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable; PROVIDED, however, that
     every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian
     under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that each such bank or trust
     company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust company
     shall on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved by vote of a
     majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust.  Such funds shall be
     deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be
     withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.

2.5  PAYMENTS FOR SHARES.  The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for
     the Shares or from the Transfer Agent of the Trust and deposit into the
     account of the appropriate Portfolio such payments as are received for
     Shares of that Portfolio issued or sold from time to time by the Trust. The
     Custodian will provide timely notification to the Trust on behalf of each
     such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for
     Shares of such Portfolio.

2.6  COLLECTION OF INCOME.  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
     Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments
     with respect to registered securities held hereunder to which each
     Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the
     securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and
     other payments with respect to bearer securities if, on the date of payment
     by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent
     thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to such Portfolio's
     custodian account.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
     Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income
     items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect
     interest when due on securities held hereunder.

2.7  PAYMENT OF TRUST MONIES.  Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the
     Trust on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing
     instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall
     pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:

     1)   Upon the purchase of securities, options, futures contracts or options
          on futures contracts for the account of the Portfolio but only (a)
          against the delivery of such securities or evidence of title to such
          options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts to the
          Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business
          in the United States or abroad which is qualified under the Investment
          Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian and has been
          designated by the Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered
          in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of a nominee of the
          Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for
          transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected through a Securities
          System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.11
          hereof; (c) in the 


                                        4

<PAGE>

          case of a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance
          with the conditions set forth in Section 2.12; (d) in the case of
          repurchase agreements entered into between the Trust on behalf of the
          Portfolio and the Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which
          is a member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either in
          certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's account
          at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against
          delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Portfolio of
          securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the
          agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the
          Portfolio or (e) for transfer to a time deposit account of the Trust
          in any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be
          effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the
          applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Trust as
          defined in Section 2.16;

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

     3)   For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Portfolio as
          set forth in Section 2.9 hereof;

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

     5)   For the payment of any dividends or capital gain distributions on
          Shares of the Portfolio declared pursuant to the governing documents
          of the Trust;

     6)   For any other proper purpose, BUT ONLY upon receipt of, in addition to
          Proper Instructions from the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio, a
          certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust
          signed by an officer of the Trust and certified by its Secretary or an
          Assistant Secretary, specifying the amount of such payment, setting
          forth the purpose for which such payment is to be made, declaring such
          purpose to be a proper purpose, and naming the person or persons to
          whom such payment is to be made.

2.8  LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF SECURITIES PURCHASED. Except
     as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and every case
     where payment for purchase of securities for the account of a Portfolio is
     made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of the securities purchased in
     the absence of specific written instructions from the Trust on behalf of
     such Portfolio to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall be absolutely
     liable to the Trust for such securities to the same extent as if the
     securities had been received by the Custodian.


                                        5

<PAGE>

2.9  PAYMENTS FOR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES OF THE TRUST.  From such
     funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the limitations of
     the Trust Instrument and Trust's Bylaws and any applicable votes of the
     Board of Trustees of the Trust pursuant thereto, the Custodian shall, upon
     receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for
     payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a
     request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares.

2.10 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS.  The Custodian may with the approval of an officer
     of the Trust appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust
     company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
     as amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the
     provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct;
     PROVIDED, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the
     Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder. Neither the
     Custodian nor the subcustodian shall be entitled to reimbursement by the
     Trust or any Portfolios for any fees or expenses of any agent.

2.11 DEPOSIT OF TRUST ASSETS IN SECURITIES SYSTEMS.  The Custodian may deposit
     and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a clearing agency
     registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 17A of
     the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities depository,
     or in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the
     Treasury and certain federal agencies, collectively referred to herein as
     "Securities System" in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board and
     Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, if any, and
     subject to the following provisions:

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

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

     3)   The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
          the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System
          that such securities have been transferred to the Account, and (ii)
          the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such
          payment and transfer for the account of the Portfolio.  The Custodian
          shall transfer securities sold for the account of the Portfolio upon
          (i) receipt of advice from the Securities System that payment for such
          securities has been transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of
          an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and
          payment for the account of the Portfolio.  Copies of all advices from
          the Securities System of transfers of securities for the account of
          the Portfolio shall identify the Portfolio, be maintained for the
          Portfolio by the Custodian and be provided to the Trust at its
          request.  Upon request, the 


                                        6
<PAGE>

          Custodian shall furnish the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio
          confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the Portfolio
          in the form of a written advice or notice and shall furnish to the
          Trust on behalf of the Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets
          reflecting each day's transactions in the Securities System for the
          account of the Portfolio.

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

     5)   The Custodian shall have received from the Trust on behalf of the
          Portfolio the initial or annual certificate, as the case may be,
          required by Article 8 hereof;

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

2.12 TRUST ASSETS HELD IN THE CUSTODIAN'S DIRECT PAPER SYSTEM.  The Custodian
     may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in the Direct
     Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following provisions:

     1)   No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper System will
          be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions from the Trust on
          behalf of the Portfolio;

     2)   The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in the Direct Paper
          System only if such securities are represented in an account
          ("Account") of the Custodian in the Direct Paper System which shall
          not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a
          fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;

     3)   The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
          Portfolio which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall
          identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;

     4)   The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of
          the Portfolio upon the making of an entry on the records of the
          Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer of securities to the
          account of the Portfolio.  The Custodian shall transfer securities
          sold for the account of the Portfolio upon the making of an entry 


                                        7

<PAGE>

          on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and receipt
          of payment for the account of the Portfolio;

     5)   The Custodian shall furnish the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio
          confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the Portfolio,
          in the form of a written advice or notice, of Direct Paper on the next
          business day following such transfer and shall furnish to the Trust on
          behalf of the Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting
          each day's transaction in the Securities System for the account of the
          Portfolio;

     6)   The Custodian shall provide the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio with
          any report on its system of internal accounting control as the Trust
          may reasonably request from time to time.

2.13 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES.  The Custodian shall execute
     ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state
     tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with
     respect to securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with
     transfers of securities.

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

2.15 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO PORTFOLIO SECURITIES.  Subject to the provisions
     of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Trust for each
     Portfolio all written information (including, without limitation, pendency
     of calls and maturities of securities and expirations of rights in
     connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options
     written by the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity of futures
     contracts purchased or sold by the Portfolio) received by the Custodian
     from issuers of the securities being held for the Portfolio.  With respect
     to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the
     Portfolio all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of
     the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or
     his agents) making the tender or exchange offer.  If the Portfolio desires
     to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any
     other similar transaction, the Portfolio shall notify the Custodian at
     least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to
     take such action.

2.16 PROPER INSTRUCTIONS.  Proper Instructions as used throughout this Article 2
     means a writing signed by two persons as the Board of Trustees shall have
     from time to time authorized.  Each such writing shall set forth the
     specific transaction or type of transaction involved, including a specific
     statement of the purpose for which such action is requested.  Oral
     instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian
     reasonably believes 


                                        8

<PAGE>

     them to have been given by a person authorized to give such instructions
     with respect to the transaction involved. The Trust shall cause all oral
     instructions to be confirmed in writing.  The Custodian shall confirm all
     oral instructions with an officer of the Trust if written instructions are
     not received within a week after the instructions are given.  Upon receipt
     of a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the
     authorization by the Board of Trustees of the Trust accompanied by a
     detailed description of procedures approved by the Board of Trustees,
     Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly between
     electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that the Board of
     Trustees and the Custodian are satisfied that such procedures afford
     adequate safeguards for the Portfolios' assets.

2.17 ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY.  The Custodian may in its
     discretion, without express authority from the Trust on behalf of each
     applicable Portfolio:

     1)   make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling
          securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this
          Contract, PROVIDED that all such payments shall be approved by an
          officer of the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio;

     2)   surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive
          form;

     3)   endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks, drafts
          and other negotiable instruments; and

     4)   in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with
          the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other
          dealings with the securities and property of the Portfolio except as
          otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

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

3.   DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND CALCULATION OF
     NET ASSET VALUE AND NET INCOME

     The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the
entity or entities appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust to keep the
books of account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per share
of the outstanding shares of each Portfolio.

4.   RECORDS


                                        9

<PAGE>

     The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all
records relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in such
manner as will meet the obligations of the Trust under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and
31a-2 thereunder.  All such records shall be the property of the Trust and shall
at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for
inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Trust and
employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Custodian
shall, at the Trust's request, supply the Trust with a tabulation of securities
owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to
do so by the Trust and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the
Trust and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.

5.   REPORTS TO TRUST BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

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

6.   COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN

     The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services
and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the Trust on
behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.

7.   RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN

     So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care,
the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of
any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it
pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to
be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties.  The Custodian shall
be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of
this Contract, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability
to the Trust for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith without
negligence, misfeasance, or misconduct of the Custodian or any of its
subcustodians or agents, or any of the Custodian's or any agent's employees in
the performance of the Custodian's duties under this agreement.  It shall be
entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for
the Trust) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action
reasonably taken or omitted in good faith pursuant to such advice.


                                       10

<PAGE>

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

     If the Trust requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or
agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited
to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement)
for the benefit of a Portfolio, any property at any time held for the account of
the applicable Portfolio shall be security therefor and should the Trust fail to
repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize
available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary
to obtain reimbursement.

8.   EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT

     This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in
full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended
at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by
either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to
the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than thirty (30)
days after the date of such delivery or mailing; PROVIDED, however that the
Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under Section 2.11 hereof in
the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved the
initial use of a particular Securities System by such Portfolio, as required by
Rule 17f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the
Custodian shall not with respect to a Portfolio act under Section 2.12 hereof in
the absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary that the Board of Trustees has approved the initial use of
the Direct Paper System by such Portfolio; PROVIDED FURTHER, however, that the
Trust shall not amend or terminate this Contract in contravention of any
applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Trust Bylaws,
and further provided, that the Trust on behalf of one or more of the Portfolios
may at any time by action of its Board of Trustees (i) substitute another bank
or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the
Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract in the event of the
appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of
the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an
appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.

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

9.   SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN

     If a successor custodian for the Trust, of one or more of the Portfolios
shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Custodian shall,
upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the
Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all cash, 


                                       11

<PAGE>

securities and any earned income associated with those securities (as received)
of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an
account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio
held in a Securities System.

     If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in
like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees
of the Trust, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such
securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.

     In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or
certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees shall have been delivered to
the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become
effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust
company, which is a "bank" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its own selection, having an
aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last
published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other
properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all
instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held
by it under this Contract on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and to transfer
to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such
Portfolio held in any Securities System.  Thereafter, such bank or trust company
shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Contract.

     In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Trust to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be
entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and
the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.

10.  INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

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

11.  ADDITIONAL FUNDS

     In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series of Shares in
addition to the Growth Fund, Equity Fund, Income Fund, Northwest Fund, Balanced
Fund, International Stock Fund and Small Company Stock Fund with respect to
which it desires to have the Custodian render services as custodian under the
terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian
agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a
Portfolio hereunder.


                                       12

<PAGE>

12.  MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY

     This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted
under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

13.  CUSTODIAN REPRESENTATION

     The Custodian represents that it does meet, and will continue to meet at
all times that this Contract is in effect, the requirements of the rules and
regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended.

14.  LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

     The Custodian is hereby expressly put on notice of (i) the limitation of
shareholder, officer and trustee liability as set forth in the Trust Instrument
of the Trust and (ii) of the provisions in the Trust Instrument permitting the
establishment of separate Series and limiting the liability of each Series to
obligations of that Series.  The Custodian hereby agrees that obligations
assumed by the Trust pursuant to this Contract are in all cases assumed on
behalf of a particular Series and each such obligation shall be limited in all
cases to that Series and its assets.  The Custodian agrees that it shall not
seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any individual
shareholder of the Trust nor from the officers or trustees or any individual
officer or trustee of the Trust.

15.  MISCELLANEOUS

     This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the 
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, 
however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Trust without the 
written consent of the Custodian or by the Custodian without the written 
consent of the Trust.  The captions in this Agreement are included for 
convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the 
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.  This 
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which taken together shall 
constitute one and the same instrument.  

16.  SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

     Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold
securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of
securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has
expressly objected to disclosure of this information.  In order to comply with
the rule,  the Custodian needs the Trust to indicate whether it authorizes the
Custodian to provide the Trust's name, address, and share position to requesting
companies whose stock the Trust own.  If the Trust tells the Custodian "no", the
Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies.  If the
Trust tells the Custodian "yes" or do not check either "yes" or "no" below, the
Custodian is 


                                       13

<PAGE>

required by the rule to treat the Trust as consenting to disclosure of this 
information for all securities owned by the Trust or any funds or accounts 
established by the Trust.  For the  Trust's protection, the Rule prohibits 
the requesting company from using the Trust's name and address for any 
purpose other than corporate communications.  Please indicate below whether 
the Trust consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.

     YES [ ]   The Custodian is authorized to release the Trust's name, address,
               and share positions.

     NO  [X]   The Custodian is not authorized to release the Trust's name,
               address, and share positions.


                                       14

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its
seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 31st day of March, 1997.


ATTEST                                  SAFECO COMMON STOCK TRUST



/s /David H. Longhurst                  By /s/ Neal A. Fuller 
- ---------------------------------          ----------------------------------



ATTEST                                  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY



/s/ Francine S. Hayes                   By /s/ Ronald E. Logue
- ---------------------------------          ----------------------------------
                                           Executive Vice President

 

<PAGE>
   
AMENDED AND RESTATED OPINION OF COUNSEL

April 25, 1997

SAFECO Common Stock Trust
SAFECO Plaza
Seattle, WA   98185

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have acted as counsel to the Trust in connection with filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A for the Shares of each series and class of
the Trust (the "Shares").  I have made such examination of law and have examined
such records and documents as in my judgment are necessary or appropriate to
enable me to render the following opinion:

1.   The Trust is a duly formed and validly existing business trust under the
laws of the State of Delaware.

2.   The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares which have
been divided into the following series and classes:  Growth Fund (No-Load, 
Advisor Class A, Advisor Class B), Equity Fund (No-Load, Advisor Class A, 
Advisor Class B), Income Fund (No-Load, Advisor Class A, Advisor Class B), 
Northwest Fund (No-Load, Advisor Class A, Advisor Class B); International 
Stock Fund (No-Load, Advisor Class A, Advisor Class B); Balanced Fund (No-Load,
Advisor Class A, Advisor Class B); Small Company Stock Fund (No-Load, Advisor 
Class A, Advisor Class B); and U.S. Value Fund (No-Load, Advisor Class A, 
Advisor Class B).

3.   The Shares, when issued pursuant to terms, provisions and conditions set
forth in the above-referenced Registration Statement relating to the Shares,
will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust.

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to said
Registration Statement.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/Mark A. Chapleau
- -------------------

Mark A. Chapleau
    

<PAGE>

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
   
We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Financial
Highlights", "Investment Advisory and Other Services" and "Financial Statements"
in Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registration Statement (Form N-1A, No.
33-36700) and related No-Load Class and Advisor Class A and Advisor Class B
Prospectuses of SAFECO Common Stock Trust.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
January 31, 1997 with respect to the financial statements of SAFECO Common Stock
Trust as of and for the three month period ended December 31, 1996 included in
the 1996 Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
    
/s/Ernst & Young LLP
- --------------------

Seattle, WA
   
April 29, 1997
    


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