SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ X ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-11(c) or ss.240.14a-12
THE MENTOR FUNDS
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
THE MENTOR FUNDS
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box):
[ X ] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(j)(2).
[ ] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 14a-6(i)(3).
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
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1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing is calculated and state how it was determined):
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5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0- 11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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The Mentor Funds
901 East Byrd Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
September 30, 1996
To Shareholders of the Mentor Municipal Income Portfolio:
Enclosed are proxy materials for the upcoming meeting of
shareholders of your Portfolio to be held on October 29, 1996. At the
meeting, you will be asked to approve a new sub-advisory agreement (the
"Agreement") with Van Kampen American Capital Management, Inc. (the
"Sub-Adviser") in respect of the Portfolio. The new Agreement is
necessary because the current sub-advisory agreement will terminate when
the Sub-Adviser becomes a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Group Inc.
("Morgan Stanley") as a result of the anticipated merger later this year
between VK/AC Holding, Inc. and Morgan Stanley. The Agreement will be
substantially identical to the sub-advisory agreement currently in
place. Your Trustees have approved the Agreement and are recommending
that you do so as well.
Please return your proxy today. If you have questions regarding
the proposal, please call your financial representative or The Mentor
Funds (800-382-0016) today. We appreciate your continued trust and
confidence and look forward to earning it well into the future.
Sincerely,
Paul F. Costello
President
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THE MENTOR FUNDS
Mentor Municipal Income Portfolio
Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders
October 29, 1996
To the Shareholders of the Mentor Municipal Income Portfolio:
Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of Shareholders of the
Mentor Municipal Income Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), a series of shares of
beneficial interest of The Mentor Funds, will be held at the offices of The
Mentor Funds, 901 East Byrd Street, Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday, October 29,
1996 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern time) for the following purposes:
1. To approve a proposed Investment Advisory Agreement in respect
of the Portfolio.
2. To consider and act upon any other matters which may properly
come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
By order of the President
JOHN M. IVAN,
Secretary
September 30, 1996
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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
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PLEASE FILL IN, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING.
YOU MAY STILL VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING.
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THE MENTOR FUNDS
MENTOR MUNICIPAL INCOME PORTFOLIO
Proxy Statement
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Trustees of
The Mentor Funds (the "Trust") for use at the Special Meeting of Shareholders
(the "Meeting") of the Mentor Municipal Income Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), a
series of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust, to be held at 901 East
Byrd Street, Richmond, Virginia on Tuesday, October 29, 1996 at 10:00 a.m. and
at any adjournment or adjournments thereof (the "Meeting"). This proxy and its
enclosures are being mailed to shareholders beginning on or about September 30,
1996. A copy of the Annual Report and the most recent semi-annual report of the
Trust, each of which includes information about the Portfolio, may be obtained
without charge by calling 1-800-382-0016.
Shareholders of record of the Portfolio at the close of business on
September __, 1996 will be entitled to be present and to vote at the Meeting.
Each Class A and Class B share is entitled to one vote, and votes will be
counted together without regard to class. Shares represented by executed and
unrevoked proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications made
thereon. A shareholder who executes and returns the enclosed form of proxy
nevertheless may revoke it by giving another proxy or by letter or telegram
directed to the Trust which must show the shareholder's name and account number.
To be effective, such revocation must be received prior to the Meeting. Any
shareholder who attends the Meeting in person may vote by ballot at the Meeting,
thereby cancelling any proxy previously given. To the Trust's knowledge, no
shareholder owned beneficially 5% or more of the Portfolio's outstanding shares
of beneficial interest on September __, 1996, except [to be furnished]. On
September __, 1996, there were __________ Class A shares and ___________ Class B
shares of the Portfolio issued and outstanding. As of September __, 1996, the
officers and Trustees of the Trust owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares
of the Portfolio.
In the event that sufficient votes in favor of the Proposal set forth in
the notice of the Meeting are not received by the date of the Meeting, the
persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting for
a period or periods of not more than 60 days in the aggregate to permit further
solicitation of proxies. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote
of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the session of the
meeting to be adjourned. The persons named as proxies will vote in favor of such
adjournment those proxies which they are entitled to vote in favor of the
Proposal. They will vote against any such adjournment those proxies required to
be voted against the Proposal and will not vote any proxies that abstained from
voting on such matters. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Meeting will be
counted by persons appointed by the Trust to act as election inspectors for the
Meeting.
Solicitation of proxies by personal interview, mail, telephone, and
telegraph may be made by officers and Trustees of the Trust and employees of
Wheat First Butcher Singer, Inc. and its affiliates. [In addition, the firm of
Management Information Services, Inc. has been retained to assist in the
solicitation of proxies, at a cost which is not expected to exceed $_____, plus
reimbursement of the firm's out-of-pocket expenses]. The costs of solicitation
of proxies will be borne by VK/AC Holding, Inc.
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PROPOSAL: TO APPROVE AN INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT IN RESPECT
OF THE PORTFOLIO
The Trustees are recommending that you approve a new Investment Advisory
Agreement (the "Agreement") in respect of the Portfolio among Commonwealth
Advisors, Inc., The Mentor Funds, and Van Kampen American Capital Management,
Inc. (the "Sub-Adviser"), the current sub-adviser to the Portfolio. The
Agreement will replace the existing sub-advisory agreement with the Sub-Adviser
in respect of the Portfolio. Provided below is information with respect to the
Proposal and other information intended to help you reach a decision.
Background. VK/AC Holding, Inc.("VKAC Holding"), the corporate parent of
the Sub-Adviser, has entered into a merger agreement (the "Merger Agreement")
with Morgan Stanley Group Inc. ("Morgan Stanley") and certain of Morgan
Stanley's affiliates. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, MSAM Acquisition Inc., a
wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, will be merged with and into VKAC
Holding, with VKAC Holding being the surviving corporation (such transaction
being referred to herein as the "Acquisition"). It is anticipated that the
Acquisition will be consummated by the end of November 1996. As a result of the
Acquisition, the Sub-Adviser will become an indirect subsidiary of Morgan
Stanley. Your approval of the Agreement is being sought because the Acquisition
may constitute an "assignment" (as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the "1940 Act")) of the sub-advisory agreement currently in effect with the
Sub-Adviser, which would result in that agreement's automatic termination. In
anticipation of the Acquisition and in order for the Sub-Adviser to continue to
serve as sub-adviser to the Portfolio following the Acquisition, shareholders of
the Portfolio are being asked to approve the Agreement.
The Merger Agreement does not contemplate any changes in the management
or operation of the Sub-Adviser relating to the Portfolio, including the
personnel managing the Portfolio or other services or business activities
relating to the Portfolio, except those that occur in the ordinary course of
business. Morgan Stanley has agreed in the Merger Agreement that, for a period
of two years from the date of the Acquisition, it will cause the Sub-Adviser to
provide compensation and employee benefits which are substantially comparable in
the aggregate to those presently provided. The Sub-Adviser does not anticipate
that the Acquisition or any ancillary transactions will cause a reduction in the
quality of services now provided to the Portfolio, or have any adverse effect on
the Sub-Adviser's ability to fulfill its obligations under the Agreement.
Morgan Stanley and the Sub-Adviser have informed the Portfolio that
neither the Merger Agreement, nor any of the transactions contemplated thereby,
will impose, or result in the imposition of, an "unfair burden" on the
Portfolio, as that term is defined in Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act. In
addition, Morgan Stanley and the Sub-Adviser have advised the Portfolio that the
Merger Agreement provides that Morgan Stanley will use its reasonable best
efforts to assure that no unfair burden will be imposed on the Portfolio as a
result of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
Morgan Stanley and various of its directly or indirectly owned
subsidiaries, including Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated ("Morgan Stanley &
Co."), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, and Morgan Stanley
International, are engaged in a wide range of financial services. Their
principal businesses include securities underwriting, distribution and trading;
merger, acquisition, restructuring and other corporate finance advisory
activities; merchant banking; stock brokerage and research services; asset
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management; trading of futures, options, foreign exchange, commodities and swaps
(involving foreign exchange, commodities, indices and interest rates); real
estate advice, financing and investing; and global custody, securities clearance
services and securities lending. Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc. also is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. As of June 30, 1996, Morgan Stanley
Asset Management Inc., together with its affiliated investment advisory
companies, had approximately $103.5 billion of assets under management and
fiduciary advice.
Current Arrangement. The Sub-Adviser currently provides investment
advisory services to the Portfolio pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement with
Commonwealth Advisors, Inc., the Portfolio's investment adviser, and The Mentor
Funds. The current sub-advisory agreement was approved by the initial
shareholder of the Portfolio in February 1993 and approved by the Trustees on
February 13, 1996 for an additional one-year term.
The Portfolio pays Commonwealth Advisors an annual investment advisory
fee, and Commonwealth Advisors, in turn, pays an annual fee to the Sub-Adviser,
as full compensation for services rendered with respect to the Portfolio. As of
September 1, 1996, the Sub-Adviser reduced the fee payable to it to .25% of the
first $60 million of the Portfolio's net assets and .20% of the Portfolio's net
assets over $60 million. Prior to that date, the fee paid to the Sub-Adviser was
equal to .25% of the Portfolio's net assets. For the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1995, Commonwealth Advisors paid to the Sub-Adviser $190,141 in
advisory fees in respect of the Portfolio.
Proposed Agreement. The Agreement provides that, subject to the
supervision of Commonwealth Advisors and the Trustees of the Trust, the
Sub-Adviser will manage the Portfolio's assets in accordance with its investment
objective, policies and limitations, make investment decisions for the
Portfolio, and place all orders for the purchase and sale of the Portfolio's
investments with broker-dealers. The Sub- Adviser will pay all expenses incurred
by it and its staff, including salaries of its personnel, in connection with the
performance of its obligations under the Agreement.
In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers and dealers,
the Sub-Adviser will seek the best overall terms available. The Agreement
provides that, in assessing the best overall terms available for any
transaction, the Sub-Adviser shall consider all factors it deems relevant,
including, but not limited to, the breadth of the market in the security, the
price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the
broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission for the specific
transaction and on a continuing basis. The Sub-Adviser may enter into
transactions with broker-dealers that furnish the Sub-Adviser, without cost to
it, certain brokerage and research services of value to the Sub-Adviser and its
affiliates in advising the Portfolio and other clients. In doing so, the
Sub-Adviser may cause the Portfolio to pay greater brokerage commissions than it
might otherwise pay.
The Agreement provides that the Sub-Adviser shall not be subject to any
liability, error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by
Commonwealth Advisors or the Trust in connection with matters relating to the
Agreement in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of its obligations or duties.
Under the terms of the Agreement, Commonwealth Advisors pays to the
Sub-Adviser, as full compensation for services rendered under the Agreement with
respect to the Portfolio, an annual fee at the same rate as now paid under the
current agreement: .25% of the first $60 million of the Portfolio's net assets
and .20% of the Portfolio's net assets over $60 million.
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The Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, (i) by
Commonwealth Advisors on 60 day's written notice, (ii) at any time by the
Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Portfolio on 60 days' written notice, or (iii) by the
Sub-Adviser upon 60 days' written notice. The Agreement terminates automatically
in the event of its assignment.
If approved by the shareholders of the Portfolio, it is intended that
the proposed Agreement will take effect on the later of the closing of the
Acquisition or the receipt of shareholder approval, and will continue in effect
until the second anniversary thereof and thereafter for successive annual
periods as long as such continuance is approved in accordance with the 1940 Act.
A copy of the Agreement, marked to show changes from the current
sub-advisory agreement, is attached to this proxy statement as Exhibit A.
Comparison of the Current and Proposed Agreement. The Agreement is
substantially identical to the current sub-advisory agreement, except for the
date of execution, effectiveness and termination. As described above, the fees
being paid under the current agreement will not change.
Following the effective date of the Agreement, the ability of the
Portfolio to conduct certain transactions with Morgan Stanley & Co. because of
Morgan Stanley & Co.'s affiliation with the Sub-Adviser.
Trustee Action. The Trustees of the Trust approved the Agreement at a
meeting held on August 13, 1996.
In evaluating the Agreement, the Trustees considered the fact that the
current sub-advisory agreement and the Agreement are substantially identical,
including the terms relating to the services to be provided and the fees to be
paid by the Portfolio thereunder. The Trustees also considered the general terms
of the Merger Agreement upon the ability of the Sub-Adviser to continue to
provide advisory services to the Portfolio. The Trustees considered the
performance of the Sub-Adviser to date in providing services to the Portfolio,
the skills and capabilities of the Sub-Adviser and the representations of Morgan
Stanley that no material change was planned in the current management or
facilities of the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Trustees considered generally
the financial resources of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley's representation to
the Trustees that it will provide sufficient capital to support the operations
of the Sub-Adviser. The Trustees also considered the reputation, expertise and
resources of Morgan Stanley and its affiliates in domestic and international
financial markets. The Trustees considered information provided concerning the
continued employment of members of senior management of the Sub-Adviser pursuant
to employment and retention agreements and the incentives provided to such
members and other key employees of the Sub-Adviser.
Information about the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser currently is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Van Kampen American Capital, Inc. ("VKAC"), which is
a wholly-owned subsidiary of VKAC Holding, which in turn is controlled, through
the ownership of a substantial majority of its common stock, by The Clayton &
Dubilier Private Equity Fund IV Limited Partnership ("C&D L.P."), a Connecticut
limited partnership. C&D L.P. is managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc., a
New York based private investment firm. The General Partner of C&D L.P. is
Clayton & Dubilier Associates IV Limited Partnership ("C&D Associates L.P.").
The general partners of C&D Associates L.P. are Joseph L. Rice,
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III, B. Charles Ames, William A. Barbe, Alberto Cribiore, Donald J. Gogel, Leon
J. Hendrix, Jr., Hubbard C. Howe and Andrall E. Pearson, each of whom is a
principal of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. In addition, certain officers,
directors and employees of VKAC own, in the aggregate, approximately 6% of the
common stock of VKAC Holding and have the right to acquire, upon the exercise of
options (whether or not vested), approximately an additional 12% of the common
stock of VKAC Holding. The address of VKAC Holding, VKAC and the Sub-Adviser is
One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181. The address of C&D L.P.
and C&D Associates L.P. is 270 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
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Set forth below is information in respect of the directors and executive
officers of the Sub-Adviser.
Name and Address Principal Occupation
Don G. Powell
2800 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston, TX 77056 President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director
of VKAC Holding and VKAC and Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and a Director of the Sub-
Adviser, Van Kampen American Capital Distributors,
Inc. ("VKAC Distributors"), Van Kampen American
Capital Asset Management, Inc., Van Kampen American
Capital Investment Advisory Corp. and Van Kampen
American Capital Advisors, Inc. Chairman, President
and a Director of Van Kampen American Capital
Exchange Corporation, American Capital Contractual
Services, Inc., Van Kampen Merritt Equity Holdings
Corp., and American Capital Shareholders
Corporation. Chairman and a Director of ACCESS
Investor Services, Inc. ("ACCESS"), Van Kampen
Merritt Equity Advisors Corp. and Van Kampen
American Capital Trust Company. Chairman,
President and a Director of Van Kampen American
Capital Services, Inc. Prior to July 1996, Chairman
and Director of VSM Inc. and VCJ Inc. Prior to July
1996, President, Chief Executive Officer and a
Trustee/Director of open-end investment companies
and closed-end investment companies advised by Van
Kampen American Capital Management, Inc. and Van
Kampen American Capital Asset Management, Inc.
Dennis J. McDonnell
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
60181 President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director
of the Sub-Adviser, Van Kampen American Capital
Asset Management, Inc., Van Kampen American Capital
Investment Advisory Corp., and Van Kampen American
Capital Advisors, Inc. Executive Vice President
and a Director of VKAC Holding and VKAC. President
and Director of Van Kampen Merritt Equity Advisors
Corp. Director of Van Kampen Merritt Equity
Holdings Corp., McCarthy, Crisanti & Maffei, S.A.
and McCarthy, Crisanti & Maffei, Inc. Chairman and
a Director of MCM Asia Pacific Company, Limited.
President and Trustee/Director of open-end
investment companies and closed-end investment
companies advised by Van Kampen American Capital
Asset Management, Inc. and Van Kampen American
Capital Investment Advisory Corp. Prior to July
1996, President, Chief Operating Officer and
Director of VSM Inc. and VCJ Inc. Prior to
December, 1991, Senior Vice President of Van Kampen
Merritt, Inc.
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Ronald A. Nyberg
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
60181 Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary of VKAC Holding and VKAC. Executive Vice
President, General Counsel and a Director of the
Sub-Adviser, VKAC Distributors, Van Kampen American
Capital Asset Management, Inc., Van Kampen American
Capital Investment Advisory Corp., Van Kampen
Merritt Equity Advisors Corp., and Van Kampen
Merritt Equity Holdings Corp. Executive Vice
President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
of Van Kampen American Capital Advisors, Inc.,
American Capital Contractual Services, Inc., Van
Kampen American Capital Exchange Corporation,
ACCESS, Van Kampen American Capital Services, Inc.
and American Capital Shareholders Corporation.
Executive Vice President, General Counsel,
Assistant Secretary and Director of Van Kampen
American Capital Trust Company. Vice President and
Secretary of open-end investment companies and
closed-end investment companies advised by Van
Kampen American Capital Asset Management, Inc. and
Van Kampen Capital Investment Advisory Corp.
Director of ICI Mutual Insurance Co., a provider of
insurance to members of the Investment Company
Institute. Prior to July 1996, Executive Vice
President and General Counsel of VSM Inc., and
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
Director of VCJ Inc.
William R. Rybak
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
60181 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of VKAC Holding and VKAC since February
1993, and Treasurer of VKAC Holding through
December 1993. Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and a Director of the
Sub-Adviser, Van Kampen American Capital Asset
Management, Inc., Van Kampen American Capital
Investment Advisory Corp., and VKAC Distributors.
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and a Director of Van Kampen Merritt
Equity Advisors Corp. Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of the Van Kampen American
Capital Advisors, Inc., Van Kampen American Capital
Exchange Corporation, Van Kampen American Capital
Trust Company, ACCESS, and American Capital
Contractual Services, Inc. Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of
American Capital Shareholders Corporation, Van
Kampen American Capital Services, Inc. and Van
Kampen Merritt Equity Holdings Corp. Assistant
Treasurer of McCarthy, Crisanti & Maffei, Inc. and
MCM Group, Inc. Chairman of the Board of Hinsdale
Financial Corp., a savings and loan holding
company. Prior to July 1996,
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Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and a Director of VCJ Inc., and Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of VSM Inc.
Peter W. Hegel
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
60181 Executive Vice President of the Sub-Adviser, Van
Kampen American Capital Asset Management, Inc., Van
Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory Corp.,
and Van Kampen American Capital Advisors, Inc.
Executive Vice President and Director of Van Kampen
American Capital Asset Management, Inc. Vice
President of open-end investment companies and
closed-end investment companies advised by Van
Kampen American Capital Asset Management, Inc. and
Van Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory
Corp. Prior to July 1996, Director of VSM Inc.
Robert C. Peck, Jr.
2800 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston, TX 77056 Executive Vice President of the Sub-Adviser and Van
Kampen American Capital Advisory Corp. Executive
Vice President and Director of Van Kampen American
Capital Asset Management, Inc. and Van Kampen
American Capital Advisors, Inc. Vice President of
open-end investment companies advised by Van Kampen
American Capital Asset Management, Inc. and Van
Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory Corp.
Alan T. Sachtleben
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
60181 Executive Vice President of the Sub-Adviser and
Advisory Corp. Executive Vice President and a
Director of Van Kampen American Capital Asset
Management, Inc. and Van Kampen American Capital
Advisors, Inc. Vice President of open-end
investment companies advised by Van Kampen American
Capital Asset Management, Inc. and Van Kampen
American Capital Investment Advisory Corp.
Exhibit B provides certain information relating to an investment company
similar to the Portfolio for which the Sub-Adviser provides investment advisory
services.
Miscellaneous. Commonwealth Advisors is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Mentor Investment Group, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Wheat First Butcher
Singer, Inc. Mentor Investment Group serves as administrator to the Portfolio.
Mentor Distributors, Inc., an affiliate of Commonwealth Advisors, Mentor
Investment Group, and Wheat First Butcher Singer, serves as the principle
underwriter of the Portfolio's shares. The address of each of Commonwealth
Advisors, Mentor Distributors, and Mentor Investment Group, is 901 East Byrd
Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
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Required Shareholder Vote. The required vote for the Agreement is the
lesser of (1) 67% of the shares of the Portfolio represented at the Meeting, if
more than 50% of the shares of the Portfolio are represented at the Meeting, or
(2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio. If shareholders of
the Portfolio do not approve the Agreement, the Portfolio's current sub-advisory
agreement would remain subject to automatic termination in the event of its
assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). At such time, the Trustees will
consider such alternative actions as may be in the best interests of the
Portfolio.
The Trustees unanimously recommend that shareholders of the Portfolio
vote to approve the proposed Agreement.
OTHER MATTERS
Fifty percent of the shares, regardless of class, of the Portfolio
outstanding on the Record Date, present in person or represented by proxy, are
required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting.
Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Meeting will be counted by persons
appointed by persons appointed by the Trust as tellers for the Meeting. The
tellers will count the total number of votes cast "for" approval of the
proposals for purposes of determining whether sufficient affirmative votes have
been cast. The tellers will count all shares represented by proxies that reflect
abstentions and "broker non-votes" (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees as
to which instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or the
persons entitled to vote) for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
Abstentions and broker non-votes have the effect of a negative vote on the
Proposal.
Although the Meeting is called to transact any other business that may
properly come before it, the only business that management intends to present or
knows that others will present is the Proposal in the Notice of Meeting.
However, you are being asked on the enclosed proxy to authorize the persons
named therein to vote in accordance with their judgment with respect to any
additional matters which properly come before the Meeting, and on all matters
incidental to the conduct of the Meeting.
Shareholder proposals to be presented at any future meeting of
shareholders of the Portfolio must be received by the Portfolio a reasonable
time before the Portfolio's solicitation of proxies for that meeting in order
for such proposals to be considered for inclusion in the proxy materials
relating to that meeting.
September 30, 1996
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EXHIBIT A
THE MENTOR FUNDS
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
November , 1996
Van Kampen American Capital Management, Inc.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
Dear Sirs:
Under an agreement (the "Management Agreement") between The Mentor
Funds, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), and Commonwealth Advisors,
Inc., a Virginia corporation, (the "Adviser"), the Adviser serves as the Trust's
investment adviser and has the responsibility of evaluating, recommending,
supervising and compensating investment advisors to each series of the Trust.
The Adviser hereby confirms its agreement with Van Kampen American
Capital Management, Inc. (the "Sub-Adviser") and the Trust with respect to the
Sub-Adviser's serving as the sub-adviser of the Mentor Municipal Income
Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), a series of the Trust, as follows:
Section 1. Investment Description; Appointment
(a) The Trust desires to employ the Portfolio's capital by investing and
reinvesting in investments of the kind and in accordance with the investment
objectives, policies and limitations specified in the prospectus (the
"Prospectus") and in the statement of additional information (the "Statement of
Additional Information") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") as part of the Trust's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as amended
from time to time (the "Registration Statement"). The Adviser has herewith
furnished the Sub-Adviser copies of the Trust's Prospectus, Statement of
Additional Information, Declaration of Trust and By-Laws as currently in effect
and agrees during the continuance of the Agreement to furnish the Sub-Adviser
copies of any amendments or supplements thereto before or at the time the
amendments or supplements become effective. The Sub-Adviser will be entitled to
rely on all such documents furnished to it by the Adviser or the Trust.
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(b) The Adviser, with the approval of the Trust, hereby appoints the
Sub-Adviser to act as investment adviser to the Portfolio for the periods and on
the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser accepts such appointment
and agrees to furnish the services herein set forth for the compensation herein
provided.
Section 2. Portfolio Management Duties
(a) Subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the Trust's Board of
Trustees, the Sub-Adviser will (i) manage the Portfolio's assets in accordance
with the Portfolio's investment objectives, policies and limitations as stated
in the Trust's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information; (ii) make
investment decisions for the Portfolio; and (iii) place orders to purchase and
sell securities (and where appropriate) commodity futures contracts for the
Portfolio.
(b) The Sub-Adviser will keep the Trust and the Adviser informed of
developments materially affecting the Portfolio and shall, on the Sub-Adviser's
own initiative and as reasonably requested by the Adviser or the Trust, furnish
to the Trust and the Adviser from time to time whatever information the Adviser
reasonably believes appropriate for this purpose.
(c) The Sub-Adviser agrees that, in the performance of the duties
required of it by this Agreement, it will comply with the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), and all rules and regulations thereunder, all
applicable federal and state laws and regulations and with any applicable
procedures adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees and identified in writing to
the Sub-Adviser. The Adviser will provide to the Sub-Adviser any specific
procedures that must be followed in the performance of Sub-Adviser's duties
hereunder by reason of the affiliation of other sub-advisers or service
providers with the Trust.
Section 3. Brokerage
(a) The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will place orders pursuant to its
investment determinations for the Portfolio either directly with the issuer or
with brokers or dealers selected by the Sub-Adviser in accordance with the
standards specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 3. Until notified
to the contrary by the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser may place orders for the
Portfolio with affiliates of the Adviser in accordance with Section 11(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, Section 17(e) of
the Act and Rule 17e-1 thereunder and other applicable laws and regulations. The
Sub-Adviser will identify to the Adviser in writing any brokers or dealers which
are affiliates of the Sub- Adviser. The Adviser will identify to the Sub-Adviser
in writing any brokers and dealers which are affiliates of the Adviser and will
forward to each Sub-Adviser information provided by the other Sub-Advisers with
respect to affiliated broker-dealers of such Sub-Advisers.
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<PAGE>
(b) In placing orders with brokers and dealers, the Sub-Adviser will
seek the best overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms
available for any portfolio transaction, the Sub-Adviser will consider all
factors it deems relevant including, but not limited to, the breadth of the
market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and
execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of any
commission for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis.
(c) Subject to the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) above, in
selecting brokers or dealers to execute a particular transaction and in
evaluating the best overall terms available, the Adviser shall have the right to
request in writing that transactions giving rise to brokerage commissions shall
be executed by brokers and dealers that provide brokerage and research services
(as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) to the Trust or will be of value to the Trust in the management of its
assets or the Adviser's performance of its management services provided to the
Trust. In addition, subject to the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) above
and the applicable Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., the Trust shall have the right to request that such
transactions be executed by brokers and dealers by or through whom sales of
shares of the Trust are made.
Section 4. Information Provided to the Adviser and the Trust
(a) The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will make available to the Adviser
and the Trust promptly upon their request copies of all of its records with
respect to the Portfolio to assist the Adviser and the Trust in monitoring
compliance with the Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Advisers Act"), as well as other applicable laws. The Sub- Adviser will furnish
the Trust's Board of Trustees with respect to the Portfolio such periodic and
special reports as the Adviser and the Board of Trustees may reasonably request.
(b) The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will immediately notify the Adviser
and the Trust in the event that the Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates: (i)
becomes subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Sub-Adviser
from serving as investment advisor pursuant to this Agreement; or (ii) if it is
or expects to become the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement
action by the SEC or other regulatory authority. The Sub-Adviser has provided
the information about itself set forth in the Registration Statement and
acknowledges that, as of the date hereof, it is true and correct and contains no
material misstatement or omission, and the Sub-Adviser further agrees to notify
the Adviser immediately of, (i) any material fact known to the Sub-Adviser
respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the
Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information of the Trust, or any amendment
or supplement thereto, if the omission of such would make such document
misleading, (ii) any statement contained therein relating to the Sub-Adviser
that becomes untrue in any material respect, or (iii) any material change in the
investment objective and policies of the mutual fund advised by the Sub-Adviser
and identified in the Prospectus as being a model for the Portfolio.
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<PAGE>
(c) The Sub-Adviser represents that it is an investment adviser
registered under the Advisers Act and other applicable laws and that the
statements contained in the Sub-Adviser's registration under the Advisers Act on
Form ADV, as of the date hereof, are true and correct and do not omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
the statements therein not misleading. The Sub-Adviser agrees to maintain the
completeness and accuracy of its registration on Form ADV in accordance with all
legal requirements relating to that Form. The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that it
is an "investment advisor" to the Portfolio within the meaning of the Act and
the Advisers Act.
Section 5. Books and Records
In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the Act, the
Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records that it maintains for the Trust are
the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust
copies of any such records upon the Trust's request. The Sub-Adviser further
agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Act the
records with respect to the Sub-Adviser's duties hereunder required to be
maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the Act and to preserve the records required by
Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act for the period specified in that Rule.
Section 6. Compensation
(a) In consideration of services rendered pursuant to this Agreement,
the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser a fee that is computed daily and paid
monthly at the annual rate set forth in Appendix I to this Agreement (the
"Portfolio Advisory Fee"). From time to time the Sub-Adviser may agree to
reimburse the Trust additional expenses or waive a portion or all of its fee, in
the sole discretion of the Sub-Adviser.
(b) The Portfolio Advisory Fee for the period from the date that the
Portfolio commences investment operations to the end of the month during which
the Portfolio commences investment operations shall be prorated according to the
proportion that such period bears to the full monthly period. Upon any
termination of this Agreement before the end of a month, the fee for such part
of that month shall be prorated according to the proportion that such period
bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of
termination of this Agreement.
(c) For the purposes of determining fees payable to the Sub-Adviser, the
value of the Trust's net assets shall be computed at the times and in the manner
specified in the Trust's Prospectus and/or the Statement of Additional
Information.
Section 7. Costs and Expenses
During the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will pay all expenses
incurred by it and its staff in connection with the performance of its services
under this Agreement,
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<PAGE>
including the payment of salaries of all officers and employees who are employed
by it, but not including expenses to be paid by the Trust or the Adviser such as
brokerage fees and commissions and custodian charges. The Trust shall assume and
pay any expenses for services rendered by a custodian for the safekeeping of the
Trust's securities or other property, for keeping its books of account, for any
other charges of the custodian, and for calculating the net asset value of the
Trust as provided in the prospectus of the Trust. The Sub-Adviser shall not be
required to pay and the Trust (or the Adviser) shall assume and pay the charges
and expenses of the Trust's operations, including compensation of the trustees,
charges and expenses of independent auditors, of legal counsel, of any transfer
or dividend disbursing agent, and of any registrar of the Trust, costs of
acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities, interest, if any, on
obligations incurred by the Trust, costs of share certificates and of reports,
membership dues in the Investment Company Institute or any similar organization,
costs of reports and notices to shareholders, other like miscellaneous expenses
and all taxes and fees payable to federal, state or other governmental agencies
on account of the registration of securities issued by the Trust, filing of
trust documents or otherwise.
Section 8. Standard of Care
The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any loss suffered by the Adviser or the Trust in connection with
the matters to which this Agreement relates, provided that nothing in this
Agreement shall be deemed to protect or purport to protect the Sub-Adviser
against any liability to the Adviser or the Trust to which the Sub-Adviser would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or by reason of the
Sub-Adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this
Agreement.
Section 9. Services to Other Companies or Accounts
(a) Except as otherwise agreed between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser,
it is understood that the services of the Sub-Adviser are not exclusive, and
nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Sub-Adviser from providing similar
services to other investment companies (whether or not their investment
objectives and policies are similar to those of the Trust) or from engaging in
other activities.
(b) When the Sub-Adviser recommends the purchase or sale of a security
for other investment companies and other clients, and at the same time the
Sub-Adviser recommends the purchase or sale of the same security for the Trust,
it is understood that in light of its fiduciary duty to the Trust, such
transactions will be executed on a basis that it is fair and equitable to the
Trust.
(c) The Trust and the Adviser understand and acknowledge that the
persons employed by the Sub-Adviser to assist in the performance of its duties
under this Agreement will not devote their full time to that service; nothing
contained in this Agreement will be
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<PAGE>
deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Sub-Adviser or any affiliate of the
Sub-Adviser to engage in and devote time and attention to other businesses or to
render services of whatever kind or nature, except as otherwise agreed between
the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser.
Section 10. Duration and Termination
(a) The Trust represents that this Agreement has been approved by the
Trust's Board of Trustees and shareholders pursuant to Section 15 of the Act.
This Agreement shall become effective on the date hereof and shall continue for
two years from that date, and thereafter shall continue automatically for
successive annual periods, and thereafter shall continue automatically for
successive annual periods, provided such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by (i) the Trust's Board of Trustees or (ii) a vote of a majority
of the Portfolio's outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Act),
provided that the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Trustees who
are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of the Trust, by vote cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated (i)
by the Adviser at any time without penalty, upon 60 days' written notice to the
Sub-Adviser and the Trust, (ii) at any time without penalty by the Trust, upon
the vote of a majority of the Trust's Trustees or by vote of the majority of the
Trust's outstanding voting securities, upon 60 days' written notice to the
Sub-Adviser and the Adviser, or (iii) by the Sub-Adviser at any time without
penalty, upon 60 days' written notice to the Adviser and the Trust.
(c) This Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its
assignment (as defined in the Act and in rules adopted under the Act).
Section 11. Amendments
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or
terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party
against whom enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is
sought, and no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved in
accordance with applicable law.
Section 12. Limitations of Liability of Trustees, Officers, Employees, Agents
and Shareholders of the Trust
The Sub-Adviser is expressly put on notice of the limitation of
liability as set forth in the Declaration of Trust and agrees that the
obligations assumed by the Trust pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in
any case to the Trust and its assets and that the Sub-Adviser shall not seek
satisfaction of any such obligations from the shareholders of the Trust, the
Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust, or any of them.
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<PAGE>
Section 13. Miscellaneous
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Virginia, provided that nothing herein shall be construed in a manner
inconsistent with the Act, the Advisers Act, or rules or orders of the SEC
thereunder.
(b) The captions of this Agreement are included for convenience only and
in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their
construction or effect.
(c) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by
a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement
shall not be affected thereby and, to this extent, the provisions of this
Agreement shall be deemed to be severable.
(d) Nothing herein shall be construed as constituting the Sub-Adviser
as an agent of the Trust or the Adviser.
If the terms and conditions described above are in accordance with your
understanding, kindly indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing and
returning to us the enclosed copy of this Agreement.
COMMONWEALTH ADVISORS, INC.
By:_________________________
Name:
Title:
THE MENTOR FUNDS
By:__________________________
Name:
Title:
Accepted:
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
By:_________________________
Name:
Title:
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<PAGE>
APPENDIX I
The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser an annual fee not to exceed the following
percentage of Portfolio assets as follows:
SUB-ADVISER'S RATE
OF FEE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 6 OF THE
THE MENTOR FUNDS AGREEMENT
Mentor Municipal Income Portfolio .25% of average net assets of
the Portfolio from $0 to $60
million; .20% of average net
assets of the Portfolio over
$60 million
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
Other Investment Company Advised by Van Kampen American Capital Management, Inc.
Fund Net Assets Fee Schedule
---- ---------- ------------
Sierra Trust Fund, $228,750,984(1) .20% of average net
National Municipal Fund assets up to $150
million; .15% of
average net assets
over $150 million.(2)
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(1) As of August 29, 1996.
(2) Pursuant to investment sub-advisory agreements in respect of the
National Municipal Fund and the California Municipal Fund, another
series of the Sierra Trust Funds sub-advised by Van Kampen American
Capital Management, Inc., when the combined average daily net assets of
the Funds (the "Combined Assets") exceed $750 million, Van Kampen
American Capital Management, Inc. will be paid a fee with respect to
each Fund in proportion to each Fund's average net assets at the
following annual rate: .15% of the Combined Assets up to $1 billion, and
.125% of the Combined Assets over $1 billion.
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<PAGE>
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY
THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR THE PROPOSAL
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business
as may properly come before the meeting. The Trustees recommend a vote FOR the
proposal below.
1. To approve the Investment Advisory [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
Agreement in respect of the Portfolio
among The Mentor Funds, Commonwealth
Advisors, Inc. and Van Kampen
American Capital Management, Inc.
PLEASE SIGN ON OTHER SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
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<PAGE>
MENTOR MUNICIPAL INCOME PORTFOLIO PROXY SOLICITED BY THE TRUSTEES
A SERIES OF THE MENTOR FUNDS
PROXY FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS -- October 29, 1996
The undersigned hereby appoints Peter J. Quinn, Daniel J. Ludeman, and Paul F.
Costello, and each of them, proxies, with power of substitution to each, and
hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated below, at the
Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Mentor Municipal Income Portfolio (the
"Portfolio"), a series of The Mentor Funds (the "Trust"), on Tuesday, October
29, 1996 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time, and at any adjournments thereof, all of the
shares of the Portfolio which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if
personally present.
NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name
appears on this card. All joint owners
should sign. When signing as executor,
administrator, attorney, trustee, or
guardian or as custodian for a minor,
please give full title as such. If a
corporation, please sign in full corporate
name and indicate the signer's office. If
a partner, sign in the partnership name.
Signature(s) _____________________________
------------------------------------------
Date _____________________________________
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