<PAGE>
BT INSTITUTIONAL
PROSPECTUS: AUGUST 1, 1995.
Please read this Prospectus carefully before investing and retain it for future
reference. It contains important information about the Fund that you should know
and can refer to in deciding whether the Fund's goals match your own.
A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) with the same date has been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and is incorporated herein
by reference. You may request a free copy of the Statement by calling the Fund's
Service Agent at 1-800-422-6577.
UNLIKE OTHER MUTUAL FUNDS, THE FUND SEEKS TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE BY
INVESTING ALL OF ITS INVESTABLE ASSETS IN THE PORTFOLIO WHICH IS A SEPARATE FUND
WITH AN IDENTICAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. SEE "SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING
MASTER-FEEDER FUND STRUCTURE" ON PAGE 12.
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, BANKERS TRUST COMPANY AND THE SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER
AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND IS SUBJECT TO RISK THAT MAY CAUSE THE VALUE OF
THE INVESTMENT TO FLUCTUATE, AND WHEN THE INVESTMENT IS REDEEMED, THE VALUE MAY
BE HIGHER OR LOWER THAN THE AMOUNT ORIGINALLY INVESTED BY THE INVESTOR.
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.
Asset Management
Fund
o An asset allocation fund that seeks high total return over the long term, as
well as reduced investment risk, through investment in stocks, bonds and
money market instruments.
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
Investment Adviser of the
Portfolio and Administrator
SIGNATURE BROKER-
DEALER SERVICES, INC.
Distributor
6 St. James Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAGE
................................................................................
Summary of Fund Expenses 3
Fund Financial Highlights 5
Investment Objective, Policies and Risks 6
Risk Factors: Matching the Fund to Your Investment Needs 9
Net Asset Value 13
Purchase and Redemption of Shares 13
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes 16
Performance Information and Reports 17
Management of the Trust and Portfolio 18
Additional Information 23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
The following table provides (i) a summary of expenses relating to purchases and
sales of the shares of the BT Institutional Asset Management Fund (the "Fund"),
and the aggregate annual operating expenses of the Fund and the Asset Management
Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), as a percentage of average net assets of the Fund;
and (ii) an example illustrating the dollar cost of such expenses on a $1,000
investment in the Fund. THE TRUSTEES OF BT PYRAMID MUTUAL FUNDS (THE "TRUST")
BELIEVE THAT THE AGGREGATE PER SHARE EXPENSES OF THE FUND AND THE PORTFOLIO WILL
BE LESS THAN OR APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE EXPENSES WHICH THE FUND WOULD INCUR
IF THE TRUST RETAINED THE SERVICES OF AN INVESTMENT ADVISER AND THE INVESTABLE
ASSETS ("ASSETS") OF THE FUND WERE INVESTED DIRECTLY IN THE TYPE OF SECURITIES
BEING HELD BY THE PORTFOLIO.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund)
................................................................................
Investment advisory fee (after reimbursement or waiver) 0.32%
12b-1 fees 0.00
Other expenses (after reimbursements or waivers) 0.28
................................................................................
Total operating expenses (after reimbursements or waivers) 0.60%
................................................................................
EXAMPLE 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
................................................................................
You would pay the following expenses on
a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5%
annual return and (2) redemption at the
end of each time period $6 $19 $33 $75
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The expense table and the example above show the costs and expenses that an
investor will bear directly or indirectly as a shareholder of the Fund. While
reimbursement of distribution expenses in amounts up to 0.20% of average net
assets are authorized to be made pursuant to the Plan of Distribution under Rule
12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), it is
not expected that any payments will actually be made under that plan in the
foreseeable future. Bankers Trust Company ("Bankers Trust") has voluntarily
agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee. Without such waiver,
the Portfolio's investment advisory fee would be equal to 0.65%. The expense
table and the example reflect a voluntary undertaking by Bankers Trust or
Signature Broker-Dealer Services, Inc. ("Signature") to waive or reimburse
expenses such that total operating expenses will not exceed 0.60% of the Fund's
average net assets annually. In the absence of this undertaking, for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1995 total operating expenses would have been equal to
approximately 1.03% of the Fund's average net assets annually. THE EXAMPLE
SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES AND ACTUAL
EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. Moreover, while each example
assumes a 5% annual return, actual performance will vary and may result in a
return greater or less than 5%.
The Fund is sold by Signature as the Trust's distributor (the "Distributor") to
customers of Bankers Trust or to customers of another bank or a dealer or other
institution that has a sub-servicing agreement with Bankers Trust (along with
Bankers Trust, a "Service Agent"). Some Service Agents may impose certain
conditions on their customers in addition to or different from those imposed by
the Fund and may charge their customers a direct fee for their services. Each
Service Agent has agreed to transmit to shareholders who are its customers
appropriate disclosures of any fees that it may charge them directly.
For more information with respect to the expenses of the Fund and the Portfolio
see "Management of the Trust and Portfolio" herein.
<PAGE>
FUND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following table shows selected data for a share outstanding, total
investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data of
the Fund for the periods indicated and have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P., the Fund's independent accountants, whose report thereon appears in
the Fund's Annual Report which is incorporated by reference in the Fund's
Statement of Additional Information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the period
For the September 16, 1993
year ended (Commencement of
March 31, Operations) to
1995 March 31, 1994
................................................................................
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $ 9.61 $10.00
------ ------
Income from Investment Operations
Net Investment Income 0.36 0.11
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Securities and Futures Transactions 0.30 (0.44)
................................................................................
Total from Investment Operations 0.66 (0.33)
................................................................................
Less Dividends and Distributions
Dividends from Net Investment Income (0.28) (0.06)
Distributions from Net Realized Gain from
Securities and Futures Transactions -- (0.00)+
................................................................................
Total Dividends and Distributions (0.28) (0.06)
................................................................................
Net Asset Value, End of Period $ 9.99 $ 9.61
................................................................................
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN 7.13% (6.06)%*
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of Net Investment Income to
Average Net Assets 3.78% 2.83 %*
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets,
Including Expenses of the Asset Management
Portfolio 0.60% 0.60 %*
Decrease Reflected in Above Expense Ratio
Due to Absorption of Expenses by Bankers
Trust 0.43% 0.73 %*
Net Assets, End of Period (000's omitted) $83,201 $75,021
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Annualized
+Represents less than $0.01 per share
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND RISKS
The Fund seeks high total return with reduced risk over the long term by
allocating investments among stocks, bonds, and short-term instruments. The Fund
offers investors a convenient means of diversifying their holdings in various
classes of assets while relieving those investors of the administrative burdens
typically associated with purchasing and holding these instruments, such as
coordinating maturities and reinvestments, providing for safekeeping and
maintaining detailed records.
The Trust seeks to achieve the investment objective of the Fund by investing all
the Assets of the Fund in the Asset Management Portfolio, which has the same
investment objective as the Fund. There can be no assurances that the investment
objective of either the Fund or the Portfolio will be achieved. The investment
objective of each of the Fund and the Portfolio is not a fundamental policy and
may be changed upon notice to but without the approval of the Fund's
shareholders or the Portfolio's investors, respectively. See "Special
Information Concerning Master-Feeder Fund Structure" on page 12 herein.
ASSET MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO
Investment Allocations. In seeking to achieve the Portfolio's investment
objective, Bankers Trust, the Portfolio's investment adviser (the "Adviser"),
allocates the Portfolio's assets among three principal asset classes (as
discussed below): stocks, bonds and short-term instruments. The asset classes
are based on risk characteristics and may not be identical to the Portfolio's
total aggregate holdings of the three types of instruments. For example, the
Portfolio may buy or sell a futures contract to increase or decrease the
Portfolio's exposure to the stock market. Bankers Trust will normally allocate
the Portfolio's assets among the asset classes within the following parameters:
0-25% in short-term instruments; 25-55% in bonds (intermediate to long-term debt
securities); and 40%-70% in stocks (equities). The asset classes of the
Portfolio fluctuate around a neutral position of 10% in short-term investments,
35% in bonds and 55% in stocks. As of March 31, 1995, the Portfolio's asset
classes were as follows: short-term instruments 16%; bonds 34%; and stocks 50%.
The Portfolio may make substantial temporary investments in cash and money
market instruments for defensive purposes when, in Bankers Trust's judgment,
market conditions warrant.
Bankers Trust regularly reviews the Portfolio's investment allocations, and will
gradually vary them over time to favor asset classes that, in Bankers Trust's
current judgment, provide the most favorable total return outlook. In making
allocation decisions, Bankers Trust will evaluate projections of risk, market
and economic conditions, volatility, yields and expected return. Bankers Trust
will seek to reduce risk relative to an investment in common stocks by
emphasizing the bond and short-term classes when stocks appear overvalued.
Bankers Trust's management will include use of database systems to help analyze
past situations and trends, research specialists in each of the asset classes to
help in securities selection, portfolio management professionals to determine
asset allocation and to select individual securities, and its own credit
analysis as well as credit analysis provided by rating services to determine the
quality of debt securities.
Short-Term Securities. These securities include all types of domestic and
foreign securities and money market instruments with remaining maturities of
thirteen months or less. Bankers Trust will seek to maximize total return within
the short-term class by taking advantage of yield differentials between
different instruments, issuers and currencies. Short-term instruments may
include foreign and domestic: (i) short-term obligations of sovereign
governments, their agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or political
subdivisions; (ii) other short-term debt securities rated Aa or higher by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or AA or higher by Standard & Poor's
Corporation ("S&P") or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of
Bankers Trust; (iii) commercial paper; (iv) bank obligations, including
negotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances; and
(v) repurchase agreements. At the time the Portfolio invests in commercial
paper, bank obligations or repurchase agreements, the issuer or the issuer's
parent must have outstanding debt rated Aa or higher by Moody's or AA or higher
by S&P or outstanding commercial paper or bank obligations rated Prime-1 by
Moody's or A-1 by S&P; or, if no such ratings are available, the instrument must
be of comparable quality in the opinion of Bankers Trust. These instruments may
be denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies and will have been
determined to be of high quality by a nationally recognized statistical rating
organization ("NRSRO") or, if unrated, by Bankers Trust.
Bonds. These securities include investment grade domestic and foreign
fixed-income securities with remaining maturities or duratations greater than
thirteen months. Bankers Trust seeks to maximize total returns within the bond
class by adjusting the Portfolio's investments in securities with different
credit qualities, maturities, and coupon or dividend rates, as well as by
exploiting yield differentials between securities. Securities in this class may
include bonds, notes, adjustable rate preferred stocks, convertible bonds,
mortgage-related and asset-backed securities, domestic and foreign government
and government agency securities, zero coupon bonds, Rule 144A securities and
other intermediate and long-term securities. As with the short-term class, these
securities may be denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currency. No more than
5% of the Portfolio's net assets (at the time of investment) may be in lower
rated (BB/Ba or lower), high yield bonds. The Portfolio may retain any bond
whose rating drops below investment grade if it is in the best interest of the
Fund's shareholders. Securities rated BB/Ba by a NRSRO are considered to have
speculative characteristics. See the Appendix to the Statement of Additional
Information for further information on these securities.
Stocks. These securities include domestic and foreign equity securities of all
types (other than adjustable rate preferred stocks included in the bond class).
Bankers Trust seeks to maximize total return within this asset class by actively
allocating assets to industry sectors expected to benefit from major trends, and
to individual stocks that it believes to have superior investment potential.
Securities in the stock class may include common stocks, fixed-rate preferred
stocks (including convertible preferred stocks), warrants, rights, depositary
receipts, securities of closed-end investment companies, and other equity
securities issued by companies of any size, located anywhere in the world.
Bankers Trust believes that diversification of the Portfolio's investments among
the asset classes will, under most market conditions, better enable the
Portfolio to reduce risk while seeking high total return over the long-term.
Maturity and Duration. The remaining maturity of a fixed-income instrument is
the amount of time left before the bond's principal is due. The duration of an
instrument or a group of instruments measures the instrument's or group of
instruments' value's expected response to changes in interest rates.
Foreign Investments and Currency Management. The Portfolio focuses on U.S.
investment opportunities, but may invest a portion of its assets in foreign
securities. The Portfolio will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in
equity securities of foreign issuers under normal conditions. The Portfolio also
will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in each of the bond and
short-term classes in foreign securities and securities denominated in foreign
currencies. Foreign securities of all types will normally constitute less than
50% of the Portfolio's assets.
In connection with the Portfolio's investments denominated in foreign
currencies, Bankers Trust may choose to utilize a variety of currency management
strategies. Bankers Trust seeks to take advantage of different yield, risk, and
return characteristics that different currencies, currency denominations, and
countries can provide to U.S. investors. In doing so, Bankers Trust will
consider such factors as the outlook for currency relationships, current and
anticipated interest rates, levels of inflation within various countries,
prospects for relative economic growth, and government policies influencing
currency exchange rates and business conditions.
To manage exposure to currency fluctuations, the Portfolio may enter into
forward currency exchange contracts (agreements to exchange one currency for
another at a future date), may buy and sell options and futures contracts
relating to foreign currencies, and may purchase securities indexed to foreign
currencies. The Portfolio will use currency exchange contracts in the normal
course of business to lock in an exchange rate in connection with purchases and
sales of securities denominated in foreign currencies. Other currency management
strategies allow Bankers Trust to hedge portfolio securities, to shift
investment exposure from one currency to another, or to attempt to profit from
anticipated declines in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S.
dollar. Some of these strategies will require the Portfolio to set aside liquid
assets in a segregated custodial account to cover its obligations. For
additional information on foreign investments and currency management, see
"Additional Information" and the Statement of Additional Information.
Options and Futures Contracts. The Portfolio may buy and sell options and
futures contracts to manage its exposure to changing interest rates, security
prices and currency exchange rates, and as an efficient means of managing
allocations between asset classes. The Portfolio may invest in options and
futures based on any type of security or index related to the Portfolio's
investments, including options and futures traded on foreign exchanges.
Some options and futures strategies, including selling futures, buying puts, and
writing calls, hedge the Portfolio's investments against price fluctuations.
Other strategies, including buying futures, writing puts, and buying calls, tend
to increase market exposure. Options and futures may be combined with each
other, or with forward contracts, in order to adjust the risk and return
characteristics of an overall strategy. See "Additional Information" for further
information on options on stocks, options and futures contracts on stock
indexes, options on futures contracts, foreign currency exchange transactions,
and options on foreign currencies.
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
The Portfolio may also utilize the following investments and investment
techniques and practices: when-issued and delayed-delivery basis, short sales,
indexed securities, securities lending, repurchase agreements, Rule 144A,
securities, zero coupon debt securities, government securities, mortgage backed
securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, asset-backed securities and
foreign investments. See "Additional Information" for further information.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
As a diversified fund, no more than 5% of the assets of the Portfolio may be
invested in the securities of one issuer (other than U.S. Government
securities), except that up to 25% of the Portfolio's assets may be invested
without regard to this limitation. The Portfolio will not invest more than 25%
of its assets in the securities of issuers in any one industry. These are
fundamental investment policies of the Portfolio which may not be changed
without investor approval. No more than 15% of the Portfolio's net assets may be
invested in illiquid or not readily marketable securities (including repurchase
agreements and time deposits maturing in more than seven calendar days).
Additional investment policies of the Portfolio are contained in the Statement
of Additional Information.
RISK FACTORS: MATCHING THE FUND TO YOUR INVESTMENT NEEDS
The Fund is designed for investors seeking high total returns from a variety of
investments selected at the discretion of the Portfolio's manager, yet subject
to parameters that generally limit risk and exposure to any one asset class. The
Fund is designed for investors who seek to diversify their investments among
short-term instruments, bonds and stocks as economic conditions change. The Fund
may also be appropriate for investors who wish to moderate risks over time by
taking advantage of the asset class with the best relative value. The Portfolio
allocates its investments within the parameters described in "Investment
Objective, Policies and Risks." Since the Portfolio's asset allocation involves
significant investment in short-term instruments and bonds over time, it is
expected that the Portfolio will be less volatile than a fund that invests
primarily in common stocks. By itself, the Fund does not constitute a balanced
investment plan, although it may form one component of a well-rounded portfolio.
The Fund's share price, yield and total return fluctuate and your investment may
be worth more or less than your original cost when you redeem your shares.
The Fund's performance may be affected by many different factors depending on
the Portfolio's emphasis. Short-term instruments are generally the most stable
securities in which the Portfolio will invest. Their returns depend primarily on
current short-term interest rates although currency fluctuations can also be
significant with respect to foreign securities.
The bond class is affected primarily by interest rates: prices of fixed-income
securities tend to rise when interest rates fall, and fall when interest rates
rise. Interest rate changes will have a greater impact on the Portfolio if it is
heavily invested in long-term or zero-coupon bonds. Fixed-income securities may
also be affected by changes in credit quality.
The stock class is subject to the risks of stock market investing, including the
possibility of sudden or prolonged market declines as well as the risks
associated with individual companies. These risks may be intensified for
investments in smaller or less well-known companies or in foreign securities.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN FOREIGN SECURITIES
The investment in foreign securities may involve additional risks. Foreign
securities usually are denominated in foreign currencies, which means their
value will be affected by changes in the strength of foreign currencies relative
to the U.S. dollar as well as the other factors that affect security prices.
Foreign companies may not be subject to accounting standards or governmental
supervision comparable to U.S. companies, and there often is less publicly
available information about their operations. Generally, there is less
governmental regulation of foreign securities markets, and security trading
practices abroad may offer less protection to investors such as the Portfolio.
The value of such investments may be adversely affected by changes in political
or social conditions, diplomatic relations, confiscatory taxation,
expropriation, nationalization, limitation on the removal of funds or assets, or
imposition of (or change in) exchange control or tax regulations in those
foreign countries. Foreign securities may be less liquid or more volatile than
domestic investments. Bankers Trust considers these factors in making
investments for the Portfolio and limits the amount of the Portfolio's assets
that may be invested in foreign securities to 25% of its total assets for each
asset class and to less than 50% for all classes under normal conditions.
However, within the Portfolio's limitations, investments in any one country or
currency are not restricted.
DERIVATIVES
The Portfolio may invest in various instruments that are commonly known as
derivatives. Generally, a derivative is a financial arrangement, the value of
which is based on, or "derived" from, a traditional security, asset or market
index. Some "derivatives" such as mortgage-related and other asset-backed
securities are in many respects like any other investment, although they may be
more volatile or less liquid than more traditional debt securities. There are,
in fact, many different types of derivatives and many different ways to use
them. There are a range of risks associated with those uses. Futures and options
are commonly used for traditional hedging purposes to attempt to protect a fund
from exposure to changing interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange
rates and for cash management purposes as a low cost method of gaining exposure
to a particular securities market without investing directly in those
securities. However, some derivatives are used for leverage, which tends to
magnify the effects of an instrument's price changes as market conditions
change. Leverage involves the use of a small amount of money to control a large
amount of financial assets and can, in some circumstances, lead to significant
losses. The Adviser will use derivatives only in circumstances where the Adviser
believes they offer the most economical means of improving the risk/reward
profile of the Portfolio. Derivatives will not be used to increase portfolio
risk above the level that could be achieved using only traditional investment
securities or to acquire exposure to changes in the value of assets or indexes
that by themselves would not be purchased for the Portfolio. The use of
derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered speculative. A
description of the derivatives that the Portfolio may use and some of their
associated risks is found under "Additional Information."
The Portfolio's investments in options, futures or forward contracts, and
similar strategies depend on Bankers Trust's judgment as to the potential risks
and rewards of different types of strategies. Options and futures can be
volatile investments, and may not perform as expected. If Bankers Trust applies
a hedge at an inappropriate time or judges price trends incorrectly, options and
futures strategies may lower the Portfolio's return. Options and futures traded
on foreign exchanges generally are not regulated by U.S. authorities, and may
offer less liquidity and less protection to the Portfolio in the event of
default by the other party to the contract. The Portfolio could also experience
losses if the prices of its options and futures positions were poorly correlated
with its other investments, or if it could not close out its positions because
of an illiquid secondary market.
Further descriptions of a number of investments and investment techniques
available to the Portfolio, including foreign investments and the use of options
and futures, and certain risks associated with these investments and techniques
are included under "Additional Information."
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The frequency of portfolio transactions -- the Portfolio's turnover rate -- will
vary from year to year depending on market conditions. The Portfolio's annual
portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995 and for the
fiscal period from September 16, 1993 (commencement of operations) through March
31, 1994 was 92% and 56% (not annualized), respectively. Because a higher
turnover rate increases transaction costs and may increase taxable capital
gains, Bankers Trust carefully weighs the anticipated benefits of short-term
investment against these consequences.
SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING MASTER-FEEDER FUND STRUCTURE
Unlike other mutual funds which directly acquire and manage their own portfolio
securities, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all
of its Assets in the Portfolio, a separate registered investment company with
the same investment objectives as the Fund. Therefore, an investor's interest in
the Portfolio's securities is indirect, like investments in other investment
companies and pooled investment vehicles. In addition to selling a beneficial
interest to the Fund, the Portfolio may sell beneficial interests to other
mutual funds or institutional investors. Such investors will invest in the
Portfolio on the same terms and conditions and will pay a proportionate share of
the Portfolio's expenses. However, the other investors investing in the
Portfolio are not required to sell their shares at the same public offering
price as the Fund due to variations in sales commissions and other operating
expenses. Therefore, investors in the Fund should be aware that these
differences may result in differences in returns experienced by investors in the
different funds that invest in the Portfolio. Such differences in returns are
also present in other mutual fund structures. Information concerning other
holders of interests in the Portfolio is available by contacting Bankers Trust
at (800) 422-6577.
Smaller funds investing in the Portfolio may be materially affected by the
actions of larger funds investing in the Portfolio. For example, if a large fund
withdraws from the Portfolio, the remaining funds may experience higher pro rata
operating expenses, thereby producing lower returns (however, this possibility
exists as well for traditionally structured funds which have large institutional
investors). Additionally, the Portfolio may become less diverse, resulting in
increased portfolio risk. Also, funds with a greater pro rata ownership in the
Portfolio could have effective voting control of the operations of the
Portfolio. Whenever the Trust is requested to vote on matters pertaining to the
Portfolio, the Trust will, except as permitted by the SEC, hold a meeting of
shareholders of the Fund and will cast all of its votes in the same proportion
as the votes of the Fund's shareholders. Fund shareholders who do not vote will
not affect the Trust's votes at the Portfolio meeting. The percentage of the
Trust's votes representing Fund shareholders not voting will be voted by the
Trustees or officers of the Trust in the same proportion as the Fund
shareholders who do, in fact, vote. Certain changes in the Portfolio's
investment objectives, policies or restrictions may require the Fund to withdraw
its interest in the Portfolio. Any such withdrawal could result in a
distribution "in kind" of portfolio securities (as opposed to a cash
distribution from the Portfolio). If securities are distributed, the Fund could
incur brokerage, tax or other charges in converting the securities to cash. In
addition, the distribution in kind may result in a less diversified portfolio of
investments or adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund. Notwithstanding the
above, there are other means for meeting redemption requests, such as borrowing.
The Fund may withdraw its investment from the Portfolio at any time, if the
Board of Trustees of the Trust determines that it is in the best interests of
the shareholders of the Fund to do so. Upon any such withdrawal, the Board of
Trustees of the Trust would consider what action might be taken, including the
investment of all the assets of the Fund in another pooled investment entity
having the same investment objectives as the Fund or the retaining of an
investment adviser to manage the Fund's assets in accordance with the investment
policies described below with respect to the Portfolio.
The Fund's investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed
upon notice to but without the approval of the Fund's shareholders. If there is
a change in the Fund's investment objective, the Fund's shareholders should
consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of their
then-current needs. The investment objective of the Portfolio is also not a
fundamental policy. Shareholders of the Fund will receive 30 days prior written
notice with respect to any change in the investment objective of the Fund or the
Portfolio. See "Investment Objective, Policies and Risks" for a description of
the fundamental policies of the Portfolio that cannot be changed without
approval by the holders of "a majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Portfolio.
For descriptions of the investment objective, policies and restrictions of the
Portfolio, see "Investment Objective, Policies and Risks." For descriptions of
the management of the Portfolio, see "Management of the Trust and Portfolio"
herein and in the Statement of Additional Information. For descriptions of the
expenses of the Portfolio, see "Management of the Trust and Portfolio" herein.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated on each day on which the
New York Stock Exchange Inc. (the "NYSE") is open (each such day being a
"Valuation Day"). The NYSE is currently open on each day, Monday through Friday,
except (a) January 1st, Presidents' Day (the third Monday in February), Good
Friday, Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), July 4th, Labor Day (the first
Monday in September), Thanksgiving Day (the last Thursday in November) and
December 25th; and (b) the preceding Friday or the subsequent Monday when one of
the calendar-determined holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively.
The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated on each Valuation Day as
of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (the "Valuation Time"), which is
currently 4:00 p.m., New York time. The net asset value per share of the Fund is
computed by dividing the value of the Fund's Assets (i.e., the value of its
investment in the Portfolio and other assets), less all liabilities, by the
total number of its shares outstanding. The Portfolio's securities and other
assets are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations or, if quotations
are not readily available, by a method which the Portfolio's Board of Trustees
believes accurately reflects fair value.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
PURCHASE OF SHARES
The Trust accepts purchase orders for shares of the Fund at the net asset value
per share of the Fund next determined on each Valuation Day. See "Net Asset
Value" above. There is no sales charge on the purchase of shares, but costs of
distributing shares of the Fund may be reimbursed from its assets, as described
herein. Excluding retirement plans, the minimum initial investment in the Trust
is $20,000, which may be allocated in amounts not less than $5,000 among certain
funds in the BT Family of Funds. The subsequent minimum investment in the Fund
is $5,000 (excluding retirement plans). Service Agents may impose initial and
subsequent investment minimums that differ from these amounts. Shares of the
Fund may be purchased in only those states where they may be lawfully sold.
Purchase orders for shares of the Fund that are received by a Service Agent and
transmitted to Bankers Trust, as the Trust's transfer agent (the "Transfer
Agent"), prior to the Valuation Time (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time) on any
Valuation Day will be effective at that day's Valuation Time. The Trust and
Signature reserve the right to reject any purchase order.
Shares must be purchased in accordance with procedures established by the
Transfer Agent and Service Agents, including Bankers Trust, in connection with
customers' accounts. It is the responsibility of each Service Agent to transmit
to the Transfer Agent purchase and redemption orders and to transmit to Bankers
Trust as the Trust's custodian (the "Custodian") purchase payments on behalf of
its customers in a timely manner, and a shareholder must settle with the Service
Agent his or her entitlement to an effective purchase or redemption order as of
a particular time. Because Bankers Trust is the Custodian and Transfer Agent of
the Trust, funds may be transferred directly from or to a customer's account
with Bankers Trust to or from the Fund without incurring the additional costs or
delays associated with the wiring of federal funds.
Certificates for shares will not be issued. Each shareholder's account will be
maintained by a Service Agent or the Transfer Agent.
Systematic Investment Plan. The Fund may offer shareholders a systematic
investment plan under which shareholders may authorize some Service Agents to
place a purchase order each month or quarter for Fund shares in an amount not
less than $100. For further information regarding the systematic investment
plan, shareholders should contact their Service Agent.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Shareholders may redeem shares at the net asset value per share next determined
on each Valuation Day. Redemption requests should be transmitted by customers in
accordance with procedures established by the Transfer Agent and the
shareholder's Service Agent. Redemption requests for shares of the Fund received
by the Service Agent and transmitted to the Transfer Agent prior to the
Valuation Time (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time) on each Valuation Day will
be effective at that day's Valuation Time and the redemption proceeds normally
will be delivered to the shareholder's account with the Service Agent on the
next day, but in any event within seven calendar days following receipt of the
request.
Service Agents may allow redemptions or exchanges by telephone and may disclaim
liability for following instructions communicated by telephone that the Service
Agent reasonably believes to be genuine. The Service Agent must provide the
investor with an opportunity to choose whether or not to utilize the telephone
redemption or exchange privilege. The Service Agent must employ reasonable
procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine.
If the Service Agent does not do so, it may be liable for any losses due to
unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Such procedures may include, among
others, requiring some form of personal identification prior to acting upon
instructions received by telephone, providing written confirmation of such
transactions and/or tape recording of telephone instructions.
Redemption orders are processed without charge by the Trust. A Service Agent may
on at least 30 days' notice involuntarily redeem a shareholder's account with
the Fund having a current value of less than $5,000 (excluding retirement
plans), but not if an account is below $5,000 due to a change in market value.
Automatic Cash Withdrawal Plan. The Fund may offer shareholders an automatic
cash withdrawal plan, under which shareholders who own shares of the Fund may
elect to receive periodic cash payments. Retirement plan accounts are eligible
for automatic cash withdrawal plans only where the shareholder is eligible to
receive qualified distributions. For further information regarding the automatic
cash withdrawal plan, shareholders should contact their Service Agent.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Shareholders may exchange their shares for shares of certain of the funds in the
BT Family of Funds registered in their state. The Fund reserves the right to
terminate or modify the exchange privilege in the future. To make an exchange,
follow the procedures indicated in "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption of
Shares" in that fund's prospectus. Before making an exchange, please note the
following:
* Call your Service Agent for information and a prospectus. Read the
prospectus for relevant information.
* Complete and sign an application, taking care to register your new account in
the same name, address, and taxpayer identification number as your existing
account(s).
* Each exchange represents the sale of shares of one fund and the purchase of
shares of another, which may produce a gain or loss for tax purposes. Your
Service Agent will send a written confirmation of each exchange transaction.
TAX-SAVING RETIREMENT PLANS
Retirement plans offer significant tax savings and are available to individuals,
partnerships, corporations, nonprofit organizations and other institutions.
Contact your Service Agent or Bankers Trust for further information. Bankers
Trust can set up your new account in the Fund under one of several tax-sheltered
plans. These plans contain special tax advantages and let you invest for
retirement while sheltering your investment income from current taxes. Minimums
may differ from those listed elsewhere in the Prospectus.
* Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): personal savings plans that offer tax
advantages for individuals to set aside money for retirement and allow new
contributions of $2,000 per tax year.
* Rollover IRAs: tax-deferred retirement accounts that retain the special tax
advantages of lump sum distributions from qualified retirement plans and
transferred IRA accounts.
* Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEP): a relatively easy and inexpensive
alternative to retirement planning for sole proprietors, partnerships and
corporations. Under a SEP, employers make tax-deductible contributions to
their own and to eligible employees' IRA accounts. Employee contributions are
available through a "Salary Deferral" SEP for businesses with fewer than 25
eligible employees.
* Keogh Plans: defined contribution plans available to individuals with self-
employed income and nonincorporated businesses such as sole proprietors,
professionals and partnerships. Contributions are tax-deductible to the
employer and earnings are tax-sheltered until distribution.
* 401(k) Programs: defined contribution plans available to corporations allowing
tax-deductible employer contributions and permitting employees to contribute a
percentage of their wages on a tax-deferred basis.
* Corporate Profit-Sharing and Money-Purchase Plans: defined contribution
plans available to corporations to benefit their employees by making
contributions on their behalf and in some cases permitting their employees
to make contributions.
* 403(b) Custodian Accounts: defined contribution plans open to employees of
most nonprofit organizations and educational institutions.
* Deferred Benefit Plans: plan sponsors may invest all or part of their
pension assets in the Fund.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Distributions. The Fund distributes substantially all of its net investment
income and capital gains to shareholders each year. Income dividends are
distributed on the first business day in April, July and October. In December,
another income dividend will be distributed plus any net capital gains. Unless a
shareholder instructs the Trust to pay such dividends and distributions in cash,
they will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
Federal Taxes. Distributions from the Fund's income and short-term capital gains
are taxed as dividends, and long-term capital gain distributions are taxed as
long-term capital gains. The Fund's distributions are taxable when they are
paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares.
Distributions declared in December and paid in January are taxable as if paid on
December 31. The Fund will send each shareholder a tax statement by January 31
showing the tax status of the distributions received in the past year.
Capital Gains. You may realize a capital gain or loss when you redeem (sell) or
exchange shares. Because the tax treatment also depends on your purchase price
and your personal tax position, you should keep your regular account statements
to use in determining your tax.
"Buying a Dividend." On the ex-date for a distribution from income and/or
capital gains, the Fund's share value is reduced by the amount of the
distribution. If you buy shares just before the ex-date ("buying a dividend"),
you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the
price back as a taxable distribution.
Other Tax Information. In addition to Federal taxes, you may be subject to state
or local taxes on your investment, depending on the laws in your area. Income
received by the Portfolio from sources within foreign countries may be subject
to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND REPORTS
The Fund's performance may be used from time to time in advertisements,
shareholder reports or other communications to shareholders or prospective
shareholders. Performance information may include the Fund's investment results
and/or comparisons of its investment results to the Lipper Flexible Funds
Average, Standard and Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, Solomon Broad
Investment Grade Bond Index, T-Bill 3 Month Index (from Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc.) and various unmanaged indices (or a blended rate of several of
such indices) or results of other mutual funds or investment or savings
vehicles. The Fund's investment results as used in such communications will be
calculated on a yield or total rate of return basis in the manner set forth
below. From time to time, fund rankings may be quoted from various sources, such
as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Value Line and Morningstar, Inc.
The Trust may provide period and average annualized "total return" quotations
for the Fund. The "total return" refers to the change in the value of an
investment in the Fund over a stated period based on any change in net asset
value per share and including the value of any shares purchasable with any
dividends or capital gains distributed during such period. Period total return
may be annualized. An annualized total return is a compounded total return which
assumes that the period total return is generated over a one-year period, and
that all dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested. An annualized
total return will be higher than a period total return if the period is shorter
than one year, because of the compounding effect.
The Trust may provide annualized "yield" quotations for the Fund. The "yield" of
the Fund refers to the income generated by an investment in the Fund over a
30-day or one-month period (which period shall be stated in any such
advertisement or communications). This income is then annualized; that is, the
amount generated by the investment over the period is assumed to be generated
over a one-year period and is shown as a percentage of investment.
Unlike some bank deposits or other investments which pay a fixed yield for a
stated period of time, the total return of the Fund will vary depending upon
interest rates, the current market value of the securities held by the Portfolio
and changes in the Fund's expenses. In addition, during certain periods for
which total return or yield quotations may be provided, Bankers Trust, as
Adviser, Service Agent or Administrator, or Signature, as Distributor, may have
voluntarily agreed to waive portions of their fees on a month-to-month basis.
Such waivers will have the effect of increasing the Fund's net income (and
therefore its total return or yield) during the period such waivers are in
effect.
Shareholders will receive financial reports semi-annually that include the
Portfolio's financial statements, including listings of investment securities
held by the Portfolio at those dates. Annual reports are audited by independent
accountants.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST AND PORTFOLIO
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The affairs of the Trust and the Portfolio are managed under the supervision of
their respective Boards of Trustees. By virtue of the responsibilities assumed
by Bankers Trust, as the administrator of the Trust and the Portfolio, neither
the Trust nor the Portfolio requires employees other than its officers. None of
the Trust's or the Portfolio's officers devotes full time to the affairs of the
Trust or the Portfolio.
The Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons," as defined in the
1940 Act, of the Trust (the "Independent Trustees") are not the same as the
Independent Trustees of the Portfolio. For more information with respect to the
Trustees of both the Trust and the Portfolio, see "Management of the Trust and
Portfolio" in the Statement of Additional Information.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Trust has not retained the services of an investment adviser since the Trust
seeks to achieve the investment objective of the Fund by investing all the
Assets of the Fund in the Portfolio. The Portfolio has retained the services of
Bankers Trust, as investment adviser. Mr. Philip J. Green, Vice President of
Bankers Trust, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio.
Mr. Green has been employed by Bankers Trust since June, 1985 and has managed
the Portfolio's assets since January, 1995. Prior to managing the Portfolio, Mr.
Green was responsible for the management of other non- mutual fund related
portfolios at Bankers Trust.
Bankers Trust, a New York banking corporation with executive offices at 280 Park
Avenue, New York, New York 10017, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bankers Trust
New York Corporation. Bankers Trust conducts a variety of general banking and
trust activities and is a major wholesale supplier of financial services to the
international and domestic institutional markets. As of December 31, 1994,
Bankers Trust New York Corporation was the seventh largest bank holding company
in the United States with total assets of approximately $97 billion. Bankers
Trust is a worldwide merchant bank dedicated to servicing the needs of
corporations, governments, financial institutions and private clients through a
global network of 129 offices in 38 countries. Investment management is a core
business of Bankers Trust, built on a tradition of excellence from its roots as
a trust bank founded in 1903. The scope of Bankers Trust's investment management
capability is unique due to its leadership positions in both active and passive
quantitative management and its presence in major equity and fixed income
markets around the world. Bankers Trust is one of the nation's largest and most
experienced investment managers, with over $185 billion in assets under
management. Of that total, approximately $2.1 billion are in tactical asset
allocation funds. This makes Bankers Trust one of the nation's leading managers
of tactical asset allocation funds.
Bankers Trust has more than 50 years of experience managing retirement assets
for the nation's largest corporations and institutions. In the past, these
clients have been serviced through separate account and commingled fund
structures. Now, the BT Family of Funds brings Bankers Trust's extensive
investment management expertise -- once available to only the largest
institutions in the U.S. -- to individual investors. Bankers Trust's officers
have had extensive experience in managing investment portfolios having
objectives similar to those of the Portfolio. Bankers Trust has been advised by
its counsel that, in counsel's opinion, Bankers Trust currently may perform the
services for the Trust and the Portfolio described in this Prospectus and the
Statement of Additional Information without violation of the Glass-Steagall Act
or other applicable banking laws or regulations. State laws on this issue may
differ from the interpretations of relevant Federal law and banks and financial
institutions may be required to register as dealers pursuant to state securities
law.
Bankers Trust, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees
of the Portfolio, manages the Portfolio in accordance with the Portfolio's
investment objective and stated investment policies, makes investment decisions
for the Portfolio, places orders to purchase and sell securities and other
financial instruments on behalf of the Portfolio and employs professional
investment managers and securities analysts who provide research services to the
Portfolio. Bankers Trust may utilize the expertise of any of its worldwide
subsidiaries and affiliates to assist it in its role as investment adviser. All
orders for investment transactions on behalf of the Portfolio are placed by
Bankers Trust with broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries that it
selects, including those affiliated with Bankers Trust. A Bankers Trust
affiliate will be used in connection with a purchase or sale of an investment
for the Portfolio only if Bankers Trust believes that the affiliate's charge for
the transaction does not exceed usual and customary levels. The Portfolio will
not invest in obligations for which Bankers Trust or any of its affiliates is
the ultimate obligor or accepting bank. The Portfolio may, however, invest in
the obligations of correspondents or customers of Bankers Trust.
Under its Investment Advisory Agreement, Bankers Trust receives a fee from the
Portfolio computed daily and paid monthly at the annual rate of 0.65% of the
average daily net assets of the Portfolio.
ADMINISTRATOR
Under its Administration and Services Agreement with the Trust, Bankers Trust
calculates the net asset value of the Fund and generally assists the Board of
Trustees of the Trust in all aspects of the administration and operation of the
Trust. The Administration and Services Agreement provides for the Trust to pay
Bankers Trust a fee computed daily and paid monthly at the annual rate of 0.15%
of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
Under an Administration and Services Agreement with the Portfolio, Bankers Trust
calculates the value of the assets of the Portfolio and generally assists the
Board of Trustees of the Portfolio in all aspects of the administration and
operation of the Portfolio. The Administration and Services Agreement provides
for the Portfolio to pay Bankers Trust a fee computed daily and paid monthly at
the annual rate of 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio. Under
each Administration and Services Agreement, Bankers Trust may delegate one or
more of its responsibilities to others, including Signature, at Bankers Trust's
expense. For more information, see the Statement of Additional Information.
DISTRIBUTOR
Under its Distribution Agreement with the Trust, Signature, as Distributor,
serves as the Trust's principal underwriter on a best efforts basis. In
addition, Signature provides the Trust with office facilities. Signature is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Signature Financial Group, Inc. ("SFG"). SFG and its
affiliates currently provide administration and distribution services for other
registered investment companies. The principal business address of SFG and
Signature is 6 St. James Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
Pursuant to the terms of the Trust's Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act (the "Plan"), Signature may seek reimbursement in an amount
not exceeding 0.20% of the Fund's average daily net assets annually for expenses
incurred in connection with any activities primarily intended to result in the
sale of the Fund's shares, including, but not limited to: compensation to and
expenses (including overhead and telephone expenses) of account executives or
other employees of Signature who, as their primary activity, engage in or
support the distribution of shares; printing of prospectuses, statements of
additional information and reports for other than existing Fund shareholders in
amounts in excess of that typically used in connection with the distribution of
shares of the Fund; costs of placing advertising in various media; services of
parties other than Signature or its affiliates in formulating sales literature;
and typesetting, printing and distribution of sales literature. All costs and
expenses in connection with implementing and operating the Plan will be paid by
the Fund, subject to the 0.20% of net assets limitation. All costs and expenses
associated with preparing the prospectus and statement of additional information
and in connection with printing them for and distributing them to existing
shareholders and regulatory authorities, which costs and expenses would not be
considered distribution expenses for purposes of the Plan, will also be paid by
the Fund. To the extent expenses of Signature under the Plan in any fiscal year
of the Trust exceed amounts payable under the Plan during that year, those
expenses will not be reimbursed in any succeeding fiscal year. Expenses incurred
in connection with distribution activities will be identified to the Fund or the
other series of the Trust involved, although it is anticipated that some
activities may be conducted on a Trust-wide basis, with the result that those
activities will not be identifiable to any particular series. In the latter
case, expenses will be allocated among the series of the Trust on the basis of
their relative net assets. It is not expected that any payments will be made
under the Plan in the foreseeable future.
SERVICE AGENT
All shareholders must be represented by a Service Agent. Bankers Trust acts as a
Service Agent pursuant to its Administration and Services Agreement with the
Trust and receives no additional compensation from the Fund for such shareholder
services. The service fees of any other Service Agents, including
broker-dealers, will be paid by Bankers Trust from its fees. The services
provided by a Service Agent may include establishing and maintaining shareholder
accounts, processing purchase and redemption transactions, arranging for bank
wires, performing shareholder sub-accounting, answering client inquiries
regarding the Trust, assisting clients in changing dividend options, account
designations and addresses, providing periodic statements showing the client's
account balance, transmitting proxy statements, periodic reports, updated
prospectuses and other communications to shareholders and, with respect to
meetings of shareholders, collecting, tabulating and forwarding to the Trust
executed proxies and obtaining such other information and performing such other
services as the Administrator or the Service Agent's clients may reasonably
request and agree upon with the Service Agent. Service Agents may separately
charge their clients additional fees only to cover provision of additional or
more comprehensive services not already provided under the Administration and
Services Agreement with Bankers Trust, or of the type or scope not generally
offered by a mutual fund, such as cash management services or enhanced
retirement or trust reporting. In addition, investors may be charged a
transaction fee if they effect transactions in Fund shares through a broker or
agent. Each Service Agent has agreed to transmit to shareholders who are its
customers appropriate disclosures of any fees that it may charge them directly.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
Bankers Trust acts as Custodian of the assets of the Trust and the Portfolio and
serves as the Transfer Agent for the Trust and the Portfolio under the
Administration and Services Agreement with the Trust and the Portfolio.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TRUST
The Trust was organized on February 28, 1992 under the laws of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. The Fund is a separate series of the Trust. The Trust offers
shares of beneficial interest of separate series, par value $0.001 per share.
The shares of the other series of the Trust are offered through separate
prospectuses. No series of shares has any preference over any other series.
The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts business
trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a business trust may,
under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its
obligations. However, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on
account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both
inadequate insurance existed and the Trust itself was unable to meet its
obligations.
When matters are submitted for shareholder vote, shareholders of the Fund will
have one vote for each full share held and proportionate, fractional votes for
fractional shares held. A separate vote of the Fund is required on any matter
affecting the Fund on which shareholders are entitled to vote. Shareholders of
the Fund are not entitled to vote on Trust matters that do not affect the Fund.
There normally will be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing
Trustees unless and until such time as less than a majority of Trustees holding
office have been elected by shareholders, at which time the Trustees then in
office will call a shareholders' meeting for the election of Trustees. Any
Trustee may be removed from office upon the vote of shareholders holding at
least two-thirds of the Trust's outstanding shares at a meeting called for that
purpose. The Trustees are required to call such a meeting upon the written
request of shareholders holding at least 10% of the Trust's outstanding shares.
The Portfolio, in which all the Assets of the Fund will be invested, is
organized as a trust under the laws of the State of New York. The Portfolio's
Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund and other entities investing in the
Portfolio (e.g., other investment companies, insurance company separate accounts
and common and commingled trust funds) will each be liable for all obligations
of the Portfolio. However, the risk of the Fund incurring financial loss on
account of such liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate
insurance existed and the Portfolio itself was unable to meet its obligations.
Accordingly, the Trustees of the Trust believe that neither the Fund nor its
shareholders will be adversely affected by reason of the Fund's investing in the
Portfolio.
Each series of the Trust will not be involved in any vote involving a Portfolio
in which it does not invest its Assets. Shareholders of all of the series of the
Trust will, however, vote together to elect Trustees of the Trust and for
certain other matters. Under certain circumstances, the shareholders of one or
more series could control the outcome of these votes.
EXPENSES OF THE TRUST
The Fund bears its own expenses. Operating expenses for the Fund generally
consist of all costs not specifically borne by Bankers Trust or Signature,
including administration and service fees, fees for necessary professional
services, amortization of organizational expenses, and costs associated with
regulatory compliance and maintaining legal existence and shareholder relations.
Bankers Trust and Signature have agreed to reimburse the Fund to the extent
required by applicable state law for certain expenses that are described in the
Statement of Additional Information. The Portfolio bears its own expenses.
Operating expenses for the Portfolio generally consist of all costs not
specifically borne by Bankers Trust or Signature, including investment advisory
and administration and services fees, fees for necessary professional services,
the costs associated with regulatory compliance and maintaining legal existence
and investor relations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Securities. The Portfolio may buy and sell
securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. These transactions
involve a commitment by the Portfolio to buy or sell securities at a set price,
with payment and delivery taking place at a future date. When the Portfolio
agrees to purchase a security on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, it
sets aside liquid securities in a segregated custodial account to equal the
payment that will be due. Purchasing securities in this manner may cause greater
fluctuations in the Portfolio's share price.
Short Sales. The Portfolio may engage in short sales with respect to securities
that it owns or has the right to obtain (for example, through conversion of a
convertible bond). These transactions, known as short sales "against the box,"
allow the Portfolio to hedge against price fluctuations by locking in a sale
price for securities it does not wish to sell immediately.
Indexed Securities. The Portfolio may invest in indexed securities whose value
depends on the price of foreign currencies, securities indexes or other
financial values or statistics. Examples include debt securities whose value at
maturity is determined by reference to the relative prices of various currencies
or to the price of a stock index. These securities may be positively or
negatively indexed; that is, their value may increase or decrease if the
underlying instrument appreciates.
Securities Lending. The Portfolio is permitted to lend up to 30% of the total
value of its securities. These loans must be secured continuously by cash or
equivalent collateral or by a letter of credit at least equal to the market
value of the securities loaned plus accrued income. By lending its securities,
the Portfolio can increase its income by continuing to receive income on the
loaned securities as well as by the opportunity to receive interest on the
collateral. Any gain or loss in the market price of the borrowed securities
which occurs during the term of the loan inures to the Portfolio and its
investors.
Repurchase Agreements. The Portfolio may invest in repurchase agreements. In a
repurchase agreement the Portfolio buys a security and simultaneously agrees to
sell it back at a higher price. In the event of the bankruptcy of the other
party to either a repurchase agreement or a securities loan, the Portfolio could
experience delays in recovering either its cash or the securities it lent. To
the extent that, in the meantime, the value of the securities repurchased had
decreased or the value of the securities lent had increased, the Portfolio could
experience a loss. In all cases, Bankers Trust must find the creditworthiness of
the other party to the transaction satisfactory. A repurchase agreement is
considered a collateralized loan under the 1940 Act.
Rule 144A Securities. The Portfolio may purchase securities in the United States
that are not registered for sale under Federal securities laws but which can be
resold to institutions under the Securities and Exchange Commission's (the
"SEC") Rule 144A. Provided that a dealer or institutional trading market in such
securities exists, these restricted securities are treated as exempt from the
Portfolio's 15% limit on illiquid securities. Under the supervision of the Board
of Trustees of the Portfolio, Bankers Trust determines the liquidity of
restricted securities and, through reports from Bankers Trust, the Board will
monitor trading activity in restricted securities. Because Rule 144A is
relatively new, it is not possible to predict how these markets will develop. If
institutional trading in restricted securities were to decline, the liquidity of
the Portfolio could be adversely affected.
Zero Coupon Debt Securities. Zero coupon debt securities do not make regular
interest payments. Instead they are sold at a deep discount from their face
value. Because a zero coupon bond does not pay current income, its price can be
very volatile when interest rates change. In calculating its dividends the Fund
takes into account as income a portion of the difference between a zero coupon
bond's purchase price and its face value.
Government Securities. Government securities may or may not be backed by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. U.S. Treasury bonds, notes and
bills and certain agency securities, such as those issued by the Federal Housing
Administration, are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government
and are the highest quality government securities. The Portfolio may also invest
a substantial portion of its portfolio in securities issued by government
agencies or instrumentalities (such as executive departments of the U.S.
Government or independent Federal organizations supervised by Congress), which
may have different degrees of government backing but which are not backed by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. There is no guarantee that the
government will support these types of securities, and therefore they involve
more risk than other government obligations.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities are securities
representing interests in a pool of mortgages. Principal and interest payments
made on the mortgages in the underlying mortgage pool are passed through to the
investor. Unscheduled prepayments of principal shorten the securities' weighted
average life and may lower their total return. (When a mortgage in the
underlying pool is prepaid, an unscheduled principal prepayment is passed
through to the investor. This principal is returned to the investor at par. As a
result, if a mortgage security were trading at a premium, its total return would
be lowered by prepayments, and if a mortgage security were trading at a
discount, its total return would be increased by prepayments.) The value of
these securities also may change because of changes in the market's perception
of the creditworthiness of the Federal agency that issued them. In addition, the
mortgage securities market in general may be adversely affected by changes in
governmental regulation or tax policies.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations ("CMOs"). CMOs are pay-through securities
collateralized by mortgages or mortgage-backed securities. CMOs are issued in
classes and series that have different maturities and often are retired in
sequence. CMOs may be issued by governmental or non-governmental entities such
as banks and other mortgage lenders. Non-government securities may offer a
higher yield but also may be subject to greater price fluctuation than
government securities.
Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities consist of undivided fractional
interests in pools of consumer loans (unrelated to mortgage loans) held in a
trust. Payments of principal and interest are passed through to
certificateholders and are typically supported by some form of credit
enhancement, such as a letter of credit, surety bond, limited guarantee or
senior/subordination. The degree of credit enhancement varies, but generally
amounts to only a fraction of the asset-backed security's par value until
exhausted. If the credit enhancement is exhausted, certificateholders may
experience losses or delays in payment if the required payments of principal and
interest are not made to the trust with respect to the underlying loans. The
value of these securities also may change because of changes in the market's
perception of the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the loan pool, the
originator of the loans or the financial institution providing the credit
enhancement. Asset-backed securities are ultimately dependent upon payment of
consumer loans by individuals, and the certificateholder generally has no
recourse to the entity that originated the loans. The underlying loans are
subject to prepayments which shorten the securities' weighted average life and
may lower their return. (As prepayments flow through at par, total returns would
be affected by the prepayments: if a security were trading at a premium, its
total return would be lowered by prepayments, and if a security were trading at
a discount, its total return would be increased by prepayments.)
Foreign Investments. The Portfolio may invest in securities of foreign issuers
directly or in the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European
Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") or other similar securities representing securities
of foreign issuers. These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the
same currency as the securities they represent. ADRs are receipts typically
issued by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying
securities. EDRs are receipts issued by a European financial institution
evidencing a similar arrangement. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are
designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and EDRs, in bearer form, are
designed for use in European securities markets.
With respect to certain countries in which capital markets are either less
developed or not easily accessed, investments by the Portfolio may be made
through investment in other investment companies that in turn are authorized to
invest in the securities of such countries. Investment in other investment
companies is limited in amount by the 1940 Act, will involve the indirect
payment of a portion of the expenses, including advisory fees, of such other
investment companies and may result in a duplication of fees and expenses.
Options on Stocks. The Portfolio may write and purchase put and call options on
stocks. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and
obligates the writer to sell, the underlying stock at the exercise price at any
time during the option period. Similarly, a put option gives the purchaser of
the option the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying
stock at the exercise price at any time during the option period. A covered call
option, which is a call option with respect to which the Portfolio owns the
underlying stock, sold by the Portfolio exposes the Portfolio during the term of
the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market
price of the underlying stock or to possible continued holding of a stock which
might otherwise have been sold to protect against depreciation in the market
price of the stock. A covered put option sold by the Portfolio exposes the
Portfolio during the term of the option to a decline in price of the underlying
stock. A put option sold by the Portfolio is covered when, among other things,
cash or liquid securities are placed in a segregated account to fulfill the
obligations undertaken.
To close out a position when writing covered options, the Portfolio may make a
"closing purchase transaction," which involves purchasing an option on the same
stock with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option which it
has previously written on the stock. The Portfolio will realize a profit or loss
for a closing purchase transaction if the amount paid to purchase an option is
less or more, as the case may be, than the amount received from the sale
thereof. To close out a position as a purchaser of an option, the Portfolio may
make a "closing sale transaction," which involves liquidating the Portfolio's
position by selling the option previously purchased.
The Portfolio intends to treat over-the-counter options ("OTC Options")
purchased and the assets used to "cover" OTC Options written as not readily
marketable and therefore subject to the limitations described in "Investment
Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Options on Stock Indexes. The Portfolio may purchase and write put and call
options on stock indexes listed on stock exchanges. A stock index fluctuates
with changes in the market values of the stocks included in the index.
Options on stock indexes are generally similar to options on stock except that
the delivery requirements are different. Instead of giving the right to take or
make delivery of stock at a specified price, an option on a stock index gives
the holder the right to receive a cash "exercise settlement amount" equal to (a)
the amount, if any, by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in
the case of a put) or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of
the underlying index on the date of exercise, multiplied by (b) a fixed "index
multiplier." Receipt of this cash amount will depend upon the closing level of
the stock index upon which the option is based being greater than, in the case
of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option.
The amount of cash received will be equal to such difference between the closing
price of the index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars
times a specified multiple. The writer of the option is obligated, in return for
the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The writer may offset its
position in stock index options prior to expiration by entering into a closing
transaction on an exchange or the option may expire unexercised.
Because the value of an index option depends upon movements in the level of the
index rather than the price of a particular stock, whether the Portfolio will
realize a gain or loss from the purchase or writing of options on an index
depends upon movements in the level of stock prices in the stock market
generally or, in the case of certain indexes, in an industry or market segment,
rather than movements in the price of a particular stock. Accordingly,
successful use by the Portfolio of options on stock indexes will be subject to
Bankers Trust's ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the
stock market generally or of a particular industry. This requires different
skills and techniques than predicting changes in the price of individual stocks.
Futures Contracts on Securities Indexes. The Portfolio may enter into contracts
providing for the making and acceptance of a cash settlement based upon changes
in the value of an index of securities ("Futures Contracts"). This investment
technique may be used to hedge against anticipated future change in general
market prices which otherwise might either adversely affect the value of
securities held by the Portfolio or adversely affect the prices of securities
which are intended to be purchased at a later date for the Portfolio or as an
efficient means of managing allocations between asset classes. A Futures
Contract may also be entered into to close out or offset an existing futures
position.
When used for hedging purposes, a Futures Contract involves the establishment of
a position which will move in a direction opposite to that of the investment
being hedged. If these hedging transactions are successful, the futures
positions taken for the Portfolio will rise in value by an amount which
approximately offsets the decline in value of the portion of the Portfolio's
investments that are being hedged. Should general market prices move in an
unexpected manner, the full anticipated benefits of Futures Contracts may not be
achieved or a loss may be realized.
Futures Contracts do involve certain risks. These risks could include a lack of
correlation between the Futures Contract and the corresponding securities
market, a potential lack of liquidity in the secondary market and incorrect
assessments of market trends which may result in poorer overall performance than
if a Futures Contract had not been entered into.
Brokerage costs will be incurred and "margin" will be required to be posted and
maintained as a good-faith deposit against performance of obligations under
Futures Contracts written for the Portfolio. The Portfolio may not purchase or
sell a Futures Contract if immediately thereafter its margin deposits on its
outstanding Futures Contracts (other than Futures Contracts entered into for
bona fide hedging purposes) would exceed 5% of the market value of the
Portfolio's total assets.
Options on Futures Contracts. The Portfolio may invest in options on such
Futures Contracts for similar purposes.
Foreign Currency Exchange Transactions. Because the Portfolio buys and sells
securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and receives
interest, dividends and sale proceeds in currencies other than the U.S. dollar,
the Portfolio from time to time may enter into foreign currency exchange
transactions to convert to and from different foreign currencies and to convert
foreign currencies to and from the U.S. dollar. The Portfolio either enters into
these transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in
the foreign currency exchange market or uses forward contracts to purchase or
sell foreign currencies.
A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an obligation by the Portfolio
to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed
number of days from the date of the contract. Forward foreign currency exchange
contracts establish an exchange rate at a future date. These contracts are
transferable in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders
(usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward foreign currency
exchange contract generally has no deposit requirement and is traded at a net
price without commission. The Portfolio maintains with its custodian a
segregated account of high grade liquid assets in an amount at least equal to
its obligations under each forward foreign currency exchange contract. Neither
spot transactions nor forward foreign currency exchange contracts eliminate
fluctuations in the prices of the Portfolio's securities or in foreign exchange
rates, or prevent loss if the prices of these securities should decline.
The Portfolio may enter into foreign currency hedging transactions in an attempt
to protect against changes in foreign currency exchange rates between the trade
and settlement dates of specific securities transactions or changes in foreign
currency exchange rates that would adversely affect a portfolio position or an
anticipated investment position. Since consideration of the prospect for
currency parities will be incorporated into Bankers Trust's long-term investment
decisions, the Portfolio will not routinely enter into foreign currency hedging
transactions with respect to security transactions; however, Bankers Trust
believes that it is important to have the flexibility to enter into foreign
currency hedging transactions when it determines that the transactions would be
in the Portfolio's best interest. Although these transactions 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 be realized should
the value of the hedged currency increase. The precise matching of the forward
contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be
possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will
change as a consequence of market movements in the value of such securities
between the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures.
The projection of currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the
successful execution of a hedging strategy is highly uncertain.
Options on Foreign Currencies. The Portfolio may write covered put and call
options and purchase put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose
of protecting against declines in the dollar value of portfolio securities and
against increases in the dollar cost of securities to be acquired. The Portfolio
may use options on currency to cross-hedge, which involves writing or purchasing
options on one currency to hedge against changes in exchange rates for a
different, but related currency. As with other types of options, however, the
writing of an option on foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge up
to the amount of the premium received, and the Portfolio could be required to
purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby
incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may be used to
hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates although, in the event of exchange
rate movements adverse to the Portfolio's position, it may forfeit the entire
amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. In addition, the Portfolio
may purchase call options on currency when the Adviser anticipates that the
currency will appreciate in value.
There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will
exist for any particular option, or at any particular time. If the Portfolio is
unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to covered options
it has written, the Portfolio will not be able to sell the underlying currency
or dispose of assets held in a segregated account until the options expire or
are exercised. Similarly, if the Portfolio is unable to effect a closing sale
transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it would have to exercise
the options in order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon
the purchase or sale of underlying currency. The Portfolio pays brokerage
commissions or spreads in connection with its options transactions.
As in the case of forward contracts, certain options on foreign currencies are
traded over-the-counter and involve liquidity and credit risks which may not be
present in the case of exchange-traded currency options. The Portfolio's ability
to terminate over-the-counter options ("OTC Options") will be more limited than
with exchange-traded options. It is also possible that broker-dealers
participating in OTC Options transactions will not fulfill their obligations.
Until such time as the staff of the SEC changes its position, the Portfolio will
treat purchased OTC Options and assets used to cover written OTC Options as
illiquid securities. With respect to options written with primary dealers in
U.S. Government securities pursuant to an agreement requiring a closing purchase
transaction at a formula price, the amount of illiquid securities may be
calculated with reference to the repurchase formula.
All options that the Portfolio writes will be covered under applicable
requirements of the SEC. The Portfolio will write and purchase options only to
the extent permitted by the policies of state securities authorities in states
where shares of the Fund are qualified for offer and sale.
There can be no assurance that the use of these portfolio strategies will be
successful.
Asset Coverage. To assure that the Portfolio's use of futures and related
options, as well as when-issued and delayed-delivery securities and foreign
currency exchange transactions, are not used to achieve investment leverage, the
Portfolio will cover such transactions, as required under applicable
interpretations of the SEC, either by owning the underlying securities or by
establishing a segregated account with the Portfolio's custodian containing high
grade liquid debt securities in an amount at all times equal to or exceeding the
Portfolio's commitment with respect to these instruments or contracts.
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISER OF THE PORTFOLIO AND ADMINISTRATOR
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
DISTRIBUTOR
SIGNATURE BROKER-DEALER SERVICES, INC.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
COUNSEL
WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER
..............................................................................
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in the Trust's Prospectuses, its
Statements of Additional Information or the Trust's official sales literature
in connection with the offering of the Trust's shares and, if given or made,
such other information or representations must not be relied on as having been
authorized by the Trust. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer in any
state in which, or to any person to whom, such offer may not lawfully be made.
..............................................................................
<PAGE>
BT Pyramid Mutual Funds
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BT INSTITUTIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT FUND August 1 , 1995
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BT Pyramid Mutual Funds (the "Trust") is an open-end management
investment company that offers investors a selection of investment portfolios,
each having distinct investment objectives and policies. This Statement of
Additional Information relates only to the BT Institutional Asset Management
Fund (the "Fund"). The Fund seeks high total return with reduced risk over the
long term by allocating investments among stocks, bonds and short-term
instruments.
As described in the Prospectus, the Trust seeks to achieve the
investment objective of the Fund by investing all the investable assets of the
Fund in the Asset Management Portfolio, (the "Portfolio"), an open-end
management investment company having the same investment objective as the Fund.
Since the investment characteristics of the Fund will correspond directly to
those of the Portfolio the following is a discussion of the various investments
of and techniques employed by the Portfolio.
Shares of the Fund are sold by Signature Broker-Dealer Services, Inc.
("Signature"), the Trust's distributor, to clients and customers (including
affiliates and correspondents) of Bankers Trust Company ("Bankers Trust"), the
Portfolio's investment adviser, and to clients and customers of other
organizations.
The Trust's Prospectus relating to the Fund, as amended from time to
time, is dated August 1, 1995, and provides the basic information investors
should know before investing, may be obtained without charge by calling the
Trust at the telephone number listed below or by contacting any Service Agent.
This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a Prospectus, is intended
to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of the
Trust and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus. Capitalized terms
not otherwise defined in this Statement of Additional Information have the
meanings accorded to them in the Trust's Prospectus.
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
INVESTMENT ADVISER OF THE PORTFOLIO AND ADMINISTRATOR
SIGNATURE BROKER-DEALER SERVICES, INC.
DISTRIBUTOR
6 ST. JAMES AVENUE BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02116 (800) 422-6577
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
The investment objective of the Fund is described in the Fund's
Prospectus. There can, of course, be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its
investment objective.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of
its Assets in the Portfolio. The Trust may withdraw the Fund's investment from
the Portfolio at any time if the Board of Trustees of the Trust determines that
it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so.
Since the investment characteristics of the Fund will correspond
directly to those of the Portfolio, the following is a discussion of the various
investments of and techniques employed by the Portfolio.
Certificates of Deposit and Bankers' Acceptances. Certificates of
deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the
deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to
the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The
certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity.
Bankers' acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements
designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial
transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an
exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific
merchandise. The draft is then "accepted" by a bank that, in effect,
unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its
maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an
earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of
discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as
long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.
Commercial Paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from
1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to
finance their current operations. A variable amount master demand note (which is
a type of commercial paper) represents a direct borrowing arrangement involving
periodically fluctuating rates of interest under a letter agreement between a
commercial paper issuer and an institutional lender pursuant to which the lender
may determine to invest varying amounts.
For a description of commercial paper ratings, see the Appendix.
Illiquid Securities. Historically, illiquid securities have included
securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they
have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933
Act"), securities which are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase
agreements having a maturity of longer than seven calendar days. Securities
which have not been registered under the 1933 Act are referred to as private
placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer
or in the secondary market. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant
amount of these restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential
for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may
have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and a mutual
fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities
promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty
satisfying redemptions within seven calendar days. A mutual fund might also have
to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them resulting in
additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a
public offering of securities.
In recent years, however, a large institutional market has developed
for certain securities that are not registered under the 1933 Act, including
repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal
securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an
efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily
resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for repayment. The fact that
there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale of such investments to the
general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of their
liquidity.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted Rule
144A, which allows a broader institutional trading market for securities
otherwise subject to restriction on their resale to the general public. Rule
144A establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the 1933
Act for resales of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. The
Adviser anticipates that the market for certain restricted securities such as
institutional commercial paper will expand further as a result of this
regulation and the development of automated systems for the trading, clearance
and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers, such
as the PORTAL System sponsored by the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc.
The Adviser will monitor the liquidity of Rule 144A securities in the
Portfolio's portfolio under the supervision of the Portfolio's Board of
Trustees. In reaching liquidity decisions, the Adviser will consider, among
other things, the following factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for
the security; (2) the number of dealers and other potential purchasers wishing
to purchase or sell the security; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market in
the security; and (4) the nature of the security and of the marketplace trades
(e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting
offers and the mechanics of the transfer).
Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Portfolio has the authority to
lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations.
The Portfolio will not lend securities to Bankers Trust, Signature or their
affiliates. By lending its securities, the Portfolio can increase its income by
continuing to receive interest on the loaned securities as well as by either
investing the cash collateral in short-term securities or obtaining yield in the
form of interest paid by the borrower when U.S. Government obligations are used
as collateral. There may be risks of delay in receiving additional collateral or
risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the
collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. The Portfolio
will adhere to the following conditions whenever its securities are loaned: (i)
the Portfolio must receive at least 100 percent cash collateral or equivalent
securities from the borrower; (ii) the borrower must increase this collateral
whenever the market value of the securities including accrued interest rises
above the level of the collateral; (iii) the Portfolio must be able to terminate
the loan at any time; (iv) the Portfolio must receive reasonable interest on the
loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned
securities, and any increase in market value; (v) the Portfolio may pay only
reasonable custodian fees in connection with the loan; and (vi) voting rights on
the loaned securities may pass to the borrower; provided, however, that if a
material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, the Board of Trustees
must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
General. The successful use of such instruments draws upon the
Adviser's skill and experience with respect to such instruments and usually
depends on the Adviser's ability to forecast interest rate and currency exchange
rate movements correctly. Should interest or exchange rates move in an
unexpected manner, the Portfolio may not achieve the anticipated benefits of
futures contracts or options on futures contracts or may realize losses and thus
will be in a worse position than if such strategies had not been used. In
addition, the correlation between movements in the price of futures contracts or
options on futures contracts and movements in the price of the securities and
currencies hedged or used for cover will not be perfect and could produce
unanticipated losses.
Futures Contracts. The Portfolio may enter into contracts for the
purchase or sale for future delivery of fixed-income securities or foreign
currencies, or contracts based on financial indices including any index of U.S.
Government securities, foreign government securities or corporate debt
securities. U.S. futures contracts have been designed by exchanges which have
been designated "contracts markets" by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
("CFTC"), and must be executed through a futures commission merchant, or
brokerage firm, which is a member of the relevant contract market. Futures
contracts trade on a number of exchange markets, and, through their clearing
corporations, the exchanges guarantee performance of the contracts as between
the clearing members of the exchange. The Portfolio may enter into futures
contracts which are based on debt securities that are backed by the full faith
and credit of the U.S. Government, such as long-term U.S. Treasury Bonds,
Treasury Notes, Government National Mortgage Association modified pass-through
mortgage-backed securities and three-month U.S. Treasury Bills. The Portfolio
may also enter into futures contracts which are based on bonds issued by
entities other than the U.S. Government.
At the same time a futures contract is purchased or sold, the Portfolio
must allocate cash or securities as a deposit payment ("initial deposit"). It is
expected that the initial deposit would be approximately 1 1/2% to 5% of a
contract's face value. Daily thereafter, the futures contract is valued and the
payment of "variation margin" may be required, since each day the Portfolio
would provide or receive cash that reflects any decline or increase in the
contract's value.
At the time of delivery of securities pursuant to such a contract,
adjustments are made to recognize differences in value arising from the delivery
of securities with a different interest rate from that specified in the
contract. In some (but not many) cases, securities called for by a futures
contract may not have been issued when the contract was written.
Although futures contracts by their terms call for the actual delivery
or acquisition of securities, in most cases the contractual obligation is
fulfilled before the date of the contract without having to make or take
delivery of the securities. The offsetting of a contractual obligation is
accomplished by buying (or selling, as the case may be) on a commodities
exchange an identical futures contract calling for delivery in the same month.
Such a transaction, which is effected through a member of an exchange, cancels
the obligation to make or take delivery of the securities. Since all
transactions in the futures market are made, offset or fulfilled through a
clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded,
the Portfolio will incur brokerage fees when it purchases or sells futures
contracts.
The purpose of the acquisition or sale of a futures contract, in the
case of a Portfolio which holds or intends to acquire fixed-income securities,
is to attempt to protect the Portfolio from fluctuations in interest or foreign
exchange rates without actually buying or selling fixed-income securities or
foreign currencies. For example, if interest rates were expected to increase,
the Portfolio might enter into futures contracts for the sale of debt
securities. Such a sale would have much the same effect as selling an equivalent
value of the debt securities owned by the Portfolio. If interest rates did
increase, the value of the debt security in the Portfolio would decline, but the
value of the futures contracts to the Portfolio would increase at approximately
the same rate, thereby keeping the net asset value of the Portfolio from
declining as much as it otherwise would have. The Portfolio could accomplish
similar results by selling debt securities and investing in bonds with short
maturities when interest rates are expected to increase. However, since the
futures market is more liquid than the cash market, the use of futures contracts
as an investment technique allows the Portfolio to maintain a defensive position
without having to sell its portfolio securities.
Similarly, when it is expected that interest rates may decline, futures
contracts may be purchased to attempt to hedge against anticipated purchases of
debt securities at higher prices. Since the fluctuations in the value of futures
contracts should be similar to those of debt securities, the Portfolio could
take advantage of the anticipated rise in the value of debt securities without
actually buying them until the market had stabilized. At that time, the futures
contracts could be liquidated and the Portfolio could then buy debt securities
on the cash market. To the extent the Portfolio enters into futures contracts
for this purpose, the assets in the segregated asset account maintained to cover
the Portfolio's obligations with respect to such futures contracts will consist
of cash, cash equivalents or high quality liquid debt securities from its
portfolio in an amount equal to the difference between the fluctuating market
value of such futures contracts and the aggregate value of the initial and
variation margin payments made by the Portfolio with respect to such futures
contracts.
The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures market, due
to differences in the nature of those markets, are subject to distortions.
First, all participants in the futures market are subject to initial deposit and
variation margin requirements. Rather than meeting additional variation margin
requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting
transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the cash and
futures markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on
participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking
delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity
in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortion. Third, from
the point of view of speculators, the margin deposit requirements in the futures
market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market.
Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may
cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of distortion, a
correct forecast of general interest rate trends by the Adviser may still not
result in a successful transaction.
In addition, futures contracts entail risks. Although the Adviser
believes that use of such contracts will benefit the Portfolio, if the Adviser's
investment judgment about the general direction of interest rates is incorrect,
the Portfolio's overall performance would be poorer than if it had not entered
into any such contract. For example, if the Portfolio has hedged against the
possibility of an increase in interest rates which would adversely affect the
price of debt securities held in its portfolio and interest rates decrease
instead, the Portfolio will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased
value of its debt securities which it has hedged because it will have offsetting
losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if the
Portfolio has insufficient cash, it may have to sell debt securities from its
portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements. Such sales of bonds may
be, but will not necessarily be, at increased prices which reflect the rising
market. The Portfolio may have to sell securities at a time when it may be
disadvantageous to do so.
Options on Futures Contracts. The Portfolio may purchase and write
options on futures contracts for hedging purposes. The purchase of a call option
on a futures contract is similar in some respects to the purchase of a call
option on an individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option
compared to either the price of the futures contract upon which it is based or
the price of the underlying debt securities, it may or may not be less risky
than ownership of the futures contract or underlying debt securities. As with
the purchase of futures contracts, when the Portfolio is not fully invested it
may purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market
advance due to declining interest rates.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a
partial hedge against declining prices of the security or foreign currency which
is deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at
expiration of the option is below the exercise price, the Portfolio will retain
the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any
decline that may have occurred in the Portfolio's portfolio holdings. The
writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge
against increasing prices of the security or foreign currency which is
deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at
expiration of the option is higher than the exercise price, the Portfolio will
retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge
against any increase in the price of securities which the Portfolio intends to
purchase. If a put or call option the Portfolio has written is exercised, the
Portfolio will incur a loss which will be reduced by the amount of the premium
it receives. Depending on the degree of correlation between changes in the value
of its portfolio securities and changes in the value of its futures positions,
the Portfolio's losses from existing options on futures may to some extent be
reduced or increased by changes in the value of portfolio securities.
The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is similar in some
respects to the purchase of protective put options on portfolio securities. For
example, the Portfolio may purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge
its portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates.
The amount of risk the Portfolio assumes when it purchases an option on
a futures contract is the premium paid for the option plus related transaction
costs. In addition to the correlation risks discussed above, the purchase of an
option also entails the risk that changes in the value of the underlying futures
contract will not be fully reflected in the value of the option purchased.
The Board of Trustees of the Portfolio has adopted a further
restriction that the Portfolio will not enter into any futures contracts or
options on futures contracts if immediately thereafter the amount of margin
deposits on all the futures contracts of the Portfolio and premiums paid on
outstanding options on futures contracts owned by the Portfolio (other than
those entered into for bona fide hedging purposes) would exceed 5% of the market
value of the total assets of the Portfolio.
Options on Foreign Currencies. The Portfolio may purchase and write
options on foreign currencies for hedging purposes in a manner similar to that
in which futures contracts on foreign currencies, or forward contracts, will be
utilized. For example, a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in
which portfolio securities are denominated will reduce the dollar value of such
securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In
order to protect against such diminutions in the value of portfolio securities,
the Portfolio may purchase put options on the foreign currency. If the value of
the currency does decline, the Portfolio will have the right to sell such
currency for a fixed amount in dollars and will thereby offset, in whole or in
part, the adverse effect on its portfolio which otherwise would have resulted.
Conversely, where a rise in the dollar value of a currency in which
securities to be acquired are denominated is projected, thereby increasing the
cost of such securities, the Portfolio may purchase call options thereon. The
purchase of such options could offset, at least partially, the effects of the
adverse movements in exchange rates. As in the case of other types of options,
however, the benefit to the Portfolio deriving from purchases of foreign
currency options will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related
transaction costs. In addition, where currency exchange rates do not move in the
direction or to the extent anticipated, the Portfolio could sustain losses on
transactions in foreign currency options which would require it to forego a
portion or all of the benefits of advantageous changes in such rates.
The Portfolio may write options on foreign currencies for the same
types of hedging purposes. For example, where the Portfolio anticipates a
decline in the dollar value of foreign currency denominated securities due to
adverse fluctuations in exchange rates it could, instead of purchasing a put
option, write a call option on the relevant currency. If the expected decline
occurs, the options will most likely not be exercised, and the diminution in
value of portfolio securities will be offset by the amount of the premium
received.
Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option to hedge against an
anticipated increase in the dollar cost of securities to be acquired, the
Portfolio could write a put option on the relevant currency which, if rates move
in the manner projected, will expire unexercised and allow the Portfolio to
hedge such increased cost up to the amount of the premium. As in the case of
other types of options, however, the writing of a foreign currency option will
constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium, and only if
rates move in the expected direction. If this does not occur, the option may be
exercised and the Portfolio would be required to purchase or sell the underlying
currency at a loss which may not be offset by the amount of the premium. Through
the writing of options on foreign currencies, the Portfolio also may be required
to forego all or a portion of the benefits which might otherwise have been
obtained from favorable movements in exchange rates.
The Portfolio may write covered call options on foreign currencies. A
call option written on a foreign currency by the Portfolio is "covered" if the
Portfolio owns the underlying foreign currency covered by the call or has an
absolute and immediate right to acquire that foreign currency without additional
cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a segregated
account by its Custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other foreign currency
held in its portfolio. A call option is also covered if the Portfolio has a call
on the same foreign currency and in the same principal amount as the call
written where the exercise price of the call held (a) is equal to or less than
the exercise price of the call written or (b) is greater than the exercise price
of the call written if the difference is maintained by the Portfolio in cash,
U.S. Government securities and other high quality liquid debt securities in a
segregated account with its custodian.
The Portfolio intends to write call options on foreign currencies that
are not covered for cross-hedging purposes. A call option on a foreign currency
is for cross-hedging purposes if it is not covered, but is designed to provide a
hedge against a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a security which the
Portfolio owns or has the right to acquire and which is denominated in the
currency underlying the option due to an adverse change in the exchange rate. In
such circumstances, the Portfolio collateralizes the option by maintaining in a
segregated account with its custodian, cash or U.S. Government securities or
other high quality liquid debt securities in an amount not less than the value
of the underlying foreign currency in U.S. dollars marked to market daily.
Additional Risks of Options on Futures Contracts, Forward Contracts and
Options on Foreign Currencies. Unlike transactions entered into by the Portfolio
in futures contracts, options on foreign currencies and forward contracts are
not traded on contract markets regulated by the CFTC or (with the exception of
certain foreign currency options) by the SEC. To the contrary, such instruments
are traded through financial institutions acting as market-makers, although
foreign currency options are also traded on certain national securities
exchanges, such as the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and the Chicago Board Options
Exchange, subject to SEC regulation. Similarly, options on currencies may be
traded over-the-counter. In an over-the-counter trading environment, many of the
protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available. For
example, there are no daily price fluctuation limits, and adverse market
movements could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time.
Although the purchaser of an option cannot lose more than the amount of the
premium plus related transaction costs, this entire amount could be lost.
Moreover, the option writer and a trader of forward contracts could lose amounts
substantially in excess of their initial investments, due to the margin and
collateral requirements associated with such positions.
Options on foreign currencies traded on national securities exchanges
are within the jurisdiction of the SEC, as are other securities traded on such
exchanges. As a result, many of the protections provided to traders on organized
exchanges will be available with respect to such transactions. In particular,
all foreign currency option positions entered into on a national securities
exchange are cleared and guaranteed by the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"),
thereby reducing the risk of counterparty default. Further, a liquid secondary
market in options traded on a national securities exchange may be more readily
available than in the over-the-counter market, potentially permitting the
Portfolio to liquidate open positions at a profit prior to exercise or
expiration, or to limit losses in the event of adverse market movements.
The purchase and sale of exchange-traded foreign currency options,
however, is subject to the risks of the availability of a liquid secondary
market described above, as well as the risks regarding adverse market movements,
margining of options written, the nature of the foreign currency market,
possible intervention by governmental authorities and the effects of other
political and economic events. In addition, exchange-traded options on foreign
currencies involve certain risks not presented by the over-the-counter market.
For example, exercise and settlement of such options must be made exclusively
through the OCC, which has established banking relationships in applicable
foreign countries for this purpose. As a result, the OCC may, if it determines
that foreign governmental restrictions or taxes would prevent the orderly
settlement of foreign currency option exercises, or would result in undue
burdens on the OCC or its clearing member, impose special procedures on exercise
and settlement, such as technical changes in the mechanics of delivery of
currency, the fixing of dollar settlement prices or prohibitions on exercise.
As in the case of forward contracts, certain options on foreign
currencies are traded over-the-counter and involve liquidity and credit risks
which may not be present in the case of exchange-traded currency options. The
Portfolio's ability to terminate over-the-counter options will be more limited
than with exchange-traded options. It is also possible that broker-dealers
participating in over-the-counter options transactions will not fulfill their
obligations. Until such time as the staff of the SEC changes its position, the
Portfolio will treat purchased over-the-counter options and assets used to cover
written over-the-counter options as illiquid securities. With respect to options
written with primary dealers in U.S. Government securities pursuant to an
agreement requiring a closing purchase transaction at a formula price, the
amount of illiquid securities may be calculated with reference to the repurchase
formula.
In addition, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward
contracts and options on foreign currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges.
Such transactions are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting
trading in or the prices of foreign currencies or securities. The value of such
positions also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign
political and economic factors; (ii) lesser availability than in the United
States of data on which to make trading decisions; (iii) delays in the
Portfolio's ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets
during nonbusiness hours in the United States; (iv) the imposition of different
exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the
United States; and (v) lesser trading volume.
Options on Securities. The Portfolio may write (sell) covered call and
put options to a limited extent on its portfolio securities ("covered options")
in an attempt to increase income. However, the Portfolio may forgo the benefits
of appreciation on securities sold or may pay more than the market price on
securities acquired pursuant to call and put options written by the Portfolio.
When the Portfolio writes a covered call option, it gives the purchaser
of the option the right to buy the underlying security at the price specified in
the option (the "exercise price") by exercising the option at any time during
the option period. If the option expires unexercised, the Portfolio will realize
income in an amount equal to the premium received for writing the option. If the
option is exercised, a decision over which the Portfolio has no control, the
Portfolio must sell the underlying security to the option holder at the exercise
price. By writing a covered call option, the Portfolio forgoes, in exchange for
the premium less the commission ("net premium"), the opportunity to profit
during the option period from an increase in the market value of the underlying
security above the exercise price.
When the Portfolio writes a covered put option, it gives the purchaser
of the option the right to sell the underlying security to the Portfolio at the
specified exercise price at any time during the option period. If the option
expires unexercised, the Portfolio will realize income in the amount of the
premium received for writing the option. If the put option is exercised, a
decision over which the Portfolio has no control, the Portfolio must purchase
the underlying security from the option holder at the exercise price. By writing
a covered put option, the Portfolio, in exchange for the net premium received,
accepts the risk of a decline in the market value of the underlying security
below the exercise price. The Portfolio will only write put options involving
securities for which a determination is made at the time the option is written
that the Portfolio wishes to acquire the securities at the exercise price.
The Portfolio may terminate its obligation as the writer of a call or
put option by purchasing an option with the same exercise price and expiration
date as the option previously written. This transaction is called a "closing
purchase transaction." Where the Portfolio cannot effect a closing purchase
transaction, it may be forced to incur brokerage commissions or dealer spreads
in selling securities it receives or it may be forced to hold underlying
securities until an option is exercised or expires.
When the Portfolio writes an option, an amount equal to the net premium
received by the Portfolio is included in the liability section of the
Portfolio's Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a deferred credit. The amount
of the deferred credit will be subsequently marked to market to reflect the
current market value of the option written. The current market value of a traded
option is the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the mean between the
closing bid and asked price. If an option expires on its stipulated expiration
date or if the Portfolio enters into a closing purchase transaction, the
Portfolio will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase
transaction exceeds the premium received when the option was sold), and the
deferred credit related to such option will be eliminated. If a call option is
exercised, the Portfolio will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the
underlying security and the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the
premium originally received. The writing of covered call options may be deemed
to involve the pledge of the securities against which the option is being
written. Securities against which call options are written will be segregated on
the books of the custodian for the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may purchase call and put options on any securities in
which it may invest. The Portfolio would normally purchase a call option in
anticipation of an increase in the market value of such securities. The purchase
of a call option would entitle the Portfolio, in exchange for the premium paid,
to purchase a security at a specified price during the option period. The
Portfolio would ordinarily have a gain if the value of the securities increased
above the exercise price sufficiently to cover the premium and would have a loss
if the value of the securities remained at or below the exercise price during
the option period.
The Portfolio would normally purchase put options in anticipation of a
decline in the market value of securities in its portfolio ("protective puts")
or securities of the type in which it is permitted to invest. The purchase of a
put option would entitle the Portfolio, in exchange for the premium paid, to
sell a security, which may or may not be held in the Portfolio's portfolio, at a
specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is
designed merely to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of the
Portfolio's portfolio securities. Put options also may be purchased by the
Portfolio for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the
price of securities which the Portfolio does not own. The Portfolio would
ordinarily recognize a gain if the value of the securities decreased below the
exercise price sufficiently to cover the premium and would recognize a loss if
the value of the securities remained at or above the exercise price. Gains and
losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by
countervailing changes in the value of underlying portfolio securities.
The Portfolio has adopted certain other nonfundamental policies
concerning option transactions which are discussed below. The Portfolio's
activities in options may also be restricted by the requirements of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for qualification as a regulated
investment company.
The hours of trading for options on securities may not conform to the
hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the
option markets close before the markets for the underlying securities,
significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying securities
markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets. It is impossible to
predict the volume of trading that may exist in such options, and there can be
no assurance that viable exchange markets will develop or continue.
The Portfolio may engage in over-the-counter options transactions with
broker-dealers who make markets in these options. At present, approximately ten
broker-dealers, including several of the largest primary dealers in U.S.
Government securities, make these markets. The ability to terminate
over-the-counter option positions is more limited than with exchange-traded
option positions because the predominant market is the issuing broker rather
than an exchange, and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in
such transactions will not fulfill their obligations. To reduce this risk, the
Portfolio will purchase such options only from broker-dealers who are primary
government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
and who agree to (and are expected to be capable of) entering into closing
transactions, although there can be no guarantee that any such option will be
liquidated at a favorable price prior to expiration. The Adviser will monitor
the creditworthiness of dealers with whom the Portfolio enters into such options
transactions under the general supervision of the Portfolio's Trustees.
Options on Securities Indices. In addition to options on securities,
the Portfolio may also purchase and write (sell) call and put options on
securities indices. Such options give the holder the right to receive a cash
settlement during the term of the option based upon the difference between the
exercise price and the value of the index. Such options will be used for the
purposes described above under "Options on Securities."
Options on securities indices entail risks in addition to the risks of
options on securities. The absence of a liquid secondary market to close out
options positions on securities indices is more likely to occur, although the
Portfolio generally will only purchase or write such an option if the Adviser
believes the option can be closed out.
Use of options on securities indices also entails the risk that trading
in such options may be interrupted if trading in certain securities included in
the index is interrupted. The Portfolio will not purchase such options unless
the Adviser believes the market is sufficiently developed such that the risk of
trading in such options is no greater than the risk of trading in options on
securities.
Price movements in the Portfolio's portfolio may not correlate
precisely with movements in the level of an index and, therefore, the use of
options on indices cannot serve as a complete hedge. Because options on
securities indices require settlement in cash, the Adviser may be forced to
liquidate portfolio securities to meet settlement obligations.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. Because the Portfolio buys
and sells securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and
receives interest, dividends and sale proceeds in currencies other than the U.S.
dollar, the Portfolio from time to time may enter into foreign currency exchange
transactions to convert to and from different foreign currencies and to convert
foreign currencies to and from the U.S. dollar. The Portfolio either enters into
these transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in
the foreign currency exchange market or uses forward contracts to purchase or
sell foreign currencies.
A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an obligation by the
Portfolio to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be
any fixed number of days from the date of the contract. Forward foreign currency
exchange contracts establish an exchange rate at a future date. These contracts
are transferable in the interbank market conducted directly between currency
traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward foreign
currency exchange contract generally has no deposit requirement and is traded at
a net price without commission. The Portfolio maintains with its custodian a
segregated account of high grade liquid assets in an amount at least equal to
its obligations under each forward foreign currency exchange contract. Neither
spot transactions nor forward foreign currency exchange contracts eliminate
fluctuations in the prices of the Portfolio's securities or in foreign exchange
rates, or prevent loss if the prices of these securities should decline.
The Portfolio may enter into foreign currency hedging transactions in
an attempt to protect against changes in foreign currency exchange rates between
the trade and settlement dates of specific securities transactions or changes in
foreign currency exchange rates that would adversely affect a portfolio position
or an anticipated investment position. Since consideration of the prospect for
currency parities will be incorporated into Bankers Trust's long-term investment
decisions, the Portfolio will not routinely enter into foreign currency hedging
transactions with respect to security transactions; however, Bankers Trust
believes that it is important to have the flexibility to enter into foreign
currency hedging transactions when it determines that the transactions would be
in the Portfolio's best interest. Although these transactions 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 be realized should
the value of the hedged currency increase. The precise matching of the forward
contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be
possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will
change as a consequence of market movements in the value of such securities
between the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures.
The projection of currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the
successful execution of a hedging strategy is highly uncertain.
While these contracts are not presently regulated by the CFTC, the CFTC
may in the future assert authority to regulate forward contracts. In such event
the Portfolio's ability to utilize forward contracts in the manner set forth in
the Prospectus may be restricted. Forward contracts may reduce the potential
gain from a positive change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and
foreign currencies. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in
poorer overall performance for the Portfolio than if it had not entered into
such contracts. The use of foreign currency forward contracts may not eliminate
fluctuations in the underlying U.S. dollar equivalent value of the prices of or
rates of return on the Portfolio's foreign currency denominated portfolio
securities and the use of such techniques will subject the Portfolio to certain
risks.
The matching of the increase in value of a forward contract and the
decline in the U.S. dollar equivalent value of the foreign currency denominated
asset that is the subject of the hedge generally will not be precise. In
addition, the Portfolio may not always be able to enter into foreign currency
forward contracts at attractive prices and this will limit the Portfolio's
ability to use such contract to hedge or cross-hedge its assets. Also, with
regard to the Portfolio's use of cross-hedges, there can be no assurance that
historical correlations between the movement of certain foreign currencies
relative to the U.S. dollar will continue. Thus, at any time poor correlation
may exist between movements in the exchange rates of the foreign currencies
underlying the Portfolio's cross-hedges and the movements in the exchange rates
of the foreign currencies in which the Portfolio's assets that are the subject
of such cross-hedges are denominated.
Rating Services
The ratings of rating services represent their opinions as to the
quality of the securities that they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized,
however, that ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards
of quality. Although these ratings are an initial criterion for selection of
portfolio investments, Bankers Trust also makes its own evaluation of these
securities, subject to review by the Board of Trustees. After purchase by the
Portfolio, an obligation may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced
below the minimum required for purchase by the Portfolio. Neither event would
require the Portfolio to eliminate the obligation from its portfolio, but
Bankers Trust will consider such an event in its determination of whether the
Portfolio should continue to hold the obligation. A description of the ratings
used herein and in the Fund's Prospectus is set forth in the Appendix to this
Statement of Additional Information.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following investment restrictions are "fundamental policies" of the
Fund and the Portfolio and may not be changed with respect to the Fund or the
Portfolio without the approval of a "majority of the outstanding voting
securities" of the Fund or the Portfolio, as the case may be. "Majority of the
outstanding voting securities" under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"), and as used in this Statement of Additional
Information and the Prospectus, means, with respect to the Fund (or the
Portfolio), the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the outstanding voting securities
of the Fund (or of the total beneficial interests of the Portfolio) present at a
meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund or of the total beneficial interests of the Portfolio) are present or
represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities
of the Fund (or of the total beneficial interests of the Portfolio). Whenever
the Trust is requested to vote on a fundamental policy of the Portfolio, the
Trust will hold a meeting of the Fund's shareholders and will cast its vote as
instructed by that Fund's shareholders.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Portfolio (or the Fund) may not
(except that no investment restriction of the Fund shall prevent the Fund from
investing all of its Assets in an open-end investment company with substantially
the same investment objective):
(1) borrow money or mortgage or hypothecate assets of the Portfolio
(Fund), except that in an amount not to exceed 1/3 of the current value of the
Portfolio's (Fund's) assets, it may borrow money as a temporary measure for
extraordinary or emergency purposes and enter into reverse repurchase agreements
or dollar roll transactions, and except that it may pledge, mortgage or
hypothecate not more than 1/3 of such assets to secure such borrowings (it is
intended that money would be borrowed only from banks and only either to
accommodate requests for the withdrawal of beneficial interests (redemption of
shares) while effecting an orderly liquidation of portfolio securities or to
maintain liquidity in the event of an unanticipated failure to complete a
portfolio security transaction or other similar situations) or reverse
repurchase agreements, provided that collateral arrangements with respect to
options and futures, including deposits of initial deposit and variation margin,
are not considered a pledge of assets for purposes of this restriction and
except that assets may be pledged to secure letters of credit solely for the
purpose of participating in a captive insurance company sponsored by the
Investment Company Institute; for additional related restrictions, see clause
(i) under the caption "State and Federal Restrictions" below (as an operating
policy, the Portfolio may not engage in dollar roll transactions);
(2) underwrite securities issued by other persons except insofar as the
Portfolio (Trust or the Fund) may technically be deemed an underwriter under the
1933 Act in selling a portfolio security;
(3) make loans to other persons except: (a) through the lending of the
Portfolio's (Fund's) portfolio securities and provided that any such loans not
exceed 30% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken at market value); (b)
through the use of repurchase agreements or the purchase of short-term
obligations; or (c) by purchasing a portion of an issue of debt securities of
types distributed publicly or privately;
(4) purchase or sell real estate (including limited partnership
interests but excluding securities secured by real estate or interests therein),
interests in oil, gas or mineral leases, commodities or commodity contracts
(except futures and option contracts) in the ordinary course of business (except
that the Portfolio (Trust) may hold and sell, for the Portfolio's (Fund's)
portfolio, real estate acquired as a result of the Portfolio's (Fund's)
ownership of securities);
(5) concentrate its investments in any particular industry (excluding
U.S. Government securities), but if it is deemed appropriate for the achievement
of the Portfolio's (Fund's) investment objective, up to 25% of its total assets
may be invested in any one industry;
(6) issue any senior security (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act)
if such issuance is specifically prohibited by the 1940 Act or the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, provided that collateral arrangements with
respect to options and futures, including deposits of initial deposit and
variation margin, are not considered to be the issuance of a senior security for
purposes of this restriction.
As an operating policy, the Portfolio will not invest in another
open-end registered investment company.
State and Federal Restrictions. In order to comply with certain state
and federal statutes and policies the Portfolio (or the Trust, on behalf of the
Fund) will not as a matter of operating policy (except that no operating policy
shall prevent the Fund from investing all of its Assets in an open-end
investment company with substantially the same investment objective):
(i) borrow money (including through reverse repurchase or dollar
roll transactions) for any purpose in excess of 5% of the
Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken at cost), except that
the Portfolio (Fund) may borrow for temporary or emergency
purposes up to 1/3 of its total assets;
(ii) pledge, mortgage or hypothecate for any purpose in excess of
10% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken at market
value), provided that collateral arrangements with respect to
options and futures, including deposits of initial deposit and
variation margin, and reverse repurchase agreements are not
considered a pledge of assets for purposes of this
restriction;
(iii) purchase any security or evidence of interest therein on
margin, except that such short-term credit as may be necessary
for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities may be
obtained and except that deposits of initial deposit and
variation margin may be made in connection with the purchase,
ownership, holding or sale of futures;
(iv) sell securities it does not own such that the dollar amount of
such short sales at any one time exceeds 25% of the net equity
of the Portfolio (Fund), and the value of securities of any
one issuer in which the Portfolio (Fund) is short exceeds the
lesser of 2.0% of the value of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net
assets or 2.0% of the securities of any class of any U.S.
issuer and, provided that short sales may be made only in
those securities which are fully listed on a national
securities exchange or a foreign exchange (This provision does
not include the sale of securities of the Portfolio (Fund)
contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain securities
equivalent in kind and amount to those sold, i.e., short sales
against the box.) (The Portfolio (Fund) has no current
intention to engage in short selling.);
(v) invest for the purpose of exercising control or management;
(vi) purchase securities issued by any investment company except by
purchase in the open market where no commission or profit to a
sponsor or dealer results from such purchase other than the
customary broker's commission, or except when such purchase,
though not made in the open market, is part of a plan of
merger or consolidation; provided, however, that securities of
any investment company will not be purchased for the Portfolio
(Fund) if such purchase at the time thereof would cause (a)
more than 10% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken
at the greater of cost or market value) to be invested in the
securities of such issuers; (b) more than 5% of the
Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken at the greater of
cost or market value) to be invested in any one investment
company; or (c) more than 3% of the outstanding voting
securities of any such issuer to be held for the Portfolio
(Fund); provided further that, except in the case of merger or
consolidation, the Portfolio (Fund) shall not purchase any
securities of any open-end investment company unless the
Portfolio (Fund) (1) waives the investment advisory fee with
respect to assets invested in other open-end investment
companies and (2) incurs no sales charge in connection with
the investment;
(vii) invest more than 10% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets
(taken at the greater of cost or market value) in securities
(excluding Rule 144A securities) that are restricted as to
resale under the 1933 Act;
(viii) invest more than 15% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets
(taken at the greater of cost or market value) in (a)
securities (including Rule 144A securities) that are
restricted as to resale under the 1933 Act, and (b) securities
that are issued by issuers which (including predecessors) have
been in operation less than three years (other than U.S.
Government securities), provided, however, that no more than
5% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets are invested in
securities issued by issuers which (including predecessors)
have been in operation less than three years;
(ix) with respect to 75% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets,
purchase securities of any issuer if such purchase at the time
thereof would cause the Portfolio (Fund) to hold more than 10%
of any class of securities of such issuer, for which purposes
all indebtedness of an issuer shall be deemed a single class
and all preferred stock of an issuer shall be deemed a single
class, except that futures or option contracts shall not be
subject to this restriction;
(x) with respect to 75% of its assets, invest more than 5% of its
total assets in the securities (excluding U.S. Government
securities) of any one issuer;
(xi) invest in securities issued by an issuer any of whose
officers, directors, trustees or security holders is an
officer or Trustee of the Portfolio (Trust), or is an officer
or partner of the Adviser, if after the purchase of the
securities of such issuer for the Portfolio (Fund) one or more
of such persons owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1% of the
shares or securities, or both, all taken at market value, of
such issuer, and such persons owning more than 1/2 of 1% of
such shares or securities together own beneficially more than
5% of such shares or securities, or both, all taken at market
value;
(xii) invest in warrants (other than warrants acquired by the
Portfolio (Fund) as part of a unit or attached to securities
at the time of purchase) if, as a result, the investments
(valued at the lower of cost or market) would exceed 5% of the
value of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets or if, as a
result, more than 2% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets
would be invested in warrants not listed on a recognized
United States or foreign stock exchange, to the extent
permitted by applicable state securities laws;
(xiii) write puts and calls on securities unless each of the
following conditions are met: (a) the security underlying the
put or call is within the investment policies of the Portfolio
(Fund) and the option is issued by the Options Clearing
Corporation, except for put and call options issued by
non-U.S. entities or listed on non-U.S. securities or
commodities exchanges; (b) the aggregate value of the
obligations underlying the puts determined as of the date the
options are sold shall not exceed 5% of the Portfolio's
(Fund's) net assets; (c) the securities subject to the
exercise of the call written by the Portfolio (Fund) must be
owned by the Portfolio (Fund) at the time the call is sold and
must continue to be owned by the Portfolio (Fund) until the
call has been exercised, has lapsed, or the Portfolio (Fund)
has purchased a closing call, and such purchase has been
confirmed, thereby extinguishing the Portfolio's (Fund's)
obligation to deliver securities pursuant to the call it has
sold; and (d) at the time a put is written, the Portfolio
(Fund) establishes a segregated account with its custodian
consisting of cash or short-term U.S. Government securities
equal in value to the amount the Portfolio (Fund) will be
obligated to pay upon exercise of the put (this account must
be maintained until the put is exercised, has expired, or the
Portfolio (Fund) has purchased a closing put, which is a put
of the same series as the one previously written); and
(xiv) buy and sell puts and calls on securities, stock index futures
or options on stock index futures, or financial futures or
options on financial futures unless such options are written
by other persons and: (a) the options or futures are offered
through the facilities of a national securities association or
are listed on a national securities or commodities exchange,
except for put and call options issued by non-U.S. entities or
listed on non-U.S. securities or commodities exchanges; (b)
the aggregate premiums paid on all such options which are held
at any time do not exceed 20% of the Portfolio's (Fund's)
total net assets; and (c) the aggregate margin deposits
required on all such futures or options thereon held at any
time do not exceed 5% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total
assets.
There will be no violation of any investment restriction if that
restriction is complied with at the time the relevant action is taken
notwithstanding a later change in market value of an investment, in net or total
assets, in the securities rating of the investment, or any other later change.
The Fund will comply with the state securities laws and regulations of
all states in which it is registered. The Portfolio will comply with the
permitted investments and investment limitations in the securities laws and
regulations of all states in which the Fund, or any registered investment
company investing in the Portfolio is registered.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS
The Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities,
futures contracts and options on such securities and futures for the Portfolio,
the selection of brokers, dealers and futures commission merchants to effect
transactions and the negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any.
Broker-dealers may receive brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions,
including options, futures and options on futures transactions and the purchase
and sale of underlying securities upon the exercise of options. Orders may be
directed to any broker-dealer or futures commission merchant, including to the
extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, Bankers Trust or its
subsidiaries or affiliates. Purchases and sales of certain portfolio securities
on behalf of the Portfolio are frequently placed by the Adviser with the issuer
or a primary or secondary market-maker for these securities on a net basis,
without any brokerage commission being paid by the Portfolio. Trading does,
however, involve transaction costs. Transactions with dealers serving as
market-makers reflect the spread between the bid and asked prices. Transaction
costs may also include fees paid to third parties for information as to
potential purchasers or sellers of securities. Purchases of underwritten issues
may be made which will include an underwriting fee paid to the underwriter.
The Adviser seeks to evaluate the overall reasonableness of the
brokerage commissions paid (to the extent applicable) in placing orders for the
purchase and sale of securities for the Portfolio taking into account such
factors as price, commission (negotiable in the case of national securities
exchange transactions), if any, size of order, difficulty of execution and skill
required of the executing broker-dealer through familiarity with commissions
charged on comparable transactions, as well as by comparing commissions paid by
the Portfolio to reported commissions paid by others. The Adviser reviews on a
routine basis commission rates, execution and settlement services performed,
making internal and external comparisons.
The Adviser is authorized, consistent with Section 28(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, when placing portfolio transactions
for the Portfolio with a broker to pay a brokerage commission (to the extent
applicable) in excess of that which another broker might have charged for
effecting the same transaction on account of the receipt of research, market or
statistical information. The term "research, market or statistical information"
includes advice as to the value of securities; the advisability of investing in,
purchasing or selling securities; the availability of securities or purchasers
or sellers of securities; and furnishing analyses and reports concerning
issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy
and the performance of accounts.
Consistent with the policy stated above, the Rules of Fair Practice of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and such other policies as
the Trustees of the Portfolio may determine, the Adviser may consider sales of
shares of the Trust and of other investment company clients of Bankers Trust as
a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions.
Bankers Trust will make such allocations if commissions are comparable to those
charged by nonaffiliated, qualified broker-dealers for similar services.
Higher commissions may be paid to firms that provide research services
to the extent permitted by law. Bankers Trust may use this research information
in managing the Portfolio's assets, as well as the assets of other clients.
Except for implementing the policies stated above, there is no
intention to place portfolio transactions with particular brokers or dealers or
groups thereof. In effecting transactions in over-the-counter securities, orders
are placed with the principal market-makers for the security being traded
unless, after exercising care, it appears that more favorable results are
available otherwise.
Although certain research, market and statistical information from
brokers and dealers can be useful to the Portfolio and to the Adviser, it is the
opinion of the management of the Portfolio that such information is only
supplementary to the Adviser's own research effort, since the information must
still be analyzed, weighed and reviewed by the Adviser's staff. Such information
may be useful to the Adviser in providing services to clients other than the
Portfolio, and not all such information is used by the Adviser in connection
with the Portfolio. Conversely, such information provided to the Adviser by
brokers and dealers through whom other clients of the Adviser effect securities
transactions may be useful to the Adviser in providing services to the
Portfolio.
In certain instances there may be securities which are suitable for the
Portfolio as well as for one or more of the Adviser's other clients. Investment
decisions for the Portfolio and for the Adviser's other clients are made with a
view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a
particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might
be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular
security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are
selling that same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when
several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser,
particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of
more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the
purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among
clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in
some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of
the security as far as the Portfolio is concerned. However, it is believed that
the ability of the Portfolio to participate in volume transactions will produce
better executions for the Portfolio.
The Portfolio paid brokerage commissions in the amount of $118,748 for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995 and $42,311 for the period from September
16, 1993 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 1994.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
STANDARD PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, quotations of the Fund's performance may be included
in advertisements, sales literature or shareholder reports. These performance
figures are calculated in the following manner:
YIELD: Yields for the Fund used in advertising are computed by dividing
the Fund's interest and dividend income for a given 30-day or one-month period,
net of expenses, by the average number of shares entitled to receive
distributions during the period, dividing this figure by the Fund's net asset
value per share at the end of the period, and annualizing the result (assuming
compounding of income) in order to arrive at an annual percentage rate. Income
is calculated for purpose of yield quotations in accordance with standardized
methods applicable to all stock and bond mutual funds. Dividends from equity
investments are treated as if they were accrued on a daily basis, solely for the
purpose of yield calculations. In general, interest income is reduced with
respect to bonds trading at a premium over their par value by subtracting a
portion of the premium from income on a daily basis, and is increased with
respect to bonds trading at a discount by adding a portion of the discount to
daily income. Capital gains and losses generally are excluded from the
calculation.
Income calculated for the purposes of calculating the Fund's yield
differs from income as determined for other accounting purposes. Because of the
different accounting methods used, and because of the compounding assumed in
yield calculations, the yield quoted for the Fund may differ from the rate of
distributions of the Fund paid over the same period or the rate of income
reported in the Fund's financial statements.
The Fund's yield for the 30-day period ended March 31, 1995 was 4.17%.
Total return: The Fund's average annual total return will be calculated
for certain periods by determining the average annual compounded rates of return
over those periods that would cause an investment of $1,000 (made at the maximum
public offering price with all distributions reinvested) to reach the value of
that investment at the end of the periods. The Fund may also calculate total
return figures which represent aggregate performance over a period or
year-by-year performance.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995, the Fund's one year total
return was 7.13%, the average annual total return from commencement of
operations on September 16, 1993 through the same date was 2.33% and the
cumulative total return was 3.60%.
Performance Results: Any total return quotation provided for the Fund
should not be considered as representative of the performance of the Fund in the
future since the net asset value and public offering price of shares of the Fund
will vary based not only on the type, quality and maturities of the securities
held in the Portfolio, but also on changes in the current value of such
securities and on changes in the expenses of the Fund and the Portfolio. These
factors and possible differences in the methods used to calculate total return
should be considered when comparing the total return of the Fund to total
returns published for other investment companies or other investment vehicles.
Total return reflects the performance of both principal and income.
COMPARISON OF FUND PERFORMANCE
Comparison of the quoted nonstandardized performance of various
investments is valid only if performance is calculated in the same manner. Since
there are different methods of calculating performance, investors should
consider the effect of the methods used to calculate performance when comparing
performance of the Fund with performance quoted with respect to other investment
companies or types of investments.
In connection with communicating its performance to current or
prospective shareholders, the Fund also may compare these figures to the
performance of other mutual funds tracked by mutual fund rating services or to
unmanaged indices which may assume reinvestment of dividends but generally do
not reflect deductions for administrative and management costs. Evaluations of
the Fund's performance made by independent sources may also be used in
advertisements concerning the Fund. Sources for the Fund's performance
information could include the following:
Asian Wall Street Journal, a weekly Asian newspaper that often reviews U.S.
mutual funds investing internationally.
Barron's, a Dow Jones and Company, Inc. business and financial weekly that
periodically reviews mutual fund performance data.
Business Week, a national business weekly that periodically reports the
performance rankings and ratings of a variety of mutual funds investing abroad.
Changing Times, The Kiplinger Magazine, a monthly investment advisory
publication that periodically features the performance of a variety of
securities.
Consumer Digest, a monthly business/financial magazine that includes a "Money
Watch" section featuring financial news.
Financial Times, Europe's business newspaper, which features from time to time
articles on international or country-specific funds.
Financial World, a general business/financial magazine that includes a "Market
Watch" department reporting on activities in the mutual fund industry.
Forbes, a national business publication that from time to time reports the
performance of specific investment companies in the mutual fund industry.
Fortune, a national business publication that periodically rates the performance
of a variety of mutual funds.
Global Investor, a European publication that periodically reviews the
performance of U.S. mutual funds investing internationally.
Investor's Daily, a daily newspaper that features financial, economic and
business news.
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.'s Mutual Fund Performance Analysis, a weekly
publication of industry-wide mutual fund averages by type of fund.
Money, a monthly magazine that from time to time features both specific funds
and the mutual fund industry as a whole.
Morningstar Inc., a publisher of financial information and mutual fund research.
New York Times, a nationally distributed newspaper which regularly covers
financial news.
Personal Investing News, a monthly news publication that often reports on
investment opportunities and market conditions.
Personal Investor, a monthly investment advisory publication that includes a
"Mutual Funds Outlook" section reporting on mutual fund performance measures,
yields, indices and portfolio holdings.
Success, a monthly magazine targeted to the world of entrepreneurs and growing
business, often featuring mutual fund performance data.
U.S. News and World Report, a national business weekly that periodically reports
mutual fund performance data.
Value Line, a biweekly publication that reports on the largest 15,000 mutual
funds.
Wall Street Journal, a Dow Jones and Company, Inc. newspaper which regularly
covers financial news.
Weisenberger Investment Companies Services, an annual compendium of information
about mutual funds and other investment companies, including comparative data on
funds' backgrounds, management policies, salient features, management results,
income and dividend records, and price ranges.
Working Women, a monthly publication that features a "Financial Workshop"
section reporting on the mutual fund/financial industry.
VALUATION OF SECURITIES; REDEMPTIONS AND PURCHASES IN KIND
Equity and debt securities (other than short-term debt obligations
maturing in 60 days or less), including listed securities and securities for
which price quotations are available, will normally be valued on the basis of
market valuations furnished by a pricing service. Short-term debt obligations
and money market securities maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized
cost, which approximates market.
Securities for which market quotations are not available are valued by
Bankers Trust pursuant to procedures adopted by the Portfolio's Board of
Trustees. It is generally agreed that securities for which market quotations are
not readily available should not be valued at the same value as that carried by
an equivalent security which is readily marketable.
The problems inherent in making a good faith determination of value are
recognized in the codification effected by SEC Financial Reporting Release No. 1
("FRR 1" (formerly Accounting Series Release No. 113)) which concludes that
there is "no automatic formula" for calculating the value of restricted
securities. It recommends that the best method simply is to consider all
relevant factors before making any calculation. According to FRR 1 such factors
would include consideration of the:
type of security involved, financial
statements, cost at date of purchase, size
of holding, discount from market value of
unrestricted securities of the same class
at the time of purchase, special reports
prepared by analysts, information as to any
transactions or offers with respect to the
security, existence of merger proposals or
tender offers affecting the security, price
and extent of public trading in similar
securities of the issuer or comparable
companies, and other relevant matters.
To the extent that the Portfolio purchases securities which are
restricted as to resale or for which current market quotations are not
available, the Adviser of the Portfolio will value such securities based upon
all relevant factors as outlined in FRR 1.
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Portfolio reserve the right,
if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable, to honor any request
for redemption or repurchase order by making payment in whole or in part in
readily marketable securities chosen by the Trust, or the Portfolio, as the case
may be, and valued as they are for purposes of computing the Fund's or the
Portfolio's net asset value, as the case may be (a redemption in kind). If
payment is made to a Fund shareholder in securities, an investor, including the
Fund, may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities into cash.
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Portfolio have elected, however, to be
governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act as a result of which the Fund and the
Portfolio are obligated to redeem shares or beneficial interests, as the case
may be, with respect to any one investor during any 90-day period, solely in
cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund or
the Portfolio, as the case may be, at the beginning of the period.
The Portfolio has agreed to make a redemption in kind to the Fund
whenever the Fund wishes to make redemption in kind and therefore shareholders
of the Fund that receive redemptions in kind will receive portfolio securities
of such Portfolio, and in no case will they receive a security issued by the
Portfolio. The Portfolio has advised the Trust that the Portfolio will not
redeem in kind except in circumstances in which the Fund is permitted to redeem
in kind or unless requested by the Fund.
Each investor in a Portfolio, including the Fund, may add to or reduce
its investment in the Portfolio on each day the Portfolio determines its net
asset value. At the close of each such business day, the value of each
investor's beneficial interest in the Portfolio will be determined by
multiplying the net asset value of the Portfolio by the percentage , effective
for that day, which represents that investor's share of the aggregate beneficial
interests in the Portfolio. Any additions or withdrawals which are to be
effected as of the close of business on that day will then be effected. The
investor's percentage of the aggregate beneficial interests in the Portfolio
will then be recomputed as the percentage equal to the fraction (i) the
numerator of which is the value of such investor's investment in the Portfolio
as of the close of business on such day plus or minus, as the case may be, the
amount of net additions to or withdrawals from the investor's investment in the
Portfolio effected as of the close of business on such day, and (ii) the
denominator of which is the aggregate net asset value of the Portfolio as of the
close of business on such day plus or minus, as the case may be, the amount of
net additions to or withdrawals from the aggregate investments in the Portfolio
by all investors in the Portfolio. The percentage so determined will then be
applied to determine the value of the investor's interest in the Portfolio as
the close of business on the following business day.
The Fund may, at its own option, accept securities in payment for
shares. The securities delivered in payment for shares are valued by the method
described under "Net Asset Value" as of the day the Fund receives the
securities. This is a taxable transaction to the shareholder. Securities may be
accepted in payment for shares only if they are, in the judgment of Bankers
Trust, appropriate investments for the Fund's Portfolio. In addition, securities
accepted in payment for shares must: (i) meet the investment objective and
policies of the acquiring Fund's Portfolio; (ii) be acquired by the applicable
Fund for investment and not for resale (other than for resale to the Fund's
Portfolio); (iii) be liquid securities which are not restricted as to transfer
either by law or liquidity of market; and (iv) if stock, have a value which is
readily ascertainable as evidenced by a listing on a stock exchange,
over-the-counter market or by readily available market quotations from a dealer
in such securities. The Fund reserves the right to accept or reject at its own
option any and all securities offered in payment for its shares.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST AND PORTFOLIO
The Trustees and officers of the Trust and Portfolio and their
principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. Their
titles may have varied during that period. Asterisks indicate those Trustees who
are "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust. Unless
otherwise indicated, the address of each Trustee and officer is 6 St. James
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts.
TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST
HARRY VAN BENSCHOTEN Trustee; Retired (since 1987); Corporate Vice
President, Newmont Mining Corporation (prior to 1987). His address is 105
Seminary Street, New Canaan, Connecticut 06840.
MARTIN J. GRUBER Trustee; Chairman of the Finance Department and Nomura
Professor of Finance, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University
(since 1964). His address is 229 S. Irving Street, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450.
PHILIP W. COOLIDGE* President and Trustee; Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and President, Signature Financial Group, Inc. ("SFG") (since December,
1988) and Signature (since April, 1989).
TRUSTEES OF THE PORTFOLIO
CHARLES P. BIGGAR Trustee; Retired; Director of Chase/NBW Bank Advisory
Board; Director, Batemen, Eichler, Hill Richards Inc.; formerly Vice President
of International Business Machines and President of the National Services and
the Field Engineering Divisions of IBM. His address is 12 Hitching Post Lane,
Chappaqua, New York 10514.
S. LELAND DILL Trustee; Retired; Director, Coutts & Co. Trust Holdings
Limited and Coutts & Co. (U.S.A.) International; Director, Zweig Cash Fund and
Zweig Series Trust; formerly Partner of KPMG Peat Marwick; Director, Vinters
International Company Inc.; General Partner of Pemco (an investment company
registered under the 1940 Act). His address is 5070 North Ocean Drive, Singer
Island, Florida 33404.
PHILIP W. COOLIDGE* President of the Portfolio; Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and President, SFG (since December, 1988) and Signature (since
April, 1989).
OFFICERS OF THE TRUST AND THE PORTFOLIO
Unless otherwise specified, each officer listed below holds the same
position with the Trust and the Portfolio.
JAMES B. CRAVER Treasurer and Secretary of the Trust; Senior Vice
President, SFG (since January, 1991); Secretary, Signature (since January,
1991); Partner, Baker & Hostetler (prior to January, 1991).
LINDA T. GIBSON Assistant Secretary of the Trust; Legal Counsel and
Assistant Secretary, SFG (since May, 1992); Assistant Secretary, Signature
(since October, 1992); student, Boston University School of Law (September, 1989
to May, 1992); Product Manager, SFG (January, 1989 to September, 1989).
THOMAS M. LENZ Assistant Secretary of the Trust; Vice President and
Associate General Counsel, SFG (since November, 1989); Assistant Secretary,
Signature (since February, 1991); Attorney, Ropes & Gray (prior to November,
1989).
MOLLY S. MUGLER Assistant Secretary of the Trust; Legal Counsel and
Assistant Secretary, SFG (since December, 1988); Assistant Secretary, Signature
(since April, 1989).
ANDRES E. SALDANA Assistant Secretary of the Trust; Legal Counsel, SFG
(since November, 1992); Assistant Secretary, Signature (since September, 1993);
Attorney, Ropes & Gray (September, 1990 to November, 1992); law student, Yale
Law School (September, 1987 to May, 1990).
DAVID G. DANIELSON Assistant Treasurer; Assistant Manager, SFG (since
May 1991); graduate student, Northeastern University (from April 1990 to March
1991); Tax Accountant and Systems Analyst, Putnam Companies (prior to March
1990).
JAMES S. LELKO, JR. Assistant Treasurer; Assistant Manager, SFG (since
January 1993); Senior Tax Compliance Accountant, Putnam Investments (prior to
December 1992).
BARBARA M. O'DETTE Assistant Treasurer; Assistant Treasurer, SFG (since
December, 1988) and Signature (since April, 1989); Administrative Controller,
Massachusetts Financial Services Company (prior to December, 1988).
DANIEL E. SHEA Assistant Treasurer; Assistant Manager, SFG (since
November 1993); Supervisor and Senior Technical Advisor, Putnam Investments
(prior to November 1993).
Messrs. Coolidge, Craver, Lenz, Saldana, Danielson, Lelko, and Shea and
Mss. Mugler, Gibson and O'Dette also hold similar positions for other investment
companies for which Signature or an affiliate serves as the principal
underwriter.
No person who is an officer or director of Bankers Trust is an officer
or Trustee of the Trust or the Portfolio. No director, officer or employee of
Signature or any of its affiliates will receive any compensation from the Trust
or the Portfolio for serving as an officer or Trustee of the Trust or the
Portfolio. The Trust pays each Trustee who is not a director, officer or
employee of the Adviser, the Distributor, the Administrator or any of their
affiliates an annual fee of $10,000, respectively, per annum plus $500,
respectively, per meeting attended and reimburses them for travel and
out-of-pocket expenses. The Portfolio, BT Investment Portfolios, Cash Management
Portfolio, Treasury Money Portfolio, Tax Free Money Portfolio, NY Tax Free Money
Portfolio, Equity 500 Index Portfolio, Short/Intermediate U.S. Government
Securities Portfolio, Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio, Utility Portfolio,
Capital Appreciation Portfolio and International Equity Portfolio (together with
the Trust, the "Fund Complex") collectively pay each Trustee who is not a
director, officer or employee of the Adviser, the Distributor, the Administrator
or any of their affiliates an annual fee of $10,000, respectively, per annum
plus $500, respectively, per meeting attended and reimburses them for travel and
out-of-pocket expenses.
The Fund accrued Trustees fees of $4,356 for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1995 and the Portfolio accrued Trustees fees of $1,212 for the same
period.
Bankers Trust reimbursed the Fund and Portfolio for a portion of their
Trustees fees for the period above. See "Investment Adviser" and "Administrator"
below.
<TABLE>
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION TABLE
<CAPTION>
PENSION OR
RETIREMENT
AGGREGATE BENEFITS ACCRUED
COMPENSATION AS PART OF TRUST ESTIMATED ANNUAL TOTAL COMPENSATION
NAME OF PERSON, FROM TRUST OR PORTFOLIOS BENEFITS UPON FROM FUND COMPLEX
POSITION OR PORTFOLIOS EXPENSES RETIREMENT PAID TO TRUSTEES
-------------- ------------- ---------------- ---------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Harry Van Benschoten, $12,000 none none $12,000
Trustee of Trust
Martin J. Gruber, $12,000 none none $12,000
Trustee of Trust
Philip W. Coolidge, none none none none
Trustee of Trust
and Portfolios
Charles P. Biggar, $12,000 none none $12,000
Trustee of Portfolios
S. Leland Dill, $12,000 none none $12,000
Trustee of Portfolios
</TABLE>
As of March 31, 1995, the Trustees and officers of the Trust and the
Portfolio owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the shares of any Fund or the
Trust (all series taken together). As of July 1, 1995, the following record
owners held the indicated percentage of the outstanding shares of the Fund:
Bankers Trust, 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York, 12.12%, on behalf of its
customers; Northern Telecom, 34 Exchange Place, Jersey City, New Jersey, on
behalf of its customers, 30.73%; Kraft Thrift Plan, 34 Exchange Place, Jersey
City, New Jersey, on behalf of its customers, 12.14%; Mapco, Inc., Profit
Sharing & Savings Program, 648 Grassmere Park Road, Nashville, Tennessee, on
behalf of its customers, 11.81%; Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, 34
Exchange Place, Jersey City, New Jersey, on behalf of its customers, 7.03%; and
MDT Corporation, Church Street Station Box 1742, New York, New York, on behalf
of its customers, 6.77%. of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Shareholders
owning 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund may take actions without
the approval of any other investor in that Fund.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Under the terms of the Portfolio's investment advisory agreement with
Bankers Trust (the "Advisory Agreement"), Bankers Trust manages the Portfolio
subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees of the
Portfolio. Bankers Trust will: (i) act in strict conformity with the Portfolio's
Declaration of Trust, the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as
the same may from time to time be amended; (ii) manage the Portfolio in
accordance with the Portfolio's investment objective, restrictions and policies;
(iii) make investment decisions for the Portfolio; and (iv) place purchase and
sale orders for securities and other financial instruments on behalf of the
Portfolio.
Bankers Trust bears all expenses in connection with the performance of
services under each Advisory Agreement. The Trust and the Portfolio bears
certain other expenses incurred in its operation, including: taxes, interest,
brokerage fees and commissions, if any; fees of Trustees of the Trust or the
Portfolio who are not officers, directors or employees of Bankers Trust,
Signature or any of their affiliates; SEC fees and state Blue Sky qualification
fees; charges of custodians and transfer and dividend disbursing agents; certain
insurance premiums; outside auditing and legal expenses; costs of maintenance of
corporate existence; costs attributable to investor services, including, without
limitation, telephone and personnel expenses; costs of preparing and printing
prospectuses and statements of additional information for regulatory purposes
and for distribution to existing shareholders; costs of shareholders' reports
and meetings of shareholders, officers and Trustees of the Trust or the
Portfolio; and any extraordinary expenses.
For compensation of investment advisory services provided to the
Portfolio, Bankers Trust received $576,146 for the fiscal year ended March 31,
1995 and $94,329 for the period from September 16, 1993 (commencement of
operations) through March 31, 1994. For the same periods, Bankers Trust
reimbursed $169,159 and $48,572, respectively, to the Portfolio to cover
expenses.
Bankers Trust may have deposit, loan and other commercial banking
relationships with the issuers of obligations which may be purchased on behalf
of the Portfolio, including outstanding loans to such issuers which could be
repaid in whole or in part with the proceeds of securities so purchased. Such
affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in such obligations and
are among the leading dealers of various types of such obligations. Bankers
Trust has informed the Portfolio that, in making its investment decisions, it
does not obtain or use material inside information in its possession or in the
possession of any of its affiliates. In making investment recommendations for
the Portfolio, Bankers Trust will not inquire or take into consideration whether
an issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale by the Portfolio is a
customer of Bankers Trust, its parent or its subsidiaries or affiliates and, in
dealing with its customers, Bankers Trust, its parent, subsidiaries and
affiliates will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of
such customers are held by any fund managed by Bankers Trust or any such
affiliate.
The Fund's prospectus contains disclosure as to the amount of Bankers
Trust's investment advisory and administration and services fees, including
waivers thereof. Bankers Trust may not recoup any of its waived investment
advisory or administration and services fees. Such waivers by Bankers Trust
shall stay in effect for at least 12 months.
ADMINISTRATOR
Under administration and services agreements, Bankers Trust is
obligated on a continuous basis to provide such administrative services as the
Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Portfolio reasonably deem necessary for
the proper administration of the Trust or the Portfolio. Bankers Trust will
generally assist in all aspects of the Fund's and Portfolio's operations; supply
and maintain office facilities (which may be in Bankers Trust's own offices),
statistical and research data, data processing services, clerical, accounting,
bookkeeping and recordkeeping services (including without limitation the
maintenance of such books and records as are required under the 1940 Act and the
rules thereunder, except as maintained by other agents), internal auditing,
executive and administrative services, and stationery and office supplies;
prepare reports to shareholders or investors; prepare and file tax returns;
supply financial information and supporting data for reports to and filings with
the SEC and various state Blue Sky authorities; supply supporting documentation
for meetings of the Board of Trustees; provide monitoring reports and assistance
regarding compliance with Declarations of Trust, by-laws, investment objectives
and policies and with Federal and state securities laws; arrange for appropriate
insurance coverage; calculate net asset values, net income and realized capital
gains or losses; and negotiate arrangements with, and supervise and coordinate
the activities of, agents and others to supply services.
Pursuant to a sub-administration agreement (the "Sub-Administration
Agreement") Signature performs such sub-administration duties for the Trust and
the Portfolio as from time to time may be agreed upon by Bankers Trust and
Signature. The Sub-Administration Agreement provides that Signature will receive
such compensation as from time to time may be agreed upon by Signature and
Bankers Trust. All such compensation will be paid by Bankers Trust.
In compensation for administrative and other services provided to the
Fund, Bankers Trust received $116,829 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995
and $21,289 for the period from September 16, 1993 (commencement of operations)
through March 31, 1994. Bankers Trust reimbursed $189,016 and $56,740 to the
Fund to cover expenses during the respective periods. In compensation for
administrative and other services provided to the Portfolio, Bankers Trust
received $88,638 and $14,512 during the respective periods.
Bankers Trust has agreed that if in any fiscal year the aggregate
expenses of the Fund and the Portfolio (including fees pursuant to the
investment advisory agreement, but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage and, if
permitted by the relevant state securities commissions, extraordinary expenses)
exceed the expense limitation of any state having jurisdiction over the Fund,
Bankers Trust will reimburse the Fund for the excess expense to the extent
required by state law. As of the date of this Statement of Additional
Information, the most restrictive annual expense limitation applicable to any
Fund is 2.5% of the Fund's first $30 million of average annual net assets, 2.0%
of the next $70 million of average annual net assets and 1.5% of the remaining
average annual net assets.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
Bankers Trust, 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, serves as
Custodian for the Trust and for the Portfolio pursuant to the administration and
services agreements. As Custodian, it holds the Fund's and the Portfolio's
assets. Bankers Trust also serves as transfer agent of the Trust and of the
Portfolio pursuant to the respective administration and services agreement.
Under its transfer agency agreement with the Trust, Bankers Trust maintains the
shareholder account records for the Fund, handles certain communications between
shareholders and the Trust and causes to be distributed any dividends and
distributions payable by the Trust. Bankers Trust may be reimbursed by the Fund
or the Portfolio for its out-of-pocket expenses. Bankers Trust will comply with
the self-custodian provisions of Rule 17f-2 under the 1940 Act.
Use of Name
The Trust and Bankers Trust have agreed that the Trust may use "BT" as
part of its name for so long as Bankers Trust serves as investment adviser to
the Portfolio. The Trust has acknowledged that the term "BT" is used by and is a
property right of certain subsidiaries of Bankers Trust and that those
subsidiaries and/or Bankers Trust may at any time permit others to use that
term.
The Trust may be required, on 60 days' notice from Bankers Trust at any
time, to abandon use of the acronym "BT" as part of its name. If this were to
occur, the Trustees would select an appropriate new name for the Trust, but
there would be no other material effect on the Trust, its shareholders or
activities.
Banking Regulatory Matters
Bankers Trust has been advised by its counsel that in its opinion
Bankers Trust may perform the services for the Portfolio contemplated by the
investment advisory agreement and other activities for the Fund and the
Portfolio described in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information without violation of the Glass-Steagall Act or other applicable
banking laws or regulations. However, counsel has pointed out that future
changes in either Federal or state statutes and regulations concerning the
permissible activities of banks or trust companies, as well as future judicial
or administrative decisions or interpretations of present and future statutes
and regulations, might prevent Bankers Trust from continuing to perform those
services for the Trust and the Portfolio. State laws on this issue may differ
from the interpretations of relevant Federal law and banks and financial
institutions may be required to register as dealers pursuant to state securities
law. If the circumstances described above should change, the Boards of Trustees
would review the relationships with Bankers Trust and consider taking all
actions necessary in the circumstances.
COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Willkie Farr & Gallagher, One Citicorp Center, 153 East 53rd Street,
New York, New York 10022-4669, serves as Counsel to the Trust and the Portfolio.
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., 1100 Main Street, Suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri
64105 has been selected as Independent Accountants for the Trust and the
Portfolio.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TRUST
Shares of the Trust do not have cumulative voting rights, which means
that holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees
can elect all Trustees. Shares are transferable but have no preemptive,
conversion or subscription rights. Shareholders generally vote by Fund, except
with respect to the election of Trustees and the ratification of the selection
of independent accountants.
Massachusetts law provides that shareholders could under certain
circumstances be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust.
However, the Trust's Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for
acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of this disclaimer be
given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by
the Trust or a Trustee. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification
from the Trust's property for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held
personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a
shareholder's incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself would be unable to meet its
obligations, a possibility that the Trust believes is remote. Upon payment of
any liability incurred by the Trust, the shareholder paying the liability will
be entitled to reimbursement from the general assets of the Trust. The Trustees
intend to conduct the operations of the Trust in a manner so as to avoid, as far
as possible, ultimate liability of the shareholders for liabilities of the
Trust.
The Trust was organized on February 28, 1992.
Whenever the Trust is requested to vote on a matter pertaining to the
Portfolio, the Trust will vote its shares without a meeting of Fund shareholders
if the proposal, if made with respect to the Fund, would not require the vote of
Fund shareholders as long as such action is permissible under applicable
statutory and regulatory requirements. The Trust will hold a meeting of Fund
shareholders for all other matters requiring a vote, and the Trust will cast all
of its votes at the meeting of investors in a Portfolio in the same proportion
as the votes of the Fund shareholders. Other investors with a greater pro rata
ownership of the Portfolio could have effective voting control of the operations
of the Portfolio.
TAXATION
TAXATION OF THE FUND
The Trust intends to qualify annually and to elect the Fund to be
treated as a regulated investment company under the Code.
To qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must, among
other things: (a) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income
from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains
from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies or
other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock,
securities or currencies; (b) derive less than 30% of its gross income from the
sale or other disposition of certain assets (namely, in the case of the Fund:
(i) stock or securities; (ii) options, futures, and forward contracts (other
than those on foreign currencies); and (iii) foreign currencies (including
options, futures, and forward contracts on such currencies) not directly related
to the Fund's principal business of investing in stock or securities (or options
and futures with respect to stocks or securities)) held less than three months
(the "30% Limitation"); (c) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each
quarter of the taxable year: (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's
assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S.
Government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies
and other securities, with such other securities of any one issuer limited for
the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value
of the Fund's total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total
assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S.
Government securities or the securities of other regulated investment
companies); and (d) distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable
income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest and net
short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) and its net
tax-exempt interest income, if any, each taxable year.
As a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be subject to U.S.
Federal income tax on its investment company taxable income and net capital
gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital
losses), if any, that it distributes to shareholders. The Fund intends to
distribute to its shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of its
investment company taxable income and net capital gains. Amounts not distributed
on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement
are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax. To prevent imposition of the
excise tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount equal
to the sum of: (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account
any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year; (2) at least 98% of its
capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary
losses, as prescribed by the Code) for the one-year period ending on October 31
of the calendar year; and (3) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous
years that was not distributed during those years. A distribution will be
treated as paid on December 31 of the current calendar year if it is declared by
the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and
paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such
distributions will be taxable to shareholders in the calendar year in which the
distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the
distributions are received. To prevent application of the excise tax, the Fund
intends to make its distributions in accordance with the calendar year
distribution requirement.
The Fund shareholder will also receive, if appropriate, various written
notices after the close of the Fund's prior taxable year as to the Federal
income status of his dividends and distributions which were received from the
Fund during the Fund's prior taxable year.
FOREIGN SECURITIES
Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may
reduce or eliminate such taxes. It is impossible to determine the effective rate
of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Portfolio's assets to be
invested in various countries will vary.
If the Portfolio is liable for foreign taxes, and if more than 50% of
the value of the Portfolio's total assets at the close of its taxable year
consists of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, it may make an
election pursuant to which certain foreign taxes paid by it would be treated as
having been paid directly by shareholders of the entities, such as the Fund,
which have invested in the Portfolio. Pursuant to such election, the amount of
foreign taxes paid will be included in the income of the Fund's shareholders,
and such Fund shareholders (except tax-exempt shareholders) may, subject to
certain limitations, claim either a credit or deduction for the taxes. Each such
Fund shareholder will be notified after the close of the Portfolio's taxable
year whether the foreign taxes paid will "pass through" for that year and, if
so, such notification will designate (a) the shareholder's portion of the
foreign taxes paid to each such country and (b) the portion which represents
income derived from sources within each such country.
The amount of foreign taxes for which a shareholder may claim a credit
in any year will generally be subject to a separate limitation for "passive
income," which includes, among other items of income, dividends, interest and
certain foreign currency gains. Because capital gains realized by the Portfolio
on the sale of foreign securities will be treated as U.S.-source income, the
available credit of foreign taxes paid with respect to such gains may be
restricted by this limitation.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends paid out of the Fund's investment company taxable income will
be taxable to a U.S. shareholder as ordinary income. Distributions of net
capital gains, if any, designated as capital gain dividends are taxable as
long-term capital gains, regardless of how long the shareholder has held the
Fund's shares, and are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares, rather
than cash, generally will have a cost basis in each such share equal to the net
asset value of a share of the Fund on the reinvestment date. Shareholders will
be notified annually as to the U.S. Federal tax status of distributions.
TAXATION OF THE PORTFOLIO
The Portfolio is not subject to Federal income taxation. Instead, the
Fund and other investors investing in the Portfolio must take into account, in
computing their Federal income tax liability, their share of the Portfolio's
income, gains, losses, deductions, credits and tax preference items, without
regard to whether they have received any cash distributions from the Portfolio.
Distributions received by the Fund from the Portfolio generally will
not result in the Fund recognizing any gain or loss for Federal income tax
purposes, except that: (1) gain will be recognized to the extent that any cash
distributed exceeds the Fund's basis in its interest in the Portfolio prior to
the distribution; (2) income or gain may be realized if the distribution is made
in liquidation of the Fund's entire interest in the Portfolio and includes a
disproportionate share of any unrealized receivables held by the Portfolio; and
(3) loss may be recognized if the distribution is made in liquidation of the
Fund's entire interest in the Portfolio and consists solely of cash and/or
unrealized receivables. The Fund's basis in its interest in the Portfolio
generally will equal the amount of cash and the basis of any property which the
Fund invests in the Portfolio, increased by the Fund's share of income from the
Portfolio, and decreased by the amount of any cash distributions and the basis
of any property distributed from the Portfolio.
SALE OF SHARES
Any gain or loss realized by a shareholder upon the sale or other
disposition of shares of the Fund, or upon receipt of a distribution in complete
liquidation of the Fund, generally will be a capital gain or loss which will be
long-term or short-term, generally depending upon the shareholder's holding
period for the shares. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be
disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced (including shares
acquired pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan) within a period of 61 days
beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after disposition of the shares. In
such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the
disallowed loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder on a disposition of Fund
shares held by the shareholder for six months or less will be treated as a
long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions of net capital gains
received by the shareholder with respect to such shares.
FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAXES
Income received by the Portfolio from sources within foreign countries
may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. Federal income tax at the
rate of 31% of all taxable distributions payable to shareholders who fail to
provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make
required certifications, or who have been notified by the Internal Revenue
Service that they are subject to backup withholding. Corporate shareholders and
certain other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such
backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts
withheld may be credited against the shareholder's U.S. Federal income tax
liability.
FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS
The tax consequences to a foreign shareholder of an investment in the
Fund may be different from those described herein. Foreign shareholders are
advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax
consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.
OTHER TAXATION
The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and, under
current law, neither the Trust nor the Fund is liable for any income or
franchise tax in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provided that the Fund
continues to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the
Code. The investment by the Fund in the Portfolio does not cause the Fund to be
liable for any income or franchise tax in the State of New York.
The Portfolio is organized as a New York trust. The Portfolio is not
subject to any income or franchise tax in the State of New York or the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Fund shareholders may be subject to state and local taxes on their Fund
distributions. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with
respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's current report to shareholders filed with the SEC pursuant to
Section 30(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 30b2-1 thereunder are hereby incorporated
herein by reference. A copy of such report will be provided, without charge, to
each person receiving this Statement of Additional Information.
BT Institutional Asset Management Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities, March 31, 1995
Statement of Operations for the year ended March 31, 1995
Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the year ended March 31, 1995
and period ended March 31, 1994
Financial Highlights: Selected data, return and ratios for the periods
indicated
Notes to Financial Statements
Report of Independent Accountants
Asset Management Portfolio
Statement of Assets and Liabilities, March 31, 1995
Statement of Operations for the year ended March 31, 1995
Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the year ended March 31, 1995
and period ended March 31, 1994
Financial Highlights: Selected ratios and supplemental data for the
periods indicated
Notes to Financial Statements
Report of Independent Accountants
<PAGE>
APPENDIX
BOND AND COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Set forth below are descriptions of ratings which represent opinions as to the
quality of the securities . It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are
relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
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 fluctuations 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 in 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.
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 safe-guarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa: Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
Ca: Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
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.
NOTE: Moody's applies numerical modifiers, 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa through B in its corporate bond rating system. The
modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic
rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid range ranking; and the modifier
3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.'S SHORT-TERM DEBT RATINGS
Moody's short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to repay
punctually promissory obligations not having an original maturity in excess of
one year.
Issuers rated PRIME-1 or P-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior
ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 or 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.
Issuers rated PRIME-2 or P-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability
for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be
evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
INVESTMENT GRADE
AAA: Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P's to a debt
obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA: Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A: Debt 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 bonds 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.
SPECULATIVE GRADE
Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C is regarded as having predominantly speculative
characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal. BB
indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such debt
will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB: Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BBB- rating.
B: Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to
pay interest and repay principal.
The B rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BB or BB- rating.
CCC: Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and
is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet
timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse
business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the
capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
The CCC rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that
is assigned an actual or implied B or B- rating.
CC: The rating CC is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which
is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating.
C: The rating C is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which
is assigned an actual or implied CCC- debt rating. The C rating may be used to
cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service
payments are continued.
C1: The Rating C1 is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
D: Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be
used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are
jeopardized.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): 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.
NY: Bonds may lack a S&P's rating because no public rating has been requested,
because there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or because
S&P's does not rate a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
A: S&P's commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of
timely payment of debt considered short-term in the relevant market.
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".
A-3: Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity for timely payment.
They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. BOND RATINGS
INVESTMENT GRADE
AAA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality.
The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay
principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
AA: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although
not quite as strong as bonds rated "AAA". Because bonds rated in the "AAA" and
"AA" categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future
developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated "F-1+".
A: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB: Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are
more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore, impair timely
payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below
investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings.
HIGH YIELD GRADE
BB: Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and
repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However,
business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the
obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B: Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely
payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of
safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the
life of the issue.
CCC: Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied, may
lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous
business and economic environment.
CC: Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.
C: Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD, AND D: Bonds are in default of interest and/or principal payments. Such
bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their
ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. "DDD"
represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and "D" represents
the lowest potential for recovery.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): The ratings from AA to C may be modified by the addition
of a plus or minus sign to indicate the relative position of a credit within the
rating category.
NR: Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
CONDITIONAL: A conditional rating is premised on the successful completion of a
project or the occurrence of a specific event.
FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. SHORT-TERM RATINGS
Fitch's short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand
or have original maturities of generally up to three years, including commercial
paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal and investment
notes.
F-1+: Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are
regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
F-1: Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an
assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated
"F-1+".
F-2: Good Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have a satisfactory degree
of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is not as great as the
"F-1+" and "F-1" categories.
F-3: Fair Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics
suggesting that the degree of assurance for timely payment is adequate, however,
near-term adverse changes could cause these securities to be rated below
investment grade.
DUFF & PHELPS BOND RATINGS
INVESTMENT GRADE
AAA: Highest credit quality. The risk factors are negligible, being only
slightly more than for risk-free U.S. Treasury debt.
AA+, AA, AND AA-: High credit quality. Protection factors are strong. Risk is
modest but may vary slightly from time to time because of economic conditions.
A+, A, AND A-: Protection factors are average but adequate. However, risk
factors are more variable and greater in periods of economic stress.
BBB+, BBB, AND BBB-: Below average protection factors but still considered
sufficient for prudent investment. Considerable variability in risk during
economic cycles.
HIGH YIELD GRADE
BB+, BB, AND BB-: Below investment grade but deemed likely to meet obligations
when due. Present or prospective financial protection factors fluctuate
according to industry conditions or company fortunes. Overall quality may move
up or down frequently within this category.
B+, B, AND B-: Below investment grade and possessing risk that obligations will
not be met when due. Financial protection factors will fluctuate widely
according to economic cycles, industry conditions and/or company fortunes.
Potential exists for frequent changes in the rating within this category or into
a higher or lower rating grade.
CCC: Well below investment grade securities. Considerable uncertainty exists as
to timely payment of principal interest or preferred dividends. Protection
factors are narrow and risk can be substantial with unfavorable
economic/industry conditions, and/or with unfavorable company developments.
Preferred stocks are rated on the same scale as bonds but the preferred rating
gives weight to its more junior position in the capital structure. Structured
financings are also rated on this scale.
DUFF & PHELPS PAPER/CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT RATINGS
CATEGORY 1: TOP GRADE
Duff 1 plus: Highest certainty of timely payment. Short-term liquidity including
internal operating factors and/or ready access to alternative sources of funds,
is outstanding, and safety is just below risk-free U.S. Treasury short-term
obligations.
DUFF 1: Very high certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are excellent
and supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk factors are minor.
DUFF 1 MINUS: High certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are strong and
supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk factors are very small.
CATEGORY 2: GOOD GRADE
DUFF 2: Good certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors and company
fundamentals are sound. Although ongoing funding needs may enlarge total
financing requirements, access to capital markets is good. Risk factors are
small.
CATEGORY 3: SATISFACTORY GRADE
DUFF 3: Satisfactory liquidity and other protection factors qualify issue as to
investment grade. Risk factors are larger and subject to more variation.
Nevertheless timely payment is expected.
No ratings are issued for companies whose paper is not deemed to be of
investment grade.
* * * * *
Bonds which are unrated expose the investor to risks with respect to capacity to
pay interest or repay principal which are similar to the risks of lower-rated
bonds. The Fund is dependent on the investment adviser's or investment
subadviser's judgment, analysis and experience in the evaluation of such bonds.
Investors should note that the assignment of a rating to a bond by a rating
service may not reflect the effect of recent developments on the issuer's
ability to make interest and principal payments.
NOTE:
1 The ratings indicated herein are believed to be the most recent ratings
available at the date of this Statement of Additional Information for the
securities listed. Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of
issuance. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such
ratings, they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings indicated
do not necessarily represent ratings which would be given to these
securities on the date of the Fund's fiscal year end.
<PAGE>
CONTENTS
Investment Objectives, Policies and Restrictions........................ 2
Performance Information................................................. 21
Valuation of Securities; Redemptions and Purchases in Kind ............. 24
Management of the Trust and Portfolio .................................. 26
Organization of the Trust............................................... 32
Taxation................................................................ 32
Financial Statements.................................................... 36
Appendix: Bond and Commercial Paper Ratings............................ A-1
INVESTMENT ADVISER OF THE PORTFOLIO AND ADMINISTRATOR
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
DISTRIBUTOR
SIGNATURE BROKER-DEALER SERVICES, INC.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
COUNSEL
WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER
--------------------
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in the Trust's Prospectus, its
Statement of Additional Information or the Trust's official sales literature in
connection with the offering of the Trust's shares and, if given or made, such
other information or representations must not be relied on as having been
authorized by the Trust. Neither the Prospectus nor this Statement of Additional
Information constitutes an offer in any state in which, or to any person to
whom, such offer may not lawfully be made.
--------------------
