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BT INVESTMENT
PROSPECTUS: APRIL 29, 1996
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 with the same date has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and is incorporated herein by reference. You
may request a free copy of the Statement by calling the Fund's Service Agent at
1-800-730-1313.
UNLIKE OTHER MUTUAL FUNDS, THE FUND SEEKS TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE BY
INVESTING ALL OF ITS INVESTABLE ASSETS IN A SEPARATE INVESTMENT COMPANY (A
"PORTFOLIO") WITH AN IDENTICAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. THE INVESTMENT
PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND WILL CORRESPOND DIRECTLY TO THE INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
OF THE PORTFOLIO. SEE "SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING MASTER-FEEDER FUND
STRUCTURE" ON PAGE 10.
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.
LIKE SHARES OF ALL MUTUAL FUNDS, 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.
Equity 500
Index Fund
o Seeks to match the performance of the stock market, as represented by the
S&P 500 market index, before expenses.
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
Investment Adviser of the
Portfolio and Administrator
SIGNATURE BROKER-
DEALER SERVICES, INC.
Distributor
6 St. James Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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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 11
Purchase and Redemption of Shares 12
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes 15
Performance Information and Reports 16
Management of the Trust and Portfolio 17
Additional Information 22
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SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
The following table provides (i) a summary of expenses relating to purchases and
sales of the shares of the BT Investment Equity 500 Index Fund (the "Fund") and
the annual operating expenses of the Fund and the expenses of the Equity 500
Index 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.
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ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund)
.............................................................................................................................
Investment advisory fee (after reimbursements or waivers) 0.07%
12b-1 fees 0.00
Other expenses (after reimbursements or waivers) 0.18
.............................................................................................................................
Total operating expenses (after reimbursements or waivers) 0.25%
.............................................................................................................................
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 $3 $8 $14 $32
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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 0.10%. 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 the total operating expenses will not exceed 0.25% of the
Fund's average net assets annually. In the absence of this undertaking, for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, the total operating expenses would have
been equal to approximately 0.48% 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-shareholder 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.
In addition to the customers of Bankers Trust or other institutions described
above, the Fund is available for (a) accounts where an investment adviser or a
financial planner has discretion over such account and the account holder pays
such person as compensation for its advice and other services an annual fee of
at least 0.50% on the assets in the account; (b) accounts established under a
"wrap fee" program or formal asset allocation program where the account holder
pays the program sponsor an annual fee of at least 0.50% on the assets in the
account; and (c) accounts established through an automated clearing or similar
system established for the use of investment professionals and through which
purchases and redemptions are transmitted to the Fund on an omnibus basis.
For more information with respect to the expenses of the Fund and the Portfolio
see "Management of the Trust and Portfolio" herein.
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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
for the Fund for each period indicated and has 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 to the
Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
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FOR THE PERIOD
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, 1992
------------------------------------------------ (COMMENCEMENT
1995 1994 1993 OF OPERATIONS)
...................................................................................................................................
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $10.36 $10.57 $10.00 $10.00
...................................................................................................................................
Income from Investment Operations
Net Investment Income 0.29 0.22 0.24 --
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Securities and Futures Transactions 3.53 (0.10) 0.71 --
...................................................................................................................................
Total from Investment Operations 3.82 0.12 0.95 --
...................................................................................................................................
Distributions From
Net Investment Income (0.29) (0.22) (0.24) --
Net Realized Gain from Securities and Futures
Transactions (0.07) (0.11) (0.14) --
...................................................................................................................................
Total Distributions (0.36) (0.33) (0.38) --
...................................................................................................................................
Net Asset Value, End of Period $13.82 $10.36 $10.57 $10.00
...................................................................................................................................
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN 37.15% 1.15% 9.53% --
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets 2.38% 2.68% 2.53% --
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Including
Expenses of the Equity 500 Index Portfolio 0.25% 0.25% 0.25% --
Decrease Reflected in Above Expense Ratio Due to
Absorption of Expenses by Bankers Trust 0.23% 0.29% 1.82% --
Net Assets, End of Period (000's omitted) $277,140 $181,898 $1,835 $ 100
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND RISKS
The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before expenses, correspond
to the total return (i.e., the combination of capital changes and income) of
common stocks publicly traded in the United States, as represented by the
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the "S&P 500"). The Fund
offers investors a convenient means of diversifying their holdings of common
stocks while relieving those investors of the administrative burdens typically
associated with purchasing and holding these instruments.
The Trust seeks to achieve the investment objective of the Fund by investing all
the Assets of the Fund in the 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 10 herein.
EQUITY 500 INDEX PORTFOLIO
The Portfolio is not managed according to traditional methods of "active"
investment management, which involve the buying and selling of securities based
upon economic, financial, and market analyses and investment judgment. Instead,
the Portfolio, utilizing a "passive" or "indexing" investment approach, attempts
to replicate, before expenses, the performance of the S&P 500. There is no
assurance the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.
Under normal conditions when the Portfolio's assets are above $10 million, the
Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its assets in common stocks of companies
which compose the S&P 500. In seeking to duplicate the performance of the S&P
500, Bankers Trust, the Portfolio's investment adviser, will attempt over time
to allocate the Portfolio's investments among common stocks in approximately the
same weightings as the S&P 500, beginning with the heaviest-weighted stocks that
make up a larger portion of the Index's value. Over the long term, Bankers Trust
seeks a correlation between the performance of the Portfolio, before expenses,
and that of the S&P 500 of 0.98 or better (0.95 or better if Portfolio asset
levels are below $10 million). A figure of 1.00 would indicate perfect
correlation. In the unlikely event that the correlation is not achieved, the
Portfolio's Board of Trustees will consider alternative structures.
The Adviser utilizes a two-stage sampling approach in seeking to obtain its
objective. Stage one, which encompasses large cap stocks, maintains the stock
holdings at or near their benchmark weights. Large capitalization stocks are
defined as those securities which represent 0.10% or more of the index. In stage
two, smaller stocks are analyzed and selected using risk characteristics and
industry weights in order to match the sector and risk characteristics of the
smaller companies in the S&P 500. This approach helps to maximize portfolio
liquidity while minimizing costs.
Bankers Trust generally will seek to match the composition of the S&P 500 but
usually will not invest the Portfolio's stock portfolio to mirror the Index
exactly. Because of the difficulty and expense of executing relatively small
stock transactions, the Portfolio may not always be invested in the less heavily
weighted S&P 500 stocks, and may at times have its portfolio weighted
differently from the S&P 500, particularly if the Portfolio has a low level of
assets. When the Portfolio's size is greater, Bankers Trust expects to purchase
more of the stocks in the S&P 500 and to match the relative weighting of the S&P
500 more closely, and anticipates that the Portfolio will be able to mirror,
before expenses, the performance of the S&P 500 with little variance at asset
levels of $10 million or more. In addition, the Portfolio may omit or remove any
S&P 500 stock from the Portfolio if, following objective criteria, Bankers Trust
judges the stock to be insufficiently liquid or believes the merit of the
investment has been substantially impaired by extraordinary events or financial
conditions. Bankers Trust will not purchase the stock of Bankers Trust New York
Corporation, which is included in the Index, and instead will overweight its
holdings of companies engaged in similar businesses.
Under normal conditions, Bankers Trust will attempt to invest as much of the
Portfolio's assets as is practical in common stocks included in the S&P 500.
However, the Portfolio may maintain up to 20% of its assets in short-term debt
securities and money market instruments hedged with stock index futures and
options to meet redemption requests or to facilitate the investment in common
stocks. See "Additional Information" for further information.
When the Portfolio has cash from new investments in the Portfolio or holds a
portion of its assets in money market instruments, it may enter into stock index
futures or options to attempt to increase its exposure to the stock market.
Strategies the Portfolio could use to accomplish this include purchasing futures
contracts, writing put options, and purchasing call options. When the Portfolio
wishes to sell securities, because of shareholder redemptions or otherwise, it
may use stock index futures or options thereon to hedge against market risk
until the sale can be completed. These strategies could include selling futures
contracts, writing call options, and purchasing put options.
Bankers Trust will choose among futures and options strategies based on its
judgment of how best to meet the Portfolio's goals. In selecting futures and
options, Bankers Trust will assess such factors as current and anticipated stock
prices, relative liquidity and price levels in the options and futures markets
compared to the securities markets, and the Portfolio's cash flow and cash
management needs. If Bankers Trust judges these factors incorrectly, or if price
changes in the Portfolio's futures and options positions are not well correlated
with those of its other investments, the Portfolio could be hindered in the
pursuit of its objective and could suffer losses. The Portfolio could also be
exposed to risks if it could not close out its futures or options positions
because of an illiquid secondary market.
Short-Term Instruments. The Portfolio intends to stay invested in the securities
described above to the extent practical in light of its objective and long-term
investment perspective. However, the Portfolio's assets may be invested in
short-term instruments with remaining maturities of 397 days or less to meet
anticipated redemptions and expenses or for day-to-day operating purposes.
Short-term instruments consist of: (i) short-term obligations of the U.S.
Government, its 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.
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. In the unlikely
event that the S&P 500 should concentrate to an extent greater than that amount,
the Portfolio's ability to achieve its investment objective may be impaired.
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 with remaining maturities of
more than seven calendar days). Additional investment policies of the Portfolio
are contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
ABOUT THE S&P 500 INDEX
The S&P 500 is a well-known stock market index that includes common stocks of
500 companies from several industrial sectors representing a significant portion
of the market value of all common stocks publicly traded in the United States,
most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange Inc. (the "NYSE").
Stocks in the S&P 500 are weighted according to their market capitalization
(i.e., the number of shares outstanding multiplied by the stock's current
price). Bankers Trust believes that the performance of the S&P 500 is
representative of the performance of publicly traded common stocks in general.
The composition of the S&P 500 is determined by S&P and is based on such factors
as the market capitalization and trading activity of each stock and its adequacy
as a representation of stocks in a particular industry group, and may be changed
from time to time.
The Fund and the Portfolio are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P.
S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of
the Fund or the Portfolio or any member of the public regarding the advisability
of investing in securities generally or in the Fund and the Portfolio
particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 to track general stock market
performance. S&P does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the
S&P 500 or any data included therein.
S&P makes no warranty, express or implied, as to the results to be obtained by
the Fund or the Portfolio, owners of the Fund or the Portfolio, or any other
person or entity from the use of the S&P 500 or any data included therein. S&P
makes no express or implied warranties and hereby expressly disclaims all such
warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with
respect to the S&P 500 or any data included therein.
For more complete information about the S&P 500, see the Statement of Additional
Information.
RISK FACTORS; MATCHING THE FUND TO
YOUR INVESTMENT NEEDS
By itself, the Fund does not constitute a balanced investment plan. The Fund is
designed as a relatively low-cost means for investors to diversify their
investment portfolios. As described above, the Portfolio invests in an index of
securities that is representative of the stock market as a whole. While the
performance of the S&P 500 has fluctuated considerably, the long-term
performance of the S&P 500 has been greater than inflation. Thus, the Fund may
make sense for you if you can afford to ride out changes in the stock market.
The Fund's share price, yield and total return will fluctuate and your
investment may be worth more or less than your original cost when you redeem
your shares.
The ability of the Fund and the Portfolio to meet their investment objective
depends to some extent on the cash flow experienced by the Fund and by the other
investors in the Portfolio, since investments and redemptions by shareholders of
the Fund will generally require the Portfolio to purchase or sell securities.
Bankers Trust will make investment changes to accommodate cash flow in an
attempt to maintain the similarity of the Portfolio to the S&P 500. You should
also be aware that the performance of the S&P 500 is a hypothetical number which
does not take into account brokerage commissions and other costs of investing,
unlike the Portfolio which must bear these costs. Finally, since the Portfolio
seeks to track the S&P 500, Bankers Trust generally will not attempt to judge
the merits of any particular stock as an investment.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The frequency of portfolio transactions -- the Portfolio's turnover rate -- will
vary from year to year depending on market conditions and the Portfolio's cash
flows. The Portfolio's annual turnover rate is not expected to exceed 100%. The
Portfolio's turnover rate for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
was 6%, 21% and 31%, respectively. The decrease in the Portfolio's turnover rate
from the year ended 1994 to 1995 was due to the growth of assets in the period.
DERIVATIVES
The Portfolio may invest in stock index futures and options thereon which 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. The Adviser will only use derivatives for cash
management purposes. 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 indices
that by themselves would not be purchased for the Portfolio.
SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING MASTER-FEEDER FUND STRUCTURE
Unlike other open-end management investment companies (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
objective as the Fund. Therefore, an investor's interest in the Portfolio's
securities is indirect. 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 from Bankers Trust at (800) 730-1313.
The master-feeder structure has been developed relatively recently, so
shareholders should carefully consider this investment approach.
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. Except as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"), whenever the Trust is requested to vote on matters pertaining to the
Portfolio, the Trust will 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
the Fund's 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 objective, 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 objective 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
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 once 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 or in the event that the NYSE closes
early, at the time of such early closing. 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.
Under procedures adopted by the Board, a net asset value for a Fund later
determined to have been inaccurate for any reason will be recalculated.
Purchases and redemptions made at a net asset value determined to have been
inaccurate will be adjusted, although in certain circumstances, such as where
the difference between the original net asset value and the recalculated net
asset value divided by the recalculated net asset value is $0.005 ( 1/2 of 1%)
or less or shareholder transactions are otherwise insubstantially affected,
further action is not required.
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. Service Agents may impose initial and subsequent investment minimums
that differ from the amounts presented in the "Minimum Investments" table below.
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 or
earlier, should the NYSE close earlier) 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 by the following business day (trade date +1) after an order
for shares is placed, 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.
Automatic Investment Plan. The Fund may offer shareholders an automatic
investment plan under which shareholders may authorize some Service Agents to
place a purchase order each month or quarter for Fund shares. For further
information regarding the automatic investment plan, shareholders should contact
their Service Agent.
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MINIMUM INVESTMENTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT $2,500
For retirement accounts $ 500
Through automatic investment plans $1,000
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT $ 250
For retirement accounts $ 100
Through automatic investment plan $ 100
MINIMUM BALANCE $1,000
For retirement accounts None
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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 or earlier, should the NYSE
close earlier) 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 balance below the minimum (as shown above), but not if an
account is below the minimum balance due to a change in market value. See
"Minimum Investments" above for minimum balance amounts.
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 other 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." 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, small businesses 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 a
number 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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. The Trust intends to qualify the Fund as a regulated investment
company, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). Provided the Fund meets the requirements imposed by the Code and
distributes all of its income and gains, the Fund will not pay any Federal
income or excise taxes. The Portfolio will also not be required to pay any
Federal income or excise 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 to shareholders of record in November and 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. You
should consult with your own tax adviser concerning the application of Federal,
state and local taxes to your distributions from the Fund.
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 various unmanaged indices, such
as the S&P 500, or results of other mutual funds or investment or savings
vehicles. In addition, the Fund may compare various Portfolio characteristics
such as beta, price earnings ratio and sector diversification to those of
various unmanaged indices or 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 Fund's "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 yields 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 a listing 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, the administrator of the Trust and Portfolio, neither the
Trust nor the Portfolio requires employees other than its executive officers.
None of the executive officers of the Trust or the Portfolio 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) (the "Independent Trustees") of the Trust or of the Portfolio, as the
case may be, have adopted written procedures reasonably appropriate to deal with
potential conflicts of interest, up to and including creating separate boards of
trustees, arising from the fact that several of the same individuals are
Trustees of the Trust and the Portfolio. For more information with respect to
the Trustees of both the Trust and the Portfolio, see "Management of the Trust
and Portfolios" 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. Frank Salerno, Managing Director of
Bankers Trust, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio.
Mr. Salerno has been employed at Bankers Trust since prior to 1989 and has
managed the Portfolio's assets since the Portfolio commenced operations.
Bankers Trust, a New York banking corporation with principal 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, 1995,
Bankers Trust New York Corporation was the ninth largest bank holding company in
the United States with total assets of approximately $104 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 over 120 offices in more than 40 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 approximately $200 billion in assets under
management globally. Of that total, approximately $84 billion are in U.S. equity
index assets alone. When bond and international funds are included, Bankers
Trust manages over $97 billion in total index assets. This makes Bankers Trust
one of the nation's leading managers of index 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 index
fund 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, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees
of the Portfolio, manages the Portfolio in accordance with the Portfolio's
investment objectives 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 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 and 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 0.10% (before
waiver) of the average daily net assets 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.
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
0.30% 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 rate of 0.05% 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 prospectuses and statements 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 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 in 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 services 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,
amortization of organizational expenses, the costs associated with regulatory
compliance and maintaining legal existence and investor relations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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.
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. In lending securities to brokers, dealers and other organizations,
the Portfolio is subject to risks which, like those associated with other
extenstions of credit, include delays in recovery and possible loss of rights in
the collateral should the borrower fail financially.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities. The Portfolio may purchase
securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. Delivery of and payment
for these securities may take place as long as a month or more after the date of
the purchase commitment. The value of these securities is subject to market
fluctuation during this period and no income accrues to the Portfolio until
settlement takes place. The Portfolio maintains with the Custodian a segregated
account containing high grade liquid securities in an amount at least equal to
these commitments. When entering into a when-issued or delayed delivery
transaction, the Portfolio will rely on the other party to consummate the
transaction; if the other party fails to do so, the Portfolio may be
disadvantaged.
Options on Stock Indices. The Portfolio may purchase and write put and call
options on stock indices listed on stock exchanges. A stock index fluctuates
with changes in the market values of the stocks included in the index.
Options on stock indices 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 indices, 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 indices 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 Stock Indices. 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 is designed only 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. A Futures
Contract may also be entered into to close out or offset an existing futures
position.
In general, each transaction in Futures Contracts 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.
Although Futures Contracts would be entered into for cash management purposes
only, such transactions do involve certain risks. These risks could include a
lack of correlation between the Futures Contract and the equity market being
hedged, 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 (or options thereon) if immediately thereafter its
margin deposits on its outstanding Futures Contracts (and its premium paid on
outstanding options thereon) 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.
Asset Coverage. The Portfolio will cover the Portfolio's transactions in futures
and related options, as well as in when-issued and delayed delivery, 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>
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BT INVESTMENT
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PROSPECTUS: APRIL 29, 1996
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, and is incorporated herein by
reference. You may request a free copy of the Statement by calling the Fund's
Service Agent at 1-800-730-1313.
UNLIKE OTHER MUTUAL FUNDS, THE FUND SEEKS TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE BY
INVESTING ALL OF ITS INVESTABLE ASSETS IN A SEPARATE INVESTMENT COMPANY (THE
"PORTFOLIO") WITH AN IDENTICAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. THE INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
OF THE FUND WILL CORRESPOND DIRECTLY TO THE INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE OF THE
PORTFOLIO. SEE "SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING MASTER-FEEDER FUND STRUCTURE" ON
PAGE 10.
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. THE FUND INTENDS TO MAINTAIN A CONSTANT $1.00 PER SHARE NET ASSET VALUE,
ALTHOUGH THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT IT WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO.
LIKE SHARES OF ALL MUTUAL FUNDS, 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.
Money Market Fund
A money market fund that provides high current income to the extent consistent
with liquidity and capital preservation.
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 and Policies 6
Risk Factors; Matching the Fund to Your Investment Needs 10
Net Asset Value 11
Purchase and Redemption of Shares 12
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes 16
Performance Information and Reports 16
Management of the Trust and Portfolio 17
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
The following table provides (i) a summary of expenses relating to purchases and
sales of the shares of the BT Investment Money Market Fund (the "Fund") and the
aggregate annual operating expenses of the Fund and the expenses of the Cash
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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund)
...................................................................................................................
<S> <C>
Investment advisory fee 0.15%
12b-1 fees 0.00
Other expenses (after reimbursements or waivers) 0.20
...................................................................................................................
Total operating expenses (after reimbursements or waivers) 0.35%
...................................................................................................................
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
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 $4 $11 $20 $44
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
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. The expense table and the example reflect a voluntary
undertaking by Bankers Trust Company ("Bankers Trust") or Signature Broker-
Dealer Services, Inc. ("Signature") to waive or reimburse expenses such that the
total operating expenses will not exceed 0.35% of the Fund's average net assets
annually. In the absence of this undertaking, for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1995 the total operating expenses would have been equal to approximately
0.51% 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-shareholder 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.
In addition to the customers of Bankers Trust or other institutions described
above, the Fund is available for (a) accounts where an investment adviser or a
financial planner has discretion over such account and the account holder pays
such person as compensation for its advice and other services an annual fee of
at least 0.50% on the assets in the account; (b) accounts established under a
"wrap fee" program or formal asset allocation program where the account holder
pays the program sponsor an annual fee of at least 0.50% on the assets in the
account; and (c) accounts established through an automated clearing or similar
system established for the use of investment professionals and through which
purchases and redemptions are transmitted to the Fund on an omnibus basis.
For more information with respect to the expenses of the Fund and the Portfolio
see "Management of the Trust and Portfolio" herein.
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
for the Fund for each period indicated and has 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.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
JULY 15, 1992
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, (COMMENCEMENT
-------------------------------------------- OF OPERATIONS) TO
1995 1994 1993 DECEMBER 31, 1992
.................................................................................................................................
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
.................................................................................................................................
Income from Investment Operations
Net Investment Income 0.06 0.04 0.03 0.01
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from
Securities Transactions 0.00+ (0.01) 0.00+ 0.00+
.................................................................................................................................
Total from Investment Operations 0.06 0.03 0.03 0.01
.................................................................................................................................
Contribution of Capital -- 0.01 -- --
.................................................................................................................................
Distribution From:
Net Investment Income (0.06) (0.04) (0.03) (0.01)
Net Realized Gain from Securities
Transactions -- -- (0.00)+ (0.00)+
.................................................................................................................................
Total Distributions (0.06) (0.04) (0.03) (0.01)
.................................................................................................................................
Net Asset Value, End of Period $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
.................................................................................................................................
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN 5.76% 4.05%++ 2.91% 3.12%*
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average
Net Assets 5.62% 4.24% 2.87% 3.06%*
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets,
Including Expenses of the Cash Management
Portfolio 0.35% 0.35% 0.35% 0.35%*
Decrease Reflected in Above Expense Ratio Due
to Absorption of Expenses by Bankers Trust 0.16% 0.21% 2.91% 3.56%*
Net Assets, End of Period (000's omitted) $645,910 $976,472 $1,953 $789
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Annualized
+ Less than $0.01 per share
++ Increased by 0.76% due to Contribution of Capital.
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund seeks a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the
preservation of capital through investment in high quality money market
instruments. The Fund offers investors a convenient means of diversifying their
holdings of short-term securities 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. High quality, short-term
instruments may result in a lower yield than instruments with a lower quality or
a longer term.
The Trust seeks to achieve the investment objective of the Fund by investing all
the Assets of the Fund in the 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 a fundamental policy and may not changed without
the approval of the Fund's shareholders or the Portfolio's investors,
respectively. See "Special Information Concerning Master-Feeder Fund Structure"
on page 10 herein.
CASH MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO
The Portfolio will attempt to achieve its investment objective by investing in
the following money market instruments:
Bank Obligations. The Portfolio may invest in fixed rate or variable rate
obligations of U.S. or foreign banks which have total assets at the time of
purchase in excess of $1 billion and are rated Prime-1 by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or A-1 or higher by Standard & Poor's Corporation
("S&P") or, if not rated, are believed by Bankers Trust, acting under the
supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio, to be of comparable
quality. Bank obligations in which the Portfolio invests include certificates of
deposit, bankers' acceptances, time deposits and other U.S. dollar-denominated
instruments issued or supported by the credit of U.S. or foreign banks. If
Bankers Trust, acting under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the
Portfolio, deems the instruments to present minimal credit risk, the Portfolio
may invest in obligations of foreign banks or foreign branches of U.S. banks,
which include subsidiaries of U.S. banks located in the United Kingdom, Grand
Cayman Island, Nassau, Japan and Canada. Investments in these obligations may
entail risks that are different from those of investments in obligations of U.S.
domestic banks because of differences in political, regulatory and economic
systems and conditions. These risks include future political and economic
developments, currency blockage, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on
interest payments, differing reserve requirements, reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, and accounting standards, possible seizure or nationalization of
foreign deposits, difficulty or inability of pursuing legal remedies and
obtaining judgments in foreign courts, possible establishment of exchange
controls or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions that might
affect adversely the payment of principal and interest on bank obligations.
Under normal market conditions the Portfolio will invest more than 25% of its
assets in the foreign and domestic bank obligations described above. The
Portfolio's concentration of its investments in bank obligations will cause the
Portfolio to be subject to the risks peculiar to the domestic and foreign
banking industries to a greater extent than if its investments were not so
concentrated. A description of the ratings set forth above is provided in the
Appendix to the Statement of Additional Information.
Commercial Paper. The Portfolio may invest in fixed rate or variable rate
commercial paper, including variable rate master demand notes, issued by U.S. or
foreign corporations. Commercial paper when purchased by the Portfolio must be
rated Prime-1 by Moody's or A-1 or higher by S&P or, if not rated, must be
believed by Bankers Trust, acting under the supervision of the Board of Trustees
of the Portfolio, to be of comparable quality. Any commercial paper issued by a
foreign corporation and purchased by the Portfolio must be U.S.
dollar-denominated and must not be subject to foreign withholding tax at the
time of purchase. Investing in foreign commercial paper generally involves risks
similar to those described above relating to obligations of foreign banks or
foreign branches of U.S. banks.
Variable rate master demand notes are unsecured instruments that permit the
indebtedness thereunder to vary and provide for periodic adjustments in the
interest rate. Because variable rate master demand notes are direct lending
arrangements between the Portfolio and the issuer, they are not normally traded.
Although no active secondary market may exist for these notes, the Portfolio
will purchase only those notes under which it may demand and receive payment of
principal and accrued interest daily or may resell the note to a third party.
While the notes are not typically rated by credit rating agencies, issuers of
variable rate master demand notes must satisfy Bankers Trust, acting under the
supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio, that the same criteria as
set forth above for issuers of commercial paper are met. In the event an issuer
of a variable rate master demand note defaulted on its payment obligation, the
Portfolio might be unable to dispose of the note because of the absence of a
secondary market and could, for this or other reasons, suffer a loss to the
extent of the default.
Other Corporate Debt Obligations. The Portfolio may invest in bonds, notes and
debentures issued by U.S. corporations that at the time of purchase have
outstanding commercial paper meeting the above rating requirements, or if such
commercial paper is unrated or if no such commercial paper is outstanding, are
rated at least AA by S&P or Aa by Moody's. Such obligations, at the time of
investment, must have or be deemed to have less than 397 days to maturity.
U.S. Government Obligations. The Portfolio may invest in obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S.
Government ("U.S. Government Obligations"). Obligations of certain agencies and
instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, such as short-term obligations of the
Government National Mortgage Association, are supported by the "full faith and
credit" of the U.S. Government; others, such as those of the Export-Import Bank
of the U.S., are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S.
Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association,
are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase
the agency's obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan
Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality.
No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government would provide financial
support to U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities if it is not obligated to
do so by law.
Repurchase Agreements. The Portfolio may engage in repurchase agreement
transactions with banks and governmental securities dealers approved by the
Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. Under the terms of a typical repurchase
agreement, the Portfolio would acquire an underlying debt obligation of a kind
in which the Portfolio could invest for a relatively short period (usually not
more than one week), subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and
the Portfolio to resell, the obligation at an agreed price and time, thereby
determining the yield during the Portfolio's holding period. This arrangement
results in a fixed rate of return that is not subject to market fluctuations
during the Portfolio's holding period. The value of the underlying securities
will be at least equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase
obligations, including interest. The Portfolio bears a risk of loss in the event
that the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and
the Portfolio is delayed in or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose
of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the
value of the underlying securities during the period in which the Portfolio
seeks to assert these rights. Bankers Trust, acting under the supervision of the
Board of Trustees of the Portfolio, reviews the creditworthiness of those banks
and dealers with which the Portfolio enters into repurchase agreements and
monitors on an ongoing basis the value of the securities subject to repurchase
agreements to ensure that it is maintained at the required level.
Securities Lending. The Portfolio is permitted to lend up to 20% of the total
value of its securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations.
These loans must be secured continuously by cash or equivalent collateral or by
a letter of credit at least equal to 100% of the current 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. 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.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
The Portfolio may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. See "Investment
Objectives and Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information for a more
detailed description of reverse repurchase agreements.
PORTFOLIO QUALITY AND MATURITY
The Portfolio will maintain a dollar-weighted average maturity of 90 days or
less. All securities in which the Portfolio invests will have or be deemed to
have remaining maturities of 397 days or less on the date of their purchase,
will be denominated in U.S. dollars and will have been granted the required
ratings established herein by two nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations ("NRSRO"): (or one such NRSRO if that NRSRO is the only such NRSRO
which rates the security), or if unrated, are believed by Bankers Trust, under
the supervision of the Portfolio's Board of Trustees, to be of comparable
quality. A description of such ratings is provided in the Appendix to the
Statement of Additional Information. Bankers Trust, acting under the supervision
of and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio, will also
determine that all securities purchased by the Portfolio present minimal credit
risks. Bankers Trust will cause the Portfolio to dispose of any security as soon
as practicable if the security is no longer of the requisite quality, unless
such action would not be in the best interest of the Portfolio.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The Fund's and the Portfolio's investment objectives, together with the
investment restrictions described in this paragraph and the Statement of
Additional Information, except as noted, are "fundamental policies," which means
that they may not be changed without the approval of the holders of the Fund's
and the Portfolio's outstanding voting securities. The Fund has the same
investment restrictions as the Portfolio, except that the Fund may invest all of
its Assets in another open-end investment company with the same investment
objective, such as the Portfolio. The Portfolio may not invest more than 25% of
its total assets in the securities of issuers in any single industry, except
that, under normal market conditions, more than 25% of the total assets of the
Portfolio will be invested in foreign and domestic bank obligations. As an
operating policy, the Portfolio may not invest more than 5% of its total assets
in the obligations of any one issuer except for U.S. Government Obligations and
repurchase agreements, which may be purchased without limitation. The Portfolio
is also authorized to borrow, including entering into reverse repurchase
transactions, in an amount up to 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes,
but not for leverage, and to pledge its assets to the same extent in connection
with these borrowings. See the Statement of Additional Information for
additional information with respect to reverse repurchase transactions. At the
time of an investment, the Portfolio's aggregate holdings of repurchase
agreements having a remaining maturity of more than seven calendar days (or
which may not be terminated within seven calendar days upon notice by the
Portfolio), time deposits having a remaining maturity of more than seven
calendar days, illiquid securities, restricted securities and securities lacking
readily available market quotations will not exceed 10% of the Portfolio's net
assets. If changes in the liquidity of certain securities cause the Portfolio to
exceed such 10% limit, the Portfolio will take steps to bring the aggregate
amount of its illiquid securities back below 10% of its net assets as soon as
practicable, unless such action would not be in the best interest of the
Portfolio. The Statement of Additional Information contains further information
on the Fund's and the Portfolio's investment restrictions.
RISK FACTORS; MATCHING THE FUND TO
YOUR INVESTMENT NEEDS
The Fund is designed for conservative investors looking for high current income
approximating money market rates while remaining conveniently liquid with a
stable share price. The Portfolio follows practices which enable the Fund to
attempt to maintain a $1.00 share price: limiting average maturity of the
securities held by the Portfolio to 90 days or less; buying securities which
mature in 397 days or less; and buying only high quality securities with minimal
credit risks. Of course, the Fund cannot guarantee a $1.00 share price, but
these practices help to minimize any price fluctuations that might result from
rising or declining interest rates. While the Portfolio invests in high quality
money market securities, you should be aware that your investment is not without
risk. All money market instruments, including U.S. Government securities, can
change in value when interest rates or an issuer's creditworthiness changes.
SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING MASTER-FEEDER FUND STRUCTURE
Unlike other open-end management investment companies (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
objective as the Fund. Therefore, an investor's interest in the Portfolio's
securities is indirect. 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 from Bankers Trust at (800) 730- 1313.
The master-feeder structure has been developed relatively recently, so
shareholders should carefully consider this investment approach.
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. Except as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
whenever the Trust is requested to vote on matters pertaining to the Portfolio,
the Trust will 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 the Fund's
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 objective, 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 objective 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.
For descriptions of the investment objective, policies and restrictions of the
Portfolio, see "Investment Objective and Policies." 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
Fund is open (each such day being a "Valuation Day"). The Fund is currently open
on each day, Monday through Friday, except (a) January 1st, Martin Luther King
Jr.'s Birthday (the third Monday in January), 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), Columbus Day (the second Monday in
October), Veteran's Day (November 11th), 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 twice on each Valuation
Day as of 2:00 p.m., New York time, and as of the close of regular trading on
the New York Stock Exchange Inc. ("NYSE"), which is currently 4:00 p.m., New
York time or in the event that the NYSE closes early, at the time of such early
closing. 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 Fund's net asset value will normally be $1.00.
The assets of the Portfolio are valued by using the amortized cost method of
valuation. This method involves valuing each security held by the Portfolio at
its cost at the time of its purchase and thereafter assuming a constant
amortization to maturity of any discount or premium. Accordingly, immaterial
fluctuations in the market value of the securities held by the Portfolio will
not be reflected in the Fund's net asset value. The Board of Trustees of the
Portfolio will monitor the valuation of assets by this method and will make such
changes as it deems necessary to assure that assets of the Portfolio are valued
fairly and in good faith.
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. Service Agents may impose initial and subsequent investment minimums
that differ from the amounts presented in the "Minimum Investments" table below.
Shares of the Fund may be purchased in only those states where they may be
lawfully sold.
Purchase orders for shares of the Fund will receive, on any Valuation Day, the
net asset value next determined following receipt by the Service Agent and
transmission to Bankers Trust, as the Trust's transfer agent (the "Transfer
Agent") of such order. If the purchase order is received by the Service Agent
and transmitted to the Transfer Agent prior to 2:00 p.m. (New York time) and if
payment in the form of federal funds is received on that day by Bankers Trust,
as the Trust's custodian (the "Custodian"), the shareholder will receive the
dividend declared on that day. If the purchase order is received by the Service
Agent and transmitted to the Transfer Agent after 2:00 p.m. (New York time), and
prior to the close of the NYSE (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time or earlier,
should the NYSE close earlier), the shareholder will receive the dividend
declared on the following day even if the Custodian receives federal funds on
that day. The Trust and Signature reserve the right to reject any purchase
order.
Another mutual fund investing in a Portfolio may accept purchase orders up until
a time later than 2:00 p.m., New York time. Such orders, when transmitted to and
executed by a Portfolio, may have an impact on the corresponding Fund's
performance.
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 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.
Automatic Investment Plan. The Fund may offer shareholders an automatic
investment plan under which shareholders may authorize some Service Agents to
place a purchase order each month or quarter for Fund shares. For further
information regarding the automatic investment plan, shareholder should contact
their Service Agent.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT $2,500
For retirement accounts $ 500
Through automatic investment plans $1,000
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT $ 250
For retirement accounts $ 100
Through automatic investment plan $ 100
MINIMUM BALANCE $1,000
For retirement accounts None
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 2:00 p.m.
(New York time) on each Valuation Day will be redeemed at the net asset value
per share as of 2:00 p.m. (New York time) and the redemption proceeds normally
will be delivered to the shareholder's account with the Service Agent on that
day; no dividend will be paid on the day of redemption. Redemption requests
received by the Service Agent and transmitted to the Transfer Agent after 2:00
p.m. (New York time) on each Valuation Day and prior to the close of the NYSE
(currently 4:00 p.m., New York time or earlier should the NYSE close earlier)
will be redeemed at the net asset value per share as of the close of the NYSE
and redemption proceeds normally will be delivered to the shareholder's account
with the Service Agent the following day; shares redeemed in this manner will
receive the dividend declared on the day of the redemption. Payments for
redemptions will in any event be made within seven calendar days following
receipt of the request.
Another mutual fund investing in a Portfolio may accept redemption orders up
until a time later than 2:00 p.m., New York time. Such orders, when transmitted
to, and executed by, a Portfolio may have an impact on the corresponding Fund's
performance.
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 balance below the minimum (as shown above). See "Minimum
Investments" above for minimum balance amounts.
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.
Checkwriting. Shareholders of the Fund may redeem shares by check. Checks may
not be used to close an account. Shareholders will continue to earn dividends on
shares to be redeemed until the check clears. Checks will be returned to
shareholders at the end of the month. There is no charge for redemption of
shares by check. Additional information regarding the checkwriting privilege may
be obtained from a Service Agent.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Shareholders may exchange their shares for shares of certain other 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". 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, small businesses, 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 a
number 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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
The Portfolio determines its net income and realized capital gains, if any, on
each Valuation Day and allocates all such income and gain pro rata among the
Fund and the other investors in the Portfolio at the time of such determination.
The Fund declares dividends from its net income (i.e., the Fund's pro rata share
of the net income of the Portfolio) on each Valuation Day and pays dividends for
the preceding month within the first five Valuation Days of each month. The Fund
reserves the right to include realized short-term gains, if any, in any such
daily dividends. Distributions of the Fund's pro rata share of the Portfolio's
net realized long-term capital gains, if any, and any undistributed net realized
short-term capital gains are normally declared and paid annually at the end of
the fiscal year in which they were earned to the extent they are not offset by
any capital loss carryforwards. Since the Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible
excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital
gains, the Fund expects to make such other distributions as are necessary to
avoid the application of this tax. Unless a shareholder instructs the Fund to
pay dividends or capital gains distributions in cash, dividends and
distributions will automatically be reinvested at net asset value in additional
shares of the Fund.
The Trust intends to qualify the Fund as a regulated investment company, as
defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Provided
the Fund meets the requirements imposed by the Code, the Fund will not pay any
Federal income or excise taxes. The Portfolio will also not be required to pay
any Federal income or excise taxes. Dividends paid by the Fund from its taxable
net investment income and distributions by the Fund of its net realized
short-term capital gains are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income, whether
received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. The Trust does
not expect that the Fund will realize long-term capital gains and thus does not
contemplate paying distributions taxable to shareholders as long-term capital
gains. The Fund's dividends and distributions will not qualify for the
dividends-received deduction for corporations.
Statements as to the tax status of each shareholder's dividends and
distributions, if any, are mailed annually. Each shareholder will also receive,
if appropriate, various written notices after the end of the Fund's prior
taxable year as to the Federal income tax status of his or her dividends and
distributions which were received from the Fund during that year. Shareholders
should consult their tax advisers to assess the consequences of investing in the
Fund under state and local laws and to determine whether dividends paid by the
Fund that represent interest derived from U.S. Government Obligations are exempt
from any applicable state or local income taxes.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND REPORTS
From time to time, the Trust may advertise "current yield" and/or "effective
yield" for the Fund. All yield figures are based on historical earnings and are
not intended to indicate future performance. The "current yield" of the Fund
refers to the income generated by an investment in the Fund over a seven-day
period (which period will be stated in the advertisement). This income is then
"annualized;'" that is, the amount of income generated by the investment during
that week is assumed to be generated each week over a 52-week period and is
shown as a percentage of the investment. The "effective yield" is calculated
similarly but, when annualized, the income earned by an investment in the Fund
is assumed to be reinvested. The "effective yield" will be slightly higher than
the "current yield" because of the compounding effect of this assumed
reinvestment. The Trust may include this information in sales material and
advertisements for the Fund.
Yield is a function of the quality, composition and maturity of the securities
held by the Portfolio and operating expenses of the Fund and the Portfolio. In
particular, the Fund's yield will rise and fall with short-term interest rates,
which can change frequently and sharply. In periods of rising interest rates,
the yield of the Fund will tend to be somewhat lower than prevailing market
rates and in periods of declining interest rates the yield will tend to be
somewhat higher. In addition, when interest rates are rising, the inflow of net
new money to the Fund from the continuous sale of its shares will likely be
invested by the Portfolio in instruments producing higher yields than the
balance of the Portfolio's securities, thereby increasing the current yield of
the Fund. In periods of falling interest rates, the opposite can be expected to
occur. Accordingly, yields will fluctuate and do not necessarily indicate future
results. While yield information may be useful in reviewing the performance of
the Fund, it may not provide a basis for comparison with bank deposits, other
fixed rate investments, or other investment companies that may use a different
method of calculating yield. Any fees charged by Service Agents for processing
purchase and/or redemption transactions will effectively reduce the yield for
those shareholders.
From time to time, advertisements or reports to shareholders may compare the
yield of the Fund to that of other mutual funds with similar investment
objectives or to that of a particular index. The yield of the Fund might be
compared with, for example, the IBC/Donoghue's Taxable First Tier Money Fund
Average which is an average compiled by IBC/Donoghue's Money Fund Report, a
widely recognized, independent publication that monitors the performance of
money market mutual funds. Similarly, the yield of the Fund might be compared
with rankings prepared by Micropal Limited and/or Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc., which are widely recognized, independent services that monitor the
investment performance of mutual funds. The yield of the Fund might also be
compared with the average yield reported by the Bank Rate Monitor for money
market deposit accounts offered by the 50 leading banks and thrift institutions
in the top five standard metropolitan areas. Shareholders may make inquiries
regarding the Fund, including current yield quotations and performance
information, by contacting any Service Agent.
Shareholders will receive financial reports semi-annually that include the
Portfolio's financial statements, including a listing 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 Portfolio are managed under the supervision of
their respective Board of Trustees. By virtue of the responsibilities assumed by
Bankers Trust, the administrator of the Trust and Portfolio, neither the Trust
nor Portfolio require employees other than its executive officers. None of the
executive officers of the Trust or Portfolio devotes full time to the affairs of
the Trust or Portfolio.
The Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the
1940 Act) (the "Independent Trustees") of the Trust or of the Portfolio, as the
case may be, have adopted written procedures reasonably appropriate to deal with
potential conflicts of interest, up to and including creating separate boards of
trustees, arising from the fact that several of the same individuals are
trustees of the Trust and the Portfolio. For more information with respect to
the Trustees of both the Trust and the Portfolio, see "Management of the Trust
and Portfolios" 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.
Bankers Trust, a New York banking corporation with principal 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, 1995,
Bankers Trust New York Corporation was the ninth largest bank holding company in
the United States with total assets of approximately $104 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 more than 40 offices in over 120 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 approximately $200 billion in assets under
management globally. Of that total, approximately $45 billion are in cash assets
alone. This makes Bankers Trust one of the nation's leading managers of cash
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, 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. 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 and 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 0.15% of the
average daily net assets 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.
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
0.30% 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 0.05% 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 prospectuses and statements 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 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 in 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 services 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,
amortization of organizational expenses, the costs associated with regulatory
compliance and maintaining legal existence and investor relations.
<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 INVESTMENT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROSPECTUS: APRIL 29, 1996
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 with the same date has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and is incorporated herein by reference. You
may request a free copy of the Statement by calling the Fund's Service Agent at
1-800-730-1313.
UNLIKE OTHER MUTUAL FUNDS, THE FUND SEEKS TO ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE BY
INVESTING ALL OF ITS INVESTABLE ASSETS IN A SEPARATE INVESTMENT COMPANY (A
"PORTFOLIO") WITH AN IDENTICAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. THE INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
OF THE FUND WILL CORRESPOND DIRECTLY TO THE INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE OF THE
PORTFOLIO. SEE "SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING MASTER-FEEDER FUND STRUCTURE" ON
PAGE 11.
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NEITHER INSURED NOR GUARANTEED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.
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.
LIKE SHARES OF ALL MUTUAL FUNDS, 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.
Limited Term
U.S. Government Securities Fund
Seeks high current income,
through investment in short
and intermediate term U.S.
Government securities, to
the extent consistent with
the preservation of capital.
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 and Policies 6
Risk Factors; Matching the Fund to Your Investment Needs 9
Net Asset Value 12
Purchase and Redemption of Shares 13
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes 16
Performance Information and Reports 17
Management of the Trust and Portfolio 18
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
The following table provides (i) a summary of expenses relating to purchases
and sales of the shares of the BT Investment Limited Term U.S. Government
Securities Fund (the "Fund") and the annual operating expenses of the Fund and
the expenses of the Short/Intermediate U.S. Government Securities 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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
<S> <C>
(as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund)
..........................................................................................................
Investment advisory fee (after reimbursements or waivers) 0.25%
12b-1 fees 0.00
Other expenses (after reimbursements or waivers) 0.35
..........................................................................................................
Total operating expenses (after reimbursements or waivers) 0.60%
..........................................................................................................
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
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
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
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 0.25%. 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 the 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 December 31, 1995, the total operating expenses would have
been equal to approximately 0.84% 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-shareholder 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.
In addition to the customers of Bankers Trust or other institutions described
above, the Fund is available for (a) accounts where an investment adviser or a
financial planner has discretion over such account and the account holder pays
such person as compensation for its advice and other services an annual fee of
at least 0.50% on the assets in the account; (b) accounts established under a
"wrap fee" program or formal asset allocation program where the account holder
pays the program sponsor an annual fee of at least 0.50% on the assets in the
account; and (c) accounts established through an automated clearing or similar
system established for the use of investment professionals and through which
purchases and redemptions are transmitted to the Fund on an omnibus basis.
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 the selected data for a share outstanding, total
investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data
for the Fund for each period indicated and has 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.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE PERIOD
AUGUST 24, 1992
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, (COMMENCEMENT
------------------------------------ OF OPERATIONS) TO
1995 1994 1993 DECEMBER 31, 1992
.............................................................................................................................
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $ 9.61 $10.06 $ 9.93 $10.00
.............................................................................................................................
Income from Investment Operations
Net Investment Income 0.57 0.44 0.41 0.14
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities 0.35 (0.45) 0.20 (0.07)
.............................................................................................................................
Total from Investment Operations 0.92 (0.01) 0.61 0.07
.............................................................................................................................
Distributions from
Net Investment Income (0.57) (0.44) (0.41) (0.14)
Net Realized Gain from Securities Transactions -- -- (0.07) --
.............................................................................................................................
Total Distributions (0.57) (0.44) (0.48) (0.14)
.............................................................................................................................
Net Asset Value, End of Period $ 9.96 $ 9.61 $10.06 $ 9.93
.............................................................................................................................
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN 9.81% (0.08%) 6.21% 2.02%*
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets 5.81% 4.69% 4.35% 4.08%*
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Including
Expenses of the Short/Intermediate U.S. Government
Securities Portfolio 0.60% 0.60% 0.60% 0.60%*
Decrease Reflected in Above Expense Ratio Due to
Absorption of Expenses by Bankers Trust 0.24% 0.34% 1.43% 5.60%*
Net Assets, End of Period
(000's omitted) $29,870 $31,302 $3,462 $3,188
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Annualized
</TABLE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund seeks a high level of current income consistent with preservation of
capital. The Fund offers investors a convenient means of participating in a
managed, diversified pool of short-term and intermediate-term U.S. Government
securities 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 Fund's yield normally is expected to be higher
than a money market fund but lower than a longer-term or lower quality bond
fund.
The Trust seeks to achieve the investment objective of the Fund by investing all
the Assets of the Fund in the Short/Intermediate U.S. Government Securities
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 11
herein.
SHORT/INTERMEDIATE U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
U.S. Government Securities. The Portfolio seeks to achieve its objective by
investing 100% of its assets in U.S. Government securities, including
repurchase agreements secured by U.S. Government securities.
In selecting securities for the Portfolio, Bankers Trust attempts to maintain
the Portfolio's overall sensitivity to interest rates in a range similar to that
of short-term to intermediate-term government bonds and notes with weighted
average maturities of two to five years. Because the Portfolio may invest in
mortgage securities whose prices are less sensitive to interest rates than their
relatively long maturities would suggest, the Portfolio's dollar-weighted
average maturity may be longer than five years from time to time, but will not
exceed seven years under normal conditions. The Portfolio may hold individual
securities with remaining maturities of more than seven years as long as the
Portfolio's dollar-weighted average maturity remains within the above limit. The
remaining maturities of individual securities, excluding mortgage securities,
will normally not exceed ten years.
"U.S. Government securities" as used herein means securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S.
Government securities have varying degrees of government backing. They may be
backed by the credit of the government as a whole or only by the issuing
agency. Securities issued by certain agencies are supported only by the credit
of the agency that issued them, and not by the U.S. Government. Securities
issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National
Mortgage Association are supported by the agency's right to borrow money from
the U.S. Treasury under certain circumstances. There is no assurance that the
U.S. government will support the obligations of its agencies or
instrumentalities if it is not required to do so by law. U.S. Treasury bonds,
notes and bills, and some agency securities, such as those issued by the
Government National Mortgage Association, are backed by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. Government as to payment of principal and interest and are
the highest quality government securities. The Fund itself, and its share
price and yield, are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. For additional
information on U.S. Government securities, see below.
The Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in short-term U.S. Government
securities with remaining maturities of one year or less and repurchase
agreements relating thereto. When Bankers Trust believes market conditions
warrant a temporary defensive position, the Portfolio may invest up to 100% of
its assets in these instruments.
Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase agreement the Portfolio buys a security
and simultaneously agrees to sell it back at a higher price. The Portfolio will
only enter repurchase agreements with respect to obligations backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S. Government. The Portfolio shall always receive U.S.
Government securities as collateral with a market value equal to 102% of the
purchase price plus accrued interest. In the event of the bankruptcy of the
other party to a repurchase agreement, the Portfolio could experience delays in
recovering its cash. 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.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities. The Portfolio may purchase
securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. Delivery of and payment
for these securities may take place as long as a month or more after the date of
the purchase commitment. The value of these securities is subject to market
fluctuation during this period and no income accrues to the Portfolio until
settlement takes place. The Portfolio maintains with the Custodian a segregated
account containing high grade liquid securities in an amount at least equal to
these commitments. When entering into a when-issued or delayed delivery
transaction, the Portfolio will rely on the other party to consummate the
transaction; if the other party fails to do so, the Portfolio may be
disadvantaged.
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 ("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.
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. In lending securities to brokers, dealers and other organizations,
the Portfolio is subject to risks which, like those associated with other
extensions of credit, include delays in recovery and possible loss of rights in
the collateral should the borrower fail financially.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Portfolio may purchase mortgage-backed
securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities.
Mortgage-backed securities include mortgage pass-through securities,
mortgage-backed bonds and mortgage pay-through securities. A mortgage
pass-through security is a pro rata interest in a pool of mortgages where the
cash flow generated from the mortgage collateral is passed through to the
security holder. Mortgage-backed bonds are general obligations of their issuers,
payable out of the issuers' general funds and additionally secured by a first
lien on a pool of mortgages. Mortgage pay-through securities exhibit
characteristics of both pass-throughs and mortgage-backed bonds. Mortgage-
backed securities also include other debt obligations secured by mortgages on
commercial real estate or residential properties. Other types of mortgage-backed
securities will likely be developed in the future, and the Portfolio may invest
in them if Bankers Trust determines they are consistent with the Portfolio's
investment objective and policies.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations ("CMOs"). The Portfolio may purchase CMOs
issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities. 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.
Zero Coupon Bonds. These bonds can be issued directly by Federal agencies and
instrumentalities. Such issues of zero coupon bonds are originated in the form
of a zero coupon bond and are not created by stripping an outstanding bond.
Zero coupon bonds 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 daily dividend, the Fund takes into account as income a
portion of the difference between a zero coupon bond's purchase price and its
face value.
Options and Futures Contracts. The Portfolio may buy and sell options and
futures contracts to manage its exposure to changing interest rates and security
prices. 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. The Portfolio may invest in
options (including over-the-counter options) and futures contracts with respect
to any type of security which the Portfolio could hold directly or indexes
composed only of such securities.
Options and futures can be volatile investments, and involve certain risks. If
Bankers Trust applies a hedge at an inappropriate time or judges interest rates
incorrectly, options and futures strategies may lower the Portfolio's return.
The costs of hedging are not reflected in the Portfolio's yield but are
reflected in the Portfolio's total return. The Portfolio could also experience
losses if 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.
Asset Coverage. To assure that the Portfolio's use of futures and related
options, as well as when-issued and delayed-delivery securities, 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.
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 with remaining maturities of 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 conservative investors looking for a relatively stable,
high quality investment. Because the Portfolio invests in high quality
instruments with short to intermediate maturities, its share price should be
more stable than that of a long-term bond fund, although it may be less stable
than that of a short-term bond fund. Generally, short to intermediate-term
instruments are less sensitive to interest rate fluctuations or changes in an
issuer's credit standing than longer-term bonds. At the same time, the Fund may
not offer the same yield or growth potential as a long-term bond fund. The Fund
should provide higher yields than mutual funds that maintain shorter average
maturities, but will not provide the same stability of principal. Bond funds
generally offer greater price stability than stock funds, although the potential
rewards of bonds are not as great. By itself, the Fund does not constitute a
balanced investment plan; the Fund and the Portfolio stress income and
preservation of capital rather than capital growth. The Fund's share price,
yield and total return fluctuate based on many factors, and the value of Fund
shares when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.
The value of Fund shares will tend to decrease when interest rates rise, and
increase when interest rates fall. The Fund's share price and yield also depend
on the quality of the Portfolio's investments. While U.S. Government securities
generally are of high quality, government securities that are not backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States may be affected by changes in the
creditworthiness of the agency that issued them. Many securities can provide
higher yields than U.S. Government securities, although they may not provide the
same high quality.
Some types of U.S. Government securities carry certain risks. For example,
mortgage-backed securities are subject to certain prepayment risks, while zero
coupon bonds may require the Portfolio to accrue income for which it has
received no actual cash. For additional information about these types of U.S.
Government securities, see above and "Investment Objective and Policies."
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Bankers Trust may engage in short-term trading when it believes it is consistent
with the Portfolio's investment objective. Also, a security may be sold and
another of comparable quality simultaneously purchased to take advantage of what
Bankers Trust believes to be a temporary disparity in the normal yield
relationship between the two securities. The frequency of portfolio transactions
- -- the Portfolio's turnover rate -- will vary from year to year depending on
market conditions. Because a high 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. The
Portfolio's turnover rate for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
and for the period from August 24, 1992 (commencement of operations) to December
31, 1992 was 246%, 202%, 267% and 75%, respectively. The increase in the
Portfolio's turnover rate from the year ended 1994 to 1995 was primarily due to
the timing of subscriptions and redemptions of Fund shares.
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 economic 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 indices 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 above and "Investment Objective and Policies."
SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING MASTER-FEEDER FUND STRUCTURE
Unlike other open-end management investment companies (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
objective as the Fund. Therefore, an investor's interest in the Portfolio's
securities is indirect. 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 from Bankers Trust at (800) 730- 1313.
The master-feeder structure has been developed relatively recently, so
shareholders should carefully consider this investment approach.
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. Except as permitted by the SEC, whenever the Trust is requested to
vote on matters pertaining to the Portfolio, the Trust will 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 and Policies" 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 and Policies." 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 or in the event that the NYSE closes early,
at the time of such early closing. 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.
Under procedures adopted by the Board, a net asset value for a Fund later
determined to have been inaccurate for any reason will be recalculated.
Purchases and redemptions made at a net asset value determined to have been
inaccurate will be adjusted, although in certain circumstances, such as where
the difference between the original net asset value and the recalculated net
asset value divided by the recalculated net asset value is $0.005 ( 1/2 of 1%)
or less or shareholder transactions are otherwise insubstantially affected,
further action is not required.
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. Service Agents may impose initial and subsequent investment minimums
that differ from the amounts presented in the "Minimum Investments" table below.
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 or
earlier, should the NYSE close earlier) 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 by the following business day (trade date +1) after an order for
shares is placed, 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.
Automatic Investment Plan. The Fund may offer shareholders an automatic
investment plan under which shareholders may authorize some Service Agents to
place a purchase order each month or quarter for Fund shares. For further
information regarding the automatic investment plan, shareholders should contact
their Service Agent.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT $2,500
For retirement accounts $ 500
Through automatic investment plans $1,000
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT $ 250
For retirement accounts $ 100
Through automatic investment plan $ 100
MINIMUM BALANCE $1,000
For retirement accounts None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 or earlier, should the NYSE
close earlier) 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 balance below the minimum (as shown above), but not if an
account is below the minimum balance due to a change in market value. See
"Minimum Investments" above for minimum balance amounts.
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 other 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, small businesses, 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 a
number 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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
declared daily and paid monthly. Any net capital gains are distributed in
December. 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. The Trust intends to qualify the Fund as a regulated investment
company, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). Provided the Fund meets the requirements imposed by the Code and
distributes all of its income and gains, the Fund will not pay any Federal
income or excise taxes. The Portfolio will also not be required to pay any
Federal income or excise 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 to shareholders of record in November and 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 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. You
should consult with your own tax adviser concerning the application of federal,
state and local taxes to your distributions from the Fund.
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 various unmanaged indices such
as the Lehman Brothers 1-3 Year Government Index, the Lehman Brothers Government
Bond Index, the Lehman Brothers Intermediate Term Bond Index, IBC/Donoghue's
Money Fund Average, Lipper Short U.S. Government Average or results of other
mutual funds or investment or savings vehicles. In addition, the Fund may
compare various Portfolio characteristics such as sector diversification, yield
to maturity, duration, adjusted duration and average maturity. 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 Fund's "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 quotations or yields 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 executive
officers. None of the executive officers of the Trust or the Portfolio 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) (the "Independent Trustees") of the Trust or of the Portfolio, as the
case may be, have adopted written procedures reasonably appropriate to deal with
potential conflicts of interest, up to and including creating separate boards of
trustees, arising from the fact that several of the same individuals are
Trustees of the Trust and the Portfolio. For more information with respect to
the Trustees of both the Trust and the Portfolio, see "Management of the Trust
and Portfolios" 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. Louis M. Hudson, Vice President, is
responsible for the day to day management of the Portfolio. Mr. Hudson has been
employed by Bankers Trust since 1961 and has managed the Portfolio's assets
since February, 1994.
Bankers Trust, a New York banking corporation with principal 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, 1995,
Bankers Trust New York Corporation was the ninth largest bank holding company in
the United States with total assets of approximately $104 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 over 120 offices in more than 40 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 approximately $200 billion in assets under
management globally. Of that total, approximately $64 billion are in actively
managed fixed income funds. This makes Bankers Trust one of the nation's leading
managers of fixed income 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, 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. 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 0.25% of the
average daily net assets 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.
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
0.30% 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 0.05% 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 Infortion.
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, as Distributor, 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 prospectuses and statements 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 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 services 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,
amortization of organization expenses, the costs associated with regulatory
compliance and maintaining legal existence and investor relations.
<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.
..............................................................................
