JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
485BPOS, 1997-08-01
Previous: JPM PIERPONT FUNDS, 497, 1997-08-01
Next: JPM PIERPONT FUNDS, 485APOS, 1997-08-01




   
     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 1, 1997.
                     Registration Nos. 33-54632 and 811-7340
    


                     U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                ----------------
                                    FORM N-1A



   
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 36
    


                                       and

   
         REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
                                AMENDMENT NO. 37
    

                             The JPM Pierpont Funds
                         (formerly, The Pierpont Funds)
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

            60 State Street, Suite 1300, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

               Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code:
                                 (617) 557-0700

                 John E. Pelletier, c/o Funds Distributor, Inc.
            60 State Street, Suite 1300, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

                                    Copy to:         Stephen K. West, Esq.
                                                     Sullivan & Cromwell
                                                     125 Broad Street
                                                     New York, New York 10004

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

   
[ ]  Immediately  upon filing  pursuant to  paragraph  (b)
[X]  on August 4, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph  (a)(i)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph  (a)(i) 
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of Rule 485.
    

If appropriate, check the following box:

[ ]  this  post-effective  amendment  designates  a  new  effective  date  for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf

<PAGE>



   
     The Registrant has previously registered an indefinite number of its shares
under the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.  The Registrant has filed Rule 24f-2
notices with  respect to its series as follows:  Tax Exempt Money Market and Tax
Exempt Bond Funds (for their  fiscal years ended August 31, 1996) on October 29,
1996; Federal Money Market,  Short Term Bond, Bond,  Emerging Markets Equity and
International  Equity Funds (for their  fiscal years ended  October 31, 1996) on
December 20, 1996;  Prime Money Market Fund (for its fiscal year ended  November
30, 1996) on January 17,  1997;  European  Equity,  Japan Equity and Asia Growth
Funds (for their fiscal years ended December 31, 1996) on February 27, 1997; New
York Total  Return Bond Fund (for its fiscal  year ended March 31,  1997) on May
21, 1997; U.S. Equity and U.S. Small Company Funds (for their fiscal years ended
May 31, 1997) on July 22, 1997; and Diversified  Fund (for its fiscal year ended
June 30, 1996) on August 28,  1996.  The  Registrant  expects to file Rule 24f-2
notices  with  respect to its U.S.  Small  Company  Opportunities  Fund (for its
fiscal year ending May 31,  1998) on or before July 30, 1998;  Global  Strategic
Income Fund (for its fiscal year ending October 31, 1997) on or before  December
30, 1997; International Opportunities and Latin American Equity Funds (for their
fiscal years  ending  November  30,  1997) on or before  January 29,  1998;  and
Emerging  Markets Debt Fund (for its fiscal year ending December 31, 1997) on or
before March 2, 1998.
    

The Prime Money Market  Portfolio,  The Tax Exempt Money Market  Portfolio,  The
Federal Money Market  Portfolio,  The Short Term Bond Portfolio,  The U.S. Fixed
Income Portfolio,  The Tax Exempt Bond Portfolio, The U.S. Equity Portfolio, The
U.S.  Small  Company  Portfolio,   The  International   Equity  Portfolio,   The
Diversified Portfolio, The Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio, The New York Total
Return Bond Portfolio,  The Series  Portfolio and Series  Portfolio II have also
executed this Registration Statement.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf

<PAGE>



   
                             THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
                       (INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND)
                              CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
                            (As Required by Rule 495)
    


PART A ITEM NUMBER:  Prospectus Headings.

1.       COVER PAGE:  Cover Page.

   
2.       SYNOPSIS:  Who May Be a Suitable Investor in the Fund.

3.       CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION:  Not Applicable.

4.       GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT: Information About the Master-Feeder
         Structure; Who May Be a Suitable Investor in the Fund; Investment
         Objective and Policies; Additional Investment Practices and Risks;
         Organization.

5.       MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND: Management of the Fund and Portfolio;
         Organization; Shareholder Inquiries and Services; Additional
         Information.
    

5A.      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE: Not Applicable.

   
6.       CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES: Information About the Master-Feeder
         Structure; Shareholder Inquiries and Services; Net Asset Value; Taxes;
         Dividends and Distributions; Organization.

7.       PURCHASE OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERED: Purchase of Shares; Exchange of
         Shares; Who May Be a Suitable Investor in the Fund; Dividends and
         Distributions; Net Asset Value.
    

8.       REDEMPTION OR REPURCHASE: Redemption of Shares; Exchange of Shares; Net
         Asset Value.

9.       PENDING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS:  Not Applicable.

PART B ITEM NUMBER:  Statement of Additional Information Headings.

10.      COVER PAGE: Cover Page.

11.      TABLE OF CONTENTS: Table of Contents.

12.      GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY: General.

13.      INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES: Investment Objectives and Policies;
         Additional Investments; Investment Restrictions; Quality and
         Diversification Requirements; Appendices A, B and C.

14.      MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND: Trustees and Officers.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf

<PAGE>



15.      CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES: Description of
         Shares.

16.      INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES:Investment Advisor; Distributor;
         Co-Administrator; Services Agent; Custodian and Transfer Agent;
         Shareholder Servicing; Independent Accountants; Expenses.

17.      BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES: Portfolio Transactions.

18.      CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES: Massachusetts Trust; Description of
         Shares.

19.      PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERED: Net Asset
         Value; Purchase of Shares; Redemption of Shares; Exchange of Shares;
         Dividends and Distributions.

20.      TAX STATUS: Taxes.

21.      UNDERWRITERS: Distributor.

22.      CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA: Performance Data.

23.      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Financial Statements.
       

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

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf

<PAGE>






                                EXPLANATORY NOTE

   
         This   post-effective   amendment  No.  36  (the  "Amendment")  to  the
Registrant's  registration  statement  on Form  N-1A  (File No.  33-54632)  (the
"Registration  Statement")  is being  filed  with  respect  to The JPM  Pierpont
International  Opportunities  Fund,  a series of shares of the  Registrant  (the
"Fund"),  pursuant  to the  Registrant's  undertaking  to file a  post-effective
amendment to the  Registration  Statement,  using  financials  which need not be
certified,  within  four to six months  following  the date of  commencement  of
public  investment  operations of the Fund. As a result,  the Amendment does not
affect any of the Registrant's  currently effective  prospectuses for each other
series of shares of the Registrant.
    

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf


<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
 
The JPM Pierpont International Opportunities Fund
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
For information call (800) 521-5411
 
The investment objective of The JPM Pierpont International Opportunities Fund
(the "Fund") is to provide high total return from a portfolio of equity
securities of foreign companies in developed and, to a lesser extent, developing
markets. Total return consists of realized and unrealized capital gains and
losses plus income.
 
THE FUND SEEKS TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVE BY INVESTING ALL OF ITS INVESTABLE
ASSETS IN THE INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO (THE "PORTFOLIO"), WHICH HAS
THE SAME INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AS THE FUND. THE FUND INVESTS IN THE PORTFOLIO
THROUGH A TWO-TIER MASTER-FEEDER INVESTMENT FUND STRUCTURE. SEE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE MASTER-FEEDER STRUCTURE ON PAGE 2. THE PORTFOLIO INVESTS PRIMARILY IN
COMMON STOCKS AND OTHER EQUITY SECURITIES OF NON-U.S. COMPANIES IN DEVELOPED
MARKETS AND, TO A LESSER EXTENT, COMPANIES IN DEVELOPING MARKETS.
 
The Fund is a series of The JPM Pierpont Funds, an open end management
investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust").
 
The Portfolio is advised by Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York ("Morgan"
or the "Advisor").
 
   
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that a
prospective investor should know before investing and should be retained for
future reference. Additional information has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission in a Statement of Additional Information dated August 4,
1997, as amended or supplemented from time to time. This information is
incorporated herein by reference and is available without charge upon written
request from the Fund's Distributor or by calling (800) 221-7930. The Fund's
Distributor is Funds Distributor, Inc., 60 State Street, Suite 1300, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109, Attention: The JPM Pierpont Funds.
    
 
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK OR ANY OTHER BANK. SHARES OF THE
FUND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE
FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. THE VALUE OF AN INVESTMENT
IN THE FUND MAY FLUCTUATE AND MAY, AT THE TIME IT IS REDEEMED, BE HIGHER OR
LOWER THAN THE AMOUNT ORIGINALLY INVESTED.
 
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.
 
   
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS AUGUST 4, 1997
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
    
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>
   
                                                          Page
Expense Table...........................................      1
Financial Highlights....................................      2
Information About the Master-Feeder Structure...........      2
Who May Be a Suitable Investor in the Fund..............      3
Investment Objective and Policies.......................      3
Additional Investment Practices and Risks...............      4
Management of the Fund and Portfolio....................      9
Shareholder Inquiries and Services......................     11
    
 
                                                          Page
 
   
Purchase of Shares......................................     11
Redemption of Shares....................................     12
Exchange of Shares......................................     13
Dividends and Distributions.............................     13
Net Asset Value.........................................     14
Taxes...................................................     14
Organization............................................     15
Additional Information..................................     15
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
The JPM Pierpont International Opportunities Fund
    
 
EXPENSE TABLE
 
An investment in the Fund is not subject to any sales charges or redemption
fees. Operating expenses described below include the expenses of both the Fund
and the Portfolio. The Trustees believe that the Fund's operating expenses are
approximately equal to or less than would be the case if the Fund invested its
assets directly in securities instead of investing all of its investable assets
in the Portfolio.
 
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases(1)............................  None
Sales Charge Imposed on Reinvested Distributions........................  None
Deferred Sales Load.....................................................  None
Redemption Fees.........................................................  None
Exchange Fee............................................................  None
</TABLE>
 
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES(2)
 

   
Advisory Fees...........................................................  0.60%
Rule 12b-1 Fees.........................................................  None
Other Expenses (after expense reimbursement)............................  0.60%
                                                                          ----
Total Operating Expenses (after expense reimbursement)..................  1.20%
                                                                          ----
                                                                          ----
    
 
- ------------------------
(1) Certain Eligible Institutions (defined below) may impose fees in connection
    with the purchase of the Fund's shares through such institutions.
 
   
(2) These expenses are expressed as a percentage of average net assets for the
    Fund after expense reimbursement for the period indicated in Financial
    Highlights below. Morgan has agreed to limit Total Operating Expenses to
    1.00% of average net assets through March 31, 1998. See Management of the
    Fund and Portfolio--Expenses. Without such reimbursement, Other Expenses and
    Total Operating Expenses for the period indicated in Financial Highlights
    below would have been 1.03% and 1.63, respectively, on an annualized basis.
    
 
EXAMPLE
 
An investor would pay the following expenses on a hypothetical $1,000
investment, assuming a 5% annual return and redemption at the end of each time
period. (The Fund's minimum initial investment is greater than $1,000.)
 

                                                                      
   
 1 Year..................................................................  $ 12
 3 Years.................................................................  $ 38
 5 Years.................................................................  $ 66
 10 Years................................................................  $145

    
 
The above expense table is designed to assist investors in understanding the
various estimated direct and indirect costs and expenses that investors in the
Fund bear. For a complete description of contractual arrangements and other
expenses applicable to the Fund and the Portfolio, see Management of the Fund
and Portfolio and
 
                                                                               1
<PAGE>
Shareholder Inquiries and Services -- Shareholder Servicing. THE EXAMPLE IS
INCLUDED SOLELY FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A
REPRESENTATION OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE OR EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE MORE OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
The following selected data for a share outstanding for the indicated period
should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes
which are contained in the Fund's semi-annual report and are incorporated by
reference into the Statement of Additional Information. The Fund's semi-annual
report includes a discussion of those factors, strategies and techniques that
materially affected the Fund's performance during the period of the report, as
well as certain related information. A copy of the Fund's semi-annual report
will be made available without charge upon request.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        FOR THE PERIOD
                                                                                                       FEBRUARY 26, 1997
                                                                                                       (COMMENCEMENT OF
                                                                                                        OPERATIONS) TO
                                                                                                         MAY 31, 1997
                                                                                                          (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                    -----------------------
<S>                                                                                                 <C>
   
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period..............................................................         $   10.00
Income from Investment Operations:
  Net Investment Income...........................................................................              0.04
  Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investment and Foreign Currency.............................              0.42
                                                                                                             -------
Total from Investment Operations..................................................................              0.46
                                                                                                             -------
Net Asset Value, End of Period....................................................................             10.46
                                                                                                             -------
                                                                                                             -------
Total Return......................................................................................              4.60%(a)
Ratios and Supplemental Data:
  Net Assets, End of Period (in Thousands)........................................................         $  40,171
  Ratios to Average Net Assets:
    Expenses......................................................................................              1.20%(b)
    Net Investment Income.........................................................................              2.85%(b)
    Decrease Reflected in Expense Ratio due to Expense Reimbursement..............................              0.43%(b)
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
(a) Not Annualized.
 
(b) Annualized.
    
 
INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER-FEEDER STRUCTURE
 
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of its
investable assets in the Portfolio, which has an identical investment objective.
The Fund is a feeder fund and the Portfolio is the master fund in a so-called
master-feeder structure.
 
2
<PAGE>
In addition to the Fund, other feeder funds may invest in the Portfolio, and
information about these other feeder funds is available from the Fund's
Distributor. The other feeder funds invest in the Portfolio on the same terms as
the Fund and bear a proportionate share of the Portfolio's expenses. The other
feeder funds may sell shares on different terms and under a different pricing
structure than the Fund, which may produce different performance results.
 
There are certain risks associated with an investment in a master-feeder
structure. Large scale redemptions by other feeder funds in the Portfolio may
reduce the diversification of the Portfolio's investments, reduce economies of
scale and increase the Portfolio's operating expenses. If the Board of Trustees
of the Portfolio approves a change to the investment objective of the Portfolio
that is not approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Fund would be required
to withdraw its investment in the Portfolio and engage the services of an
investment advisor or find a substitute master fund. Withdrawal of the Fund's
interest in the Portfolio might cause the Fund to incur expenses it would not
otherwise be required to pay.
 
If the Fund is requested to vote on a matter affecting the Portfolio, the Fund
will call a meeting of its shareholders to vote on the matter. The Fund will
vote on any matter at the meeting of the Portfolio's investors in the same
proportion that the Fund's shareholders voted on the matter. The Fund will vote
the shares held by Fund shareholders who do not vote in the same proportion as
the shares of Fund shareholders who do vote.
 
WHO MAY BE A SUITABLE INVESTOR IN THE FUND
 
The Fund is designed for long-term investors who want to invest in an actively
managed portfolio of common stocks and other equity securities of non-U.S.
companies in developed and, to a lesser extent, developing markets. Investments
in issuers in developing or emerging markets may be considered speculative and
involve risks not associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. An
investment in the Fund, therefore, may be more volatile than an investment in a
fund investing only in more developed world markets. THE FUND DOES NOT REPRESENT
A COMPLETE INVESTMENT PROGRAM NOR IS THE FUND SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS.
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
The Fund's investment objective is to provide high total return from a portfolio
of equity securities of foreign companies in developed and, to a lesser extent,
developing markets. Total return consists of realized and unrealized capital
gains and losses plus income. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by
investing all of its investable assets in the Portfolio, which has the same
investment objective as the Fund. The Portfolio invests primarily in common
stocks and other equity securities of non-U.S. companies in developed markets
and, to a lesser extent, companies in developing markets.
 
PRIMARY INVESTMENTS. In normal circumstances, substantially all and at least 65%
of the value of the Portfolio's total assets are invested in equity securities
of foreign issuers. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks,
warrants, rights, convertible securities, trust certificates, limited
partnership interests and equity participations. The Portfolio's assets are
invested in securities of issuers located in at least three foreign countries.
The Portfolio's equity investments may not pay dividends or carry voting rights.
The Portfolio's primary equity investments are common stocks of established
companies based in developed countries outside the United States. However, the
Portfolio will also invest in equity securities of issuers located in developing
countries or "emerging markets." The Portfolio invests in securities listed on
foreign or domestic securities exchanges and securities traded in foreign or
domestic over-the-counter markets, and may invest in certain restricted or
unlisted securities.
 
                                                                               3
<PAGE>
The Advisor considers "emerging markets" to be any country which is generally
considered to be an emerging or developing country by the World Bank, the
International Finance Corporation, the United Nations or its authorities. The
Portfolio will focus its emerging market investments in those countries which it
believes have strongly developing economies and in which the markets are
becoming more sophisticated. An issuer in an emerging market is one that: (i)
has its principal securities trading market in an emerging market country; (ii)
is organized under the laws of an emerging market; (iii) derives 50% or more of
its total revenue from either goods produced, sales made or services performed
in emerging markets; or (iv) has at least 50% of its assets located in emerging
markets. See Additional Investment Practices and Risks.
 
The Portfolio's investments are primarily quoted in foreign currencies but it
may also invest in securities quoted in the U.S. dollar or multinational
currency units such as the ECU. Through the use of forward foreign currency
exchange contracts, the Advisor actively manages the Portfolio's currency
exposure in developed countries. For further information on foreign currency
exchange transactions, see Additional Investment Practices and Risks.
 
The Portfolio may also invest in money market instruments denominated in U.S.
dollars and other currencies, purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis, enter into repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, loan
its portfolio securities, purchase certain privately placed securities and enter
into certain hedging transactions that may involve options on securities and
securities indexes, futures contracts and options on futures contracts. For a
discussion of these investments and investment techniques, see Additional
Investment Practices and Risks.
 
HOW INVESTMENTS ARE SELECTED. The Portfolio seeks to achieve its investment
objective through a combination of country allocation, stock selection and
currency management. The Advisor uses a disciplined portfolio construction
process to seek to enhance returns and reduce volatility in the market value of
the Portfolio. To allocate the Portfolio within developed and developing
markets, the Advisor uses fundamental research, quantitative valuation
techniques and experienced judgment to identify those countries whose equity
prices appear most attractive relative to future earnings prospects. Based on
this analysis, the Advisor allocates the Portfolio's assets among countries
emphasizing those countries with the highest expected returns consistent with
overall portfolio liquidity. Under normal circumstances, the Advisor expects
that approximately 80% of the value of the Portfolio's equity investments will
be in companies in developed markets and 20% in companies in emerging markets.
The Advisor may vary this allocation in a manner consistent with the Portfolio's
investment objective and current market conditions.
 
Using a variety of quantitative valuation techniques and based on analysts'
industry expertise, issuers in each country are ranked within industrial sectors
according to their relative value. Based on this valuation, the Advisor selects
the issuers which appear the most attractive for the Portfolio. The Portfolio
will be diversified across industrial sectors in each country.
 
The Advisor manages the Portfolio actively in pursuit of its investment
objective. The Portfolio does not expect to trade in securities for short-term
profits; however, when circumstances warrant, securities may be sold without
regard to the length of time held. To the extent the Portfolio engages in
short-term trading, it may incur increased transaction costs. See Short-Term
Trading below.
 
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND RISKS
 
INVESTING IN FOREIGN SECURITIES. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers
involves risks that are not typically associated with investing in U.S.
dollar-denominated securities of domestic issuers. Investments in foreign
issuers
 
4
<PAGE>
may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes in foreign or U.S. laws or
restrictions applicable to such investments and in exchange control regulations
(E.G., currency blockage). A decline in the exchange rate of the currency (I.E.,
weakening of the currency against the U.S. dollar) in which a portfolio security
is quoted or denominated relative to the U.S. dollar would reduce the value of
the portfolio security. Commissions on transactions in foreign securities may be
higher than those for similar transactions on domestic stock markets. In
addition, clearance and settlement procedures may be different in foreign
countries and, in certain markets, such procedures have on occasion been unable
to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, thus making it
difficult to conduct such transactions.
 
Foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers.
There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than
about a U.S. issuer. In addition, there is generally less government regulation
of foreign markets, companies and securities dealers than in the United States.
Foreign securities markets may have substantially less volume than U.S.
securities markets and securities of many foreign issuers are less liquid and
more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. Furthermore, with
respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of nationalization,
expropriation or confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding taxes on
dividend or interest payments, limitations on the removal of funds or other
assets, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could
affect investments in those countries.
 
INVESTING IN EMERGING MARKETS. Although the Portfolio invests primarily in
securities of established issuers based in developed foreign countries, it will
also invest in securities of issuers in emerging markets countries, including
issuers in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin and South America and Africa. Investments
in securities of issuers in emerging markets countries may involve a high degree
of risk and many may be considered speculative. These investments carry all of
the risks of investing in securities of foreign issuers to a heightened degree.
These heightened risks include (i) greater risks of expropriation, confiscatory
taxation, nationalization, and less social, political and economic stability;
(ii) limitations on daily price changes and the small current size of the
markets for securities of emerging markets issuers and the currently low or
nonexistent volume of trading, resulting in lack of liquidity and in price
volatility; (iii) certain national policies which may restrict the Portfolio's
investment opportunities including limitations on aggregate holdings by foreign
investors and restrictions on investing in issuers or industries deemed
sensitive to relevant national interests; and (iv) the absence of developed
legal structures governing private or foreign investment and private property.
 
CURRENCY RISKS. The U.S. dollar value of foreign securities in a foreign
currency will vary with changes in currency exchange rates, which can be
volatile. Accordingly, changes in the value of these currencies against the U.S.
dollar will result in corresponding changes in the U.S. dollar value of the
Portfolio's assets quoted in those currencies. Exchange rates are generally
affected by the forces of supply and demand in the international currency
markets, the relative merits of investing in different countries and the
intervention or failure to intervene of U.S. or foreign governments and central
banks. Some countries in emerging markets also may have managed currencies,
which are not free floating against the U.S. dollar. In addition, emerging
markets are subject to the risk of restrictions upon the free conversion of
their currencies into other currencies. Any devaluations relative to the U.S.
dollar in the currencies in which the Portfolio's securities are quoted would
have a detrimental impact on the Fund's net asset value.
 
FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS. The Portfolio either enters into
currency transactions on a spot (I.E., cash) basis at the prevailing currency
exchange rate or uses forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies
at a future date. A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an obligation
by the Portfolio to purchase or sell a
 
                                                                               5
<PAGE>
specific currency at a future date at a predetermined price. These contracts are
derivative instruments, as their value derives from the spot exchange rates of
the currencies underlying the contract. These contracts are entered into in the
interbank market directly between currency traders (usually large commercial
banks) and their customers. Neither spot transactions nor forward foreign
currency exchange contracts eliminate fluctuations in the prices of the
Portfolio's securities or in foreign exchange rates, or prevent loss if the
prices of these securities should decline.
 
The Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions in an
attempt to protect against changes in foreign currency exchange rates between
the trade and settlement dates of specific securities transactions or
anticipated securities transactions. The Portfolio may also enter into forward
contracts to (i) hedge against a change in foreign currency exchange rates that
would cause a decline in the value of existing investments quoted in a foreign
currency or (ii) manage its currency exposure to selected countries. To do this,
the Portfolio would enter into a forward contract to sell the foreign currency
in which the investment is quoted in exchange for U.S. dollars or in exchange
for another foreign currency.
 
Although these transactions are intended to minimize the risk of loss due to a
decline in the value of the hedged currency, at the same time they limit any
potential gain that might be realized should the value of the hedged currency
increase. In addition, forward contracts that convert a foreign currency into
another foreign currency will cause the Portfolio to assume the risk of
fluctuations in the value of the currency purchased against the hedged currency
and the U.S. dollar. The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and
the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the
future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a
consequence of market movements in the value of such securities between the date
the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures. The projection of
currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the successful execution
of a hedging strategy is highly uncertain.
 
DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS. Depository receipts are typically issued by a U.S. or
foreign bank or trust company and evidence ownership of underlying securities of
a U.S. or foreign issuer. Unsponsored programs are organized independently and
without the cooperation of the issuer of the underlying securities. As a result,
available information concerning the issuer may not be as current as for
sponsored depositary instruments, and their prices may be more volatile than if
they were sponsored by the issuers of the underlying securities.
 
WARRANTS AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Warrants acquired by the Portfolio entitle
it to buy common stock from the issuer at a specified price and time. Warrants
are subject to the same market risks as stocks, but may be more volatile in
price. The Portfolio's investment in warrants will not entitle it to receive
dividends or exercise voting rights and will become worthless if the warrants
cannot be profitably exercised before their expiration dates. Convertible debt
securities and preferred stock entitle the Portfolio to acquire the issuer's
stock by exchange or purchase for a predetermined rate. Convertible securities
are subject both to the credit and interest rate risks associated with fixed
income securities and to the stock market risk associated with equity
securities.
 
INVESTMENTS IN OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES. The Portfolio is permitted to invest
up to 10% of its total assets in shares of investment companies and up to 5% of
its total assets in any one investment company as long as that investment does
not represent more than 3% of the total voting stock of the acquired investment
company. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve
duplication of advisory fees and other expenses. Certain emerging markets are
closed to investment by foreigners. The Portfolio may be able to invest in
issuers in certain emerging markets primarily through specifically authorized
investment funds.
 
6
<PAGE>
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its
net assets in illiquid securities, including certain restricted and private
placement securities. The price the Portfolio pays for illiquid securities or
receives upon resale may be lower than the price paid or received for similar
securities with a more liquid market. Accordingly the valuation of these
securities will reflect any limitations on their liquidity. The Portfolio may
also purchase Rule 144A securities eligible for resale to institutional
investors without registration under the Securities Act of 1933. These
securities may be determined to be liquid in accordance with guidelines
established by the Advisor and approved by the Trustees. The Trustees will
monitor the Advisor's implementation of these guidelines on a periodic basis.
 
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS. The Portfolio is permitted to invest in money market
instruments although it intends to stay invested in equity securities to the
extent practical in light of its objective. Under normal circumstances, the
Portfolio will purchase money market instruments to invest temporary cash
balances or to maintain liquidity to meet redemptions. However, the Portfolio
may also invest in money market instruments without limitation as a temporary
defensive measure taken in the Advisor's judgement during, or in anticipation
of, adverse market conditions. These money market instruments include
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies
or instrumentalities, any foreign government or any of its political
subdivisions, commercial paper, bank obligations, repurchase agreements and
other debt obligations of U.S. and foreign issuers. If a repurchase agreement
counterparty defaults on its obligations, the Portfolio may, under some
circumstances, be limited or delayed in disposing of the repurchase agreement
collateral to recover its investment.
 
WHEN-ISSUED AND FORWARD COMMITMENT TRANSACTIONS. The Portfolio may purchase
when-issued securities and enter into other forward commitments to purchase or
sell securities. The value of securities purchased on a when-issued or forward
commitment basis may decline between the purchase date and the settlement date.
 
FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS. The Portfolio may enter into derivative
contracts to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices, changes in
interest rates or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities. The
Portfolio may also use derivative contracts for risk management purposes. See
Risk Management in the Statement of Additional Information. The Portfolio may
purchase and sell (write) exchange traded and over-the-counter put and call
options on securities and securities indexes, purchase and sell futures
contracts on securities and securities indexes and purchase and sell (write) put
and call options on futures contracts on securities and securities indexes. Some
options and futures strategies, including selling futures contracts, buying puts
and writing calls, tend to hedge the Portfolio's investments against price
fluctuations. Other strategies, including buying futures contracts, writing puts
and buying calls, tend to increase market exposure. Options and futures
contracts may be combined with each other in order to adjust the risk and return
characteristics of the Portfolio's overall strategy in a manner consistent with
the Portfolio's objective and policies.
 
All of the Portfolio's transactions in derivative contracts involve a risk of
loss or depreciation due to unanticipated adverse changes in securities prices.
The Portfolio may incur liabilities to a counterparty in connection with
transactions in futures contracts and the writing of options that exceeds the
Portfolio's initial investment. The Portfolio may also lose the entire premium
paid for purchased options that expire before they can be profitably exercised
by the Portfolio. In addition, the Portfolio incurs transaction costs in opening
and closing positions in derivative contracts.
 
                                                                               7
<PAGE>
Derivative contracts may sometimes increase or leverage the Portfolio's exposure
to a particular market risk thereby increasing the price volatility of the
Portfolio. The Portfolio is required to offset the leverage inherent in
derivative contracts by maintaining a segregated account consisting of cash or
liquid securities, by holding offsetting portfolio securities or contracts or by
covering written options.
 
The Portfolio's success in using derivative contracts to hedge portfolio assets
depends on the degree of price correlation between the derivative contract and
the hedged asset. Imperfect correlation may be caused by several factors,
including temporary price disparities among the trading markets for the
derivative contract, the assets underlying the derivative contract and the
Portfolio's assets.
 
During periods of extreme market volatility, a commodity or options exchange may
suspend or limit trading in an exchange-traded derivative contract, which may
make the contract temporarily illiquid and difficult to price. The Portfolio's
ability to terminate over-the-counter derivative contracts may depend on the
cooperation of the counterparties to such contracts. For thinly traded
derivative contracts, the only source of price quotations may be the selling
dealer or counterparty. In addition, derivative securities and over-the-counter
derivative contracts involve a risk that the issuer or counterparty will fail to
perform its contractual obligations.
 
The Portfolio will not engage in a transaction in futures or options on futures
for risk management purposes if, immediately thereafter, the sum of initial
margin deposits and premiums required to establish risk management positions in
futures contracts and options on futures would exceed 5% of the Portfolio's net
assets.
 
PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANS. The Portfolio may lend portfolio securities with a
value up to one-third of its total assets. Each loan must be fully
collateralized by cash or other eligible assets. The Portfolio may pay
reasonable fees in connection with securities loans. The Advisor will evaluate
the creditworthiness of prospective institutional borrowers and monitor the
adequacy of the collateral to reduce the risk of default by borrowers.
 
BORROWING AND REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Portfolio may (1) borrow money
from banks solely for temporary or emergency (but not for leverage) purposes and
(2) enter into reverse repurchase agreements for any purpose. The aggregate
amount of such borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements may not exceed
one-third of the Portfolio's total assets less liabilities (other than
borrowings). For the purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940
Act"), reverse repurchase agreements are considered a form of borrowing by the
Portfolio and, therefore, a form of leverage. Leverage may cause any gains or
losses of the Portfolio to be magnified.
 
   
SHORT-TERM TRADING. The Portfolio may sell a portfolio security without regard
to the length of time such security has been held if, in the Advisor's view, the
security meets the criteria for disposal. The annual portfolio turnover rate of
the Portfolio is generally not expected to exceed 100%. A high portfolio
turnover rate involves higher costs to the Portfolio in the form of dealer
spreads and brokerage commissions. This policy is subject to certain
requirements for qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The average
brokerage commission rate per share paid by the Portfolio for the period from
February 26, 1997 (commencement of operations) through May 31, 1997 was $0.01.
    
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS. Except as otherwise stated in this
Prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information, the Fund's and the
Portfolio's investment objective, policies and restrictions are not fundamental
and may be changed without shareholder approval. The Portfolio is diversified
and therefore may not, with respect to 75% of its total assets (1) invest more
than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer,
 
8
<PAGE>
other than U.S. Government securities, or (2) acquire more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. The Portfolio will not
concentrate (invest 25% or more of its total assets) in the securities of
issuers in any one industry, including any one foreign government.
 
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND AND PORTFOLIO
 
TRUSTEES. The Fund is a series of the Trust, and the Portfolio is a subtrust of
The Series Portfolio (the "Portfolio Trust"). The Trustees of the Trust and the
Portfolio Trust decide upon matters of general policy and review the actions of
Morgan and other service providers. The Trustees of the Trust and the Portfolio
Trust are identified below. A majority of the non-interested Trustees have
adopted written procedures to deal with any potential conflicts of interest that
may arise because the same persons are Trustees of both the Trust and the
Portfolio Trust.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
Frederick S. Addy...............................  Former Executive Vice President and Chief
                                                  Financial Officer, Amoco Corporation
William G. Burns................................  Former Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief
                                                  Financial Officer, NYNEX Corporation
Arthur C. Eschenlauer...........................  Former Senior Vice President, Morgan Guaranty
                                                  Trust Company of New York
Matthew Healey..................................  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
                                                  Trust and the Portfolio Trust; Chairman,
                                                  Pierpont Group, Inc.
Michael P. Mallardi.............................  Former Senior Vice President, Capital
                                                  Cities/ABC, Inc. and President, Broadcast Group
</TABLE>
 
ADVISOR. The Fund has not retained the services of an investment advisor because
the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of its
investable assets in the Portfolio. The Portfolio has retained the services of
Morgan as investment advisor. Morgan provides investment advice and portfolio
management services to the Portfolio. Subject to the supervision of the
Trustees, Morgan makes the Portfolio's day-to-day investment decisions, arranges
for the execution of portfolio transactions and generally manages the
Portfolio's investments.
 
   
Morgan, with principal offices at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10260, is a
New York trust company that conducts a general banking and trust business.
Morgan is a wholly owned subsidiary of J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated ("J.P.
Morgan"), a bank holding company organized under the laws of Delaware. Through
offices in New York City and abroad, J.P. Morgan, through the Advisor and other
subsidiaries, offers a wide range of services to governmental, institutional,
corporate and individual customers and acts as investment advisor to individual
and institutional clients with combined assets under management of $234 billion.
    
 
Morgan uses a sophisticated, disciplined, collaborative process for managing all
asset classes. For equity portfolios, this process utilizes fundamental
research, systematic stock selection and disciplined portfolio construction. For
foreign equities, the process also utilizes country exposure and for developed
countries, currency management. Morgan believes that the market price of a
security will, over time, move towards its fundamental value, notwithstanding
short-term fluctuations in price. Morgan has managed international equity
securities since 1974 and emerging markets equity securities since 1990.
 
The following persons have been primarily responsible for the day-to-day
management and implementation of Morgan's investment process for the Portfolio
since its inception: Paul A. Quinsee, Vice President (employed by
 
                                                                               9
<PAGE>
Morgan since February 1992, previously Vice President, Citibank N.A. as a
portfolio manager of international equity investments); and Rudi Leuthold,
Managing Director (employed by Morgan since prior to 1992 as a portfolio manager
of international equity investments).
 
As compensation for the services rendered and related expenses borne by Morgan
under its investment advisory agreement with the Portfolio, the Portfolio has
agreed to pay Morgan a fee which is computed daily and may be paid monthly at
the annual rate of 0.60% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets.
INVESTMENTS IN THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR
ENDORSED BY, MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK OR ANY OTHER BANK.
 
CO-ADMINISTRATOR. Pursuant to Co-Administration Agreements with the Trust and
the Portfolio Trust, Funds Distributor, Inc. ("FDI") serves as the
Co-Administrator for the Fund and the Portfolio. FDI (i) provides office space,
equipment and clerical personnel for maintaining the organization and books and
records of the Fund and the Portfolio; (ii) provides officers for the Trust and
the Portfolio Trust; (iii) prepares and files documents required for
notification of state securities administrators; (iv) reviews and files
marketing and sales literature; (v) files Portfolio regulatory documents and
mails Portfolio communications to Trustees and investors; and (vi) maintains
related books and records.
 
   
For its services under the Co-Administration Agreements, each of the Fund and
the Portfolio has agreed to pay FDI fees equal to its allocable share of an
annual complex-wide charge of $425,000 plus FDI's out-of-pocket expenses. The
amount allocable to the Fund or the Portfolio is based on the ratio of its net
assets to the aggregate net assets of the Trust, the Portfolio Trust and certain
other investment companies subject to similar agreements with FDI.
    
 
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGENT. Pursuant to Administrative Services Agreements
with the Trust and the Portfolio Trust, Morgan provides administrative and
related services to the Fund and the Portfolio, including services related to
tax compliance, preparation of financial statements, calculation of performance
data, oversight of service providers and certain regulatory and Board of
Trustees matters.
 
   
Under the Administrative Services Agreements, each of the Fund and the Portfolio
has agreed to pay Morgan fees equal to its allocable share of an annual
complex-wide charge. This charge is calculated daily based on the aggregate net
assets of the Portfolio, the other portfolios in which series of the Trust or
The JPM Institutional Funds invest and JPM Series Trust and in accordance with
the following annual schedule: 0.09% on the first $7 billion of their aggregate
average daily net assets and 0.04% of such average daily net assets in excess of
$7 billion, less the complex-wide fee payable to FDI.
    
 
DISTRIBUTOR. FDI, a registered broker-dealer, also serves as the Distributor of
shares of the Fund. FDI is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Boston
Institutional Group, Inc. FDI's principal business address is 60 State Street,
Suite 1300, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
 
   
FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT. Pursuant to Fund Services Agreements with the Trust and
the Portfolio Trust, Pierpont Group, Inc. ("PGI"), 461 Fifth Avenue, New York,
New York 10017, assists the Trustees in exercising their overall supervisory
responsibilities for the affairs of the Trust and the Portfolio Trust. PGI
provides these services for a fee approximating its reasonable cost for
providing these services to the Trust, Portfolio and certain other registered
investment companies with similar agreements with PGI.
    
 
10
<PAGE>
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT. State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State
Street"), 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, serves as the
custodian and fund accounting agent for the Fund and the Portfolio and as the
Fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent. State Street keeps the books of
account for the Fund and the Portfolio.
 
EXPENSES. In addition to the fees payable to the service providers identified
above, the Fund and the Portfolio are responsible for usual and customary
expenses associated with their respective operations. These include, among other
things, organization expenses, legal fees, audit and accounting expenses,
insurance costs, the compensation and expenses of the Trustees, interest, taxes
and extraordinary expenses (such as for litigation). For the Fund, such expenses
also include printing and mailing reports, notices and proxy statements to
shareholders and registration fees under federal and state securities laws. For
the Portfolio, such expenses also include registration fees under foreign
securities laws and brokerage commissions.
 
   
Morgan has agreed that it will, at least through March 31, 1998, maintain the
Fund's total operating expenses (which include expenses of the Fund and the
Portfolio) at the annual rate of 1.20% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
This expense limitation does not cover extraordinary expenses during the period.
    
 
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES AND SERVICES
 
Shareholders may call J.P. Morgan Funds Services at (800) 521-5411 for
information about the Fund and assistance with shareholder transactions.
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING. Under a shareholder servicing agreement with the Trust,
Morgan, acting directly or through an agent (designated as an Eligible
Institution), provides account administration and personal and account
maintenance services to Fund shareholders. These services include assisting in
the maintenance of accurate account records; processing orders to purchase and
redeem shares of the Fund; and responding to shareholder inquiries. The Fund has
agreed to pay Morgan a fee for these services at an annual rate of 0.25% of the
average daily net assets of the Fund.
 
The Fund may be sold to or through Eligible Institutions, including financial
institutions and broker-dealers, that may be paid fees by Morgan or its
affiliates for services provided to their clients that invest in the Fund. See
Eligible Institutions. Organizations that provide recordkeeping or other
services to certain employee benefit or retirement plans that include the Fund
as an investment alternative may also be paid a fee.
 
The business days of the Fund and the Portfolio are the days the New York Stock
Exchange is open.
 
PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
METHOD OF PURCHASE. Investors may open accounts with the Fund only through the
Distributor. All purchase transactions in Fund accounts are processed by Morgan
as shareholder servicing agent and the Fund is authorized to accept any
instructions relating to the Fund account from Morgan as shareholder servicing
agent for the customer. All purchase orders must be accepted by the Fund's
Distributor. Investors must be customers of Morgan or an Eligible Institution.
Investors may also be employer-sponsored retirement plans that have designated
the Fund as an investment option for the plans. Prospective investors who are
not already customers of Morgan may apply to
 
                                                                              11
<PAGE>
become customers of Morgan for the sole purpose of Fund transactions. There are
no charges associated with becoming a Morgan customer for this purpose. Morgan
reserves the right to determine the customers that it will accept, and the Fund
reserves the right to determine the purchase orders that it will accept.
 
   
MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS. The Fund requires a minimum initial investment
of $2,500. The minimum subsequent investment for all investors is $500. These
minimum investment requirements may be waived for certain investors including
investors for whom the Advisor is a fiduciary, who are employees of the Advisor,
who maintain related accounts with the Fund, other JPM Pierpont Funds or with
the Advisor, who make investments for a group of clients, such as financial
advisors, trust companies and their investment advisors, or who maintain
retirement accounts with the Fund.
    
 
PURCHASE PRICE AND SETTLEMENT. The Fund's shares are sold on a continuous basis
without a sales charge at the net asset value next determined after receipt of
an order. Prospective investors may purchase shares with the assistance of an
Eligible Institution that may establish its own terms, conditions and charges.
 
   
To purchase Fund shares, investors should request their Morgan representative
(or a representative of their Eligible Institution) to assist them in placing a
purchase order with the Fund's Distributor and to transfer immediately available
funds to the Fund's Distributor on the next business day. Any shareholder may
also call J.P. Morgan Funds Services at (800) 521-5411 for assistance in placing
an order for shares. If the Fund or its agent receives a purchase order prior to
4:00 P.M. New York time on any business day, the purchase of Fund shares is
effective and is made at the net asset value determined that day, and the
purchaser becomes a holder of record on the next business day upon the Fund's
receipt of payment in immediately available funds. If the Fund or its agent
receives a purchase order after 4:00 P.M. New York time, the purchase is
effective and is made at the net asset value determined on the next business
day, and the purchaser becomes a holder of record on the following business day
upon the Fund's receipt of payment.
 
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS. The services provided by Eligible Institutions may
include establishing and maintaining shareholder accounts, processing purchase
and redemption transactions, arranging for bank wires, performing shareholder
subaccounting, 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 and integrating these
statements with those of other transactions and balances in the client's other
accounts serviced by the Eligible Institution, transmitting proxy statements,
periodic reports, updated prospectuses and other communications to shareholders
and, with respect to meetings of shareholders, collecting, tabulating and
forwarding executed proxies and obtaining such other information and performing
such other services as Morgan or the Eligible Institution's clients may
reasonably request and agree upon with the Eligible Institution.
    
 
Although there is no sales charge levied directly by the Fund, Eligible
Institutions may establish their own terms and conditions for providing their
services and may charge investors a transaction-based or other fee for their
services. Such charges may vary among Eligible Institutions but in all cases
will be retained by the Eligible Institution and not remitted to the Fund or
Morgan.
 
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
METHOD OF REDEMPTION. To redeem Fund shares, an investor may instruct Morgan or
his or her Eligible Institution, as appropriate, to submit a redemption request
to the Fund or may telephone J.P. Morgan Funds
 
12
<PAGE>
Services directly at (800) 521-5411 and give the Shareholder Service
Representative a preassigned shareholder Personal Identification Number and the
amount of the redemption. The Fund executes effective redemption requests at the
next determined net asset value per share ("NAV"). See Net Asset Value.
 
A redemption request received by the Fund or its agent prior to 4:00 P.M. New
York time is effective on that day. A redemption request received after that
time becomes effective on the next business day. Cash proceeds of an effective
redemption are generally deposited the next business day in immediately
available funds to the shareholder's account at Morgan or at his Eligible
Institution or, in the case of certain Morgan customers, are mailed by check or
wire transferred in accordance with the customer's instructions, and, subject to
further redemption information below, in any event are paid within seven days.
 
OTHER REDEMPTION PROCESSING INFORMATION. Redemption requests may not be
processed if the redemption request is not submitted in proper form. To be in
proper form the Fund must have received the shareholder's certified taxpayer
identification number and address. In addition, if shares were paid for by check
and the check has not yet cleared, redemption proceeds will not be transmitted
until the check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days. The Fund reserves the
right to suspend the right of redemption or postpone the payment of redemption
proceeds to the extent permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
MANDATORY REDEMPTION. If a redemption of shares reduces the value of a
shareholder's account balance below the required initial minimum investment, the
Fund may redeem the remaining shares in the account 60 days after providing
written notice to the shareholder of the mandatory redemption. An account will
not be subject to mandatory redemption if the shareholder purchases sufficient
shares during the 60-day period to increase the account balance to the required
minimum investment amount.
 
EXCHANGE OF SHARES
 
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of any of The JPM Pierpont Funds
or The JPM Institutional Funds at net asset value without a sales charge.
Shareholders should read the prospectus of the fund into which they are
exchanging and may only exchange between fund accounts that are registered in
the same name, address and taxpayer identification number. After the exchange,
shareholders must meet the minimum investment requirements for the fund in which
they are then investing. An exchange is a redemption of shares from one fund and
a purchase of shares in another and is therefore a taxable transaction that may
have tax consequences. The Fund reserves the right to discontinue, alter or
limit the exchange privilege at any time. Exchanges are available only in states
where an exchange may legally be made.
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
The Fund's net investment income and realized net capital gains, if any, will be
distributed at least annually. Dividends and distributions will be payable to
shareholders of record on the record date. The Fund's dividends and
distributions are paid in additional Fund shares unless the shareholder elects
to have them paid in cash. The tax treatment of dividends and distributions is
the same whether they are paid in shares or cash. Cash dividends and
distributions are either (1) credited to the shareholder's account at Morgan or
the shareholder's Eligible Institution or (2) in the case of certain Morgan
clients, paid by a check mailed in accordance with the client's instructions.
 
                                                                              13
<PAGE>
NET ASSET VALUE
 
The Fund computes its NAV at 4:15 p.m. New York time on each business day. The
NAV is determined by subtracting from the value of the Fund's total assets (the
value of the Fund's investment in the Portfolio) the amount of its liabilities
and dividing the remainder by the number of outstanding shares.
 
TAXES
 
The Fund intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Code. To qualify as such, the Fund must satisfy certain
requirements relating to the sources of its income, diversification of its
assets and distribution of its income to shareholders. As a regulated investment
company, the Fund will not be subject to federal income or excise tax on any net
investment income and net realized capital gains that are distributed to
shareholders in accordance with certain timing requirements of the Code.
 
Dividends paid by the Fund from net investment income, certain foreign currency
gains, and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital
loss will be taxable to its shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions paid
by the Fund from the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term
capital loss and designated as "capital gain dividends" will be taxable as
long-term capital gains regardless of how long shareholders have held their
shares. These tax consequences will apply whether distributions are received in
additional shares or in cash. The Fund's dividends and distributions will
generally not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction under the
Code. Shareholders will be informed annually about the amount and character, for
federal income tax purposes, of distributions received from the Fund.
 
The Fund anticipates that it may be required to pay foreign taxes on its income
from certain foreign investments, which will reduce its return from those
investments. The Fund may elect to pass through qualifying foreign taxes to its
shareholders. If this election is made, shareholders will then include their
share of such taxes in income (in addition to actual dividends and
distributions) and may be entitled, subject to applicable limitations, to a
corresponding federal income tax credit or deduction. The Fund will provide
appropriate information to shareholders if this election is made.
 
Investors should consider the adverse tax implications of buying shares before a
distribution. Investors who purchase shares shortly before the record date for a
distribution will pay a per share price that includes the value of the
anticipated distribution and will be taxed on the distribution even though the
distribution represents a return of a portion of the purchase price.
 
Redemptions of shares, whether for cash or in-kind, are taxable events on which
a shareholder may recognize a gain or loss and may be subject to special tax
rules if the redeemed shares were held less than six months or if a reinvestment
occurs. Individuals and certain other shareholders may be subject to 31% backup
withholding of federal income tax on distributions and redemptions if they fail
to furnish their correct taxpayer identification number and certain
certifications or if they are otherwise subject to backup withholding.
 
In addition to federal taxes, a shareholder may be subject to state or local
taxes on distributions of income and gains received on shares of the Fund.
Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning specific
questions about federal, state and local taxes.
 
14
<PAGE>
ORGANIZATION
 
   
The Trust was organized on November 4, 1992 as a Massachusetts business trust.
The Trust currently has 18 series of shares, including the Fund, that are
offered to the public.
    
 
Shareholders of the Fund are entitled to one full or fractional vote for each
share of the Fund. There is no cumulative voting and shares have no preemption
or conversion rights. The Trust does not intend to hold annual meetings of
shareholders. The Trustees will call special meetings of shareholders to the
extent required by the Trust's Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act. The 1940
Act requires the Trustees, under certain circumstances, to call a meeting to
allow shareholders to vote on the removal of a Trustee and to assist
shareholders in communicating with each other.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
SHAREHOLDER REPORTS AND CONFIRMATIONS. The Fund sends to its shareholders annual
and semiannual reports. The financial statements appearing in annual reports are
audited by independent accountants. Shareholders will also be sent confirmations
of each purchase and redemption transaction and monthly statements reflecting
all account activity.
 
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS. All shareholders are entitled to initiate redemptions
and other transactions by telephone. However, a transaction authorized by
telephone and reasonably believed by the Fund, Morgan, an Eligible Institution
or the Distributor to be genuine may result in a loss to the investor if the
transaction is not in fact genuine. The Fund will employ reasonable procedures
to confirm that investor instructions communicated by telephone are genuine.
These include requiring investors to give their personal identification numbers
and tape recording telephone instructions. If these procedures are not followed,
the Fund, Morgan, the investor's Eligible Institution or the Distributor may be
liable for any losses resulting from unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.
 
PERFORMANCE ADVERTISING. The Fund may advertise historical performance
information and compare its performance to other investments or relevant
indexes. An advertisement may also include data supplied by Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc., Micropal Inc., Morningstar Inc., Ibbotson Associates and other
industry publications.
 
The Fund may advertise average annual total return and other forms of total
return data. Average annual total return is determined by computing the average
annual percentage change in value of $1,000 invested at NAV for specified
periods ending with the most recent calendar quarter. The total return
calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment at the end of the
relevant period. The Fund may also advertise total return on a cumulative,
average, year-by-year or other basis for specified periods. The investment
results of the Fund will fluctuate over time and should not be considered a
representation of the Fund's performance in the future.
 
Performance information may be obtained by calling Morgan at (800) 521-5411.
 
                                                                              15
<PAGE>
                          The
                          JPM Pierpont
                          International
                          Opportunities
                          Fund



NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED
IN THIS PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY
THE TRUST OR THE DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER BY THE TRUST OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF
ANY OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY
JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR THE TRUST OR THE
DISTRIBUTOR TO MAKE SUCH AN OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION.




                                                             PROSPECTUS
PROS239-978                                                  AUGUST 4, 1997





<PAGE>

                             THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS




                    THE JPM PIERPONT PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND
                  THE JPM PIERPONT TAX EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND
                   THE JPM PIERPONT FEDERAL MONEY MARKET FUND
                      THE JPM PIERPONT SHORT TERM BOND FUND
                           THE JPM PIERPONT BOND FUND
                      THE JPM PIERPONT TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
                THE JPM PIERPONT NEW YORK TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND
                  THE JPM PIERPONT GLOBAL STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
                        THE JPM PIERPONT DIVERSIFIED FUND
                        THE JPM PIERPONT U.S. EQUITY FUND
                    THE JPM PIERPONT U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND
                   THE JPM PIERPONT INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
                  THE JPM PIERPONT EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND
                THE JPM PIERPONT INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
                      THE JPM PIERPONT EUROPEAN EQUITY FUND
                       THE JPM PIERPONT JAPAN EQUITY FUND
                        THE JPM PIERPONT ASIA GROWTH FUND




                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION



   
                                 August 4, 1997
    










THIS  STATEMENT OF  ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION  IS NOT A  PROSPECTUS,  BUT CONTAINS
ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION  WHICH SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS
FOR THE FUND OR FUNDS LISTED ABOVE, AS SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, WHICH MAY
BE OBTAINED  UPON  REQUEST  FROM FUNDS  DISTRIBUTOR,  INC.,  ATTENTION:  THE JPM
PIERPONT FUNDS (800) 221-7930.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf

<PAGE>




                              Table of Contents


                                                                       Page

   
General.................................                                   1
Investment Objectives and Policies......                                   1
Investment Restrictions.................                                  40
Trustees and Officers...................                                  62
Investment Advisor......................                                  69
Distributor.............................                                  74
Co-Administrator........................                                  74
Services Agent..........................                                  79
Custodian and Transfer Agent............                                  82
Shareholder Servicing...................                                  82
Independent Accountants.................                                  84
Expenses................................                                  85
Purchase of Shares......................                                  85
Redemption of Shares....................                                  86
Exchange of Shares......................                                  86
Dividends and Distributions.............                                  87
Net Asset Value.........................                                  87
Performance Data........................                                  89
Portfolio Transactions..................                                  94
Massachusetts Trust.....................                                  97
Description of Shares...................                                  98
Taxes...................................                                  101
Additional Information..................                                  106
Financial Statements....................                                  107
Appendix A - Description of Securities
 Ratings................................                                  A-1
Appendix B - Additional Information
 Concerning New York Municipal
 Obligations............................                                  B-1
Appendix C - Investing in Japan
 and Asian Growth Markets...............                                  C-1
    






i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf

<PAGE>



GENERAL

         This  Statement  of  Additional  Information  relates  only  to The JPM
Pierpont  Prime Money Market Fund,  The JPM Pierpont  Federal Money Market Fund,
The JPM Pierpont Tax Exempt Money Market Fund,  The JPM Pierpont Short Term Bond
Fund, The JPM Pierpont Bond Fund, The JPM Pierpont Tax Exempt Bond Fund, The JPM
Pierpont New York Total  Return Bond Fund,  The JPM  Pierpont  Global  Strategic
Income Fund,  The JPM Pierpont U.S.  Equity Fund,  The JPM Pierpont  U.S.  Small
Company  Fund,  The JPM Pierpont  International  Equity  Fund,  The JPM Pierpont
Emerging Markets Equity Fund, The JPM Pierpont International Opportunities Fund,
The JPM Pierpont  Diversified  Fund, The JPM Pierpont  European Equity Fund, The
JPM  Pierpont   Japan  Equity  Fund  and  The  JPM  Pierpont  Asia  Growth  Fund
(collectively,  the  "Funds").  Each of the  Funds  is a  series  of  shares  of
beneficial interest of The JPM Pierpont Funds, an open-end management investment
company formed as a Massachusetts  business trust (the "Trust").  In addition to
the Funds, the Trust consists of other series  representing  separate investment
funds (each a "JPM Pierpont Fund").  The other JPM Pierpont Funds are covered by
separate Statements of Additional Information.  As of the date of this Statement
of Additional Information, The JPM Pierpont Global Strategic Income Fund had not
commenced public operations.

         This  Statement  of  Additional  Information  describes  the  financial
history, investment objectives and policies, management and operation of each of
the Funds to enable  investors  to select the Funds which best suit their needs.
The JPM Pierpont Funds operate through a two-tier master-feeder  investment fund
structure.  Formerly, The JPM Pierpont Prime Money Market Fund, The JPM Pierpont
Tax Exempt Money Market Fund,  The JPM Pierpont Bond Fund,  The JPM Pierpont Tax
Exempt Bond Fund, The JPM Pierpont U.S. Equity Fund, The JPM Pierpont U.S. Small
Company  Fund,  and The JPM  Pierpont  International  Equity  Fund  operated  as
free-standing  mutual funds and not through the master-feeder  structure.  Where
indicated in this Statement of Additional  Information,  historical  information
for each of these Funds includes  information for their  respective  predecessor
entities.

         This   Statement  of   Additional   Information   provides   additional
information with respect to the Funds and should be read in conjunction with the
relevant Fund's current  Prospectus (the  "Prospectus").  Capitalized  terms not
otherwise  defined herein have the meanings  accorded to them in the Prospectus.
The Funds' executive offices are located at 60 State Street, Suite 1300, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

         The JPM  Pierpont  Prime Money  Market Fund (the  "Prime  Money  Market
Fund")  is  designed  to  be  an  economical  and  convenient  means  of  making
substantial  investments  in money  market  instruments.  The Prime Money Market
Fund's  investment  objective is to maximize  current income and maintain a high
level of liquidity. The Fund attempts to achieve this objective by investing all
of its investable assets in The Prime Money Market Portfolio (the  "Portfolio"),
a diversified open-end management  investment company having the same investment
objective as the Prime Money Market Fund.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                         1

<PAGE>



         The Portfolio seeks to achieve its investment  objective by maintaining
a  dollar-weighted  average  portfolio  maturity of not more than 90 days and by
investing in U.S. dollar denominated  securities described in the Prospectus and
this  Statement of Additional  Information  that meet certain  rating  criteria,
present  minimal  credit  risk and have  effective  maturities  of not more than
thirteen  months.  The Portfolio's  ability to achieve maximum current income is
affected  by its  high  quality  standards.  See  "Quality  and  Diversification
Requirements."

         The JPM  Pierpont  Tax Exempt  Money Market Fund (the "Tax Exempt Money
Market Fund") is designed to be an  economical  and  convenient  means of making
substantial  investments in instruments that are exempt from federal income tax.
The Tax Exempt Money  Market  Fund's  investment  objective is to provide a high
level of current  income that is exempt from  federal  income tax and maintain a
high  level of  liquidity.  See  "Taxes."  The Fund  attempts  to  achieve  this
objective  by  investing  all of its  investable  assets in The Tax Exempt Money
Market Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), a diversified open-end management investment
company  having the same  investment  objective  as the Tax Exempt  Money Market
Fund.

         The  Portfolio   attempts  to  achieve  its  investment   objective  by
maintaining a  dollar-weighted  average  portfolio  maturity of not more than 90
days and by investing  in U.S.  dollar-denominated  securities  described in the
Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information that meet certain rating
criteria,  present minimal credit risks,  have effective  maturities of not more
than thirteen  months and earn interest wholly exempt from federal income tax in
the opinion of bond counsel for the issuer.  See  "Quality  and  Diversification
Requirements."  Interest on these  securities  may be subject to state and local
taxes.  For more  detailed  information  regarding  tax matters,  including  the
applicability of the alternative minimum tax, see "Taxes."

         The JPM Pierpont  Federal Money Market Fund (the "Federal  Money Market
Fund")  is  designed  to  be  an  economical  and  convenient  means  of  making
substantial  investments  primarily in short term direct obligations of the U.S.
Government.  The Federal Money Market Fund's investment  objective is to provide
current  income,  maintain a high level of liquidity and preserve  capital.  The
Fund attempts to accomplish  this  objective by investing all of its  investable
assets in The Federal Money Market  Portfolio (the  "Portfolio"),  a diversified
open-end management  investment company having the same investment  objective as
the Federal Money Market Fund.

         The  Portfolio   attempts  to  achieve  its  investment   objective  by
maintaining a  dollar-weighted  average  portfolio  maturity of not more than 90
days and by investing  primarily in U.S. Treasury securities and by investing in
certain  U.S.  Government  securities  described in the  Prospectus  and in this
Statement of Additional  Information that have effective  maturities of not more
than thirteen months. See "Quality and Diversification Requirements."

         The JPM  Pierpont  Short Term Bond Fund (the "Short Term Bond Fund") is
designed for investors who place a strong  emphasis on  conservation  of capital
but who also want a return  greater  than that of a money  market  fund or other
very low risk investment vehicles.  The Fund is appropriate for investors who do
not

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                         2

<PAGE>



require the stable net asset value  typical of a money  market fund but who want
less price  fluctuation  than is typical of a longer-term  bond fund.  The Short
Term Bond Fund's  investment  objective  is to provide a high total return while
attempting to limit the likelihood of negative quarterly returns. The Short Term
Bond Fund seeks to achieve this high total return to the extent  consistent with
modest risk of capital and the  maintenance  of  liquidity.  The Short Term Bond
Fund  attempts to achieve  its  investment  objective  by  investing  all of its
investable  assets  in The  Short  Term  Bond  Portfolio  (the  "Portfolio"),  a
diversified  open-end  management  investment company having the same investment
objective as the Short Term Bond Fund.

         The Portfolio attempts to achieve its investment objective by investing
primarily  in  the  corporate  and  government  debt   obligations  and  related
securities of domestic and foreign issuers  described in the Prospectus and this
Statement of Additional Information.

         The JPM  Pierpont  Bond Fund (the  "Bond  Fund") is  designed  to be an
economical and  convenient  means of making  substantial  investments in a broad
range of corporate and government debt  obligations  and related  investments of
domestic and foreign issuers, subject to certain quality and other restrictions.
See  "Quality  and  Diversification  Requirements."  The Bond Fund's  investment
objective is to provide a high total return  consistent  with  moderate  risk of
capital and  maintenance of liquidity.  Although the net asset value of the Bond
Fund  will  fluctuate,  the Bond  Fund  attempts  to  conserve  the value of its
investments to the extent consistent with its objective.  The Bond Fund attempts
to achieve its objective by investing all of its  investable  assets in The U.S.
Fixed Income  Portfolio (the  "Portfolio"),  a diversified  open-end  management
investment company having the same investment objective as the Bond Fund.

         The Portfolio attempts to achieve its investment objective by investing
primarily in high grade and  investment  grade  corporate  and  government  debt
obligations and related  securities of domestic and foreign issuers described in
the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information.

         Investment Process for the U.S. Fixed Income Portfolio

         Duration/yield curve management: Morgan's duration decision begins with
an  analysis  of real  yields,  which its  research  indicates  are  generally a
reliable  indicator of longer term  interest rate trends.  Other factors  Morgan
studies in regard to  interest  rates  include  economic  growth and  inflation,
capital flows and monetary policy.  Based on this analysis,  Morgan forms a view
of the most likely  changes in the level and shape of the yield curve -- as well
as the timing of those changes -- and sets the Portfolio's duration and maturity
structure  accordingly.  Morgan  typically  limits the  overall  duration of the
Portfolio  to a range  between one year shorter and one year longer than that of
the Salomon Brothers Broad Investment Grade Bond Index, the benchmark index.

         Sector   allocations:   Sector   allocations  are  driven  by  Morgan's
fundamental and quantitative analysis of the relative valuation of a broad array
of fixed  income  sectors.  Specifically,  Morgan  utilizes  market  and  credit
analysis to assess  whether the current  risk-adjusted  yield spreads of various
sectors are likely to widen or narrow.  Morgan then  overweights  (underweights)
those sectors

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                         3

<PAGE>



its analysis  indicates offer the most (least) relative value,  basing the speed
and magnitude of these shifts on valuation considerations.

         Security  selection:  Securities are selected by the portfolio manager,
with  substantial  input from Morgan's fixed income analysts and traders.  Using
quantitative analysis as well as traditional valuation methods, Morgan's applied
research  analysts aim to optimize  security  selection within the bounds of the
Portfolio's investment objective.  In addition,  credit analysts -- supported by
Morgan's  equity  analysts  --  assess  the   creditworthiness  of  issuers  and
counterparties.  A dedicated  trading desk contributes to security  selection by
tracking  new  issuance,   monitoring   dealer   inventories,   and  identifying
attractively  priced  bonds.  The traders also handle all  transactions  for the
Portfolio.

         The JPM  Pierpont  Tax Exempt Bond Fund (the "Tax Exempt Bond Fund") is
designed  to be  an  economical  and  convenient  means  of  making  substantial
investments in debt obligations that are exempt from federal income tax. The Tax
Exempt Bond Fund's  investment  objective  is to provide a high level of current
income exempt from federal income tax  consistent  with moderate risk of capital
and  maintenance  of  liquidity.  See "Taxes." The Fund  attempts to achieve its
investment objective by investing all of its investable assets in The Tax Exempt
Bond Portfolio (the "Portfolio"),  a diversified open-end management  investment
company having the same investment objective as the Tax Exempt Bond Fund.

         The Portfolio attempts to achieve its investment objective by investing
primarily in securities of states,  territories  and  possessions  of the United
States and their political  subdivisions,  agencies and  instrumentalities,  the
interest  of which is exempt  from  federal  income  tax in the  opinion of bond
counsel  for the  issuer,  but it may  invest up to 20% of its  total  assets in
taxable obligations.  The Tax Exempt Bond Fund seeks to maintain a current yield
that is greater than that  obtainable  from a portfolio of short term tax exempt
obligations,   subject  to  certain  quality  restrictions.   See  "Quality  and
Diversification Requirements."

         The JPM  Pierpont  New York Total Return Bond Fund (the "New York Total
Return  Bond  Fund") is designed to be an  economical  and  convenient  means of
investing  in a portfolio  consisting  primarily  of debt  obligations  that are
exempt from federal and New York State income  taxes.  The New York Total Return
Bond Fund's investment objective is to provide a high after tax total return for
New York residents  consistent with moderate risk of capital.  Total return will
consist of income plus capital  gains and losses.  The Fund  attempts to achieve
its  objective by investing all of its  investable  assets in The New York Total
Return Bond Portfolio (the "Portfolio"),  a non-diversified  open-end management
investment company having the same investment objective as the Fund.

         The Portfolio attempts to achieve its investment objective by investing
primarily in  municipal  securities  issued by New York State and its  political
subdivisions and by agencies,  authorities and instrumentalities of New York and
its political subdivisions. These securities earn income exempt from federal and
New York State and local  income  taxes but,  in certain  circumstances,  may be
subject to alternative minimum tax. In addition, the Portfolio may invest in

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                         4

<PAGE>



municipal  securities  issued by states other than New York, by territories  and
possessions  of the United  States and by the  District  of  Columbia  and their
political  subdivisions,  agencies and instrumentalities.  These securities earn
income exempt from federal  income taxes but, in certain  circumstances,  may be
subject to alternative  minimum tax. In order to seek to enhance the Portfolio's
after tax return,  the Portfolio may also invest in securities which earn income
subject to New York and/or federal income taxes.  These securities  include U.S.
government securities, corporate securities and municipal securities issued on a
taxable basis.

         The JPM Pierpont Global  Strategic  Income Fund (the "Global  Strategic
Income Fund") is designed for the  aggressive  investor  seeking to diversify an
investment  portfolio  by investing in  fixed-income  securities  of foreign and
domestic  issuers.  The Global Strategic Income Fund's  investment  objective is
high total return from a portfolio  of  fixed-income  securities  of foreign and
domestic  issuers.  The  Global  Strategic  Income  Fund  seeks to  achieve  its
objective  by investing  all of its  investable  assets in the Global  Strategic
Income Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), a diversified open-end management investment
company  having the same  investment  objective as the Global  Strategic  Income
Fund.

         The Portfolio attempts to achieve its investment objective by investing
primarily in mortgage-backed securities and direct mortgage obligations; below
investment grade debt obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers; investment grade
U.S. dollar-denominated debt obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers;investment
grade non-dollar denominated debt obligations of non-U.S. issuers; and
obligations of emerging market issuers.

         The JPM Pierpont  Diversified Fund (the "Diversified Fund") is designed
for investors who wish to invest for long term objectives such as retirement and
who seek to attain real  appreciation in their  investments  over the long term,
but with somewhat less price  fluctuation than a portfolio  consisting solely of
equity securities.  The Diversified Fund's investment  objective is to provide a
high total  return  from a  diversified  portfolio  of equity  and fixed  income
securities.  The Fund attempts to achieve its investment  objective by investing
all of its investable assets in The Diversified  Portfolio (the "Portfolio"),  a
diversified  open-end  management  investment company having the same investment
objective as the Diversified Fund.

         Investment Process for the Diversified Portfolio

         The mix of equities and fixed income is based on the risk premium model
and the  anticipation  of  changing  economic  trends.  The risk  premium is the
difference   between  Morgan's  forecast  of  the  long-term  return  on  stocks
(determined using Morgan's  proprietary dividend discount model) and the current
nominal  yield on 30-year U.S.  Treasury  bonds.  When the risk premium is high,
more assets are  allocated to stocks.  When the risk premium is low, more assets
are allocated to bonds.  Within U.S. equities,  the allocation between large cap
and small cap stocks is based on the  relative  dividend  discount  rate  spread
between large and small cap. Within fixed income,  the allocation  among sectors
is based on  Morgan's  analysis  of their  relative  valuation.  Morgan's  asset
allocation  decisions  for the Portfolio are  implemented  using the  investment
processes  described  herein for the Bond, U.S. Small Company and  International
Equity Funds.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                         5

<PAGE>



   
         With respect to the equity portion of The Diversified Portfolio, Morgan
uses:

         Fundamental  research:  Morgan's 20 domestic equity  analysts,  each an
industry specialist with an average of 13 years of experience, follow 600 medium
and large  capitalization  U.S.  companies.  Their  research goal is to forecast
intermediate-term  earnings and  prospective  dividend growth rates for the most
attractive companies among those researched.

         Systematic  valuation:  The  analysts'  forecasts  are  converted  into
comparable  expected returns using a proprietary  dividend discount model, which
calculates the intermediate-term earnings by comparing a company's current stock
price with the "fair value" price forecasted by the estimated  intermediate-term
earnings  power.  Within each  sector,  companies  are ranked by their  expected
return and  grouped  into  quintiles:  those with the highest  expected  returns
(Quintile  1) are  deemed  the most  undervalued  relative  to  their  long-term
earnings power,  while those with the lowest expected  returns  (Quintile 5) are
deemed the most overvalued.

         Disciplined portfolio construction:  A broadly diversified portfolio is
constructed using disciplined buy and sell rules.  Purchases are allocated among
stocks in the first three  quintiles.  The stocks selected reflect the portfolio
manager's  judgment  concerning the soundness of the underlying  forecasts,  the
likelihood that a perceived  misvaluation  will be corrected within a reasonable
time frame, and the manager's  estimate of the magnitude of the risks versus the
potential  rewards.  A stock that  falls  into the  fourth  and fifth  quintiles
generally  becomes a candidate for sale,  either  because its price has risen or
its  fundamentals  have  deteriorated.  The  Portfolio's  sector  weightings are
matched  to those of the S&P 500  Index,  reflecting  Morgan's  belief  that its
research has the potential to add value at the individual  stock level,  but not
at the sector level. Morgan also controls the Portfolio's  exposure to style and
theme bets and maintains  near-market security weightings in individual security
holdings.  This process results in an investment  portfolio  containing  250-300
stocks.
    

         With  respect to the U.S.  Small  Company  portion  of The  Diversified
Portfolio,  the investment  process  described herein for the U.S. Small Company
Fund is  applicable  except that The  Diversified  Portfolio  is managed to hold
sector weightings close to those of the Russell 2000 Index.

         The JPM Pierpont U.S. Equity Fund (the "U.S.  Equity Fund") is designed
for  investors  who  want an  actively  managed  portfolio  of  selected  equity
securities  that seeks to outperform the S&P 500 Index.  The U.S.  Equity Fund's
investment  objective  is to provide a high total  return  from a  portfolio  of
selected  equity  securities.  The  Fund  attempts  to  achieve  its  investment
objective by investing all of its investable assets in The U.S. Equity Portfolio
(the "Portfolio"),  a diversified open-end management  investment company having
the same investment objective as the U.S. Equity Fund.

         In normal  circumstances,  at least 65% of the  Portfolio's  net assets
will be  invested in equity  securities  consisting  of common  stocks and other
securities with equity  characteristics  comprised of preferred stock, warrants,
rights,

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                         6

<PAGE>



convertible securities, trust certifications,  limited partnership interests and
equity  participations  (collectively,  "Equity  Securities").  The  Portfolio's
primary equity  investments  are the common stock of large and medium sized U.S.
corporations   and,  to  a  limited  extent,   similar   securities  of  foreign
corporations.

         Investment Process for the U.S. Equity Portfolio

         Fundamental  research:  Morgan's 20 domestic equity  analysts,  each an
industry  specialist  with an  average  of 13 years of  experience,  follow  700
predominantly  large- and medium-sized  U.S.  companies -- 500 of which form the
universe for the  Portfolio's  investments.  Their  research goal is to forecast
normalized, longer term earnings and dividends for the most attractive companies
among those they cover.  In doing this,  they may work in concert with  Morgan's
international  equity  analysts  in  order  to gain a  broader  perspective  for
evaluating industries and companies in today's global economy.

         Systematic  valuation:  The  analysts'  forecasts  are  converted  into
comparable expected returns by a dividend discount model, which calculates those
expected  returns by  comparing a company's  current  stock price with the "fair
value" price forecasted by its estimated long term-earnings  power.  Within each
sector,  companies  are  ranked  by  their  expected  return  and  grouped  into
quintiles:  those with the highest expected returns  (Quintile 1) are deemed the
most undervalued  relative to their long-term  earnings power,  while those with
the lowest expected returns (Quintile 5) are deemed the most overvalued.

         Disciplined   portfolio   construction:   A  diversified  portfolio  is
constructed  using  disciplined buy and sell rules.  Purchases are  concentrated
among first- quintile stocks;  the specific names selected reflect the portfolio
manager's  judgment  concerning the soundness of the underlying  forecasts,  the
likelihood that the perceived misvaluation will be corrected within a reasonable
time frame,  and the  magnitude of the risks  versus the  rewards.  Once a stock
falls into the third quintile -- because its price has risen or its fundamentals
have  deteriorated  -- it generally  becomes a candidate for sale. The portfolio
manager  seeks to hold  sector  weightings  close to those of the S&P 500 Index,
reflecting  Morgan's  belief that its research has the potential to add value at
the individual  stock level, but not at the sector level.  Sector  neutrality is
also seen as a way to help protect the portfolio from  macroeconomic  risks, and
- -- together with  diversification -- represents an important element of Morgan's
risk control strategy. A dedicated trading desk handles all transactions for the
Portfolio.

         The JPM  Pierpont  U.S.  Small  Company Fund (the "U.S.  Small  Company
Fund") is designed for investors  who are willing to assume the somewhat  higher
risk of investing in small  companies in order to seek a higher return over time
than might be expected from a portfolio of stocks of large  companies.  The U.S.
Small Company Fund's investment objective is to provide a high total return from
a  portfolio  of Equity  Securities  of small  companies.  The Fund  attempts to
achieve its investment  objective by investing all of its  investable  assets in
The U.S.  Small Company  Portfolio  (the  "Portfolio"),  a diversified  open-end
management  investment company having the same investment  objective as the U.S.
Small Company Fund.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                         7

<PAGE>



         The Portfolio attempts to achieve its investment objective by investing
primarily  in the common stock of small U.S.  companies  included in the Russell
2500 Index,  which is composed of 2,500  common  stocks of U.S.  companies  with
market capitalizations ranging between $100 million and $1.5 billion.

         Investment Process for the U.S. Small Company Portfolio

         Fundamental  research:  Morgan's 20 domestic equity analysts -- each an
industry  specialist  with an average of 13 years of experience --  continuously
monitor  the  small  cap  stocks  in their  respective  sectors  with the aim of
identifying  companies that exhibit  superior  financial  strength and operating
returns.  Meetings with management and on-site visits play a key role in shaping
their  assessments.  Their  research goal is to forecast  normalized,  long-term
earnings and dividends for the most  attractive  small cap companies among those
they monitor -- a universe  that  generally  contains a total of 300-350  names.
Because Morgan's  analysts follow both the larger and smaller companies in their
industries -- in essence,  covering their  industries from top to bottom -- they
are able to bring broad perspective to the research they do on both.

         Systematic  valuation:  The  analysts'  forecasts  are  converted  into
comparable   expected  returns  by  Morgan's  dividend  discount  model,   which
calculates  those returns by comparing a company's  current stock price with the
"fair value" price forecasted by its estimated  long-term earnings power. Within
each industry,  companies are ranked by their expected  returns and grouped into
quintiles:  those with the highest expected returns  (Quintile 1) are deemed the
most undervalued  relative to their long-term  earnings power,  while those with
the lowest expected returns (Quintile 5) are deemed the most overvalued.

         Disciplined   portfolio   construction:   A  diversified  portfolio  is
constructed  using  disciplined buy and sell rules.  Purchases are  concentrated
among the stocks in the top two  quintiles of the rankings;  the specific  names
selected reflect the portfolio  manager's  judgment  concerning the soundness of
the underlying forecasts,  the likelihood that the perceived  misevaluation will
soon be  corrected,  and the  magnitude of the risks versus the rewards.  Once a
stock  falls  into the  third  quintile  --  because  its price has risen or its
fundamentals have deteriorated -- it generally becomes a candidate for sale. The
portfolio  manager seeks to hold sector weightings close to those of the Russell
2500 Index,  the  Portfolio's  benchmark,  reflecting  Morgan's  belief that its
research has the potential to add value at the individual  stock level,  but not
at the sector level.  Sector neutrality is also seen as a way to help to protect
the portfolio from macroeconomic  risks, and -- together with diversification --
represents an important element of Morgan's investment strategy.

         The JPM Pierpont  International Equity Fund (the "International  Equity
Fund") is designed for investors with a long term investment horizon who want to
diversify their portfolios by investing in an actively managed portfolio of non-
U.S.   securities   that  seeks  to  outperform  the  Morgan   Stanley   Capital
International ("MSCI") Europe,  Australia and Far East Index (the "EAFE Index").
The International  Equity Fund's investment objective is to provide a high total
return from a portfolio of Equity Securities of foreign  corporations.  The Fund
attempts to achieve its investment  objective by investing all of its investable
assets in The International Equity Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), a diversified

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                         8

<PAGE>



open-end management  investment company having the same investment  objective as
the International Equity Fund.

         The Portfolio  seeks to achieve its  investment  objective by investing
primarily  in the  Equity  Securities  of  foreign  corporations.  Under  normal
circumstances,  the Portfolio expects to invest at least 65% of its total assets
in such securities.  The Portfolio does not intend to invest in U.S.  securities
(other than money market  instruments),  except temporarily,  when extraordinary
circumstances  prevailing at the same time in a significant  number of developed
foreign countries render investments in such countries inadvisable.

         Investment Process for the International Equity Portfolio

         Country allocation:  Morgan's country allocation decision begins with a
forecast of equity risk premiums,  which provide a valuation signal by measuring
the  relative  attractiveness  of  stocks  versus  bonds.  Using  a  proprietary
approach,  Morgan  calculates  this risk  premium for each of the nations in the
Portfolio's  universe,  determines the extent of its deviation -- if any -- from
its  historical  norm, and then ranks  countries  according to the size of those
deviations.  Countries with high (low) rankings are overweighted (underweighted)
in  comparisons to the EAFE Index to reflect the  above-average  (below-average)
attractiveness  of  their  stock  markets.  In  determining  weightings,  Morgan
analyzes a variety of  qualitative  factors as well -- including the  liquidity,
earnings  momentum  and  interest  rate  climate  of the  market at hand.  These
qualitative  assessments  can change the  magnitude but not the direction of the
country  allocations  called for by the risk  premium  forecast.  Morgan  places
limits on the total size of the Portfolio's  country over- and  under-weightings
relative to the EAFE Index.

         Stock  selection:  Morgan's 44 international  equity analysts,  each an
industry  and country  specialist,  forecast  normalized  earnings  and dividend
payouts for roughly 1,000 non-U.S.  companies -- taking a long-term  perspective
rather than the short time frame common to consensus estimates.  These forecasts
are converted into comparable expected returns by a dividend discount model, and
then companies are ranked from most to least attractive by industry and country.
A diversified portfolio is constructed using disciplined buy and sell rules. The
portfolio  manager's  objective is to  concentrate  the  purchases in the stocks
deemed most  undervalued,  and to keep sector  weightings  close to those of the
EAFE Index, the Fund's benchmark. Once a stock falls into the bottom half of the
rankings,  it generally becomes a candidate for sale. Where available,  warrants
and convertibles  may be purchased  instead of common stock if they are deemed a
more attractive means of investing in an undervalued company.

   
         Currency management:  Currency is actively managed, in conjunction with
country and stock allocation, with the goal of protecting and possibly enhancing
the Fund's return.  Morgan's  currency  decisions are supported by a proprietary
tactical model which forecasts  currency  movements based on an analysis of four
fundamental  factors -- trade balance  trends,  purchasing  power  parity,  real
short-term  interest  differentials  and real bond  yields  -- plus a  technical
factor designed to improve the timing of  transactions.  Combining the output of
this  model with a  subjective  assessment  of  economic,  political  and market
factors,
    

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                         9

<PAGE>



Morgan's currency group recommends  currency  strategies that are implemented in
conjunction with the Portfolio's investment strategy.

         The JPM Pierpont  Emerging  Markets Equity Fund (the "Emerging  Markets
Equity Fund") is designed for investors with a long term investment  horizon who
want exposure to the rapidly  growing  emerging  markets.  The Emerging  Markets
Equity  Fund's  investment  objective  is to provide a high total  return from a
portfolio  of Equity  Securities  of  companies  in emerging  markets.  The Fund
attempts to achieve its investment  objective by investing all of its investable
assets in The Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), a diversified
open-end management  investment company having the same investment  objective as
the Emerging Markets Equity Fund.

         The Portfolio  seeks to achieve its  investment  objective by investing
primarily  in Equity  Securities  of  emerging  markets  issuers.  Under  normal
circumstances,  the Portfolio expects to invest at least 65% of its total assets
in such securities.  The Portfolio does not intend to invest in U.S.  securities
(other than money market  instruments),  except temporarily,  when extraordinary
circumstances  prevailing at the same time in a  significant  number of emerging
markets countries render investments in such countries inadvisable.

         Investment Process for the Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

         Country allocation:  Morgan's country allocation decision begins with a
forecast  of the  expected  return of each market in the  Portfolio's  universe.
These expected returns are calculated using a proprietary  valuation method that
is forward looking in nature rather than based on historical  data.  Morgan then
evaluates  these expected  returns from two different  perspectives:  first,  it
identifies  those  countries  that have high real expected  returns  relative to
their own history and other  nations in their  universe.  Second,  it identifies
those  countries  that it expects will  provide  high returns  relative to their
currency  risk.  Countries  that rank highly on one or both of these  scores are
overweighted  relative to the Fund's  benchmark,  the MSCI Emerging Markets Free
Index,  while those that rank poorly are  underweighted.  To help contain  risk,
Morgan  places  limits on the total size of the  Portfolio's  country  over- and
under-weightings.

         Stock selection: Morgan's 12 emerging market equity analysts -- each an
industry  specialist  -- monitor a universe of  approximately  900  companies in
these  countries,  developing  forecasts of earnings and cash flows for the most
attractive among them.  Companies are ranked from most to least attractive based
on  this  research,  and  then a  diversified  portfolio  is  constructed  using
disciplined  buy  and  sell  rules.  The  portfolio  manager's  objective  is to
concentrate the Portfolio's holdings in the stocks deemed most undervalued,  and
to keep sector  weightings  relatively  close to those of the index.  Stocks are
generally held until they fall into the bottom half of Morgan's rankings.

         The JPM Pierpont  International  Opportunities Fund (the "International
Opportunities  Fund") is designed for long-term  investors who want to invest in
an actively  managed  portfolio of common stocks and other equity  securities of
non-U.S.  companies,  including  companies  located  in  emerging  markets.  The
International  Opportunities  Fund's  investment  objective is to provide a high
total return from a portfolio of equity securities of foreign corporations in

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        10

<PAGE>



developed  and to a lesser  extent,  developing  markets.  The Fund  attempts to
achieve its investment  objective by investing all of its  investable  assets in
The  International  Opportunities  Portfolio  (the  "Portfolio"),  a diversified
open-end management  investment company having the same investment  objective as
the International Opportunities Fund.

         The  Portfolio  invests  primarily  in common  stocks and other  equity
securities of non-U.S.  issuers in developed  and  developing  countries.  Under
normal circumstances,  the Portfolio expects to invest at least 65% of its total
assets  in such  securities.  The  Portfolio  does not  intend to invest in U.S.
securities  (other than money  market  instruments),  except  temporarily,  when
extraordinary  circumstances prevailing at the same time in a significant number
of foreign countries render investments in such countries inadvisable.

         Investment Process for the International Opportunities Portfolio

         Country allocation (developed  countries):  Morgan's country allocation
decision for securities issued in developed  countries begins with a forecast of
equity risk premiums, which provide a valuation signal by measuring the relative
attractiveness  of stocks versus bonds.  Using a  proprietary  approach,  Morgan
calculates  this  risk  premium  for  each  of the  developed  countries  in the
Portfolio's  universe,  determines the extent of its deviation -- if any -- from
its  historical  norm, and then ranks  countries  according to the size of those
deviations. Countries with high (low) rankings are emphasized (de-emphasized) to
reflect the above-average (below-average) attractiveness of their stock markets.
In  determining  these  weightings,  Morgan  analyzes a variety  of  qualitative
factors as well -- including the liquidity,  earnings momentum and interest rate
climate  of the market at hand.  These  qualitative  assessments  can change the
magnitude  but not the  direction of the country  allocations  called for by the
risk premium forecast.

         Country allocation  (emerging  countries):  Morgan's country allocation
decision for emerging markets  securities begins with a forecast of the expected
return of each  emerging  market in the  Portfolio's  universe.  These  expected
returns are  calculated  using a  proprietary  valuation  method that is forward
looking in nature rather than based on historical  data.  Morgan then  evaluates
these expected  returns from two different  perspectives:  first,  it identifies
those  countries  that have high real  expected  returns  relative  to their own
history  and other  nations  in their  universe.  Second,  it  identifies  those
countries  that it expects will provide high returns  relative to their currency
risk.   Countries  that  rank  highly  on  one  or  both  of  these  scores  are
overweighted, while those that rank poorly are underweighted.

         Stock  selection:  Morgan's 44  international  equity  analysts  and 12
emerging  market  equity  analysts,  each an industry  and  country  specialist,
forecast normalized earnings,  dividend payouts and cash flows for roughly 1,000
non-U.S.  companies -- taking a long-term perspective rather than the short time
frame  common  to  consensus  estimates.  These  forecasts  are  converted  into
comparable expected returns by a dividend discount model, and then companies are
ranked from most to least  attractive  by industry  and country.  A  diversified
portfolio is constructed  using  disciplined  buy and sell rules.  The portfolio
manager's  objective is to concentrate the  Portfolio's  purchases in the stocks
deemed most

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        11

<PAGE>



undervalued.  Stocks  generally  become a candidate for sale when they fall into
the bottom half of Morgan's rankings. Where available, warrants and convertibles
may be purchased  instead of common  stock if they are deemed a more  attractive
means of investing in an undervalued company.

   
         Currency  management:  Morgan actively manages the currency exposure of
the Portfolio's  investments in developed countries, in conjunction with country
and stock  allocation,  with the goal of protecting  and possibly  enhancing the
Fund's  return.  Morgan's  currency  decisions  are  supported by a  proprietary
tactical model which forecasts  currency  movements based on an analysis of four
fundamental  factors -- trade balance  trends,  purchasing  power  parity,  real
short-term  interest  differentials  and real bond  yields  -- plus a  technical
factor designed to improve the timing of  transactions.  Combining the output of
this  model with a  subjective  assessment  of  economic,  political  and market
factors,  Morgan's  currency  group  recommends  currency  strategies  that  are
implemented in conjunction with the Portfolio's investment strategy.
    

         The JPM Pierpont  European Equity Fund (the "European  Equity Fund") is
designed for investors who want an actively managed portfolio of European Equity
Securities  that seeks to outperform  the Morgan Stanley  Capital  International
Europe Index which is comprised of more than 500 companies in fourteen  European
countries.  The European Equity Fund's investment objective is to provide a high
total return from a portfolio of Equity  Securities of European  companies.  The
European  Equity Fund attempts to achieve its investment  objective by investing
all of its investable assets in The European Equity Portfolio (the "Portfolio"),
a diversified open-end management  investment company having the same investment
objective as the European Equity Fund.

         The Portfolio  seeks to achieve its  investment  objective by investing
primarily  in  the  Equity  Securities  of  European  companies.   Under  normal
circumstances,  the Portfolio expects to invest at least 65% of its total assets
in such securities.  The Portfolio does not intend to invest in U.S.  securities
(other than money market  instruments),  except temporarily,  when extraordinary
circumstances  prevailing at the same time in a  significant  number of European
countries render investments in such countries inadvisable.

         Investment Process for the European Equity Portfolio

         Country allocation:  Morgan's country allocation decision begins with a
forecast of equity risk premiums,  which provide a valuation signal by measuring
the  relative  attractiveness  of  stocks  versus  bonds.  Using  a  proprietary
approach,  Morgan  calculates  this risk  premium for each of the nations in the
Portfolio's  universe,  determines the extent of its deviation -- if any -- from
its  historical  norm, and then ranks  countries  according to the size of those
deviations.  Countries with high (low) rankings are overweighted (underweighted)
in  comparison  to the Morgan  Stanley  Capital  International  Europe  Index to
reflect the above-average (below-average) attractiveness of their stock markets.
In determining  weightings,  Morgan analyzes a variety of qualitative factors as
well -- including the liquidity,  earnings momentum and interest rate climate of
the market at hand. These  qualitative  assessments can change the magnitude but
not the  direction  of the country  allocations  called for by the  risk-premium
forecast.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        12

<PAGE>



In an effort to  contain  risk,  Morgan  places  limits on the total size of the
Portfolio's country over- and under-weightings.

         Stock selection: Morgan's 15 European equity analysts, each an industry
and country  specialist,  forecast  normalized earnings and dividend payouts for
roughly 600 companies, taking a long-term perspective rather than the short time
frame common to consensus estimates.  The analysts' forecasts are converted into
comparable expected returns by a dividend discount model, and then companies are
ranked from most to least  attractive  by industry  and country.  A  diversified
portfolio is constructed  using  disciplined  buy and sell rules.  The portfolio
manager's  objective  is to  concentrate  purchases  in  the  top  third  of the
rankings, and to keep sector weightings close to those of the benchmark.  Once a
stock falls into the bottom third of the rankings -- because its price has risen
or its fundamentals  have  deteriorated -- it generally  becomes a candidate for
sale.

         The JPM  Pierpont  Japan  Equity  Fund  (the  "Japan  Equity  Fund") is
designed for investors who want an actively managed portfolio of Japanese Equity
Securities  that seeks to outperform  the Tokyo Stock Price Index  ("TOPIX"),  a
composite  market-capitalization  weighted-index  of all common stocks listed on
the  First  Section  of the  Tokyo  Stock  Exchange.  The  Japan  Equity  Fund's
investment  objective  is to provide a high total  return  from a  portfolio  of
Equity  Securities  of Japanese  companies.  The Japan  Equity Fund  attempts to
achieve its investment  objective by investing all of its  investable  assets in
The  Japan  Equity  Portfolio  (the  "Portfolio"),  a  non-diversified  open-end
management  investment company having the same investment objective as the Japan
Equity Fund.  For additional  information,  see "Appendix C - Investing in Japan
and Asian Growth Markets."

         The Portfolio  seeks to achieve its  investment  objective by investing
primarily  in  the  Equity  Securities  of  Japanese  companies.   Under  normal
circumstances,  the Portfolio expects to invest at least 65% of its total assets
in such securities.  The Portfolio does not intend to invest in U.S.  securities
(other than money market  instruments),  except temporarily,  when extraordinary
circumstances prevailing in Japan render investments there inadvisable.

         Investment Process for the Japan Equity Portfolio

         Systematic valuation: Morgan's ten Japanese equity analysts in Tokyo --
each an industry  specialist  -- follow a total of over 300 Japanese  companies.
The most attractive names in that universe are identified by a multifactor model
which screens for low price/earnings ratios, high earnings growth rates and high
sales/price ratios. Within each sector, this subset of the universe is ranked by
these  three  measures  and broken  into  quintiles;  the  companies  in the top
quintile  are  considered  the most  attractive  ones  from  both a  growth  and
valuation viewpoint. To provide an additional check on the valuation of selected
companies,  the analysts  prepare  normalized,  long-term  earnings and dividend
forecasts  which are converted into  comparable  expected  returns by a dividend
discount model.

         Warrant/convertible  strategy:  Once a company has been identified as a
buy  candidate,  the  portfolio  manager  analyzes  the yields on the  company's
available  equity vehicles -- stocks,  warrants and convertibles -- to determine
which  appears the most  attractive  means of purchase.  In an effort to enhance
potential

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        13

<PAGE>



returns, the Portfolio also trades among these vehicles -- a strategy that seeks
to capitalize on the inefficiencies  that pervade the Japanese equity market. If
the  Portfolio  invests  in a  warrant,  it will  set  aside  cash in an  amount
approximately equal to the difference in the price of the warrant and the market
value of the  underlying  common  stock.  The cash is invested  in money  market
instruments.

         Disciplined portfolio construction:  The Portfolio is constructed using
disciplined  buy  and  sell  rules.  The  portfolio  manager's  objective  is to
concentrate  purchases in the top 20% of the  rankings;  the specific  companies
selected reflect the portfolio manager's judgment concerning the liquidity of an
issue, the soundness of the underlying forecasts, and the magnitude of the risks
versus the  rewards.  Once a stock falls into the third  quintile -- because its
price has risen or its fundamentals  have deteriorated -- it generally becomes a
candidate for sale.  The  portfolio  manager  strives to hold sector  weightings
close to those of the benchmark in an effort to contain risk.

         The JPM Pierpont  Asia Growth Fund (the "Asia Growth Fund") is designed
for long-term  investors who want access to the rapidly  growing Asian  markets.
The Advisor  considers  Asian growth  markets to be  Bangladesh,  China,  India,
Indonesia,  Korea,  Malaysia,  Pakistan,  the Philippines,  Sri Lanka, Thailand,
Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.  The Asia Growth Fund's investment objective is
to  provide  a high  total  return  from a  portfolio  of Equity  Securities  of
companies in Asian growth markets.  The Asia Growth Fund attempts to achieve its
investment  objective by investing all its investable  assets in The Asia Growth
Portfolio  (the  "Portfolio"),  a  diversified  open-end  management  investment
company  having the same  investment  objective  as the Asia  Growth  Fund.  For
additional  information,  see  "Appendix C -Investing  in Japan and Asian Growth
Markets."

         The Portfolio  seeks to achieve its  investment  objective by investing
primarily in the Equity  Securities of companies in Asian growth markets.  Under
normal circumstances,  the Portfolio expects to invest at least 65% of its total
assets  in such  securities.  The  Portfolio  does not  intend to invest in U.S.
securities  (other than money  market  instruments),  except  temporarily,  when
extraordinary  circumstances prevailing at the same time in a significant number
of countries  considered to be Asian growth markets  render  investments in such
countries inadvisable.

         Investment Process for the Asia Growth Portfolio

         Country allocation:  Morgan's country allocation decision begins with a
forecast of equity risk premiums,  which provide a valuation signal by measuring
the  relative  attractiveness  of  stocks  versus  bonds.  Using  a  proprietary
approach,  Morgan  calculates  this risk  premium for each of the nations in the
Portfolio's  universe,  determines the extent of its deviation -- if any -- from
its  historical  norm, and then ranks  countries  according to the size of these
deviations.  Countries with high (low) rankings are overweighted (underweighted)
to reflect  the  above-average  (below  average)  attractiveness  of their stock
markets.  In determining  weightings,  Morgan  analyzes a variety of qualitative
factors as well -- including the liquidity,  earnings momentum and interest rate
climate  of the market at hand.  These  qualitative  assessments  can change the
magnitude but not the direction of the country allocations called for by the

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        14

<PAGE>



risk-premium forecast. In an effort to contain risk, Morgan places limits on the
total size of the Portfolio's country over- and under-weightings.

         Stock  selection:  Morgan's six Asian equity analysts  focused on Asian
markets -- each an industry  and  country  specialist  --  forecast  normalized,
long-term  earnings and dividend payouts for approximately 250 companies in this
region.  These  forecasts are converted into  comparable  expected  returns by a
dividend  discount  model,  and then  companies  are  ranked  from most to least
attractive  by  industry  and  country,  and  are  grouped  into  quintiles.   A
diversified  portfolio is constructed  using disciplined buy and sell rules. The
portfolio manager's objective is to concentrate  purchases in the top 20% of the
rankings, and to keep sector weightings close to those of the benchmark.  Once a
stock  falls  into the  third  quintile  --  because  its price has risen or its
fundamentals  have  deteriorated  -- it generally  becomes a candidate for sale.
Where  available,  warrants and  convertibles  are purchased when they appear to
have the potential to add value over common stock.

         The following  discussion  supplements  the  information  regarding the
investment  objective  of each of the Funds and the  policies  to be employed to
achieve this objective by their corresponding  Portfolios as set forth above and
in the Prospectus.  The investment  objective of each Fund and its corresponding
Portfolio is identical. Accordingly, references below to a Fund also include the
Fund's  corresponding  Portfolio;  similarly,  references  to a  Portfolio  also
include the corresponding  Fund that invests in the Portfolio unless the context
requires otherwise.

Money Market Instruments

         As discussed in the Prospectus, each Fund may invest in money market
instruments to the extent consistent with its investment objective and policies.
A description of the various types of money market instruments that may be
purchased by the Funds appears below.  Also see "Quality and Diversification
Requirements."

         U.S. Treasury Securities.  Each of the Funds may invest in direct
obligations of the U.S. Treasury, including Treasury bills, notes and bonds, all
of which are backed as to principal and interest payments by the full faith and
credit of the United States.

         Additional U.S. Government Obligations. Each of the Funds may invest in
obligations   issued   or   guaranteed   by   U.S.    Government   agencies   or
instrumentalities. These obligations may or may not be backed by the "full faith
and credit" of the United States.  Securities which are backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States include  obligations of the Government  National
Mortgage  Association,  the Farmers Home  Administration,  and the Export-Import
Bank. In the case of  securities  not backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States,  each Fund must look principally to the federal agency issuing or
guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment and may not be able to assert
a  claim   against  the  United  States  itself  in  the  event  the  agency  or
instrumentality does not meet its commitments. Securities in which each Fund may
invest  that are not backed by the full  faith and  credit of the United  States
include, but are not limited to: (i) obligations of the Tennessee Valley

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        15

<PAGE>



Authority,  the Federal Home Loan  Mortgage  Corporation,  the Federal Home Loan
Banks and the U.S.  Postal  Service,  each of which has the right to borrow from
the U.S. Treasury to meet its obligations; (ii) securities issued by the Federal
National  Mortgage  Association,   which  are  supported  by  the  discretionary
authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency's obligations; and (iii)
obligations  of the Federal Farm Credit  System and the Student  Loan  Marketing
Association,  each of whose  obligations may be satisfied only by the individual
credits of the issuing agency.

         Foreign Government Obligations.Each of the Funds, except the Tax Exempt
Money Market Fund, the Federal Money Market Fund, the Tax Exempt Bond Fund and
the New York Total Return Bond Fund, subject to its applicable investment
policies, may also invest in short-term obligations of foreign sovereign
governments or of their agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or political
subdivisions.  These securities may be denominated in the U.S. dollar or, in the
case of the Short Term Bond, Bond, Global Strategic Income, U.S. Equity, U.S.
Small Company, International Equity, Emerging Markets Equity, International
Opportunities, Diversified, European Equity, Japan Equity and Asia Growth Funds,
in another currency.  See "Foreign Investments."

         Bank  Obligations.  Each of the Funds,  except the Federal Money Market
Fund,  unless  otherwise  noted  in the  Prospectus  or  below,  may  invest  in
negotiable  certificates of deposit,  time deposits and bankers'  acceptances of
(i) banks,  savings and loan associations and savings banks which have more than
$2 billion in total assets (the "Asset  Limitation") and are organized under the
laws of the United States or any state,  (ii) foreign branches of these banks or
of foreign banks of equivalent  size (Euros) and (iii) U.S.  branches of foreign
banks of equivalent size (Yankees). The Tax Exempt Money Market, Tax Exempt Bond
and New York Total  Return Bond Funds may not invest in  obligations  of foreign
branches of foreign  banks and the Asset  Limitation  is not  applicable  to the
Global  Strategic  Income,   International  Equity,   Emerging  Markets  Equity,
International Opportunities, European Equity, Japan Equity or Asia Growth Funds.
See "Foreign  Investments."  The Funds will not invest in obligations  for which
the  Advisor,  or any of its  affiliated  persons,  is the  ultimate  obligor or
accepting  bank.  Each of the Funds,  other than the Tax  Exempt  Money  Market,
Federal Money Market,  Tax Exempt Bond and New York Total Return Bond Funds, may
also invest in obligations of international  banking institutions  designated or
supported  by  national   governments   to  promote   economic   reconstruction,
development or trade between nations (e.g.,  the European  Investment  Bank, the
Inter-American Development Bank, or the World Bank).

         Commercial  Paper.  Each of the Funds  (except the Federal Money Market
Fund) may invest in  commercial  paper,  including  master  demand  obligations.
Master demand obligations are obligations that provide for a periodic adjustment
in the  interest  rate paid and permit  daily  changes  in the amount  borrowed.
Master  demand  obligations  are governed by  agreements  between the issuer and
Morgan  Guaranty  Trust  Company of New York acting as agent,  for no additional
fee, in its capacity as investment  advisor to the  Portfolios  and as fiduciary
for other clients for whom it exercises investment discretion. The monies loaned
to the borrower  come from  accounts  managed by the Advisor or its  affiliates,
pursuant to arrangements with such accounts. Interest and principal payments are
credited

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        16

<PAGE>



to such accounts.  The Advisor,  acting as a fiduciary on behalf of its clients,
has the right to increase or decrease the amount  provided to the borrower under
an obligation. The borrower has the right to pay without penalty all or any part
of the principal amount then outstanding on an obligation together with interest
to the date of  payment.  Since these  obligations  typically  provide  that the
interest rate is tied to the Federal  Reserve  commercial  paper composite rate,
the rate on master  demand  obligations  is subject to  change.  Repayment  of a
master demand obligation to participating accounts depends on the ability of the
borrower to pay the accrued  interest and principal of the  obligation on demand
which is continuously  monitored by the Advisor. Since master demand obligations
typically are not rated by credit rating agencies,  the Funds may invest in such
unrated  obligations  only if at the time of an  investment  the  obligation  is
determined by the Advisor to have a credit  quality  which  satisfies the Fund's
quality restrictions.  See "Quality and Diversification  Requirements." Although
there is no secondary market for master demand obligations, such obligations are
considered by the Funds to be liquid  because they are payable upon demand.  The
Funds do not have any specific  percentage  limitation on  investments in master
demand obligations. It is possible that the issuer of a master demand obligation
could be a client of Morgan to whom  Morgan,  in its  capacity  as a  commercial
bank, has made a loan.

         Repurchase  Agreements.  Each of the Funds,  except the  Federal  Money
Market Fund,  unless  otherwise noted in the Prospectus or below, may enter into
repurchase  agreements  with  brokers,  dealers  or banks  that meet the  credit
guidelines approved by the Funds' Trustees.  In a repurchase  agreement,  a Fund
buys a security from a seller that has agreed to repurchase the same security at
a mutually agreed upon date and price. The resale price normally is in excess of
the purchase price,  reflecting an agreed upon interest rate. This interest rate
is effective for the period of time the Fund is invested in the agreement and is
not  related  to the  coupon  rate  on the  underlying  security.  A  repurchase
agreement may also be viewed as a fully  collateralized  loan of money by a Fund
to the seller. The period of these repurchase  agreements will usually be short,
from  overnight to one week,  and at no time will the Funds invest in repurchase
agreements for more than thirteen  months.  The securities  which are subject to
repurchase  agreements,  however,  may have maturity dates in excess of thirteen
months from the effective  date of the repurchase  agreement.  The Federal Money
Market Fund will only enter into repurchase  agreements  involving U.S. Treasury
securities  or  permitted  agency  securities.  The Funds  will  always  receive
securities  as  collateral  whose market value is, and during the entire term of
the agreement  remains,  at least equal to 100% of the dollar amount invested by
the Funds in each  agreement  plus  accrued  interest,  and the Funds  will make
payment for such securities only upon physical delivery or upon evidence of book
entry  transfer to the account of the  Custodian.  The Prime Money  Market,  Tax
Exempt Money Market and Federal Money Market Funds will be fully  collateralized
within the meaning of paragraph (a)(4) of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). If the seller  defaults,  a Fund might
incur a loss if the value of the collateral  securing the  repurchase  agreement
declines and might incur  disposition  costs in connection with  liquidating the
collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to
the seller of the security,  realization  upon  disposal of the  collateral by a
Fund may be delayed or limited.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        17

<PAGE>



         Each of the Funds  (other than the Federal  Money Market Fund) may make
investments in other debt securities with remaining effective  maturities of not
more than thirteen months,  including without  limitation  corporate and foreign
bonds, asset-backed securities and other obligations described in the Prospectus
or this Statement of Additional Information. The Tax Exempt Money Market and Tax
Exempt Bond Funds may not invest in foreign bonds or asset-backed securities.

Corporate Bonds and Other Debt Securities

         As discussed in the  Prospectus,  the Short Term Bond,  Bond,  New York
Total Return Bond,  Global  Strategic  Income,  Diversified  and European Equity
Funds may invest in bonds and other debt  securities of domestic and (except for
the New York Total Return Bond Fund)  foreign  issuers to the extent  consistent
with  their  investment   objectives  and  policies.   A  description  of  these
investments   appears  in  the   Prospectus   and  below.   See   "Quality   and
Diversification  Requirements."  For  information  on short-term  investments in
these securities, see "Money Market Instruments."

       
   
        Mortgage-Backed  Securities.  The Short Term Bond Fund,  the Bond Fund,
the  Diversified  Fund  and the  Global  Strategic  Income  Fund may  invest  in
mortgage-backed   securities.  Each  mortgage  pool  underlying  mortgage-backed
securities  consists of mortgage loans evidenced by promissory  notes secured by
first  mortgages or first deeds of trust or other similar  security  instruments
creating a first lien on owner  occupied  and  non-owner  occupied  one-unit  to
four-unit residential  properties,  multifamily (i.e., five or more) properties,
agriculture  properties,  commercial  properties and mixed use  properties.  The
investment   characteristics  of  adjustable  and  fixed  rate   mortgage-backed
securities differ from those of traditional fixed income  securities.  The major
differences  include the payment of interest and  principal  on  mortgage-backed
securities on a more frequent  (usually  monthly)  schedule and the  possibility
that  principal may be prepaid at any time due to  prepayments on the underlying
mortgage loans or other assets.  These  differences can result in  significantly
greater  price and yield  volatility  than is the case  with  traditional  fixed
income  securities.  As a result,  a faster than expected  prepayment  rate will
reduce  both the market  value and the yield to  maturity  from those which were
anticipated.  A  prepayment  rate that is  slower  than  expected  will have the
opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity and market value.
    
         Government Guaranteed Mortgage-Backed  Securities.  Government National
Mortgage Association mortgage-backed  certificates ("Ginnie Maes") are supported
by the full faith and credit of the United States. Certain other U.S. Government
securities,  issued or  guaranteed by federal  agencies or government  sponsored
enterprises,  are not  supported  by the full  faith and  credit  of the  United
States,  but may be supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S.
Treasury.  These securities include obligations of instrumentalities such as the
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Macs") and the Federal National
Mortgage  Association  ("Fannie Maes").  No assurance can be given that the U.S.
Government   will  provide   financial   support  to  these  federal   agencies,
authorities,  instrumentalities  and  government  sponsored  enterprises  in the
future.


         There  are  several  types  of  guaranteed  mortgage-backed  securities
currently available, including guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates and
multiple  class  securities,  which  include  guaranteed  real  estate  mortgage
investment

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        18

<PAGE>



conduit  certificates  ("REMIC  Certificates"),  other  collateralized  mortgage
obligations ("CMOs") and stripped mortgage-backed securities.

         Mortgage   pass-through   securities  are  fixed  or  adjustable   rate
mortgage-backed  securities  which  provide  for  monthly  payments  that  are a
"pass-through"  of the monthly  interest and principal  payments  (including any
prepayments) made by the individual  borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net
of any  fees or  other  amounts  paid  to any  guarantor,  administrator  and/or
servicer of the underlying mortgage loans.

         Multiple class securities include CMOs and REMIC Certificates issued by
U.S. Government agencies,  instrumentalities  (such as Fannie Mae) and sponsored
enterprises (such as Freddie Mac) or by trusts formed by private originators of,
or  investors  in,  mortgage  loans,  including  savings and loan  associations,
mortgage bankers,  commercial banks,  insurance companies,  investment banks and
special  purpose  subsidiaries  of the  foregoing.  In  general,  CMOs  are debt
obligations  of a legal entity that are  collateralized  by, and multiple  class
mortgage-backed  securities  represent direct ownership  interests in, a pool of
mortgage loans or mortgaged-backed  securities and payments on which are used to
make payments on the CMOs or multiple class mortgage-backed securities.

         CMOs and guaranteed REMIC Certificates issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie
Mac are  types of  multiple  class  mortgage-backed  securities.  Investors  may
purchase beneficial  interests in REMICs, which are known as "regular" interests
or "residual" interests.  The Funds do not intend to purchase residual interests
in REMICs. The REMIC Certificates  represent beneficial ownership interests in a
REMIC trust,  generally  consisting of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac
or Ginnie Mae guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (the "Mortgage Assets"). The
obligations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under their respective guaranty of the
REMIC  Certificates  are  obligations  solely of  Fannie  Mae and  Freddie  Mac,
respectively.

         CMOs and REMIC Certificates are issued in multiple classes.  Each class
of CMOs or REMIC Certificates,  often referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a
specific  adjustable  or fixed  interest rate and must be fully retired no later
than its final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the assets underlying
the CMOs or REMIC  Certificates  may cause some or all of the classes of CMOs or
REMIC  Certificates  to  be  retired  substantially  earlier  than  their  final
scheduled  distribution  dates.  Generally,  interest  is paid or accrues on all
classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates on a monthly basis.

         Stripped   Mortgage-Backed    Securities.    Stripped   mortgage-backed
securities  ("SMBS") are derivative  multiclass mortgage  securities,  issued or
guaranteed  by the U.S.  Government,  its  agencies or  instrumentalities  or by
private issuers. Although the market for such securities is increasingly liquid,
privately  issued  SMBS may not be  readily  marketable  and will be  considered
illiquid  for  purposes  of the Fund's  limitation  on  investments  in illiquid
securities.  The  Advisor  may  determine  that SMBS  which are U.S.  Government
securities  are liquid for purposes of each Fund's  limitation on investments in
illiquid  securities  in  accordance  with  procedures  adopted  by the Board of
Trustees.  The  market  value of the  class  consisting  entirely  of  principal
payments generally is unusually volatile in

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        19

<PAGE>



response  to  changes  in  interest  rates.  The  yields on a class of SMBS that
receives all or most of the interest from Mortgage  Assets are generally  higher
than prevailing market yields on other mortgage-backed  securities because their
cash flow  patterns  are more  volatile  and  there is a  greater  risk that the
initial investment will not be fully recouped.

         Zero  Coupon,  Pay-in-Kind  and  Deferred  Payment  Securities.   While
interest  payments are not made on such  securities,  holders of such securities
are deemed to have received  "phantom  income."  Because a Fund will  distribute
"phantom  income" to  shareholders,  to the extent  that  shareholders  elect to
receive  dividends in cash rather than  reinvesting such dividends in additional
shares,  the applicable  Portfolio will have fewer assets with which to purchase
income producing securities.

         Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities directly or indirectly
represent a  participation  interest  in, or are secured by and payable  from, a
stream of payments  generated  by  particular  assets  such as motor  vehicle or
credit card receivables or other asset-backed securities  collateralized by such
assets.  Payments of  principal  and interest  may be  guaranteed  up to certain
amounts  and for a  certain  time  period  by a letter  of  credit  issued  by a
financial institution unaffiliated with the entities issuing the securities. The
asset-backed  securities  in which a Fund may invest  are  subject to the Fund's
overall credit requirements.  However,  asset-backed securities, in general, are
subject to certain risks.  Most of these risks are related to limited  interests
in  applicable  collateral.  For  example,  credit  card  debt  receivables  are
generally  unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the  protection of a number
of state and federal  consumer  credit laws, many of which give such debtors the
right to set off  certain  amounts  on credit  card debt  thereby  reducing  the
balance  due.  Additionally,  if the letter of credit is  exhausted,  holders of
asset-backed  securities may also experience delays in payments or losses if the
full  amounts  due on  underlying  sales  contracts  are not  realized.  Because
asset-backed  securities  are  relatively  new, the market  experience  in these
securities is limited and the market's ability to sustain  liquidity through all
phases of the market cycle has not been tested.

Tax Exempt Obligations

         As discussed in the Prospectus, the Tax Exempt Money Market, Tax Exempt
Bond and New York Total  Return  Bond Funds and, in certain  circumstances,  the
Bond and Short Term Bond  Funds,  may invest in tax  exempt  obligations  to the
extent  consistent  with  each  Fund's  investment  objective  and  policies.  A
description  of  the  various  types  of tax  exempt  obligations  which  may be
purchased by the Funds  appears in the  Prospectus  and below.  See "Quality and
Diversification Requirements."

         Municipal  Bonds.  Municipal bonds are debt  obligations  issued by the
states,  territories  and  possessions  of the United States and the District of
Columbia,  by their political  subdivisions and by duly constituted  authorities
and   corporations.   For  example,   states,   territories,   possessions   and
municipalities  may issue  municipal  bonds to raise  funds for  various  public
purposes such as airports,  housing,  hospitals,  mass transportation,  schools,
water and sewer works. They may also issue municipal bonds to refund outstanding
obligations and

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        20

<PAGE>



to meet general operating expenses.  Public authorities issue municipal bonds to
obtain funding for privately operated facilities,  such as housing and pollution
control  facilities,  for  industrial  facilities  or  for  water  supply,  gas,
electricity or waste disposal facilities.

         Municipal  bonds may be general  obligation or revenue  bonds.  General
obligation  bonds are secured by the issuer's  pledge of its full faith,  credit
and taxing power for the payment of principal  and  interest.  Revenue bonds are
payable from revenues derived from particular facilities, from the proceeds of a
special  excise  tax or  from  other  specific  revenue  sources.  They  are not
generally payable from the general taxing power of a municipality.

     Municipal  Notes.  Municipal notes are subdivided into three  categories of
short-term   obligations:   municipal  notes,  municipal  commercial  paper  and
municipal demand obligations.

         Municipal notes are short-term  obligations with a maturity at the time
of  issuance  ranging  from six months to five  years.  The  principal  types of
municipal notes include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue
anticipation  notes,  grant  anticipation notes and project notes. Notes sold in
anticipation  of collection of taxes,  a bond sale, or receipt of other revenues
are usually general obligations of the issuing municipality or agency.

         Municipal  commercial  paper  typically  consists  of  very  short-term
unsecured  negotiable  promissory  notes that are sold to meet seasonal  working
capital or interim  construction  financing  needs of a municipality  or agency.
While  these  obligations  are  intended  to be paid from  general  revenues  or
refinanced with long-term debt, they frequently are backed by letters of credit,
lending  agreements,   note  repurchase  agreements  or  other  credit  facility
agreements offered by banks or institutions.

     Municipal demand  obligations are subdivided into two types:  variable rate
demand notes and master demand obligations.

         Variable  rate demand  notes are tax exempt  municipal  obligations  or
participation  interests that provide for a periodic  adjustment in the interest
rate paid on the notes.  They permit the holder to demand  payment of the notes,
or to demand  purchase  of the notes at a  purchase  price  equal to the  unpaid
principal  balance,  plus accrued  interest  either directly by the issuer or by
drawing on a bank letter of credit or guaranty issued with respect to such note.
The issuer of the municipal  obligation may have a corresponding right to prepay
at its discretion the  outstanding  principal of the note plus accrued  interest
upon notice  comparable to that required for the holder to demand  payment.  The
variable  rate demand  notes in which each Fund may invest are  payable,  or are
subject to purchase, on demand usually on notice of seven calendar days or less.
The terms of the notes provide that interest  rates are  adjustable at intervals
ranging from daily to six months,  and the  adjustments are based upon the prime
rate of a bank  or  other  appropriate  interest  rate  index  specified  in the
respective  notes.  Variable rate demand notes are valued at amortized  cost; no
value is  assigned  to the  right of each Fund to  receive  the par value of the
obligation upon demand or notice.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        21

<PAGE>



         Master demand  obligations are tax exempt  municipal  obligations  that
provide for a periodic  adjustment  in the  interest  rate paid and permit daily
changes in the amount  borrowed.  The  interest on such  obligations  is, in the
opinion of counsel  for the  borrower,  excluded  from gross  income for federal
income tax  purposes.  For a  description  of the  attributes  of master  demand
obligations,  see  "Money  Market  Instruments"  above.  Although  there  is  no
secondary market for master demand obligations,  such obligations are considered
by each Fund to be liquid  because they are payable upon demand.  The Funds have
no specific percentage limitations on investments in master demand obligations.

         The Tax Exempt Money Market Fund may  purchase  securities  of the type
described above if they have effective  maturities  within thirteen  months.  As
required by regulation of the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  (the "SEC"),
this means that on the date of  acquisition  the final  stated  maturity  (or if
called for  redemption,  the redemption  date) must be within thirteen months or
the  maturity  must be deemed to be no more than  thirteen  months  because of a
maturity shortening mechanism,  such as a variable interest rate, coupled with a
conditional or  unconditional  right to resell the investment to the issuer or a
third party. See "Variable Rate Demand Notes" and "Puts." A substantial  portion
of the  Tax  Exempt  Money  Market  Fund's  portfolio  is  subject  to  maturity
shortening  mechanisms  consisting  of  variable  interest  rates  coupled  with
unconditional  rights to resell the securities to the issuers either directly or
by drawing  on a  domestic  or  foreign  bank  letter of credit or other  credit
support arrangement.
See "Foreign Investments."

         Puts.  The Tax Exempt Money Market,  Tax Exempt Bond and New York Total
Return Bond Funds may purchase  without limit  municipal bonds or notes together
with the right to resell the bonds or notes to the seller at an agreed  price or
yield  within a  specified  period  prior to the  maturity  date of the bonds or
notes.  Such a right to resell is commonly known as a "put." The aggregate price
for bonds or notes  with  puts may be  higher  than the price for bonds or notes
without puts.  Consistent with each Fund's  investment  objective and subject to
the supervision of the Trustees,  the purpose of this practice is to permit each
Fund  to be  fully  invested  in tax  exempt  securities  while  preserving  the
necessary  liquidity to purchase  securities  on a  when-issued  basis,  to meet
unusually large  redemptions,  and to purchase at a later date securities  other
than those subject to the put. The principal  risk of puts is that the writer of
the put may default on its  obligation to  repurchase.  The Advisor will monitor
each writer's ability to meet its obligations under puts.

         Puts may be  exercised  prior to the  expiration  date in order to fund
obligations to purchase other securities or to meet redemption  requests.  These
obligations may arise during periods in which proceeds from sales of Fund shares
and  from  recent  sales  of  portfolio  securities  are  insufficient  to  meet
obligations or when the funds available are otherwise  allocated for investment.
In addition, puts may be exercised prior to the expiration date in order to take
advantage of alternative  investment  opportunities  or in the event the Advisor
revises its evaluation of the  creditworthiness  of the issuer of the underlying
security. In determining whether to exercise puts prior to their expiration date
and in selecting  which puts to exercise,  the Advisor  considers  the amount of
cash  available to each Fund, the  expiration  dates of the available  puts, any
future

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        22

<PAGE>



commitments for securities purchases,  alternative investment opportunities, the
desirability of retaining the underlying securities in each Fund's portfolio and
the yield, quality and maturity dates of the underlying securities.

         The Tax Exempt Money Market Fund values any  municipal  bonds and notes
which are subject to puts at  amortized  cost.  No value is assigned to the put.
The cost of any such  put is  carried  as an  unrealized  loss  from the time of
purchase  until it is  exercised  or  expires.  The Tax Exempt Bond and New York
Total Return Bond Funds value any municipal bonds and notes subject to puts with
remaining  maturities of less than 60 days by the amortized cost method.  If the
Tax Exempt Bond and New York Total Return Bond Funds were to invest in municipal
bonds and notes  with  maturities  of 60 days or more that are  subject  to puts
separate from the underlying securities,  the puts and the underlying securities
would be  valued at fair  value as  determined  in  accordance  with  procedures
established by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees would, in connection
with the determination of the value of a put, consider, among other factors, the
creditworthiness of the writer of the put, the duration of the put, the dates on
which or the periods  during which the put may be exercised  and the  applicable
rules and regulations of the SEC. Prior to investing in such securities, the Tax
Exempt Bond and New York Total Return Bond Funds, if deemed necessary based upon
the advice of counsel,  will apply to the SEC for an exemptive order,  which may
not be granted, relating to the valuation of such securities.

         Since the value of the put is partly  dependent  on the  ability of the
put writer to meet its obligation to repurchase,  each Fund's policy is to enter
into put transactions only with municipal securities dealers who are approved by
the  Advisor.  Each dealer  will be  approved on its own merits,  and it is each
Fund's  general  policy to enter into put  transactions  only with those dealers
which are determined to present  minimal credit risks.  In connection  with such
determination, the Trustees will review regularly the Advisor's list of approved
dealers,  taking  into  consideration,  among  other  things,  the  ratings,  if
available,  of  their  equity  and  debt  securities,  their  reputation  in the
municipal securities markets,  their net worth, their efficiency in consummating
transactions  and any  collateral  arrangements,  such  as  letters  of  credit,
securing the puts written by them.  Commercial  bank  dealers  normally  will be
members of the Federal Reserve System,  and other dealers will be members of the
National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  or  members of a national
securities  exchange.  In the case of the Tax  Exempt  Bond  and New York  Total
Return Bond  Funds,  other put writers  will have  outstanding  debt rated Aa or
better  by  Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's")  or AA or  better by
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("Standard & Poor's"),  or will be of comparable
quality  in the  Advisor's  opinion  or such put  writers'  obligations  will be
collateralized and of comparable quality in the Advisor's opinion.  The Trustees
have  directed  the Advisor not to enter into put  transactions  with any dealer
which in the judgment of the Advisor becomes more than a minimal credit risk. In
the event  that a dealer  should  default on its  obligation  to  repurchase  an
underlying security,  the Funds are unable to predict whether all or any portion
of any loss sustained could subsequently be recovered from such dealer.

         The Trust has been advised by counsel that the Funds will be considered
the owner of the  securities  subject  to the puts so that the  interest  on the
securities is tax exempt income to the Funds. Such advice of counsel is based

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        23

<PAGE>



on certain assumptions concerning the terms of the puts and the attendant
circumstances.

Equity Investments

         As discussed in the  Prospectus,  the Portfolios  for the U.S.  Equity,
U.S. Small Company, International Equity, Emerging Markets Equity, International
Opportunities,  European  Equity,  Japan  Equity and Asia  Growth  Funds and the
equity portion of the Diversified Fund (collectively,  the "Equity  Portfolios")
invest primarily in Equity Securities. The Equity Securities in which the Equity
Portfolios  invest  include  those listed on any domestic or foreign  securities
exchange  or  traded in the  over-the-counter  (OTC)  market as well as  certain
restricted or unlisted  securities.  A discussion of the various types of equity
investments which may be purchased by these Portfolios appears in the Prospectus
and below. See "Quality and Diversification Requirements."

         Equity Securities. The Equity Securities in which the Equity Portfolios
may invest may or may not pay dividends and may or may not carry voting  rights.
Common stock occupies the most junior position in a company's capital structure.

         The  convertible  securities in which the Equity  Portfolios may invest
include any debt  securities  or  preferred  stock which may be  converted  into
common  stock or which carry the right to  purchase  common  stock.  Convertible
securities  entitle the holder to exchange the securities for a specified number
of shares of common  stock,  usually of the same  company,  at specified  prices
within a certain period of time.

         The  terms of any  convertible  security  determine  its  ranking  in a
company's capital structure. In the case of subordinated convertible debentures,
the holders'  claims on assets and earnings  are  subordinated  to the claims of
other  creditors,  and  are  senior  to  the  claims  of  preferred  and  common
shareholders. In the case of convertible preferred stock, the holders' claims on
assets and  earnings are  subordinated  to the claims of all  creditors  and are
senior to the claims of common shareholders.

Common Stock Warrants

         The Portfolios for the U.S. Equity,  U.S. Small Company,  International
Equity,  Emerging  Markets  Equity,  International  Opportunities,  Diversified,
European  Equity,  Japan Equity and Asia Growth Funds may invest in common stock
warrants  that  entitle  the holder to buy  common  stock from the issuer of the
warrant at a specific  price (the strike  price) for a specific  period of time.
The market price of warrants may be substantially  lower than the current market
price of the underlying  common stock, yet warrants are subject to similar price
fluctuations.  As a result,  warrants may be more volatile  investments than the
underlying common stock.

         Warrants  generally  do not entitle the holder to  dividends  or voting
rights with  respect to the  underlying  common stock and do not  represent  any
rights in the assets of the issuer company.  A warrant will expire  worthless if
it is not exercised on or prior to the expiration date.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        24

<PAGE>



Foreign Investments

         The Global Strategic  Income,  International  Equity,  Emerging Markets
Equity,  International  Opportunities,  European  Equity,  Japan Equity and Asia
Growth Funds make substantial investments in foreign countries.  The Prime Money
Market,  Bond, Short Term Bond, U.S. Equity,  U.S. Small Company and Diversified
Funds may invest in  certain  foreign  securities.  The Short Term Bond and Bond
Funds may invest up to 20% of total assets in fixed income securities of foreign
issuers  denominated in foreign  currencies.  The U.S. Equity Fund may invest in
equity  securities  of  foreign  corporations  included  in the S&P 500 Index or
listed on a national securities exchange. The U.S. Small Company Fund may invest
in equity securities of foreign issuers that are listed on a national securities
exchange or  denominated  or principally  traded in the U.S.  dollar.  The Bond,
Short Term Bond, U.S.  Equity,  U.S. Small Company and Diversified  Funds do not
expect to invest  more than 25%,  25%,  5%, 5% and 30%,  respectively,  of their
total  assets at the time of  purchase in  securities  of foreign  issuers.  All
investments of the Prime Money Market Fund must be U.S.  dollar-denominated.  In
the case of the Prime Money Market,  Bond and Short Term Bond Funds, any foreign
commercial  paper must not be subject to foreign  withholding tax at the time of
purchase.

         Foreign  investments  may be made  directly  in  securities  of foreign
issuers  or in the  form of  American  Depositary  Receipts  ("ADRs"),  European
Depositary  Receipts ("EDRs") and Global  Depositary  Receipts ("GDRs") or other
similar securities of foreign issuers. ADRs are securities,  typically issued by
a U.S. financial institution (a "depositary"), that evidence ownership interests
in a security or a pool of securities  issued by a foreign  issuer and deposited
with the  depositary.  ADRs  include  American  Depositary  Shares  and New York
Shares.  EDRs are receipts  issued by a European  financial  institution.  GDRs,
which are sometimes referred to as Continental Depositary Receipts ("CDRs"), are
securities,  typically issued by a non-U.S. financial institution, that evidence
ownership  interests  in a security or a pool of  securities  issued by either a
U.S.  or  foreign  issuer.  ADRs,  EDRs,  GDRs  and CDRs  may be  available  for
investment through "sponsored" or "unsponsored" facilities. A sponsored facility
is established  jointly by the issuer of the security underlying the receipt and
a depositary, whereas an unsponsored facility may be established by a depositary
without participation by the issuer of the receipt's underlying security.

         Holders of an unsponsored  depositary  receipt generally bear all costs
of  the  unsponsored  facility.   The  depositary  of  an  unsponsored  facility
frequently  is under no  obligation  to  distribute  shareholder  communications
received  from the issuer of the  deposited  security or to pass  through to the
holders of the receipts voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.

         Since investments in foreign securities may involve foreign currencies,
the  value of a Fund's  assets  as  measured  in U.S.  dollars  may be  affected
favorably or unfavorably  by changes in currency  rates and in exchange  control
regulations,  including  currency  blockage.  The Short Term Bond, Bond,  Global
Strategic  Income,  U.S.  Equity,  U.S.  Small  Company,  International  Equity,
Emerging  Markets Equity,  International  Opportunities,  Diversified,  European
Equity,  Japan Equity and Asia Growth  Funds may enter into forward  commitments
for the purchase or sale of foreign currencies in connection with the settlement
of foreign securities

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        25

<PAGE>



transactions or to manage the Funds' currency exposure as described in the
Prospectus.

         The Global Strategic  Income,  International  Equity,  Emerging Markets
Equity,  International  Opportunities  and Asia Growth  Funds may also invest in
countries with emerging economies or securities markets.  Political and economic
structures in many of such countries may be undergoing significant evolution and
rapid  development,  and  such  countries  may lack the  social,  political  and
economic stability  characteristic of more developed countries.  Certain of such
countries may have in the past failed to recognize  private  property rights and
have at times nationalized or expropriated the assets of private companies. As a
result,  the risks described above,  including the risks of  nationalization  or
expropriation of assets, may be heightened. In addition, unanticipated political
or social  developments  may affect the values of a Fund's  investments in those
countries and the  availability to such Fund of additional  investments in those
countries.  The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain
of such  countries  and the  limited  volume of trading in  securities  in those
countries  may make a Fund's  investments  in such  countries  illiquid and more
volatile than  investments  in more  developed  countries,  and such Fund may be
required to establish  special  custodial or other  arrangements  before  making
certain  investments  in those  countries.  There  may be  little  financial  or
accounting  information  available with respect to issuers located in certain of
such  countries,  and it may be  difficult  as a result to  assess  the value or
prospects of an investment in such issuers.

         For a description  of the risks  associated  with  investing in foreign
securities,  see  "Additional  Investment  Information  and Risk Factors" in the
Prospectus.  To the extent that the Tax Exempt Money Market, Tax Exempt Bond and
New York Total Return Bond Funds  invest in municipal  bonds and notes backed by
credit  support  arrangements  with foreign  financial  institutions,  the risks
associated with investing in foreign securities may be relevant to these Funds.

         Investing in Japan.  Investing in Japanese  securities  may involve the
risks associated with investing in foreign  securities  generally.  In addition,
because the Japan Equity,  International Equity and International  Opportunities
Portfolios invest in equities of Japanese  issuers,  they will be subject to the
general economic and political  conditions in Japan. It is not expected that the
Asia  Growth  Portfolio  will  invest in Japan (see  "Investment  Objective  and
Policies" in the Prospectus).

         Share prices of companies listed on Japanese stock exchanges and on the
Japanese OTC market  reached  historical  peaks (which were later referred to as
the  "bubble") as well as  historically  high trading  volumes in 1989 and 1990.
Since then, stock prices in both markets decreased  significantly.  There can be
no assurance that additional market corrections will not occur.

         The common stocks of many Japanese  companies continue to trade at high
price earnings ratios in comparison with those in the United States,  even after
the recent market decline.  Differences in accounting  methods make it difficult
to compare the earnings of Japanese  companies  with those of companies in other
countries, especially the United States.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        26

<PAGE>



         Since the Japan Equity, International Equity and International
Opportunities Portfolios invest in securities denominated in yen, changes in
exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the yen affect the U.S. dollar value
of their respective assets.  Although the Japanese economy has grown
substantially over the past four decades, recently the rate of growth had slowed
substantially.  See "Foreign Currency Exchange Transactions."

         Japan's  success in exporting  its  products  has  generated a sizeable
trade surplus. Such trade surplus has caused tensions at times between Japan and
some of its trading  partners.  In particular,  Japan's trade relations with the
United  States have  recently  been the subject of  discussion  and  negotiation
between the two nations. The United States has imposed certain measures designed
to address  trade  issues in specific  industries.  These  measures  and similar
measures in the future may adversely affect the performance of the Japan Equity,
International Equity and International Opportunities Portfolios.

         Japan's economy has typically  exhibited low inflation and low interest
rates.  There can be no assurance that low inflation and low interest rates will
continue,  and it is likely  that a reversal  of such  factors  would  adversely
affect  the  Japanese  economy.  Moreover,  the  Japanese  economy  may  differ,
favorably or  unfavorably,  from the U.S.  economy in such respects as growth of
gross national  product,  rate of inflation,  capital  reinvestment,  resources,
self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.

         Japan  has a  parliamentary  form of  government.  In 1993 a  coalition
government was formed which,  for the first time since 1955, did not include the
Liberal  Democratic  Party.  Since mid-1993,  there have been several changes in
leadership in Japan.  What, if any, effect the current political  situation will
have on  prospective  regulatory  reforms  of the  economy  in Japan  cannot  be
predicted.  Recent  and  future  developments  in Japan  and  neighboring  Asian
countries  may lead to  changes  in policy  that might  adversely  affect  these
Portfolios.

Additional Investments

         When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities. Each of the Portfolios may
purchase  securities on a when-issued or delayed  delivery  basis.  For example,
delivery  of and  payment  for these  securities  can take place a month or more
after the date of the purchase  commitment.  The purchase price and the interest
rate payable,  if any, on the  securities  are fixed on the purchase  commitment
date or at the time the settlement  date is fixed.  The value of such securities
is subject to market  fluctuation  and for money  market  instruments  and other
fixed income  securities  no interest  accrues to a Portfolio  until  settlement
takes place. At the time a Portfolio makes the commitment to purchase securities
on a when-issued  or delayed  delivery  basis,  it will record the  transaction,
reflect the value each day of such securities in determining its net asset value
and, if applicable,  calculate the maturity for the purposes of average maturity
from that date. At the time of  settlement a when-issued  security may be valued
at less than the purchase price. To facilitate such acquisitions, each Portfolio
will  maintain  with the  Custodian a  segregated  account  with liquid  assets,
consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities or other appropriate  securities,
in an amount at least  equal to such  commitments.  On  delivery  dates for such
transactions,

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        27

<PAGE>



each  Portfolio  will  meet  its  obligations  from  maturities  or sales of the
securities held in the segregated  account and/or from cash flow. If a Portfolio
chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued  security  prior to its
acquisition,   it  could,  as  with  the  disposition  of  any  other  portfolio
obligation,  incur a gain or loss due to market  fluctuation.  It is the current
policy of each Portfolio  (excluding the International  Opportunities and Global
Strategic Income Portfolios) not to enter into when-issued commitments exceeding
in the aggregate 15% of the market value of the Portfolio's  total assets,  less
liabilities other than the obligations created by when-issued commitments.

         Investment Company Securities. Securities of other investment companies
may be acquired by each of the Funds and their  corresponding  Portfolios to the
extent  permitted  under the 1940 Act.  These limits require that, as determined
immediately  after a  purchase  is made,  (i) not more than 5% of the value of a
Fund's total  assets will be invested in the  securities  of any one  investment
company,  (ii)  not more  than 10% of the  value  of its  total  assets  will be
invested in the aggregate in securities of investment  companies as a group, and
(iii) not more than 3% of the  outstanding  voting  stock of any one  investment
company will be owned by a Fund, provided however, that a Fund may invest all of
its  investable  assets  in an  open-end  investment  company  that has the same
investment objective as the Fund (its corresponding Portfolio). As a shareholder
of another investment  company, a Fund or Portfolio would bear, along with other
shareholders,  its pro rata portion of the other investment  company's expenses,
including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory and
other expenses that a Fund or Portfolio  bears  directly in connection  with its
own operations.  The Funds and the Portfolios have applied for exemptive  relief
from the SEC to  permit  the  Portfolios  to  invest  in  affiliated  investment
companies.  If the requested  relief is granted,  the  Portfolios  would then be
permitted to invest in affiliated Funds, subject to certain conditions specified
in the applicable order.

         Reverse  Repurchase  Agreements.  Each of the  Portfolios,  except  the
Federal Money Market Fund,  unless  otherwise  noted in the Prospectus or below,
may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. In a reverse repurchase agreement,
a Portfolio  sells a security and agrees to  repurchase  the same  security at a
mutually agreed upon date and price.  The Portfolio for the Federal Money Market
Fund will only enter  into  reverse  repurchase  agreements  involving  Treasury
securities.  For purposes of the 1940 Act a reverse repurchase agreement is also
considered as the borrowing of money by the Portfolio and, therefore,  a form of
leverage.  The Portfolios  will invest the proceeds of borrowings  under reverse
repurchase  agreements.  In  addition,  a  Portfolio  will  enter into a reverse
repurchase  agreement  only  when the  interest  income  to be  earned  from the
investment  of  the  proceeds  is  greater  than  the  interest  expense  of the
transaction.  A Portfolio  will not invest the proceeds of a reverse  repurchase
agreement  for a period  which  exceeds the  duration of the reverse  repurchase
agreement.  Each  Portfolio  will  establish  and maintain  with the Custodian a
separate account with a segregated portfolio of securities in an amount at least
equal to its purchase  obligations under its reverse repurchase  agreements.  If
interest rates rise during the term of a reverse repurchase agreement,  entering
into the reverse  repurchase  agreement may have a negative  impact on the Prime
Money Market, Tax Exempt Money Market and Federal Money Market Funds' ability to

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        28

<PAGE>



maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per share. See "Investment Restrictions" for
each  Portfolio's   limitations  on  reverse  repurchase   agreements  and  bank
borrowings.

         Mortgage  Dollar Roll  Transactions.  The Portfolios for the Short Term
Bond, Bond and Global  Strategic Income Funds may engage in mortgage dollar roll
transactions  with  respect  to  mortgage  securities  issued by the  Government
National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the
Federal Home Loan Mortgage  Corporation.  In a mortgage dollar roll transaction,
the Portfolio  sells a mortgage  backed  security and  simultaneously  agrees to
repurchase  a similar  security  on a  specified  future  date at an agreed upon
price. During the roll period, the Portfolio will not be entitled to receive any
interest or principal paid on the securities  sold. The Portfolio is compensated
for the lost interest on the securities sold by the difference between the sales
price and the lower price for the future  repurchase  as well as by the interest
earned on the  reinvestment  of the sales  proceeds.  The  Portfolio may also be
compensated  by receipt of a commitment  fee. When the  Portfolio  enters into a
mortgage dollar roll  transaction,  liquid assets in an amount sufficient to pay
for the future  repurchase are segregated  with the Custodian.  Mortgage  dollar
roll transactions are considered reverse  repurchase  agreements for purposes of
the Portfolio's investment restrictions.

         Loans of  Portfolio  Securities.  Each of the  Portfolios  may lend its
securities  if such  loans  are  secured  continuously  by  cash  or  equivalent
collateral  or by a letter of credit in favor of the Portfolio at least equal at
all times to 100% of the market  value of the  securities  loaned,  plus accrued
interest. While such securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Portfolio
any  income  accruing  thereon.  Loans will be  subject  to  termination  by the
Portfolios in the normal  settlement  time,  generally three business days after
notice,  or by the borrower on one day's  notice.  Borrowed  securities  must be
returned  when the loan is  terminated.  Any gain or loss in the market price of
the borrowed  securities  which  occurs  during the term of the loan inures to a
Portfolio  and its  respective  investors.  The  Portfolios  may pay  reasonable
finders' and custodial fees in connection with a loan. In addition,  a Portfolio
will consider all facts and circumstances  including the creditworthiness of the
borrowing financial institution,  and no Portfolio will make any loans in excess
of one year.  The  Portfolios  will not lend their  securities  to any  officer,
Trustee, Director, employee or other affiliate of the Portfolios, the Advisor or
the Distributor, unless otherwise permitted by applicable law.

         Privately Placed and Certain  Unregistered  Securities.  The Portfolios
for each of the Funds  (except  the  Federal  Money  Market  Fund) may invest in
privately  placed,  restricted,  Rule 144A or other  unregistered  securities as
described in the Prospectus.

         As to  illiquid  investments,  a  Portfolio  is  subject to a risk that
should the Portfolio  decide to sell them when a ready buyer is not available at
a price the  Portfolio  deems  representative  of their value,  the value of the
Portfolio's net assets could be adversely  affected.  Where an illiquid security
must be  registered  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended  (the "1933
Act"), before it may be sold, a Portfolio may be obligated to pay all or part of
the

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        29

<PAGE>



registration  expenses, and a considerable period may elapse between the time of
the  decision  to sell and the time the  Portfolio  may be  permitted  to sell a
security under an effective  registration  statement.  If, during such a period,
adverse  market  conditions  were to develop,  a Portfolio  might  obtain a less
favorable price than prevailed when it decided to sell.

         Synthetic Instruments. The Portfolios for the Tax Exempt Bond, New York
Total  Return  Bond and Tax  Exempt  Money  Market  Funds may  invest in certain
synthetic variable rate instruments as described in the Prospectus.  In the case
of some types of instruments credit enhancement is not provided,  and if certain
events, which may include (a) default in the payment of principal or interest on
the underlying bond, (b) downgrading of the bond below investment grade or (c) a
loss of the bond's tax exempt status,  occur,  then (i) the put will  terminate,
(ii) the risk to a Fund will be that of holding a long-term  bond,  and (iii) in
the case of the Tax Exempt Money Market Fund, the disposition of the bond may be
required which could be at a loss.

         The  Portfolio  for the Prime  Money  Market Fund may invest in certain
synthetic instruments.  Such instruments generally involve the deposit of asset-
backed securities in a trust arrangement and the issuance of certificates and/or
notes evidencing  interests in the trust. These securities are generally sold in
private placements in reliance on Rule 144A.

         Interest Rate Swaps (Global Strategic Income Portfolio).  In connection
with such  transactions,  the Portfolio will segregate cash or liquid securities
to cover any  amounts  it could owe under  swaps that  exceed the  amounts it is
entitled to receive, and it will adjust that amount daily, as needed. During the
term of a swap,  changes in the value of the swap are  recognized  as unrealized
gains or losses by marking to market to  reflect  the market  value of the swap.
When the swap is  terminated,  the Portfolio will record a realized gain or loss
equal to the  difference,  if any,  between the  proceeds  from (or cost of) the
closing transaction and the Portfolio's basis in the contract.  The Portfolio is
exposed to credit loss in the event of  nonperformance by the other party to the
swap.

Quality and Diversification Requirements

         Each of the  Funds,  except the New York  Total  Return  Bond and Japan
Equity Funds, intends to meet the diversification  requirements of the 1940 Act.
To meet these  requirements,  75% of the assets of these Funds is subject to the
following fundamental  limitations:  (1) the Fund may not invest more than 5% of
its total assets in the securities of any one issuer,  except obligations of the
U.S. Government,  its agencies and  instrumentalities,  and (2) the Fund may not
own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. As for
the other 25% of the Fund's  assets  not  subject  to the  limitation  described
above,  there is no limitation on investment of these assets under the 1940 Act,
so that all of such  assets may be  invested  in  securities  of any one issuer,
subject to the  limitation  of any  applicable  state  securities  laws, or with
respect to the Prime Money  Market,  Tax Exempt Money  Market and Federal  Money
Market Funds,  as described  below.  Investments  not subject to the limitations
described above could involve an increased risk to a Fund should an issuer, or a
state or its

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        30

<PAGE>



related entities, be unable to make interest or principal payments or should the
market value of such securities decline.

     Although  the New York Total  Return  Bond and Japan  Equity  Funds are not
limited by the  diversification  requirements  of the 1940 Act, these Funds (and
the other Funds) will comply with the  diversification  requirements  imposed by
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for qualification as
a regulated investment company. See "Taxes."

         With  respect to the Tax Exempt Money Market and Tax Exempt Bond Funds,
for  purposes  of  diversification   and  concentration   under  the  1940  Act,
identification  of the issuer of municipal  bonds or notes  depends on the terms
and conditions of the obligation. With respect to the New York Total Return Bond
Fund, for purposes of diversification under the Code and concentration under the
1940 Act,  identification of the issuer of municipal bonds or notes also depends
on the terms and conditions of the obligation.  If the assets and revenues of an
agency,  authority,  instrumentality or other political subdivision are separate
from those of the  government  creating the  subdivision  and the  obligation is
backed only by the assets and revenues of the  subdivision,  such subdivision is
regarded as the sole issuer. Similarly, in the case of an industrial development
revenue bond or pollution  control  revenue  bond, if the bond is backed only by
the assets and revenues of the nongovernmental user, the nongovernmental user is
regarded  as the sole  issuer.  If in either  case the  creating  government  or
another entity guarantees an obligation,  the guaranty is regarded as a separate
security and treated as an issue of such guarantor.  Since securities  issued or
guaranteed by states or municipalities  are not voting  securities,  there is no
limitation on the percentage of a single  issuer's  securities  which a Fund may
own so long as it does not  invest  more  than 5% of its total  assets  that are
subject to the  diversification  limitation  in the  securities  of such issuer,
except  obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.  Government.  Consequently,
the Funds may invest in a greater percentage of the outstanding  securities of a
single  issuer  than  would  an  investment  company  which  invests  in  voting
securities. See "Investment Restrictions."

         Prime Money  Market  Fund.  In order to attain the Prime  Money  Market
Fund's  objective of maintaining a stable net asset value, the Portfolio for the
Prime Money Market Fund will (i) limit its investment in the  securities  (other
than U.S.  Government  securities)  of any one  issuer to no more than 5% of its
assets,  measured at the time of purchase,  except for investments  held for not
more than three business days (subject,  however, to the investment  restriction
No.  4  set  forth  under  "Investment  Restrictions"  below);  and  (ii)  limit
investments  to  securities  that present  minimal  credit risks and  securities
(other  than U.S.  Government  securities)  that are rated  within  the  highest
short-term  rating  category by at least two nationally  recognized  statistical
rating  organizations  ("NRSROs")  or by the  only  NRSRO  that  has  rated  the
security.  Securities  which  originally  had a  maturity  of over  one year are
subject to more  complicated,  but  generally  similar  rating  requirements.  A
description  of  illustrative  credit  ratings is set forth in "Appendix A." The
Portfolio may also purchase unrated securities that are of comparable quality to
the  rated  securities  described  above.  Additionally,  if  the  issuer  of  a
particular  security  has issued other  securities  of  comparable  priority and
security and which have been rated in

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        31

<PAGE>



accordance with (ii) above, that security will be deemed to have the same rating
as such other rated securities.

         In  addition,  the Board of Trustees has adopted  procedures  which (i)
require the Board of Trustees to approve or ratify purchases by the Portfolio of
securities  (other  than U.S.  Government  securities)  that are  unrated;  (ii)
require the Portfolio to maintain a dollar-weighted  average portfolio  maturity
of not more  than 90 days and to  invest  only in  securities  with a  remaining
maturity of not more than thirteen months;  and (iii) require the Portfolio,  in
the event of certain  downgradings  of or defaults  on  portfolio  holdings,  to
dispose of the  holding,  subject in certain  circumstances  to a finding by the
Trustees  that  disposing of the holding  would not be in the  Portfolio's  best
interest.

         Tax Exempt Money  Market Fund.  In order to attain the Tax Exempt Money
Market Fund's  objective of maintaining a stable net asset value,  the Portfolio
for the Tax Exempt Money Market Fund will limit its  investments  to  securities
that  present  minimal  credit risks and  securities  (other than New York State
municipal notes) that are rated within the highest rating assigned to short-term
debt securities (or, in the case of New York State municipal  notes,  within one
of the two highest ratings  assigned to short-term debt  securities) by at least
two NRSROs or by the only NRSRO that has rated the  security.  Securities  which
originally had a maturity of over one year are subject to more complicated,  but
generally similar rating  requirements.  The Portfolio may also purchase unrated
securities  that are of  comparable  quality to the rated  securities  described
above.  Additionally,  if the issuer of a  particular  security has issued other
securities  of  comparable  priority  and  security and which have been rated in
accordance  with the criteria  described  above that  security will be deemed to
have the same rating as such other rated securities.

         In  addition,  the Board of Trustees has adopted  procedures  which (i)
require the Portfolio to maintain a dollar-weighted  average portfolio  maturity
of not more  than 90 days and to  invest  only in  securities  with a  remaining
maturity of not more than thirteen months and (ii) require the Portfolio, in the
event of certain downgrading of or defaults on portfolio holdings, to dispose of
the holding,  subject in certain circumstances to a finding by the Trustees that
disposing of the holding would not be in the Portfolio's best interest.

         The credit  quality of variable  rate demand notes and other  municipal
obligations is frequently  enhanced by various credit support  arrangements with
domestic  or  foreign  financial  institutions,   such  as  letters  of  credit,
guarantees and insurance,  and these arrangements are considered when investment
quality is evaluated.  The rating of credit-enhanced  municipal obligations by a
NRSRO may be based primarily or exclusively on the credit support arrangement.

         Federal  Money  Market  Fund.  In  order to  attain  its  objective  of
maintaining  a stable net asset value,  the Federal Money Market Fund will limit
its investments to direct obligations of the U.S.  Treasury,  including Treasury
bills,  notes and bonds, and certain U.S.  Government  securities with remaining
maturities of thirteen  months or less at the time of purchase and will maintain
a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of not more than 90 days.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        32

<PAGE>



         Short Term Bond,  Bond, and Diversified  Funds. The Short Term Bond and
Bond Funds and the fixed  income  portion of the  Diversified  Fund  invest in a
diversified  portfolio of securities with the quality  ratings  described in the
Prospectus. These securities are considered "high grade," "investment grade" and
"below  investment  grade" as described in Appendix A. In addition,  at the time
the  Funds  invest  in any  commercial  paper,  bank  obligation  or  repurchase
agreement, the issuer must have outstanding debt rated A or higher by Moody's or
Standard  &  Poor's,  the  issuer's  parent  corporation,   if  any,  must  have
outstanding  commercial  paper  rated  Prime-1 by  Moody's or A-1 by  Standard &
Poor's,  or  if no  such  ratings  are  available,  the  investment  must  be of
comparable quality in the Advisor's opinion.

         The Global Strategic Income Fund. The higher total return sought by the
Global Strategic  Income Fund is generally  obtainable from high yield high risk
securities in the lower rating  categories of the established  rating  services.
These  securities  are rated  below Baa by  Moody's  or below BBB by  Standard &
Poor's.  The Global  Strategic Income Fund may invest in securities rated as low
as B by Moody's or Standard & Poor's,  which may indicate  that the  obligations
are  speculative  to a high degree and in default.  Lower rated  securities  are
generally referred to as junk bonds. See the Appendix attached to this Statement
of  Additional  Information  for a  description  of the  characteristics  of the
various ratings categories. The Global Strategic Income Fund is not obligated to
dispose of  securities  whose issuers  subsequently  are in default or which are
downgraded  below the minimum ratings noted above. The credit ratings of Moody's
and Standard & Poor's (the "Rating  Agencies"),  such as those ratings described
in this  Statement of Additional  Information,  may not be changed by the Rating
Agencies in a timely fashion to reflect  subsequent  economic events. The credit
ratings of securities do not evaluate market risk. The Global  Strategic  Income
Fund may also invest in unrated securities which, in the opinion of the Advisor,
offer comparable  yields and risks to the rated securities in which the Fund may
invest.

         Debt securities that are rated in the lower rating categories, or which
are unrated,  involve greater  volatility of price and risk of loss of principal
and income.  In addition,  lower  ratings  reflect a greater  possibility  of an
adverse  change in financial  condition  affecting  the ability of the issuer to
make payments of interest and principal. The market price and liquidity of lower
rated fixed income  securities  generally  respond to  short-term  corporate and
market  developments  to a greater extent than the price and liquidity of higher
rated securities, because these developments are perceived to have a more direct
relationship  to the ability of an issuer of lower rated  securities to meet its
ongoing debt  obligations.  Although the Advisor  seeks to minimize  these risks
through   diversification,   investment   analysis  and   attention  to  current
developments  in  interest  rates  and  economic  conditions,  there  can  be no
assurance  that the Advisor will be successful in limiting the Global  Strategic
Income  Fund's  exposure to the risks  associated  with lower rated  securities.
Because the Global  Strategic  Income Fund  invests in  securities  in the lower
rated  categories,  the achievement of the Fund's  investment  objective is more
dependent  on the  Advisor's  ability  than  would be the case if the Fund  were
investing in securities in the higher rated categories.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        33

<PAGE>



         Reduced  volume and  liquidity  in the high  yield  bond  market or the
reduced  availability of market quotations may make it more difficult to dispose
of the Global Strategic  Income Fund's  investments in high yield securities and
to  value  accurately  these  assets.  The  reduced  availability  of  reliable,
objective  data may  increase the Global  Strategic  Income  Fund's  reliance on
management's  judgment in valuing  high yield  bonds.  In  addition,  the Global
Strategic Income Fund's  investments in high yield securities may be susceptible
to adverse  publicity  and  investor  perceptions  whether or not  justified  by
fundamental factors.

         Tax Exempt Bond Fund. The Tax Exempt Bond Fund invests principally in a
diversified  portfolio of "investment grade" tax exempt securities.  On the date
of investment  with respect to at least 90% of its total  assets,  (i) municipal
bonds must be rated within the four highest  ratings of Moody's,  currently Aaa,
Aa, A and BBB,  or of  Standard & Poor's,  currently  AAA,  AA, A and Baa,  (ii)
municipal notes must be rated MIG-1 by Moody's or SP-1 by Standard & Poor's (or,
in the case of New York State municipal notes, MIG-1 or MIG-2 by Moody's or SP-1
or SP-2 by Standard & Poor's) and (iii) municipal commercial paper must be rated
Prime-1  by  Moody's  or A-1 by  Standard  & Poor's  or,  if not rated by either
Moody's  or  Standard  &  Poor's,  issued  by an  issuer  either  (a)  having an
outstanding  debt issue rated A or higher by Moody's or Standard & Poor's or (b)
having comparable quality in the opinion of the Advisor and, with respect to the
remaining 10% of its assets,  must be rated B or better by Moody's or Standard &
Poor's,  or of  comparable  quality.  The Fund may  invest in other  tax  exempt
securities  which  are  not  rated  if,  in the  opinion  of the  Advisor,  such
securities are of comparable quality to the rated securities discussed above. In
addition,  at the time the Fund invests in any commercial paper, bank obligation
or repurchase agreement, the issuer must have outstanding debt rated A or higher
by Moody's or Standard & Poor's, the issuer's parent  corporation,  if any, must
have outstanding  commercial paper rated Prime-1 by Moody's or A-1 by Standard &
Poor's,  or  if no  such  ratings  are  available,  the  investment  must  be of
comparable quality in the Advisor's opinion.

         New York Total  Return Bond Fund.  The New York Total  Return Bond Fund
invests principally in a diversified  portfolio of "investment grade" tax exempt
securities.  An investment grade bond is rated, on the date of investment within
the four highest ratings of Moody's, currently Aaa, Aa, A and Baa or of Standard
& Poor's,  currently AAA, AA, A and BBB, while high grade debt is rated,  on the
date of the investment within the two highest of such ratings.  Investment grade
municipal notes are rated, on the date of investment, MIG-1 or MIG-2 by Standard
& Poor's or SP-1 and SP-2 by  Moody's.  Investment  grade  municipal  commercial
paper is rated, on the date of investment, Prime 1 or Prime 2 by Moody's and A-1
or A-2 by Standard & Poor's. The New York Total Return Bond Fund may also invest
up to 10% of its total assets in securities which are "below investment  grade."
Such securities must be rated, on the date of investment, B or better by Moody's
or Standard & Poor's, or of comparable  quality.  The New York Total Return Bond
Fund may invest in debt securities  which are not rated or other debt securities
to which these  ratings are not  applicable,  if in the opinion of the  Advisor,
such  securities  are of comparable  quality to the rated  securities  discussed
above.  In  addition,  at the time the Fund  invests in any  taxable  commercial
paper, bank obligation or repurchase agreement, the issuer must have outstanding
debt rated A or higher by Moody's or  Standard  & Poor's,  the  issuer's  parent
corporation, if

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        34

<PAGE>



any, must have  outstanding  commercial paper rated Prime-1 by Moody's or A-1 by
Standard & Poor's,  or if no such ratings are available,  the investment must be
of comparable quality in the Advisor's opinion.

         U.S. Equity, U.S. Small Company, International Equity, Emerging Markets
Equity, International Opportunities,  Diversified, European Equity, Japan Equity
and Asia Growth  Funds.  The U.S.  Equity,  U.S.  Small  Company,  International
Equity,  Emerging  Markets  Equity,  International  Opportunities,  Diversified,
European  Equity,  Japan Equity and Asia Growth Funds may invest in  convertible
debt  securities,  for which  there are no  specific  quality  requirements.  In
addition, at the time a Fund invests in any commercial paper, bank obligation or
repurchase agreement, the issuer must have outstanding debt rated A or higher by
Moody's or Standard & Poor's, the issuer's parent corporation, if any, must have
outstanding  commercial  paper  rated  Prime-1 by  Moody's or A-1 by  Standard &
Poor's,  or  if no  such  ratings  are  available,  the  investment  must  be of
comparable quality in the Advisor's  opinion.  At the time a Fund invests in any
other short-term debt  securities,  they must be rated A or higher by Moody's or
Standard & Poor's, or if unrated,  the investment must be of comparable  quality
in the Advisor's opinion.

         In  determining  suitability  of  investment  in a  particular  unrated
security,  the Advisor takes into consideration asset and debt service coverage,
the purpose of the  financing,  history of the issuer,  existence of other rated
securities of the issuer, and other relevant  conditions,  such as comparability
to other issuers.

Options and Futures Transactions

Exchange Traded and OTC Options. All options purchased or sold by the Portfolios
will  be  traded  on a  securities  exchange  or will  be  purchased  or sold by
securities dealers (OTC options) that meet  creditworthiness  standards approved
by  the  Portfolio's  Board  of  Trustees.  While  exchange-traded  options  are
obligations of the Options Clearing  Corporation,  in the case of OTC options, a
Portfolio  relies on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if
the option is  exercised.  Thus,  when a Portfolio  purchases an OTC option,  it
relies on the dealer from which it purchased the option to make or take delivery
of the underlying securities. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the
loss of the  premium  paid  by the  Portfolio  as  well as loss of the  expected
benefit of the transaction.

         Provided  that a Portfolio  has  arrangements  with  certain  qualified
dealers who agree that the Portfolio may  repurchase  any option it writes for a
maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula, a Portfolio may treat
the underlying  securities used to cover written OTC options as liquid. In these
cases,  the OTC option  itself would only be  considered  illiquid to the extent
that the maximum  repurchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value
of the option.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts.  The Portfolios permitted to
enter into futures and options transactions may purchase or sell (write) futures
contracts and purchase put and call options, including put and call options on
futures contracts.  In addition, the Portfolios for the Global Strategic Income,

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        35

<PAGE>



Emerging  Markets Equity,  International  Opportunities,  Diversified,  European
Equity,  Japan  Equity  and Asia  Growth  Funds  may sell  (write)  put and call
options,  including options on futures.  Futures contracts obligate the buyer to
take and the seller to make delivery at a future date of a specified quantity of
a financial  instrument  or an amount of cash based on the value of a securities
index.  Currently,  futures  contracts  are  available on various types of fixed
income  securities,  including but not limited to U.S. Treasury bonds, notes and
bills,  Eurodollar  certificates  of  deposit  and on  indexes  of fixed  income
securities and indexes of equity securities.

         Unlike a futures contract, which requires the parties to buy and sell a
security  or make a cash  settlement  payment  based on changes  in a  financial
instrument  or  securities  index on an  agreed  date,  an  option  on a futures
contract  entitles  its holder to decide on or before a future  date  whether to
enter into such a contract.  If the holder  decides not to exercise  its option,
the holder may close out the option  position  by  entering  into an  offsetting
transaction  or may decide to let the  option  expire and  forfeit  the  premium
thereon. The purchaser of an option on a futures contract pays a premium for the
option but makes no initial  margin  payments  or daily  payments of cash in the
nature of "variation"  margin payments to reflect the change in the value of the
underlying contract as does a purchaser or seller of a futures contract.

         The seller of an option on a futures contract receives the premium paid
by the purchaser and may be required to pay initial margin. Amounts equal to the
initial margin and any additional  collateral required on any options on futures
contracts  sold by a  Portfolio  are  paid by the  Portfolio  into a  segregated
account, in the name of the Futures Commission Merchant, as required by the 1940
Act and the SEC's interpretations thereunder.

Combined Positions.  The Portfolios  permitted to purchase and write options may
do so in combination  with each other, or in combination with futures or forward
contracts,  to  adjust  the  risk  and  return  characteristics  of the  overall
position. For example,  certain Portfolios may purchase a put option and write a
call option on the same underlying instrument,  in order to construct a combined
position whose risk and return  characteristics are similar to selling a futures
contract. Another possible combined position would involve writing a call option
at one  strike  price and  buying a call  option at a lower  price,  in order to
reduce the risk of the written call option in the event of a  substantial  price
increase.  Because combined  options  positions  involve  multiple trades,  they
result in higher  transaction  costs and may be more difficult to open and close
out.

Correlation  of Price  Changes.  Because there are a limited  number of types of
exchange-traded   options  and  futures   contracts,   it  is  likely  that  the
standardized   options  and  futures  contracts   available  will  not  match  a
Portfolio's current or anticipated  investments  exactly. A Portfolio may invest
in options and futures  contracts  based on securities  with different  issuers,
maturities,  or other  characteristics from the securities in which it typically
invests,  which  involves a risk that the options or futures  position  will not
track the performance of the Portfolio's other investments.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        36

<PAGE>



         Options and futures  contracts  prices can also diverge from the prices
of their underlying  instruments,  even if the underlying  instruments match the
Portfolio's  investments well. Options and futures contracts prices are affected
by such factors as current and anticipated short term interest rates, changes in
volatility of the underlying instrument, and the time remaining until expiration
of the contract,  which may not affect security  prices the same way.  Imperfect
correlation  may also result from differing  levels of demand in the options and
futures markets and the securities markets,  from structural  differences in how
options and futures and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price
fluctuation  limits or trading  halts.  A Portfolio may purchase or sell options
and futures  contracts  with a greater or lesser  value than the  securities  it
wishes to hedge or intends to  purchase  in order to attempt to  compensate  for
differences in volatility between the contract and the securities, although this
may not be successful in all cases. If price changes in a Portfolio's options or
futures  positions  are  poorly  correlated  with  its  other  investments,  the
positions may fail to produce anticipated gains or result in losses that are not
offset by gains in other investments.

Liquidity  of Options  and  Futures  Contracts.  There is no  assurance a liquid
market  will  exist  for  any  particular  option  or  futures  contract  at any
particular  time even if the  contract is traded on an  exchange.  In  addition,
exchanges may establish daily price  fluctuation  limits for options and futures
contracts and may halt trading if a contract's  price moves up or down more than
the limit in a given day. On volatile  trading  days when the price  fluctuation
limit is  reached  or a trading  halt is  imposed,  it may be  impossible  for a
Portfolio to enter into new  positions or close out existing  positions.  If the
market for a  contract  is not liquid  because  of price  fluctuation  limits or
otherwise,  it could prevent prompt  liquidation of unfavorable  positions,  and
could  potentially  require a Portfolio  to  continue  to hold a position  until
delivery or  expiration  regardless  of changes in its value.  As a result,  the
Portfolio's  access  to  other  assets  held to cover  its  options  or  futures
positions could also be impaired.  (See "Exchange  Traded and OTC Options" above
for a discussion of the liquidity of options not traded on an exchange.)

Position Limits.  Futures  exchanges can limit the number of futures and options
on futures contracts that can be held or controlled by an entity. If an adequate
exemption  cannot be  obtained,  a  Portfolio  or the Advisor may be required to
reduce the size of its futures and options positions or may not be able to trade
a certain futures or options contract in order to avoid exceeding such limits.

Asset  Coverage for Futures  Contracts  and Options  Positions.  The  Portfolios
intend  to comply  with  Section  4.5 of the  regulations  under  the  Commodity
Exchange Act,  which limits the extent to which a Portfolio can commit assets to
initial margin deposits and option  premiums.  In addition,  the Portfolios will
comply  with  guidelines  established  by the SEC with  respect to  coverage  of
options and futures contracts by mutual funds, and if the guidelines so require,
will set aside  appropriate  liquid assets in a segregated  custodial account in
the amount  prescribed.  Securities held in a segregated  account cannot be sold
while the futures  contract or option is  outstanding,  unless they are replaced
with other suitable assets. As a result, there is a possibility that segregation
of a large

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        37

<PAGE>



percentage  of a  Portfolio's  assets could impede  portfolio  management or the
Portfolio's ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

Risk Management

         The  Portfolios  for the New York Total Return Bond,  Global  Strategic
Income,  Diversified,  Emerging  Markets  Equity,  International  Opportunities,
European Equity,  Japan Equity and Asia Growth Funds may employ non-hedging risk
management   techniques.   Examples  of  risk  management   strategies   include
synthetically altering the duration of a portfolio or the mix of securities in a
portfolio.  For example,  if the Advisor wishes to extend  maturities in a fixed
income  portfolio  in order  to take  advantage  of an  anticipated  decline  in
interest  rates,  but  does  not  wish to  purchase  the  underlying  long  term
securities,  it might cause the Portfolio to purchase futures  contracts on long
term debt securities.  Similarly, if the Advisor wishes to decrease fixed income
securities  or purchase  equities,  it could cause the Portfolio to sell futures
contracts on debt  securities and purchase  futures  contracts on a stock index.
Such  non-hedging risk management  techniques are not  speculative,  but because
they involve leverage include, as do all leveraged transactions, the possibility
of losses as well as gains that are greater  than if these  techniques  involved
the purchase and sale of the securities  themselves  rather than their synthetic
derivatives.

Special  Factors  Affecting  the New York Total  Return Bond Fund.  The New York
Total  Return  Bond Fund  intends to invest a high  proportion  of its assets in
municipal  obligations of the State of New York and its political  subdivisions,
municipalities,  agencies,  instrumentalities and public authorities. Payment of
interest and preservation of principal is dependent upon the continuing  ability
of New York issuers  and/or  obligors of state,  municipal and public  authority
debt obligations to meet their obligations thereunder.

         The fiscal stability of New York State is related, at least in part, to
the fiscal stability of its localities and authorities.  Various State agencies,
authorities  and localities  have issued large amounts of bonds and notes either
guaranteed or supported by the State through lease-purchase arrangements,  other
contractual  arrangements or moral obligation provisions.  While debt service is
normally  paid out of revenues  generated  by  projects of such State  agencies,
authorities and localities,  the State has had to provide special  assistance in
the  past,  in some  cases of a  recurring  nature,  to  enable  such  agencies,
authorities  and  localities to meet their  financial  obligations  and, in some
cases,  to prevent or cure  defaults.  To the extent  State  agencies  and local
governments  require State assistance to meet their financial  obligations,  the
ability of the State to meet its own obligations as they become due or to obtain
additional financing could be adversely affected.

         The State of New York's general  obligation  debt is currently rated A2
and A- by Moody's and  Standard & Poor's,  respectively.  Standard & Poor's also
maintains a positive  outlook  for the credit  rating.  New York City's  general
obligation bonds are rated Baa1 and BBB+, respectively. While the City's economy
has been performing well, three of the largest  employment sectors - government,
health care and banking remain weak. The City's economic growth continues to lag
national  indicators.  While fiscal 1997 is expected to enjoy record  surpluses,
large budget gaps in subsequent years are still expected.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        38

<PAGE>




         For further information concerning New York municipal obligations,  see
"Appendix  B." The summary set forth above and in  "Appendix  B" is included for
the purpose of  providing a general  description  of New York State and New York
City credit and financial conditions.  This summary is based on information from
an official statement of New York general obligation  municipal  obligations and
does not purport to be complete.

Portfolio Turnover

         The  table  below  sets  forth  the  portfolio  turnover  rates for the
Portfolios  corresponding  to the  Funds.  A rate of  100%  indicates  that  the
equivalent of all of the  Portfolio's  assets have been sold and reinvested in a
year.  High portfolio  turnover may result in the realization of substantial net
capital  gains or  losses.  To the  extent  net  short  term  capital  gains are
realized,  any distributions  resulting from such gains are considered  ordinary
income for federal income tax purposes. See "Taxes" below.

     The Short Term Bond Portfolio (Short Term Bond Fund) -- For the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1995: 177%. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996: 191%.

The U.S. Fixed Income Portfolio (Bond Fund) -- For the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1995: 293%.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996: 186%.

     The Tax Exempt Bond Portfolio (Tax Exempt Bond Fund) -- For the fiscal year
ended August 31, 1995: 47%. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996: 25%.

The New York Total Return Bond Portfolio (New York Total Return Bond Fund) --
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996: 41%.  For the fiscal year ended March
31, 1997: 35%.

The Global Strategic Income Portfolio  (Global Strategic Income Fund) -- For the
period  March 17,  1997  (commencement  of  operations)  through  April 30, 1997
(unaudited): 104%.

The U.S. Equity Portfolio (U.S. Equity Fund)  -- For the fiscal year ended May
31, 1995: 71%.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: 85%.

The U.S. Small Company Portfolio (U.S. Small Company Fund)  -- For the fiscal
year ended May 31, 1995: 75%.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: 93%.

The International Equity Portfolio (International Equity Fund) -- For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1995: 59%.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996:
57%.

The Diversified Portfolio (Diversified Fund) -- For the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1995: 136%.  For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996: 144%.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        39

<PAGE>



The Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (Emerging Markets Equity Fund)  -- For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: 41%.  For the fiscal year ended October 31,
1996: 31%.

The European Equity Portfolio (European Equity Fund) -- For the period March 28,
1995 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 1995: 36%. For the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1996: 57%.

The Japan Equity  Portfolio (Japan Equity Fund) -- For the period March 28, 1995
(commencement of operations) through December 31, 1995: 60%. For the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996: 86%.

The Asia Growth  Portfolio  (Asia  Growth  Fund) -- For the period April 5, 1995
(commencement of operations) through December 31, 1995: 70%. For the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996: 93%.

   
The International Opportunities Portfolio (International  Opportunities Fund) --
For the period February 26, 1997  (commencement  of operations)  through May 31,
1997 (unaudited): 13%.
    

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

         The  investment   restrictions  of  each  Fund  and  its  corresponding
Portfolio are identical,  unless otherwise  specified.  Accordingly,  references
below to a Fund also  include  the  Fund's  corresponding  Portfolio  unless the
context requires  otherwise;  similarly,  references to a Portfolio also include
its corresponding Fund unless the context requires otherwise.

         The investment  restrictions  below have been adopted by the Trust with
respect to each Fund and by each corresponding Portfolio. Except where otherwise
noted, these investment restrictions are "fundamental" policies which, under the
1940 Act, may not be changed  without the vote of a majority of the  outstanding
voting  securities of the Fund or Portfolio,  as the case may be. A "majority of
the outstanding  voting  securities" is defined in the 1940 Act as the lesser of
(a) 67% or more of the voting securities  present at a meeting if the holders of
more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by
proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities. The percentage
limitations  contained  in the  restrictions  below  apply  at the  time  of the
purchase of securities.  Whenever a Fund is requested to vote on a change in the
fundamental investment  restrictions of its corresponding  Portfolio,  the Trust
will hold a meeting of Fund  shareholders  and will cast its votes as instructed
by the Fund's shareholders.

The Prime Money Market Fund and its corresponding Portfolio may not:

1. Acquire any illiquid securities, such as repurchase agreements with more than
seven days to  maturity  or fixed time  deposits  with a duration  of over seven
calendar days, if as a result thereof,  more than 10% of the market value of the
Fund's total assets would be in investments which are illiquid;


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        40

<PAGE>



2. Enter into reverse repurchase agreements exceeding in the aggregate one-third
of the market  value of the Fund's total  assets,  less  liabilities  other than
obligations created by reverse repurchase agreements;

3. Borrow money,  except from banks for extraordinary or emergency  purposes and
then only in amounts not to exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's total  assets,
taken at cost, at the time of such borrowing.  Mortgage,  pledge, or hypothecate
any assets  except in connection  with any such  borrowing and in amounts not to
exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's net assets at the time of such  borrowing.
The Fund will not purchase  securities while borrowings  exceed 5% of the Fund's
total assets;  provided,  however, that the Fund may increase its interest in an
open-end  management  investment company with the same investment  objective and
restrictions as the Fund while such borrowings are  outstanding.  This borrowing
provision is included to  facilitate  the orderly sale of portfolio  securities,
for example,  in the event of abnormally heavy redemption  requests,  and is not
for investment purposes and shall not apply to reverse repurchase agreements;

4.  Purchase  the  securities  or  other  obligations  of  any  one  issuer  if,
immediately  after such purchase,  more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets  would be invested in  securities  or other  obligations  of any one such
issuer;  provided,  however,  that  the  Fund  may  invest  all or  part  of its
investable  assets in an open-end  management  investment  company with the same
investment  objective and  restrictions as the Fund.  This limitation  shall not
apply to issues of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and to
permitted investments of up to 25% of the Fund's total assets;

5. Purchase the  securities or other  obligations  of issuers  conducting  their
principal  business  activity in the same  industry if,  immediately  after such
purchase,  the value of its  investment in such industry would exceed 25% of the
value of the Fund's total assets;  provided,  however,  that the Fund may invest
all or  part of its  investable  assets  in an  open-end  management  investment
company with the same  investment  objective and  restrictions  as the Fund. For
purposes of  industry  concentration,  there is no  percentage  limitation  with
respect to investments in U.S. Government securities, negotiable certificates of
deposit, time deposits, and bankers' acceptances of U.S. branches of U.S. banks;

6. Make  loans,  except  through  purchasing  or holding  debt  obligations,  or
entering  into  repurchase  agreements,  or loans  of  portfolio  securities  in
accordance with the Fund's  investment  objective and policies (see  "Investment
Objectives and Policies");

7. Purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads, or any combination thereof,
real estate,  commodities,  or commodity  contracts or interests in oil, gas, or
mineral  exploration or  development  programs.  However,  the Fund may purchase
bonds or  commercial  paper issued by  companies  which invest in real estate or
interests therein including real estate investment trusts;

8. Purchase securities on margin, make short sales of securities,  or maintain a
short  position,  provided  that  this  restriction  shall  not be  deemed to be
applicable  to the purchase or sale of  when-issued  securities or of securities
for delivery at a future date;


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        41

<PAGE>



9. Acquire securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the
1940 Act;

10. Act as an underwriter of securities; or

11.  Issue  senior  securities,  except as may  otherwise  be  permitted  by the
foregoing  investment  restrictions or under the 1940 Act or any rule,  order or
interpretation thereunder.

The Tax Exempt Money Market Fund and its corresponding Portfolio may not:

1. Borrow money,  except from banks for  temporary,  extraordinary  or emergency
purposes  and then only in amounts  up to 10% of the value of the  Fund's  total
assets,  taken at cost at the time of such  borrowing;  or  mortgage,  pledge or
hypothecate  any assets except in connection  with any such borrowing in amounts
up to 10% of the value of the Fund's  net assets at the time of such  borrowing.
The Fund will not purchase  securities while borrowings  exceed 5% of the Fund's
total assets,  provided,  however, that the Fund may increase its interest in an
open-end  management  investment company with the same investment  objective and
restrictions as the Fund's while such borrowings are outstanding. This borrowing
provision, for example,  facilitates the orderly sale of portfolio securities in
the event of abnormally heavy redemption  requests or in the event of redemption
requests  during  periods of tight  market  supply.  This  provision  is not for
leveraging purposes;

2. Invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of governmental  units
located in any one state,  territory,  or possession of the United  States.  The
Fund may invest more then 25% of its total assets in industrial  development and
pollution control obligations whether or not the users of facilities financed by
such obligations are in the same industry;1

3. Purchase industrial revenue bonds if, as a result of such purchase, more than
5% of total Fund  assets  would be invested in  industrial  revenue  bonds where
payment of principal and interest are the responsibility of companies with fewer
than three years of operating history;

4.  Purchase  the  securities  or  other  obligations  of  any  one  issuer  if,
immediately  after such purchase,  more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets  would be invested in  securities  or other  obligations  of any one such
issuer,  provided,  however,  that  the  Fund  may  invest  all or  part  of its
investable  assets in an open-end  management  investment  company with the same
investment  objective  and  restrictions  as the  Fund's.  Each  state  and each
political  subdivision,  agency  or  instrumentality  of  such  state  and  each
multi-state  agency of which such state is a member will be a separate issuer if
the security is backed only by the assets and  revenues of that  issuer.  If the
security is guaranteed by another
- --------
               1 Pursuant to an interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Fund
may not invest more than 25% of its assets in  industrial  development  bonds in
projects of similar  type or in the same state.  The Fund shall comply with this
interpretation until such time as it may be modified by the staff of the SEC.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        42

<PAGE>



entity,  the guarantor will be deemed to be the issuer.2 This  limitation  shall
not  apply to  securities  issued  or  guaranteed  by the U.S.  Government,  its
agencies or  instrumentalities  or to permitted  investments of up to 25% of the
Fund's total assets;

5. Make  loans,  except  through the  purchase  or holding of debt  obligations,
repurchase  agreements,  or loans of portfolio securities in accordance with the
Fund's  investment  objective  and  policies  (see  "Investment  Objectives  and
Policies");

6. Purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles,  spreads, or any combination thereof
except to the extent that securities  subject to a demand  obligation,  stand-by
commitments  and  puts  may  be  purchased  (see   "Investment   Objectives  and
Policies"); real estate; commodities;  commodity contracts; or interests in oil,
gas, or mineral  exploration  or  development  programs.  However,  the Fund may
purchase municipal bonds, notes or commercial paper secured by interests in real
estate;

7. Purchase securities on margin, make short sales of securities,  or maintain a
short  position,  provided  that  this  restriction  shall  not be  deemed to be
applicable  to the purchase or sale of  when-issued  securities or of securities
for delayed delivery;

8. Acquire securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the
1940 Act;

9. Act as an underwriter of securities; or

10.  Issue  senior  securities,  except as may  otherwise  be  permitted  by the
foregoing  investment  restrictions or under the 1940 Act or any rule,  order or
interpretation thereunder.

The Federal Money Market Fund and its corresponding Portfolio may not:

1.  Enter into  reverse  repurchase  agreements  which  together  with any other
borrowing  exceeds in the aggregate  one-third of the market value of the Fund's
or the Portfolio's  total assets,  less  liabilities  other than the obligations
created by reverse repurchase agreements;

2. Borrow money (not including reverse repurchase agreements), except from banks
for temporary or extraordinary or emergency purposes and then only in amounts up
to 10% of the value of the Fund's or the Portfolio's total assets, taken at cost
at the time of such  borrowing  (and provided that such  borrowings  and reverse
repurchase  agreements  do not exceed in the  aggregate  one-third of the market
value of the Fund's and the Portfolio's total assets less liabilities other than
the obligations represented by the bank borrowings and reverse repurchase
- --------
        2 For  purposes  of  interpretation  of  Investment  Restriction  No.  4
"guaranteed by another entity" includes credit substitutions, such as letters of
credit or insurance,  unless the Advisor  determines that the security meets the
Fund's credit standards without regard to the credit substitution.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        43

<PAGE>



agreements).  Mortgage,  pledge,  or hypothecate any assets except in connection
with any such  borrowing  and in amounts up to 10% of the value of the Fund's or
the  Portfolio's  net  assets  at the  time of such  borrowing.  The Fund or the
Portfolio will not purchase  securities while borrowings exceed 5% of the Fund's
or the Portfolio's total assets, respectively;  provided, however, that the Fund
may increase its interest in an open-end management  investment company with the
same investment objective and restrictions as the Fund while such borrowings are
outstanding. This borrowing provision is included to facilitate the orderly sale
of  portfolio  securities,  for  example,  in  the  event  of  abnormally  heavy
redemption requests, and is not for investment purposes;

3.  Purchase  the  securities  or  other  obligations  of  any  one  issuer  if,
immediately after such purchase,  more than 5% of the value of the Fund's or the
Portfolio's total assets would be invested in securities or other obligations of
any one such issuer; provided,  however, that the Fund may invest all or part of
its investable assets in an open-end management investment company with the same
investment  objective and  restrictions  as the Fund. This limitation also shall
not apply to issues of the U.S.  Government  and repurchase  agreements  related
thereto;

4. Purchase the  securities or other  obligations  of issuers  conducting  their
principal  business  activity in the same  industry if,  immediately  after such
purchase,  the value of its  investment in such industry would exceed 25% of the
value of the Fund's or the Portfolio's total assets; provided, however, that the
Fund may invest all or part of its assets in an open-end  management  investment
company with the same  investment  objective and  restrictions  as the Fund. For
purposes of  industry  concentration,  there is no  percentage  limitation  with
respect to investments in U.S. Government  securities and repurchase  agreements
related thereto;

5. Make loans, except through purchasing or holding debt obligations, repurchase
agreements,  or loans of portfolio  securities in accordance  with the Fund's or
the Portfolio's  investment  objective and policies (see "Investment  Objectives
and Policies");

6. Purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads, or any combination thereof,
real estate, commodities, or commodity contracts or interests in oil, gas, or
mineral exploration or development programs;

7. Purchase securities on margin, make short sales of securities,  or maintain a
short  position,  provided  that  this  restriction  shall  not be  deemed to be
applicable  to the purchase or sale of  when-issued  securities or of securities
for delivery at a future date;

8. Acquire securities of other investment companies,  except as permitted by the
1940  Act  or  in  connection  with  a  merger,  consolidation,  reorganization,
acquisition of assets or an offer of exchange;  provided,  however, that nothing
in this  investment  restriction  shall prevent the Trust from  investing all or
part of the Fund's assets in an open-end management  investment company with the
same investment objective and restrictions as the Fund;

9. Act as an underwriter of securities; or


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        44

<PAGE>



10.  Issue  senior  securities,  except as may  otherwise  be  permitted  by the
foregoing  investment  restrictions or under the 1940 Act or any rule,  order or
interpretation thereunder.

The Short Term Bond Fund and its corresponding Portfolio may not:

1.  Purchase  securities  or  other  obligations  of  issuers  conducting  their
principal  business  activity in the same  industry if,  immediately  after such
purchase the value of its  investments  in such industry would exceed 25% of the
value of the Fund's total assets;  provided,  however,  that the Fund may invest
all or  part of its  investable  assets  in an  open-end  management  investment
company with the same investment  objective and restrictions as the Fund's.  For
purposes of  industry  concentration,  there is no  percentage  limitation  with
respect to investments in U.S. Government securities;

2.  Purchase  the  securities  or  other  obligations  of  any  one  issuer  if,
immediately  after such purchase,  more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets  would be invested in  securities  or other  obligations  of any one such
issuer;  provided,  however,  that  the  Fund  may  invest  all or  part  of its
investable  assets in an open-end  management  investment  company with the same
investment  objective and restrictions as the Fund's.  This limitation shall not
apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities  or to permitted  investments of up to 25% of the Fund's total
assets;

3. Purchase the securities of an issuer if, immediately after such purchase, the
Fund owns more than 10% of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of such issuer;
provided, however, that the Fund may invest all or part of its investable assets
in an open-end management  investment company with the same investment objective
and  restrictions as the Fund's.  This  limitation  shall not apply to permitted
investments of up to 25% of the Fund's total assets;

4. Borrow money (not including reverse repurchase agreements), except from banks
for temporary or extraordinary or emergency purposes and then only in amounts up
to 30% of the value of the Fund's or the Portfolio's total assets, taken at cost
at the time of such  borrowing  (and provided that such  borrowings  and reverse
repurchase  agreements  do not exceed in the  aggregate  one-third of the market
value of the Fund's and the Portfolio's total assets less liabilities other than
the  obligations  represented  by the bank  borrowings  and  reverse  repurchase
agreements).  The Fund will not  mortgage,  pledge,  or  hypothecate  any assets
except in connection with any such borrowing and in amounts not to exceed 30% of
the  value of the  Fund's  or the  Portfolio's  net  assets  at the time of such
borrowing.  The  Fund  or the  Portfolio  will  not  purchase  securities  while
borrowings  exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets;  provided,  however,  that the
Fund may increase its interest in an open-end management investment company with
the  same  investment  objective  and  restrictions  as the  Fund's  while  such
borrowings  are  outstanding.  Collateral  arrangements  for  premium and margin
payments in connection with the Fund's hedging activities are not deemed to be a
pledge of assets;

5. Issue any senior security, except as appropriate to evidence indebtedness
which constitutes a senior security and which the Fund is permitted to incur

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        45

<PAGE>



pursuant to Investment Restriction No. 4 and except that the Fund may enter into
reverse repurchase agreements, provided that the aggregate of senior securities,
including  reverse  repurchase  agreements,  shall not exceed  one-third  of the
market value of the Fund's total assets, less liabilities other than obligations
created by reverse repurchase agreements.  The Fund's arrangements in connection
with its hedging activities as described in "Investment Objectives and Policies"
shall not be considered senior securities for purposes hereof;

6. Make  loans,  except  through  the  purchase  or holding of debt  obligations
(including  privately  placed  securities)  or the entering  into of  repurchase
agreements,  or loans of  portfolio  securities  in  accordance  with the Fund's
investment objective and policies;

7. Purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads, or any combination thereof,
real  estate,  commodities,  or  commodity  contracts,  except  for  the  Fund's
interests in hedging  activities as described under  "Investment  Objectives and
Policies";  or  interests in oil,  gas, or mineral  exploration  or  development
programs.  However,  the Fund may purchase securities or commercial paper issued
by companies  which invest in real estate or interests  therein,  including real
estate investment  trusts,  and purchase  instruments  secured by real estate or
interests therein;

8. Purchase securities on margin, make short sales of securities,  or maintain a
short  position  in  securities,  except to  obtain  such  short-term  credit as
necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities;  provided that
this restriction shall not be deemed to be applicable to the purchase or sale of
when-issued securities or delayed delivery securities;

9. Acquire securities of other investment companies,  except as permitted by the
1940  Act  or  in  connection  with  a  merger,  consolidation,  reorganization,
acquisition of assets or an offer of exchange;  provided,  however, that nothing
in this  investment  restriction  shall prevent the Trust from  investing all or
part of the Fund's assets in an open-end management  investment company with the
same investment objective and restrictions as the Fund; or

10. Act as an underwriter of securities.

The Bond Fund and its corresponding Portfolio may not:

1. Borrow money,  except from banks for extraordinary or emergency  purposes and
then only in amounts up to 30% of the value of the Fund's total assets, taken at
cost at the  time of such  borrowing  and  except  in  connection  with  reverse
repurchase  agreements  permitted by  Investment  Restriction  No. 8.  Mortgage,
pledge,  or hypothecate  any assets except in connection with any such borrowing
in  amounts  up to 30% of the value of the Fund's net assets at the time of such
borrowing.  The Fund will not purchase  securities while  borrowings  (including
reverse repurchase  agreements) exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets;  provided,
however,  that the Fund may  increase  its  interest in an  open-end  management
investment  company with the same investment  objective and  restrictions as the
Fund's  while  such  borrowings  are  outstanding.   This  borrowing   provision
facilitates the orderly sale of portfolio securities, for example, in the event

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        46

<PAGE>



of abnormally heavy redemption requests.  This provision is not for investment
purposes.  Collateral arrangements for premium and margin payments in connection
with the Fund's hedging activities are not deemed to be a pledge of assets;

2.  Purchase  the  securities  or  other  obligations  of  any  one  issuer  if,
immediately  after such purchase,  more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets  would be invested in  securities  or other  obligations  of any one such
issuer;  provided,  however,  that  the  Fund  may  invest  all or  part  of its
investable  assets in an open-end  management  investment  company with the same
investment  objective and restrictions as the Fund's.  This limitation shall not
apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities  or to permitted  investments of up to 25% of the Fund's total
assets;

3. Purchase the securities of an issuer if, immediately after such purchase, the
Fund owns more than 10% of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of such issuer;
provided, however, that the Fund may invest all or part of its investable assets
in an open-end management  investment company with the same investment objective
and  restrictions as the Fund's.  This  limitation  shall not apply to permitted
investments of up to 25% of the Fund's total assets;

4.  Purchase  securities  or  other  obligations  of  issuers  conducting  their
principal  business  activity in the same  industry if,  immediately  after such
purchase the value of its  investments  in such industry would exceed 25% of the
value of the Fund's total assets;  provided,  however,  that the Fund may invest
all or  part of its  investable  assets  in an  open-end  management  investment
company with the same investment  objective and restrictions as the Fund's.  For
purposes of  industry  concentration,  there is no  percentage  limitation  with
respect to investments in U.S. Government securities;

5. Make  loans,  except  through  the  purchase  or holding of debt  obligations
(including  privately  placed  securities)  or the entering  into of  repurchase
agreements,  or loans of  portfolio  securities  in  accordance  with the Fund's
investment objective and policies;

6. Purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads, or any combination thereof,
real estate, commodities, commodity contracts, except for the Fund's interest in
hedging activities as described under "Investment  Objectives and Policies";  or
interests in oil, gas, or mineral exploration or development programs.  However,
the Fund may purchase  debt  obligations  secured by interests in real estate or
issued by companies which invest in real estate or interests  therein  including
real estate investment trusts;

7. Purchase securities on margin, make short sales of securities,  or maintain a
short  position  in  securities,  except  in the  course of the  Fund's  hedging
activities,  unless at all times when a short  position is open the Fund owns an
equal amount of such  securities,  provided that this  restriction  shall not be
deemed to be  applicable  to the purchase or sale of  when-issued  securities or
delayed delivery securities;

8. Issue any senior security, except as appropriate to evidence indebtedness
which constitutes a senior security and which the Fund is permitted to incur
pursuant to Investment Restriction No. 1 and except that the Fund may enter into

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        47

<PAGE>



reverse repurchase agreements, provided that the aggregate of senior securities,
including  reverse  repurchase  agreements,  shall not exceed  one-third  of the
market value of the Fund's total assets, less liabilities other than obligations
created by reverse repurchase agreements.  The Fund's arrangements in connection
with its hedging activities as described in "Investment Objectives and Policies"
shall not be considered senior securities for purposes hereof;

9. Acquire securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the
1940 Act; or

10. Act as an underwriter of securities.

        The Tax Exempt Bond Fund and its corresponding Portfolio may not:

1. Borrow money,  except from banks for extraordinary or emergency  purposes and
then only in amounts up to 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets, taken at
cost at the time of such  borrowing;  or mortgage,  pledge,  or hypothecate  any
assets except in connection  with any such borrowing in amounts up to 10% of the
value of the Fund's net assets at the time of such borrowing.  The Fund will not
purchase  securities  while  borrowings  exceed 5% of the Fund's  total  assets;
provided,  however,  that the Fund may  increase  its  interest  in an  open-end
management   investment   company  with  the  same   investment   objective  and
restrictions as the Fund's while such borrowings are outstanding. This borrowing
provision facilitates the orderly sale of portfolio securities,  for example, in
the event of abnormally  heavy  redemption  requests.  This provision is not for
investment purposes.  Collateral arrangements for premium and margin payments in
connection  with the Fund's hedging  activities are not deemed to be a pledge of
assets;

2. Purchase  securities or other  obligations of any one issuer if,  immediately
after such purchase,  more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets would
be invested in securities or other obligations of any one such issuer; provided,
however,  that the Fund may  invest all or part of its  investable  assets in an
open-end  management  investment company with the same investment  objective and
restrictions as the Fund's. Each state and each political subdivision, agency or
instrumentality of such state and each multi-state agency of which such state is
a member will be a separate  issuer if the security is backed only by the assets
and revenue of that issuer. If the security is guaranteed by another entity, the
guarantor will be deemed to be the issuer.3 This  limitation  shall not apply to
securities  issued  or  guaranteed  by the  U.S.  Government,  its  agencies  or
instrumentalities  or to permitted  investments of up to 25% of the Fund's total
assets;

3. Invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of governmental  units
located in any one state,  territory,  or possession of the United  States.  The
Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in industrial developments and
- --------
               `3 For purposes of interpretation of Investment Restriction No. 2
"guaranteed by another entity" includes credit substitutions, such as letters of
credit or insurance,  unless the Advisor  determines that the security meets the
Fund's credit standards without regard to the credit substitution.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        48

<PAGE>



pollution control obligations whether or not the users of facilities financed by
such obligations are in that same industry;4

4. Purchase industrial revenue bonds if, as a result of such purchase, more than
5% of total Fund  assets  would be invested in  industrial  revenue  bonds where
payment of principal and interest are the responsibility of companies with fewer
than three years of operating history (including predecessors);

5. Make  loans,  except  through  the  purchase  or holding of debt  obligations
(including  privately  placed  securities)  or the entering  into of  repurchase
agreements,  or loans of  portfolio  securities  in  accordance  with the Fund's
investment objective and policies (see "Investment Objectives and Policies");

6. Purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles,  spreads, or any combination thereof
except to the extent that securities  subject to a demand  obligation,  stand-by
commitments  and  puts  may  be  purchased  (see   "Investment   Objectives  and
Policies"); real estate; commodities; commodity contracts, except for the Fund's
interests in hedging  activities as described under  "Investment  Objectives and
Policies";  or  interests in oil,  gas, or mineral  exploration  or  development
programs.  However,  the Fund may purchase  municipal bonds, notes or commercial
paper secured by interests in real estate;

7. Purchase securities on margin, make short sales of securities,  or maintain a
short position, except in the course of the Fund's hedging activities, unless at
all times when a short  position  is open the Fund owns an equal  amount of such
securities  or  owns   securities   which,   without   payment  of  any  further
consideration,  are convertible  into or exchangeable for securities of the same
issue as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short;  provided that this
restriction  shall not be deemed to be  applicable  to the  purchase  or sale of
when-issued or delayed delivery securities;

8. Issue any senior security, except as appropriate to evidence indebtedness
which the Fund is permitted to incur pursuant to Investment Restriction No. 1.
The Fund's arrangements in connection with its hedging activities as described
in "Investment Objectives and Policies"  shall not be considered senior
securities for purposes hereof;

9. Acquire securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the
1940 Act; or

10. Act as an underwriter of securities.

Unless Sections 8(b)(1) and 13(a) of the 1940 Act or any SEC or SEC staff
interpretations thereof, are amended or modified, the New York Total Return Bond
Fund and its corresponding Portfolio may not:
- --------
               4 Pursuant to an interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Fund
may not invest more than 25% of its assets in  industrial  development  bonds in
projects of similar  type or in the same state.  The Fund shall comply with this
interpretation until such time as it may be modified by the staff of the SEC.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        49

<PAGE>



1.  Purchase  any  security  if, as a result,  more than 25% of the value of the
Fund's  total  assets would be invested in  securities  of issuers  having their
principal  business  activities in the same industry.  This limitation shall not
apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.  Government,  its agencies
or instrumentalities;

2.  Borrow  money,  except  that the Fund may (i)  borrow  money  from banks for
temporary or emergency  purposes  (not for  leveraging  purposes) and (ii) enter
into reverse repurchase  agreements for any purpose;  provided that (i) and (ii)
in  total  do not  exceed  33 1/3%  of the  value  of the  Fund's  total  assets
(including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings).  If at
any time any borrowings  come to exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund's total
assets,  the Fund will reduce its  borrowings  within three business days to the
extent necessary to comply with the 33 1/3% limitation;

3. Make loans to other persons, except through the purchase of debt obligations,
loans of portfolio securities, and participation in repurchase agreements;

4. Purchase or sell physical  commodities or contracts thereon,  unless acquired
as a result of the  ownership of  securities  or  instruments,  but the Fund may
purchase or sell  futures  contracts  or options  (including  options on futures
contracts,  but excluding options or futures contracts on physical  commodities)
and may enter into foreign currency forward contracts;

5.  Purchase or sell real estate,  but the Fund may purchase or sell  securities
that are secured by real estate or issued by  companies  (including  real estate
investment trusts) that invest or deal in real estate;

6. Underwrite securities of other issuers, except to the extent the Fund, in
disposing of portfolio securities, may be deemed an underwriter within the
meaning of the 1933 Act;

7. Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act or any rule,
order or interpretation thereunder; or

8.  Notwithstanding  any other investment  restriction of the Fund, the Fund may
invest all of its investable assets in an open-end management investment company
having the same investment objective and restrictions as the Fund.

        Unless  Section  8(b)(1),  and  13(a)  of the 1940 Act or any SEC or SEC
staff  interpretations  thereof,  are amended or modified,  the Global Strategic
Income Fund and its corresponding Portfolio may not:

1.      Purchase any security if, as a result, more than 25% of the value of the
Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of issuers having their
principal business activities in the same industry.  This limitation shall not
apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U. S. Government, its agencies
or instrumentalities.

     2. Issue senior  securities.  For purposes of this  restriction,  borrowing
money in accordance with paragraph 3 below, making loans in accordance with non-
fundamental restriction no. (v), the issuance of shares of beneficial interest

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        50

<PAGE>



in  multiple  classes  or  series,  the  purchase  or sale of  options,  futures
contracts, forward commitments,  swaps and transactions in repurchase agreements
are not deemed to be senior securities.

3. Borrow  money,  except in amounts not to exceed one third of the Fund's total
assets   (including   the  amount   borrowed)  less   liabilities   (other  than
borrowings)(i)  from  banks for  temporary  or  short-term  purposes  or for the
clearance of transactions, (ii) in connection with the redemption of Fund shares
or to  finance  failed  settlements  of  portfolio  trades  without  immediately
liquidating  portfolio  securities  or other  assets,  (iii) in order to fulfill
commitments or plans to purchase  additional  securities pending the anticipated
sale of other  portfolio  securities  or assets  and (iv)  pursuant  to  reverse
repurchase agreement entered into by the Fund.5

4.  Underwrite the  securities of other issuers,  except to the extent that , in
connection with the disposition of portfolio securities,  the Fund may be deemed
to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act.

5.  Purchase or sell real  estate  except that the Fund may (i) acquire or lease
office space for its own use,  (ii) invest in  securities of issuers that invest
in real estate or interests therein, (iii) invest in securities that are secured
by real estate or interests therein,  (iv) make direct investments in mortgages,
(v) purchase and sell  mortgage-related  securities  and (vi) hold and sell real
estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities including
mortgages.

6. Purchase or sell  commodities or commodity  contracts,  unless  acquired as a
result of the  ownership  of  securities  or  instruments,  except  the Fund may
purchase and sell  financial  futures  contracts,  options on financial  futures
contracts  and  warrants  and  may  enter  into  swap  and  forward   commitment
transactions.

7.     With respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase securities of an issuer
(other than the U. S. Government, its agencies, instrumentalities or authorities
or repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government securities), if:

     a. such purchase  would cause more than 5% of the Fund's total assets to be
invested in the securities of such issuer; or

        b.     Such purchase would cause the Fund to hold more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of such issuer.

The Diversified Fund and its corresponding Portfolio may not:

1. Purchase the securities or other obligations of issuers conducting their
principal business activity in the same industry if, immediately after such
- --------
    5  Although  the  Portfolio  is  permitted  to  fulfill  plans  to  purchase
additional securities pending the anticipated sale of other portfolio securities
or assets,  the Portfolio  has no current  intention of engaging in this form of
leverage.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        51

<PAGE>



purchase the value of its  investments  in such industry would exceed 25% of the
value of the Fund's total assets;  provided,  however,  that the Fund may invest
all or  part of its  investable  assets  in an  open-end  management  investment
company with the same investment  objective and restrictions as the Fund's.  For
purposes of  industry  concentration,  there is no  percentage  limitation  with
respect to investments in U.S. Government securities;

2.  Purchase  the  securities  or  other  obligations  of  any  one  issuer  if,
immediately  after such purchase,  more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets  would be invested in  securities  or other  obligations  of any one such
issuer;  provided,  however,  that  the  Fund  may  invest  all or  part  of its
investable  assets in an open-end  management  investment  company with the same
investment  objective and restrictions as the Fund's.  This limitation shall not
apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities  or to permitted  investments of up to 25% of the Fund's total
assets;

3. Purchase the securities of an issuer if, immediately after such purchase, the
Fund owns more than 10% of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of such issuer;
provided, however, that the Fund may invest all or part of its investable assets
in an open-end management  investment company with the same investment objective
and  restrictions as the Fund's.  This  limitation  shall not apply to permitted
investments of up to 25% of the Fund's total assets;

4. Borrow money (not including reverse repurchase agreements), except from banks
for temporary or extraordinary or emergency purposes and then only in amounts up
to 30% of the value of the Fund's or the Portfolio's total assets, taken at cost
at the time of such  borrowing  (and provided that such  borrowings  and reverse
repurchase  agreements  do not exceed in the  aggregate  one-third of the market
value of the Fund's and the Portfolio's total assets less liabilities other than
the  obligations  represented  by the bank  borrowings  and  reverse  repurchase
agreements).  The Fund will not  mortgage,  pledge,  or  hypothecate  any assets
except in connection with any such borrowing and in amounts not to exceed 30% of
the  value of the  Fund's  or the  Portfolio's  net  assets  at the time of such
borrowing.  The  Fund  or the  Portfolio  will  not  purchase  securities  while
borrowings  exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets;  provided,  however,  that the
Fund may increase its interest in an open-end management investment company with
the  same  investment  objective  and  restrictions  as the  Fund's  while  such
borrowings are outstanding.  This borrowing  provision is included to facilitate
the  orderly  sale  of  portfolio  securities,  for  example,  in the  event  of
abnormally  heavy  redemption  requests,  and is not  for  investment  purposes.
Collateral  arrangements  for premium and margin payments in connection with the
Fund's use of futures  contracts  and  options  are not deemed to be a pledge of
assets;

5. Issue any senior  security,  except as appropriate  to evidence  indebtedness
which  constitutes  a senior  security  and which the Fund is permitted to incur
pursuant to Investment Restriction No. 4 and except that the Fund may enter into
reverse repurchase agreements, provided that the aggregate of senior securities,
including  reverse  repurchase  agreements,  shall not exceed  one-third  of the
market value of the Fund's total assets, less liabilities other than obligations
created by reverse repurchase agreements.  The Fund's arrangements in connection
with its use of futures  contracts and options  shall not be  considered  senior
securities for purposes hereof;

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        52

<PAGE>



6. Make  loans,  except  through  the  purchase  or holding of debt  obligations
(including  privately  placed  securities),  or the entering  into of repurchase
agreements,  or loans of  portfolio  securities  in  accordance  with the Fund's
investment objective and policies (see "Investment Objectives and Policies");

7. Purchase or sell  commodities or commodity  contracts,  but this  restriction
shall not  prohibit the Fund from  purchasing  or selling  futures  contracts or
options  (including  options  on futures  contracts,  but  excluding  options or
futures  contracts on physical  commodities)  or entering into foreign  currency
forward contracts;  or purchase or sell real estate or interests in oil, gas, or
mineral  exploration or  development  programs.  However,  the Fund may purchase
securities or commercial  paper issued by companies  which invest in real estate
or interests  therein,  including real estate  investment  trusts,  and purchase
instruments secured by real estate or interests therein;

8. Purchase securities on margin, make short sales of securities,  or maintain a
short  position  in  securities,  except to obtain  such  short  term  credit as
necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities,  provided that
this restriction shall not be deemed to be applicable to the purchase or sale of
when-issued  securities or delayed delivery securities or to restrict the Fund's
use of futures contracts or options;

9. Acquire securities of other investment companies,  except as permitted by the
1940  Act  or  in  connection  with  a  merger,  consolidation,  reorganization,
acquisition of assets or an offer of exchange;  provided,  however, that nothing
in this  investment  restriction  shall prevent the Trust from  investing all or
part of the Fund's assets in an open-end management  investment company with the
same investment objective and restrictions as the Fund; or

10. Act as an underwriter of securities.

Each of the  U.S.  Equity  Fund  and the  U.S.  Small  Company  Fund  and  their
corresponding Portfolios may not:

1. Purchase the  securities or other  obligations  of issuers  conducting  their
principal  business  activity in the same  industry if,  immediately  after such
purchase the value of its  investments  in such industry would exceed 25% of the
value of the Fund's total assets;  provided,  however,  that the Fund may invest
all or  part of its  investable  assets  in an  open-end  management  investment
company with the same investment  objective and restrictions as the Fund's.  For
purposes of  industry  concentration,  there is no  percentage  limitation  with
respect to investments in U.S. Government securities;

2. Borrow money,  except from banks for extraordinary or emergency  purposes and
then only in amounts not to exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's total  assets,
taken at cost, at the time of such borrowing.  Mortgage,  pledge, or hypothecate
any assets  except in connection  with any such  borrowing and in amounts not to
exceed 10% of the value of the Fund's net assets at the time of such  borrowing.
The Fund will not purchase  securities while borrowings  exceed 5% of the Fund's
total assets;  provided,  however, that the Fund may increase its interest in an
open-end management investment company with the same investment objective and

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        53

<PAGE>



restrictions as the Fund's while such borrowings are outstanding. This borrowing
provision is included to  facilitate  the orderly sale of portfolio  securities,
for example,  in the event of abnormally heavy redemption  requests,  and is not
for investment purposes. Collateral arrangements for premium and margin payments
in connection  with the Fund's hedging  activities are not deemed to be a pledge
of assets;

3.  Purchase  the  securities  or  other  obligations  of  any  one  issuer  if,
immediately  after such purchase,  more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets  would be invested in  securities  or other  obligations  of any one such
issuer;  provided,  however,  that  the  Fund  may  invest  all or  part  of its
investable  assets in an open-end  management  investment  company with the same
investment  objective and restrictions as the Fund's.  This limitation shall not
apply to issues of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and to
permitted investments of up to 25% of the Fund's total assets;

4. Purchase the securities of an issuer if, immediately after such purchase, the
Fund owns more than 10% of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of such issuer;
provided, however, that the Fund may invest all or part of its investable assets
in an open-end management  investment company with the same investment objective
and restrictions as the Fund's;

5. Make  loans,  except  through  the  purchase  or holding of debt  obligations
(including  privately  placed  securities),  or the entering  into of repurchase
agreements,  or loans of  portfolio  securities  in  accordance  with the Fund's
investment objective and policies (see "Investment Objectives and Policies");

6. Purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads, or any combination thereof,
real  estate,  commodities,  or  commodity  contracts,  except  for  the  Fund's
interests in hedging  activities as described under  "Investment  Objectives and
Policies";  or  interests in oil,  gas, or mineral  exploration  or  development
programs.  However,  the Fund may purchase securities or commercial paper issued
by companies  which invest in real estate or interests  therein,  including real
estate investment trusts;

7. Purchase securities on margin, make short sales of securities,  or maintain a
short position, except in the course of the Fund's hedging activities,  provided
that this  restriction  shall not be deemed to be  applicable to the purchase or
sale of when-issued securities or delayed delivery securities;

8. Acquire securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the
1940 Act;

9. Act as an underwriter of securities;

     10.  Issue  any  senior   security,   except  as  appropriate  to  evidence
indebtedness  which  the Fund is  permitted  to  incur  pursuant  to  Investment
Restriction  No. 2. The  Fund's  arrangements  in  connection  with its  hedging
activities as described in  "Investment  Objectives  and Policies"  shall not be
considered senior securities for purposes hereof; or


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        54

<PAGE>



11. Purchase any equity security if, as a result,  the Fund would then have more
than 5% of its total  assets  invested in  securities  of  companies  (including
predecessors) that have been in continuous operation for fewer than three years.

The International Equity Fund and its corresponding Portfolio may not:

1. Borrow money,  except from banks for extraordinary or emergency  purposes and
then only in amounts up to 30% of the value of the Fund's net assets at the time
of borrowing,  and except in connection with reverse  repurchase  agreements and
then only in amounts up to 33 1/3% of the value of the  Fund's  net  assets;  or
purchase securities while borrowings,  including reverse repurchase  agreements,
exceed 5% of the  Fund's  total  assets;  provided,  however,  that the Fund may
increase its interest in an open-end management investment company with the same
investment  objective and  restrictions  as the Fund's while such borrowings are
outstanding.  The Fund will not  mortgage,  pledge,  or  hypothecate  any assets
except in connection with any such borrowing and in amounts not to exceed 30% of
the value of the Fund's net assets at the time of such borrowing;

2.  Purchase  the  securities  or  other  obligations  of  any  one  issuer  if,
immediately  after such purchase,  more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets  would be invested in  securities  or other  obligations  of any one such
issuer;  provided,  however,  that  the  Fund  may  invest  all or  part  of its
investable  assets in an open-end  management  investment  company with the same
investment  objective and restrictions as the Fund's.  This limitation shall not
apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities  or to permitted  investments of up to 25% of the Fund's total
assets;

3. Purchase the securities of an issuer if, immediately after such purchase, the
Fund owns more than 10% of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of such issuer;
provided, however, that the Fund may invest all or part of its investable assets
in an open-end management  investment company with the same investment objective
and  restrictions as the Fund's.  This  limitation  shall not apply to permitted
investments of up to 25% of the Fund's total assets;

4. Purchase the  securities or other  obligations  of issuers  conducting  their
principal  business  activity in the same  industry if,  immediately  after such
purchase,  the value of its investments in such industry would exceed 25% of the
value of the Fund's total assets;  provided,  however,  that the Fund may invest
all or  part of its  investable  assets  in an  open-end  management  investment
company with the same investment  objective and restrictions as the Fund's.  For
purposes of  industry  concentration,  there is no  percentage  limitation  with
respect to investments in U.S. Government securities;

5. Make  loans,  except  through  the  purchase  or holding of debt  obligations
(including   restricted   securities),   or  the  entering  into  of  repurchase
agreements,  or loans of  portfolio  securities  in  accordance  with the Fund's
investment objective and policies,  see "Additional  Investment  Information" in
the  Prospectus  and  "Investment  Objectives and Policies" in this Statement of
Additional Information;


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        55

<PAGE>



6. Purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads, or any combination thereof,
real  property,   including  limited  partnership  interests,   commodities,  or
commodity  contracts,  except for the Fund's  interests  in hedging  and foreign
exchange  activities as described under "Additional  Investment  Information" in
the  Prospectus;  or  interests in oil,  gas,  mineral or other  exploration  or
development  programs or leases.  However,  the Fund may purchase  securities or
commercial  paper  issued by  companies  that invest in real estate or interests
therein including real estate investment trusts;

7. Purchase securities on margin, make short sales of securities,  or maintain a
short  position  in  securities,  except to  obtain  such  short-term  credit as
necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities,  provided that
this  restriction  shall  not be  deemed  to  apply to the  purchase  or sale of
when-issued securities or delayed delivery securities;

8. Acquire securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the
1940 Act;

9. Act as an underwriter of securities, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed
to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act by virtue of disposing of portfolio
securities; or

10. Issue any senior  security,  except as appropriate to evidence  indebtedness
which the Fund is permitted to incur pursuant to Investment  Restriction  No. 1.
The Fund's  arrangements in connection with its hedging  activities as described
in "Additional Investment Information" in the Prospectus shall not be considered
senior securities for purposes hereof.

        Unless  Sections  8(b)(1)  and 13(a) of the 1940 Act,  or any SEC or SEC
staff  interpretations  thereof,  are amended or modified,  each of the Emerging
Markets  Equity,  European  Equity and Asia Growth  Funds and its  corresponding
Portfolio may not:

1.  Purchase  any  security  if, as a result,  more than 25% of the value of the
Fund's  total  assets would be invested in  securities  of issuers  having their
principal  business  activities in the same industry.  This limitation shall not
apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.  Government,  its agencies
or instrumentalities;

2.  Borrow  money,  except  that the Fund may (i)  borrow  money  from banks for
temporary or emergency  purposes  (not for  leveraging  purposes) and (ii) enter
into reverse repurchase  agreements for any purpose;  provided that (i) and (ii)
in  total  do not  exceed  33 1/3%  of the  value  of the  Fund's  total  assets
(including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings).  If at
any time any borrowings  come to exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund's total
assets,  the Fund will reduce its  borrowings  within three business days to the
extent necessary to comply with the 33 1/3% limitation;

3. With  respect to 75% of its total  assets,  purchase  any  security  if, as a
result,  (a) more  than 5% of the  value of the  Fund's  total  assets  would be
invested in securities or other obligations of any one issuer; or (b) the Fund

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        56

<PAGE>



would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
This limitation shall not apply to Government securities (as defined in the 1940
Act);

4. Make loans to other persons, except through the purchase of debt obligations,
loans of portfolio securities, and participation in repurchase agreements;

5. Purchase or sell physical  commodities or contracts thereon,  unless acquired
as a result of the  ownership of  securities  or  instruments,  but the Fund may
purchase or sell  futures  contracts  or options  (including  options on futures
contracts,  but excluding options or futures contracts on physical  commodities)
and may enter into foreign currency forward contracts;

6.  Purchase or sell real estate,  but the Fund may purchase or sell  securities
that are secured by real estate or issued by  companies  (including  real estate
investment trusts) that invest or deal in real estate;

7. Underwrite securities of other issuers, except to the extent the Fund, in
disposing of portfolio securities, may be deemed an underwriter within the
meaning of the 1933 Act;

8. Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act or any rule,
order or interpretation thereunder; and

9.  Notwithstanding  any other investment  restriction of the Fund, the Fund may
invest all of its investable assets in an open-end management investment company
having the same investment objective and restrictions as the Fund.

        Unless  Sections  8(b)(1)  and  13(a)  of the 1940 Act or any SEC or SEC
staff interpretations thereof are amended or modified, the Japan Equity Fund and
its corresponding Portfolio may not:

1.  Purchase  any  security  if, as a result,  more than 25% of the value of the
Fund's  total  assets would be invested in  securities  of issuers  having their
principal  business  activities in the same industry.  This limitation shall not
apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.  Government,  its agencies
or   instrumentalities.   In   addition,   and   while   subject   to   changing
interpretations,  so  long  as a  single  foreign  government  or  supranational
organization  is  considered  to be an  "industry"  for the purposes of this 25%
limitation,  the Portfolio will comply therewith. The staff of the SEC considers
all  supranational  organizations  (as a  group)  to be a  single  industry  for
concentration purposes;

2.  Borrow  money,  except  that the Fund may (i)  borrow  money  from banks for
temporary or emergency  purposes  (not for  leveraging  purposes) and (ii) enter
into reverse repurchase  agreements for any purpose;  provided that (i) and (ii)
in  total  do not  exceed  33 1/3%  of the  value  of the  Fund's  total  assets
(including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings).  If at
any time any borrowings  come to exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund's total
assets,  the Fund will reduce its  borrowings  within three business days to the
extent necessary to comply with the 33 1/3% limitation;

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        57

<PAGE>



3. Make loans to other persons, except through the purchase of debt obligations,
loans of portfolio securities, and participation in repurchase agreements;

4. Purchase or sell physical  commodities or contracts thereon,  unless acquired
as a result of the  ownership of  securities  or  instruments,  but the Fund may
purchase or sell  futures  contracts  or options  (including  options on futures
contracts,  but excluding options or futures contracts on physical  commodities)
and may enter into foreign currency forward contracts;

5.  Purchase or sell real estate,  but the Fund may purchase or sell  securities
that are secured by real estate or issued by  companies  (including  real estate
investment trusts) that invest or deal in real estate;

6. Underwrite securities of other issuers, except to the extent the Fund, in
disposing of portfolio securities, may be deemed an underwriter within the
meaning of the 1933 Act;

7. Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act or any rule,
order or interpretation thereunder; and

8.  Notwithstanding  any other investment  restriction of the Fund, the Fund may
invest all of its investable assets in an open-end management investment company
having substantially the same investment objective and restrictions as the Fund.

        Unless  Sections  8(b)(1)  and  13(a)  of the 1940 Act or any SEC or SEC
staff  interpretations  thereof  are  amended  or  modified,  the  International
Opportunities Fund and its corresponding Portfolio may not:

1.  Purchase  any  security  if, as a result,  more than 25% of its total assets
would be  invested  in  securities  of  issuers  in any  single  industry.  This
limitation shall not apply to securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or
interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

2. Issue senior securities. For purposes of this restriction, borrowing money in
accordance  with paragraph 3 below,  making loans in accordance with paragraph 7
below,  the  issuance of shares of  beneficial  interest in multiple  classes or
series, the purchase or sale of options, futures contracts, forward commitments,
swaps and  transactions  in  repurchase  agreements  are not deemed to be senior
securities.

3. Borrow  money,  except in amounts not to exceed one third of the Fund's total
assets  (including  the  amount  borrowed)  (i)  from  banks  for  temporary  or
short-term  purposes or for the  clearance of  transactions,  (ii) in connection
with the redemption of Fund shares or to finance failed settlements of portfolio
trades without  immediately  liquidating  portfolio  securities or other assets,
(iii) in order to fulfill commitments or plans to purchase additional securities
pending the anticipated  sale of other  portfolio  securities or assets and (iv)
pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        58

<PAGE>



4.  Underwrite the  securities of other  issuers,  except to the extent that, in
connection with the disposition of portfolio securities,  the Fund may be deemed
to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act.

5.  Purchase or sell real  estate  except that the Fund may (i) acquire or lease
office space for its own use,  (ii) invest in  securities of issuers that invest
in real estate or interests therein, (iii) invest in securities that are secured
by real estate or interests  therein,  (iv)  purchase and sell  mortgage-related
securities and (v) hold and sell real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of
the ownership of securities.

6.  Purchase or sell  commodities  or commodity  contracts,  except the Fund may
purchase and sell  financial  futures  contracts,  options on financial  futures
contracts  and  warrants  and  may  enter  into  swap  and  forward   commitment
transactions.

7. Make loans,  except that the Fund (1) may lend  portfolio  securities  with a
value  not  exceeding  one-third  of the  Fund's  net  assets,  (2)  enter  into
repurchase  agreements,  and (3)  purchase  all or a portion of an issue of debt
securities (including privately issued debt securities), bank loan participation
interests,  bank certificates of deposit,  bankers'  acceptances,  debentures or
other securities, whether or not the purchase is made upon the original issuance
of the securities.

     8. With  respect  to 75% of its total  assets,  purchase  securities  of an
issuer  (other than the U.S.  Government,  its  agencies,  instrumentalities  or
authorities  or  repurchase   agreements   collateralized  by  U.S.   Government
securities), if:

     a. such purchase  would cause more than 5% of the Fund's total assets to be
invested in the securities of such issuer; or

        b.     such purchase would cause the Fund to hold more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of such issuer.

        (Although permitted to do so by restriction No. 3 above, the Fund has no
current intention to engage in borrowing for financial leverage.)

        Non-Fundamental  Investment  Restrictions - Prime Money Market Fund. The
investment  restriction described below is not a fundamental policy of the Prime
Money  Market Fund or its  corresponding  Portfolio  and may be changed by their
respective Trustees.  This  non-fundamental  investment policy requires that the
Prime Money Market Fund and its corresponding Portfolio may not:

(i) enter into reverse repurchase  agreements or borrow money, except from banks
for  extraordinary  or emergency  purposes,  if such  obligations  exceed in the
aggregate  one-third  of the  market  value of the  Fund's  total  assets,  less
liabilities other than obligations created by reverse repurchase  agreements and
borrowings.

        Non-Fundamental  Investment  Restrictions - Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
and Federal Money Market Fund. The investment restriction described below is not
a fundamental policy of these Funds or their corresponding Portfolios and may be

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        59

<PAGE>



changed by their respective  Trustees.  This  non-fundamental  investment policy
requires that each such Fund may not:

(i) acquire any illiquid  securities,  such as repurchase  agreements  with more
than seven days to maturity or fixed time deposits with a duration of over seven
calendar days, if as a result thereof,  more than 10% of the market value of the
Fund's total assets would be in investments that are illiquid.

        Non-Fundamental  Investment  Restrictions  - Short Term Bond  Fund,  Tax
Exempt  Bond Fund,  Bond Fund,  U.S.  Equity  Fund,  U.S.  Small  Company  Fund,
International Equity Fund,  Diversified Fund, European Equity Fund, Japan Equity
Fund and Asia Growth Fund. The investment  restriction  described below is not a
fundamental policy of these Funds or their  corresponding  Portfolios and may be
changed by their respective  Trustees.  This  non-fundamental  investment policy
requires that each such Fund may not:

(i) acquire any illiquid  securities,  such as repurchase  agreements  with more
than seven days to maturity or fixed time deposits with a duration of over seven
calendar days, if as a result thereof,  more than 15% of the market value of the
Fund's net assets would be in investments that are illiquid.

        Non-Fundamental  Investment  Restrictions  - New York Total  Return Bond
Fund. The investment  restrictions  described below are not fundamental policies
of the New York Total Return Bond Fund and its  corresponding  Portfolio and may
be changed by their Trustees. These non-fundamental  investment policies require
that the New York Total  Return Bond Fund and its  corresponding  Portfolio  may
not:

(i) Acquire securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the
1940 Act or any rule, order or interpretation  thereunder, or in connection with
a merger,  consolidation,  reorganization,  acquisition of assets or an offer of
exchange;

(ii) Acquire any illiquid  securities,  such as repurchase  agreements with more
than seven days to maturity or fixed time deposits with a duration of over seven
calendar days, if as a result thereof,  more than 15% of the market value of the
Fund's net assets would be in investments that are illiquid;

(iii)  Sell any  security  short,  unless  it owns or has the  right  to  obtain
securities  equivalent  in kind and amount to the  securities  sold or unless it
covers such short sales as required by the current rules or positions of the SEC
or its staff. Transactions in futures contracts and options shall not constitute
selling securities short; or

(iv)  Purchase  securities  on margin,  but the Fund may obtain  such short term
credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions.

        Non-Fundamental  Investment Restrictions - Emerging Markets Equity Fund,
European Equity Fund and Asia Growth Fund. The investment restrictions described
below  are not  fundamental  policies  of these  Funds  or  their  corresponding
Portfolios  and  may  be  changed  by  their  respective  Trustees.  These  non-
fundamental investment policies require that each such Fund may not:


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        60

<PAGE>



(i) Acquire securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the
1940 Act or any rule, order or interpretation  thereunder, or in connection with
a merger,  consolidation,  reorganization,  acquisition of assets or an offer of
exchange;

(ii) Acquire any illiquid  securities,  such as repurchase  agreements with more
than seven days to maturity or fixed time deposits with a duration of over seven
calendar days, if as a result thereof,  more than 15% of the market value of the
Fund's net assets would be in investments that are illiquid;

(iii)  Sell any  security  short,  unless  it owns or has the  right  to  obtain
securities  equivalent  in kind and amount to the  securities  sold or unless it
covers such short sales as required by the current rules or positions of the SEC
or its staff. Transactions in futures contracts and options shall not constitute
selling securities short; or

(iv)  Purchase  securities  on margin,  but the Fund may obtain  such short term
credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions.

        Non-Fundamental   Investment  Restrictions  -  Japan  Equity  Fund.  The
investment  restrictions  described  below are not  fundamental  policies of the
Japan  Equity  Fund or its  corresponding  Portfolio  and may be  changed by its
Trustees.  These  non-fundamental  investment  policies  require  that the Japan
Equity Fund may not:

(i) Acquire securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the
1940 Act or any rule, order or interpretation  thereunder, or in connection with
a merger,  consolidation,  reorganization,  acquisition of assets or an offer of
exchange;

(ii) Acquire any illiquid  securities if as a result  thereof,  more than 15% of
the  market  value of the Fund's net  assets  would be in  investments  that are
illiquid;

(iii)  Sell any  security  short,  unless  it owns or has the  right  to  obtain
securities  equivalent  in kind and amount to the  securities  sold or unless it
covers such short sales as required  by the current  rules or  positions  of the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  or its  staff.  Transactions  in  futures
contracts and options shall not constitute selling securities short; or

(iv)  Purchase  securities  on margin,  but the Fund may obtain  such short term
credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions.

        Non-Fundamental  Investment  Restrictions - International  Opportunities
and Global Strategic Income Funds. The investment  restrictions  described below
are not fundamental policies of the Funds and their corresponding Portfolios and
may be  changed  by the  Trustees.  These  non-fundamental  investment  policies
require that each Fund may not:

(i) Acquire securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the
1940 Act or any rule, order or interpretation  thereunder, or in connection with
a merger,  consolidation,  reorganization,  acquisition of assets or an offer of
exchange;


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        61

<PAGE>



(ii) Acquire any illiquid  securities,  such as repurchase  agreements with more
than seven days to maturity or fixed time deposits with a duration of over seven
calendar days, if as a result thereof,  more than 15% of the market value of the
Fund's net assets would be in investments that are illiquid;

(iii) Sell any security short, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
Transactions in futures contracts and options shall not constitute selling
securities short;

(iv) Purchase securities on margin, but the Fund may obtain such short term
credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions; or

(v)(For Global Strategic Income Portfolio only) Make loans, except that the Fund
(1) may lend  portfolio  securities  with a value not exceeding one third of the
Fund's total assets, (2) enter into repurchase agreements,  and (3) purchase all
or a portion of an issue of debt  obligations  (including  privately issued debt
obligations and direct  investments in mortgages),  bank loan  participation and
subparticipation  interests, bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances,
debentures  or other  securities,  whether or not the  purchase is made upon the
original issuance of the securities.

        All Funds.  There will be no violation of any investment  restriction if
that  restriction  is  complied  with at the time the  relevant  action is taken
notwithstanding a later change in market value of an investment, in net or total
assets, in the securities rating of the investment, or any other later change.

        For purposes of fundamental  investment  restrictions regarding industry
concentration,  Morgan may  classify  issuers by  industry  in  accordance  with
classifications  set forth in the Directory of Companies  Filing Annual  Reports
With The Securities and Exchange  Commission or other sources. In the absence of
such  classification  or if Morgan  determines  in good  faith  based on its own
information that the economic characteristics affecting a particular issuer make
it more appropriately  considered to be engaged in a different industry,  Morgan
may  classify an issuer  accordingly.  For  instance,  personal  credit  finance
companies  and  business  credit  finance  companies  are deemed to be  separate
industries  and wholly  owned  finance  companies  are  considered  to be in the
industry of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing
the activities of their parents.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Trustees

        The  Trustees  of the Trust,  who are also the  Trustees  of each of the
Portfolios, their business addresses, principal occupations during the past five
years and dates of birth are set forth below.

        FREDERICK S. ADDY--Trustee; Retired; Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer since prior to April 1994, Amoco Corporation.  His address is
5300 Arbutus Cove, Austin, TX 78746, and his date of birth is January 1, 1932.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        62

<PAGE>



     WILLIAM  G.  BURNS--Trustee;   Retired,  Former  Vice  Chairman  and  Chief
Financial Officer,  NYNEX. His address is 2200 Alaqua Drive, Longwood, FL 32779,
and his date of birth is November 2, 1932.

     ARTHUR C.  ESCHENLAUER--Trustee;  Retired;  Former  Senior Vice  President,
Morgan  Guaranty  Trust Company of New York. His address is 14 Alta Vista Drive,
RD #2, Princeton, NJ 08540, and his date of birth is May 23, 1934.

     MATTHEW  HEALEY   (*)--Trustee,   Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer;
Chairman,  Pierpont Group,  Inc.,  since prior to 1992. His address is Pine Tree
Club Estates, 10286 Saint Andrews Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33436, and his date of
birth is August 23, 1937. 

   
- ------------------------
     (*) Mr. Healey is an "interested  person" of the Trust,  each Portfolio and
the investment advisor as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.
    


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        63

<PAGE>



     MICHAEL P.  MALLARDI--Trustee;  Retired;  Senior  Vice  President,  Capital
Cities/ABC,  Inc. and President,  Broadcast Group since prior to April 1996. His
address is 10 Charnwood Drive, Suffern, NY 10910, and his date of birth is March
17, 1934.


        The  Trustees  of the Trust are the same as the  Trustees of each of the
Portfolios. In accordance with applicable state requirements,  a majority of the
disinterested Trustees have adopted written procedures reasonably appropriate to
deal with  potential  conflicts of interest  arising from the fact that the same
individuals  are  Trustees  of the  Trust,  each of the  Portfolios  and The JPM
Institutional Funds, up to and including creating a separate board of trustees.

        Each Trustee is currently paid an annual fee of $75,000  (adjusted as of
April  1,  1997)  for  serving  as  Trustee  of the  Trust,  each of the  Master
Portfolios (as defined below), The JPM Institutional  Funds and JPM Series Trust
and is reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with service as a Trustee.
The Trustees may hold various other directorships unrelated to these funds.

        Trustee compensation expenses accrued by the Trust for the calendar year
ended December 31, 1996 are set forth below.


                                                           TOTAL TRUSTEE
                                                           COMPENSATION ACCRUED
                                  AGGREGATE                BY THE MASTER
                                  TRUSTEE                  PORTFOLIOS (*), THE
                                  COMPENSATION             JPM INSTITUTIONAL
                                  ACCRUED BY THE           FUNDS, JPM SERIES
                                  TRUST DURING             TRUST AND THE TRUST
NAME OF TRUSTEE                   1996                     DURING 1996 (***)
- ---------------                   ---------------          -----------------
Frederick S. Addy, Trustee        $15,808                   $65,000
illiam G. Burns, Trustee          $15,808                   $65,000
rthur C. Eschenlauer, Trustee     $15,808                   $65,000
Matthew Healey, Trustee (**)      $15,808                   $65,000
  Chairman and Chief Executive
  Officer
Michael P. Mallardi, Trustee      $15,808                   $65,000

     (*)  Includes the  Portfolios,  The Non-U.S.  Fixed Income  Portfolio,  The
Disciplined   Equity   Portfolio  and  The  Emerging   Markets  Debt   Portfolio
(collectively the "Master Portfolios").

(**) During 1996, Pierpont Group, Inc. paid Mr. Healey, in his role as Chairman
of Pierpont Group, Inc., compensation in the amount of $140,000, contributed
$21,000 to a defined contribution plan on his behalf and paid $21,500 in
insurance premiums for his benefit.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        64

<PAGE>



(***)No  investment  company within the fund complex has a pension or retirement
plan.  Currently  there are 18  investment  companies (15  investment  companies
comprising the Master Portfolios, the Trust, The JPM Institutional Funds and JPM
Series Trust) in the fund complex.

         The Trustees,  in addition to reviewing  actions of the Trust's and the
Portfolios'  various service  providers,  decide upon matters of general policy.
Each of the Portfolios and the Trust has entered into a Fund Services  Agreement
with Pierpont  Group,  Inc. to assist the Trustees in  exercising  their overall
supervisory  responsibilities  over the affairs of the Portfolios and the Trust.
Pierpont  Group,  Inc. was  organized  in July 1989 to provide  services for The
Pierpont Family of Funds,  and the Trustees are the equal and sole  shareholders
of Pierpont Group, Inc. The Trust and the Portfolios have agreed to pay Pierpont
Group,  Inc. a fee in an amount  representing its reasonable costs in performing
these  services  to the Trust,  the  Portfolios  and  certain  other  registered
investment companies subject to similar agreements with Pierpont Group, Inc.
These costs are periodically reviewed by the Trustees.

         The aggregate fees paid to Pierpont Group, Inc. by each Fund (including
any Fund's  predecessor)  and its  corresponding  Portfolio during the indicated
fiscal years are set forth below:

Prime Money  Market Fund -- For the fiscal year ended  November  30,  1994:
$302,195.  For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1995: $193,838. For the fiscal
year ended November 30, 1996:  $96,853.  
The Prime Money Market  Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended November 30,
1994: $246,089.  For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1995: $261,045.  For the
fiscal year ended November 30, 1996: $157,428.

Tax Exempt Money Market Fund -- For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1994:
$175,737.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $101,846.  For the fiscal
year ended August 31, 1996: $53,896.
The Tax Exempt Money Market Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended August 31,
1994: $79,046.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $110,325.  For the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1996: $62,310.

Federal Money Market Fund --  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$16,086.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $14,332.  For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996: $9,821.
The Federal Money Market Portfolio --For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$17,104.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $22,791.  For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996: $16,144.

Short Term Bond Fund -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994: $952.  For
the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $823. For the fiscal year ended October
31, 1996: $439.
The Short Term Bond Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$4,545.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $5,573. For the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1996: $1,005.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        65

<PAGE>



Bond Fund --For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994: $15,491.  For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1995: $11,376.  For the fiscal year ended October 31,
1996: $6,975.
The U.S. Fixed Income Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$23,028.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $40,729.  For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996: $36,922.

Tax Exempt Bond Fund -- For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1994: $80,810.  For
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $35,144.  For the fiscal year ended
August 31, 1996: $20,062.
The Tax Exempt Bond Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1994:
$35,243.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $38,804.  For the fiscal
year ended August 31, 1996: $24,602.

New York Total Return Bond Fund -- For the period April 11, 1994 (commencement
of operations) through March 31, 1995: $2,847.  For the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996: $3,108.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997: $2,391.
The New York Total Return Bond Portfolio -- For the period April 11, 1994
(commencement of operations) through March 31, 1995: $4,140. For the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1996: $5,530.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997: $5,302.

Global Strategic Income Portfolio -- For the period March 17, 1997 (commencement
of operations) through April 30, 1997 (unaudited): $83.

U.S. Equity Fund -- For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1994: $48,660.  For the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1995: $25,316. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996:
$20,190.
The U.S. Equity Portfolio -- For the period July 19, 1993 (commencement of
operations) through May 31, 1994: $20,385.  For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1995: $52,948.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $46,626.

U.S. Small Company Fund -- For the fiscal year ended through May 31, 1994:
$47,244.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995: $19,612.  For the fiscal year
ended May 31, 1996: $13,451.
The U.S. Small Company Portfolio -- For the period July 19, 1993 (commencement
of operations)  through May 31, 1994: $33,435. For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1995: $62,256.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $48,688.

International Equity Fund --  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$27,503.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $18,131.  For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996: $9,577.
The International Equity Portfolio --For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$32,512.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $48,442.  For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996: $39,391.

Diversified Fund -- For the period July 8, 1993 (commencement of operations)
through June 30, 1994: $247.  For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995: $1,437.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996: $2,212.
The Diversified Portfolio -- For the period July 8, 1993 (commencement of
operations) through June 30, 1994: $3,434.  For the fiscal year ended June 30,
1995: $11,702.  For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996: $13,109.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        66

<PAGE>



Emerging Markets Equity Fund -- For the period November 15, 1993 (commencement
of operations) through October 31, 1994: $4,331.  For the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1995: $4,544.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996: $2,818.
The Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio --For the period November 15 (commencement
of operations) through October 31, 1994: $42,764.  For the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1995: $53,162.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996: $36,851.

European Equity Fund -- For the period May 13, 1996 (commencement of operations)
through December 31, 1996:  $12.
The European Equity Portfolio -- For the period March 28, 1995 (commencement of
operations) through December 31, 1995: $19,953.  For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996:  $25,144.

Japan Equity Fund -- For the period May 6, 1996 (commencement of operations)
through December 31, 1996:  $8.
The Japan Equity Portfolio -- For the period March 28, 1995 (commencement of
operations) through December 31, 1995: $21,727.  For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996:  $21,646.

Asia Growth Fund -- For the period May 13, 1996 (commencement of operations)
through December 31, 1996:  $11.
The Asia Growth Portfolio -- For the period April 5, 1995 (commencement of
operations) through December 31, 1995: $4,788.  For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996: $4,975.

   
International   Opportunities   Fund  --  For  the  period   February  26,  1997
(commencement  of  operations)  through  May  31,  1997  (unaudited):$125.   The
International  Opportunities  Portfolio  -- For the  period  February  26,  1997
(commencement of operations) through May 31, 1997 (unaudited):$698.
    


Officers

         The Trust's and Portfolios'  executive  officers (listed below),  other
than  the  Chief  Executive  Officer,  are  provided  and  compensated  by Funds
Distributor,  Inc.  ("FDI"),  a  wholly  owned  indirect  subsidiary  of  Boston
Institutional  Group,  Inc.  The  officers  conduct and  supervise  the business
operations of the Trust and the Portfolios. The Trust and the Portfolios have no
employees.

         The  officers  of  the  Trust  and  the  Portfolios,   their  principal
occupations  during the past five years and dates of birth are set forth  below.
Unless otherwise specified,  each officer holds the same position with the Trust
and  each  Portfolio.  The  business  address  of  each of the  officers  unless
otherwise noted is Funds Distributor, Inc., 60 State Street, Suite 1300, Boston,
Massachusetts
02109.

         MATTHEW HEALEY;  Chief  Executive  Officer;  Chairman,  Pierpont Group,
since prior to 1992. His address is Pine Tree Club Estates,  10286 Saint Andrews
Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33436. His date of birth is August 23, 1937.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        67

<PAGE>



     MARIE E. CONNOLLY; Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. President, Chief
Executive Officer,  Chief Compliance Officer and Director of FDI, Premier Mutual
Fund  Services,  Inc., an affiliate of FDI ("Premier  Mutual") and an officer of
certain investment  companies advised or administered by the Dreyfus Corporation
("Dreyfus")  or its  affiliates.  From  December  1991  to  July  1994,  she was
President  and Chief  Compliance  Officer of FDI. Her date of birth is August 1,
1957.

     DOUGLAS C. CONROY; Vice President and Assistant  Treasurer.  Assistant Vice
President  and Manager of Treasury  Services  and  Administration  of FDI and an
officer of certain  investment  companies  advised or administered by Dreyfus or
its  affiliates.  Prior to April 1997,  Mr.  Conroy was  Supervisor  of Treasury
Services and  Administration of FDI. From April 1993 to January 1995, Mr. Conroy
was a Senior Fund Accountant for Investors Bank & Trust Company.  Prior to March
1993, Mr. Conroy was employed as a fund accountant at The Boston  Company,  Inc.
His date of birth is March 31, 1969.

     JACQUELINE  HENNING;  Assistant  Secretary and  Assistant  Treasurer of the
Portfolios  only  (excluding the Federal Money Market,  Tax Exempt Money Market,
Tax  Exempt  Bond,  New York  Total  Return  Bond and  Global  Strategic  Income
Portfolios).  Managing Director,  State Street Cayman Trust Company,  Ltd. since
October 1994.  Prior to October 1994,  Mrs.  Henning was head of mutual funds at
Morgan  Grenfell in Cayman and for five years was  Managing  Director of Bank of
Nova Scotia Trust  Company  (Cayman)  Limited from  September  1988 to September
1993. Address:  P.O. Box 2508 GT, Elizabethan  Square, 2nd Floor,  Shedden Road,
George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Her date of birth is March 24, 1942.

     RICHARD W. INGRAM;  President and  Treasurer.  Executive Vice President and
Director of Client  Services and  Treasury  Administration  of FDI,  Senior Vice
President  of Premier  Mutual and an officer of RCM  Capital  Funds,  Inc.,  RCM
Equity Funds, Inc.,  Waterhouse Investors Cash Management Fund, Inc. and certain
investment  companies  advised or  administered  by Dreyfus or Harris  Trust and
Savings Bank ("Harris") or their respective affiliates. Prior to April 1997, Mr.
Ingram was Senior Vice  President  and  Director of Client  Service and Treasury
Administration  of FDI.  From March 1994 to November  1995,  Mr. Ingram was Vice
President and Division Manager of First Data Investor  Services Group, Inc. From
1989 to  1994,  Mr.  Ingram  was Vice  President,  Assistant  Treasurer  and Tax
Director  -  Mutual  Funds  of The  Boston  Company,  Inc.  His date of birth is
September 15, 1955.

     KAREN JACOPPO-WOOD;  Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Assistant Vice
President of FDI and an officer of RCM Capital Funds, Inc. and RCM Equity Funds,
Inc.,  Waterhouse  Investors  Cash  Management  Fund,  Inc.  and Harris or their
respective  affiliates.  From June 1994 to January 1996, Ms.  Jacoppo-Wood was a
Manager, SEC Registration, Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc. From 1988 to May 1994,
Ms.  Jacoppo-Wood  was a senior paralegal at The Boston Company  Advisors,  Inc.
("TBCA"). Her date of birth is December 29, 1966.

   
     MARK A. KARPE; Vice President and Assistant  Secretary.  Counsel of FDI and
an officer of  certain  investment  companies  advised  or  administered  by The
Dreyfus  Corporation or its affiliates since September 1996. From August 1993 to
May 1996,  Mr.  Karpe was  enrolled at Hofstra Law School and received his JD in
May
    

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        68

<PAGE>



   
1996.  From August 1992 to July 1993, Mr. Karpe was employed as an Associate
Examiner with the Enforcement Department of the NASD.  Prior to September 1992,
Mr. Karpe was an Associate Analyst with the Enforcement Department of the
American Stock Exchange.  His date of birth is November 22, 1968.
    

     ELIZABETH A. KEELEY; Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Vice President
and Senior  Counsel  of FDI and  Premier  Mutual  and an officer of RCM  Capital
Funds, Inc., RCM Equity Funds, Inc.,  Waterhouse Investors Cash Management Fund,
Inc. and certain  investment  companies  advised or  administered  by Dreyfus or
Harris or their  respective  affiliates.  Prior to August 1996,  Ms.  Keeley was
Assistant  Vice  President  and  Counsel  of FDI and  Premier  Mutual.  Prior to
September 1995, Ms. Keeley was enrolled at Fordham  University School of Law and
received  her JD in May  1995.  Prior  to  September  1992,  Ms.  Keeley  was an
assistant at the National Association for Public Interest Law. Address: 200 Park
Avenue, New York, New York 10166. Her date of birth is September 14, 1969.

     CHRISTOPHER  J.  KELLEY;  Vice  President  and  Assistant  Secretary.  Vice
President and Associate General Counsel of FDI and Premier Mutual and an officer
of  Waterhouse  Investors  Cash  Management  Fund,  Inc. and certain  investment
companies  advised or administered by Harris or its affiliates.  From April 1994
to July 1996, Mr. Kelley was Assistant  Counsel at Forum Financial  Group.  From
1992 to 1994,  Mr.  Kelley  was  employed  by  Putnam  Investments  in legal and
compliance  capacities.  Prior to  September  1992,  Mr.  Kelley was enrolled at
Boston  College Law School and received his JD in May 1992. His date of birth is
December 24, 1964.

     LENORE J.  MCCABE;  Assistant  Secretary  and  Assistant  Treasurer  of the
Portfolios  only  (excluding the Federal Money Market,  Tax Exempt Money Market,
Tax  Exempt  Bond,  New York  Total  Return  Bond and  Global  Strategic  Income
Portfolios). Assistant Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Company since
November  1994.  Assigned as  Operations  Manager,  State  Street  Cayman  Trust
Company,  Ltd. since February 1995. Prior to November,  1994, employed by Boston
Financial Data Services,  Inc. as Control Group Manager.  Address: P.O. Box 2508
GT,  Elizabethan  Square,  2nd Floor,  Shedden Road,  George Town, Grand Cayman,
Cayman Islands. Her date of birth is May 31, 1961.

     MARY A. NELSON; Vice President and Assistant Treasurer.  Vice President and
Manager of Treasury  Services and  Administration  of FDI and Premier Mutual, an
officer of RCM Capital Funds, Inc., RCM Equity Funds, Inc., Waterhouse Investors
Cash  Management  Fund,  Inc.  and  certain  investment   companies  advised  or
administered by Dreyfus or Harris or their respective  affiliates.  From 1989 to
1994,  Ms. Nelson was an Assistant  Vice  President  and Client  Manager for The
Boston Company, Inc. Her date of birth is April 22, 1964.

     JOHN E.  PELLETIER;  Vice President and Secretary.  Senior Vice  President,
General Counsel, Secretary and Clerk of FDI and Premier Mutual and an officer of
RCM Capital  Funds,  Inc.,  RCM Equity Funds,  Inc.,  Waterhouse  Investors Cash
Management Fund, Inc. and certain  investment  companies advised or administered
by Dreyfus or Harris or their respective affiliates. From February 1992 to April
1994,  Mr.  Pelletier  served as Counsel for TBCA.  From August 1990 to February
1992,  Mr.  Pelletier was employed as an Associate at Ropes & Gray.  His date of
birth is June 24, 1964.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        69

<PAGE>



     MICHAEL S. PETRUCELLI;  Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Senior Vice
President and Director of Strategic  Client  Initiatives  for FDI since December
1996. From December 1989 through November 1996, Mr. Petrucelli was employed with
GE  Investments  where  he held  various  financial,  business  development  and
compliance  positions.  He also  served  as  Treasurer  of the GE  Funds  and as
Director of GE Investment  Services.  Address:  200 Park Avenue,  New York,  New
York, 10166. His date of birth is May 18, 1961.

     JOSEPH F. TOWER III; Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Executive Vice
President,  Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer,  Chief Administrative Officer
and  Director  Of FDI.  Senior Vice  President,  Treasurer  and Chief  Financial
Officer,  Chief  Administrative  Officer and  Director of Premier  Mutual and an
officer  of  Waterhouse   Investors  Cash  Management  Fund,  Inc.  and  certain
investment companies advised or administered by Dreyfus or its Affiliates. Prior
to April  1997,  Mr.  Tower  was  Senior  Vice  President,  Treasurer  and Chief
Financial Officer,  Chief Administrative  Officer and Director of FDI. From July
1988 to November  1993, Mr. Tower was Financial  Manager of The Boston  Company,
Inc. His date of birth is June 13, 1962.

INVESTMENT ADVISOR

         The  investment  advisor to the  Portfolios  is Morgan  Guaranty  Trust
Company of New York, a wholly owned subsidiary of J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated
("J.P. Morgan"), a bank holding company organized under the laws of the State of
Delaware.  The Advisor, whose principal offices are at 60 Wall Street, New York,
New York 10260, is a New York trust company which conducts a general banking and
trust  business.  The  Advisor is subject  to  regulation  by the New York State
Banking  Department and is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System.  Through
offices  in New York  City  and  abroad,  the  Advisor  offers  a wide  range of
services, primarily to governmental, institutional, corporate and high net worth
individual customers in the United States and throughout the world.

   
         J.P.  Morgan,  through  the  Advisor  and other  subsidiaries,  acts as
investment advisor to individuals,  governments,  corporations, employee benefit
plans, mutual funds and other institutional investors with combined assets under
management of $234 billion.
    

         J.P.  Morgan has a long history of service as adviser,  underwriter and
lender to an extensive  roster of major companies and as a financial  advisor to
national  governments.  The firm,  through its  predecessor  firms,  has been in
business for over a century and has been managing investments since 1913.

         The basis of the Advisor's investment process is fundamental investment
research as the firm  believes  that  fundamentals  should  determine an asset's
value over the long  term.  J.P.  Morgan  currently  employs  over 100 full time
research  analysts,  among the largest  research staffs in the money  management
industry,  in its investment  management  divisions located in New York, London,
Tokyo,  Frankfurt,  Melbourne and Singapore to cover  companies,  industries and
countries on site.  In addition,  the  investment  management  divisions  employ
approximately 300 capital market  researchers,  portfolio  managers and traders.
The conclusions of the equity analysts'  fundamental research is quantified into
a set of  projected  returns  for  individual  companies  through  the  use of a
dividend discount

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        70

<PAGE>



model. These returns are projected for 2 to 5 years to enable analysts to take a
longer term view. These returns, or normalized  earnings,  are used to establish
relative values among stocks in each industrial sector.  These values may not be
the same as the markets' current  valuations of these  companies.  This provides
the basis  for  ranking  the  attractiveness  of the  companies  in an  industry
according to five  distinct  quintiles  or rankings.  This ranking is one of the
factors  considered in determining the stocks purchased and sold in each sector.
The  Advisor's  fixed  income  investment  process is based on  analysis of real
rates, sector diversification and quantitative and credit analysis.

         The investment advisory services the Advisor provides to the Portfolios
are not  exclusive  under the terms of the Advisory  Agreements.  The Advisor is
free to and does render  similar  investment  advisory  services to others.  The
Advisor serves as investment  advisor to personal investors and other investment
companies and acts as fiduciary for trusts,  estates and employee benefit plans.
Certain of the assets of trusts and estates  under  management  are  invested in
common trust funds for which the Advisor  serves as trustee.  The accounts which
are managed or advised by the Advisor have varying investment objectives and the
Advisor invests assets of such accounts in investments substantially similar to,
or the same as, those which are expected to constitute the principal investments
of the Portfolios. Such accounts are supervised by officers and employees of the
Advisor who may also be acting in similar  capacities  for the  Portfolios.  See
"Portfolio Transactions."

         Sector  weightings  are  generally  similar  to a  benchmark  with  the
emphasis on security selection as the method to achieve  investment  performance
superior to the benchmark.  The benchmarks for the Portfolios in which the Funds
invest are currently: The Prime Money Market Portfolio--IBC/Donoghue's  Tier-One
Money Fund  Average;  The Federal  Money Market  Portfolio--IBC/Donoghue's  U.S.
Government  and  Agency  Money  Fund  Average;   The  Tax  Exempt  Money  Market
Portfolio--  IBC/Donoghue's  Tax Exempt Money Fund Average;  The Short Term Bond
Portfolio--  Merrill  Lynch  1-3 Year  Treasury  Index;  The U.S.  Fixed  Income
Portfolio--Salomon  Brothers Broad  Investment  Grade Bond Index; The Tax Exempt
Bond  Portfolio--Lehman  Brothers 1-16 Year Municipal  Bond Index;  The New York
Total Return Bond Portfolio--Lehman Brothers 1-16 Year Municipal Bond Index; The
Global Strategic Income Portfolio--The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index; The
U.S. Equity Portfolio--S&P 500 Index; The U.S. Small Company  Portfolio--Russell
2500 Index; The International Equity Portfolio--EAFE Index; The Emerging Markets
Equity   Portfolio--MSCI   Emerging  Markets  Free  Index;   The   International
Opportunities  Portfolio--MSCI All Country World ex-U.S.  Index; The Diversified
Portfolio--  diversified  benchmark  (52% S&P 500,  35% Salomon  Brothers  Broad
Investment  Grade Bond,  3% Russell  2000 and 10% EAFE  indexes);  The  European
Equity  Portfolio--the MSCI Europe Index; The Japan Equity Portfolio--the TOPIX;
and The Asia Growth Portfolio--the MSCI All Country Asia Free ex-Japan Index.

         J.P. Morgan Investment  Management Inc., also a wholly owned subsidiary
of J.P. Morgan, is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers
Act of 1940, as amended,  which manages  employee benefit funds of corporations,
labor  unions  and  state  and  local  governments  and the  accounts  of  other
institutional investors,  including investment companies.  Certain of the assets
of employee  benefit  accounts  under its  management are invested in commingled
pension trust

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        71

<PAGE>



funds for which the Advisor serves as trustee. J.P. Morgan Investment Management
Inc. advises the Advisor on investment of the commingled pension trust funds.

        The Portfolios are managed by officers of the Advisor who, in acting for
their customers, including the Portfolios, do not discuss their investment
decisions with any personnel of J.P. Morgan or any personnel of other divisions
of the Advisor or with any of its affiliated persons, with the exception of J.P.
Morgan Investment Management Inc. and certain other investment management
affiliates of J.P. Morgan.

         As compensation for the services  rendered and related expenses such as
salaries  of  advisory  personnel  borne  by  the  Advisor  under  the  Advisory
Agreements,  the  Portfolio  corresponding  to each  Fund has  agreed to pay the
Advisor a fee,  which is computed  daily and may be paid  monthly,  equal to the
annual rates of each Portfolio's average daily net assets shown below.

Prime Money Market: 0.20% of net assets up to $1 billion and 0.10% of net assets
in excess of $1 billion

Tax Exempt Money Market: 0.20% of net assets up to $1 billion and 0.10% of net
assets in excess of $1 billion

Federal Money Market: 0.20% of net assets up to $1 billion and 0.10% of net
assets in excess of $1 billion

Short Term Bond: 0.25%

U.S. Fixed Income: 0.30%

Tax Exempt Bond: 0.30%

New York Total Return Bond: 0.30%

Global Strategic Income: 0.45%

U.S. Equity: 0.40%

U.S. Small Company: 0.60%

International Equity: 0.60%

Diversified: 0.55%

Emerging Markets Equity: 1.00%

International Opportunities: 0.60%

European Equity:           0.65%


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        72

<PAGE>



Japan Equity: 0.65%

Asia Growth: 0.80%

         The table below sets forth for each Fund listed the advisory  fees paid
by its  corresponding  Portfolio to the Advisor for the fiscal period indicated.
See "Expenses" in the Prospectus and below for applicable expense limitations.

The Prime Money Market Portfolio (Prime Money Market Fund) --  For the fiscal
year ended November 30, 1994: $3,423,576. For the fiscal year ended November 30,
1995: $3,913,479.  For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996: $4,503,793.

The Tax Exempt Money Market Portfolio (Tax Exempt Money Market Fund) -- For the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1994: $2,021,476.  For the fiscal year ended
August 31, 1995: $2,150,291.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996:
$2,154,248.

The Federal Money Market Portfolio (Federal Money Market Fund) -- For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1994: $339,521.  For the fiscal year ended October 31,
1995: $492,941.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996: $653,326.

The Short Term Bond Portfolio (Short Term Bond Fund) --  For the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1994: $113,379.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995:
$146,335.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996: $50,319.

The U.S. Fixed Income Portfolio (Bond Fund) -- For the fiscal year ended October
31, 1994: $699,081.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $1,339,147. For
the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996: $2,402,660.

The Tax Exempt Bond Portfolio (Tax Exempt Bond Fund) --For the fiscal year ended
August 31, 1994: $1,383,986.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995:
$1,178,720.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996: $1,354,145.

The New York Total Return Bond Portfolio (New York Total Return Bond Fund)-- For
the period April 11, 1994 (commencement of operations) through March 31, 1995:
$120,281.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996: $246,966.  For the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1997: $380,380.

The Global Strategic Income Portfolio  (Global Strategic Income Fund) -- For the
period  March 17,  1997  (commencement  of  operations)  through  April 30, 1997
(unaudited): $28,495.

The U.S. Equity Portfolio (U.S. Equity Fund) -- For the period July 19, 1993
(commencement of operations) through May 31, 1994: $1,263,048.  For the fiscal
year ended May 31, 1995: $2,025,936.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996:
$2,744,054.

The U.S. Small Company Portfolio (U.S. Small Company Fund) -- For the period
July 19, 1993 (commencement of operations) through May 31, 1994: $2,912,670. For
the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995: $3,514,331.  For the fiscal year ended May
31, 1996: $4,286,311.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        73

<PAGE>




The International Equity Portfolio (International Equity Fund) -- For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1994: $1,911,202.  For the fiscal year ended October 31,
1995: $3,174,965.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996: $5,007,993.

The  Diversified  Portfolio  (Diversified  Fund) -- For the period  July 8, 1993
(commencement  of operations)  through June 30, 1994:  $197,026.  For the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1995: $663,000. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996:
$1,122,941.

The Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (Emerging Markets Equity Fund) -- For the
period November 15, 1993 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 1994:
$4,122,465.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $5,713,506.  For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1996: $7,825,873.

The European Equity Portfolio (European Equity Fund) -- For the period March 28,
1995 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 1995: $1,675,355. For the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1996: $3,735,998.

The Japan Equity  Portfolio (Japan Equity Fund) -- For the period March 28, 1995
(commencement  of operations)  through  December 31, 1995:  $1,777,126.  For the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1996: $3,053,033.

The Asia Growth  Portfolio  (Asia  Growth  Fund) -- For the period April 5, 1995
(commencement of operations) through December 31, 1995: $528,956. For the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1996: $899,241.

   
The International Opportunities Portfolio (International  Opportunities Fund) --
For the period February 26, 1997  (commencement  of operations)  through May 31,
1997 (unaudited): $173,166.
    

         The Investment  Advisory  Agreements provide that they will continue in
effect for a period of two years after execution only if  specifically  approved
thereafter  annually  in the same  manner  as the  Distribution  Agreement.  See
"Distributor"  below. Each of the Investment  Advisory Agreements will terminate
automatically  if assigned and is  terminable  at any time without  penalty by a
vote of a majority of the Portfolio's Trustees, or by a vote of the holders of a
majority of the Portfolio's  outstanding voting securities,  on 60 days' written
notice to the  Advisor  and by the  Advisor  on 90 days'  written  notice to the
Portfolio. See "Additional Information."

         The  Glass-Steagall  Act and other  applicable laws generally  prohibit
banks such as the Advisor  from  engaging in the  business  of  underwriting  or
distributing  securities,  and the Board of  Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve
System has issued an  interpretation  to the effect that under these laws a bank
holding company registered under the federal Bank Holding Company Act or certain
subsidiaries thereof may not sponsor, organize, or control a registered open-end
investment company  continuously  engaged in the issuance of its shares, such as
the  Trust.  The  interpretation  does  not  prohibit  a  holding  company  or a
subsidiary  thereof from acting as  investment  advisor and custodian to such an
investment  company.  The Advisor  believes that it may perform the services for
the Portfolios

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        74

<PAGE>



contemplated by the Advisory  Agreements without violation of the Glass-Steagall
Act or other  applicable  banking laws or regulations.  State laws on this issue
may differ  from the  interpretation  of  relevant  federal  law,  and banks and
financial  institutions may be required to register as dealers pursuant to state
securities laws.  However,  it is possible that future changes in either federal
or state statutes and regulations concerning the permissible activities of banks
or trust companies, as well as further judicial or administrative  decisions and
interpretations  of present and future statutes and  regulations,  might prevent
the Advisor from continuing to perform such services for the Portfolios.

         If the Advisor were prohibited from acting as investment advisor to any
Portfolio,  it is expected that the Trustees of the Portfolio would recommend to
investors  that they  approve the  Portfolio's  entering  into a new  investment
advisory  agreement with another  qualified  investment  advisor selected by the
Trustees.

         Under separate agreements, Morgan also provides certain financial, fund
accounting  and  administrative  services  to the Trust and the  Portfolios  and
shareholder  services  for the Trust.  See  "Services  Agent"  and  "Shareholder
Servicing" below.

DISTRIBUTOR

         FDI  serves as the  Trust's  exclusive  Distributor  and  holds  itself
available  to receive  purchase  orders for each of the Fund's  shares.  In that
capacity,  FDI has been granted the right, as agent of the Trust, to solicit and
accept orders for the purchase of each of the Fund's  shares in accordance  with
the terms of the  Distribution  Agreement  between the Trust and FDI.  Under the
terms of the Distribution  Agreement  between FDI and the Trust, FDI receives no
compensation in its capacity as the Trust's distributor.

         The  Distribution  Agreement  shall  continue in effect with respect to
each of the  Funds  for a period  of two  years  after  execution  only if it is
approved at least annually thereafter (i) by a vote of the holders of a majority
of the  Fund's  outstanding  shares or by its  Trustees  and (ii) by a vote of a
majority  of the  Trustees  of the Trust who are not  "interested  persons"  (as
defined by the 1940 Act) of the parties to the Distribution  Agreement,  cast in
person at a meeting  called  for the  purpose  of voting on such  approval  (see
"Trustees  and   Officers").   The   Distribution   Agreement   will   terminate
automatically  if assigned by either party thereto and is terminable at any time
without  penalty by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, a vote of
a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested  persons" of the Trust, or by
a vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's  outstanding shares as defined
under "Additional Information," in any case without payment of any penalty on 60
days'  written  notice to the other  party.  The  principal  offices  of FDI are
located at 60 State Street, Suite 1300, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.

CO-ADMINISTRATOR

         Under  Co-Administration  Agreements  with the Trust and the Portfolios
dated  August 1,  1996,  FDI also  serves  as the  Trust's  and the  Portfolios'
Co-Administrator. The Co-Administration Agreements may be renewed or amended by

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        75

<PAGE>



the  respective  Trustees  without a  shareholder  vote.  The  Co-Administration
Agreements are terminable at any time without penalty by a vote of a majority of
the Trustees of the Trust or the Portfolios,  as applicable, on not more than 60
days' written  notice nor less than 30 days' written  notice to the other party.
The  Co-Administrator  may subcontract  for the performance of its  obligations,
provided,  however,  that  unless the Trust or the  Portfolios,  as  applicable,
expressly agrees in writing, the Co-Administrator shall be fully responsible for
the acts and  omissions  of any  subcontractor  as it would  for its own acts or
omissions. See "Services Agent" below.

         For its services under the Co-Administration  Agreements, each Fund and
Portfolio has agreed to pay FDI fees equal to its  allocable  share of an annual
complex-wide  charge of $425,000 plus FDI's out-of-pocket  expenses.  The amount
allocable  to each Fund or  Portfolio is based on the ratio of its net assets to
the aggregate net assets of the Trust, The JPM  Institutional  Funds, the Master
Portfolios, JPM Series Trust, JPM Series Trust II and other investment companies
subject to similar agreements with FDI.

         The table below sets forth for each Fund  listed and its  corresponding
Portfolio the administrative  fees paid to FDI for the fiscal periods indicated.
See "Expenses" in the Prospectus and below for applicable expense limitations.

The Prime  Money  Market  Portfolio  -- For the  period  August 1, 1996  through
November 30, 1996: $33,012.  Prime Money Market Fund -- For the period August 1,
1996 through November 30, 1996: $25,995.

The Tax Exempt Money Market Portfolio -- For the period August 1, 1996 through
August 31, 1996: $2,284.
Tax Exempt Money Market Fund -- For the period August 1, 1996 through August 31,
1996: $3,298.

The Federal  Money  Market  Portfolio  -- For the period  August 1, 1996 through
October 31, 1996: $1,663.  Federal Money Market Fund -- For the period August 1,
1996 through October 31, 1996: $1,838.

The Short Term Bond  Portfolio -- For the period August 1, 1996 through  October
31, 1996:  $156.  Short Term Bond Fund -- For the period  August 1, 1996 through
October 31, 1996:
$75.

The Tax Exempt Bond  Portfolio -- For the period  August 1, 1996 through  August
31, 1996:  $920.  Tax Exempt Bond Fund -- For the period  August 1, 1996 through
August 31, 1996:
$1,169.

The U.S. Fixed Income Portfolio -- For the period August 1, 1996 through October
31, 1996: $6,419.
Bond Fund -- For the period August 1, 1996 through October 31, 1996: $1,329


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        76

<PAGE>



New York Total Return Bond Portfolio -- For the period August 1, 1996 through
March 31, 1997: $1,914.
New York Total Return Bond Fund -- For the period August 1, 1996 through March
31, 1997: $1,340.

The  Global  Strategic  Income  Portfolio  -- For  the  period  March  17,  1997
(commencement of operations) through April 30, 1997 (unaudited): $156.

The  International  Equity  Portfolio  -- For the period  August 1, 1996 through
October 31, 1996: $6,212.  International Equity Fund -- For the period August 1,
1996 through October 31, 1996: $1,859.

The Emerging  Markets Equity  Portfolio -- For the period August 1, 1996 through
October 31, 1996: $5,719.  Emerging Markets Equity Fund -- For the period August
1, 1996 through October 31, 1996: $564.

The European Equity  Portfolio -- For the period August 1, 1996 through December
31, 1996: $7,060.  European Equity Fund -- For the period August 1, 1996 through
December 31, 1996:
$13.

The Japan Equity Portfolio -- For the period August 1, 1996 through December 31,
1996:  $4,885.  Japan  Equity  Fund -- For the  period  August 1,  1996  through
December 31, 1996:
$6.

The Asia Growth  Portfolio -- For the period August 1, 1996 through December 31,
1996: $1,351. Asia Growth Fund -- For the period August 1, 1996 through December
31, 1996:
$12.

   
The  International  Opportunities  Portfolio -- For the period February 26, 1997
(commencement   of   operations)   through   May  31,   1997   (unaudited):$706.
International   Opportunities   Fund  --  For  the  period   February  26,  1997
(commencement of operations) through May 31, 1997 (unaudited):$177.
    

         The table below sets forth for each Fund  listed and its  corresponding
Portfolio the administrative fees paid to Signature Broker-Dealer Services, Inc.
(which  provided  distribution  and  administrative  services  to the  Trust and
placement agent and administrative services to the Portfolios prior to August 1,
1996) for the fiscal  periods  indicated.  See  "Expenses" in the Prospectus and
below for applicable expense limitations.

The Prime Money Market Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1994:
$165,519.  For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1995: $176,717. For the period
December 1, 1995 through July 31, 1996: $272,989.
Prime Money Market Fund --For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1994: $631,683.
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1995: $565,438.  For the period December
1, 1995 through July 31, 1996: $201,216.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        77

<PAGE>



The Tax Exempt Money Market Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended August 31,
1994: $62,565.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $72,729.  For the
period September 1, 1995 through July 31, 1996: $110,848.
Tax Exempt Money Market Fund -- For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1994:
$306,768.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $290,271.  For the period
September 1, 1995 through July 31, 1996: $157,587.

The Federal Money Market Portfolio --For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$11,777.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $17,480.  For the period
November 1, 1995 through July 31, 1996: $28,623.
Federal Money Market Fund --For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994: $32,587.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $46,000.  For the period November 1,
1995 through July 31, 1996: $23,554.

The Short Term Bond Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$3,149.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $4,485.  For the period
November 1, 1995 through July 31, 1996: $1,547.
Short Term Bond Fund -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994: $1,839.  For
the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $2,380.  For the period November 1, 1995
through July 31, 1996: $1,056.

The U.S. Fixed Income Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$16,107.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $27,436.  For the period
November 1, 1995 through July 31, 1996: $65,610.
Bond Fund -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994: $30,915. For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1995: $32,901.  For the period November 1, 1995 through
July 31, 1996: $16,774.

The Tax Exempt Bond Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1994:
$28,345.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $28,290.  For the period
September 1, 1996 through July 31, 1996: $43,154.
Tax Exempt Bond Fund -- For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1994: $137,890. For
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $97,520. For the period September 1, 1996
through July 31, 1996: $57,864.

The New York Total Return Bond Portfolio -- For the period April 11, 1994
(commencement of operations) through March 31, 1995: $2,563. For the fiscal year
ended March 31, 1996: $6,648.  For the period April 1, 1996 through July 31,
1996: $4,617.
New York Total Return Bond Fund -- For the period April 11, 1994 (commencement
of operations) through March 31, 1995: $7,716.  For the fiscal year ended March
31, 1996: $5,538.  For the period April 1, 1996 through July 31, 1996: $2,246.

The U.S. Equity Portfolio -- For the period July 19, 1993 (commencement of
operations) through May 31, 1994: $19,348.  For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1995: $32,670.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $62,404.
U.S. Equity Fund -- For the period July 19, 1993 (commencement of operations)
through May 31, 1994: $78,201.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995: $61,903.
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $59,656.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        78

<PAGE>



The U.S. Small Company Portfolio -- For the period July 19, 1993 (commencement
of operations) through May 31, 1994: $30,420.  For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1995: $38,215.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $65,079.
U.S. Small Company Fund -- For the period July 19, 1993 (commencement of
operations) through May 31, 1994: $75,401.  For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1995: $51,087.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $39,053.

The International Equity Portfolio --For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$22,024.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $31,500.  For the period
November 1, 1995 through July 31, 1996: $70,197.
International Equity Fund -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:$55,782.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $52,698.  For the period November 1,
1995 through July 31, 1996: $22,991.

The Diversified Portfolio -- For the period July 8, 1993 (commencement of
operations) through June 30, 1994: $2,423.  For the fiscal year ended June 30,
1995: $7,770.  For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996: $19,517.
Diversified Fund --For the period December 15, 1993 (commencement of operations)
through June 30, 1994: $638.  For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995: $3,660.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996: $6,432.

The Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio -- For the period November 15, 1993
(commencement of operations) through October 31, 1994: $30,828.  For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1995: $35,189.  For the period November 1, 1995 through
July 31, 1996: $66,251.
Emerging Markets Equity Fund -- For the period November 15, 1993 (commencement
of operations) through October 31, 1994: $11,373.  For the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1995: $12,990.  For the period November 1, 1995 through July 31,
1996: $6,556.

European  Equity  Portfolio  -- For the period March 28, 1995  (commencement  of
operations) through December 31, 1995:  $15,623.  For the period January 1, 1996
through July 31, 1996:  $38,675.  European Equity Fund -- For the period May 13,
1996 (commencement of operations) through July 31, 1996: $4.

Japan  Equity  Portfolio  -- For the  period  March 28,  1995  (commencement  of
operations) through December 31, 1995:  $17,418.  For the period January 1, 1996
through July 31, 1996: $35,898.  Japan Equity Fund -- For the period May 6, 1996
(commencement of operations) through July 31, 1996: $8.

Asia  Growth  Portfolio  -- For  the  period  April  5,  1995  (commencement  of
operations)  through December 31, 1995:  $4,037.  For the period January 1, 1996
through July 31, 1996:  $7,712.  Asia Growth Fund -- For the period May 13, 1996
(commencement of operations) through July 31, 1996: $1.



i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        79

<PAGE>



SERVICES AGENT

         The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, and the Portfolios have entered into
Administrative  Services  Agreements  (the  "Services  Agreements")  with Morgan
effective  December 29, 1995, as amended  effective August 1, 1996,  pursuant to
which Morgan is  responsible  for certain  administrative  and related  services
provided to each Fund and its corresponding  Portfolio.  The Services Agreements
may be terminated at any time,  without penalty,  by the Trustees or Morgan,  in
each case on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to the
other party.

         Under  the  amended  Services  Agreements,  each of the  Funds  and the
Portfolios  has agreed to pay Morgan  fees  equal to its  allocable  share of an
annual  complex-  wide  charge.  This  charge is  calculated  daily based on the
aggregate net assets of the Master Portfolios and JPM Series Trust in accordance
with the  following  annual  schedule:  0.09% on the first $7  billion  of their
aggregate  average  daily net assets and 0.04% of their average daily net assets
in excess of $7 billion,  less the complex-wide fees payable to FDI. The portion
of  this  charge  payable  by each  Fund  and  Portfolio  is  determined  by the
proportionate  share  that its net  assets  bear to the total net  assets of the
Trust, The JPM Institutional  Funds, the Master Portfolios,  the other investors
in the Master  Portfolios  for which Morgan  provides  similar  services and JPM
Series Trust.

         Under  Administrative  Services  Agreements in effect from December 29,
1995  through  July 31,  1996,  with  Morgan,  each  Fund and its  corresponding
Portfolio  paid  Morgan a fee  equal  to its  proportionate  share of an  annual
complex-wide charge. This charge was calculated daily based on the aggregate net
assets of the Master Portfolios in accordance with the following schedule: 0.06%
of the first $7 billion of the Master  Portfolios'  aggregate  average daily net
assets, and 0.03% of the Master  Portfolios'  average daily net assets in excess
of $7 billion.

         Prior to December 29, 1995,  the Trust and each  Portfolio  had entered
into  Financial  and  Fund  Accounting  Services  Agreements  with  Morgan,  the
provisions of which  included  certain of the  activities  described  above and,
prior to September 1, 1995, also included  reimbursement  of usual and customary
expenses.  The table below sets forth for each Fund listed and its corresponding
Portfolio  the fees paid to Morgan,  net of fee waivers and  reimbursements,  as
Services  Agent.  See  "Expenses"  in the  Prospectus  and below for  applicable
expense limitations.

The Prime Money Market Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1994:
$385,012.  For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1995: $373,077. For the fiscal
year ended November 30, 1996: $891,730.
Prime Money Market Fund -- For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1994:
$(92,422)*.  For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1995: $(74,259)*.  For the
fiscal year ended November 30, 1996: $530,464.

The Tax Exempt Money Market Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended August 31,
1994: $153,204.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $169,754.  For the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1996: $205,419.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        80

<PAGE>



Tax Exempt Money Market Fund -- For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1994:
$(98,653)*.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $(30,971)*.  For the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1996: $173,920.

The Federal Money Market Portfolio-- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$(13,844)*.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $(146,180)*.  For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1996: $(165,137)*.
Federal Money Market Fund -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$(98,377)*.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $(57,960)*.  For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1996: $45,950.

The Short Term Bond Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$(22,054)*.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $(21,070)*.  For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1996: $(42,274).*
Short Term Bond Fund -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994: $(75,727)*.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $(43,861)*.  For the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1996: $(64,710).*

The U.S. Fixed Income Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$140,493.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $167,081.  For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996: $191,348.
Bond Fund -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994: $(9,177)*.  For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $18,672.  For the fiscal year ended October
31, 1996: $32,363.

The Tax Exempt Bond Portfolio -- For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1994:
$210,795.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $189,892.  For the fiscal
year ended August 31, 1996: $80,281.
Tax Exempt Bond Fund -- For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1994: $179,891. For
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $168,215.  For the fiscal year ended
August 31, 1996: $63,000.

The New York  Total  Return  Bond  Portfolio  -- For the period  April 11,  1994
(commencement of operations) through March 31, 1995: $(11,830)*.  For the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1996: $7,691. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997:
$37,675.
The New York Total Return Bond Fund -- For the Period April 11, 1994
(commencement of operations) through March 31, 1995: $(37,934)*.  For the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1996: $3,302.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997:
$16,259.

The  Global  Strategic  Income  Portfolio  -- For  the  period  March  17,  1997
(commencement of operations) through April 30, 1997 (unaudited): $1,974.

The U.S. Equity Portfolio -- For the period July 19, 1993 (commencement of
operations) through May 31, 1994: $155,348.  For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1995: $236,537.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $138,134.
U.S. Equity Fund -- For the period July 19, 1993 (commencement of operations)
through May 31, 1994: $113,959.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995:
$126,738.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $76,406.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        81

<PAGE>



The U.S. Small Company Portfolio -- For the period July 19, 1993 (commencement
of operations) through May 31, 1994: $203,764. For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1995: $241,373.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $144,277.
U.S. Small Company Fund -- For the period July 19, 1993 (commencement of
operations) through May 31, 1994: $72,970.  For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1995: $108,015. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $46,662.

The International Equity Portfolio --For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$327,569.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $349,443. For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996: $196,299.
International Equity Fund -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$223,806.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $210,123.  For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996: $45,247.

The Diversified Portfolio -- For the period July 8, 1993 (commencement of
operations) through June 30, 1994: $(17,807)*.  For the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1995: $63,153.  For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996: $45,687.
Diversified Fund --For the period December 15, 1993 (commencement of operations)
through June 30, 1994: $(43,203)*.  For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995:
$(66,127)*.  For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996: $(2,852)*.

The Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio -- For the period November 15, 1993
(commencement of operations) through October 31, 1994: $347,925.  For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1995: $337,050.  For the fiscal year ended October 31,
1996: $183,498.
Emerging Markets Equity Fund -- For the period November 15, 1993 (commencement
of operations) through October 31, 1994: $(37,902)*.  For the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1995: $5,847.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996: $13,747.

The European Equity Portfolio-- For the period March 28, 1995 (commencement of
operations) through December 31, 1995: $127,436.  For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996:  $161,993.
European Equity Fund -- For the period May 13, 1996 (commencement of operations)
through December 31, 1996:  $(83,803)*.

The Japan Equity Portfolio -- For the period March 28, 1995 (commencement of
operations) through December 31, 1995: $147,123.  For the six months ended
December 31, 1996:  $130,108.
Japan Equity Fund -- For the period May 6, 1996 (commencement of operations)
through December 31, 1996:  $(78,138)*.

The Asia Growth Portfolio -- For the period April 5, 1995 (commencement of
operations) through December 31, 1995: $21,823.  For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996:  $31,613.
Asia Growth Fund -- For the period May 13, 1996 (commencement of operations)
through December 31, 1996:  $(83,315)*.

   
The  International  Opportunities  Portfolio -- For the period February 26, 1997
(commencement of operations) through May 31, 1997 (unaudited):$8,136.
    

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        82

<PAGE>



   
International   Opportunities   Fund  --  For  the  period   February  26,  1997
(commencement of operations) through May 31, 1997 (unaudited):$(22,465)*.
- ------------------------------------
    

(*) Indicates a reimbursement by Morgan for expenses in excess of its fees under
the Services Agreements. No fees were paid for the fiscal period.

CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT

         State  Street Bank and Trust  Company  ("State  Street"),  225 Franklin
Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts  02110,  serves as the  Trust's  and each of the
Portfolio's  custodian and fund  accounting  agent and each Fund's  transfer and
dividend disbursing agent. Pursuant to the Custodian Contracts,  State Street is
responsible  for maintaining the books of account and records of portfolio trans
actions and holding  portfolio  securities and cash. In addition,  the Custodian
has entered into subcustodian agreements on behalf of the Portfolios for the Tax
Exempt Money  Market,  Tax Exempt Bond and New York Total Return Bond Funds with
Bankers Trust Company for the purpose of holding TENR Notes and with Bank of New
York and Chemical Bank,  N.A. for the purpose of holding  certain  variable rate
demand notes. In the case of foreign assets held outside the United States,  the
Custodian employs various subcustodians who were approved by the Trustees of the
Portfolios  in  accordance  with  the  regulations  of the  SEC.  The  Custodian
maintains  portfolio   transaction  records.  As  Transfer  Agent  and  Dividend
Disbursing  Agent,  State Street is responsible for maintaining  account records
detailing the ownership of Fund shares and for crediting  income,  capital gains
and other changes in share ownership to shareholder accounts.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICING

         The Trust on behalf of each of the Funds has entered into a Shareholder
Servicing  Agreement  with Morgan  pursuant to which Morgan acts as  shareholder
servicing agent for its customers and for other Fund investors who are customers
of an Eligible  Institution.  Under this  agreement,  Morgan is responsible  for
performing  shareholder account  administrative and servicing  functions,  which
includes but is not limited to, answering inquiries regarding account status and
history,  the manner in which  purchases and  redemptions  of Fund shares may be
effected, and certain other matters pertaining to a Fund; assisting customers in
designating and changing dividend options,  account  designations and addresses;
providing necessary personnel and facilities to coordinate the establishment and
maintenance of shareholder  accounts and records with the Funds' transfer agent;
transmitting  purchase and  redemption  orders to the Funds'  transfer agent and
arranging  for the  wiring  or other  transfer  of  funds  to and from  customer
accounts in connection with orders to purchase or redeem Fund shares;  verifying
purchase  and  redemption  orders,  transfers  among and  changes  in  accounts;
informing  the  Distributor  of the gross  amount of  purchase  orders  for Fund
shares; and providing other related services.

         Under the Shareholder Servicing Agreement,  each Fund has agreed to pay
Morgan for these  services a fee at the following  annual rates  (expressed as a
percentage  of the average daily net asset values of Fund shares owned by or for
shareholders for whom Morgan is acting as shareholder  servicing  agent):  Prime
Money Market, Federal Money Market and Tax Exempt Money Market Funds, 0.15% of

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        83

<PAGE>



average daily net assets up to $2 billion and 0.10% thereafter; Short Term Bond,
Bond,  Tax Exempt  Bond and New York Total  Return  Bond  Funds,  0.20%;  Global
Strategic  Income,  U.S.  Equity,  U.S.  Small  Company,  International  Equity,
Emerging  Markets Equity,  International  Opportunities,  Diversified,  European
Equity,  Japan Equity and Asia Growth Funds,  0.25%.  Morgan acts as shareholder
servicing agent for all shareholders.

         The  table  below  sets  forth  for each Fund  listed  the  shareholder
servicing   fees  paid  by  each  Fund  to  Morgan,   net  of  fee  waivers  and
reimbursements,  for  the  fiscal  periods  indicated.  See  "Expenses"  in  the
Prospectus and below for applicable expense limitations.

Prime Money Market Fund -- For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1994:
$3,701,260.  For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1995: $3,629,031.  For the
fiscal year ended November 30, 1996: $3,148,702.

Tax Exempt Money Market Fund -- For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1994:
$2,121,421.  For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $2,227,944.  For the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1996: $1,680,618.

Federal Money Market Fund -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$200,453.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $273,861.  For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996: $313,504.

Short Term Bond Fund -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994: $11,275. For
the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $16,063.  For the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1996: $16,996.

Bond Fund -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994: $189,959.  For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $222,000.  For the fiscal year ended October
31, 1996: $282,445.

Tax Exempt Bond Fund -- For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1994: $816,408. For
the fiscal year ended August 31, 1995: $635,645.  For the fiscal year ended
August 31, 1996: $702,939.

New York Total Return Bond Fund -- For the period April 11, 1994 (commencement
of operations) through March 31, 1995: $49,958.  For the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996: $83,301.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997: $110,663.

U.S. Equity Fund -- For the period July 19, 1993 (commencement of operations)
through May 31, 1994: $506,629.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995:
$598,644.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $742,283.

U.S. Small Company Fund -- For the period July 19, 1993 (commencement of
operations) through May 31, 1994: $491,556.  For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1995: $456,271.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $488,236.

International Equity Fund -- For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994:
$476,339.  For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995: $479,112.  For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996: $497,175.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        84

<PAGE>



Diversified Fund --For the period December 15, 1993 (commencement of operations)
through June 30, 1994: $5,411. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995: $36,552.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996: $90,759.

Emerging  Markets Equity Fund -- For the period November 15, 1993  (commencement
of  operations)  through  October 31, 1994:  $92,084.  For the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1995: $121,502. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996:
$146,876.

European Equity Fund -- For the period May 13, 1996 (commencement of operations)
through December 31, 1996: $1,002.

Japan  Equity Fund -- For the period May 6, 1996  (commencement  of  operations)
through December 31, 1996: $561.

Asia  Growth Fund -- For the period May 13, 1996  (commencement  of  operations)
through December 31, 1996: $812.

   
International   Opportunities   Fund  --  For  the  period   February  26,  1997
(commencement of operations) through May 31, 1997 (unaudited):$14,057.
    

         As discussed under  "Investment  Advisor," the  Glass-Steagall  Act and
other  applicable  laws and  regulations  limit the  activities  of bank holding
companies  and  certain of their  subsidiaries  in  connection  with  registered
open-end investment companies. The activities of Morgan in acting as shareholder
servicing agent for Fund shareholders under the Shareholder  Servicing Agreement
and providing  administrative services to the Funds and the Portfolios under the
Services  Agreements  and in  acting  as  Advisor  to the  Portfolios  under the
Investment  Advisory  Agreements,  may raise issues  under these laws.  However,
Morgan  believes  that it may  properly  perform  these  services  and the other
activities  described in the Prospectus  without violation of the Glass-Steagall
Act or other applicable banking laws or regulations.

         If Morgan were  prohibited from providing any of the services under the
Shareholder Servicing Agreement and the Services Agreements,  the Trustees would
seek an  alternative  provider of such services.  In such event,  changes in the
operation of the Funds or the Portfolios might occur and a shareholder  might no
longer be able to avail himself or herself of any services  then being  provided
to shareholders by Morgan.

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

         The  independent  accountants of the Trust and the Portfolios are Price
Waterhouse  LLP, 1177 Avenue of the Americas,  New York,  New York 10036.  Price
Waterhouse  LLP conducts an annual audit of the financial  statements of each of
the Funds and the Portfolios,  assists in the preparation  and/or review of each
of the Fund's and the  Portfolio's  federal  and state  income tax  returns  and
consults  with the Funds and the  Portfolios  as to  matters of  accounting  and
federal and state income taxation.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        85

<PAGE>



EXPENSES

         In addition to the fees payable to Pierpont Group, Inc., Morgan and FDI
under various  agreements  discussed under "Trustees and Officers,"  "Investment
Advisor,"  "Co-Administrator and Distributor," "Services Agent" and "Shareholder
Servicing"  above,  the Funds and the Portfolios are  responsible  for usual and
customary expenses  associated with their respective  operations.  Such expenses
include organization expenses, legal fees, accounting expenses, insurance costs,
the compensation and expenses of the Trustees,  registration  fees under federal
securities  laws,  and  extraordinary  expenses  applicable  to the Funds or the
Portfolios.  For the Funds, such expenses also include  transfer,  registrar and
dividend disbursing costs, the expenses of printing and mailing reports, notices
and  proxy  statements  to  Fund  shareholders,  and  filing  fees  under  state
securities  laws.  For the  Portfolios,  such expenses  also include  applicable
registration  fees under foreign  securities laws,  custodian fees and brokerage
expenses.  Under fee arrangements prior to September 1, 1995, Morgan as Services
Agent was responsible for reimbursements to the Trust and certain Portfolios and
the usual and customary  expenses  described above  (excluding  organization and
extraordinary expenses,  custodian fees and brokerage expenses).  For additional
information regarding waivers or expense subsidies, see "Management of the Trust
(Fund) and (the) Portfolio(s)" in the Prospectus.

PURCHASE OF SHARES

         Investors  may open Fund  accounts and purchase  shares as described in
the Prospectus under "Purchase of Shares." References in the Prospectus and this
Statement  of  Additional  Information  to  customers  of Morgan or an  Eligible
Institution include customers of their affiliates and references to transactions
by customers with Morgan or an Eligible  Institution  include  transactions with
their affiliates.  Only Fund investors who are using the services of a financial
institution acting as shareholder  servicing agent pursuant to an agreement with
the Trust on behalf of a Fund may make transactions in shares of a Fund.

         Each Fund may,  at its own  option,  accept  securities  in payment for
shares. The securities  delivered in such a transaction are valued by the method
described in "Net Asset Value" as of the day the Fund  receives the  securities.
This is a taxable transaction to the shareholder.  Securities may be accepted in
payment  for shares only if they are,  in the  judgment  of Morgan,  appropriate
investments  for the Fund's  corresponding  Portfolio.  In addition,  securities
accepted in payment  for shares  must:  (i) meet the  investment  objective  and
policies of the acquiring Fund's  corresponding  Portfolio;  (ii) be acquired by
the applicable  Fund for investment and not for resale (other than for resale to
the Fund's  corresponding  Portfolio);  (iii) be liquid securities which are not
restricted  as to transfer  either by law or  liquidity  of market;  and (iv) if
stock, have a value which is readily  ascertainable as evidenced by a listing on
a stock exchange,  OTC market or by readily  available market  quotations from a
dealer in such  securities.  Each Fund reserves the right to accept or reject at
its own option any and all securities offered in payment for its shares.

         Prospective  investors  may purchase  shares with the  assistance of an
Eligible Institution, and the Eligible Institution may charge the investor a fee
for this service and other services it provides to its customers.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        86

<PAGE>



REDEMPTION OF SHARES

         Investors  may  redeem  shares as  described  in the  Prospectus  under
"Redemption of Shares." Shareholders redeeming shares of the Prime Money Market,
Tax Exempt Money Market or Federal Money Market Funds should be aware that these
Funds attempt to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share;  however,
there can be no  assurance  that they will be able to  continue to do so, and in
that case the net asset value of the Funds'  shares might deviate from $1.00 per
share.  Accordingly,  a redemption  request  might result in payment of a dollar
amount which differs from the number of shares  redeemed.  See "Net Asset Value"
in the Prospectus and below.

         If the  Trust  on  behalf  of a Fund  and its  corresponding  Portfolio
determine  that it would be  detrimental  to the best  interest of the remaining
shareholders of a Fund to make payment wholly or partly in cash,  payment of the
redemption  price may be made in whole or in part by a  distribution  in kind of
securities  from  the  Portfolio,  in lieu  of  cash,  in  conformity  with  the
applicable  rule of the SEC.  If shares  are  redeemed  in kind,  the  redeeming
shareholder  might incur  transaction  costs in converting the assets into cash.
The method of valuing portfolio securities is described under "Net Asset Value,"
and such  valuation  will be made as of the same  time the  redemption  price is
determined.  The Trust on  behalf  of all of the  Funds and their  corresponding
Portfolios  (except the Prime Money  Market,  Tax Exempt  Money  Market,  Global
Strategic Income,  European Equity,  Japan Equity, Asia Growth and International
Opportunities  Portfolios)  have  elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the
1940 Act  pursuant  to which  the  Funds and the  corresponding  Portfolios  are
obligated  to redeem  shares  solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or one
percent of the net asset  value of the Fund during any 90 day period for any one
shareholder. The Trust will redeem Fund shares in kind only if it has received a
redemption in kind from the corresponding  Portfolio and therefore  shareholders
of the Fund that  receive  redemptions  in kind will receive  securities  of the
Portfolio.  The Portfolios  have advised the Trust that the Portfolios  will not
redeem in kind except in circumstances in which a Fund is permitted to redeem in
kind.

         Further Redemption Information. The Trust, on behalf of a Fund, and the
Portfolios  reserve the right to suspend the right of redemption and to postpone
the date of payment upon  redemption as follows:  (i) for up to seven days, (ii)
during  periods  when the New York  Stock  Exchange  is closed  for  other  than
weekends  and  holidays  or when  trading  on such  Exchange  is  restricted  as
determined by the SEC by rule or  regulation,  (iii) during  periods in which an
emergency,  as  determined  by the  SEC,  exists  that  causes  disposal  by the
Portfolio of, or evaluation of the net asset value of, its portfolio  securities
to be unreasonable or  impracticable,  or (iv) for such other periods as the SEC
may permit.

EXCHANGE OF SHARES

         An investor  may exchange  shares from any JPM  Pierpont  Fund into any
other JPM Pierpont Fund or JPM Institutional  Fund, as described under "Exchange
of Shares" in the  Prospectus.  For complete  information,  the Prospectus as it
relates to the Fund into which a transfer  is being made should be read prior to
the transfer.  Requests for exchange are made in the same manner as requests for
redemptions. See "Redemption of Shares." Shares of the Fund to be acquired are

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        87

<PAGE>



purchased for settlement when the proceeds from redemption become available.  In
the case of investors in certain states,  state securities laws may restrict the
availability  of the  exchange  privilege.  The  Trust  reserves  the  right  to
discontinue, alter or limit the exchange privilege at any time.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

         Each Fund declares and pays  dividends and  distributions  as described
under "Dividends and Distributions" in the Prospectus.

        Net investment income of the Prime Money Market, Tax Exempt Money Market
and Federal Money Market Funds consists of accrued interest or discount and
amortized premium, less the accrued expenses of the Fund applicable to that
dividend period including the fees payable to Morgan.  See "Net Asset Value."

         Determination of the net income for the Prime Money Market,  Tax Exempt
Money Market,  Federal Money Market, Short Term Bond, Bond, Tax Exempt Bond, New
York Total  Return Bond and Global  Strategic  Income Funds is made at the times
described in the Prospectus;  in addition,  net investment income for days other
than  business  days is  determined at the time net asset value is determined on
the prior business day.

NET ASSET VALUE

         Each of the Funds  computes  its net asset  value  once daily on Monday
through Friday as described under "Net Asset Value" in the  Prospectus.  The net
asset value will not be computed on the day the  following  legal  holidays  are
observed:  New Year's Day,  Martin Luther King,  Jr. Day, Good Friday,  Memorial
Day,  Independence  Day, Labor Day,  Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. In the
event that  trading in the money  markets is  scheduled  to end earlier than the
close of the New York Stock Exchange in observance of these holidays,  the money
market  Funds  and  their  corresponding  Portfolios  would  expect to close for
purchases and  redemptions an hour in advance of the end of trading in the money
markets.  The  Funds  and the  Portfolios  may  also  close  for  purchases  and
redemptions at such other times as may be determined by the Board of Trustees to
the extent  permitted  by  applicable  law. The days on which net asset value is
determined are the Funds' business days.

         The net asset  value of each  Fund is equal to the value of the  Fund's
investment in its corresponding Portfolio (which is equal to the Fund's pro rata
share of the  total  investment  of the Fund and of any other  investors  in the
Portfolio less the Fund's pro rata share of the  Portfolio's  liabilities)  less
the Fund's liabilities.  The following is a discussion of the procedures used by
the Portfolios corresponding to each Fund in valuing their assets.

         Prime Money  Market,  Tax Exempt Money Market and Federal  Money Market
Funds.  In the case of the  Portfolios  for the Prime Money  Market,  Tax Exempt
Money Market and Federal Money Market Funds, all portfolio securities are valued
by the amortized  cost method.  The purpose of this method of  calculation is to
attempt to  maintain a constant  net asset value per share of the Fund of $1.00.
No assurances  can be given that this goal can be attained.  The amortized  cost
method of valuation values a security at its cost at the time of purchase and

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        88

<PAGE>



thereafter  assumes a constant  amortization  to  maturity  of any  discount  or
premium,  regardless of the impact of  fluctuating  interest rates on the market
value of the  instrument.  If a difference of more than 1/2 of 1% occurs between
valuation  based on the  amortized  cost  method and  valuation  based on market
value, the Trustees will take steps necessary to reduce such deviation,  such as
changing the Fund's dividend policy,  shortening the average portfolio maturity,
realizing  gains or losses,  or reducing the number of outstanding  Fund shares.
Any reduction of outstanding  shares will be effected by having each shareholder
contribute to a Fund's  capital the necessary  shares on a pro rata basis.  Each
shareholder  will  be  deemed  to have  agreed  to such  contribution  in  these
circumstances by his investment in the Funds. See "Taxes."

         Short Term Bond,  Bond,  Tax Exempt  Bond,  New York Total Return Bond,
Global  Strategic  Income and  Diversified  Funds. In the case of the Short Term
Bond,  Bond,  Tax Exempt Bond,  New York Total Return Bond and Global  Strategic
Income Funds,  and the fixed income portion of the Diversified  Fund,  portfolio
securities  with a maturity of 60 days or more,  including  securities  that are
listed on an  exchange  or traded  over the  counter,  are valued  using  prices
supplied daily by an independent  pricing service or services that (i) are based
on the last sale price on a national  securities  exchange or, in the absence of
recorded sales, at the readily  available  closing bid price on such exchange or
at the  quoted  bid  price  in the  OTC  market,  if  such  exchange  or  market
constitutes  the  broadest and most  representative  market for the security and
(ii) in other cases,  take into account various factors  affecting market value,
including  yields and prices of  comparable  securities,  indication as to value
from dealers and general market  conditions.  If such prices are not supplied by
the  Portfolio's  independent  pricing  service,  such  securities are priced in
accordance with  procedures  adopted by the Trustees.  All portfolio  securities
with a remaining  maturity of less than 60 days are valued by the amortized cost
method.  Securities  listed on a foreign  exchange are valued at the last quoted
sale price available before the time when net assets are valued.  Because of the
large  number of  municipal  bond issues  outstanding  and the varying  maturity
dates,  coupons and risk factors  applicable to each issuer's  bonds, no readily
available market quotations exist for most municipal securities.  The Portfolios
value  municipal  securities on the basis of prices from a pricing service which
uses  information  with respect to transactions  in bonds,  quotations from bond
dealers,  market transactions in comparable securities and various relationships
between securities in determining values.

         Trading in  securities  in most foreign  markets is normally  completed
before the close of trading in U.S.  markets  and may also take place on days on
which the U.S. markets are closed. If events  materially  affecting the value of
securities  occur  between  the time when the  market in which  they are  traded
closes  and the time when a  Portfolio's  net asset  value is  calculated,  such
securities   will  be  valued  at  fair  value  in  accordance  with  procedures
established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees.

         U.S. Equity, U.S. Small Company, International Equity, Emerging Markets
Equity, International Opportunities,  Diversified, European Equity, Japan Equity
and Asia  Growth  Funds.  In the case of the  Equity  Portfolios,  the  value of
investments  listed on a domestic  securities  exchange,  other than  options on
stock  indexes,  is based on the last sale prices on such  exchange at 4:00 P.M.
or, in the  absence of  recorded  sales,  at the  average  of readily  available
closing bid

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        89

<PAGE>



and asked prices on such exchange.  Securities  listed on a foreign exchange are
valued at the last quoted sale price  available  before the time when net assets
are valued.  Unlisted securities are valued at the average of the quoted bid and
asked prices in the OTC market.  The value of each  security  for which  readily
available market  quotations exist is based on a decision as to the broadest and
most  representative  market for such security.  For purposes of calculating net
asset value all assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies
will be converted into U.S. dollars at the prevailing  market rates available at
the time of valuation.

         Options on stock indexes  traded on national  securities  exchanges are
valued at the close of options trading on such exchanges which is currently 4:10
P.M., New York time. Stock index futures and related  options,  which are traded
on commodities  exchanges,  are valued at their last sales price as of the close
of such  commodities  exchanges  which is  currently  4:15 P.M.,  New York time.
Securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily available
(including certain restricted and illiquid  securities) are valued at fair value
in accordance with procedures  established by and under the general  supervision
and  responsibility  of  the  Trustees.  Such  procedures  include  the  use  of
independent  pricing  services  which use prices  based upon yields or prices of
securities of comparable quality,  coupon,  maturity and type; indications as to
values from dealers; and general market conditions. Short-term investments which
mature  in 60 days or less  are  valued  at  amortized  cost if  their  original
maturity was 60 days or less, or by amortizing their value on the 61st day prior
to maturity,  if their original maturity when acquired by the Portfolio was more
than 60 days,  unless  this is  determined  not to  represent  fair value by the
Trustees.

         Trading in  securities  on most  foreign  exchanges  and OTC markets is
normally  completed before the close of the New York Stock Exchange and may also
take place on days on which the New York  Stock  Exchange  is closed.  If events
materially  affecting  the value of  securities  occur between the time when the
exchange  on which they are traded  closes and the time when a  Portfolio's  net
asset  value is  calculated,  such  securities  will be valued at fair  value in
accordance with procedures  established by and under the general  supervision of
the Trustees.

PERFORMANCE DATA

         From time to time,  the Funds may quote  performance in terms of yield,
actual  distributions,  total return or capital  appreciation in reports,  sales
literature  and  advertisements  published  by the  Trust.  Current  performance
information  for the Funds may be obtained by calling the number provided on the
cover  page  of  this  Statement  of  Additional  Information.  See  "Additional
Information" in the Prospectus.

         Yield Quotations.  As required by regulations of the SEC, current yield
for the Prime Money  Market,  Tax Exempt Money  Market and Federal  Money Market
Funds is computed by determining the net change  exclusive of capital changes in
the value of a hypothetical  pre-existing  account having a balance of one share
at the  beginning  of a seven-day  calendar  period,  dividing the net change in
account value of the account at the beginning of the period, and multiplying the
return over the seven-day period by 365/7. For purposes of the calculation,  net
change in account value reflects the value of additional  shares  purchased with
dividends

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        90

<PAGE>



from the original  share and dividends  declared on both the original  share and
any such  additional  shares,  but does not reflect  realized gains or losses or
unrealized  appreciation  or  depreciation.  Effective yield for the Prime Money
Market,  Tax Exempt Money  Market and Federal  Money Market Funds is computed by
annualizing  the seven-day  return with all  dividends  reinvested in additional
Fund shares. In the case of the Tax Exempt Money Market Fund, the tax equivalent
yield is computed by first  computing  the yield as  discussed  above.  Then the
portion of the yield  attributable  to securities the income of which was exempt
for federal income tax purposes is determined. This portion of the yield is then
divided by one minus the stated assumed  federal income tax rate for individuals
and  then  added  to the  portion  of the  yield  that  is not  attributable  to
securities, the income of which was not tax exempt.

         As required by  regulations  of the SEC, the  annualized  yield for the
Short Term Bond,  Bond,  Tax Exempt Bond,  New York Total Return Bond and Global
Strategic Income Funds is computed by dividing each Fund's net investment income
per share earned  during a 30-day  period by the net asset value on the last day
of the period.  The average daily number of shares outstanding during the period
that are eligible to receive dividends is used in determining the net investment
income per share. Income is computed by totaling the interest earned on all debt
obligations  during the period and subtracting from that amount the total of all
recurring  expenses  incurred  during  the  period.  The  30-day  yield  is then
annualized on a  bond-equivalent  basis assuming  semi-annual  reinvestment  and
compounding  of  net  investment   income,   as  described   under   "Additional
Information" in the Prospectus.

         Historical  performance for periods prior to the  establishment  of the
Money Market,  Tax Exempt Money Market,  Bond, and Tax Exempt Bond Funds will be
that of the respective  predecessor  free-standing fund and will be presented in
accordance with applicable SEC staff interpretations.

         Below is set forth historical yield  information for the Funds or their
predecessors for the periods indicated:

Prime Money Market Fund (5/31/97): 7-day current yield: 5.29%; 7-day effective
yield: 5.43%.

Tax Exempt Money Market Fund (2/28/97): 7-day current yield: 3.02%; 7-day tax
equivalent yield at 39.6% tax rate: 5.00%; 7-day effective yield: 3.07%.

Federal Money Market Fund (4/30/97): 7-day current yield: 4.97%; 7-day effective
yield: 5.10%.

Short Term Bond Fund (4/30/97): 30-day yield: 6.48%.

Bond Fund (4/30/97): 30-day yield: 6.62%.

Tax Exempt Bond Fund (2/28/97): 30-day yield: 4.32%; 30-day tax equivalent yield
at 39.6% tax rate: 7.15%.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        91

<PAGE>



New York Total Return Bond Fund (3/31/97): 30-day yield: 4.33%; 30-day tax
equivalent yield at 39.6% tax rate: 7.17%.

         Total Return  Quotations.  As required by  regulations  of the SEC, the
annualized  total return of the Short Term Bond, Bond, Tax Exempt Bond, New York
Total Return Bond,  Global Strategic  Income,  U.S. Equity,  U.S. Small Company,
International  Equity,  Emerging  Markets Equity,  International  Opportunities,
Diversified, European Equity, Japan Equity and Asia Growth Funds for a period is
computed  by  assuming a  hypothetical  initial  payment  of $1,000.  It is then
assumed that all of the dividends and  distributions by the Fund over the period
are  reinvested.  It is then assumed  that at the end of the period,  the entire
amount  is  redeemed.   The  annualized  total  return  is  then  calculated  by
determining  the annual rate  required  for the  initial  payment to grow to the
amount which would have been received upon redemption.

         Aggregate total returns,  reflecting the cumulative  percentage  change
over a measuring period, may also be calculated.

         Historical   performance   information   for   periods   prior  to  the
establishment  of the Prime Money  Market,  Tax Exempt Money Market,  Bond,  Tax
Exempt Bond, U.S. Equity, U.S. Small Company and International Equity Funds will
be that of the respective  predecessor  free-standing fund and will be presented
in accordance with applicable SEC staff interpretations.  Historical performance
information for any period or portion thereof prior to the  establishment of the
Diversified,  European Equity,  Japan Equity or Asia Growth Fund will be that of
its corresponding  predecessor JPM Institutional  fund, if the JPM Institutional
fund  commenced  operations  before the  corresponding  JPM Pierpont  Fund.  The
applicable  financial  information  in the  registration  statement  for The JPM
Institutional  Funds  (Registration  Nos. 33-54642 and 811-7342) is incorporated
herein by reference.

         Below is set forth historical return information for the Funds or their
predecessors for the periods indicated:

Prime Money Market Fund (5/31/97): Average annual total return, 1 year: 5.25%;
average annual total return, 5 years: 4.38%; average annual total return, 10
years: 5.80%; aggregate total return, 1 year: 5.25%; aggregate total return, 5
years: 23.91%; aggregate total return, 10 years: 75.77%.

Tax Exempt Money Market Fund (2/28/97): Average annual total return, 1 year:
3.11%; Average annual total return, 5 years: 2.77%; average annual total return,
10 years: 3.87%; aggregate total return, 1 year: 3.11%; aggregate total return,
5 years: 14.66%; aggregate total return, 10 years: 46.19%.

Federal Money Market Fund (4/30/97): Average annual total return, 1 year: 4.94%;
average annual total return, 5 years: N/A; average annual total return,
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 4.29%; aggregate total return, 1
year: 4.99%; aggregate total return, 5 years: N/A; aggregate total return,
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 19.89%.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        92

<PAGE>



Short Term Bond Fund (4/30/97): Average annual total return, 1 year: 6.01%;
average annual total return, 5 years: N/A; average annual total return,
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 4.75%; aggregate total return, 1
year: 6.01%; aggregate total return, 5 years: N/A; aggregate total return,
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 19.29%.

Bond Fund (4/30/97): Average annual total return, 1 year: 6.88%; average annual
total return, 5 years: 7.20%; average annual total return, commencement of
operations(*) to period end: 7.72%; aggregate total return, 1 year: 6.88%;
aggregate total return, 5 years: 41.59%; aggregate total return, commencement of
operations(*) to period end: 97.45%.

Tax Exempt Bond Fund (2/28/97): Average annual total return, 1 year: 4.18%;
average annual total return, 5 years: 6.38%; average annual total return,
10 years: 6.36%; aggregate total return, 1 year: 4.18%; aggregate total return,
5 years: 36.25%; aggregate total return, 10 years: 85.25%.

New York Total Return Bond Fund (3/31/97): Average annual total return, 1 year:
4.19%; average annual total return, 5 years: N/A; average annual total return,
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 5.60%; aggregate total return,
1 year: 4.19%; aggregate total return, 5 years: N/A; aggregate total return,
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 17.52%.

   
Diversified Fund (6/30/97): Average annual total return, 1 year: 20.52%; average
annual total return, 5 years: N/A; average annual total return, commencement of
operations(*) to period end: 14.61%; aggregate total return, 1 year: 20.52%;
aggregate total return, 5 years: N/A; aggregate total return, commencement of
operations(*) to period end: 62.06%.
    

U.S. Equity Fund (5/31/97): Average annual total return, 1 year: 24.96%; average
annual total return, 5 years: 16.55%; average annual total return, 10 years:
14.47%; aggregate total return, 1 year: 24.96%; aggregate total return, 5 years:
115.04%; aggregate total return, 10 years: 286.43%.

U.S. Small Company Fund (5/31/97): Average annual total return, 1 year: 9.49%;
average annual total return, 5 years: 16.14%; average annual total return, 10
years: 11.10%; aggregate total return, 1 year: 9.49%; aggregate total return,
5 years: 111.27%; aggregate total return, 10 years: 186.46%.

International Equity Fund (4/30/97): Average annual total return, 1 year: 1.73%;
average annual total return, 5 years: 8.56%; average annual total return,
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 4.67%; aggregate total return, 1
year: 1.73%; aggregate total return, 5 years: 50.80%; aggregate total return,
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 37.11%.

Emerging Markets Equity Fund (4/30/97): Average annual total return, 1 year:
6.71%; average annual total return, 5 years: N/A; average annual total return,
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 4.68%; aggregate total return, 1
year: 6.71%; aggregate total return, 5 years: N/A; aggregate total return,
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 17.08%.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        93

<PAGE>



   
European Equity Fund (6/30/97): Average annual total return, 1 year: 26.82%;
average annual total return, 5 years: N/A; average annual total return
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 26.74%; aggregate total return,
1 year: 26.82%; aggregate total return, 5 years: N/A; aggregate total return
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 31.01%.

Japan Equity Fund (6/30/97): Average annual total return, 1 year: (12.95)%;
average annual total return, 5 years: N/A; average annual total return
commencement of operations(*) to period end: (13.97)%; aggregate total return,
1 year: (12.95)%; aggregate total return, 5 years: N/A; aggregate total return
commencement of operations(*) to period end: (16.00)%.

Asia Growth Fund (6/30/97): Average annual total return, 1 year: (2.33)%;average
annual total return, 5 years: N/A; average annual total return commencement of
operations(*) to period end: (2.48)%; aggregate total return, 1 year:(2.33)%;
aggregate total return, 5 years: N/A; aggregate total return commencement of
operations(*) to period end:(2.82)%.
    

International Opportunities Fund (5/31/97): Average annual total return, 1 year:
N/A; average annual total return, 5 years: N/A; average annual total return
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 4.60%; aggregate total return,
1 year: N/A; aggregate total return, 5 years: N/A; aggregate total return
commencement of operations(*) to period end: 4.60%.
- -------------------------------------

* The Federal Money Market,  Short Term Bond,  Bond, New York Total Return Bond,
Diversified,  International  Equity,  Emerging Markets Equity,  European Equity,
Japan  Equity,  Asia  Growth and  International  Opportunities  Funds  commenced
operations  on January 4, 1993,  July 8, 1993,  March 11, 1988,  April 11, 1994,
December 15, 1993,  June 1, 1990,  November 15, 1993, May 13, 1996, May 6, 1996,
May  13,  1996  and  February  26,  1997,  respectively.   The  predecessor  JPM
Institutional  Diversified,  European Equity, Japan Equity and Asia Growth funds
commenced  operations on July 8, 1993,  February 29, 1996, February 29, 1996 and
February 29, 1996, respectively.

         General.  A Fund's  performance  will vary from time to time  depending
upon market conditions,  the composition of its corresponding Portfolio, and its
operating expenses.  Consequently, any given performance quotation should not be
considered  representative  of a Fund's  performance for any specified period in
the future. In addition,  because performance will fluctuate, it may not provide
a basis for  comparing an  investment  in a Fund with  certain bank  deposits or
other investments that pay a fixed yield or return for a stated period of time.

         Comparative  performance  information  may be used from time to time in
advertising the Funds' shares,  including  appropriate  market indices including
the benchmarks  indicated under  "Investment  Advisor" above or data from Lipper
Analytical  Services,  Inc., Micropal,  Inc., Ibbotson  Associates,  Morningstar
Inc., the Dow Jones Industrial Average and other industry publications.

         In order to illustrate the benefits of balanced  investing across asset
classes over longer periods of time, the Diversified Fund may use performance

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        94

<PAGE>



data that will be based on the return of, as appropriate, the S&P 500 Index, the
Salomon  Brothers Broad  Investment Grade Bond Index, the Frank Russell 2000 and
2500 Indexes,  and the EAFE Index.  The quoted  performance will illustrate what
results could have been achieved had the Fund invested specified  percentages of
the Fund's  assets in classes of  securities  that would have  produced a return
equal to the relevant index over the time period at issue.

         From time to time,  the Funds may quote  performance in terms of yield,
actual  distributions,  total return, or capital appreciation in reports,  sales
literature,  and  advertisements  published  by the Funds.  Current  performance
information  for the Funds may be obtained by calling the number provided on the
cover  page  of  this  Statement  of  Additional  Information.  See  "Additional
Information" in the Prospectus.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

     The Advisor places orders for all Portfolios for all purchases and sales of
portfolio  securities,  enters into  repurchase  agreements,  and may enter into
reverse  repurchase  agreements  and execute  loans of portfolio  securities  on
behalf of all the Portfolios. See "Investment Objectives and Policies."

         Fixed  income and debt  securities  and  municipal  bonds and notes are
generally  traded at a net price with dealers  acting as principal for their own
accounts without a stated commission. The price of the security usually includes
profit to the dealers. In underwritten offerings,  securities are purchased at a
fixed  price  which  includes  an amount  of  compensation  to the  underwriter,
generally referred to as the underwriter's  concession or discount. On occasion,
certain  securities may be purchased  directly from an issuer,  in which case no
commissions or discounts are paid.

         Prime Money  Market,  Tax Exempt Money  Market,  Federal  Money Market,
Short Term Bond,  Bond,  Tax Exempt Bond,  New York Total Return Bond and Global
Strategic Income Funds. Portfolio transactions for the Portfolios  corresponding
to the Prime Money Market, Tax Exempt Money Market,  Federal Money Market, Short
Term  Bond,  Bond,  Tax  Exempt  Bond,  New York  Total  Return  Bond and Global
Strategic   Income  Funds  will  be  undertaken   principally  to  accomplish  a
Portfolio's  objective in relation to expected movements in the general level of
interest rates. The Portfolios  corresponding to the Prime Money Market, Federal
Money Market, Short Term Bond, Bond, Tax Exempt Bond, New York Total Return Bond
and Global  Strategic Income Funds may engage in short-term  trading  consistent
with their  objectives.  See  "Investment  Objectives  and Policies -- Portfolio
Turnover." The Tax Exempt Money Market  Portfolio will not seek profits  through
short-term  trading,  but the Portfolio  may dispose of any  portfolio  security
prior to its maturity if it believes such  disposition  is  appropriate  even if
this action realizes profits or losses.

         In connection  with  portfolio  transactions  for the  Portfolios,  the
Advisor intends to seek best price and execution on a competitive basis for both
purchases and sales of securities.

        The Portfolios corresponding to the Prime Money Market, Tax Exempt Money
Market and Federal Money Market Funds have a policy of investing only in

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        95

<PAGE>



securities  with  maturities  of less than  thirteen  months,  which policy will
result in high portfolio  turnovers.  The Portfolio  corresponding  to the Short
Term Bond Fund has a policy of maintaining a short  duration,  which policy will
also result in a high portfolio  turnover.  Since brokerage  commissions are not
normally paid on investments which the Portfolios make,  turnover resulting from
such  investments  should not adversely affect the net asset value or net income
of the Portfolios.

         U.S. Equity, U.S. Small Company, International Equity, Emerging Markets
Equity, International Opportunities,  Diversified, European Equity, Japan Equity
and Asia Growth Funds. In connection with portfolio  transactions for the Equity
Portfolios, the overriding objective is to obtain the best possible execution of
purchase and sale orders.

         In  selecting  a broker,  the  Advisor  considers  a number of  factors
including:  the price per unit of the  security;  the broker's  reliability  for
prompt,  accurate  confirmations and on-time delivery of securities;  the firm's
financial condition;  as well as the commissions charged. A broker may be paid a
brokerage  commission in excess of that which another  broker might have charged
for effecting the same transaction if, after considering the foregoing  factors,
the  Advisor  decides  that the broker  chosen will  provide  the best  possible
execution.  The Advisor monitors the reasonableness of the brokerage commissions
paid in light of the execution  received.  The Trustees of each Portfolio review
regularly the reasonableness of commissions and other transaction costs incurred
by the Portfolios in light of facts and circumstances  deemed relevant from time
to time,  and, in that  connection,  will  receive  reports from the Advisor and
published data concerning transaction costs incurred by institutional  investors
generally.  Research  services  provided  by  brokers to which the  Advisor  has
allocated  brokerage  business  in the  past  include  economic  statistics  and
forecasting  services,   industry  and  company  analyses,   portfolio  strategy
services,  quantitative  data,  and  consulting  services  from  economists  and
political  analysts.  Research  services  furnished  by brokers are used for the
benefit  of all the  Advisor's  clients  and not solely or  necessarily  for the
benefit of an  individual  Portfolio.  The  Advisor  believes  that the value of
research services received is not determinable and does not significantly reduce
its  expenses.  The  Portfolios  do not reduce  their fee to the  Advisor by any
amount that might be attributable to the value of such services.

         The Portfolios or their predecessors  corresponding to the U.S. Equity,
U.S. Small Company,  International Equity, Emerging Markets Equity, Diversified,
European  Equity,  Japan  Equity  and  Asia  Growth  Funds  paid  the  following
approximate brokerage commissions for the indicated fiscal periods:

U.S. Equity (May): 1996: $1,375,696; 1995: $1,179,132; 1994: $744,676.

U.S. Small Company (May): 1996: $1,554,459; 1995: $1,217,016; 1994: $1,760,320.

International Equity (October): 1996: $2,303,648; 1995: $1,691,642; 1994:
$1,413,238.

Diversified (June): 1996: $220,206; 1995: $145,589; 1994: $78,737.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        96

<PAGE>



Emerging Markets Equity (October): 1996: $1,840,532; 1995: $1,475,147; 1994:
$1,262,905.

European Equity (December): 1996: $1,189,817; 1995: $143,417.

Japan Equity (December): 1996: $1,245,419; 1995: $0.

Asia Growth (December): 1996: $881,897; 1995: $27,322.

   
International  Opportunities  (For the period February 26, 1997 (commencement of
operations) through May 31, 1997) (unaudited): $328,603.
    

         The  increases in  brokerage  commissions  reflected  above were due to
increased  portfolio activity and an increase in net investments by investors in
a Portfolio or its predecessor.

         Subject to the  overriding  objective  of obtaining  the best  possible
execution  of orders,  the  Advisor  may  allocate  a portion  of a  Portfolio's
brokerage  transactions to affiliates of the Advisor. In order for affiliates of
the  Advisor  to  effect  any  portfolio  transactions  for  a  Portfolio,   the
commissions,  fees or other  remuneration  received by such  affiliates  must be
reasonable  and fair compared to the  commissions,  fees, or other  remuneration
paid to other  brokers in  connection  with  comparable  transactions  involving
similar  securities  being  purchased or sold on a securities  exchange during a
comparable  period  of  time.  Furthermore,  the  Trustees  of  each  Portfolio,
including a majority of the  Trustees  who are not  "interested  persons,"  have
adopted   procedures   which  are  reasonably   designed  to  provide  that  any
commissions,  fees, or other remuneration paid to such affiliates are consistent
with the foregoing standard.

         Portfolio  securities  will not be purchased from or through or sold to
or through the  Co-Administrator,  the  Distributor  or the Advisor or any other
"affiliated  person"  (as  defined  in the  1940  Act) of the  Co-Administrator,
Distributor  or Advisor when such entities are acting as  principals,  except to
the extent  permitted  by law. In  addition,  the  Portfolios  will not purchase
securities  during the existence of any  underwriting  group relating thereto of
which the  Advisor or an  affiliate  of the  Advisor is a member,  except to the
extent permitted by law.

         On those  occasions  when the Advisor  deems the  purchase or sale of a
security to be in the best  interests of a Portfolio as well as other  customers
including other  Portfolios,  the Advisor to the extent  permitted by applicable
laws and regulations,  may, but is not obligated to, aggregate the securities to
be sold or  purchased  for a Portfolio  with those to be sold or  purchased  for
other  customers in order to obtain best  execution,  including  lower brokerage
commissions  if  appropriate.  In such event,  allocation  of the  securities so
purchased or sold as well as any expenses  incurred in the  transaction  will be
made  by the  Advisor  in the  manner  it  considers  to be most  equitable  and
consistent  with its fiduciary  obligations to a Portfolio.  In some  instances,
this procedure might adversely affect a Portfolio.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        97

<PAGE>



         If  a  Portfolio  that  writes  options  effects  a  closing   purchase
transaction  with respect to an option written by it, normally such  transaction
will be executed by the same  broker-dealer who executed the sale of the option.
The writing of options by a Portfolio will be subject to limitations established
by each of the exchanges  governing the maximum  number of options in each class
which  may be  written  by a single  investor  or group of  investors  acting in
concert,  regardless of whether the options are written on the same or different
exchanges or are held or written in one or more  accounts or through one or more
brokers.  The number of options  which a Portfolio  may write may be affected by
options  written  by the  Advisor  for other  investment  advisory  clients.  An
exchange may order the  liquidation of positions  found to be in excess of these
limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.

MASSACHUSETTS TRUST

         The  Trust  is  a  trust  fund  of  the  type   commonly   known  as  a
"Massachusetts  business  trust" of which each Fund is a separate  and  distinct
series.  A copy of the  Declaration  of  Trust  for the  Trust is on file in the
office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Declaration of
Trust and the  By-Laws of the Trust are  designed  to make the Trust  similar in
most respects to a Massachusetts business corporation. The principal distinction
between the two forms concerns shareholder liability described below.

         Effective October 10, 1996, the name of the Trust was changed from "The
Pierpont  Funds" to "The JPM  Pierpont  Funds,"  and each  Fund's  name  changed
accordingly.  Effective  January 9, 1997,  the name of the Federal  Money Market
Fund was changed from "The JPM Pierpont  Treasury Money Market Fund" to "The JPM
Pierpont  Federal  Money Market  Fund," and the Fund's  corresponding  Portfolio
changed its name  accordingly.  Effective  May 12,  1997,  the name of the Prime
Money Market Fund was changed from "The JPM Pierpont  Money Market Fund" to "The
JPM Pierpont Prime Money Market Fund",  and the Fund's  corresponding  Portfolio
changed  its name  accordingly.  Effective  May 12,  1997,  the name of the U.S.
Equity Fund was changed from "The JPM Pierpont Equity Fund" to "The JPM Pierpont
U.S.  Equity  Fund",  and the Fund's  corresponding  portfolio  changed its name
accordingly. Effective May 12, 1997, the name of the U.S. Small Company Fund was
changed from "The JPM Pierpont Capital  Appreciation  Fund" to "The JPM Pierpont
U.S. Small Company Fund".

         Under  Massachusetts  law,  shareholders  of  such a trust  may,  under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations
of the  trust  which is not the case for a  corporation.  However,  the  Trust's
Declaration of Trust provides that the shareholders  shall not be subject to any
personal  liability  for the acts or  obligations  of any  Fund  and that  every
written agreement,  obligation,  instrument or undertaking made on behalf of any
Fund shall  contain a  provision  to the effect  that the  shareholders  are not
personally liable thereunder.

         No  personal  liability  will  attach  to the  shareholders  under  any
undertaking  containing such provision when adequate notice of such provision is
given,  except  possibly in a few  jurisdictions.  With  respect to all types of
claims in the latter jurisdictions,  (i) tort claims, (ii) contract claims where
the  provision  referred to is omitted  from the  undertaking,  (iii) claims for
taxes, and (iv)

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        98

<PAGE>



certain statutory liabilities in other jurisdictions,  a shareholder may be held
personally  liable to the extent that claims are not satisfied by the Fund.  How
ever,  upon  payment of such  liability,  the  shareholder  will be  entitled to
reimbursement  from the  general  assets of the  Fund.  The  Trustees  intend to
conduct  the  operations  of the Trust in such a way so as to  avoid,  as far as
possible, ultimate liability of the shareholders for liabilities of the Funds.

         The Trust's  Declaration of Trust further provides that the name of the
Trust refers to the Trustees  collectively  as Trustees,  not as  individuals or
personally, that no Trustee, officer, employee or agent of a Fund is liable to a
Fund or to a shareholder,  and that no Trustee,  officer,  employee, or agent is
liable to any third persons in connection with the affairs of a Fund,  except as
such  liability  may arise from his or its own bad faith,  willful  misfeasance,
gross  negligence  or  reckless  disregard  of his or its  duties to such  third
persons.  It also  provides  that all third  persons  shall look  solely to Fund
property for  satisfaction of claims arising in connection with the affairs of a
Fund. With the exceptions stated, the Trust's Declaration of Trust provides that
a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent is entitled to be indemnified against all
liability in connection with the affairs of a Fund.

         The Trust shall  continue  without  limitation  of time  subject to the
provisions in the Declaration of Trust  concerning  termination by action of the
shareholders or by action of the Trustees upon notice to the shareholders.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

         The Trust is an open-end management investment company organized as a
Massachusetts business trust in which each Fund represents a separate series of
shares of beneficial interest.  See "Massachusetts Trust."

   
         The  Declaration  of Trust  permits the  Trustees to issue an unlimited
number of full and  fractional  shares  ($0.001 par value) of one or more series
and  classes  within  any  series  and to divide or  combine  the shares (of any
series, if applicable) without changing the proportionate beneficial interest of
each shareholder in a Fund (or in the assets of other series, if applicable). To
date shares of seventeen  series have been authorized and are available for sale
to the public.  Each share represents an equal  proportional  interest in a Fund
with each other share. Upon liquidation of a Fund, holders are entitled to share
pro  rata  in the  net  assets  of a Fund  available  for  distribution  to such
shareholders.  See "Massachusetts Trust." Shares of a Fund have no preemptive or
conversion rights and are fully paid and nonassessable. The rights of redemption
and exchange are described in the  Prospectus and elsewhere in this Statement of
Additional Information.
    

         The shareholders of the Trust are entitled to a full vote for each full
share held and to a fractional  vote for each fractional  share.  Subject to the
1940 Act,  the  Trustees  themselves  have the power to alter the number and the
terms of office of the Trustees,  to lengthen their own terms,  or to make their
terms of unlimited duration subject to certain removal  procedures,  and appoint
their own successors, provided, however, that immediately after such appointment
the requisite  majority of the Trustees have been elected by the shareholders of
the Trust. The voting rights of shareholders are not cumulative so that holders

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        99

<PAGE>



of more than 50% of the shares  voting can, if they  choose,  elect all Trustees
being selected while the shareholders of the remaining shares would be unable to
elect any  Trustees.  It is the  intention of the Trust not to hold  meetings of
shareholders annually. The Trustees may call meetings of shareholders for action
by  shareholder  vote as may be  required  by either the 1940 Act or the Trust's
Declaration of Trust.

         Shareholders  of the Trust  have the  right,  upon the  declaration  in
writing or vote of more than two-thirds of its outstanding  shares,  to remove a
Trustee.  The Trustees will call a meeting of shareholders to vote on removal of
a Trustee upon the written  request of the record  holders of 10% of the Trust's
shares.  In addition,  whenever ten or more shareholders of record who have been
such for at least six months preceding the date of application,  and who hold in
the  aggregate  either shares having a net asset value of at least $25,000 or at
least 1% of the Trust's  outstanding  shares,  whichever is less, shall apply to
the  Trustees  in  writing,  stating  that they wish to  communicate  with other
shareholders  with a view to obtaining  signatures  to request a meeting for the
purpose of voting upon the  question  of removal of any Trustee or Trustees  and
accompanied by a form of communication  and request which they wish to transmit,
the Trustees  shall within five business days after receipt of such  application
either:  (1)  afford  to  such  applicants  access  to a list of the  names  and
addresses  of all  shareholders  as recorded  on the books of the Trust;  or (2)
inform such applicants as to the  approximate  number of shareholders of record,
and the approximate cost of mailing to them the proposed  communication and form
of request.  If the Trustees  elect to follow the latter  course,  the Trustees,
upon the  written  request of such  applicants,  accompanied  by a tender of the
material to be mailed and of the  reasonable  expenses of mailing,  shall,  with
reasonable promptness, mail such material to all shareholders of record at their
addresses as recorded on the books,  unless within five business days after such
tender  the  Trustees  shall  mail to such  applicants  and  file  with the SEC,
together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement signed by
at least a majority of the Trustees to the effect that in their  opinion  either
such  material  contains  untrue  statements  of fact or omits  to  state  facts
necessary to make the statements  contained therein not misleading,  or would be
in violation of applicable law, and specifying the basis of such opinion.  After
opportunity for hearing upon the objections  specified in the written statements
filed, the SEC may, and if demanded by the Trustees or by such applicants shall,
enter an order either  sustaining one or more of such  objections or refusing to
sustain any of them. If the SEC shall enter an order  refusing to sustain any of
such  objections,  or if, after the entry of an order  sustaining one or more of
such  objections,  the SEC shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing,
that all  objections  so  sustained  have been met,  and shall enter an order so
declaring,  the Trustees shall mail copies of such material to all  shareholders
with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such
tender.

         The  Trustees  have  authorized  the issuance and sale to the public of
shares of seventeen series of the Trust. The Trustees have no current  intention
to create any classes within the initial series or any  subsequent  series.  The
Trustees may, however, authorize the issuance of shares of additional series and
the  creation  of classes of shares  within  any series  with such  preferences,
privileges,  limitations  and voting and  dividend  rights as the  Trustees  may
determine. The proceeds from the issuance of any additional series would be

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        100

<PAGE>



invested in separate,  independently managed portfolios with distinct investment
objectives,  policies and restrictions,  and share purchase,  redemption and net
asset valuation procedures.  Any additional classes would be used to distinguish
among the rights of different  categories of shareholders,  as might be required
by future  regulations  or other  unforeseen  circumstances.  All  consideration
received  by the Trust for  shares of any  additional  series or class,  and all
assets in which such  consideration is invested,  would belong to that series or
class, subject only to the rights of creditors of the Trust and would be subject
to the liabilities  related  thereto.  Shareholders of any additional  series or
class will approve the adoption of any management  contract or distribution plan
relating to such series or class and of any changes in the  investment  policies
related thereto, to the extent required by the 1940 Act.

         For  information  relating to  mandatory  redemption  of Fund shares or
their  redemption  at the option of the Trust under certain  circumstances,  see
"Redemption of Shares" in the Prospectus.

   
         As of July 22, 1997, the following owned of record or, to the knowledge
of management, beneficially owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of:

     Prime Money  Market  Fund--Morgan  as Agent for Kingsley & Co. Fund Omnibus
Account (7.14%);

     Federal Money Market  Fund--Morgan as Agent for Kingsley & Co. Fund Omnibus
Account  (26.70%),  Morgan as Agent for Market Street Trust Co. Omnibus  Account
(11.36%);

     Tax Exempt  Money  Market  Fund--Morgan  as Agent for  Kingsley & Co.  Fund
Omnibus Account (11.86%);

     Short Term Bond Fund--Morgan as Agent for Towermark  Corporation  (34.31%),
E. Chang as Trustee of The E. Chao Chang Revocable Trust (20.46%);

     Bond Fund--Boston & Co. (6.36%);

     New York Total Return Bond Fund--M. Barron (6.90%);

     U.S. Equity Fund--Forest Laboratories, Inc. (5.06%);

     U.S. Small Company Fund--Forest Laboratories, Inc. (6.10%);

     European  Equity  Fund--V.  Madrigal  (21.12%),  Morgan  as  Agent  for The
American Hospital of Paris (16.35%), E. Boulot and E. Boulot (9.79%), D.J. Fermo
and L. Fermo (5.06%),  L.R.  Smith and M.S.  Smith (5.58%),  Morgan as Agent for
T.R. Lamia (5.56%);

     Japan Equity  Fund--Johol  & Co.  (21.37%),  Morgan as Agent for G.A.  Falk
(11.44%),  R.A. McGimpsey and L.V.  McGimpsey  (9.20%),  Morgan as Agent for The
American Hospital of Paris (5.48)%,  Morgan as Agent for T.R. Lamia (8.72%),  J.
Lewis (6.88%), P. Grover and H. Grover (5.29%), The D.O. Marston Trust (12.39%),
State Street Bank and Trust Company (7.00%); and
    


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        101

<PAGE>



     Asia Growth Fund--R.A.  McGimpsey and L.V.  McGimpsey  (27.57%),  Morgan as
Agent for R.  James and A.  James  (14.19%),  Morgan as Agent for T.H.  McElvain
(13.07%),  Morgan as Agent for W.H. Brittain and J. Brittain  (5.54%),  The D.O.
Marston Trust (5.56%).

         The address of each owner listed above is c/o Morgan, 522 Fifth Avenue,
New  York,  New York  10036.  As of the  date of this  Statement  of  Additional
Information,  the  officers  and  Trustees  as a group owned less than 1% of the
shares of each Fund.

TAXES

         Each Fund intends to qualify as a regulated  investment  company  under
Subchapter M of the Code. As a regulated  investment company, a Fund must, among
other  things,  (a)  derive  at least 90% of its gross  income  from  dividends,
interest, payments with respect to loans of stock and securities, gains from the
sale or other  disposition  of stock,  securities or foreign  currency and other
income  (including but not limited to gains from options,  futures,  and forward
contracts)  derived  with  respect to its  business of  investing in such stock,
securities  or foreign  currency;  (b) derive less than 30% of its gross  income
from the sale or other  disposition of stock,  securities,  options,  futures or
forward  contracts (other than options,  futures or forward contracts on foreign
currencies)  held less than three  months,  or foreign  currencies  (or options,
futures or forward contracts on foreign currencies) held less than three months,
but only if such currencies (or options, futures or forward contracts on foreign
currencies) are not directly related to a Fund's principal business of investing
in stocks or  securities  (or  options  and  futures  with  respect to stocks or
securities);  and (c) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter
of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets is
represented by cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other
regulated investment companies,  and other securities limited, in respect of any
one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the Fund's total assets, and 10%
of the outstanding  voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25%
of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer
(other  than  U.S.  Government  securities  or  securities  of  other  regulated
investment companies).  As a regulated investment company, a Fund (as opposed to
its  shareholders)  will  not be  subject  to  federal  income  taxes on the net
investment  income and capital  gain that it  distributes  to its  shareholders,
provided  that at  least  90% of its net  investment  income  and  realized  net
short-term  capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss for the taxable
year is distributed in accordance with the Code's timing requirements.

         Under the Code,  a Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on a portion
of its  undistributed  taxable  income  and  capital  gains  if it fails to meet
certain  distribution  requirements  by the end of the calendar year.  Each Fund
intends to make distributions in a timely manner and accordingly does not expect
to be subject to the excise tax.

         For federal income tax purposes,  dividends that are declared by a Fund
in October,  November or December as of a record date in such month and actually
paid in January of the following year will be treated as if they were paid on

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        102

<PAGE>



December 31 of the year declared. Therefore, such dividends will be taxable to a
shareholder in the year declared rather than the year paid.

         The Tax Exempt Money Market,  Tax Exempt Bond and New York Total Return
Bond  Funds  intend  to  qualify  to  pay  exempt-interest  dividends  to  their
respective  shareholders  by  having,  at the  close  of each  quarter  of their
respective  taxable years, at least 50% of the value of their  respective  total
assets consist of tax exempt  securities.  An  exempt-interest  dividend is that
part of dividend distributions made by the Funds which is properly designated as
consisting  of  interest  received  by  the  Funds  on  tax  exempt  securities.
Shareholders   will  not  incur  any  federal   income  tax  on  the  amount  of
exempt-interest  dividends  received  by them  from the  Funds,  other  than the
alternative  minimum  tax under  certain  circumstances.  In view of each of the
above Fund's investment  policies,  it is expected that a substantial portion of
all dividends  will be  exempt-interest  dividends,  although the Funds may from
time to time realize and distribute net short-term  capital gains and may invest
limited  amounts  in  taxable  securities  under  certain   circumstances.   See
"Investment Objective(s) and Policies" in the Prospectus.

     Distributions of net investment income, certain foreign currency gains, and
realized net  short-term  capital gain in excess of net  long-term  capital loss
(other than exempt interest  dividends) are generally taxable to shareholders of
the Funds as ordinary  income  whether such  distributions  are taken in cash or
reinvested  in  additional  shares.  The U.S.  Equity,  U.S.  Small  Company and
Diversified  Funds  expect that a portion of these  distributions  to  corporate
shareholders will be eligible for the dividends-received  deduction,  subject to
applicable  limitations under the Code.  Distributions to corporate shareholders
of the Prime Money Market, Tax Exempt Money Market,  Federal Money Market, Short
Term Bond,  Bond, Tax Exempt Bond, New York Total Return Bond,  Global Strategic
Income,   International   Equity,   Emerging   Markets   Equity,   International
Opportunities,  European  Equity,  Japan  Equity and Asia  Growth  Funds are not
eligible for the dividends received deduction. The International Bond and Global
Strategic Income Funds each pay a monthly dividend.  If dividend payments exceed
income earned by the Fund, the overdistribution  would be considered a return of
capital rather than a dividend payment.  The Fund intends to pay dividends in
such a  manner  so as to  minimize  the  possibility  of a  return  of  capital.
Distributions of net long-term capital gain (i.e., net long-term capital gain in
excess of net short-term  capital loss) are taxable to shareholders of a Fund as
long-term  capital gain,  regardless of whether such  distributions are taken in
cash or reinvested in additional shares and regardless of how long a shareholder
has held shares in the Fund.  See "Taxes" in the  Prospectus for a discussion of
the federal  income tax treatment of any gain or loss realized on the redemption
or exchange of a Fund's shares. Additionally,  any loss realized on a redemption
or  exchange  of shares of a Fund will be  disallowed  to the  extent the shares
disposed of are  replaced  within a period of 61 days  beginning  30 days before
such  disposition,  such as pursuant to  reinvestment of a dividend in shares of
the Fund.

         To maintain a constant $1.00 per share net asset value, the Trustees of
the Prime Money  Market,  Tax Exempt Money Market and Federal Money Market Funds
may direct that the number of  outstanding  shares be reduced pro rata.  If this
adjustment  is made,  it will  reflect  the  lower  market  value  of  portfolio
securities and not realized  losses.  The adjustment may result in a shareholder
having more  dividend  income than net income in his account for a period.  When
the number of outstanding shares of a Fund is reduced,  the shareholder's  basis
in the shares of the Fund may be  adjusted  to reflect  the  difference  between
taxable income and net dividends  actually  distributed.  This difference may be
realized

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        103

<PAGE>



as a capital loss when the shares are liquidated.  Subject to certain limited
exceptions, capital losses cannot be used to offset ordinary income.  See "Net
Asset Value."

         Gains or losses on sales of  portfolio  securities  will be  treated as
long-term capital gains or losses if the securities have been held for more than
one year  except in certain  cases  where a put is  acquired or a call option is
written thereon or the straddle rules described below are otherwise  applicable.
Other gains or losses on the sale of securities will be short-term capital gains
or losses.  Gains and losses on the sale, lapse or other  termination of options
on securities  will be treated as gains and losses from the sale of  securities.
Except as  described  below,  if an option  written by a Portfolio  lapses or is
terminated through a closing transaction,  such as a repurchase by the Portfolio
of the option from its holder,  the Portfolio will realize a short-term  capital
gain or loss,  depending  on whether the premium  income is greater or less than
the amount paid by the Portfolio in the closing  transaction.  If securities are
purchased by a Portfolio pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it,
the  Portfolio  will  subtract the premium  received  from its cost basis in the
securities purchased.

         Under the Code, gains or losses  attributable to disposition of foreign
currency  or to  certain  foreign  currency  contracts,  or to  fluctuations  in
exchange  rates between the time a Portfolio  accrues  income or  receivables or
expenses or other  liabilities  denominated in a foreign currency and the time a
Portfolio actually collects such income or pays such liabilities,  are generally
treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss.  Similarly,  gains or losses on the
disposition  of debt  securities  held by a Portfolio,  if any,  denominated  in
foreign currency,  to the extent  attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates
between  the  acquisition  and  disposition  dates are also  treated as ordinary
income or loss.

         Forward currency contracts,  options and futures contracts entered into
by a Portfolio may create  "straddles" for U.S.  federal income tax purposes and
this may affect the  character  and  timing of gains or losses  realized  by the
Portfolio on forward currency contracts, options and futures contracts or on the
underlying securities. Certain straddles treated as short sales for tax purposes
may also result in the loss of the holding  period of underlying  securities for
purposes of the 30% of gross  income test  described  above,  and  therefore,  a
Portfolio's  ability to enter  into  forward  currency  contracts,  options  and
futures contracts may be limited.

         Certain  options,  futures and  foreign  currency  contracts  held by a
Portfolio  at the end of each  taxable  year will be  required  to be "marked to
market" for federal income tax purposes -- i.e.,  treated as having been sold at
market  value.  For  options  and  futures  contracts,  60% of any  gain or loss
recognized on these deemed sales and on actual  dispositions  will be treated as
long-term  capital gain or loss, and the remainder will be treated as short-term
capital gain or loss  regardless of how long the Portfolio has held such options
or  futures.  However,  gain or loss  recognized  on  certain  foreign  currency
contracts will be treated as ordinary income or loss.

         The  Equity  Portfolios  may  invest in Equity  Securities  of  foreign
issuers.  If a  Portfolio  purchases  shares  in  certain  foreign  corporations
(referred to as

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        104

<PAGE>



passive  foreign   investment   companies   ("PFICs")   under  the  Code),   the
corresponding  fund may be  subject  to  federal  income  tax on a portion of an
"excess distribution" from such foreign corporation or gain from the disposition
of such shares,  even though a portion of such income may have to be distributed
as a taxable  dividend by the Fund to its  shareholders.  In  addition,  certain
interest  charges  may be  imposed on a Fund or its  shareholders  in respect of
deemed unpaid taxes arising from such distributions or gains.  Alternatively,  a
Fund may in some  cases be  permitted  to  include  each year in its  income and
distribute to shareholders a pro rata portion of the foreign  investment  fund's
income, whether or not distributed to the Fund.

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

         Foreign   Shareholders.   Dividends  of  net   investment   income  and
distributions of realized net short-term gain in excess of net long-term loss to
a shareholder who, as to the United States,  is a nonresident  alien individual,
fiduciary  of  a  foreign  trust  or  estate,  foreign  corporation  or  foreign
partnership (a "foreign shareholder") will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at
the rate of 30% (or lower  treaty  rate) unless the  dividends  are  effectively
connected  with a U.S. trade or business of the  shareholder,  in which case the
dividends  will be subject to tax on a net income basis at the  graduated  rates
applicable to U.S. individuals or domestic  corporations.  Distributions treated
as long term capital gains to foreign  shareholders  will not be subject to U.S.
tax unless the  distributions  are effectively  connected with the shareholder's
trade or business in the United States or, in the case of a shareholder who is a
nonresident alien  individual,  the shareholder was present in the United States
for more than 182 days during the taxable year and certain other  conditions are
met.

         In  the  case  of a  foreign  shareholder  who is a  nonresident  alien
individual or foreign  entity,  a Fund may be required to withhold U.S.  federal
income tax as "backup withholding" at the rate of 31% from distributions treated
as long-term  capital gains and from the proceeds of  redemptions,  exchanges or
other dispositions of Fund shares unless IRS Form W-8 is provided.  Transfers by
gift of shares of a Fund by a foreign  shareholder  who is a  nonresident  alien
individual will not be subject to U.S. federal gift tax, but the value of shares
of the Fund held by such a shareholder at his or her death will be includible in
his or her gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes.

         Foreign Taxes.  It is expected that the Global Strategic Income, U.S.
Equity, U.S. Small Company, International Equity, Emerging Markets Equity,
International Opportunities, Diversified, European Equity, Japan Equity and Asia
Growth Funds may be subject to foreign withholding taxes or other foreign taxes
with respect to income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains)
received from sources within foreign countries.   In the case of the Global
Strategic Income, International Equity, Emerging Markets Equity, International

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        105

<PAGE>



Opportunities,  European Equity,  Japan Equity and Asia Growth Funds, so long as
more than 50% in value of the total assets of the Fund  (including  its share of
the assets of the  corresponding  Portfolio)  at the close of any  taxable  year
consists of stock or securities of foreign  corporations,  the Fund may elect to
treat  any  foreign  income  taxes  deemed  paid by it as paid  directly  by its
shareholders.  These Funds will make such an election only if they deem it to be
in the best  interest of their  respective  shareholders.  The Funds will notify
their respective shareholders in writing each year if they make the election and
of the  amount of foreign  income  taxes,  if any,  to be treated as paid by the
shareholders. If a Fund makes the election, each shareholder will be required to
include  in his  income (in  addition  to the  dividends  and  distributions  he
receives) his  proportionate  share of the amount of foreign income taxes deemed
paid by the Fund and will be entitled to claim  either a credit  (subject to the
limitations discussed below) or, if he itemizes deductions,  a deduction for his
share of the foreign income taxes in computing federal income tax liability. (No
deduction will be permitted in computing an individual's alternative minimum tax
liability.) A shareholder  who is a  nonresident  alien  individual or a foreign
corporation may be subject to U.S.  withholding tax on the income resulting from
the election described in this paragraph,  but may not be able to claim a credit
or deduction  against such U.S. tax for the foreign taxes treated as having been
paid by such shareholder.  A tax-exempt  shareholder will not ordinarily benefit
from this election.  Shareholders  who choose to utilize a credit (rather than a
deduction) for foreign taxes will be subject to the  limitation  that the credit
may not exceed the  shareholder's  U.S. tax  (determined  without  regard to the
availability  of the credit)  attributable  to his or her total  foreign  source
taxable  income.  For this purpose,  the portion of dividends and  distributions
paid by each of the Global  Strategic  Income,  International  Equity,  Emerging
Markets Equity, International  Opportunities,  European Equity, Japan Equity and
Asia Growth Funds from its foreign source net investment  income will be treated
as foreign source income. Each of these Funds' gains and losses from the sale of
securities will generally be treated as derived from U.S. sources,  however, and
certain  foreign  currency gains and losses  likewise will be treated as derived
from  U.S.  sources.  The  limitation  on the  foreign  tax  credit  is  applied
separately to foreign source "passive  income," such as the portion of dividends
received from the Fund which  qualifies as foreign source  income.  In addition,
the foreign tax credit is allowed to offset only 90% of the alternative  minimum
tax imposed on corporations and individuals.  Because of these  limitations,  if
the election is made,  shareholders may nevertheless be unable to claim a credit
for the full amount of their  proportionate  shares of the foreign  income taxes
paid by the Global  Strategic  Income,  International  Equity,  Emerging Markets
Equity,  International  Opportunities,  European  Equity,  Japan Equity and Asia
Growth Funds.

         State and Local Taxes. Each Fund may be subject to state or local taxes
in jurisdictions in which the Fund is deemed to be doing business.  In addition,
the treatment of a Fund and its  shareholders  in those states which have income
tax laws  might  differ  from  treatment  under  the  federal  income  tax laws.
Shareholders  should consult their own tax advisors with respect to any state or
local taxes.

         Other Taxation.The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust
and, under current law, neither the Trust nor any Fund is liable for any income

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        106

<PAGE>



or franchise tax in The Commonwealth of  Massachusetts,  provided that each Fund
continues to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the
Code. The  Portfolios  are organized as New York trusts.  The Portfolios are not
subject to any federal  income  taxation or income or franchise tax in the State
of New York or The  Commonwealth of  Massachusetts.  The investment by a Fund in
its corresponding  Portfolio does not cause the Fund to be liable for any income
or franchise tax in the State of New York.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         As used in this Statement of Additional Information and the Prospectus,
the term "majority of the outstanding  voting  securities" means the vote of (i)
67%  or  more  of  the  Fund's  shares  or the  Portfolio's  outstanding  voting
securities  present at a meeting,  if the holders of more than 50% of the Fund's
outstanding shares or the Portfolio's  outstanding voting securities are present
or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund's  outstanding shares
or the Portfolio's outstanding voting securities, whichever is less.

         Telephone  calls to the  Funds,  Morgan  or  Eligible  Institutions  as
shareholder servicing agent may be tape recorded. With respect to the securities
offered hereby,  this Statement of Additional  Information and the Prospectus do
not contain all the information included in the Trust's  Registration  Statement
filed  with  the SEC  under  the 1933 Act and the  Trust's  and the  Portfolios'
Registration  Statements  filed  under the 1940 Act.  Pursuant  to the rules and
regulations of the SEC,  certain  portions have been omitted.  The  Registration
Statements  including the exhibits filed therewith may be examined at the office
of the SEC in Washington D.C.

         Statements  contained in this Statement of Additional  Information  and
the Prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or other document are not
necessarily  complete,  and in each  instance,  reference is made to the copy of
such  contract  or  other  document  filed  as  an  exhibit  to  the  applicable
Registration  Statements.  Each such  statement  is qualified in all respects by
such reference.

         No dealer, salesman or any other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any  representations,  other than those  contained in the
Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information,  in connection with the
offer  contained  therein  and,  if given or made,  such  other  information  or
representations  must not be relied upon as having been authorized by any of the
Trust,  the Funds or the  Distributor.  The  Prospectus  and this  Statement  of
Additional  Information  do  not  constitute  an  offer  by any  Fund  or by the
Distributor  to sell or solicit any offer to buy any of the  securities  offered
hereby in any  jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful for the Fund or
the Distributor to make such offer in such jurisdictions.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        107

<PAGE>



FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         The  following  financial  statements  and the report  thereon of Price
Waterhouse  LLP of each Fund are  incorporated  herein by  reference  from their
respective annual report filings,  if applicable,  made with the SEC pursuant to
Section  30(b)  of the  1940  Act and  Rule  30b2-1  thereunder.  The  following
financial  statements  of each Fund are  incorporated  herein by reference  from
their respective  semi-annual report filings,  if applicable,  made with the SEC
pursuant to Section 30(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 30b2-1 thereunder. Any of the
following financial reports are available without charge upon request by calling
JP Morgan Funds Services at (800)  521-5411.  Each Fund's  financial  statements
include the financial statements of the Fund's corresponding Portfolio.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                 Date of Semi-Annual                Date of Annual
                                                 Report; Date Semi-                 Report; Date Annual
                                                 Annual Report Filed;               Report Filed; and
Name of Fund/Portfolio                           and Accession Number               Accession Number
- ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------  --------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>                                <C>

   
The JPM Pierpont Prime Money                     N/A                                11/30/96
Market Fund                                                                         01/30/97
                                                                                    0000912057-97-002302
The JPM Pierpont Tax Exempt                      02/28/97                           08/31/96
Money Market Fund                                04/28/97                           11/06/96
                                                 0000912057-97-014368               0000912057-96-024857
The JPM Pierpont Federal Money                   04/30/97                           10/31/96
Market Fund                                      06/27/97                           12/30/96
                                                 0000912057-97-022207               0000912057-96-030432
The JPM Pierpont Short Term                      04/30/97                           10/31/96
Bond Fund                                        06/25/97                           01/08/97
                                                 0000912057-97-021825               0000912057-97-000383
The JPM Pierpont Bond Fund                       04/30/97                           10/31/96
                                                 07/02/97                           01/08/97
                                                 0000912057-97-023272               0000912057-97-000388
The JPM Pierpont Tax Exempt                      02/28/97                           08/31/96
Bond Fund                                        04/28/97                           11/06/96
                                                 0000912057-97-014267               0000912057-96-024845
The JPM Pierpont U.S. Equity                     11/30/96                           05/31/96
Fund                                             02/04/97                           08/07/96
                                                 0000912057-97-002994               0000912057-96-016488
The JPM Pierpont U.S. Small                      11/30/96                           05/31/96
Company Fund                                     02/04/97                           08/07/96
                                                 0000912057-97-002991               0000912057-96-016486
</TABLE>
    

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\sai.wpf
                                                        108

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------
                                                 Date of Semi-Annual                Date of Annual
                                                 Report; Date Semi-                 Report; Date Annual
                                                 Annual Report Filed;               Report Filed; and
Name of Fund/Portfolio                           and Accession Number               Accession Number
- ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------  --------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>                                <C>

The JPM Pierpont International                   04/30/97                           10/31/96
Equity Fund                                      06/27/97                           01/07/97
                                                 0000912057-97-022098               0000912057-97-000344
The JPM Pierpont Diversified                     12/31/96                           06/30/96
Fund                                             03/07/97                           09/06/96
                                                 0000912057-97-008107               0000912057-96-019764
The JPM Pierpont Emerging                        04/30/97                           10/31/96
Markets Equity Fund                              06/27/97                           01/08/97
                                                 0000912057-97-022127               0000912057-97-000390
The JPM Pierpont New York                        N/A                                03/31/97
Total Return Bond Fund                                                              06/06/96
                                                                                    0000912057-97-019656
The Global Strategic Income                      04/30/97                           N/A
Portfolio                                        06/27/97
                                                 0000912057-97-022205
The JPM Pierpont Japan Equity                    N/A                                12/31/96
Fund                                                                                03/11/97
                                                                                    0000912057-97-008384
The JPM Pierpont European                        N/A                                12/31/96
Equity Fund                                                                         03/10/97
                                                                                    0000912057-97-008378
The JPM Pierpont Asia Growth                     N/A                                12/31/96
Fund                                                                                03/10/97
                                                                                    0000912057-97-008374



   
The JPM Pierpont International                   5/31/97                            N/A
Opprtunities Fund                                7/29/97
                                                 0000912057-97-025352                                                 
- ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------  --------------------------------
    


</TABLE>

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\sai.wpf
                                                        109
<PAGE>



APPENDIX A
Description of Security Ratings


STANDARD & POOR'S

Corporate and Municipal Bonds

AAA - Debt rated AAA has the highest ratings  assigned by Standard & Poor's to a
debt  obligation.  Capacity to pay  interest  and repay  principal  is extremely
strong.

AA - Debt  rated  AA has a very  strong  capacity  to  pay  interest  and  repay
principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in a small degree.

A - Debt  rated A has a strong  capacity  to pay  interest  and repay  principal
although it is somewhat more  susceptible  to the adverse  effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

BBB - Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate  capacity to pay interest
and  repay  principal.   Whereas  it  normally  exhibits   adequate   protection
parameters,  adverse  economic  conditions  or changing  circumstances  are more
likely to lead to a weakened  capacity to pay interest and repay  principal  for
debt in this category than for debt in higher rated categories.

BB - Debt rated BB is regarded as having less near-term vulnerability to default
than other speculative issues.  However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or
exposure to adverse business,  financial or economic conditions which could lead
to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments.

B - An obligation  rated B is more  vulnerable to  nonpayment  than  obligations
rated BB, but the  obligor  currently  has the  capacity  to meet its  financial
commitment  on  the  obligation.   Adverse  business,   financial,  or  economic
conditions will likely impair the obligor's  capacity or willingness to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation.

CCC - An  obligation  rated CCC is currently  vulnerable to  nonpayment,  and is
dependent upon favorable  business,  financial,  and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its  financial  commitment  on the  obligation.  In the event of
adverse business,  financial, or economic conditions,  the obligor is not likely
to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CC - An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

C - The C rating may be used to cover a situation  where a  bankruptcy  petition
has been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation
are being continued.






i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        A-1

<PAGE>



Commercial Paper, including Tax Exempt

A - Issues  assigned  this  highest  rating are  regarded as having the greatest
capacity for timely  payment.  Issues in this category are further  refined with
the designations 1, 2, and 3 to indicate the relative degree of safety.

A-1 - This  designation  indicates  that the degree of safety  regarding  timely
payment is very strong.

Short-Term Tax-Exempt Notes

SP-1 - The  short-term  tax-exempt  note  rating of SP-1 is the  highest  rating
assigned by  Standard & Poor's and has a very  strong or strong  capacity to pay
principal and interest.  Those issues determined to possess  overwhelming safety
characteristics are given a "plus" (+) designation.

SP-2 - The short-term tax-exempt note rating of SP-2 has a satisfactory capacity
to pay principal and interest.

MOODY'S

Corporate and Municipal Bonds

Aaa - Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest  degree of investment  risk and are generally  referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally  stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change,  such changes as can be  visualized  are most  unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Aa - Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds.  They are rated lower than the best bonds  because  margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or  fluctuation of protective  elements
may be of greater  amplitude or there may be other  elements  present which make
the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

A - Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade  obligations.  Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

Baa - Bonds  which are rated Baa are  considered  as medium  grade  obligations,
i.e., they are neither highly  protected nor poorly secured.  Interest  payments
and principal  security appear  adequate for the present but certain  protective
elements may be lacking or may be  characteristically  unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding  investment  characteristics  and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba - Bonds  which are rated Ba are judged to have  speculative  elements;  their
future cannot be considered as  well-assured.  Often the  protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        A-2

<PAGE>



during both good and bad times over the future.  Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.

B - Bonds  which are rated B generally  lack  characteristics  of the  desirable
investment.  Assurance of interest and principal  payments or of  maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa - Bonds  which are rated Caa are of poor  standing.  Such  issues  may be in
default or there may be present  elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.

Ca - Bonds which are rated Ca represent  obligations  which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C - Bonds  which are rated C are the lowest  rated  class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having  extremely  poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.

Commercial Paper, including Tax Exempt

Prime-1 - Issuers  rated  Prime-1 (or related  supporting  institutions)  have a
superior capacity for repayment of short-term  promissory  obligations.  Prime-1
repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:

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

Short-Term Tax Exempt Notes

MIG-1 - The  short-term  tax-exempt  note  rating  MIG-1 is the  highest  rating
assigned by Moody's  for notes  judged to be the best  quality.  Notes with this
rating enjoy strong  protection from  established  cash flows of funds for their
servicing  or  from  established  and  broad-based  access  to  the  market  for
refinancing, or both.

MIG-2 - MIG-2 rated notes are of high quality but with margins of protection not
as large as MIG-1.



i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        A-3

<PAGE>



APPENDIX B

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING NEW YORK MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS

         The following  information  is a summary of special  factors  affecting
investments  in New York  municipal  obligations.  It does not  purport  to be a
complete description and is based on information from the supplement (dated June
6, 1997) to the Annual Information Statement of the State of New York dated July
26, 1996,  as updated  January 31 1997,  and other sources of  information.  The
factors  affecting the  financial  condition of New York State (the "State") and
New York City (the "City") are complex and the following description constitutes
only a summary.

General

         The State is among the most  populous  states in the  nation  and has a
relatively high level of personal wealth.  The State's economy is diverse with a
comparatively  large share of the nation's finance,  insurance,  transportation,
communications  and services  employment  and a very small share of the nation's
farming and mining activity.  The State's location, air transport facilities and
natural harbors have made it an important link in international commerce. Travel
and  tourism  constitute  an  important  part of the  economy.  The  State has a
declining proportion of its workforce engaged in manufacturing and an increasing
proportion engaged in service industries.

         The State has  historically  been one of the  wealthiest  states in the
nation.  The State  economy  has grown more  slowly than that of the nation as a
whole,  resulting  in the gradual  erosion of its relative  economic  affluence.
Statewide,   urban  centers  have  experienced   significant  changes  involving
migration of the more  affluent to the suburbs and an influx of  generally  less
affluent  residents.  Historically,  the older  northeast  cities have  suffered
because  of the  relative  success  that  the  South  and the  West  have had in
attracting  people  and  business.  The  City  has  also  had  to  face  greater
competition  as  other  major  cities  have  developed  financial  and  business
capabilities  which  make  them  less  dependent  on  the  specialized  services
traditionally available almost exclusively in the City.

         Although  industry and commerce  are broadly  spread  across the State,
particular  activities  are  concentrated  in the following  areas:  Westchester
County --  headquarters  for  several  major  corporations;  Buffalo  -- diverse
manufacturing  base;  Rochester  --  manufacture  of  photographic  and  optical
equipment;   Syracuse  and  Utica-Rome  area  --  production  of  machinery  and
transportation  equipment;  Albany-Troy-Schenectady  -- government and education
center and  production of electrical  products;  Binghampton -- original site of
the International  Business Machines Corporation and continued  concentration of
employment in computer and other high technology manufacturing;  and the City --
headquarters for the nation's securities business and for a major portion of the
nation's major commercial  banks,  diversified  financial  institutions and life
insurance  companies.  In  addition,  the City houses the home  offices of major
radio and  television  broadcasting  networks,  many  national  magazines  and a
substantial  portion of the  nation's  book  publishers.  The City also  retains
leadership  in the design and  manufacture  of men's and women's  apparel and is
traditionally a tourist destination.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        B-1

<PAGE>



Economic Outlook

U. S. Economy

         The State has updated  its  mid-year  forecast  of  national  and State
economic activity through the end of calendar year 1998. The current  projection
is for  slightly  slower  growth  than  expected  in October  1996.  The revised
forecast projects real GDP growth of 2.3 percent in 1997, which is the same rate
now estimated for 1996,  followed by a 2.4 percent  increase in 1998. The growth
of nominal  GDP is  expected  to rise from 4.3 percent in 1996 to 4.5 percent in
1997 and 4.8 percent in 1998. The inflation rate is expected to remain stable at
2.9 percent in 1997 and decrease to 2.8 percent in 1998.  The annual rate of job
growth is expected  to slow to 1.6 percent in both 1997 and 1998,  down from the
2.0 percent  increase in 1996.  Growth in personal income and wages are expected
to slow accordingly in 1997 and 1998.

State Economy

         The State economic forecast has been changed only slightly from the one
formulated in October 1996. Moderate growth is projected to continue in 1997 for
employment,  wages, and personal  income,  followed by a slight slowing in 1998.
Personal  income is  estimated  to have grown by 5.2 percent in 1996,  fueled in
part by an unusually large increase in financial  sector bonus payments,  and is
projected  to  grow  4.5  percent  in 1997  and 4.2  percent  in  1998.  Overall
employment growth will continue at a modest rate, reflecting the moderate growth
of  the  national  economy,  continued  spending  restraint  in  government  and
restructuring in the health care, social service and banking sectors.

State Financial Plan

         The  State  Constitution   requires  the  Governor  to  submit  to  the
legislature  a balanced  executive  budget  which  contains  a complete  plan of
expenditures  (the "State  Financial  Plan") for the ensuing fiscal year and all
moneys and revenues  estimated to be available  therefor,  accompanied  by bills
containing  all  proposed  appropriations  or  reappropriations  and  any new or
modified revenue measures to be enacted in connection with the executive budget.
A final budget must be approved  before the  statutory  deadline of April 1. The
State Financial Plan is updated quarterly pursuant to law.

1997-98 State Financial Plan

         The Governor  presented his 1997-98 executive budget to the legislature
on January 14, 1997. The executive  budget also contains  financial  projections
for the State's  1998-99 and  1999-2000  fiscal  years,  detailed  estimates  of
receipts and an updated  capital  plan.  It is expected  that the Governor  will
prepare amendments to his executive budget as permitted under law and that these
amendments will be reflected in a revised State Financial Plan to be released on
or before February 13, 1997. There can be no assurance that the legislature will
enact the  executive  budget as proposed by the  Governor  into law, or that the
State's adopted budget projections will not differ materially and adversely from
the projections set forth in the State Financial Plan.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        B-2

<PAGE>



         The 1997-98 State  Financial  Plan projects  balance on a cash basis in
the General Fund.  It reflects a continuing  strategy of  substantially  reduced
State spending,  including program restructurings,  reductions in social welfare
spending  and  efficiency  and  productivity  initiatives.  Total  General  Fund
receipts and transfers  from other funds are projected to be $32.88  billion,  a
decrease of $88 million  from total  receipts  projected  in the current  fiscal
year. Total General Fund disbursement and transfers to other funds are projected
to be $32.84 billion,  a decrease of $56 million from spending totals  projected
for the current  fiscal year. As compared to the 1996-97 State  Financial  Plan,
the executive budget proposes a year-to-year decline in General Fund spending of
0.2 percent.  State funds  spending  (i.e.,  General  Fund plus other  dedicated
funds,  with the  exception of federal aid) is projected to grow by 1.2 percent.
Spending  from all  governmental  funds  (excluding  transfers)  is  proposed to
increase by 2.2 percent from the prior fiscal year.

         The  executive  budget  proposes $2.3 billion in actions to balance the
1997-98 State  Financial  Plan.  Before  reflecting any actions  proposed by the
Governor to restrain  spending,  General  Fund  disbursements  for 1997-98  were
projected to grow by approximately 4 percent.  This increase would have resulted
from growth in Medicaid,  higher fixed costs such as pensions and debt  service,
collective  bargaining  agreements,  inflation  and the  loss  of  non-recurring
resources that offset spending in 1996-97.  General Fund receipts were projected
to fall by roughly 3 percent.  This reduction  would have been  attributable  to
modest  growth in the  State's  economy  and  underlying  tax base,  the loss of
non-recurring  revenues  available in 1996-97 and  implementation  of previously
enacted tax reduction programs.

         The executive  budget  proposes to close this gap  primarily  through a
series of spending reductions and Medicaid cost containment measures, the use of
a portion of the 1996-97 projected budget surplus and other actions. The 1997-98
State Financial Plan projects  receipts of $32.88 billion and spending of $32.84
billion, allowing for a deposit of $24 million into the Contingency Reserve Fund
("CRF") and a year-ending CRF reserve of $65 million,  and a required  repayment
of $15 million to the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund ("TSRF").

         The State has not yet  adopted a budget for the  1997-98  fiscal  year,
which  began  on  April  1,  1997.  Debt  service  appropriations  for  existing
State-supported  obligations  have been  enacted for the entire  1997-98  fiscal
year. Legislation extending certain revenue-raising authority and making interim
appropriations  for  State  personal  service  costs,  various  grants  to local
governments  and certain  other items has been  submitted  by the  Governor  and
enacted by the legislature for the period through June 20, 1997. The Division of
the Budget  expects  that,  if the  1997-98  budget is not enacted by that date,
additional interim  appropriations will be submitted by the Governor and enacted
by the legislature.  While there can be no assurances that a protracted delay in
adoption  of the  1997-98  budget  will not have an adverse  impact on the State
Financial Plan, the Division of the Budget believes that continued reliance upon
interim  appropriations  and  extension  of  existing  law would  not  produce a
materially adverse impact on the State's cash flow position.

         On February 13, 1997 the Governor submitted amendments to his executive
budget as  permitted  under the State  Constitution.  These  amendments  had the
effect

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        B-3

<PAGE>



of increasing  total  disbursements  by $63 million,  fully offset by additional
resources expected to be available in 1997-98. The 1997-98 State Financial Plan,
as amended,  continued to project  balance on a cash basis in the General  Fund.
Total General Fund receipts and transfers  from other funds were projected to be
$32.94 billion.  Total General Fund  disbursements  and transfers to other funds
were projected to be $32.90 billion.

         On  March  10,  1997  the  legislature  and the  Governor  conducted  a
consensus economic and revenue  forecasting  process as required under law. As a
part of the consensus revenue  forecasting  process,  the Division of the Budget
updated the economic  forecast  upon which  receipts  estimates  are based.  The
forecast  for income  growth in 1997 was  increased  modestly  to the 5.2 to 5.6
percent  range,  consistent  with an  economic  outlook of modest  growth in the
State's  economy  and  moderate  inflation.  A complete  revision to the State's
economic  forecast will accompany the adopted budget and 1997-98 State Financial
Plan.

         Since the submission of amendments to the executive budget, discussions
between the  Governor  and the State  legislature  have  focused on the level of
resources  available to finance the 1997-98  State  Financial  Plan,  as well as
various approaches for resolving differences in a variety of programmatic areas.
The executive  branch has identified  approximately  $1.56 billion in unbudgeted
resources  for  use in the  1997-98  State  Financial  Plan.  The  Governor  has
indicated his willingness to seek agreement on an adopted budget for the 1997-98
fiscal year that  addresses both  executive and  legislative  priorities and any
newly  identified  costs  to the  State  within  the  constraints  of  available
resources and a balanced State Financial Plan.

         These additional resources have arisen primarily from revenues produced
by  stronger-than-expected  growth  in the  State's  economy  and  higher  final
personal  income tax payments for the 1996 tax year; an additional  $373 million
in  non-recurring  1996-97 cash  resources  (discussed  in the heading  entitled
"1996-97  State  Financial  Plan"  below);  and  approximately  $200  million in
non-recurring  federal aid for  reimbursement  of previous costs incurred by the
State for providing child protective services.

1996-97 State Financial Plan

         The State ended its 1996-97 fiscal year on March 31, 1997 in balance on
a cash  basis,  with a 1996-97  General  Fund cash  surplus as  reported  by the
Division  of the Budget of  approximately  $1.4  billion.  The cash  surplus was
derived  primarily from  higher-than-expected  revenues and  lower-than-expected
spending for social services programs. Of the cash surplus amount, $1.05 billion
was previously  budgeted by the Governor in his executive  budget to finance the
1997-98 State  Financial  Plan, and the additional $373 million is available for
use  in  financing  the  1997-98  State  Financial  Plan  when  enacted  by  the
legislature.

         The General Fund closing fund balance was $433 million. Of that amount,
$317 million was in the TSRF, after a required deposit of $15 million and an
additional deposit of $65 million in 1996-97. The TSRF can be used in the event
of any future General Fund deficit, as provided under the State Constitution and
State finance law. In addition, $41 million remains on deposit in the CRF. This

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        B-4

<PAGE>



fund  assists the State in financing  any  extraordinary  litigation  during the
fiscal  year.  The  remaining  $75  million  reflects  amounts on deposit in the
Community  Projects  Fund.  This fund was  created to fund  certain  legislative
initiatives.  The General  Fund  closing  fund  balance  does not include  $1.86
billion in the tax  refund  reserve  account,  of which  $521  million  was made
available as a result of the Local Government  Assistance  Corporation  ("LGAC")
financing program and was required to be on deposit as of March 31, 1997.

         General Fund  receipts and  transfers  from other funds for the 1996-97
fiscal year  totaled  $33.04  billion,  an increase of less than 1 percent  from
1995-96 levels (excluding  deposits into the tax refund reserve  account).  This
was $129 million lower than originally  projected in the 1996-97 State Financial
Plan as enacted in July 1996.  As  compared  to the  State's  July  projections,
personal income tax receipts were $730 million less than projected. Tax receipts
in all other  categories  were higher than  estimated  in the July  projections,
including  user  taxes and fees  ($72  million),  business  tax  receipts  ($457
million)  and other taxes and fees ($133  million).  Miscellaneous  receipts and
transfers  were a combined  $63  million  less than  projected  in the  original
1996-97 State  Financial  Plan.  The large  variance in the personal  income tax
projections  reflects  year-end actions that had the effect of reducing personal
income tax  receipts and  miscellaneous  receipts by about $1.7  billion.  These
actions included early  implementation of withholding table changes accompanying
scheduled  1997  personal  income  tax  reductions,  accelerated  payment  of an
estimated  $217  million in  personal  income tax  refunds  and a $1.26  billion
deposit of otherwise excess receipts to the tax refund reserve account. Adjusted
for these  actions,  personal  income  taxes were almost $1 billion  higher than
expected,  largely due to  higher-than-projected  withholding  and estimated tax
collections as a result of stronger-than-projected economic growth, particularly
in the financial markets and the securities industries.

         General Fund  disbursements and transfers to other funds totaled $32.90
billion for the 1996-97  fiscal  year,  an increase of less than 1 percent  from
unadjusted  1995-96 levels.  Disbursements and transfers were $226 million lower
than levels  projected in the July 1996-97 State  Financial  Plan  forecast.  As
compared to the July projections,  grants to local governments were $250 million
lower,  State operations  spending was $38 million lower,  general State charges
and debt service were $35 million lower than  projected,  and transfers to other
funds for debt  service,  capital  projects and other  purposes were $99 million
higher  than  originally  projected.  Much of the  decline  in local  assistance
spending  was the result of  lower-than-projected  public  assistance  caseload,
while the increase in transfers relates to re-estimates in lottery proceeds.

         Disbursements in governmental funds for the 1996-97 fiscal year totaled
$62.95  billion,  $3 billion lower than projected at the beginning of the fiscal
year.  Much of this  variance  was due to the  uncertainty  surrounding  federal
action on  entitlement  spending  at the  beginning  of the fiscal  year.  Total
unadjusted  governmental  funds  spending  decreased $278 million or 0.4 percent
below the 1995-96 fiscal year.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        B-5

<PAGE>



Special Considerations

         The Division of the Budget  believes that the economic  assumptions and
projections of receipts and  disbursements  accompanying  the 1997-98  executive
budget, as modified by its revised economic forecast,  are reasonable,  and that
the 1997-98 State  Financial Plan is balanced as currently  projected.  However,
the  economic  and  financial  condition of the State may be affected by various
financial,  social,  economic and political  factors.  Those factors can be very
complex,  can vary from fiscal year to fiscal year and are frequently the result
of actions  taken not only by the State but also by entities such as the federal
government that are outside the State's control.  Because of the uncertainty and
unpredictability  of  changes in these  factors,  their  impact  cannot be fully
included in the assumptions underlying the State's projections.  There can be no
assurance that the State economy will not experience results that are worse than
predicted,  with  corresponding  material  and  adverse  effects on the  State's
financial projections.  There can also be no assurance that the legislature will
enact the  executive  budget as currently  proposed or that the State's  actions
will be sufficient to preserve  budgetary balance or to align recurring receipts
and disbursements in either 1997-98 or in future fiscal years.

         Both houses of the legislature have proposed  additional tax reductions
beyond those reflected in the State's current projections for 1997-98 and beyond
that, if enacted,  could make it more  difficult to achieve  budget balance over
this period.  In  particular,  reduction or elimination of the State's sales tax
treatment of clothing and footwear  costing under $500 has been  discussed.  The
State now receives  approximately  $700 million  annually  under the current tax
statutes from taxation on clothing,  and localities receive a roughly equivalent
amount.

         Potential changes to federal tax law currently under discussion as part
of the  federal  government's  efforts  to  enact a  multiyear  deficit  and tax
reduction package could alter the federal definitions of income on which certain
State taxes rely. Certain proposals, if enacted, could have a significant impact
on State revenues in 1997-98 and thereafter. For example, proposals to alter the
maximum  effective  tax rate on capital  gains  could  raise or lower  State tax
receipts materially,  depending upon the statutory approach adopted by Congress,
as well as on the resulting taxpayer behavior.

         On  August  22,  1996,  the  President  signed  into  law the  Personal
Responsibility  and Work  Opportunity  Reconciliation  Act of 1996. This federal
legislation  fundamentally changed the programmatic and fiscal  responsibilities
for  administration of welfare programs at the federal,  state and local levels:
The new law  abolishes  the  federal  Aid to Families  with  Dependent  Children
program  ("AFDC"),  and creates a new  Temporary  Assistance  to Needy  Families
program ("TANF") funded with a fixed federal block grant to states.  The new law
also imposes (with  certain  exceptions)  a five-year  durational  limit on TANF
recipients,  requires  that  virtually  all  recipients  be  engaged  in work or
community service  activities within two years of receiving  benefits and limits
assistance  provided to certain  immigrants  and other  classes of  individuals.
States are required to meet work activity  participation  targets for their TANF
caseload;  these  requirements are phased in over time. States that fail to meet
these federally mandated job participation rates, or that fail to conform with

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        B-6

<PAGE>



certain  other  federal  standards,  face  potential  sanctions in the form of a
reduced federal block grant.

         Proposed   legislation  that  includes  both  provisions  necessary  to
implement  the State's TANF plan to conform with federal law and  implement  the
Governor's  welfare  reform  proposal is still pending  before the  legislature.
There can be no assurances of timely enactment of certain conforming  provisions
required  under  federal law.  Further  delay  increases the risk that the State
could incur fiscal penalties for failure to comply with federal law.

Government Funds

         The four governmental fund types that comprise the State Financial Plan
are the General Fund, the Special Revenue Funds, the Capital Projects Funds, and
the Debt Service Funds.

General Fund Receipts

         The  1997-98  State  Financial  Plan  projects  General  Fund  receipts
(including  transfers  from other  funds) of $32.88  billion,  a decrease of $88
million  from the 1996-97  projected  level.  The  estimate of taxes for 1997-98
reflects  overall growth in the yield of the tax  structures  (when adjusted for
tax law and  administrative  changes) of between 4 and 4.5  percent,  reflecting
modest growth in the economy and continued  moderate  inflation.  The effects of
this growth are offset by the impact of previously  enacted tax  reductions  and
new tax cut proposals as outlined below.

         The executive  budget contains  several new tax  initiatives  which are
projected  to reduce  total  receipts  by $170  million in 1997-98.  First,  the
Governor  has  proposed a School Tax Relief  initiative  ("STAR"),  a  multiyear
property tax reduction proposal that, when fully implemented, would provide $1.7
billion in school  property tax savings  through the  replacement of these local
revenues with dedicated  State  revenues.  The initial year of the STAR property
tax reduction program has the effect of reducing personal income tax receipts by
$110 million in the 1997-98 State Financial Plan.  Second,  the executive budget
proposes to begin the process of eliminating the State portion of the estate tax
through  adoption of the federal credit for State death taxes,  and also phasing
out the State gift tax over a  multiyear  period.  This  proposal  would  reduce
revenues from these taxes by $10 million in 1997-98 and larger amounts in future
years.  Finally,  the  Governor  has  proposed  an  unspecified  $50 million tax
reduction program designed to spur private sector job creation in the State. For
State Financial Plan purposes,  the $50 million is shown as a charge against the
personal income tax.

         Personal  income tax  collections  for 1997-98 are now  projected to be
$17.04  billion,  an increase of $471 million from the projected  1996-97 level.
This  estimate  reflects  growth in "constant  law"  liability  (i.e.,  taxpayer
liability  before  scheduled or proposed tax  reductions)  of about 5 percent in
1997,  partially offset by personal income tax reductions  already in law, which
are estimated to produce  taxpayer savings of almost $4 billion in 1997-98 ($1.7
billion  more  than in the  current  fiscal  year)  and the  proposed  STAR  tax
reduction program referenced above.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        B-7

<PAGE>



         User tax and fee receipts are projected at $7.02 billion in 1997-98, up
$255 million from 1996-97 projected  levels.  Total collections in this category
are dominated by the State sales and use tax,  which  accounts for 77 percent of
total receipts in the category. The moderate economic expansion experienced this
year is expected to slow  somewhat next year,  producing an estimated  growth in
the base of the sales and use tax of 4.2 percent in 1997-98.

         Total business  taxes are now projected at $4.76 billion in 1997-98,  a
decrease of $65 million  from 1996-97  levels.  While  "constant-law"  liability
growth is  anticipated  to  continue  in  1997-98  the effect of  scheduled  tax
reductions  taking effect in 1997 (including the elimination of the business tax
surcharge)  leads to a  year-to-year  decline.  The  business  tax decline  also
reflects  the  continuing  diversion of business  tax  receipts  into  dedicated
transportation funds.

         Other tax receipts are now projected at $850 million, down $191 million
from the  estimated  current  year level.  The decline in receipts  reflects the
dedication of the real estate transfer tax for support of environmental purposes
($87  million of receipts  from this tax support  the  Environmental  Protection
Fund, and the balance  supports debt service on the Clean  Water/Clean  Air Bond
Act with any excess  transferred  back to the General  Fund).  The decline  also
reflects the first full-year impact of the repeal of the real property gains tax
and the initial  impact of the proposed  gift and estate tax changes  referenced
above.

         Miscellaneous  receipts,  which include license revenues,  fee and fine
income,  investment  income  and  abandoned  property  proceeds,  as well as the
proceeds of the largest share of the State's  medical  provider  assessment  and
various one-time transactions,  are estimated to total $l.49 billion in 1997-98,
a decline  of $657  million  from the  current  year.  This  decline  is largely
attributable  to the loss of  several  one-time  transactions  in  1996-97  that
contributed approximately $750 million in receipts in 1996-97.

         Transfers  from other funds consist  primarily of sales tax revenues in
excess of debt service  requirements  used to support  debt service  payments to
LGAC.  Projected  amounts in this category for 1997-98 total $1.72  billion,  an
increase of $99 million from 1996-97 levels.

Disbursements

         The 1997-98 State Financial Plan projects General Fund disbursements of
$32.84 billion, a decrease of $56 million from projected spending levels for the
current year.

         Disbursements   from  the  category  of  Grants  to  Local  Governments
constitute  approximately  68 percent of all General  Fund  spending and include
payments   to  local   governments,   nonprofit   providers   and   individuals.
Disbursements  in this  category  are  projected  to  decline  by $705  million,
primarily  reflecting  proposed  reductions in State  Medicaid  spending of $579
million.  The State's  tuition  assistance  program  would be reduced to achieve
savings of $142 million.  General Fund support for school aid would  increase by
$293 million on a State fiscal year basis. This category is also affected by the
proposed  reclassification of economic development spending previously reflected
in the State operations

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        B-8

<PAGE>



category  ($13  million)  and a  further  proposed  reclassification  of  higher
education debt service  payments from this category to the debt service category
of the State Financial Plan ($207 million).

         Support for State operations is projected to decline by $615 million to
$5.2  billion in  1997-98.  Almost all of this  decline is  attributable  to the
proposed  transfer  of  support  for  State  University  of  New  York  ("SUNY")
operations  from the General Fund to the Special  Revenue fund type. All General
Fund support for SUNY is proposed for  transfer  into a single  unified fund for
SUNY  operations.  After adjusting for this proposed  change,  State  operations
disbursements  increase modestly,  reflecting the costs of previously negotiated
salary  increases  offset by  proposed  agency  efficiencies  and the  continued
decline in the size of the State's  workforce.  The executive budget  recommends
net reductions of approximately 1,700 positions,  bringing the size of the State
workforce to approximately 191,000 by the end of the 1997-98 fiscal year.

         General  State charges are projected to total $2.29 billion in 1997-98,
an  increase of $146  million  from  1996-97  projected  levels.  This change is
affected  by the  proposed  transfer of costs for SUNY  operations  to a Special
Revenue Fund, which lowers projected  spending in this category by $126 million.
Pension-related  costs are expected to increase by $270 million,  reflecting the
impact of certain  non-recurring  actions taken in 1996-97 which lowered General
Fund  costs,  and the  increase in costs  associated  with the  amortization  of
certain pension  liabilities.  Health insurance costs, the largest  component of
this category, are projected to remain stable from calendar year 1996 to 1997.

         General  Fund  debt  service  includes  short-tern  obligations  of the
State's  commercial paper program and debt service on its long-term bonds, which
are reflected as transfers to the Debt Service Fund.  Projected  short-term debt
service  costs are expected to be $11 million for 1997-98.  Transfers in support
of debt  service are  projected to be $1.89  billion in 1997-98,  an increase of
$314 million.  Of the projected  increase,  $207 million is  attributable to the
reclassification  of City  University  of New  York  ("CUNY")  higher  education
spending from grants to local  governments to the debt service  category so that
this category conforms to debt service levels. Transfers to the Capital Projects
Fund are  projected to be $180 million for 1997-98,  an increase of $59 million.
This transfer is net of all other  resources  available in the Capital  Projects
Fund  and  reflects   increased   General  Fund  support  for   maintenance  and
rehabilitation  of State  facilities in order to replace  certain  non-recurring
revenues available in 1996-97 for this purpose.

General Fund Closing Fund Balance

         The 1997-98 closing fund balance in the General Fund is projected to be
$397 million.  The required deposit to the TSRF adds $15 million to the expected
1996-97 balance of $317 million in that fund, bringing the total to $332 million
at the close of 1997-98.  The remaining  General Fund balance reflects a reserve
of $65  million  in the CRF  (after an  additional  deposit  of $24  million  in
1997-98)  to  provide  resources  to finance  potential  costs  associated  with
litigation  against the State.  The closing  fund  balance  excludes  amounts on
deposit in the tax refund reserve account.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        B-9

<PAGE>



Non-recurring Resources

         The Division of the Budget  estimates that the 1997-98 State  Financial
Plan includes approximately $66 million in non-recurring  resources,  comprising
0.4 percent of the  General  Fund  budget.  These  include  $25  million  from a
refunding  of Housing  Finance  Agency  bonds and $41  million in  miscellaneous
receipts and revenue transfers. Recommendations included in the executive budget
are  expected to provide  fully  annualized  savings in 1998-99  which more than
offset the non-recurring resources used in 1997-98. The 1997-98 executive budget
also  utilizes  $943  million of  projected  1996-97  resources  for purposes of
balancing the 1997-98 State Financial Plan.

Special Revenue Funds

         For 1997-98, the State Financial Plan projects  disbursements of $29.46
billion from Special  Revenue Funds,  increase of $2.13  billion.  This includes
$8.4 billion from Special  Revenue Funds  containing  State  revenues and $21.05
billion from funds  containing  federal  grants,  primarily  for social  welfare
programs.

         The  1997-98  executive  budget  recommends  that all SUNY  revenues be
consolidated in a single fund,  permitting SUNY more  flexibility and control in
the use of its  revenues.  As a result of this  proposal,  General  Fund support
would be transferred  to this fund,  rather than spent directly from the General
Fund.  SUNY's  spending  from this fund is projected  to total $2.74  billion in
1997-98.  The Mass  Transportation  Operating  Assistance Fund and the Dedicated
Mass  Transportation   Trust  Fund,  which  receive  taxes  earmarked  for  mass
transportation  programs  throughout  the  State,  are  projected  to have total
disbursements  of $1.29  billion in 1997-98.  Disbursements  also include  $1.66
billion  in STAR  proceeds  from a new fund  financed  by lottery  proceeds  and
dedicated personal income tax receipts.  Proceeds from this fund will be used to
make  start-up  payments  to school  districts  each year,  as well as the local
property tax  reduction  payments for the STAR  program.  Disbursements  of $660
million from the Disproportionate Share Medicaid Assistance Fund constitute most
of the  remaining  estimated  State  Special  Revenue  Funds  disbursements  for
1997-98.

         Total  federal  Special  Revenue Fund  disbursements  are  projected at
$21.05  billion in 1997-98,  an increase of $944  million  from the current year
projected level.  Federal Special Revenue Fund projections assume the receipt of
$12.16  billion in total  federal  Medicaid  reimbursements  and $2.7 billion in
federal reimbursement for the State's welfare programs.  Most of the increase in
federal funds is due to increased  welfare funding under the new federal welfare
block  grant.  All other  federal  spending is  projected  at $6.19  billion for
1997-98, an increase of $405 million.

Capital Projects Funds

         Disbursements  from the Capital Projects Funds in 1997-98 are estimated
at $3.93  billion,  or $57 million less than 1996-97  projections.  The spending
plan includes: $2.2 billion in disbursements for the third year of the five-year
$12.7  billion  State and local  highway  and bridge  program;  $110  million in
spending from the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act approved by the voters in 1996;

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                       B-10

<PAGE>



correctional services spending of $251 million; and SUNY capital spending of
$185 million.

         The  share  of  capital  projects  to be  financed  by  "pay-as-you-go"
resources is  projected to be  approximately  24 percent.  State-supported  bond
issuances finance 48 percent of capital projects,  with federal grants financing
the remaining 28 percent.

Debt Service Funds

         Disbursements  from Debt Service Funds are estimated at $3.02 billion m
1997-98, an increase of $464 million from 1996-97. Of this increase, $81 million
is  attributable to  transportation  bonding for the State and local highway and
bridge  programs  which are financed by the  Dedicated  Highway and Bridge Trust
Fund, and $45 million is for the mental hygiene  programs  financed  through the
Mental Health  Services  Fund.  This increase also reflects $262 million in CUNY
senior  and  community  college  debt  service  formally   classified  as  local
assistance in the General Fund. Debt service for LGAC bonds is projected at $340
million.

Cash Flow

         The projected  1997-98 General Fund cash flow will not depend on either
short-term  spring  borrowing or the issuance of LGAC bonds.  The new-money bond
issuance  portion of the LGAC program was completed in 1995-96,  and  provisions
prohibiting  the State from returning to a reliance upon cash flow  manipulation
to balance  its budget will  remain in bond  covenants  until the LGAC bonds are
retired.

         The 1997-98 cash flow  projects  substantial  closing  balances in each
quarter of the fiscal year,  with  excesses in receipts  over  disbursements  in
every quarter of the fiscal year, and no monthly  balance (prior to March) lower
than $400 million.  The closing fund balance is projected at $397  million.  The
cash flow projections assume continuation of legislation enacted in 1996-97 that
permits the State to use balances in the Lottery Fund for cash flow purposes.

Outyear Projections of Receipts and Disbursements

         General  Fund  receipts  are  projected  at $33.02  billion  and $33.91
billion for 1998-99 and 1999-2000,  respectively.  The receipts projections were
prepared on the basis of an economic  forecast  of a steadily  growing  national
economy,  in an environment  of low inflation and slow  employment  growth.  The
forecast for the State's  economic  performance  likewise is for slow but steady
economic growth. The receipt  projections reflect tax reductions proposed in the
executive  budget that will  reduce  receipts by an  estimated  $798  million in
1998-99 and at $1.43  billion in 1999-2000.  The bulk of previously  enacted tax
reductions  are  annualized  in  1997-98,  and their  impact in the out years is
largely proportional to projected growth in the underlying tax liability.

         Disbursements  from the General Fund are projected at $34.60 billion in
1998-99 and $35.93 billion in 1999-2000,  before  assuming  additional  spending
efficiencies   and/or   additional   federal  revenue   maximization.   Assuming
implementation of proposed cost containment and other actions proposed in the

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                       B-11

<PAGE>



executive  budget,  annual  disbursements for fiscal years 1998-99 and 1999-2000
grow by $1.77 billion and $1.33 billion, respectively.  This includes additional
support for school aid  pursuant  to the STAR  program.  Disbursement  growth is
higher in 1998-99,  in part,  because an  additional  payroll  date and Medicaid
cycle will come due, adding non-recurring costs of $286 million to that year.

         It is  expected  that the State's  1998-99  State  Financial  Plan will
reflect a continuing strategy of substantially reduced State spending, including
agency  consolidations,  reductions in the State  workforce,  and efficiency and
productivity  initiatives.  As Medicaid,  welfare and other reforms  continue to
evolve at both the State and federal level,  additional  savings are expected to
accrue  to the  State.  As in the past,  the  State  also  expects  to  continue
aggressive efforts to secure federal funds.  Therefore,  the outyear projections
assume a target of $600  million in  savings  from  these  reforms  in  1998-99,
growing to $800 million in  1999-2000.  It is expected  that the  Governor  will
propose to close these remaining  budget  imbalances  primarily  through further
spending reductions.

Prior Fiscal Years

1995-96 Fiscal Year

         The  State  ended its  1995-96  fiscal  year on March  31,  1996 with a
General Fund cash  surplus.  The Division of the Budget  reported  that revenues
exceeded projections by $270 million, while spending for social service programs
was lower than forecast by $120 million and all other  spending was lower by $55
million.  From the resulting  benefit of $445 million,  a $65 million  voluntary
deposit  was made into the TSRF,  and $380  million  was used to reduce  1996-97
State Financial Plan  liabilities by accelerating  1996-97  payments,  deferring
1995-96 revenues and making a deposit to the tax refund reserve account.

         The General Fund closing fund balance was $287 million,  an increase of
$129  million from 1994-95  levels.  The $129 million  change in fund balance is
attributable  to the $65 million  voluntary  deposit to the TSRF,  a $15 million
required  deposit to the TSRF, a $40 million deposit to the CRF and a $9 million
deposit to the Revenue Accumulation Fund. The closing fund balance includes $237
million on deposit  in the TSRF,  to be used in the event of any future  General
Fund deficit as provided under the State  Constitution and State finance law. In
addition, $41 million is on deposit in the CRF. The CRF was established in State
fiscal year 1993-94 to assist the State in financing the costs of  extraordinary
litigation.  The remaining $9 million reflects amounts on deposit in the Revenue
Accumulation   Fund.  This  fund  was  created  to  hold  certain  tax  receipts
temporarily  before their deposit to other accounts.  In addition,  $678 million
was on deposit in the tax refund  reserve  account,  of which $521  million  was
necessary to complete the restructuring of the State's cash flow under LGAC.

         General Fund receipts totaled $32.81 billion, a decrease of 1.1 percent
from 1994-95 levels. This decrease reflects the impact of tax reductions enacted
and effective in both 1994 and 1995. General Fund  disbursements  totaled $32.68
billion for the 1995-96  fiscal  year,  a decrease of 2.2 percent  from  1994-95
levels. Mid-year spending reductions, taken as part of a management

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                       B-12

<PAGE>



review  undertaken in October at the direction of the Governor,  yielded savings
from Medicaid utilization  controls,  office space  consolidation,  overtime and
contractual expense reductions, and statewide productivity improvements achieved
by State  agencies.  Together with  decreased  social  services  spending,  this
management review accounts for the bulk of the decline in spending.

1994-95 Fiscal Year

         The State  ended its  1994-95  fiscal  year  with the  General  Fund in
balance.  The $241 million decline in the fund balance  reflects the planned use
of $264 million from the CRF,  partially  offset by the required  deposit of $23
million to the TSRF. In addition,  $278 million was on deposit in the tax refund
reserve account,  $250 million of which was deposited to continue the process of
restructuring  the State's  cash flow as part of the LGAC  program.  The closing
fund balance of $158 million reflects $157 million in the TSRF and $1 million in
the CRF.

         General  Fund  receipts  totaled  $33.16  billion,  an increase of 2.9%
percent from 1993-94 levels.  General Fund disbursements  totaled $33.40 billion
for the 1994-95 fiscal year, an increase of 4.7 percent from the previous fiscal
year.  The  increase  in  disbursements  was  primarily  the result of  one-time
litigation  costs for the  State,  funded by the use of the CRF,  offset by $188
million in spending  reductions  initiated  in January 1995 to avert a potential
gap in the 1994-95 State Financial Plan.  These actions  included savings from a
hiring freeze, halting the development of certain services and the suspension of
nonessential capital projects.

Certain Litigation

         The  legal  proceedings  noted  below  involve  State  finances,  State
programs or  miscellaneous  tort, real property and contract claims in which the
State is a defendant  and the monetary  damages  sought are  substantial.  These
proceedings  could  affect  adversely  the  financial  condition  of  the  State
hereafter. The State will describe newly initiated proceedings.

State Finance Policies

Insurance Law

         In Trustees of and The  Pension,  Hospitalization  Benefit  Plan of the
Electrical Industry, et al. v. Cuomo, et al. (commenced November 25, 1992 in the
United States  District Court for the Eastern  District of New York),  plaintiff
employee welfare benefit plans sought a declaratory  judgment  nullifying on the
ground of federal  preemption  provisions of Section 2807-c of the Public Health
Law and  implementing  regulations  which  impose a bad debt  and  charity  care
allowance on all hospital  bills and a 13 percent  surcharge on inpatient  bills
paid by  employee  welfare  benefit  plans.  This  case  has been  dismissed  by
stipulation and order, by and among the parties, with prejudice.

         Two  separate  proceedings  challenge  regulations  promulgated  by the
Superintendent  of Insurance  establishing  excess medical  malpractice  premium
rates for the 1986-87  through  1995-96 and 1996-97  fiscal years,  respectively
(New York

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                       B-13

<PAGE>



State Health Maintenance Organization Conference, Inc., et al. v. Muhl, et al.,
Supreme Court, Albany County). Plaintiffs allege that the method of rate
calculation is arbitrary, capricious and excessive and seek, inter alia, to 
annul the present rates and to compel the State to refund accumulated surpluses
not actuarially required.

Tax Law

         Aspects of petroleum  business taxes are the subject of  administrative
claims and litigation. In Tug Buster Bouchard, et al. v. Wetzler (Supreme Court,
Albany County,  commenced November 13, 1992),  petitioner tugboat  corporations,
which  purchased  fuel out of State and  consumed  such fuel  within  the State,
contended that the assessment of the petroleum  business tax pursuant to Tax Law
ss.301  to  such  fuel  violated  the  commerce  clause  of  the  United  States
Constitution.  Petitioners  contended that the application of Section 301 to the
interstate  transaction  but not to  purchasers  who purchased and consumed fuel
within the State discriminated  against interstate  commerce.  By decision dated
November  14,  1996,  based  upon the  State's  concession  that the  challenged
provision was unconstitutional as applied to the petitioners and other similarly
situated  vessels,  the Court of  Appeals  affirmed  the order of the  Appellate
Division,  Third  Department,  dated  January 4,  1996,  which held that Tax Law
ss.301(a)(l)(ii)  (the portion of the petroleum  business tax applicable between
1984 and September 1, 1990 to petroleum  businesses  which import petroleum into
the State for consumption in the State) was unconstitutional. The State's motion
for  reargument,  seeking  clarification  and/or  modification  of the  Court of
Appeals decision, was denied by order dated December 20, 1996.

         In Matter of the  Petition  of  Consolidated  Rail  Corporation  v. Tax
Appeals Tribunal (Appellate Division,  Third Department,  commenced December 22,
1995),  petitioner rail freight  corporation,  which purchases diesel motor fuel
out of State and imports the fuel into the State for use, distribution,  storage
or sale in the State, contends that the assessment of the petroleum business tax
pursuant to Tax Law ss.301-a to such fuel purchases violates the commerce clause
of the United States  Constitution.  Petitioner contends that the application of
Section 301-a to the interstate  transaction  but not to purchasers who purchase
fuel  within the State for use,  distribution,  storage or sale within the State
discriminates against interstate commerce.

         In New York  Association of Convenience  Stores,  et al. v. Urbach,  et
al.,   petitioners  New  York  Association  of  Convenience   Stores,   National
Association  of  Convenience  Stores,  M.W.S.  Enterprises,  Inc. and Sugarcreek
Stores,  Inc.  seek to compel  respondents,  the  Commissioner  of Taxation  and
Finance and the Department of Taxation and Finance,  to enforce sales and excise
taxes pursuant to Tax Law Articles 12-A, 20 and 28 on tobacco products and motor
fuel sold to non-Indian consumers on Indian reservations. In orders dated August
13, 1996 and August 24, 1996, the Supreme Court, Albany County,  ordered,  inter
alia, that there be equal implementation and enforcement of said taxes for sales
to non-Indian  consumers on and off Indian reservations and further ordered that
if  respondents  failed to comply within 120 days, no tobacco  products or motor
fuel  could be  introduced  onto  Indian  reservations  other  than  for  Indian
consumption  or,  alternatively,  the collection  and  enforcement of such taxes
would be suspended  statewide.  Respondents  appealed to the Appellate Division,
Third Department and invoked CPLR

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                       B-14

<PAGE>



5519(a)(1),  which provides that the taking of the appeal stayed all proceedings
to enforce the orders pending the appeal. Petitioner's motion to vacate the stay
was denied. In a decision entered May 8, 1997, the Third Department modified the
orders  by  deleting  the  portion  thereof  that  provided  for  the  statewide
suspension of the  enforcement  and  collection of the sales and excise taxes on
motor fuel and tobacco  products.  The Third  Department  held, inter alia, that
petitioners  had not sought  such  relief in their  petition  and that it was an
error for the Supreme  Court to have  awarded  such  undemanded  relief  without
adequate notice of its intent to do so. On May 22, 1997, respondents appealed to
the Court of Appeals on other grounds and again invoked the statutory stay.

         On May 23, 1997, petitioners moved in Supreme Court, Albany County, for
an order  compelling the  enforcement of the provisions of Articles 12-A, 20 and
28 as applicable to tobacco products and motor fuel sold to non-Indian consumers
on Indian  reservations by barring  introduction  of tobacco  products and motor
fuel onto  Indian  reservations  other  than for Indian  consumption  or, in the
alternative,  suspending  statewide the  collection of Articles  12-A, 20 and 28
taxes respecting tobacco products and motor fuel.

Localities

The City of New York

         The  fiscal  health  of the State may also be  affected  by the  fiscal
health of the City, which continues to require significant  financial assistance
from the State. The City depends on State aid both to enable the City to balance
its budget and to meet its cash  requirements.  The City has  achieved  balanced
operating  results  for each of its  fiscal  years  since  1981 as  reported  in
accordance with the then-applicable GAAP standards.

Fiscal Oversight

         In response to the City's fiscal crisis in 1975,  the State took action
to assist the City in returning to fiscal  stability.  Among those actions,  the
State established the Municipal Assistance  Corporation For The City of New York
("NYC  MAC") to provide  financing  assistance  to the City;  the New York State
Financial  Control Board (the "Control  Board") to oversee the City's  financial
affairs; and the Office of the State Deputy Comptroller for the City of New York
("OSDC")   to  assist  the   Control   Board  in   exercising   its  powers  and
responsibilities.  A control  period  existed from 1975 to 1986 during which the
City was subject to certain statutorily prescribed fiscal controls. Although the
Control  Board  terminated  the control  period in 1986 when  certain  statutory
conditions  were  met and  suspended  certain  Control  Board  powers,  upon the
occurrence  or  "substantial  likelihood  and  imminence"  of the  occurrence of
certain events,  including (but not limited to) a City operating  budget deficit
of more than $100  million or  impaired  access to public  credit  markets,  the
Control Board is required by law to reimpose a control period.

         Currently,  the City and its covered  organizations  (i.e., those which
receive  or  may  receive   moneys  from  the  City   directly,   indirectly  or
contingently)  operate under a four-year  financial plan which the City prepares
annually  and  periodically  updates.  The City's  financial  plan  includes its
capital, revenue and

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                       B-15

<PAGE>



expense  projections and outlines proposed  gap-closing  programs for years with
projected  budget gaps. The City's  projections  set forth in its financial plan
are based on various assumptions and contingencies,  some of which are uncertain
and  may  not  materialize.   Unforeseen   developments  and  changes  in  major
assumptions could significantly  affect the City's ability to balance its budget
as  required  by  State  law and to meet its  annual  cash  flow  and  financing
requirements.

         Implementation  of the City's financial plan is also dependent upon the
ability of the City and certain covered organizations to market their securities
successfully.  The City issues securities to finance, refinance and rehabilitate
infrastructure and other capital needs, as well as for seasonal financing needs.
The City currently projects that if no action is taken, it will exceed its State
constitutional  general  debt limit  beginning  in City  fiscal  year 1998.  The
current  financial  plan  includes  certain  alternative  methods of financing a
portion of the City's  capital  program  which  require  State or other  outside
approval.  Future developments  concerning the City or its covered organizations
and  public  discussion  of such  developments,  as well  as  prevailing  market
conditions and securities credit ratings, may affect the ability or cost to sell
securities issued by the City or such covered  organizations and may also affect
the market for their outstanding securities.

Monitoring Agencies

         The staffs of the Control Board,  OSDC and the City  Comptroller  issue
periodic  reports  on the  City's  financial  plans  which  analyze  the  City's
forecasts of revenues and expenditures,  cash flow and debt service requirements
for, and financial plan compliance by, the City and its covered organizations.

         According to recent staff reports,  the City's economy has  experienced
weak  employment and moderate wage and income growth  throughout the mid-1990's.
Although this trend is expected to continue for the rest of the decade, there is
the risk of a slowdown in the City's economy in the next few years,  which would
depress  revenue  growth and put  further  strains on the City's  budget.  These
reports have also  indicated that recent City budgets have been balanced in part
through the use of non-recurring resources; that the City's financial plan tends
to rely on actions outside its direct control; that the City has not yet brought
its long-term expenditure growth in line with recurring revenue growth; and that
the City is therefore likely to continue to face substantial  future budget gaps
that must be closed with reduced expenditures and/or increased revenues.

Other Localities

         Certain localities outside the City have experienced financial problems
and have  requested and received  additional  State  assistance  during the last
several  State fiscal  years.  The  potential  impact on the State of any future
requests  by  localities  for  additional  assistance  is  not  included  in the
projections of the State's  receipts and  disbursements  for the State's 1996-97
fiscal year.

         Fiscal difficulties  experienced by the City of Yonkers resulted in the
reestablishment  of the  Financial  Control Board for the City of Yonkers by the
State in 1984. That Board is charged with oversight of the fiscal affairs of

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                       B-16

<PAGE>



Yonkers. Future actions taken by the State to assist Yonkers could result in
increased State expenditures for extraordinary local assistance.

         Beginning in 1990,  the City of Troy  experienced a series of budgetary
deficits that resulted in the  establishment of a Supervisory Board for the City
of Troy in 1994. The  Supervisory  Board's  powers were increased in 1995,  when
Troy  Municipal  Assistance  Corporation  ("Troy  MAC") was created to help Troy
avoid  default  on  certain  obligations.  The  legislation  creating  Troy  MAC
prohibits the city from seeking  federal  bankruptcy  protection  while Troy MAC
bonds are outstanding.

         Seventeen  municipalities received extraordinary  assistance during the
1996 legislative session through $50 million in special appropriations  targeted
for distressed cities.

         Municipalities   and  school  districts  have  engaged  in  substantial
short-term  and long-term  borrowings.  In 1994, the total  indebtedness  of all
localities in the State other that in the City was approximately  $17.7 billion.
A small portion  (approximately $82.9 million) of that indebtedness  represented
borrowing  to  finance  budgetary  deficits  and was  issued  pursuant  to State
enabling  legislation.  State law  requires the  Comptroller  to review and make
recommendations  concerning  the budgets of those local  government  units other
than the City  authorized by State law to issue debt to finance  deficits during
the period that such deficit financing is outstanding.  Seventeen localities had
outstanding indebtedness for deficit financing at the close of their fiscal year
ending in 1994.

         From time to time, federal  expenditure  reductions could reduce, or in
some cases  eliminate,  federal  funding of some local programs and  accordingly
might  impose  substantial  increased   expenditure   requirements  on  affected
localities.  If the  State,  the City or any of the public  authorities  were to
suffer serious financial  difficulties  jeopardizing  their respective access to
the  public  credit  markets,  the  marketability  of notes and bonds  issued by
localities  within the State could be adversely  affected.  Localities also face
anticipated and potential  problems  resulting from certain pending  litigation,
judicial decisions and long-range economic trends. Long-range potential problems
of declining urban population, increasing expenditures and other economic trends
could adversely affect localities and require increasing State assistance in the
future.



i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                       B-17

<PAGE>



APPENDIX C
INVESTING IN JAPAN AND ASIAN GROWTH MARKETS

JAPAN AND ITS SECURITIES MARKETS

         The Japan  Equity  Portfolio  will be subject to general  economic  and
political  conditions  in Japan.  These  include  future  political and economic
developments,  the possible  imposition of, or changes in, exchange  controls or
other Japanese governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments,
diplomatic developments, political or social unrest and natural disasters.

         Japan is largely  dependent  upon foreign  economies for raw materials.
For  instance,  almost all of its oil is imported,  the majority from the Middle
East. Oil prices  therefore  have a major impact on the domestic  economy as its
weight in the import price index (the indicator of the price level of imports in
Japan) is significant.  While Japan strives to reduce its dependence on imported
materials  by  raising  the  efficiency  of its  economy,  its  lack of  natural
resources poses an obstacle to this effort.

         Geological  Factors.  The islands of Japan lie in the  western  Pacific
Ocean,  off the eastern  coast of the  continent of Asia.  Japan has in the past
experienced  earthquakes and tidal waves of varying degrees of severity, and the
risks of such phenomena, and damage resulting therefrom, continue to exist.

ASIAN GROWTH MARKETS

         The Asia Growth  Portfolio will be subject to certain risks and special
considerations,  including  those  set  forth  below,  which  are not  typically
associated  with  investing in  securities  of U.S.  companies.  In  particular,
securities  markets in Asian growth  markets  have been  subject to  substantial
price  volatility.  This potential for sudden market  declines should be weighed
and balanced  against the  potential  for rapid growth in Asian growth  markets.
Further,  certain  securities  that the Portfolio may purchase,  and  investment
techniques in which the Portfolio may engage, involve risks, including those set
forth below.

Investment and Repatriation Restrictions

         Foreign  investment in the  securities  markets of several Asian growth
markets is restricted or controlled to varying degrees.  These  restrictions may
limit  investment  in  certain  of the Asian  growth  markets  and may  increase
expenses  of  the  Portfolio.   For  example,   certain  countries  may  require
governmental  approval prior to  investments by foreign  persons in a particular
company or  industry  sector or limit  investment  by foreign  persons to only a
specific class of securities of a company which may have less advantageous terms
(including  price) than  securities  of the company  available  for  purchase by
nationals.  Certain countries may restrict or prohibit investment  opportunities
in issuers or industries  deemed important to national  interests.  In addition,
the repatriation of both investment income and capital from several of the Asian
growth  markets  is  subject  to  restrictions  such  as the  need  for  certain
government consents. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation
of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        C-1

<PAGE>



operation of the Portfolio.  For example, Taiwan imposes a waiting period on the
repatriation of investment capital for certain foreign investors. Although these
restrictions may in the future make it undesirable to invest in the countries to
which they apply,  the Advisor  does not believe  that any current  repatriation
restrictions would preclude the Portfolio from effectively managing its assets.

         If,  because  of  restrictions  on  repatriation  or  conversion,   the
Portfolio  were unable to  distribute  substantially  all of its net  investment
income and long-term capital gains within applicable time periods, the Portfolio
could be  subject  to U.S.  federal  income and  excise  taxes  which  would not
otherwise be incurred and may cease to qualify for the  favorable  tax treatment
afforded to  regulated  investment  companies  under the Code,  in which case it
would become subject to U.S. federal income tax on all of its income and gains.

         Generally,  there are  restrictions  on foreign  investment  in certain
Asian growth markets,  although these restrictions vary in form and content.  In
India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines,  Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan
and China, the Portfolio may be limited by government  regulation or a company's
charter to a maximum percentage of equity ownership in any one company.

         The  Advisor  has  applied  for  approval   from  Indian   governmental
authorities  to  invest  in  India  on  behalf  of the  Portfolio  as a  foreign
institutional investor (an "FII"). Under the guidelines that apply currently for
FIIs, no FII (or members of an affiliated  group  investing  through one or more
FIIs) may hold more than 5% of the total issued  capital of any Indian  company.
In addition, all non-resident portfolio investments, including those of all FIIs
and their clients,  may not exceed 24% of the issued share capital of any Indian
company;  however,  the 24% limit does not apply to  investments by FIIs through
authorized  offshore funds and offshore equity issues.  Further, at least 70% of
the total investments made by an FII pursuant to its FII  authorization  must be
in equity and equity  related  instruments  such as  convertible  debentures and
tradeable  warrants.  Under a recently  adopted  policy,  FIIs may  purchase new
issues of equity securities directly from an Indian company,  subject to certain
conditions.  The procedures for such direct  subscription by FIIs of such equity
securities are unclear and it is likely that a further limit, in addition to the
24% limit referred to above, may be imposed.  The guidelines that apply for FIIs
are  relatively  recent and thus  experience  as to their  application  has been
limited.  At present,  FII  authorizations are granted for five years and may be
renewed with the approval of India governmental authorities.

         Korea generally  prohibits foreign investment in  Won-denominated  debt
securities  and Sri  Lanka  prohibits  foreign  investment  in  government  debt
securities. In the Philippines, the Portfolio may generally invest in "B" shares
of Philippine issuers engaged in partly nationalized business activities,  which
shares are made  available to foreigners,  and the market prices,  liquidity and
rights of which may vary  from  shares  owned by  nationals.  Similarly,  in the
People's  Republic of China (the "PRC"),  the  Portfolio  may only invest in "B"
shares of securities traded on The Shanghai Securities Exchange and The Shenzhen
Stock Exchange,  currently the two officially recognized securities exchanges in
the PRC. "B" shares  traded on The Shanghai  Securities  Exchange are settled in
U.S.  dollars and those traded on The  Shenzhen  Stock  Exchange  are  generally
settled in Hong Kong dollars.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        C-2

<PAGE>



         In Singapore,  Malaysia,  India,  Korea,  the  Philippines,  Taiwan and
Thailand,  there  are  restrictions  on  the  percentage  of  permitted  foreign
investment  in shares of certain  companies,  mainly  those in highly  regulated
industries,  although in Taiwan there are  limitations  on foreign  ownership of
shares  of any  listed  company.  In  addition,  Korea  also  prohibits  foreign
investment  in  specified   telecommunications  companies  and  the  Philippines
prohibits  foreign  investment in mass media  companies and companies  providing
certain professional services.

Market Characteristics

         Differences  Between  the  U.S.  and  Asian  Securities  Markets.   The
securities  markets of Asian growth markets have  substantially less volume than
the New York Stock Exchange, and equity and debt securities of most companies in
Asian  growth  markets  are less liquid and more  volatile  than equity and debt
securities of U.S.  companies of comparable size. Some of the stock exchanges in
Asian growth  markets,  such as those in the PRC, are in the earliest  stages of
their  development.  Many companies traded on securities markets in Asian growth
markets are smaller, newer and less seasoned than companies whose securities are
traded on  securities  markets  in the  United  States.  Investments  in smaller
companies involve greater risk than is customarily  associated with investing in
larger companies.  Smaller companies may have limited product lines,  markets or
financial or  managerial  resources  and may be more  susceptible  to losses and
risks of bankruptcy.  Additionally,  market making and arbitrage  activities are
generally  less  extensive in such  markets,  which may  contribute to increased
volatility  and reduced  liquidity of such markets.  Accordingly,  each of these
markets  may be  subject  to  greater  influence  by  adverse  events  generally
affecting  the market,  and by large  investors  trading  significant  blocks of
securities,  than is usual in the United  States.  To the extent  that any Asian
growth market  experiences rapid increases in its money supply and investment in
equity securities for speculative purposes,  the equity securities traded in any
such  country  may  trade  at  price-earnings  multiples  higher  than  those of
comparable  companies trading on securities markets in the United States,  which
may not be sustainable.  Securities  markets in Asian growth markets may also be
subject to substantial governmental control, which may cause sudden or prolonged
disruptions in market prices unrelated to supply and demand considerations. This
may also be true of currency markets.

         Brokerage   commissions  and  other  transaction  costs  on  securities
exchanges  in Asian  growth  markets  are  generally  higher  than in the United
States.  In addition,  security  settlements  may in some instance be subject to
delays  and  related  administrative  uncertainties,   including  risk  of  loss
associated with the credit of local brokers.

         Government  Supervision  of Asian  Securities  Markets;  Legal Systems.
There is less  government  supervision  and  regulation  of  foreign  securities
exchanges,  listed  companies and brokers in Asian growth markets than exists in
the United States.  Less  information,  therefore,  may be available to the Fund
than in respect of investments in the United States.  Further,  in certain Asian
growth  markets,  less  information  may be  available to the Fund than to local
market  participants.  Brokers  in  Asian  growth  markets  may  not be as  well
capitalized as those in the United States,  so that they are more susceptible to
financial

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        C-3

<PAGE>



failure in times of market, political, or economic stress. In addition, existing
laws and regulations are often inconsistently  applied. As legal systems in some
of the Asian growth markets develop, foreign investors may be adversely affected
by new laws and  regulations,  changes  to  existing  laws and  regulations  and
preemption of local laws and  regulations  by national  laws.  In  circumstances
where adequate laws exist,  it may not be possible to obtain swift and equitable
enforcement of the law. Currently a mixture of legal and structural restrictions
affect the securities markets of certain Asian growth markets.

         Korea,   in  an  attempt  to  avoid   market   manipulation,   requires
institutional investors to deposit in their broker's account a percentage of the
amount to be invested  prior to  execution  of a purchase  order.  That  deposit
requirement  will expose the Fund to the broker's  credit risk.  These  examples
demonstrate that legal and structural developments can be expected to affect the
Portfolio,  potentially  affecting liquidity of positions held by the Portfolio,
in unexpected and significant ways from time to time.

         Financial  Information  and Standards.  Issuers in Asian growth markets
generally  are subject to  accounting,  auditing  and  financial  standards  and
requirements that differ, in some cases significantly,  from those applicable to
U.S. issuers.  In particular,  the assets and profits appearing on the financial
statements  of an Asian  growth  market  issuer may not  reflect  its  financial
position or results of  operations in accordance  with U.S.  generally  accepted
accounting principles.  In addition, for an issuer that keeps accounting records
in local  currency,  inflation  accounting  rules may require,  for both tax and
accounting  purposes,  that certain  assets and  liabilities  be restated on the
issuer's  balance  sheet in  order to  express  items  in terms of  currency  of
constant purchasing power.  Inflation  accounting may indirectly generate losses
or  profits.  Consequently,   financial  data  may  be  materially  affected  by
restatements for inflation and may not accurately  reflect the real condition of
those issuers and securities markets.  Moreover,  substantially less information
may be  publicly  available  about  issuers  in  Asian  growth  markets  than is
available about U.S.
issuers.

Social, Political and Economic Factors

         Asian  growth  markets  may be subject  to a greater  degree of social,
political  and economic  instability  than is the case in the United  States and
Western  European  countries.  Such  instability  may result  from,  among other
things, the following: (i) authoritarian  governments or military involvement in
political  and  economic  decision-making,  and  changes in  government  through
extra-constitutional  means;  (ii)  popular  unrest  associated  with demand for
improved political, economic and social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies,
(iv) war or  hostile  relations  with  neighboring  countries;  and (v)  ethnic,
religious  and  racial  disaffection.   Such  social,   political  and  economic
instability could significantly disrupt the principal financial markets in which
the Portfolio invests and adversely affect the value of the Portfolio's  assets.
In addition,  there may be the  possibility  of asset  expropriations  or future
confiscatory levels of taxation affecting the Portfolio.

         Few Asian growth markets have western-style or fully democratic
governments.  Some governments in the region are authoritarian and influenced by

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        C-4

<PAGE>



security  forces.  During  the course of the last 25 years,  governments  in the
region  have been  installed  or removed as a result of  military  coups,  while
others have periodically  demonstrated  repressive police state characteristics.
Disparities of wealth,  among other  factors,  have also led to social unrest in
some Asian growth markets,  accompanied, in certain cases, by violence and labor
unrest.  Ethnic,  religious  and racial  disaffection,  as  evidenced  in India,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka, have created social, economic and political problems.

         Several  Asian  growth  markets  have or in the past  have had  hostile
relationships with neighboring nations or have experienced  internal insurgency.
Thailand has experienced  border conflicts with Laos and Cambodia,  and India is
engaged in border disputes with several of its neighbors,  including the PRC and
Pakistan.  Tension between the Tamil and Sinhalese  communities in Sri Lanka has
resulted in periodic outbreaks of violence. An uneasy truce exists between North
Korea and South Korea,  and the  recurrence  of  hostilities  remains  possible.
Reunification of North Korea and South Korea could have a detrimental  effect on
the economy of South Korea.  Also, the PRC continues to claim  sovereignty  over
Taiwan.  The PRC is acknowledged to possess  nuclear weapons  capability;  North
Korea  is  alleged  to  possess  or be in  the  process  of  developing  such  a
capability.

         The economies of most Asian growth  markets are heavily  dependent upon
international trade and are accordingly  affected by protective barriers and the
economic conditions of their trading partners,  principally,  the United States,
Japan, the PRC and the European Community. The enactment by the United States or
other principal trading partners of protectionist  trade legislation,  reduction
of  foreign  investment  in the local  economies  and  general  declines  in the
international  securities  markets could have a significant  adverse effect upon
the securities markets of the Asian growth markets.  In addition,  the economies
of  some  Asian  growth  markets,  Indonesia  and  Malaysia,  for  example,  are
vulnerable to weakness in world prices for their  commodity  exports,  including
crude oil.

         Governments   in  certain  Asian  growth   markets   participate  to  a
significant  degree,   through  ownership  interest  or  regulation,   in  their
respective  economies.  Action by these  governments  could  have a  significant
adverse effect on market prices of securities and payment of dividends.

         The PRC has only recently permitted private economic activities and the
PRC government has exercised and continues to exercise  substantial control over
virtually  every  sector  of  the  PRC  economy  through  regulation  and  state
ownership.  Continued  economic  growth and  development  in the PRC, as well as
opportunities   for  foreign   investment,   and  prospects  of  private  sector
enterprises,  in the PRC, will depend in many respects on the  implementation of
the PRC's current program of economic reform, which cannot be assured.

         In Hong Kong, British proposals to extend limited democracy have caused
a political rift with the PRC, which is scheduled to assume sovereignty over the
colony  in 1997.  Although  the PRC has  committed  by treaty  to  preserve  the
economic and social  freedoms  enjoyed in Hong Kong for 50 years after regaining
control of Hong Kong,  the  continuation  of the  current  form of the  economic
system in Hong Kong  after  the  reversion  will  depend on the  actions  of the
government of the PRC. In addition,  such reversion has increased sensitivity in
Hong Kong to political developments and statements by public figures in the PRC.
Business

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        C-5

<PAGE>



confidence  in Hong  Kong,  therefore,  can be  significantly  affected  by such
developments  and  statements,  which in turn can affect  markets  and  business
performance.

         With respect to investments  in Taiwan,  it should be noted that Taiwan
lacks formal diplomatic relations with many nations,  although it conducts trade
and financial  relations with most major economic powers. Both the government of
the PRC and the government of the Republic of China in Taiwan claim  sovereignty
over all of China.  Although  relations between Taiwan and the PRC are currently
peaceful, renewed frictions or hostility could interrupt operations of Taiwanese
companies  in which the  Portfolio  invests  and create  uncertainty  that could
adversely affect the value and marketability of its Taiwan investments.

         With regard to India, agriculture occupies a more prominent position in
the Indian economy than in the United States,  and the Indian economy  therefore
is more  susceptible to adverse changes in weather.  The government of India has
exercised and continues to exercise  significant  influence over many aspects of
the  economy,   and  the  number  of  public  sector  enterprises  in  India  is
substantial.   Accordingly  government  actions  in  the  future  could  have  a
significant  effect on the Indian  economy  which could  affect  private  sector
companies,  market  conditions  and prices and yields of securities  held by the
Portfolio.  Religious  and ethnic  unrest  persists in India.  The long standing
grievances  between  the Hindu  and  Muslim  populations  resulted  in  communal
violence  during 1993 in the aftermath of the destruction of a mosque in Ayodhya
by radical  elements  of the Hindu  population.  The Indian  government  is also
confronted  by  separatist  movements  in several  states and the long  standing
border dispute with Pakistan over the State of Jammu and Kashmir,  a majority of
whose  population  is  Muslim,  remains  unsolved.  In  addition,  Indian  stock
exchanges  have in the past been subject to repeated  closure  including for ten
days in December  1993 due to a broker's  strike,  and there can be no assurance
that this will not recur.

Thinly Traded Markets

         Compared to securities  traded in the United States,  all securities of
Asian growth market  issuers may  generally be  considered to be thinly  traded.
Even  relatively  widely held  securities  in such  countries may not be able to
absorb  trades of a size  customarily  transacted  by  institutional  investors,
without price disruptions.  Accordingly,  the Portfolio's  ability to reposition
itself  will be more  constrained  than  would be the case for a typical  equity
mutual fund.

Settlement Procedures and Delays

         Settlement  procedures in Asian growth  markets are less  developed and
reliable than those in the United States and in other developed markets, and the
Portfolio may experience settlement delays or other material difficulties.  This
problem is  particularly  severe in India where  settlement is through  physical
delivery and, where currently,  a severe shortage of vault capacity exists among
custodial  banks,  although  efforts  are  being  undertaken  to  alleviate  the
shortage. In addition, significant delays are common in registering transfers of
securities,  and the Portfolio may be unable to sell such  securities  until the
registration  process  is  completed  and may  experience  delays in  receipt of
dividends and other entitlement. The recent and anticipated inflow of funds into

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        C-6

<PAGE>


the Indian  securities  market has placed added strains on the settlement system
and transfer process.  In addition,  the Portfolio may be subject to significant
limitations in the future on the volume of trading during any particular period,
imposed by its  sub-custodian in India or otherwise as a result of such physical
or other operational constraints.



i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897.pea\combsai.wpf
                                                        C-7
<PAGE>


                                     PART C


ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(a) Financial Statements

The following financial statements are included in Part A:

   
Financial Highlights:  The JPM Pierpont International Opportunities Fund
    

The following financial statements are incorporated by reference into Part B:

The JPM Pierpont Prime Money Market Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at November 30, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 1996

The Prime Money Market Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at November 30, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at November 30, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 1996

The JPM Pierpont Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at August 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements August 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at February 28, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended February 28, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements February 28, 1997 (unaudited)

The Tax Exempt Money Market Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at August 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at August 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements August 31, 1996
Schedule of Investments at February 28, 1997 (unaudited)

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf

                                             C-1

<PAGE>

Statement of Assets and Liabilities at February 28, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended February 28, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Supplementary Data (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements February 28, 1997 (unaudited)

The JPM Pierpont Federal Money Market Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements October 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

The Federal Money Market Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at October 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements October 31, 1996
Schedule of Investments at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Supplementary Data (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

The JPM Pierpont Short Term Bond Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements October 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

The Short Term Bond Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at October 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements October 31, 1996
Schedule of Investments at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf

                                             C-2

<PAGE>

Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Supplementary Data (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

The JPM Pierpont Bond Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements October 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

The U.S. Fixed Income Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at October 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements October 31, 1996
Schedule of Investments at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Supplementary Data (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

The JPM Pierpont Tax Exempt Bond Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at August 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements August 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at February 28, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended February 28, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements February 28, 1997 (unaudited)

The Tax Exempt Bond Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at August 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at August 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements August 31, 1996
Schedule of Investments at February 28, 1997 (unaudited)

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf

                                             C-3

<PAGE>

Statement of Assets and Liabilities at February 28, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended February 28, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Supplementary Data (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements February 28, 1997 (unaudited)

The JPM Pierpont U.S. Equity Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at May 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at November 30, 1996 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 1996 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 1996 (unaudited)

The U.S. Equity Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at May 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at May 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 1996
Schedule of Investments at November 30, 1996 (unaudited)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at November 30, 1996 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 1996 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Supplementary Data (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 1996 (unaudited)

The JPM Pierpont U.S. Small Company Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at May 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at November 30, 1996 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 1996 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 1996 (unaudited)

The U.S. Small Company Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at May 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at May 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 1996
Schedule of Investments at November 30, 1996 (unaudited)

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf

                                             C-4

<PAGE>

Statement of Assets and Liabilities at November 30, 1996 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 1996 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Supplementary Data (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements November 30, 1996 (unaudited)

The JPM Pierpont International Equity Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements October 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

The International Equity Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at October 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements October 31, 1996
Schedule of Investments at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Supplementary Data (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

The JPM Pierpont Diversified Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 1996
Statement of Operations for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 1996 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended December 31, 1996
unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996 (unaudited)

The Diversified Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at June 30, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 1996
Statement of Operations for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 1996

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf

                                             C-5

<PAGE>

Schedule of Investments at December 31, 1996 (unaudited)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 1996 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended December 31, 1996
(unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Supplementary Data (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996 (unaudited)

The JPM Pierpont Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements October 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

The Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at October 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements October 31, 1996
Schedule of Investments at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the six months ended April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Supplementary Data (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

The JPM Pierpont New York Total Return Bond Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at March 31, 1997
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements March 31, 1997

The New York Total Return Bond Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at March 31, 1997
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at March 31, 1997
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements March 31, 1997

The Global Strategic Income Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf

                                             C-6

<PAGE>

Statement of Operations for the six months ended April 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Supplementary Data (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 1997 (unaudited)

The JPM Pierpont Japan Equity Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the period May 6, 1996 (commencement of
operations) through December 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996

The Japan Equity Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at December 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996

The JPM Pierpont European Equity Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the period May 13, 1996 (commencement of
operations) through December 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996

The European Equity Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at December 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996

The JPM Pierpont Asia Growth Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the period May 13, 1996 (commencement of
operations) through December 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996

The Asia Growth Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at December 31, 1996
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 1996
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Supplementary Data
Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1996

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf

                                             C-7

<PAGE>

   
The JPM Pierpont International Opportunities Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at May 31, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the period February 26, 1997 (commencement of
operations) through May 31, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Financial Highlights (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 1997 (unaudited)

The International Opportunities Portfolio
Schedule of Investments at May 31, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at May 31, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations for the period February 26, 1997 (commencement of
operations) through May 31, 1997 (unaudited)
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
Supplementary Data (unaudited)
Notes to Financial Statements May 31, 1997 (unaudited)
    


(b)  Exhibits

Exhibit Number

     1.  Declaration  of  Trust,  as  amended,  was  filed as  Exhibit  No. 1 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registration Statement filed on September
27, 1996 (Accession Number 0000912057-96-021331).

     1(a). Amendment No. 5 to Declaration of Trust;  Amendment and Fifth Amended
and Restated  Establishment  and  Designation  of Series of Shares of Beneficial
Interest.*

     1(b). Amendment No. 6 to Declaration of Trust;  Amendment and Sixth Amended
and Restated  Establishment  and  Designation  of Series of Shares of Beneficial
Interest was filed as Exhibit No. 1(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to the
Registration     Statement     February    28,    1997     (Accession     Number
0001016964-97-000038).

     1(c).  Amendment  No. 7 to  Declaration  of Trust;  Amendment  and  Seventh
Amended  and  Restated  Establishment  and  Designation  of  Series of Shares of
Beneficial  Interest was filed as Exhibit No. 1(c) to  Post-Effective  Amendment
No. 34 to the Registration  Statement filed on April 30, 1997 (Accession  Number
0001019694-97-000063).

     2. Restated By-Laws of Registrant.*

     6. Distribution  Agreement between Registrant and Funds  Distributor,  Inc.
("FDI").*

     8. Custodian  Contract  between  Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust
Company ("State Street").*

     9(a). Co-Administration Agreement between Registrant and FDI.*

     9(b).  Restated  Shareholder  Servicing  Agreement  between  Registrant and
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York ("Morgan Guaranty") was filed as

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf
                                                        C-8

<PAGE>



         Exhibit No. 9(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration
         Statement filed on March 6, 1997 (Accession Number 0001019694-97-
         000048).

     9(c).  Transfer Agency and Service Agreement  between  Registrant and State
Street.*

     9(d).  Restated  Administrative  Services  Agreement between Registrant and
Morgan Guaranty.*

     9(e). Fund Services Agreement, as amended,  between Registrant and Pierpont
Group, Inc.*

     10. Opinion and consent of Sullivan & Cromwell.*

     11. Consents of independent accountants. (filed herewith)

     13. Purchase agreements with respect to Registrant's initial shares.*

     16. Schedule for computation of performance quotations.*

     17. Financial Data Schedules. (filed herewith)

     18. Powers of Attorney.* 

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

*        Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to
the Registration Statement filed on December 27, 1996 (Accession Number
0001016964-96-000066)

ITEM 25.  PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.

Not applicable.

ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.

Shares of Beneficial Interest ($0.001 par value).
Title of Class:  Number of Record Holders as of June 30, 1997.

The JPM Pierpont Prime Money Market Fund: 3,440
The JPM Pierpont Tax Exempt Money Market Fund: 1,553
The JPM Pierpont Federal Money Market Fund: 329
The JPM Pierpont Short Term Bond Fund: 73
The JPM Pierpont Bond Fund: 610
The JPM Pierpont Tax Exempt Bond Fund: 936
The JPM Pierpont New York Total Return Bond Fund: 155
The JPM Pierpont Diversified Fund: 462
The JPM Pierpont U.S. Equity Fund: 1,948
The JPM Pierpont U.S. Small Company Fund: 1,610
The JPM Pierpont International Equity Fund: 1,118
The JPM Pierpont Emerging Markets Equity Fund: 1,005
The JPM Pierpont European Equity Fund: 45
The JPM Pierpont Asia Growth Fund: 31

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf
                                                        C-9

<PAGE>



The JPM Pierpont Japan Equity Fund: 22
The JPM Pierpont International Opportunities Fund: 242
The JPM Pierpont Global Strategic Income Fund: 0
The JPM Pierpont Latin American Equity Fund: 0
The JPM Pierpont Emerging Markets Debt Fund: 13
The JPM Pierpont U.S. Small Company Opportunities Fund: 77

ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION.

Reference  is made to  Section  5.3 of  Registrant's  Declaration  of Trust  and
Section 5 of Registrant's Distribution Agreement.

Registrant,  its Trustees and officers are insured against  certain  expenses in
connection with the defense of claims, demands,  actions, suits, or proceedings,
and certain liabilities that might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits
or proceedings.

Insofar as indemnification  for liabilities  arising under the Securities Act of
1933,  as amended (the "1933 Act"),  may be  permitted to  directors,  trustees,
officers and controlling persons of the Registrant and the principal underwriter
pursuant to the  foregoing  provisions  or otherwise,  the  Registrant  has been
advised  that in the opinion of the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  such
indemnification  is against  public  policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is,
therefore,  unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities  (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, trustee, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant
and the principal  underwriter in connection with the successful  defense of any
action,  suite  or  proceeding)  is  asserted  against  the  Registrant  by such
director,  trustee,  officer or controlling  person or principal  underwriter in
connection with the shares being registered,  the Registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel  the matter has been  settled by  controlling  precedent,
submit  to a  court  of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the  question  whether  such
indemnification  by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.

Not Applicable.

ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS.

(a) FDI, located at 60 State Street, Suite 1300, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, is
the principal underwriter of the Registrant's shares.

FDI acts as principal  underwriter of the following  investment  companies other
than the Registrant:

BJB Investment Funds
Burridge Funds
Foreign Fund, Inc.
Fremont Mutual Funds, Inc.
Harris Insight Funds Trust

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf
                                                       C-10

<PAGE>



H.T. Insight Funds, Inc. d/b/a Harris Insight Funds
LKCM Fund
Monetta Fund, Inc.
Monetta Trust
The Munder Framlington Funds Trust
The Munder Funds, Inc.
The Munder Funds Trust
The PanAgora Institutional Funds
RCM Capital Funds, Inc.
RCM Equity Funds, Inc.
The Skyline Funds
St. Clair Money Market Fund
Waterhouse Investors Cash Management Funds, Inc.
The JPM Institutional Funds
JPM Series Trust
JPM Series Trust II

FDI does not act as depositor or investment adviser of any investment companies.

FDI is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer
and is a member of the National  Association  of Securities  Dealers.  FDI is an
indirect wholly-owned  subsidiary of Boston Institutional Group, Inc., a holding
company all of whose outstanding shares are owned by key employees.

(b) The  information  required by this Item 29(b) with respect to each director,
officer and partner of FDI is incorporated  herein by reference to Schedule A of
Form BD filed by FDI with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Act of 1934 (SEC File No. 8-20518).

(c) Not applicable.

ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.

PIERPONT GROUP, INC.:  461 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10017 (records
relating to its assisting the Trustees in carrying out their duties in
supervising the Registrant's affairs).

MORGAN  GUARANTY  TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK: 60 Wall Street,  New York, New York
10260-0060,  522 Fifth Avenue,  New York,  New York 10036 or 9 West 57th Street,
New York,  New York 10019  (records  relating to its  functions  as  shareholder
servicing agent, and administrative services agent).

STATE  STREET  BANK AND  TRUST  COMPANY:  1776  Heritage  Drive,  North  Quincy,
Massachusetts  02171 and 40 King Street West, Toronto,  Ontario,  Canada M5H 3Y8
(records relating to its functions as fund accountant, custodian, transfer agent
and dividend disbursing agent).

FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.: 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 (records
relating to its functions as distributor and co-administrator).

ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf
                                                       C-11

<PAGE>



Not Applicable.

ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS.

(a)        If the information called for by Item 5A of Form N-1A is contained in
           the  latest  annual  report to  shareholders,  the  Registrant  shall
           furnish each person to whom a prospectus is delivered  with a copy of
           the  Registrant's  latest annual report to shareholders  upon request
           and without charge.

(b)        The  Registrant  undertakes  to comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940
           Act as though such  provisions of the 1940 Act were applicable to the
           Registrant,  except  that the  request  referred to in the third full
           paragraph  thereof may only be made by  shareholders  who hold in the
           aggregate at least 10% of the  outstanding  shares of the Registrant,
           regardless  of the net asset value of shares held by such  requesting
           shareholders.

   
(c)        The  Registrant  undertakes  to file a  Post-Effective  Amendment  on
           behalf of The JPM Pierpont  Global  Strategic  Income  Fund,  The JPM
           Pierpont  Latin  American  Equity  Fund,  The JPM  Pierpont  Emerging
           Markets  Debt  Fund  and  The  JPM  Pierpont   U.S.   Small   Company
           Opportunities  Fund,  using  financial  statements  which need not be
           certified,  within four to six months from the commencement of public
           investment operations of such funds.
    

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf
                                                       C-12

<PAGE>




                                                    SIGNATURES


   
Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company  Act  of  1940,  the  Registrant  certifies  that  it  meets  all of the
requirements for effectiveness of this registration  statement  pursuant to Rule
485(b) under the  Securities  Act of 1933 and has duly caused this  registration
statement  to  be  signed  on  its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereto  duly
authorized,  in the City of Boston and  Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 1st
day of August, 1997.
    

THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS

By         /s/ Richard W. Ingram
           -----------------------
           Richard W. Ingram
           President and Treasurer

   
Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,  this  registration
statement  has been  signed  below by the  following  persons in the  capacities
indicated on August 1, 1997.
    

/s/ Richard W. Ingram
- ------------------------------
Richard W. Ingram
President and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Matthew Healey*
- -----------------------------
Matthew Healey
Trustee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

Frederick S. Addy*
- ------------------------------
Frederick S. Addy
Trustee

William G. Burns*
- ------------------------------
William G. Burns
Trustee

Arthur C. Eschenlauer*
- ------------------------------
Arthur C. Eschenlauer
Trustee

Michael P. Mallardi*
- ------------------------------
Michael P. Mallardi
Trustee


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf
                                                       C-13

<PAGE>



*By        /s/ Richard W. Ingram
           ----------------------------
           Richard W. Ingram
           as attorney-in-fact pursuant to a power of attorney previously filed.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf
                                                       C-14

<PAGE>




                                                    SIGNATURES

   
Each  Portfolio  has  duly  caused  this  registration  statement  on Form  N-1A
("Registration  Statement")  of The JPM Pierpont  Funds (the "Trust")  (File No.
33-54632)  to  be  signed  on  its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereto  duly
authorized,  in the City of Boston, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 1st
day of August, 1997.
    

THE FEDERAL MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO, THE TAX EXEMPT MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO, THE
TAX EXEMPT BOND PORTFOLIO, THE NEW YORK TOTAL RETURN BOND PORTFOLIO AND SERIES
PORTFOLIO II

By         /s/ Richard W. Ingram
           ----------------------------
           Richard W. Ingram
           President and Treasurer

   
Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933,  the  Trust's
Registration  Statement  has been signed below by the  following  persons in the
capacities indicated on August 1, 1997.
    

/s/ Richard W. Ingram
- ----------------------------
Richard W. Ingram
President and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of the
Portfolios

Matthew Healey*
- ----------------------------
Matthew Healey
Trustee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of
the Portfolios

Frederick S. Addy*
- ----------------------------
Frederick S. Addy
Trustee of the Portfolios

William G. Burns*
- ----------------------------
William G. Burns
Trustee of the Portfolios

Arthur C. Eschenlauer*
- ----------------------------
Arthur C. Eschenlauer
Trustee of the Portfolios

Michael P. Mallardi*
- ----------------------------
Michael P. Mallardi
Trustee of the Portfolios

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf
                                                       C-15

<PAGE>



*By        /s/ Richard W. Ingram
           ----------------------------
           Richard W. Ingram
           as attorney-in-fact pursuant to a power of attorney previously filed.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf
                                                       C-16

<PAGE>




                                                    SIGNATURES

   
Each  Portfolio  has  duly  caused  this  registration  statement  on Form  N-1A
("Registration  Statement")  of The JPM Pierpont  Funds (the "Trust")  (File No.
33-54632)  to  be  signed  on  its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereto  duly
authorized,  in the City of George Town, Grand Cayman, on the 1st day of August,
1997.
    

THE PRIME MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO, THE SHORT TERM BOND PORTFOLIO, THE U.S.
FIXED INCOME PORTFOLIO, THE U.S. EQUITY PORTFOLIO, THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY
PORTFOLIO, THE INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO, THE DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO, THE
EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY PORTFOLIO AND THE SERIES PORTFOLIO

           /s/ Lenore J. McCabe
By         -------------------------
           Lenore J. McCabe
           Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer

   
Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933,  the  Trust's
Registration  Statement  has been signed below by the  following  persons in the
capacities indicated on August 1, 1997.
    


Richard W. Ingram*
- ----------------------------
Richard W. Ingram
President and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of the
Portfolios

Matthew Healey*
- ----------------------------
Matthew Healey
Trustee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of
the Portfolios

Frederick S. Addy*
- ----------------------------
Frederick S. Addy
Trustee of the Portfolios

William G. Burns*
- ----------------------------
William G. Burns
Trustee of the Portfolios

Arthur C. Eschenlauer*
- ----------------------------
Arthur C. Eschenlauer
Trustee of the Portfolios


i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf
                                                       C-17

<PAGE>



Michael P. Mallardi*
- ----------------------------
Michael P. Mallardi
Trustee of the Portfolios

           /s/ Lenore J. McCabe
*By        ------------------------
           Lenore J. McCabe
           as attorney-in-fact pursuant to a power of attorney previously filed.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf
                                                       C-18

<PAGE>





                                                 INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit No.       Description of Exhibit
- -------------     ----------------------

EX-99.B11                  Consents of independent accountants

   
EX-27.1
to EX-27.16                Financial Data Schedules
    

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\0897pea\wrapper.wpf
                                                       C-19


Consents of Independent Accountants


We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by reference in the  Prospectuses  and
Statement of Additional  Information  constituting parts of this  Post-Effective
Amendment No. 36 to the registration  statement on Form N-1A (the  "Registration
Statement")  of our  reports  dated July 25,  1996,  relating  to the  financial
statements and financial  highlights of The JPM Pierpont Equity Fund and The JPM
Pierpont   Capital   Appreciation   Fund  and  the  financial   statements   and
supplementary  data of The Selected U.S.  Equity  Portfolio  and The U.S.  Small
Company Portfolio  appearing in the May 31, 1996 Annual Reports,  which are also
incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement.

We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by  reference  in the  Prospectus  and
Statement  of  Additional  Information  constituting  parts of the  Registration
Statement  of our reports  dated  August 26,  1996,  relating  to the  financial
statements and financial highlights of The JPM Pierpont Diversified Fund and the
financial  statements  and  supplementary  data  of  The  Diversified  Portfolio
appearing  in the June 30, 1996 Annual  Report,  which is also  incorporated  by
reference into the Registration Statement.

We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by reference in the  Prospectuses  and
Statement  of  Additional  Information  constituting  parts of the  Registration
Statement  of our reports  dated  October 16,  1996,  relating to the  financial
statements and financial  highlights of The JPM Pierpont Tax Exempt Money Market
Fund and The JPM Pierpont Tax Exempt Bond Fund and the financial  statements and
supplementary  data of The Tax Exempt Money Market  Portfolio and The Tax Exempt
Bond Portfolio  appearing in the August 31, 1996 Annual Reports,  which are also
incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement.

We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by reference in the  Prospectuses  and
Statement  of  Additional  Information  constituting  parts of the  Registration
Statement of our reports  dated  December 18,  1996,  relating to the  financial
statements  and financial  highlights of The JPM Pierpont  Treasury Money Market
Fund,  The JPM Pierpont Bond Fund and The JPM Pierpont  Short Term Bond Fund and
the financial  statements  and  supplementary  data of The Treasury Money Market
Portfolio,  The U.S. Fixed Income  Portfolio and The Short Term Bond  Portfolio,
appearing in the October 31, 1996 Annual Reports, which are also incorporated by
reference into the Registration Statement.

We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by reference in the  Prospectuses  and
Statement  of  Additional  Information  constituting  parts of the  Registration
Statement of our reports  dated  December 26,  1996,  relating to the  financial
statements and financial  highlights of The JPM Pierpont Emerging Markets Equity
Fund and The JPM Pierpont International Equity Fund and the financial statements
and supplementary data of The Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio and The Non-U.S.
Equity  Portfolio  appearing in the October 31, 1996 Annual  Reports,  which

<PAGE>

Cosents of Independent Accountants
Page 2

are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement.

We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by  reference  in the  Prospectus  and
Statement  of  Additional  Information  constituting  parts of the  Registration
Statement  of our reports  dated  January 16,  1997,  relating to the  financial
statements  and financial  highlights of The JPM Pierpont  Money Market Fund and
the financial  statements and  supplementary  data of The Money Market Portfolio
appearing in the November 30, 1996 Annual Report,  which is also incorporated by
reference into the Registration Statement.

We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by reference in the  Prospectuses  and
Statement  of  Additional  Information  constituting  parts of the  Registration
Statement of our reports  dated  February 21,  1997,  relating to the  financial
statements  and financial  highlights of The JPM Pierpont Asia Growth Fund,  The
JPM Pierpont  Japan Equity Fund and The JPM Pierpont  European  Equity Fund, and
the financial  statements and  supplementary  data of The Asia Growth Portfolio,
The Japan Equity  Portfolio and The European Equity  Portfolio  appearing in the
December 31, 1996 Annual Report,  which are also  incorporated by reference into
the Registration Statement.

We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by  reference  in the  Prospectus  and
Statement  of  Additional  Information  constituting  parts of the  Registration
Statement  of our  reports  dated  May  14,  1997,  relating  to  the  financial
statements  and  financial  highlights of The JPM Pierpont New York Total Return
Bond Fund and the financial  statements and  supplementary  data of The New York
Total Return Bond Portfolio appearing in the March 31, 1997 Annual Report, which
is also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement.

We  also  consent  to  the  reference  to  us  under  the  heading  "Independent
Accountants" in the Statement of Additional Information.




/s/ Price  Waterhouse LLP
PRICE  WATERHOUSE LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
July 30, 1997


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT ON
FORM-SAR DATED NOVEMBER 30, 1996 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>0000894089
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 012
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                          2156900
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                         2156900
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      18
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2156918
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                         1560
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                               1560
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                       2155257
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          2154906
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          2152017
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                            101
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             0
<NET-ASSETS>                                   2155358
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  111962
<EXPENSES-NET>                                    4407
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         107555
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                           165
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                            0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                           107720
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                       107555
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                          1164
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       11935880
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                   12039607
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             106616
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                            2889
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                         1101
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                   4407
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                           2111093
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             1.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .05
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                              0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .05
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               1.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .40
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT ON
FORM-SAR DATED FEBRUARY 28, 1997 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT TAX EXEMPT MONEY MARKET
FUND AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>          0000894089
<NAME>         THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER>    007
   <NAME>      THE JPM PIERPONT TAX EXEMPT MONEY MARKET FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                          1082685
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                         1082685
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      57
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1082742
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          596
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                596
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                       1082406
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          1082061
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          1050312
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                          (260)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             0
<NET-ASSETS>                                   1082146
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                18543
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                    2428
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          16115
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                            26
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                            0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                            16141
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        16115
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        2147780
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    2129764
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                              13743
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                           31775
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                        (286)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                   2428
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                           1055150
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                1
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .02
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                              0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .02
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                  1
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .46
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT ON
FORM-SAR DATED APRIL 30, 1997 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT FEDERAL MONEY MARKET
FUND AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894089
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 001
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FEDERAL MONEY MARKET FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           218579
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          218579
<RECEIVABLES>                                        7
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      11
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  218597
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          245
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                245
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        218361
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           218361
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                           185318
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             0
<NET-ASSETS>                                    218352
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                 5737
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     435
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           5301
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                           (10)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                            0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             5291
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                         5301
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                         927100
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                     898221
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                               4165
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                           32928
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    262
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            219578
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             1.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   .024
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                              0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                              .024
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                         .000
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               1.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .40
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT ON
FORM-SAR DATED APRIL 30, 1997 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT SHORT TERM BOND FUND AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894089
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 002
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT SHORT TERM BOND FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                           11247
<RECEIVABLES>                                        6
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       8
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   11261
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           40
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 40
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         11329
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             1146
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                              833
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                            (55)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                           (53)
<NET-ASSETS>                                     11220
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  372
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                      15
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            357
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                            20
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                         (111)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                              266
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                         (357)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            656
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                        369
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                 27
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                             314
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                         (75)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                     51
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             12257
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             9.86
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .29
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           (.07)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .29
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               9.79
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .50
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT ON
FORM-SAR DATED APRIL 30, 1997 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT BOND FUND AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894089
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 003
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT BOND FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          152456
<RECEIVABLES>                                      133
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       2
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  152591
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          132
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                132
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        155158
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            15097
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            14487
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                           18
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          (1371)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                         (1347)
<NET-ASSETS>                                    152459
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                   54
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                 5207
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     230
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           4758
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                           604
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                        (2580)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             2782
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                         4724
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                          1045
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                           3288
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                       3130
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                453
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                             610
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                              224
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    230
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            150177
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.30
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .32
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           (.13)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .32
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                          .07
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.10
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .68
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT ON
FORM-SAR DATED FEBRUARY 28, 1997 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>          0000894089
<NAME>         THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER>    006
   <NAME>      THE JPM PIERPONT TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           365808
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          383656
<RECEIVABLES>                                      629
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       5
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  384290
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                            456
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                            0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                456
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        365918
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            32541
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            31811
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            2
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                             66
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                         17848
<NET-ASSETS>                                    383834
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                    9184
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     506
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           8678
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                           586
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                         5200
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                            14464
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                         8678
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                           702
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                           7018
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                       6928
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                640
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                             730
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              2
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                          182
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    506
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            370007
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.63
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .28
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .19
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .28
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                          .02
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.80
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .66
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT ON
FORM-SAR DATED NOVEMBER 30, 1996 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT U.S. EQUITY FUND AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894089
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 010
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT U.S. EQUITY FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           362326
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                               0
<RECEIVABLES>                                       39
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      32
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       0
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                            0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                155
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        277793
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            15804
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            14898
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                         3430
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          14362
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                         66657
<NET-ASSETS>                                    362242
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                    2480
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     569
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           1911
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         16724
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                        18358
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                            36993
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                       (1402)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (21656)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                           1048
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                     (1218)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                               1076
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                           32228
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                           2921
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                        19294
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    569
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            328148
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            22.15
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .11
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           2.20
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.09)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (1.45)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              22.92
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .82
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT
ON FORM N-SAR DATED NOVEMBER 30, 1996 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT U.S. SMALL COMPANY
FUND AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894089
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 011
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          216143
<RECEIVABLES>                                      533
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      29
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  216705
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           66
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 66
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        174714
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             8635
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             8431
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          768
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          10842
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                         30315
<NET-ASSETS>                                    216639
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     985
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     219
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            766
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          9092
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                       (6495)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             3363
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        (900)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (11358)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            623
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                      (788)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                369
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                          (4278)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                            902
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                        13108
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    350
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            207408
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            26.20
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .09
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .26
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.11)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (1.35)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              25.09
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .90
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT
ON FORM N-SAR DATED APRIL 30, 1997 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT INTERNATIONAL EQUITY
FUND AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894089
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 004
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           163549
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          171476
<RECEIVABLES>                                       30
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       2
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  171508
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          101
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                101
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         57885
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            15701
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            17642
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          662
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                           4934
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                          7926
<NET-ASSETS>                                    171407
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                 1448
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  335
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                    1083
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            700
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          4940
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                         (225)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             5415
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                         4419
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                          9302
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                           2133
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                       4936
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                862
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                          (29313)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                           4380
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                         9296
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                   1083
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            194853
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.38
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .04
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .27
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .25
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                          .52
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.92
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.12
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT
ON FORM N-SAR DATED DECEMBER 31, 1996 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT DIVERSIFIED FUND
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000908940
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 008
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT DIVERSIFIED FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                            53208
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                              26
<RECEIVABLES>                                       16
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   53250
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           52
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 52
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                             0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             4354
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             2000
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          690
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                           1140
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                          3539
<NET-ASSETS>                                     53198
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                  500
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  958
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     356
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           1102
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          1956
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                         2096
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             5154
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                          830
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                          1142
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                           2576
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                        392
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                170
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                            2354
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                            290
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                          431
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    495
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             36264
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.20
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                      0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           1.48
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .32
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                          .44
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              12.22
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .98
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT
ON FORM N-SAR DATED APRIL 30, 1997 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT EMERGING MARKETS
EQUITY FUND AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894089
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 005
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                           58032
<RECEIVABLES>                                       73
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      23
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   58068
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           46
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 46
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         57158
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             5104
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             5806
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                         (117)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                           (4191)
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                          5172
<NET-ASSETS>                                     58022
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     611
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     492
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            119
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          1211
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                         5495
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             6826
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                         (323)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                           1430
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                       2158
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                 26
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                            (702)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                             87
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                      0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             60161
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.18
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .02
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           1.23
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                              (.06)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.37
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.65
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT ON
FORM-SAR DATED MARCH 31, 1997 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT NEW YORK TOTAL RETURN
BOND FUND AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894089
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 013
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT NEW YORK TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                            55770
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                           56813
<RECEIVABLES>                                        8
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 6
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   56827
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          629
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                629
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         55134
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             5465
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             4888
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                           21
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                          1043
<NET-ASSETS>                                     56198
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                    2636
<EXPENSES-NET>                                     176
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           2460
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                            46
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                          178
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             2328
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                         2460
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                           140
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                          20654
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                      16516
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                               1809
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                            5675
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                          115
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                    209
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             55445
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.34
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .46
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .03
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .46
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                          .03
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.28
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .75
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT
ON FORM N-SAR DATED DECEMBER 31, 1996 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT EUROPEAN EQUITY
FUND AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894089
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 015
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT EUROPEAN EQUITY FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                            2107
<RECEIVABLES>                                       39
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      15
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    2161
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           89
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 89
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                          1939
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                              178
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          (1)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                            (1)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                           135
<NET-ASSETS>                                      2072
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       3
<EXPENSES-NET>                                       2
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              1
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                           (4)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                          135
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                              132
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            181
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                          3
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                            2072
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                     86
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                               629
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .01
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           1.60
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.61
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.42
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT
ON FORM N-SAR DATED DECEMBER 31, 1996 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT JAPAN EQUITY FUND
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894089
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 016
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT JAPAN EQUITY FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                             660
<RECEIVABLES>                                       25
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      14
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     699
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           80
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 80
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                           714
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                               79
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          (1)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                           (23)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                          (71)
<NET-ASSETS>                                       619
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     (1)
<EXPENSES-NET>                                       1
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            (2)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          (26)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                         (72)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                            (100)
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            169
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                         90
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                             619
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                     79
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                               342
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                  (.03)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                         (2.14)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               7.83
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.42
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT
ON FORM N-SAR DATED DECEMBER 31, 1996 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT ASIA GROWTH FUND
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894089
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 014
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT ASIA GROWTH FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                            1201
<RECEIVABLES>                                       28
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      15
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    1244
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           88
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 88
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                          1111
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                              115
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               1
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                           (13)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                            59
<NET-ASSETS>                                      1156
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       2
<EXPENSES-NET>                                       1
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              1
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          (14)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                           59
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                               46
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            2
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            120
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                          5
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                            1156
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                     85
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                               511
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .01
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .03
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.02)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.02
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.60
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE REPORT
ON FORM N-SAR DATED MAY 31, 1997 FOR THE JPM PIERPONT INTERNATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES FUND AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
REPORT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000894089
<NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT FUNDS
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 017
   <NAME> THE JPM PIERPONT INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-26-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                0
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                           39523
<RECEIVABLES>                                      656
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      31
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   40210
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           39
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 39
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         38746
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             3840
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          160
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                          (132)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                          1133
<NET-ASSETS>                                     40171
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     179
<EXPENSES-NET>                                      19
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            160
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                           132
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                         1133
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             1426
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                           3896
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                         56
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                           40171
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                     43
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             21833
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .04
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .42
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.02)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.46
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.20
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission