JP MORGAN FUNDS
497, 1998-01-07
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                                                  JANUARY 2, 1998  PROSPECTUS




J.P. MORGAN DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND


                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Seeking to outperform the
                                                  market in which it invests
                                                  over the long term through a
                                                  disciplined management
                                                  approach


This prospectus contains essential information for anyone investing in the fund.
Please read it carefully and keep it for reference.

Shares in the fund are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed or insured by
any bank, government entity, or the FDIC.

As with all mutual funds, the fact that these shares are registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission does not mean that the commission approves
them as an investment or guarantees that the information in this prospectus is
correct or adequate. It is a criminal offense for anyone to state or suggest
otherwise.

Distributed by Funds Distributor, Inc.                                  JPMORGAN

<PAGE>

CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 2
- ----
U.S. EQUITY MANAGEMENT APPROACH

U.S. equity investment process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2

 4
- ----
The fund's goal, investment approach, risks, expenses, and performance


J.P. MORGAN DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND


Fund description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
Investor expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5


 6
- ----
Investing in the J.P. Morgan Disciplined Equity Fund


YOUR INVESTMENT

Investing through a financial professional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Investing through an employer-sponsored retirement plan. . . . . . . . . .   6
Investing through an IRA or Rollover IRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Investing directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Opening your account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Adding to your account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Selling shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Account and transaction policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Dividends and distributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
Tax considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8

 9
- ----
More about risk and the fund's business operations

FUND DETAILS

Master/feeder structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
Management and administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
Risk and reward elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10

FOR MORE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  back cover

<PAGE>

INTRODUCTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


J.P. MORGAN DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND


This fund invests primarily in U.S. stocks by investing through a master
portfolio (another fund with the same goal). As a shareholder, you should
anticipate risks and rewards beyond those of a typical bond fund or a typical
balanced fund.

WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST

The fund is designed for investors who:

- - are pursuing a long-term goal such as retirement

- - want to add an investment with growth potential to further diversify a
  portfolio

- - want a fund that seeks to outperform the market in which it invests over the
  long term

The fund is NOT designed for investors who:

- - want a fund that pursues market trends or focuses only on particular
  industries or sectors

- - require regular income or stability of principal

- - are pursuing a short-term goal or investing emergency reserves

J.P. MORGAN

Known for its commitment to proprietary research and its disciplined investment
strategies, J.P. Morgan is the asset management choice for many of the world's
most respected corporations, financial institutions, governments, and
individuals. Today, J.P. Morgan employs over 300 analysts and portfolio managers
around the world and has more than $240 billion in assets under management,
including assets managed by the fund's advisor, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of
New York.

BEFORE YOU INVEST

Investors considering the fund should understand that:

- - The value of the fund's shares will fluctuate over time. You could lose money
  if you sell when the fund's share price is lower than when you invested.

- - There is no assurance that the fund will meet its investment goal.

- - Future returns will not necessarily resemble past performance.


                                                                            1
<PAGE>

U.S. EQUITY MANAGEMENT APPROACH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The J.P. Morgan Disciplined Equity Fund invests primarily in U.S. stocks.


The fund's investment philosophy, developed by its advisor, focuses on stock
picking while largely avoiding sector or market-timing strategies. Also, under
normal market conditions, the fund will remain fully invested.

U.S. EQUITY INVESTMENT PROCESS

In managing the fund, J.P. Morgan employs a three-step process:

[GRAPHIC]
J.P. Morgan analysts develop proprietary fundamental research

RESEARCH  J.P. Morgan takes an in-depth look at company prospects over a
relatively long period -- often as much as five years -- rather than focusing on
near-term expectations. This approach is designed to provide insight into a
company's real growth potential. J.P. Morgan's in-house research is developed by
an extensive worldwide network of over 120 career analysts. The team of analysts
dedicated to U.S. equities includes more than 20 members, with an average of
over ten years of experience.

[GRAPHIC]
Stocks in each industry are ranked with the help of models

VALUATION  The research findings allow J.P. Morgan to rank the companies in each
industry group according to their relative value. The greater a company's
estimated worth compared to the current market price of its stock, the more
undervalued the company. The valuation rankings are produced with the help of a
variety of models that quantify the research team's findings.

[GRAPHIC]
Using research and valuations, the fund's management team chooses stocks for its
fund

STOCK SELECTION  The fund buys and sells stocks according to its own policies,
using the research and valuation rankings as a basis. In general, the management
team buys stocks that are identified as undervalued and considers selling them
when they appear overvalued. Along with attractive valuation, the fund's
managers often consider a number of other criteria:

- - catalysts that could trigger a rise in a stock's price

- - high potential reward compared to potential risk

- - temporary mispricings caused by market overreactions


2  U.S. EQUITY MANAGEMENT APPROACH

<PAGE>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                     (THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)


                                                                           3
<PAGE>



J.P. MORGAN DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          REGISTRANT: J.P. MORGAN FUNDS
                                          (J.P. MORGAN DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND)


[GRAPHIC]
GOAL

The fund seeks to provide high total return from a broadly diversified portfolio
of equity securities.

[GRAPHIC]
INVESTMENT APPROACH

The fund invests primarily in large- and medium-capitalization U.S. companies.
Industry by industry, the fund's weightings are similar to those of the Standard
& Poor's 500 Stock Index (S&P 500). The fund does not look to overweight or
underweight industries.

Within each industry,  the fund modestly  overweights  stocks that are ranked as
undervalued or fairly valued while modestly underweighting or not holding stocks
that appear  overvalued.  (The  process  used to rank stocks  according to their
relative valuations is described on page 2.)

[GRAPHIC]
POTENTIAL RISKS AND REWARDS

The value of your investment in the fund will fluctuate in response to movements
in the stock market. Fund performance will also depend on the effectiveness of
J.P. Morgan's research and the management team's stock picking decisions.


By owning a large number of stocks within the S&P 500, with an emphasis on those
that appear undervalued or fairly valued, and by tracking the industry
weightings of that index, the fund seeks returns that modestly exceed those of
the S&P 500 over the long term with virtually the same level of volatility.


The fund's securities are described in more detail on page 10, along with their
main risks, which may cause the fund's share price to decline, and the fund's
strategies to reduce these risks.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT


The fund's assets are managed by J.P. Morgan, which currently manages over $240
billion, including more than $27 billion using the same strategy as the fund.


The portfolio management team is led by James C. Wiess and Timothy J. Devlin,
both vice presidents, who have been on the team since the fund's inception. Mr.
Wiess has been at J.P. Morgan since 1992, Mr. Devlin since July of 1996. Prior
to managing this fund, Mr. Wiess had been managing structured equity portfolios
and Mr. Devlin was an equity portfolio manager at Mitchell Hutchins Asset
Management Inc.

INVESTOR EXPENSES

The current expenses you should expect to pay as an investor in the fund are
shown at right. The fund has no sales, redemption, exchange, or account fees,
although some institutions may charge you a fee for shares you buy through them.
The annual fund expenses shown are deducted from fund assets prior to
performance calculations.

Footnotes for this section are shown on next page.

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(1) (%)
Management fees (actual)                          0.35
Marketing (12b-1) fees                            none
Other expenses
(after reimbursement)                             0.40
- ------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES(2)
(AFTER REIMBURSEMENT)                             0.75
- ------------------------------------------------------

EXPENSE EXAMPLE

The example below uses the same assumptions as other fund prospectuses: $1,000
initial investment, 5% annual total return, expenses unchanged, all shares sold
at the end of each time period. The example is for comparison only; the fund's
actual return and expenses will be different.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    1 yr.          3 yrs.         5 yrs.         10 yrs.
YOUR COST($)          8              24             42              93
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------



4  J.P. MORGAN DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND


<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERFORMANCE (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN (%)    Shows performance over time, for periods ended September 30, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   1 yr.         5 yrs.         Since 10/31/89(3)
<S>                                                                                <C>           <C>            <C>

J.P. MORGAN INSTITUTIONAL DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND(4) (after expenses)               N/A            N/A                 N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRIVATE ACCOUNT COMPOSITE (after expense)(5)                                       41.29          21.15               17.55
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 INDEX(6) (no expenses)                                                     40.45          20.77               17.05
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<CAPTION>

TOTAL RETURNS (%)                  Shows changes in returns for periods ended September 30, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 3 mos.        Since inception(7)
<S>                                                                                              <C>           <C>


        [GRAPH]


J.P. MORGAN INSTITUTIONAL DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND(4)                                              7.66               22.83
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRIVATE ACCOUNT COMPOSITE(5)                                                                      7.54               22.52
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 INDEX(6)                                                                                  7.49               22.02
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<CAPTION>

YEAR-BY-YEAR TOTAL RETURN (%)    Shows changes in returns by calendar year
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          1990      1991      1992      1993      1994      1995      1996
<S>                                                      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
               [GRAPH]

PRIVATE ACCOUNT COMPOSITE(5)                             (3.24)     30.01     11.42      9.87     1.90      37.47     22.90
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 INDEX(6)                                         (3.11)     30.47      7.62     10.08     1.32      37.58     22.96
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1)  The fund has a master/feeder structure as described on page 9. This table
     shows expenses and its share of master portfolio expenses, expressed as a
     percentage of average net assets and reflecting reimbursement for ordinary
     expenses over 0.75%.

(2)  There is no guarantee that reimbursement will continue beyond 9/30/99.

(3)  The inception date of the Private Account Composite is 10/31/89.


(4)  As of the date of this prospectus, the fund has not commenced operations so
     Performance reflects the performance of J.P. Morgan Institutional
     Disciplined Equity Fund (a separate feeder fund investing in the same
     master portfolio) from 1/31/97 through 9/30/97. Historical performance
     information reflects operating expenses which are 0.30% of net assets lower
     than those of the fund. Accordingly, performance returns for the fund would
     have been lower if an investment had been made in the fund during the same
     time periods.


(5)  THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PRIVATE ACCOUNT COMPOSITE DOES NOT REPRESENT THE
     FUND'S PERFORMANCE AND SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS INDICATIVE OF THE
     FUND'S FUTURE PERFORMANCE. The Composite reflects the historical
     performance of discretionary investment management accounts under the
     management of the fund's advisor with substantially similar objectives and
     policies as the fund. Historical Composite performance information reflects
     the deduction of the fund's total expenses of 0.75%. The performance of
     accounts in the Composite might have been lower if they were subject to the
     extra restrictions imposed on mutual funds. AIMR performance requirements
     went into effect 1/1/93 and prior to that date the Composite may not have
     included all discretionary accounts.

(6)  The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of U.S. stocks widely used as a
     measure of overall stock market performance.


(7)  J.P. Morgan Institutional Disciplined Equity Fund commenced operations on
     1/3/97 and performance is calculated as of 1/31/97.




                                      J.P. MORGAN DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND    5

<PAGE>


YOUR INVESTMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


For your convenience, the J.P. Morgan Funds offer several ways to start and
maintain fund investments.


INVESTING THROUGH A FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL

If you work with a financial professional, either at J.P. Morgan or elsewhere,
he or she is prepared to handle your planning and transaction needs. Your
financial professional will be able to assist you in establishing your fund
account, executing transactions, and monitoring your investment. If your fund
investment is not held in the name of your financial professional and you prefer
to place a transaction order yourself, please use the instructions for investing
directly.

INVESTING THROUGH AN EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLAN

Your fund investments are handled through your plan. Refer to your plan
materials or contact your benefits office for information on buying, selling, or
exchanging fund shares.

INVESTING THROUGH AN IRA OR ROLLOVER IRA

Please contact a J.P. Morgan Retirement Services Specialist at 1-888-576-4472
for information on J.P. Morgan's comprehensive IRA services, including lower
minimum investments.

INVESTING DIRECTLY

Investors may establish accounts without the help of an intermediary by using
the instructions below and at right:

- -    Determine the amount you are investing. The minimum amount for initial
     investments in the fund is $2,500 and for additional investments $500,
     although these minimums may be less for some investors. For more
     information on minimum investments, call 1-800-521-5411.

- -    Complete the application, indicating how much of your investment you want
     to allocate to which fund(s). Please apply now for any account privileges
     you may want to use in the future, in order to avoid the delays associated
     with adding them later on.

- -    Mail in your application, making your initial investment as shown at right.

For answers to any questions, please speak with a J.P. Morgan Funds Services
Representative at 1-800-521-5411.

OPENING YOUR ACCOUNT

     BY WIRE

- -    Mail your completed application to the Shareholder Services Agent.

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent to obtain an account number and to
     place a purchase order. FUNDS THAT ARE WIRED WITHOUT A PURCHASE ORDER WILL
     BE RETURNED UNINVESTED.

- -    After placing your purchase order, instruct your bank to wire the amount of
     your investment to:


     State Street Bank & Trust Company
     ROUTING NUMBER: 011-000-028
     CREDIT: J.P. Morgan Funds
     ACCOUNT NUMBER: 9904-226-9
     FFC: your account number, name of registered owner(s) and fund name


     BY CHECK

- -    Make out a check for the investment amount payable to J.P. Morgan Funds.

- -    Mail the check with your completed application to the Transfer Agent.

     BY EXCHANGE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent for an exchange.

ADDING TO YOUR ACCOUNT

     BY WIRE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent to place a purchase order. FUNDS THAT
     ARE WIRED WITHOUT A PURCHASE ORDER WILL BE RETURNED UNINVESTED.

- -    Once you have placed your purchase order, instruct your bank to wire the
     amount of your investment as described above.

     BY CHECK


- -    Make out a check for the investment amount payable to J.P. Morgan Funds.


- -    Mail the check with a completed investment slip to the Transfer Agent. If
     you do not have an investment slip, attach a note indicating your account
     number and how much you wish to invest in which fund(s).

     BY EXCHANGE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent for an exchange.


6  YOUR INVESTMENT
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELLING SHARES

     BY WIRE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent to verify that the wire redemption
     privilege is in place on your account. If it is not, a representative can
     help you add it.

- -    Place your wire request. If you are transferring money to a non-Morgan
     account, you will need to provide the representative with the personal
     identification number (PIN) that was provided to you when you opened your
     fund account.

     BY PHONE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent and place your request. Once your
     request has been verified, a check for the net amount, payable to the
     registered owner(s), will be mailed to the address of record. For checks
     payable to any other party or mailed to any other address, please make your
     request in writing (see below).

     IN WRITING

- -    Write a letter of instruction that includes the following information: The
     name of the registered owner(s) of the account; the account number; the
     fund name; the amount you want to sell; and the recipient's name and
     address or wire information, if different from those of the account
     registration.

- -    Indicate whether you want the proceeds sent by check or by wire.

- -    Make sure the letter is signed by an authorized party. The Shareholder
     Services Agent may require additional information, such as a signature
     guarantee.

- -    Mail the letter to the Shareholder Services Agent.

     BY EXCHANGE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent for an exchange.

ACCOUNT AND TRANSACTION POLICIES

TELEPHONE ORDERS  The fund accepts telephone orders from all shareholders. To
guard against fraud, the fund requires shareholders to use a PIN, and may record
telephone orders or take other reasonable precautions. However, if the fund does
take such steps to ensure the authenticity of an order, you may bear any loss if
the order later proves fraudulent.


EXCHANGES  You may exchange shares in this fund for shares in any other J.P.
Morgan or J.P. Morgan Institutional mutual fund at no charge (subject to the
securities laws of your state). When making exchanges, it is important to
observe any applicable minimums. Keep in mind that for tax purposes an exchange
is considered a sale. 


A fund may alter, limit, or suspend its exchange policy at any time.

BUSINESS HOURS AND NAV CALCULATIONS  The fund's regular business days and hours
are the same as those of the New York Stock Exchange. The fund calculates its
net asset value per share (NAV) every business day at 4:15 p.m. eastern time.

TIMING OF ORDERS  Orders to buy or sell shares are executed at the next NAV
calculated after the order has been accepted. Orders are accepted until 4:00
p.m. eastern time every business day and are executed the same day, at that
day's NAV. The fund has the right to suspend redemption of shares and to
postpone payment of proceeds for up to seven days or as permitted by law.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSFER AGENT                                    SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AGENT
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY               J.P. MORGAN FUNDS SERVICES
P.O. Box 8411                                     522 Fifth Avenue
Boston, MA 02266-8411                             New York, NY 10036
Attention: J.P. Morgan Funds Services             1-800-521-5411

                                                  Representatives are available
                                                  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern
                                                  time on fund business days.


                                                              YOUR INVESTMENT  7

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TIMING OF SETTLEMENTS  When you buy shares, you will become the owner of record
when the fund receives your payment, generally the day following execution. When
you sell shares, the proceeds are generally available the day following
execution and will be forwarded according to your instructions.

When you sell shares that you recently purchased by check, your order will be
executed at the next NAV but the proceeds will not be available until your check
clears. This may take up to 15 days.

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS  The fund sends monthly account statements as well as
confirmations after each purchase or sale of shares (except reinvestments).
Every six months the fund sends out an annual or semi-annual report, containing
information on the fund's holdings and a discussion of recent and anticipated
market conditions and fund performance.

ACCOUNTS WITH BELOW-MINIMUM BALANCES  If your account balance falls below the
minimum for 30 days as a result of selling shares (and not because of
performance), the fund may request that you buy more shares or close your
account. If your account balance is still below the minimum 60 days after
notification, the fund may close out your account and send the proceeds to the
address of record.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS


The fund typically pays income dividends four times a year and makes capital
gains distributions, if any, once per year (usually in August). However, the
fund may make more or fewer payments in a given year, depending on its
investment results and its tax compliance situation. These dividends and
distributions consist of most or all of the fund's net investment income and net
realized capital gains.



Dividends and distributions are automatically paid in additional fund shares.
Alternatively, you may instruct your financial professional or J.P. Morgan Funds
Services to have them sent to you by check, credited to a separate account, or
invested in another J.P. Morgan fund.


TAX CONSIDERATIONS

In general, selling shares, exchanging shares, and receiving distributions
(whether reinvested or taken in cash) are all taxable events. These transactions
typically create the following tax liabilities:

TRANSACTION                             TAX STATUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income dividends                        Ordinary income
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term capital gains                Ordinary income
distributions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term capital gains                 Capital gains
distributions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales or exchanges of shares            Capital gains or losses
owned for more than one year
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales or exchanges of shares            Gains are treated as ordinary
owned for one year or less              income; losses are subject
                                        to special rules
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Because long-term capital gains distributions are taxable as capital gains
regardless of how long you have owned your shares, you may want to avoid making
a substantial investment when the fund is about to declare a long-term capital
gains distribution.

Every January, the fund issues tax information on its distributions for the
previous year.

Any investor for whom the fund does not have a valid taxpayer identification
number will be subject to backup withholding for taxes.

The tax considerations described in this section do not apply to tax-deferred
accounts or other non-taxable entities.

Because each investor's tax circumstances are unique, please consult your tax
professional about your fund investment.


8  YOUR INVESTMENT

<PAGE>

FUND DETAILS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MASTER/FEEDER STRUCTURE

As noted earlier, the fund is a "feeder" fund that invests in a master
portfolio. (Except where indicated, this prospectus uses the term "the fund" to
mean the feeder fund and its master portfolio taken together.)

The master portfolio accepts investments from other feeder funds, and the
feeders bear the master portfolio's expenses in proportion to their assets.
However, each feeder can set its own transaction minimums, fund-specific
expenses, and other conditions. This means that one feeder could offer access to
the same master portfolio on more attractive terms, or could experience better
performance, than another feeder. Information about other feeders is available
by calling 1-800-521-5411. Generally, when the master portfolio seeks a vote,
the fund will hold a shareholder meeting and cast its vote proportionately, as
instructed by its shareholders. Fund shareholders are entitled to one vote per
fund share.

The fund and its master portfolio expect to maintain consistent goals, but if
they do not, the fund will withdraw from the master portfolio, receiving its
assets either in cash or securities. The fund's trustees would then consider
whether the fund should hire its own investment adviser, invest in a different
master portfolio, or take other action.

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

The fund and its master portfolio are governed by the same trustees. The
trustees are responsible for overseeing all business activities. The trustees
are assisted by Pierpont Group, Inc., which they own and operate on a cost
basis; costs are shared by all funds governed by these trustees. Funds
Distributor, Inc., as co-administrator, provides fund officers. J.P. Morgan, as
co-administrator, oversees the fund's other service providers.

J.P. Morgan, subject to the expense reimbursements described earlier in this
prospectus, receives the following fees for investment advisory and other
services:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADVISORY SERVICES                       0.35% of the master
                                        portfolio's average net assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES                 Master portfolio's and fund's pro-rata
(fee shared with Funds                  portions of 0.09% of the first
Distributor, Inc.)                      $7 billion in J.P. Morgan-advised
                                        portfolios, plus 0.04% of average net
                                        assets over $7 billion
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES                    0.25% of the fund's average net assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

J.P. Morgan may pay fees to certain firms and professionals for providing
recordkeeping or other services in connection with investments in the fund.


                                                                 FUND DETAILS  9

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISK AND REWARD ELEMENTS

This table discusses the main elements that make up the fund's overall risk and
reward characteristics (described on page 4). It also outlines the fund's
policies toward various securities, including those that are designed to
help the fund manage risk.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POTENTIAL RISKS                   POTENTIAL REWARDS                  POLICIES TO BALANCE RISK AND REWARD                       
<S>                               <C>                                <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARKET CONDITIONS                                                                                                              
- - The fund's share price and      - Stocks have generally            - Under normal circumstances the fund plans to remain     
  performance will fluctuate        outperformed more stable           fully invested, with at least 65% in stocks; stock      
  in response to stock market       investments (such as bonds         investments may include U.S. and foreign common stocks, 
  movements                         and cash equivalents) over         convertible securities, preferred stocks, trust or      
                                    the long term                      partnership interests, warrants, rights, and investment 
                                                                       company securities                                      
                                                                                                                               
                                                                     - The fund seeks to limit risk through diversification    
                                                                                                                               
                                                                     - During severe market downturns, the fund has the option 
                                                                       of investing up to 100% of assets in investment-grade   
                                                                       short-term securities                                   
                                                                                                                               
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMENT CHOICES                
- - The fund could underperform     - The fund could outperform        - J.P. Morgan focuses its active management on securities 
  its benchmark due to its          its benchmark due to these         selection, the area where it believes its commitment to 
  securities and asset              same choices                       research can most enhance returns                       
  allocation choices                                                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
- - Currency exchange rate          - Favorable exchange rate          - The fund anticipates that its total foreign investments 
  movements could reduce gains      movements could generate           will be similar to the weightings of foreign securities 
  or create losses                  gains or reduce losses             in the S&P 500 Index                                    
                                                                                                                               
- - The fund could lose money       - Foreign investments, which       - The fund actively manages the currency exposure of its  
  because of foreign government     represent a major portion of       foreign investments relative to its benchmark, and may  
  actions, political instability,   the world's securities, offer      hedge into the U.S. dollar from time to time (see also  
  or lack of adequate and           attractive potential               "Derivatives")                                          
  accurate information              performance and opportunities                                                              
                                    for diversification                                                                        
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DERIVATIVES
- - Derivatives such as futures,    - Hedges that correlate well       - The fund uses derivatives for hedging and for risk      
  options, and foreign currency     with underlying positions can      management (i.e., to establish or adjust exposure to    
  forward contracts that are        reduce or eliminate losses at      particular securities, markets or currencies); risk     
  used for hedging the portfolio    low cost                           management may include management of the fund's         
  or specific securities may not                                       exposure relative to its benchmark                      
  fully offset the underlying     - The fund could make money and                                                              
  positions(1)                      protect against losses if        - The fund only establishes hedges that it expects will   
                                    management's analysis proves       be highly correlated with underlying positions          
- - Derivatives used for risk         correct                                                                                    
  management may not have the                                        - While the fund may use derivatives that incidentally    
  intended effects and may        - Derivatives that involve           involve leverage, it does not use them for the          
  result in losses or missed        leverage could generate            specific purpose of leveraging the portfolio            
  opportunities                     substantial gains at low cost                                                              

- - Derivatives that involve
  leverage could magnify losses
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


(1) A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a set quantity of an
    underlying instrument at a future date, or to make or receive a cash payment
    based on the value of a securities index. An option is the right to buy or
    sell securities that is granted in exchange for an agreed-upon sum. A
    foreign currency forward contract is an obligation to buy or sell a given
    currency on a future date and at a set price.


10  FUND DETAILS

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POTENTIAL  RISKS                  POTENTIAL REWARDS                  POLICIES TO BALANCE RISK AND REWARD                  
<S>                               <C>                                <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLIQUID HOLDINGS                                                                                                         
- - The fund could have difficulty  - These holdings may offer more    - The fund may not invest more than 15% of net assets
  valuing these holdings            attractive yields or potential     in illiquid holdings                               
  precisely                         growth than comparable widely                                                         
                                    traded securities                - To maintain adequate liquidity to meet redemptions,
- - The fund could be unable to                                          the fund may hold investment-grade short-term      
  sell these holdings at the time                                      securities (including repurchase agreements) and,  
  or price it desires                                                  for temporary or extraordinary purposes, may borrow
                                                                       from banks up to 331/3% of its assets              
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED
DELIVERY SECURITIES
- - When the fund buys securities   - The fund can take advantage       The fund uses segregated accounts to offset
  before issue or for delayed       of attractive transaction         leverage risk                              
  delivery, it could be exposed     opportunities              
  to leverage risk if it does
  not use segregated accounts
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM TRADING
- - Increased trading would raise   - The fund could realize gains     - The fund anticipates a portfolio turnover rate of    
  the fund's brokerage and          in a short period of time          approximately 100%                                   
  related costs                                                                                                             
                                  - The fund could protect against   - The fund generally avoids short-term trading, except 
- - Increased short-term capital      losses if a stock is overvalued    to take advantage of attractive or unexpected        
  gains distributions would         and its value later falls          opportunities or to meet demands generated by        
  raise shareholders' income                                           shareholder activity                                 
  tax liability
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                                                FUND DETAILS  11
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                     (THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)



12

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                     (THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)



                                                                              13

<PAGE>

FOR MORE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For investors who want more information on the fund, the following documents are
available free upon request:


ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS  Contain financial statements, performance data,
information on portfolio holdings, and a written analysis of market conditions
and fund performance for the fund's most recently completed fiscal year or half-
year.


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)  Provides a fuller technical and legal
description of the fund's policies, investment restrictions, and business
structure. This prospectus incorporates the SAI by reference.

Copies of the current versions of these documents may be obtained by contacting:


J.P. MORGAN DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND
J.P. Morgan Funds Services
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036


TELEPHONE:  1-800-521-5411

HEARING IMPAIRED:  1-888-468-4015

EMAIL:  [email protected]

Text-only versions of these documents and this prospectus are available from
the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
Washington, D.C. (1-800-SEC-0330) and may be viewed on-screen or downloaded from
the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. The fund's investment company and
1933 Act registration numbers are 811-07340 and 033-54632.



J.P. MORGAN FUNDS AND THE MORGAN TRADITION

The J.P. Morgan Funds combine a heritage of integrity and financial
leadership with comprehensive, sophisticated analysis and management techniques.
Drawing on J.P. Morgan's extensive experience and depth as an investment
manager, the J.P. Morgan Funds offer a broad array of distinctive opportunities
for mutual fund investors.


JPMORGAN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.P. MORGAN FUNDS


ADVISOR                                           DISTRIBUTOR
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York         Funds Distributor, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue                                  60 State Street
New York, NY 10036                                Boston, MA 02109
1-800-521-5411                                    1-800-221-7930


                                                  PROS216-981




<PAGE>


                                                  JANUARY 2, 1998  PROSPECTUS



J.P. MORGAN U.S. EQUITY FUND



                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Seeking to outperform the
                                                  market in which it invests
                                                  over the long term through a
                                                  disciplined management
                                                  approach



This prospectus contains essential information for anyone investing in the fund.
Please read it carefully and keep it for reference.

Shares in the fund are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed or insured by
any bank, government entity, or the FDIC.

As with all mutual funds, the fact that these shares are registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission does not mean that the commission approves
them as an investment or guarantees that the information in this prospectus is
correct or adequate. It is a criminal offense for anyone to state or suggest
otherwise.

Distributed by Funds Distributor, Inc.                                  JPMORGAN

<PAGE>

CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 2
- ----
U.S. EQUITY MANAGEMENT APPROACH

U.S. equity investment process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2

 4
- ----
The fund's goal, investment approach, risks, expenses, performance, and 
financial highlights


J.P. MORGAN U.S. EQUITY FUND


Fund description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
Investor expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
Financial highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5


 6
- ----
Investing in the J.P. Morgan 
U.S. Equity Fund


YOUR INVESTMENT

Investing through a financial professional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
Investing through an employer-sponsored retirement plan. . . . . . . . . . .  6
Investing through an IRA or Rollover IRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
Investing directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
Opening your account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
Adding to your account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
Selling shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
Account and transaction policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
Dividends and distributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
Tax considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8

 9
- ----
More about risk and the fund's 
business operations

FUND DETAILS

Master/feeder structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
Management and administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
Risk and reward elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

FOR MORE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover


<PAGE>

INTRODUCTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


J.P. MORGAN U.S. EQUITY FUND

This fund invests primarily in U.S. stocks by investing through a master
portfolio (another fund with the same goal). As a shareholder, you should
anticipate risks and rewards beyond those of a typical bond fund or a typical
balanced fund.


WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST

The fund is designed for investors who:

- - are pursuing a long-term goal such as retirement


- - want to add an investment with potential growth to further diversify a 
  portfolio

- - want a fund that seeks to outperform the market in which it invests over the 
  long term


The fund is NOT designed for investors who:

- - want a fund that pursues market trends or focuses only on particular 
  industries or sectors

- - require regular income or stability of principal

- - are pursuing a short-term goal or investing emergency reserves

J.P. MORGAN


Known for its commitment to proprietary research and its disciplined investment
strategies, J.P. Morgan is the asset management choice for many of the world's
most respected corporations, financial institutions, governments, and
individuals. Today, J.P. Morgan employs over 300 analysts and portfolio managers
around the world and has more than $240 billion in assets under management,
including assets managed by the fund's advisor, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of
New York. 


BEFORE YOU INVEST

Investors considering the fund should understand that:

- - The value of the fund's shares will fluctuate over time. You could lose money 
  if you sell when the fund's share price is lower than when you invested.

- - There is no assurance that the fund will meet its investment goal.

- - Future returns will not necessarily resemble past performance.



                                                                               1

<PAGE>

U.S. EQUITY MANAGEMENT APPROACH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The J.P. Morgan U.S. Equity Fund invests primarily in U.S. stocks. 

The fund's investment philosophy, developed by its advisor, focuses on stock
picking while largely avoiding sector or market-timing strategies. Also, under
normal market conditions, the fund will remain fully invested.


U.S. EQUITY INVESTMENT PROCESS

In managing the fund,  J.P. Morgan employs a three-step process:

[GRAPHIC]
J.P. Morgan analysts develop proprietary fundamental research

RESEARCH  J.P. Morgan takes an in-depth look at company prospects over a
relatively long period -- often as much as five years -- rather than focusing on
near-term expectations. This approach is designed to provide insight into a
company's real growth potential. J.P. Morgan's in-house research is developed by
an extensive worldwide network of over 120 career analysts. The team of analysts
dedicated to U.S. equities includes more than 20 members, with an average of
over ten years of experience.

[GRAPHIC]
Stocks in each industry are ranked with the help of models

VALUATION  The research findings allow J.P. Morgan to rank the companies in each
industry group according to their relative value. The greater a company's
estimated worth compared to the current market price of its stock, the more
undervalued the company. The valuation rankings are produced with the help of a
variety of models that quantify the research team's findings.

[GRAPHIC]
Using research and valuations, the fund's management team chooses stocks for
its fund

STOCK SELECTION  The fund buys and sells stocks according to its own policies,
using the research and valuation rankings as a basis. In general, the management
team buys stocks that are identified as undervalued and considers selling them
when they appear overvalued. Along with attractive valuation, the fund's
managers often consider a number of other criteria:

- - catalysts that could trigger a rise in a stock's price

- - high potential reward compared to potential risk

- - temporary mispricings caused by market overreactions


2  U.S. EQUITY MANAGEMENT APPROACH

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                       (THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)



                                                                               3

<PAGE>


J.P. MORGAN U.S. EQUITY FUND                   TICKER SYMBOL: PPEQX
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               REGISTRANT: J.P. MORGAN FUNDS
                                               (J.P. MORGAN U.S. EQUITY FUND)
[GRAPHIC]
GOAL


The fund seeks to provide high total return from a portfolio of 
selected stocks.

[GRAPHIC]
INVESTMENT APPROACH


The fund invests primarily in large- and medium-capitalization U.S. companies.
Industry by industry, the fund's weightings are similar to those of the Standard
& Poor's 500 Stock Index (S&P 500). The fund can moderately underweight or
overweight industries when it believes it will benefit performance. 


Within each industry, the fund focuses on those stocks that are ranked as most
undervalued according to the investment process described on page 2. The fund
generally considers selling stocks that appear overvalued. 

[GRAPHIC]
POTENTIAL RISKS AND REWARDS

The value of your investment in the fund will fluctuate in response to movements
in the stock market. Fund performance will also depend on the effectiveness of
J.P. Morgan's research and the management team's stock picking decisions.

By emphasizing undervalued stocks, the fund has the potential to produce returns
that exceed those of the S&P 500. At the same time, by controlling the industry
weightings of the fund so they can differ only moderately from the industry
weightings of the S&P 500, the fund seeks to limit its volatility to that of the
overall market, as represented by this index. 

The fund's securities are described in more detail on page 10, along with their
main risks, which may cause the fund's share price to decline, and the fund's
strategies to reduce these risks.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

The fund's assets are managed by J.P. Morgan, which currently manages over $240
billion, including more than $13 billion using the same strategy as the fund.

The portfolio management team is led by William B. Petersen and William M.
Riegel, Jr. Both are managing directors at J.P. Morgan and both have been on the
team since 1993. Mr. Petersen has been at J.P. Morgan since 1972, Mr. Riegel
since 1979. Both served as managers of U.S. equity portfolios prior to managing
this fund.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTOR EXPENSES

The current expenses you should expect to pay as an investor in the fund are
shown at right. The fund has no sales, redemption, exchange, or account fees,
although some institutions may charge you a fee for shares you buy through them.
The annual fund expenses shown are deducted from fund assets prior to
performance calculations.


Footnotes for this section are shown on next page


ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(1)(%)
Management fees (actual)                          0.40
Marketing (12b-1) fees                            none
Other expenses                                    0.40
- ------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES                          0.80
- ------------------------------------------------------


EXPENSE EXAMPLE

The example below uses the same assumptions as other fund prospectuses: $1,000
initial investment, 5% annual total return, expenses unchanged, all shares sold
at the end of each time period. The example is for comparison only; the fund's
actual return and expenses will be different.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    1 yr.          3 yrs.         5 yrs.         10 yrs.
YOUR COST($)          8              26             44             99
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------



4  J.P. MORGAN U.S. EQUITY FUND


<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERFORMANCE (UNAUDITED)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN (%)    Shows performance over time, for periods ended December 31, 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 1 yr.          3 yrs.         5 yrs.         10 yrs.
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>

J.P. MORGAN U.S. EQUITY FUND (2) (after expenses)                21.06          16.82          13.99            14.75
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 INDEX (3) (no expenses)                                  22.96          19.67          15.22            15.29
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<CAPTION>
YEAR-BY-YEAR TOTAL RETURN (%)      Shows changes in returns by calendar year
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1987    1988    1989    1990    1991    1992    1993    1994    1995    1996
<S>                                     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>


               [GRAPH]

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.P. MORGAN U.S. EQUITY FUND  (2)       0.85    14.12   31.43    1.38   34.12   8.73    11.02   (0.61)  32.48   21.06
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index(3)                        5.22    16.61   31.69   (3.11)  30.47   7.62    10.08    1.32   37.58   22.96
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA                     For fiscal years ended May 31
                                              1988    1989    1990    1991     1992     1993     1994     1995     1996     1997
<S>                                           <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF YEAR ($)         14.23   12.04   14.54   16.51    18.21    19.02    19.30    19.38    19.42    22.15
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
    Net investment income ($)                   0.42    0.46    0.44    0.44     0.37     0.38     0.27     0.32     0.38     0.25
    Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    on investments ($)                         (1.53)   2.49    2.20    1.90     2.13     1.35     1.32     2.17     4.23     4.72
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS ($)           (1.11)   2.95    2.64    2.34     2.50     1.73     1.59     2.49     4.61     4.97
Less distributions to shareholders from:
    Net investment income ($)                  (0.41)  (0.45)  (0.44)  (0.45)   (0.40)   (0.36)   (0.29)   (0.28)   (0.29)   (0.36)
    Net realized gains ($)                     (0.67)    --    (0.23)  (0.19)   (1.29)   (1.09)   (1.22)   (2.17)   (1.59)   (2.13)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS ($)                        (1.08)  (0.45)  (0.67)  (0.64)   (1.69)   (1.45)   (1.51)   (2.45)   (1.88)   (2.49)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF YEAR ($)               12.04   14.54   16.51   18.21    19.02    19.30    19.38    19.42    22.15    24.63
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN (%)                               (8.08)  25.12   18.75   14.81    14.60    10.02     8.54    15.11    25.18    25.00
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR ($ thousands)         24,970  27,677  40,032  55,144  109,246  202,474  231,306  259,338  330,014  362,603
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
EXPENSES (%)                                    1.00    1.00    0.93    0.91     0.90     0.90     0.90     0.90     0.81     0.80
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (%)                       3.26    3.52    2.97    2.81     2.16     2.20     1.43     1.74     1.87     1.13
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECREASE REFLECTED IN EXPENSE RATIO DUE
TO EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT (%)                    0.34    0.45    0.41    0.38     0.19     0.08     0.03     0.01      --       --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER (%)                            29      18      23      43       99       60      104      --       --       --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


The Financial Highlights above have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, the
fund's independent accountants.

(1)  The fund has a master/feeder structure as described on page 9. This table
     shows the fund's expenses and its share of master portfolio expenses for
     the past fiscal year, expressed as a percentage of the fund's average net
     assets.

(2)  The fund commenced operations on 7/18/93. Returns reflect performance of
     The Pierpont Equity Fund, the fund's predecessor, prior to that date. The
     Pierpont Equity Fund commenced operations on 6/27/85.

(3)  An unmanaged index of U.S. stocks widely used as a measure of overall stock
     market performance.


(4)  Portfolio turnover reflects the period June 1, 1993 to July 18, 1993 and
     has not been annualized. In July, 1993 the Fund's predecessor contributed
     all of its investable assets to The U.S. Equity Portfolio.




                                                 J.P. MORGAN U.S. EQUITY FUND  5


<PAGE>

YOUR INVESTMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


For your convenience, the J.P. Morgan Funds offer several ways to start and
maintain fund investments.


INVESTING THROUGH A FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL


If you work with a financial professional, either at J.P. Morgan or elsewhere,
he or she is prepared to handle your planning and transaction needs. Your
financial professional will be able to assist you in establishing your fund
account, executing transactions, and monitoring your investment. If your fund
investment is not held in the name of your financial professional and you prefer
to place a transaction order yourself, please use the instructions for investing
directly.


INVESTING THROUGH AN EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLAN


Your fund investments are handled through your plan. Refer to your plan
materials or contact your benefits office for information on buying, selling, or
exchanging fund shares.


INVESTING THROUGH AN IRA OR ROLLOVER IRA

Please contact a J.P. Morgan Retirement Services Specialist at 1-888-576-4472
for information on J.P. Morgan's comprehensive IRA services, including lower
minimum investments.

INVESTING DIRECTLY

Investors may establish accounts without the help of an intermediary by using
the instructions below and at right:

- -    Determine the amount you are investing. The minimum amount for initial
     investments in the fund is $2,500 and for additional investments $500,
     although these minimums may be less for some investors. For more
     information on minimum investments, call 1-800-521-5411.

- -    Complete the application, indicating how much of your investment you want
     to allocate to which fund(s). Please apply now for any account privileges
     you may want to use in the future, in order to avoid the delays associated
     with adding them later on.


- -    Mail in your application, making your initial investment as shown at right.


For answers to any questions, please speak with a J.P. Morgan Funds Services
Representative at 1-800-521-5411.


OPENING YOUR ACCOUNT 


     BY WIRE

- -    Mail your completed application to the Shareholder Services Agent.

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent to obtain an account number and to
     place a purchase order. FUNDS THAT ARE WIRED WITHOUT A PURCHASE ORDER WILL
     BE RETURNED UNINVESTED.

- -    After placing your purchase order, instruct your bank to wire the amount of
     your investment to:


     State Street Bank & Trust Company
     ROUTING NUMBER: 011-000-028
     CREDIT: J.P. Morgan Funds
     ACCOUNT NUMBER: 9904-226-9
     FFC: your account number, name of registered owner(s) and fund name


     BY CHECK


- -    Make out a check for the investment amount payable to J.P. Morgan Funds.


- -    Mail the check with your completed application to the Transfer Agent.

     BY EXCHANGE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent for an exchange.


ADDING TO YOUR ACCOUNT 


     BY WIRE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent to place a purchase order. FUNDS THAT
     ARE WIRED WITHOUT A PURCHASE ORDER WILL BE RETURNED UNINVESTED.


- -    Once you have placed your purchase order, instruct your bank to wire the
     amount of your investment as described above.


     BY CHECK


- -    Make out a check for the investment amount payable to J.P. Morgan Funds.


- -    Mail the check with a completed investment slip to the Transfer Agent. If
     you do not have an investment slip, attach a note indicating your account
     number and how much you wish to invest in which fund(s).

     BY EXCHANGE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent for an exchange.


6  YOUR INVESTMENT

<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELLING SHARES

     BY WIRE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent to verify that the wire redemption
     privilege is in place on your account. If it is not, a representative can
     help you add it.

- -    Place your wire request. If you are transferring money to a non-Morgan
     account, you will need to provide the representative with the personal
     identification number (PIN) that was provided to you when you opened your
     fund account.

     BY PHONE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent and place your request. Once your
     request has been verified, a check for the net amount, payable to the
     registered owner(s), will be mailed to the address of record. For checks
     payable to any other party or mailed to any other address, please make your
     request in writing (see below).

     IN WRITING

- -    Write a letter of instruction that includes the following information: The
     name of the registered owner(s) of the account; the account number; the
     fund name; the amount you want to sell; and the recipient's name and
     address or wire information, if different from those of the account
     registration.

- -    Indicate whether you want the proceeds sent by check or by wire.

- -    Make sure the letter is signed by an authorized party. The Shareholder
     Services Agent may require additional information, such as a signature
     guarantee.

- -    Mail the letter to the Shareholder Services Agent.

     BY EXCHANGE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent for an exchange.

ACCOUNT AND TRANSACTION POLICIES

TELEPHONE ORDERS  The fund accepts telephone orders from all shareholders. To
guard against fraud, the fund requires shareholders to use a PIN, and may record
telephone orders or take other reasonable precautions. However, if the fund does
take such steps to ensure the authenticity of an order, you may bear any loss if
the order later proves fraudulent.


EXCHANGES  You may exchange shares in this fund for shares in any other J.P.
Morgan or J.P. Morgan Institutional mutual fund at no charge (subject to the
securities laws of your state). When making exchanges, it is important to
observe any applicable minimums. Keep in mind that for tax purposes an exchange
is considered a sale. 


A fund may alter, limit, or suspend its exchange policy at any time.

BUSINESS HOURS AND NAV CALCULATIONS  The fund's regular business days and hours
are the same as those of the New York Stock Exchange. The fund calculates its
net asset value per share (NAV) every business day at 4:15 p.m. eastern time.

TIMING OF ORDERS  Orders to buy or sell shares are executed at the next NAV
calculated after the order has been accepted. Orders are accepted until 4:00
p.m. eastern time every business day and are executed the same day, at that
day's NAV. The fund has the right to suspend redemption of shares and to
postpone payment of proceeds for up to seven days or as permitted by law.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSFER AGENT                                    SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AGENT
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY               J.P. MORGAN FUNDS SERVICES
P.O. Box 8411                                     522 Fifth Avenue
Boston, MA 02266-8411                             New York, NY 10036
Attention: J.P. Morgan Funds Services             1-800-521-5411

                                                  Representatives are available
                                                  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern
                                                  time on fund business days.


                                                              YOUR INVESTMENT  7

<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TIMING OF SETTLEMENTS  When you buy shares, you will become the owner of record
when the fund receives your payment, generally the day following execution. When
you sell shares, the proceeds are generally available the day following
execution and will be forwarded according to your instructions.

When you sell shares that you recently purchased by check, your order will be
executed at the next NAV but the proceeds will not be available until your check
clears. This may take up to 15 days.

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS  The fund sends monthly account statements as well as
confirmations after each purchase or sale of shares (except reinvestments).
Every six months the fund sends out an annual or semi-annual report, containing
information on the fund's holdings and a discussion of recent and anticipated
market conditions and fund performance.

ACCOUNTS WITH BELOW-MINIMUM BALANCES  If your account balance falls below the
minimum for 30 days as a result of selling shares (and not because of
performance), the fund may request that you buy more shares or close your
account. If your account balance is still below the minimum 60 days after
notification, the fund may close out your account and send the proceeds to the
address of record.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS


The fund typically pays income dividends four times a year and makes capital
gains distributions, if any, once per year (usually in August). However, the
fund may make more or fewer payments in a given year, depending on its
investment results and its tax compliance situation. These dividends and
distributions consist of most or all of the fund's net investment income and net
realized capital gains.

Dividends and distributions are automatically reinvested in the fund.
Alternatively, you may instruct your financial professional or J.P. Morgan Funds
Services to have them sent to you by check, credited to a separate account, or
invested in another J.P. Morgan fund.


TAX CONSIDERATIONS

In general, selling shares, exchanging shares, and receiving distributions
(whether reinvested or taken in cash) are all taxable events. These transactions
typically create the following tax liabilities:


TRANSACTION                             TAX STATUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income dividends                        Ordinary income
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term capital gains                Ordinary income
distributions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term capital gains                 Capital gains
distributions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales or exchanges of shares            Capital gains or losses
owned for more than one year
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales or exchanges of shares            Gains are treated as ordinary
owned for one year or less              income; losses are subject 
                                        to special rules
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Because long-term capital gains distributions are taxable as capital gains
regardless of how long you have owned your shares, you may want to avoid making
a substantial investment when the fund is about to declare a long-term capital
gains distribution.

Every January, the fund issues tax information on its distributions for the
previous year.

Any investor for whom the fund does not have a valid taxpayer identification
number will be subject to backup withholding for taxes.

The tax considerations described in this section do not apply to tax-deferred
accounts or other non-taxable entities.

Because each investor's tax circumstances are unique, please consult your tax
professional about your fund investment.


8  YOUR INVESTMENT

<PAGE>

FUND DETAILS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MASTER/FEEDER STRUCTURE

As noted earlier, the fund is a "feeder" fund that invests in a master
portfolio. (Except where indicated, this prospectus uses the term "the fund" to
mean the feeder fund and its master portfolio taken together.)

The master portfolio accepts investments from other feeder funds, and the
feeders bear the master portfolio's expenses in proportion to their assets.
However, each feeder can set its own transaction minimums, fund-specific
expenses, and other conditions. This means that one feeder could offer access to
the same master portfolio on more attractive terms, or could experience better
performance, than another feeder. Information about other feeders is available
by calling 1-800-521-5411. Generally, when the master portfolio seeks a vote,
the fund will hold a shareholder meeting and cast its vote proportionately, as
instructed by its shareholders. Fund shareholders are entitled to one vote per
fund share. 

The fund and its master portfolio expect to maintain consistent goals, but if
they do not, the fund will withdraw from the master portfolio, receiving its
assets either in cash or securities. The fund's trustees would then consider
whether the fund should hire its own investment adviser, invest in a different
master portfolio, or take other action.

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION


The fund and its master portfolio are governed by the same trustees. The
trustees are responsible for overseeing all business activities. The trustees
are assisted by Pierpont Group, Inc., which they own and operate at cost basis;
costs are shared by all funds governed by these trustees. Funds Distributor,
Inc., as co-administrator, provides fund officers. J.P. Morgan, as
co-administrator, oversees the fund's other service providers.

J.P. Morgan receives the following fees for investment advisory and other
services:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADVISORY SERVICES                       0.40% of the master portfolio's average 
                                        net assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES                 Master portfolio's and fund's
(fee shared with Funds                  pro-rata portions of 0.09% of
Distributor, Inc.)                      the first $7 billion in J.P.
                                        Morgan-advised portfolios, plus 0.04% of
                                        average net assets over $7 billion
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES                    0.25% of the fund's average
                                        net assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

J.P. Morgan may pay fees to certain firms and professionals for providing
recordkeeping or other services in connection with investments in the fund.



                                                                 FUND DETAILS  9

<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISK AND REWARD ELEMENTS

This table discusses the main elements that make up the fund's overall risk and
reward characteristics (described on page 4). It also outlines the fund's
policies toward various securities, including those that are designed to help
the fund manage risk.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POTENTIAL RISKS                    POTENTIAL REWARDS                  POLICIES TO BALANCE RISK AND REWARD
<S>                                <C>                                <C>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARKET CONDITIONS                  - Stocks have generally            - Under normal circumstances the fund plans to remain  
- - The fund's share price and         outperformed more stable           fully invested, with at least 65% in stocks; stock   
performance will fluctuate           investments (such as bonds         investments may include U.S. and foreign common      
in response to stock market          and cash equivalents) over         stocks, convertible securities, preferred stocks,    
movements                            the long term                      trust or partnership interests, warrants, rights,    
                                                                        and investment company securities                    


                                                                      - The fund seeks to limit risk through diversification 


                                                                      - During severe market downturns, the fund has the     
                                                                        option of investing up to 100% of assets in          
                                                                        investment-grade short-term securities               
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMENT CHOICES
- - The fund could underperform      - The fund could outperform        - J.P. Morgan focuses its active management on         
its benchmark due to its             its benchmark due to these         securities selection, the area where it believes its 
securities and asset                 same choices                       commitment to research can most enhance returns      
allocation choices
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
- - Currency exchange rate           - Favorable exchange rate          - The fund anticipates that its total foreign            
  movements could reduce gains       movements could generate           investments will not exceed 5% of assets               
  or create losses                   gains or reduce losses                                                                    
                                                                      - The fund actively manages the currency exposure of its 
- - The fund could lose money        - Foreign investments, which         foreign investments relative to its benchmark, and may 
  because of foreign government      represent a major portion of       hedge into the U.S. dollar from time to time (see also 
  actions, political instability,    the world's securities, offer      "Derivatives") 
  or lack of adequate and            attractive potential
  accurate information               performance and opportunities
                                     for diversification
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DERIVATIVES
- - Derivatives such as futures,     - Hedges that correlate well       - The fund uses derivatives for hedging (i.e., to        
  options, and foreign currency      with underlying positions can      establish or adjust exposure to particular securities, 
  forward contracts that are         reduce or eliminate losses at      markets or currencies)                                 
  used for hedging the portfolio     low cost                                                                                  
  or specific securities may                                          - The fund only establishes hedges that it expects will  
  not fully offset the             - The fund could make money and      be highly correlated with underlying positions
  underlying positions1              protect against losses if 
                                     management's analysis proves     - While the fund may use derivatives that incidentally   
                                     correct                            involve leverage, it does not use them for the         
- - Derivatives that involve                                              specific purpose of leveraging the portfolio           
  leverage could magnify losses
                                   - Derivatives that involve
                                     leverage could generate
                                     substantial gains at low cost
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


(1)  A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a set quantity of an
     underlying instrument at a future date, or to make or receive a cash
     payment based on the value of a securities index. An option is the right to
     buy or sell securities that is granted in exchange for an agreed-upon sum.
     A foreign currency forward contract is an obligation to buy or sell a given
     currency on a future date and at a set price.


10  FUND DETAILS

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POTENTIAL RISKS                    POTENTIAL REWARDS                  POLICIES TO BALANCE RISK AND REWARD
<S>                                <C>                                <C>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLIQUID HOLDINGS
- - The fund could have              - These holdings may offer          - The fund may not invest more than 15% of net assets  
  difficulty valuing these           more attractive yields or           in illiquid holdings                                 
  holdings precisely                 potential growth than                                                                    
                                     comparable widely traded          - To maintain adequate liquidity to meet redemptions,  
- - The fund could be unable           securities                          the fund may hold investment-grade short-term        
  to sell these holdings                                                 securities (including repurchase agreements) and,    
  at the time or price it                                                for temporary or extraordinary purposes, may borrow  
  desires                                                                from banks up to 10% of its assets
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED
DELIVERY SECURITIES
- - When the fund buys               - The fund can take advantage       - The fund uses segregated accounts to offset leverage
  securities before issue or         of attractive transaction           risk                                                
  for delayed delivery, it           opportunities
  could be exposed to leverage
  risk if it does not use
  segregated accounts
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM TRADING
- - Increased trading would          - The fund could realize gains      - The fund anticipates a portfolio turnover rate of    
  raise the fund's brokerage         in a short period of time           approximately 100%                                   
  and related costs                                                                                                           
                                   - The fund could protect            - The fund generally avoids short-term trading, except 
- - Increased short-term capital       against losses if a stock is        to take advantage of attractive or unexpected
  gains distributions would          overvalued and its value            opportunities or to meet demands generated by
  raise shareholders' income         later falls                         shareholder activity
  tax liability
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



                                                                FUND DETAILS  11

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                       (THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)



12

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                       (THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)



                                                                              13

<PAGE>

FOR MORE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For investors who want more information on the fund, the following documents are
available free upon request:


ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS  Contain financial statements, performance data,
information on portfolio holdings, and a written analysis of market conditions
and fund performance for the fund's most recently completed fiscal year or
half-year.


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)  Provides a fuller technical and legal
description of the fund's policies, investment restrictions, and business
structure. This prospectus incorporates the SAI by reference.

Copies of the current versions of these documents may be obtained by contacting:


J.P. MORGAN U.S. EQUITY FUND
J.P. Morgan Funds Services
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036


TELEPHONE:  1-800-521-5411

HEARING IMPAIRED:  1-888-468-4015

EMAIL:  [email protected]


Text-only versions of these documents and this prospectus are available from 
the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
Washington, D.C. (1-800-SEC-0330) and may be viewed on-screen or downloaded from
the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. The fund's investment company and
1933 Act registration numbers are 811-07795 and 333-11125.


J.P. MORGAN FUNDS AND THE MORGAN TRADITION

The J.P. Morgan Funds combine a heritage of integrity and financial leadership
with comprehensive, sophisticated analysis and management techniques. Drawing on
J.P. Morgan's extensive experience and depth as an investment manager, the J.P.
Morgan Funds offer a broad array of distinctive opportunities for mutual fund
investors.


JPMORGAN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.P. MORGAN FUNDS


ADVISOR                                        DISTRIBUTOR
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York      Funds Distributor, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue                               60 State Street
New York, NY 10036                             Boston, MA 02109
1-800-521-5411                                 1-800-221-7930
                                           

                                                       PROS295-981


<PAGE>


                                                  JANUARY 2, 1998  PROSPECTUS


J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND


                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Seeking to outperform the 
                                                  market in which it invests
                                                  over the long term through a
                                                  disciplined management
                                                  approach




This prospectus contains essential information for anyone investing in the fund.
Please read it carefully and keep it for reference.

Shares in the fund are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed or insured by
any bank, government entity, or the FDIC.

As with all mutual funds, the fact that these shares are registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission does not mean that the commission approves
them as an investment or guarantees that the information in this prospectus is
correct or adequate. It is a criminal offense for anyone to state or suggest
otherwise.

Distributed by Funds Distributor, Inc.                                  JPMORGAN
<PAGE>

CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 2
- ----

U.S. EQUITY MANAGEMENT APPROACH

U.S. equity investment process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2


 4
- ----
The fund's goal, investment approach, risks, expenses, performance, and
financial highlights



J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND


Fund description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
Investor expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
Financial highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5


 6
- ---
Investing in the J.P. Morgan U.S. Small Company Fund


YOUR INVESTMENT

Investing through a financial professional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Investing through an employer-sponsored retirement plan. . . . . . . . . .   6
Investing through an IRA or Rollover IRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Investing directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Opening your account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Adding to your account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Selling shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Account and transaction policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Dividends and distributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
Tax considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8

 9
- ----
More about risk and the fund's business operations

FUND DETAILS

Master/feeder structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
Management and administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
Risk and reward elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10

FOR MORE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  back cover

<PAGE>

INTRODUCTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND

This fund invests primarily in U.S. small company stocks by investing through a
master portfolio (another fund with the same goal). As a shareholder, you should
anticipate risks and rewards beyond those of a typical bond, balanced or a
large-cap equity fund.


WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST

The fund is designed for investors who:

- -    are pursuing a long-term goal such as retirement


- -    want to add an investment with growth potential to further diversify a
     portfolio



- -    want a fund that seeks to outperform the market in which it invests over
     the long term


The fund is NOT designed for investors who:

- -    want a fund that pursues market trends or focuses only on particular
     industries or sectors

- -    require regular income or stability of principal

- -    are pursuing a short-term goal or investing emergency reserves

J.P. MORGAN


Known for its commitment to proprietary research and its disciplined investment
strategies, J.P. Morgan is the asset management choice for many of the world's
most respected corporations, financial institutions, governments, and
individuals. Today, J.P. Morgan employs over 300 analysts and portfolio managers
around the world and has more than $240 billion in assets under management,
including assets managed by the fund's advisor, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
of New York.


BEFORE YOU INVEST

Investors considering the fund should understand that:

- -    The value of the fund's shares will fluctuate over time. You could lose
     money if you sell when the fund's share price is lower than when you
     invested.

- -    There is no assurance that the fund will meet its investment goal.

- -    Future returns will not necessarily resemble past performance.



                                                                               1
<PAGE>

U.S. EQUITY MANAGEMENT APPROACH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The J.P. Morgan U.S. Small Company Fund invests primarily in U.S. small
company stocks.

The fund's investment philosophy, developed by its advisor, focuses on stock
picking while largely avoiding sector or market-timing strategies. Also, under
normal market conditions, the fund will remain fully invested.


U.S. EQUITY INVESTMENT PROCESS

In managing the fund, J.P. Morgan employs a three-step process:

[GRAPHIC]
J.P. Morgan analysts develop proprietary fundamental research

RESEARCH  J.P. Morgan takes an in-depth look at company prospects over a
relatively long period -- often as much as five years -- rather than focusing on
near-term expectations. This approach is designed to provide insight into a
company's real growth potential. J.P. Morgan's in-house research is developed by
an extensive worldwide network of over 120 career analysts. The team of analysts
dedicated to U.S. equities includes more than 20 members, with an average of
over ten years of experience.

[GRAPHIC]
Stocks in each industry are ranked with the help of models

VALUATION  The research findings allow J.P. Morgan to rank the companies in each
industry group according to their relative value. The greater a company's
estimated worth compared to the current market price of its stock, the more
undervalued the company. The valuation rankings are produced with the help of a
variety of models that quantify the research team's findings.

[GRAPHIC]
Using research and valuations, the fund's management team chooses stocks for its
fund

STOCK SELECTION  The fund buys and sells stocks according to its own policies,
using the research and valuation rankings as a basis. In general, the management
team buys stocks that are identified as undervalued and considers selling them
when they appear overvalued. Along with attractive valuation, the fund's
managers often consider a number of other criteria:

- -    catalysts that could trigger a rise in a stock's price

- -    high potential reward compared to potential risk

- -    temporary mispricings caused by market overreactions


2  U.S. EQUITY MANAGEMENT APPROACH

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                     (THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)



                                                                               3
<PAGE>


J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND        TICKER SYMBOL: PPCAX
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           REGISTRANT: J.P. MORGAN FUNDS
                                           (J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND)


[GRAPHIC]
GOAL

The fund seeks to provide high total return from a portfolio of small
company stocks.

[GRAPHIC]
INVESTMENT APPROACH


The fund invests primarily in small and medium sized U.S. companies whose market
capitalizations are greater than $100 million and less than $3 billion. Industry
by industry, the fund's weightings are similar to those of the Russell 2500
Index. The fund can moderately underweight or overweight industries when it
believes it will benefit performance.


Within each industry, the fund focuses on those stocks that are ranked as
most undervalued according to the process described on page 2. The fund
generally considers selling stocks that appear overvalued or have grown into
large-cap stocks.

[GRAPHIC]
POTENTIAL RISKS AND REWARDS

The value of your investment in the fund will fluctuate in response to movements
in the stock market. Fund performance will also depend on the effectiveness of
J.P. Morgan's research and the management team's stock picking decisions.

Small- and medium-cap stocks have historically offered higher long-term growth
than large-cap stocks, and have also involved higher risks. The fund's small-cap
emphasis means it is likely to be more sensitive to economic news and is likely
to fall further in value during broad market downturns. The fund pursues returns
that exceed those of the Russell 2500 Index while seeking to limit its
volatility relative to this index.

The fund's securities are described in more detail on page 10, along with their
main risks, which may cause the fund's share price to decline, and the fund's
strategies to reduce these risks.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT


The fund's assets are managed by J.P. Morgan, which currently manages over $240
billion, including more than $4.2 billion using the same strategy as the fund.

The portfolio management team is led by James B. Otness, managing director, and
Michael J. Kelly, vice president. Mr. Otness began managing the fund in February
of 1993, has managed small-cap U.S. equity portfolios since 1985, and has been
at J.P. Morgan since 1970. Mr. Kelly joined the team in May of 1996, has managed
other U.S. equity portfolios for J.P. Morgan prior to managing this fund, and
has been at J.P. Morgan since 1985.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTOR EXPENSES

The current expenses you should expect to pay as an investor in the fund are
shown at right. The fund has no sales, redemption, exchange, or account fees,
although some institutions may charge you a fee for shares you buy through them.
The annual fund expenses shown are deducted from fund assets prior to
performance calculations.

Footnotes for this section are shown on next page.


ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(1) (%)
Management fees (actual)                          0.60
Marketing (12b-1) fees                            none
Other expenses(2)
(after reimbursement)                             0.41
- ------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES(2)
(AFTER REIMBURSEMENT)                             1.01
- ------------------------------------------------------


EXPENSE EXAMPLE
The example below uses the same assumptions as other fund prospectuses: $1,000
initial investment, 5% annual total return, expenses unchanged, all shares sold
at the end of each time period. The example is for comparison only; the fund's
actual return and expenses will be different.


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    1 yr.          3 yrs.         5 yrs.         10 yrs.
YOUR COST($)         10              32             56             124
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------


4  J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND


<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERFORMANCE (UNAUDITED)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN (%)    Shows performance over time, for periods ended December 31, 1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              1 yr.         3 yrs.         5 yrs.       10 yrs.
<S>                                                                           <C>           <C>            <C>          <C>

J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND (3) (AFTER EXPENSES)                      20.75          14.43          14.12          12.72
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RUSSELL 2500 INDEX(4) (NO EXPENSES)                                           19.03          15.76          16.00          13.87
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<CAPTION>

YEAR-BY-YEAR TOTAL RETURN (%)      Shows changes in returns by calendar year
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRAPH]
                                    1987     1988      1989      1990      1991      1992      1993      1994      1995       1996
<S>                                <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.P. Morgan U.S. Small
 Company Fund (3)                  (3.38)    13.67     29.01    (24.34)    59.59     18.98      8.58     (5.89)    31.86     20.75
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russell 2500 Index(4)              (4.68)    22.73     19.43    (14.88)    46.70     16.19     16.54     (1.06)    31.70     19.03
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<CAPTION>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA                     For fiscal years ended May 31
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              1988     1989     1990     1991     1992     1993     1994     1995     1996     1997
<S>                                         <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD ($)     15.71    12.91    16.83    18.68    17.98    20.03    25.12    21.40    22.02    26.20
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
   Net investment income (loss)(5) ($)       (0.02)   (0.03)   (0.03)   (0.02)   (0.04)   (0.01)    0.20     0.22     0.26     0.18
   Net realized and unrealized
   gain on investment ($)                    (2.13)    3.95     1.88    (0.33)    2.09     5.10     0.19     2.13     6.96     2.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS ($)         (2.15)    3.92     1.85    (0.35)    2.05     5.09     0.39     2.35     7.22     2.18
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions to shareholders from:
   Net investment income ($)                    --       --       --       --       --       --    (0.09)   (0.21)   (0.26)   (0.21)
   Net realized gain ($)                     (0.65)      --       --    (0.35)      --       --    (4.02)   (1.52)   (2.78)   (2.13)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS ($)                      (0.65)      --       --    (0.35)      --       --    (4.11)   (1.73)   (3.04)   (2.34)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD ($)           12.91    16.83    18.68    17.98    20.03    25.12    21.40    22.02    26.20    26.04
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN (%)                            (14.25)   30.36    10.99    (1.90)   11.40    25.41     1.14    12.28    35.48     9.49
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS, END OF PERIOD ($ thousands)     30,866   42,403   47,921   58,859   97,548  186,887  204,445  179,130  220,917  237,985
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES (%)                                  1.00     1.00     0.93     0.91     0.90     0.90     0.90     0.90     0.90     0.90
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) (%)             (0.15)   (0.23)   (0.18)   (0.15)   (0.25)   (0.06)    0.75     1.02     1.10     0.71
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECREASE REFLECTED IN EXPENSE RATIO DUE TO 
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT (%)                     0.31     0.36     0.32     0.31     0.13     0.05     0.20     0.22     0.13     0.13
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER (%)                          78       38       66       56       58       50       14(6)    --       --       --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


</TABLE>

The Financial Highlights above have been audited by Price Waterhouse LLP, the
fund's independent accountants.


(1)  The fund has a master/feeder structure as described on page 9. This table
     shows the fund's expenses and its share of master portfolio expenses,
     expressed as a percentage of the fund's average net assets for the past
     fiscal year and reflecting current reimbursement arrangements for ordinary
     expenses over 1.01%. This limit does not cover extraordinary expenses and
     upon notice to shareholders may be revoked at any time.

(2)  Without reimbursement, other expenses and total operating expenses would
     have been 0.43% and 1.03%, respectively.

(3)  The fund commenced operations on 7/19/93. Returns reflect performance of
     The Capital Appreciation Fund, the fund's predecessor, prior to that date.
     The Capital Appreciation Fund commenced operations on 6/27/85.


(4)  The Russell 2500 Index is an unmanaged index of medium and small U.S.
     stocks.

(5)  Based on shares outstanding at the beginning and end of each fiscal period
     except for the fiscal year ended May 31, 1991, where average shares
     outstanding were used.

(6)  Portfolio turnover reflects the period June 1, 1993 to July 18, 1993 and
     has not been annualized. In July, 1993 the Fund's predecessor contributed
     all of its investable assets to The U.S. Small Company Portfolio.



                                          J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND  5
<PAGE>


YOUR INVESTMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


For your convenience, the J.P. Morgan Funds offer several ways to start and
maintain fund investments.


INVESTING THROUGH A FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL


If you work with a financial professional, either at J.P. Morgan or elsewhere,
he or she is prepared to handle your planning and transaction needs. Your
financial professional will be able to assist you in establishing your fund
account, executing transactions, and monitoring your investment. If your fund
investment is not held in the name of your financial professional and you prefer
to place a transaction order yourself, please use the instructions for investing
directly.


INVESTING THROUGH AN EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLAN

Your fund investments are handled through your plan.


Refer to your plan materials or contact your benefits office for information on
buying, selling, or exchanging fund shares.


INVESTING THROUGH AN IRA OR ROLLOVER IRA

Please contact a J.P. Morgan Retirement Services Specialist at 1-888-576-4472
for information on J.P. Morgan's comprehensive IRA services, including lower
minimum investments.

INVESTING DIRECTLY

Investors may establish accounts without the help of an intermediary by using
the instructions below and at right:

- -    Determine the amount you are investing. The minimum amount for initial
     investments in the fund is $2,500 and for additional investments $500,
     although these minimums may be less for some investors. For more
     information on minimum investments, call 1-800-521-5411.

- -    Complete the application, indicating how much of your investment you want
     to allocate to which fund(s). Please apply now for any account privileges
     you may want to use in the future, in order to avoid the delays associated
     with adding them later on.


- -    Mail in your application, making your initial investment as shown at right.

For answers to any questions, please speak with a J.P. Morgan Funds Services
Representative at 1-800-521-5411.

OPENING YOUR ACCOUNT


     BY WIRE

- -    Mail your completed application to the Shareholder Services Agent.

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent to obtain an account number and to
     place a purchase order. FUNDS THAT ARE WIRED WITHOUT A PURCHASE ORDER WILL
     BE RETURNED UNINVESTED.

- -    After placing your purchase order, instruct your bank to wire the amount of
     your investment to:


     State Street Bank & Trust Company
     ROUTING NUMBER: 011-000-028
     CREDIT: J.P. Morgan Funds
     ACCOUNT NUMBER: 9904-226-9
     FFC: your account number, name of registered owner(s) and fund name


     BY CHECK


- -    Make out a check for the investment amount payable to J.P. Morgan Funds.


- -    Mail the check with your completed application to the Transfer Agent.

     BY EXCHANGE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent for an exchange.


ADDING TO YOUR ACCOUNT


     BY WIRE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent to place a purchase order. FUNDS THAT
     ARE WIRED WITHOUT A PURCHASE ORDER WILL BE RETURNED UNINVESTED.


- -    Once you have placed your purchase order, instruct your bank to wire the
     amount of your investment as described above.


     BY CHECK


- -    Make out a check for the investment amount payable to J.P. Morgan Funds.


- -    Mail the check with a completed investment slip to the Transfer Agent. If
     you do not have an investment slip, attach a note indicating your account
     number and how much you wish to invest in which fund(s).

     BY EXCHANGE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent for an exchange.


6  YOUR INVESTMENT

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELLING SHARES

     BY WIRE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent to verify that the wire redemption
     privilege is in place on your account. If it is not, a representative can
     help you add it.

- -    Place your wire request. If you are transferring money to a non-Morgan
     account, you will need to provide the representative with the personal
     identification number (PIN) that was provided to you when you opened your
     fund account.

     BY PHONE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent and place your request. Once your
     request has been verified, a check for the net amount, payable to the
     registered owner(s), will be mailed to the address of record. For checks
     payable to any other party or mailed to any other address, please make your
     request in writing (see below).

     IN WRITING

- -    Write a letter of instruction that includes the following information: The
     name of the registered owner(s) of the account; the account number; the
     fund name; the amount you want to sell; and the recipient's name and
     address or wire information, if different from those of the account
     registration.

- -    Indicate whether you want the proceeds sent by check or by wire.

- -    Make sure the letter is signed by an authorized party. The Shareholder
     Services Agent may require additional information, such as a signature
     guarantee.

- -    Mail the letter to the Shareholder Services Agent.

     BY EXCHANGE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent for an exchange.

ACCOUNT AND TRANSACTION POLICIES

TELEPHONE ORDERS  The fund accepts telephone orders from all shareholders. To
guard against fraud, the fund requires shareholders to use a PIN, and may record
telephone orders or take other reasonable precautions. However, if the fund does
take such steps to ensure the authenticity of an order, you may bear any loss if
the order later proves fraudulent.


EXCHANGES  You may exchange shares in this fund for shares in any other J.P.
Morgan or J.P. Morgan Institutional mutual fund at no charge (subject to the
securities laws of your state). When making exchanges, it is important to
observe any applicable minimums. Keep in mind that for tax purposes an exchange
is considered a sale.


A fund may alter, limit, or suspend its exchange policy at any time.

BUSINESS HOURS AND NAV CALCULATIONS  The fund's regular business days and hours
are the same as those of the New York Stock Exchange. The fund calculates its
net asset value per share (NAV) every business day at 4:15 p.m. eastern time.

TIMING OF ORDERS  Orders to buy or sell shares are executed at the next NAV
calculated after the order has been accepted. Orders are accepted until
4:00 p.m. eastern time every business day and are executed the same day, at that
day's NAV. The fund has the right to suspend redemption of shares and to
postpone payment of proceeds for up to seven days or as permitted by law.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSFER AGENT                                    SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AGENT
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY               J.P. MORGAN FUNDS SERVICES
P.O. Box 8411                                     522 Fifth Avenue
Boston, MA 02266-8411                             New York, NY 10036
Attention: J.P. Morgan Funds Services             1-800-521-5411

                                                  Representatives are available
                                                  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern
                                                  time on fund business days.


                                                              YOUR INVESTMENT  7
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TIMING OF SETTLEMENTS  When you buy shares, you will become the owner of record
when the fund receives your payment, generally the day following execution. When
you sell shares, the proceeds are generally available the day following
execution and will be forwarded according to your instructions.

When you sell shares that you recently purchased by check, your order will be
executed at the next NAV but the proceeds will not be available until your check
clears. This may take up to 15 days.

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS  The fund sends monthly account statements as well as
confirmations after each purchase or sale of shares (except reinvestments).
Every six months the fund sends out an annual or semi-annual report, containing
information on the fund's holdings and a discussion of recent and anticipated
market conditions and fund performance.

ACCOUNTS WITH BELOW-MINIMUM BALANCES  If your account balance falls below the
minimum for 30 days as a result of selling shares (and not because of
performance), the fund may request that you buy more shares or close your
account. If your account balance is still below the minimum 60 days after
notification, the fund may close out your account and send the proceeds to the
address of record.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS


The fund typically pays income dividends two times a year and makes capital
gains distributions, if any, once per year (usually in August). However, the
fund may make more or fewer payments in a given year, depending on its
investment results and its tax compliance situation. These dividends and
distributions consist of most or all of the fund's net investment income and net
realized capital gains.

Dividends and distributions are automatically reinvested in the fund.
Alternatively, you may instruct your financial professional or J.P. Morgan Funds
Services to have them sent to you by check, credited to a separate account, or
invested in another J.P. Morgan fund.


TAX CONSIDERATIONS

In general, selling shares, exchanging shares, and receiving distributions
(whether reinvested or taken in cash) are all
taxable events. These transactions typically create the
following tax liabilities:

TRANSACTION                             TAX STATUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income dividends                        Ordinary income
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term capital gains                Ordinary income
distributions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term capital gains                 Capital gains
distributions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales or exchanges of shares            Capital gains or losses
owned for more than one year
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales or exchanges of shares            Gains are treated as ordinary
owned for one year or less              income; losses are subject
                                        to special rules
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Because long-term capital gains distributions are taxable as capital gains
regardless of how long you have owned your shares, you may want to avoid making
a substantial investment when the fund is about to declare a long-term capital
gains distribution.

Every January, the fund issues tax information on its distributions for the
previous year.

Any investor for whom the fund does not have a valid taxpayer identification
number will be subject to backup withholding for taxes.

The tax considerations described in this section do not apply to tax-deferred
accounts or other non-taxable entities.

Because each investor's tax circumstances are unique, please consult your tax
professional about your fund investment.


8  YOUR INVESTMENT

<PAGE>

FUND DETAILS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MASTER/FEEDER STRUCTURE

As noted earlier, the fund is a "feeder" fund that invests in a master
portfolio. (Except where indicated, this prospectus uses the term "the fund" to
mean the feeder fund and its master portfolio taken together.)

The master portfolio accepts investments from other feeder funds, and the
feeders bear the master portfolio's expenses in proportion to their assets.
However, each feeder can set its own transaction minimums, fund-specific
expenses, and other conditions. This means that one feeder could offer access to
the same master portfolio on more attractive terms, or could experience better
performance, than another feeder. Information about other feeders is available
by calling 1-800-521-5411. Generally, when the master portfolio seeks a vote,
the fund will hold a shareholder meeting and cast its vote proportionately, as
instructed by its shareholders. Fund shareholders are entitled to one vote per
fund share.

The fund and its master portfolio expect to maintain consistent goals, but if
they do not, the fund will withdraw from the master portfolio, receiving its
assets either in cash or securities. The fund's trustees would then consider
whether the fund should hire its own investment adviser, invest in a different
master portfolio, or take other action.

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION


The fund and its master portfolio are governed by the same trustees. The
trustees are responsible for overseeing all business activities. The trustees
are assisted by Pierpont Group, Inc., which they own and operate on a cost
basis; costs are shared by all funds governed by these trustees.  Funds
Distributor, Inc., as co-administrator, provides fund officers. J.P. Morgan, as
co-administrator, oversees the fund's other service providers.

J.P. Morgan, subject to the expense reimbursements described earlier in this
prospectus, receives the following fees for investment advisory and other
services:

ADVISORY SERVICES                       0.60% of the master
                                        portfolio's average net assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES                 Master portfolio's and fund's
(fee shared with Funds                  pro-rata portions of 0.09% of
Distributor, Inc.)                      the first $7 billion in
                                        J.P. Morgan-advised portfolios, plus
                                        0.04% of average
                                        net assets over $7 billion
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES                    0.25% of the fund's average
                                        net assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

J.P. Morgan may pay fees to certain firms and professionals for providing
recordkeeping or other services in connection with investments in the fund.



                                                                 FUND DETAILS  9
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISK AND REWARD ELEMENTS


This table discusses the main elements that make up the fund's overall risk 
and reward characteristics (described on page 4). It also outlines the 
fund's policies toward various securities, including those that are designed 
to help the fund manage risk.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POTENTIAL RISKS                    POTENTIAL REWARDS                  POLICIES TO BALANCE RISK AND REWARD
<S>                                <C>                                <C>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARKET CONDITIONS
- - The fund's share price and       - Stocks have generally            - Under normal circumstances the fund plans to remain
  performance will fluctuate in      outperformed more stable           fully invested, with at least 65% in U.S. small
  response to stock market           investments (such as               company stocks; stock investments may include U.S.
  movements                          bonds and cash                     and foreign common stocks, convertible securities,
                                     equivalents) over the              preferred stocks, trust or partnership interests,
                                     long term                          warrants, rights, and investment company securities

                                                                    
                                                                      - The fund seeks to limit risk through diversification
                                                                    

                                                                      - During severe market downturns, the fund has the
                                                                        option of investing up to 100% of assets in
                                                                        investment-grade short-term securities
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMENT CHOICES                                                  
- - The fund could underperform      - The fund could outperform        - J.P. Morgan focuses its active management on
  its benchmark due to its           its benchmark due to               securities selection, the area where it believes its
  securities and asset               these same choices                 commitment to research can most enhance returns
  allocation choices                                                
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS                                                 
- - Currency exchange rate           - Favorable exchange rate          - The fund anticipates that its total foreign
  movements could reduce gains       movements could generate           investments will not exceed 5% of assets
  or create losses                   gains or reduce losses         
                                                                      - The fund actively manages the currency exposure of
- - The fund could lose money        - Foreign investments,               its foreign investments relative to its benchmark,
  because of foreign government      which represent a major            and may hedge into the U.S. dollar from time to time
  actions, political                 portion of the world's             (see also "Derivatives")
  instability, or lack of            securities, offer              
  adequate and accurate              attractive potential           
  information                        performance and                
                                     opportunities for              
                                     diversification                
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DERIVATIVES                                                         
- - Derivatives such as futures,     - Hedges that correlate            - The fund uses derivatives for hedging (i.e., to
  options, and foreign currency      well with underlying               establish or adjust exposure to particular
  forward contracts that are         positions can reduce or            securities, markets or currencies)
  used for hedging the portfolio     eliminate losses at low        
  or specific securities may not     cost                             - The fund only establishes hedges that it expects
  fully offset the underlying                                           will be highly correlated with underlying positions
  positions(1)                     - The fund could make money      
                                     and protect against              - While the fund may use derivatives that incidentally
- - Derivatives that involve           losses if management's             involve leverage, it does not use them for the
  leverage could magnify losses      analysis proves correct            specific purpose of leveraging the portfolio


                                   - Derivatives that involve
                                     leverage could generate
                                     substantial gains at low
                                     cost
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>


(1)  A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a set quantity of an
     underlying instrument at a future date, or to make or receive a cash
     payment based on the value of a securities index. An option is the right to
     buy or sell securities that is granted in exchange for an agreed-upon sum.
     A foreign currency forward contract is an obligation to buy or sell a given
     currency on a future date and at a set price.


10  FUND DETAILS

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POTENTIAL RISKS                    POTENTIAL REWARDS                  POLICIES TO BALANCE RISK AND REWARD
<S>                                <C>                                <C>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLIQUID HOLDINGS
- - The fund could have difficulty   - These holdings may offer         - The fund may not invest more than 15% of net assets
  valuing these holdings             more attractive yields or          in illiquid holdings
  precisely                          potential growth than         
                                     comparable widely traded         - To maintain adequate liquidity to meet redemptions,
- - The fund could be unable to        securities                         the fund may hold investment-grade short-term
  sell these holdings at the                                            securities (including repurchase agreements) and,
  time or price it desires                                              for temporary or extraordinary purposes, may borrow
                                                                        from banks up to 10% of of its assets
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY
SECURITIES
- - When the fund buys securities    - The fund can take                - The fund uses segregated accounts to offset leverage
  before issue or for delayed        advantage of attractive            risk
  delivery, it could be exposed      transaction opportunities
  to leverage risk if it does
  not use segregated accounts
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM TRADING
- - Increased trading would raise    - The fund could realize           - The fund anticipates a portfolio turnover rate of
  the fund's brokerage and           gains in a short period            approximately 100%
  related costs                      of time                         
                                                                      - The fund generally avoids short-term trading, except
- - Increased short-term capital     - The fund could protect             to take advantage of attractive or unexpected
  gains distributions would          against losses if a stock          opportunities or to meet demands generated by
  raise shareholders' income tax     is overvalued and its              shareholder activity
  liability                          value later falls
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>




                                                                FUND DETAILS  11
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                     (THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)



12
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                     (THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)



                                                                              13

<PAGE>

FOR MORE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For investors who want more information on the fund, the following documents are
available free upon request:


ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS  Contain financial statements, performance data,
information on portfolio holdings, and a written analysis of market conditions
and fund performance for the fund's most recently completed fiscal year or half-
year.


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)  Provides a fuller technical and legal
description of the fund's policies, investment restrictions, and business
structure. This prospectus incorporates the SAI by reference.

Copies of the current versions of these documents may be obtained by contacting:


J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND
J.P. Morgan Funds Services
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036


TELEPHONE:  1-800-521-5411

HEARING IMPAIRED:  1-888-468-4015

EMAIL:  [email protected]


Text-only versions of these documents and this prospectus are available from the
Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington,
D.C. (1-800-SEC-0330) and may be viewed on-screen or downloaded from the SEC's
Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. The fund's investment company and 1933 Act
registration numbers are 811-07340 and 033-54632.

J.P. MORGAN FUNDS AND THE MORGAN TRADITION

The J.P. Morgan Funds combine a heritage of integrity and financial leadership
with comprehensive, sophisticated analysis and management techniques. Drawing on
J.P. Morgan's extensive experience and depth as an investment manager, the J.P.
Morgan Funds offer a broad array of distinctive opportunities for mutual fund
investors.


JPMORGAN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.P. MORGAN FUNDS


ADVISOR                                           DISTRIBUTOR
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York         Funds Distributor, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue                                  60 State Street
New York, NY 10036                                Boston, MA 02109
1-800-521-5411                                    1-800-221-7930


                                                       PROS298-981



<PAGE>


                                                  JANUARY 2, 1998  PROSPECTUS


J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND


                                                  -----------------------------
                                                  Seeking to outperform the
                                                  market in which it invests
                                                  over the long term through a
                                                  disciplined management
                                                  approach



This prospectus contains essential information for anyone investing in the fund.
Please read it carefully and keep it for reference.

Shares in the fund are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed or insured by
any bank, government entity, or the FDIC.

As with all mutual funds, the fact that these shares are registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission does not mean that the commission approves
them as an investment or guarantees that the information in this prospectus is
correct or adequate. It is a criminal offense for anyone to state or suggest
otherwise.

Distributed by Funds Distributor, Inc.                                  JPMORGAN

<PAGE>

CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 2
- ----
U.S. EQUITY MANAGEMENT APPROACH

U.S. equity investment process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2


 3
- ----
The fund's goal, investment approach, risks, expenses, performance, and
financial highlights

J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Fund description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Investor expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
Financial highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5

 6
- ----
Investing in the J.P. Morgan U.S. Small Company Opportunities Fund


YOUR INVESTMENT

Investing through a financial professional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Investing through an employer-sponsored retirement plan. . . . . . . . . .   6
Investing through an IRA or Rollover IRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Investing directly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Opening your account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Adding to your account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Selling shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Account and transaction policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
Dividends and distributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
Tax considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8


 9
- ----
More about risk and the fund's business operations


FUND DETAILS

Master/feeder structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
Management and administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
Risk and reward elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10

FOR MORE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  back cover

<PAGE>

INTRODUCTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND

This fund invests primarily in U.S. small company growth stocks by investing
through a master portfolio (another fund with the same goal). As a shareholder,
you should anticipate risks and rewards beyond those of a typical bond, balanced
or large-cap equity fund.


WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST

The fund is designed for investors who:

- -  are pursuing a long-term goal such as retirement


- -  want to add an investment with growth potential to further diversify a
   portfolio

- -  want a fund that seeks to outperform the market in which it invests over the
   long term


The fund is NOT designed for investors who:

- -  want a fund that pursues market trends or focuses only on particular
   industries or sectors

- -  require regular income or stability of principal

- -  are pursuing a short-term goal or investing emergency reserves

J.P. MORGAN


Known for its commitment to proprietary research and its disciplined investment
strategies, J.P. Morgan is the asset management choice for many of the world's
most respected corporations, financial institutions, governments, and
individuals. Today, J.P. Morgan employs over 300 analysts and portfolio managers
around the world and has more than $240 billion in assets under management,
including assets managed by the fund's advisor, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of
New York.


BEFORE YOU INVEST

Investors considering the fund should understand that:

- -  The value of the fund's shares will fluctuate over time. You could lose money
   if you sell when the fund's share price is lower than when you invested.

- -  There is no assurance that the fund will meet its investment goal.

- -  Future returns will not necessarily resemble past performance.


                                                                              1
<PAGE>

U.S. EQUITY MANAGEMENT APPROACH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The J.P. Morgan U.S. Small Company Opportunities Fund invests primarily in U.S.
small company growth stocks.

The fund's investment philosophy, developed by its advisor, focuses on stock
picking while allowing some sector and theme strategies. Also, under normal
market conditions, the fund will remain fully invested.


U.S. EQUITY INVESTMENT PROCESS


In managing the fund, J.P. Morgan begins with a three-step process:


[GRAPHIC]
J.P. Morgan analysts develop proprietary fundamental research

RESEARCH  J.P. Morgan takes an in-depth look at company prospects over a
relatively long period -- often as much as five years -- rather than focusing on
near-term expectations. This approach is designed to provide insight into a
company's real growth potential. J.P. Morgan's in-house research is developed by
an extensive worldwide network of over 120 career analysts. The team of analysts
dedicated to U.S. equities includes more than 20 members, with an average of
over ten years of experience.

[GRAPHIC]
Stocks in each industry are ranked with the help of models


VALUATION  The research findings allow J.P. Morgan to rank the companies
according to their relative value. The greater a company's estimated worth
compared to the current market price of its stock, the more undervalued the
company. The valuation rankings are produced with the help of a variety of
models that quantify the research team's findings.


[GRAPHIC]
Using research and valuations, the fund's management team chooses stocks for its
fund

STOCK SELECTION  The fund buys and sells stocks according to its own policies,
using the research and valuation rankings as a basis. In general, the management
team buys stocks that are identified as undervalued and considers selling them
when they appear overvalued. Along with attractive valuation, the fund's
managers often consider a number of other criteria:

- - catalysts that could trigger a rise in a stock's price

- - high potential reward compared to potential risk

- - temporary mispricings caused by market overreactions


2  U.S. EQUITY MANAGEMENT APPROACH

<PAGE>


J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              REGISTRANT: J.P. MORGAN FUNDS
                                              (J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY
                                              OPPORTUNITIES FUND)
[GRAPHIC]
GOAL

The fund seeks to provide long-term growth from a portfolio of small company
growth stocks.


[GRAPHIC]
INVESTMENT APPROACH


The fund invests primarily in stocks of small U.S. companies whose
market capitalization is greater than $150 million and less than $1.25 billion
when purchased. While the fund holds stocks in many industries to reduce the
impact of poor performance in any one sector, it tends to emphasize industries
with higher growth potential and does not track the sector weightings of the
overall small company stock market.


In searching for companies, the fund combines the approach described on page 2
with a growth-oriented approach that focuses on each company's business
strategies and its competitive environment. The fund seeks to buy stocks when
they are undervalued or fairly valued and are poised for long-term growth.
Stocks become candidates for sale when they appear overvalued or when the
company is no longer a small-cap company, but the fund may also continue to hold
them if it believes further substantial growth is possible.

[GRAPHIC]
POTENTIAL RISKS AND REWARDS

The value of your investment in the fund will fluctuate in response to movements
in the stock market. Fund performance will also depend on the effectiveness of
J.P. Morgan's research and the management team's stock picking decisions.

Small-cap stocks have historically offered higher long-term growth than medium-
or large-cap stocks, and have also involved higher risks. The fund's small-cap
emphasis means it is likely to be more sensitive to economic news and is likely
to fall further in value during broad market downturns. Because the fund seeks
to outperform the Russell 2000 Growth Index while not tracking its industry
weightings, investors should expect higher volatility compared to this index or
to more conservatively managed small-cap funds.

The fund's securities are described in more detail on page 10, along with their
main risks, which may cause the fund's share price to decline, and the fund's
strategies to reduce these risks.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT


The fund's assets are managed by J.P. Morgan, which currently manages over $240
billion, including more than $4.2 billion using the same strategy as the fund.


The portfolio management team is led by Marian U. Pardo, managing director, who
has been on the team since the fund's inception in June of 1997 and has been at
J.P. Morgan since 1968. Prior to managing this fund, she managed equity and
convertible funds, large cap equity portfolios, as well as several institutional
portfolios.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTOR EXPENSES

The current expenses you should expect to pay as an investor in the fund are
shown at right. The fund has no sales, redemption, exchange, or account fees,
although some institutions may charge you a fee for shares you buy through them.
The annual fund expenses shown are deducted from fund assets prior to
performance calculations.

Footnotes for this section are shown on next page.

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES(1) (%)
Management fees (actual)                          0.60
Marketing (12b-1) fees                            none
Other expenses(1)
(after reimbursement)                             0.60
- ------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES(2)
(AFTER REIMBURSEMENT)                             1.20
- ------------------------------------------------------

EXPENSE EXAMPLE

The example below uses the same assumptions as other fund prospectuses: $1,000
initial investment, 5% annual total return, expenses unchanged, all shares sold
at the end of each time period. The example is for comparison only; the fund's
actual return and expenses will be different.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    1 yr.          3 yrs.         5 yrs.         10 yrs.
YOUR COST($)        12             38             66             145
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------



                           J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND  3
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERFORMANCE (UNAUDITED)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN        Shows performance over time, for periods ended September 30, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     1 yr.           3 yrs.         Since 8/31/94(3)
<S>                                                                                  <C>             <C>            <C>

J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND (after expenses)                    N/A              N/A                  N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRIVATE ACCOUNT COMPOSITE(4) (after expenses)                                        32.55            31.85                30.24
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RUSSELL 2000 GROWTH INDEX(5) (no expenses)                                           23.26            21.17                20.71
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<CAPTION>


TOTAL RETURNS (%)                  Shows changes in returns for period ended September 30, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRAPH]
                                                                                     Since inception(6)
<S>                                                                                  <C>
J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND                                           18.97
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRIVATE ACCOUNT COMPOSITE(4)                                                                17.10
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RUSSELL 2000 GROWTH INDEX(5)                                                                16.92
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<CAPTION>

YEAR-BY-YEAR TOTAL RETURN (%) Shows changes in returns by calendar year
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      1995                1996
<S>                                                                                   <C>                 <C>

PRIVATE ACCOUNT COMPOSITE(4)                                                          41.61               23.90
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RUSSELL 2000 GROWTH INDEX(6)                                                          31.04               11.26
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


</TABLE>

(1)  The fund has a master/feeder structure as described on page 9. This table
     shows expenses and its share of master portfolio expenses for the fiscal
     period ended 10/31/97, expressed as a percentage of average net assets and
     reflecting reimbursement for ordinary expenses over 1.20%.


(2)  Without reimbursement, other expenses and total operating expenses would
     have been 0.78% and 1.38% respectively. There is no guarantee that
     reimbursement will continue beyond 9/30/98.

(3)  The inception date of the Private Account Composite is 8/31/94.



(4)  The performance of the Private Account Composite does not represent the
     fund's performance and should not be interpreted as indicative of the
     fund's future performance. The Composite reflects the historical
     performance of all discretionary investment management accounts under the
     management of the fund's advisor with substantially similar objectives and
     policies as the fund. Historical Composite performance information reflects
     the deduction of the fund's total expenses of 1.20%.The performance of
     accounts in the Composite might have been lower if they were subject to the
     extra restrictions imposed on mutual funds.


(5)  The Russell 2000 Growth Index is an unmanaged index of small, growth-
     oriented U.S. stocks.


(6)  The fund commenced operations on 6/16/97 and performance is calculated as
     of 6/30/97.




4  J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND


<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER-SHARE DATA      For period ended October 31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      1997(1)

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD ($)                               10.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
    Net investment income (loss) ($)                                   (0.01)
    Net realized and unrealized gain
    on investment ($)                                                   1.53
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS ($)                                    1.52
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD ($)                                     11.52
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN (%)                                                       15.20(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS, END OF PERIOD ($ thousands)                               90,939
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
EXPENSES (%)                                                            1.19(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) (%)                                       (0.34)(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECREASE REFLECTED IN EXPENSE RATIO DUE TO
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT (%)                                               0.18(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(1)  The fund commenced operations on 6/16/97.

(2)  Not annualized.

(3)  Annualized.


                           J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND  5

<PAGE>

YOUR INVESTMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


For your convenience, the J.P. Morgan Funds offer several ways to start and
maintain fund investments.


INVESTING THROUGH A FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL


If you work with a financial professional, either at J.P. Morgan or elsewhere,
he or she is prepared to handle your planning and transaction needs. Your
financial professional will be able to assist you in establishing your fund
account, executing transactions, and monitoring your investment. If your fund
investment is not held in the name of your financial professional and you prefer
to place a transaction order yourself, please use the instructions for investing
directly.


INVESTING THROUGH AN EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLAN


Your fund investments are handled through your plan. Refer to your plan
materials or contact your benefits office for information on buying, selling, or
exchanging fund shares.


INVESTING THROUGH AN IRA OR ROLLOVER IRA

Please contact a J.P. Morgan Retirement Services Specialist at 1-888-576-4472
for information on J.P. Morgan's comprehensive IRA services, including lower
minimum investments.

INVESTING DIRECTLY

Investors may establish accounts without the help of an intermediary by using
the instructions below and at right:

- -    Determine the amount you are investing. The minimum amount for initial
     investments in the fund is $2,500 and for additional investments $500,
     although these minimums may be less for some investors. For more
     information on minimum investments, call 1-800-521-5411.

- -    Complete the application, indicating how much of your investment you want
     to allocate to which fund(s). Please apply now for any account privileges
     you may want to use in the future, in order to avoid the delays associated
     with adding them later on.


- -    Mail in your application, making your initial investment as shown at right.


For answers to any questions, please speak with a J.P. Morgan Funds Services
Representative at 1-800-521-5411.


OPENING YOUR ACCOUNT


     BY WIRE

- -    Mail your completed application to the Shareholder Services Agent.

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent to obtain an account number and to
     place a purchase order. FUNDS THAT ARE WIRED WITHOUT A PURCHASE ORDER WILL
     BE RETURNED UNINVESTED.

- -    After placing your purchase order, instruct your bank to wire the amount of
     your investment to:


     State Street Bank & Trust Company
     ROUTING NUMBER: 011-000-028
     CREDIT: J.P. Morgan Funds
     ACCOUNT NUMBER: 9904-226-9
     FFC: your account number, name of registered owner(s) and fund name


     BY CHECK


- -    Make out a check for the investment amount payable to J.P. Morgan Funds.


- -    Mail the check with your completed application to the Transfer Agent.

     BY EXCHANGE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent for an exchange.

ADDING TO YOUR ACCOUNT

     BY WIRE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent to place a purchase order. FUNDS THAT
     ARE WIRED WITHOUT A PURCHASE ORDER WILL BE RETURNED UNINVESTED.


- -    Once you have placed your purchase order, instruct your bank to wire the
     amount of your investment as described above.

     BY CHECK


- -    Make out a check for the investment amount payable to J.P. Morgan Funds.


- -    Mail the check with a completed investment slip to the Transfer Agent. If
     you do not have an investment slip, attach a note indicating your account
     number and how much you wish to invest in which fund(s).

     BY EXCHANGE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent for an exchange.


6  YOUR INVESTMENT

<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELLING SHARES

     BY WIRE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent to verify that the wire redemption
     privilege is in place on your account. If it is not, a representative can
     help you add it.

- -    Place your wire request. If you are transferring money to a non-Morgan
     account, you will need to provide the representative with the personal
     identification number (PIN) that was provided to you when you opened your
     fund account.

     BY PHONE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent and place your request. Once your
     request has been verified, a check for the net amount, payable to the
     registered owner(s), will be mailed to the address of record. For checks
     payable to any other party or mailed to any other address, please make your
     request in writing (see below).

     IN WRITING

- -    Write a letter of instruction that includes the following information: The
     name of the registered owner(s) of the account; the account number; the
     fund name; the amount you want to sell; and the recipient's name and
     address or wire information, if different from those of the account
     registration.

- -    Indicate whether you want the proceeds sent by check or by wire.

- -    Make sure the letter is signed by an authorized party. The Shareholder
     Services Agent may require additional information, such as a signature
     guarantee.

- -    Mail the letter to the Shareholder Services Agent.

     BY EXCHANGE

- -    Call the Shareholder Services Agent for an exchange.

ACCOUNT AND TRANSACTION POLICIES

TELEPHONE ORDERS  The fund accepts telephone orders from all shareholders. To
guard against fraud, the fund requires shareholders to use a PIN, and may record
telephone orders or take other reasonable precautions. However, if the fund does
take such steps to ensure the authenticity of an order, you may bear any loss if
the order later proves fraudulent.


EXCHANGES  You may exchange shares in this fund for shares in any other J.P.
Morgan or J.P. Morgan Institutional mutual fund at no charge (subject to the
securities laws of your state). When making exchanges, it is important to
observe any applicable minimums. Keep in mind that for tax purposes an exchange
is considered a sale. 


A fund may alter, limit, or suspend its  exchange policy at any time.

BUSINESS HOURS AND NAV CALCULATIONS  The fund's regular business days and hours
are the same as those of the New York Stock Exchange. The fund calculates its
net asset value per share (NAV) every business day at 4:15 p.m. eastern time.

TIMING OF ORDERS  Orders to buy or sell shares are executed at the next NAV
calculated after the order has been accepted. Orders are accepted until 4:00
p.m. eastern time every business day and are executed the same day, at that
day's NAV. The fund has the right to suspend redemption of shares and to
postpone payment of proceeds for up to seven days or as permitted by law.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSFER AGENT                                    SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AGENT
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY               J.P. MORGAN FUNDS SERVICES
P.O. Box 8411                                     522 Fifth Avenue
Boston, MA 02266-8411                             New York, NY 10036
Attention: J.P. Morgan Funds Services             1-800-521-5411

                                                  Representatives are available
                                                  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern
                                                  time on fund business days.


                                                              YOUR INVESTMENT  7

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TIMING OF SETTLEMENTS  When you buy shares, you will become the owner of record
when the fund receives your payment, generally the day following execution. When
you sell shares, the proceeds are generally available the day following
execution and will be forwarded according to your instructions.

When you sell shares that you recently purchased by check, your order will be
executed at the next NAV but the proceeds will not be available until your check
clears. This may take up to 15 days.

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS  The fund sends monthly account statements as well as
confirmations after each purchase or sale of shares (except reinvestments).
Every six months the fund sends out an annual or semi-annual report, containing
information on the fund's holdings and a discussion of recent and anticipated
market conditions and fund performance.

ACCOUNTS WITH BELOW-MINIMUM BALANCES  If your account balance falls below the
minimum for 30 days as a result of selling shares (and not because of
performance), the fund may request that you buy more shares or close your
account. If your account balance is still below the minimum 60 days after
notification, the fund may close out your account and send the proceeds to the
address of record.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS


The fund typically pays income dividends two times a year and makes capital
gains distributions, if any, once per year (usually in August). However, the
fund may make more or fewer payments in a given year, depending on its
investment results and its tax compliance situation. These dividends and
distributions consist of most or all of the fund's net investment income and net
realized capital gains.

Dividends and distributions are automatically paid in additional fund shares.
Alternatively, you may instruct your financial professional or J.P. Morgan Funds
Services to have them sent to you by check, credited to a separate account, or
invested in another J.P. Morgan fund.


TAX CONSIDERATIONS

In general, selling shares, exchanging shares, and receiving distributions
(whether reinvested or taken in cash) are all taxable events. These transactions
typically create the following tax liabilities:


TRANSACTION                            TAX STATUS                               
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income dividends                       Ordinary income                          
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term capital gains               Ordinary income                          
distributions                                                                   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term capital gains                Capital gains                            
distributions                                                                   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales or exchanges of shares           Capital gains or losses                  
owned for more than one year                                                    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales or exchanges of shares           Gains are treated as ordinary            
owned for one year or less             income; losses are subject               
                                       to special rules                         
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Because long-term capital gains distributions are taxable as capital gains
regardless of how long you have owned your shares, you may want to avoid making
a substantial investment when the fund is about to declare a long-term capital
gains distribution.

Every January, the fund issues tax information on its distributions for the
previous year.

Any investor for whom the fund does not have a valid taxpayer identification
number will be subject to backup withholding for taxes.

The tax considerations described in this section do not apply to tax-deferred
accounts or other non-taxable entities.

Because each investor's tax circumstances are unique, please consult your tax
professional about your fund investment.


8  YOUR INVESTMENT

<PAGE>

FUND DETAILS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MASTER/FEEDER STRUCTURE

As noted earlier, the fund is a "feeder" fund that invests in a master
portfolio. (Except where indicated, this prospectus uses the term "the fund" to
mean the feeder fund and its master portfolio taken together.)

The master portfolio accepts investments from other feeder funds, and the
feeders bear the master portfolio's expenses in proportion to their assets.
However, each feeder can set its own transaction minimums, fund-specific
expenses, and other conditions. This means that one feeder could offer access to
the same master portfolio on more attractive terms, or could experience better
performance, than another feeder. Information about other feeders is available
by calling 1-800-521-5411. Generally, when the master portfolio seeks a vote,
the fund will hold a shareholder meeting and cast its vote proportionately, as
instructed by its shareholders. Fund shareholders are entitled to one vote per
fund share.

The fund and its master portfolio expect to maintain consistent goals, but if
they do not, the fund will withdraw from the master portfolio, receiving its
assets either in cash or securities. The fund's trustees would then consider
whether the fund should hire its own investment adviser, invest in a different
master portfolio, or take other action.

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION


The fund and its master portfolio are governed by the same trustees. The
trustees are responsible for overseeing all business activities. The trustees
are assisted by Pierpont Group, Inc., which they own and operate on a cost
basis; costs are shared by all funds governed by these trustees. Funds
Distributor, Inc., as co-administrator, provides fund officers. J.P. Morgan, as
co-administrator, oversees the fund's other service providers.

J.P. Morgan, subject to the expense reimbursements described earlier in this
prospectus, receives the following fees for investment advisory and other
services:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADVISORY SERVICES                      0.60% of the master                      
                                       portfolio's average net assets           
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES                Master portfolio's and fund's            
(fee shared with Funds                 pro-rata portions of 0.09% of            
Distributor, Inc.)                     the first $7 billion in J.P. 
                                       Morgan-advised portfolios,            
                                       plus 0.04% of average
                                       net assets over $7 billion               
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES                   0.25% of the fund's average              
                                       net assets                               
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

J.P. Morgan may pay fees to certain firms and professionals for providing
recordkeeping or other services in connection with investments in the fund.



                                                                FUND DETAILS  9

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RISK AND REWARD ELEMENTS

This table discusses the main elements that make up the fund's overall risk and
reward characteristics (described on page 3). It also outlines the fund's
policies toward various securities, including those that are designed to help
the fund manage risk.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POTENTIAL RISKS                  POTENTIAL REWARDS                   POLICIES TO BALANCE RISK AND REWARD
<S>                              <C>                                 <C>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARKET CONDITIONS                                                                                                           
- - The fund's share price and     - Stocks have generally             - Under normal circumstances the fund plans to remain  
  performance will fluctuate       outperformed more stable            fully invested, with at least 65% in U.S. small      
  in response to stock market      investments (such as bonds          company growth stocks; stock investments may include 
  movements                        and cash equivalents) over the      U.S. and foreign common stocks, convertible          
                                   long term                           securities, preferred stocks, trust or partnership   
                                                                       interests, warrants, rights, and investment company  
                                                                       securities                                           

                                                                                                                            
                                                                     - The fund seeks to limit risk through diversification 
                                                                                                                            

                                                                     - During severe market downturns, the fund has the     
                                                                       option of investing up to 100% of assets in          
                                                                       investment-grade short-term securities               
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMENT CHOICES                                                   
- - The fund could underperform    - The fund could outperform         - J.P. Morgan focuses its active management on         
  its benchmark due to its         its benchmark due to these          securities selection, the area where it believes its 
  securities and asset             same choices                        commitment to research can most enhance returns      
  allocation choices                                                                                                        


- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLIQUID HOLDINGS                                                    
- - The fund could have            - These holdings may offer more     - The fund may not invest more than 15% of net         
  difficulty valuing these         attractive yields or potential      assets in illiquid holdings                          
  holdings precisely               growth than comparable widely                                                            
                                   traded securities                 - To maintain adequate liquidity to meet redemptions,  
- - The fund could be unable                                             the fund may hold investment-grade short-term        
  to sell these holdings at the                                        securities (including repurchase agreements) and,    
  time or price it desires                                            for temporary or extraordinary purposes, may borrow  
                                                                       from banks up to 33 1/3% of its assets               
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED                                                                                                     
DELIVERY SECURITIES                                                  
- - When the fund buys securities  - The fund can take advantage       - The fund uses segregated accounts to offset leverage 
  before issue or for delayed      of attractive transaction           risk                                                 
  delivery, it could be exposed    opportunities                                                                            
  to leverage risk if it does                                        
  not use segregated accounts                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHORT-TERM TRADING                                                   
- - Increased trading would raise  - The fund could realize gains      - The fund anticipates a portfolio turnover rate of
  the fund's brokerage and         in a short period of time           approximately 100%
  related costs                                                         

                                                                                                                            
- - Increased short-term capital   - The fund could protect against    - The fund generally avoids short-term trading, except 
  gains distributions would        losses if a stock is overvalued     to take advantage of attractive or unexpected        
  raise shareholders' income       and its value later falls           opportunities or to meet demands generated by        
  tax liability                                                        shareholder activity                                 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


The fund is also permitted to enter into foreign investments and use derivates,
however, it has no current intention to do so.



10  FUND DETAILS
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                     (THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)



                                                                            11

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                     (THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)



12

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                     (THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)



                                                                         13

<PAGE>

FOR MORE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For investors who want more information on the fund, the following documents are
available free upon request:


ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS  Contain financial statements, performance data,
information on portfolio holdings, and a written analysis of market conditions
and fund performance for the fund's most recently completed fiscal year or half-
year.


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)  Provides a fuller technical and legal
description of the fund's policies, investment restrictions, and business
structure. This prospectus incorporates the SAI by reference.

Copies of the current versions of these documents may be obtained by contacting:


J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND
J.P. Morgan Funds Services
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036


TELEPHONE:  1-800-521-5411

HEARING IMPAIRED:  1-888-468-4015

EMAIL:  [email protected]


Text-only versions of these documents and this prospectus are available from
the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
Washington, D.C. (1-800-SEC-0330) and may be viewed on-screen or downloaded from
the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. The fund's investment company and
1933 Act registration numbers are 811-07340 and 033-54632.

J.P. MORGAN FUNDS AND THE MORGAN TRADITION

The J.P. Morgan Funds combine a heritage of integrity and financial leadership
with comprehensive, sophisticated analysis and management techniques. Drawing on
J.P. Morgan's extensive experience and depth as an investment manager, the J.P.
Morgan Funds offer a broad array of distinctive opportunities for mutual fund
investors.

JPMORGAN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.P. MORGAN FUNDS


ADVISOR                                           DISTRIBUTOR
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York         Funds Distributor, Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue                                  60 State Street
New York, NY 10036                                Boston, MA 02109
1-800-521-5411                                    1-800-221-7930


                                                            PROS209-981



<PAGE>

                                J.P. MORGAN FUNDS





                       J.P. MORGAN DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND
                          J.P. MORGAN U.S. EQUITY FUND
                       J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND
                J.P. MORGAN U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND




                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION



                                 JANUARY 2, 1998


























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: J.P. MORGAN
FUNDS (800) 221-7930.

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\010298.pea\eqsai.wpf

<PAGE>




                              Table of Contents


                                                                       PAGE

General.................................                                  1
Investment Objectives and Policies......                                  1
Investment Restrictions.................                                  20
Trustees and Officers...................                                  26
Investment Advisor......................                                  30
Distributor.............................                                  33
Co-Administrator........................                                  34
Services Agent..........................                                  35
Custodian and Transfer Agent............                                  37
Shareholder Servicing...................                                  37
Financial Professionals.................                                  38
Independent Accountants.................                                  39
Expenses................................                                  39
Purchase of Shares......................                                  40
Redemption of Shares....................                                  40
Exchange of Shares......................                                  41
Dividends and Distributions.............                                  42
Net Asset Value.........................                                  42
Performance Data........................                                  43
Portfolio Transactions..................                                  44
Massachusetts Trust.....................                                  46
Description of Shares...................                                  48
Special Information Concerning Investment
Structure...............................                                  50
Taxes...................................                                  51
Additional Information..................                                  55
Financial Statements....................                                  56
Appendix A - Description of
Securities Ratings......................                                  A-1







i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\010298.pea\eqsai.wpf

<PAGE>



GENERAL

     This  Statement  of  Additional  Information  relates  only to J.P.  Morgan
Disciplined  Equity Fund,  J.P.  Morgan U.S. Equity Fund, J.P. Morgan U.S. Small
Company  Fund  and  J.P.   Morgan  U.S.   Small   Company   Opportunities   Fund
(collectively,  the  "Funds").  Each of the  Funds  is a  series  of  shares  of
beneficial  interest of J.P.  Morgan 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 "J.P.  Morgan Fund").  The other J.P.  Morgan Funds are covered by
separate Statements of Additional Information.

         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 J.P. Morgan Funds operate through a two-tier  master-feeder  investment fund
structure.  Formerly,  J.P.  Morgan U.S.  Equity Fund and J.P. Morgan U.S. Small
Company  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").  The Funds'  executive
offices are located at 60 State Street, Suite 1300, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.

         UNLIKE OTHER MUTUAL FUNDS WHICH  DIRECTLY  ACQUIRE AND MANAGE THEIR OWN
PORTFOLIO OF SECURITIES,  THE FUNDS SEEK TO ACHIEVE THEIR INVESTMENT  OBJECTIVES
BY INVESTING ALL OF THEIR INVESTABLE  ASSETS IN SEPARATE MASTER PORTFOLIOS (EACH
A  "PORTFOLIO"),  A CORRESPONDING  DIVERSIFIED  OPEN-END  MANAGEMENT  INVESTMENT
COMPANY HAVING THE SAME  INVESTMENT  OBJECTIVE AS THE  CORRESPONDING  FUND. EACH
FUND INVESTS IN A PORTFOLIO  THROUGH A TWO-TIER  MASTER-FEEDER  INVESTMENT  FUND
STRUCTURE. SEE "SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING INVESTMENT STRUCTURE."

         The Portfolios are advised by Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York
("Morgan" or the "Advisor").

         INVESTMENTS  IN THE  FUNDS  ARE NOT  DEPOSITS  OR  OBLIGATIONS  OF,  OR
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, MORGAN OR ANY OTHER BANK. SHARES OF THE FUNDS ARE NOT
FEDERALLY  INSURED BY THE FEDERAL  DEPOSIT  INSURANCE  CORPORATION,  THE FEDERAL
RESERVE  BOARD,  OR ANY OTHER  GOVERNMENTAL  AGENCY.  AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IS
SUBJECT TO RISK THAT MAY CAUSE THE VALUE OF THE  INVESTMENT  TO  FLUCTUATE,  AND
WHEN THE  INVESTMENT  IS  REDEEMED,  THE VALUE  MAY BE HIGHER OR LOWER  THAN THE
AMOUNT ORIGINALLY INVESTED BY THE INVESTOR.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

         The following  discussion  supplements  the  information  regarding the
investment  objective  of each Fund and the  policies  to be employed to achieve
this  objective  by its  corresponding  Portfolio  as set forth above and in the
Prospectus. The investment objective of each Fund and its corresponding

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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.

         J.P. MORGAN DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND (the "Disciplined  Equity Fund") is
designed for investors  seeking  enhanced total return relative to that of large
and medium sized  companies,  typically  represented  by the S&P 500 Index.  The
Disciplined  Equity Fund's investment  objective is to provide high total return
from a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities.  The Fund attempts to
achieve its investment  objective by investing all of its  investable  assets in
The  Disciplined  Equity  Portfolio (the  "Portfolio"),  a diversified  open-end
management  investment  company  having  the same  investment  objective  as the
Disciplined Equity Fund.

         The Portfolio  invests  primarily in a diversified  portfolio of common
stocks and other equity securities.  Under normal  circumstances,  the Portfolio
expects to invest at least 65% of its total assets in such securities.

         INVESTMENT PROCESS FOR THE DISCIPLINED EQUITY PORTFOLIO

         Research:  Morgan's  more than 20  domestic  equity  analysts,  each an
industry  specialist  with an  average  of over 10 years of  experience,  follow
approximately 600 medium and large capitalization U.S. companies. Their research
goal is to forecast  intermediate-term  earnings and prospective dividend growth
rates for the companies that they cover.

         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
its forecasted dividends and earnings.  Within each sector, companies are ranked
according to their  relative  value 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.

         Stock Selection:  A broadly diversified  portfolio is constructed using
disciplined  buy and sell rules.  Purchases  are  allocated  among stocks in the
first three  quintiles.  Once a stock falls into the fourth and fifth  quintiles
either because its price has risen or its fundamentals  have  deteriorated -- it
generally  becomes a candidate for sale. The Portfolio's  sector  weightings are
matched to those of the S&P 500 Index,  the Portfolio's  benchmark.  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 approximately 300 stocks.

         J.P. MORGAN 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 stocks.
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

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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 U.S.  and foreign  common
stocks and other securities with equity  characteristics  comprised of preferred
stock, warrants, rights, convertible securities,  trust certifications,  limited
partnership interests and investment company securities  (collectively,  "Equity
Securities"). The Portfolio's primary equity investments are the common stock of
large  capitalization  U.S.  corporations  and,  to a  limited  extent,  similar
securities of foreign corporations.

         INVESTMENT PROCESS FOR THE U.S. EQUITY PORTFOLIO

         Research:  Morgan's  more than 20  domestic  equity  analysts,  each an
industry  specialist  with an  average  of over 10 years of  experience,  follow
approximately  700  predominantly  large- and  medium-sized  U.S.  companies  --
approximately  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  companies  that 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.

         Valuation:  The  analysts'  forecasts  are  converted  into  comparable
expected returns using a proprietary  dividend discount model,  which calculates
the  long-term  earnings by comparing a company's  current  stock price with its
forecasted  dividends  and  earnings.  Within each sector,  companies are ranked
according to their  relative  value 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.

         Stock  Selection:   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,  the  Portfolio's
benchmark.

         J.P. MORGAN 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 small company  stocks.  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.


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         The Portfolio attempts to achieve its investment objective by investing
primarily in the common stock of small and medium 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 from $100 million to $3 billion.

         INVESTMENT PROCESS FOR THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY PORTFOLIO

         Research:  Morgan's  more than 20  domestic  equity  analysts,  each an
industry specialist with an average of over 10 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  contains a total of  approximately  600 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.

         Valuation:  The  analysts'  forecasts  are  converted  into  comparable
expected returns using a proprietary  dividend discount model,  which calculates
the long-term earnings by comparing a company's current stock price with the its
forecasted  dividends and earnings.  Within each industry,  companies are ranked
according to their  relative  value 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.

         Stock  Selection:   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  misvaluation  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.

         J.P.  MORGAN U.S.  SMALL COMPANY  OPPORTUNITIES  FUND (the "U.S.  Small
Company  Opportunities  Fund") is  designed  for  investors  seeking an actively
managed  portfolio of equity securities of companies with high growth potential,
emphasizing  growth  sectors of the market  without undue emphasis on a specific
sector and  encompassing  a higher  degree of risk than some small company stock
portfolios.  The U.S. Small Company Opportunities Fund's investment objective is
long-term  growth from a portfolio of small cap growth  stocks.  The U.S.  Small
Company  Opportunities  Fund  attempts to achieve its  investment  objective  by
investing all of its investable  assets in The U.S. Small Company  Opportunities
Portfolio  (the  "Portfolio"),  a  diversified  open-end  management  investment
company  having  the  same  investment  objective  as  the  U.S.  Small  Company
Opportunities Fund.


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         The Portfolio attempts to achieve its investment objective by investing
in a diversified portfolio of common stocks issued by small companies with above
average  long-term  earnings  growth  potential that are included in the Russell
2000 Growth Index, an index composed of 2000 equity securities of companies with
a market  capitalization  ranging from $150 billion to $2 billion. The Portfolio
emphasizes  stocks of U.S. small companies with a market  capitalization of less
than $1.25 billion when purchased.

         INVESTMENT PROCESS FOR THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO

         Research:  Morgan's  more than 20  domestic  equity  analysts,  each an
industry specialist with an average of over 10 years of experience, continuously
monitor  stocks  in the  small  company  universe  with  the aim of  identifying
companies that participate in expanding markets or have a competitive  advantage
that is  sustainable  over the long  term,  exhibit  superior  potential,  sound
financial  and  operating  characteristics  and can be purchased at a reasonable
price.  Frequent reviews of individual  companies focus on the forecasted growth
and profitability  inputs to the proprietary  valuation  analyses.  The research
goal is to forecast  normalized,  long-term  earnings and dividends for the most
attractive small cap growth companies among those they monitor.

         Valuation:  The  analysts'  forecasts  are  converted  into  comparable
expected returns using a proprietary  dividend discount model,  which calculates
the  long-term  earnings by comparing a company's  current  stock price with its
forecasted  dividends and earnings.  Within each industry,  companies are ranked
according to their  relative  value 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.

         Stock  Selection:   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.  While the Portfolio
holds stocks in many industries to reduce the impact of poor  performance in any
one sector,  it tends to emphasize  industries with higher growth  potential and
does not track the sector weightings of the overall small company stock market.

         The  various  types of  securities  in which the Funds may  invest  are
described below.

MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS

         Although the Funds intend, under normal circumstances and to the extent
practicable, to be fully invested in equity securities, each Fund may invest in
money market instruments to the extent consistent with its investment objective
and policies. The Funds may make money market investments pending other
investment or settlement, for liquidity or in adverse market conditions.  A

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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
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, 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 another currency.  See "Foreign Investments."

         BANK   OBLIGATIONS.   Each  of  the  Funds  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).  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  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).


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         COMMERCIAL  PAPER.  Each of the Funds 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 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 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 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.  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

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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.

         Each of the Funds 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 this Statement of Additional Information.

EQUITY INVESTMENTS

         The  Portfolios  for  each of the  Funds  invest  primarily  in  Equity
Securities. The Equity Securities in which the Funds 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.

     EQUITY SECURITIES.  The Equity Securities in which the Funds 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 Funds 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 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.


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FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

         The Funds may invest in certain  foreign  securities.  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  and The  U.S.  Small  Company  Opportunities  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 Funds do not expect
to  invest  more than 5%,  respectively,  of their  total  assets at the time of
purchase in securities of foreign issuers.

         Investors  should  realize that the value of the Funds'  investments in
foreign  securities may be adversely  affected by changes in political or social
conditions,   diplomatic  relations,   confiscatory   taxation,   expropriation,
nationalization,  limitation on the removal of funds or assets, or imposition of
(or change in) exchange  control or tax regulations in those foreign  countries.
In  addition,  changes in  government  administrations  or  economic or monetary
policies  in the  United  States  or abroad  could  result  in  appreciation  or
depreciation of portfolio  securities and could favorably or unfavorably  affect
the Funds' operations.  Furthermore, the economies of individual foreign nations
may differ from the U.S.  economy,  whether  favorably or unfavorably,  in areas
such  as  growth  of  gross  national  product,   rate  of  inflation,   capital
reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position; it may
also be more  difficult  to  obtain  and  enforce a  judgment  against a foreign
issuer.  Any foreign  investments  made by the Funds must be made in  compliance
with U.S. and foreign currency restrictions and tax laws restricting the amounts
and types of foreign investments.

         In addition, while the volume of transactions effected on foreign stock
exchanges has increased in recent  years,  in most cases it remains  appreciably
below that of domestic security  exchanges.  Accordingly,  a Portfolio's foreign
investments  may be less  liquid  and their  prices  may be more  volatile  than
comparable investments in securities of U.S. companies. Moreover, the settlement
periods for foreign securities, which are often longer than those for securities
of  U.S.  issuers,  may  affect  portfolio  liquidity.  In  buying  and  selling
securities on foreign exchanges,  purchasers normally pay fixed commissions that
are  generally  higher  than the  negotiated  commissions  charged in the United
States.  In  addition,  there  is  generally  less  government  supervision  and
regulation  of  securities  exchanges,  brokers and  issuers  located in foreign
countries than in the United States.

         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.

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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 Funds may enter  into  forward
commitments  for the purchase or sale of foreign  currencies in connection  with
the  settlement  of  foreign  securities  transactions  or to manage  the Funds'
currency exposure related to foreign investments.

FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS

         Because each Portfolio may buy and sell securities and receive interest
and dividends in currencies other than the U.S. dollar,  the Portfolio may enter
from time to time into foreign currency  exchange  transactions.  Each Portfolio
either enters into these  transactions on a spot (i.e.,  cash) basis at the spot
rate  prevailing  in the  foreign  currency  exchange  market  or  uses  forward
contracts to purchase or sell foreign  currencies.  The cost of the  Portfolio's
spot currency exchange  transactions is generally the difference between the bid
and offer spot rate of the currency being purchased or sold.

         A foreign currency  forward  exchange  contract is an obligation by the
Portfolio to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be
any fixed number of days from the date of the contract. Foreign currency forward
exchange contracts  establish an exchange rate at a future date. 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.  A foreign  currency  forward  exchange  contract
generally  has no  deposit  requirement  and is traded  at a net  price  without
commission.  Neither spot  transactions  nor foreign  currency  forward 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.

         Each 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.  Each Portfolio may also enter into forward
contracts  to hedge  against a change in foreign  currency  exchange  rates that
would  cause a  decline  in the value of  existing  investments  denominated  or
principally traded in a foreign currency. To do this, the Portfolio would enter

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into a forward  contract to sell the foreign currency in which the investment is
denominated  or principally  traded in exchange for U.S.  dollars or in exchange
for  another  foreign  currency.  The  Portfolio  will only enter  into  forward
contracts to sell a foreign currency in exchange for another foreign currency if
the Advisor  expects the foreign  currency  purchased to appreciate  against the
U.S. dollar.

         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 a Portfolio to assume the risk
of  fluctuations  in the value of the  currency  purchased  vis a vis 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.

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 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,  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  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

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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 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. 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.  See
"Investment Restrictions" for each Portfolio's limitations on reverse repurchase
agreements and bank borrowings.

         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  before  entering  into  such  an
agreement,   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

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affiliate of the Portfolios, the Advisor or the Distributor, unless otherwise
permitted by applicable law.

         PRIVATELY PLACED AND CERTAIN UNREGISTERED  SECURITIES.  A Portfolio may
not acquire any illiquid holdings if, as a result thereof,  more than 15% of the
Portfolio's  net  assets  would  be in  illiquid  investments.  Subject  to this
non-fundamental  policy limitation,  the Portfolios may acquire investments that
are  illiquid  or  have  limited  liquidity,   such  as  private  placements  or
investments that are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the  "1933  Act") and cannot be offered  for public  sale in the United  States
without first being registered under the 1933 Act. An illiquid investment is any
investment  that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the normal course of
business at approximately  the amount at which it is valued by a Portfolio.  The
price a Portfolio  pays for  illiquid  holdings  or receives  upon resale may be
lower than the price paid or received  for similar  holdings  with a more liquid
market. Accordingly the valuation of these holdings will reflect any limitations
on their liquidity.

         The  Portfolios  may  also  purchase  Rule  144A   securities  sold  to
institutional   investors  without   registration  under  the  1933  Act.  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.

         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 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
holding  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.

QUALITY AND DIVERSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

         Each of the Funds intends to meet the  diversification  requirements of
the 1940 Act.  To meet  these  requirements,  75% of the  assets of the 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. Investments not subject to the limitations described above could
involve an increased risk to a Fund should an issuer,  or a state or its related
entities,  be unable to make interest or principal payments or should the market
value of such securities decline.


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     The Funds will also 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."

         The 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

         Each of the  Portfolios  may (a) purchase and sell exchange  traded and
over-the-counter  (OTC) put and call options on equity  securities or indexes of
equity securities,  (b) purchase and sell futures contracts on indexes of equity
securities  and (c) purchase and sell put and call options on futures  contracts
on indexes  of equity  securities.  Each of these  instruments  is a  derivative
instrument as its value derives from the underlying asset or index.

         Each Portfolio may use futures  contracts and options for hedging.  The
Disciplined Equity and U.S. Small Company Opportunities  Portfolios may also use
futures  contracts  and  options  for  risk  management   purposes.   See  "Risk
Management" below.

         Each Portfolio may utilize options and futures  contracts to manage its
exposure to changing  interest rates and/or  security  prices.  Some options and
futures strategies, including selling futures contracts and buying puts, tend to
hedge the Portfolio's investments against price fluctuations.  Other strategies,
including  buying futures  contracts,  writing puts and calls, and buying calls,
tend to increase market exposure.  Options and futures contracts may be combined
with each other or with forward contracts in order to adjust the risk and return
characteristics  of  the  Portfolio's   overall  strategy  in  a  manner  deemed
appropriate to the Advisor and  consistent  with the  Portfolio's  objective and
policies.  Because combined  options  positions  involve  multiple trades,  they
result in higher  transaction  costs and may be more difficult to open and close
out.

         The use of options and futures is a highly  specialized  activity which
involves  investment  strategies and risks different from those  associated with
ordinary portfolio securities  transactions,  and there can be no guarantee that
their use will increase a Portfolio's return. While the use of these instruments

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by the Portfolio may reduce certain risks  associated  with owning its portfolio
securities,  these  techniques  themselves  entail  certain other risks.  If the
Advisor applies a strategy at an inappropriate  time or judges market conditions
or trends incorrectly,  options and futures strategies may lower the Portfolio's
return. Certain strategies limit the Portfolio's  possibilities to realize gains
as well as limiting its exposure to losses.  A Portfolio  could also  experience
losses if the prices of its options and futures positions were poorly correlated
with its other  investments,  or if it could not close out its positions because
of  an  illiquid  secondary  market.  In  addition,  the  Portfolio  will  incur
transaction  costs,  including  trading  commissions  and  option  premiums,  in
connection  with its  futures and options  transactions  and these  transactions
could significantly increase the Portfolio's turnover rate.

         Each Portfolio may purchase put and call options on securities, indexes
of securities  and futures  contracts,  or purchase and sell futures  contracts,
only if such  options  are  written by other  persons  and if (i) the  aggregate
premiums  paid on all such options  which are held at any time do not exceed 20%
of the Portfolio's net assets,  and (ii) the aggregate margin deposits  required
on all such futures or options  thereon held at any time do not exceed 5% of the
Portfolio's total assets.

OPTIONS

         PURCHASING  PUT  AND  CALL  OPTIONS.  By  purchasing  a put  option,  a
Portfolio  obtains  the right (but not the  obligation)  to sell the  instrument
underlying  the option at a fixed strike  price.  In return for this right,  the
Portfolio  pays the  current  market  price for the option  (known as the option
premium).  Options  have  various  types of  underlying  instruments,  including
specific  securities,  indexes of securities,  indexes of securities prices, and
futures contracts. A Portfolio may terminate its position in a put option it has
purchased by allowing it to expire or by exercising the option.  A Portfolio may
also close out a put option position by entering into an offsetting transaction,
if a liquid  market  exists.  If the option is allowed to expire,  the Portfolio
will lose the entire premium it paid. If a Portfolio exercises a put option on a
security, it will sell the instrument underlying the option at the strike price.
If a Portfolio  exercises an option on an index,  settlement is in cash and does
not involve the actual sale of securities.  If an option is American  style,  it
may be exercised on any day up to its  expiration  date. A European style option
may be exercised only on its expiration date.

         The buyer of a typical  put  option can expect to realize a gain if the
price of the underlying instrument falls substantially. However, if the price of
the instrument  underlying the option does not fall enough to offset the cost of
purchasing  the option,  a put buyer can expect to suffer a loss (limited to the
amount of the premium paid, plus related transaction costs).

         The features of call options are  essentially  the same as those of put
options,  except  that the  purchaser  of a call  option  obtains  the  right to
purchase, rather than sell, the instrument underlying the option at the option's
strike price. A call buyer typically  attempts to participate in potential price
increases of the instrument  underlying the option with risk limited to the cost
of the option if security prices fall. At the same time, the buyer can expect

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to suffer a loss if security prices do not rise sufficiently to offset the cost
of the option.

         SELLING  (WRITING) PUT AND CALL OPTIONS.  When a Portfolio writes a put
option,  it  takes  the  opposite  side of the  transaction  from  the  option's
purchaser.  In return for  receipt of the  premium,  the  Portfolio  assumes the
obligation to pay the strike price for the  instrument  underlying the option if
the other party to the option  chooses to exercise  it. A Portfolio  may seek to
terminate its position in a put option it writes  before  exercise by purchasing
an offsetting  option in the market at its current  price.  If the market is not
liquid for a put option the Portfolio has written,  however,  the Portfolio must
continue to be prepared to pay the strike price while the option is outstanding,
regardless  of price  changes,  and must  continue to post  margin as  discussed
below.

         If the price of the  underlying  instrument  rises,  a put writer would
generally expect to profit,  although its gain would be limited to the amount of
the premium it received.  If security  prices  remain the same over time,  it is
likely that the writer will also profit,  because it should be able to close out
the option at a lower  price.  If security  prices  fall,  the put writer  would
expect to suffer a loss.  This loss should be less than the loss from purchasing
and holding the underlying  instrument  directly,  however,  because the premium
received for writing the option should offset a portion of the decline.

         Writing a call  option  obligates  a  Portfolio  to sell or deliver the
option's  underlying  instrument in return for the strike price upon exercise of
the option. The  characteristics of writing call options are similar to those of
writing put  options,  except  that  writing  calls  generally  is a  profitable
strategy  if prices  remain  the same or fall.  Through  receipt  of the  option
premium a call writer offsets part of the effect of a price decline. At the same
time,  because  a call  writer  must  be  prepared  to  deliver  the  underlying
instrument in return for the strike price, even if its current value is greater,
a call writer gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.

         The writer of an exchange  traded put or call option on a security,  an
index of  securities  or a futures  contract  is  required  to  deposit  cash or
securities  or a letter of credit as margin and to make mark to market  payments
of variation margin as the position becomes unprofitable.

         OPTIONS  ON  INDEXES.  Options on  securities  indexes  are  similar to
options on securities,  except that the exercise of securities  index options is
settled by cash  payment  and does not  involve  the actual  purchase or sale of
securities.   In  addition,   these   options  are  designed  to  reflect  price
fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market rather
than price  fluctuations  in a single  security.  A Portfolio,  in purchasing or
selling  index  options,  is subject to the risk that the value of its portfolio
securities  may  not  change  as  much  as  an  index  because  the  Portfolio's
investments generally will not match the composition of an index.

         For a number  of  reasons,  a liquid  market  may not  exist and thus a
Portfolio may not be able to close out an option position that it has previously
entered into.  When a Portfolio  purchases an OTC option,  it will be relying on
its

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counterparty to perform its obligations,  and the Portfolio may incur additional
losses if the counterparty is unable to perform.

         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 Portfolios' 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 may
purchase or sell  (write)  futures  contracts  and purchase or sell put and call
options, including put and call options on futures contracts.  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.


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         COMBINED POSITIONS.  The Portfolios are permitted to purchase and write
options 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,  a Portfolio  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.

         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.

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(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 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  Disciplined  Equity  and U.S.  Small  Company
Opportunities  Funds may employ  non-hedging  risk management  techniques.  Risk
management strategies are used to keep the Fund fully invested and to reduce the
transaction  costs  associated  with cash  flows  into and out of the Fund.  The
objective  where  equity  futures  are used to  "equitize"  cash is to match the
notional value of all futures contracts to the Fund's cash balance. The notional
value of futures and of the cash is monitored  daily. As the cash is invested in
securities  and/or  paid  out  to  participants  in  redemptions,   the  Advisor
simultaneously  adjusts the futures  positions.  Through  such  procedures,  the
Portfolio  not only gains  equity  exposure  from the use of  futures,  but also
benefits  from  increased  flexibility  in responding to client cash flow needs.
Additionally,  because it can be less expensive to trade a list of securities as
a package or program trade rather than as a group of individual orders,  futures
provide a means through which transaction costs can be reduced. 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.

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

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                                                        19

<PAGE>



distributions resulting from such gains are considered ordinary income for
federal income tax purposes.  See "Taxes" below.

THE DISCIPLINED  EQUITY  PORTFOLIO  (DISCIPLINED  EQUITY FUND) -- For the period
December 30, 1996 (commencement of operations) through May 31, 1997: 20%.

THE U.S. EQUITY PORTFOLIO (U.S. EQUITY FUND)  -- For the fiscal year ended May
31, 1996: 85%.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1997: 99%.

THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY PORTFOLIO (U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND)  -- For the fiscal
year ended May 31, 1996: 93%.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1997: 98%.

THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO (U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES
FUND) -- For the period June 16, 1997 (commencement of operations) through
October 31, 1997: 26% (unaudited).

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.

         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 DISCIPLINED EQUITY
FUND and its corresponding PORTFOLIO may not:

1.  Purchase any security if, as a result,  more than 25% 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,

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<PAGE>



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.

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.)

Each of the  U.S.  EQUITY  FUND  and the  U.S.  SMALL  COMPANY  FUND  and  their
corresponding PORTFOLIOS may not:


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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
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;


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                                                        22

<PAGE>



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

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  U.S.  SMALL  COMPANY  OPPORTUNITIES  FUND  and  its  corresponding
PORTFOLIO may not:

1.  Purchase any security if, as a result,  more than 25% 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 beneficial  interests 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  Portfolio'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  redemptions 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 Portfolio.

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

5.  Purchase or sell real estate  except that the  Portfolio  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
Portfolio as a result of the ownership of securities.

6. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except the Portfolio 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 Portfolio (1) may lend portfolio  securities with
a value not exceeding  one-third of the Portfolio'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 Portfolio's total
assets to be invested in the securities of such issuer; or

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

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

         NON-FUNDAMENTAL  INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS - DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND. The
investment restrictions described below are not fundamental policies of the Fund
and its corresponding  Portfolio and may be changed by its respective  Trustees.
These non-fundamental investment policies require that the 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,  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; or

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


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<PAGE>



         NON-FUNDAMENTAL  INVESTMENT  RESTRICTION  - U.S.  EQUITY  FUND AND U.S.
SMALL  COMPANY  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 - U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES
FUND: The investment restrictions described below are not fundamental policies
of the Portfolio and may be changed by its Trustees.  These non-fundamental
investment policies require that the 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 Portfolio's total 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; or

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

         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.


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                                                        24

<PAGE>



TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

TRUSTEES

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

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

         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.

         MICHAEL P. MALLARDI--Trustee; Retired; Prior to April 1996, Senior Vice
President, Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. and President, Broadcast Group.  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.  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 J.P. Morgan  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),  J.P. Morgan  Institutional Funds and J.P. Morgan
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.

- ------------------------

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




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                                                        25

<PAGE>



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

                                                                                 TOTAL TRUSTEE
                                                                                 COMPENSATION ACCRUED
                                                      AGGREGATE                  BY THE MASTER
                                                      TRUSTEE                    PORTFOLIOS (*), J.P.
                                                      COMPENSATION               MORGAN INSTITUTIONAL
                                                      ACCRUED BY THE             FUNDS, J.P. MORGAN
                                                      TRUST DURING               SERIES TRUST AND THE
NAME OF TRUSTEE                                       1996                       TRUST DURING 1996***)
<S>                                                   <C>                        <C>
Frederick S. Addy, Trustee                            $15,808                    $65,000
William G. Burns, Trustee                             $15,808                    $65,000
Arthur 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
</TABLE>
(*) Includes the Portfolios, The Prime Money Market Portfolio, The Federal Money
Market  Portfolio,  The Tax Exempt Money Market  Portfolio,  The Short Term Bond
Portfolio,  The U.S. Fixed Income Portfolio,  The Tax Exempt Bond Portfolio, The
New York Total Return Bond Portfolio,  The International  Equity Portfolio,  The
Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio, The Diversified Portfolio, The Non-U.S. Fixed
Income Portfolio, The Series Portfolio and Series Portfolio II (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.

(***)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, J.P. Morgan Institutional Funds and
J.P. Morgan 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

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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 and its
corresponding Portfolio during the indicated fiscal years are set forth below:

DISCIPLINED  EQUITY PORTFOLIO -- For the period December 30, 1996  (commencement
of operations) through May 31, 1997: $607.

U.S.  EQUITY FUND -- For the fiscal year ended May 31,  1995:  $25,316.  For the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $20,190. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1997:
$11,747. 
THE U.S.  EQUITY  PORTFOLIO -- For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995:
$52,948.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996:  $46,626.  For the fiscal year
ended May 31, 1997: $26,486.

U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND -- For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995: $19,612.  For
the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996:  $13,451.  For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1997:  $7,545. 
THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY PORTFOLIO -- For the fiscal year ended May 31,  1995:  
$62,256.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996:  $48,688.  For the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1997: $31,320.

U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND -- For the period June 16, 1997
(commencement of operations) through October 31, 1997: $510 (unaudited).
THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO -- For the period June 16, 1997
(commencement of operations) through October 31, 1997: $510 (unaudited).

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,
each Portfolio and the other Master Portfolios.  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.

     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

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<PAGE>



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.  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.

     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. Address: 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
Her date of birth is September 14, 1969.


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<PAGE>



         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.  His date of birth is December 24, 1964.

         LENORE J. MCCABE; Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of the
Portfolios only.   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.

     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 Funds have not  retained  the  services  of an  investment  adviser
because each Fund seeks to achieve its investment  objective by investing all of
its investable assets in a corresponding  Portfolio.  Subject to the supervision
of the Portfolio's Trustees, Morgan makes each Portfolio's day-to-day investment
decisions,  arranges for the execution of portfolio  transactions  and generally
manages the Portfolio's investments. Morgan is a wholly owned subsidiary of J.P.
Morgan & Co.  Incorporated  ("J.P.  Morgan"),  a bank holding company  organized
under

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                                                        29

<PAGE>



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 more than $240 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 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 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."


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                                                        30

<PAGE>



     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 Disciplined Equity Portfolio and The U.S. Equity Portfolio-- S&P
500 Index; The U.S. Small Company  Portfolio--Russell 2500 Index; The U.S. Small
Company Opportunities Portfolio -- Russell 2000 Growth 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  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.

DISCIPLINED EQUITY: 0.35%

U.S. EQUITY: 0.40%

U.S. SMALL COMPANY: 0.60%

U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES : 0.60%

         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 also the  Fund's  financial  statements  which  are  incorporated  herein by
reference.

THE DISCIPLINED  EQUITY  PORTFOLIO  (Disciplined  Equity Fund) -- For the period
December 30, 1996 (commencement of operations) through May 31, 1997: $73,985.

THE U.S. EQUITY  PORTFOLIO  (U.S.  Equity Fund) -- For the fiscal year ended May
31, 1995: $2,025,936.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996:  $2,744,054.  For
the fiscal year ended May 31, 1997: $3,049,388.

THE U.S.  SMALL COMPANY  PORTFOLIO  (U.S.  Small Company Fund) -- For the fiscal
year ended May 31,  1995:  $3,514,331.  For the fiscal year ended May 31,  1996:
$4,286,311. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1997: $5,424,514.


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THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO (U.S. Small Company Opportunities
Fund) -- For the period June 16, 1997 (commencement of operations) through
October 31, 1997: $93,167 (unaudited).

         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  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

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Distribution  Agreement  between FDI and the Trust, FDI receives no compensation
in its  capacity  as the Trust's  distributor.  FDI is a wholly  owned  indirect
subsidiary  of Boston  Institutional  Group,  Inc.  FDI also serves as exclusive
placement agent for the Portfolio.  FDI currently  provides  administration  and
distribution services for a number of other investment companies.

         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
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.

         FDI (i) provides  office space,  equipment  and clerical  personnel for
maintaining  the  organization  and  books  and  records  of the  Trust  and the
Portfolio;  (ii)  provides  officers  for the  Trust  and the  Portfolio;  (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 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  Master  Portfolios  and  other
investment companies subject to similar agreements with FDI.


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         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" below for applicable expense limitations.

THE  DISCIPLINED   EQUITY   PORTFOLIO  --  For  the  period  December  30,  1996
(commencement of operations) through May 31, 1997: $520.

THE U.S. EQUITY PORTFOLIO -- For the period August 1, 1996 through May 31, 1997:
$16,536.  
U.S.  EQUITY FUND -- For the period August 1, 1996 through May 31, 1997: $9,811.

THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY PORTFOLIO -- For the period August 1, 1996 through May 
31, 1997: $19,652.
U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND -- For the period August 1, 1996 through May 31,
1997: $6,272.

THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY  OPPORTUNITIES  PORTFOLIO -- For the period June 16, 1997
(commencement  of operations)  through October 31, 1997: $345  (unaudited).  
U.S.  SMALL  COMPANY  OPPORTUNITIES  FUND  --  For  the  period  June  16, 
1997 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 1997: $433 (unaudited).

         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.

THE U.S. EQUITY PORTFOLIO -- For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995: $32,670.
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $62,404.  For the period June 1, 1996
through July 31, 1996: $14,675.
U.S. EQUITY FUND -- For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995: $61,903.  For the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $59,656.  For the period June 1, 1996 through
July 31, 1996: $6,776.

THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY PORTFOLIO -- For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995:
$38,215.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $65,079.  For the period June
1, 1996 through July 31, 1996: $17,162.
U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND --  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995: $51,087. For
the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $39,053. For the period June 1, 1996 through
July 31, 1996: $4,383.

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.

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         Under the Services Agreements,  Morgan provides certain  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 Trustee matters.

         Under the amended  Services  Agreements,  the Funds and the  Portfolios
have  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 J.P. Morgan 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 Master
Portfolios,  the other  investors  in the  Master  Portfolios  for which  Morgan
provides similar services and J.P. Morgan 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" below for applicable expense limitations.

THE  DISCIPLINED   EQUITY   PORTFOLIO  --  For  the  period  December  30,  1996
(commencement of operations) through May 31, 1997: $6,614.

THE U.S. EQUITY PORTFOLIO -- For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995: $236,537.
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $138,134.  For the fiscal year ended May
31, 1997: $232,617.
U.S. EQUITY FUND -- For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995: $126,738.  For the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $76,406.   For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1997: $102,534.

THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY PORTFOLIO -- For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995:
$241,373.  For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $144,277.  For the fiscal 
year ended May 31, 1997: $275,962.
U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND -- For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995: $108,015. For
the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $46,662.  For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1997: $65,674.

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THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY  OPPORTUNITIES  PORTFOLIO -- For the period June 16, 1997
(commencement of operations) through October 31, 1997: $4,701  (unaudited).  
U.S.  SMALL  COMPANY  OPPORTUNITIES  FUND  --  For  the  period  June  16, 
1997 (commencement of operations) through October 31, 1997: $4,700 (unaudited).

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 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 a financial  professional.  Under this  agreement,  Morgan is responsible for
performing  shareholder account,  administrative and servicing functions,  which
include but are 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):  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"  below for
applicable expense limitations.

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U.S. EQUITY FUND -- For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995: $598,644.  For the
fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $742,283.  For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1997: $843,099.

U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND -- For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995: $456,271. For
the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996: $488,236.  For the fiscal year ended May 31,
1997: $540,244.

U.S.  SMALL  COMPANY  OPPORTUNITIES  FUND -- For the  period  June 16,  1997
(commencement of operations) through October 31, 1997: $38,814 (unaudited).

         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 herein 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.

         The Fund may be sold to or  through  financial  intermediaries  who are
customers   of   Morgan   ("financial   professionals"),   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
"Financial  Professionals"  below.  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.

FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS

         The   services   provided  by  financial   professionals   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 financial professional,  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

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services  as Morgan  or the  financial  professional's  clients  may  reasonably
request and agree upon with the financial professional.

         Although  there  is no  sales  charge  levied  directly  by  the  Fund,
financial  professionals  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 financial professionals but
in all cases will be retained by the financial  professional and not remitted to
the Fund or Morgan.

         Each Fund has  authorized  one or more  brokers to accept  purchase and
redemption orders on its behalf.  Such brokers are authorized to designate other
intermediaries  to accept purchase and redemption  orders on a Fund's behalf.  A
Fund will be deemed to have  received a  purchase  or  redemption  order when an
authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker's authorized designee, accepts the
order. These orders will be priced at the Fund's net asset value next calculated
after they are so accepted.

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.

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).

PURCHASE OF SHARES

       METHOD OF PURCHASE.  Investors may open accounts with a Fund only through
the Distributor.  All purchase transactions in Fund accounts are processed by

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Morgan as shareholder  servicing  agent and the Fund is authorized to accept any
instructions  relating to a Fund  account from Morgan as  shareholder  servicing
agent for the customer. All purchase orders must be accepted by the Distributor.
Prospective  investors  who are not  already  customers  of Morgan  may apply to
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 Trust
reserves the right to determine the purchase orders that it will accept.

          References  in  the   Prospectus  and  this  Statement  of  Additional
Information to customers of Morgan or a financial professional include customers
of their affiliates and references to transactions by customers with Morgan or a
financial  professional  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 a
financial  professional,  and the financial  professional  may establish its own
minimums and charge the  investor a fee for this  service and other  services it
provides to its customers.  Morgan may pay fees to financial  professionals  for
services in connection  with fund  investments.  See  "Financial  Professionals"
above.

REDEMPTION OF SHARES

         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 have elected to

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be  governed  by Rule 18f-1  under the 1940 Act  pursuant to which the Funds and
their 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.   Investors  should  be  aware  that
redemptions  from the Fund may not be processed  if a redemption  request is not
submitted in proper form. To be in proper form,  the Fund must have received the
shareholder's  taxpayer  identification  number and address.  In addition,  if a
shareholder  sends a check  for the  purchase  of fund  shares  and  shares  are
purchased before the check has cleared,  the transmittal of redemption  proceeds
from the shares will occur upon  clearance  of the check which may take up to 15
days. 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.

         For information  regarding redemption orders placed through a financial
professional, please see "Financial Professionals" above.

EXCHANGE OF SHARES

         An investor  may  exchange  shares  from any J.P.  Morgan Fund into any
other J.P. Morgan Fund or J.P.  Morgan  Institutional  Fund without  charge.  An
exchange may be made so long as after the  exchange the investor has shares,  in
each fund in which he or she remains an investor,  with a value of at least that
fund's minimum investment amount. 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. Shares are exchanged on the basis of relative net asset value per share.
Exchanges are in effect  redemptions from one fund and purchases of another fund
and the usual purchase and redemption procedures and requirements are applicable
to exchanges.  Shareholders subject to federal income tax who exchange shares in
one fund for  shares in  another  fund may  recognize  capital  gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes. Shares of the Fund to be acquired are 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.


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DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

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

         Dividends  and  capital  gains  distributions  paid  by  the  Fund  are
automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund unless the shareholder
has elected to have them paid in cash. Dividends and distributions to be paid in
cash are  credited to the  shareholder's  account at Morgan or at his  financial
professional or, in the case of certain Morgan customers, are mailed by check in
accordance  with the  customer's  instructions.  The Fund  reserves the right to
discontinue, alter or limit the automatic reinvestment privilege at any time.

         If a shareholder has elected to receive  dividends  and/or capital gain
distributions  in cash and the  postal or other  delivery  service  is unable to
deliver  checks to the  shareholder's  address  of  record,  such  shareholder's
distribution  option will  automatically be converted to having all dividend and
other distributions  reinvested in additional shares. No interest will accrue on
amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.

NET ASSET VALUE

         Each of the Funds  computes  its net asset  value  once daily on Monday
through Friday as described  below.  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,  Presidents' Day, Good Friday,  Memorial Day,  Independence  Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. 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.

          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 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.


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         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 actual
distributions, total return or capital appreciation in reports, sales literature
and  advertisements  published  by the Trust.  Shareholders  may obtain  current
performance information by calling Morgan at (800) 521-5411.

         The Fund may make historical performance  information available and may
compare its performance to other investments or relevant indexes,  including the
benchmark  indicated  under  "Investment  Advisor"  above  or data  from  Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., Micropal Inc., Morningstar Inc., Ibbotson Associates,
Standard & Poor's 500  Composite  Stock Price  Index,  the Dow Jones  Industrial
Average, the Frank Russell Index and other industry publications.

     Composite  performance   information  shown  in  the  prospectus  has  been
calculated  in  accordance  with  Performance   Presentation  Standards  of  the
Association for Investment Management and Research ("AIMR").

         TOTAL RETURN  QUOTATIONS.  As required by  regulations  of the SEC, the
annualized  total  return of the 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.


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         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 U.S.  Equity and U.S.  Small Company 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 return information for the Funds or their
predecessors for the periods indicated:

U.S.  EQUITY FUND  (11/30/97):  Average  annual total  return,  1 year:  24.31%;
average annual total return, 5 years:  17.91%;  average annual total return,  10
years: 18.05%; aggregate total return, 1 year: 24.31%; aggregate total return, 5
years: 127.92%; aggregate total return, 10 years: 425.51%.

U.S. SMALL COMPANY FUND (11/30/97): Average annual total return, 1 year: 24.82%;
average annual total return, 5 years: 15.83%; average annual total return, 10
years: 17.09%; aggregate total return, 1 year: 24.82%; aggregate total return,
5 years: 108.53%; aggregate total return, 10 years: 384.46%.

U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND (11/30/97): Average annual total return,
1 year: N/A; average annual total return, 5 years: N/A; average annual total
return, commencement of operations (1) to period end: 10.60%.

         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.

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,
- --------
    1 J.P. Morgan U.S. Small Company Opportunities Fund commenced operations on
June 16, 1997.


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certain  securities may be purchased  directly from an issuer,  in which case no
commissions or discounts are paid.

         In connection with portfolio transactions,  the overriding objective is
to obtain the best 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 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   corresponding   to  the  Funds  paid  the  following
approximate brokerage commissions for the indicated fiscal periods:

DISCIPLINED   EQUITY  (for  the  period  December  30,  1996   (commencement  of
operations) through May 31, 1997): $25,351.

U.S. EQUITY (May 31): 1997: $1,614,293; 1996: $1,375,696; 1995: $1,179,132.

U.S. SMALL COMPANY (May 31): 1997: $2,174,321; 1996: $1,554,459; 1995:
$1,217,016.

U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES (for the period June 16, 1997 (commencement of
operations) through October 31,1997): $31,543 (unaudited).

         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 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,

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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.

         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.

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         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  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". Effective January 1, 1998, the name of the Trust was changed from
"The JPM Pierpont  Funds" to "J.P.  Morgan Funds",  and each Fund's name changed
accordingly.

         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)  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.


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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 18 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
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

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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 18 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
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".

         As of  December  5,  1997,  the  following  owned of record  or, to the
knowledge  of  management,  beneficially  owned more than 5% of the  outstanding
shares of:

         U.S. Equity Fund--Forest Laboratories, Inc. (5.46%);

         U.S. Small Company Fund--Forest Laboratories, Inc. (6.62%); and


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<PAGE>


       U.S. Small Company Opportunities Fund--J.P. Morgan Investment Management
       as Agent for Carnegie Corporation of New York (7.73%).

         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.

SPECIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING INVESTMENT STRUCTURE

         Unlike other mutual funds which  directly  acquire and manage their own
portfolio of securities,  each Fund is an open-end management investment company
which  seeks  to  achieve  its  investment  objective  by  investing  all of its
investable assets in a corresponding Portfolio, a separate registered investment
company with the same investment objective as the Fund. The investment objective
of the Funds or Portfolios  may be changed only with the approval of the holders
of the outstanding shares of each Fund and each Portfolio.

         In addition to selling a beneficial interest to a Fund, a Portfolio may
sell beneficial interests to other mutual funds or institutional investors. Such
investors will invest in the Portfolio on the same terms and conditions and will
bear a  proportionate  share of the  Portfolio's  expenses.  However,  the other
investors  investing in the  Portfolio may sell shares of their own fund using a
different pricing structure than the Fund. Such different pricing structures may
result in  differences  in returns  experienced by investors in other funds that
invest in the  Portfolio.  Such  differences in returns are not uncommon and are
present in other mutual fund structures. Information concerning other holders of
interests in the Portfolio is available from Morgan at (800) 521-5411.

         The Trust may withdraw the investment of a Fund from a Portfolio at any
time if the Board of  Trustees  of the Trust  determines  that it is in the best
interests of the Fund to do so. Upon any such withdrawal,  the Board of Trustees
would  consider what action might be taken,  including the investment of all the
assets  of the  Fund  in  another  pooled  investment  entity  having  the  same
investment  objective  and  restrictions  as the  Fund  or the  retaining  of an
investment adviser to manage the Fund's assets in accordance with the investment
policies described below with respect to the Portfolio.

         Certain  changes in a  Portfolio's  investment  objective,  policies or
restrictions,  or a failure by a Fund's  shareholders to approve a change in the
Portfolio's investment objective or restrictions,  may require withdrawal of the
Fund's  interest  in the  Portfolio.  Any  such  withdrawal  could  result  in a
distribution in kind of portfolio securities (as opposed to a cash distribution)
from the Portfolio which may or may not be readily marketable.  The distribution
in  kind  may  result  in the  Fund  having  a  less  diversified  portfolio  of
investments or adversely affect the Fund's  liquidity,  and the Fund could incur
brokerage,   tax  or  other  charges  in  converting  the  securities  to  cash.
Notwithstanding  the  above,  there are  other  means  for  meeting  shareholder
redemption requests, such as borrowing.

     Smaller funds  investing in a Portfolio  may be materially  affected by the
actions of larger funds investing in the Portfolio. For example, if a large fund

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withdraws from the Portfolio,  the remaining funds may  subsequently  experience
higher pro rata operating expenses, thereby producing lower returns.

         Additionally,  because a Portfolio would become smaller,  it may become
less diversified,  resulting in potentially  increased  portfolio risk (however,
these  possibilities  also exist for  traditionally  structured funds which have
large or institutional investors who may withdraw from a fund). Also, funds with
a greater  pro rata  ownership  in the  Portfolio  could have  effective  voting
control of the  operations of the  Portfolio.  Whenever the Fund is requested to
vote on matters  pertaining to the  Portfolio  (other than a vote by the Fund to
continue the operation of the Portfolio upon the withdrawal of another  investor
in the Portfolio), the Trust will hold a meeting of shareholders of the Fund and
will  cast  all  of its  votes  proportionately  as  instructed  by  the  Fund's
shareholders.  The Trust will vote the shares held by Fund  shareholders  who do
not give  voting  instructions  in the same  proportion  as the  shares  of Fund
shareholders  who do give voting  instructions.  Shareholders of the Fund who do
not vote will have no effect on the outcome of such matters.

TAXES

         Each Fund  intends to  continue  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).  Effective as
of June 1, 1998,  the 30% of gross  income test  described  in (b) above will no
longer apply to the Funds.

         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.

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         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
December 31 of the year declared. Therefore, such dividends will be taxable to a
shareholder in the year declared rather than the year paid.

         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 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.
If dividend payments exceed income earned by a Fund, the over distribution would
be  considered  a return of capital  rather than a dividend  payment.  The Funds
intend 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. As a result of
the enactment of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (the "Act"),  long-term capital
gain of an individual  is generally  subject to a maximum rate of 28% in respect
of a capital asset held directly by such  individual  for more than one year but
not more than eighteen months, and the maximum rate is reduced to 20% in respect
of a capital asset held in excess of 18 months.  The Act authorizes the Treasury
department to promulgate regulations that would apply these rules in the case of
long-term capital gain distributions  made by a Fund. In addition,  no loss will
be allowed on the redemption or exchange of shares of a Fund if, within a period
beginning 30 days before the date of such  redemption  or exchange and ending 30
days  after such  date,  the  shareholder  acquires  (such as  through  dividend
reinvestment) securities that are substantially identical to shares of the Fund.

         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,

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                                                        51

<PAGE>



the  Portfolio  will  subtract the premium  received  from its cost basis in the
securities purchased.

         Any  distribution  of net investment  income or capital gains will have
the effect of reducing the net asset value of Fund shares held by a  shareholder
by the same amount as the distribution.  If the net asset value of the shares is
reduced  below a  shareholder's  cost as a result  of such a  distribution,  the
distribution, although constituting a return of capital to the shareholder, will
be taxable as described above.

         Any gain or loss realized on the  redemption or exchange of Fund shares
by a shareholder  who is not a dealer in securities will be treated as long-term
capital  gain or loss if the shares  have been held for more than one year,  and
otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. As noted above,  long-term capital
gain of an individual  holder is subject to a maximum tax rate of 28% in respect
of shares  held for more than one year.  The  maximum  rate is reduced to 20% in
respect of shares held for more than 18 months.  However, any loss realized by a
shareholder  upon the  redemption or exchange of shares in the Fund held for six
months or less will be treated as a long-term  capital loss to the extent of any
long-term capital gain distributions received by the shareholder with respect to
such shares. In addition,  no loss will be allowed on the redemption or exchange
of shares of the Fund,  if within a period  beginning 30 days before the date of
such  redemption or exchange and ending 30 days after such date, the shareholder
acquires  (such  as  through   dividend   reinvestment)   securities   that  are
substantially identical to shares of the Fund.

         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,  under  current law.  Effective as of June 1,
1998, the 30% of gross income test will no longer apply to the Funds.

         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

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                                                        52

<PAGE>



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 Funds may  invest in Equity  Securities  of foreign  issuers.  If a
Portfolio  purchases  shares in certain  foreign  corporations  (referred  to as
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, including any 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  as a  result  of  such
distributions.  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.

         For  taxable  years  of  the  Portfolios   beginning  after  1997,  the
Portfolios will be permitted to "mark to market" any marketable  stock held by a
Portfolio in a PFIC.  If a Portfolio  made such an election,  the  corresponding
Fund  would  include  in income  each  year an amount  equal to its share of the
excess,  if any, of the fair  market  value of the PFIC stock as of the close of
the  taxable  year over the  adjusted  basis of such  stock.  The Fund  would be
allowed a deduction for its share of the excess,  if any, of the adjusted  basis
of the PFIC  stock  over its fair  market  value as of the close of the  taxable
year, but only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains with respect to the
stock included by the Fund for prior taxable years.

         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.

         If a correct and  certified  taxpayer  identification  number is not on
file, the Fund is required,  subject to certain  exemptions,  to withhold 31% of
certain payments made or distributions declared to non-corporate shareholders.

         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

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                                                        53

<PAGE>



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 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.

         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 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  financial  professionals  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.


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                                                        55

<PAGE>



         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.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         The  following  financial  statements  and the report  thereon of Price
Waterhouse  LLP of the  U.S.  Equity  and  U.S.  Small  Company  Funds  and  The
Disciplined  Equity  Portfolio are  incorporated  herein by reference from their
respective  annual report filings made with the SEC pursuant to Section 30(b) of
the 1940 Act and Rule 30b2-1 thereunder.  Unaudited  financial  statements as of
October 31, 1997 for each of the U.S. Small Company  Opportunities  Fund and the
U.S.  Small  Company  Opportunities  Portfolio are attached  hereto.  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 Disciplined Equity                           N/A                                05/31/97
Portfolio                                                                           08/04/97
                                                                                    0000912057-97-025987
J.P. Morgan U.S. Equity Fund                     N/A                                05/31/97
                                                                                    08/05/97
                                                                                    0000912057-97-026058
J.P. Morgan U.S. Small Company                   N/A                                05/31/97
Fund                                                                                08/05/97
                                                                                    0000912057-97-026024
- ------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------  --------------------------------
</TABLE>

i:\dsfndlgl\pierpont\010298.pea\eqsai.wpf
                                                       A-56

<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.



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                                                        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.

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                                                        A-2

<PAGE>


Ba       - Bonds  which are rated Ba are  judged to have  speculative  elements;
         their future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection
         of interest and principal  payments may be very  moderate,  and thereby
         not well  safeguarded  during  both good and bad times over the future.
         Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

B        -  Bonds  which  are  rated B  generally  lack  characteristics  of the
         desirable  investment.  Assurance of interest and principal payments or
         of  maintenance  of other terms of the contract over any long period of
         time may be small.

Caa      - Bonds which are rated Caa 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.






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                                                        A-3

<PAGE>
THE JPM PIERPONT U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (UNAUDITED)
OCTOBER 31, 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSETS
Investment in The U.S. Small Company Opportunities
 Portfolio ("Portfolio"), at value                       $83,350,729
Receivable for Shares of Beneficial Interest Sold          7,641,500
Deferred Organization Expenses                                12,949
Receivable for Expense Reimbursements                          4,613
Prepaid Trustees' Fees                                            79
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets                                280
                                                         -----------
      Total Assets                                       91,010,150
                                                         -----------
LIABILITIES
Payable for Shares of Beneficial Interest Redeemed            17,338
Shareholder Servicing Fee Payable                             16,518
Organization Expenses Payable                                 13,892
Administrative Services Fee Payable                            1,989
Administration Fee Payable                                       209
Fund Services Fee Payable                                         99
Accrued Expenses                                              21,415
                                                         -----------
      Total Liabilities                                       71,460
                                                         -----------
NET ASSETS
Applicable to 7,892,321 Shares of Beneficial Interest
Outstanding (par value $0.001, unlimited shares
authorized)                                              $90,938,690
                                                         ===========
Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share      $11.52
                                                         ===========
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Paid-in Capital                                          $88,856,237
Accumulated Net Investment Loss                              (52,899)
Accumulated Net Realized Loss on Investment                  (41,775)
Net Unrealized Appreciation of Investment                  2,177,127 
                                                         -----------
      Net Assets                                         $90,938,690
                                                         ===========


The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.


<PAGE>



THE JPM PIERPONT U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 16, 1997 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO
OCTOBER 31, 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTMENT LOSS ALLOCATED FROM PORTFOLIO
Allocated Interest Income                                 $101,844
Allocated Dividend Income (Net
of Foreign Withholding Tax of $34)                          30,657
Allocated Portfolio Expenses (Net
of Reimbursement of $3,597)                               (139,381)
                                                      ------------
     Net Investment Loss Allocated from Portfolio           (6,880)

FUND EXPENSES
Shareholder Servicing Fee                $38,814
Registration Fees                          9,256
Transfer Agent Fees                        8,423
Printing Expenses                          5,287
Administrative Services Fee                4,700
Professional Fees                          4,447
Amortization of Organization Expenses      1,051
Fund Services Fee                            510
Administration Fee                           433
Trustees' Fees and Expenses                   29
Insurance Expense                             29
Miscellaneous                              1,229
                                         -------
      Total Fund Expenses                 74,208
Less:  Reimbursement of Expenses         (28,189)
                                         -------
NET FUND EXPENSES                                           46,019
                                                      ------------
NET INVESTMENT LOSS                                        (52,899)
NET REALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENT
ALLOCATED FROM PORTFOLIO                                   (41,775)
NET CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION OF
INVESTMENT ALLOCATED FROM PORTFOLIO                      2,177,127 
                                                      ------------

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS    $2,082,453 
                                                      ============


The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.


<PAGE>



THE JPM PIERPONT U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                        FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                            JUNE 16, 1997
                                                          (COMMENCEMENT OF
                                                            OPERATIONS) TO
                                                           OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                                             (UNAUDITED)
                                                             -----------

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS

FROM OPERATIONS
Net Investment Loss                                              ($52,899)
Net Realized Loss on Investment Allocated from Portfolio          (41,775)
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation of Investment
  Allocated from Portfolio                                      2,177,127 
                                                              -----------
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations            2,082,453 
                                                              -----------

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Proceeds from Shares of Beneficial Interest Sold               90,562,341
Cost of Shares of Beneficial Interest Redeemed                 (1,706,104)
     Net Increase from Transactions in Shares of              -----------
       Beneficial Interest                                     88,856,237
                                                              -----------

Total Increase in Net Assets                                   90,938,690

NET ASSETS

Beginning of  Period                                               -    
                                                              -----------

End of Period (including accumulated net investment
    loss of $52,899)                                          $90,938,690
                                                              ===========


The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.


<PAGE>



THE JPM PIERPONT U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout the period is as follows:

                                                    FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                        JUNE 16, 1997
                                                      (COMMENCEMENT OF
                                                       OPERATIONS) TO
                                                      OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                                         (UNAUDITED)
                                                         -----------

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                       $      10.00
                                                           ------------


Income from Investment Operations
Net Investment Loss                                               (0.01)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investment                     1.53
                                                           ------------
Total from Investment Operations                                   1.52
                                                           ------------

NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                             $      11.52
                                                           ============

Total Return                                                      15.20%
                                                           ============

Ratios and Supplemental  Data
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)                   $     90,939
Ratios to Average Net Assets
   Expenses                                                       1.19%(a)
   Net Investment Loss                                           (0.34%)a)
   Decrease Reflected in Expense Ratio due
   to Expense Reimbursement                                       0.18%(a)

- -------------------------

(a)  Annualized


<PAGE>

THE JPM PIERPONT U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
OCTOBER 31, 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
1.  ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     The JPM Pierpont U.S.  Small Company  Opportunities  Fund (the "Fund") is a
separate series of The JPM Pierpont  Funds, a Massachusetts  business trust
(the "Trust")  which was organized on November 4, 1992.  The Trust is registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,  as an open-end management
investment company. The Fund commenced operations on June 16, 1997.

     The Fund invests all of its  investable  assets in The U.S.  Small  Company
Opportunities  Portfolio (the "Portfolio"),  a diversified  open-end  management
investment  company having the same investment  objective as the Fund. The value
of such investment included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities  reflects
the Fund's  proportionate  interest in the net assets of the Portfolio  (100% at
October 31,  1997).  The  performance  of the Fund is  directly  affected by the
performance  of the  Portfolio.  The  financial  statements  of  the  Portfolio,
including the Schedule of Investments, are included elsewhere in this report and
should be read in conjunction with the Fund's financial statements.

The preparation of financial  statements in accordance  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported  amounts and  disclosures.  Actual amounts could differ from
those  estimates.  The  following  is a summary  of the  significant  accounting
policies of the Fund:

     a) Valuation of  securities  by the Portfolio is discussed in Note 1 of the
Portfolio's Notes to Financial  Statements which are included  elsewhere in this
report.

b)       The Fund  records  its share of net  investment  income,  realized  and
         unrealized  gain and loss and adjusts its  investment  in the Portfolio
         each day. 

c)       Substantially all the Fund's net investment income is declared as
         dividends and paid semi-annually.  Distributions to shareholders of net
         realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid annually.

d)       The Fund  incurred  organization  expenses  in the  amount  of
         $14,000.  Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York ("Morgan")
         has agreed to pay the  organization  expenses of the Fund. The
         Fund has agreed to reimburse  Morgan for these costs which are
         being deferred and will be amortized on a straight-line  basis
         over a period  not to  exceed  five-years  beginning  with the
         commencement of operations of the Fund.

e)       The Fund is treated as a separate  entity for  federal  income
         tax purposes.  The Fund intends to comply with the  provisions of the
         Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as  amended,  applicable  to
         regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially
         all of its income,  including net realized  capital gains,  if
         any,  within the  prescribed  time  periods.  Accordingly,  no
         provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.


<PAGE>



THE JPM PIERPONT U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
OCTOBER 31, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
f)       Expenses incurred by the Trust with respect to any two or more funds in
         the Trust are allocated in proportion to the net assets of each fund in
         the Trust, except where allocations of direct expenses to each fund can
         otherwise be made fairly.  Expenses directly attributable to a fund are
         charged to that fund.

2.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

     a) The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has retained Funds  Distributor,  Inc.
("FDI"),  a  registered   broker-dealer,   to  serve  as  co-administrator   and
distributor.  Under a Co- Administration  Agreement between FDI and the Trust on
behalf of the Fund,  FDI  provides  administrative  services  necessary  for the
operations  of the Fund,  furnishes  office  space and  facilities  required for
conducting  the  business  of the Fund and pays the  compensation  of the Fund's
officers  affiliated  with FDI. The Fund 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 is based on the ratio
of the Fund's net assets to the  aggregate  net assets of the Trust and  certain
other  investment  companies  subject to similar  agreements  with FDI.  For the
period from June 16, 1997  (commencement of operations) to October 31, 1997, the
fee for these services amounted to $433.

     b) The  Trust,  on  behalf  of the  Fund,  has an  Administrative  Services
Agreement  (the  "Services   Agreement")  with  Morgan  under  which  Morgan  is
responsible for overseeing  certain aspects of the  administration and operation
of the Fund. Under the Services  Agreement,  the Fund has agreed to pay Morgan a
fee 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 and the
other Portfolios in which the Trust and The JPM Institutional  Funds invest (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 aggregate average daily net assets in excess of $7
billion  less the  complex-wide  fees payable to FDI. The portion of this charge
payable by the Fund is determined by the proportionate share that its net assets
bear to the net assets of the Trust, the Master  Portfolios,  other investors in
the Master Portfolios for which Morgan provides similar services, and JPM Series
Trust. For the period from June 16, 1997 (commencement of operations) to October
31, 1997, the fee for these services amounted to $4,700.

     In  addition,  Morgan  has  agreed  to  reimburse  the  Fund to the  extent
necessary to maintain the total  operating  expenses of the Fund,  including the
expenses allocated to the Fund from the Portfolio,  at no more than 1.20% of the
average daily net assets of the Fund through  September 30, 1998. For the period
from June 16, 1997  (commencement of operations) to October 31, 1997, Morgan has
agreed to reimburse the Fund $28,189 for expenses under this agreement.


<PAGE>



THE JPM PIERPONT U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
OCTOBER 31, 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

c)       The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has a Shareholder Servicing Agreement
         with Morgan.  The  agreement  provides for the Fund to pay Morgan a fee
         for these  services  which is  computed  daily and paid  monthly  at an
         annual rate of 0.25% of the average  daily net assets of the Fund.  For
         the period from June 16, 1997  (commencement  of operations) to October
         31, 1997, the fee for these services amounted to $38,814.

     Morgan,  Charles  Schwab & Co.  ("Schwab")  and the  Trust are  parties  to
separate  services and operating  agreements (the "Schwab  Agreements")  whereby
Schwab makes Fund shares available to customers of investment advisors and other
financial  intermediaries who are Schwab's clients.  The Fund is not responsible
for payments to Schwab under the Schwab  Agreements;  however,  in the event the
Services  Agreement with Schwab is terminated for reasons other than a breach by
Schwab and the relationship between the Trust and Morgan is terminated, the Fund
would be  responsible  for the  ongoing  payments  to  Schwab  with  respect  to
pre-termination shares.
          

d)       The Trust,  on behalf of the Fund,  has a Fund Services  Agreement with
         Pierpont  Group,  Inc.  ("Group") to assist the Trustees in  exercising
         their overall supervisory responsibilities for the Trust's affairs. The
         Trustees of the Trust represent all the existing shareholders of Group.
         The  Fund's  allocated  portion  of  Group's  costs in  performing  its
         services  amounted  to  $510  for  the  period  from  June 16,  1997
         (commencement of operations) to October 31, 1997.

     e) An  aggregate  annual fee of $75,000 is paid to each Trustee for serving
as a Trustee of the Trust, The JPM  Institutional  Funds, the Master  Portfolios
and JPM Series  Trust.  The Trustees'  Fees and Expenses  shown in the financial
statements  represents  the Fund's  allocated  portion  of these  total fees and
expenses.  The  Trust's  Chairman  and Chief  Executive  Officer  also serves as
Chairman of Group and receives  compensation and employee benefits from Group in
his role as Group's  Chairman.  The allocated  portion of such  compensation and
benefits included in the Fund Services Fee shown in the financial statements was
$100.

3.  TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

The  Declaration  of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited  number of
full  and  fractional  shares  of  beneficial  interest  of one or more  series.
Transactions in shares of beneficial interest of the Fund were as follows:

                               FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                  JUNE 16, 1997
                                (COMMENCEMENT OF
                                 OPERATIONS) TO
                                OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                   -----------

Shares sold                          8,034,821
Shares redeemed                       (142,500)
                                   -----------
Net Increase                         7,892,321
                                   -----------

4.   CREDIT AGREEMENT
     The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, together with other affiliated investment
companies (the "Funds"), entered into a revolving line of credit agreeement (the
"Agreement") on May 28, 1997, with unaffiliated lenders. Additionally, since all
of the  investable  assets of the Fund are in the  Portfolio,  the  Portfolio is
party to certain covenants of the Agreement.  The maximum  commitment  borrowing
under the  Agreement is  $150,000,000.  The  Agreement  expires on May 27, 1998,
however,  the Fund as party to the Agreement will have the ability to extend the
Agreement and continue its participation therein for an additional 364 days. The
purpose of the Agreement is to provide  another  alternative  for settling large
fund shareholder  redemptions.  Interest on any such borrowings outstanding will
approximate  market rates.  The Funds pay a commitment  fee at an annual rate of
0.065% on the unused  portion of the committed  amount which is allocated to the
Funds in accordance with procedures  established by their respective Trustees or
Directors. The Fund has not borrowed pursuant to the Agreement as of October 31,
1997.

<PAGE>

The U.S. Small Company Opportunities Portfolio
Schedule of Investments (unaudited)
"October 31, 1997"

Security Description                        Shares                        Value

COMMON STOCKS (96.7%)
Basic Industries (1.4%)
Agriculture  (0.9%)
Dekalb Genetics Corp. - Class B               9,800                   $  351,575
Delta & Pine Land Co.                        10,600                      394,850
                                                                      __________
                                                                         746,425
                                                                      __________

Forest Products & Paper  (0.2%)
Universal Forest Products, Inc.        +     10,600                      156,350
                                                                      __________

Metals & Mining  (0.3%)
Mueller Industries, Inc.               +      6,000                      265,125
                                                                      __________
    Total Basic Industries                                             1,167,900

Consumer Goods & Services (24.6%)
Apparels & Textiles  (1.4%)
Ashworth, Inc                          +     26,400                      263,175
Genesco, Inc.                          +     49,700                      630,569
Nautica Enterprises, Inc.              +      8,200                      218,069
Tropical Sportswear International Corp.+      4,300                       51,869
                                                                      __________
                                                                       1,163,682
                                                                      __________

Automotive  (0.2%)
Hayes Wheels International, Inc.       +      3,900                      130,650

Broadcasting & Publishing  (1.4%)
Journal Register Co.                   +     30,000                      523,125
Univision Communications, Inc.         +     10,500                      651,000
                                                                      __________
                                                                       1,174,125

Education  (4.4%)
Advantage Learning Systems, Inc.       +      8,600                      219,300
CBT Group PLC (ADR)                    +      8,200                      631,400
Children's Comprehensive Services, Inc.+     33,400                      601,200
Computer Learning Centers, Inc.        +      2,100                       95,550
CorporateFamily Solutions, Inc.        +      6,700                      100,081
DeVry, Inc.                            +     18,400                      485,300
Education Management Corp.             +     19,300                      496,975
EduTrek International, Inc.            +      4,000                       97,750
ITT Educational Services, Inc.               20,000                      482,500
Youth Services International, Inc.     +     34,600                      490,887
                                                                      __________
                                                                       3,700,943
                                                                      __________
Entertainment, Leisure & Media  (6.5%)
Action Performance Companies, Inc.     +     27,000                      688,500
Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc.              +     29,000                      485,750
Cinar Films, Inc. - Class B            +     19,500                      760,500
Florida Panthers Holdings, Inc.        +      6,600                      132,825


<PAGE>



Imax Corp.                             +     19,500                      493,594
Metromedia International Group, Inc.   +     38,900                      447,350
Premier Parks, Inc.                    +     12,000                      484,500
Steiner Leisure Ltd.                 * +     22,700                      605,806
Ticketmaster Group, Inc.               +     35,000                      802,812
Travel Services International, Inc.    +     22,200                      488,400
                                                                      __________
                                                                       5,390,037
                                                                      __________

Food, Beverages & Tobacco  (0.5%)
American Italian Pasta Co.- Class A    +      3,000                       63,000
Beringer Wine Estates Holdings, Inc.   +      1,900                       58,781
Suiza Foods Corp.                      +      6,500                      327,437
                                                                      __________
                                                                         449,218
                                                                      __________

Health & Personal Care  (1.4%)
Bally Total Fitness Holding Corp.      +     40,600                      728,262
Enamelon, Inc.                         +     30,000                      465,000
                                                                      __________
                                                                       1,193,262
                                                                      __________

Personal Care  (0.4%)
French Fragrances, Inc.                +     31,900                      343,922
                                                                      __________

Restaurants & Hotels  (1.8%)
Famous Dave's of America, Inc.         +     16,900                      292,581
Papa John's International, Inc.        +      9,800                      288,794
PJ America Inc.                        +     16,600                      234,475
Sun International Hotels Ltd.         *+     12,000                      432,000
Vail Resorts, Inc.                     +      8,300                      230,844
                                                                      __________
                                                                       1,478,694
                                                                      __________

Retail  (6.6%)
A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc.         +      14,100                     215,906
CHS Electronics, Inc.                         30,200                     735,181
DM Management Co.                      +      15,800                     238,481
Gymboree Corp.                         +      12,200                     295,087
Insight Enterprises, Inc.              +      18,700                     735,144
N2K, Inc.                              +       3,500                      92,313
ONSALE, Inc.                           +      17,600                     404,800
Party City Corp.                       +      32,100                     878,737
Peapod, Inc.                           +      10,300                      98,494
Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.            +      25,700                     788,669
RDO Equipment Co.                      +      21,000                     455,437
United Natural Foods, Inc.             +      17,300                     361,137
USA Floral Products, Inc.              +      10,800                     191,025
                                                                      __________
                                                                       5,490,411
                                                                      __________
    Total Consumer Goods & Services                                   20,514,944
                                                                      __________

Energy (3.2%)
Gas Exploration  (1.7%)
Devon Energy Corp.                             9,700                     434,075
FX Energy, Inc.                        +      19,100                     127,731
Patterson Energy, Inc.                 +      14,800                     828,800
                                                                      __________
                                                                       1,390,606
                                                                      __________


<PAGE>




Oil-Services  (1.5%)
Dril-Quip, Inc.                        +       1,800                      64,575
Eagle Geophysical, Inc.                +       3,800                      66,975
National-Oilwell, Inc.                 +       8,000                     612,500
Transmontaigne Oil Co.                 +      22,700                     391,575
UTI Energy Corp.                       +       3,400                     151,725
                                                                      __________
                                                                       1,287,350
                                                                      __________

    Total Energy                                                       2,677,956
                                                                      __________

Finance (12.8%)
Banking  (3.3%)
Bank United Corp. , Class A                   19,500                     823,875
National Commerce Bancorporation              28,100                     825,437
Ocwen Financial Corp.                  +       9,100                     499,931
Prime Bancshares, Inc.                 +       4,000                      75,500
Silicon Valley Bancshares              +       5,400                     294,300
Webster Financial Corp.                        4,100                     253,431
                                                                      __________
                                                                       2,772,474
                                                                      __________

Financial Services  (4.3%)
Ameritrade Holding Corp. - Class A     +      22,000                     570,625
Central Financial Acceptance Corp.     +      12,000                     129,000
E*TRADE Group, Inc.                    +      10,400                     320,450
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp.
    - Class C                          +      13,000                     671,125
Financial Federal Corp.                       28,000                     532,000
Medallion Financial Corp.                     28,900                     605,094
Newcourt Credit Group, Inc.                   22,000                     765,875
                                                                      __________
                                                                       3,594,169
                                                                      __________

Insurance  (3.0%)
Capital Re Corp.                               3,600                     212,175
CMAC Investment Corp.                          7,000                     382,812
Inspire Insurance Solutions, Inc.      +      11,400                     215,175
Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.           12,800                     389,600
Penn Treaty American Corp.             +      24,900                     796,800
RenaissanceRe Holdings, Ltd.           *       5,000                     217,500
Triad Guaranty, Inc.                   +       8,600                     249,400
                                                                      __________
                                                                       2,463,462
                                                                      __________

Real Estate Investment Trusts  (2.2%)
Boston Properties, Inc.                        4,000                     128,000
CCA Prison Realty Trust                       10,800                     372,600
Equity Office Properties Trust                 8,400                     256,725
IMH Commercial Holdings, Inc.                 25,000                     450,000
Innkeepers USA Trust                          35,900                     599,081
                                                                      __________
                                                                       1,806,406
                                                                      __________

    Total Finance                                                     10,636,511
                                                                      __________

Health Care (20.3%)
Biotechnology  (7.5%)


<PAGE>



Affymetrix, Inc.                       +       9,100                     331,012
Applied Analytical Industries, Inc.    +      19,500                     304,687
ArQule, Inc.                           +      22,300                     476,662
Arris Pharmaceutical Corp.             +      14,800                     174,825
AutoCyte, Inc.                         +      29,000                     313,562
BioReliance Corp.                      +      10,400                     224,900
Closure Medical Corp.                  +      35,000                     918,750
Cor Therapeutics, Inc.                 +       8,600                     191,081
Human Genome Sciences, Inc.            +      11,100                     454,406
IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corp.             +      16,200                     618,637
Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.           +       8,600                     681,550
Inhale Therapeutics Systems            +       8,400                     210,750
Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.       +      18,400                     365,700
SangStat Medical Corp.                 +      23,800                     733,337
Synaptic Pharmaceutical Corp.          +       8,000                     103,528
Transkaryotic Therapies, Inc.          +       3,600                     122,400
                                                                      __________
                                                                       6,225,787
                                                                      __________

Health Services  (5.9%)
Alternative Living Services, Inc.      +      12,120                     296,940
Assisted Living Concepts, Inc.         +       6,400                     131,200
Curative Health Services, Inc.         +      14,100                     423,000
Diagnostic Health Services, Inc.       +      33,800                     409,825
Healthcare Recoveries, Inc.            +      46,500                     851,531
INMET Systems, Inc.                    +      31,300                     571,225
Kendle International, Inc.             +      27,500                     414,219
MedQuist, Inc.                         +      28,500                     696,469
Orthodontic Centers of America, Inc.   +      21,900                     379,144
Transition Systems, Inc.               +      37,800                     763,087
                                                                      __________
                                                                       4,936,640
                                                                      __________

Medical Supplies  (2.2%)
Arterial Vascular Energy, Inc.         +       7,000                     371,438
Computer Motion, Inc.                  +       7,200                      84,825
Gynecare, Inc.                         +      12,900                     106,022
Intelligent Medical Imaging, Inc.      +      16,200                      63,281
Sabratek Corp.                         +      23,800                     752,675
Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.          +      28,000                     437,500
                                                                      __________
                                                                       1,815,741
                                                                      __________

Pharmaceuticals  (4.7%)
Algos Pharmaceutical Corp.             +      16,800                     410,550
Andrx Corp.                            +      21,600                     819,450
Ascent Pediatrics, Inc.                +      25,900                     233,100
Cell Therapeutics, Inc.                +      15,500                     247,031
Columbia Laboratories, Inc.            +      28,500                     456,000
Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc.              +      16,200                     578,138
PathoGenesis Corp.                     +      23,400                     835,088
Zonagen, Inc.                          +      10,000                     326,250
                                                                      __________
                                                                       3,905,607
                                                                      __________

    Total Health Care                                                 16,883,775
                                                                      __________

Industrial Products & Services (16.0%)


<PAGE>



Commercial Services  (11.5%)
ABR Information Services, Inc.          +      37,800                    883,575
Administaff, Inc.                       +      24,000                    519,000
Applied Graphics Technologies, Inc.     +      12,800                    684,800
Aris Corp.                              +      13,000                    308,750
BDM International, Inc.                 +      34,400                    758,950
Diamond Technology Partners, Inc.       +       1,000                     15,750
Hospitality Worldwide Services          +      10,800                    125,550
Mac-Gray Corp.                          +       7,800                    115,050
National Data Corp.                            22,000                    812,625
National Research Corp.                 +       2,100                     42,788
NCO Group, Inc.                         +      17,000                    612,000
Network Solutions, Inc.- Class A        +      25,000                    477,344
On Assignment, Inc.                     +      28,100                    676,156
Pegasus Systems, Inc.                   +      27,400                    419,563
Profit Recovery Group International, Inc.+     32,600                    505,300
Snyder Communication, Inc.               +     27,000                    796,500
Staffmark, Inc.                         +      18,700                    576,194
USCS International, Inc.                +      37,800                    737,100
Vincam Group, Inc.                      +      17,900                    560,494
                                                                      __________
                                                                       9,627,489
                                                                      __________

Diversified Manufacturing  (0.9%)
 Brady (W.H.) Co.- Class A                     23,000                    747,500
                                                                      __________

Manufacturing  (2.5%)
Alyn Corp.                              +      17,100                    221,231
Miller Industries, Inc.                 +      70,000                    708,750
Monaco Coach  Corp.                     +      14,900                    357,600
Movado Group, Inc.                              8,700                    186,506
National R.V. Holdings, Inc.            +      26,100                    619,875
Rock of Ages Corp.                      +       1,300                     24,619
                                                                      __________
                                                                       2,118,581
                                                                      __________

Packaging & Containers  (0.5%)
Ivex Packaging Corp.                    +      20,000                    422,500
                                                                      __________

Pollution Control  (0.6%)
Culligan Water Technologies, Inc.       +      10,000                    426,250
Ionics, Inc.                            +       2,700                    103,444
                                                                      __________
                                                                         529,694
                                                                      __________

    Total Industrial Products & Services                              13,445,764
                                                                      __________

Technology (11.1%)
Computer Peripherals  (0.7%)
HMT Technology Corp.                    +      10,800                    180,900
JetFax, Inc.                            +      35,700                    292,294
SCM Microsystems, Inc.                  +       4,000                     94,000
                                                                      __________
                                                                         567,194
                                                                      __________

Computer Software  (4.6%)
Aspen Technologies, Inc.                +      19,800                    741,263


<PAGE>



Cognicase, Inc.                         +       1,700                     21,356
Concord Communications, Inc.            +       2,000                     36,250
Datastream Systems, Inc.                +      21,100                    648,825
FARO Technologies, Inc.                 +      15,000                    205,313
Harbinger Corp.                         +      11,000                    323,813
HNC Software, Inc.                      +      18,400                    676,200
Iona Technologies PLC                   +      29,000                    461,281
Lycos Inc.                              +       9,200                    239,200
MAPICS, Inc.                            +      32,000                    362,000
OrCAD, Inc.                             +      11,400                    100,463
                                                                      __________
                                                                       3,815,964
                                                                      __________

Computer Systems  (0.4%)
Radiant Systems, Inc.                   +      17,300                    316,806
                                                                      __________

Electrical Equipment  (1.5%)
Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc.    +      49,300                    989,081
Chicago Miniature Lamp, Inc.            +       9,200                    292,675
                                                                      __________
                                                                       1,281,756
                                                                      __________

Electronics  (0.4%)
 ParkerVision, Inc.                     +       1,700                     42,075
Power-One, Inc.                         +       2,800                     51,975
Tracor, Inc.                            +       8,000                    212,500
                                                                      __________
                                                                         306,550
                                                                      __________

Information Processing  (1.0%)
Computer Horizons Corp.                 +      16,200                    491,063
Excite, Inc.                            +       8,100                    201,994
PRI Automation, Inc.                    +       4,800                    183,000
                                                                      __________
                                                                         876,057
                                                                      __________

Semiconductors  (2.5%)
C.P. Clare Corp.                        +      11,700                    199,631
Electroglas, Inc.                       +       3,700                     69,375
Etec Systems, Inc.                      +       3,400                    152,363
Galileo Technology Ltd.               * +       7,100                    243,619
International Rectifier Corp.           +      16,200                    221,738
Parlex Corp.                            +       9,500                    166,250
Sawtek, Inc.                            +       7,100                    239,625
SIPEX Corp.                             +      23,800                    801,763
                                                                      __________
                                                                       2,094,364
                                                                      __________

    Total Technology                                                   9,258,691
                                                                      __________

Telecommunications (3.3%)
Telecommunication Services  (1.1%)
At Home Corp. - Series A                +       9,700                    234,619
Concentric Network Corp.                +       1,000                     11,563
MMC Networks, Inc.                      +       1,200                     26,400
MRV Communications, Inc.                +       3,000                     87,375
Premiere Technologies, Inc.             +      20,000                    677,500
                                                                      __________
                                                                       1,037,457
                                                                      __________
Telecommunications  (1.0%)


<PAGE>



Omnipoint Corp.                         +       34,300                   794,259

Telecommunications-Equipment  (1.2%)
AmeriLink Corp.                         +        8,800                   232,650
Globecomm Systems, Inc.                 +        7,100                   119,369
NICE - Systems Ltd.                     +        8,600                   403,125
World Access, Inc.                      +        8,000                   210,500
                                                                      __________
                                                                         965,644
                                                                      __________

    Total Telecommunications                                           2,797,360
                                                                      __________

Transportation (1.0%)
Airlines  (0.8%)
ASA Holdings, Inc.                              22,700                   628,506
                                                                      __________

Transport & Services  (0.2%)
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.                    7,000                   156,188
                                                                      __________

    Total Transportation                                                 784,694
                                                                      __________

Utilities (3.0%)
Natural Gas  (0.3%)
MarkWest Hydrocarbon, Inc.            +        10,800                    216,675
                                                                      __________

Telephone  (2.7%)
ICG Communications, Inc.              +        15,300                    349,031
Intermedia Communications, Inc.       +        32,500                  1,470,625
ITC DeltaCom, Inc.                    +         1,500                     29,063
NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. - 
  Class A                             +        11,000                    249,563
STARTEC Global Communications Corp.   +        10,800                    164,025
                                                                      __________
                                                                       2,262,307
                                                                      __________

    Total Utilities                                                    2,478,982
                                                                      __________

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (cost $78,469,852)                                80,646,577
                                                                      __________



Security Description                        Shares                         Value

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (0.20%)  
Consumer  Goods  &  Services  (0.20%)
Entertainment, Leisure & Media (0.20%)
Metromedia International Group, Inc.  +      4,100                       210,125
                                                                      __________
(cost $205,000)

                                          Principal
Security Description                        Amount                         Value

CONVERTIBLE BONDS (1.1%)  
Consumer Goods & Services (0.9%)  
Entertainment, Leisure & Media (0.9%)
Family Golf Centers, Inc., 5.75% due 
10/15/04, 144A                            750,000                        736,875
                                                                      __________


<PAGE>



Telecommunications (0.2%)
Telecommunications  (0.2%)
Tel-Save Holdings, Inc., 4.50% due 
09/15/02, 144A                     +      134,000                        143,045
                                                                      __________

TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS (cost $884,643)                                  879,920
                                                                      __________


                                          Principal
Security Description                        Amount                         Value

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (10.9%)
Other Investment Companies (4.8%)
Seven Seas Money Market Fund, 5.28% 
due 07/01/97                              4,009,819                    4,009,819
                                                                      __________

U.S. Treasury Obligations (6.1%)
U.S. Treasury Bills, 4.79% due 
  11/28/97                                2,620,000                    2,610,588
U.S. Treasury Bills, 4.60%-4.85% due 
  11/13/97                                2,440,000                    2,436,196
                                                                      __________
    Total U.S. Treasury Obligations                                    5,046,784
                                                                      __________

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (cost $9,056,603)                         9,056,603
                                                                      __________

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (cost $88,616,098) (108.9%)                         90,793,225

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-8.9%)                        (7,442,496)
                                                                      __________
NET ASSETS (100.0%)                                                  $83,350,729
                                                                      ==========
                                                                      

Note: For Federal Income Tax purposes, the cost of securities at October 31,
1997, was substantially the same as the cost for financial statement purposes.

+ Non-income producing security.

* Foreign security.

(ADR) - American Depositary Receipt.

144A - Securities restricted for resale to Qualified Institutional Buyers.

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

<PAGE>


THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES  (UNAUDITED)
OCTOBER 31, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

ASSETS
Investments at Value (Cost $88,616,098)                          $90,793,225
Cash                                                                  13,018
Receivable for Investments Sold                                      106,943
Interest Receivable                                                   12,601
Deferred Organization Expenses                                         8,324
Dividends Receivable                                                   4,692
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets                                      5,561
                                                                 -----------
                        Total Assets                              90,944,364
                                                                 -----------
LIABILITIES
Payable for Investments Purchased                                  7,539,534
Advisory Fee Payable                                                  39,646
Organization Expenses Payable                                          9,000
Administrative Services Fee Payable                                    1,989
Custody Fee Payable                                                      491
Administration Fee Payable                                               176
Fund Servies Fee Payable                                                  99
Accrued Expenses                                                       2,700
                                                                 -----------
                        Total Liabilities                          7,593,635
                                                                 -----------
NET ASSETS
Applicable to Investors' Beneficial Interests                    $83,350,729
                                                                 ===========


The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.


<PAGE>



THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 16, 1997 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS) TO
OCTOBER 31, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTMENT INCOME
Dividend Income (Net of Foreign Withholding Tax of $34)            $ 30,657
Interest Income                                                      87,184
                                                                -----------
                        Investment Income                           117,841

EXPENSES
Advisory Fee                                         93,167
Custodian Fees and Expenses                          26,128
Professional Fees and Expenses                       14,708
Administrative Services Fee                           4,701
Printing Expenses                                     2,153
Amortization of Organization Expense                   676
Fund Services Fee                                       510
Administration Fee                                      345
Registration Fees                                       238
Trustees' Fees and Expenses                              30
Insurance                                                29
Miscellaneous                                           293
                                                  ---------
                         Total Expenses             142,978
Less:  Reimbursement of Expenses                     (3,597)
                                                  ---------
Net Expenses                                                        139,381
                                                                 ----------
NET INVESTMENT LOSS                                                 (21,540)

NET REALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS                                    (41,775)

NET CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION OF INVESTMENTS              2,177,127 
                                                                 ----------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS             $2,113,812 
                                                                 ==========


The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.


<PAGE>



THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

                                                        FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                            JUNE 16, 1997
                                                          (COMMENCEMENT OF
                                                            OPERATIONS) TO
                                                           OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                                             (UNAUDITED)
                                                             -----------
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
From Operations
Net Investment Loss                                             ($21,540)
Net Realized Loss on Investments                                 (41,775)
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation of Investments           2,177,127 
                                                             -----------
  Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations         2,113,812 
                                                             -----------
TRANSACTIONS IN INVESTORS' BENEFICIAL INTERESTS
Contributions                                                 82,920,841
Withdrawals                                                   (1,683,924)
                                                             -----------
  Net Increase from Investors' Transactions                   81,236,917
                                                             -----------
  Total Increase in Net Assets                                83,350,729

NET ASSETS
Beginning of Period                                               -
                                                             -----------
End of Period                                                $83,350,729
                                                             ===========
SUPPLEMENTARY  DATA
                                                        FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                            JUNE 16, 1997
                                                          (COMMENCEMENT OF
                                                            OPERATIONS) TO
                                                           OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                                             (UNAUDITED)
                                                             -----------
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
    Expenses                                                 0.90%(a)
    Net Investment Loss                                     (0.14%)(a)
    Decrease Reflected in Expense Ratio
       due to Expense Reimbursement                          0.02%(a)
     Portfolio Turnover                                        26%   
     Average Broker Commissions                           $0.0333
- ----------------------
(a) Annualized.

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.


<PAGE>


THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
OCTOBER 31, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

1.  ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     The U.S. Small Company Opportunities  Portfolio (the "Portfolio") is one of
eight  subtrusts  (portfolios)  comprising  The Series  Portfolio  (the  "Series
Portfolio").  The Portfolio is registered  under the  Investment  Company Act of
1940, as amended, as a diversified, open-end management investment company which
was  organized  as a trust  under  the laws of the State of New York on June 24,
1994.  The  Portfolio  commenced  operations on June 16, 1997.  The  Portfolio's
investment  objective  is to  provide a long term  capital  appreciation  from a
portfolio of equity  securities of small  companies.  The  Declaration  of Trust
permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of beneficial interests in the
Portfolio.

The preparation of financial  statements in accordance  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported  amounts and  disclosures.  Actual amounts could differ from
those  estimates.  The  following  is a summary  of the  significant  accounting
policies of the Portfolio:

     a) The value of each security for which readily available market quotations
exists is based on a decision as to the broadest and most representative  market
for such  security.  The value of such security will be based either on the last
sale price on a national  securities  exchange,  or, in the  absence of recorded
sales, at the average of readily  available closing bid 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
over-the-counter market.  Securities or other assets for which market quotations
are not readily available are valued at fair value in accordance with procedures
established by the  Portfolio's  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.  All portfolio  securities
with a remaining maturity of less than 60 days are valued at amortized cost.


<PAGE>



THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
OCTOBER 31, 1997


b)       Securities  transactions  are recorded on a trade date basis.  Dividend
         income  is  recorded  on the  ex-dividend  date or the  time  that  the
         relevant  ex-dividend  date and amount becomes known.  Interest income,
         which includes the  amortization of premiums and discounts,  if any, is
         recorded on an accrual basis. For financial and tax reporting purposes,
         realized  gains and losses are  determined on the basis of specific lot
         identification.

c)       The Portfolio intends to be treated as a partnership for federal income
         tax purposes.  As such,  each investor in the Portfolio will be taxed
         on its share of the Portfolio's ordinary income and capital
         gains.  It is intended that the  Portfolio's  assets will be managed in
         such a way that an  investor in the  Portfolio  will be able to satisfy
         the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code.  The
         cost of securities is substantially the same for book and tax purposes.

d)       The Portfolio's  custodian takes  possession of the collateral  pledged
         for investments in repurchase agreements on behalf of the Portfolio. It
         is the policy of the Portfolio to value the underlying collateral daily
         on a  mark-to-market  basis  to  determine  that the  value,  including
         accrued  interest,  is at least  equal  to the  repurchase  price  plus
         accrued

<PAGE>



THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
OCTOBER 31,1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

         interest. In the event of default of the obligation to repurchase,  the
         Portfolio  has the  right to  liquidate  the  collateral  and apply the
         proceeds   in   satisfaction   of   the   obligation.   Under   certain
         circumstances, in the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party
         to the  agreement,  realization  and/or  retention of the collateral or
         proceeds may be subject to legal proceedings.

e)       The Portfolio incurred  organization expenses in the amount of $9,000.
         Morgan  Guaranty Trust Company of New York ("Morgan") has agreed to pay
         organization  expenses of the  Portfolio.  The  Portfolio has agreed to
         reimburse  Morgan for these costs which are being  deferred and 
         amortized  on a  straight-line  basis  over  a  period  not  to  exceed
         five-years  beginning  with  the  commencement  of  operations  of  the
         Portfolio.

f)       Expenses  incurred by the Series  Portfolio  with respect to any two or
         more portfolios in the Series  Portfolio are allocated in proportion to
         the net assets of each portfolio in the Series Portfolio,  except where
         allocations of direct  expenses to each portfolio can otherwise be made
         fairly.  Expenses  directly  attributable to a portfolio are charged to
         that portfolio.

2.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

a)       The Portfolio has an Investment  Advisory Agreement with Morgan.  Under
         the terms of the agreement, the Portfolio pays Morgan at an annual rate
         of 0.60% of the  Portfolio's  average daily net assets.  For the period
         from June 16, 1997  (commencement of operations) to October 31, 1997,
         such fee amounted to $93,167.

     b) The Portfolio has retained Funds Distributor, Inc. ("FDI"), a registered
broker-dealer, to serve as co-administrator and exclusive placement agent. Under
a  Co-Administration  Agreement  between  FDI and the  Portfolio,  FDI  provides
administrative services necessary for the operations of the Portfolio, furnishes
office  space  and  facilities  required  for  conducting  the  business  of the
Portfolio and pays the  compensation  of the officers  affiliated  with FDI. 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 Portfolio is based on the ratio of the  Portfolio's  net assets
to the  aggregate  net assets of the  Portfolio  and  certain  other  investment
companies  subject to similar  agreements with FDI. For the period from June 16,
1997 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 1997, the fee for these 
services amounted to $345.


<PAGE>



THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
OCTOBER 31,1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

     c) The Portfolio has an  Administrative  Services  Agreement (the "Services
Agreement") with Morgan under which Morgan is responsible for overseeing certain
aspects of the administration and operation of the Portfolio. Under the Services
Agreement,  the  Portfolio has agreed to pay Morgan a fee equal to its allocable
share of an annual complex-wide charge. This charge is calculated daily based on
the aggregate  average net assets of the Portfolio and certain other  portfolios
for which Morgan acts as investment  advisor (the "Master  Portfolios")  and JPM
Series Trust in accordance  with the  following  annual  schedule:  0.09% on the
first $7 billion of the  aggregate  average  daily net assets and 0.04% of their
aggregate average daily net assets in excess of $7 billion less the complex-wide
fees  payable to FDI.  The portion of this charge  payable by the  Portfolio  is
determined by the proportionate share that its net assets bear to the net assets
of the Master  Portfolios,  other  investors in the Master  Portfolios for which
Morgan provides  similar services and JPM Series Trust. For the period from June
16, 1997  (commencement  of  operations)  to October 31, 1997, the fee for these
services amounted to $4,701.

     In  addition,  Morgan has agreed to reimburse  the  Portfolio to the extent
necessary to maintain the total  operating  expenses of the Portfolio at no more
than 1.20% of the average  daily net assets of the Portfolio  through  September
30,1998.  For the period  from June 16, 1997  (commencement  of  operations)  to
October  31,1997,  Morgan  has  agreed to  reimburse  the  Portfolio  $3,597 for
expenses under this agreement.

d)       The Portfolio has a Fund Services  Agreement with Pierpont Group,  Inc.
         ("Group")  to  assist  the  Trustees  in   exercising   their   overall
         supervisory  responsibilities for the Portfolio's affairs. The Trustees
         of the Portfolio represent all the existing  shareholders of Group. The
         Portfolio's  allocated  portion  of  Group's  costs in  performing  its
         services  amounted  to $510  for the  period  from  June 16, 1997
         (commencement of operations) to October 31, 1997.

     e) An  aggregate  annual fee of $75,000 is paid to each Trustee for serving
as a Trustee of The JPM Pierpont Funds, The JPM Institutional  Funds, the Master
Portfolios  and JPM Series Trust.  The Trustees'  Fees and Expenses shown in the
financial statements  represents the Portfolio's  allocated portion of the total
fees and expenses.  The Portfolio's  Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer also
serves as Chairman of Group and receives compensation and employee benefits from
Group  in  his  role  as  Group's  Chairman.   The  allocated  portion  of  such
compensation  and  benefits  included  in the  Fund  Services  Fee  shown in the
financial statements was $100.


<PAGE>



THE U.S. SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
OCTOBER 31,1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------

3.  INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

Investment  transactions  (excluding short-term investments) for the period from
June 16, 1997  (commencement  of  operations)  to October 31,  1997 were as
follows:

              COST OF            PROCEEDS
              PURCHASES          FROM SALES

              $88,248,564        $9,532,629





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