Rule 497(e)
Reg. No. 33-65818
File No. 811-7862
CASH RESOURCE TRUST
Cash Resource California Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund
Cash Resource New York Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund
FORM N-1A
PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
November 1, 1996
This Statement of Additional Information contains information which may
be of interest to investors but which is not included in the Prospectuses dated
November 1, 1996 (each, a "Prospectus") of the Cash Resource California
Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund and the Cash Resource New York Tax-Exempt Money
Market Fund (each a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds"), as amended from time
to time. Each of the Funds is a series of shares of Cash Resource Trust (the
"Trust"). This Statement is not a prospectus and is only authorized for
distribution when accompanied or preceded by the relevant Prospectus. This
Statement should be read together with the relevant Prospectus. Investors may
obtain a free copy of the Prospectus for either Fund by calling Mentor
Distributors, LLC ("Mentor Distributors"), the Trust's distributor, at (800)
382-0016.
Table of Contents
Part I Page
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS......................................................4
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST......................................................6
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.............................................10
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES......................................10
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE............................................13
TAXES.......................................................................15
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.................................................22
DISTRIBUTION................................................................22
ORGANIZATION................................................................23
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER..........................................................24
CUSTODIAN...................................................................24
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS........................................................24
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.....................................................25
INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS OF MENTOR INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC.................29
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY.......................................................29
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Except as described below under "Investment Restrictions," the
investment objectives and policies described in the Prospectus and in this
Statement are not fundamental, and the Trustees may change the investment
objectives and policies of a Fund without an affirmative vote of shareholders of
a Fund.
Except as otherwise noted below, the following descriptions of certain
investment policies and techniques are applicable to each Fund.
Tax-Exempt Securities
General description. As used in the prospectus and in this Statement,
the term "Tax-Exempt Securities" includes debt obligations issued by a state,
its political subdivisions (for example, counties, cities, towns, villages,
districts and authorities) and their agencies, instrumentalities or other
governmental units, the interest from which is, in the opinion of bond counsel,
exempt from federal income tax. "California Tax-Exempt Securities" are Tax-
Exempt Securities issued by the State of California, or any of its political
subdivisions, or its agencies, instrumentalities, or other governmental units,
the interest from which is, in the opinion of bond counsel, also exempt from
California personal income tax. "New York Tax-Exempt Securities" are Tax-Exempt
Securities issued by the State of New York, or any of its political
subdivisions, or its agencies, instrumentalities, or other governmental units
(or of other governmental issuers, such as U.S. territories), the interest from
which is, in the opinion of bond counsel, also exempt from New York State and
City personal income taxes. Such obligations are issued to obtain funds for
various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public
facilities, such as airports, bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass
transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Other public
purposes for which Tax-Exempt Securities may be issued include the refunding of
outstanding obligations or the payment of general operating expenses. Short-term
Tax-Exempt Securities are generally issued by state and local governments and
public authorities as interim financing in anticipation of tax collections,
revenue receipts, or bond sales to finance such public purposes. In addition,
certain types of "private activity" bonds may be issued by public authorities to
finance such projects as privately operated housing facilities and certain local
facilities for water supply, gas, electricity or sewage or solid waste disposal,
student loans, or the obtaining of funds to lend to public or private
institutions for the construction of facilities such as educational, hospital
and housing facilities. Other types of private activity bonds, the proceeds of
which are used for the construction, repair or improvement of, or to obtain
equipment for, privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may
constitute Tax-Exempt Securities, although the current federal tax laws place
substantial limitations on the size of such issues. Tax-Exempt Securities also
include tax-exempt commercial paper, which are promissory notes issued by
municipalities to enhance their cash flows.
Participation interests. A Fund may invest in Tax-Exempt Securities
either by purchasing them directly or by purchasing certificates of accrual or
similar instruments
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evidencing direct ownership of interest payments or principal payments, or both,
on Tax-Exempt Securities, provided that, in the opinion of counsel to the
initial seller of each such certificate or instrument, any discount accruing on
the certificate or instrument that is purchased at a yield not greater than the
coupon rate of interest on the related Tax-Exempt Securities will be exempt from
federal income tax to the same extent as interest on the Tax-Exempt Securities.
A Fund may also invest in Tax-Exempt Securities by purchasing from banks
participation interests in all or part of specific holdings of Tax-Exempt
Securities. These participations may be backed in whole or in part by an
irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of the selling bank. The selling bank
may receive a fee from a Fund in connection with the arrangement. A Fund will
not purchase such participation interests unless it receives an opinion of
counsel or a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service that interest earned by it
on Tax-Exempt Securities in which it holds such participation interests is
exempt from federal, California and New York personal income taxes, as the case
may be. No Fund expects to invest more than 5% of its assets in participation
interests.
Stand-by commitments. When a Fund purchases Tax-Exempt Securities, it
has the authority to acquire stand-by commitments from banks and broker-dealers
with respect to those Tax-Exempt Securities. A stand-by commitment may be
considered a security independent of the state tax-exempt security to which it
relates. The amount payable by a bank or dealer during the time a stand-by
commitment is exercisable, absent unusual circumstances, would be substantially
the same as the market value of the underlying Tax-Exempt Security to a third
party at any time. Each Fund expects that stand-by commitments generally will be
available without the payment of direct or indirect consideration. No Fund
expects to assign any value to stand-by commitments.
Yields. The yields on Tax-Exempt Securities depend on a variety of
factors, including general money market conditions, effective marginal tax
rates, the financial condition of the issuer, general conditions of the
tax-exempt security market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of
the obligation and the rating of the issue. The ratings of Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's represent their opinions as to the quality
of the Tax-Exempt Securities which they undertake to rate. It should be
emphasized, however, that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of
quality. Consequently, Tax-Exempt Securities with the same maturity and interest
rate but with different ratings may have the same yield. Yield disparities may
occur for reasons not directly related to the investment quality of particular
issues or the general movement of interest rates, due to such factors as changes
in the overall demand or supply of various types of Tax-Exempt Securities or
changes in the investment objectives of investors. Subsequent to purchase by a
Fund, an issue of Tax-Exempt Securities or other investments may cease to be
rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum rating required for
purchase by the Fund. Neither event will require the elimination of an
investment from a Fund's portfolio, but Mentor Advisors will consider such an
event in its determination of whether a Fund should continue to hold an
investment in its portfolio.
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"Moral obligation" bonds. The Funds do not currently intend to invest
in so-called "moral obligation" bonds, where repayment is backed by a moral
commitment of an entity other than the issuer, unless the credit of the issuer
itself, without regard to the "moral obligation," meets the investment criteria
established for investments by the Funds.
Additional risks. Securities in which a Fund may invest, including
Tax-Exempt Securities, are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency
and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the
federal Bankruptcy Code (including special provisions related to municipalities
and other public entities), and laws, if any, which may be enacted by Congress
or state legislatures extending the time for payment of principal or interest,
or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations.
There is also the possibility that as a result of litigation or other conditions
the power, ability or willingness of issuers to meet their obligations for the
payment of interest and principal on their Tax-Exempt Securities may be
materially affected. There is no assurance that any issuer of a Tax-Exempt
Security will make full or timely payments of principal or interest or remain
solvent.
From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for
the purpose of restricting or eliminating the federal income tax-exemption for
interest on debt obligations issued by states and their political subdivisions.
Federal tax laws limit the types and amounts of tax-exempt bonds issuable for
certain purposes, especially industrial development bonds and private activity
bonds. Such limits may affect the future supply and yields of these types of
Tax-Exempt Securities. Further proposals limiting the issuance of tax-exempt
bonds may well be introduced in the future. If it appeared that the availability
of Tax-Exempt Securities for investment by a Fund and the value of the Fund's
portfolio could be materially affected by such changes in law, the Trustees of
the Trust would reevaluate a Fund's investment objectives and policies and
consider changes in the structure of the Fund or its dissolution.
Repurchase Agreements
Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement
is a contract under which a Fund acquires a security for a relatively short
period (usually not more than one week) subject to the obligation of the seller
to repurchase and the Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price
(representing a Fund's cost plus interest). It is each Fund's present intention
to enter into repurchase agreements only with member banks of the Federal
Reserve System and securities dealers meeting certain criteria as to
creditworthiness and financial condition established by the Trustees of a Fund
and only with respect to obligations of the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities or other high quality short term debt obligations. Repurchase
agreements may also be viewed as loans made by a Fund which are collateralized
by the securities subject to repurchase. Mentor Advisors will monitor such
transactions to ensure that the value of the underlying securities will be at
least equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase obligation,
including the interest factor. If the seller defaults, a Fund could realize a
loss on the sale of the underlying security to the extent that the proceeds of
the sale including accrued interest are less than the resale price provided
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in the agreement including interest. In addition, if the seller should be
involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, a Fund may incur delay and
costs in selling the underlying security or may suffer a loss of principal and
interest if the Fund is treated as an unsecured creditor and required to return
the underlying collateral to the seller's estate.
Securities Loans
A Fund may lend its portfolio securities provided: (1) the loan is
secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities,
cash, or cash equivalents adjusted daily to have market value at least equal to
the current market value of the securities loaned; (2) the Fund may at any time
call the loan and regain the securities loaned; (3) the Fund will receive any
interest or dividends paid on the loaned securities; and (4) the aggregate
market value of the securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of
the total assets of such Fund. In addition, it is anticipated that a Fund may
share with the borrower some of the income received on the collateral for the
loan or that it will be paid a premium for the loan. Before a Fund enters into a
loan, Mentor Advisors considers all relevant facts and circumstances including
the creditworthiness of the borrower. The risks in lending portfolio securities,
as with other extensions of credit, consist of possible delay in recovery of the
securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail
financially. Although voting rights, or rights to consent, with respect to the
loaned securities pass to the borrower, a Fund retains the right to call the
loans at any time on reasonable notice, and it will do so in order that the
securities may be voted by the Fund if the holders of such securities are asked
to vote upon or consent to matters materially affecting the investment. A Fund
will not lend portfolio securities to borrowers affiliated with the Trust.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Each of the following restrictions is applicable to all of the Funds
(except where otherwise noted). A restriction may not be changed without the
affirmative vote of a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" of a Fund,
which is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act"), to mean the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Fund and (2) 67% or more of the shares present at a
meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented at the
meeting or by proxy. A Fund may not:
1. Borrow money in excess of 10% of the value (taken at the lower of
cost or current value) of its total assets (not including the amount borrowed)
at the time the borrowing is made, and then only from banks as a temporary
measure (not for leverage) in situations which might otherwise require the
untimely disposition of portfolio investments or for extraordinary or emergency
purposes. Such borrowings will be repaid before any additional investments are
purchased.
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2. Underwrite securities issued by other persons except to the extent
that, in connection with the disposition of its portfolio investments, it may be
deemed to be an underwriter under the federal securities laws.
3. Purchase or sell real estate, although it may purchase securities of
issuers which deal in real estate, securities which are secured by interests in
real estate, and securities representing interests in real estate, and it may
acquire and dispose of real estate or interests in real estate acquired through
the exercise of its rights as a holder of debt obligations secured by real
estate or interests therein.
4. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts.
5. Make loans, except by purchase of debt obligations in which a Fund
may invest consistent with its investment policies and by entering into
repurchase agreements and securities loans.
6. As to 75% of its assets, invest in securities of any issuer if,
immediately after such investment, more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund
(taken at current value) would be invested in the securities of such issuer;
provided that this limitation does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed
as to principal or interest by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities.
7. With respect to 25% of its assets, acquire more than 10% of the
voting securities of any issuer.
8. Invest more than 25% of its assets in any one industry.
9. Issue any class of securities which is senior to a Fund's shares of
beneficial interest, except as consistent with or permitted by the 1940 Act or
as permitted by rule or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
All percentage limitations on investments will apply at the time of
investment and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency
occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of such investment. Except
for the investment restrictions listed above and those designated in the
Prospectus as fundamental, the other investment policies described in the
Prospectus and this Statement are not fundamental and may be changed by approval
of the Trustees. As a matter of policy, the Trustees would not materially change
a Fund's investment objective without shareholder approval.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
Principal Occupation
Position Held With During Past
Name and Address A Fund Five Years
Daniel J. Ludeman* Chairman and Chairman and Chief Executive
901 E. Byrd Street Trustee Officer since July 1991,
Richmond, VA 23219 Mentor Investment Group, LLC;
Managing Director of Wheat
First Securities, Inc. since
August 1989; Managing
Director of Wheat First
Butcher Singer since June
1991; Director, Wheat First
Securities, Inc., Mentor
Income Fund, Inc., and
America's Utility Fund,
Inc.; Chairman and Trustee,
The Mentor Funds; Chairman
and Trustee, Cash Resource
Trust.
Arnold H. Dreyfuss Trustee Trustee, The Mentor Funds
P.O. Box 18156 and Mentor Institutional
Richmond, Virginia 23226 Trust; formerly, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer,
Hamilton Beach/Proctor-
Silex, Inc.
Thomas F. Keller Trustee Dean, Fuqua School of
Fuqua School of Business Business, Duke University;
Duke University Trustee, The Mentor Funds
Durham, NC 27706 and Mentor Institutional
Trust.
Louis W. Moelchert, Jr. Trustee Vice President of Business
University of Richmond and Finance, University of
Richmond, VA 23173 Richmond; Trustee, The
Mentor Funds and Mentor
Institutional Trust;
Director, America's Utility
Fund, Inc.
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Stanley F. Pauley Trustee Chairman and Chief Executive
E.R. Carpenter Officer, E.R. Carpenter
Company, Incorporated Company Incorporated;
5016 Monument Avenue Trustee, The Mentor Funds;
Richmond, Virginia 23261 Mentor and Mentor
Institutional Trust.
Troy A. Peery, Jr. Trustee President, Heilig-Meyers
Heilig-Meyers Company Company; Trustee, The Mentor
2235 Staples Mill Road Funds and Mentor
Richmond, Virginia 23230 Institutional Trust.
Peter J. Quinn, Jr.* Trustee President, Mentor
901 E. Byrd Street Distributors, LLC; Managing
Richmond, VA 23219 Director, Mentor Investment
Group, LLC; Managing
Director, Wheat First
Butcher Singer, Inc.;
formerly, Senior Vice
President/Director of
Mutual Funds, Wheat First
Butcher Singer, Inc.
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Paul F. Costello President Managing Director, Mentor
Investment Group, LLC and
Wheat First Butcher Singer;
President, Mentor Income
Fund, The Mentor Funds, and
Cash Resource Trust;
Director, Mentor Investment
Advisors, LLC; Executive
Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer,
America's Utility Fund,
Inc.; Director, Mentor
Perpetual Advisers, LLC and
Mentor Trust Company;
formerly, Director,
President and Chief
Executive Officer, First
Variable Life Insurance
Company; President and Chief
Financial Officer, Variable
Investors Series Trust;
President and Treasurer,
Atlantic Capital & Research,
Inc.; Vice President and
Treasurer, Variable Stock
Portfolio, Inc., Monarch
Investment Series Trust,
and GEICO Tax Advantage
Series Trust; Vice
President, Monarch Life
Insurance Company, GEICO
Investment Services Company,
Inc., Monarch Investment
Services Company, Inc., and
Springfield Life Insurance
Company.
Terry L. Perkins Treasurer Vice President, Mentor
901 E. Byrd Street Investment Group, LLC;
Richmond, VA 23219 Treasurer, Mentor
Institutional Trust, The
Mentor Funds, and America's
Utility Fund, Inc.; Trustee,
Mentor Income Fund, Inc.;
formerly, Treasurer and
Comptroller, Ryland Capital
Management, Inc.
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John M. Ivan Secretary Managing Director and
North Park Drive Director of Compliance
Glen Allen, VA 23060 since October 1992, and
Assistant General Counsel,
Wheat, First Securities,
Inc.; Managing Director
and Assistant Secretary,
Wheat First Butcher Singer
Inc.; Clerk, Mentor
Institutional Trust;
Secretary, Mentor Income
Fund, Inc. and The Mentor
Funds.
________________
* This Trustee is deemed to be an "interested person" of a Fund as defined in
the 1940 Act.
Except as stated above, the principal occupations of the officers and
Trustees for the last five years have been with the employers as shown above,
although in some cases they have held different positions with such employers.
The table below shows the fees paid to each Trustee by the Trust for
the 1995 fiscal year and the fees paid to each Trustee by all funds in the
Mentor Family (including the Trust) during the 1995 calendar year.
Total compensation
Aggregate compensation from all
Trustees from the Trust complex funds
Daniel J. Ludeman $ 0 $ 0
Arnold H. Dreyfuss 6,000 12,200
Thomas F. Keller 6,000 12,200
Louis W. Moelchert, Jr. 6,000 12,200
Stanley F. Pauley 6,000 12,200
Troy A. Peery, Jr. 6,000 12,200
Peter J. Quinn, Jr. 0 0
The Trustees do not receive pension or retirement benefits from the
Trust.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust provides that the
Trust will indemnify its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses
incurred in connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of
their offices with the Trust, except if it is determined in the manner specified
in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust that they have not acted in good faith
in the reasonable belief that their actions were in the best interests of
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the Trust or that such indemnification would relieve any officer or Trustee of
any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of his or her duties. The
Trust, at its expense, may provide liability insurance for the benefit of its
Trustees and officers.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
No shares of the Cash Resource New York Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund or
the Cash Resource California Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund were outstanding as of
the date of this Statement of Additional Information.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
Under a Management Contract (the "Management Contract") between the
Trust and Mentor Investment Advisors, LLC ("Mentor Advisors"), Mentor Advisors,
at its expense, provides the Funds with investment advisory services and advises
and assists the officers of the Trust in taking such steps as are necessary or
appropriate to carry out the decisions of its Trustees regarding the conduct of
business of the Trust and each Fund. Mentor Advisors is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Mentor Investment Group, LLC, which in turn is a subsidiary of
Wheat First Butcher Singer Inc., a diversified financial services holding
company.
Mentor Advisors makes available to the Trust, without expense to the
Trust, the services of such of its directors, officers, and employees as may
duly be elected Trustees or officers of the Trust, subject to their individual
consent to serve and to any limitations imposed by law. Mentor Advisors pays the
compensation and expenses of officers and executive employees of the Trust.
Mentor Advisors also provides investment advisory research and statistical
facilities and all clerical services relating to such research, statistical, and
investment work. Mentor Advisors pays the Trust's office rent.
Under the Management Contract, the Trust is responsible for all its
other expenses, including clerical salaries not related to investment
activities; fees and expenses incurred in connection with membership in
investment company organizations; brokers' commissions; payment for portfolio
pricing services to a pricing agent, if any; legal expenses; auditing expenses;
accounting expenses; taxes and governmental fees; fees and expenses of the
transfer agent and investor servicing agents of the Trust; the cost of preparing
share certificates or any other expenses, including clerical expenses, incurred
in connection with the issue, sale, underwriting, redemption, or repurchase of
shares; the expenses of and fees for registering or qualifying securities for
sale; the fees and expenses of the Trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated
with Mentor Advisors; the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices
to shareholders; public and investor relations expenses; and fees and
disbursements of custodians of a Fund's assets. The Trust is also responsible
for its expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings, and claims
and the legal obligation it may have to indemnify its officers and Trustees with
respect thereto.
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Mentor Advisors has agreed that, if in any year the aggregate expenses
of any Fund (including fees pursuant to the Management Contract but excluding
interest, taxes, brokerage and distribution fees and, with the prior written
consent of the necessary state securities commissions, extraordinary expenses)
exceed the expense limitation of any state having jurisdiction over the Trust,
Mentor Advisors will reimburse the Trust for such excess expense. This expense
reimbursement obligation is not limited to the amount of Mentor Advisors' fees.
Such expense reimbursement, if any, will be estimated, reconciled and paid on a
monthly basis. The most stringent state expense limitation applicable to the
Trust presently requires reimbursement of expenses in any year that such
expenses exceed the sum of 2.5% of the first $30 million of the average daily
net assets, 2.0% of the next $70 million of the average daily net assets, and
1.5% of the average daily net assets over $100 million.
The Management Contract provides that Mentor Advisors shall not be
subject to any liability to the Trust or to any shareholder for any act or
omission in the course of, or connected with, its rendering services under the
Management Contract in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties.
The Management Contract may be terminated without penalty by vote of
the Trustees as to any Fund or by the shareholders of that Fund, or by Mentor
Advisors on 30 days written notice. The Management Contract also terminates
without payment of any penalty in the event of its assignment. In addition, the
Management Contract may be amended only by a vote of the shareholders of the
affected Fund(s), and provides that it will continue in effect from year to year
(beginning in 1998) only so long as such continuance is approved at least
annually with respect to each Fund by vote of either the Trustees or the
shareholders of a Fund, and, in either case, by a majority of the Trustees who
are not "interested persons" of Mentor Advisors. In such a case, the vote of the
shareholders is the affirmative vote of a "majority of the outstanding voting
securities" as defined in the 1940 Act.
Mentor Advisors may place portfolio transactions with broker-dealers
which furnish, without cost, certain research, statistical, and quotation
services of value to it and its affiliates in advising a Fund and other clients,
provided that it will always seek best price and execution with respect to
transactions. Certain investments may be appropriate for a Fund and for other
clients advised by Mentor Advisors. Investment decisions for the Fund and other
clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives
and after consideration of such factors as their current holdings, availability
of cash for investment, and the size of their investments generally. Frequently,
a particular security may be bought or sold for only one client or in different
amounts and at different times for more than one but less than all clients.
Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one
or more other clients are selling the security. In addition, purchases or sales
of the same security may be made for two or more clients of Mentor Advisors on
the same day. In such event, such transactions will be allocated among the
clients in a manner believed by Mentor Advisors to be equitable to each. In some
cases, this procedure could have an adverse effect on the price or amount of the
securities purchased or sold by the Trust. Purchase and sale orders for a Fund
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may be combined with those of other clients of Mentor Advisors in the interest
of achieving the most favorable net results for the Fund.
Brokerage and Research Services. Transactions on U.S. stock exchanges
and other agency transactions involve the payment by a Fund of negotiated
brokerage commissions. Such commissions vary among different brokers. Also, a
particular broker may charge different commissions according to such factors as
the difficulty and size of the transaction. Transactions in foreign securities
often involve the payment of fixed brokerage commissions, which are generally
higher than those in the United States. There is generally no stated commission
in the case of securities traded in the over-the-counter markets, but the price
paid by a Fund usually includes an undisclosed dealer commission or mark-up. In
underwritten offerings, the price paid by a Fund includes a disclosed, fixed
commission or discount retained by the underwriter or dealer.
Mentor Advisors places all orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities for the Funds and buys and sells securities for the Funds
through a substantial number of brokers and dealers. In so doing, it uses its
best efforts to obtain for the Funds the best price and execution available. In
seeking the best price and execution, Mentor Advisors, having in mind the Funds'
best interests, considers all factors it deems relevant, including, by way of
illustration, price, the size of the transaction, the nature of the market for
the security, the amount of the commission, the timing of the transaction taking
into account market prices and trends, the reputation, experience, and financial
stability of the broker-dealer involved, and the quality of service rendered by
the broker-dealer in other transactions.
It has for many years been a common practice in the investment advisory
business for advisers of investment companies and other institutional investors
to receive research, statistical, and quotation services from broker-dealers
which execute portfolio transactions for the clients of such advisers.
Consistent with this practice, Mentor Advisors receives research, statistical,
and quotation services from many broker-dealers with which it places a Fund's
portfolio transactions. These services, which in some cases may also be
purchased for cash, include such matters as general economic and security market
reviews, industry and company reviews, evaluations of securities, and
recommendations as to the purchase and sale of securities. Some of these
services are of value to Mentor Advisors and its affiliates in advising various
of their clients (including the Funds), although not all of these services are
necessarily useful and of value in managing the Funds. The management fees paid
by the Funds are not reduced because Mentor Advisors and its affiliates receive
such services.
As permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
and by the Management Contract, Mentor Advisors may cause a Fund to pay a
broker-dealer which provides brokerage and research services to Mentor Advisors
an amount of disclosed commission for effecting a securities transaction for
that Fund in excess of the commission which another broker-dealer would have
charged for effecting that transaction. Mentor Advisors's authority to cause a
Fund to pay any such greater commissions in also subject to such policies as the
Trustees may adopt from time to time.
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Brokerage Commissions. It is anticipated that most purchases and sales
of portfolio investments will be with the issuer or with major dealers in money
market instruments acting as principal. Accordingly, it is not anticipated that
the Funds will pay significant brokerage commissions. In underwritten offerings,
the price paid by a Fund includes a disclosed, fixed commission or discount
retained by the underwriter. There is generally no stated commission in the case
of securities purchased from or sold to dealers, but the prices of such
securities usually include an undisclosed dealer's mark-up or mark-down.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of each Fund is determined twice each day
as of 12:00 noon and as of the close of regular trading (generally 4:00 p.m. New
York time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. The New
York Stock Exchange is normally closed on the following national holidays: New
Year's Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
The valuation of each Fund's portfolio securities is based upon their
amortized cost, which does not take into account unrealized securities gains or
losses. This method involves initially valuing an instrument at its cost and
thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or
premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market
value of the instrument. By using amortized cost valuation, each Fund seeks to
maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, despite minor shifts in
the market value of its portfolio securities. While this method provides
certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which value, as
determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price a Fund would
receive if it sold the instrument. During periods of declining interest rates,
the quoted yield on shares of a Fund may tend to be higher than a like
computation made by a fund with identical investments utilizing a method of
valuation based on market prices and estimates of market prices for all of its
portfolio instruments. Thus, if the use of amortized cost by a Fund resulted in
a lower aggregate portfolio value on a particular day, a prospective investor in
that Fund would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield if he purchased shares
of the Fund on that day, than would result from investment in a fund utilizing
solely market values, and existing investors in a Fund would receive less
investment income. The converse would apply on a day when the use of amortized
cost by a Fund resulted in a higher aggregate portfolio value. However, as a
result of certain procedures adopted by the Trust, the Trust believes any
difference will normally be minimal.
The valuation of a Fund's portfolio instruments at amortized cost is
permitted in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 2a-7 and
certain procedures adopted by the Trustees. Under these procedures, a Fund must
maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or less,
purchase only instruments having remaining maturities of 397 days or less, and
invest in securities determined by the Trustees to be of high quality with
minimal credit risks. The Trustees have also established procedures designed to
stabilize, to the extent reasonably possible, a Fund's price per share as
computed for the purpose of distribution, redemption and repurchase at $1.00.
These procedures include review
-13-
<PAGE>
of a Fund's portfolio holdings by the Trustees, at such intervals as they may
deem appropriate, to determine whether a Fund's net asset value calculated by
using readily available market quotations deviates from $1.00 per share, and, if
so, whether such deviation may result in material dilution or is otherwise
unfair to existing shareholders. In the event the Trustees determine that such a
deviation may result in material dilution or is otherwise unfair to existing
shareholders, they will take such corrective action as they regard as necessary
and appropriate, including the sale of portfolio instruments prior to maturity
to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten the average portfolio maturity;
withholding dividends; redemption of shares in kind; or establishing a net asset
value per share by using readily available market quotations.
Since the net income of a Fund is declared as a dividend each time it
is determined, the net asset value per share of a Fund remains at $1.00 per
share immediately after such determination and dividend declaration. Any
increase in the value of a shareholder's investment in a Fund representing the
reinvestment of dividend income is reflected by an increase in the number of
shares of a Fund in the shareholder's account on the last day of each month (or,
if that day is not a business day, on the next business day). It is expected
that a Fund's net income will be positive each time it is determined. However,
if because of realized losses on sales of portfolio investments, a sudden rise
in interest rates, or for any other reason the net income of a Fund determined
at any time is a negative amount, a Fund will offset such amount allocable to
each then shareholder's account from dividends accrued during the month with
respect to such account. If at the time of payment of a dividend by a Fund
(either at the regular monthly dividend payment date, or, in the case of a
shareholder who is withdrawing all or substantially all of the shares in an
account, at the time of withdrawal), such negative amount exceeds a
shareholder's accrued dividends, the Fund will reduce the number of outstanding
shares by treating the shareholder as having contributed to the capital of the
Fund that number of full and fractional shares which represent the amount of the
excess. Each shareholder is deemed to have agreed to such contribution in these
circumstances by his or her investment in a Fund.
Should a Fund incur or anticipate, with respect to its respective
portfolio, any unusual or unexpected significant expense or loss which would
affect disproportionately a Fund's income for a particular period, the Trustees
would at that time consider whether to adhere to the dividend policy described
above or to revise it in light of the then prevailing circumstances in order to
ameliorate to the extent possible the disproportionate effect of such expense or
loss on then existing shareholders. Such expenses or losses may nevertheless
result in a shareholder's receiving no dividends for the period during which the
shares are held and receiving upon redemption a price per share lower than that
which was paid.
The proceeds received by each Fund for each issue or sale of its
shares, and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, subject only to
the rights of creditors, will be specifically allocated to such Fund, and
constitute the underlying assets of that Fund. The underlying assets of each
Fund will be segregated on the Trust's books of account, and will be charged
with the liabilities in respect of such Fund and with a share of the general
liabilities of
-14-
<PAGE>
the Trust. Expenses with respect to any two or more Funds may be allocated in
proportion to the net asset values of the respective Funds except where
allocations of direct expenses can otherwise be fairly made.
TAXES
Each Fund intends to qualify each year and elect to be taxed as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the United States Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
As a regulated investment company qualifying to have its tax liability
determined under Subchapter M, a Fund will not be subject to federal income tax
on any of its net investment income or net realized capital gains that are
distributed to its shareholders. As a series of a Massachusetts business trust,
the Funds under present law will not be subject to any excise or income taxes in
Massachusetts.
Other than dividends from the Funds that are excludable from income,
distributions from a Fund will be taxable to a shareholder whether received in
cash or additional shares. Such distributions that are designated as capital
gains distributions will be taxable as such, regardless of how long Fund shares
are held, while other taxable distributions will be taxed as ordinary income.
Loss on the sale of Fund shares held for less than six months will be treated as
a long term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distribution received
with respect to such shares (and will be disallowed to the extent of
exempt-interest dividends received with respect to such shares).
In order to qualify 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 securities loans, gains from the sale or
other dispositions of stock, securities, or foreign currencies, and other income
(including gains from options, futures, or forward contracts) derived with
respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies;
(b) derive less than 30% of its gross income from the sale or other disposition
of certain assets (including stock and securities) held less than three months;
and (c) diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of its
taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of
cash, cash items, U.S. Government Securities, and other securities limited
generally with respect to any one issuer to not more than 5% of the total assets
of a Fund and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such
issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the
securities of any issuer (other than U.S. Government Securities). In order to
receive the favorable tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies and
their shareholders, moreover, a Fund must in general distribute at least 90% of
its interest, dividends, net short-term capital gain, and certain other income
each year. To satisfy these requirements, a Fund may engage in investment
techniques that affect the amount, timing and character of its income and
distributions.
-15-
<PAGE>
An excise tax at the rate of 4% will be imposed on the excess, if any,
of each Fund's "required distribution" over its actual distributions in any
calendar year. Generally, the "required distribution" is 98% of the Fund's
ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98% of its capital gain net income
recognized during the one-year period ending on October 31 (or December 31, if
the Fund so elects) plus undistributed amounts from prior years. Each Fund
intends to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax.
Distributions declared by a Fund during October, November or December to
shareholders of record on a date in any such month and paid by the Fund during
the following January will be treated for federal tax purposes as paid by the
Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which declared.
Each Fund is required to withhold 31% of all income dividends and
capital gain distributions, and 31% of the gross proceeds of all redemptions of
Fund shares, in the case of any shareholder who does not provide a correct
taxpayer identification number, about whom a Fund is notified that the
shareholder has underreported income in the past, or who fails to certify to a
Fund that the shareholder is not subject to such withholding. Tax-exempt
shareholders are not subject to these back-up withholding rules so long as they
furnish the Fund with a proper certification.
Exempt-interest dividends. A Fund will be qualified to pay
exempt-interest dividends to its shareholders only if, at the close of each
quarter of the Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the total value of the
Fund's assets consists of obligations the interest on which is exempt from
federal income tax. Distributions that a Fund properly designates as
exempt-interest dividends are treated as interest excludable from shareholders'
gross income for federal income tax purposes but may be taxable for federal
alternative minimum tax purposes and for state and local purposes. If a Fund
intends to be qualified to pay exempt-interest dividends, the Fund may be
limited in its ability to enter into taxable transactions involving forward
commitments, repurchase agreements, financial futures and options contracts on
financial futures, tax-exempt bond indices and other assets.
Part or all of the interest on indebtedness, if any, incurred or
continued by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of a Fund paying
exempt-interest dividends is not deductible. The portion of interest that is not
deductible is equal to the total interest paid or accrued on the indebtedness,
multiplied by the percentage of a Fund's total distributions (not including
distributions from net long-term capital gains) paid to the shareholder that are
exempt-interest dividends. Under rules used by the Internal Revenue Service for
determining when borrowed funds are considered used for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying particular assets, the purchase of shares may be
considered to have been made with borrowed funds even though such funds are not
directly traceable to the purchase of shares.
In general, exempt-interest dividends, if any, attributable to interest
received on certain private activity obligations and certain industrial
development bonds will not be tax-exempt to any shareholders who are
"substantial users" of the facilities financed by such obligations or bonds or
who are "related persons" of such substantial users.
-16-
<PAGE>
If, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of
the value of the total assets of the California Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund
consists of obligations the interest on which is exempt from California personal
income tax if held by an individual, then that Fund will be qualified to pay
dividends that are exempt from California personal income tax. For California
personal income tax purposes, distributions from other investments and
distributions from any net realized capital gains will be taxable, whether paid
in cash or reinvested in additional shares. None of the interest on
indebtedness, if any, incurred or continued by a shareholder to purchase or
carry shares of the California Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund will be deductible
for California personal income tax purposes in any year in which that Fund pays
a dividend that is exempt from California personal income tax.
A Fund which is qualified to pay exempt-interest dividends will inform
investors within 60 days of the Fund's fiscal year-end of the percentage of its
income distributions designated as tax-exempt. The percentage is applied
uniformly to all distributions made during the year. The percentage of income
designated as tax-exempt for any particular distribution may be substantially
different from the percentage of a Fund's income that was tax-exempt during the
period covered by the distribution.
Securities issued or purchased at a discount. A Fund's investment in
securities issued at a discount and certain other obligations will (and
investments in securities purchased at a discount may) require the Fund to
accrue and distribute income not yet received. In order to generate sufficient
cash to make the requisite distributions, a Fund may be required to sell
securities in its portfolio that it otherwise would have continued to hold.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable
provisions of the Code and related regulations currently in effect. For the
complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and
regulations. The Code and regulations are subject to change by legislative or
administrative actions. Dividends and distributions also may be subject to state
and federal taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers
regarding specific questions as to federal, state or local taxes. The foregoing
discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law. Non-U.S. investors
should consult their tax advisers concerning the tax consequences of ownership
of shares of the Fund, including the possibility that distributions may be
subject to a 30% United States withholding tax (or a reduced rate of withholding
provided by treaty).
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<PAGE>
EQUIVALENT YIELDS: TAX-EXEMPT VERSUS TAXABLE SECURITIES
California Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund
The table below shows the effect of the tax status of California Tax-Exempt
Securities on the effective yield received by their individual holders under the
federal income tax and California personal income tax laws currently in effect
for 1996. It gives the approximate yield a taxable security must earn at various
income levels to produce after-tax yields equivalent to those of California
Tax-Exempt Securities yielding from 2.0% to 9.0%.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined
Taxable Income* California Tax-exempt yield
______________ and ____________________________________________________________________
Federal
Joint*** Single*** Rate** 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% 9%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equivalent taxable yield
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
$0 - 9,816 $0 - 4,908 15.85% 2.38% 3.57% 4.75% 5.94% 7.13% 8.32% 9.51% 10.70%
9,817 - 23,264 4,909 - 11,632 16.70% 2.40% 3.60% 4.80% 6.00% 7.20% 8.40% 9.60% 10.80%
23,265 - 36,714 11,633 - 18,357 18.40% 2.45% 3.68% 4.90% 6.13% 7.35% 8.58% 9.80% 11.03%
36,715 - 40,100 18,358 - 24,000 20.10% 2.50% 3.75% 5.01% 6.26% 7.51% 8.76% 10.01% 11.26%
40,101 - 50,968 24,001 - 25,484 32.32% 2.96% 4.43% 5.91% 7.39% 8.87% 10.34% 11.82% 13.30%
50,969 - 64,414 25,485 - 32,207 33.76% 3.02% 4.53% 6.04% 7.55% 9.06% 10.57% 12.08% 13.59%
64,415 - 96,900 32,208 - 58,150 34.70% 3.06% 4.59% 6.13% 7.66% 9.19% 10.72% 12.25% 13.78%
96,901 - 147,700 58,151 - 121,300 37.42% 3.20% 4.79% 6.39% 7.99% 9.59% 11.19% 12.78% 14.38%
147,701 - 263,750 121,301 - 263,750 41.95% 3.45% 5.17% 6.89% 8.61% 10.34% 12.06% 13.70% 15.50%
over 263,750 over 263,750 45.22% 3.65% 5.48% 7.30% 9.13% 10.95% 12.78% 14.60% 16.93%
</TABLE>
- ------------------
* This amount represents taxable income as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). It assumes that taxable
income as defined in the Code is the same as under the California
Revenue and Taxation Code; however, California taxable income may
differ due to differences in exemptions, itemized deductions, and other
items.
** For federal income tax and California personal income tax purposes,
these combined rates reflect the marginal rates on taxable income
currently in effect for 1996. The maximum marginal California personal
income tax rate for 1996 is currently 9.3%, and that is the maximum
marginal California personal income tax rate used in the above Table.
(These combined rates include the effect of deducting state income
taxes on your federal return). On November 5, 1996, however, California
voters will vote on a statewide proposition to restore two additional
California personal income tax marginal rates for higher income
taxpayers, a 10% marginal rate and an 11% marginal rate. If approved by
the voters, these higher rates would be effective for taxable years
beginning on or after January 1, 1996.
*** The amount of taxable income in certain brackets may be affected by the
phase-out of personal exemptions and the limitation on itemized
deductions based upon adjusted gross income under the Code, and under
the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
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<PAGE>
Of course, there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve any specific
tax-exempt yield. While it is expected that the Fund will invest principally in
obligations which pay interest exempt from federal income tax and California
personal income tax, other income received by the Fund may be taxable. The table
does not take into account any state or local taxes payable on Fund
distributions except for California personal income tax.
-19-
<PAGE>
New York Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund
The tables below show the effect of the tax status of New York Tax-Exempt
Securities on the effective yield received by their individual holders, in the
case of table 1, under the federal income tax and New York State personal income
tax laws currently in effect for 1996, and in the case of table 2, under the
federal, New York State and New York City personal income tax laws currently in
effect for 1996. The tables give the approximate yield a taxable security must
earn at various income levels to produce after-tax yields equivalent to those of
New York Tax-Exempt Securities yielding from 3.0% to 8.0%.
TABLE 1
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 Combined
Taxable Income* New York State New York Tax-Exempt Security Yield of
___________________________________ and Federal ________________________________________________________
Single Joint Tax Rate** 3.0% 4.0% 5.0% 6.0% 7.0% 8.0%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equivalent taxable yield if double tax-exempt
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
$0 - 5,500 $0 - 11,000 18.40% 3.68% 4.90% 6.13% 7.35% 8.58% 9.80%
5,501 - 8,000 11,001 - 16,000 19.25% 3.72% 4.95% 6.19% 7.43% 8.67% 9.91%
8,001 - 11,000 16,001 - 22,000 20.10% 3.75% 5.01% 6.26% 7.51% 8.76% 10.01%
11,001 - 24,000 22,001 - 40,100 21.06% 3.80% 5.07% 6.33% 7.60% 8.87% 10.13%
24,001 - 58,150 40,101 - 96,900 33.13% 4.49% 5.98% 7.48% 8.97% 10.47% 11.96%
58,151 - 121,300*** 96,901 - 147,700*** 35.92% 4.68% 6.24% 7.80% 9.36% 10.93% 12.48%
121,301 - 263,750*** 147,701 - 263,750*** 40.56% 5.05% 6.73% 8.41% 10.09% 11.78% 13.46%
over - 263,750*** over - 263,750*** 43.90% 5.35% 7.13% 8.91% 10.70% 12.58% 14.26%
</TABLE>
-20-
<PAGE>
TABLE 2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 Combined
New York State,
Taxable Income* New York City New York Tax-Exempt Security Yield of
__________________________________ and Federal _________________________________________________________
Single Joint Tax Rate** 3.0% 4.0% 5.0% 6.0% 7.0% 8.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equivalent taxable yield if double tax-exempt
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
$0 - 5,500 $0 - 11,000 20.92% 3.79% 5.06% 6.32% 7.59% 8.85% 10.12%
5,501 - 8,000 11,001 - 14,400 21.77% 3.83% 5.11% 6.39% 7.67% 8.95% 10.23%
14,001 - 16,000 22.65% 3.88% 5.17% 6.46% 7.76% 9.05% 10.34%
8,001 - 8,400 23.01% 3.90% 5.20% 6.49% 7.79% 9.09% 10.39%
8,401 - 11,000 16,001 - 22,000 23.50% 3.92% 5.23% 6.54% 7.84% 9.15% 10.46%
11,001 - 15,000 22,001 - 27,000 24.46% 3.97% 5.30% 6.62% 7.94% 9.27% 10.59%
15,001 - 24,000 27,001 - 40,100 24.79% 3.99% 5.32% 6.65% 7.98% 9.31% 10.64%
24,001 - 25,000 40,101 - 45,000 36.29% 4.71% 6.28% 7.85% 9.42% 10.99% 12.56%
25,001 - 58,150 45,001 - 96,900 36.30% 4.71% 6.28% 7.85% 9.42% 10.99% 12.56%
58,151 - 60,000 96,901 - 108,000 38.95% 4.91% 6.55% 8.19% 9.83% 11.47% 13.10%
60,001 - 121,300*** 108,001 - 147,700*** 38.99% 4.92% 6.56% 8.20% 9.84% 11.47% 13.11%
117,951 - 256,500*** 147,001 - 263,750*** 43.41% 5.30% 7.07% 8.84% 10.60% 12.37% 14.14%
over 263,750*** over 263,750*** 46.60% 5.62% 7.49% 9.36% 11.24% 13.11% 14.98%
</TABLE>
- ------------------
* This amount represents taxable income as defined in the Code. For
purposes of the foregoing tables, it is assumed that the definition of
taxable income in the Code is the same as under the New York State and
City Personal Income Tax law. However, New York State and City taxable
income may differ due to differences in exemptions, itemized
deductions, and other items.
** For federal tax purposes, these combined rates reflect the marginal
rates on taxable income currently in effect for 1996. These rates
include the effect of deducting state and, for the second table, state
and city taxes on your federal return. For New York purposes, these
combined rates reflect the expected New York State and New York City
income tax rates and the New York City surcharge rates for 1996.
*** The amount of taxable income in this bracket may be affected by the
phase-out of personal exemptions and the limitation on itemized
deductions, based upon adjusted gross income, under the Code. A
supplemental New York State tax is also phased in for New York adjusted
gross income between $100,000 and $150,000 and fully eliminates the
benefit of the lower marginal brackets for taxpayers with New York
adjusted gross income of $150,000 or more. This adjustment is not
reflected in the tables above.
-21-
<PAGE>
Of course, there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve any specific
tax-exempt yield. While it is expected that the Fund will invest principally in
obligations which pay interest exempt from federal income tax and New York State
and City personal income taxes, other income received by the Fund may be
taxable. The tables do not take into account any state or local taxes payable on
Fund distributions except for the New York State and for table 2, New York City
personal income taxes.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The net investment income of each of the Funds is determined as of
12:00 noon and as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange
(generally 4:00 p.m. New York time) on each day on which the Exchange is open
for business. All of the net investment income so determined normally will be
declared as a dividend daily to shareholders of record as of the close of
trading on the Exchange after the purchase and redemption of shares. Unless the
business day before a weekend or holiday is the last day of an accounting
period, the dividend declared on that day will include an amount in respect of a
Fund's income for the subsequent non-business day or days. No daily dividend
will include any amount of net income in respect of a subsequent semi-annual
accounting period. Dividends commence on the next business day after the date of
purchase. Dividends declared during any month will be invested as described in
the Prospectus.
Net income of a Fund consists of all interest income accrued on
portfolio assets less all expenses of the Fund and amortized market premium.
Amortized market discount is included in interest income. The Trust does not
anticipate that any Fund will normally realize any long-term capital gains with
respect to its portfolio securities.
DISTRIBUTION
Mentor Distributors, LLC is the principal underwriter of the
continually offered shares of each of the Funds pursuant to a Distribution
Agreement between Mentor Distributors and the Trust. Mentor Distributors is not
obligated to sell any specific amount of shares of any Fund and will purchase
shares of a Fund for resale only against orders for shares.
The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has adopted a Distribution Plan and
Agreement pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (each, a "Plan"). The
purpose of each Plan is to permit a Fund to compensate Mentor Distributors for
services provided and expenses incurred by it in promoting the sale of shares of
the Funds, reducing redemptions, or maintaining or improving services provided
to shareholders by Mentor Distributors or Financial Institutions. Each Plan
provides for payments by each Fund to Mentor Distributors at the annual rate of
up to 0.33% of the Fund's average net assets (in the case of the California
Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund) and 0.50% of the Fund's average net assets (in the
case of the New York Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund), subject to the authority of
the Trustees to reduce the amount of payments or to suspend the Plans as to a
Fund for such periods as they may determine.
-22-
<PAGE>
Subject to these limitations, the amount of such payments and the specific
purposes for which they are made shall be determined by the Trustees.
Continuance of a Plan is subject to annual approval by a vote of the
Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of
the Trust, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
the Plan and related agreements (the "Qualified Trustees"), cast in person at a
meeting called for that purpose. All material amendments to a Plan must be
likewise approved by the Trustees and the Qualified Trustees.
A Plan may not be amended in order to increase materially the costs
which a Fund may bear for distribution pursuant to the Plan without also being
approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Fund. Each
Plan terminates automatically in the event of its assignment and may be
terminated as to any Fund without penalty, at any time, by a vote of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of
the Qualified Trustees.
In order to compensate selected financial institutions, such as
investment dealers and banks through which shares of each Fund are sold
("Financial Institutions") for services provided in connection with sales of
shares of each Fund and/or for administrative services and the maintenance of
shareholder accounts, Mentor Distributors may make periodic payments to
qualifying Financial Institutions based on the average net asset value of shares
of a Fund which are attributable to shareholders for whom the Financial
Institutions are designated as the Financial Institution of record. Mentor
Distributors may make such payments at the annual rate of up to 0.33% and 0.50%
of the average net asset value of such shares, respectively, for the Cash
Resource California Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund and the Cash Resource New York
Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund. For this purpose, "average net assets"
attributable to a shareholder account means the product of (i) the average daily
share balance of the Fund account times (ii) the Fund's average daily net asset
value per share. For administrative reasons, Mentor Distributors may enter into
agreements with certain Financial Institutions providing for the calculation of
"average net assets" on the basis of assets of the accounts of the Financial
Institutions' customers on an established day in this period. Mentor
Distributors may suspend or modify these payments at any time, and payments are
subject to the continuation of the Fund's Distribution Plan described below and
the terms of related agreements between Financial Institutions and Mentor
Distributors.
ORGANIZATION
The Trust is an open-end investment company established under the laws
of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts by Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated
June 14, 1993.
Shares entitle their holders to one vote per share, with fractional
shares voting proportionally; however, separate votes will be taken by each Fund
on matters affecting an individual Fund. For example, a change in a fundamental
investment policy for the Cash
-23-
<PAGE>
Resource California Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund would be voted upon only by
shareholders of that Fund. Additionally, approval of the Management Contract is
a matter to be determined separately by each Fund. Approval by the shareholders
of one Fund is effective as to that Fund. Shares have noncumulative voting
rights. Although the Trust and the Funds are not required to hold annual
meetings of shareholders, shareholders have the right to call a meeting to elect
or remove Trustees or to take other actions as provided in the Declaration of
Trust. Shares have no preemptive or subscription rights, and are transferable.
Shares are entitled to dividends as declared by the Trustees, and if a Fund were
liquidated, the shares of that Fund would receive the net assets of that Fund.
The Trust may suspend the sale of shares at any time and may refuse any order to
purchase shares.
Additional Funds may be created from time to time with different
investment objectives. Any additional Funds may be managed by investment
advisers or sub-advisers other than Mentor Advisors. In addition, the Trustees
have the right, subject to any necessary regulatory approvals, to create more
than one class of shares in a Fund, with the classes being subject to different
charges and expenses and having such other different rights as the Trustees may
prescribe and to terminate any Fund of the Trust.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The portfolio turnover rate of a Fund is defined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission as the ratio of the lesser of annual sales or purchases to
the monthly average value of the portfolio, excluding from both the numerator
and the denominator securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one
year or less. Under that definition, the Funds will have no portfolio turnover.
Fund turnover generally involves some expense to a Fund, including brokerage
commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of
securities and reinvestment in other securities.
CUSTODIAN
Investors Fiduciary Trust Company is the custodian of the Trust's
assets. The custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling
the Trust's cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of
securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Trust's investments.
The custodian does not determine the investment policies of the Trust or decide
which securities the Trust will buy or sell.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP located at 99 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02110, are the Trust's independent auditors, providing audit services, tax
return preparation and other tax consulting services and assistance and
consultation in connection with the review of various Securities and Exchange
Commission filings.
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PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The yield of each Fund is computed by determining the percentage net
change, excluding capital changes, in the value of an investment in one share of
such Fund over the base period, and multiplying the net change by 365/7 (or
approximately 52 weeks). A Fund's effective yield represents a compounding of
the yield by adding 1 to the number representing the percentage change in value
of the investment during the base period, raising that sum to a power equal to
365/7, and subtracting 1 from the result.
A Fund's tax-equivalent yield during the base period may be presented
for shareholders in one or more stated tax brackets. Tax-equivalent yield is
calculated by adjusting the Fund's tax-exempt yield by a factor designed to show
the approximate yield that a taxable investment would have to earn to produce an
after-tax yield equal, for that shareholder, to the Fund's tax-exempt yield. A
Fund's tax-equivalent yield will differ for shareholders in other tax brackets.
From time to time, Mentor Advisors may reduce its compensation or
assume expenses of a Fund in order to reduce a Fund's expenses, as described in
the Trust's current prospectus. Any such waiver or assumption would increase
that Fund's yield during the period of the waiver or assumption.
Independent statistical agencies measure a Fund's investment
performance and publish comparative information showing how the Fund, and other
investment companies, performed in specified time periods. Three agencies whose
reports are commonly used for such comparisons are set forth below. From time to
time, a Fund may distribute these comparisons to its shareholders or to
potential investors. The agencies listed below measure performance based on
their own criteria rather than on the standardized performance measures
described in the preceding section.
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. distributes mutual fund rankings
monthly. The rankings are based on total return performance calculated
by Lipper, reflecting generally changes in net asset value adjusted for
reinvestment of capital gains and income dividends. They do not reflect
deduction of any sales charges. Lipper rankings cover a variety of
performance periods, for example year-to-date, 1-year, 5- year, and
10-year performance. Lipper classifies mutual funds by investment
objective and asset category.
Morningstar, Inc. distributes mutual fund ratings twice a month. The
ratings are divided into five groups: highest, above average, neutral,
below average and lowest. They represent a fund's historical
risk/reward ratio relative to other funds with similar objectives. The
performance factor is a weighted-average assessment of the Fund's 3-
year, 5-year, and 10-year total return performance (if available)
reflecting deduction of expenses and sales charges. Performance is
adjusted using quantitative techniques to reflect the risk profile of
the fund. The ratings are derived from a purely quantitative
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system that does not utilize the subjective criteria customarily
employed by rating agencies such as Standard & Poor's Corporation and
Moody's Investor Service, Inc.
Weisenberger's Management Results publishes mutual fund rankings and is
distributed monthly. The rankings are based entirely on total return
calculated by Weisenberger for periods such as year-to-date, 1-year,
3-year, 5-year and 10-year performance. Mutual funds are ranked in
general categories (e.g., international bond, international equity,
municipal bond, and maximum capital gain). Weisenberger rankings do not
reflect deduction of sales charges or fees.
Independent publications may also evaluate a Fund's performance.
Certain of those publications are listed below, at the request of Mentor
Distributors, which bears full responsibility for their use and the descriptions
appearing below. From time to time any or all of the Funds may distribute
evaluations by or excerpts from these publications to its shareholders or to
potential investors. The following illustrates the types of information provided
by these publications.
Business Week publishes mutual fund rankings in its Investment Figures
of the Week column. The rankings are based on 4-week and 52-week total
return reflecting changes in net asset value and the reinvestment of
all distributions. They do not reflect deduction of any sales charges.
Funds are not categorized; they compete in a large universe of over
2,000 funds. The source for rankings is data generated by Morningstar,
Inc.
Investor's Business Daily publishes mutual fund rankings on a daily
basis. The rankings are depicted as the top 25 funds in a given
category. The categories are based loosely on the type of fund, e.g.,
growth funds, balanced funds, U.S. government funds, GNMA funds, growth
and income funds, corporate bond funds, etc. Performance periods for
sector equity funds can vary from 4 weeks to 39 weeks; performance
periods for other fund groups vary from 1 year to 3 years. Total return
performance reflects changes in net asset value and reinvestment of
dividends and capital gains. The rankings are based strictly on total
return. They do not reflect deduction of any sales charges Performance
grades are conferred from A+ to E. An A+ rating means that the fund has
performed within the top 5% of a general universe of over 2000 funds;
an A rating denotes the top 10%; an A- is given to the top 15%, etc.
Barron's periodically publishes mutual fund rankings. The rankings are
based on total return performance provided by Lipper Analytical
Services. The Lipper total return data reflects changes in net asset
value and reinvestment of distributions, but does not reflect deduction
of any sales charges. The performance periods vary from short-term
intervals (current quarter or year-to-date, for example) to long-term
periods (five-year or ten-year performance, for example). Barron's
classifies the funds using the Lipper
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mutual fund categories, such as Capital Appreciation Funds, Growth
Funds, U.S. Government Funds, Equity Income Funds, Global Funds, etc.
Occasionally, Barron's modifies the Lipper information by ranking the
funds in asset classes. "Large funds" may be those with assets in
excess of $25 million; "small funds" may be those with less than $25
million in assets.
The Wall Street Journal publishes its Mutual Fund Scorecard on a daily
basis. Each Scorecard is a ranking of the top-15 funds in a given
Lipper Analytical Services category. Lipper provides the rankings based
on its total return data reflecting changes in net asset value and
reinvestment of distributions and not reflecting any sales charges. The
Scorecard portrays 4-week, year-to-date, one-year and 5-year
performance; however, the ranking is based on the one-year results. The
rankings for any given category appear approximately once per month.
Fortune magazine periodically publishes mutual fund rankings that have
been compiled for the magazine by Morningstar, Inc. Funds are placed in
stock or bond fund categories (for example, aggressive growth stock
funds, growth stock funds, small company stock funds, junk bond funds,
Treasury bond funds etc.), with the top-10 stock funds and the top-5
bond funds appearing in the rankings. The rankings are based on 3-year
annualized total return reflecting changes in net asset value and
reinvestment of distributions and not reflecting sales charges.
Performance is adjusted using quantitative techniques to reflect the
risk profile of the fund.
Money magazine periodically publishes mutual fund rankings on a
database of funds tracked for performance by Lipper Analytical
Services. The funds are placed in 23 stock or bond fund categories and
analyzed for five-year risk adjusted return. Total return reflects
changes in net asset value and reinvestment of all dividends and
capital gains distributions and does not reflect deduction of any sales
charges. Grades are conferred (from A to E): the top 20% in each
category receive an A, the next 20% a B, etc. To be ranked, a fund must
be at least one year old, accept a minimum investment of $25,000 or
less and have had assets of at least $25 million as of a given date.
Financial World publishes its monthly Independent Appraisals of Mutual
Funds, a survey of approximately 1000 mutual funds. Funds are
categorized as to type, e.g., balanced funds, corporate bond funds,
global bond funds, growth and income funds, U.S. government bond funds,
etc. To compete, funds must be over one year old, have over $1 million
in assets, require a maximum of $10,000 initial investment, and should
be available in at least 10 states in the United States. The funds
receive a composite past performance rating, which weighs the
intermediate - and long-term past performance of each fund versus its
category, as well as taking into account its risk, reward to risk, and
fees. An A+ rated fund is one of the best, while a D- rated fund is
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one of the worst. The source for Financial World rating is Schabacker
investment management in Rockville, Maryland.
Forbes magazine periodically publishes mutual fund ratings based on
performance over at least two bull and bear market cycles. The funds
are categorized by type, including stock and balanced funds, taxable
bond funds, municipal bond funds, etc. Data sources include Lipper
Analytical Services and CDA Investment Technologies. The ratings are
based strictly on performance at net asset value over the given cycles.
Funds performing in the top 5% receive an A+ rating; the top 15%
receive an A rating; and so on until the bottom 5% receive an F rating.
Each fund exhibits two ratings, one for performance in "up" markets and
another for performance in "down" markets.
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine (formerly Changing Times),
periodically publishes rankings of mutual funds based on one-, three-
and five-year total return performance reflecting changes in net asset
value and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains and not
reflecting deduction of any sales charges. Funds are ranked by tenths:
a rank of 1 means that a fund was among the highest 10% in total return
for the period; a rank of 10 denotes the bottom 10%. Funds compete in
categories of similar funds -- aggressive growth funds, growth and
income funds, sector funds, corporate bond funds, global governmental
bond funds, mortgage-backed securities funds, etc. Kiplinger's also
provides a risk-adjusted grade in both rising and falling markets.
Funds are graded against others with the same objective. The average
weekly total return over two years is calculated. Performance is
adjusted using quantitative techniques to reflect the risk profile of
the fund.
U.S. News and World Report periodically publishes mutual fund rankings
based on an overall performance index (OPI) devised by Kanon Bloch
Carre & Co., a Boston research firm. Over 2000 funds are tracked and
divided into 10 equity, taxable bond and tax-free bond categories.
Funds compete within the 10 groups and three broad categories. The OPI
is a number from 0-100 that measures the relative performance of funds
at least three years old over the last 1, 3, 5 and 10 years and the
last six bear markets. Total return reflects changes in net asset value
and the reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains distributions
and does not reflect deduction of any sales charges. Results for the
longer periods receive the most weight.
The 100 Best Mutual Funds You Can Buy (1992), authored by Gordon K.
Williamson. The author's list of funds is divided into 12 equity and
bond fund categories, and the 100 funds are determined by applying four
criteria. First, equity funds whose current management teams have been
in place for less than five years are eliminated. (The standard for
bond funds is three years.) Second, the author excludes any fund that
ranks in the bottom 20 percent of its category's risk level. Risk is
determined by analyzing how many months over the past three years the
fund has underperformed a bank CD or a U.S. Treasury bill. Third, a
fund must have
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demonstrated strong results for current three-year and five-year
performance. Fourth, the fund must either possess, in Mr. Williamson's
judgment, "excellent" risk-adjusted return or "superior" return with
low levels of risk. Each of the 100 funds is ranked in five categories:
total return, risk/volatility, management, current income and expenses.
The rankings follow a five-point system: zero designates "poor"; one
point means "fair"; two points denote "good"; three points qualify as a
"very good"; four points rank as "superior"; and five points mean
"excellent.
INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS OF MENTOR INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC
R. Preston Nuttall, CFA
Mr. Nuttall has more than thirty years of investment management experience.
Prior to his involvement with the Mentor organization, he led short-term
fixed-income management for fifteen years at Capitoline Investment Services,
Inc. He has his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of
Richmond and his graduate degree in finance from the Wharton School at the
University of Pennsylvania.
Hubert R. White III
Mr. White has twelve years of investment management experience. Prior to joining
the Mentor organization, he served for five years as portfolio manager with
Capitoline Investment Services. He has his undergraduate degree in business from
the University of Richmond.
Kathryn T. Allen
Ms. Allen has fifteen years of investment management experience and specializes
in tax-free trades. Prior to joining the Mentor organization, Ms. Allen was
portfolio group manager at PNC Institutional Management Corporation. She has her
undergraduate degree in commerce and business administration from the University
of Alabama.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust.
However, the Agreement and Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability
for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer
be given in each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed
by the Trust or the Trustee. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides for
indemnification out of a Fund's property for all loss and expense of any
shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of a Fund. Thus the risk
of a shareholder's incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability
is limited to circumstances in which a Fund would be unable to meet its
obligations.
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