ALLEGHANY FUNDS
497, 1999-05-04
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                                   PROSPECTUS



                                   May 3, 1999





                   Alleghany/Blairlogie Emerging Markets Fund
                Alleghany/Blairlogie International Developed Fund


                                (CLASS N SHARES)






                                 ALLEGHANY FUNDS


                Blairlogie Capital Management, Investment Adviser
                                 (800) 992-8151




<PAGE>


                                 ALLEGHANY FUNDS
                             171 North Clark Street
                                Chicago, IL 60601
                                 (800) 992-8151

                          http://www.alleghanyfunds.com

                                   PROSPECTUS
                                   May 3, 1999


         Alleghany  Funds  (the  "Company")  is a no-load,  open-end  management
investment  company which  consists of twelve  separate  diversified  investment
series designed to offer investors a variety of investment  opportunities.  This
Prospectus pertains only to the Class N shares of Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging
Markets  Fund and  Alleghany/Blairlogie  International  Developed  Fund  (each a
"Fund"  and  collectively,  the  "Funds").  Each  Fund has  distinct  investment
objectives and policies.  Each Fund's Investment  Adviser is Blairlogie  Capital
Management ("Blairlogie" or the "Investment Adviser").

         Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging  Markets Fund seeks long-term  growth of
capital  with  investments  primarily in common  stocks of companies  located in
emerging market countries.

         Alleghany/Blairlogie   International  Developed  Fund  seeks  long-term
growth of capital  through  investment  primarily in a diversified  portfolio of
international equity securities.

         Shares of each Fund are purchased and redeemed  without any purchase or
redemption charge imposed by the Company, although institutions may charge their
customers for services provided in connection with their investments.

         Shares of the Funds are not  deposits,  obligations  of, or endorsed by
any bank,  and are not insured or  guaranteed by any bank,  the Federal  Deposit
Insurance  Corporation,  the Federal  Reserve  Board,  or any other  agency.  An
investment in a Fund involves  investment risks,  including the possible loss of
principal.

         This  Prospectus  sets forth  concisely  the  information a prospective
investor  should know before  investing in either of the above Funds.  Investors
should  read  and  retain  this  Prospectus  for  future  reference.  Additional
information  about  the  Funds  is  contained  in the  Statement  of  Additional
Information dated May 3, 1999, as supplemented from time to time, which has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and is available along
with   other    related    materials   on   the   SEC's    Internet   Web   site
(http://www.sec.gov). The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by
reference into this  Prospectus and is available upon request and without charge
from the Company, at the addresses and telephone numbers below.

THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION PASSED UPON
THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

Fund Company:                                     Investment Adviser:
Alleghany Funds                                   Blairlogie Capital Management
171 North Clark Street                            4th Floor, 125 Princes Street
Chicago, IL  60601-3294                           Edinburgh EH2 4AD, Scotland
(800) 992-8151                                    (800) 992-8151





<PAGE>




                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                            <C>    
                                                                                                               Page
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY........................................................................................      5

EXPENSE INFORMATION.......................................................................................      6

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES........................................................................      8

     ALLEGHANY/BLAIRLOGIE EMERGING MARKETS FUND...........................................................      8

     ALLEGHANY/BLAIRLOGIE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPED FUND....................................................      9

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS.............................................................     10

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS...................................................................................     19

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT METHODS..............................................................................     20

ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUNDS...............................................................................     20

PURCHASE OF SHARES........................................................................................     21

EXCHANGE OF SHARES........................................................................................     23

REDEMPTION OF SHARES......................................................................................     24

ACCOUNT OPTIONS...........................................................................................     26

DISTRIBUTION PLAN.........................................................................................     26

NET ASSET VALUE...........................................................................................     27

DIVIDENDS AND TAXES.......................................................................................     27

PERFORMANCE OF THE FUNDS..................................................................................     28

GENERAL INFORMATION.......................................................................................     29
</TABLE>



THIS  PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFERING OF THE  SECURITIES  HEREIN  DESCRIBED IN ANY
JURISDICTION  OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A FUND TO MAKE SUCH AN
OFFER OR  SOLICITATION.  NO SALES  REPRESENTATIVE,  DEALER,  OR OTHER  PERSON IS
AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY  REPRESENTATION  OTHER THAN THOSE
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS.


<PAGE>


                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The Funds

         The Company is an  open-end,  management  investment  company  commonly
known as a mutual fund. The Company was established as a Delaware business trust
on September 10, 1993. The Company  currently  offers twelve  separate series of
shares.  This  Prospectus  offers  only  Class N shares of  Alleghany/Blairlogie
Emerging Markets Fund and Alleghany/Blairlogie International Developed Fund.

Investment Definitions

         Equity   Securities--The   term  "equity  securities"  as  used  herein
typically  refers  to  common  stock  or  preferred  stock,  which  represent  a
stockholder's  equity or  ownership  of shares in a  domestic  or  international
company, including those of emerging market countries.

         Debt  Securities--Examples  of "debt  securities" are bills,  notes and
bonds,  each  representing  a  promise  by the  issuer  to re-pay a debt that is
generally secured by the assets of such issuer. Also in this investment category
are  debentures,  which are bonds or  promissory  notes  that are  backed by the
general credit of the issuer, but not secured by specific assets of such issuer.

         Convertible  Features--Equity or debt securities purchased by the Funds
may have "convertible" features, whereby they can be exchanged for another class
of securities, according to the terms of their respective issuers.

         Short-term  Instruments--"Short-term (or money market) instruments" are
generally private or Government  obligations with maturities of one year or less
and may  include  (but are not  limited to)  certificates  of deposit,  bankers'
acceptances, corporate commercial paper, and Government obligations.

         Derivative   Investments--The  term  "derivatives"  has  been  used  to
identify a range and variety of financial  categories.  In general, a derivative
is commonly defined as a financial  instrument whose performance is derived,  at
least in part, from the performance of an underlying  asset,  such as a specific
security or an index of securities.  Derivatives, which may be used from time to
time by the Funds and the investment risks associated with such instruments, are
discussed in detail under "INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS."

Investment Objectives of the Funds

         Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging  Markets Fund seeks long-term  growth of
capital  consistent  with  investments  primarily in common  stocks of companies
located in emerging market countries.

         Alleghany/Blairlogie   International  Developed  Fund  seeks  long-term
growth of capital  through  investment  primarily in a diversified  portfolio of
international equity securities.

How to Purchase Shares

         The  minimum  initial  investment  for  regular  accounts  (other  than
Individual  Retirement  Accounts  ("IRAs")  and Uniform  Gift to Minor  Accounts
("UGMAs")) is $2,500 for each Fund and the minimum subsequent investment is $50,
except for accounts opened through a fund network. In such case, the minimums of
the fund network will apply.  The minimum initial  investment for IRAs and UGMAs
is $500,  and the minimum  subsequent  investment for IRAs and UGMAs is $50. The
minimum  initial and  subsequent  investment for those enrolled in the Automatic
Investment  Plan is $50. The Funds do not impose any sales load,  redemption  or
exchange fees.  Each Fund has a  Distribution  Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the  Investment   Company  Act  of  1940,  as  amended  (the  "1940  Act").  See
"DISTRIBUTION  PLAN." The public  offering price for shares of each of the Funds
is the net asset  value per share next  determined  after  receipt of a purchase
order in proper form. The Funds offer two classes of shares. Only Class N shares
for retail investors are offered by this  Prospectus.  See "PURCHASE OF SHARES,"
"ACCOUNT OPTIONS" and "GENERAL INFORMATION."


<PAGE>


How to Redeem Shares

         Shares  of each Fund may be  redeemed  at the net asset  value per 
share of Class N shares of the Fund next  determined  after receipt of a 
redemption request in proper form. Signature guarantees may be required. 
See "REDEMPTION OF SHARES."

Dividends

         Each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment
income and net realized capital gains, if any, to shareowners.  Distributions of
net  capital  gains,  if any,  will  be made  annually.  All  distributions  are
reinvested at net asset value, in additional  full and fractional  shares of the
respective  Fund unless and until the shareowner  notifies the Transfer Agent in
writing requesting  payments in cash. Each Fund declares and pays dividends,  if
any, quarterly. See "DIVIDENDS AND TAXES."

Management of the Funds

         Blairlogie,   125  Princes  Street,  Edinburgh  EH2  4AD,  Scotland,  a
registered   investment  advisor  is  the  Investment  Adviser  for  each  Fund.
Blairlogie is  registered  as an  investment  advisor with the SEC in the United
States and with the Investment Management Regulatory  Organisation in the United
Kingdom.  Blairlogie  was founded in 1992.  Gavin Dobson is the Chief  Executive
Officer and James Smith is the Chief Investment Officer.

         As of November 23, 1998, Blairlogie managed over $890 million in assets
primarily for institutional clients.

         First  Data  Distributors,  Inc.,  4400  Computer  Drive,  Westborough,
Massachusetts 01581, serves as the Funds' Distributor. Investors Fiduciary Trust
Company, 801 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO 64105, serves as the Custodian of the
Funds'  assets.  The Chicago Trust Company  ("Chicago  Trust"),  171 North Clark
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601, serves as the Funds' Administrator.  First Data
Investor Services Group,  Inc., 53 State Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts  02109,
serves as the Funds'  Sub-Administrator.  First Data  Investor  Services  Group,
Inc.,  4400 Computer  Drive,  Westborough,  Massachusetts  01581,  serves as the
Funds' Transfer Agent.


                               EXPENSE INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                              <C>    
Shareowner Transaction Expenses for Each Fund:

Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases..........................................................None

Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends...............................................None

Maximum Deferred Sales Load......................................................................None

Redemption Fees..................................................................................None

Exchange Fees....................................................................................None
</TABLE>

 .........If you want to redeem shares by wire  transfer,  the Funds'  Transfer 
 Agent charges a fee,  currently  $20.00,  for each wire redemption.  
Institutions  may  independently  charge fees for  shareowner  transactions
or for  advisory  services;  please see their materials for details.



<PAGE>



Annual Fund Operating Expenses as a Percentage of Average Net Assets:

Alleghany/Blairlogie Emerging Markets Fund
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                     <C>    
Investment Advisory Fees (after voluntary fee waivers)..........................        0.52%
12b-1 Fees......................................................................        0.25%
Other Expenses..................................................................        0.83%
                                                                                        -----
Net Expense Ratio (after voluntary fee waivers).................................        1.60%
                                                                                        =====

Alleghany/Blairlogie International Developed Fund

Investment Advisory Fees .......................................................        0.85%
12b-1 Fees......................................................................        0.25%
Other Expenses..................................................................        0.25%
                                                                                        -----
Net Expense Ratio ..............................................................        1.35%
                                                                                        =====
</TABLE>

 .........The purpose of this table is to assist the investor in  understanding 
the various expenses that an investor in the Funds will bear directly or 
indirectly.

         (1)      The  above  table  reflects  an  estimate  of  the  Investment
                  Adviser's voluntary  undertakings to waive investment advisory
                  fees exceeding the limits shown. Absent such fee waivers,  the
                  estimated investment advisory fees, other expenses,  and total
                  operating  expenses,   respectively,   would  be  as  follows:
                  Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging Markets Fund 0.85%,  0.83%, and
                  1.93%.

         (2)      Each Fund offers two classes of shares that invest in the same
                  portfolio  of  securities.  Shareowners  of  Class  I are  not
                  subject to a 12b-1 Distribution Plan; therefore,  expenses and
                  performance  figures  will  vary  between  the  classes.   The
                  information set forth in the table above and the example below
                  relates only to the Class N shares. See "GENERAL INFORMATION."

EXAMPLE:

         Based on the level of expenses  listed above after  waivers,  the total
expenses relating to an investment of $1,000 would be as follows,  assuming a 5%
annual return and redemption at the end of each time period.

Name of Fund                                   1 Year            3 Years
- ------------                                   ------            -------
Alleghany/Blairlogie                            $16                $50
Emerging Markets Fund

Alleghany/Blairlogie                            $14                $42
International Developed Fund


         The   foregoing   tables  are   designed  to  assist  the  investor  in
understanding  the  various  costs  and  expenses  that a  shareowner  will bear
directly or  indirectly.  While the  example  assumes a 5% annual  return,  each
Fund's actual  performance will vary and may result in actual returns greater or
less than 5%. The example should not be considered a  representation  of past or
future expenses and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown.



<PAGE>


Performance Measures

         From time to time, the Funds may advertise  performance measures as set
forth  under  "PERFORMANCE  OF THE  FUNDS."  Performance  measures  are based on
historical earnings and are not intended to indicate future performance.

Portfolio Turnover

         The portfolio turnover rate for each Fund is calculated by dividing the
lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio  investments for the reporting  period
by the monthly  average  value of the  portfolio  investments  owned  during the
reporting period.  The calculation  excludes all securities,  including options,
whose  maturities or expiration dates at the time of acquisition are one year or
less.  Portfolio turnover may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a
particular  year,  and may be affected by cash  requirements  for  redemption of
units and by  requirements  which  enable  the Funds to  receive  favorable  tax
treatment.  In any event, portfolio turnover is generally not expected to exceed
100% in each  Fund.  A high rate of  portfolio  turnover  (i.e.,  over 100%) may
result  in  the   realization   of   substantial   capital  gains  and  involves
correspondingly greater transaction costs.


                       INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

         The  investment  objective of each Fund is  fundamental  and may not be
changed  without a vote of the holders of the majority of the voting  securities
of the Fund.  Unless  otherwise  stated in this  Prospectus  or the Statement of
Additional Information,  each Fund's investment policies are not fundamental and
may be changed without shareowner  approval.  While a non-fundamental  policy or
restriction  may be changed by the  Trustees of the Company  without  shareowner
approval, the Funds intend to notify shareowners before making any change in any
such policy or  restriction.  Fundamental  policies  may not be changed  without
shareowner approval.

         The Funds strive to attain their investment objectives,  but there can,
of course,  be no assurance  that they will do so.  Please refer to the policies
and risk disclosures more fully described under "INVESTMENT  STRATEGIES AND RISK
CONSIDERATIONS."  Additional  investment policies and restrictions are described
in the Statement of Additional Information.

ALLEGHANY/BLAIRLOGIE EMERGING MARKETS FUND

         Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging  Markets Fund seeks long-term  growth of
capital.  The Fund invests  primarily in common  stocks of companies  located in
countries  identified as emerging market  countries.  The Morgan Stanley Capital
International  Emerging  Markets  Free  Index  ("MSCI  EM Free  Index")  and the
International  Finance  Corporation  Investable Index ("IFCI Index") are used as
the bases for choosing the  countries in which the Fund  invests.  However,  the
Fund is not  limited to the  countries  and  weightings  of these  indexes.  The
Investment Adviser applies two levels of screening in selecting  investments for
the Fund.  First,  an active country  selection model analyzes world markets and
assigns a relative value ranking,  or "favorability  weighting," to each country
in the relevant  country  universe to  determine  markets  which are  relatively
undervalued.  Second,  at the stock selection level,  quality analysis and value
analysis are applied to each security, assessing variables such as balance sheet
strength and earnings growth (quality factors),  and performance relative to the
industry,  price to earnings  ratios,  and price to book ratios (value factors).
This two-level screening method identifies  undervalued  securities for purchase
as well as provides a sell discipline for fully valued securities.  In selecting
securities,  the Investment Adviser considers,  to the extent practicable and on
the basis of information available to it for research, a company's environmental
business practices.

         For purposes of implementing its investment objective, the Fund invests
primarily in some or all of the following  emerging market  countries (this list
is not exclusive):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                 <C>                 <C>                <C>                <C>                 <C>
Argentina           Czech Republic      Indonesia          Pakistan           Russia              Thailand
Brazil              Greece              Israel             Peru               South Africa        Turkey
Chile               Hong Kong           Jordan             Philippines        South Korea         Venezuela
China               Hungary             Malaysia           Poland             Sri Lanka           Zimbabwe
Colombia            India               Mexico             Romania            Taiwan
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


         For  purposes  of  allocating  the  Fund's  investments,  a company  is
considered to be located in the country in which it is domiciled, in which it is
primarily traded,  from which it derives a significant  portion of its revenues,
or in which a significant portion of its goods or services are produced.

         Most of the  foreign  securities  in  which  the Fund  invests  will be
denominated  in foreign  currencies.  The Fund may  engage in  foreign  currency
transactions to protect itself against  fluctuations in currency  exchange rates
in relation  to the U.S.  dollar or to the  weighting  of a  particular  foreign
currency  on the MSCI EM Free Index or the IFCI  Index.  Such  foreign  currency
transactions  may include forward foreign currency  contracts,  foreign exchange
futures contracts, and options thereon, currency exchange transactions on a spot
(i.e., cash) basis, and put and call options on foreign currencies. Up to 10% of
the  Fund's  assets  may be  invested  in the  securities  of  other  investment
companies.  The Fund may sell (write) call and put options. The Fund may utilize
stock index futures  contracts and options thereon for hedging purposes and also
for  investment  purposes.  For  instance,  the Fund may  invest in stock  index
futures contracts and related options as an alternative to purchasing individual
stocks to adjust its exposure to a particular  foreign  market.  See "Investment
Strategies and Risk  Considerations--Derivative  Instruments--Futures  Contracts
and  Related   Options."   The  Fund  may  also  engage  in  equity  index  swap
transactions.

         Investing  in the  securities  of  foreign  issuers,  and  particularly
emerging market issuers, involves special risks and considerations not typically
associated with investing in U.S. companies. For a discussion of such risks, see
"Investment Strategies and Risk Considerations--Foreign Securities."

ALLEGHANY/BLAIRLOGIE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPED FUND

         Alleghany/Blairlogie   International  Developed  Fund  seeks  long-term
growth of capital.  The Fund  invests  primarily in a  diversified  portfolio of
international equity securities.  The Morgan Stanley Capital  International EAFE
(Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index ("MSCI EAFE Index") is used as a basis for
choosing  the  countries  in which the Fund  invests.  However,  the Fund is not
limited to the  countries and  weightings  of the MSCI EAFE Index.  Under normal
market  conditions,  the Fund  will  invest  no more  than 15% of its  assets in
securities issued by companies located in countries that the Investment  Adviser
determines,  on  the  basis  of  market  capitalization,  liquidity,  and  other
considerations,  to  have  underdeveloped  securities  markets.  The  Investment
Adviser  applies two levels of screening in selecting  investments for the Fund.
First,  an active country  selection  model analyzes world markets and assigns a
relative  value ranking,  or  "favorability  weighting",  to each country in the
relevant country universe to determine markets which are relatively undervalued.
Second,  at the stock selection  level,  quality analysis and value analysis are
applied to each security, assessing variables such as balance sheet strength and
earnings  growth  (quality  factors) and  performance  relative to the industry,
price to  earnings  ratios,  and  price to book  ratios  (value  factors).  This
two-level  screening method identifies  undervalued  securities for purchase and
also  provides a sell  discipline  for fully  valued  securities.  In  selecting
securities,  the Investment Adviser considers,  to the extent practicable and on
the basis of information available to it for research, a company's environmental
business practices.

         For  purposes  of  allocating  the  Fund's  investments,  a company  is
considered to be located in the country in which it is domiciled, in which it is
primarily traded,  from which it derives a significant  portion of its revenues,
or in which a significant portion of its goods or services are produced.

         Most of the  international  equity securities in which the Fund invests
will be traded in foreign  currencies.  The Fund may engage in foreign  currency
transactions to protect itself against  fluctuations in currency  exchange rates
in relation  to the U.S.  dollar or to the  weighting  of a  particular  foreign
currency on the MSCI EAFE Index. Such foreign currency  transactions may include
forward foreign currency  contracts,  foreign exchange  futures  contracts,  and
options thereon,  currency exchange  transactions on a spot (i.e.,  cash) basis,
and put and call options on foreign  currencies.  Up to 10% of the Fund's assets
may be invested in the securities of other  investment  companies.  The Fund may
sell  (write)  call and put options.  The Fund may utilize  stock index  futures
contracts  and  options  thereon for hedging  purposes  and also for  investment
purposes. For instance, the Fund may invest in stock index futures contracts and
related options as an alternative to purchasing  individual stocks to adjust its
exposure to a particular  foreign market.  See  "Investment  Strategies and Risk
Considerations  -  Derivative   Instruments  -  Futures  Contracts  and  Related
Options." The Fund may also engage in equity index swap transactions.



<PAGE>


         Investing in the  securities of foreign  issuers  involves  special
risks and  considerations  not typically  associated  with investing in U.S. 
companies. For a discussion of such risks, see "Investment Strategies and Risk 
Considerations - Foreign Securities."

General

         Each Fund will invest  primarily  (normally at least 65% of its assets)
in common  stock.  Each Fund may  maintain a portion of its  assets,  which will
usually  not exceed  10%,  in U.S.  Government  securities,  high  quality  debt
securities  (whose  maturity or remaining  maturity will not exceed five years),
money  market  obligations,  and in cash to  provide  for  payment of the Fund's
expenses and to meet redemption requests. It is the policy of the Funds to be as
fully  invested  in common  stocks as  practicable  at all  times.  This  policy
precludes the Funds from investing in debt securities as a defensive  investment
posture (although the Funds may invest in such securities to provide for payment
of expenses  and to meet  redemption  requests).  Accordingly,  investors in the
Funds  bear the risk of  general  declines  in stock  prices and the risk that a
Fund's  exposure  to such  declines  cannot be lessened  by  investment  in debt
securities.  The Funds may also invest in World Equity Benchmark Shares ("WEBS")
and Optimised Portfolios as Listed Securities ("OPALS"), convertible securities,
preferred stock, and warrants, subject to certain limitations.

         Each  Fund  may  temporarily  not  be  invested   primarily  in  equity
securities immediately following the commencement of operations or after receipt
of significant new monies.  While attempting to identify  suitable  investments,
the Funds may hold assets in cash,  short-term U.S. Government  securities,  and
other money market instruments. Each Fund may temporarily not contain the number
of  securities  in which  the Fund  normally  invests  if the Fund does not have
sufficient  assets to be fully  invested,  or pending the  Investment  Adviser's
ability to prudently invest new monies.

         Each Fund may also lend  portfolio  securities;  enter into  repurchase
agreements and reverse repurchase agreements;  purchase and sell securities on a
when-issued or delayed  delivery  basis;  and enter into forward  commitments to
purchase  securities.  Each Fund may  invest  in  American  Depositary  Receipts
("ADRs"),  European  Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") and Global Depositary Receipts
("GDRs").  Each Fund may invest a portion of its assets in debt  securities  and
money market obligations issued by U.S. and foreign issuers that are either U.S.
dollar-denominated  or denominated in foreign currency.  For more information on
these  and other  investment  practices,  see  "Investment  Strategies  and Risk
Considerations"  in this Prospectus and "Investment  Objectives and Policies" in
the Statement of Additional Information.

Special Considerations

         An investor  should be aware that  investment  in small  capitalization
issuers carries more risk than issuers with market  capitalization  greater than
$1 billion.  Generally, small companies rely on limited product lines, financial
resources,  and  business  activities  that may make  them more  susceptible  to
setbacks or  downturns.  In addition,  the stock of such  companies  may be more
thinly traded.  As a result, in order to sell this type of security the Fund may
need to dispose of such  securities  over a long  period  and  accordingly,  the
performance of small capitalization issuers may be more volatile.

         Please refer to the policies and risk disclosures, as well as the other
specified practices below with respect to the Fund in "INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND
RISK CONSIDERATIONS."


                  INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS

In General

         Shareowners  should  understand that all  investments  involve risk and
there can be no  guarantee  against loss  resulting  from an  investment  in the
Funds, nor can there be any assurance that the Funds' investment objectives will
be attained.  Unless otherwise indicated,  all percentage  limitations governing
the investments of the Funds apply only at the time of transaction. Accordingly,
if a percentage  restriction  is adhered to at the time of  investment,  a later
increase or decrease in the  percentage  represented  by such  investment  which
results  from a  relative  change in  values or from a change in a Fund's  total
assets will not be considered a violation.


<PAGE>


Money Market Securities

         Each  Fund  may  invest  in money  market  securities,  including  bank
obligations  and  commercial   paper.  Bank  obligations  may  include  bankers'
acceptances,   negotiable  certificates  of  deposit,  and  non-negotiable  time
deposits earning a specified  return,  issued for a definite period of time by a
U.S.  bank that is a member of the Federal  Reserve  System or is insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation,  or by a savings and loan association or
savings bank that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  Bank
obligations also include U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches
of U.S.  banks or of U.S.  branches  of foreign  banks,  all of the same type as
domestic bank  obligations.  Investments in bank  obligations are limited to the
obligations  of  financial  institutions  having  more than $1  billion in total
assets at the time of purchase.

         Domestic  and foreign  banks are  subject to  extensive  but  different
government  regulations  that may limit the amount and types of their  loans and
the interest rates that may be charged.  In addition,  the  profitability of the
banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds to
finance lending operations and the quality of underlying bank assets.

         Investments  in  obligations  of foreign  branches of U.S. banks and of
U.S.  branches  of foreign  banks may  subject a Fund to  additional  investment
risks,  including  future  political  and  economic  developments,  the possible
imposition  of  withholding  taxes  on  interest  income,  possible  seizure  or
nationalization  of foreign  deposits,  the possible  establishment  of exchange
controls, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might
adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such  obligations.  In
addition,  foreign branches of U.S. banks and U.S. branches of foreign banks may
be subject to less stringent reserve  requirements and to different  accounting,
auditing,  reporting,  and record  keeping  standards  than those  applicable to
domestic branches of U.S. banks. Investments in the obligations of U.S. branches
of foreign  banks or foreign  branches of U.S.  banks will be made only when the
Investment  Adviser believes that the credit risk with respect to the investment
is minimal.

         Commercial  paper may include variable and  floating-rate  instruments,
which are  unsecured  instruments  that  permit  the  interest  on  indebtedness
thereunder to vary.  Variable-rate  instruments provide for periodic adjustments
in the interest rate. Floating-rate instruments provide for automatic adjustment
of the interest rate whenever some other specified  interest rate changes.  Some
variable and floating-rate  obligations are direct lending  arrangements between
the  purchaser  and the  issuer  and there may be no  active  secondary  market.
However,  in the case of variable and floating-rate  obligations with the demand
feature,  a Fund may demand payment of principal and accrued  interest at a time
specified in the  instrument or may resell the  instrument to a third party.  In
the event an issuer of a variable or floating-rate  obligation  defaulted on its
payment obligation, a Fund might be unable to dispose of the note because of the
absence of a secondary  market and could,  for this or other  reasons,  suffer a
loss  to the  extent  of the  default.  Substantial  holdings  of  variable  and
floating-rate instruments could reduce portfolio liquidity.

Borrowing

         Each Fund may not borrow  money or issue senior  securities,  except as
described  in this  paragraph.  Each Fund may  borrow  from  banks or enter into
reverse repurchase agreements for temporary purposes in amounts up to 10% of the
value of its total assets.  The Funds may not mortgage,  pledge,  or hypothecate
assets,  except that each Fund may mortgage,  pledge,  or hypothecate  assets in
connection with any such borrowing and in amounts not in excess of the lesser of
the dollar amounts borrowed or 10% of the value of the total assets of the Fund.
A Fund will not purchase  securities  while its  borrowings  (including  reverse
repurchase agreements) exceed 5% of its total assets. A Fund may borrow money as
a temporary  measure for  extraordinary  purposes or to facilitate  redemptions.
Neither  Fund  will  borrow  money in  excess  of 25% of the  value of its total
assets.  The Funds have no  intention  of  increasing  their net income  through
borrowing.  Any  borrowing  will be done  from a bank  with the  required  asset
coverage of at least 300%.  In the event that such asset  coverage  shall at any
time fall below 300%, a Fund shall,  within three days thereafter (not including
Sundays or holidays) or such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by rules and
regulations,  reduce the  amount of its  borrowings  to such an extent  that the
asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%.



<PAGE>


Illiquid Securities

         Each  Fund  may  invest  up to 15%  of its  respective  net  assets  in
securities that are illiquid.  Illiquid  securities will generally include,  but
are  not   limited   to:   repurchase   agreements   and  time   deposits   with
notice/termination  dates in excess  of seven  days;  unlisted  over-the-counter
options;  interest rate,  currency and mortgage swap  agreements;  interest rate
caps,  floors and collars;  and certain  securities which are subject to trading
restrictions  because they are not  registered  under the Securities Act of 1933
(the "1933 Act").

Repurchase Agreements

         Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements pursuant to which a Fund
purchases  portfolio  assets from a bank or broker-dealer  concurrently  with an
agreement by the seller to  repurchase  the same assets from the Fund at a later
date at a fixed price. Repurchase agreements are considered, under the 1940 Act,
to be  collateralized  loans by the Fund to the seller secured by the securities
transferred to the Fund.  Repurchase  agreements will be fully collateralized by
securities  in which  the Fund may  invest  directly.  Such  collateral  will be
marked-to-market  daily.  If the  seller of the  underlying  security  under the
repurchase  agreement  should  default  on  its  obligation  to  repurchase  the
underlying security, a Fund may experience delay or difficulty in exercising its
right to realize  upon the security  and, in  addition,  may incur a loss if the
value  of  the  security  should  decline,  as  well  as  disposition  costs  in
liquidating  the  security.  A Fund must treat each  repurchase  agreement  as a
security for tax diversification  purposes and not as cash, a cash equivalent or
receivable.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

         Each Fund may enter into reverse  repurchase  agreements with banks and
broker-dealers.  Reverse  repurchase  agreements  involve  sales  by the Fund of
portfolio assets  concurrently  with an agreement by that Fund to repurchase the
same  assets at a later date at a fixed  price.  During the  reverse  repurchase
agreement period, a Fund continues to receive principal and interest payments on
these securities. During the time a reverse repurchase agreement is outstanding,
a Fund will maintain a segregated custodial account consisting of cash or liquid
securities having a value at least equal to the resale price. Reverse repurchase
agreements are considered to be borrowings by a Fund, and as such are subject to
the  investment   limitations  discussed  above  under  the  sub-section  titled
"Borrowing."

Rule 144A Securities

         Each Fund may purchase  securities  which are not registered  under the
1933 Act but which can be sold to "qualified institutional buyers" in accordance
with Rule 144A  under the 1933 Act.  Any such  security  will not be  considered
illiquid so long as it is determined by the Investment  Adviser under guidelines
approved by the Company's  Board of Trustees,  that an adequate  trading  market
exists for that  security.  This  investment  practice  could have the effect of
increasing the level of illiquidity in the Fund during any period that qualified
institutional   buyers  become   uninterested  in  purchasing  these  restricted
securities.

Securities Lending

   
         Each Fund may seek  additional  income from time to time by lending its
respective  portfolio  securities  on a short-term  basis to banks,  brokers and
dealers  under  agreements.  Loans of portfolio  securities by each Fund will be
collateralized by cash held in non-interest bearing demand accounts,  letters of
credit or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies
or instrumentalities which will be maintained at all times in an amount equal to
the current market value of the loaned securities.  Each Fund will not make such
loans in excess of 25% of the value of its total assets. The major risk to which
the Funds would be exposed on a loan  transaction  is the risk that the borrower
would  become  bankrupt  at a time  when  the  value  of the  security  goes up.
Therefore,  a Fund will only enter into loan arrangements  after a review by the
Investment  Adviser,  subject to overall  supervision  by the Board of Trustees,
including a review of the  creditworthiness  of the borrowing  broker-dealer  or
other  institution and then only if the  consideration  to be received from such
loans  would   justify  the  risk.   The   Investment   Adviser   will   monitor
creditworthiness on an ongoing basis.
    



<PAGE>


Securities of Other Investment Companies

         Each Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment companies
such as closed-end  management  investment  companies,  or in pooled accounts or
other  investment  vehicles that invest in foreign  markets.  As a shareowner of
another investment company, a Fund would bear, along with other shareowners, its
pro rata portion of such investment company's expenses, including advisory fees.
These  expenses  would be in addition to the advisory and other  expenses that a
Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations.

Short-Term Trading

         Each Fund may engage in short-term  trading.  Securities may be sold in
anticipation  of a market decline or purchased in  anticipation of a market rise
and later sold.  In addition,  a security  may be sold and another  purchased at
approximately  the same time to take advantage of what the Fund believes to be a
temporary disparity in the normal yield relationship between the two securities.
Such trading may be expected to increase the Fund's portfolio  turnover rate and
the expenses incurred in connection with such trading.

Foreign Securities

         The Funds may invest directly in foreign equity securities; U.S. dollar
or foreign  currency-denominated  foreign  corporate  debt  securities;  foreign
preferred securities;  certificates of deposit, fixed time deposits and bankers'
acceptances issued by foreign banks; obligations of foreign governments or their
subdivisions,   agencies  and  instrumentalities,   international  agencies  and
supranational  entities; and securities represented by ADRs, EDRs, or GDRs. ADRs
are   dollar-denominated   receipts  issued  generally  by  domestic  banks  and
representing  the deposit with the bank of a security of a foreign  issuer,  and
are publicly  traded on exchanges or  over-the-counter  in the United States and
also trade in public or private markets in other countries.

         The  Funds may  invest in WEBS and  OPALS.  These  investment  vehicles
create  optimised  baskets of ordinary  shares  that seek to provide  investment
returns  that  track the  performance  of each  relevant  index.  WEBS have been
designed by a group involving Morgan Stanley,  BZW Barclays and others,  whereas
OPALS  have been  designed  exclusively  by Morgan  Stanley.  WEBS are issued by
Foreign Fund Inc., an open-ended  investment  company  registered under the 1940
Act.  Purchasers of WEBS become equity owners in the Foreign Fund.  OPALS have a
hybrid structure.  They have debt  characteristics  such as fixed redemption and
semi-annual interest payments,  but performance is equity-driven.  Both WEBS and
OPALS offer an efficient way to gain access to foreign markets.  Their use would
primarily  be  to  facilitate   asset   allocation   switches  and  to  overcome
difficulties in markets with structural peculiarities.

         Investing in the securities of issuers in any foreign country  involves
special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S.
companies. Shareholders should consider carefully the substantial risks involved
in  investing  in  securities  issued by companies  and  governments  of foreign
nations. These risks include: differences in accounting,  auditing and financial
reporting  standards;  generally higher  commission  rates on foreign  portfolio
transactions; the possibility of nationalization,  expropriation or confiscatory
taxation;  adverse changes in investment or exchange control  regulations (which
may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a country);  and
political  instability which could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries.
Individual  foreign  economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S.
economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation,
capital  reinvestment,  resources,  self-sufficiency,  and  balance of  payments
position.  The  securities  markets,  values of  securities,  yields,  and risks
associated  with  securities  markets  may change  independently  of each other.
Additionally,  foreign  securities  and dividends and interest  payable on those
securities  may be subject to  foreign  taxes,  including  taxes  withheld  from
payments on those securities. Foreign securities often trade with less frequency
and volume than domestic  securities  and  therefore  may exhibit  greater price
volatility. Additional costs associated with an investment in foreign securities
may include higher custodial fees than apply to domestic custodial  arrangements
and  transaction  costs of  foreign  currency  conversions.  Changes  in foreign
exchange rates also will affect the value of securities denominated or quoted in
currencies other than the U.S. dollar.



<PAGE>


         A Fund's  investments in foreign currency  denominated debt obligations
and hedging  activities will likely produce a difference between its book income
and its taxable income. This difference may cause a portion of the Fund's income
distributions  to constitute  returns of capital for tax purposes or require the
Fund to make  distributions  exceeding  book  income to qualify  as a  regulated
investment company for federal tax purposes.

         Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging  Markets Fund (up to 100% of its assets)
and Alleghany/Blairlogie  International Developed Fund (up to 15% of its assets)
may invest in the  securities  of issuers  based in  countries  with  developing
economies.  Investing in developing (or "emerging  market")  countries  involves
certain risks not typically  associated with investing in U.S.  securities,  and
imposes  risks  greater  than, or in addition to, risks of investing in foreign,
developed countries.  A number of emerging market countries restrict, to varying
degrees,  foreign  investment in securities.  Repatriation of investment income,
capital, and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental
registration and/or approval in some emerging market countries.  A number of the
currencies of emerging market  countries have experienced  significant  declines
against the U.S. dollar in recent years, and devaluation may occur subsequent to
investments in these currencies by a Fund.  Inflation and rapid  fluctuations in
inflation  rates have had,  and may  continue to have,  negative  effects on the
economies and securities  markets of certain emerging market countries.  Many of
the emerging  securities markets are relatively small, have low trading volumes,
suffer periods of relative  illiquidity,  and are  characterized  by significant
price  volatility.  There is a risk in emerging  market  countries that a future
economic or political  crisis could lead to price  controls,  forced  mergers of
companies, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization,  or
creation of government monopolies, any of which may have a detrimental effect on
a Fund's investment.

         Additional risks of investing in emerging market countries may include:
currency  exchange rate  fluctuations;  greater  social,  economic and political
uncertainty  and  instability  (including  the  risk of war);  more  substantial
governmental  involvement  in the economy;  less  governmental  supervision  and
regulation  of  the  securities  markets  and  participants  in  those  markets;
unavailability  of  currency  hedging  techniques  in  certain  emerging  market
countries;  the fact that  companies in emerging  market  countries may be newly
organized and may be smaller and less seasoned companies;  the difference in, or
lack of,  auditing  and  financial  reporting  standards,  which  may  result in
unavailability of material  information  about issuers;  the risk that it may be
more difficult to obtain and/or enforce a judgment in a court outside the United
States; and significantly  smaller market  capitalization of securities markets.
Also, any change in the leadership or politics of emerging market countries,  or
the countries that exercise a significant  influence over those  countries,  may
halt the  expansion  of or reverse  the  liberalization  of  foreign  investment
policies now occurring and adversely affect existing investment opportunities.

         In addition,  emerging  securities markets may have different clearance
and settlement  procedures,  which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of
securities  transactions  or  otherwise  make it  difficult  to  engage  in such
transactions. Settlement problems may cause a Fund to miss attractive investment
opportunities, hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, or delay
in  disposing  of a portfolio  security.  Such a delay could  result in possible
liability to a purchaser of the security.

Foreign Currency Transactions

         Foreign currency exchange rates may fluctuate  significantly over short
periods  of time.  They  generally  are  determined  by the forces of supply and
demand in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in
different  countries,  actual or perceived  changes in interest  rates and other
complex factors,  as seen from an international  perspective.  Currency exchange
rates also can be  affected  unpredictably  by  intervention  (or the failure to
intervene)  by U.S.  or foreign  governments  or central  banks,  or by currency
controls  or  political  developments  in  the  U.S.  or  abroad.  For  example,
significant  uncertainty  surrounds  the  proposed  introduction  of the euro (a
common  currency unit for the European  Union) in January 1999 and its effect on
the value of securities  denominated  in local  European  currencies.  These and
other  currencies  in which the Funds'  assets are  denominated  may be devalued
against the U.S. dollar, resulting in a loss to the Funds.

         The Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to
reduce the risks of adverse changes in foreign exchange rates. In addition,  the
Funds may buy and sell foreign currency futures  contracts and option on foreign
currencies  and  foreign  currency  futures.  The Funds may enter  into  forward
foreign currencies and foreign currency futures. The Fund may enter into forward
foreign  currency  exchange  contracts to reduce the risks of adverse changes in
foreign exchange rates. A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves an
obligation 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  agreed  upon by the
parties, at a price set at the time of the contract.  By entering into a forward
foreign  currency  exchange  contract,  the Fund  "locks in" the  exchange  rate
between the  currency it will  deliver and the  currency it will receive for the
duration of the contract. As a result, a Fund reduces its exposure to changes in
the value of the currency it will deliver and  increases its exposure to changes
in the value of the currency it will exchange into. The effect on the value of a
Fund is similar to selling securities denominated in one currency and purchasing
securities  denominated  in another.  Contracts to sell foreign  currency  would
limit any  potential  gain that might be  realized by a Fund if the value of the
hedged currency increases. A Fund may enter into these contracts for the purpose
of hedging against foreign  exchange risk arising from the Fund's  investment or
anticipated  investment in securities  denominated in foreign  currencies.  Such
hedging  transactions  may not be successful  and may eliminate any chance for a
Fund to benefit from favorable fluctuations in relevant foreign currencies.  The
Funds also may enter into these contracts for purposes of increasing exposure to
a foreign  currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency  fluctuations  from
one country to another. To the extent that they do so, the Funds will be subject
to the additional  risks that the relative value of currencies will be different
than  anticipated  by the  Funds'  Investment  Adviser.  The  Funds  may use one
currency (or a basket of  currencies)  to hedge against  adverse  changes in the
value of  another  currency  (or a basket of  currencies)  when  exchange  rates
between the two currencies are positively  correlated.  Each Fund will segregate
assets  determined to be liquid by the  Investment  Adviser in  accordance  with
procedures established by the Board of Trustees in a segregated account to cover
its obligations under forward foreign currency  exchange  contracts entered into
for non-hedging purposes.

Derivative Investments

         The term "derivatives" has been used to identify a range and variety of
financial  instruments.  In  general,  a  derivative  is  commonly  defined as a
financial  instrument whose performance and value are derived, at least in part,
from another  source,  such as the  performance  of an  underlying  asset,  or a
specific security, or an index of securities. As is the case with other types of
investments,  a Fund's  derivative  instruments  may  entail  various  types and
degrees of risk,  depending upon the characteristics of a derivative  instrument
and the Fund's overall portfolio.

         A Fund  may  engage  in such  practices  for  hedging  purposes,  or to
maintain  liquidity,  or in  anticipation  of changes in the  composition of its
portfolio  holdings.  No Fund will engage in derivative  investments  purely for
speculative  purposes. A Fund will invest in one or more derivatives only to the
extent  that the  instrument  under  consideration  is judged by the  Investment
Adviser  to be  consistent  with the Fund's  overall  investment  objective  and
policies.  In making such  judgment,  the  potential  benefits and risks will be
considered in relation to the Fund's other portfolio investments.

         Where not specified,  investment limitations with respect to the Fund's
derivative  instruments will be consistent with such Fund's existing  percentage
limitations with respect to its overall  investment  policies and  restrictions.
While not a fundamental  policy,  the total of all instruments deemed derivative
in nature by the  Investment  Adviser  will  generally  not  exceed 20% of total
assets for a Fund; however, as this policy is not fundamental, it may be changed
from time to time when  deemed  appropriate  by the  Board of  Trustees.  Listed
below,  including  risks and  policies  with respect  thereto,  are the types of
securities in which  certain Funds are permitted to invest which are  considered
by the Investment Adviser to be derivative in nature.

1.       Options:

         Each Fund may engage in options, including those described below.

         A call option enables the purchaser, in return for the premium paid, to
purchase  securities  from the writer of the option at an agreed  price up to an
agreed date.  The  advantage is that the purchaser may hedge against an increase
in the price of securities it ultimately  wishes to buy or may take advantage of
a rise in a  particular  index.  A Fund will only  purchase  call options to the
extent premiums paid on all  outstanding  call options do not exceed 20% of such
Funds' total  assets.  A Fund will only sell or write calls options on a covered
basis (e.g. on securities it holds in its portfolio).



<PAGE>


         A put option  enables the  purchaser  of the option,  in return for the
premium  paid, to sell the security  underlying  the option to the writer at the
exercise  price during the option  period,  and the writer of the option has the
obligation  to purchase  the  security  from the  purchaser  of the option.  The
advantage is that the purchaser can be protected  should the market value of the
security decline or should a particular index decline. A Fund will only purchase
put options to the extent that the  premiums on all  outstanding  put options do
not exceed 20% of a Fund's total  assets.  A Fund will only purchase put options
on a  covered  basis and write put  options  on a secured  basis.  Cash or other
collateral  will be held in a segregated  account for such options.  A Fund will
receive  premium  income from writing put options,  although it may be required,
when the put is  exercised,  to purchase  securities  at higher  prices than the
current  market  price.  At the time of purchase,  a Fund will  receive  premium
income from writing call options,  which may offset the cost of  purchasing  put
options  and may also  contribute  to a  Fund's  total  return.  A Fund may lose
potential  market  appreciation  if the  judgment of its  Investment  Adviser is
incorrect  with respect to interest  rates,  security  prices or the movement of
indices.

         An option on a securities  index gives the purchaser of the option,  in
return for the premium paid,  the right to receive cash from the seller equal to
the difference  between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of
the option.

         Each Fund may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies as
a hedge against changes in the value of the U.S. dollar (or another currency) in
relation to a foreign currency in which a Fund's  securities may be denominated.
Currency  options  traded on U.S. or other  exchanges may be subject to position
limits,  which may limit the ability of a Fund to reduce  foreign  currency risk
using such options.

         Over-the-counter  options  in which the Funds may  invest  differ  from
traded options in that they are two-party contracts,  with price and other terms
negotiated  between  buyer and seller,  and generally do not have as much market
liquidity  as  exchange-traded  options.  The Funds may be  required to treat as
illiquid  over-the-counter  options purchased and securities being used to cover
certain written over-the-counter options.

         Closing transactions  essentially let a Fund offset put options or call
options  prior to exercise  or  expiration.  If a Fund  cannot  effect a closing
transaction, it may have to hold a security it would otherwise sell or deliver a
security it might want to hold.

         A Fund may use  options  traded on U.S.  exchanges,  and to the  extent
permitted by law, options traded over-the-counter. It is the position of the SEC
that over-the-counter options are illiquid.  Accordingly,  a Fund will invest in
such options only to the extent  consistent with its 15% limit on investments in
illiquid  securities.  Please see "General Risk Factors"  below and refer to the
Statement  of  Additional  Information  for a more  detailed  discussion  of the
applicable risk considerations.

2.       Forward Commitments, When-Issued Securities, and Delayed-Delivery 
         Transactions:

         Each  Fund  may  purchase  or  sell  securities  on a  when  issued  or
delayed-delivery  basis and make contracts to purchase or sell  securities for a
fixed  price at a future  date  beyond  customary  settlement  time.  Securities
purchased  or sold on a  when-issued,  delayed-delivery,  or forward  commitment
basis  involve  a risk of loss if the  value  of the  security  to be  purchased
declines prior to the settlement date.  Although a Fund would generally purchase
securities on a when-issued,  delayed-delivery, or forward commitment basis with
the intention of acquiring the securities, a Fund may dispose of such securities
prior to settlement if its  Investment  Adviser deems it  appropriate  to do so.
Please see "General Risk Factors" below and refer to the Statement of Additional
Information   for  a  more   detailed   discussion   of  the   applicable   risk
considerations.

3.       Futures Contracts and Related Options:

         Each Fund may  engage in  futures  contracts  and  options  on  futures
contracts for hedging purposes or to maintain liquidity. However, a Fund may not
purchase  or  sell  a  futures  contract  unless   immediately  after  any  such
transaction  the sum of the aggregate  amount of margin deposits on its existing
futures  positions and the amount of premiums paid for related  options is 5% or
less of its total  assets,  after  taking into  account  unrealized  profits and
unrealized  losses  on any such  contracts.  At  maturity,  a  futures  contract
obligates  the Fund to take or make  delivery of certain  securities or the cash
value of a  securities  index.  A Fund may sell a futures  contract  in order to
offset a decrease in the market  value of its  portfolio  securities  that might
otherwise  result  from a market  decline.  A Fund may do so either to hedge the
value of its portfolio of securities as a whole, or to protect against declines,
occurring  prior to sales of  securities,  in the value of the  securities to be
sold.  Conversely,  a Fund may purchase a futures  contract in  anticipation  of
purchases of securities.  In addition,  a Fund may utilize futures  contracts in
anticipation of changes in the composition of its portfolio holdings.

         Any gain  derived  by a Fund from the use of such  instruments  will be
treated as a combination  of short-term  and long-term  capital gain and, if not
offset by realized  capital losses  incurred by the Fund, will be distributed to
shareowners  and will be taxable to  shareowners  as a  combination  of ordinary
income and long-term capital gain.

         A Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on futures  contracts
traded on an exchange or board of trade.  When the Fund purchases an option on a
futures contract, it has the right to assume a position as a purchaser or seller
of a futures  contract  at a  specified  exercise  price at any time  during the
option  period.  When a Fund sells an option on a futures  contract,  it becomes
obligated to purchase or sell a futures contract if the option is exercised.  In
anticipation  of a market  advance,  a Fund may purchase call options on futures
contracts as a substitute for the purchase of futures contracts to hedge against
a  possible  increase  in the  price  of  securities,  which a Fund  intends  to
purchase. Similarly, if the market is expected to decline, a Fund might purchase
put options or sell call options on futures  contracts  rather than sell futures
contracts.  In connection with a Fund's position in a futures contract or option
thereon,  a Fund will create a segregated  account of cash or liquid securities,
or will otherwise cover its position in accordance with applicable  requirements
of the SEC.  Please see "General Risk Factors"  below and refer to the Statement
of Additional  Information for a more detailed discussion of the applicable risk
considerations.

         Each Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts on various securities
indexes  ("Index  Futures")  and related  options for hedging  purposes  and for
investment  purposes.  A Fund's purchase and sale of Index Futures is limited to
contracts  and  exchanges  which have been  approved  by the  Commodity  Futures
Trading Commission ("CFTC").

         Each Fund may invest to a significant  degree in Index Futures on stock
indexes  and related  options  (including  those which may trade  outside of the
United  States) as an alternative  to purchasing  individual  stocks in order to
adjust the Fund's exposure to a particular market. The Funds may invest in Index
Futures and related options when the Investment  Adviser believes that there are
not  enough  attractive  securities  available  to  maintain  the  standards  of
diversification  and  liquidity  set  for a  Fund  pending  investment  in  such
securities if or when they do become available. Through the use of Index Futures
and  related  options,  a Fund  may  diversify  risk  in its  portfolio  without
incurring  the  substantial  brokerage  costs,  which  may  be  associated  with
investment  in the  securities  of  multiple  issuers.  A Fund  may  also  avoid
potential  market and  liquidity  problems  that may result  from  increases  in
positions already held by the Fund.

         A Fund may close open positions on the futures exchanges on which Index
Futures  are traded at any time up to and  including  the  expiration  day.  All
positions  which  remain  open at the  close  of the  last  business  day of the
contract's  life are required to settle on the next business day (based upon the
value of the relevant index on the expiration  day),  with  settlement made with
the  appropriate  clearing  house.  Because the specific  procedures for trading
foreign  stock Index Futures on futures  exchanges are still under  development,
additional or different margin requirements as well as settlement procedures may
be applicable to foreign stock Index Futures at the time a Fund  purchases  such
instruments.

         Positions  in Index  Futures  may be  closed  out by a Fund only on the
futures exchanges upon which the Index Futures are then traded.  There can be no
assurance  that a liquid  market will exist for any  particular  contract at any
particular  time.  Also, the price of Index Futures may not correlate  perfectly
with movement in the relevant  index due to certain market  distortions.  First,
all  participants  in the  futures  market  are  subject to margin  deposit  and
maintenance   requirements.   Rather  than  meeting  additional  margin  deposit
requirements,   investors  may  close  futures  contracts   through   offsetting
transactions  that could distort the normal  relationship  between the index and
futures markets. Second, the deposit requirements in the futures market are less
onerous than margin  requirements in the securities market, and as a result, the
futures market may attract more  speculators  than does the  securities  market.
Increased  participation  by  speculators  in the futures  market may also cause
temporary price distortions.  In addition, trading hours for foreign stock Index
Futures may not correspond perfectly to hours of trading on the foreign exchange
to which a particular foreign stock Index Futures relates.  This may result in a
disparity between the price of Index Futures and the value of the relevant index
due to the lack of continuous  arbitrage between the Index Futures price and the
value of the underlying index.


<PAGE>


         The Funds will only enter into  futures  contracts  or futures  options
that are  standardized  and  traded on a U.S.  or foreign  exchange  or board of
trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated  quotation system. Each Fund
will use futures contracts and related options for "bona fide hedging" purposes,
as such term is defined in applicable  regulations of the CFTC, or, with respect
to  positions  in futures and related  options that do not qualify as "bona fide
hedging" positions,  will enter such positions only to the extent that aggregate
initial  margin  deposits  plus  premiums  paid by it for  open  futures  option
positions, less the amount by which any such positions are "in-the-money," would
not exceed 5% of the Fund's net assets.

4.       Equity Index Swaps:

         Each Fund may enter into equity index swap  agreements  for purposes of
gaining exposure to the stocks making up an index of securities without actually
purchasing those stocks.  Swap agreements are two-party  contracts  entered into
primarily by  institutional  investors  for periods  ranging from a few weeks to
more than one  year.  In a  standard  swap  transaction,  two  parties  agree to
exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on
particular predetermined  investments or instruments,  which may be adjusted for
an interest factor.  The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped"  between the
parties are generally  calculated with respect to a "notional amount," i.e., the
return on or  increase  in value of a  particular  dollar  amount  invested at a
particular  interest  rate,  or  in a  "basket"  of  securities  representing  a
particular index.

         Most  swap   agreements   entered  into  by  the  Funds  calculate  the
obligations  of the parties to the agreement on a "net basis."  Consequently,  a
Fund's current  obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be
equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on
the relative  values of the positions  held by each party to the agreement  (the
"net  amount").  A Fund's  current  obligations  under a swap  agreement will be
accrued daily  (offset  against  amounts owed to the Fund),  and any accrued but
unpaid  net  amounts  owed  to a  swap  counterparty  will  be  covered  by  the
maintenance of a segregated account consisting of assets determined to be liquid
by the Investment Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board
of  Trustees  to  limit  any  potential  leveraging  of  the  Fund's  portfolio.
Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be "senior
securities" for purposes of the Fund's investment  restriction concerning senior
securities. A Fund will not enter into a swap agreement with any single party if
the net amount owed or to be received under  existing  contracts with that party
would exceed 5% of the Fund's assets.

         Whether  a  Fund's  use  of  swap  agreements  will  be  successful  in
furthering  its investment  objective  will depend on the  Investment  Adviser's
ability to predict  correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to
produce  greater  returns than other  investments.  Because  they are  two-party
contracts  and  because  they may have terms of greater  than seven  days,  swap
agreements may be considered to be illiquid investments.  Moreover, a Fund bears
the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in
the event of the default or bankruptcy  of a swap  agreement  counterparty.  The
Funds will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain
standards for creditworthiness  (generally, such counterparties would have to be
eligible  counterparties  under the  terms of the  Funds'  repurchase  agreement
guidelines).  Certain  restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Internal Revenue
Code may limit the Funds' ability to use swap agreements.  The swaps market is a
relatively  new  market  and  is  largely  unregulated.   It  is  possible  that
developments in the swaps market,  including  potential  government  regulation,
could adversely affect a Fund's ability to terminate existing swap agreements or
to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

General Risk Factors

1.        Options, Futures and Forward Contracts:

         Each Fund may engage in such  investment  practices.  The primary risks
associated  with the use of futures  contracts  and options are:  (i)  imperfect
correlation  between the change in market value of the securities held by a Fund
and the price of futures  contracts and options;  (ii) possible lack of a liquid
secondary market for a futures  contract and the resulting  inability to close a
futures contract when desired;  (iii) losses,  which are potentially  unlimited,
due to  unanticipated  market  movements;  and  (iv)  the  Investment  Adviser's
inability to predict correctly the direction of security prices,  interest rates
and other economic factors.  For a further discussion,  see "INVESTMENT POLICIES
AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS" in the Statement of Additional Information.



<PAGE>


2.       Fixed Income Investing

         Each Fund may  engage in limited  fixed  income  investment  practices.
There  are two  principal  types  of risks  associated  with  investing  in debt
securities: (1) market (or interest rate) risk and (2) credit risk.

         Market  risk   relates  to  the  change  in  market   value  caused  by
fluctuations  in prevailing  rates,  while credit risk relates to the ability of
the issuer to make timely  interest  payments  and to repay the  principal  upon
maturity.  The value of debt  securities  will  normally  increase in periods of
falling interest rates; conversely, the value of these instruments will normally
decline in periods of rising interest rates.

         In an effort to obtain  maximum income  consistent  with its investment
objective,  each  Fund  may,  at  times,  change  the  average  maturity  of its
investment  portfolio,  consistent  with a three- to ten-year  weighted  average
maturity  range,  by  investing  a larger  portion of its  assets in  relatively
longer-term obligations when periods of declining interest rates are anticipated
and, conversely,  emphasizing shorter- and  intermediate-term  maturities when a
rise in interest rates is indicated.

         Credit risk refers to the  possibility  that a bond issuer will fail to
make timely payments of interest or principal.  The ability of an issuer to make
such payments could be affected by general conditions,  litigation,  legislation
or  other  events  including  the  bankruptcy  of  the  issuer.  For  a  further
discussion,  see "INVESTMENT  POLICIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS" in the Statement
of Additional Information.


                             MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

The Board of Trustees

         Under Delaware law, the business and affairs of the Company are managed
under the  direction  of the Board of  Trustees.  The  Statement  of  Additional
Information  contains  the  name  of each  Trustee  and  background  information
regarding the Trustees.

Blairlogie Capital Management

         The Investment  Adviser for the Funds is Blairlogie  Capital Management
("Blairlogie"),  located at 125 Princes  Street,  Edinburgh  EH2 4AD,  Scotland.
Blairlogie is  registered  as an  investment  advisor with the SEC in the United
States and with the Investment Management Regulatory  Organisation in the United
Kingdom.  Blairlogie Capital  Management Ltd.  commenced  operations in 1992 and
changed  its  name to  Blairlogie  Capital  Management  in 1994.  Blairlogie  is
currently  an  indirect  subsidiary  of  the  Alleghany  Corporation.  Alleghany
Corporation  is  engaged  through  its  subsidiaries  in the  business  of title
insurance,  reinsurance, other financial services and industrial minerals and is
located at Park Avenue Plaza, New York, New York 10055.

         Pursuant  to  an  Investment   Advisory  Agreement  with  the  Company,
Blairlogie provides an investment program for each Fund in accordance with their
respective investment policies,  limitations and restrictions, and Chicago Trust
furnishes  executive,  administrative  and  clerical  services  required for the
transaction of each Fund's business.

         For providing investment advisory services, each Fund has agreed to pay
a monthly fee at the  following  rates based on each  Fund's  average  daily net
assets. Effective on the date of this Prospectus,  Alleghany/Blairlogie Emerging
Markets  Fund's fee is 0.85% and  Alleghany/Blairlogie  International  Developed
Fund's fee is 0.85%.

         Blairlogie  has  voluntarily  undertaken to reduce its advisory fee for
Alleghany/Blairlogie    Emerging    Markets   Fund   and    Alleghany/Blairlogie
International  Developed Fund for operating expenses (as defined  previously) in
excess of 1.60% and 1.35%,  respectively.  Such waivers may be terminated at the
discretion of Blairlogie.



<PAGE>


                          PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT METHODS

Investment Management Team

         James Smith is primarily  responsible for the day-to-day  management of
each Fund. Mr. Smith is a Managing Director and the Chief Investment  Officer of
Blairlogie  and is  responsible  for  managing  an  investment  team of  country
analysts who, in turn,  specialize in selection of stocks within  Europe,  Asia,
and the Americas,  and in currency and  derivatives.  He previously  served as a
Senior Portfolio Manager at Murray Johnstone in Glasgow,  Scotland,  responsible
for  international  investment  management  for North American  clients,  and at
Schroder  Investment  Management in London.  Mr. Smith  received his  bachelor's
degree  in  Economics  from  London   University  and  his  MBA  from  Edinburgh
University.  He is an Associate of the  Institute of Investment  Management  and
Research.

Blairlogie Capital Management

         Blairlogie's philosophy has always been that the international markets,
whether  developed  or  emerging,  can be  analyzed  from a base of  measurable,
numerical  data.  They have  developed a country model that covers a broad-based
collection  of current  and  historical  data.  Their  quantitative  analysis is
enhanced with  significant  qualitative  assessments to evaluate  things a model
cannot review.  Blairlogie  continuously  strives for the optimum combination of
quantitative and judgmental inputs but believe that objective,  measurable facts
must always be the starting point for making sound investment  decisions.  Their
specific  investment  style is based upon an  underlying  objective of producing
premium returns above the benchmark consistently in any market environment while
consciously  controlling risk and limiting  volatility.  The major components of
Blairlogie's investment style are summarized below:

    top-down country allocation followed by bottom-up stock selection;

    active management with a focus on consistent  value-added broad  
    diversification in international  markets portfolios by country and stock;

    performance  objective designed to consistently  outperform their
    benchmark, which through time should facilitate investment success
    over competitors; and

    advanced technology used to enhance portfolio management and maintain 
    efficient administration


                           ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUNDS

The Administrator and Sub-Administrator

         Chicago Trust (the "Administrator") acts as the Company's Administrator
pursuant to an Administration  Agreement with the Company. For services provided
as Administrator,  Chicago Trust receives a fee at the annual rate of: 0.060% of
the first $2 billion of the Company's average daily net aggregate assets; 0.045%
of the Company's  average  daily net assets  between $2 billion and $3.5 billion
and 0.040% of the Company's  average daily net assets in excess of $3.5 billion.
Chicago  Trust also  receives a custody  liaison  fee equal to an annual fee per
Fund of $10,000 for  average  daily net assets up to $100  million,  $15,000 for
average daily net assets between $100 million and $500 million,  and $20,000 for
average daily net assets in excess of $500 million.

         Pursuant  to  a  Sub-Administration   Agreement,  First  Data  Investor
Services  Group,  Inc.  (the  "Sub-Administrator"),  53  State  Street,  Boston,
Massachusetts  02109,  acts as  Sub-Administrator  and  receives  a fee from the
Administrator  equal to that received by the Administrator as set out above. The
Sub-Administrator  also receives a custody  liaison fee from Chicago Trust equal
to that received by the Administrator as set out above.

         The  services  provided to the Funds under  these  Agreements  include:
coordinating  and  monitoring  of any third parties  furnishing  services to the
Funds;  providing the necessary office space, equipment and personnel to perform
administrative  and  clerical  functions  for the Funds;  preparing,  filing and
distributing  proxy  materials,  periodic  reports to shareowners,  registration
statements and other documents; and responding to shareowner inquiries.

<PAGE>


         The  Sub-Administrator  also performs  certain  accounting  and pricing
services for the Funds, including the daily calculation of the Funds' respective
net asset values.

The Transfer Agent

         First Data Investor Services Group, Inc. (the "Transfer  Agent"),  4400
Computer Drive, Westborough,  Massachusetts 01581, performs the following duties
in its capacity as Transfer  Agent to each Fund:  maintains  the records of each
shareowner's   account;   answers  shareowner   inquiries  concerning  accounts;
processes  purchases  and  redemptions  of Fund  shares;  acts as  dividend  and
distribution  disbursing agent; and performs other shareowner service functions.
Shareowner  inquiries  should  be  addressed  to the  Transfer  Agent  at  (800)
992-8151.

The Distributor

         First Data Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"),  4400 Computer 
Drive, Westborough,  Massachusetts 01581, is the principal underwriter and 
distributor of the Funds pursuant to a distribution agreement with the Funds.

The Custodian

         Investors  Fiduciary  Trust  Company,  801  Pennsylvania,  Kansas 
City, MO 64105,  is Custodian for the cash and securities of each Fund.

Expenses

         Expenses  attributable  to the Company,  but not to a particular  Fund,
will be  allocated  to each Fund  thereof on the basis of  relative  net assets.
Similarly,  expenses  attributable to a particular Fund, but not to a particular
class thereof,  will be allocated to each class thereof on the basis of relative
net  assets.  General  Company  expenses  may  include  but are not  limited to:
insurance  premiums;  Trustee fees;  expenses of maintaining the Company's legal
existence; and fees of industry organizations. General Fund expenses may include
but are not limited to: audit fees; brokerage commissions;  registration of Fund
shares  with  the SEC and  notification  fees to the  various  state  securities
commissions; fees of the Funds' Custodian, Administrator,  Sub-Administrator and
Transfer Agent or other "service  providers";  costs of obtaining  quotations of
portfolio securities; and pricing of Fund shares.

         Class-specific   expenses   relating  to   distribution   fee  payments
associated with a Rule 12b-1 plan for a particular class of shares and any other
costs  relating to  implementing  or  amending  such plan  (including  obtaining
shareowner  approval of such plan or any amendment thereto) will be borne solely
by shareowners  of such class or classes.  Other expense  allocations  which may
differ  among   classes,   or  which  are  determined  by  the  Trustees  to  be
class-specific,  may  include  but are not  limited  to:  printing  and  postage
expenses  related to  preparing  and  distributing  required  documents  such as
shareowner reports, prospectuses, and proxy statements to current shareowners of
a specific class; SEC registration  fees and state "blue sky" fees incurred by a
specific class; litigation or other legal expenses relating to a specific class;
expenses  incurred  as a result of issues  relating  to a  specific  class;  and
different transfer agency fees attributable to a specific class.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Investment Adviser or other service
provider may waive or reimburse  the expenses of a specific  class or classes to
the extent permitted under Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act.


                               PURCHASE OF SHARES

In General

         Shares of each Fund may be purchased  directly from the Fund at the net
asset value next determined after receipt of the order in proper form. Shares of
the Funds may be purchased through  broker-dealers,  banks and trust departments
that may charge the investor a transaction  fee or other fee for their  services
at time of purchase. Such fees would not otherwise be charged if the shares were
purchased directly from the Funds.



<PAGE>


         The minimum  initial  investment for regular  accounts (other than IRAs
and UGMAs) is $2,500 for each Fund,  and the minimum  subsequent  investment  is
$50,  except for  accounts  opened  through a fund  network.  In such case,  the
minimums of the fund network will apply. The minimum initial investment for IRAs
and UGMAs is $500, and the minimum  subsequent  investment for IRAs and UGMAs is
$50. The minimum  initial and  subsequent  investment  for those enrolled in the
Automatic Investment Plan is $50. There is no sales load or charge in connection
with the  purchase  of  shares.  The  Company  reserves  the right to reject any
purchase order and to suspend the offering of shares of any Fund. Each Fund also
reserves the right to vary the initial and additional investment minimums, or to
waive the minimum investment requirements for any investor.

         Purchase orders for shares of a Fund which are received by the Transfer
Agent or an authorized  broker or its designee in proper form,  including  money
order,  check or bank draft by the  regular  closing  time of the New York Stock
Exchange  ("NYSE")  (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) will be purchased at such
Fund's  net asset  value  determined  that  day.  If you  invest  by  check,  or
non-federal funds wire, allow one business day after receipt for conversion into
federal  funds.  Checks must be made payable to  "Alleghany  Funds." If you wire
money in the form of federal  funds,  your money will be  invested  at the share
price next determined  after receipt of the wire.  Orders for shares received in
proper form after 4:00 p.m. will be priced at the net asset value  determined on
the next day that the NYSE is open for trading.

         The Funds  offer two  classes  of  shares.  Only  Class N shares may be
purchased  under this  Prospectus.  Class I shares are available for purchase by
shareowners  investing  $1 million  or more in the Funds and  clients of certain
financial consultants which have agreements with the Funds.

         Each Fund may accept orders by telephone from broker-dealers or service
organizations  that  have  been  previously  approved  by  a  Fund.  It  is  the
responsibility  of  such  broker-dealers  or  service   organizations  or  their
authorized  designees to promptly  forward purchase orders and payments for same
to the Company.

         Purchases may be made in one of the following ways:

Initial Purchases by Mail

         Shares  of each  Fund  may be  purchased  initially  by  completing  an
application and mailing it to the Transfer Agent,  together with a check payable
to "Alleghany  Funds",  c/o First Data Investor  Services Group,  Inc., P.O. Box
5164,  Westborough,  Massachusetts  01581. The Funds will not accept third party
checks for the  purchase of shares.  Third party  checks are those that are made
out to someone other than a Fund and are endorsed over to the Fund.

Initial Purchases by Wire

         An investor  desiring to purchase  shares of a Fund by wire should call
the Transfer  Agent first at (800)  992-8151  and request an account  number and
furnish  the  Fund  with  your  tax   identification   number.   Following  such
notification to the Transfer Agent, federal funds and registration  instructions
should be wired through the Federal Reserve System to:

                           BOSTON SAFE DEPOSIT & TRUST
                                 ABA # 011001234
                              FOR: Alleghany Funds
                                   A/C 140414
                                FBO "FUND NUMBER"
                           "SHAREOWNER ACCOUNT NUMBER"

   
         A completed  application  with original  signature(s) of  registrant(s)
must be filed with the  Transfer  Agent  immediately  subsequent  to the initial
wire. Investors should be aware that some banks might impose a wire service fee.
    



<PAGE>


Initial Purchases by Internet

         An investor  desiring to purchase  shares of a Fund by Internet  should
(i)  verify  first that the bank or credit  union  being used is a member of the
Automated Clearing House (ACH) system; (ii) complete the "Purchase, Exchange and
Redemption  Authorization"  section of the account  application;  (iii) call the
Transfer  Agent at (800)  992-8151  to obtain a personal  identification  number
(PIN) from  Alleghany  Funds for use on  Alleghany  Funds' Web site.  Once these
steps have been taken,  an investor can access the account through the Alleghany
Funds' Web Site and enter the purchase  instructions  in the highly  secure area
for shareowners only.

         The Trust  reserves  the right to suspend  or  terminate  purchases  by
telephone or Internet, thereby only allowing purchases by mail.

Subsequent Investments

         Once an account has been  opened,  subsequent  purchases in the minimum
amounts may be made by mail,  bank wire,  exchange or by telephone.  When making
additional  investments  by mail,  simply  return  the  investment  slip  from a
previous  confirmation  or  statement  with  your  investment  in  the  envelope
provided. Your check must be made payable to "Alleghany Funds" and mailed to the
Alleghany Funds, P.O. Box 5163, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581. The Funds will
not accept third party checks for the subsequent purchase of shares.

         All investments  must be made in U.S.  dollars,  and, to avoid fees and
delays,  checks must be drawn only on banks located in the U.S. In order to help
ensure the  receipt  of good  funds,  the  Company  reserves  the right to delay
sending your redemption proceeds up to 15 days if you purchased shares by check.
A charge  ($20  minimum)  will be imposed if any check used for the  purchase of
shares is returned. The Funds and the Transfer Agent reserve the right to reject
any purchase order in whole or in part.


                               EXCHANGE OF SHARES

In General

     Shares of any of the Funds within the Company may be  exchanged  for shares
of the same class of any of the other  Funds  within the  Company.  The  Company
currently offers Class N shares of the following Funds:  Alleghany/Chicago Trust
Small  Cap  Value  Fund,  Alleghany/Veredus  Aggressive  Growth  Fund,  Montag &
Caldwell  Growth Fund,  Chicago Trust Growth & Income Fund,  Chicago Trust Talon
Fund,  Chicago Trust Balanced  Fund,  Montag & Caldwell  Balanced Fund,  Chicago
Trust Bond Fund,  Chicago Trust Municipal Bond Fund,  Chicago Trust Money Market
Fund,   Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging  Markets  Fund  and  Alleghany/Blairlogie
International Developed Fund.

         The exchange  privilege  is a  convenient  way to respond to changes in
your investment  goals or in market  conditions.  This privilege is not designed
for frequent trading in response to short-term market fluctuations. You may make
exchanges by mail or by telephone if you have  previously  elected the telephone
authorization   privilege  on  the  application  form.  The  telephone  exchange
privilege  may be  difficult to  implement  during times of drastic  economic or
market  changes.  The  purchase  of  shares  of any  Fund  through  an  exchange
transaction is accepted at the net asset value next determined.  You should keep
in mind that for tax purposes,  an exchange is treated as a redemption and a new
purchase,  each at net asset value of the  appropriate  Fund.  The Funds and the
Transfer Agent reserve the right to limit, amend, impose charges upon, terminate
or  otherwise  modify  the  exchange   privilege  on  prior  written  notice  to
shareowners.

         Exchanges  may be made  only for  shares of a Fund  then  offering  its
shares  for sale in your  state of  residence  and are  subject  to the  minimum
initial  investment  requirement.  Requests  for  telephone  exchanges  must  be
received  by the  Transfer  Agent by the close of  regular  trading  on the NYSE
(currently 4:00 p.m.  Eastern time) on any day that the NYSE is open for regular
trading.



<PAGE>


                              REDEMPTION OF SHARES

In General

         Shares of each Fund may be redeemed  without charge on any business day
that the NYSE is open for  business.  Redemptions  will be  effective at the net
asset value per share next determined after the receipt by the Transfer Agent or
an  authorized  broker or its  designee  of a  redemption  request  meeting  the
requirements  described below.  Each Fund normally sends redemption  proceeds on
the next  business  day,  but in any event  redemption  proceeds are sent within
seven calendar days of receipt of a redemption request in proper form.  However,
your  redemption  proceeds  may be  delayed up to 15 days if you  purchased  the
shares to be redeemed by check until such check has cleared. Payment may also be
made by wire directly to any bank  previously  designated by the shareowner in a
shareowner account application. A shareowner will be charged $20 for redemptions
by wire. Also,  please note that the shareowner's bank may impose a fee for this
wire service.

         If  your  account  is an  Individual  Retirement  Account  (IRA),  your
redemption request must be submitted in writing.  Please call a customer service
representative at (800-992-8151) to request an IRA Distribution  Request form or
for further information.

         Except as noted below,  redemption  requests received in proper form by
the Transfer Agent or an authorized broker or its designee prior to the close of
regular  trading hours on the NYSE on any business day that the Fund  calculates
its per share net asset value are effective that day.

         Redemption  requests received after the close of the NYSE are effective
as of the time the net asset value per share is next  determined.  No redemption
will be processed until the Transfer Agent has received a completed  application
with respect to the account.

         The Funds  will  satisfy  redemption  requests  in cash to the  fullest
extent feasible, so long as such payments would not, in the opinion of the Board
of  Trustees,   result  in  the  necessity  of  a  Fund  selling   assets  under
disadvantageous  conditions or to the detriment of the remaining  shareowners of
the Fund.  Pursuant  to the  Company's  Trust  Instrument,  payment  for  shares
redeemed  may be made  either in cash or  in-kind,  or partly in cash and partly
in-kind.  However,  the Company may elect  pursuant to Rule 18f-1 under the 1940
Act to redeem its shares  solely in cash up to the lesser of  $250,000  or 1% of
the net asset  value of the  Fund,  during  any  ninety-day  period  for any one
shareowner.  Payments in excess of this limit by a Fund will also be made wholly
in cash unless the Board of Trustees  believes  that economic  conditions  exist
which would make such a practice  detrimental  to the best interests of any such
Fund. Any portfolio  securities  paid or distributed  in-kind would be valued as
described under `'NET ASSET VALUE." In the event that an in-kind distribution is
made,  a  shareowner  may incur  additional  expenses,  such as the  payment  of
brokerage  commissions,  on the  sale or  other  disposition  of the  securities
received from a Fund.  In-kind  payments need not constitute a cross-section  of
the Fund's portfolio.

Minimum Balances

         Due to the relatively high cost of maintaining  smaller  accounts,  the
Funds  reserve the right to  involuntarily  redeem shares in any account for its
then current net asset value (which will be promptly paid to the  shareowner) if
at any time the  total  investment  does not have a value of at least  $50.  The
shareowner  will be  notified  that the value of his or her account is less than
the required  minimum and will be allowed at least sixty days to bring the value
of the account up to the minimum before the redemption is processed.

         Shares may be redeemed in one of the following ways:

Redemptions by Mail

         Shareowners may submit a written  request for redemption to:  Alleghany
Funds, P.O. Box 5164,  Westborough,  Massachusetts 01581. The request must be in
good order which means that it must: (I) identify the shareowner's  account name
and account number;  (ii) state the fund name,  (iii) state the number of shares
to be  redeemed;  and (iv) be signed by each  registered  owner  exactly  as the
shares are registered.



<PAGE>


         To  prevent  fraudulent  redemptions,  a  signature  guarantee  for the
signature of each person in whose name the account is  registered is required on
all written  redemption  requests over $50,000. A guarantee may be obtained from
any  commercial  bank,  trust  company,  savings and loan  association,  federal
savings bank, a member firm of a national  securities exchange or other eligible
financial  institution.  Credit  unions must be  authorized  to issue  signature
guarantees;  notary public endorsements will not be accepted. The Transfer Agent
may  require   additional   supporting   documents  for   redemptions   made  by
corporations,  executors,  administrators,  trustees,  guardians, and retirement
plans.

     A redemption  request will not be deemed to be properly  received until the
Transfer  Agent receives all required  documents in proper form.  Questions with
respect to the proper  form for  redemption  requests  should be directed to the
Transfer Agent at (800) 992-8151.

Redemptions by Telephone

         Shareowners  who  have  so  indicated  on  the  application,   or  have
subsequently  arranged in writing to do so, may redeem shares by instructing the
Transfer Agent by telephone at (800) 992-8151.

         In  order to  arrange  for  redemption  by wire or  telephone  after an
account has been opened, or to change the bank or account  designated to receive
redemption proceeds, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent at the
address listed under  `'Redemptions by Mail" above. Such requests must be signed
by the shareowner,  with signatures  guaranteed (see  `'Redemptions by Mail" for
details regarding signature guarantees).  Further documentation may be requested
from corporations, executors, administrators, trustees, or guardians.

         The Funds reserve the right to refuse a wire or telephone redemption if
it is believed  advisable to do so. Procedures for redeeming Fund shares by wire
or  telephone  may be  modified or  terminated  at any time by any of the Funds.
Neither the Funds nor any of their  service  contractors  will be liable for any
loss or  expense  in acting  upon  telephone  instructions  that are  reasonably
believed to be genuine. In attempting to confirm that telephone instructions are
genuine,  the  Funds  will use such  procedures  as are  considered  reasonable,
including  requesting  a shareowner  to correctly  state his or her Fund account
number,  the name in which his or her account is  registered,  his or her social
security number, banking institution, bank account number, and the name in which
his or her bank account is registered.

     Shares of the Funds may be redeemed through certain  broker-dealers,  banks
and bank trust  departments  who may charge the  investor a  transaction  fee or
other fee for their  services  at the time of  redemption.  Such fees  would not
otherwise be charged if the shares were redeemed from the Company.

Redemptions by Internet

         Shareowners  who have so indicated on the application may redeem shares
by Internet by calling the Transfer Agent at (800) 992-8151 to obtain a personal
identification number (PIN) from Alleghany Funds for use on Alleghany Funds' Web
site.  Once these  steps have been  taken,  an  investor  can access the account
through the Alleghany  Funds' Web Site and enter the redemption  instructions in
the highly secure area for shareowners only.

         A check for  redemption  proceeds can be mailed or can be sent directly
to your bank account provided the bank or credit union being used is a member of
the Automated  Clearing House (ACH) system.  The ACH sales proceeds will be sent
on the next business day (allow 3 days to be received by bank).  There is no fee
to sell shares by ACH.

         The Trust  reserves  the right to suspend or terminate  redemptions  by
telephone or Internet, thereby only allowing redemptions by mail.




<PAGE>


                                 ACCOUNT OPTIONS

In General

         The following special services are available to shareowners.  There are
no charges for the programs noted below and an investor may change or stop these
plans at any time by written notice to the Funds.

Automatic Investment Plan

         This service allows you to make regular  investments  once your account
is established. You simply authorize the automatic withdrawal of funds from your
bank account into the Fund of your choice.  The minimum  initial and  subsequent
investment  pursuant to this plan is $50 per month. Your initial account must be
established prior to participating in this plan. Please complete the appropriate
section on a new account application.

Systematic Withdrawal Program

         The Funds offer a Systematic Withdrawal Program as another option which
may be  utilized by an  investor  who wishes to  withdraw  funds from his or her
account on a regular  basis.  To  participate  in this option,  an investor must
either own or  purchase  shares  having a value of  $50,000  or more.  Automatic
payments by check will be mailed to the investor on either a monthly, quarterly,
semi-annual,  or annual  basis in amounts of $50 or more.  All  withdrawals  are
processed on the 25th of the month or, if such day is not a business day, on the
next business day and paid promptly thereafter.

Individual Retirement Accounts

         An Individual  Retirement  Account (IRA) is a custodial account created
for the exclusive benefit of you and your beneficiaries. There are many types of
IRAs available including Individual,  Spousal,  Rollover,  SEP-IRA,  SIMPLE-IRA,
Roth-Contributory and Roth-Conversion.

         The annual maintenance fee for an IRA is $15.00 per year. This fee will
be paid  through an  automatic  liquidation  of shares  from your  account  each
December.  You may  choose to pay this fee prior to  December  by  sending  in a
check.  Shareowners  with a cumulative  balance greater than or equal to $50,000
will have IRA fees waived.


                                DISTRIBUTION PLAN

         The Board of Trustees of the Company has adopted a Plan of Distribution
(the "Plan")  pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act that permits the Class N
shares of each Fund to pay certain expenses  associated with the distribution of
its shares.  Under the Plan,  each Fund may reimburse the Distributor for actual
expenses not exceeding,  on an annual basis, 0.25% of a Fund's average daily net
assets.

         The  Plan  authorizes  a Fund to  compensate  the  Distributor  for the
following: (1) services rendered by the Distributor pursuant to the Distribution
Agreement between the Company and the Distributor;  (2) payments the Distributor
makes to financial  institutions and industry  professionals,  such as insurance
companies,  investment  counselors,   accountants,  estate  planning  firms  and
broker-dealers,   including  affiliates  and  subsidiaries  of  the  Distributor
(collectively, "Participating Organizations"), in consideration for distribution
services   provided  or  expenses   assumed  in  connection  with   distribution
assistance,  market  research,  and  promotional  services,  including,  but not
limited to, printing and distributing prospectuses to persons other than current
shareowners  of  a  Fund,  printing  and  distributing   advertising  and  sales
literature  and  reports to  shareowners  and  prospective  shareowners  used in
connection  with the sale of a Fund's  shares,  and personnel and  communication
equipment  used in  servicing  shareowner  accounts and  prospective  shareowner
inquiries; and (3) payments the Distributor makes to Participating Organizations
pursuant  to an  agreement  to provide  administrative  support  services to the
holders of a Fund's shares. Participating Organizations that are compensated for
distribution  services  may be  required  to  register  as  dealers  in  certain
jurisdictions.



<PAGE>


         Payments for market research and  promotional  services may be based in
whole  or in part on a  percentage  of the  regular  salary  expense  for  those
employees  of  Participating  Organizations  engaged in  marketing  research and
promotional  services  specifically  relating to the distribution of Fund shares
based on the amount of time devoted by such  employees to such  activities,  and
any out-of-pocket expenses associated with the distribution of Fund shares.

         All such payments made by a Fund pursuant to the Plan shall be made for
the purpose of selling shares issued by the Fund. Distribution expenses that are
attributable  to a particular  Fund will be charged  against that Fund's assets.
Distribution  expenses  that are  attributable  to more  than  one Fund  will be
allocated among the Funds in proportion to their relative net assets.


                                 NET ASSET VALUE

         The net asset  value per share of each Fund is computed as of the close
of  regular  trading on the NYSE on each day the NYSE is open for  trading.  The
NYSE is closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Presidents'
Day, Good Friday,  Memorial Day,  Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day,
and Christmas Day.

         The net asset  value per share is  computed  by adding the value of all
securities  and  other  assets  in  the  portfolio,  deducting  any  liabilities
(expenses  and fees are  accrued  daily)  and  dividing  by the number of shares
outstanding.  The portfolio  securities of each Fund listed or traded on a stock
exchange are valued at the latest sale price. If no sale price is reported,  the
mean  of  the  latest  bid  and  asked   prices  is  used.   Securities   traded
over-the-counter are priced at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices. When
market  quotations  are not readily  available,  securities and other assets are
valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.

         Bonds are valued through valuations  obtained from a commercial pricing
service  or at the mean of the most  recent  bid and asked  prices  provided  by
investment  dealers in accordance  with  procedures  established by the Board of
Trustees.  Options,  futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement
price as determined by the appropriate clearing corporation.

         Quotations of foreign  securities in foreign  currency are converted to
U.S.  dollar  equivalents  using  foreign  exchange   quotations  received  from
independent dealers. The calculation of the net asset value of each Fund may not
take place  contemporaneously  with the  determination  of the prices of certain
portfolio securities of foreign issuers used in such calculation. Further, under
the Company's procedures,  the prices of foreign securities are determined using
information  derived from pricing  services and other sources.  Information that
becomes  known to the Company or its agents  after the time that net asset value
is calculated on any Business Day may be assessed in determining net asset value
per share after the time of receipt of the information,  but will not be used to
retroactively  adjust the price of the  security so  determined  earlier or on a
prior day.  Events  affecting  the  values of  portfolio  securities  that occur
between the time their prices are determined and the close of regular trading on
the  NYSE  (normally  4:00  p.m.,  Eastern  time)  may not be  reflected  in the
calculation of net asset value. If events materially affecting the value of such
securities occur during such period, then these securities may be valued at fair
value as determined by the Investment  Adviser and approved in good faith by the
Board of Trustees.


                               DIVIDENDS AND TAXES

Dividends

         Dividends, if any, from net investment income will be declared and paid
quarterly  by each  Fund.  Aggregate  net  profits  realized  from  the  sale of
portfolio  securities,  if any, are  distributed  at least once each year unless
they are used to offset losses carried  forward from prior years,  in which case
no such gain will be distributed.

         Income  dividends  and  capital  gain   distributions   are  reinvested
automatically  in  additional  shares at net asset  value,  unless  you elect to
receive  them in  cash.  Distribution  options  may be  changed  at any  time by
requesting  a change in  writing.  Any check in  payment of  dividends  or other
distributions  which  cannot be  delivered  by the Post Office or which  remains
uncashed  for a  period  of  more  than  one  year  may  be  reinvested  in  the
shareowner's account at the then current net asset value and the dividend option
may  be  changed  from  cash  to  reinvest.  Dividends  are  reinvested  on  the
ex-dividend  date (the "ex-date") at the net asset value determined at the close
of business on that date.  Please note that shares purchased  shortly before the
record  date for a dividend  or  distribution  may have the effect of  returning
capital although such dividends and distributions are subject to taxes.

         Dividends  paid by each  Fund  with  respect  to  Class  I  shares  are
calculated in the same manner and at the same time as Class N shares. Both Class
N and Class I shares of each Fund will share  proportionately  in the investment
income and general expenses of the Fund,  except that the per share dividends of
Class N shares will differ from the per share  dividends  of Class I shares as a
result  of   class-specific   expenses  as   discussed   in   "Expenses"   under
"ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUNDS."

Taxes

         Each Fund intends to qualify as a "regulated  investment company" under
Subchapter  M of the  Internal  Revenue Code ("the  Code").  Such  qualification
relieves a Fund of liability  for Federal  income taxes to the extent the Fund's
earnings are  distributed in accordance with the Code. Each Fund is treated as a
separate  corporate  entity for Federal tax purposes.  Distributions  of any net
investment income and of any net realized  short-term  capital gains are taxable
to shareowners as ordinary income. Distributions of net capital gain (the excess
of net long-term  capital gain over net short-term  capital loss) are taxable to
shareowners  as long-term  capital gain  regardless of how long a shareowner may
have held  shares of a Fund.  The tax  treatment  of  distributions  of ordinary
income or capital  gains will be the same whether the  shareowner  reinvests the
distributions or elects to receive them in cash. A distribution  will be treated
as paid on  December  31 of the  current  calendar  year  if it is  declared  in
October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid during
January of the following  calendar year. Such  distributions  will be taxable to
shareowners in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather
than the calendar year in which the distributions are received.

         Shareowners  will be advised  annually  of the source and tax status of
all distributions  for Federal income tax purposes.  Dividends and distributions
may be subject to state and local income taxes.  Further  information  regarding
the tax  consequences  of investing in the Funds is included in the Statement of
Additional Information. The above discussion is intended for general information
only.  Investors  should  consult  their  own tax  advisors  for  more  specific
information on the tax consequences of particular types of distributions.

         Redemptions of Fund shares, and the exchange of shares between Funds of
the  Company,  are taxable  events  and,  accordingly,  shareowners  may realize
capital gains or losses on these transactions.

         Shareowners  may  be  subject  to  back-up  withholding  on  reportable
dividend and redemption payments ("back-up withholding") if a certified taxpayer
identification  number  is not on file  with  the  Fund,  or if,  to the  Fund's
knowledge,  an incorrect  number has been furnished.  An  individual's  taxpayer
identification number is his/her social security number.


                            PERFORMANCE OF THE FUNDS

In General

         Performance,  whether it be "total  return" or  "average  annual  total
return" of a Fund, may be advertised to present or prospective shareowners.  The
figures  are  based on  historical  performance  and  should  not be  considered
representative  of future  results.  The value of an  investment  in a Fund will
fluctuate and an investor's  shares,  when  redeemed,  may be worth more or less
than their original cost. Performance  information for a Fund may be compared to
various unmanaged indices such as the EAFE Index and the MSCI EM Free Index, and
to the performance of other mutual funds tracked by mutual fund rating services.
Further  information  about  the  performance  of the Funds is  included  in the
Statement of Additional  Information,  which may be obtained  without  charge by
contacting the Fund at (800) 992-8151.



<PAGE>


Total Return

         Total  Return is defined as the change in value of an  investment  in a
Fund  over a  particular  period,  assuming  that all  distributions  have  been
reinvested.  Thus,  total  return  reflects  not only  income  earned,  but also
variations  in share  prices at the  beginning  and end of the  period.  Average
annual total return is determined by computing the annual compound return over a
stated period of time that would have produced a Fund's  cumulative total return
over the same period if the Fund's performance had remained constant throughout.


                               GENERAL INFORMATION

Organization

         Each Fund is a separate, diversified, series of the Company, a Delaware
business trust  organized  pursuant to a Trust  Instrument  dated  September 10,
1993.  The Company is  registered  under the 1940 Act as an open-end  management
investment company, commonly known as a mutual fund. The Trustees of the Company
may  establish  additional  series or classes of shares  without the approval of
shareowners.  The assets of each  series  belong  only to that  series,  and the
liabilities of each series are borne solely by that series and no other.

Description of Shares

         Each  Fund is  authorized  to issue an  unlimited  number  of shares of
beneficial  interest  without  par value.  Currently,  there are two  classes of
shares issued by each Fund:  Class N shares which are offered by this Prospectus
and Class I shares.  Since these classes have different expenses,  i.e., Class I
shares do not pay a distribution plan fee, their performance will vary and it is
anticipated that the Class N dividends will be lower than the Class I dividends.
Shares of each Fund  represent  equal  proportionate  interests in the assets of
that Fund only and have identical voting, dividend, redemption, liquidation, and
other rights except that Class I shares of the Funds have no rights with respect
to  the  Funds'  distribution  plan.  All  shares  issued  are  fully  paid  and
non-assessable,  and shareowners  have no preemptive or other right to subscribe
to any additional shares and no conversion rights.  Class I shares are available
for  purchase  to  shareowners  that  invest $1 million or more in each Fund and
clients of certain  investment  advisors which have  agreements  with the Funds.
Information  about  Class I shares is  available  by calling  the Funds at (800)
992-8151.

Voting Rights

         Each  issued and  outstanding  full and  fractional  share of a Fund is
entitled  to one  full  and  fractional  vote  in  the  Fund.  Shares  of a Fund
participate equally in regard to dividends, distributions, and liquidations with
respect to that Fund  subject to  preferences  (such as Rule 12b-1  distribution
fees),  rights  or  privileges  of  any  share  class.  Shareowners  have  equal
non-cumulative  voting rights.  Class N shares have exclusive voting rights with
respect  to  the  distribution  plan.  On any  matter  submitted  to a  vote  of
shareowners,  shares of each Fund or class will vote  separately  except  when a
vote of  shareowners  in the  aggregate is required by law, or when the Trustees
have determined that the matter affects the interests of more than one class, in
which  case the  shareowners  of all such  classes  shall  be  entitled  to vote
thereon.

Shareowner Meetings

         The  Trustees of the  Company do not intend to hold annual  meetings of
shareowners of the Funds. The Trustees have undertaken to the SEC, however, that
they will promptly call a meeting for the purpose of voting upon the question of
removal  of any  Trustee  when  requested  to do so by not less  than 10% of the
outstanding   shareowners  of  the  Funds.  In  addition,   subject  to  certain
conditions,  shareowners  of the Funds may apply to the  Company to  communicate
with  other  shareowners  to  request a  shareowners'  meeting  to vote upon the
removal of a Trustee or Trustees.



<PAGE>


Certain Provisions of Trust Instrument

         Under Delaware law, the shareowners of the Funds will not be personally
liable for the  obligations  of any Fund; a  shareowner  is entitled to the same
limitation of personal  liability  extended to shareowners of  corporations.  To
guard  against  the risk that the  Delaware  law might not be  applied  in other
states,  the Trust  Instrument  requires  that every  written  obligation of the
Company or a Fund contain a statement that such  obligation may only be enforced
against the assets of the Company or Fund and provides for  indemnification  out
of Company or Fund  property  of any  shareowner  nevertheless  held  personally
liable for Company or Fund obligations.

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Commissions

         The  Company  will  attempt to obtain the best  overall  price and most
favorable execution of transactions in portfolio securities. However, subject to
policies  established by the Board of Trustees of the Company,  a Fund may pay a
broker-dealer  a commission for effecting a portfolio  transaction for a Fund in
excess of the amount of commission another  broker-dealer  would have charged if
the Investment  Adviser  determines in good faith that the  commission  paid was
reasonable  in relation to the brokerage or research  services  provided by such
broker-dealer,  viewed in terms of that  particular  transaction  or such firm's
overall responsibilities with respect to the clients,  including the Fund, as to
which  it  exercises   investment   discretion.   In  selecting  and  monitoring
broker-dealers  and negotiating  commissions,  consideration  will be given to a
broker-dealer's  reliability,  the  quality  of  its  execution  services  on  a
continuing basis and its financial condition.

         Subject to the  foregoing  considerations,  preference  may be given in
executing portfolio  transactions for a Fund to brokers that have sold shares of
that Fund. Any such transactions, however, will comply with Rule 17e-1 under the
1940 Act.

Shareowner Reports and Inquires

         Shareowners  will  receive   Semi-Annual   Reports  showing   portfolio
investments  and other  information as of April 30 and Annual Reports audited by
independent accountants as of October 31. Shareowners with inquiries should call
the  Company  at (800)  992-8151  or  write  Alleghany  Funds,  P.O.  Box  5164,
Westborough, Massachusetts 01581.



<PAGE>



                               INVESTMENT ADVISER


                          Blairlogie Capital Management
                          4th Floor, 125 Princes Street
                           Edinburgh EH2 4AD, Scotland


                                  ADMINISTRATOR

                            The Chicago Trust Company
                             171 North Clark Street
                             Chicago, IL 60601-3294


                                    CUSTODIAN

                        Investors Fiduciary Trust Company
                                801 Pennsylvania
                              Kansas City, MO 64105


             For Additional Information about Alleghany Funds, call:
                                 (800) 992-8151





<PAGE>







                                   PROSPECTUS


                                   May 3, 1999


                   Alleghany/Blairlogie Emerging Markets Fund
                Alleghany/Blairlogie International Developed Fund


                                (Class I Shares)


                                 ALLEGHANY FUNDS


   
                Blairlogie Capital Management, Investment Adviser
                                 (800) 992-8151
    



<PAGE>


                                 ALLEGHANY FUNDS

                             171 North Clark Street
                                Chicago, IL 60601
                                 (800) 992-8151
                          http://www.alleghanyfunds.com

                          For Institutional Shareowners

                                 Class I Shares

                                   PROSPECTUS
                                   May 3, 1999

   
         ALLEGHANY  FUNDS  (the  "Company")  is a no-load,  open-end  management
investment  company which  consists of twelve  separate  diversified  investment
series designed to offer investors a variety of investment  opportunities.  This
Prospectus pertains only to the Class I shares of Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging
Markets  Fund and  Alleghany/Blairlogie  International  Developed  Fund  (each a
"Fund"  and  collectively,  the  "Funds").  Each  Fund has  distinct  investment
objectives and policies.  Each Fund's Investment  Adviser is Blairlogie  Capital
Management ("Blairlogie" or the "Investment Adviser").
    

         Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging  Markets Fund seeks long-term  growth of
capital  with  investments  primarily in common  stocks of companies  located in
emerging market countries.

         Alleghany/Blairlogie   International  Developed  Fund  seeks  long-term
growth of capital  through  investment  primarily in a diversified  portfolio of
international equity securities.

         Shares of each Fund may be purchased  or redeemed  without any purchase
or redemption  charge imposed by the Company,  although  institutions may charge
their customers for services provided in connection with their investments.

   
         Shares of the Funds are not  deposits,  obligations  of, or endorsed by
any bank,  and are not insured or  guaranteed by any bank,  the Federal  Deposit
Insurance  Corporation,  the Federal  Reserve  Board,  or any other  agency.  An
investment in a Fund involves  investment risks,  including the possible loss of
principle.

         This  Prospectus  sets forth  concisely  the  information a prospective
investor  should know before  investing in either of the above Funds.  Investors
should  read  and  retain  this  Prospectus  for  future  reference.  Additional
information  about  the  Funds  is  contained  in the  Statement  of  Additional
Information dated May 3, 1999, as supplemented from time to time, which has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and is available along
with   other    related    materials   on   the   SEC's    Internet   Web   site
(http://www.sec.gov). The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by
reference into this  Prospectus and is available upon request and without charge
from the Company, at the addresses and telephone numbers below.

         THESE   SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN  APPROVED  OR  DISAPPROVED  BY  THE
SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE   COMMISSION  NOR  HAS  THE  SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE
COMMISSION  PASSED  UPON  THE  ACCURACY  OR  ADEQUACY  OF THIS  PROSPECTUS.  ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

Fund Company:                                        Investment Adviser:
Alleghany Funds                                  Blairlogie Capital Management
    
171 North Clark Street                           4th Floor, 125 Princes Street
Chicago, IL  60601-3294                          Edinburgh EH2 4AD, Scotland
(800) 992-8151                                   (800) 992-8151



<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
                                                                                                              Page


PROSPECTUS SUMMARY........................................................................................     4
EXPENSE INFORMATION.......................................................................................     5
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES........................................................................     7
         Alleghany/Blairlogie Emerging Markets Fund.......................................................     7
         Alleghany/Blairlogie International Developed Fund................................................     8
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS.............................................................     9
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS...................................................................................    18
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT METHODS..............................................................................    18
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUNDS...............................................................................    19
PURCHASE OF SHARES........................................................................................    20
EXCHANGE OF SHARES........................................................................................    22
REDEMPTION OF SHARES......................................................................................    22
NET ASSET VALUE...........................................................................................    24
DIVIDENDS AND TAXES.......................................................................................    24
PERFORMANCE OF THE FUNDS..................................................................................    26
GENERAL INFORMATION.......................................................................................    26
</TABLE>




   
         THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFERING OF THE SECURITIES  HEREIN  DESCRIBED
IN ANY  JURISDICTION  OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A FUND TO MAKE
SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NO SALES REPRESENTATIVE,  DEALER, OR OTHER PERSON
IS  AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY  INFORMATION  OR MAKE ANY  REPRESENTATION  OTHER THAN
THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
    



<PAGE>



                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The Funds

   
         The Company is an  open-end,  management  investment  company  commonly
known as a mutual fund. The Company was established as a Delaware business trust
on September 10, 1993. The Company  currently  offers twelve  separate series of
shares.  This  Prospectus  offers  only  Class I shares of  Alleghany/Blairlogie
Emerging Markets Fund and Alleghany/Blairlogie International Developed Fund.
    

Investment Definitions

         Equity   Securities--The   term  "equity  securities"  as  used  herein
typically  refers  to  common  stock  or  preferred  stock,  which  represent  a
stockholder's  equity or  ownership  of shares in a  domestic  or  international
company, including those of emerging market countries.

   
         Debt  Securities--Examples  of "debt  securities" are bills,  notes and
bonds,  each  representing  a  promise  by the  issuer  to re-pay a debt that is
generally secured by the assets of such issuer. Also in this investment category
are  debentures,  which are bonds or  promissory  notes  that are  backed by the
general credit of the issuer, but not secured by specific assets of such issuer.
    

         Convertible  Features--Equity or debt securities purchased by the Funds
may have "convertible" features, whereby they can be exchanged for another class
of securities, according to the terms of their respective issuers.

         Short-Term  Instruments--"Short-term (or money market) instruments" are
generally private or Government  obligations with maturities of one year or less
and may  include  (but are not  limited to)  certificates  of deposit,  bankers'
acceptances, corporate commercial paper, and Government obligations.

   
         Derivative   Investments--The  term  "derivatives"  has  been  used  to
identify a range and variety of financial  categories.  In general, a derivative
is commonly defined as a financial  instrument whose performance is derived,  at
least in part, from the performance of an underlying  asset,  such as a specific
security or an index of securities.  Derivatives, which may be used from time to
time by the Funds and the investment risks associated with such instruments, are
discussed in detail under "INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS."
    

Investment Objectives of the Funds

         Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging  Markets Fund seeks long-term  growth of
capital  consistent  with  investments  primarily in common  stocks of companies
located in emerging market countries.

         Alleghany/Blairlogie   International  Developed  Fund  seeks  long-term
growth of capital  through  investment  primarily in a diversified  portfolio of
international equity securities.

How to Purchase Shares

   
         The   minimum    initial    investment    for   Class   I   shares   of
Alleghany/Blairlogie    Emerging    Markets   Fund   and    Alleghany/Blairlogie
International  Developed Fund is $1 million.  For purposes of this minimum,  the
accounts of a financial  consultant's  clients may be aggregated in  determining
whether the $1 million  minimum has been met. In  addition,  aggregation  may be
applied to the  accounts of immediate  family  members as well as to the related
accounts of a corporation  or other legal  entity.  The Funds may also waive the
minimum initial investment for investors who have signed a letter of intent.

         Class I shares of each Fund do not impose any sales load, redemption or
exchange fees or have a Distribution  Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 ("12b-1 Plan")
under the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as amended  (the "1940  Act").  The
public  offering  price is the net asset value per share next  determined  after
receipt of a  purchase  order in proper  form.  The Funds  offer two  classes of
shares; this Prospectus offers only Class I shares for institutional  investors.
See "PURCHASE OF SHARES and "GENERAL INFORMATION."
    


<PAGE>


How to Redeem Shares

   
         Shares  of each Fund may be  redeemed  at the net asset  value per 
share of Class I shares of the Fund next  determined  after receipt of a 
redemption request in proper form. Signature guarantees may be required. 
See "REDEMPTION OF SHARES."
    

Dividends

   
         Each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment
income and net realized capital gains, if any, to shareowners.  Distributions of
net  capital  gains,  if any,  will  be made  annually.  All  distributions  are
reinvested at net asset value, in additional  full and fractional  shares of the
respective  Fund unless and until the shareowner  notifies the Transfer Agent in
writing requesting  payments in cash. Each Fund declares and pays dividends,  if
any, quarterly. See "DIVIDENDS AND TAXES."
    

Management of the Funds

   
         Blairlogie,   125  Princes  Street,  Edinburgh  EH2  4AD,  Scotland,  a
registered  investment  advisor,  is  the  Investment  Adviser  for  each  Fund.
Blairlogie is  registered  as an  investment  advisor with the SEC in the United
States and with the Investment Management Regulatory  Organisation in the United
Kingdom.  Blairlogie  was founded in 1992.  Gavin Dobson is the Chief  Executive
Officer and James Smith is the Chief Investment Officer.
    

         As of November 23, 1998, Blairlogie managed over $890 million in assets
primarily for institutional clients.

   
         First  Data  Distributors,  Inc.,  4400  Computer  Drive,  Westborough,
Massachusetts 01581, serves as the Funds' Distributor. Investors Fiduciary Trust
Company, 801 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO 64105, serves as the Custodian of the
Funds'  assets.  The Chicago Trust Company  ("Chicago  Trust"),  171 North Clark
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601, serves as the Funds' Administrator.  First Data
Investor Services Group,  Inc., 53 State Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts  02109,
serves as the Funds'  Sub-Administrator.  First Data  Investor  Services  Group,
Inc.,  4400 Computer  Drive,  Westborough,  Massachusetts  01581,  serves as the
Funds' Transfer Agent.
    


                               EXPENSE INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                              <C> 
Shareowner Transaction Expenses for Each Fund:
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases                                                          None
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends                                               None
Maximum Deferred Sales Load                                                                      None
Redemption Fees                                                                                  None
Exchange Fees                                                                                    None
</TABLE>

   
         If you want to redeem  shares by wire  transfer,  the  Funds'  Transfer
Agent charges a fee,  currently $20.00,  for each wire redemption.  Institutions
may  independently  charge  fees for  shareowner  transactions  or for  advisory
services; please see their materials for details.
    




<PAGE>


Annual Fund Operating Expenses as a Percentage of Average Net Assets:

Alleghany/Blairlogie Emerging Markets Fund

Investment Advisory Fees (after voluntary fee waivers)............        0.52%
12b-1 Fees........................................................        None
Other Expenses....................................................        0.83%
                                                                          -----
Net Expense Ratio (after voluntary fee waivers)....................       1.35%
                                                                          =====

Alleghany/Blairlogie International Developed Fund

Investment Advisory Fees...........................................       0.85%
12b-1 Fees.........................................................       None
Other Expenses.....................................................       0.25%
                                                                          -----
Net Expense Ratio .................................................       1.10%
                                                                          =====

 .........The purpose of this table is to assist the investor in  understanding 
the various expenses that an investor in the Funds will bear directly or 
indirectly.

   
         (2)      The  above  table  reflects  an  estimate  of  the  Investment
                  Adviser's voluntary  undertakings to waive investment advisory
                  fees exceeding the limits shown. Absent such fee waivers,  the
                  investment advisory fees, other expenses,  and total operating
                  expenses,     respectively,     would    be    as     follows:
                  Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging Markets Fund 0.85%,  0.83%, and
                  1.68%.

         (2) Each Fund  offers  two  classes of shares  that  invest in the same
             portfolio  of  securities.  Shareowners  of Class I are not subject
to a 12b-1 Distribution Plan; therefore, expenses and performance figures will
vary between the classes.  The information set forth in the table above and the 
example below relates only to the Class I shares. See "GENERAL INFORMATION."
    

EXAMPLE:

         Based  on the  level of  expenses  listed  above,  the  total  expenses
relating to an  investment  of $1,000 would be as follows,  assuming a 5% annual
return and redemption at the end of each time period.

Name of Fund                                   1 Year            3 Years
- ------------                                   ------            -------
Alleghany/Blairlogie                            $14                $42
Emerging Markets Fund

Alleghany/Blairlogie                            $11                $34
International Developed Fund

   
         The   foregoing   tables  are   designed  to  assist  the  investor  in
understanding  the  various  costs  and  expenses  that a  shareowner  will bear
directly or  indirectly.  While the  example  assumes a 5% annual  return,  each
Fund's actual  performance will vary and may result in actual returns greater or
less than 5%. The example should not be considered a  representation  of past or
future expenses and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown.
    

Performance Measures

   
         From time to time, the Funds may advertise  performance measures as set
forth  under  "PERFORMANCE  OF THE  FUNDS."  Performance  measures  are based on
historical earnings and are not intended to indicate future performance.
    



<PAGE>


Portfolio Turnover

   
         The portfolio turnover rate for each Fund is calculated by dividing the
lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio  investments for the reporting  period
by the monthly  average  value of the  portfolio  investments  owned  during the
reporting period.  The calculation  excludes all securities,  including options,
whose  maturities or expiration dates at the time of acquisition are one year or
less.  Portfolio turnover may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a
particular  year,  and may be affected by cash  requirements  for  redemption of
units and by  requirements  which  enable the Funds to receive a  favorable  tax
treatment.  In any event, portfolio turnover is generally not expected to exceed
100% in each  Fund.  A high rate of  portfolio  turnover  (i.e.,  over 100%) may
result  in  the   realization   of   substantial   capital  gains  and  involves
correspondingly greater transaction costs.
    


                       INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

   
         The  investment  objective of each Fund is  fundamental  and may not be
changed  without a vote of the holders of the majority of the voting  securities
of the Fund.  Unless  otherwise  stated in this  Prospectus  or the Statement of
Additional Information,  each Fund's investment policies are not fundamental and
may be changed without shareowner  approval.  While a non-fundamental  policy or
restriction  may be changed by the  Trustees of the Company  without  shareowner
approval, the Funds intend to notify shareowners before making any change in any
such policy or  restriction.  Fundamental  policies  may not be changed  without
shareowner approval.
    

         The Funds strive to attain their investment objectives,  but there can,
of course,  be no assurance that it will do so. Please refer to the policies and
risk  disclosures  more fully  described under  "INVESTMENT  STRATEGIES AND RISK
CONSIDERATIONS."  Additional  investment policies and restrictions are described
in the Statement of Additional Information.

ALLEGHANY/BLAIRLOGIE EMERGING MARKETS FUND

   
         Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging  Markets Fund seeks long-term  growth of
capital.  The Fund invests  primarily in common  stocks of companies  located in
countries  identified as emerging market  countries.  The Morgan Stanley Capital
International  Emerging  Markets  Free  Index  ("MSCI  EM Free  Index")  and the
International  Finance  Corporation  Investable Index ("IFCI Index") are used as
the bases for choosing the  countries in which the Fund  invests.  However,  the
Fund is not  limited to the  countries  and  weightings  of these  indexes.  The
Investment Adviser applies two levels of screening in selecting  investments for
the Fund.  First,  an active country  selection model analyzes world markets and
assigns a relative value ranking,  or "favorability  weighting," to each country
in the relevant  country  universe to  determine  markets  which are  relatively
undervalued.  Second,  at the stock selection level,  quality analysis and value
analysis are applied to each security, assessing variables such as balance sheet
strength and earnings growth (quality factors),  and performance relative to the
industry,  price to earnings  ratios,  and price to book ratios (value factors).
This two-level screening method identifies  undervalued  securities for purchase
as well as provides a sell discipline for fully valued securities.  In selecting
securities,  the Investment Adviser considers,  to the extent practicable and on
the basis of information available to it for research, a company's environmental
business practices.
    

         For purposes of implementing its investment objective, the Fund invests
primarily in some or all of the following  emerging market  countries (this list
is not exclusive):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                 <C>                 <C>                <C>                <C>                 <C>
Argentina           Czech Republic      Indonesia          Pakistan           Philippines         Thailand
Brazil              Greece              Israel             South Africa       Poland              Turkey
Chile               Hong Kong           Jordan             South Korea        Romania             Venezuela
China               Hungary             Malaysia           Sri Lanka          Russia              Zimbabwe
Colombia            India               Mexico             Peru               Taiwan
</TABLE>

         For  purposes  of  allocating  the  Fund's  investments,  a company  is
considered to be located in the country in which it is domiciled, in which it is
primarily traded,  from which it derives a significant  portion of its revenues,
or in which a significant portion of its goods or services are produced.



<PAGE>


   
         Most of the  foreign  securities  in  which  the Fund  invests  will be
denominated  in foreign  currencies.  The Fund may  engage in  foreign  currency
transactions to protect itself against  fluctuations in currency  exchange rates
in relation  to the U.S.  dollar or to the  weighting  of a  particular  foreign
currency  on the MSCI EM Free Index or the IFCI  Index.  Such  foreign  currency
transactions  may include forward foreign currency  contracts,  foreign exchange
futures contracts, and options thereon, currency exchange transactions on a spot
(i.e., cash) basis, and put and call options on foreign currencies. Up to 10% of
the  Fund's  assets  may be  invested  in the  securities  of  other  investment
companies.  The Fund may sell (write) call and put options. The Fund may utilize
stock index futures  contracts and options thereon for hedging purposes and also
for  investment  purposes.  For  instance,  the Fund may  invest in stock  index
futures contracts and related options as an alternative to purchasing individual
stocks to adjust its exposure to a particular  foreign  market.  See "Investment
Strategies and Risk  Considerations--Derivative  Instruments--Futures  Contracts
and  Related   Options."   The  Fund  may  also  engage  in  equity  index  swap
transactions.

         Investing  in the  securities  of  foreign  issuers,  and  particularly
emerging market issuers, involves special risks and considerations not typically
associated with investing in U.S. companies. For a discussion of such risks, see
"Investment Strategies and Risk Considerations--Foreign Securities."
    

ALLEGHANY/BLAIRLOGIE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPED FUND

   
         Alleghany/Blairlogie   International  Developed  Fund  seeks  long-term
growth of capital.  The Fund  invests  primarily in a  diversified  portfolio of
international equity securities.  The Morgan Stanley Capital  International EAFE
(Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index ("MSCI EAFE Index") is used as a basis for
choosing  the  countries  in which the Fund  invests.  However,  the Fund is not
limited to the  countries and  weightings  of the MSCI EAFE Index.  Under normal
market  conditions,  the Fund  will  invest  no more  than 15% of its  assets in
securities issued by companies located in countries that the Investment  Adviser
determines,  on  the  basis  of  market  capitalization,  liquidity,  and  other
considerations,  to  have  underdeveloped  securities  markets.  The  Investment
Adviser  applies two levels of screening in selecting  investments for the Fund.
First,  an active country  selection  model analyzes world markets and assigns a
relative  value  ranking,  or  "favorability  weighting," to each country in the
relevant country universe to determine markets which are relatively undervalued.
Second,  at the stock selection  level,  quality analysis and value analysis are
applied to each security, assessing variables such as balance sheet strength and
earnings  growth  (quality  factors) and  performance  relative to the industry,
price to  earnings  ratios,  and  price to book  ratios  (value  factors).  This
two-level  screening method identifies  undervalued  securities for purchase and
also  provides a sell  discipline  for fully  valued  securities.  In  selecting
securities,  the Investment Adviser considers,  to the extent practicable and on
the basis of information available to it for research, a company's environmental
business practices.
    

         For  purposes  of  allocating  the  Fund's  investments,  a company  is
considered to be located in the country in which it is domiciled, in which it is
primarily traded,  from which it derives a significant  portion of its revenues,
or in which a significant portion of its goods or services are produced.

   
         Most of the  international  equity securities in which the Fund invests
will be traded in foreign  currencies.  The Fund may engage in foreign  currency
transactions to protect itself against  fluctuations in currency  exchange rates
in relation  to the U.S.  dollar or to the  weighting  of a  particular  foreign
currency on the MSCI EAFE Index. Such foreign currency  transactions may include
forward foreign currency  contracts,  foreign exchange  futures  contracts,  and
options thereon,  currency exchange  transactions on a spot (i.e.,  cash) basis,
and put and call options on foreign  currencies.  Up to 10% of the Fund's assets
may be invested in the securities of other  investment  companies.  The Fund may
sell  (write)  call and put options.  The Fund may utilize  stock index  futures
contracts  and  options  thereon for hedging  purposes  and also for  investment
purposes. For instance, the Fund may invest in stock index futures contracts and
related options as an alternative to purchasing  individual stocks to adjust its
exposure to a particular  foreign market.  See  "Investment  Strategies and Risk
Considerations--Derivative Instruments--Futures Contracts and Options." The Fund
may also engage in equity index swap transactions.

         Investing in the  securities of foreign  issuers  involves  special 
risks and  considerations  not typically  associated with investing in U.S. 
companies. For a discussion of such risks, see "Investment Strategies and Risk 
Considerations--Foreign Securities."
    



<PAGE>


General

   
         Each Fund will invest  primarily  (normally at least 65% of its assets)
in common  stock.  Each Fund may  maintain a portion of its  assets,  which will
usually  not exceed  10%,  in U.S.  Government  securities,  high  quality  debt
securities  (whose  maturity or remaining  maturity will not exceed five years),
money  market  obligations,  and in cash to  provide  for  payment of the Fund's
expenses and to meet redemption requests. It is the policy of the Funds to be as
fully  invested  in common  stocks as  practicable  at all  times.  This  policy
precludes the Funds from investing in debt securities as a defensive  investment
posture (although the Funds may invest in such securities to provide for payment
of expenses  and to meet  redemption  requests).  Accordingly,  investors in the
Funds  bear the risk of  general  declines  in stock  prices and the risk that a
Fund's  exposure  to such  declines  cannot be lessened  by  investment  in debt
securities.  The Funds may also invest in World Equity Benchmark Shares ("WEBS")
and Optimised Portfolios as Listed Securities ("OPALS"), convertible securities,
preferred stock, and warrants, subject to certain limitations.

         Each  Fund  may  temporarily  not  be  invested   primarily  in  equity
securities immediately following the commencement of operations or after receipt
of significant new monies.  While attempting to identify  suitable  investments,
the Funds may hold assets in cash,  short-term U.S. Government  securities,  and
other money market instruments. Each Fund may temporarily not contain the number
of  securities  in which  the Fund  normally  invests  if the Fund does not have
sufficient  assets to be fully  invested,  or pending the  Investment  Adviser's
ability to prudently invest new monies.

         Each Fund may also lend  portfolio  securities;  enter into  repurchase
agreements and reverse repurchase agreements;  purchase and sell securities on a
when-issued or delayed  delivery  basis;  and enter into forward  commitments to
purchase  securities.  Each Fund may  invest  in  American  Depositary  Receipts
("ADRs"),  European  Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") and Global Depositary Receipts
("GDRs").  Each Fund may invest a portion of its assets in debt  securities  and
money market obligations issued by U.S. and foreign issuers that are either U.S.
dollar-denominated  or denominated in foreign currency.  For more information on
these  and other  investment  practices,  see  "Investment  Strategies  and Risk
Consideration"  in this Prospectus and  "Investment  Objectives and Policies" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
    


                  INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS

In General

   
         Shareowners  should  understand that all  investments  involve risk and
there can be no  guarantee  against loss  resulting  from an  investment  in the
Funds, nor can there be any assurance that each Fund's investment objective will
be attained.  Unless otherwise indicated,  all percentage  limitations governing
the investments of each Fund apply only at the time of transaction. Accordingly,
if a percentage  restriction  is adhered to at the time of  investment,  a later
increase or decrease in the  percentage  represented  by such  investment  which
results  from a  relative  change in  values or from a change in a Fund's  total
assets will not be considered a violation.
    

Money Market Securities

   
         Each  Fund  may  invest  in money  market  securities,  including  bank
obligations  and  commercial   paper.  Bank  obligations  may  include  bankers'
acceptances,   negotiable  certificates  of  deposit,  and  non-negotiable  time
deposits earning a specified  return,  issued for a definite period of time by a
U.S.  bank that is a member of the Federal  Reserve  System or is insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation,  or by a savings and loan association or
savings bank that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  Bank
obligations also include U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches
of U.S.  banks or of U.S.  branches  of foreign  banks,  all of the same type as
domestic bank  obligations.  Investments in bank  obligations are limited to the
obligations  of  financial  institutions  having  more than $1  billion in total
assets at the time of purchase.

         Domestic  and foreign  banks are  subject to  extensive  but  different
government  regulations  that may limit the amount and types of their  loans and
the interest rates that may be charged.  In addition,  the  profitability of the
banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds to
finance lending operations and the quality of underlying bank assets.
    


<PAGE>


   
         Investments  in  obligations  of foreign  branches of U.S. banks and of
U.S.  branches  of foreign  banks may  subject a Fund to  additional  investment
risks,  including  future  political  and  economic  developments,  the possible
imposition  of  withholding  taxes  on  interest  income,  possible  seizure  or
nationalization  of foreign  deposits,  the possible  establishment  of exchange
controls, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might
adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such  obligations.  In
addition,  foreign branches of U.S. banks and U.S. branches of foreign banks may
be subject to less stringent reserve  requirements and to different  accounting,
auditing,  reporting,  and record  keeping  standards  than those  applicable to
domestic branches of U.S. banks. Investments in the obligations of U.S. branches
of foreign  banks or foreign  branches of U.S.  banks will be made only when the
Investment  Adviser believes that the credit risk with respect to the investment
is minimal.

         Commercial  paper may include variable and  floating-rate  instruments,
which are  unsecured  instruments  that  permit  the  interest  on  indebtedness
thereunder to vary.  Variable-rate  instruments provide for periodic adjustments
in the interest rate. Floating-rate instruments provide for automatic adjustment
of the interest rate whenever some other specified  interest rate changes.  Some
variable and floating-rate  obligations are direct lending  arrangements between
the  purchaser  and the  issuer  and there may be no  active  secondary  market.
However,  in the case of variable and floating-rate  obligations with the demand
feature,  a Fund may demand payment of principal and accrued  interest at a time
specified in the  instrument or may resell the  instrument to a third party.  In
the event an issuer of a variable or floating-rate  obligation  defaulted on its
payment obligation, a Fund might be unable to dispose of the note because of the
absence of a secondary  market and could,  for this or other  reasons,  suffer a
loss  to the  extent  of the  default.  Substantial  holdings  of  variable  and
floating-rate instruments could reduce portfolio liquidity.
    

Borrowing

   
         Each Fund may not borrow  money or issue senior  securities,  except as
described  in this  paragraph.  Each Fund may  borrow  from  banks or enter into
reverse repurchase agreements for temporary purposes in amounts up to 10% of the
value of its total assets.  Each Fund may not mortgage,  pledge,  or hypothecate
any assets,  except that each Fund may  mortgage,  pledge,  or  hypothecate  its
assets in connection with any such borrowing and in amounts not in excess of the
lesser of the dollar amounts borrowed or 10% of the value of the total assets of
the Fund. A Fund will not purchase  securities  while its borrowings  (including
reverse  repurchase  agreements)  exceed 5% of its total  assets.  Each Fund may
borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary  purposes or to facilitate
redemptions.  Each Fund will not  borrow  money in excess of 25% of the value of
its total  assets.  The Funds have no intention of  increasing  their net income
through  borrowing.  Any  borrowing  will be done from a bank with the  required
asset  coverage of at least 300%. In the event that such asset coverage shall at
any time fall below 300%,  the Fund shall,  within  three days  thereafter  (not
including Sundays or holidays) or such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by
rules and  regulations,  reduce the amount of its  borrowings  to such an extent
that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%.
    

Illiquid Securities

   
         Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities that are
illiquid.  Illiquid  securities will generally include,  but are not limited to:
repurchase agreements and time deposits with notice/termination  dates in excess
of seven days; unlisted  over-the-counter  options;  interest rate, currency and
mortgage swap agreements;  interest rate caps,  floors and collars;  and certain
securities  which are  subject  to  trading  restrictions  because  they are not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act").
    

Repurchase Agreements

   
         Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements pursuant to which a Fund
purchases  portfolio  assets from a bank or broker-dealer  concurrently  with an
agreement by the seller to  repurchase  the same assets from the Fund at a later
date at a fixed price. Repurchase agreements are considered, under the 1940 Act,
to be  collateralized  loans by a Fund to the seller  secured by the  securities
transferred to the Fund.  Repurchase  agreements will be fully collateralized by
securities  in which  the Fund may  invest  directly.  Such  collateral  will be
marked-to-market  daily.  If the  seller of the  underlying  security  under the
repurchase  agreement  should  default  on  its  obligation  to  repurchase  the
underlying security, a Fund may experience delay or difficulty in exercising its
right to realize  upon the security  and, in  addition,  may incur a loss if the
value  of  the  security  should  decline,  as  well  as  disposition  costs  in
liquidating  the  security.  A Fund must treat each  repurchase  agreement  as a
security for tax diversification  purposes and not as cash, a cash equivalent or
receivable.
    


<PAGE>


Reverse Repurchase Agreements

   
         Each Fund may enter into reverse  repurchase  agreements with banks and
broker-dealers.  Reverse  repurchase  agreements  involve  sales  by a  Fund  of
portfolio assets  concurrently  with an agreement by that Fund to repurchase the
same  assets at a later date at a fixed  price.  During the  reverse  repurchase
agreement period,  the Fund continues to receive principal and interest payments
on  these  securities.  During  the  time  a  reverse  repurchase  agreement  is
outstanding, the Fund will maintain a segregated custodial account consisting of
cash or liquid  securities  having a value at least  equal to the resale  price.
Reverse  repurchase  agreements are considered to be borrowings by the Fund, and
as such are  subject to the  investment  limitations  discussed  above under the
sub-section titled "Borrowing."
    

Rule 144A Securities

   
         Each Fund may purchase  securities  which are not registered  under the
1933 Act but which can be sold to "qualified institutional buyers" in accordance
with Rule 144A  under the 1933 Act.  Any such  security  will not be  considered
illiquid so long as it is determined by the Investment  Adviser under guidelines
approved by the Company's  Board of Trustees,  that an adequate  trading  market
exists for that  security.  This  investment  practice  could have the effect of
increasing  the level of  illiquidity in a Fund during any period that qualified
institutional   buyers  become   uninterested  in  purchasing  these  restricted
securities.
    

Securities Lending

   
         Each Fund may seek  additional  income from time to time by lending its
respective  portfolio  securities  on a short-term  basis to banks,  brokers and
dealers  under  agreements.  Loans of  portfolio  securities  by a Fund  will be
collateralized by cash held in non-interest bearing demand accounts,  letters of
credit or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies
or instrumentalities which will be maintained at all times in an amount equal to
the current market value of the loaned securities.  Each Fund will not make such
loans in excess of 25% of the value of its total assets. The major risk to which
the Funds would be exposed on a loan  transaction  is the risk that the borrower
would  become  bankrupt  at a time  when  the  value  of the  security  goes up.
Therefore,  a Fund will only enter into loan arrangements  after a review by the
Investment  Adviser,  subject to overall  supervision  by the Board of Trustees,
including a review of the  creditworthiness  of the borrowing  broker-dealer  or
other  institution and then only if the  consideration  to be received from such
loans would justify the risk.  Creditworthiness  will be monitored on an ongoing
basis by the Investment Adviser.
    

Securities of Other Investment Companies

   
         Each  Fund  may  invest  in  securities   issued  by  other  investment
companies,  such as closed-end  management  investment  companies,  or in pooled
accounts  or other  investment  vehicles  that invest in foreign  markets.  As a
shareowner of another investment company, each Fund would bear, along with other
shareowners,  its pro  rata  portion  of  such  investment  company's  expenses,
including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory and
other expenses that a Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations.
    

Short-Term Trading

   
         Each Fund may engage in short-term  trading.  Securities may be sold in
anticipation  of a market decline or purchased in  anticipation of a market rise
and later sold.  In addition,  a security  may be sold and another  purchased at
approximately  the same time to take  advantage of what a Fund  believes to be a
temporary disparity in the normal yield relationship between the two securities.
Such trading may be expected to increase a Fund's  portfolio  turnover  rate and
the expenses incurred in connection with such trading.
    

Foreign Securities

         Each Fund may invest directly in foreign equity securities; U.S. dollar
or foreign  currency-denominated  foreign  corporate  debt  securities;  foreign
preferred securities;  certificates of deposit, fixed time deposits and bankers'
acceptances issued by foreign banks; obligations of foreign governments or their
subdivisions, agencies and


<PAGE>


   
instrumentalities,   international  agencies  and  supranational  entities;  and
securities  represented  by ADRs,  EDRs,  or GDRs.  ADRs are  dollar-denominated
receipts issued  generally by domestic banks and  representing  the deposit with
the bank of a security of a foreign issuer, and are publicly traded on exchanges
or  over-the-counter in the United States. EDRs are receipts similar to ADRs and
are issued and traded in  Europe.  GDRs may be offered  privately  in the United
States and also trade in public or private markets in other countries.

         The  Funds may  invest in WEBS and  OPALS.  These  investment  vehicles
create  optimised  baskets of ordinary  shares  that seek to provide  investment
returns  that  track the  performance  of each  relevant  index.  WEBS have been
designed by a group involving Morgan Stanley,  BZW Barclays and others,  whereas
OPALS  have been  designed  exclusively  by Morgan  Stanley.  WEBS are issued by
Foreign Fund Inc., an open-ended  investment  company  registered under the 1940
Act.  Purchasers of WEBS become equity owners in the Foreign Fund.  OPALS have a
hybrid structure.  They have debt  characteristics  such as fixed redemption and
semi-annual interest payments,  but performance is equity-driven.  Both WEBS and
OPALS offer an efficient way to gain access to foreign markets.  Their use would
primarily  be  to  facilitate   asset   allocation   switches  and  to  overcome
difficulties in markets with structural peculiarities.

         Investing in the securities of issuers in any foreign country  involves
special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S.
companies.  Shareowners should consider carefully the substantial risks involved
in  investing  in  securities  issued by companies  and  governments  of foreign
nations. These risks include: differences in accounting,  auditing and financial
reporting  standards;  generally higher  commission  rates on foreign  portfolio
transactions; the possibility of nationalization,  expropriation or confiscatory
taxation;  adverse changes in investment or exchange control  regulations (which
may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a country);  and
political  instability which could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries.
Individual  foreign  economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S.
economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation,
capital  reinvestment,  resources,  self-sufficiency,  and  balance of  payments
position.  The  securities  markets,  values of  securities,  yields,  and risks
associated  with  securities  markets  may change  independently  of each other.
Additionally,  foreign  securities  and dividends and interest  payable on those
securities  may be subject to  foreign  taxes,  including  taxes  withheld  from
payments on those securities. Foreign securities often trade with less frequency
and volume than domestic  securities  and  therefore  may exhibit  greater price
volatility. Additional costs associated with an investment in foreign securities
may include higher custodial fees than apply to domestic custodial  arrangements
and  transaction  costs of  foreign  currency  conversions.  Changes  in foreign
exchange rates also will affect the value of securities denominated or quoted in
currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

         A Fund's  investments in foreign currency  denominated debt obligations
and hedging  activities will likely produce a difference between its book income
and its taxable income. This difference may cause a portion of the Fund's income
distributions  to constitute  returns of capital for tax purposes or require the
Fund to make  distributions  exceeding  book  income to qualify  as a  regulated
investment company for federal tax purposes.

         Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging  Markets Fund (up to 100% of its assets)
and Alleghany/Blairlogie  International Developed Fund (up to 15% of its assets)
may invest in the  securities  of issuers  based in  countries  with  developing
economies.  Investing in developing (or "emerging  market")  countries  involves
certain risks not typically  associated with investing in U.S.  securities,  and
imposes  risks  greater  than, or in addition to, risks of investing in foreign,
developed countries.  A number of emerging market countries restrict, to varying
degrees,  foreign  investment in securities.  Repatriation of investment income,
capital, and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental
registration and/or approval in some emerging market countries.  A number of the
currencies of emerging market  countries have experienced  significant  declines
against the U.S. dollar in recent years, and devaluation may occur subsequent to
investments in these currencies by a Fund.  Inflation and rapid  fluctuations in
inflation  rates have had,  and may  continue to have,  negative  effects on the
economies and securities  markets of certain emerging market countries.  Many of
the emerging  securities markets are relatively small, have low trading volumes,
suffer periods of relative  illiquidity,  and are  characterized  by significant
price  volatility.  There is a risk in emerging  market  countries that a future
economic or political  crisis could lead to price  controls,  forced  mergers of
companies, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization,  or
creation of government monopolies, any of which may have a detrimental effect on
a Fund's investment.
    



<PAGE>


   
         Additional risks of investing in emerging market countries may include:
currency  exchange rate  fluctuations;  greater  social,  economic and political
uncertainty  and  instability  (including  the  risk of war);  more  substantial
governmental  involvement  in the economy;  less  governmental  supervision  and
regulation  of  the  securities  markets  and  participants  in  those  markets;
unavailability  of  currency  hedging  techniques  in  certain  emerging  market
countries;  the fact that  companies in emerging  market  countries may be newly
organized and may be smaller and less seasoned companies;  the difference in, or
lack of,  auditing  and  financial  reporting  standards,  which  may  result in
unavailability of material  information  about issuers;  the risk that it may be
more  difficult  to obtain  and/or  enforce a judgement  in a court  outside the
United States;  and  significantly  smaller market  capitalization of securities
markets.  Also,  any change in the  leadership  or politics  of emerging  market
countries,  or the countries  that exercise a significant  influence  over those
countries,  may halt the expansion of or reverse the  liberalization  of foreign
investment  policies now  occurring  and adversely  affect  existing  investment
opportunities.

         In addition,  emerging  securities markets may have different clearance
and settlement  procedures,  which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of
securities  transactions  or  otherwise  make it  difficult  to  engage  in such
transactions. Settlement problems may cause a Fund to miss attractive investment
opportunities, hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, or delay
in  disposing  of a portfolio  security.  Such a delay could  result in possible
liability to a purchaser of the security.
    

Foreign Currency Transactions

   
         Foreign currency exchange rates may fluctuate  significantly over short
periods  of time.  They  generally  are  determined  by the forces of supply and
demand in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in
different  countries,  actual or perceived  changes in interest  rates and other
complex factors,  as seen from an international  perspective.  Currency exchange
rates also can be  affected  unpredictably  by  intervention  (or the failure to
intervene)  by U.S.  or foreign  governments  or central  banks,  or by currency
controls  or  political  developments  in  the  U.S.  or  abroad.  For  example,
significant  uncertainty  surrounds  the  proposed  introduction  of the euro (a
common  currency unit for the European  Union) in January 1999 and its effect on
the value of securities  denominated  in local  European  currencies.  These and
other  currencies  in which the Funds'  assets are  denominated  may be devalued
against the U.S. dollar, resulting in a loss to the Funds.

         The Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to
reduce the risks of adverse changes in foreign exchange rates. In addition,  the
Funds may buy and sell foreign currency futures contracts and options on foreign
currencies  and  foreign  currency  futures.  Each Fund may enter  into  forward
foreign  currency  exchange  contracts to reduce the risks of adverse changes in
foreign exchange rates. A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves an
obligation 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  agreed  upon by the
parties, at a price set at the time of the contract.  By entering into a forward
foreign  currency  exchange  contract,  the Fund  "locks in" the  exchange  rate
between the  currency it will  deliver and the  currency it will receive for the
duration of the contract. As a result, a Fund reduces its exposure to changes in
the value of the currency it will deliver and  increases its exposure to changes
in the value of the currency it will exchange into. The effect on the value of a
Fund is similar to selling securities denominated in one currency and purchasing
securities  denominated  in another.  Contracts to sell foreign  currency  would
limit any  potential  gain that might be  realized by a Fund if the value of the
hedged currency increases. A Fund may enter into these contracts for the purpose
of hedging against foreign  exchange risk arising from the Fund's  investment or
anticipated  investment in securities  denominated in foreign  currencies.  Such
hedging  transactions  may not be successful  and may eliminate any chance for a
Fund to benefit from favorable fluctuations in relevant foreign currencies.  The
Funds also may enter into these contracts for purposes of increasing exposure to
a foreign  currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency  fluctuations  from
one country to another. To the extent that they do so, the Funds will be subject
to the additional  risk that the relative value of currencies  will be different
than  anticipated  by the  Fund's  Investment  Adviser.  The  Funds  may use one
currency (or a basket of  currencies)  to hedge against  adverse  changes in the
value of  another  currency  (or a basket of  currencies)  when  exchange  rates
between the two currencies are positively  correlated.  Each Fund will segregate
assets  determined to be liquid by the  Investment  Adviser in  accordance  with
procedures established by the Board of Trustees in a segregated account to cover
its obligations under forward foreign currency  exchange  contracts entered into
for non-hedging purposes.
    



<PAGE>


Derivative Investments

   
         The term "derivatives" has been used to identify a range and variety of
financial  instruments.  In  general,  a  derivative  is  commonly  defined as a
financial  instrument whose performance and value are derived, at least in part,
from another  source,  such as the  performance  of an  underlying  asset,  or a
specific security, or an index of securities. As is the case with other types of
investments,  a Fund's  derivative  instruments  may  entail  various  types and
degrees of risk,  depending upon the characteristics of a derivative  instrument
and the Fund's overall portfolio.

         Each Fund may engage in such  practices  for  hedging  purposes,  or to
maintain  liquidity,  or in  anticipation  of changes in the  composition of its
portfolio holdings.  Each Fund will not engage in derivative  investments purely
for speculative  purposes. A Fund will invest in one or more derivatives only to
the extent that the instrument  under  consideration is judged by the Investment
Adviser  to be  consistent  with the Fund's  overall  investment  objective  and
policies.  In making such  judgment,  the  potential  benefits and risks will be
considered in relation to the Fund's other portfolio investments.

         Where not specified,  investment  limitations  with respect to a Fund's
derivative  instruments will be consistent with such Fund's existing  percentage
limitations with respect its overall investment policies and restrictions. While
not a fundamental  policy,  the total of all  instruments  deemed  derivative in
nature by the  Investment  Adviser will generally not exceed 20% of total assets
for each Fund;  however,  as this policy is not  fundamental,  it may be changed
from time to time when  deemed  appropriate  by the  Board of  Trustees.  Listed
below,  including  risks and  policies  with respect  thereto,  are the types of
securities in which the Funds are permitted to invest that are considered by the
Investment Adviser to be derivative in nature.
    

1.       Options:

         Each Fund may engage in options, including those described below.

   
         A call option enables the purchaser, in return for the premium paid, to
purchase  securities  from the writer of the option at an agreed  price up to an
agreed date.  The  advantage is that the purchaser may hedge against an increase
in the price of securities it ultimately  wishes to buy or may take advantage of
a rise in a  particular  index.  A Fund will only  purchase  call options to the
extent premiums paid on all  outstanding  call options do not exceed 20% of such
Fund's  total  assets.  A Fund will only sell or write call options on a covered
basis (e.g. on securities it holds in its portfolio).

         A put option  enables the  purchaser  of the option,  in return for the
premium  paid, to sell the security  underlying  the option to the writer at the
exercise  price during the option  period,  and the writer of the option has the
obligation  to purchase  the  security  from the  purchaser  of the option.  The
advantage is that the purchaser can be protected  should the market value of the
security decline or should a particular index decline. A Fund will only purchase
put options to the extent that the  premiums on all  outstanding  put options do
not exceed 20% of a Fund's total  assets.  A Fund will only purchase put options
on a  covered  basis and write put  options  on a secured  basis.  Cash or other
collateral  will be held in a segregated  account for such options.  A Fund will
receive  premium  income from writing put options,  although it may be required,
when the put is  exercised,  to purchase  securities  at higher  prices than the
current  market  price.  At the time of purchase,  a Fund will  receive  premium
income from writing call options,  which may offset the cost of  purchasing  put
options  and may also  contribute  to a  Fund's  total  return.  A Fund may lose
potential  market  appreciation  if the  judgment of its  Investment  Adviser is
incorrect  with respect to interest  rates,  security  prices or the movement of
indices.
    

         An option on a securities  index gives the purchaser of the option,  in
return for the premium paid,  the right to receive cash from the seller equal to
the difference  between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of
the option.

   
         Each Fund may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies as
a hedge against changes in the value of the U.S. dollar (or another currency) in
relation to a foreign currency in which a Fund's  securities may be denominated.
Currency  options  traded on U.S. or other  exchanges may be subject to position
limits  that may limit the  ability of a Fund to reduce  foreign  currency  risk
using such options.
    


<PAGE>


   
         Over-the-counter  options  in which the Funds may  invest  differ  from
traded options in that they are two-party contracts,  with price and other terms
negotiated  between  buyer and seller,  and generally do not have as much market
liquidity  as  exchange-traded  options.  The Funds may be  required to treat as
illiquid  over-the-counter  options purchased and securities being used to cover
certain written over-the-counter options.

         Closing transactions  essentially let a Fund offset put options or call
options  prior to exercise  or  expiration.  If a Fund  cannot  effect a closing
transaction, it may have to hold a security it would otherwise sell or deliver a
security it might want to hold.

         A Fund may use  options  traded on U.S.  exchanges,  and to the  extent
permitted by law, options traded over-the-counter. It is the position of the SEC
that over-the-counter options are illiquid.  Accordingly,  a Fund will invest in
such options only to the extent  consistent with its 15% limit on investments in
illiquid  securities.  Please see "General Risk Factors"  below and refer to the
Statement  of  Additional  Information  for a more  detailed  discussion  of the
applicable risk considerations.
    

2.   Forward Commitments, When-Issued Securities, and Delayed-Delivery 
     Transactions:

   
         Each  Fund  may  purchase  or  sell  securities  on  a  when-issued  or
delayed-delivery  basis and make contracts to purchase or sell  securities for a
fixed  price at a future  date  beyond  customary  settlement  time.  Securities
purchased  or sold on a  when-issued,  delayed-delivery,  or forward  commitment
basis  involve  a risk of loss if the  value  of the  security  to be  purchased
declines prior to the settlement date.  Although a Fund would generally purchase
securities on a when-issued,  delayed-delivery, or forward commitment basis with
the intention of acquiring the securities, a Fund may dispose of such securities
prior to settlement if its  Investment  Adviser deems it  appropriate  to do so.
Please see "General Risk Factors" below and refer to the Statement of Additional
Information   for  a  more   detailed   discussion   of  the   applicable   risk
considerations.
    

3.       Futures Contracts and Related Options:

   
         Each Fund may  engage in  futures  contracts  and  options  on  futures
contracts for hedging purposes or to maintain liquidity. However, a Fund may not
purchase  or  sell  a  futures  contract  unless   immediately  after  any  such
transaction  the sum of the aggregate  amount of margin deposits on its existing
futures  positions and the amount of premiums paid for related  options is 5% or
less of its total  assets,  after  taking into  account  unrealized  profits and
unrealized  losses  on any such  contracts.  At  maturity,  a  futures  contract
obligates  the Fund to take or make  delivery of certain  securities or the cash
value of a  securities  index.  A Fund may sell a futures  contract  in order to
offset a decrease in the market  value of its  portfolio  securities  that might
otherwise  result  from a market  decline.  A Fund may do so either to hedge the
value of its portfolio of securities as a whole, or to protect against declines,
occurring  prior to sales of  securities,  in the value of the  securities to be
sold.  Conversely,  a Fund may purchase a futures  contract in  anticipation  of
purchases of securities.  In addition,  a Fund may utilize futures  contracts in
anticipation of changes in the composition of its portfolio holdings.
    

         Any gain  derived  by a Fund from the use of such  instruments  will be
treated as a combination  of short-term  and long-term  capital gain and, if not
offset by realized  capital losses  incurred by the Fund, will be distributed to
shareowners  and will be taxable to  shareowners  as a  combination  of ordinary
income and long-term capital gain.

   
         A Fund may purchase and sell call and put options on futures  contracts
traded on an exchange or board of trade.  When a Fund  purchases  an option on a
futures contract, it has the right to assume a position as a purchaser or seller
of a futures  contract  at a  specified  exercise  price at any time  during the
option  period.  When a Fund sells an option on a futures  contract,  it becomes
obligated to purchase or sell a futures contract if the option is exercised.  In
anticipation  of a market  advance,  a Fund may purchase call options on futures
contracts as a substitute for the purchase of futures contracts to hedge against
a possible  increase in the price of securities that a Fund intends to purchase.
Similarly,  if the market is  expected  to decline,  a Fund might  purchase  put
options or sell call  options  on futures  contracts  rather  than sell  futures
contracts.  In connection with a Fund's position in a futures contract or option
thereon,  a Fund will create a segregated  account of cash or liquid securities,
or will otherwise cover its position in accordance with applicable  requirements
of the SEC.  Please see "General Risk Factors"  below and refer to the Statement
of Additional  Information for a more detailed discussion of the applicable risk
considerations.
    


<PAGE>


   
         Each Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts on various securities
indexes  ("Index  Futures")  and related  options for hedging  purposes  and for
investment  purposes.  A Fund's purchase and sale of Index Futures is limited to
contracts  and  exchanges  which have been  approved  by the  Commodity  Futures
Trading Commission ("CFTC").

         Each Fund may invest to a significant  degree in Index Futures on stock
indexes  and related  options  (including  those which may trade  outside of the
United  States) as an alternative  to purchasing  individual  stocks in order to
adjust the Fund's  exposure to a  particular  market.  These Funds may invest in
Index  Futures and related  options when the  Investment  Adviser  believes that
there are not enough attractive  securities  available to maintain the standards
of  diversification  and  liquidity  set for a Fund pending  investment  in such
securities if or when they do become available. Through the use of Index Futures
and  related  options,  a Fund  may  diversify  risk  in its  portfolio  without
incurring the substantial brokerage costs that may be associated with investment
in the securities of multiple  issuers.  A Fund may also avoid potential  market
and liquidity  problems that may result from increases in positions already held
by the Fund.

         A Fund may close open positions on the futures exchanges on which Index
Futures  are traded at any time up to and  including  the  expiration  day.  All
positions  which  remain  open at the  close  of the  last  business  day of the
contract's  life are required to settle on the next business day (based upon the
value of the relevant index on the expiration  day),  with  settlement made with
the  appropriate  clearing  house.  Because the specific  procedures for trading
foreign  stock Index Futures on futures  exchanges are still under  development,
additional or different margin requirements as well as settlement procedures may
be applicable to foreign stock Index Futures at the time a Fund  purchases  such
instruments.

         Positions  in Index  Futures  may be  closed  out by a Fund only on the
futures exchanges upon which the Index Futures are then traded.  There can be no
assurance  that a liquid  market will exist for any  particular  contract at any
particular  time.  Also, the price of Index Futures may not correlate  perfectly
with movement in the relevant  index due to certain market  distortions.  First,
all  participants  in the  futures  market  are  subject to margin  deposit  and
maintenance   requirements.   Rather  than  meeting  additional  margin  deposit
requirements,   investors  may  close  futures  contracts   through   offsetting
transactions  that could distort the normal  relationship  between the index and
futures markets. Second, the deposit requirements in the futures market are less
onerous than margin  requirements in the securities market, and as a result, the
futures market may attract more  speculators  than does the  securities  market.
Increased  participation  by  speculators  in the futures  market may also cause
temporary price distortions.  In addition, trading hours for foreign stock Index
Futures may not correspond perfectly to hours of trading on the foreign exchange
to which a particular foreign stock Index Futures relates.  This may result in a
disparity between the price of Index Futures and the value of the relevant index
due to the lack of continuous  arbitrage between the Index Futures price and the
value of the underlying index.

         The Funds will only enter into  futures  contracts  or futures  options
that are  standardized  and  traded on a U.S.  or foreign  exchange  or board of
trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated  quotation system. Each Fund
will use futures contracts and related options for "bona fide hedging" purposes,
as such term is defined in applicable  regulations of the CFTC, or, with respect
to  positions  in futures and related  options that do not qualify as "bona fide
hedging" positions,  will enter such positions only to the extent that aggregate
initial  margin  deposits  plus  premiums  paid by it for  open  futures  option
positions, less the amount by which any such positions are "in-the-money," would
not exceed 5% of the Fund's net assets.
    

4.       Equity Index Swaps:

   
         Each Fund may enter into equity index swap  agreements  for purposes of
gaining exposure to the stocks making up an index of securities without actually
purchasing those stocks.  Swap agreements are two-party  contracts  entered into
primarily by  institutional  investors  for periods  ranging from a few weeks to
more than one  year.  In a  standard  swap  transaction,  two  parties  agree to
exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on
particular predetermined  investments or instruments,  which may be adjusted for
an interest factor.  The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped"  between the
parties are generally  calculated with respect to a "notional amount," i.e., the
return on or  increase  in value of a  particular  dollar  amount  invested at a
particular  interest  rate,  or  in a  "basket"  of  securities  representing  a
particular index.
    



<PAGE>


   
         Most  swap   agreements   entered  into  by  the  Funds  calculate  the
obligations  of the parties to the agreement on a "net basis."  Consequently,  a
Fund's current  obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be
equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on
the relative  values of the positions  held by each party to the agreement  (the
"net  amount").  A Fund's  current  obligations  under a swap  agreement will be
accrued daily  (offset  against  amounts owed to the Fund),  and any accrued but
unpaid  net  amounts  owed  to a  swap  counterparty  will  be  covered  by  the
maintenance of a segregated account consisting of assets determined to be liquid
by the  Adviser  in  accordance  with  procedures  established  by the  Board of
Trustees to limit any potential leveraging of the Fund's portfolio.  Obligations
under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be "senior securities"
for purposes of a Fund's investment restriction concerning senior securities.  A
Fund will not  enter  into a swap  agreement  with any  single  party if the net
amount owed or to be received  under  existing  contracts  with that party would
exceed 5% of the Fund's assets.

         Whether  a  Fund's  use  of  swap  agreements  will  be  successful  in
furthering  its investment  objective  will depend on the  Investment  Adviser's
ability to predict  correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to
produce  greater  returns than other  investments.  Because  they are  two-party
contracts  and  because  they may have terms of greater  than seven  days,  swap
agreements may be considered to be illiquid investments.  Moreover, a Fund bears
the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in
the event of the default or bankruptcy  of a swap  agreement  counterparty.  The
Funds will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain
standards for creditworthiness  (generally, such counterparties would have to be
eligible  counterparties  under the  terms of the  Funds'  repurchase  agreement
guidelines).  Certain  restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Internal Revenue
Code may limit the Funds' ability to use swap agreements.  The swaps market is a
relatively  new  market  and  is  largely  unregulated.   It  is  possible  that
developments in the swaps market,  including  potential  government  regulation,
could adversely affect a Fund's ability to terminate existing swap agreements or
to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.
    

General Risk Factors

1.       Options, Futures, and Forward Contracts:

   
         Each Fund may engage in such  investment  practices.  The primary risks
associated  with the use of futures  contracts  and options are:  (i)  imperfect
correlation  between the change in market value of the securities held by a Fund
and the price of futures  contracts and options;  (ii) possible lack of a liquid
secondary market for a futures  contract and the resulting  inability to close a
futures contract when desired;  (iii) losses,  which are potentially  unlimited,
due to  unanticipated  market  movements;  and  (iv)  the  Investment  Adviser's
inability to predict correctly the direction of security prices,  interest rates
and other economic factors.  For a further discussion,  see "INVESTMENT POLICIES
AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS" in the Statement of Additional Information.
    

2.       Fixed Income Investing:

         Each Fund may  engage in limited  fixed  income  investment  practices.
There  are two  principal  types  of risks  associated  with  investing  in debt
securities: (1) market (or interest rate) risk and (2) credit risk.

   
         Market  risk   relates  to  the  change  in  market   value  caused  by
fluctuations  in prevailing  rates,  while credit risk relates to the ability of
the issuer to make timely  interest  payments  and to repay the  principal  upon
maturity.  The value of debt  securities  will  normally  increase in periods of
falling interest rates; conversely, the value of these instruments will normally
decline in periods of rising interest rates.
    

         In an effort to obtain  maximum income  consistent  with its investment
objective,  each  Fund  may,  at  times,  change  the  average  maturity  of its
investment  portfolio,  consistent  with a three- to ten-year  weighted  average
maturity  range,  by  investing  a larger  portion of its  assets in  relatively
longer-term obligations when periods of declining interest rates are anticipated
and, conversely,  emphasizing shorter- and  intermediate-term  maturities when a
rise in interest rates is indicated.



<PAGE>


   
         Credit risk refers to the  possibility  that a bond issuer will fail to
make timely payments of interest or principal.  The ability of an issuer to make
such  payments  could be affected by general  economic  conditions,  litigation,
legislation  or other  events  including  the  bankruptcy  of the issuer.  For a
further  discussion,  see "INVESTMENT  POLICIES AND RISK  CONSIDERATIONS" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
    


                             MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

The Board of Trustees

   
         Under Delaware law, the business and affairs of the Company are managed
under the  direction  of the Board of  Trustees.  The  Statement  of  Additional
Information  contains  the  name  of each  Trustee  and  background  information
regarding the Trustees.
    

Blairlogie Capital Management

   
         The Investment  Adviser for the Funds is Blairlogie  Capital Management
("Blairlogie"),  located at 125 Princes  Street,  Edinburgh  EH2 4AD,  Scotland.
Blairlogie is  registered  as an  investment  advisor with the SEC in the United
States and with the Investment Management Regulatory  Organisation in the United
Kingdom.  Blairlogie Capital  Management Ltd.  commenced  operations in 1992 and
changed  its  name to  Blairlogie  Capital  Management  in 1994.  Blairlogie  is
currently  an  indirect  subsidiary  of  the  Alleghany  Corporation.  Alleghany
Corporation  is  engaged  through  its  subsidiaries  in the  business  of title
insurance,  reinsurance, other financial services and industrial minerals and is
located at Park Avenue Plaza, New York, New York 10055.
    

         Pursuant  to  an  Investment   Advisory  Agreement  with  the  Company,
Blairlogie provides an investment program for each Fund in accordance with their
respective investment policies,  limitations and restrictions, and Chicago Trust
furnishes  executive,  administrative  and  clerical  services  required for the
transaction of each Fund's business.

   
         For providing investment advisory services, each Fund has agreed to pay
a monthly fee at the  following  rates based on each  Fund's  average  daily net
assets. Effective on the date of this Prospectus,  Alleghany/Blairlogie Emerging
Markets  Fund's fee is 0.85% and  Alleghany/Blairlogie  International  Developed
Fund's fee is 0.85%.

         Blairlogie  has  voluntarily  undertaken to reduce its advisory fee for
Alleghany/Blairlogie    Emerging    Markets   Fund   and    Alleghany/Blairlogie
International  Developed Fund for operating expenses (as defined  previously) in
excess of 1.35% and 1.10%,  respectively.  Such waivers may be terminated at the
discretion of Blairlogie.
    


                          PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT METHODS

Investment Management Team

   
         James Smith is primarily  responsible for the day-to-day  management of
each Fund. Mr. Smith is a Managing Director and the Chief Investment  Officer of
Blairlogie  and is  responsible  for  managing  an  investment  team of  country
analysts who, in turn,  specialize in selection of stocks within  Europe,  Asia,
and the Americas,  and in currency and  derivatives.  He previously  served as a
Senior Portfolio Manager at Murray Johnstone in Glasgow,  Scotland,  responsible
for  international  investment  management  for North American  clients,  and at
Schroder  Investment  Management in London.  Mr. Smith  received his  bachelor's
degree  in  Economics  from  London   University  and  his  MBA  from  Edinburgh
University.  He is an Associate of the  Institute of Investment  Management  and
Research.
    

Blairlogie Capital Management

   
         Blairlogie's philosophy has always been that the international markets,
whether  developed  or  emerging,  can be  analyzed  from a base of  measurable,
numerical  data.  They have developed a country model that covers a broad- based
collection  of current  and  historical  data.  Their  quantitative  analysis is
enhanced with  significant  qualitative  assessments to evaluate  things a model
cannot review.  Blairlogie  continuously  strives for the optimum combination of
quantitative and judgmental inputs but believe that objective,  measurable facts
must always be the starting point for making sound investment  decisions.  Their
specific  investment  style is based upon an  underlying  objective of producing
premium returns above the benchmark consistently in any market environment while
consciously  controlling risk and limiting  volatility.  The major components of
Blairlogie's investment style are summarized below:
    

      top-down country allocation followed by bottom-up stock selection;

      active  management  with a focus on consistent  value-added  broad  
      diversification  in  international  markets  portfolios by country 
      and stock;

      performance   objective  designed  to  consistently   outperform  their
      benchmark,  which through time should facilitate investment success over
      competitors; and

      advanced technology used to enhance portfolio management and maintain 
      efficient administration


                           ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUNDS

The Administrator and Sub-Administrator

   
         Chicago Trust (the "Administrator") acts as the Company's Administrator
pursuant to an Administration  Agreement with the Company. For services provided
as Administrator,  Chicago Trust receives a fee at the annual rate of: 0.060% of
the first $2 billion of the Company's  average  daily net assets;  0.045% of the
Company's  average  daily net assets  between $2 billion  and $3.5  billion  and
0.040% of the  Company's  average  daily net  assets in excess of $3.5  billion.
Chicago  Trust also  receives a custody  liaison  fee equal to an annual fee per
Fund of $10,000 for  average  daily net assets up to $100  million,  $15,000 for
average daily net assets between $100 million and $500 million,  and $20,000 per
Fund for average daily net assets in excess of $500 million.

         Pursuant  to a  Sub-Administration  Agreement  with the  Administrator,
First Data Investor  Services Group,  Inc. (the  "Sub-Administrator"),  53 State
Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts 02109, acts as Sub-Administrator  and receives a
fee from the Administrator  equal to that received by the Administrator,  as set
out  above.  The  Sub-Administrator  also  receives a custody  liaison  fee from
Chicago Trust equal to that received by the Administrator as set out above.
    

         The  services  provided to the Funds under  these  Agreements  include:
coordinating  and  monitoring  of any third parties  furnishing  services to the
Funds;  providing the necessary office space, equipment and personnel to perform
administrative  and  clerical  functions  for the Funds;  preparing,  filing and
distributing  proxy  materials,  periodic  reports to shareowners,  registration
statements and other documents; and responding to shareowner inquiries.

         The  Sub-Administrator  also performs  certain  accounting  and pricing
services for the Funds, including the daily calculation of the Funds' respective
net asset values.

The Transfer Agent

   
         First Data Investor Services Group, Inc. (the "Transfer  Agent"),  4400
Computer Drive, Westborough,  Massachusetts 01581, performs the following duties
in its  capacity  as  Transfer  Agent to each  Fund:  maintains  the  records of
shareowner's   accounts;   answers  shareowner  inquiries  concerning  accounts;
processes  purchases  and  redemptions  of Fund  shares;  acts as  dividend  and
distribution  disbursing agent; and performs other shareowner service functions.
Shareowner  inquiries  should  be  addressed  to the  Transfer  Agent  at  (800)
992-8151.
    

The Distributor

         First Data Distributors,  Inc. (the "Distributor"),  4400 Computer 
Drive, Westborough,  Massachusetts 01581, is the principal underwriter and 
distributor of the Funds pursuant to a distribution agreement with the Funds.



<PAGE>


The Custodian

       Investors  Fiduciary  Trust  Company,  801  Pennsylvania,  Kansas 
City, MO 64105,  is Custodian for the cash and securities of each Fund.

Expenses

   
         Expenses  attributable  to the Company,  but not to a particular  Fund,
will be  allocated  to each Fund  thereof on the basis of  relative  net assets.
Similarly,  expenses  attributable to a particular Fund, but not to a particular
class thereof,  will be allocated to each class thereof on the basis of relative
net  assets.  General  Company  expenses  may  include  but are not  limited to:
insurance  premiums;  Trustee fees;  expenses of maintaining the Company's legal
existence; and fees of industry organizations. General Fund expenses may include
but are not limited to: audit fees; brokerage commissions;  registration of Fund
shares  with  the SEC and  notification  fees to the  various  state  securities
commissions; fees of the Funds' Custodian, Administrator,  Sub-Administrator and
Transfer Agent or other "service  providers";  costs of obtaining  quotations of
portfolio securities; and pricing of Fund shares.

         Class-specific  expenses which may differ among  classes,  or which are
determined  by the  Trustees  to be  class-specific,  will be  borne  solely  by
shareowners  of the  relevant  class.  These  expenses  may  include but are not
limited to: printing and postage  expenses related to preparing and distributing
required  documents  such  as  shareowner  reports,   prospectuses,   and  proxy
statements to current shareowners of a specific class; SEC registration fees and
state "blue sky" fees  incurred by a specific  class;  litigation or other legal
expenses  relating to a specific class;  expenses incurred as a result of issues
relating to a specific class; and different transfer agency fees attributable to
a specific class.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Investment Adviser or other service
provider may waive or reimburse  the expenses of a specific  class or classes to
the extent permitted under Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act.
    


                               PURCHASE OF SHARES

In General

   
         Shares of each Fund may be purchased  directly from the Fund at the net
asset  value next  determined  after  receipt of the order in proper  form.  The
minimum  initial  investment  is $1  million;  there  is no  minimum  subsequent
investment.  For purposes of the investment minimum, the balances of each Fund's
accounts of clients of a financial  consultant  may be aggregated in determining
whether  the  minimum  investment  has been met.  This  aggregation  may also be
applied to the accounts of immediate  family members  (i.e., a person's  spouse,
parents,  children,  siblings and in-laws). In addition,  the aggregation may be
applied to the related accounts of a corporation or other legal entity. The Fund
may waive the  minimum  initial  investment  by  obtaining  a letter of  intent,
evidencing  an  investor's  intention  of meeting  the minimum  investment  in a
specified period of time as continually  reviewed and approved by the Board. The
minimum  investment  is waived for  Trustees of the Trust and  employees  of the
Investment  Adviser  and its  affiliates.  There is no sales  load or  charge in
connection with the purchase of shares. The Company reserves the right to reject
any purchase order and to suspend the offering of shares of each Fund. Each Fund
also  reserves  the  right to  change  the  initial  and  subsequent  investment
minimums.

         Purchase orders for shares of a Fund which are received by the Transfer
Agent or an authorized  broker or its designee in proper form,  including  money
order,  check or bank  draft,  by the  regular  closing  of the New  York  Stock
Exchange  ("NYSE")  (currently  4:00 p.m.  Eastern  time) will be priced at such
Fund's  net  asset  value  determined  that  day.  If you  invest  by  check  or
non-federal funds wire, allow one business day after receipt for conversion into
federal funds.  Checks must be made payable to the Fund or to "Alleghany Funds."
If you wire money in the form of federal  funds,  your money will be invested at
the share price next  determined  after  receipt of the wire.  Orders for shares
received  in proper  form after 4:00 p.m.  will be priced at the net asset value
determined on the next day that the NYSE is open for trading.

         Each Fund  offers two  classes  of shares.  Only the Class I shares for
each Fund are offered under this Prospectus.
    


<PAGE>


   
         Each Fund may accept  telephone orders from  broker-dealers  or service
organizations or their authorized designee,  which have been previously approved
by  a  Fund.  It  is  the  responsibility  of  such  broker-dealers  or  service
organizations  to promptly  forward purchase orders and payments for same to the
Company. Shares of each Fund may be purchased through broker-dealers,  banks and
bank trust  departments which may charge the investor a transaction fee or other
fee for their services at the time of purchase. Such fees would not otherwise be
charged if the shares were purchased directly from the Company.
    

         Purchases may be made in one of the following ways:

Initial Purchases by Mail

   
         Shares  of each  Fund  may be  purchased  initially  by  completing  an
application and mailing it to the Transfer Agent,  together with a check payable
to   "Alleghany/Blairlogie   Emerging   Markets   Fund-   Class  I  Shares"   or
"Alleghany/Blairlogie   International   Developed   Fund-Class  I  Shares",   as
applicable,  c/o  First  Data  Investor  Services  Group  Inc.,  P.O.  Box 5164,
Westborough,  Massachusetts  01581. The Funds will not accept third party checks
for the  purchase of shares.  Third party  checks are those that are made out to
someone other than the Fund and are endorsed over to the Fund.
    

Initial Purchases by Wire

   
         An investor desiring to purchase shares of any Fund by wire should call
the Transfer  Agent first at (800)  992-8151  and request an account  number and
furnish  the  Fund  with  your  tax   identification   number.   Following  such
notification to the Transfer Agent, federal funds and registration  instructions
should be wired through the Federal Reserve System to:
    

                           BOSTON SAFE DEPOSIT & TRUST
                                ABA # 01-10-01234
                              FOR: Alleghany Funds
                                   A/C 140414
                                FBO "FUND NUMBER"
                           "SHAREOWNER ACCOUNT NUMBER"

   
         A completed  application  with original  signature(s) of  registrant(s)
must be filed with the  Transfer  Agent  immediately  subsequent  to the initial
wire. Investors should be aware that some banks might impose a wire service fee.
    

Initial Purchases by Internet

   
         An investor  desiring to purchase  shares of a Fund by Internet  should
(i)  verify  first that the bank or credit  union  being used is a member of the
Automated Clearing House (ACH) system; (ii) complete the "Purchase, Exchange and
Redemption  Authorization"  section of the account  application;  (iii) call the
Transfer  Agent at (800)  992-8151  to obtain a personal  identification  number
(PIN) from  Alleghany  Funds for use on  Alleghany  Funds' Web site.  Once these
steps have been taken,  an investor can access the account through the Alleghany
Funds' Web Site and enter the purchase  instructions  in the highly  secure area
for shareowners only.
    

         The Trust  reserves  the right to suspend  or  terminate  purchases  by
telephone or Internet, thereby only allowing purchases by mail.

Subsequent Investments

         Once an account has been opened,  subsequent  purchases  may be made by
mail, bank wire, or by telephone.  When making  additional  investments by mail,
simply return the investment slip from a previous confirmation or statement with
your  investment  in the envelope  provided.  Your check must be made payable to
"Alleghany/Blairlogie    Emerging    Markets    Fund-Class    I    Shares"    or
"Alleghany/Blairlogie   International   Developed   Fund-Class  I  Shares",   as
applicable,  and mailed to the  Alleghany  Funds,  P.O.  Box 5163,  Westborough,
Massachusetts  01581.  The Funds  will not  accept  third  party  checks for the
subsequent purchase of shares.



<PAGE>


   
         All investments  must be made in U.S.  dollars,  and, to avoid fees and
delays,  checks must be drawn only on banks located in the U.S. In order to help
ensure the receipt of good funds,  the Trust reserves the right to delay sending
your  redemption  proceeds  up to 15 days if you  purchased  shares by check.  A
charge  ($20  minimum)  will be imposed if any check  used for the  purchase  of
shares is returned.  The Funds and the Transfer  Agent each reserve the right to
reject any purchase order in whole or in part.
    


                               EXCHANGE OF SHARES

In General

   
         Shares of any of the Funds  within the  Company  may be  exchanged  for
shares of the same  class of any of the other  Funds  within  the  Company.  The
Company  currently  offers  Class I  shares  of the  following  Funds:  Montag &
Caldwell  Growth Fund,  Montag & Caldwell  Balanced  Fund,  Alleghany/Blairlogie
Emerging Markets Fund and Alleghany/Blairlogie International Developed Fund.

         The exchange  privilege  is a  convenient  way to respond to changes in
your investment  goals or in market  conditions.  This privilege is not designed
for frequent trading in response to short-term market fluctuations. You may make
exchanges by mail or by telephone if you have  previously  elected the telephone
authorization   privilege  on  the  application  form.  The  telephone  exchange
privilege  may be  difficult to  implement  during times of drastic  economic or
market  changes.  The  purchase  of  shares  of any  Fund  through  an  exchange
transaction is accepted at the net asset value next determined.  You should keep
in mind that for tax purposes an exchange is treated as a  redemption  and a new
purchase,  each at net asset value of the  appropriate  Fund.  The Funds and the
Transfer Agent reserve the right to limit, amend, impose charges upon, terminate
or  otherwise  modify  the  exchange   privilege  on  prior  written  notice  to
shareowners.

         Exchanges  may be made  only for  shares of a Fund  then  offering  its
shares  for sale in your  state of  residence  and are  subject  to the  minimum
initial  investment  requirement.  Requests  for  telephone  exchanges  must  be
received  by the  Transfer  Agent by the close of  regular  trading  on the NYSE
(currently 4:00 p.m.  Eastern time) on any day that the NYSE is open for regular
trading.
    


                              REDEMPTION OF SHARES

In General

   
         Shares of each Fund may be redeemed  without charge on any business day
that the NYSE is open for  business.  Redemptions  will be  effective at the net
asset value per share next determined after the receipt by the Transfer Agent or
an  authorized  broker or its  designee  of a  redemption  request  meeting  the
requirements  described below.  Each Fund normally sends redemption  proceeds on
the next  business  day,  but in any event  redemption  proceeds are sent within
seven calendar days of receipt of a redemption request in proper form.  However,
your  redemption  proceeds  may be  delayed up to 15 days if you  purchased  the
shares to be redeemed by check until such check has cleared. Payment may also be
made by wire directly to any bank  previously  designated by the shareowner in a
shareowner account application. A shareowner will be charged $20 for redemptions
by wire. Also,  please note that the shareowner's bank may impose a fee for this
wire service.
    

         Except as noted below,  redemption  requests received in proper form by
the Transfer Agent or an authorized broker or its designee prior to the close of
regular  trading hours on the NYSE on any business day that the Fund  calculates
its per share net asset value are effective that day.

   
         Redemption  requests received after the close of the NYSE are effective
as of the time the net asset value per share is next  determined.  No redemption
will be processed until the Transfer Agent has received a completed  application
with respect to the account.
    



<PAGE>


   
         The Funds  will  satisfy  redemption  requests  in cash to the  fullest
extent feasible, so long as such payments would not, in the opinion of the Board
of  Trustees,   result  in  the  necessity  of  a  Fund  selling   assets  under
disadvantageous  conditions or to the detriment of the remaining  shareowners of
the Fund.  Pursuant  to the  Company's  Trust  Instrument,  payment  for  shares
redeemed  may be made  either in cash or  in-kind,  or partly in cash and partly
in-kind.  However,  the Company may elect  pursuant to Rule 18f-1 under the 1940
Act to redeem its shares  solely in cash up to the lesser of  $250,000  or 1% of
the net  asset  value  of a  Fund,  during  any  ninety-day  period  for any one
shareowner.  Payments in excess of this limit by a Fund will also be made wholly
in cash unless the Board of Trustees  believes  that economic  conditions  exist
which would make such a practice  detrimental  to the best interests of any such
Fund. Any portfolio  securities  paid or distributed  in-kind would be valued as
described under "NET ASSET VALUE." In the event that an in-kind  distribution is
made,  a  shareowner  may incur  additional  expenses,  such as the  payment  of
brokerage  commissions,  on the  sale or  other  disposition  of the  securities
received from a Fund.  In-kind  payments need not constitute a cross-section  of
the Fund's portfolio.
    

         Shares may be redeemed in one of the following ways:

Redemptions by Mail

   
         Shareowners may submit a written  request for redemption to:  Alleghany
Funds, P.O. Box 5164,  Westborough,  Massachusetts 01581. The request must be in
good order which means that it must: (i) identify the shareowner's  account name
and account number;  (ii) state the fund name;  (iii) state the number of shares
to be  redeemed;  and (iv) be signed by each  registered  owner  exactly  as the
shares are registered.

         To  prevent  fraudulent  redemptions,  a  signature  guarantee  for the
signature of each person in whose name the account is  registered is required on
all written  redemption  requests over $50,000. A guarantee may be obtained from
any  commercial  bank,  trust  company,  savings and loan  association,  federal
savings bank, a member firm of a national  securities exchange or other eligible
financial  institution.  Credit  unions must be  authorized  to issue  signature
guarantees;  notary public endorsements will not be accepted. The Transfer Agent
may  require   additional   supporting   documents  for   redemptions   made  by
corporations,  executors,  administrators,  trustees,  guardians, and retirement
plans.

         A redemption  request will not be deemed to be properly  received until
the Transfer  Agent  receives all required  documents in proper form.  Questions
with respect to the proper form for  redemption  requests  should be directed to
the Transfer Agent at (800) 992-8151.
    

Redemptions by Telephone

         Shareowners  who  have  so  indicated  on  the  application,   or  have
subsequently  arranged in writing to do so, may redeem shares by instructing the
Transfer Agent by telephone at (800) 992-8151.

   
         In  order to  arrange  for  redemption  by wire or  telephone  after an
account has been opened, or to change the bank or account  designated to receive
redemption proceeds, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent at the
address listed under  "Redemptions by Mail" above.  Such requests must be signed
by the  shareowner,  with signatures  guaranteed (see  "Redemptions by Mail" for
details regarding signature guarantees).  Further documentation may be requested
from corporations, executors, administrators, trustees, or guardians.

         The Funds reserve the right to refuse a wire or telephone redemption if
it is believed  advisable to do so. Procedures for redeeming Fund shares by wire
or telephone may be modified or terminated at any time by the Funds. Neither the
Funds  nor any of  their  service  contractors  will be  liable  for any loss or
expense in acting upon telephone instructions that are reasonably believed to be
genuine. In attempting to confirm that telephone  instructions are genuine,  the
Funds  will  use  such  procedures  as  are  considered  reasonable,   including
requesting a shareowner to correctly state his or her Fund account  number,  the
name in which his or her  account  is  registered,  his or her  social  security
number,  banking institution,  bank account number, and the name in which his or
her bank account is registered.

         Shares of the Funds may be  redeemed  through  certain  broker-dealers,
banks and bank trust  departments  who may charge the investor a transaction fee
or other fee for their services at the time of  redemption.  Such fees would not
otherwise be charged if the shares were redeemed from the Company.
    



<PAGE>


Redemptions by Internet

   
         Shareowners  who have so indicated on the application may redeem shares
by Internet by calling the Transfer Agent at (800) 992-8151 to obtain a personal
identification number (PIN) from Alleghany Funds for use on Alleghany Funds' Web
site.  Once these  steps have been  taken,  an  investor  can access the account
through the Alleghany  Funds' Web Site and enter the redemption  instructions in
the highly secure area for shareowners only.

         A check for  redemption  proceeds can be mailed or can be sent directly
to your bank account provided the bank or credit union being used is a member of
the Automated  Clearing House (ACH) system.  The ACH sales proceeds will be sent
on the next business day (allow 3 days to be received by bank).  There is no fee
to sell shares by ACH.
    

         The Trust  reserves  the right to suspend or terminate  redemptions  by
telephone or Internet, thereby only allowing redemptions by mail.


                                 NET ASSET VALUE

   
         The net asset  value per share of each Fund is computed as of the close
of  regular  trading on the NYSE on each day the NYSE is open for  trading.  The
NYSE is closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Presidents'
Day, Good Friday,  Memorial Day,  Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day,
and Christmas Day.

         The net asset  value per share is  computed  by adding the value of all
securities  and  other  assets  in  the  portfolio,  deducting  any  liabilities
(expenses  and fees are  accrued  daily)  and  dividing  by the number of shares
outstanding.  The portfolio  securities of each Fund listed or traded on a stock
exchange are valued at the latest sale price. If no sale price is reported,  the
mean  of  the  latest  bid  and  asked   prices  is  used.   Securities   traded
over-the-counter are priced at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices. When
market  quotations  are not readily  available,  securities and other assets are
valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.

         Bonds are valued through valuations  obtained from a commercial pricing
service  or at the mean of the most  recent  bid and asked  prices  provided  by
investment  dealers in accordance  with  procedures  established by the Board of
Trustees.  Options,  futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement
price as determined by the appropriate clearing corporation.

         Quotations of foreign  securities in foreign  currency are converted to
U.S.  dollar  equivalents  using  foreign  exchange   quotations  received  from
independent dealers. The calculation of the net asset value of each Fund may not
take place  contemporaneously  with the  determination  of the prices of certain
portfolio securities of foreign issuers used in such calculation. Further, under
the Company's procedures,  the prices of foreign securities are determined using
information  derived from pricing  services and other sources.  Information that
becomes  known to the Company or its agents  after the time that net asset value
is calculated on any Business Day may be assessed in determining net asset value
per share after the time of receipt of the information,  but will not be used to
retroactively  adjust the price of the  security so  determined  earlier or on a
prior day.  Events  affecting  the  values of  portfolio  securities  that occur
between the time their prices are determined and the close of regular trading on
the  NYSE  (normally  4:00  p.m.,  Eastern  time)  may not be  reflected  in the
calculation of net asset value. If events materially affecting the value of such
securities occur during such period, then these securities may be valued at fair
value as determined by the Investment  Adviser and approved in good faith by the
Board of Trustees.
    


                               DIVIDENDS AND TAXES

Dividends

   
         Dividends, if any, from net investment income will be declared and paid
quarterly by each Fund. Aggregate net profits, if any, realized from the sale of
portfolio  securities,  if any, are  distributed  at least once each year unless
they are used to offset losses carried  forward from prior years,  in which case
no such gain will be distributed.
    



<PAGE>


   
         Income  dividends  and  capital  gain   distributions   are  reinvested
automatically  in  additional  shares at net asset  value,  unless  you elect to
receive  them in  cash.  Distribution  options  may be  changed  at any  time by
requesting  a change in  writing.  Any check in  payment of  dividends  or other
distributions  which  cannot be  delivered  by the Post Office or which  remains
uncashed  for a  period  of  more  than  one  year  may  be  reinvested  in  the
shareowner's account at the then current net asset value and the dividend option
may  be  changed  from  cash  to  reinvest.  Dividends  are  reinvested  on  the
ex-dividend  date (the "ex-date") at the net asset value determined at the close
of business on that date.  Please note that shares purchased  shortly before the
record  date for a dividend  or  distribution  may have the effect of  returning
capital although such dividends and distributions are subject to taxes.

         Dividends  paid by each  Fund  with  respect  to  Class  N  shares  are
calculated in the same manner and at the same time as Class I shares. Both Class
N and Class I shares of each Fund will share  proportionately  in the investment
income and general expenses of the Fund,  except that the per share dividends of
Class N shares will differ from the per share  dividends  of Class I shares as a
result  of   class-specific   expenses  as   discussed   in   "Expenses"   under
"ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUNDS."
    

Taxes

   
         Each Fund  intends to  continue to qualify as a  "regulated  investment
company"  under  Subchapter M of the Internal  Revenue Code ("the  Code").  Such
qualification  relieves a Fund of  liability  for  Federal  income  taxes to the
extent the Fund's  earnings are  distributed in accordance  with the Code.  Each
Fund is  treated as a  separate  corporate  entity  for  Federal  tax  purposes.
Distributions  of any net investment  income and of any net realized  short-term
capital gains are taxable to shareowners as ordinary  income.  Distributions  of
net capital gain (the excess of net long-term  capital gain over net  short-term
capital loss) are taxable to shareowners as long-term capital gain regardless of
how long a  shareowner  may have held  shares of a Fund.  The tax  treatment  of
distributions  of ordinary  income or capital gains will be the same whether the
shareowner  reinvests  the  distributions  or elects to receive  them in cash. A
distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the current calendar year
if it is declared in October,  November or December with a record date in such a
month and paid during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions
will be taxable to shareowners  in the calendar year in which the  distributions
are  declared,  rather than the  calendar  year in which the  distributions  are
received.

         Shareowners  will be advised  annually  of the source and tax status of
all distributions  for Federal income tax purposes.  Dividends and distributions
may be subject to state and local income taxes.  Further  information  regarding
the tax  consequences  of investing in the Funds is included in the Statement of
Additional Information. The above discussion is intended for general information
only.  Investors  should  consult  their  own tax  advisors  for  more  specific
information on the tax consequences of particular types of distributions.
    

         Redemptions of Fund shares, and the exchange of shares between Funds of
the  Company,  are taxable  events  and,  accordingly,  shareowners  may realize
capital gains or losses on these transactions.

   
         Shareowners  may  be  subject  to  back-up  withholding  on  reportable
dividend and redemption payments ("back-up withholding") if a certified taxpayer
identification  number  is not on file  with  the  Fund,  or if,  to the  Fund's
knowledge,  an incorrect  number has been furnished.  An  individual's  taxpayer
identification number is his/her social security number.
    




<PAGE>


                            PERFORMANCE OF THE FUNDS

In General

   
         Performance,  whether it be "total  return" or  "average  annual  total
return" of a Fund, may be advertised to present or prospective shareowners.  The
figures  are  based on  historical  performance  and  should  not be  considered
representative  of future  results.  The value of an  investment  in a Fund will
fluctuate and an investor's  shares,  when  redeemed,  may be worth more or less
than their original cost. Performance  information for a Fund may be compared to
various unmanaged indices such as the EAFE Index and the MSCI EM Free Index, and
to the performance of other mutual funds tracked by mutual fund rating services.
Further  information  about  the  performance  of the Funds is  included  in the
Statement of Additional  Information,  which may be obtained  without  charge by
contacting the Fund at (800) 992-8151.
    

Total Return

   
         Total  Return is defined as the change in value of an  investment  in a
Fund  over a  particular  period,  assuming  that all  distributions  have  been
reinvested.  Thus,  total  return  reflects  not only  income  earned,  but also
variations  in share  prices at the  beginning  and end of the  period.  Average
annual total return is determined by computing the annual compound return over a
stated period of time that would have produced a Fund's  cumulative total return
over the same period if the Fund's performance had remained constant throughout.
    


                               GENERAL INFORMATION

Organization

   
         Each Fund is a separate, diversified, series of the Company, a Delaware
business trust  organized  pursuant to a Trust  Instrument  dated  September 10,
1993.  The Company is  registered  under the 1940 Act as an open-end  management
investment company, commonly known as a mutual fund. The Trustees of the Company
may  establish  additional  series or classes of shares  without the approval of
shareowners.  The assets of each  series  belong  only to that  series,  and the
liabilities of each series are borne solely by that series and no other.
    

Description of Shares

   
         Each  Fund is  authorized  to issue an  unlimited  number  of shares of
beneficial  interest  without  par value.  Shares of each Fund  represent  equal
proportionate  interests  in the  assets of that  Fund  only and have  identical
voting, dividend, redemption,  liquidation, and other rights except that Class I
shares of the Funds have no rights with respect to the Funds' distribution plan.
All shares issued are fully paid and  non-assessable,  and  shareowners  have no
preemptive  or  other  right  to  subscribe  to  any  additional  shares  and no
conversion  rights.  Currently,  there is only one class of shares issued by the
Company,  except for Montag & Caldwell Growth Fund,  Montag & Caldwell  Balanced
Fund,   Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging  Markets  Fund  and  Alleghany/Blairlogie
International  Developed  Fund which each offer two  classes of shares:  Class I
shares and Class N shares. Class N shares are offered to retail investors.
    
Information  about  Class N shares is  available  by calling  the Funds at (800)
992-8151.

Voting Rights

   
         Each  issued and  outstanding  full and  fractional  share of a Fund is
entitled  to one  full  and  fractional  vote  in  the  Fund.  Shares  of a Fund
participate  equally in regard to  dividends,  distributions,  and  liquidations
except  that  Class  I  shares  have  no  voting  rights  with  respect  to  the
distribution  plan.  Shareowners do not have  cumulative  voting rights.  On any
matter  submitted to a vote of shareowners,  shares of a Fund or class will vote
separately  except when a vote of  shareowners  in the  aggregate is required by
law, or when the Trustees have  determined that the matter affects the interests
of the Fund, in which case the shareowners of the Fund shall be entitled to vote
thereon.  The business and affairs of each Fund are managed  under the direction
of the Board of Trustees. See "PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES" in the Statement
of Additional Information.
    



<PAGE>


Shareowner Meetings

   
         The  Trustees of the  Company do not intend to hold annual  meetings of
shareowners of the Funds. The Trustees have undertaken to the SEC, however, that
they will promptly call a meeting for the purpose of voting upon the question of
removal  of any  Trustee  when  requested  to do so by not less  than 10% of the
outstanding   shareowners  of  the  Funds.  In  addition,   subject  to  certain
conditions,  shareowners  of the Funds may apply to the  Company to  communicate
with  other  shareowners  to  request a  shareowners'  meeting  to vote upon the
removal of a Trustee or Trustees.
    

Certain Provisions of Trust Instrument

   
         Under Delaware law, the shareowners of the Funds will not be personally
liable for the  obligations  of any Fund; a  shareowner  is entitled to the same
limitation of personal  liability  extended to shareowners of  corporations.  To
guard  against  the risk that the  Delaware  law might not be  applied  in other
states,  the Trust  Instrument  requires  that every  written  obligation of the
Company or a Fund contain a statement that such  obligation may only be enforced
against the assets of the Company or Fund and provides for  indemnification  out
of Company or Fund  property  of any  shareowner  nevertheless  held  personally
liable for Company or Fund obligations.
    

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Commissions

   
         The  Company  will  attempt to obtain the best  overall  price and most
favorable execution of transactions in portfolio securities. However, subject to
policies  established by the Board of Trustees of the Company,  a Fund may pay a
broker-dealer  a commission for effecting a portfolio  transaction for a Fund in
excess of the amount of commission another  broker-dealer  would have charged if
the Investment  Adviser  determines in good faith that the  commission  paid was
reasonable  in relation to the brokerage or research  services  provided by such
broker-dealer,  viewed in terms of that  particular  transaction  or such firm's
overall responsibilities with respect to the clients,  including the Fund, as to
which  it  exercises   investment   discretion.   In  selecting  and  monitoring
broker-dealers  and negotiating  commissions,  consideration  will be given to a
broker-dealer's  reliability,  the  quality  of  its  execution  services  on  a
continuing basis and its financial condition.

         Subject to the  foregoing  considerations,  preference  may be given in
executing portfolio  transactions for a Fund to brokers that have sold shares of
that Fund. Any such transactions, however, will comply with Rule 17e-1 under the
1940 Act.
    

Shareowner Reports and Inquiries

   
         Shareowners  will  receive   Semi-Annual   Reports  showing   portfolio
investments  and other  information as of April 30 and Annual Reports audited by
independent accountants as of October 31. Shareowners with inquiries should call
the  Company at (800)  992-8151  or write to  Alleghany  Funds,  P.O.  Box 5164,
Westborough, Massachusetts 01581.
    


<PAGE>





   
                               INVESTMENT ADVISER
    

                          Blairlogie Capital Management
                          4th Floor, 125 Princes Street
                           Edinburgh EH2 4AD, Scotland


                                  ADMINISTRATOR

                            The Chicago Trust Company
                             171 North Clark Street
                             Chicago, IL 60601-3294


                                    CUSTODIAN

                        Investors Fiduciary Trust Company
                                801 Pennsylvania
                              Kansas City, MO 64105



             For Additional Information about Alleghany Funds, call:
                                 (800) 992-8151


<PAGE>



                                 ALLEGHANY FUNDS

                   Alleghany/Blairlogie Emerging Markets Fund
                Alleghany/Blairlogie International Developed Fund


                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                   May 3, 1999

         This  Statement  of  Additional   Information  provides   supplementary
information  pertaining  to  shares  representing  interests  in two  investment
portfolios of Alleghany  Funds (the  "Company"):  Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging
Markets Fund and  Alleghany/Blairlogie  International  Developed Fund. Each Fund
offers Class N shares for retail investors and Class I shares for  institutional
investors.

         This  Statement of  Additional  Information  is not a  Prospectus,  and
should  be read  only in  conjunction  with the  Class I Shares  Prospectus  for
Alleghany/Blairlogie    Emerging    Markets   Fund   and    Alleghany/Blairlogie
International  Developed Fund dated May 3, 1999 or the Class N Shares Prospectus
for   Alleghany/Blairlogie   Emerging  Markets  Fund  and   Alleghany/Blairlogie
International Developed Fund dated May 3, 1999 (the "Prospectus"). No investment
in shares  should be made without first  reading the  Prospectus.  A copy of the
Prospectus  may be obtained  without  charge from the Company at the address and
telephone number below.

Alleghany Funds:                              Investment Advisor to the Funds:
171 North Clark Street                        BLAIRLOGIE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
Chicago, IL  60601                            4th Floor, 125 Princes Street
(800) 992-8151                                Edinburgh EH2 4AD, Scotland
                                              (800) 992-8151


         No person has been  authorized to give any  information  or to make any
representations not contained in this Statement of Additional  Information or in
the Prospectus in connection  with the offering made by the  Prospectus  and, if
given or made, such  information or  representations  must not be relied upon as
having been  authorized by the Company or its  distributor.  The Prospectus does
not  constitute  an  offering  by  the  Company  or by  the  distributor  in any
jurisdiction in which such offering may not lawfully be made.







                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                       <C>
                                                                                                          Page               

THE FUNDS.................................................................................................     3
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS...............................................................     3
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS...................................................................................    17
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS.....................................................................................    18
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES....................................................................    20
     Investment Advisory Agreements.......................................................................    20
     The Administrator and Sub-Administrator..............................................................    20
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS..........................................................    21
TAXES.....................................................................................................    22
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION...................................................................................    25
OTHER INFORMATION.........................................................................................    26
</TABLE>




<PAGE>



                                    THE FUNDS

         Alleghany Funds, 171 North Clark Street, Chicago,  Illinois 60601, is a
no-load,  open-end  management  investment company which currently offers twelve
series of shares of  beneficial  interest  representing  separate  portfolios of
investments:  Montag & Caldwell Growth Fund, Chicago Trust Growth & Income Fund,
Chicago  Trust  Talon  Fund,  Chicago  Trust  Balanced  Fund,  Montag & Caldwell
Balanced  Fund,  Chicago  Trust Bond Fund,  Chicago Trust  Municipal  Bond Fund,
Chicago Trust Money Market Fund,  Alleghany/Chicago  Trust  SmallCap Value Fund,
Alleghany/Veredus Aggressive Growth Fund,  Alleghany/Blairlogie Emerging Markets
Fund and  Alleghany/Blairlogie  International  Developed Fund. This Statement of
Additional  Information pertains only to  Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging Markets
Fund  and   Alleghany/Blairlogie   International  Developed  Fund  (collectively
referred to as "Funds" or individually as a "Fund").

                   INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS

         The following  supplements the information  contained in the Prospectus
concerning  the  investment  policies of the Funds.  Except as otherwise  stated
below or in the  Prospectus,  each Fund may invest in the portfolio  investments
included in this section.

         The investment  practices described below, except for the discussion of
portfolio loan transactions, are not fundamental and may be changed by the Board
of Trustees without the approval of the shareowners.

         As discussed in the  Prospectus,  certain of the  following  investment
instruments  are generally  considered  "derivative" in nature and are so noted.
While not a  fundamental  policy,  each Fund that is  permitted  the use of such
instruments  will generally limit its aggregate  holdings of such instruments to
20% or less of its total assets.

RESTRICTED SECURITIES

         Each Fund will limit  investments  in  securities  of issuers which the
Fund is restricted  from selling to the public  without  registration  under the
1933 Act to no more than 5% of the Fund's  total  assets,  excluding  restricted
securities  eligible for resale  pursuant to Rule 144A that have been determined
to be liquid by the Fund's Investment Advisor, pursuant to guidelines adopted by
the Company's Board of Trustees.

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

         Common stock occupies the most junior  position in a company's  capital
structure.  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 and to receive  interest or
dividends until the holder elects to convert.  The provisions of any convertible
security determine its ranking in a company's capital structure.  In the case of
subordinated convertible debentures,  the holder's claims on assets and earnings
are subordinated to the claims of other creditors,  and are senior to the claims
of  preferred  and  common  shareowners.  In the  case of  preferred  stock  and
convertible  preferred  stock,  the  holder's  claims on assets and earnings are
subordinated  to the  claims of all  creditors  but are  senior to the claims of
common shareowners.

MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED RISKS

         Money market instruments in which the Funds may invest include, but are
not limited to the following: short-term corporate obligations;  Certificates of
Deposit  ("CDs");  Eurodollar  Certificates  of  Deposit  ("Euro  CDs");  Yankee
Certificates of Deposit ("Yankee CDs");  foreign bankers'  acceptances;  foreign
commercial paper; letter of credit-backed  commercial paper; time deposits; loan
participations  ("LPs");  variable- and  floating-rate  instruments;  and master
demand notes.

         Euro CDs,  Yankee CDs and foreign  bankers'  acceptances  involve risks
that are different from investments in securities of U.S. banks. The major risk,
which is sometimes  referred to as "sovereign risk," pertains to possible future
unfavorable  political and economic  developments,  possible  withholding taxes,
seizures of foreign deposits,  currency controls, interest limitations, or other
governmental  restrictions  which might affect payment of principal or interest.
Investment in foreign  commercial  paper also involves  risks that are different
from  investments  in securities of commercial  paper issued by U.S.  companies.
Non-U.S. securities markets generally are not as developed or efficient as those
in the United States.  Such securities may be less liquid and more volatile than
securities of comparable U.S. corporations.  Non-U.S.  issuers are not generally
subject to uniform accounting and financial reporting  standards,  practices and
requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. In addition,  there
may be less public information available about foreign banks, their branches and
other issuers.

         Time deposits  usually  trade at a premium over  Treasuries of the same
maturity.  Investors  regard such deposits as carrying  some credit risk,  which
Treasuries do not; also,  investors  regard time deposits as being  sufficiently
less liquid than Treasuries; hence, investors demand some extra yield for buying
time deposits rather than Treasuries. The investor in a loan participation has a
dual credit risk to both the borrower and also the selling bank. The second risk
arises  because it is the selling bank that collects  interest and principal and
sends it to the investor.

Foreign Securities

         Each Fund may  invest in U.S.  Dollar or  foreign  currency-denominated
corporate debt securities of foreign  issuers;  preferred  securities of foreign
issuers;  certain  foreign  bank  obligations;   and  U.S.  dollar-  or  foreign
currency-denominated  obligations of foreign  governments or their subdivisions,
agencies  and   instrumentalities,   international  agencies  and  supranational
entities.

         Each Fund may invest in American  Depositary  Receipts  ("ADRs").  Each
Fund may  also  invest  in  common  stock  issued  by  foreign  companies  or in
securities  represented  by European  Depositary  Receipts  ("EDRs"),  or Global
Depositary  Receipts  ("GDRs").  ADRs  are  dollar-denominated  receipts  issued
generally  by  domestic  banks  and  represent  the  deposit  with the bank of a
security of a foreign  issuer.  EDRs are foreign  currency-denominated  receipts
similar to ADRs and are issued and traded in Europe,  and are publicly traded on
exchanges  or  over-the-counter  in the  United  States.  GDRs  may  be  offered
privately  in the United  States and also trade in public or private  markets in
other  countries.  ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be issued as sponsored or unsponsored
programs.  In sponsored  programs,  an issuer has made  arrangements to have its
securities trade in the for of ADRs, EDRs or GDRs. In unsponsored programs,  the
issuer may not be directly  involved in the  creation of the  program.  Although
regulatory  requirements with respect to sponsored and unsponsored  programs are
generally  similar,  in  some  cases  it  may  be  easier  to  obtain  financial
information  from an issuer that has participated in the creation of a sponsored
program.

         Each Fund may  invest  in World  Equity  Benchmark  Shares  (WEBS)  and
Optimized  Portfolios as Listed Securities  (OPALS).  These investments  provide
investors  with  access to  global  equity  markets  and are  primarily  used to
facilitate  asset  allocation  switches and to overcome  difficulties in markets
with  structural  peculiarities.  WEBS are  issued by  Foreign  Fund,  Inc.,  an
open-ended  investment  company  registered  under  the 1940 Act in a number  of
country-specific  series. Each series is a diversified,  country-specific  index
portfolio  designed to track a specific  Morgan  Stanley  Capital  International
(MSCI)  country  index.  WEBS are listed on the American  Stock Exchange in U.S.
Dollars and the investment  adviser is BZW Barclays  Global Fund Advisors.  Each
series of OPALS is  designed to track the  performance  of a given MSCI or local
index.  OPALS,  securities offered through Morgan Stanley Capital,  LLC., have a
hybrid  structure.   They  have  debt  characteristics   (fixed  redemption  and
semi-annual  interest payments) but performance is equity driven. There are both
industry-specific and country-specific  OPALS. Globally,  OPALS are available to
gain  exposure to developed and emerging  markets.  OPALS were  established  for
qualifying U.S.  investors and are not listed on any U.S.  exchange.  To qualify
for purchase,  U.S. investors must be (i) qualified institutional buyers (QIBs),
(ii)  qualified  purchasers  (QPs) and (iii) not  subject  to ERISA.  QIB and QP
status is generally  conferred on those clients controlling over $100 million in
assets.

         Investing in the securities of foreign issuers  involves  special risks
and  considerations not typically  associated with investing in U.S.  companies.
These  include:  differences  in  accounting,  auditing and financial  reporting
standards,  generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions,
the possibility of  expropriation or confiscatory  taxation,  adverse changes in
investment or exchange control  regulations (which may include suspension of the
ability to transfer  currency from a country),  political  instability which can
affect U.S.  Investments in foreign countries and potential  restrictions on the
flow of international capital. In addition, foreign securities and dividends and
interest payable on those securities may be subject to foreign taxes,  including
taxes withheld from payments on those securities. Foreign securities often trade
with less  frequency  and volume than  domestic  securities  and  therefore  may
exhibit greater price volatility.  Changes in foreign exchange rates will affect
the value of those  securities  which are  denominated  or quoted in  currencies
other than the U.S. dollar.

         The risks of investing in foreign securities are particularly high when
securities of issuers based in developing (or "emerging  market")  countries are
involved.  Investing in emerging  market  countries  involves  certain risks not
typically  associated  with  investing  in U.S.  securities,  and imposes  risks
greater  than,  or in addition  to,  risks of  investing  in foreign,  developed
countries.   These  risks   include:   greater  risks  of   nationalization   or
expropriation  of assets or confiscatory  taxation;  currency  devaluations  and
other currency exchange rate fluctuations; greater social economic and political
uncertainty  and  instability  (including  the  risk of war);  more  substantial
government  involvement  in  the  economy;  higher  rates  of  inflation;   less
government supervision and regulation of the securities markets and participants
in those markets; controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation
of invested  capital and on the Fund's ability to exchange local  currencies for
U.S. dollars;  unavailability of currency hedging techniques in certain emerging
market  countries;  the fact that companies in emerging market  countries may be
smaller, less seasoned and newly organized companies; the difference in, or lack
of,   auditing  and  financial   reporting   standards,   which  may  result  in
unavailability of material  information  about issuers;  the risk that it may be
more difficult to obtain and/or enforce a judgment in a court outside the United
States;   and  greater  price  volatility,   substantially  less  liquidity  and
significantly smaller market capitalization of securities markets.

Special Risks of Investing in Russian and Other Eastern European Securities

         Alleghany/Blairlogie  Emerging Markets Fund may invest a portion of its
assets in securities of issuers located in Russia and in other Eastern  European
countries.  The  political,  legal and  operational  risks of  investing  in the
securities of Russian and other Eastern European  issuers,  and of having assets
custodied  within these  countries,  may be  particularly  acute.  Investment in
Eastern  European   countries  may  involve  acute  risks  of   nationalization,
expropriation and confiscatory  taxation.  The communist governments of a number
of Eastern European countries  expropriated large amounts of private property in
the past,  in many  cases  without  adequate  compensation,  and there can be no
assurance that such  expropriation  will not occur in the future.  Also, certain
Eastern economies, are characterized by an absence of developed legal structures
governing  private and  foreign  investments  and  private  property in European
countries,  which do not have market economies,  are characterized by an absence
of developed  legal  structures  governing  private and foreign  investments and
private property.

         In addition,  governments  in certain  Eastern  European  countries may
require that a governmental or quasi-governmental  authority act as custodian of
a Fund's assets  invested in such country.  To the extent such  governmental  or
quasi-governmental  authorities do not satisfy the  requirements of the 1940 Act
to act as foreign  custodians  of the  Fund's  cash and  securities,  the Fund's
investment  in such  countries  may be limited or may be required to be effected
through intermediaries.  The risk of loss through governmental  confiscation may
be increased in such circumstances.

         Investments in securities of Russian issuers may involve a particularly
high degree of risk and special  considerations  not typically  associated  with
investing  in U.S.  and other more  developed  markets,  many of which stem from
Russia's  continuing  political  and  economic  instability  and the  slow-paced
development of its market economy.  Investments in Russian  securities should be
considered highly speculative.  Such risks and special  considerations  include:
(a) delays in settling  portfolio  transactions and the risk of loss arising out
of  Russia's  system  of  share   registration  and  custody  (see  below);  (b)
pervasiveness of corruption,  insider trading, and crime in the Russian economic
system;  (c) difficulties  associated in obtaining accurate market valuations of
many  Russian  securities,  based  partly  on the  limited  amount  of  publicly
available information; (d) the general financial condition of Russian companies,
which may involve  particularly large amounts of inter-company debt; and (e) the
risk that the Russian  tax system will not be reformed to prevent  inconsistent,
retroactive and/or exorbitant  taxation or, in the alternative,  the risk that a
reformed tax system may result in the inconsistent and unpredictable enforcement
of the new tax laws.  Also,  there is the risk that the  government of Russia or
other executive or legislative  bodies may decide not to continue to support the
economic reform programs  implemented  since the dissolution of the Soviet Union
and could follow radically  different  political and/or economic policies to the
detriment  of  investors,  including  non-market-oriented  policies  such as the
support of certain  industries at the expense of other  sectors or investors,  a
return to the centrally planned economy that existed prior to the dissolution of
the Soviet Union, or the nationalization of privatized enterprises.

         A risk of particular note with respect to direct  investment in Russian
securities  is the way in which  ownership  of shares of  companies  is normally
recorded. Ownership of shares (except where shares are held through depositories
that meet the  requirements of the 1940 Act) is defined  according to entries in
the  company's  share  register  and  normally  evidenced  by extracts  from the
register or, in certain  limited  circumstances,  by formal share  certificates.
However,  there is no central  registration  system for  shareholders  and these
services are carried out by the companies  themselves  or by registrars  located
throughout  Russia.  These  registrars are not necessarily  subject to effective
state  supervision  nor are they licensed with any  governmental  entity.  It is
possible for a Fund to lose its registration  through fraud,  negligence or even
mere oversight.  While a Fund will endeavor to ensure that is interest continues
to be  appropriately  recorded,  which may  involve a  custodian  or other agent
inspecting the share register and obtaining  extracts of share registers through
regular  confirmations,  these extracts have no legal  enforceability  and it is
possible that subsequent  illegal  amendment or other fraudulent act may deprive
the  Fund of its  ownership  rights  or  improperly  dilute  its  interests.  In
addition,  while applicable  Russian  regulations impose liability on registrars
for  losses  resulting  from their  errors,  it may be  difficult  for a Fund to
enforce any rights it may have against the registrar or issuer of the securities
in the event of loss of share registration.

         Also,   although  a  Russian  public  enterprise  with  more  than  500
shareholders  is  required  by  law  to  contract  out  the  maintenance  of its
shareholder register to an independent entity that meets certain criteria,  this
regulation  has not always been strictly  enforced in practice.  Because of this
lack of independence,  management of a company may be able to exert considerable
influence  over who can  purchase  and sell the  company's  shares by  illegally
instructing  the  registrar  to  refuse  to  record  transactions  in the  share
register. In addition, so-called  "financial-industrial  groups" have emerged in
recent  years  that seek to deter  outside  investors  from  interfering  in the
management of companies  they control.  These  practices may prevent a Fund from
investing in the securities of certain Russian  companies deemed suitable by the
Fund's Investment Advisor. Further, this also could cause a delay in the sale of
Russian securities held by a Fund if a potential purchases is deemed unsuitable,
which may expose the Fund to potential loss on the investment.

Foreign Currencies

         Each Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to
reduce the risks of adverse changes in foreign exchange rates. In addition, each
Fund may but and sell foreign currency futures  contracts and options on foreign
currencies and foreign currency futures.

         Each Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to
reduce the risks of adverse changes in foreign exchange rates. A forward foreign
currency exchange contract involves an obligation 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  agreed upon by the  parties,  at a price set at the time of the
contract.  By entering into a forward foreign currency  exchange  contract,  the
fund "locks in" the  exchange  rate between the currency it will deliver and the
currency it will receive for the duration of the contract.  As a result,  a Fund
reduces its exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will deliver and
increases  its exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will exchange
into.  Contracts to sell foreign currencies would limit any potential gain which
might be realized  by a Fund if the value of the hedged  currency  increases.  A
Fund may enter into these  contracts of the purpose of hedging  against  foreign
exchange risks arising from the Fund's  investment or anticipated  investment in
securities denominated in foreign currencies.  Such hedging transactions may not
be successful  and may eliminate any chance for a Fund to benefit from favorable
fluctuations in relevant foreign currencies.

         Each  Fund  may also  enter  into  forward  foreign  currency  exchange
contracts for purposes of increasing  exposure to a foreign currency or to shift
exposure to foreign currency  fluctuations from one currency to another.  To the
extent  that they do so, the Funds will be subject to the  additional  risk that
the relative  value of  currencies  will be different  than  anticipated  by the
particular Fund's Investment  Advisor.  A Fund may use one currency (or a basket
of currencies) to hedge against adverse changes in the value of another currency
(or a basket of  currencies)  when exchange rates between the two currencies are
positively  correlated.  A Fund will segregate assets determined to be liquid by
the Investment Advisor in accordance with procedures established by the Board of
Trustees in a segregated  account to cover forward  currency  contracts  entered
into for non-hedging  purposes.  The Funds may also use foreign currency futures
contracts  and  related  options on  currencies  for the same  reasons for which
forward foreign currency exchange contracts are used.

Loans of Portfolio Securities and Related Risks

         Each Fund may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers and financial
institutions  provided:  (1) the  loan is  secured  continuously  by  collateral
marked-to-market daily and maintained in an amount at least equal to the current
market  value of the  securities  loaned;  (2) the Fund may call the loan at any
time and receive the securities  loaned;  (3) the Fund will receive any interest
or dividends paid on the loaned  securities;  and (4) the aggregate market value
of  securities  loaned by the Fund will not at any time  exceed 25% of the total
assets of such Fund.

         Collateral   will   consist  of  U.S.   Government   securities,   cash
equivalents,  or irrevocable  letters of credit.  Loans of securities  involve a
risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities or may fail to maintain
the  proper  amount of  collateral.  Therefore,  the Fund will only  enter  into
portfolio loans after a review by the Investment Advisor,  under the supervision
of the Board of  Trustees,  including  a review of the  creditworthiness  of the
borrower. Such reviews will be monitored on an ongoing basis.

Loan Participations ("LPs")

         Each Fund may engage in LPs.  LPs are loans sold by the lending bank to
an investor.  The loan participant  borrower may be a company with  highly-rated
commercial  paper that finds it can obtain  cheaper  funding  through an LP than
with  commercial  paper and can also increase the company's name  recognition in
the capital markets. LPs often generate greater yield than commercial paper.

         The  borrower  of the  underlying  loan will be deemed to be the issuer
except to the extent the Fund  derives  its rights  from the  intermediary  bank
which sold the LPs.  Because LPs are  undivided  interests in a loan made by the
issuing bank, the Fund may not have the right to proceed against the LP borrower
without  the  consent of other  holders  of the LPs.  In  addition,  LPs will be
treated as illiquid if, in the judgment of the Investment  Advisor,  they cannot
be sold within seven days.

Foreign Bankers' Acceptances

         Each Fund may purchase foreign bankers'  acceptances.  Foreign bankers'
acceptances are short-term (270 days or less),  non-interest-bearing  notes sold
at a discount  and redeemed by the  accepting  foreign bank at maturity for full
face value and denominated in U.S. dollars. Foreign bankers' acceptances are the
obligations  of the  foreign  bank  involved,  to pay a draft  drawn  on it by a
customer.  These  instruments  reflect the  obligation  both of the bank and the
drawer to pay the face amount of the instrument upon maturity.

Foreign Commercial Paper

         Each Fund may purchase foreign  commercial  paper.  Foreign  commercial
paper  consists of short-term  unsecured  promissory  notes  denominated in U.S.
dollars,  either  issued  directly by a foreign firm in the U.S., or issued by a
"domestic  shell"  subsidiary of a foreign firm established to raise dollars for
the firm's operations abroad or for its U.S.  subsidiary.  Like commercial paper
issued  by U.S.  companies,  foreign  commercial  paper is  rated by the  rating
agencies (Moody's Investors Service,  Inc; Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a
division of McGraw-Hill  Companies,  Inc.) as to the issuer's  creditworthiness.
Foreign  commercial  paper can  potentially  provide the investor with a greater
yield than domestic commercial paper.

Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit ("Euro CDs")

         A Euro CD is a receipt from a bank for funds deposited at that bank for
a specific  period of time at some  specific rate of return and  denominated  in
U.S. dollars.  It is the liability of a U.S. bank branch or foreign bank located
outside the U.S. Almost all Euro CDs are issued in London.

Yankee Certificates of Deposit ("Yankee CDs")

         Yankee CDs are certificates of deposit that are issued  domestically by
foreign  banks.  It is a means by which  foreign  banks may gain  access to U.S.
markets through their branches which are located in the United States, typically
in New York. These CDs are treated as domestic securities.

Repurchase Agreements

         The repurchase price under the repurchase  agreements  described in the
Prospectus  generally equals the price paid by the Fund plus interest negotiated
on the basis of  current  short-term  rates  (which may be more or less than the
rate  on  the  securities  underlying  the  repurchase  agreement).   Repurchase
agreements may be considered loans by a Fund under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").

         The financial  institutions with which a Fund may enter into repurchase
agreements are banks and non-bank dealers of U.S. Government securities that are
listed on the Federal  Reserve Bank of New York's list of reporting  dealers and
banks,  if such  banks and  non-bank  dealers  are  deemed  creditworthy  by the
Investment  Advisor.  The  Investment  Advisor  will  continue  to  monitor  the
creditworthiness  of the seller under a repurchase  agreement,  and will require
the  seller  to  maintain  during  the term of the  agreement  the  value of the
securities subject to the agreement at not less than the repurchase price.

         Each Fund will only enter into a repurchase  agreement where the market
value of the underlying  security,  including  interest accrued,  will be at all
times equal to or exceed the value of the repurchase agreement.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

         Reverse repurchase  agreements involve the sale of securities held by a
Fund pursuant to a Fund's  agreement to repurchase  the  securities at an agreed
upon price,  date and rate of interest.  Such  agreements  are  considered to be
borrowings  under the 1940 Act,  and may be entered  into only for  temporary or
emergency  purposes.  While reverse repurchase  transactions are outstanding,  a
Fund will maintain in a segregated  account  cash,  or liquid,  securities in an
amount  at least  equal to the  market  value of the  securities,  plus  accrued
interest, subject to the agreement. (Liquid securities as used in the prospectus
and this Statement of Additional  Information include equity securities and debt
securities that are unencumbered and market-to-market daily.) Reverse repurchase
agreements  involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the
Fund may decline  below the price at which the Fund is obligated  to  repurchase
such securities.

Securities of Other Investment Companies

         Each Fund  intends to limit its  investments  in  securities  issued by
other investment  companies so that, as determined  immediately after a purchase
of such  securities  is made:  (i) not more than 5% of the  value of the  Fund's
total assets will be invested in the securities of any one  investment  company;
(ii) not more than 10% 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 the Fund
as a whole.  Each  Fund will  also  limit  investments  in  securities  of other
investment companies as described in the Prospectus under "INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
AND RISK  CONSIDERATIONS" and in this Statement of Additional  Information under
"INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS."

Options and Related Risks

         Each  Fund may buy put and call  options  and  write  covered  call and
secured put options.  These  options are  generally  considered to be derivative
securities. Such options may relate to particular securities,  stock indices, or
financial  instruments  and may or may not be  listed on a  national  securities
exchange and issued by the Options  Clearing  Corporation.  Options trading is a
highly specialized activity which entails greater than ordinary investment risk.
Options  on  particular  securities  may be more  volatile  than the  underlying
securities,  and therefore,  on a percentage basis, an investment in options may
be  subject  to  greater  fluctuation  than  an  investment  in  the  underlying
securities themselves.

         The Funds will write call  options only if they are  "covered."  In the
case of a call option on a security,  the option is "covered" if a Fund owns the
security  underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate  right to acquire
that security  without  additional  cash  consideration  (or, if additional cash
consideration is required, cash or liquid securities, in such amount are held in
a segregated  account by its  custodian)  upon  conversion  or exchange of other
securities held by it. For a call option on an index, the option is covered if a
Fund  maintains  with its custodian a  diversified  stock  portfolio,  or liquid
assets equal to the contract value.

         A call  option  is also  covered  if a Fund  holds  a call on the  same
security or index as the call written where the exercise  price of the call held
is (i) equal to or less than the  exercise  price of the call  written;  or (ii)
greater than the exercise  price of the call written  provided the difference is
maintained by the Fund in cash or liquid securities in a segregated account with
its  custodian.  The Funds will write put options only if they are  "secured" by
liquid assets  maintained in a segregated  account by the Funds' Custodian in an
amount not less than the  exercise  price of the option at all times  during the
option period.

         A Fund's obligation to sell a security subject to a covered call option
written by it, or to purchase a security subject to a secured put option written
by it,  may be  terminated  prior to the  expiration  date of the  option by the
Fund's  execution  of a  closing  purchase  transaction,  which is  effected  by
purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series as the previously written
option. Such a purchase does not result in the ownership of an option. A closing
purchase  transaction  will  ordinarily  be  effected  to realize a profit on an
outstanding  option,  to prevent an underlying  security  from being called,  to
permit the sale of the  underlying  security,  or to permit the writing of a new
option containing different terms on such underlying security.  The cost of such
a liquidation  purchase plus  transaction  costs may be greater than the premium
received upon the original option,  in which event the Fund will have incurred a
loss in the transaction.

         There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any
particular  option.  An option  writer,  unable  to  effect a  closing  purchase
transaction,  will not be able to sell the underlying security (in the case of a
covered  call  option) or  liquidate  the  segregated  account (in the case of a
secured  put  option)  until the option  expires  or the  optioned  security  is
delivered  upon exercise  with the result that the writer in such  circumstances
will be subject to the risk of market  decline or  appreciation  in the security
during such period.

         Purchasing  Call Options -- Each Fund may purchase  call options to the
extent that premiums  paid by such Fund do not  aggregate  more than 20% of that
Fund's  total  assets.  When a Fund  purchases  a call  option,  in return for a
premium paid by the Fund to the writer of the option, the Fund obtains the right
to buy the security  underlying the option at a specified  exercise price at any
time during the term of the option.  The writer of the call option, who receives
the premium upon writing the option,  has the  obligation,  upon exercise of the
option,  to deliver the  underlying  security  against  payment of the  exercise
price.  The  advantage  of  purchasing  call  options  is that a Fund may  alter
portfolio  characteristics and modify portfolio maturities without incurring the
cost associated with transactions, except the cost of the option.

         A Fund may,  following  the  purchase of a call option,  liquidate  its
position by  effecting a closing  sale  transaction  by selling an option of the
same series as the option previously  purchased.  The Fund will realize a profit
from a closing sale transaction if the price received on the transaction is more
than the premium  paid to  purchase  the  original  call  option;  the Fund will
realize a loss from a closing  sale  transaction  if the price  received  on the
transaction is less than the premium paid to purchase the original call option.

         Although a Fund will  generally  purchase  only those call  options for
which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that
a liquid secondary  market on an Exchange will exist for any particular  option,
or at any  particular  time,  and for some  options  no  secondary  market on an
Exchange  may exist.  In such event,  it may not be  possible to effect  closing
transactions  in particular  options,  with the result that a Fund would have to
exercise  its options in order to realize  any profit and would incur  brokerage
commissions   upon  the  exercise  of  such  options  and  upon  the  subsequent
disposition of the underlying  securities  acquired through the exercise of such
options.   Further,   unless  the  price  of  the  underlying  security  changes
sufficiently,  a call option purchased by a Fund may expire without any value to
the Fund,  in which  event the Fund would  realize a capital  loss which will be
short-term unless the option was held for more than one year.

         Covered Call  Writing -- Each Fund may write  covered call options from
time to time on  such  portions  of  their  portfolios,  without  limit,  as the
Investment  Advisor  determines is appropriate  in pursuing a Fund's  investment
objective.  The  advantage to a Fund of writing  covered  calls is that the Fund
receives a premium which is additional income. However, if the security rises in
value, the Fund may not fully participate in the market appreciation.

         During the option period,  a covered call option writer may be assigned
an exercise notice by the broker-dealer  through whom such call option was sold,
requiring the writer to deliver the underlying  security  against payment of the
exercise price.  This obligation is terminated upon the expiration of the option
or upon entering a closing purchase transaction. A closing purchase transaction,
in which a Fund, as writer of an option, terminates its obligation by purchasing
an  option  of the same  series  as the  option  previously  written,  cannot be
effected  with  respect to an option  once the option  writer  has  received  an
exercise notice for such option.

         Closing purchase  transactions will ordinarily be effected to realize a
profit on an  outstanding  call option,  to prevent an underlying  security from
being called, to permit the sale of the underlying  security or to enable a Fund
to write another call option on the underlying  security with either a different
exercise price or expiration date or both. A Fund may realize a net gain or loss
from a closing purchase transaction depending upon whether the net amount of the
original  premium  received  on the call option is more or less than the cost of
effecting  the  closing  purchase  transaction.  Any loss  incurred in a closing
purchase transaction may be partially or entirely offset by the premium received
from a sale of a different call option on the same underlying  security.  Such a
loss may also be wholly or partially  offset by unrealized  appreciation  in the
market value of the  underlying  security.  Conversely,  a gain resulting from a
closing purchase transaction could be offset in whole or in part by a decline in
the market value of the underlying security.

         If  a  call  option  expires  unexercised,  the  Fund  will  realize  a
short-term  capital  gain in the amount of the  premium  on the option  less the
commission  paid.  Such a gain,  however,  may be offset by  depreciation in the
market value of the  underlying  security  during the option  period.  If a call
option is  exercised,  a Fund  will  realize a gain or loss from the sale of the
underlying  security equal to the difference  between the cost of the underlying
security  and the  proceeds of the sale of the  security  plus the amount of the
premium on the option less the commission paid.

         A Fund will write call  options  only on a covered  basis,  which means
that a Fund will own the  underlying  security  subject to a call  option at all
times  during  the  option  period.  Unless a closing  purchase  transaction  is
effected, a Fund would be required to continue to hold a security which it might
otherwise wish to sell or deliver a security it would want to hold. The exercise
price of a call option may be below, equal to, or above the current market value
of the underlying security at the time the option is written.

         Purchasing  Put  Options -- Each Fund may invest up to 20% of its total
assets in the purchase of put options. A Fund will, at all times during which it
holds a put option, own the security covered by such option.  With regard to the
writing  of put  options,  each  Fund  will  limit  the  aggregate  value of the
obligations underlying such put options to 50% of its total assets. The purchase
of the put on  substantially  identical  securities held will constitute a short
sale for tax purposes,  the effect of which is to create short-term capital gain
on the sale of the  security and to suspend  running of its holding  period (and
treat it as  commencing on the date of the closing of the short sale) or that of
a security  acquired to cover the same if at the time the put was acquired,  the
security had not been held for more than one year.

         A put option  purchased by a Fund gives it the right to sell one of its
securities  for an agreed price up to an agreed date. A Fund would  purchase put
options  in order to  protect  against  a  decline  in the  market  value of the
underlying  security  below the  exercise  price less the  premium  paid for the
option ("protective puts"). The ability to purchase put options allows a Fund to
protect unrealized gains in an appreciated  security in their portfolios without
actually  selling the security.  If the security does not drop in value,  a Fund
will lose the value of the premium  paid.  A Fund may sell a put option which it
has previously  purchased  prior to the sale of the securities  underlying  such
option.  Such sale will  result in a net gain or loss  depending  on whether the
amount  received  on the  sale is  more  or less  than  the  premium  and  other
transaction costs paid on the put option which is sold.

         Each  Fund may sell a put  option  purchased  on  individual  portfolio
securities.  Additionally,  a Fund may enter into closing sale  transactions.  A
closing  sale  transaction  is one in which a Fund,  when it is the holder of an
outstanding  option,  liquidates  its  position by selling an option of the same
series as the option previously purchased.

         Foreign  Currency  Options.  Each  Fund  may buy or sell  put and  call
options on foreign  currencies  either on exchanges  or in the  over-the-counter
market. A put option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the
right to sell a foreign currency at the exercise price until the option expires.
A call option on a foreign  currency gives the purchaser of the option the right
to  purchase  the  currency  at the  exercise  price  until the option  expires.
Currency  options  traded on U.S. or other  exchanges may be subject to position
limits  which may limit the ability of a Fund to reduce  foreign  currency  risk
using such options.

         Writing  Put  Options  -- Each  Fund may also  write put  options  on a
secured basis which means that a Fund will maintain in a segregated account with
its Custodian, cash or U.S. Government securities in an amount not less than the
exercise price of the option at all times during the option  period.  The amount
of cash or U.S.  Government  securities  held in the segregated  account will be
adjusted  on a daily  basis  to  reflect  changes  in the  market  value  of the
securities  covered by the put option  written by the Fund.  Secured put options
will generally be written in circumstances  where the Investment  Advisor wishes
to purchase the underlying security for a Fund's portfolio at a price lower than
the current market price of the security. In such event, that Fund would write a
secured put option at an exercise price which,  reduced by the premium  received
on the option, reflects the lower price it is willing to pay.

         Following the writing of a put option, a Fund may wish to terminate the
obligation  to buy the  security  underlying  the option by  effecting a closing
purchase  transaction.  This is  accomplished  by  buying  an option of the same
series as the option previously written. The Fund may not, however,  effect such
a closing transaction after it has been notified of the exercise of the option.

Futures Contracts and Related Risks

         Each Fund may enter into  contracts for the purchase or sale for future
delivery of securities,  including index  contracts.  The Funds may use interest
rate,  foreign  currency  or index  futures  contracts.  Futures  contracts  are
generally  considered  to be  derivative  securities.  While  futures  contracts
provide  for the  delivery  of  securities,  deliveries  usually  do not  occur.
Contracts are generally terminated by entering into offsetting transactions.

         Each Fund may enter into such futures  contracts to protect against the
adverse effects of fluctuations  in security  prices,  or interest rates without
actually  buying or selling the securities.  For example,  if interest rates are
expected to increase,  a Fund might enter into futures contracts for the sale of
debt  securities.  Such a sale  would  have much the same  effect as  selling an
equivalent value of the debt securities owned by the Fund. If interest rates did
increase,  the value of the debt securities in the portfolio would decline,  but
the value of the futures  contracts to the Fund would increase at  approximately
the same rate, thereby keeping the net asset value of the Fund from declining as
much as it otherwise  would have.  Similarly,  when it is expected that interest
rates may decline,  futures  contracts may be purchased to hedge in anticipation
of subsequent  purchases of securities at higher prices.  Since the fluctuations
in the value of futures contracts should be similar to those of debt securities,
the  Fund  could  take  advantage  of the  anticipated  rise  in  value  of debt
securities without actually buying them until the market had stabilized. At that
time, the futures contracts could be liquidated and the Fund could then buy debt
securities on the cash market.

         A stock index futures contract obligates the seller to deliver (and the
purchaser to take) an amount of cash equal to a specific dollar amount times the
difference  between the value of a specific stock index at the close of the last
trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement was made.  Open
futures  contracts  are valued on a daily basis and a Fund may be  obligated  to
provide or receive  cash  reflecting  any decline or increase in the  contract's
value. No physical delivery of the underlying stocks in the index is made in the
future.

         With  respect  to  options  on  futures  contracts,   when  a  Fund  is
temporarily  not fully  invested,  it may  purchase  a call  option on a futures
contract to hedge against a market  advance.  The purchase of a call option on a
futures contract is similar in some respects to the purchase of a call option on
an  individual  security.  Depending  on the  pricing of the option  compared to
either the price of the futures contract upon which it is based, or the price of
the underlying debt  securities,  it may or may not be less risky than ownership
of the futures contract or underlying debt  securities.  As with the purchase of
futures  contracts,  when a Fund is not fully  invested,  it may purchase a call
option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance.

         The  writing  of a call  option on a  futures  contract  constitutes  a
partial hedge against the  declining  price of the security or foreign  currency
which is deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price
at the  expiration  of the  option is below the  exercise  price,  the Fund will
retain the full  amount of the option  premium  which  provides a partial  hedge
against any decline that may have occurred in the value of the Fund's  portfolio
holdings.  The  writing  of a put  option on a futures  contract  constitutes  a
partial hedge against the increasing  price of the security or foreign  currency
which is deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price
at the expiration of the option is higher than the exercise price, the Fund will
retain the full  amount of the option  premium  which  provides a partial  hedge
against  any  increase  in the price of  securities  which the Fund  intends  to
purchase.

         Call and put options on stock  index  futures are similar to options on
securities  except  that,  rather  than the right to purchase or sell stock at a
specified  price,  options on a stock index  future give the holder the right to
receive cash. Upon exercise of the option,  the delivery of the futures position
by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be  accompanied  by
delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account which
represents  the amount by which the market  price of the  futures  contract,  at
exercise, exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put,
the  exercise  price of the futures  contract.  If an option is exercised on the
last trading day prior to the expiration date of the option, the settlement will
be made entirely in cash equal to the  difference  between the exercise price of
the option and the closing price of the futures contract on the expiration date.

         If a put or call option which a Fund has written is exercised, the Fund
may incur a loss which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it received.
Depending  on the  degree of  correlation  between  changes  in the value of its
portfolio  securities  and  changes in the value of its options  positions,  the
Fund's losses from existing  options on futures may, to some extent,  be reduced
or increased by changes in the value of portfolio securities.  The purchase of a
put option on a futures  contract is similar in some respects to the purchase of
protective  puts on portfolio  securities and for Federal tax purposes,  will be
considered a "short  sale." For example,  a Fund will purchase a put option on a
futures  contract  to hedge  the  Fund's  portfolio  against  the risk of rising
interest rates.

         To the extent that market  prices move in an  unexpected  direction,  a
Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of futures contracts or options on
futures  contracts  or may realize a loss.  For  example,  if the Fund is hedged
against the  possibility of an increase in interest rates which would  adversely
affect the price of securities held in its portfolio and interest rates decrease
instead,  the Fund would lose part or all of the benefit of the increased  value
which it has because it would have offsetting losses in its futures position. In
addition,  in such  situations,  if the Fund had  insufficient  cash,  it may be
required to sell securities  from its portfolio to meet daily  variation  margin
requirements.  Such sales of  securities  may, but will not  necessarily,  be at
increased prices which reflect the rising market. A Fund may be required to sell
securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

         Options on securities, futures contracts, options on futures contracts,
and options on currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges.  Such transactions
may not be  regulated  as  effectively  as  similar  transactions  in the United
States;  may not involve a clearing  mechanism and related  guarantees;  and are
subject to the risk of governmental  actions affecting trading in, or the prices
of, foreign securities.  Some foreign exchanges may be principal markets so that
no common clearing  facility exists and a trader may look only to the broker for
performance of the contract. The value of such positions also could be adversely
affected by (i) other complex  foreign  political,  legal and economic  factors,
(ii)  lesser  availability  than in the  United  States of data on which to make
trading  decision,  (iii) delays in the  Company's  ability to act upon economic
events  occurring in foreign  markets  during  non-business  hours in the United
States,  (iv) the  imposition  of different  exercise and  settlement  terms and
procedures and margin  requirements  than in the United  States,  and (v) lesser
trading volume.  In addition,  unless a Fund hedges against  fluctuations in the
exchange  rate between the U.S.  dollar and the  currencies  in which trading is
done on foreign  exchanges,  any  profits  that a Fund might  realize in trading
could be eliminated by adverse  changes in the exchange  rate, or the Fund could
incur losses as a result of those changes.

         Further, with respect to options on futures contracts,  a Fund may seek
to close out an option  position  by  writing or buying an  offsetting  position
covering the same  securities or contracts and have the same exercise  price and
expiration  date.  The ability to establish  and close out  positions on options
will be subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market, which cannot be
assured.

Forward Commitments, When-Issued Securities, and Delayed Delivery Transactions
and Related Risks

         Each  Fund  may  dispose  of or  negotiate  a  when-issued  or  forward
commitment  after  entering  into  these  transactions.  Such  transactions  are
generally  considered  to be  derivative  transactions.  The Funds will normally
realize  a capital  gain or loss in  connection  with  these  transactions.  For
purposes of determining a Fund's average dollar-weighted  maturity, the maturity
of  when-issued or forward  commitment  securities  will be calculated  from the
commitment date.

         When a Fund purchases securities on a when-issued,  delayed delivery or
forward  commitment  basis,  the Fund's  Custodian will maintain in a segregated
account:  cash, or liquid securities having a value (determined  daily) at least
equal to the amount of the Fund's purchase commitments. In the case of a forward
commitment to sell portfolio  securities,  the Custodian will hold the portfolio
securities   themselves  in  a  segregated   account  while  the  commitment  is
outstanding. These procedures are designed to ensure that the Fund will maintain
sufficient  assets  at all  times to cover  its  obligations  under  when-issued
purchases, forward commitments and delayed delivery transactions.

         Swap Agreements.  Each Fund may enter into equity index swap agreements
for purposes of  attempting to gain exposure to the stocks making up an index of
securities in a market without actually purchasing those stocks. Swap agreements
are two-party  contracts  entered into primarily by institutional  investors for
periods  ranging  from a few weeks to more than one year.  In a standard  "swap"
transaction,  two parties  agree to exchange  the returns (or  differentials  in
rates of return) earned or realized on particular  predetermined  investments or
instruments.  The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties
are  calculated  with  respect to a "notional  amount,"  i.e.,  the return on or
increase  in value of a  particular  dollar  amount  invested  in a "basket"  of
securities representing a particular index.

         Most  swap   agreements   entered  into  by  the  Funds  calculate  the
obligations  of the parties to the agreement on a "net basis."  Consequently,  a
Fund's current  obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be
equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on
the relative  values of the positions  held by each party to the agreement  (the
"net  amount").  A Fund's  current  obligations  under a swap  agreement will be
accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but
unpaid  net  amounts  owed  to a swap  counter  party  will  be  covered  by the
maintenance of a segregated account consisting of assets determined to be liquid
by the Investment Advisor in accordance with procedures established by the Board
of  Trustees,  to  avoid  any  potential  leveraging  of the  Fund's  portfolio.
Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be "senior
securities" for purposes of a Fund's  investment  restriction  concerning senior
securities. A Fund will not enter into a swap agreement with any single party if
the net amount owed or to be received under  existing  contracts with that party
would exceed 5% of the Fund's assets.

         Whether  a  Fund's  use  of  swap  agreements  will  be  successful  in
furthering  its investment  objective  will depend on the  Investment  Advisor's
ability to predict  correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to
produce  greater  returns than other  investments.  Because  they are  two-party
contracts  and  because  they may have terms of greater  than seven  days,  swap
agreements may be considered to be illiquid.  Moreover, a Fund bears the risk of
loss of the amount  expected to be received  under a swap agreement in the event
of the default or bankruptcy of a swap  agreement  counterparty.  The Funds will
enter into swap agreements only with  counterparties that meet certain standards
of crreditworthiness  (generally,  such counterparties would have to be eligible
counterparties under the terms of the Funds' repurchase  agreement  guidelines).
Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Internal Revenue Code may limit
the Funds' ability to use swap agreements.  The Swaps market is a relatively new
market and is largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps
market,  including  potential  government  regulation,  could adversely affect a
Fund's ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be
received under such agreements.

Asset-Backed Securities and Related Risks

         Each  Fund  may  invest  in   asset-backed   securities.   Asset-backed
securities are securities backed by installment contracts, credit card and other
receivables,  or other financial type assets.  Asset-backed securities represent
interests in "pools" of assets in which  payments of both interest and principal
on the securities are made monthly,  thus in effect  "passing  through"  monthly
payments made by the individual  borrowers on the assets underlying  securities,
net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the  securities.  The average
life of  asset-backed  securities  varies with the  maturities of the underlying
instruments.  An asset-backed  security's stated maturity may be shortened,  and
the security's


<PAGE>


Mortgage-Backed Securities and Mortgage Pass-Through Securities and Related 
Risks

         Each Fund may also  invest in  mortgage-backed  securities.  The timely
payment of  principal  and  interest  on  mortgage-backed  securities  issued or
guaranteed by Ginnie Mae (formerly  known as the  Government  National  Mortgage
Association)  ("GNMA")  is backed by GNMA and the full  faith and  credit of the
U.S.  Government.  Also,  securities  issued by GNMA and  other  mortgage-backed
securities  may be  purchased  at a  premium  over  the  maturity  value  of the
underlying  mortgages.  This  premium  is not  guaranteed  and  would be lost if
prepayment occurs. Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies
or   instrumentalities   other  than  GNMA  are  not  "full  faith  and  credit"
obligations.  Certain obligations, such as those issued by the Federal Home Loan
Bank are supported by the issuer's right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; while
others,  such as those  issued  by the  Federal  National  Mortgage  Association
("FNMA"),  are supported only by the credit of the issuer.  Unscheduled or early
payments on the  underlying  mortgages  may shorten  the  securities'  effective
maturities  and reduce  returns.  The Funds may agree to  purchase or sell these
securities with payment and delivery taking place at a future date.

         Mortgage-backed  securities  have greater market  volatility then other
types of securities. In addition,  because prepayments often occur at times when
interest  rates are low or are  declining,  the Funds may be unable to  reinvest
such funds in securities which offer comparable  yields.  The yields provided by
these mortgage  securities have historically  exceeded the yields on other types
of U.S. Government securities with comparable maturities in large measure due to
the risks associated with prepayment  features.  (See "General Risks of Mortgage
Securities" herein.)

         For Federal tax purposes other than diversification  under Subchapter M
of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),  mortgage-backed
securities  are not  considered to be separate  securities  but rather  "grantor
trusts" conveying to the holder an individual  interest in each of the mortgages
constituting the pool.

         The mortgage securities which are issued or guaranteed by GNMA, Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation  ("FHLMC"),  or FNMA  ("certificates") are called
pass-through  certificates because a pro-rata share of both regular interest and
principal payments (less GNMA's, FHLMC's, or FNMA's fees and any applicable loan
servicing  fees),  as well as  unscheduled  early  prepayments on the underlying
mortgage  pool,  are passed  through  monthly  to the holder of the  certificate
(i.e., the portfolio).

         Each  Fund may also  invest  in  pass-through  certificates  issued  by
non-governmental  issuers.  Pools of  conventional  residential  mortgage  loans
created  by  such  issuers  generally  offer a  higher  rate  of  interest  than
government and government-related  pools because there are no direct or indirect
government  guarantees of payment.  Timely  payment of interest and principal of
these pools is,  however,  generally  supported by various forms of insurance or
guarantees,  including  individual loan, title,  pool and hazard insurance.  The
insurance and guarantees are issued by government  entities,  private  insurance
and the mortgage poolers. Such insurance and guarantees and the creditworthiness
of  the  issuers   thereof  will  be   considered  in   determining   whether  a
mortgage-related  security meets the Fund's quality standards.  The Fund may buy
mortgage-related  securities  without  insurance  or  guarantees  if  through an
examination of the loan experience and practices of the poolers,  the investment
manager determines that the securities meet the Fund's quality standards.

Collateralized  Mortgage Obligations  ("CMOs"), Real Estate Mortgage Investment 
Conduits ("REMICs"),  Multi-Class  Pass-Throughs, and Related Risks

         Each  Fund may also  invest  in  certain  debt  obligations  which  are
collateralized  by mortgage  loans or mortgage  pass-through  securities.  These
obligations  are  generally  considered to be  derivative  securities.  CMOs and
REMICs are debt instruments issued by special-purpose entities which are secured
by pools or  mortgage  loans or other  mortgage-backed  securities.  Multi-class
pass-through  securities  are equity  interests in a trust  composed of mortgage
loans or other mortgage-backed securities. Payments of principal and interest on
underlying collateral provides the funds to pay debt service on the CMO or REMIC
or make scheduled  distributions  on the  multi-class  pass-through  securities.
CMOs, REMICs, and multi-class pass-through securities (collectively, CMOs unless
the context indicates  otherwise) may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities
of the U.S. Government or by private organizations.

         In a CMO,  a series of bonds or  certificates  is  issued  in  multiple
classes.  Each class of CMOs,  often  referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a
specified  coupon rate or  adjustable  rate tranche (to be discussed in the next
paragraph)  and has a stated  maturity  or final  distribution  date.  Principal
prepayments  on  collateral  underlying  a  CMO  may  cause  it  to  be  retired
substantially  earlier than the stated maturities or final  distribution  dates.
Interest is paid or accrues on all classes of a CMO on a monthly,  quarterly, or
semi-annual basis. The principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may be
allocated  among several  classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. In a common
structure,  payments of principal,  including any principal prepayments,  on the
underlying  mortgages  are  applied  to the  classes of a series of a CMO in the
order of their respective stated maturities or final distribution dates, so that
no  payment  of  principal  will be made on any  class of a CMO  until all other
classes having an earlier stated maturity or final  distribution  date have been
paid in full.

         One or more  tranches  of a CMO  may  have  coupon  rates  which  reset
periodically at a specified increment over an index such as the London Interbank
Offered Rate ("LIBOR").  These adjustable-rate tranches, known as "floating-rate
CMOs," will be considered as adjustable-rate mortgage securities ("ARMs") by the
Funds.  Floating-rate  CMOs  may be  backed  by  fixed-rate  or  adjustable-rate
mortgages;  to date,  fixed-rate  mortgages have been more commonly utilized for
this purpose.  Floating-rate  CMOs are typically  issued with lifetime "caps" on
the coupon rate thereon.  These "caps," similar to the "caps" on adjustable-rate
mortgages,  represent a ceiling beyond which the coupon rate on a  floating-rate
CMO may not be increased  regardless  of increases in the interest rate index to
which the floating-rate CMO is geared.

         REMICs are private  entities  formed for the purpose of holding a fixed
pool of mortgages secured by an interest in real property. REMICs are similar to
CMOs in that they issue  multiple  classes  of  securities.  As with  CMOs,  the
mortgages which  collateralize  the REMICs in which the Funds may invest include
mortgages backed by GNMA certificates or other mortgage  pass-throughs issued or
guaranteed by the U.S.  Government,  its agencies or instrumentalities or issued
by private entities, which are not guaranteed by any government agency.

         Yields  on  privately   issued  CMOs  as  described   above  have  been
historically  higher  than the  yields  on CMOs  issued  or  guaranteed  by U.S.
Government  agencies.  However,  the  risk  of  loss  due  to  default  on  such
instruments is higher since they are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government.  The
Funds will not invest in subordinated privately issued CMOs.

         Resets  -- The  interest  rates  paid on the ARMs and CMOs in which the
Funds may invest generally are readjusted at intervals of one year or less to an
increment  over some  predetermined  interest  rate index.  There are three main
categories of indices:  those based on U.S. Treasury  securities;  those derived
from a calculated  measure such as a cost of funds index; or a moving average of
mortgage rates. Commonly utilized indices include: the one-year,  three-year and
five-year constant maturity Treasury rates; the three-month  Treasury bill rate;
the six-month Treasury bill rate; rates on longer-term Treasury securities;  the
11th District  Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds; the National Median Cost of
Funds; the one-month,  three-month,  six-month or one-year LIBOR; the prime rate
of a specific  bank;  or  commercial  paper  rates.  Some  indices,  such as the
one-year  constant  maturity  Treasury  rate,  closely  mirror changes in market
interest rate levels.  Others,  such as the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank
Cost of Funds index,  tend to lag behind  changes in market rate levels and tend
to be somewhat less volatile.

         Caps and Floors -- The underlying  mortgages  which  collateralize  the
ARMs and CMOs in which the Funds may invest will frequently have caps and floors
which  limit  the  maximum  amount  by which  the loan  rate to the  residential
borrower may change up or down (1) per reset or adjustment interval and (2) over
the  life  of the  loan.  Some  residential  mortgage  loans  restrict  periodic
adjustments by limiting changes in the borrower's monthly principal and interest
payments rather than limiting interest rate changes.
These payment caps may result in negative amortization.

Stripped Mortgage Securities and Related Risks

         Each Fund may also invest in stripped mortgage securities. The stripped
mortgage  securities  in which  the  Funds  may  invest  will  only be issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government,  its agencies or instrumentalities.  Stripped
mortgage  securities have greater market volatility than other types of mortgage
securities in which the Funds invest.

         Stripped  mortgage  securities are usually  structured with two classes
that receive different  proportions of the interest and principal  distributions
on a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of stripped  mortgage  security will
have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the
mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the
remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all
of the interest (the  interest-only  or "IO" class),  while the other class will
receive all of the principal (the  principal-only  or "PO" class).  The yield to
maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing
interest  rates  but  also  to  the  rate  of  principal   payments   (including
prepayments)  on the related  underlying  mortgage  assets,  and a rapid rate of
principal  payments may have a material  adverse effect on the yield to maturity
of any such IOs held by a Fund. If the  underlying  mortgage  assets  experience
greater than  anticipated  prepayments of principal,  the Fund may fail to fully
recoup its initial  investment in these  securities  even if the  securities are
rated in the  highest  rating  categories--"Aaa"  or "AAA"  by  Moody's  or S&P,
respectively.

         Although  stripped  mortgage  securities  are  purchased  and  sold  by
institutional  investors  through  several  investment  banking  firms acting as
brokers or dealers, these securities were only recently developed.  As a result,
established  trading  markets  have not yet been fully  developed;  accordingly,
certain of these  securities  may  generally  be  illiquid.  The Fund will treat
stripped mortgage  securities as illiquid securities except for those securities
which are issued by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities and backed by
fixed rate mortgages  whose  liquidity is monitored by the  Investment  Advisor,
subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees. The staff of the Securities
and Exchange  Commission (the "SEC") has indicated that it views such securities
as  illiquid.  Until  further  clarification  of this  matter is provided by the
staff, a Fund's  investment in stripped  mortgage  securities will be treated as
illiquid and will, together with any other illiquid investments,  not exceed 15%
of such Fund's net assets.

Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

         Each  Fund  may  invest  in  other  mortgage-backed   securities.   The
Investment  Advisor  expects that  governmental,  government-related  or private
entities may create  mortgage loan pools and other  mortgage-related  securities
offering  mortgage  pass-through  and  mortgage-collateralized   investments  in
addition to those described above. The mortgages underlying these securities may
include alternative  mortgage  instruments,  that is, mortgage instruments whose
principal  or interest  payments  may vary or whose terms to maturity may differ
from customary long-term fixed-rate mortgages.  As new types of mortgage-related
securities are developed and offered to investors,  the Investment Advisor will,
consistent  with  each  Fund's  investment   objective,   policies  and  quality
standards,  consider  making  investments in such new types of  mortgage-related
securities.

General Risks of Mortgage Securities

         The  mortgage   securities   in  which  a  Fund  invests   differ  from
conventional  bonds in that principal is paid back over the life of the mortgage
security  rather  than at  maturity.  As a result,  the  holder of the  mortgage
securities (i.e., the Fund) receives monthly scheduled payments of principal and
interest,   and  may  receive   unscheduled   principal  payments   representing
prepayments on the underlying mortgages.  When the holder reinvests the payments
and any unscheduled  prepayments of principal it receives, it may receive a rate
of interest  which is lower than the rate on the existing  mortgage  securities.
For this reason,  mortgage  securities may be less effective than other types of
securities as a means of "locking in" long-term interest rates.

         A decline in interest  rates may lead to a faster rate of  repayment of
the  underlying  mortgages  and  expose a Fund to a lower  rate of  return  upon
reinvestment.  To the extent that such mortgage-backed  securities are held by a
Fund, the  prepayment  right of mortgagors may decrease or limit the increase in
net asset value of the Fund because the value of the mortgage-backed  securities
held by the Fund may  decline  more  than or may not  appreciate  as much as the
price of  non-callable  debt  securities.  To the extent market  interest  rates
increase beyond the applicable cap or maximum rate on a mortgage  security,  the
market value of the mortgage security would likely decline to the same extent as
a conventional  fixed-rate security. The volatility of the security would likely
increase,  however,  because the expected  decline in prepayments  would lead to
longer effective maturity of the underlying mortgages.

         In  addition,  to the extent  mortgage  securities  are  purchased at a
premium,  mortgage foreclosures and unscheduled principal prepayments may result
in some loss of the holder's  principal  investment to the extent of the premium
paid.  On the other hand,  if mortgage  securities  are purchased at a discount,
both a scheduled payment of principal and an unscheduled prepayment of principal
will increase  current and total returns and will  accelerate the recognition of
income which when distributed to shareowners will be taxable as ordinary income.

         With respect to pass-through  mortgage pools issued by non-governmental
issuers,  there can be no assurance that the private  insurers  associated  with
such  securities  can meet their  obligations  under the policies.  Although the
market for such  non-governmental  issued or guaranteed  mortgage  securities is
becoming increasingly liquid, securities issued by certain private organizations
may not be readily  marketable.  The purchase of such  securities  is subject to
each Fund's limit with respect to investment in illiquid securities.

Other Investments

         The Board of Trustees may, in the future, authorize a Fund to invest in
securities  other than those listed here and in the  Prospectus,  provided  that
such investment  would be consistent with that Fund's  investment  objective and
that it would not violate any  fundamental  investment  policies or restrictions
applicable to that Fund.

                             INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

         The investment  restrictions  set forth below are fundamental  policies
and may not be changed as to a Fund  without  the  approval of a majority of the
outstanding  voting  shares  (as  defined  in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.  Unless
otherwise  indicated,  all percentage  limitations  governing the investments of
each Fund apply only at the time of  transaction.  Accordingly,  if a percentage
restriction  is  adhered  to at the  time of  investment,  a later  increase  or
decrease in the  percentage  which  results from a relative  change in values or
from a change in a Fund's total assets will not be considered a violation.

         Except as set forth under  "INVESTMENT  OBJECTIVES  AND  POLICIES"  and
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS" in the Prospectus,  each Fund may
not:

(1)      As to 75% of the total assets of each Fund,  purchase the securities of
         any one issuer (other than securities issued by the U.S.  Government or
         its agencies or  instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase,
         more than 5% of the value of the Fund's  total assets would be invested
         in securities of such issuer;

(2)      Purchase or sell real estate  (but this  restriction  shall not prevent
         the  Funds  from   investing   directly  or   indirectly  in  portfolio
         instruments  secured by real estate or  interests  therein or acquiring
         securities of real estate  investment trusts or other issuers that deal
         in real estate),  interests in oil, gas and/or  mineral  exploration or
         development programs or leases;

(3)      Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that a Fund
         may enter into futures contracts and options thereon in accordance with
         such Fund's investment objectives and policies;

(4)      Make investments in securities for the purpose of exercising control;

(5)      Purchase  the  securities  of any one  issuer  if,  immediately  after
         such  purchase,  a Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding 
         voting securities of such issuer;

(6)      Sell  securities  short or purchase  securities on margin,  except such
         short-term  credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions.
         For this  purpose,  the  deposit or  payment  by a Fund for  initial or
         maintenance   margin  in  connection  with  futures  contracts  is  not
         considered to be the purchase or sale of a security on margin;

(7)      Make loans,  except that this  restriction  shall not  prohibit (a) the
         purchase and holding of debt  instruments  in accordance  with a Fund's
         investment  objectives  and  policies,  (b) the  lending  of  portfolio
         securities,  or (c) entry  into  repurchase  agreements  with  banks or
         broker-dealers;

(8)      Borrow  money or issue  senior  securities,  except  that each Fund may
         borrow  from banks and enter into  reverse  repurchase  agreements  for
         temporary purposes in amounts up to one-third of the value of its total
         assets  at  the  time  of  such  borrowing;  or  mortgage,  pledge,  or
         hypothecate  any assets,  except in connection  with any such borrowing
         and in  amounts  not in excess  of the  lesser  of the  dollar  amounts
         borrowed  or 10% of the  value of the  total  assets of the Fund at the
         time of its  borrowing.  All  borrowings  will be done  from a bank and
         asset  coverage of at least 300% is required.  A Fund will not purchase
         securities when borrowings exceed 5% of that Fund's total assets;

(9)      Purchase the securities of issuers  conducting their principal business
         activities  in the same  industry  (other  than  obligations  issued or
         guaranteed by the U.S. Government,  its agencies or  instrumentalities)
         if immediately after such purchase the value of a Fund's investments in
         such industry  would exceed 25% of the value of the total assets of the
         Fund;

(10)     Act as an underwriter of  securities,  except that, in connection  with
         the  disposition  of a  security,  a  Fund  may  be  deemed  to  be  an
         "underwriter" as that term is defined in the 1933 Act;

(11)     Invest in puts, calls, straddles or combinations thereof except to the
         extent disclosed in the Prospectus;

(12)     Invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of companies less
         than  three  years  old.  Such three year  periods  shall  include  the
         operation of any predecessor company or companies.

                              TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

         Information  pertaining to the Trustees and  Executive  Officers of the
Company is set forth below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                              <C>      <C>                          <C>                                                     
                                             POSITION                   PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
NAME                              AGE        WITH COMPANY               FOR PAST FIVE YEARS
- --------                       --------  --------------------------     ---------------------------
Stuart D. Bilton*                 52     Chairman, Board of Trustees    Mr. Bilton  is Chief  Executive  Officer of
171 North Clark Street                    (Chief Executive Officer)     The Chicago  Trust Company and President of
Chicago, IL  60601                                                      Alleghany    Asset     Management,     Inc.
                                                                        Previously,  Mr.  Bilton  was an  Executive
                                                                        Vice   President  with  Chicago  Title  and
                                                                        Trust   Company.   He  is  a  Director   of
                                                                        Alleghany  Asset  Management  Inc.,  Montag
                                                                        and  Caldwell,   Veredus  Asset  Management
                                                                        Inc.,  Baldwin & Lyons,  Inc., and the Boys
                                                                        and Girls Clubs of Chicago.

Leonard F. Amari                   56     Trustee                       Mr. Amari  is a Partner at the law  offices
734 North Wells Street                                                  of Amari &  Locallo,  a  practice  confined
Chicago, IL  60610                                                      exclusively   to  the   real   estate   tax
                                                                        assessment process.

Gregory T. Mutz                    53     Trustee                       Mr. Mutz  is  President  & CEO of The  UICI
125 South Wacker Drive                                                  Companies  and  Chairman  of the  Board  of
Suite 3100                                                              Excell   Global   Services.   He  is   also
Chicago, IL  60606                                                      Chairman  of the Board of AMLI  Residential
                                                                       
                                                                        Properties Trust (a NYSE Multifamily
                                                                        REIT) and Chairman of the Board of AMLI
                                                                        Commercial Properties Trust LP, both successor
                                                                        companies to  AMLI Realty Co., which he
                                                                        co-founded in 1980.
</TABLE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                               <C>             <C>                   <C>            
                                                  POSITION              PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
NAME                              AGE             WITH COMPANY          FOR PAST FIVE YEARS
- ---------------                   ---             ------------          ------------------------------
Nathan Shapiro                     62             Trustee               Mr. Shapiro   is   the   President   of  SF
1700 Ridge                                                              Investments,   Inc.,  a  broker/dealer  and
Highland Park, IL  60035                                                investment  banking  firm.  He is President
                                                                        of   New Horizons Corporation, a consulting
                                                                        firm, and Senior Vice President of Pekin,
                                                                        Singer and Shapiro, an investment advisory
                                                                        firm. He is a Director of Baldwin ons, Inc.

Kenneth C. Anderson                34     President                     Mr. Anderson   is  President  of  Alleghany
171 North Clark Street                    (Chief Operating Officer)     Investment  Services,  Inc.  and  a  Senior
Chicago, IL  60601                                                      Vice   President   of  The  Chicago   Trust
                                                                        Company and has been an officer since 1993. He
                                                                        is responsible for all business activities
                                                                        regarding mutual funds. Mr. Anderson is a
                                                                        Certified Public Accountant.

Gerald F. Dillenburg               32     Vice President,               Mr. Dillenburg  is a Vice  President of The
171 North Clark Street                    Secretary and Treasurer       Chicago  Trust  Company  and has  been  the
Chicago, IL  60601                        (Chief Financial Officer      operations  manager and compliance  officer
                                          and                          
                                                                        Compliance Officer)of all mutualfunds since
                                                                        1996. Previously, he was an audit manager
                                                                        with KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, specializing
                                                                        in investment services, including mutual
                                                                        and trust funds, broker/dealers and investment
                                                                        Advisers. Mr.Dillenburg is a Certified
                                                                        Public Accountant.

Debra Comsudes                     35     Vice President                Ms.  Comsudes is a Vice President of Montag
1100 Atlanta Financial Center                                           & Caldwell,  Inc.  since 1996.  Previously,
3343 Peachtree Road, NE                                                 she  was  a  Portfolio  Manager  and  Chief
Atlanta, GA  30326-8151                                                 Investment   Officer  at  Randy  Seckman  &
                                                                        Associates,   Inc.,  a  financial  advisory
                                                                        firm providing asset  management  primarily
                                                                        to  individual  and small  businesses.  She
                                                                        is a Chartered Financial Analyst
</TABLE>



* These Trustees are considered "interested persons" of the Funds as defined 
  under the 1940 Act.

         The  Trustees of the Company  who are not  "interested  persons" of the
Funds  receive fees and expenses for each meeting of the Board of Trustees  they
attend.  Prior to January 1, 1997, such Trustees  received $1,500 for each Board
Meeting attended,  and an annual retainer of $1,500.  Effective January 1, 1998,
such Trustees now receive $2,000 for each Board Meeting attended,  and an annual
retainer of $2,000. No officer or employee of Chicago Title and Trust Company or
The Chicago Trust Company  ("Chicago  Trust") or their  affiliates  receives any
compensation from the Funds for acting as a Trustee of the Company. The Officers
of the Company  receive no  compensation  directly from the Funds for performing
the duties of their offices.


<PAGE>



                     INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

Investment Advisory Agreements

         The advisory services provided by the Investment  Advisor of each Fund,
and the fees received by it for such services,  are described in the Prospectus.
The Investment  Advisor of each Fund may from time to time  voluntarily  waive a
portion of its  advisory  fees with  respect  to such Fund  and/or  reimburse  a
portion of the Fund's expenses.

         Under the Investment  Advisory  Agreements,  the Investment  Advisor of
each Fund is not liable for any error of  judgment  or mistake of law or for any
loss suffered by the Company or a Fund in connection with the performance of the
Agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance,  bad faith or gross
negligence  on its  part in the  performance  of its  duties  or  from  reckless
disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder.

         Each Investment Advisory Agreement is terminable with respect to a Fund
by  vote of the  Board  of  Trustees  or by the  holders  of a  majority  of the
outstanding  voting  securities of the Fund, at any time without penalty,  on 60
days' written notice to the Investment  Advisor.  An Investment Advisor may also
terminate its advisory  relationship  with respect to a Fund on 60 days' written
notice  to  the  Company.   Each  Investment   Advisory   Agreement   terminates
automatically in the event of its assignment.

         Under each Investment Advisory  Agreement,  the Fund pays the following
expenses:  (1) the fees and expenses of the Company's  disinterested  directors;
(2) the salaries and expenses of any of the Company's  officers or employees who
are not affiliated with the Investment Advisor; (3) interest expenses; (4) taxes
and governmental fees; (5) brokerage  commissions and other expenses incurred in
acquiring or disposing of portfolio securities;  (6) the expenses of registering
and  qualifying  shares for sale with the SEC and with various state  securities
commissions;  (7) accounting and legal costs; (8) insurance  premiums;  (9) fees
and expenses of the Company's Custodian,  Administrator,  Sub-Administrator  and
Transfer Agent and any related services;  (10) expenses of obtaining  quotations
of the Funds'  portfolio  securities  and of pricing  the  Funds'  shares;  (11)
expenses of  maintaining  the  Company's  legal  existence  and of  shareowners'
meetings;  (12) expenses of preparation and distribution to existing shareowners
of reports,  proxies and prospectuses;  and (13) fees and expenses of membership
in industry organizations.

The  Investment   Advisor  for  the  Funds  is  Blairlogie   Capital  Management
("Blairlogie"),  located at 125 Princes  Street,  Edinburgh  EH2 4AD,  Scotland.
Blairlogie is  registered  as an  investment  advisor with the SEC in the United
States and with the Investment Management Regulatory  Organisation in the United
Kingdom.  Blairlogie  Capital  Management Ltd. (now known as Blairlogie  Capital
Management)  commenced  operations in 1992.  Blairlogie is currently an indirect
subsidiary  of the  Alleghany  Corporation.  Alleghany  Corporation  is  engaged
through its subsidiaries in the business of title insurance,  reinsurance, other
financial services and industrial  minerals and is located at Park Avenue Plaza,
New York, New York 10055.

         Blairlogie managed approximately $890 million in assets at November 23,
1998, primarily for institutional clients.

The Administrator and Sub-Administrator

         As  Administrator,  Chicago  Trust,  171 North Clark  Street,  Chicago,
Illinois 60601, provides certain administrative services to the Company pursuant
to an  Administration  Agreement.  First  Data  Investor  Services  Group,  Inc.
("Investor  Services  Group"),  53 State Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts  02109,
provides  certain  administrative  services  for the  Funds  and  Chicago  Trust
pursuant to a Sub-Administration Agreement.

         Under the  Administration  Agreement,  the Administrator is responsible
for: (1)  coordinating  with the Custodian and Transfer Agent and monitoring the
services they provide to the Funds;  (2)  coordinating  with and  monitoring any
other third parties  furnishing  services to the Funds;  (3) providing the Funds
with necessary office space, telephones and other communications  facilities and
personnel  competent  to perform  administrative  and  clerical  functions;  (4)
supervising  the  maintenance  by third parties of such books and records of the
Funds as may be required by  applicable  Federal or state law; (5)  preparing or
supervising the preparation by third parties of all Federal, state and local tax
returns and reports of the Funds required by applicable  law; (6) preparing and,
after approval by the Funds,  filing and arranging for the distribution of proxy
materials  and  periodic  reports to  shareowners  of the Funds as  required  by
applicable law; (7) preparing and, after approval by the Company,  arranging for
the filing of such registration  statements and other documents with the SEC and
other Federal and state regulatory  authorities as may be required by applicable
law;  (8)  reviewing  and  submitting  to the  Officers of the Company for their
approval  invoices  or other  requests  for payment of the Funds'  expenses  and
instructing  the  Custodian to issue checks in payment  thereof;  and (9) taking
such other  action with  respect to the Company or the Funds as may be necessary
in the opinion of the Administrator to perform its duties under the Agreement.

         As  compensation  for  services   performed  under  the  Administration
Agreement,  the  Administrator  receives a fee payable monthly at an annual rate
(as described in the  Prospectus)  multiplied by the average daily net assets of
the Company.

  First Data Distributors, Inc. is principal underwriter and distributor of the
Funds' shares.  Distribution Plan

         The Board of Trustees of the Company has adopted a Plan of Distribution
(the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act which permits the Class N
shares of each Fund to pay certain expenses  associated with the distribution of
its shares. Under the Plan, each Fund may pay actual expenses not exceeding,  on
an annual basis,  0.25% of a Fund's  average daily net assets.  To the Company's
knowledge,  no interested person of the Company, nor any of its Trustees who are
not  "interested  persons," has a direct or indirect  financial  interest in the
operation of the Plan. The Company  anticipates that each Fund will benefit from
additional  shareholders and assets as a result of  implementation  of the Plan.
The  terms  of such  Plan are  more  fully  described  in the  Prospectus  under
"DISTRIBUTION PLAN."
                PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS

         The  Investment  Advisor is  responsible  for decisions to buy and sell
securities for the Funds and for the placement of its portfolio business and the
negotiation of commissions,  if any, paid on such  transactions.  The Investment
Advisor,  in placing  trades for a Fund,  will  follow the  Company's  policy of
seeking best  execution  of orders.  Securities  traded in the  over-the-counter
market are  generally  traded on a net basis.  These  securities  are  generally
traded on a net basis with dealers  acting as  principal  for their own accounts
without a stated commission. In over-the-counter transactions, orders are placed
directly with a principal  market-maker  unless a better price and execution can
be obtained by using a broker. Brokerage commissions are paid on transactions in
listed securities, futures contracts, and options.

         The  Investment  Advisor  effects  portfolio   transactions  for  other
investment  companies  and advisory  accounts.  Research  services  furnished by
broker-dealers through whom the Funds effect securities transactions may be used
by the Investment Advisor in servicing all of their respective accounts; not all
such services may be used in connection with the Funds.  The Investment  Advisor
will attempt to equitably  allocate  portfolio  transactions among the Funds and
others whenever concurrent  decisions are made to purchase or sell securities by
the Funds and other accounts.  In making such allocations  between the Funds and
others,  the  main  factors  to be  considered  are  the  respective  investment
objectives,  the relative  size of portfolio  holdings of the same or comparable
securities,  the  availability  of cash for  investment,  the size of investment
commitments  generally  held,  and the opinions of the persons  responsible  for
recommending  investments  to the  Funds and the  others.  In some  cases,  this
procedure  could have an  adverse  effect on the  Funds.  In the  opinion of the
Investment Advisor,  however, the results of such procedures will, on the whole,
be in the best interest of each of the clients.

Portfolio Turnover

         The  portfolio  turnover  rate for each of the Funds is  calculated  by
dividing  the lesser of  purchases  or sales of  portfolio  investments  for the
reporting period by the monthly average value of the portfolio investments owned
during the reporting period. The calculation excludes all securities,  including
options, whose maturities or expiration dates at the time of acquisition are one
year or less.  Portfolio  turnover may vary greatly from year to year as well as
within  a  particular  year,  and  may be  affected  by  cash  requirements  for
redemption  of units and by  requirements  which  enable  the  Funds to  receive
favorable  tax  treatment.  In any event,  portfolio  turnover is generally  not
expected to exceed 100% in the Funds. A high rate of portfolio  turnover  (i.e.,
over  100%) may  result in the  realization  of  substantial  capital  gains and
involves  correspondingly  greater  transaction  costs.  To the extent  that net
capital gains are realized, distributions derived from such gains are treated as
ordinary income for Federal income tax purposes.

                                      TAXES

         Each Fund  intends  to  continue  to qualify  each year as a  regulated
investment company under the Code.

         In order to so qualify,  a Fund must, among other things, (i) derive at
least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to
certain  securities  loans,  gains  from  the  sale  of  securities  or  foreign
currencies,  or other income  (including  but not limited to gains from options,
futures or forward  contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing
in such stock, securities or currencies;  (ii) derive less than 30% of its gross
income from gains from the sale or other  disposition  of  securities or certain
futures  and  options  thereon  held for less than  three  months  ("short-short
gains");  (iii)  distribute at least 90% of its  dividend,  interest and certain
other  taxable  income  each year;  and (iv) at the end of each  fiscal  quarter
maintain at least 50% of the value of its total assets in cash, U.S.  Government
securities,  securities  of other  regulated  investment  companies,  and  other
securities of issuers which represent, with respect to each issuer, no more than
5% of the  value of a Fund's  total  assets  and 10% of the  outstanding  voting
securities of such issuer,  and with no more than 25% of its assets  invested in
the securities (other than those of the government or other regulated investment
companies)  of any one issuer or of two or more issuers  which the Fund controls
and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades and businesses.

         To  the  extent  such  Fund  qualifies  for  treatment  as a  regulated
investment  company, it will not be subject to Federal income tax on income paid
to shareowners in the form of dividends or capital gains distributions.

         An excise tax at the rate of 4% will be imposed on the excess,  if any,
of a Fund's "required  distributions" over actual  distributions in any calendar
year. Generally,  the "required distribution" is 98% of a 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 plus  undistributed  amounts from prior
years. The Funds intend to make distributions  sufficient to avoid imposition of
the excise tax. For a distribution to qualify as such with respect to a calendar
year under the foregoing  rules,  it must be declared by a Fund during  October,
November  or  December to  shareowners  of record  during such month and paid by
January 31 of the following year. Such distributions will be taxable in the year
they are declared, rather than the year in which they are received.

         When a Fund writes a call,  or purchases a put option,  an amount equal
to the premium  received or paid by it is included in the Fund's  accounts as an
asset and as an equivalent liability.

         In  writing  a  call,  the  amount  of the  liability  is  subsequently
"marked-to-market"  to reflect the current  market value of the option  written.
The  current  market  value of a written  option  is the last sale  price on the
principal  exchange on which such option is traded or, in the absence of a sale,
the mean  between the last bid and asked  prices.  If an option which a Fund has
written  expires  on its  stipulated  expiration  date,  the Fund  recognizes  a
short-term  capital gain. If a Fund enters into a closing  purchase  transaction
with  respect  to an option  which the Fund has  written,  the Fund  realizes  a
short-term  gain (or loss if the cost of the  closing  transaction  exceeds  the
premium received when the option was sold) without regard to any unrealized gain
or loss on the underlying security,  and the liability related to such option is
extinguished.  If a call option which a Fund has written is exercised,  the Fund
realizes a capital gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security and the
proceeds from such sale are increased by the premium originally received.

         The premium paid by a Fund for the purchase of a put option is recorded
in the Fund's assets and liabilities as an investment and subsequently  adjusted
daily to the current  market value of the option.  For  example,  if the current
market  value of the option  exceeds  the  premium  paid,  the  excess  would be
unrealized  appreciation  and,  conversely,  if the premium  exceeds the current
market value, such excess would be unrealized  depreciation.  The current market
value of a purchased option is the last sale price on the principal  exchange on
which such option is traded or, in the absence of a sale,  the mean  between the
last bid and asked prices.  If an option which a Fund has  purchased  expires on
the  stipulated  expiration  date,  the Fund  realizes a short-term or long-term
capital  loss for Federal  income tax  purposes in the amount of the cost of the
option.  If a Fund  exercises a put option,  it realizes a capital  gain or loss
(long-term  or  short-term,  depending on the holding  period of the  underlying
security) from the sale which will be decreased by the premium originally paid.

         The  amount of any  realized  gain or loss on  closing  out  options on
certain  stock  indices will result in a realized gain or loss for tax purposes.
Such  options  held by a Fund at the end of each  fiscal  year on a  broad-based
stock  index will be required to be  "marked-to-market"  for Federal  income tax
purposes.  Sixty percent of any net gain or loss recognized on such deemed sales
or on any actual  sales will be treated as long-term  capital gain or loss,  and
the remainder will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss ("60/40 gain or
loss").  Certain  options,  futures  contracts and options on futures  contracts
utilized  by the  Funds are  "Section  1256  contracts."  Any gains or losses on
Section  1256  contracts  held by a Fund at the end of each taxable year (and on
October   31  of  each   year  for   purposes   of  the  4%   excise   tax)  are
"marked-to-market"  with the result that unrealized  gains or losses are treated
as though  they were  realized  and the  resulting  gain or loss is treated as a
60/40 gain or loss.

         Shareowners  will be subject to Federal  income taxes on  distributions
made by the Funds whether  received in cash or  additional  shares of the Funds.
Distributions of net investment income and net short-term capital gains, if any,
will be taxable to shareowners as ordinary income.  Distributions of net capital
gains (the excess of net capital gains over net short-term  capital losses),  if
any, will be taxable to shareowners as 28% rate gains or 20% rate gains, without
regard to how long a shareowner has held shares of a Fund. A loss on the sale of
shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term  capital  loss
to the extent of any long-term capital gain dividend paid to the shareowner with
respect to such shares. Dividends paid by a Fund may qualify in part for the 70%
dividends-received  deduction for  corporations,  provided  however,  that those
shares have been held for at least 45 days.

         The Funds will notify  shareowners each year of the amount of dividends
and  distributions,  including the amount of any  distribution of 28% rate gains
and 20% rate gains,  and the portion of its dividends  which qualify for the 70%
deduction.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

         Each Fund may invest in the stock of foreign  corporations which may be
classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs").  In
general, a foreign  corporation is classified as a PFIC for a taxable year if at
least one-half of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of
its gross  income is  investment-type  income.  If a Fund  receives a  so-called
"excess distribution" with respect to PFIC stock, the Fund itself may be subject
to tax on a portion of the excess distribution, whether or not the corresponding
income is distributed by the Fund to stockholders.

         In general,  under the PFIC rules, an excess distribution is treated as
having been realized ratably over the period during which the Fund held the PFIC
stock.  A Fund itself will be subject to a U.S.  federal  income tax  (including
interest) on the portion, if any, of an excess distribution that is so allocated
to prior taxable years.  Certain  distributions from a PFIC as well as gain from
the sale of PFIC stock are treated as excess distributions. Excess distributions
are characterized as ordinary income even though, absent application of the PFIC
rules, certain excess distributions might have been classified as capital gain.

         A Fund may be eligible to elect  alternative tax treatment with respect
to  PFIC  stock.   Under  an  election  that  currently  is  available  in  some
circumstances,  a Fund  generally  would be required to include its share of the
PFIC's income and net capital gain annually, regardless of whether distributions
are received  from the PFIC in a given year.  If this  election  were made,  the
special rules discussed  above relating to the taxation of excess  distributions
would not apply.  In addition,  another  election  may be  available  that would
involve  marking to market a Fund's PFIC shares at the end of each  taxable year
(and on  certain  other  dates  prescribed  in the Code),  with the result  that
unrealized gains are treated as though they were realized. If this election were
made, tax at the Fund level under the PFIC rules would  generally be eliminated,
but the Fund  could,  in limited  circumstances,  incur  nondeductible  interest
charges.  A Fund's  intention  to qualify  annually  as a  regulated  investment
company may limit its elections with respect to PFIC shares.

         Because  the  application  of the PFIC rules may  affect,  among  other
things,  the character of gains and the amount of gain or loss and the timing of
the  recognition  of income with respect to PFIC shares,  and may subject a Fund
itself to tax on  certain  income  from PFIC  shares,  the  amount  that must be
distributed to shareholders and will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income
or  long-term  capital  gain may be  increased  or  decreased  substantially  as
compared to a fund that did not invest in PFIC shares.

Foreign Currency Transactions

         Under  the  Code,  gains or  losses  attributable  to  fluctuations  in
exchange  rates which  occur  between  the time a Fund  accrues  income or other
receivables  or accrues  expenses or other  liability  denominated  in a foreign
currency and the time the Fund actually  collects  such  receivable or pays such
liabilities  generally  are treated as ordinary  income or loss.  Similarly,  on
disposition  of  debt  securities  denominated  in a  foreign  currency  and  on
disposition  of  certain  other  instruments,  gains or losses  attributable  to
fluctuations  in  the  value  of  the  foreign  currency  between  the  date  of
acquisition  of the  security or contract and the date of  disposition  also are
treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains and losses,  referred to under the
Code as "section 988" gains or losses,  may increase or decrease the amount of a
Fund's  investment  company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders
as ordinary income.

Foreign Taxation

         Income received by the Funds from sources within foreign  countries may
be  subject to  withholding  and other  taxes  imposed  by such  countries.  Tax
conventions  between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce of eliminate such
taxes. In addition,  the Investment Advisor intends to manage the Funds with the
intention of minimizing  foreign taxation in cases where it is deemed prudent to
do so. If more than 50% of the  value of a Fund's  total  assets at the close of
its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations,  such Fund will
be eligible to elect to "pass through" to the Fund's  shareholders the amount of
eligible  foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is
made,  a  shareholder  generally  subject to tax will be  required to include in
gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro
rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable  income or to use it
as a foreign tax credit  against his or her U.S.  federal  income tax liability,
subject to certain  limitations.  In  particular,  shareholders  must hold their
shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at
least 15 more days during the 30-day period  surrounding the ex-dividend date to
be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with  respect to a gain  dividend.  No
deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize
deductions.  Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of
the Fund's  taxable year  whether the foreign  taxes paid by the Fund will "pass
through" for that year.

         Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that
it may not exceed the  shareholder's  U.S. tax  attributable to his or her total
foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is
made, the source of the electing Fund's income will flow through to shareholders
of the Company.  With respect to such Funds,  gains from the sale of  securities
will be treated as derived from U.S.  sources and certain  currency  fluctuation
gains,  including  fluctuation  gains  from  foreign  currency-denominated  debt
securities,  receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived
from  U.S.  sources.  The  limitation  on the  foreign  tax  credit  is  applied
separately  to foreign  source  passive  income,  and to certain  other types of
income.  Shareholders  may be  unable to claim a credit  for the full  amount of
their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. The foreign tax
credit can be used to offset  only 90% of the  revised  alternative  minimum tax
imposed on  corporations  and  individuals  and foreign taxes  generally are not
deductible in computing alternative minimum taxable income.

         Dividends  and  distributions  also may be  subject  to state and local
taxes.  Shareowners are urged to consult their tax advisors  regarding  specific
questions as to Federal, state and local taxes.

         The foregoing discussion relates solely to U.S. Federal income tax law.
Non-U.S.  investors  should  consult  their  tax  advisors  concerning  the  tax
consequences of ownership of shares of the Funds, including the possibility that
distributions  may be  subject  to a 30%  United  States  withholding  tax (or a
reduced rate of withholding provided by treaty).


<PAGE>


                             PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

In General

         From  time  to  time,  the  Company  may  include  general  comparative
information, such as statistical data regarding inflation, securities indices or
the features or performance of alternative investments, in advertisements, sales
literature   and  reports  to   shareowners.   The  Company  may  also   include
calculations,  such as hypothetical compounding examples or tax-free compounding
examples, which describe hypothetical investment results in such communications.
Such performance examples will be based on an express set of assumptions and are
not  indicative of the  performance  of any Fund.  In addition,  the Company may
include  charts   comparing   various   tax-free  yields  versus  taxable  yield
equivalents at different income levels.

         From time to time,  the yield and total  return of a Fund may be quoted
in advertisements, shareowner reports or other communications to shareowners.

Total Return Calculations

         Each Fund computes its average annual total return by  determining  the
average annual  compounded rate of return during specified  periods that equates
the initial amount invested to the ending  redeemable  value of such investment.
This is done by dividing the ending  redeemable  value of a hypothetical  $1,000
initial  payment by $1,000 and  raising  the  quotient  to a power  equal to one
divided by the number of years (or fractional  portion  thereof)  covered by the
computation and subtracting one from the result.
This calculation can be expressed as follows:

Average Annual Total Return =       ERV = P (1+T)(n)

Where:   ERV      =   ending  redeemable  value  at the  end of  the  period
                      covered  by  the  computation  of a hypothetical 
                      $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the period
         P        =   hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
         n        =   period covered by the computation, expressed in terms 
                      of years
         T        =   average annual total return

         The Funds compute their aggregate total returns over a specified period
by  determining  the aggregate  compounded  rate of return during such specified
period that likewise equates over a specified period the initial amount invested
to the ending  redeemable value of such investment.  The formula for calculating
aggregate total return is as follows:

Aggregate Annual Total Return =     [ERV - 1]
                                         P

Where:     ERV    =   ending  redeemable  value  at the  end of  the  period  
                      covered  by  the  computation  of a hypothetical $1,000 
                      payment made at the beginning of the period

           P      =   hypothetical initial payment of $1,000

         The  calculations  of average  annual total return and aggregate  total
return assume the  reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain  distributions
on the  reinvestment  dates  during  the  period.  The ending  redeemable  value
(variable "ERV" in each formula) is determined by assuming  complete  redemption
of the hypothetical  investment and the deduction of all nonrecurring charges at
the end of the period covered by the  computations.  Such  calculations  are not
necessarily  indicative of future results and do not take into account  Federal,
state and local taxes that shareowners must pay on a current basis.

         Since performance will fluctuate, performance data for the Funds should
not be used to compare an investment  in the Funds'  shares with bank  deposits,
savings  accounts and similar  investment  alternatives  which often  provide an
agreed or guaranteed fixed yield for a stated period of time. Shareowners should
remember that performance is generally a function of the kind and quality of the
instruments  held in a portfolio,  portfolio  maturity,  operating  expenses and
market conditions.

                                OTHER INFORMATION

         Statements  contained  in  the  Prospectus  or  in  this  Statement  of
Additional  Information  as to the  contents of any  contract or other  document
referred to 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
Registration  Statement of which the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional
Information  forms a part.  Each such  statement is qualified in all respects by
such reference.

Custodian

         Investors Fiduciary Trust Company ("IFTC"),  serves as Custodian of the
Company's assets pursuant to a Custodian Agreement.  Under such Agreement, IFTC:
(i)  maintains a separate  account or  accounts  in the name of each Fund;  (ii)
holds and transfers portfolio  securities on account of each Fund; (iii) accepts
receipts and makes  disbursements of money on behalf of each Fund; (iv) collects
and receives all income and other payments and  distributions on account of each
Fund's  securities;  and (v) makes  periodic  reports  to the Board of  Trustees
concerning each Fund's operations.

Reports to Shareowners

         Shareowners will receive unaudited  semi-annual reports describing each
Fund's  investment  operations and annual  financial  statements  audited by the
Funds' independent  certified public accountants.  Inquiries regarding the Funds
may be  directed  to  the  Investment  Advisor  or the  Administrator  at  (800)
992-8151.

         KPMG LLP,  303 E. Wacker  Drive,  Chicago,  Illinois  is the  Company's
independent public accountant and auditor.








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