1933 Act File No. 33-69268
1940 Act File No. 811-8042
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 X
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Pre-Effective Amendment No. ....................
Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 ........................ X
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and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 X
Amendment No. 19 ................................... X
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FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Federated Investors Funds, 5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237-7000
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(412) 288-1900
(Registrant's Telephone Number)
John W. McGonigle, Esquire,
Federated Investors Tower,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
_ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
X on APRIL 22, 1998, pursuant to paragraph (b)
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) (i) on ______________,
pursuant to paragraph (a) (i) 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph
(a)(ii) on _________________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
Copies To:
Matthew G. Maloney, Esquire
Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP
2101 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
<PAGE>
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
This Amendment to the Registration Statement of Federated Insurance Series,
which consists of eight portfolios: (1) Federated American Leaders Fund II, (2)
Federated Utility Fund II, (3) Federated Fund for U.S. Government Securities II,
(4) Federated High Income Bond Fund II, (5) Federated Prime Money Fund II, (6)
Federated International Equity Fund II, (7) Federated Growth Stategies Fund II
and (8) Federated Equity Income Fund II, is comprised of the following:
PART A. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS.
Prospectus Heading
(RULE 404(C) CROSS REFERENCE)
Item 1. Cover Page....................(1-8) Cover Page.
Item 2. Synopsis......................Not applicable.
Item 3. Condensed Financial
Information..................(1-8) Financial Highlights;
(1-8) Performance Information.
Item 4. General Description of
Registrant...................(1-8) General Information;
(1-8) Investment Information;
(1-8) Investment Objectives;
(1-8) Investment Policies;
(4,5) Investment Risks;
(1-8) Investment Limitations.
Item 5. Management of the Fund........(1-8) Fund Information;
(1-8) Management of the Fund;
(1-8) Distribution of Fund Shares;
(8) Distribution Plan;
(1-8) Administration of the Fund;
(3,4,5, 8) Brokerage Transactions.
Item 6. Capital Stock and Other
Securities...................(1-8) Dividends; (1-8) Shareholder
Information; (1-8) Tax Information;
(1-8) Federal Taxes; (1-8) State
and Local Taxes; (1-8) Voting Rights.
Item 7. Purchase of Securities Being
Offered......................(1-8) Net Asset Value;
(1-8) Investing in the Fund;
(1-8) Purchases and Redemptions;
(1-8) What Shares Cost.
Item 8. Redemption or Repurchase......(1-8) Purchases and Redemptions.
Item 9. Pending Legal Proceedings None.
<PAGE>
PART B. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Item 10. Cover Page....................(1-8) Cover Page.
Item 11. Table of Contents.............(1-8) Table of Contents.
Item 12. General Information and
History Not Applicable.
Item 13. Investment Objectives and
Policies.....................(1-8) Investment Objectives and
Policies; (1-8) Investment
Limitations. (5) Regulatory
Compliance.
Item 14. Management of the Fund........(1-8) Federated Insurance Series
Management; (1-8) Trustees'
Compensation;
Item 15. Control Persons and Principal
Holders of Securities (1-8) Fund Ownership.
Item 16. Investment Advisory and Other
Services.....................(1-8) Investment Advisory Services;
(8) Distribution Plan;(1-8) Other
Services;(1-8) Fund Administration;
(1-8) Custodian and Portfolio
Accountant; (1-5,8) Transfer Agent;
(6,7) Transfer Agent and Dividend
Disbursing Agent; (1-8) Independent
Auditors.
Item 17. Brokerage Allocation..........(1-8) Brokerage Transactions.
Item 18. Capital Stock and Other
Securities Not Applicable.
Item 19. Purchase, Redemption and Pricing
of Securities Being Offered...(1-8) Purchasing Shares;
(1-8) Determining Net Asset Value.
Item 20. Tax Status....................(1-8) Tax Status.
Item 21. Underwriters Not Applicable.
Item 22. Calculation of Performance
Data.........................(1-8) Total Return; (1-8) Yield;
(5) Effective Yield; (1-8)
Performance Comparisons.
Item 23. Financial Statements..........(1-8) Incorporated by reference to
the Registrant's Annual Report to
Shareholders dated December 31, 1997
(File Nos. 33-69268 and 811-8042).
Federated American Leaders Fund II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
PROSPECTUS
This prospectus offers shares of Federated American Leaders Fund II (the
"Fund"), which is a diversified investment portfolio in Federated Insurance
Series (the "Trust"), an open-end, diversified management investment company.
The primary investment objective of the Fund is to achieve long-term growth of
capital. The Fund's secondary objective is to provide income. Shares of the Fund
may be sold only to separate accounts of insurance companies to serve as the
investment medium for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity
contracts issued by insurance companies.
THE SHARES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY
BANK, ARE NOT ENDORSED OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENT AGENCY. INVESTMENT IN THESE SHARES INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS,
INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
This prospectus contains the information you should read and know before you
invest in the Fund through the variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance policies offered by insurance companies which provide for investment
in the Fund. Keep this prospectus for future reference.
The Fund has also filed a Statement of Additional Information dated April 23,
1998, with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The information
contained in the Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. You may request a copy of the Statement of
Additional Information, or a paper copy of this prospectus, if you have received
your prospectus electronically, free of charge by calling 1-800-341-7400. To
obtain other information or to make inquiries about the Fund, contact the Fund
at the address listed in the back of this prospectus. The Statement of
Additional Information, material incorporated by reference into this document,
and other information regarding the Fund is maintained electronically with the
SEC at Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
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 SHARES ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AS FUNDING VEHICLES FOR LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANIES WRITING VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS AND VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE
POLICIES. THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE PROSPECTUS FOR SUCH
CONTRACTS.
Prospectus dated April 23, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Financial Highlights 1
General Information 2
Investment Information 2
Investment Objectives 2
Investment Policies 2
Investment Limitations 5
Net Asset Value 5
Investing in the Fund 5
Purchases and Redemptions 5
What Shares Cost 5
Dividends 5
Fund Information 5
Management of the Fund 5
Distribution of Shares 6
Administration of the Fund 7
Brokerage Transactions 7
Shareholder Information 7
Voting Rights 7
Tax Information 7
Federal Taxes 7
State and Local Taxes 8
Performance Information 8
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
The following table has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund's
independent auditors. Their report, dated February 6, 1998, on the Fund's
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1997, and on the following
table for the periods presented, is included in the Fund's Annual Report, which
is herein incorporated by reference. This table should read in conjunction with
the Fund's financial statements and notes thereto, contained in the Fund's
Annual Report, which may be obtained free of charge.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996 1995 1994(A)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $15.26 $12.80 $ 9.74 $10.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 0.19 0.19 0.20 0.19
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 4.64 2.54 3.06 (0.26)
Total from investment operations 4.83 2.73 3.26 (0.07)
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net investment income (0.10) (0.18) (0.19) (0.19)
Distributions in excess of net investment income(b) -- -- (0.01) --
Distributions from net realized gain on investments (0.36) (0.09) -- --
Total distributions (0.46) (0.27) (0.20) (0.19)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $19.63 $15.26 $12.80 $ 9.74
TOTAL RETURN(C) 32.34% 21.58% 33.71% (0.70%)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.54%*
Net investment income 1.18% 1.54% 2.03% 2.58%*
Expense waiver(d) 0.09% 0.22% 1.36% 25.42%*
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $305,796 $142,216 $48,514 $2,400
Average commission rate paid(e) $0.0499 $0.0012 -- --
Portfolio turnover 56% 90% 43% 32%
</TABLE>
* Computed on an annualized basis.
(a) Reflects operations for the period from February 1, 1994 (date of initial
public investment) to December 31, 1994. For the period from December 9, 1993
(start of business) to January 31, 1994, the Fund had no investment activity.
(b) Distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which
may differ from generally accepted accounting principals. These distributions do
not represent a return of capital for federal income tax purposes.
(c) Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
(d) This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and net
investment income ratios shown above.
(e) Represents total commissions paid on portfolio securities divided by total
portfolio shares purchased or sold on which commissions were charged. This
disclosure is required for fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PERFORMANCE IS CONTAINED IN THE FUND'S
ANNUAL REPORT, DATED DECEMBER 31, 1997, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FREE OF
CHARGE.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, which was established as
Insurance Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust under a Declaration
of Trust dated September 15, 1993. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to
offer separate series of shares of beneficial interest in separate portfolios of
securities, including the Fund. The shares in any one portfolio may be offered
in separate classes. As of the date of this prospectus, the Board of Trustees
("Trustees") have not established separate classes of shares.
Shares of the Fund are sold only to insurance companies as funding vehicles for
variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the
insurance companies. Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value as described
in the section entitled "What Shares Cost." Shares of the Fund are redeemed at
net asset value.
INVESTMENT INFORMATION
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
The primary investment objective of the Fund is to achieve long-term growth of
capital. The Fund's secondary objective is to provide income. The investment
objectives cannot be changed without the approval of the Fund's shareholders.
While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objectives, it endeavors to do so by following the investment policies described
in this prospectus.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund pursues its investment objectives by investing, under normal
circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets in common stock of "blue-chip"
companies. "Blue-chip" companies generally are top-quality, established growth
companies which, in the opinion of the investment adviser, meet one or more of
the following criteria:
* industry leader with proven management capabilities; * historical and
future earnings growth rate of approximately 10%
compounded annually;
* strong balance sheet with pension liabilities funded; * products with brand
recognition and consumer acceptance; * growing consumer-based demand with
limited government sales; * ability to meet social, political, and
environmental problems; * vigorous research effort with continuing new
product flow; * low external capital requirements; and * not an import
competitive company but possessing international
capabilities.
Unless indicated otherwise, the investment policies of the Fund may be changed
by the Trustees without the approval of shareholders. Shareholders will be
notified before any material change in these policies becomes effective.
ACCEPTABLE INVESTMENTS
The Fund's investment approach is based on the conviction that over the long
term the economy will continue to expand and develop and that this economic
growth will be reflected in the growth of the revenues and earnings of blue-chip
companies. Given these long-term investment horizons, the Fund will attempt to
hold its portfolio securities throughout market cycles.
COMMON STOCKS
The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of blue-chip companies selected by
the Fund's investment adviser based on the criteria set forth above and
traditional research techniques and technical factors, including assessment of
earnings and dividend growth prospects and of the risk and volatility of the
company's industry. Other factors, such as product position or market share,
will also be considered by the Fund's investment adviser.
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
The Fund may invest in American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") of
foreign-domiciled blue-chip companies. ADRs are trust receipts issued by
U.S. banks or trust companies representing ownership interests in the equity
securities of these companies. ADRs are U.S. dollar-denominated and traded
on U.S. securities exchanges or over-the-counter. The value of ADRs could be
affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
Convertible securities include a spectrum of securities which can be exchanged
for or converted into common stock. Con-vertible securities may include, but are
not limited to: convertible bonds or debentures; convertible preferred stock;
units consisting of usable bonds and warrants; or securities which cap or
otherwise limit returns to the convertible security holder, such as
DECS(Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock, or Debt Exchangeable for Common Stock
when issued as a debt security), LYONS(Liquid Yield Option Notes, which are
corporate bonds that are purchased at prices below par with no coupons and are
convertible into stock), PERCS(Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock, an
equity issue that pays a high cash dividend, has a cap price and mandatory
conversion to common stock at maturity), and PRIDES(Preferred Redeemable
Increased Dividend Securities, which are essentially the same as DECS; the
difference is little more than who initially underwrites the issue).
Convertible securities are often rated below investment grade or not rated
because they fall below debt obligations and just above common equity in order
of preference or priority on the issuer's balance sheet. Hence, an issuer with
investment grade senior debt may issue convertible securities with ratings less
than investment grade or not rated. Convertible securities rated below
investment grade may be subject to some of the same risks as those inherent in
junk bonds. The Fund does not limit convertible securities by rating, and there
is no minimal acceptance rating for a convertible security to be purchased or
held in the Fund. Therefore, the Fund invests in convertible securities
irrespective of their ratings. This could result in the Fund purchasing and
holding convertible securities rated below investment grade by a nationally
recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) or in the Fund holding such
securities where they have acquired a rating below investment grade after the
Fund has purchased it.
The Fund's investments in convertible securities will not be subject to the
quality rating limit on other securities in which the Fund invests.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
The Fund may purchase interests in real estate investment trusts. Risks
associated with real estate investments include the fact that equity and
mortgage real estate investment trusts are dependent upon management skill and
are not diversified, and are, therefore, subject to the risk of financing single
projects or unlimited number of projects. They are also subject to heavy cash
flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidation. Additionally,
equity real estate investment trusts may be affected by any changes in the value
of the underlying property owned by the trusts, and mortgage real estate
investment trusts may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. The
investment adviser seeks to mitigate these risks by selecting real estate
investment trusts diversified by sector (shopping malls, apartment building
complexes, and health care facilities) and geographic location. BANK
INSTRUMENTS
Primarily to manage short-term cash, the Fund may also invest in certificates of
deposit, demand and time deposits, bankers' acceptances, deposit notes, and
other instruments of domestic and foreign banks and other deposit institutions.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies as an
efficient means of carrying out its investment policies. It should be noted that
investment companies incur certain expenses, such as management fees, and,
therefore, any investment by the Fund in shares of other investment companies
may be subject to such duplicate expenses.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund will engage in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are
arrangements in which banks, broker/dealers, and other recognized financial
institutions sell U.S. government securities or other securities to the Fund and
agree at the time of sale to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon time and
price. The Fund or its custodian will take possession of the securities subject
to repurchase agreements and these securities will be marked to market daily. To
the extent that the original seller does not repurchase the securities from the
Fund, the Fund could receive less than the repurchase price on any sale of such
securities. In the event that such a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or
became insolvent, disposition of such securities by the Fund might be delayed
pending court action. The Fund believes that, under the regular procedures
normally in effect for custody of the Fund's portfolio securities subject to
repurchase agreements, a court of competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of
the Fund and allow retention or disposition of such securities. The Fund will
only enter into repurchase agreements with banks and other recognized financial
institutions, such as broker/ dealers, which are found by the Fund's adviser to
be creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities are any
securities in which the Fund may invest pursuant to its investment objective and
policies but which are subject to restriction on resale under federal securities
law. Under criteria established by the Trustees, certain restricted securities
are determined to be liquid. To the extent that restricted securities are not
determined to be liquid, the Fund will limit their purchase together with other
illiquid securities including non-negotiable time deposits, repurchase
agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice, and
over-the-counter options to 15% of its net assets. LENDING OF PORTFOLIO
SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend portfolio securities
on a short-term or long-term basis, or both, up to one-third of the value of its
total assets to broker/dealers, banks, or other institutional borrowers of
securities. This is a fundamental policy which may not be changed without the
approval of shareholders. The Fund will only enter into loan arrangements with
broker/dealers, banks, or other institutions which the adviser has determined
are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Trustees, and will receive
collateral in the form of cash or U.S. government securities equal to at least
100% of the value of the portfolio securities loaned at all times.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
These transactions are arrangements in which the Fund purchases securities with
payment and delivery scheduled for a future time. The seller's failure to
complete the transaction may cause the Fund to miss a price or yield considered
to be advantageous. Settlement dates may be a month or more after entering into
these transactions, and the market values of the securities purchased may vary
from the purchase prices.
The Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if the adviser deems it
appropriate to do so. In addition, the Fund may enter in transactions to sell
its purchase commitments to third parties at current market values and
simultaneously acquire other commitments to purchase similar securities at later
dates. The Fund may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of such
commitments.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
For defensive purposes only, the Fund may also invest temporarily in cash and
cash items during times of unusual market conditions and to maintain liquidity.
Cash items may include short-term obligations such as:
* commercial paper rated A-1 or A-2 by Standard & Poor's, Prime-1 or Prime-2
by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or F-1 or F-2 by Fitch IBCA, Inc. A
description of the rating categories is contained in the Appendix to the
Statement of Additional Information;
* securities issued and/or guaranteed as to the payment of principal and
interest by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities;
and
* repurchase agreements.
VARIABLE ASSET REGULATIONS
The Fund is also subject to variable contract asset regulations prescribed by
the U.S. Treasury Department under Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
After a one year start-up period, the regulations generally require that, as of
the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, no more than 55%
of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any one investment, no
more than 70% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any two
investments, no more than 80% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented
by any three investments, and no more than 90% of the total assets of the Fund
may be represented by any four investments. In applying these diversification
rules, all securities of the same issuer, all interests in the same real
property project, and all interests in the same commodity are each treated as a
single investment. In the case of government securities, each government agency
or instrumentality shall be treated as a separate issuer. If the Fund fails to
achieve the diversification required by the regulations, unless relief is
obtained from the Internal Revenue Service, the contracts invested in the Fund
will not be treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts.
The Fund will be operated at all times so as to comply with the foregoing
diversification requirements.
STATE INSURANCE REGULATIONS
The Fund is intended to be a funding vehicle for variable annuity contracts and
variable life insurance policies offered by certain insurance companies. The
contracts will seek to be offered in as many jurisdictions as possible. Certain
states have regulations concerning, among other things, the concentration of
investments, sales and purchases of futures contracts, and short sales of
securities. If applicable, the Fund may be limited in its ability to engage in
such investments and to manage its portfolio with desired flexibility. The Fund
will operate in material compliance with the applicable insurance laws and
regulations of each jurisdiction in which contracts will be offered by the
insurance companies which invest in the Fund.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The Fund will not:
* borrow money directly or through reverse repurchase agreements
(arrangements in which the Fund sells a portfolio instrument for a
percentage of its cash value with an agreement to buy it back on a set
date) or pledge securities except, under certain circumstances, the Fund
may borrow money and engage in reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up
to one-third of the value of its total assets and pledge up to 15% of its
total assets to secure such borrowings.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund fluctuates. It is determined by
dividing the sum of the market value of all securities and other assets of the
Fund, less liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding.
INVESTING IN THE FUND
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Shares of the Fund are not sold directly to the general public. The Fund's
shares are used solely as the investment vehicle for separate accounts of
insurance companies offering variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance policies. The use of Fund shares as investments for both variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies is referred to as "mixed
funding." The use of Fund shares as investments by separate accounts of
unaffiliated life insurance companies is referred to as "shared funding."
The Fund intends to engage in mixed funding and shared funding in the future.
Although the Fund does not currently foresee any disadvantage to contract owners
due to differences in redemption rates, tax treatment, or other considerations,
resulting from mixed funding or shared funding, the Trustees will closely
monitor the operation of mixed funding and shared funding and will consider
appropriate action to avoid material conflicts and take appropriate action in
response to any material conflicts which occur. Such action could result in one
or more participating insurance companies withdrawing their investment in the
Fund.
Shares of the Fund are purchased or redeemed on behalf of participating
insurance companies at the next computed net asset value after an order is
received on days on which the New York Stock Exchange is open.
WHAT SHARES COST
The net asset value is determined as of the close of trading (normally 4:00
p.m., Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange, Monday through Friday,
except on: (i) days on which there are not sufficient changes in the value of
the Fund's portfolio securities that its net asset value might be materially
affected; (ii) days on which no shares are tendered for redemption and no orders
to purchase shares are received; and (iii) the following holidays: New Year's
Day, Martin Luther King, Jr, Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Purchase
orders from separate accounts investing in the Fund which are received by the
insurance companies by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) will be computed at the net
asset value of the Fund determined on that day, as long as such purchase orders
are received by the Fund in proper form and in accordance with applicable
procedures by 8:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the next business day and as long as
federal funds in the amount of such orders are received by the Fund on the next
business day. It is the responsibility of each insurance company which invests
in the Fund to properly transmit purchase orders and federal funds in accordance
with the procedures described above.
DIVIDENDS
Dividends on shares of the Fund are declared and paid annually.
Shares of the Fund will begin earning dividends if owned on the applicable
record date. Dividends of the Fund are automatically reinvested in additional
shares of the Fund on payment dates at the ex-dividend date net asset value.
FUND INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees. The Trustees are responsible for
managing the business affairs of the Trust and for exercising all of the Trust's
powers except those reserved for the shareholders. The Executive Committee of
the Board of Trustees handles the Board's responsibilities between meetings of
the Board.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Pursuant to an investment advisory contract with the Trust, investment decisions
for the Fund are made by Federated Advisers, the Fund's investment adviser,
subject to direction by the Trustees. The adviser continually conducts
investment research and supervision for the Fund and is responsible for the
purchase or sale of portfolio instruments, for which it receives an annual fee
from the Fund.
Both the Trust and the adviser have adopted strict codes of ethics governing the
conduct of all employees who manage the Fund and its portfolio securities. These
codes recognize that such persons owe a fiduciary duty to the Fund's
shareholders and must place the interests of shareholders ahead of the
employees' own interest. Among other things, the codes: require preclearance and
periodic reporting of personal securities transactions; prohibit personal
transactions in securities being purchased or sold, or being considered for
purchase or sale, by the Fund; prohibit purchasing securities in initial public
offerings; and prohibit taking profits on securities held for less than sixty
days. Violations of these codes are subject to review by the Trustees, and could
result in severe penalties.
ADVISORY FEES
The Fund's adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee equal to 0.75% of
the Fund's average daily net assets. The adviser may voluntarily choose to waive
a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The
adviser can terminate this voluntary waiver and reimbursement of expenses at any
time at its sole discretion.
ADVISER'S BACKGROUND
Federated Advisers, a Delaware business trust organized on April 11, 1989, is a
registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. It is a
subsidiary of Federated Investors. All of the Class A (voting) shares of
Federated Investors are owned by a trust, the trustees of which are John F.
Donahue, Chairman and Trustee of Federated Investors, Mr. Donahue's wife, and
Mr. Donahue's son, J. Christopher Donahue, who is President and Trustee of
Federated Investors. Federated Advisers and other subsidiaries of Federated
Investors serve as investment advisers to a number of investment companies and
private accounts. Certain other subsidiaries also provide administrative
services to a number of investment companies. With over $120 billion invested
across more than 300 funds under management and/or administration by its
subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1997, Federated Investors is one of the largest
mutual fund investment managers in the United States. With more than 2,000
employees, Federated continues to be led by the management who founded the
company in 1955. Federated funds are presently at work in and through
approximately 4,000 financial institutions nationwide.
Scott B. Schermerhorn has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since July
1996. Mr. Schermerhorn joined Federated Investors in 1996 as a Vice
President of the Fund's investment adviser. From 1990 through 1996, Mr.
Schermerhorn was a Senior Vice President and Senior Investment Officer at J.
W. Seligman & Co., Inc. Mr. Schermerhorn received his M.B.A. in Finance and
International Business from Seton Hall University.
Michael P. Donnelly has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since April
1997. Mr. Donnelly joined Federated in 1989 as an Investment Analyst and has
been a Vice President of the Fund's investment adviser since 1994. He served
as an Assistant Vice President of the Fund's investment adviser from 1992 to
1994. Mr. Donnelly is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received his M.B.A.
from the University of Virginia.
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
Federated Securities Corp. is the principal distributor for shares of the
Fund. Federated Securities Corp. is located at Federated Investors Tower,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779. It is a Pennsylvania corporation
organized on November 14, 1969, and is the principal distributor for a
number of investment companies. Federated Securities Corp. is a subsidiary
of Federated Investors.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Fund has entered into a Shareholder Services Agreement with Federated
Shareholder Services, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, under which the Fund
may make payments up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of its
shares, computed at an annual rate, to obtain certain personal services for
shareholders and to maintain shareholder accounts. From time to time and for
such periods as deemed appropriate, the amount stated above may be reduced
voluntarily. Under the Shareholder Services Agreement, Federated Shareholder
Services will either perform shareholder services directly or will select
institutions to perform shareholder services. Institutions will receive fees
based upon shares owned by their clients or customers. The schedules of such
fees and the basis upon which such fees will be paid will be determined from
time to time by the Fund and Federated Shareholder Services.
SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Federated Securities Corp., from its own assets, may pay financial institutions
supplemental fees for the performance of substantial sales services,
distribution-related support services, or shareholder services. The support may
include sponsoring sales, educational and training seminars for their employees,
providing sales literature, and engineering computer software programs that
emphasize the attributes of the Fund. Such assistance may be predicated upon the
amount of shares the financial institution sells or may sell and/or upon the
type and nature of sales or marketing support furnished by the financial
institution. Any payments made by the distributor may be reimbursed by the
Fund's investment adviser or its affiliates.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services (including certain legal and financial
reporting services) necessary to operate the Fund at an annual rate which
relates to the average aggregate daily net assets of all funds advised by
affiliates of Federated Investors as specified below:
MAXIMUM AVERAGE AGGREGATE
FEE DAILY NET ASSETS
0.150% on the first $250 million
0.125% on the next $250 million
0.100% on the next $250 million
0.075% on assets in excess of $750 million
The administrative fee received during any fiscal year shall be at least
$125,000 per portfolio and $30,000 per each additional class of shares.
Federated Services Company may choose voluntarily to waive a portion of its fee.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio
instruments, the adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable
price. In working with dealers, the adviser will generally utilize those who are
recognized dealers in specific portfolio instruments, except when a better price
and execution of the order can be obtained elsewhere. In selecting among firms
believed to meet these criteria, the adviser may give consideration to those
firms which have sold or are selling shares of the other funds distributed by
Federated Securities Corp. The adviser makes decisions on portfolio transactions
and selects brokers and dealers subject to review by the Trustees.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
VOTING RIGHTS
The insurance company separate accounts, as shareholders of the Fund, will vote
the Fund shares held in their separate accounts at meetings of the shareholders.
Voting will be in accordance with instructions received from contract owners of
the separate accounts, as more fully outlined in the prospectus of the separate
account. As of April 8, 1998, Aetna Insurance Co. of America, Hartford, CT, and
Aetna Life Insurance & Annuity Co. Central Valuation Unit, Hartford, CT, owned
approximately 36.56% and 35.97%, respectively of the voting securities of the
Fund, and therefore, may for certain purposes be deemed to control the Fund and
be able to affect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of
shareholders. Aetna Insurance Company of America and Aetna Life Insurance &
Annuity Co. are owned by Aetna Inc. Each share of the Fund gives the
shareholder one vote in Trustee elections and other matters submitted to
shareholders for vote. All shares of each portfolio in the Trust have equal
voting rights except that only shares of the Fund are entitled to vote on
matters affecting only the Fund. As a Massachusetts business trust, the Trust is
not required to hold annual shareholder meetings. Shareholder approval will be
sought only for certain changes in the Trust's or the Fund's operation and for
the election of Trustees in certain circumstances.
Trustees may be removed by the Trustees or by shareholders at a special meeting.
A special meeting of shareholders shall be called by the Trustees upon the
written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of
all series of the Trust.
TAX INFORMATION
FEDERAL TAXES
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because the Fund expects to meet
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded to such companies.
The Fund will be treated as a single, separate entity for federal income tax
purposes so that income (including capital gains) and losses realized by the
Trust's other portfolios will not be combined for tax purposes with those
realized by the Fund.
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described earlier in this prospectus. If the Fund fails to comply with
these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be treated as
annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the applicable contract prospectus for information
concerning the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions
from the Fund to the separate accounts.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
Contract owners are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the status
of their contracts under state and local tax laws.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time the Fund advertises total return and yield.
Total return represents the change, over a specific period of time, in the value
of an investment in the Fund after reinvesting all income and capital gain
distributions. It is calculated by dividing that change by the initial
investment and is expressed as a percentage. The yield of the Fund is
calculated by dividing the net investment income per share (as defined by the
SEC) earned by the Fund over a thirty-day period by the offering price per share
of the Fund on the last day of the period. This number is then annualized using
semi-annual compounding. The yield does not necessarily reflect income actually
earned by the Fund and, therefore, may not correlate to the dividends or other
distributions paid to shareholders. Performance information will not
reflect the charges and expenses of a variable annuity or variable life
insurance contract. Because shares of the Fund can only be purchased by a
separate account of an insurance company offering such a contract, you should
review the performance figures of the contract in which you are invested, which
performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance.
From time to time, advertisements for the Fund may refer to ratings, rankings,
and other information in certain financial publications and/or compare the
Fund's performance to certain indices.
[Graphic]
Federated Investors
Federated American Leaders Fund II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
PROSPECTUS
APRIL 23, 1998
A DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO OF FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES, AN
OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY
FEDERATED
INSURANCE
SERIES
FEDERATED AMERICAN LEADERS FUND II Federated Investors Funds 5800 Corporate
Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000
DISTRIBUTOR
Federated Securities Corp.
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Federated Advisers
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP
2500 One PPG Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-5401
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916405
3113010A (4/98)
[Graphic]
FEDERATED AMERICAN LEADERS FUND II
(A PORTFOLIO OF FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES)
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information should be read with the prospectus of
Federated American Leaders Fund II (the "Fund"), a portfolio of Federated
Insurance Series (the "Trust") dated April 23, 1998. This Statement is not a
prospectus. You may request a copy of a prospectus or a paper copy of this
Statement, if you have received it electronically, free of charge by calling
1-800-341-7400.
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
FEDERATED INVESTORS FUNDS
5800 CORPORATE DRIVE
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15237-7000
Statement dated April 23, 1998
[Graphic]
Federated Investors
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916405
3113010B (4/98)
[Graphic]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION 1
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES 1
Types of Investments 1
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions 2
Lending of Portfolio Securities 2
Investing in Securities of Other Investment Companies 2
Repurchase Agreements 2
Reverse Repurchase Agreements 3
Restricted and Illiquid Securities 3
Portfolio Turnover 3
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 3
Selling Short and Buying on Margin 3
Issuing Senior Securities and Borrowing Monsy 3
Pledging Assets 3
Concentration of Investments 3
Investing in Commodities 4
Investing in Real Estate 4
Lending Cash or Securities 4
Underwriting 4
Diversification of Investments 4
Investing in Restricted and Illiquid Securities 4
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT 5
Fund Ownership 8
Trustee Compensation 9
Trustee Liability 9
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES 9
Adviser to the Fund 9
Advisory Fees 10
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS 10
OTHER SERVICES 10
Fund Administration 10
Custodian and Portfolio Accountant 10
Transfer Agent 10
Independent Auditors 10
PURCHASING SHARES 11
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES 11
DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE 11
Determining Market Value of Securities 11
MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW 11
TAX STATUS 12
The Fund's Tax Status 12
Shareholders' Tax Status 12
TOTAL RETURN 12
YIELD 12
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS 12
Economic and Market Information 13
ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS 13
Mutual Fund Market 14
Institutional Clients 14
Bank Marketing 14
Broker/Dealers and Broker/Dealer Subsidiaries 14
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 14
APPENDIX 15
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of the Trust, which was established as Insurance
Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust, under a Declaration of Trust
dated September 15, 1993. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees (the "Trustees")
held on November 14, 1995, the Trustees approved an amendment to the Declaration
of Trust to change the name of the Trust from Insurance Management Series to
Federated Insurance Series. At a meeting of the Trustees held on February 26,
1996, the Trustees approved an amendment to the Declaration of Trust to change
the name of the Fund from Equity Growth and Income Fund to Federated American
Leaders Fund II. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate
series of shares of beneficial interest in separate portfolios of securities,
including the Fund. The shares in any one portfolio may be offered in separate
classes. As of the date of this prospectus, the Trustees have not established
separate classes of shares.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The primary investment objective of the Fund is to achieve long-term growth of
capital. The Fund's secondary objective is to provide income. The investment
objectives cannot be changed without approval of shareholders.
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total assets
in common stock of "blue-chip" companies, as defined in the prospectus. The Fund
may also invest in other securities of these companies, U.S. government
securities, repurchase agreements, and bank instruments. The following
supplements the discussion of acceptable investments in the prospectus.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
DECS, or similar instruments marketed under different names, offer a substantial
dividend advantage with the possibility of unlimited upside potential if the
price of the underlying common stock exceeds a certain level. DECS convert to
common stock at maturity. The amount received is dependent on the price of the
common stock at the time of maturity. DECS contain two call options at different
strike prices. The DECS participate with the common stock up to the first call
price. They are effectively capped at that point unless the common stock rises
above a second price point, at which time they participate with unlimited upside
potential.
PERCS, or similar instruments marketed under different names, offer a
substantial dividend advantage, but capital appreciation potential is limited to
a predetermined level. PERCS are less risky and less volatile than the
underlying common stock because their superior income mitigates declines when
the common stock falls, while the cap price limits gains when the common stock
rises.
WARRANTS
Warrants are basically options to purchase common stock at a specific price
(usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at
issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging
from less than a year to twenty years or may be perpetual. However, most
warrants have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, if
the market price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant's exercise
price during the life of the warrant, the warrant will expire as worthless.
Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with
respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase
or decrease in the market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the
percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the optioned common
stock.
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
The types of U.S. government obligations in which the Fund may invest
generally include direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury (such as U.S.
Treasury bills, notes, and bonds) and obligations issued and/or guaranteed
by the U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities. These securities are
backed by:
* the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury;
* the issuer's right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury;
* the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain
obligations of agencies or instrumentalities; or
* the credit of the agency or instrumentality issuing the obligations.
Examples of agencies and instrumentalities which may not always receive
financial support from the U.S. government are:
* Farm Credit System, including the National Bank for Cooperatives, Farm
Credit Banks, and Banks for Cooperatives;
* Federal Home Loan Banks; * Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation; *
Federal National Mortgage Association; and * Student Loan Marketing
Association.
BANK INSTRUMENTS
The Fund only invests in bank instruments (as defined in the prospectus) either
issued by an institution having capital, surplus, and undivided profits over
$100 million or insured by the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF) or the Savings
Association Insurance Fund (SAIF), both of which are administered by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation. Bank instruments may include Eurodollar
Certificates of Deposit, Yankee Certificates of Deposit, and Eurodollar Time
Deposits. Institutions issuing Eurodollar instruments are not necessarily
subject to the same regulatory requirements that apply to domestic banks, such
as reserve requirements, loan limitations, examinations, accounting, auditing,
recordkeeping and the public availability of information. WHEN-ISSUED AND
DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
These transactions are made to secure what is considered to be an advantageous
price or yield for the Fund. No fees or other expenses, other than normal
transaction costs, are incurred. However, liquid assets of the Fund sufficient
to make payment for the securities to be purchased are segregated on a Fund's
records at the trade date. These assets are marked to market daily and are
maintained until the transaction has been settled. The Fund does not intend to
engage in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions to an extent that would
cause the segregation of more than 20% of the total value of its assets.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend its portfolio
securities, up to one-third of the value of its total assets, to broker/dealers,
banks, or other institutional borrowers of securities. The collateral received
when the Fund lends portfolio securities must be valued daily and, should the
market value of the loaned securities increase, the borrower must furnish
additional collateral to the Fund. During the time portfolio securities are on
loan, the borrower pays the Fund any dividends or interest paid on such
securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the
borrower. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in
connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the interest earned
on the cash or equivalent collateral to the borrower or placing broker. The Fund
does not have the right to vote securities on loan, but would terminate the loan
and regain the right to vote if that were considered important with respect to
the investment. INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest in the securities of affiliated money market funds as an
efficient means of managing the Fund's uninvested cash.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund or its custodian will take possession of the securities subject to
repurchase agreements, and these securities will be marked to market daily. In
the event that such a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or became
insolvent, disposition of such securities by the Fund might be delayed pending
court action. The Fund believes that under regular procedures normally in effect
for custody of the Fund's portfolio securities subject to repurchase agreements,
a court of competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of the Fund and allow
retention or disposition of such securities. The Fund will only enter into
repurchase agreements with banks and other recognized financial institutions,
such as broker/dealers, which are found by the Fund's investment adviser to be
creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. These transactions are
similar to borrowing cash. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund transfers
possession of a portfolio instrument to another person, such as a financial
institution, broker, or dealer, in return for a percentage of the instrument's
market value in cash, and agrees that on a stipulated date in the future the
Fund will repurchase the portfolio instrument by remitting the original
consideration plus interest at an agreed upon rate.
When effecting reverse repurchase agreements, liquid assets of the Fund, in a
dollar amount sufficient to make payment for the obligations to be purchased,
are segregated at the trade date. These securities are marked to market daily
and maintained until the transaction is settled.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The ability of the Trustees to determine the liquidity of certain restricted
securities is permitted under a Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") staff
position set forth in the adopting release for Rule 144A under the Securities
Act of 1933. The Trustees consider the following criteria in determining the
liquidity of certain restricted securities:
* the frequency of trades and quotes for the security;
* the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the
number of other potential buyers;
* dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and * the nature of
the security and the nature of the marketplace trades.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Securities in the Fund's portfolio will be sold whenever the Fund's investment
adviser believes it is appropriate to do so in light of the Fund's investment
objectives, without regard to the length of time a particular security may have
been held. Any such trading will increase the Fund's portfolio turnover rate and
transaction costs. The adviser to the Fund does not anticipate that portfolio
turnover will result in adverse tax consequences. For the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1997 and 1996, the portfolio turnover rates for the Fund were 56%
and 90%, respectively. INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
SELLING SHORT AND BUYING ON MARGIN
The Fund will not sell any securities short or purchase any securities on
margin, but may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for clearance
of purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
ISSUING SENIOR SECURITIES AND BORROWING MONEY
The Fund will not issue senior securities except that the Fund may borrow money
directly or through reverse repurchase agreements as a temporary, extraordinary,
or emergency measure to facilitate management of the portfolio by enabling the
Fund to meet redemption requests when the liquidation of portfolio securities is
deemed to be inconvenient or disadvantageous, and then only in amounts not in
excess of one-third of the value of its total assets; provided that, while
borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements outstanding exceed 5% of the Fund's
total assets, any such borrowings will be repaid before additional investments
are made. The Fund will not borrow money or engage in reverse repurchase
agreements for investment leverage purposes.
PLEDGING ASSETS
The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate any assets except to secure
permitted borrowings. In those cases, it may mortgage, pledge or hypothecate
assets having a market value not exceeding the lesser of the dollar amounts
borrowed or 15% of the value of its total assets at the time of borrowing.
CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund will not purchase securities if, as a result of such purchase, 25% or
more of its total assets would be invested in any one industry. However, the
Fund may at any time invest 25% or more of its total assets in cash or cash
items and securities issued and/or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its
agencies, or instrumentalities.
INVESTING IN COMMODITIES
The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts, or
commodity futures contracts.
INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE
The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, including limited partnership
interests in real estate, although it may invest in securities of companies
whose business involves the purchase or sale of real estate or in securities
secured by real estate or interests in real estate.
LENDING CASH OR SECURITIES
The Fund will not lend any of its assets, except portfolio securities up to
one-third of its total assets. This shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing
or holding corporate or U.S. government bonds, debentures, notes, certificates
of indebtedness or other debt securities of an issuer, entering into repurchase
agreements, or engaging in other transactions which are permitted by the Fund's
investment objectives and policies or the Trust's Declaration of Trust.
UNDERWRITING
The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities, except as it may be deemed
to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the
sale of securities in accordance with its investment objectives, policies, and
limitations.
DIVERSIFICATION OF INVESTMENTS
With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund will not purchase the
securities of any one issuer (other than cash, cash items, or securities issued
and/or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and
repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities) if, as a result, more
than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer.
Also, the Fund will not purchase more than 10% of any class of the outstanding
voting securities of any one issuer. For these purposes, the Fund considers
common stock and all preferred stock of an issuer each as a single class,
regardless of priorities, series, designations, or other differences.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
The following limitations, however, may be changed by the Trustees without
shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material changes
to these limitations become effective.
INVESTING IN RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in
illiquid securities, including, among others, repurchase agreements providing
for settlement more than seven days after notice, and certain restricted
securities not determined to be liquid under criteria established by the
Trustees. Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage
limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease
in percentage resulting from any change in value of total or net assets will not
result in a violation of such restriction.
The Fund has no present intention to borrow money in excess of 5% of the value
of its net assets during the coming fiscal year.
For purposes of its policies and limitations, the Fund considers certificates of
deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank
or savings association having capital, surplus, and undivided profits in excess
of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be "cash items."
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT
Officers and Trustees are listed with their addresses, birthdates, present
positions with Federated Insurance Series, and principal occupations.
John F. Donahue@*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 28, 1924
Chairman and Trustee
Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; Chairman and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Chairman, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Chief Executive Officer and Director or Trustee of the
Funds. Mr. Donahue is the father of J. Christopher Donahue, President and
Trustee of the Company.
Thomas G. Bigley
15 Old Timber Trail
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: February 3, 1934
Trustee
Director, Member of Executive Committee, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh;
formerly, Senior Partner, Ernst & Young LLP; Director, MED 3000 Group, Inc.;
Director, Member of Executive Committee, University of Pittsburgh; Director
or Trustee of the Funds.
John T. Conroy, Jr.
Wood/IPC Commercial Department
John R. Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors
3255 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL
Birthdate: June 23, 1937
Trustee
President, Investment Properties Corporation; Senior Vice President, John R.
Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors; Partner or Trustee in private real
estate ventures in Southwest Florida; formerly, President, Naples Property
Management, Inc. and Northgate Village Development Corporation; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Nicholas P. Constantakis
175 Woodshire Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 3, 1939
Trustee
Formerly, Partner, Andersen Worldwide SC; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
William J. Copeland
One PNC Plaza--23rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 4, 1918
Trustee
Director and Member of the Executive Committee, Michael Baker, Inc.;
formerly, Vice Chairman and Director, PNC Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank Corp.;
Director, Ryan Homes, Inc.; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
J. Christopher Donahue*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: April 11, 1949
President and Trustee
President and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; President and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; President, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company and
Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Services Company;
President or Executive Vice President of the Funds; Director or Trustee of
some of the Funds. Mr. Donahue is the son of John F. Donahue, Chairman and
Trustee of the Company.
James E. Dowd
571 Hayward Mill Road
Concord, MA
Birthdate: May 18, 1922
Trustee
Attorney-at-law; Director, The Emerging Germany Fund, Inc.; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.*
3471 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1111
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 11, 1932
Trustee
Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Medical Director, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center Downtown; Member, Board of Directors, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center; formerly, Hematologist, Oncologist, and Internist,
Presbyterian and Montefiore Hospitals; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr.@
Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba
205 Ross Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 18, 1924
Trustee
Attorney of Counsel, Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba; Director, Eat'N Park
Restaurants, Inc.; formerly, Counsel, Horizon Financial, F.A., Western
Region; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Peter E. Madden
One Royal Palm Way
100 Royal Palm Way
Palm Beach, FL
Birthdate: March 16, 1942
Trustee
Consultant; Former State Representative, Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
formerly, President, State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Boston
Corporation; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
John E. Murray, Jr., J.D., S.J.D.
President, Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: December 20, 1932
Trustee
President, Law Professor, Duquesne University; Consulting Partner, Mollica &
Murray; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Wesley W. Posvar
1202 Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 14, 1925
Trustee
Professor, International Politics; Management Consultant; Trustee, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, RAND Corporation, Online Computer Library
Center, Inc., National Defense University, and U.S. Space Foundation;
President Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh; Founding Chairman, National
Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology, Federal Emergency
Management Advisory Board, and Czech Management Center, Prague; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Marjorie P. Smuts
4905 Bayard Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 21, 1935
Trustee
Public relations/Marketing/Conference Planning; Director or Trustee of the
Funds.
Edward C. Gonzales
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 22, 1930
Executive Vice President
Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Vice President,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, Federated Research, Federated
Research Corp., Federated Global Research Corp., and Passport Research,
Ltd.; Executive Vice President and Director, Federated Securities Corp.;
Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company; Trustee or Director of some
of the Funds; President, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of some of
the Funds.
John W. McGonigle
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 26, 1938
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Trustee,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, and Federated Research; Director,
Federated Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company; President
and Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Securities
Corp.; Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Funds; Treasurer of some of
the Funds.
Richard B. Fisher
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: May 17, 1923
Vice President
Executive Vice President and Trustee, Federated Investors; Chairman and
Director, Federated Securities Corp.; President or Vice President of some of
the Funds; Director or Trustee of some of the Funds.
* This Trustee is deemed to be an "interested person" as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
@ Member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the Board of
Trustees handles the responsibilities of the Board between meetings of the
Board. As used in the table above, "The Funds" and "Funds" mean the
following investment companies: 111 Corcoran Funds; Automated Government Money
Trust; Blanchard Funds; Blanchard Precious Metals Fund, Inc.; Cash Trust Series
II; Cash Trust Series, Inc.; DG Investor Series; Edward D. Jones & Co. Daily
Passport Cash Trust; Federated Adjustable Rate U.S. Government Fund, Inc.;
Federated American Leaders Fund, Inc.; Federated ARMs Fund; Federated Core
Trust; Federated Equity Funds; Federated Equity Income Fund, Inc.; Federated
Fund for U.S. Government Securities, Inc.; Federated GNMA Trust; Federated
Government Income Securities, Inc.; Federated Government Trust; Federated High
Income Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated High Yield Trust; Federated Income Securities
Trust; Federated Income Trust; Federated Index Trust; Federated Institutional
Trust; Federated Insurance Series; Federated Investment Portfolios; Federated
Investment Trust; Federated Master Trust; Federated Municipal Opportunities
Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal Securities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal
Trust; Federated Short-Term Municipal Trust; Federated Short-Term U.S.
Government Trust; Federated Stock and Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated Stock Trust;
Federated Tax-Free Trust; Federated Total Return Series, Inc.; Federated U.S.
Government Bond Fund; Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 1-3 Years;
Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 Years; Federated U.S. Government
Securities Fund: 5-10 Years; Federated Utility Fund, Inc.; First Priority Funds;
Fixed Income Securities, Inc.; High Yield Cash Trust; Intermediate Municipal
Trust; International Series, Inc.; Investment Series Funds, Inc.; Investment
Series Trust; Liberty Term Trust, Inc.--1999; Liberty U.S. Government Money
Market Trust; Liquid Cash Trust; Managed Series Trust; Money Market Management,
Inc.; Money Market Obligations Trust; Money Market Obligations Trust II; Money
Market Trust; Municipal Securities Income Trust; Newpoint Funds; RIMCO Monument
Funds; Targeted Duration Trust; Tax-Free Instruments Trust; The Planters Funds;
The Virtus Funds; Trust for Financial Institutions; Trust for Government Cash
Reserves; Trust for Short-Term U.S. Government Securities; Trust for U.S.
Treasury Obligations; WesMark Funds; WCT Funds; and World Investment Series,
Inc. FUND OWNERSHIP
Officers and Trustees own less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding shares. As
of April 8, 1998, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of the Fund: Aetna Insurance Company of America, Hartford,
CT, owned approximately 6,411,589 shares (36.56%); Aetna Life Insurance &
Annuity Co., Hartford, CT, owned approximately 6,308,109 shares (35.97%); Life
of Virginia, Richmond, VA, owned approximately 2,440,741 shares (13.92%); and
Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Co., Englewood, CO, owned approximately
1,200,740 shares (6.85%).
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
AGGREGATE
NAME, COMPENSATION
POSITION WITH FROM TOTAL COMPENSATION PAID
TRUST TRUST*# FROM FUND COMPLEX+
John F. Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
Chairman and Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Thomas G. Bigley $265.66 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John T. Conroy, Jr. $292.28 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Nicholas P. Constantakis++ $0 $0 for the Trust and
Trustee 34 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
William J. Copeland $292.28 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
J. Christopher Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
President and Trustee 18 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
James E. Dowd $292.28 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D. $265.66 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr. $292.28 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Peter E. Madden $265.66 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John E. Murray, Jr. $265.66 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Wesley W. Posvar $265.66 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Marjorie P. Smuts $265.66 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
* Information is furnished for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
# The aggregate compensation is provided for the Trust which is comprised of
eight portfolios.
+ The information is provided for the last calendar year.
++ Mr. Constantakis became a member of the Board of Trustees on February 23,
1998. He did not receive any fees as of the fiscal year end of the Trust.
TRUSTEE LIABILITY
The Trust's Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees will not be liable
for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, they are not
protected against any liability to which they would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their office.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
ADVISER TO THE FUND
The Fund's investment adviser is Federated Advisers. It is a subsidiary of
Federated Investors. All voting securities of Federated Investors are owned by a
trust, the trustees of which are John F. Donahue, his wife, and his son, J.
Christopher Donahue. The adviser shall not be liable to the Fund or any
shareholder for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding, or
sale of any security or for anything done or omitted by it, except acts or
omissions involving willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of the duties imposed upon it by its contract with the Trust.
ADVISORY FEES
For its advisory services, Federated Advisers receives an annual investment
advisory fee as described in the prospectus.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the adviser earned
advisory fees of $1,671,330, $693,045, and $142,579, respectively, of which
$198,839, $203,603, and $142,579, respectively, were voluntarily waived.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS The Adviser may select brokers and dealers who offer
brokerage and research services. These services may be furnished directly to the
Fund or to the Adviser and may include: advice as to the advisability of
investing in securities; security analysis and reports; economic studies;
industry studies; receipt of quotations for portfolio evaluations; and similar
services. Research services provided by brokers and dealers may be used by the
Adviser or its affiliates in advising the Fund and other accounts. To the extent
that receipt of these services may supplant services for which the Adviser or
its affiliates might otherwise have paid, it would tend to reduce their
expenses. The Adviser and its affiliates exercise reasonable business judgment
in selecting brokers who offer brokerage and research services to execute
securities transactions. They determine in good faith that commissions charged
by such persons are reasonable in relationship to the value of the brokerage and
research services provided. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996,
and 1995, the Fund paid $226,100, $234,623, and $49,713, respectively, in
brokerage commissions on brokerage transactions. Although investment
decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of any other accounts
managed by the Adviser, investments of the type the Fund may make may also be
made by those other accounts. When the Fund and one or more other accounts
managed by the Adviser are prepared to invest in, or desire to dispose of, the
same security, available investments or opportunities for sales will be
allocated in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each. In some
cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the
Fund or the size of the position obtained or disposed of by the Fund. In other
cases, however, it is believed that coordination and the ability to participate
in volume transactions will be to the benefit of the Fund.
OTHER SERVICES
FUND ADMINISTRATION
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services to the Fund for a fee as described in the
prospectus. From March 1, 1994 to March 1, 1996, Federated Administrative
Services, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, served as the Fund's
Administrator. For purposes of this Statement of Additional Information,
Federated Services Company and Federated Administrative Services may hereinafter
collectively be referred to as the "Administrators." For the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Administrators earned $169,740, $125,000,
and $125,000, respectively. CUSTODIAN AND PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTANT
State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA, is custodian for the securities
and cash of the Fund. Federated Services Company, Pittsburgh, PA, provides
certain accounting and recordkeeping services with respect to the Fund's
portfolio investments. The fee paid for this service is based upon the level of
the Fund's average net assets for the period plus out-of-pocket expenses.
TRANSFER AGENT
Federated Services Company, through it registered transfer agent, Federated
Shareholder Services Company, maintains all necessary shareholder records. For
its services, the transfer agent receives a fee based on the size, type, and
number of accounts and transactions made by shareholders.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The independent auditors for the Fund are Deloitte & Touche LLP, Pittsburgh, PA.
PURCHASING SHARES
Shares of the Fund are sold at their net asset value without a sales charge on
days the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. The procedure for
purchasing shares of the Fund is explained in the prospectus under "Purchases
and Redemptions" and "What Shares Cost."
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
This arrangement permits the payment of fees to Federated Shareholder Services
to cause services to be provided which are necessary for the maintenance of
shareholder accounts and to encourage personal services to shareholders by a
representative who has knowledge of the shareholder's particular circumstances
and goals. These activities and services may include but are not limited to
providing office space, equipment, telephone facilities, and various clerical,
supervisory, computer, and other personnel as necessary or beneficial to
establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records; processing purchase and
redemption transactions and automatic investments of client account cash
balances; answering routine client inquiries; and assisting clients in changing
dividend options, account designations, and addresses.
By adopting the Shareholder Services Agreement, the Trustees expect that the
Fund will benefit by: (1) providing personal services to shareholders; (2)
investing shareholder assets with a minimum of delay and administrative detail;
(3) enhancing shareholder recordkeeping systems; and (4) responding promptly to
shareholders' requests and inquiries concerning their accounts.
The Shareholder Services Agreement was not in effect in the Fund's fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997.
DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE
Net asset value generally changes each day. The days on which net asset value is
calculated by the Fund are described in the prospectus.
DETERMINING MARKET VALUE OF SECURITIES
The values of the Fund's portfolio securities are determined as follows:
* for equity securities and bonds and other fixed income securities,
according to the last sale price on a national securities exchange, if
available;
* in the absence of recorded sales for equity securities, according to
the mean between the last closing bid and asked prices;
* for bonds and other fixed income securities, at the last sale price on a
national securities exchange, if available; otherwise, as determined by an
independent pricing service;
* for unlisted equity securities, the latest mean prices; * for short-term
obligations, according to the mean between bid and asked
prices as furnished by an independent pricing service; or
* for all other securities, at fair value as determined in good faith by
the Trustees.
MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW
Under certain circumstances, shareholders may be held personally liable as
partners under Massachusetts law for obligations of the Trust. To protect its
shareholders, the Trust has filed legal documents with Massachusetts that
expressly disclaim the liability of its shareholders for acts or obligations of
the Trust. These documents require notice of this disclaimer to be given in each
agreement, obligation, or instrument the Trust or its Trustees enter into or
sign.
In the unlikely event a shareholder is held personally liable for the Trust's
obligations, the Trust is required by the Declaration of Trust to use its
property to protect or compensate the shareholder. On request, the Trust will
defend any claim made and pay any judgment against a shareholder for any act or
obligation of the Trust. Therefore, financial loss resulting from liability as a
shareholder will occur only if the Trust itself cannot meet its obligations to
indemnify shareholders and pay judgments against them.
TAX STATUS
THE FUND'S TAX STATUS
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because it expects to meet the
requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded
to such companies. To qualify for this treatment, the Fund must, among other
requirements:
* derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, and
gains from the sale of securities;
* invest in securities within certain statutory limits; and
* distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its net income earned
during the year.
SHAREHOLDERS' TAX STATUS
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described in the prospectus and this Statement. If the Fund fails to
comply with these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be
treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal
Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the contract prospectus for information concerning
the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions from the
Fund to the separate accounts.
TOTAL RETURN
The Fund's average annual total returns for the one-year period ended December
31, 1997, and for the period from February 1, 1994 (date of initial public
investment) to December 31, 1997, were 32.34% and 21.54%, respectively. The
average annual total return for the Fund is the average compounded rate of
return for a given period that would equate a $1,000 initial investment to the
ending redeemable value of that investment. The ending redeemable value is
computed by multiplying the number of shares owned at the end of the period by
the offering price per share at the end of the period. The number of shares
owned at the end of the period is based on the number of shares purchased at the
beginning of the period with $1,000, adjusted over the period by any additional
shares, assuming the quarterly reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.
You should review the performance figures for your insurance contract, which
figures reflect the applicable charges and expenses of the contract. Such
performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance.
YIELD
The Fund's 30-day yield for the thirty day period ended December 31, 1997, was
1.29%.
The yield for the Fund is determined by dividing the net investment income per
share (as defined by the SEC) earned by the Fund over a thirty-day period by the
offering price per share of the Fund on the last day of the period. This value
is then annualized using semi-annual compounding. This means that the amount of
income generated during the thirty-day period is assumed to be generated each
month over a twelve month period and is reinvested every six months. The yield
does not necessarily reflect income actually earned by the Fund because of
certain adjustments required by the SEC and, therefore, may not correlate to the
dividends or other distributions paid to shareholders. Also, the yield does not
reflect the charges and expenses of an insurance contract. You should review the
performance figures for your insurance contract, which figures reflect the
applicable charges and expenses of the contract. Such performance figures will
accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS
The Fund's performance depends upon such variables as:
* portfolio quality;
* average portfolio maturity;
* type of instruments in which the portfolio is invested; * changes in
interest rates and market value of portfolio securities; * changes in Fund
expenses; and * the relative amount of the Fund's cash flow.
The Fund's performance fluctuates on a daily basis largely because net earnings
and offering price per share fluctuate daily. Both net earnings and offering
price per share are factors in the computation of yield and total return.
Investors may use financial publications and/or indices to obtain a more
complete view of the Fund's performance. When comparing performance, investors
should consider all relevant factors such as the composition of any index used,
prevailing market conditions, portfolio compositions of other funds, and methods
used to value portfolio securities and compute offering price. The financial
publications and/or indices which the Fund uses in advertising may include:
* LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC., ranks funds in various fund categories by
making comparative calculations using total return. Total return assumes
the reinvestment of all income dividends and capital gains distributions,
if any. From time to time, the Fund will quote its Lipper ranking in the
growth and income funds category in advertising and sales literature.
* DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE, is an unmanaged index representing share
prices of major industrial corporations, public utilities, and
transportation companies. Produced by the Dow Jones & Company, it is cited
as a principal indicator of market conditions.
* STANDARD & POOR'S ("S&P") DAILY STOCK PRICE INDEX OF 500 COMMON STOCKS, a
composite index of common stocks in industry, transportation, and financial
and public utility companies, can be used to compare to the total returns
of funds whose portfolios are invested primarily in common stocks. In
addition, the S&P index assumes reinvestment of all dividends paid by
stocks listed on its index. Taxes due on any of these distributions are not
included, nor are brokerage or other fees calculated in the S&P figures.
* MORNINGSTAR, INC., an independent rating service, is the publisher of the
bi-weekly Mutual Fund Values. Mutual Fund Values rates more than 1,000
NASDAQ-listed mutual funds of all types, according to their risk-adjusted
returns. The maximum rating is five stars, and ratings are effective for
two weeks.
Advertisements and sales literature for the Fund may quote total returns which
are calculated on non-standardized base periods. These total returns also
represent the historic change in the value of an investment in the Fund based on
quarterly reinvestment of dividends over a specified period of time.
From time to time as it deems appropriate, the Fund may advertise its
performance using charts, graphs, and descriptions, compared to federally
insured bank products, including certificates of deposit and time deposits and
to money market funds using the Lipper Analytical Services money market
instruments average. Advertising and other promotional literature may
include charts, graphs, and other illustrations using the Fund's returns, or
returns in general, that demonstrate basic investment concepts such as
tax-deferred compounding, dollar-cost averaging and systematic investment. In
addition, the Fund can compare its performance, or performance for the types of
securities in which it invests, to a variety of other investments, such as bank
savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and Treasury bills. ECONOMIC AND
MARKET INFORMATION Advertising and sales literature for the Fund may include
discussions of economic, financial, and political developments and their effect
on the securities market. Such discussions may take the form of commentary on
these developments by Fund portfolio managers and their views and analysis on
how such developments could affect the Funds. In addition, advertising and sales
literature may quote statistics and give general information about the mutual
fund industry, including the growth of the industry, from sources such as the
Investment Company Institute. ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS
Federated Investors is dedicated to meeting investor needs which is reflected in
its investment decision making structured, straightforward, and consistent. This
has resulted in a history of competitive performance with a range of competitive
investment products that have gained the confidence of thousands of clients and
their customers.
The company's disciplined security selection process is firmly rooted in sound
methodologies backed by fundamental and technical research. Investment decisions
are made and executed by teams of portfolio managers, analysts, and traders
dedicated to specific market sectors. These traders handle trillions of dollars
in annual trading volume. In the equity sector, Federated Investors has more
than 27 years' experience. As of December 31, 1997, Federated managed 29 equity
funds totaling approximately $11.7 billion in assets across growth, value,
equity income, international, index, and sector (i.e. utility) styles. Federated
Investors' value-oriented management style combines quantitative and qualitative
analysis and features a structured, computer-assisted composite modeling system
that was developed in the 1970s. J. Thomas Madden, Executive Vice
President, oversees Federated Investors' equity and high yield corporate bond
management while William D. Dawson, Executive Vice President, oversees Federated
Investors' domestic fixed income management. Henry A. Frantzen, Executive Vice
President, oversees the management of Federated Investors' international and
global portfolios.
MUTUAL FUND MARKET
Thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $4.4 trillion to the more than 6,700 funds available.*
Federated Investors, through its subsidiaries, distributes mutual funds for a
variety of investment applications. Specific markets include:
INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS
Federated Investors meets the needs of approximately 900 institutional clients
nationwide by managing and servicing separate accounts and mutual funds for a
variety of applications, including defined benefit and defined contribution
programs, cash management, and asset/liability management. Institutional clients
include corporations, pension funds, tax-exempt entities,
foundations/endowments, insurance companies, and investment and financial
advisors. The marketing effort to these institutional clients is headed by John
B. Fisher, President, Institutional Sales Division.
BANK MARKETING
Other institutional clients include close relationships with more than 1,600
banks and trust organizations. Virtually all of the trust divisions of the top
100 bank holding companies use Federated funds in their clients' portfolios. The
marketing effort to trust clients is headed by Timothy C. Pillion, Senior Vice
President, Bank Marketing & Sales.
BROKER/DEALERS AND BANK BROKER/DEALER SUBSIDIARIES
Federated funds are available to consumers through major brokerage firms
nationwidewe have over 2,200 broker/dealer and bank broker/dealer relationships
across the country -- supported by more wholesalers than any other mutual fund
distributor. Federated Investors' service to financial professionals and
institutions has earned it high ratings in several surveys performed by DALBAR,
Inc. DALBAR is recognized as the industry benchmark for service quality
measurement. The marketing effort to these firms is headed by James F. Getz,
President, Federated Securities Corp.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, are
incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report of the Fund dated December
31, 1997 (File Nos. 33-69268 and 811-8042). A copy of the Report may be obtained
without charge by contacting the Fund.
* Source: Investment Company Institute
APPENDIX
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
AAA--Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA--Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A--Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB--Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB--Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BBB rating.
B--Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to
pay interest and repay principal.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC., CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa--Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa--Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba--Bonds which are Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future
cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest and
principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during
both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes
bonds in this class.
B--Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
FITCH IBCA, INC. ("FITCH"), LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
AAA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality.
The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay
principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
AA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although
not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the AAA and AA
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments,
short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F-1+.
A--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are
more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore, impair timely
payment.
BB--Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and
repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However,
business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the
obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B--Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely
payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of
safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the
life of the issue.
NR--NR indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue. Plus (+) or
Minus (-): Plus or minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the
relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs,
however, are not used in the AAA category.
STANDARD & POOR'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
A-1--This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
A-2--Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
issues designated A-1.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC., COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Prime-1--Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a
superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1
repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:
* Leading market positions in well established industries.
* High rates of return on funds employed.
* Conservative capitalization structure with moderated reliance on debt
and ample asset protection.
* Broad margins in earning coverage of fixed financial charges and high
internal cash generation.
* Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources
of alternate liquidity.
Prime-2--Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a
strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will
normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser
degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject
to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be
more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
FITCH IBCA, INC., COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS F-1--(Highest Grade)
Commercial paper assigned this rating is regarded as having the strongest degree
of assurance for timely payment.
F-2--(Very Good Grade) Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of
timely payment only slightly less in degree than the strongest issues.
FEDERATED UTILITY FUND II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
PROSPECTUS
This prospectus offers shares of Federated Utility Fund II (the "Fund"), which
is a diversified investment portfolio in the Federated Insurance Series (the
"Trust"), an open-end, diversified management investment company. The Fund
invests in equity and debt securities of utility companies to achieve high
current income and moderate capital appreciation. Shares of the Fund may be sold
only to separate accounts of insurance companies to serve as the investment
medium for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts
issued by insurance companies.
THE SHARES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY
BANK, ARE NOT ENDORSED OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENT AGENCY. INVESTMENT IN THESE SHARES INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS,
INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
This prospectus contains the information you should read and know before you
invest in the Fund through the variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance policies offered by the insurance companies which provide for
investment in the Fund. Keep this prospectus for future reference.
The Fund has also filed a Statement of Additional Information dated April 23,
1998, with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The information
contained in the Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. You may request a copy of the Statement of
Additional Information, or a paper copy of this prospectus, if you have received
your prospectus electronically, free of charge by calling 1-800-341-7400. To
obtain other information or to make inquiries about the Fund, contact the Fund
at the address listed in the back of this prospectus. The Statement of
Additional Information, material incorporated by reference into this document,
and other information regarding the Fund is maintained electronically with the
SEC at Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
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 SHARES ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AS FUNDING VEHICLES FOR LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANIES WRITING VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS AND VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE
POLICIES. THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE PROSPECTUS FOR SUCH
CONTRACTS.
Prospectus dated April 23, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Financial Highlights 1
General Information 2
Investment Information 2
Investment Objective 2
Investment Policies 2
Investment Limitations 5
Net Asset Value 6
Investing in the Fund 6
Purchases and Redemptions 6
What Shares Cost 6
Dividends 6
Fund Information 6
Management of the Fund 6
Distribution of Fund Shares 8
Administration of the Fund 8
Brokerage Transactions 8
Shareholder Information 8
Voting Rights 8
Tax Information Inside Back Cover
Federal Taxes Inside Back Cover
State and Local Taxes Inside Back Cover
Performance Information Inside Back Cover
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
The following table has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund's
independent auditors. Their report, dated February 6, 1998, on the Fund's
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1997, and on the following
table for the periods presented, is included in the Fund's Annual Report, which
is herein incorporated by reference. This table should be read in conjunction
with the Fund's financial statements and notes thereto, contained in the Fund's
Annual Report, which may be obtained free of charge.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996 1995 1994(A)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $11.81 $11.03 $ 9.29 $ 9.48
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 0.40 0.42 0.45 0.34
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and 2.62 0.82 1.74 (0.19)
foreign currency
Total from investment operations 3.02 1.24 2.19 0.15
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net investment income (0.28) (0.41) (0.45) (0.34)
Distributions from net realized gain on investments and foreign (0.26) (0.05) -- --
currency transactions
Total distributions (0.54) (0.46) (0.45) (0.34)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $14.29 $11.81 $11.03 $ 9.29
TOTAL RETURN(B) 26.63% 11.56% 24.18% 1.12%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 0.85% 0.85% 0.85% 0.60%*
Net investment income 3.41% 3.92% 4.62% 4.77%*
Expense waiver/reimbursement(c) 0.27% 0.51% 2.24% 54.83%*
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $104,462 $63,558 $29,679 $974
Average commission rate paid(d) $0.0207 $0.0402 -- --
Portfolio turnover 95% 63% 62% 73%
</TABLE>
* Computed on an annualized basis.
(a) Reflects operations for the period from April 14, 1994 (date of initial
public investment) to December 31, 1994. For the period from December 9, 1993
(start of business) to April 13, 1994, net investment income was distributed to
the Fund's adviser.
(b) Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
(c) This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and net
investment income ratios shown above.
(d) Represents total commissions paid on portfolio securities divided by total
portfolio shares purchased or sold on which commissions were charged.
Further information about the Fund's performance is contained in the Fund's
Annual Report dated December 31, 1997, which can be obtained free of charge.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, which was established as
Insurance Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust, under a Declaration
of Trust dated September 15, 1993. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to
offer separate series of shares of beneficial interest in separate portfolios of
securities, including the Fund. The shares in any one portfolio may be offered
in separate classes. As of the date of this prospectus, the Board of Trustees
(the "Trustees") have not established separate classes of shares. Shares of
the Fund are sold only to insurance companies as funding vehicles for variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the insurance
companies. Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value as described in the
section entitled "What Shares Cost." Shares of the Fund are redeemed at net
asset value.
INVESTMENT INFORMATION
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve high current income and
moderate capital appreciation. The investment objective cannot be changed
without approval of shareholders. While there is no assurance that the Fund will
achieve its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the
policies described in this prospectus.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund endeavors to achieve its objective by investing primarily in a
professionally managed, diversified portfolio of equity and debt securities of
utility companies. Unless indicated otherwise, the investment policies may be
changed by the Trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be
notified before any material change in these policies becomes effective.
ACCEPTABLE INVESTMENTS
The Fund's investment approach is based on the conviction that over the long
term, the economy will continue to expand and develop and that this economic
growth will be reflected in the growth of the revenues and earnings of utility
companies. The Fund intends to achieve its investment objective by investing in
equity and debt securities of utility companies that produce, transmit, or
distribute gas and electric energy as well as those companies that provide
communications facilities, such as telephone and telegraph companies. Under
normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets
in securities of utility companies. The prices of fixed income securities
fluctuate inversely to the direction of interest rates.
COMMON STOCKS
The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of utility companies selected by the
Fund's investment adviser on the basis of traditional research techniques,
including assessment of earnings and dividend growth prospects and of the risk
and volatility of the company's industry. However, other factors, such as
product position, market share, or profitability will also be considered by the
Fund's investment adviser.
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
The Fund may purchase American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") issued by U.S. banks
as a substitute for direct ownership of securities of foreign companies in the
utilities industry. ADRs are traded in the United States on stock exchanges and
in the over-the-counter markets like stocks of domestic companies.
SECURITIES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS
The Fund may invest in the securities of foreign issuers which are freely traded
on United States securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market in the
form of depositary receipts as well as securities of foreign issuers that trade
on foreign stock exchanges. Securities of a foreign issuer may present greater
risks in the form of nationalization, confiscation, domestic marketability, or
other national or international restrictions. As a matter of practice, the Fund
will not invest in the securities of a foreign issuer if any such risk appears
to the investment adviser to be substantial.
Investing in non-U.S. securities carries substantial risks in addition to those
associated with domestic investments. In an attempt to reduce some of these
risks, the Fund diversifies its investments broadly among foreign countries,
including both developed and developing countries.
The Fund will take advantage of the unusual opportunities for higher returns
available from investing in developing countries and may invest in the utility
and other securities of such countries. These investments carry considerably
more volatility and risk because they are associated with less mature economies
and less stable political systems. (See "Risk Considerations in Developing
Countries.")
RISK CONSIDERATIONS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Securities prices in developing countries can be significantly more volatile
than in developed countries, reflecting the greater uncertainties of investing
in lesser developed markets and economies. In particular, developing countries
may have relatively unstable governments, and may present the risk of
nationalization of businesses, expropriation, confiscatory taxation or, in
certain instances, reversion to closed market, centrally planned economies. Such
countries may also have restrictions on foreign ownership or prohibitions on the
repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than
developed countries.
The economies of developing countries may be predominantly based on only a few
industries or dependent on revenues from particular commodities or on
international aid or development assistance, may be highly vulnerable to changes
in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile
debt burdens or inflation rates. In addition, securities markets in developing
countries may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond
effectively to increase in trading volume, potentially resulting in a lack of
liquidity and in volatility in the price of securities traded on those markets.
Also, securities markets in developing countries typically offer less regulatory
protection for investors.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
Convertible securities include a spectrum of securities which can be exchanged
for or converted into common stock. Convertible securities may include, but are
not limited to: convertible bonds or debentures; convertible preferred stock;
units consisting of usable bonds and warrants; or securities which cap or
otherwise limit returns to the convertible security holder, such as
DECS--(Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock, or Debt Exchangeable for Common
Stock when issued as a debt security), LYONS--(Liquid Yield Option Notes, which
are corporate bonds that are purchased at prices below par with no coupons and
are convertible into stock), PERCS--(Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative
Stock, an equity issue that pays a high cash dividend, has a cap price and
mandatory conversion to common stock at maturity), and PRIDES--(Preferred
Redeemable Increased Dividend Securities, which are essentially the same as
DECS; the difference is little more than who initially underwrites the issue).
Convertible securities are often rated below investment grade or not rated
because they fall below debt obligations and just above common equity in order
of preference or priority on the issuer's balance sheet. Hence, an issuer with
investment grade senior debt may issue convertible securities with ratings less
than investment grade or not rated. Convertible securities rated below
investment grade may be subject to some of the same risks as those inherent in
junk bonds. The Fund does not limit convertible securities by rating, and there
is no minimal acceptance rating for a convertible security to be purchased or
held in the Fund. Therefore, the Fund invests in convertible securities
irrespective of their ratings. This could result in the Fund purchasing and
holding, without limit, convertible securities rated below investment grade by
an NRSRO or in the Fund holding such securities where they have acquired a
rating below investment grade after the Fund has purchased it.
The Fund's investments in convertible securities will not be subject to the
quality rating limit on other securities in which the Fund invests.
OTHER SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in preferred stocks, corporate bonds, notes, and warrants of
these companies and in cash, U.S. government securities, and money market
instruments in proportions determined by its investment adviser.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities are any
securities in which the Fund may invest pursuant to its investment objective and
policies, but which are subject to restriction on resale under federal
securities law. Under criteria established by the Trustees, certain restricted
securities are determined to be liquid. To the extent that restricted securities
are not determined to be liquid, the Fund will limit their purchase together
with other illiquid securities including repurchase agreements providing for
settlement in more than seven days after notice and over-the-counter options to
15% of its net assets. TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
The Fund may also invest temporarily in cash, cash items, and short-term
instruments, including notes and commercial paper, for liquidity and during
times of unusual market conditions for defensive purposes. Cash items may
include obligations such as:
* certificates of deposit (including those issued by domestic and foreign
branches of FDIC insured banks);
* obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the
U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities;
* and repurchase agreements.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend its portfolio
securities on a short-term or long-term basis, or both, up to one-third of the
value of its total assets to broker/dealers, banks, or other institutional
borrowers of securities. This is a fundamental policy which may not be changed
without the approval of shareholders. The Fund will only enter into loan
arrangements with broker/dealers, banks, or other institutions which the
investment adviser has determined are creditworthy under guidelines established
by the Trustees and will receive collateral equal to at least 100% of the value
of the securities loaned at all times.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
These transactions are arrangements in which the Fund purchases securities with
payment and delivery scheduled for a future time. The seller's failure to
complete the transaction may cause the Fund to miss a price or yield considered
to be advantageous. Settlement dates may be a month or more after entering into
these transactions, and the market values of the securities purchased may vary
from the purchase prices.
The Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if the adviser deems it
appropriate to do so. In addition, the Fund may enter into transactions to sell
its purchase commitments to third parties at current market values and
simultaneously acquire other commitments to purchase similar securities at later
dates. The Fund may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of such
commitments.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies as an
efficient means of carrying out its investment policies. It should be noted that
investment companies incur certain expenses, such as management fees, and,
therefore, any investment by the Fund in shares of other investment companies
may be subject to such duplicate expenses.
PUT AND CALL OPTIONS
The Fund may purchase put options on its portfolio securities. These options
will be used as a hedge to attempt to protect securities which the Fund holds
against decreases in value. The Fund will only purchase puts on portfolio
securities which are traded on a recognized exchange.
The Fund may also write call options on all or any portion of its portfolio to
generate income for the Fund. The Fund will write call options on securities
either held in its portfolio or for which it has the right to obtain without
payment of further consideration or for which it has segregated cash in the
amount of any additional consideration. The call options which the Fund writes
must be listed on a recognized options exchange. Although the Fund reserves the
right to write covered call options on its entire portfolio, it will not write
such options on more than 25% of its total assets unless a higher limit is
authorized by its Trustees.
FINANCIAL FUTURES AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES
The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts to hedge all or a
portion of its portfolio of long-term debt securities against changes in
interest rates. Financial futures contracts call for the delivery of particular
debt instruments issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by specified
agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government at a certain time in the
future. The seller of the contract agrees to make delivery of the type of
instrument called for in the contract and the buyer agrees to take delivery of
the instrument at the specified future time.
The Fund may also write call options and purchase put options on financial
futures contracts as a hedge to attempt to protect securities in its portfolio
against decreases in value. When the Fund writes a call option on a futures
contract, it is undertaking the obligation of selling a futures contract at a
fixed price at any time during a specified period if the option is exercised.
Conversely, as purchaser of a put option on a futures contract, the Fund is
entitled (but not obligated) to sell a futures contract at the fixed price
during the life of the option.
The Fund may not purchase or sell futures contracts or related options if
immediately thereafter the sum of the amount of margin deposits on the Fund's
existing futures positions and premiums paid for related options would exceed 5%
of the market value of the Fund's total assets. When the Fund purchases futures
contracts, an amount of cash and cash equivalents, equal to the underlying
commodity value of the futures contracts (less any related margin deposits),
will be deposited in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian (or the
broker, if legally permitted) to collateralize the position and thereby insure
that the use of such futures contracts is unleveraged.
RISKS
When the Fund uses financial futures and options on financial futures as hedging
devices, there is a risk that the prices of the securities subject to the
futures contracts may not correlate perfectly with the prices of the securities
in the Fund's portfolio. This may cause the futures contract and any related
options to react differently than the portfolio securities to market changes. In
addition, the Fund's investment adviser could be incorrect in its expectations
about the direction or extent of market factors such as interest rate movements.
In these events, the Fund may lose money on the futures contract or option.
It is not certain that a secondary market for positions in futures contracts or
for options will exist at all times. Although the investment adviser will
consider liquidity before entering into futures and options transactions, there
is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any
particular futures contract or option at any particular time. The Fund's ability
to establish and close out futures and options positions depends on this
secondary market.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
The Fund may purchase interests in real estate investment trusts. Risks
associated with real estate investments include the fact that equity and
mortgage real estate investment trusts are dependent upon management skill and
are not diversified, and are, therefore, subject to the risk of financing single
projects or unlimited number of projects. They are also subject to heavy cash
flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidation. Additionally,
equity real estate investment trusts may be affected by any changes in the value
of the underlying property owned by the trusts, and mortgage real estate
investment trusts may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. The
investment adviser seeks to mitigate these risks by selecting real estate
investment trusts diversified by sector (shopping malls, apartment building
complexes, and health care facilities) and geographic location.
VARIABLE ASSET REGULATIONS
The Fund is also subject to variable contract asset regulations prescribed by
the U.S. Treasury Department under Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
After a one year start-up period, the regulations generally require that, as of
the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, no more than 55%
of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any one investment, no
more than 70% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any two
investments, no more than 80% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented
by any three investments, and no more than 90% of the total assets of the Fund
may be represented by any four investments. In applying these diversification
rules, all securities of the same issuer, all interests in the same real
property project, and all interests in the same commodity are each treated as a
single investment. In the case of government securities, each government agency
or instrumentality shall be treated as a separate issuer. If the Fund fails to
achieve the diversification required by the regulations, unless relief is
obtained from the Internal Revenue Service, the contracts invested in the Fund
will not be treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts.
The Fund will be operated at all times so as to comply with the foregoing
diversification requirements.
STATE INSURANCE REGULATIONS
The Fund is intended to be a funding vehicle for variable annuity contracts and
variable life insurance policies offered by certain insurance companies. The
contracts will seek to be offered in as many jurisdictions as possible. Certain
states have regulations concerning, among other things, the concentration of
investments, sales and purchases of futures contracts, and short sales of
securities. If applicable, the Fund may be limited in its ability to engage in
such investments and to manage its portfolio with desired flexibility. The Fund
will operate in material compliance with the applicable insurance laws and
regulations of each jurisdiction in which contracts will be offered by the
insurance companies which invest in the Fund.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The Fund will not:
* borrow money directly or through reverse repurchase agreements
(arrangements in which the Fund sells a portfolio instrument for a
percentage of its cash value with an agreement to buy it back on a set
date), or pledge securities except, under certain circumstances, the Fund
may borrow money and engage in reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up
to one-third of the value of its total assets and pledge up to 15% of the
value of those assets to secure such borrowings.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund fluctuates. It is determined by
dividing the sum of the market value of all securities and other assets of the
Fund, less liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding.
INVESTING IN THE FUND
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Shares of the Fund are not sold directly to the general public. The Fund's
shares are used solely as the investment vehicle for separate accounts of
insurance companies offering variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance policies. The use of Fund shares as investments for both variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies is referred to as "mixed
funding." The use of Fund shares as investments by separate accounts of
unaffiliated life insurance companies is referred to as "shared funding."
The Fund intends to engage in mixed funding and shared funding in the future.
Although the Fund does not currently foresee any disadvantage to contract owners
due to differences in redemption rates, tax treatment, or other considerations
resulting from mixed funding or shared funding, the Trustees will closely
monitor the operation of mixed funding and shared funding and will consider
appropriate action to avoid material conflicts and take appropriate action in
response to any material conflict which occur. Such action could result in one
or more participating insurance companies withdrawing their investment in the
Fund.
Shares of the Fund are purchased or redeemed on behalf of participating
insurance companies at the next computed net asset value after an order is
received on days on which the New York Stock Exchange is open.
WHAT SHARES COST
The net asset value is determined as of the close of trading (normally 4:00
p.m., Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange, Monday through Friday,
except on: (i) days on which there are not sufficient changes in the value of
the Fund's portfolio securities such that its net asset value might be
materially affected; (ii) days during which no Shares are tendered for
redemption and no orders to purchase Shares are received; and (iii) the
following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents'
Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day
and Christmas Day. Purchase orders from separate accounts investing in the
Fund which are received by the insurance companies by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time),
will be computed at the net asset value of the Fund determined on that day, as
long as such purchase orders are received by the Fund in proper form and in
accordance with applicable procedures by 8:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the next
business day and as long as federal funds in the amount of such orders are
received by the Fund on the next business day. It is the responsibility of each
insurance company which invests in the Fund to properly transmit purchase orders
and federal funds in accordance with the procedures described above.
DIVIDENDS
Dividends on shares of the Fund are declared and paid annually.
Shares of the Fund will begin earning dividends if owned on the record date.
Dividends of the Fund are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund on payment dates at the ex-dividend date net asset value.
FUND INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees. The Trustees are responsible for
managing the business affairs of the Trust and for exercising all of the Trust's
powers except those reserved for the shareholders. The Executive Committee of
the Board of Trustees handles the Board's responsibilities between meetings of
the Board.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Pursuant to an investment advisory contract with the Trust, investment decisions
for the Fund are made by Federated Advisers, the Fund's investment adviser,
subject to direction by the Trustees. The adviser continually conducts
investment research and supervision for the Fund and is responsible for the
purchase and sale of portfolio instruments, for which it receives an annual fee
from the Fund.
ADVISORY FEES
The adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee equal to 0.75% of the
Fund's average daily net assets. The adviser may voluntarily choose to waive a
portion of its fees or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The
adviser can terminate this voluntary waiver and reimbursement of expenses at any
time at its sole discretion.
ADVISER'S BACKGROUND
Federated Advisers, a Delaware business trust organized on April 11, 1989 is a
registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
SUB-ADVISER
Under the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the fund's investment
adviser and Federated Global Research Corp. (the "Sub-Adviser"), the Sub-Adviser
will provide the Fund's investment adviser such investment advice, statistical
and other factual information as may, from time to time, be reasonably requested
by the adviser.
SUB-ADVISORY FEES
For its services under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser receives an
allocable portion of the Fund's advisory fee. Such allocation is based on the
amount of foreign securities which the Sub-Adviser manages for the Fund. This
fee is paid by the Adviser out of its resources and is not an incremental Fund
expense.
SUB-ADVISER'S BACKGROUND
Federated Global Research Corp., incorporated in Delaware on May 12, 1995, is a
registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
The adviser and the Sub-Adviser are subsidiaries of Federated Investors. All
of the Class A (voting) Shares of Federated Investors are owned by a trust,
the trustees of which are John F. Donahue, Chairman and Trustee of Federated
Investors, Mr. Donahue's wife, and Mr. Donahue's son, J. Christopher
Donahue, who is President and Trustee of Federated Investors.
Federated Advisers, Federated Global Research Corp. and other subsidiaries of
Federated Investors serve as investment advisers to a number of investment
companies and private accounts. Certain other subsidiaries also provide
administrative services to a number of investment companies. With over $120
billion invested across more than 300 funds under management and/or
administration by its subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1997, Federated Investors
is one of the largest mutual fund investment managers in the United States. With
more than 2,000 employees, Federated continues to be led by the management who
founded the company in 1955. Federated funds are presently at work in and
through approximately 4,000 financial institutions nationwide.
Linda A Duessel has been a portfolio manager for the Fund since April 1995.
Ms. Duessel joined Federated Investors in 1991 and has been a Vice President
of the Adviser since 1995. Ms. Duessel was an Assistant Vice President of
the Fund's investment adviser from 1991 until 1995. Ms. Duessel is a Chartered
Financial Analyst and received her M.S. in Industrial Administration from
Carnegie Mellon University.
Steven J. Lehman has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since August 1997.
Mr. Lehman joined the Fund's investment adviser in May 1997 as a Vice
President. From 1986 to May 1997, Mr. Lehman served as a Portfolio Manager,
then Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager, at First Chicago NBD. Mr. Lehman
is a Chartered Financial Analyst; he received his M.A. from the University of
Chicago.
Drew J. Collins and Richard J. Lazarchic are the portfolio managers for
foreign securities.
Drew J. Collins has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since July 1997.
Mr. Collins joined Federated Investors in 1995 as a Senior Vice President of
the Fund's investment adviser. Mr. Collins served as Vice
President/Portfolio Manager of international equity portfolios at Arnhold
and Bleichroeder, Inc. from 1994 to 1995. He served as an Assistant Vice
President/Portfolio Manager for international equities at the College
Retirement Equities Fund from 1986 to 1994. Mr. Collins is a Chartered
Financial Analyst and received his M.B.A. in finance from the Wharton School
of The University of Pennsylvania.
Richard J. Lazarchic has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since April
1998. Mr. Lazarchic joined Federated Investors in March 1998 as a Vice
President of the Fund's investment adviser. From May 1979 through October
1997, Mr. Lazarchic was employed with American Express Financial Corp.,
initially as an Analyst and then as a Vice President/Senior Portfolio
Manager. Mr. Lazarchic is a Chartered Financial Analyst. He received his
M.B.A. from Kent State University.
The Trust, the adviser, and the Sub-Adviser have adopted strict codes of
ethics governing the conduct of all employees who manage the Fund and its
portfolio securities. These codes recognize that such persons owe a
fiduciary duty to the Fund's shareholders and must place the interests of
shareholders ahead of the employees' own interest. Among other things, the
codes: require preclearance and periodic reporting of personal securities
transactions; prohibit personal transactions in securities being purchased
or sold, or being considered for purchase or sale, by the Fund; prohibit
purchasing securities in initial public offerings; and prohibit taking
profits on securities held for less than sixty days. Violations of these
codes are subject to review by the Trustees, and could result in severe
penalties.
DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES
Federated Securities Corp. is the principal distributor for shares of the
Fund. Federated Securities Corp. is located at Federated Investors Tower,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779. It is a Pennsylvania corporation
organized on November 14, 1969, and is the principal distributor for a
number of investment companies. Federated Securities Corp. is a subsidiary
of Federated Investors.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Fund has entered into a Shareholder Services Agreement with Federated
Shareholder Services, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, under which the Fund
may make payments up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of its
shares, computed at an annual rate, to obtain certain personal services for
shareholders and to maintain shareholder accounts. From time to time and for
such periods as deemed appropriate, the amount stated above may be reduced
voluntarily. Under the Shareholder Services Agreement, Federated Shareholder
Services will either perform shareholder services directly or will select
institutions to perform shareholder services. Institutions will receive fees
based upon shares owned by their clients or customers. The schedules of such
fees and the basis upon which such fees will be paid will be determined from
time to time by the Fund and Federated Shareholder Services.
SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Federated Securities Corp., from its own assets, may pay financial institutions
supplemental fees for the performance of substantial sales services,
distribution-related support services, or shareholder services. The support may
include sponsoring sales, educational and training seminars for their employees,
providing sales literature, and engineering computer software programs that
emphasize the attributes of the Fund. Such assistance may be predicated upon the
amount of shares the financial institution sells or may sell, and/or upon the
type and nature of sales or marketing support furnished by the financial
institution. Any payments made by the distributor may be reimbursed by the
Fund's investment adviser or its affiliates.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services (including certain legal and financial
reporting services) necessary to operate the Fund at an annual rate which
relates to the average aggregate daily net assets of all funds advised by
affiliates of Federated Investors as specified below:
MAXIMUM AVERAGE AGGREGATE
FEE DAILY NET ASSETS
0.150% on the first $250 million
0.125% on the next $250 million
0.100% on the next $250 million
0.075% on assets in excess of $750 million
The administrative fee received during any fiscal year shall be at least
$125,000 per portfolio and $30,000 per each additional class of shares.
Federated Services Company may choose voluntarily to waive a portion of its fee.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio
instruments, the adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable
price. In working with dealers, the adviser will generally utilize those who are
recognized dealers in specific portfolio instruments, except when a better price
and execution of the order can be obtained elsewhere. In selecting among firms
believed to meet these criteria, the adviser may give consideration to those
firms which have sold or are selling shares of the Fund and other funds
distributed by Federated Securities Corp. The adviser makes decisions on
portfolio transactions and selects brokers and dealers subject to review by the
Trustees. SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
VOTING RIGHTS
The insurance company separate accounts, as shareholders of the Fund, will vote
the Fund shares held in their separate accounts at meetings of the shareholders.
Voting will be in accordance with instructions received from contract owners of
the separate accounts, as more fully outlined in the prospectus of the separate
account. As of April 8, 1998, Life of Virginia, Richmond, VA, and Aetna
Retirement Services Central Valuation Unit, Hartfort, CT, owned approximately
29.90% and 42.97%, respectively, of the voting securities of the Fund, and
therefore, may for certain purposes be deemed to control the Fund and be able to
affect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of shareholders.
Aetna Retirement Services Central Valuation Unit is owned by Aetna Inc. and Life
of Virginia is owned by General Electric Capital Assurance Company. Each
share of the Fund gives the shareholder one vote in Trustee elections and other
matters submitted to shareholders for vote. All shares of each portfolio in the
Trust have equal voting rights except that only shares of the Fund are entitled
to vote on matters affecting only the Fund. As a Massachusetts business trust,
the Trust is not required to hold annual shareholder meetings. Shareholder
approval will be sought only for certain changes in the Trust's or the Fund's
operations and for the election of Trustees in certain circumstances.
Trustees may be removed by the Trustees or by shareholders at a special meeting.
A special meeting of shareholders shall be called by the Trustees upon the
written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of
all series of the Trust.
TAX INFORMATION
FEDERAL TAXES
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because the Fund expects to meet
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded to such companies.
The Fund will be treated as a single, separate entity for federal income tax
purposes so that income (including capital gains) and losses realized by the
Trust's other portfolios will not be combined for tax purposes with those
realized by the Fund.
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described earlier in this prospectus. If the Fund fails to comply with
these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be treated as
annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the applicable contract prospectus for information
concerning the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions
from the Fund to the separate accounts.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
Contract owners are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the status
of their contracts under state and local tax laws.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time the Fund advertises total return and yield.
Total return represents the change, over a specific period of time, in the value
of an investment in the Fund after reinvesting all income and capital gain
distributions. It is calculated by dividing that change by the initial
investment and is expressed as a percentage.
The yield of the Fund is calculated by dividing the net investment income per
share (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission) earned by the Fund
over a thirty-day period by the offering price per share of the Fund on the last
day of the period. This number is then annualized using semi-annual compounding.
The yield does not necessarily reflect income actually earned by the Fund and,
therefore, may not correlate to the dividends or other distributions paid to
shareholders.
Performance information will not reflect the charges and expenses of a variable
annuity or variable life insurance contract. Because shares of the Fund can only
be purchased by a separate account of an insurance company offering such a
contract, you should review the performance figures of the contract in which you
are invested, which performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the
Fund's performance.
From time to time, advertisements for the Fund may refer to ratings, rankings,
and other information in certain financial publications and/or compare the
Fund's performance to certain indices.
FEDERATED
INSURANCE
SERIES
FEDERATED UTILITY FUND II
Federated Investors Funds
5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000
DISTRIBUTOR
Federated Securities Corp.
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Federated Advisers
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
SUB-ADVISER
Federated Global
Research Corp.
175 Water Street
New York, NY 10038-4965
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and
Trust Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
TRANSFER AGENT
AND DIVIDEND
DISBURSING AGENT
Federated Shareholder
Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP
2500 One PPG Place
Pittsburgh, PA15222-5401
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
1-800-341-7400
WWW.FEDERATEDINVESTORS.COM
[Graphic]
FEDERATED UTILITY FUND II
(A Portfolio of Federated
Insurance Series)
PROSPECTUS
APRIL 23, 1998
A Diversified Portfolio of Federated
Insurance Series, an Open-End,
Management Investment Company
[Graphic]
Cusip 313916108
3113008A (4/98)
FEDERATED UTILITY FUND II
(A PORTFOLIO OF FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES)
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information should be read with the prospectus of
Federated Utility Fund II (the "Fund"), a portfolio of Federated Insurance
Series (the "Trust") dated April 23, 1998. This Statement is not a prospectus.
You may request a copy of a prospectus or a paper copy of this Statement, if you
have received it electronically, free of charge by calling 1-800-341-7400.
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
FEDERATED INVESTORS FUNDS
5800 CORPORATE DRIVE
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15237-7000
Statement dated April 23, 1998
[Graphic]
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
1-800-341-7400
WWW.FEDERATEDINVESTORS.COM
Cusip 313916108
3113008B (4/98)
[Graphic]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION 1 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES 1 Convertible
Securities 1 U.S. Government Obligations 1 When-Issued and Delayed Delivery
Transactions 1 Lending of Portfolio Securities 2 Repurchase Agreements 2
Reverse Repurchase Agreements 2 Investing in Securities of Other Investment
Companies 2 Restricted and Illiquid Securities 2 Portfolio Turnover 3
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 3 Selling Short and Buying on Margin 3 Issuing Senior
Securities and Borrowing Money 3 Pledging Assets 3 Concentration of Investments
3 Investing in Commodities 3 Investing in Real Estate 3 Lending Cash or
Securities 3 Underwriting 4 Diversification of Investments 4 Investing in
Restricted and Illiquid Securities 4 Investing in Put Options 4 Writing Covered
Call Options 4 FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT 5 Fund Ownership 8 Trustee
Compensation 9 Trustee Liability 9 INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES 9 Adviser to
the Fund 9 Advisory Fees 10 Sub-Adviser to the Fund 10 Sub-Advisory Fees 10
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS 10 OTHER SERVICES 10 Fund Administration 10 Custodian
and Portfolio Accountant 10 Transfer Agent 10 Independent Auditors 11
PURCHASING SHARES 11 SHAREHOLDER SERVICES 11 DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE 11
Determining Market Value of Securities 11 MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW 11 TAX
STATUS 12 The Fund's Tax Status 12 Shareholders' Tax Status 12 TOTAL RETURN 12
YIELD 12 PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS 13 Economic and Market Information 14 ABOUT
FEDERATED INVESTORS 14 Mutual Fund Market 14 Institutional Clients 14 Bank
Marketing 14 Broker/Dealers and Bank Broker/Dealer Subsidiaries 15 FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS 15 APPENDIX 15
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of Federated Insurance Series (the "Trust"), which was
established as Insurance Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust,
under a Declaration of Trust dated September 15, 1993. At a meeting of the Board
of Trustees (the "Trustees") held on November 14, 1995, the Trustees approved an
amendment to the Declaration of Trust to change the name of the Trust from
Insurance Management Series to Federated Insurance Series. At a meeting of the
Trustees held on February 26, 1996, the Trustees approved an amendment to the
Declaration of Trust to change the name of the Fund from Utility Fund to
Federated Utility Fund II. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer
separate series of shares of beneficial interest in separate portfolios of
securities, including the Fund. The shares in any one portfolio may be offered
in separate classes. As of the date of this prospectus, the Trustees have not
established separate classes of shares.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is to achieve high current income and moderate
capital appreciation. The investment objective cannot be changed without
approval of shareholders. The Fund endeavors to achieve its investment objective
by investing primarily in a professionally managed, diversified portfolio of
equity and debt securities of utility companies.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
DECS, or similar instruments marketed under different names, offer a substantial
dividend advantage with the possibility of unlimited upside potential if the
price of the underlying common stock exceeds a certain level. DECS convert to
common stock at maturity. The amount received is dependent on the price of the
common stock at the time of maturity. DECS contain two call options at different
strike prices. The DECS participate with the common stock up to the first call
price. They are effectively capped at that point unless the common stock rises
above a second price point, at which time they participate with unlimited upside
potential.
PERCS, or similar instruments marketed under different names, offer a
substantial dividend advantage, but capital appreciation potential is limited to
a predetermined level. PERCS are less risky and less volatile than the
underlying common stock because their superior income mitigates declines when
the common stock falls, while the cap price limits gains when the common stock
rises.
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
The Fund may also invest in U.S. government obligations which generally
include direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury (such as U.S. Treasury
bills, notes, and bonds) and obligations issued and/or guaranteed by U.S.
government agencies or instrumentalities. These securities are backed by:
* the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury;
* the issuer's right to borrow an amount limited to a specific line of
credit from the U.S. Treasury;
* the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain
obligations of agencies or instrumentalities; or
* the credit of the agency or instrumentality issuing the obligations.
Examples of agencies and instrumentalities which may not always receive
financial support from the U.S. government are:
* Farm Credit System, including the National Bank for Cooperatives, Farm
Credit Banks, and Banks for Cooperatives;
* Federal Home Loan Banks; * Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation; *
Federal National Mortgage Association; and * Student Loan Marketing
Association.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
These transactions are made to secure what is considered to be an advantageous
price or yield for the Fund. No fees or other expenses, other than normal
transaction costs, are incurred. However, liquid assets of the Fund sufficient
to make payment for the securities to be purchased are segregated on a Fund's
records at the trade date. These assets are marked to market daily and are
maintained until the transaction has been settled. The Fund does not intend to
engage in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions to an extent that would
cause the segregation of more than 20% of the total value of its assets.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend its portfolio
securities, up to one-third of the value of its total assets, to broker/dealers,
banks, or other institutional borrowers of securities. This policy may not be
changed without shareholder approval.
The collateral received when the Fund lends portfolio securities must be valued
daily and, should the market value of the loaned securities increase, the
borrower must furnish additional collateral to the Fund. During the time
portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any dividends or
interest paid on such securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option
of the Fund or the borrower. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and
custodial fees in connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the
interest earned on the cash or equivalent collateral to the borrower or placing
broker. The Fund does not have the right to vote securities on loan, but would
terminate the loan and regain the right to vote if that were considered
important with respect to the investment.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Repurchase agreements are arrangements in which banks, broker/dealers, and other
recognized financial institutions sell U.S. government securities or other
securities to the Fund and agree at the time of sale to repurchase them at a
mutually agreed upon time and price. The Fund or its custodian will take
possession of the securities subject to repurchase agreements and these
securities will be marked to market daily. To the extent that the original
seller does not repurchase the securities from the Fund, the Fund could receive
less than the repurchase price on any sale of such securities. In the event that
such a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or became insolvent, disposition
of such securities by the Fund might be delayed pending court action. The Fund
believes that under the regular procedures normally in effect for custody of the
Fund's portfolio securities subject to repurchase agreements, a court of
competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of the Fund and allow retention or
disposition of such securities. The Fund will only enter into repurchase
agreements with banks and other recognized financial institutions, such as
broker/dealers, which are deemed by the Fund's adviser to be creditworthy
pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may also enter into reverse repurchase agreements. These transactions
are similar to borrowing cash. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund
transfers possession of a portfolio instrument to another person, such as a
financial institution, broker, or dealer, in return for a percentage of the
instrument's market value in cash, and agrees that on a stipulated date in the
future the Fund will repurchase the portfolio instrument by remitting the
original consideration plus interest at an agreed upon rate.
When effecting reverse repurchase agreements, liquid assets of the Fund, in a
dollar amount sufficient to make payment for the obligations to be purchased,
are segregated at the trade date. These securities are marked to market daily
and maintained until the transaction is settled.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest in the securities of affiliated money market funds as an
efficient means of managing the Fund's uninvested cash.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The ability of the Trustees to determine the liquidity of certain restricted
securities is permitted under a Securities and Exchange Commission staff
position set forth in the adopting release for Rule 144A under the Securities
Act of 1993. The Trustees may consider the following criteria in determining the
liquidity of certain restricted securities:
* the frequency of trades and quotes for the security;
* the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the
number of other potential buyers;
* dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and * the nature of
the security and the nature of the marketplace trades.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Securities in the Fund's portfolio will be sold whenever the Fund's investment
adviser believes it is appropriate to do so in light of the Fund's investment
objective, without regard to the length of time a particular security may have
been held. Any such trading will increase the Fund's portfolio turnover rate and
transaction costs. The adviser to the Fund does not anticipate that portfolio
turnover will result in adverse tax consequences. For the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1997 and 1996, the portfolio turnover rates for the Fund were 95%
and 63%, respectively. INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
SELLING SHORT AND BUYING ON MARGIN
The Fund will not sell any securities short or purchase any securities on
margin, but may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for clearance
of purchases and sales of portfolio securities. The deposit or payment by the
Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with futures contracts or
related options transactions is not considered the purchase of a security on
margin.
ISSUING SENIOR SECURITIES AND BORROWING MONEY
The Fund will not issue senior securities except that the Fund may borrow money
directly or through reverse repurchase agreements as a temporary, extraordinary,
or emergency measure to facilitate management of the portfolio by enabling the
Fund to meet redemption requests when the liquidation of portfolio securities is
deemed to be inconvenient or disadvantageous, and then only in amounts not in
excess of one-third of the value of its total assets; provided that, while
borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements outstanding exceed 5% of the Fund's
total assets, any such borrowings will be repaid before additional investments
are made. The Fund will not borrow money or engage in reverse repurchase
agreements for investment leverage purposes.
PLEDGING ASSETS
The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate any assets except to secure
permitted borrowings. In those cases, it may mortgage, pledge or hypothecate
assets having a market value not exceeding the lesser of the dollar amounts
borrowed or 15% of the value of its total assets at the time of borrowing. For
purposes of this limitation, the following are not deemed to be pledges: margin
deposits for the purchase and sale of futures contracts and related options, any
segregation or collateral arrangements made in connection with options
activities or the purchase of securities on a when-issued basis.
CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund will not purchase securities, if, as a result of such purchase, 25% or
more of its total assets would be invested in securities of companies engaged
principally in any one industry other than the utilities industry. However, the
Fund may at any time invest 25% or more of its total assets in cash or cash
items and securities issued and/or guaranteed by the U.S.
government, its agencies, or instrumentalities.
INVESTING IN COMMODITIES
The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts, or
commodity futures contracts except that the Fund may purchase and sell futures
and stock index futures contracts and related options.
INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE
The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, including limited partnership
interests in real estate, although it may invest in securities of companies
whose business involves the purchase or sale of real estate or in securities
secured by real estate or interests in real estate.
LENDING CASH OR SECURITIES
The Fund will not lend any of its assets, except portfolio securities up to
one-third of its total assets. This shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing
or holding corporate or U.S. government bonds, debentures, notes, certificates
of indebtedness or other debt securities of an issuer, entering into repurchase
agreements, or engaging in other transactions which are permitted by the Fund's
investment objective and policies or the Trust's Declaration of Trust.
UNDERWRITING
The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities, except as it may be deemed
to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the
sale of securities in accordance with its investment objective, policies, and
limitations.
DIVERSIFICATION OF INVESTMENTS
With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund will not purchase the
securities of any one issuer (other than cash, cash items, or securities issued
and/or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and
repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities) if, as a result, more
than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer.
Also, the Fund will not purchase more than 10% of any class of the outstanding
voting securities of any one issuer. For these purposes, the Fund considers
common stock and all preferred stock of an issuer each as a single class,
regardless of priorities, series, designations, or other differences.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
The following limitations, however, may be changed by the Trustees without
shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material changes
in these limitations become effective.
INVESTING IN RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities,
including, among others, repurchase agreements providing for settlement more
than seven days after notice, over-the-counter options, and certain restricted
securities not determined to be liquid under criteria established by the
Trustees. INVESTING IN PUT OPTIONS
The Fund will not purchase put options on securities, unless the securities are
held in the Fund's portfolio and not more than 5% of the Fund's total assets
would be invested in premiums on open put option positions.
WRITING COVERED CALL OPTIONS
The Fund will not write call options on securities unless the securities are
held in the Fund's portfolio or unless the Fund is entitled to them in
deliverable form without further payment or after segregating cash in the amount
of any further payment.
Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage limitation is adhered to
at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting
from any change in value of total or net assets will not result in a violation
of such restriction.
The Fund has no present intention to borrow money in excess of 5% of the value
of its net assets during the coming fiscal year.
For purposes of its policies and limitations, the Fund considers certificates of
deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank
or savings association having capital, surplus, and undivided profits in excess
of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be "cash items."
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT
Officers and Trustees are listed with their addresses, birthdates, present
positions with Federated Insurance Series, and principal occupations.
John F. Donahue@*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 28, 1924
Chairman and Trustee
Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; Chairman and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Chairman, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Chief Executive Officer and Director or Trustee of the
Funds.Mr. Donahue is the father of J. Christopher Donahue, President and
Trustee of the Company.
Thomas G. Bigley
15 Old Timber Trail
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: February 3, 1934
Trustee
Director, Member of the Executive Committee, Children's Hospital of
Pittsburgh; formerly, Senior Partner, Ernst & Young LLP; Director, MED 3000
Group, Inc.; Director, Member of Executive Committee, University of
Pittsburgh; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
John T. Conroy, Jr.
Wood/IPC Commercial Department
John R. Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors
3255 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL
Birthdate: June 23, 1937
Trustee
President, Investment Properties Corporation; Senior Vice President, John R.
Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors; Partner or Trustee in private real
estate ventures in Southwest Florida; formerly, President, Naples Property
Management, Inc. and Northgate Village Development Corporation; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Nicholas P. Constantakis
175 Woodshire Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 3, 1939
Trustee
Formerly, Partner, Andersen Worldwide SC; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
William J. Copeland
One PNC Plaza--23rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 4, 1918
Trustee
Director and Member of the Executive Committee, Michael Baker, Inc.; formerly,
Vice Chairman and Director, PNC Bank, N.A., and PNC Bank Corp.; Director, Ryan
Homes, Inc.; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
J. Christopher Donahue*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: April 11, 1949
President and Trustee
President and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; President and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; President, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company, and
Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Services Company;
President or Executive Vice President of the Funds; Director or Trustee of
some of the Funds. Mr. Donahue is the son of John F. Donahue, Chairman and
Trustee of the Company.
James E. Dowd
571 Hayward Mill Road
Concord, MA
Birthdate: May 18, 1922
Trustee
Attorney-at-law; Director, The Emerging Germany Fund, Inc.; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.*
3471 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1111
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 11, 1932
Trustee
Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Medical Director, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center--Downtown; Member, Board of Directors, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center; formerly, Hematologist, Oncologist, and Internist,
Presbyterian and Montefiore Hospitals; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr.@
Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba
205 Ross Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 18, 1924
Trustee
Attorney of Counsel, Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba; Director, Eat'N Park
Restaurants, Inc.; formerly, Counsel, Horizon Financial, F.A., Western
Region; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Peter E. Madden
One Royal Palm Way
100 Royal Palm Way
Palm Beach, FL
Birthdate: March 16, 1942
Trustee
Consultant; Former State Representative, Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
formerly, President, State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Boston
Corporation; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
John E. Murray, Jr., J.D., S.J.D.
President, Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: December 20, 1932
Trustee
President, Law Professor, Duquesne University; Consulting Partner, Mollica &
Murray; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Wesley W. Posvar
1202 Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 14, 1925
Trustee
Professor, International Politics; Management Consultant; Trustee, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, RAND Corporation, Online Computer Library
Center, Inc., National Defense University, and U.S. Space Foundation;
President Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh; Founding Chairman, National
Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology, Federal Emergency
Management Advisory Board, and Czech Management Center, Prague; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Marjorie P. Smuts
4905 Bayard Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 21, 1935
Trustee
Public relations/Marketing/Conference Planning; Director or Trustee of the
Funds.
Edward C. Gonzales
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 22, 1930
Executive Vice President
Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Vice President,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, Federated Research, Federated Research
Corp., Federated Global Research Corp., and Passport Research, Ltd.; Executive
Vice President and Director, Federated Securities Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Trustee or Director of some of the Funds;
President, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of some of the Funds.
John W. McGonigle
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 26, 1938
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Trustee,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, and Federated Research; Director,
Federated Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company; President
and Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Securities
Corp.; Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Funds; Treasurer of some of
the Funds.
Richard B. Fisher
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: May 17, 1923
Vice President
Executive Vice President and Trustee, Federated Investors; Chairman and
Director, Federated Securities Corp.; President or Vice President of some of
the Funds; Director or Trustee of some of the Funds.
* This Trustee is deemed to be an "interested person" as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
@ Member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the Board of
Trustees handles the responsibilities of the Board between meetings of the
Board. As used in the table above, "The Funds" and "Funds" mean the
following investment companies: 111 Corcoran Funds; Automated Government Money
Trust; Blanchard Funds; Blanchard Precious Metals Fund, Inc.; Cash Trust Series
II; Cash Trust Series, Inc.; DG Investor Series; Edward D. Jones & Co. Daily
Passport Cash Trust; Federated Adjustable Rate U.S. Government Fund, Inc.;
Federated American Leaders Fund, Inc.; Federated ARMs Fund; Federated Core
Trust; Federated Equity Funds; Federated Equity Income Fund, Inc.; Federated
Fund for U.S. Government Securities, Inc.; Federated GNMA Trust; Federated
Government Income Securities, Inc.; Federated Government Trust; Federated High
Income Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated High Yield Trust; Federated Income Securities
Trust; Federated Income Trust; Federated Index Trust; Federated Institutional
Trust; Federated Insurance Series; Federated Investment Portfolios; Federated
Investment Trust; Federated Master Trust; Federated Municipal Opportunities
Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal Securities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal
Trust; Federated Short-Term Municipal Trust; Federated Short-Term U.S.
Government Trust; Federated Stock and Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated Stock Trust;
Federated Tax-Free Trust; Federated Total Return Series, Inc.; Federated U.S.
Government Bond Fund; Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 1-3 Years;
Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 Years; Federated U.S. Government
Securities Fund: 5-10 Years; Federated Utility Fund, Inc.; First Priority Funds;
Fixed Income Securities, Inc.; High Yield Cash Trust; Intermediate Municipal
Trust; International Series, Inc.; Investment Series Funds, Inc.; Investment
Series Trust; Liberty Term Trust, Inc.--1999; Liberty U.S. Government Money
Market Trust; Liquid Cash Trust; Managed Series Trust; Money Market Management,
Inc.; Money Market Obligations Trust; Money Market Obligations Trust II; Money
Market Trust; Municipal Securities Income Trust; Newpoint Funds; RIMCO Monument
Funds; Targeted Duration Trust; Tax-Free Instruments Trust; The Planters Funds;
The Virtus Funds; Trust for Financial Institutions; Trust for Government Cash
Reserves; Trust for Short-Term U.S. Government Securities; Trust for U.S.
Treasury Obligations; Wesmark Funds; WCT Funds; and World Investment Series,
Inc. FUND OWNERSHIP
Officers and Trustees own less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding shares. As
of April 8, 1998, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of the Fund: Provident Mutual Life & Annuity Co. of America,
Valley Forge, PA, owned approximately 431,581 shares (5.18%); SAFECO Mutual
Funds/SAFECO Securities Inc., Seattle, WA, owned approximately 437,250 shares
(5.24%); Life of Virginia, Richmond, VA, owned approximately 2,492,935 shares
(29.90%); Lincoln Benefit Life Co. Variable Annuity, Lincoln, NE, owned
approximately 602,827 shares (7.23%); and Aetna Retirement Services Central
Valuation Unit, Hartford, CT, owned approximately 3,582,690 shares (42.97%).
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
AGGREGATE
NAME, COMPENSATION
POSITION WITH FROM TOTAL COMPENSATION PAID
TRUST TRUST*# FROM FUND COMPLEX+
John F. Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
Chairman and Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Thomas G. Bigley $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John T. Conroy, Jr. $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Nicholas P. Constantakis++ $0 $0 for the Trust and
Trustee 34 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
William J. Copeland $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
J. Christopher Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
President and Trustee 18 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
James E. Dowd $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D. $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr. $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Peter E. Madden $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John E. Murray, Jr. $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Wesley W. Posvar $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Marjorie P. Smuts $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
* Information is furnished for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
# The aggregate compensation is provided for the Trust which is comprised of
eight portfolios.
+ The information is provided for the last calendar year.
++ Mr. Constantakis became a member of the Board of Trustees on February 23,
1998. He did not receive any fees as of the fiscal year end of the Trust.
TRUSTEE LIABILITY
The Trust's Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees will not be liable
for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, they are not
protected against any liability to which they would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their office.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
ADVISER TO THE FUND
The Fund's investment adviser is Federated Advisers. It is a subsidiary of
Federated Investors. All voting securities of Federated Investors are owned
by a trust, the trustees of which are John F. Donahue, his wife, and his
son, J. Christopher Donahue.
The adviser shall not be liable to the Fund or any shareholder for any losses
that may be sustained in the purchase, holding, or sale of any security or for
anything done or omitted by it, except acts or omissions involving willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
imposed upon it by its contract with the Trust.
ADVISORY FEES
For its advisory services, Federated Advisers receives an annual investment
advisory fee as described in the prospectus.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the adviser
earned advisory fees of $579,563, $361,797, and $89,752, respectively, of
which $208,884, $248,058, and $89,752 were waived.
SUB-ADVISER TO THE FUND
The Fund's sub-adviser is Federated Global Research Corp. (the
"Sub-Adviser").
SUB-ADVISORY FEES
For its sub-advisory services, the Sub-Adviser receives an allocable portion of
the Fund's advisory fee as described in the prospectus. For the period from June
1, 1997 (effective date of sub-advisory contract between Federated Global
Research Corp. and Federated Utility Fund II) to December 31, 1997, Federated
Global Research Corp. received no sub-advisory fees.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
The Adviser may select brokers and dealers who offer brokerage and research
services. These services may be furnished directly to the Fund or to the Adviser
and may include: advice as to the advisability of investing in securities;
security analysis and reports; economic studies; industry studies; receipt of
quotations for portfolio evaluations; and similar services. Research services
provided by brokers and dealers may be used by the Adviser or its affiliates in
advising the Fund and other accounts. To the extent that receipt of these
services may supplant services for which the Adviser or its affiliates might
otherwise have paid, it would tend to reduce their expenses. The Adviser and its
affiliates exercise reasonable business judgment in selecting brokers who offer
brokerage and research services to execute securities transactions. They
determine in good faith that commissions charged by such persons are reasonable
in relationship to the value of the brokerage and research services provided.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Fund paid
$184,051, $81,701, and $59,746, respectively, in brokerage commissions on
brokerage transactions. Although investment decisions for the Fund are made
independently from those of any other accounts managed by the Adviser,
investments of the type the Fund may make may also be made by those other
accounts. When the Fund and one or more other accounts managed by the Adviser
are prepared to invest in, or desire to dispose of, the same security, available
investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated in a manner believed by
the Adviser to be equitable to each. In some cases, this procedure may adversely
affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the position
obtained or disposed of by the Fund. In other cases, however, it is believed
that coordination and the ability to participate in volume transactions will be
to the benefit of the Fund.
OTHER SERVICES
FUND ADMINISTRATION
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services to the Fund for a fee as described in the
prospectus. From March 1, 1994 to March 1, 1996, Federated Administrative
Services served as the Fund's Administrator. The former administrator is a
subsidiary of Federated Investors. For purposes of this Statement of Additional
Information, Federated Services Company and Federated Administrative Services
may hereinafter collectively be referred to as the "Administrators." For the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Administrators earned
$125,002, $125,000, and $125,000, respectively. CUSTODIAN AND PORTFOLIO
ACCOUNTANT
State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA, is custodian for the securities
and cash of the Fund. Federated Services Company, Pittsburgh, PA, provides
certain accounting and recordkeeping services with respect to the Fund's
portfolio investments. The fee paid for this service is based upon the level of
the Fund's average net assets for the period plus out-of-pocket expenses.
TRANSFER AGENT
Federated Services Company, through its registered transfer agent, Federated
Shareholder Services Company, maintains all necessary shareholder records. For
its services, the transfer agent receives a fee based on the size, type, and
number of accounts and transactions made by shareholders.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The independent auditors for the Fund are Deloitte & Touche LLP, Pittsburgh, PA.
PURCHASING SHARES
Shares of the Fund are sold at their net asset value without a sales charge on
days the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. The procedure for
purchasing shares of the Fund is explained in the prospectus under "Purchases
and Redemptions" and "What Shares Cost."
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
This arrangement permits the payment of fees to Federated Shareholder Services
to cause services to be provided which are necessary for the maintenance of
shareholder accounts and to encourage personal services to shareholders by a
representative who has knowledge of the shareholder's particular circumstances
and goals. These activities and services may include but are not limited to
providing office space, equipment, telephone facilities, and various clerical,
supervisory, computer, and other personnel as necessary or beneficial to
establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records; processing purchase and
redemption transactions and automatic investments of client account cash
balances; answering routine client inquiries; and assisting clients in changing
dividend options, account designations, and addresses.
By adopting the Shareholder Services Agreement, the Trustees expect that the
Fund will benefit by: (1) providing personal services to shareholders; (2)
investing shareholder assets with a minimum of delay and administrative detail;
(3) enhancing shareholder recordkeeping systems; and (4) responding promptly to
shareholders' requests and inquiries concerning their accounts.
The Shareholder Services Agreement was not in effect during the Fund's fiscal
year ended December 31, 1997.
DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE
Net asset value generally changes each day. The days on which net asset value is
calculated by the Fund are described in the prospectus.
DETERMINING MARKET VALUE OF SECURITIES
The values of the Fund's portfolio securities are determined as follows:
* for equity securities and bonds and other fixed income securities,
according to the last sale price on a national securities exchange, if
available;
* in the absence of recorded sales for equity securities, according to
the mean between the last closing bid and asked prices;
* for bonds and other fixed income securities, at the last sale price on a
national securities exchange, if available; otherwise, as determined by an
independent pricing service;
* for unlisted equity securities, the latest mean prices; * for short-term
obligations, according to the mean between bid and asked
prices as furnished by an independent pricing service; or
* for all other securities, at fair value as determined in good faith by
the Trustees.
MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW
Under certain circumstances, shareholders may be held personally liable as
partners under Massachusetts law for obligations of the Trust. To protect its
shareholders, the Trust has filed legal documents with Massachusetts that
expressly disclaim the liability of its shareholders for acts or obligations of
the Trust. These documents require notice of this disclaimer to be given in each
agreement, obligation, or instrument the Trust or its Trustees enter into or
sign.
In the unlikely event a shareholder is held personally liable for the Trust's
obligations, the Trust is required by the Declaration of Trust to use its
property to protect or compensate the shareholder. On request, the Trust will
defend any claim made and pay any judgment against a shareholder for any act or
obligation of the Trust. Therefore, financial loss resulting from liability as a
shareholder will occur only if the Trust itself cannot meet its obligations to
indemnify shareholders and pay judgments against them.
TAX STATUS
THE FUND'S TAX STATUS
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because it expects to meet the
requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded
to such companies. To qualify for this treatment, the Fund must, among other
requirements:
* derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, and
gains from the sale of securities;
* invest in securities within certain statutory limits; and
* distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its net income earned
during the year.
SHAREHOLDERS' TAX STATUS
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described in the prospectus and this Statement. If the Fund fails to
comply with these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be
treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal
Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the contract prospectus for information concerning
the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions from the
Fund to the separate accounts.
TOTAL RETURN
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, and for the period from April 14,
1994 (date of initial public investment) to December 31, 1997, the average
annual total returns for the Fund were 26.63% and 14.54%, respectively. The
average annual total return for the Fund is the average compounded rate of
return for a given period that would equate a $1,000 initial investment to the
ending redeemable value of that investment. The ending redeemable value is
computed by multiplying the number of shares owned at the end of the period by
the offering price per share at the end of the period. The number of shares
owned at the end of the period is based on the number of shares purchased at the
beginning of the period with $1,000, adjusted over the period by any additional
shares, assuming the monthly reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.
You should review the performance figures for your insurance contract, which
figures reflect the applicable charges and expenses of the contract. Such
performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance.
YIELD
The Fund's yield for the thirty-day period ended December 31, 1997, was 3.21%.
The yield for the Fund is determined by dividing the net investment income per
share (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission) earned by the Fund
over a thirty-day period by the offering price per share of the Fund on the last
day of the period. This value is then annualized using semi-annual compounding.
This means that the amount of income generated during the thirty-day period is
assumed to be generated each month over a twelve month period and is reinvested
every six months. The yield does not necessarily reflect income actually earned
by the Fund because of certain adjustments required by the Securities and
Exchange Commission and, therefore, may not correlate to the dividends or other
distributions paid to shareholders. Also, the yield does not reflect the charges
and expenses of an insurance contract. You should review the performance figures
for your insurance contract, which figures reflect the applicable charges and
expenses of the contract. Such performance figures will accompany any
advertisement of the Fund's performance.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS
The Fund's performance depends upon such variables as:
* portfolio quality;
* average portfolio maturity;
* type of instruments in which the portfolio is invested; * changes in
interest rates and market value of portfolio securities; * changes in Fund
expenses; and * the relative amount of the Fund's cash flow.
The Fund's performance fluctuates on a daily basis largely because net earnings
and offering price per share fluctuate daily. Both net earnings and offering
price per share are factors in the computation of yield and total return.
Investors may use financial publications and/or indices to obtain a more
complete view of the Fund's performance. When comparing performance, investors
should consider all relevant factors such as the composition of any index used,
prevailing market conditions, portfolio compositions of other funds, and methods
used to value portfolio securities and compute offering price. The financial
publications and/or indices which the Fund uses in advertising may include:
* LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC., ranks funds in various fund categories by
making comparative calculations using total return. Total return assumes
the reinvestment of all income dividends and capital gains distributions,
if any. From time to time, the Fund will quote its Lipper ranking in the
"utility funds" category in advertising and sales literature.
* LIPPER UTILITY FUND AVERAGE is composed of approximately 87 funds which
invest 65% of their equity portfolio in utility stocks. From time to time,
the Trust/Fund will compare its total return to the average total return of
the funds comprising the average for the same calculation period.
* DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ("DJIA") is an unmanaged index representing
share prices of major industrial corporations, public utilities, and
transportation companies. Produced by the Dow Jones & Company, it is cited
as a principal indicator of market conditions.
* STANDARD & POOR'S ("S&P") DAILY STOCK PRICE INDEX OF 500 COMMON STOCKS, a
composite index of common stocks in industry, transportation, financial,
and public utility companies, can be used to compare the total returns of
funds whose portfolios are invested primarily in common stocks. In
addition, the S&P index assumes reinvestment of all dividends paid by
stocks listed on its index. Taxes due on any of these distributions are not
included, nor are brokerage or other fees calculated in S&P figures.
* STANDARD & POOR'S UTILITY INDEX is an unmanaged index of common stocks from
forty different utilities. This index indicates daily changes in the price
of the stocks. The index also provides figures for changes in price from
the beginning of the year to date, and for a twelve month period.
* DOW JONES UTILITY INDEX is an unmanaged index comprised of fifteen utility
stocks that tracks changes in price daily and over a six month period. The
index also provides the highs and lows for each of the past five years.
* MORNINGSTAR, INC., an independent rating service, is the publisher of the
bi-weekly Mutual Fund Values. Mutual Fund Values rates more than 1,000
NASDAQ-listed mutual funds of all types, according to their risk-adjusted
returns. The maximum rating is five stars, and ratings are effective for
two weeks.
Advertisements and other sales literature for the Fund may quote total returns,
which are calculated on non- standardized base periods. These total returns also
represent the historic change in the value of an investment in the Fund based on
monthly reinvestment of dividends over a specified period of time. From time
to time as it deems appropriate, the Fund may advertise its performance using
charts, graphs, and descriptions compared to federally insured bank products,
including certificates of deposit and time deposits, and to money market funds
using the Lipper Analytical Services money market average.
Advertising and other promotional literature may include charts, graphs, and
other illustrations using the Funds' returns, or returns in general, that
demonstrate basic investment concepts such as tax-deferred compounding,
dollar-cost averaging and systematic investment. In addition, the Funds can
compare their performance, or performance for the types of securities in which
they invest, to a variety of other investments, such as bank savings accounts,
certificates of deposit, and Treasury bills.
ECONOMIC AND MARKET INFORMATION
Advertising and sales literature for the Funds may include discussions of
economic, financial, and political developments and their effect on the
securities market. Such discussions may take the form of commentary on these
developments by Fund portfolio managers and their views and analysis on how such
developments could affect the Funds. In addition, advertising and sales
literature may quote statistics and give general information about the mutual
funds industry, including the growth of the industry, from sources such as the
Investment Company Institute ("ICI"). For example, according to the ICI,
thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $4.4 trillion to the more than 6,700 funds available.
ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS
Federated Investors is dedicated to meeting investor needs which is reflected in
its investment decision making--structured, straightforward, and consistent.
This has resulted in a history of competitive performance with a range of
competitive investment products that have gained the confidence of thousands of
clients and their customers.
The company's disciplined security selection process is firmly rooted in sound
methodologies backed by fundamental and technical research. Investment decisions
are made and executed by teams of portfolio managers, analysts, and traders
dedicated to specific market sectors. These traders handle trillions of dollars
in annual trading volume. In the equity sector, Federated Investors has more
than 27 years experience. As of December 31, 1997, Federated managed 29 equity
funds totaling approximately $11.7 billion in assets across growth, value,
equity income, international, index, and sector (i.e. utility) styles.
Federated's value-oriented management style combines quantitative and
qualitative analysis and features a structured, computer-assisted composite
modeling system that was developed in the 1970s. J. Thomas Madden,
Executive Vice President, oversees Federated Investors' equity and high yield
corporate bond management while William D. Dawson, Executive Vice President,
oversees Federated Investors' domestic fixed income management. Henry A.
Frantzen, Executive Vice President, oversees the management of Federated
Investors' international and global portfolios.
MUTUAL FUND MARKET
Thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $4.4 trillion to the more than 6,700 funds available.*
Federated Investors, through its subsidiaries, distributes mutual funds for a
variety of investment applications. Specific markets include:
INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS
Federated Investors meets the needs of more than 4,000 institutional clients
nationwide by managing and servicing separate accounts and mutual funds for a
variety of applications, including defined benefit and defined contribution
programs, cash management, and asset/liability management. Institutional clients
include corporations, pension funds, tax-exempt entities,
foundations/endowments, insurance companies, and investment and financial
advisors. The marketing effort to these institutional clients is headed by John
B. Fisher, President, Institutional Sales Division.
BANK MARKETING
Other institutional clients include close relationships with more than 1,600
banks and trust organizations. Virtually all of the trust divisions of the top
100 bank holding companies use Federated funds in their clients' portfolios. The
marketing effort to trust clients is headed by Timothy C. Pillion, Senior Vice
President, Bank Marketing & Sales.
* Source: Investment Company Institute
BROKER/DEALERS AND BANK BROKER/DEALER SUBSIDIARIES
Federated funds are available to consumers through major brokerage firms
nationwide--we have over 2,200 broker/dealer and bank broker/dealer
relationships across the country--supported by more wholesalers than any other
mutual fund distributor. Federated's service to financial professionals and
institutions has earned it high ratings in several surveys performed by DALBAR,
Inc. DALBAR is recognized as the industry benchmark for service quality
measurement. The marketing effort to these firms is headed by James F. Getz,
President, Federated Securities Corp.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, are
incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report of the Fund dated December
31, 1997 (File Nos. 33-69268 and 811-8042). Copies of the Report may be obtained
without charge by contacting the Fund.
APPENDIX
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
AAA--Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA--Debt rated "AA" has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A--Debt rated "A" has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB--Debt rated "BBB" is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB, B--Debt rated "BB" and "B" is regarded, on balance, as predominantly
speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in
accordance with the terms of the obligation. "B" indicates the highest degree of
speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties of major risk
exposures to adverse conditions.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
Aaa--Bonds which are rated "Aaa" are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as
"gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally
stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are
likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair
the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa--Bonds which are rated "Aa" are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the "Aaa" group, they comprise what are generally known
as high grade Bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in "Aaa" securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in "Aaa"
securities.
A--Bonds which are rated "A" possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security
to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa--Bonds which are rated "Baa" are considered as medium grade obligations,
i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba--Bonds which are rated "Ba" are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B--Bonds which are rated "B" generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
FEDERATED FUND FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
PROSPECTUS
This prospectus offers shares of Federated Fund for U.S. Government Securities
II (the "Fund"), which is a diversified investment portfolio in Federated
Insurance Series (the "Trust"), an open-end, diversified management investment
company. The Fund seeks current income by investing in a professionally managed,
diversified portfolio limited to U.S. government securities. Shares of the Fund
may be sold only to separate accounts of insurance companies to serve as the
investment medium for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity
contracts issued by insurance companies.
THE SHARES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY
BANK, ARE NOT ENDORSED OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENT AGENCY. INVESTMENT IN THESE SHARES INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS,
INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
This prospectus contains the information you should read and know before you
invest in the Fund through variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance policies offered by insurance companies which provide for investment
in the Fund. Keep this prospectus for future reference.
The Fund has also filed a Statement of Additional Information dated April 23,
1998, with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The information
contained in the Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. You may request a copy of the Statement of
Additional Information, or a paper copy of this prospectus, if you have received
your prospectus electronically, free of charge by calling 1-800-341-7400. To
obtain other information or to make inquiries about the Fund, contact the Fund
at the address listed in the back of this prospectus. The Statement of
Additional Information, material incorporated by reference into this document,
and other information regarding the Fund is maintained electronically with the
SEC at Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
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 SHARES ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AS FUNDING VEHICLES FOR LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANIES WRITING VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS AND VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE
POLICIES. THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE PROSPECTUS FOR SUCH
CONTRACTS.
Prospectus dated April 23, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Financial Highlights 1
General Information 2
Investment Information 2
Investment Objective 2
Investment Policies 2
Investment Limitations 4
Net Asset Value 4
Investing in the Fund 4
Purchases and Redemptions 4
What Shares Cost 4
Dividends 5
Fund Information 5
Management of the Fund 5
Distribution of Fund Shares 6
Administration of the Fund 6
Shareholder Information 6
Voting Rights 6
Tax Information 7
Federal Taxes 7
State and Local Taxes 7
Performance Information 7
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
The following table has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund's
independent auditors. Their report, dated February 6, 1998, on theFund's
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1997, and on the following
table for the periods presented, is included in the Fund's Annual Report, which
is herein incorporated by reference. This table should be read in conjunction
with the Fund's financial statements and notes thereto, contained in the Fund's
Annual Report, which may be obtained free of charge.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996 1995 1994(A)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $10.09 $10.29 $ 9.99 $ 9.99
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 0.58 0.59 0.54 0.27
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.26 (0.18) 0.30 --
Total from investment operations 0.84 0.41 0.84 0.27
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net investment income (0.39) (0.57) (0.54) (0.27)
Distributions from net realized gain on investments -- (0.04) -- --
Total distributions (0.39) (0.61) (0.54) (0.27)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $10.54 $10.09 $10.29 $ 9.99
TOTAL RETURN(B) 8.58% 4.20% 8.77% 2.62%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 0.80% 0.80% 0.80% 0.48%*
Net investment income 5.98% 6.00% 6.00% 3.99%*
Expense waiver/reimbursement(c) 0.45% 1.01% 4.81% 32.83%*
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $63,099 $34,965 $12,264 $1,244
Portfolio turnover 73% 97% 65% 0%
</TABLE>
* Computed on an annualized basis.
(a) Reflects operations for the period from March 29, 1994 (date of initial
public investment) to December 31, 1994. For the period from December 8,
1993 (start of business), to March 28, 1994, net investment income was
distributed to the Fund's adviser.
(b) Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
(c) This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and net
investment income ratios shown above.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PERFORMANCE IS CONTAINED IN THE FUND'S
ANNUAL REPORT DATED DECEMBER 31, 1997, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, which was established as
Insurance Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust, under a Declaration
of Trust dated September 15, 1993. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to
offer separate series of shares of beneficial interest in separate portfolios of
securities, including the Fund. The shares in any one portfolio may be offered
in separate classes. As of the date of this prospectus, the Board of Trustees
(the "Trustees") have not established separate classes of shares. Shares of
the Fund are sold only to insurance companies as funding vehicles for variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the insurance
companies. Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value as described in the
section entitled "What Shares Cost." Shares of the Fund are redeemed at net
asset value.
INVESTMENT INFORMATION
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide current income. The
investment objective cannot be changed without approval of shareholders. While
there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, it
endeavors to do so by following the investment policies described in this
prospectus.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
Under normal circumstances, the Fund pursues its investment objective by
investing at least 65% of the value of its total assets in securities issued or
guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by the U.S. government, its
agencies, or instrumentalities. For purposes of this 65% statement, the Fund
will consider collateralized mortgage obligations issued by U.S. government
agencies or instrumentalities to be U.S. government securities. Unless indicated
otherwise, the investment policies may be changed by the Trustees without the
approval of the shareholders. Shareholders will be notified before any material
change becomes effective.
ACCEPTABLE INVESTMENTS
The Fund invests in securities which are primary or direct obligations of the
U.S. government, or its agencies, or instrumentalities, or which are guaranteed
by the U.S. government, its agencies, or instrumentalities, and in certain
collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), described below, and repurchase
agreements. The prices of fixed income securities fluctuate inversely to the
direction of interest rates.
The U.S. government securities in which the Fund invests include:
* direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as U.S. Treasury bills,
notes, and bonds;
* notes, bonds, and discount notes issued or guaranteed by U.S.government
agencies and instrumentalities supported by the full faith and credit of
the United States;
* notes, bonds, and discount notes of U.S. government agencies or
instrumentalities which receive or have access to federal funding; and
* notes, bonds, and discount notes of other U.S. government
instrumentalities supported only by the credit of the
instrumentalities.
Some obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of
the U.S. government are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Treasury. No assurances can be given that the U.S. government will provide
financial support to other agencies or instrumentalities, since it is not
obligated to do so. These instrumentalities are supported by:
* the issuer's right to borrow an amount limited to a specific line of
credit from the U.S. Treasury;
* the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain
obligations of an agency or instrumentality; or
* the credit of the agency or instrumentality.
The Fund may also invest in CMOs which are rated AAA by a nationally recognized
statistical rating agency and which are issued by private entities such as
investment banking firms and companies related to the construction industry. The
CMOs in which the Fund may invest may be: (i) privately issued securities which
are collateralized by pools of mortgages in which each mortgage is guaranteed as
to payment of principal and interest by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S.
government; (ii) privately issued securities which are collateralized by pools
of mortgages in which payment of principal and interest are guaranteed by the
issuer and such guarantee is collateralized by U.S. government securities; and
(iii) other privately issued securities in which the proceeds of the issuance
are invested in mortgage-backed securities and payment of the principal and
interest are supported by the credit of an agency or instrumentality of the U.S.
government. The mortgage-related securities provide for a periodic payment
consisting of both interest and principal. The interest portion of these
payments will be distributed by the Fund as income, and the capital portion will
be reinvested.
Mortgage-backed securities may be subject to certain prepayment risks because
the underlying mortgage loans may be prepaid without penalty or premium.
Prepayment risks on mortgage-backed securities tend to increase during periods
of declining mortgage interest rates because many borrowers refinance their
mortgages to take advantage of favorable rates. At the time the Fund reinvests
the proceeds, it may receive a rate of interest which is actually lower than the
rate of interest paid on those securities.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund will engage in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are
arrangements in which banks, broker/dealers, and other recognized financial
institutions sell U.S. government securities or other securities to the Fund and
agree at the time of sale to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon time and
price. The Fund or its custodian will take possession of the securities subject
to repurchase agreements and these securities will be marked to market daily. To
the extent that the original seller does not repurchase the securities from the
Fund, the Fund could receive less than the repurchase price on any sale of such
securities. In the event that such a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or
became insolvent, disposition of such securities by the Fund might be delayed
pending court action. The Fund believes that, under the regular procedures
normally in effect for custody of the Fund's portfolio securities subject to
repurchase agreements, a court of competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of
the Fund and allow retention or disposition of such securities. The Funds will
only enter into repurchase agreements with banks and other recognized financial
institutions, such as broker/dealers, which are found by the Fund's adviser to
be creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities are any
securities in which the Fund may otherwise invest pursuant to its investment
objective and policies but which are subject to restriction on resale under
federal securities law. Under criteria established by the Trustees, certain
restricted securities are determined to be liquid. To the extent restricted
securities are not determined to be liquid, the Fund will limit their purchase
together with other illiquid securities including non-negotiable time deposits,
repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after
notice, and over-the-counter options, to 15% of its net assets. LENDING OF
PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend portfolio securities
on a short-term or a long-term basis, or both, up to one-third of the value of
its total assets to broker/dealers, banks, or other institutional borrowers of
securities. This is a fundamental policy which may not be changed without
shareholder approval. The Fund will only enter into loan arrangements with
broker/dealers, banks, or other institutions which the investment adviser has
determined are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Trustees and
will receive collateral equal to at least 100% of the value of the securities
loaned in the form of cash or U.S. government securities.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
These transactions are arrangements in which the Fund purchases securities with
payment and delivery scheduled for a future time. The seller's failure to
complete these transactions may cause the Fund to miss a price or yield
considered to be advantageous. Settlement dates may be a month or more after
entering into these transactions, and the market values of the securities
purchased may vary from the purchase prices.
The Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if the adviser deems it
appropriate to do so. In addition, the Fund may enter into transactions to sell
its purchase commitments to third parties at current market values and
simultaneously acquire other commitments to purchase similar securities at later
dates. The Fund may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of such
commitments.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies as an
efficient means of carrying out its investment policies. It should be noted that
investment companies incur certain expenses, such as management fees, and,
therefore, any investment by the Fund in shares of other investment companies
may be subject to such duplicate expenses.
VARIABLE ASSET REGULATIONS
The Fund is also subject to variable contract asset regulations prescribed by
the U.S. Treasury Department under Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
After a one year start-up period, the regulations generally require that, as of
the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, no more than 55%
of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any one investment, no
more than 70% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any two
investments, no more than 80% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented
by any three investments, and no more than 90% of the total assets of the Fund
may be represented by any four investments. In applying these diversification
rules, all securities of the same issuer, all interests in the same real
property project, and all interests in the same commodity are each treated as a
single investment. In the case of government securities, each government agency
or instrumentality shall be treated as a separate issuer. If the Fund fails to
achieve the diversification required by the regulations, unless relief is
obtained from the Internal Revenue Service, the contracts invested in the Fund
will not be treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts.
The Fund will be operated at all times so as to comply with the foregoing
diversification requirements.
STATE INSURANCE REGULATIONS
The Fund is intended to be a funding vehicle for variable annuity contracts and
variable life insurance policies offered by certain insurance companies. The
contracts will seek to be offered in as many jurisdictions as possible. Certain
states have regulations concerning, among other things, the concentration of
investments, sales and purchases of futures contracts, and short sales of
securities. If applicable, the Fund may be limited in its ability to engage in
such investments and to manage its portfolio with desired flexibility. The Fund
will operate in material compliance with the applicable insurance laws and
regulations of each jurisdiction in which contracts will be offered by the
insurance companies which invest in the Fund.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The Fund will not:
* borrow money directly or through reverse repurchase agreements
(arrangements in which the Fund sells a portfolio instrument for a
percentage of its cash value with an agreement to buy it back on a set
date), or pledge securities except, under certain circumstances, the Fund
may borrow money and engage in reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up
to one-third of the value of its total assets and pledge up to 15% of the
value of those assets to secure such borrowings.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund fluctuates. It is determined by
dividing the sum of the market value of all securities and other assets of the
Fund, less liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding.
INVESTING IN THE FUND
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Shares of the Fund are not sold directly to the general public. The Fund's
shares are used solely as the investment vehicle for separate accounts of
insurance companies offering variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance policies. The use of Fund shares as investments for both variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies is referred to as "mixed
funding." The use of Fund shares as investments by separate accounts of
unaffiliated life insurance companies is referred to as "shared funding."
The Fund intends to engage in mixed funding and shared funding in the future.
Although the Fund does not currently foresee any disadvantage to contract owners
due to differences in redemption rates, tax treatment, or other considerations,
resulting from mixed funding or shared funding, the Trustees will closely
monitor the operation of mixed funding and shared funding and will consider
appropriate action to avoid material conflicts and take appropriate action in
response to any material conflicts which occur. Such action could result in one
or more participating insurance companies withdrawing their investment in the
Fund.
Shares of the Fund are purchased or redeemed on behalf of participating
insurance companies at the next computed net asset value after an order is
received on days on which the New York Stock Exchange is open.
WHAT SHARES COST
The net asset value is determined as of the close of trading (normally 4:00
p.m., Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange, Monday through Friday,
except on: (i) days on which there are not sufficient changes in the value of
the Fund's portfolio securities that its net asset value might be materially
affected; (ii) days on which no shares are tendered for redemption and no orders
to purchase shares are received; and (iii) the following holidays: New Year's
Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Purchase
orders from separate accounts investing in the Fund which are received by the
insurance companies by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time), will be computed at the net
asset value of the Fund determined on that day, as long as such purchase orders
are received by the Fund in proper form and in accordance with applicable
procedures by 8:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the next business day and as long as
federal funds in the amount of such orders are received by the Fund on the next
business day. It is the responsibility of each insurance company which invests
in the Fund to properly transmit purchase orders and federal funds in accordance
with the procedures described above.
DIVIDENDS
Dividends on shares of the Fund are declared and paid annually.
Shares of the Fund will begin earning dividends if owned on the record date.
Dividends of the Fund are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund on payment dates at the ex-dividend date net asset value.
FUND INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees. The Trustees are responsible for
managing the business affairs of the Trust and for exercising all of the Trust's
powers except those reserved for the shareholders. An Executive Committee of the
Board of Trustees handles the Board's responsibilities between meetings of the
Board.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Pursuant to an investment advisory contract with the Trust, investment decisions
for the Fund are made by Federated Advisers, the Fund's investment adviser,
subject to direction by the Trustees. The adviser continually conducts
investment research and supervision for the Fund and is responsible for the
purchase or sale of portfolio instruments, for which it receives an annual fee
from the Fund.
Both the Trust and the adviser have adopted strict codes of ethics governing
the conduct of all employees who manage the Fund and its portfolio securities.
These codes recognize that such persons owe a fiduciary duty to the Fund's
shareholders and must place the interests of shareholders ahead of the
employees' own interest. Among other things, the codes: require preclearance
and periodic reporting of personal securities transactions; prohibit personal
transactions in securities being purchased or sold, or being considered for
purchase or sale, by the Fund; prohibit purchasing securities in initial
public offerings; and prohibit taking profits on securities held for less than
sixty days. Violations of these codes are subject to review by the Trustees,
and could result in severe penalties.
Advisory Fees
The Fund's adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee equal to 0.60%
of the Fund's average daily net assets. The adviser may voluntarily waive a
portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The
adviser can terminate this voluntary waiver and reimbursement of expenses at
any time at its sole discretion.
Adviser's Background
Federated Advisers, a Delaware business trust organized on April 11, 1989, is
a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. It
is a subsidiary of Federated Investors. All of the Class A (voting) shares of
Federated Investors are owned by a trust, the trustees of which are John F.
Donahue, Chairman and Trustee of Federated Investors, Mr. Donahue's wife, and
Mr. Donahue's son, J. Christopher Donahue, who is President and Trustee of
Federated Investors. Federated Advisers and other subsidiaries of
Federated Investors serve as investment advisers to a number of investment
companies and private accounts. Certain other subsidiaries also provide
administrative services to a number of investment companies. With over $120
billion invested across more than 300 funds under management and/or
administration by its subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1997, Federated
Investors is one of the largest mutual fund investment managers in the United
States. With more than 2,000 employees, Federated continues to be led by the
management who founded the company in 1955. Federated funds are presently at
work in and through approximately 4,000 financial institutions nationwide.
Kathleen M. Foody-Malus has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since the
Fund's inception. Ms. Foody-Malus joined Federated Investors in 1983 and has
been a Vice President of the Fund's investment adviser since 1993. Ms.
Foody-Malus served as an Assistant Vice President of the investment adviser
from 1990 until 1992. Ms. Foody-Malus received her M.B.A. in
Accounting/Finance from the University of Pittsburgh.
Todd A. Abraham has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since April 1997.
Mr. Abraham has been a Vice President of the Fund's investment adviser since
July 1997. Mr. Abraham joined Federated Investors in 1993 as an Investment
Analyst and served as Assistant Vice President from 1995 to 1997. Mr.
Abraham served as a Portfolio Analyst at Ryland Mortgage Co. from 1992 to
1993. Mr. Abraham is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received his M.B.A.
in finance from Loyola College.
DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES
Federated Securities Corp. is the principal distributor for shares of the
Fund. Federated Securities Corp. is located at Federated Investors Tower,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779. It is a Pennsylvania corporation
organized on November 14, 1969, and is the principal distributor for a
number of investment companies. Federated Securities Corp. is a subsidiary
of Federated Investors.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Fund has entered into a Shareholder Services Agreement with Federated
Shareholder Services, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, under which the Fund
may make payments up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of its
shares, computed at an annual rate, to obtain certain personal services for
shareholders and to maintain shareholder accounts. From time to time and for
such periods as deemed appropriate, the amount stated above may be reduced
voluntarily. Under the Shareholder Services Agreement, Federated Shareholder
Services will either perform shareholder services directly or will select
institutions to perform shareholder services. Institutions will receive fees
based upon shares owned by their clients or customers. The schedules of such
fees and the basis upon which such fees will be paid will be determined from
time to time by the Fund and Federated Shareholder Services.
SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Federated Securities Corp., from its own assets, may pay financial institutions
supplemental fees for the performance of substantial sales services,
distribution-related support services, or shareholder services. The support may
include sponsoring sales, educational and training seminars for their employees,
providing sales literature, and engineering computer software programs that
emphasize the attributes of the Fund. Such assistance may be predicated upon the
amount of shares the financial institution sells or may sell and/or upon the
type and nature of sales or marketing support furnished by the financial
institution. Any payments made by the distributor may be reimbursed by the
Fund's investment adviser or its affiliates.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services (including certain legal and financial
reporting services) necessary to operate the Fund at an annual rate which
relates to the average aggregate daily net assets of all funds advised by
affiliates of Federated Investors as specified below:
MAXIMUM AVERAGE AGGREGATE
FEE DAILY NET ASSETS
0.150% on the first $250 million
0.125% on the next $250 million
0.100% on the next $250 million
0.075% on assets in excess of $750 million
The administrative fee received during any fiscal year shall be at least
$125,000 per portfolio and $30,000 per each additional class of shares.
Federated Services Company may choose voluntarily to waive a portion of its fee.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
VOTING RIGHTS
The insurance company separate accounts, as shareholders of the Fund, will vote
the Fund shares held in their separate accounts at meetings of the shareholders.
Voting will be in accordance with instructions received from contract owners of
the separate accounts, as more fully outlined in the prospectus of the separate
account. As of April 8, 1998, United of Omaha Life Insurance Co., Omaha, NE, and
Aetna Retirement Services Central Valuation Unit, Hartford, CT, owned
approximately 33.22% and 26.80%, respectively, of the voting securities of the
Fund, and therefore, may for certain purposes be deemed to control the Fund and
be able to affect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of
shareholders. United of Omaha Life Insurance Co. is owned by Mutual of Omaha
Insurance Company. Aetna Retirement Services Central Valuation Unit is owned by
Aetna Inc.
Each share of the Fund gives the shareholder one vote in Trustee elections and
other matters submitted to shareholders for vote. All shares of each portfolio
in the Trust have equal voting rights except that only shares of the Fund are
entitled to vote on matters affecting only the Fund. As a Massachusetts business
trust, the Trust is not required to hold annual shareholder meetings.
Shareholder approval will be sought only for certain changes in the Trust or the
Fund's operation and for the election of Trustees in certain circumstances.
Trustees may be removed by the Trustees or by the shareholders at a special
meeting. A special meeting of shareholders shall be called by the Trustees upon
the written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding
shares of all series of the Trust.
TAX INFORMATION
FEDERAL TAXES
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because the Fund expects to meet
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded to such companies.
The Fund will be treated as a single, separate entity for federal income tax
purposes so that income (including capital gains) and losses realized by the
Trust's other portfolios will not be combined for tax purposes with those
realized by the Fund.
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described earlier in this prospectus. If the Fund fails to comply with
these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be treated as
annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the applicable contract prospectus for information
concerning the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions
from the Fund to the separate accounts.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
Contract owners are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the status
of their contracts under state and local tax laws.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time the Fund advertises total return and yield.
Total return represents the change, over a specific period of time, in the value
of an investment in the Fund after reinvesting all income and capital gain
distributions. It is calculated by dividing that change by the initial
investment and is expressed as a percentage.
The yield of the Fund is calculated by dividing the net investment income per
share (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission) earned by the Fund
over a thirty-day period by the offering price per share of the Fund on the last
day of the period. This number is then annualized using semi-annual compounding.
The yield does not necessarily reflect income actually earned by the Fund and,
therefore, may not correlate to the dividends or other distributions paid to
shareholders.
Performance information will not reflect the charges and expenses of a variable
annuity or variable life insurance contract. Because shares of the Fund can only
be purchased by a separate account of an insurance company offering such a
contract, you should review the performance figures of the contract in which you
are invested, which performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the
Fund's performance.
From time to time, advertisements for the Fund may refer to ratings, rankings,
and other information in certain financial publications and/or compare the
Fund's performance to certain indices.
NOTES
[Graphic]Federated Investors
Federated Fund for U.S. Government Securities II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
Prospectus
April 23, 1998
A Diversified Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, an Open-End
Management Investment Company
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
FEDERATED FUND FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES II
Federated Investors Funds
5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000
DISTRIBUTOR
Federated Securities Corp.
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Federated Advisers
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP 2500 One PPG Place Pittsburgh, PA 15222-5401 Federated
Securities Corp., Distributor 1-800-341-7400 www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916207
3113007A (4/98)
[Graphic]
FEDERATED FUND FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES II
(A PORTFOLIO OF FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES)
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information should be read with the prospectus of
Federated Fund for U.S. Government Securities II (the "Fund"), a portfolio of
Federated Insurance Series (the "Trust") dated April 23, 1998. This Statement is
not a prospectus. You may request a copy of a prospectus or a paper copy of this
Statement, if you have received it electronically, free of charge by calling
1-800-341-7400.
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
FEDERATED INVESTORS FUNDS
5800 CORPORATE DRIVE
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15237-7000
Statement dated April 23, 1998
[Graphic]Federated Investors
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916207
3113007B (4/98)
[Graphic]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION 1 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES 1 Types of Investments
1 When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions 1 Lending of Portfolio
Securities 1 Restricted and Illiquid Securities 2 Repurchase Agreements 2
Reverse Repurchase Agreements 2 Investing in Securities of Other Investment
Companies 2 Portfolio Turnover 2 INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 3 Selling Short and
Buying on Margin 3 Issuing Senior Securities and Borrowing Money 3 Pledging
Assets 3 Concentration of Investments 3 Diversification of Investments 3
Investing in Real Estate 3 Investing in Commodities 3 Underwriting 3 Lending
Cash or Securities 3 Investing in Restricted and Illiquid Securities 4
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT 4 Fund Ownership 7 Trustee Compensation 8
Trustee Liability 8 INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES 8 Adviser to the Fund 8
Advisory Fees 9 BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS 9 OTHER SERVICES 9 Fund Administration 9
Custodian and Portfolio Accountant 9 Transfer Agent 9 Independent Auditors 9
PURCHASING SHARES 10 SHAREHOLDER SERVICES 10 DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE 10
Determining Market Value of Securities 10 MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW 10 TAX
STATUS 11 The Fund's Tax Status 11 Shareholders' Tax Status 11 TOTAL RETURN 11
YIELD 11 PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS 11 Economic and Market Information 12 ABOUT
FEDERATED INVESTORS 12 Mutual Fund Market 13 Institutional Clients 13 Bank
Marketing 13 Broker/Dealers and Bank Broker/Dealer Subsidiaries 13 FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS 13
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of the Trust, which was established as Insurance
Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust, under a Declaration of Trust
dated September 15, 1993. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees (the "Trustees")
held on November 14, 1995, the Trustees approved an amendment to the Declaration
of Trust to change the name of the Trust from Insurance Management Series to
Federated Insurance Series. At a meeting of the Trustees held on February 26,
1996, the Trustees approved an amendment to the Declaration of Trust to change
the name of the Fund from U.S. Government Bond Fund to Federated Fund for U.S.
Government Securities II. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer
separate series of shares of beneficial interest in separate portfolios of
securities, including the Fund. The shares in any one portfolio may be offered
in separate classes. As of the date of this prospectus, the Trustees have not
established separate classes of shares.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is to provide current income. The investment
objective cannot be changed without the approval of shareholders. Current income
includes, in general, discount earned on U.S. Treasury bills and agency discount
notes, interest earned on all other U.S. government securities, and short-term
capital gains.
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund invests in securities which are primary or direct obligations of
the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, or which are
guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies, or instrumentalities and in
certain collateralized mortgage obligations, described below, and repurchase
agreements.
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS (CMOS)
Privately issued CMOs generally represent an ownership interest in federal
agency mortgage pass-through securities such as those issued by the Government
National Mortgage Association. The terms and characteristics of the mortgage
instruments may vary among pass-through mortgage loan pools.
The market for such CMOs has expanded considerably since its inception. The
size of the primary issuance market and the active participation in the
secondary market by securities dealers and other investors make
government-related pools highly liquid.
STRIPPED MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES
Some of the mortgage-related securities purchased by the Fund may represent an
interest solely in the principal repayments or solely in the interest payments
on mortgage-backed securities (stripped mortgage-backed securities or
"SMBSs"). Due to the possibility of prepayments on the underlying mortgages,
SMBSs may be more interest-rate sensitive than other securities purchased by
the Fund. If prevailing interest rates fall below the level at which SMBSs
were issued, there may be substantial prepayment on the underlying mortgages,
leading to the relatively early prepayment of principal-only SMBSs and a
reduction in the amount of payment made to holders of interest-only SMBSs. It
is possible that the Fund might not recover its original investment on
interest-only SMBSs if there are substantial prepayments on the underlying
mortgages. Therefore, interest-only SMBSs generally increase in value as
interest rates rise and decrease in value as interest rates fall, counter to
changes in value experienced by most fixed income securities. The Fund's
adviser intends to use this characteristic of interest-only SMBSs to reduce
the effects of interest rate changes on the value of the Fund's portfolio,
while continuing to pursue current income.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
These transactions are made to secure what is considered to be an advantageous
price or yield for the Fund. No fees or other expenses, other than normal
transaction costs, are incurred. However, liquid assets of the Fund sufficient
to make payment for the securities to be purchased are segregated on a Fund's
records at the trade date. These assets are marked to market daily and are
maintained until the transaction has been settled. The Fund does not intend to
engage in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions to an extent that would
cause the segregation of more than 20% of the total value of its assets.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend its portfolio
securities, up to one-third of the value of its total assets, to broker/dealers,
banks, or other institutional borrowers of securities.
The collateral received when the Fund lends portfolio securities must be valued
daily and, should the market value of the loaned securities increase, the
borrower must furnish additional collateral to the Fund. During the time
portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any interest paid
on such securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund
or the borrower. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees
in connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the interest
earned on the cash or equivalent collateral to the borrower or placing broker.
The Fund does not have the right to vote securities on loan, but would terminate
the loan and regain the right to vote if that were considered important with
respect to the investment.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The ability of the Trustees to determine the liquidity of certain restricted
securities is permitted under a Securities and Exchange Commission staff
position set forth in the adopting release for Rule 144A under the Securities
Act of 1993. The Trustees may consider the following criteria in determining the
liquidity of certain restricted securities:
* the frequency of trades and quotes for the security;
* the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the
number of other potential buyers;
* dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and * the nature of
the security and the nature of the marketplace trades.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Repurchase agreements are arrangements in which banks, broker/dealers, and other
recognized financial institutions sell U.S. government securities or other
securities to the Fund and agree at the time of sale to repurchase them at a
mutually agreed upon time and price. The Fund or its custodian will take
possession of the securities subject to repurchase agreements and these
securities will be marked to market daily. To the extent that the original
seller does not repurchase the securities from the Fund, the Fund could receive
less than the repurchase price on any sale of such securities. In the event that
such a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or became insolvent, disposition
of such securities by the Fund might be delayed pending court action. The Fund
believes that under the regular procedures normally in effect for custody of the
Fund's portfolio securities subject to repurchase agreements, a court of
competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of the Fund and allow retention or
disposition of such securities. The Fund will only enter into repurchase
agreements with banks and other recognized financial institutions, such as
broker/dealers, which are deemed by the Fund's adviser to be creditworthy
pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. These transactions are
similar to borrowing cash. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund transfers
possession of a portfolio instrument to another person, such as a financial
institution, broker, or dealer, in return for a percentage of the instrument's
market value in cash, and agrees that on a stipulated date in the future the
Fund will repurchase the portfolio instrument by remitting the original
consideration plus interest at an agreed upon rate.
When effecting reverse repurchase agreements, liquid assets of the Fund, in a
dollar amount sufficient to make payment for the obligations to be purchased,
are segregated at the trade date. These securities are marked to market daily
and maintained until the transaction is settled.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest in the securities of affiliated money market funds as an
efficient means of managing the Fund's uninvested cash.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Securities in the Fund's portfolio will be sold whenever the Fund's investment
adviser believes it is appropriate to do so in light of the Fund's investment
objective, without regard to length of time a particular security may have been
held. The Fund's policy of managing its portfolio of U.S. government securities,
including the sale of securities held for a short period of time, to achieve its
investment objective of current income may result in high portfolio turnover.
The Fund will not attempt to set or meet a portfolio turnover rate as any
turnover would be incidental to transactions undertaken in an attempt to achieve
the Fund's investment objective. For the fiscal years ended December 31,
1997 and 1996, the portfolio turnover rates for the Fund were 73% and 97%,
respectively. INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
SELLING SHORT AND BUYING ON MARGIN
The Fund will not sell any securities short or purchase any securities on
margin, but may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for clearance
of purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
ISSUING SENIOR SECURITIES AND BORROWING MONEY
The Fund will not issue senior securities except that the Fund may borrow money
directly or through reverse repurchase agreements as a temporary, extraordinary,
or emergency measure to facilitate management of the portfolio by enabling the
Fund to meet redemption requests when the liquidation of portfolio securities is
deemed to be inconvenient or disadvantageous, and then only in amounts not in
excess of one-third of the value of its total assets; provided that, while
borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements outstanding exceed 5% of the Fund's
total assets, any such borrowings will be repaid before additional investments
are made. The Fund will not borrow money or engage in reverse repurchase
agreements for investment leverage purposes.
PLEDGING ASSETS
The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate any assets except to secure
permitted borrowings. In those cases, it may mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate
assets having a market value not exceeding the lesser of the dollar amount
borrowed or 15% of the value of total assets at the time of borrowing.
CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENTS The Fund will not purchase securities if, as a
result of such purchase, 25% or more of its total assets would be invested in
any one industry. However, the Fund may at any time invest 25% or more of its
total assets in cash or cash items and securities issued and/or guaranteed by
the U.S. government, its agencies, or instrumentalities. DIVERSIFICATION OF
INVESTMENTS With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund will not
purchase the securities of any one issuer (other than cash, cash items, or
securities issued and/or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies, or
instrumentalities, and repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities)
if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the
securities of that issuer. Also, the Fund will not purchase more than 10% of any
class of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. For these
purposes, the Fund considers common stock and all preferred stock of an issuer
each as a single class, regardless of priorities, series, designations, or other
differences. INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE
The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, including limited partnership
interests in real estate, although it may invest in securities of companies
whose business involves the purchase or sale of real estate or in securities
secured by real estate or interests in real estate.
INVESTING IN COMMODITIES
The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts, or
commodity futures contracts.
UNDERWRITING
The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities, except as it may be deemed
to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the
sale of securities in accordance with its investment objective, policies, and
limitations.
LENDING CASH OR SECURITIES
The Fund will not lend any of its assets, except portfolio securities up to
one-third of the value of its total assets. This shall not prevent the Fund from
purchasing or holding corporate or U.S. government bonds, debentures, notes,
certificates of indebtedness or other debt securities of an issuer, entering
into repurchase agreements, or engaging in other transactions which are
permitted by the Fund's investment objective and policies or the Trust's
Declaration of Trust.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
The following limitation, however, may be changed by the Trustees without
shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material change
in this limitation becomes effective.
INVESTING IN RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in
illiquid securities, including, among others, repurchase agreements providing
for settlement more than seven days after notice, and certain restricted
securities not determined to be liquid under criteria established by the
Trustees. Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage
limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease
in percentage resulting from any change in value of total or net assets will not
result in a violation of such restriction.
The Fund has no present intention to borrow money in excess of 5% of the value
of its net assets during the coming fiscal year.
For purposes of its policies and limitations, the Fund considers certificates of
deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank
or savings association having capital, surplus, and undivided profits in excess
of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be "cash items."
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT
Officers and Trustees are listed with their addresses, birthdates, present
positions with Federated Insurance Series, and principal occupations.
John F. Donahue@*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 28, 1924
Chairman and Trustee
Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; Chairman and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Chairman, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Chief Executive Officer and Director or Trustee of the
Funds. Mr. Donahue is the father of J. Christopher Donahue, President and
Trustee of the Company.
Thomas G. Bigley
15 Old Timber Trail
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: February 3, 1934
Trustee
Director, Member of the Executive Committee, Children's Hospital of
Pittsburgh; formerly, Senior Partner, Ernst & Young LLP; Director, MED 3000
Group, Inc.; Director, Member of Executive Committee, University of
Pittsburgh; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
John T. Conroy, Jr.
Wood/IPC Commercial Department
John R. Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors
3255 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL
Birthdate: June 23, 1937
Trustee
President, Investment Properties Corporation; Senior Vice President, John R.
Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors; Partner or Trustee in private real
estate ventures in Southwest Florida; formerly, President, Naples Property
Management, Inc. and Northgate Village Development Corporation; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Nicholas P. Constantakis
175 Woodshire Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 3, 1939
Trustee
Formerly, Partner, Andersen Worldwide SC; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
William J. Copeland
One PNC Plaza--23rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 4, 1918
Trustee
Director and Member of the Executive Committee, Michael Baker, Inc.; formerly,
Vice Chairman and Director, PNC Bank, N.A., and PNC Bank Corp.; Director, Ryan
Homes, Inc.; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
J. Christopher Donahue*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: April 11, 1949
President and Trustee
President and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; President and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; President, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company, and
Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Services Company;
President or Executive Vice President of the Funds; Director or Trustee of
some of the Funds. Mr. Donahue is the son of John F. Donahue, Chairman and
Trustee of the Company.
James E. Dowd
571 Hayward Mill Road
Concord, MA
Birthdate: May 18, 1922
Trustee
Attorney-at-law; Director, The Emerging Germany Fund, Inc.; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.*
3471 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1111
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 11, 1932
Trustee
Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Medical Director, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center--Downtown; Member, Board of Directors, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center; formerly, Hematologist, Oncologist, and Internist,
Presbyterian and Montefiore Hospitals; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr.@
Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba
205 Ross Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 18, 1924
Trustee
Attorney of Counsel, Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba; Director, Eat'N Park
Restaurants, Inc.; formerly, Counsel, Horizon Financial, F.A., Western
Region; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Peter E. Madden
One Royal Palm Way
100 Royal Palm Way
Palm Beach, FL
Birthdate: March 16, 1942
Trustee
Consultant; Former State Representative, Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
formerly, President, State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Boston
Corporation; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
John E. Murray, Jr., J.D., S.J.D.
President, Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: December 20, 1932
Trustee
President, Law Professor, Duquesne University; Consulting Partner, Mollica &
Murray; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Wesley W. Posvar
1202 Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 14, 1925
Trustee
Professor, International Politics; Management Consultant; Trustee, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, RAND Corporation, Online Computer Library
Center, Inc., National Defense University, and U.S. Space Foundation;
President Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh; Founding Chairman, National
Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology, Federal Emergency
Management Advisory Board, and Czech Management Center, Prague; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Marjorie P. Smuts
4905 Bayard Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 21, 1935
Trustee
Public Relations/Marketing/Conference Planning; Director or Trustee of the
Funds.
Edward C. Gonzales
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 22, 1930
Executive Vice President
Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Vice President,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, Federated Research, Federated
Research Corp., Federated Global Research Corp., and Passport Research,
Ltd.; Executive Vice President and Director, Federated Securities Corp.;
Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company; Trustee or Director of some
of the Funds; President, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of some of
the Funds.
John W. McGonigle
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 26, 1938
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Trustee,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, and Federated Research; Director,
Federated Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company; President
and Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Securities
Corp.; Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Funds; Treasurer of some of
the Funds.
Richard B. Fisher
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: May 17, 1923
Vice President
Executive Vice President and Trustee, Federated Investors; Chairman and
Director, Federated Securities Corp.; President or Vice President of some of
the Funds; Director or Trustee of some of the Funds.
* This Trustee is deemed to be an "interested person" as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
@ Member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the Board of
Trustees handles the responsibilities of the Board between meetings of the
Board.
As used in the table above, "The Funds" and "Funds" mean the following
investment companies: 111 Corcoran Funds; Automated Government Money Trust;
Blanchard Funds; Blanchard Precious Metals Fund, Inc.; Cash Trust Series II;
Cash Trust Series, Inc.; DG Investor Series; Edward D. Jones & Co. Daily
Passport Cash Trust; Federated Adjustable Rate U.S. Government Fund, Inc.;
Federated American Leaders Fund, Inc.; Federated ARMs Fund; Federated Core
Trust; Federated Equity Funds; Federated Equity Income Fund, Inc.; Federated
Fund for U.S. Government Securities, Inc.; Federated GNMA Trust; Federated
Government Income Securities, Inc.; Federated Government Trust; Federated High
Income Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated High Yield Trust; Federated Income Securities
Trust; Federated Income Trust; Federated Index Trust; Federated Institutional
Trust; Federated Insurance Series; Federated Investment Portfolios; Federated
Investment Trust; Federated Master Trust; Federated Municipal Opportunities
Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal Securities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal
Trust; Federated Short-Term Municipal Trust; Federated Short-Term U.S.
Government Trust; Federated Stock and Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated Stock Trust;
Federated Tax-Free Trust; Federated Total Return Series, Inc.; Federated U.S.
Government Bond Fund; Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 1-3 Years;
Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 Years; Federated U.S. Government
Securities Fund: 5-10 Years; Federated Utility Fund, Inc.; First Priority Funds;
Fixed Income Securities, Inc.; High Yield Cash Trust; Intermediate Municipal
Trust; International Series, Inc.; Investment Series Funds, Inc.; Investment
Series Trust; Liberty Term Trust, Inc.--1999; Liberty U.S. Government Money
Market Trust; Liquid Cash Trust; Managed Series Trust; Money Market Management,
Inc.; Money Market Obligations Trust; Money Market Obligations Trust II; Money
Market Trust; Municipal Securities Income Trust; Newpoint Funds; RIMCO Monument
Funds; Targeted Duration Trust; Tax-Free Instruments Trust; The Planters Funds;
The Virtus Funds; Trust for Financial Institutions; Trust for Government Cash
Reserves; Trust for Short-Term U.S. Government Securities; Trust for U.S.
Treasury Obligations; Wesmark Funds; WCT Funds; and World Investment Series,
Inc. FUND OWNERSHIP
Officers and Trustees own less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding shares. As
of April 8, 1998, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of the Fund: Provident Mutual Life & Annuity Co. of America,
Valley Forge, PA, owned approximately 392,571 shares (5.68%); United of Omaha
Life Insurance Co., Omaha, NE, owned approximately 2,294,615 shares (33.22%);
Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Co., Englewood, CO, owned approximately
1,019,456 shares (14.76%); Lincoln Benefit Life Co. Variable Annuity, Lincoln,
NE, owned approximately 371,772 shares (5.38%); and Aetna Retirement Services
Central Valuation Unit, Hartford, CT, owned approximately 1,851,521 shares
(26.80%).
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
AGGREGATE
NAME, COMPENSATION
POSITION WITH FROM TOTAL COMPENSATION PAID
TRUST TRUST*# FROM FUND COMPLEX+
John F. Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
Chairman and Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Thomas G. Bigley $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John T. Conroy, Jr. $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Nicholas P. Constantakis++ $0 $0 for the Trust and
Trustee 34 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
William J. Copeland $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
J. Christopher Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
President and Trustee 18 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
James E. Dowd $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D. $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr. $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Peter E. Madden $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John E. Murray, Jr. $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Wesley W. Posvar $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Marjorie P. Smuts $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
* Information is furnished for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
# The aggregate compensation is provided for the Trust which is comprised of
eight portfolios.
+ The information is provided for the last calendar year.
++ Mr. Constantakis became a member of the Board of Trustees on February 23,
1998. He did not receive any fees as of the fiscal year end of the Trust.
TRUSTEE LIABILITY
The Trust's Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees will not be liable
for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, they are not
protected against any liability to which they would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their office.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
ADVISER TO THE FUND
The Fund's investment adviser is Federated Advisers. It is a subsidiary of
Federated Investors. All voting securities of Federated Investors are owned by a
trust, the trustees of which are John F. Donahue, his wife, and his son, J.
Christopher Donahue. The adviser shall not be liable to the Fund or any
shareholder for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding, or
sale of any security or for anything done or omitted by it, except acts or
omissions involving willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of the duties imposed upon it by its contract with the Trust.
ADVISORY FEES
For its advisory services, Federated Advisers receives an annual investment
advisory fee as described in the prospectus.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the adviser earned
advisory fees of $278,790, $141,092, and $30,456, respectively, of which
$211,328, $141,092, and $30,456, respectively, were waived.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio
instruments, the adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable
price. In working with dealers, the adviser will generally use those who are
recognized dealers in specific portfolio instruments, except when a better price
and execution of the order can be obtained elsewhere. The adviser makes
decisions on portfolio transactions and selects brokers and dealers subject to
guidelines established by the Trustees. The adviser may select brokers and
dealers who offer brokerage and research services. These services may be
furnished directly to the Fund or to the adviser and may include: advice as to
the advisability of investing in securities; security analysis and reports;
economic studies; industry studies; receipt of quotations for portfolio
evaluations; and similar services. Research services provided by brokers and
dealers may be used by the adviser or its affiliates in advising the Fund and
other accounts. To the extent that receipt of these services may supplant
services for which the adviser or its affiliates might otherwise have paid, it
would tend to reduce their expenses. The adviser and its affiliates exercise
reasonable business judgment in selecting brokers who offer brokerage and
research services to execute securities transactions. They determine in good
faith that commissions charged by such persons are reasonable in relationship to
the value of the brokerage and research services provided. For the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Fund paid $0, $0, and $322,
respectively, in brokerage commissions on brokerage transactions.
Although investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of
the other accounts managed by the adviser, investments of the type the Fund may
make may also be made by those other accounts. When the Fund and one or more
other accounts managed by the adviser are prepared to invest in, or desire to
dispose of, the same security, available investments or opportunities for sales
will be allocated in a manner believed by the adviser to be equitable to each.
In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by
the Fund or the size of the position obtained or disposed of by the Fund. In
other cases, however, it is believed that coordination and the ability to
participate in volume transactions will be to the benefit of the Fund.
OTHER SERVICES
FUND ADMINISTRATION
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services to the Fund for a fee as described in the
prospectus. From March 1, 1994, to March 1, 1996, Federated Administrative
Services served as the Fund's Administrator. The former administrator is a
subsidiary of Federated Investors. For purposes of this Statement of Additional
Information, Federated Services Company and Federated Administrative Services
may hereinafter collectively be referred to as the "Administrators." For the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Administrators earned
$125,000, $125,000, and $125,000, respectively. CUSTODIAN AND PORTFOLIO
ACCOUNTANT
State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA, is custodian for the securities
and cash of the Fund. Federated Services Company, Pittsburgh, PA, provides
certain accounting and recordkeeping services with respect to the Fund's
portfolio investments. The fee paid for this service is based upon the level of
the Fund's average net assets for the period plus out-of-pocket expenses.
TRANSFER AGENT
Federated Services Company, through it registered transfer agent, Federated
Shareholder Services Company, maintains all necessary shareholder records. For
its services, the transfer agent receives a fee based on the size, type, and
number of accounts and transactions made by shareholders.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The independent auditors for the Fund are Deloitte & Touche LLP, Pittsburgh, PA.
PURCHASING SHARES
Shares of the Fund are sold at their net asset value without a sales charge on
days the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. The procedure for
purchasing shares of the Fund is explained in the prospectus under "Purchases
and Redemptions" and "What Shares Cost."
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
This arrangement permits the payment of fees to Federated Shareholder Services
to cause services to be provided which are necessary for the maintenance of
shareholder accounts and to encourage personal services to shareholders by a
representative who has knowledge of the shareholder's particular circumstances
and goals. These activities and services may include but are not limited to
providing office space, equipment, telephone facilities, and various clerical,
supervisory, computer, and other personnel as necessary or beneficial to
establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records; processing purchase and
redemption transactions and automatic investments of client account cash
balances; answering routine client inquiries; and assisting clients in changing
dividend options, account designations, and addresses.
By adopting the Shareholder Services Agreement, the Trustees expect that the
Fund will benefit by: (1) providing personal services to shareholders; (2)
investing shareholder assets with a minimum of delay and administrative detail;
(3) enhancing shareholder recordkeeping systems; and (4) responding promptly to
shareholders' requests and inquiries concerning their accounts.
The Shareholder Services Agreement was not in effect during the Fund's fiscal
year ended December 31, 1997.
DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE
Net asset value generally changes each day. The days on which net asset value is
calculated by the Fund are described in the prospectus.
DETERMINING MARKET VALUE OF SECURITIES
The values of the Fund's portfolio securities are determined as follows:
* for equity securities and bonds and other fixed income securities,
according to the last sale price on a national securities exchange, if
available;
* in the absence of recorded sales for equity securities, according to
the mean between the last closing bid and asked prices;
* for bonds and other fixed income securities, at the last sale price on a
national securities exchange, if available otherwise, as determined by an
independent pricing service;
* for unlisted equity securities, the latest mean prices; * for short-term
obligations, according to the mean between bid and asked
prices as furnished by an independent pricing service; or
* for all other securities, at fair value as determined in good faith by
the Trustees.
MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW
Under certain circumstances, shareholders may be held personally liable as
partners under Massachusetts law for obligations of the Trust. To protect its
shareholders, the Trust has filed legal documents with Massachusetts that
expressly disclaim the liability of its shareholders for acts or obligations of
the Trust. These documents require notice of this disclaimer to be given in each
agreement, obligation, or instrument the Trust or its Trustees enter into or
sign.
In the unlikely event a shareholder is held personally liable for the Trust's
obligations, the Trust is required by the Declaration of Trust to use its
property to protect or compensate the shareholder. On request, the Trust will
defend any claim made and pay any judgment against a shareholder for any act or
obligation of the Trust. Therefore, financial loss resulting from liability as a
shareholder will occur only if the Trust itself cannot meet its obligations to
indemnify shareholders and pay judgments against them.
TAX STATUS
THE FUND'S TAX STATUS
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because it expects to meet the
requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded
to such companies. To qualify for this treatment, the Fund must, among other
requirements:
* derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, and
gains from the sale of securities;
* invest in securities within certain statutory limits; and
* distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its net income earned
during the year.
SHAREHOLDERS' TAX STATUS
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described in the prospectus and this Statement. If the Fund fails to
comply with these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be
treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal
Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the contract prospectus for information concerning
the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions from the
Fund to the separate accounts.
TOTAL RETURN
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, and for the period from March 29,
1994 (date of initial public investment) to December 31, 1997, the average
annual total returns for the Fund were 8.58% and 6.40%, respectively. The
average annual total return for the Fund is the average compounded rate of
return for a given period that would equate a $1,000 initial investment to the
ending redeemable value of that investment. The ending redeemable value is
computed by multiplying the number of shares owned at the end of the period by
the offering price per share at the end of the period. The number of shares
owned at the end of the period is based on the number of shares purchased at the
beginning of the period with $1,000, adjusted over the period by any additional
shares, assuming the monthly reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.
You should review the performance figures for your insurance contract, which
figures reflect the applicable charges and expenses of the contract. Such
performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance.
YIELD
The Fund's yield for the thirty-day period ended December 31, 1997, was 5.67%.
The yield for the Fund is determined by dividing the net investment income per
share (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission) earned by the Fund
over a thirty-day period by the offering price per share of the Fund on the last
day of the period. This value is then annualized using semi-annual compounding.
This means that the amount of income generated during the thirty-day period is
assumed to be generated each month over a twelve-month period and is reinvested
every six months. The yield does not necessarily reflect income actually earned
by the Fund because of certain adjustments required by the Securities and
Exchange Commission and, therefore, may not correlate to the dividends or other
distributions paid to shareholders. Also, the yield does not reflect the charges
and expenses of an insurance contract. You should review the performance figures
for your insurance contract, which figures reflect the applicable charges and
expenses of the contract. Such performance figures will accompany any
advertisement of the Fund's performance.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS
The Fund's performance depends upon such variables as:
* portfolio quality;
* average portfolio maturity;
* type of instruments in which the portfolio is invested; * changes in
interest rates and market value of portfolio securities; * changes in Fund
expenses; and * the relative amount of the Fund's cash flow.
The Fund's performance fluctuates on a daily basis largely because net earnings
and offering price per share fluctuate daily. Both net earnings and offering
price per share are factors in the computation of yield and total return.
Investors may use financial publications and/or indices to obtain a more
complete view of the Fund's performance. When comparing performance, investors
should consider all relevant factors such as the composition of any index used,
prevailing market conditions, portfolio compositions of other funds, and methods
used to value portfolio securities and compute offering price. The financial
publications and/or indices which the Fund uses in advertising may include:
* LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC., ranks funds in various fund categories by
making comparative calculations using total return. Total return assumes
the reinvestment of all income dividends and capital gains distributions,
if any. From time to time, the Fund will quote its Lipper ranking in the
growth and income funds category in advertising and sales literature.
* LEHMAN BROTHERS GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE (TOTAL) INDEX is comprised of
approximately 5,000 issues which include non-convertible bonds publicly
issued by the U.S. government or its agencies; corporate bonds guaranteed
by the U.S. government and quasi-federal corporations; and publicly issued,
fixed-rate, non-convertible domestic bonds of companies in industry, public
utilities, and finance. The average maturity of these bonds approximates
nine years. Tracked by Lehman Brothers, the index calculates total returns
for one-month, three-month, twelve-month, and ten-year periods, and
year-to-date.
* LEHMAN BROTHERS GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE (LONG-TERM) INDEX is composed of the
same types of issues as defined above. However, the average maturity of the
bonds included in this index approximates 22 years.
* LEHMAN BROTHERS MORTGAGE-BAKED SECURITIES INDEX includes 15- and 30-year
fixed-rate securities backed by mortgage pools of the Government National
Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
(FHLMC), and Federal National Mortgage Corporation (FNMA). Graduated
payment mortgages (GPMs) and balloons are included in
the index.
* MORNINGSTAR, INC., an independent rating service, is the publisher of the
bi-weekly Mutual Fund Values. Mutual Fund Values rates more than 1,000
NASDAQ-listed mutual funds of all types, according to their risk-adjusted
returns. The maximum rating is five stars, and ratings are effective for
two weeks.
Advertisements and other sales literature for the Fund may quote total returns
which are calculated on non-standardized base periods. These total returns also
represent the historic change in the value of an investment in the Fund based on
quarterly reinvestment of dividends over a specified period of time.
From time to time as it deems appropriate, the Fund may advertise its
performance using charts, graphs, and descriptions, compared to federally
insured bank products, including certificates of deposit and time deposits, and
to money market funds using the Lipper Analytical Services money market
instruments average. Advertising and other promotional literature may
include charts, graphs, and other illustrations using the Fund's returns, or
returns in general, that demonstrate basic investment concepts such as
tax-deferred compounding, dollar-cost averaging, and systematic investment. In
addition, the Fund can compare its performance, or performance for the types of
securities in which it invests, to a variety of other investments, such as bank
savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and Treasury bills. ECONOMIC AND
MARKET INFORMATION Advertising and sales literature for the Fund may include
discussions of economic, financial, and political developments and their effect
on the securities market. Such discussions may take the form of commentary on
these developments by Fund portfolio managers and their views and analysis on
how such developments could affect the Funds. In addition, advertising and sales
literature may quote statistics and give general information about the mutual
fund industry, including the growth of the industry, from sources such as the
Investment Company Institute ("ICI"). For example, according to the ICI,
thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $4.4 trillion to the more than 6,700 funds available.
ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS
Federated Investors is dedicated to meeting investor needs which is reflected in
its investment decision making--structured, straightforward, and consistent.
This has resulted in a history of competitive performance with a range of
competitive investment products that have gained the confidence of thousands of
clients and their customers.
The company's disciplined security selection process is firmly rooted in sound
methodologies backed by fundamental and technical research. Investment decisions
are made and executed by teams of portfolio managers, analysts, and traders
dedicated to specific market sectors. These traders handle trillions of dollars
in annual trading volume. In the government sector, as of December 31, 1997,
Federated Investors managed 9 mortgage-backed, 6 government/agency, and 17
government money market mutual funds, with assets approximating $5.9 billion,
$1.5 billion, and $29.7 billion, respectively. Federated trades approximately
$400 million in U.S. government and mortgage-backed securities daily and places
$23 billion in repurchase agreements each day. Federated introduced the first
U.S. government fund to invest in U.S. government bond securities in 1969.
Federated has been a major force in the short- and intermediate-term government
markets since 1982 and currently manages nearly $36 billion in government funds
within these maturity ranges. J. Thomas Madden, Executive Vice President,
oversees Federated Investors' equity and high-yield corporate bond management
while William D. Dawson, Executive Vice President, oversees Federated Investors'
domestic fixed income management. Henry A. Frantzen, Executive Vice President,
oversees the management of Federated Investors' international and global
portfolios.
MUTUAL FUND MARKET
Thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $4.4 trillion to the more than 6,700 funds available.*
Federated Investors, through its subsidiaries, distributes mutual funds for a
variety of investment applications. Specific markets include:
INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS
Federated Investors meets the needs of more than 4,000 institutional clients
nationwide by managing and servicing separate accounts and mutual funds for a
variety of applications, including defined benefit and defined contribution
programs, cash management, and asset/liability management. Institutional clients
include corporations, pension funds, tax-exempt entities,
foundations/endowments, insurance companies, and investment and financial
advisors. The marketing effort to these institutional clients is headed by John
B. Fisher, President, Institutional Sales Division.
BANK MARKETING
Other institutional clients include close relationships with more than 1,600
banks and trust organizations. Virtually all of the trust divisions of the top
100 bank holding companies use Federated funds in their clients' portfolios. The
marketing effort to trust clients is headed by Timothy C. Pillion, Senior Vice
President, Bank Marketing & Sales.
BROKER/DEALERS AND BANK BROKER/DEALER SUBSIDIARIES
Federated funds are available to consumers through major brokerage firms
nationwide--we have over 2,200 broker/dealer and bank broker/dealer
relationships across the country--supported by more wholesalers than any other
mutual fund distributor. Federated Investors' service to financial professionals
and institutions has earned it high ratings in several surveys performed by
DALBAR, Inc. DALBAR is recognized as the industry benchmark for service quality
measurement. The marketing effort to these firms is headed by James F. Getz,
President, Federated Securities Corp.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, are
incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report of the Fund dated December
31, 1997 (File Nos. 33-69268 and 811-8042). Copies of the Report may be obtained
without charge by contacting the Fund.
* Source: Investment Company Institute
Federated High Income Bond Fund II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
Prospectus
This prospectus offers shares of Federated High Income Bond Fund II (the
"Fund"), which is a diversified investment portfolio in Federated Insurance
Series (the "Trust"), an open-end, diversified management investment company.
The Fund invests in a professionally managed, diversified portfolio limited
primarily to fixed income securities which seek to achieve high current income.
Shares of the Fund may be sold only to separate accounts of insurance companies
to serve as the investment medium for variable life insurance policies and
variable annuity contracts issued by insurance companies.
THE SHARES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY
BANK, ARE NOT ENDORSED OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENT AGENCY. INVESTMENT IN THESE SHARES INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS,
INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
This prospectus contains the information you should read and know before you
invest in the Fund through variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance policies offered by insurance companies which provide for investment
in the Fund. Keep this prospectus for future reference.
THE FUND MAY INVEST PRIMARILY IN LOWER RATED BONDS, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS
"JUNK BONDS." INVESTMENTS OF THIS TYPE ARE SUBJECT TO A GREATER RISK OF LOSS OF
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST THAN INVESTMENTS IN HIGHER RATED SECURITIES. PURCHASERS
SHOULD CAREFULLY ASSESS THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THIS FUND.
The Fund has also filed a Statement of Additional Information dated April 23,
1998, with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The information
contained in the Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. You may request a copy of the Statement of
Additional Information or a paper copy of this prospectus, if you have received
your prospectus electronically, free of charge by calling 1-800-341-7400. To
obtain other information or to make inquiries about the Fund, contact the Fund
at the address listed in the back of this prospectus. The Statement of
Additional Information, material incorporated by reference into this document,
and other information regarding the Fund is maintained electronically with the
SEC at Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
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 SHARES ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AS FUNDING VEHICLES FOR LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANIES WRITING VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS AND VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE
POLICIES. THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE PROSPECTUS FOR SUCH
CONTRACTS.
Prospectus dated April 23, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Financial Highlights 1
General Information 2
Investment Information 2
Investment Objective 2
Investment Policies 2
Investment Risks 4
Investment Limitations 6
Net Asset Value 6
Investing in the Fund 6
Purchases and Redemptions 6
What Shares Cost 6
Dividends 7
Fund Information 7
Management of the Fund 7
Distribution of Shares 8
Administration of the Fund 8
Shareholder Information 8
Voting Rights 8
Tax Information 9
Federal Taxes 9
State and Local Taxes 9
Performance Information 9
Appendix 9
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
The following table has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund's
independent auditors. Their report, dated February 6, 1998, on the Fund's
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1997, and on the following
table for the periods presented, is included in the Fund's Annual Report, which
is herein incorporated by reference. This table should be read in conjunction
with the Fund's financial statements and notes thereto, contained in the Fund's
Annual Report, which may be obtained free of charge.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996 1995 1994(A)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $10.24 $9.79 $8.87 $10.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 0.88 0.88 0.85 0.75
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.48 0.45 0.89 (1.12)
Total from investment operations 1.36 1.33 1.74 (0.37)
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net investment income (0.61) (0.88) (0.82) (0.75)
Distributions in excess of net investment income(d) -- -- -- (0.01)
Distributions from net realized gain on investments (0.04) -- -- --
Total distributions (0.65) (0.88) (0.82) (0.76)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $10.95 $10.24 $9.79 $8.87
TOTAL RETURN(B) 13.83% 14.31% 20.38% (3.73%)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 0.80% 0.80% 0.80% 0.41%*
Net investment income 8.73% 9.23% 9.27% 9.11%*
Expense waiver(c) 0.09% 0.59% 3.40% 10.01%*
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $156,164 $66,043 $20,165 $1,457
Portfolio turnover 52% 51% 48% 18%
</TABLE>
* Computed on an annualized basis.
(a) Reflects operations for the period from February 2, 1994 (date of initial
public investment) to December 31, 1994. For the period from December 9,
1993 (the start of business) to February 1, 1994, the Fund had no public
investment.
(b) Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
(c) This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and net
investment income ratios shown above.
(d) Distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which
may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These
distributions do not represent a return of capital for federal income tax
purposes.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PERFORMANCE IS CONTAINED IN THE FUND'S
ANNUAL REPORT DATED DECEMBER 31, 1997, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, which was established as
Insurance Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust, under a Declaration
of Trust dated September 15, 1993. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to
offer separate series of shares of beneficial interest in separate portfolios of
securities, including the Fund. The shares in any one portfolio may be offered
in separate classes. As of the date of this prospectus, the Board of Trustees
("Trustees") have not established separate classes of shares. Shares of the
Fund are sold only to insurance companies as funding vehicles for variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the insurance
companies. Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value as described in the
section entitled "What Shares Cost." Shares of the Fund are redeemed at net
asset value.
INVESTMENT INFORMATION
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the Fund is to seek high current income. The
investment objective cannot be changed without approval of shareholders. While
there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, it
endeavors to do so by following the investment policies described in this
prospectus.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
Unless stated otherwise, the Trustees can change the investment policies without
the approval of shareholders. Shareholders will be notified before any material
change becomes effective. The Fund endeavors to achieve its objective by
investing primarily in a professionally managed, diversified portfolio of fixed
income securities. The fixed income securities in which the Fund intends to
invest are lower-rated corporate debt obligations, which are commonly referred
to as "junk bonds." Some of these fixed income securities may involve equity
features. Capital growth will be considered, but only when consistent with the
investment objective of high current income.
ACCEPTABLE INVESTMENTS
The Fund invests at least 65% of its assets in lower-rated fixed income bonds.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will not invest more than 10% of the value
of its total assets in equity securities. The fixed income securities in which
the Fund invests include, but are not limited to:
* preferred stocks;
* bonds;
* convertible securities;
* debentures;
* notes;
* equipment lease certificates; and
* equipment trust certificates.
The securities in which the Fund may invest are generally rated BBB or lower by
Standard & Poor's ("S&P") or Fitch IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch") or Baa or lower by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or are not rated but are determined
by the Fund's investment adviser to be of comparable quality, and may include
bonds in default. Securities which are rated BBB or lower by S&P or Fitch or Baa
or lower by Moody's have speculative characteristics. Changes in economic
conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to weakened capacity
to make principal and interest payments than highly rated bonds. A description
of the rating categories is contained in the Appendix to this prospectus. There
is no lower limit with respect to rating categories for securities in which the
Fund may invest. See "Investment Risks" below. CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
Convertible securities include a spectrum of securities which can be exchanged
for or converted into common stock. Convertible securities may include, but are
not limited to: convertible bonds or debentures; convertible preferred stock;
units consisting of usable bonds and warrants; or securities which cap or
otherwise limit returns to the convertible security holder, such as
DECS--(Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock, or Debt Exchangeable for Common
Stock when issued as a debt security), LYONS--(Liquid Yield Option Notes, which
are corporate bonds that are purchased at prices below par with no coupons and
are convertible into stock), PERCS--(Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative
Stock, an equity issue that pays a high cash dividend, has a cap price and
mandatory conversion to common stock at maturity), and PRIDES--(Preferred
Redeemable Increased Dividend Securities, which are essentially the same as
DECS; the difference is little more than who initially underwrites the issue).
Convertible securities are often rated below investment grade or not rated
because they fall below debt obligations and just above common equity in order
of preference or priority on the issuer's balance sheet. Hence, an issuer with
investment grade senior debt may issue convertible securities with ratings less
than investment grade or not rated. Convertible securities rated below
investment grade may be subject to some of the same risks as those inherent in
junk bonds. The Fund does not limit convertible securities by rating, and there
is no minimal acceptance rating for a convertible security to be purchased or
held in the Fund. Therefore, the Fund invests in convertible securities
irrespective of their ratings. This could result in the Fund purchasing and
holding, without limit, convertible securities rated below investment grade by a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization ("NRSRO") or in the Fund
holding such securities where they have acquired a rating below investment grade
after the Fund has purchased it.
The Fund's investments in convertible securities will not be subject to the
quality rating limit on other securities in which the Fund invests.
Please see "Investment Risks."
FOREIGN SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in foreign securities, including foreign securities not
publicly traded in the United States, which may include any of the types of
securities described above (see "Acceptable Investments"). Investments in
foreign securities, particularly those of non-governmental issuers, involve
considerations which are not ordinarily associated with investments in domestic
issuers. These considerations include the possibility of expropriation, the
unavailability of financial information or the difficulty of interpreting
financial information prepared under foreign accounting standards, less
liquidity and more volatility in foreign securities markets, the impact of
political, social, or diplomatic developments, and the difficulty of assessing
economic trends in foreign countries. It may also be more difficult to enforce
contractual obligations abroad than would be the case in the United States
because of differences in the legal systems. Transaction costs in foreign
securities may be higher. The adviser will consider these and other factors
before investing in foreign securities and will not make such investments
unless, in its opinion, such investments will meet the Fund's standards and
objectives.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
The Fund may invest temporarily in cash and short-term obligations for
defensive purposes during times of unusual market conditions. Short-term
obligations may include:
* certificates of deposit;
* commercial paper rated A-1 or A-2 by S&P, Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moody's, or
F-1 or F-2 by Fitch and variable rate demand master notes;
* short-term notes;
* obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the
U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities; and
* repurchase agreements.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Funds will engage in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are
arrangements in which banks, broker/dealers, and other recognized financial
institutions sell U.S. government securities or other securities to the Fund and
agree at the time of sale to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon time and
price. The Fund or its custodian will take possession of the securities subject
to repurchase agreements and these securities will be marked to market daily. To
the extent that the original seller does not repurchase the securities from the
Fund, the Fund could receive less than the repurchase price on any sale of such
securities.
In the event that such a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or became
insolvent, disposition of such securities by the Fund might be delayed pending
court action. The Fund believes that, under the regular procedures normally in
effect for custody of the Fund's portfolio securities subject to repurchase
agreements, a court of competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of the Fund
and allow retention or disposition of such securities. The Fund will only enter
into repurchase agreements with banks and other recognized financial
institutions, such as broker/dealers, which are found by the Fund's adviser to
be creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities are any
securities in which the Fund may invest pursuant to its investment objective and
policies but which are subject to restrictions on resale under federal
securities law. Under criteria established by the Trustees, certain restricted
securities are determined to be liquid. To the extent that restricted securities
are not determined to be liquid, the Fund will limit their purchase together
with other illiquid securities including non-negotiable time deposits and
repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after
notice to 15% of its net assets.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend portfolio securities
on a short-term or long-term basis, or both, up to one-third of the value of its
total assets, to broker/dealers, banks, or other institutional borrowers of
securities. This is a fundamental policy which may not be changed without
shareholder approval. The Fund will only enter into loan arrangements with
broker/dealers, banks, or other institutions which the investment adviser has
determined are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Trustees and
will receive collateral in the form of cash or U.S. government securities equal
to at least 100% of the value of the securities loaned at all times.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
These transactions are arrangements in which the Fund purchases securities with
payment and delivery scheduled for a future time. The seller's failure to
complete these transactions may cause the Fund to miss a price or yield
considered to be advantageous. Settlement dates may be a month or more after
entering into these transactions, and the market values of the securities
purchased may vary from the purchase prices.
The Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if the adviser deems it
appropriate to do so. In addition, the Fund may enter into transactions to sell
its purchase commitments to third parties at current market values and
simultaneously acquire other commitments to purchase similar securities at later
dates. The Fund may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of such
commitments.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies as an
efficient means of carrying out its investment policies. It should be noted that
investment companies incur certain expenses, such as management fees, and,
therefore, any investment by the Fund in shares of other investment companies
may be subject to such duplicate expenses.
VARIABLE ASSET REGULATIONS
The Fund is also subject to variable contract asset regulations prescribed by
the U.S. Treasury Department under Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
After a one year start-up period, the regulations generally require that, as of
the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, no more than 55%
of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any one investment, no
more than 70% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any two
investments, no more than 80% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented
by any three investments, and no more than 90% of the total assets of the Fund
may be represented by any four investments. In applying these diversification
rules, all securities of the same issuer, all interests in the same real
property project, and all interests in the same commodity are each treated as a
single investment. In the case of government securities, each government agency
or instrumentality shall be treated as a separate issuer. If the Fund fails to
achieve the diversification required by the regulations, unless relief is
obtained from the Internal Revenue Service, the contracts invested in the Fund
will not be treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts.
The Fund will be operated at all times so as to comply with the foregoing
diversification requirements.
STATE INSURANCE REGULATIONS
The Fund is intended to be a funding vehicle for variable annuity contracts and
variable life insurance policies offered by certain insurance companies. The
contracts will seek to be offered in as many jurisdictions as possible. Certain
states have regulations concerning, among other things, the concentration of
investments, sales and purchases of futures contracts, and short sales of
securities. If applicable, the Fund may be limited in its ability to engage in
such investments and to manage its portfolio with desired flexibility. The Fund
will operate in material compliance with the applicable insurance laws and
regulations of each jurisdiction in which contracts will be offered by the
insurance companies which invest in the Fund.
INVESTMENT RISKS
The prices of fixed income securities fluctuate inversely to the direction of
interest rates.
The corporate debt obligations in which the Fund invests are usually not in the
three highest rating categories of the NRSROs (AAA, AA, or A for S&P or Fitch,
and Aaa, Aa or A for Moody's), but are in the lower rating categories or are
unrated but are of comparable quality and are regarded as having predominately
speculative characteristics. Lower-rated or unrated bonds are commonly referred
to as "junk bonds." There is no minimal acceptable rating for a security to be
purchased or held in the Fund's portfolio, and the Fund may, from time to time,
purchase or hold securities rated in the lowest rating category and may include
bonds in default. A description of the rating categories is contained in the
Appendix to this prospectus.
Lower-rated securities will usually offer higher yields than higher-rated
securities. However, there is more risk associated with these investments. This
is because of reduced creditworthiness and increased risk of default.
Lower-rated securities generally tend to reflect short-term corporate and market
developments to a greater extent than higher-rated securities which react
primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Short-term
corporate and market developments affecting the prices or liquidity of
lower-rated securities could include adverse news affecting major issuers,
underwriters, or dealers in lower-rated securities. In addition, since there are
fewer investors in lower-rated securities, it may be harder to sell the
securities at an optimum time. As a result of these factors, lower-rated
securities tend to have more price volatility and carry more risk to principal
and income than higher-rated securities.
An economic downturn may adversely affect the value of some lower-rated bonds.
Such a downturn may especially affect highly leveraged companies or companies in
cyclically sensitive industries, where deterioration in a company's cash flow
may impair its ability to meet its obligation to pay principal and interest to
bondholders in a timely fashion. From time to time, as a result of changing
conditions, issuers of lower-rated bonds may seek or may be required to
restructure the terms and conditions of the securities they have issued. As a
result of these restructurings, holders of lower-rated securities may receive
less principal and interest than they had bargained for at the time such bonds
were purchased.
In the event of a restructuring, the Fund may bear additional legal or
administrative expenses in order to maximize recovery from an issuer.
The secondary trading market for lower-rated bonds is generally less liquid than
the secondary trading market for higher-rated bonds. In 1989, legislation was
enacted that requires federally insured savings associations to divest their
holdings of lower-rated bonds by 1994. The reduction of the number of
institutions empowered to purchase and hold lower-rated bonds could have an
adverse impact on the overall liquidity of the market. Adverse publicity and the
perception of investors relating to issuers, underwriters, dealers or underlying
business conditions, whether or not warranted by fundamental analysis, may also
affect the price or liquidity of lower-rated bonds. On occasion, therefore, it
may become difficult to price or dispose of a particular security in the
portfolio.
The Fund may, from time to time, own zero coupon bonds or pay-in-kind
securities. A zero coupon bond makes no periodic interest payments and the
entire obligation becomes due only upon maturity. Pay-in-kind securities make
periodic payments in the form of additional securities (as opposed to cash). The
price of zero coupon bonds and pay-in-kind securities are generally more
sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates than are conventional bonds.
Additionally, federal tax law requires that interest on zero coupon bonds and
pay-in-kind securities be reported as income to the Fund even though the Fund
received no cash interest until the maturity or payment date of such securities.
Many corporate debt obligations, including many lower-rated bonds, permit the
issuers to call the security and thereby redeem their obligations earlier than
the stated maturity dates. Issuers are more likely to call bonds during periods
of declining interest rates. In these cases, if the Fund owns a bond which is
called, the Fund will receive its return of principal earlier than expected and
would likely be required to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates, thus
reducing income to the Fund.
AS A PERCENTAGE
OF TOTAL MARKET VALUE OF
BOND HOLDINGS AS OF
CREDIT RATING DECEMBER 31, 1997
BB & BBB 18.4%
B 70.5%
CCC 3.6%
D 0.1%
Not Rated 7.4%
Total 100.0%
REDUCING RISKS OF LOWER-RATED SECURITIES
The Fund's investment adviser believes that the risks of investing in
lower-rated securities can be reduced. The professional portfolio management
techniques used by the Fund to attempt to reduce these risks include:
CREDIT RESEARCH
The Fund's investment adviser will perform its own credit analysis in addition
to using recognized rating agencies and other sources, including discussions
with the issuer's management, the judgment of other investment analysts, and its
own informed judgment. The adviser's credit analysis will consider the issuer's
financial soundness, its responsiveness to changes in interest rates and
business conditions, and its anticipated cash flow, interest, or dividend
coverage and earnings. In evaluating an issuer, the adviser places special
emphasis on the estimated current value of the issuer's assets rather than
historical cost.
DIVERSIFICATION
The Fund invests in securities of many different issuers, industries, and
economic sectors to reduce portfolio risk.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
The Fund's adviser will analyze current developments and trends in the economy
and in the financial markets. When investing in lower-rated securities, timing
and selection are critical, and analysis of the business cycle can be important.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The Fund will not:
* borrow money directly or through reverse repurchase agreements
(arrangements in which the Fund sells a portfolio instrument for a
percentage of its cash value with an agreement to buy it back on a set
date), or pledge securities except, under certain circumstances, the Fund
may borrow money and engage in reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up
to one-third of the value of its total assets and pledge up to 15% of the
value of those assets to secure such borrowings.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
The following limitation, however, can be changed by the Trustees without
shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material change
in this limitation becomes effective.
The Fund will not:
* invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund fluctuates. It is determined by
dividing the sum of the market value of all securities and other assets of the
Fund, less liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding.
INVESTING IN THE FUND
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Shares of the Fund are not sold directly to the general public. The Fund
reserves the right to reject any purchase request. The Fund's shares are used
solely as the investment vehicle for separate accounts of insurance companies
offering variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. The
use of Fund shares as investments for both variable annuity contracts and
variable life insurance policies is referred to as "mixed funding." The use of
Fund shares as investments by separate accounts of unaffiliated life insurance
companies is referred to as "shared funding."
The Fund intends to engage in mixed funding and shared funding in the future.
Although the Fund does not currently foresee any disadvantage to contract owners
due to differences in redemption rates, tax treatment, or other considerations,
resulting from mixed funding or shared funding, the Trustees of the Fund will
closely monitor the operation of mixed funding and shared funding and will
consider appropriate action to avoid material conflicts and take appropriate
action in response to any material conflicts which occur. Such action could
result in one or more participating insurance companies withdrawing their
investment in the Fund.
Shares of the Fund are purchased or redeemed on behalf of participating
insurance companies at the next computed net asset value after an order is
received on days on which the New York Stock Exchange is open.
WHAT SHARES COST
The net asset value of shares is determined as of the close of trading (normally
4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange, Monday through Friday,
except on: (i) days on which there are not sufficient changes in the value of a
Fund's portfolio securities that its net asset value might be materially
affected; (ii) days on which no shares are tendered for redemption and no orders
to purchase shares are received; or (iii) the following holidays: New Year's
Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Purchase
orders from separate accounts investing in the Fund which are received by the
insurance companies by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time), will be computed at the net
asset value of the Fund determined on that day, as long as such purchase orders
are received by the Fund in proper form and in accordance with applicable
procedures by 8:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the next business day and as long as
federal funds in the amount of such orders are received by the Fund on the next
business day. It is the responsibility of each insurance company which invests
in the Fund to properly transmit purchase orders and federal funds in accordance
with the procedures described above.
DIVIDENDS
Dividends on shares of the Fund are declared and paid annually.
Shares of the Fund will begin earning dividends if owned on the record date.
Dividends of the Fund are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the
Fund on payment dates at the ex-dividend date net asset value.
FUND INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees. The Trustees are responsible for
managing the business affairs of the Trust and for exercising all of the Trust's
powers except those reserved for the shareholders. An Executive Committee of the
Board of Trustees handles the Board's responsibilities between meetings of the
Board.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Pursuant to an investment advisory contract with the Trust, investment decisions
for the Fund are made by Federated Advisers, the Fund's investment adviser,
subject to direction by the Trustees. The adviser continually conducts
investment research and supervision for the Fund and is responsible for the
purchase or sale of portfolio instruments, for which it receives an annual fee
from the Fund.
Both the Fund and the adviser have adopted strict codes of ethics governing the
conduct of all employees who manage the Fund and its portfolio securities. These
codes recognize that such persons owe a fiduciary duty to the Fund's
shareholders and must place the interests of shareholders ahead of the
employees' own interest. Among other things, the codes: require preclearance and
periodic reporting of personal securities transactions; prohibit personal
transactions in securities being purchased or sold, or being considered for
purchase or sale, by the Fund; prohibit purchasing securities in initial public
offerings; and prohibit taking profits on securities held for less than sixty
days. Violations of the codes are subject to review by the Trustees, and could
result in severe penalties.
ADVISORY FEES
The Fund's adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee equal to 0.60% of
the Fund's average daily net assets. The adviser may voluntarily choose to waive
a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The
adviser can terminate this voluntary waiver and reimbursement of expenses at any
time at its sole discretion.
ADVISER'S BACKGROUND
Federated Advisers, a Delaware business trust organized on April 11, 1989, is a
registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. It is a
subsidiary of Federated Investors. All of the Class A (voting) shares of
Federated Investors are owned by a trust, the trustees of which are John F.
Donahue, Chairman and Trustee of Federated Investors, Mr. Donahue's wife, and
Mr. Donahue's son, J. Christopher Donahue, who is President and Trustee of
Federated Investors. Federated Advisers and other subsidiaries of Federated
Investors serve as investment advisers to a number of investment companies and
private accounts. Certain other subsidiaries also provide administrative
services to a number of investment companies. With over $120 billion invested
across more than 300 funds under management and/or administration by its
subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1997, Federated Investors is one of the largest
mutual fund investment managers in the United States. With more than 2,000
employees, Federated continues to be led by the management who founded the
company in 1955. Federated funds are presently at work in and through
approximately 4,000 financial institutions nationwide.
Mark E. Durbiano has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since the Fund
commenced operations. Mr. Durbiano joined Federated Investors in 1982 and
has been a Senior Vice President of the Fund's investment adviser since
January 1996. From 1988 through 1995, Mr. Durbiano was a Vice President of
the Fund's investment adviser. Mr. Durbiano is a Chartered Financial Analyst
and received his M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh.
Stefanie L. Bachhuber has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since April
1998. Ms. Bachhuber joined Federated Investors in 1993 as an Investment
Analyst and has been an Assistant Vice President of the Fund's investment
adviser since 1996. Ms. Bachhuber is a Chartered Financial Analyst and
earned her M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance, from Duke University in
1993.
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
Federated Securities Corp. is the principal distributor for shares of the
Fund. Federated Securities Corp. is located at Federated Investors Tower,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779. It is a Pennsylvania corporation
organized on November 14, 1969, and is the principal distributor for a
number of investment companies. Federated Securities Corp. is a subsidiary
of Federated Investors.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Fund has entered into a Shareholder Services Agreement with Federated
Shareholder Services, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, under which the Fund
may make payments up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of its
shares, computed at an annual rate, to obtain certain personal services for
shareholders and to maintain shareholder accounts. From time to time and for
such periods as deemed appropriate, the amount stated above may be reduced
voluntarily. Under the Shareholder Services Agreement, Federated Shareholder
Services will either perform shareholder services directly or will select
institutions to perform shareholder services. Institutions will receive fees
based upon shares owned by their clients or customers. The schedules of such
fees and the basis upon which such fees will be paid will be determined from
time to time by the Fund and Federated Shareholder Services.
SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Federated Securities Corp., from its own assets, may pay financial institutions
supplemental fees for the performance of substantial sales services,
distribution-related support services, or shareholder services. The support may
include sponsoring sales, educational and training seminars for their employees,
providing sales literature, and engineering computer software programs that
emphasize the attributes of the Fund. Such assistance may be predicated upon the
amount of shares the financial institution sells or may sell and/or upon the
type and nature of sales or marketing support furnished by the financial
institution. Any payments made by the distributor may be reimbursed by the
Fund's investment adviser or its affiliates.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services (including certain legal and financial
reporting services) necessary to operate the Fund at an annual rate which
relates to the average aggregate daily net assets of all funds advised by
affiliates of Federated Investors as specified below:
MAXIMUM AVERAGE AGGREGATE
FEE DAILY NET ASSETS
0.150% on the first $250 million
0.125% on the next $250 million
0.100% on the next $250 million
0.075% on assets in excess of $750 million
The administrative fee received during any fiscal year shall be at least
$125,000 per portfolio and $30,000 per each additional class of shares.
Federated Services Company may choose voluntarily to waive a portion of its fee.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
VOTING RIGHTS
The insurance company separate accounts, as shareholders of the Fund, will vote
the Fund shares held in their separate accounts at meetings of the shareholders.
Voting will be in accordance with instructions received from contract owners of
the separate accounts, as more fully outlined in the prospectus of the separate
account. As of April 8, 1998, Life of Virginia, Richmond, VA, and Aetna
Retirement Services Central Valuation Unit, Hartford, CT, owned approximately
25.19% and 45.42%, respectively, of the voting securities of the Fund, and
therefore, may for certain purposes be deemed to control the Fund and be able to
affect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of shareholders.
Aetna Retirement Services is owned by Aetna Inc. Each share of the Fund
gives the shareholder one vote in Trustee elections and other matters submitted
to shareholders for vote. All shares of each portfolio in the Trust have equal
voting rights except that only shares of the Fund are entitled to vote on
matters affecting only the Fund. As a Massachusetts business trust, the Trust is
not required to hold annual shareholder meetings. Shareholder approval will be
sought only for certain changes in the Trust or the Fund's operation and for the
election of Trustees in certain circumstances.
Trustees may be removed by the Trustees or by shareholders at a special meeting.
A special meeting of shareholders shall be called by the Trustees upon the
written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of
all series of the Trust.
TAX INFORMATION
FEDERAL TAXES
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because the Fund expects to meet
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded to such companies.
The Fund will be treated as a single, separate entity for federal income tax
purposes so that income (including capital gains) and losses realized by the
Trust's other portfolios will not be combined for tax purposes with those
realized by the Fund.
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described earlier in this Prospectus. If the Fund fails to comply with
these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be treated as
annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the applicable contract prospectus for information
concerning the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions
from the Fund to the separate accounts.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
Contract owners are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the status
of their contracts under state and local tax laws.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time the Fund advertises total return and yield. Total return
represents the change, over a specific period of time, in the value of an
investment in the Fund after reinvesting all income and capital gain
distributions. It is calculated by dividing that change by the initial
investment and is expressed as a percentage. The yield of the Fund is calculated
by dividing the net investment income per share (as defined by the SEC) earned
by the Fund over a thirty-day period by the offering price per share of the Fund
on the last day of the period. This number is then annualized using semi-annual
compounding. The yield does not necessarily reflect income actually earned
by the Fund and, therefore, may not correlate to the dividends or other
distributions paid to shareholders. Performance information will not reflect the
charges and expenses of a variable annuity or variable life insurance contract.
Because shares of the Fund can only be purchased by a separate account of an
insurance company offering such a contract, you should review the performance
figures of the contract in which you are invested, which performance figures
will accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance.
From time to time, advertisements for the Fund may refer to ratings, rankings,
and other information in certain financial publications and/or compare the
Fund's performance to certain indices.
APPENDIX
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
AAA--Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA--Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A--Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB--Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB--Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BBB rating.
B--Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to
pay interest and repay principal.
CCC--Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and
is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet
timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse
business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the
capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
The CCC rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that
is assigned an actual or implied B or B- rating.
CC--The rating CC typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that
is assigned an actual or implied B or B- rating.
C--The rating C is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.
D--Debt rated D is in default, and payment of interest and/or repayment of
principal is in arrears.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC., CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa--Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa--Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba--Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B--Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa--Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
Ca--Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C--Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing. FITCH IBCA, INC., LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
AAA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality.
The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay
principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
AA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although
not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the AAA and AA
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments,
short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F-1+.
A--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are
more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore, impair timely
payment.
BB--Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and
repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However,
business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the
obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B--Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely
payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of
safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the
life of the issue.
CCC--Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied, may
lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous
business and economic environment.
CC--Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.
C--Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD, and D--Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such
bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their
ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. DDD
represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and D represents
the lowest potential for recovery.
NR--NR indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus or minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and
minus signs, however, are not used in the AAA category.
STANDARD & POOR'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
A-1--This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
A-2--Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
issues designated A-1.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC., COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Prime-1--Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a
superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1
repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:
* Leading market positions in well established industries.
* High rates of return on funds employed.
* Conservative capitalization structure with moderated reliance on debt
and ample asset protection.
* Broad margins in earning coverage of fixed financial charges and high
internal cash generation.
* Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources
of alternate liquidity.
Prime-2--Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a
strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will
normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser
degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject
to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be
more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
FITCH IBCA, INC., COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS F-1--(Highest Grade)
Commercial paper assigned this rating is regarded as having the strongest degree
of assurance for timely payment.
F-2--(Very Good Grade) Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of
timely payment only slightly less in degree than the strongest issues.
NOTES
[Graphic]
FEDERATED HIGH INCOME BOND FUND II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
PROSPECTUS
APRIL 23, 1998
A Diversified Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, an Open-End
Management Investment Company
FEDERATED
INSURANCE
SERIES
FEDERATED HIGH INCOME BOND FUND II Federated Investors Funds 5800 Corporate
Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000
DISTRIBUTOR
Federated Securities Corp.
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Federated Advisers
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP
2500 One PPG Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-5401
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916306
3113009A (4/98)
[Graphic]
FEDERATED HIGH INCOME BOND FUND II
(A PORTFOLIO OF FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES)
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information should be read with the prospectus of
Federated High Income Bond Fund II (the "Fund"), a portfolio of Federated
Insurance Series (the "Trust") dated April 23, 1998. This Statement is not a
prospectus. You may request a copy of a prospectus or a paper copy of this
Statement, if you have received it electronically, free of charge by calling
1-800-341-7400.
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
FEDERATED INVESTORS FUNDS
5800 CORPORATE DRIVE
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15237-7000
Statement dated April 23, 1998
[Graphic]
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916306
3113009B (4/98)
[Graphic]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION 1 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES 1 Types of Investments
1 Currency Risk 2 Investing in Foreign Currencies 2 Repurchase Agreements 3
Reverse Repurchase Agreements 3 When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions 4
Lending of Portfolio Securities 4 Investing in Securities of Other Investment
Companies 4 Restricted and Illiquid Securities 4 Portfolio Turnover 4
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 4 Selling Short and Buying on Margin 4 Issuing Senior
Securities and Borrowing Money 5 Pledging Assets 5 Concentration of Investments
5 Investing in Commodities 5 Investing in Real Estate 5 Lending Cash or
Securities 5 Underwriting 5 Diversification of Investments 5 Investing in
Restricted and Illiquid Securities 5 FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT 6
Fund Ownership 9 Trustee Compensation 10 Trustee Liability 10 INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES 10 Adviser to the Fund 10 Advisory Fees 11 BROKERAGE
TRANSACTIONS 11 OTHER SERVICES 11 Fund Administration 11 Custodian and
Portfolio Accountant 11 Transfer Agent 11 Independent Auditors 12 PURCHASING
SHARES 12 SHAREHOLDER SERVICES 12 DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE 12 Determining
Market Value of Securities 12 MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW 12 TAX STATUS 13
The Fund's Tax Status 13 Shareholders' Tax Status 13 TOTAL RETURN 13 YIELD 13
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS 14 Economic and Market Information 15 ABOUT FEDERATED
INVESTORS 15 Mutual Fund Market 15 Institutional Clients 15 Bank Marketing 15
Broker/Dealers and Bank Broker/Dealer Subsidiaries 16 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 16
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of the Trust, which was established as Insurance
Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust, under a Declaration of Trust
dated September 15, 1993. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees (the "Trustees")
held on November 14, 1995, the Trustees approved an amendment to the Declaration
of Trust to change the name of the Trust from Insurance Management Series to
Federated Insurance Series. At a meeting of the Trustees held on February 26,
1996, the Trustees approved an amendment to the Declaration of Trust to change
the name of the Fund from Corporate Bond Fund to Federated High Income Bond Fund
II. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series of
shares of beneficial interest in separate portfolios of securities, including
the Fund. The shares in any one portfolio may be offered in separate classes. As
of the date of this Statement, the Trustees have not established separate
classes of shares.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is to seek high current income. The investment
objective cannot be changed without approval of shareholders.
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund endeavors to achieve its objective by investing primarily in a
professionally managed, diversified portfolio of fixed income securities. Some
of these fixed income securities may involve equity features. Capital growth
will be considered, but only when consistent with the investment objective of
high current income.
CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES
Corporate debt securities may bear fixed, fixed and contingent, or variable
rates of interest. They may involve equity features such as conversion or
exchange rights, warrants for the acquisition of common stock of the same or a
different issuer, participations based on revenues, sales or profits, or the
purchase of common stock in a unit transaction (where corporate debt
securities and common stock are offered as a unit).
Equipment lease or trust certificates are secured obligations issued in serial
form, usually sold by transportation companies such as railroads or airlines,
to finance equipment purchases. The certificate holders own a share of the
equipment, which can be resold if the issuer of the certificate defaults. The
Fund does not currently intend to invest more than 5% of its assets in
equipment lease certificates.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
DECS, or similar instruments marketed under different names, offer a
substantial dividend advantage with the possibility of unlimited upside
potential if the price of the underlying common stock exceeds a certain level.
DECS convert to common stock at maturity. The amount received is dependent on
the price of the common stock at the time of maturity. DECS contain two call
options at different strike prices. The DECS participate with the common stock
up to the first call price. They are effectively capped at that point unless
the common stock rises above a second price point, at which time they
participate with unlimited upside potential.
PERCS, or similar instruments marketed under different names, offer a
substantial dividend advantage, but capital appreciation potential is limited
to a predetermined level. PERCS are less risky and less volatile than the
underlying common stock because their superior income mitigates declines when
the common stock falls, while the cap price limits gains when the common stock
rises.
EQUITY SECURITIES
Generally, less than 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets will be
invested in equity securities, including common stocks, warrants, or rights.
The Fund's investment adviser may choose to exceed this 10% limitation if
unusual market conditions suggest such investments represent a better
opportunity to reach the Fund's investment objective.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
The Fund may also invest in temporary investments for defensive purposes
during times of unusual market conditions.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT
The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit of domestic and foreign banks
and savings and loans if they have capital, surplus, and undivided profits of
over $100,000,000, or if the principal amount of the instrument is insured by
the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF) or the Savings Association Insurance Fund
(SAIF), both of which are administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation. These instruments may include Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit
issued by foreign branches of U.S. or foreign banks, Eurodollar Time Deposits
which are U.S. dollar-denominated deposits in foreign branches of U.S. or
foreign banks, Canadian Time Deposits which are U.S. dollar-denominated
deposits issued by branches of major Canadian banks located in the United
States, and Yankee Certificates of Deposit which are U.S. dollar-denominated
certificates of deposit issued by U.S. branches of foreign banks and held in
the United States.
CURRENCY RISK
To the extent that debt securities purchased by the Fund are denominated in
currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in foreign currency exchange
rates will affect the Fund's net asset value, the value of interest earned,
gains and losses realized on the sale of securities, and net investment income
and capital gains, if any, to be distributed to shareholders by the Fund. If the
value of a foreign currency rises against the U.S. dollar, the value of the Fund
assets denominated in that currency will increase; correspondingly, if the value
of a foreign currency declines against the U.S. dollar, the value of Fund assets
denominated in that currency will decrease.
The exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies are a function
of such factors as supply and demand in the currency exchange markets,
international balances of payments, governmental intervention, speculation, and
other economic and political conditions. Although the Fund values its assets
daily in U.S. dollars, the Fund may not convert its holdings of foreign
currencies to U.S. dollars daily. When the Fund converts its holdings to another
currency, it may incur conversion costs. Foreign exchange dealers may realize a
profit on the difference between the price at which they buy and sell
currencies.
The Fund will engage in foreign currency exchange transactions in connection
with its investments in foreign securities. The Fund will conduct its foreign
currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot
rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through forward
contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies.
INVESTING IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order
to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in
the relationship between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency involved in an
underlying transaction. However, forward foreign currency exchange contracts
may limit potential gains which could result from a positive change in such
currency relationships. The Fund's investment adviser believes that it is
important to have the flexibility to enter into forward foreign currency
exchange contracts whenever it determines that it is in the Fund's best
interest to do so. The Fund will not speculate in foreign currency exchange.
There is no limitation as to the percentage of the Fund's assets that may be
committed to such contracts.
The Fund does not enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts or
maintain a net exposure in such contracts when the Fund would be obligated to
deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of the value of the Fund's
portfolio securities or other assets denominated in that currency or, in the
case of a "cross-hedge" denominated in a currency or currencies that the
Fund's adviser believes will tend to be closely correlated with the currency
with regard to price movements. Generally, the Fund does not enter into a
forward foreign currency exchange contract with a term longer than one year.
FOREIGN CURRENCY OPTIONS
A foreign currency option provides the option buyer with the right to buy or
sell a stated amount of foreign currency at the exercise price on a specified
date or during the option period. The owner of a call option has the right,
but not the obligation, to buy the currency. Conversely, the owner of a put
option has the right, but not the obligation to sell the currency.
When the option is exercised, the seller (i.e., writer) of the option is
obligated to fulfill the terms of the sold option. However, either the seller
or the buyer may, in the secondary market, close its position during the
option period at any time prior to expiration.
A call option on foreign currency generally rises in value if the underlying
currency appreciates in value, and a put option on foreign currency generally
falls in value if the underlying currency depreciates in value. Although
purchasing a foreign currency option can protect the Fund against an adverse
movement in the value of a foreign currency, the option will not limit the
movement in the value of such currency. For example, if the Fund were holding
securities denominated in a foreign currency that was appreciating and had
purchased a foreign currency put to hedge against a decline in the value of
the currency, the Fund would not have to exercise its put option. Likewise, if
the Fund were to enter into a contract to purchase a security denominated in
foreign currency and, in conjunction with that purchase, were to purchase a
foreign currency call option to hedge against a rise in value of the currency,
and if the value of the currency instead depreciated between the date of
purchase and the settlement date, the Fund would not have to exercise its
call. Instead, the Fund could acquire in the spot market the amount of foreign
currency needed for settlement.
SPECIAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FOREIGN CURRENCY OPTIONS
Buyers and sellers of foreign currency options are subject to the same risks
that apply to options generally.
In addition, there are certain additional risks associated with foreign
currency options. The markets in foreign currency options are relatively new,
and the Fund's ability to establish and close out positions on such options is
subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market. Although the Fund
will not purchase or write such options unless and until, in the opinion of
the Fund's adviser, the market for them has developed sufficiently to ensure
that the risks in connection with such options are not greater than the risks
in connection with the underlying currency, there can be no assurance that a
liquid secondary market will exist for a particular option at any specific
time.
In addition, options on foreign currencies are affected by all of those
factors that influence foreign exchange rates and investments generally.
The value of a foreign currency option depends upon the value of the
underlying currency relative to the U.S. dollar. As a result, the price of the
option position may vary with changes in the value of either or both
currencies and may have no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign
security. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank
market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be involved in
the use of foreign currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by having
to deal in an odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less
than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less
favorable than for round lots.
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign
currencies or any regulatory requirement that quotations available through
dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis.
Available quotation information is generally representative of very large
transactions in the interbank market and thus may not reflect relatively
smaller transactions (i.e. less than $1 million) where rates may be less
favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global,
around-the-clock market. To the extent that the U.S. option markets are closed
while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, significant price
and rate movements may take place in the underlying markets that cannot be
reflected in the options markets until they reopen.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund or its custodian will take possession of the securities subject to
repurchase agreements, and these securities will be marked to market daily. In
the event that a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or became insolvent,
disposition of such securities by the Fund might be delayed pending court
action. The Fund believes that under the regular procedures normally in effect
for custody of the Fund's portfolio securities subject to repurchase agreements,
a court of competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of the Fund and allow
retention or disposition of such securities. The Fund will only enter into
repurchase agreements with banks and other recognized financial institutions,
such as broker/dealers, which are deemed by the Fund's adviser to be
creditworthy, pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. These transactions are
similar to borrowing cash. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund transfers
possession of a portfolio instrument to another person, such as a financial
institution, broker, or dealer, in return for a percentage of the instrument's
market value in cash, and agrees that on a stipulated date in the future the
Fund will repurchase the portfolio instrument by remitting the original
consideration plus interest at an agreed upon rate.
When effecting reverse repurchase agreements, liquid assets of the Fund, in a
dollar amount sufficient to make payment for the obligations to be purchased,
are segregated at the trade date. These securities are marked to market daily
and maintained until the transaction is settled.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
These transactions are made to secure what is considered to be an advantageous
price or yield for the Fund. No fees or other expenses, other than normal
transaction costs, are incurred. However, liquid assets of the Fund sufficient
to make payment for the securities to be purchased are segregated on the Fund's
records at the trade date. These assets are marked to market daily and are
maintained until the transaction has been settled. The Fund does not intend to
engage in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions to an extent that would
cause the segregation of more than 20% of the total value of its assets.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend its portfolio
securities, up to one-third of the value of its total assets, to broker/dealers,
banks, or other institutional borrowers of securities.
The collateral received when the Fund lends portfolio securities must be valued
daily and, should the market value of the loaned securities increase, the
borrower must furnish additional collateral to the Fund. During the time
portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any dividends or
interest paid on such securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option
of the Fund or the borrower. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and
custodial fees in connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the
interest earned on the cash or cash equivalent collateral to the borrower or
placing broker. The Fund does not have the right to vote securities on loan, but
would terminate the loan and regain the right to vote if that were considered
important with respect to the investment.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest in the securities of affiliated money market funds as an
efficient means of managing the Fund's uninvested cash.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The ability of the Trustees to determine the liquidity of certain restricted
securities is permitted under a Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") staff
position set forth in the adopting release for Rule 144A under the Securities
Act of 1933. The Trustees consider the following criteria in determining the
liquidity of certain restricted securities:
* the frequency of trades and quotes for the security;
* the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the
number of other potential buyers;
* dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and * the nature of
the security and the nature of the marketplace trades.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Securities in the Fund's portfolio will be sold whenever the Fund's investment
adviser believes it is appropriate to do so in light of the Fund's investment
objective, without regard to the length of time a particular security may have
been held. Any such trading will increase the Fund's portfolio turnover rate and
transaction costs. The adviser to the Fund does not anticipate that portfolio
turnover will result in adverse tax consequences. For the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1997 and 1996, the portfolio turnover rates of the Fund were 52%
and 51%, respectively. INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
SELLING SHORT AND BUYING ON MARGIN
The Fund will not sell any securities short or purchase any securities on
margin, but may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for clearance
of purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
ISSUING SENIOR SECURITIES AND BORROWING MONEY
The Fund will not issue senior securities except that the Fund may borrow money
directly or through reverse repurchase agreements as a temporary, extraordinary,
or emergency measure to facilitate management of the portfolio by enabling the
Fund to meet redemption requests when the liquidation of portfolio securities is
deemed to be inconvenient or disadvantageous, and then only in amounts not in
excess of one-third of the value of its total assets; provided that, while
borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements outstanding exceed 5% of the Fund's
total assets, any such borrowings will be repaid before additional investments
are made. The Fund will not borrow money or engage in reverse repurchase
agreements for investment leverage purposes.
PLEDGING ASSETS
The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate any assets except to secure
permitted borrowings. In those cases, it may mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate
assets having a market value not exceeding the lesser of the dollar amounts
borrowed or 15% of the value of its total assets at the time of borrowing.
CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund will not purchase securities if, as a result of such purchase, 25% or
more of its total assets would be invested in any one industry. However, the
Fund may at any time invest 25% or more of its total assets in cash or cash
items and securities issued and/or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its
agencies, or instrumentalities.
INVESTING IN COMMODITIES
The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts, or
commodity futures contracts.
INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE
The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, including limited partnership
interests in real estate, although it may invest in securities of companies
whose business involves the purchase or sale of real estate or in securities
secured by real estate or interests in real estate.
LENDING CASH OR SECURITIES
The Fund will not lend any of its assets, except portfolio securities up to
one-third of its total assets. This shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing
or holding corporate or U.S. government bonds, debentures, notes, certificates
of indebtedness or other debt securities of an issuer, entering into repurchase
agreements, or engaging in other transactions which are permitted by the Fund's
investment objective and policies or the Trust's Declaration of Trust.
UNDERWRITING
The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities, except as it may be deemed
to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the
sale of securities in accordance with its investment objective, policies, and
limitations.
DIVERSIFICATION OF INVESTMENTS
With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund will not purchase the
securities of any one issuer (other than cash, cash items, or securities issued
and/or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies, or instrumentalities,
and repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities) if, as a result,
more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of that
issuer. Also, the Fund will not purchase more than 10% of any class of the
outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. For these purposes, the Fund
considers common stock and all preferred stock of an issuer each as a single
class, regardless of priorities, series, designations, or other differences.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
The following limitations, however, may be changed by the Trustees without
shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material changes
in these limitations becomes effective.
INVESTING IN RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund will not invest more than 15% of its total assets in illiquid
securities, including repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more
than seven days after notice and certain restricted securities not determined to
be liquid under criteria established by the Trustees.
Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage limitation is adhered to
at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting
from any change in value of total or net assets will not result in a violation
of such restriction.
The Fund has no present intention to borrow money in excess of 5% of the value
of its net assets during the coming fiscal year.
For purposes of its policies and limitations, the Fund considers certificates of
deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank
or savings association having capital, surplus, and undivided profits in excess
of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be "cash items."
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT
Officers and Trustees are listed with their addresses, birthdates, present
positions with Federated Insurance Series, and principal occupations.
John F. Donahue@*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 28, 1924
Chairman and Trustee
Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; Chairman and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Chairman, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Chief Executive Officer and Director or Trustee of the
Funds. Mr. Donahue is the father of J. Christopher Donahue, President and
Trustee of the Company.
Thomas G. Bigley
15 Old Timber Trail
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: February 3, 1934
Trustee
Director, Member of Executive Committee, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh;
formerly, Senior Partner, Ernst & Young LLP; Director, MED 3000 Group, Inc.;
Director, Member of Executive Committee, University of Pittsburgh; Director
or Trustee of the Funds.
John T. Conroy, Jr.
Wood/IPC Commercial Department
John R. Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors
3255 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL
Birthdate: June 23, 1937
Trustee
President, Investment Properties Corporation; Senior Vice President, John R.
Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors; Partner or Trustee in private real
estate ventures in Southwest Florida; formerly, President, Naples Property
Management, Inc. and Northgate Village Development Corporation; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Nicholas P. Constantakis
175 Woodshire Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 3, 1939
Trustee
Formerly, Partner, Andersen Worldwide SC; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
William J. Copeland
One PNC Plaza--23rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 4, 1918
Trustee
Director and Member of the Executive Committee, Michael Baker, Inc.;
formerly, Vice Chairman and Director, PNC Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank Corp.;
Director, Ryan Homes, Inc.; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
J. Christopher Donahue*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: April 11, 1949
President and Trustee
President and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; President and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; President, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company and
Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Services Company;
President or Executive Vice President of the Funds; Director or Trustee of
some of the Funds. Mr. Donahue is the son of John F. Donahue, Chairman and
Trustee of the Company.
James E. Dowd
571 Hayward Mill Road
Concord, MA
Birthdate: May 18, 1922
Trustee
Attorney-at-law; Director, The Emerging Germany Fund, Inc.; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.*
3471 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1111
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 11, 1932
Trustee
Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Medical Director, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center--Downtown; Member, Board of Directors, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center; formerly, Hematologist, Oncologist, and Internist,
Presbyterian and Montefiore Hospitals; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr.@
Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba
205 Ross Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 18, 1924
Trustee
Attorney of Counsel, Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba; Director, Eat'N Park
Restaurants, Inc.; formerly, Counsel, Horizon Financial, F.A., Western
Region; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Peter E. Madden
One Royal Palm Way
100 Royal Palm Way
Palm Beach, FL
Birthdate: March 16, 1942
Trustee
Consultant; Former State Representative, Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
formerly, President, State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Boston
Corporation; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
John E. Murray, Jr., J.D., S.J.D.
President, Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: December 20, 1932
Trustee
President, Law Professor, Duquesne University; Consulting Partner, Mollica &
Murray; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Wesley W. Posvar
1202 Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 14, 1925
Trustee
Professor, International Politics; Management Consultant; Trustee, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, RAND Corporation, Online Computer Library
Center, Inc., National Defense University, and U.S. Space Foundation;
President Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh; Founding Chairman, National
Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology, Federal Emergency
Management Advisory Board, and Czech Management Center, Prague; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Marjorie P. Smuts
4905 Bayard Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 21, 1935
Trustee
Public Relations/Marketing/Conference Planning; Director or Trustee of the
Funds.
Edward C. Gonzales
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 22, 1930
Executive Vice President
Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Vice President,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, Federated Research, Federated Research
Corp., Federated Global Research Corp., and Passport Research, Ltd.; Executive
Vice President and Director, Federated Securities Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Trustee or Director of some of the Funds;
President, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of some of the Funds.
John W. McGonigle
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 26, 1938
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Trustee,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, and Federated Research; Director,
Federated Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company; President
and Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Securities
Corp.; Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Funds; Treasurer of some of
the Funds.
Richard B. Fisher
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: May 17, 1923
Vice President
Executive Vice President and Trustee, Federated Investors; Chairman and
Director, Federated Securities Corp.; President or Vice President of some of
the Funds; Director or Trustee of some of the Funds.
* This Trustee is deemed to be an "interested person" as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
@ Member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the Board of
Trustees handles the responsibilities of the Board between meetings of the
Board.
As used in the table above, "The Funds" and "Funds" mean the following
investment companies: 111 Corcoran Funds; Automated Government Money Trust;
Blanchard Funds; Blanchard Precious Metals Fund, Inc.; Cash Trust Series II;
Cash Trust Series, Inc.; DG Investor Series; Edward D. Jones & Co. Daily
Passport Cash Trust; Federated Adjustable Rate U.S. Government Fund, Inc.;
Federated American Leaders Fund, Inc.; Federated ARMs Fund; Federated Core
Trust; Federated Equity Funds; Federated Equity Income Fund, Inc.; Federated
Fund for U.S. Government Securities, Inc.; Federated GNMA Trust; Federated
Government Income Securities, Inc.; Federated Government Trust; Federated High
Income Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated High Yield Trust; Federated Income Securities
Trust; Federated Income Trust; Federated Index Trust; Federated Institutional
Trust; Federated Insurance Series; Federated Investment Portfolios; Federated
Investment Trust; Federated Master Trust; Federated Municipal Opportunities
Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal Securities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal
Trust; Federated Short-Term Municipal Trust; Federated Short-Term U.S.
Government Trust; Federated Stock and Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated Stock Trust;
Federated Tax-Free Trust; Federated Total Return Series, Inc.; Federated U.S.
Government Bond Fund; Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 1-3 Years;
Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 Years; Federated U.S. Government
Securities Fund: 5-10 Years; Federated Utility Fund, Inc.; First Priority Funds;
Fixed Income Securities, Inc.; High Yield Cash Trust; Intermediate Municipal
Trust; International Series, Inc.; Investment Series Funds, Inc.; Investment
Series Trust; Liberty Term Trust, Inc.--1999; Liberty U.S. Government Money
Market Trust; Liquid Cash Trust; Managed Series Trust; Money Market Management,
Inc.; Money Market Obligations Trust; Money Market Obligations Trust II; Money
Market Trust; Municipal Securities Income Trust; Newpoint Funds; RIMCO Monument
Funds; Targeted Duration Trust; Tax-Free Instruments Trust; The Planters Funds;
The Virtus Funds; Trust for Financial Institutions; Trust for Government Cash
Reserves; Trust for Short-Term U.S. Government Securities; Trust for U.S.
Treasury Obligations; WesMark Funds; WCT Funds; and World Investment Series,
Inc. FUND OWNERSHIP
Officers and Trustees own less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding shares. As
of April 8, 1998, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of the Fund: Aetna Retirement Services, Hartford, CT, owned
approximately 7,491,744 shares (45.42%); Life of Virginia, Richmond, VA, owned
approximately 4,154,795 shares (25.19%); and Lincoln Benefit Life Co., Lincoln,
NE, owned approximately 1,411,163 shares (8.56%).
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
AGGREGATE
NAME, COMPENSATION
POSITION WITH FROM TOTAL COMPENSATION PAID
TRUST TRUST*# FROM FUND COMPLEX+
John F. Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
Chairman and Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Thomas G. Bigley $177.15 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John T. Conroy, Jr. $194.91 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Nicholas P. Constantakis++ $0 $0 for the Trust and
Trustee 34 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
William J. Copeland $194.91 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
J. Christopher Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
President and Trustee 18 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
James E. Dowd $194.91 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D. $177.15 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr. $194.91 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Peter E. Madden $177.15 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John E. Murray, Jr. $177.15 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Wesley W. Posvar $177.15 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Marjorie P. Smuts $177.15 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
* Information is furnished for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
# The aggregate compensation is provided for the Trust which is comprised of
eight portfolios.
+ The information is provided for the last calendar year.
++ Mr. Constantakis became a member of the Board of Trustees on February 23,
1998. He did not receive any fees as of the fiscal year end of the Trust.
TRUSTEE LIABILITY
The Trust's Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees will not be liable
for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, they are not
protected against any liability to which they would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their office.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
ADVISER TO THE FUND
The Fund's investment adviser is Federated Advisers. It is a subsidiary of
Federated Investors. All voting securities of Federated Investors are owned
by a trust, the trustees of which are John F. Donahue, his wife, and his
son, J. Christopher Donahue.
The adviser shall not be liable to the Fund, the Trust, or any shareholder of
the Fund for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding, or sale
of any security or for anything done or omitted by it, except acts or omissions
involving willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of the duties imposed upon it by its contract with the Trust.
ADVISORY FEES
For its advisory services, Federated Advisers receives an annual investment
advisory fee as described in the prospectus.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the adviser earned
advisory fees of $637,608, $240,233, and $46,425, respectively, of which
$95,075, $203,132, and $46,425, respectively, were voluntarily waived.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio
instruments, the adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable
price. In working with dealers, the adviser will generally use those who are
recognized dealers in specific portfolio instruments, except when a better price
and execution of the order can be obtained elsewhere. The adviser makes
decisions on portfolio transactions and selects brokers and dealers subject to
guidelines established by the Trustees. The adviser may select brokers and
dealers who offer brokerage and research services. These services may be
furnished directly to the Fund or to the adviser and may include: advice as to
the advisability of investing in securities; security analysis and reports;
economic studies; industry studies; receipt of quotations for portfolio
evaluations; and similar services. Research services provided by brokers and
dealers may be used by the adviser or by affiliates in advising the Fund and
other accounts. To the extent that receipt of these services may supplant
services for which the adviser or its affiliates might otherwise have paid, it
would tend to reduce their expenses. The adviser and its affiliates exercise
reasonable business judgment in selecting brokers who offer brokerage and
research services to execute securities transactions. They determine in good
faith that commissions charged by such persons are reasonable in relationship to
the value of the brokerage and research services provided. During the fiscal
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Fund paid no brokerage
commissions on brokerage transactions. Although investment decisions for
the Fund are made independently from those of the other accounts managed by the
adviser, investments of the type the Fund may make may also be made by those
other accounts. When the Fund and one or more other accounts managed by the
adviser are prepared to invest in, or desire to dispose of, the same security,
available investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated in a manner
believed by the adviser to be equitable to each. In some cases, this procedure
may adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the
position obtained or disposed of by the Fund. In other cases, however, it is
believed that coordination and the ability to participate in volume transactions
will be to the benefit of the Fund.
OTHER SERVICES
FUND ADMINISTRATION
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services to the Fund for a fee as described in the
prospectus. From March 1, 1994 to March 1, 1996, Federated Administrative
Services, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, served as the Fund's
Administrator. For purposes of this Statement of Additional Information,
Federated Services Company and Federated Administrative Services may hereinafter
collectively be referred to as the "Administrators." For the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Administrators earned $125,002, $125,000,
and $125,000, respectively. CUSTODIAN AND PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTANT
State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA, is custodian for the securities
and cash of the Fund. Federated Services Company, Pittsburgh, PA, provides
certain accounting and recordkeeping services with respect to the Fund's
portfolio investments. The fee paid for this service is based upon the level of
the Fund's average net assets for the period plus out-of-pocket expenses.
TRANSFER AGENT
Federated Services Company, through its registered transfer agent, Federated
Shareholder Services Company, maintains all necessary shareholder records. For
its services, the transfer agent receives a fee based on the size, type, and
number of accounts and transactions made by shareholders.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The independent auditors for the Fund are Deloitte & Touche LLP, Pittsburgh, PA.
PURCHASING SHARES
Shares of the Fund are sold at their net asset value without a sales charge on
days the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. The procedure for
purchasing shares of the Fund is explained in the prospectus under "Purchases
and Redemptions" and "What Shares Cost."
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
This arrangement permits the payment of fees to Federated Shareholder Services
to cause services to be provided which are necessary for the maintenance of
shareholder accounts and to encourage personal services to shareholders by a
representative who has knowledge of the shareholder's particular circumstances
and goals. These activities and services may include but are not limited to
providing office space, equipment, telephone facilities, and various clerical,
supervisory, computer, and other personnel as necessary or beneficial to
establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records; processing purchase and
redemption transactions and automatic investments of client account cash
balances; answering routine client inquiries; and assisting clients in changing
dividend options, account designations, and addresses.
By adopting the Shareholder Services Agreement, the Trustees expect that the
Fund will benefit by: (1) providing personal services to shareholders; (2)
investing shareholder assets with a minimum of delay and administrative detail;
(3) enhancing shareholder recordkeeping systems; and (4) responding promptly to
shareholders' requests and inquiries concerning their accounts.
The Shareholder Services Agreement was not in effect in the Fund's fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997.
DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of the Fund generally changes each day. The days on which
net asset value is calculated by the Fund are described in the prospectus.
DETERMINING MARKET VALUE OF SECURITIES
The values of the Fund's portfolio securities are determined as follows:
* for equity securities and bonds and other fixed income securities,
according to the last sale price on a national securities exchange, if
available;
* in the absence of recorded sales for equity securities, according to
the mean between the last closing bid and asked prices;
* for bonds and other fixed income securities, at the last sale price on a
national securities exchange, if available; otherwise, as determined by an
independent pricing service;
* for unlisted equity securities, the latest mean prices; * for short-term
obligations, according to the mean between bid and asked
prices as furnished by an independent pricing service; or
* for all other securities, at fair value as determined in good faith by
the Trustees.
MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW
Under certain circumstances, shareholders may be held personally liable as
partners under Massachusetts law for obligations of the Trust. To protect its
shareholders, the Trust has filed legal documents with Massachusetts that
expressly disclaim the liability of its shareholders for acts or obligations of
the Trust. These documents require notice of this disclaimer to be given in each
agreement, obligation, or instrument the Trust or its Trustees enter into or
sign.
In the unlikely event a shareholder is held personally liable for the Trust's
obligations, the Trust is required by the Declaration of Trust to use its
property to protect or compensate the shareholder. On request, the Trust will
defend any claim made and pay any judgment against a shareholder for any act or
obligation of the Trust. Therefore, financial loss resulting from liability as a
shareholder will occur only if the Trust itself cannot meet its obligations to
indemnify shareholders and pay judgments against them.
TAX STATUS
THE FUND'S TAX STATUS
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because it expects to meet the
requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded
to such companies. To qualify for this treatment, the Fund must, among other
requirements:
* derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, and
gains from the sale of securities;
* invest in securities within certain statutory limits; and
* distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its net income earned
during the year.
SHAREHOLDERS' TAX STATUS
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described in the prospectus and this Statement. If the Fund fails to
comply with these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be
treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal
Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the contract prospectus for information concerning
the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions from the
Fund to the separate accounts.
TOTAL RETURN
The Fund's average annual total returns for the one-year period ended December
31, 1997, and for the period from February 2, 1994 (date of initial public
investment) to December 31, 1997, were 13.83% and 11.33%, respectively. The
average annual total return for the Fund is the average compounded rate of
return for a given period that would equate a $1,000 initial investment to the
ending redeemable value of that investment. The ending redeemable value is
computed by multiplying the number of shares owned at the end of the period by
the offering price per share at the end of the period. The number of shares
owned at the end of the period is based on the number of shares purchased at the
beginning of the period with $1,000, adjusted over the period by any additional
shares, assuming the monthly reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.
You should review the performance figures for your insurance contract, which
figures reflect the applicable charges and expenses of the contract. Such
performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance.
YIELD
The Fund's 30-day yield for the thirty day period ended December 31, 1997, was
7.86%.
The Fund's yield is determined by dividing the net investment income per share
(as defined by the SEC) earned by the Fund over a thirty-day period by the
offering price per share of the Fund on the last day of the period. This value
is then annualized using semi-annual compounding. This means that the amount of
income generated during the thirty-day period is assumed to be generated each
month over a twelve month period and is reinvested every six months. The yield
does not necessarily reflect income actually earned by the Fund because of
certain adjustments required by the SEC and, therefore, may not correlate to the
dividends or other distributions paid to shareholders. Also the yield does not
reflect the charges and expenses of an insurance contract. You should review the
performance figures for your insurance contract, which figures reflect the
applicable charges and expenses of the contract. Such performance figures will
accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance. PERFORMANCE
COMPARISONS
The Fund's performance depends upon such variables as:
* portfolio quality;
* average portfolio maturity;
* type of instruments in which the portfolio is invested; * changes in
interest rates and market value of portfolio securities; * changes in Fund
expenses; and * the relative amount of the Fund's cash flow.
The Fund's performance fluctuates on a daily basis largely because net earnings
and offering price per share fluctuate daily. Both net earnings and offering
price per share are factors in the computation of yield and total return.
Investors may use financial publications and/or indices to obtain a more
complete view of the Fund's performance. When comparing performance, investors
should consider all relevant factors such as the composition of any index used,
prevailing market conditions, portfolio compositions of other funds, and methods
used to value portfolio securities and compute offering price. The financial
publications and/or indices which the Fund uses in advertising may include:
* LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC., ranks funds in various fund categories by
making comparative calculations using total return. Total return assumes
the reinvestment of all income dividends and capital gains distributions,
if any. From time to time, the Fund will quote its Lipper ranking in the
high current yield funds category in advertising and sales literature.
* LIPPER HIGH CURRENT YIELD AVERAGE is composed of approximately 141 funds
which invest at least 65% of their assets in investment grade debt issues
(rated in top four grades) with dollar-weighted average maturities of five
to ten years. From time to time, the Fund will compare its total return to
the average total return of the funds comprising the average for the same
calculation period.
* LEHMAN BROTHERS GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE (TOTAL) INDEX is comprised of
approximately 5,000 issues which include: non-convertible bonds publicly
issued by the U.S. government or its agencies; corporate bonds guaranteed
by the U.S. government and quasi-federal corporations; and publicly issued,
fixed-rate, non-convertible domestic bonds of companies in industry, public
utilities, and finance. The average maturity of these bonds approximates
nine years. Tracked by Lehman Brothers, Inc., the index calculates total
returns for one month, three month, twelve month, and ten year periods and
year-to-date.
* LEHMAN BROTHERS AGGREGATE BOND INDEX is an unmanaged index measuring
both the capital price changes and income provided by the underlying
universe of securities, comprised of U.S. Treasury obligations, U.S.
agency obligations, foreign obligations, U.S. investment-grade
corporate debt and mortgage-backed obligations.
* LEHMAN BROTHERS GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE (LONG-TERM) INDEX is composed of the
same types of issues as defined above. However, the average maturity of the
bonds included on this index approximates 22 years.
* LEHMAN BROTHERS HIGH YIELD INDEX and its sub-indices are based on credit
quality and/or duration. The Lehman Brothers High Yield Index covers the
universe of fixed rate, publicly issued, noninvestment grade debt
registered with the SEC. All bonds included in the Lehman Brothers High
Yield Index must be dollar-denominated and nonconvertible and have at least
one year remaining to maturity and an outstanding par value of at least
$100 million. Generally securities must be rated Ba1 or lower by Moody's
Investors Service, including defaulted issues. If no Moody's rating is
available, bonds must be rated BB+ or lower by S&P; and if no S&P rating is
available, bonds must be rated below investment grade by Fitch IBCA, Inc. A
small number of unrated bonds are included in the index; to be eligible
they must have previously held a high yield rating or have been associated
with a high yield issuer, and must trade accordingly.
* MORNINGSTAR, INC., an independent rating service, is the publisher of the
bi-weekly Mutual Fund Values. Mutual Fund Values rates more than 1,000
NASDAQ-listed mutual funds of all types, according to their risk adjusted
returns. The maximum rating is five stars and ratings are effective for two
weeks.
Advertisements and sales literature for the Fund may quote total returns which
are calculated on nonstandardized base periods. These total returns also
represent the historic change in the value of an investment in the Fund based on
monthly reinvestment of dividends over a specified period of time.
From time to time as it deems appropriate, the Fund may advertise its
performance using charts, graphs, and descriptions, compared to federally
insured bank products, including certificates of deposit and time deposits, and
to money market funds using the Lipper Analytical Services money market
instrument average.
Advertising and other promotional literature may include charts, graphs, and
other illustrations using the Fund's returns, or returns in general, that
demonstrate basic investment concepts such as tax-deferred compounding,
dollar-cost averaging and systematic investment. In addition, the Fund can
compare its performance, or performance for the types of securities in which it
invests, to a variety of other investments, such as bank savings accounts,
certificates of deposit, and Treasury bills.
ECONOMIC AND MARKET INFORMATION
Advertising and sales literature for the Fund may include discussions of
economic, financial, and political developments and their effect on the
securities market. Such discussions may take the form of commentary on these
developments by Fund portfolio managers and their views and analysis on how such
developments could affect the Funds. In addition, advertising and sales
literature may quote statistics and give general information about the mutual
fund industry, including the growth of the industry, from sources such as the
Investment Company Institute.
ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS
Federated Investors is dedicated to meeting investor needs which is reflected in
its investment decision making--structured, straightforward, and consistent.
This has resulted in a history of competitive performance with a range of
competitive investment products that have gained the confidence of thousands of
clients and their customers.
The company's disciplined security selection process is firmly rooted in sound
methodologies backed by fundamental and technical research. Investment decisions
are made and executed by teams of portfolio managers, analysts, and traders
dedicated to specific market sectors. These traders handle trillions of dollars
in annual trading volume. In the corporate bond sector, as of December 31,
1997, Federated Investors managed 11 money market funds and 16 bond funds with
assets approximating $17.1 billion and $5.6 billion, respectively. Federated
Investors' corporate bond decision making--based on intensive, diligent credit
analysis--is backed by over 22 years of experience in the corporate bond sector.
In 1972, Federated introduced one of the first high-yield bond funds in the
industry. In 1983, Federated was one of the first fund managers to participate
in the asset-backed securities market, a market totaling more than $200 billion.
J. Thomas Madden, Executive Vice President, oversees Federated Investors'
equity and high yield corporate bond management while William D. Dawson,
Executive Vice President, oversees Federated Investors' domestic fixed income
management. Henry A. Frantzen, Executive Vice President, oversees the management
of Federated Investors' international and global portfolios.
MUTUAL FUND MARKET
Thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $4.4 trillion to the more than 6,700 funds available.*
Federated Investors, through its subsidiaries, distributes mutual funds for a
variety of investment applications. Specific markets include:
INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS
Federated Investors meets the needs of approximately 900 institutional clients
nationwide by managing and servicing separate accounts and mutual funds for a
variety of applications, including defined benefit and defined contribution
programs, cash management, and asset/liability management. Institutional clients
include corporations, pension funds, tax-exempt entities,
foundations/endowments, insurance companies, and investment and financial
advisors. The marketing effort to these institutional clients is headed by John
B. Fisher, President, Institutional Sales Division.
BANK MARKETING
Other institutional clients include close relationships with more than 1,600
banks and trust organizations. Virtually all of the trust divisions of the top
100 bank holding companies use Federated funds in their clients' portfolios. The
marketing effort to trust clients is headed by Timothy C. Pillion, Senior Vice
President, Bank Marketing & Sales.
*Source: Investment Company Institute
BROKER/DEALERS AND BANK BROKER/DEALER SUBSIDIARIES
Federated funds are available to consumers through major brokerage firms
nationwide--we have over 2,200 broker/dealer and bank broker/dealer
relationships across the country -- supported by more wholesalers than any other
mutual fund distributor. Federated Investors' service to financial professionals
and institutions has earned it high ratings in several surveys performed by
DALBAR, Inc. DALBAR is recognized as the industry benchmark for service quality
measurement. The marketing effort to these firms is headed by James F. Getz,
President, Federated Securities Corp.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, are
incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report of the Fund dated December
31, 1997 (File Nos. 33-69268 and 811-8042). A copy of the Report may be obtained
without charge by contacting the Fund.
Federated Prime Money Fund II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
PROSPECTUS
This prospectus offers shares of Federated Prime Money Fund II (the "Fund"),
which is an investment portfolio in Federated Insurance Series (the "Trust"), an
open-end management investment company. The Fund invests in money market
instruments maturing in thirteen months or less to achieve current income
consistent with stability of principal and liquidity. Shares of the Fund may
only be sold to separate accounts of insurance companies to serve as the
investment medium for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity
contracts issued by insurance companies.
AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND IS NEITHER INSURED NOR GUARANTEED BY THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT. THE FUND ATTEMPTS TO MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00 PER
SHARE; THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE FUND WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO.
THE SHARES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY
BANK, ARE NOT ENDORSED OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
This prospectus contains the information you should read and know before you
invest in the Fund through the variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance policies offered by insurance companies which provide for investment
in the Fund. Keep this prospectus for future reference.
The Fund has also filed a Statement of Additional Information dated April 23,
1998, with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The information
contained in the Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. You may request a copy of the Statement of
Additional Information, or a paper copy of this prospectus, if you have received
your prospectus electronically, free of charge by calling 1-800-341-7400. To
obtain other information or to make inquiries about the Fund, contact the Fund
at the address listed in the back of this prospectus. The Statement of
Additional Information, material incorporated by reference into this document,
and other information regarding the Fund is maintained electronically with the
SEC at Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
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 SHARES ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AS FUNDING VEHICLES FOR LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANIES WRITING VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS AND VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE
POLICIES. THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE PROSPECTUS FOR SUCH
CONTRACTS.
Prospectus dated April 23, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Financial Highlights 1
General Information 2
Investment Information 2
Investment Objective 2
Investment Policies 2
Investment Risks 5
Investment Limitations 5
Net Asset Value 5
Investing in the Fund 5
Purchases and Redemptions 5
What Shares Cost 5
Dividends 6
Fund Information 6
Management of the Fund 6
Distribution of Shares 6
Administration of the Fund 7
Shareholder Information 7
Voting Rights 7
Tax Information 7
Federal Taxes 7
State and Local Taxes 8
Performance Information 8
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
The following table has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund's
independent auditors. Their report, dated February 6, 1998, on the Fund's
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1997, and on the following
table for the periods presented, is included in the Fund's Annual Report, which
is herein incorporated by reference. This table should be read in conjunction
with the Fund's financial statements and notes thereto, contained in the Fund's
Annual Report, which may be obtained free of charge.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996 1995 1994(A)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.01
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net investment income (0.05) (0.05) (0.05) (0.01)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
TOTAL RETURN(B) 4.93% 4.75% 5.20% 0.50%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 0.80% 0.80% 0.80% 0.80%*
Net investment income 4.84% 4.68% 5.12% 4.26%*
Expense waiver(c) 0.20% 0.57% 2.69% 71.84%*
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $59,659 $45,655 $17,838 $552
</TABLE>
* Computed on an annualized basis.
(a) Reflects operations for the period from November 18, 1994 (date of initial
public investment) to December 31, 1994. For the period from December 10, 1993
(start of business) to November 17, 1994, the Fund had no public investment.
(b) Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
(c) This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and net
investment income ratios shown above.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PERFORMANCE IS CONTAINED IN THE FUND'S
ANNUAL REPORT DATED DECEMBER 31, 1997, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, which was established as
Insurance Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust, under a Declaration
of Trust dated September 15, 1993. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to
offer separate series of shares of beneficial interest in separate portfolios of
securities, including the Fund. The shares in any one portfolio may be offered
in separate classes. As of the date of this prospectus, the Board of Trustees
("Trustees") have not established separate classes of shares. Shares of the
Fund are sold only to insurance companies as funding vehicles for variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the insurance
companies. Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value as described in the
section entitled "What Shares Cost." Shares of the Fund are redeemed at net
asset value.
INVESTMENT INFORMATION
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide current income consistent
with stability of principal and liquidity. The investment objective cannot be
changed without approval of shareholders. While there is no assurance that the
Fund will achieve its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by complying
with the diversification and other requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 which regulates money market mutual funds and by
following the investment policies described in this prospectus.
Investment Policies
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing exclusively in a
portfolio of money market instruments maturing in 397 days or less. The average
maturity of the money market instruments in the Fund's portfolio, computed on a
dollar-weighted basis, will be 90 days or less. Unless indicated otherwise, the
investment policies of the Fund may be changed by Trustees without the approval
of shareholders. Shareholders will be notified before any material change in
these policies becomes effective.
Acceptable Investments
The Fund invests in high-quality money market instruments that are either rated
in one of the two highest short-term rating categories by one or more nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) or of comparable quality to
securities having such ratings. Examples of these instruments include, but are
not limited to:
* domestic issues of corporate debt obligations, including variable rate
demand notes;
* commercial paper (including Canadian Commercial Paper ("CCP") and
Europaper);
* certificates of deposit, demand and time deposits, bankers' acceptances and
other instruments of domestic and foreign banks and other deposit
institutions ("Bank Instruments");
* short-term credit facilities, such as demand notes; * asset-backed
securities; * obligations issued or guaranteed as to payment of principal and
interest by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or
instrumentalities ("Government Securities");
* repurchase agreements; and
* other money market instruments.
The Fund invests only in instruments denominated and payable in U.S.
dollars.
VARIABLE RATE DEMAND NOTES
Variable rate demand notes are long-term corporate debt instruments that have
variable or floating interest rates and provide the Fund with the right to
tender the security for repurchase at its stated principal amount plus accrued
interest. Such securities typically bear interest at a rate that is intended to
cause the securities to trade at par. The interest rate may float or be adjusted
at regular intervals (ranging from daily to annually), and is normally based on
a published interest rate or interest rate index. Most variable rate demand
notes allow the Fund to demand the repurchase of the security on not more than
seven days prior notice. Other notes only permit the Fund to tender the security
at the time of each interest rate adjustment or at other fixed intervals. See
"Demand Features." The Fund treats variable rate demand notes as maturing on the
later of the date of the next interest adjustment or the date on which the Fund
may next tender the security for repurchase.
BANK INSTRUMENTS
The Fund only invests in bank instruments either issued by an institution having
capital, surplus and undivided profits over $100 million or insured by the Bank
Insurance Fund (BIF) or the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF). Bank
instruments may include Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit ("ECDs"), Yankee
Certificates of Deposit ("Yankee CDs") and Eurodollar Time Deposits ("ETDs").
The Fund will treat securities credit-enhanced by a bank as bank instruments.
SHORT-TERM CREDIT FACILITIES
Demand notes are short-term borrowing arrangements between a corporation and an
institutional lender (such as the Fund) payable upon demand by either party. The
notice period for demand typically ranges from one to seven days, and the party
may demand full or partial payment. The Fund may also enter into, or acquire
participations in, short-term revolving credit facilities with corporate
borrowers. Demand notes and other short-term credit arrangements usually provide
for floating or variable rates of interest.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
Asset-backed securities are securities issued by special purpose entities whose
primary assets consist of a pool of loans or accounts receivable. The securities
may take the form of beneficial interest in a special purpose trust, limited
partnership interests or commercial paper or other debt securities issued by a
special purpose corporation. Although the securities often have some form of
credit or liquidity enhancement, payments on the securities depend predominately
upon collections of the loans and receivables held by the issuer.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Repurchase agreements are arrangements in which banks, broker/dealers, and other
recognized financial institutions sell U.S. government securities or other
securities to the Fund and agree at the time of sale to repurchase them at a
mutually agreed upon time and price. The Fund or its custodian will take
possession of the securities subject to repurchase agreements, and these
securities will be marked to market daily. To the extent that the original
seller does not repurchase the securities from the Fund, the Fund could receive
less than the repurchase price on any sale of such securities. In the event that
such a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or became insolvent, disposition
of such securities by the Fund might be delayed pending court action. The Fund
believes that under the regular procedures normally in effect for custody of the
Fund's portfolio securities subject to repurchase agreements, a court of
competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of the Fund and allow retention or
disposition of such securities. The Fund will only enter into repurchase
agreements with banks and other recognized financial institutions such as
broker/dealers which are deemed by the Fund's adviser to be creditworthy
pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees.
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
Certain of the Fund's acceptable investments may have been credit-enhanced by a
guaranty, letter of credit or insurance. Any bankruptcy, receivership, default,
or change in the credit quality of the party providing the credit enhancement
will adversely affect the quality and marketability of the underlying security
and could cause losses to the Fund and affect its share price. DEMAND
FEATURES
The Fund may acquire securities that are subject to puts and standby commitments
("demand features") to purchase the securities at their principal amount
(usually with accrued interest) within a fixed period (usually seven days)
following a demand by the Fund. The demand feature may be issued by the issuer
of the underlying securities, a dealer in the securities or by another third
party, and may not be transferred separately from the underlying security. The
Fund uses these arrangements to provide the Fund with liquidity and not to
protect against changes in the market value of the underlying securities. The
bankruptcy, receivership or default by the issuer of the demand feature, or a
default on the underlying security or other event that terminates the demand
feature before its exercise, will adversely affect the liquidity of the
underlying security. Demand features that are exercisable even after a payment
default on the underlying security may be treated as a form of credit
enhancement.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies as an
efficient means of carrying out its investment policies. It should be noted that
investment companies incur certain expenses, such as management fees, and,
therefore, any investment by the Fund in shares of other investment companies
may be subject to such duplicate expenses.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities are any
securities in which the Fund may invest pursuant to its investment objective and
policies but which are subject to restriction on resale under federal securities
law. Under criteria established by the Trustees, certain restricted securities
are determined to be liquid. To the extent restricted securities are not
determined to be liquid, the Fund will limit their purchase together with other
illiquid securities including non-negotiable time deposits, repurchase
agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice, and
over-the-counter options to 10% of its net assets. LENDING OF PORTFOLIO
SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend its portfolio
securities on a short-term or long-term basis, or both, up to one-third of the
value of its total assets to broker/dealers, banks, or other institutional
borrowers of securities. This is a fundamental policy which may not be changed
without shareholder approval. The Fund will only enter into loan arrangements
with broker/dealers, banks, or other institutions which the adviser has
determined are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Trustees and
will receive collateral in the form of cash or U.S. government securities equal
to at least 100% of the value of the securities loaned at all times.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
These transactions are arrangements in which the Fund purchases securities with
payment and delivery scheduled for a future time. The seller's failure to
complete these transactions may cause the Fund to miss a price or yield
considered to be advantageous. Settlement dates may be a month or more after
entering into these transactions, and the market values of the securities
purchased may vary from the purchase prices.
The Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if the adviser deems it
appropriate to do so. In addition, the Fund may enter into transactions to sell
its purchase commitments to third parties at current market values and
simultaneously acquire other commitments to purchase similar securities at later
dates. The Fund may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of such
commitments.
CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund may invest 25% or more of its total assets in commercial paper issued
by finance companies. The finance companies in which the Fund intends to invest
can be divided into two categories, commercial finance companies and consumer
finance companies. Commercial finance companies are principally engaged in
lending to corporations or other businesses. Consumer finance companies are
primarily engaged in lending to individuals. Captive finance companies or
finance subsidiaries which exist to facilitate the marketing and financial
activities of their parent will, for purposes of industry concentration, be
classified by the Fund in the industry of its parent corporation.
In addition, the Fund may invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets
in cash or cash items, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government,
its agencies, or instrumentalities, or instruments secured by these money market
instruments, such as repurchase agreements.
VARIABLE ASSET REGULATIONS
The Fund is also subject to variable contract asset regulations prescribed by
the U.S. Treasury Department under Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
After a one year start-up period, the regulations generally require that, as of
the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, no more than 55%
of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any one investment, no
more than 70% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any two
investments, no more than 80% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented
by any three investments, and no more than 90% of the total assets of the Fund
may be represented by any four investments. In applying these diversification
rules, all securities of the same issuer, all interests in the same real
property project, and all interests in the same commodity are each treated as a
single investment. In the case of government securities, each government agency
or instrumentality shall be treated as a separate issuer. If the Fund fails to
achieve the diversification required by the regulations, unless relief is
obtained from the Internal Revenue Service, the contracts invested in the Fund
will not be treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts.
The Fund will be operated at all times so as to comply with the foregoing
diversification requirements.
STATE INSURANCE REGULATIONS
The Fund is intended to be a funding vehicle for variable annuity contracts and
variable life insurance policies offered by certain insurance companies. The
contracts will seek to be offered in as many jurisdictions as possible. Certain
states have regulations concerning, among other things, the concentration of
investments, sales and purchases of futures contracts, and short sales of
securities. If applicable, the Fund may be limited in its ability to engage in
such investments and to manage its portfolio with desired flexibility. The Fund
will operate in material compliance with the applicable insurance laws and
regulations of each jurisdiction in which contracts will be offered by the
insurance companies which invest in the Fund.
INVESTMENT RISKS
ECDs, ETDs, Yankee CDs, CCPs, and Europaper are subject to somewhat different
risks than domestic obligations of domestic banks. Examples of these risks
include international, economic and political developments, foreign governmental
restrictions that may adversely affect the payment of principal or interest,
foreign withholding or other taxes on interest income, difficulties in obtaining
or enforcing a judgment against the issuing bank, and the possible impact of
interruptions in the flow of international currency transactions. Different
risks may also exist for ECDs, ETDs, and Yankee CDs because the banks issuing
these instruments, or their domestic or foreign branches, are not necessarily
subject to the same regulatory requirements that apply to domestic banks, such
as reserve requirements, loan limitations, examinations, accounting, auditing,
and recordkeeping, and the public availability of information. These factors
will be carefully considered by the Fund's adviser in selecting investments for
the Fund.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The Fund will not:
* borrow money directly or through reverse repurchase agreements
(arrangements in which the Fund sells a portfolio instrument for a
percentage of its cash value with an agreement to buy it back on a set
date), or pledge securities except, under certain circumstances, the Fund
may borrow money and engage in reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up
to one-third of the value of its total assets and pledge up to 15% of the
value of those assets to secure such borrowings.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund attempts to stabilize the net asset value of its shares at $1.00 by
valuing the portfolio securities using the amortized cost method. The net asset
value per share of the Fund is determined by subtracting total liabilities from
total assets and dividing by the number of shares outstanding.
The Fund cannot guarantee that its net asset value will always remain at $1.00
per share.
INVESTING IN THE FUND
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Shares of the Fund are not sold directly to the general public. The Fund's
shares are used solely as the investment vehicle for separate accounts of
insurance companies offering variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance policies. The use of Fund shares as investments for both variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies is referred to as "mixed
funding." The use of Fund shares as investments by separate accounts of
unaffiliated life insurance companies is referred to as "shared funding."
The Fund intends to engage in mixed funding and shared funding in the future.
Although the Fund does not currently foresee any disadvantage to contract owners
due to differences in redemption rates, tax treatment, or other considerations
resulting from mixed funding or shared funding, the Trustees of the Fund will
closely monitor the operation of mixed funding and shared funding and will
consider appropriate action to avoid material conflicts and take appropriate
action in response to any material conflicts which occur. Such action could
result in one or more participating insurance companies withdrawing their
investment in the Fund.
Shares of the Fund are purchased or redeemed on behalf of participating
insurance companies at the next computed net asset value after an order is
received on days on which the New York Stock Exchange is open.
WHAT SHARES COST
The net asset value is determined as of the close of trading (normally 4:00
p.m., Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange, Monday through Friday,
except on: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and
Christmas Day. Purchase orders from separate accounts investing in the Fund
which are received by the insurance companies by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time), will
be computed at the net asset value of the Fund determined on that day, as long
as such purchase orders are received by the Fund in proper form and in
accordance with applicable procedures by 8:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the next
business day and as long as federal funds in the amount of such orders are
received by the Fund on the next business day. It is the responsibility of each
insurance company which invests in the Fund to properly transmit purchase orders
and federal funds in accordance with the procedures described above.
DIVIDENDS
Dividends on shares of the Fund are declared daily and paid monthly.
Shares of the Fund begin earning dividends on the day that the Fund receives
federal funds. Dividends of the Fund are automatically reinvested in additional
shares of such Fund on payment dates at the ex-dividend date net asset value.
FUND INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees. The Trustees are responsible for
managing the business affairs of the Trust and for exercising all of the Trust's
powers except those reserved for the shareholders. The Executive Committee of
the Board of Trustees handles the Board's responsibilities between meetings of
the Board.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Pursuant to an investment advisory contract with the Trust, investment decisions
for the Fund are made by Federated Advisers, the Fund's investment adviser,
subject to direction by the Trustees. The adviser continually conducts
investment research and supervision for the Fund and is responsible for the
purchase, sale, or exchange of portfolio instruments, for which it receives an
annual fee from the Fund.
Both the Trust and the adviser have adopted strict codes of ethics governing the
conduct of all employees who manage the Fund and its portfolio securities. These
codes recognize that such persons owe a fiduciary duty to the Fund's
shareholders and must place the interests of shareholders ahead of the
employees' own interest. Among other things, the codes: require preclearance and
periodic reporting of personal securities transactions; prohibit personal
transactions in securities being purchased or sold, or being considered for
purchase or sale, by the Fund; prohibit purchasing securities in initial public
offerings; and prohibit taking profits on securities held for less than sixty
days. Violations of these codes are subject to review by the Trustees, and could
result in severe penalties.
ADVISORY FEES
The adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee equal to 0.50% of the
Fund's average daily net assets. The adviser may voluntarily choose to waive a
portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The
adviser can terminate this voluntary waiver and reimbursement of expenses at any
time at its sole discretion.
ADVISER'S BACKGROUND
Federated Advisers, a Delaware business trust organized on April 11, 1989, is a
registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. It is a
subsidiary of Federated Investors. All of the Class A (voting) shares of
Federated Investors are owned by a trust, the trustees of which are John F.
Donahue, Chairman and Trustee of Federated Investors, Mr. Donahue's wife, and
Mr. Donahue's son, J. Christopher Donahue, who is President and Trustee of
Federated Investors. Federated Advisers and other subsidiaries of Federated
Investors serve as investment advisers to a number of investment companies and
private accounts. Certain other subsidiaries also provide administrative
services to a number of investment companies. With over $120 billion invested
across more than 300 funds under management and/or administration by its
subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1997, Federated Investors is one of the largest
mutual fund investment managers in the United States. With more than 2,000
employees, Federated continues to be led by the management who founded the
company in 1955. Federated funds are presently at work in and through
approximately 4,000 financial institutions nationwide. DISTRIBUTION OF
SHARES
Federated Securities Corp. is the principal distributor for shares of the
Fund. Federated Securities Corp. is located at Federated Investors Tower,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779. It is a Pennsylvania corporation
organized on November 14, 1969, and is the principal distributor for a
number of investment companies. Federated Securities Corp. is a subsidiary
of Federated Investors.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Fund has entered into a Shareholder Services Agreement with Federated
Shareholder Services, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, under which the Fund
may make payments up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of its
shares, computed at an annual rate, to obtain certain personal services for
shareholders and to maintain shareholder accounts. From time to time and for
such periods as deemed appropriate, the amount stated above may be reduced
voluntarily. Under the Shareholder Services Agreement, Federated Shareholder
Services will either perform shareholder services directly or will select
institutions to perform shareholder services. Institutions will receive fees
based upon shares owned by their clients or customers. The schedules of such
fees and the basis upon which such fees will be paid will be determined from
time to time by the Fund and Federated Shareholder Services.
SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Federated Securities Corp., from its own assets, may pay financial institutions
supplemental fees for the performance of substantial sales services,
distribution-related support services, or shareholder services. The support may
include sponsoring sales, educational and training seminars for their employees,
providing sales literature, and engineering computer software programs that
emphasize the attributes of the Fund. Such assistance may be predicated upon the
amount of shares the financial institution sells or may sell and/or upon the
type and nature of sales or marketing support furnished by the financial
institution. Any payments made by the distributor may be reimbursed by the
Fund's investment adviser or its affiliates.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services (including certain legal and financial
reporting services) necessary to operate the Fund at an annual rate which
relates to the average aggregrate daily net assets of all funds advised by
affiliates of Federated Investors as specified below:
MAXIMUM AVERAGE AGGREGATE
FEE DAILY NET ASSETS
0.150% on the first $250 million
0.125% on the next $250 million
0.100% on the next $250 million
0.075% on assets in excess of $750 million
The administrative fee received during any fiscal year shall be at least
$125,000 per portfolio and $30,000 per each additional class of shares.
Federated Services Company may choose voluntarily to waive a portion of its fee.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
VOTING RIGHTS
The insurance company separate accounts, as shareholders of the Fund, will vote
the Fund shares held in their separate accounts at meetings of the shareholders.
Voting will be in accordance with instructions received from contract owners of
the separate accounts, as more fully outlined in the prospectus of the separate
account. As of April 8, 1998, United of Omaha Life Insurance Co., Omaha, NE,
owned approximately 36.07% of the voting securities of the Fund, and therefore,
may for certain purposes be deemed to control the Fund and be able to affect the
outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of shareholders. United of Omaha
Life Insurance Co. is owned by Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company. Each
share of the Fund gives the shareholder one vote in Trustee elections and other
matters submitted to shareholders for vote. All shares of each portfolio in the
Trust have equal voting rights except that only shares of the Fund are entitled
to vote on matters affecting only the Fund. As a Massachusetts business trust,
the Trust is not required to hold annual shareholder meetings. Shareholder
approval will be sought only for certain changes in the Trust's or the Fund's
operation and for the election of Trustees in certain circumstances.
Trustees may be removed by the Trustees or by shareholders at a special meeting.
A special meeting of shareholders shall be called by the Trustees upon the
written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of
all series of the Trust.
TAX INFORMATION
FEDERAL TAXES
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because the Fund expects to meet
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded to such companies.
The Fund will be treated as a single, separate entity for federal income tax
purposes so that income (including capital gains) and losses realized by the
Trust's other portfolios will not be combined for tax purposes with those
realized by the Fund.
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described earlier in this prospectus. If the Fund fails to comply with
these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be treated as
annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the applicable contract prospectus for information
concerning the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions
from the Fund to the separate accounts.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
Contract owners are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the status
of their contracts under state and local tax laws.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time the Fund advertises its total return, yield and effective
yield.
The yield represents the annualized rate of income earned on an investment in
the Fund over a seven-day period. It is the annualized dividends earned during
the period on the investment, shown as a percentage of the investment. The
effective yield is calculated similarly to the yield, but, when annualized, the
income earned on an investment in the Fund is assumed to be reinvested daily.
The effective yield will be slightly higher than the yield because of the
compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment.
Advertisements and other sales literature may also refer to total return. Total
return represents the change, over a specified period of time, in the value of
an investment in the Fund after reinvesting all income distributions. It is
calculated by dividing that change by the initial investment and is expressed as
a percentage.
Performance information will not reflect the charges and expenses of a variable
annuity or variable life insurance contract. Because shares of the Fund can only
be purchased by a separate account of an insurance company offering such a
contract, you should review the performance figures of the contract in which you
are invested, which performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the
Fund's performance.
From time to time, advertisements for the Fund may refer to ratings, rankings,
and other information in certain financial publications and/or compare the
Fund's performance to certain indices.
[Graphic]
FEDERATED PRIME MONEY FUND II
(A Portfolio of Federated
Insurance Series)
Prospectus
April 23, 1998
A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, an Open-End Management Investment
Company
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
FEDERATED PRIME MONEY FUND II Federated Investors Funds 5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000
DISTRIBUTOR
Federated Securities Corp.
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Federated Advisers
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh,PA 15222-3779
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and
Trust Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
TRANSFER AGENT
AND DIVIDEND
DISBURSING AGENT
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP 2500 One PPG Place Pittsburgh, PA 15222-5401
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor 1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916504
3113011A (4/98)
[Graphic]
FEDERATED PRIME MONEY FUND II
(A PORTFOLIO OF FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES)
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information should be read with the prospectus of
Federated Prime Money Fund II (the "Fund"), a portfolio of Federated Insurance
Series (the "Trust") dated April 23, 1998. This Statement is not a prospectus.
You may request a copy of a prospectus or a paper copy of this Statement, if you
have received it electronically, free of charge by calling 1-800-341-7400.
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
FEDERATED INVESTORS FUNDS
5800 CORPORATE DRIVE
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15237-7000
Statement dated April 23, 1998
[Graphic]
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
Federated Investors Towers
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916504
3113011B (4/98)
[Graphic]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION 1 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES 1 Types of Investments
1 When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions 2 Lending of Portfolio
Securities 2 Investing in Securities of Other Investment Companies 2 Repurchase
Agreements 2 Reverse Repurchase Agreements 2 Credit Enhancement 3 Restricted
and Illiquid Securities 3 INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 3 Selling Short and Buying on
Margin 3 Issuing Senior Securities and Borrowing Money 3 Pledging Assets 3
Concentration of Investments 3 Investing in Commodities 3 Investing in Real
Estate 3 Lending Cash or Securities 4 Underwriting 4 Diversification of
Investments 4 Investing in Restricted and Illiquid Securities 7 Regulatory
Compliance 4 FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT 5 Fund Ownership 8 Trustee
Compensation 9 Trustee Liability 9 INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES 9 Adviser to
the Fund 9 Advisory Fees 10 BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS 10 OTHER SERVICES 10 Fund
Administration 10 Custodian and Portfolio Accountant 10 Transfer Agent 10
Independent Auditors 11 PURCHASING SHARES 11 SHAREHOLDER SERVICES 11
DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE 11 Use of the Amortized Cost Method 11
MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW 12 TAX STATUS 12 The Fund's Tax Status 12
Shareholders' Tax Status 12 TOTAL RETURN 13 YIELD 13 EFFECTIVE YIELD 13
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS 13 Economic and Market Information 14 ABOUT FEDERATED
INVESTORS 14 Mutual Fund Market 15 Institutional Clients 15 Bank Marketing 15
Broker/Dealers and Bank Broker/Dealer Subsidiaries 15 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 15
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of the Trust, which was established as Insurance
Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust, under a Declaration of Trust
dated September 15, 1993. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees (the "Trustees")
held on November 14, 1995, the Trustees approved an amendment to the Declaration
of Trust to change the name of the Trust from Insurance Management Series to
Federated Insurance Series. At a meeting of the Trustees held on February 26,
1996, the Trustees approved an amendment to the Declaration of Trust to change
the name of the Fund from Prime Money Fund to Federated Prime Money Fund II. The
Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series of shares of
beneficial interest in separate portfolios of securities, including the Fund.
The shares in any one portfolio may be offered in separate classes. As of the
date of this prospectus, the Trustees have not established separate classes of
shares.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is to provide current income consistent with
stability of principal and liquidity. The investment objective cannot be changed
without approval of shareholders.
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund invests exclusively in money market instruments which mature in 397
days or less and which include, but are not limited to, high-quality commercial
paper and variable rate master demand notes, bank instruments, and U.S.
government obligations.
BANK INSTRUMENTS
In addition to domestic bank obligations such as certificates of deposit, demand
and time deposits, savings shares, and bankers' acceptances, the Fund may invest
in:
* Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit issued by foreign branches of U.S.
or foreign banks;
* Eurodollar Time Deposits, which are U.S. dollar-denominated deposits in
foreign branches of U.S. or foreign banks;
* Canadian Time Deposits, which are U.S. dollar-denominated deposits
issued by branches of major Canadian banks located in the U.S.; and
* Yankee Certificates of Deposit, which are U.S. dollar-denominated
certificates of deposit issued by U.S. branches of foreign banks and
held in the U.S.
RATINGS
A nationally recognized statistical rating organization's ("NRSRO's") two
highest rating categories are determined without regard for sub-categories and
gradations. For example, securities rated A-1+, A-1 or A-2 by Standard & Poor's
("S&P"), Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or
F-1 (+ or -) or F-2 (+ or -) by Fitch IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch") are all considered
rated in one of the two highest short-term rating categories. The Fund will
limit its investments in securities rated in the second highest short-term
rating category (e.g., A-2 by S&P, Prime-2 by Moody's or F-2 (+ or -) by Fitch)
to not more than 5% of its total assets, with not more than 1% invested in the
securities of any one issuer. The Fund will follow applicable regulations in
determining whether a security rated by more than one NRSRO can be treated as
being in one of the two highest short-term rating categories; currently, such
securities must be rated by two NRSROs in one of their two highest rating
categories. See "Regulatory Compliance." U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
The types of U.S. government obligations in which the Fund may invest
generally include direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury (such as U.S.
Treasury bills, notes, and bonds) and obligations issued and/or guaranteed
by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities. These securities are
backed by:
* the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury;
* the issuer's right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury;
* the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain
obligations of agencies or instrumentalities; or
* the credit of the agency or instrumentality issuing the obligations.
Examples of agencies and instrumentalities which may not always receive
financial support from the U.S. government are:
* Farm Credit System, including the National Bank for Cooperatives, Farm
Credit Banks, and Banks for Cooperatives;
* Federal Home Loan Banks; * Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation; *
Federal National Mortgage Association; and * Student Loan Marketing
Association.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
These transactions are made to secure what is considered to be an advantageous
price or yield for the Fund. No fees or other expenses, other than normal
transaction costs, are incurred. However, liquid assets of the Fund sufficient
to make payment for the securities to be purchased are segregated on a Fund's
records at the trade date. These assets are marked to market daily and are
maintained until the transaction has been settled. The Fund does not intend to
engage in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions to an extent that would
cause the segregation of more than 20% of the total value of its assets.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend its portfolio
securities, up to one-third of the value of its total assets, to
brokers/dealers, banks, or other institutional borrowers of securities. The
collateral received when the Fund lends portfolio securities must be valued
daily and, should the market value of the loaned securities increase, the
borrower must furnish additional collateral to the Fund. During the time
portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any dividends or
interest paid on such securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option
of the Fund or the borrower. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and
custodial fees in connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the
interest earned on the cash or equivalent collateral to the borrower or placing
broker. The Fund does not have the right to vote securities on loan, but would
terminate the loan and regain the right to vote if that were considered
important with respect to the investment. INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest in the securities of affiliated money market funds as an
efficient means of managing the Fund's uninvested cash.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Repurchase agreements are arrangements in which banks, broker/dealers, and other
recognized financial institutions sell U.S. government securities or other
securities to the Fund and agree at the time of sale to repurchase them at a
mutually agreed upon time and price. The Fund or its custodian will take
possession of the securities subject to repurchase agreements and these
securities will be marked to market daily. To the extent that the original
seller does not repurchase the securities from the Fund, the Fund could receive
less than the repurchase price on any sale of such securities. In the event that
such a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or became insolvent, disposition
of such securities by the Fund might be delayed pending court action. The Fund
believes that under the regular procedures normally in effect for custody of the
Fund's portfolio securities subject to repurchase agreements, a court of
competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of the Fund and allow retention or
disposition of such securities. The Fund will only enter into repurchase
agreements with banks and other recognized financial institutions, such as
broker/dealers, which are deemed by the Fund's adviser to be creditworthy
pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. These transactions are
similar to borrowing cash. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund transfers
possession of a portfolio instrument to another person, such as a financial
institution, broker, or dealer, in return for a percentage of the instrument's
market value in cash, and agrees that on a stipulated date in the future the
Fund will repurchase the portfolio instrument by remitting the original
consideration plus interest at an agreed upon rate.
When effecting reverse repurchase agreements, liquid assets of the Fund, in a
dollar amount sufficient to make payment for the obligations to be purchased,
are segregated at the trade date. These assets are marked to market daily and
maintained until the transaction is settled.
CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
The Fund typically evaluates the credit quality and ratings of credit-enhanced
securities based upon the financial condition and ratings of the party providing
the credit enhancement (the "credit enhancer"), rather than the issuer. However,
credit-enhanced securities will not be treated as having been issued by the
credit enhancer for diversification purposes, unless the Fund has invested more
than 10% of its assets in securities issued, guaranteed or otherwise credit
enhanced by the credit enhancer, in which case the securities will be treated as
having been issued by both the issuer and the credit enhancer.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The ability of the Trustees to determine the liquidity of certain restricted
securities is permitted under a Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") staff
position set forth in the adopting release for Rule 144A under the Securities
Act of 1933. The Trustees consider the following criteria in determining the
liquidity of certain restricted securities:
* the frequency of trades and quotes for the security;
* the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the
number of other potential buyers;
* dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and * the nature of
the security and the nature of the marketplace trades.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
SELLING SHORT AND BUYING ON MARGIN
The Fund will not sell any securities short or purchase any securities on
margin, but may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for clearance
of purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
ISSUING SENIOR SECURITIES AND BORROWING MONEY
The Fund will not issue senior securities except that the Fund may borrow money
directly or through reverse repurchase agreements as a temporary, extraordinary,
or emergency measure to facilitate management of the portfolio by enabling the
Fund to meet redemption requests when the liquidation of portfolio securities is
deemed to be inconvenient or disadvantageous, and then only in amounts not in
excess of one-third of the value of its total assets; provided that, while
borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements outstanding exceed 5% of the Fund's
total assets, any such borrowings will be repaid before additional investments
are made. The Fund will not borrow money or engage in reverse repurchase
agreements for investment leverage purposes.
PLEDGING ASSETS
The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate any assets except to secure
permitted borrowings. In those cases, it may mortgage, pledge or hypothecate
assets having a market value not exceeding the lesser of the dollar amounts
borrowed or 15% of the value of its total assets at the time of borrowing.
CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund will not purchase securities if, as a result of such purchase, 25% or
more of its total assets would be invested in securities of companies engaged
principally in any one industry other than finance companies. However, the Fund
may at any time invest 25% or more of its total assets in cash or cash items and
securities issued and/or guaranteed by the U.S.
government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
INVESTING IN COMMODITIES
The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts, or
commodity futures contracts.
INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE
The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, including limited partnership
interests in real estate, although it may invest in securities of companies
whose business involves the purchase or sale of real estate or in securities
secured by real estate or interests in real estate.
LENDING CASH OR SECURITIES
The Fund will not lend any of its assets, except portfolio securities up to
one-third of its total assets. This shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing
or holding money market instruments, corporate or U.S. government bonds,
debentures, notes, certificates of indebtedness or other debt securities of an
issuer, entering into repurchase agreements, or engaging in other transactions
which are permitted by the Fund's investment objective and policies or the
Trust's Declaration of Trust.
UNDERWRITING
The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities, except as it may be deemed
to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the
sale of securities in accordance with its investment objective, policies, and
limitations.
DIVERSIFICATION OF INVESTMENTS
With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund will not purchase the
securities of any one issuer (other than cash, cash items, or securities issued
and/or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and
repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities) if, as a result, more
than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
The following limitations, however, may be changed by the Trustees without
shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material changes
in these limitations become effective.
INVESTING IN RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund will not invest more than 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities
including repurchase agreements providing for settlement more than seven days
after notice and certain restricted securities not determined to be liquid under
criteria established by the Trustees.
Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage limitation is adhered to
at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting
from any change in value of total or net assets will not result in a violation
of such restriction.
The Fund has no present intention to borrow money in excess of 5% of the value
of its net assets during the coming fiscal year.
For purposes of its policies and limitations, the Fund considers certificates of
deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank
or savings association having capital, surplus, and undivided profits in excess
of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be "cash items."
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
The Fund may follow non-fundamental operational policies that are more
restrictive than its fundamental investment limitations, as set forth in its
prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information, in order to comply with
applicable laws and regulations, including the provisions of and regulations
under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In particular, the Fund will comply
with the diversification and other requirements of Rule 2a-7, which regulates
money market mutual funds. The Fund will determine the effective maturity of its
investments, as well as its ability to consider a security as having received
the requisite short-term ratings by NRSROs, according to Rule 2a-7. The Fund may
change these operational policies to reflect changes in the laws and regulations
without the approval of its shareholders.
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT
Officers and Trustees are listed with their addresses, birthdates, present
positions with Federated Insurance Series, and principal occupations.
John F. Donahue@*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 28, 1924
Chairman and Trustee
Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; Chairman and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Chairman, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Chief Executive Officer and Director or Trustee of the
Funds. Mr. Donahue is the father of J. Christopher Donahue, President and
Trustee of the Company.
Thomas G. Bigley
15 Old Timber Trail
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: February 3, 1934
Trustee
Director, Member of Executive Committee, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh;
formerly, Senior Partner, Ernst & Young LLP; Director, MED 3000 Group, Inc.;
Director, Member of Executive Committee, University of Pittsburgh; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
John T. Conroy, Jr.
Wood/IPC Commercial Department
John R. Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors
3255 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL
Birthdate: June 23, 1937
Trustee
President, Investment Properties Corporation; Senior Vice-President, John R.
Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors; Partner or Trustee in private real
estate ventures in Southwest Florida; formerly, President, Naples Property
Management, Inc. and Northgate Village Development Corporation; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Nicholas P. Constantakis
175 Woodshire Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 3, 1939
Trustee
Formerly, Partner, Andersen Worldwide SC; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
William J. Copeland
One PNC Plaza - 23rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 4, 1918
Trustee
Director and Member of the Executive Committee, Michael Baker, Inc.; formerly,
Vice Chairman and Director, PNC Bank, N.A., and PNC Bank Corp.; Director, Ryan
Homes, Inc.; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
J. Christopher Donahue*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: April 11, 1949
President and Trustee
President and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; President and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; President, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company, and
Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Services Company;
President or Executive Vice President of the Funds; Director or Trustee of
some of the Funds. Mr. Donahue is the son of John F. Donahue, Chairman and
Trustee of the Company.
James E. Dowd
571 Hayward Mill Road
Concord, MA
Birthdate: May 18, 1922
Trustee
Attorney-at-law; Director, The Emerging Germany Fund, Inc.; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.*
3471 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1111
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 11, 1932
Trustee
Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Medical Director, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center - Downtown; Member, Board of Directors, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center; formerly, Hematologist, Oncologist, and Internist,
Presbyterian and Montefiore Hospitals; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr.@
Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba
205 Ross Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 18, 1924
Trustee
Attorney of Counsel, Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba; Director, Eat'N Park
Restaurants, Inc.; formerly, Counsel, Horizon Financial, F.A., Western
Region; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Peter E. Madden
One Royal Palm Way
100 Royal Palm Way
Palm Beach, FL
Birthdate: March 16, 1942
Trustee
Consultant; Former State Representative, Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
formerly, President, State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Boston
Corporation; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
John E. Murray, Jr., J.D., S.J.D.
President, Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: December 20, 1932
Trustee
President, Law Professor, Duquesne University; Consulting Partner, Mollica &
Murray; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Wesley W. Posvar
1202 Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 14, 1925
Trustee
Professor, International Politics; Management Consultant; Trustee, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, RAND Corporation, Online Computer Library
Center, Inc., National Defense University and U.S. Space Foundation;
President Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh; Founding Chairman, National
Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology, Federal Emergency
Management Advisory Board and Czech Management Center, Prague; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Marjorie P. Smuts
4905 Bayard Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 21, 1935
Trustee
Public Relations/Marketing/Conference Planning; Director or Trustee of the
Funds.
Edward C. Gonzales
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 22, 1930
Executive Vice President
Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Vice President,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, Federated Research, Federated Research
Corp., Federated Global Research Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd.; Executive
Vice President and Director, Federated Securities Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Trustee or Director of some of the Funds;
President, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of some of the Funds.
John W. McGonigle
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 26, 1938
Executive Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Trustee,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, and Federated Research; Director,
Federated Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company; President
and Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Securities
Corp.; Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Funds; Treasurer of some of
the Funds.
Richard B. Fisher
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: May 17, 1923
Vice President
Executive Vice President and Trustee, Federated Investors; Chairman and
Director, Federated Securities Corp.; President or Vice President of some of
the Funds; Director or Trustee of some of the Funds.
* This Trustee is deemed to be an "interested person" as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
@ Member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the Board of
Trustees handles the responsibilities of the Board between meetings of the
Board. As used in the table above, "The Funds" and "Funds" mean the
following investment companies: 111 Corcoran Funds; Automated Government Money
Trust; Blanchard Funds; Blanchard Precious Metals Fund, Inc.; Cash Trust Series
II; Cash Trust Series, Inc.; DG Investor Series; Edward D. Jones & Co. Daily
Passport Cash Trust; Federated Adjustable Rate U.S. Government Fund, Inc.;
Federated American Leaders Fund, Inc.; Federated ARMs Fund; Federated Core
Trust; Federated Equity Funds; Federated Equity Income Fund, Inc.; Federated
Fund for U.S. Government Securities, Inc.; Federated GNMA Trust; Federated
Government Income Securities, Inc.; Federated Government Trust; Federated High
Income Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated High Yield Trust; Federated Income Securities
Trust; Federated Income Trust; Federated Index Trust; Federated Institutional
Trust; Federated Insurance Series; Federated Investment Portfolios; Federated
Investment Trust; Federated Master Trust; Federated Municipal Opportunities
Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal Securities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal
Trust; Federated Short-Term Municipal Trust; Federated Short-Term U.S.
Government Trust; Federated Stock and Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated Stock Trust;
Federated Tax-Free Trust; Federated Total Return Series, Inc.; Federated U.S.
Government Bond Fund; Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 1-3 Years;
Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 Years; Federated U.S. Government
Securities Fund: 5-10 Years; Federated Utility Fund, Inc.; First Priority Funds;
Fixed Income Securities, Inc.; High Yield Cash Trust; Intermediate Municipal
Trust; International Series, Inc.; Investment Series Funds, Inc.; Investment
Series Trust; Liberty Term Trust, Inc.--1999; Liberty U.S. Government Money
Market Trust; Liquid Cash Trust; Managed Series Trust; Money Market Management,
Inc.; Money Market Obligations Trust; Money Market Obligations Trust II; Money
Market Trust; Municipal Securities Income Trust; Newpoint Funds; RIMCO Monument
Funds; Targeted Duration Trust; Tax-Free Instruments Trust; The Planters Funds;
The Virtus Funds; Trust for Financial Institutions; Trust for Government Cash
Reserves; Trust for Short-Term U.S. Government Securities; Trust for U.S.
Treasury Obligations; WesMark Funds; WCT Funds; and World Investment Series,
Inc. FUND OWNERSHIP
Officers and Trustees own less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding shares. As
of April 8, 1998, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of the Fund: United of Omaha Life Insurance Co., Omaha, NE,
owned approximately 26,230,260 shares (36.07%); Aetna Retirement Services,
Hartford, CT, owned approximately 11,870,401 shares (16.32%); First Variable
Life Cash Management, Kansas City, MO, owned approximately 10,297,811 shares
(14.16%); Valley Forge Life Insurance Co., Wethersfield, CT, owned approximately
6,610,532 shares (9.09%); Glenbrook Life and Annuity Co., Palatine, IL, owned
approximately 6,112,809 shares (8.41%); Kansas City Life Insurance Co., Kansas
City, MO, owned approximately 4,666,097 shares (6.42%); and Providian Life &
Health Insurance Co., Louisville, KY, owned approximately 3,759,827 shares
(5.17%).
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
AGGREGATE
NAME, COMPENSATION
POSITION WITH FROM TOTAL COMPENSATION PAID
TRUST TRUST*# FROM FUND COMPLEX+
John F. Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
Chairman and Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Thomas G. Bigley $179.13 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John T. Conroy, Jr. $197.06 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Nicholas P. Constantakis++ $0 $0 for the Trust and
Trustee 34 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
William J. Copeland $197.06 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
J. Christopher Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
President and Trustee 18 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
James E. Dowd $179.13 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D. $179.13 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr. $197.06 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Peter E. Madden $179.13 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John E. Murray, Jr. $179.13 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Wesley W. Posvar $179.13 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Marjorie P. Smuts $179.13 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
* Information is furnished for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
# The aggregate compensation is provided for the Trust which is comprised of
eight portfolios.
+ The information is provided for the last calendar year.
++ Mr. Constantakis became a member of the Board of Trustees on February 23,
1998. He did not receive any fees as of the fiscal year end of the Trust.
TRUSTEE LIABILITY
The Trust's Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees will not be liable
for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, they are not
protected against any liability to which they would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their office.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
ADVISER TO THE FUND
The Fund's investment adviser is Federated Advisers. It is a subsidiary of
Federated Investors. All voting securities of Federated Investors are owned
by a trust, the trustees of which are John F. Donahue, his wife and his son,
J. Christopher Donahue.
The adviser shall not be liable to the Fund or any shareholder for any losses
that may be sustained in the purchase, holding, or sale of any security or for
anything done or omitted by it, except acts or omissions involving willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
imposed upon it by its contract with the Trust.
ADVISORY FEES
For its advisory services, Federated Advisers receives an annual investment
advisory fee as described in the prospectus.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the adviser earned
advisory fees of $306,771, $154,455, and $40,601, respectively, of which
$123,674, $154,455, and $40,601, respectively, were voluntarily waived.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the
purchase and sale of portfolio instruments, the adviser looks for prompt
execution of the order at a favorable price. In working with dealers, the
adviser will generally use those who are recognized dealers in specific
portfolio instruments, except when a better price and execution of the order can
be obtained elsewhere. The adviser makes decisions on portfolio transactions and
selects brokers and dealers subject to guidelines established by the Trustees.
The adviser may select brokers and dealers who offer brokerage and research
services. These services may be furnished directly to the Fund or to the adviser
and may include: advice as to the advisability of investing in securities;
security analysis and reports; economic studies; industry studies; receipt of
quotations for portfolio evaluations; and similar services. Research services
provided by brokers and dealers may be used by the adviser or its affiliates in
advising the Fund and other accounts. To the extent that receipt of these
services may supplant services for which the adviser or its affiliates might
otherwise have paid, it would tend to reduce their expenses. The adviser and its
affiliates exercise reasonable business judgment in selecting brokers who offer
brokerage and research services to execute securities transactions. They
determine in good faith that commissions charged by such persons are reasonable
in relationship to the value of the brokerage and research services provided.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Fund paid no
brokerage commissions on brokerage transactions. Although investment
decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of the other accounts
managed by the adviser, investments of the type the Fund may make may also be
made by those other accounts. When the Fund and one or more other accounts
managed by the adviser are prepared to invest in, or desire to dispose of, the
same security, available investments or opportunities for sales will be
allocated in a manner believed by the adviser to be equitable to each. In some
cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the
Fund or the size of the position obtained or disposed of by the Fund. In other
cases, however, it is believed that coordination and the ability to participate
in volume transactions will be to the benefit of the Fund.
OTHER SERVICES
FUND ADMINISTRATION
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services to the Fund for a fee as described in the
prospectus. From March 1, 1994, to March 1, 1996, Federated Administrative
Services served as the Fund's Administrator. For purposes of this Statement of
Additional Information, Federated Services Company and Federated Administrative
Services may hereinafter collectively be referred to as the "Administrators."
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Administrators
earned $125,002, $125,000, and $125,000, respectively. CUSTODIAN AND
PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTANT
State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA, is custodian for the securities
and cash of the Fund. Federated Services Company, Pittsburgh, PA, provides
certain accounting and recordkeeping services with respect to the Fund's
portfolio investments. The fee paid for this service is based upon the level of
the Fund's average net assets for the period plus out-of-pocket expenses.
TRANSFER AGENT
Federated Services Company, through it registered transfer agent, Federated
Shareholder Services Company, maintains all necessary shareholder records. For
its services, the transfer agent receives a fee based on the size, type and
number of accounts and transactions made by shareholders.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The independent auditors for the Fund are Deloitte & Touche LLP, Pittsburgh, PA.
PURCHASING SHARES
Shares of the Fund are sold at their net asset value without a sales charge on
days the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. The procedure for
purchasing shares of the Fund is explained in the prospectus under "Purchases
and Redemptions" and "What Shares Cost."
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
This arrangement permits the payment of fees to Federated Shareholder Services
to cause services to be provided which are necessary for the maintenance of
shareholder accounts and to encourage personal services to shareholders by a
representative who has knowledge of the shareholder's particular circumstances
and goals. These activities and services may include but are not limited to
providing office space, equipment, telephone facilities, and various clerical,
supervisory, computer, and other personnel as necessary or beneficial to
establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records; processing purchase and
redemption transactions and automatic investments of client account cash
balances; answering routine client inquiries; and assisting clients in changing
dividend options, account designations, and addresses.
By adopting the Shareholder Services Agreement, the Trustees expect that the
Fund will benefit by: (1) providing personal services to shareholders; (2)
investing shareholder assets with a minimum of delay and administrative detail;
(3) enhancing shareholder recordkeeping systems; and (4) responding promptly to
shareholders' requests and inquiries concerning their accounts.
The Shareholder Services Agreement was not in effect in the Fund's fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997.
DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund attempts to stabilize the value of a share at $1.00. The days on which
net asset value is calculated by the Fund are described in the prospectus.
USE OF THE AMORTIZED COST METHOD
The Trustees have decided that the best method for determining the value of
portfolio instruments is amortized cost. Under this method, portfolio
instruments are valued at the acquisition cost as adjusted for amortization of
premium or accumulation of discount rather than at current market value.
The Fund's use of the amortized cost method of valuing portfolio instruments
depends on its compliance with certain conditions in Rule 2a-7 (the "Rule")
promulgated by the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the Rule,
the Trustees must establish procedures reasonably designed to stabilize the net
asset value per share, as computed for purposes of distribution and redemption,
at $1.00 per share, taking into account current market conditions and the Fund's
investment objective. Under the Rule, the Fund is permitted to purchase
instruments which are subject to demand features or standby commitments. As
defined by the Rule, a demand feature entitles the Fund to receive the principal
amount of the instrument from the issuer or a third party on (1) no more than 30
days' notice or (2) at specified intervals not exceeding 397 calendar days on no
more than 30 days' notice. A standby commitment entitles the Fund to achieve
same-day settlement and to receive an exercise price equal to the amortized cost
of the underlying instrument plus accrued interest at the time of exercise.
MONITORING PROCEDURES
The Trustees' procedures include monitoring the relationship between the
amortized cost value per share and the net asset value per share based upon
available indications of market value. The Trustees will decide what, if any,
steps should be taken if there is a difference of more than 0.5% between the two
values. The Trustees will take any steps they consider appropriate (such as
redemption in kind or shortening the average portfolio maturity) to minimize any
material dilution or other unfair results arising from differences between the
two methods of determining net asset value.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Rule requires that the Fund limit its investments to instruments that, in
the opinion of the Trustees, present minimal credit risks and have received the
requisite rating from one or more NRSROs. If the instruments are not rated, the
Trustees must determine that they are of comparable quality. The Rule also
requires the Fund to maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity (not
more than 90 days) appropriate to the objective of maintaining a stable net
asset value of $1.00 per share. In addition, no instrument with a remaining
maturity of more than thirteen months can be purchased by the Fund. Should
the disposition of a portfolio security result in a dollar-weighted average
portfolio maturity of more than 90 days, the Fund will invest its available cash
to reduce the average maturity to 90 days or less as soon as possible.
The Fund may attempt to increase yield by trading portfolio securities to take
advantage of short-term market variations. This policy may, from time to time,
result in high portfolio turnover. Under the amortized cost method of valuation,
neither the amount of daily income nor the net asset value is affected by any
unrealized appreciation or depreciation of the portfolio.
In periods of declining interest rates, the indicated daily yield on shares of
the Fund computed by dividing the annualized daily income on the Fund's
portfolio by the net asset value computed as above may tend to be higher than a
similar computation made by using a method of valuation based upon market prices
and estimates.
In periods of rising interest rates, the indicated daily yield on shares of the
Fund computed the same way may tend to be lower than a similar computation made
by using a method of calculation based upon market prices and estimates.
MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW
Under certain circumstances, shareholders may be held personally liable as
partners under Massachusetts law for obligations of the Trust. To protect its
shareholders, the Trust has filed legal documents with Massachusetts that
expressly disclaim the liability of its shareholders for acts or obligations of
the Trust. These documents require notice of this disclaimer to be given in each
agreement, obligation, or instrument the Trust or its Trustees enter into or
sign.
In the unlikely event a shareholder is held personally liable for the Trust's
obligations, the Trust is required by the Declaration of Trust to use its
property to protect or compensate the shareholder. On request, the Trust will
defend any claim made and pay any judgment against a shareholder for any act or
obligation of the Trust. Therefore, financial loss resulting from liability as a
shareholder will occur only if the Trust itself cannot meet its obligations to
indemnify shareholders and pay judgments against them.
TAX STATUS
THE FUND'S TAX STATUS
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because it expects to meet the
requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded
to such companies. To qualify for this treatment, the Fund must, among other
requirements:
* derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, and
gains from the sale of securities;
* invest in securities within certain statutory limits; and * distribute to
its shareholders at least 90% of its net income earned
during the year.
SHAREHOLDERS' TAX STATUS
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described in the prospectus and this Statement. If the Fund fails to
comply with these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be
treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal
Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the contract prospectus for information concerning
the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions from the
Fund to the separate accounts.
TOTAL RETURN
The Fund's average annual total returns for the one-year period ended December
31, 1997, and for the period from November 18, 1994 (date of initial public
investment) to December 31, 1997, were 4.93% and 4.95%, respectively. The
average annual total return for the Fund is the average compounded rate of
return for a given period that would equate a $1,000 initial investment to the
ending redeemable value of that investment. The ending redeemable value is
computed by multiplying the number of shares owned at the end of the period by
the offering price per share at the end of the period. The number of shares
owned at the end of the period is based on the number of shares purchased at the
beginning of the period with $1,000, adjusted over the period by any additional
shares, assuming the monthly reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.
You should review the performance figures for your insurance contract, which
figures reflect the applicable charges and expenses of the contract. Such
performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance.
YIELD
The Fund's yield for the seven-day period ended December 31, 1997 was 5.10%.
The Fund calculates its yield daily, based upon the seven days ending on
the day of the calculation, called the "base period." This yield is computed by:
* determining the net change in the value of a hypothetical account with a
balance of one share at the beginning of the base period, with the net
change excluding capital changes but including the value of any additional
shares purchased with dividends earned from the original one share and all
dividends declared on the original and any purchased shares;
* dividing the net change in the account's value by the value of the account
at the beginning of the base period to determine the base period return;
and
* multiplying the base period return by 365/7.
EFFECTIVE YIELD
The Fund's effective yield for the seven-day period ended December 31, 1997 was
5.23%.
The Fund's effective yield is computed by compounding the unannualized base
period return by:
* adding 1 to the base period return; * raising the sum to the 365/7th power;
and * subtracting 1 from the result.
Effective yield does not reflect the charges and expense of a variable annuity
contract. You should review the performance figures for your insurance contract,
which figures reflect the applicable charges and expenses of the contract. Such
performance figures will accompany any advertisement of a Fund's performance.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS
The Fund's performance depends upon such variables as:
* portfolio quality;
* average portfolio maturity;
* type of instruments in which the portfolio is invested; * changes in
interest rates and market value of portfolio securities; * changes in Fund
expenses; and * the relative amount of the Fund's cash flow.
Investors may use financial publications and/or indices to obtain a more
complete view of the Fund's performance. When comparing performance, investors
should consider all relevant factors such as the composition of any index used,
prevailing market conditions, portfolio compositions of other funds, and methods
used to value portfolio securities and compute offering price. The financial
publications and/or indices which the Fund used in advertising may include:
* LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC., ranks funds in various fund categories by
making comparative calculations using total return. Total return assumes
the reinvestment of all income dividends and capital gains distributions,
if any. From time to time, the Fund will quote its Lipper ranking in the
"money market instruments funds" category in advertising and sales
literature.
* BANK RATE MONITOR NATIONAL INDEX, MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, is a financial
reporting service which publishes weekly average rates of 50 leading bank
and thrift institution money market deposit accounts. The rates published
in the index are an average of the personal account rates offered on the
Wednesday prior to the date of publication by ten of the largest banks and
thrifts in each of the five largest Standard Metropolitan Statistical
Areas. Account minimums range upward from $2,500 in each institution, and
compounding methods vary. If more than one rate is offered, the lowest rate
is used. Rates are subject to change at any time specified by the
institution.
* MONEY, a monthly magazine, regularly ranks money market funds in various
categories based on the latest available seven-day compound (effective)
yield. From time to time, the Fund will quote its Money ranking in
advertising and sales literature.
Advertisements and other sales literature for the Fund may refer to total
return. Total return is the historic change in the value of an investment in the
Fund based on the monthly reinvestment of dividends over a specified period of
time.
Advertising and other promotional literature may include charts, graphs and
other illustrations using the Fund's returns, or returns in general, that
demonstrate basic investment concepts such as tax-deferred compounding,
dollar-cost averaging and systematic investment. In addition, the Fund can
compare its performance, or performance for the types of securities in which it
invests, to a variety of other investments, such as bank savings accounts,
certificates of deposit, and Treasury bills.
ECONOMIC AND MARKET INFORMATION
Advertising and sales literature for the Fund may include discussions of
economic, financial and political developments and their effect on the
securities market. Such discussions may take the form of commentary on these
developments by Fund portfolio managers and their views and analysis on how such
developments could affect the Funds. In addition, advertising and sales
literature may quote statistics and give general information about the mutual
fund industry, including the growth of the industry, from sources such as the
Investment Company Institute.
ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS
Federated Investors is dedicated to meeting investor needs which is reflected in
its investment decision making--structured, straightforward, and consistent.
This has resulted in a history of competitive performance with a range of
competitive investment products that have gained the confidence of thousands of
clients and their customers.
The company's disciplined security selection process is firmly rooted in sound
methodologies backed by fundamental and technical research. Investment decisions
are made and executed by teams of portfolio managers, analysts, and traders
dedicated to specific market sectors. These traders handle trillions of dollars
in annual trading volume. In the money market sector, Federated Investors
gained prominence in the mutual fund industry in 1974 with the creation of the
first institutional money market fund. Simultaneously, the company pioneered the
use of the amortized cost method of accounting for valuing shares of money
market funds, a principal means used by money managers today to value money
market fund shares. Other innovations include the first institutional tax-free
money market fund. As of December 31, 1997, Federated managed more than $63.1
billion in assets across 51 money market funds, including 18 government, 11
prime, and 22 municipal with assets approximating $35 billion, $17.1 billion,
and $10.9 billion, respectively. J. Thomas Madden, Executive Vice
President, oversees Federated Investors' equity and high yield corporate bond
management while William D. Dawson, Executive Vice President, oversees Federated
Investors' domestic fixed income management. Henry A. Frantzen, Executive Vice
President, oversees the management of Federated Investors' international and
global portfolios.
MUTUAL FUND MARKET
Thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $4.4 trillion to the more than 6,700 funds available.*
Federated Investors, through its subsidiaries, distributes mutual funds for a
variety of investment applications. Specific markets include:
INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS
Federated Investors meets the needs of approximately 900 institutional clients
nationwide by managing and servicing separate accounts and mutual funds for a
variety of applications, including defined benefit and defined contribution
programs, cash management, and asset/liability management. Institutional clients
include corporations, pension funds, tax-exempt entities,
foundations/endowments, insurance companies, and investment and financial
advisors. The marketing effort to these institutional clients is headed by John
B. Fisher, President, Institutional Sales Division.
BANK MARKETING
Other institutional clients include close relationships with more than 1,600
banks and trust organizations. Virtually all of the trust divisions of the top
100 bank holding companies use Federated funds in their clients' portfolios. The
marketing effort to trust clients is headed by Timothy C. Pillion, Senior Vice
President, Bank Marketing & Sales.
BROKER/DEALERS AND BANK BROKER/DEALER SUBSIDIARIES
Federated funds are available to consumers through major brokerage firms
nationwide--we have over 2,200 broker/dealer and bank broker/dealer
relationships across the country--supported by more wholesalers than any other
mutual fund distributor. Federated Investors' service to financial professionals
and institutions has earned it high ratings in several surveys performed by
DALBAR, Inc. DALBAR is recognized as the industry benchmark for service quality
measurement. The marketing effort to these firms is headed by James F. Getz,
President, Federated Securities Corp.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, are
incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report of the Fund dated December
31, 1997 (File Nos. 33-69268 and 811-8042). A copy of the Report may be obtained
without charge by contacting the Fund.
* Source: Investment Company Institute
Federated Equity Income Fund II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
PROSPECTUS
This prospectus offers shares of Federated Equity Income Fund II (the "Fund"),
which is a diversified investment portfolio of Federated Insurance Series (the
"Trust"), an open-end management investment company. The Fund's investment
objective is to provide above average income and capital appreciation. Shares of
the Fund may be sold only to separate accounts of insurance companies to serve
as the investment medium for variable life insurance policies and variable
annuity contracts issued by the insurance companies.
THE SHARES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY
BANK, ARE NOT ENDORSED OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENT AGENCY. INVESTMENT IN THESE SHARES INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISK,
INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
This prospectus contains the information you should read and know before you
invest in the Fund through the variable life insurance policies and variable
annuity contracts offered by insurance companies which provide for investment in
the Fund. Keep this prospectus for future reference.
The Fund has also filed a Statement of Additional Information dated April 23,
1998, with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The information
contained in the Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. You may request a copy of the Statement of
Additional Information or a paper copy of this prospectus, if you have received
your prospectus electronically, free of charge by calling 1-800-341-7400. To
obtain other information or to make inquiries about the Fund, contact the Fund
at the address listed in the back of this prospectus. The Statement of
Additional Information, material incorporated by reference into this document,
and other information regarding the Fund is maintained electronically with the
SEC at Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
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 SHARES ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AS A FUNDING VEHICLE FOR LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANIES WRITING VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES AND VARIABLE
ANNUITY CONTRACTS. THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE PROSPECTUSES
FOR SUCH CONTRACTS.
Prospectus dated April 23, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Financial Highlights 1
General Information 2
Investment Information 2
Investment Objective 2
Investment Policies 2
Portfolio Turnover 6
Investment Limitations 6
Hub and Spoke (R) Option 7
Net Asset Value 7
Investing in the Fund 7
Purchases and Redemptions 7
What Shares Cost 7
Dividends 8
Fund Information 8
Management of the Fund 8
Distribution of Fund Shares 8
Administration of the Fund 9
Brokerage Transactions 9
Shareholder Information 10
Voting Rights 10
Tax Information 10
Federal Income Tax 10
State and Local Taxes 10
Performance Information 10
Appendix 11
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
The following table has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund's
independent auditors. Their report, dated February 6, 1998, on the the Fund's
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1997, and on the following
table for the period presented, is included in the Fund's Annual Report, which
is herein incorporated by reference. This table should be read in conjunction
with the Fund's financial statements and notes thereto, contained in the Fund's
Annual Report, which may be obtained free of charge.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
1997(A)
<S> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $10.47
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 0.23
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments 1.76
Total from investment operations 1.99
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net investment income (0.15)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $12.31
TOTAL RETURN(B) 19.19%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 0.85%*
Net investment income 2.41%*
Expense waiver/reimbursement(c) 1.44%*
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $32,875
Average commission rate paid(d) $0.0038
Portfolio turnover 68%
</TABLE>
* Computed on an annualized basis.
(a) Reflects operations for the period from January 30, 1997 (date of initial
public investment) to December 31, 1997.
(b) Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
(c) This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and net
investment income ratios shown above.
(d) Represents total commissions paid on portfolio securities divided by total
portfolio shares purchased or sold on which commissions were charged.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PERFORMANCE IS CONTAINED IN THE FUND'S
ANNUAL REPORT DATED DECEMBER 31, 1997, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, which was established as
Insurance Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust, under a Declaration
of Trust dated September 15, 1993. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to
offer separate series of shares of beneficial interest in separate portfolios of
securities, including the Fund. The shares in any one portfolio may be offered
in separate classes. As of the date of this prospectus, the Board of Trustees
("Trustees") have not established separate classes of shares.
Shares of the Fund are sold only to insurance companies as funding vehicles for
variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the
insurance companies. Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value as described
in the section entitled "What Shares Cost." Shares of the Fund are redeemed at
net asset value.
INVESTMENT INFORMATION
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide above average income and
capital appreciation. The investment objective cannot be changed without
approval of shareholders. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the investment
policies described in this prospectus.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The investment policies described below may be changed by the Trustees without
shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material change
in these policies becomes effective.
ACCEPTABLE INVESTMENTS
The Fund attempts to achieve its objectives by investing at least 65% of its
assets in income-producing equity securities. Equity securities include common
stocks, preferred stocks, and securities (including debt securities) that are
convertible into common stocks. The portion of the Fund's total assets invested
in common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities and corporate bonds
will vary according to the Fund's assessment of market and economic conditions
and outlook.
The Fund's stock selection emphasizes those common stocks in each sector that
have good value, attractive yield, and dividend growth potential. The Fund will
utilize convertible securities because such securities typically offer high
yields and good potential for capital appreciation.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
Convertible securities include a spectrum of securities which can be exchanged
for or converted into common stock. Convertible securities may include, but are
not limited to: convertible bonds or debentures; convertible preferred stock;
units consisting of usable bonds and warrants; or securities which cap or
otherwise limit returns to the convertible security holder, such as DECS -
(Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock, or Debt Exchangeable for Common Stock when
issued as a debt security), LYONS (Liquid Yield Option Notes, which are
corporate bonds that are purchased at prices below par with no coupons and are
convertible into stock), PERCS (Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock, an
equity issue that pays a high cash dividend, has a cap price and mandatory
conversion to common stock at maturity), and PRIDES - (Preferred Redeemable
Increased Dividend Securities, which are essentially the same as DECS; the
difference is little more than who initially underwrites the issue).
Convertible securities are often rated below investment grade or not rated
because they fall below debt obligations and just above common equity in order
of preference or priority on the issuer's balance sheet. Hence, an issuer with
investment grade senior debt may issue convertible securities with ratings less
than investment grade or not rated. Convertible securities rated below
investment grade may be subject to some of the same risks as those inherent in
junk bonds. The Fund does not limit convertible securities by rating, and there
is no minimal acceptance rating for a convertible security to be purchased or
held in the Fund. Therefore, the Fund invests in convertible securities
irrespective of their ratings. This could result in the Fund purchasing and
holding, without limit, convertible securities rated below investment grade by
an NRSRO or in the Fund holding such securities where they have acquired a
rating below investment grade after the Fund has purchased it.
The Fund's investments in convertible securities will not be subject to the
quality rating limit on other securities in which the Fund invests. See
"High Yield Corporate Debt Obligations."
In addition, zero coupon convertible securities are debt securities which are
issued at a discount to their face amount and do not entitle the holder to any
periodic payments of interest prior to maturity. Rather, interest earned on zero
coupon convertible securities accretes at a stated yield until the security
reaches its face amount at maturity. Zero coupon convertible securities are
convertible into a specific number of shares of the issuer's common stock. In
addition, zero coupon convertible securities usually have put features that
provide the holder with the opportunity to sell the bonds back to the issuer at
a stated price before maturity. Generally, the prices of zero coupon convertible
securities may be more sensitive to market interest rate fluctuations than
conventional convertible securities. The Fund will be required to distribute
income accrued from zero coupon convertible securities which it owns, and may
have to sell portfolio securities (perhaps at disadvantageous times) in order to
generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
The Fund may also invest temporarily, in amounts of 35% or less of the Fund's
assets, in cash and cash items during times of unusual market conditions to
maintain liquidity. Cash items may include the following short-term obligations:
* commercial paper and Europaper (dollar denominated commercial paper
issued outside the United States);
* instruments of domestic and foreign banks and savings associations (such as
certificates of deposit, demand and time deposits, savings shares, and
bankers' acceptances);
* obligations of the U.S. government or its agencies or
instrumentalities; repurchase agreements; and other short-term
instruments.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Repurchase agreements are arrangements in which banks, broker/dealers, and other
recognized financial institutions sell U.S. government or other securities to
the Fund and agree at the time of sale to repurchase them at a mutually agreed
upon time and price.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
These transactions are arrangements in which the Fund purchases securities with
payment and delivery scheduled for a future time. The seller's failure to
complete these transactions may cause the Fund to miss a price or yield
considered to be advantageous. Settlement dates may be a month or more after
entering into these transactions, and the market values of the securities
purchased may vary from the purchase prices.
The Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if the adviser deems it
appropriate to do so. In addition, the Fund may enter in transactions to sell
its purchase commitments to third parties at current market values and
simultaneously acquire other commitments to purchase similar securities at later
dates. The Fund may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of such
commitments.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend portfolio securities,
on a short-term or a long-term basis, up to one-third of the value of its total
assets to broker/dealers, banks, or other institutional borrowers of securities.
This policy is a fundamental policy and may not be changed without shareholder
approval. The Fund will only enter into loan arrangements with broker/dealers,
banks, or other institutions which the adviser has determined are creditworthy
under guidelines established by the Trustees and will receive collateral in the
form of cash or U.S. government securities equal to at least 100% of the value
of the securities loaned at all times.
PUT AND CALL OPTIONS
The Fund may purchase put options on its portfolio securities. These options
will be used as a hedge to attempt to protect securities which the Fund holds
against decreases in value. The Fund may also write call options on all or any
portion of its portfolio to generate income for the Fund. The Fund will write
call options on securities either held in its portfolio or for which it has the
right to obtain without payment of further consideration or for which it has
segregated cash in the amount of any additional consideration.
The Fund may generally purchase and write over-the-counter options on portfolio
securities in negotiated transactions with the buyers or writers of the options
since options on the portfolio securities held by the Fund are not traded on an
exchange. The Fund purchases and writes options only with investment dealers and
other financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings associations)
deemed creditworthy by the adviser.
Over-the-counter options are two party contracts with price and terms negotiated
between buyer and seller. In contrast, exchange-traded options are third party
contracts with standardized strike prices and expiration dates and are purchased
from a clearing corporation. Exchange-traded options have a continuous liquid
market while over-the-counter options may not. The Fund will not buy call
options or write put options without further notification to shareholders.
FINANCIAL FUTURES AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES
The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts to hedge all or a
portion of its portfolio against changes in interest rates. Financial futures
contracts call for the delivery of particular debt instruments at a certain time
in the future. The seller of the contract agrees to make delivery of the type of
instrument called for in the contract and the buyer agrees to take delivery of
the instrument at the specified future time.
The Fund may also write call options and purchase put options on financial
futures contracts as a hedge to attempt to protect securities in its portfolio
against decreases in value. When the Fund writes a call option on a futures
contract, it is undertaking the obligation of selling a futures contract at a
fixed price at any time during a specified period if the option is exercised.
Conversely, as purchaser of a put option on a futures contract, the Fund is
entitled (but not obligated) to sell a futures contract at the fixed price
during the life of the option.
The Fund may not purchase or sell futures contracts or related options if
immediately thereafter the sum of the amount of margin deposits on the Fund's
existing futures positions and premiums paid for related options would exceed 5%
of the market value of the Fund's total assets. When the Fund purchases futures
contracts, an amount of cash and U.S. Treasury securities, equal to the
underlying commodity value of the futures contracts (less any related margin
deposits), will be deposited in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian
(or the broker, if legally permitted) to collateralize the position and thereby
insure that the use of such futures contract is unleveraged.
RISKS
When the Fund uses financial futures and options on financial futures as hedging
devices, much depends on the ability of the portfolio manager to predict market
conditions based upon certain economic analysis and factors. There is a risk
that the prices of the securities subject to the futures contracts may not
correlate perfectly with the prices of the securities in the Fund's portfolio.
This may cause the futures contract and any related options to react differently
than the portfolio securities to market changes. In addition, the portfolio
manager could be incorrect in its expectations about the direction or extent of
market factors such as interest rate movements. In these events, the Fund may
lose money on the futures contract or option.
It is not certain that a secondary market for positions in futures contracts or
for options will exist at all times. Although the portfolio manager will
consider liquidity before entering into options transactions, there is no
assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange or otherwise will exist
for any particular futures contract or option at any particular time. The Fund's
ability to establish and close out futures and options positions depends on this
secondary market.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies as an
efficient means of carrying out its investment policies. It should be noted that
investment companies incur certain expenses, such as management fees, and,
therefore, any investment by the Fund in shares of other investment companies
may be subject to such duplicate expenses.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities are any
securities in which the Fund may invest pursuant to its investment objective and
policies but which are subject to restriction on resale under federal securities
law. Under criteria established by the Trustees, certain restricted securities
are determined to be liquid. To the extent that restricted securities are not
determined to be liquid, the Fund will limit their purchase together with other
illiquid securities including non-negotiable time deposits and repurchase
agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice to 15%
of its net assets.
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
The Fund may purchase American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") issued by U.S. Banks
as a substitute for direct ownership of securities of foreign companies. ADRs
are traded in the United States on stock exchanges and in the over-the-counter
markets like stocks of domestic companies.
SECURITIES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS
The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers. Investing in non-U.S.
securities carries substantial risks in addition to those associated with
domestic investments. In an attempt to reduce some of these risks, the Fund
diversifies its investments broadly among foreign countries, including both
developed and developing countries. The Fund will take advantage of the unusual
opportunities for higher returns available from investing in developing
countries and may invest in the securities of such countries. These investments
carry considerably more volatility and risk because they are associated with
less mature economies and less stable political systems. Foreign securities are
denominated in foreign currencies. Therefore, the value in U.S. dollars of the
Fund's assets and income may be affected by changes in exchange rates and
regulations. Although the Fund values its assets daily in U.S. dollars, it will
not convert its holding of foreign currencies to U.S. dollars daily. When the
Fund converts its holdings to another currency, it may incur conversion costs.
Foreign exchange dealers realize a profit on the difference between the prices
at which they buy and sell securities. Other differences between investing in
foreign and U.S. companies include: less publicly available information about
foreign companies; the lack of uniform financial accounting standards applicable
to foreign companies; less readily available market quotations on foreign
companies; differences in government regulation and supervision of foreign stock
exchanges, brokers, listed companies, and banks; generally lower foreign stock
market value; the likelihood that foreign securities may be less liquid or more
volatile; foreign brokerage commissions may be higher; unreliable mail service
between countries; and political or financial changes which adversely affect
investments in some countries. Securities prices in developing countries can be
significantly more volatile than in developed countries, reflecting the greater
uncertainties of investing in lesser developed markets and economies. In
particular, developing countries may have relatively unstable governments, and
may present the risk of nationalization of businesses, expropriation,
confiscatory taxation or, in certain instances, reversion to closed market,
centrally planned economies. Such countries may also have restrictions on
foreign ownership or prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have
less protection of property rights than developed countries. The economies of
developing countries may be predominantly based on only a few industries or
dependent on revenues from particular commodities or on international aid or
development assistance, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global
trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens or
inflation rates. In addition, securities markets in developing countries may
trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to
increased trading volume, potentially resulting in a lack of liquidity and in
volatility in the price of securities traded on those markets. Also, securities
markets in developing countries typically offer less regulatory protection for
investors. In the past, U.S. government policies have discouraged or restricted
certain investments abroad by investors such as the Fund. Although the Fund is
unaware of any current restrictions, investors are advised that these policies
could be reinstituted.
HIGH-YIELD CORPORATE DEBT OBLIGATIONS
The Fund may invest up to 35% of the value of its total assets in corporate debt
obligations that are not investment grade securities or are not rated but are
determined by the adviser to be of comparable quality and may include bonds in
default. Securities which are rated BBB or lower by Standard & Poor's or Baa or
lower by Moody's either have speculative characteristics or are speculative with
respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligations. A description of the rating categories is contained in
the Appendix to this prospectus. There is no lower limit with respect to rating
categories for securities in which the Fund may invest.
Corporate debt obligations that are not determined to be investment grade are
high-yield, high-risk securities ("junk bonds"), typically subject to greater
market fluctuations and greater risk of loss of income and principal due to an
issuer's default. To a greater extent than investment grade securities, lower
rated securities tend to reflect short-term corporate, economic and market
developments, as well as investor perceptions of the issuer's credit quality. In
addition, lower rated securities may be more difficult to dispose of or to value
than high-rated, lower-yielding securities. The Fund does not intend to invest
more than 5% of its assets in corporate debt obligations that are not
investment-grade securities during the current fiscal year.
The prices of fixed income securities generally fluctuate inversely to the
direction of interest rates. Changes in economic conditions or other
circumstances are more likely to lead to weakened capacity to make principal and
interest payments with respect to these securities than for higher rated
securities. The adviser attempts to reduce the risks described above through
diversification of the portfolio and by credit analysis of each issuer as well
as by monitoring broad economic trends and corporate and legislative
developments.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
The Fund may purchase interests in real estate investment trusts. Risks
associated with real estate investments include the fact that equity and
mortgage real estate investment trusts are dependent upon management skill and
are not diversified, and are, therefore, subject to the risk of financing single
projects or unlimited number of projects. They are also subject to heavy cash
flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidation. Additionally,
equity real estate investment trusts may be affected by any changes in the value
of the underlying property owned by the trusts, and mortgage real estate
investment trusts may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. The
investment adviser seeks to mitigate these risks by selecting real estate
investment trusts diversified by sector (shopping malls, apartment building
complexes, and health care facilities) and geographic location.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Securities in the Fund's portfolio will be sold whenever the adviser believes it
is appropriate to do so in light of the Fund's investment objective, without
regard to the length of time a particular security may have been held. The
adviser to the Fund does not anticipate that portfolio turnover will result in
adverse tax consequences. Any such trading will increase the Fund's portfolio
turnover rate and transaction costs.
VARIABLE ASSET REGULATIONS
The Fund is also subject to variable contract asset regulations prescribed by
the U.S. Treasury Department under Sec-tion 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
After a one year start-up period, the regulations generally require that, as of
the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, no more than 55%
of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any one investment, no
more than 70% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any two
investments, no more than 80% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented
by any three investments, and no more than 90% of the total assets of the Fund
may be represented by any four investments. In applying these diversification
rules, all securities of the same issuer, all interests in the same real
property project, and all interests in the same commodity are each treated as a
single investment. In the case of government securities, each government agency
or instrumentality shall be treated as a separate issuer. If the Fund fails to
achieve the diversification required by the regulations, unless relief is
obtained from the Internal Revenue Service, the contracts invested in the Fund
will not be treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts.
The Fund will be operated at all times so as to comply with the forgoing
diversification requirements.
STATE INSURANCE REGULATION
The Fund is intended to be a funding vehicle for variable annuity contracts and
variable life insurance policies offered by certain insurance companies. The
contracts will seek to be offered in as many jurisdictions as possible. Certain
states have regulations concerning, among other things, the concentration of
investments, sales and purchases of futures contracts, and short sales of
securities. If applicable, the Fund may be limited in its ability to engage in
such investments and to manage its portfolio with desired flexibility. The Fund
will operate in material compliance with the applicable insurance laws and
regulations of each jurisdiction in which contracts will be offered by the
insurance companies which invest in the Fund.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The Fund will not:
* borrow money directly or through reverse repurchase agreements
(arrangements in which the Fund sells a portfolio instrument for a
percentage of its cash value with an agreement to buy it back on a set
date) or pledge securities except that under certain circumstances the Fund
may borrow up to one-third of the value of its total assets and pledge up
to 10% of the value of its total assets to secure such borrowings;
* sell securities short except, under strict limitations, it may maintain
open short positions so long as not more than 10% of the value of its net
assets is held as collateral for those positions;
* invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of one
issuer (except cash and cash items, repurchase agreements, and U.S.
government obligations) or acquire more than 10% of any class of voting
securities of any issuer; or
* purchase portfolio instruments if, as a result of such purchase, 25% or
more of the value of its total assets would be invested in any one
industry.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
The following limitations, however, may be changed by the Trustees without
shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material change
in these limitations becomes effective.
The Fund will not:
* commit more than 5% of the value of its total assets to premiums on open
put option positions.
HUB AND SPOKE (R) OPTION
If the Trustees determine it to be in the best interest of the Fund and its
shareholders, the Fund may in the future seek to achieve its investment
objective by investing all of its assets in another investment company having
the same investment objective and substantially the same investment policies and
restrictions as those applicable to the Fund. It is expected that any such
investment company would be managed in substantially the same manner as the
Fund.
The initial shareholder of the Fund (which is an affiliate of Federated
Securities Corp.) voted to vest authority to use this investment structure in
the sole discretion of the Trustees. No further approval of shareholders is
required. Shareholders will receive at least 30 days prior notice of any such
investment.
In making its determination, the Trustees will consider, among other things, the
benefits to shareholders and/or the opportunity to reduce costs and achieve
operational efficiencies. Although it is expected that the Trustees will not
approve an arrangement that is likely to result in higher costs, no assurance is
given that costs will remain the same or be materially reduced if this
investment structure is implemented.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund fluctuates. It is determined by
dividing the sum of the market value of all securities and other assets of the
Fund, less liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding.
INVESTING IN THE FUND
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Shares of the Fund are not sold directly to the general public. The Fund's
shares are used solely as the investment vehicle for separate accounts of
insurance companies offering variable life insurance policies and variable
annuity contracts. The use of Fund shares as investments for both variable life
insurance policies and variable annuity contracts is referred to as "mixed
funding." The use of Fund shares as investments by separate accounts of
unaffiliated life insurance companies is referred to as "shared funding."
The Fund intends to engage in mixed funding and shared funding in the future.
Although the Fund does not currently foresee any disadvantage to contract owners
due to differences in redemption rates, tax treatment, or other considerations
resulting from mixed funding or shared funding, the Trustees of the Fund will
closely monitor the operation of mixed funding and shared funding and will
consider appropriate action to avoid material conflicts and take appropriate
action in response to any material conflicts which occur. Such action could
result in one or more participating insurance companies withdrawing their
investment in the Fund.
Shares of the Fund are purchased or redeemed on behalf of participating
insurance companies at the next computed net asset value after an order is
received on days on which the New York Stock Exchange is open.
WHAT SHARES COST
The net asset value is determined at the close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time), on the New York Stock Exchange, Monday through Friday, except on:
(i) days on which there are not sufficient changes in the value of the Fund's
portfolio securities that its net asset value might be materially affected; (ii)
days during which no shares are tendered for redemption and no orders to
purchase shares are received; or (iii) the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Purchase
orders from separate accounts investing in the Fund which are received by the
insurance companies by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) will be computed at the net
asset value of the Fund determined on that day, as long as such purchase orders
are received by the Fund in proper form and in accordance with applicable
procedures by 8:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the next business day and as long as
federal funds in the amount of such orders are received by the Fund on the next
business day. It is the responsibility of each insurance company which invests
in the Fund to properly transmit purchase orders and federal funds in accordance
with the procedures described above.
DIVIDENDS
Dividends on shares of the Fund are declared and paid annually.
Shares of the Fund begin earning dividends if owned on the record date.
Dividends of the Fund are automatically reinvested in additional shares of such
Fund on payment dates at the ex-dividend date net asset value.
FUND INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees. The Trustees are responsible for
managing the Trust's business affairs and for exercising all the Trust's powers
except those reserved for the shareholders. An Executive Committee of the Board
of Trustees handles the Board's responsibilities between meetings of the Board.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Pursuant to an investment advisory contract with the Trust, investment decisions
for the Fund are made by Federated Advisers, the Fund's investment adviser,
subject to direction by the Trustees. The adviser continually conducts
investment research and supervision for the Fund and is responsible for the
purchase or sale of portfolio instruments, for which it receives an annual fee
from the Fund.
Both the Trust and the adviser have adopted strict codes of ethics governing the
conduct of all employees who manage the Fund and its portfolio securities. These
codes recognize that such persons owe a fiduciary duty to the Fund's
shareholders and must place the interests of shareholders ahead of the
employees' own interests. Among other things, the codes: require preclearance
and periodic reporting of personal securities transactions; prohibit personal
transactions in securities being purchased or sold, or being considered for
purchase or sale, by the Fund; prohibit purchasing securities in initial public
offerings; and prohibit taking profits on securities held for less than sixty
days. Violations of the codes are subject to review by the Trustees, and could
result in severe penalties.
ADVISORY FEES
The adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee equal to 0.75% of the
Fund's average daily net assets. The adviser may voluntarily waive a portion
of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The adviser
can terminate this voluntary waiver at any time at its sole discretion.
ADVISER'S BACKGROUND
Federated Advisers, a Delaware business trust organized on April 11, 1989, is
a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. It
is a subsidiary of Federated Investors. All of the Class A (voting) shares of
Federated Investors are owned by a trust, the trustees of which are John F.
Donahue, Chairman and Trustee of Federated Investors, Mr Donahue's wife, and
Mr. Donahue's son, J. Christopher Donahue, who is President and Trustee of
Federated Investors. Federated Advisers and other subsidiaries of
Federated Investors serve as investment advisers to a number of investment
companies and private accounts. Certain other subsidiaries also provide
administrative services to a number of investment companies. With over $120
billion invested across more than 300 funds under management and/or
administration by its subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1997, Federated
Investors is one of the largest mutual fund investment managers in the United
States. With more than 2,000 employees, Federated continues to be led by the
management who founded the company in 1955. Federated funds are presently at
work in and through approximately 4,000 financial institutions nationwide.
Linda A. Duessel has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February
1997. Ms. Duessel joined Federated Investors in 1991 and has been a Vice
President of the Fund's investment adviser since 1995. Ms. Duessel was an
Assistant Vice President of the Fund's investment adviser from 1991 until
1995. Ms. Duessel is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received her M.S. in
Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.
Steven J. Lehman has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since August 1997.
Mr. Lehman joined the Fund's adviser in May 1997 as a Vice President. From
1986 to May 1997, Mr. Lehman served as a Portfolio Manager, then Vice
President/Senior Portfolio Manager, at First Chicago NBD. Mr. Lehman is a
Chartered Financial Analyst; he received his M.A. from the University of
Chicago.
DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES
Federated Securities Corp. is the principal distributor for shares of the
Fund. Federated Securities Corp. is located at Federated Investors Tower,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779. It is a Pennsylvania corporation
organized on November 14, 1969, and is the principal distributor for a
number of investment companies. Federated Securities Corp. is a subsidiary
of Federated Investors.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
Under a distribution plan adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Plan"), the distributor may be paid a fee
by the Fund in an amount computed at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the
average daily net asset value of the Fund. The distributor may select financial
institutions such as banks, fiduciaries, custodians for public funds, investment
advisers, and broker/dealers to provide sales services or distribution-related
support services as agents for their clients or customers. Financial
institutions will receive fees based upon shares owned by their clients or
customers. The schedules of such fees will be determined from time to time by
the distributor. The Fund is not currently paying any 12b-1 fees under the Plan.
Should the Fund begin to pay these fees, shareholders will be notified.
The Plan is a compensation-type Plan. As such, the Fund makes no payments to the
distributor except as described above. Therefore, the Fund does not pay for
unreimbursed expenses of the distributor, including amounts expended by the
distributor in excess of amounts received by it from the Fund, interest,
carrying or other financing charges in connection with excess amounts expended,
or the distributor's overhead expenses. However, the distributor may be able to
recover such amounts or may earn a profit from future payments made by the Fund
under the Plan.
In addition, the Fund has entered into a Shareholder Services Agreement with
Federated Shareholder Services, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, under which
the Fund may make payments up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of
its shares to obtain certain personal services for shareholders and to maintain
shareholder accounts. Under the Shareholder Services Agreement, Federated
Shareholder Services will either perform shareholder services directly or will
select institutions to perform shareholder services. Institutions will receive
fees based upon shares owned by their clients or customers. The schedules of
such fees and the basis upon which such fees will be paid will be determined
from time to time by the Fund and Federated Shareholder Services.
SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Federated Securities Corp. from its own assets, may pay financial institutions
supplemental fees for the performance of substantial sales services,
distribution-related support services, or shareholder services. The support may
include sponsoring sales, educational and training seminars for their employees,
providing sales literature, and engineering computer software programs that
emphasize the attributes of the Fund. Such assistance may be predicated upon the
amount of shares the financial institution sells or may sell, and/or upon the
type and nature of sales or marketing support furnished by the financial
institution. Any payments made by the distributor may be reimbursed by the
Fund's investment adviser or its affiliates.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services (including certain legal and financial
reporting services) necessary to operate the Fund at an annual rate which
relates to the average aggregate daily net assets of all funds advised by
affiliates of Federated Investors as specified below:
MAXIMUM AVERAGE AGGREGATE
FEE DAILY NET ASSETS
0.150% on the first $250 million
0.125% on the next $250 million
0.100% on the next $250 million
0.075% on assets in excess of $750 million
The administrative fee received during any fiscal year shall be at least
$125,000 per portfolio and $30,000 per each additional class of shares.
Federated Services Company may choose voluntarily to waive a portion of its fee.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio
instruments, the adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable
price. In working with dealers, the adviser will generally utilize those who are
recognized dealers in specific portfolio instruments, except when a better price
and execution of the order can be obtained elsewhere. In selecting among firms
believed to meet these criteria, the adviser may give consideration to those
firms which have sold or are selling shares of the Fund and other funds
distributed by Federated Securities Corp. The adviser makes decisions on
portfolio transactions and selects brokers and dealers subject to review by the
Trustees.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
VOTING RIGHTS
The insurance company separate accounts, as shareholders of the Fund, will vote
the Fund shares held in their separate accounts at meetings of the shareholders.
Voting will be in accordance with instructions received from contract owners of
the separate accounts, as more fully outlined in the prospectus of the separate
account. As of April 8, 1998, Aetna Retirement Services Central Valuation Unit,
Hartford, CT, owned approximately 99.96% of the voting securities of the Fund,
and therefore, may for certain purposes be deemed to control the Fund and be
able to affect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of
shareholders. Aetna Retirement Services Central Valuation Unit is owned by Aetna
Inc. Each share of the Fund gives the shareholder one vote in Trustee
elections and other matters submitted to shareholders for vote. All shares of
each portfolio in the Trust have equal voting rights except that only shares of
the Fund are entitled to vote on matters affecting only the Fund. As a
Massachusetts business trust, the Trust is not required to hold annual
shareholder meetings. Shareholder approval will be sought only for certain
changes in the Trust's or the fund's operation and for the election of the
Trustees in certain circumstances.
Trustees may be removed by the Trustees or by shareholders at a special meeting.
A special meeting of shareholders shall be called by the Trustees upon the
written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of
all series of the Trust.
TAX INFORMATION
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because it expects to meet requirements
of the Internal Revenue Code, applicable to regulated investment companies and
to receive the special tax treatment afforded to such companies.
The Fund will be treated as a single, separate entity for federal income tax
purposes so that income (including capital gains) and losses realized by the
Trust's other portfolios will not be combined for tax purposes with those
realized by the Fund.
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described earlier in this prospectus. If the Fund fails to comply with
these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be treated as
annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the applicable contract prospectus for information
concerning the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions
from the Fund to the separate accounts.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
Contract owners are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the status
of their contracts under state and local tax laws.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund advertises total return and yield.
Total return represents the change, over a specific period of time, in the value
of an investment in each class of shares after reinvesting all income and
capital gains distributions. It is calculated by dividing that change by the
initial investment and is expressed as a percentage.
The yield of each class of shares is calculated by dividing the net investment
income per share (as defined by the SEC) earned by the Fund over a thirty-day
period by the maximum offering price per share of the Fund on the last day of
the period. This number is then annualized using semi-annual compounding. The
yield does not necessarily reflect income actually earned by the Fund and,
therefore, may not correlate to the dividends or other distributions paid to
shareholders.
Performance information will not reflect the charges and expenses of a variable
annuity or variable life insurance contract. Because shares of the Fund can only
be purchased by a separate account of an insurance company offering such a
contract, you should review the performance figures of the contract in which you
are invested, which performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the
Fund's performance.
From time to time, advertisements for the Fund may refer to ratings, rankings,
and other information in certain financial publications and/or compare the
Fund's performance to certain indices.
APPENDIX
STANDARD AND POOR'S LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
AAA--Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's.
Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA--Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A--Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB--Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB--Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BBB- rating.
B--Debt rated B has greater vulnerability to default but currently has the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to
pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category is also used for debt
subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB-
rating.
CCC--Debt rated CCC has currently identifiable vulnerability to default and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet
timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse
business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the
capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The CCC rating category is also
used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied
B or B- rating.
CC--The rating CC typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that
is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating.
C--The rating C typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which
is assigned an actual or implied CCC- debt rating. The C rating may be used to
cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service
payments are continued.
CI--The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
D--Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments
will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the
filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC., CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa--Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group, they comprise what are generally known as
high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.
Baa--Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and, in
fact, have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba--Bonds which are Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future
cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest and
principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during
both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes
bonds in this class.
B--Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa--Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
Ca--Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C--Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing. FITCH IBCA, INC. ("FITCH"), LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
AAA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and
repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable
events.
AA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although
not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the AAA and AA
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments,
short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F-1+.
A--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are
more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds and, therefore, impair timely
payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below
investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings.
BB--Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and
repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However,
business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the
obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B--Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely
payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of
safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the
life of the issue.
CCC--Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied, may
lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous
business and eco-nomic environment.
CC--Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.
C--Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD, and D--Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such
bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their
ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. DDD
represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and D represents
the lowest potential for recovery.
NR--NR indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus or minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and
minus signs, however, are not used in the AAA category.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Prime-1--Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a
superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1
repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:
* Leading market positions in well established industries.
* High rates of return on funds employed.
* Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt
and ample asset protection.
* Broad margins in earning coverage of fixed financial charges and high
internal cash generation.
* Well established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources
of alternate liquidity.
Prime-2--Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a
strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will
normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above, but to a
lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more
subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate,
may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is
maintained. STANDARD AND POOR'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS A-1--This
designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is
strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
A-2--Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
issues designated A-1. FITCH IBCA, INC. COMMERCIAL PAPER RATING DEFINITIONS
Fitch-1--(Highest Grade) Commercial paper assigned this rating is regarded
as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
Fitch-2--(Very Good Grade) Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of
timely payment only slightly less in degree than the strongest issues.
[Graphic]
FEDERATED EQUITY INCOME FUND II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
PROSPECTUS
APRIL 23, 1998
A Diversified Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, an Open-End,
Management Investment Company
FEDERATED
INSURANCE
SERIES
FEDERATED EQUITY INCOME FUND II Federated Investors Funds 5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000
DISTRIBUTOR
Federated Securities Corp.
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Federated Advisers
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP 2500 One PPG Place Pittsburgh, PA 15222-5401 Federated
Securities Corp., Distributor 1-800-341-7400 www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916801 G01298-01 (4/98)
[Graphic]
FEDERATED EQUITY INCOME FUND II
(A PORTFOLIO OF FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES)
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information should be read with the prospectus of
the Federated Equity Income Fund II (the "Fund"), a portfolio of Federated
Insurance Series (the "Trust") dated April 23, 1998. This Statement is not a
prospectus. You may request a copy of a prospectus or a paper copy of this
Statement, if you have received it electronically, free
of charge by calling 1-800-341-7400.
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
FEDERATED INVESTORS FUNDS
5800 CORPORATE DRIVE
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15237-7000
Statement dated April 23, 1998
[Graphic]
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916801
G01298-02 (4/98)
[Graphic]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION 1 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES 1 Convertible
Securities 1 Temporary Investments 1 Warrants 2 When-Issued and Delayed
Delivery Transactions 2 Repurchase Agreements 2 Futures and Options
Transactions 2 Restricted and Illiquid Securities 4 Lending of Portfolio
Securities 4 Reverse Repurchase Agreements 4 Investing in Securities of Other
Investment Companies 4 Portfolio Turnover 4 INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 5 Buying on
Margin 5 Selling Short 5 Issuing Senior Securities and Borrowing Money 5
Pledging Assets 5 Investing in Real Estate 5 Investing in Commodities 5
Underwriting 5 Lending Cash or Securities 5 Concentration of Investments 5
Diversification of Investments 6 Arbitrage Transactions 6 Acquiring Securities
6 Writing Covered Call Options and Purchasing Put Options 6 Investing in
Restricted and Illiquid Securities 6 FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT 7
Fund Ownership 10 Trustee Compensation 11 Trustee Liability 11 INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES 11 Adviser to the Fund 11 Advisory Fees 12 BROKERAGE
TRANSACTIONS 12 OTHER SERVICES 12 Fund Administration 12 Custodian and
Portfolio Accountant 12 Transfer Agent 12 Independent Auditors 12 PURCHASES AND
REDEMPTIONS 12 DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES 13 DETERMINING NET
ASSET VALUE 13 Determining Market Value of Securities 13 MASSACHUSETTS
PARTNERSHIP LAW 13 TAX STATUS 14 The Fund's Tax Status 14 Shareholders' Tax
Status 14 TOTAL RETURN 14 YIELD 14 PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS 15 Economic and
Market Information 16 ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS 16 Mutual Fund Market 16
Institutional Clients 16 Bank Marketing 16 Broker/Dealers and Bank
Broker/Dealer Subsidiaries 17 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 17
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
The Fund is a portfolio of Federated Insurance Series (the "Trust"), which was
established as Insurance Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust,
under a Declaration of Trust dated September 15, 1993. At a meeting of the Board
of Trustees (the "Trustees") held on November 14, 1995, the Trustees approved an
amendment to the Declaration of Trust to change the name of the Trust from
"Insurance Management Series" to "Federated Insurance Series." The Declaration
of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series of shares of beneficial
interest in separate portfolios of securities, including the Fund. The shares in
any one portfolio may be offered in separate classes. As of the date of this
Statement, the Trustees have not established separate classes of shares.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is to provide above average income and capital
appreciation. The investment objective cannot be changed without approval of
shareholders.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
DECS, or similar instruments marketed under different names, offer a substantial
dividend advantage with the possibility of unlimited upside potential if the
price of the underlying common stock exceeds a certain level. DECS convert to
common stock at maturity. The amount received is dependent on the price of the
common stock at the time of maturity. DECS contain two call options at different
strike prices. The DECS participate with the common stock up to the first call
price. They are effectively capped at that point unless the common stock rises
above a second price point, at which time they participate with unlimited upside
potential.
PERCS, or similar instruments marketed under different names, offer a
substantial dividend advantage, but capital appreciation potential is limited to
a predetermined level. PERCS are less risky and less volatile than the
underlying common stock because their superior income mitigates declines when
the common stock falls, while the cap price limits gains when the common stock
rises.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
The temporary investments in which the Fund may invest include, but are not
limited to:
* commercial paper rated A-1 or A-2 by Standard & Poor's, Prime-1 or Prime-2
by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or F-1 or F-2 by Fitch IBCA, Inc., and
Europaper rated A-1, A-2, Prime-1, or Prime-2. In the case where commercial
paper or Europaper has received different ratings from different rating
services, such commercial paper or Europaper is an acceptable temporary
investment so long as at least one rating is one of the preceding
high-quality ratings and provided the Fund's investment adviser has
determined that such investment presents minimal credit risks;
* instruments of domestic and foreign banks and savings associations if they
have capital, surplus, and undivided profits of over $100,000,000, or if
the principal amount of the instrument is insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation. These instruments may include Eurodollar
Certificates of Deposits ("ECDs"), Yankee Certificates of Deposit ("Yankee
CDs"), and Eurodollar Time Deposits ("ETDs");
* obligations of the U.S. government, or its agencies, or
instrumentalities;
* repurchase agreements; and
* other short-term instruments which are not rated but are determined by the
adviser to be of comparable quality to the other temporary obligations in
which the Fund may invest.
INVESTMENT RISKS
ECDs, ETDs, Yankee CDs, and Europaper are subject to different risks than
domestic obligations of domestic banks or corporations. Examples of these
risks include international economic and political developments, foreign
governmental restrictions that may adversely affect the payment of principal
or interest, foreign withholding or other taxes on interest income,
difficulties in obtaining or enforcing a judgment against the issuing entity,
and the possible impact of interruptions in the flow of international currency
transactions. Different risks may also exist for ECDs, ETDs, and Yankee CDs
because the banks issuing these instruments, or their domestic or foreign
branches, are not necessarily subject to the same regulatory requirements that
apply to domestic banks, such as reserve requirements, loan limitations,
examinations, accounting, auditing, recordkeeping, and the public availability
of information. These factors will be carefully considered by the adviser in
selecting investments for the Fund.
WARRANTS
Warrants basically are options to purchase common stock at a specific price
(usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at
issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging
from less than a year to twenty years or may be perpetual. However, warrants
have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, if the market
price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant's exercise price during
the life of the warrant, the warrant will expire as worthless. Warrants have no
voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets
of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the
market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the percentage increase
or decrease in the market price of the optioned common stock.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
These transactions are made to secure what is considered to be an advantageous
price or yield for the Fund. No fees or other expenses, other than normal
transaction costs, are incurred. However, liquid assets of the Fund sufficient
to make payment for the securities to be purchased are segregated on the Fund's
records at the trade date. These assets are marked to market daily and are
maintained until the transaction has been settled. The Fund does not intend to
engage in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions to an extent that would
cause the segregation of more than 20% of the total value of its assets.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund or its custodian will take possession of the securities subject to
repurchase agreements, and these securities will be marked to market daily. To
the extent that the original seller does not repurchase the securities from the
Fund, the Fund could receive less than the repurchase price on any sale of such
securities. In the event that such a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or
became insolvent, disposition of such securities by the Fund might be delayed
pending court action. The Fund believes that under the regular procedures
normally in effect for custody of the Fund's portfolio securities subject to
repurchase agreements, a court of competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of
the Fund and allow retention or disposition of such securities. The Fund will
only enter into repurchase agreements with banks and other recognized financial
institutions, such as broker/dealers, which are deemed by the adviser to be
creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of Trustees (the
"Trustees").
FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may attempt to hedge all or a portion of its portfolio by buying and
selling financial futures contracts, buying put options on portfolio securities
and listed put options on futures contracts, and writing call options on futures
contracts. The Fund may also write covered call options on portfolio securities
to attempt to increase its current income.
FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS
A futures contract is a firm commitment by two parties: the seller who agrees
to make delivery of the specific type of security called for in the contract
("going short") and the buyer who agrees to take delivery of the security
("going long") at a certain time in the future.
In the fixed-income securities market, price moves inversely to interest
rates. A rise in rates means a drop in price. Conversely, a drop in rates
means a rise in price. In order to hedge its holdings of fixed-income
securities against a rise in market interest rates, the Fund could enter into
contracts to deliver securities at a predetermined price (i.e., "go short") to
protect itself against the possibility that the prices of its fixed-income
securities may decline during the Fund's anticipated holding period. The Fund
would "go long" (agree to purchase securities in the future at a predetermined
price) to hedge against a decline in market interest rates.
PUT OPTIONS ON FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Fund may purchase listed put options on financial futures contracts.
Unlike entering directly into a futures contract, which requires the purchaser
to buy a financial instrument on a set date at a specified price, the purchase
of a put option on a futures contract entitles (but does not obligate) its
purchaser to decide on or before a future date whether to assume a short
position at the specified price.
The Fund would purchase put options on futures contracts to protect portfolio
securities against decreases in value resulting from an anticipated increase
in market interest rates. Generally, if the hedged portfolio securities
decrease in value during the term of an option, the related futures contracts
will also decrease in value and the option will increase in value. In such an
event, the Fund will normally close out its option by selling an identical
option. If the hedge is successful, the proceeds received by the Fund upon the
sale of the second option will be large enough to offset both the premium paid
by the Fund for the original option plus the decrease in value of the hedged
securities.
Alternatively, the Fund may exercise its put option. To do so, it would
simultaneously enter into a futures contract of the type underlying the option
(for a price less than the strike price of the option) and exercise the
option. The Fund would then deliver the futures contract in return for payment
of the strike price. If the Fund neither closes out nor exercises an option,
the option will expire on the date provided in the option contract, and the
premium paid for the contract will be lost.
CALL OPTIONS ON FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS
In addition to purchasing put options on futures, the Fund may write listed
call options on futures contracts to hedge its portfolio against an increase
in market interest rates. When the Fund writes a call option on a futures
contract, it is undertaking the obligation of assuming a short futures
position (selling a futures contract) at the fixed strike price at any time
during the life of the option if the option is exercised. As market interest
rates rise, causing the prices of futures to go down, the Fund's obligation
under a call option on a future (to sell a futures contract) costs less to
fulfill, causing the value of the Fund's call option position to increase.
In other words, as the underlying futures price goes down below the strike
price, the buyer of the option has no reason to exercise the call, so that the
Fund keeps the premium received for the option. This premium can offset the
drop in value of the Fund's fixed-income portfolio which is occurring as
interest rates rise.
Prior to the expiration of a call written by the Fund, or exercise of it by
the buyer, the Fund may close out the option by buying an identical option. If
the hedge is successful, the cost of the second option will be less than the
premium received by the Fund for the initial option. The net premium income of
the Fund will then offset the decrease in value of the hedged securities.
The Fund will not maintain open positions in futures contracts it has sold or
call options it has written on futures contracts if, in the aggregate, the
value of the open positions (marked to market) exceeds the current market
value of its securities portfolio plus or minus the unrealized gain or loss on
those open positions, adjusted for the correlation of volatility between the
hedged securities and the futures contracts. If this limitation is exceeded at
any time, the Fund will take prompt action to close out a sufficient number of
open contracts to bring its open futures and options positions within this
limitation.
"MARGIN" IN FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
Unlike the purchase or sale of a security, the Fund does not pay or receive
money upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Rather, the Fund is
required to deposit an amount of "initial margin" in cash or U.S. Treasury
bills with its custodian (or the broker, if legally permitted). The nature of
initial margin in futures transactions is different from that of margin in
securities transactions in that futures contract initial margin does not
involve the borrowing of funds by the Fund to finance the transactions.
Initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good-faith deposit on
the contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures
contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied.
A futures contract held by the Fund is valued daily at the official settlement
price of the exchange on which it is traded. Each day the Fund pays or
receives cash, called "variation margin," equal to the daily change in value
of the futures contract. This process is known as "marking to market."
Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by the Fund but is
instead settlement between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe
the other if the futures contract expired. In computing its daily net asset
value, the Fund will mark to market its open futures positions.
The Fund is also required to deposit and maintain margin when it writes call
options on futures contracts.
PURCHASING PUT OPTIONS ON PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The Fund may purchase put options on portfolio securities to protect against
price movements in particular securities in its portfolio. A put option gives
the Fund, in return for a premium, the right to sell the underlying security
to the writer (seller) at a specified price during the term of the option.
WRITING COVERED CALL OPTIONS ON PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The Fund may also write covered call options to generate income. As writer of
a call option, the Fund has the obligation upon exercise of the option during
the option period to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the
exercise price. The Fund may only sell call options either on securities held
in its portfolio or on securities which it has the right to obtain without
payment of further consideration (or has segregated cash in the amount of any
additional consideration).
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The ability of the Trustees to determine the liquidity of certain restricted
securities is permitted under a Securities and Exchange Commission staff
position set forth in the adopting release for Rule 144A under the Securities
Act of 1993. The Trustees may consider the following criteria in determining the
liquidity of certain restricted securities:
* the frequency of trades and quotes for the security;
* the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the
number of other potential buyers;
* dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and * the nature of
the security and the nature of the marketplace trades.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The collateral received when the Fund lends portfolio securities must be valued
daily and, should the market value of the loaned securities increase, the
borrower must furnish additional collateral to the Fund. During the time
portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any dividends or
interest paid on such securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option
of the Fund or the borrower. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and
custodial fees in connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the
interest earned on the cash or equivalent collateral to the borrower or placing
broker. The Fund does not have the right to vote securities on loan, but would
terminate the loan and regain the right to vote if that were considered
important with respect to the investment.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may also enter into reverse repurchase agreements. This transaction is
similar to borrowing cash. In a reverse repurchase agreement the Fund transfers
possession of a portfolio instrument to another person, such as a financial
institution, broker, or dealer, in return for a percentage of the instrument's
market value in cash, and agrees that on a stipulated date in the future the
Fund will repurchase the portfolio instrument by remitting the original
consideration plus interest at an agreed upon rate. The use of reverse
repurchase agreements may enable the Fund to avoid selling portfolio instruments
at a time when a sale may be deemed to be disadvantageous, but the ability to
enter into reverse repurchase agreements does not ensure that the Fund will be
able to avoid selling portfolio instruments at a disadvantageous time.
When effecting reverse repurchase agreements, liquid assets of the Fund, in a
dollar amount sufficient to make payment for the obligations to be purchased,
are segregated at the trade date. These securities are marked to market daily
and maintained until the transaction is settled.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest in the securities of affiliated money market funds as an
efficient means of managing the Fund's uninvested cash.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund will not attempt to set or meet a portfolio turnover rate since any
turnover would be incidental to transactions undertaken in an attempt to achieve
the Fund's investment objective. Securities in the Fund's portfolio will be sold
whenever the adviser believes it is appropriate to do so in light of the Fund's
investment objective, without regard to the length of time a particular security
may have been held. The adviser does not anticipate that portfolio turnover will
result in adverse tax consequences. Any such trading will increase the Fund's
portfolio turnover rate and transaction costs. Portfolio turnover rates are not
yet available for this Fund. For the period from January 30, 1997 (date of
initial public investment) to December 31, 1997, the portfolio turnover rate for
the Fund was 68%. INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The following limitations are fundamental [except that no investment limitation
of the Fund shall prevent the Fund from investing substantially all of its
assets (except for assets which are not considered "investment securities" under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, or assets exempted by the Securities and
Exchange Commission) in an open-end investment company with substantially the
same investment objectives]:
BUYING ON MARGIN
The Fund will not purchase any securities on margin but may obtain such
short-term credits as are necessary for clearance of transactions. The deposit
or payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with
financial futures contracts or related options transactions is not considered
the purchase of a security on margin.
SELLING SHORT
The Fund will not sell securities short unless during the time the short
position is open, it owns an equal amount of the securities sold or securities
readily and freely convertible into or exchangeable, without payment of
additional consideration, for securities of the same issue as, and equal in
amount to, the securities sold short; and not more than 10% of the Fund's net
assets (taken at current value) is held as collateral for such sales at any one
time.
ISSUING SENIOR SECURITIES AND BORROWING MONEY
The Fund will not issue senior securities except that the Fund may borrow money
and engage in reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to one-third of the
value of its total assets, including the amounts borrowed.
The Fund will not borrow money or engage in reverse repurchase agreements for
investment leverage, but rather as a temporary, extraordinary, or emergency
measure or to facilitate management of the portfolio by enabling the Fund to
meet redemption requests when the liquidation of portfolio securities is deemed
to be inconvenient or disadvantageous. The Fund will not purchase any securities
while any borrowings are outstanding.
PLEDGING ASSETS
The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate any assets except to secure
permitted borrowings. In those cases, it may pledge assets having a market value
not exceeding the lesser of the dollar amounts borrowed or 10% of the value of
total assets at the time of the borrowing. Margin deposits for the purchase and
sale of financial futures contracts and related options are not deemed to be a
pledge.
INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE
The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, although it may invest in
securities of issuers whose business involves the purchase or sale of real
estate or in securities which are secured by real estate or interest in real
estate.
INVESTING IN COMMODITIES
The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities, except that the Fund may
purchase and sell financial futures contracts and related options.
UNDERWRITING
The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities, except as it may be deemed
to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the
sale of restricted securities which the Fund may purchase pursuant to its
investment objectives, policies, and limitations.
LENDING CASH OR SECURITIES
The Fund will not lend any of its assets except portfolio securities up to
one-third of the value of its total assets. This shall not prevent the purchase
or holding of corporate bonds, debentures, notes, certificates of indebtedness
or other debt securities of an issuer, repurchase agreements, or other
transactions which are permitted by the Fund's investment objectives and
policies and limitations or the Trust's Declaration of Trust.
CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund will not purchase portfolio instruments if, as a result of such
purchase, 25% or more of the value of its total assets would be invested in any
one industry.
DIVERSIFICATION OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund will not invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in
securities of one issuer (except cash and cash items, repurchase agreements, and
U.S. government obligations) or acquire more than 10% of any class of voting
securities of any issuer. For these purposes, the Fund takes all common stock
and all preferred stock of an issuer each as a single class, regardless of
priorities, series, designations, or other differences.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
The following limitations, however, may be changed by the Trusteess without
shareholder approval [except that no investment limitation of the Fund shall
prevent the Fund from investing substantially all of its assets (except for
assets which are not considered "investment securities" under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, or assets exempted by the Securities and Exchange
Commision) in an open-end investment company with substantially the same
investment objectives]. Shareholders will be notified before any material change
in these limitations becomes effective.
ARBITRAGE TRANSACTIONS
The Fund will not engage in arbitrage transactions.
ACQUIRING SECURITIES
The Fund will not purchase securities of a company for the purpose of exercising
control or management. However, the Fund may purchase up to 10% of the voting
securities of any one issuer and may exercise its voting powers consistent with
the best interests of the Fund. In addition, the Fund, other companies advised
by the adviser, and other affiliated companies may together buy and hold
substantial amounts of voting stock of a company and may vote together in regard
to such company's affairs. In some cases, the Fund and its affiliates might
collectively be considered to be in control of such company. In some cases,
Trustees and other persons associated with the Fund and its affiliates might
possibly become directors of companies in which the Fund holds stock.
WRITING COVERED CALL OPTIONS AND PURCHASING PUT OPTIONS
The Fund will not write call options on securities unless the securities are
held in the Fund's portfolio or unless the Fund is entitled to them in
deliverable form without further payment or after segregating cash in the amount
of any further payment. The Fund will not purchase put options on securities
unless the securities are held in the Fund's portfolio. The Fund will not commit
more than 5% of the value of its total assets to premiums on open option
positions. INVESTING IN RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities,
including non-negotiable time deposits, and repurchase agreements providing for
settlement in more than seven days after notice, and certain restricted
securities not determined to be liquid under criteria established by the
Trustees. Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage
limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease
in percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result
in a violation of such restriction.
The Fund has no present intention to borrow money, invest in reverse repurchase
agreements, pledge securities, or sell securities short in excess of 5% of the
value of its total assets during the current fiscal year.
For purposes of its policies and limitations, the Fund considers certificates of
deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank
or savings association having capital, surplus, and undivided profits in excess
of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be "cash items."
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT
Officers and Trustees are listed with their addresses, birthdates, present
positions with Federated Insurance Series, and principal occupations.
John F. Donahue@*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 28, 1924
Chairman and Trustee
Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; Chairman and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Chairman, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Chief Executive Officer and Director or Trustee of the
Funds. Mr. Donahue is the father of J. Christopher Donahue, President and
Trustee of the Company.
Thomas G. Bigley
15 Old Timber Trail
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: February 3, 1934
Trustee
Director, Member of the Executive Committee, Children's Hospital of
Pittsburgh; formerly, Senior Partner, Ernst & Young LLP; Director, MED 3000
Group, Inc.; Director, Member of Executive Committee, University of
Pittsburgh; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
John T. Conroy, Jr.
Wood/IPC Commercial Department
John R. Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors
3255 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL
Birthdate: June 23, 1937
Trustee
President, Investment Properties Corporation; Senior Vice President, John R.
Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors; Partner or Trustee in private real
estate ventures in Southwest Florida; formerly, President, Naples Property
Management, Inc. and Northgate Village Development Corporation; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Nicholas P. Constantakis
175 Woodshire Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 3, 1939
Trustee
Formerly, Partner, Andersen Worldwide SC; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
William J. Copeland
One PNC Plaza--23rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 4, 1918
Trustee
Director and Member of the Executive Committee, Michael Baker, Inc.;
formerly, Vice Chairman and Director, PNC Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank Corp.;
Director, Ryan Homes, Inc.; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
J. Christopher Donahue*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: April 11, 1949
President and Trustee
President and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; President and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; President, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company, and
Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Services Company;
President or Executive Vice President of the Funds; Director or Trustee of
some of the Funds. Mr. Donahue is the son of John F. Donahue, Chairman and
Trustee of the Company.
James E. Dowd
571 Hayward Mill Road
Concord, MA
Birthdate: May 18, 1922
Trustee
Attorney-at-law; Director, The Emerging Germany Fund, Inc.; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.*
3471 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1111
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 11, 1932
Trustee
Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Medical Director, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center--Downtown; Member, Board of Directors, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center; formerly, Hematologist, Oncologist, and Internist,
Presbyterian and Montefiore Hospitals; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr.@
Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba
205 Ross Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 18, 1924
Trustee
Attorney of Counsel, Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba; Director, Eat'N Park
Restaurants, Inc.; formerly, Counsel, Horizon Financial, F.A., Western
Region; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Peter E. Madden
One Royal Palm Way
100 Royal Palm Way
Palm Beach, FL
Birthdate: March 16, 1942
Trustee
Consultant; Former State Representative, Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
formerly, President, State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Boston
Corporation; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
John E. Murray, Jr., J.D., S.J.D.
President, Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: December 20, 1932
Trustee
President, Law Professor, Duquesne University; Consulting Partner, Mollica &
Murray; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Wesley W. Posvar
1202 Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 14, 1925
Trustee
Professor, International Politics; Management Consultant; Trustee, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, RAND Corporation, Online Computer Library
Center, Inc., National Defense University and U.S. Space Foundation;
President Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh; Founding Chairman, National
Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology, Federal Emergency
Management Advisory Board, and Czech Management Center, Prague; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Marjorie P. Smuts
4905 Bayard Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 21, 1935
Trustee
Public Relations/Marketing/Conference Planning; Director or Trustee of the
Funds.
Edward C. Gonzales
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 22, 1930
Executive Vice President
Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Vice President,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, Federated Research, Federated Research
Corp., Federated Global Research Corp., and Passport Research, Ltd.; Executive
Vice President and Director, Federated Securities Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Trustee or Director of some of the Funds;
President, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of some of the Funds.
John W. McGonigle
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 26, 1938
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Trustee,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, and Federated Research; Director,
Federated Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company; President
and Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Securities
Corp.; Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Funds; Treasurer of some of
the Funds.
Richard B. Fisher
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: May 17, 1923
Vice President
Executive Vice President and Trustee, Federated Investors; Chairman and
Director, Federated Securities Corp.; President or Vice President of some of
the Funds; Director or Trustee of some of the Funds.
* This Trustee is deemed to be an "interested person" as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
@ Member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the Board of
Trustees handles the responsibilities of the Board between meetings of the
Board.
As used in the table above, "The Funds" and "Funds" mean the following
investment companies: 111 Corcoran Funds; Automated Government Money Trust;
Blanchard Funds; Blanchard Precious Metals Fund, Inc.; Cash Trust Series II;
Cash Trust Series, Inc.; DG Investor Series; Edward D. Jones & Co. Daily
Passport Cash Trust; Federated Adjustable Rate U.S. Government Fund, Inc.;
Federated American Leaders Fund, Inc.; Federated ARMs Fund; Federated Core
Trust; Federated Equity Funds; Federated Equity Income Fund, Inc.; Federated
Fund for U.S. Government Securities, Inc.; Federated GNMA Trust; Federated
Government Income Securities, Inc.; Federated Government Trust; Federated High
Income Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated High Yield Trust; Federated Income Securities
Trust; Federated Income Trust; Federated Index Trust; Federated Institutional
Trust; Federated Insurance Series; Federated Investment Portfolios; Federated
Investment Trust; Federated Master Trust; Federated Municipal Opportunities
Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal Securities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal
Trust; Federated Short-Term Municipal Trust; Federated Short-Term U.S.
Government Trust; Federated Stock and Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated Stock Trust;
Federated Tax-Free Trust; Federated Total Return Series, Inc.; Federated U.S.
Government Bond Fund; Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 1-3 Years;
Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 Years; Federated U.S. Government
Securities Fund: 5-10 Years; Federated Utility Fund, Inc.; First Priority Funds;
Fixed Income Securities, Inc.; High Yield Cash Trust; Intermediate Municipal
Trust; International Series, Inc.; Investment Series Funds, Inc.; Investment
Series Trust; Liberty Term Trust, Inc.--1999; Liberty U.S. Government Money
Market Trust; Liquid Cash Trust; Managed Series Trust; Money Market Management,
Inc.; Money Market Obligations Trust; Money Market Obligations Trust II; Money
Market Trust; Municipal Securities Income Trust; Newpoint Funds; RIMCO Monument
Funds; Targeted Duration Trust; Tax-Free Instruments Trust; The Planters Funds;
The Virtus Funds; Trust for Financial Institutions; Trust for Government Cash
Reserves; Trust for Short-Term U.S. Government Securities; Trust for U.S.
Treasury Obligations; Wesmark Funds; WCT Funds; and World Investment Series,
Inc. FUND OWNERSHIP
Officers and Trustees own less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding shares. As
of April 8, 1998, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of the Fund: Aetna Retirement Services Central Valuation
Unit, Hartford, CT, owned approximately 3,187,580 shares (99.96%).
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
AGGREGATE
NAME, COMPENSATION
POSITION WITH FROM TOTAL COMPENSATION PAID
TRUST TRUST*# FROM FUND COMPLEX+
John F. Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
Chairman and Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Thomas G. Bigley $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John T. Conroy, Jr. $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Nicholas P. Constantakis++ $0 $0 for the Trust and
Trustee 34 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
William J. Copeland $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
J. Christopher Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
President and Trustee 18 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
James E. Dowd $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D. $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr. $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Peter E. Madden $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John E. Murray, Jr. $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Wesley W. Posvar $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Marjorie P. Smuts $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
* Information is furnished for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
# The aggregate compensation is provided for the Trust which is comprised of
eight portfolios.
+ The information is provided for the last calendar year.
++ Mr. Constantakis became a member of the Board of Trustees on February 23,
1998. He did not receive any fees as of the fiscal year end of the Trust.
TRUSTEE LIABILITY
The Delaration of Trust provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors
of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, they are not protected against
any liability to which they would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of their office.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
ADVISER TO THE FUND
The Fund's investment adviser is Federated Advisers. It is a subsidiary of
Federated Investors. All the voting securities of Federated Investors are
owned by a trust, the trustees of which are John F. Donahue, his wife, and
his son, J. Christopher Donahue.
The adviser shall not be liable to the Fund or any shareholder for any losses
that may be sustained in the purchase, holding, or sale of any security or for
anything done or omitted by it, except acts or omissions involving willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
imposed upon it by its contract with the Fund.
ADVISORY FEES
For its advisory services, the Federated Advisers receives an annual investment
advisory fee as described in the prospectus. For the period from January 30,
1997 (date of initial public investment) to December 31, 1997, Federated
Advisers earned advisory fees from the Fund of $96,582, of which $43,970 were
voluntarily waived. BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS The adviser may select
brokers and dealers who offer brokerage and research services. These services
may be furnished directly to the Fund or to the adviser and may include: advice
as to the advisability of investing in securities; security analysis and
reports; economic studies; industry studies; receipt of quotations for portfolio
evaluations; and similar services. Research services provided by brokers and
dealers may be used by the adviser or its affiliates in advising the Fund and
other accounts. To the extent that receipt of these services may supplant
services for which the adviser or its affiliates might otherwise have paid, it
would tend to reduce their expenses. The adviser and its affiliates exercise
reasonable business judgment in selecting brokers who offer brokerage and
research services to execute securities transactions. They determine in good
faith that commissions charged by such persons are reasonable in relationship to
the value of the brokerage and research services provided. For the period from
January 30, 1997 (date of initial public investment) to December 31, 1997, the
Fund paid $33,449 in brokerage commissions on brokerage transactions.
Although investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of
the other accounts managed by the adviser, investments of the type the Fund may
make may also be made by those other accounts. When the Fund and one or more
other accounts managed by the adviser are prepared to invest in, or desire to
dispose of, the same security, available investments or opportunities for sales
will be allocated in a manner believed by the adviser to be equitable to each.
In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by
the Fund or the size of the position obtained or disposed of by the Fund. In
other cases, however, it is believed that coordination and the ability to
participate in volume transactions will be to the benefit of the Fund.
OTHER SERVICES
FUND ADMINISTRATION
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services to the Fund for a fee as described in the
prospectus. For the period from January 30, 1997 (date of initial public
investment) to December 31, 1997, Federated Services Company earned $113,358
from the Fund. CUSTODIAN AND PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTANT
State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA, is custodian for the securities
and cash of the Fund. Federated Services Company, Pittsburgh, PA, provides
certain accounting and recordkeeping services with respect to the Fund's
portfolio investments. The fee paid for this service is based upon the level of
the Fund's average net assets for the period plus out-of-pocket expenses.
TRANSFER AGENT
Federated Services Company, through it registered transfer agent, Federated
Shareholder Services Company, maintains all necessary shareholder records. For
its services, the transfer agent receives a fee based on the size, type, and
number of accounts and transactions made by shareholders.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The independent auditors for the Fund are Deloitte & Touche LLP, Pittsburgh, PA.
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Shares are sold at their net asset value on days the New York Stock Exchange is
open for business. The procedure for purchasing and redeeming shares of the Fund
is explained in the prospectus under "Purchases and Redemptions" and "What
Shares Cost."
DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
These arrangements permit the payment of fees to institutions, the distributor,
and Federated Shareholder Services, to stimulate distribution activities and to
cause services to be provided to shareholders by a representative who has
knowledge of the shareholder's particular circumstances and goals. These
activities and services may include but are not limited to: marketing efforts;
providing office space, equipment, telephone facilities, and various clerical,
supervisory, computer, and other personnel as necessary or beneficial to
establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records; processing purchase and
redemption transactions and automatic investments of client account cash
balances; answering routine client inquiries; and assisting clients in changing
dividend options, account designations, and addresses.
By adopting the Plan, the Trustees expects that the Fund will be able to achieve
a more predictable flow of cash for investment purposes and to meet redemptions.
This will facilitate more efficient portfolio management and assist the Fund in
pursuing its investment objectives. By identifying potential investors whose
needs are served by the Fund's objective, and properly servicing these accounts,
the Fund may be able to curb sharp fluctuations in rates of redemptions and
sales.
Other benefits, which may be realized under either arrangement, may include: (1)
providing personal services to shareholders; (2) investing shareholder assets
with a minimum of delay and administrative detail; (3) enhancing shareholder
recordkeeping systems; and (4) responding promptly to shareholders' requests and
inquiries concerning their accounts.
The Fund is not currently paying any 12b-1 fees under the Plan. Should the Fund
begin to pay these fees, shareholders would be notified.
The Shareholder Services Agreement was not in effect during the Funds' fiscal
year ended December 31, 1997.
DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE
Net asset value of the Fund generally changes each day. The days on which net
asset value is calculated by the Fund are described in the prospectus.
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except certain dividends
from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, are recorded
as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date.
DETERMINING MARKET VALUE OF SECURITIES
Market values of the Fund's portfolio securities are determined as follows:
* according to the last sale price on a national securities exchange, if
available. (If a security is traded on more than one exchange, the price on
the primary market for that security, as determined by the adviser is
used.);
* according to the last reported bid price, if no sale on the recognized
exchange is reported or if the security is traded over-the-counter;
* at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees; or * for
short-term obligations with remaining maturities of 60 days or less
at the time of purchase, at amortized cost, which approximates value.
Prices provided by independent pricing services may be determined without
relying exclusively on quoted prices and may consider: institutional
trading in similar groups of securities; yield; quality; coupon rate;
maturity; type of issue; trading characteristics; and other market data.
MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW
Under certain circumstances, shareholders may be held personally liable as
partners under Massachusetts law for obligations of the Trust. To protect its
shareholders, the Trust has filed legal documents with Massachusetts that
expressly disclaim the liability of its shareholders for acts or obligations of
the Trust. These documents require notice of this disclaimer to be given in each
agreement, obligation, or instrument the Trust or its Trustees enter into or
sign.
In the unlikely event a shareholder is held personally liable for the Trust's
obligations, the Trust is required by the Declaration of Trust to use its
property to protect or compensate the shareholder. On request, the Trust will
defend any claim made and pay any judgment against a shareholder for any act or
obligation of the Trust. Therefore, financial loss resulting from liability as a
shareholder will occur only if the Trust itself cannot meet its obligations to
indemnify shareholders and pay judgments against them.
TAX STATUS
THE FUND'S TAX STATUS
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because it expects to meet the
requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded
to such companies. To qualify for this treatment, the Fund must, among other
requirements:
* derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, and
gains from the sale of securities;
* invest in securities within certain statutory limits; and
* distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its net income earned
during the year.
SHAREHOLDERS' TAX STATUS
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described in the prospectus and in this Statement of Additional
Information. If the Fund fails to comply with these regualtions, contracts
invested in the Fund shall not be treated as annuity, endowment, or life
insurance contracts under the Internal Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the contract prospectus for information concerning
the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions from the
Fund to the separate accounts.
TOTAL RETURN
For the period from January 30, 1997 (date of initial public investment) to
December 31, 1997, the Fund's cumulative total return was 19.19%. Cumulative
total return reflects the Fund's total performance over a specific period of
time. The Fund's cumulative total return is representative of only eleven months
of fund activity. The average annual total return for the Fund is the
average compounded rate of return for a given period that would equate a $1,000
initial investment to the ending redeemable value of that investment. The ending
redeemable value is computed by multiplying the number of shares owned at the
end of the period by the offering price per share at the end of the period. The
number of shares owned at the end of the period is based on the number of shares
purchased at the beginning of the period with $1,000, adjusted over the period
by any additional shares, assuming a monthly reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions. You should review the performance figures for your insurance
contract, which figures reflect the applicable charges and expenses of the
contract. Such performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the
Fund's performance.
YIELD
The Fund's yield for the thirty-day period ended December 31, 1997, was 2.00%.
The yield for the Fund is determined by dividing the net investment income per
share (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission) earned by the Fund
over a thirty-day period by the maximum offering price per share of the Fund on
the last day of the period. This value is then annualized using semi-annual
compounding. This means that the amount of income generated during the
thirty-day period is assumed to be generated each month over a twelve-month
period and is reinvested every six months. The yield does not necessarily
reflect income actually earned by the Fund because of certain adjustments
required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and, therefore, may not
correlate to the dividends or other distributions paid to shareholders. Also the
yield does not reflect the charges and expenses of an insurance contract. You
should review the performance figures for your insurance contract, which figures
reflect the applicable charges and expenses of the contract. Such performance
figures will accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance.
To the extent that financial institutions and broker/dealers charge fees in
connection with services provided in conjunction with an investment in any class
of Shares, the performance will be reduced for those shareholders paying those
fees.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS
The Fund's performance depends upon such variables as:
* portfolio quality;
* average portfolio maturity;
* type of instruments in which the portfolio is invested; * changes in
interest rates and market value of portfolio securities; * changes in the
Fund's or a class of Shares' expenses; and * various other factors.
The Fund's performance fluctuates on a daily basis largely because net earnings
and offering price per share fluctuate daily. Both net earnings and offering
price per share are factors in the computation of total return.
Investors may use financial publications and/or indices to obtain a more
complete view of the Fund's performance. When comparing performance, investors
should consider all relevant factors such as the composition of any index used,
prevailing market conditions, portfolio compositions of other funds, and methods
used to value portfolio securities and compute offering price. The financial
publications and/or indices which the Fund uses in advertising may include:
* LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC., ranks funds in various fund categories by
making comparative calculations using total return. Total return assumes
the reinvestment of all capital gains distributions and income dividends
and takes into account any change in net asset value over a specific period
of time. From time to time, the Fund will quote its Lipper ranking in the
convertible securities and fixed income funds categories in advertising and
sales literature.
* DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ("DJIA") represents share prices of selected
blue-chip industrial corporations as well as public utility and
transportation companies. The DJIA indicates daily changes in the average
price of stocks in any of its categories. It also reports total sales for
each group of industries. Because it represents the top corporations of
America, the DJIA index is a leading economic indicator for the stock
market as a whole.
* STANDARD & POOR'S DAILY STOCK PRICE INDEX OF 500 COMMON STOCKS is a
composite index of common stocks in industry, transportation, and financial
and public utility companies which compares total returns of funds whose
portfolios are invested primarily in common stocks. In addition, the
Standard & Poor's index assumes reinvestment of all dividends paid by
stocks listed on the index. Taxes due on any of these distributions are not
included, nor are brokerage or other fees calculated, in the Standard &
Poor's figures.
* MORNINGSTAR, INC., an independent rating service, is the publisher of the
bi-weekly Mutual Fund Values. Mutual Fund Values rates more than 1,000
NASDAQ-listed mutual funds of all types, according to their risk-adjusted
returns. The maximum rating is five stars, and ratings are effective for
two weeks.
In addition, the Fund will, from time to time, use the following standard
convertible securities indices against which it will compare its performance:
Goldman Sachs Convertible 100; Kidder Peabody Convertible Bond Index; Value Line
Convertible Bond Index; and Dow Jones Utility Index.
Advertisements and other sales literature for the Fund may quote total returns
which are calculated on nonstandardized base periods. These total returns also
represent the historic change in the value of an investment in the Fund based on
quarterly reinvestment of dividends over a specified period of time.
From time to time as it deems appropriate, the Fund may advertise its
performance using charts, graphs, and descriptions, compared to federally
insured bank products, including certificates of deposit and time deposits, and
to money market funds using the Lipper Analytical Services money market
instruments average. In addition, advertising and sales literature for the Fund
may use charts and graphs to illustrate the principals of dollar-cost averaging
and may disclose the amount of dividends paid by the Fund over certain periods
of time. Advertising and other promotional literature may include charts,
graphs, and other illustrations using the Fund's returns, or returns in general,
that demonstrate basic investment concepts such as tax-deferred compounding,
dollar-cost averaging and systematic investment. In addition, the Fund can
compare its performance, or performance for the types of securities in which it
invests, to a variety of other investments, such as bank savings accounts,
certificates of deposit, and Treasury bills. ECONOMIC AND MARKET
INFORMATION Advertising and sales literature for the Fund may include
discussions of economic, financial, and political developments and their effect
on the securities market. Such discussions may take the form of commentary on
these developments by Fund portfolio managers and their views and analysis on
how such developments could affect the Fund. In addition, advertising and sales
literature may quote statistics and give general information about the mutual
fund industry, including the growth of the industry, from sources such as the
Investment Company Institute ("ICI"). For example, according to the ICI,
thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $4.4 trillion to the more than 6,700 funds available.
ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS
Federated Investors is dedicated to meeting investor needs which is reflected in
its investment decision making--structured, straightforward, and consistent.
This has resulted in a history of competitive performance with a range of
competitive investment products that have gained the confidence of thousands of
clients and their customers.
The company's disciplined security selection process is firmly rooted in sound
methodologies backed by fundamental and technical research. Investment decisions
are made and executed by teams of portfolio managers, analysts, and traders
dedicated to specific market sectors. These traders handle trillions of dollars
in annual trading volume. In the equity sector, Federated Investors has more
than 27 years' experience. As of December 31, 1997, Federated managed 29 equity
funds totaling approximately $11.7 billion in assets across growth, value,
equity income, international, index, and sector (i.e. utility) styles.
Federated's value-oriented management style combines quantitative and
qualitative analysis and features a structured, computer-assisted composite
modeling system that was developed in the 1970s.
In the corporate bond sector, as of December 31, 1997, Federated managed 12
money market funds and 16 bonds funds with assets approximating $22.5 billion
and $5.6 billion, respectively. Federated's corporate bond decision
making--based on intensive, diligent credit analysis--is backed by over 22 years
of experience in the corporate bond sector. In 1972, Federated introduced one of
the first high-yield bond funds in the industry. In 1983, Federated was one of
the first fund managers to participate in the asset-backed securities market, a
market totaling more than $200 billion.
J. Thomas Madden, Executive Vice President, oversees Federated Investors' equity
and high yield corporate bond management while William D. Dawson, Executive Vice
President, oversees Federated Investors' domestic fixed income management. Henry
A. Frantzen, Executive Vice President, oversees the management of Federated
Investors' international and global portfolios.
MUTUAL FUND MARKET
Thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $4.4 trillion to the more than 6,700 funds available.*
Federated Investors, through its subsidiaries, distributes mutual funds for a
variety of investment applications. Specific markets include:
INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS
Federated Investors meets the needs of more than 4,000 institutional clients
nationwide by managing and servicing separate accounts and mutual funds for a
variety of applications, including defined benefit and defined contribution
programs, cash management, and asset/liability management. Institutional clients
include corporations, pension funds, tax-exempt entities,
foundations/endowments, insurance companies, and investment and financial
advisors. The marketing effort to these institutional clients is headed by John
B. Fisher, President, Institutional Sales Division.
BANK MARKETING
Other institutional clients include close relationships with more than 1,600
banks and trust organizations. Virtually all of the trust divisions of the top
100 bank holding companies use Federated funds in their clients' portfolios. The
marketing effort to trust clients is headed by Timothy C. Pillion, Senior Vice
President, Bank Marketing & Sales.
* Source: Investment Company Institute
BROKER/DEALERS AND BANK BROKER/DEALER SUBSIDIARIES
Federated funds are available to consumers through major brokerage firms
nationwide--we have over 2,200 broker/dealer and bank broker/dealer
relationships across the country -- supported by more wholesalers than any other
mutual fund distributor. Federated's service to financial professionals and
institutions has earned it high ratings in several surveys performed by DALBAR,
Inc. DALBAR is recognized as the industry benchmark for service quality
measurement. The marketing effort to these firms is headed by James F. Getz,
President, Federated Securities Corp.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's financial statements for the fiscal year ended Decembere 31, 1997,
are incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report of the Fund dated
December 31, 1997 (File Nos. 33-69268 and 811-8042). Copies of the Report may be
obtained without charge by contacting the Fund.
Federated Growth Strategies Fund II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
Prospectus
This prospectus offers shares of Federated Growth Strategies Fund II (the
"Fund"), which is a diversified investment portfolio in Federated Insurance
Series (the "Trust"), an open-end, diversified management investment company.
The investment objective of the Fund is capital appreciation. Shares of the Fund
may be sold only to separate accounts of insurance companies to serve as the
investment medium for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity
contracts issued by insurance companies.
The shares offered by this prospectus are not deposits or obligations of any
bank, are not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank, and are not insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other
government agency. Investment in these shares involves investment
risks, including the possible loss of principal.
This prospectus contains the information you should read and know before you
invest in the Fund through the variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance policies offered by insurance companies which provide for investment
in the Fund. Keep this prospectus for future reference.
The Fund has also filed a Statement of Additional Information dated April 23,
1998, with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The information
contained in the Statement of Additional Information, is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. You may request a copy of the Statement of
Additional Information, or a paper copy of this prospectus, if you have received
your prospectus electronically, free of charge by calling 1-800-341-7400. To
obtain other information or to make inquiries about the Fund, contact the Fund
at the address listed in the back of this prospectus. The Statement of
Additional Information, material incorporated by reference into this document,
and other information regarding the Fund is maintained electronically with the
SEC at Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
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 SHARES ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AS FUNDING VEHICLES FOR LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANIES WRITING VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS AND VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE
POLICIES. THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE PROSPECTUS FOR SUCH
CONTRACTS.
Prospectus dated April 23, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Financial Highlights 1
General Information 2
Investment Information 2
Investment Objective 2
Investment Policies 2
Investment Limitations 5
Net Asset Value 5
Investing in the Fund 6
Purchases and Redemptions 6
What Shares Cost 6
Dividends 6
Fund Information 6
Management of the Fund 6
Distribution of Fund Shares 7
Administration of the Fund 8
Brokerage Transactions 8
Shareholder Information 8
Voting Rights 8
Tax Information 8
Federal Taxes 8
State and Local Taxes 9
Performance Information 9
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
The following table has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund's
independent auditors. The report, dated February 6, 1998, on the Fund's
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1997, and on the following
table for the periods presented, is included in the Fund's Annual Report, which
is herein incorporated by reference. This table should be read in conjunction
with the Fund's financial statements and notes thereto, contained in the Fund's
Annual Report, which may be obtained free of charge.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996 1995(A)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $12.80 $10.30 $10.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 0.02** 0.05 0.03
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments 3.41 2.45 0.27
Total from investment operations 3.43 2.50 0.30
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net investment income (0.02) (0.004) --
Distributions from net realized gain on investments (0.07) -- --
Total distributions (0.09) (0.004) --
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $16.14 $12.80 $10.30
TOTAL RETURN(B) 27.03% 24.32% 3.00%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 0.85% 0.85% 0.85%*
Net investment income 0.14% 0.55% 1.91%*
Expense waiver/reimbursement(c) 0.67% 3.87% 76.95%*
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $47,280 $16,985 $368
Average commission rate paid(d) $0.0566 $0.0376 --
Portfolio turnover 148% 96% 4%
</TABLE>
* Computed on an annualized basis.
** Per share information presented is based upon the monthly average number of
shares outstanding.
(a) Reflects operations for the period from November 9, 1995 (date of initial
public investment) to December 31, 1995.
(b) Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
(c) This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and net
investment income ratios shown above.
(d) Represents total commissions paid on portfolio securities divided by total
portfolio shares purchased or sold on which commissions were charged. This
disclosure is required for fiscal years beginning on or after September 1, 1995.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PERFORMANCE IS CONTAINED IN THE FUND'S
ANNUAL REPORT DATED DECEMBER 31, 1997, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, which was established as
Insurance Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust, under a Declaration
of Trust dated September 15, 1993. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to
offer separate series of shares of beneficial interest in separate portfolios of
securities, including the Fund. The shares in any one portfolio may be offered
in separate classes. As of the date of this prospectus, the Board of Trustees
("Trustees") have not established separate classes of shares. Shares of the
Fund are sold only to insurance companies as funding vehicles for variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the insurance
companies. Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value as described in the
section entitled "What Shares Cost." Shares of the Fund are redeemed at net
asset value.
INVESTMENT INFORMATION
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the Fund is capital appreciation. The investment
objective cannot be changed without the approval of the Fund's shareholders.
While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective,
it endeavors to do so by following the investment policies described in this
prospectus.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing at least 65% of its
assets in equity securities of companies with prospects for above-average growth
in earnings and dividends or companies where significant fundamental changes are
taking place. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, and
securities (including debt securities) that are convertible into common stocks.
Unless indicated otherwise, the investment policies of the Fund may be changed
by the Trustees without the approval of shareholders. Shareholders will be
notified before any material change in these policies becomes effective.
ACCEPTABLE INVESTMENTS
The Fund's investment adviser selects equity securities on the basis of
traditional research techniques, including assessment of earnings and dividend
growth prospects and of the risk and volatility of each company's business. The
Fund generally invests in companies with market capitalization of $100,000,000
or more. The fundamental changes which the investment adviser will seek to
identify in companies include, for example, restructuring of basic businesses or
reallocations of assets which present opportunities for significant share price
appreciation. At times, the Fund will invest in securities of companies which
are deemed by the investment adviser to be candidates for acquisition by other
entities as indicated by changes in ownership, changes in standard
price-to-value ratios, and an examination of other standard analytical indices.
The securities in which the Fund invests include, but are not limited to common
stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, securities of foreign issuers,
securities of other investment companies, and corporate obligations, including
bonds, debentures, notes, and warrants. In addition, the Fund may engage in
repurchase agreements, lend portfolio securities, purchase securities on a
when-issued or delayed delivery basis, and invest in put and call options,
futures, and options on futures.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
Convertible securities include a spectrum of securities which can be exchanged
for or converted into common stock. Convertible securities may include, but are
not limited to: convertible bonds or debentures; convertible preferred stock;
units consisting of usable bonds and warrants; or securities which cap or
otherwise limit returns to the convertible security holder, such as DECS -
(Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock, or Debt Exchangeable for Common Stock when
issued as a debt security), LYONS (Liquid Yield Option Notes, which are
corporate bonds that are purchased at prices below par with no coupons and are
convertible into stock), PERCS (Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock, an
equity issue that pays a high cash dividend, has a cap price and mandatory
conversion to common stock at maturity), and PRIDES - (Preferred Redeemable
Increased Dividend Securities, which are essentially the same as DECS; the
difference is little more than who initially underwrites the issue).
Convertible securities are often rated below investment grade or not rated
because they fall below debt obligations and just above common equity in order
of preference or priority on the issuer's balance sheet. Hence, an issuer with
investment grade senior debt may issue convertible securities with ratings less
than investment grade or not rated. Convertible securities rated below
investment grade may be subject to some of the same risks as those inherent in
junk bonds. The Fund does not limit convertible securities by rating, and there
is no minimal acceptance rating for a convertible security to be purchased or
held in the Fund. Therefore, the Fund invests in convertible securities
irrespective of their ratings. This could result in the Fund purchasing and
holding, without limit, convertible securities rated below investment grade by a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) or in the Fund
holding such securities where they have acquired a rating below investment grade
after the Fund has purchased it.
The Fund's investments in convertible securities will not be subject to the
quality rating limit on other securities in which the Fund invests.
SECURITIES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS
The Fund may invest in the securities of foreign issuers which are freely traded
on United States securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market in the
form of depositary receipts. Securities of a foreign issuer may present greater
risks in the form of nationalization, confiscation, domestic marketability, or
other national or international restrictions.
As a matter of practice, the Fund will not invest in the securities of a foreign
issuer if any such risk appears to the investment adviser to be substantial.
CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in bonds, debentures, notes
and warrants of corporate issuers. These securities will generally be rated BBB
or better by Standard & Poor's ("S&P") or Baa or better by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's") at the time of investment, or if unrated, of
comparable quality. Securities which are rated BBB by S&P or Baa by Moody's have
speculative characteristics. Changes in economic conditions or other
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal
and interest payments than higher-rated bonds. The prices of fixed income
securities generally fluctuate inversely to the direction of interest rates.
Downgrades will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the investment adviser.
The investment adviser will determine whether or not the security continues to
be an acceptable investment. If not, the security will be sold. A description of
the ratings categories is contained in the Appendix to the Statement of
Additional Information.
In addition, with respect to the 35% limit, the Fund may invest up to 5% of its
assets in debt obligations rated B or better by S&P or Moody's.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies as an
efficient means of carrying out its investment policies. It should be noted that
investment companies incur certain expenses, such as management fees, and,
therefore, any investment by the Fund in shares of other investment companies
may be subject to such duplicate expenses.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund will engage in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are
arrangements in which banks, broker/dealers, and other recognized financial
institutions sell U.S. government securities or other securities to the Fund and
agree at the time of sale to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon time and
price. The Fund or its custodian will take possession of the securities subject
to repurchase agreements and these securities will be marked to market daily. To
the extent that the original seller does not repurchase the securities from the
Fund, the Fund could receive less than the repurchase price on any sale of such
securities. In the event that such a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or
became insolvent, disposition of such securities by the Fund might be delayed
pending court action. The Fund believes that, under the regular procedures
normally in effect for custody of the Fund's portfolio securities subject to
repurchase agreements, a court of competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of
the Fund and allow retention or disposition of such securities. The Fund will
only enter into repurchase agreements with banks and other recognized financial
institutions, such as broker/dealers, which are found by the Fund's investment
adviser to be creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities are any
securities in which the Fund may invest pursuant to its investment objective and
policies but which are subject to restriction on resale under federal securities
law. Under criteria established by the Trustees, certain restricted securities
are determined to be liquid. To the extent that restricted securities are not
determined to be liquid, the Fund will limit their purchase together with other
illiquid securities including non-negotiable time deposits, repurchase
agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice, and
over-the-counter options to 15% of its net assets. LENDING OF PORTFOLIO
SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend portfolio securities
on a short-term or long-term basis, or both, up to one-third of the value of its
total assets to broker/dealers, banks, or other institutional borrowers of
securities. This is a fundamental policy which may not be changed without the
approval of shareholders. The Fund will only enter into loan arrangements with
broker/dealers, banks, or other institutions which the investment adviser has
determined are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Trustees, and
will receive collateral in the form of cash or U.S. government securities equal
to at least 100% of the value of the portfolio securities loaned at all times.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
These transactions are arrangements in which the Fund purchases securities with
payment and delivery scheduled for a future time. The seller's failure to
complete the transaction may cause the Fund to miss a price or yield considered
to be advantageous. Settlement dates may be a month or more after entering into
these transactions, and the market values of the securities purchased may vary
from the purchase prices.
The Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if the adviser deems it
appropriate to do so. In addition, the Fund may enter in transactions to sell
its purchase commitments to third parties at current market values and
simultaneously acquire other commitments to purchase similar securities at later
dates. The Fund may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of such
commitments.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
For defensive purposes only, the Fund may also invest temporarily in cash and
cash items during times of unusual market conditions and to maintain liquidity.
Cash items may include short-term obligations such as:
* commercial paper rated A-1 or A-2 by S&P, Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moody's, or
F-1 or F-2 by Fitch IBCA, Inc.;
* securities issued and/or guaranteed as to the payment of principal and
interest by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities;
* certificates of deposit, demand and time deposits, bankers' acceptances,
deposit notes, and other instruments of domestic and foreign banks and
other deposit institutions; and
* repurchase agreements.
PUT AND CALL OPTIONS
The Fund may purchase put options on stocks. These options will be used only as
a hedge to attempt to protect securities which the Fund holds against decreases
in value. The Fund may purchase these put options as long as they are listed on
a recognized options exchange and the underlying stocks are held in its
portfolio. The Fund may also write call options on securities either held in its
portfolio or which it has the right to obtain without payment of further
consideration or for which it has segregated cash in the amount of any
additional consideration. The call options which the Fund writes and sells must
be listed on a recognized options exchange. Writing of calls by the Fund is
intended to generate income for the Fund and, thereby, protect against price
movements in particular securities in the Fund's portfolio.
Prior to exercise or expiration, an option position can only be terminated by
entering into a closing purchase or sale transaction. This requires a secondary
market on an exchange which may or may not exist for any particular call or put
option at any specific time. The absence of a liquid secondary market also may
limit the Fund's ability to dispose of the securities underlying an option. The
inability to close options also could have an adverse impact on the Fund's
ability to effectively hedge its portfolio.
The Fund may purchase and write over-the-counter options on portfolio securities
in negotiated transactions with the buyers or writers of the options when
options on the portfolio securities held by the Fund are not traded on an
exchange. The Fund purchases and writes options only with investment dealers and
other financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings associations)
deemed creditworthy by the Fund's adviser.
Over-the-counter options are two-party contracts with price and terms negotiated
between buyer and seller. In contrast, exchange-traded options are third-party
contracts with standardized strike prices and expiration dates and are purchased
from a clearing corporation. Exchange-traded options have a continuous liquid
market, while over-the-counter options may not.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS
The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures and stock index futures
contracts to hedge all or a portion of its portfolio against changes in the
price of its portfolio securities, but will not engage in futures transactions
for speculative purposes.
The Fund may also write call options and purchase put options on financial
futures and stock index futures contacts as a hedge to attempt to protect
securities in its portfolio against decreases in value.
VARIABLE ASSET REGULATIONS
The Fund is also subject to variable contract asset regula- tions prescribed by
the U.S. Treasury Department under Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
After a one-year start-up period, the regulations generally require that, as of
the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, no more than 55%
of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any one investment, no
more than 70% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any two
investments, no more than 80% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented
by any three investments, and no more than 90% of the total assets of the Fund
may be represented by any four investments. In applying these diversification
rules, all securities of the same issuer, all interests in the same real
property project, and all interests in the same commodity are each treated as a
single investment. In the case of government securities, each government agency
or instrumentality shall be treated as a separate issuer. If the Fund fails to
achieve the diversification required by the regulations, unless relief is
obtained from the Internal Revenue Service, the contracts invested in the Fund
will not be treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts.
The Fund will be operated at all times so as to comply with the foregoing
diversification requirements.
STATE INSURANCE REGULATIONS
The Fund is intended to be a funding vehicle for variable annuity contracts and
variable life insurance policies offered by certain insurance companies. The
contracts will seek to be offered in as many jurisdictions as possible. Certain
states have regulations concerning, among other things, the concentration of
investments, sales and purchases of futures contracts, and short sales of
securities. If applicable, the Fund may be limited in its ability to engage in
such investments and to manage its portfolio with desired flexibility. The Fund
will operate in material compliance with the applicable insurance laws and
regulations of each jurisdiction in which contracts will be offered by the
insurance companies which invest in the Fund.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Although the Fund does not intend to invest for the purpose of seeking
short-term profits, securities in its portfolio will be sold whenever the
investment adviser believes it is appropriate to do so in light of the Fund's
investment objective, without regard to the length of time a particular security
may have been held. The Fund's rate of portfolio turnover may exceed that of
certain other mutual funds with the same investment objective. A higher rate of
portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater transaction expenses which
must be borne directly by the Fund and, thus, indirectly by its shareholders. In
addition, a high rate of portfolio turnover may result in the realization of
larger amounts of capital gains which, when distributed to the Fund's
shareholders, are taxable to them. (Further information is contained in the
Fund's Statement of Additional Information within the sections "Brokerage
Transactions" and "Tax Status.") Nevertheless, transactions for the Fund's
portfolio will be based only upon investment considerations and will not be
limited by any other considerations when the investment adviser deems it
appropriate make changes in the Fund's portfolio.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The Fund will not:
* borrow money directly or through reverse repurchase agreements
(arrangements in which the Fund sells a portfolio instrument for a
percentage of its cash value with an agreement to buy it back on a set
date) or pledge securities except, under certain circumstances, the Fund
may borrow money and engage in reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up
to one-third of the value of its total assets and pledge up to 15% of its
total assets to secure such borrowings.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund fluctuates. It is determined by
dividing the sum of the market value of all securities and other assets of the
Fund, less liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding.
INVESTING IN THE FUND
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Shares of the Fund are not sold directly to the general public. The Fund's
shares are used solely as the investment vehicle for separate accounts of
insurance companies offering variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance policies. The use of Fund shares as investments for both variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies is referred to as "mixed
funding." The use of Fund shares as investments by separate accounts of
unaffiliated life insurance companies is referred to as "shared funding."
The Fund intends to engage in mixed funding and shared funding in the future.
Although the Fund does not currently foresee any disadvantage to contract owners
due to differences in redemption rates, tax treatment, or other considerations,
resulting from mixed funding or shared funding, the Trustees will closely
monitor the operation of mixed funding and shared funding and will consider
appropriate action to avoid material conflicts and take appropriate action in
response to any material conflicts which occur. Such action could result in one
or more participating insurance companies withdrawing their investment in the
Fund.
Shares of the Fund are purchased or redeemed on behalf of participating
insurance companies at the next computed net asset value after an order is
received on days on which the New York Stock Exchange is open.
WHAT SHARES COST
The net asset value is determined as of the close of trading (normally 4:00
p.m., Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange, Monday through Friday,
except on: (i) days on which there are not sufficient changes in the value of
the Fund's portfolio securities that its net asset value might be materially
affected; (ii) days on which no shares are tendered for redemption and no orders
to purchase shares are received; and (iii) the following holidays: New Year's
Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Purchase
orders from separate accounts investing in the Fund which are received by the
insurance companies by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time), will be computed at the net
asset value of the Fund determined on that day, as long as such purchase orders
are received by the Fund in proper form and in accordance with applicable
procedures by 8:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the next business day and as long as
federal funds in the amount of such orders are received by the Fund on the next
business day. It is the responsibility of each insurance company which invests
in the Fund to properly transmit purchase orders and federal funds in accordance
with the procedures described above.
DIVIDENDS
Dividends on shares of the Fund are declared and paid annually.
Shares of the Fund will begin earning dividends if owned on the applicable
record date. Dividends of the Fund are automatically reinvested in additional
shares of the Fund on payment dates at the ex-dividend date net asset value.
FUND INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees. The Trustees are responsible for
managing the business affairs of the Trust and for exercising all of the Trust's
powers except those reserved for the shareholders. The Executive Committee of
the Board of Trustees handles the Board's responsibilities between meetings of
the Board.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Pursuant to an investment advisory contract with the Trust, investment decisions
for the Fund are made by Federated Advisers, the Fund's investment adviser,
subject to direction by the Trustees. The adviser continually conducts
investment research and supervision for the Fund and is responsible for the
purchase or sale of portfolio instruments, for which it receives an annual fee
from the Fund.
Both the Trust and the adviser have adopted strict codes of ethics governing the
conduct of all employees who manage the Fund and its portfolio securities. These
codes recognize that such persons owe a fiduciary duty to the Fund's
shareholders and must place the interests of shareholders ahead of the
employees' own interest. Among other things, the codes: require preclearance and
periodic reporting of personal securities transactions; prohibit personal
transactions in securities being purchased or sold, or being considered for
purchase or sale, by the Fund; prohibit purchasing securities in initial public
offerings; and prohibit taking profits on securities held for less than sixty
days. Violations of these codes are subject to review by the Trustees, and could
result in severe penalties.
ADVISORY FEES
The Fund's adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee equal to 0.75% of
the Fund's average daily net assets. The adviser may voluntarily choose to waive
a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The
adviser can terminate this voluntary waiver and reimbursement of expenses at any
time at its sole discretion.
ADVISER'S BACKGROUND
Federated Advisers, a Delaware business trust organized on April 11, 1989, is a
registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. It is a
subsidiary of Federated Investors. All of the Class A (voting) shares of
Federated Investors are owned by a trust, the trustees of which are John F.
Donahue, Chairman and Trustee of Federated Investors, Mr. Donahue's wife, and
Mr. Donahue's son, J. Christopher Donahue, who is President and Trustee of
Federated Investors. Federated Advisers and other subsidiaries of Federated
Investors serve as investment advisers to a number of investment companies and
private accounts. Certain other subsidiaries also provide administrative
services to a number of investment companies. With over $120 billion invested
across more than 300 funds under management and/or administration by its
subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1997, Federated Investors is one of the largest
mutual fund investment managers in the United States. With more than 2,000
employees, Federated continues to be led by the management who founded the
company in 1955. Federated funds are presently at work in and through
approximately 4,000 financial institutions nationwide. James E.
Grefenstette has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since the Fund's
inception. Mr. Grefenstette joined Federated Investors in 1992 and has been a
Vice President of the Fund's investment adviser since 1996. From 1994 until
1996, Mr. Grefenstette acted as an Assistant Vice President of the Fund's
investment adviser, and served as an Investment Analyst of the investment
adviser from 1992 to 1994. Mr. Grefenstette was a credit analyst at Westinghouse
Credit Corp. from 1990 until 1992. Mr. Grefenstette is a Chartered Financial
Analyst; he received his M.S. in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon
University.
Salvatore Esposito has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since August 1997.
Mr. Esposito joined Federated Investors in 1995 as an Investment Analyst of the
Fund's investment adviser and has been an Assistant Vice President of the Fund's
investment adviser since October 1997. From 1987 to 1995, Mr. Esposito served in
various positions at PNC Bank, culminating in that of Vice President/Lead
Reviewer. Mr. Esposito earned his M.B.A., concentrating in Finance, from
Duquesne University.
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
Federated Securities Corp. is the principal distributor for shares of the
Fund. Federated Securities Corp. is located at Federated Investors Tower,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779. It is a Pennsylvania corporation
organized on November 14, 1969, and is the principal distributor for a
number of investment companies. Federated Securities Corp. is a subsidiary
of Federated Investors.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Fund has entered into a Shareholder Services Agreement with Federated
Shareholder Services, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, under which the Fund
may make payments up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of its
shares, computed at an annual rate, to obtain certain personal services for
shareholders and to maintain shareholder accounts. From time to time and for
such periods as deemed appropriate, the amount stated above may be reduced
voluntarily. Under the Shareholder Services Agreement, Federated Shareholder
Services will either perform shareholder services directly or will select
institutions to perform shareholder services. Institutions will receive fees
based upon shares owned by their clients or customers. The schedules of such
fees and the basis upon which such fees will be paid will be determined from
time to time by the Fund and Federated Shareholder Services.
SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Federated Securities Corp., from its own assets, may pay financial institutions
supplemental fees for the performance of substantial sales services,
distribution-related support services, or shareholder services. The support may
include sponsoring sales, educational and training seminars for their employees,
providing sales literature, and engineering computer software programs that
emphasize the attributes of the Fund. Such assistance may be predicated upon the
amount of shares the financial institution sells or may sell, and/or upon the
type and nature of sales or marketing support furnished by the financial
institution. Any payments made by the distributor may be reimbursed by the
Fund's investment adviser or its affiliates.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services (including certain legal and financial
reporting services) necessary to operate the Fund at an annual rate which
relates to the average aggregate daily net assets of all funds advised by
affiliates of Federated Investors as specified below:
MAXIMUM AVERAGE AGGREGATE
FEE DAILY NET ASSETS
0.150% on the first $250 million
0.125% on the next $250 million
0.100% on the next $250 million
0.075% on assets in excess of $750 million
The administrative fee received during any fiscal year shall be at least
$125,000 per portfolio and $30,000 per each additional class of shares.
Federated Services Company may choose voluntarily to waive a portion of its fee.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio
instruments, the adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable
price. In working with dealers, the adviser will generally utilize those who are
recognized dealers in specific portfolio instruments, except when a better price
and execution of the order can be obtained elsewhere. In selecting among firms
believed to meet these criteria, the adviser may give consideration to those
firms which have sold or are selling shares of the other funds distributed by
Federated Securities Corp. The adviser makes decisions on portfolio transactions
and selects brokers and dealers subject to review by the Trustees.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
VOTING RIGHTS
The insurance company separate accounts, as shareholders of the Fund, will vote
the Fund shares held in their separate accounts at meetings of the shareholders.
Voting will be in accordance with instructions received from contract owners of
the separate accounts, as more fully outlined in the prospectus of the separate
account. As of April 8, 1998, Aetna Retirement Services Central Valuation Unit,
Hartford, CT, owned approximately 100% of the voting securities of the Fund,
and, therefore, may for certain purposes be deemed to control the Fund and be
able to affect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of
shareholders. Aetna Retirement Services is owned by Aetna Inc. Each share
of the Fund gives the shareholder one vote in Trustee elections and other
matters submitted to shareholders for vote. All shares of each portfolio in the
Trust have equal voting rights except that only shares of the Fund are entitled
to vote on matters affecting only the Fund. As a Massachusetts business trust,
the Trust is not required to hold annual shareholder meetings. Shareholder
approval will be sought only for certain changes in the Trust's or the Fund's
operation and for the election of Trustees in certain circumstances.
Trustees may be removed by the Trustees or by shareholders at a special meeting.
A special meeting of shareholders shall be called by the Trustees upon the
written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of
all series of the Trust.
TAX INFORMATION
FEDERAL TAXES
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because the Fund expects to meet
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, applicable to regulated
investment companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded to such
companies.
The Fund will be treated as a single, separate entity for federal income tax
purposes so that income (including capital gains) and losses realized by the
Trust's other portfolios will not be combined for tax purposes with those
realized by the Fund.
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described earlier in this prospectus. If the Fund fails to comply with
these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be treated as
annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the applicable contract prospectus for information
concerning the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions
from the Fund to the separate accounts.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
Contract owners are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the status
of their contracts under state and local tax laws.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time the Fund advertises total return and yield.
Total return represents the change, over a specific period of time, in the value
of an investment in the Fund after reinvesting all income and capital gain
distributions. It is calculated by dividing that change by the initial
investment and is expressed as a percentage. The yield of the Fund is
calculated by dividing the net investment income per share (as defined by the
SEC) earned by the Fund over a thirty-day period by the offering price per share
of the Fund on the last day of the period. This number is then annualized using
semi-annual compounding. The yield does not necessarily reflect income actually
earned by the Fund and, therefore, may not correlate to the dividends or other
distributions paid to shareholders. Performance information will not
reflect the charges and expenses of a variable annuity or variable life
insurance contract. Because shares of the Fund can only be purchased by a
separate account of an insurance company offering such a contract, you should
review the performance figures of the contract in which you are invested, which
performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance.
From time to time, advertisements for the Fund may refer to ratings, rankings,
and other information in certain financial publications and/or compare the
Fund's performance to certain indices.
[Graphic]
FEDERATED GROWTH STRATEGIES FUND II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
Prospectus
April 23, 1998
A Diversified Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, an Open-End
Management Investment Company
FEDERATED
INSURANCE
SERIES
FEDERATED GROWTH STRATEGIES FUND II
Federated Investors Funds
5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000
DISTRIBUTOR
Federated Securities Corp.
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779 INVESTMENT ADVISER Federated
Advisers Federated Investors Tower 1001 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA
15222-3779 CUSTODIAN State Street Bank and Trust Company Boston, MA
02266-8600 TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT Federated
Shareholder Services Company P.O. Box 8600 Boston, MA 02266-8600
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Deloitte & Touche LLP 2500 One PPG Place Pittsburgh, PA
15222-5401
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916702
G01283-01 (4/98)
[Graphic]
FEDERATED GROWTH STRATEGIES FUND II
(A PORTFOLIO OF FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES)
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information should be read with the prospectus of
Federated Growth Strategies Fund II (the "Fund"), a portfolio of Federated
Insurance Series (the "Trust") dated April 23, 1998. This Statement is not a
prospectus. You may request a copy of a prospectus or a paper copy of this
Statement, if you have received it electronically, free of charge by calling
1-800-341-7400.
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
FEDERATED INVESTORS FUNDS
5800 CORPORATE DRIVE
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15237-7000
Statement dated April 23, 1998
[Graphic]
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
Federated Investors Towers
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916702
G01283-02 (4/98)
[Graphic]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION 1 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES 1 Types of Investments
1 Restricted and Illiquid Securities 5 When-Issued and Delayed Delivery
Transactions 5 Lending of Portfolio Securities 5 Investing in Securities of
Other Investment Companies 5 Repurchase Agreements 5 Reverse Repurchase
Agreements 5 Portfolio Turnover 5 INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 6 Selling Short and
Buying on Margin 6 Issuing Senior Securities and Borrowing Money 6 Pledging
Assets 6 Concentration of Investments 6 Investing in Commodities 6 Investing in
Real Estate 6 Lending Cash or Securities 6 Underwriting 6 Diversification of
Investments 7 Investing in Put Options 7 Writing Covered Call Options 7
Purchasing Securities to Exercise Control 7 Investing in Restricted and
Illiquid Securities 7 FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT 8 Fund Ownership 11
Trustee Compensation 12 Trustee Liability 12 INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES 12
Adviser to the Fund 12 Advisory Fees 13 BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS 13 OTHER
SERVICES 13 Fund Administration 13 Custodian and Portfolio Accountant 13
Transfer Agent 13 Independent Auditors 13 PURCHASING SHARES 14 SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES 14 DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE 14 Determining Market Value of
Securities 14 MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW 14 TAX STATUS 15 The Fund's Tax
Status 15 Shareholders' Tax Status 15 TOTAL RETURN 15 YIELD 15 PERFORMANCE
COMPARISONS 16 Economic and Market Information 17 ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS 17
Mutual Fund Market 17 Institutional Clients 17 Bank Marketing 17 Broker/Dealers
and Bank Broker/Dealer Subsidiaries 18 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 18 APPENDIX 19
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of Federated Insurance Series (the "Trust"), which was
established as Insurance Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust,
under a Declaration of Trust dated September 15, 1993. At a meeting of the Board
of Trustees (the "Trustees") held on November 14, 1995, the Trustees approved an
amendment to the Declaration of Trust to change the name of the Trust from
Insurance Management Series to Federated Insurance Series. At a meeting of the
Trustees held on February 26, 1996, the Trustees approved an amendment to the
Declaration of Trust to change the name of the Fund from Growth Stock Fund to
Federated Growth Strategies Fund II. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust
to offer separate series of shares of beneficial interest in separate portfolios
of securities, including the Fund. The shares in any one portfolio may be
offered in separate classes. As of the date of this Statement, the Trustees have
not established separate classes of shares.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The investment objective of the Fund is capital appreciation. The Fund pursues
this investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities of
companies with prospects for above-average growth in earnings and dividends or
companies where significant changes are taking place. The investment objective
cannot be changed without approval of shareholders.
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund may invest in common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities,
securities of foreign issuers, U.S. government obligations, securities of other
investment companies; and corporate obligations, including bonds, debentures,
notes, and warrants. The Fund may also engage in repurchase agreements, lend
portfolio securities, purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery
basis, and invest in put and call options, futures and options on futures. The
following supplements the discussion of acceptable investments in the
prospectus.
CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES
Corporate debt securities may bear fixed, fixed and contingent, or variable
rates of interest. They may involve equity features such as conversion or
exchange rights, warrants for the acquisition of common stock of the same or a
different issuer, participations based on revenues, sales or profits, or the
purchase of common stock in a unit transaction (where corporate debt securities
and common stock are offered as a unit). Corporate debt securities that are
lower-rated (i.e., rated below BBB by Standard & Poor's or Baa by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc.) are commonly referred to as "junk bonds." While these
lower-rated bonds will usually offer higher yields than higher-rated securities,
there is more risk associated with these investments. These lower-rated bonds
may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic conditions than
investment grade bonds. These lower-rated bonds are regarded as predominately
speculative with regard to each issuer's continuing ability to make principal
and interest payments. In addition, the secondary trading market for lower-rated
bonds may be less liquid than for investment grade bonds. As a result of these
factors, lower-rated bonds tend to have more price volatility and carry more
risk to principal than higher-rated bonds. The investment adviser will endeavor
to limit these risks through diversifying the portfolio and through careful
credit analysis of individual issuers. CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
DECS, or similar instruments marketed under different names, offer a substantial
dividend advantage with the possibility of unlimited upside potential if the
price of the underlying common stock exceeds a certain level. DECS convert to
common stock at maturity. The amount received is dependent on the price of the
common stock at the time of maturity. DECS contain two call options at different
strike prices. The DECS participate with the common stock up to the first call
price. They are effectively capped at that point unless the common stock rises
above a second price point, at which time they participate with unlimited upside
potential.
PERCS, or similar instruments marketed under different names, offer a
substantial dividend advantage, but capital appreciation potential is limited to
a predetermined level. PERCS are less risky and less volatile than the
underlying common stock because their superior income mitigates declines when
the common stock falls, while the cap price limits gains when the common stock
rises.
WARRANTS
Warrants are basically options to purchase common stock at a specific price
(usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at
issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging
from less than a year to twenty years or may be perpetual. However, most
warrants have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, if
the market price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant's exercise
price during the life of the warrant, the warrant will expire as worthless.
Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with
respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase
or decrease in the market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the
percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the optioned common
stock.
FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
As a means of reducing fluctuations in the net asset value of shares of the
Fund, the Fund may attempt to hedge all or a portion of its portfolio by buying
and selling futures contracts and options on futures contracts, and buying put
and call options on portfolio securities and securities indices. The Fund may
also write covered put and call options on portfolio securities to attempt to
increase its current income or to hedge a portion of its portfolio investments.
The Fund will maintain its positions in securities, option rights, and
segregated cash subject to puts and calls until the options are exercised,
closed, or have expired. An option position on a futures contract may be closed
out over-the-counter or on a nationally recognized exchange which provides a
secondary market for options of the same series. The Fund will not engage in
futures transactions for speculative purposes.
FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts to hedge against the
effects of changes in the value of portfolio securities due to anticipated
changes in interest rates and market conditions without necessarily buying or
selling the securities. Although some financial futures contracts call for
making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, in most cases these
obligations are closed out before the settlement date. The closing of a
contractual obligation is accomplished by purchasing or selling an identical
offsetting futures contract. Other financial futures contracts by their terms
call for cash settlements.
The Fund also may purchase and sell stock index futures contracts with respect
to any stock index traded on a recognized stock exchange or board of trade to
hedge against changes in prices. Stock index futures contracts are based on
indices that reflect the market value of common stock of the firms included in
the indices. An index futures contract is an agreement pursuant to which two
parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the
difference between the value of the index at the close of the last trading day
of the contract and the price at which the index contract was originally
written. No physical delivery of the underlying securities in the index is made.
Instead, settlement in cash must occur upon the termination of the contract,
with the settlement being the difference between the contract price and the
actual level of the stock index at the expiration of the contract.
A futures contract is a firm commitment by two parties: the seller who agrees to
make delivery of the specific type of security called for in the contract
("going short") and the buyer who agrees to take delivery of the security
("going long") at a certain time in the future. For example, in the fixed income
securities market, prices move inversely to interest rates. A rise in rates
means a drop in price. Conversely, a drop in rates means a rise in price. In
order to hedge its holdings of fixed income securities against a rise in market
interest rates, the Fund could enter into contracts to deliver securities at a
predetermined price (i.e., "go short") to protect itself against the possibility
that the prices of its fixed income securities may decline during the Fund's
anticipated holding period. The Fund would "go long" (agree to purchase
securities in the future at a predetermined price) to hedge against a decline in
market interest rates.
"MARGIN" IN FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
Unlike the purchase or sale of a security, the Fund does not pay or receive
money upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Rather, the Fund is
required to deposit an amount of "initial margin" in cash, U.S. government
securities or highly-liquid debt securities with its custodian (or the broker,
if legally permitted). The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is
different from that of margin in securities transactions in that initial margin
in futures transactions does not involve the borrowing of funds by the Fund to
finance the transactions. Initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond
or good faith deposit on the contract which is returned to the Fund upon
termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have
been satisfied.
A futures contract held by the Fund is valued daily at the official settlement
price of the exchange on which it is traded. Each day the Fund pays or receives
cash, called "variation margin," equal to the daily change in value of the
futures contract. This process is known as "marking to market." Variation margin
does not represent a borrowing or loan by the Fund but is instead settlement
between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe the other if the
futures contract expired. In computing its daily net asset value, the Fund will
mark to market its open futures positions. The Fund is also required to deposit
and maintain margin when it writes call options on futures contracts.
To the extent required to comply with Commodity Futures Trading Commission
("CFTC") Regulation 4.5 and thereby avoid status as a "commodity pool operator,"
the Fund will not enter into a futures contract, or purchase an option thereon,
if immediately thereafter the initial margin deposits for futures contracts held
by it, plus premiums paid by it for open options on futures contracts, would
exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund's total assets, after taking into
account the unrealized profits and losses on those contracts it has entered
into; and, provided further, that in the case of an option that is in-the-money
at the time of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in computing
such 5%. Second, the Fund will not enter into these contracts for speculative
purposes; rather, these transactions are entered into only for bona fide hedging
purposes, or other permissible purposes pursuant to regulations promulgated by
the CFTC. Third, since the Fund does not constitute a commodity pool, it will
not market itself as such, nor serve as a vehicle for trading in the commodities
futures or commodity options markets. Finally, because the Fund will submit to
the CFTC special calls for information, the Fund will not register as a
commodities pool operator.
PUT OPTIONS ON FINANCIAL AND STOCK INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Fund may purchase listed put options on financial and stock index futures
contracts to protect portfolio securities against decreases in value resulting
from market factors, such as an anticipated increase in interest rates or stock
prices. Unlike entering directly into a futures contract, which requires the
purchaser to buy a financial instrument on a set date at a specified price, the
purchase of a put option on a futures contract entitles (but does not obligate)
its purchaser to decide on or before a future date whether to assume a short
position at the specified price.
Generally, if the hedged portfolio securities decrease in value during the term
of an option, the related futures contracts will also decrease in value and the
option will increase in value. In such an event, the Fund will normally close
out its option by selling an identical option. If the hedge is successful, the
proceeds received by the Fund upon the sale of the second option will be large
enough to offset both the premium paid by the Fund for the original option plus
the decrease in value of the hedged securities.
Alternatively, the Fund may exercise its put option to close out the position.
To do so, it would simultaneously enter into a futures contract of the type
underlying the option (for a price less than the strike price of the option) and
exercise the option. The Fund would then deliver the futures contract in return
for payment of the strike price. If the Fund neither closes out nor exercises an
option, the option will expire on the date provided in the option contract, and
only the premium paid for the contract will be lost.
When the Fund sells a put on a futures contract, it receives a cash premium in
exchange for granting to the purchaser of the put the right to receive from the
Fund, at the strike price, a short position in such futures contract, even
though the strike price upon exercise of the option is greater than the value of
the futures position received by such holder. If the value of the underlying
futures position is not such that exercise of the option would be profitable to
the option holder, the option will generally expire without being exercised. It
will generally be the policy of the Fund, in order to avoid the exercise of an
option sold by it, to cancel its obligation under the option by entering into a
closing purchase transaction, if available, unless it is determined to be in the
Fund's interest to deliver the underlying futures position. A closing purchase
transaction consists of the purchase by the Fund of an option having the same
term as the option sold by the Fund, and has the effect of canceling the Fund's
position as a seller. The premium which the Fund will pay in executing a closing
purchase transaction may be higher than the premium received when the option was
sold, depending in large part upon the relative price of the underlying futures
position at the time of each transaction.
CALL OPTIONS ON FINANCIAL AND STOCK INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS
In addition to purchasing put options on futures, the Fund may write listed and
over-the-counter call options on financial and stock index futures contracts to
hedge its portfolio. When the Fund writes a call option on a futures contract,
it is undertaking the obligation of assuming a short futures position (selling a
futures contract) at the fixed strike price at any time during the life of the
option if the option is exercised. As stock prices fall or market interest rates
rise, causing the prices of futures to go down, the Fund's obligation under a
call option on a future (to sell a futures contract) costs less to fulfill,
causing the value of the Fund's call option position to increase.
In other words, as the underlying futures price falls below the strike price,
the buyer of the option has no reason to exercise the call, so that the Fund
keeps the premium received for the option. This premium can substantially offset
the drop in value of the Fund's portfolio securities.
When the Fund purchases a call on a financial futures contract, it receives in
exchange for the payment of a cash premium the right, but not the obligation, to
enter into the underlying futures contract at a strikeprice determined at the
time the call was purchased, regardless of the comparative market value of such
futures position at the time the option is exercised. The holder of a call
option has the right to receive a long (or buyer's) position in the underlying
futures contract. The Fund will not maintain open positions in futures contracts
it has sold or call options it has written on futures contracts if, in the
aggregate, the value of the open positions (marked to market) exceeds the
current market value of its securities portfolio plus or minus the unrealized
gain or loss on those open positions, adjusted for the correlation of volatility
between the hedged securities and the futures contracts. If this limitation is
exceeded at any time, the Fund will take prompt action to close out a sufficient
number of open contracts to bring its open futures and options positions within
this limitation.
PURCHASING PUT OPTIONS ON PORTFOLIO SECURITIES AND STOCK INDICES
The Fund may purchase put options on portfolio securities and stock indices to
protect against price movements in the Fund's portfolio securities. A put option
gives the Fund, in return for a premium, the right to sell the underlying
security to the writer (seller) at a specified price during the term of the
option.
WRITING COVERED CALL OPTIONS ON PORTFOLIO SECURITIES AND STOCK INDICES
The Fund may also write covered call options to generate income and thereby
protect against price movements in the Fund's portfolio securities. As writer of
a call option, the Fund has the obligation upon exercise of the option during
the option period to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the
exercise price or, in the case of a securities index, a cash payment equal to
the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of
the option. The Fund may only sell call options either on securities held in its
portfolio or on securities which it has the right to obtain without payment of
further consideration (or has segregated cash in the amount of any additional
consideration).
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
The types of U.S. government obligations in which the Fund may invest
generally include direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury (such as U.S.
Treasury bills, notes, and bonds) and obligations issued and/or guaranteed
by the U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities. These securities are
backed by:
* the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury;
* the issuer's right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury;
* the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain
obligations of agencies or instrumentalities; or
* the credit of the agency or instrumentality issuing the obligations.
Examples of agencies and instrumentalities which may not always receive
financial support from the U.S. government are:
* Farm Credit System; including the National Bank for Cooperatives, Farm
Credit Banks, and Banks for Cooperatives;
* Federal Home Loan Banks; * Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation; *
Federal National Mortgage Association; and * Student Loan Marketing
Association.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The ability of the Trustees to determine the liquidity of certain restricted
securities is permitted under a Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") staff
position set forth in the adopting release for Rule 144A under the Securities
Act of 1933. The Trustees consider the following criteria in determining the
liquidity of certain restricted securities:
* the frequency of trades and quotes for the security;
* the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the
number of other potential buyers;
* dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and * the nature of
the security and the nature of the marketplace trades.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
These transactions are made to secure what is considered to be an advantageous
price or yield for the Fund. No fees or other expenses, other than normal
transaction costs, are incurred. However, liquid assets of the Fund sufficient
to make payment for the securities to be purchased are segregated on a Fund's
records at the trade date. These assets are marked to market daily and are
maintained until the transaction has been settled. The Fund does not intend to
engage in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions to an extent that would
cause the segregation of more than 20% of the total value of its assets.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend its portfolio
securities, up to one-third of the value of its total assets, to broker/dealers,
banks, or other institutional borrowers of securities. The collateral received
when the Fund lends portfolio securities must be valued daily and, should the
market value of the loaned securities increase, the borrower must furnish
additional collateral to the Fund. During the time portfolio securities are on
loan, the borrower pays the Fund any dividends or interest paid on such
securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the
borrower. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in
connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the interest earned
on the cash or equivalent collateral to the borrower or placing broker. The Fund
does not have the right to vote securities on loan, but would terminate the loan
and regain the right to vote if that were considered important with respect to
the investment. INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest in the securities of affiliated money market funds as an
efficient means of managing the Fund's uninvested cash.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund or its custodian will take possession of the securities subject to
repurchase agreements, and these securities will be marked to market daily. In
the event that such a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or became
insolvent, disposition of such securities by the Fund might be delayed pending
court action. The Fund believes that under regular procedures normally in effect
for custody of the Fund's portfolio securities subject to repurchase agreements,
a court of competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of the Fund and allow
retention or disposition of such securities. The Fund will only enter into
repurchase agreements with banks and other recognized financial institutions,
such as broker/dealers, which are found by the Fund's investment adviser to be
creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. These transactions are
similar to borrowing cash. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund transfers
possession of a portfolio instrument to another person, such as a financial
institution, broker, or dealer, in return for a percentage of the instrument's
market value in cash, and agrees that on a stipulated date in the future the
Fund will repurchase the portfolio instrument by remitting the original
consideration plus interest at an agreed upon rate. When effecting reverse
repurchase agreements, liquid assets of the Fund, in a dollar amount sufficient
to make payment for the obligations to be purchased, are segregated at the trade
date. These securities are marked to market daily and maintained until the
transaction is settled.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund will not attempt to set or meet a portfolio turnover rate since any
turnover would be incidental to transactions undertaken in an attempt to achieve
the Fund's investment objective. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and
1996, the portfolio turnover rates for the Fund were 148% and 96%, respectively.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
SELLING SHORT AND BUYING ON MARGIN
The Fund will not sell any securities short or purchase any securities on
margin, but may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for clearance
of purchases and sales of portfolio securities. The deposit or payment by the
Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with futures contracts or
related options transactions is not considered the purchase of a security on
margin.
ISSUING SENIOR SECURITIES AND BORROWING MONEY
The Fund will not issue senior securities except that the Fund may borrow money
directly or through reverse repurchase agreements as a temporary, extraordinary,
or emergency measure to facilitate management of the portfolio by enabling the
Fund to meet redemption requests when the liquidation of portfolio securities is
deemed to be inconvenient or disadvantageous, and then only in amounts not in
excess of one-third of the value of its total assets; provided that, while
borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements outstanding exceed 5% of the Fund's
total assets, any such borrowings will be repaid before additional investments
are made. The Fund will not borrow money or engage in reverse repurchase
agreements for investment leverage purposes.
PLEDGING ASSETS
The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate any assets except to secure
permitted borrowings. In those cases, it may mortgage, pledge or hypothecate
assets having a market value not exceeding the lesser of the dollar amounts
borrowed or 15% of its total assets at the time of the borrowing. For purposes
of this limitation, the following are not deemed to be pledges by the Fund:
margin deposits for the purchase and sale of futures contracts and related
options, any segregation or collateral arrangements made in connection with
options activities or the purchase of securities on a when-issued basis.
CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund will not purchase securities if, as a result of such purchase, 25% or
more of its total assets would be invested in any one industry. However, the
Fund may at any time invest 25% or more of its total assets in cash or cash
items and securities issued and/or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
INVESTING IN COMMODITIES
The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts, or
commodity futures contracts, except that the Fund may purchase and sell futures
contracts and options on futures contracts provided that the sum of its initial
margin deposits for futures contracts plus premiums paid by it for open options
on futures contracts may not exceed 5% of the fair market value of the Fund's
total assets, after taking into account the unrealized profits and losses on
those contracts.
INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE
The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, including limited partnership
interests in real estate, although it may invest in securities of companies
whose business involves the purchase or sale of real estate or in securities
secured by real estate or interests in real estate.
LENDING CASH OR SECURITIES
The Fund will not lend any of its assets, except portfolio securities up to
one-third of its total assets. This shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing
or holding corporate or U.S. government bonds, debentures, notes, certificates
of indebtedness or other debt securities of an issuer, entering into repurchase
agreements, or engaging in other transactions which are permitted by the Fund's
investment objective and policies or the Trust's Declaration of Trust.
UNDERWRITING
The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities, except as it may be deemed
to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the
sale of securities in accordance with its investment objective, policies, and
limitations.
DIVERSIFICATION OF INVESTMENTS
With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund will not purchase the
securities of any one issuer (other than cash, cash items, or securities issued
and/or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and
repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities) if, as a result, more
than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer.
In addition, the Fund will not purchase more than 10% of any class of the
outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. For these purposes, the Fund
considers common stock and all preferred stock of an issuer each as a single
class, regardless of priorities, series, designations, or other differences.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
The following limitations, however, may be changed by the Trustees without
shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material changes
in these limitations become effective.
INVESTING IN PUT OPTIONS
The Fund will not purchase put options on securities, unless the securities are
held in the Fund's portfolio and not more than 5% of the value of the Fund's
total assets would be invested in premiums on open put options.
WRITING COVERED CALL OPTIONS
The Fund will not write call options on securities unless the securities are
held in the Fund's portfolio or unless the Fund is entitled to them in
deliverable form without further payment or after segregating cash in the amount
of any further payment.
PURCHASING SECURITIES TO EXERCISE CONTROL
The Fund will not purchase securities of a company for the purpose of exercising
control or management.
INVESTING IN RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities,
including, among others, repurchase agreements providing for settlement more
than seven days after notice, over the counter options, and certain restricted
securities not determined to be liquid under the criteria established by the
Trustees. Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage
limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease
in percentage resulting from any change in value of total or net assets will not
result in a violation of such restriction.
The Fund has no present intention to borrow money in excess of 5% of the value
of its net assets during the coming fiscal year.
For purposes of its policies and limitations, the Fund considers certificates of
deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank
or savings association having capital, surplus, and undivided profits in excess
of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be "cash items."
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT
Officers and Trustees are listed with their addresses, birthdates, present
positions with Federated Insurance Series, and principal occupations.
John F. Donahue@*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 28, 1924
Chairman and Trustee
Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; Chairman and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Chairman, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Chief Executive Officer and Director or Trustee of the
Funds. Mr. Donahue is the father of J. Christopher Donahue, President and
Trustee of the Company.
Thomas G. Bigley
15 Old Timber Trail
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: February 3, 1934
Trustee
Director, Member of Executive Committee, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh;
formerly, Senior Partner, Ernst & Young LLP; Director, MED 3000 Group, Inc.;
Director, Member of Executive Committee, University of Pittsburgh; Director
or Trustee of the Funds.
John T. Conroy, Jr.
Wood/IPC Commercial Department
John R. Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors
3255 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL
Birthdate: June 23, 1937
Trustee
President, Investment Properties Corporation; Senior Vice-President, John R.
Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors; Partner or Trustee in private real
estate ventures in Southwest Florida; formerly, President, Naples Property
Management, Inc. and Northgate Village Development Corporation; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Nicholas P. Constantakis
175 Woodshire Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 3, 1939
Trustee
Formerly, Partner, Andersen Worldwide SC; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
William J. Copeland
One PNC Plaza - 23rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 4, 1918
Trustee
Director and Member of the Executive Committee, Michael Baker, Inc.; formerly,
Vice Chairman and Director, PNC Bank, N.A., and PNC Bank Corp.; Director, Ryan
Homes, Inc.; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
J. Christopher Donahue*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: April 11, 1949
President and Trustee
President and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; President and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; President, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company, and
Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Services Company;
President or Executive Vice President of the Funds; Director or Trustee of
some of the Funds. Mr. Donahue is the son of John F. Donahue, Chairman and
Trustee of the Company.
James E. Dowd
571 Hayward Mill Road
Concord, MA
Birthdate: May 18, 1922
Trustee
Attorney-at-law; Director, The Emerging Germany Fund, Inc.; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.*
3471 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1111
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 11, 1932
Trustee
Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Medical Director, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center - Downtown; Member, Board of Directors, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center; formerly, Hematologist, Oncologist, and Internist,
Presbyterian and Montefiore Hospitals; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr.@
Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba
205 Ross Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 18, 1924
Trustee
Attorney of Counsel, Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba; Director, Eat'N Park
Restaurants, Inc.; formerly, Counsel, Horizon Financial, F.A., Western
Region; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Peter E. Madden
One Royal Palm Way
100 Royal Palm Way
Palm Beach, FL
Birthdate: March 16, 1942
Trustee
Consultant; Former State Representative, Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
formerly, President, State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Boston
Corporation; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
John E. Murray, Jr., J.D., S.J.D.
President, Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: December 20, 1932
Trustee
President, Law Professor, Duquesne University; Consulting Partner, Mollica &
Murray; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Wesley W. Posvar
1202 Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 14, 1925
Trustee
Professor, International Politics; Management Consultant; Trustee, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, RAND Corporation, Online Computer Library
Center, Inc., National Defense University and U.S. Space Foundation;
President Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh; Founding Chairman, National
Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology, Federal Emergency
Management Advisory Board and Czech Management Center, Prague; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Marjorie P. Smuts
4905 Bayard Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 21, 1935
Trustee
Public Relations/Marketing/Conference Planning; Director or Trustee of the
Funds.
Edward C. Gonzales
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 22, 1930
Executive Vice President
Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Vice President,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, Federated Research, Federated Research
Corp., Federated Global Research Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd.; Executive
Vice President and Director, Federated Securities Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Trustee or Director of some of the Funds;
President, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of some of the Funds.
John W. McGonigle
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 26, 1938
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Trustee,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, and Federated Research; Director,
Federated Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company; President
and Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Securities
Corp.; Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Funds; Treasurer of some of
the Funds.
Richard B. Fisher
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: May 17, 1923
Vice President
Executive Vice President and Trustee, Federated Investors; Chairman and
Director, Federated Securities Corp.; President or Vice President of some of
the Funds; Director or Trustee of some of the Funds.
* This Trustee is deemed to be an "interested person" as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
@ Member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the Board of
Trustees handles the responsibilities of the Board between meetings of the
Board. As used in the table above, "The Funds" and "Funds" mean the
following investment companies: 111 Corcoran Funds; Automated Government Money
Trust; Blanchard Funds; Blanchard Precious Metals Fund, Inc.; Cash Trust Series
II; Cash Trust Series, Inc.; DG Investor Series; Edward D. Jones & Co. Daily
Passport Cash Trust; Federated Adjustable Rate U.S. Government Fund, Inc.;
Federated American Leaders Fund, Inc.; Federated ARMs Fund; Federated Core
Trust; Federated Equity Funds; Federated Equity Income Fund, Inc.; Federated
Fund for U.S. Government Securities, Inc.; Federated GNMA Trust; Federated
Government Income Securities, Inc.; Federated Government Trust; Federated High
Income Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated High Yield Trust; Federated Income Securities
Trust; Federated Income Trust; Federated Index Trust; Federated Institutional
Trust; Federated Insurance Series; Federated Investment Portfolios; Federated
Investment Trust; Federated Master Trust; Federated Municipal Opportunities
Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal Securities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal
Trust; Federated Short-Term Municipal Trust; Federated Short-Term U.S.
Government Trust; Federated Stock and Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated Stock Trust;
Federated Tax-Free Trust; Federated Total Return Series, Inc.; Federated U.S.
Government Bond Fund; Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 1-3 Years;
Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 Years; Federated U.S. Government
Securities Fund: 5-10 Years; Federated Utility Fund, Inc.; First Priority Funds;
Fixed Income Securities, Inc.; High Yield Cash Trust; Intermediate Municipal
Trust; International Series, Inc.; Investment Series Funds, Inc.; Investment
Series Trust; Liberty Term Trust, Inc.--1999; Liberty U.S. Government Money
Market Trust; Liquid Cash Trust; Managed Series Trust; Money Market Management,
Inc.; Money Market Obligations Trust; Money Market Obligations Trust II; Money
Market Trust; Municipal Securities Income Trust; Newpoint Funds; RIMCO Monument
Funds; Targeted Duration Trust; Tax-Free Instruments Trust; The Planters Funds;
The Virtus Funds; Trust for Financial Institutions; Trust for Government Cash
Reserves; Trust for Short-Term U.S. Government Securities; Trust for U.S.
Treasury Obligations; Wesmark Funds; WCT Funds; and World Investment Series,
Inc. FUND OWNERSHIP
Officers and Trustees own less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding shares.
As of April 8, 1998, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more
of the outstanding shares of the Fund: Aetna Retirement Services, Hartford,
CT, owned approximately 3,228,446 shares (100%).
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
AGGREGATE
NAME, COMPENSATION
POSITION WITH FROM TOTAL COMPENSATION PAID
TRUST TRUST*# FROM FUND COMPLEX+
John F. Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
Chairman and Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Thomas G. Bigley $154.28 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John T. Conroy, Jr. $169.74 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Nicholas P. Constantakis++ $0 $0 for the Trust and
Trustee 34 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
William J. Copeland $169.74 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
J. Christopher Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
President and Trustee 18 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
James E. Dowd $169.74 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D. $154.28 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr. $169.74 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Peter E. Madden $154.28 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John E. Murray, Jr. $154.28 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Wesley W. Posvar $154.28 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Marjorie P. Smuts $154.28 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
* Information is furnished for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.
# The aggregate compensation is provided for the Trust which is comprised of
eight portfolios.
+ The information is provided for the last calendar year.
++ Mr. Constantakis became a member of the Board of Trustees on February 23,
1998. He did not receive any fees as of the fiscal year end of the Trust.
TRUSTEE LIABILITY
The Trust's Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees will not be liable
for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, they are not
protected against any liability to which they would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their office.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
ADVISER TO THE FUND
The Fund's investment adviser is Federated Advisers. It is a subsidiary of
Federated Investors. All of the voting securities of Federated Investors are
owned by a trust, the trustees of which are John F. Donahue, his wife, and
his son, J. Christopher Donahue.
The adviser shall not be liable to the Fund or any shareholder for any losses
that may be sustained in the purchase, holding, or sale of any security, or for
anything done or omitted by it, except acts or omissions involving willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
imposed upon it by its contract with the Trust.
ADVISORY FEES
For its advisory services, Federated Advisers receives an annual investment
advisory fee as described in the prospectus.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and for the period from
November 9, 1995 (date of initial public investment) to December 31, 1995, the
adviser earned advisory fees of $245,993, $51,083, and $231, respectively, of
which $168,091, $51,083, and $231, respectively, were voluntarily waived.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS The Adviser may select brokers and dealers who offer
brokerage and research services. These services may be furnished directly to the
Fund or to the Adviser and may include: advice as to the advisability of
investing in securities; security analysis and reports; economic studies;
industry studies; receipt of quotations for portfolio evaluations; and similar
services. Research services provided by brokers and dealers may be used by the
Adviser or its affiliates in advising the Fund and other accounts. To the extent
that receipt of these services may supplant services for which the Adviser or
its affiliates might otherwise have paid, it would tend to reduce their
expenses. The Adviser and its affiliates exercise reasonable business judgment
in selecting brokers who offer brokerage and research services to execute
securities transactions. They determine in good faith that commissions charged
by such persons are reasonable in relationship to the value of the brokerage and
research services provided. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, 1996,
and for the period from November 9, 1995 (date of initial public investment) to
December 31, 1995, the Fund paid $100,717, $26,305, and $322, respectively, in
brokerage commissions on brokerage transactions. Although investment
decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of any other accounts
managed by the Adviser, investments of the type the Fund may make may also be
made by those other accounts. When the Fund and one or more other accounts
managed by the Adviser are prepared to invest in, or desire to dispose of, the
same security, available investments or opportunities for sales will be
allocated in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each. In some
cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the
Fund or the size of the position obtained or disposed of by the Fund. In other
cases, however, it is believed that coordination and the ability to participate
in volume transactions will be to the benefit of the Fund.
OTHER SERVICES
FUND ADMINISTRATION
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services to the Fund for a fee as described in the
prospectus. From March 1, 1994, to March 1, 1996, Federated Administrative
Services, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, served as the Fund's
Administrator. For purposes of this Statement of Additional Information,
Federated Services Company and Federated Administrative Services may hereinafter
collectively be referred to as the "Administrators." For the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1997, and 1996, and for the period from November 9, 1995 (date of
initial public investment) to December 31, 1995, the Administrators earned
$125,002, $125,000, and $17,808, respectively. CUSTODIAN AND PORTFOLIO
ACCOUNTANT
State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA, is custodian for the securities
and cash of the Fund. Federated Services Company, Pittsburgh, PA, provides
certain accounting and recordkeeping services with respect to the Fund's
portfolio investments. The fee paid for this service is based upon the level of
the Fund's average net assets for the period plus out-of-pocket expenses.
TRANSFER AGENT
Federated Services Company, through it registered transfer agent, Federated
Shareholder Services Company, maintains all necessary shareholder records. For
its services, the transfer agent receives a fee based on the size, type and
number of accounts and transactions made by shareholders.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The independent auditors for the Fund are Deloitte & Touche LLP, Pittsburgh, PA.
PURCHASING SHARES
Shares of the Fund are sold at their net asset value without a sales charge on
days the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. The procedure for
purchasing shares of the Fund is explained in the prospectus under "Purchases
and Redemptions" and "What Shares Cost."
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
This arrangement permits the payment of fees to Federated Shareholder Services
to cause services to be provided which are necessary for the maintenance of
shareholder accounts and to encourage personal services to shareholders by a
representative who has knowledge of the shareholder's particular circumstances
and goals. These activities and services may include but are not limited to
providing office space, equipment, telephone facilities, and various clerical,
supervisory, computer, and other personnel as necessary or beneficial to
establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records; processing purchase and
redemption transactions and automatic investments of client account cash
balances; answering routine client inquiries; and assisting clients in changing
dividend options, account designations, and addresses.
By adopting the Shareholder Services Agreement, the Trustees expect that the
Fund will benefit by: (1) providing personal services to shareholders; (2)
investing shareholder assets with a minimum of delay and administrative detail;
(3) enhancing shareholder recordkeeping systems; and (4) responding promptly to
shareholders' requests and inquiries concerning their accounts.
The Shareholder Services Agreement was not in effect in the Fund's fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997.
DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE
Net asset value generally changes each day. The days on which net asset value is
calculated by the Fund are described in the prospectus.
DETERMINING MARKET VALUE OF SECURITIES
The values of the Fund's portfolio securities are determined as follows:
* for equity securities and bonds and other fixed income securities,
according to the last sale price on a national securities exchange, if
available;
* in the absence of recorded sales for equity securities, according to
the mean between the last closing bid and asked prices;
* for bonds and other fixed income securities, at the last sale price on a
national securities exchange, if available; otherwise, as determined by an
independent pricing service;
* for unlisted equity securities, the latest mean prices; * for short-term
obligations, according to the mean between bid and asked
prices as furnished by an independent pricing service, or for short-term
obligations with remaining maturities of 60 days or less at the time of
purchase, at amortized cost; or
* for all other securities, at fair value as determined in good faith by
the Trustees.
MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW
Under certain circumstances, shareholders may be held personally liable as
partners under Massachusetts law for obligations of the Trust. To protect its
shareholders, the Trust has filed legal documents with Massachusetts that
expressly disclaim the liability of its shareholders for acts or obligations of
the Trust. These documents require notice of this disclaimer to be given in each
agreement, obligation, or instrument the Trust or its Trustees enter into or
sign.
In the unlikely event a shareholder is held personally liable for the Trust's
obligations, the Trust is required by the Declaration of Trust to use its
property to protect or compensate the shareholder. On request, the Trust will
defend any claim made and pay any judgment against a shareholder for any act or
obligation of the Trust. Therefore, financial loss resulting from liability as a
shareholder will occur only if the Trust itself cannot meet its obligations to
indemnify shareholders and pay judgments against them.
TAX STATUS
THE FUND'S TAX STATUS
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because it expects to meet the
requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded
to such companies. To qualify for this treatment, the Fund must, among other
requirements:
* derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, and
gains from the sale of securities;
* invest in securities within certain statutory limits; and * distribute to
its shareholders at least 90% of its net income earned
during the year.
SHAREHOLDERS' TAX STATUS
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described in the prospectus and this Statement. If the Fund fails to
comply with these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be
treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal
Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the contract prospectus for information concerning
the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions from the
Fund to the separate accounts.
TOTAL RETURN
The Fund's average annual total returns for the one-year period ended December
31, 1997 and for the period from November 9, 1995 (date of initial public
investment) to December 31, 1997, were 27.03% and 25.46%, respectively. The
average annual total return for the Fund is the average compounded rate of
return for a given period that would equate a $1,000 initial investment to the
ending redeemable value of that investment. The ending redeemable value is
computed by multiplying the number of shares owned at the end of the period by
the offering price per share at the end of the period. The number of shares
owned at the end of the period is based on the number of shares purchased at the
beginning of the period with $1,000, adjusted over the period by any additional
shares, assuming the quarterly reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.
You should review the performance figures for your insurance contract, which
figures reflect the applicable charges and expenses of the contract. Such
performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance.
YIELD
The Fund's 30-day yield for the thirty-day period ended December 31, 1997 was
0.00%.
The yield for the Fund is determined by dividing the net investment income per
share (as defined by the SEC) earned by the Fund over a thirty-day period by the
offering price per share of the Fund on the last day of the period. This value
is then annualized using semi-annual compounding. This means that the amount of
income generated during the thirty-day period is assumed to be generated each
month over a twelve-month period and is reinvested every six months. The yield
does not necessarily reflect income actually earned by the Fund because of
certain adjustments required by the SEC and, therefore, may not correlate to the
dividends or other distributions paid to shareholders. Also, the yield does not
reflect the charges and expenses of an insurance contract. You should review the
performance figures for your insurance contract, which figures reflect the
applicable charges and expenses of the contract. Such performance figures will
accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS
The Fund's performance depends upon such variables as:
* portfolio quality;
* average portfolio maturity;
* type of instruments in which the portfolio is invested; * changes in
interest rates and market value of portfolio securities; * changes in Fund
expenses; and * the relative amount of the Fund's cash flow.
The Fund's performance fluctuates on a daily basis largely because net earnings
and offering price per share fluctuate daily. Both net earnings and offering
price per share are factors in the computation of yield and total return.
Investors may use financial publications and/or indices to obtain a more
complete view of the Fund's performance. When comparing performance, investors
should consider all relevant factors such as the composition of any index used,
prevailing market conditions, portfolio compositions of other funds, and methods
used to value portfolio securities and compute offering price. The financial
publications and/or indices which the Fund uses in advertising may include:
* LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC., ranks funds in various fund categories by
making comparative calculations using total return. Total return assumes
the reinvestment of all capital gains distributions and income dividends
and takes into account any change in net asset value over a specified
period of time. From time to time, the Trust will quote its Lipper ranking
in the "growth funds" category in advertising and sales literature.
* DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE is an unmanaged index representing share
prices of major industrial corporations, public utilities, and
transportation companies. Produced by the Dow Jones & Company, it is cited
as a principal indicator of market conditions.
* STANDARD & POOR'S ("S&P") LOW-PRICED INDEX compares a group of
approximately twenty actively traded stocks priced under $25 for one-month
periods and year-to-date.
* STANDARD & POOR'S DAILY STOCK PRICE INDEX OF 500 COMMON STOCKS, a composite
index of common stocks in industry, transportation, and financial and
public utility companies, can be used to compare to the total returns of
funds whose portfolios are invested primarily in common stocks. In
addition, the S&P index assumes reinvestments of all dividends paid by
stocks listed on its index. Taxes due on any of these distributions are not
included, nor are brokerage or other fees calculated in the S&P figures.
* STANDARD & POOR'S 500 is an unmanaged index of common stocks in industry,
transportation, finance, and public utilities denoting general market
performance, as monitored by S&P Corporation.
* LIPPER GROWTH FUND AVERAGE is an average of the total returns for 251
growth funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., an independent
mutual fund rating service.
* LIPPER GROWTH FUND INDEX is an average of the net asset-valuated total
returns for the top 30 growth funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc., an independent mutual fund rating service.
* MORNINGSTAR, INC., an independent rating service, is the publisher of the
bi-weekly Mutual Fund Values. Mutual Fund Values rates more than 1,000
NASDAQ-listed mutual funds of all types, according to their risk-adjusted
returns. The maximum rating is five stars, and ratings are effective for
two weeks.
Advertisements and sales literature for the Fund may quote total returns which
are calculated on non-standardized base periods. These total returns also
represent the historic change in the value of an investment in the Fund based on
quarterly reinvestment of dividends over a specified period of time.
From time to time as it deems appropriate, the Fund may advertise its
performance using charts, graphs, and descriptions, compared to federally
insured bank products, including certificates of deposit and time deposits and
to money market funds using the Lipper Analytical Services money market
instruments average. Advertising and other promotional literature may
include charts, graphs, and other illustrations using the Fund's returns, or
returns in general, that demonstrate basic investment concepts such as
tax-deferred compounding, dollar-cost averaging, and systematic investment. In
addition, the Fund can compare its performance, or performance for the types of
securities in which it invests, to a variety of other investments, such as bank
savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and Treasury bills. ECONOMIC AND
MARKET INFORMATION
Advertising and sales literature for the Fund may include discussions of
economic, financial, and political developments and their effect on the
securities market. Such discussions may take the form of commentary on these
developments by Fund portfolio managers and their views and analysis on how such
developments could affect the Fund. In addition, advertising and sales
literature may quote statistics and give general information about the mutual
fund industry, including the growth of the industry, from sources such as the
Investment Company Institute.
ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS
Federated Investors is dedicated to meeting investor needs which is reflected in
its investment decision making--structured, straightforward, and consistent.
This has resulted in a history of competitive performance with a range of
competitive investment products that have gained the confidence of thousands of
clients and their customers.
The company's disciplined security selection process is firmly rooted in sound
methodologies backed by fundamental and technical research. Investment decisions
are made and executed by teams of portfolio managers, analysts, and traders
dedicated to specific market sectors. These traders handle trillions of dollars
in annual trading volume. In the equity sector, Federated Investors has more
than 27 years' experience. As of December 31, 1997, Federated managed 29 equity
funds totaling approximately $11.7 billion in assets across growth, value,
equity income, international, index, and sector (i.e., utility) styles.
Federated Investors' value-oriented management style combines quantitative and
qualitative analysis and features a structured, computer-assisted composite
modeling system that was developed in the 1970s.
In the corporate bond sector, as of December 31, 1997, Federated managed 11
money market funds and 16 bond funds with assets approximating $17.1 billion and
$5.6 billion, respectively. Federated's corporate bond decision making--based on
intensive, diligent credit analysis--is backed by over 22 years of experience in
the corporate bond sector. In 1972, Federated introduced one of the first
high-yield bond funds in the industry. In 1983, Federated was one of the first
fund managers to participate in the asset-backed securities market, a market
totaling more than $200 billion.
J. Thomas Madden, Executive Vice President, oversees Federated Investors' equity
and high yield corporate bond management while William D. Dawson, Executive Vice
President, oversees Federated Investors' domestic fixed income management. Henry
A. Frantzen, Executive Vice President, oversees the management of Federated
Investors' international and global portfolios.
MUTUAL FUND MARKET
Thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $4.4 trillion to the more than 6,700 funds available.*
Federated Investors, through its subsidiaries, distributes mutual funds for a
variety of investment applications. Specific markets include:
INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS
Federated Investors meets the needs of approximately 900 institutional clients
nationwide by managing and servicing separate accounts and mutual funds for a
variety of applications, including defined benefit and defined contribution
programs, cash management, and asset/liability management. Institutional clients
include corporations, pension funds, tax-exempt entities,
foundations/endowments, insurance companies, and investment and financial
advisors. The marketing effort to these institutional clients is headed by John
B. Fisher, President, Institutional Sales Division.
BANK MARKETING
Other institutional clients include close relationships with more than 1,600
banks and trust organizations. Virtually all of the trust divisions of the top
100 bank holding companies use Federated funds in their clients' portfolios. The
marketing effort to trust clients is headed by Timothy C. Pillion, Senior Vice
President, Bank Marketing & Sales.
BROKER/DEALERS AND BANK BROKER/DEALER SUBSIDIARIES
Federated funds are available to consumers through major brokerage firms
nationwide--we have over 2,200 broker/dealer and bank broker/dealer
relationships across the country -- supported by more wholesalers than any other
mutual fund distributor. Federated's service to financial professionals and
institutions has earned it high ratings in several surveys performed by DALBAR,
Inc. DALBAR is recognized as the industry benchmark for service quality
measurement. The marketing effort to these firms is headed by James F. Getz,
President, Federated Securities Corp.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, are
incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report of the Fund dated December
31, 1997 (File Nos. 33-69268 and 811-8042). A copy of the Report may be obtained
without charge by contacting the Fund.
*Source: Investment Company Institute
APPENDIX
STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
AAA--Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA--Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A--Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB--Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB, B--Debt rated BB and B is regarded, on balance as predominantly speculative
with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with
the terms of the obligation. B indicates the highest degree of speculation.
While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics,
these are outweighed by large uncertainties of major risk exposures to adverse
conditions. MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa--Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group, they comprise what are generally known as high
grade Bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa--Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba--Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B--Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Federated Equity Income Fund II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
PROSPECTUS
This prospectus offers shares of Federated Equity Income Fund II (the "Fund"),
which is a diversified investment portfolio of Federated Insurance Series (the
"Trust"), an open-end management investment company. The Fund's investment
objective is to provide above average income and capital appreciation. Shares of
the Fund may be sold only to separate accounts of insurance companies to serve
as the investment medium for variable life insurance policies and variable
annuity contracts issued by the insurance companies.
THE SHARES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY
BANK, ARE NOT ENDORSED OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENT AGENCY. INVESTMENT IN THESE SHARES INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISK,
INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
This prospectus contains the information you should read and know before you
invest in the Fund through the variable life insurance policies and variable
annuity contracts offered by insurance companies which provide for investment in
the Fund. Keep this prospectus for future reference.
The Fund has also filed a Statement of Additional Information dated April 23,
1998, with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The information
contained in the Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. You may request a copy of the Statement of
Additional Information or a paper copy of this prospectus, if you have received
your prospectus electronically, free of charge by calling 1-800-341-7400. To
obtain other information or to make inquiries about the Fund, contact the Fund
at the address listed in the back of this prospectus. The Statement of
Additional Information, material incorporated by reference into this document,
and other information regarding the Fund is maintained electronically with the
SEC at Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
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 SHARES ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AS A FUNDING VEHICLE FOR LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANIES WRITING VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES AND VARIABLE
ANNUITY CONTRACTS. THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE PROSPECTUSES
FOR SUCH CONTRACTS.
Prospectus dated April 23, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Financial Highlights 1
General Information 2
Investment Information 2
Investment Objective 2
Investment Policies 2
Portfolio Turnover 6
Investment Limitations 6
Hub and Spoke (R) Option 7
Net Asset Value 7
Investing in the Fund 7
Purchases and Redemptions 7
What Shares Cost 7
Dividends 8
Fund Information 8
Management of the Fund 8
Distribution of Fund Shares 8
Administration of the Fund 9
Brokerage Transactions 9
Shareholder Information 10
Voting Rights 10
Tax Information 10
Federal Income Tax 10
State and Local Taxes 10
Performance Information 10
Appendix 11
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
The following table has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund's
independent auditors. Their report, dated February 6, 1998, on the the Fund's
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1997, and on the following
table for the period presented, is included in the Fund's Annual Report, which
is herein incorporated by reference. This table should be read in conjunction
with the Fund's financial statements and notes thereto, contained in the Fund's
Annual Report, which may be obtained free of charge.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
1997(A)
<S> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $10.47
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income 0.23
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments 1.76
Total from investment operations 1.99
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions from net investment income (0.15)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $12.31
TOTAL RETURN(B) 19.19%
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses 0.85%*
Net investment income 2.41%*
Expense waiver/reimbursement(c) 1.44%*
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $32,875
Average commission rate paid(d) $0.0038
Portfolio turnover 68%
</TABLE>
* Computed on an annualized basis.
(a) Reflects operations for the period from January 30, 1997 (date of initial
public investment) to December 31, 1997.
(b) Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge or
contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
(c) This voluntary expense decrease is reflected in both the expense and net
investment income ratios shown above.
(d) Represents total commissions paid on portfolio securities divided by total
portfolio shares purchased or sold on which commissions were charged.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PERFORMANCE IS CONTAINED IN THE FUND'S
ANNUAL REPORT DATED DECEMBER 31, 1997, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund is a portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, which was established as
Insurance Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust, under a Declaration
of Trust dated September 15, 1993. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to
offer separate series of shares of beneficial interest in separate portfolios of
securities, including the Fund. The shares in any one portfolio may be offered
in separate classes. As of the date of this prospectus, the Board of Trustees
("Trustees") have not established separate classes of shares.
Shares of the Fund are sold only to insurance companies as funding vehicles for
variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the
insurance companies. Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value as described
in the section entitled "What Shares Cost." Shares of the Fund are redeemed at
net asset value.
INVESTMENT INFORMATION
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide above average income and
capital appreciation. The investment objective cannot be changed without
approval of shareholders. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the investment
policies described in this prospectus.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
The investment policies described below may be changed by the Trustees without
shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material change
in these policies becomes effective.
ACCEPTABLE INVESTMENTS
The Fund attempts to achieve its objectives by investing at least 65% of its
assets in income-producing equity securities. Equity securities include common
stocks, preferred stocks, and securities (including debt securities) that are
convertible into common stocks. The portion of the Fund's total assets invested
in common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities and corporate bonds
will vary according to the Fund's assessment of market and economic conditions
and outlook.
The Fund's stock selection emphasizes those common stocks in each sector that
have good value, attractive yield, and dividend growth potential. The Fund will
utilize convertible securities because such securities typically offer high
yields and good potential for capital appreciation.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
Convertible securities include a spectrum of securities which can be exchanged
for or converted into common stock. Convertible securities may include, but are
not limited to: convertible bonds or debentures; convertible preferred stock;
units consisting of usable bonds and warrants; or securities which cap or
otherwise limit returns to the convertible security holder, such as DECS -
(Dividend Enhanced Convertible Stock, or Debt Exchangeable for Common Stock when
issued as a debt security), LYONS (Liquid Yield Option Notes, which are
corporate bonds that are purchased at prices below par with no coupons and are
convertible into stock), PERCS (Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock, an
equity issue that pays a high cash dividend, has a cap price and mandatory
conversion to common stock at maturity), and PRIDES - (Preferred Redeemable
Increased Dividend Securities, which are essentially the same as DECS; the
difference is little more than who initially underwrites the issue).
Convertible securities are often rated below investment grade or not rated
because they fall below debt obligations and just above common equity in order
of preference or priority on the issuer's balance sheet. Hence, an issuer with
investment grade senior debt may issue convertible securities with ratings less
than investment grade or not rated. Convertible securities rated below
investment grade may be subject to some of the same risks as those inherent in
junk bonds. The Fund does not limit convertible securities by rating, and there
is no minimal acceptance rating for a convertible security to be purchased or
held in the Fund. Therefore, the Fund invests in convertible securities
irrespective of their ratings. This could result in the Fund purchasing and
holding, without limit, convertible securities rated below investment grade by
an NRSRO or in the Fund holding such securities where they have acquired a
rating below investment grade after the Fund has purchased it.
The Fund's investments in convertible securities will not be subject to the
quality rating limit on other securities in which the Fund invests. See
"High Yield Corporate Debt Obligations."
In addition, zero coupon convertible securities are debt securities which are
issued at a discount to their face amount and do not entitle the holder to any
periodic payments of interest prior to maturity. Rather, interest earned on zero
coupon convertible securities accretes at a stated yield until the security
reaches its face amount at maturity. Zero coupon convertible securities are
convertible into a specific number of shares of the issuer's common stock. In
addition, zero coupon convertible securities usually have put features that
provide the holder with the opportunity to sell the bonds back to the issuer at
a stated price before maturity. Generally, the prices of zero coupon convertible
securities may be more sensitive to market interest rate fluctuations than
conventional convertible securities. The Fund will be required to distribute
income accrued from zero coupon convertible securities which it owns, and may
have to sell portfolio securities (perhaps at disadvantageous times) in order to
generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
The Fund may also invest temporarily, in amounts of 35% or less of the Fund's
assets, in cash and cash items during times of unusual market conditions to
maintain liquidity. Cash items may include the following short-term obligations:
* commercial paper and Europaper (dollar denominated commercial paper
issued outside the United States);
* instruments of domestic and foreign banks and savings associations (such as
certificates of deposit, demand and time deposits, savings shares, and
bankers' acceptances);
* obligations of the U.S. government or its agencies or
instrumentalities; repurchase agreements; and other short-term
instruments.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Repurchase agreements are arrangements in which banks, broker/dealers, and other
recognized financial institutions sell U.S. government or other securities to
the Fund and agree at the time of sale to repurchase them at a mutually agreed
upon time and price.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
These transactions are arrangements in which the Fund purchases securities with
payment and delivery scheduled for a future time. The seller's failure to
complete these transactions may cause the Fund to miss a price or yield
considered to be advantageous. Settlement dates may be a month or more after
entering into these transactions, and the market values of the securities
purchased may vary from the purchase prices.
The Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if the adviser deems it
appropriate to do so. In addition, the Fund may enter in transactions to sell
its purchase commitments to third parties at current market values and
simultaneously acquire other commitments to purchase similar securities at later
dates. The Fund may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of such
commitments.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend portfolio securities,
on a short-term or a long-term basis, up to one-third of the value of its total
assets to broker/dealers, banks, or other institutional borrowers of securities.
This policy is a fundamental policy and may not be changed without shareholder
approval. The Fund will only enter into loan arrangements with broker/dealers,
banks, or other institutions which the adviser has determined are creditworthy
under guidelines established by the Trustees and will receive collateral in the
form of cash or U.S. government securities equal to at least 100% of the value
of the securities loaned at all times.
PUT AND CALL OPTIONS
The Fund may purchase put options on its portfolio securities. These options
will be used as a hedge to attempt to protect securities which the Fund holds
against decreases in value. The Fund may also write call options on all or any
portion of its portfolio to generate income for the Fund. The Fund will write
call options on securities either held in its portfolio or for which it has the
right to obtain without payment of further consideration or for which it has
segregated cash in the amount of any additional consideration.
The Fund may generally purchase and write over-the-counter options on portfolio
securities in negotiated transactions with the buyers or writers of the options
since options on the portfolio securities held by the Fund are not traded on an
exchange. The Fund purchases and writes options only with investment dealers and
other financial institutions (such as commercial banks or savings associations)
deemed creditworthy by the adviser.
Over-the-counter options are two party contracts with price and terms negotiated
between buyer and seller. In contrast, exchange-traded options are third party
contracts with standardized strike prices and expiration dates and are purchased
from a clearing corporation. Exchange-traded options have a continuous liquid
market while over-the-counter options may not. The Fund will not buy call
options or write put options without further notification to shareholders.
FINANCIAL FUTURES AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES
The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts to hedge all or a
portion of its portfolio against changes in interest rates. Financial futures
contracts call for the delivery of particular debt instruments at a certain time
in the future. The seller of the contract agrees to make delivery of the type of
instrument called for in the contract and the buyer agrees to take delivery of
the instrument at the specified future time.
The Fund may also write call options and purchase put options on financial
futures contracts as a hedge to attempt to protect securities in its portfolio
against decreases in value. When the Fund writes a call option on a futures
contract, it is undertaking the obligation of selling a futures contract at a
fixed price at any time during a specified period if the option is exercised.
Conversely, as purchaser of a put option on a futures contract, the Fund is
entitled (but not obligated) to sell a futures contract at the fixed price
during the life of the option.
The Fund may not purchase or sell futures contracts or related options if
immediately thereafter the sum of the amount of margin deposits on the Fund's
existing futures positions and premiums paid for related options would exceed 5%
of the market value of the Fund's total assets. When the Fund purchases futures
contracts, an amount of cash and U.S. Treasury securities, equal to the
underlying commodity value of the futures contracts (less any related margin
deposits), will be deposited in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian
(or the broker, if legally permitted) to collateralize the position and thereby
insure that the use of such futures contract is unleveraged.
RISKS
When the Fund uses financial futures and options on financial futures as hedging
devices, much depends on the ability of the portfolio manager to predict market
conditions based upon certain economic analysis and factors. There is a risk
that the prices of the securities subject to the futures contracts may not
correlate perfectly with the prices of the securities in the Fund's portfolio.
This may cause the futures contract and any related options to react differently
than the portfolio securities to market changes. In addition, the portfolio
manager could be incorrect in its expectations about the direction or extent of
market factors such as interest rate movements. In these events, the Fund may
lose money on the futures contract or option.
It is not certain that a secondary market for positions in futures contracts or
for options will exist at all times. Although the portfolio manager will
consider liquidity before entering into options transactions, there is no
assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange or otherwise will exist
for any particular futures contract or option at any particular time. The Fund's
ability to establish and close out futures and options positions depends on this
secondary market.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies as an
efficient means of carrying out its investment policies. It should be noted that
investment companies incur certain expenses, such as management fees, and,
therefore, any investment by the Fund in shares of other investment companies
may be subject to such duplicate expenses.
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted securities are any
securities in which the Fund may invest pursuant to its investment objective and
policies but which are subject to restriction on resale under federal securities
law. Under criteria established by the Trustees, certain restricted securities
are determined to be liquid. To the extent that restricted securities are not
determined to be liquid, the Fund will limit their purchase together with other
illiquid securities including non-negotiable time deposits and repurchase
agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice to 15%
of its net assets.
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
The Fund may purchase American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") issued by U.S. Banks
as a substitute for direct ownership of securities of foreign companies. ADRs
are traded in the United States on stock exchanges and in the over-the-counter
markets like stocks of domestic companies.
SECURITIES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS
The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers. Investing in non-U.S.
securities carries substantial risks in addition to those associated with
domestic investments. In an attempt to reduce some of these risks, the Fund
diversifies its investments broadly among foreign countries, including both
developed and developing countries. The Fund will take advantage of the unusual
opportunities for higher returns available from investing in developing
countries and may invest in the securities of such countries. These investments
carry considerably more volatility and risk because they are associated with
less mature economies and less stable political systems. Foreign securities are
denominated in foreign currencies. Therefore, the value in U.S. dollars of the
Fund's assets and income may be affected by changes in exchange rates and
regulations. Although the Fund values its assets daily in U.S. dollars, it will
not convert its holding of foreign currencies to U.S. dollars daily. When the
Fund converts its holdings to another currency, it may incur conversion costs.
Foreign exchange dealers realize a profit on the difference between the prices
at which they buy and sell securities. Other differences between investing in
foreign and U.S. companies include: less publicly available information about
foreign companies; the lack of uniform financial accounting standards applicable
to foreign companies; less readily available market quotations on foreign
companies; differences in government regulation and supervision of foreign stock
exchanges, brokers, listed companies, and banks; generally lower foreign stock
market value; the likelihood that foreign securities may be less liquid or more
volatile; foreign brokerage commissions may be higher; unreliable mail service
between countries; and political or financial changes which adversely affect
investments in some countries. Securities prices in developing countries can be
significantly more volatile than in developed countries, reflecting the greater
uncertainties of investing in lesser developed markets and economies. In
particular, developing countries may have relatively unstable governments, and
may present the risk of nationalization of businesses, expropriation,
confiscatory taxation or, in certain instances, reversion to closed market,
centrally planned economies. Such countries may also have restrictions on
foreign ownership or prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have
less protection of property rights than developed countries. The economies of
developing countries may be predominantly based on only a few industries or
dependent on revenues from particular commodities or on international aid or
development assistance, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global
trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens or
inflation rates. In addition, securities markets in developing countries may
trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to
increased trading volume, potentially resulting in a lack of liquidity and in
volatility in the price of securities traded on those markets. Also, securities
markets in developing countries typically offer less regulatory protection for
investors. In the past, U.S. government policies have discouraged or restricted
certain investments abroad by investors such as the Fund. Although the Fund is
unaware of any current restrictions, investors are advised that these policies
could be reinstituted.
HIGH-YIELD CORPORATE DEBT OBLIGATIONS
The Fund may invest up to 35% of the value of its total assets in corporate debt
obligations that are not investment grade securities or are not rated but are
determined by the adviser to be of comparable quality and may include bonds in
default. Securities which are rated BBB or lower by Standard & Poor's or Baa or
lower by Moody's either have speculative characteristics or are speculative with
respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligations. A description of the rating categories is contained in
the Appendix to this prospectus. There is no lower limit with respect to rating
categories for securities in which the Fund may invest.
Corporate debt obligations that are not determined to be investment grade are
high-yield, high-risk securities ("junk bonds"), typically subject to greater
market fluctuations and greater risk of loss of income and principal due to an
issuer's default. To a greater extent than investment grade securities, lower
rated securities tend to reflect short-term corporate, economic and market
developments, as well as investor perceptions of the issuer's credit quality. In
addition, lower rated securities may be more difficult to dispose of or to value
than high-rated, lower-yielding securities. The Fund does not intend to invest
more than 5% of its assets in corporate debt obligations that are not
investment-grade securities during the current fiscal year.
The prices of fixed income securities generally fluctuate inversely to the
direction of interest rates. Changes in economic conditions or other
circumstances are more likely to lead to weakened capacity to make principal and
interest payments with respect to these securities than for higher rated
securities. The adviser attempts to reduce the risks described above through
diversification of the portfolio and by credit analysis of each issuer as well
as by monitoring broad economic trends and corporate and legislative
developments.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
The Fund may purchase interests in real estate investment trusts. Risks
associated with real estate investments include the fact that equity and
mortgage real estate investment trusts are dependent upon management skill and
are not diversified, and are, therefore, subject to the risk of financing single
projects or unlimited number of projects. They are also subject to heavy cash
flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidation. Additionally,
equity real estate investment trusts may be affected by any changes in the value
of the underlying property owned by the trusts, and mortgage real estate
investment trusts may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. The
investment adviser seeks to mitigate these risks by selecting real estate
investment trusts diversified by sector (shopping malls, apartment building
complexes, and health care facilities) and geographic location.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Securities in the Fund's portfolio will be sold whenever the adviser believes it
is appropriate to do so in light of the Fund's investment objective, without
regard to the length of time a particular security may have been held. The
adviser to the Fund does not anticipate that portfolio turnover will result in
adverse tax consequences. Any such trading will increase the Fund's portfolio
turnover rate and transaction costs.
VARIABLE ASSET REGULATIONS
The Fund is also subject to variable contract asset regulations prescribed by
the U.S. Treasury Department under Sec-tion 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
After a one year start-up period, the regulations generally require that, as of
the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, no more than 55%
of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any one investment, no
more than 70% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any two
investments, no more than 80% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented
by any three investments, and no more than 90% of the total assets of the Fund
may be represented by any four investments. In applying these diversification
rules, all securities of the same issuer, all interests in the same real
property project, and all interests in the same commodity are each treated as a
single investment. In the case of government securities, each government agency
or instrumentality shall be treated as a separate issuer. If the Fund fails to
achieve the diversification required by the regulations, unless relief is
obtained from the Internal Revenue Service, the contracts invested in the Fund
will not be treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts.
The Fund will be operated at all times so as to comply with the forgoing
diversification requirements.
STATE INSURANCE REGULATION
The Fund is intended to be a funding vehicle for variable annuity contracts and
variable life insurance policies offered by certain insurance companies. The
contracts will seek to be offered in as many jurisdictions as possible. Certain
states have regulations concerning, among other things, the concentration of
investments, sales and purchases of futures contracts, and short sales of
securities. If applicable, the Fund may be limited in its ability to engage in
such investments and to manage its portfolio with desired flexibility. The Fund
will operate in material compliance with the applicable insurance laws and
regulations of each jurisdiction in which contracts will be offered by the
insurance companies which invest in the Fund.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The Fund will not:
* borrow money directly or through reverse repurchase agreements
(arrangements in which the Fund sells a portfolio instrument for a
percentage of its cash value with an agreement to buy it back on a set
date) or pledge securities except that under certain circumstances the Fund
may borrow up to one-third of the value of its total assets and pledge up
to 10% of the value of its total assets to secure such borrowings;
* sell securities short except, under strict limitations, it may maintain
open short positions so long as not more than 10% of the value of its net
assets is held as collateral for those positions;
* invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of one
issuer (except cash and cash items, repurchase agreements, and U.S.
government obligations) or acquire more than 10% of any class of voting
securities of any issuer; or
* purchase portfolio instruments if, as a result of such purchase, 25% or
more of the value of its total assets would be invested in any one
industry.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
The following limitations, however, may be changed by the Trustees without
shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material change
in these limitations becomes effective.
The Fund will not:
* commit more than 5% of the value of its total assets to premiums on open
put option positions.
HUB AND SPOKE (R) OPTION
If the Trustees determine it to be in the best interest of the Fund and its
shareholders, the Fund may in the future seek to achieve its investment
objective by investing all of its assets in another investment company having
the same investment objective and substantially the same investment policies and
restrictions as those applicable to the Fund. It is expected that any such
investment company would be managed in substantially the same manner as the
Fund.
The initial shareholder of the Fund (which is an affiliate of Federated
Securities Corp.) voted to vest authority to use this investment structure in
the sole discretion of the Trustees. No further approval of shareholders is
required. Shareholders will receive at least 30 days prior notice of any such
investment.
In making its determination, the Trustees will consider, among other things, the
benefits to shareholders and/or the opportunity to reduce costs and achieve
operational efficiencies. Although it is expected that the Trustees will not
approve an arrangement that is likely to result in higher costs, no assurance is
given that costs will remain the same or be materially reduced if this
investment structure is implemented.
NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of the Fund fluctuates. It is determined by
dividing the sum of the market value of all securities and other assets of the
Fund, less liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding.
INVESTING IN THE FUND
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Shares of the Fund are not sold directly to the general public. The Fund's
shares are used solely as the investment vehicle for separate accounts of
insurance companies offering variable life insurance policies and variable
annuity contracts. The use of Fund shares as investments for both variable life
insurance policies and variable annuity contracts is referred to as "mixed
funding." The use of Fund shares as investments by separate accounts of
unaffiliated life insurance companies is referred to as "shared funding."
The Fund intends to engage in mixed funding and shared funding in the future.
Although the Fund does not currently foresee any disadvantage to contract owners
due to differences in redemption rates, tax treatment, or other considerations
resulting from mixed funding or shared funding, the Trustees of the Fund will
closely monitor the operation of mixed funding and shared funding and will
consider appropriate action to avoid material conflicts and take appropriate
action in response to any material conflicts which occur. Such action could
result in one or more participating insurance companies withdrawing their
investment in the Fund.
Shares of the Fund are purchased or redeemed on behalf of participating
insurance companies at the next computed net asset value after an order is
received on days on which the New York Stock Exchange is open.
WHAT SHARES COST
The net asset value is determined at the close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time), on the New York Stock Exchange, Monday through Friday, except on:
(i) days on which there are not sufficient changes in the value of the Fund's
portfolio securities that its net asset value might be materially affected; (ii)
days during which no shares are tendered for redemption and no orders to
purchase shares are received; or (iii) the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Purchase
orders from separate accounts investing in the Fund which are received by the
insurance companies by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) will be computed at the net
asset value of the Fund determined on that day, as long as such purchase orders
are received by the Fund in proper form and in accordance with applicable
procedures by 8:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the next business day and as long as
federal funds in the amount of such orders are received by the Fund on the next
business day. It is the responsibility of each insurance company which invests
in the Fund to properly transmit purchase orders and federal funds in accordance
with the procedures described above.
DIVIDENDS
Dividends on shares of the Fund are declared and paid annually.
Shares of the Fund begin earning dividends if owned on the record date.
Dividends of the Fund are automatically reinvested in additional shares of such
Fund on payment dates at the ex-dividend date net asset value.
FUND INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees. The Trustees are responsible for
managing the Trust's business affairs and for exercising all the Trust's powers
except those reserved for the shareholders. An Executive Committee of the Board
of Trustees handles the Board's responsibilities between meetings of the Board.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Pursuant to an investment advisory contract with the Trust, investment decisions
for the Fund are made by Federated Advisers, the Fund's investment adviser,
subject to direction by the Trustees. The adviser continually conducts
investment research and supervision for the Fund and is responsible for the
purchase or sale of portfolio instruments, for which it receives an annual fee
from the Fund.
Both the Trust and the adviser have adopted strict codes of ethics governing the
conduct of all employees who manage the Fund and its portfolio securities. These
codes recognize that such persons owe a fiduciary duty to the Fund's
shareholders and must place the interests of shareholders ahead of the
employees' own interests. Among other things, the codes: require preclearance
and periodic reporting of personal securities transactions; prohibit personal
transactions in securities being purchased or sold, or being considered for
purchase or sale, by the Fund; prohibit purchasing securities in initial public
offerings; and prohibit taking profits on securities held for less than sixty
days. Violations of the codes are subject to review by the Trustees, and could
result in severe penalties.
ADVISORY FEES
The adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee equal to 0.75% of the
Fund's average daily net assets. The adviser may voluntarily waive a portion
of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The adviser
can terminate this voluntary waiver at any time at its sole discretion.
ADVISER'S BACKGROUND
Federated Advisers, a Delaware business trust organized on April 11, 1989, is
a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. It
is a subsidiary of Federated Investors. All of the Class A (voting) shares of
Federated Investors are owned by a trust, the trustees of which are John F.
Donahue, Chairman and Trustee of Federated Investors, Mr Donahue's wife, and
Mr. Donahue's son, J. Christopher Donahue, who is President and Trustee of
Federated Investors. Federated Advisers and other subsidiaries of
Federated Investors serve as investment advisers to a number of investment
companies and private accounts. Certain other subsidiaries also provide
administrative services to a number of investment companies. With over $120
billion invested across more than 300 funds under management and/or
administration by its subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1997, Federated
Investors is one of the largest mutual fund investment managers in the United
States. With more than 2,000 employees, Federated continues to be led by the
management who founded the company in 1955. Federated funds are presently at
work in and through approximately 4,000 financial institutions nationwide.
Linda A. Duessel has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since February
1997. Ms. Duessel joined Federated Investors in 1991 and has been a Vice
President of the Fund's investment adviser since 1995. Ms. Duessel was an
Assistant Vice President of the Fund's investment adviser from 1991 until
1995. Ms. Duessel is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received her M.S. in
Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.
Steven J. Lehman has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since August 1997.
Mr. Lehman joined the Fund's adviser in May 1997 as a Vice President. From
1986 to May 1997, Mr. Lehman served as a Portfolio Manager, then Vice
President/Senior Portfolio Manager, at First Chicago NBD. Mr. Lehman is a
Chartered Financial Analyst; he received his M.A. from the University of
Chicago.
DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES
Federated Securities Corp. is the principal distributor for shares of the
Fund. Federated Securities Corp. is located at Federated Investors Tower,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779. It is a Pennsylvania corporation
organized on November 14, 1969, and is the principal distributor for a
number of investment companies. Federated Securities Corp. is a subsidiary
of Federated Investors.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
Under a distribution plan adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Plan"), the distributor may be paid a fee
by the Fund in an amount computed at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the
average daily net asset value of the Fund. The distributor may select financial
institutions such as banks, fiduciaries, custodians for public funds, investment
advisers, and broker/dealers to provide sales services or distribution-related
support services as agents for their clients or customers. Financial
institutions will receive fees based upon shares owned by their clients or
customers. The schedules of such fees will be determined from time to time by
the distributor. The Fund is not currently paying any 12b-1 fees under the Plan.
Should the Fund begin to pay these fees, shareholders will be notified.
The Plan is a compensation-type Plan. As such, the Fund makes no payments to the
distributor except as described above. Therefore, the Fund does not pay for
unreimbursed expenses of the distributor, including amounts expended by the
distributor in excess of amounts received by it from the Fund, interest,
carrying or other financing charges in connection with excess amounts expended,
or the distributor's overhead expenses. However, the distributor may be able to
recover such amounts or may earn a profit from future payments made by the Fund
under the Plan.
In addition, the Fund has entered into a Shareholder Services Agreement with
Federated Shareholder Services, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, under which
the Fund may make payments up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of
its shares to obtain certain personal services for shareholders and to maintain
shareholder accounts. Under the Shareholder Services Agreement, Federated
Shareholder Services will either perform shareholder services directly or will
select institutions to perform shareholder services. Institutions will receive
fees based upon shares owned by their clients or customers. The schedules of
such fees and the basis upon which such fees will be paid will be determined
from time to time by the Fund and Federated Shareholder Services.
SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Federated Securities Corp. from its own assets, may pay financial institutions
supplemental fees for the performance of substantial sales services,
distribution-related support services, or shareholder services. The support may
include sponsoring sales, educational and training seminars for their employees,
providing sales literature, and engineering computer software programs that
emphasize the attributes of the Fund. Such assistance may be predicated upon the
amount of shares the financial institution sells or may sell, and/or upon the
type and nature of sales or marketing support furnished by the financial
institution. Any payments made by the distributor may be reimbursed by the
Fund's investment adviser or its affiliates.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services (including certain legal and financial
reporting services) necessary to operate the Fund at an annual rate which
relates to the average aggregate daily net assets of all funds advised by
affiliates of Federated Investors as specified below:
MAXIMUM AVERAGE AGGREGATE
FEE DAILY NET ASSETS
0.150% on the first $250 million
0.125% on the next $250 million
0.100% on the next $250 million
0.075% on assets in excess of $750 million
The administrative fee received during any fiscal year shall be at least
$125,000 per portfolio and $30,000 per each additional class of shares.
Federated Services Company may choose voluntarily to waive a portion of its fee.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio
instruments, the adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable
price. In working with dealers, the adviser will generally utilize those who are
recognized dealers in specific portfolio instruments, except when a better price
and execution of the order can be obtained elsewhere. In selecting among firms
believed to meet these criteria, the adviser may give consideration to those
firms which have sold or are selling shares of the Fund and other funds
distributed by Federated Securities Corp. The adviser makes decisions on
portfolio transactions and selects brokers and dealers subject to review by the
Trustees.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
VOTING RIGHTS
The insurance company separate accounts, as shareholders of the Fund, will vote
the Fund shares held in their separate accounts at meetings of the shareholders.
Voting will be in accordance with instructions received from contract owners of
the separate accounts, as more fully outlined in the prospectus of the separate
account. As of April 8, 1998, Aetna Retirement Services Central Valuation Unit,
Hartford, CT, owned approximately 99.96% of the voting securities of the Fund,
and therefore, may for certain purposes be deemed to control the Fund and be
able to affect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of
shareholders. Aetna Retirement Services Central Valuation Unit is owned by Aetna
Inc. Each share of the Fund gives the shareholder one vote in Trustee
elections and other matters submitted to shareholders for vote. All shares of
each portfolio in the Trust have equal voting rights except that only shares of
the Fund are entitled to vote on matters affecting only the Fund. As a
Massachusetts business trust, the Trust is not required to hold annual
shareholder meetings. Shareholder approval will be sought only for certain
changes in the Trust's or the fund's operation and for the election of the
Trustees in certain circumstances.
Trustees may be removed by the Trustees or by shareholders at a special meeting.
A special meeting of shareholders shall be called by the Trustees upon the
written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares of
all series of the Trust.
TAX INFORMATION
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because it expects to meet requirements
of the Internal Revenue Code, applicable to regulated investment companies and
to receive the special tax treatment afforded to such companies.
The Fund will be treated as a single, separate entity for federal income tax
purposes so that income (including capital gains) and losses realized by the
Trust's other portfolios will not be combined for tax purposes with those
realized by the Fund.
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described earlier in this prospectus. If the Fund fails to comply with
these regulations, contracts invested in the Fund shall not be treated as
annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Internal Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the applicable contract prospectus for information
concerning the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions
from the Fund to the separate accounts.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
Contract owners are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the status
of their contracts under state and local tax laws.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund advertises total return and yield.
Total return represents the change, over a specific period of time, in the value
of an investment in each class of shares after reinvesting all income and
capital gains distributions. It is calculated by dividing that change by the
initial investment and is expressed as a percentage.
The yield of each class of shares is calculated by dividing the net investment
income per share (as defined by the SEC) earned by the Fund over a thirty-day
period by the maximum offering price per share of the Fund on the last day of
the period. This number is then annualized using semi-annual compounding. The
yield does not necessarily reflect income actually earned by the Fund and,
therefore, may not correlate to the dividends or other distributions paid to
shareholders.
Performance information will not reflect the charges and expenses of a variable
annuity or variable life insurance contract. Because shares of the Fund can only
be purchased by a separate account of an insurance company offering such a
contract, you should review the performance figures of the contract in which you
are invested, which performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the
Fund's performance.
From time to time, advertisements for the Fund may refer to ratings, rankings,
and other information in certain financial publications and/or compare the
Fund's performance to certain indices.
APPENDIX
STANDARD AND POOR'S LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
AAA--Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's.
Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA--Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A--Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB--Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest
and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB--Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to
inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB
rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BBB- rating.
B--Debt rated B has greater vulnerability to default but currently has the
capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to
pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category is also used for debt
subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB-
rating.
CCC--Debt rated CCC has currently identifiable vulnerability to default and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet
timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse
business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the
capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The CCC rating category is also
used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied
B or B- rating.
CC--The rating CC typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that
is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating.
C--The rating C typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which
is assigned an actual or implied CCC- debt rating. The C rating may be used to
cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service
payments are continued.
CI--The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being
paid.
D--Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments
will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the
filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC., CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa--Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group, they comprise what are generally known as
high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.
Baa--Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and, in
fact, have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba--Bonds which are Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future
cannot be considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest and
principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during
both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes
bonds in this class.
B--Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa--Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.
Ca--Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C--Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing. FITCH IBCA, INC. ("FITCH"), LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
AAA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit
quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and
repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable
events.
AA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although
not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the AAA and AA
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments,
short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F-1+.
A--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality.
The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be
adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are
more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds and, therefore, impair timely
payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below
investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings.
BB--Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and
repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However,
business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the
obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B--Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely
payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of
safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the
life of the issue.
CCC--Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied, may
lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous
business and eco-nomic environment.
CC--Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.
C--Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD, and D--Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such
bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their
ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. DDD
represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and D represents
the lowest potential for recovery.
NR--NR indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus or minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and
minus signs, however, are not used in the AAA category.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Prime-1--Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a
superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1
repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:
* Leading market positions in well established industries.
* High rates of return on funds employed.
* Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt
and ample asset protection.
* Broad margins in earning coverage of fixed financial charges and high
internal cash generation.
* Well established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources
of alternate liquidity.
Prime-2--Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a
strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will
normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above, but to a
lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more
subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate,
may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is
maintained. STANDARD AND POOR'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS A-1--This
designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is
strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
A-2--Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
issues designated A-1. FITCH IBCA, INC. COMMERCIAL PAPER RATING DEFINITIONS
Fitch-1--(Highest Grade) Commercial paper assigned this rating is regarded
as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
Fitch-2--(Very Good Grade) Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of
timely payment only slightly less in degree than the strongest issues.
[Graphic]
FEDERATED EQUITY INCOME FUND II
(A Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series)
PROSPECTUS
APRIL 23, 1998
A Diversified Portfolio of Federated Insurance Series, an Open-End,
Management Investment Company
FEDERATED
INSURANCE
SERIES
FEDERATED EQUITY INCOME FUND II Federated Investors Funds 5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000
DISTRIBUTOR
Federated Securities Corp.
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Federated Advisers
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP 2500 One PPG Place Pittsburgh, PA 15222-5401 Federated
Securities Corp., Distributor 1-800-341-7400 www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916801 G01298-01 (4/98)
[Graphic]
FEDERATED EQUITY INCOME FUND II
(A PORTFOLIO OF FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES)
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Statement of Additional Information should be read with the prospectus of
the Federated Equity Income Fund II (the "Fund"), a portfolio of Federated
Insurance Series (the "Trust") dated April 23, 1998. This Statement is not a
prospectus. You may request a copy of a prospectus or a paper copy of this
Statement, if you have received it electronically, free
of charge by calling 1-800-341-7400.
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
FEDERATED INVESTORS FUNDS
5800 CORPORATE DRIVE
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15237-7000
Statement dated April 23, 1998
[Graphic]
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
1-800-341-7400
www.federatedinvestors.com
Cusip 313916801
G01298-02 (4/98)
[Graphic]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION 1 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES 1 Convertible
Securities 1 Temporary Investments 1 Warrants 2 When-Issued and Delayed
Delivery Transactions 2 Repurchase Agreements 2 Futures and Options
Transactions 2 Restricted and Illiquid Securities 4 Lending of Portfolio
Securities 4 Reverse Repurchase Agreements 4 Investing in Securities of Other
Investment Companies 4 Portfolio Turnover 4 INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 5 Buying on
Margin 5 Selling Short 5 Issuing Senior Securities and Borrowing Money 5
Pledging Assets 5 Investing in Real Estate 5 Investing in Commodities 5
Underwriting 5 Lending Cash or Securities 5 Concentration of Investments 5
Diversification of Investments 6 Arbitrage Transactions 6 Acquiring Securities
6 Writing Covered Call Options and Purchasing Put Options 6 Investing in
Restricted and Illiquid Securities 6 FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT 7
Fund Ownership 10 Trustee Compensation 11 Trustee Liability 11 INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES 11 Adviser to the Fund 11 Advisory Fees 12 BROKERAGE
TRANSACTIONS 12 OTHER SERVICES 12 Fund Administration 12 Custodian and
Portfolio Accountant 12 Transfer Agent 12 Independent Auditors 12 PURCHASES AND
REDEMPTIONS 12 DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES 13 DETERMINING NET
ASSET VALUE 13 Determining Market Value of Securities 13 MASSACHUSETTS
PARTNERSHIP LAW 13 TAX STATUS 14 The Fund's Tax Status 14 Shareholders' Tax
Status 14 TOTAL RETURN 14 YIELD 14 PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS 15 Economic and
Market Information 16 ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS 16 Mutual Fund Market 16
Institutional Clients 16 Bank Marketing 16 Broker/Dealers and Bank
Broker/Dealer Subsidiaries 17 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 17
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
The Fund is a portfolio of Federated Insurance Series (the "Trust"), which was
established as Insurance Management Series, a Massachusetts business trust,
under a Declaration of Trust dated September 15, 1993. At a meeting of the Board
of Trustees (the "Trustees") held on November 14, 1995, the Trustees approved an
amendment to the Declaration of Trust to change the name of the Trust from
"Insurance Management Series" to "Federated Insurance Series." The Declaration
of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series of shares of beneficial
interest in separate portfolios of securities, including the Fund. The shares in
any one portfolio may be offered in separate classes. As of the date of this
Statement, the Trustees have not established separate classes of shares.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is to provide above average income and capital
appreciation. The investment objective cannot be changed without approval of
shareholders.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
DECS, or similar instruments marketed under different names, offer a substantial
dividend advantage with the possibility of unlimited upside potential if the
price of the underlying common stock exceeds a certain level. DECS convert to
common stock at maturity. The amount received is dependent on the price of the
common stock at the time of maturity. DECS contain two call options at different
strike prices. The DECS participate with the common stock up to the first call
price. They are effectively capped at that point unless the common stock rises
above a second price point, at which time they participate with unlimited upside
potential.
PERCS, or similar instruments marketed under different names, offer a
substantial dividend advantage, but capital appreciation potential is limited to
a predetermined level. PERCS are less risky and less volatile than the
underlying common stock because their superior income mitigates declines when
the common stock falls, while the cap price limits gains when the common stock
rises.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
The temporary investments in which the Fund may invest include, but are not
limited to:
* commercial paper rated A-1 or A-2 by Standard & Poor's, Prime-1 or Prime-2
by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or F-1 or F-2 by Fitch IBCA, Inc., and
Europaper rated A-1, A-2, Prime-1, or Prime-2. In the case where commercial
paper or Europaper has received different ratings from different rating
services, such commercial paper or Europaper is an acceptable temporary
investment so long as at least one rating is one of the preceding
high-quality ratings and provided the Fund's investment adviser has
determined that such investment presents minimal credit risks;
* instruments of domestic and foreign banks and savings associations if they
have capital, surplus, and undivided profits of over $100,000,000, or if
the principal amount of the instrument is insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation. These instruments may include Eurodollar
Certificates of Deposits ("ECDs"), Yankee Certificates of Deposit ("Yankee
CDs"), and Eurodollar Time Deposits ("ETDs");
* obligations of the U.S. government, or its agencies, or
instrumentalities;
* repurchase agreements; and
* other short-term instruments which are not rated but are determined by the
adviser to be of comparable quality to the other temporary obligations in
which the Fund may invest.
INVESTMENT RISKS
ECDs, ETDs, Yankee CDs, and Europaper are subject to different risks than
domestic obligations of domestic banks or corporations. Examples of these
risks include international economic and political developments, foreign
governmental restrictions that may adversely affect the payment of principal
or interest, foreign withholding or other taxes on interest income,
difficulties in obtaining or enforcing a judgment against the issuing entity,
and the possible impact of interruptions in the flow of international currency
transactions. Different risks may also exist for ECDs, ETDs, and Yankee CDs
because the banks issuing these instruments, or their domestic or foreign
branches, are not necessarily subject to the same regulatory requirements that
apply to domestic banks, such as reserve requirements, loan limitations,
examinations, accounting, auditing, recordkeeping, and the public availability
of information. These factors will be carefully considered by the adviser in
selecting investments for the Fund.
WARRANTS
Warrants basically are options to purchase common stock at a specific price
(usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at
issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging
from less than a year to twenty years or may be perpetual. However, warrants
have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, if the market
price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant's exercise price during
the life of the warrant, the warrant will expire as worthless. Warrants have no
voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets
of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the
market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the percentage increase
or decrease in the market price of the optioned common stock.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
These transactions are made to secure what is considered to be an advantageous
price or yield for the Fund. No fees or other expenses, other than normal
transaction costs, are incurred. However, liquid assets of the Fund sufficient
to make payment for the securities to be purchased are segregated on the Fund's
records at the trade date. These assets are marked to market daily and are
maintained until the transaction has been settled. The Fund does not intend to
engage in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions to an extent that would
cause the segregation of more than 20% of the total value of its assets.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund or its custodian will take possession of the securities subject to
repurchase agreements, and these securities will be marked to market daily. To
the extent that the original seller does not repurchase the securities from the
Fund, the Fund could receive less than the repurchase price on any sale of such
securities. In the event that such a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or
became insolvent, disposition of such securities by the Fund might be delayed
pending court action. The Fund believes that under the regular procedures
normally in effect for custody of the Fund's portfolio securities subject to
repurchase agreements, a court of competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of
the Fund and allow retention or disposition of such securities. The Fund will
only enter into repurchase agreements with banks and other recognized financial
institutions, such as broker/dealers, which are deemed by the adviser to be
creditworthy pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of Trustees (the
"Trustees").
FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may attempt to hedge all or a portion of its portfolio by buying and
selling financial futures contracts, buying put options on portfolio securities
and listed put options on futures contracts, and writing call options on futures
contracts. The Fund may also write covered call options on portfolio securities
to attempt to increase its current income.
FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS
A futures contract is a firm commitment by two parties: the seller who agrees
to make delivery of the specific type of security called for in the contract
("going short") and the buyer who agrees to take delivery of the security
("going long") at a certain time in the future.
In the fixed-income securities market, price moves inversely to interest
rates. A rise in rates means a drop in price. Conversely, a drop in rates
means a rise in price. In order to hedge its holdings of fixed-income
securities against a rise in market interest rates, the Fund could enter into
contracts to deliver securities at a predetermined price (i.e., "go short") to
protect itself against the possibility that the prices of its fixed-income
securities may decline during the Fund's anticipated holding period. The Fund
would "go long" (agree to purchase securities in the future at a predetermined
price) to hedge against a decline in market interest rates.
PUT OPTIONS ON FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Fund may purchase listed put options on financial futures contracts.
Unlike entering directly into a futures contract, which requires the purchaser
to buy a financial instrument on a set date at a specified price, the purchase
of a put option on a futures contract entitles (but does not obligate) its
purchaser to decide on or before a future date whether to assume a short
position at the specified price.
The Fund would purchase put options on futures contracts to protect portfolio
securities against decreases in value resulting from an anticipated increase
in market interest rates. Generally, if the hedged portfolio securities
decrease in value during the term of an option, the related futures contracts
will also decrease in value and the option will increase in value. In such an
event, the Fund will normally close out its option by selling an identical
option. If the hedge is successful, the proceeds received by the Fund upon the
sale of the second option will be large enough to offset both the premium paid
by the Fund for the original option plus the decrease in value of the hedged
securities.
Alternatively, the Fund may exercise its put option. To do so, it would
simultaneously enter into a futures contract of the type underlying the option
(for a price less than the strike price of the option) and exercise the
option. The Fund would then deliver the futures contract in return for payment
of the strike price. If the Fund neither closes out nor exercises an option,
the option will expire on the date provided in the option contract, and the
premium paid for the contract will be lost.
CALL OPTIONS ON FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS
In addition to purchasing put options on futures, the Fund may write listed
call options on futures contracts to hedge its portfolio against an increase
in market interest rates. When the Fund writes a call option on a futures
contract, it is undertaking the obligation of assuming a short futures
position (selling a futures contract) at the fixed strike price at any time
during the life of the option if the option is exercised. As market interest
rates rise, causing the prices of futures to go down, the Fund's obligation
under a call option on a future (to sell a futures contract) costs less to
fulfill, causing the value of the Fund's call option position to increase.
In other words, as the underlying futures price goes down below the strike
price, the buyer of the option has no reason to exercise the call, so that the
Fund keeps the premium received for the option. This premium can offset the
drop in value of the Fund's fixed-income portfolio which is occurring as
interest rates rise.
Prior to the expiration of a call written by the Fund, or exercise of it by
the buyer, the Fund may close out the option by buying an identical option. If
the hedge is successful, the cost of the second option will be less than the
premium received by the Fund for the initial option. The net premium income of
the Fund will then offset the decrease in value of the hedged securities.
The Fund will not maintain open positions in futures contracts it has sold or
call options it has written on futures contracts if, in the aggregate, the
value of the open positions (marked to market) exceeds the current market
value of its securities portfolio plus or minus the unrealized gain or loss on
those open positions, adjusted for the correlation of volatility between the
hedged securities and the futures contracts. If this limitation is exceeded at
any time, the Fund will take prompt action to close out a sufficient number of
open contracts to bring its open futures and options positions within this
limitation.
"MARGIN" IN FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
Unlike the purchase or sale of a security, the Fund does not pay or receive
money upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Rather, the Fund is
required to deposit an amount of "initial margin" in cash or U.S. Treasury
bills with its custodian (or the broker, if legally permitted). The nature of
initial margin in futures transactions is different from that of margin in
securities transactions in that futures contract initial margin does not
involve the borrowing of funds by the Fund to finance the transactions.
Initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good-faith deposit on
the contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures
contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied.
A futures contract held by the Fund is valued daily at the official settlement
price of the exchange on which it is traded. Each day the Fund pays or
receives cash, called "variation margin," equal to the daily change in value
of the futures contract. This process is known as "marking to market."
Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by the Fund but is
instead settlement between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe
the other if the futures contract expired. In computing its daily net asset
value, the Fund will mark to market its open futures positions.
The Fund is also required to deposit and maintain margin when it writes call
options on futures contracts.
PURCHASING PUT OPTIONS ON PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The Fund may purchase put options on portfolio securities to protect against
price movements in particular securities in its portfolio. A put option gives
the Fund, in return for a premium, the right to sell the underlying security
to the writer (seller) at a specified price during the term of the option.
WRITING COVERED CALL OPTIONS ON PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The Fund may also write covered call options to generate income. As writer of
a call option, the Fund has the obligation upon exercise of the option during
the option period to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the
exercise price. The Fund may only sell call options either on securities held
in its portfolio or on securities which it has the right to obtain without
payment of further consideration (or has segregated cash in the amount of any
additional consideration).
RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The ability of the Trustees to determine the liquidity of certain restricted
securities is permitted under a Securities and Exchange Commission staff
position set forth in the adopting release for Rule 144A under the Securities
Act of 1993. The Trustees may consider the following criteria in determining the
liquidity of certain restricted securities:
* the frequency of trades and quotes for the security;
* the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the
number of other potential buyers;
* dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and * the nature of
the security and the nature of the marketplace trades.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The collateral received when the Fund lends portfolio securities must be valued
daily and, should the market value of the loaned securities increase, the
borrower must furnish additional collateral to the Fund. During the time
portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any dividends or
interest paid on such securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option
of the Fund or the borrower. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and
custodial fees in connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the
interest earned on the cash or equivalent collateral to the borrower or placing
broker. The Fund does not have the right to vote securities on loan, but would
terminate the loan and regain the right to vote if that were considered
important with respect to the investment.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may also enter into reverse repurchase agreements. This transaction is
similar to borrowing cash. In a reverse repurchase agreement the Fund transfers
possession of a portfolio instrument to another person, such as a financial
institution, broker, or dealer, in return for a percentage of the instrument's
market value in cash, and agrees that on a stipulated date in the future the
Fund will repurchase the portfolio instrument by remitting the original
consideration plus interest at an agreed upon rate. The use of reverse
repurchase agreements may enable the Fund to avoid selling portfolio instruments
at a time when a sale may be deemed to be disadvantageous, but the ability to
enter into reverse repurchase agreements does not ensure that the Fund will be
able to avoid selling portfolio instruments at a disadvantageous time.
When effecting reverse repurchase agreements, liquid assets of the Fund, in a
dollar amount sufficient to make payment for the obligations to be purchased,
are segregated at the trade date. These securities are marked to market daily
and maintained until the transaction is settled.
INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest in the securities of affiliated money market funds as an
efficient means of managing the Fund's uninvested cash.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund will not attempt to set or meet a portfolio turnover rate since any
turnover would be incidental to transactions undertaken in an attempt to achieve
the Fund's investment objective. Securities in the Fund's portfolio will be sold
whenever the adviser believes it is appropriate to do so in light of the Fund's
investment objective, without regard to the length of time a particular security
may have been held. The adviser does not anticipate that portfolio turnover will
result in adverse tax consequences. Any such trading will increase the Fund's
portfolio turnover rate and transaction costs. Portfolio turnover rates are not
yet available for this Fund. For the period from January 30, 1997 (date of
initial public investment) to December 31, 1997, the portfolio turnover rate for
the Fund was 68%. INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The following limitations are fundamental [except that no investment limitation
of the Fund shall prevent the Fund from investing substantially all of its
assets (except for assets which are not considered "investment securities" under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, or assets exempted by the Securities and
Exchange Commission) in an open-end investment company with substantially the
same investment objectives]:
BUYING ON MARGIN
The Fund will not purchase any securities on margin but may obtain such
short-term credits as are necessary for clearance of transactions. The deposit
or payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with
financial futures contracts or related options transactions is not considered
the purchase of a security on margin.
SELLING SHORT
The Fund will not sell securities short unless during the time the short
position is open, it owns an equal amount of the securities sold or securities
readily and freely convertible into or exchangeable, without payment of
additional consideration, for securities of the same issue as, and equal in
amount to, the securities sold short; and not more than 10% of the Fund's net
assets (taken at current value) is held as collateral for such sales at any one
time.
ISSUING SENIOR SECURITIES AND BORROWING MONEY
The Fund will not issue senior securities except that the Fund may borrow money
and engage in reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to one-third of the
value of its total assets, including the amounts borrowed.
The Fund will not borrow money or engage in reverse repurchase agreements for
investment leverage, but rather as a temporary, extraordinary, or emergency
measure or to facilitate management of the portfolio by enabling the Fund to
meet redemption requests when the liquidation of portfolio securities is deemed
to be inconvenient or disadvantageous. The Fund will not purchase any securities
while any borrowings are outstanding.
PLEDGING ASSETS
The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate any assets except to secure
permitted borrowings. In those cases, it may pledge assets having a market value
not exceeding the lesser of the dollar amounts borrowed or 10% of the value of
total assets at the time of the borrowing. Margin deposits for the purchase and
sale of financial futures contracts and related options are not deemed to be a
pledge.
INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE
The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, although it may invest in
securities of issuers whose business involves the purchase or sale of real
estate or in securities which are secured by real estate or interest in real
estate.
INVESTING IN COMMODITIES
The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities, except that the Fund may
purchase and sell financial futures contracts and related options.
UNDERWRITING
The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities, except as it may be deemed
to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the
sale of restricted securities which the Fund may purchase pursuant to its
investment objectives, policies, and limitations.
LENDING CASH OR SECURITIES
The Fund will not lend any of its assets except portfolio securities up to
one-third of the value of its total assets. This shall not prevent the purchase
or holding of corporate bonds, debentures, notes, certificates of indebtedness
or other debt securities of an issuer, repurchase agreements, or other
transactions which are permitted by the Fund's investment objectives and
policies and limitations or the Trust's Declaration of Trust.
CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund will not purchase portfolio instruments if, as a result of such
purchase, 25% or more of the value of its total assets would be invested in any
one industry.
DIVERSIFICATION OF INVESTMENTS
The Fund will not invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in
securities of one issuer (except cash and cash items, repurchase agreements, and
U.S. government obligations) or acquire more than 10% of any class of voting
securities of any issuer. For these purposes, the Fund takes all common stock
and all preferred stock of an issuer each as a single class, regardless of
priorities, series, designations, or other differences.
The above investment limitations cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
The following limitations, however, may be changed by the Trusteess without
shareholder approval [except that no investment limitation of the Fund shall
prevent the Fund from investing substantially all of its assets (except for
assets which are not considered "investment securities" under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, or assets exempted by the Securities and Exchange
Commision) in an open-end investment company with substantially the same
investment objectives]. Shareholders will be notified before any material change
in these limitations becomes effective.
ARBITRAGE TRANSACTIONS
The Fund will not engage in arbitrage transactions.
ACQUIRING SECURITIES
The Fund will not purchase securities of a company for the purpose of exercising
control or management. However, the Fund may purchase up to 10% of the voting
securities of any one issuer and may exercise its voting powers consistent with
the best interests of the Fund. In addition, the Fund, other companies advised
by the adviser, and other affiliated companies may together buy and hold
substantial amounts of voting stock of a company and may vote together in regard
to such company's affairs. In some cases, the Fund and its affiliates might
collectively be considered to be in control of such company. In some cases,
Trustees and other persons associated with the Fund and its affiliates might
possibly become directors of companies in which the Fund holds stock.
WRITING COVERED CALL OPTIONS AND PURCHASING PUT OPTIONS
The Fund will not write call options on securities unless the securities are
held in the Fund's portfolio or unless the Fund is entitled to them in
deliverable form without further payment or after segregating cash in the amount
of any further payment. The Fund will not purchase put options on securities
unless the securities are held in the Fund's portfolio. The Fund will not commit
more than 5% of the value of its total assets to premiums on open option
positions. INVESTING IN RESTRICTED AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities,
including non-negotiable time deposits, and repurchase agreements providing for
settlement in more than seven days after notice, and certain restricted
securities not determined to be liquid under criteria established by the
Trustees. Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage
limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease
in percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result
in a violation of such restriction.
The Fund has no present intention to borrow money, invest in reverse repurchase
agreements, pledge securities, or sell securities short in excess of 5% of the
value of its total assets during the current fiscal year.
For purposes of its policies and limitations, the Fund considers certificates of
deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank
or savings association having capital, surplus, and undivided profits in excess
of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be "cash items."
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES MANAGEMENT
Officers and Trustees are listed with their addresses, birthdates, present
positions with Federated Insurance Series, and principal occupations.
John F. Donahue@*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 28, 1924
Chairman and Trustee
Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; Chairman and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Chairman, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Chief Executive Officer and Director or Trustee of the
Funds. Mr. Donahue is the father of J. Christopher Donahue, President and
Trustee of the Company.
Thomas G. Bigley
15 Old Timber Trail
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: February 3, 1934
Trustee
Director, Member of the Executive Committee, Children's Hospital of
Pittsburgh; formerly, Senior Partner, Ernst & Young LLP; Director, MED 3000
Group, Inc.; Director, Member of Executive Committee, University of
Pittsburgh; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
John T. Conroy, Jr.
Wood/IPC Commercial Department
John R. Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors
3255 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL
Birthdate: June 23, 1937
Trustee
President, Investment Properties Corporation; Senior Vice President, John R.
Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors; Partner or Trustee in private real
estate ventures in Southwest Florida; formerly, President, Naples Property
Management, Inc. and Northgate Village Development Corporation; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Nicholas P. Constantakis
175 Woodshire Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 3, 1939
Trustee
Formerly, Partner, Andersen Worldwide SC; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
William J. Copeland
One PNC Plaza--23rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: July 4, 1918
Trustee
Director and Member of the Executive Committee, Michael Baker, Inc.;
formerly, Vice Chairman and Director, PNC Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank Corp.;
Director, Ryan Homes, Inc.; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
J. Christopher Donahue*
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: April 11, 1949
President and Trustee
President and Trustee, Federated Investors, Federated Advisers, Federated
Management, and Federated Research; President and Director, Federated
Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; President, Passport
Research, Ltd.; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company, and
Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Services Company;
President or Executive Vice President of the Funds; Director or Trustee of
some of the Funds. Mr. Donahue is the son of John F. Donahue, Chairman and
Trustee of the Company.
James E. Dowd
571 Hayward Mill Road
Concord, MA
Birthdate: May 18, 1922
Trustee
Attorney-at-law; Director, The Emerging Germany Fund, Inc.; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.*
3471 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1111
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 11, 1932
Trustee
Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Medical Director, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center--Downtown; Member, Board of Directors, University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center; formerly, Hematologist, Oncologist, and Internist,
Presbyterian and Montefiore Hospitals; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr.@
Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba
205 Ross Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 18, 1924
Trustee
Attorney of Counsel, Miller, Ament, Henny & Kochuba; Director, Eat'N Park
Restaurants, Inc.; formerly, Counsel, Horizon Financial, F.A., Western
Region; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Peter E. Madden
One Royal Palm Way
100 Royal Palm Way
Palm Beach, FL
Birthdate: March 16, 1942
Trustee
Consultant; Former State Representative, Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
formerly, President, State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Boston
Corporation; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
John E. Murray, Jr., J.D., S.J.D.
President, Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: December 20, 1932
Trustee
President, Law Professor, Duquesne University; Consulting Partner, Mollica &
Murray; Director or Trustee of the Funds.
Wesley W. Posvar
1202 Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: September 14, 1925
Trustee
Professor, International Politics; Management Consultant; Trustee, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, RAND Corporation, Online Computer Library
Center, Inc., National Defense University and U.S. Space Foundation;
President Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh; Founding Chairman, National
Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology, Federal Emergency
Management Advisory Board, and Czech Management Center, Prague; Director or
Trustee of the Funds.
Marjorie P. Smuts
4905 Bayard Street
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: June 21, 1935
Trustee
Public Relations/Marketing/Conference Planning; Director or Trustee of the
Funds.
Edward C. Gonzales
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 22, 1930
Executive Vice President
Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Vice President,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, Federated Research, Federated Research
Corp., Federated Global Research Corp., and Passport Research, Ltd.; Executive
Vice President and Director, Federated Securities Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Trustee or Director of some of the Funds;
President, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of some of the Funds.
John W. McGonigle
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: October 26, 1938
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Trustee, Federated Investors; Trustee,
Federated Advisers, Federated Management, and Federated Research; Director,
Federated Research Corp. and Federated Global Research Corp.; Trustee, Federated
Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company; President
and Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services; Director, Federated Securities
Corp.; Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Funds; Treasurer of some of
the Funds.
Richard B. Fisher
Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA
Birthdate: May 17, 1923
Vice President
Executive Vice President and Trustee, Federated Investors; Chairman and
Director, Federated Securities Corp.; President or Vice President of some of
the Funds; Director or Trustee of some of the Funds.
* This Trustee is deemed to be an "interested person" as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
@ Member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of the Board of
Trustees handles the responsibilities of the Board between meetings of the
Board.
As used in the table above, "The Funds" and "Funds" mean the following
investment companies: 111 Corcoran Funds; Automated Government Money Trust;
Blanchard Funds; Blanchard Precious Metals Fund, Inc.; Cash Trust Series II;
Cash Trust Series, Inc.; DG Investor Series; Edward D. Jones & Co. Daily
Passport Cash Trust; Federated Adjustable Rate U.S. Government Fund, Inc.;
Federated American Leaders Fund, Inc.; Federated ARMs Fund; Federated Core
Trust; Federated Equity Funds; Federated Equity Income Fund, Inc.; Federated
Fund for U.S. Government Securities, Inc.; Federated GNMA Trust; Federated
Government Income Securities, Inc.; Federated Government Trust; Federated High
Income Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated High Yield Trust; Federated Income Securities
Trust; Federated Income Trust; Federated Index Trust; Federated Institutional
Trust; Federated Insurance Series; Federated Investment Portfolios; Federated
Investment Trust; Federated Master Trust; Federated Municipal Opportunities
Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal Securities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal
Trust; Federated Short-Term Municipal Trust; Federated Short-Term U.S.
Government Trust; Federated Stock and Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated Stock Trust;
Federated Tax-Free Trust; Federated Total Return Series, Inc.; Federated U.S.
Government Bond Fund; Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 1-3 Years;
Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 Years; Federated U.S. Government
Securities Fund: 5-10 Years; Federated Utility Fund, Inc.; First Priority Funds;
Fixed Income Securities, Inc.; High Yield Cash Trust; Intermediate Municipal
Trust; International Series, Inc.; Investment Series Funds, Inc.; Investment
Series Trust; Liberty Term Trust, Inc.--1999; Liberty U.S. Government Money
Market Trust; Liquid Cash Trust; Managed Series Trust; Money Market Management,
Inc.; Money Market Obligations Trust; Money Market Obligations Trust II; Money
Market Trust; Municipal Securities Income Trust; Newpoint Funds; RIMCO Monument
Funds; Targeted Duration Trust; Tax-Free Instruments Trust; The Planters Funds;
The Virtus Funds; Trust for Financial Institutions; Trust for Government Cash
Reserves; Trust for Short-Term U.S. Government Securities; Trust for U.S.
Treasury Obligations; Wesmark Funds; WCT Funds; and World Investment Series,
Inc. FUND OWNERSHIP
Officers and Trustees own less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding shares. As
of April 8, 1998, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the
outstanding shares of the Fund: Aetna Retirement Services Central Valuation
Unit, Hartford, CT, owned approximately 3,187,580 shares (99.96%).
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
AGGREGATE
NAME, COMPENSATION
POSITION WITH FROM TOTAL COMPENSATION PAID
TRUST TRUST*# FROM FUND COMPLEX+
John F. Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
Chairman and Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Thomas G. Bigley $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John T. Conroy, Jr. $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Nicholas P. Constantakis++ $0 $0 for the Trust and
Trustee 34 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
William J. Copeland $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
J. Christopher Donahue $0 $0 for the Trust and
President and Trustee 18 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
James E. Dowd $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D. $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr. $1,454 $122,362 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Peter E. Madden $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
John E. Murray, Jr. $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Wesley W. Posvar $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
Marjorie P. Smuts $1,321 $111,222 for the Trust and
Trustee 56 other investment companies
in the Fund Complex
* Information is furnished for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
# The aggregate compensation is provided for the Trust which is comprised of
eight portfolios.
+ The information is provided for the last calendar year.
++ Mr. Constantakis became a member of the Board of Trustees on February 23,
1998. He did not receive any fees as of the fiscal year end of the Trust.
TRUSTEE LIABILITY
The Delaration of Trust provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors
of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, they are not protected against
any liability to which they would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of their office.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
ADVISER TO THE FUND
The Fund's investment adviser is Federated Advisers. It is a subsidiary of
Federated Investors. All the voting securities of Federated Investors are
owned by a trust, the trustees of which are John F. Donahue, his wife, and
his son, J. Christopher Donahue.
The adviser shall not be liable to the Fund or any shareholder for any losses
that may be sustained in the purchase, holding, or sale of any security or for
anything done or omitted by it, except acts or omissions involving willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
imposed upon it by its contract with the Fund.
ADVISORY FEES
For its advisory services, the Federated Advisers receives an annual investment
advisory fee as described in the prospectus. For the period from January 30,
1997 (date of initial public investment) to December 31, 1997, Federated
Advisers earned advisory fees from the Fund of $96,582, of which $43,970 were
voluntarily waived. BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS The adviser may select
brokers and dealers who offer brokerage and research services. These services
may be furnished directly to the Fund or to the adviser and may include: advice
as to the advisability of investing in securities; security analysis and
reports; economic studies; industry studies; receipt of quotations for portfolio
evaluations; and similar services. Research services provided by brokers and
dealers may be used by the adviser or its affiliates in advising the Fund and
other accounts. To the extent that receipt of these services may supplant
services for which the adviser or its affiliates might otherwise have paid, it
would tend to reduce their expenses. The adviser and its affiliates exercise
reasonable business judgment in selecting brokers who offer brokerage and
research services to execute securities transactions. They determine in good
faith that commissions charged by such persons are reasonable in relationship to
the value of the brokerage and research services provided. For the period from
January 30, 1997 (date of initial public investment) to December 31, 1997, the
Fund paid $33,449 in brokerage commissions on brokerage transactions.
Although investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of
the other accounts managed by the adviser, investments of the type the Fund may
make may also be made by those other accounts. When the Fund and one or more
other accounts managed by the adviser are prepared to invest in, or desire to
dispose of, the same security, available investments or opportunities for sales
will be allocated in a manner believed by the adviser to be equitable to each.
In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by
the Fund or the size of the position obtained or disposed of by the Fund. In
other cases, however, it is believed that coordination and the ability to
participate in volume transactions will be to the benefit of the Fund.
OTHER SERVICES
FUND ADMINISTRATION
Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, provides
administrative personnel and services to the Fund for a fee as described in the
prospectus. For the period from January 30, 1997 (date of initial public
investment) to December 31, 1997, Federated Services Company earned $113,358
from the Fund. CUSTODIAN AND PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTANT
State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA, is custodian for the securities
and cash of the Fund. Federated Services Company, Pittsburgh, PA, provides
certain accounting and recordkeeping services with respect to the Fund's
portfolio investments. The fee paid for this service is based upon the level of
the Fund's average net assets for the period plus out-of-pocket expenses.
TRANSFER AGENT
Federated Services Company, through it registered transfer agent, Federated
Shareholder Services Company, maintains all necessary shareholder records. For
its services, the transfer agent receives a fee based on the size, type, and
number of accounts and transactions made by shareholders.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The independent auditors for the Fund are Deloitte & Touche LLP, Pittsburgh, PA.
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS
Shares are sold at their net asset value on days the New York Stock Exchange is
open for business. The procedure for purchasing and redeeming shares of the Fund
is explained in the prospectus under "Purchases and Redemptions" and "What
Shares Cost."
DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
These arrangements permit the payment of fees to institutions, the distributor,
and Federated Shareholder Services, to stimulate distribution activities and to
cause services to be provided to shareholders by a representative who has
knowledge of the shareholder's particular circumstances and goals. These
activities and services may include but are not limited to: marketing efforts;
providing office space, equipment, telephone facilities, and various clerical,
supervisory, computer, and other personnel as necessary or beneficial to
establish and maintain shareholder accounts and records; processing purchase and
redemption transactions and automatic investments of client account cash
balances; answering routine client inquiries; and assisting clients in changing
dividend options, account designations, and addresses.
By adopting the Plan, the Trustees expects that the Fund will be able to achieve
a more predictable flow of cash for investment purposes and to meet redemptions.
This will facilitate more efficient portfolio management and assist the Fund in
pursuing its investment objectives. By identifying potential investors whose
needs are served by the Fund's objective, and properly servicing these accounts,
the Fund may be able to curb sharp fluctuations in rates of redemptions and
sales.
Other benefits, which may be realized under either arrangement, may include: (1)
providing personal services to shareholders; (2) investing shareholder assets
with a minimum of delay and administrative detail; (3) enhancing shareholder
recordkeeping systems; and (4) responding promptly to shareholders' requests and
inquiries concerning their accounts.
The Fund is not currently paying any 12b-1 fees under the Plan. Should the Fund
begin to pay these fees, shareholders would be notified.
The Shareholder Services Agreement was not in effect during the Funds' fiscal
year ended December 31, 1997.
DETERMINING NET ASSET VALUE
Net asset value of the Fund generally changes each day. The days on which net
asset value is calculated by the Fund are described in the prospectus.
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except certain dividends
from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed, are recorded
as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date.
DETERMINING MARKET VALUE OF SECURITIES
Market values of the Fund's portfolio securities are determined as follows:
* according to the last sale price on a national securities exchange, if
available. (If a security is traded on more than one exchange, the price on
the primary market for that security, as determined by the adviser is
used.);
* according to the last reported bid price, if no sale on the recognized
exchange is reported or if the security is traded over-the-counter;
* at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees; or * for
short-term obligations with remaining maturities of 60 days or less
at the time of purchase, at amortized cost, which approximates value.
Prices provided by independent pricing services may be determined without
relying exclusively on quoted prices and may consider: institutional
trading in similar groups of securities; yield; quality; coupon rate;
maturity; type of issue; trading characteristics; and other market data.
MASSACHUSETTS PARTNERSHIP LAW
Under certain circumstances, shareholders may be held personally liable as
partners under Massachusetts law for obligations of the Trust. To protect its
shareholders, the Trust has filed legal documents with Massachusetts that
expressly disclaim the liability of its shareholders for acts or obligations of
the Trust. These documents require notice of this disclaimer to be given in each
agreement, obligation, or instrument the Trust or its Trustees enter into or
sign.
In the unlikely event a shareholder is held personally liable for the Trust's
obligations, the Trust is required by the Declaration of Trust to use its
property to protect or compensate the shareholder. On request, the Trust will
defend any claim made and pay any judgment against a shareholder for any act or
obligation of the Trust. Therefore, financial loss resulting from liability as a
shareholder will occur only if the Trust itself cannot meet its obligations to
indemnify shareholders and pay judgments against them.
TAX STATUS
THE FUND'S TAX STATUS
The Fund will pay no federal income tax because it expects to meet the
requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to
regulated investment companies and to receive the special tax treatment afforded
to such companies. To qualify for this treatment, the Fund must, among other
requirements:
* derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, and
gains from the sale of securities;
* invest in securities within certain statutory limits; and
* distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its net income earned
during the year.
SHAREHOLDERS' TAX STATUS
The Fund intends to comply with the variable asset diversification regulations
which are described in the prospectus and in this Statement of Additional
Information. If the Fund fails to comply with these regualtions, contracts
invested in the Fund shall not be treated as annuity, endowment, or life
insurance contracts under the Internal Revenue Code.
Contract owners should review the contract prospectus for information concerning
the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions from the
Fund to the separate accounts.
TOTAL RETURN
For the period from January 30, 1997 (date of initial public investment) to
December 31, 1997, the Fund's cumulative total return was 19.19%. Cumulative
total return reflects the Fund's total performance over a specific period of
time. The Fund's cumulative total return is representative of only eleven months
of fund activity. The average annual total return for the Fund is the
average compounded rate of return for a given period that would equate a $1,000
initial investment to the ending redeemable value of that investment. The ending
redeemable value is computed by multiplying the number of shares owned at the
end of the period by the offering price per share at the end of the period. The
number of shares owned at the end of the period is based on the number of shares
purchased at the beginning of the period with $1,000, adjusted over the period
by any additional shares, assuming a monthly reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions. You should review the performance figures for your insurance
contract, which figures reflect the applicable charges and expenses of the
contract. Such performance figures will accompany any advertisement of the
Fund's performance.
YIELD
The Fund's yield for the thirty-day period ended December 31, 1997, was 2.00%.
The yield for the Fund is determined by dividing the net investment income per
share (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission) earned by the Fund
over a thirty-day period by the maximum offering price per share of the Fund on
the last day of the period. This value is then annualized using semi-annual
compounding. This means that the amount of income generated during the
thirty-day period is assumed to be generated each month over a twelve-month
period and is reinvested every six months. The yield does not necessarily
reflect income actually earned by the Fund because of certain adjustments
required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and, therefore, may not
correlate to the dividends or other distributions paid to shareholders. Also the
yield does not reflect the charges and expenses of an insurance contract. You
should review the performance figures for your insurance contract, which figures
reflect the applicable charges and expenses of the contract. Such performance
figures will accompany any advertisement of the Fund's performance.
To the extent that financial institutions and broker/dealers charge fees in
connection with services provided in conjunction with an investment in any class
of Shares, the performance will be reduced for those shareholders paying those
fees.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS
The Fund's performance depends upon such variables as:
* portfolio quality;
* average portfolio maturity;
* type of instruments in which the portfolio is invested; * changes in
interest rates and market value of portfolio securities; * changes in the
Fund's or a class of Shares' expenses; and * various other factors.
The Fund's performance fluctuates on a daily basis largely because net earnings
and offering price per share fluctuate daily. Both net earnings and offering
price per share are factors in the computation of total return.
Investors may use financial publications and/or indices to obtain a more
complete view of the Fund's performance. When comparing performance, investors
should consider all relevant factors such as the composition of any index used,
prevailing market conditions, portfolio compositions of other funds, and methods
used to value portfolio securities and compute offering price. The financial
publications and/or indices which the Fund uses in advertising may include:
* LIPPER ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC., ranks funds in various fund categories by
making comparative calculations using total return. Total return assumes
the reinvestment of all capital gains distributions and income dividends
and takes into account any change in net asset value over a specific period
of time. From time to time, the Fund will quote its Lipper ranking in the
convertible securities and fixed income funds categories in advertising and
sales literature.
* DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE ("DJIA") represents share prices of selected
blue-chip industrial corporations as well as public utility and
transportation companies. The DJIA indicates daily changes in the average
price of stocks in any of its categories. It also reports total sales for
each group of industries. Because it represents the top corporations of
America, the DJIA index is a leading economic indicator for the stock
market as a whole.
* STANDARD & POOR'S DAILY STOCK PRICE INDEX OF 500 COMMON STOCKS is a
composite index of common stocks in industry, transportation, and financial
and public utility companies which compares total returns of funds whose
portfolios are invested primarily in common stocks. In addition, the
Standard & Poor's index assumes reinvestment of all dividends paid by
stocks listed on the index. Taxes due on any of these distributions are not
included, nor are brokerage or other fees calculated, in the Standard &
Poor's figures.
* MORNINGSTAR, INC., an independent rating service, is the publisher of the
bi-weekly Mutual Fund Values. Mutual Fund Values rates more than 1,000
NASDAQ-listed mutual funds of all types, according to their risk-adjusted
returns. The maximum rating is five stars, and ratings are effective for
two weeks.
In addition, the Fund will, from time to time, use the following standard
convertible securities indices against which it will compare its performance:
Goldman Sachs Convertible 100; Kidder Peabody Convertible Bond Index; Value Line
Convertible Bond Index; and Dow Jones Utility Index.
Advertisements and other sales literature for the Fund may quote total returns
which are calculated on nonstandardized base periods. These total returns also
represent the historic change in the value of an investment in the Fund based on
quarterly reinvestment of dividends over a specified period of time.
From time to time as it deems appropriate, the Fund may advertise its
performance using charts, graphs, and descriptions, compared to federally
insured bank products, including certificates of deposit and time deposits, and
to money market funds using the Lipper Analytical Services money market
instruments average. In addition, advertising and sales literature for the Fund
may use charts and graphs to illustrate the principals of dollar-cost averaging
and may disclose the amount of dividends paid by the Fund over certain periods
of time. Advertising and other promotional literature may include charts,
graphs, and other illustrations using the Fund's returns, or returns in general,
that demonstrate basic investment concepts such as tax-deferred compounding,
dollar-cost averaging and systematic investment. In addition, the Fund can
compare its performance, or performance for the types of securities in which it
invests, to a variety of other investments, such as bank savings accounts,
certificates of deposit, and Treasury bills. ECONOMIC AND MARKET
INFORMATION Advertising and sales literature for the Fund may include
discussions of economic, financial, and political developments and their effect
on the securities market. Such discussions may take the form of commentary on
these developments by Fund portfolio managers and their views and analysis on
how such developments could affect the Fund. In addition, advertising and sales
literature may quote statistics and give general information about the mutual
fund industry, including the growth of the industry, from sources such as the
Investment Company Institute ("ICI"). For example, according to the ICI,
thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $4.4 trillion to the more than 6,700 funds available.
ABOUT FEDERATED INVESTORS
Federated Investors is dedicated to meeting investor needs which is reflected in
its investment decision making--structured, straightforward, and consistent.
This has resulted in a history of competitive performance with a range of
competitive investment products that have gained the confidence of thousands of
clients and their customers.
The company's disciplined security selection process is firmly rooted in sound
methodologies backed by fundamental and technical research. Investment decisions
are made and executed by teams of portfolio managers, analysts, and traders
dedicated to specific market sectors. These traders handle trillions of dollars
in annual trading volume. In the equity sector, Federated Investors has more
than 27 years' experience. As of December 31, 1997, Federated managed 29 equity
funds totaling approximately $11.7 billion in assets across growth, value,
equity income, international, index, and sector (i.e. utility) styles.
Federated's value-oriented management style combines quantitative and
qualitative analysis and features a structured, computer-assisted composite
modeling system that was developed in the 1970s.
In the corporate bond sector, as of December 31, 1997, Federated managed 12
money market funds and 16 bonds funds with assets approximating $22.5 billion
and $5.6 billion, respectively. Federated's corporate bond decision
making--based on intensive, diligent credit analysis--is backed by over 22 years
of experience in the corporate bond sector. In 1972, Federated introduced one of
the first high-yield bond funds in the industry. In 1983, Federated was one of
the first fund managers to participate in the asset-backed securities market, a
market totaling more than $200 billion.
J. Thomas Madden, Executive Vice President, oversees Federated Investors' equity
and high yield corporate bond management while William D. Dawson, Executive Vice
President, oversees Federated Investors' domestic fixed income management. Henry
A. Frantzen, Executive Vice President, oversees the management of Federated
Investors' international and global portfolios.
MUTUAL FUND MARKET
Thirty-seven percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals
through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions,
have entrusted over $4.4 trillion to the more than 6,700 funds available.*
Federated Investors, through its subsidiaries, distributes mutual funds for a
variety of investment applications. Specific markets include:
INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS
Federated Investors meets the needs of more than 4,000 institutional clients
nationwide by managing and servicing separate accounts and mutual funds for a
variety of applications, including defined benefit and defined contribution
programs, cash management, and asset/liability management. Institutional clients
include corporations, pension funds, tax-exempt entities,
foundations/endowments, insurance companies, and investment and financial
advisors. The marketing effort to these institutional clients is headed by John
B. Fisher, President, Institutional Sales Division.
BANK MARKETING
Other institutional clients include close relationships with more than 1,600
banks and trust organizations. Virtually all of the trust divisions of the top
100 bank holding companies use Federated funds in their clients' portfolios. The
marketing effort to trust clients is headed by Timothy C. Pillion, Senior Vice
President, Bank Marketing & Sales.
* Source: Investment Company Institute
BROKER/DEALERS AND BANK BROKER/DEALER SUBSIDIARIES
Federated funds are available to consumers through major brokerage firms
nationwide--we have over 2,200 broker/dealer and bank broker/dealer
relationships across the country -- supported by more wholesalers than any other
mutual fund distributor. Federated's service to financial professionals and
institutions has earned it high ratings in several surveys performed by DALBAR,
Inc. DALBAR is recognized as the industry benchmark for service quality
measurement. The marketing effort to these firms is headed by James F. Getz,
President, Federated Securities Corp.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's financial statements for the fiscal year ended Decembere 31, 1997,
are incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report of the Fund dated
December 31, 1997 (File Nos. 33-69268 and 811-8042). Copies of the Report may be
obtained without charge by contacting the Fund.
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION.
Item 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS:
(a) Financial Statements: (1-8) Incorporated by reference to the
Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders dated
December 31, 1997 (File Nos. 33-69268 and 811-8042).
(b) Exhibits:
(1) Conformed copy of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
of the Registrant (Amenment #1 to the Declaration of
Trust); (3)
(i) Conformed copy of Amendment #2 to the Declaration of
Trust; + (ii) Conformed copy of Amendment #3 to the
Declaration of Trust; + (iii) Conformed copy of
Amendment #4 to the Declaration of Trust; + (iv)
Conformed copy of Amendment #5 to the Declaration of
Trust; (10) (v) Conformed copy of Amendment #6 to the
Declaration of Trust; (11) (vi) Conformed copy of
Amendment #7 to the Declaration of Trust; +
(2) Copy of By-Laws; (2)
(3) Not Applicable;
(4) (i) Copy of Specimen Certificate for Shares of
Beneficial Interest of Federated American Leaders
Fund II; (15)
(ii) Copy of Specimen Certificate for Shares of
Beneficial Interest of Federated Utility
Fund II; (15)
(iii) Copy of Specimen Certificate for Shares of
Beneficial Interest of Federated Fund for U.S.
Government Securities II; (15)
(iv) Copy of Specimen Certificate for Shares of
Beneficial Interest of Federated High Income Bond Fund
II; (15) (v) Copy of Specimen Certificate for Shares of
Beneficial Interest of Federated Prime Money Fund II;
(15) (vi) Copy of Specimen Certificate for Shares of
Beneficial Interest of Federated International Equity
Fund II; (4) (vii) Copy of Specimen Certificate for
Shares of Beneficial Interest of Federated Growth
Strategies Fund II; (15) (viii)Copy of Specimen
Certificate for Shares of Beneficial Interest of
Federated Equity Income Fund II; (15)
(5) Conformed copy of Investment Advisory Contract between the
Registrant and Federated Advisers;(3)
+ All exhibits have been filed electronically.
(2) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 on Form N-1A filed April 29, 1994. (File Nos. 33-69268 and
811-8042).
(3) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 2 on Form N-1A filed August 23, 1994. (File Nos. 33-69268 and
811-8042).
(4) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 3 on Form N-1A filed January 19, 1995. (File Nos. 33-69268
and 811-8042).
(10) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 9 on Form N-1A filed February 16, 1996. (File Nos. 33-69268
and 811-8042).
(11) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 10 on Form N-1A filed March 28, 1996. (File Nos. 33-69268 and
811-8042).
(15) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 15 on Form N-1A filed July 31, 1997. (File Nos. 33-69268 and
811-8042).
<PAGE>
(i) Conformed copy of Exhibit A to Investment Advisory
Contract; (3) (ii) Conformed copy of Exhibit B to
Investment Advisory Contract; (3) (iii) Conformed copy
of Exhibit C to Investment Advisory Contract; (3) (iv)
Conformed copy of Exhibit D to Investment Adivsory
Contract; (3) (v) Conformed copy of Exhibit E to
Investment Adivsory Contract; (3) (vi) Conformed copy of
Exhibit F to Investment Advisory Contract; (6)
(vii) Conformed copy of Exhibit G to the Trust's present
investment advisory contract to add Federated
Growth Strategies Fund II (formerly, Growth Stock
Fund); (10)
(viii)Conformed copy of Exhibit H to the Trust's present
investment advisory contract to add Federated
Equity Income Fund II; (12)
(5a)Conformed copy of Investment Advisory
Contract between the Registrant and Federated
Global Research Corp. with respect to Federated
International Equity Fund II; (10)
(5b)Conformed copy of Sub-Advisory
Agreement between Federated Advisers and Federated
Global Research Corp. with respect to Federated
Utilty Fund II; +
(i) Conformed copy of Exhibit A to Investment Advisory
Contract; (10) (6) Conformed copy of Distributor's Contract;
(3)
(i) Conformed copy of Exhibit A to Distributor's
Contract; (3) (ii) Conformed copy of Exhibit B to
Distributor's Contract; (3) (iii) Conformed copy of
Exhibit C to Distributor's Contract; (3) (iv) Conformed
copy of Exhibit D to Distributor's Contract; (3) (v)
Conformed copy of Exhibit E to Distributor's Contract;
(3) (vi) Conformed copy of Exhibit F to Distributor's
Contract; (7) (vii) Conformed copy of Exhibit G to
Distributor's Contract; (10) (viii)Conformed copy of
Exhibit H to Distributor's Contract; (12)
(7) Not Applicable;
(8) Conformed copy of Custodian Contract; (7) (i) Conformed
copy of Domestic Custody Fee Schedule; +
+ All exhibits have been filed electronically.
(3) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 2 on Form N-1A filed August 23, 1994. (File Nos. 33-69268 and
811-8042).
(6) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 5 on Form N-1A filed April 3, 1995. (File Nos. 33-69268 and
811-8042).
(7) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 6 on Form N-1A filed April 21, 1995. (File Nos. 33-69268 and
811-8042).
(10) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 9 on Form N-1A filed February 16, 1996. (File Nos. 33-69268
and 811-8042).
(12) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 12 on Form N-1A filed February 10, 1997. (File Nos. 33-69268
and 811-8042).
<PAGE>
(9) (i) Conformed copy of Agreement for Fund Accounting
Services, Aministrative Services, Transfer Agency
Services, and Custody Services Procurement; (11)
(ii) Conformed copy of Amended and Restated Shareholder
Services Agreement; (16) (10)Conformed copy of Opinion and
Consent of Counsel as to legality of shares being registered;
(2)
(11) Consent of Independent Auditors; +
(12) Not Applicable;
(13)Conformed copy of Initial Capital Understanding;(2)
(14)Not Applicable;
(15)Conformed Copy of Distribution Plan of the Registrant; (12)
(16) (i) Copy of Federated American Leaders Fund II
(formerly, Equity Growth and Income Fund)
Schedule for Computation of
Fund Performance Data; (3)
(ii) Copy of Federated Utility Fund II (formerly,
Utility Fund) Schedule for Computation of Fund
Performance Data; (3)
(iii) Copy of Federated Fund for U.S. Government
Securities II (formerly, U.S. Government Bond
Fund) Schedule for
Computation of Fund Performance Data;(3)
(iv) Copy of Federated High Income Bond Fund II
(formerly, Corporate Bond Fund) Schedule for
Computation of Fund Performance Data; (2)
(v) Copy of Federated Prime Money Fund II (formerly,
Prime Money Fund) Schedule for Computation of
Fund Performance Data; (9)
(vi) Copy of Federated International Equity Fund II
(formerly, International Stock Fund) Schedule for
Computation of Fund Performance Data; (10)
(vii) Copy of Federated Growtht Strategies Fund II
(formerly, Growth Stock Fund) Schedule for
Computation of Fund Performance Data; (10)
(vii) Copy of Federated Equity Income Fund II Schedule
for Computation of Fund Performance Data; (15) (17)Copy of
Financial Data Schedules; + (18)Not applicable (19)Conformed
copy of Power of Attorney; +
+ All exhibits have been filed electronically.
(2) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 on Form N-1A filed April 29, 1994. (File Nos. 33-69268 and
811-8042).
(3) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 2 on Form N-1A filed August 23, 1994. (File Nos. 33-69268 and
811-8042).
(9) Response is incorported by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 7 on Form N-1A filed August 28, 1995. (File Nos. 33-69268 and
811-8042).
(10) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 9 on Form N-1A filed February 16, 1996. (File Nos. 33-69268
and 811-8042).
(11) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 10 on Form N-1A filed March 28, 1996. (File Nos. 33-69268 and
811-8042).
(12) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 12 on Form N-1A filed February 10, 1997. (File Nos. 33-69268
and 811-8042).
(15) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 15 on Form N-1A filed July 31, 1997. (File Nos. 33-69268 and
811-8042).
(16) Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 17 on Form N-1A filed March 9, 1998. (File Nos. 33-69268 and
811-8042).
<PAGE>
Item 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT:
None
Item 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES:
Number of Record Holders
TITLE OF CLASS AS OF APRIL 8, 1998
-------------- -------------------
Shares of beneficial interest
(no par value)
Federated American Leaders Fund II 19
Federated Growth Strategies Fund II 7
Federated Utility Fund II 22
Federated Prime Money Fund II 19
Federated Fund for U.S. Government 24
Securities II
Federated High Income Bond Fund II 23
Federated International Equity Fund II 11
Federated Equity Income Fund II 10
Item 27. INDEMNIFICATION: (1)
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser:
(a) For a description of the other business of the investment adviser, see
the section entitled "Management of the Funds"in Part A. The
affiliations with the Registrant of four of the Trustees and one of the
Officers of the investment adviser are included in Part B of this
Registration Statement under "Federated Insurance Series Management."
The remaining Trustee of the investment adviser, his position with the
investment adviser, and, in parentheses, his principal occupation is:
Mark D. Olson (Partner, Wilson, Halbrook & Bayard), 107 W. Market
Street, Georgetown, Delaware 19947.
The remaining Officers of the investment adviser are:
Executive Vice Presidents: William D. Dawson, III
Henry A. Frantzen
J. Thomas Madden
Senior Vice Presidents: Joseph M. Balestrino
Drew J. Collins
Jonathan C. Conley
Deborah A. Cunningham
Mark E. Durbiano
Sandra L. McInerney
J. Alan Minteer
Susan M. Nason
Mary Jo Ochson
Robert J. Ostrowski
(1) Response is incorported by reference to Registrant's Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 on Form N-1A filed December 10, 1993. (File Nos. 33-69268
and 811-8042).
<PAGE>
Vice Presidents: Todd A. Abraham
J. Scott Albrecht
Randall S. Bauer
David A. Briggs
Micheal W. Casey
Kenneth J. Cody
Alexandre de Bethmann
Michael P. Donnelly
Linda A. Duessel
Donald T. Ellenberger
Kathleen M. Foody-Malus
Thomas M. Franks
Edward C. Gonzales
James E. Grefenstette
Susan R. Hill
Stephen A. Keen
Robert K. Kinsey
Robert M. Kowit
Jeff A. Kozemchak
Steven Lehman
Marian R. Marinack
Charles A. Ritter
Scott B. Schermerhorn
Frank Semack
Aash M. Shah
Christopher Smith
William F. Stotz
Tracy P. Stouffer
Edward J. Tiedge
Paige M. Wilhelm
Jolanta M. Wysocka
Assistant Vice Presidents:
Stefanie L. Bachhuber
Arthur J. Barry
Robert E. Cauley
Lee R. Cunningham, II
Paul S. Drotch
Salvatore A. Esposito
Donna M. Fabiano
John T. Gentry
William R. Jamison
Constantine Kartsonsas
Natalie F. Metz
Joseph M. Natoli
Keith J. Sabol
John Sheehy
Michael W. Sirianni
Gregg S. Tenser
Leonardo A. Vila
Lori A. Wolff
Secretary: Stephen A. Keen
Treasurer: Thomas R. Donahue
Assistant Secretaries: Thomas R. Donahue
Richard B. Fisher
Christine I. McGonigle
Assistant Treasurer: Richard B. Fisher
The business address of each of the Officers of the investment adviser
is Federated Investors Tower, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779.
These individuals are also officers of a majority of the investment
advisers to the Funds listed in Part B of this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS:
(a) Federated Securities Corp. the Distributor for shares of the
Registrant, acts as principal underwriter for the following
open-end investment companies, including the Registrant:
111 Corcoran Funds; Automated Government Money Trust; Blanchard Funds; Blanchard
Precious Metals Fund, Inc.; Cash Trust Series II; Cash Trust Series, Inc.; DG
Investor Series; Edward D. Jones & Co. Daily Passport Cash Trust; Federated
Adjustable Rate U.S. Government Fund, Inc.; Federated American Leaders Fund,
Inc.; Federated ARMs Fund; Federated Core Trust; Federated Equity Funds;
Federated Equity Income Fund, Inc.; Federated Fund for U.S. Government
Securities, Inc.; Federated GNMA Trust; Federated Government Income Securities,
Inc.; Federated Government Trust; Federated High Income Bond Fund, Inc.;
Federated High Yield Trust; Federated Income Securities Trust; Federated Income
Trust; Federated Index Trust; Federated Institutional Trust; Federated Insurance
Series; Federated Investment Portfolios; Federated Investment Trust; Federated
Master Trust; Federated Municipal Opportunities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal
Securities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal Trust; Federated Short-Term Municipal
Trust; Federated Short-Term U.S. Government Trust; Federated Stock and Bond
Fund, Inc.; Federated Stock Trust; Federated Tax-Free Trust; Federated Total
Return Series, Inc.; Federated U.S. Government Bond Fund; Federated U.S.
Government Securities Fund: 1-3 Years; Federated U.S. Government Securities
Fund: 2-5 Years; Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 5-10 Years;
Federated Utility Fund, Inc.; First Priority Funds; Fixed Income Securities,
Inc.; High Yield Cash Trust; Independence One Mutual Funds; Intermediate
Municipal Trust; International Series, Inc.; Investment Series Funds, Inc.;
Investment Series Trust; Liberty U.S. Government Money Market Trust; Liquid Cash
Trust; Managed Series Trust; Marshall Funds, Inc.; Money Market Management,
Inc.; Money Market Obligations Trust; Money Market Obligations Trust II; Money
Market Trust; Municipal Securities Income Trust; Newpoint Funds; Peachtree
Funds; RIMCO Monument Funds; SouthTrust Vulcan Funds; Star Funds; Targeted
Duration Trust; Tax-Free Instruments Trust; The Planters Funds; The Virtus
Funds; The Wachovia Funds; The Wachovia Municipal Funds; Tower Mutual Funds;
Trust for Financial Institutions; Trust for Government Cash Reserves; Trust for
Short-Term U.S. Government Securities; Trust for U.S. Treasury Obligations;
Vision Group of Funds, Inc.; and World Investment Series, Inc.
Federated Securities Corp. also acts as principal underwriter for the
following closed-end investment company: Liberty Term Trust, Inc.- 1999.
(b)
(1) (2) (3)
Name and Principal Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
BUSINESS ADDRESS WITH DISTRIBUTOR WITH REGISTRANT
Richard B. Fisher Director, Chairman, Chief Vice President
Federated Investors Tower Executive Officer, Chief
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779 Operating Officer, Asst.
Secretary and Asst.
Treasurer, Federated
Securities Corp.
Edward C. Gonzales Director, Executive Vice Executive Vice
Federated Investors Tower President, Federated, President
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779 Securities Corp.
Thomas R. Donahue Director, Assistant Secretary
Federated Investors Tower and Assistant Treasurer
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779 Federated Securities Corp
James F. Getz President-Broker/Dealer, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
<PAGE>
(1) (2) (3)
Name and Principal Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
BUSINESS ADDRESS WITH DISTRIBUTOR WITH REGISTRANT
John B. Fisher President-Institutional Sales, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
David M. Taylor Executive Vice President --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Mark W. Bloss Senior Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Richard W. Boyd Senior Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Laura M. Deger Senior Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Theodore Fadool, Jr. Senior Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Bryant R. Fisher Senior Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Christopher T. Fives Senior Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
James S. Hamilton Senior Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
James M. Heaton Senior Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Keith Nixon Senior Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Solon A. Person, IV Senior Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Timothy C. Pillion Senior Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Thomas E. Territ Senior Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Ernest G. Anderson Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Teresa M. Antoszyk Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
John B. Bohnet Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
(1) (2) (3)
Name and Principal Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
BUSINESS ADDRESS WITH DISTRIBUTOR WITH REGISTRANT
Byron F. Bowman Vice President, Secretary, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Jane E. Broeren-Lambesis Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
David J. Callahan Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Mary J. Combs Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
R. Edmond Connell, Jr. Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
R. Leonard Corton, Jr. Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Kevin J. Crenny Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Daniel T. Culbertson Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
G. Michael Cullen Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Marc C. Danile Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
William C. Doyle Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Jill Ehrenfeld Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Mark D. Fisher Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Joseph D. Gibbons Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
John K. Goettlicher Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Craig S. Gonzales Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Richard C. Gonzales Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
(1) (2) (3)
Name and Principal Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
BUSINESS ADDRESS WITH DISTRIBUTOR WITH REGISTRANT
Raymond Hanley Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Bruce E. Hastings Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Beth A. Hetzel Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
James E. Hickey Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Charlene H. Jennings Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Brian G. Kelly Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
H. Joseph Kennedy Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Michael W. Koenig Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Michael R. Manning Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Mark J. Miehl Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Richard C. Mihm Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
J. Michael Miller Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Alec H. Neilly Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Thomas A. Peters III Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Robert F. Phillips Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Richard A. Recker Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Eugene B. Reed Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
(1) (2) (3)
Name and Principal Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
BUSINESS ADDRESS WITH DISTRIBUTOR WITH REGISTRANT
Paul V. Riordan Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
John Rogers Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Brian S. Ronayne Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Thomas S. Schinabeck Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Edward L. Smith Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
David W. Spears Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
John A. Staley Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Colin B. Starks Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Jeffrey A. Stewart Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
William C. Tustin Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Paul A. Uhlman Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Miles J. Wallace Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
John F. Wallin Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Richard B. Watts Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Edward J. Wojnarowski Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Michael P. Wolff Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Edward R. Bozek Assistant Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
(1) (2) (3)
Name and Principal Positions and Offices Positions and Offices
BUSINESS ADDRESS WITH DISTRIBUTOR WITH REGISTRANT
Terri E. Bush Assistant Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Beth C. Dell Assistant Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
David L. Immonen Assistant Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Renee L. Martin Assistant Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Robert M. Rossi Assistant Vice President, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Denis McAuley Treasurer, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Leslie K. Platt Assistant Secretary, --
Federated Investors Tower Federated Securities Corp.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
(c) Not applicable
Item 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS:
All accounts and records required to be maintained by Section 31(a)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 31a-1 through 31a-3
promulgated thereunder are maintained at one of the following
locations:
REGISTRANT Federated Investors Tower
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
FEDERATED SHAREHOLDER P.O. Box 8600
SERVICES COMPANY Boston, MA 02266-8600
Transfer Agent, Dividend
Disbursing Agent and
Portfolio Recordkeeper
FEDERATED SERVICES Federated Investors Tower
COMPANY Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
Administrator
FEDERATED ADVISERS Federated Investors Tower
Investment Adviser Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779
FEDERATED GLOBAL RESEARCH 175 Water Street
CORP. New York, NY 10038-4965
Investment Adviser
STATE STREET BANK AND P.O. Box 8600
---------------------
TRUST COMPANY Boston, MA 02266-8600
Custodian
<PAGE>
Item 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES: Not applicable.
Item 32. UNDERTAKINGS:
Registrant hereby undertakes to comply with the provisions of
Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act with respect to the removal of
Trustees and the calling of special shareholder meetings by
shareholders.
Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish each person to whom a
prospectus is delivered, a copy of the Registrant's latest annual
report to shareholders, upon request and without charge.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant, FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES,
certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this
amendment to its Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the
Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly
authorized, in the City of Pittsburgh and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on the
22nd day of April, 1998.
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
BY: /s/ Matthew S. Hardin
Matthew S. Hardin, Assistant Secretary
Attorney in Fact for John F. Donahue
April 22, 1998
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
to its Registration Statement has been signed below by the following person in
the capacity and on the date indicated:
NAME TITLE DATE
By: /s/ Matthew S. Hardin
Matthew S. Hardin Attorney In Fact April 22, 1998
ASSISTANT SECRETARY For the Persons
Listed Below
NAME TITLE
John F. Donahue* Chairman and Trustee
(Chief Executive Officer)
J. Christopher Donahue* President and Trustee
John W. McGonigle* Executive Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
Thomas G. Bigley* Trustee
Nicholas P. Constantakis* Trustee
John T. Conroy, Jr.* Trustee
William J. Copeland* Trustee
James E. Dowd* Trustee
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.* Trustee
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr.* Trustee
Peter E. Madden* Trustee
John E. Murray, Jr.* Trustee
Wesley W. Posvar* Trustee
Marjorie P. Smuts* Trustee
* By Power of Attorney
Exhibit 1(i) under Form N1-A
Exhibit 3(a) under Item 601/Reg. S-K
December 15, 1993
Ms. Sheila Burke
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Office of the Secretary of State
Room 1712 - Trust Division
One Ashburton Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
Re: INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SERIES
Dear Ms. Burke:
I, S. Elliott Cohan, Assistant Secretary of Insurance Management Series, am
writing to inform you that on November 18, 1993, the Board of Trustees voted to
change the Resident Agent of said Trust, from 176 Federal Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110 to Donnelly, Conroy & Gelhaar, One Post Office Square,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109-2105. Please return a date stamped copy of the
change.
Very truly yours,
/s/ S. Elliott Cohan
S. Elliott Cohan
Assistant Secretary
Exhibit 1(ii) under Form N1-A
Exhibit 3(a) under Item 601/Reg. S-K
INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SERIES
Amendment No. 3
DECLARATION OF TRUST
Amended and Restated as of December 7, 1993
THIS Declaration of Trust is amended as follows:
Strike the first paragraph of Section 5 of Article III from the
Declaration of Trust and substitute in its place the following:
"Section 5. Establishment and Designation of Series or Class.
Without limiting the authority of the Trustees set forth in
Article XII, Section 8, inter alia, to establish and designate any
additional Series or Class or to modify the rights and preferences
of any existing Series or Class, the initial Series shall be, and
are established and designated as:
Corporate Bond Fund
Equity Growth and Income Fund
International Equity Fund
Prime Money Fund
U.S. Government Bond Fund
Utility Fund"
The undersigned Assistant Secretary of Insurance Management Series hereby
certifies that the above stated Amendment is a true and correct Amendment to the
Declaration of Trust, as adopted by the Board of Trustees on the 16th day of
November, 1994.
WITNESS the due execution hereof this 16th day of November, 1994.
/s/ G. Andrew Bonnewell
G. Andrew Bonnewell
Assistant Secretary
Exhibit 1(iii) under Form N1-A
Exhibit 3(a) under Item 601/Reg. S-K
INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SERIES
Amendment No. 4
DECLARATION OF TRUST
Amended and Restated as of December 7, 1993
THIS Declaration of Trust is amended as follows:
Strike the first paragraph of Section 5 of Article III from the
Declaration of Trust and substitute in its place the following:
"Section 5. Establishment and Designation of Series or Class.
Without limiting the authority of the Trustees set forth in
Article XII, Section 8, INTER ALIA, to establish and designate any
additional Series or Class or to modify the rights and preferences
of any existing Series or Class, the Series shall be, and are
established and designated as:
Corporate Bond Fund
Equity Growth and Income Fund
International Stock Fund
Prime Money Fund
U.S. Government Bond Fund
Utility Fund"
The undersigned Assistant Secretary of Insurance Management Series hereby
certifies that the above-stated Amendment is a true and correct Amendment to the
Declaration of Trust, as adopted by the Board of Trustees on the 1st day of
March, 1995.
WITNESS the due execution hereof this 15th day of March, 1995.
/s/ G. Andrew Bonnewell
G. Andrew Bonnewell
Assistant Secretary
Exhibit 1(vi) under Form N1-A
Exhibit 3(a) under Item 601/Reg. S-K
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
Amendment No. 7
to the
DECLARATION OF TRUST
Amended and Restated as of December 7, 1993
THIS Declaration of Trust is amended as follows:
A. Strike the first paragraph of Section 5 of Article III from the
Declaration of Trust and substitute in its place the following:
"Section 5. Establishment and Designation of Series or Class.
Without limiting the authority of the Trustees set forth in
Article XII, Section 8, INTER ALIA, to establish and designate any
additional Series or Class or to modify the rights and preferences
of any existing Series or Class, the Series shall be, and are
established and designated as:
Federated American Leaders Fund II Federated Equity Income Fund II
Federated Fund for U.S. Government Securities II Federated Growth
Strategies Fund II Federated High Income Bond Fund II Federated
International Equity Fund II Federated Prime Money Fund II
Federated Utility Fund II"
The undersigned Assistant Secretary of Federated Insurance Series hereby
certifies that the above-stated Amendment is a true and correct Amendment to the
Declaration of Trust, as adopted by the Board of Trustees on the 14th day of
November, 1996.
WITNESS the due execution hereof this 14th day of November, 1996.
/s/ S. Elliott Cohan
S. Elliott Cohan
Assistant Secretary
Exhibit 5b under Form N1-A
Exhibit 10 under Item 601/Reg. S-K
FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made between Federated Advisers, a Delaware business
trust (hereinafter referred to as "Adviser") and Federated Global Research
Corp., a Delaware corporation having its principal place of business in New
York, New York (hereinfter referred to as the "Sub-Adviser").
WITNESSETH:
That the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby agree as
follows:
1. Sub-Adviser hereby agrees to furnish to Adviser in its capacity as
investment adviser to Federated Utility Fund II (the "Fund"), a portfolio of
Federated Insurance Series ("Trust"), such investment advice, statistical and
other factual information, as may from time to time be reasonably requested by
Adviser for the Fund which may be offered in one or more classes of shares
("Classes").
2. For its services under this Agreement, Sub-Adviser shall receive from
Adviser an annual fee ("the Sub-Advisory Fee"), as set forth in the exhibits
hereto. In the event that the fee due from the Trust to the Adviser on behalf of
the Fund is reduced in order to meet expense limitations imposed on the Fund by
state securities laws or regulations, the Sub-Advisory Fee shall be reduced by
one-half of said reduction in the fee due from the Trust to the Adviser on
behalf of the Fund.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser may
from time to time and for such periods as it deems appropriate, reduce its
compensation (and, if appropriate, assume expenses of the Fund or Class of the
Fund) to the extent that the Fund's expenses exceed such lower expense
limitation as the Sub-Adviser may, by notice to the Trust on behalf of the Fund,
voluntarily declare to be effective.
3. This Agreement shall begin for a Fund on the date that the parties
execute an exhibit to this Agreement relating to such Fund and shall continue in
effect for a Fund for two years from the date of its execution and from year to
year thereafter, subject to the provisions for termination and all of the other
terms and conditions hereof if: (a) such continuation shall be specifically
approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the
Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this
Agreement or interested persons of any such party (other than as Trustees of the
Trust) cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose; and (b) Adviser
shall not have notified the Trust in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to
the anniversary date of this Agreement in any year thereafter that it does not
desire such continuation with respect to the Fund.
4. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, it may be terminated
at any time without the payment of any penalty: (a) by the Trustees of the Trust
or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in
Section 2(a)(42) of the Act) of the Fund on sixty (60) days' written notice to
Sub-Adviser; or (b) by Sub-Adviser or Adviser upon 120 days' written notice to
the other party to the Agreement.
5. This Agreement shall automatically terminate:
(a) in the event of its assignment (as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940); or (b) in the event of termination of the
Investment Advisory Contract for any reason whatsoever.
6. So long as both Adviser and Sub-Adviser shall be legally qualified to
act as an investment adviser to the Fund, neither Adviser nor Sub-Adviser shall
act as an investment adviser (as such term is defined in the Investment Company
Act of 1940) to the Fund except as provided herein and in the Investment
Advisory Contract or in such other manner as may be expressly agreed between
Adviser and Sub-Adviser.
Provided, however, that if the Adviser or Sub-Adviser shall resign prior
to the end of any term of this Agreement or for any reason be unable or
unwilling to serve for a successive term which has been approved by the Trustees
of the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 3 of this Agreement or
Paragraph 6 of the Investment Advisory Contract, the remaining party,
Sub-Adviser or Adviser as the case may be, shall not be prohibited from serving
as an investment adviser to such Fund by reason of the provisions of this
Paragraph 6.
7. This Agreement may be amended from time to time by agreement of the
parties hereto provided that such amendment shall be approved both by the vote
of a majority of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of Trustees who are
not parties to this Agreement or interested persons, as defined in Section
2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, of any such party at a meeting
called for that purpose, and, where required by Section 15(a)(2) of the Act, by
the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in
Section 2(a)(42) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) of the Fund.
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
Federated Insurance Series
Federated Utility Fund II
Sub-Advisory Contract
For all services rendered by Sub-Adviser hereunder, Sub-Adviser shall
receive from the Adviser an allocable portion of each Fund's investment advisory
fee. Such allocation shall be based on the amount of foreign securities which
Sub-Adviser is managing for each Fund. The Sub-Advisory Fee shall be accrued
daily, and paid daily as set forth in the Primary Advisory Contract dated
December 1, 1993.
This Exhibit duly incorporates by reference the Sub-Advisory Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers this 1st day of June,
1997.
ATTEST: FEDERATED ADVISERS
/s/ Stephen A. Keen By:/s/ J. Christopher Donahue
Stephen A. Keen J. Christopher Donahue
Secretary President
FEDERATED GLOBAL RESEARCH
CORP.
/s/ Stephen A. Keen By:/s/ William D. Dawson, III
Stephen A. Keen William D. Dawson, III
Secretary Executive Vice President
Exhibit 8(i) under Form N1-A
Exhibit 10 under Item 601/Reg. S-K
STATE STREET
DOMESTIC CUSTODY
FEE SCHEDULE
FEDERATED FUNDS
I. Custody Services
Maintain custody of fund assets. Settle portfolio purchases and sales.
Report buy and sell fails. Determine and collect portfolio income. Make
cash disbursements and report cash transactions. Monitor corporate
actions.
ANNUAL FEES
ASSET
Per Fund .25 Basis Points
Wire Fees $3.00 per wire
Settlements:
o Each DTC Transaction $5.00
o Each Federal Reserve Book Entry Transaction $3.75
o Each Repo Transaction (All Repo) $3.75
o Each Physical Transaction (NY/Boston, Private Placement) $15.00
o Each Option Written/Exercised/Expired $18.75
Each Book Entry Muni (Sub-custody) Transaction $15.00
o Government Paydowns $5.00
o Maturity Collections $8.00
o PTC Transactions $6.00
II. Special Services
Fees for activities of a non-recurring nature such as fund consolidation
or reorganization, extraordinary security shipments and the preparation of
special reports will be subject to negotiation.
III. Balance Credit
Municipal Funds
A balance credit equal to 75% of the average demand deposit account
balance in the custodian account for the month billed times the 30 day
T-Bill Rate on the last Monday of the month billed, will be applied
against the month's custodian bill.
Transfer Agent
A balance credit equal to 100% of the average balance in the transfer
agent demand deposit accounts, less the reserve requirement and applicable
related expenses, times 75% of the 30 average Fed Funds Rate.
IV. Payment
The above fees will be charged against the funds' custodian checking
account thirty (30) days after the invoice is mailed to the funds' offices.
V. Term of Contract
The parties agree that this fee schedule shall become effective January 1,
1997.
FEDERATED SERVICES COMPANY STATE STREET
BY: /s/ Douglas L. Hein BY: /s/ Michael E. Hagerty
TITLE: Senior Vice President TITLE: Vice President
DATE: April 15, 1997 DATE: April 8, 1997
Exhibit 11 under Form N-1A
Exhibit 23 under Item 601/Reg. S-K
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES:
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Post-Effective Amendment No. 18
to Registration Statement (No. 33-69268) of Federated Insurance Series of our
report dated February 6, 1998, appearing in the Annual Report, which is
incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement, and to the reference
to us under the heading "Financial Highlights" in such Prospectuses.
The Federated Insurance Series consists of the following eight portfolios:
Federated High Income Bond Fund II
Federated Prime Money Fund II
Federated Fund for U.S. Government Securities II
Federated Growth Strategies Fund II
Federated American Leaders Fund II
Federated Utility Fund II
Federated International Equity Fund II
Federated Equity Income Fund II
By: DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
April 22, 1998
Exhibit 19 under Form N-1A
Exhibit 24 under Item 601/Reg. S-K
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints
the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES and the
Deputy General Counsel of Federated Services Company, and each of them, their
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution for them and in their names, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all documents to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, by means of the
Securities and Exchange Commission's electronic disclosure system known as
EDGAR; and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to
sign and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done
in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as each of them
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
SIGNATURES TITLE DATE
/s/John F. Donahue Chairman and Trustee March 6, 1998
John F. Donahue (Chief Executive Officer)
/s/J. Christopher Donahue President March 6, 1998
J. Christopher Donahue and Trustee
/s/John W. McGonigle Treasurer, Executive March 6, 1998
John W. McGonigle Vice President and Secretary
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
/s/Thomas G. Bigley Trustee March 6, 1998
Thomas G. Bigley
/s/Nicholas P. Constantakis Trustee March 6, 1998
Nicholas P. Constantakis
/s/John T. Conroy, Jr. Trustee March 6, 1998
John T. Conroy, Jr.
SIGNATURES TITLE DATE
/s/William J. Copeland Trustee March 6, 1998
William J. Copeland
/s/James E. Dowd Trustee March 6, 1998
James E. Dowd
/s/Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D. Trustee March 6, 1998
Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.
/s/Edward L. Flaherty, Jr. Trustee March 6, 1998
Edward L. Flaherty, Jr.
/s/Peter E. Madden Trustee March 6, 1998
Peter E. Madden
/s/John E. Murray, Jr. Trustee March 6, 1998
John E. Murray, Jr.
/s/Wesley W. Posvar Trustee March 6, 1998
Wesley W. Posvar
s/Marjorie P. Smuts Trustee March 6, 1998
Marjorie P. Smuts
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6th day of March, 1998
/s/Cheri S. Good
Marie M. Hamm
Notarial Seal
Cheri S. Good, Notary Public
Plum Boro, Allegheny County
My Commission Expires Nov. 19, 2001
Member, Pennsylvania Association of Notaries
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 01
<NAME> Federated Insurance
Series
Federated American
Leaders Fund II
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> Dec-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 253,505,693
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 306,879,513
<RECEIVABLES> 1,859,731
<ASSETS-OTHER> 17,437
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 308,756,681
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 2,846,984
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 113,634
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 2,960,618
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 230,404,530
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 15,578,504
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 12,694,935
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 1,592,091
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 20,425,622
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 53,373,820
<NET-ASSETS> 305,796,063
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 3,999,327
<INTEREST-INCOME> 532,712
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 1,903,980
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 2,628,059
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 20,429,655
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 36,461,644
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 59,519,358
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 1,147,286
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 3,728,320
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 8,511,603
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 2,560,144
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 304,810
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 163,579,599
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 47,114
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 6,593,041
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1,671,330
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 2,102,819
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 221,933,854
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 15.260
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.019
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 4.640
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.100
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.360
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 19.630
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.85
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.000
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 07
<NAME> Federated Insurance Series
Federated Growth Strategies
Fund II
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> Dec-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 42,606,226
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 47,949,715
<RECEIVABLES> 518,564
<ASSETS-OTHER> 3,047
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 48,471,326
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 1,163,508
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 27,462
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1,190,970
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 38,957,206
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2,928,503
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 1,326,805
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 47,398
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 2,932,263
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 5,343,489
<NET-ASSETS> 47,280,356
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 220,745
<INTEREST-INCOME> 107,023
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 280,320
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 47,448
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 2,940,396
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 3,823,952
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 6,811,796
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 37,404
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 109,551
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1,679,568
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 89,183
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 11,313
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 30,295,507
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 37,360
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 101,412
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 245,993
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 500,399
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 32,520,463
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 12.800
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.020
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 3.410
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.020
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.070
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 16.140
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.85
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.000
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 02
<NAME> Federated Insurance
Series
Federated Utility
Fund II
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> Dec-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 88,479,024
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 104,552,459
<RECEIVABLES> 575,592
<ASSETS-OTHER> 26,486
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 105,154,537
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 412,038
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 280,340
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 692,378
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 81,167,447
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 7,311,923
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 5,382,230
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 1,023,047
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 6,198,230
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 16,073,435
<NET-ASSETS> 104,462,159
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 2,974,428
<INTEREST-INCOME> 317,905
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 660,284
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 2,632,049
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 6,203,822
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 11,041,239
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 19,877,110
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 1,688,915
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 1,464,468
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2,992,224
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 1,330,203
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 267,672
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 40,904,623
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 91,190
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 1,447,599
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 579,563
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 869,168
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 77,794,764
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.810
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.400
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 2.620
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.280
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.260
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 14.290
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.85
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.000
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 03
<NAME> Federated Insurance Series
Federated Prime Money Fund II
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> Dec-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 59,695,419
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 59,695,419
<RECEIVABLES> 2,445,497
<ASSETS-OTHER> 7,477
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 62,148,393
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2,489,050
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 2,489,050
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 59,659,343
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 59,659,343
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 45,655,332
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 0
<NET-ASSETS> 59,659,343
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 3,464,429
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 493,533
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 2,970,896
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 2,970,896
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 2,970,896
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 247,591,033
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 236,555,828
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 2,968,806
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 14,004,011
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 306,771
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 617,207
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 61,354,185
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 1.000
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.050
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.050
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.000
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 1.000
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.80
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.000
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 04
<NAME> Federated Insurance Series
Federated Fund for U.S.
Government Securities II
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> Dec-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 67,000,355
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 68,267,278
<RECEIVABLES> 936,232
<ASSETS-OTHER> 17,191
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 69,220,701
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 6,121,751
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 6,121,751
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 60,543,576
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 5,983,889
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 3,466,312
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 1,236,536
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 51,915
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1,266,923
<NET-ASSETS> 63,098,950
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 3,153,498
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 373,740
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 2,779,758
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 181,810
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1,068,779
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 4,030,347
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 1,612,272
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 4,326,667
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 1,969,286
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 160,196
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 28,134,403
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 69,050
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (129,895)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 278,790
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 585,068
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 46,804,582
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.090
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.580
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.260
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.390
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.000
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.540
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.80
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.000
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 05
<NAME> Federated Insurance Series
Federated High Income Bond
Fund II
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> Dec-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 146,787,627
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 153,101,627
<RECEIVABLES> 3,058,808
<ASSETS-OTHER> 15,940
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 156,177,326
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 13,698
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 13,698
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 144,815,089
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 14,261,667
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 9,796,234
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 4,043,446
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 991,093
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 9,314,000
<NET-ASSETS> 156,163,628
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 295,951
<INTEREST-INCOME> 9,806,094
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 854,860
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 9,247,185
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 993,291
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 3,934,285
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 14,174,761
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 5,313,534
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 286,146
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 10,549,129
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 3,281,443
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 543,973
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 90,120,318
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 94,756
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 226,201
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 637,608
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 854,860
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 106,067,443
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.240
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.880
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.480
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.610
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.040
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 10.950
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.80
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.000
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 06
<NAME> Federated Insurance Series
Federated International Equity Fund
II
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> Dec-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 32,925,998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 36,101,646
<RECEIVABLES> 364,814
<ASSETS-OTHER> 227,569
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 36,694,029
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 119,072
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 119,072
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 33,354,140
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2,980,850
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 2,230,237
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 52,191
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 3,168,626
<NET-ASSETS> 36,574,957
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 433,772
<INTEREST-INCOME> 121,500
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 343,570
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 211,702
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (37,491)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 2,044,058
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 2,218,269
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 25,486
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1,577,537
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 189,323
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 2,349
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 18,823,241
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 152,130
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 208,015
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 273,830
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 616,886
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 27,233,776
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.160
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.070
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.050
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.010
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.000
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.270
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.23
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.000
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 08
<NAME> Federated Insurance Series
Federated Equity Income Fund II
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> Dec-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 32,253,337
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 33,827,076
<RECEIVABLES> 404,184
<ASSETS-OTHER> 1,149
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 34,232,409
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 1,325,768
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 31,404
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1,357,172
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 31,155,415
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 2,671,092
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 887,378
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 211,208
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (65,125)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 1,573,739
<NET-ASSETS> 32,875,237
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 301,707
<INTEREST-INCOME> 118,742
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 110,024
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 310,425
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> (65,125)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1,573,739
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 1,819,039
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 99,217
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 2,789,634
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 126,755
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 8,213
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 32,875,237
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 1,842
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 323
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 96,582
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 110,024
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 13,120,215
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 10.470
<PER-SHARE-NII> 0.230
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 1.760
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 0.150
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.000
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 12.310
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 0.85
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0.000
</TABLE>