JOHN HANCOCK INSTITUTIONAL SERIES TRUST
- John Hancock Small Capitalization Equity Fund
- John Hancock Dividend Performers Fund
- John Hancock Active Bond Fund
- John Hancock Global Bond Fund
- John Hancock Multi-Sector Growth Fund
- John Hancock International Equity Fund
Supplement to Prospectus dated December 11, 1995
The paragraphs under the following headings in the "Organization and Management
of the Funds" section on pages 22 and 23 of the prospectus are replaced as
follows:
Small Capitalization Fund
As of April 1996 Bernice S. Behar has become primarily responsible for
management of the Fund assisted by a group of portfolio managers and analysts.
Ms. Behar, a Senior Vice President, has been associated with the Adviser since
1991.
Dividend Performers Fund
John F. Snyder III has been primarily responsible for management of the equity
securities of the Fund since its inception. As of April 1996 Barry H. Evans has
become primarily responsible for management of the fixed income securities of
the Fund. They are assisted by Jere Estes and Thomas Weary. Mr. Snyder is an
Executive Vice President of the Adviser and has been associated with the Adviser
since 1991. Mr. Evans is a Senior Vice President of the Adviser and has managed
bond funds since he joined the Adviser in 1986.
Active Bond Fund
James K. Ho has been primarily responsible for the management of the Fund since
its inception. Mr. Ho is assisted by a group of portfolio managers and analysts.
Mr. Ho, an Executive Vice President, has been associated with the Adviser since
1985.
Global Bond Fund
Lawrence J. Daly and Anthony A. Goodchild have been primarily responsible for
management of the Fund since its inception. As of April 1996 Janet L. Clay has
joined Messrs. Daly and Goodchild as a co-portfolio manager of the Fund. Messrs.
Daly and Goodchild, Senior Vice Presidents, joined the Adviser 1994 and prior to
that were Senior Vice Presidents at Putnam Investments. Ms. Clay, a Second Vice
President, joined the Adviser in 1995 and prior to that was an Assistant Vice
President at Putnam Investments. Ms. Clay has also served in various research
positions at Colonial Management Associates.
Multi-Sector Growth Fund
As of April 1996 Kevin R. Baker has become primarily responsible for the
management of the Fund assisted by a group of portfolio managers and analysts.
Mr. Baker, a Second Vice President, was President of Baker Capital Management
from 1991 until joining the Adviser in 1994.
International Equity Fund
David S. Beckwith and John L. F. Wills have been primarily responsible for the
management of the Fund since its inception. Mr. Beckwith, a Vice President,
joined the Adviser in 1992 and prior to that was associated with Freedom Capital
Management, an affiliate of the Adviser. Mr. Wills is managing director of JHAI
and has been associated with the Adviser since 1987.
April 10, 1996
KB00S-4-96
