-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, PSzgxHX6T33UMC/CnMn4ee0qVA3raf1kDOcgBQHNcnwdaWlrZ4oEXiUX48321//5 vgKK+A+wniU3zRI4EdqNMg== 0001000579-99-000049.txt : 19990323 0001000579-99-000049.hdr.sgml : 19990323 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001000579-99-000049 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 497 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19990322 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMERIPRIME FUNDS CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001000579 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000] IRS NUMBER: 752616671 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OH FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 497 SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 033-96826 FILM NUMBER: 99569744 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1793 KINGSWOOD DR STREET 2: STE 200 CITY: SOUTHLAKE STATE: TX ZIP: 76092 BUSINESS PHONE: 8174311297 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1793 KINGSWOOD DRIVE STREET 2: SUITE 200 CITY: SOUTHLAKE STATE: TX ZIP: 76092 497 1 AMERIPRIME FUNDS THE JUMPER STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE FUND STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION March 15, 1999 This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of The Jumper Strategic Advantage Fund dated July 15, 1998 and the supplement to the Prospectus dated March 15, 1999. A copy of the Prospectus and supplement can be obtained by writing he Transfer Agent at 431 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, or by calling 1-888-879-5723. STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Description Of The Trust......................................................3 Additional Information About Fund Investments And Risk Considerations..........3 Market Neutral Investment Strategies ..........................................5 Strategic Transactions.........................................................5 Investment Limitations .......................................................8 The Investment Advisor ........................................................9 Trustees And Officers.........................................................11 Portfolio Transactions And Brokerage..........................................11 Determination Of Share Price..................................................12 Investment Performance........................................................13 Custodian.....................................................................13 Transfer Agent................................................................14 Accountants...................................................................14 Distributor ..................................................................14 Financial Statements..........................................................14 DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST The Jumper Strategic Advantage Fund (the "Fund") was organized as a series of AmeriPrime Funds (the "Trust"). The Trust is an open-end investment company established under the laws of Ohio by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 8, 1995 (the "Trust Agreement"). The Trust Agreement permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series without par value. The Fund is one of a series of funds currently authorized by the Trustees. Each share of a series represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets and liabilities belonging to that series with each other share of that series and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of income belonging to the series as are declared by the Trustees. The shares do not have cumulative voting rights or any preemptive or conversion rights, and the Trustees have the authority from time to time to divide or combine the shares of any series into a greater or lesser number of shares of that series so long as the proportionate beneficial interest in the assets belonging to that series and the rights of shares of any other series are in no way affected. In case of any liquidation of a series, the holders of shares of the series being liquidated will be entitled to receive as a class a distribution out of the assets, net of the liabilities, belonging to that series. Expenses attributable to any series are borne by that series. Any general expenses of the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular series are allocated by or under the direction of the Trustees in such manner as the Trustees determine to be fair and equitable. No shareholder is liable to further calls or to assessment by the Trust without his or her express consent. As of March 15, 1999 the following persons may be deemed to beneficially own 5% or more of the Fund: Sun Trust Bank, Custodian for a foundation, P.O. Box 105870, Atlanta , Georgia 30348, 92. 66%; Tennessee Aquarium, P.O. Box 11048, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37401, 7.34%. As a result, Sun Trust Bank may be deemed to control the Fund. The officers and Trustees as a group beneficially owned, as of March 15, 1999, less than 1% of the Fund. Upon sixty days prior written notice to shareholders, the Fund may make redemption payments in whole or in part in securities or other property if the Trustees determine that existing conditions make cash payments undesirable. For other information concerning the purchase and redemption of shares of the Fund, see "How to Invest in the Fund" and "How to Redeem Shares" in the Fund's Prospectus. For a description of the methods used to determine the share price and value of the Fund's assets, see "Share Price Calculation" in the Fund's Prospectus. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS This section contains a more detailed discussion of some of the investments the Fund may make and some of the techniques it may use, as described in the Prospectus. A. Illiquid Securities. The Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Securities may be illiquid because they are unlisted, subject to legal restrictions on resale or due to other factors which, in the adviser's opinion, raise a question concerning the fund's ability to liquidate the securities in a timely and orderly way without substantial loss. Underlying funds and over-the-counter options are frequently illiquid. Illiquid securities may also present difficult valuation issues. B. Pricing of Portfolio Securities. There is no active market for the securities of underlying funds which the Fund invests in. Underlying funds typically value, and stand ready to redeem, their securities based upon current net asset value, which they provide to shareholders on a periodic basis. The Board of Trustees has approved procedures whereby the Fund's investment in securities for which market quotations are not readily available (including securities issued by underlying funds) may be established in good faith at fair value on a daily basis. The procedures provide that the fair value of securities issued by underlying funds is determined based upon current estimates of net asset value provided to the Fund by the underlying funds. While the Fund has adopted pricing procedures which address these pricing issues, there can be no guarantee that such securities are accurately valued on a daily basis when the Fund determines its net asset value per share. C. Legal Investment Limitations on Investments in Underlying Securities. Like all mutual funds publicly sold in the United States, the Fund is subject to investment limitations imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"). Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act limits the Fund's ability to invest in other investment companies, including underlying funds. In general, sub-section (A) prohibits the Fund from: (1)purchasing more than 3% of the voting stock of an investment company: (2)investing more than 5% of the Fund's total assets in an investment company; or (3) investing more than 10% of the Fund's total assets in all investment companies combined. Sub-section (F) provides an exception from the prohibitions established in sub-section (A) if: (1) the Fund does not own more than 3% of the outstanding stock of any investment company; (2) the Fund does not impose a sales load of more than 1.5% (the Fund is only sold on a no-load basis); and (3)the investment companies are not required to redeem more than 1% of their outstanding shares within any 30 day period. This discussion provides only a summary of section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. D. Repurchase Agreements. A repurchase agreement is a short-term investment in which the purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires ownership of a U.S. Government obligation (which may be of any maturity) and the seller agrees to repurchase the obligation at a future time at a set price, thereby determining the yield during the purchaser's holding period (usually not more than seven days from the date of purchase). Any repurchase transaction in which the Fund engages will require full collateralization of the seller's obligation during the entire term of the repurchase agreement. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default of the seller, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses in value. However, the Fund intends to enter into repurchase agreements only with the Custodian, other banks with assets of $1 billion or more and registered securities dealers determined by the Advisor (subject to review by the Board of Trustees) to be credit worthy. The Advisor monitors the creditworthiness of the banks and securities dealers with which the Fund engages in repurchase transactions. E. Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales of portfolio securities by the Fund to member banks of the Federal Reserve System or recognized securities dealers, concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same securities at a later date at a fixed price, which is generally equal to the original sale price plus interest. The Fund retains record ownership and the right to receive interest and principal payments on the portfolio security involved. The Fund's objective in such a transaction would be to obtain funds to pursue additional investment opportunities whose yield would exceed the cost of the reverse repurchase transaction. Generally, the use of reverse repurchase agreements should reduce portfolio turnover and increase yield. In connection with each reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund will direct its Custodian to place cash or U.S. government obligations in a separate account in an amount equal to the repurchase price. In the event of bankruptcy or other default by the purchaser, the Fund could experience both delays in repurchasing the portfolio securities and losses. F. Borrowing and Leveraging. The Fund may have to deal with unpredictable cash flows as shareholders purchase and redeem shares. Under adverse conditions, the Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to raise cash to pay for redemptions at a time when investment considerations would not favor such sales. In addition, frequent purchases and sales of portfolio securities tend to decrease the Funds' performance by increasing transaction expenses. The Fund may deal with unpredictable cash flows by borrowing money. Through such borrowings the Fund may avoid selling portfolio securities to raise cash to pay for redemptions at a time when investment considerations would not favor such sales. In addition, the Fund's performance may be improved due to a decrease in the number of portfolio transactions. After borrowing money, if subsequent shareholder purchases do not provide sufficient cash to repay the borrowed monies, the Fund will liquidate portfolio securities in an orderly manner to repay the borrowed monies. To the extent that a Fund borrows money prior to selling securities, or if the Fund borrows money for the purpose of purchasing additional portfolio securities, the Fund would be leveraged such that the Fund's net assets may appreciate or depreciate in value more than an unleveraged portfolio of similar securities. Since substantially all of the Fund's assets will fluctuate in value and whereas the interest obligations on borrowings may be fixed, the net asset value per share of the Fund will increase more when the Fund's portfolio assets increase in value and decrease more when the Fund's portfolio assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case. Moreover, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the returns which the Funds earn on portfolio securities. Under adverse conditions, the Funds might be forced to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when market conditions would not be conducive to favorable selling prices for the securities. MARKET NEUTRAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES To implement market neutral investment strategies, managers attempt to purchase a portfolio of undervalued securities and short sell a portfolio of overvalued securities with similar investment characteristics. Factors considered when balancing a market neutral portfolio include market sectors and market capitalization of equity securities, and cash flow, credit quality, and duration of fixed income securities. Market neutral strategies may involve purchasing and selling call and put options on either an individual security or an index. In some cases, futures and options on futures may be used to effect the desired risk/reward ratio. Market neutral investing does not depend upon any particular market direction or favorable general economic conditions and thus may be profitable during all economic cycles, including periods of economic uncertainty and declining financial markets. STRATEGIC TRANSACTIONS The Fund, or the underlying funds, may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, equity and fixed-income indices and other financial instruments, and purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon (collectively, all the above are called "Strategic Transactions"). The Fund may engage in Strategic Transaction for hedging, risk management, portfolio management, or speculation, and it will comply with applicable regulatory requirements when implementing these strategies, techniques and instruments. Strategic Transactions may be used to attempt (1) to protect against possible changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased for a Fund's portfolio resulting from securities markets or currency exchangerate fluctuations, (2) to protect a Fund's unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, (3) to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes, (4) to manage the effective maturity or duration of a Fund's portfolio, (5) to establish a position in the derivatives markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities, (6) or to gain additional market exposure and/or leverage in an attempt to enhance investment returns. The Fund's ability to successfully use these Strategic Transactions will depend upon the Advisor's ability to predict pertinent market movements, and cannot be assured. Engaging in Strategic Transactions will increase transaction expenses and may result in a loss that exceeds the principal invested in the transactions. Strategic Transactions have risk associated with them including possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the Advisor's view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of such Strategic Transactions could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. Use of put and call options may result in losses to the Fund. For example, selling call options may force the sale of portfolio securities at inopportune times or for lower prices than current market values. Selling call options may also limit the amount of appreciation a Fund can realize on its investments or cause a Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell. The use of currency transactions can result in a Fund incurring losses as a result of a number of factors including the imposition of exchange controls, suspension of settlements, or the inability to deliver or receive a specified currency. The use of options and futures transactions entails certain other risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related portfolio position of a Fund creates the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument may be greater than gains in the value of a Fund's position. In addition, futures and option markets may not be liquid in all circumstances and certain over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, a Fund might not be able to close out a transaction, and substantial losses might be incurred. However, the use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of a hedged position. At the same time they tend to limit any potential gain that might result from an increase in value of such position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirement for futures contracts would create a greater on going potential financial risk than would purchases of options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. Losses resulting from the use of Strategic Transactions would reduce net asset value, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater than if the Strategic Transactions had not been used. The Fund's activities involving Strategic Transactions may be limited by the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code for qualification as a regulated investment company. Put and Call Options. The Fund may purchase and sell (issue) both put and call options. The Fund may also enter into transactions to close out its investment in any put or call options. A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to sell, and the issuer of the option the obligation to buy the underlying security, commodity, index, currency or other instrument at the exercise price. For instance, the Fund's purchase of a put option on a security might be designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value by giving the Fund the right to sell such instrument at the option exercise price. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the issuer the obligation to sell, the underling instrument at the exercise price. The Fund's purchase of a call option on a security, financial future, index currency or other instrument might be intended to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of the underlying instrument that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at which it may purchase such instrument. An "American style" put or call option may be exercised at any time during the option period while a "European style" put or call option may be exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior thereto. The Fund is authorized to purchase and sell both exchange listed options and over-the-counter options ("OTC options"). Exchange listed options are issued by a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation("OCC"), which guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties to such options. OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial institutions or other parties, ("Counterparty(ies)"), through direct bilateral agreement with the Counter party. In contrast to exchange listed options, which generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all the terms of an OTC option are set by negotiation of the parties. Unless the parties provide for it, there is no central clearing or guaranty function in an OTC option. The Fund's ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of a put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the liquidity of the market for that particular option. Exchange listed options, because they are standardized and not subject to Counterparty credit risk, are generally more liquid than OTC options. There can be no guarantee that a Fund will be able to close out an option position, whether in exchange listed options or OTC options, when desired. An inability to close out its options positions may reduce the Fund's anticipated profits or increase its losses. If the Counterparty to an OTC option fails to make or take delivery of the security, currency or other instrument underlying an OTC option it has entered into with a Fund, or fails to make a cash settlement payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, a Fund may lose any premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. Accordingly, the Advisor must assess the creditworthiness of each such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the Counterparty's credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC option will be satisfied. The Fund will realize a loss equal to all or a part of the premium paid for an option if the price of the underlying security, commodity, index, currency or other instrument security decreases or does not increase by more than the premium (in the case of a call option), or if the price of the underlying security, commodity, index, currency or other instrument increases or does not decrease by more than the premium (in the case of a put option). A Fund will not purchase any option if, immediately thereafter, the aggregate market value of all outstanding options purchased by the Fund would exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets. If the Fund sells (i.e., issues) a call option, the premium that it receives may serve as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against a decrease in the value of the underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio, or may increase the Fund's income. If the Fund sells (i.e., issues) a put option, the premium that it receives may serve to reduce the cost of purchasing the underlying security, to the extent of the option premium, or may increase the Fund's capital gains. All options sold by the Fund must be "covered" (i.e., the Fund must either be long (when selling a call option) or short (when selling a put option), the securities or futures contract subject to the calls or must meet the asset segregation requirements described below as long as the option is outstanding. Even though a Fund will receive the option premium to help protect it against loss or reduce its cost basis, an option sold by the Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to possible loss. When selling a call, the Fund is exposed to the loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security or instrument, and the transaction may require the Fund to hold a security or instrument that it might otherwise have sold. When selling a put, the Fund is exposed to the possibility of being required to pay greater than current market value to purchase the underlying security, and the transaction may require the Fund to maintain a short position in a security or instrument it might otherwise not have maintained. Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into financial futures contracts or purchase or sell put and call options on such futures as a hedge against anticipated interest rate, currency or equity market changes, for duration management and for risk management purposes. Futures are generally bought and sold on the commodities exchange where they are listed with payment of an initial variation margin as described below. The sale of a futures contract creates a firm obligation by a Fund, as seller, to deliver to the buyer the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified price (or, with respect to index futures and Eurodollar instruments, the net cash amount). Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities except that an option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a position in a futures contract and obligates the seller to deliver such position. The Fund's use of financial futures and options thereon will in all cases be consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and in particular the rules and regulations of the CFTC and will be entered into only for bonafide hedging, risk management (including duration management) or other portfolio management purposes. Typically, maintaining a futures contract or selling an option thereon requires a Fund to deposit with a financial intermediary as security for its obligations an amount of cash or other specified assets(initial margin) that initially is typically 1% to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some circumstances). Additional cash or assets(variation margin) may be required to be deposited thereafter on a daily basis as the marked-to-market value of the contract fluctuates. The purchase of an option on financial futures involves payment of a premium for the option without any further obligation on the part of the purchaser. If a Fund exercises an option on a futures contract, it will be obligated to post initial margin (and potentially subsequent variation margin) for the resulting futures position just as it would for any futures position. Futures contracts and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an offsetting transaction, but there can be no assurance that the position can be offset, before settlement, at an advantageous price, nor that delivery will occur. The Fund will not enter into a futures contract or related option(except for closing transactions) if, immediately afterwards, the sum of the amount of its initial margin and premiums on open futures contracts and options thereon would exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets (taken at current value).However, in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of the purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5% limitation. The segregation requirements with respect to futures contracts and options thereon are described below. Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts. Many Strategic Transactions, in addition to other requirements, require that the Fund segregate liquid high grade assets with its custodian to the extent that the Fund's obligations are not otherwise "covered" through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or currency. The Fund may place up to 100% of its assets in segregated accounts. In general, either the full amount of any obligation of the Fund to pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by the securities, instruments or currency required to be delivered, or subject to any regulatory restrictions, an amount of cash or liquid high grade debt securities at least equal to the current amount of the obligation must either be identified as being restricted in the Fund's accounting records or physically segregated in a separate account at that Fund's custodian. The segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. For the purpose of determining the adequacy of the liquid securities that have been restricted, the securities will be valued at market or fair value. If the market or fair value of such securities declines, additional cash or liquid securities will be restricted on a daily basis so that the value of the restricted cash or liquid securities, when added to the amount deposited with the broker as margin, equals the amount of such commitments by the Fund. INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS Fundamental. The investment limitations described below have been adopted by the Trust with respect to the Fund and are fundamental ("Fundamental"), i.e., they may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As used in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information, the term "majority" of the outstanding shares of the Fund means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented at such meeting; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Other investment practices which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without the approval of shareholders to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or regulatory policy are considered non-fundamental ("Non-Fundamental"). 1. Borrowing Money. The Fund will not borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund's total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to reverse repurchase transactions. 2. Senior Securities. The Fund will not issue senior securities. This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund's engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff. 3. Underwriting. The Fund will not act as underwriter of securities issued by other persons. This limitation is not applicable to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities (including restricted securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal securities laws. 4. Real Estate. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities which are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts). 5. Commodities. The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from purchasing or selling options or futures contracts, from investing in securities or other instruments backed by commodities or from investing in companies which are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities. 6. Loans. The Fund will not make loans to other persons, except (a) by loaning portfolio securities, (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements, or (c) by purchasing nonpublicly offered debt securities. For purposes of this limitation, the term "loans" shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities. 7. Concentration. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in a particular industry. This limitation is not applicable to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities or repurchase agreements with respect thereto. With respect to the percentages adopted by the Trust as maximum limitations on its investment policies and limitations, an excess above the fixed percentage will not be a violation of the policy or limitation unless the excess results immediately and directly from the acquisition of any security or the action taken. This paragraph does not apply to the borrowing policy set forth in paragraph 1 above. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing limitations, any investment company, whether organized as a trust, association or corporation, or a personal holding company, may be merged or consolidated with or acquired by the Trust, provided that if such merger, consolidation or acquisition results in an investment in the securities of any issuer prohibited by said paragraphs, the Trust shall, within ninety days after the consummation of such merge, consolidation or acquisition, dispose of all of the securities of such issuer so acquired or such portion thereof as shall bring the total investment there in within the limitations imposed by said paragraphs above as of the date of consummation. THE INVESTMENT ADVISOR The Fund's investment advisor is The Jumper Group, Inc. Jay C. Jumper maybe deemed to be a controlling person of the Advisor due to his ownership of the shares of the corporation. Under the terms of the management agreement (the "Agreement"), the Advisor manages the Fund's investments subject to approval of the Board of Trustees and pays all of the expenses of the Fund except brokerage, taxes, interest, expenses which the Fund is authorized to pay pursuant to the Distribution Plan, fees and expenses of the non-interested person trustees and extraordinary expenses. As compensation for its management services and agreement to pay the Fund's expenses, the Fund is obligated to pay the Advisor a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.75%. The Advisor retains the right to use the name "Jumper" in connection with another investment company or business enterprise with which the Advisor may become associated. The Trust's right to use the name "Jumper" automatically ceases ninety days after termination of the Agreement and may be withdrawn by the Advisor on ninety days written notice. The Advisor may make payments to banks or other financial institutions that provide shareholder services and administer shareholder accounts. The Glass-Steagall Act prohibits banks from engaging in the business of underwriting, selling or distributing securities. Although the scope of this prohibition under the Glass-Steagall Act has not been clearly defined by the courts or appropriate regulatory agencies, management of the Fund believes that the Glass-Steagall Act should not preclude a bank from providing such services. However, state securities laws on this issue may differ from the interpretations of federal law expressed herein and banks and financial institutions may be required to register as dealers pursuant to state law. If a bank were prohibited from continuing to perform all or a part of such services, management of the Fund believes that there would be no material impact on the Fund or its shareholders. Banks may charge their customers fees for offering these services to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authorities, and the overall return to those shareholders availing themselves of the bank services will be lower than to those shareholders who do not. The Fund may from time to time purchase securities issued by banks which provide such services; however, in selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be shown for such securities. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS The names of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust are shown below. Each Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, is indicated by an asterisk. ==================================== ---------------- ====================================================================== Name, Age and Address Position Principal Occupations During Past 5 Years ==================================== ---------------- ====================================================================== *Kenneth D. Trumpfheller President and President, Treasurer and Secretary of AmeriPrime Financial Services, Age: 40 Trustee Inc., the Fund's administrator, and AmeriPrime Financial Securities, 1793 Kingswood Drive Inc., the Fund's distributor, since 1994. Prior to December, 1994, Suite 200 a senior client executive with SEI Financial Services. Southlake, Texas 76092 ==================================== ---------------- ====================================================================== Paul S. Bellany Secretary, Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of AmeriPrime Age: 39 Treasurer Financial Services, Inc. and AmeriPrime Financial Securities, Inc.; 1793 Kingswood Drive various positions with Fidelity Investments from 1987 to 1998; most Suite 200 recently Fund Reporting Unit Manager. Southlake, Texas 76092 ==================================== ---------------- ====================================================================== Steve L. Cobb Trustee President of Chandler Engineering Company, L.L.C., oil and gas Age: 41 services company; various positions with Carbo Ceramics, Inc., oil 2001 Indianwood Avenue field manufacturing/supply company, from 1984 to 1997, most recently Broken Arrow, OK 74012 Vice President of Marketing. ==================================== ================ ====================================================================== Gary E. Hippenstiel Trustee Director, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Legacy Age: 51 Trust Company since 1992; President and Director of Heritage Trust 600 Jefferson Street Company from 1994-1996; Vice President and Manager of Investments of Suite 350 Kanaly Trust Company from 1988 to 1992. Houston, TX 77063 ==================================== ================ ======================================================================
The compensation paid to the Trustees of the Trust for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 is set forth in the following table. Trustee fees are Trust expenses and each series of the Trust pays a portion of the Trustee fees. ===================== ----------------------- ================================== Aggregate Total Compensation Compensation from Trust (the Trust is Name from Trust not in a Fund Complex) ===================== ----------------------- ================================== Kenneth D. Trumpfheller 0 0 ===================== ----------------------- ================================== Steve L. Cobb $4,000 $4,000 ===================== ======================= ================================== Gary E. Hippenstiel $4,000 $4,000 ===================== ======================= ================================== PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE Subject to policies established by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Advisor is responsible for the Fund's portfolio decisions and the placing of the Fund's portfolio transactions. In placing portfolio transactions, the Advisor seeks the best qualitative execution for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. The Advisor generally seeks favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. The Advisor is specifically authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which the Advisor exercises investment discretion and to pay such brokers or dealers a commission in excess of the commission another broker or dealer would charge if the Advisor determines in good faith that the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. The determination may be viewed in terms of a particular transaction or the Advisor's overall responsibilities with respect to the Trust and to other accounts over which it exercises investment discretion. Research services include supplemental research, securities and economic analyses, statistical services and information with respect to the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities and analyses of reports concerning performance of accounts. The research services and other information furnished by brokers through whom the Fund effects securities transactions may also be used by the Advisor in servicing all of its accounts. Similarly, research and information provided by brokers or dealers serving other clients may be useful to the Advisor in connection with its services to the Fund. Although research services and other information are useful to the Fund and the Advisor, it is not possible to place a dollar value on the research and other information received. It is the opinion of the Board of Trustees and the Advisor that the review and study of the research and other information will not reduce the overall cost to the Advisor of performing its duties to the Fund under the Agreement. Over-the-counter transactions will be placed either directly with principal market makers or with broker-dealers, if the same or a better price, including commissions and executions, is available. Fixed income securities are normally purchased directly from the issuer, an underwriter or a market maker. Purchases include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and the purchase price paid to a market maker may include the spread between the bid and asked prices. To the extent that the Trust and another of the Advisor's clients seek to acquire the same security at about the same time, the Trust may not be able to acquire as large a position in such security as it desires or it may have to pay a higher price for the security. Similarly, the Trust may not be able to obtain as large an execution of an order to sell or as high a price for any particular portfolio security if the other client desires to sell the same portfolio security at the same time. On the other hand, if the same securities are bought or sold at the same time by more than one client, the resulting participation in volume transactions could produce better executions for the Trust. In the event that more than one client wants to purchase or sell the same security on a given date, the purchases and sales will normally be made by random client selection. DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE The price (net asset value) of the shares of the Fund is determined as of 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on each day the Trust is open for business and on any other day on which there is sufficient trading in the Fund's securities to materially affect the net asset value. The Trust is open for business on everyday except Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For a description of the methods used to determine the net asset value (share price), see "Share Price Calculation" in the Prospectus. INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE "Average annual total return," as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, is computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return (over the one and five year periods and the period from initial public offering through the end of the Fund's most recent fiscal year) that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value, according to the following formula: P(1+T)n'ERV Where: P = a hypothetical $1,000 initial investment T = average annual total return n ' number of years ERV = ending redeemable value at the end of the applicable period of the hypothetical $1,000 investment made at the beginning of the applicable period. The computation assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at the net asset value on the reinvestment dates and that a complete redemption occurs at the end of the applicable period. In addition to providing average annual total return, the Fund may also provide non-standardized quotations of total return for differing periods and may provide the value of a $10,000 investment (made on the date of the initial public offering of the Fund's shares) as of the end of a specified period. The Fund's investment performance will vary depending upon market conditions, the composition of the Fund's portfolio and operating expenses of the Fund. These factors and possible differences in the methods and time periods used in calculating non-standardized investment performance should be considered when comparing the Fund's performance to those of other investment companies or investment vehicles. The risks associated with the Fund's investment objective, policies and techniques should also be considered. At any time in the future, investment performance may be higher or lower than past performance, and there can be no assurance that any performance will continue. From time to time, in advertisements, sales literature and information furnished to present or prospective shareholders, the performance of the Fund may be compared to indices of broad groups of unmanaged securities considered to be representative of or similar to the portfolio holdings of the Fund or considered to be representative of the cash equivalent market in general. For example, the Fund may use the Donahue Money Market Index, 90 day treasury bills, or other money market index published by an independent third party. In addition, the performance of the Fund may be compared to other groups of mutual funds tracked by any widely used independent research firm which ranks mutual funds by overall performance, investment objectives and assets, such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or Morning star, Inc. The objectives, policies, limitations and expenses of other mutual funds in a group may not be the same as those of the Fund. Performance rankings and ratings reported periodically in national financial publications such as Barron's and Fortune also may be used. CUSTODIAN Firstar Bank, N.A., 425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, is Custodian of the Fund's investments. The Custodian acts as the Fund's depository, safekeeping its portfolio securities, collects all income and other payments with respect thereto, disburses funds at the Fund's request and maintains records in connection with its duties. TRANSFER AGENT Unified Fund Services, Inc., 431 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, acts as the Fund's transfer agent and, in such capacity, maintains the records of each shareholder's account, answers shareholders' inquiries concerning their accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of the Fund's shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing agent and performs other shareholder service functions. In addition, Unified Fund Services, Inc. provides the Fund with certain monthly reports and record-keeping services. Fund accounting is provided by American Data Services, Inc.("ADS"), Hauppauge Corporate Center, 150 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, New York 11760. ADS receives an annual fee equal to .0275% of average net assets, subject to a minimum monthly fee of $800 to $2,000 based on net assets. ACCOUNTANTS The firm of McCurdy & Associates, CPA's, 27955 Clemens Road, Westlake, Ohio 44145, has been selected as independent public accountants for the Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999. McCurdy & Associates performs an annual audit of the Fund's financial statements and provides financial, tax and accounting consulting services as requested. DISTRIBUTOR AmeriPrime Financial Securities, Inc., 1793 Kingswood Drive, Suite 200, Southlake, Texas 76092, is the exclusive agent for distribution of shares of the Fund. The Distributor is obligated to sell the shares of the Fund on a best efforts basis only against purchase orders for the shares. Shares of the Fund are offered to the public on a continuous basis. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Fund will send shareholders annual and semi-annual reports as they become available. THE JUMPER STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE FUND SUPPLEMENT DATED MARCH 15, 1999 TO PROSPECTUS DATED JULY 15, 1998 Effective March 15, 1999, The Jumper Strategic Advantage Fund began offering two classes of shares. All shares outstanding prior to that date were redesignated "Institutional Class" shares by the Board of Trustees. This Supplement to the Prospectus provides information about the "Institutional Class" and the "Investor Class" and describes the difference between the classes. The expense information for the Investor Class and Institutional Class shares is based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. Replace the operating expense table on page 3 with the following: Investor Class Institutional Class Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as a percentage of average net assets)1 Management Fees...........................0.75%.....................0.75% 12b-1 Charges.............................0.25%.....................none Other Expenses 2 .........................0.00%.....................0.00% Total Fund Operating Expenses 1...........1.00%.....................0.75% 1 The Fund's total operating expenses are equal to the management fee paid to the Advisor (plus the 12b-1 charges, if applicable) because the Advisor pays all operating expenses of the Fund except brokerage, taxes, interest, 12b-1 charges, fees and expenses of non-interested person trustees and extraordinary expenses. 2 The Fund estimates that other expenses (fees and expenses of the trustees who are not "interested persons" as defined in the Investment Company Act) will be .00032 of 1% of average net assets for the first fiscal year. The tables above are provided to assist an investor in understanding the direct and indirect costs and expenses that an investor may incur as a shareholder in the Fund. Replace the expense example on page 3 with the following: You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end of each time period: 1 Year 3 Years ------ ------- Investor Class................ $10 $32 Institutional Class........... $ 8 $24 The Example above should not be considered a representation of future Fund performance or expenses, both of which may vary. Read the following in conjunction with the sections titled "The Fund" on page 4 and "Shareholder Rights" on page 17: The Fund currently offers two classes of shares: "Institutional Class" shares and "Investor Class" shares. The classes differ as follows: 1) Investor Class shares pay 12b-1 expenses of 0.25%, and 2) each class may bear differing amounts of certain class specific expenses. Replace the first paragraph of the section titled "How To Invest In The Fund" on page 11 with the following: Shares of the Fund are sold on a continuous basis, and you may invest any amount you choose, as often as you wish, subject to the applicable minimum initial investment. Investors choosing to purchase or redeem their shares through a broker/dealer or other institution may be charged a fee by that institution. Investors choosing to purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund will not incur charges on purchases or redemptions. To the extent investments of individual investors are aggregated into an omnibus account established by an investment advisor, broker or other intermediary, the account minimums apply to the omnibus account, not to the account of the individual investor. The minimum initial investment for Investor Class shares is $5,000 ($2,000 for IRAs and other retirement plans). The minimum initial investment for Institutional Class shares is $5 million. The minimum subsequent investment for either Class is $100. The Advisor may waive the minimum initial investment amount. The minimum initial investment amount will be waived for the following investors: o Banks, bank or broker-affiliated trust departments and savings and loan associations, in their fiduciary capacity or for their own accounts. To the extent permitted by regulatory authorities, a bank trust department may charge fees to clients for whose account it purchases shares. o Federal and state credit unions. o Investors purchasing through a broker dealer or other financial institution authorized by the Distributor to hold shares in an omnibus account. Investors may be charged a fee by the broker/dealer or other financial institution for this service. o Investors purchasing through certain broker/dealer wrap fee investment programs. o Broker-dealers who have a sales agreement with the Distributor, and their registered personnel and employees, including members of the immediate families of such registered personnel and employees. o Trustees, directors, officers and employees of the Trust, the Advisor and service providers to the Trust, including members of the immediate family of such individuals and employee benefit plans established by such entities. o Clients of the Advisor, including members of the immediate family of such individuals. When purchasing shares, specify which Class you are purchasing. All purchase orders that fail to specify a Class will automatically be invested in Investor Class shares. The differing expenses applicable to the different classes of the Fund's shares may affect the performance of those classes. Broker/dealers and others entitled to receive compensation for selling or servicing Fund shares may receive more with respect to one class than another. The Board of Trustees of the Trust does not anticipate that there will be any conflicts among the interests of the holders of the different classes of Fund shares. On an ongoing basis, the Board will consider whether any such conflict exists and, if so, take appropriate action. Add the following section: DISTRIBUTION PLAN The Investor Class has adopted a plan, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Plan"), which permits the Fund to pay for certain distribution and promotion expenses related to marketing Investor Class shares. The expenses paid by the Fund pursuant to the Plan shall be determined by the Trustees of the Trust, but in no event may such expenditures exceed in any fiscal year 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the Investor Class shares. Payments for distribution activities may be made directly by the Fund, or the Fund's investment Advisor and distributor may pay such expenses and obtain reimbursement from the Trust. Expenditures pursuant to the Plan and related agreements will reduce current yield after expenses. Under the Plan, the Fund may, directly or indirectly, engage in any activities related to the distribution of Investor Class shares of the Fund ("Shares"), including without limitation the following: (a) payments, including incentive compensation, to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisors and others that are engaged in the sale of Shares, or that may be advising shareholders of the Trust regarding the purchase, sale or retention of Shares; (b) expenses of maintaining personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Trust has entered into agreements related to the Plans) who engage in or support distribution of Shares; (c) costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports of the Fund for recipients other than existing shareholders of the Fund; (d) costs of formulating and implementing marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to, sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (e) costs of preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (f) costs of obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Trust may, from time to time, deem advisable; and (g) costs of implementing and operating the Plan. Replace the section titled "Share Price Calculation" on page 10 with the following: The value of an individual share in the Fund (the net asset value) is calculated by dividing the total value of the Fund's investments and other assets (including accrued income), less any liabilities (including estimated accrued expenses), by the number of shares outstanding, rounded to the nearest cent. Net asset value per share is determined as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day that the exchange is open for business, and on any other day on which there is sufficient trading in the Fund's securities to materially affect the net asset value. The net asset value per share of the Fund will fluctuate. Securities which are traded on any exchange or on the NASDAQ over-the-counter market are valued at the last quoted sale price. Lacking a last sale price, a security is valued at its last bid price except when, in the Advisor's opinion, the last bid price does not accurately reflect the current value of the security. All other securities for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at their last bid price. When market quotations are not readily available, when the Advisor determines the last bid price does not accurately reflect the current value or when restricted securities are being valued, such securities are valued as determined in good faith by the Advisor, subject to review of the Board of Trustees of the Trust. Fixed income securities generally are valued by using market quotations, but may be valued on the basis of prices furnished by a pricing service when the Advisor believes such prices accurately reflect the fair market value of such securities. A pricing service utilizes electronic data processing techniques based on yield spreads relating to securities with similar characteristics to determine prices for normal institutional-size trading units of debt securities without regard to sale or bid prices. When prices are not readily available from a pricing service, or when restricted or illiquid securities are being valued, securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Advisor, subject to review of the Board of Trustees. Short term investments in fixed income securities with maturities of less than 60 days when acquired, or which subsequently are within 60 days of maturity, are valued by using the amortized cost method of valuation, which the Board has determined will represent fair value. Replace the first sentence of the section titled "Dividends and Distributions" on page 14 with the following: The Fund intends to declare substantially all of its net investment income as dividends to its shareholders on a daily basis and to pay such dividends monthly, and intends to distribute its net long term capital gains and its net short term capital gains at least once a year. Replace the fourth paragraph of the section titled "Operation of the Fund" on page 16 with the following: The Fund is authorized to pay the Advisor a fee equal to 0.75% of its average daily net assets. Unlike most other mutual funds, the management fees paid by the Fund to the Advisor include transfer agency, pricing, custodial, auditing and legal services, and general administrative and other operating expenses. The Advisor pays all of the operating expenses of the Fund except brokerage, taxes, interest, expenses which the Fund is authorized to pay pursuant to the Distribution Plan, fees and expenses on non-interested person trustees and extraordinary expenses. Read the following in conjunction with the sections titled "The Fund" on page 4 and "Shareholder Rights" on page 17: As of March 15, 1999, Sun Trust Bank, custodian for a foundation, may be deemed to control the Fund as a result of its beneficial ownership of shares of the Fund.
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