-----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, SRUI3WfAwVSPYmEqHPu/MoA64sglK/YR22VPptnohtwlgknmEZnsTHVYOBqGV5CN eLTNscieN2PiYseb2+6N+Q== 0000797657-97-000022.txt : 19970721 0000797657-97-000022.hdr.sgml : 19970721 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000797657-97-000022 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 497 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 FILED AS OF DATE: 19970718 SROS: NONE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BT INVESTMENT FUNDS CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000797657 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000] STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 497 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 033-07404 FILM NUMBER: 97642262 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: FEDERATED INVESTORS TOWERS CITY: PITTSBURGH STATE: PA ZIP: 15222-3770 BUSINESS PHONE: 412881401 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: BT TAX FREE INVESTMENT TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19880530 497 1 STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION January 31, 1997 (Revised July 18, 1997) BT Investment Funds Intermediate Tax Free Fund Global High Yield Securities Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Small Cap Fund International Equity Fund Pacific Basin Fund Latin American Equity Fund BT Investment Funds (the "Trust") is comprised of a number of separate investment funds. The shares of the following funds - Intermediate Tax Free Fund, Global High Yield Securities Fund, Capital Appreciation Fund, Small Cap Fund, International Equity Fund, Pacific Basin Equity Fund, and Latin American Equity Fund (each, a "Fund") - are described herein. As described in the Prospectuses, the Trust seeks to achieve the investment objectives of each Fund by investing all the investable assets ("Assets") of the Fund (with the exception of the Global High Yield Securities Fund) in a diversified open-end management investment company having the same investment objectives as the Fund. The Global High Yield Securities Fund invests its Assets in a non-diversified open-end management investment company (or series thereof). These investment companies (or a series thereof) are, respectively, Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio, Global High Yield Securities Portfolio, Capital Appreciation Portfolio, Small Cap Portfolio, International Equity Portfolio, Pacific Basin Equity Portfolio, and Latin American Equity Portfoio (collectively, the "Portfolios"). The Global High Yield Securities Portfolio, Small-Cap Portfolio, Pacific Basin Equity Portfolio, and Latin American Equity Portfolio are each a series of BT Investment Portfolios. Since the investment characteristics of the Funds will correspond directly to those of the respective Portfolio in which the Fund invests all of its Assets, the following is a discussion of the various investments of and techniques employed by each Portfolio. Shares of the Funds are sold by Edgewood Services, Inc. ("Edgewood"), the Trust's Distributor, to clients and customers (including affiliates and correspondents) of Bankers Trust Company ("Bankers Trust"), the Portfolios' investment adviser ("Adviser"), and to clients and customers of other organizations The Trust's Prospectuses for each Fund are each dated January 31, 1997. The Prospectuses provide the basic information investors should know before investing and may be obtained without charge by calling the Trust at the telephone number listed below or by contacting any Service Agent. This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI"), which is not a Prospectus, is intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of the Trust and should be read in conjunction with that Fund's Prospectus. This SAI is not an offer of any Fund for which an investor has not received a Prospectus. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this SAI have the meanings accorded to them in the Trust's Prospectuses. BANKERS TRUST COMPANY Investment Adviser of each Portfolio and Administrator EDGEWOOD SERVICES, INC. Distributor Clearing Operations Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230-0897 (800) 730-1313 P.O. Box 897 I TABLE OF CONTENTS Investment Objectives, Policies and Restrictions 1 Performance Information 29 Valuation of Securities; Redemptions and Purchases in Kind 32 Management of the Trust and Portfolios 34 Organization of the Trust 43 Taxation 44 Financial Statements 46 9 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS Investment Objectives The investment objective(s) of each Fund is described in that Fund's Prospectus. There can, of course, be no assurance that any Fund will achieve its investment objective(s). Investment Policies Each Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective(s) by investing all of its Assets in the corresponding Portfolio. The Trust may withdraw a Fund's investment from the corresponding Portfolio at any time if the Board of Trustees of the Trust determines that it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. Since the investment characteristics of each Fund will correspond directly to those of the corresponding Portfolio, the following is a discussion of the various investments of and techniques employed by each Portfolio. Certificates of Deposit and Bankers' Acceptances. Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Bankers' acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then "accepted" by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less. Commercial Paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. A variable amount master demand note (which is a type of commercial paper) represents a direct borrowing arrangement involving periodically fluctuating rates of interest under a letter agreement between a commercial paper issuer and an institutional lender pursuant to which the lender may determine to invest varying amounts. Illiquid Securities. Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), securities which are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having a remaining maturity of longer than seven days. Securities which have not been registered under the 1933 Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven days. A mutual fund might also have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities. In recent years, however, a large institutional market has developed for certain securities that are not registered under the 1933 Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for repayment. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale of such investments to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of their liquidity. The Securities and Exchange Commission the (the "SEC") has adopted Rule 144A, which allows a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restriction on their resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act of resales of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. The Adviser anticipates that the market for certain restricted securities such as institutional commercial paper will expand further as a result of this regulation and the development of automated systems for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers, such as the PORTAL System sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. The Adviser will monitor the liquidity of Rule 144A securities in each Portfolio's holdings under the supervision of the Portfolio's Board of Trustees. In reaching liquidity decisions, the Adviser will consider, among other things, the following factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers and other potential purchasers or sellers of the security; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security and (4) the nature of the security and of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of the transfer). Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. General. The successful use of such instruments draws upon the Adviser's skill and experience with respect to such instruments and usually depends on the Adviser's ability to forecast interest rate and currency exchange rate movements correctly. Should interest or exchange rates move in an unexpected manner, a Portfolio may not achieve the anticipated benefits of futures contracts or options on futures contracts or may realize losses and thus will be in a worse position than if such strategies had not been used. In addition, the correlation between movements in the price of futures contracts or options on futures contracts and movements in the price of the securities and currencies hedged or used for cover will not be perfect and could produce unanticipated losses. Futures Contracts. A Portfolio may enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of fixed-income securities, foreign currencies, or contracts based on financial indices including any index of U.S. government securities, foreign government securities or corporate debt securities. U.S. futures contracts have been designed by exchanges which have been designated "contracts markets" by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), and must be executed through a futures commission merchant, or brokerage firm, which is a member of the relevant contract market. Futures contracts trade on a number of exchange markets, and, through their clearing corporations, the exchanges guarantee performance of the contracts as between the clearing members of the exchange. A Portfolio may enter into futures contracts which are based on debt securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, such as long-term U.S. Treasury Bonds, Treasury Notes, Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") modified pass-through mortgage-backed securities and three-month U.S. Treasury Bills. A Portfolio may also enter into futures contracts which are based on bonds issued by entities other than the U.S. government. At the same time a futures contract is purchased or sold, the Portfolio must allocate cash or securities as a deposit payment ("initial deposit"). It is expected that the initial deposit would be approximately 1 1/2% to 5% of a contract's face value. Daily thereafter, the futures contract is valued and the payment of "variation margin" may be required, since each day the Portfolio would provide or receive cash that reflects any decline or increase in the contract's value. At the time of delivery of securities pursuant to such a contract, adjustments are made to recognize differences in value arising from the delivery of securities with a different interest rate from that specified in the contract. In some (but not many) cases, securities called for by a futures contract may not have been issued when the contract was written. Although futures contracts by their terms call for the actual delivery or acquisition of securities, in most cases the contractual obligation is fulfilled before the date of the contract without having to make or take delivery of the securities. The offsetting of a contractual obligation is accomplished by buying (or selling, as the case may be) on a commodities exchange an identical futures contract calling for delivery in the same month. Such a transaction, which is effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation to make or take delivery of the securities. Since all transactions in the futures market are made, offset or fulfilled through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded, the Portfolio will incur brokerage fees when it purchases or sells futures contracts. The purpose of the acquisition or sale of a futures contract, in the case of a Portfolio which holds or intends to acquire fixed-income securities, is to attempt to protect the Portfolio from fluctuations in interest or foreign exchange rates without actually buying or selling fixed-income securities or foreign currencies. For example, if interest rates were expected to increase, the Portfolio might enter into futures contracts for the sale of debt securities. Such a sale would have much the same effect as selling an equivalent value of the debt securities owned by the Portfolio. If interest rates did increase, the value of the debt security in the Portfolio would decline, but the value of the futures contracts to the Portfolio would increase at approximately the same rate, thereby keeping the net asset value of the Portfolio from declining as much as it otherwise would have. The Portfolio could accomplish similar results by selling debt securities and investing in bonds with short maturities when interest rates are expected to increase. However, since the futures market is more liquid than the cash market, the use of futures contracts as an investment technique allows the Portfolio to maintain a defensive position without having to sell its portfolio securities. Similarly, when it is expected that interest rates may decline, futures contracts may be purchased to attempt to hedge against anticipated purchases of debt securities at higher prices. Since the fluctuations in the value of futures contracts should be similar to those of debt securities, a Portfolio could take advantage of the anticipated rise in the value of debt securities without actually buying them until the market had stabilized. At that time, the futures contracts could be liquidated and the Portfolio could then buy debt securities on the cash market. To the extent a Portfolio enters into futures contracts for this purpose, the assets in the segregated asset account maintained to cover the Portfolio's obligations with respect to such futures contracts will consist of cash, cash equivalents or high quality liquid debt securities from its portfolio in an amount equal to the difference between the fluctuating market value of such futures contracts and the aggregate value of the initial and variation margin payments made by the Portfolio with respect to such futures contracts. The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures market, due to differences in the nature of those markets, are subject to distortions. First, all participants in the futures market are subject to initial deposit and variation margin requirements. Rather than meeting additional variation margin requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the cash and futures markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortion. Third, from the point of view of speculators, the margin deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of distortion, a correct forecast of general interest rate trends by the Adviser may still not result in a successful transaction. In addition, futures contracts entail risks. Although the Adviser believes that use of such contracts will benefit the Portfolios, if the Adviser's investment judgment about the general direction of interest rates is incorrect, a Portfolio's overall performance would be poorer than if it had not entered into any such contract. For example, if a Portfolio has hedged against the possibility of an increase in interest rates which would adversely affect the price of debt securities held in its portfolio and interest rates decrease instead, the Portfolio will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its debt securities which it has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if a Portfolio has insufficient cash, it may have to sell debt securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements. Such sales of bonds may be, but will not necessarily be, at increased prices which reflect the rising market. A Portfolio may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. Options on Futures Contracts. Each Portfolio may purchase and write options on futures contracts for hedging purposes. The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is similar in some respects to the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the price of the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the underlying debt securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying debt securities. As with the purchase of futures contracts, when a Portfolio is not fully invested it may purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance due to declining interest rates. The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the security or foreign currency which is deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration of the option is below the exercise price, a Portfolio will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the Portfolio's portfolio holdings. The writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of the security or foreign currency which is deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration of the option is higher than the exercise price, the Portfolio will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of securities which the Portfolio intends to purchase. If a put or call option the Portfolio has written is exercised, the Portfolio will incur a loss which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it receives. Depending on the degree of correlation between changes in the value of its portfolio securities and changes in the value of its futures positions, the Portfolio's losses from existing options on futures may to some extent be reduced or increased by changes in the value of portfolio securities. The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is similar in some respects to the purchase of protective put options on portfolio securities. For example, a Portfolio may purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge its portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates. The amount of risk a Portfolio assumes when it purchases an option on a futures contract is the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs. In addition to the correlation risks discussed above, the purchase of an option also entails the risk that changes in the value of the underlying futures contract will not be fully reflected in the value of the option purchased. The Board of Trustees of each Portfolio has adopted a further restriction that the Portfolio will not enter into any futures contracts or options on futures contracts if immediately thereafter the amount of margin deposits on all the futures contracts of the Portfolio and premiums paid on outstanding options on futures contracts owned by the Portfolio (other than those entered into for bona fide hedging purposes) would exceed 5% of the market value of the total assets of the Portfolio. Options on Foreign Currencies. Each Portfolio (except for Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio) may purchase and write options on foreign currencies for hedging purposes in a manner similar to that in which futures contracts on foreign currencies, or forward contracts, will be utilized. For example, a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which portfolio securities are denominated will reduce the dollar value of such securities, even if their value in the foreign currency remains constant. In order to protect against such diminutions in the value of portfolio securities, the Portfolio may purchase put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency does decline, a Portfolio will have the right to sell such currency for a fixed amount in dollars and will thereby offset, in whole or in part, the adverse effect on its portfolio which otherwise would have resulted. Conversely, where a rise in the dollar value of a currency in which securities to be acquired are denominated is projected, thereby increasing the cost of such securities, the Portfolio may purchase call options thereon. The purchase of such options could offset, at least partially, the effects of the adverse movements in exchange rates. As in the case of other types of options, however, the benefit to the Portfolio deriving from purchases of foreign currency options will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In addition, where currency exchange rates do not move in the direction or to the extent anticipated, the Portfolio could sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency options which would require it to forego a portion or all of the benefits of advantageous changes in such rates. Each Portfolio (except for Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio) may write options on foreign currencies for the same types of hedging purposes. For example, where a Portfolio anticipates a decline in the dollar value of foreign currency denominated securities due to adverse fluctuations in exchange rates it could, instead of purchasing a put option, write a call option on the relevant currency. If the expected decline occurs, the options will most likely not be exercised, and the diminution in value of portfolio securities will be offset by the amount of the premium received. Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option to hedge against an anticipated increase in the dollar cost of securities to be acquired, the Portfolio could write a put option on the relevant currency which, if rates move in the manner projected, will expire unexercised and allow the Portfolio to hedge such increased cost up to the amount of the premium. As in the case of other types of options, however, the writing of a foreign currency option will constitute only a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium, and only if rates move in the expected direction. If this does not occur, the option may be exercised and the Portfolio would be required to purchase or sell the underlying currency at a loss which may not be offset by the amount of the premium. Through the writing of options on foreign currencies, the Portfolio also may be required to forego all or a portion of the benefits which might otherwise have been obtained from favorable movements in exchange rates. Each Portfolio (except for Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio) intends to write covered call options on foreign currencies. A call option written on a foreign currency by a Portfolio is "covered" if the Portfolio owns the underlying foreign currency covered by the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that foreign currency without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a segregated account by its Custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other foreign currency held in its portfolio. A call option is also covered if the Portfolio has a call on the same foreign currency and in the same principal amount as the call written where the exercise price of the call held (a) is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (b) is greater than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is maintained by the Portfolio in cash, U.S. government securities and other high quality liquid debt securities in a segregated account with its custodian. Each Portfolio (except for Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio) also intends to write call options on foreign currencies that are not covered for cross-hedging purposes. A call option on a foreign currency is for cross-hedging purposes if it is not covered, but is designed to provide a hedge against a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a security which the Portfolio owns or has the right to acquire and which is denominated in the currency underlying the option due to an adverse change in the exchange rate. In such circumstances, the Portfolio collateralizes the option by maintaining in a segregated account with its custodian, cash or U.S. government securities or other high quality liquid debt securities in an amount not less than the value of the underlying foreign currency in U.S. dollars marked to market daily. Additional Risks of Options on Futures Contracts, Forward Contracts and Options on Foreign Currencies. Unlike transactions entered into by a Portfolio in futures contracts, options on foreign currencies and forward contracts are not traded on contract markets regulated by the CFTC or (with the exception of certain foreign currency options) by the SEC. To the contrary, such instruments are traded through financial institutions acting as market-makers, although foreign currency options are also traded on certain national securities exchanges such as the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and the Chicago Board Options Exchange, subject to SEC regulation. Similarly, options on currencies may be traded over-the-counter. In an over-the-counter trading environment, many of the protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available. For example, there are no daily price fluctuation limits, and adverse market movements could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. Although the purchaser of an option cannot lose more than the amount of the premium plus related transaction costs, this entire amount could be lost. Moreover, the option writer and a trader of forward contracts could lose amounts substantially in excess of their initial investments, due to the margin and collateral requirements associated with such positions. Options on foreign currencies traded on national securities exchanges are within the jurisdiction of the SEC, as are other securities traded on such exchanges. As a result, many of the protections provided to traders on organized exchanges will be available with respect to such transactions. In particular, all foreign currency option positions entered into on a national securities exchange are cleared and guaranteed by the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), thereby reducing the risk of counterparty default. Further, a liquid secondary market in options traded on a national securities exchange may be more readily available than in the over-the-counter market, potentially permitting a Portfolio to liquidate open positions at a profit prior to exercise or expiration, or to limit losses in the event of adverse market movements. The purchase and sale of exchange-traded foreign currency options, however, is subject to the risks of the availability of a liquid secondary market described above, as well as the risks regarding adverse market movements, margining of options written, the nature of the foreign currency market, possible intervention by governmental authorities and the effects of other political and economic events. In addition, exchange-traded options on foreign currencies involve certain risks not presented by the over-the-counter market. For example, exercise and settlement of such options must be made exclusively through the OCC, which has established banking relationships in applicable foreign countries for this purpose. As a result, the OCC may, if it determines that foreign governmental restrictions or taxes would prevent the orderly settlement of foreign currency option exercises, or would result in undue burdens on the OCC or its clearing member, impose special procedures on exercise and settlement, such as technical changes in the mechanics of delivery of currency, the fixing of dollar settlement prices or prohibitions on exercise. As in the case of forward contracts, certain options on foreign currencies are traded over-the-counter and involve liquidity and credit risks which may not be present in the case of exchange-traded currency options. A Portfolio's ability to terminate over-the-counter options will be more limited than with exchange-traded options. It is also possible that broker-dealers participating in over-the-counter options transactions will not fulfill their obligations. Until such time as the staff of the SEC changes its position, each Portfolio will treat purchased over-the-counter options and assets used to cover written over-the-counter options as illiquid securities. With respect to options written with primary dealers in U.S. government securities pursuant to an agreement requiring a closing purchase transaction at a formula price, the amount of illiquid securities may be calculated with reference to the repurchase formula. In addition, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and options on foreign currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in or the prices of foreign currencies or securities. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by: (i) other complex foreign political and economic factors; (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions; (iii) delays in the Portfolio's ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during nonbusiness hours in the United States; (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States; and (v) lesser trading volume. Options on Securities. Each Portfolio may write (sell) covered call and put options to a limited extent on its portfolio securities ("covered options") in an attempt to increase income. However, the Portfolio may forgo the benefits of appreciation on securities sold or may pay more than the market price on securities acquired pursuant to call and put options written by the Portfolio. When a Portfolio writes a covered call option, it gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy the underlying security at the price specified in the option (the "exercise price") by exercising the option at any time during the option period. If the option expires unexercised, the Portfolio will realize income in an amount equal to the premium received for writing the option. If the option is exercised, a decision over which the Portfolio has no control, the Portfolio must sell the underlying security to the option holder at the exercise price. By writing a covered call option, the Portfolio forgoes, in exchange for the premium less the commission ("net premium"), the opportunity to profit during the option period from an increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price. When a Portfolio writes a covered put option, it gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell the underlying security to the Portfolio at the specified exercise price at any time during the option period. If the option expires unexercised, the Portfolio will realize income in the amount of the premium received for writing the option. If the put option is exercised, a decision over which the Portfolio has no control, the Portfolio must purchase the underlying security from the option holder at the exercise price. By writing a covered put option, the Portfolio, in exchange for the net premium received, accepts the risk of a decline in the market value of the underlying security below the exercise price. The Portfolio will only write put options involving securities for which a determination is made at the time the option is written that the Portfolio wishes to acquire the securities at the exercise price. A Portfolio may terminate its obligation as the writer of a call or put option by purchasing an option with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option previously written. This transaction is called a "closing purchase transaction." The Portfolio will realize a profit or loss for a closing purchase transaction if the amount paid to purchase an option is less or more, as the case may be, than the amount received from the sale thereof. To close out a position as a purchaser of an option, the Portfolio, may make a "closing sale transaction" which involves liquidating the Portfolio's position by selling the option previously purchased. Where the Portfolio cannot effect a closing purchase transaction, it may be forced to incur brokerage commissions or dealer spreads in selling securities it receives or it may be forced to hold underlying securities until an option is exercised or expires. When a Portfolio writes an option, an amount equal to the net premium received by the Portfolio is included in the liability section of the Portfolio's Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a deferred credit. The amount of the deferred credit will be subsequently marked to market to reflect the current market value of the option written. The current market value of a traded option is the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the mean between the closing bid and asked price. If an option expires on its stipulated expiration date or if the Portfolio enters into a closing purchase transaction, the Portfolio will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the premium received when the option was sold), and the deferred credit related to such option will be eliminated. If a call option is exercised, the Portfolio will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security and the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the premium originally received. The writing of covered call options may be deemed to involve the pledge of the securities against which the option is being written. Securities against which call options are written will be segregated on the books of the custodian for the Portfolio. A Portfolio may purchase call and put options on any securities in which it may invest. The Portfolio would normally purchase a call option in anticipation of an increase in the market value of such securities. The purchase of a call option would entitle the Portfolio, in exchange for the premium paid, to purchase a security at a specified price during the option period. The Portfolio would ordinarily have a gain if the value of the securities increased above the exercise price sufficiently to cover the premium and would have a loss if the value of the securities remained at or below the exercise price during the option period. A Portfolio would normally purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the market value of securities in its portfolio ("protective puts") or securities of the type in which it is permitted to invest. The purchase of a put option would entitle the Portfolio, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell a security, which may or may not be held in the Portfolio's holdings, at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is designed merely to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of the Portfolio's holdings. Put options also may be purchased by the Portfolio for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of securities which the Portfolio does not own. The Portfolio would ordinarily recognize a gain if the value of the securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to cover the premium and would recognize a loss if the value of the securities remained at or above the exercise price. Gains and losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of underlying portfolio securities. Each Portfolio has adopted certain other nonfundamental policies concerning option transactions which are discussed below. The Portfolio's activities in options may also be restricted by the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for qualification as a regulated investment company. The hours of trading for options on securities may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying securities markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets. It is impossible to predict the volume of trading that may exist in such options, and there can be no assurance that viable exchange markets will develop or continue. A Portfolio may engage in over-the-counter options transactions with broker-dealers who make markets in these options. At present, approximately ten broker-dealers, including several of the largest primary dealers in U.S. government securities, make these markets. The ability to terminate over-the-counter option positions is more limited than with exchange-traded option positions because the predominant market is the issuing broker rather than an exchange, and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations. To reduce this risk, the Portfolio will purchase such options only from broker-dealers who are primary government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and who agree to (and are expected to be capable of) entering into closing transactions, although there can be no guarantee that any such option will be liquidated at a favorable price prior to expiration. The Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of dealers with whom the Portfolio enters into such options transactions under the general supervision of the Portfolios' Trustees. Options on Securities Indices. In addition to options on securities, each Portfolio (except for Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio) may also purchase and write (sell) call and put options on securities indices. Such options give the holder the right to receive a cash settlement during the term of the option based upon the difference between the exercise price and the value of the index. Such options will be used for the purposes described above under "Options on Securities." The International Equity Portfolio and the Pacific Basin Equity Portfolio may, to the extent allowed by Federal and state securities laws, invest in securities indices instead of investing directly in individual foreign securities. Options on securities indices entail risks in addition to the risks of options on securities. The absence of a liquid secondary market to close out options positions on securities indices is more likely to occur, although the Portfolio generally will only purchase or write such an option if the Adviser believes the option can be closed out. Use of options on securities indices also entails the risk that trading in such options may be interrupted if trading in certain securities included in the index is interrupted. The Portfolio will not purchase such options unless the Adviser believes the market is sufficiently developed such that the risk of trading in such options is no greater than the risk of trading in options on securities. Price movements in a Portfolio's holdings may not correlate precisely with movements in the level of an index and, therefore, the use of options on indices cannot serve as a complete hedge. Because options on securities indices require settlement in cash, the Adviser may be forced to liquidate portfolio securities to meet settlement obligations. Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. Because each Portfolio (except for Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio) may buy and sell securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and receives interest, dividends and sale proceeds in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, a Portfolio from time to time may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions to convert to and from different foreign currencies and to convert foreign currencies to and from the U.S. dollar. A Portfolio either enters into these transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or uses forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an obligation by a Portfolio to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts establish an exchange rate at a future date. These contracts are transferable in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward foreign currency exchange contract generally has no deposit requirement and is traded at a net price without commission. Each Portfolio maintains with its custodian a segregated account of high grade liquid assets in an amount at least equal to its obligations under each forward foreign currency exchange contract. Neither spot transactions nor forward foreign currency exchange contracts eliminate fluctuations in the prices of the Portfolio's securities or in foreign exchange rates, or prevent loss if the prices of these securities should decline. Each Portfolio (except for Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio) may enter into foreign currency hedging transactions in an attempt to protect against changes in foreign currency exchange rates between the trade and settlement dates of specific securities transactions or changes in foreign currency exchange rates that would adversely affect a portfolio position or an anticipated investment position. Since consideration of the prospect for currency parities will be incorporated into Bankers Trust's long-term investment decisions, a Portfolio will not routinely enter into foreign currency hedging transactions with respect to security transactions; however, Bankers Trust believes that it is important to have the flexibility to enter into foreign currency hedging transactions when it determines that the transactions would be in the Portfolio's best interest. Although these transactions tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, at the same time they tend to limit any potential gain that might be realized should the value of the hedged currency increase. The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of such securities between the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures. The projection of currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the successful execution of a hedging strategy is highly uncertain. While these contracts are not presently regulated by the CFTC, the CFTC may in the future assert authority to regulate forward contracts. In such event the Portfolio's ability to utilize forward contracts in the manner set forth in the Prospectus may be restricted. Forward contracts may reduce the potential gain from a positive change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Portfolio than if it had not entered into such contracts. The use of foreign currency forward contracts may not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying U.S. dollar equivalent value of the prices of or rates of return on a Portfolio's foreign currency denominated portfolio securities and the use of such techniques will subject a Portfolio to certain risks. The matching of the increase in value of a forward contract and the decline in the U.S. dollar equivalent value of the foreign currency denominated asset that is the subject of the hedge generally will not be precise. In addition, a Portfolio may not always be able to enter into foreign currency forward contracts at attractive prices and this will limit the Portfolio's ability to use such contract to hedge or cross-hedge its assets. Also, with regard to a Portfolio's use of cross-hedges, there can be no assurance that historical correlations between the movement of certain foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar will continue. Thus, at any time poor correlation may exist between movements in the exchange rates of the foreign currencies underlying a Portfolio's cross-hedges and the movements in the exchange rates of the foreign currencies in which the Portfolio's assets that are the subject of such cross-hedges are denominated. Short-Term Instruments. When a Portfolio experiences large cash inflows through the sale of securities and desirable equity securities, that are consistent with the Portfolio's investment objective, which are unavailable in sufficient quantities or at attractive prices, each Portfolio may invest in short-term instruments for a limited time pending availability of such portfolio securities. Short-term instruments consist of foreign or domestic: (i) short-term obligations of sovereign governments, their agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or political subdivisions; (ii) other short-term debt securities rated AA or higher by Standard & Poor's Rating Group ("S&P") or Aa or higher by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's") or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of Bankers Trust; (iii) commercial paper; (iv) bank obligations, including negotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits and banker's acceptances; and (v) repurchase agreements. At the time the Portfolio invests in commercial paper, bank obligations or repurchase agreements, the issuer of the issuer's parent must have outstanding debt rated AA or higher by S&P or Aa or higher by Moody's or outstanding commercial paper or bank obligations rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody's; or, if no such ratings are available, the instrument must be of comparable quality in the opinion of Bankers Trust. These instruments may be denominated in U.S. dollars or in foreign currencies. Lending of Portfolio Securities. Each Portfolio (except for the Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio) has the authority to lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations. The Portfolios will not lend securities to Bankers Trust, Edgewood or their affiliates. By lending its securities, a Portfolio can increase its income by continuing to receive interest on the loaned securities as well as by either investing the cash collateral in short-term securities or obtaining yield in the form of interest paid by the borrower when U.S. government obligations are used as collateral. There may be risks of delay in receiving additional collateral or risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. Each Portfolio will adhere to the following conditions whenever its securities are loaned: (i) the Portfolio must receive at least 100 percent cash collateral or equivalent securities from the borrower; (ii) the borrower must increase this collateral whenever the market value of the securities including accrued interest rises above the level of the collateral; (iii) the Portfolio must be able to terminate the loan at any time; (iv) the Portfolio must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities, and any increase in market value; (v) the Portfolio may pay only reasonable custodian fees in connection with the loan; and (vi) voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower; provided, however, that if a material event adversely affecting the investment occurs, the Board of Trustees must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities. Lower-Rated Debt Securities ("Junk Bonds"). The Global High Yield Securities Portfolio and the Latin American Equity Portfolio may invest in lower-rated debt securities. While the market for high yield corporate debt securities has been in existence for many years and has weathered previous economic downturns, the 1980's brought a dramatic increase in the use of such securities to fund highly leveraged corporate acquisitions and restructuring. Past experience may not provide an accurate indication of future performance of the high yield bond market, especially during periods of economic recession. In fact, from 1989 to 1991, the percentage of lower-rated debt securities that defaulted rose significantly above prior levels. The market for lower-rated debt securities may be thinner and less active than that for higher rated debt securities, which can adversely affect the prices at which the former are sold. If market quotations are not available, lower- rated debt securities will be valued in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees, including the use of outside pricing services. Judgment plays a greater role in valuing high yield corporate debt securities than is the case for securities for which more external sources for quotations and last sale information is available. Adverse publicity and changing investor perception may affect the ability of outside pricing services to value lower-rated debt securities and the Global High Yield Securities Portfolio's ability to dispose of these securities. Since the risk of default is higher for lower-rated debt securities, Bankers Trust's research and credit analysis are an especially important part of managing securities of this type held by the Portfolio. In considering investments for the Portfolio, Bankers Trust will attempt to identify those issuers of high yielding debt securities whose financial conditions are adequate to meet future obligations, have improved or are expected to improve in the future. Bankers Trust's analysis focuses on relative values based on such factors as interest on dividend coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects and the experience and managerial strength of the issuer. The Global High Yield Securities Portfolio may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to pursue litigation or otherwise exercise its rights as a security holder to seek to protect the interest of security holders if it determines this to be in the best interest of the Global High Yield Securities Fund. Brady Bonds. The Global High Yield Securities Portfolio and the Latin American Equity Portfolio may invest in "Brady bonds," which have been issued by the governments of Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Uruguay and Venezuela. Most Brady bonds are currently rated below BBB by S&P or Baa by Moody's. The Brady Plan was conceived by the U.S. Treasury in the 1980's in an attempt to produce a debt restructuring program which would enable a debt country to (i) reduce the absolute level of debt of its creditor banks, and (ii) reschedule its external debt repayments, based upon its ability to service such debts by persuading its creditor banks to accept a debt write-off by offering them a selection of options, each of which represented an attractive substitute for the nonperforming debt. Although it was envisaged that each debtor country would agree to a unique package of options with its creditor banks, the plan was that these options would be based upon the following:(i) a discount bond carrying a market rate of interest (whether fixed or floating), with principal collateralized by the debtor country with cash or securities in an amount equal to at least one year of rolling interest; (ii) a par bond carrying a low rate of interest (whether fixed or floating), collateralized in the same way as in (i) above; and (iii) retention of existing debt (thereby avoiding a debt write-off) coupled with an advance of new money or subscription of new bonds. The Global High Yield Securities Portfolio and the Latin American Equity Portfolio may invest in either collateralized or uncollateralized Brady bonds. U.S. dollar-denominated, collateralized Brady bonds, which may be fixed rate par bonds or floating rate discount bonds, are collateralized in full as to principal by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds having the same maturity as the bonds. Interest payments on such bonds generally are collateralized by cash or securities in an amount that in the case of fixed rate bonds, is equal to at least one year of rolling interest payments or, in the case of floating rate bonds, initially is equal to at least one year's rolling interest payments based on the applicable interest rate at the time and is adjusted at regular intervals thereafter. Municipal Bonds. Municipal bonds generally fund longer-term capital needs than municipal notes and have maturities exceeding one year when issued. The Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio may invest --------------- in municipal bonds. Municipal bonds include: General Obligation Bonds. Issuers of general obligation bonds include states, counties, cities, towns and regional districts. The proceeds of these obligations are used to fund a wide range of public projects, including construction or improvement of schools, highways and roads, and water and sewer systems. The basic security behind general obligation bonds is the issuer's pledge of its full faith and credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to the rate or amount of special assessments. Revenue Bonds. The principal security for a revenue bond is generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility, group of facilities or, in some cases, the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source. Revenue bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital projects, including electric, gas, water and sewer systems; highways, bridges, and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. Although the principal security behind these bonds may vary, many provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund that may be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuer's obligations. Housing finance authorities have a wide range of security, including partially or fully insured mortgages, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages, certificates of deposit and/or the net revenues from housing or other public projects. Some authorities provide further security in the form of a state's ability (without obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund. Private Activity Bonds. Private activity bonds, which are considered municipal obligations if the interest paid thereon is excluded from gross income for Federal income tax purposes but is a specific tax preference item for Federal individual and corporate alternative minimum tax purposes, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately-operated facilities such as manufacturing facilities, certain hospital and university facilities and housing projects. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems and ports. The payment of the principal and interest on these bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial obligations and generally the pledge, if any, of real and personal property so financed as security for payment. Municipal Notes. Municipal notes generally fund short-term capital needs. The Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio may invest in municipal notes, which include: Tax Anticipation Notes. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance working capital needs of municipalities. Generally, they are issued in anticipation of various seasonal tax revenue, such as income, sales, use and business taxes, and are payable from these specific future taxes. Revenue Anticipation Notes. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of receipt of other types of revenue, such as Federal revenues available under Federal revenue sharing programs. -------------------------- Bond Anticipation Notes. Bond anticipation notes are issued to provide interim financing until long-term financing can be arranged. In most cases, the long-term bonds provide funds for the ------------------------- repayment of these notes. Miscellaneous, Temporary and Anticipatory Instruments. These instruments may include notes issued to obtain interim financing pending entering into alternate financial arrangements, such as receipt of anticipated Federal, state or other grants or aid, passage of increased legislative authority to issue longer-term instruments or obtaining other refinancing. Construction Loan Notes. Construction loan notes are sold to provide construction financing. Permanent financing, the proceeds of which are applied to the payment of construction loan notes, is sometimes provided by a commitment of the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") to purchase the loan, accompanied by a commitment by the Federal Housing Administration to insure mortgage advances thereunder. In other instances, permanent financing is provided by commitments of banks to purchase the loan. TheIntermediate Tax Free Portfolio will only purchase construction loan notes that are subject to permanent GNMA or bank purchase commitments. Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper. The Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio may invest in tax-exempt commercial paper. Tax-exempt commercial paper is a short-term obligation with a stated maturity of 365 days or less. It is issued by agencies of state and local governments to finance seasonal working capital needs or as short-term financing in anticipation of longer-term financing. Standby Commitments. The Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio may acquire standby commitments or "puts" solely to facilitate portfolio liquidity; the Portfolio intends to exercise its rights thereunder for trading purposes. The maturity of a municipal obligation is not to be considered shortened by any standby commitment to which the obligation is subject. Thus, standby commitments do not affect the dollar-weighted average maturity of the Portfolio. When municipal obligations are subject to puts separate from the underlying securities, no value is assigned to the put. Because of the difficulty of evaluating the likelihood of exercise or the potential benefit of a put, the Board of Trustees has determined that puts shall have a fair market value of zero, regardless of whether any direct or indirect consideration was paid. Since the value of the put is partly dependent on the ability of the put writer to meet its obligation to repurchase, the Portfolio's policy is to enter into put transactions only with put writers who are approved by Bankers Trust. It is the Portfolio's general policy to enter into put transactions only with those put writers which are determined to present minimal credit risks. In connection with this determination, the Board of Trustees will review regularly Bankers Trust's list of approved put writers, taking into consideration, among other things, the ratings, if available, of their equity and debt securities, their reputation in the municipal securities markets, their net worth, their efficiency in consummating transactions and any collateral arrangements, such as letters of credit securing the puts written by them. Commercial banks normally will be members of the Federal Reserve System, and other dealers will be members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or members of a national securities exchange. Other put writers will have outstanding debt rated Aa or better by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's") or AA or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P"), or will be of comparable quality in Bankers Trust's opinion, or such put writers' obligations will be collateralized and of comparable quality in Bankers Trust's opinion. The Board of Trustees has directed Bankers Trust not to enter into put transactions with any put writer that, in the judgment of Bankers Trust using the above-described criteria, is or becomes a recognizable credit risk. The Trust is unable to predict whether all or any portion of any loss sustained could subsequently be recovered from a put writer in the event that a put writer should default on its obligation to repurchase an underlying security. Foreign Securities: Special Considerations Concerning Eastern Europe. The Global High Yield Securities Portfolio may invest in foreign securities issued by Eastern European countries. Investments in companies domiciled in Eastern European countries may be subject to potentially greater risks than those of other foreign issuers. These risks include: (i) potentially less social, political and economic stability; (ii) the small current size of the markets for such securities and the low volume of trading, which result in less liquidity and in greater price volatility; (iii) certain national policies which may restrict the Portfolio's investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; (iv) foreign taxation; (v) the absence of developed legal structures governing private or foreign investment or allowing for judicial redress for injury to private property; (vi) the absence, until recently in certain Eastern European countries, of a capital market structure or market-oriented economy; and (vii) the possibility that recent favorable economic developments in Eastern Europe may be slowed or reversed by unanticipated political or social events in such countries, or in the Commonwealth of Independent States (consisting of the Republics of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). The economic situation remains difficult for Eastern European countries in transition from central planning, following what has already been a sizable decline in output. The contraction now appears to be bottoming out in parts of Eastern Europe. Following three successive years of output declines, there are preliminary indications of a turnaround in the former Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, Hungary and Poland; growth in private sector activity and strong exports now appear to have contained the fall in output. A number of their governments, including those of Hungary and Poland, are currently implementing or considering reforms directed at political and economic liberalization, including efforts to foster multi-party political systems, decentralize economic planning, and a move toward free-market economies. But key aspects of the reform and stabilization efforts have not yet been fully implemented, and there remain risks of policy slippage. At present, no Eastern European country has a developed stock market, but Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic have small securities markets in operation. In many other countries of the region, output losses have been even larger. These declines reflect the adjustment difficulties during the early stages of the transition, high rates of inflation, the compression of imports, disruption in trade among the countries of the former Soviet Union, and uncertainties about the reform process itself. Large-scale subsidies are delaying industrial restructuring and are exacerbating the fiscal situation. A reversal of these adverse factors is not anticipated in the near term, and output is expected to decline further in most of these countries. In the Russian Federation and most other countries of the former Soviet Union, economic conditions are of particular concern because of economic instability due to political unrest and armed conflicts in many regions. Further, no accounting standards exist in Eastern European countries. Although certain Eastern European currencies may be convertible into U.S. dollars, the conversion rates may be artificial to the actual market values and may be adverse to each Fund's shareholders. Foreign Securities: Special Considerations Concerning Latin America. Investing in securities of Latin American issuers may entail risks relating to the potential political and economic instability of certain Latin American countries and the risks of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment and on repatriation of capital invested. In the event of expropriation, nationalization or other confiscation by any country, the Latin American Equity Fund could lose its entire investment in any such country. The securities markets of Latin American countries are substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the U.S. Disclosure and regulatory standards are in many respects less stringent than U.S. standards. Furthermore, there is a lower level of monitoring and regulation of the markets and the activities of investors in such markets. The limited size of many Latin American securities markets and limited trading volume in the securities of Latin American issuers compared to volume of trading in the securities of U.S. issuers could cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the soundness and competitiveness of the securities issuers. For example, limited market size may cause prices to be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions. Adverse publicity and investors' perceptions, whether or not based on in-depth fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and liquidity of portfolio securities. The economies of Latin American countries may be predominantly based in only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens or inflation rates. Securities of issuers located in Latin America may have limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements. Latin American Equity Portfolio invests in securities denominated in currencies of Latin American countries. Accordingly, changes in the value of these currencies against the U.S. dollar will result in corresponding changes in the U.S. dollar value of the Portfolio's assets denominated in those currencies. Some Latin American countries also may have managed currencies, which are not free floating against the U.S. dollar. In addition, there is risk that certain Latin American countries may restrict the free conversion of their currencies into other currencies. Further, certain Latin American currencies may not be internationally traded. Certain of these currencies have experienced a steep devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar. Any devaluations in the currencies in which the Portfolio's securities are denominated may have a detrimental impact on the Fund's net asset value. The economies of individual Latin American countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as the rate of growth of gross domestic product, the rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Certain Latin American countries have experienced high levels of inflation which can have a debilitating effect on an economy. Furthermore, certain Latin American countries may impose withholding taxes on dividends payable to the Portfolio at a higher rate than those imposed by other foreign countries. This may reduce the Fund's investment income available for distribution to shareholders. Certain Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Mexico are among the world's largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. At times, certain Latin American countries have declared moratoria on the payment of principal and/or interest on outstanding debt. Investment in sovereign debt can involve a high degree of risk. The governmental entity that controls the repayment of sovereign debt may not be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt. A governmental entity's willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the governmental entity's policy towards the International Monetary Fund, and the political constraints to which a governmental entity may be subject. Governmental entities may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others abroad to reduce principal and interest arrearage on their debt. The commitment on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on a governmental entity's implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor's obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties' commitments to lend funds to the governmental entity, which may further impair such debtor's ability or willingness to service its debts in a timely manner. Consequently, governmental entities may default on their sovereign debt. Holders of sovereign debt, including the Portfolio, may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to governmental entities. There is no bankruptcy proceeding by which defaulted sovereign debt may be collected in whole or in part. Latin America is a region rich in natural resources such as oil, copper, tin, silver, iron ore, forestry, fishing, livestock and agriculture. The region has a large population (roughly 300 million) representing a large domestic market. Economic growth was strong in the 1960's and 1970's, but slowed dramatically (and in some instances was negative) in the 1980's as a result of poor economic policies, higher international interest rates, and the denial of access to new foreign capital. Although a number of Latin American countries are currently experiencing lower rates of inflation and higher rates of real growth in gross domestic product ("GDP") than they have in the past, other Latin American countries continue to experience significant problems, including high inflation rates and high interest rates. Capital flight has proven a persistent problem and external debt has been forcibly rescheduled. Political turmoil, high inflation, capital repatriation restrictions and nationalization have further exacerbated conditions. Large budget deficits and a high level of state ownership in many productive and service areas have given way to balanced budgets and privatization in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Changes in political leadership have encouraged the implementation of market oriented economic policies such as balanced budgets. Privatization trade reform and monetary reform have been among the steps taken to modernize the Latin American economies and to regenerate growth in the region. However, governments of many Latin American countries have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector through the ownership or control of many companies, including some of the largest in those countries. As a result, government actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions which may adversely affect prices of certain portfolio securities. Expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization, political, economic or social instability or other similar developments, such as military coups, have occurred in the past and could also adversely affect the Portfolio's investments in this region. Changes in political leadership, the implementation of market oriented economic policies, such as privatization, trade reform and fiscal and monetary reform are among the recent steps taken to renew economic growth. External debt is being restructured and flight capital (domestic capital that has left the home country) has begun to return. Inflation control efforts have also been implemented. Free trade zones are being discussed in various areas around the region, the most notable being a free trade zone between Mexico and the U.S. Various trade agreements have also been formed within the region such as the Andean Pact, Mercosur and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The largest of these is NAFTA, which was implemented on January 1, 1994. Latin American equity markets can be extremely volatile and in the past have shown little correlation with the U.S. market. Currencies are typically weak, but most are now relatively free floating, and it is not unusual for the currencies to undergo wide fluctuations in value over short periods of time due to changes in the market. Foreign Securities: Special Considerations Concerning the Pacific Basin. Many Asian countries may be subject to a greater degree of social, political and economic instability than is the case in the United States and European countries. Such instability may result from (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision-making; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic and social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; and (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection. The economies of most of the Asian countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners, principally, the United States, Japan, China and the European Community. The enactment by the United States or other principal trading partners of protectionist trade legislation, reduction of foreign investment in the local economies and general declines in the international securities markets could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of the Asian countries. Thailand has been transformed into one of the fastest growing stock markets in the world. On February 23, 1991, the military staged its 17th coup since the overthrow of the absolute monarchy in 1932. The newly appointed government quickly focused on the economy and enacted major tax revisions, slashing personal income tax and reducing taxes on imports. Most significantly, it pushed through a 7% value added tax. Released from political consideration by the coup, the Bank of Thailand was finally able to implement a monetary tightening. As a result, interest rates rose and GDP declined to 7.7% from 10% the previous year. The government continues to move ahead with new projects - especially telecommunications, roads and port facilities - needed to refurbish the country's overtaxed infrastructure. Nonetheless, political unrest coupled with the shooting of anti-government demonstrators in May 1992 has caused many international businesses to question Thailand's political stability. Hong Kong's impending return to Chinese dominion in 1997 has not initially had a positive effect on its economic growth which was vigorous in the 1980's. However, authorities in Beijing have agreed to maintain a capitalist system for 50 years that, along with Hong Kong's economic growth, continued to further strong stock market returns. In preparation for 1997, Hong Kong has to develop trade with China, where it is the largest foreign investor, while also maintaining its long-standing export relationship with the United States. Spending on infrastructure improvements is a significant priority of the colonial government while the private sector continues to diversify abroad based on its position as an established international trade center in the Far East. In terms of GDP, industrial standards and level of education, South Korea is second only to Japan in Asia. It enjoys the benefits of a diversified economy with well developed sectors in electronics, automotive, textiles and shoe manufacturing, steel and shipbuilding among others. The driving force behind the economy's dynamic growth has been the planned development of an export-oriented economy in a vigorously entrepreneurial society. Real GDP grew about 7.5% in 1991. Labor unrest was noticeably calmer, unemployment averaged a low of 2.3%, and investment was strong. Inflation rates, however, are beginning to challenge South Korea's strong economic performance. In addition, the international situation between South and North Korea continues to improve. Both Koreas joined the United Nations separately in late 1991, creating another forum for negotiation and joint cooperation. Indonesia is a mixed economy with many socialist institutions and central planning, but has recently placed emphasis on deregulation and private enterprise. Like Thailand, Indonesia has extensive natural wealth, yet with a large and rapidly increasingly population, it remains a poor country. Agriculture, including forestry and fishing, is an important sector, accounting for 21% of GDP and over 50% of the labor force. Once the world's largest rice importer, Indonesia is now nearly self-sufficient. The Malaysian economy continued to perform well, growing at an average annual rate of 9% from 1987 through 1991. This placed Malaysia as one of the fastest growing economies in the Asian-Pacific region. Malaysia has become the world's third-largest producer of semiconductor devices (after the U.S. and Japan) and the world's largest exporter of semiconductor devices. More remarkable is the country's ability to achieve rapid economic growth with relative price stability (2% inflation over the past five years) as the government followed prudent fiscal/monetary policies. Malaysia's high export dependence level leaves it vulnerable to a recession in the OECD countries or a fall in world commodity prices. Singapore has an open entrepreneurial economy with strong service and manufacturing sectors and excellent international trading links derived from its entrepot history. During the 1970's and early 1980's, the economy expanded rapidly, achieving an average annual growth rate of 9%. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia. Singapore holds a position as a major oil refining and services center. Foreign Securities: Special Considerations Concerning China and China Region. China's economic reform plan was designed to bring in foreign investment capital and technological skills. The result has been a move towards a more mixed economy away from the previous centrally planned economy. The process of devolving responsibility for all aspects of enterprise to local management and authorities continues, even though the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics involves considerable influence by the central government on production and marketing. In order to attract foreign investment, China has since 1978 designated certain areas of the country where overseas investors can receive special investment incentives and tax concessions. There are five Special Economic Zones (Shenzhen, Shantou and Zhuhai in Guangdong Province, Xiamen in Fujian Province and Hainan Island, which itself is a province). Fourteen coastal cities have been designated as "open cities" and certain Open Economic Zones have been established in coastal areas. Shanghai has established the Pudong New Area. Twenty-seven High and New Technology Industrial Development Zones have been approved where preferential treatment is given to enterprises which are confirmed as technology intensive. China has had for many centuries a well deserved reputation for being closed to foreigners, with trade with the outside world being carried on under terms of extreme restriction and under central control. Such conditions were maintained in the first thirty years of the Communist regime which began in 1949; however, there have been several stages of evolution, from the institution of an industrialization program in the 1950s to a modernization policy commencing in 1978 which combined economic development with the beginnings of opening the country. The securities markets in the China region are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States. A high proportion of the shares of many Chinese issuers may be held by a limited number of persons and financial institutions, which may limit the number of shares available for investment by the Portfolio. Similarly, volume and liquidity in the bond markets in China are less than in the United States and, at times, price volatility can be greater than in the United States. A limited number of issuers in Chinese securities markets may represent a disproportionately large percentage of market capitalization and trading value. The limited liquidity of securities markets in China may also affect the Portfolio's ability to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so. Accordingly, during periods of rising securities prices in the more illiquid Chinese securities markets, the Portfolio's ability to participate fully in such price increases may be limited by its investment policy of investing not more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Conversely, the Portfolio's inability to dispose fully and promptly of positions in declining markets will cause the Portfolio's net asset value to decline as the value of the unsold positions is marked to lower prices. In addition, the Chinese securities markets are susceptible to being influenced by large investors trading significant blocks of securities. The Chinese, Hong Kong and Taiwan stock markets are undergoing a period of growth and change which may result in trading volatility and difficulties in the settlement and recording of transactions, and in interpreting and applying the relevant law and regulations. China governmental actions can have a significant effect on the economic conditions in China, which could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Portfolio's investments. Although the Chinese government has recently begun to institute economic reform policies, there can be no assurances that it will continue to pursue such policies or, if it does, that such policies will succeed. The securities industry in China is not well developed. China has no securities laws of nationwide applicability. The municipal securities regulations adopted by Shanghai and Shenzhen municipalities are very new, as are their respective securities exchanges and other self-regulatory organizations. In addition, Chinese stockbrokers and other intermediaries may not perform as well as their counterparts in the United States and other more developed securities markets. The prices at which the Portfolio may acquire investments may be affected by trading by persons with material non-public information and by securities transactions by brokers in anticipation of transactions by the Portfolio in particular securities. China does not have a comprehensive system of laws, although substantial changes have occurred in this regard in recent years. The corporate form of organization has only recently been permitted in China and national regulations governing corporations were introduced only in May 1992. Prior to the introduction of such regulations, Shanghai had adopted a set of corporate regulations applicable to corporations located or listed in Shanghai, and the relationship between the two sets of regulations is not clear. Consequently, until a firmer legal basis is provided, even such fundamental corporate law tenets as the limited liability status of Chinese issuers and their authority to issue shares remain open to question. Laws regarding fiduciary duties of officers and directors and the protection of shareholders are not well developed. China's judiciary is relatively inexperienced in enforcing the laws that exist, leading to a higher than usual degree of uncertainty as to the outcome of any litigation. Even where adequate law exists in China, it may be impossible to obtain swift and equitable enforcement of such law, or to obtain enforcement of the judgment by a court of another jurisdiction. The bankruptcy laws pertaining to state enterprises have rarely been used and are untried in regard to an enterprise with foreign shareholders, and there can be no assurance that such shareholders, including the Portfolio, would be able to realize the value of the assets of the enterprise or receive payment in convertible currency. As the Chinese legal system develops, the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws and the preemption of local laws by national laws may adversely affect foreign investors, including the Portfolio. The uncertainties faced by foreign investors in China are exacerbated by the fact that many laws, regulations and decrees of China are not publicly available, but merely circulated internally. Exports continue to rise strongly, although China remains vulnerable to United States economic conditions and possible trade sanctions, unless it liberalizes current import restrictions and improves its human rights record. However, imports are also expected to rise and may outstrip exports in terms of growth rates. There are currently two officially recognized securities exchanges in China -- The Shanghai Securities Exchange which opened in December 1990 and The Shenzhen Stock Exchange which opened in July 1991. Shares traded on these Exchanges are two types -- "A" shares which can be traded only by Chinese investors and "B" shares which can be traded only by individuals and corporations not resident in China. In Shanghai, all "B" shares are denominated in Chinese renminbi ("RMB"), but all transactions in "B" shares must be settled in U.S. dollars, and all distributions made on "B" shares are payable in U.S. dollars, the exchange rate being the weighted average exchange rate for the U.S. dollar as published by the Shanghai Foreign Exchange Adjustment Centre. In Shenzhen, the purchase and sale prices for "B" shares are quoted in Hong Kong dollars. Dividends and other lawful revenue derived from "B" shares are calculated in RMB but payable in Hong Kong dollars, the rate of exchange being the average rate published by Shenzhen Foreign Exchange Adjustment Centre. There are no foreign exchange restrictions on the repatriation of gains made on or income derived from "B" shares, subject to the payment of taxes imposed by China thereon. Company law relating to companies limited by shares and regulations regarding the issuing of shares by equity joint ventures have not yet been developed on a national basis. The Shenzhen municipality issued regulations in 1992 relating to joint stock companies, and the Shanghai municipality has a draft joint stock company law under review. Regulations governing the trading of securities on both the Shenzhen and the Shanghai stock exchanges have been issued by each municipality; there is no national securities legislation as yet. Economies of countries in the China region may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as rate of growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. As an export-driven economy, the economy of China is affected by developments in the economies of its principal trading partners. Revocation by the United States of China's "Most Favored Nation" trading status, which the U.S. President and Congress reconsider annually, would adversely affect the trade and economic development of China and Hong Kong. Hong Kong and Taiwan have limited natural resources, resulting in dependence on foreign sources for certain raw materials and economic vulnerability to global fluctuations of price and supply. Rating Services The ratings of rating services represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities that they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. Although these ratings are an initial criterion for selection of portfolio investments, Bankers Trust also makes its own evaluation of these securities, subject to review by the Board of Trustees. After purchase by a Portfolio, an obligation may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by the Portfolio. Neither event would require a Portfolio to eliminate the obligation from its portfolio, but Bankers Trust will consider such an event in its determination of whether a Portfolio should continue to hold the obligation. A description of the ratings is included in the Funds' Prospectus. Investment Restrictions The following investment restrictions are "fundamental policies" of each Fund and each Portfolio and may not be changed with respect to the Fund or the Portfolio without the approval of a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the Fund or the Portfolio, as the case may be. "Majority of the outstanding voting securities" under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and as used in this SAI and the Prospectuses, means, with respect to the Fund (or the Portfolio), the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (or of the total beneficial interests of the Portfolio) present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (or of the total beneficial interests of the Portfolio) are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (or of the total beneficial interests of the Portfolio). Whenever the Trust is requested to vote on a fundamental policy of a Portfolio, the Trust will hold a meeting of the corresponding Fund's shareholders and will cast its vote as instructed by that Fund's shareholders. Fund shareholders who do not vote will not affect the Trust's votes at the Portfolio meeting. The percentage of the Trust's votes representing Fund shareholders not voting will be voted by the Trustees of the Trust in the same proportion as the Fund shareholders who do, in fact, vote. As a matter of fundamental policy, no Portfolio (or Fund) may (except that no investment restriction of a Fund shall prevent a Fund from investing all of its Assets in an open-end investment company with substantially the same investment objectives): (1) borrow money or mortgage or hypothecate assets of the Portfolio (Fund), except that in an amount not to exceed 1/3 of the current value of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets, it may borrow money (but only as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes in the case of the Small Cap Portfolio (Fund), Capital Appreciation Portfolio (Fund), International Equity Portfolio (Fund), and Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio (Fund)), and enter into reverse repurchase agreements or dollar roll transactions, and except that it may pledge, mortgage or hypothecate not more than 1/3 of such assets to secure such borrowings (it is intended that money would be borrowed only from banks and only either to accommodate requests for the withdrawal of beneficial interests (redemption of shares) while effecting an orderly liquidation of portfolio securities or to maintain liquidity in the event of an unanticipated failure to complete a portfolio security transaction or other similar situations) or reverse repurchase agreements, provided that collateral arrangements with respect to options and futures, including deposits of initial deposit and variation margin, are not considered a pledge of assets for purposes of this restriction and except that assets may be pledged to secure letters of credit solely for the purpose of participating in a captive insurance company sponsored by the Investment Company Institute; for additional related restrictions, see clause (i) under the caption "Additional Restrictions" below (as an operating policy, the Portfolios may not engage in dollar-roll transactions); (2) underwrite securities issued by other persons except insofar as the Portfolios (Trust or the Funds) may technically be deemed an underwriter under the 1933 Act in selling a portfolio security; (3) make loans to other persons except: (a) through the lending of the Portfolio's (Fund's) portfolio securities and provided that any such loans not exceed 30% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken at market value); (b) through the use of repurchase agreements or the purchase of short-term obligations; or (c) by purchasing a portion of an issue of debt securities of types distributed publicly or privately; (4) purchase or sell real estate (including limited partnership interests but excluding securities secured by real estate or interests therein), interests in oil, gas or mineral leases, commodities or commodity contracts (except futures and option contracts) in the ordinary course of business (except that the Portfolio (Trust) may hold and sell, for the Portfolio's (Fund's) portfolio, real estate acquired as a result of the Portfolio's (Fund's) ownership of securities); (5) concentrate its investments in any particular industry (excluding U.S. government securities), but if it is deemed appropriate for the achievement of a Portfolio's (Fund's) investment objective(s), up to 25% of its total assets may be invested in any one industry; and (6) issue any senior security (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) if such issuance is specifically prohibited by the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, provided that collateral arrangements with respect to options and futures, including deposits of initial deposit and variation margin, are not considered to be the issuance of a senior security for purposes of this restriction. As an operating policy, except as otherwise noted, no Portfolio will invest in another open-end registered investment company. This operating policy does not apply to the Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio, Capital Appreciation Portfolio, or International Equity Portfolio. Additional Restrictions. In order to comply with certain statutes and policies, each Portfolio (or the Trust, on behalf of each Fund) will not as a matter of operating policy (except that no operating policy shall prevent a Fund from investing all of its Assets in an open-end investment company with substantially the same investment objectives): (i) borrow money (including through reverse repurchase or forward roll transactions) for any purpose in excess of 5% (10% with respect to Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio (Fund)) of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken at cost), except that the Portfolio (Fund) may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes up to 1/3 of its total assets; (ii) pledge, mortgage or hypothecate for any purpose in excess of 10% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken at market value), provided that collateral arrangements with respect to options and futures, including deposits of initial deposit and variation margin, and reverse repurchase agreements are not considered a pledge of assets for purposes of this restriction; (iii) purchase any security or evidence of interest therein on margin, except that such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities may be obtained and except that deposits of initial deposit and variation margin may be made in connection with the purchase, ownership, holding or sale of futures; (iv) except for Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio (Fund), sell securities it does not own (short sales) such that the dollar amount of such short sales at any one time exceeds 25% of the net equity of the Portfolio (Fund), and the value of securities of any one issuer in which the Portfolio (Fund) is short exceeds the lesser of 2.0% of the value of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets or 2.0% of the securities of any class of any U.S. issuer and, provided that short sales may be made only in those securities which are fully listed on a national securities exchange or a foreign exchange (This provision does not include the sale of securities that the Portfolio (Fund) contemporaneously owns or where the Portfolio has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to those sold, i.e., short sales against the box.) (the Portfolios (Funds) currently do not engage in short selling); (v) with respect to Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio (Fund), (a) sell any security which it does not own unless by virtue of its ownership of other securities it has at the time of sale a right to obtain securities, without payment of further consideration, equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold and provided that if such right is conditional the sale is made upon the same conditions; and (b) make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, unless at all times when a short position is open it owns an equal amount of such securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable, without payment of any further consideration, for securities of the same issue and equal in amount to, the securities sold short, and unless not more than 10% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets (taken at market value) is represented by such securities, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such securities, at any one time (the Portfolio (Fund) has no current intention to engage in short selling); (vi) invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of another company; (vii) purchase securities issued by any investment company except by purchase in the open market where no commission or profit to a sponsor or dealer results from such purchase other than the customary broker's commission, or except when such purchase, though not made in the open market, is part of a plan of merger or consolidation; provided, however, that securities of any investment company will not be purchased for the Portfolio (Fund) if such purchase at the time thereof would cause: (a) more than 10% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken at the greater of cost or market value) to be invested in the securities of such issuers; (b) more than 5% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken at the greater of cost or market value) to be invested in any one investment company; or (c) more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of any such issuer to be held for the Portfolio (Fund); provided further that, except in the case of a merger or consolidation, the Portfolio (Fund) shall not purchase any securities of any open-end investment company unless (1) the Portfolio's investment adviser waives the investment advisory fee with respect to assets invested in other open-end investment companies and (2) the Portfolio incurs no sales charge in connection with the investment; (viii) except for Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio (Fund), invest more than 10% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken at the greater of cost or market value) in securities (excluding Rule 144A securities) that are restricted as to resale under the 1933 Act; (ix) except for Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio (Fund), invest more than 15% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken at the greater of cost or market value) in (a) securities (excluding Rule 144A securities) that are restricted as to resale under the 1933 Act, and (b) securities that are issued by issuers which (including predecessors) have been in operation less than three years (other than U.S. government securities), provided, however, that no more than 5% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets are invested in securities issued by issuers which (including predecessors) have been in operation less than three years; (x) except for Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio (Fund), invest more than 15% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets (taken at the greater of cost or market value) in securities that are illiquid or not readily marketable (excluding Rule 144A securities deemed by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio (Trust) to be liquid); (xi) with respect to Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio (Fund), invest more than 15% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets (taken at the greater of cost or market value) in securities that are illiquid or not readily marketable not including (a) Rule 144A securities that have been determined to be liquid by the Board of Trustees; and (b) commercial paper that is sold under section 4(2) of the 1933 Act which: (i) is not traded flat or in default as to interest or principal; and (ii) is rated in one of the two highest categories by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations and the Portfolio's (Fund's) Board of Trustees have determined the commercial paper to be liquid; or (iii) is rated in one of the two highest categories by one nationally recognized statistical rating agency and the Portfolio's (Fund's) Board of Trustees have determined that the commercial paper is equivalent quality and is liquid; (xii) with respect to Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio, (a) invest more than 10% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets (taken at the greater of cost or market value) in securities that are restricted as to resale under the 1933 Act (other than Rule 144A securities deemed liquid by the Portfolio's (Fund's) Board of Trustees), and (b) no more than 5% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets will be invested in securities issued by issuers which (including predecessors) have been in operation less than three years; (xiii) except for Capital Appreciation Portfolio (Fund) and International Equity Portfolio (Fund), with respect to 75% (50% in the case of Global High Yield Securities Portfolio (Fund)) of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets, purchase securities of any issuer if such purchase at the time thereof would cause the Portfolio (Fund) to hold more than 10% of any class of securities of such issuer, for which purposes all indebtedness of an issuer shall be deemed a single class and all preferred stock of an issuer shall be deemed a single class, except that futures or option contracts shall not be subject to this restriction; (xiv) with respect to Capital Appreciation Portfolio (Fund) and International Equity Portfolio (Fund), with respect to 75% of its assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities (excluding U.S. government securities) of any one issuer; (xv) except for Capital Appreciation Portfolio (Fund) and International Equity Portfolio (Fund), with respect to 75% (50% in the case of Global High Yield Securities Portfolio (Fund)) of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities (excluding U.S. government securities) of any one issuer and in the case of Global High Yield Securities Portfolio (Fund) invest more than 25% of its total assets in any one issuer; (xvi) invest in securities issued by an issuer any of whose officers, directors, trustees or security holders is an officer or Trustee of the Portfolio (Trust), or is an officer or director of the Adviser, if after the purchase of the securities of such issuer for the Portfolio (Fund) one or more of such persons owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1% of the shares or securities, or both, all taken at market value, of such issuer, and such persons owning more than 1/2 of 1% of such shares or securities together own beneficially more than 5% of such shares or securities, or both, all taken at market value; (xvii) invest in warrants (other than warrants acquired by the Portfolio (Fund) as part of a unit or attached to securities at the time of purchase) if, as a result, the investments (valued at the lower of cost or market) would exceed 5% of the value of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets or if, as a result, more than 2% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets (with the exception of the Pacific Basin Equity Portfolio (Fund) which may invest up to 10% of its net assets in warrants) would be invested in warrants not listed on a recognized United States or foreign stock exchange (New York or American Stock Exchange with respect to the Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio (Fund)), to the extent permitted by applicable state securities laws; (xviii) write puts and calls on securities unless each of the following conditions are met: (a) the security underlying the put or call is within the investment policies of the Portfolio (Fund) and the option is issued by the OCC, except for put and call options issued by non-U.S. entities or listed on non-U.S. securities or commodities exchanges; (b) the aggregate value of the obligations underlying the puts determined as of the date the options are sold shall not exceed 5% (50% with respect to Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio (Fund)) of the Portfolio's (Fund's) net assets; (c) the securities subject to the exercise of the call written by the Portfolio (Fund) must be owned by the Portfolio (Fund) at the time the call is sold and must continue to be owned by the Portfolio (Fund) until the call has been exercised, has lapsed, or the Portfolio (Fund) has purchased a closing call, and such purchase has been confirmed, thereby extinguishing the Portfolio's (Fund's) obligation to deliver securities pursuant to the call it has sold; and (d) at the time a put is written, the Portfolio (Fund) establishes a segregated account with its custodian consisting of cash or short-term U.S. government securities equal in value to the amount the Portfolio (Fund) will be obligated to pay upon exercise of the put (this account must be maintained until the put is exercised, has expired, or the Portfolio (Fund) has purchased a closing put, which is a put of the same series as the one previously written); and (xix) buy and sell puts and calls on securities, stock index futures or options on stock index futures, or financial futures or options on financial futures unless such options are written by other persons and: (a) the options or futures are offered through the facilities of a national securities association or are listed on a national securities or commodities exchange, except for put and call options issued by non-U.S. entities or listed on non-U.S. securities or commodities exchanges; (b) the aggregate premiums paid on all such options which are held at any time do not exceed 20% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total net assets; and (c) the aggregate margin deposits required on all such futures or options thereon held at any time do not exceed 5% of the Portfolio's (Fund's) total assets. There will be no violation of any investment restriction if that restriction is complied with at the time the relevant action is taken, notwithstanding a later change in the market value of an investment, in net or total assets or in the change of securities rating of the investment, or any other later change. Each Fund will comply with the state securities laws and regulations of all states in which it is registered. Each Portfolio will comply with the permitted investments and investment limitations in the securities laws and regulations of all states in which the corresponding Fund, or any other registered investment company investing in the Portfolio, is registered. Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Commissions The Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities, futures contracts and options on such securities and futures for each Portfolio, the selection of brokers, dealers and futures commission merchants to effect transactions and the negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. Broker-dealers may receive brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions, including options, futures and options on futures transactions and the purchase and sale of underlying securities upon the exercise of options. Orders may be directed to any broker-dealer or futures commission merchant, including to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, Bankers Trust or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Purchases and sales of certain portfolio securities on behalf of a Portfolio are frequently placed by the Adviser with the issuer or a primary or secondary market-maker for these securities on a net basis, without any brokerage commission being paid by the Portfolio. Trading does, however, involve transaction costs. Transactions with dealers serving as market-makers reflect the spread between the bid and asked prices. Transaction costs may also include fees paid to third parties for information as to potential purchasers or sellers of securities. Purchases of underwritten issues may be made which will include an underwriting fee paid to the underwriter. The Adviser seeks to evaluate the overall reasonableness of the brokerage commissions paid (to the extent applicable) in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities for a Portfolio taking into account such factors as price, commission (negotiable in the case of national securities exchange transactions), if any, size of order, difficulty of execution and skill required of the executing broker-dealer through familiarity with commissions charged on comparable transactions, as well as by comparing commissions paid by the Portfolio to reported commissions paid by others. The Adviser reviews on a routine basis commission rates, execution and settlement services performed, making internal and external comparisons. The Adviser is authorized, consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, when placing portfolio transactions for a Portfolio with a broker to pay a brokerage commission (to the extent applicable) in excess of that which another broker might have charged for effecting the same transaction on account of the receipt of research, market or statistical information. The term "research, market or statistical information" includes advice as to the value of securities; the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities; the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; and furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts. Consistent with the policy stated above, the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and such other policies as the Trustees of the Portfolio may determine, the Adviser may consider sales of shares of the Trust and of other investment company clients of Bankers Trust as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions. Bankers Trust will make such allocations if commissions are comparable to those charged by nonaffiliated, qualified broker-dealers for similar services. Higher commissions may be paid to firms that provide research services to the extent permitted by law. Bankers Trust may use this research information in managing the Portfolio's assets, as well as the assets of other clients. Except for implementing the policies stated above, there is no intention to place portfolio transactions with particular brokers or dealers or groups thereof. In effecting transactions in over-the-counter securities, orders are placed with the principal market-makers for the security being traded unless, after exercising care, it appears that more favorable results are available otherwise. Although certain research, market and statistical information from brokers and dealers can be useful to a Portfolio and to the Adviser, it is the opinion of the management of the Portfolios that such information is only supplementary to the Adviser's own research effort, since the information must still be analyzed, weighed and reviewed by the Adviser's staff. Such information may be useful to the Adviser in providing services to clients other than the Portfolios, and not all such information is used by the Adviser in connection with the Portfolios. Conversely, such information provided to the Adviser by brokers and dealers through whom other clients of the Adviser effect securities transactions may be useful to the Adviser in providing services to the Portfolios. In certain instances there may be securities which are suitable for a Portfolio as well as for one or more of the Adviser's other clients. Investment decisions for a Portfolio and for the Adviser's other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling that same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as a Portfolio is concerned. However, it is believed that the ability of a Portfolio to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions for the Portfolio. For the period from January 1, 1996 to September 30, 1996, and the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio paid no brokerage commissions. Global High Yield Securities Portfolio paid no brokerage commissions for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, $5,653 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995 and paid no brokerage commissions for the period from December 14, 1993 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 1994. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, and the year ended December 31, 1994, Capital Appreciation Portfolio paid brokerage commissions in the amount of $648,897, $247,868 and $162,941, respectively. Small Cap Portfolio paid brokerage commissions in the amount of $238,160 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, $70,603 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995 and $20,835 for the period from October 21, 1993 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 1994. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, and the year ended December 31, 1994, International Equity Portfolio paid brokerage commissions in the amount of $603,995, $132,894 and $110,580, respectively. Pacific Basin Equity Portfolio paid brokerage commissions in the amount of $323,957, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, $192,123 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995 and $139,363 for the period from November 1, 1993 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 1994. Latin American Equity Portfolio paid brokerage commissions in the amount of $164,049 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, $202,130 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995, and $188,008 for the period from October 25, 1993 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 1994. PERFORMANCE INFORMATION Standard Performance Information From time to time, quotations of a Fund's performance may be included in advertisements, sales literature or shareholder reports. These performance figures are calculated in the following manner: Yield: Yields for a Fund used in advertising are computed by dividing the Fund's interest and dividend income for a given 30-day or one-month period, net of expenses, by the average number of shares entitled to receive distributions during the period, dividing this figure by the Fund's net asset value per share at the end of the period, and annualizing the result (assuming compounding of income) in order to arrive at an annual percentage rate. Income is calculated for purpose of yield quotations in accordance with standardized methods applicable to all stock and bond mutual funds. Dividends from equity investments are treated as if they were accrued on a daily basis, solely for the purpose of yield calculations. In general, interest income is reduced with respect to bonds trading at a premium over their par value by subtracting a portion of the premium from income on a daily basis, and is increased with respect to bonds trading at a discount by adding a portion of the discount to daily income. Capital gains and losses generally are excluded from the calculation. Income calculated for the purposes of calculating a Fund's yield differs from income as determined for other accounting purposes. Because of the different accounting methods used, and because of the compounding assumed in yield calculations, the yield quoted for a Fund may differ from the rate of distributions of the Fund paid over the same period or the rate of income reported in the Fund's financial statements. For the 30-day period ended September 30, 1996, Global High Yield Fund's yield was 7.30%. Tax-Equivalent Yield: The Intermediate Tax Free Fund's tax-equivalent yield is equal to the Fund's yield divided by (1-Tax Rate). As of September 30, 1996, the Intermediate Tax Free Fund's tax equivalent 30-day SEC yield was 5.81%, assuming a maximum Federal tax rate of 31%. The Intermediate Tax Free Fund's 30-day SEC yield for the period ended September 30, 1996 was 4.01%. Total return: A Fund's average annual total return is calculated for certain periods by determining the average annual compounded rates of return over those periods that would cause an investment of $1,000 (made at the maximum public offering price with all distributions reinvested) to reach the value of that investment at the end of the periods. A Fund may also calculate total return figures which represent aggregate performance over a period or year-by-year performance.
Global High Yield Capital Intermediate Tax Securities AppreciationFund3 Small Cap Free Fund1 Fund2 Fund4 Total Return for the One Year Ended September 30, 1996 4.09% 23.31% 12.35% 26.41% Cumulative Total Return for the Period From Commencement of Operations Through September 30, 1996 23.39% 32.31% 89.09% 133.85% Annualized Total Return for the Period From Commencement of Operations Through September 30, 1996 5.14% 10.54% 19.58% 33.46% 1Fund commenced operations on July 20, 1992 2Fund commenced operations on December 14, 1993. 3Fund commenced operations on March 9, 1993. 4Fund commenced operations on October 21, 1993. Latin International Pacific Basin American Equity Equity Fund1 Equity Fund2 Fund3 Total Return for 1 Year ended September 30, 1996 13.21% 7.86% 26.00% Cumulative Total Return for the Period from Commencement of Operations through September 30, 1996 83.28% 23.34% 8.91% Average Annual Total Return for the Period from Commencement of Operations through September 30, 1996 15.69% 7.17% 2.95%
1Fund commenced operations on August 4, 1992. 2Fund commenced operations on November 1, 1993August 4, 1992. 3Fund commenced operations on October 25, 1993. Performance Results: Any total return quotation provided for a Fund should not be considered as representative of the performance of the Fund in the future since the net asset value and public offering price of shares of the Fund will vary based not only on the type, quality and maturities of the securities held in the corresponding Portfolio, but also on changes in the current value of such securities and on changes in the expenses of the Fund and the corresponding Portfolio. These factors and possible differences in the methods used to calculate total return should be considered when comparing the total return of a Fund to total returns published for other investment companies or other investment vehicles. Total return reflects the performance of both principal and income. Comparison of Fund Performance Comparison of the quoted nonstandardized performance of various investments is valid only if performance is calculated in the same manner. Since there are different methods of calculating performance, investors should consider the effect of the methods used to calculate performance when comparing performance of a Fund with performance quoted with respect to other investment companies or types of investments. In connection with communicating its performance to current or prospective shareholders, a Fund also may compare these figures to the performance of other mutual funds tracked by mutual fund rating services or to unmanaged indices which may assume reinvestment of dividends but generally do not reflect deductions for administrative and management costs. Evaluations of a Fund's performance made by independent sources may also be used in advertisements concerning the Fund. Sources for a Fund's performance information could include the following: Asian Wall Street Journal, a weekly Asian newspaper that often reviews U.S. mutual funds investing internationally. Barron's, a Dow Jones and Company, Inc. business and financial weekly that periodically reviews mutual fund performance data. Business Week, a national business weekly that periodically reports the performance rankings and ratings of a variety of mutual funds investing abroad. Changing Times, The Kiplinger Magazine, a monthly investment advisory publication that periodically features the performance of a variety of securities. Consumer Digest, a monthly business/financial magazine that includes a "Money Watch" section featuring financial news. Financial Times, Europe's business newspaper, which features from time to time articles on international or country-specific funds. Financial World, a general business/financial magazine that includes a "Market Watch" department reporting on activities in the mutual fund industry. Forbes, a national business publication that from time to time reports the performance of specific investment companies in the mutual fund industry. Fortune, a national business publication that periodically rates the performance of a variety of mutual funds. Global Investor, a European publication that periodically reviews the performance of U.S. mutual funds investing internationally. Investor's Daily, a daily newspaper that features financial, economic and business news. Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.'s Mutual Fund Performance Analysis, a weekly publication of industry-wide mutual fund averages by type of fund. Money, a monthly magazine that from time to time features both specific funds and the mutual fund industry as a whole. Morningstar Inc., a publisher of financial information and mutual fund research. New York Times, a nationally distributed newspaper which regularly covers financial news. Personal Investing News, a monthly news publication that often reports on investment opportunities and market conditions. Personal Investor, a monthly investment advisory publication that includes a "Mutual Funds Outlook" section reporting on mutual fund performance measures, yields, indices and portfolio holdings. Success, a monthly magazine targeted to the world of entrepreneurs and growing business, often featuring mutual fund performance data. U.S. News and World Report, a national business weekly that periodically reports mutual fund performance data. ValueLine, a biweekly publication that reports on the largest 15,000 mutual funds. Wall Street Journal, a Dow Jones and Company, Inc. newspaper which regularly covers financial news. Weisenberger Investment Companies Services, an annual compendium of information about mutual funds and other investment companies, including comparative data on funds' backgrounds, management policies, salient features, management results, income and dividend records, and price ranges. Working Women, a monthly publication that features a "Financial Workshop" section reporting on the mutual fund/financial industry. VALUATION OF SECURITIES; REDEMPTIONS AND PURCHASES IN KIND Equity and debt securities (other than short-term debt obligations maturing in 60 days or less), including listed securities and securities for which price quotations are available, will normally be valued on the basis of market valuations furnished by a pricing service. Such market valuations may represent the last quoted price on the securities major trading exchange or may be determined through use of matrix pricing. In matrix pricing, pricing services may use various pricing models, involving comparable securities, historic relative price movements, economic factors and dealer quotations. Over-the-counter securities will normally be valued at the bid price. Short-term debt obligations and money market securities maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are valued by Bankers Trust pursuant to procedures adopted by each Portfolio's Board of Trustees. It is generally agreed that securities for which market quotations are not readily available should not be valued at the same value as that carried by an equivalent security which is readily marketable. The problems inherent in making a good faith determination of value are recognized in the codification effected by SEC Financial Reporting Release No. 1 ("FRR 1" (formerly Accounting Series Release No. 113)) which concludes that there is "no automatic formula" for calculating the value of restricted securities. It recommends that the best method simply is to consider all relevant factors before making any calculation. According to FRR 1 such factors would include consideration of the: type of security involved, financial statements, cost at date of purchase, size of holding, discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase, special reports prepared by analysts, information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security, existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security, price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies, and other relevant matters. To the extent that a Portfolio purchases securities which are restricted as to resale or for which current market quotations are not readily available, the Adviser of the Portfolio will value such securities based upon all relevant factors as outlined in FRR 1. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, and each Portfolio reserve the right, if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable, to honor any request for redemption or withdrawal by making payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities chosen by the Trust, or the Portfolio, as the case may be, and valued as they are for purposes of computing the Fund's or the Portfolio's net asset value, as the case may be (a redemption in kind). If payment is made to a Fund shareholder in securities, an investor, including the Fund, the shareholder may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities into cash. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, and each Portfolio have elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act as a result of which each Fund and each Portfolio are obligated to redeem shares or beneficial interests, as the case may be, with respect to any one investor during any 90-day period, solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund or the Portfolio, as the case may be, at the beginning of the period. Each Portfolio has agreed to make a redemption in kind to the corresponding Fund whenever the Fund wishes to make a redemption in kind and therefore shareholders of the Fund that receive redemptions in kind will receive portfolio securities of the corresponding Portfolio and in no case will they receive a security issued by the Portfolio. Each Portfolio has advised the Trust that the Portfolio will not redeem in kind except in circumstances in which the Fund is permitted to redeem in kind or unless requested by the Fund. Each investor in a Portfolio, including the corresponding Fund, may add to or reduce its investment in the Portfolio on each day the Portfolio determines its net asset value. At the close of each such business day, the value of each investor's beneficial interest in the Portfolio will be determined by multiplying the net asset value of the Portfolio by the percentage effective for that day, which represents that investor's share of the aggregate beneficial interests in the Portfolio. Any additions or withdrawals which are to be effected as of the close of business on that day will then be effected. The investor's percentage of the aggregate beneficial interests in the Portfolio will then be recomputed as the percentage equal to the fraction (i) the numerator of which is the value of such investor's investment in the Portfolio as of the close of business on such day plus or minus, as the case may be, the amount of net additions to or withdrawals from the investor's investment in the Portfolio effected as of the close of business on such day, and (ii) the denominator of which is the aggregate net asset value of the Portfolio as of the close of business on such day plus or minus, as the case may be, the amount of net additions to or withdrawals from the aggregate investments in the Portfolio by all investors in the Portfolio. The percentage so determined will then be applied to determine the value of the investor's interest in the Portfolio as the close of business on the following business day. Each Fund (except for Intermediate Tax Free Fund) may, at its own option, accept securities in payment for shares. The securities delivered in payment for shares are valued by the method described under "Net Asset Value" as of the day the Fund receives the securities. This may be a taxable transaction to the shareholder. (Consult your tax adviser for future tax guidance.) Securities may be accepted in payment for shares only if they are, in the judgment of Bankers Trust, appropriate investments for the Fund's corresponding Portfolio. In addition, securities accepted in payment for shares must: (i) meet the investment objective and policies of the acquiring Fund's corresponding Portfolio; (ii) be acquired by the applicable Fund for investment and not for resale (other than for resale to the Fund's corresponding Portfolio); (iii) be liquid securities which are not restricted as to transfer either by law or liquidity of the market; and (iv) if stock, have a value which is readily ascertainable as evidenced by a listing on a stock exchange, over-the-counter market or by readily available market quotations from a dealer in such securities. Each Fund reserves the right to accept or reject at its own option any and all securities offered in payment for its shares. MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST AND THE PORTFOLIOS Each Board of Trustees is composed of persons experienced in financial matters who meet throughout the year to oversee the activities of the Funds or Portfolios they represent. In addition, the Trustees review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the Funds/Portfolios and review the Funds' performance. The Trustees and officers of the Trust and Portfolios, their birthdate and their principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. Their titles may have varied during that period. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each officer is Clearing Operations, P.O. Box 897, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 05230-0897. Trustees of the Trust S. LELAND DILL (birthdate: March 28, 1930 ) -- Trustee; Retired; Director, Coutts Group; Coutts (U.S.A.) International; Coutts Trust Holdings Ltd; Director, Zweig Series Trust; formerly Partner of KPMG Peat Marwick; Director, Vinters International Company Inc.; General Partner of Pemco (an investment company registered under the 1940 Act). His address is 5070 North Ocean Drive, Singer Island, Florida 33404. KELVIN J. LANCASTER (birthdate: December 10, 1924) -- Trustee; Professor, Department of Economics, Columbia University. His address is 35 Claremont Avenue, New York, New York 10027. PHILIP SAUNDERS, JR. (birthdate: October 11, 1935) -- Trustee; Principal, Philip Saunders Associates (Consulting); former Director of Financial Industry Consulting, Wolf & Company; President, John Hancock Home Mortgage Corporation; and Senior Vice President of Treasury and Financial Services, John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. His address is 445 Glen Road, Weston, Massachusetts 02193. PHILIP W. COOLIDGE* (birthdate: September 2, 1951) -- Trustee; Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Signature Financial Group, Inc. ("SFG") (since December, 1988) and Signature (since April, 1989). His address is 6 St. James Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. Trustees of the Portfolios CHARLES P. BIGGAR (birthdate: October 14, 1930) -- Trustee; Retired; Director of Chase/NBW Bank Advisory Board; Director, Batemen, Eichler, Hill Richards Inc.; formerly Vice President of International Business Machines and President of the National Services and the Field Engineering Divisions of IBM. His address is 12 Hitching Post Lane, Chappaqua, New York 10514. S. LELAND DILL (birthdate: March 28, 1930) -- Trustee; Retired; Director, Coutts Group; Coutts (U.S.A.) International; Coutts Trust Holdings Ltd; Director, Zweig Series Trust; formerly Partner of KPMG Peat Marwick; Director, Vinters International Company Inc.; General Partner of Pemco (an investment company registered under the 1940 Act). His address is 5070 North Ocean Drive, Singer Island, Florida 33404. PHILIP SAUNDERS, JR. (birthdate: October 11, 1935) -- Trustee; Principal, Philip Saunders Associates (Consulting); former Director of Financial Industry Consulting, Wolf & Company; President, John Hancock Home Mortgage Corporation; and Senior Vice President of Treasury and Financial Services, John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. His address is 445 Glen Road, Weston, Massachusetts 02193. PHILIP W. COOLIDGE* (birthdate: September 2, 1951) -- Trustee; Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, SFG (since December, 1988) and Signature (since April, 1989). His address is 6 St. James Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. * Indicates an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) for the Trust. Officers of the Trust and Portfolios Unless otherwise specified, each officer listed below holds the same position with the Trust and each Portfolio. RONALD M. PETNUCH (birthdate: February 27, 1960) -- President and Treasurer; Senior Vice President, Federated Services Company ("FSC"); formerly, Director of Proprietary Client Services, Federated Administrative Services ("FAS"), and Associate Corporate Counsel, Federated Investors ("FI"). CHARLES L. DAVIS, JR. (birthdate: March 23, 1960) -- Vice President and Assistant Treasurer; Vice President, FAS. JAY S. NEUMAN (birthdate: April 22, 1950) -- Secretary; Corporate Counsel, FI. Messrs. Coolidge, Petnuch, Davis, and Neuman also hold similar positions for other investment companies for which Signature or Edgewood or an affiliate, respectively, serves as the principal underwriter. * Indicates an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) for the Trust. No person who is an officer or director of Bankers Trust is an officer or Trustee of the Trust or the Portfolios. No director, officer or employee of Edgewood or any of its affiliates will receive any compensation from the Trust or the Portfolios for serving as an officer or Trustee of the Trust or a Portfolio. Intermediate Tax Free Fund incurred Trustees fees equal to $2,002 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996. For the same period, Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio incurred Trustees fees equal to $1,866. Global High Yield Securities Fund incurred Trustees fees equal to $2,862 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996. For the same period, Global High Yield Securities Portfolio incurred Trustees fees equal to $2,638. Capital Appreciation Fund incurred Trustees fees equal to $2,902 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996. For the same period, Capital Appreciation Portfolio incurred Trustees fees equal to $2,628. Small Cap Fund incurred Trustees fees equal to $2,855 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996. For the same period, Small Cap Portfolio incurred Trustees fees equal to $2,718. International Equity Fund incurred Trustees fees equal to $2,875 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 . For the same period, International Equity Portfolio incurred Trustees fees equal to $3,004. Pacific Basin Equity Fund incurred Trustees fees equal to $2,875 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996. For the same period, Pacific Basin Equity Portfolio incurred Trustees fees equal to $2,654. Latin American Equity Fund incurred Trustees fees equal to $2,767 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996. For the same period, Latin American Equity Portfolio incurred Trustees fees equal to $2,904. The following table reflects fees paid to the Trustees of the Trust and Portfolio for the year ended September 30, 1996. Trustee Compensation Table Aggregate Total Compensation Name of Person, Compensation from Fund Complex* Position from Trust Paid to Trustees S. Leland Dill, $10,000 $23,000 Trustee of Trust and Portfolios Kelvin J. Lancaster, $13,000 $23,000 Trustee of Trust Philip Saunders, Jr, $13,000 $23,000 Trustee of Trust and Portfolios Philip W. Coolidge, none none Trustee of Trust and Portfolios Charles P. Biggar, none none Trustee of Portfolios * Aggregated information is furnished for the BT Family of Funds which consists of the following: BT Investment Funds, BT Institutional Funds, BT Pyramid Funds, BT Advisor Funds, BT Investment Portfolios, Cash Management Portfolio, Treasury Money Portfolio, Tax Free Money Portfolio, NY Tax Free Money Portfolio, International Equity Portfolio, Utility Portfolio, Short Intermediate US Government Securities Portfolio, Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio, Asset Management Portfolio, Equity 500 Index Portfolio and Capital Appreciation Portfolio. Bankers Trust reimbursed the Funds and Portfolios for a portion of their Trustees fees for the period above. See "Investment Adviser" and "Administrator" below. As of December 31, 1996, the Trustees and Officers of the Trust and the Portfolios owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the shares of any Fund or the Trust (all series taken together). As of December 31, 1996, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Intermediate Tax Free Fund: Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette Securities Corporation, Inc., Jersey City, NJ, owned approximately 136,317 (6.65%) shares; Batrus & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 179,533 (8.75%) shares; Infid & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 356,829 (17.04%) shares and Henry Shotmeyer, Sr., New York, NY, owned approximately 551,074 (26.88%) shares. As of December 31, 1996, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Global High Yield Securities Fund: Batrus & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 111,827 (5.71%) shares and Infid & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 1,634,638 (83.49%) shares. As of December 31, 1996, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Capital Appreciation Fund: Batrus & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 1,363,613 (32.91%) shares and Infid & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 1,1719,184 (41.49%) shares. As of December 31, 1996, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Small Cap Fund: Big Woods Partners II, Rochester, NY, owned approximately 528,788 (5.11%) shares; Charles Schwab & Co., San Francisco, CA, owned approximately 676,448 (6.54%) shares; Batrus & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 1,780,137 (17.22%) shares; Infid & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 2,387,089 (23.09%) shares and Bankers Trust Co.; Jersey City, NJ, acting as Trustee, owned approximately 3,345,851 (32.36%) shares. As of December 31, 1996, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of International Equity Fund: Bankers Trust Co., Jersey City, NJ, acting as Trustee, owned approximately 1,182,693 (9.90%) shares; Batrus & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 1,754,393 (14.69%) shares; Charles Schwab & Co., San Francisco, CA, owned approximately 1,967,593 (16.48%) shares and Infid & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 3,224,028 (27.00%) shares. As of December 31, 1996, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Pacific Basin Equity Fund: Batrus & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 571,948 (21.73%) shares and Infid & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 1,539,491 (58.50%) shares. As of December 31, 1996, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Latin American Equity Fund: Batrus & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 154,978 (8.36%) shares; Charles Schwab & Co., San Francisco, CA, owned approximately 464,092 (25.04%) shares and Infid & Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 926,714 (50.00%) shares. Investment Adviser Under the terms of each Portfolio's investment advisory agreement with Bankers Trust (the "Advisory Agreement"), Bankers Trust manages the Portfolio subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. Bankers Trust will: (i) act in strict conformity with each Portfolio's Declaration of Trust, the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as the same may from time to time be amended; (ii) manage each Portfolio in accordance with the Portfolio's investment objectives, restrictions and policies; (iii) make investment decisions for each Portfolio; and (iv) place purchase and sale orders for securities and other financial instruments on behalf of each Portfolio. Bankers Trust bears all expenses in connection with the performance of services under each Advisory Agreement. The Trust and each Portfolio bears certain other expenses incurred in its operation, including: taxes, interest, brokerage fees and commissions, if any; fees of Trustees of the Trust or the Portfolio who are not officers, directors or employees of Bankers Trust, Edgewood or any of their affiliates; SEC fees and state Blue Sky qualification fees; charges of custodians and transfer and dividend disbursing agents; certain insurance premiums; outside auditing and legal expenses; costs of maintenance of corporate existence; costs attributable to investor services, including, without limitation, telephone and personnel expenses; costs of preparing and printing prospectuses and statements of additional information for regulatory purposes and for distribution to existing shareholders; costs of shareholders' reports and meetings of shareholders, officers and Trustees of the Trust or the Portfolio; and any extraordinary expenses. For the period from January 1, 1996 to September 30, 1996, and the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, Bankers Trust earned $67,313, $96,572, and $117,549, respectively, in compensation for investment advisory services provided to Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $23,842, $18,572, and $41,555, respectively, to that Portfolio to cover expenses. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the period from December 14, 1993 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 1994, Bankers Trust accrued $156,634, $141,692, and $66,073, respectively, in compensation for investment advisory services provided to Global High Yield Securities Portfolio. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $86,070, $78,840, and $48,741, respectively, to that Portfolio to cover expenses. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, and the year ended December 31, 1994, Bankers Trust accrued $1,225,764, $482,453, and $329,399, respectively, in compensation for investment advisory services provided to Capital Appreciation Portfolio. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $319,524, $131,702, and $114,930, respectively, to that Portfolio to cover expenses. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the period from October 21, 1993 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 1994, Bankers Trust accrued $1,293,449, $389,015, and $69,420, respectively, in compensation for investment advisory services provided to Small Cap Portfolio. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $331,176, $111,862, and $41,110, respectively, to that Portfolio to cover expenses. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, and the year ended December 31, 1994, Bankers Trust accrued $759,552, $322,696, and $322,489 respectively, in compensation for investment advisory services provided to International Equity Portfolio. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $229,297, $108,743, and $117,653 , respectively, to that Portfolio to cover expenses. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the period from November 1, 1993 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 1994, Bankers Trust accrued $211,122, $173,591, and $116,020, respectively, in compensation for investment advisory services provided to Pacific Basin Equity Portfolio. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $30,450, $47,338, and $40,461, respectively, to that Portfolio to cover expenses. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the period from October 25, 1993 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 1994, Bankers Trust accrued $151,004, $173,145, and $102,872, respectively, in compensation for investment advisory services provided to Latin American Equity Portfolio. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $46,928, $138,351, and $81,307, respectively, to that Portfolio to cover expenses. Bankers Trust may have deposit, loan and other commercial banking relationships with the issuers of obligations which may be purchased on behalf of the Portfolios, including outstanding loans to such issuers which could be repaid in whole or in part with the proceeds of securities so purchased. Such affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in such obligations and are among the leading dealers of various types of such obligations. Bankers Trust has informed the Portfolios that, in making its investment decisions, it does not obtain or use material inside information in its possession or in the possession of any of its affiliates. In making investment recommendations for the Portfolios, Bankers Trust will not inquire or take into consideration whether an issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale by a Portfolio is a customer of Bankers Trust, its parent or its subsidiaries or affiliates and, in dealing with its customers, Bankers Trust, its parent, subsidiaries and affiliates will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of such customers are held by any fund managed by Bankers Trust or any such affiliate. Each Fund's prospectus contains disclosure as to the amount of Bankers Trust's investment advisory and administration and services fees, including waivers thereof. Bankers Trust may not recoup any of its waived investment advisory or administration and services fees. Such waivers by Bankers Trust shall stay in effect for at least 12 months. Sub-Investment Adviser Bankers Trust has entered into a sub-investment advisory agreement (the "Sub-Advisory Agreement") with BT Fund Managers International Limited ("BT Fund Managers International") a wholly owned subsidiary of Bankers Trust Australia Limited ("BTAL") in Sydney. BTAL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bankers Trust New York Corporation. Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, Bankers Trust may receive investment advice and research services with respect to companies based in the Pacific Basin and may grant BT Fund Managers International investment management authority as well as the authority to buy and sell securities if Bankers Trust believes it would be beneficial to the Portfolio. BTAL, which was granted a banking license in 1986, is the parent of Bankers Trust Australia Group which has offices is Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, London and Hong Kong. A representative office of Bankers Trust Company was opened in Australia in 1966 and Australian merchant banking operations commences in 1969. A related organization, Bankers Trust New Zealand Limited, was established in 1986. Although BTAL has not previously served as investment adviser for a registered investment company, BTAL provides investment services for a range of clients. Administrator Under the administration and services agreements, Bankers Trust is obligated on a continuous basis to provide such administrative services as the Board of Trustees of the Trust and each Portfolio reasonably deem necessary for the proper administration of the Trust or a Portfolio. Bankers Trust will generally assist in all aspects of the Funds' and Portfolios' operations; supply and maintain office facilities (which may be in Bankers Trust's own offices), statistical and research data, data processing services, clerical, accounting, bookkeeping and recordkeeping services (including without limitation the maintenance of such books and records as are required under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, except as maintained by other agents), executive and administrative services, and stationery and office supplies; prepare reports to shareholders or investors; prepare and file tax returns; supply financial information and supporting data for reports to and filings with the SEC and various state Blue Sky authorities; supply supporting documentation for meetings of the Board of Trustees; provide monitoring reports and assistance regarding compliance with Declarations of Trust, by-laws, investment objectives and policies and with Federal and state securities laws; arrange for appropriate insurance coverage; calculate net asset values, net income and realized capital gains or losses; and negotiate arrangements with, and supervise and coordinate the activities of, agents and others to supply services. Pursuant to a sub-administration agreement (the "Sub-Administration Agreement"), FSC performs such sub-administration duties for the Trust and the Portfolios as from time to time may be agreed upon by Bankers Trust and FSC. The Sub-Administration Agreement provides that FSC will receive such compensation as from time to time may be agreed upon by FSC and Bankers Trust. All such compensation will be paid by Bankers Trust. For the period from January 1, 1996 to September 30, 1996, and the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, Bankers Trust earned $67,185, $96,355, and $117,245, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to the Intermediate Tax Free Fund. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $40,323, $48,616, and $63,823, respectively, to cover expenses. For the period from January 1, 1996 to September 30, 1996, and the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, Bankers Trust earned $8,414, $12,072, and $14,693, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the period from December 14, 1993 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 1994, Bankers Trust accrued $185,042, $167,703, and $78,503, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to Global High Yield Securities Fund. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $109,939, $74,013, and $40,342, respectively, to cover expenses. For the same periods, Bankers Trust received $39,158, $35,342, and $16,518, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to Global High Yield Securities Portfolio. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, and the year ended December 31, 1994, Bankers Trust accrued $405,364, $229,796, and $165,092, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to the Capital Appreciation Fund. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $57,379, $48,877, and $79,097, respectively, to cover expenses. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, and the year ended December 31, 1994, Bankers Trust received $188,579, $74,224, and $50,677, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to Capital Appreciation Portfolio. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the period from October 21, 1993 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 1994, Bankers Trust accrued $1,285,892, $388,661, and $69,395, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to Small Cap Fund. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $109,960, $92,321, and $51,004, respectively, to cover expenses. For the same periods, Bankers Trust received $198,992, $59,848, and $10,680, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to Small Cap Portfolio. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, and the year ended December 31, 1994, Bankers Trust accrued $982,662, $421,538, and $421,138, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to the International Equity Fund. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $74,494, $52,956, and $66,603, respectively, to cover expenses. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the period from January 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, and the year ended December 31, 1994, Bankers Trust received $175,281, $74,468, and $74,420, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to International Equity Portfolio. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the period from November 1, 1993 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 1994, Bankers Trust accrued $210,057, $173,407, and $115,972, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to Pacific Basin Equity Fund. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $56,703, $72,263, and $51,932, respectively, to cover expenses. For the same periods, Bankers Trust received $70,374, $57,864, and $38,673, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to Pacific Basin Equity Portfolio. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the period from October 25, 1993 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 1994, Banker Trust accrued $143,318, $162,746, and $97,763, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to Latin American Equity Fund. During the same periods, Bankers Trust reimbursed $53,312, $63,765, and $49,325, respectively, to cover expenses. For the same periods, Bankers Trust received $30,201, $34,629, and $20,574, respectively, in compensation for administrative and other services provided to Latin American Equity Portfolio. Bankers Trust has agreed that if in any fiscal year the aggregate expenses of any Fund and its respective Portfolio (including fees pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage and, if permitted by the relevant state securities commissions, extraordinary expenses) exceed the expense limitation of any state having jurisdiction over a Fund, Bankers Trust will reimburse the Fund for the excess expense to the extent required by state law. As of the date of this SAI, the most restrictive annual expense limitation applicable to any Fund is 2.50% of the Fund's first $30 million of average annual net assets, 2.00% of the next $70 million of average annual net assets and 1.50% of the remaining average annual net assets. Custodian and Transfer Agent Bankers Trust, 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, serves as Custodian for the Trust and for each Portfolio pursuant to the administration and services agreements. As Custodian, it holds the Funds' and each Portfolio's assets. Bankers Trust also serves as transfer agent of the Trust and of each Portfolio pursuant to the respective administration and services agreement. Under its transfer agency agreement with the Trust, Bankers Trust maintains the shareholder account records for each Fund, handles certain communications between shareholders and the Trust and causes to be distributed any dividends and distributions payable by the Trust. Bankers Trust may be reimbursed by the Funds or the Portfolios for its out-of-pocket expenses. Bankers Trust will comply with the self-custodian provisions of Rule 17f-2 under the 1940 Act. Use of Name The Trust and Bankers Trust have agreed that the Trust may use "BT" as part of its name for so long as Bankers Trust serves as investment adviser to the Portfolios. The Trust has acknowledged that the term "BT" is used by and is a property right of certain subsidiaries of Bankers Trust and that those subsidiaries and/or Bankers Trust may at any time permit others to use that term. The Trust may be required, on 60 days' notice from Bankers Trust at any time, to abandon use of the acronym "BT" as part of its name. If this were to occur, the Trustees would select an appropriate new name for the Trust, but there would be no other material effect on the Trust, its shareholders or activities. Banking Regulatory Matters Bankers Trust has been advised by its counsel that in its opinion Bankers Trust may perform the services for the Portfolios contemplated by the Advisory Agreements and other activities for the Funds and the Portfolios described in the Prospectuses and this SAI without violation of the Glass-Steagall Act or other applicable banking laws or regulations. However, counsel has pointed out that future changes in either Federal or state statutes and regulations concerning the permissible activities of banks or trust companies, as well as future judicial or administrative decisions or interpretations of present and future statutes and regulations, might prevent Bankers Trust from continuing to perform those services for the Trust and the Portfolios. State laws on this issue may differ from the interpretations of relevant Federal law and banks and financial institutions may be required to register as dealers pursuant to state securities law. If the circumstances described above should change, the Boards of Trustees would review the relationships with Bankers Trust and consider taking all actions necessary in the circumstances. Counsel and Independent Accountants Willkie Farr & Gallagher, One Citicorp Center, 153 East 53rd Street, New York, New York 10022-4669, serves as Counsel to the Trust and each Portfolio. Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., 1100 Main Street, Suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64105 acts as Independent Accountants of the Trust and each Portfolio. ORGANIZATION OF THE TRUST Shares of the Trust do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect all Trustees. Shares are transferable but have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights. Shareholders generally vote by Fund, except with respect to the election of Trustees and the ratification of the selection of independent accountants. Massachusetts law provides that shareholders could under certain circumstances be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust's Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of this disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or a Trustee. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification from the Trust's property for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a shareholder's incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself would be unable to meet its obligations, a possibility that the Trust believes is remote. Upon payment of any liability incurred by the Trust, the shareholder paying the liability will be entitled to reimbursement from the general assets of the Trust. The Trustees intend to conduct the operations of the Trust in a manner so as to avoid, as far as possible, ultimate liability of the shareholders for liabilities of the Trust. The Trust was organized under the name BT Tax-Free Investment Trust and assumed its current name of BT Investment Funds on May 16, 1988. Except as described below, whenever the Trust is requested to vote on a fundamental policy of the Portfolio, the Trust will hold a meeting of the Fund's shareholders and will cast its vote as instructed by the Fund's shareholders. Fund shareholders who do not vote will not affect the Trust's votes at the Portfolio meeting. The percentage of the Trust's votes representing Fund shareholders not voting will be voted by the Trustees of the Trust in the same proportion as the Fund shareholders who do, in fact, vote. Except as described below, whenever the Fund is requested to vote on matters pertaining to the Portfolio, the Fund will hold a meeting of its shareholders and will cast its votes proportionately as instructed by Fund shareholders. However, subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, the Fund would not request a vote of its shareholders with respect to (a) any proposal relating to the Portfolio, which proposal, if made with respect to the Fund, would not require the vote of the shareholders of the Fund, or (b) any proposal with respect to the Portfolio that is identical in all material respects to a proposal that has previously been approved by shareholders of the Fund. Any proposal submitted to holders in the Portfolio, and that is not required to be voted on by shareholders of the Fund, would nonetheless be voted on by the Trustees of the Trust. TAXATION Taxation of the Funds The Trust intends to qualify annually and to elect each Fund to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Code. As a regulated investment company, each Fund will not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on its investment company taxable income and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses), if any, that it distributes to shareholders. The Funds intend to distribute to their shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of their investment company taxable income and net capital gains, and therefore do not anticipate incurring Federal income tax liability. Each Fund shareholder will also receive, if appropriate, various written notices after the close of the Fund's prior taxable year as to the Federal income status of his dividends and distributions which were received from the Fund during the Fund's prior taxable year. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers as to any state and local taxes that may apply to these dividends and distributions. The dollar amount of dividends excluded from Federal income taxation and the dollar amount subject to such income taxation, if any, will vary for each shareholder depending upon the size and duration of each shareholder's investment in the Fund. To the extent that the Fund earns taxable net investment income, the Fund intends to designate as taxable dividends the same percentage of each dividend as its taxable net investment income bears to its total net investment income earned. Therefore, the percentage of each dividend designated as taxable, if any, may vary. Intermediate Tax Free Portfolio Tax-Exempt Interest. Investment in the Intermediate Tax Free Fund would not be suitable for tax-exempt institutions, qualified retirement plans, H.R. 10 plans and individual retirement accounts since such investors would not gain any additional tax benefit from the receipt of tax-exempt income. Because the Intermediate Tax Free Fund will distribute exempt-interest dividends, all or a portion of any interest on indebtedness incurred by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of the Fund will not be deductible for Federal personal income tax purposes. In addition, the Code may require a shareholder of the Fund, if he receives exempt-interest dividends, to treat as taxable income a portion of certain otherwise nontaxable social security and railroad retirement benefit payments. Furthermore, that portion of any exempt-interest dividend paid by the Fund which represents income from private activity bonds held by the Fund may not retain its tax-exempt status in the hands of a shareholder who is a "substantial user" of a facility financed by such bonds, or a "related person" thereof. Moreover, as noted in the Prospectus of the Fund, (i) some or all of the Fund's dividends and distributions may be specific preference items, or a component of an adjustment item, for purposes of the Federal individual and corporate alternative minimum taxes and (ii) the receipt of the Fund's dividends and distributions may affect a corporate shareholder's Federal "environmental" tax liability. In addition, the receipt of Fund dividends and distributions may affect a foreign corporate shareholder's Federal "branch profits" tax liability and a Subchapter S corporate shareholder's Federal "excess net passive income" tax liability. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers as to whether they are (i) "substantial users" with respect to a facility or "related" to such users within the meaning of the Code and (ii) subject to a Federal alternative minimum tax, the federal "environmental" tax, the Federal "branch profits" tax or the Federal "excess net passive income" tax. In the case of the Intermediate Tax Free Fund, these statements will also designate the amount of exempt-interest dividends that is a specific preference item for purposes of the Federal individual and corporate alternative minimum taxes. Global High Yield Securities Portfolio, Pacific Basin Equity Portfolio and Latin American Equity Portfolio Foreign Securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Portfolio's assets to be invested in various countries will vary. If the Portfolio is liable for foreign taxes, and if more than 50% of the value of the Portfolio's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, it may make an election pursuant to which certain foreign taxes paid by it would be treated as having been paid directly by shareholders of the entities, such as the corresponding Fund, which have invested in the Portfolio. Pursuant to such election, the amount of foreign taxes paid will be included in the income of the corresponding Fund's shareholders, and such Fund shareholders (except tax-exempt shareholders) may, subject to certain limitations, claim either a credit or deduction for the taxes. Each such Fund shareholder will be notified after the close of the Portfolio's taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid will "pass through" for that year and, if so, such notification will designate (a) the shareholder's portion of the foreign taxes paid to each such country and (b) the portion which represents income derived from sources within each such country. The amount of foreign taxes for which a shareholder may claim a credit in any year will generally be subject to a separate limitation for "passive income," which includes, among other items of income, dividends, interest and certain foreign currency gains. Because capital gains realized by the Portfolio on the sale of foreign securities will be treated as U.S. source income, the available credit of foreign taxes paid with respect to such gains may be restricted by this limitation. Taxation of the Portfolios The Portfolios are not subject to Federal income taxation. Instead, the Fund and other investors investing in a Portfolio must take into account, in computing their Federal income tax liability, their share of the Portfolio's income, gains, losses, deductions, credits and tax preference items, without regard to whether they have received any cash distributions from the Portfolio. Distributions received by a Fund (other than Intermediate Tax Free Fund) from the corresponding Portfolio generally will not result in the Fund recognizing any gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes, except that: (1) gain will be recognized to the extent that any cash distributed exceeds the Fund's basis in its interest in the Portfolio prior to the distribution; (2) income or gain may be realized if the distribution is made in liquidation of the Fund's entire interest in the Portfolio and includes a disproportionate share of any unrealized receivables held by the Portfolio; and (3) loss may be recognized if the distribution is made in liquidation of the Fund's entire interest in the Portfolio and consists solely of cash and/or unrealized receivables. A Fund's basis in its interest in the corresponding Portfolio generally will equal the amount of cash and the basis of any property which the Fund invests in the Portfolio, increased by the Fund's share of income from the Portfolio, and decreased by the amount of any cash distributions and the basis of any property distributed from the Portfolio. Other Taxation The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and, under current law, neither the Trust nor any Fund is liable for any income or franchise tax in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provided that the Fund continues to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. The investment by each Fund in the corresponding Portfolio does not cause the Fund to be liable for any income or franchise tax in the State of New York. Each Portfolio is organized as a New York trust. Each Portfolio is not subject to any income or franchise tax in the State of New York or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Fund shareholders may be subject to state and local taxes on their Fund distributions. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Fund. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The financial statements for each Fund or Portfolio for the period ended September 30, 1996, are incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report to shareholders for each Fund dated September 30, 1996. A copy of a Fund's Annual Report may be obtained without charge by contacting the respective Fund. Investment Adviser of each Portfolio and Administrator BANKERS TRUST COMPANY Distributor EDGEWOOD SERVICES, INC. Custodian and Transfer Agent BANKERS TRUST COMPANY Independent Accountants COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P. Counsel WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER -------------------- No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in the Trust's Prospectuses, its Statements of Additional Information or the Trust's official sales literature in connection with the offering of the Trust's shares and, if given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied on as having been authorized by the Trust. Neither the Prospectuses nor this Statement of Additional Information constitutes an offer in any state in which, or to any person to whom, such offer may not lawfully be made. -------------------- CUSIP # 055922801 CUSIP # 055922777 CUSIP # 055922819 CUSIP # 055922769 CUSIP# 055922868 CUSIP # 055922736 CUSIP # 055922785 COMBINV400 (7/97)
EX-99.COVER 2 BT INVESTMENT FUNDS Federated Investors Federated Investors Tower Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779 (412) 288-1900 July 18, 1997 EDGAR Operations Branch Securities and Exchange Commission Division of Investment Management 450 Fifth Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20549 RE: BT INVESTMENT FUNDS (the "Trust") Intermediate Tax Free Fund Global High Yield Securities Fund Capital Appreciation Fund Small Cap Fund International Equity Fund Pacific Basin Fund Latin American Equity Fund (the "Funds") 1933 Act File No. 33-7404 1940 Act File No. 811-4760 Dear Sir or Madam: Pursuant to Rule 497(e) of the Securities Act of 1933, the definitive Statement of Additional Information of the Trust, with respect to the Funds, dated January 31, 1997 (Revised July 18, 1997), is hereby electronically transmitted. It has been electronically redlined to indicate changes from the Trust's currently effective Statement of Additional Information. This Statement of Additional Information is a reprint to update certain obsolete language. Very truly yours, /s/ Mark R. Thompson Mark R. Thompson Compliance Analyst Enclosures
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